The TBR Pile

Link to Book Drama!

2012-03-12T05:25:00.000-05:00

I just posted a vent/discussion post on the new blog about some new book drama I came across this morning on Goodreads. I hope you'll drop by the blog and check it out. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on the subject matter.

Have a great day!

The Blog Has Been Compromised!

2012-03-09T11:16:00.000-06:00

Over the past couple of days I have been taking a little break from reading to focus on some of my other hobbies, mainly my knitting and prepping for the arrival of my niece. This morning I logged back into my google/blogger account to find that it had been hacked. My blog url had been changed (I've since changed it back), my blog name had been changed and several inappropriate posts had been scheduled to post later today, in addition to several non blogger related "surprises."

I have decided that because this account has been compromised that I will be moving my blog to a different account. I have backed this blog, minus all the bad stuff and will be importing it to the new account after I post this message. I hate that I basically have to start my blog following over again but I don't want any repeat performances of this ickiness to happen again. And I like to be safe rather than sorry.

The new blog can be found here.

I Love The Hunger Games AND The Muppets!

2012-03-09T10:49:00.000-06:00

In My Mailbox ~ Pre-orders, "Bones", and Robb OH MY!

2012-03-03T15:27:00.000-06:00

In my mailbox is hosted by the lovely Story Siren. In my mailbox is our chance to show off the books that we've purchased, downloaded, received for review, got from the library, swapped or however else you obtain your books.

The upside to this meme is there are always a TON of great books out there to be oggled through our computer screens. The downside of this meme is that your wishlist will grow 10 fold.

I've got a couple of giveaways going on right now. One is International (The Guess the Arrival giveaway) and one that is open to US and Canada (100 Follower giveaway).

Don't forget to leave me a link to your IMM so I can check out what you got this week!

*E-Books*

When his latest case falls on him and his parter—quite literally—Detective Nick Markov knows the destruction of his car by a not-yet-cold body is the least of his worries. The deceased is prominent businessman, Andrew Langan, and suicide is swiftly ruled out after Nick pursues the killers down twenty-seven flights—and loses them.

To his superiors' frustrations, Nick doesn't believe Langan's soon-to-be ex-wife, Augusta, is guilty, even though she has motive, opportunity, no alibi and a shady past. The only reasons Nick has for going against logic are the feeling in his gut and the constriction in his chest.

Augusta is thrust back into an unwanted spotlight and her quiet life shattered. Then things go downhill. In between dodging the media, she confronts muggers, kidnappers and goons better dressed than she. With Nick, who dredges up a past she'd rather forget and feelings she'd rather not acknowledge, Augusta must race to unravel her late husband's secrets before she finds herself skydiving without a parachute.

Restless and alone on Christmas Eve, Niki decides it’s time to scratch the itch and heads into a nearby town for some action. Once there, it isn’t sex she finds, but a fight instead, that is until tall, dark and handsome intervenes…

Dean recognizes the stunning but surly Cougar for what she is the minute she gets close. Now it’s up to him to show her just how far a night of passion can go.

"Fans of TV's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation should be in heaven" People stepping into the world of forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan, star of Kathy Reichs' electrifyingly authentic bestsellers. Her life is devoted to justice -- for those she never even knew.

In the year since Temperance Brennan left behind a shaky marriage in North Carolina, work has often preempted her weekend plans to explore Quebec. When a female corpse is discovered meticulously dismembered and stashed in trash bags, Tempe detects an alarming pattern -- and she plunges into a harrowing search for a killer. But her investigation is about to place those closest to her -- her best friend and her own daughter -- in mortal danger...

It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing-passion.

When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. The high-profile case takes Lieutenant Eve Dallas into the rarefied circles of Washing-ton politics and society. Further complicating matters is Eve's growing attraction to Roarke, who is one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, devilishly handsome... and the leading suspect in the investigation.

Just when her new life as a TouchStone – a mortal bound to help OtherFolk cross between Faery and human worlds – seems to be settling down, Abby Sinclair is left in charge when the Protectorate, Moira, leaves for the Faery Court. And when the Protectorate’s away…let’s just say things spiral out of control when a spell on Abby backfires and the Faery Queen declares the Doors between their worlds officially closed.

The results are disastrous for both sides: OtherFolk trapped in the mortal world are beginning to fade, while Faerie is on the brink of war with the daemons of Hell. Along with her brooding eleven prince Talivar and sexy incubus Brystion, Abby ventures to the CrossRoads in an attempt to override the Queen’s magic. But nothing in this beautiful, dangerous realm will compare to the discoveries she’s making about her past, her destiny, and what she will sacrifice for those she loves.

Katie Malone and her twin boys' trip along the beautiful mountain roads to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, the rain has set in, the boys are hungry and Katie is having trouble putting on a spare. As she stands at the side of the road pondering her next move, she hears a distinct rumble. The sight of the sexy, leather-clad bikers who pull up beside her puts her imagination into overdrive.

