Saturday, February 22, 2014

Stacking the Shelves - 2.22.14

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~

For Review:

Liv, Forever
by Amy Talkington
-mystery, YA
courtesy of SOHO Teen
Thanks Meredith!

The Terminals
by Michael F. Stewart
-mystery
courtesy of tour
Thanks Nicole!

~*~

Library:

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag
A Flavia de Luce Novel
by Alan Bradley
-mystery
Got hooked onto this series with book 1. Currently listening and enjoying this - book 2.

The Snow Child
by Eowyn Ivey
-fairy tale
Currently listening to this audio version as well. Must say I love the whimsical cover artwork.

~*~

* most of these will be offered as giveaways within the next two months

* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

A Matter of Temperance by Ichabod Temperance

A Matter of Temperance
by Ichabod Temperance

Visit Ichabod:
Amazon
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter

Published: 2013
Publisher: GoldenBear Creative Works
Genre: Steampunk
ebook: 258
Rating: 3.5

In a past that never was...

The year is 1869. Earth experiences the close pass of a comet never before seen. In its wake, many of Terra's inhabitants find themselves changed. Among men, prodigies rise in unprecedented numbers, while many ordinary adults suddenly find themselves possessed of preternatural genius. Likewise, non-hominid animals become self-aware and intelligent.

Fast forward to 1875. A young “comet prodigy” from humble beginnings, Ichabod Temperance, has become the world's foremost inventor. He travels to England to deliver his latest brilliant invention to a famous explorer, until Fate intervenes. Meanwhile, a lovely young Bluestocking, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, survives an experimental accident only to find herself imbued with a power she can neither understand nor control, while dark forces and malevolent creatures pursue her, leaving a gruesome wake of death.

Yet, worse is to come. The naïve young inventor and the lovely intellectual find themselves fighting not only to save their own lives, but to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth.


The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance series:
A Matter of Temperance
A World of inTemperance
For the Love of Temperance

My two-bits:
Lots of action scenes with mechanical insect-like creatures and amusing dialogue between a pair of victorian steampunky characters.

Somewhat fun read.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of author

* part of virtual book event: TEA at The Filigree

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Happy release: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner’s Curse
by Marie Rutkoski
release date: March 4, 2014

As a general's daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin's eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him'with unexpected consequences. It's not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.



Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner's Curse is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.


Book links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
IndieBound
Google Books
Books-A-Million

Goodreads
Website
Facebook

PeekAbook:



About the author:

Marie Rutkoski is the author of The Kronos Chronicles, including The Cabinet of Wonders and The Celestial Globe. The Cabinet of Wonders, her debut novel, was named an Indie Next Kids’ List Great Read and a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, among other honors. Rutkoski grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), as the oldest of four children.

She attended the University of Iowa, where she took Writers’ Workshop classes and studied with Pulitzer Prize-winner James Alant McPherson. After graduating, she lived in Moscow and Prague. Upon receiving her Ph.D. from Harvard University, she held dual appointments as a lecturer there in both English and American Literature and Language, and History and Literature.

Rutkoski is currently a professor at Brooklyn College, where she teaches Renaissance Drama, children’s literature and creative writing. She lives in New York City with her husband and cat.

Visit Marie:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads
Instagram: @MarieRutkoski

~*~

* one on my want list

Monday, February 17, 2014

Winners for January pt5



Here are the winners for giveaways that
ended February 14 and 16, 2014

Thanks to all contestants!

~*~

The Thorn and the Blossom: A Two-Sided Love Story by Theodora Goss
Winner: Holly Letson of Confessions of a Femail Bookaholic

Lights of Aurora by Theresa McClinton
Winner: Abby

Waking Up Dead by Margo Bond Collins
Winner: Michelle

~*~

* to see the original giveaway offer, click on the prize title links

* I will email winners for mailing addresses within two weeks.
Winners, feel free to contact me with your info if you don't get my email
or if you are just too darn excited and want to let me know -- like NOW ;-D

* contest policy

* keep in touch with my giveaways and learn about other book giveaways by subscribing via email on my sidebar (you may want to go digest mode)

* if not this time, maybe next time

--> check out the current giveaways and upcoming events on my sidebar

Dystopia Reading Challenge 2014

Dystopia
Reading Challenge 2014

hosted by Blog of Erised
details here

The premise:

Read post-apocalyptic dystopia books.

