Superfluous Saturday

The Name Game.

1.'Proper' name: Becca - I don't go by my full name unless I'm in trouble.

2. Detective name (favorite color & animal): Green Cat - The most flexible and sneaky private dick in the world!

3. Soap opera name (middle name & street you live on): Anne Tucson - Not so exciting.

4. Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name, first 2 of first, last 3 of last): KofAnBeNow - Totally Lucasian!

5. Superhero name (Color of your shirt and first item immediately to your left): Green CareBear - No bad guy would ever be scared of me. And just for the record, the CareBear is an action figure I've had since I was really little!

6. Goth name (black and name of one of your pets): Black Bella - Oooh! That's kinda good for a villain!

My Very First Friday Five

I'm trying to be a better blogger so I am swiping the idea of Weekly Posts that some other book bloggers do! So here are my FIVE for the week :)

1- Torn Tendon- I tore a tendon in my knee a few weeks ago and had no idea. It was totally worth it though. I was having drinks with my fellow booknerds- Rheana, Katie, and Shelley in Denver. It was a lovely time and I slipped in some water and did an epic splits in the middle of a bar. If you know me in real life, you know this is typical! So worth the pain now, although it hurts, the memories are fond!

2- Bear, Otter, and The Kid- I just finished reading this book by TJ Klune and it was so wonderful. I highly recommend if you like romances and you don't mind a story that goes left, right, up, down, sideways, present tense, past tense and every which way in between.

3- Four Day Weekend- I have one. I am so happy to be able to sit and do nothing. I did nothing much today but spend time with a girlfriend, have some drinks, and now a little writing.

Kinda like this...

4- Yule- I had a wonderful time at a Yule Fest with some dear friends. I was so happy when they invited me and the food and company was wonderful!

5- Happy Hanukkah- We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas in our home, this year we did Hanukkah presents for each other and we donated rather than gave presents for Christmas. It just seemed like a better way to celebrate. I did get an iPod Touch which I am now obsessed with and my dear husband will be getting a new game for his PS3. We're also saving up to spend some time traveling when he returns from boot camp and tech school later this year.

Whatever you celebrate, I hope you are surrounded by love and have a lovely weekend!
<3 Becca

Snowed in with Santa by Sue Lyndon

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13080964-snowed-in-with-santa

Goodreads Summary: Alana has no choice but to accept the seasonal job as an elf in the local mall, not unless she wants to lose her apartment. She didn’t expect the man under the Santa costume, a volunteer named Jared, to be such a hunk, either. But just as the sparks between them fly, Jared tangles with a thief and is escorted out of the mall for violating the manager’s ‘hands off’ policy.

Jared can’t believe he was fired from a volunteer job just because he single handedly apprehended a thief in the mall. Worse yet, he won’t get to wish Alana a Merry Christmas and ask her out on a date. What he doesn’t expect is for her to show up on his doorstep in the middle of a snowstorm . . .

Well this was a cute story. I can honestly say though, I was listening to it on my Kindle and it went from the story to an advertisement for another book and I did a double take. I wasn't expecting it to end so suddenly. It was sweet and naughty, just what you'd expect from a erotic tale, but it bothered me that it just ended. 
Jared was hot and I enjoyed reading about him. Alana was a little flat, I wish we'd known more about her. I felt more attached to Jared, but who couldn't get attached to a hot Santa who wants to spank an elf? :D
It was very sweetly written though but rather predictable. I guess it was supposed to be, again, an erotic novella. I'm eager to read more from Sue Lyndon!

My Vloggy Vlog about stuff...

My book club girls did vlogs today. I'm late to the game, but here's my 15 questions!

Yes, I look like crap... it's okay. I have a cute dog.

Here are the questions Tameka asked us to answer: 
#1. What's a nickname only your family calls you?
#2. What's a weird habit of yours?
#3. Do you have any weird phobias?
#4. What's a song you secretly LOVE to blast && belt out when you're alone?
#5. What's one of your biggest pet peeves?
#6. What's one of your nervous habits?
#7. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
#8. What was your first stuffed animal && it's name?
#9. What's the drink you ALWAYS order at starbucks?
#10. What's the beauty rule you preach.. but never ACTUALLY practice?
#11. Which way do you face in the shower?
#12. Do you have any 'weird' body 'skills'?
#13. What's your favorite 'comfort food'/food that's 'bad' but you love to eat it anyways?
#14. What's a phrase or exclamation you always say?
#15. Time to sleep- what are you ACTUALLY wearing?