Dylan Childress and his buddies are on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime. But the sight of a woman in distress stops them in their tracks. And while the guys are checking out her car, she and Dylan are checking out one another.

In one brief moment, the world tilts on its axis and any previous plans Katie and Dylan might have had for their futures are left at the side of the road.

*Bound Books*

A SHADOW IN THE WINDOW.

Nia Hollister doesn’t scare easily. Come hell or high water, she intends to find her cousin’s killer. She returns to Ash, Kentucky, for answers. What she doesn’t expect is to ache with desire every time she sees Law Reilly. If any man can help her escape the nightmares for a while, it’s him. But can she allow herself to take comfort in those strong arms when a murderer still roams free?

Unknown to Nia, as she quietly slips into Law Reilly’s home, is that she’s being watched—by someone who is waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Timing is everything, though he can’t wait forever. If she’s not frightened, she soon will be. Nia has made a vow to find her cousin’s killer. She should be careful what she wishes for.

Cover Reveal ~ Final book in "Matched" series

2012-03-03T04:45:00.000-06:00

I think of the three covers for this series this one is my favorite. It feels to me like the girl on the cover is finally breaking free of her prison after being trapped in a bubble for 2 books, even though she started breaking free on the second cover. I like it.

What do you think of the cover? Love it? Hate it?

Book Recommendation Thursday ~ Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

2012-03-01T07:27:00.002-06:00

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

The Twilight series is the series that got me back into reading BIG time but J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood is the series that got me into the Paranormal genre big time. No sparkily vampires here! It's best to start at the beginning of the series. Each book builds off of the book before it. Z and Bella's story is my FAVORITE one to date. Kind of a vampire "Beauty and the Beast." Check out this series! I'll leave you with my ALL TIME FAVORITE quote from this book.

“I was dead until you found me, though I breathed. I was sightless, though I could see. And then you came...and I was awakened.”

WOW ~ The Last Princess

2012-02-29T07:20:00.001-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Happily ever after is a thing of the past.
The year is 2090.
England is a barren land. Food is rationed. Oil has decimated the oceans. The people are restless.
A ruthless revolutionary enacts a plan to destroy the royal family, and in a moment, the king is dead. His heiress, Princess Mary, and her brother, Jamie, have been abducted, and no one knows their fate. Princess Eliza Windsor barely escapes, and finds herself scared and lost in London's dangerous streets.
With a mind for revenge and the safe recovery of her siblings, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. There she is tempted by her first taste of independence -- and true love. Ultimately she must summon her courage and fight to ensure that she does not become... The Last Princess.

What are you waiting on? Leave me a link and I'll be sure to visit later.

Teaser Tuesday ~ A Brush of Darkness Edition

2012-02-28T07:43:00.000-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares.

Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

Teaser:

"Sure you are. You're a TouchStone. You practically fart moonbeams and piss rainbows. But seriously, take a night off from playing World of Warcraft and come dancing or something." pg. 32

Steel by Carrie Vaughn

2012-02-28T00:39:00.001-06:00

Title: Steel
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Genre: YA/Time Travel

Sixteen-year-old Jill has fought in dozens of fencing tournaments, but she has never held a sharpened blade. When she finds a corroded sword piece on a Caribbean beach, she is instantly intrigued and pockets it as her own personal treasure.

The broken tip holds secrets, though, and it transports Jill through time to the deck of a pirate ship. Stranded in the past and surrounded by strangers, she is forced to sign on as crew. But a pirate's life is bloody and brief, and as Jill learns about the dark magic that brought her there, she forms a desperate scheme to get home—one that risks everything in a duel to the death with a villainous pirate captain.

Time travel, swordplay, and romance combine in an original high-seas adventure from New York Times bestseller Carrie Vaughn.

Review:

I saw this book one day when I was looking on the Barnes and Noble web page and thought that the premise was good enough to add it to my shopping cart. After checking out it's page on Goodreads I found that Steel got mixed reviews. A lot of 3 and 4 star ratings.

I thought that the idea behind the story was right up my alley...mainly because it was a new-to-me idea. I think reading Steel helped me get into the proper frame of mind for the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie that came out last weekend.

I thought Jill overall was a like able character, though in the beginning she was a little bit to "woe is me" for me personally. There is being dedicated to your sport then there is addicted. I think that at the beginning of the book she was leaning closer to addicted....To the point of NOT being able to enjoy a family vacation a MONTH after her last match. Which leads up to Jill being transported back to the 18th century and becoming a member of the crew on the pirate ship Diana. The more time that Jill spends on the Diana the more she's able to not only conquer her own issues she's also able to help the crew with some of their own problems. When Jill is finally transported back to her own time she takes the lessons that she has learned on the Diana with her to use in her life from that point on. Plus, there is a REALLY COOL "souvenir" too.

