A Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon 2012

If you would like to learn more about this challenge then check out The True Book Addict for info HERE

Mini Challenge #1:

Reading List:

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Hardcover, 320 pages

April 24th 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books

Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Havoc (Deviants #2) by Jeff Sampson
Hardcover, 1st Edition, 352 pages
January 24th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

Emily Webb thought life would return to normal after the death of the man who attacked her and her fellow “Deviants.” Or as normal as it could be, after discovering that she has nighttime superpowers . . . and she’s a werewolf. But when Emily awakes one night to find an otherworldy Shadowman watching her, she knows the danger has only just begun.
So Emily and her pack-mates set out to find the people who made them what they are, and why. But as they get closer to the truth, they realize they aren’t the only ones in town with special powers: The most popular girls in school might just have a secret of their own–and they might just have it out for Emily.
With shadowy beings stalking them, a mysterious company doing all it can to keep the truth hidden, and the secrecy of her new identity in jeopardy, life threatens to spiral out of control for Emily. Soon these dangers will come together in one terrifying confrontation that may force her to make the toughest choice of her life . . . so far.

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Paperback, 350 pages

July 26th 2011 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (January 31, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

They call me 'New Girl'... Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

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New Girl is a modern YA version of the classic book Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (which is one of my favorites). I've been hoping for some time now that an author would retell this story and when I came across this book I was excited to read it. My standards were set very high since Rebecca is a story I love and I was worried that I would be overly critical because of that and not enjoy the story. Although I felt the story could use some improvements here and there, overall I was impressed. There were many little details that really tied in to the original story so well. For example, one of the character's names is Dana Veers (a play on the original character's name, Mrs. Danvers). It took me a few chapters to really see a similarity in plot between the stories but it got there eventually and was really a great modernization of it with young adult characters.

There were only two problems I had with the story. The main issue for me was that the main character's name (the "new girl" Callie) is known and used throughout the story. In Rebecca the main character's name is unknown and the reason for that is meaningful. In New Girl I think that this should have been carried over. It could have easily been done. The only other problem I had was that the story skipped ahead so often. Sometimes months would be skipped and it just didn't feel seamless...it felt more like there were holes in the story.

The location and the characters make up for any faults I found with the story. A boarding school was the ideal location and Manderly Academy has an oppressive and slightly eerie atmosphere that is perfect for this book. Some of the characters were obvious match ups to characters in Rebecca and it was fun figuring out who was who and how their personalities compared. The main character was okay but for me it was all about the supporting characters. Dana was my favorite character in New Girl. She was obsessed, creepy, and crazy which made for some interesting reading. I loved how this story played out and I wish I could read more about the characters and what their lives are like after leaving Manderly Academy.

4/5

I received this for review from Netgalley. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Spiral by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

Spiral (Tunnels #5) by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: The Chicken House (May 1, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

The 5th book in the Tunnels series. The Styx have surfaced. The only ones to stand in their way is Will and his friends, and a rag-bag team of retired commandos.
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Years ago when I first discovered this series it instantly became one of my faves and I eagerly anticipated each books release. Every book has been amazing, but when I received Spiral and dove into the story I felt like something was missing. This story definitely has a different feel to it than the others. It wasn't bad, the story was pretty interesting actually, but it just wasn't what I had anticipated.

If you have been reading this series you will know about the Styx and their evil plans. Spiral is an in depth look at HOW they plan on executing their plan to obtain their goal. Will and his cohorts must find a way to foil the Styx's plans. The most interesting thing about the story is learning more about the Styx...their history, physiology, etc. It is all very unexpected and extremely different from any thought I have had about them. That and the fact that the story almost exclusively takes place above ground is probably the reason why the tone of the book is so different from the others.

I will still be awaiting the next book but I will be keeping my fingers crossed that the focus will switch back to underground (although I have a feeling that won't be the case). Usually I buy the UK release because it comes out much sooner than in the US, but because of the direction Spiral took I will probably just hold out for the US release. I don't think I will be quite as eager for the next installment as I typically would have been. A lot of fans of the Tunnels series will probably share a similar view of the story with me, but just as I will continue reading this series, so will they. Not a bad story, but certainly does not exceed expectations.

3/5

I'm Back!!!

It has been a loooong time since I have posted and I apologize. Between the holidays and being out of town for a few weeks I just haven't really had the time (or motivation) to post. I'm back now and I would like to thank those of you who have stuck around. I'm going to get back on track and will hopefully be posting regularly. Thank you!

Chronicle Books Happy Haul-idays!

The 2nd Annual Happy Haul-idays Giveaway has arrived!
Chronicle books is giving away $500 worth of Chronicle books to one blogger. One commenter on the winning blog post will also win the same haul of books as the blog winner. In addition, this year the winning blogger also gets to choose a charity to receive up to $500 worth of books as well!

For more info about this contest go HERE

If I win I would love for the Portsmouth Public Library Foundation to receive that last set of books. On Christmas Day in 2010 a man set the Main Library on fire causing damage to the building and 150,000 books. Almost a year later and the library is still closed for repairs. I would love for some new books to be donated to the library which will hopefully open early on in the new year.

