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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Release Day; Lover Unleashed JR Ward,

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.


Ok so if you have been following me at all, you know that I am in love with The Black Dagger Brotherhood series. You know they are my loves and even the books I hated I still loved (yes to me it makes sense). It makes me sad that new books only come out once and year (it used to be twice). This year however, Lover Unleashed is out a full month early (well maybe not, but Lover Mine was out at the end of April last year, the same goes for Lover Avenged the year before). The end of April release dates worked for me, I had no commitments and could read as I pleased. This "earlier" release day is smack dab in the middle of crunch time at school, right in the middle of papers and exams. Why Warden? why? I love this series and am totally stoked to read Lover Unleashed.  So what do I do? I can't not go out and buy this book today, but can it be on my shelf unread for the next 3 weeks? Probably not, I can see it already taunting me. Can I read it slowly (an hour in the morning and an hour before bed)? Or should I just forget sleep for the next 72 hours?  I don't know, can you see me dilemma?

Anywho, for those of you who are free to read as you will Lover Unleashed is out today, so go buy it!

Happy Reading Everyone!

Teaser Tuesday #11

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 Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

"'You are human, aren't you Don? Not that it matters to me, I swear. You know I'm an equal opportunities kinda guy.'
Gripping her hands tightly together as she tried to ignore the hot thread of guilt running through her, Donna forced a smile."

(P.129-130)








Monday, March 28, 2011

Top 5 YA Couples.

Well hello lovelies!
I haven't done a lot of reading in the last couple weeks and it's going to be even less in the next few. But I was browsing around and came across a post at the YA Fantasy Guide called Young Adult Romance which is basically a list of their top 10 YA romance novels.  I thought this was a brilliant idea and thought I would do a response post sharing my favourite YA couples and from which books.  Cause it's spring and love is in the air. 

So here goes...

Belly and Conrad from The Summer I Turned Pretty/It's not Summer Without You. By Jenny Han

I love this series and I love this couple! I was sad when Conrad rejected Belly at the end of book 2.  I am so excited for We'll Always Have Summer which is out in later next month. 







Dara and Gwen from The Hunter's Moon by OR Melling

This was one of the first YA novels I ever read about 14 years ago. 
I loved it and I loved Dara and Gwen. Greatest couple ever. Gwen a
Canadian girl out to save her cousin from the fae and Dara a hot Irish
guy who wants to help. What more could you ask for?







Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling.

This was one pairing that I had been waiting for from the beginning and I loved every minute of their awkward courtship. Never have two people been more meant for each other then Ron and Hermione. I loved it!  







Jace and Clary from City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I only liked this couple in this book, because after they were brother and sister their passion made me uncomfortable. Haha. I'll probably like them more in City of Fallen Angels which is out next week!  But anywho;  you can't have a list of YA couples without mentioning Clay and Jace. Like really. 








Megan and Ash from The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

I have only read the Iron King (every time I go to the bookstore the never have the other two), but I have a thing for boys who try to be tough but are defeated when it comes to the girl they love.  Prince Ash is a prime example. It's cute. He tries so hard to resist. Anywho I loved their little relationship and once I can get my hands on the other two I'm sure I will continue to love it!






There are a million other power couples out there I know, but I probably haven't read those books yet. But feel free to leave a comment about your favourite YA couple. 

Happy Reading Everyone!

**Edit**

How could I write this post and forget my Favourite Couple! 

Jonah and Taylor from Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

This is one of the best books I have ever read and one of the most beautiful couples. I loved them (Uhhh, I loved him). But this totally deserves an honourable mention.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Leah Clifford is giving away cool stuff.



Not only is this an ubber cool video but there is something in it for us! All the rules and fun stuff you can find at Leah's blog. If you want a chance to win Leah's debut novel A Touch Mortal you should run over and check it out! Like Now!

~Happy Reading Everyone!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Why So Serious: The Mortal Instruments Edition Vol 3


To prepare for the upcoming release of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, I have decided to share my favourite quotes/dialogues that made me chuckle from the first three books in The Mortal Instruments. This is a series of posts I have titled 'Why So Serious?-TMI Edition'. I thought it would be nice to remember why we love this series so much and start getting even more excited for City of Fallen Angels.