The pirate portion of the book was my favorite part of the book, meaning I'm not really a fan of the beginning but it got much better. There was a TON of action. The captain of the Diana was a WOMAN and I learned a TON. Did you know that pirate ships are where the first forms of democracy were formed? The main positions (captain, quartermaster, first mate, etc.) were all voted on. Each ship has it's own rules which are known as in Steel the "articles." Also, I really enjoyed that Carrie Vaughn brought actual pirates out of the history books and put them in her book.

The only part I had a slight misgiving with was the "romance." There were plenty of hints at it but there was only 1 real kiss in the whole book.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you are looking for a fun, quick read, or a slight departure from what you've been reading recently.

Rating: Wait for Payday

The Great Book Buying Ban part 2

2012-02-27T10:08:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I posted that I would not be buying or checking out anymore books until I had read a certain number of books that I already have. Yeah, well I FAILED on that one totally. I'm Failing on my Fail Boat. After going over my IMM's for the past couple of weeks I am pretty disheartened by the number of books I've added to my TBR Mountain. I don't know the exact number off the top of my head but it's entirely way to many. So now that I have officially ticked myself off I'm putting myself on a book buying ban for REAL.

So my goal is to not buy anymore books until the end of March. This does NOT include the titles that I have pre-ordered. I never count those against me. I'm pretty sure my bank account will thank me for this too.

Wish me luck. I'm going to need all the luck I can get!

The Weekly Wrap Up February 27, 2012

2012-02-27T05:25:00.000-06:00

hosted by Sheila

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I know that my wishlist always grows when I've participated in this weekly "get together." Leave me a link to your post and I'll be sure to drop by.

If your interested I am hosting a couple of giveaways right now. The Guess the Arrival giveaway, the person who guesses the closest to the date and time that my niece arrives will win a 2012 pre-order of their choice. The other giveaway is my 100 Follower Giveaway where I am giving away a box full of books to 1 lucky winner.

Last week was a very good week for me. Not only did I turn 28 on Tuesday I got a crap ton of reading and posting done here on the blog. I hope that you'll check out some the posts and let me know what you think. Thanks again for dropping by!

Reviews:

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant
Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
Sinner Takes All by Tera Patrick
Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James

Meme's and Misc.:

Discussion Post ~ Your Thoughts on my New Review Style
In My Mailbox
On My Wishlist
Discussion Post ~ Book Buying Patterns/Habits
Book Recommendation Thursday ~ Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
WOW
Top Ten Tuesday

What I'm Currently Reading:

A CRY IN THE WOODS

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.

What I Want To Read:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

Discussion Post ~ Your thoughts on my new review style

2012-02-27T04:51:00.001-06:00

Good morning everyone!

I'm still pretty new to book blogging and I've been doing a lot of surfing through other book blogger's blogs looking at the ways that they compose their reviews. So far I have learned that EVERYBODY does it differently. I decided that I wanted to do something different with my review style as well. I think I've come up with a review style and format that is hopefully informative as well as written in a manner that will help prevent unintentional spoilers (hopefully.)

New Style Example

So I'm looking for you input on my new style. As you can see with my new style I've also moved the placement of my rating in hopes that readers will read through to the end of the post. I've seen in some recent discussion posts that some people confessed to reading only as far as the rating, which is going to be a discussion post of its own. Do you like that I put why I read the book, what I liked, didn't like and my overall impression of the book? Do you like the new placement of the rating? Is there anything that you would like to see added to my reviews? Anything you think should come out?

Review ~ Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

2012-02-27T04:30:00.001-06:00

Title: Darkness Becomes Her
Author: Kelly Keaton
Series: God's and Monsters #1
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal/Mythology/Urban Fantasy
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Format Reviewed: Paperback
Source: Purchased at Barnes and Noble

Ari has always been a little strange. She has long, thick, silver hair that remains unchanged no matter how much she cuts or dyes it. She has teal eyes that lure people in. And growing up with bounty hunting foster parents has taught her how to kick some serious butt. When she learns that her birth mother committed suicide in "New 2," the reincarnation of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, Ari travels there to uncover her past. New 2, it turns out, is full of unsettling entities like half-spider creatures, sword-wielding strangers, and vampires--including the supersexy Sebastian. Ari seems normal in comparison--but every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly, is afraid of her. And when she finds out why, the truth is worse than she ever imagined....

Why I read this book?: I had been wanting to read Darkness Becomes Her for a VERY long time. I finally picked up a copy last Tuesday when the second book in the series came out.

What I liked: Ari. Personally, Ari reminded me a little bit of Lara Croft. Only in a teenage body. Ari is different, not only because of her curse but because she's a product of "The System." She's been bounced between foster homes and she's learned to trust no one really. She goes on a mission to learn more about her family history and BOY does she learn some interesting things.

I also really enjoyed all the action that took place in this book. It's been pretty non-stop since I started reading the book. Ari's current foster parents are in the bail bonds business and have taught Ari how to defend herself. Which most definately comes in handy.

Sebastion and the host of secondary characters. They all bring a little something to the story, even the bad guys. I'm even going to lump New 2 in as a character. I loved the description of New Orleans after being ravaged by the hurricanes.

