Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Winner: Vivi Anna Giveaway

Thank you to everyone that entered!!


PRIZE: One PDF Copy of GLIMMER by Vivi Anna


The winner chosen by Random.org is…




Aanchal @ Book Flame






Congrats!! I have emailed winner. Enjoy!!!
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Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Darkness
Author:Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
Release Date: December 1, 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
The Caster Chronicles Book #1
ISBN:  0316042676
ISBN13: 9780316042673
Genre: Young Adult

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
This was a neat unique story. I liked that the story was told through a male POV, I dont think I have read anything from an exclusive male POV before and it was a nice change. Although there was always something happening in the book I did find my self "mind wandering" at points because It wasn't keeping me in the pages. I think somethings kinda just went on and on and got a little bit slow at some points throughout the book. I enjoyed the characters as well as the southern setting. The author did a great job with bringing me into Ethan's world. The mental connection between Ethan and Lena was interesting. You dont really find out why they have the connection though so I'm hoping that it is explained more in book 2 BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS. The ending makes it perfectly clear that Ethan and Lena's struggles are far from over but doesn't leave you hanging with a huge cliffhanger. I think most YA fans will enjoy BEAUTIFUL CREATURES.

I gave it a 3/5 stars
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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Review: Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre

Blue Diablo
Author:Ann Aguirre
Release Date: April 7, 2009
Publisher: Roc
Corine Solomon Book #1
ISBN:   0451462645
ISBN13: 9780451462640
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Other women change their hair color on a whim or to impress a new boyfriend; Corinne Solomon dyes hers because she's running scared. She's a handler, a paranormal who can touch something and almost instantly know its history and, if she's lucky (or unlucky) its future, too. Now hiding out in Mexico, she wants to keep a low profile, but when people come begging for her help, she can't refuse, although she knows that she should know better .

Why the heck did it take me so long to read this book? I have had it on my reader for at least a year and just kept on passing it by. What a mistake that was and I'm glad I finally opened it up and started reading it. Corrine was a very like-able character, I enjoyed her gift, she can pick something up and find out the history of it or the person that owned it but it comes at an expense to her as she is usually seriously burned on her hands from the reading. Chance her ex lover/boyfriend and her have a difficult working relationship throughout the entire book. I really like Chance but I can see Corrine's hesitation to be anything more then being friends with him. He does sound hunky though. The supporting characters were all interesting and engaging. I especially liked Eva, you could tell from the moment she came into the story she was going to be a fantastic addition to Corrine's life. BLUE DIABLO also happened to be the first Ann Aguirre book and if her writing is as fantastic as it was in BLUE DIABLO I will have to check out her other books. I think BLUE DIABLO was a fantastic start to what will be a great Urban Fantasy series and I'm excited to pick up HELL FIRE.

I gave it 4/5 stars
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New Releases April 3-9


Mon April 4

 
Tue April 5
 
Deadworld by J.N. Duncan
Plague (Gone #4) by Michael Grant


If you see a mistake or know of another release that is not listed let me know!! Happy Reading
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Monday, April 4, 2011

Review: Hunting Human by Amanda E. Alvarez

Hunting Human
Author:Amanda E. Alvarez
Release Date: March 28, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
eISBN:  9781426891434
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Netgalley.com
For two years, Beth Williams has run from the past, and the beast that dwells inside her. She is haunted by memories of being kidnapped and the savage attack that killed her best friend. Now Beth finally thinks she's ready to move on...with Braden Edwards, a charming, irresistibly sexy man who tempts Beth to embrace the present.

But the past lurks closer than Beth realizes. Markko Bolvek, one of the werewolves who kidnapped her, has tracked her to Portland, Oregon, his pursuit fueled by a hunger for vengeance. Only Braden, a werewolf himself, senses the danger shadowing her steps. The Edwards and Bolveks have been enemies for centuries—and despite the instant connection he feels with Beth, Braden isn't sure which side of the war she's on.

With suspicion at odds with their attraction, Beth and Braden must learn to trust one another to stop Markko for good. Can Beth accept the wolf within—and love a man who embodies everything she fears?

I was enthralled with the story from the first chapter. The book was emotional, full of action, filled with a wonderful cast of characters its an all around great book for any shifter lover. The sexual tension between Beth and Braden was fantastic, not to overwhelming but aggressive enough to make you want them to hurry it up already. I loved Braden's family. The support and love were felt with every word Alvarez wrote about them and it was all completely believable. I dont think this is supposed to be a series, but I would so read another Beth book from Amanda and hope she writes one as I'm positive Beth has more to share and explore.

I gave it 4/5 stars
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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Week in Review 3/27-4/2



Books Ive Bought/received

* Bloodspell by Amalie Howard- ARC- From publisher for blog tour

* Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley- ARC- From publisher for blog tour

* Hounded by Kevin Hearne- ARC- Librarything Early Reviewers win

* Pale Demon by Kim Harrison- Win from Michelle's Book Blog

* License to Ensorcell by Katharine Kerr- Bought at Borders

* Con & Conjure by Lisa Shearin- Bought at Borders.com

* Deadworld by J.N. Duncan- Bought at Borders.com

* Hellfire by Ann Aguirre- Bought at Borders.com


Books I read

Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre
Hell Fire by Ann Aguirre
License to Ensorcell by Katharine Kerr
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Con & Conjure by Lisa Shearin

Reviews posted

Glimmer by Vivi Anna
Surrender the Dark by L.A. Banks
Betrayal by Lee Nichols
Seeing for the First Time by Nicole Zoltac

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

* New Releases for the week.

* Want to win a Kindle 3?? UFI Is participating in Moira Roger's Wilders Mate Kindle Contest stop on by the post to see how you can win. 

* The winner of the copy of The Truth About Vampires by Theresa Meyers has been posted. 

* Vivi Anna joined us Wednesday for a guest blog and Giveaway. Giveaway ends 4/6
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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Review: Seeing for the First Time by Nicole Zoltack

Seeing for the First Time
Author:Nicole Zoltack
Release Date: March 8, 2011
Publisher: Echelon Press
What you See is What you get Book #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Author for Review 



For the last ten years, Ana has spent summers with her Gram. With nothing to do, the closest beach two hours away, and Gram, who Ana is convinced is crazy, always in her garden talking to things that aren't there, Ana is bored out of her mind.

One day, Ana sees strange colors floating around Gram as she works in her garden. Gram says they're fairies. She can "See" them, and there are others who can see things. Ana's a Seer, too.

When Gram gives Ana a book that explains about the many different creatures, like selkies, unicorns, vampires, and others, Ana gets curious. She is shocked when she comes across the entry about famous werewolf hunting parents.

Determined to learn where she fits in, Ana's summer gets a lot more exciting as she sets off to find out what she can "see." Only problem is, she's not sure what to do when she finally discovers the truth. And she's not sure she'll live to tell anyone.

SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME is the first of a series of 6 short stories titled What you see is what you get. It is an extremely fast read at just 17 pages. The characters definitely were likable and the story was catching. Ana is strong willed and didn't freak out completely and lose her head when she had all the reason to. I had an issue in the beginning, Ana goes from saying her Gram is completely crazy in one paragraph and just a couple paragraphs later she has completely accepted her Grams explanation of what they are and turns to being extremely excited about the information with no hesitation and it just seemed like a way to fast turn around for a teenager. Other than that I enjoyed the little journey as Ana figured out what kind of seer she is.


I gave it a 3/5 stars
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