So here goes...

From City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

1)      "I am a man" he told her, "and men do not consume pink beverages. Get thee gone woman, and bring me something brown."

2)      "Is this the part where you say if I hurt her, you'll kill me?"
"No" Simon said, "If you hurt Clary she's quite capable of killing you herself. Possibly with a variety of weapons."

3)      "I think he’s handling it with grace. A lot of teenage boys would sulk, or lurk around under your window with a boom box."

4)      "And quit baring your fangs at me. It's making me nervous." 
"Good," Simon said. "If you want to know why, it's because you smell like blood."
"It's my cologne. Eau de Recent Injury." Jace raised his left hand.

5)      "Well, I can always fix it up with something sparkly." Magnus said, holding a sparkly headband.
"Resist the urge Alec, resist the urge." Simon said.

6)      “I have a fetish for damsels in distress.”
“Don’t be sexist.”
“Not at all. My services are also available to gentlemen in distress. It’s an equal opportunity fetish,”

7)      "So technically, even though Jace isn't actually related to you, you have kissed your brother."

8)      "I thought I'd lie on the floor and writhe in pain for a while, it relaxes me" – Jace

9)      Sebastian: YOU'RE Ragnor Fell the warlock?
Magnus: Well, I'm certainly not Ragnor Fell the exotic dancer

10)   “And I’m sure my blood is fan-tastic.”
Simon set the empty flask down on the arm of the chair by the bed. “There’s something very wrong with you,” he said. “Mentally, I mean.”
Just two more weeks guys, isn't that exciting? Well till next time.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

My Thoughts: Stay by Deb Caletti


Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.
Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

This was an e-ARC from Simon and Schuster.


In recent months I have read quite a few books dealing with fairly heavy/serious issues. Books dealing with abusive boyfriends among them so picking this one up was no biggie. Stay by Deb Caletti is about a boy who is so obsessed with his girlfriend that he becomes extremely abusive (although not physically abusive, but I am sure it could have gone there).  This was the first novel that I have read by Caletti and I wasn't a huge fan of this one. There were things that I loved about it, and some things that really bothered me.

The thing that I loved the most about this book was Clara's relationship with her father. I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. Clara's mom had passed away when she was four, so it had just been her dad and her for many years, and they had this really special relationship. Clara's dad was supportive and encouraging and he really cared for his daughter. In most YA novels you don't often see the parents and you wonder where they are, in this one Clara's dad was around and he was dad. I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel.

Christian, to let the psycho ex-boyfriend cool off. They went to a small cottage town, and Clara got a job. That's all fine and dandy, what I thought was odd was the fact the Clara found herself becoming romantically involved with a boy, I found myself saying oh come on. I liked Finn, I really liked his character, and I think however that if he could have simply been her friend instead of her boyfriend the book would have been better for me. I also wasn't a fan of the end, I feel like Christian got off way to easily, and it was a little anti-climatic for me. It was a tad disappointing.

Christian was a creepy character, totally insane and that was something that was believable in Stay. He was totally obsessed and totally psycho. He was freaky. Clara was meh. I didn't love her, and I didn't hate her. She didn't do a whole lot for me.

I think that maybe I shouldn't have read Stay when I did, that maybe I wasn't in the mood for it, therefore am being a little to critical, but who knows. I am planning on reading a couple more books by Deb Caletti to give her a second chance. Wish me luck.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Winner Winner: Chicken Dinner.

So boys and girls we have a winner!  The winner of my very first giveaway in which I give away a copy of Choker by Elizabeth Woods is Anna over at The Bursting Bookshelf.   She's got a really excellent blog and I encourage everyone to head over and check it out. 

If you did not win this time around do not fret I will be announcing another pretty stellar contest in a few weeks! So stay tuned. I am also making it a personal rule to have all my contests be open internationally. I find it incredibly frustrating when I see an announcement for a giveaway however it is only open to US residents. Being open internationally may mean I won't be hosting a whole lot of giveaways or I'll be using the book depository a whole lot. But for me it's important that anything that I want to giveaway I leave it open to everyone.