I really enjoyed the author's writing style and how well thought out the content of the book was. This was the debut for this author and I'm thoroughly enjoying her writing. Another author to add to my "Auto-Buy" list.

What I didn't like: That it took me FOREVER to actually pick up a copy of this book. There were a few times through out the course of the book where I thought that Ari was being a bit whiney but it wasn't enough to detract from my rating. Also, there is some cussing in this book. If your not into cussing in your YA this might not be the book for you. It didn't really bother me but I put it down here so that the information wouldn't get lost in the mix.

Overall Impression: Yup this book was full of Awesome. Another author added to the "Auto-Buy" list.

Rating: Break the Bank!

Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

2012-02-27T00:01:00.002-06:00

Title: Griffin Rising
Author: Darby Karchut
Release Date: June 28, 2011

For Griffin, it's time to angel up.

For centuries, rumors have abounded of a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors secretly serve as guardians for mortals in danger.

But for one young angel-in-training, Griffin, life is hell as a cruel master makes his apprenticeship a nightmare. On the verge of failing, a new mentor, Basil, enters his life and changes it forever. It is their father-and-son relationship, sometimes turbulent, often hilarious, always affectionate, that sings through the story like a pure note.

Masquerading as the average teen next door, Griffin struggles to learn his trade, navigate the ups and downs of modern life among humans (including falling in love with the girl next door), and prepare for the ancient trial-by-combat every apprentice must pass at sixteen or be forced to become mortal.

Review:

My friend gave me her copy of Griffin Rising to read because she said it was Awesome and I needed to read it. I hadn't heard about this book up to that point. I'm usually one who judge's a book by it's cover and honestly, I'm not sure if I would have picked up Griffin Rising. If my friend hadn't of told me to get my crap together and read this book I would have totally missed out on a PHENOMENAL YA novel. Griffin Rising is what my co-workers and I refer to as Awesome Sauce. It's good to be "Awesome Sauce."

What I really liked about Griffin Rising is that the book is actually a coming of age story disguised as an angel adventure. Yeah for growing up and being an angel! Once I started reading I was instantly attracted to characters, even the evil Nicopolis, total "winner". I also felt that I was better able to connect with the characters via their journal entries, which I enjoyed immensely. I really enjoyed all the contrast that Darby brought to the character of Griffin. One second Fin is an angel apprentice training for his ultimate test...the next he's your "typical" smart ass teenager. I really enjoyed following Fin through out this book.

One of my favorite parts of the whole book was the actual relationship between Griffin and his Mentor Basil. Basil comes into Griffin's life after Griffin is removed from his former Mentor Nicopolis who happened to be extremely abusive and rooting for Griffin to fail (Nicopolis sounds like a real winner!). When Basil enters Griffin's life everything starts to change for the better. But it still takes Griffin a long time to start opening up to his new Mentor, because all good things must come to an end right?

Then not long before Griffin is scheduled to take his test a mortal teenage girl, Katie and her ginormous dog, moves in across the street. A sweet teen love develops which adds a whole new dimension to the story. That is when things get real interesting between Basil, Griffin and their new neighbors.

Shortly before Griffin's test, Basil receives word that Griffin's past is going to come back to haunt him. Does Griffin pass his ultimate test? To find out your going to have to pick up a copy of Griffin Rising.

Rating: Break the Bank!

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

2012-02-26T06:25:00.002-06:00

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary YA
Release Date: December 1, 2011
Source: Copy from personal library

Synopsis:

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

Why I read this book: I had been seeing reviews for it all over the place and I'm a sucker for a heroine who breaks gender roles.

What I liked about this book: I liked Jordan a lot. She's a strong confident football player when she's on the field but once she's off the field she's just a girl who's dealing with teenage girl stuff. I could easily connect with her. I'm one of those girls who's more confident being "one of the guys" than I am being "one of the girls." The host of secondary characters...I especially loved Sam Henry. I also really liked all the humor and trash talk that took place between Jordan and her teammates. The writing style I connected with too. It just sucked me in and wouldn't let go. I also really liked the ending, good triumphs over "evil."

What I didn't like about this book: Ty. For me personally, he came off as a nice guy in the beginning but once got what he wanted he turned into UBER-prick. He drove a pretty serious wedge between Jordan and Henry too. Henry could see and Jordan just didn't want to. I also didn't care for the overall feel of Jordan and Ty's relationship. Another detracting point was Jordan's dad and NFL quarterback who just doesn't understand his daughter. Everyone has dreams but I fel that Jordan's dad spent a considerable amount of time trying to squelch Jordan's.

Overall Impression: Overall, I'm pretty happy with this book. I will definately be checking out Stealing Parker when it comes out. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book with a strong heroine character who doesn't take any crap from anyone.

Rating: Borrow

In My Mailbox ~ The "It's a LONG one" edition

2012-02-25T07:08:00.000-06:00

The upside to this meme is there are always a TON of great books out there to be oggled through our computer screens. The downside of this meme is that your wishlist will grow 10 fold.

