Dark Awakening Review

Dark Awakening

By Kendra Leigh Castle

Summary

Enter the world of the Dark Dynasties . . .

For centuries, shapeshifting vampire Tynan MacGillivray has prowled the night as an outcast, valued only for his ferocious hunting skills. When a feud among the immortals escalates into all-out war, he is ordered by his ruthless queen to locate a Seer-a human woman with a special gift-who can secure victory for their clan. Ty's search leads him to a quiet New England town, but once he has the Seer in his grasp, her touch awakens within him a hunger like he's never known . . .

Lily Quinn has always been different. Since childhood, she's had vivid nightmares and an eerie sixth sense. When a sexy, silver-eyed stranger demands her help, Lily plunges into a new world of danger and sensuality. With Ty, she discovers sizzling passions she cannot deny and powers she cannot control. Soon, it is clear that Lily is much more than a Seer-she holds the key to ancient secrets and unthinkable destruction. But will a vampire's vow of eternal protection stop these evil forces . . . or unleash her dark destiny?

What I Loved

Brooding Bad Boys

Kendra creates the greatest male characters. I have loved every male character she has created in each of her books and I love Tynan MacGillivray just as much. He is the perfect recipe calling for bad childhood memories, rough adult years, barely suppressed rage, loyal to the core and you can't forget bad communication skills. For all those solid cold walls there is a man just wanting to be loved, oh I can't forget to mention he purrs (he is a cat shifting vampire, the lowest caste).

Lily Quinn I really like her character. She isn't physically strong or able to fight, but she stands tall and doesn't let herself get pushed around. She has also built walls around her heart because of her shitty parenting situation.

Never A Dull Moment

The sexual tension between Lily and Tynan is a push pull I want you, but I can't have you. They are continually being attacked and avoiding other groups that would like to use to destroy her abilities.

Vampires

This vampire structure is very awesome, she takes bits of pieces from different vampire lore. The gods created their own dynasty line of immortals, each line has a different specialty. Each line creates a different mark and some bloodlines are even be mixed. Tynan is of the Cait Sith line, but he is in servitude to the Ptolemy queen.

The Ptolemy

Leader: Queen Arsinoe

Oringin: Ancient Egypt and the goddess Sekhmet

Powers: Lightening Speed

The Cait Sith

Leader: None, considered lowbloods

Origin: Celtic line originating with the fae

Powers: Can take form of a cat (big)

The Dracul

Leader: Vlad Dracul

Origin The goddess Nyx

Powers: Take form of a bat

The Grigori

Leader: Sariel

Origin: Unknown

Abilities: Rumored flight

The Empusae

Leader: Empusa

Origin: The goddess Hecate

Powers: Take the form of smoke

What I Didn't Like

There isn't anything in this book I didn't like. Only that it had to come to an end and I now have to wait for more. 

Recommendation 

Anyone who loves vampires and the paranormal romance genre. You should mark you calendars for the release date of this book

June 28, 2011

Amazon / Borders / B&N

Information 

Dark Dynasties
Book 1: Dark Awakening releases June 28th 2011
Book 2: Midnight Reckoning releases in January 2012
Book 3: Shadow Rising releases in July 2012
Book 4: Untitled releases probably in early 2013

Other Books by Kendra
Harlequin Nocturnes
Renegade Angel
MacInnes Werewolves 
Book 1: Call of the Highland Moon
Book 2: Dark Highland Fire (this 1 can only be found used or eBook)
Book 3: Wild Highland Magic

Yes I have read everything by Kendra and will read everything she publishes. She captured me with Call of the Highland Moon. See my Reviews of her books

What is your favorite type of vampire?


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Divergent Review

Divergent

By Veronica Roth

Summary

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are - and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series - dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance. 

What I Liked

Dystopian Novel

I haven't read many current dystopian novels, but I really did enjoy it.  Once I understood what type of world Tris was living in I was very intrigued by the processes, the hazing, the brainwashing of individuality and independent thinking.

Characters

Tris: I like her a lot. She comes from a very selfless plain home being very reserved and formal. She flows easily into her new fraction the dauntless being brave and working hard. Tris maybe viewed as the weakest initiate but she won't be looked down upon, she has a very bright fire within her and I love when she shows it. 

Four: My favorite type of character. Dark brooding male character, but puts up a great facade of being this type of person and when we get to view him when he lets those walls down he is even more endearing. 

Fractions

A very interesting concept, segregating people into their most dominate trait, because I am this, I think this way. Labels defining people, sad but intriguing. The fraction placing got me wondering what fraction I would be in. I took a quiz on Facebook's Divergent Fan Page.  

My Results

What I Didn't Like

I did find the book slow paced for the 1st half of the story. I just felt it took me a little bit of time to understand what the world was about. I don't really like segregation of any sort, even personality types, so it took me a little bit of time to accept this as part of their way of life for these people in this futuristic setting. But by the end I really didn't want it to be over.

Recommendation

A must read. It does make you think about who you are as a person and what decisions you would choose were you in this setting.

Information

Divergent is the first book in the trilogy

Book 2 will should be released Spring/Summer of 2012

Book 3 will should be released Spring/Summer of 2013

Veronica will be an author in the Dark Days of Summer Tour

She will be at each of the stops and I will get to meet her in Portland YAY

Check the Pitch Dark Facebook page to see if she is coming to a city near you

What fraction do you belong to?

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Now On The Shelves

Out Today

The two release that I am most stoked about today are:

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton sees Lucas Delos for the first time she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands. With an ancient curse making them loathe one another, Lucas and Helen have to keep their distance. But sometimes love is stronger than hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen ...

You have got to go get this book, like NOW!!!

This is book 1 of a stunning new trilogy

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book from Josephine herself and I absolutely loved it so much. I can't wait for the next book to come out and sadly I now have to wait a whole year.

To read more about why I loved the book, go check out my Review

Josephine will be at a few book signings events

June 9th in Viejo, CA

June 10th in Tempe, AZ

June 11th Lansing, MI

June 28th Pasadena, CA

Lucky cities! I wish she was going to be at the Portland Dark Days stop 

I did pre-order my copy from Borders and hopefully they will be shipping it out today. I can't wait till I have the beautiful hardback copy sitting next to my awesome signed ARC

&

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels has quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but starting her own business isn't easy when the Order starts disparaging her good name. And being the mate of the Beast Lord doesn't bring in the customers, either. So when Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead asks for help with a vampire, Kate jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, this is one case where Kate should have looked before she leapt.

This is book 7 in the series of 9 (this also includes the two short stories)

If you haven' heard of these books you really should read them, they are awesome!! I love urban fantasy, it is a great break from romance and it has a lot of kick ass scenes.

So I was going to go to the signing tonight in Portland (a 3+ hour drive), but I chickened out because of the rain, my little car and freeway driving don't mix very well. I'm so bummed out this, but I didn't want to stress myself out. 

But you can order a signed copy of the book from Powell's Books if you want too.

These are two awesome book that everyone has to add to their reading library today

Go forth and buy the books 

<3Reading

In My Mailbox #11

My Addiction

IMM # 11

IMM is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, anyone can participate telling about what they bought, received or borrowed.

Leader: Would you like to introduce yourself and tell us why you are here

Me: ah shit <sigh> Okay... Hi, my name is Kristina and I am addicted to buying books. I fell off of the wagon hard this week. I have been working very hard not to buy too much, but I couldn't help myself this week. Borders had a 50% off coupon and Half Price Books had their 20% off EVERYTHING in the store sale and I went to 3 locations. I found so many amazing good deals, I just couldn't pass it up. But I did restrain myself from buying at least 6 books. I was trying to buy only books that continued with my series, I would be attending a signing or that I had been really wanting. So I did show some restraint while shopping.