My Wishlist:
(I've linked to all the books so you can learn more about them)

Skinny Dips
Quick & Easy Mexican Cooking
Cooking for Two
Puff
The Christmas Table
The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever
The Big Book of Casseroles
Cake Simple
Handheld Pies
Tea & Crumpets
The Glorious Soups and Stews of Italy
Grilled Cheese
1,2,3 Sew
Paper Cutting
Vintage Craft Workshop
World of Geekcraft
Every Day's a Holiday
Graffiti Art Coloring Book
Boo
My Milk Toof
The Redtone Inkblot Test
F in Exams
Ticket Stub Diary
The Exquisite Book
Weirdo Noir

25 book equaling a grand total of $491.85

Don't forget to leave a comment! If I win then one commenter on this post will also be a winner.

Review: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

Heart of Steel (Iron Seas #2) by Meljean Brook

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (November 1, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

Return to the gritty, alluring world of steampunk with the New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Duke.

Growing up in the dangerous world of the Iron Seas, the mercenary captain of the airship Lady Corsair, Yasmeen, has learned to keep her heart hard as steel. Ruthless and cunning, her only loyalty is to her ship and her crew-until one man comes along and changes everything...Treasurehunter Archimedes Fox isn't interested in the Lady Corsair-just the captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. When it attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco- and straight into enemy hands.

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Meljean Brook has written another amazing steampunk romance/adventure! I absolutely love the Iron Seas series. The book starts off with correspondences between Archimedes Fox and his sister Zenobia. It was difficult to get into the story reading the letters but once the first chapter started I quickly found myself engrossed in what was going on.

The last time Yasmeen saw Archimedes was when she kicked him off her ship in dangerous zombie infested territory. Of course, Archimedes always comes out on top so it is no surprise that their paths cross again. This time Archimedes intends to fall in love with Yasmeen. They are thrown together on an adventure because of an extremely valuable da Vinci sketch that was stolen from them. This story has quite a bit of action in it with zombies, airships, and assassins. I really loved that history and even some politics helped to make up the meat of the story. It isn't just a frivolous romance although the romance aspect of the story was quite nice. Yasmeen is tough and definitely has no plans of ever falling in love so Archimedes does not have an easy time cracking that shell. I think respect has a lot to do with the progress of their relationship. I think the ending was satisfying but I hope to read more about them in the future to see how they are faring together. Obviously their lives will be full of adventure and it would be great to see what trouble they can get into (and out of).

Although Archimedes and Yasmeen are interesting, Zenobia is actually my favorite character in the series. I was glad that she was present in the start of the book, and of course mentioned throughout. She is terrifyingly intelligent and I hope to eventually read about the man that go head to head with her. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will be featured in the next book. Another intriguing character is the Blacksmith. He is really only mentioned in the story but it gave a glimpse at his history. Learning about his past would be fascinating.

5/5

I received this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Review: To Wed a Wild Lord by Sabrina Jeffries

To Wed a Wild Lord (Hellions of Halstead Hall #4) by Sabrina Jeffries

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star (November 22, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

Drowning in guilt over his best friend's death seven years ago, Lord Gabriel Sharpe, the Angel of Death, knows his only hope at redemption is a race against a shocking opponent.

Shrouded in darkness for the past seven years, the infamous racer Lord Gabriel Sharpe is known to accept every challenge to race thrown at him. When his next challenge comes in the form of his late best friend's sister, Virginia Waverly, Gabe is shocked. Yet she presents just the opportunity Gabe needs--marriage to fulfill his grandmother's ultimatum and ensure his inheritance. What he didn't count on was needing her love.

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If you have read the previous books in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series (and you should) then you know that Hetty Sharpe, grandmother to Gabriel and his siblings, issued an ultimatum that they all be married by the end of the year or they will lose their inheritance. The meddling grandmother wants her grandchildren to find love and happiness, but they are against it...at first. 3 of Gabriel's siblings have found love so far and only he and his younger sister are left and their time is running out to meet the deadline.

Gabriel, otherwise known as the Angel of Death races. Carrying guilt over his best friend's death for many years he decides that the person he will marry is his late friend's sister, Virginia, who hates him and blames for her brother's death. Obviously, convincing her to marry him won't be very easy. Or will it? I felt like Virginia made things too easy too quickly. Don't get me wrong, there was resistance and distrust throughout the story, but it felt a little to much like once he turned on the charm she caved in to it easily. Of course, Virginia comes across as a sensible person, so her falling so easily for him could just be that she knew deep down that he wasn't the heartless and uncaring person she had imagined him to be. Virginia is a perfect match for Gabriel. She is full of spirit and daring but is able to rein in some of Gabriel's recklessness. I guess they sort of temper each other.

The investigation into the Gabriel's parent's deaths continues. Although there wasn't as much about it as I would have liked, there was enough to keep up interest in it and some new leads. I really can't wait for the next book to find out what really happened that night so many years ago. On a happier note, it seems like Gabriel isn't the only one to find a match in this book. I won't say who, but it is definitely an added treat and I hope to see the relationship unfold even more in the next book.

4.5/5

I received this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own