Teaser Tuesday: 21/6/2011

 

Currently Reading: The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

But not wanting to let on that my heart was reacting so excitedly, I kept cool and gave a half-hearted shrug. "No, you can stay if you want."

Teaser Tuesday is the brainchild of Should Be Reading

Book Review: Enticed by Jessica Shirvington

Review: Enticed
Series: Violet Eden Chapters – Book 2
Author: Jessica Shirvington
No of Pages: 413
Release Date: 29 March 2011

CONSEQUENCE HAUNTS EVERY CHOICE

Violet Eden is Grigori – part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels.

Knowing who to trust is key but when Grigori reinforcements arrive it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know...Phoenix’s hold over her is more dangerous than ever.

The race to find the one thing that could forever tilt the balance of power takes them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet’s own powers will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.

My Thoughts:

Enticed made for a brilliant sequel that had me glued to every page.

Violet is still reeling over Phoenix’s deception and what she saw in the desert when she embraced, so when Lincoln deserts her again to go off on a secret mission while she is left to figure out why Phoenix wants the sacred Grigori scriptures, and when he is going to come after her.

Violet once again astounded me with her strength. Granted she is not the sharpest tool in the shed and not nearly the strongest, but her sheer will to power through her troubles and not let anyone get her down has me cheering her on through each new obstacle she faces. Violet is coming into her powers now and hopefully it seems, her fighting ability but she is still getting distracted by Lincoln, with whom she is still in love.

Lincoln is so far from being in my good books that he is going to have to do something astounding in Emblaze to even begin to make me like him. His character is a good one because you know he is the good guy but he is just so incredibly mean to Violet. He’s on a crusade to avenge his mother and instead of telling Violet what is happening, instead of being there for his partner when not only she, but his race needs him is incredibly selfish. I would want to avenge my mother too, but for a guy that was in love with a girl for two years and able to control himself every time he was around her to a loose cannon that doesn’t care what happens to him as long as he destroys this one exile is awful.

Phoenix crops up from time to time in Enticed as well, to remind Violet that he is all powerful and can kill her with a single thought, but there is still that connection between them that has me rooting for him to come good.

I also can’t wait to see more of Onyx – the exile turned human – who has taken on the role of comedic relief to help ease the tension of impending doom. Shrivington’s secondary characters all have their own personalities and aren’t hidden by the main which takes this series to that extra level.

Enticed was yet another whirlwind dive into the beautiful picture that Shrivington’s created with her words. Her superb historical elements of the story and completely believable explanations for how some exiles have lived out their existence on Earth has had me looking at the skies from time to time over the last couple of days.

Violet’s story has me enthralled with intense anticipation of what is to come in Emblaze and I absolutely cannot wait until I can get my hands on it as soon as possible.

Also in this series:
Embrace
Emblaze

Book Trailer: The Taste of Apple by James Laidler

Below is the trailer for The Taste of Apple a multi media book by James Laidler. I am quite looking forward to reading this...



Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Pedro Jones is lost. Abandoned by his father and forced into commission housing with his Filipino immigrant mother, the future seems bleak.
But when Pedro meets the 'mad' street busker, Johnny Lazzaro, and gets involved with the East Timor freedom movement, life takes an unexpected detour through the uncharted backblocks of the human heart.

Book Review: The Shadow Seer by Fran Jacobs

Review: The Shadow Seer
Series: Ellenessia’s Curse – Book 1
Author: Fran Jacobs
No of Pages: 337
Release Date: 2 April 2009

For generations prophets have foreseen the birth of the Shadow Seer, the oracle of dark visions and fallen kingdoms. But by the time of Sorron, King of Carnia, their warnings have mostly been forgotten and his name is known only to a handful of scholars. When Sorron's grandson, Prince Candale, falls deathly ill, the Seer's legends are brought to light once again by his saviour, a witch named Mayrila. She believes that Candale is the fulfilment of those long forgotten prophecies. She believes that he is the Shadow Seer...

My Thoughts:

The Shadow Seer was an extremely interesting read, but it was a little slow in its movement.

