Thursday, November 22, 2012

Quickie Review: Losing It by Cora Carmack

Losing It
Losing It
by Cora Carmack


Published October 12th 2012


Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

the author




With a title and cover like these, how could I possibly stay away from this book? Day-am. I got it as quickly as I could and, ignoring my pile of TBR books waiting in line to be read this year, set up to read it. Because I just couldn't wait.

Losing It was a lovely read. *-*

And, strangely enough, I don't know what much else to say about it. Wait, yes I can. It all comes down to this:
Garrick.
Tall, yummy, sexy, youngish, deliciously built, kind-hearted, blue-eyed, British-accented Garrick. 


Her friends were all very interesting characters, but the rest of the story could not hold my interest. I found myself flipping the pages on my Kindle to see what would happen after, and did not stop very often on my way to the ending, to be honest.

Well, what else can I say about this book that I read in fastforward mode? The hot scenes were pretty hot, I have nothing to complain about those AT ALL. There were some stereotypes from YA in the book that pissed me off, even if this is what people are now calling new Adult (I guess it's just a sort of grown-up, sexualized YA). The couple spent most of their time avoiding each other, then getting stuck in misunderstandings and hurting each other, then getting together again... that was annoying. Oh, and they didn't talk much, ergo, the misunderstandings. Also, the ending was almost too perfect, I think.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Teaser Tuesday #39






Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:
 Grab your current read
       • Open to a random page
       Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
       Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

Breath of Magic (Lennox Family Magic, #1)
"After seventy-two hours of gathering data, plotting flight trajectories, and analyzing theories, you have only one conclusion to offer me."
The imposing Scotsman was all but squirming in his brogans. "Aye, sir. The wee lass was ridin' a broom."

Breath of Magic (Lennox Family Magic #1)
by Teresa Medeiros, Mass Paperback Edition, page108.

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I am LOVING this book. I'll be sure to add a review soon, so stick around. XD 

What is your teaser this week?

Monday, November 19, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #40



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey
Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading?  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm Currently Reading:
Breath of Magic: A Novel

Finished:
Glass (Crank, #2)Firelight (Firelight, #1)Catching Suki (Lila, #0.5)Roar and Liv (Under the Never Sky, #0.5)Destroy Me (Shatter Me, #1.5)The Mediator: Volume 1 - Shadowland & Ninth Key (Mediator, #1-2)The Nine Lives of Chloe King (Nine Lives of Chloe King, #1-3)Charming the Highlander (Highlander, #1)Dragon Warrior (Midnight Bay, #2)
I LOVED Destroy Me. The book Glass was very intense and sad, but I enjoyed it like crazy, too. Oh, and I reread the first two books in The Mediator series (this time in English), one of my favorites.

DNFs:
Loving the Highlander (Highlander, #2)Tempt Me If You Can (Sinclair Brothers, #2)
I got tired of so many thirty-year-old virgin blondes...



Next Reads:
The Youngest Sister
I'll have to write a review for this one soon, the poor thing. It has none on Goodreads. LOL.
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What are you reading this week?

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Stacking The Shelves #30

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Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!

This new feature is hosted by Tynga from Tynga's Reviews.

This week I got:
From an online trade and local store:


A Breath of Eyre
This one really wasn't my cup of tea...
Sweet Evil
I enjoyed this book a LOT more than I thought I would! I really dislike the cover, but the story is pretty nice.
Angel's Blood
I heard good things about this one.
Desire Unchained
I LOVE Larissa Ione. It's like EVERYthing she writes gets closer and closer to perfection. ;)

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What did you get this week?

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Review: Sisters Red (Fairytale Retellings #1) by Jackson Pearce

 Sisters Red (Fairytale Retellings, #1)
Sisters Red (Fairytale Retellings #1)
by Jackson Pearce


Published April 5th 2010 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers


Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.
Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

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My Review

There are dozens of fairytale retellings out there. Maybe hundreds, I don't know, I'm too lazy to count. Anyway, what I mean is that after so many rewrittings/versions it can get kind of boring and even repetitive to read pretty much the same thing every time.

