Friday, June 3, 2011

Bedtime Story: Corduroy


Corduroy by Don Freeman

Synopsis from Amazon: "Have you ever dreamed of being locked in a department store at night? The endearing story of Corduroy paints a picture of the adventures that might unfold (for a teddy bear at least) in such a situation. When all the shoppers have gone home for the night, Corduroy climbs down from the shelf to look for his missing button. It's a brave new world! He accidentally gets on an elevator that he thinks must be a mountain and sees the furniture section that he thinks must be a palace. He tries to pull a button off the mattress, but he ends up falling off the bed and knocking over a lamp. The night watchman hears the crash, finds Corduroy, and puts him back on the shelf downstairs. The next morning, he finds that it's his lucky day! A little girl buys him with money she saved in her piggy bank and takes him home to her room. Corduroy decides that this must be home and that Lisa must be his friend. Youngsters will never get tired of this toy-comes-alive tale with a happy ending"

My Review:  I absolutely adore Corduroy. Its a great book and the pictures are wonderful. I think this book as why I always wanted the poor stuffed animals at the store (I always picked the ones that had a problem like a crooked nose or missing the stitching for the mouth).  I couldn't imagine anyone not loving this book! We all need to feel loved even though we might be missing a button or two, with friends everything is better.

My Rating: I think Corduroy deserves Four Paws!


Good Night, Sweet Dreams

Review of The A Circuit by Catherine Hapka & Georgina Bloomberg

Synopsis from Goodreads: "The A Circuit is the top of the top when it comes to horse shows. It's a world with its own rules and superprivileged lifestyles. Teens travel the circuit all year, showing horses that cost as much as some homes.

Tommi, Kate, and Zara are all elite competitors on the circuit, but they come from totally different backgrounds. Tommi is a billionaire heiress trying to prove she has real talent (not just deep bank accounts). Kate puts the working in working student—every win has been paid for with hours of cleaning stalls. She's used to the grueling schedule, but Fitz, the barn's resident hot guy, is about to become a major distraction. And then there's Zara. She's the wild child of a famous rockstar, but she's ready to take riding seriously. Can a party girl really change her ways?"


My Review: Well what can I say I had really high hopes for this book but it just didn't live up to them. The characters of The A Circuit seemed a little to valley girl and clueless to me. The only characters I seemed to enjoy were Kate, because she reminded me of myself (down to earth, and working her toosh off in order to ride) and Grant, who had such a minor role. It really bothered me the way the authors treated serious risks and injuries to the horses, granted I know from experience this does happen in real life. Also, nothing really gets resolved in the book, it just builds issues and issues and they all seem just to get swept under the rug. I am sure they will be resolved in later books but I don't think I will be reading the rest of the series like I had hoped.

The one good thing was that Georgina Bloomberg is donating a portion of the proceeds from this book to the Equestrian Aid Foundation.

My Rating: Unfortunately I have to give this one a rating of One Paw and a Stump Wag.  Its very hard for me to give this rating because I wanted to love this book so much, I was hoping for a more young adult version of my beloved Saddle Club books from when I was a kid but it just didn't live up to that series.

Follow Friday #4 ~ In My Mailbox #7 & June RAK

 
To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://magnet4books.blogspot.com
  3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q. What are you doing to prepare for an upcoming zombie apocalypse and/or the return of Mel Gibson to the silver screen? (Both of which could be terrifying.)


Well Geez! I haven't started preparing for Mel Gibson but the zombies we are almost ready to take on. We are heavily armed and practiced, our preparations include a shotgun shell reloading station which I am very proficient at (can load about 100 shells an hour). There are also plans to make it down to the island and blow up both bridges.


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   In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren that I have decided to participate in.

How IMM works:
Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox. 
I post every week, but you don’t have to. You can do one week out of the month or every other week it’s up to you. 
You don't have to call your post In My Mailbox... (some people don't even have mailboxes!)
I post my IMM on Sunday, but choose a day of the week that works for you.
Once you have your IMM posted, come back to The Story Siren on Sunday and add your link to the list. 
Try to post a comment on other bloggers IMM posts. I don’t expect you to post a comment on every single one, but pick a few!

All book bloggers are welcome, while I’d like to keep the theme to YA literature it’s NOT a requirement.

There is no right or wrong way to do In My Mailbox, you can vlog, you can take fun picture, you can use the books cover art, it’s up to you!

