Review - Awakened

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey.  Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z.  But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there.  Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it?  Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim?  The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship?  Does he betray his father or his heart?

In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?
P. C. Cast, thank you.

You are the only thing that got me through a four hour plane ride to Vegas.  My BFF Straylights, certainly wasn't very supportive of my fear.  She's lucky I love her and let her borrow this on the way back.  I'm a quick reader, and it was done halfway home. 

I've got to say...I'm starting to not like Zoey very much, and she's kind of free with the love!  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I didn't like the book, but I feel the characters are changing and I'm becoming a bigger Stevie-Rae fan then I ever thought possible!

Some MAJOR changes occurred in this book and I've got to say, good job to the author for not being afraid to cut out some characters dramatically.  It makes me think you're a little crazy, and I like crazy .  :-)

All in all, I approve.  Bring on the next one!!!

Review - Last Sacrifice

Okay, so I feel like it's been FOREVER since I'm blogged and upon doing this review...I realized it HAS been forever!  Sorry I've been MIA, the holidays just stole me away from you!

So, Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead is the last lucky puppy I've gotten my hands on.  I loveeeeeee Ms. Mead's Succubus series so I started reading these also. 

I felt the book did a fantastic job of tying up loose ends and thoroughly explaining the way the story progressed.  I loved that Lissa became a bit more independent and was separate from Rose this book.  It showed what kind of person she can be. 

The ending was somewhat what I expected, but I would have liked to see it end just a LITTLE differently, I definitely don't want to give anything away...but for those of you who read it...I think you follow my meaning.

I heard there is going to be a spin-off.  I hope they don't ruin anything by trying to reintroduce a certain character as a love interest to someone else if you get me. 

Busting the Newbie Blues!

This event is hosted by Small Review, it is meant to help new and old bloggers interact and share their experiences about what it's like or was like to be a new blogger. It's running from December 3rd to December 31st, and you can find all the information and how to participate here.

1. When did you start your blog?  

October 3rd, 2010.

2. Why did you start your blog? 

I LOVE to read, and my BFF Straylights had recently started her own blog...I admit...I was JEALOUS.  I wanted EVERYONE to hear my opinion of recent books and to hear about some I should be reading!

3. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far? 

Trying to get my blog out there so I can connect with fellow book lovers.  I really didn't want to beg...but PLEASE, come see my blog!  :-)

4. What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger? 

Not having ANY idea about what I'm doing.  I didn't know how to do templates or enter pictures or even connect to other bloggers.  I've learned so much!!  It's also discouraging to not have many followers.  I wish I could sign in one morning and have hundreds! 

5. What do you find most encouraging? 

Other bloggers stopping by and commenting on my blogs.  It makes me feel special!  Also, I read an advanced copy of Stone Kissed by Keri Stevens and she COMMENTED on my blog.  I must admit, I felt like I had MADE IT at that exact moment. 

6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?  

I love to read, and I love to discover new books that I haven't heard of or maybe didn't pay much attention to.  I'm always looking for my next favorite author to add to my growing list.  I also loved all of the book covers I saw in other blogs and started my own "waiting for" list after visiting quite a few who had them!

7. What do you dislike about blogs you've read? Do you try to avoid this?

I like to hear about books!  It's awesome if you're doing a giveaway, or exchanging gifts in a secret Santa...and good for you, but I want to read about books!!

8. Do you have any advice for new bloggers? 

Do it for you.  Yeah, it gets frustrating when you only have a handful of followers, but those are the select few who get to enjoy what you have to say.  Hell, I like to hear myself talk...and I sure like to read my own reviews!  :-)

9. Anything else you'd like to share about your experience?

I love it so far.  I'm really starting to discover the YA genre and can't believe how many things I had been missing because I categorized YA with "kids" books.

10. Is there anything you'd like to tell us about your blog? 

Blogging for life.  I love to read, that will never stop.  So as long as I'm reading...I'll be blogging!!  Plus...my blog is kind of amazing...  :-D

Review - Pale Demon

OMG.  A huge 'THANK YOU' to HarperCollins and Kim Harrison for letting me read this baby before it even hits shelves.  Yes, I will admit, I did a little begging for it, but it was so worth it seeing as though I am a HUGE fan of the series.

