Showcase Sunday #19

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you show what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

I can't believe how fast December is rolling by. We are only a few days away from Christmas and while I has been keeping busy with snowstorms, crowded malls and holiday events, I was still able to pick up 3 early Christmas presents to myself this week for FREE. If only I could get deals like that on Christmas presents for my family. 

I got Hollowland by Amanda Hocking which was featured in our Friday's Featured Freebie last week. Melissa has started reading the Watersong series, but I haven't had a chance to read anything by Hocking yet, so I am excited to have a copy of Hollowland. I picked up The Woodlands by Lauren Nicolle Taylor which will be featured in one of our upcoming Friday's Featured Freebie. I also got Sunset Rising by S.M. McEachern which has the most gorgeous cover. The price has now increased to 99 cents so it is pretty much free. All three are distopias so I will have to be careful to break up reading these so I don't get a distopia overload. 

Have you heard of any of these novels or authors? What books did you pick up this week?

Friday's Featured Freebie: Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

Amanda Hocking, the author of the Watersong series, currently has her first book in her last series, The Hollowland free on Amazon. It is a zombie urban fantasy set in a futurist dystopia. Hocking admits that this series is a little bit "more violent and gritter" than her other novels. But, don't worry it still has the romance you are longing for and a strong willed, kick ass heroine Remy, who readers can't help loving and admiring. 

Hollowland (The Hollows #1)
by Amanda Hocking 

Free on Amazon

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies. - Goodreads

Top Ten New to Us Authors in 2013

This week's Top 10 Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish. Tonight's topic, Top Ten New to Us Authors in 2013.

2013 was a great year, full of new authors that Melissa and I will be watching for years to come.

1. Jennifer L. Armentrout / J. Lynn - Melissa discovered the Lux Series by Armentrout and then the Covenant series and let's just say she is now a J-ARM fan for life. I just started reading the Lux Series about a week ago and I will admit that Melissa knows how to recommend books. Props to Armentrout for creating one of the sexiest fictitious men I have ever stumbled across. I really hope she considers making the Lux series longer because I can't get my fill of Daemon Black.

2. Heather Fleener - Melissa introduced me to the Ancients of Light series by Fleener early this year and it has been quite a journey since. A journey full of sexy vampires who I just want to sink my teeth into. We also got a chance to meet Fleener and share some witches brew as we discussed the Realm she created along with it delicious residents.

3. Lauren Oliver - Before I Fall by Oliver just blew me away and then we read the Delirium series for book club. I am eagerly waiting for the releases of Panic and Rooms in 2014. I will read anything this woman writes.

4. Kiera Cass - What can I say other than I fell completely and utterly head over heads for Cass' Selection series. I can't wait for the final book, The One to be released in May.

5. Veronica Roth - We just discovered the Divergent series this year and it was like the Hunger Games all over again. We became obsessed with this series and....also Four. Yummy Yum Yum.

6. Susan Kaye Quinn - Melissa found the first book of Quinn's Mindjack trilogy on her Nook and since that day her life got hijacked by this series.

7. Jamie Magee - Melissa got reeled into Magee's Insight series by another freebie on B&N.

8. Tenaya Jayne - I found Forbidden Forest free on Amazon. Forest and Syrus romance had me swooning and sent tingles down my spine.

9. Samantha Hoffman - Between picking up Arena Wars and Zombie Island for free on Amazon, I have become absorb into Hoffman's worlds of werewolves, vampires and zombies. This woman knows how to make the men real while keeping them fantastically dreamy.

10. C.E. Wilson - Another pleasant surprise was the discovery of The Punishment Sequence series by Wilson. The story contained one of the most unusual relationship I have read but that is what made me adorn the first book in the series, Oath of Servitude sooo much. Now, I just need to get my hands on the second book. Don't miss my review and giveaway of Oath of Servitude coming soon.

Waiting on Wednesday #18

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are highly anticipating.

Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3)
by Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 4th 2014

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can. - Goodreads

Why am I Waiting?

I feel a little guilty about putting this on my waiting list since I haven't read book two in this series yet, but clearly not guilty enough to not blog about it. I have a feeling once I read Scarlet (book two) I will fall completely and utterly in love with this series. At least I can dream, right? Cause right now I need a series that I can fall in love with. On a side note, I started Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout so I am about to find out if Daemon Black is as delicious as Melissa claims. And let's just say she has set the bar really stinkin' high...

