Friday, October 31, 2014

Book I'm Grateful I read!

Displaying Books-I'm-Grateful-I-Read-Hop.png 

There are so many books I ended up reading.  Some I almost overlooked.  Here are a few like that:
The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)The Walking Dead, Compendium 1Envy

There are so, SO many more!!

For you I am offering A $10 Amazon Gift Card or a book of choice (up to $12) from The Book Depository.  Giveaway is INT so ling as Amazon and TBD ship to you.  Happy Reading!!!

Dystopian Giveaway Hop 2014

Dystopian Giveaway Hop 
Kathy @ I Am A Reader and April & Kat @ My Shelf Confessions are the wonderful hosts for this hop!

I love dystopian novels!  

In honor of this fantastic genre, I am offering the winner their choice of any TWO Dystopian novels.

Winner can pick up to TWO books from the book depository or TWO ebooks from Amazon or B&N
 $25 maximum value!   Giveaway is INT so ling as Amazon and TBD ship to you.  Happy Reading!!!



Some great choices may include (but are not limited to):
The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)1984Divergent (Divergent, #1)The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)Matched (Matched, #1)Delirium (Delirium, #1)The StandThe City of Ember (Book of Ember, #1)The Handmaid's Tale

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Their Baby Miracle by Lilian Darcy (review)

Their Baby Miracle
By Lilian Darcy
Genre(s): Romance
Their Baby MiraclePages: 256
Published: March 2005
Publisher: Silhouette Books 
 
Summary: "SURPRISE PACKAGE!

When Lucas Halliday saw Reba Grant for the first time in months, he was in for a shock: Reba was pregnant with his baby and she'd just gone into labour!

Reba couldn't believe it this baby was coming way too early. And Lucas was hardly supposed to be her birthing partner. For she'd thought and feared that she'd seen the last of the billionaire businessman, despite all that had happened between them. Now, with their tiny daughter fighting for survival, Reba was surprised to realize Lucas was a loving, devoted father. And that gave her hope that maybe Lucas had potential as a husband, too .
"



Review:     I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I picked it up at random while enduring a long wait for an appointment. By the time I left, I was over halfway though the book and hooked. Lucky for me the secretary said I could take the book with me.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Bone Key by Keith R.A. DeCandido (review)

Bone Key (Supernatural, #3) 
Supernatural: Bone Key (3)
 
by Keith R.A. DeCandido
 
Genre(s): Paranormal
Pages: 283
Published: Aug 2008
Publisher: HarperEntertainment


 
 
 
Summary:  "Twenty-two years ago, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force. In the years after, their father, John, taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America . . . and he taught them how to kill it. Sam and Dean are headed for Key West, Florida, home to Hemingway, hurricanes, and a whole lot of demons. The tropical town has so many ghouls on the loose that one of its main moneymakers has long been a series of ghost tours. But the tours are no more, not since one of the guides was found dead of an apparent heart attack . . . his face frozen in mid-scream. No one knows what horrors he saw, but the Winchester brothers are about to find out.
Soon they'll be face-to-face with the ghosts of the island's most infamous residents, demons with a hidden agenda, and a mysterious ancient power looking for revenge. It's up to Sam and Dean to save the citizens of Key West . . . before the beautiful island is reduced to nothing more than a pile of bones."

Previous books in the series:
Supernatural: Nevermore (1) by Keith R.A. DeCandido
Supernatural: Witch's Canyon (2) by Jeff Mariotte 


Review:  Lots of mixed feelings on this Supernatural-based novel. It wasn't bad, especially for being a spin-off from a tv series, yet was far from impressive. The best paranormal-hunting brothers are always worth reading about.

**Warning if you have not seen at least the first 2 season of the tv series, this review may contain spoilers for you**

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Spiritual Police 1 by Youka Nitta (review)

 
Spiritual Police, Vol. 1Spiritual Police vol 1
by Youka Nitta
 
Genre(s) Graphic Novels, Manga, 18+, Yaoi-M/M
 Pages:  168
Published: May 2013
Publisher: SuBLime
 
 
Summary:  "On the recommendation of one of his senior detectives, Nagatsuma, a member of a special criminal investigative unit, starts receiving therapeutic bodywork from blind masseur Aoi, a man with both skilled hands and gorgeous looks. Nagatsuma quickly becomes addicted to the relief that Aoi brings him and begins looking forward to the time they spend together. But Aoi's got a secret he can't ever let Nagatsuma find out... A tale of passion and obsession from the creator of Embracing Love!"
 

Review:  An interesting start to the series. Although I fear that may be all this will be. Over 1 year has passed on no official news can be found about the next volume. A lesson I have learned with manga...that often means a series has been dropped and discontinued.

