Thursday, November 3, 2011

Cover Reveal! ENDLESSLY!!!!

If you've ever read Kiersten's fb page, you know that everyone has been nagging, when do we get to see the new cover for the 3rd book in her series, Endlessly. Well, we get to see it today.


Look how pretty it is!!!!!!!! I love all the purples. Fantastic. Evie's hair is so pretty! Anyone else think she kinda looks like Scarlet Johanson in this cover?? I love the clouds in the background as well. Whole thing, gorgeous!

I found the cover over at Kiersten's blog

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Have 38 minutes to spare and need a good laugh?

This isn't book related at all, and a little random, but I've noticed lately that everyone is stressed out. If you're in school, it's that horrible time of the term, yup, midterms. If not in school, it's now the holiday season and that's stressful as well. Best way to cure stress? Laughter. So here is a video compilation of Scenes From A Hat from Whose Line Is It Anyways. It's 38 minutes long of pure laughter.

Enjoy!

The video I originally wanted to post (but youtube wouldn't allow me) is this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR2I4ZoqpMI&feature=related&fb_source=message

Edit
I thought of another really funny whose line clip to post.


Not enough laughter? Here is a blog that has every episode of Whose Line ever filmed on it (both the English and American shows). Watch This!

My Book Boyfriend-- Varen!

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader. Each week, you write a post about a boy in a book that makes you swoon. Post everything you can about him, what he looks like, who you'd pick to play him in a movie, and favorite quotes from his book. Then post your link over at missie's blog and go comment on other posts!

I just finished reading Nevermore by Kelly Creagh for the second time and I still love Varen! This is why I'm picking him this week.

About Varen:
“He turned his head and caught her with his eyes.

She froze, locked by the intensity of his stare. His eyes were stark and cold, the concentrated green of pale jade. Outlined in smudged black kohl, those eyes focused on her, unblinking through the feathery strands of his jet black hair, and it was like being watched through a cage by a complacent and calculating cat.
Discomfort welled in her, thick and black as an oil spring. Who was this guy and what was his royal problem? Her gaze flicked briefly to the small metal loop that hugged one corner of his bottom lip.
He blinked once, then slowly lifted one hand and crooked a beckoning finger at her.
Isobel hesitated but then as though spellbound to obey, she found herself leaning in.
“What are you staring at?” he whispered.”

*Besides having Jade green eyes, black hair that is always covering one of his eyes, and wearing guyliner, he also always wears all black with a green coat with and sewn band logos all over it.

*Is obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe
*Drives a super cool car
*Has an intense stare
*Writes with dark purple ink and has very elegant handwriting
*He is dark and mysterious, and that makes him uber hott.

Who I picture him looking like:
I kind of picture him looking like a dark haired Luke Worrall. There aren't many...lets just say "clean" photos of Luke with dark hair. Works though cause Varen is originally a blonde.





Quotes:
“In love. In love with the stoic, the sullen, the eternally morose Varen Nethers?
He would never allow it.”


“Hands quivering, she reached toward him.
"Don't." He turned his back to her, facing the door.
That word had stopped her once before. But not now. Not now that she had glimpsed through the funeral front of Varen's own eternal Grim Facade. Despite all the dark armor, the kohl eye liner, the black boots and chains, she saw him clearly now. She peered through the curtain of that cruel calmness, through the death stare and the vampire sentiments and angst and, behind it all, had found true beauty.”


“You're really a blond," she said, her tone just short of accusatory.
"And if you tell anyone, I will come to you in the night and smote your everlasting soul.”

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks top ten is top ten books I had strong emotions over.

1. Forbidden by Tabatha Suzuma:
Very first book that popped into my head. I can not get over this book. It will always stick with me. After reading it, I couldn't stop crying for at least a full 15 minutes. Then I just wandered around my house aimlessly for another 30 minutes. I didn't know what to do with myself. It was intense.

2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte:
WORST. BOOK. EVER. Well pretty close to worst book ever. The only reason I finished this stupid book was because I was hoping Heathcliff died in some horrible, gruesome manner. BUT NO, the stupid book  couldn't even give me that. I judge Bella Swan for this book being her favorite.

3. Stolen by Lucy Christopher:
This book was tense. I couldn't believe my reactions to it. Especially the end. I ended up loving Ty's character and it was my reaction to him that made my feelings so strong for this book. You are not supposed to fall in love with the crazy boy who kidnaps you.

4. Paradise Lost by John Milton:
I can honestly say that every single time I read this poem, I'd fall asleep. It'd take about 5 pages and I'd be out like a light. I've never had that happen to me while reading. Ever. And like clockwork this book would make me pass out. I never did finish it.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling:
All the HP books made me have strong feelings, but especially this one seeing as how it was the last. *sigh* I still haven't gotten over the fact that this is the last book.

6. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simmons:
I bawled like a baby while reading the end of this book. Then I found out that there were two more books and I felt better. I became super attached to Tatiana and Alexander while reading this book. They are one of my favorite literary couples.

7. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer:
I don't think there is a series that can turn women into girly messes better than Twilight. I mean, really. How many crazy fan girl stories has everyone heard? I know I've had some crazy Twilight fan girl moments. A book filled with super gorgeous guys will do that to a girl.

8. The Art Of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein:
This book gave me a new hope; that when my pets die, they will come back as humans and I can meet them. I truly want this to happen and the idea of it fills me with joy. This book definitely gave me strong feelings.

9. Far From You by Lisa Schroeder:
This book was so breath takingly beautiful. I loved every moment of it. I cried, I laughed, I "awwed."

10. Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan:
This series cracks me up. The whole time I'm reading those books I'm laughing. I love the way Riordan explains certain things (like how the entrance to hell is obviously in LA. hahaha). I now look at greek gods and laugh as well. Changed my views on that whole subject.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Have You Ever...

Have you ever just looked at your tbr pile and feel overwhelmed? I have so many books I need to read staring at me all the time. I never know which book to read because there are so many to pick from. It makes me not want to really read any of them but instead read some of my old favorites. Ones I've read many times before. Ones I love and could read hundreds of times and never get sick of them.

This is why I have a real lack of reviews lately. I've been trying to fight the urge to reread other books but all that is happening is that I'm just not reading at all. So instead I'm going to cave and reread. I'm starting with Nevermore by Kelly Creagh. It's a very Halloween appropriate book that I just adore.

I'm trying to go and write some of my older reviews and post those. Ones that should be coming up soon are...
The Beyonders by Brandon Mull
Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (I thought I'd posted this review over a month ago, oops)

And loads of other reviews.

And because I'm rereading Nevermore, I'll post this picture I found on Kelly's fb page. It's the dress she gave Isobel for the big party at the end of the book. Isn't it lovely and perfect? I want it!

Review: Awake at Dawn

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter
Series: Shadow Falls #2
Published by St. Martins Griffin
Genre: YA
$9.99 (US paperback)
400 pages

What it's about:
Now that she’s settled in at Shadow Falls Camp, Kylie Galen’s determined to discover the extent of her supernatural abilities. But with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about die, a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, and her sixth sense telling her someone is watching her, Kylie’s quest for answers is quickly put on hold.


To make matters worse, just when she’s about to give her heart to Derek, a half-fairy, he starts pulling away. When Lucas, a werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past, returns, Kylie’s feels more conflicted than ever. Her weekend with her mom should have been the just the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point. Someone from the dark side of the supernatural world has plans for Kylie--and it'll take all her resources to get back to Shadow Falls alive...


My thoughts:
I love this series! With both Born at Midnight and Awake at Dawn, I started it and stayed up all night long because I had to know what happens next. I love the summer camp, Shadow Falls, and all the different supernaturals that live in it.

The big question in this book is WHAT IS KAYLIE???????????? Is she a fae, werewolf, vampire, shapeshifter, or something else???? This is driving me crazy. Hunter does a fantastic job of playing this up and keeping the reader and all the characters wondering, what is Kaylie? Why can she see ghosts? What other powers will she develop and what in the world is following her? There are so many questions asked in this series and no matter how hard you try to guess the answers, Hunter always has a way to surprise you.

The relationships in this series is what really makes it great. Kaylie is constantly developing all kinds of relationships with everyone. She strives to try and fix the relationships she has with all three of her parents (yup, I said all 3), her growing sister/friend relationship with camp leader Holiday, with her cabin mates and then of course with the gorgeous Lucas and Derik. I haven't had such a hard time deciding on which Team Boy I like better since Shay and Ren. How can you pick between Lucas and Derik? One is mysterious, extremely sexy, and a childhood friend, while the other is sweet, hott, and always there. It's a hard choice but I think I'm Team Lucas :)

If I keep talking about this book I'm going to give away spoilers and I do not want to do that. If you like boarding school type books, along with supernaturals, humor, and mystery, you will adore this series. The Shadow Falls series is now a must read for all YA lovers.

My rating: 10/10

Friday, October 21, 2011

Help! What to do about review requests!

I've seemed to find myself in an awkward situation.

I get a bunch of review requests from authors that are more unknown and have very small publishers. I only accept the ones that I genuinely think sound good. Lately I've been trying to get through more of these review books but found that some of them are bad. Really, really bad and I don't think I can get myself to finish it.

So what to do about it? The authors asked so politely for my honest review, though who really wants to get bad reviews? Especially if the reviewer had a hard time getting through the first few chapters. Do you stop reading and pretend the request never came in the hopes the author forgot, or do  you write the bad review and feel guilty?

Anyone else been in this situation? If so, what did you do?

Right now, I feel about as guilty as Denver: