Feb 28, 2013

Monthly Re-Cap: February

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Another month down, Here's another wrap-up- complete with Goodreads and Review links. 

 

What did you read or listen to in February? Link me up in the comments section!

~~Books Read in February~~

Three Sisters (Emily Castles Mysteries) The Dead and Buried Showstoppers (Emily Castles Mysteries) Barbie Girl (Baby Doll, #1) The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test, #3)
 Courtney Crumrin Volume 3: The Twilight Kingdom Frost Fire (Tortured Elements, #1)    
 Click the book covers to go to Goodreads


# of pages read: ~1326

~~Audiobooks Listened To~~

 
Dualed (Dualed, #1) Beholding Bee  
Click the Audiobooks to go to Goodreads

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Feb 27, 2013

Blog Tour: Review -- Frost Fire by Olivia Rivers

Frost Fire  (Tortured Elements, #1)

Publication date: November 20th, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
 

Synopsis

“Magic is just like love, Allai. It won’t wait for permission before it destroys you.”



Like sand in an hourglass, Allai’s future is dwindling away. She’s spent her entire life fighting the Mages who threaten humanity, and dreams of someday eradicating magic. But all it takes is an anonymous phone call for the truth to spill out: Allai is the one thing she despises most. 



She’s a Mage. 



Though ancient law mandates Allai’s death, she still has one last chance of survival. His name is Drake Rhaize, and he swears he can lead Allai to a sanctuary for Mages. Allai hasn’t seen Drake in years, but she remembers him as the Demon boy who used to hold her close and softly whisper that he’d keep her safe. But Drake has changed since then: He’s now suspected of murder, and has been out-casted for betraying his own kind. 



While Allai doesn’t trust Drake, she has no choice but to put her life in his hands and hope he can get her to safety. Because Allai’s father has hired a pack of Demons to bring her back to him, dead or alive–and Demons never stop the hunt. 

ANOTHER PURCHASE LINK
Barnes & Noble
Frost Fire by Olivia Rivers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Background: Set in a world where Demons walk among the humans, Allai believe she is a human that lives in this Demon world. Caught in a battle against Mages who threaten humanity as well as the demon race. Allai has had her share of problems, she was left by her parents then she was almost killed by a very attractive boy, and suddenly her attacker has returned, only to tell her things aren't always as they seem.

Review: I really enjoyed this book, but it did have a lot of flaws as well. I gave it 5 stars because I was really impressed with the paranormal romance aspects and the author is a high school student -- had to give her props for that.

I read most of this book in one sitting, it was action packed and the characters were entertaining. Essentially the plot is where it went crazy, yes, it was a good plot, but I was confused about all the different groupings of people...actually nor confused about who they were really, but who the good-guys were. This was constantly changing, so I have NO IDEA where the series will take it. I found this disrupting but also intriguing, I like not being able to figure it out but wow confusion.

Anywho, Allai is the main character, she is stubborn as most YA females are, but she is also very strong as well as strong willed and it made for funny moments with Drake and Luke, our male leads. Both Drake and Luke are mysterious and brooding and swoon-worthy, and I think this is what made me fly through the pages. Drake and Allai have an interesting connection.

I will say that my favorite part was the ending...you won't expect it and it is really dramatic.

Recommend this to YA paranormal romance lovers.

View all my reviews



a Rafflecopter giveaway
 


About the Author

Olivia Rivers is a high school student, a literary agent intern, and an obsessive-compulsive reader. She has a slight obsession with Kootenai County in Idaho, and she’s pretty sure life will always be awesome as long as Irish accents exist. She lives with dysautonomia, a chronic medical condition affecting her nervous system. Portions of proceeds from her “Tortured Elements” series go toward supporting youth with dysautonomia.

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Feb 26, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: The Grimm Chronicles by Isabella Fontaine

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, 
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 
The Grimm Chronicles Vol. 1

 

The Grimm Chronicles Vol. 1


By Isabella Fontaine


Format: Ebook
Synopsis from Goodreads:
200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm unleashed their stories upon the world. Literally. Now the characters of the Grimms’ stories walk among us. With every day that passes, they grow more evil. They are the Corrupted, and only a hero can stop them.

For 18-year-old Alice Goodenough, that means taking precious time off from her summer vacation. In addition to volunteering at the local library, Alice must stop the Corrupted who are now actively hunting her down. With the help of her magic pen and her trusty rabbit friend, the world has suddenly gotten a lot more complex. The Corrupted are everywhere, and only Alice can see them for what they truly are.

