On the blog: The #IronKnightTrailer is Up!! @HarlequinTeen @jkagawa

Friends, this is what a book trailer should look like. It should make your head swim, heart flutter, and spine shake....Yeah, it's that good...

Warning: side effects shortness of breath, chills, and anxiety ahead!!!



Harlequin out-did themselves on this one. The effects are amazing and, in my opinion, the models are perfect. Puck, ha. That smirk is awesome. Meghan, as beautiful as I imagined. Now Ash.........sorry, lost my breath there for a minute. He couldn't have been portrayed any better. *heart shudders* Bravo, Harlequin, bravo!


Ladies and gentlemen, THE BAR HAS BEEN SET!!

Waiting on Wednesday - September 28, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To join in, share the book or books that you are currently drooling over as you await their release and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. The gorgeous badge above is brought to us by Lindsay at The Violet Hour!

This book sounds so intriguing to me, but I have an odd confession to make....... I collect books that have characters with my name....... *blushes* ESPECIALLY if they spell it the same way I do. So, whatever it takes, this will be on my shelf!

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Hardcover, 370 pages

Expected publication: January 3rd 2012 by Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray

From Goodreads:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

Now, does that not absolutely give you chills?! I've got my hopes up for this one...

Follow Friday - September 23, 2011

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a way to connect with fellow bloggers! First, blog about Follow Friday and weekly question, then leave your name on the Linky list, and visit as many blogs as you can on the list and tell them "Hi!" in their comments on their FF post. You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Q. Do you have a favorite series that you read over and over again? Tell us a bit about it and why you keep on revisiting it?

Absolutely. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, hands down. The characters (ok, maybe just Ash) makes me want to be there and experience everything that they're going through. With Kagawa's writing, I can honestly say it really does feel like I am. I love several other realms, but this is the one series that takes my breath away each time I read the books. I love the LOTR world, but it's not written in a way I'd like to read it very often. Harry Potter would be an obvious choice for me, but I find that I don't turn to those books very often, especially Deathly Hallows.

Waiting on Wednesday - September 21, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To join in, share the book or books that you are currently drooling over as you await their release and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. The gorgeous badge above is brought to us by Lindsay at The Violet Hour!



This week's lovely pick is.......



Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: October 4th 2011 by HarperTeen

From Goodreads:

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

Happy reading, friends!

Follow Friday - September 16, 2011

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a way to connect with fellow bloggers! First, blog about Follow Friday and weekly question, then leave your name on the Linky list, and visit as many blogs as you can on the list and tell them "Hi!" in their comments on their FF post. You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Q. It's that pesky magic book fairy again! She has another wish: What imaginary book world would you like to make a reality?

Easy. The Lord of the Rings world. There are others that come close to competing with this, but they never actually can. There's no question that I would live in Rohan. I've always felt the closest connection to it because of their strength and respect for horses. Coming in at the second and third spots would be J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa. Both I would fit into easily, but I don't feel that "umph" like I do when I think of LOTR. :)

Review: 4/5 for Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Hardcover, 405 pages

Published May 24th 2011 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Source: eBook, purchased
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

It starts off simply.

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...

Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.

I was so excited after I read this synopsis. It has everything a girl could want: magic, different perspective, and sweet guy. Well, it lived up to that hype, but it had a couple small drawbacks.

The book has good characters that are very easy to relate to. Each have various depths that I enjoyed learning about. Many of them triumph over challenges they've faced in life. They take the challenges and still manage to strive forward. There was a characteristic that disturbed me though. I understand that for blood magic you need blood. I know there are many ways to retrieve said blood, but this book takes some of them a little over the edge. There were times I was actually uncomfortable reading about it. So if you're squeamish about this topic, this may not be the book for you.

The concept in this book was great and inventive. I loved the different perspective it offered. However, there were incidents and relationships that felt just kind of thrown together. It was like I would be at the end of an event and then suddenly I was thrown a curve ball from left field. This is good when it fits into that event, but most felt oddly out of place. It was like walking and hitting your toe on a rock that is suddenly thrown into your path. While that rock may be interesting, it didn't need to be in your path or at least at that point.

These issues aside, I really did enjoy this book and will definitely read the next one that comes out. Hopefully some of the kinks will be worked out, because I think there is a lot of room for these characters to grow and expand in attributes and plot.

Waiting on Wednesday - September 14, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To join in, share the book or books that you are currently drooling over as you await their release and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. The gorgeous badge above is brought to us by Lindsay at The Violet Hour!


Ok, I hadn't heard of this book or author until I started following her on Twitter. It just a "eh, what the hell, couldn't hurt to, right?" decision. There has not been a day since that I have not literally laughed out loud at her for something she's tweeted about. I've not even read anything she's written yet. If she writes anything like she tweets, this is going to be epic for me. At this point, she could probably write a book on how to watch grass grow and I would give it a shot. :)

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: September 20th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile

From Goodreads:

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

In My Mailbox - September 11, 2011

*Today, we remember. By remembering, we honor.*

-Nikki C.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a great way for bloggers to socialize and network their blogs and to share upcoming releases! To join in all the fun, simply:

1. Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
2. You can post weekly, every other week, or one week out of the month, it’s up to you and it doesn't have to be on Sunday.
3. Once you have your IMM posted, go to The Story Siren on her Sunday post and add your link to the list.
4. Comment on other bloggers IMM posts.

Hello, friends. It's been busy on the front-lines here, as usual. Read a little and then run a little. Doesn't stop us though! Here is my sad amount of books I got this week. It's at times like this that I look at grad school and go "Really? Is it worth it?" One day it will end.....one day.....Please tell me it will! LOL

Nook books:













Bright Young Thing by Anne Godbersen
Fallen from Grace by M. J. Putney
Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren









Kindle App:

Firelight by Sophie Jordan











Can't wait to see what everyone's stashes look like!!

Happy reading!

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop - September 9, 2011

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a way to connect with fellow bloggers! First, blog about Follow Friday and weekly question, then leave your name on the Linky list, and visit as many blogs as you can on the list and tell them "Hi!" in their comments on their FF post. You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Q. Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story? If so, which one??

Not that I know of. There's been many villains that I have loved reading about or respected because they're so good they give me chills. I'm too involved with good, happy endings for a villain to win. It is what they are supposed to do, be vanquished. :)



Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way to connect with other book lovers and bloggers! The Hop lasts from Friday till Monday, so there is plenty of time to participate. To join in, post the Hop and weekly question to your blog, add your name to the Linky list, and start HOPPING through it!

Q. Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stopped writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn’t read that genre anymore?

I'm very eclectic with my genres. Romance is a consistent one through all of them though. It's what I started reading way back in the day. I mainly look for good story lines with great characters. Whatever genre I could find that in, I would be happy.

Waiting on Wednesday - September 7, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To join in, share the book or books that you are currently drooling over as you await their release and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. The gorgeous badge above is brought to us by Lindsay at The Violet Hour!


Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: February 14th 2012 by Walker & Co (J)

From Goodreads:

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

The tale of Robin Hood was my favorite growing up. Any cartoon, movie, or comic that involved it, I can guarantee I have read or seen it. I saw this book on a blog the other day and of course I about did a dance. Not sure that I agree with turn of events and characters, but that's why I'm so intrigued. I like the idea of a strong female lead in this. If it is done well, this book will make the epic list for me. :)

Review: 3/5 for Entwined by Heather Dixon

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Hardcover, 480 pages

Published March 29th 2011 by Greenwillow Books
Source: Borrowed from friend
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.
The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.
Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.
But there is a cost.
The Keeper likes to keep things.
Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

The beauty of the cover snagged me on this book. After I started reading it I realized that it involved A LOT of dancing. This is normally ok, but this book takes it to another level. While that is a slight annoyance, the characters make up for any and all shortcomings.

Azalea and her sisters are charming. All of the girls are the product of the King's desperate attempts to have a son to take the throne. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but Azalea has the most weight on her shoulders. She has the burden of looking after her sisters and preparing to rule as queen. She carries her role well and stands up for herself really well for someone her age. Once it is apparent things are not going to go his way, the King comes to several realizations about his daughters. I enjoyed watching their relationships grow and change throughout the book. There are several, several suitors in this book for the girls, but they just do not seem realistic. Quite a few incidents and relationships actually seem just "tacked" on or an after thought. The "Keeper" seems vague to me. I learned some information about him, but I guess I simply didn't understand him.

The plot was very odd to me. It was not bad, but it wasn't great either. It is continually slow from the beginning all the way through until the ending scenes. However, unlike others this book had the wonderful characters to carry me through and keep me interested until the end. That being said, there were several times I stopped reading and would ask myself why in the world they would feel the need to dance at a time like that. I love music and dance, but I think I just do understand that "need" for it in every aspect of life. The final scenes do a really great job of wrapping up the book. It's one of the better endings I've seen in a while.

Dixon's writing is very beautiful to me. She does an amazing job with descriptions and vivid details. It made it easy for me to imagine that I could be standing right in the middle of the story, just watching from afar. Everything right down to the dialogue between the characters felt like it welcomed my subconscious into a whole other world and experience. It is a very solid good read and I do recommend it for everyone.

It's Monday! What are you reading? - September 5, 2011

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme that is hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. To be a part of it, just post what you finished in the past week and what you plan to read this week. After writing your post, go to Sheila's blog and leave you post's link on the link entry form at the bottom of the What are you reading? post.

This one's short and sweet, guys. Classes kicked into full gear this week. :)

What I read this week:


Entwined by Heather Dixon
-Review coming soon!











What I am reading now:


Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton











What's up next on the list:


Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz











Happy reading, friends!

Addicted 2 Novels: Little, Brown Giveaway!

If you were to get a chance, stop by and check out Addicted 2 Novels giveaway for Little, Brown books!

From Addicted 2 Novels:

Little Brown has some amazing books coming out this year, and I thought, why not share the wealth? But you're not going to win just one book. Oh, no no no...what you'll win is one book/arc that's released for every month till the new year (except January, which was replaced with a February release).

*Dark Parties by Sara Grant
*The Shattering by Karen Healey
*Bunheads by Sophie Flack
*DJ Rising by Love Maia
*Wintertown by Stephen Emond

In My Mailbox - September 4, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a great way for bloggers to socialize and network their blogs and to share upcoming releases! To join in all the fun, simply:

1. Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
2. You can post weekly, every other week, or one week out of the month, it’s up to you and it doesn't have to be on Sunday.
3. Once you have your IMM posted, go to The Story Siren on her Sunday post and add your link to the list.
4. Comment on other bloggers IMM posts.

I got lucky with a few prices this week and also received my first book that I won in a giveaway. I'm well on my way to catching up where I want to be in both purchasing and reading.

My first giveaway book:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
-I am so excited about this one. I've heard so many good things about it. Thanks to The Violet Hour for this one!










Ebooks for the Nook caught on sale:

The Awakening and The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
-Can't wait to dig into these. The Summoning just had started getting good when it ended!










Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
Exiled by M. R. Merrick
-Excellent deals on these two this week!

Happy Blogoversary to A Night's Dream of Books!

Congrats to A Night's Dream of Books on the one year anniversary! Stop by and check out the blogoversary's giveaway!

Review: 3/5 for Passion by Lauren Kate

Passion by Lauren Kate

Hardcover, 420 pages

Published June 14th 2011 by Random House Children's Books
Source: eBook, purchased
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Luce would die for Daniel.
And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .
Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.
Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.
Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.
Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series.

Alright. After reading to this point in the series I had almost given up on it. This book definitely set the bar higher than the previous two. It takes the characters that I've followed thus far and speeds up their action to an acceptable pace.

As we join back with Luce she is hopping through time to try to figure out her and Daniel's past. She slowly figures out a few important key factors, but it is still hard because of Daniel's intent on secrecy. Luce has some company join her along the way, but it's slightly obvious from the start that it's not the best of help to have. I like the sides of Daniel I finally got to see this time. His story finally cracked open and I saw him in a little better light than before. Along with the help of their friends, Luce and Daniel's story truly grows in this book.

*Happy dance* The plot FINALLY picks up in this one! It was so sluggish in the first two books I was honestly concerned that it would continue on in this one. Luce's time travels came to my aid on this aspect. The hopping through time and seeing all the different lives and cultures she lived in really kept me interested. Daniel's struggles through these situations left real validity to their past and present relationships. I am very glad that is finally shown. I had hoped that some of the secrets he possessed about these relationships would illuminated this time. There is still a feeling that there's a lot more to be had at the end of the book though.

I did not realize until the ending of this book that it was actually a four book series. I thought this would be the end. That's why I was irritated when I finished the book. It had just picked up enough that I was truly interested and the series ends like that?? Nope, I was wrong. If I had known, I would have seriously waited until Rapture came out to even bother with these books.

Follow Friday/Book Blogger Hop - September 2, 2011

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a way to connect with fellow bloggers! First, blog about Follow Friday and weekly question, then leave your name on the Linky list, and visit as many blogs as you can on the list and tell them "Hi!" in their comments on their FF post. You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Q. If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

I have had this thought many of times as I've finished books. The latest one would probably be Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. I can see why she did what she did, but there's still so many unanswered questions.

-Possible Spoiler-
What happens with Cole and Isabel? Did the cure work??? UGH. It just made me wonder so much! However, I was lucky enough to meet Maggie in Nashville at the beginning of August. I asked her about this and she had a simple answer for my problems. She said it just had to have ended that way and would we have seriously wanted the Harry Potter and family van ending? Ok, she got me there... LOL



Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way to connect with other book lovers and bloggers! The Hop lasts from Friday till Monday, so there is plenty of time to participate. To join in, post the Hop and weekly question to your blog, add your name to the Linky list, and start HOPPING through it!

Q. What are you most looking forward to this fall/autumn season – A particular book release? Halloween? The leaves changing color? Cooler temperatures? A vacation? (If your next season is other than fall/autumn, tell us about it and what you are most looking forward to in your part of the world!)


All of it! Fall is my favorite time of year. Halloween is quickly becoming one of the most awesome events at our house! Growing up, the best holiday was Christmas, but in the last couple of years I've learned why everyone else loves Halloween so much. I also live in the Appalachia area and love getting to see the rainbow of colors year round and the moderate temps we experience. :)

Review: 3/5 for Torment by Lauren Kate

Torment by Lauren Kate

Hardcover, 452 pages

Published September 28th 2010 by Random House Children's Books
Source: eBook, Purchased
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Hell on earth.

That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.
It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.
At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous.
What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

After debating back and forth when I finished Fallen, I finally decided to continue on to this book. Fallen lacked in a lot of areas for me, but friends recommended I should carry on with the series because they felt it picked up for them in Torment. I am certainly glad I listened to them. While there are some things I wish would just be taken care of, there were several things introduced that gave this book some pep.

Luce discovers she's headed to Shoreline from Daniel. Of course, there is secrecy involved with every action he takes. On the plus side, several new and interesting characters are introduced at the school. These characters end up playing a more crucial part in the story that what I thought they would. They are more true to Luce because of their backgrounds. She does grow quick a bit in this book, but is still held by the boundaries that Daniel sets. He does elaborate on the grand scheme of things, but just enough to irritate me. I continually hope that one of other characters will just bluntly state the situation, but their allegiance is unwavering.

The beginning of this book is as slow as Fallen was, but Luce instigates a series of events that finally gets the ball rolling. It is not a page-turner, but it does keep the plot going at a decent pace. Some events involving Luce seemed a little unbelievable or simply irrational. A lot of it seemed out of character for her. It was slightly predictable, but the book just simply stops at the end. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a cliffhanger for me, but I'm sure most it would probably feel that way.