However, I like to be hopeful and for the time being I give this volume 3.5 star rating. Consider it less of it is not continued.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Stacking the Shelves 66

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I have had an amazing two weeks for new books!!  I have a lot to share so I will only be showing covers and have links to go view the book information.  For to give you a sneak peak, here are my new books that I have print copies of.  Plus ebooks!  My, oh my!  Let get to this so I can get to reading!

http://photos-c.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10735426_725997410812386_103434636_n.jpghttp://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10727726_1569938336568708_1457073214_n.jpghttp://photos-c.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10729197_1495977597331018_273760443_n.jpghttp://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10735521_881858491825492_960387527_n.jpg 
 Oh, and a couple cookbooks too!! :)
 
Most of these I bought at a local New/Used bookstore.  A few swaps, some given by my grandmother, a couple for review...
And my favorite of all:   All the lovelies you see in the last pictures (the one that has two stacks) is for a prize a won at Step Into Fiction
Forgot to get the pictures included.
Below are all my ebooks, audiobook downloads, etc that I cannot so easily take pictures of.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (review)

Frankenstein
Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
 
Genre(s): Classics, Horror, Historical Fiction
Pages: 261
Published: 1818 Originally. 
Publisher: Oxford University Press


Summary: "Shelley's enduringly popular and rich gothic tale, Frankenstein, confronts some of the most feared innovations of evolutionism and science--topics such as degeneracy, hereditary disease, and humankind's ability to act as creator of the modern world. This new edition, based on the harder and wittier 1818 version of the text, draws on new research and examines the novel in the context of the controversial radical sciences developing in the years following the Napoleonic Wars. In addition it shows the relationship of Frankenstein's experiment to the contemporary debate between champions of materialistic science and proponents of received religion.
About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more."
 
 
 
Review: An interesting tale filled drawn out in the elegant prose of the era in which it is written. Full of depth and emotions one does not often see in today's literature. Yet there are a few things that kept this from being as fulfilling as the potential it held.

Starting off are some letters that at first confused me. I thought I knew the story of Frankenstein but I had no clue who this captain was. Luckily the pieces are soon drawn together. Yet while I am trying to figure out who is who my mind is rapidly working to change gears from common, current verbiage to the poetic, old English style in which this story is form. While utterly beautiful, it did take awhile to be able to fully appreciate it.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Strigoi: The Blood Bond by Ron D. Voigts-Tour review, giveaway, guest post and excerpt


Strigoi: The Blood Bond
Tales of the Strigoi
Book 1
Ron D. Voigts

Genre: Paranormal, Horror

Publisher: Night Wings Publishing

ASIN: B00LQRJBZ6

Number of pages: 231
Word Count:  72,000

Cover Artist: Rachel R. Colon

Book Description:

On the verge of suicide after his wife leaves him, Alex Regal learns he has inherited property located in a small town deep within the mountains. Putting things on hold, he heads to Glade, hoping for something positive in his life. Getting there is easy but leaving proves to be impossible. A spell exists, keeping everyone captive in this hidden place.

The town of Glade is run by a Shapeshifter called the Strigoi. The creature needs to drink human blood to survive. In folklore, taking the form of a man or an animal, the Strigoi became the basis of stories about vampires or werewolves. Now Alex must discover a dark secret before he becomes the vampire's next meal.

Book Trailer:  http://youtu.be/8wo4l7U-Xm4

Available at Amazon


Excerpt:

For the next hour, I laid in the armchair, trying to sober up while listening for the typical noises of the night. A barking dog. Crickets chirping. Tree frogs croaking. But the air had been devoid of any sound except the ticking of the clock. Then something outside thudded.
I pulled back the drape and peeked out the front window. The dim light of the desk lamp made it difficult to see anything, except my own reflection. I reached for the lamp’s switch, hesitated, and then turned it, plunging the room into darkness.
An impenetrable gloom surrounded me. If I focused for a moment, I could see the outlines of things outside, but the exact shapes remained indiscernible. The silhouette of a tree loomed just to the left. The edge of the fence contrasted against the road. Shrubs dotted the grass along the front walk. But did I really see them or did my imagination put them there? Perhaps the noise I heard earlier was just another trick of the night, or a product of my ability to fill in details.
But something moved. A figure so dark it contrasted even against the shadows of the night. The movement made me think of a cat, but the size would make it a lion or something larger. In an easy bound it leaped, cleared the fence, and landed effortlessly in the yard.
My heart raced. I glanced at the front door to be sure I had pushed the two double bolts in place. The size of the creature outside left little doubt that it could easily crash through the door and get inside.
For a moment, the beast seemed motionless, and I wondered if my imagination had played another trick on me. Tired eyes. A long day. Too much to drink. Perhaps I only thought I saw something, and the outline near the fence was a cluster of bushes.
But then it moved again, stepping slowly toward the side of the house as if taking in the surroundings, surveying the place. The dark form vanished, and I realized it was headed for the backyard.
I bolted for the kitchen. My right leg caught the desk chair and knocked it over. Books lying on the floor flew as I kicked them. I aimed for the dim rectangle that was the doorway to the kitchen. Keeping my hands outstretched, I found the kitchen table and maneuvered around it. I peered out the back door’s window, frightened by what might look back.
In the dim glow, I could see the chopping block, the wood pile, and where the forest’s edge began. Then the creature appeared, taking easy steps. The shape reminded me of a dog of an enormous size. The largest dog I’d ever seen was a mastiff, and this creature easily dwarfed that breed. The only thing bigger was a wolf.
I thought of the handgun in the box back home and how I’d almost ended my life with it. I’d put it back, thinking how stupid the idea had been. I’d vowed never to touch it again. Now I wished I had the gun.
When the wolf reached midway between the house and forest’s edge, it paused, turned its head, and stood motionless. I wondered if it saw me through the window pane. Not sure, I stepped back until I was out of sight.
Would it come toward the house? Burst through the door? My heart hammered hard. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down the side of my face. The air felt cold and clammy. When I could no longer wait, I stepped forward and looked outside again.
The creature was gone.

