Review of Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

Synopsis: "Astrid Llewelyn is now a fully trained unicorn hunter, but she can't solve all her problems with just a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend, Giovanni, has decided to leave Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend's powers seem to be mysteriously disintegrating, and Astrid can't help but feel that school, home, and her hopes of becoming a scientist are nothing but impossible dreams.

So when she's given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she want--or can she? At Gordian headquarters, deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and most of all her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns, or saving the unicorns from the world."

My Review: Well that was interesting. I honestly don't know what to make of Ascendant. I don't know if Diana Peterfreund just tried to fit too many plot lines into this book or if I just am not following it properly. There seemed to be a lot of half formed ideas with no real conclusion. After Rampant I was expecting a lot more but didn't get it unfortunately. The characters weren't as strong either. I still love the whole idea behind the story, but things got a little convoluted. I still have Errant to read and am hoping it will clear some things up for me.

My Rating: So unfortunately Ascendant just didn't do it for me so I give it a rating of Two Paws.

Camp Nanowrimo - Help me decide . . . ?!

 Before I get into my novel ideas I first want to direct you all to the http://www.campnanowrimo.org/dashboard

 So come join me!!

Anywho, on to some ideas for this writing adventure. I have so many story ideas boiling in my head but I need to pick one and focus on it.  So I am coming to all of you for some help on which one I should work on now (the others can wait until November but I will eventually get to them all).

Most of my ideas come from dreams I have had or day dreams. When I get an idea I jot down clips of conversations or descriptions or a quick outline. A lot of times I don't know exactly where the story will go (heck in my story from last November a character I thought would just be a throw away ended up being a main love interest for the main character).

So here are my three ideas, I would love your opinion on which one I should focus on this month.

New Old Home

This is a romancish story about a girl who wins the lottery and what she does with it. I used a lot of the places and descriptions from my own life and what I would do with the money.  She travels far and wide trying to make her dream of building an authentic medieval castle and making it into an experience vacation site (like a dude ranch only with castles, complete with towers, horses, rushes on the floor and bread trenchers).

Night Rider

This would be a YA type novel with a touch of romance and of course horses. Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

The Princess Bs

Bonnie, a recent divorcee, returns to the small town she grew up in, broken and discouraged. She runs into an old close friend Tyson, who himself is in a rocky relationship with the mother of his three kids. Tyson's girlfriend is away with his son for a weekend. He promised his girls a magical weekend and with Bonnie's help makes his daughters princess' for a weekend. An old friendship flourishes and if allowed to could become so much more, but at what cost? (horses are again included- seeing a trend?)

So?! What do you think?! Please help me choose!

Booking Through Thursday - Library Size & Soundtrack

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

This weeks Question is:

 

What’s the largest your personal library has ever been? What’s the greatest number of books you’ve ever owned at one time? (Estimates are fine.)
Is your collection NOW the biggest it’s ever been? Or have you down-sized?
What’s the fewest number of books you’ve ever owned (not counting your pre-reading years)?

I think currently my collection is the largest my library has ever been, but I don't have an exact count. I think currently I have roughly 550 to 600 books.  I don't ever remember not being surrounded by books or a pre-reading time. Even when I was a kid I had books and my parents had books.


Because I missed last week's question again:

What, if any, kind of music do you listen to when you’re reading? (Given a choice, of course!)

I listen to such a wide variety of music I can go from listening to country to hard rock, alternative to classical all in the same week.  Generally though when I am reading I like instrumental music. I listen to a lot of soundtracks and musical scores to movies.  I have made my own mixes from:

Musical Score to Twilight, New Moon & Eclipse
Soundtrack to August Rush

Also that same CD is:
Night Castle by Transiberian Orchestra
Amore by Andrea Bocelli

And my absolute favorite is
Rigoletto Soundtrack
If you ever get a chance to listen to this CD or see the movie take it! The movie is my absolute favorite!

Camp Nanowrimo!

Get your Camp Nanowrimo survival kit at the OLL Store

Are you guys participating? Getting those typing fingers ready? Cause its almost time for Camp Nanowrimo! Now we don't have to keep our ideas locked up until the dreaded month of November, which always seems way to busy to actually be able to write 50,000 words.  So for the month of July I will be participating in Camp Nanowrimo.  

See my fun little word count guy?!