From Half Price I Got

Adult Books

1) Vanished by Kat Richardson
Book 4 in the series
2) Labyrinth by Kat Richardson
Book 5 in the series
3) Taken by Lilith Saintcrow
Going the 3 author signing
4) Thoroughly Kissed by Kristine Grayson
I want all of her books, part of a series
5) (oops) Magic Bone by Devon Monk
Going to 3 author signing, I figured I would at least get book 1 of her series

YA Books

1) Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

I have been hearing so much about this book and it was the first time I have seen it used

2) Pegasus by Robin McKinley

I have been really wanting this book

3) Keys to Respiratory by Melissa De La Cruz

Part of the series

4) Mistwood by Leah Cypress

I probably shouldn't have gotten this book, but I have been hearing so many good things about it

5) Dating for Demons by Serena Robar (signed)

3rd book to the series

From Borders I Got

1) Defiance by Lili St. Crow

I want to go to the signing, love this series

2) The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Have to have it!!

3) After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn

Another have to have

I also won some awesome books and they were delivered this week

I Won

Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance (signed)
I won this from Karen Chance, check her out Facebook Page. I was actually surprise because I thought it was going to be an ARC version not a finished a copy. I am very happy that it is a finished copy.
Releases June 7th

 Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon (signed)
It also came with a postcard and a bookmark. I won this through vvb32 reads, the author was providing the books. Thanks to both for the book.

Timeless by Alexandra Monir (signed)

I won this through Fiktshun, thanks Rachel. She also sent me lots of awesome swag.

Me: Yes, I am a book addict and I love it. I just can't help getting and wanting everything that comes out!! 

This Weeks Outlook

My First To Read Book List

1) Divergent

2) Betrayal

3) Wings

4) Spells

5) Illusions

I am planning on going down to Portland on Tuesday for a multi author signing at Powell's Books

Ilona & Gordan Andrews

Devon Monk

Lilith Saint Crow

I am hoping I won't chicken out for the 3+ hour drive by myself, because I really really want to go to this signing. I have read everything of Ilona and Gordan, I have read book 1 of Strange Angels (waiting for the rest of the series to be published before I read it) and I haven't read Devon Monk's yet, I know I probably should, but I shouldn't take on another long series right now.

What did you get this week?

Please leave a link to your IMM posting

<3Books

Armchair BEA: Blogging About Blogging

 Blogging About Blogging

Day 5 (Last Day)

Day 1: Who Am I and How Do I Armchair?

Day 2: Best of 2011 Reading List

Day 3: Networking BEA Style

Day 4:  Nurturing Blogging Relationships

Day 5: Blogging About Blogging

There are some great subjects to post about, but I'm just going to pick a few and talk about them. A short and sweet conclusion for this visit.

What are your tips for balancing life and blogging?

Don't overwhelm yourself
I'm trying not to bite off more than I can chew, not working the greatest currently, but I'm working hard to slow down and rein things in. Try to limit how many books you request to review so you don't have to worry so much about deadlines.
Life comes first then blogging
There are so many things to do in life, but don't let them pass you up because you "need" to get that post posted. I try to limit myself to an hour of browsing through other blogs, twitter and Facebook a day.
Have a few slow days where you aren't very active on the blog
My slow days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, those are my husband's days off and I will try and do as much with him.
Have fun with blogging
Don't let blogging become a job, it is a hobby and keep it that way.
Quality over quantity
I am only doing one meme, In My Mailbox, I don't want to feel like I have too many meme's to do even though they are fun. I try to do at least 1 book posting a week preferably 2 reviews if I can. I don't feel a need to post everyday, although I wish I could, but I feel if I did it would take away from my above list for balance.

What genre do you blog about and why?

I read anything fiction and fantasy. I always say "I live in the real world, so why do I want to read about it" Give me vampires, werewolves, fae and magic in my books and I will be a very happy girl. I will read both YA and adult, I actually like to mix it up and switch back and forth between the 2. Sometimes I just need a good innocent love story, sometimes a hot steamy sexy action book or a great kick ass sideline love story. I really only look for books in the Paranormal romance, Sci-fi/Fantasy, and all the YA books. I have a few fiction authors that I read, but very few, they still have a touch of magic woven into the story.

It has been a lot of fun Armchair BEA, but I am glad we have come to the end of our visit with each other. 
Adios, till we meet again.


<3Books

Armchair BEA: Blogging Relationships

Nurturing Book Blogging Relationships

Day 4

Day 1: Who Am I and How Do I Armchair?

Day 2: Best of 2011 Reading List

Day 3: Networking BEA Style

Day 4:  Nurturing Blogging Relationships

Publisher

I actually haven't really done any personal requesting from a publisher. I have done requesting through Netgalley.com or through the author. A few authors have asked their followers if they would like to send in their blogging information and they in turn would pass along the information to the publisher. I have gotten 1 book through this process, So Silver Bright by Lisa Mantchev. I hope to one day get the nerve to try requesting by myself.

Authors

I love authors they are so freaking amazing. I have been able to connect some of them via twitter, mostly Facebook or even through their blog. Following authors blogs is what actually got me started with my blogging page. I had so many author blogs on my favorites tab and it was just getting kind of crazy and confusing, so to make it easier for me and more fun I decided to start my blog. Since I now have a home base for my books I have been able to connect with authors with more ease. By just commenting back and forth, gushing about their books or subject they have been so generous as to gift me with a few ARCs. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini and Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle are those two. Such wonderful people.

I am also fortunate enough to live in a bookie city, Seattle, so a decent amount of authors will travel on book tours through here. I still need to get better about talking to them more, I get a little shy and nervous when talking to me. Kimberly Derting is an awesome person, I have meet her a few times and she remembers me. Yes, I am a event junkie. I love telling people about the next book signing and going to as many as I can. My signed book count is 85+ and counting. I love to meet the authors I have read. 

Blogger

I love connecting with my fellow book bloggers. I will try to remember who I commented on and go back to the page to see if they have responded back to me. I also try to respond to everyone who comments on my blog as well. I love how Rachel of Fiktshun always makes a comment to everyone and I try to do the same so I can connect with the people who are taking the time to view what I have to say.

My Advice 

Be kind to everyone authors, blogger and publishers alike. If you don't get replies back, don't take it personally many people are very busy. The book blogging community is very awesome when you actually take the time to connect with them. I have picked a few bloggers and try to connect with them as much as I can, I try not to overwhelm myself with trying to get as many people as I can to connect with. Quality of quantity.  Blogging for many is a hobby and don't loose site of that, enjoy it.

<3Books

Armchair BEA: Networking BEA Style

Networking Armchair BEA Style

Day 3

Day 1: Who Am I and How Do I Armchair?

Day 2: Best of 2011 Reading List

Day 3: Networking BEA Style

In the last few months that I have been able to meet some really awesome people in the blogging community. 

These are the 3 blogs I frequent the most

Fiktshun Strictly for Fiction.

I love commenting back and forth with Rachel on both her blog and her FB page. I also love all the extra stuff that she has beside reviews. She keeps things lively and entertaining. 

Little Shelf

Jennifer has a very beautiful blog and we are both on the same In My Mailbox # which is really fun. I will be able to meet her at the Supernatural Summer Tour in Oregon, it will be awesome to meet my first fellow blogger in person. 

vvb32 reads

I love the themes that vvb has on her blog. I started following her on her women with swords and now she is currently on Pirates. She also asked me to host a review on her site of Sirena, that was my first and it was fun.

And a special thanks to

Fantasy 4 Eva

She gave me some great advice for starting off blogging and website advice that I really appreciated.

The Story Siren

She also has a lot of great blogger information and hosting the IMM which is a lot of fun.

There are many other great blogs that I love to visit and see what they are saying, doing, reading, hosting or many other various things. I look forward to discovering many different blogging siting in the future.

Yay for sharing the love of books with each other

Die For Me Review

Die For Me

By Amy Plum

Summary

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.

What I Loved 

Characters

Kate: A great new heroine. She has had a very painful life altering situation of loosing both her parents and moving to Paris to live with her grandparents. Some people would crumble and completely loose sight of life, but Kate while grieving grows stronger and more protective of herself and she isn't willing to just jump into a relationship with out understand the situation and possibly painful consequences for her in the long run. She thinks about things with a rational though process.

Vincent: hmmm...What to say about this character! I love my dark brooding male characters, they are my weakness. He is sweet, not pushy and protective. And of course super hot and sexy :)

Revenants
Forget vampires, forget werewolves, the new thing in Revenants. Amy created her own creature to fit what she wanted for the story. Revenant is the French world for "one who comes back", they aren't really zombies well not in the traditional sense. Yes they died in their normal life but they came back as something more and with an honorable purpose. I love these new mythological creations and I can't wait to read more about what she has in store for them and what history she will reveal to us in the coming books.

