Book Blogger Hop and Follow Friday (3)

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy For Books!

This week's question: Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?

My answer: Yes. You can see what it is on my sidebar. I use it because years down the road when I can't remember exactly how good the book was, the rating reminds me how much I did or didn't like it. Even before I had a blog, I would right the rating inside of the book cover.

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee!It is a weekly meet and greet meme that allows all of us bloggers to hop around, introduce ourselves, and meet each other.  This weeks featured blogger is book ge3k!

To join the fun and make new blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host Parajunkee and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - Book Ge3K
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Review: At Grave's End

Title: At Grave's End

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Author's Website: http://www.jeanienefrost.com/

Series: Night Huntress, #3

Pages: 342

Goodreads Description: It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger. 

As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself - and Bones - from a fate worse than the grave. 

Another great book in the series! This book had several laugh out loud moments, plenty of exciting action and mayhem, hot romance, and some shocking twists and turns that had me in tears. You know it's excellent writing when the author can make you cry even though you know what is going to happen because there are obviously sequels. 

However, I am starting to wonder what the author is going to do to switch it up a bit. I read that she plans to write 7-8 books for the series. She is going to have to find a different plot besides some vampires want to kill Cat and/or Bones and that threatens to tear them apart. Otherwise its just going to get redundant. I'm secretly hoping that Cat starts to have feelings for Tate because I love love triangles. If not, I definitely think Tate should get his own book or even his own series. I love his character!

Rating:

Up & Coming Feature (2)

This is a new feature to recognize up & coming authors that have been recently published who write good books that have yet to be noticed.  I will feature one author's book each week.  At the end of the month, you can vote on which book I should read and review.

This week's book is:

Title: Angel Star

Author: Jennifer Murgia

Author's Website: http://www.jennifermurgia.com

Published: May 18th, 2010

Goodreads Description: Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel. 

But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows, and now, she is torn between one angel's sacrifice and another angel's vicious ambition.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

Goodreads Rating: 3.83, 339 ratings

Amazon Rating: 4.5 stars, 25 ratings

Sounds very interesting! What do you think?

Getting To Know You (2)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Mannland5. It is normally done on Sundays, but I just found it. Since this is a new blog and you don't know a lot about me yet, I thought I would participate in this meme.

The Q's.

1. If you could host a Reality TV show, which one would it be?

     The Bachelor/Bachelorette because I like the drama and I would be able to travel with them.

2. Do you put your seatbelt on before or after you start the car?

     Hmmm. Both. It just depends on when I remember.

3. Shave or hair removal cream?

     Shave. Creams burn my skin and give me a rash. :(

4. What's your favorite feature in a house?

     The bathroom. With 3 boys, it's the only place I can manage to be alone. lol

5. What is your favorite "Fall" scent?

     Pumpkin spice.

6. What tv show are you looking forward to seeing the most this Fall??

     I can't wait for the vampire diaries to start again!

7. Personal Shopper or Personal Chef?

     Personal chef. Even if I had a personal shopper, I still wouldn't know how to cook.

8. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of "Fall"?

     Orange

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

This week's books:

 

I bought all of the Night Huntress books and I'm loving them!

Lusting For Covers (2)

Lusting For Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that is hosted by TBQ.

It allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

My Lust of the Week:

Title: Eyes Like Stars

Author: Lisa Mantchev

Goodreads Description: All her world's a stage. 

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater. 

She is not an orphan, but she has no parents. 

She knows every part, but has no lines of her own. 

Until now. 

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every place ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known. 

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience. 

Why? I love the color of her hair and the glowing dragonflies. Very beautiful!

Review: One Foot In The Grave

Title: One Foot In The Grave

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Author's Website: http://www.jeanienefrost.com/

Series: Night Huntress, #2

Pages: 357

Goodreads Description:  Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind. 

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again.

This book was amazing! Double WOW! I absolutely LOVED this book! Cat and Bones are back with even more bite in this one. As amazing as the first book was, this one's ten times better! I didn't even think it could be possible, but it is.


The plot moved extremely smoothly. The writing is very sharp and witty. There is tons of action! The love scenes literally took my breath away! Especially one specific chapter. Anyone who has read the book knows what I'm talking about!


This book is definitely one of my all time favorites! If you haven't read this series yet, don't wait any longer! You don't know what you are missing out on!

Rating:

On My Wishlist (2)

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday! It's where I list all of the books I desperately want, but haven't purchased yet. They can be old, new, or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in, too!

Here are some upcoming releases that are on my wishlist:

My birthday is tomorrow so Im hoping for some Amazon GC to be able to buy them! 

Book Blogger Hop and Follow Friday (2)

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy For Books!

This week's question: How many blogs do you follow?

My answer: I would say somewhere around 150, but the number is constantly growing as I find new blogs that I enjoy.

