Don't Forget About Our Giveaway!

We're Still in the Midst of a Giveaway!!!!!

Our wonderful Kim has been selected as a Diana Gabaldon Fan Ambassador!  As a celebration of this, we are giving away 3 copies of Diana Gabaldon's book, Outlander.

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Happy Reading!

Cana & Kim

Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy

Description:

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.  Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.  

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.  

This story was previously published elsewhere under the title The Willow in 2010, and has been revised and expanded for Entangled Publishing.

Review:

Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy

1 out of 5

Boy did I dislike this book… And like many things, let me tell you why I didn’t like this book.

1.   There wasn’t a lot of setup.  You get a Prologue and then without any real set up, you go straight into the first chapter.  At first you think months (maybe a year) has passed… Nope.  6 weeks has passed since the prologue, and you find that out in chapter 2/3.  Really?

2.   Nixi was an irritating spoiled brat.  She was cruel to her soul sister, disrespectful to her bio-dad, and was annoying beyond belief. 

3.   There was no character development.  I made it half way through the book, and there was NO DEVELOPMENT!  Really?  When things changed, they just “happened” without any work or reason.  Kinda like unbelievable magic.  It just doesn’t feel possible.

4.   It was a poorly written with a lot of run-on sentences (big pet peeve!), and a lot of grammatical errors.  Honestly, a good editor should have caught these issues and gotten them fixed. 

Overall, I didn’t finish this book because it wasn’t written well, and with each chapter, I got more and more annoyed.  I don’t recommend this book. 

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Happy Reading!

Cana

Waiting on Wednesday: Cursed by S. J. Harper

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: 

Description:

Meet FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.
She's cursed. He's damned. Together, they make one hell of a team.

Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.

Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them. 

Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal, and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.

Coming out on October 1, 2013


Why?

1. Oh, what did Emma do?  I'm curious!  
2. Sounds like a delicious mix of mystery and yummy romance that will keep you guessing.
3. What an interesting cover.  It looks like a more mystery/thriller cover than a paranormal cover, but I still must admit it draws me to it.  

So what are you waiting for?

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Happy Reading!

Cana

Waiting on Wednesday: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: 

Description:

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

Coming out on September 24, 2013

Why?

1. I loved the first book of this series... I mean it was absolutely delicious!  
2. This books sounds wonderfully mysterious, and I want to find out what is going on.  
3. I love the cover.  It is absolutely beautiful and haunting.  I think the blues, the blacks, and the white rabbit all look so mysterious.  I love it.  

So what are you waiting for?

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Happy Reading!

Cana

Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

Description:

 He Vowed He'd Come For Her... 

Murdered before he could wed Regin the Radiant, warlord Aidan the Fierce seeks his beloved through eternity, reborn again and again into new identities, yet with no memory of his past lives.

She Awaits His Return...

When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals—unaware that he belongs to their world.

To Sate A Desire More Powerful Than Death...

Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan’s torments, will Regin rekindle memories of the passion they once shared—even if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?

Review:

Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

5 out of 5

Finally!  The story we've been waiting for since the very first book:  Regin & Aidan/Declan.  To finally learn how it all started, and to finally discover how it will end.  

I love how it starts and ends like a medieval ballad... Now all it needs is a roaring fire in a dark castle and a bard telling the story.  

This is an extremely dark book... Primarily because it felt like Declan was on the very edge of insanity through half of the book.  But then again, this was a pretty sultry book.  Regin, wounded by the constant loss of Aidan, but with Declan there was something more.  And I liked that.  

So the beginning was a bit slow for me.  What with all the torturing and reviewing of A LOT of stuff from a different POV, I was glad when there was some different material, new POVs and even a bit of fun.  

I liked seeing the power play between Lothaire and Nix.  And I don't know who I would bet on winning that fight!

I loved how Declan didn't fade away, but rather absorbed Aidan and the other reincarnates and their memories.  

Overall

I can't wait to read the next book to figure out what Lothaire is up to.... What is he playing at?  And why did he wake La Dorada?

Overall, this is a good book.  I really enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it.  

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Happy Reading!

