Wednesday 29 June 2011

Waiting On Wednesday 25

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights an upcoming book release that we are eagerly anticipating.

I just read and loved The DUFF by Kody Keplinger last week so it seemed kind of obvious what my WoW should be this week - her next book Shut Out.
Released September 5th 2011.

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention. Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

I have no idea why but I love YA/sport novels. I am not in the least bit sporty but for some reason I love books with this theme. Crazy I know.

That's all for now.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Teaser Tuesday 25


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

The idea is to:
Grab the book you are currently reading.
Open it up to a random page.
Share two teaser sentences.
Give the name and author of said book.
And remember No Spoilers!


I have been waiting for Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter for a while so now I actually have the book I am trying to savor it and not race through it like I usually do. This will probably not work and no doubt I will have finished it by the end of today but I do like to try.

She turned to Hale, who didn't say a thing. He just pulled her phone from her pocket and handed it to Gabrielle. "Make the call."

Page 146.


Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed. Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time. Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

That's all for now.

Sunday 26 June 2011

In My Mailbox 25

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:


A Need So Beautiful - Suzanne Young
Read it. Loved it. Waiting for the next book.

Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick
Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick
I am going to wait for the third book to come out before I even consider reading these.

The Deadly Sister - Eliot Schrefer
Love a good YA mystery.

Carnal Innocence - Nora Roberts
Love vintage Nora Roberts.

Witches of the East - Melissa de la Cruz
Never read any of her books before this seemed like a good place to start.

Instructions for a Broken Heart - Kim Culbertson
Wanted this one for ages, finally got it.

The DUFF - Kody Keplinger
LOVED it. So GOOD. Really looking forward to her next book, Shut Out, which I have already pre-ordered.

Uncommon Criminals - Ally Carter
OMG! I am so happy it arrived. I may have squealed when I opened the package. Reading it now.

Heartless - Gail Carriger
Love this series.

Passion - Lauren Kate
Another series I am putting off reading. Going to wait until the final book comes out next year before I read them all.

LinkMoney Run - Jack Heath
I love Jack Heath's books. He is a young Australian author and I have to wait ages to get his books in the UK but they are so good it's worth the wait.

Kindle:

The Summoner
- Layton Green

Charming
- Susie Kaye Lopez

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire

Just a few Kindle books that were recommended this week.

Netgalley:

Ashes - Ilsa J. Bick

Luck of the Devil - Patricia Eimer

Man alive I had such a good book week! Of course I bought way too many but who cares I love them! Now I just need some time off work so I can read them all.

That's all for now.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Waiting On Wednesday 24

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights an upcoming book release that we are eagerly anticipating.

Legacy by Molly Cochran. Released 20th December 2011.

When her widowed father dumps 16-year-old Katy Jessevar in a boarding school in Whitfield, Massachusetts, she has no idea that fate has just opened the door to both her future and her past. Nearly everyone in Whitfield is a witch, as is Katy herself, although she has struggled all her life to hide her unusual talents. Stuck at a boarding school where her fellow studens seem to despise her, Katy soon discovers that Whitfield is the place where her mother commited suicide under mysterious circumstances when Katy was just a small child. With dark forces converging on Whitfield, it’s up to Katy to unravel her family’s many secrets to save the boy she loves and the town itself from destruction.

I love a good witch/mystery/boarding school story. And I am loving that cover.

That's all for now.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Teaser Tuesday 24


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

The idea is to:
Grab the book you are currently reading.
Open it up to a random page.
Share two teaser sentences.
Give the name and author of said book.
And remember No Spoilers!

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young arrived in the post yesterday. I wasn't going to start it straight away because I have like three other books to finish but I couldn't help it it looked so good.

"His mouth opens in surprise, or maybe he's thinking of arguing, but before he can respond, it happens. I'm struck with a shooting heat over my body and I'm doubled over before I can stop it."

Page 223.

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be forgotten.

Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become—her mark on this earth, her very existence—is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny—no matter how dark the consequences?

That's all for now.

