It's NetGalley Month!

Emily at Red House Books has declared April NetGalley Month! For those who don't know what netGalley is I suggest you go to the website right now and check it out because it is the greatest thing ever!

Emily has created an awesome challenge where you try to read as many netGalley books in April as you can. This is perfect for me as I have a huge backlog of netGalley books to read. Check out this post to learn more, she is generously offering prizes too!

I have no idea how many I am actually going to be able to read but I am going to give it my best shot. Making it a challenge always gives me an added incentive to actually read books so I would like to say a big thank you to Emily for doing this.

Here is a list of books I have to read from netGalley:

Whisper Falls - Toni Blake

Queens of All the Earth - Hannah Sternberg

My Favourite Band Does Not Exist - Robert T. Jeschonek

The Vampire Voss - Colleen Gleason

Long Gone - Alafair Burke

Bluefish - Pat Schmatz

A Long, Long Sleep - Anna Sheehan

Die For Me - Amy Plum

The Last Little Blue Envelope - Maureen Johnson

The Vampire Dimitri - Colleen Gleason

Girl Wonder - Alexa Martin

Mercy - Rebecca Lim

Spell Bound - Kelley Armstrong

Never Eighteen - Megan Bostic

Pregnant Pause - Han Nolan

The Vampire Narcise - Colleen Gleason

The Girl in the Steel Corset - Kady Cross

68 Knots - Michael Robert Evans

Bite me, Try Me and Fang Me - Parker Blue

The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale - Christine Bell

The Art of Forgetting - Camille Noe Pagan

Ha I totally didn't realize I had that many to read. I'm hoping it will be easier now the Kindle option is back up though. And I am going to try very very hard not to request anything else, unless I really really want it, during April.

I will of course be writing reviews for these books but I won't be posting them until the actual book is released. I will however be writing a wrap up post at the end of April to tell you all how I did.

That's all for now.

Booking Through Thursday 11

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

If you’re like me, you grew up reading everything under the sun, like the cereal boxes while you ate your breakfast, the newspapers held by strangers on the subway, the tabloid headlines at the grocery store. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever read? (You know, something NOT a book, magazine, short story, poem or article.)

I'm not all that fussy - if it's got words on it I'll read it. Although I usually have a book with me so it's not really necessary for me to read lots of crazy stuff. I do however have a slight obsession with reading the backs of containers - cleaning products, beauty products, food products, etc. I love to know what's in things and I love to read the big long chemical words out loud just to figure out how they are pronounced. I also love instruction manuals. My family usually rely on me to figure out how things work and how to set things up as I am the only one who will read the manuals. Oh another thing I like to do is read the labels on clothes and towels - don't ask me why I don't really care about how to wash them I just like reading them. Oh another one - receipts, I like to read receipts again I don't know why I just do. OK so apparently I do read lots of crazy stuff! I have never been able to not read so I really can't help myself.

That's all for now.

Waiting On Wednesday 12

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 Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep. It will be released on July 26th 2011.

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy -- a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why – especially since I should have been the one who died …

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love Jennifer Esteps books she writes the awesome Elemental Assasin series - Spider's Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, the latest Tangled Threads will be released next month and the fifth book Spider's Revenge will be out in September. Touch of Frost is the first book in her new YA series and if it's even half as good as her adult books it will be well worth the read. The second book in the Mythos Academy series, Kiss of Frost is due out in November.

That's all for now.

Teaser Tuesday 12

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 am still reading The Two Pearls of Wisdom but I got a bit distracted because of all the awesome egalleys I got last week but I do intend to get back to it soon. So seeing as I gave you a teaser from that one last week I will give you a teaser from something else I am reading and that would be You Against Me by Jenny Downham author of the excellent Before I Die.

"She felt as if she'd been running up stairs, or as if she had suddenly become asthmatic. It was one thing listening to other people talk, but she didn't want to go into details herself."

Page 88.

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do? When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide. Brave and unflinching, this is a novel of extraordinary skillfulness and almost unbearable tension. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love - for one's family and for another.

Side Note: I just passed my Driving Theory Test!!! Yay me - just the practical to go now.

That's all for now.

Review: Dangerous Secrets - Katie Reus

I received Dangerous Secrets by Katie Reus from netgalley courtesy of Carina Press.

Isabelle Ballantine has been fighting for independence since she was old enough to walk. Now that she's finally out from under her father's shadow, she won't let anyone stand in her way. It's tough living on her own, working in a bar and keeping her true identity a secret, but things start to look up when a sexy new stranger walks into her life. After working side by side for weeks, Izzy can't figure out why he won't make a move... To cinch the deal of a lifetime, Adam Marcellus agrees to help Izzy's eccentric father convince his daughter to move home. He'd assumed Izzy would be another spoiled rich princess, but he's surprised to discover his feelings for her are stronger than anything he's ever experienced. When a deranged stalker targets her, Adam finds himself fighting not only an unknown threat—but an unexpected attraction to the one woman he can't have...

