Feature and Follow Friday #5

Hosted by Alison can Read and Parajunkee

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow!

If you would like to join in the fun just visit one of the host's blog for the rules.

Q: Activity! Who is your to-die-for book crush? What do you think they look like? Add an image to make us all happy.


A: Well... I have a lot of fictional boyfriends but I must say that the one that will always top my list is Jericho Barrons from the from the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.  I love him!  Dark, secretive, pushy, arrogant... but can also be sweet and gentle.  Well... maybe Barrons can't 'do' gentle but that's okay.

“I was about to look away when he reached across the seat, touched my jaw with his long, strong, beautiful fingers, and caressed my face.  Being touched by Jericho Barrons with kindness makes you feel like you must be the most special person in the world. It’s like walking up to the biggest, most savage lion in the jungle, lying down, placing your head it its mouth and, rather than taking your life, it licks you and purrs.”

I imagine him to be tall dark and full of muscles, therefore Joe Maganiello would fit the bill perfectly.  Just add a bunch of tattoos and he could step into the role.

“See me when you look at me.”

So... what about you? What is your answer?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Swoon Thursday #3

Who doesn't love a good swoon?
The ladies over at YA Bound have created this hot and fun meme!
If you want to join in here's all you need to do.
From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling and your stomach fluttering?

Then pick a smaller portion of your swoon and tweet it, just don't forget to add the #YABOUND Hashtag to your tweet!


Well I was missing in action last week because of all the DIY I was working on but I am happy to say I have now managed to read a few books this week.  This isn't the last book I have finished but I wanted to share a great swoon from it.

This scene is from Half-Blood and is between Alex and Aiden, told from Alex's POV.

I pressed closer. Time seemed to slow down, allowing me a few moments of the simple pleasure of being in his arms, but then his fingers sifted through my hair, finding their way to my scalp, and from there, he guided my head back.  "You don't have anything to worry about, Alex. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

Those forbidden words wrapped around my heart, forever etching into my soul.  Our eyes met.  Silence stretched between us as we stared at each other.   His eyes shifted to fierce silver and his other arm slid to my waist, tightening.  His figers drifted from my hair and slowly traced the curve of my cheekbone.  My pulse thrummed through me as his intese stare followed his fingertips.  He moved them down my face then over my parted lips.  We shouldn't be doing this.   He was a pure-blood.  Everything could come to a crashing end for us if we were caught, but it didn't matter.  Right now, being with him seemed worth whatever consequence could come from it.  This was right, like it was meant to be. There was no logical explanation for it.

Then he leaned forward and rested his cheek against mine.  Hot tingles spread through me as his lips moved against my ear.   "You should tell me to stop."

I didn't say a word.

Now, I am sure you all know Jennifer Armentrout is a rock star when it comes to giving her fans extra/deleted scenes but also some of the same scenes but from a different POV.  Half-Blood is no different and below is the same scene but from Aiden's POV.  This is truly swoon-worthy!

And now I needed to gently push her away, but Alex pressed closer. Lightning jolted my body. And gods, everything changed in this instant. Intentions of comfort, no matter how true they were in the beginning were gone. Right out the window, along with my self-restraint and common sense. Alex felt right in my arms. I ran my hand through her silky hair, tilting her head back. Her eyes were so wide, mirroring a dangerous mixture of innocence and temptation. “You don’t have anything to worry about, Alex. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

The moments those words left my mouth, I knew I’d crossed some invisible line that I could never, ever go back from. They weren’t just words. They were an oath that I’d keep true to the end of my days. Our eyes locked. Her chest rose unsteadily against mine as she sucked in a breath I wanted to share. An unfamiliar thing happened. My heart stuttered and then skipped a beat. The room seemed to shift, and I pulled her closer, because she wasn’t close enough. Could never be close enough. My hand drifted from her hair, across the curve of her cheekbone. Gods, she was so beautiful. Pure temptation. My thumb smoothed over her lower lip, and I felt her answering shudder under my skin.

Too caught up, I leaned in, pressing my cheek against hers. “You should tell me to stop.”

Alex said nothing.

I absolutely love having a wonderful moment like this retold from the other person's POV.  And if you want more from this scene as told by Aiden then you can find it here HERE.  If you haven't read it then I strongly suggest you do, it's amazing!

What is your swoon worthy moment this week?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Waiting on Wednesday #4

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is a perfect way to highlight books that we are waiting patiently to be released... it is also a sure-fire way to watch your TBR pile grow!

If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?

The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.

Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.

Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final instalment of the best-selling Infernal Devices trilogy.

Expected Publication: March 19 2013
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads

Why am I so eagerly awaiting this release you ask?

Okay, okay... I know what you are thinking.  Most of us are waiting on this book so using up a precious WoW post seems a bit redundant.  But hear me out...

See, I am so excited for the release of Clockwork Princess and I have yet to read any of the Infernal Devices series! *gasp* I know!  But here is the thing.  When I read the Mortal Instrument books I was hooked from the start and I knew I would love this spin-off series.  However... those of you who have read any book by Clare will know she is a huge fan of the dreaded cliffhanger.  And they are normally HUGE cliffhangers so I was thankful that at that time five of the six books from the MI series were already out.  This meant I didn't have to wait to start the next one.

So when I finished City of Lost Souls I contemplated starting Clockwork Angel right away but then I saw that book three wouldn't be released until March of next year.  I then did the impossible, I showed restraint.  This is very rare, trust me!  Even though I have been tempted many times and almost caved several times I am determined to read Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince just before this release so that I can read them all together.

In a way I am quite proud that I have been able to hold back.  And from what I have heard from others I will not be disappointed when I do get to read them.

What is your Waiting on Wednesday?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know!

Review: Half-Blood

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi—pure-bloods—have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals—well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.

Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:

Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.

Unfortunately, she’s crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn’t her biggest problem—staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery.

Title: Half-Blood (Covenant ~ Book 1)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: September 19 2011 
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press 
Length: 304 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Stunning! Love the colors and it looks as though it would glow.
Point of View: 1st person, following Alexandria (call her Alex)

My Rating: 5 Stars

Jennifer Armentrout has to be one of the most talented authors out there right now.  Her Lux Series is one of my all time favorites and it appears the Covenant series is going to be a right up there with it.

I should start off by pointing out that there is a prequel to this series called Daimon.


I did in fact read this first but before I wrote my review I started Half-Blood and then when I was finished with Half-Blood I didn't feel there was enough in Daimon to do a review on it's own.  Don't get me wrong it was good and if you have the time I would suggest that you read it.  But after reading Half-Blood I can easily say I don't think there is anything in Daimon that is not explained again in book 1.  Daimon is the story of how Alex and her mother are attacked by Daimons and how Alex is attempting to make her way to the safety of the Covenant.  So if you would like the full story of the attack then I say read Daimon, if you are happy to be caught up in Half-Blood then you will not really miss anything important.

Now on to Half-Blood, first let us talk about the world building, it is amazing!  I have always had a love of Greek Mythology and the way Armentrout has blended it into our current world, it really was a joy to read.  In this world there are the Pure's, both of their parents are of pure blood.  Then there are the Half-Bloods, one parent is a pure and the other is a mortal.  As a half-blood there are very few options to you as an adult.  You can be taken into the Covenant to train to either be a guard or the best of the best will become a sentinel.  A sentinel's job is to be out on the streets in search of daimons.  The other option for a half-blood is to be thrown into a life of servitude.  They are forced to work as servants to a pure family for the rest of their lives, who would want that?!  A daimon (DEE-mun) was once a Pure.  Every pure and half has aether (EE-ther) in their blood.  When a pure tastes the blood and drinks the aether they are instantly hooked.  There is no way to beat this addiction, they are well and truly addicts from that moment forward.  How do they get more?  Kill more pures and half-bloods.

Alex (a half-blood) has always always wanted to be a sentinel, those out there searching for and killing daimons.  She had a lot of praise while at the Covenant but three years ago she was yanked out of school by her mother and they have been on the run since.  When she and her mother are attacked Alex finds herself on her own and back in the Covenant training again to try to be what she has always wanted to be.  

Her trainer is Aiden, Alex has had a crush on Aiden for years.  Aiden is a pure but also a sentinel.  There are not many pures who choose that life.  Most just travel around the world and live off the money of their ancestors having their servants wait on them.  Aiden has very personal reasons for wanting to hunt and kill daimons.  