But, enough about me. What are you waiting to be released?

Top Ten Books On Our Winter TBR

This week's Top 10 Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.  Tonight's topic, Top 10 Books on Our Winter TBR.

Well, let me see here.....I need to go get my nook.  So does anyone else do this?  I'm a little OCD when it comes to my nook.  I have a tendency to organize the books on the tabletop based on the order I want to read  them in.  This would be the reason why I need to get my nook. 

Ok.  Got it.  Here are mine:

I'm in process of reading The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson for book club.  It has great reviews, but I'm struggling a little.

Stranger Books by Matt Davenport.  This is the second book in the Abstract series.  I'm looking forward to reading this book from a good friend.

Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich.  These books make me giggle and I enjoy them.

The Selection by Kiera Cass.  Since Rachel is reading something I've suggested to her, I promised her that I would read one of her recommendations.

Elemental by Alexandra May.  I've picked up so many free books that I've had to work in a free book into the rotation so I have more room on my tabletop for more books.  Yes, all 5 pages are filled top to bottom.

Rachel has finally finished her first book since October!  She is planning on continuing with:

Obsidian, Opal, Onyx, Origin, and Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout.  I'm just a little jealous that she is reading these even though I read and recommended then to her.  It just doesn't seem right that she gets Daemon Black all to herself.

The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom.  I'll let Rachel read this one first, then maybe I will.

What's on your TBR this winter?

Showcase Sunday #18

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you show what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

I am still alive even though it would be hard to tell by my recent postings. I have been going through a dry spell. I haven't finished a complete book since October. What is going on with me? Prior this year, I bumped up my reading goal to 50 books and for the first time this year I am 2 books behind schedule.

I started reading Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout last week. The thought process is that if I read the entire Lux series and its spin-off, Obsession that would bring me up to my 50 book goal before year end. So far, I am really enjoying the characters and like Armentrout's style but I am still getting distracted by movies (shout out to 2 Guns and the Sapphires - check these movies out), cleaning and working out thus I am not as far as I should be. 

Melissa purchased another Jennifer L. Armentrout novel - Bitter Sweet Love. I am pretty sure she is getting very close to owning every single book Armentrout has written. She also purchased the Selection by Kiera Cass as part of our deal that if I read the Lux series that she will read the Selection series.

    

What did you pick up this week? How close are you to completing your reading goal for 2013?

Waiting on Wednesday #17

This year has gone by way too fast.  I can't believe that I'm already thinking about books to be released in 2014.   This week's waiting on Wednesday is Flame by Amy Kathleen Ryan, since I just finished Spark last week.

Flame by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Release Date: January 7, 2014

In the thrilling conclusion to the Sky Chasers series Waverly, Kieran, and Seth struggle to survive on-board the New Horizon—and take down their enemies before it's too late.

Waverly and the other members of the Empyrean have scattered, and their home ship has been destroyed. Their mission to rescue their parents didn't go as planned, and now they're at an even greater disadvantage: trapped with their enemies on the New Horizon, trying to find a way to survive. Kieran has been pulled under Anne Mather’s wing, but is she really trying to make peace, or just using Kieran to build her own power? Meanwhile, Waverly is taken in by a mysterious old man who wants to help her bring Anne Mather down—but the more Waverly cooperates with him, the more dangerous her position is, and the more at odds with Kieran she becomes.

Seth's situation is even worse. After setting out from the Empyrean on his own, with only a vague strategy to guide him, he is a fugitive aboard the New Horizon. He's doing what he can to challenge the power of Anne Mather, but he's badly hurt, and getting sicker.

Will Seth ever see Waverly again? Will his health hold out long enough to help her topple their enemies? And will Waverly find a way to unite with her friends before they all fall? Nothing is sure and every moment is a risk in this explosive finale of the Sky Chasers series. ~Goodreads

Showcase Sunday #17

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you show what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

I think this week I bought, I guess it's bad when I can't remember what I bought this week.  I have so many books I need to read.  I might need to take a break from buying books until after the new year.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson for Book Club.

Rachel, what happened to Rachel??? I think we need a serious intervention.  She has neglected to borrow or buy any books for the past, how many weeks?  LOTS!  I've tried so many things, I gave her an incentive; if she reads the Lux Series (which will get her out of her reading funk, guaranteed) I will read The Selection Series,  I gave her my old nook, with enough books to keep her busy for the next two or three years and I still can't get her to read anything.  Help! What else do I do?