Cana

Friday Fun With... Mary Evelyn!

Friday Fun is where readers from ages 5 to 16 let us know what they are reading and why they loved (or hated) what they read. 

Today we have Mary Evelyn reviewing :

The Description:

Join Dorothy Gale, Toto, and all of her friends as they explore the incredible land of Oz. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is American's most enduring fairy tale. From the moment Dorothy puts on the silver slippers (changed to ruby slippers by MGM to take advantage of their new advance in movie making: color) until the moment she clicks her heels and returns home to Kansas you will be swept away and captivated by her extraordinary story. 

The Review:

Why did you pick this book out?

I love the original movie.

What did you like about this book?

 It was printed in 1983 so it’s the one of the “older” versions. So its different.

What did you not like about this book?

Nothing.

Would you tell other people to read this book?

Yes.

Who was your favorite character? Why?

Dorothy, she makes the best of the worst situations.

Who is your least favorite character? Why?

The wicked witch of the west. Because she was evil.

  

Book Rating (circle a #):       1       2       3       4       5

1 being horrible, 5 being fantastic

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Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole

Description:

 A dangerous demon she can't resist...

Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he's pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.

A maddening witch he aches to claim...

Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.

Trapped together in a savage prison...

In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?

Review:

Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole

5 out of 5

Characters

I love how Carrow & Malkolm have a lot in common, though their lives were very different.  I liked that, as it helped them find common ground through the language barrier and cultural differences.  

I think Ruby was a good thing for both Malkolm & Carrow.  They both needed someone to take care of, and they both needed someone to love unconditionally, and to be loved unconditionally.  

I personally loved Carrow!  She was such a strong character and was willing to make sacrifices to protect those she loved.  She also seems to have a great sense of humor.  

Poor Malkolm... having to deal with all the guilt and shame that he has carried for centuries unnessarily.

Everything Else

I really liked how this book doesn't backtrack like the other books have been doing.  Rather, we pickup right where we left off from the last book.  Which for me is so much better than starting from the beginning again!

I loved getting to catch up with Mari & Bowen.  To see how they are working out, plus how they are leading the Lore to save those who were kidnapped. 

Oblivion was such a depressing place, and it sounded worse than Hell... Maybe that is where the idea came from :P.

What a HOT ending!  For me, most of this book was some hot foreplay, but once we hit the final chapter, the good stuff begins.... Woohoo!  Was it hot!

Overall

Overall, this was a good book!  I highly recommend it.  

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Happy Reading!

Cana

Waiting on Wednesday: One Lucky Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: 

Description:

Luck be a vampire tonight . . .

When Nicole Phillips agreed to hire a housekeeper, she pictured someone a little frumpy and almost certainly female. Instead, she gets gorgeous, unmistakably male Jake Colson. The man is proving indispensable in the kitchen—and everywhere else. Except Jake might not be a mortal man at all.

. . . and every night

Who wouldn't want to be a tall, dark, powerful vampire? Jake, for one. He's barely had time to adjust to his new state before he's roped into a family favor. Still, secretly playing bodyguard to sweet, sexy Nicole is turning out to be the wildest ride of his life. First he'll put a stop to whoever's targeting her. Then he'll prove that this kind of love, and luck, happens only once in an eternity.

Coming out on September 24, 2013


Why?

1. Well, I've read the other books in this series, so why not?
2. Generally, this author's books are a nice easy read that makes me smile...

So what are you waiting for?

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Happy Reading!

Cana

A Shadow of Light by Bella Forrest

Description:

Since the implosion at The Oasis and Derek's stay at Hawk Headquarters, The Shade has fallen into a state of utter chaos. To make matters worse, the citizens of Derek's kingdom have become suspicious of his loyalties and accuse him of siding with the enemy... At a time when Derek desperately needs full cooperation from his subjects, they wish to put their own King on trial.

Meanwhile, Sofia is being held hostage by the hunters. They are determined to rid her of her infatuation with the vampire. She submits to the strict routine and training they impose on her, but the only fuel that keeps her going is the thought of reuniting with Derek - something Reuben is fighting with every fiber of his being to ensure will never happen. 

