Saturday, January 31, 2015

Favorites Giveaway Hop

Stuck in Books is hosting an amazing hop where you can win prizes!

So this Giveaway is in celebration to some of our favorite books.

I am going on a bit of a different roue this time. While many opthers are likely offering new (or within last couple years) books, I want to introduce a couple older books that I loved. Plus some graphic novel option.

1 winner will win a prize option of their choice from the 4 options below PLUS they can pick a book from the Book Depository that is either a favorite or theirs, favorite author, etc that they want (Up to $17). So the winner will get 2 prizes (both sent from TBD).

Giveaway is open INT!

So in addition to the Favorite of choice, winner can choice one of the following:

Bite Club (The Morganville Vampires, #10)

Morganville Vampires: Bite Club (10)

by Rachel Caine

Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal

Pages: 340

Published: May 2011

Publisher: NAL Hardcover

Summary: "After discovering that vampires populate her town, college student Claire Danvers knows that the undead just want to live their lives. But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble.

There's a new extreme sport getting picked up on the Internet: bare—knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against each other—or humans. Tracking the remote signal leads Claire—accompanied by her friends and frenemies—to discover that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville..."

Review: I love this series but this book really showed me some points I liked more than previous books and some I liked less. The drama within the Glass house reaches all new heights in this book. Everyone has secrets from one another and not all of them are good!

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.

Welcome to PART 3 of my end of 2014 catch up. Well, plus what I have so far this year. This was suppose to contain many more books but something unexpected came up so this post was cut a bit short. See you next week for more!

♥ ♦ ♣ ♠

For Review

From Grave Mercy: "Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?"

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

"What if everything came down to a single test? If your life was defined at seventeen, could you handle it? Could you accept your fate leaving the ones you love, or would you risk it all and stay?

One test stands between Vanessa and Central. One chance to make the leap across the walls to a better life. At seventeen, Central considers Vanessa an adult. Her labor role, marriage, and housing divisions will be dictated by her performance on the leap.

Dedication and unfaltering friendship has bonded Vanessa to Garrett as they fight for their chance to leap into Central. But what happens when love overtakes reason? When defiance in the name of love creates an unintentional fracture in their nation.

Without warning Vanessa is at the mercy of the nation that’s supposed to protect her. Exiled and abandoned she must fight but she find’s she’s not alone. With her heart divided she seeks her revenge, but will her stand be enough?"

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

"This never-before-published collection of fourteen funny and inventive tales by acclaimed author Sir Terry Pratchett features a memorable cast of inept wizards, sensible heroes, and unusually adventuresome tortoises. Including more than one hundred black-and-white illustrations, the appealingly designed book celebrates Pratchett’s inimitable wordplay and irreverent approach to the conventions of storytelling.

These accessible and mischievous tales are an ideal introduction for young readers to this beloved author. Established fans of Pratchett’s work will savor the playful presentation of the themes and ideas that inform his best-selling novels."

The Art of Hayao Miyazaki by Dani Cavallaro (review)

The Art of Hayao Miyazaki

by Dani Cavallaro

Genre: Artbooks

Pages: 204

Publisher: McFarland & Co

Published: Jan 2006

Summary: A critical study of Miyazaki's work, this book begins with an analysis of the visual conventions of manga, Japanese comic books, anime, an overview of Japanese animated films, and a consideration of the techniques deployed by both traditional cell and computer animation and details his foray into comic books and animation.

Review: A Very interesting and educational read. I have always enjoyed Miyazaki's films (even before I knew what anime was), so getting a new perspective on the man behind it all made for a fascinating read.

Captcha?! On my blog?!?! *UpDaTE

So I just got an email from someone saying I have captcha on my blog! Has anyone else come across this here? And after I recently complained how much I hate seeing it on blogs too!!!

If it is up, I cannot figure out where so any tips would be appreciated. I want to keep commenting as simple as possible .

Thanks!

*UPDATE*

Okay, so I did a bit of investigating and found this:
"The Blogger / Google login status, and the ability to post comments, is sensitive to both cookie and script filters. Your readers may need to enable (stop filtering) "third party cookies", in their browser and on their computer. The effects of the newly unavoidable CAPTCHA, and the Google "One account" login, requires third party cookies, even more than before."