Of course this is where the love story comes into play, we know Alex has a crush on Aiden and slowly you can see he has feelings for her also.  Oh... but did I fail to mention that it is strictly against the law for pures and half-bloods to couple?  Therein lies the problem.

There is a ton of action in this book! I found it very hard to put down and in fact read it in one day.  This really isn't the same old kind of paranormal/young-adult book.  There are some heavier moments and also a lot of beautiful moments.  I do love Alex!  She is smart, sassy, cocky but of course isn't without her 'OMG what are you thinking' moments.  Aiden is strong, protective and kind... in short I love him to bits!  Even though I wouldn't class this as having a true love triangle I can see where this may be a possible storyline later in the series.  I don't want to give too much away with the major plot twists but shall we say there is one love interest that is forbidden and another which has been predestined by the Gods.  I believe there will always be the one true love for Alex and that is Aiden, however I can see where it will get even more complicated for them in the future.

All in all I strongly suggest this series!  I am very excited to get started on book 2 which is Pure.

“Everything could come to a crashing end for us if we were caught, but it didn’t matter. Right now, being with him seemed worth whatever consequence could come from it. This was right, like it was meant to be. There was no logical explanation for it.”

MORE QUOTES FROM HALF-BLOOD

Book Blogger Spotlight: The Relentless Reader

The Relentless Reader


When and why did you become a book blogger?

I just started blogging this summer so I'm a definite newbie! I had to become a book blogger, I'd run out of people in my day to day life to talk books with.  I'm on a first name basis with my local librarians and I think that even they were tired of talking about books with me!  My sister is the one who finally said, can't you find somewhere to talk about books with people that actually like books?  So, here I am.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

I asked everyone I know for suggestions.  I asked all of my Facebook friends for help.  I thought about my reading/book habits and The Relentless Reader just fit me very well.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

My absolute favorite thing is the sense of community.  Like I said, I'm very new to the blogging world but I've been welcomed with open arms.

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

Finding a rhythm has been a bit difficult for me.  I'm still finding my voice!

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

The one I consistently take part in is the It's Monday! What are you Reading? meme from Sheila at Book Journey.  I've been known to jump in the Library Loot meme as well. I love that one because I'm a library advocate from way back.  I wish more people participated in that one!

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week just wrapped up.  That was so much fun!  I found a lot more blogs to follow and heard about a lot more books.  That was a week full of favorite moments. Oh my poor tbr pile! ;)

Also, I've started a semi-regular feature on my blog about the books that I fell in love with before I was a blogger.  Those posts are fun to put together.

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

My favorites are literary fiction, the classics, historical fiction and just about any type of non-fiction.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

I once read a quote that said asking a reader to pick her favorite book was like asking a mother to pick her favorite child ;)  My favorite reads change from year to year.  I have to mention The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett though, that one knocked my socks off and will probably always be at the top of my list.  It is chock full of fantastic characters and the story sweeps you along.  It's an amazing tale.

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Hands down, Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.  I want to marry him!

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

I recently re-read Gone With the Wind so Scarlet O'Hara popped into my mind.  She's an awful, selfish brat of a woman.  I love reading about her, it's almost a love to hate her kind of thing.

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Dickens is the funniest/wisest author I've ever read. Austen books always take me to a time of beauty.  Follett writes the best epic stories and I always learn from his works.

If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?

I get nervous when a movie is made out of a book that I like! But I would love to see The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern made into a movie.  I just did a bit of googling and guess what?  It IS being made into a movie, ha!  I don't think the cast has been picked/revealed yet though.  I hope the filmmakers do it justice!

What are you reading right now?

Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

Paper books or ebooks?

So far I've resisted the lure of the e-reader.  I view myself as an old fashioned girl at times.  But I think I'm going to crack soon and order the new Kindle that was released in October.

Which would be your favorite place to read? Curled up on a cold day in front of a fireplace, in front of a window on a lovely overcast rainy day or outside on a hammock on a warm summer’s day?

Oh, definitely in front of a fireplace on a cold day.  I'm a Wisconsin girl, it's a good thing I don't mind the cold weather!  And there is nothing better than being snuggled up with a good book.