He is going to help me keep track of my word count and keep me motivated.  If you  want to follow my progress I will try to post bi-weekly updates and little (coffee bean?) man will be located at the bottom of my page at all times.   If you want a bean man of your own head over to Writertopia.

So get your ideas together and join me in another attempt to write a novel (maybe one of these times I will actually finish)!

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:

 

The Dragon Who Loved Me by G.A. Aiken

Expected Release Date: September 6, 2011

Synopsis from Amazon: "I was raised for battle. And as the first daughter of a warrior family, I've earned my reputation the hard way. Yet now I fight alongside uncivilized male Northland dragons who think a female is only good for breeding and waiting back home in the cave. But it's the foolish and foolhardy who would try to stop me, Rhona the Fearless, from doing what I do best - destroying the enemies of my kind. So the smartest thing wily barbarian Vigholf the Abhorrent can do for me is stay out of my way as we risk all on a deadly mission in enemy territory. I don't care if he's fascinated by me, even though he is as attractive as he is resourceful. He's having far too much fun putting me in difficult situations and testing my sense of duty to the limit. And I'm going to enjoy challenging his insufferable confidence, outwitting his schemes, and making him surrender in the wildest ways... "

Another great book in the Dragon Kin Series! Love this series, what could be sexier than dragons that turn into handsome warriors?!

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!

My Teaser this Week comes from Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

"That was interesting," Sam said cautiously.

"Bill's speech? Yes," I said, just as cautiously.

"Do you have feelings for him?"

After all the indirection, Sam had decided to storm the main gate.

So let's hear some more teasers! 'cause I obviously don't have enough books in my TBR pile :P

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? - #2

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

I decided to join in this meme for my sanity and your own to keep track of what books have bookmarks in them!

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

Wyoming Brides by Debbie Macomber

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Belle: A retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Cameron Dokey

 

Currently Reading:

 

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund - On my Nook - still at page 20 of 741

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - On my Nook - page 130  of 331

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Paperback - page 32 of 256

 

 

Next Books to be Read:

 

Errant by Diana Peterfreund  - YA/Fantasy

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - Children's/ 2011 Challenge

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge

Aurelia by Anne Osterlund - YA/ Fantasy

 

So how about you? What are you reading?

Review of Belle: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Cameron Dokey

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Belle is convinced she has the wrong name, as she lacks her sisters' awe-inspiring beauty. So she withdraws from society, devoting her time to wood carving. Secretly, Belle longs to find the fabled Heartwood Tree. If carved by the right hands, the Heartwood will reveal the face of one's true love.

During a fierce storm, Belle's father stumbles upon the mysterious Heartwood—and encounters a terrifying and lonely Beast. Now Belle must carve the Heartwood to save her father, and learn to see not with the eyes of her mind, but with the eyes of her heart"

My Review: I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was written kind of as a conversation/story telling, but it did seem to get a little lost at times. I also liked how the beauty and the beast part of the story wasn't the main story line, it was just the means in which she came to understanding her own beauty and value. The scene and character development was great and you could really connect with Belle. The pain the Belle feels when she isn't noticed when standing between her beautiful sisters, or at feeling so ordinary when surrounded by beautiful people.  One can understand how it would be easiest to withdraw from society.  The book has a lot of wisdom that many people could use in today's world, that beauty isn't always easy to see.

My Rating: I absolutely loved this book, even though it took me a little while to complete. It has been placed amoung my favorites so couldn't give it any less than Four Paws and a Stump Wag.

Shelving Saturday - #9

Welcome to Shelving Saturday

Shelving Saturday is a weekly blog event I have started here at Eastern Sunset Reads.   Each week I will post a shelving dilemma or question and you can join me in the response.

 

Please feel free to post on your blog and link back here, please be sure to post the link to your response in the comments so I can come and check your Shelving day out!

 

 

We have our shelves, we definitely have our books but do we have them organized yet? Lets see those bookshelves!  Over the next couple of weeks I would like to re-organize some shelves with all of you.

 

 

My own shelves are a disaster right now, I have romance in with medical mystery and paranormal in with young adult! Oh the mess!!

 

Do you see that stack to the right? That is my TBR Pile!! *dies* I think I need to go on a book buying ban for a while until I can reach the light switch again!

And my children's books and photo albums are just crammed in there (with cat treats and cds)

Laura Ingalls Wilder next to Mein Kampf?! Yea I know and Barbie body parts?! Yea I said Parts! This is what happens when your library is also the cats room and craft room!

