In My Mailbox #51

Some Sweet Books
IMM #51

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

For Review

Hearts of Darkness by Kira Brady

A new paranormal romance series based in Seattle, how could I pass up this read. Both the cover flat and the ARC are signed by the author

eBook For Review

Intangible by J. Meyers
from the author

Free eBooks

on Amazon

Intuition by J. Meyers
Short story prequel to Intangible

Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens
I have been wanting this one for a while now, I hope I can get to reading it soon!

Bought

Sailor V Vol 1 & 2

Sailor Moon Vol 4

I need to catch up on buying these. I also still have to get Vol 2 & 3 hopefully within the next few weeks I will get those ones.

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Weekly Recap

My Review

Fair Game

Bookography

My Reading Chairs

A 2nd picture is posted on the actual post

Reading Pile

1) Dreamless currently reading

Next Set 
 (to be finalized)

1) The Hunt ARC

2) Under the Never Sky event in May
3) Hearts of Darkness ARC
4) Intuition & Intangible review request

5) Dime Store Magic reading challenge

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

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Fair Game Review

Fair Game

By Patricia Briggs

Summary

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

What I Loved

Characters

Anna: She is pretty awesome character. I love how well Anna takes care of Charles, I love that she isn't going to let herself ever be the victim again and she will fight. I enjoy reading how others can be so protective of her because of her omega "powers". She is one of those genuinely loving and caring characters that even as a reader never want anything bad to happen to her.

Charles: Truly the Big Bad Werewolf, not the one to ever mess with. I love reading how vulnerable he is with Anna, they truly are the best mated pair for each other.

Story

Years of murders, now the fae and werewolves are being targeted, a big mystery to be solved and Anna and Charles are here to help. The victims are being raped, carved up with magical symbols and being harvested by blood magic. There is never a dull moment in this awesome book, something interesting in always happening. 

Didn't Like

I have to wait forever for another Briggs book <sob>

Recommendation 

Part of a series that is awesome, must read both this series and the Mercy Thompson series. Awesome urban fantasy series

Information 

Alpha and Omega

Alpha and Omega short intro story in "On the Prowl"

Cry Wolf

Hunting Ground

Fair Game

Mercy Thompson

Moon Called

Blood Bound

Iron Kissed 

Bone Crossed

Silver Borne

River Marked

Frost Burned Spring 2013

There is going to be 2 more contracted books for the Mercy series and another book contracted for the Mercy verse, unknown who will be telling the story.

For a reading timeline since the A&O and Mercy books are intermixed, you can find the best reading order HERE.

Have you read any/all of Patricia Brigg's work?

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Bookography (33)

Bookography

Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

My Reading Chairs

 Left & Right

These chairs are for reading in the evening (or when I need the lights on) and when I want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa. I use the cushy pillows to prop up my books while reading.

I sit in this chair when I want to have natural lighting for reading.

PS These are the most comfy chairs and sofa ever!

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.

To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 

<3Bookography

In My Mailbox #50

Being a Good Girl

IMM #50

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

Bought

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

I bought it at Half Price Books with a 40% off coupon, so the book was only $5

Received

Afterglow by Cherry Adair signed
I got a signed copy of Afterglow this week from the Cherry, it was also just released this week as well. It is so hot and sexy. If you like reading adult romance you should total check this out, but be warned it isn't for the faint of heart, you have got to be able to handle A LOT of passion in your books. My Review

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Weekly Recap

My Reviews

Gate to Kandrith

The Candidates

The Marked

Bookography

Chosen Rose 

Current Giveaway

New Authors on the YA Blog 

Swag Giveaway

3 sets of 6 signed bookmarks 

US/Int ends March 26th

Reading Pile

I haven't been able to read this week because the husband was off 

1) Destined just Friday night

2) Until I Die

3) Starcrossed/Dreamless

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

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The Marked Review

The Marked

By Inara Scott

Summary

Dancia’s back at Delcroix, but this year, everything’s different. Dancia’s Talented, and her powers have earned her an invitation to join Delcroix’s real raison d’etre –the Program. Dancia’s wanted to use her powers to help people all her life — and now Delcroix is going to give her the training she needs to use her Talent for good. At least…that’s what the school saysshe’ll learn to do with her powers. Her cuter-than-cute boyfriend Cam insists that it’s true, and so do all the other students. But there’s still a little voice inside her head that wonders — if the Program’s so great, why did her almost-only-a-friend- Jack run away rather than join? And why would the school be getting attacked by angry ex-students? Dancia’s a loyal student…and a loyal girlfriend. But if finding out what’s really going on means talking to Jack, well — it’s a risk she just might have to take.