Candale is a prince with a secret; he is having prophecies, hearing voices, and seeing people that aren’t there. The Shadow Seer starts with Candale being gravely ill and close to death. All we hear are snippets of conversation between his relatives, arguments between his father and grandfather about how to best help him.

His grandfather sends for a woman named Mayrila, a conniving, gold-digging witch, who seems to be the only person who can help him. Mayrila saves Candale, but she also changes his life forever, revealing herself as his birth mother and him as the Shadow Seer, a dark prophet whose visions will only ever be of death and destruction.

Candale is an interesting character, if a little naive. He is intelligent and easily relatable being a quiet, odd child who fits in well enough at court, but is always dreaming and looking for something more. Candale did get a little infuriating at times when he went off by himself without thinking things through only to nearly get killed by his enemies. At times I wanted to shake him, but mostly I felt empathetic and a little sad about his situation.

The Shadow Seer was well written and completely engaging because it didn’t seem like you were racing to the finish line. Each new event in the timeline was well paced and flowed seamlessly into the plot.

The only problem with The Shadow Seer was that we never really get answers to our questions, the world of Carnia that Jacobs created was superb, but there was so much groundwork to lay that we only got to see snippets about the myths behind the shadow seer and those myths were relentlessly repeated.

The Shadow Seer was an excellently written story with an engaging main character who kept me entertained and continuously coming back for more. The mystery behind who Ellenessia is and how she is going to affect Candale in the long run has me itching to get my hands on the second book in this promising fantasy series.

Friday 56: 17/6/2011

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
Page 56, 5th Sentence

Claire took a deep breath of hot afternoon air, and walked around the corner to wait for Kim.



Gotta love that hot afternoon air...oxygen and suffocation all in one motion.






 


Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice.
*Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Question of the Week: Weird character names, do they bother you?

Books for thought is hosted by Eleni at La Femme Readers
These are my answers to the questions she asks.

Question: What is your opinion on weird character names? (i.e. Renesmee, Katniss, Po, etc.). Love them or loathe them?

(Question credit goes to: Colleen from The Story Inventory)

Answer: They don't bother me, especially when they fit the story. If everyone else has a normal name and then you come out with something weird just for the sake of it (Renesmee anyone?) that kind of annoys me but really, it's not like you've known these people their whole lives and all of sudden they come out with this weird name...it's the only thing you've ever known them as.

Book Review: Ada Legend of a Healer by R. A. McDonald

Review: Ada Legend of a Healer
Author: R.A McDonald
No of Pages: 250
Release Date: 1 January 2011

No sickness, No injuries, No pain, No limits.

If you had the power to heal, what would you do?

For fifteen-year-old Ada discovering that she can heal feels more like a curse than a gift. When she learns of the mystery surrounding her mother’s disappearance, and sees the indifference of so-called friends, she sets out for Paris to find her.

The power to heal protects her, but also has her hunted by a man who sees her as nothing more than his fountain of youth. Ada realizes her true power is her will to survive, and that her only chance at freedom is to become the best at escaping.

My Thoughts:

Ada Legend of a Healer had a bad start, but ended up turning into a rather good read.

Ada is an orphan with an attitude problem. After getting kicked out of yet another foster home she can’t be placed anywhere else, so she leaves the system, embarking on her own journey to find her mother. Her journey leads her to France and the people she meets there help her hone not only her healing skills but develop skills in the art of parkour.

Ada was not a likeable character for most of the story. Her only redeeming attribute was her sheer force of will power, all of her other aspects boiled down to her being an egotistical, self-centred teenager. For the first hundred pages I had the urge to not only scream but stick a fork in my eye because of the constant whining about how unfair the world is and how unfair it is that she have to bear the burden of having the ability to heal not only others, but herself.


Ada Legend of a Healer did start to get interesting when Ada went to France on her mission to find her mother. After using Jessie – her aunt – for money and information Ada struck out on her own to find out if her mother was still alive.

Delving into the world of parkour and the limits of Ada’s power was the highlight of the novel because we got to see McDonalds writing ability on show. Daniel and his friends and Daniel’s budding romance with Ada drove the novel from that point.


Ada Legend of a Healer was a slow read to get started and once it got going it was easy to see where it would end up, but I felt oddly compelled to finish, quickly. McDonalds writing drew me in after Ada got to France to a point where I couldn’t let go and Ada’s story wouldn’t let me go. Even after the final page was turned McDonalds message - to cherish what you have - stayed with me for a long time afterwards.

Teaser Tuesday: 14/6/2011

Currently Reading: The Taste of Apple by James Laidler

Her deep sultry eyes connect with mine, drawing me in, sending a shiver down my spine. She stares at me in that teasing way and I struggle to resist her allure.

Teaser Tuesday is the brainchild of Should Be Reading

Guest Post: The Lazy Writer by Missy Jane

Today we have a very special guest in erotic romance author Missy Jane. She is joining me here today as part of her Birthday Blog Tour. Missy Jane's newest book Erotic Images will be published on the 15th which also happens to be Missy's birthday!

Happy Birthday Missy Jane!
_______________________________

I’m a Lazy Writer

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and has been for a while. Back when I used to watch TV I loved to watch documentaries on anything historic, and National Geographic is a favorite. So, when I turned to reading romance a few years ago it didn’t take long for me to find regency. I love reading about reformed rakes, marriages of convenience and the ton. I also enjoy reading romances set in the old west and long-lost civilizations. However, you will most likely never see such work published under my name. Why? Because I’m honestly too lazy for that level of research. Oh sure, I don’t mind scouring the web to find the perfect name for one of my characters, down to the earliest known uttering. I’ll even dig up old, dusty books to see if I can find a usable quote to make my characters sound well-read. But ask me to actually research common phrases in Victorian-era England and my eyes glaze over. I just can’t do it.

All I know of ancient times has come from books, movies and television. It amazes me when authors can speak with authority on what type of dress a woman would have worn in the 1700s. I applaud their intelligence and bow to their expertise. I might even use that knowledge in future conversations. However, I’m not going to try to write it into a story. I prefer the here and now, or a fantasy world of my own making where anything I want goes. Whether it’s laziness, fear or just plain stubbornness, it’s the way my writing stands…for now. Of course, I reserve the right to change my habits at any given time.

Do you like historical romance? Have you ever read any type of romance where the author’s knowledge amazed you? Recommend a good read to me based on that in the comments and you’ll be entered to win a prize pack in my Birthday Blog Tour give away. One winner will be chosen tomorrow, but all comments will be entered for the grand prize to be chosen on June 30th on my blog: www.msmissyjane.blogspot.com

Ms. Missy Jane is a paranormal and erotic romance author published through Samhain and Ellora’s Cave.

-Missy Jane
*Make reading a guilty pleasure…*
www.msmissyjane.com
___________________________

Thank you so much for your post Missy Jane, and if you would like to contribute a guest post please feel free to follow the link on the left hand sidebar.

Book Review: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Review: Dead to the World
Series: Sookie Stackhouse – Book 4
Author: Charlaine Harris
No of Pages: 321
Release Date: 3 May 2005

Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana. She’s pretty. She does her job well. But she has only a few close friends, because not everyone appreciates Sookie’s gift: she can read minds. That’s not exactly every man's idea of date bait - unless they’re undead; vampires and the like can be tough to read. And that’s just the kind of guy Sookie’s been looking for. Maybe that’s why, when she comes across a naked vampire on the way home from work, she doesn’t just drive on by. He hasn’t got a clue who he is, but Sookie has: Eric looks just as scary and sexy – and dead – as the day she met him. But now he has amnesia, he’s sweet, vulnerable, and in need of Sookie’s help – because whoever took his memory now wants his life.

Sookie’s investigation into what’s going on leads her into a battle between witches vampires and werewolves. But there could be even greater danger – to Sookie’s heart – because the kinder, gentler Eric is very hard to resist.

My Thoughts:

Another dive into the world of Sookie Stackhouse, and now that Bill is out of the way, it’s getting interesting.

Sookie once again is just getting better, taking Eric in after he suffers amnesia to help keep him safe to me is just so good for her and her growth in this society. Sookie still remembers her place in the supernatural society, but she also is starting to come into her own. Things aren’t quite as scary anymore and when Sookie finds out about witches actually existing she doesn’t freak out like she would have in earlier books.

Eric is just getting hotter as far as I’m concerned. Suffering from amnesia at the hands of the witches Eric has forgotten that he is a 1,000 year old Viking vampire that people bow to and cower in fear from as soon as he enters a room. Eric’s tender side in Dead to the World made me fall even more in love with him than before, because it proves that he’s not just an evil overlord, but that he may have a sliver of humanity left.

Eric is a little bit of an odd character for me, I don’t want him to be gentle; I want him to be hard hitting, evil and funny. But in Dead to the World, his tender side was just so perfect; it didn’t even seem like Eric. So although I missed witty Eric, I absolutely loved gentle Eric and although it fits him I can’t see the two sides of him ever reconciling into one being and if I had to choose it would definitely be evil Eric.

Alcide and his wolves also play a major part again in this book and with the addition of Alcide it once again adds more of a plot mover to the story.

I was so glad that Bill barely made an appearance in Dead to the World, as in Club Dead because I really don’t like him. Sookie doesn’t need the distraction that Bill causes and I am hoping that the series continues on this broader path of the extended set of characters.

Dead to the World also introduces witches, which for me wasn’t that big a deal. They seemed more like the hippy Wiccans rather than full blown cackling witches for most of the story. They made for an interesting dilemma for Sookie to deal with though.

Dead to the World was yet another excellent instalment in this fabulous series.

Others in this series:
Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
Dead and GoneDead in the Family

Question of the Week: How do you feel when you're called a nerd for reading?

Books for thought is hosted by Eleni at La Femme Readers

 

Question: When you are called a nerd for loving books, how do you feel?

 

Answer: I used to feel embarrased, but now I just feel annoyed, and sorry for the people who think its ok to make fun of people's hobbies. You don't see me making fun of your 8 hour a day Call of Duty addiction. I more feel upset at the lack of respect rather than being put down for reading.

I have been made fun of for reading for most of my life so now I'm used to it (sad aye?) but I still feel sorry for people who think that reading is something to be made fun of, I;m not saying you have to love it, I'm just saying...each to their own.

Friday 56: 10/6/2011

Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward 
Page 56, 5th Sentence

Which made John feel so much better-

Poor John, teased, bullied, scrawny. Needs something to make him feel better.






 



Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice.
*Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Book Review: Breaking Down by Maia Kinney-Petrucha & Stefan Petrucha

Review: Breaking Down
Series: Papercut Slices – Book 2
Author: Maia Kinney-Petrucha & Stefan Petrucha
No of Pages: 64
Release Date: 29 March 2011

Contained within the pages of this ghoulishly groovy graphic novel are the complete, unauthorized PARODIES of...nightlight, too soon, ellipses and breaking down.

Together these tales from the complete nightlight saga...the tragic, yet somewhat sparkly and movie-worthy, epic love story between Bleh-Bleh and Fredward. But unlike other silly love stories such as “Romeo and Juliet” that merely featured humans, this unforgettable, this seemingly never-ending yarn is complicated by the fact that Fredward just happens to be a...

No, not a rainbow rider...a vampire. Of course, things get even more complicated, and somewhat creepy, when Bleh-Bleh and Fredward meet J-Bob, a werewolf...

Can a flighty, fickle, female, a self-absorbed blood-sucker and a hapless, hirsute hunk find true happiness together? Or is that a stupid question?

My Thoughts:

Breaking Down was a quick, entertaining if slightly odd parody.

Breaking Down is narrated by Bleh-Bleh’s father Duck. He gives us an update on what’s been happening over the last few years and we get to see in pictures how the story unfolds.

Bleh-Bleh is quite true to her Twilight counterpart, being exceptionally dull and dim-witted. It is emphasised here in her addiction of sticking her tongue in light-sockets “for a buzz”.

Fredward and J-Bob have equal panel time to Bleh-Bleh in this parody and it is made quite obvious who the authors think Bella should have ended up with.

We also get a cast of evil child stars (including appearances by the Rugrats, Stewie and Chuckie), super-heroes and quite well drawn renditions of the Volturi.

What kept me entertained about Breaking Down was that all of the questionable things from the Twilight Saga were brought up and emphasized, including but not limited to: Jacob’s imprinting on a child, Bella’s ability to chose the cold, dead, scrawny guy over the hot, live, nice guy, and Bella’s inability to realise that Edward was a dangerous killer.


Breaking Down was odd, it was not what I am looking for in a parody, when I think parodies I think Disc World series, a parody of life but not outrageously so, there is still a story in front of the comedy. This was an obvious jab at all the atrocities of Twilight, it was a weekend comic put together by Petrucha and his daughter and it was funny, it was light and it was quick.

I have still yet to find a parody that I enjoy without thinking “well, that’s just stupid and obvious”, but Breaking Down was an entertaining read for those of us that have read the Twilight series and who will be able to pick up on the major jokes but also a lot of the subtle and well hidden ones.

Breaking Down was a light, funny and playful approach to the Twilight saga.

Also in this series:
Harry Potty and the Deathly Boring

Question of the Week: What are your other hobbies?

Books for thought is hosted by Eleni at La Femme Readers 

Question: Other than reading what are some 'hobbies' you love?

(Question credit goes to: Khadija from Black Fingernailed Reviews)

Answer: Crocheting! I absolutely love Crocheting (basically knitting with one stick) I can only make blankets but especially in winter it's so much fun!

As most of you know I also love writing!

Teaser Tuesday: 7/6/2011

 

 

Currently Reading: Enticed by Jessica Shirvington

"I haven't been there for you. I should have know you wouldn't have...' He reached down to the bowl beside his knees and dunked a cloth, wringing it out, before running it softly over my legs, cleaning away the blood.

Teaser Tuesday is the brainchild of Should Be Reading

Book Review: Human Blend by Lori Pescatore

Review: Human Blend
Series: Blend Trilogy – Book 1
Author: Lori Pescatore
No of Pages: 230
Release Date: 12 June 2010

Marion, Virginia seemed like a nice place to live a normal life, but she is not a normal girl. Laney has special abilities that keep her looking over her shoulder as she makes her escape from the men who had kidnapped her.

A young doctor’s interest is piqued when he witnesses her mysteriously curing a young child’s illness. He befriends her due to his growing fascination with uncovering the true nature of her abilities, but not without harbouring secrets of his own.

Laney’s budding relationship with a local boy puts both of them in danger when the men she was hiding from find her. All of their lives will change forever as ancient secrets become unearthed.

My Thoughts:

Human Blend was far better than I was expecting.

Laney/Julie is on the run from the men that stole her from her family. Stopping to rest in a small town that catches her eye she decided to stay when she meets a local boy and realises that she might have a chance at a normal life.

Laney needs to stay hidden so she assumes the new identity of Julie Miller when she arrives in the small town of Marion. Laney/Julie isn’t just a normal girl though, she has powers that let her “see” numbers meaning she’ll never lose a bet or the lottery and she can also heal others by taking the illnesses into herself and healing instantly.

Laney was a strong, independent character that expertly drove the story. She backed up her words with her abilities, not only her powers but also her survival skills and instincts. Laney was also extremely intelligent which was a refreshing change from the constant damsels in distress that we read about. Laney listens to her gut, and she doesn’t walk into her house alone in the dark after finding the door open, she gets help first from someone who is capable.

I loved that Laney just wanted to be normal even though she is so different. She went to work in a hospital just so she could be near people and use her powers to heal them, not for recognition just because she felt it was the right thing to do.

