Review: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Dragonswood
Author:Janet Lee Carey
Release Date: January 5, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Young Adult
ISBN:  0803735049
ISBN13: 9780803735040
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Teen Book Scene

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

I'm going to start of saying I LOVE the cover. It definitely caught my attention.  Tess Grew up in a home where her and her mother were beaten by her father. She has always been drawn to the Dragonswood even though she was forbidden to enter it. When she is accused of being a witch it starts a dangerous and suspenseful time on the run with her 2 closest friends where she learns things she never would have though possible.

DRAGONSWOOD has some great characters and character development. The plot had a few slow points that tended to be a bit frustrating but so much happens in the book that I had no issues getting swept up in the story once things got moving again. The book is filled with mystical creatures which includes both Dragons and Fairies as well as other things. The mystery, adventure and surprises were plentiful. I would have liked some more action though. The romance was frustrating and filled with tension but Tess and Garth complemented each other perfectly. The Huntsman Garth is full of mystery and surprises all in his own. Tess has to make some touch decisions but has some great help in the people around her. Overall DRAGONSWOOD was a nice read and I would recommend it to fantasy lovers.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

New Releases Jan 8-14

Sun Jan 8

Fangtastic (Vamped, #3) by Lucienne Diver

Shadow's Edge by Maureen Lipinski 

Tue Jan 10

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica, #2) by Beth Fantaskey

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark, #12) by Kresley Cole

Nameless by Kyle Chais

Happy Reading =)

Winner: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Finished copy of Switched

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Special Follower Giveaway

Its that time again, I don't usually require you to be a follower to enter my giveaways but every once in a while I like to do a special Follower only giveaway so that my followers get a special something.

On Saturday (Jan 7) I went to my SECOND author signing which featured Faith Hunter and Kalayna Price. Faith and Kalayna had some swag they were handing out and they gave me some extras so that I could pass them on to you. 

To Enter I would like you to leave a comment letting me know what author you wish you could meet in person (you will also need to fill out the form).

Here is what is up for grabs

- 2 Signed Manuscript page from Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter

- 5 different buttons from both Faith and Kalayna's books

-2 different Jane Yellowrock Business cards

-2 signed by Kalayna bookmarks, one from Grave Witch and once from Grave Dance

I will pick 2 winners and split things up at random

Don't forget to fill out the form (And I'm sorry to my International followers this is US mailing addresses only)

Week in Review 1/1-1/7

Books Ive Bought/received

* nothing this week.



Books I read
 

Sins of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Horizon by Sophie Littlefield
Under the Moon by Natalie Damschoder
Switched by Amanda Hocking
Night Reigns by Dianne Duvall

Reviews posted

Bound by Kira Saito
Sins of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Living Violet by Jaime Reed

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Tuesday I giveaway for Switched by Amanda Hocking went up. Its still open to entries 



* Wednesday a Trailer for Cinder by Marissa Meyer was put up.


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*If you see something on my books Ive read list that you are dying to know about let me know I'm back logged on reviews and can move it up on the list if I know people are wanting one.

* I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Winner: Blood Rites by Quinn Loftis

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: ebook copy of Blood Rites

The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Review: Living Violet by Jaime Reed

Living Violet
Author:Jaime Reed
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Dafina
The Cambion Chronicles Book #1
ISBN:   0758269242
ISBN13: 9780758269249
Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Teen Book Scene Tour

He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . .

Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile.

But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it.

LIVING VIOLET was definitely different from the other YA Paranormal books that are hitting the market at the moment. Samara isn't really looking for a boyfriend. She is happily content working to save money to pay for the car she wants, hanging with friends and being on her own. There is something about her co worker Caleb that Samara just doesn't get. She constantly see's him with girls fawning all over him and has caught him locking lips with many different ladies as well. But one day after the girl he is locking lips with is found passed out with with a heart attack she starts thinking more about Caleb and decides to see what he is really about.

Samara is pretty well grounded for a teen. She is an only child (well she has step twins but they don't live with her) from a broken marriage, which thankfully her parents still get along really well after. She has a great sense of humor and isn't afraid to tell people what is on her mind. LIVING VIOLET was a super easy flowing read. Events happened at a great pace and I had a great time getting into all everything that was happening and trying to figure out what the heck Caleb really was. The relationship between Samara and Caleb flows at a slow pace but they seem pretty connected from the beginning. The whole mystery of what Caleb is was revealed about midway through, but the book didn't slow down at all. It continued to be full of suspense and mystery. The ending wow, so wasn't expecting that outcome. The next book should definitely be interesting.  I didn't go into LIVING VIOLET super excited to read it but I came out excited for book 2.

I gave it 4/5 stars