A huge thank you for those who participated, and to all my readers. I really appreciate it, really!

Happy Reading Everyone!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Why So Serious: The Mortal Instruments Edition, vol 2


To prepare for the upcoming release of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, I have decided to share my favourite quotes/dialogues that made me chuckle from the first three books in The Mortal Instruments. This is a series of posts I have titled 'Why So Serious?-TMI Edition'. I thought it would be nice to remember why we love this series so much and start getting even more excited for City of Fallen Angels.

So here goes...

From City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

1)      "Mom. I have something to tell you. I’m undead. Now, I know you may have some preconceived notions about the undead. I know you may not be comfortable with the idea of me being undead. But I’m here to tell you that undead are just like you and me … well, okay. Possibly more like me than you. " –Simon

2)      "We need to talk. All of us about what we're going to do now."
"I was going to watch Project Runway." -Jace

3)      “ Are you all right? Your eyes are crossing." –Simon

4)      "Look on the bright side," said Simon, "If they need a human sacrifice, you can always offer me. I'm not sure the rest of you qualify anyway."

5)      “That’s sweet,” said Maia. “That he loves his sister like that.”
“Yeah,” Simon said. “It’s precious"

6)      "He did," Alec confirmed. "I've never seen anything like it."
"I've never seen anything like this." Jace lifted a ten-inch dagger from the floor. One of Isabelle's pink brassiers was spread on the wickedly sharp tip. Isabelle snatched it off, scowling.

7)      "You have something on your neck.”
“What?”
“Looks like a bite mark, what were you doing out all night, anyway?”
“Nothing. I went walking in the park. Tried to clear my head.”
“And ran into a vampire?”
“What? No! I fell.”
“On your neck?" –Poor Alec

8)      "What I actually want to call you is a hell of a lot more unprintable than your name" -Clary

9)      "If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl' I'm going to kill you"  -Isabelle

10)   "That's your truck parked up by the factory isn't it?" Magnus pointed. "It's awfully butch for a bookseller."  -Magnus Bane
I love a good laugh and TMI series is full of them. Hope you enjoyed. Till next week.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Monday, March 14, 2011

From Book to Movie 6



Actually I think I should have titled this from Movie to Book. As this specific book version of Red Riding Hood was born from the screen play written by David Leslie Johnson. I haven't read the book that was written by Sara Blakley-Cartwright and Catherine Hardwicke (she directed the first Twilight movie) and I am not sure that I will. I would like to see this movie though. I like Amanda Seyfried and I LOVE Gary Oldman. So we will see. Anywho. That's about all I have to say about this one. Enjoy.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Haulin' 5

So I haven't done one of these in a while. Mostly because I tried to ban myself from buying books. However a few weeks ago I won a $10.00 Amazon gift card from Pam over at Midnyte Reader and well I can't have a gift card and not use it. I have also received a few books for review and so on... so here goes. I'll try and make it so that if you click on the picture it will take you to goodreads.


Bought


Goodreads
 A Touch Mortal By Leah Clifford

I've read mixed reviews on this one. I'm excited to read it for myself and see what I think of it. Its got a fabulous cover.











Goodreads
  Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

I really want to know what's going on in this book. How could you not read the blurb on the back and not be anxious as to why her mother told her to run. Ahhhh. I am planning on reading this soon.










Goodreads
 I am Number Four by Patticus Lore

I may be late to the band wagon with this one. I have wanted to read it for a while but I hadn't. I've read it now and I feel really sad that James Frey has scammed the co-writer Jobie Hughes out of receiving proper credit. I don't know any details there but it looks like shady business. 

I liked this book and I may or may not write a review on it. We will see.







Goodreads
Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

I have been wanting to read this book for months. Well before it's release day. I think the cover is amazing.  It has an interesting story line so we'll see.