I am a big fan of romantic suspense and Dangerous Secrets was no exception, it's a fast paced exciting read. Izzy is a millionaires daughter who has moved away from her overbearing father. Adam is the security guy said overbearing father has employed to get her to move back. Of course they fall for each other and just forget to mention who they really are. Add in a twisted serial rapist that has fixed his sights on Izzy and you have classic romantic suspense.

This is one of those books where you are literally shouting at the characters to tell the truth. I know I know there would be no story if everything was out in the open but it's still frustrating when you know they wouldn't have this big conflict at the end when Izzy finds out the truth if Adam had just been honest a little sooner. But never mind it all turns out good in the end. I liked that the characters break the mould, Izzy although a millionaire's daughter was not a typical rich girl and Adam although ex-special forces was not an over bearing macho-man. And the climax at end where Izzy was trying to get away from the killer was pretty intense.

I will be on the look out for the authors other books when I need a fast paced entertaining read.

That's all for now.

In My Mailbox 12

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

My twelfth IMM post - here we go.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:

Call Me Irresistible - Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I love SEP's books although I've only read a few, I'm hoping to get through a few more soon.

The Iron Thorn - Caitlin Kittredge

After wanting it for a month and being insanely jealous of everyone else getting it in their mailbox last week I caved and bought it.

Zen and Xander Undone - Amy Kathleen Ryan

I love the sound of this one, it's about two sisters who are struggling to cope after their Mother has died. Hoping to read this one in the coming week.

Soul Love - Lynda Waterhouse

I saw this one on So Many Books, So Little Time - it sounded interesting so I got it.

The White Queen - Philippa Gregory
I got this for a friend.

Netgalley:

68 Knots - Michael Robert Evans

The Girl in the Steel Corset - Kady Cross

Bite Me, Try Me, Fang Me - Parker Blue

The whole trilogy - how awesome is that!

Where She Went - Gayle Forman OMG I loved it soooooo much, it made me cry - lately I have been loving books that make me cry. It came up on netgalley a couple of days ago I really really tried not to get it because I have already pre-ordered it so I wanted to wait to read it. I am ashamed to say I couldn't do it I had to have it. So I requested it, got it and read it on Friday afternoon. Sooooo good. As soon as my real life copy comes I am going to re-read it.

Kindle:

The Shy Duchess - Amanda McCabe

The Trouble With Spells (Of Witches and Warlocks) - Lacey Weatherford

The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor - Diane Gaston, Deb Marlowe, Amanda McCabe

My Soul to Lose - Rachel Vincent

'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy - Leslie Langtry

Ghost-in-Law Boxset - Jana DeLeon

I went a little crazy with my kindle purchases this week no idea why. I have a big thing for those screwball mystery romances so I got a bunch of those, can't wait to get started on them.

Simon & Schuster Galley Grab:

I saw an add on the Shelf-Awareness newsletter to get an e-arc of Between Here and Forever I clicked the link and it sent me to the S&S Galley Grab I signed up not really thinking much of it but I got an email saying I had been accepted. YAY! So I immediately downloaded and read Between Here and Forever which I loved and a whole bunch of others. I had a seriously good book week.

Between Here and Forever - Elizabeth Scott

Red Glove - Holly Black

Stay - Deb Caletti

Invincible Summer - Hannah Moskowitz

Sixteenth Summer - Michelle Dalton

The Summer of Firsts and Lasts - Terra Elan McVoy

Wrapped - Jennifer Bradbury

That's all for now.

Review: Everything I Was - Corinne Demas

I received Everything I Was by Corinne Demas from netgalley courtesy of Lerner Publishing Group.

"My walls were stripped, and all that was left in the room was a pile of boxes and my mattress propped against the wall."


So begins Irene's journey from an Upper West Side penthouse to--well, she's not entirely sure where. Irene's father, a corporate VP, is "downsized" when his company merges with another. When he can't find work, her family's lifestyle--and her mother's spending--quickly catches up with them. Eventually, they're forced to move in with Irene's grandfather in the family farmhouse upstate. But what begins as the most disastrous summer of Irene's life takes a surprising turn, and Irene must decide what she wants for herself after losing everything she was.

Everything I Was is a very sweet simple story. Irene's father looses his job so she along with her mother and father have to move in with her grandfather on his farm. The great thing about this book was the main character Irene, instead of the usual spoilt New Yorker she was a genuinely lovely character. She knew what she wanted and seemed more mature than most teens her age. I loved how resilient she was and how quickly she adapted to her change in circumstance.