What I Liked

Training

Dancia finally gets to learn how to use her powers to help rather than to hurt people. They trick her and push and push her beyond her comfort zone. With the hard pushing Dancia questions, what is really going on, are they trying to break her to give them a reason to destroy her very powerful talent or trying to harvest it?

Character

Cam: In book one I liked Cam, but at the same time I was scared to like him because I didn't know if he would end up breaking Dancia's heart and I didn't want that for her at all. In this book we get to learn so much more about Cam and now I completely trust and adore him. I still miss Jack, but Cam is wonderful for Dancia.

Trust Issues

Dancia still doesn't trust everything about the Program, she believes in their mission, but things that are happening aren't adding up. Lies and half truths are still being told to Dancia and she won't be passive and let that happen, she is going to find out what is going on no matter what, good girl. 

Exciting
Lots of great drama happening throughout the entire book, more questions are being posed and even faithful Cam is starting to question things. Practice fighting that turns very serious and dangerous. Never a dull moment in this book.

Didn't Like

The ending killed me, once again we have the question "What about Jack?" I still care about him, but I want to know what is going to happen to him.

Recommendation

Got to read this superpowers academy book, 2nd book in the series

Releases

April 3rd 2012

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

Information 

The Delcroix Academy
genre: YA paranormal

The Candidates/Talents

The Marked April 3rd 2012

Bk 3 working on but not on contract

What type of talent would you have?

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The Candidates Review

The Candidates 

retitled The Talents

By Inara Scott

 Summary

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that’s not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia’s mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just … happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to people, believing this way she can suppress her powers and keep them hidden.

When recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy offer her a full scholarship, Dancia fears her days of living under the radar may be over. But Delcroix is a school for diplomats’ kids and child geniuses  why are they treating Dancia like she’s special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make her feel welcome. And then there’s her mysterious new friend Jack, who can’t stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at Delcroix, and he wants Dancia to help him figure out what…But neither Jack or Dancia could have imagined what’s really going on behind the gates of Delcroix Academy. 

What I Liked

Character
Dancia: I love characters who enjoy running, I'm always envious of their enjoyment and I wished I liked to run for fun, I have a sprinters form not a joggers form. For a young girl she makes some tough decision for herself, like deciding to not have any friends and be invisible so she won't hurt anyone. I like how protective she is of others when she lets herself get involved with people.
Team Boy: Jack vs Cam
Other semi choosing team book with boys that are completely different types of guys.
Jack: He is much like Dancia and trying to hid from being noticed, but he is a major bad boy and even has a record. Jack is completely paranoid and doesn't trust easily.
Cam: On the other hand is Mr. Popular, sweet, completely hot and everyone loves him. But there is this question throughout the whole book, is he for real or is there some ulterior motive and if so what is it?
These two different boys that are very likable yet strange. Dancia likes Jack as a friend and she is completely smitten with Prince Charming Cam. Who will she choose?

Unknown
The book takes a bit of time to explain what is going on in the book. What is the school really about? Who is following Jack? Why is Dancia at a school for genies when she is mediocre? Why is Cam paying so much attention to Dancia? Will Dancia tell anyone about her powers? Why does she have powers? So many questions to be answered and I enjoyed reading every detail and having new information revealed to me.
Talents
It is a bit like Xavier's school in Xmen, but here the kids don't know they have powers and might not ever learn how to use them if they are "good" enough. I love books with superpowers, with powers there is always this power struggle with good and evil that makes for great entertainment.

Would Have Liked

I personally would have like Dancia's age to be a little bit older in the 16+ range and not 14, but with how the "Academy" works her age had to be starting as a high school freshman.

Recommendation 

Got to read this series.

Information 

The Delcroix Academy
genre: YA paranormal

The Candidates/Talents

The Marked April 3rd 2012

Bk 3 working on but not on contract

Would you use your power for the greater good?

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Bookography (32)

Bookography

Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Book

Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey

Chosen Rose

I love this series, if you haven't noticed, this book is also in my blog header picture. My husband got me that rose necklace 2 years ago and I have been wanting to take a creative picture with it and the one of the books in the series. I chose Kushiel's Chosen because her rose marque is shown completely on the cover.

Post processing was rather simple. Saturated the colors, added a little more contrast and added some dark vignette to the corners.

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.