Saturday 18 June 2011

In My Mailbox 24


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:

Sisterhood Everlasting - Ann Brashares
So good but so sad.

Hourglass - Myra McEntire
Which I won from the lovely Karen C @ The Slowest Bookworm. Thank You Karen!!!

Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Helle
- Crickett Rumley
Yay! Looks so good.

Hexed - Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James and Jeanne C. Stein
I got this mostly for the Ilona Andews book but I'm looking forward to the others too.

Dead Girls Are Easy - Terri Garey

Another book blogger recommended this but I can't remember who - so sorry but thank you.

Simon & Schuster Galley Grab:

The S&S GG is the bestest thing ever.

The Babysitter Murders - Janet Ruth Young

Michael Vey - Richard Paul Evans

Dust & Decay - Jonathan Maberry

Fury - Elizabeth Miles

The Unwanteds - Lisa McMann

Witchlanders - Lena Coakley

Completely unrelated to books but it arrived this week too.

MY VERY FIRST CAR!!!

Thank you Dad!!!
Now I just have to pass my test.

That's all for now.

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Waiting On Wednesday 23

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights an upcoming book release that we are eagerly anticipating.


Today my WoW pick is Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber. Released on 25th October 2011.

Perry Stormaire is a normal high school senior– he is busy applying to college and rehearsing with his band –until he agrees to go to the prom with the Lithuanian exchange student who is staying with his family. It turns out that Gobi Zaksauskas is not the mousy teenager that she seems but rather an attractive, confident trained assassin. Instead of going to the prom, Perry finds himself on a wild ride through the streets of New York City as Gobi commandeers the Jaguar his father lent him for the prom in order to take out her targets. Perry learns a lot about himself – and ends up with some amazing material for his college application essays.

I saw this one for the first time last week and as soon as I read that summary I knew I had to have it. Doesn't it just sound all kinds of crazy awesome? Exactly the kind of book I would love. I seriously cannot wait to get my hands on this one I may go pre-order it right now.

That's all for now.

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Teaser Tuesday 23

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

The idea is to:
Grab the book you are currently reading.
Open it up to a random page.
Share two teaser sentences.
Give the name and author of said book.
And remember No Spoilers!

I read Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares last night and I swear I have never cried so much during a book in my life. Seriously first page to last page cried like a baby. My eyes are so puffy right now I can barely see the computer screen.

"She expected him to ask why and what for, but he held back. She almost wished he would ask and demand and blame, because then maybe she could feel angry at him instead of this terrible missing."

Page 169.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.

Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.

Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.


That's all for now.

Saturday 11 June 2011

In My Mailbox 23


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:

Money Shot - Susan Sey
I love a good contemporary romance and I loved her first book Money, Honey which I read last year the second was just as good.

Hexed - Kevin Hearne
Second in a new urban fantasy series. I read the first a couple of weeks ago and loved it.

Stupid Fast - Geoff Herbach
Recommendation from Kristi @ The Story Siren.

Don't Stop Now - Julie Halpern
Road trip!

Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
I've had this one on my wishlist for a while now everyone has been saying how great it is so I finally bought it.

Fairy Bad Day - Amanda Ashby
The summary kinda reminds me of Paranormalcy I'm hoping it will be as good.

Netgalley:

The Inquisitor's Apprentice - Chris Moriarty

Flyaway
- Helen Landalf

Wisdom's Kiss - Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Yours To Keep - Shannon Stacey


I do not remember requesting these so it must have been quite a while ago. I have been trying to lay off of netgalley as I have so many to read but a few more won't hurt.

That's all for now.

Review: Die For Me - Amy Plum


I received Die For Me by Amy Plum from netgalley courtesy of HarperCollins.

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything. Suddenly, my sister, Georgia and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent. Mysterious, sexy and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies...immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

So I'm not going to write anything too spoilery in my review because I went in to this book not really knowing anything more than what's in the summary above and enjoyed it so much more because of it. Let me start by saying that it was super cute and super awesome.