I've got a couple of giveaways going on right now. One is International (The Guess the Arrival giveaway) and one that is open to US and Canada (100 Follower giveaway).

Don't forget to leave me a link to your IMM so I can check out what you got this week!

*E-Books*

The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares. Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

There can only be one allegiance.
It’s her time to choose.

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

After getting expelled from yet another school for yet another clash with mythological monsters only he can see, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he finally learns the truth about his unique abilities: He is a demigod, half human, half immortal. Even more stunning: His father is the Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the sea, making Percy one of the most powerful demigods alive. There's little time to process this news. All too soon, a cryptic prophecy from the Oracle sends Percy on his first quest, a mission to the Underworld to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus.

Pararescue jumper Wade Rocha is fast roping from a helicopter into a blizzard to rescue stranded climbers when he meets beautiful Sunny Foster, who insists she can take care of herself. As the snowstorm kicks into overdrive, she and Wade must take to the frozen wilderness in a race against time.

*Bound Books*

Master sergeant Hugh Franco lives only to save others, until he plucks beautiful attorney Amelia Bailey from the wreckage of an earthquake and finds himself embroiled in ways he never expected. On the run from kidnappers, Hugh must call on all his training to protect them. But Amelia's fiery touch threatens to crack his world—and his heart—wide open.

The secrets he knows about her could get him killed.

Transferring to the New Orleans Police Department, Detective Silas MacCreedy has a hidden agenda: to secure his clan's place once again in the Shifter hierarchy. What he didn't count on was stumbling upon a sexy assassin who could shred his best intentions and lead him into a dangerous dance that threatens to engage his heart.

But the ones he doesn't know . . .

Monica Fraser knows just how to make a man beg--for his life. But she has no clue how to fight her attraction to the fiercely intense detective who seems determined to get in her way, both professionally and intimately.

. . . could kill them both.

When emotional attachments to the past and an unexpected glimpse of a different future have her questioning her deadly purpose, Nica must discover the truth about her secret abilities in order to free herself from the forces that control her. But that freedom comes with a price--trusting those she's been ordered to eliminate.

Izzy Zanella wasn’t looking for another reason to butt heads with his Navy SEAL teammate, and nemesis, Danny Gillman. But then he met Danny’s beautiful younger sister, Eden. When she needed it most, he offered her a place to stay, a shoulder to cry on—and more. And when she got pregnant with another man’s child, he offered her marriage. But Eden’s devastating miscarriage shattered their life together—and made the intense bad blood between Izzy and Danny even worse.

Now Eden’s back, and she’s on a mission to rescue her teen brother, Ben, from their abusive stepfather. Even if she and Izzy can prove that their broken marriage is still in one piece, winning legal custody of Ben is a long shot. But they’re not alone: Danny and his girlfriend, Jenn, offer to help, and he and Izzy agree to bury the past and fight for Ben’s future.

As they plan their strategy, Izzy and Eden grapple with the raw passion that still crackles between them—while Danny and Jenn confront new depths in their own rocky relationship. But events take a terrifying turn after Ben befriends a girl fleeing a child prostitution ring. When the young runaway seeks refuge with Eden and Izzy, her pursuers kidnap Ben—and a deadly standoff begins. Now they must all pull together like never before and strike back, swift and hard, to protect their unconventional little family and everything they hold most precious.

Ari has always been a little strange. She has long, thick, silver hair that remains unchanged no matter how much she cuts or dyes it. She has teal eyes that lure people in. And growing up with bounty hunting foster parents has taught her how to kick some serious butt. When she learns that her birth mother committed suicide in "New 2," the reincarnation of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, Ari travels there to uncover her past. New 2, it turns out, is full of unsettling entities like half-spider creatures, sword-wielding strangers, and vampires--including the supersexy Sebastian. Ari seems normal in comparison--but every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly, is afraid of her. And when she finds out why, the truth is worse than she ever imagined....

Myth and mayhem inhabit a richly reimagined New Orleans in this sequel to Darkness Becomes Her.After the epic graveyard battle at the end of Darkness Becomes Her, Ari and her friends know what they’re up against: Ari is facing the Medusa curse and is haunted by the image of what she will become. To make matters worse, the heinous goddess Athena has kidnapped young Violet and is threatening to destroy Ari.

Ari, along with the superhot Sebastian, is doing everything she can to learn more about Athena and to get Violet back. But the battle of good and evil is bigger than she realizes, and she’s about to be pulled into a world more horrific than she could ever imagine....

Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.

But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing secret from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?

An irresistible romance interwoven with a darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers.

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship--or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate stars scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood -- not even from each other.