Irene meets and make friends with the Fox Family who I loved. They seemed so welcoming and old fashioned. They put on plays and went on family outings, it kind of reminded me of my siblings and cousins when we were younger it brought back some good memories.

Irene's relationship with her parents becomes very strained throughout the book but the ending was perfect, Irene fought for what she wanted and in the end she got it. I will be looking out for more of Corinne Demas's books in the future.

That's all for now.

Review: The Sweetest Thing - Jill Shalvis

The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis.


Two Men Are One Too Many . . .


Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

This is the second book in Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbour series and of course I loved it. Show me a Jill Shalvis novel that I don't love - I doubt you would find it.

Maddie, Tara and Chloe's mother dies and leaves them an old inn instead of selling they decide to stick around and see if they can make it work. The first book, Simply Irresistible, was about the middle sister Maddie, The Sweetest Thing focuses on the eldest sister Tara.

Judging from the first book I thought I would struggle to like Tara as she seemed kind of cold and judgemental but once I started reading and saw what she was really like and what she had been through I found myself warming up to her. Ford I loved from the beginning, he was such a good guy and so perfect for Tara. I even liked the addition of Logan the ex-husband, usually I hate love triangles but this one was just funny. Logan, of course never really stood a chance but the competition between him and Ford - which the town takes more seriously via facebook than the men themselves do - had some great moments.

I even loved the sub-plot of the daughter they gave up for adoption turning up and her relationship with Carlos, it was very cute and was a good parallel to what happened between Tara and Ford in the past. Plus it was a great catalyst to get them back together.

Jill Shalvis writes the perfect blend of heart and humour and it gets me every time. I am really looking forward to the next book, Head Over Heels, which will focus on the wild child younger sister Chloe and the straight laced Police chief Sawyer, it sounds like it's going to be a good one.

That's all for now.

Booking Through Thursday 10

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

This weeks question is:

Series? Or Stand-alone books?

I like both, it all depends on what mood I'm in as to which one I prefer at any given time. Thinking about it though most of my favourite books are series books. One of my most favourite authors, Tamora Pierce, only writes series. Although off the top of my head I can also think of some favourites that are stand-alones.

I get seriously frustrated with series books which is why I usually wait until there is at least three books out before I will go near them. I find waiting between each book actually turns me off a series, mostly because I usually forget what the hell is going on. There is nothing better than sitting down to read knowing you have the next books in the series waiting for you. One of my favourite memories is starting the Dresden Files and being able to read the first eight books in row.

But there is something about a really great stand-alone books that can actually top series books. They can leave you with that sense of satisfaction and completion that series books can't.

That's all for now.

Review: The Liar Society - Lisa & Laura Roecker

The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker.

Since when do the dead send emails?

Kate Lowry's best friend Grace died a year ago. So when she gets an email from her, Kate's more than a little confused.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)
Kate,
I'm here... sort of.
Find Cameron. He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell. They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace's death was more than just a tragic accident. She teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not-so)-shining armor-the dangerously hot bad boy, Liam, and her lovestruck neighbor, Seth. But at their elite private school, there are secrets so big people will do anything to protect them-even if it means getting rid of anyone trying to solve a murder...


So after having finished this book I have one question - is there going to be a sequel? I really hope so because they kind of left it all unresolved at the end and I'm not a fan of the unresolved.

The Liar Society is a mystery story set in a posh private school. Kate's best friend has died in a mysterious fire and she is struggling to come to terms with it. After receiving an email from her supposedly dead best friend she sets off on a crazy investigation with her next door neighbour and a new love interest to find out what really happened to Grace.

I loved the characters in this book they all had very distinct personalities. I liked how even though everyone thinks she is crazy Kate never gives up, she wants justice and I admire that. I liked her love interest Liam, I knew he was going to be a good guy I just couldn't figure out what was going on with him. The big surprise was how much I liked Kate's side-kick Seth, usually I would find a character like that quite annoying but he surprised me with how into the whole mystery he got and how willing he was to help Kate. Plus I did go through a phase when I was younger where I was really into conspiracy theories, I totally tried to convince my Dad that the whole Luna Landing thing was fake, so I could kind of relate to Seth.

The book did kind of drag a little in the middle, the characters were just sort of circling around the same clues and nothing more was being revealed. But it did pick up closer to the end and what happened was quite unexpected. I haven't read many books about secret societies but if they are all like the ones in this books it's probably a good thing. But I really hope there will be a second book, I hate injustice of any kind and I really hope to see Kate get some for Grace.

That's all for now.

Waiting On Wednesday 11

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 Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern. It's released on the 7th June 2011.