Friday's Feature Freebie: Dark Wolf Rising by Rhyannon Byrd

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and all have survived Black Friday.  Today has been a very lazy day.  I've been on the couch pretty much the entire day watching snipits of football, while reading.  I'm trying to dwindle down my series so I'm currently reading Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan and For Love of Evil by Piers Anthony.  For Love of Evil is in paperback which is why I'm also reading Spark on my Nook.  I prefer not to read paperbacks in bed and I do most of my reading in bed.  Both of these books have started a little slow, plus it's been over a year since I read the last book in either series; I'm having some recall issues.  If you are relaxing on the couch looking for something to do, check out this freebie!

Dark Wold Rising by Rhyannon Byrd

Eric Drake, a powerful Dark Wolf, has never trusted himself around human females-preferring to mate only within his pack. That is, until he encounters Chelsea Smart snooping around Silvercrest pack land in search of her missing sister. Secretly, Chelsea thinks Eric is the sexiest man she's ever seen, though she is wary of his potent Alpha energy. Then it's discovered that Chelsea's sister is being held by a pack of vicious Lycans, and Eric heroically leaps into action. Now, Chelsea will risk everything-her body and soul-to surrender to the passion that will mark her as Eric's woman for all eternity...if they survive. ~ Goodreads

Happy Friday!

Top 10 Tuesday- Top 10 Things we are Thankful for

This week's Top 10 Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.  Tonight's topic, Top 10 Things we are Thankful for.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, why not reflect in what we are thankful for.  I once heard a saying, "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"  Makes you think.  We are so busy day after day, do we take the time to be thankful for everything that we have today?  I know I don't always.  Well, this list should cover us for tomorrow.

Rachel:
1. My friends and family, who recommend me new books. All our conversions end up getting around to "What are you currently reading?"

2. My boyfriend, he supports my crazy reading habits by purchasing me a tablet, pick up books that are on hold for me at the library and being understanding when my only verbal response is "uh-huh" to all his questions when my nose is in a book. 

3. Book Club, it provides an environment of wine, books, fantasy boyfriends and girl time. All things I love. 

4. Libraries, without libraries I would be broke many years ago and wouldn't have been induced to so many lovely books. 

5. Authors, without authors we wouldn't have all these great stories that help us to discover who we are and who we want to be.

6. Books, they transport us to a different world and body. They provide a escape from reality that everyone needs from time to time, no matter how old you are.

Melissa:
1. My husband, for everything; my kids, my sanity, and for understanding me so well.

2. My kids, without the idle time at little league games and practices I wouldn't have read as many books that I have.

3. My family, friends and co-workers, for letting me vent, keeping me on track, and being supportive. 

4. My job, for challenging me to be a better person, so I can provide for my family and be able to support my habits (see #5 and #6).

5. My camera and equipment, my creative outlet to capture all the important moments to freeze forever in time.

6. My nook, for providing me with hours and hours of entertainment.

7. Authors, for developing wonderful characters and worlds for me to visit any place, time or day.

What are you thankful for and couldn't live without?
 

Showcase Sunday #16

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you sow what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

Melissa purchased the following books in the past two weeks:

Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum #11) by Janet Evanovich
Choices (Guardian Trilogy #2) by Liz Schulte
Zombie Country (Zombie Apocalypse #2) by Samantha Hoffman
Closed Hearts (Mindjack Trilogy #2) by Susan Kaye Quinn
Keeper of the Night (The Keepers: L.A. #1) by Heather Graham
Tempting the Best Man, Tempting the Player, Unchained, Frigid, Wait for You, and Trust in Me by J. Lynn (aka Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Waiting on Wednesday #16

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are highly anticipating.

Now that I'm in full blown Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn mode, I've read another 6 books of hers, these are now the books that I'm waiting on.  This is a new series and the prequel novella is to be released on December 1st, 2013.  You can pre-order your copy now at either Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  Guess what?  I already have.  Shocking, I know.

Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements, #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series THE DARK ELEMENTS, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.
And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again... ~Goodreads

Top Ten Books We'd Recommend to X Person

Top Ten Books We'd Recommend to X Person is this week's Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.

