Saturday, June 29, 2013

Stacking the Shelves 12

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, every Weekend.

This is to share books I have acquired from various sources. Physical books & ebooks both are welcome. If its something being sent to me by mail, I will not mention it until I actually receive it.

Okay, so I was a very bad girl this week and got a lot of books (51 in total to share)...Mostly review books (keep an eye out for giveaways this month...hint, hint).

Anyways, I am very short on time this week so I will not be sorting how or where I got these books just pictures and links to Goodreads. I apologize now for not linking to Amazon like I usually do but it is a very busy day and I have LOTS to show.

New Books:

Feature and Follow 3

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read.

Q: What is your preferred reading format? Hardcover, eBooks, paperback etc?

Well, this is going to turn into a mini-rant/explanation. So for those of you short of time, the quick answer is paperback.

The Looking Glass Wars (review)

The Looking Glass Wars (1)

By: Frank Beddor

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure

Published Sept 2006
Pages: 364

Publisher: Dial Books

Buy it or View on Goodreads.

Summary: "Alyss of Wonderland?
When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape the murderous aunt Redd, she finds herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carrol, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets the story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!

Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

Top Ten Tuesday 2

Hosted by Broke and Bookish.

This week we are sharing out top 10 Books we have read so far this year. Mine are in no particular order but here they are.

It's Monday! 4

What I finished reading last week:

Beautiful Creatures

I enjoyed this one. It was a good story and I will continue the series. Review to come.

Tumford's Rude Noises

A young children's book. This book was one I grabbed at the library. Not a bad story, but not a fav. See my review on G oodreads.

I, Minion

An interesting, dark novella. From a skeleton's perspective. Reminded me of 'R' in Warm Bodies but not as humorous. Review here.

Their Baby Miracle

This was an interesting romance. Oddly enough, for the most part I liked the guy more than the woman. This two really go through a tough trial here. As parents, and as individuals. Review to come.

I, Minion (review) by Lewis Nix

I, Minion

By Lewis Dix

Genre:Fantasy, Short Story/Novella

Published April 2013
Pages: 65

Publisher: Crash Addict Books

Buy it or View on Goodreads.

Summary: "I, MINION is the tale of a skeletal warrior with no name and no future, raised from the dead to serve only one purpose - to fight and die on the front lines of battle. This is all he has known for centuries, but all that's about ot change. For he will come face-to-face with the Dark Lord's greatest enemy, a young witch by the name of Kora.

As the leader of the rebellion, she is the very person he has been sent to kill. And yet, she will awaken feelings in him long dead, setting him on a path that threatens to change the course of the Empire forever."

Review: This was a very different story. It is all a first person perspective ok a 'mindless' skeleton minion. I say mindless because we wouldn't get his thoughts for the book if he was. Sometimes his thoughts seem too willful for the minion he describes himself and others as being. He has no name. He was once a name and when he was killed, a Dark Lord took his body and has been using it as a minion since.

At times, this sort of made me think of 'Warm Bodies' with the dead perspective going on. I battled with liking this or not. It is very dry oftentimes. Yet, being how he is, it probably is suppose to be.
It read like a roller coaster. I would be into it...then not...then into it..then not.. Being this was a short novella I cannot say much without giving away the story. Final opinion-not a bad story, but could use a bit more life, even though he is dead.

Book Spotlight: Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger

From Clean Teen Publishing:

Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger hits best seller status!

We are extremely excited to see Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger hit best seller status! We hope to see Wind Warrior hit #1 in all of Amazon!

Help Jon Messenger achieve that goal by getting his book today on Amazon!

Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger

(New Adult Paranormal)

(*Also Young Adult Appropriate)

Release Date: June 11, 2013
$2.99

Published by Clean Teen Publishing

THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,

THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,

THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,

THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.

3 Month Blogversary Giveaway and Survey

This blog has now been up and running for three months!
I have learned quite a bit about the blogging world and community since then. But I still have a long way to go.

So I have both some prizes for you to possibly win.

But those prizes come with a cost.

I need help. I want to make this blog AMAZING for you. So I need to know what you think about it. Please take a look around this blog, see my reviews, etc. Then please take this short 5 question survey. This is an honest opinionated survey. I promise not to get upset, backlash etc. All I ask for are honest thoughts and criticism. Good or bad. All I ask is keep it respectful.

After that, enter the drawing. I have 3 prizes going out;

Stacking the Shelves 11

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, every Weekend. This is to share books i have acquired from various sources. Physical books & ebooks both are welcome. If its something being sent to me by mail, I will not mention it until I actually receive it.

So I had a goal of only 10 books this week....But only in physical books I was sent that I won or requested prior to this week! So I excuse myself mostly. I did pretty good. Only over by a few.

I have created my first vlog! Sorry if it is horrible. But It is the first time in front of a video camera for me since I was a child. Yes it is a regular video camera, my wonderful guy was willing to hold. I don't have a cam for my computer yet. I got nervous and ended a bit abruptly, so I deeply apologize for that. Anyways, I would love to know what you think. Do you prefer just pictures and links or do you like the video for physical books I received.

Links are below the video. Video does not include ebooks. Those are shown below as well.

Mentioned in the Video:

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/midsummer-2013.jpg

Hosted by I am a reader, not a writer

So this was a spontaneous, last minute Hop.

So since I literally just found out today, I am doing a basic giveaway.

My prize here:

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read.

Q: Share your favorite literary quote!

I have 2!