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee!It is a weekly meet and greet meme that allows all of us bloggers to hop around, introduce ourselves, and meet each other.  This weeks featured blogger is Edgy Inspirational Romance!

To join the fun and make new blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host Parajunkee and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - Edgy Inspirational Romance
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Review: Halfway To The Grave

Title: Halfway to the Grave

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Author's Website: http://www.jeanienefrost.com/

Series: Night Huntress, #1

Pages: 358

Goodreads Description: Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father--the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership. 

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner--are there actually goodvampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her new found status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

WOW! This book has it all! Sex, romance, action and comedy! I couldn't read this book fast enough! The suspense was killing me. Every chapter ended in a way that only left you wanting more, the end being no exception. The dialogue between the characters is hilarious! I had tons of laugh out loud moments!

The characters are awesome! Cat is a kiss-ass heroine with a bitchy attitude, blazing red hair, slut gear, and silver weapons. Bones has to be one of the sexiest vampires of all time. Especially with his mix of Aussie/English phrases. I've never wanted someone to call me "Kitten" or "Luv" more than after reading this book! 

Overall, I loved this book! My only regret is not having read it sooner! It is definitely going on my list of favorites! 

One Lovely Blog Award

I won this award from Danielle @ Romance Book Junkies & Amanda @ Another Book Junkie.

This is how the award works:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I pass this award to:

End Of Story Next Book

For What Its Worth

From the TBR Pile

Just One More Chapter

Kaitlyn In Bookland

Literary Cravings

Midnight Bloom Reads

Pages Of My Life

Pure Imagination 

Reading Angel

The Versatile Blogger Award!

Here's how this award works:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Thank you Melissa @ Books and Things!

7 Things About Me:

I have a sweet tooth.

I will watch anything with Johnny Depp in it.

I used to be a huge NSYNC fan.

I got married to the love of my life in Hawaii a year and half ago.

I like to eat raw potatoes. Yes you heard me, raw!

I love dogs. Labs are my favorite.

I think pedicures are one of the best things ever.

I pass this award to:

Reading With Tequila

Ashley's Bookshelf

Bitten By Paranormal Romance

Literary Sluts

Mistress of the Library

Reading is Sexy

Bewitched Bookworms

Badass Bookie

Biting Reviews

Demented Reading

Fangs Wands & Fairy Dust

Book Fanatics

Romance Book Junkies

Mad About Romance

Only Sexy Books Allowed

Review: Brightly Woven

Title: Brightly Woven

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Author's Website: http://alexandrabracken.com

Pages: 368

Goodreads Description: Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him. 

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers. 

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

I'm so torn when it comes to giving this a book a rating.  On one hand, I enjoyed the book.  It was an interesting story that kept me intrigued most of time.  I finished it in a 24 hour period.  On the other hand, I thought it could have been SO MUCH more!

The story is very confusing at the beginning.  I had a hard time following along.  It wasn't until the third chapter that I started to understand what was happening.  The writing was really disjointed.  The author would jump to the next scene before the scene before it was completely developed.  I kept wanting more to happen in each scene.  Even when the action picked up it was short winded.

I really liked the characters, but I was dying for them to just speak to each other!  There was hardly any dialogue.  They would say two things to each other then the conversation would be over and the story would move on to the next scene.

I think the author had a great idea for the story, but just needed to add more to it.  Keep the action going for a little bit longer, add more suspense to the plot, and let the characters talk more!  If she had done that, the story would have been awesome!

I know that the author is young and this is her first book so I will read other books from her in the future.  I hope that she continues to grow and develop her writing skills.  I definitely think she has the potential to be amazing!

Rating:

Review: All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

Title: All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

Author: Janelle Brown

Author's Website: http://www.janellebrown.com/

Pages: 401

Goodreads Description: When Paul Miller’s pharmaceutical company goes public, making his family IPO millionaires, his wife, Janice, is sure this is the windfall she’s been waiting years for — until she learns, via messengered letter, that her husband is divorcing her (for her tennis partner!) and cutting her out of the new fortune. Meanwhile, four hundred miles south in Los Angeles, the Millers' older daughter, Margaret, has been dumped by her newly famous actor boyfriend and left in the lurch by an investor who promised to revive her fledgling postfeminist magazine. Sliding toward bankruptcy and dogged by creditors, she flees for home where her younger sister Lizzie, 14, is struggling with problems of her own. Formerly chubby, Lizzie has been enjoying her newfound popularity until some bathroom graffiti alerts her to the fact that she’s become the school slut.

The three Miller women retreat behind the walls of their Georgian colonial to wage battle with divorce lawyers, debt collectors, drug-dealing pool boys, mean girls, country-club ladies, their own demons, and one another, and in the process they become achingly sympathetic characters we can’t help but root for—even as the world they live in epitomizes everything wrong with the American Dream. Exhilarating, addictive, and superbly accomplished, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything is an original, utterly modern addition to the genre of suburban fiction.