From the Library.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
I have this as an audio book that I listen to when I'm cooking, cleaning or at the gym. Audio books are  awesome for the gym. It makes cardio way more entertaining.  I have about 40 minutes left of this.


Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
I have seen many raves about this book. I thought that I would one day read it, I guess it's sooner rather then later.









This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
I love Sarah Dessen, and to my utter dismay I have only read two of her books. So I am really looking  forward to getting to this one. 













Whew, I have a lot f reading to do it seems. I'm pretty excited.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

My Thoughts: Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn


Like father,
like son


Intelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteen-year-old Nick Andreas is pretty much perfect — on the outside, at least. What no one knows — not even his best friend — is the terror that Nick faces every time he is alone with his father. Then he and Caitlin fall in love, and Nick thinks his problems are over. Caitlin is the one person who he can confide in. But when things start to spiral out of control, Nick must face the fact that he's gotten more from his father than green eyes and money.


Breathing Underwater was one intense read. Not as intense as Sarah Dessen's Dreamland. but whoa. It amazes me that this book was written by Alex Flinn the same woman who wrote Beastly. Breathing Underwater was about a boy who beat his girlfriend and the consequences of his actions.

What I really liked about this story was that it was written from Nick's point of view, and that it was after his abusive behaviour. Him and his girlfriend had broken up and were living separate lives. I liked that we got to see Nick realize just how terrible his actions were, and how destructive his behaviour was. I felt for Nick (he had a crap life, his dad was a jerk), and he felt like he couldn't talk about what he was struggling with anyone, not even his best friend. This was really sad. I really loved how we saw the story of what was 'Nick and Caitlin' unfold in Nick's journal, this was a part of the book that I really liked, it was during his journaling that Nick realized what happened.  His group counselling sessions I found were realistic to what a group counselling would look like. I found that Flinn wrote wonderfully, I didn't get bored and roll my eyes. I found the story captivating and hopeful.

The Characters were well written as well. I found that I disliked Nick a lot when I needed to, but I was also able to respect him and his growth as the story went on. I really liked Mario the group counselling leader, I think that there needs to be more of him in the real world, he was a great character. 

I've read a few reviews on goodreads, one in particular that said that this type of book is not something they wanted their kids to read, because she didn't feel like this was how high school really was, that sex, alcohol, peer pressure weren't part of every high school, perhaps some but not all. I beg to differ; majorly. This book was exaclty what high school is like, at least for me and most people I talk to. High school was hard, and all those issues were very real.

 I very much appreciate that Alex Flinn wrote a book like this, so that both abusers and their victims know that they are not alone and that there are people out there who are desperate to help them. Hiding the bad stuff does not make it go away, it just makes it harder to talk about when it needs to be talked about.

Happy Reading Everyone!

**I am giving away a copy of Choker

by Elizabeth Woods, check it out here.**

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Why so Serious?-The Mortal Instruments Edition


To prepare for the upcoming release of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, I have decided to share my favourite quotes/dialogues that made me chuckle from the first three books in The Mortal Instruments. This is a series of posts I have titled 'Why So Serious?-TMI Edition'. I thought it would be nice to remember why we love this series so much and start getting even more excited for City of Fallen Angels.

So here goes...

From City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

1) "Just because you call an electric eel a rubber duck doesn't make it a rubber duck, does it? And God help the poor bastard who decides they want to take a bath with the duckie." -Jace

2) "It's the mortal cup Jace, not the mortal toilet bowl." -Isabelle

3) "That's why when major badasses greet each other in movies, they don't say anything, they just nod. The nod means, 'I' am a badass, and I recognize that you, too, are a badass,' but they don't say anything because they're Wolverine and Magneto and it would mess up their vibe to explain." -Simon

4) "You know," Clary said, "most psychologists agree that hostility is really just sublimated sexual attraction." -Clary

5) "Hodge sent me to wake you up. Actually he offered to wake you himself, but since it's 5 a.m., I figured you'd be less cranky if you had something nice to look at.'" -Jace

6)  '"Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?'
Jace said, "Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself."
..."At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting."'