Former Black Ops army sniper Mercy Gunderson isn't adjusting well to the laid-back rhythm of civilian life on her family's ranch in South Dakota. To fill her time, Mercy accepts a temporary bartending gig at a local watering hole. Yet her attempts to settle in back home are tested when Titan Oil, a Canadian company proposing to run an underground pipeline through Eagle River County, sends Jason Hawley, Mercy's former army buddy, to the area to convince ranchers to get behind the project.
While local business owners support the pipeline, Hawley's presence riles the landowners, and Mercy is torn. After ugly threats and multiple altercations escalate tensions in the county, Mercy discovers Hawley's brutally mutilated body in the bar parking lot. When it appears Sheriff Dawson cares more about campaigning for reelection than investigating the case, Mercy vows to find Jason Hawley's killer--even if she has to run against Dawson for sheriff to ensure justice is served.
But Mercy soon learns her former military pal had plenty of secrets. Her search for the truth brings unwanted exposure to the county's dark side and risks deadly repercussions for the entire community.

On My Wishlist February 25, 2012

2012-02-25T05:13:00.000-06:00

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here. Be sure to leave me a link to your Wishlist and I'll be sure to drop by.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Half-human and half-Wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the Wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful—and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they've ignited in each other.

Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave—although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul.

She’s holding tight. He’s hanging loose.

Eve Monroe is a stock-car PR pro who puts her career first—until an on-track wardrobe malfunction reveals more than the sexy smile of her race-car brother’s jack-man, Nolan Ford. The video’s become an internet sensation, and it’s Eve’s job to calm the sponsors and put a spin on the unexpected exposure. It may ...be purely a public relations job, but now that Eve’s seen what’s under Nolan’s crew suit, she can’t help but be a little revved up.

And they both have the same drive.

When Eve and Nolan end up in Vegas during race weekend, the chemistry is combustible. Somewhere between cocktails and a smoking-hot motel-room derby of their own, Eve and Nolan wake up hitched, thanks to a detour to a Vegas chapel. A hangover marriage to a virtual stranger isn’t good for anyone’s image, so Eve plans to play the happy wife long enough to satisfy the press, and then quietly part ways. Now all she has to do is convince her new personal jack-man. But Nolan has plans of his own…

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant

2012-02-25T00:07:00.002-06:00

Title: The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption

Author: Jim Gorant

Series:

Genre: Non-fiction, animals, sports

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: 2010, September 16

Format: E-Book, 488 pages

Source: Bought for my Barnes and Noble Nook

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

An inspiring story of survival and our powerful bond with man’s best friend, in the aftermath of the nation’s most notorious case of animal cruelty.

Animal lovers and sports fans were shocked when the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick’s brutal dog fighting operation. But what became of the dozens of dogs who survived? As acclaimed writer Jim Gorant discovered, their story is the truly newsworthy aspect of this case. Expanding on Gorant’s Sports Illustrated cover story, The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, which were saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals coupled with a court order that Vick pay nearly a million dollars in “restitution” to the dogs.

As an ASPCA-led team evaluated each one, they found a few hardened fighters, but many more lovable, friendly creatures desperate for compassion. In The Lost Dogs, we meet these amazing animals, a number of which are now living in loving homes, while some even work in therapy programs: Johnny Justice participates in Paws for Tales, which lets kids get comfortable with reading aloud by reading to dogs; Leo spends three hours a week with cancer patients and troubled teens. At the heart of the stories are the rescue workers who transformed the pups from victims of animal cruelty into healing caregivers themselves, unleashing priceless hope.

What I liked: I really liked how this book has changed my opinion on the American Pit Bull Terrier. Not only does this book talk about the Vick case it also goes into the history of this breed. Did you know that the American Pit Bull Terrier is known as the "Nanny Dog?" It was originally bred to be a family pet and a protector of the farm. I also really enjoyed that once things got rolling on the case each dog was evaluated on it's individual merit. They got to learn how to be dogs and do dog things and interact with people on a positive level for probably the first time EVER. When the dogs were seized there was only 1 dog in the 51 that were taken that was deemed to dangerous to even try to touch. This book shows that there are a lot of advocates for those without voices.

What I Didn't Like: There are some pretty graphic scene's in this book to show the reader how big an asshat Michael Vick truly is. Anyone who can hurt another living breathing creature just needs to be taken out of the gene pool entirely, but that's just my opinion.

Overall Impression: I LOVED this book. I downloaded on a whim and tore through it very quickly. But like I mentioned above there are some pretty graphic scene's so just beware. There is a TON of heartbreak and triumph so I whole heartily recommend a box of kleenex when reading this book. I also recommend this book to any animal lover out there.

Rating: Break the Bank!

100 Follower Giveaway

2012-02-24T07:45:00.001-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen! I have announcement to make! I have reached 100 followers. As a token of my appreciation for all of my followers I have decided to hold a giveaway. In my hands (well not literally in my hands) I have a box. In that box will be books from the various genre's and sub-genre's that I read and review (you can check out my review policy to see what they are). Some of these books will be brand new and some will be gently used. I hope you this giveaway as much as I enjoy you being a follower of my blog.

