Seven Facts Award!

Last week my blog received an award from Brittany at Brittany's Fantasy! Thanks so much! This is the 7 Facts Award, if you receive this award you must:

• Thank the person that gave you the award
• Post 7 random facts about yourself
• Pass the award on to 15 bloggers

Seven randoms facts about me:

1. I don't eat seafood, but it looks and smells so good that I wish I did.
2. I despise feet.
3. I'd rather be home than anywhere else.
4. I love chocolate.
5. The smell of pumpkin pie makes me sick.
6. I hate being in pictures.
7. I miss writing poetry.

I pass this award to:

1. Book Lungs
2. Off In Another World
3. Ramblings of a Rand0m Girl
4. YA? Y Not?
5. YA Book Freak
6. The Wolf's Den
7. The Bursting Bookshelf
8. The Book Bug
9. Supernatural Snark
10. I Like These Books
11. KelseyAnne's Book Blog
12. YA Urban
13. The Book Worms
14. Words & Whispers
15. The Zealous Reader

Thanks again Brittany!

Mini-Post

Unfortunately, I don't really have much book news today. But I do have a little something to share and a creepy story to tell!

Have you read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantasky? It's sequel, expected to hit stores January 9, 2012, is entitled Jessica Rules the Dark Side!

Here's the cover!

I can't really make out what's in her hand but I love this cover! Their dance-like stance in reminiscent of its prequel but this time "Jessica" is older and ready to play her role. Lucius looks luscious even without the top of his face! I can't wait!

Now for my creepy little story. In 2006, I received a watch for Christmas. The following March I went to Aruba. I wore this watch the whole time only removing it to swim. Well, one of those days, I must have forgotten to take it off and needless to say, the watch stopped. Christmas of 2008, I got another watch to replace my broken one. A year later, this watch too, stopped working. I put this one next to the old one in my jewelry box.  Time passes. A few weeks ago, I noticed these two watches next to each other and picked them up with the thought in my head, "What a waste."

That's when I realized this:

They're both stopped at the same time!! How weird is that? What are the chances?

Got a kooky story you'd like to share? I'd love to hear it!

Just Release It Already!

Just Release It Already is hosted by Savannah at Books With Bite to share which books we are so anxiously yet not patiently, waiting for!

Right now, I think the book I really really want to read is The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore; sequel to I Am Number Four. It is expected to be released late August, early September. This time it sounds like we follow around Number Seven who hopefully meets up with the rest of the numbers. I became invested in the character of Number Four and I would hate not to see him in the next book. I'll miss his narrating.

Tell me, what book are you itching to get your hands on?

Blogoversary Giveaway!

 

Two more weeks! I can't believe it! When I first started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing or what I was getting myself into. I quickly caught on to how things worked in the blogosphere by checking out other blogs and asking questions. Bloggers are such friendly people, always happy to help and share their knowledge! So now, as my first blogoversary fast approaches, these are the top 5 things I've learned about book blogging:

1. The blogosphere is HUGE! I've realized that non-readers have no idea how big this world is, how strong our voices are and how much we influence the book market.

2. Blogging can feel like a full-time job. My mind is always working the critic angle: always on the look-out for things to share with my followers and making sure I get the news out in a timely fashion.

3. You want followers? You'll have to go out and get them! Yes, some will find you on their own but mostly it's up to you to go out and promote your blog by following or commenting on other blogs or using great sites like The YA Blogosphere or The YA Book Blog Directory.

4. It's not always easy to articulate why you love a book in such a way that encourages other people to read it. Sometimes I just want to post: 

"This book was awesome! You should read it!"

5. I don't have enough eyes or hands to read all the books in my TBR pile!

Now let's get to the good part! THE GIVEAWAY!! YAY! I wish I could offer a crap load of books and multiple winners and a whole buncha swag but this prize will be coming out of my own pocket so the limit is one winner - one book.

I will buy the winner one book of their choice!!

Limit is $20.00USD

Here are the rules:

1. You must be a follower to enter - USA entries only please as I cannot ship internationally.

2. To officially enter you must leave a comment on this post or any other post. Please be sure to mention the comment is your giveaway entry.

3. Spread the word! It is not required but much appreciated! Copy my Blogoversary pic and tweet it, post it or just tell a friend!

You have two weeks to enter (ends March 5th at midnight) and the winner will be announced on my blogoversary, March 6th! So think about what book you want and enter to win!

On a side note, I have a a new cover to share with you! Supernaturally by Kiersten White!

I love the warm colors and the way the models hair seems to glow against them. What do you think of it?

I Am Number Four Movie Review

5 stars - Finally, someone did it right! Okay, so it wasn't perfect but it was damn close! 

Please note that I'm reviewing this movie in comparison to the book so if you don't know the story, I'll try not to lose you! Okay, moving on.

I was absolutely satisfied with this book-to-movie transition. They didn't overdo it with the special effects or the acting and they kept it so close to the book that you almost don't even notice the difference. Almost. 

I don't want to spoil anything for you so I won't give details but what I will say is this: a few key points were left out in addition to a few major details. Some parts I believe were important enough to the story that it should have been put in and others were just things I would like to have seen. I don't have many complaints so let me get to the good stuff!

Alex Pettyfer as John Smith or Number Four, was not exactly what I had in mind when I read the book, although I am quite pleased with him nonetheless! I pictured more of the actor who played Sam; smaller, younger looking. However, Pettyfer plays John Smith just right. Bordering being on the verge of breaking out with all these new powers and trying to conceal them and blend in. Sam played by Callan McAuliff wasn't as dorky as I expected but everything else was on. I do wish there was more of Bernie Kosar in the movie. He's such a unique character and I don't think he had his fair share of screen time!

Sarah and Mark (Dianna Agron and Jake Abel), were pretty much like their characters in the book but I think Mark was a little nicer in the movie. Henry (Timothy Olyphant) is probably a little younger than I imagined yet still a great character. The Mogodorians were a lot funnier on screen than on paper yet it didn't feel out of place. They were scary and huge and ugly - perfect.

Number Six is awesome. Watching the two of them fight together was way better on the big screen! The special effects for their powers were seamless. There is nothing worse than bad effects. Don't you hate it when an actor makes a big gesture but the effect that follows doesn't seem to have as much *umph* as you expected? Well there is none of that in this movie.

Overall: A must-see. Even if you haven't read the book, who cares. Hopefully you know someone who did and can fill you in on what you're missing. If not, it's still a great movie.

Don't miss the next book of the Lorien Legacies, 

The Power of Six 

coming August 23, 2011!!

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England. 

And Number Three in Kenya.

They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.

Blog Hop 3

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 they  never knew existed!

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

This week's question

 "What book(s) would you like to see 
turned into a movie?"

(I really like this question because I just saw I Am Number Four tonight in theaters and I was very happy! My review will post tomorrow.)
 

My answer: Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves. Hands down. With a character like Hanna, I need to see her on screen. I need to see this place they live in. I don't think my imagination is doing it justice! 

Thanks for hopping by! Follow and/or leave a comment so I can visit you next! 

Smallville Fans and I Am Number Four Premier

Where are all my Smallville fans? I started watching Smallville from the first season when Lana Lang was still his love interest and Lex was bald and bad. But after a few years I just stopped. I'm not really sure of the reason, maybe it was because cast members where leaving the show or maybe the storyline just wasn't holding my attention anymore. I'm not sure. When I heard that this was the final season, I just had to start watching again. I didn't want to miss when he finally dons his cape and takes off, soaring through the air like the true superhero he is! However, this final season has been a little disappointing. Clark has been so filled with doubt in his abilities this season that he still doesn't realize he can fly! He loses his powers in almost every episode and his human girlfriend - fiance actually - Lois Lane, has to save him all the time! He barely uses his powers at all. Where is the Man of Steel?

I feel like the plot is finally start to pick up and things are will start to happen - like the return of Lex, Lionel and Chloe - but how many episodes are left? Will Clark realize his full potential and fly before the show leaves us forever?? Will we get to see him and Lois get married? What about Chloe - is she here to stay? And Lex! I'd really like to see Alexander grow to be the man he was before he disappeared. I want closure! Complete and utter closure! 

Tonight's episode seems very promising as Clark finally puts on the thick black-framed glasses that will become his infamous disguise! However, I will not be watching it right away because I will be at the movies watching I Am Number Four!!

Based on the previews, how many of you are worried that the movie will not relate to the book? One preview in particular worries me - the one where John (Alex Pettyfer) seems to be asking what number he is. Now, I've read the book and that never happens. 

Still, I will go in with an open mind and hope for the best. I will definitely be reviewing this movie! How many of you will be at the theaters this weekend?

 

Review: American Museum of Natural History & Hayden Planetarium

For Valentine's Day weekend, a very special someone and I stayed in New York City and visited the Museum of Natural History. I've never been to anything historic like this so I knew it would be an experience! Plus, the planetarium is right inside the museum! At the entrance we used on the Central Park West side, this guy (or gal) right here is one of the first to greet you! That arm you see belongs to a rearing Barosaurus. I personally have never seen a dinosaur skeleton with my own two eyes before and seeing it that day, really put in perspective for me just how big they actually were. In case you're wondering, they were HUGE! I was nothing below them, something they would have stepped on and kept walking. 

Standing in line isn't usually a highlight in anyone's day, yet this time it gave me a chance to appreciate the room I was standing in. It isn't just an entrance but a State Memorial to Theodore Roosevelt. The architecture is amazingly detailed and crafted, still in excellent condition however, the best part were the words carved into the stone walls. Words of the former United States President that were spoken so long ago yet still rang true today. Or at least most of it should. Here's a link if you'd like to read them for yourself - Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda.

Finally walking through the museum was great. Several times I had to slow down and remind myself that what I was looking at were ancient artifacts, never to be duplicated, one-of-a-kind stuff! Going through life with so much technology it was weird looking at such primitive tools and clothing and imagine them in actual use. Yeah we see it in the movies, but it's just not the same. 

That's an ostrich egg shell container! This blew my mind, it was so cool!

These next two exhibits were my favorite. Makes me think of knights in shining armor!

Click here if you'd like to see the rest of my pictures of the Museum of Natural History! Please don't expect detailed captions or descriptions of what you'd be looking at because, well honestly, I haven't a clue; and if they're out of order and all jumbled up that's because it's late and I don't feel like organizing them. Sorry, I'm being lazy.

The rest of the weekend was just as much fun. We played pool, ate at fantastic restaurants and as a special treat just for me, we went to a Barnes & Noble with FOUR FLOORS! Of course it's not filled top to bottom with YA, but just being around that many books brings me such calm and happiness. Are you drifting off thinking about four floors of YA?  I know, me too! At this B&N, I was told to pick six books, to which I gladly complied. That's the part where I rub my hands together like a greedy little monkey! On top of all this, I was also given the Nook as a Vday treat! I haven't downloaded any ebooks to it yet but I have found a few to start with, like Reaper by Rachel Vincent and Beasts and BFFs, Bonus 13 to Life prequel by Shannon Delaney. Here is what I added to my actual bookcases: Throat by R.A. Nelson, Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston, Cloaked by Alex Flinn, Delirium by Lauren Oliver and Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri. I think I've been spoiled!

Are you still with me? Good, because I almost forgot to tell you about the best part!-the planetarium! I would not say that the Hayden Planetarium large in size but the show we saw, Journey to the Stars (narrated by Whoopi Goldberg) made me feel so tiny in restrospect.

 

Bronze statue of the Earth's Moon

Falling into the illusion that the stars and space were all around me, I realized that I never really imagined how big space actually is. My mental image of outer space was way off! The show was educational and awe inspiring for star lovers everywhere!

I can't wait to visit the museum again and show my daughter these amazing exhibits! If you're ever playing tourist in NYC or if you live there and you've never been - GO! It's very kid friendly and it holds pieces of the history from all over and then takes right out of this world! A must-see!

Borders Files Chapter 11 Today!

Today I'd like to share tons of book news with you! First, according to the Borders Facebook page, Borders has begun a reorganization through the Chapter 11 process. You can read more about it here at bordersreorganization.com, but they assure us the business will continue as usual both in stores and online. I don't know about you guys, but if my local Borders closes down, I'll have to travel an hour to the nearest Barnes & Noble. That does not sit well with me. Hopefully, we won't have to worry about that anytime soon! On to book news!

Last year I read Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth (my review here) and I enjoyed it so much I've anxiously been awaiting the release of it's sequel. Well the wait won't be much longer! The President's Vampire will be released April 28, 2011!

I'm super excited about this book yet, I'm not crazy about the title or the cover. This looks and sounds like it should have been the first book, not the sequel. Still, I'll be first in line on release day!

Silence. Usually a word associated with peace and serenity. Well today I refer to the title of the next book in the Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. Silence (Hush, Hush #3) is expected to be released October 4, 2011 but its cover will be revealed in May!

Do you guys read the Soul Screamers Series? There are four of them out now with number five on its way later this year (October 1st) and it's been titled...If I Die! No cover yet but I hope it stays in the same theme as the others. If you have an ereader, check out Reaper, a Soul Screamers Novella about Tod Hudson, a typical teenager turned grim reaper! His character is introduced in the other books but I'm glad Rachel Vincent decided to highlight him in this ebook exclusive because he is definitely a character worth giving his own story to!

Now, if you're like me, you're always trying to stay on top of all the amazing books that come out or are coming out. One way I keep up with it all is by checking Goodreads.com. While doing so, I found a list of the Most Popular Books Published in 2011, so take a look because there might be something new on there for you!

Tuesday Review Day!

Hello Everyone! I've missed you so! I've got tons to share with you this week: a hot and steamy review to keep you in the spirit of Valentine's Day, a review of my awesome weekend in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium (with pics) and oodles of book news!! So be sure to come back for all the juicy posts to come!


Now, some of you might have been expecting my review of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, but I have a confession about that. Even though I LOVE the Mortal Instruments series, and I mean LOVE IT - I can not get into Clockwork Angel. I really want to read it and I will, but for now I will have to put it off. I just can't get into it. I'm hoping once City of Fallen Angels is released in a few months, that I will read it right away and therefore be in the mood pick up Clockwork again.


Anyway, time for an ADULTS ONLY REVIEW!!

Wicked Nights (The Castle of Dark Dreams, #1)

Publication date: April 4, 2006

Released in Paperback, ebook and Kindle

295 pages

Adult Romance

5 stars

Synopsis (from a Barnes & Noble review): Nina Bangs goes into overdrive with this funny, sexy paranormal adventure, the first in a trilogy starring three ultra-handsome brothers who run the Castle of Dark Dreams, an adult fantasy theme park. The plot kicks off as radio talk show host Donna Nolan agrees to broadcast live from the Castle for a week -- anything to stop the phone-ins from crazy women raving about their nonstop sex with vampires, demons, and who knows what else. She's unprepared for meeting the park's director, Eric McNair, secretly a vampire Highlander, the ultimate in sexy, sinister Uber-males. He's definitely going to meet his match with her, too. Throw in a cosmic sexual troublemaker, a telepathic cat, a red-hot pirate fantasy, and more chocolate than the town of Hershey will ever see, and you've got another entertaining, romantic smorgasbord from the author of Night Bites: Ginger Curwen

How I Came to Read This: First I read My Wicked Vampire, number four in the Castle of Dark Dreams series (my review here) and loved it! Then my friend plucked Wicked Nights out of a bin at the dollar store!

My Review: This series is about an adult entertainment theme park run by three immortal brothers: Conall, Brynn and Eric. Their roles in the castle are to play, well...themselves, actually. I won't reveal what exactly they are (except we already know Eric's a vampire), the others will be a strange and pleasant surprise! I have to admit, I've never heard of an immortal like Brynn before and I'd love to see him action! The Castle of Dark Dreams is investigated by Donna Nolan, a radio talk-show host of the third kind where people call in with stories about their encounters with creatures of the night and aliens, etc. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book as much as the other because character names are really important to me and honestly, Donna Nolan, is an awful name! If I pick up a book that sounds really good but it's main character has a name like Rondolfo or Burt or some other awful name I couldn't imagine saying in my head over and over, I absolutely cannot read it. How can find imagine a sexy man with a name like Thane? Fortunately for Donna Nolan, her personality makes up for her names short comings. She's used to dealing with wack-jobs in her line of business so when she gets to the Castle and meets the cast, she assumes they all take their roles way too seriously but she never assumes any of them actually are the characters they portray.

Eric McNair, or Eric the Evil, resident vampire as he's known around the castle, really brings the heat. I'm talking chocolate melting, window steaming, hair curling hotness! He doesn't brood over his existence, he embraces it - sexually, that is. He's survived 800 years because he knows how to keep people at arms length, never letting anyone get too close to him, never anything more than one-night stands. Until he meets a certain talk-show lady that he just can't seem to leave alone. The more time they spend together, the more they find themselves exploring their deepening feelings for each other. Anytime these two are in the same room, you could cut the sexual tension with a KY Jelly spreading knife!

Nina Bangs is so good at describing a scene, you can literally feel the heat of Eric's gaze, his breath on the nape of your neck, his hands on your...

Uh, where was I? Oh right. Whenever I reopened this book, I fell right back into the Castle of Dark Dream. This place is so mysterious, I wish I could see it for myself. Experience the role playing for myself, having a sexy vampire chase me around while I scream at the top of lungs, then having an equally sexy warrior come to my rescue and scoop me up and take me away! *sigh*

Who Should Read This: Definitely recommended for 18yrs and up! Not only is it heavy on the sex and romance, but it's funny too! And what's a good romance without a bad guy to bring two people closer together? It isn't trashy-sexy either. It's sensual, erotic and...what else can I say: delicious!

Here is a little teaser from Wicked Nights! Again, I have to stress, adults only. Enjoy!

As he kissed her neck, her breast, and then closed his lips around each nipple and teased it to a hard nub with his tongue, she raked her fingers through his hair and gripped his shoulders with clawed fingers.

Arching her back, she moaned her pleasure as he gripped her bottom and slid his tongue over her stomach. She lifted her hips and spread her legs wider, inviting him in even as something important tried to make itself heard over the drumroll of spiraling sexual excitement. 

Eric had evidently reached his own threshold of endurance, because with a muttered oath he lifted her hips, and she felt the nudge of his sex between her legs. She was open, moist, and her body was clenching  in delicious anticipation.

Whew! Steamy huh?

Save Vampire Diaries!

How many of you have read Vampire Diaries or watch the TV series? I personally have only read the first two books but I live for the weekly show! If you are not familiar with this series, I will try to fill you in as much as possible: Stefan and Damon are brothers and vampires, in love with the same woman, Elena. They live in Mystic Falls where they attend high school and try to live normal lives. They fight off anything that threatens their "quiet" life., like rogue vampires, werewolves, witches,etc Elena is in love with Stefan but harbors a different kind of love for Damon. It gets plenty steamy between those two and with all the kissing close-calls, it's enough to make your heart go pitter-patter! Each week I tune in to see more of the drama that is Damon and Elena!

Now here is why this series, as a book, needs saving. Alloy Entertainment is the actual owner of the Vampire Diaries book series, not L.J. Smith the author, and now they want to make some major changes! The biggest change is the removal of the Damon/Elena storyline as they want more of just Stefan and Elena. They also want less Bonnie in the series, Elena's witch friend. Since L.J. Smith has refused to make these changes, she has been cut from her own book! Alloy wants to use a ghostwriter to continue writing the books and they believe readers will never know the difference!

This is absolutely absurd!! I'd like to refer you another blog, iswimforoceans.com, where you can find out what's going on in more detail with links and a petition to sign to help support L.J. Smith.

"No L.J. Smith = No Book Sales!"

Finding out about what they are doing to L.J. Smith, has just added to the swarm of angry bees already in my bonnet on this issue. With so many books being made into movies, it worries me as much as it excites me. Who wouldn't want to see a beloved book played out on the big screen, hopefully with a few hotties to play some of our favorite characters? The problem is that authors are never allowed to be as involved in major decisions as they should be, like choosing authors, or how the script reads or the overall look of the film.

This cartoon reminded me of the struggle between the larger corporations (Scooby) and the author (mouse) over who should really own the rights to a book. Maybe it's just me, but I believe an author that dedicates their blood, sweat and tears into a novel or a series of novels, should control the fate of that story. If this was the case, maybe Twilight the movies would more closely relate to the books. My bestie and I curse the screenplay writer on that one. If movie makers refuse to listen to the little people, you know, the billions of us that go to the movies and put money in their pockets, then I'd rather take my $10 and buy another book!

One person may not be able to make a change, but together we can be heard.

Book vs. Nook

To ERead or not to ERead? That has been my burning question for weeks now. Does owning an ereader take away from the enjoyment of holding a book? Which ereader is right for me?

How many of you own ereaders and what kind do you have? Do you love it? Was it worth the investment? What did you look for in an ereader before you picked the right one for you?

The one I first found interest in was the Velocity Micro Cruz Reader. It looked good online but when I saw in person at my local Borders, it seemed so big! Now, I don't know how big or small one should be. Too big and it might become an inconvenience to carry around.

While preparing this post, I came across an awesome ereader that is both big and small: The Philips Rollable Ereader - Readius. It literally rolls out a screen for reading and then rolls back into itself. Cool ER Reader comes in many different colors - like hot pink!

There are so many styles and colors and features, oh my!

Recap: Is owning an ereader worth it? Do you get much use out of it? How did you find the right one to suit your reading needs?

I can't wait to hear from you!

Under Construction

Please forgive my look while I work putting together a look that I will be happier with. I hope you guys will like it too!

See you soon!