Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Last Minute Gift Ideas: Most Overlooked Books of 2011
(Don't you just love this book tree?)
There are quite a few excellent suggestions ranging from novels, memoirs, non-fiction, graphic novels to young adult. Much to my surprise, Rick Yancy's Monstrumologist series is hailed as better than Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. Those are some mighty big shoes to fill.
Earlier this year Yancy's award winning series was dropped by Simon & Schuster, but later given the green light due to overwhelming fan complaints. The third book in the series, The Isle of Blood, was published this year and is considered the best thus far.
Here's the NPR link with free samples of the books.
I'm definitely getting The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy. I simply can't resist the comparison to Harry and Katniss.
Incognito by David Eagleman sounds amazing and I'm such a nerd when it comes to books like this.
World Enough and Time: on Creativity and Slowing Down by Christian McEwan. Time for me to slow down and get centered.
I love reading new authors and discovering gems. Do you think you'll give any of these books a try? If so, which ones?
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. This meme is simple and fun, you just pick up your current read, flip to a random page, and choose 1 or 2 teaser sentences to share! Here are the guidelines:
- Grab Your Current Read
- Open to a random page
- Pick two “teaser” sentences from that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO SHARE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for other readers)
- INCLUDE the TITLE & AUTHOR too, so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR and wish-lists! If possible, add the page number.
I LOVE this cover! Strong heroine with a crossbow in a kick-ass gown with a castle in the background. What's not to love?
I'm reading this on my kindle as it is an ARC, so I have to choose sentences that are on the screen for fear of losing my place! Here goes:
"The clash of Duval's and Hivern's gazes as they meet is as loud as the opening parry of any duel, but what makes my breath catch is the brief glimpse of pain I see in Duval's face before he shutters it. It is so fleeting, I cannot help but wonder if I have imagined it" (location: 1288-93)
From Goodreads:
"Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?"
Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?"
| rating | frequency | % | # |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 45% | 21 | |
| 4 | 41% | 19 | |
| 3 | 10% | 5 | |
| 2 | 2% | 1 | |
| 1 | 0% | 0 |
| all editions: | 4.30 average rating, 46 ratings, 31 reviews, added by 1337 people, 1141 to-reads |
| this edition: | 4.31 average rating, 45 ratings, 30 reviews, added by 1273 people, 1090 to-reads |
So what are you reading these days?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
And the Winner is:
The gods of random.org have chosen a winner of The Savannah Vampire series by Raven Hart,
Gena R.
Congratulations Gena!
In her email, Gena confesses to letting out a surprised joyous shriek while reading the news of winning. It must've been the mother of all shrieks because her family came running to see what was wrong, ready to rescue or resuscitate, as need be, because that's what families do. I can picture it now: everyone running in stocking feet into the room not knowing what to expect, popcorn flying, dogs barking, cat hissing. Perhaps a mouse was involved. And a golf club. Alright, so I embellished just a tad, but she did tell me she screamed. And she is very happy, and that has made my day.
I hope you enjoy the books as much as I did. It really is a great series, dramatic yet funny, and well written.
Happy Holidays, and thank you to all who entered.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Black Friday Book Bonanza: The Savannah Vampire Series
Black Friday Book Bonanza is sponsored by Book Savvy Babe, The Bawdy Book Blog, and Alive on the Shelves.
Enter to win the Savannah Vampire series by Raven Hart. It is my absolute favorite vampire series, which is truly saying something since there are so many out there. I'm often surprised at how few people know about; it's dramatic, funny, sexy, and original. Nothing against Charlaine Harris, but this is the one HBO should've made into a television series. Click on the book links to see the star ratings. Each and everyone is 4+ to 5.
The Vampire's Seduction (Book One)
The Vampire's Secret (Book Two)
The Vampire's Kiss (Book Three)
The Vampire's Betrayal (Book Four)
The Vampire's Revenge (Book Five)
Read an excerpt of The Vampire's Seduction (book one) for a nibble of the danger and excitement in store for you. Think I'm kidding? Read it, and see. I lurve me some William Cuyler!
This giveaway comes just in time because book 6, The Vampire's Return, will be released sometime in 2012. Raven Hart is the non de plume of Susan Goggins; she was hoping to have everything with the new book finished in time for January release, but she's running behind schedule. Look at this cover! It's very different from the the previous covers, but I'll never say no to six-pack abs!
Join Raven Hart/Susan Goggins at Literal Addiction's web event on goodreads.com December 30th!
Book Giveaway Blog Hop Linky
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