Thursday, September 30, 2010

LAST DAY TO ENTER! Maybe

Howdy all!


Okay, so today is the last day to enter Dija's part of the contest!


To enter all you have to be is creative!!! Come up with some creative answers and fill out the form!


Mine however, I am going to extend until I at least get ONE MORE cover entry!
I dont know if I told you but I hate odd numbers. I want to see at least one more! Just one! My part of the contest will end when I get my one entry!

Click HERE or the picture for the details! HAVE FUN!



Please please please enter!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Review:Alien Mate 2 by Eve Langlais


Title:Alien Mate 2
Author:Eve Langlais
Pages:61
Publisher:Amira Press (September 1, 2010)
Source:Received for review from author
Reading Level:Romance
Rating:Two hearts



Summary:
Maya’s been raised to believe in aliens, and when she saves one from drowning, she can’t resist taking him home—and into her bed. Lex’s mission to collect his mate has been fraught with difficulties, and to add even more trouble to the mix, he finds himself attracted to the wrong earthling—a curvy human who makes him question tradition. Things get complicated in New Mexico because the military’s on the hunt for an ET, Maya’s determined to do what’s right, and Lex finds himself in the biggest battle of all—the one between his heart and his honor.



Review:
I dont think I have ever met an Alien I was intrigued by before this. Lex was such a manly man, even though an alien. Maya was a wonderful girl, very helpful.

I loved how Langlais created her alien world. Why you dont get to see much of it, you can tell in her characters what her world would be. Its hard to create a world just from your imagination and what from Langlais has showed us, I think her world would have been very imaginative. Just from looking at the cover im sure you could have guessed her worlds potential.

While I loved Lex's charms and blue looks I loved Maya's spicy attitude. I think its very refreshing when our heroine has a spicy attitude. Maya had her mind set on something and she was not going to let anything stop her. Even if it meant letting the one man who sets her heart jumping, go.

I had a blast reading Alien Mate 2 and I look forward to Eve Langlais' future work.

Monday, September 27, 2010

ARC:Pegasus by Robin McKinley


Title:Pegasus
Author:Robin McKinley
Pages:400
Publisher:Putnam Juvenile (November 2, 2010)
Source:Recieved for review from publisher
Reading Level:Young Adult
Rating:3 Paws



Summary:
A gorgeously written fantasy about the friendship between a princess and her Pegasus.

Because of a thousand-year-old alliance between humans and pagasi, Princess Sylviianel is ceremonially bound to Ebon, her own Pegasus, on her twelfth birthday. The two species coexist peacefully, despite the language barriers separating them. Humans and pegasi both rely on specially-trained Speaker magicians as the only means of real communication.

But its different for Sylvi and Ebon. They can understand each other. They quickly grow close-so close that their bond becomes a threat to the status quo-and possibly to the future safety of their two nations.


Review:
If I were to be bound to a pagasi, Ebon would definitely be my first choice! Pegasus was beautifully written and very enjoyable. The cover is absolutely beautiful, simply breathtaking. Absolutely memorable. A whole different story for the pegasi.

Slyvi, at the age of twelve, is about to be bound to her very own pegasus. Not only is she just another girl, but then again, he is not just another pegasi either. Slyvi is Princess Sylviianel and she is going to be bound to Ebon, a royal of his own. Immediately the two bond like know one else. As the two's relationship grows stronger, people notice that they have a very special bond. A bond that just might chance the future of the two's species.

Ebon and Slyvi were well written characters. They both had their very own attitude and sense of humor. They were both risk takers and would not allow anyone to keep them from being together. Even their own parents. The bond between the two is so strong that this is a friendship like ive never seen between two entirely different species.

McKinley had me laughing with Ebons sense of humor and his stunts. I loved watching Slyvi grow older. Page by page you watched her and Ebon mature. The world of both humans and Pegasi wonderful and creative. Especially the language of the Pegasi. So funny when trying to sound it out and very original.