But Sisters Red is almost a whole new story. Sure, it's based on the Little Red Riding Hood tale, and it has a few things in common: the big, bad wolf, the dead grannie, the woodsmen, and even the walk in the forest with the food basket thingy... BUT in this version the Little Red Riding girls fight back. Yup, they kick some serious wolf ass. Heh.

This was my first Pearce book, and, boy, did she get it right! Her writing just flows, and when you least expect it, the book has ended! The characters are all very well-portrayed, very different from each other and from usual YA stereotypes. Even the younger sister, Rose, who had many weak and girly and romantic moments managed to suck it up and save herself, killing a handful of monsters while doing so. I really can't recall the last book I read in which a heroine saved herself by herself. O.o They usually have at least a little help or are next to completely helpless. Loved that! And, oh, boy, oh, boy, were those Fenris guys (wolves?) hot. It was no surprise those silly Dragonflies (as the main character called those clueless, pretty little girls who made themselves into perfect victims in the night) were drawn to them. I guess we all love to flirt with danger sometimes... even more when it's in the shape of attractive young men.

Oh, and one of our MCs, the older sister, Scarlett (love the name), was a tough cookie from the start. The girl killed her first wolf when she was just a child! For that she received many scars, on the inside and on the outside. The poor thing lost an eye and had half her face disfigured, along with her arms and most of her body. But that doesn't stop her from hunting. No, siree. Scarlett was the most adult and, well, simply the most different character I have found in YA until now. She doesn't care about love, friends, school or her appearance. All she cares about it hunting down and killing as many Fenris/wolves as she possibly can. That is her whole life, what drives her and completes her. That and her little sister, Rose. Oh, and her childhood friend, Silas.

But things get weird when Rose and Silas start to fall for each other... and start to want to hunt a little less and spend some more time alone, just doing... uh, nothing much. Scarlett cannot possibly understand that, especially when they have been so busy looking for the Potential to try and lure the Fenris close enough to kill them all. Oh, and talking about the Potential... that was the worst possible level of 'I've seen it coming from the start, how more obvious could it be', but even that didn't stop me from enjoying the book.


What ruined a lot of my glow was the ending. Keep reading if you don't mind a little bit of spoiler.

.
.
.
.
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How could the author send the pretty boy, who used to like the scarred girl for who she was and despite what she looked like ever since they were little kids, off to live happily ever after with the perfect sister and leave the scarred one all by her lonesome??? That was just... heartbreaking! Does she not deserve some love, too? Could she not learn to care for something more than just hunting? SHE NEEDED TO GROW IN THAT SENSE!!! She needed more in her life and you gave her no chance! :((



Well, drama and disappointments aside, this one is still a keeper. Why? Because the plot was very clever, the cover is beautiful and interesting all by itself and I can always change the ending in my head. LOL.

Monday, November 12, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #39




It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey
Welcome to It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading?  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm Currently Reading:
Glass (Crank, #2)

Finished:
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices: Manga, #1)Sisters Red (Fairytale Retellings, #1)Losing ItDark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1)Every Day


Next Reads:
Charming the Highlander (Highlander, #1)
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What are you reading this week?

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Stacking The Shelves #29


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Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!

This new feature is hosted by Tynga from Tynga's Reviews.

This week I got:
From an online trade:


I forgot to mention this one last week.... I LOVED it! *-*

Mum's the Word
Trouble with J.J.
Pick Your Poison
Don't Look Back

A little chick-lit for the soul. ;P

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What did you get this week?

I'd read it, Ms. Rowling.

I'd read it
LMAO!!! OOh, there are some pretty steamy fanfics out there, Ms. Rowling. 
Dirty/Horny Harry has done it ALL... with pretty much everyone. :P

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Review: Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn

Everything and the Moon (The Lyndon Sisters, #1)
Everything and the Moon
by Julia Quinn

Published March 1st 1997 by Avon Books

Seven years ago she broke his heart...

