Hush,Hush Review

Summary: Falling in love was never so easy . . .or so deadly.For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

My Thoughts: First of all, I have to say that the cover is amazing. I know that you shouldn't judge a book by its' cover but every once in a while, I find myself doing just that. So I'm glad that I loved the cover because that was the first thing that turned me on to the book. It makes you want to buy the book without checking what's inside. And since Patch has been claimed by different readers because he's dark and sexy, I'll just have to stick to Jace from Mortal Instruments. I had about 4 books I was reading before Hush,Hush came in the mail, but I dropped them all (except for A Thousand Splendid Suns) just to read it. It wasn't what I expected, but I still liked it. I admit that there were a COUPLE of things that I didn't like about the book but it was probably based on my expectations of the book. I can't say what I didn't like because I don't want to give anything away but it was still a good read. The fact that Patch was so intriguing was a huge plus and I always get excited when there is a mystery in the story and I solve it before I get to the end of the book (which I did lol). I rate this an A. This A isn't as high as it could be. I don't rate with numbers but when I give a book a grade.. like an A, you can get a high A or a low A. That might not make sense but... it's still an A. I'm so happy this was my first ARC review!

New Reads

I had finally finished reading Hush, Hush when I remembered that I had gotten a call from the library telling me that Ink Exchange had come in for me, so I went and picked up Wake & Ink Exchange. I hope they're both good, especially since I only have till Thursday to finish reading them. I'm also reading The Demon's Lexicon & Uglies... and I'm finishing A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Intertwined Sweepstakes

New Books

I've been through a whole lot this morning so I decided to walk out to the mailbox, hoping there would be something in there for me and there was! I finally got Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega series) which I paid for last week, and I got an ARC of A Circle Of Souls. A Circle Of Souls is not apart of the type of genre I would normally go for but I heard the book was good and the author was fine with sending me a copy so I'm going to step out on faith and hope to enjoy this thriller (that isn't YA or similar to it) :)

Cry Wolf

INTRODUCING THE ALPHA AND OMEGA NOVELS...Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack.and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member - and as his mate.

A Circle Of Souls from summary from - http://www.acircleofsouls.com/

The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town’s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.
Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury’s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings’s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya’s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.
The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya’s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.
In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

Either Or

I can't decide which book to buy next. I want get to reading it till the first week in September but I want to go ahead and buy one of them. Which one should I go with first?...

Also, is it just me or are UK book covers cooler than US (sometimes)?

Quote Of The Day

There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft....When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness.

My First ARC

I am so excited!! I was looking for a book I ordered to come in the mail but got nothing. Then later on, UPS dropped by and guess what was waiting for me on the bed... Hush, Hush of course! (my first ARC book!) I did an air scream which means I opened my mouth but nothing came out. It's funny because I have something I've been dealing with all day regarding a bill that I have to pay before I can go to college but as soon as I stopped and opened the package, I logged on to Blogger and posted this. I'm sad because I have to leave in about 20 minutes for choir rehersal and bible study so I can't really start reading until I get back home :(... Still happy ;)

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Instead of reading the books I have to read so I can turn them back into the library, I have to drop everything and read A Thousand Splendid Suns (I almost wrote a thousand splendid summers) for my upcoming Globalization class. I hope it's good because I was going to read Lament after I finished with the Library books. I'm also reading The Black Tattoo (just started). I hope they're both good.

Quote of The Day

I think I'm going to post a quote everyday from now on. I don't know how long this will last... probably until I run out of quotes. Here is my first :)

- "It means 'Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234.'" -- Jace Wayland

Tithe Review

Amazon.com Review Sixteen-year-old Kaye Fierch is not human, but she doesn't know it. Sure, she knows she's interacted with faeries since she was little--but she never imagined she was one of them, her blond Asian human appearance only a magically crafted cover-up for her true, green-skinned pixie self. First-time author Holly Black explores Kaye's self-discovery and dual worlds in her riveting, suspenseful novel Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale. The book has its faults: it slips into shock-value mode; the descriptions are often overwritten (sunset on the water looks like the sun slit his wrists in a bathtub); the language is overly, unnecessarily explicit; and the writing often unpolished. Still, the story's pull is undeniable, and readers under its spell will be hard-pressed to put the book down.
The novel begins in a bar in Philly, where Kaye's alcoholic rock-singer mother's boyfriend tries to kill her. For their own safety, mother and daughter quickly move back to grandma's on the New Jersey shore where Kaye grew up. This ugly turn of events was all rigged by the Faerie world, as it turns out, a world Black describes in deliciously vivid, if rather overblown, detail. Kaye, a drinking, smoking, foul-mouthed high school dropout in the land of mortals, soon finds herself embroiled--as a human sacrifice, no less--in a battle between Faerieland's Seelie and more malevolent Unseelie courts. The beautiful, mysterious knight Roiben, torn between worlds himself, falls in love with Kaye--the brave, clever changeling--against his better judgment. Throughout the electrifying journey to the horrific underworld of this modern faerie fantasy, teen readers will relate to a hard-luck tough girl who feels alienated, discovers her best qualities in the worst of circumstances, and finally finds a place between worlds where she can feel at home. (Ages 13 and older) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

My Thoughts: When I first started reading this I couldn't seem to get into it. I thought something was wrong with me because it hasn't taken me a week to rad a book in so long, especially a book that wasn't that thick. It turns out it was just the book. There were parts where it was going to fast, it seemed as if there were whole sentences the author forgot to put in (which would have filled me in regarding what was happening). Because things were going too fast, the transitions in the book weren't smooth enough. But just as I was about to give up on this book, I started to get into it right as the "Tithe" was happening. The 2nd half of the book seemed to have everything I wanted in the first half of the book. After getting into the book, I finished the book very quickly and liked it enough that I can't wait to see what happens with Kaye and Roiben next. I rate this a B+ (it would have been an A if I could base the rating purely on the 2nd half of the book)

Bloody Bookaholic: The Mega Palooza Contest

There are going to be a bunch of books to give away, options:
- Signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia + Goodies
- Hardback Another Faust
- Hardback Prophecy of the Sisters
- ARC The Dark Divine
- ARC Hush Hush
- ARC Give Up The Ghost
- ARC Ash
- ARC Behind Every Illusion
- ARC Shiver
- ARC Eyes Like Stars
- ARC The Demon's Lexicon
- ARC Betraying Season
- ARC Any Given Doomsday
- Dead Until Dark
- Gossip Girl 1st Book
- The Black Tatto + poster
- Vampire Academy
- Frost Bite, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Shadow Kiss, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Blood Promise, a Vampire Academy Novel.

There is 20 books and will be 3 winners
Winner number One gets to pick 7 books out of the bunch.
Winner number Two gets 3 books out of the bunch.
Winner number Three gets 1 book out of the bunch.
Only the first winner gets to choose his or her prize.
For the other two winners, the books will be choosen for them
- http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com/2009/08/mega-palooza-contest.html
If you enter this contest tell them I referred you and we both get an extra entry

Blue Moon Giveaway

There is still time to enter The Book Butterfly's Contest to win a signed copy of Blue Moon by Alyson Noel - http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/about-book-eager-to-learn-everything.html

The Twilight Saga NEW MOON Preview "Meet Jacob Black"

Team Jacob!

Tantalize Review

From Publishers Weekly Following her parents' death, Quincie Morris was left in her Uncle Davidson's care, and the fate of the family's Italian restaurant was left in hers. Now 17, Quincie, who narrates, and her uncle have renamed the place Sanguini's. They've remodeled it with a "vampire theme," which they believe will sell in their Texas college town since "vampires are a fringe population, and Austin is a tolerant place." A month before the grand re-opening, however, the longtime chef is mauled to death in the kitchen, and the murder suspect is a werewolf. Quincie finds this problematic, since her lifelong best friend and love interest, Kieren, is a "hybrid werewolf" who traces his lupine heritage to the wolves that roamed Ireland with St. Patrick. A new chef shows up who may be talented but is also spooky, with red contact lenses, pale hair and a menu featuring sweetbreads, blood sausage and baby squirrels in honey cream sauce. Best known for her Native American stories, Smith uses advertisements, newspaper clippings and menu pages to liven the pace, and creates palpable tension in the novel's second half. Quincie's story hews closer to the campy Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes (e.g., " 'You ate the police?!' I exclaimed") than to the elegant romanticism of Stephenie Meyer's books, but horror fans will be hooked by Kieren's quiet, hirsute hunkiness, and Texans by the premise that nearly everybody in their capitol is a shapeshifter. Ages 14-up. (Mar.)

