Sunday, January 30, 2011

Weekend Wind-Up

Hello Everyone!

I hope all of you had a great weekend! I had a great start to mine. It started Thursday with two beautiful bouquets of flowers for me and my daughter, a new IPod Nano on Friday, and six new books from Borders on Saturday - all because someone loves me *blushes*!

 Allow me to share with you these six amazing titles!







Click the titles to go to each books Goodreads page: Blessed, My Soul To Steal, Slice of Cherry, Shadowspell, Entice and Once in a Full Moon.


It's not over yet! On top of all that gooey goodness, today while I was at my local dollar store, my bestie and I were digging through the paperback bin and she reads a title aloud thinking it would get a laugh out of me. Little did she know, she had just plucked a small paperback I'd been looking for! Wicked Nights by Nina Bangs is the first part of the Castle of Dark Dreams set. The first one I read was My Wicked Vampire, number four of the set (they don't seem to run in order). You can find my review of it here. Well, anyway, they are chock-full of paranormal romance! There wasn't anything overly sexual about it, but I would recommend it for mature audiences only!



Thursday, January 20, 2011

Mini-Post

Hey Everyone!

So here is a Mini-Post, which for me means telling you about random things that don't really fit together!

First, I'd like to share with you that I just painted my living room and I am in love with it! I went to Home Depot and picked out a can of paint that the more I looked at it, was too lilac-y. I was going for a soft blue. So I went back and the girl mixed it until I was happier with the color. With my chocolate, black and tan furniture, the blue is the perfect addition! Ok, so now that I've got that off my chest, some book news!

A great bloog I like to follow, That Bookish Girl, tells you "How to Build Your Library on a Budget". Different ways to the books you want to read, for a price you can afford!

I was on goodreads.com, my favorite site for all my book info, and came the title of the sequel to Matched by Ally Condie, Crossed. It did not have a cover or synopsis but the expected publish date is November 1, 2011! I also saw the cover for Thirst  No. 4 by Christopher Pike. Again, no synopsis but set to release August 9, 2011. And this time there's a guy sexy guy on the cover! He's most likely Matt from the previous book, whom I hope will be in the spotlight more this time around! Look:



Now, I think I might be little behind with this one but sometimes I have so many books and series that I'm into and want to get into, that I have to intentionally overlook things lest my dosage be increased because I'm so stressed out about how many books I still have to read!! Whew! Anywho.



Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, the first of its sequel, due to release August 23, 2011. For those of you not in know, like me, Bloodlines takes place in the same world as Vampire Academy. Sydney, the Alchemist, is the narrator and Jill, Moroi, plays a big role in the story as well. However, the male role in this book is a surprise but hint that it is a love interest from Vampire Academy! My guess? Adrian. If not, some other love interest I've long forgotten. Oh well, it'll be that much more of a surprise!

Last but not least, of this not-so-mini Mini-Post:

I watched the series premiere of Being Human on the SyFy Channel, Monday @ 9:00EST. It's about a vampire - trying to be on his best behavior, it seems, a werewolf - still coming to turns with his wolfy-ness and a ghost girl - trying to get over being dead. They all live together and as the title implies, I guess they're going to act as though things are as normal as possible. But I get the very strong feeling that there will be nothing normal about what happens to them! I laughed, I cried...I didn't cry. I did enjoy it though. Despite all the conflicts I had trying to record a new show on a Monday night, I will still try to keep up with show weekly.

Got a random piece of news you'd like to share? Comment below!


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Did You Know?

Please tell me I wasn't the only one? Did you know that Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves was been released (according to Goodreads.com) on January 4, 2011. Did you know that it is the SEQUEL to BLEEDING VIOLET?? I, for one, did not. I found Slice of Cherry early, I'm guessing when it was just Reeves' next project. It did not state that it was the sequel to my most favorite book! I figured I'd keep it eye out for her next release but I nearly screamed when I realized, "How could I not know there was a sequel to this?" Enough about my over-dramatics and more about the books!

Now, if you are not familiar with this series, please, allow me to help you get acquainted with a second look at Bleeding Violet and a fresh one at Slice of Cherry!!

Bleeding Violet is based in Portero, Texas, a town that can only be described as otherworldly. Weird is an understatement. Hanna comes to this town to live with her estranged mother under even stranger circumstances! Hanna isn't quite the definition of normal, either. More like manic depressive, or crazy. As she tries to convince her mother she's worth of her love and spend time with her crush Wyatt, she starts discovering things that start to cause a bit of trouble. And when you mix a nut like Hanna with a town like Portero, the outcome is not what you expect!