So tell me I'm not the only one with a mess on my hands! Lets see those shelves and figure out where to start with the re shelving project. I think I am going to do two shelves at a time and start with the little bookshelf.

 

Bedtime Story: Guess How Much I Love You

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble: "During a bedtime game, every time Little Nutbrown Hare demonstrates how much he loves his father, Big Nutbrown Hare gently shows him that the love is returned even more."

My Review: This is a definite favorite for many parents and kids. I think the favorite part about it though has always been that its a papa rabbit.  Though it is kind of odd how that big hare has to out do the little hare, I think most parents would let the little one win a contest like that.  The illustrations are very cute too, the sparing and soft colors fit the whole feel of the book.

My Rating: I adore this book and I know a lot of other people also continue to read it from generation to generation.  I thing it deserves Three Paws.

Good Night, Sweet Dreams

In My Mailbox - #10

   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!

Only one book this week! I know crazy right?!

Downloaded on my Nook:

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea."

Review of Wyoming Brides by Debbie Macomber & some odds and ends

sorry for lack of photo I will add as soon as blogger lets me!

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Denim and Diamonds:
Rancher Chase Brown has always loved Letty Ellison, but nine years ago she left their small Wyoming town, searching for a different kind of life. Now she’s come home to Red Springs with her dreams in tatters—and a five-year-old child in tow. She’s ready to trade the false glitter of Hollywood for the true happiness of being a rancher’s wife. Chase’s wife. But is it too late?

The Wyoming Kid:
Rancher Lonny Ellison is an ex-rodeo cowboy who’s used to the adulation of women. But that’s something he doesn’t get from Joy Fuller. In fact, they argue constantly. His sister, Letty, says it’s because he’s interested in Joy…and Lonny figures she’s right. Can he convince Joy that marriage to the Wyoming Kid will be as exciting as an eight-second bull ride and as sweet as the cookies she likes to bake?"

My Review: I had a lot of fun reading this book. Both stories were fast reads and an enjoyable break from fantasy and YA. It was almost painful to watch the struggling relationship between Chase and Letty in Denim and Diamonds and almost comical watching the changes to Lonny in The Wyoming Kid. I loved all the characters, they reminded me of my time in Wyoming and that cowboys really are that stubborn (not to mention the women)! Macomber really caught the feeling of small town Wyoming living and her description of the people and events that take place in town almost made me a little home sick. I really enjoyed both these romances. I am really looking forward to reading the Dakota trilogy waiting on my shelves now.

My Rating: I enjoyed this book so much, it definitely earns Four Paws! I only wish there were more to read!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for some odds and ends (again for some of my own sanity). 

The schedule of doom continues with another wedding this weekend. This one I am a bridesmaid in, and of course its on an island 8 miles off the mainland (yikes, I hate boats).  So I will be away again from Friday until Sunday. 

I am going to try to schedule my IMM, Bedtime Story and Shelving Saturdays so nothing gets missed. By the way, are you all enjoying the bedtime stories on Friday nights? I am almost done with my list of children's books for 2011 challenge and am wondering if I should continue the bedtime stories or not.

Also my home laptop is not working :( we have been limping it along for about 6 months now. I am hoping it is just the power cord and have borrowed one from a friend. Hopefully I can get it working again.  If not my posts and comments will have to be limited to when I have time at the office.

Next the My Little Pony fair is only 2 weeks away! Boy oh boy do I have a lot to do before then! I need to clean some ponies up for sale, I need to finish some competition customs and some customs for sale and get some artwork done for the booth.  Sooo my reading my have to slow down a bit for the next week or two. In other exciting news to deal with the pony fair, my dress for the cosplay costume came in today! I have nearly all the elements needed now and hopefully I can post a picture for you when its all complete!

Next I would love your opinion on Shelving Saturday. Are you enjoying it? Is there anything in particular you want me to address? I have some ideas for the next several weeks to get all of us organized.

OK so I think that's enough of my rambling and I promise if I can get my home computer working (for those of you who have been asking) I will post some sneak peeks of the custom MLPs I have been working on ;)

Hope you have a great rest of your week!

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:

 

Heart Search by Robin D. Owens

Expected release date - August 2, 2011

 

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Noble Laev T'Hawthorne must rebuild his life after marrying a woman he believed was his HeartMate, only to fall victim to her greed. Abandoned at fifteen, Camellia Darjeeling values her independence above all-even as her father and uncle emotionally scourge her and extort money. For Camellia, trusting men, even her HeartMate, is too risky.
When Laev and Camellia meet, they refuse to acknowledge that they are true HeartMates. But their destiny cannot be avoided..."

This is the 10th book in the Heartmates series based in a world called Celta.

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? - #1

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

I decided to join in this meme for my sanity and your own to keep track of what books have bookmarks in them!

What I Read Last Week:

Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

Kade by Cheyenne McCray

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Huntress by Malinda Lo

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

Wow! That was a lot of reading last week, no wonder my house is such a mess!

Currently Reading:

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund - Goodreads Page - on my Nook, page 20 of 741 (large print)

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - Goodreads Page - on my Nook - just starting

Belle by Cameron Dokey - Goodreads Page - Paperback, page 89 of 256

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - Goodreads Page - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Next Books to be Read:

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney - Goodreads Page - 2011 Challenge/Children's book

Errant by Diana Peterfreund - Goodreads Page - YA/Fantasy

Wyoming Brides by Debbie Macomber - Goodreads Page - Romance

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Goodreads Page - 2011 Challenge/Middle Reader

I need to really make sure I get going on my 2011 Challenge! I haven't even finished reading the children's books let alone the classics! So I am trying to make it a point to only read books from my challenge and giant TBR pile.

Review of Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns...

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student ... an attraction that could jeopardize everything."

My Review: What a unique and fun book! I love the blood thirsty take on unicorns, its so different and must have taken a lot of imagination. I also love Astrid, she is so quirky and I love her attitude in the beginning when she doesn't believe in her mother's crazy tails. The characters were all great, the ones you were suppose to like you did and the ones that you weren't you didn't like. Diana did a great job developing the stories and histories as well as the characters. Probably the most fun I have had reading a book in quite some time! Loved it and I strongly suggest it to other people to read! Now I can't wait to sit down and read Diana's second book Ascendant!

My Rating: I had so much fun with this book how could I give it any less than Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Oh and here are a couple of fun quotes from the book that I thought you all might enjoy!

Astrid is reading a book to two young girls she is babysitting before bed:
"After several more pages of cotton-candy torture, the book ended and I firmly tuck Bethany and Brittany into bed. At last. Lulled into soporific splendor by the lackluster adventures of Sparkle the Unicorn and his merry band of Ritalin dependants, the girls soon drifted into the Land of Nod."

Astrid sees her first unicorn in the woods:
"Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. My mother's psychosis was not only genetic, it had uniformity of type as well.  I was seeing unicorns."


Come on don't you want to read it now?!

Shelving Saturday - #8

Welcome to Shelving Saturday

Shelving Saturday is a weekly blog event I have started here at Eastern Sunset Reads.   Each week I will post a shelving dilemma or question and you can join me in the response.

 

Please feel free to post on your blog and link back here, please be sure to post the link to your response in the comments so I can come and check your Shelving day out!

 

So the past several weeks we have been talking about how we like to put our books on the shelves but I haven't asked any of you about your actual shelves. So this weeks question is what do you use for book shelves? Did you make them yourself? Did you buy them? Where did you get them?

 

I myself for years growing up had bookshelves my dad made, every time me and my mom ran out of room he would build us another. So when I moved out and actually finally had room to get my books out of storage I couldn't believe how hard it was to find good quality bookshelves at a reasonable price! I finally found some and had to beg the hubby for them for my birthday several years ago.

I got these lovely shelves from Staples.

Aren't they beautiful?! I love how very classic library they look! I have 2 sets of those right now and they are stuffed to overflowing.  I am actually thinking of getting one of the smaller 3 shelf ones to put under the window in my library room.

 

So how about you? What are your bookshelves like?

Bedtime Story: Harold and the Purple Crayon

Synopsis from Goodreads: ""One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight." So begins this gentle story that shows just how far your imagination can take you. Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of beauty and excitement. But this is no hare-brained, impulsive flight of fantasy. Cherubic, round-headed Harold conducts his adventure with the utmost prudence, letting his imagination run free, but keeping his wits about him all the while. He takes the necessary purple-crayon precautions: drawing landmarks to ensure he won't get lost; sketching a boat when he finds himself in deep water; and creating a purple pie picnic when he feels the first pangs of hunger"


My Review: This was one children's book I never remember reading but I have to say its very cute! I loved the illustrations and the fun creativity used to write this book. I also liked how it was about creating your own adventures with imagination (I guess even if it means writing on your mother's wall with a crayon). I really did enjoy the simplicity of Harold and the Purple Crayon.