How about you?

An open love letter to Stephanie Perkins @naturallysteph

Dear Stephanie Perkins,

Thank you.

“Just because something isn't practical doesn't mean it's not worth creating. Sometimes beauty and real-life magic are enough.”  ― Lola Nolan

I was so bummed when you published this while I was prepping for NaNoWriMo. I knew I wouldn't be able to read until December, but having it sitting there, staring at me, it was a good impetus to keep going. Now that I've won, I can read. And I am so glad I picked this as my first post-NaNo book.

I went to bed last night with a huge grin on my face but I was sad that I didn't have anymore Lola and Cricket to enjoy. I actually woke my husband up from a sound sleep to tell him how happy the book made me and how you were in my head.

It was as if you were in my head while I read. I guess you were if you were a teenage girl once upon a time, a girl who had her heart broken and a girl who tried to fall in love with an idea rather than following her heart. It would make sense if you were a girl who looked for what everyone else kept talking about, you were not sure of it at all yourself.
I remember trying to make something work that I knew deep down wasn't going to work. I remember seeing the boy and knowing I could never have him. I can picture in my head even now, the different things I did and said to find away along it all, but it just didn't work.
Lola is a girl that make sense to many a woman who can look back and think "Huh... wish I knew that now!" Lola is imperfect and makes mistakes, but deep down she's a good girl. I was that kid. I wanted to do everything right, but was constantly making mistakes. Lola is kind and smart and creative. She reminded me so much of me and so many other of the girls I knew. We tried so hard to do what we thought we were supposed to do, we tried to be ourselves by trying on different personas and personalities. And watching Lola traverse love was beautiful and poignant.
And then there's Cricket Bell. He's precious and coy, he's smart and unsure, he's pretty and goofy and sensitive.  Oy.
And Etienne is there, too! What a phenomenal plot device, Stephanie! You gave us Max who was interesting, then Cricket who was titillating, and then you brought us Etienne for a second helping of Unf! .
A magician! You worked a story about an awkward, evolving, kind teenager who can be identified with in with relevant plots and real characters! Lola's parents you can believe rather than some stories out there. Her parents are honest to goodness parents. Even her birth mother, that storyline touched me deeply. When Norah says, “Do you know my biggest regret?" She asks. "That you turned into this bright, beautiful, fascinating person... and I can't take credit for any of it.”  I felt my heart break for my own mother. It was tough to read, but I was so happy to see it. There was a lot going on within the book. We have lots of characters and plots and background information and repeated costume changes and you mixed it all together with pretty, swoony boys! 
It's so good! It was such a thrilling story that had my stomach clenching and my mind working it all out, all the while I was smiling and pursing my lips and ignoring the dog and the husband. It took one day and I'm sold. 
Anna was lovely. Truly lovely. Lola spoke to me. Something about Lola's journey resonated within me. I didn't just enjoy her tale and love the boy like I did with Anna. With Lola I could really, honestly, connect with this character.
I think a great deal of why I loved this is that Lola is strong. Yes she makes mistakes, cries, makes more mistakes, gets angry, throws things, loves her dog, and laughs at stupid jokes... she's real. Or as real as the pages of your book will let her be. But she's also struggling to be whole. I think a lot of us, me in particular, can appreciate that struggle. Even into my adulthood, I find we are all in this struggle. I loved that even though Lola was given the opportunity to rid herself of a mistake and what she wanted was served to her on a platter of skinny jeans and blue rubberbands, she said she had to wait. She waited until she was whole again. Any time your heart is broken or you make a huge, life altering decision, you lose a bit of yourself and you need to recover. I love that she recovered. She didn't need Cricket to heal her. She didn't need Max to make her real. She didn't. She needed Lola. She had lots of support, lots of love, lots of time. And in the end... Lola is Lola for Lola and gets her happy in the end on her terms.
I absolutely respect you for that, Stephanie. Completely.
So again, thank you, Stephanie Perkins, for giving us Lola. I can't wait for Isla.


Love,
Becca


 
If you're looking for a great YA read that will make you laugh and swoon and feel good when you finish, pick up Lola and the Boy Next Door. :)

NaNo...

I am currently sitting at 36K. I started with one story, now I have two and a half. My NaNo has MPD apparently.
I'll be back to reading and reviewing soon. I started The Bronze Horseman, but after several warnings, I've decided to wait on diving into it and use it as a reward for finishing NaNo in the next six days.
Wish me luck!

Sunday Drabble- Promise, the Kitten 09/18/2011

Sunday Drabble- I saw this picture and the drabble attacked me. Enjoy!

Promise, the Kitten

When he proposed, I was elated. Thrilled and flabbergasted. Simply stunned.

There he was on my kitchen floor holding a beautiful brown and black flecked kitten. Around the neck of said adorable kitten was a ring.

I promised to marry him before he shipped out and we put a rush on everything. We planned and prepared and it all came together seamlessly. Not one single bump in the road.

Now as I stand on the beach at sunset, ready to walk down the sandy aisle with my dad, I think about how I really didn't need that veil after all.

Indie Books Giveaways and Sale! Thanks @attackofthebook!

Saw this and had to share :)

Go check out Indie Books this weekend!

This Labor Day weekend is an ebook lover’s dream come true!

Over 100 authors, over 130 titles, all priced to 99 cents as part of a Labor Day weekend sale to remember.

It is the first annual Indie Book Blowout! 

Book Review: Ransome's Honor by Kay Dacas @kayedacus A fun period story that leaves you wanting more.

What a fun read.

It was a great period fic. Lots of gloves and manners and protocol. It was nearly twenty chapters before there was even a chaste kiss and it was perfect. I really enjoyed all of the characters. I wish we had seen more of William during the beginning of the book, but overall he was a good male protag.

I think Dacus does the era a great justice, keeping historically accurate with the women's rights at that time as well as the culture of post-war England.

I'm actually very much looking forward to reading the next in the series. :) I was disappointed that the book ended so quickly. I really wanted to see more of William and Julia. We spent the entire book waiting for them to get it all figured out and when they finally do and you can see how happy they are.... we're done. So now, I must go in search of the sequel!

I would recommend this to my historical fiction/romance girls. Excellently written and fun too!

Have you seen @mstiefvater's animated book trailer for Scorpio Races?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tojCn2Y41ig]

 

I can't wait to read this!

Maggie's giving away doodled ARCs on her site also, go check out Words on Words to see how you can grab one!

 

My Wish.

Last year at this time I was sick and worn down and I tried to be happy to turn 30 but when I woke up with Strep throat, that party deflated quickly. It took me months to come back from not only Strep, but Bronchitis, Pneumonia, and Coxsakie virus all right after my birthday. 29 wasn't much better since I had been in and out of the hospital because of a Crohn's like illness that hadn't been diagnosed. Most of my 29th year was spent in fear of dying by starvation.

Two rough birthdays in a row has brought me to the realization that I am so very happy I am alive to see 31. I know it's hard being a year older, but I am lucky to BE here. I have a good job, a supportive husband, three adorable fur-babies, I'm writing and will be published, and I can do as I wish when I wish. Nothing is truly in my way but me it seems.

My wish is that this year is a healthier year with lots of love and laughter. I wish this for myself, but for everyone else. We could all use good health, lovely people, and belly laughs.

Here's to being 31.

Book Reviews: TLC by @barbaradelinsky & A Perfect Stranger by Danielle Steele ~ Campin' Reads!

TLC by Barbara Delinsky was an impulse buy when I bought The Stud. One of the best impulse buys ever. I really liked it a lot!

Yes it's a romance novel, but I loved the underlying story. The dynamic, the love-hate relationship between Karen and the male protag, Brice, is quite fun. It has it's emotional parts along with the fun snark and witty banter. You guys know how I love my snark and wit!

TLC is a story about a girl named Karen who is a grad student. We begin the story with her visiting an elderly woman in an assisted living home. At first the assumption is it's a family member but we soon find out that Karen is a woman riddled with guilt and taxing herself so much she falls very, very ill. In walks Dr. Brice... he's cocky, rude, self-righteous, and anti-social.

And it's on! :)

A Perfect Stranger is another Danielle Steele novel. I say it that way because... well, it's just another novel. I didn't fall in love with either of the characters. I felt awfully for Alex the entire length of the story. Raphaella is beaatiful and kind and practically perfect in every way... there are times when your heart jerks for her and you wanna take her home and keep her safe, but then again, there are some times when you just wanna smack the crap out of her! Who at 32 years old would let their father say those things to them? Or let their mother boss them atround in that way??? It's just insane.

The premise was good... lovely girl trapped in a marriage that her family wanted her in, she was swept away at 18 years old, and you just can't handle things when you're super young and overly sheltered. It makes sense she'd go off and marry the guy even if he was 44 years older, I can buy that.

But I was overwhelmed by the first 20 pages of Alex complaining that his wife of two years left him and then we hear more of Raphaela has been practically imprisoned her entire life by the life of luxury and riches and body guards and chauffeurs. It was kind of disconcerting to say the least! Their romance is a lovely one even if it's fraught with drama and angst... although, by the third or fourth ( I lost count ) reconciliation, I was a little over it.Also, there was entirely too much clothing description. It was hard to believe that Alex, a 30-something lawyer would care that his girlfriend is wearing snake skin shoes from Gucci. Even if he lives in San Fran! :)

The ending was sweet, but again, it was lacking. I really wanted more. It was just kind of like, "Okay, and now we're done." And after the huge intro of angsty stuff in the beginning, I really wanted more to go on at  the end.

It wasn't a bad story, but it was a little long for the amount of story you get. I gave it 2.5 stars.

Book Review: The Stud by @BarbaraDelinsky Super fun with super swimmers! :)

So I picked this book up out of guilt. Strange, right? You're curious, yes? You think, "But Becca, you never read books out of pressure!? (see Harry Potter) What on Earth are you speaking of?!"

Okay, see what happend was that a twit on a fic site that I frequent decided to take The Stud and rearrange some things and add new names and call it her original idea. (Insert appalled face here.)

I bought into it. Not okay. Fanfiction is okay because you give credit to the author for being made of awesomesauce and then you play in their wake. You don't take something from someone else and say, "Look at how wicked original and awesome I am!" Like I said, twit. (Insert foot tapping and scowl face here.)

So, chagrinned, I went out in search of this book when I found out that this happened. I looked high and low and  come to find out, it was out of print!

Thankfully, my Shangri La, Bookman's, a book reseller, happened to have one very old copy of it.

I read this bad boy in one sitting. This story grabbed me by the uterus and kept me entertained. That's fairly impressive, I'd say. Yes, this is your typical romance with the heaving bosoms and panting breaths.... but she's an independent businesswoman and he's an Indiana Jones wanna-be!

Here's the summary from GoodReads: Jenna McCue wants a baby and chooses an ideal man to be her sperm donor--but he wants the whole package: sex, love and forever.

How could that NOT be entertaining!? No, seriously, this was a very fun, light read. Great locations, lovely descriptions, some angst, lots of lemon, and witty snark (always a must with me) and overall, it didn't drag or make me wish it would hurry-the-hell-up! I actually enjoyed Jenna and Spencer a lot.

It's nice to see a romance "girl book" that didn't have a wilting laurel kind of girl as the lead. Jenna can take care of her own... she just needs some good swimmers! And I must admit, Spencer is a fun character.

He reminded me of Michael Douglas' character in Romancing the Stone.

And I think Jenna is a touch of Diane Keaton from Baby Boom.

Yes, I'm a child of the Eighties... don't judge me!

Overall, this was a great fluffy beach/lake read. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for something a lil' smutty and squishy with just the right amount of "Awww!"

A drabble challenge from @kfwritesbooks I hope I did it justice, K!

My online writing/crit group has started doing weekend 100 word "drabble" challenges. One of us gives another a picture, word, quote, something to stir the Muses and then see what happens.

Kerry sent me this beautifully sweet picture and below is what came to mind. I hope you enjoy! PS- I'm sorry this is late!

Drabble Challenge

Everyday she sits in the grass across from the field.

Everyday I watch her rather than work. Coach’s screams and yells toward thirty disgusting running footballers irritates me. Rarely needed as the trainer, the smell of fresh cut grass soothes me as I try to focus on the task at hand, but I keep being drawn to her.

So curious about the girl I would like to know. Never looking up, sitting with her book. Her bid to leave is always the setting sun.

Today, not unlike any other afternoon she is there with her book. Today though, today I’ll will join her under her tree.

Also, if you get the chance. Go check out our new site The Book Bunnies. We've worked hard on getting it set up and it's now a real, live site!

Great giveaway for @naturallysteph's Lola and Anna!

Go check it out and tell thenerdswife I send you! :D
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1RGHbj/thenerdswife.com/2011/07/stephanie-perkins-signing-and-giveaway.html

You could win this:



or this:



:D

Book Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater @mstiefvater (Yeah, my lip is still quivering.)

It hurts.
Maggie made me cry. A lot. This book took a lot out of me. A lot! I think I cried four times while reading it and before you ask, no, I'm NOT PMSing!

The way Maggie writes is poetry, not just when she's quoting poetry from Rilke or when Sam is singing. She writes fluidly.

There are scenes in this book invovling pain, abuse, and death, but it's poetic. The beauty of poetry is that it can show you angry, painful, hate-feuled words but they roll off your tongue and swirl around you creating an image.

Something can be awful, but beautiful. And beauty isn't always clean lines and soft colors. Sometimes it's wolves locked in a struggle for dominance, sometimes it's parents who love but don't know how to show that love, sometimes it's choosing life even if you have to give your own life for that of another's.
Maggie shows us this in Forever. Life is all about choices, minutes, moments. Sometimes you make the right step, sometimes you screw it all up. Sam, Grace, Isabel, Cole, Beck, Tom Culpepper, The Brisbanes, even Shelby... they're all integral, whether loved or hated, whether large or small, they all mattered.

Sam Roth will always be one of my favorite book boyfriends. Maggie makes dreamy lovely boys who are filled with love and self doubt and kindness. Imperfectly perfect. You guys know that's my favorite.The shower scene I think was one of my most favorite scenes in this book because it reminded me so much of how my husband and I react to each other. Something I love about Sam and Grace is how real they are even though they're in this incredible, ridiculous, fictional clusterfuck. They take a moment when most of us would be curled into the fetal position crying and gave it humor and adorable-ness. She really does a great job of balancing the "WTF?" with the "Aw!" That's why I love Maggie so much!

Maggie built us a world. It started with Shiver and I promise you it doesn't end with Forever. Her world makes me happy and sad, wistful and kind of whiney. I hated turning that last page.

I will admit that I did skip ahead a few times trying to get to Grace and Sam. They just mean so much to me and I wish we could know more about them, now if they're safe, happy, together.

I'm going to refuse to believe anything less than that.

And the winner of the signed copy of Evermore by @alysonnoel is...

JessicaB, email me back with your mailing address and I'll send it on it's way!

(if I don't get Jessica's info within 24 hours, I'll pick a new winner)

Now, please to be awwwing my adorable dog :)

Another giveaway coming up next month! Stay tuned!

Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by @michellehodkin I came, I read, I cried, I laughed, I recommend.

I love this book. Most of you who've followed me for a while know that I read this while I was betaing Mara for Michelle. I read this story so many times, I have parts of it memorized. One scene in particular, I won't mention it, but it still makes me all swoony-giggly-blushy. Yeah... I know. You'll know what I'm talkin' about when you read it. ;)

It is truly an intriguing, emotional, heart-thumping, complicated tale.

Our main character Mara is distressed, but she's no damsel looking for a white knight. Noah is gallant, but he's not sporting any shining armour.

Mara is my love. She is tough, smart, feisty, and will put you in your place, in more ways than one.

Noah will make you swoon. He's smart, snarky, sexy, and foreign.

Aren't those the requirements for a heartthrob? Give him a brain, a body, and a British accent and he's golden, yea?

I will brag about Michelle because she's my friend and I love her... I will brag about Mara because it's a damn fine story with suspense and pain, heart and humor.

This is a fantasy paranormal YA thriller and I hope you'll put it on your list. It's gonna freak you the hell out and you'll love it. Go check out www.michellehodkin.com to find out more about my girl Michelle.

Book Review: Linger by @mstiefvater She made me cry!

Oh, Maggie. The ending of this just killed me. I knew it was coming, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

I was so wowed, I immediately started reading Forever as soon as the ARC showed up, but Linger is still stuck in my head!

The constantly changing points of view were difficult, I found myself craving Sam and Grace, but Isabel and Cole are interesting to add to the mix. I just love Sam so much. And Grace is such a fantastic female lead. I guess I'm just attached to them.

As always, Maggie has taken us into a world we could never comprehend and made it simple and ours. You sympathize with Grace's need to be a part of something and her craving for Sam and his security and love. You can familiarize with Sam's desires for loving and protecting Grace, but his need to remain loyal to Beck and his pack. Also with Sam's reticence to be an alpha, to be the boss... when you're young you might crave adulthood, but when you're the one every one is turning to for guidance, it would be nice to shirk responsibility rather than be the one to blame when it all falls to pot. I just wanted to hug Sam and tell him everything was going to be okay, even if I knew it wouldn't be. I wish I could keep Grace and Sam in my pocket and make everything better for them... make them a perfect world where they can have it all.

It's a modern day Romeo and Juliet only instead of Montagues and Capulets we have naive human and wild wolf shifters. Both, just like in R+J, have their selfish desires and self preservation in their core, but both can be beautiful as well. This is what I love about Maggie's writing... she shows us the good with the bad, the feral with the humanity, the pleasure wrapped in the pain, the kindness hidden beneath the fear. It's beautiful.

I wanna be Maggie Stiefvater when I grow up.

Blog Hop Delight Giveaway! Signed copy of Evermore by @AlysonNoel Pls RT!

Looky what I got!

Not the hot girl, her book :)

I snagged this while I was at the Los Angeles Times Festival of books with some of my fellow nerdbloggers:

That's me, Crystal, and Angel.

Yeah, we're hangin' with dinosaurs. This is what happens when nerds don't have books.

Here's Tameka, Jess, Crystal, me, and Angel after meeting Alyson and Lisa McMann, too.

We also go hunting for John Green...

I met some amazing authors and they signed some of my books. Alyson signed this book just for YOU!

Would you like to win a signed copy of Evermore by Alyson Noel?

Comment below, you'll be entered once. If you retweet this on twitter w/ my @BooknerdBecca attached, you'll be entered twice! And if you follow my blog, you'll be entered yet again!

For each entry your name will be placed into this man's hat.

And he and the cute dog, shall pick out a winner :)

Bella's wicked excited! So get on down to the comment button!

<3

BnB

&

Go check out the others!

Book Review: Sean Griswold's Head by @lindseyleavitt Two thumbs up! Good thinkin' too!

This was a good story. Better than good... it was real. I'm not sure if that will make sense, but it's a real, good, fun story.
I kept forgetting to write my review and I found several hours of sitting in ICU gave me some time to reflect on things I hadn't taken care of like this.

Sean Griswold's Head is a great story for many... it would be a great talking point for the young ones. A great way to bring up tough topics like diseases and mortality, things that younger folks don't really contemplate at all until they're faced with it.

Now that I've been sitting in an ICU hospital room with my mom, I think I appreciate Lindsey's book even more.

When I first started reading I thought it had a good Sloppy Firsts kind of vibe, I loved the language and slang, the quick pace, all of it meshed well together. Now that it's been a bit and I'm staring at tubes and talking to nurses and smelling that disgusting over-clean smell, it makes you really think and take stock.

Just like Payton, many of us, myself included, kind of just take stuff for granted... you assume it's all well and good when no one tells you it is not well and good.

Naivete can be a good thing, but it can also be not at all good. Payton comes to this realization, but she kind of has to hit every branch as she falls out of the Real Life Sucks Tree.

I was completely head over heels for Sean.. he's a good male protag. He reminds me of the perfect sitcom boyfriend. I also loved the sarcasm. Snark is hot people. Payton and Sean have a fun dynamic.

I wasn't thrilled with Jac, the BFF, she was a little much for me. There were a few times I would've tied her by her braids to the Real Life Sucks Tree and whacked her with a wiffle bat or something, but that's okay... we all have a friend like that right?
Some of the topics in SGH can be tough to get into, but it's done so well. It can really make you think though. At least it did for me.

Lindsey did, yet again, a great job making real-life fiction fun and also a learning moment. It's nice to be entertained and get a good message. Very after-school special minus the gross outfits and poor acting. :D

I highly recommend and can't wait for more from Lindsey.

Giveaway on it's WAY!

Keep tabs, I'll be posting a nifty giveaway in conjunction with the awesome reviewers at

Wildfire ARC Giveaway by fellow book blogger @CValdezMiller

Go check out her beautiful blog and you can enter to win an ARC of Wildfire by Karsten Knight.

Yes, I am shamelessly plugging not only to get Carolina more traffic, but I kinda want this ARC :D Double dipping yea?

Carolina's Book Blog

Tell her I sent you !

Here's the summary of Wildfire:

Summary: Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

Sounds like a winner <3 And you gotta love a hot park ranger yes? :)

The Scorpio Races by @mstiefvater A lil' sneaky peek!

Maggie was awesome enough to share the prologue to her new book The Scorpio Races. If you've not had a chance to peruse, please do so here.

I have to say I was sucked right in! As always Maggie creates a little nook in the world that makes you wanna go see what's happening... very voyeuristic but not... I mean, we're invited to look, so it's not dirty.

Everyone knows I would read a remake of the dictionary if Maggie told me to do so, but honestly, I was a little worried when she told us about the premise of TSR. Flesh eating pony, what?

I'm all ready ready already. Let's bring on the freaky ass horses and the brave/stupid people who ride them! I'm freaked out and intrigued and I know it's gonna be awesome :)

Bring it, Maggie!

PS- if you haven't seen this vid of the "Sharpie Guitar" go check it -

I'd like to know 1- can I have this? 2- was the bottom of your hand black when you finished? :D

Book Review: Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James- Sadly misses the mark.

I really wanted to like this. I really did...

The premise starts out strong. The young innocent being sucked into a world beyond her grasp, money, power, control... but sadly, it just kind of goes wall-eyed at the end. I was so disappointed because I had such high hopes after having read the summary and speaking with the author... there was a great deal that could've been done with the character of Grey and even Steele.

It just wasn't what I had expected. I knew the story when it was a fan written story and it just kind of got lost in it's own hype. I truly hoped that the last third of her story would be completely rewritten in a new, unexpected way that I knew the author could do. I expect great things from James.

Sadly, the story wasn't redeemed when it was given the ol' publishing shine from fanfic to book.

The ending, if it had been rewritten and broadened moreso to give it a less "Days of Our Lives" aspect and more of an emotional connection, I think it would've really kept me.
Fifty Shades is a great idea, just executed listlessly. I know this was turned into a trio of tales but I don't think I'll be reading any more.
I may pick up another story of James' down the road though. I do enjoy her and her sense of humor for sure. She's an exceptionally fun and talented writer, so I expect good things from EL James in the future.

Book Review: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure aka @AnneRiceAuthor

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty was a lovely shock to the system for me. It was phenomenally written by a psuedonymed Anne Rice.

A beautiful languid, lovely prose all the while describing harsh, violent, erotic scenes. Sometimes I was reading, mouth agape. Other times I realized I was curled up in a ball, tucked all up as I read. All the while I was eager to read, eager to learn more of Beauty's journey or if her prince would be redeemed. I was wanton to know how, or even if, Beauty and her counterparts would rebel or escape, but then again, her alternatives were nothing. It was exciting and heartbreaking all at the same time.

You feel sad for Beauty, but then again you want her to keep going and be strong and prevail. I found myself thinking of things for her to do, how to escape her enslavement to the prince who freed her.

It's such a dichotomy. Freedom from sleep only to be bound in slavery. At what cost can you find true freedom?

Our Beauty is a spoiled, rich girl, idle and bored, although she loves her family and is always the epitome of well-bred princess. But then she's awakened after a hundred years of sleep and taken from everything she's ever known, enslaved by a prince and his mother, the queen, and kept in a violent atmosphere of debauchery and pain, pleasure and gluttony.

I was fascinated by the story beyond the obvious "erotic adventure" as the book touts on the cover.

Age old question... what is freedom? Am I to describe someone else's freedom? Should it be my version of freedom or theirs? Who's is right? If our Beauty and the other Prince and Princess slaves find freedom within their pain and captivity, through the actions and commands of others, is it still freedom?

Also, what is too much? My limits may be different from your limits? How do you know until you push past them and realize you've gone too far? This is what Beauty begins to learn.

At the end of the first book, you are left asking, "But what happens next?" and I eagerly picked up the second "Beauty's Punishment."

Now we find out what Beauty is really made of now that she's been ripped away from her captor prince and thrust into the village.

If you want to push your limits and really read a gorgeously written tale, I highly recommend The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.
Not for the faint of heart.

Book Review: ARC of Tangled Past by Leah Braemel @LeahBraemel

I was interested in this story mainly due to it's poly relationship premise. I enjoy historical romances, but I don't always get into Westerns, this was a different kind of Western though. Although there were the fun cattle rustling, horse riding, dirty varment kind of stuff within the pages that you'd hope for within a Western Romance novel, Tangled Past also has an intricately woven romance story line that you normally don't see. It is unique and very well thought out.

Yes, it is a romance. There are flowery prose and professings of love, but there are two male main characters and they are vying for the love of our female lead, Sarah. They are also vying for each other as well as Sarah.

Jackson is rough edged and abrupt, but he's honest and loyal.

Nate is kind and sweet, but earnest and passionate.

I couldn't help but fall in love with both of them right along with our tough Sarah.

Sarah's life hasn't been easy and even though her tale is very realistic for this time period and sometimes hard to read about, you come to find her strength and drive very enduring and attractive. Nothing ruins a romance more in my opinion than a "wilting flower" as Miss Martha calls them, the wise sage in Tangled Past.

Leah does a lovely job of creating three distinct characters that bring three distinct pieces together into a beautiful relationship. Their connection reminded me of a symbol I have tattooed on my back, the Trinity Heart Celtic Knot. Where one piece ends, another begins so there is truly no end. I would have loved to have been able to read more, especially later in the story.

I did find several type errors that brought me out of the story a few times, but that's the beta in me. I'd love to give this story a once over before it's published to make sure it is grammatically correct and reads smoothly. This story is quite enjoyable and deserves to sparkle.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romances, especially of the Western variety. I'm sure it's not easy setting this balance that you find in Tangled Past. Leah handles polygamy with care and it's not only emotional but beautiful and erotic. I would definitely like to read something from Leah again.

Thank you again to Carina Press for allowing me to preread their ARCs. I very much appreciate being given these opportunities!

Don't forget you can still bid on auctions for @all4alabama to support Tornado Relief!

Please check out all the amazing auctions still going on. One of which is my girl Kerry Freeman who is donating a complete YA/LGBT book package! So cool!

There are critiques and signed books and some GORGEOUS jewelry! Go check it out!!!!

http://all4alabamarelief.blogspot.com/

Book Review: Notturno by @ZAMaxfield Awesome paranormal read!

What an emotional story!
I picked this out because it looked like a naughty romp, but it turned out to be more so. Adin's story made my heart hurt over and over!

I was reading over the last day and my stomach kept dropping. It seemed like every chapter I had to tweet ZA about how much my heart hurt for Adin!

Donte is a lovely vampire character and the entire story just makes you swoon and smile and gasp. ZA has a wonderful way about her fluency and word choice, the way Donte and Adin coin a phrase was just adorable and fun. You could feel the attraction as you're reading. It starts passionately and ends passionately. It's a lovely mix of intrigue and action, mystery and conversation. It's wonderful!

It was a fantastic story. If you're looking for something that combines paranormal romance with intrigue and fun for a really great read, I highly recommend!

Book Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins @ladyhawkins

Well....

How do I write a review without spoiling it all?

Okay... so the ending made me wanna through the book. I hate when there is a series and they middle child you with this second book full of awesome then cliff-hang the end and make you wait a year. Maggie did it with Linger, SMeyer did it with New Moon, and I am sure there are hundreds of authors and authors to be that are all planning or have planned these "OMG - The End" moments.

I dislike them.

I like stand alone books, even in a series. For me, the waiting thing doesn't make me want to read even more then I rush out and buy the book a year from now, nope, it makes me lose interest and then when it does come out, I can't remember what I read a year before. I have too many TBR books to read so rereading isn't always a possibility or a desire.

So no, not a fan of the ending.

Other than that last page though. YAY!!!!!!!!

I adore Sophie. She's funny, smart, sarcastic, and playful. I love that about her. She's gotten a rough lot, but also, she's gotten some kickass stuff too!

Then there's Cal and Jenna and they are the best seconds. I love them both.

And then there's Archer. I won't say anymore, but wow.

We meet Sophie's dad in this book and it's actually a great story twist. We go to London with Soph and her two sidekicks and the book moves so quickly. Lots of action and fun.

Rachel really knows how to write to keep you interested.

I can't say much more or I'll ruin the great "Holy Dark Magic" moments including that ending. If you haven't read Demonglass, go on and get it :)

Maybe just wait six months or so. Then you won't be as cranky as me :D

Book Cover Reveal: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater! @mstiefvater

Maggie says there will be "blood, beaches, and kissing." Sounds like a good time!

Her's the snippet to wet your whistle straight from Maggie's people: "With her trademark lyricism, Maggie Stiefvater turns to a new world, where a pair are swept up in a daring, dangerous race across a cliff--with more than just their lives at stake should they lose."

There may be horses... at least that's what I'm pickin' up. Riding horses on a beach = good. Riding horses with someone else = good. Riding horses on a beach with someone else in a race to save you life and theirs= gooooood book! :D

If you'd like more information, check out Maggie's personal site: http://maggiestiefvater.blogspot.com/2011/05/ta-da-scorpio-races-us-cover.html

Book Review: His Enemy's Daughter by Terri Brisbin

Total bodice-busting, lusty fun :)
It was the usual man vs. man, beauty and the beast retelling with a Briton/Norman/Saxon rebellion thrown in for funzies. It was a very quick read. Took me about two hours total from start to finish while we drove up the mountain.
I would highly recommend this if you are looking for some virginity-stealing, swoony, giggly good times with the marauding, hulking good-bad-guy knight and the fierce, do-gooding virgin with spunk.
All around brain candy :)