Rules:

1. This contest is open to US and Canada (sorry my International peeps)
2. Since this is a follower giveaway I am requiring a follow.
3. This contest is open to anyone 13 years and older.
4. DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Hops February 24, 2012

2012-02-24T06:51:00.002-06:00

Q: Activity!!! Take a picture or describe where you love to read the most…

Well my camera is currently not anywhere near me so I guess I'm going to go the "describe" route. Personally, I LOVE to read in bed. There are days, especially my days off, where I just don't want to get out of bed and spend a good chunk of the day under the covers with a good book. My second favorite place to read, especially in the winter months when it's so cold, is in a nice warm bath (TMI?). I'm all about keeping it real and so there it is out in cyber-space. I like to read while taking a bath.

TGIF is hosted by GReads!.

This Friday's Question:

Required Reading: Which book from your school days

do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

The book that I remember most from my school days that enjoyed reading so much that I continue to read it these days is Where The Red Fern Grows. I remember my fourth grade teacher reading this book to us out loud in class and from that day forward I've been hooked. The books that have been published recently that I would love to see as required reading in schools today are Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympian's series and the spin off series Hero's of Olympus. In High School I took a class called Myths and Legends and LOVED it. I think especially since so many of the new books that are coming out, especially in YA, are trending toward being dystopian or spin offs of a Myth or Legend that learning about said Myths and Legends is a great idea. And as an added bonus these series are seriously fun right?!

Activity on the Blog:

(Review) Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

(Review) Sinner Takes All by Tera Patrick

(Discussion) Book Buying Habits/Patterns

Book Recommendation Thursday - Shatter Me

WOW

(Review) Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James

Top Ten Tuesday

The Weekly Wrap Up

Giveaways:

The Guess the Arrival Giveaway (INTERNATIONAL)

100 Follower Giveaway

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

2012-02-24T00:01:00.003-06:00

Title: Blood Bound
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Unbound #1
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Source: Copy from personal library

Rating: Paper Shredder

Synopsis:

By blood, by word, by magic…
Most can't touch the power. But Liv Warren is special— a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.

Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.

But when her friend's daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can't rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.

Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.

And more blood will be spilled before it's over…'

NOTE: This review is based on the portion of the book that I did read.

What I liked: I liked how Oliva was written very much. When I was reading about her I saw a female version of John McClane from Die Hard. She's one kick ass Binder. She's still in love with Cam and has done some pretty bad things to protect him. She's also bound to a crime boss.

I also liked Cam a lot too. He was tall, dark and handsome. He's also still in love with Olivia. He's also bound to the other crime boss. I really liked that the book started off with some action and some ass kicking.

What I didn't like: That each chapter is told from either Cam or Olivia's point of view but I was never quite sure who was talking until I was a good chunk of the way into the chapter. It became a rather annoying distraction for me and a major turn off. I also didn't care for the action tapering off. We start off with a pretty fair amount of action in the beginning and then it flat lines. The straw that broke the camel's back was that I wasn't able to connect with the characters (even though they were described wonderfully) or the story.

Overall Impression: I had heard a lot of really great things about this book and I really wanted to like it. The problem was I just couldn't connect with the story or characters. Just remember just because I didn't care for this book doesn't mean you won't like it.

Sinner Takes All by Tera Patrick

2012-02-23T08:29:00.001-06:00

Title: Sinner Takes All
Author: Tera PatrickSeries: N/A
Genre: Non-Fiction

Source: Copy from personal library

Rating: Break the Bank!

Synopsis:

How does a girl go from being a shy, awkward bookworm to the biggest porn star in the world? In Sinner Takes All, Tera Patrick reveals all, including: her career as an international model; losing her virginity at fourteen to a thirtysomething photographer; learning oral sex techniques backstage at a Guns N' Roses concert; having an orgy with a team of firefighters; her unglamorous job in a nursing home; her first forays into the adult movie business; and how, with her husband's help, she launched her own multimillion-dollar empire.

Along the way, she dishes on the emotional side of being Tera Patrick, writing candidly about her battles with depression and anxiety. She also discusses finding true love and building a healthy marriage, achievements that many consider to be impossible in the world of porn. Featuring hundreds of photos, plus diary pages and scintillating sidebars, Sinner Takes All takes the tell-all to raunchy new heights.

Review:

As you can see by past reviews I have a pretty eclectic taste in reading material. I came across this book several months ago and it caught my interest. Come on the cover alone is pretty eye catching. Honestly, the sex industry is a rather interesting subject matter to read about. NOTE: If you are going to read this book there are some photographs that are of a "adult" nature.

Tera Patrick is a pretty inspirational woman. You may or may not agree. But that is my opinion of Tera after reading her memoir. She had a very rough start in life. Her parents were pretty much absent a lot. Her father has spent most of his life an "herbal American" (both legal and illegal) and her mother is a Thai woman with a violent temper. Tera (who's real name is actually Linda) was abused by her mother. She even said in the book that writing it was a form of "therapy" for her on some issues.