Level 1: Recruit (1 to 6 books)
Level 2: Rebel (7 to 12 books)
Level 3: Revolutionist (13 to 18 books)
Level 4: Leader (19+ books)

I will attempt the RECRUIT level and give my rating and brief comments below on the books read. So, this post will be updated throughout the year.

~*~

My reading list:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
(The Lunar Chronicles series book 1)
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Wonderful take on the Cinderella tale with a cyborg twist. Plenty of action and intrigue that kept me glued.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
(The Lunar Chronicles series book 2)
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
This second book includes more action and introduces a couple more classic fairy tale characters (from Little Red Riding Hood).

Felt a Star Wars vibe with this story.

Cress by Marissa Meyer
(The Lunar Chronicles series book 3)
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Loved getting to know the characters Cress and Thorn more. And loved how the three couples interact and join forces.

~*~

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Has an eerie tone. I like how things were resolved.

~*~

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
(Divergent series book 3)
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 4
This story wraps up the trilogy pretty well. Lots of layers to this story and all is revealed. Boo-hoo ending.

~*~

The Only Boy by Jordan Locke
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Very engaging dystopia tale told in two voices. There are back and forth perspectives from main characters, Mary and Taylor which was effective in understanding the characters and their predicaments.

Got me thinking of the power of women and matriarchal societies.

~*~

The Revealed by Jessica Hickam
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 4
Action and touch of romance in a world of the future.

The first half of the book concentrates on the main character, Lily - heroine in the making. I liked Lily's character development of a sheltered girl striving for her independence and starting to come into her own.

The second half of the book introduces more characters and reveals The Revealed - some of whom have interesting talents and amusing personalities. I'm guessing we will learn more about them in the the next book in this series.

A tinge of a Romeo and Juliet romance occurs in that the families are rivals. So, we are kept wondering if, how, when the love will happen.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Aliens, YA survival and romance. Tough stuff.

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Loved how this story mixes romance, sci-fi, and YA.

The pacing and gradual transformation of the two main characters in this story is what I found appealing in this story of survival on a lonely planet. Through the eyes of each, you begin to fall in love with each.

Feed by M.T. Anderson
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 4
Scary look into what it might be like to have an internet feed directly in the brain from a teen perspective.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
LOVED it and can't wait until book 2 is released!

It was like watching a game of chess. What I found fascinating about this book was the strategic moves made by the main characters. Kestrel was cunning in her dealings within her constraints and type of world she lives in.

The second main character and love interest, Arin, was just as interesting with his honesty and flexibility with his feelings and efforts towards a better future.

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Fast paced with good characters and character development.

Alienated by Melissa Landers
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
The experience presented was like having a foreign exchange student living in your home with the added twist - he (or it) is from another planet.

I found this to be a fun read that comes with people learning about each other and from moments that spark from a budding sweet romance.

There are some serious nitty gritty issues that this book ends with. So, next book is definitely required.

Moral Order: The Rise of Luca C. Mariner by Phil Pauley
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 4
I found this to be a good start to a new series that takes place in the future that includes aliens.

A big cast is introduced and established well in this story. However, there is a focus on the main character, Luca, who holds special abilities and qualities that presents him as good hero for this series.

Alliances and friendships are made and strengthened amidst action scenes.

I was tickled to encounter a kind of black smokes monster that shows up in the story that reminded me of the black smoke monster from the tv series Lost.

And, there is a spark of a budding romance.

The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: 5
Issues about rehabilitation, revenge, death and love are masterfully intermingled and dealt with in this tale of a girl who survives an addiction.

Interesting paranormal action and activity comes into play in some scenes that help the main character come to terms with internal conflicts of the past.

Loved how things were not necessarily black and white.