On the first day of Lillian’s summer-before-college, she gets a message on her cell from her sort-of friend, Penny. Not only has Penny faked her own kidnapping, but Lil is the only one who figures it out. She knows that Penny’s home life has been rough, and that her boyfriend may be abusive. Soon, Penny’s family, the local police, and even the FBI are grilling Lil, and she decides to head out to Oregon, where Penny has mentioned an acquaintance. And who better to road-trip across the country with than Lil’s BFF, Josh. But here’s the thing: Lil loves Josh. And Josh doesn’t want to “ruin” their amazing friendship.

Josh has a car and his dad’s credit card. Lil has her cellphone and a hunch about where Penny is hiding. There’s something else she needs to find: Are she and Josh meant to be together?


Road-trip!!! I love road-trip books and this one sounds seriously awesome. I love the folded map on the cover it makes a refreshing change to have something on the cover other than a girl in a pretty dress - not that those cover aren't beautiful.


That's all for now.

Teaser Tuesday 11

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 am currently reading The Two Pearls of Wisdom by Alison Goodman. This book seems to have about 65 different titles but it is most widely know as Eon. The sequel, Eona, is due out next month so I wanted to read the first before then.

"The wait for Ryko had settled into my muscles like a cramp, forcing me to pace my room to ease the tension. Twice I thought I heard his rap on the shutter only to find the garden outside my window still and shadowy in the warm night air."

Page 209.

In a world of lies, the truth can be deadly …

Under the harsh regime of an ambitious master, Eon is training to become a Dragoneye – a powerful Lord able to command wind and water to protect the land. But Eon also harbours a desperate secret – he is in fact a young woman living a dangerous masquerade that, if discovered, will mean certain death.

Brought to the attention of the Emperor himself and summoned to the opulent court, Eon is thrust into the heart of a lethal struggle for the Imperial throne. In this new, treacherous world of hidden identities and uneasy alliances, Eon comes face-to-face with a vicious enemy who covets the young Dragoneye’s astounding power, and will stop at nothing to make it his own.

Eon is based on the ancient lores of Chinese astrology and Feng Shui. It is a thrilling, timeless novel of deadly politics, sexual intrigue and dazzling swordplay set in a brilliantly envisioned world …

That's all for now.

100 Follower Giveaway!!!

In honour of my lovely followers whose number has almost reached an amazing 100 I am holding my very first giveaway!!!. Thank you all so very much when I started this blog almost three months ago I had no idea I was going to love it so much so I really appreciate you guys following me and leaving all the lovely comments you do - I read each and every one of them.

Now as you know this is my first giveaway so I have pretty much no idea what I am doing so go easy on me OK. Ha I just realised I haven't told you the prize.

The lucky winner will receive the book of their choice from the bookdepository.co.uk up to the amount of £10.

It's open Internationally as long as the bookdepository.co.uk ships to your country. Check here.

As this is a giveaway in honour of my followers you must be a follower to enter.

One entry per person. You must be over 13 to enter.

Closing date is the 3rd of April 2011 which will be my three month blogoversary!

The winner will be chosen by random.org. I will email the winner they will have 48 hours to reply and a week to choose their book.

OK I think that's it. I've probably forgotten something, made a mistake somewhere or the form won't work but never mind I will fix any problems that arise and I am still super excited to be holding a giveaway. Good Luck!

That's all for now.

In My Mailbox 11

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

My eleventh IMM post - here we go.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side - Beth Fantaskey
The second book in the series was featured in a couple of Waiting on Wednesday posts this week so I thought it was time to get the first it's been on my wishlist for a while.

Cinnamon and Roses - Heidi Betts

An old romance novel that was recommended on the amazon.com forums.

The Sweetest Thing - Jill Shalvis

Yay! The second book in the Lucky Harbor series, I loved the first.

Blood Law - Jeannie Holmes

A new vampire series I thought I might try.

For Review:

Called Home - Gloria Schumann

Kindle:

Class Collision - Annette Mackey

A few people had this in their IMM posts last week so I thought I would see what the fuss was about.

Netgalley:

The Vampire Narcise - Colleen Gleason

Won:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

From the lovely Amber @ The Mile Long Bookshelf. Thank you Amber!

Yay me - I didn't go to crazy this week. I am saving my pennies for April 5th. I've already pre-ordered Red Glove, Where She Went and City of Fallen Angels.

That's all for now.

Review: Clarity - Kim Harrington

Clarity by Kim Harrington.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?


Clarity is an awesome murder mystery with a dash of paranormal thrown into the mix. It's a fast paced quick read that I pretty much read in one sitting.

The main focus of the book is not so much the psychic side of things but on the murder mystery, although we did get to see Clare and her mother and brother do some psychic readings. I didn't expect the crime solving aspect to be quite so official, usually the psychic goes off on their own to investigate the crime but in this book the Mayor asks Clare to look into the crime and she even gets a partner.

