Book of the Month: April 2012

"Book of the Month" is a monthly event hosted by Book Whales YA Reviews. This is done to highlight one of the books that you have read in the previous month.

 This will enable us to comment from one blog to another. Books you recommend for others to read. Hope you guys will join us. We would love to see your favorite book of the month!

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As I said before, I really loved all 4 books I read in April! I don't want to choose just one! Urgh, this is a tough one....

But if I have to choose, I think I'll go with:

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.

 This book was SUPER AWESOMELY AMAZING!!! I LOVED IT!! Yes, all caps...that's how awesome it was :) I'm the type of girl who doesn't like chick flicks or chick lit books...I'm the type of girl who likes movies that will scare the hell out her! And I am the same with books! I love horror stories, and my favorites are GHOST stories... I just love them! And Anna Dressed in Blood was a totally creeptastic ghost story!

Cover Reveal: Reaper by L.S. Murphy

Title: Reaper

Author: L.S.Murphy

Release Date: January 7, 2013

Published by: J. Taylor Publishing

Target Reader: Young Adult

Genre: Urban Fantasy
 
Official Blurb:

There's no way sixteen year old Quincy Amarante will become the fifth grim reaper. None. Not over her shiny blue Mustang. Her Jimmy Choos. Or her dead body.

She’s supposed to enjoy her sophomore year, not learn about some freaky future Destiny says she has no choice but to fulfill.

It doesn’t take long for Quincy to realize the only way out of the game is to play along especially since Death can find her anyway, anywhere, anytime. And does.

Like when she’s reassuring her friends she wants nothing to do with former best friend Ben Moorland, who’s returned from god-knows-where, and fails. Miserably.

Instead of maintaining her coveted popularity status, Quincy’s goes down like the Titanic.

Maybe ... just maybe ... that’s okay.

It seems, perhaps, becoming a grim reaper isn’t just about the dead but more about a much needed shift in Quincy’s priorities—from who she thinks she wants to be to who she really is.

I dont know why, and it might be a bit morbid, but I have a thing for Reapers. My favorite supernatural creatures are witches, but right behind them are reapers. Its books like Madison Avery and the Soul Screamers that make me like reapers...so seriously, is it morbid that I actually like reapers?? lol

Anyway, I think this books sounds really cool. And I love the cover! I love how the girl looks all innocent and then you see her holding a scythe behind her...classic!

Monthly Round Up: April 2012

For April I challenged myself to read a total of 10 books which included some other categories...but anyway, I totally and completely FAILED! LOL

Here are the books I read in April:

 

Entangled (Spellbound #1) by Nikki Jefford

Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1) by Kendare Blake

 

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

The Turning Tides (Marina's Tales #4) by Derrolyn Anderson

Yep, that's right, I only read 4 books this month. I know, I know, I fail. But you know how school is. And actually, I'm happy I didn't read so much this month! Out of the 3 quizzes we took in class, I got 100% on 2 of them, and I got an A on my 1st exam and 100% on my 2nd exam! That's pretty amazing considering Human Anatomy and Physiology is far from easy! And if I want to keep up my A in the class I'll have to read less and study more. So, sadly, for all of May and part of June, I wont have much time for reading :(

Anyway, as for my favorite book of the month...do I really have to choose??? Because I loved ALL of them! I mean, Entangled featured magic and witches which is one of my favorite genres to read (plus there was that yummy bad boy, Raj ;)) Anna Dressed in Blood was effing amazing too... I LOVE horror and ghost stories! And how can I not love Dark Frost as well when it's one of my favorite series and is about MYTHOLOGY... I LOVE mythology, especially Greek mythology! And The Turning Tides, I have come to love this series as well with its mermaids and Ethan...*sigh* So yes, I loved every single one those books :)

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Here are some books I reviewed this month:

 Pantheons (Pantheons #1) by E.J. Dabel

Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) by George O'Connor

Entangled (Spellbound #1) by Nikki Jefford

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For May I think I'll challenge myself to read 4 books, again. I think I can do it (hopefully!)

Showcase Sunday (#1)

Welcome to Showcase Sunday, hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea. The aim of this event is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed form the libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week. For more information about how this feature works and to join in, click here.

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I'm sure everyone has heard of the drama surrounding the blogger from The Story Siren, if not, because I really don't want to go into it, go here. Anyway, I have decided to take part in Showcase Sunday instead.

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I know I have been neglecting my blog lately, but school has been killing me... not literally, of course ;) Yes, I may be only taking one class...but that class is Human Anatomy and Physiology...yeah, it's as tough as it sounds. One hour lectures 4 days a week and 2 hour labs once a week plus all the studying...it's like taking two different classes! Right know we are on the skeletal system, meaning I have to learn all 206 bones in the body plus every single process, bump, groove, and hole on each bone...and that's only for lab =/ Anyway, I'm sure you don't want to hear about A&P and the skeletal system (although you might find it interesting that we basically get a new skeleton every 10 years thanks to the breaking down and rebuilding of bone!), so here is what I got this week.