Recommend to people who like distopias...
1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Recommend to people who want to read about a strong female protagonist...
1. Graceling by Kristin Cashore 

2. The Selection by Kiera Cass

Recommend to people who are looking for their next fantasy boyfriend in a steamy novel...
1. Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout
2. Chosen by Heather Fleener

Recommend to people who want to be transported into a magical world and completely forget about the real world...
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

2. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Recommend to people who like thought provoking books...
1. Before I Fall by Oliver Lauren

2. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

What are we missing? What would you recommend to us?

Waiting for Wednesday #15

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are highly anticipating.

The Impossible Knife of Memory
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Release Date: January 7th 2014

For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down. - Goodreads

Why am I Waiting?

I read Speak and Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. She has a way of taking real issues that are rarely talked about and sometimes even taboo to discuss and making them into beautiful books. I haven't read any books that have characters dealing with PTSD from the Iraq War. I can't wait to see Anderson take on this topic.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Book Covers We Would Like to Redesign

This is this week's Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.

 I don't know any of you knew this about me, but when I was 16 I decided I wanted to work in the movie studios in the special effects departments.  Any movie with some really kick a*# special effects goes straight to my heart.  This is another reason I prefer a good action movie to a romantic comedy any day.  I decided to go to my local community college and low and behold, not one single computer graphics class.  What can you expect, this was 15 years ago.  So I settled on the typical, not sure what I want to do major, Liberal Arts.  Then, life happens.  You get married, have kids, sometimes things don't happen like you planned.

About 3 1/2 years ago, I discovered photography.  I received a really great camera for my birthday, and it's now one of my hobbies.  I mostly take pictures of my kids, I really love the action shots from all of their sports.  Every once in a while I will do a friends son/daughter's senior picture, or a wedding.  Nothing major and nothing that I would do professionally.  I'm not a professional, just having some fun.  I recently received my green screen background and software.  Now I feel like I get to do something that I've always wanted to do, only with still pictures.  Anyways, I appreciate a really good book design since I admire those who went into the graphic design profession. If I was a professional, these would be the books covers that Rachel and I would like to redesign.

~Zombie Island (Zombie Apocalypse #1) Hoffman, Samantha

~All-American Girl (All-American Girl, #1) by Meg Cabot

~The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky

~The Hunt (The Hunt, #1) by Andrew Fukuda

~Jade Green by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
~All of the Incarnations of Immortality series by Pierce Anthony need a good update
~All of the MYTH Adventure series by Robert Asprin also need to be modernized.
~As much as I enjoy the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich the book covers could be spiced up a little

Which books would you like to see with a new cover?

Sunday Showcase #15

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you sow what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

This week has been pretty slow for both reading and picking up new books. Late fall should be a prime time to catch up on my reading, but instead I have been watching a lot of television. I am hooked on the TV show, Scandal.

I know the next couple of months are going to be kind of crazy with the holidays and everything else that is going on but I am going to try my best to continue to read, review and blog when I have free time. Melissa, awesome as always, has finally got out of the reading funk that Allegiant put her in, thanks to Obsession by Jennifer Armentrout. So I might need to listen to Melissa's recommendations and read the Lux Series by Armentrout to get me out of my reading dry spell, but I need to finish House of Hades by Rick Riordan first.

This week, Melissa purchased Cursed to add to her Jennifer L. Armentrout collection and I pick up Unknown by Melissa Pearl free on Amazon.

What did you pick up this week?

Friday's Late Featured Freebie: Unknown by Melissa Pearl

Unknown (The Elements Trilogy #1)

by Melissa Pearl
Free on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.

Then a star begins to fall.

Princess Kyla of Taramon stopped believing in the power of light the day her father died. Trapped in a city she does not care for, under the watchful glare of her mother, the queen, she struggles to accept her fate.

Then a star begins to fall.

Jethro has loved Kyla for as long as he can remember. Learning that she was to marry his cousin drove a wedge between him and the feisty princess. Watching her from a distance is a torture he is unable to free himself from.

Then a star begins to fall, sparking an ember of hope and sending two seekers on a treacherous journey into the unknown. - Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday #14 on Thursday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are highly anticipating.

 What the heck happened to Wednesday? Aw man, I know sometimes time flies, but I think I just totally skipped it.  Oh great, if this is going to keep happening I'm not sure what I'm going to do.  It wouldn't be so bad if everything that I needed to get done on Wednesday was magically done.  Then I would make sure that everything needed to be done on Wednesday, and 'poof' on Thursday I could just sit back and relax.  Well, a girl can dream can't she?  So, because Wednesday was left off of the calender this week (for me, anyways) you get to enjoy Waiting on Wednesday on Thursday!  Yay for you!