I don't usually do the whole "team" thing but in this case I have to be team Gabriel, the son of the new chief of police and her crime solving partner. I just couldn't like Justin, the son of the mayor, however nice he may be what he did in my eyes is totally unforgivable and I really don't like him and Clare together.

Clare's mother appears to a bit flakey so I get her dependence on her brother, Perry, and why she goes to such great lengths to protect him. I think it would have been nice for Clare to have a girl friend, just so Clare could have someone to talk to because it felt like she was missing out on that but with Clare's abilities I suppose it's a bit difficult.

My mind was working overtime throughout the entire book trying to figure out who the killer was. I sort of had it figured out and I sort of didn't - can't really say any more without giving to much away but let's just say I was looking in the right direction. I have a few ideas and feelings about other people including the mysterious predictions of the fortune teller and her missing father, but I assume this will all play out in further books in this series. I believe the second book is called Perception, and will be coming out next year.

That's all for now.

Waiting On Wednesday 10

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 Hourglass by Myra McEntire. Released on 24th May 2011.

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?


What's not to love - awesome cover, fantastic description. Everytime I see this book out in the blogosphere I want it a little bit more. Can't wait!

That's all for now.

Teaser Tuesday 10

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 just finished Clarity last night (review coming soon) and have moved on to The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta. I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am to be finally reading this book. I feel like I have been waiting for it for forever. I love Melina Marchetta, Jellicoe Road and Saving Francesca are two of my all time favourite books. If you haven't read them I highly recommend that you do.

"After everyone's eaten and the men are outside playing cards in the tiny courtyard, Abe's mother dangles a necklace over Gerorgie's belly to see if it's a boy or a girl. As she sits surrounded by the women and her goddaughters, who watch with the widest of eyes, she is suddenly overcome with emotion."

Page 90.

Thomas Mackee wants oblivion. Wants to forget parents who leave and friends he used to care about and a string of one-night stands, and favourite uncles being blown to smithereens on their way to work on the other side of the world.

But when his flatmates turn him out of the house, Tom moves in with his single, pregnant aunt, Georgie. And starts working at the Union pub with his former friends. And winds up living with his grieving father again. And remembers how he abandoned Tara Finke two years ago, after his uncle's death.

And in a year when everything's broken, Tom realises that his family and friends need him to help put the pieces back together as much as he needs them.

That's all for now.

Review: City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare.


Amid the chaos of war, the Shadowhunters must decide to fight with the vampires, werewolves and other Downworlders - or against them. Meanwhile, Jace and Clary have their own decision to make: should they pursue the love they know is forbidden?

WOW - how exciting was this book! So again I can't really go into too much detail as it will totally ruin it for anyone who had not read this series yet so I will keep it quite general.

City of Glass had kind of a slow start which was unexpected as the first two books were pretty much non-stop action but I suppose things had to calm down for a little while. Things soon started to get crazy again and I was literally on the edge of my seat for most of the book.

City of Glass mostly takes place in the Shadowhunter home, Alicante. It was nice after all the mentions in the previous books to finally go there, it was not what I was expecting. I think I was expecting more of a presence from the Clave and the Council, I got the impression from the first two books that they were this huge all powerful enitiy but I didn't feel that when we were actually shown them. It was only when they were joined by the Downworlders that I felt they could be something more.

City of Glass made it official as much as I love Jace and therefore Clary and their cute togetherness, Alec and Magnus became my favourite couple of this series - there were two scenes specifically that I loved so much - they were so cute and funny.

Again Jace just broke my heart in this book, seriously how much can one person go through in a few weeks and still be OK at the end of it. Although Clary is supposed to be the main character for me these books are all about Jace, he is the most likeable and well written character in the series. And lets just say for the record Sebastian - totally creepy.

This was actually a great trilogy and I am wondering why Cassandra Clare felt the need to write a second trilogy based on the same characters, shifting focus to secondary characters I could understand. But hey I shouldn't complain just because I like the nice neat tidy ending of City of Glass doesn't mean I won't like the second trilogy.

So City of Fallen Angels is out in a few weeks and I am still undecided as to whether or not I am going to read it straight away. Although it took me years to read this trilogy I am very glad I waited so I could read them one after the other - I kind of want to do that for the next trilogy. But I suppose I'll see how it goes when I actually have the book in my hands.


That's all for now.

In My Mailbox 10

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

My tenth IMM post - here we go.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:

River Marked - Patricia Briggs

The Perfect Neighbour - Nora Roberts

Desires of the Dead - Kimberly Derting

Outside In - Maria V. Snyder

The Piper's Son - Melina Marchetta

Clarity - Kim Harrington

The Liar Society - Lisa & Laura Roecker

Thanks to The Story Siren, recommended on her site.