I loved the main characters Kate and Vincent I think they may have made it in to my top ten favourite fictional couples. They seem well suited and I really liked how well Kate took the news about Vincent's deep dark secret. I love all the extra abilities that Kate and Vincent have together it makes there relationship seem meant to be.

I also loved both Kate and Vincent's families, they made the book far more interesting and gave it a lot more depth than if it had just focused on the main couple. Although I am a little wary of Jules because I really don't want this to be a Edward/Bella/Jacob thing - I can't stand love triangles. Kate's relationship with her sister Georgia was one of the highlights of the book, although they still fought like sisters do they had this bond because of what they had been through that meant no matter what happens and no matter what they had been fighting about they would always come through for each other and that was nice to see.

I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series although it's going to be a long wait I can't wait to find out what's in store for this couple, I'm sure it's not going to be an easy journey for them.

Die For Me is an excellent addition to the YA paranormal romance genre and it's one of my favourites so far this year.

That's all for now.

Friday 10 June 2011

Review: Sixteenth Summer - Michelle Dalton


I received Sixteenth Summer from the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab Program.

Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love.

But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can’t ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna’s never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn’t even a possibility, one summer doesn’t feel worth the promise of her heart breaking….


Sixteenth Summer is a cute, light, summer read. Our main character Anna is looking at a long lonely summer as the third wheel to her two best friends who have decided to become more than friends, until she meet tourist Will. The book gets off to a bit of a slow start with Anna coming off as slightly desperate and annoying but given her situation it's quite understandable. It picks up pace as her relationship with Will deepens.

Anna and Will had a very sweet teen romance which came off as being quite realistic to me. Although sometimes it felt as though Anna was creating a lot of problems for herself and Will, after a few ups and downs they got to a good place in the end.

One of the things I truly loved about this book was the setting, the beach town were Anna lived just seemed too good to be true. I really really can't stand the sunlight - I am a very pale red head, the sun really hurts my eyes and yes my Dad does joke about me being a vampire - so the beach is pretty much off limits to me but wow did this book make me want pack up and move there. I especially want to go to Anna's family's fourth of July party!

If you are looking for a light summer read about first love this is the perfect book for you.

That's all for now.

Thursday 9 June 2011

Booking Through Thursday 21


Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme which asks a bookish question which you have to answer. This weeks question is:

All things being equal (money, space, etc), would you rather own copies of the books you read? Or borrow them?

At the moment I buy all of my books. I used to go to the library every week when I was younger and I very rarely bought books only received them as gifts. But as soon as I got a job and had the money I bought as many as I could. I recently got a new library card and started borrowing books again but because I work six days a week and never know what day I am going to get off I just never have the time to go. As soon as work calms down and I pass my driving test I fully intend to use the library more often. I've always seen it as a good thing that I own my books because I love to re-read. Entire books or favourite passages there is nothing better than reading those familiar lines.

That's all for now.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Waiting On Wednesday 22

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights an upcoming book release that we are eagerly anticipating.

Today I have chosen The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson. Released on July 1st 2011.

For anyone who's ever survived a rite of passage or performed a mating dance at Prom . . .

The Japanese hold a Mogi ceremony for young women coming of age. Latina teenagers get quinceaneras. And Janice Wills of Melva, NC ... has to compete in the Miss Livermush pageant.

Janice loves anthropology--the study of human cultures--and her observations help her identify useful rules in the chaotic world of high school. For instance: Dancing is an effective mating ritual--but only if you're good at it; Hot Theatre Guys will never speak to Unremarkable Smart Girls like Janice and her best friend, Margo; and a Beautiful Rich Girl will always win Melva's annual Miss Livermush pageant.

But when a Hot Theatre Guy named Jimmy Denton takes an interest in Janice, all her scientific certainties explode. For the first time, she has to be part of the culture that she's always observed; and all the charts in the world can't prove how tough--and how sweet--real participation and a real romance can be.

Funny, biting, and full of wisdom, this marks the debut of a writer to watch.

I'm not loving the cover for some reason I can't quite work out but the title and summary are super cute and it comes out in less then a month so I can't wait to read it.