Star-Crossed Lovers

This book has been compared to Twilight (just like everything else) and it does have some parallels throughout the storyline and even Amy states her inspiration did come from watching Twilight. This is the story of two lovers that shouldn't be together but will stop at nothing to be together. In essence that is what Bella & Edward, Romeo & Juliet, Helen & Paris, Clarey & Jace and many others lovers throughout stories, this theme transcends Twilight. So forget about comparing this to Twilight and just love it for a new story of two lovers that shouldn't be together but are.

I dedicate this song to all the Revenants

What I Didn't Like

It came to an end and I now have to wait a whole year for the next book.

Recommendation

If you like YA, fantasy just read it

Information

Revenant Trilogy

Die For Me (out)

Until I Die (2012)

Book 3 ?
Amy has awesome EXTRAS like a deleted prolog and Vincent's POV and FAQs about the book, inspiration, etc.
Amy will be touring with the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour (with I will be attending the Oregon event, yay)
Check her Tour Schedule to see if she will be coming near you.

Have you read Die For Me or do you have it on your to buy list?

<3Books

Armchair BEA: Best of 2011

Armchair BEA: Day 2

Best of 2011

Day 1: Who are you, and how do you Armchair?

Check out my yesterday's post to learn about me

Day 2: My list of my favorite books I have read so far this year

My 3 Favorite Adult Reads

 River Marked by Patricia Briggs

I love Mercy Thompson, she is one of my favorite female characters.

 Call of the Highland Moon by Kendra Leigh Castle

I re-read this book this year. She is a bookstore owner that gets a sexy Scotsman/werewolf

Wickedly Charming by Kristine Grayson

This is perfect for the book expo going on. Prince Charming is a book nerd excited about getting lots of ARCs

My 3 Favorite YA Reads

 Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

A mix of greek mythology and Romeo and Juliet, what is not to love

 The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

I love anything Greek mythology and I love Hades and Persephone's story (well minus Persephone for this story)

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

This is my first steampunk and I loved it. I also just finished reading it so it is still fresh in my mind. 

I really hate picking favorites I have many others that I absolutely loved. 

I'm currently reading Die For Me by Amy Plum

A few others that I can't wait to read from my bookshelf 

(these are only books I physically already have)

Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle

Namaah's Blessing by Jacqueline Carey

So Silver Bright by Lisa Mantchev

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

Wildfire by Karsten Knights

Betrayal by Mayandree Michele

Have you read any of my books?

<3Books

Armchair BEA: Who Are You and How Do You Armchair?

First Day of BEA Armchair

(well technically I'm a little late, but oh well)

I'm still really new to the blogging world and I'm just now hearing about this website dedicated to those of us who haven't been able to go to NYC and participate is the crazy, exciting ordeal. Maybe one day I will go, but I think I like sitting back and watching all the craziness from the sidelines in my cozy chair.

Daily Topic: Who are you, and how do you Armchair?

Who Am I?

My name is Kristina and I have been blogging since February 2011, a newbie. I live in the Evergreen State, The Rainy State or Coffee Central, which ever you would like to call it, but it is also commonly known as Washington. No I have never met any sparkly vampire, too bad <sigh>. In all actually I really do love Washington and I do love the rain for it makes everything all beautiful and green.

When I am not reading my books or doing bookie stuff, I am either with my husband (2 years marriage 5 years together), with my family (I love my huge family, 2 sisters, parents, 21 cousins, 6 Aunt/Uncle + spouses, 2 Grandparents) playing soccer, with friends talking books, walking my dog or working 20 hours a week (yes I'm spoiled, but I do work very hard in those 20 hrs). 

My book collect is my pride and joy. I have three 5 shelve bookcase and they are already full (on the right side bar is my bookshelves 3 months ago, I have expanded since). When we get our 2nd home I will have a room dedicated to my books with floor to ceiling bookcases and a rolling ladder. This will probably be in 5+ years when we will be needing to up grade from a starter home due to out growing our current house (no kids yet, but planning in a year).