To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 

<3Bookography

Top 10 Tuesdays (14)

Top 10 Tuesday

Topic: Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read List 

(could be new releases or just books you hope to read this spring)

This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

My List

Destined by Aprilynne Pike ARC

Die For Me by Amy Plum

I'm hoping to reread before I read the next book

Until I Die by Amy Plum ARC

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

reread before I read the next book

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini ARC

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda ARC

Night Veil by Yasmine Galenorn

I need to catch up on this series

Courting Darkness by Yasmine Galenorn

Way behind on this series

Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

I don't own it, but when it comes out I'm getting it and getting it signed

Honorable Mentions

Death Sentence & Fugitive by Gordon Smith (signed)

I want to read more of the series, the last book ended in a cliffhanger

What books are you hoping to read this spring?

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Spring Cleaning Book Blog Hop

*CLOSED* 

Spring Cleaning Book Blog Hop Giveaway

 March 20th-25th

It is time to start cleaning and clearing out the shelves of double books, unread books and ARCs long finished. 

The winner will have a choice of 2 books

Mercy by Rebecca Lim ARC

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz

*CLOSED*
To Enter

US Only (sorry)

ends March 25th

Winner has 48hrs to reply or I will choose another winner

Fill out the form HERE

Check out my other giveaway, US/Int 3 winners win 6 signed bookmarks. Enter Here

WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, THANKS FOR STOPPING BY AND ENTERING

<3Giveaways

Swag Giveaway

*CLOSED*
New Kids on the YA Block 

Swag Giveaway 

All are signed by the author

Last week I went to an awesome signing including 6 amazing authors.

Megan Bostic, Kiki Hamilton, Kendare Blake, Kathy McCullough, Helen Landalf and Carole Estby Dagg

My Event Recap
*CLOSED*

To Enter

3 Swag Pack Winners

US & International 

Winner has 48hrs to respond or I will be choosing another winner

Ends Monday March 26th Pacific Midnight Time

Fill out the form HERE

WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED

<3Giveaways

Gate to Kandrith Review

Gate to Kandrith

By Nicole Luiken

Summary

Sarathena Remillus, daughter of the newly elected Primus of the Republic of Temboria, has been given a mission: discover the secret of slave magic. Anxious to escape the corruption and treachery of the capital, Sara welcomes the chance to finally prove herself far away in Kandrith, the tiny nation of former slaves.

Accompanying her on the journey is Lance, a Kandrithan to whom Sara owes her life. Lance despises the nobility, and is determined to resist his desire for Sara, despite her attempts to entice him into divulging the secret of his magic.

Soon their travels become fraught with peril, and Sara discovers she's fallen victim to the ultimate betrayal. To end a war between two nations, she will have to make the ultimate sacrifice...

What I Loved

POV

The book switches between three characters Sara, Lance and another mystery character that is either the bad guy or the good guy and we don't know which till the last quarter of the book. I enjoyed getting information from all three different points of views. At times I got a little confused when the pov switched characters but only for a few sentences.

Characters

Sara: I'm not much of a princess fan so at first I went back and forth with her character, but as the story progressed and I got to learn more about her I came to respect and love her character. Throughout the book you get to find out she isn't the typical spoiled rotten princess and that she is willing to stand up for herself and try to view things with an open mind. I also like how she has this "wildness" in her that doesn't let her the the proper docile little princess her father wants her to be.

Lance: A complete mystery even though the book goes to his pov he stays very tight lipped about himself. He is an intriguing character from being first introduced at this mysterious rescuer, who was a slave but is actually a prince of sorts. He is also passionate, protective and giving and I like those protective men. 

Never a Dull Moment

Throughout the whole book something new was always happening, new things were being discovered, attempted murder on Sara's life, escape, death, passion and the ugly truth was revealed. There isn't a good place to put down the book and I hated when I had to put it down. 

Ending

Oh my goodness I can't believe it ended like that, I really want the next book like now!! I did tear up at the end, it was a bittersweet moment. A definite cliffhanger ending, but everything else was summed up and ended for this book and a new issue presented itself for the next book.

Fantasy World

I love reading new created fantasy worlds they are always so intriguing. This world is interesting with different gods and goddesses being prayed to and a major social segregation. There is the Republic where the slave owners live, Slaveland aka Kandrith were the escaped free slaves live and there is the Grasslands and a few other place where the barbarians live (from the Republic view point).

Some Confusion 

Fantasy World

At the same time it is confusing starting off a new fantasy book with a whole new fantasy world especially one that has lots of new and very different names. Trying to figure out the rules for this world takes a little time.

Recommendation 

Got to read this book. Light on the adult content, but still has some.

