Read Your Own Books Read-A-Thon

The Read-A-Thon starts Friday Aug. 13 at 9 am and ends Monday Aug. 16 at 9 am.

Some of the books I plan to read:

• Bitten by Cupid by Lynsay Sands, Pamela Palmer, and Jaime Rush
• Smudge's Mark by Claudia Osmond
• Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti
• Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler
• Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Waiting on Wednesday #10

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

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (October 5, 2010)

Amazon Description:

First in an all-new series where seductive danger and steampunk adventure abound in the gritty world of the Iron Seas.

After the Iron Duke freed England from Horde control, he instantly became a national hero. Now Rhys Trahaearn has built a merchant empire on the power-and fear-of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

But when Mina uncovers the victim's identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans-and Mina discovers the danger is not only to her countrymen, as she finds herself tempted to give up everything to the Iron Duke.

Book Review: Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Barely A Lady (The Drake's Rakes series) by Eileen Dreyer

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 1, 2010)

Goodreads Description:

Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earl...more Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?
********************************

I REALLY wanted to love this book but I just kept getting frustrated with it. There were some lengthy boring parts but what really bothered me was that I didn't really feel that Jack deserved Olivia. It didn't seem like Jack really earned his redemption from Olivia and yet she was crawling all over him. She got moody with him some and gave him the cold shoulder...for all of a minute...and then went back to pretty much forgiving him for some unforgivable behavior. It really made Olivia seem like a pushover. What I did enjoy about the book was the secondary characters Lady Kate and Grace. Both are very interesting and even though I didn't quite like this book I would not hesitate to read their stories. As a matter of fact, the next book in the Drake's Rakes series is Never A Gentleman, which is Grace's story. At the back of Barely A Lady is an excerpt from Never A Gentleman and it really intrigued me so I plan on giving this series another chance when that book comes out in the Spring.

2/5

Book Review: Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead

Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; First Edition Thus edition (October 1, 2008)

Amazon Description:

Some days, a girl just can't catch a break. . .

. . .especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there's her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It's not just that they can't have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge. Seth's obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina's under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block.

Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused--especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge--rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again. . .
**********************************

This is the third book in Richelle Mead's Georgina Kincaid series. I have enjoyed every book so far, but I would have to say this has probably been my favorite. Emotions run high in the story and I found myself on the verge of tears multiple times. Georgina is a character that I have come to know well and care about...I feel a real connection, so when she goes through terrible things I truly sympathize with her character and wish things would go right for her. She definitely needs a break. It is kind of funny that the author is writing about this person who basically works for hell, but the readers root for her.

In Succubus Dreams, Georgina keeps having these vivid dreams that leave her drained. She has no idea what is going on but she decides to investigate. Of course this isn't the only messed up thing going on in her life because with her, when it rains it pours. Her life just seems to be unraveling. Just a warning to readers, you should have Succubus Heat (Book #4) already when you go to read this book because the second you finish you are going to want to continue on immediately.

5/5

Book Review: Burning Up by Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra, and Meljean Brook

Burning Up by Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra, and Meljean Brook

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (August 3, 2010)

Amazon Description:

Angela Knight pairs a vampire warrior and his seductive captor in a battle against demonic predators.

Nalini Singh returns to the world of her Psy-Changeling series as a woman in lethal danger finds an unlikely protector-and lover.

Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in her story of a wounded soldier rescued by an enigmatic young woman.

Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series about a woman who strikes a provocative-and terrifying-bargain for freedom.
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Whisper of Sin by Nalini Singh

I liked this story right from the start, mostly because the male involved is a leopard shifter. I haven't read about one before so I found it pretty interesting. The shifter, Emmett, is protecting Ria, who is human, from the thugs of a crime wave that has hit the city. She had been targeted but the crime was botched. Once the criminals mark a victim they won't stop until that person is dead. Emmett and his fellow shifters are looking for the crime boss to put an end to it all. Meanwhile things heat up between Emmett and Ria. I enjoyed this story a lot.

4/5

...................................................................................

Blood and Roses by Angela Knight

Honestly I did not like this story. I don't like the history of how the vampire knights and Blood Roses were created. Besides the vampire knights and Blood Roses (who all have magic) there are wizards and reptilian monster things as well. It just felt like to much.