This book was recommended to me by one of my best friends.  It isn't my typical type of book to read.  I think the cover alone made me want to read it.  Who doesn't love sundaes! 

This book was enjoyable, but it was one that I could easily put down.  Even with all of the family drama -- drugs, alcohol, sex, divorce, & etc.  The story starts off really fast, but before you know it your halfway through the book and there hasn't been any real movement within the story.  Even at the end, I had that "that was it" feeling.  I guess I'm just used to fast-paced, full of action books.

The book was well-written, though.  The author does an especially good job of devoting one chapter per character in a rotating format.  I've read several books that have tried to do this and failed, but it worked for this book.

The characters were well-developed, but only somewhat interesting.  Even though you can relate to some of the problems each character is going through, it is really hard to like any of them.  They are all self-indulgent and very stereotypical.  

Overall, it was an alright book.  I think others who like books about family drama would enjoy it more than I did.  Therefore, I would recommend this book under the right circumstances. 

Rating:

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading.

To play along:

Grab your current read.

Open to a random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from that page.

DON'T include spoilers.

My Teaser:

He chuckled. "It might take a few days. The poison has to leave your body."

"Poison?"

-Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Getting To Know You

This is a weekly meme hosted by Mannland5. It is normally done on Sundays, but I just found it. Since this is a new blog and you don't know a lot about me yet, I thought I would participate in this meme.

The Q's.

1. What kind of athlete has the hottest body? 

     This is a hard one to answer! I love all different types of bodies! ; ) If I had to choose, I would say a football players because I typically like them thicker instead of really lean and skinny. 

2. Are you a planner or a procrastinator?

     I'm definitely a procrastinator! However, I do plan to wait till the last minute on everything. So I guess you can call me a planner. lol

3. Diet or regular (soda)?

    Regular! I hate diet! I rather drink water!

4. What's your one "must have" for Fall?

    A new pair of really good jeans!

5. What's your favorite fast food restaurant?

    Runza (Only located in the midwest)

6. What do you think is the sexiest profession for a guy?

    A man in a military uniform is extremely sexy!

7. Did you wear braces?

    Yep. I hated it then, but Im thankful now.

8. Would you rather have a guy that's super sexy or kind?

     Kind. The sexiness would most likely wear off with age, but kindness usually lasts forever.

Review: Fire Study

Title: Fire Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Author's Website: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/

Series: Study, #3

Pages: 448

Goodreads Description: The apprenticeship is over— now the real test has begun.

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before.…

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

This review is going to be short because I don't know what else I can say about this series that I haven't said already.  Especially since this book was very similar to Magic Study!  

This is the third and final book in the Study series!  Just like the others it was filled with action and had a very fascinating plot that made for a fast paced read.  I am sad that it is over because I have fallen in love with several of the characters.  Yelena has grown so much throughout the series and is now a true heroine.  Valek has to be one of the sexiest characters with one of the littlest roles!  Yelena and Valek have a very unique relationship that makes the story even more captivating.  Ari and Janco are amazing characters and great for laughs.  They are probably my favorite characters out of the whole series.  I think they should get their own book!  

Overall, the book was really good!  It was a perfect end to the series.  It is a must read for anyone who has enjoyed the other books in the series!

Rating:

Up & Coming Feature

This is a new feature to recognize up & coming authors that have been recently published who write good books that have yet to be noticed.  I will feature one author's book each week.  At the end of the month, you can vote on which book I should read and review.

This week's book is:

Title: Eve Of Samhain

Author: Lisa Sanchez

Author's Website: http://www.eveofsamhain.com/

Release Date: May 25, 2010

Goodreads Description: As a college senior and server at Hanaford Park's hottest nightclub, twenty-one year old Ryann Pierce's plan was simple: work hard, make lots of money, and avoid the ass-grabbers at all costs. What she never planned for was Quinn Donegan—the living, breathing advertisement for sinful behavior that waltzed into her life. 

With an angelic face, a hard body and a butt-load of charm, Quinn had a way with the ladies—a lot of ladies. Cursed with a deadly, addictive touch, his trail of indiscretion blazed across five hundred years. Tired and jaded, Ryann is a shocking revelation Quinn didn't see coming. 

Filled with desire, yet unable to touch one another, Ryann and Quinn embark on a daunting journey, battling frustrating physical limitations while exploring their new love. In a race against the clock, Ryann learns she must plead for Quinn's life before…the Eve of Samhain. Determined to end her lover's suffering, not even the danger dogging her every move can keep her from her mission.

Goodreads Rating: 4.24, 54 ratings

Amazons Rating: 5, 12 ratings

What do you guys think? Sounds pretty good to me! 


If you have any suggestions for this feature or would like your book featured, please let me know!