The Wicked Game by Michelle Zink

Claire Kincaid’s family has been in business for over fifty years.

The voodoo business.

Part of the International Guild of High Priests and Priestesses, a secret society that have practiced voodoo for generations, the Kincaid’s run an underground supply house for authentic voodoo supplies. Claire plays along, filling orders for powders, oils and other bizarre ingredients in the family store, but she has a secret.

She doesn’t believe.

Struggling to reconcile her modern sensibilities with a completely unscientific craft based on suspicion, Claire can’t wait to escape New Orleans – and voodoo – when she goes to college, a desire that creates almost constant conflict in her secret affair with Xander Toussaint, son of the Guild’s powerful founding family.

But when a mysterious customer places an order for a deadly ingredient, Claire begins to realize that there’s more to voodoo – and the families that make up the Guild – than meets the eye.

Including her own.

As she bands together with the other firstborns of the Guild, she comes face to face with a deadly enemy – and the disbelief that may very well kill her. ~Goodreads

Top Ten Sequels We Can't Wait To Get Our Hands On

This is this week's Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.

This week's topic: Top Ten Sequels We Can't Wait To Get Our Hands On

1. The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass

2. Mistaken (Ancients of Light #4) by Heather Fleener

3. The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan

4. Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

5. Free Souls (Mindjack Trilogy #3) by Susan Kaye Quinn
6. Untitled (Lorien Legacies #5) by Pittacus Lore

7. Illusion (The Grimoire Saga #4) by S.M. Boyce
8. Skin Game  (The Dresden Files #15) by Jim Butcher

9. Untitled (The Mediator #7) by Meg Cabot

10. Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Showcase Sunday #14

I have a been a big slacker this week.  I'm really sorry, I've had a terrible book hangover.  Not the good kind either.  I read Allegiant and it put me in kind of a funk.  I didn't even really read anything all week.  Never fear, Jennifer L. Armentrout was to my rescue.  Sentinel was released yesterday and of course I've finished it and I feel great once again!  I can move on from Allegiant.  I just need to vent for a teeny tiny little bit, if you don't want to hear about it, skip down to the showcase Sunday.  Alright, last chance.  If you have any desire to read either of these books, seriously skip down.  My rant, here it goes; Veronica Roth, WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?????  Were you so pressured with this book that you really didn't know what to do?  This book was my biggest disappointment of the year.  In Allegiant, nothing made any sense.  Your characters were not themselves, the story line fell short (really short), and your ending really pissed me off.  I applaud you for trying, next time if you are planning on killing one of the main characters you should finish the story like Jennifer L. Armentrout did with Sentinel.  AMAZING!  There.  I'm done.


Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you sow what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

I picked up Sentinel and Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout.  I've finished Sentinel and I'm hoping to start Obsession in the near future.

Rachel has also been in a reading funk, she has been extremely busy.  Halloween is one of her favorite times of the year and I believe she spent most of her time on Pinterest.  Can't really blame her, I've seen her pins and they are pretty cool.  Most of her lended books from the library were due back so she had to return them without reading any.  Being the kind and generous friend I am, concerned for her well being, lent her my old Nook.  So now she has my entire library in her possession.  Don't worry I'm not going to list out all 157 books.

What books did you pick up this week?

Waiting on Wednesday #13

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are highly anticipating.

The One (The Selection #3)
by Kiera Cass
Release Date: May 6th 2014

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned. - Goodreads

Why am I Waiting?

A couple pages into the 1st book in this series, The Selection, it was like love at first sight. I knew I wanted to spend every moment in this world and with these characters. Unfortunately, the problem with starting a series where not all the books are publish is the wait...and it doesn't help that I am the most impatience person.

I love Maxon so I hope America and him end up together but I also know from the author's blog that there are people who don't like Aspen so I wonder if Cass would have America end up with him or alone for a twist. Unlikely, but nevertheless possible. I really think Aspen and Lucy should end up together. All I ask for is some more romantic tension scenes with America and Maxon. I am interested to see what transpires with the Northerns/Southerns, Maxon's father and America. 

Will America join the Northern rebellion? Will she contact the Italians for help? Will Maxon find out about Aspen and her? Aren't there cameras everywhere in the palace? Does Maxon or his father already know about Aspen and her? Should America trust Maxon?

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Top Ten Scariest Book Covers

This is this week's Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.