For Review:

Miles From Ordinary - Carol Lynch Williams
Courtesy of Sarah Goldstein at St. Martin's Press.
My second in real life review book. The lovely Sarah emailed me a few weeks back asking if I would like to review this book of course I said yes and here it is. Apart from requesting on netgalley I don't actively ask for review books - not really my style - but of course if someone asks I will not say no.
I received two copies of this book so I will probably give the other one away.

Kindle:

Steam & Sorcery - Cindy Spencer Pape

Gone - Michael Grant

The Fire Inside - Raymond Rose

Thanks to Kim @ The Caffinated Diva Reads, recommended on her site.

The Zero Dog War - Keith Melton
Thanks to Nina @ Death, Books and Tea, recommended on her site.

Netgalley:

The Last Little Blue Envelope - Maureen Johnson
Die For Me - Amy Plum
Pregnant Pause - Han Nolan
Never Eighteen - Megan Bostic
Yes I am now hanging my head in shame - my netgalley ban did not take.

I wanted to have finished The Mortal Instruments Series by the end of this week but after having four days off I had to go back to work on Friday and real life sort of caught up with me. I'm still in the middle of the last book but hope to have it finished soon.
I was going to read The Hunger Games Trilogy or The Darkest Powers Trilogy next week but instead I am going to make it a netgalley week - so many books to read.

That's all for now.

Review: City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.

With her mother in a coma and her father hellbent on destroying the world, Clary Fray is dragged deeper into New York City's terrifying underworld of werewolves, demons and the mysterious Shadowhunters. Discovering the truth about her past was only the beginning. Now the fate of the world rests on Clary's shoulders, but can she master her new-found powers and control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?

So there are some crazy descriptions of City of Ashes out there that basically tell you the whole plot of the book so I went with the blurb on the back instead.

City of Ashes is as action packed as City of Bones. I can't decide which I like better, they are both awesome. The story continues from where the last book left off. I'm not going to give to much away incase you haven't read it yet but I will give you some random thoughts.

Jace has a rough time from beginning to end in this book, he really gets kicked around by everyone and I felt very bad for him. I'm really hoping he can catch a break in the next book (but I doubt it). Clary is still kind of irritating me, as much as I don't like Simon (which I don't btw - very annoying - although he had grown on me slightly by the end of the book) I don't like Clary using him and using the feelings he has for her to make herself feel better.

I like that there actually adults in this book, in lots of YA books the adults are conveniently absent but in this series they seem to be around quite a bit. OK granted they are mostly useless (the Lightwoods) or evil (Valentine) but at least they are a presence and it isn't just a bunch of teenagers running around doing everything on their own. And actually apart from Jace, Luke and Magnus Bane are my favourite characters.

I have to say one of the things I like most about this series is that it makes me laugh, sometimes intentionally sometimes not. Despite all the serious and heartbreaking things going on there is still a lot of humour and I like that.

I am very very glad I waited until all three books were out before reading them because there is no way I would have been able to handle the wait, I have already started the third book City of Glass. Even now I have already begun to worry about the few weeks wait before book fourth comes out. Should I even read it when it comes out? Or should I wait until the fifth and sixth books are out too? Especially since the sixth book won't be out until September 2013! That is a really long time to wait. Decisions, decisions.

That's all for now.

Booking Through Thursday 9

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

This weeks question is:

Do you multi-task when you read? Do other things like stirring things on the stove, brushing your teeth, watching television, knitting, walking, et cetera?

Or is it just me, and you sit and do nothing but focus on what you’re reading?

(Or, if you do both, why, when, and which do you prefer?)

Usually I am one task kinda girl. If I'm reading then that's all I'm doing. But I can muti-task if I have to. I can watch the TV and read at the same time, it just depends on the book and the show.
I have been known to occasionally eat and read at the same time but my parents drummed that out of me pretty good when I was a kid. According to my mother the dining table is not the place to read and even though I'm not a kid anymore it's hard to break my mum's rules.
I am notoriously clumsy and have on several occasions tried to walk and read at the same time and found that it was the best way to injure myself, so I gave that up.
But no matter what I'm doing after a little while I always seem to abandon the other tasks anyway and fully concentrate on reading - it's just the way I am.

That's all for now.

Review: Dark Mirror - M.J Putney

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney. Courtesy of Sarah Goldstein at St. Martin's Press.

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.

I loved the premise of this book, high society rejecting magic in their bloodlines and sending those who were afflicted off to a special boarding school. I am loving the recent trend of historical and paranormal mix, it combines two of my favourite things and works a whole lot better than you would think.

I loved Tory, the main character, she was very strong and independent. Where as most people would only be looking out for themselves or falling to pieces when things didn't go their way, she always made the right decisions. She stood up for what she believed in and never let fear of the unknown get in her way. It wasn't to heavy on romance, it was more about the magic, but what there was was very sweet and ended on a happy note.