1.5/5

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Shifting Sea by Virginia Kantra

This was a pretty decent story. I have never read the Children of the Sea series before so I think I would have liked it a bit more if I had. Major John Harris just inherited an estate in Scotland. One day he comes across a woman living just on the outskirts of the village. It devolves pretty quickly into sex and not to long after that, love. Things felt a bit rushed but I like the idea of the Finfolk.

2.5/5

.....................................................................................................

Here There Be Monsters by Meljean Brook

By far my favorite of the 4 stories in Burning Up, Here There Be Monsters is a steampunk romance. The world is a dangerous place with megalodons (giant sharks), kraken, pirates, and slavers among other things. Ivy is part of the Blacksmith's guild and can build incredible things with her talent including limbs made of mechanical flesh. Mad Machen is captain of a ship and has a terrible reputation of killing men and stealing cargo...a pirate. The captain has his sights set on Ivy and is determined to get her. I love that the story does not feel rushed and I appreciate the fact that the romance was given a chance to build of slowly. The plot was very well rounded and thorough considering that the story was only 102 pages. This is actually the first book in a new series. The next book is The Iron Duke, which will be out in October.

5/5

Overall for Burning Up:

3/5

Thank you to Meljean Book for the copy of this book. I won this at vvb32 reads. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: The Ivy by Lauren Kunze with Rina Onur

The Ivy by Lauren Kunze with Rina Onur

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (August 31, 2010)

Amazon Description:

Congratulations! You have been admitted to the most prestigious university in the world. Now what are you going to do?

Callie Andrews may not have money or connections or the right clothes, and she may have way too many complications in her love life, what with—

Gregory
the guy she loves to hate

Evan
the guy she'd love to forget

Clint
the guy she'd love to love

and Matt
the guy she really should love

—all vying for her attention.

But she has three fantastic roommates (best friends or her worst nightmare?) and a wholesome California-girl reputation (oops) and brains and beauty and big, big dreams.

Will it be enough to help her survive freshman year at Harvard?

***********************************

Wow...seriously...wow. This is not the type of book I typically read but I thought the cover was interesting and the blurb was intriguing so I decided to try something new. I am so glad I went out of my comfort zone and read The Ivy because it blew me away!

Callie is a freshman at Harvard, which is a long way from her home in California. When she gets to Harvard she feels out of place and alone. Pretty soon, though, she become close with her roommates who are an interesting bunch of characters. Dana is super religious and conservative, Mimi is a French socialite who likes to drink quite a bit, and then there is Vanessa, who is all about appearances and making friends with the right kind of people. There are also the guys across the hall who they all hang out with. Adam is religious and a lot like Dana, OK is an African Prince who likes to have fun, Matt is a cute and somewhat nerdy guy, and Gregory is extremely hot but seems to be a major jerk. There are parties, classes, exclusive clubs, alcohol, sex, and betrayals in this book (Definitely not something for the younger set, it is more appropriate for older teens). Early on in the book readers find out the Callie is involved in some sort of scandal which has a major impact on her behavior throughout the book. In the end it makes you wonder how things would have been for her had that not happened. The biggest question for me is who would she be with?

When I reached the end of the book I practically screamed in frustration. It ends on a cliffhanger. This is good news and bad news. Obviously the bad news is that I don't know what happens next and I will have to wait for the next book. The good news, however, is that there will be a next book!! I honestly had no idea that it would be a series so I am very excited to find this out. I definitely love reading series because it means the story doesn't get rushed. I will be keeping an eye out for when the sequel releases so I can continue to read about what is going on with Callie and her friends.

5/5

I received an e-book copy for review from Greenwillow Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire (Hunger Games, Book 2) by Suzanne Collins

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)

Goodreads Description:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
*******************

AMAZING! That is how I would describe this book and so far the series. There are so many curve balls in the story that I really can't say much without revealing some, and I think it is best for everyone to find out themselves as they read the book. I still can't get over what has happened. My mind is reeling. I will say Katniss is having a hard time dealing with what happened in the games. Peeta is as well although he has found a kind of outlet to help him cope. Going through something like the sick and twisted Hunger Games will definitely change a person. How could it not? After a number of months, Peeta and Katniss have to go on tour, making speeches in each district, knowing that these people lost children in the games...some even by their hands. That's as far as I will go because after that things get intense and I don't want to give any away. Catching Fire will keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense. If you haven't read this series then you should get started! The third book in the series, Mockingjay, will be out this month so thankfully I won't have to wait too long to read what happens next.

5/5