Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it spotlights upcoming books that we as readers are anxiously awaiting...

Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Dark Swan Series, Book 4

Richelle Mead's website

Expected publication:  December 27, 2011
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description (taken from Richelle Mead's website):

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice...

The final book in the Dark Swan Series.  Did I mention this is my favorite book series right now?  Did I mention Richelle Mead is one of my favorite authors?  If you haven't read any of her books, I suggest you read them (whether it be this series or her young adult Vampire Academy series).  Also, I've been rooting for Dorian all throughout this series; I never liked Kiyo.

This will definitely be a belated Christmas present from me to myself when it comes out...

Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's post is the Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter.

I haven't really thought of books to read during the winter season.  I hate the snow and the cold.  So, I'd probably rather read about saunas and beaches.  But I guess now's a good time as any to put together a list of winter-related books for this season...

Please note that I have not read most of these books.  I picked them as winter reads due to the plot or book cover resembling something cold and winter-like (or something like that).

1.  A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Alright, so this book has absolutely nothing to do with the winter season.  But it is being released in January.  So it will be read during this winter season.  I suggest all young adult fantasy lovers give the Across the Universe series.

Amazon | Goodreads

2.  Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Again, this will be read during the winter season due to its release date occurring in December.  I have been a big fan of Cassandra Clare's work since the Mortal Instrument series.  The only complaint I have with the Infernal Devices series is the male love interest is too similar to Jace in the other series.  But that honestly doesn't keep me from loving the books.

Amazon | Goodreads

3.  Frost by Wendy Delsol

Doesn't the title and book cover make you think of cold weather?  This book is the second book in the Stork series.  And it's set in Minnesota.  Did I mention Minnesota has a lot of snow?  And it's cold, like Wisconsin.  Why aren't there any books set in Wisconsin?

Amazon | Goodreads

4.  Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Is it just me or does the cold remind you of death?  I guess it's just me.  But isn't the cover startling?  I haven't started this series yet, but I've been meaning to.  I might just be able to get to it this winter...

Amazon | Goodreads

5.  How to Save a Life by Sarah Zarr

And there's snow on the cover!!  Definitely thinking of cuddling up next to the fire with this one.  Again, this book's about death and how a girl deals with it.  It may be a little out of genre comfort zone, but I'm willing to give it a try.

Amazon | Goodreads

6.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss

Definitely a winter time read.  I'll be the first to admit that it takes me a couple of days to get into the Christmas spirit.  But this is like the best book to get you ready for Christmas (or turn you into a grinch).

Amazon | Goodreads

7.  The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

This is another series I haven't started and have no idea if it has a winter theme.  But the book cover looks a little frosty and standoffish.  And doesn't iron make you think of snow (no? okay it's just me then)...

Amazon | Goodreads

8.  Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

A paranormal romance set in the Minnesota forests where the cold affects the wolves.  This is the second book in the series, and I have to admit that Maggie does write the romance beautifully.  But I felt the first book lacked everything else.  I'm giving this next book a try after hearing about how everyone loves these books.  They gush about the perfect plot, the beautiful cover, and the best romantic story.  I'll agree to the romantic story part, but I'm still undecided with the series.

Amazon | Goodreads

9.  The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Another winter classic.  I love this book.  It was awesome.  And then the movie was released, and I was a little disturbed by it.  The movie gave me nightmares, but I'm still in love with the book.

Amazon | Goodreads

10.  Tinkers by Paul Harding

I picked this book up from the library because the cover was beautiful.  Again, this book discusses death as well as a man's past.  I'm excited to read this book because it is completely out of my confort zone.  But I stand by the beautiful cover.

Amazon | Goodreads

Four to Score by Janet Evanovich

Genre:  Detective

Stephanie Plum Series, Book 4

Janet Evanovich's website
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description (taken from Amazon):

Stephanie Plum, the trash-talking New Jersey bail bondswoman of this popular series, is tracking Maxine Nowicki, who's wanted for skipping out on a car-theft charge lodged by her ex-boyfriend. Now the ex-boyfriend's very interested in getting back the love letters he supposedly wrote to Maxine. But what he's really looking for is the secret on which Evanovich hangs her screwball cast of colorful minor characters, including Sally Sweet, a cross-dressing drag queen; Lula, the 250-pound ex-hooker who works for Steph's boss; Cousin Vinnie, the bail bondsman; Grandma Mazur, who packs a Glock and is always looking for a little action; and Joyce, a wannabe bounty hunter who's been cramping Steph's style since she played pass the salami with Steph's ex-husband. The action doesn't get much farther from Trenton than the Jersey Shore, but when Steph's apartment and car are blown up by the others on Maxine's trail and she moves in with Joe Morelli, the handsome, arrogant cop she's been hung up on since high school, it gets hotter than the craps table in Atlantic City. Plum's fans won't be disappointed in this fourth outing in the series, and they're likely to be even more interested in the snappy patter and sexy shenanigans than in the mystery that holds it all together.




