Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life

Top 5 Sundays #70 - Series You Plan to Start in 2012!

2012-01-21T22:31:00.000-02:00

Hey guys!

Very nice theme for the day! I am such a series addict that I am always looking for new series to dig my teeth into and there are SO many that are on my radar and some that I have even bought, but just have not gotten a chance to start.

In December 2011, I finally started one of the biggest ones, the In Death series and I not only I don't regret it but I am in love with it and 16 books out 34 in already YAY!

So these are my next victims =D

This week’s results:

Book Series You Wish Would End! = 7 (41%)

Series You Plan to Start in 2012! 10 (58%)

The theme for today is:

Series You Plan to Start in 2012!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Series You Plan to Start in 2012!

*in no particular order

Immortals After Dark Series

by Kresley Cole

One of those series everyone has read, but me!
It's about time LOL

Elder Races

by Thea Harrison

I keep hearing so many wonderful things about the series, I have to check it out =D

Dark Hunter Series

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Another series everyone has read... well, I gotta start it soon =P

Stephanie Plum

by Janet Evanovich

All the series listed, I have at least the first few books of it... this is another one I am really looking forward to try out =P

Sisters of The Moon Series

by Yasmine Galenorn

This looks like such a great series! I have all the books, i just need to buckle down =P

Special Mentions:

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

NEED IDEAS FOR 2012

Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Series You Plan to Start in 2012!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

Darker After Midnight {Midnight Breed #10} by Lara Adrian

2012-01-18T23:19:00.000-02:00

In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.
At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach. But when his eyes meet those of Tavia Fairchild, a beautiful witness who identifies him at the scene of a mission gone terribly wrong, Chase finds himself drawn to the woman—and convinced she is something much more than she seems.
Pulled into a vortex of intrigue and danger she can neither resist nor understand, Tavia is uncertain whom to trust. And while everything sane and logical warns her against getting close to Chase, she cannot deny that the handsome, deeply haunted male stirs something primal and ravenous within her. But even as she surrenders to her cravings, nothing can prepare her for the shattering truth of who—and what—she truly is.
As the Order’s enemy mobilizes for the battle of the ages, Dragos and his Minions unleashing a hell on Earth like nothing ever seen before, Chase and Tavia are thrust into the heart of the violence. With time running out and the streets running red with the blood of innocent lives, both Breed and human, together Chase and Tavia must find a way to defeat Dragos once and for all—or die trying.

From Goodreads.

Publisher: Robinson Publishing

Release Date: January 24th, 2012

Pages: 420

Series: Midnight Breed Series

Author's Website

*Contains Very MINOR SPOILERS if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

Finally! Sterling Chase finally gets his story told! Chase a.k.a. Harvard was one of the late additions to the Order, but quickly captured the harts of the Midnight Breed fans all over, all of whom have been hoping for his HEA with our hearts in our hands, hoping for the best.

Of the current members of the Order, Chase is the last one to get his HEA and after his specially featured role in Hunter's book, Deeper Than Midnight, the expectation for his story just got that much higher and I am so happy to say that Lara Adrian delivered it in spades!

We met Chase's HEA in Deeper Than Midnight and Tavia proves to be such an awesome mate to our dear Harvard and Lara has an incredible twist where she is concerned that I thought was a great addition to the series.

Now when it comes to Chase, I have to say that the poor guy basically goes from Hell to an even hotter Hell throughout the novel and his path back to a Haven he has always been reticent to wish for is far from easy.

I LOVED Darker After Midnight! It is such a fantastic novel and the perfect ending to the current arch of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns Lara threw at me and I think the ending had the the perfect tone.

After all this time and adventures, I cannot wait to read about the next generation of the Breed, which is what i believe we are getting for the next arch of this incredible series.

If you are a Midnight Breed series fan, this is an absolute MUST read! You will NOT be disappointed!

The Midnight Breed Series So Far: 

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Check Out My Design Blog:

Great Anti-Piracy Badge Up for Grabs!

*Great Freebies Available!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

One Sea Salt {October Daye #5} by Seanan McGuire

2012-01-16T00:40:00.000-02:00

October "Toby" Daye is settling into her new role as Countess of Goldengreen. She's actually dating again, and she's taken on Quentin as her squire. So, of course, it's time for things to take a turn for the worse.Someone has kidnapped the sons of the regent of the Undersea Duchy of Saltmist. To prevent a war between land and sea, Toby must find the missing boys and prove the Queen of the Mists was not behind their abduction. Toby's search will take her from the streets of San Francisco to the lands beneath the waves, and her deadline is firm: she must find the boys in three days' time, or all of the Mists will pay the price. But someone is determined to stop her-and whoever it is isn't playing by Oberon's Laws...