...Until one day, out of the blue, Reuben appears to have a change of heart and comes to Sofia with a proposal; a solution that she never dreamed possible. A solution that would fulfil her heart's deepest desires and secure her and Derek's future together, forever.

But can she really trust this man who is so renowned for his hatred of vampires? Does she even have a choice?

Review:

A Shadow of Light by Bella Forrest

4 out of 5

So at the start of this novel, Derek tries, yet again to make it without Sofia.  Sofia is trying to get back to Derek… Kind of feels like the 2^nd book, right?  But then it changes into something that will keep you trying to figure out what is going to happen next!

Characters

Sofia is too naïve… I mean, she will believe anyone because she believes that there is good in everyone.  But not everyone in this novel is good, and for some reason Sofia doesn’t get that.  Why is she shocked after multiple betrayals?  Boy, does she need to wise up!

Derek has become quite the whiney emo vampire, something that I would never expect from him.  I didn’t like him as much in this book because of that, which makes me a bit emo too :P

I think Vivienne is my favorite character. She does what she has to to save those she loves; she tells the truth of what is going to everyone; and she doesn’t moan, whine, or complain about her circumstances… That makes her a very appealing character.

Everything Else

I personally hate multiple POV’s, and this book didn’t encourage me to like them much (I miss how the first book was pretty much just Derek and Sofia, and not a BUNCH of other characters).  Most of the POV’s kept switching every other chapter between A LOT of characters.  Blah!  If you don’t pay attention, you might get lost between chapters to where you aren’t sure if it is Aiden, Ingrid, Sophia, Claudia, Derek, etc. 

On my list of most hated characters ever, I have now added Aiden and Ingrid.  But I think I disliked Aiden the most.  He, of all people, should have been more likeable as a loving father; but instead, I found him to be a manipulator and a liar. 

I did like the idea of the immune.  It was definitely something new and unique.  I kind of liked that, just because it set it apart from the other vampire books.  And I like that it isn’t just Sofia that is immune.  There are others, and we are just at the tip of the iceberg on that subject.

Though there is a lot going on in this book, there are 2 main goals that seemed to be the premise that will carry on through the rest of the series:  defeat the original and find a cure. 

Overall

Overall, this is a good book, and I do recommend it.  But make sure you read the other books in the series before you read this one… otherwise you will be lost!

And Don't forget to sign up for our latest giveaway!

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Happy Reading!

Cana

Friday Fun With... Mary Evelyn!

Friday Fun is where readers from ages 5 to 16 let us know what they are reading and why they loved (or hated) what they read. 

Today we have Mary Evelyn reviewing :

The Description:

Lynn Vincent knows all the latest trends and isn?t afraid to flaunt her funky style. The problem is, in small-town Pennsylvania, being fashion forward makes Lynn socially backward. And the queen bees at her high school won?t let her forget it, especially when her dream of making the IT panel for GlITter Girl?the coolest fashion magazine in teendom?is crushed. But when one of Lynn?s unique creations makes it into the hands of a famous designer and onto the runway, it seems that Lynn might finally get her moment in the spotlight.

The Review:

Why did you pick this book out?

It seemed like Lynn was like me, creative.

What did you like about this book?

 That it was about things I can relate to. Fashion criticism.

What did you not like about this book?

Chasey. She acts kind of like a b*tch through the whole story.

Would you tell other people to read this book?

Yes. It is a story that girls can relate to and it’s encouraging

Who was your favorite character? Why?

 Lynn. She reminds me of me.

Who is your least favorite character? Why?

Taylor’s mother. She hates Lynn until she became pretty much famous. And she is not proud that Taylor hangs out with Lynn.

It’s her dream to be able to brag about how popular Taylor is.

Book Rating (circle a #):       1       2       3       4       5

1 being horrible, 5 being fantastic

Two Month Long Giveaway!!!!

Our wonderful Kim has been selected as a Diana Gabaldon Fan Ambassador!  As a celebration of this, we are giving away 3 copies of Diana Gabaldon's book, Outlander.