My Rating: I think Harold and the Purple Crayon deserves Four Paws! It has definitely stood the test of time (mine is the 50th anniversary edition)!

Good Night, Sweet Dreams

Review of Huntress by Malinda Lo

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn't shone in years, and crops are failing. Worse yet, strange and hostile creatures have begun to appear. The people's survival hangs in the balance.

To solve the crisis, the oracle stones are cast, and Kaede and Taisin, two seventeen-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous and unheard-of journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen. Taisin is a sage, thrumming with magic, and Kaede is of the earth, without a speck of the otherworldly. And yet the two girls' destinies are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. But the Kingdom needs only one huntress to save it, and what it takes could tear Kaede and Taisin apart forever."

My Review: I really enjoyed this book. I have to say though that this is the first book I have come across that has an openly female/female love relationship. This is made clear from the very beginning and it may disturb some readers (or parents), but it didn't bother me (please note there is nothing explicit, just strong feelings and some kisses). I enjoyed the fact that Kaede was so believable, she had normal reactions to things. There are some weird twists and the ending did seem a bit rushed and left open - maybe another book coming? I hope so! The only drawback I found was that a lot of the mystical/ magical elements weren't exactly explained and some of it did need a little more filling out or detail to make the story feel complete. I would have also liked to know more about Con, he seemed to be important but yet felt as though he was just thrown in because there needed to be a king's son.


My Rating: All in all I enjoyed this book and wanted to continue reading so I give it Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

Follow Friday #5 & In My Mailbox #9

 

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 - rhiannonpaille.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. LINKY TOOLS IS BACK! I paid for the subscription - finally so now you can add the links to your own post!!! To add the code to your own post click on GET THE CODE here under the list of names.
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. Genre Wars! What's your favorite genre and which book in that genre made it your favorite?

Gosh! That's a tough one since I read so many different genres, but possibly the one I find myself in the most is Fantasy.  The love of fantasy books started a long time ago, maybe with the Serendipity books or possibly Tamora Pierce's Alanna series or even Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy. That love of fantasy continues to grow into a love of Fantasy Romance with the Summonings Series by Robin D. Owens and so many others.

So how about you? What is your favorite genre and that special book that made you love it?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   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!

 

Another somewhat small  week for me, nothing in the actual mailbox but I did download some more on my Nook:

Synopsis from Goodreads: "In the past two years, Mclean Sweet has moved four times. At each stop, she assumes a new persona, but it never quite works. Whether she's an effervescent cheerleader or an intense drama queen, nothing can permanently dispel the turmoil and rage at her mother since her parents' divorce."   - Review posted earlier this week

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn't shone in years, and crops are failing. Worse yet, strange and hostile creatures have begun to appear. The people's survival hangs in the balance.  

To solve the crisis, the oracle stones are cast, and Kaede and Taisin, two seventeen-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous and unheard-of journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen. Taisin is a sage, thrumming with magic, and Kaede is of the earth, without a speck of the otherworldly. And yet the two girls' destinies are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. But the Kingdom needs only one huntress to save it, and what it takes could tear Kaede and Taisin apart forever."    - Review to be posted shortly!!

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns... Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.
Or not.
Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student ... an attraction that could jeopardize everything."  - Currently reading and LOVING!

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Astrid Llewelyn is now a fully trained unicorn hunter, but she can't solve all her problems with just a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend, Giovanni, has decided to leave Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend's powers seem to be mysteriously disintegrating, and Astrid can't help but feel that school, home, and her hopes of becoming a scientist are nothing but impossible dreams.

So when she's given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she want--or can she? At Gordian headquarters, deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and most of all her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns, or saving the unicorns from the world?"

Synopsis from Goodreads: "In 18th century France, a noble family prepares to celebrate their daughter’s arranged marriage by holding a traditional unicorn hunt. But when an unusual nun arrives at the chateau with her beloved pet to help the rich girl train, nothing goes as expected. Starring hunters, fine ladies, fancy frocks, and killer unicorns."

So what books did you get this week?!

Special Day - Special Gift

Not exactly bookish but  . . . my hubby and I celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary today.