From Goodreads.

Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: September 6th, 2011
Pages: 354
Series: October Daye Series
Author's Website

*Contains Very MINOR SPOILERS if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

I absolutely adore this series and its characters. Seanan McGuire has done a superb job in depicting Fae characters and worlds and telling awesome stories. I love Toby as a leading woman and look forward to every single one of her adventures.

One Sea Salt was a great book, despite of leaving me a bit off kilter. The story is great and compelling, but Seanan took the characters through a road I did not expect and even though I appreciate it, it threw me off hehe.

I have to say that I am 100% team Tybalt and I will continue to root for his Highness King of Cats and a relationship with Toby that i believe could be quite interesting to read.

Over all, Seanan delivered with One Sea Salt another great addition to an incredible series and I cannot wait for whatever is coming next.

 The October Daye Series: 

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Check Out My Design Blog:

Great Anti-Piracy Badge Up for Grabs!

*Great Freebies Available!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

Top 5 Sundays # 69 - Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together!

2012-01-14T21:21:00.000-02:00

Hey everyone!

This week we have a very interesting theme, one that has been extremely hard for me.

I realized I tend to root for the winning team most of the time and by the time a series ends, the hero and heroine I am rooting for are together.

So, for the purposes of this list i shall look at series or individual books in a series where by the end of the book, the Hero with which the Heroine ended up is not my final choice.

Hope you guys will join me!

btw, it might contain spoilers to some series or a book in the series! beware!

This week’s results:

Favorite Love Triangles! = 4 (33%)

Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together! 8 (66%)

Theme Idea by Camille

Thanks!

The theme for today is:

Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Rules:

Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together!

*in no particular order

Sookie & Bill

Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Chalaine Harris

I don't like Bill and even in that first novel i wasn't on his team all the way... So, Sookie ending up with him then was not for me hehe

Morgan & Brian

Morgan Kingsley Series by Jenna Black

The series is over and it is the only example of a series that didn't end up how I really wanted. I know it was canceled and it didn't get a proper send off, but still LOL

Nothing against Brian, but for me Morgan deserved better =D

Justine & Otto

The Disillusionists Trilogy by Carolyn Crane

I was never team Otto, and Justine ending this book with him did not please me to say the least =P

October & Quentin

October Daye Series by Seanan Mcguire

Love Toby and I am totally team Tybalt, so she sort of ending up with Quentin in this book did not make me happy.

Cassandra & Mircea

Cassie Palmer Series by Karen Chance

A lot of people don't agree with me, but Mircea is too manipulative and sleek for me, I am totally Team Pritkin!

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

NEED IDEAS FOR 2012

Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

Death Magic {World of Lupi #8} by Eileen Wilks

2012-01-12T00:28:00.000-02:00

It was transparent. Maybe that’s why she immediately thought ghost. It drifted on a diagonal like three-dimensional rice paper—translucent, not transparent, its edges too clearly defined for smoke, its shape vaguely human but faceless. It floated on a steady, nonexistent air current, starting at the left-rear of the range . . . and coming straight at her.

The quick clamp of fear, irrational and immediate, stiffened her spine as it widened her eyes. As the thing floated closer it stretched out a hand—and yes, it was a hand. For all the vagueness of the rest of the form, that milky hand was painstakingly clear, from the mound at the base of the thumb to the lines crossing the palm to the band of a ring on the third finger. A hand, palm up. Beseeching.

From Goodreads.

Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: November 1st, 2011
Pages: 401
Series: Chicagoland Vampires Series
Author's Website

*Contains Very MINOR SPOILERS if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

The Good: This series is fantastic and Eileen has built a very rich and enthralling world that you can’t help but always want more and more from.

The Bad: After the devastatingly amazing side story of Benedict and Arjenie in “Blood Challenge”, I couldn't help but being disappointed that they didn't get any page time =/

The Heat: Rule and Lily are still one of my favorite couples ever, but I feel that this “road” to their wedding is taking too damn long. I’m getting extremely frustrated =/

All in all, Death Magic was a solid and very entertaining book in one of my favorite series, it left some to be desired, but it was from the worst book in the series, while still not being the best.

