Saturday, June 30, 2012

Stacking the Shelves {4}: Book Depot BOX SALE!

Stacking The Shelves started at Tynag's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Guidelines:

  • Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use my official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!
  • You can set your post any way you want, simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit
  • Tynga posts Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.
  • Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!
  • Visit other participants link to find out what they added to their shelves!
HAPPY CANADA DAY! Welcome to my fourth "Stacking the Shelves" & happy EARLY Canada day! This week I am showcasing all the lovely books I got yesterday at the "Book Depot: Box Sale of ... EPICNESS!" It was "slim pickings" as in there were MANY books in very poor condition and many of the same ones, BUT I think I got some great books and deals. So without further adieu - ENJOY!


"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
"Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White
"The Necormancer" by Michael Scott
"The Dragon Heir" by Cinda Williams Chima
"Fallen" by Lauren Kate
"Beautiful Creatures" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
"Beautiful Darkness" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
"The Summoning" by Kelley Armstrong
"The Awakening" by Kelley Armstrong
"The Reckoning" by Kelley Armstrong
"Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr
"Fragile Eternity" by Melissa Marr
"Ink Exchange" by Melissa Marr
"Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr
"Captivate" by Carrie Jones
"Entice" by Carrie Jones

"Wicked Nights" by Gena Showalter

Sunday, June 24, 2012

A BeWitching Blog Tour: "Rogue's Pawn" by Jeffe Kennedy

"This is no fairy tale…"

"Haunted by nightmares of a black dog, sick to death of my mind-numbing career and heart-numbing fiancĂ©, I impulsively walked out of my life—and fell into Faerie. Terrified, fascinated, I discover I possess a power I can’t control: my wishes come true. After an all-too-real attack by the animal from my dreams, I wake to find myself the captive of the seductive and ruthless fae lord Rogue. In return for my rescue, he demands an extravagant price—my firstborn child, which he intends to sire himself…"

"With no hope of escaping this world, I must learn to harness my magic and build a new life despite the perils—including my own inexplicable and debilitating desire for Rogue. I swear I will never submit to his demands, no matter what erotic torment he subjects me to…"

An enthralling, thrilling and seductive ride is the only way to describe what “Rogue’s Pawn” was for me! My first book by Jeffe Kennedy, and I am 100% trapped within her world. Rogue, Jennifer (Gwynn), Larch, Starling, every single character is detailed, unique and perfect for "Rogue's Pawn". I adored the absolute creativity and rareness this supernatural romance offers its readers; it definitely is not your average Fae story.

We are thrown right into Jennifer’s mind numbing boring world, with a fiancĂ©s she doesn’t love, and a career her heart just isn’t in. Her life seems to be at a dead end, until she finds herself thrown into a magical lush world of the unknown possibilities where every whim and desire of hers comes true, although she quickly learns that everything has a price. Stalked in reality in her nightmares by an ominous black dog, she cannot believe her eyes when that very same dog shows up in this magical place … only to make her worse fear come true – it attacks her. Beaten and bruised, barely able to talk Jennifer later finds herself bound in silver chains to a bed *enter stage left* the mysterious but delectable Rogue, her savior but also captor. From here a whirlwind of action, emotion, lust, and choices must be made if Jennifer or Gwynn (as these Fae call her) is ever going to survive, and come out on top!

“Rogue’s Pawn” had everything a supernatural romance should, a seductive main “man”, a lustful undenial attraction (although Gwynn does try hard to deny herself what Rogue's offering), and a roller coaster of action, tears, and love that sends you head first into this story! A couple things really made this story what it is, for me at least: there is a killer list of characters, a thrilling adventure, and a creativeness that is hard to come by in the majority of supernatural romances.

A Rogue, A Human & the Fae: I cannot gush more about a group of characters than the one's in "Rogue's Pawn!" each and everyone one of them no matter how malicious, how caring, or how "fairy like" they were I adored each and every one of them and all for different reasons! There was not a dull character in sight, I even loved the cat "Darling". The three that I really connected with the most was Jennifer (Gwynn), Starling, and Rogue. These three characters really caught my attention, Jenn was an opinionated smart, overly intelligent women who questioned everything, and drove Rogue up the peverbiale wall. She had her moments when she was more human than anyone else in Fae but held her own and accepted she was in fact a "Lady Sorceress" and did so with intent and grace. I really connected with this herione because of her stubborn intelligent personality - she was a strong women not falling for the first attractive Fae she had seen. Starling who turns out to be one of Gwynn's closest confidants and perhaps friend's in Faery also plays a dramtic roll in Gwynn and Rogue's relationship - kind of like a cheerleader for the both of them. Gwynn needed a "friend" and Starling reminded me of a girlfriend of sorts for Gwynn which she needed at times.

Rogue on the other hand was the perfect description of a "Lord". He was controlling, and went after what he wanted with a vengence like no other. He had an otherworldly attractiveness to him which made him that much more irrisistable. Tall build, with indigo sapphire eye's, luscious black hair, and an unsasitable sexual appetite for only Gwynn. He was a protective individual but also very sarcastic, and almost condescending when it came to answering Gwynn's questions, although done in an affectionate way. The reader can tell there is something off or mysterious about Rogue, and up until the last chapter I was unsure what it was. It was a well kept secret that confused me but I enoyed immensely!

Rollercoaster of Thrills: Action, adventure, love, war, hate, tears and change! This story does not disappoint in delivering one heck of a plot! The reason I was so enthralled with "Rogue's Pawn" was in fact the story was fast paced, never dull, and always throwing me for a loop! In 390 pages Kennedy was able to deliver war, hate, action, adventure, huge character development, and of course the beginning of a lustfilled, loving connection. The character development that occured with Gwynn was almost torterous to read at times - it just seemed so cruel in a way that she had to suffer so much do to one mistaken change ending up in this place, although that being said I don't think I would have enjoyed reading about her so much if she hadn't gone through all the pain and suffering - she came out a much stronger heroine.

A Recipe for Creative Perfection: The world Jeffe Kennedy creates is a perfect mix of magic, and reality! The descriptions of everything were spot on and so detailed I could imagine I was there myself. I could sit for hours on end reading about the "Land of the People" or "Faery" she has created - it is a world where anything is possible and everything is lush with detail - emerald green grass, clear blue sky's; and the creatures themselves are fantastical! Truly a supernatural buffet of originality!

Overall this book has won a favouriable 4 out of 5 stars! It literally had everything I was hoping for in a paranormal romance! Although I do enjoy a bit more romance and less action, nonetheless it is a rave worthy book! Amazing action and thrilling adventure mixed perfectly with seductive flirtatious romance, and heart breaking character development.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Stacking the Shelves {3}


Stacking The Shelves started at Tynag's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Guidelines:

  • Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use my official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!
  • You can set your post any way you want, simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit
  • Tynga posts Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.
  • Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!
  • Visit other participants link to find out what they added to their shelves!
Here's another great rendition of "Stacking the Shelves" via Vlog! I didn't get that many books this week, but the one's I did get or picked up I think are really fantastic and should definitely be checked out! ENJOY!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Stacking the Shelves {2}


Stacking The Shelves started at Tynag's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Guidelines:

  • Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use my official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!
  • You can set your post any way you want, simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit
  • Tynga posts Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.
  • Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!
  • Visit other participants link to find out what they added to their shelves!
This week I've decided to make you all a video to view! :) I hope you enjoy my little book buying spree I went on, and the video!

CORRECTION: "Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead comes out NEXT Tuesday (June 12)

For "Changeling" review visit: 
Wendy @ Cupcake & A Latte Reviews 


Also check out my review of "Obsidian" in the post below! :)

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Review: "Obsidian" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:
"Starting over sucks."
"When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up."
"And then he opened his mouth
."


For those of you who haven’t had the chance to pick up “Obsidian” by Jennifer L. Armentrout I suggest you stop whatever you are doing currently, grab your wallet and head to the nearest book store RIGHT NOW! “Obsidian” shocked the socks off of me; it was a fast paced, thrilling read that I wasn’t prepared for at all, and unfortunately when it ended I was sitting there thinking “no that just can’t be it … there has to be more! Why on earth would she end it with so much hanging!!” So many great things to discuss about this book that makes it spectacular and I think the characters (for me at least) are the best part about "Obsidian" - their chemistry is undeniable, although they try so hard to hate one another (I just ate it up!). The ending as well adds to the irresistibility of this book; you realize it’s coming to an end, you’re prepared for it but when and how it ends isn’t what you expected at all! Knowing there is more (so much more) to be learnt about all these characters and knowing the battle has just begun, it throws you for a loop and you cannot help yourself but to mentally record when “Onyx” will be out in stores (*cough* August 14, 2012 *cough*) so you’re the first to get it!

It was truly hard to think about what really drew me into this book, but I think you’ll all be pleasantly surprised (as I was) and ready to gobble “Obsidian” up instantly after you read about the characters, the ending and of course Daemon! (insert an eyebrow waggle or two ladies - he is delicious)

A Book About A Blogger: I think one of the main and most important things to make clear is that the main female protagonist (Katy) is infact one of us! She is a book blogger! It is mentioned that she participates in “In My Mailbox” postings, and “Waiting on Wednesdays” and also on a couple of occasions, gets just as excited over books in the mail or the library like we would. She is infact a character I think every book blogger will be able to relate too at some point throughout the book. Although that isn't the only thing you need to know about Katy; she is a strong, stubborn and independent young girl whose father was abruptly taken from her causing her mother and her to move halfway to nowhere. Now stuck in a small one road town she discovers that she is not the only one in dire need of friends, quickly befriending the beautiful yet mysterious girl next door Dee and grudgingly her over protective brother Daemon.

I love everything about this character, she is stubborn, she is smart, loves to read, and literally does outrageous things to annoy and pester Daemon to no end! Their chemistry is undeniable and they work so hard not to be attracted to one another, but you can’t help but smile when Katy comes back with a quick snarky remark, or Daemon becomes uncharacteristically nice to her. She is probably one of my favourite female protagonists, quickly accepting the fact she lives next doors to aliens and although most if not all humans would run screaming for the hills she accepts this and doesn't let it affect her friendship with Dee. Everything Katy learns in this book will (in my opinion) turn her into a better if not more sarcastic but stronger lead character in the books to come in the Lux series.

What An Ending: You would never expect a book obsessor like myself, to be gushing about an ending to a book like I am about too, but “Obsidian” had turned its reading experience for me at least upside down. I can’t really divulge what it was that really threw me at the end unless I spoil it for everyone but knowing the two characters Daemon and Katy you’ll no less expect what could happen. They both know they are attracted to one another, they both have had moments and yet cockyness and stubbornness both hold you to the very last word in Obsidian. Its not a happily ever after sort of ending, its funny, and perfect for these two and the entire series, leaving just enough to want to pull your hair out but just enough to say “that was perfect!”. I expect no less in “Onyx” either from the way everything was left in “Obsidian”, the ending left just enough to have a really great start in Chapter 1, with still the attitude, stubbornness, and unusual romances.

Daemon Black: Enough said. His name clearly enough to send fans of YA Hotties all over the world reeling into comas of how deliciously addictive he is. When first described to me by Brenna @ Esther’s Ever After, one of the main selling point was in fact Daemon. And boy he doesn’t disappoint! Introduced to us unexpectedly shirtless, and answering the door, poor Katy is taken by surprise and basically gawks at him. We get our first of many glimpses at the cocky, “too cool” attitude that Daemon possess and doesn’t mind reminding Katy of every chance he gets. At first I knew I would be attracted to this character, everything about him screams bad boy (we all know how I love a bad boy) but as we get further into the book nothing changed about his attitude. He wasn’t becoming nicer, or romantic or anything and I for sure thought that he would have from my vast experience with these types of characters; he remained forever an “ass”. That being said though I don’t think the story would have been as thrilling or addicting if he wasn’t, one of the main reasons I kept reading was to see how Daemon and Katy would interact next with one another. He had is sweet romantic moments which made me swoon that much more for him, but Armentrout really made us work for those rare occurrences. Also what made him dream worthy as well was his strong and protective relationship with his sister, and his loyalty to his family. Yes he is a drop dead gorgeous character physically, but his personality and characteristics is really what makes him that swoon worthy, delicious character we all will eventually love (after the sarcasm, cocky, and overall bad boy attitude has passed). Daemon and Katy turned out to be the most unlikely pair of people to end up with one another, but as protagonists their chemistry is immaculate (they’ll have to work on their romance though, he he!).

“Obsidian” has captured me with its characters, its storyline and even its ending! It isn’t missing one aspect nor should anything be added to it. Although a little slow at parts, everything else made it an easy, thrilling addicting read. Danger lurked on every page, and the antagonists were bad-ass! Literally darkness is what they were thriving in the night, and wanting nothing more than to kill the Luxen's for their light. I can't help but gush about the bad guys in this book - seriously a must read if you haven't already! Five out of five (5/5) stars to a spectacular first novel in an unforgettable series.