This book contains the first 3 episodes of the critically acclaimed series: 
Episode 1: Prince Charming Must Die!
Episode 2: Happily Never After
Episode 3: Revenge of the Castle Cats

 

My Teaser 

"'Who?' I asked  'Please. I really don't know.' 
The rabbit's ears twitched. 'Prince Charming."

End of Chapter Four of the Ebook (approx. 15% )

Enjoy your Tuesday!
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Feb 25, 2013

Early Reader Review: Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Dualed (Dualed, #1)Dualed by Elsie Chapman
Publisher: Random House Books
Available: February 26th, 2013

 
Format: Audiobook/ Ebook
Source: Random House Audio/Netgalley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Background: West Grayer has a twin, sort of, they are genetically the same, but have grown up with different families. This is the norm for Kersh, everyone has an Alternate (Alt) and in order to prove yourself worth of living in Kersh you must defeat your Alt.

Review: I had some ups and downs with this plot but I really did enjoy the overall story.

Kersh, is a walled up area for its citizens, blocked off from the outside world of war and the unknown. While inside, is just the same. Inside there is murder, untimely death, and the paranoia of what is to come. Each child age 10-20 must become an 'active' and complete their mission to kill their Alt before their time is up, and they can do this wherever (in a crowd, in their home, in a store) as long as it gets done. This all makes for a very interesting story, anything could happen.

The characters we follow are West Grayer and her friend Chord. Chord is the boy-next-door, has always been part of the family, and promises to protect West. West on the other hand is 15, stubborn, and just plain normal. She is a brave and courageous female lead, but sometimes she is so stubborn it is beyond aggravating. She can be SO dense! About half the time I was screaming at her to 'figure it out'.

My other concern was that there wasn't enough about why the Board makes everyone go through all of this, they say pending war, and just in case, but that was not enough for me. And for everyone to just go along with them and let their children die -- I question this.

The overall plot was excellent, there was so much action, killing and suspense that I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book, even more so when I was yelling at West.

I am most curious to see if we start to see more of the outside world around Kersh and how it will impact the characters, we shall wait to see in Divided if we get more.

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Feb 23, 2013

Building the Book Pile #40

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Welcome to Building the Book Pile! A Weekly meme inspired 

 

Aweosome News:

I will be part of World Book Night on April 23rd, giving away books :) I am so excited. More details to come :)
 

Going on NOW!

1 Year Blogoversary Giveaway-- Enter NOW
 

Coming up on the Blog...

Audiobook Review: Dualed by Elsie Chapman 
Blog Tour: Review-- Frost Fire by Olivia Rivers
Blog Blitz: The Prophecy by Rachel Deagan 
 

Things I got this week...

Ebooks Bought (From the past 2 weeks)
Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1)Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles, # 2)Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles, # 3)Beautiful Redemption (Caster Chronicles, #4)
The Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test, #1.5)
  
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers -- Amazon Deal 
The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter--#1.5 Goddess Test Series, was Free for Kindle 

Ebook for Review

The Sweetest DarkThe Grimm Chronicles, Vol. 2The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden, #2)WishStitch Head

The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe from Random House /Batnam Dell and Netgalley
The Grimm Chronicles Vol 2 by Isabelle Fontaine and Ken Brosky from tour host
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kawaga from Harlequin TEEN and Netgalley
Wish by Beth Bracken and Kay Fraser from Capstone and Netgalley
Stitch Head by Guy Bass, Illustrated by Pete Williamson

 

Links go to Goodreads or Amazon

Have you missed anything lately?



 Link me up to your piles! Happy Reading!
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Feb 21, 2013

Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway -- Barbie Girl by Heidi Acosta

Barbie Girl by Heidi Acosta (Baby Doll #1)
Publication date: November 1st 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
 

Synopsis

The only thing that 17 year old Barbie Starr wants to do is graduate high school so she and her little brother, Everett, can get out of Alabama. She doesn’t care about the rumors that are spread around about her like wild fire. Rumors are nothing new to her. Sure, maybe she could change her reputation, but why bother. She is leaving Alabama as soon as she can. That is, if she can pass algebra and graduate.

The only thing Dylan Knight would like to do is go through high school unnoticed; he has had enough of the drama that is high school. He took the whole of last summer to bulk-up: finally he is not being called names or being shoved into lockers. He wants to remain on the outside of the circle of constant rumors that surround the so-called popular kids who get all the attention. He would not, however, mind if his long time crush Katie took notice of him.