Most importantly HAVE FUN!

A small week this week. Only a few books in the mail and one on the Nook.

I got the rest of the Secret of the Unicorn Queen series in the mail this week :)



And on the Nook I downloaded The A Circuit

Synopsis from Goodreads: "The A Circuit is the top of the top when it comes to horse shows. It's a world with its own rules and superprivileged lifestyles. Teens travel the circuit all year, showing horses that cost as much as some homes.
Tommi, Kate, and Zara are all elite competitors on the circuit, but they come from totally different backgrounds. Tommi is a billionaire heiress trying to prove she has real talent (not just deep bank accounts). Kate puts the working in working student—every win has been paid for with hours of cleaning stalls. She's used to the grueling schedule, but Fitz, the barn's resident hot guy, is about to become a major distraction. And then there's Zara. She's the wild child of a famous rockstar, but she's ready to take riding seriously. Can a party girl really change her ways?"

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I also signed up for the Random Acts of Kindness hosted by  Book Soulmates



Book Soulmates
 
Please join me and spread the love <3
 
 
Hope you all had a great week and a fun filled weekend!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Review of Warcry by Elizabeth Vaughan

Synopsis: "All is not well in Xy. There is a faction of nobles who are plotting against the Queen and her barbarian warlord. As cultures clash and tempers flare, Heath and the fierce Plains warrior woman Atira of the Bear must come together to fight the conspiracy... and to search their hearts for something deeper than raw passion."

My Review: I was a little leery when I started this book because it kind of left the main characters of the last three books of the series, which I loved. I was pleasantly surprised though when I read Warcry. Due to the great character development throughout all the books I felt that I already knew and loved both Heath and Atira, I was also pleased that all the characters from the previous books also played a large roll in this one. I also enjoyed the shift from danger of wars and weapons to the subtleties of the courts and lords. I think I have definitely found a new favorite author!

My Rating: I loved Warcry, not quite as much as I loved Warlord or Warprize but it was still an excellent book and I have to give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag. It feels as though it is left open for another book so we will have to see ;)

Booking Through Thursday - Reviews

Booking through Thursday is a weekly event hosted by Deb at BTT


This weeks Question is:
 
Do you read book reviews? Whose do you trust? Do they affect your reading habits? Your buying habits?

My Answer:
I never use to read book reviews but in the past 6 months or so since I started this blog I have started turning to other bloggers for their reviews. I have found some new and exciting books through those reviews.  I do know the types of books I like and though a review might be raving about a book if it doesn't seem like something I will enjoy, I will pass it up.  Also if I come across a review that has a book that I may not normally read but the reviewer and other commenter's have great things to say I will consider reading it. I have purchased and read several books based on other reviews, namely The Summer Series by Jenny Han and If I Stay by Gayle Forman.

How about you? Do reviews affect your reading?

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Review of Warsworn & Warlord by Elizabeth Vaughan

Synopsis from Goodreads: "A powerful healer, she has sworn an oath of loyalty to Keir the Warlord, and his people. Now the Warlord and his chosen mate face enemies within the tribe and danger lurks on every hand as they journey toward Keir's homeland.

When they reach a village marked with the warnings of the plague, Keir forbids Lara to heal the sick, commanding that she not risk her own life. But both Lara and Kier are strong of will and neither will bend easily, even for love; and when Lara disobeys, she pays the price: both she and Kier are plague-struck... and so is their entire encampment.

In the midst of the dying, Iften, a rival warrior, gathers his followers and challenges Keir for the right to rule their tribe. If Keir, weakened by the sickness, loses — he dies.

And so does Lara.

To save her love, her life, and her adopted people, Lara must find a cure for the plague — and fully embrace her sworn role as Warprize to her Warlord."


My Review: A great followup to Warprize. The characters were just as endearing and easy to become attached to. While Warsworn wasn't as much of a exciting book in means of battle and assassination plots it was still riddled with suspense and drama. The descriptions Elizabeth Vaughan gives of the plague and their attempted treatments is what you could easily imagine happening in times without our modern day medicine. The journey doesn't end here, the book ends with still a few unresolved plot lines and some foreshadowing that you can't ignore! I am so thankful that I don't have to wait for the next book to be released!

My Rating: While this was a great book and needed for the series as a whole it wasn't my favorite but it still deserves a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!