As found in the help forums. I Guess this is called 'recaptcha' and it was something that I have no control over that I can find.

So to my readers that are getting this (about 1/4 it seems), you can check to see what is going on with your browser or bear with the evil recaptcha. If I can figure something out on my end I will do what I can. If anyone has more information I would love to know. I am so, so sorry that this new hassle has popped up for some of you. You should be able to browse sites how you want and I am irritated that we don't even have a say in it. Plus, if I want robots posting on my blog, that should be MY choice, lol!

I appreciate everyone letting me know what they found when commenting here. Thanks!!!!

A Cold Legacy Release Day Blitz, Giveaways and more!

A COLD LEGACY by Megan Shepherd

releases today!!!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author

Megan Shepherd, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blast also includes a giveaway for a signed copy of the book

and swag courtesy of Megan and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d

like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this

post.

Title: A COLD LEGACY

Author: Megan Shepherd

Pub. Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher: Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins

Pages: 400

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

After killing the men who tried to steal her father’s research, Juliet—along with Montgomery, Lucy, Balthazar, and a deathly ill Edward—has escaped to a remote estate on the Scottish moors. Owned by the enigmatic Elizabeth von Stein, the mansion is full of mysteries and unexplained oddities: dead bodies in the basement, secret passages, and fortune-tellers who seem to know Juliet’s secrets. Though it appears to be a safe haven, Juliet fears new dangers may be present within the manor’s own walls.

Then Juliet uncovers the truth about the manor’s long history of scientific experimentation—and her own intended role in it—forcing her to determine where the line falls between right and wrong, life and death, magic and science, and promises and secrets. And she must decide if she’ll follow her father’s dark footsteps or her mother’s tragic ones, or whether she’ll make her own.

With inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this breathless conclusion to the Madman’s Daughter trilogy is about the things we’ll sacrifice to save those we love—even our own humanity.

A COLD LEGACY excerpt

p.21-24

Montgomery stopped the horses outside a tavern. He came to the carriage door, opening it just a crack to keep the rain from drenching us. “I’m going to ask directions. We can’t be far now.”

We watched him saunter over the muddy street as though he didn’t even feel the bite of freezing rain. A face appeared in the tavern window. The door opened and he spoke to a woman in a wool dress for a few moments, then stomped back through the mud. “This village is called Quick,” he told us. “The manor’s only five miles from here.”

“Did you hear that?” Lucy murmured to Edward, still stroking his hair. “We’re almost there. Just hold on. Everything will be all right once we arrive.”

Montgomery’s eyes shifted to me. Neither of us wanted to remind Lucy that the prospect of Edward’s fever breaking—and the Beast’s reappearance—was almost more frightening than the fever itself. Delirious, he was less of a threat.

Monday Madness giveaway 10

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 weeks prize is for US only. I have a swag pack of goodies that needs a new home.

Pack will include bookmarks, bookplates, a keychain, a mini stuffed character (the only hint I will give is that is from a paranormal series and has wings and is male), and a reading mug. I will also try to add a couple books to the box (I have a bit of room) if I have any in a genre you like. I will go over options with the winner.

Entry is simple:

In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis (review)

Not a Drop to Drink:

In a Handful of Dust (2)

by Mindy McGinnis

Genre(s): Dystopian/Post Apocalyptic, Adventure

Pages: 384

Published: Sept 2014

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Summary: (Taken from Goodreads) "The only thing bigger than the world is fear.

    Lucy’s life by the pond has always been full. She has water and friends, laughter and the love of her adoptive mother, Lynn, who has made sure that Lucy’s childhood was very different from her own. Yet it seems Lucy’s future is settled already—a house, a man, children, and a water source—and anything beyond their life by the pond is beyond reach.

    When disease burns through their community, the once life-saving water of the pond might be the source of what’s killing them now. Rumors of desalinization plants in California have lingered in Lynn’s mind, and the prospect of a “normal” life for Lucy sets the two of them on an epic journey west to face new dangers: hunger, mountains, deserts, betrayal, and the perils of a world so vast that Lucy fears she could be lost forever, only to disappear in a handful of dust.

