Theme Thursday (15)

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event hosted by Reading Between Pages that will be open from one Thursday to the next. Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

• A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
• Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
• Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
• It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don’t necessarily need to have the word)
  Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have “They kissed so gently” or “Their lips touched each other” or “The smooch was so passionate”

This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

This week’s theme is – COLOR

Bliss looked at herself in the infinity of mirrors. She had decided to wear the green Dior after all. Her father and stepmother had simply gasped when they saw her.

Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz

Betrayal by Mayandree Michel

Betrayal:
Where there is love and power, there is always... betrayal.

At seventeen, Cordelia is an ordinary teen with an extraordinary and frightening secret. A secret that induces vivid dreams which she not only experiences true love, but crippling fear while barely escaping with her life each night.

After a life altering event, Cordelia has an unexpected encounter with Evan, the mysterious boy from her dreams, who reveals who and what she is, a descendant of the Greek gods. At that moment everything she knows of her world is a lie, and she must leave the present and go into the past to assume the role she was put on this earth for, safeguarding her ancient empire amidst evil forces that toil hastily to destroy it.

In a race against time, Cordelia must decide if she is truly a part of this dangerous world, or risk defying the gods, and ultimately lose the boy who has put a claim on her heart.


This debut, first in the Descendants series by indie author Mayandree Michel was an intriguing read, but what holds it back from receiving a higher rating for me is the length. This book was incredibly long-winded, but beneath all that was a truly unique plot and storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed. Despite every little detail being described I was still turning pages long into the night to see what would happen next in the incredible world of gods, goddesses and demigods Mayandree lovingly created. This book is filled with time travel, murder, mystery and romance. The characters were interesting , but there were times when I simply did not enjoy Cordelia's friend, Bethany. When they traveled back in time to their true place, Bethany changed into someone that Cordelia had difficulty relating to, Bethany was impatient, bordering on rude, with her and almost seemed to blame her for the memory loss Cordelia suffered.

Cordelia believed herself to be an average teenager, that is until sparks of lightning emerged from her body when a strange man-shaped shadow almost attacked her. Strange dreams fill her nights and things begin to change quickly in her life when a terrible accident interrupts her regular life. Thrust back into the late 1800's, with no memories of ever being there before, with the boy of her dreams, Evan and her friends Nikolas and Bethany, Cordelia must avoid the dangers and betrayal that surround her. All of a sudden gods, goddesses, vampires and shifters are her new reality; and although she feels drawn to Evan Cordelia is still unsure of who she can trust. A young man named Victor works endlessly to see Cordelia dead, and although she doesn't understand why, she knows he must be stopped from destroying her and their world. Evan is consumed with making Cordelia remember him and the love they once shared, but in her confusion she turns to an old acquaintance in regaining her memories and the truth of who she truly is. But in her heart she knows she truly loves Evan, and returns to him. As the truth behind Victor's need for vengeance is revealed, the lives of Cordelia and her friends will be forever changed as they battle to save their lives.

My Book Boyfriend (20)

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme hosted by Missie of The Unread Reader, in which we swoon over boys in books!
(I--as in me, Amy--don't like to use commercial photos, I like to use the authors' descriptions and my imagination.)



Daniel Kalbi
Book: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Series: Dark Divine

A talented artist and also an Urbat or Hound of Heaven with blond hair (dyed to a light brown) and floppy bangs that hang over his forehead. Almost-nonexistent boy hips, sinewy, muscular arms and dark eyes any girl could get lost in. He had a rough time in his youth that led him to some unsavory actions, but he never forgot Grace, and that, as well as an older werewolf named Gabriel helped him to clean up and straighten out his life.

Quotes:

"You're safe," Daniel shouted from somewhere below me. "Push off and let go, and I'll catch you."

"I can't," I said. His oice sounded too far away--too far to fall. I couldn't look.

"It's just like jumping from the gate in the Garden of Angels."

I panted into my shaking arms. "I almost killed myself then, too."

"And I caught you then, too." Daniel's voice seemed closer now. "Trust me."

His lips parted, melting soft. He wrapped his arm around my waist under the blanket, and pulled me onto his lap. His hands slid up my back, over my shoulder blades. The afghan fell to the ground. Then one of Daniel's hands was in my hair, cradling my head. His mouth became warm and fierce. He pulled me hard against his chest, as if he couldn't get me close enough.

Month In Review: May

June is here and with it the hot, humid weather. Our house is only a split-level so there is no cool basement for me to escape to in order to read comfortably. This seemed to be a Jennifer Laurens month for me, as I read three of her books--and honestly if I had more I would have read those too! With the passing of May came 400 Followers! Can you believe it? I still can't! So to celebrate, I'm having a fun, challenging giveaway!


Books I read and their "Dragon Hearts of Love" rating:
(For reviews, please go to "Books Read in 2011")


1. Wild Thing Anthology (2011 Anthology Reading Challenge) 4
I really enjoyed Marjorie M Liu's contribution, Hunter Kiss, to this anthology, it was nice to see where Maxine and Grant began. The only one I didn't enjoy at all was the second novella by Meljean Brook.


2. Absolution by Jennifer Laurens 5
This was an incredible finish to the Heavenly series, with a bittersweet ending that left my heart all pitter-pattering.


3. Radiance by Alyson Noel 3
Although I enjoyed Alyson's creative ideas of the afterlife, I think Riley's character was just too young for me to enjoy this book thoroughly.


4. Firelight by Sophie Jordan 4
I loved this original story, but I had a lot of trouble getting past the mother's actions in this book. As a mother myself, I can completely understand the need to protect your child, but this mom went way beyond that need, and crossed the line into unhealthy.


5. Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler 4
It was nice to see a unique character in the Urban Fantasy world. Jane is definitely interesting, and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.


6. Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens 5
Jennifer's books are always romantic, and they never fail to make my heart beat a little faster. Her characters grow throughout the books and this one was no exception, it was a refreshing contemporary young adult novel.


7. A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick 4
This author is well known as Jennifer Laurens, and at first I thought the relationship between a teacher and student might creep me out a bit. But that didn't happen and I loved this book.


8. Illusions by Aprilynne Pike 4
I love Aprilynne's unique faeries in this series. It's a nice change from the average story-telling, and Laurel becomes more independent in this book making her a greater character in my eyes.

Author Visit:
Jennifer Laurens

Guest Blogger:
Tori

400 Followers Giveaway

WOW! I hit 400 Followers during the month of May, and I sincerely thank all of you from the bottom of my heart! So, to celebrate I'm having a giveaway! But you have to work for it! Don't worry, it's going to be fun!

I picked out five of my favorite books and gave you three clues for each(a snip-it of the cover, a word scramble of the title and a quote)...all you have to do is fill out the form below with your answers to be entered to win a book of your choice from the Book Depository (up to a maximum of $15 USD), here is a list of where they ship for eligible entries. Entries in the comment section will be deleted.


**HINT** All books are young adult to make things fair for those who don't read adult (or not yet) books.


Scramble: LABIVR SW YOESEI

Quote:
The two of us fought our own little dominance battle--Chase and his wolf on one side, me on the other, the bond between us heating up and bringing us closer in conflict than we'd been up to now.

Scramble: HAKGLTDIR

Quote:
"Are you rehearsing without me?" Sonny said finally, once Kelley had been forced to either come up for air or pass out (and Sonny was gratified to see that it seemed like a really tough decision). "Do I need to steal another script away from you?"

Scramble: TY UKST LO ETAM

Quote:
But second thoughts came fast and hard. I should not be alone with Nash in his house--that whole willpower thing again.

Scramble: GEK OTCERNNIH

Quote:
Bones crackled. Derek gave a deep moan that made me move closer again, rubbing his back, telling him it would be okay. Then, with a final shudder, it was. He lifted his head, turned to look at me, and he was a wolf.

Scramble: ETMALN

Quote:
I didn't know how to reply. I'd never had any real experience with boys in high school, and I had a feeling that even if I'd had, none of it would have applied to Luke Dillon.