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Happy Reading!

Cana & Kim

Waiting on Wednesday: Celtic Moon by Jan DeLima

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: 

Description:

Like father, like son…

Sophie Thibodeau has been on the run from the father of her son for more than fifteen years. Now her son, Joshua, is changing, and her greatest fears are about to be realized. He’s going to end up being just like his father—a man who can change into a wolf.

Dylan Black has been hunting for Sophie since the night she ran from him—an obsession he cannot afford in the midst of an impending war. Dylan controls Rhuddin Village, an isolated town in Maine where he lives with an ancient Celtic tribe. One of the few of his clan who can still shift into a wolf, he must protect his people from the Guardians, vicious warriors who seek to destroy them.

When Sophie and Dylan come together for the sake of their son, their reunion reignites the fierce passion they once shared. For the first time in years, Dylan’s lost family is within his grasp. But will he lose them all over again? Are Joshua and Sophie strong enough to fight alongside Dylan in battle? Nothing less than the fate of his tribe depends on it…

Coming out on September 24, 2013


Why?

1. This sounds absolutely delicious!  
2. I am digging shifter books right now... I don't know, I guess I'm tired of vampires :).
3. I love just about anything having to do with Celtic mythology, and I would really like to see how this author plays on that mythology. 
4. Look at this cover, a strong female, a lonely wolf.  I must admit, this cover just screams to me "Read me!!!!"

So what are you waiting for?

Happy Reading!

Cana

The Valcourt Heiress by Catherine Coulter

Description:

When Garron of Kersey returns home from the king's service to claim his title as Baron Wareham, he's shocked to find Wareham Castle very nearly destroyed by a man called the Black Demon.

According to the last starving servants still clinging to life inside the castle walls, the Black Demon was looking for gold belonging to Garron's brother Arthur. Among his remaining servants is the enigmatic Merry, the bastard child of the castle's priest. Garron quickly realizes that she is much more than a servant: She reads and writes and makes lists, just as he does. Together they bring Wareham back to its former splendor.

But this is only the beginning. Did Arthur have a cache of gold? Who is the Black Demon? And the biggest question of all: Who is Merry?

Review:

The Valcourt Heiress by Catherine Coulter

5 out of 5

I read Catherine Coulter books when I was in high school.  She never disappointed.  While I was looking in a book store, I saw this book and just had to read it.  It has been over a decade since I have read her books, but her stories are still amazing.  This book has some great twists and turns.  It also has a sweet love story.

The main characters are Merry and Garron.  Merry is a noblewoman who runs away from home so she doesn’t have to marry a horrible man.  I know that is a common scenario in historical fiction, but give it a chance.  She ends up hiding at Wareham and helps turn the run down castle around.  Merry is smart.  She can read, write, and stay organized.  These qualities endear her to those that live in the castle and to Garron.  Our man of the hour is Garron.  He is a warrior that is taking over lordship of his brother’s castle.  His brother died, and the castle was attacked by the Black Demon.  Garron is a hardworking and organized man.  A big thing between Garron and Merry are making lists.  I know it sounds silly, but Coulter does an amazing job making it the sweetest thing you will read about.  These two work together to rebuild Wareham by relying and confiding in each other.  My favorite part is when they compare shopping lists on what Wareham needs.  They both put soap very high on their lists.

The twists come with Merry’s mom and Jason of Brennan.  These two cause problems for the couple because they want the secret gold that Garron’s brother stole.  Merry’s mom, Helen, is a witch.  She is very powerful and determined to get what she wants.  Jason of Brennan is her tool.  He is a weak man that is trying to prove himself to his father.  Helen promised Jason he could marry Merry and have Valcourt, a vast holding that Merry is the heiress to.  These two kidnap Merry, trick Garron, and cause the death of many innocent citizens of Wareham.  It is their actions that really keep you in suspense in this book.

The last couple chapters are intense because that is when everything comes out.  I have read a lot of books, and this ending is one that I did not see coming.  I definitely recommend this book.  It is great for rainy days, the beach, or just some fun reading.  

Happy reading,

Kim