Pegasus was an original story with a wonderful twist. This book will always have a place on my bookshelf and will definitely be re-read in the near future.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Review:Not What She Seems by Victorine Lieske


Title:Not What She Seems
Author:Victorine Lieske
Pages:326
Publisher:CreateSpace (July 6, 2010)
Source:Received for review from author
Reading Level:All ages
Rating:three hearts

Summary:
When billionaire Steven Ashton couldn't stand his high society social life anymore, he left the stress of New York on a vacation for his soul. The need to meet real down to earth people lead him to a small Nebraska town he remembered visiting as a child. He didn't want to lie about who he was, but he couldn't exactly tell them the truth. Emily could have easily fallen in love with Steven, under different circumstances, but her past was catching up with her and she needed a new life. If the authorities found out about her, she could lose the one thing that meant everything, her four year old son.


Review:
Not What She Seems kept me on the edge of the bleacher I was sitting on the whole time. From the very beginning I did not know what to expect. From the very beginning the characters were very enjoyable. The plot kept me going.

Not only was Steven Ashton a billionaire, but he was a perfect gentleman. The whole package you could say. Steven not only wanted to help Emily out, but he stuck around to help her. Though Steven is rich, he does not use that against people. Now, who gets this wonderful package you ask? Emily.

Emily has dealt with a lot of things in her life. Things most people dont have to deal with in their lifetime. Like running from the FBI. Emily was charged for a crime she did not commit and is not on the run with her adorable four year old son. Like the great mother she is, Emily won't let anything happen to her boy no matter what. Even if it means trusting this billionaire she has never met before.

Not What She Seems was an exquisite tale I will always remember. Definitely a thriller with some all age appropriate romance. Im sure I have never been this confused in a book before. The feeling was great! Kept me flipping through the pages wanting to know how it ends. Though im sure this is the end of the tale, I wish there was more.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Fins Are Forever cover revealed!




TA DA!


Dont you all love it?!?!?!?!?


I do! I am so excited for Fins Are Forever because I LOVED Forgive My Fins!

As an official Splash Member I tell you that this is the final cover!

ENJOY!

Warning: Contains Forgive My Fins spoilers.
On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mer girl, true, but signing the renunciation paperwork will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being human thing once and for all.
Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer-bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?
The seafoam on the surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up. Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her dreams?

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

ARC:Paranormalcy by Kiersten White


Title:Paranormalcy
Author:Kiersten White
Pages:352
Publisher:HarperTeen (August 31, 2010)
Source:Star Book Tours
Reading Level:Young Adult
Rating:3 Paws



Summary:
Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal



Review:
I have recently learned that I always want the girl to end up with the boy they dont want. This has happened often.

Evie is a great girl. Though Evie never really had a childhood, she grew up to be a great girl. If you can call what she does great. Evie grew up with these paranormals that she hunts down. Though, she is not the bad guy, she is definitely a girl the paranormals do not like. Which can always be fun.

Evie has a lot of guy trouble. Her ex boyfriend is a faerie and there are plenty of tempting paranormals around. Who wouldnt be tempted with all of these paranormal hotties around? Oh, well then again, Evie can see through all paranormals glamorous. Well that might not be the first thing a girl can want. But, its part of her job which she loves.

Though the bad guy caught my attention more than the good guy, both guys were fantastic. Kiersten really knows how to write a guy that appeals to most girls. Though I wish we saw more of my bad boy, his role in this story was fantastic.

Paranormalcy was everything I wanted it to be and more. All I want is the next book!




Trailer:

Friday, September 17, 2010

Author Interview:Tatyana Varenko


This time my birth as human being
Took place in 1982,
In June, when weather was appealing
And sparkling with the morning dew.

As I grew up, too shy by nature,
My friends were Pushkin, Dante, Wilde
Who wrote of love and of adventure -
I dreamt of the vampire kind.

As time went by, I took to versing
When I got hardly over ten,
And life was constantly coercing
Me to compose and use my pen.

The Foreign Languages Department
I joined in 1999
Served as a very good incitement
For my verse writing to refine.

Then the first sketches were laid out,
When I was drawing to 18,
Ordeal began to come about
To lighten up my dull routine.

Now I'm working as a teacher
Training my students’ English skills
That my department has to feature
And help acquire in the drills.

I’m working on my second novel
Where new skeletons emerge
From the cupboards of the story
Told in Ordeal and on its verge.

It will be more large-scale in action
And introduce the elfin breed
Describing their interaction
With the vampire kind amid.