When Robert Kemble stumbles across Victoria Lyndon in hedgerow maze, he can't believe his eyes. The girl who'd torn him in two, who let him plan on elopement and then left him standing by the side of the road, was suddenly within arm's reach, and even though his fury still knew no bounds, she was impossible to resist...

Seven years ago he left her all but ruined...

Victoria's father had told her an earl would never marry a vicar's daughter, and he was right. Robert had promised her marriage, then danced off to London while she suffered the shame of a foiled elopement. But even though Victoria doesn't particularly enjoy her new life as a governess, when Robert offers her a job of a different sort—his mistress—she refuses, unable to sacrifice her honor, even for him.

But Robert won't take no for an answer, and he vows to make her his, through any means possible. Can these star-crossed lovers learn to trust again? And is love really sweeter the second time around?

Avon Books

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My Review

The minute Robert Kemble, Earl of Macclesfield, set eyes on the raven-haired beaty that was Victoria Lyndon, it was love at first sight.

She was everything he never knew he had always wanted. And she would be his.

As soon as he let her know, that is.

Victoria couldn't be more suprised when the owner of the lands and the pond she was swimming in suddenly accosted her. That is, until he started to shamelessly flirt and kiss her. And promise her everything she could ever want. AND the moon.

Robert proposed and Victoria wants nothing more than to marry this wonderful, charming man she is rapidly falling for... but their fathers think differently on the matter. And thanks to them, a most horrid misunderstanding takes place, pushing the loving couple apart.

Seven years later, they meet again. Now they need to learn to forgive each other, and start accepting the old feelings that are now resurfacing. If only Robert can convince Victoria that this time he will, indeed, give her everything and the moon.

I just love Julia Quinn. It's very rare for me not to like the things she write... but when I read her introductory letter for this book, I somehow knew this would be one of those rare occasions.

How can an author expect us to believe in something she doesn't believe herself?

I've never been one for love-at-first-sight stories, but thinking this one would be like the others Quinn had so perfectly penned, I gave it a try. I don't know. Maybe if I hadn't read her letter saying she was writing about something she didn't believe, I would have enjoyed the story more. Maybe I still wouldn't have enjoyed it.  My point is: I couldn't finish it.

Yup, that's right. I abandoned this book. The beginning was super cute, I'll admit it. And there were some great (and awfully characteristic of Quinn's works) amusing moments... but I just stopped caring for the characters around the middle of the book. I didn't even care enough to jump to the ending. I simply gave it up. They were juvenile. Plain silly. And not believable.

However, I am enjoying the second book in the series immensely. But Brighter Than The Sun is very much in line with my other Quinn's favorites. :P I still love Quinn, we just had a bad moment.

If you do like love-at-first-sight stories in a historical setting, then this will most likely be a hit for you. I hope you enjoy it!

Monday, November 05, 2012

Axe Bookshelf

Axe Bookshelf
Wouldn't my horror books look just FABULOUS on that??? *-*
Maybe I should have posted that on Halloween... ok, everybody, let's pretend today is Halloween and this a holiday-appropriate post, not in the least weird or homicidal, like me. :P

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Stacking The Shelves #28

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Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!

This new feature is hosted by Tynga from Tynga's Reviews.

This week I got:
From an online trade and used store:



(I loved the TV series, so it's time I read it. ;P Even knowing that my delicious Khal Drogo shall perish....).

So I loved Outlander. Now I'm buying the whole series. 

Some books by Quick become favorites... others, DNFs... we'll see about this one.
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What did you get this week?

Friday, November 02, 2012

#FF - Feature and Follow #34


Feature and Follow is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View.
Lovely button by Reading Into Hiding.

Q: What is a deal breaker for you in a book? For example, do you abhor love triangles? Or can’t deal with bad editing?