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Milk chocolate... mmmmm!

Coffee or hot tea?

Coffee please, and lots of it!

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog: http://therelentlessreader.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheRelentlessReader
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenHartling

Feature and Follow Friday #4

Hosted by Alison can Read and Parajunkee

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow!

If you would like to join in the fun just visit one of the host's blog for the rules.

Q: What blog are you thankful for?


A: There are SO many bloggers that I follow religiously and love but my pick this week is Joie de Lire!  Not only does Joie have a terrific taste in books (as in if she reads it and loves it then it will usually end up on my TBR list) but she is also one of the sweetest people.  Perfect example of how sweet she can be, check out her post titled 'Why I Love YA'.

She was also my first Book Blogger Spotlight and that alone will hold a special place in my heart.

Oh and another special bond we share, Kami and Jared!  It is pretty obvious that if Sarah Rees Brennan doesn't have these two get together at the end of The Lynburn Legacy series...  Well let's just say I know she and I will be tracking down Brennan together to convince her to write a new ending.

So in other words... Joie rocks and I would strongly suggest you go check out her blog and follow, follow, follow!

So... what about you? What is your answer?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Swoon Thursday #2

Who doesn't love a good swoon?
The ladies over at YA Bound have created this hot and fun meme!
If you want to join in here's all you need to do.
From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling and your stomach fluttering?

Then pick a smaller portion of your swoon and tweet it, just don't forget to add the #YABOUND Hashtag to your tweet!


Sadly I have been a bit MIA lately.  It has been one week and one day since I read anything and I think I am slowly going insane... how do people live without books in their lives?  I'm amazed at how much I have missed my Kindle, honestly!

So why the self imposed ban on reading you may ask?  DIY.  Yuck!  My husband and I have been in our house a year now and we never finished decorating the hall, stairs and landing.  The stairs were a dark mahogany and I hated them. They have now been sanded, primed and glossed white.  The walls have been painted brown and new carpet is scheduled to be fitted today! Yes I know... fitted on Thanksgiving but I am in England so it is business as usual for them.  I am American and my husband and I do take the week off and I still celebrate it with a big meal but it was the only day they could come and fit the carpet so I had to agree.  We will still be able to eat after they are gone and with new carpet it will just give me one more thing to be thankful for.  I have been documenting my torture progress over the last week so if you are interested in seeing what I have done so far please feel free to take a look.  This is a link to my Facebook album and it says it is shareable so hopefully it works.

I HATE DIY

Anyway... back to my Swoon!  Since On Dublin Street is still the last book I have read my choice will be from it again.  But that is okay because I loved this book SO much I could share swoon after swoon with you.  This is Jocelyn describing Braden...

Enjoy!

The Suit wasn't classically handsome, but there was a twinkle in his eye and curl to the corner of his sensual mouth that, together with the rest of the package, oozed sex appeal.  Perhaps in his late twenties or early thirties, I could tell from the lines of the extremely well-tailored, expensive silver-grey suit that he wore, that the Suit worked out.  He sat with the ease of a fit guy, his stomach iron flat under the waistcoat and white shirt.  His pale blue eyes seemed bemused beneath their long lashes, and for the life of me I couldn't get over the fact that he had dark hair.

I preferred blondes. Always had.  Yet none of them had ever made my lower belly squeeze with lust at first sight of them. A strong masculine face stared into mine--sharp jaw-line, a cleft chin, wide cheekbones, and a roman nose.  Dark stubble shadowed his cheeks, and his hair was kind of messy.  Altogether, his rugged unkemptness seemed at odds with the stylish designer suit.

What is your swoon worthy moment this week?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Waiting on Wednesday #3

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is a perfect way to highlight books that we are waiting patiently to be released... it is also a sure-fire way to watch your TBR pile grow!

16-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare. Literally. Dusty is a magical being who feeds on human dreams.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder. The setting is Arkwell.

And then it comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

Expected Publication: March 5 2013
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads

Why am I so eagerly awaiting this release you ask?

First let us discuss the cover, how cute is that?  Now onto the blurb... it sounds like it is going to be so much fun!  I can tell there is going to be plenty of swoon and plenty of action.  Dusty sounds like a strong female character, which I love.  And a boarding school for magickind?!  I can only imagine the great secondary characters that we are going to get to meet.