My Thoughts: Ok... While I was buying a book on Amazon, this book was suggested to me based on my current and previous purchases. I was very excited about this book, but when I got it I found that I was a little bored. I thought that it was because I had so many things going on at that time. Turns out that I like the idea of the book but not the actual book. I was really confused at certain points near the middle and the end. The book went from a little boring to not making sense at all (at least that's how I percieve it). I don't want to give away things that happened from the book, so I can't really explain what didn't make sense. I rate this a D+ (l0l). I didn't give it an F because of course I liked the idea of the book. It did have potential so I wouldn't knock the author - Cynthia Leitich Smith.

The Book Blogger Contest

The Book Blogger has a new contest for upcoming releases:
Darklight by Lesley Livingston
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Ghost Huntress: The Guidance by Marley Gibson
http://theyabookblogger.blogspot.com/2009/08/upcoming-releases-contest.html

Catching Fire Contest

Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm is giving away Catching Fire - http://fayeflamereviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/catching-fire-contest.html

Contest ends August 20th

Barnes & Nobles Buy

I went to Barnes & Nobles for the first time in months on Sunday! I didn't even know how much I missed it until I had like four books in my hands. I was sad because I only bought Lament (though happy I bought it). My mom said she would buy me The Dust Of 100 Dogs. I'm trying to get my Dad to buy Shiver but he all ready thinks I read to much, which is bull (you'd think he'd like that I read a lot... oh well :( ) But anyway here is a summary of Lament

From Booklist*Starred Review* Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan, a gifted harpist who regularly plays for weddings and other events, has the kind of stage fright that makes her physically ill before a performance, which is an inauspicious way to start a romance; but while vomiting before a competition she meets a gorgeous boy who comes into the restroom to hold her hair. He is Luke Dillon, a flautist who proceeds to accompany her in a truly stellar performance. As four-leaf clovers start appearing everywhere, Deirdre develops telekinetic powers and encounters strange, unworldly people who seem to bear her ill will. Her best friend, James, also a talented musician; her beloved grandmother; and her mother all are in danger, as Deirdre is targeted by the queen of Faerie. Deirdre eventually discovers that she is a cloverhand, a person who can see the denizens of faerie, and Luke, not the only immortal who has her in his sights, is a gallowglass, an assassin assigned by the queen of Faerie to kill Deirdre but who falls in love with her instead. This beautiful and out-of-the-ordinary debut novel, with its authentic depiction of Celtic Faerie lore and dangerous forbidden love in a contemporary American setting, will appeal to readers of Nancy Werlin’s Impossible (2008) and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. Illustrations by Jeffrey are fitting. Grades 9-12. --Diana Tixier Herald

There is an great contest for the ARC of The Maze Runner. - http://thelateinergangbookreviewspot.blogspot.com/2009/08/here-it-is-contest-for-arc-of-maze.html

Contest ends on Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EST

If you enter the contest, remember to mention my name (kara at readingcoma.blogspot.com)