It's hard to review a book without giving away any spoilers....so here goes.

The book, as I expected, was FANTASTIC.  I can't help but get swept away into the world Ms. Harrison creates every time I open up one of the books from her fabulous Hollows series. 

The book starts off where the last left off, with Rachel having to take a trip in front of the council to try and have her shunning revoked.  Yeah, she uses Demon magic, yeah...she hangs out with Al (who she should TOTALLY hook up with), but hey you sissy witches, she's a GOOD witch, dang it all!

I think the best part about these books is Rachel learning new Demon magic, and losing herself in the world of the Ever After.  It's such a well written and interesting place..and I sure love to see Rachel learn new and challenging spells.  I love that as a character, she pushes herself to see how far she can go and what she can accomplish.  You go, girl!

I love the thought and creativity that go into these books, and I can't help but imagine the characters and what they might be doing in "day to day" life...as in...what happens when I'm not reading the story.  Maybe I'm crazy!  

I would have liked to see more Al in this book, but that's just me being selfish because I want some sexy sex time between him and Rachel.  I want him to look at her loving with his goat eyes and call her HIS itchy witch...hahhha. 

Seriously, this made my holiday season.  What a PRESENT to have been able to read and enjoy yet another of Ms. Harrison's magical stories.

ATTENTION....

Harper Collins and Kim Harrison just granted me a pre-read of Pale Demon.  (I'M FREAKING OUT)

I'm a HUGE Kim Harrison fan and am locking myself in a room after work today and reading that sucker until the birds chirp. 

Expect to see me with a review sometime tomorrow!!!!!

I like to HOP on Sunday...

It's time for the weekly Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy For Books!!  :-)

This week's question comes from Angela who blogs at Library Girl Reads:

 

 "What is the thing you like most about reading book blogs?  Is it the reviews, author guest posts, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely?"

 

Ohhhh!!  I LOVE visiting other blogs to find even more books to add to my TBR list.  I never really participate in giveaways, I have bad luck.  :-(  I do love getting to know other book enthusiasts and connecting to people who understand MY love for books!!

Review - Stone Kissed

Keri Stevens

Stone Kissed

When Delia Forrest talks to statues, they talk back. She is, after all, the last of the Steward witches.

After an arsonist torches her ancestral home with her estranged father still inside, Delia is forced to sell the estate to pay his medical bills. Her childhood crush, Grant Wolverton, makes a handsome offer for Steward House, vowing to return it to its former glory. Delia agrees, as long as he'll allow her to oversee the restoration.

Working so closely with Grant, Delia finds it difficult to hide her unique talent—especially when their growing passion fuels her abilities.

But someone else lusts after both her man and the raw power contained in the Steward land. Soon Delia finds herself fighting not just for Grant's love, but for both their lives...

Okay, first things first...a HUGE thank you to Carina Press and Keri Stevens for awarding me the absolute privilege of reviewing this book.  I feel honored!!

I've gotta say, this book was AWESOME, and quite a deal if you're looking for it on your Kindle. 

Delia, the books main character, comes from a long line of witches, but not the witches your thinking of...no spell books or cauldrons to be found here.  Delia is unique.  She has the ability to talk to stone...statues to be precise.  The book opens with a hilarious scene in which Delia, who restores statues for a living, it having an inappropriate conversation with a statue.  That's where this book sucked me in.  It was funny, I was laughing out loud.  Ms. Stevens gives each and every character that is introduced in the book their own personality, regardless of if they are flesh or stone. 

This book had everything I needed.  It made me laugh, it made me cry, it held me in suspense, there were some pretty HOT scenes with sexy man-hunk, Grant.  I've gotta say, this book was a HIT in my mind.  Seriously, I don't have a paper copy and I wish I did, so I could let all my friends borrow it!!  It was fantastic. 

It's well worth it and SO different.  It was so refreshing to read something COMPLETELY different from what I usually review.  Yes, it was still paranormal romance, but it introduced a whole new aspect on the genre.  Bravo!!