Theme Thursday (33)

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 Thursdays)
• 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 - ANTONYMS (Pick 2 snippets that have an opposite i.e. if one sentence has OPEN the other should have CLOSE)

The sight of his mate had haunted him all night long. He could still see her, fallen and lifeless as her attacker tried to squeeze the life out of her. Even the memory made his heart jump and his guts clench. He should have been there sooner.


But there was more to his mate than met the eye: she'd picked herself up and carried on. She was slender and small and full of unexpected passion. She was a fighter, and Quinn liked that.

Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Texas Gothic:
Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

This book gave me the heebie-jeebie shivers. Rosemary Clement-Moore is a gifted writer for creating ominous, spine-chilling scenes that keep you turning pages with your heart-pumping-inside-your-chest intensity. I spent half of this book with goose-bumps on my arms and the other half drooling over the hot cowboy, Ben. The story was fast paced and was twisted in so many ways that it kept me guessing until the very end. Rosemary's characters were loveable and well-rounded, I felt I really got to know them, even the minor ones. There was a great theme of self-discovery inlaid within the story that I really enjoyed as well. The blending of magic and the mundane was done perfectly, the romance was sweet and the mystery gave the book a fun Nancy Drew feel. This is definitely a book to curl up with on a stormy night when all the lights are on low.

My Book Boyfriend (38)

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.)

Chase
Book: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: Raised by Wolves

An average, teenage boy who was bit and turned into a werewolf. Dark hair, ice-blue eyes and built along lean, muscular lines. When he moves he flows, he can control what he is now but is unable to hide it. His only concern is the girl he loves, and will defy even the pack Alpha to be at her side.

Quotes:

"I don't miss being human." Chase paused, the human holding back words that his wolf wanted him to say. "I miss you."

"Mine," Chase said, rubbing his cheek against the side of my neck. I shivered, the touch between us electrifying.
"Mine," I agreed, burying my hand in his hair, "but in a non-freaky, we-both-retain-our-independence kind of way." I nudged Chase. "Right?"
He shrugged. "Sure."

Jessica Brody's My Life Undecided Trailer & Giveaway

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

Macmillan Children's Publishing Group has provided one copy for me to give away!

Rules For Entry:

- US and Canadian mailing addresses ONLY.
- Contest ends: October 11, 2011 12AM EST.
- Fill out the FORM below to enter.

Future Favorites (53)

Future Favorites is an awesome blog feature over at Electrifying Reviews. I post about a book that is yet-to-be-released and that I can't wait to read!

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong:
Release Date: April 10, 2012 by HarperCollins

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home. Plentiful action and romance in this second installment in the Darkness Rising series will keep readers enthralled to the very last page!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (71)

This is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Books I read last week:
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick



The book I’m reading now:
Texas Gothic:
Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.








Books that spark my interest this week:
Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong
Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz
Abandon by Meg Cabot

In My Mailbox (76)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo:
Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

Becca Fitzpatrick wove an intriguing tale in her first book, and the plot becomes even more twisted and intriguing in this one. I admit that in Hush, Hush I was not the biggest Patch fan, and in this one I liked him even less, but he has that mysterious aura surrounding him that keeps you coming back for more. In the beginning I was worried that this would be one long novel about a girl whining about the boy who broke her heart, but that was not the case at all. Nora is a strong character and she doesn't let the secrets that Patch is keeping, stop her from uncovering the truth of her father's death. There is quite a lot going on in this book; with the story and the characters themselves, but the plot flows quickly and smoothly. Crescendo is filled with suspense, and had me turning pages long into the night. Patch definitely managed to redeem himself in my eyes and I'm filled with hand-shaking anticipation to get Becca's next book: Silence.

Month In Review: September

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


1. A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James 5
I loved the absolute romance of this book. The characters were fun, yet deep and Eloisa knows how to weave a story together perfectly.


2. Veil of Midnight by Lara Adrian 5
This was, I think, by far my favorite in the series so far. I loved the main characters and their struggles they had to overcome to be together kept my nose buried in this book.


3. Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst 4
This was a fun spin on vampire and the ever mythical unicorn lore.


4. Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian 3
I don't know what it was exactly, but I just didn't feel any sort of connection to the main characters in this one. But I did enjoy the progression in the overall story arc.


5. Shut Out by Kody Keplinger 4
I loved this story from beginning to end. There was a great message woven throughout the story, and I felt connected to each of the characters.


6. Purpose by Kristie Cook 3
The first book in this series, Promise, really drew me in, but I had a hard time getting through this one. I didn't connect to the characters at all and became bored rather quickly with the slow pace of the book.


7. Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakely-Cartwright 3
Yes, I finally finished it!


8. If I Die by Rachel Vincent 5
This book was amazing. Amazing. I loved every moment of it. Rachel knows just how to torture her characters and then she mends them, putting them back together again. Sometimes in ways that you could never expect.


9. Shades of Midnight by Lara Adrian 4
I enjoyed this addition to the series and am looking forward to more.

Author Visit:
Jacquelyn Frank

Guest Blogger:
Sarah King

On My Wishlist (71)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we 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 - a linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison:
Death
Some people will do anything to avoid it. Even trade their immortal souls for endless existence.

Wraiths
Secretly, inexorably, they are infiltrating our world, sucking the essence out of unsuspecting victims with their hideous parody of a kiss.

Segue
Adam Thorne founded the Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow.

Twilight
This is the place between life and what comes after - a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.



The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell:
It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.




Wicked Pretty Things Anthology:
13 Tales of Twisted Faeries on the Dark Side. These are dirty, sticky and sweet stories, beautifully crafted and filled with alluring romance, heart-stopping danger, magic, and dark intrigue. These are modern, urban, 'tattooed' stories, not re-tellings of fairy tales, about beautiful, dangerous fey, or fairies and the mortals who hunger for them.