Wicked Lovely Review

From The Washington Post: Melissa Marr adds elegantly to the sub-genre of Urban Faery with this enticing, well-researched fantasy for teens. Wicked Lovely takes place in modern-day Huntsdale, a small city south of Pittsburgh whose name evokes the Wild Hunt of mythology. High school junior Aislinn and her grandmother have followed strict rules all their lives to hide their ability to see faeries because faeries don't like it when mortals can see them, and faeries can be very cruel. Only the strongest faeries can withstand iron, however, so Aislinn prefers the city with its steel girders and bridges. She takes refuge with Seth, her would-be lover, who lives in a set of old train carriages.
But now Aislinn is being stalked by two of the faeries who are able to take on human form and are not deterred by steel. What do they want from her?
One is Keenan, the Summer King, who has been looking for his Queen for nine centuries, bound by the rules and rituals that govern his quest. The other is Donia, a victim of those rules, consigned to the role of Winter Girl when she failed Keenan's test, yet still in love with him. Certain that Aislinn is the woman he must marry, Keenan shows up as a charismatic new student at her high school, unaware that she sees his true form. He's determined to court her and is puzzled by her rebuffs. Suddenly, none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe is working anymore, but things aren't going as Keenan expects either. Both will have to change, make startling compromises and enlist surprising allies if they want to break free from the wicked game that has ensnared them.
Their greatest challenge will be to avoid the fatal traps laid by Keenan's mother, the Winter Queen. She will lose her power if Keenan finds his mate, and she will do anything to stop this. Unfortunately, she's a little too over the top to be totally threatening, a campy version of Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen -- part Disney witch, part Endora in "Bewitched." But this didn't stop me from devouring the book.
Marr creates a fully realized world that conveys the details and the politics of faery life. The suspense remains taut, as the point of view shifts between Aislinn, Keenan and Donia, allowing the reader to develop sympathy for all of them. Marr's lyrical language and sensual imagery capture both the confused emotions and the physicality of adolescence.
The romantic scenes are delicious. The fantasy of being pursued by two young men is alluring in itself, but when one is a pierced and tattooed sexy outsider and the other is a blindingly beautiful King of Faery, how much better can it get? Halfway through the book, I knew which characters I wanted to end up together, and that made me read greedily on. Readers will beg for a sequel.

My thoughts: As far as couples go in this book, everybody ended up with exactly who I thought they would end up with. I'm excited about that because it so rarely happens. Most of the time where there is a love triangle, the person the main character chooses is almost never the guy I want her to end up with. This book gets extra brownie points for that lol. When there is a love triangle, there is normally a "good" guy and a "bad" guy. I loved that both of the men were kind of both good and bad (though if you had to choose you could definitely categorize one as bad and one as good). I also liked Aislinn because I felt she was more head strong then a lot of other main characters in other books (in a good way). Aislinn always knew what she wanted, she just didn't know how to get it until the end of the story. This was a very good read. I'll start reading the 2nd book as soon as the library tells me the book is in. I rate this an A

Fire Giveaway

This is an awesome book cover. Anyway Suzanne McLeod is holding a contest to win Fire by Kristin Cashore (two copies actually).
Check it out here: http://suzannemcleod.blogspot.com/2009/08/fire-kristin-cashore-giveaway.html

4 Books In A Week Challenge

Turns out the plan to read 4 books in 7 days was a no go. Any other time I was reading one book in 2 days but this week.... it didn't go so good. I got more books, had more stuff to do regarding school, and I forgot that I have to read A Thousand Splendid Suns before classes start. I think I'll just go at my own pace now, cause I got these books to read:

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Tithe, Summer Intern, The Hollow Kingdom, Touching Darkness, The Black Tattoo, Atlas Shrugged, Kiss of Midnight, The Angel Experiment

The Book Cellar: 50 Followers Giveaway

There will be 2 winners:
Winner 1 will pick 2 books from the books listed.
Winner 2 will pick 1 book from the books listed.
The Anatomy Of Wings by Karen Foxlee (ARC Copy)
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow (ARC Copy)
Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog (ARC Copy)
- http://thebookcellarx.blogspot.com/2009/07/50-followers-contest.html

Literary Livewire Giveaway

Literary Livewire is having a book giveaway!
5 winners will get the following:
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
3 new paperbacks*
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
One paperback, read once, wonderful condition!
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
One paperback, read once, wonderful condition!
Giveaway Link: http://literarylivewire.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/first-ever-giveaway-july-19-aug-15/

Ash Contest

Bookworming in the 21st Century has a new Contest - http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/08/new-contest-catching-fire-winner.html

This is what she is giving away:

ARC copy of Ash by Malinda Lo (signed)
Ash book poster

Vampire's Seduction Giveaway

Vampire's Seduction Giveaway is here - http://tyngasreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-very-first-giveaway-vampires.html

Princess Bookie's Contest

Princess Bookie's "Another Contest" is AMAZING! (2 me lol)
This is definitely a good contest to enter - http://cutelittlecindy.blogspot.com/2009/08/another-contest_12.html