Laney also had a love interest in Austin, the local boy who takes a liking to her as soon as he meets her. Austin is a complete gentleman which is also a pleasant change from the controlling stalkers and the dangerous bad boys we are currently bombarded with in literature.

Human Blend was really well written and kept me completely engrossed from start to finish. It was not only an interesting storyline but a refreshingly new one as well. Pescatore didn’t conform to our current stereotypes of men, women and the paranormal but created something completely new and exhilarating to read.

Not only did we have a paranormal story with sci-fi themes mixed in, but we also had a beautiful YA romance that unfolded perfectly and without unrealistic devotion but with camaraderie and tenderness.

Human Blend was an excellent start to a promising new series and I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on the next novel in this trilogy.

Also in this series:
Earth Blend

My Two Cents: It's what reading is all about...

So we've established that I have been on an unplanned hiatus, but this break has done me a world of good. It's given me time to take a step back, re-evaluate and plan.

Life at the moment is both exhilarating and scary. Work is steady for the moment as is the boy (who's new btw!) and with the additional support from someone who doesn't frown on reading and writing, it has reignited my passion for both.

For those of you that follow Book Lovers Inc. you will notice that I have still been active over the last two months and it was writing a post for them that I wrote that line "it's what reading is all about".

What is reading all about? The anticipation of picking up the next book, the excitement of what's in store and for us book bloggers, the opportunity to share what we thought.

With that line, and a few posts at Half-Dead Tortoise and Super Purple Monkey Bucket, my passion for blogging was also reignited.

I always knew it wasn't over, but I also didn't know until yesterday when it would start again. I had been planning to wait until July when college was finally over, but it seems my brain (and heart?) has other ideas in mind.

So my lovelies, I am back and I am ready, and I have lots of books to tell you about.

Book Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Review: Embrace
Series: Violet Eden Chapters – Book 1
Author: Jessica Shirvington
No of Pages: 382
Release Date: 1 October 2010

THE WRONG CHOICE COULD COST NOT ONLY HER LIFE, BUT HER DESTINY.

All Violet wants is to be with Lincoln. But he has a secret so great it could tear them apart.

Then there’s Phoenix. He’s intense and enigmatic, but always there for her.

Caught up in a battle between light and dark – where angels seek vengeance and humans are warriors – Violet must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice. And who to trust...

My Thoughts:

Embrace was more than I expected, and I absolutely loved it.

Violet Eden’s life is turned upside down when she finds out that her best friend and man she is secretly in love with has been keeping a secret, about her. Violet is a Grigori, a half angel-half human protector of human kind against exiled angels, evil fallen angels that wish to control mankind.

After finding out that Lincoln has been keeping such a terrible secret about her identity she shuts him out of her life, a hard thing to do to your closest companion over the last two years. She meets Phoenix, an exiled angel who seems to have a darkness about him, but is fiercely protective of Violet when other exiles are around.

Violet was an interesting and well fleshed out character. After losing her mother at birth and being terrorized by a former teacher at school she has developed a habit of not letting much get to her and never fleeing from something too hard or scary. She broke that rule when it came to Lincoln and her destiny of becoming a Grigori leaning on Phoenix to help her get through her life upheaval.

Lincoln was a hard character to like for me if choosing between the two boys vying for Violet’s attention, he keeps secrets, lies and is condescending when around Violet but he also had that irresistible charm that Violet has been in love with ever since they got close. Violet’s and Lincoln’s love for each other was obvious from the first page, no matter how much Lincoln tried to keep his distance from her it was still clear that he loved Violet as much as Violet loved him.

Phoenix on the other hand is your typical bad boy; he is an exiled angel who takes a liking to Violet when he meets her. Violet tries to stay away but is inexplicably drawn to him. She admits that she doesn’t love Phoenix, but he can give her so much more, and is willing to give so much more than what Lincoln is.

Embrace was beautifully written, if a little confusing. I had a hard time keeping track of which angels were what and up until mid-way through the book exactly who the bad guys were. Even the motions of Embracing were a little sudden and rather confusing.