The two most powerful races
Will meet in fateful intercourse
Unraveling deceitful laces
Woven in love, intrigues and wars.
I’m also planning on compiling
A book of poems I’ve composed
That I consider most beguiling
And feel like making them exposed.

Interview:
Hi Tatyana! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Leilani! Thanks for inviting me.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Well, I admire Tilo Wolff, Dreams of Sanity, Johnny Depp, Oscar Wilde, Friedrich Nietzsche and raccoons. I hate corruption and ill-breeding. I believe in beauty and death.

2. Can you tell us the story behind Ordeal? How it came to be?
It is a vision-based puzzle I have been piecing together since 1999. I started having those visions-dreams of some separate scenes from the story with little in common but the main characters. As years went by, the visions-dreams continued they started to shape into a holistic picture.

3. Out of all things paranormal, why vampires?
They just happened to be vampires. Moreover, Ordeal should be regarded as a prelude to my symphony, a piece of mosaic of my more large-scaled design, which, if you stay tuned, is sure to reveal some more paranormalities with vampires being but an integral component thereof.

4. Your book was very poetic, what made you write in this style?
That’s an easy one for me – I’ve always had difficulty in expressing myself in prose.

5. The cover of Ordeal is very simple yet perfect for the book, did you pick it out? How do you feel about it?
Everything of genius is said to be simple; and in my case accidental. I was but experimenting with expressing my vision of the story through images when after a number of unthinking movements I came about with what is now the cover of Ordeal. And I honestly doubt I could ever recreate it should such a need arise.

6. The relationship between Alice, Derek, and Luella were memorable. How did they come to be?
It came to be quite on itself, I would say, from the world of ideas. I consider versing to be a self-driven process. It is the verse that leads me, not the other way around.

7. If you could spend one night with any paranormal creature, who would it be and why?
Why necessarily night I wonder? Of all paranormal creatures I know Cheshire cat seems to be an ideal interlocutor for me. Why? He is smart enough to be all smiles.

8. Describe what you think is a perfect relationship.
Diamagnetic levitation, dichotomy of good and evil and π, for example.
Quick questions!

1. Up or Down?
On the level.

2. Left or Right?
On the safe side.

3. Black or Pink?
Blink.

4. Reading or Writing?
Musing.

5. Fiction or Nonfiction?
Myth.

6. Reality or Fantasy?
Fantality.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Is there anything else you'd like to add?
The pleasure’s mine. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask at www.elfineness.com. Yours fatefully,
Tatyana Varenko



Click HERE for my review of Ordeal!

This is an international contest for the ebook of Ordeal!

All I ask of you is please be a follower!
Ends:September 30th

Fill this out to win!!!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Winner:Where The Rain Is Made and NASA



As some of you may or may not know, yesterday was my brothers birthday!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him!

Anyways, I have a busy weekend planned. I have to go to my brothers football game, going to with my BFF Friday night, baby cousins party on Saturday and im going to attend the Smart Chicks Kick It Tour this weekend. Yeah, pretty busy.

Im going to get some reviews up, promise! I was going to do this today but decided this would be easier because I have to get to a party in about half an hour.

Enough of my blathering... Here are the Winners!


Winner of WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE is:


TANYA!

CONGRATS! You have 48 hours to email me which email you want the ebook sent!

The NASA giveaway goes to:

Linda Henderson

You have 48 hours to email me with your address.


Congrats to you ladies!

Thanks to all that entered!

Monday, September 13, 2010

A contest you can not resist....

Hey guys!

First of all, let me put some contest reminders.

First, ending tomorrow is an ebook of Where The Rain Is Made! Please go and enter! Amazing book! Loved it!

Here's the link for this contest!
Where The Rain Is Made!!!

Second! Please Please Please enter in my Re-Create a cover contest! I want more entries! I love this stuff and would love to see more! Anything counts! International!




And last! An offer you can not resist!

I am willing to giveaway some of my * clears throat* ARC's.

I am not going to tell you yet though!

This is all I ask of you, get me 400 followers! Thats it! Spread the word as much as you can and we shall get there!

I am going to make it fun!

When I get to 350, I am going to show one of the books I am giving away, and then at 400, we shall start the contest!

So what does that mean?

SPREAD THE WORD!

Get me 400 followers my fellow Blogger friends!

Thanks guys!