The main character, Faye, is such a strong fighter and survivor. She is another one of those gals who I'm adding to my list of kick-ass fiction heroines.

~*~

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
(Delirium series book 1)
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: tba
coming up

~*~

The Faustian Host
Apocalypse Signs by Dave Becker
Amazon | Goodreads
-my rating: tba
coming up

~*~

Feel free to comment and let me know if you liked or disliked any of these books, etc.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder
by Marissa Meyer

Visit Marissa:
Amazon
BookExcerpt
Website
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter
YouTube

Published: 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Genre: Dystopia, YA
Paperback: 448 pages
Rating: 5

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


Lunar Chronicles series:
Cinder
Scarlet
Cress

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:
Great mix of classic fairy tale, Cinderella, and scifi. Interesting portrayal of beauty in a futuristic world.

Loved the strong female characters - the good ones and the baddies.

--~ Book Giveaway ~--

WIN my review copy of this book!

Open to all.

Offer ends: March 2, 2014

TO DO: (2-parts)

1. READ the excerpt and give me a quote from it in comments.

OR

Tweet about this giveaway.

OR

Recommend this on Google using the mini-button at end of this post (g+1).

2. TELL me what you did in comments.

AND, leave your email.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

~*~

* review copy courtesy of publisher

* part of Dystopia reading challenge


Saturday, February 15, 2014

Stacking the Shelves - 2.15.14

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

~*~

Bought:

Such Sweet Sorrow
by Jenny Trout
-fantasy, romance, Shakespeare
kindle version currently at $.99

For Review:

Tyringham Park
by Rosemary McLoughlin
-historical, mystery, irish downtown abbey
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Valerie!

The Collector of Dying Breaths
by MJ Rose
-france, historical
courtesy of author
for Collector of Dying Breaths tour in April
Thanks MJ!

The Falconer
by Elizabeth May
-fantasy, YA
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Lara!

Always Emily
by Michaela MacColl
-Bronte sisters, historical, mystery, YA
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Lara!
WIN this on Goodreads here -ends Feb 15

Won from contest:

Vicious
by V.E. Schwab
-scifi
Thanks Cecelia of The Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia

Lost and found: nice surprise!
while doing pre-spring cleaning, i came across review ebook(s) i inadvertently missed downloading from my email

The Faustian Host
Apocalypse Signs
by Dave Becker
courtesy of author
Thanks Dave!

~*~

* most of these will be offered as giveaways within the next two months

* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers

Cover reveal: Feral by Holly Schindler

Feral
by Holly Schindler
release date: August 26, 2014

It’s too late for you. You’re dead.

Those words float through Claire Cain’s head as she lies broken and barely alive after a brutal beating. And the words continue to haunt her months later, in the relentless, terrifying nightmares that plague her sleep. So when her father is offered a teaching sabbatical in another state, Claire is hopeful that getting out of Chicago, away from the things that remind her of what she went through, will offer a way to start anew.

But when she arrives in Peculiar, Missouri, Claire quickly realizes something is wrong—the town is brimming with hidden dangers and overrun by feral cats. And her fears are confirmed when a popular high school girl, Serena Sims, is suddenly found dead in the icy woods behind the school. While everyone is quick to say Serena died in an accident, Claire knows there’s more to it—for she was the one who found Serena, battered and most certainly dead, surrounded by the town’s feral cats.

Now Claire vows to learn the truth about what happened, but the closer she gets to uncovering the mystery, the closer she also gets to discovering a frightening reality about herself and the damage she truly sustained in that Chicago alley. . . .

With an eerie setting and heart-stopping twists and turns, Holly Schindler weaves a gripping story that will make you question everything you think you know.


Visit Holly:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Cover reveal: Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter


Today is the day!

The cover of Gena Showalter's THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS is here! We're so excited to be able to share this with you as it joins an already stunning set! Ready to see it? Not quite yet lets take a look a the first two covers in the series!

First there was ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND...


Then came THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS...


Now get ready to EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!!!

The Queen of Zombie Hearts
by Gena Showalter
On-sale date: Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Official White Rabbit Chronicles website

Add it to your TBR! Goodreads

Pre-order your copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Official book description:

I have a plan.

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

About Gena:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, the Angels of the Dark, the Lords of the Underworld, and the Otherworld Assassins series. In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, and have been translated in multiple languages. She lives in Oklahoma with her family and menagerie of dogs, and truly believes love conquers all.

Visit Gena:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
The White Rabbit Chronicles Facebook

Giveaway Details:

1 complete set of The White Rabbit Chronicles (first 2 sent as soon as the giveaway is over and the winner will get the first hardcover of book 3 when it's available!)

US/Canada Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Happy release: Such Sweet Sorrow by Jenny Trout

Such Sweet Sorrow
by Jenny Trout
Just released: February 4, 2014
Amazon (kindle is currently $.99) | Goodreads

Never was there a tale of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo…

But true love never dies. Though they’re parted by the veil between the world of mortals and the land of the dead, Romeo believes he can restore Juliet to life, but he’ll have to travel to the underworld with a thoroughly infuriating guide.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, may not have inherited his father’s crown, but the murdered king left his son a much more important responsibility—a portal to the Afterjord, where the souls of the dead reside. When the determined Romeo asks for help traversing the treacherous Afterjord, Hamlet sees an opportunity for adventure, and the chance to avenge his father’s death.

In an underworld filled with leviathan monsters, ghoulish shades, fire giants and fierce Valkyrie warriors, Hamlet and Romeo must battle their way through jealousy, despair, and their darkest fears to rescue the fair damsel. Yet finding Juliet is only the beginning, and the Afterjord doesn’t surrender souls without a price…


~*~

* Added this to my tbr pile as I'm a sucker for most Shakespeare related tales.

* This book is currently on virtual book tour here - check it out for reviews, interviews and giveaways.



Battle of the Book Boyfriends

Battle of the Book Boyfriends
February 10-16, 2014
hosted by Kelly Oram
more details and giveaway offers here

Curious about these boys?

Visit Kelly's site to learn more about each here.

I'm partial to...

CHECK OUT Ryan's bio here

Want to find out which Kelly Oram Boy is best for you? – Take the quiz and enter to win the signed Kelly Oram Book of your choice! Kelly Oram's FACEBOOK

READ more about these fellows here...

GET one of Kelly's Valentine specials here

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Happy release: Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes

Queen of Hearts
Volume One: The Crown
by Colleen Oakes
release date: February 14, 2014

As Princess of Wonderland Palace and the future Queen of Hearts, Dinah's days are an endless monotony of tea, tarts, and a stream of vicious humiliations at the hands of her father, the King of Hearts. The only highlight of her days is visiting Wardley, her childhood best friend, the future Knave of Hearts--and the love of her life.

When an enchanting stranger arrives at the Palace, Dinah watches as everything she's ever wanted threatens to crumble. As her coronation date approaches, a series of suspicious and bloody events suggests that something sinister stirs in the whimsical halls of Wonderland. It's up to Dinah to unravel the mysteries that lurk both inside and under the Palace before she loses her own head to a clever and faceless foe.

Part epic fantasy, part twisted fairy tale, this dazzling saga will have readers shivering as Dinah's furious nature sweeps Wonderland up in the maelstrom of her wrath.

Familiar characters such as Cheshire, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter make their appearance, enchanting readers with this new, dark take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. But be warned...not every fairytale has a happy ending. This is the story of a princess who became a villain.



To celebrate the release, BookSparks is giving away an iPad mini, a heart-themed Incase iPad mini jacket and an autographed copy of Queen of Hearts. Enter here to WIN an iPad mini (10-extra bonus points if you pre-order)!

Join in on the social media fun by tagging BookSparks in your posts on Facebook and Twitter with #TheQueenIsComing and #QueenOfHearts, and share as many posts as possible! And if you received an advanced copy of the book, share your most Queen-worthy snapshot of you and the book on Instagram by tagging BookSparks and #QueenOfHearts.

 
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