I remember laughing with this book. Smiling while I read it. I instantly fell in love with Hanna and her antics and her personality, all of them! She interacted with each character with such unique style! I loved every word of it!

Click here to read my review of Bleeding Violet!
 

Slice of Cherry also takes place in Portero, yet if revolves around two sisters, Kit and Fancy Cordelle. They are the daughters of an infamous murderer nicknamed the Bonesaw Killer. Sounds like a great family, right? Makes you want to invite them over for Sunday dinner! Soon the twisted sisters give in to their urge to kill, and it seems they're pretty good at it. The strange are outcasts in most places, but quite at home in Portero! One day Fancy discovers an invisible door. Like, what are the odds of that happening? Then I guess we take it from there! There is no mention of Hanna or Wyatt but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's a pretty small town, if memory serves.


Click here to read the FIRST CHAPTER of Slice of Cherry!

I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this book!



Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Tuesday Review Day! I Am Number Four! Plus Movie Trailer!

Written by: Pittacus Lore
Publication date: August 3, 2010
Released in Hardcover, 440 pages

5 stars


Synopsis: In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogdorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth, Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.


The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. all of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future-and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.

How I Came to Read This: I found this book at Icey Books and the next time I went out , I saw it on the shelf and I snatched it up! I'm so glad I did!

My Review: I read eight chapters the first night I opened it. The very first page pulls you right in. I Am Number Four gives you stories of friendship, trust, happiness, sorrow, typical high school drama and first love!

John Smith is Number Four. John, his keeper and eight others came to Earth ten years ago to survive an invasion of their home planet, Lorien. They look like us and can fit in as normal people. Except they have super powers and they're being hunted by soulless Mogadorians, which prevents them from settling down in any one place for too long. John is developing his powers, or Legacies and we get to watch him discover his past, his future and himself.

I was so giddy reading this book! I felt like I was reading an extremely detailed comic book of Superman's origins or something! I mean, John Smith is something like a superhero! I love that in the book, his voice doesn't sound like an average teenager. He's an alien. He doesn't sound like a robot, he just sounds more refined than a kid. Which would make sense. The author could have written him to sound more like a normal, human teenager which might have made him a little more relatable, but not realistic to the story. Did I lose you with that one? Sorry. Hard to put in words what I hear in my head.

Speaking of the author...The name Pittacus Lore is the author's pen-name but also a character in the book. Pittacus Lore was the greatest elder of all the Lorien people, their leader. I like the other characters of the book too. John is very likable, as is Henri. Bernie Kosar (their dog) is very lovable, Sam gives us humor, Sarah gives the story a softer side while Mark is there to throw a wrench into everything!

Overall: I genuinely enjoyed this book. Every free minute after I finished it, I kept wishing I had more to go back to and read! I didn't want it to be over!
And to satisfy our unquenchable thirst for I Am Number Four - the movie version will be released February 18, 2011! You have to see the amazing trailer below:



Are you wondering who that hot guy is playing #4?? Well that's Alex Pettyfer! He also starred in Beastly! If the book wasn't so good and the movie looked like crap, he'd be reason enough to go see it anyway! Hope to see you at the theater!


P.S. I will be reviewing the movie as well.


Saturday, January 15, 2011

Blog Re-Design Mini-Post

So, whaddya think? It's not the design I truly want, the one stewing in my head just dying to debut, but I don't have the skill to do it myself or the bucks to pay someone else! But when I came across this picture, I really liked it! I love modern furniture, the colors and the simplicity. I also created a button to go with the new look. I'm not giving up on my vision, just gotta find a way to make it happen!

While I have your attention, did you happen to catch the series premier of The Cape on Sunday night (1/9/11) on NBC? I did, and I'm not sorry about it either. It wasn't terrible and I think it might have some potential. It was only a little cheesy but when a funny moment came, I laughed out loud. Maybe that's just me. Vince Faraday is The Cape. He's sort of like Batman because he doesn't have any supernatural powers, but he uses his cape as a weapon, a shield and to do magic tricks to disappear! It comes back Monday night (1/17/11), NBC at 9pm Eastern Time. Give it a try! But be forewarned! It may cause conflicts with other great shows like Pretty Little Liars, House, Bad Girls Club or a special episode of Jersey Shore!

You may or may not have noticed that my Blogoversary is coming in 50 days or so. I'd love to do an amazing giveaway but I honestly don't know if that will be possible. I might just do a really great post! If you have any suggestions on what you would like me post about, leave a comment below with your ideas! 