This first one I got for review from the author:

The Other Slipper by Kenechi Udogu 

 Sounds kinda fairy tale-ish...and I LOVE fairy tales! :D

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And yesterday my family and I drove 3 hours to Seattle to buy:

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting

Okay, I know you might be thinking that I'm crazy for driving 3 hours out of town just to buy a book. What, does my town not have any bookstores?? Actually, yes. Our town does have bookstores. But since nobody cool ever comes to our town, we had to drive to Seattle so I could meet Kimberly Derting at her launch party for the book!



She signed my copy! Sure I have other books signed by authors, but those books were mailed to me...I actually got to SEE Kimberly sign MY BOOK!! :D

It was my very 1st author signing event I have gone to, so I was super excited! Kim was awesome, very nice and really funny! And one thing that surprised me: she knew who I was! Just by my name! We have chatted a few times online...and oh my gods I could not believe she actually knew me! I nearly fainted right there!

Here is some other swag I got at the event:

I got one of those cool rubber bracelets, a sticker (I think it's a sticker...) nail polish (for saying the secret phrase!), and 4 bookmarks (yes 2 of them are the same...but hey, and avid reader like myself has to have plenty of bookmarks! Oh wait, my brother took one of those...)

Why yes, Kimberly Derting is soooo cool she has her own nail polish for her book! I LOVE it! Have I told you that my favorite color is purple? Yes? Oh...just making sure ;)

I had so much fun at the Launch Party, I know this wont be my last! And Kimberly was just awesome...I'm a big fan of hers!

Anyway, I gotta go finish painting my nails with my brand new The Last Echo nail polish!

Cover Reveal: After Dark (The 19th Year #1) by Emi Gayle

Title: After Dark

Series: The 19th Year Trilogy, #1

Author: Emi Gayle

Release Date: October 31, 2012

Published by: J. Taylor Publishing

Official Blurb:

What eighteen year old Mac Thorne doesn’t know will probably kill her.

In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what she’ll be for the rest of her life.

She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, it’s her birthright. To Mac, it’s a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours.

Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists — which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class figures out there’s more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge.

In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.

The model on the cover reminds me a lot of Kyle, a contestant in this cycles' America's Next Top Model.

Kyle--ANTM cycle 18. They were in Canada for this photo shoot...yes, that is maple syrup!

I tried to find a better picture...but no luck. But she isn't one of my favorites, so whatevs ;) lol

Anyway, After Dark sounds amazing! I've already added it to my to-read list on Goodreads! You should too!

  

Review: Entangled (Spellbound #1) by Nikki Jefford

Title: Entangled

Series: Spellbound #1

Author: Nikki Jefford

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: February 20th 2012

Published by: Nikki Jefford

Source: The author (Thanks!) for review

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon| Book Depository | Smashwords

Synopsis:

Twin witches Graylee and Charlene Perez agree on one rule: No dating warlocks.

Not so easy when a certain rogue warlock is convinced he and Graylee belong together and will use anything, including magic, to try and impress Gray. When Charlene’s boyfriend dumps her, she threatens to kill either herself or the girl who stole Blake. Somehow, Gray ends up dead.

A Resurrection Spell Gone Wrong:

Two months after dying, Gray wakes up in Charlene’s body. As a witch, can anyone blame her mother for attempting to bring her daughter back to life? Only now Gray’s stuck sharing her sister’s body 50/50 in twenty-four hour shifts.

The race is on for Gray to find a way back inside her own body before Charlene purges her from existence. Raj McKenna is rumored to meddle in the black arts, not to mention he’s after Gray’s invisibility spell and worse – her heart. But Raj might be the only one powerful enough to save Gray from fading away forever.

My rating: ★★★★★

Magic, witches, and bad boys, oh my! Some of my favorite things mixed into one great book…I loved it! And the book cover…absolutely gorgeous!

Random Acts of Kindness: April 2012

So I have decided to finally take part in this month's Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) hosted by Book Soulmates! It's my very first time participating so I'm a little excited! My wishlist can be found on the very last tab above ^^^ *wink wink* but I'm also hoping to gift a book to someone...we'll see how it goes!

If you are not familiar with Random Acts of Kindness (R.A.K.), it is not about getting free books but about giving books. The idea is to do something kind for someone else without the expectation of receiving anything in return.

 

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules! Thank you!

• Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).
• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
• Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates@gmail.com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

 

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

 

If you would like to participate, here are the links you will need:

• Sign up for April [HERE]
• See who else is participating [HERE]
• If you have any questions regarding RAK, please contact our awesome hosts at: rakbybooksoulmates@gmail.com

Review - Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) by George O'Connor

Title: Hades: Lord of the Dead

Series: Olympians #4

Previous books in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1) | Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (#2) | Hera: The Goddess and her Glory (#3)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, Greek mythology

Publication date: January 31, 2012

Published by: First Second

Source: The publishers via Netgalley

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon| Book Depository

Synopsis:

"Hades: Lord of the Dead" tells the story of the great God of the Underworld and one of the most famous of all Greek myths: Hades’ abduction of Persephone and her mother’s revenge. Be prepared to see a new side of Persephone in this dynamic adaptation of the story of the creation of the seasons. In Olympians, O’Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct and retell classic Greek myths. But these stories aren’t sedate, scholarly works. They’re action-packed, fast-paced, high-drama adventures with monsters, romance, and not a few huge explosions. O’Connor’s vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to undeniable life in a perfect fusion of super-hero aesthetics and ancient Greek mythology.

My rating: ★★★★★
I loved, loved, LOVED this book!!

It was a very fun and quick read about the Greek Underworld and its geography, and its residents and deities (including Hades, of course). It also talked about the Abduction of Persephone. In this myth, he is always viewed as the villain…but truthfully, he isn’t! He is really a nice guy! And Persephone sees that, eventually. I even added him to my favorite-Greek-gods list just recently :)

It's Monday! What are you Reading? (#10)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

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Last week I read two super awesomely amazing books:

Entangled (Spellbound #1) by Nikki Jefford
Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1) by Kendare Blake

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Right now I'm not reading anything...I have a feeling these next 2-3 months I wont be able to get much reading in :( School is so not cool, lol! Anyway, the next book I plan to read is probably:

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3) by Jennifer Estep

I LOVE this series! And I love mythology! Cant wait to read this one! Yep, this is definitely next :)

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What are you reading this week??



In My Mailbox (#9)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

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Earth Angel (Falling Angels #2) by E. Van Lowe

Thanks a ton to the author for sending me this! The first book I had won in a giveaway and I absolutely LOVED it! And the author was kind enough to send me the second book since I hadn't gotten it myself yet. I am totally excited to read this one! And is the cover not drool worthy? I think it is ;)

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Tidal Whispers by various authors

This one I got from the publishers. It caught my attnetion 'cause there's a story with a bit of Greek mythology ;) This cover is also beautiful!

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Narrative Loserdom: From Journal One by Ryan Collins

This one I also got from the author in exchange for an honest review...Thanks!

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What did you get in your mailbox this week??



Giveaway: Oppression by Jessica Therrien

The author of Oppression is having one way awesome GIVEAWAY! I'm just here to spread the word ;)

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

Here is what she is giving away:

Notebook, book marks, signed copy of Oppression, poster, the mixed CD William gives Elyse of their songs, copies of my original manuscript pages before the content edits.

And all you have to do for a chance to win is e-mail Jessica a copy of your review of Oppression to therrien.jessica@gmail.com. The reviews have to be posted on either Amazon or B&N. Each review will count as one entry (if you post a review on both Amazon and B&N that will count as two entries). All reviews must be posted by April 30, 2012 to qualify for the giveaway.

If you have already posted a review, those count as well! Just email Jessica the review to be entered to win.

This giveaway is international!!!! Good luck to all those who will enter :)

For more info visit Jessica Therrien's website.

Review: Pantheons by E.J. Dabel

Title: Pantheons

Series: Pantheons #1

Author: E.J. Dabel

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, mythology

Publication date: January 5th 2012

Published by:  Sea Lion Books

Source: e-book from the publishers (Thanks!)

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

On the streets, they call fifteen year old orphan Isaiah Marshall the “Indestructible Diamond”. Isaiah is the leader of the “Redrovers,” a group of teenage misfits consisting of his friends Jeremy, Monty, and Pipsqueak, but when they trespass into “Kaliber Academy” to get even with the arrogant Jason Ollopa, they are in way over their heads.

Principal Webb enrolls them into the High School and Isaiah soon learns about the existence of the gods of the Ancient World. Because the gods have refused to fight the last War for fear of the Mysterious Dark, the Powers-that-Be have stripped them of their spiritual bodies and given them mortal, teenage forms.

Isaiah discovers he's not only a god, but that he's the child of the Greek goddess Metis, the son destined to overthrow his cruel and sadistic father Zeus, the Darkener of the Sky, and become the greatest god in all the Pantheons.