That's all for now.

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Teaser Tuesday 22

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

The idea is to:
Grab the book you are currently reading.
Open it up to a random page.
Share two teaser sentences.
Give the name and author of said book.
And remember No Spoilers!

Just started reading Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews last night and I'm not very far in yet but I love this series so I'm hoping to finish it today. Here's the teaser:

"You're such a violent woman. Always with the threats. You should look into some meditation techniques..."
I jumped on the couch and put the Beast Lord into an arm-lock.

Page 89.

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, but she's still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be-now that the Order is disparaging her good name. Plus, many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate's mate.

So when Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. But it turns out that this is not an isolated incident. Kate needs to get to the bottom of it-and fast, or the city and everyone dear to her may pay the ultimate price...

That's all for now.

Saturday 4 June 2011

In My Mailbox 22


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:


What Happened to Goodbye - Sarah Dessen
Read this one in the week liked it but it's not one of my favourite Dessen's.

Infernal Affairs - Jes Battis
The fourth book in an urban fantasy series I really like.

Forgotten - Cat Patrick
Words cannot describe how much I loved this book - it's so freakin' awesome. As soon as I get back to writing reviews (hopefully next week) I will try to tell you why I loved it so much.

Just Like Heaven - Julia Quinn
Love her historical romances.

A Bridge Too Far - Cornelius Ryan
The Thorns Birds - Colleen McCullough
Bought these for a friend.

Kindle:

Fool For Love
- Marie Force
Love Marie Force. This is the second in her new series - not going to read them until the third and final book is out next month.

Netgalley:

Misfit - Jon Skovron


I also got a couple of free ebooks from eHarlequin.

Summer's Crossing
- Julie Kagawa
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne - Kady Cross

That's all for now.

Thursday 2 June 2011

Booking Through Thursday 20



Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme which asks a bookish question which you have to answer. This weeks question is:

Do you read book reviews? Whose do you trust? Do they affect your reading habits? Your buying habits?

The short answer is yes I do read book reviews. The long answer depends on the book.

If the book being reviewed is one that I am definitely absolutely positively going to buy no matter what then I will not read any reviews until after I have read the book because I do not want other peoples opinions clouding my judgement.
If it's a book I am on the fence about as in not really sure whether or not I want to read it then I will read the reviews to get a general idea of the book but I will not read any with huge spoilers.
If it's a book I don't really like the sound of say one with a major love triangle (which I hate) I will maybe read the reviews including ones that give away all the major plot lines.

I read reviews on amazon, goodreads and other blogs. I wouldn't say it's a matter of trust when it comes to reading reviews more a matter of opinion. Reviews are people opinions and everyone has a different way of looking at things. This is why I don't really base my book buying on reviews too much. Just because someone else liked it doesn't mean I will and vice versa. I like to form my own opinions and not be swayed by other people's so much.

That's all for now.

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Waiting On Wednesday 21

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights an upcoming book release that we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I have chosen the final book in one of my all time favourite urban fantasy series Burn the Night by Jocelynn Drake. Released on the 28th June 2011.

The Great Awakening approaches…

After eons in exile, the naturi have broken their chains and now roam the Earth bent on revenge. It is the sworn duty of Mira, the Fire Starter, to protect the Nightwalker race—though even she may be powerless to withstand the horrific onslaught. As Mira and her brave lover, the vampire slayer Danaus, stand ready to do battle, thousands of winged shapeshifters darken the skies. The war of ultimate extermination has begun, and the battleground is Mira’s home turf.

The humans don’t yet recognize the doom descending upon them. And the Nightwalkers will surely perish unless they unite with outcast naturi who claim to want peace. But these unexpected “allies” are the same demons who have long worked for Mira’s destruction—and in these darkest of days the lines between friend and foe will blur treacherously before the bloody end of all things.

I love this series, I mean seriously love it and I can't believe this is the final book. There had better be a happy ending for one of my favourite couples or I am going to be very cross.

That's all for now.