    In this companion to Not a Drop to Drink, Mindy McGinnis thrillingly combines the heart-swelling hope of a journey, the challenges of establishing your own place in the world, and the gripping physical danger of nature in a futuristic frontier.

Review: This book takes place ten years after the events in Not a Drop to Drink. Lynn is no longer a teenager. She is now in the "mother" role of raising her own teen. Remember Lucy, the little girl she took in? Yep that is the girl we get to hear this story from. This book has a different feel to it. In many ways I liked this book better than the first book.

Stacking the Shelves 68

So this is continuing off last week. Still playing catch up for Nov-current book additions.

Here we go!

♥ ♦ ♣ ♠

For Review

"STORM PHASE
A teenage wizard burdened with a mysterious destiny, a cat-girl ninja he can't help but fall for, and a bat-winged daemon that doubles as a diary embark on a journey of self-discovery in a world teeming with monsters and magic. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and Avatar: the Last Airbender, this enchanting Asian-inspired fantasy series delivers fast-paced adventure for readers young and old.

Book 1: THE STORM DRAGON'S HEART

Turesobei dreams of adventure and a chance to prove he's no longer a child. Wizards should be careful what they wish for.
Destined to become his clan's next and perhaps greatest ever high wizard, Turesobei feels smothered under everyone's expectations. And he's fed up with people treating him like he's still a child, especially his grandfather, the current high wizard. After foiling an assassination attempt on his treasure-hunting dad, his grandfather sends Turesobei on his father's expedition to find a powerful artifact known as the Storm Dragon's Heart. He's supposed to blow off some steam and get a dose of real world experience.

But disaster strikes, and their quest becomes a race for survival.

Aided by a sassy ninja cat-girl and a mysterious diary that transforms into a bat-winged familiar, Turesobei battles sinister cultists, vengeful spirits, and a mad wizard from a rival clan who's determined to use the artifact to destroy Turesobei's homeland.

To fail is to lose everyone he loves, but success carries a terrible price."

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

From the Shadowed Manse: "Abandoned by his family ... trapped in a house of shadows ... destined for more than 7th grade math. Arthur Paladin doesn't fit in. Not at home with the ultra-strict grandmother who had to raise him after his mother died and his dad disappeared. And not at school where the teachers think he's trouble and the other kids think he's a freak. But every night he dreams about learning amazing things, the sort of things you need to know to save the world. Then Arthur finds out his grandmother may send him to military school, which leads to a fight with his "perfect" cousin, which leads to the mysterious plate over his heart getting broken, which leads to ... his whole world turning upside down. Shadow creatures appear out of nowhere to kill him. An angelic being from another dimension begs for his help. He gets locked in a house that looks like an English cottage on the outside but is actually a mansion on the inside. It's packed with shades, flying across the universe, and he's only got Morgan Apple to help him - Morgan Apple who apparently sits beside him every day just to call him a moron. And that's when life gets really weird. That's when Arthur finds out he's the next Multiversal Paladin. Fans of Doctor Who and Harry Potter will be enchanted by this universe-spanning, high-octane, whimsical, science-fantasy adventure."

♥ ♦ ♣ ♠

Purchases, swaps/trades

"Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON."

2015 Reading Challenges

I am signing up for some reading challenges this year and these are some of the ones I have lined up:

Click the image to learn more about each challenge or to sign up!

Goodreads

Goal: Read 636 books this year.

These can be anything. Novels, YA/MG, childrens, graphic novels, nonfiction, novellas, etc.

http://wordsfueledbylove.blogspot.com/2014/11/2015-series-ender-reading-challenge_8.html

Arc Books

Arcs

Something every book blogger loves to get. New bloggers wonder how to get them, intermediate bloggers work on balancing them and experienced bloggers seem to take them in stride and are the envy of other bloggers when they get a books others wish they received.

This seems to be how it goes. If different for you let me know.