Here Are The Rules:You must leave some way to contact you to be entered. No way to email you, I will draw another name. +1 for Leaving A Comment+3 for becoming a follower or already being a follower+5 For Promoting this contest on your blog, sidebars do not count, must be a entry+1 For Promoting This contest on your sidebar+1 Telling me the name of the person who referred you and the person who does the referring also gets an extra point (just include in your comment)+6 Including your Link to Your Latest Waiting On Wednesday Post in My Linky (we all like looking at them, LOL) (since this is two weeks long, if you come back and include it again next week, You will get 6 more entries.)
The Winner Will Get All These Books: 1. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick ARC2. Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen ARC3. Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters ARC4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater ARC5. Troy High by Shana Norris ARC6. Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott ARC7. Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn ARC8. Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker9. Death by Series by Linda Gerber (3 books total)10. a 5 dollar giftcard from Walmart (you can buy yourself half of a book with it, lol)11. 3 Sarah Dessen books ( Just Listen, This Lullaby, Someone Like You)12. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson13. Fire By Kristin Cashmore ARC14. Last but not least, I have some extra amazon cards, so I will also include a preorder for CATCHING FIRE BY SUZANNE COLLINS. It will be shipped to on or around Sept 1st (whenever they ship it)
AND a book of your choice (under $15.00 please and it can be a preorder as long as it comes out in September-so many good books get released)
- Very Kool

HP Back To School Contest

My best back to school story was in my last year of high school (which was this past school year). It was the best because even though I switched schools (tear) and I missed my friends, the school I moved to gave me more freedom. There were no electives and if I needed to complete two courses, I only had to go to school for those two courses (which was only an 1hr & 15min a class) . We also didn't have homework that was assigned out to us. We were given a list of things that we had to complete before we could finish the class so we had to assign ourselves homework. The school also started later then most schools (12:00 I think, hard to remember). You could leave during lunch and go where ever you wanted to go during lunch as long as you could get back to school before your next class started. And if you finished all your classes before lunch, you could just leave (awesome!). You could also take college classes, which I'm sure helped me get into the college I'm going to at the end of this month.

Hush, Hush Contest

I'm so excited about this contest. I really want to read this book!... Anywhoo the contest is here - http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/08/contest-for-hush-hush-necklace.html

The Rules:1. Open to EVERYONE.2. Please include your email address with your comment(s).3. Contest ends Saturday, August 22nd at noon CST4. How to get points:
Answer me one (or both) of these questions: What absurd thing would you be willing - not literally, but in your head - to do to earn this copy of Hush, Hush?orWhy do you think this book is called Hush, Hush?
+2 for answering one of the questions above (+4 if you answer both!)
+5 for voting on my poll! (See sidebar)
+2 for commenting on my review HERE
+2 for becoming a follower
+3 if you were already a follower
+2 for following me on Twitter (@bookgoil) Leave your @name.
+2 for each time you advertise this contest - sidebar, twitter (please @bookgoil), blog, etc (Please leave a link!)
+5 for just looking at Chatty Cathie's website and telling me one piece you think/want to buy or just find shiny and want to stare at all day...
+20 if you purchase something from Chatty Cathie's etsy website. You do not have to do this, but take a look at her website and see if there's anything cute you like. You can send me a copy of the receipt at bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com

Half Birthday Contest

Genevieve's blog - http://caprubia.blogspot.com/2009/07/2nd-posting-of-half-birthday-contest.html
It's a pretty good contest

My 7 day 4 book Adventure

I've been slacking this week. Tithe - I'm on pg 76 (out of 331) Touching Darkness - I'm on pg 62 (out of 330) Summer Intern - Haven't even started :( The Hollow Kingdom - Haven't started :(

I still honestly think I can pull it off. I work better at night so I'll post how much I get done 2night Thurs.

Must Read Faster Giveaway

Giveaway - The Maze Runner -http://mustreadfaster.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-maze-runner.html

Book Description:When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Giveaway Rules:
blog about this giveaway-(post link) 3 entries
tweet about it (post link)-2entries
follow me (or be a follower)-1 entryI am sending this book out with my own money so I have to restrict this one to just the U.S. Contest ends on August 11th and winners will be announced on the 12th! Good luck!

Royal Reviews: Book Giveaways

Win Blood Promise, Dreamfever, or The White Queen - http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/win-blood-promise-dreamfever-or-white.html

Here's how to enter:
1. Competition is only open to followers of this blog only. So if you're not a follower then just click on the follow button in the column on the right. Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me which book you'd like to win.
2. For an extra entry post about this give-away on your blog.
3. You must leave your email address in the comments section. This competition is International and will be drawn on July 31st and the winner will be announced on this blog.

New Reads

My goal this week is to read all four books by Sunday. I've never attemped 4 books in 7 days but hopefully I can pull it off.

Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega Book 1)

Amazon review - Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.

My thoughts - It sounds like an interesting book so I decided to see how it is. It should arrive in about 4 days! I'll post a review as soon as I finish.

$50 Gift Card Giveaway

There is a $50 GC Giveaway at The Mommy-Files (http://www.themommy-files.com/)

The Mommy-Files has teamed up with Scott Common Sense to give away one $50 Visa Gift Card to put towards your next getaway, along with coupons for Scott Long Lasting products!WIN IT!- Leave me a comment telling me your favorite travel tip!
EXTRA ENTRIES!
- Follow my blog (or tell me you already follow) - 1 entry
- Subscribe to my blog (or tell me you already subscribe) - 1 entry
- Follow me on Twitter (themommyfiles) and tweet about the contest - 1 entry (per day)
- Add the new Mommy-Files button - 1 entry
- Blog about the giveaway - 2 entries (per day)
- Favorite me on Technorati - 1 entry- Tell me in a comment why you want to win - 1 entry
RULES
- Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009.**IF YOU SUBMIT A COMMENT AFTER 11:59 PM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, IT WILL BE DELETED**- Please leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win the giveaway.- Winners must respond within 48 hours of email notification or another winner will be chosen.- Open to US Residents! - (http://www.themommy-files.com/2009/07/scott-common-sense-50-gift-card.html)

Lover Eternal Review

Review From BooklistTwo hundred years: that's how long Rhage must bear the curse born of his reckless inconsideration. Sex and violence are all he once pursued; now they are the only things that keep the beast within at bay. He has little hope for finding peace during this existence, until Mary Luce enters his life. Irresistibly drawn to her light, he's pulled into a struggle with his own demons as well as the real enemies who threaten the vampire world and Mary. Ward wields a commanding voice perfect for the genre, and readers new to the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood should hold on tight for an intriguing, adrenaline-pumping ride featuring a race of warrior vampires who fill enemies with terror and women with desire. Like any good thrill ride, the pace changes with a tender story of survival and hope and leaves readers begging for more. Fans of L. A. Banks, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Sherrilyn Kenyon will add Ward to their must-read list.

My thoughts: From what I've heard, a lot of people who read the black dagger brotherhood series seem to like Rhage's character & story the best. I'm not one of those people (lol). I have a soft spot for the "Wrath and Beth story" as far as my favorite book, and my favorite character will always be Zsadist. The way Ward portrayed Bella is the way most females would act if a killing machine with bulging muscles who makes Brad Pitt look like the hometown prom king suddenly started paying them attention... And I totally knew what was going to happen when the beast was unleashed in front of her. (hey!.. Beauty & the Beast) anyway, I really enjoyed this book. I appreciate that though the main characters are Rhage & Bella, they still keep the other character's stories going. I give this book an A. Even though I gave it an A it never means that everybody will like it, people have different taste in books (hopefully your taste is like mine). It of course has cussing and sex scenes so if your mature and old enough, this is a gook book to read.

Mrs. Magoo Reads

Have you heard of the blog Mrs. Magoo Reads? It's pretty cool. I just found it this afternoon. I found that I really like her interviews and I appreciate how she puts up a warning on a review if there is a spoiler for those who haven't read the specific book she's reviewing at that moment. She also has cool contests including a contest where you can win 9 books! - http://www.mrsmagooreads.com/2009/07/contest-win-nine-books.html (how did she know that I've always wished for a 9 book contest? Lol) Mrs. Magoo Reads ( http://www.mrsmagooreads.com/) is definitely a good blog to follow. -

Wings Review

Author: Aprilynne Pike

Summary: This is from her website - Aprilynne Pike's best-selling debut, WINGS, is the first of four books about a seemingly ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

My thoughts: This was a good book. I think that it offers an interesting take on what faeries are and what they're meant to do in this world Aprilynne created. Even though I liked the book, I would have liked it even more if it were a little "rougher". When I say that, I don't mean like sex or explicit language. I just feel like the the characters were a little too soft. Even during the fight scenes, it seemed like the characters weren't as forceful as I thought they should be. I have a feeling that I'll get most of what I was looking for from the 1st book in book #2. Overall, I seem to really like this book while still feeling like it could have been better. Basically, I was good and I'm really excited about the next book.

