Mailbox Monday

 

 

Well, I kind of bought some books this week. I am weak I know, I tried to avoid the bookstore but it called to me. I could see the look of hurt on the face of the sales people as I walked by. Ok that is not completely true, but that is how I justify the purchase to my husband ( I don't think he bought it) and he also understands. I am a lucky woman.

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Dearly, Departed

AUTHOR: Lia Habel

PUBLISHER: Del Rey

 

SUMMARY: The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

 

WHY THIS BOOK : It is simple I loved the cover. But also the idea of loving a zombie looks interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Switched

AUTHOR: Amanda Hocking

PUBLISHER: ST. Martin's Griffin

 

SUMMARY: When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

WHY THIS BOOK:  I think I am the last person in the world to read this. I have wanted it for a long time and now I have it. I look forward to reading it so you may see it read soon.

 



Review: Anna Dressed In Blood

  

 

 Anna Dressed in Blood

 Kendare Blake

Tor Teen

 

Review: What can I say about this book that has not been said already. Amazing. I am a horror fan big time, and this book kept me reading. Not for the squeamish I am giving this to my son to read. I loved this book. I was engaged by the brilliant writing. This book was good on many levels for me. The characters were well written. I like Cas's calling was intriguing something you don't see in books. The romance was slow growing not put in as an after thought or introduced in the first page. I also liked the fact that he gained friends and Cas did not hide his "special talents" from them. Anna was a marvelous character I really felt her pain and anger. I also felt sorry for her. Is that possible to feel for a murderous ghost ? That to me proves how well the writing and character development was.

 

The flow of the book was also a great quality to the book. Once the action started it keep you reading . I have read books where the author goes on for pages between action and it feels like the author is trying to fill space. This book had none of that. This book does have some gory moments in it but even that did not stop me from reading. It tied the story together well and keep me reading till morning. Even with my imagination running wild and jumping at every little sound late at night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars    

 

Watch for it Wednesday

TITLE: Dearly, Beloved

AUTHOR: Lia Habel

PUBLISHER: Del Rey
RELEASE DATE:Sept 25th

 

SUMMARY: Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

 

TITLE:  The Dark Unwinding

AUTHOR : Sharon Cameron

PUBLISHER: Scholastic Pub

RELEASE DATE: Sept 1st

 

 

SUMMARY:When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

Mailbox Monday

Well I am still on a book buying ban. Till I read more to make room on my bookcase and shelves in my bedroom.

TBR Tuesday

What I am reading this week.

So far a great book just have not been reading a lot this week due to the 54 hour work week this week. Been dead tired when I get home have not even been working on the blog. Thank goodness I will have Monday to read all day.

The next book I will be reading is

SUMMARY: In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .
This looked like a good book to read with my daughter. So we will be reading this and then I have to plan a day to look through my book and see what else I want to read.

Mail box Monday

My husband got me a gift certificate for Amazon so I down loaded some books on my Kindle

TITLE: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

AUTHOR: Beth Fantaskey

PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

SUMMARY: The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth--and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.
But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.

TITLE: Enclave

AUTHOR: Ann Aguirre

PUBLISHER: Feiwel & Friends

SUMMARY: In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

TITLE: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer

AUTHOR: Lish McBride

PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Co.

SUMMARY:Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he’s doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak.

Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . . . or else.

With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?

TITLE: The Mayfair Moon

AUTHOR: J. A. Redmerski

PUBLISHER: J. A Redmerski

SUMMARY: After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.

Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.

As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.



Review of The Body Finder

The Body Finder

Kimberly Derting

Harper Teen Publishers

Summary (goodreads):Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself

Review:  I found this book to be a great mix of mystery and suspence with just the right amount of romance for the young adult. I usually read adult mysteries this was my first YA mystery and I can say I am hooked. The origanal polt and the twist and turns on every page kept me wanting to find out what is next, and guessing who the killer was.

The characters were well written and likable. Violet's determination and willfulness reminded me of when I her age and I can see the same traits in my daughter now. Violet's relationship with Jay was sweet and  realistic for me. I hope my daughter meets a nice guy like him.

The last thing I loved about this book was the POV. Mostly this was Violet's story but the flashes of the killers point of view gave the story the creepyfeel like you were there with him in his hunt for the next victim and really gets your pulse pounding. This was a great book and I am looking forward to reading the second and third in the series.

 Four and a half stars out of five.

Throwdown Thursday (Please vote)

what cover do you like best.

   

                         Or

Watch Fot it Wednesday

Ok, I have been finding a lot of books I really can't wait too read. I have over 300books waiting to be read I am not buying as many books anymore. Trying to catch up. I still want these book good thing Christmas is coming.

TITLE: Alice in Zombieland

AUTHOR: Gena Showalter

PUB DATE: Sept 25th

SUMMARY: She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

TITLE : Spookygirl

AUTHOR: Jill Baguchinsky

PUB DATE: Aug. 21st

SUMMARY: Violet doesn't remember much about her late mother, but she is certain of one thing: she too can see ghosts and communicate with the dead. But when Violet discovers paranormal activity in the girls' locker room, she finds herself ill-equipped for handling the school's ghostly echoes. Through Violet's own investigation and with the help of some unlikely allies, Violet discovers there is a lot she doesn't know about her special skill--and more still that can stand in the way of its power. With sharp wit and determination, Violet sets out to uncover the truth behind her school's haunting, to finish the investigation that led to her mother's sudden death, and to learn why the only ghost she has ever wanted to see is the one that has eluded her forever.



TITLE: The Raven Boys

AUTHOR: Maggie Stiefvater

PUB DATE: Sept 18th

SUMMARY:It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

My Christmas List just keeps growing.

Mail Box Monday

Slow this week only two books

Still have not read the first book in the series but looking forward to it.

This will be my first steampunk book I hope I like it

Divergent Review

TITLE: Divergent

AUTHOR:Veronica Roth

Description:In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Review: I started reading this with no expectations. I had not read any reviews but I liked the description. Now that I have read it all I have to say is

WOW!!!!!!

I was blown away by this book. Right from page one I wanted to read more. This is an action pact, heart beating story. I did not want to put this book down. Despite the over 400 pages I read this in 2 days . Almost getting caught reading at work was well worth the risk.

The characters in this book are well written and developed. You find that you care for all of them because of their unique personalities. The main character Tris is fascinating to read about because of her transformation she goes through as the story progresses 

 Also the society that Veronica Roth has developed sound perfect in every way. Everyone has a place as long as they can pass initiation into the fraction they want. You chose what fraction you want to be in. As the story progresses you see that there are cracks in even that. Thanks to Tris your eyes are opened to see no one and nothing is as perfect as they are lead to belive.

  

This book gets 5 stars out of 5 

Watch for it Wednesday

TITLE: Confessions of a Murder Suspect

AUTHOR: James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

PUBLISHER: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

RELEASE DATE: Sept 24th 2012

Description :On the night Malcolm and Maud Angel are murdered, Tandy Angel knows just three things: 1) She was the last person to see her parents alive. 2) The police have no suspects besides Tandy and her three siblings. 3) She can't trust anyone--maybe not even herself. Having grown up under Malcolm and Maud's intense perfectionist demands, no child comes away undamaged. Tandy decides that she will have to clear the family name, but digging deeper into her powerful parents' affairs is a dangerous-and revealing-game. Who knows what the Angels are truly capable of?

WHY THIS BOOK?  I have been reading the Alex Cross series and like James Patterson this will be the first young adult book from him. I hope we like it .

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TITLE: Poison Princess

AUTHOR: Kresley Cole

PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

RELEASE DATE: Oct. 2nd 2012

SUMMARY: Sixteen-year-old Evie Greene thought her horrific apocalyptic hallucinations were a sign that she was slowly losing her mind. But when her visions come true, decimating the world around her and killing everyone she loves, Evie is forced to accept that she was seeing the future.

Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she turns to wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate, the gorgeous and dangerous Jackson Deveaux for help. As Jackson and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have got the same call and discover that Evie is not the only one with special powers. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and as the battle between good and evil intensifies, it is not always clear who is on which side.

Why this book: I love the cover and on "goodreads" it has over 4 stars but I have not read any of the reviews.

ALSO please go to 07/ 26/2012 and vote on Throw down Thursday  for the best cover