Isaiah is thrown into a world where the democratic Olympians, war-mongering Norse, Gothic Celts, firstborn Egyptians, the enlightened Hindu, the animal-like Aztecs, the martial artist Asians, the intelligent Babylonians, the great spirits of the Native American Indians, and the fierce Finnish will war against one another for the greatest of all prizes: the Dominion.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Let me tell you a little story about Zeus, the Greek god of the sky, and his first wife Metis, an Oceanid and Greek goddess of wisdom:

Monthly Round Up: March 2012

For the month of March, I challenged myself to read at least 8 books total, including...

A. 3-5 mythology books

B. 5-10 review books

C. at least 1 "Just for fun" book

D. And at least 4 of the following categories:

• A book with the letter M in the title
• A book with the letter O in the title
• A book with the letter T in the title
• A book with the letter H in the title
• A book with the letter E in the title
• A book with the letter R in the title
• A book with Red on the cover
• A book with Yellow on the cover
• A book with Pink on the cover
• A book with Green on the cover
• A book from a favorite series
• A book from a favorite author

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☑ Read a total of 8 books: 10 books read! Wooo!

  

Spellcaster (Spellbound #2) by Cara Lynn Shultz

Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test #1.5) by Aimee Carter

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter

 

Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by Jessica Therrien

Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick

  

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) by George O'Connor

Pantheons (Pantheons #1) by E.J. Dabel

 

Shattered Dreams (Midnight Dragonfly #1) by Ellie James

Crave (The Clann #1) by Melissa Darnell

☑ A. 3-5 mythology books: 5 books read!

1. Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test #1.5) by Aimee Carter
2. Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter
3. Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by Jessica Therrien
4. Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) by George O'Connor
5. Pantheons (Pantheons #1) by E.J. Dabel

☑ B. 5-10 review books: 9 books read!

1. Spellcaster (Spellbound #2) by Cara Lynn Shultz
2. Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter
3. Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by Jessica Therrien
4. Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick
5. The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
6. Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) by George O'Connor
7. Pantheons (Pantheons #1) by E.J. Dabel
8. Shattered Dreams (Midnight Dragonfly #1) by Ellie James
9. Crave (The Clann #1) by Melissa Darnell

☑ C. at least 1 "Just for fun" book: 1 book read, lol

1. Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test #1.5) by Aimee Carter

☑ D. And at least 4 of the following categories: 10 categories finished!

1. ☑ A book with the letter M in the title: The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
2. ☑ A book with the letter O in the title: Oppression (Children of the Gods #1) by Jessica Therrien
3. ☑ A book with the letter T in the title: Spellcaster (Spellbound #2) by Cara Lynn Shultz
4. ☑ A book with the letter H in the title: Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test #1.5) by Aimee Carter
5. ☑ A book with the letter E in the title: Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) by George O'Connor
6. ☑ A book with the letter R in the title: Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick
7. ☑ A book with Red on the cover: Crave (The Clann #1) by Melissa Darnell
8. ☑ A book with Yellow on the cover: Pantheons (Pantheons #1) by E.J. Dabel
9. ☑ A book with Pink on the cover: Shattered Dreams (Midnight Dragonfly #1) by Ellie James
10. ☑ A book with Green on the cover: Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter
11. ☐ A book from a favorite series
12. ☐ A book from a favorite author

YAY!! I didn't fail this month :D I did pretty good if I do say so myself ;)

For my favorite book this month, check out this post!

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Books reviewed this month:

Jasmine (Energy Book #1) by Sabrina Sumsion

Incarnate (Newsoul #1)--Jodi Meadows

Oppression (Children of the Gods #1)--Jessica Therrien

Stake That (Blood Coven Vampire #2)--Mari Mancusi

Girls That Growl (Blood Coven Vampire #3)--Mari Mancusi

Bad Blood (Blood Coven Vampire #4)--Mari Mancusi

Night School (Blood Coven Vampire #5)--Mari Mancusi

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Interviews:

Jessica Therrien--author of Opression (Children of the Gods #1)
Sabrina Sumsion--author of Jasmine (Energy Book 1)
Derrolyn Anderson--author of the "Marina's Tales" series

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Giveaway!

Between the Land and the Sea (Marina's Tales #1) by Derrolyn Anderson

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For the month of April, I'm challenging myself to read at least 10 books total, including...

A. 3-5 mythology books

B. 5-10 review books

C. at least 1 "Just for fun" book

D. And at least 6 of the 13 following categories:

• A book with the letter E in the title
• A book with the letter A in the title
• A book with the letter S in the title
• A book with the letter T in the title
• A book with the letter E in the title
• A book with the letter R in the title
• A book with Yellow on the cover
• A book with Pink on the cover
• A book with Brown/Black on the cover
• A book with Blue on the cover
• A book with a Flower on the cover
• A book from a favorite genre
• A book I love

I feel pretty good about April, but we'll see how I do!