It’s Sunday again and I am joining another week of In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that lets everyone see what books you have received or bought that week.
I won some books in November and December and they finally arrived! Yay.
Bad Girls Don't Die
Stans Leap
Polyxena: A Story of Troy
Thank you to everyone!
What did you get in your mailbox?
Title: Wish List
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Historical Romance Anthology
Publisher: Leisure Books
Publication date: September 2003
Source: My own copy
I loved I Will by Lisa Kleypas, the first book in this anthology. Lord Andrew Drake has been disinherited from his dying father's will because of his dreadful behaviour. He will still get the title and the lands, but not the money. And off course that will never do!
Respectable Caroline Hargreaves is a 26 year old spinster. And the perfect person to save Andrew’s reputation by pretending a courtship which pretty soon seems all too real.
From the beginning, I loved Andrew even though he is described as a terrible drunk and thorough dreadful rake that is not above blackmailing Caro to save his inheritance.
The sparks fly whenever they meet but the romance between Andrew and Caro will not be denied and flows slowly and sweetly throughout the book. But off course the road to happiness is never easy and there is always someone that wants to mess it all up.
If you are looking for a quick and satisfyingly romantic read, this book is for you. Ms Kleypas does not disappoint.
by Cameron Stracher
by Nalini Singh 
by Mira Grant 
Must Love Kilts (Signet Eclipse)
by Allie MacKay Title: The Hunger Games: Book 1
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA Dystopian Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: 01 October 2008
Author’s website: http://suzannecollinsbooks.com/
Source: Gift from my Secret Santa on Goodreads
I have been hearing about The Hunger Games since I started blogging in 2009 but I never really read any reviews or gave it much thought. That was until my Secret Santa bought me the book for Christmas. And now that I have read it, I can’t believe I waited so long! I want to read the rest of the series immediately.
This rollercoaster story centres around Katniss Everdee, a sixteen year old who lives alone with her mother and younger sister in District 12, on the outreaches of the Capital, a garish nation of Panem. The Capital hosts a cruel tournament each year as punishment and as warning to the people of the districts for a failed revolution attempt. This tournament, called The Hunger Games, forces one boy and one girl from every district to participate in a fight to the death on live TV. When Katniss’ baby sister, Pim, is chosen in the hated ceremony, Kat steps forward to take her place.
Katniss and the chosen boy from District 12, Peeta, are both likeable characters and the author made you care for them from the start. I am not ashamed to admit that a few tears were shed towards the end of the book. But I will also admit that I didn’t feel as much sympathy for Katniss as I did for Peeta. He always seemed genuinely honest and forthcoming while Katniss seemed to want to analyze every action or sentence spoken. She was portrayed as a little too naïve and unsure of herself considering that she was fighting to the death. But I guess she has two more books to grow.
I would recommend this fast paced story to all dystopian lovers.
If you would also like to be part of my little blogger interviews, just leave a comment and I will get back to you.
Kate from The Neverending Shelf joins us today and this is what she had to say :)
Please tell us a little about your blog.
The Neverending Shelf was created as a way for me to connect with other readers. The blog tends to focus mainly YA novels or whatever I am reading at the time.
How did it all start? And how long has it been?
It all started on day when I was just playing around on the computer. Basically, I was going from site to site and ran across a YA review blog (sorry, I don't remember the name). As soon as I started looking at the site, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. I was like "I can do this!" And I did the very next day. The Neverending Shelf began in July of 2009, and I will be very shortly be celebrating my 2nd year anniversary.
How much time and energy do you put into your blog?
Really it depends. When I first started, it was like a full time job. I just could not get enough of the blogging world. As I enter into my 2nd year, I feel like I never get enough time. Having a real full time job takes up a lot of time now. But to answer the question, in a typical week, I spend about 10 hours. And that is not even counting the hours I spend with my nose in a book.
What is the best and the worse part of blogging for you?
The best part is the people. There are some fabulous bloggers and readers out there who make me absolutely love what I do. The worse? That is really a hard question. There are definitely a lot of pet peeves that I have.. but if i had to pick one it would probably be... that no matter how much I read, I will probably NEVER get caught up on my TBR pile. I swear that pile is scary. And every time I turn around I am finding like 10 more books that I want to read.
Do you enjoy doing memes and if so, which ones can be found on your blog?
When I first started blogging, I would participate in memes. But after while, I just got to the point where I hated them. Personally, I love the community building aspect of them. But for the most part, I found that they were more fluff than anything. So at this time, you will not find any true memes on the blog.
How would you describe your review style and how do you handle reviews when you didn't enjoy the book?
My review style is ever-changing. Even after doing this for so long, I do not feel like I have a set review style. Basically, my format is to be honest in a respectful way. This goes for any novel whether I enjoyed it or not.
What can we expect from you in the future?
To still be here? Honestly, I don't know. I hope that as a blogger I can continue to learn and grow. I love what I do and I don't see myself leaving anytime soon.
What advise would you give new book bloggers out there?
To be patient: Blogging fame is not an overnight deal. It takes time, hard work, and lots of caffeine.. well, it does in my case.
Ask questions: If you have a question, find an older blogger and ask. Every blogger was new at one point, and most are happy to answer any kind of questions you may have. I know I am.
Be yourself. Your blog is your blog. Do what you want. At the end of the day, need to only worry about making yourself happy.
Thank you, Kate – I am one of your many blog-stalkers! Visit The Neverending Shelf, you won’t be dissapointed!
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!
by Nina Bangs 
Utah was over six feet of toned muscle, and he moved with the fluid grace of a hunter. “I lost my brother about a month ago, so yeah, I’m still a little resentful.” He stopped about a foot from her and then leaned in. (mmmmmm . . . :)
This past weekend I have seen #bloggiesta all over twitter all the time. I started reading some of the linked posts and what a great idea. Bloggiesta is all about getting to the administrative thingies that you usually just let slide. I might have to join this challenge next year. (Details can be found here http://blog.mawbooks.com/tag/bloggiesta/).
Reading all these inspiring posts made me think – how do you administrate your blog? Do you schedule blog posts well in advance? Do you use templates to make it easier to write your posts/reviews? What am I missing? What should I be doing that I am not? Please help.
Looking forward to seeing your comments.
It’s Sunday again and I am joining another week of In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that lets everyone see what books you have received or bought that week.
Unfortunately this week was a no-mail week :(
Hope you had a more upbeat week?
On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready on Carolyn’s blog. This is the books I am wishing for after I saw it in the blogosphere this week.
Ashes, Ashes
A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.
Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.
Dark Mirror
Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the Earl and
Countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she
will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.
Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if
exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted…by magic. When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.
But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever
known or considered important will be challenged. What lies
ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey
into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true
love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of
character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.
by Eve Langlais Ella hears voices and they don’t like anyone.
Institutionalized at a young age after the breakup of her parents, Ella’s always heard voices. Even worse, the voices in her head like to act. She thinks she’s crazy and destined to be a patient for life until the night she meets a vampire and for the first time in her life, the voices shut up.
Zane just wants to enjoy his usual blood buffet, instead he runs into a wisp of a woman who makes him feel emotions he thought long dead. Rescuing her from the insane asylum, he brings her home, determined to assuage his lust; a plan that is foiled by ghostly voices more determined to keep her pure than a steel welded chastity belt.
Together they discover Ella might not be as crazy as everyone thinks, but even as they discover her innate power, someone from her past wants to hurt her. Will crazy and undead prevail against covetous evil? And most important of all, will the voices ever allow them to indulge in the desire that consumes them?
by Lauren Willig Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard's Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handily saved England from Napoleon's invasion.
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own?
What are you wishing for?
Title: Disenchanted Christmas
Author: Sandra Sookoo
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance Novella
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Publication date: 01 December 2010
Author’s website: http://www.sandrasookoo.com/
Source: The Romance Reviews
This is the first novella I have read by Susan Sookoo but it will definitely not be the last! Susan has such an easy writing style that it drew me right into the lives of Bethany and Blake. I rooted for them from the start!
Bethany has cared for her niece and nephew since her sister's sudden death and life has been hard. Unfortunately this Christmas, it gets even harder when she is evicted from the boarding house they live in. As if that is not enough, she is also unfairly fired from her waitress job. I have to admit that although I felt sorry for Bethany, I admired her for making the tough choices. She is not someone that takes life lying down.
Blake is an elf that has lost the spirit of Christmas and has been banished from Santa's court and the Northern Realm. When he sees Bethany in the restaurant he is eating at, he immediately feels a connection to her. At first he resists his "friend" trying to persuade him to proposition Bethany for a night of passion. But when he sees her coming out a back alley behind the restaurant where she works, he cannot resist it anymore and kisses her.
Bethany is scandalized and Blake feels her fury when she slaps him (Sandra captured this scene perfectly and had me giggling out loud).
I really felt for Bethany when she had to bring herself to the point of showing up on Blake's doorstep -- kids in tow. On the other hand, Blake shows what a good man…er, elf he is by welcoming everyone without batting an eye and pretty soon, the magic of Christmas works miracles.
The romance between Bethany and Blake builds slowly but surely and their scenes together are very sweet and tender. I must admit that I had to hide some tears towards the end of this story but that was only because it was so beautiful and romantic.
This is a fairly light romance and there is only one love scene but it is very sensitively described. I would recommend this novella for a light afternoon of reading in front of the fire.
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews - http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1160.
It is time again to meet one of the bloggers that share our blogosphere. This week, we meet Michelle from Clover Hill Book Reviews. Welcome Michelle!!
Please tell us a little about your blog.
Clover Hill Book Reviews is an eclectic book blog, with many different genres being reviewed and a regular opening for all authors to both guest post and take part in interviews and giveaways. I cover young adult, paranormal/PNR, crime, thrillers, mystery, coming of age, sci-fi and childrens books....in fact the only things I won't review are westerns, horrors and a few other exceptions.
How did it all start? And how long has it been?
I've always been a bookworm, and in the past have often got half way through a book just to realise that I've already read it. My blog serves as a place for me to record what books I've read, and to share my passion for reading. I set up the blog at the end of October 2010, so I'm still a book blogger newbie in many respects.
How much time and energy do you put into your blog?
I try to post something new every day, this may change in the future as it's a very big task I set myself. I'm now trying to schedule more posts so I can get ahead of myself which seems to be working well. I'm also catching up on posting my reviews on LibraryThing, Amazon UK, Goodreads and Shelfari. I put a lot of energy into it as it's something I enjoy doing.
What is the best and the worse part of blogging for you?
The worse - the blogosphere is a big void sometimes, especially when you're first starting out. The hardest thing can be to get feedback and comments left on your reviews and entrants into giveaways. Getting interaction and interest can be slow.
The best - being part of a fantastic community of readers. My life has changed direction because of it - I'm now a freelance editor & proof reader - doing a job I love that I can't wait to start everyday, which is a first for me. I'm over the moon because of it.
Do you enjoy doing memes and if so, which ones can be found on your blog?
Memes are something which I take part in regularly. You can find In My Mailbox (The Story Siren), Book Blogger Hop (Crazy for Books) and Waiting on Wednesday (Breaking the Spine) weekly on my blog.
How would you describe your review style and how do you handle reviews when you didn't enjoy the book?
I feedback on how the book made me feel, what my favourite part, character and quote was. I try not to give too much away, as I don't want to take the plot away from readers who haven't read the book. If there's a book I couldn't get on with, I'm balanced and I'm honest. I don't feel the need to rant about how crud a book is, when we all have different views on what makes a good book. What I find fantastic, another reader may not wish to read. So I try to be fair and balanced. I read things that I want to read. I give the good points as well as the not so good ones if there are any.
What can we expect from you in the future?
More giveaways, more author interviews and more guest posts. I'm really looking forward to this year! Some of my favourite authors from last year are popping in :) Shaun & Harry, our young reviewers, are busy reviewing, so there will be a regular childrens book review spot starting soon.
What advise would you give new book bloggers out there?
Enjoy it. If you take review requests, then make sure you're specific about what you will and won't read, and the format you accept. If you accept eBook submissions, prepare to be snowballed, especially if you take non published and indie work....only take as many books on as you can handle...above all, keep it fun, you have to enjoy reading still :)
Get active in the book blogging community - we don't bite :)
Thank you for taking time to talk to us today, Michelle. It has been fun!!
If you would like to be part of the blogger interviews, just leave a comment and I will get back to you.
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!
by Jean JohnsonTeaser:
She wanted to run screaming from the room. Especially since the baron in question (not Wolfer-lol) had the hygiene habits that made a volsnap’s (a kind of magic fish) dinner look good and had the temperament of her uncle’s when it came to how he treated other people. Not to mention that the baron was past sixty years in age . . . and that she was never going to be in love with him or any other man her uncle sought to force her to wed.
It’s Sunday again and I am joining another week of In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that lets everyone see what books you have received or bought that week.
I won The Ghost Hunter, a Paranormal Romance
I also won an eBook copy of Vampire for Christmas
What did you get in your mailbox?