But it is Barbie who notices Dylan and she offers him a deal he can’t pass up: if he helps her pass algebra, she’ll help him get the girl of his dreams. Dylan agrees, but, as it turns out, nothing is simple when it comes to Barbie. Somehow, she can’t help but draw attention to herself — and to him. Soon Dylan finds himself tossed into the whirlwind of rumors that seem to follow Barbie everywhere. Can he save his reputation and still get the girl of his dreams? Or will Barbie be the one to break through his carefully-built facade.

Some other purchase links:

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 Background: Told from the point of view of two completely different high school students, Barbie and Dylan. Barbie is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks and the lifestyle that comes with it. She is just trying to finish high school, grab her younger brother, and get out. Dylan is a high school nerd just looking to get through another year, when Barbie needs a math tutor to pass her class. He is swept into her crazy life and they bond when Barbie tries to repay him by trying to hook him up with the girl of his dreams.

Review: This book held a lot of ups and downs. Acosta did a very good job putting this plot together. The storyline makes the reader think and love and hate and laugh very easily. I have been reading more contemporary YA romance stories lately, and this one was a very fun one to read. The characters are entertaining. They are snarky and sarcastic and trying to shield themselves from the dangers of high school and the cliquey groups that exist in them.

I found the beginning very slow moving and the boy/girl alternating point of views a little confusing. I read this as an e-version and I am not sure if later there are subheadings to tell readers of the changes, but I would begin reading a chapter in her voice and realize it was not Barbie at all but really Dylan. I think this was my only issue and it made me go back and re-read a bit.

Barbie Girl is a book about learning about others and perceptions about others. I think that the romance and the YA drama were all kind of afterthoughts to this main aim of: don’t judge a person by rumors and their appearance. It was very thought provoking.

Book Trailer




 

Giveaway #1

One (1) ebook copy of Barbie Girl. Open internationally. You may let your winner know to expect their prize the week of March 11th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway #2: Grand Prize

The giveaway is for a swag pack of goodies that relate to the book.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


About the Author

Heidi Acosta was born on Long Island, New York. Moving around a lot when she was younger, she has lived in New York, Arizona, New York (again), Washington, Georgia, and Florida, in that order. Each place offered her something special, but she will always consider New York her home.

Heidi started writing as soon as she could spell. When she was three, Heidi’s mother gave her a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods; thus beginning her lifelong love affair with literature.

Writing soon also became a form of therapy for Heidi, when she realized that no matter what was happening in her life, she could find emotional escape while writing. Some of her earliest stories featured her as a princess who explored new worlds with her horse Buttercup. If it sounds romantic, it wasn’t, there was no prince charming in those fairy lands (boys where yucky).

Heidi now resides in Florida with her husband, very active daughter, one hyper Chihuahua, two sweet cats, and one very fat moody cat.

Find the Author


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Feb 20, 2013

Early Reader Review: The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter (The Goddess Test #3)

The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test, #3)The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter


Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Available: February 26th, 2013


 

Format: Ebook
Source: Harlequin and Netgalley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SPOILER ALERT

~~If you have not read the first books in the Goddess Test Series, be aware there are spoilers~~

Background: Last we checked Kate was taken by Calliope upon leaving to search for Rhea. We start nine months later as she is about to give birth to her son in the confines of Calliope and Cronus. The war is escalating and Cronus is almost free of his confines. The gods and goddesses are planning for war and have just realized that Kate is being held captive instead of searching.

Review: This was a wonderful ending to this series. Wow. I ran through it. OK so the plot started right where it needed to, no months of waiting for the birth of Kate's son, just immediate action. Following this there is a lot of war planning and behind the scenes scheming and so you never knew who was on what side and how they were reacting. Very fast paced compared to the other books.

I felt like Kate finally grew. I have always liked Kate, she is independent and speaks her mind when she needs to...which would normally get her into trouble. She has learned to tone this down a little but express the important info. She learned how to be more compassionate as well. In this installment, the focus of the characters was really to show sacrifice and confidence in decisions. I think a lot of the characters expanded their personalities and I learned to like a few more of the gods.

Now for a few issues, I felt there were some points left open at the end. There were still assignments given out and even the blurb at the end of the book said "And so the Goddess Test series concludes -- for now" ummmm... For Now?! will there be more? off-shoots? Novellas? I need to know !!!! But I guess that I have to wait :(


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Feb 19, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, 
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 
Strands of Bronze and Gold (Strands of Bronze and Gold, #1)

 

Strands of Bronze and Gold 

By Jane Nickerson


Format: ARC
Synopsis from Goodreads:
The Bluebeard fairy tale retold. . . .

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.

 

My Teaser 

"My godfather had indeed been unfortunate in his relationships. All those tragedies lying behind his handsome face."

End of Chapter Nine of the paperback ARC

Enjoy your Tuesday!
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