Synopsis from Goodreads: "Lara of Xy and her Warlord, Keir of the Cat, have been through much together. Lara abandoned her lands and people for love of him. She adopted his ways and learned of his tribe. Together they have faced plague and insurgency — and despite these struggles, they have known happiness and joy.

Now they face their most arduous task: Keir must take Lara into the Heart of the Plains, and introduce her as the Warprize to the warrior-priests. She must be tested—questioned, examined, watched—and must find favor with the warrior-priests and the tribe's elders before they will confirm her as a true Warprize.

But in Lara's heart there are doubts—for what if she is found wanting? Will Keir give up everything he knows to be with his Warprize?"


My Review: Warlord was possibly the best book so far in the series! It was filled with twists and turns that you wouldn't expect, it was great not to be able to predict the book like so many. I loved watching Lara grow into herself after being battered in the last book. Again the sub characters were just as well written as the main ones. You want to laugh and cry, shout and fight with the characters. Honestly there isn't a single thing I didn't like about the book other than the fact that it ended and I had to return to my own daily grind!

My Rating:  As I already said this was my favorite of the series so far, I couldn't put this book down! So how could I not give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
 
 
My Pick:
 

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble: "Kitty's owners are home with a big surprise for Kitty. But what is it? Kitty, reeling in horror, thinks it’s a . . . dog. The neighbor cats are convinced it’s a cat.  But we all know that it’s really a BABY! 
With Nick Bruel’s trademark mix of antic humor (this time involving a Kitty game show and the Kitty Olympics—which the baby wins hands down), riotous illustrations, total mayhem, and Uncle Murray Fun Facts, this may be the funniest Kitty book yet, and the one that hits closest to home."

I came across this one when browsing the books being released this upcoming week and couldn't resist! My kitty is probably just like this bad kitty. Bad Kitty Meets the Baby is one I definitely plan on adding to my library!


On a side note Hit List is being released next week!!!
 

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the 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 SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



"Marcus threw up his hands. Chop wood. Carry Water. Sharpen your sword. Anything to get you out from underfoot."
 
 
 
Synopsis from Goodreads: "A powerful healer, she has sworn an oath of loyalty to Keir the Warlord, and his people. Now the Warlord and his chosen mate face enemies within the tribe and danger lurks on every hand as they journey toward Keir's homeland.
When they reach a village marked with the warnings of the plague, Keir forbids Lara to heal the sick, commanding that she not risk her own life. But both Lara and Kier are strong of will and neither will bend easily, even for love; and when Lara disobeys, she pays the price: both she and Kier are plague-struck... and so is their entire encampment.
In the midst of the dying, Iften, a rival warrior, gathers his followers and challenges Keir for the right to rule their tribe. If Keir, weakened by the sickness, loses — he dies.
And so does Lara.
To save her love, her life, and her adopted people, Lara must find a cure for the plague — and fully embrace her sworn role as Warprize to her Warlord."


Sunday, May 29, 2011

Review of Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan




Synopsis from Goodreads: "Xylara is the Daughter of the Warrior King, Xyron. With her father dead and her incompetent half-brother on the throne, the kingdom is in danger of falling to the warring Firelanders.

Before she was old enough for a marriage-of-alliance, Xylara was trained as a healer. She can't usurp her brother or negotiate a peace--but she can heal the brave ones injured in battle.

But not only her countrymen are wounded, and Xylara's conscience won't let Firelander warriors die when she can do something to save them. She learns their language and their customs and tries to make them as comfortable as possible, despite their prisoner-of-war status.

She never expects that these deeds, done in good faith, would lead to the handsome and mysterious Firelander Warlord demanding her in exchange for a cease-fire. Xylara knows must trade the life she has always known for the well-being of her people, and so she becomes...

The Warprize."


My Review: Fantastic Book! I picked this one up at the book store and on the front cover was a quote from Anne McCaffrey stating "Possibly the best romantic fantasy I have ever read." So honestly how can you pass up advise like that?! So I started reading it right away and was quickly sucked into the book. I love the characters, the strong, selfless and loved Lara and the handsome, brave and intelligent Warlord Kier! Even the subcharacters were fantastic!! I loved Jorden and Simus and Marcus, the interplay between them all was smooth and believable. The story line pulled you in and if you were paying attention left an additional plot line to continue in the next book. It was impossible to put this one down!


My Rating: I have to give this book Four Paws and a Stump Wag! It was fantastic and I urge other to read it! It is an adult fantasy romance but nothing too risque.