7) '"Is this the part where you start tearing off strips of your shirt to bind my wounds?"
"If you wanted me to rip my clothes off, you should have just asked."' -Jace

8) '"I am a badass, and I recognize that you, too, are a badass."' Simon

9) "Do you remember back at the hotel when you promised that if we lived, you’d get dressed up in a nurse’s outfit and give me a sponge bath?" asked Jace.
"It was Simon who promised you the sponge bath."
"As soon as I’m back on my feet, handsome," said Simon.
"I knew we should have left you a rat."

10) '"Sarcasm is the last refuge of the imaginatively bankrupt."' -Jace

I know that the majority of these are from Jace but he's pretty funny. I have a thing for sarcasm. Hopefully everyone enjoyed this. City of Ashes next week.

Happy Reading Everyone!

**I'm giving away a copy of Choker
By Elizabeth Woods, Check it out here**

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Teaser Tuesday # 10

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!
 
 
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
 
'"We need to talk. All of us About what we're going to do now."

"I was going to watch Project Runway."'

*I am listening to this one on Audiobook late into the night, because I have NO time to read anything.*












** I am giving away a copy of Choker by
Elizabeth Woods. Check it out here.**

Monday, March 7, 2011

BDB Book Club Challenge



So it's not secret that I LOVE the BDB series by JR Ward. I've posted about it enough times, and I am SUPER excited for the upcoming release of Lover Unleashed (22 days!).  So when I stumbled upon this little challenge I was over the moon.

Ashley over at Bookaholic Does Blogging is hosting The BDB Book Club Challenge. The Challenge is to read all nine books starting April 1st and ending Dec 31st. The book club is a monthly hop (there is also a goodreads group). It's going to be freaking awesome! So you should all check it out.  

Happy Reading Everyone!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Miserable March

Hello Friends,

It's March, and well March brings great things like the official first day of spring, and the snow usually starts to melt in March and people are getting outside and getting ready for warmer weather. There are also so many fantastic books coming out in March, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, Lover Unleashed by JR Ward (which I have been so eager to read for a year). I however will not be reading it till then end of April, and this saddens me greatly. For those of you who are university students you know what I mean. This is what the month of March looks like for me.

-March 8th--> Midterm
-March 14th--> Group Presentation
-March 31st--> Term Paper due
-April 4th--> Term Paper Due

This may not seem like a lot,  and usually it isn't, it's just that everything needs to be done within days of one another. SO no time for pleasure reading. This is promptly followed by April's Finals.

Psych Final-April 8th (The day after my birthday, so I get to study on my birthday, no party for me)
Conflict Resolution Final-April 11th
Criminal Justice Final-April 15th
Sociology Final-April 18th.

SO between now and the third week in April I may not be around to much (unless my profs go on strike on Wednesday, then I'll be around). I will try to post Meme's and videos, but I can't promise anything on the review end. I'll be reading, but very sparingly.  I'll be around on twitter so if follow me, and I'll keep you posted.

Thanks guys, and if you haven't already enter my giveaway, right HERE!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Many Books in a Year: February


Hello All,

I'm still counting. If you are new to Many Books in a Year you can find an explination here. basically I'm counting the books I've read. I wanted to know how many I get through.

Last month I read six books one novella and listened to one audio book. Which is a grand total of 17 for this year so far. Which is not to bad.

1-The Iron Witch by Julie Kagawa

2-Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa (Novella)

3- Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (My Thoughts)

4- What Can't Wait by Ashley Hope Perez (My Thoughts)

5- Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn (My Thoughts coming soon)

6-Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender                                                

7-Wither by Lauren DeStefano (My Thoughts)

8-Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala (Audio Book)




** I am giving away a Copy of Choker
By Elizabeth Woods. Check it out here.**

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Teaser Tuesday #9

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!


I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

"I lean in and strain to hear, my body tense and rigid. When the reply comes the voice sounds shaken, disturbed. Then the phone goes dead."

P.199






**I am giving away a copy of Choker
By Elizabeth Woods. Check it out
Here.**
"So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall."
— Roald Dahl