Previously in The World of Lupi Series:

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Check Out My Design Blog:

Great Anti-Piracy Badge Up for Grabs!

*Great Freebies Available!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

The Hour of Dust and Ashes {Charlie Madigan #3} by Kelly Gay

2012-01-10T21:32:00.003-02:00

To save her sister, she must stop a silent killer. . . .Protecting Atlanta from the off-world criminals of Underground is tough enough, but now Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner, Hank, learn that the addicts of the offworld drug ash have begun taking their own lives. Ash makes humans the perfect vessels for possession, and something or someone is leading them to their deaths. Charlie is desperate to save her addicted sister, Bryn, from a similar fate. As New Year’s Eve approaches and time runs out, Charlie makes a deadly bargain with an ancient race of beings and embarks on a dangerous journey into hellish Charbydon with Hank and the Revenant Rex to save Bryn and make it back before it’s too late. Only, for one of them, coming home means facing a fate worse than death. . . .

From Goodreads.

Publisher: Pocket

My Copy: Bought

Release Date: August 30th, 2011

Pages: 324

Series: Charlie Madigan Series

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Author's Website

*Contains Very MINOR SPOILERS if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

The Good: Kelly Gay continues to weave awesome stories and unveil such an intricate and compelling world that you can’t help but fall in love with this series and its characters. Charlie is even more lovable for me in this novel and Hank is gaining a lot of space in my heart as a potential leading man.

I love that Charlie is a mom, it something we don’t often see in Urban Fantasy and it definitely adds another layer to characterization.

The Bad: I can’t really thing of anything... wow! Awesome!

The Romance: We’re not quite there yet, but the potential is there and this series getting very close of being epic in the romance department.

Previously in The Charlie Madigan Series:

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Check Out My Design Blog:

Great Anti-Piracy Badge Up for Grabs!

*Great Freebies Available!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

Top 5 Sundays # 68 - Finished Series You Miss The Most!

2012-01-08T16:37:00.002-02:00

Hey Guys!

Second feature of the year! YAY!

So exciting!

Hope you’ll join me today =D

This week’s results:

Most Awaited 2012 Debut Novels!	5 (41%)
Finished Series You Miss The Most!	7 (58%)

The theme for today is:

Finished Series You Miss The Most!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Rules:

Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Finished Series You Miss The Most!

*in no particular order

Weather Warden Series

by Rachel Caine

I miss it so much! So unique and awesome!

Jaz Parks Series

by Jennifer Rardin

Saddest one to say goodbye too, since we lost Jen.

Her voice will be missed!

Georgina Kincaid Series

by Richelle Mead

I Miss Georgie and Co. Such a great cast of characters!

Aspect of Crow Trilogy

Favorite series ever!

LOVE the world and characters! still want more!

Riley Jenson Series

by Keri Arthor

Keri'd new series makes me miss Riley and co. hehe

Special Mentions:

Attention!
Please HELP!
If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!
NEED IDEAS FOR 2012
Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Most Awaited Books of 2012!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

Drink Deep {Chicagoland Vampires #5} by Chloe Neill

2012-01-04T20:12:00.000-02:00

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.
That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.
Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.

From Goodreads.

Publisher: New American Library
My Copy: Bought
Release Date: November 1st, 2011
Pages: 352
Series: Chicagoland Vampires Series
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Author's Website
Buy the Book:

*Contains Very MINOR SPOILERS if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.

I had very expectations for Drink Deep, specially after the events of Hard Bitten and the flabbergasting ending Chloe gave to it. I mean, tell me about ONE single fan of the series that wasn’t completely shocked with what happened... I dare you! LOL

So, I went into Drink Deep trembling, but trusting that Chloe would fix it and mend our broken hearts and after finishing Drink Deep I was equal parts satisfied and disappointed.

On the one hand, Chloe crossed another line in Drink Deep that i did not expect at all, but I did appreciate it and thought it was a very nice twist to the over all plot line of the series (even though I had sort of guessed it whilst reading the novel).

However, when it came to mending my broken heart, Chloe didn’t quite achieved the goal. I mean, yeah, I was soothed and got some resolution, but the way it was done I felt was a little lackluster.