The book lost me a little when Tory went through the mirror as I had no idea it was going to be a time travel novel, although the cover should have given me a bit of a clue. But it didn't take me long to get back into it, the author really made the 1940's come alive. And it turned out that the second trip back in time became my favourite part of the whole book.

This is the authors first YA novel and I hope it won't be her last. I have no idea if this is the start of a new series or not, the ending could work to make the book a stand alone novel or the start of a series. Either way it was a great book and I really recommend it.

That's all for now.

Waiting On Wednesday 9

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.


City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare.
Release date 7th April 2011.


The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and - most importantly of all - she can finally call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. And when Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.


Considering what I am reading at the moment my WOW pick for this week seems kind of obvious. I have pre-orderd my copy already and will most definately have finished reading the first three books in the series and possibly Clockwork Angel by the time City of Fallen Angels is released.


That's all for now.

Review: City of Bones - Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

Sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is an ordinary teenager, who likes hanging out in Brooklyn with her friends. But everything changes the night she witnesses a murder, committed by a group of teens armed with medieval weaponry. The murderous group are Shadowhunters, secret warriors dedicated to driving demons out of this dimension and back into their own. Drawn inexorably into a terrifying world, Clary slowly begins to learn the truth about her family - and the battle for the fate of the world.


Man alive this book was exciting, it was just one violent action sequence after the other and I loved it. I don't know why it took me so long to start this series but I am so glad I finally did. I got way to into it - talking to the characters as though they could really hear me telling them to do this and not to that.


When I first started reading it reminded me a little of Harry Potter, and seeing as I love Harry Potter this was a good thing, but it soon morphed into it's own brand of awesomeness.


The whole other world Cassandra Clare has created had a very adult urban fantasy feel to it just with teen aged characters, this was a part of why I liked it so much. The world was so complex and deep that it really felt real to me. Jace had to be my favourite character he was very funny and very flawed and I like that. All of Cassandra Clare's characters were very well written. They made me want to cry sometimes, I really felt for them.

I figured out most of the plot twists (except for one - totally blindsided me) that happened but that was OK I imagine there are still a few more headed my way in the next two books (or should I say three).

I immediately dived into the next book, City of Ashes, so look out for a review of that soon.
And if you are like me and have been putting off reading these books - don't. Read them right now you won't be sorry.

That's all for now.

Teaser Tuesday 9

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!

Right now I am reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and I am loving it. I am hoping to finish this one up today.

"Silence itself seemed to flow from him like a dark tide, black and thick as ink. It chilled her bones."

Page 157.

Sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is an ordinary teenager, who likes hanging out in Brooklyn with her friends. But everything changes the night she witnesses a murder, committed by a group of teens armed with medieval weaponry. The murderous group are Shadowhunters, secret warriors dedicated to driving demons out of this dimension and back into their own. Drawn inexorably into a terrifying world, Clary slowly begins to learn the truth about her family - and the battle for the fate of the world.

That's all for now.

Review: The Vespertine - Saundra Mitchell

I received The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell from netgalley courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

It's the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia's world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she's not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

I've been trying to find the right word to describe this book for a few days now and I think I am going to go with enchanting. I didn't really know to much about The Vespertine before I started reading it so I didn't really know what to expect. I got a little worried at the beginning because the start was very ominous but once I got in to the main part of the book I found myself swept away with the story. I felt the excitement and trepidation Amelia was feeling at being in new surroundings. I felt the giddiness of Amelia and Zora's new friendship and the magnetism Amelia felt to Nathaniel.

The Vespertine was a great mix of historical and paranormal, although it wasn't to heavy on the paranormal just enough to make it interesting. When anyone asks if you could have a superpower what would it be foreseeing the future is up at the top of my list (teleportation being at the very top), The Vespertine however reads like a cautionary tale. The sense of foreboding hangs over every chapter, you just know something bad is going to happen you just don't know what. I wanted to reach into the book and warn Amelia before it was to late.

I usually like my endings straight up happy but I liked the ambiguous aspect of this ending, the possibilities it presented and feeling of hope it left me with. Maybe some of the relationships weren't tied up with a bow but that was OK maybe someday they would be.

I am definitely going to have to dig out her first book, Shadowed Summer, out of my stacks and add it to my tbr pile.

That's all for now.

In My Mailbox 9

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

My ninth IMM post - here we go.

Books I received this week.

In The Post:

Deadly Heat - Cynthia Eden
Deadly Lies - Cynthia Eden
I read the first book in the Deadly series a few weeks ago, it was pretty good so I decided to get the other two. You can read my review of Deadly Fear here.

This Side of the Grave - Jeaniene Frost
Read it. Loved it. Reviewed it here.