I'm giving this book an A, which means that it was a great read that most would like (unless you have to have cussing and a lot of killing to enjoy a book)

Radiant Darkness

Author - Emily Whitman

Summary: From Amazon - He smiles. "Hello."
It's a deep voice. I can feel it reverberate in my chest and echo all the way down to my toes.
I know I should leave, but I don't want to. I want to keep my senses like this forever. I'm all eye, all ear, all skin.
Persephone lives in the most gorgeous place in the world. But her mother's a goddess, as overprotective as she is powerful. Paradise has become a trap. Just when Persephone feels there's no chance of escaping the life that's been planned for her, a mysterious stranger arrives. A stranger who promises something more—something dangerous and exciting—something that spurs Persephone to make a daring choice. A choice that could destroy all she's come to love, even the earth itself.
In a land where a singing river can make you forget your very name, Persephone is forced to discover who—and what—she really is.

My thoughts: This sounds like the kind of book I'd be into. The fact that the book is tied to mythology is a huge plus. I love mythology... So I guess I'll get around to reading this book after a finish the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (I just finished the 3rd book) and the Midnighters Series (I'm on book #2). I'll post the review when I'm done.

Catching Fire Contest

Final night to get points for the contest!

Vampire Diaries

I had heard about a vampire show on the CW but I didn’t know it was Vampire Diaries.

Catching Fire Contest

Alright People! (lol) Catching Fire Contest ends today!! Hurry and get as many points as you can!!! - http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/07/catching-fire-giveaway-contest.html

Other Everyday Stuff - Giveaway!

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
This Giveaway will run for the entire month of August. This will give you many chances to win. Make sure I can get in touch with you through your blog or email because I will need to confirm what email to send your gift card to if you are the winner! If you do not reply within 3 days of notification (make sure I can notify you!!), then I will be choosing another winner.
Entries will no longer be accepted after 11:59 pm, August 31, 2009!
How to enter:You have to either be following my blog already or become a new follower. Either way, when you are a follower, simply leave a comment saying “Following.” This step must be done before you can try for more entries!
Other ways to enter:After completing the above entry, you can also receive more chances to win by:
Adding this blog to your blog list on your blog (leave comment with your blog url)
Placing my button on your blog or website (leave comment with the url the button is on)
Follow me on twitter (leave comment with your twitter name)
Tweet about this giveaway, everyday you re-tweet you will get another entry (leave a comment with the tweet link everyday that you do this!)
Blog about this giveaway (leave comment with blog post url)
If you already have this blog on your blog list, my button on your website, or following me on twitter, simply leave the website they are found on in a comment for more chances to win!
Each entry needs to have its own comment to be counted as an entry! - http://www.othereverydaystuff.com/2009/08/giveaway-win-25-amazon-gift-card-ends.html

Mommy-Files Contest

The Mommy-Files has teamed up with Scott Common Sense to give away one $50 Visa Gift Card to put towards your next getaway, along with coupons for Scott Long Lasting products!

WIN IT!- Leave me a comment telling me your favorite travel tip!
EXTRA ENTRIES!
- Follow my blog (or tell me you already follow) - 1 entry
- Subscribe to my blog (or tell me you already subscribe) - 1 entry
- Follow me on Twitter (themommyfiles) and tweet about the contest - 1 entry (per day)
- Add the new Mommy-Files button - 1 entry
- Blog about the giveaway - 2 entries (per day)
- Favorite me on Technorati - 1 entry- Tell me in a comment why you want to win - 1 entry
RULES
- Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009.**IF YOU SUBMIT A COMMENT AFTER 11:59 PM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, IT WILL BE DELETED**- Please leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win the giveaway.- Winners must respond within 48 hours of email notification or another winner will be chosen.- Open to US Residents! - http://www.themommy-files.com/2009/07/scott-common-sense-50-gift-card.html

Frugal Creativity's Barnes & Nobles Giveaway

Thanks to the people at Barnes & Noble, one lucky reader of Frugal Creativity will win a $100 Barnes and Noble gift card.

