In My Mailbox (#6)

I am, once again, joining in on In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  In My Mailbox is where everyone can see what books I bought or received that week.  Sorry that I am later than normal, but this weekend has been busy!  I haven't even had much time to read.

 

Any Given Doomsday - Lori Handeland

Witchling - Yasmine Galenorn

Polished Off - Lila Dare

Tressed to Kill - Lila Dare

Driven to Ink - Karen E. Olson

The Missing Ink - Karen E.Olson

Pretty in Ink - Karen E. Olson

Saving Max - Antoinette van Heugten

On My Wishlist (#6)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.  I have actually gotten so many books this week that I don't know if I have any left for my wishlist!  I'm sure I can come up with something. :)

Darkest Mercy
Melissa Marr
Wicked Lovely # 5

Goodreads Description:
The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.
Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

The Season
Sarah MacLean


Goodreads Description:
Seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford doesn’t fit into the world of Regency London — she’s strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and she absolutely loathes dress fittings. Unfortunately, her mother has been waiting for years for Alex to be old enough to take part in the social whirlwind of a London Season so she can be married off to someone safe, respectable, wealthy, and almost certainly boring. But Alex is much more interested in adventure than romance.

Between sumptuous balls, lavish dinner parties and country weekends, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get entangled in her biggest scrape yet. When the Earl of Blackmoor is killed in a puzzling accident, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. It’s a mystery brimming with espionage, murder, and suspicion. As she and Gavin grow closer, will Alex’s heart be stolen in the process?

Romance and danger fill the air, as this year’s Season begins!

REVIEW: Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence
Diane Chamberlain

Goodreads Description:
Laura Brandon's promise to her dying father was simple: to visit an elderly woman she'd never heard of before. A woman who remembers nothing--except the distant past. Visiting Sarah Tolley seemed a small enough sacrifice to make.But Laura's promise results in another death. Her husband's. And after their five-year-old daughter, Emma, witnesses her father's suicide, Emma refuses to talk about it...to talk at all.Frantic and guilt ridden, Laura contacts the only person who may be able to help. A man she's met only once--six years before. A man who doesn't know he's Emma's real father.Guided only by a child's silence and an old woman's fading memories, the two unravel a tale of love and despair, of bravery and unspeakable evil. A tale that's shrouded in silence...and that unbelievably links them all.

My thoughts:
I am so in love with this book.  I was asked the other day what book I would pick if I could only have just one, and I think this book just might be it.  It was one of those books that had me thinking afterwards.  I was still making connections and asking myself questions about how one person knew another person in the past, or why somebody did what they did.  This book involved so many different types of relationships and characters.  I was very surprised at the amount of truth in this story.  Chamberlain writes about various happenings in a fictitious hospital, such as brain washing and mind control.  At the end of the story she writes that these things really did occur in the 1950s, which just floors me.  This whole story involves so many different relationships.  In the beginning it goes back and forth between these different relationships and people, and at this point it was hard to see that they are related.  The further I got into the story though, I could see little pieces that showed how these relationships are related to one another.  Everything just made sense at the end of the story.  I absolutely loved this book and I have never been disappointed by Diane Chamberlain.

My rating: ☺☺☺☺☺
 

In My Mailbox (#5)

I am, once again, joining in on In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  In My Mailbox is where everyone can see what books I bought or received that week.  Sorry that I am later than normal, but this weekend has been busy!  I haven't even had much time to read.

Destiny - Alex Archer
Nightwalker - Jocelynn Drake
Staying Dead - Laura Anne Gilman
You Slay Me - Katie MacAlister
Shadowspell - Jenna Black
While We're Far Apart - Lynn Austin
A Veiled Deception - Annette Blair
Clueless Cowboy - Mary Connealy
Realm of the Reaper - K.A. Applegate

On My Wishlist (#5)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

Dust to Dust
Heather Graham

Goodreads Description:
Not long ago, Scott Bryant would have described himself as an ordinary guy. But one act of heroism has changed his life forever—or at least until the apocalypse occurs. Because the end of the world is on its way.Suddenly and inexplicably possessed of superhuman strength, Scott finds himself allied with the enigmatic and alluring Melanie Regan in a quest to find the mysterious Oracle in hopes of averting the absolute destruction that threatens.
Melanie herself has been falling into trances, sketching terrifying visions of future events—and she wants answers. She knows better than Scott where to look for help, but even she cannot fathom the powers that have thrust them together in an epic battle of good against evil.
The earth itself will soon turn against its inhabitants, and now mortal and immortal must join forces if any are to survive.

Everlasting
Alyson Noel
The Immortals # 6

Goodreads Description:
Everlasting is the sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united-or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!

 The Devil Inside
Jenna Black
Morgan Kingsley # 1


Goodreads Description:
Posession. Murder. Mayhem.
Let the games begin...
Exorcism isn’t a job, it’s a calling—and a curse. Just ask Morgan Kingsley, a woman who has a stronger aura than any Demon. Or so she thought. Now, in a pair of black leather pants and a kick-ass tattoo, Morgan is heading back to Philadelphia after a nasty little exorcism—and her life is about to be turned upside down…by the Demon that’s gotten inside her.
Not just any Demon. Six foot five inches of dark, delicious temptation, this one is to die for—that is, if he doesn’t get Morgan killed first. Because while some humans vilify Demons and others idolize them, Morgan’s Demon is leading a war of succession no human has ever imagined. For a woman trying to live a life, and hold on to the almost-perfect man, being possessed by a gorgeous rebel Demon will mean a wild ride of uninhibited thrills, shocking surprises, and pure, unadulterated terror. .

My Beautiful New Nook (and case!)

This past week I was finally able to purchase a Nook.  I have been checking out ebooks, and even reading a couple on the Nook app on my Android phone.  I knew I would love it, but I don't think I realized how much I would love it.  Since purchasing this Nook, I have purchased a couple of ebooks, borrowed a couple that have the 14 day lending period, and also borrwed about 45 epubs that don't need to be returned!  So, that means I should be reading instead of posting on here!

In My Mailbox (#4)

I am, once again, joining in on In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  In My Mailbox is where everyone can see what books I bought or received that week.  I got a few at the library, but I also let myself splurge at a couple of bookstores.  AND, I bought a Nook this week.  So I got about 50 free ebooks, but I am not going to list all of those here.

Truly, Madly - Heather Webber
Stormwalker - Allyson James
The Demon Trapper's Daughter - Jana Oliver
The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney
The Lightkeeper's Daughter - Colleen Coble
Secrets of Paris - Luanne Rice
Torment - Lauren Kate
A Brush of Darkness - Allison Pang
The Broker - John Grisham
Danger in the Shadows - Dee Henderson
Sundays at Tiffany's - James Patterson
The Sinner - Tess Gerritsen
The Brethren - John Grisham

Now my only problem is that I have a ton of library books that I have to get through before I can get to these great books!  I'm pretty sure I need to stay home and read for a while before heading back into any bookstore.

On My Wishlist (#4)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. 

 Bloodlines
Richelle Mead
Bloodlines # 1

I couldn't find a description for this book, but I did read somewhere that it is going to be a spinoff of Vampire Academy.  I really don't care what it is about, because I know I will love it no matter what!

  The False Princess
Eilis O'Neal 

Goodreads Description:
Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.
Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.
Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.
A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

 The Angel Experiment
James Patterson
Maximum Ride # 1


Goodreads Description:
Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "Flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time--like when Angel, the youngest member of the "Flock," is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were genetically engineered by sinister scientists. Her friends brave a journey to Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare--this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb--now her betrayed and greatest enemy--that her purpose is save the world--but can she?

REVIEW: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games # 1

Goodreads Description:
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My thoughts:

I have looked at this book at the store several times.  I kept thinking that it just wasn't a book that I would be interested in.  Everyone kept telling me that it was such an awesome book.  So, I gave in and decided to read it to see what it was all about.  Well, it really was a great book.  I loved the little hint of romance with all of the death and sadness.  The main character is perfect for this book.  She is so brave and is willing to do what it takes to overcome The Hunger Games and get the ending she wants.  I just cannot believe that I waited so long to read this.  I will definitely be reading the next in this series very soon!

My rating: ☺☺☺☺☺
Next book in series: Catching Fire 

In My Mailbox (#3)

I am, once again, joining in on In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  In My Mailbox is where everyone can see what books I bought or received that week.  I just got library books again this week, and I actually had a little self-control in the library!

A Werewolf in Manhattan - Vicki Lewis Thompson
"A" is for Alibi - Sue Grafton
If I Stay - Gayle Forman
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

I read The Hunger Games as soon as I got it, and it was AMAZING!  I will probably have a real review coming later this week.

On My Wishlist (# 3)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

Truly, Madly
Heather Webber
Lucy Valentine # 1

Goodreads Description:
Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and so not qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.
Plus, her rent is due.
Here’s the problem: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking for something. So when Lucy locates a missing wedding ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who lives upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it…

Dreaming Anastasia
Joy Preble
Dreaming Anastasia # 1

Goodreads Description:
Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

Bitter Frost
Kailin Gow

Goodreads Description:
All her life, Breena had always dreamed about fairies as though she lived among them...beautiful fairies living among mortals and living in Feyland. In her dreams, he was always there the breathtakingly handsome but dangerous Winter Prince, Kian, who is her intended. When Breena turns sixteen, she begins seeing fairies and other creatures mortals don't see. Her best friend Logan suddenly acts very protective. Then she sees Kian, who seems intent on finding her and carrying her off to Feyland. That's fine and all, but for the fact that humans rarely survive a trip to Feyland, a kiss from a fairy generally means death to the human unless that human has fairy blood in them or is very strong, and although Kian seemed to be her intended, he seems to hate her and wants her dead.

The Missing
Shiloh Walker

Goodreads Description:

Cullen Morgan has never forgiven Taige Branch for not using her psychic gift to prevent a tragic event. But when his little girl is kidnapped, Taige is his only hope in finding her-and a chance to rekindle the love that still burns between them...

 

 

 

City of Bones

Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments #1

 

Goodreads Description:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

January 2011 Wrap-Up

I thought I would do a wrap-up of the month of January.  This is a way for me to keep track of what I am reading, along with showing you what I have read.  I have not done a review for each of these books, nor do I intend to.  If I did, I would not be able to read as many books because I would spend more time on my blog!  It looks like I read a total of 23 books in January, my highest total ever!  Seriously, when did I have the time to read that many?  Here they are:

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davidson
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Undead and Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson
The Confession by John Grisham
The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Land of Loss by K.A. Applegate
The Opposite of Me by Sara Pekkanen
My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent
Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen
Shadowland by Alyson Noel
The Sister Wife by Diane Noble
Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
One Small Thing by Jessica Barksdale Inclan
Enter the Enchanted by K.A. Applegate
Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Total Books Read: 23
Total Pages Read: 7493

REVIEW: Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy - Kiersten White
Paranormalcy # 1

Goodreads Description:
Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.
But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

My thoughts:

I was really impressed and surprised with this book.  It was so refreshing to read a vampire/faerie story with a main character that actually does something!  I loved the way her work brought so much more to the story.  The main character, Evie, is a smart girl who is willing to break the rules when needed.  The development of her relationships with other characters show just how much of a caring and grounded person she is.  Evie is the perfect character for a book like this!

My rating: ☺☺☺☺☺
Next book in series: Supernaturally, Expected Publication in September 2011