Tera started off a model and ended up in Japan for a while. Where she became addicted to drugs and was first introduced to sex. But after her modeling career tanked she came back to the states and got all the drugs cleaned out of her system she lead a "normal" life for a while. But her sex life was pretty crazy and stayed "crazy" for a long time.

Tera says that the thing that really turned her on to the porn industry was that you didn't have to be a size 0 and 110 pounds. She took the porn world by storm. She's had her ups and downs, but she's still kicking. For that she thanks Evan (her now ex-husband), who also helped her launch her own empire.

So after a rough start in life Tera is, in my opinion, an inspiration. She came from the lowest lows (drug addiction, abuse, etc.) to the highest highs (her own multi-million dollar empire) all with a little elbow grease. What I learned from this book is that if you put forth the effort there is no dream that is unattainable.

Discussion Post ~ Book Buying Habits/Patterns

2012-02-23T08:20:00.000-06:00

Today's discussion post is about book buy patterns/habits. Me, my book buying patterns/habits are pretty simple. I am pretty predictable when it comes to book buying. The book section at stores like Walmart and Target call my name....Since I work at a Target, the book section calls my name 9 hours a night 4 days a week. If a cover trips my trigger I'll pick it up and read the back. If the synopsis of the book trips my trigger, there is a VERY good chance that the book will end up in my cart. There have been times when I have gone into either store with the intention of buying only the things on my list and leave with those items AND a bag full of books.

Another store the I spend a crap ton of money in is Barnes and Noble. I'm a B&N junkie. I just can't help myself when I walk into a Barnes and Noble. On a recent trip I left the store with 2 of their giant shopping bags FULL of books.

I also like to shop the book section at my local goodwill/savers (which is the Easter Seals thrift store). I'm usually pretty lucky when I shop there. I LOVE the fact that I can buy a couple bags of books and spend LESS than what I would have spent on a couple of new books. I'm not real picky. I'll read a new book or a used book.

I've just started using my local library again. With the economy the way it is I'm trying (and sometimes flounder with) to curb my book buying habit. My library itself has a pretty good selection but my library system ALSO has this nifty cool program where you can order books from other libraries who participate in the program. LOVE this system! In the last couple of months that I have been using my public library I have literally hit the mother load on more than one occasion. LIKE last Saturday for example. I stopped in because our automated library voice called and said I had an item in....Turns out, I had a total of 10 items in.

I do occasionally use Amazon too. But the Amazon site is like me going into a Barnes and Noble....Bad news bears for my paycheck. So I try to forget that that website even exsists.

So here is the break down of my buying habit:

1. Public Library

2. Walmart/Target

3. Goodwill/Savers

4. Barnes and Noble

5. Amazon

My main problem when it comes to buying books is that I "have to have" the books that there is a lot of "hype" about. I don't know why....but it sort of makes me feel like one of the "cool kids" I guess. Like for example there was a lot of "hype" around books like Shiver, Fallen, Beautiful Creatures, The Dark Divine and Hush, Hush to name a few. Of those 5, all of which I own, I've only actually read 2 of them. I guess for me I just can't avoid the ones with all the hype!

Another "problem" (being funny when I say it's a problem) that contributes to my book buying habit is the book blogging community. Y'all read and review all sorts of AWESOME books and I come across them and from what I read on my end it trips my trigger and it goes on my "I got to get my hands on it" list. Seriously...Y'all gotta stop! (again being funny)

While I was going through my google reader I found this post and I thought it posed several great questions. So I thought that I would post those questions and some of my own as well and see what you, my readers have to say. So here are the questions (the ones from the original post are in RED, and my own are in PURPLE):

Are you predictable when shopping for books? Do you have a shopping pattern? Do you always have a compulsive need to buy books or are you someone who likes books, but doesn't always have the desire to purchase them? Do you buy the books that there are a lot of "hype" about or do you tend to avoid them? Do you tend to buy books that have had a lot of "mixed" reviews so you can formulate your own opinion? How much does the book blogging community contribute to your book buying habit/pattern?

Book Recommendation Thursday ~ Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the first edition of Book Recommendation Thursday. Every Thursday I will be posting a book that I have read at some point or another and enjoyed so much that I MUST recommend it to others. If the book is one that I have reviewed here on the blog, there will be a link to the actual review itself. Now for our inaugural pick.....

Synopsis:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Why I recommend this book?:

This book was very different from anything I had been reading up the point that it arrived at my house. Sure, I was reading a fair amount of Dystopian novels but I hadn't come across anything like Shatter Me yet. The main character was a character that I could easily identify and connect with. Plus, the love interest Adam to me wasn't your typical love interest. This book for me was set up to impress and it most definately didn't let me down one bit.

My review

WOW February 22, 2012

2012-02-22T00:01:00.001-06:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Waiting on Wednesday is our opportunity to show of the book(s) that we ~~patiently~~ impatiently waiting to get our hands on. Be sure to leave me a link to your WOW so I can drop by and check it out. Also, don't forget to that I have an International Giveaway going on right now.

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.