Visit the Barnes and Noble website, then come back and leave me a comment to tell me three items you'd choose if you win this gift card. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you. Limit 1 entry by this method. This must be done in order to qualify for extra entries.Here's how you can earn additional entries (please leave one comment per entry):
Enter a giveaway at another Back to School Bash participating blog. (1 entry per blog)
Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)
Subscribe to my feed in a feed reader or by email. If you already subscribe, leave a comment to let me know. (1 entry)
Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post. Leave a comment with a link to your blog post. (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway and comment here with a link. (1 entry)
More details: Open to residents of USA, age 18 or older. Giveaway ends Friday 8/14/09 at noon (Eastern time). Winner will be chosen by the random number generator at Random.org. Winner will be contacted by email and must claim the prize within 72 hours, or another winner will be chosen. Void where prohibited. - http://www.frugalcreativity.com/2009/08/barnes-noble-giveaway.html

Catching Fire Contest

Contest ends Tmmrw! - http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/07/catching-fire-giveaway-contest.html

Dark Lover Review

Summary
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing their enemies, the lessers, more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood....
The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed—orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate—Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead....
Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both....

This review is from thebestreviews.com - http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/book13909

I loved this book! Actually I love this series. I actually like that this paranormal romance novel focuses on more than just the two main characters. As I began to read, I knew that I wanted to know even more about the world of the vampires and the lessers. In some books the story is told from people on the "good side" and people on the "bad side". I appreciated that each time Ward switched to the view of one of the bad guys it didn't last more then two pages, (normally) because honestly I'm really not interested in reading from the bad guy's view for a whole chapter (like a lot of books I've read in the past). Ward kept it interesting the whole way through. I'm not into the cussing and I didn't have to have the sex (I'm used to reading the young adult books where the characters stick to kissing or just give inferences that they've had sex) but I loved the romance! This is a good read for anyone who likes paranormal romances and is old enough to read books like this.

Covet: A Novel of the Fallen Angels

I'm so excited about her new series! I've fallen in love with her black dagger brotherhood series (not that i've finished reaing all the books yet). I hope I fall in love with this series to. This book will be released on September 29, 2009.
Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about—his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he’s good with that—until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart—and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul. - The review is via Amazon.

Catching Fire Contest

Be apart of the Catching Fire contest! Check it out here:

http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/07/catching-fire-giveaway-contest.html

The Secret Hour Review

Strange things seem to happen in the town of Bixby at midnight. At midnight, time appears to stand still for a complete hour with everyone and everything frozen until the hour ends. For most of the people in town, the one hour standstill flashes by them in a second. For the few teens that don't become frozen at midnight (they call themselves the Midnighters) they have the whole hour to themselves, or at least almost by themselves. They have to share this secret hour with the dark creatures of the "blue land". For years the teens and the dark creatures have lived among each other without getting in each other's way (for the most part). At least until Jessica Day moves to town. Suddenly the dark creatures go from ignoring the midnighters to wanting to destroy the new girl in their world. Each midnighter has a power different from the other but there is something totally different about Jessica and whatever power she has. Too bad she doesn't know what her power is yet. This book follows the groups struggle to keep each other alive (especially Jessica) so they can figure out why the dark creatures feel so threatened by her. Can they discover her power before they get themselves killed?

What I Think: I enjoyed the 1st book in the series. At one point (in the beginning) I didn't really like the author's solution for protecting the midnighters against the dark creatures, but as I kept on reading I realized that the things that protect them (other than their powers) seem to have a deeper meaning. I'm glad I read this book, I especially like the curve ball at the end. I've already ordered the 2nd book off Amazon. I'd advise anyone who likes young adult/fantasy books to read this.

Be Apart Of The Catching Fire Contest

I’m really looking forward to reading this book! I read the first book in the series (the Hunger Games) in June and I loved it! This contest is a chance to read this book (Once!) before it actually comes out to your local bookstores (as well as a festive mockinjay button, and a set of red earrings from Chatty Cathie). I’m definitaly trying to win this prize.
Go to http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/07/catching-fire-giveaway-contest.html to see how you can win.