So lets go over the levels more:

New bloggers: I know when I started blogging I'd see all these people with arc copies of the book weeks-months before the release and I remember wishing I could be like that one day. So I started off with Netgalley. Then after a few months, I learned of Edelweiss. These two sites are great to start up a collection if eArcs.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (review)

Bloodlines (1)

by Richelle Mead

Genre(s): Paranormal, Young Adult

Pages: 421

Published: Aug 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Summary: "Blood doesn't lie...

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning.."

Review: **While reading the Vampire Academy series is not necessary to reading Bloodlines, I do recommend reading those books first. Please note that some parts of this review may contain spoilers to the VA series!**

When I first picked up this book, I wondered what I was getting myself into. Was this going to be another "Vampire Academy?" Even though it is a spin-off series, there was still a lot of trepidation about this, especially after reading so many mixed reviews. What I can say it that while there are several characters from VA in this series, the focus is in a very different direction. While I love the VA series, I am pleased to see the different perspectives and also to hopefully see Adrian finally get his happy ending.

Stacking the Shelves 67

I'm back! Wow, I have not joined in this since October! So I have a ton to share. I will not be able to share everything in one week but hopefully over the next few weeks I will slowly get my books caught up. Right now I am still simply trying to play catchup with my blog but here are a few of the books I have acquired over the past 2 1/2 months. Many more to share on future STS's until I catch up listing them all and actually shelving them.

♥ ♦ ♣ ♠

For Review

"A blind traumatized teen learns of love, and becomes the catalyst for a revolution.

Abandoned by her parents to live on the streets, Sadie never knew kindness without first paying a terrifying price. The lessons from her childhood fuel a paranoia that makes it impossible to trust anyone, or accept their help. That all changes when she meets Fester, a young man with his own painful past. After he saves her from freezing to death, Sadie realizes that she must learn how to trust another if she wants to live; a feat that is easier said than done.

Meanwhile, a war is brewing. For decades the supernaturals have been plotting their revolt against a tyrannical government that exploits them. After using her own supernatural power against an attacker, Sadie and her friends soon find themselves in the government's cross-hairs. To survive, they are forced to team up with a criminal who has plans for Sadie and wishes to ignite the war."

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Freebie Friday

Love free books? Check these out! As of today (1/16/15) they are free! Just click the image to go get it! These are just a few that I grabbed (or already had).

Free on Amazon!

Blast of the Dragon's Fury (Andy Smithson, #1)

Ten-year-old Andy Smithson believes he is merely a kid too often in trouble with his overambitious parents--until his destiny as the Chosen One to break a 500-year-old curse is revealed. Swept away to the land of Oomaldee of medieval times, he discovers he must collect several ingredients for a magic potion to defeat the oppressive curse that plagues the land, the first of which is the scale of a red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. There's just one tiny problem, he's never battled dragons, except in his Dragon Slayer video game. Armed with only his wits, an ancient sword and a magic key, he must overcome grave peril at every turn before he can even attempt the feat. No pressure, but it's his skill alone that will save - or condemn - the kingdom forever.

♥ ♦ ♣ ♠

Vampire Knight, Vol. 13 (Vampire Knight, #13)

Vampire Knight Volume 12

By Matsuri Hino

Genre: Graphic Novel (manga)

Pages: 184

Published: Dec 2010

Publisher: Viz Media

Summary: Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!

Yuki is attacked by another pureblood outside a graveyard for meddling in the ways of the vampire society. Injured, she returns home to Kaname, who shares with her his past memories and the truth behind the Kuran family.

Volume 12 review and Information

Review: This volume has some of the best back story of the whole series! Did you ever want to learn more about Kaname and his past? This is the volume to do so. Just be sure to have read all previous volumes first. This series can be confusing enough without knowing everything else that has already happened and this volume is no exception.

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

I hope to make some lucky readers dream come true with this giveaway.