Falling Under - Gwen Heyes

Love the cover, love the synopsis. Looking forward to reading it.

Infinity - Sherrilyn Kenyon

I saw this one ages ago but didn't buy it now the second book in the series is coming out soon so I though it was time to get it.

City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare
City of Glass - Cassandra Clare
As you probably all know the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments series comes out next month, I want to get it and read it along with everyone else. However I have not read the first three, so I decided to join the MI re-read challenge (although it would just be a read challenge for me) which would give me that added incentive to read them all before the end of the month. I bought City of Bones (which I am reading right now) a few years ago so I just had to buy the other two.

Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales - Tamora Pierce

Oh Tamora Pierce how I love your books. When will the final book in the Beka Copper series be out? This will have to tide me over until then, I will have to read it very slowly.

Raising Demons - Rachel Hawkins
AKA Demonglass to all you non-UK readers. It really needs no explanation

Playing Hurt - Holly Schindler
Loved her first novel A Blue So Dark and her second one sounds even better.

The Case of the Murdered Muckracker - Carola Dunn
Mistletoe and Murder - Carola Dunn

My Mum loves the Daisy Dalrymple novels so I got these for her.

At The Shops:

The Book Of Tomorrow - Cecelia Ahern
The Two Pearls of Wisdom - Alison Goodman
I have been working so much lately that haven't actually been out shopping at all this year. But I got out of work early on Monday and took a quick trip into town and of course I couldn't come home without a couple of books.

For Review:

Dark Mirror - M.J. Putney

Courtesy of Sarah Goldstein at St. Martin's Press.

My very first in real life review book. The lovely Sarah emailed me a few weeks back asking if I would like to review this book of course I said yes and here it is. Apart from requesting on netgalley I don't actively ask for review books - not really my style - but of course if someone asks I will not say no.

Kindle:

Darcy's Voyage (Pride & Prejudice Continues) - Kara Louise
I love Pride and Prejudice stories, whether they be alternatives or continuations or modern re-tellings - I will read them all. This was free on amazon this week so I thought why not.

Netgalley:

Long Gone - Alafair Burke
To be fair I requested this before my self-imposed netgalley ban.

Spell Bound - Kelley Armstrong

I know I have a netgalley ban going on but you have to understand it's Kelley Armstrong - one of my all time favourite authors!!! I couldn't resist. And to be honest I didn't think my request would actually be accepted as I am a fairly new blogger and I still get turned down for other books. I got so excited when I got the email though - I can't wait to read it.

Won:

The Threads pack at The Beaucoup Review.

Thanks Ria!

Which includes:

Threads by Sophia Bennett, black nail varnish, two book plates and a very cute card Ria wrote to me.

Oh dear I appear to have gone a bit crazy with the book buying lately - it's my one vice I swear.

That's all for now.

Review: This Side of the Grave - Jeaniene Frost

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.


Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance...

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"--the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war. ...to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.


Cat and Bones have to be one of my favourite fictional couples, they have been through so much in past four books and have come out the other side even stronger than before. The fifth book in the series demonstrates that fact quite clearly. Cat and Bones are growing up, their relationship has matured quite considerably and they finally seem to have found solid ground with each other. I've read a few reviews where people have not enjoyed the lack of Cat Bones drama but I have to say I found it quite refreshing. Don't get me wrong the journey to get them to this happy point has been a long, angst ridden, awesome ride which has totally been worth it but I like that they are finally comfortable with what they feel for one another and have that measure of trust that they do.


As to the story line itself, I found it quite amusing, things never work out how they plan them to, there are several twists and turns during the Vampire Ghoul war. I liked the increased ghost presence and I think we are only going to get more of that as the series progresses. The danger was not quite as pronounced in this book as it has been in others, a lot of time was spent on Cat's new crazy powers, the book had more of a mystery feel to it than the series usual action vibe. But again I don't have a problem with this, I just see it as inevitable evolution of the characters and storyline.

Jeaniene Frost writes great characters they are all very distinctive, even the villains. If I were a ghost or a vampire I would totally want to be in Cat and Bone's group of friends/allies. Although the one character I still can't stand is Tate, honestly I find him so irritating - in a crazy stalker way - that I'm half hoping he comes to a bad end in the next book - but I doubt it.


I still haven't read the two Night Huntress World books but This Side of the Grave has really made me want to dig them out so I can read Kira and Mencheres and Denise and Spade's stories. I also heard on the blogging grapevine that there are going to be a couple of spin off books about Vlad which I am really happy to hear. I wasn't a huge fan of his before but this book totally changed my mind about him - he is great there's a lot more to him than I first thought. So I am looking forward to reading his story. I am also looking forward to the sixth book, One Grave at a Time, which comes out later this year.


That's all for now.