Other than the slight confusion Embrace was an engrossing read. Each time I was forced to put it down all I could think about was getting back to it. Having had some bad experiences with angel books in the past I highly encourage everyone to give Embrace a try.

Embrace is an addictive read, and left me salivating for more not just answers but for more beautiful prose and engaging characters. I cannot wait until I can dive into the next instalment in this intriguing series.

Also in this series:
Enticed
Emblaze

Man of the Month: May 2011

This month's man of the month is:

*drumroll*


Phoenix from Embrace!

 Phoenix is the slightly evil but totally sexy exiled angel from Embrace. As soon as he was introduced, I fell completely head over heels for him, but I didn't want to. The exact same happened to Violet. Of the two boys in Embrace I adored Phoenix, regardless of his bad boy nature, it just adds to his charm.

When I think Phoenix, with his wild hair and put together appearance I think:

That's right...Penn Badgely. Not quite Penn Badgely, but very close. Add the wild multi-coloured shimmering hair and a bit more bad boy, and you have Phoenix.

Typical bad boy leather jacket, definitely an in with me.

And his cheekier side, which always appears when he is teasing Violet about wanting to kiss him.

So there you have it, this months favourite man is Phoenix from Embrace.

TBR Drawer: June 2011

• Just After Sunset by Stephen King
• Enchanted. Inc by Shanna Swendson
• Night Rising by Chris Marie Green
• Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
• The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
• Need by Carrie Jones
• Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
• Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance
• Jessicas Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
• Original Sin by Allison Brennan
• No Rest for the Wicca by Toni Lotempio
• Blood Magic by Eileen Wilks
• Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks 
• What's a ghoul to do? by Victoria Laurie
• Soulless by Gail Carriger
• The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols
• Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper
• Shades of Midnight by Lara Adrian
• Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
  
• Bloody Jack by L. A Meyer
• The Awakening by Kelly Armstrong
• Dark Beginnings by Gena Showalter
• The Birthing House by Christopher Ransom
• The Taken by Sarah Pinborough
• Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
• Bloodlines by Lindsay Anne Kendal
• Dead Men's Dust by Matt Hilton
• Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs
• Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs
• Mortal Remains by Kathy Reichs
• Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs
• Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs
• Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs
• Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs
• Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs
• Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs
• Everything Erotic: Volume I   RC
• Everything Erotic: Volume II   RC
• Everything Erotic: Volume III   RC
• Bloody Bones by Laurell K. Hamilton
• Another One Bites The Dust by Jennifer Rardin
• Biting The Bullet by Jennifer Rardin
• The Killing Dance by Laurell K. Hamilton 
• Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
• The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton
• Fatal Embrace by Aris Whittier   RC
• Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb
• Enticed by Jessica Shirvington   RC
• Revving Her Wild Engines by Bethany Hale   RC  
• Playthings of the Gods Anthology   RC
• Defense Against the Dark by Emily Carlin   RC
• Initiate by Tara Maya   RC
• Antara by Marilena Mexi   RC 
• The Taste of Apple by James Laidler   RC
• Talon, come fly with me by Gigi Sedlmayer   RC

 June Arrivals:

• The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen   RC
• Crash Into Me by Albert Borris
• Accidentally Dead by Dakota Cassidy
• Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead
• Take Me There by Carolee Dean
• The Mark of the Vampire Queen by Joey W. Hill
• Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas

Monthly Wrap-Up: May 2011

I'm back! In late April and all of May I needed a break, and it has done me a world of good. What brought it on? not sure but the important thing is that I'm back, and raring to go!

College is finishing this month...completely finished! So after the 15th I will be a free woman! I think what brought on the hiatus was the amount of time it took to finish The Shadow Seer, when a book drags I lose interest, but I refused to give up on this one, an entire month it took me to read it, but I've finished!

My Favourite book for the month was definitely: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

In May I read 2 books.

• Shadow Seer by Fran Jacobs 
• Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

I reviewed 0 books:  :(

My Shelfari TBR Pile at the start of the month was 1,034 at the end of the month it is 1,032

My physical TBR pile stayed this month at 55