Review:  While not what I had expected, based on the title, I really enjoyed this.  I expected lots of vampire action.  And vampires there are but this has a more Paranormal mystery air through much of the book.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Monday Madness 8

Monday Madness Giveaway
 

What is this?   Well to start with, it is Monday.  For many, that means back to work or school (well not quite yet but summer is almost over....).  Most of us are not fans of this day.  So to brighten it up a bit I will be hosting a weekly (or bi weekly) giveaway.    


The prizes may vary each week. You never know so be sure to check back.  The only thing I promise is that the prize will always be bookish in nature.  ebooks, arcs, swag,  gift cards, etc.  Entry requirements will also change week-to-week.
This week is
The Program (The Program, #1)  
From the Book Depository
Open Internatianally
Summary:  "In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Dewey's #readathon-end of event meme

Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza 
Which hour was most daunting for you?
The first 2 hours.  I am not a morning person and 5 am is way too early.  I could not focus on the words for a long time.  

Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
Quarantine by Lex Thomas,  The Selection by  Kiera Cass are a couple YA novels one might enjoy.

Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Better variety of challenges.  Most of them required pictures.  Many required pictures of oursleves or others which I am really not okay sharing.  Plus for those of us not so savvy with a camera and uploading pictures it can take a bit more time than I feel like giving.  I want to spend more time chatting, reading, etc and less time taking pictures in the future. Those challenges took me at least 15-20 minutes each.  Losing 25% of my potential reading time is not so much fun.  I don't mind a few picture challenges but hopefully a better balance next year.  Especially the early hours!

What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
 Nicely organizes, easy to follow what was happening and where.  Love the options of how to get involved-Twitter, goodreads, challenges, cheerleading, etc.

How many books did you read?
I finished 3 and made progress in 3 others :)

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Dewey's readathon-nighttime post

 

Winding down the last few hours here.....

So far today I have finished:
Frankenstein Squeakers
 
And made progress in:
Splintered (Splintered, #1) The Autobiography of Mark Twain 

Up Next:
 The Gateway Through Which They Came

I might do 1 more post before this is over, if I do not , see you at the wrap-up!  And now, back to my reading!

Promote Your Genre MiniChallenge Giveaway- Dewey's Readathon

Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza 

MINI-CHALLENGE GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Welcome to Hour 19 of the Dewey's Read-a-thon!

Are you starting to feel the strain of the hours? Well, while we are on the downhill slope, we still have several hours to go.  So I figure it is time to wake everyone off and let them show off and revel in their favorite book genres.
 This is the:
PROMOTE YOUR GENRE GIVEAWAY! 

We all have a favorite genre (or genres...) So think about it a moment (just one genre please) and sell/promote it.  Convince me or others to want to read it, buy the books and get excited about it!

Dewey's #readathon-Mid event survey

 
1. What are you reading right now?
FrankensteinSplintered (Splintered, #1)
The Autobiography of Mark Twain
2. How many books have you read so far?
Completed 1 book

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
If I get to it-
Everbound (Everneath, #2)

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Yes-pet drama and unwanted phone calls.  And  a kitchen fiasco.