Geez... bad editing will ruin a whole book for me. I gave up She Smells the Dead after the first page... but then it wasn't just bad editing, it involved bad writing, too. >.> That is another deal breaker for me, I'm afraid.

Beautiful cover, though...

She Smells the Dead

Oh, and Julie from New Adult Addiction reminded me of something that seriously pisses me off in adult books: WHY ARE THE HEROINES (almost) ALWAYS VIRGINS???!!! They can be good, kind-hearted, worthy of happiness and pure of mind without having to all be freaking virgins, ok!? And if it was only in historicals, which would be acceptable and, well, expected, it would be alright... but contemporary books are filled with virgins, too. Who are you trying to fool here?



Let's not forget the much older heroes, either. What's up with that, authors? Why do you write about young virgin girls from 18-22 years falling for 36-year old men or older? Can't they be nice, young men of, I don't know, 25 years old, or in some way just closer in age to the heroines? Maybe it wouldn't be so realistic for historicals, but it happens a lot in contemporary, too. I'm getting tired of imagining a man of my father's age with a girl my age. Just... yuck.



 And don't even get me started on the unbelievable number of red heads and blondes in books, either. >.>
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If you're a new follower on GFC or Networked Blogs, please let me know and I will be glad to return the favor. :)

Review: Eve (Eve #1) by Anna Carey

Eve (Eve, #1)
Eve (Eve #1)
by Anna Carey


Published December 1st 2011 by HarperCollins


Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

After a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth's population, the world is a terrifying place.

Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a bright future in The New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school's real purpose--and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she's ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. But when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.


December 1st 2011
 HarperTeen


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When I first started reading Eve, I had no idea what it was about. I had just reached over to my pile of unread books and it was sitting there, so I grabbed it.
It's not 'Oh, my, this is fantastic, everybody should read this before they die, here's a copy', but it is a good, intense read. A little silly and slow at times, sure, (I mean, this IS YA), but the whole post-apocalyptical situation is so terrifying and aggravating, Eve's world so indignant, and the action scenes so... 'heart-racing', that it becomes well balanced. :)

I'm strange about the books I keep and the ones I trade, but this one... well, this one I'll keep. It's not a 5 stars book on the whole, mind you, but for a few excellent scenes... it gets very close to it. I get the feeling Anna Carey could do so much better, but that maybe she held back sometimes because she wanted it to become a YA book... her violent scenes are so... no-nonsense and clear and disgustingly real, they're blood-curdling in their simplicity. I think she would make an AMAZING Adult writer. Really. Here's hoping, right?

That scene with the pregnant students tied down... yeesh. >.< *shudders* It still resurfaces in my mind randomly. And I've read it over a month ago. O.o I can also still recall the almost-rape scene... the yellowish color of the evil man's teeth... how sweet the the orphan boys were. You see? It's about the little things, the very well-written few parts that suck you in! But there can't be that many of those, because it's supposed to be for young audiences... and, really, JUST 318 pages? I though this kind of books normally could go up to 368 pages, or am I wrong? I am aware this is a series, however, I feel the story could have been slightly improved in those 50 more possible pages... 

The romance was cute and light, not insta-love, which is a certain plus... friendship was also nicely dealt with in Eve, and so was jealousy and betrayal. I can't wait to read Once and Rise. I am really looking forward to learning more about this weird, evil King that forces young girls to study for years straight only to tie them down and get them pregnant until they die of exhaustion and/or childbirth. I mean, seriously? How freaking mean and black-hearted can you possibly be? If you only want them as 'sows' for reproduction, why make them study so hard and hope for the future so bad? Like that'll make better babies! ... Or maybe he does it so they'll have something to occupy their brilliant minds with while they're tied down and knocked-up for the twentieth time, so they won't break so quickly? I don't know.... >.> Like I said, Carey is the boss here. ;P

Have you read Eve? What did you enjoy the most about it? If you haven't read it, do you feel like reading it?