This week's topic: Top Ten Scariest Book Covers

Rachel and I don't really do scary books.  In my late teens I was into thrillers, but that was some time ago.  So we aren't going to be much help with this Top Ten.  Sorry we are kind of lame this week.  These are the scary books I remember reading when I was younger, not that they were all that scary.

Hopefully your top ten is a little better than ours.  What did you have?

Sunday Showcase #13

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you sow what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

I find it ironic that it is our 13th Showcase Sunday and Halloween is this week. Thirteen is my favorite number, but I know plenty of people who associate 13 with black cats and series of unfortunate events. However, this week has been a very fortunate one when it comes to picking up books. Even though I am still slacking on my reading, I was able to pick up a stack of potentially good books at Stuff Ect, a consignment store, while I was looking for some last minute items to complete my Wonder Woman costume.

At Stuff Etc, I picked up...

- The Last of the Mohicans. I loved the movie so I hope the book is just as good. Plus, I think this is something my mom would like to read when I am done with it.

- The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I remember adoring this book when I was a teen so I want to read it again when I have some downtime. 

- The Unbearable Lightness of Being. I never heard of this classic but it has great reviews on Goodreads.

- To The Lighthouse. I haven't read anything by Virginia Woolf but I always wanted to so I thought I would give this book a shot. 

- Moth Smoke. I read The Reluctant Fundamentalist by this author. His books provide an insight into Pakistanis' lives in the United States.

- Cleopatra. I find Cleopatra one of the most interesting women in history so I bet I will love reading a historical fiction book about her. 

- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. My mom and both of my sisters have read books by Barbara Kingsolver. I can't remember which one is their favorite, but now that I own this book I can just pick it up when I want to give one of Kingsolver's books a try versus having to venture to the library. I am not fond of going to the library once it gets cold and snowy outside.

- Starters. I haven't heard of this book series but it has a pretty good rating on Goodreads so I am pretty excited for this young adult read. 

I got all these books for under $8.00. Now, I just need to figure out where to put them since there isn't anymore room on my bookshelf. I also received The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom in the mail from a Goodreads' giveaway last week. I have read The Five People You Met in Heaven and One More Day by him. His book are great when I need something thought provoking that will renew my outlook on life. 

Melissa purchased Allegiant by Veronica Roth which she has already finished. I am a little nervous about reading this book since Melissa wasn't very happy with this book and the ending. This weekend, another person told me not to read this book. Melissa also bought Embody and Image by Jamie Magee. 

Have you purchased or read any of these? What did you find this week?

Friday's Featured Freebie: Everflame by Dylan Lee Peters

Everflame
by Dylan Lee Peters
Free on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Long ago, when the earth was young. . . Four ancient beings created man to be the bastion of the earth and its creatures. But when The Great Tyrant came and chased The Ancients away, the world was transformed into a place of fear and isolation. Over time humans lost the connection they had with a world they had been created to protect. Now, deep in the forests that surround Gray Mountain, two bears find a small child that is abandoned and left for dead. They name him Evercloud, and raise him as a member of their kingdom. Teaching him the secrets of the elders, they tell him of the ancient beings that created man and the rumors of their return. Evercloud must now go on a quest to return The Ancients to power. However, in another corner of the land, a man known only as The Messenger travels the land under a white hood, on a mission to prevent the return of The Ancients. We follow the paths each of these men take until their stories collide in an epic battle of good versus evil.

Top Ten Unusual Character Names

This is this week's Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish.

This week's topic: Top Ten Unusual Character Names

We picked ten books that contain unusual character names and they are not in any particular order. Sorry that this post is a day late. I have been crazy busy this month - I love Halloween and everything else this amazing month has brought with it (costumes, pumpkin carving and decorating) except this snow we have been getting. It isn't supposed to snow in October. Time to break out the hot chocolate.

1. Sayer, Lorcan, Kaitrianna, Turloch, Maeve and Dunkirk from the Ancients of Light series. Melissa contemplated renaming one of sons Sayer while reading Broken.

2. Pia and Eio from Origin.

3. Eilidh and Saor from the Caledonia Fae series.

4. Bitterblue, Greening Grandemalion (aka Po), Sapphire (aka Saf) and Leck from the Graceling series.

5. Jett and Settak from Firedancer. 

6. Leith, Syrus and Forest from Forbidden Forest.

7. Gemma, Harper and Penn from the Watersong series.

8. Albus, Fleur, Bellatrix, Severus, Draco, Luna and Rubeus from the Harry Potter series. 

9. Mina and Teague from the Unfortunate Fairy Tale series.

10. Peeta, Primrose and Katniss from the Hunger Games series.

Any unusual character names are we missing?