I would like to learn more about photography, I have a decent camera known as a bridge camera (I just learned this) that I have been practicing on using. I would like to take a class at a community college for fun so I can have a creative outlet, since I can't draw anymore.

How Will I Armchair?

I am just going to sit back and relax while people in NYC are going to be going like crazy. I will read my books, check twitter and blogs for peoples update who are attending. I think I am also going to search for author events local to me. I want to meet more authors, although I have been to a decent out over the 3 years of attending author events.

(Yes this is my reading chair, it is sooo comfortable to read in!!)

Sirena Review

...and a bottle o'rum: Schedule
a virtual event
with pirates all about
happening all of may 2011
be at the ready

Hosted by vvb32 reads

For this event I read and reviewed

Sirena

By Donna Jo Napoli

Summary

In Donna Jo Napoli's beautiful prose, the tragic love story between a mermaid and a mortal comes to life for young readers. When Sirena meets Philoctetes, Hercules' friend, she falls in love. But the young warrior must return home to fight the Trojan War and leave his magical love behind.

 Icon and Art by Selina Fenech www.ageofenchantment.com

My Review

Sirena is a sweet enchanting read of a mortal mermaid that wants to become immortal, but to become immortal she must lure a sailor with her hypnotic alluring song and make him love her. Tragedy strikes her and her sisters when they attempt to lure 2 ships. The ships and many of the sailors meet their watery grave, with only 19 surviving and dying on the little island due to the lack of fresh water, they blame the mermaid vixens and kill one of the sisters. The pod attempts to lure a second ship and Sirena is distressed and doesn't want to kill anymore men for her to gain her immortality. She leaves her sisters and comes to the island Lemnos. A man Philoctetes is left for dead after he is cursed by Hera. Sirena feels sympathy for the man and is lonely for companionship, she vows she will save him and not sing to him. A great love develops between the two of them and Sirena learns what is means to truly love regardless of differences and the inevitability of his mortality and her immortality. This is not your Disney Little Mermaid story of a perfect Happy Ever After, nor the completely tragic original Hans Christian Anderson version, but a blend of both happiness and sadness (minus the getting legs part).

Recommendation

If you love reading all mermaid stories, you must read this book. This book is a re-read for me, I love all of Donna Jo Napoli's books. She is ingenious in creating a new different version of traditional fairy tales, but still keeping in the theme of old fairy tales for they aren't always perfect and can be kinda dark.

Would you love to read this book? 

I am going to pass on my lovingly read copy of Sirena and my handmade ribbon beaded bookmark to one lucky winner
US only
ends Sunday May 29th
EXTENDED TO JUNE 12TH
To enter just leave a comment telling me what your favorite mermaid story is?
Don't forget to leave an email or way to contact you

CLOSED

Winner is mamabunny13 
Congratulations

A few other mermaid stories I have read are
The Goddess of the Sea by PC Cast
The Last Mermaid by Shana Abe
The classic Hans Christian Anderson tale is always a good one

I haven't read too many mermaid stories although there are a few others that I want to read.

<3Books

The Steampunk Chronicles Review

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne

&

The Girl in the Steel Corset

By Kady Cross

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne 

 Prequel

Summary

Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined…

An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles.

Quickie Review

The Steampunk Chronicles is my introduction into the steampunk genre and I absolutely loved it!! In this prequel we get introduced to Finley Jayne a not so normal girl. Finley is my favorite type of heroine, she is confused about what is going on, but she isn't whining and complaining about her unfortunate situation. She handles her odd abilities with grace and putting them to use to help her charge.

Recommendation

You should definitely read this before you read The Girl in the Steel Corset. Although it isn't completely necessary to the series, it gives you more of in insight to Finley's character and how she initially dealt with her new found abilities and her oddities.

Information

You can currently get this prequel for free on Amazon, so what are you waiting for? Go get it!!

The Girl in the Steel Corset

 Summary

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.

What I Liked

Steampunk

I have found a new genre to read! I love the clothes, the corsets and heels and the manners of the characters. They are proper, but they push the lines and I like that about them. Too proper of characters kinda bug me. The melding of technology, science, history and fiction is perfect. The use of natural chemicals that alters the genes is a fantastic twist. As Kady Cross put it her series is a melding of The League of Extraordinary Gentleman meets X-Men, what a perfect combination!

Love Triangle 

Who will Finley choose? Griffin King a duke or Jack Dandy a crime lord (of sorts), the complete opposites where her two conflicting personalities are attracted to each guy. I personally like Griffin more, Jack has his charm, but Griffin is my favorite.

Ending

The book had a fantastic ending. It summed up the story leaving a few loose ends and open for the next adventure for the group. I was left wanting more (as all good books leave you), but I did feel satisfied. 

Recommendation

If you love steampunk of course you have to read it. If you have never read steampunk (like me) you must try it. 

Information

Prequel: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne

Book 1: The Girl in the Steel Corset

Releases Tuesday May 24th hardback

Amazon / Borders / B&N

Kady Cross is a pseudo name for her YA line, her adult name is Kathryn Smith.

Not sure how many books will be in the series. 

She will be doing a tour for the book, but no dates or places are posted yet

Check out her author page on Facebook

What do you like about steampunk? Or will you ever try steampunk?

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In My Mailbox #10

Something Old, New and Used

IMM #10

IMM is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, anyone can participate telling about what they bought, received or borrowed.

Old

I got all of these books for $5 total. My friend's family clears out foreclosure homes and they find a lot of stuff in there. They had a barn/yard sale of stuff and this is what I got.

3 Nancy Drew Mystery books

The Mystery At the Moss-Covered Mansion

The Secret In The Old Attic

The Haunted Bridge

&

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

A set of The Enchanted World Series
Water Spirits
The Book of Christmas
Magical Justice
Tales of Terror
Wizards and Witches
Night Creatures
Seekers and Saviours
Legends of Valor

And a Snow White pop-up book. I have no idea how old this actually is because there was no print date.

New Technology (ebooks)

 I won 3 ebooks from G.P. Ching's blog So, Write there were 17 winners total. Check out her blog and book. Thanks to all the authors for the ebooks. My ebook collection is growing.

The Soulkeepers by GP Ching

She gave every winner a copy of her book

Rising Shadows by Jacquelyn Wheeler 

This was my choice out of 17 different books

Anathema by Megg Jensen

This was 1 of 4 different books to choose from

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

I have already read this and will be writing a review of this prequal as well as book 1 The Girl in The Steel Corset by Tuesday. 

Currently you can download this prequel from Amazon for free, you got to check it out!

New & Used

1) Die for Me by Amy Plum

If your wondering if you already saw this last week on my IMM posting you are correct. I decided to buy a second copy for my cousin as a graduation present. It will be signed and personalized to her when I give it to her. 

2) Entwined by Heather Dixon

A new version of The 12 Dancing Princesses, I have read at least 3 versions of this tale and I love it, can't wait to read this one. 

3) Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born by Tina Cassidy

I got this book because she was featured on the documentary "The Business of Being Born" since I will be planning to get pregnant in a year I want to educate myself.

4) Greywalker by Kat Richardson

I found this at Half Price Books signed and on clearance for only $3. I got book 2 last week at the signing event and now I have book 1

This Weeks Outlook

I will be publishing my review of The Strange Case of Finely Jayne and The Girl In The Steel Corset by Tuesday

Publishing my review of Sirena as a blog host @ vvb32 reads

Books To Read (Yes my list changes every week)

1) Die For Me

2) Divergent

3) Wings

4) Betrayal

5) Everlasting

Starting on Thursday Half Price Books will have their 20% off everything Memorial Weekend Sale. I'm screwed, I will be taking my regular Half Price Run to 4 different locations. So my next IMM might be kinda really huge, I will try to be good and spend wisely, but I can't promise anything.

I have also extended my giveaway for a signed Blood Wyne book and awesome swag. With the sun shining in Washington I didn't really spend anytime on the computer (I have been very sun deprived) and the Sounders game on Saturday so I wasn't able to promote it as I wanted to. So the date has been extended to Wednesday night May 25th. Go enter @ My Bloody Awesome Giveaway 

What did you get this week?

Please leave a link to your IMM post

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