Releases 

In eBook format 

March 26h 2012

Amazon / B&N /

Information 

Kandrith Series (a duology)

genre: fantasy

Gate to Kandrith

Soul of Kandrith working on

Other Series

genre: YA fantasy 

Violet Eyes

Silver Eyes

Angel Eyes working on

Other YA Novels

Frost

The Catalyst

Unlocking the Doors

Dreamline
 

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In My Mailbox #49

Small Mailbox

IMM #49

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

For Review

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

I got this from Library Things monthly giveaway. Thanks LT and the publisher St. Martians Press.

Bought

at Third Place Books

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

I found this one used and I just couldn't pass it up, although I still haven't read Wither yet. Hopefully soon.

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Weekly Recap

Reviews

I didn't get any reviews posted this week, I have a few I need to edit that can be posted, others are just waiting till closer to their release date.

Bookography

Book Art

There is a 2nd picture on the actual post

Events Attended

New Kids on the YA Block

March14th

Carole Estby Dagg, Helen Landolf, Megan Bostic, Kendare Blake, Kiki Hamilton, Kathy McCullough

Going to be giving away 2 sets of 6 signing bookmarks from theses authors starting on Monday.

Reading Pile

1) Destined

2) Die for Me (reread hopefully)

3) Until I Die

4) Starcrossed (reread)

5) Dreamless

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

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New Kids on the YA Block Event

New Kids on the YA Block

A 6 Author Event

March 14th 7Pm

Third Place Books

Left to Right

Carole Estby Dagg, Helen Landolf, Megan Bostic, Kendare Blake, Kiki Hamilton, Kathy McCullough

Each author told a little about their book and did a short reading from the book as well.

Carole Estby Dagg

The Year We Were Famous

With their family home facing foreclosure, seventeen-year-old Clara Estby and her mother, Helga, need to raise a lot of money fast—no easy feat for two women in 1896. Helga wants to tackle the problem with her usual loud and flashy style, while Clara favors a less showy approach. Together they come up with a plan to walk the 4,600 miles from Mica Creek, Washington, to New York City—and if they can do it in only seven months, a publisher has agreed to give them $10,000. Based on the true story of the author’s great-aunt and great-grandmother, this is a fast-paced historical adventure that sets the drama of Around the World in Eighty Days against an American backdrop during the time of the suffragist movement, the 1896 presidential campaign, and the changing perception of “a woman’s place” in society.

Helen Landolf

Flyaway

Stevie Calhoun knows how to take care of herself. It’s not like her mom hasn’t disappeared before. So why is Aunt Mindy making such a big deal of it now? It’s not like Mom’s really doing meth. Stevie makes sure of that. Whatever. She’ll go home with Aunt Mindy if it will keep her from calling Child Protective Services—but it doesn’t mean she’ll stay. Mom will come back. Mom always comes back. And Stevie will be there when she does. But when Stevie meets Alan—frustrating and fascinating and so-different-from-everyone-she-knows Alan—and she starts helping out at the bird rehab center, things begin to look different. Even the tutoring and the ridiculous outfits Aunt Mindy’s forcing her into might not be so bad. Not that Stevie would say it out loud. She can’t. Because how can anything be good if it doesn’t include Mom?

Megan Bostic

Never Eighteen

I had the dream again. The one where I’m running. I don’t know what from or where to, but I’m scared, terrified really.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will.

It’s probably hopeless.

But he has to try.

Kendare Blake

Anna Dressed In Blood

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story...

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Kiki Hamilton

Faerie Ring

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger. 
The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.
Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty… 

Kathy McCullough

Don't Expect Magic

Delaney Collins doesn't believe in fairy tales. And why should she? Her mom is dead, her best friend is across the country, and she's stuck in California with "Dr. Hank," her famous life-coach father—a man she barely knows. Happily ever after? Yeah, right.

Then Dr. Hank tells her an outrageous secret: he's a fairy godmother—an f.g.—and he can prove it. And by the way? The f.g. gene is hereditary. Meaning there's a good chance that New Jersey tough girl Delaney is someone's fairy godmother.

But what happens when a fairy godmother needs a wish of her own?

 

After the reading there was a Q&A portion lead by Bill Kenower from Author Magazine where he does interviews with authors called Author2Author. I didn't write down questions nor try to keep track of answers, with so many authors it would be just too hard to keep track of everything, so I just decided to listen and enjoy.

After that they had a giveaway for a copy of each book, but Lady Luck was not on my side and I didn't win.

A group photo of all the authors after the event. I like staying till the end to get these photos.

Awesome Swag!

All of the authors had bookmarks there and I got them to sign a small handful for me and my blog.

Have you met any of these authors?

Do you like single author or multi author events?

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