One is actually found on my "about me" page

Here they are:

Debate Time-Is GFC staying or going this summer?

Debate Time!

So, I want opinions. Is GFC staying or going with Google reader? I have heard both being they are connected but that they are still separate programs. I have heard nor seem anything from Google itself however. What do you think will happen?

Also, what is your favorite way to follow? What option(s) to follow do you like least (or not use at all)?

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Lost King (Star of The Guardians) (review), Margaret Weis

Star of the Guardians:

The Lost King (1)

By Margaret Weis

Genre: Sci-Fi

Published Aug. 1990
Pages: 496

Publisher: Spectra

Buy it or View on Goodreads

Summary: "As a corrupt Commonwealth rules the galaxy through the might of its armies, its most influential general--a renegade Guardian of the deposed Starfire royal line--pursues the rumor of a hidden heir to the throne and searches for a woman he loves and is destined to destroy."

Top Ten Tuesday 1

Hosted by Broke and Bookish.

This weeks top 10 is to share the books we most want to read this summer.

It's Monday 3

What I finished reading last week:

Scrap

by Emory Sharplin

I really ended up enjoying this book! Apparently the author is planning a sequel. I hope she does and that it is out soon. Wonderful medieval-fantasy. See my review here.

Storm Born, graphic novel (review) by Richelle Mead

Dark Swan: Storm Born (1)

Graphic Novel

By: Richelle Mead, Grant Alter & Dave Hamann

Genre: Graphic Novel

Published Jan 2012
Pages: 120

Publisher: Sea Lion Books

Buy it or View on Goodreads

Summary: "Eugenie Markham never asked for any of this. Until now, she''s been content with her job as a freelance shaman, battling and banishing Otherworldly creatures. When a prophecy suddenly makes her the Otherworld''s most popular bachelorette, Eugenie finds herself fighting off unwanted supernatural suitors, as well as the evils that begin emerging from her past..."

Stacking the Shelves 10

Title links take you to Goodreads.

Last day to check out my giveaway! Even if you already entered, there are daily entries! International!!! This is my first official giveaway.

I was a very, very bad girl this past week....WAY too many books (over 40). So I am self grounding myself for this coming week to no more than 10 books... It is way too easy to get more books than you can read. So, have a look see here and let me know what you think.

Dead Center by Joanna Higgins (review)

Dead Center

By JoAnna Higgins

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Published Jan 2010
Pages: 272

Publisher:Permanent Press

Buy it or View on Goodreads

Summary: "Twenty years after a shooting death deemed accidental, a respected pediatrician is charged with murdering a man who had been his friend. In those intervening years, the pediatrician, Dr. Benjamin Weber, has married his friend's widow and adopted their two children. And during those years, he has proven himself to be a devoted father and spouse as well as a trusted physician.

Dr. Weber pleads innocent, and his wife believes him. His grown daughters Laura and Lin believe him. Or do they?

I just got to read the first chapter of Unhinged! *happy dance* This is the sequel to Splintered . An 'Alice in Wonderland' spin-off.

The first thing I want to comment on is the cover.

Scrap (review), Emory Sharplin

Grimmic Chronicles:

Scrap (1)

By Emory Sharplin

Genre: Youth, Young Adult, Fantasy
Published May 2013
Pages: 350

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group

Buy it or View on Goodreads

Summary: "On the brutal streets of Hellip, a village in the vast empire of the cruel King Ibis, you either become good at running from the king’s Blackcoats or you die.

Dark Night of the Soul -Cover Reveal

FANTASY

Date to be Published: 7/1/2013

What comes after life? Jayden Schroeder is about to find out. At the end of the road of despair, she ends it all, and finds out that living might not have been so bad. Thrust into a strange and disparate world, Jayden joins a team of warriors from all places and time. Together they battle demons to save the souls of the living, all the while on the run from the end of all things - The Judgment.

I am combining these two since I read both. I focus on middle grade (youth), YA and Adult for reviews but on the meme I will posting and share anything I read. Click the Picture to go to it's Goodreads page

Last week to enter my GIVEAWAY! I have some other books (both ebooks and print ARCS) to giveaway if this one is successful!

What I read last week:

The Fire King (review), C.S. Marks

Alterra Histories:
The Fire King (1)

By: C.S. Marks

Genre: Fantasy, Short Story/Novella
Published Aug 2012
Pages: 88

Publisher: Parthian Press

Buy it or View on Goodreads

Summary: "INTRODUCING the first in the Alterra Histories series of NOVELLAS.

From the creator of the beloved ELFHUNTER Series comes a tale of fate and faith, of the perils of pride, and of the power of love itself — as a King is forced to confront that which he has long denied–that which is in us all.
The Shadow has come to Alterra: a force of such power and terror that none may stand against it. It has but one purpose: to lure Aincor to his doom."

Review: This was nicely written. A great welcome to a new fantasy world!

The characters were very unique and individualistic. I wish I could have got a bit more of Faelani especially. Being this is a short novella, I cannot say too much about the story itself. What I can say is there are a vast array of characters, creatures, and more. Alterra is a very detailed word, shown briefly to us. I want to read more from these lands.

While part of me loved the details here, part of me also said it was too much for a novella. Too much info, too many places, people, etc for so few words.At times, it is overwhelming. Yet C.S Marks is kind to us, giving us a glossary at the end to help us know what is what.

Overall, a very enjoyable fantasy that is a great intro into a whole new realm! I look forward to reading more by C.S. Marks!