We have had many of wonderful years together and he knows me so so well that he got me a gift card to Barnes & Noble and some new grilling/smoking cookbooks!

<3

Booking Through Thursday - Ebooks Features & Own/Borrow

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

This weeks Question is:

 

With the advent (and growing popularity) of eBooks, I’m seeing more and more articles about how much “better” they can be, because they have the option to be interactive … videos, music, glossaries … all sorts of little extra goodies to help “enhance” your reading experience, rather like listening to the Director’s commentary on a DVD of your favorite movie.
How do you feel about that possibility? Does it excite you in a cutting-edge kind of way? Or does it chill you to the bone because that’s not what reading is ABOUT?

I do love my ebooks, it is nice to be able to take hundreds of books with you anywhere without having to bring an extra suitcase. I also love the fact that now I can read in my down time at work. As far as extra options that come with ebooks, I'm not sure that I would use them. Heck I don't even use all the features on my Nook!  I am not very computer literate or technically knowledgeable so am not very excited when something new comes out. BUT I think it would be great to have a little added feature on some of my favorite books what the author's inspiration was or what writing methods they used.





AND because I missed last week due to the wedding here is last weeks question:

All things being equal (money, space, etc), would you rather own copies of the books you read? Or borrow them?

Own Definitely!!! Even though I lack the space now I still would rather own the books.  I have this weird quirk where even if I borrow a book, I still go out and buy it. I don't know why I do that, maybe its because I like to look back at where I have been or that I just feel like I have accomplished something when I place a book on the shelf.

Review of What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Synopsis: "In the past two years, Mclean Sweet has moved four times. At each stop, she assumes a new persona, but it never quite works. Whether she's an effervescent cheerleader or an intense drama queen, nothing can permanently dispel the turmoil and rage at her mother since her parents' divorce."

My Review: This was a good book, I like how Mclean was trying to reinvent herself only to actually discover her true self. I loved when she figured out that she wasn't picking her friends like she had in other towns but her friends just seemed to find her. One of my favorite lines from the book was "Everyone is Something" it has such meaning and is great advise to keep in mind. This was a very emotional journey that Sarah Dessen kept light with witty banter and a few comical moments.

 

My Rating: I really enjoyed this book, though it may have been more enjoyable if I was in fact a young adult. What Happened to Goodbye gets a rating of Three Paws.

Review of Kade by Cheyenne McCray

Synopsis from Goodreads: "After a bitter divorce, reporter Kelsey Nichols has erected a border around her heart too strong for any man to cross. She's not ready for a relationship of any kind with any man. But when Kelsey meets Kade she can think of nothing but being in his powerful arms and in his bed.



Intelligence Agent Kade Owen is hot on the trail of a notorious smuggler when the sensual blonde reporter comes into his life. Once he gets a hold of Kelsey, nothing will stop Kade from winning her heart."

My Review: A great adventure filled with danger, betrayal, excitement, and romance! Granted it seemed kind of unreasonable that a woman fresh out of an abusive relationship would even put herself in this type of situation, but it was still a great book. I loved Kade, I mean really loved him, if I wasn't married already I would be heading to Arizona to find my own blue-eyed border patrol cowboy! Kelsey was a little wishy washy for me, she was up and down and didn't always stick by her guns, I think she could have been a great character but she just didn't hold up to the rest of the characters in the book. Kade isn't for the faint of heart there are adult scenes, gun fights and death just as a warning.

 

My Rating: It was a fun and exciting book to read. I give Kade Three Paws and a Stump Wag. I look forward to reading more of McCray's books!

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:

The Centaur's Daughter by Ellen Jensen Abbott

Release date of September 28, 2011

 

Now I haven't been able to track down a synopsis for this one yet but just the cover and title draws me in.  It is a sequel to Watersmeet Synopsis: "From her birth, Abisina has been outcast—for the color of her eyes and skin, and for her lack of a father. Only her mother’s status as the village healer has kept her safe. But when a mythic leader arrives, Abisina’s life is ripped apart. She escapes alone to try to find the father and the home she has never known. In a world of extremes, from the deepest prejudice to the greatest bonds of duty and loyalty, Abisina must find her own way and decide where her true hope lies."

 

 

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I will have a couple of book reviews coming up for you this afternoon too!!

Review of Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble: "As punchy as her first foray, Anita Blake's 20th adventure (after 2010's Bullet) finds the intrepid vampire hunter far from her familiar St. Louis environs. Someone is slaughtering weretigers just outside of Tacoma. When Anita recognizes the handiwork of the Harlequin, ninja-like paranormal assassins, she suspects they're in the employ of the Mother of All Darkness, the legendary vampire queen who wants to reincarnate herself in Anita's body and take advantage of her mingled vampire and lycanthrope bloodlines. Complicating matters are a marshal who detests Anita for no apparent reason and a psychopathic deputy who wants to kill her."

My Review: I loved this book in the series! Hamilton returns Anita Blake to her original form. Tough girl who gets absorbed in her work as a paranormal specialist/hunter. I loved the fact that Edward was involved and that Anita wasn't so reliant on her sweeties for strength or knowledge. Although I did kind of miss all the boys' personalities in this book but it was back to what I loved about the series when I first started reading it. It was a nice break from the physical relationships (though there is still some but not nearly what the last several books have included). This is definitely a book to get me back into the Anita Blake series.

My Rating: I loved Hit List and flew through it so I couldn't give it any less than Four Paws! If you enjoy Paranormal type books that aren't all sparkly vampires and friendly werewolves this is a great series, but I suggest starting at the beginning because there is a lot of information you need before reading this the 20th in the series ;)


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In other news, I am back from the wedding finally, and only have one more to go next weekend! I will be sure to schedule my Friday and Saturday posts. 

Also is anyone else having trouble posting comments?! I have been trying to respond to all of you all day today and haven't been able to, so please bear with me until I can finally comment on all your great comments and posts!

Hope you all had a great weekend and the week is filled with new book adventures!

Shelving Saturday - #7

Welcome to Shelving Saturday

Shelving Saturday is a weekly blog event I have started here at Eastern Sunset Reads.   Each week I will post a shelving dilemma or question and you can join me in the response.

 

Please feel free to post on your blog and link back here, please be sure to post the link to your response in the comments so I can come and check your Shelving day out!

 

So this week a was mumbling to myself about my "special" books. ARCs and books that I have had signed by authors. 

What do you do with your "special" books. Do you have a lot that have been signed by authors?

I only have a few books that are signed by authors and only 3 ARCs that I have managed to snag at different online auctions or book exchanges. Some day soon I was thinking about getting a small shelf (like a 3 foot one) and dedicating the top to those special books and have actual bookends, but for now they are just intermingled with the rest of the books of their genre.

Here are some of my autographed books

From Kenneth Thomasma

And of course Kristin Cashore (I also have Graceling signed but its burried right now)

Bedtime Story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a perennial favourite with children and adults alike. Its imaginative illustration and clever cut-out detail charts the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through the week."

My Review: This is one of those books that has and will continue to stand the test of time. I remember growing up my brother would constantly check this book out of the library (I don't think any of the other kids his age got to read it because he had it so much). It is a great book that has a little message about eating your fruits and veggies instead of junk food. The pictures are great, I love the patchwork designs and the little holes are great for kids to play with and use their imagination.

My Rating: This is a definite Four Paws book! A much loved book for many people all over the world and all through the generations.

In My Mailbox

   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!

 

 

Not much in my mailbox this week, only one book downloaded on my Nook

 

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble: "Anita Blake wishes that she could be indulging in other pleasures, but for the time being at least, she has more pressing matters: A team of assassins are heading for St. Louis and she, Jean-Claude, and Richard are at the top of their hit list."

 

Review of Tailor-made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Synopsis from Goodreads: "When a dressmaker who values beauty tangles with a liveryman who condemns vanity, the sparks begin to fly!
Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with the new dressmaker in Coventry, Texas. He's all too familiar with her kind--shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothes, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.

Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner, while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?

When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau--leading to consequences neither could have foreseen--will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?"

My Review: This was an interesting change of pace for me. A blooming romance that takes place in the old west with a heavy basis in Christianity. Definitely not a normal read for me but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A lovely story of how kindness and love win over hatred, and how inner beauty can shine through even exterior beauty. I grew to love each of the characters and wish I didn't have to leave them behind at the end of the book. It was great to see them pull through all the trials, even ones created themselves.

My Rating: I have to give this book Three Paws. Even though it isn't the typical book I enjoy it still kept my interest and I was excited to see what happened next.  For those who aren't into real explicit romance books this is a great one for you!