I am really trying to steer away from spoilers LOl So I‘ll leave it at that and just say that over all, Drink Deep is a very solid addition to the series. It might not be the best one, but it’s quite enjoyable and made me want to get my hands on Bitting Cold just that much more.

Previously in The Chicagoland Vampires Series:

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Check Out My Design Blog:

Great Anti-Piracy Badge Up for Grabs!

*Great Freebies Available!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

The Orange Handcuffs Awards 2011!

2012-01-04T00:33:00.001-02:00

- Best Song of the Year:

"Someone Like You" – Adele

Adele is such an incredible artist and this song is just so powerful! Love it!

- Worst Song of the Year:

"Friday" – Rebbeca Black

No comments…

- Best on TV:

Once Upon a Time, Bones, 2 Broke Girls, Glee, How I met you mother, Haven, Castle, American Horror Story, New Girl, The Graham Norton Show.

I still can’t choose only one =)

- Worst on TV:

The Virgin Diaries

Really?

- Best Movie:

Bridesmaids

- Worst Movie:

Abduction

- Best Meal!

Xmas Dinner made by Mom! (same as last year! Go Mom!)

- Worst Meal!

Fast Food

- Best Book Read in 2011!

Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

There were many books that stole my heart this year, but Alien Tango stole it and made it its own! I am IN LOVE with this series!

- Worst Book Read in 2011!

Gotta say that this year I read less books than I was used to and I think I was more selective, so I don’t really have a bad one to mention =P

- Best Book Cover!

- Worst Book Cover!

WTH is going here? LOL

- Best Plane ride of 2011:

The one from Miami to Rio was pretty cool =) Specially at the airport LOL

- Worst Plane ride of 2011:

From Rio to Miami – I was sick! It was awful =/

- Best re-union of 2011:

Seeing an ex-student turn friend! AMAZING!

- Worst re-union of 2011:

Runing into old acquaintaces that were never really friends… It was just weird seeing the again…

- Best new people I met in 2011:

All the amazing Bloggers and Authors I met ONLINE or in Person at the AAD!

Meeting Larissa Ione and Lara Adrian was incredible!

Meeting Nina, Monique and Marta! Three new friends that I hold very dear!

- Worst new people I met in 2011:

hmmmm I’ll keep a lid on that =/

- Best moments of 2011:

The time spent in Portugal, going to Philly, spending time with the BFF!

- Worst moments of 2011:

hmmm anything that involved pain =/

2011 in Numb3rs!

5 Years of blogging

125 Book Read

28 years celebrated

81 Review Posted

2 Countries Visited

3 Plane Rides

1 mom visited

1 stepdad visited

1 New Camera {Martini}

Tons of books bought

A lot of new pictures

Too many friends far away

I’m wishing you all an AMAZING NEW YEAR! Full of Joy and countless Bookish Happiness!

Thanks you SO much for all the Bloggy love you have shown me in 2011, May 2012 be even sweeter!

Sorry for not being around so much!

HAPPY 2012!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!
xoxo,

Under Construction!

2012-01-03T22:02:00.001-02:00

Sorry Guys!

Things will change Shortly!

Please, Be Patient!

xoxo,

Top 5 Sundays # 67 - Most Awaited Books of 2012!

2012-01-01T19:18:00.001-02:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With it a new design for the feature! WOOT!

So exciting!

Hope you’ll join me today =D

This week’s results:

Most Awaited Books of 2012! = 16 (88%)

Best To Be Released Covers So Far! = 2 (11%)

The theme for today is:

Most Awaited Books of 2012!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Rules:

Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Most Awaited Books of 2012!

*in no particular order

Alien Diplomacy

Katherine “Kitty” Katt Series by Gini Koch

Out on April 3rd, 2012!

Striking cover! This series can do NO wrong! =D

Timeless

Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger

Out on March 1st, 2012!

After the ending of Heartless, I cannot wait for this one!

Lethal Rider

Lords of Deliverance Series by Larissa Ione

Out on June 1st, 2012!

Awesome cover! This series is fantastic!

Thirteen

World of Lupi Series by Eileen Wilks

Out on July 5th, 2012!

Final chapter in this fantastic series!

I cannot wait!

Before I Wake

Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent

Out on June 22nd, 2012!

After “If I Die”, I just want wait to get my hands on this one!

Team Tod FTW!

Special Mentions:

Attention!
Please HELP!
If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!
NEED IDEAS FOR 2012
Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Most Awaited Books of 2012!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,