What I am offering is

TWO books that you have been dreaming of owning that I will order for you from the Book Depository (book total for both= $35 max value). OPEN INTERNATIONAL as long as the TBD ships to your area.

for US residents only: a box of 2013/2014 titles (mix of hardbacks and ARCs). I have a list of over 20 titles to choose from. Winner may pick 8-12 books (number of books depends how many I can fit in the box) that they will receive

Happy Reading...err, Dreaming....or both :)

Is it cold where you are? Some nights here are. Mostly just foggy though, which makes me feel colder than it really is.

For this giveaway I have quite the box gift of goodies. Due to the shipping this giveaway is US only (Sorry to all my INT friends, but I do have other giveaways you can enter going on if you look at the top of the right column!)

What you can win in this box:

1) An extra soft fleece throw blanket w/foot pocket to keep the feet extra cozy! (may choose from red, blue, lavender or black)

2) A homemade scarf in the color(s) of your choice

3) A box of hot apple cider mix or hot tea (maybe both)

4)"Winter" scented candle from Bath and Body

5) 6 New released titles or ARCs that have been released this general winter season (this will be surprise titles but I will say 3 are YA and 3 are more adult)

Spotlight and Giveaway! Tainted Energy by Lynn Vroman with excerpt

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/content_link/8MS2KmAFz1TpIivcWL3NIMMbqEaejPgLPDs9Gs3cPrB2u7QrBaZ7riwNLI0VOykN

Tainted Energy

by Lynn Vroman

Release Date: 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

For seventeen-year-old Lena, living in the trailer park with the rest of town’s throwaways isn’t exactly paradise. Dealing with a drunken father who can't keep his fists to himself doesn’t help matters either. The only good thing in her life, other than track, is the mysterious man who visits her dreams, promising to find her.

When a chair burns her arms, Lena chalks it up to stress-induced crazy. Yet as bizarre incidents escalate, even being crazy can’t explain it all away… until one day dream guy does find her.
Tarek lost Lena seventeen years ago after she was accused of treason and marked Tainted. He finally discovers her reborn on Earth into a life of suffering as punishment for her crime.

However, someone else has already found her… and wants her dead. Willing to sacrifice everything, he fights to keep her safe so she can live the only life she’s ever known—even if that life doesn’t include him.

Buy:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Excerpt
Nothing annoyed me more than crappy best friends. The type who did stupid stuff, like grab my shoulder and scream right in my ear, "Help me, Barbara!"

Welcome to yet another monthly New Release giveaway. Returning friends, you know the drill so just jump below.

To new arrivals, you can win any book that has been or will be released this month.

Any book published between November 1-30, 2014 could be yours. Well, any book up to $20 that is. You can get a print book from The Book Depository OR 1 ebook via Amazon or B&N

There are some options below but don't let it limit you. Fiction, nonfiction, Y.A, Adult, childrens, graphic novels...you name it, you can pick it!

Giveaway in International as long as The Book Depository can ship to you or you pick an ebook.

Here are a few options. You do not have to pick one of these, they are just ideas. Plus check out the banner for more ideas!

Top Ten Tuesday (29)

Ten 2014 Releases I Meant To Read

But Didn't Get To

It has been a long time since I have done a TTT and almost missed this one. Being it is already Tuesday afternoon, I am not neccessarily sharing my TOP ten as it is late, but 10 titles in general that I meant to read (and hope to now read this year)

Bout of Books readathon-The End

Finished!

Started

Bout of Books readathon-End of day 6

Finally Finished!

Pages: 66 (total 384)

Started

Pages: 150 (almost done...)

I knew the weekend would be better!

Readathon total stats:

Books completed: 2

Books in progress: 1

Pages read: 616

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Bout of Books readathon-End of day 5

Continued progress in

Pages: 110

Much better reading day. Goal: Finish this book before the readathon is over!

Readathon total stats:

Books completed: 1

Books in progress: 1

Pages read: 400

Friday, January 9, 2015

Bout of Books readathon-End of day 4

Continued progress in

Pages: 57

So far this has been a lot of slow reading for me. Still trying to catch up from the holidays with other areas in life as well so not much time for reading. Hoping for a bit extra time this weekend rounds off the readathon but I am at least pleased to say that I have read every day so far :)

Readathon total stats:

Books completed: 1

Books in progress: 1

Pages read: 290