You no you want them!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

In My Mailbox (16) plus (17)

Hey guys!

I was going to do one last week but didnt have time, so this is what I got for two weeks. Might have been more but I cant remember. LOL

IMM is hosted bu The Story Siren

My baby:


Bought:

While I dont read the Hunger Games series, my mom does so I got that for her.

Received for review:



Tour books all from Around The World Tours:


For those who havnt read Crescendo yet... OMFG it was amazing!


Happy reading!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Tour:Where The Rain Is Made


Looks like im up!

Thank you so much for stopping by the Where The Rain Is Made by Keta Diablo tour!

If you would like to see the rest of the tour click HERE.

Lets get started shall we?

Keta lives in the Midwest portion of the country on six acres of beautiful woodland. Here, she communes with nature; eagles, owls and loons (the winged version). There's a lovely environmental lake on her property named after a famous Native American chief, and the locals insist burial grounds from 150 years ago exist in her woods. Hmm. Maybe it's not always the wind she hears howling at night.



When Keta isn't writing she loves to read and garden and spends far too much time at the local animal shelter trying to wrangle a way to adopt them all. Two years ago she adopted Emma LaPounce, a mid-life feline who was in crisis when her long-time owners moved out of town, took their furniture but left her behind. Go figure! Hours before Emma was to journey to the other world, Keta adopted her, and now she runs the entire darn house.



This is a pretty close replica of Keta's cottage on the lake. You can find her sitting outside in the summer months with her muse plotting her next book.



Keta writes erotic romance and gay fiction for multi-publishers (too many). You can find out more about Keta and her books at her website. Sign up for her monthly newsletter to be eligible to win books she gives away every month. Also go to Keta's Keep and follow her on Twitter.



Here is the interview!



1) How did you start your writing career?

The first book I wrote was a sensual historical based on a real-life event in my family history.
Not too long after that first book I began writing erotic romance and like I mentioned above
added Gay fiction. Several years ago I wrote an erotic fantasy romance called Dust and
Moonlight and I really enjoyed writing that genre too. I hope to do another fantasy/time travel
one day.

More information about Dust and Moonlight (Amazon Kindle) here: http://tiny.cc/9kr6v

2) Tell us about your current release.

Thank you for asking about Where The Rain Is Made. My youngest son is responsible for the
inspiration behind the book. About six years ago he took a keen interest in American history,
particularly Native American history. I can’t tell you the number of hours we spent at the library
checking out books and reading about all the different tribes. For some reason, he loved the
history on the Dog Soldiers and so we accumulated a lot of documents, research articles, etc.
About a year later, his reading interests shifted, and here I was with all this information about the

Cheyenne. It made sense that I would write a book about the Dog Soldiers.

3) What was the scariest moment of your life?

Are you kidding? I grew up with all boys, and there are a ton of them. I have no idea how I lived
through childhood. I still ask my mother, “Where were you?” I almost drowned in a pond when
I was four, got hit by a utility truck when I was five, hit in the head by a baseball bat when I was
seven, and got stabbed in the hand during a game of stretch when I was ten. I have the scars to
prove all the injuries. To this day, my brothers won’t fess up, but they did watch out for me while
I was growing up. Can you imagine? I would be dead if they hadn’t.

4) Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

Read everything you can get your hands on and then plop your butt in the chair and write. I don’t
care if it’s the worse first draft you’ve ever seen. You can always fix it. There are many times I
delete entire paragraphs and think a third grader can write better than me. But you can’t quit, you
have to keep on writing and one day it will all come together.

5) Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I thank them all the time, and realize how important and crucial they are to a writer.
I would still write books even if I never had a following, but it wouldn’t be nearly as rewarding.

Contest Info:

  • Be a follower of both Keta's blog and mine
  • Leave a comment with your email
  • International
  • Ends Tuesday September 14th
Click HERE for my review of Where The Rain Is Made
Thats it! Happy reading!

Dont forget to check out the next stop on the tour tomorrow!

This time, Bitten By Paranormal Romance is up! And do you know what that means? Another chance to win an ebook of Where The Rain Is Made!

Bitten By Paranormal Romance

www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com




Review:Where The Rain Is Made by Keta Diablo


Title:Where The Rain Is Made
Author:Keta Diablo
Pages:236
Publisher:Decadent Publishing (August 20th, 2010)
Source:Received for review
Reading Level:Romance
Rating:3 Paws



Summary:
After a decadent-looking savage captures her and her brother, Francesca DuVall spends every waking moment planning an escape for Marsh. She never counted on the powerful draw of desire interfering with her scheme in the camp of the brutal Cheyenne dog soldiers.
Ethan Gray is a curator at a national museum...most of the time, but when he travels through time to help his beloved People he’s Meko, the leader of the most revered and feared tribes of the plains. Although their worlds are decades apart Meko can’t resist the dark beauty he kidnaps during a raid. He has many battles to fight but none he wants to win more than the one that will capture Cesca’s heart forever.
From the windswept plains of Colorado and the harsh life of a Dog Soldier to the placid life of a curator their love was fueled by passion and kindled by destiny.


Review:
Keta Diablo has created the most enjoyable Indian romance I have ever read.
From the very beginning I knew this was going to be an amazing story. If they synopsis, doesnt convince you, read the an excerpt on her website and I assure you, you will be wanting more! While I am familiar with Diablo's work, Where The Rain Is Made certainly put her high up on my list!

Not only was the idea unique, but everything about it as well. I can no fathom how much time it possibly took Diablo to search and create this wonderful story. While as kids we might have been a fan of Pocahontas, well, Where The Rain Is Made is more like the adult version. Both with Indian traditions, names, homes, and of course, wars. What really got me was the character of Ethan and Meko. The same person, yet as soon as the environment changes, he goes into the role seriously. If you can call what he does a role.

Diablo wasted no time in this book. From the very first chapter she jumped right into her story. About halfway through you might think the story is ended, until you look at how much you have left and realize you are only half done. Which only means, the story has really only begun. The more main characters in the book were very enjoyable. Some have personalities, both good and bad, and sense of humor. If you can call it that. =)

Diablo has set herself high on my list of authors. After finishing, I was tempted to go back and read it again. I look forward to more of her work. Though, Im not sure if it can top Where The Rain Is Made. As people say, only time will tell.

Attention all book lovers!

Hey guys!!

I really need your help!

I want to attend the Smart Chicks Kick It tour this Saturday but I need some of the authors books! If you are willing to sell me the books if you have any I will be eternally grateful! The problem, I need the before Saturday so you would need to ship it speed mail.

Here are the books I need:

Kimberly Derting-The Body Finder
Melissa Marr series.
Alyson Noel The Immortals series
Kelley Armstrong-The first two books in the YA series

I dont care if its paperback, hardcover, or a mixture.

Please contact me at leilani @ leilanilovesbooks.com if you are interested.


Thanks guys!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

ARC:Firelight by Sophie Jordan


Title:Fireliht
Author:Sohie Jordan
Pages:336
Publisher:HarperCollins (September 7, 2010)
Source:Around The World Tours
Reading Level:Young Adult
Rating:4 paws


Summary:
A HIDDEN TRUTH

MORTAL ENEMIES

DOOMED LOVE

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.

Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...



Review:
Firelight blew my mind away.
Never had I read such a book with dragons. Such story behind the characters, and behind the species. Such remarkable characters.

Firelight was such an amazing book. Not only did they have fantastic names, but a very interesting love triangle of sort. Though it is obvious who Jacinda loves, there are two boys fighting for her. One she was supposed to be with, and one who is a complete opposite from them. Both boys however, are very enjoyable. Such as Jacob and Emmett and Damon and Stefan. There are going to be girls who prefer one boy and plenty of arguments on who is better. Though the choice is hard, I know who my choice is and I will not back down from my choice.

Jacinda is such a fabulous girl. Though she may do some risky things, she is still amazing. Many girls could relate to her, aside from the obvious she is a dragon and you probably are not. Jacinda is a very enjoyable character to read. She has her very own personality and makes her choices like an adult. Though, she is obviously just a teen herself. Jacinda is a very special kind of dragon. She is a fire breather! When you think dragons, you would think all of the dragons breathed fire, not in Jordan's world!

The two boys in this story are great. Absolutely amazing. Both of them have their very own personalities and are there own species. Even though one of them has my heart, the other is close behind. Also, obviously Jacinda has her own opinion. For those who have read it you know who she had chosen, for those who have not, what are you waiting for! this books is amazing!

Buy, read, enjoy, and dont set anything on fire!

Trailer:


Author Interview:

Monday, September 6, 2010

Review:Equilibrium by Imogen Rose


Title:Equilibrium
Author:Imogen Rose
Pages:358
Publisher:Imogen Rose (July 14, 2010)
Source:Received for review
Reading Level:Young Adult
Rating:three hearts



Summary:
It's not every day you see a naked body slumped by the side of the road...
This ominous sight is just the beginning of a mystery that will span two dimensions. When California teen Arizona Darley and her siblings go missing, their mother, Dr. Olivia Darley, discovers that the time-travel portal she invented has been hijacked. Is the hijacker responsible for the disappearance of her children? Have the children been transported to another dimension? If so, the police and FBI will never be able to find them, and Olivia must find a way to rescue her children on her own. How will she do this without access to the portal? EQUILIBRIUM is book two of the Portal Chronicles.


Warning! May spoil the first book if you have not read!

Review:
Equilibrium took off perfect. Everything was perfect in Arizona's world. She has the life she always wanted, a family she loves, and a perfect relationship. What more could she ask for? Answers.

Arizona has been through a lot of things in the past few months. More than anyone could ever imagine. After a life that Arizona thought could not have gotten any worse than it was... It did. If finally enjoying your life after such a change is a bad thing, just imagine getting kidnapped. Yes you can say things have just gotten worse for Arizona.

Imogen Rose certainly surprised me! Not only do we get to meet some more characters, but we actually get a few answers! Which was very exciting for me :D But then again, we get more questions in which we want answers. Im just glad there are more books coming in the series! Of course there were many twists and turns once more in the second book in the Portal Chronicles.

Im not going to give anything away that I haven't already said. All I can say is that Equilibrium was more than I ever imagined and very very addictive. The characters became closer yet separated in different ways. Once more Rose had me feeling close to these characters and dying for more.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Review:Portal by Imogen Rose


Title:Portal
Author:Imogen Rose
Pages:350
Publisher: Imogen Rose (January 23, 2010)
Source:Received for review
Reading Level:Young Adult
Rating:Four Hearts


Summary:
Come Find Me Two Years Ago...
Six words that propelled ice hockey playing tomboy, Arizona, into an alternate dimension. She suddenly found herself in the past. In one moment she went from being an ice hockey playing teenager in New Jersey to a glamorous cheerleader in California. She found herself transported from a happy life with her dad, Dillard, to a new, strange one living with her mother whom she hates. Apparently it's a life she's always lived in. Everyone knows her as Arizona Darley, but she isn't. She is Arizona Stevens. As she struggles to find answers she is certain of one thing- that her mother Olivia, a brilliant physicist, is somehow responsible. . PORTAL is the story of the repercussions of Olivia Darley's attempt at creating a perfect world for herself and her children. Arizona's quest for answers threatens to undermine the seemingly perfect world that her mother has so carefully constructed. PORTAL is the first book of the Portal Chronicles. Fans of time travel, romance, and the supernatural will enjoy Arizona's quest for answers.


Review:
Please allow me to say this before I start. I LOVE YOU KELLAN LUTZ!

As most of you are aware of, I am in love with Kellan Lutz. As soon as my eyes read Kellan... I knew this book was going to be a keeper. Any book that has one of the more important characters with the name Kellan has to be good. And might I add, it was incredibly good.

From the very first page, I was confused. I have never had a book that had me so confused I was thinking the whole time "I have to find out what happens" I loved it! Though confusing can get frustrating at times, its a great feeling while reading. I think its hard to write without giving things away or wanting to give little hints but Rose did a fantastic job of keeping everything mysterious. As usual, in the end it all made sense. Well, most of it did. There was still some questions running through my head that I could not deny.

Arizona was an interesting girl. You would think that a girl would need more time to adjust when going into an alternative world but Arizona fit right in! Arizona was a tomboy in one world and a cheerleader in another. While personally, I am not a cheer leading fan, I enjoyed Arizona the tomboy very much. She did not mind getting down and rough with the boys. Hockey is one of the toughest sports for guys, yet alone for a girl which is why I respect her so much. Sometimes I wish I was more sporty, im more of a sideline kind of girl.

Kellan was of course, very fun to read!! While he is no Kellan Lutz, he does have the name and perhaps the standards to be close. From the first meeting with Kellan, I knew I liked him. Not only is he the older brother type, but the perfect boyfriend. Plus, he is great at taking bad news! Which can always be a plus. Even though Kellan and Arizona have supposedly known each other for years, Kellan notices Arizona is acting very different. Another plus, he notces things most guys dont!!!!!! Watch out ladies, Kellan will blow your mind, and im not talking about his mad hockey skills! Kellan sounds like such an amazing guy.

Bottom line, Portal was an amazing book. Very memorable and highly recommended. With tons of twists and plenty of mystery. All of the characters have their own personalities and are very real. Most of the characters can possibly remind you of some of your own friends or maybe even someone you are associated with. Portal is an incredible book and you should read it as soon as you have a chance!!! There is a little something for everyone, hockey fans, sci-fi fans, and maybe a little something in there for you cheer leading girls and especially those who are suckers for a good romance story! Like me!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

ARC:Haunted Honeymoon by Marta Acosta


Title:Haunted Honeymoon
Author:Marta Acosta
Pages:320
Publisher:Gallery; (September 28, 2010)
Source:Received for review from author
Reading Level:Romance
Rating:3 Paws

Summary:
Will she get another chance with the vamp that got away?
As the only human to survive vampire infection, Milagro de Los Santos has become quite a celebrity among the blood-drinking elite. Too bad the perks of her condition—increased strength, super-fast healing—don’t pay her condo fees. There are other complications too. She feels guilty about her fling with decadent, enigmatic Vampire Council member Ian Ducharme, and she pines for her ex-fiancé, Dr. Oswald Grant . . . the fabulous man whose kiss changed her life.

It’s when Milagro—upset by Ian’s attentions to his neighbor—travels to London and enjoys a sexy flirtation of her own, that the blood really hits the fan. Suddenly, those around her are dying gruesome deaths and Milagro’s being interrogated. Who would kill to set her up as a murder suspect?

All she wants to is turn back the clock and have another chance to make things right. No sooner has she escaped to Oswald’s ranch than an accident obliterates her memory. Will the murderer come after her, and will amnesia spark a romantic do-over with Oswald—or will Milagro make all the same mistakes before she ever gets to say “I do”?


Review:
I am so glad that Milagro finally had her honeymoon!
From Happy Hour At Casa Dracula to Haunted Honeymoon, I feel like Milagro has grown so much as a woman and I completely enjoyed watching her grow. She has been through so many things in a short time, and I must admit I enjoyed every second of it!
Marta Acosta came up with a unique how vampires behave in her world and it was nothing but fun! My older cousin who hardly reads, is in love with this series as well. She says Haunted Honeymoon was a miraculous ending. I must agree! Though I never wanted this series to end, the ending was not a disappointment!

Acosta really knows how to make a girl scream! So many things were frustrating but this wouldnt have been complete if it wasnt! Milagro always seems to surprise me in every book. I may think she is one thing when she is entirely another. As for the others, they always seem to surprise me as well! Do you see the pattern? Acosta is just full of surprises! A book wouldn't be a good book if you arnt flipping through every page wanting to know whats next and gasping in shock on every other page!

In Haunted Honeymoon we get reintroduced, to some fascinating characters. Some we love, some we despise. All enjoyable in their own way. With the characters, Milagro's story continues. Without them, im sure not only would Acosta run out of things to say, but im sure there are just certain things we just dont care about that we dont want to read. While in m personal opinion, I wanted to strangle a few characters, im not going to name names, but that is always fun. It means that the author had just caught your attention in a way that makes you want to go in the book just to hurt, hug, or kiss the character. Acosta tends to do that through out her series.

I am extremely happy about how Acosta ended this yummy series. It couldnt have been a better ending, not in my book! Though it was slightly shocking at times, I must say that in the end, all of the shock was worth it! If the shock of certain scenes didnt happen, Haunted Honeymoon would not be as fabulous as it is!! I think Milagro should have one more book, but knowing Acosta, if Milagro did all hell would be loose! Haunted Honeymoon was an amazing ending to such an amazing series. I was glad I could witness such a love story between a "human" and a "vampire".