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?