Waiting on Wednesday #12

Happy Wednesday!  So, what did you all think of Allegiant?  Wait, don't tell me yet.  I'm not finished with it, hopefully by tonight it will be added to my read bookshelf.  I might have a book hangover tomorrow, but it's worth it.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are highly anticipating.  November 5th is going to be another big day for me.  The last time this happened was August 27th when everything I was waiting for came out all at once.   In addition to Champion by Marie Lu and Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Heritage by S.M. Boyce is also to be released.  Can you guess what I'm doing that week?  I even took Monday November 4th off of work to get everything done so I can spend the rest of the week reading!

Heritage (The Grimoire Saga, #3) by S.M. Boyce

Kara Magari isn’t normal, even by Ourea’s standards—and in a world of shape-shifters and soul stealers, that’s saying something. To the royalty, she’s a loose cannon. To the masses, she’s a failure. But Kara’s arrival in Ourea started a war, and she’s going to end it.

An ancient isen named Stone takes an interest in Kara’s training, and it turns out he has more answers than he originally led her to believe. In an effort to unearth a secret that might end the bloodshed, Kara instead discovers an ugly truth about her family—and how much she has in common with an infamous mass-murderer.

Braeden Drakonin has slowly rebuilt his life after the betrayal that tore it apart. His father wants him dead, and frankly, his so-called allies wouldn’t mind that either. Private alliances are formed. Secrets are sold. Tension is driving the armies apart. A single battle will end this war, and it’s coming. Braeden may be a prince, but it will take more than that to survive. He must take the fight to his father’s door—and win. ~Goodreads

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Showcase Sunday #12

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where you show what books you've purchased, borrowed, checked out from the library, received from giveaway, etc.

This weekend is going by too fast.  It's Sunday already and I haven't done much of anything.  I did finish The Maze Runner yesterday and now I'm seeing trailers for Ender's Game.  It's never ending, I'm half tempted to scrap my list of books for me to read this month so I can read Ender's Game.  The only thing that is stopping me is the fact that Allegiant will be released on Tuesday and I will be starting that book this week.  I noticed that some people are planning mid-night release parties for Allegiant.  Just a tad bit of crazyness for me.  I've already pre-ordered my copy and will be fast asleep while it's downloaded to my nook.  I wonder how many people will have it read before I wake up?  And you thought I had a problem?  I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Rachel is on a book break this week.  Which means that these are all mine!  I received a gift card from my team at work this week for Boss's day.  They know me so well, they got me Barnes and Noble gift card.  Yep, it's already spent.  I bought Legend and Prodigy by Marie Lu.  I want to get these read before the release of Champion.  I've heard really good things about this series.  I also picked up for free Evolution by Kelly Carrero on Friday.

What did you pick up this week?

Friday's Featured Freebie: Evolution by Kelly Carrero

Wow!  It's Friday already.  It's been a really busy week but I can't really remember what I did.  A new procedure went in at work which had me frazzled most of the week.  Thank goodness the crazy is done for two days.  This might be the reason why I haven't been reading as much as I thought I would.  I will try to make up for that this weekend.  Our book club this month was pushed back a couple of weeks with everyone's schedule being so busy.  We ended up making some sort of deal to read more than just my pick,  so I read my book and now I'm reading The Maze Runner, my sister has been bugging me to read this one.  So far I like it enough, I think it's going to start getting really interesting soon.  With reading The Maze Runner and Alligent due out on Tuesday, I must have dystopia on the brain because here is my Freebie Friday pick.

Evolution (Evolution #1)
by Kelly Carrero
Free on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Seventeen year old Jade Sommers life tuned upside down the moment she saw the inch long cut across her face, heal right before her eyes.

Jade thought she was going insane, but her boyfriend Aiden Scott knew better. He knew what she was. And like him, she was born this way.

Now if finding out that people like her shouldn’t exist was bad enough, Jades best friend is kidnapped by the psycho who’s terrorised her dreams. With the help of Aiden, she has to figure out how to saver her, before it’s too late.