I feel like I'm giving you guys a lot of homework here: comment about the blog design, comment about The Cape and leave suggestions for a Blogoversary post =]


Friday, January 14, 2011

Blog Hop #2 - January 14



In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

Each week, participating blogs are asked questions to post and answer on their websites.

This week's question

"Why do you read the genre that you do? 
What draws you to it?"

I like to read young adult simply because I love everything about it. I love the stories these amazing authors come up with. The creatures the create, the different personalities, the different adventures they embark on. This genre (like many others) requires a great imagination, it gives the mind good exercise! I love the cover designs for this genre, too. They are literally works of art. And on top of all that, I love that some of my favorite titles are becoming movies! Ooh, and I love the way they all look on my bookcases! It's very satisfying! I don't think there is one thing I don't love about YA!!!

Thank guys!


Stylish Blogger Award!

Bella @ Cheezyfeet Books and Kacie @ Aussie Book Shack have both awarded me
 The Stylish Blogger Award! Thanks guys! 


There are rules that you have to follow once you have been awarded:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 bloggers you think deserve the prize, that you recently discovered.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them they've received the award!

So, the 7 random things about me:

1. I like football. Even though I don't understand all the rules, I do know enough to cheer or boo when something happens. I'm a New York gal so I favor the Jets - Giants 2nd. There are other teams I like, too.

2. I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up! I'm in my late 20's now *coughs, chokes, almost passes out* - it really pains me to say that. I honestly have no idea what profession I would be happiest in.

3. My favorite Disney character when I was little was Donald Duck. Mickey was too giddy, Goofy - too stupid, but Donald always had attitude, just like me!

4. I've recently started playing Guitar Hero and Just Dance 2 at home and I'm hooked!

5. I love animals but refuse to own any pets. I already have a 3yr old, which is already very much like having a puppy! 

6. I am anti-IPhone. For some reason, when people love something so much and they make a huge deal out of it, it only makes me hate it more. They're full of glitches and they keep releasing "new and improved" models to suck more money out of people.

7. I really want to paint my living room! I'm thinking a pale blue to go with chocolate curtains, black bookcases. Soon. Soon.

The 15 Bloggers I'm awarding this to:

All of you deserve it!  =]

Friday, January 7, 2011

Book Blogger Hop - January 7

Hey Everyone! Welcome to my first Book Blogger Hop!


In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

Each week, participating blogs are asked questions to post and answer on their websites.

This weeks question

What book influenced or changed your life?  How did it influence/change you?
Well, the book that I picked will probably shock you - but let me explain! The most recent book that has influenced my life is...Twilight. I promise it is not for the reason you're thinking! Yes, the vampires are awesome, as well as the werewolves, but that wasn't what influenced me. When I read the Twilight Saga last year (I think), it jump started my love of reading all over again. It had been years since I had really sat and read a book, but once I finished Twilight, I was itching for my next read! From that point on, I was always on the lookout for the next hot book or the newest debut author. That was when I decided to join the Blogosphere! So how did Twilight influence my life? It brought me here!

Thank guys!


Cover Release!



For all you Fallen fans out there - this is for you! The cover for Passion, the third novel in the Fallen series has been revealed! And boy is it gorgeous!



I love how the cover for all three books; Fallen, Torment and now Passion, all portray the same girl in different poses. They all maintain the same theme yet vary in many ways. I like that. I have to be honest, I haven't read this series yet, but it's on my TBR pile!

The expected release date for Passion is June 14, 2011 in Hardcover, 384 pages.

Here are some books I saw at Borders that you may or may not know have been released: Tempestuous (Wondrous Strange, #3) by Lesley Livingston; Entice (Need, #3) by Carrie Jones; and My Soul To Steal (Soul Screamers, #4) by Rachel Vincent.



Now, unfortunately, I have a correction to make regarding yesterday's post. I mentioned that Jace and Alec have been cast for the City of Bones movie, but sadly, they have not. :(
I knew there was a reason I couldn't find out who they were! I asked Cassandra Clare via Twitter where I might find out this information and she informed me that actors have not yet been picked. So, it remains that Lily Collins has been the only person cast to play in the movie adaptation. She will be playing Clary Fray. I apologize for any upset in this matter. However, I will be on the look out for any more casting news and promise to share my findings right away!




Thursday, January 6, 2011

Books, Book-to-Movie News and Review!

Hello Beloveds!