I have to say the description above describes the book perfectly.  It doesn't matter that the mystery was fairly obvious from the beginning.  It was the side-story and the characters that kept my nose in the book.  I have to say Grandma Mazur and Morelli are probably my favorite characters in the books.  There were a lot of pages where I had to quit reading, so I could finish giggling.  (Jared, the husband, thought I had gone a little mental.)

I definitely recommend these books to all women out there who thought it would be cool to do something outrageously crazy like become a bounty hunter.

In My Mailbox

The "In My Mailbox" post consists of which books we bought during the past week, hosted by The Story Siren.

From the library:

• Matched by Ally Condie | Amazon | Goodreads
• I've seen this series crop up in a lot of blogs.  I've heard some good things and some okay things about this series.  I figured it was about time I start with the first book.
• The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross | Amazon | Goodreads
• I've been on the waiting list for this book since the middle of July.  And I finally got my hands on it.  I'm excited to read this book.  Isn't the cover gorgeous?

Purchased:

• The Lying Game by Sara Shepard | Amazon | Goodreads
• Seeing 50% off stickers at Barnes and Noble, I couldn't resist.  I pretty much picked this book up because of the cover.  And then the description kept me from putting it back on the shelf.
• Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard | Amazon | Goodreads
• I had to grab the second to this new series as well.  Why you ask?  Because I could...
• The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore | Amazon | Goodreads
• The second book in the Lorien Legacies books.  I'm not going to lie; it was the "I am Number Four" movie that got me interested in these books.  And I'm excited to start the second book soon.

Wake by Lisa McMann

Genre:  YA Paranormal Fantasy

Wake Trilogy, Book 1

Lisa McMann's website
Amazon | Goodreads

Description (taken from Lisa McMann's website):

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.


She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.


Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....




The synopsis definitely intrigued me, but I have to say this book fell flat for me.  The writing style was way too choppy, and I think it would have been better if it was written in the first person.  The plot seemed to jump from one moment to the next without forming coherent thoughts and explaining things well.  I was left more confused and in the dark while the story went on without me.

However, the story line does get better once you're about halfway in the book when Janie starts talking to Caleb. The dialogue seemed to keep the story going.  Is it enough to continue the series?  No, it isn't.

Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

WVMP Radio Series, Book 2

Jeri Smith-Ready's website

Description (taken from Jeri Smith-Ready's website):

Turn On. Tune In. Drop Dead.

If you’re just joining us, welcome to radio station WVMP, “The Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Con-artist-turned-station-owner Ciara Griffin manages an on-air staff of off-the-wall DJs—including her new boyfriend Shane McAllister—who really sink their teeth into the music of their ‘Life Time” (the era in which they became vampires). It’s Ciara’s job to keep the undead rocking, the ratings rolling, and the fan base alive—without missing a beat.

For Halloween, WVMP is throwing a bash sure to raise the dead. They’ve got cool tunes, hot costumes, killer cocktails—what could go wrong? Well, for starters, a religious firebrand ranting against the evils of the occult preempts the station’s midnight broadcast. Then, when Ciara tracks down the illegal transmission, the broadcast tower is guarded by what appears to be…a canine vampire? And behind it all is a group of self-righteous radicals who think vampires suck (and are willing to stake their lives on it).

Now Ciara must protect the station while struggling with her own murky relationship issues, her best friend’s unlikely romance with a fledgling vampire, and the nature of her mysterious anti-holy powers. To make it to New Year’s in one piece, she’ll need to learn a few new tricks.…

I enjoyed this book, and I'm enjoying the series.  It is centered around music, and the chapters are named after famous songs (it took me a very long time to figure out that little tidbit on my own - yes, I'm slow).  Jeri Smith-Ready puts a nice spin on her vampires, and I enjoyed the plot.  But the main character's tendencies and behaviors still kind of bothers me.

After re-reading my thoughts on the first book, I have to say I have similar thoughts on this one.  The book is really good; it hits the climax perfectly and draws it to a good conclusion, but the story doesn't end.  Instead, you deal with another mini-climax and a new ending.  There isn't anything wrong with this, but it just didn't sit well with me while reading it.  That's the major complaint I have.

Will I continue the series?  Of course.  Is it the mention of 'vampires' that had me sold?  Always...

Holiday Giveaway

As you'll notice in my left sidebar, I have a lot of giveaway buttons posted.  But I like signing up for giveaways.  It always feels good knowing there's a chance I could win something.  I'd like to give a shout out to one giveaway I have recently entered at Justin's Book Blog.

His giveaway includes a gift card to the Book Depository and potentially 3 ARCs depending on how many followers he has at the end of the giveaway.  I suggest you head on over to his blog and check out the giveaway...

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it spotlights upcoming books that we as readers are anxiously awaiting...

A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Genre:  YA Science Fiction
Across the Universe Series, Book 2
Beth Revis' website
Expected publication:  January 10, 2012

Description (taken from GoodReads):
Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos. 


It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.


But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

Seriously, Across the Universe was probably one of my favorite books to read this past year.  Beth Revis has made science fiction a cool genre to read (and we all know I'm kind of biased when it comes to sci-fi novels).  Anyways, definitely looking forward to this book's release next year.