But what Jade doesn’t know, is not everything is what it seems. She is merely a puppet in a sadistic game to find out what she is truly capable of – and the game has only just begun. ~Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday #11

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are highly anticipating.

The F- It List

by Julie Halpern
Release Date: November 12th 2013

With her signature heart and humor, Julie Halpern explores a strained friendship strengthened by one girl’s battle with cancer.

Alex’s father recently died in a car accident. And on the night of his funeral, her best friend Becca slept with Alex’s boyfriend. So things aren’t great. Alex steps away from her friendship with Becca and focuses on her family.

But when Alex finally decides to forgive Becca, she finds out something that will change her world again--Becca has cancer.

So what do you do when your best friend has cancer? You help her shave her head. And then you take her bucket list and try to fulfill it on her behalf. Because if that’s all you can do to help your ailing friend--you do it.

Why?
First of all I love the title. I always find death and cancer interesting topics especially when you get to view it from the eyes of a young adult. This book sounds like a combination of the movie 50/50 and the Bucket List. Plus who doesn't like bucket lists?  

Top 10 Tuesday

This is this week's Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke & the Bookish and this week's topic is the Top Ten Favorite Books You Were Required to Read. These are not in any particular order.

 


Most of Rachel's are from school.  I can't remember what I read in school and if it wasn't for Goodreads, I probably wouldn't remember what I read yesterday.  Most of mine are from Book Club.  One of them we received as a Review request.  I'll let you figure out which one. ;)

Rachel's List 1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 2. The Adventures Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 3. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien 4. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 5. Oath of Servitude by C. E. Wilson 6. Imaginary Invalid (Le Malade Imginaire) by Moliere 7. Room by Emma Donoghue 8. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (my book club pick) 9. Divergent by Veronica Roth (my book club pick) Melissa's List 1. On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony 2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Rachel's book club pick) 3. Another Fine MYTH by Robert Asprin 4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Rachel's book club pick) 5. The Woods by Harlan Coben 6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 7. Secret Daughter by Shilipi Somaya Gowda (Rachel's book club pick) 8. Oath of Servitude by C.E. Wilson
What books made your list?

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

Rating: 5 wine glasses

America is still in the competition to win Prince Maxon’s heart while Aspen searches for a chance to regain America’s. 

I finished this book in almost a day because I can't get enough of this series. The beginning of The Elite repeated a lot of small details which I just read in the Selection, regardless I still enjoyed every page. My favorite parts are America and Maxon's intimate discussions.

“You know that you’ve found something amazing, and you want to hold on to it forever; and every second after you have it, you fear the moment you might lose it.”

Then there is the beautiful Halloween Party. Things are just so perfect that I knew it was too good to last. No sooner than I thought this than I had tears running down my face. I won't say anymore about the situation that caused this but if you read the book you will know what I am talking about because the very pain and hurt America feels, I felt it transposed onto me.  I did like that you find out more about the history of Illéa and the original monarch, Gregory.

This book made me distrust Maxon a little bit more, but at the end of the day I still want America to be with him. While reading this book I did questioned whether Aspen really loves her or just wants her for himself, which is weird because I am usually fighting on the side of the protagonist’s first love. However, I feel like America is growing, changing and developing her own opinion of the world while Aspen expects her to be the America who left for the Selection months before. America is a jumble of who she was and what she has become. Reflecting now, I do believe Aspen loves America, but like Gale in the Hunger Games, he expects her not to have changed and for things to be as they once were.

My heart goes out to Aspen, but at the same time I was taken back when he told America that he doesn’t think she could be queen. Rule #1 for Winning Back the Girl of Your Dreams: Believe she can conquer the world and back her up whatever she does. My thoughts are #1 he is blind to this new America that is blooming right before his eyes. #2 He doesn’t want to imagine her as a queen/princess because that means she ends up with Maxon and not him. #3 He thinks this role would strangle and crush her. I am tempted to read the novella, The Guard just to find out what his reasoning is and get a better understanding of him, but I am going to wait until the third and final book, The One, is released so I can just finish the whole series at once.

America was very indecisive in this book and rash in her judgment/reactions. It could be frustrating at some moments but it did keep the book interesting and realistic. I am more indecisive than I like to admit so I really have no room to judge.

I cannot wait for The One’s release. I really hope to see more physical action between Maxon and America in it even though Maxon is too much of a gentleman for that to happen...well he is most of the time.

This is the second book in the Selection series. Check out my review of book one, The Selection.