Dewey's #Readathon-Lunch update

 

So as I sit here munching on a bowl of pasta salad (noodles, carrots, broccoli, olives, green beans, marble cheese, ham, and turkey, lightly tossed with a balsamic dressing), I figure now is a good time to update

I have been reading:
FrankensteinSplintered (Splintered, #1) 
 
Also had a bit of an unexpected situation but luckily was able to listen to a bit of an audiobook:
The Autobiography of Mark Twain
 
 
Also I have completed a few of the challenges

Dewey's #Readathon, update 1

 

So I am off to a very slow start today.....
I am not a morning person, not at all.  In fact, this is about the time I am normally just trying to get out of bed.  So the honest truth is that I have not read much yet today.  

About 30 pages so far of 
Frankenstein 
 
But I am finally more awake, warm and ready to really read!  I will update again soon, now that I am awake!

Dewey's #Readathon- Opening Meme

 
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
USA-California

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
Splintered by AG Howard

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Red vines and the homemade pasta salad that has a large variety of foods in it.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
 I just got back from my first beach vacation and had a blast!  The only thing is I used up a lot of energy might effect the readathon for me today.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
Last time was in April and we had way too much going on that day.  It was also my husbands one a year kite festival we volunteer to help.  So trying to balance the two events was way too much and wore me down quickly.  Today reading is my only focus .
 

Friday, October 17, 2014

Dewey's #readathon preparations

 

It's almost here!  In mere hours we will begin!  I have many books ready to go for possible reads.  Here they are:

Those are the physical stacks.  Some ebooks I might read include:

The Gateway Through Which They Came by Heather Marie-Tour Review



 Displaying Review Tour Banner.jpg 


The Gateway Through Which They Came
by Heather Marie

Genre: young-adult, paranormal-horror



Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press



Date of Publication: August 25, 2014


Cover Artist: Ricky Gunawan
 
About The Gateway Through Which They Came:
Displaying cover1000.jpgTo seventeen-year-old Aiden Ortiz, letting the dead walk through his body to reach the other side comes with the territory—the territory of being a Gateway. It’s hard enough doing the exchange, sending even one Bleeder away without being seen, but when Koren Banks—his childhood friend and the girl who went mysteriously missing seven months ago—comes back into his life, the Bleeders begin seeking him out in droves.
When confronted by a Dark One, a Bleeder gone rogue, Aiden finds himself infected with an evil inside of him that wants nothing more than to be released. Fighting the urge to let the darkness consume him, Aiden realizes that not only does the Gateway send things away—it also brings things back. But who the other Gateway is summoning these shadowed beings is just another item on the list. A list that continues to grow more complicated by the day.
As the infection begins to take form—bringing to life a monster daring to claw its way out—Aiden seeks guidance to learn the truth of the man responsible for his curse. The Dark Priest whose resurrection has reformed the Brethren of Shadows; a group of men and women who seek a life full of Darkness, and thrive for the reign of their Dark Priest to lead them once again.
With his trusted protector guiding him, a local priest named Father Martin, Aiden soon discovers that he isn’t just another Gateway like his fellow brothers—but a Mortal Gateway created by the blood of a human and an Original—making him far more vulnerable to the energy of the Dark Priest and the power he offers. But what he asks of Aiden in return could mean the death of them all, humans and Gateways alike. The choice should be easy for any Gateway, but the manipulative beast thriving inside of Aiden proves otherwise.
With Koren and his two best friends, Trevor and Evan, by his side, Aiden fights to rid the world of the evil that’s been released by the Dark Priest, while saving the girl he loves from her haunting past. Time is running out, and Aiden must find and stop the Gateway that’s releasing the Shadows into the world. As if that task alone isn’t enough, Aiden may be the only one capable of abolishing the Dark Priest and his Order before he finds himself consumed into a world of evil—and before the monster lurking inside Aiden takes control.
Find The Gateway Through Which They Came Online:

My thoughts: This book had me starting off with a lot of questions outsiDe being a Gateway.  While it wastes no time getting into the thick of things.  I also hated how spirits are referred to as Bleeders.  Stickimg to ghosts or spirits  would have been fine.

I did like Aiden's character.  He is a mature teen and I liked getting into a guys head for a first perspective view for a change.  A fast read.

About Heather Marie:
Displaying heather.pngHeather Marie lives in Northern California with her incredibly hard working husband, whom she loves ridiculous amounts. When she isn’t writing, she spends majority of her time reading or planning her next Harry Potter marathon. Heather has always been a fan of the darker side of things most people shy away from. With her love for the classic Universal Monsters, and the slasher films she watched throughout her childhood, she found herself fascinated by the macabre.
Though she hopes to expand her work to YA dark contemporary in the future, Heather considers herself a writer of stories that showcase the unknown, and at times, the harshness that is reality. She adores her troubled characters and her ghostly fiends, creating worlds that are both strange and beautiful. All of this with a healthy dose of romance, of course.
Her debut, THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME, is a YA supernatural horror due to be released from Curiosity Quills, Summer 2014.
Find Heather Marie Online: