Bad reviews going to far?

Recently, I was going through my goodreads updates and I came across a Bad Review for Hades by Alexandra Adornetto.  Basically this person did nothing but tear the whole book apart.  Literally, had NOTHING nice to say about the book at all.  Then I decided to check out Hades page on goodreads...Needless to say it only gets worse.  Not only do some reviews tear the book apart, they also go as far as taking pot shots (in my opinion) at the author.  Now I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but still?  Do you really need to go so far as to put things like the passages below in your reviews?

"I've thrown my rose-coloured glasses in the trash, and if Alexandra isn't careful, her book will be in there too." Tenae

Or please check out this "lovely" screaming review.  Or even this gem.

The worst part?  Reviews like these in some circles seem be celebrated.

I thought that the point/purpose of all this reading and posting reviews was not only to post our honest feelings whether they be good or bad, but to find even the tiniest sliver of good in a book that you have to review that you REALLY don't like?  Do we really need to go so far as to tear someones work completely apart?  I think at times there are people out there in the book blogging community that forget that behind every book is a living breathing person who not only put a lot of time into that book but also has feelings too.

So readers, Have you ever come across a Bad Review that you think was "over the line?"  Have you ever said or done anything when/if you come across reviews like this?  Do you personally write bad reviews?  How do you go about the process?

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Top 10 Books I want to Re-read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Top 10 Books I want to Re-Read:

I don't usually re-read but there are a few exceptions to that rule...These are the one's that I could come up with off the top of my head.  NOTE: Series are lumped together.

1. Lonesome Dove...It's an EPIC novel.  I LOVE it.

2. Changing The Game...The sex is hot and the story is pretty hot too!

3. The Hunger Games trilogy...ummm....Who doesn't love The Hunger Games?!

4. Divergent...LOVE me some Four!  The story is VERY good and it's pretty fast paced beginning to end.

5. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series....Sexy Warrior Vampires!  These aren't your Twilight vamps!

6. Enclave...I'm not usually into zombie books but this one is really good and the zombie's aren't "traditional" zombies.  An excellent solid Dystopian novel.

7. In Bed with a Highlander...A quite humorous historical romance.  I giggled most of the way through this one the first time I read it.

8. The Killer Angels...I'm a big history buff and I'm particularly fond of the Civil War and "Indian Wars" time frame.  This book is about the battle of Gettysburg and the actual movie Gettysburg is based around this book.

9. North and South series...I just flat out love this series.

10. The Iron Fey series...Team Ash or Team Puck...I can't decide.

Some Giveaway Winners!

18 & Over Book Blogger Giveaway Hop Winners:

Kara & Amy @ Amy's Book World

Tempest in the Tea Leaves Winners:

NOTE: The author is giving away 1 copy but I need to condense down the number of books I have before March so I am also giving away my copy of the book as well.

Linda Kish & Mamabunny13

100 Follower Giveaway Winners:

Raíla Soares & virna  Jimenez & Lindsaywrites

Half Naked Clay Matthews and 1 Winner

 

YUMMY!

 

The winner of All These Things I've Done is:

 

ELIN!

 

Elin you have been emailed.  If you could get back to me ASAP that would be AWESOME!

Winner's Drawn Tuesday

I will be drawing the winners for all the contests that I've had going recently on Tuesday.  Don't forget to check back and see who won!

Operation Debt Reduction blog

I've created a new blog about my mission to eliminate as much of my credit card and personal debts as soon as possible. I've been struggling with this for many years and now that I'm getting closer to 30 years old I think it's time for me to put my big girl panties on when it comes to my finances.  I'll be moving my money related posts from this blog to the new blog shortly.

The new blog is called Operation Debt Reduction and can be found here.

Cover Alert ~ Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I think I really like this cover a lot!  I can't decide if I like the cover for this book or Divergent better.  This I do know...May 2012 is a LONG ways away!  I want this book NOW!

ARC Review ~ Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Title: Supernaturally
Author: Kiersten White
Series: Paranormalcy #2
Genre: Paranormal YA
Format: ARC from ATW Tours
Release Date: July 26, 2011

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:



Review:

I read Paranormalcy when it came out and really enjoyed it a lot.  I really connected with Evie and thought that she was a bleeping great heroine!  In this book we get to see a whole different side to Evie.  In Paranormalcy Evie was witty and funny ALL the time, in Supernaturally not so much.  There is much confusion in Evie's life in this book, she's still trying to figure out her place in the world.

One thing that kind of detracted from the book for me was the lack of Lend.  I REALLY enjoyed Lend in Paranormalcy.  He's not your typical love interest and was someone Evie shouldn't have been remotely attracted to, a classic case of opposites attract.  The parts of the book where Lend was around I saw Evie and Lend's relationship grow but I just wish that we got to see more of it through out the book.

A lot of the characters from Paranormalcy are back for Supernaturally too!  Arianna, Raquel, and David just to name three.  Plus, there is the addition of a new character...Jack.  What we lost humor wise through Evie we got back through Jack.  I was laughing out loud a LOT.

I did think that Supernaturally did start off a little bit slow but it didn't take very long for things to pick up the pace.  I thought that there were some questions that went unanswered at certain points in the book.  I'm hoping that these questions get answered in the next book.

Overall, I am really happy that I read Supernaturally.  I'm going to be going out and getting myself a finished copy shortly.  Happy reading everyone!
Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.
 
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

Review:

I read Paranormalcy right away when it came out last year and I really loved it a lot.  I thought that Evie was a bleeping awesome heroine in that book!  In Supernaturally, we see a very different side of Evie.  In Paranormalcy Evie was full of humor and the Evie we see in Supernaturally is questioning her place in the world.  I am really watching Evie grow through this series!

One thing that detracted from the book for me was the lack of Lend.  I LOVED Lend in Paranormalcy.  It was a classic case of opposites attract for Evie and Lend.  They should NOT have been attracted to one another at all.  I did like watching Evie and Lend's interactions when Lend did make an appearance, I was just hoping for more.

Many of the characters from Paranormalcy make it back for the second book as well!  Arianna, Raquel and David just to name three are back in Supernaturally.  There is also the addition of Jack in Supernaturally.  What we missed out on humor wise from Evie we got back from Jack.  I laughed out loud a lot through out this book.

I thought that Supernaturally started off a little bit slow but once things started happening the pace picked up REAL fast.  For me there were some questions that went unanswered through the course of reading Supernaturally.  I'm hoping they get answered in the next book.

Overall, I think that this was a really good read.  I still think that I like Paranormalcy just a titch more though.  I'm still going to go out and get a finished copy though.  Happy reading everyone!

Mini Review ~ A Plague Year by Edward Bloor

Title: A Plague Year
Author: Edward Bloor
Series: N/A
Genre: YA
Format: ARC from ATW tours
Release Date: September 13, 2011

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis:

It's 2001 and zombies have taken over Tom's town. Meth zombies. The drug rips through Blackwater, PA, with a ferocity and a velocity that overwhelms everyone.

It starts small, with petty thefts of cleaning supplies and Sudafed from the supermarket where Tom works. But by year's end there will be ruined, hollow people on every street corner. Meth will unmake the lives of friends and teachers and parents. It will fill the prisons, and the morgues.

Tom's always been focused on getting out of his depressing coal mining town, on planning his escape to a college somewhere sunny and far away. But as bits of his childhood erode around him, he finds it's not so easy to let go. With the selfless heroism of the passengers on United Flight 93 that crashed nearby fresh in his mind and in his heart, Tom begins to see some reasons to stay, to see that even lost causes can be worth fighting for.

Review:

I had the opportunity to read this book as part of Princess Bookie's ARC Tours and I thought that the premise was really interesting.  Then the book arrived and I started reading.  It did not take me long to figure out that this book was not for me.  I wasn't really able to connect with the characters and I thought that the dialogue was pretty choppy.  I didn't really get comparing drug addicts to zombies either.  Overall, I think that the author has a very good premise on his hands but in my opinion the execution left a lot to be desired.

Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith OR Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick giveaway

Today I am giving away to 2 lucky winners either a pre-ordered copy of Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith OR a copy of Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick.  You get to choose, BUT you can only choose 1 title.  So here are the rules for this giveaway....

1. Open INTERNATIONALLY (to countries that Book Depository ships to).

2. Fill out the form below.

3. You may only choose 1 of the two titles.

4. Contest concludes September 18 at 11:59 pm CST.

Go to Goodreads page

    Go to Goodreads page

I Remember.....

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."  John 15:13

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels unaware."  Hebrews 13:2

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always."
— Mahatma Gandhi

September RAK Wishlist

RAK is a wonderful book "meme" hosted by the ladies at Book Soulmates.
RULES RE-CAP:*NEW INFO ADDED*
Sign up each month that you'd like to participate.

• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button :)
• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month. 
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
• *NEW* Please, once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] dedicated to RAK so that the Google Doc can be updated. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS.
• *NEW* E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

To find my other wishlists please click on the links below.

Goodreads wishlist

Amazon Wishlist

Just a few of my wishes from both of my wishlists

Possession by Elana Johnson

Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolken

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

IMM September 11 ~ Two Questions Edition

In My Mailbox is a weekly book meme, where we share the books that we have obtained during the week.  It could be from the library, swap, RAK, for review, purchased or however else you obtain your reading material.

This week also marks the 10 year anniversary of September 11.  A VERY dark time in not only the United States but all over the world.  To me September 11, 2001 is my generations "Pearl Harbor."

On September 11, 2001 I was a Senior in High School, I was sitting in my first hour American Studies (kind of ironic now) class when Mr. Wollin, one of our High School's many History teachers, came into our classroom and told us that the planes had hit the Twin Towers.  That was supposed to be a school day, but the rest of that day passed with not much educating going on, every class I went to the tv was on and footage was being played.  We were all there because we had to be NOT because we wanted to be.





QUESTION #1:  Where/What were you doing September 11, 2001? 

Now onto the BOOKS!

~Bought~



Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

I'm about 134 pages into Ashes and I'm really enjoying it so far.

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

~Bought - Thrifting~

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Wicked Prey by John Sandford

The Divide by Nicholas Evans

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolken

1984 by George Orwell

~E-Books~

Eye of The Wolf (Wind River Reservation #11) by Margaret Coel

~For Review~

The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman

QUESTION #2:  What's in YOUR mailbox?

Quickie Review ~ Changing The Game by Jaci Burton

Title: Changing The Game
Author: Jaci Burton
Series:  Play by Play #2
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Erotic
Format:  E-Book
Release Date:  August 2, 2011

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

An erotic new game from the New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Play.

Sports agent Liz Darnell will do anything to win back her number-one client, baseball pro Gavin Riley. And Gavin's more than ready- especially when Liz is offering herself as part of the bargain. But when love unexpectedly enters the playing field, neither Liz nor Gavin are ready for the biggest game-changer of all.

First Line:

Gavin Riley knew Elizabeth Darnell had been avoiding him for the past several months.



Review:

Changing The Game picks up right where The Perfect Play left off.  I think for me personally, the end of The Perfect Play was the perfect set up for Changing The Game.  Though I am going to agree with most of the reviews that I have read prior to purchasing the book and say that Mick was BEYOND a prick through out the book, though I am glad that he did FINALLY get his head out of his ass and get over himself.

Gavin and Elizabeth come from two completely different backgrounds.  Gavin comes from an family where there is more than enough love to go around.  Elizabeth comes from a family in which emotional abuse was the norm.  Gavin is a "ladies man" and Liz has a pretty significant "dry spell."  Gavin is Liz's client and Liz is Gavin's agent.  There are so many things and ways that these two are completely different and should not be together at all.

There is a TON of growing done by both Gavin and Liz in this book and they most defiantly took the scenic route through there love story.  The only thing that irked me about the book was that I thought that for a good chunk of the book the sex between Gavin and Liz was the main focus and not their budding romance.  That and Mick, I kept thinking "hey how 5 years old of you Mick" when ever he made and appearance right up until the end.  Another added bonus was the introduction of Jenna's love interest, Ty Anderson HOT hockey player extraordinaire.  It makes me sad that I have to wait until March 6, 2012 to read Jenna and Ty's story. :(

Discussion Post ~ Giveaway entries (Hoops or No Hoops that is the question?)

I've been book blogging for awhile now and I have participated in a number of giveaways and I've held a number of giveaways (which reminds me that I still need to draw my winners for my 100 Follower giveaway).  The thing that sort of irks me about so many of the contests that I come across these days is all the "Hoops" one has to "jump" through in order to even have a decent shot at MAYBE winning.  I just don't understand why we have to make things harder than they have to be in this community.

Know I'm not knocking any one's "system" (to each their own) but I can honestly say that if your going to make me jump through a "million hoops" for the chance to win a book, there is a good chance that I'm NOT going to enter your giveaway.  If it's a book that I REALLY want I'll spend the money and buy the book myself. I can honestly say, that I have only entered a handful of giveaways recently and they all were BASIC entries (leave a comment with email address, which are my absolute favorite giveaways, to name 1 example).  The reason I tend to NOT participate in giveaways that have so many "hoops" is that I feel like those giveaways are a job and I already have one of those.  If I come across a giveaway that I find is TOTALLY awesome and I'm going to enter or I have entered, I'm going to share it with my followers both on the blog and twitter.  I shouldn't be "required" to share it just to participate.

I totally get that a lot of book bloggers use all these different entries as a way to "network" and "market" their blogs but for me it has gotten to the point that all these different entries are repetitive and boring.  My questions to you are: how do you feel about giveaways who have all these different entries? Are you turned on/off by all these different entries? Do you like it when bloggers keep their giveaway entries "basic"(example: leave a comment and include a way to contact you if you were to win)?

All These Things I've Done book trailer

Giveaway ~ All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Synopsis:

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.


Giveaway Rules:

1. Open to US and Canada.

2. This giveaway is for 1 copy of All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin.

3. Giveaway ends September 17, 2011

4. Must leave a way to contact you (Email address).

5. MUST leave a comment on the Book Trailer post.

On My Wishlist September 3, 2011

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

I've been reading a lot of YA recently so this week I'm going for a more "Adult" wishlist.

Brown Siblings #1

Unexpected Desire...

It's been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn't in the cards just yet...

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin's past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd's best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed--and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

Brown Siblings #2

After his parents' death, Brody gave up a promising career to care for his family. Now, with his siblings grown, Brody owns his own business, and for the first time in years he's alone. Elise has come to Seattle with her daughter to find peace. After years as a world-famous ballerina-and trapped in a marriage gone bad-she's looking for neither love nor attention. But she finds both in the handsome, honest man who befriends her with no strings attached.

Brody and Elise discover in each other the wild, physical passion they need. But it'll take a shadow from Elise's past to make them look beyond what they need-to what they truly desire.

Brown Siblings #3

WORTH THE WAIT

Ella Tipton is a survivor. In the wake of an attack that nearly left her dead, she has spent each day putting her life back together. Once vibrant and outgoing, she's needed to reclaim the best parts of who she was while retaining the hard-won lessons. There hasn't been room for any romantic entanglements, even if she were ready. Still, it doesn't mean she has to stop sneaking looks at Mister Tall, Dark and Tattooed himself.

Security professional Andrew Copeland isn't quite sure when his jones for the lovely and decidely skittish Ella developed. He's known her for years, has watched her triumph over the pain she's been dealt. Cope is no stranger to women, but he knows the nervous flush he gets every time he talks to Ella is different from any attraction he's had in the past. Determined to get Ella to let him in, Cope does the one thing he can think of to get close: he offers her hands-on training in self-defense.

While Ella's sure Cope is just being nice, the prospect of being able to touch him and and gain the tools to push away the last vestiges of her fear is more than she can resist. Soon enough, Cope shows Ella his feelings are far more than friendly, and he reignites something deep inside her. It isn't long before desire and love turn them both inside out.

Brown Siblings #4

ALL THE RIGHT NOTES…

Gillian Forrester spent most of her life running from who and what she came from. Until Miles came along. From the moment she held the tiny newborn her older sister didn't want, Gillian stopped running and began to build a life for herself and her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, as Gillian's sister lay dying, she reveals the father's identity and makes Gillian promise to find him.

Adrian Brown is the epitome of the successful rock star. He's seen and done it all, with few regrets. It takes a lot to shock him but the bombshell that he has a thirteen-year-old son rocks his world. And Adrian is even more surprised when the buttoned-up, elegant woman who's raising Miles snags his erotic and romantic attention.

The last thing Gillian expected was to find herself getting hot and heavy with a person like Adrian. But as much as she wants to open up and give herself fully to this amazing man, she's afraid the secrets of her past and Adrian's problems with trusting people may keep them apart for good. If love isn't enough can they find the trust they need?

Play by Play #3

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she’s stuck running the family’s sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she’s vowed to never fall for a jock—even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty’s insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too…

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all—including Ty…

As a tribute to her late journalist father, Tuesday Jones is planning a career benefit, auctioning off racing memorabilia and meet-and-greets with drivers. Ex-racing star Diesel Lange has had his own brush with death, and is determined not to waste another minute of his life- especially when he meets Tuesday. He wants nothing more than to shift their romance into high gear, but he knows she's still grieving. Can Diesel do the one thing he could never do on the track and take it slow?

In My Mailbox September 3, 2011

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.  This is meme is where you post the books that you recieved in the mail, from the library, bought or however else you happen to obtain your books.  I ALWAYS find books to add to my wishlist through this meme!

This is what I got this week!

*E-Books*

An erotic new game from the New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Play.

Sports agent Liz Darnell will do anything to win back her number-one client, baseball pro Gavin Riley. And Gavin's more than ready- especially when Liz is offering herself as part of the bargain. But when love unexpectedly enters the playing field, neither Liz nor Gavin are ready for the biggest game-changer of all.

Together they find a special love-can it survive the threat stalking her? Some small towns grow really good looking men! This is the case with the four Chase brothers. The home grown hotties are on the wishlist of every single woman in town and Maggie Wright is no exception. Maggie has finally had it with the men she's been dating but a spilled plate of chili cheese fries drops Shane Chase right into her lap. The sheriff is hot stuff but was burned by a former fiancie and is quite happy to play the field. After Shane's skittishness sends him out the door, Maggie realizes that Kyle Chase has had his eye on her from the start. Now that Shane has messed up, Kyle has no intention of letting anything stop him from wooing her right into his bed. Despite Maggie's happiness and growing love with Kyle, a dark shadow threatens everything-she's got a stalker and he's not happy at all. In the end, Maggie will need her wits, strength and the love of her man to get her out alive. Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, and some violent situations.

 

Seven years ago, Lily Travis was only too glad to see her hometown of Petal, Georgia in her rearview mirror. Thanks to her father running off with a twenty-year-old, though, here she is, trying to pick up the pieces. First order of business: meet with her brother’s teacher in a quest to pull his grades out of a downward spiral.

Nathan Murphy is pretty much resigned to his bachelor status—until he looks up from his desk to see an all-grown-up Lily walking into his classroom. Of all the women who turned out to be totally wrong for him, she’s the only one who felt right. At least until his foolish, immature mistake drove her away.

Lily has to admit that time has been more than kind to gorgeous, sexy Nathan. Except there’s no room on her full plate for another complication. Especially with a man who broke her heart once before.

With a little help from his friends, Nathan has a plan to rekindle the flame. It isn’t long before they’re burning up the sheets. Winning her heart? That’s another matter.


Warning: Hot, sexy high school teacher in denim and boots. Strong-willed females abound. Bad words and naughtiness, too. Come on, you know you want to read it.

*E-Book Preorder*



A warrior is caught between family loyalty and forbidden love in book two of bestselling author Maya Banks’s sensual new trilogy featuring three indomitable Highlanders.
Fiercely loyal to his elder brother, Alaric McCabe leads his clan in the fight for their birthright. Now he is prepared to wed for duty, as well. But on his way to claim the hand of Rionna McDonald, daughter of a neighboring chieftain, he is ambushed and left for dead. Miraculously, his life is saved by the soft touch of a Highland angel, a courageous beauty who will put to the test his fealty to his clan, his honor, and his deepest desires.

An outcast from her own clan, Keeley McDonald was betrayed by those she loved and trusted. When the wounded warrior falls from his horse, she is drawn to his strong, lean body. The wicked glint in his green eyes ignites a passion that will follow them back to Alaric’s keep, where their forbidden love draws them deeper into the pleasures of the flesh. But as conspiracy and danger circle closer, Alaric must make an impossible choice: Will he betray his blood ties for the woman he loves?

*Bought*



No one captures the glory, adventure and drama of the courageous men and women who tamed the America West like award-winning author Terry Johnston. His Plainsmen series brims with colorful characters, fierce battles and compelling historical lore.

The Civil War was over, and a great westward march began. Settlers and soldiers poured out of the East along the Bozeman Trail, cutting deep into sacred Sioux hunting grounds. For Red Cloud and his warriors, there would be no choice but to fight for their ancestral rights.

Seen through the eyes of gruff Sergeant Seamus Donegan, here is the historically accurate tale of a tragic opening to the war between two great civilization: the Fetterman Massacre of 1866.



St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.



The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.



Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

*For Review*

Knitting/Announcement Post ~ An Easy Peasy Baby Blanket pattern

I don't know if I have mentioned it here on the blog yet or not but I am making the official announcement right now....I am going to be an AUNT in March!  I'm excited and a little bit freaked out too.  It's been awhile since we've had a newborn in the family!  So I've been searching all over the Internet for gender neutral (because we won't know the gender for a little bit yet) knitting patterns.

I found this called Sunny Baby Blanket on Ravelry and I'm totally going to be knitting this up.  I think I might even make a couple of them just because it looks like an extremely easy and quick knit.  Here is the link to the pattern if you are interested.

Happy Friday Everyone!

I just want to say Hi to any new visitors to the blog and say Welcome.  This is what has been going on here on the blog this week:

Hades Book Trailer and Giveaway
Tempest in the Tea Leaves giveaway
Author interview with Kari Lee Townsend author of Tempest in the Tea Leaves
ARC Review ~ Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Ashes Pre-order Giveaway
Book Review ~ The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton


Now for the Hop Fun!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books.

“What are you most looking forward to this fall/autumn season – A particular book release? Halloween? The leaves changing color? Cooler temperatures? A vacation? (If your next season is other than fall/autumn, tell us about it and what you are most looking forward to in your part of the world!)”

This fall I'm looking forward to not only cooler temperatures but new AND numerous photo opportunities (digital photography is a hobby of mine.)  I'm also looking forward to our family get together in a couple of weeks up north...It's right on the lake and it's a completely stress free environment.  I'm also looking forward to being able to sit down and knit up some baby stuff for my niece or nephew that will be arriving in March 2012.

Q. If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

I'm going to go with the end of Mockingjay on this one.  I thought that the end of Mockingjay was pretty rushed and I really would have liked to see it a little more drawn out and a little more detail.  I felt like the current ending was a little bit to "wham bam."

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto Book Trailer and Giveaway!

Bethany and Xavier are even closer since battling Jake Thorn and his evil influence (in Halo) and Beth and her angel siblings must still protect Venus Cove from the Dark Forces.

When a party game – a séance – inadvertently releases Jake from the Underworld, he disguises himself and tricks Beth into taking a ride on his motorcycle. When the highway opens up and swallows them, Beth learns too late that she’s now a prisoner in hell. What happens to angels there? As her archangel brother, Gabriel, her sister Ivy, Xavier, and her best friend, Molly search for her, Beth must weigh Jake’s bargaining for her freedom: one night with him, and she will be released back to Earth.
Can Jake be trusted in this wager? And is he also using Beth to engineer the fall of the archangel Gabriel? Xavier has already lost one love – when Jake tricks him into thinking that Bethany is dead, his grief and anger result in a betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if he is so good after all.

It will be up to Beth to use everything she’s learned about her powers as an angel – and about love – to free herself and those she loves from the clutches of Hades.




Giveaway Details:

1. 1 copy is being given away to US and Canadian addresses.

2. You must leave a comment with a way to reach you if you win.

3. Once winner is chosen and emailed, winner has 48 hours to respond.

4. Contest ends September 10, 2011