It is officially 2011 and so far it's been great - book-wise anyway! Unfortunately, I was not able to come back with new layout like I wanted to but that doesn't mean I'm giving up on it! I've been gone for so long, I wanted to give you as much as I could. So what I've got for you below is a little bit of everything: new books I've added to my shelves, some great book-to-movie news and updates, and my review of Last Sacrifice!

To get it started, here are the amazing books I've gotten between Christmas presents and Borders Gift Cards!



































Supernaturally (Paranormalcy, #2) - tentative release date - September, 2011





















































Each one of those covers are more beautiful in person! I can't wait to read all of them! However, I think the next one off the TBR pile will have to be I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, #1) by Pittacus Lore. The reason? Well, as I watched the Winter Season Premiere of Pretty Little Liars (which was awesome), I saw a preview for the movie version of I Am Number Four!! How amazing!? It comes to theaters (near me) February 18, 2011! On top of all that, the movie was made by Michael Bay! The same guy who did the Transformers movies and some other great movies I can't seem to remember right now. Don't miss it!

Also, in book-to-movie news: actors have been picked to play Jace and Alec in the City of Bones movie! I wish - I really do - that I had names and pictures to share with everyone, but it appears that those are still under wraps :(  What I get from Cassandra Clare's Twitter is that these guys are really hot!! If anyone finds out who they are, PLEASE let me know!!

Now, if you're still reading this super long post - here is my review of Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead.

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, #6)
Written by: Richelle Mead
Publication date: December 7, 2010
Released in Hardcover, 594 pages
Penguin Group (USA)


Synopsis: She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

How I Came To Read This: Are you kidding? I couldn't wait for this to come out!!!

My Review: It's been roughly seven months since I read Spirit Bound, the the minute I started reading Last Sacrifice I fell right back into the world of Rose! It was so easy to get back in the swing of things. The story picks up  right where it left off and wastes no time getting to the action. The plot in this series is so intricate, so detailed, I don't know how Mead does it! Not one page of these books are boring. Never a dull moment. Never. My friend and I were discussing it last night and we were comparing them to other books. How, in Vampire Academy, so many different things happen, there are so many issues that so many different people have to deal with and each character has his or her own background and motives and secrets. In other books, one thing happens and they deal with that one thing the entire book. Mead gives us a multitude of situations to imagine, each one exciting, jaw dropping and seemingly impossible to get out of! Enter...Rose!

Last Sacrifice is my favorite Rose. As funny and witty and kick-ass, as Rose is, her nobility is my favorite part of this book. She's been framed for a horrible crime she didn't commit and for said crime is being hunted by guards who have been instructed to shoot-on-sight! In spite of all that, she fights, almost literally, to the death to clear her name, do the right thing and above all else, protect Lissa.

!!SPOILER ALERT!!
AT THIS POINT, I WILL BE DISCUSSING DETAILED PARTS OF THE BOOK! PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK. NO, REALLY. IT WILL RUIN IT.


Here is what I liked and what I didn't like. I loved that Rose and Dimitri went on a journey, pretty much just the two of them. It was exactly what they needed to work things out and seeing as how that's exactly what happened, I was was very happy with the results. What I didn't like was that Adrian got hurt because of it. He was crapped on this whole book and I felt that Rose should have been made to find the time to tell him. And the way he found out? OMG. Okay. I also liked that they found Sonya, restored her, and she was helpful, not resentful or bitchy. Without her they wouldn't have found the last Dragomir! Which is what I didn't like. I was so excited to be following Rose while she looked for the Lissa brother or sister. With every turn of the page, we would get closer and closer, I was on the edge of my seat. But...when the sister, it turns out, was revealed, I deflated. It didn't bother me that it was someone we all knew. Someone we've known all along! No, what bothered me was that it was Jill! I was hoping for someone more exciting, more interesting. Instead, she was this scared little girl who wasn't even happy to find out she was royalty! Absurd! Speaking of royalty, Lissa becoming Queen? I like it, for all the reasons that are pointed out in the book. She was preparing for it the whole time, we just didn't know it. Finally, my biggest disappointment was the very end. I'm actually torn. Lissa and Rose losing their bond. That, I do not like. It made them unique, special. Without it I felt their loss. However, I know it means they can both have their own lives and I guess that's good, too. Whatever. I still don't like it.

!!SPOILER ALERT OVER!! 

Who Should Read This: Honestly, if you haven't gotten into this series yet, I can't imagine why. It's got it all! Action, romance, politics, friendship, secrets, twists and turns, and a happy ending to top it all off!



LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails