Friday, December 30, 2011

Book Review: The Scarlet Dagger



The Scarlet Dagger

by Krystle Jones
Series: The Red Sector Chronicles #1
Release date: 23rd October, 2011
Pages: 256 (Ebook offered byt he author in exchange for an honest review)
Next Book: Dark Horizons -January2012- (The Red Sector Chronicles #2)

Summary from Goodreads:

The strength of Sloane’s heart is about to be put to the ultimate test.

After the Eclipse – the night vampires began openly slaughtering human victims – everything changed. Out of fear, the government salvaged what remained of the human population and enclosed them in massive, security-laden cities called White Sectors, while marking the vampire infested territory as Red Sectors.

When seventeen-year-old Sloane McAllister’s twin brother disappears, she seems to be the only one who thinks he isn’t dead, and vows to stop at nothing to find him. Gathering her courage, she braves the Red Sector to search for clues to his whereabouts. By chance, she encounters Aden, a handsome, charismatic vampire with a hidden agenda. He turns Sloane against her will, and whisks her away to his underground city. Enemies quickly become friends as Sloane struggles against her attraction to Aden, and resists her growing loyalties to the creatures that ruined her life. But the vampires themselves are the least of her problems. The city is harboring a devastating secret, one that could change the tide of the war and threaten to destroy everything Sloane has come to believe in.

Heart-stopping action and scorching romance collide in this dystopian, urban fantasy thriller.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Cover Reveal: Before I wake


Before I Wake
by Rachel Vincent
Official Blurb:

The sixth book of the Soul Screamer Series. Expected publication: July 2012 by Harlequin Teen

OMG! We have already a cover for the new book... And I still have to read the whole series!!! Well, a least I bought the other 5 books a month ago so I just have to find a way to squeeze them all in my pile... and it has to be soon! :D

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Book Review: Zombies don't Cry



Zombies don't Cry

by Rusty Fischer
Release date: 1st May, 2011
Publisher: Medallion Pr Inc
Pages: 371 (Paperback won in a giveaway)

Summary from Goodreads:

In the sleepy small town of Barracuda Bay, Maddy Swift leads the life of a fairly typical teenager, but while attending a party one night, Maddy is struck by lightning and awakens to realize she has been reanimated and turned into a zombie. While becoming acquainted with her new "lifestyle," Maddy stumbles upon two unexpected undead chaperones, fellow students Dane and Chloe, who begin to teach her the ways of zombie life, including defending the populace from Zerkers—the bad zombies. Together, on prom night, the three teens must ultimately defend Barracuda Bay High from an all-out zombie Armageddon.

January is NetGalley Month!


DETAILS:
The 'rules' are really simple:
1. Declare yourself!
Write up a post, share it on Facebook, Tweet, sky writing, carrier pigeons...Somehow, let the world know you're participating and link it up below.
2. Read NetGalley books in January!
And tell us about them in February :)



These are the main rules but if you want to know more about it just click HERE to go directly to the original post.

Sadly the last time I participate in this event I barely finished one book... I know... But this time I promised myself that I'm going to read as much books from NetGalley as I can! So yeah, I declare January to be NetGalley month, woohoo!!!

My first book is going to be:



And what about you? Are you going to declare yourself? ^^

Updates:
I finished with Legacy and my review is HERE.
I read also Spellbound and my review will be up soon.


The book I'm reading now is "The Demon Lover".


I have to read so much these days to catch up!!! OMG!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas!!! (a bit late... sorry!)

I know Christmas was yesterday but I was sooooo tired and sooooo heavy that my husband and I could barely get off of bed... Too much food, I think. But it was delicious! And it was the first time I made turkey!!!

Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful time full of love, happiness and amazing moments to treasure with your family and friends.

So here I have a little mouse to wish you a Merry Christmas!


And my husband, my doggie Coren and I also took a pic for all our friends! (Not the best quality but we tried xD)


Saturday, December 24, 2011

Book Review: Waltz This Way



Waltz This Way

by Dakota Cassidy
Series: Ex Trophy Wives #3
Release date: March 6th, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 352 (ARC provided for review in exchange of an honest review)

Summary from Goodreads:

Left without a partner...

When former ballroom champion Melina Cherkasov found out that her famous husband was cheating, she was devastated, especially since she was informed by a sleazy reporter on national TV. Thanks to an ironclad pre-nup and a scumbag ex, Melina has to pack up her dog and her dignity and take refuge in her dad’s retirement community in New Jersey.

...it’s time to take the lead.

To make ends meet, Melina puts her dancing shoes to use as an instructor at Westmeyer—a private school for boy geniuses. Teaching a bunch of hormonal teenagers the waltz is trying, but the school’s sexy handyman proves to be an ample distraction. Drew McPhee is perfect, except for one thing: he doesn’t like dancing. Thankfully, the finesse Drew lacks on the floor is more than made up for by his skills in the bedroom. And after one steamy night, the ballroom diva is the one getting swept off her feet…

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Guest post: Deciding to become a writer was a natural extension of falling in love

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Scorpio Rising eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.
What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including 2 Kindle Fires, Amazon gift cards up to $100 in amount, 5 autographed copies of the book, and 5 autographed copies of its recently released sequel, The Sting of The Scorpio. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 23rd, so you don’t miss out.

To win the Prizes:
1.- Purchase your copy of Scorpio Rising for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2.- Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3.- Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4.- BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

...And I can win too:
Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

Happy B-Day to Me!


I just wanted to thank all the people who said Hi or wished me a Happy Birthday, I have to say you all made my day! :D

I'm so so so grateful for the blogging community, I've got nothing but great moments and I've had the opportunity to meet amazing people.

I really wish I could do something big for you all but being almost Christmas I'm almost broke xD So sorry for that. But don't despair, in January I'll be hosting new giveaways that will rock your sockets! That I can promise.

So far my day has been great and I'm ready to crush my bed, pick up my iPad and read another great book but before that I really wanted to thank you all so...
From the bottom of my heart a HUGE hug and a THOUSAND kisses to all my followers and friends because without you I wouldn't be here :D

P.S: And no, this was not my cake... I wish! xD

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Book Review: Desired



Desired

by Nicola Cornick
Series: The Scandalous Women of the Ton #5
Release date: 15th November, 2011
Publisher: HQN Books
Pages: 384 (ARC by NetGalley)

Summary from Goodreads:

Her wicked ways were the talk of the ton...

Teresa, Dowager Marchioness of Darent, is rumored to have exhausted her four deceased husbands with her insatiable needs. So it’s no surprise that every rake in the ton wants to bed her. If they only knew…through clever marriages to men who would ask nothing of her physical self, Tessa has remained rather innocent in the ways of the bedroom. But now she’s on the verge of losing everything and wants to take care of the stepson she’s grown to adore.

Enter Captain Owen Purchase. The handsome American adventurer has come into the title of Viscount Rothbury. And the rumors surrounding his injuries at sea suggest that he could fit Tessa’s requirements. But little does Tessa realize that the gossipmongers are wrong. She just might lose her heart, and her desires, to the most unlikely of men…

Beware of the scandalous woman…

Friday, December 16, 2011

Feature & Follow Friday (21)

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme created by Parajunkee and co-hosted by Alison Can Read where bloggers hop around meeting and following other bloggers.


To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

  • (Required) Follow Parajunkee.com  & Alison Can Read (our hosts).
  • (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - Books are Vital &a Once Upon a Time.
  • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. 
  • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  • If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!



  • Q: When you’ve read a book, what do you do with it? (Keep it, give it away,
    donate it, sell it, swap it..?)
    I like to keep them to build my own library and since I'm re-building the old one I had (which I sadly lost) so far I think I'm doing good :D
    But I also like to share the love so when I have two copies of the same book I put it in a pile aside that goes to one of my best friends in Spain^^ And she does the same for me^^ It's a good thing we both read in Spanish and English (in fact she is half English!).

    Hugs to everybody and happy weekend!

    Wednesday, December 14, 2011

    Guest post: The Importance of Music and How it Inspired "In Leah's Wake"

    As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.
    What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including Amazon gift cards of up to $500 in amount and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 16th, so you don’t miss out.

    To win the Prizes:
    1.- Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
    2.- Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
    3.- Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
    4.- BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

    ...And I can win too:
    Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

    Book Review: The Juliet Spell



    The Juliet Spell

    by Douglas Rees
    Release date: 27st September, 2011
    Publisher: Harlequin Teen
    Pages: 338 (ARC by NetGalley)

    Summary from Goodreads:

    I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.
    I didn't get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren't any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I'd cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

    Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William's younger brother.

    Good thing he's sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he's from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

    Still, there's something about him that's making my eyes go star-crossed...

    Monday, December 12, 2011

    It's Monday! What are you reading?! (11)



    It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme that comes to us from Sheila at Book Journey. To participate, simply post what you finished reading in the past week and what you plan to read this week. It is a good way to find other books you may enjoy reading. After you write your post, head over to Sheila's blog to leave your post's link on the link entry form at the bottom of the What are you reading? post.



    What I finished reading:





    My review of The Conduit is here.
    My review of Everneath is here.
    My review of Mystic Embrace is here.
    My review of Farsighted is here.
    My review of Hunting Lila is here.



    What I'm reading now:


    Finally I decided to read this book, yay! It's been in my TBR for a while now (a long while...) but this weekend I took the decision to grab it and read it before the end of the year comes. Why? Because I've been dying to do so for months!
    So, I'll let you know what I think about it :D


    To read next:

    I received this one thanks to the author and not only the blurb sounds good but also the cover is pretty.


    This one is an old friend of mine and I really really want to re-read it again and write a review about it^^

    What about you, guys? What are you up to this week?

    Sunday, December 11, 2011

    Book Review: The Conduit



    The Conduit

    by Stacey Rourke
    Series: The Conduit #1
    Release date: 1st November, 2011
    Publisher: Outer Banks Publishing Group
    Pages: 154
    Next book: Unknown

    Summary from Goodreads:

    The Conduit is a mystical, YA fantasy tale involving an ancient Irish myth, four special humans with superhuman powers and an evil demon that can morph into any animal including a fire-breathing dragon.

    Not only is The Conduit of the caliber of the Twilight Series with a teenage love story, it has a sense of humor and characters that come to life on the pages. Here is what one reviewer said:

    “Stacey Rourke approaches the superhero story with a nice dose of humor. Her main character, Celeste, shows us from the beginning that the idea of being responsible for saving the world isn’t exactly top on her wish list. In the opening pages of The Conduit Rourke demonstrates Celeste’s reluctance and prepares the reader for a journey that promises to entertain.”

    Interview: Stacey Rourke, author of "The Conduit"

    As part of her blog tour I can honestly say I'm thrilled to introduce you all to Stacey Rourke and my interview with her in which I had a great time reading her answers ;)
    Please, welcome Stacey Rourke!



    Interview with Stacey Rourke
     Author of: The Conduit

    Alaiel: First of all, thanks for the interview, Stacey, and welcome to Librarian Mouse! I can honestly say that I’m really happy for being able to participate in your blog tour.
    Stacey: Thanks so much for having me! It’s an honor to be here!

    Questions about yourself.-

    Alaiel: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
    Stacey: I’m an author, mother, and wife. I have a minor shoe addiction and a completely unjustifiable fear of garden gnomes. Oddly enough, I think that sums me up…

    Alaiel: What is your favorite book? Why?
    Stacey: I have to pick ONE?! I don’t think that’s even possible! It changes by the day! Moore, Clare, Evanovich, Harris, Patterson, etc, etc., How to choose?!

    Alaiel: Where is your favorite place to write?
    Stacey: On my bed with my laptop situated on top of my lap pad and a warm blanket thrown over my feet.

    Alaiel: When you are blocked what do you do?
    Stacey: (confused smirk) Eat more fiber?

    Alaiel: Is there some kind of ritual that you need to do to write? Like listening a special playlist or have your favorite drink with you.
    Stacey: My iPod cued up to mood setting music and my soft burgundy velvet pillow to nestle into.

    Friday, December 9, 2011

    Book Review: Everneath



    Everneath

    by Brodi Ashton
    Series: Everneath #1
    Release date: 24th January, 2012
    Publisher: Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray
    Pages: 370 (ARC thanks to NetGalley)
    Next Book: Unknown

    Summary 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...

    Book Review: Mystic Embrace



    Mystic Embrace

    by Charlotte Blackwell
    Series: Embrace #3
    Release date: 1st November, 2011
    Publisher: World Castle Publishing
    Pages: 132 (ebook given by the author in exchange for an honest review)
    Next Book: Unknown

    Summary from Goodreads:

    Ebony Triggs and her sister have accepted their birthright to be the magnificent ones, protectors of the innocent. They have been working on improving their magickal powers with the help of close friends the Pierce family. Ebony and Eliza have been working hard, with one common goal in mind, destroying the demon that killed their parents sixteen years ago. Will they ever find him and succeed at destroying him or will fighting evil become a daily occurrence for the sisters?

    Entering her senior year of high school, Ebony already has more than most teens on her plate, but when things continue to change in her life she must rely on her immortal friends, the Pierce’s to help get her through. Ebony and her boyfriend Matt like most teens are looking at the future and what will happen after life in high school. But when plans change will they be faced with even bigger issues?

    Ebony soon realizes that the Pierce’s and her close friends will need her as much as she needs them. She thought learning of her mystical powers was the greatest test of her life, but it was only just the beginning.

    Tuesday, December 6, 2011

    Book Review: Hunting Lila



    Hunting Lila

    by Sarah Alderson
    Series: Lila #1
    Release date: 4th August, 2011
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
    Pages: 320 (Paperback bought by me)
    Next Book: Losing Lila (2012)

    Summary from Goodreads:

    17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. Or thereabouts. After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realizes that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them...

    Guest post: "How a NASA scientist's theory inspired a paranormal thriller"

    As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of The Gaia Wars eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle Fire, Amazon gift cards up to $100 in amount, 5 autographed copies of the book, and 5 autographed copies of its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 9th, so you don’t miss out.

    To win the Prizes:
    1.- Purchase your copy of The Gaia Wars for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
    2.- Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
    3.- Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
    4.- BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

    ...And I can win too:
    Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

    Sunday, December 4, 2011

    Book Review: Farsighted



    Farisghted

    by Emlyn Chand
    Series: Farsighted Series #1
    Release date: 24th November, 2011
    Publisher: Blue Crown Press
    Pages: 218 (Epub provided for blog tour in exchange for an honest review)
    Next Book: Unknown

    Summary from Goodreads:

    Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

    Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

    Friday, December 2, 2011

    Random Acts of Kindness - December: My Birthday Month!!!


    Rules:
    - Sign up each month that you'd like to participate.
    - Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button :)
    - Create a wishlist and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
    - If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
    - Please, once you receive a RAK, email or tweet me {Vanessa} so that I can update the Google doc.
    - SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!: Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)
    - OPEN TO EVERYONE! Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts. Remember, there's always The Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!



    Well, it's my birthday month and I'm feeling really happy so besides the giveaways I'm doing right now I will choose two persons participating in RAK this month and give each one of them a book :)
    Besides, Christmas is so close, right?! We need to share the LOVE!!! WOOHOO!!!


    Sorry, I'm really really happy and excited. Obvious, I know xD


    Anywho, my wishlist is HERE. Feel free to take a look and give me something, hahaha. I'm always happy to receive hugs ;)


    Love you all!!!

    Guest post: "Nine Myths and a Truth"

    As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Stay Tuned eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.
    What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 2nd, so you don’t miss out.

    1. Purchase your copy of Stay Tuned for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (You’ll need it for the big contest on Friday)
    2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
    3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!

    Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

    Feature & Follow Friday (20)

    Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme created by Parajunkee and co-hosted by Alison Can Read where bloggers hop around meeting and following other bloggers.


    To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

  • (Required) Follow Parajunkee.com  & Alison Can Read (our hosts).
  • (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - Lauren Get's Literal &a FicBookReviews.
  • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. 
  • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  • If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!



  • Q: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don’t like love 
    triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!

    Very good question... Hum... I would say that I hate when authors can't be original. And don't get me wrong, I understand that some books (like Twilight) have so much succes that other people use it to get their books out there. And that's fine. But please, please, try to make it original, there's no need to practically copy a whole book and change a few words, a few names and the author's name.

    So yeah, that's my answer xD

    And, today starts the Book Lover's Giveaway Hop, make sure to participate to win $15 to buy books from TBD (International!).
    And, if you could participate in my Emotional Experiment game it would mean the world to me, it's really important.
    Hugs to everybody and happy weekend!

    Book Lover's Giveaway Hop


    Once again here I am participating in one of the giveaways organized by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Kid Lit Frenzy. Thanks to both of you for your hard work :D

    Now, let's see what I have in mind... Let's keep it simple, what do you say? Because there's a lot of blogs participating and only 4 days to enter all the giveaways none of my options are going to be mandatory, the more you do the more chances yo get to win, simple^^

    You will need to feel the Rafflecopter form and... that's it. The prize? One lucky winner will get $15 to buy a book (or two, depending on the prizes) from The Book Depository. So, as always, it's international :D

    Please, keep reading so you can see the Rafflecopter form and good luck!!! (due to errors in the form I can't put it here so just click on "Read more".)

    Thursday, December 1, 2011

    Book Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone



    Daughter of Smoke and Bone

    by Laini Taylor
    Series: Daughter of Smoke anad Bone #1
    Release date: 29th September, 2011
    Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
    Pages: 418 (Hardcover bought by me)
    Next Book: Unknown (2012)

    Summary from Goodreads:

    Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

    In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

    And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

    Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

    When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

    Tuesday, November 29, 2011

    Book Review: Untraceable



    Untraceable

    by S.R.Johannes
    Series: The Nature of Grace #1
    Release date: 29th November, 2011
    Publisher: Coleman & Stott
    Pages: 315(received from the author in exchange of an honest review)
    Next Book: Unknown

    Summary from Goodreads:

    16 year old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

    When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

    One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

    Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

    Winner of the Lovable Labels Giveaway!



    Another winner for another great giveaway, this one thanks to Lovable Labels so kindly offered a "Gift Seals and Address Label Pack" for one lucky reader of my blog :D

    With the Christmas so close this pack will be really helpful and, I have to say, very cute and classy.

    So, without further ado the winner is...


    I just sent an e-mail to Denise and she needs to answer before 48 hours or another winner will be choose.

    Thanks to everybody :D

    Winner of the Gratitude Giveaways Hop



    Sorry for not announcing it yesterday but here I am today to announce the winner:




    I just sent an e-mail to Jane and she has 2 days to answer or I'll have to choose another winner.

    For those who didn't win: stay tunned, there's another giveaway coming really soon :D (like, in 10 days or so, hehe).

    Hugs!

    Monday, November 28, 2011

    Book Review: Code of Darkness + Giveaway!



    Code of Darkness

    by Chris Lindberg
    Release date: 7th September, 2011
    Publisher: Lulu
    Pages: 316 (Ebook received for blog tour)

    Summary from Goodreads:

    During a deadly hostage standoff, Chicago police officer Larry Parker witnesses a heroic act by a mysterious intervener. But when the Samaritan disappears, Larry is left only with unanswered questions. Suddenly vigilante activity begins popping up all over the city. Larry finds evidence pointing to the Samaritan, and discovers his identity – a loner known only by the name Rage. But Rage has also drawn the attention of a covert Black Ops division within the Pentagon itself. Seen as a liability to their secret operation, Larry finds himself in the crosshairs as well, and must find answers while on the run. The deadly chase leads cross-country to a top-secret military facility in Virginia, where Rage and Larry uncover the greatest danger of all -- and only they can stop the unthinkable from happening.

    Friday, November 25, 2011

    Feature & Follow Friday (19)

    Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme created by Parajunkee and co-hosted by Alison Can Read where bloggers hop around meeting and following other bloggers.


    To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

  • (Required) Follow Parajunkee.com  & Alison Can Read (our hosts).
  • (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - The Book Addict & Books and Beyond.
  • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. 
  • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  • If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!




  • Q: It’s Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. so we want to know what you are Thankful for – blogging related of course! Who has helped you out along the way? What books are you thankful for reading?

    Where to start? Well, first of all I would like to thank my blogger friends because the more I talked to them and read their posts the more I wanted to do the same and be part of this world.

    To my husband for his patience teaching me to use HTML, for the hours I spent building my blog and the hours he spent correcting things. For enjoying every single post with me, for reading every comment you leave and for being there everyday with me, watching me type and watching me read all night.

    To all the authors who, without knowing me, trusted in me and my blog to promote their books. For all the e-mails I exchanged with them, for their comments in my reviews or the RTs in Twitter.
    To NetGalley who has provided me with a lot of ebooks to read these past months :D

    And, most importantly, to my readers for being there. You have no idea how happy you make me with your comments, with your opinions in the ocasional discussion I post, with your feedback in every post. To know that you really read what I write and comment back it's just amazing. When I began this journey my reviews weren't that good, I needed to learn a lot and still need to improve my skills but I'm getting better at it and you are there, doing this journey with me. If I could I would give everyone of you a bear hug and a thank you with all my heart.

    That's it, I don't want to write more because I'm sure you are all very busy.

    As always, remember to enter in my giveaways (there's three right now), you can find them at the top of the side-bar. Good luck! :D

    And, it would mean the world to me if you could check the "Emotional Experiment" game - press the name to play-.


    My post about it it's HERE and, seriously, it's really good and it has something to do with a meme I'm creating that will see the light next week.
    Spread the word about it too if you can, it's really really important to me.
    Thanks :)

    Thursday, November 24, 2011

    Interview: Kiera Cass, author of The Selection



    Interview with Kiera Cass
     Author of: The Selection

    Alaiel: First of all, thank you for accepting the interview, Kiera. I know you must be busy.

    Questions about yourself.-

    Alaiel: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
    Kiera: Hi, I’m Kiera. I’m 30 years old, married to a spectacular nerd, and have the most entertaining toddler on the planet. I write books, hang out on Twitter, and make videos on youtube. Also, I like cake.

    Alaiel: What is your favorite book? Why?
    Kiera: It might be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s just plain old beautiful.

    Alaiel: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
    Kiera: I didn’t! I kind of stumbled into it. Writing just happened to be something I needed at one point in my life, and I decided that it might be fun to share my stories. And… here we are!

    Alaiel: Where is your favorite place to write?
    Kiera: I don’t really have one right now! I sort of have to work wherever, and so long as my son isn’t around to bang on the keyboard, I’ll take it!

    Alaiel: Is there some kind of ritual that you need to do to write? Like listening a special playlist or have your favorite drink with you.
    Kiera: I do have playlists that I use when I’m writing in public, just to help block things out. I can’t really share any of the songs right now, but I will once The Selection is out!

    Product Review: Lovable Labels


    It's going to be the first time that I have the pleasure of reviewing a product, specially since right now I'm not living in the US but Lovable Labels contacted me and I just couldn't say no.
    Why? Because after checking their website, the products they have and what they were offering me to review I could only think: "OMG! Thank you, thank you! The product is great and the timing is just perfect". And believe me, the timing is perfect ;)

    So, here I am, presenting you what I gor from them and what, one lucky winner, can get too:

    This is the pack I chose

    These are the ones YOU can choose from

    I chose the second one, the one with the render and the golden background, isn't it pretty? I know my friends will smile when they receive their Christmas cards :D

    The "Gift Seals and Address Label Pack" comes with:
    - 60 Gift Seals (with the greetings of your choice).
    - 90 Address Labels.

    Now that Christmas is coming this is the time when, everyone of us needs to send cards and presents to our beloved ones and what an original and cute way to do it by using this labels and seals?! I mean, just look at them: The colors match the Christmas spirit in a wonderful way, you can be cute, posh, sweet and tender at the same time.

    And I can assure you, Lovable Labels take care of every detail. The package I received came perfectly safe inside a cute file with the product perfectly sealed and a summary of all the others things we can get with them like:
    - Shoe Labels
    - Contact Cards
    - Mine-Metal Tags
    - File Labels
    - Zipit! Tags
    And many many others...

    Giveaway:
    And here is how you can win this great package: Fill the Rafflecopter form and good luck!

    (This giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only)



    **DISCLOSURE** The product(s) in this review was provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

    Wednesday, November 23, 2011

    Words Experiment... New Game!

    Ok everyone, here I am to introduce you to a brand new world...
    ...
    Vale, vale, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit but keep reading and you will know why.
    Most of you, being followers and some of you good friends, know already that I read a lot, just like you. And books have words, and words have a meaning, right?

    Depending on the words we read and the overall composition the writer make us feel something. Which is why we love - or hate - their books.

    I'm preparing something new, hopefully a meme that you will like a LOT that is related with this game but for now I'm only giving you a teaser. You all will be the first ones participating... more less xD Well, someone had to use it and test it, right? ;)


    Compite with friends and share the love, please. It would mean the world to me.

    The game comes with instructions but just in case:
    1.- There's a word in the middle of the box, think about that word and give it 0-4 points in each emotion you think relates. It's very important that you really think about it ;)
    2.- Press the Submit Feeling button. If you don't understand, know or feel anything then press Skip Word.
    3.- When you get tired of playing submit your score, write your name and see other's people score.
    4.- Keep coming back, you never know how many new words you can discover in one day (and I'm serious, there are words I've never heard about!).

    And here you have the link: Emotional Experiment

    Have fun and enjoy! Next week the meme will be ready, yay! :D

    Book Review: Shatter Me



    Shatter Me

    by Tahereh Mafi
    Series: Shatter Me #1
    Release date: 15th November, 2011
    Publisher: HarperCollins
    Pages: 346 (Hardcover bought by me)
    Next Book: Unknown

    Summary from Goodreads:

    Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

    The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

    The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

    Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

    In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

    Waiting on Wednesday (9)


    - "Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted in Breaking the Spine. This meme spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
    - If you want to participate add your "Waiting On Wednesday" to the linky list in her post!



    This week my WoW is featuring one book that I discovered a couple of weeks ago. If you haven't heard of it just look at the cover, read the summary and tell me what you think of it:


    Name: The Selection
    Author: Kiera Cass
    Release Date: 24th April, 2012

    Official blurb:
    For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

    But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

    Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

    And now, the AWESOME news? Kiera Cass agreed to do an interview here, woohoo!!! Can you tell I'm really excited about it? Because I am :D

    So, interview? I'll post it first thing tomorrow morning. Let's show her our support for her new book. How? Comment, share, scream it out loud, tell strangers about the interview, I don't know, be creative ;)

    Oh, giveaways! I'll have two right now so don't forget to participate. They are on top of the side-bar.

    Hugs!

    Tuesday, November 22, 2011

    Book Review: Abandon



    Abandon

    by Meg Cabot
    Series: Abandon Trilogy #1
    Release date: 26th April, 2011
    Publisher: Point
    Pages: 304(Hardcover bought by me)
    Next Book: Underworld (Abandon Trilogy #2)

    Summary from Goodreads:

    Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

    But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

    Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

    But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

    Monday, November 21, 2011

    Book Review: Click, an Online Love Story



    Click: An Online Love Story

    by Lisa Becker
    Release date: 29th March, 2011
    Publisher: CreateSpace
    Pages: 284 (Ebook given by the author in exchange of an honest review)

    Summary from Goodreads:

    Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical “B” celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.

    Sunday, November 20, 2011

    Book Review: Haunting Violet



    Haunting Violet

    by Alyxandra Harvey
    Release date: 21st June, 2011
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
    Pages: 338 (Paperback bought by me)

    Summary from Goodreads:

    Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

    Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?