What is your Waiting on Wednesday?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Book Trailer: Opal

I can not be the only person that is counting down to December 11th?!

Opal is at the top of my 'I can NOT wait books' of 2013.
It seems like far too long ago Onyx was released and that ending... UGH!!!

Fortunately we only have a little while to wait for the the release and now we have the trailer to get us even more excited.  So here it is.

ENJOY!

Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

Book Blogger Spotlight: The Y.A. Bookworm

The Y.A. Bookworm


When and why did you become a book blogger?

I started my blog on January 4, 2012 basically so I could have a platform to share my thoughts on the books I read.  All of my friends are big readers but have never been into the same books that I'm into (which, as a crazy bookworm fangirl, can be extremely frustrating :P)  So one day I came across a "little" blog called Stuck in Books, and was immediately inspired to start a blog of my own!

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Honestly, I didn't put much thought into the name The Y.A. Bookworm Blogger.  At the time I really didn't think I'd actually stick with blogging - I hoped I would continue, but I expected myself to quit after a few weeks.  Now, I wish I would have been more creative with the name, but every time I think about changing it, I cringe.  I guess I just can't imagine my blog being called anything else...I've become attached :)

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

My favourite thing about blogging would probably be all the great bloggers I've been able to meet and talk to!  It's through them that I've gotten the opportunity to read books that I never would read before!

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

The hardest part about blogging is definitely committing to sitting infront of my computer and writing a review.  It takes me about an hour to write, edit, and format a review so I tend to procrastinate.  Luckily, once I start writing it's no longer difficult- it's just the whole "starting" part that's hard :P

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

I participate in three weekly features- Memory Lane Monday, Swoon Thursday and Feature and Follow Friday.  I'm a little bit biased when it comes to my favourite because Memory Lane Monday is a meme I created, but I really enjoy participating in Swoon Thursday!  It's always entertaining reading people's reactions to a good swoon because I try to be a little evil with the swoons I post- what can I say, I love a good tease!

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

Hmm, this is a tough question... I think my favourite moment since I became a book blogger was getting my first review request from Janine Caldwell.  I was so honored that an author actually wanted me to review their book- I honestly didn't believe it at first and I ended up re-reading the e-mail a thousand times before I fully understood.... After the shock phase, lots of squealing and jumping happened =)  You can find my review for Janine's book, Reached, here!

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

I'm almost always reading a YA novel, but within that genre I absolutely love reading anything with romance.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

At the moment, my favourite individual book is a tie between Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry and Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols!  Both of these books are fantastic love stories that deal with many teen issues.  They made me laugh, cry, smile, and most importantly, swoon ;)

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

I'm a huge fan of any fictional male that is able to make me swoon- so this is a difficult question to answer. But if I had to choose, I guess I would go with Jace from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. He was my first fictional "crush" so he gets my number one spot (I'm a sucker for the sarcastic ones :P)!

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

My favourite fictional female character would have to be Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.  Rose is probably the most bad-ass heroine I have ever read about- she's strong (mentally and physically), loyal, loving and funny all at the same time!

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

*Shudders* I don't know how I'm going to narrow it down to only three but here it goes: Cassandra Clare, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Richelle Mead.  There are so many more authors I could add to that list, but I picked these three because these authors have managed to create stories that have completely blown me away!  Everything (and I do mean everything) these females write is pure bookworm gold!


What are you reading right now?

Fathom by Merrie Destefano

Paper books or ebooks?

I prefer paper books but I regularly read both formats....ebooks just want to be loved!

Which would be your favorite place to read? Curled up on a cold day in front of a fireplace, in front of a window on a lovely overcast rainy day or outside on a hammock on a warm summer’s day?

Definitely curled up on a cold day in front of a fireplace- preferably with a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks beside me :)

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Milk chocolate all the way!

Coffee or hot tea?

Coffee, coffee, coffee- whenever I drink tea, I always feel like I'm drinking grass flavored water.

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

I'd love to hear from all my fellow bookworms out there!

Blog: http://theyabookworm.blogspot.ca/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheYaBookworm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheYABookworm
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/TheYABookworm
Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/theyabookworm

Thank-you so much for having me Christine =)

Review: On Dublin Street

Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare…

Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.

Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached.

But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won’t be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to the very soul.

Title: On Dublin Street
Author: Samantha Young
Publication Date: October 25 2012
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1478329459
Length: 414 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Hot!
Point of View: 1st person, following Jocelyn

My Rating: 5 Stars

Have you ever gone into a book pretty sure you will enjoy it because of the blurb and from what you have seen from other reviews but then when you read it you are actually shocked at how much you absolutely loved it?  Well that is what happened to me with On Dublin Street.  I really needed this book!  I have been reading a lot of young adult novels lately and while I love them sometimes you just need an excellent, well written contemporary adult novel.  And WOW this book fit the bill perfectly.  The chemistry and romance between Jocelyn and Braden was on fire.  The characters were believable and more importantly they were lovable.  And I am not just referring to the two main characters, the side ones are just as lovable. 

Honestly I found it so hard to put this book down once I started.  As always there has to be a way for the characters to meet and in this case they share a cab ride.  Holy hot Batman!  I knew there was no way at all that I was going to be able to put this book down after that scene.  How can so much hotness come from a scene where not even a single kiss is shared?

"Most women would be taking advantage of my imprisonment in the taxi with them-chew my ear off, shove their phone number in my face...as well as other things."

"Wow, you really think a lot of yourself."

He grinned back at me, his teeth white but imperfect and his crooked smile sent an unfamiliar shot of feeling across my chest. 

"I'm just speaking from experience."

... and that is just a small snippet.  Trust me when I say it is an awesome scene and it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the awesome scenes in this book.  I always tend to highlight favorite passages on my Kindle and by the end I am pretty sure that most of the book has just been saved in my clippings.  Like I said, there are just so many great scenes.

Jocelyn (Braden refuses to call her by her nickname Joss) is troubled.  She faced horrible tragedy at a young age and since then has closed herself off and never lets anybody get very close.  She does have a couple of friends but they know nothing about her past and to be honest she probably only keeps them around because they don't press her with questions.

Braden is devilishly sexy but he is also kind, generous, arrogant, sweet. cocky, and witty.  I loved Braden from day one and I never looked back.  Usually in a book there is a moment when your feelings change.  Yes you may go back to loving the person but something will happen and you will temporarily dislike them.  This never ever happened!  Braden Carmichael has successfully made it to my top ten fictional men, in fact I think he could have easily broken the top five.  Braden is not without his issues, he has been burned in the past and a lot like Jocelyn he never lets anybody get very close, with the exception of his family.  The love he has for his family is heart-warming and I also loved them so much.  They are hard not to love to be honest.

Something else I really enjoyed about this was the way the author incorporated Jocelyn's therapy sessions.  The switching to a session is seamless and it was our way of learning a bit more about her past as she doesn't open up to anybody else.  I loved the therapist!  She was insightful and quite funny in the end.

There are just so many great things about On Dublin Street.  I could go on and on about it's awesomeness for ages but I'm sure you would get tired of reading it.  I only hope I have managed to convince you to read this book.  I have already made a friend of mine read it and she also could not put it down and is now in love with it.  Two more of my friends will be reading it very soon and I am sure they will come to the same conclusion as me... On Dublin Street is one of the best books I have read in 2012!

“I feel like I'm missing something really important when you're gone. So important I don't feel like myself. I've never felt like someone was mine before. But you're mine, Jocelyn.  I've known that from the moment we met.

And I'm yours. I don't want to be anyone else's, babe.”

MORE QUOTES FROM ON DUBLIN STREET

Feature and Follow Friday #3

Hosted by Alison can Read and Parajunkee

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow!

If you would like to join in the fun just visit one of the host's blog for the rules.

Q: Books are turned into movies all the time! Turn it around. What movie would make a great book? 

 
A: What a tough question! All the great movies I keep thinking about have all come from books already.  I think I would have to go with one of my two favorite Meg Ryan movies, When Harry Met Sally... or Sleepless in Seattle.  These would make for some great romantic reading.  In fact her movie You've Got Mail would be just as great because of all of the cute eMails back and forth.

If any of these actually do come from a book please can somebody let me know because I would be delighted to read them.

So... what about you? What is your answer? Don't forget, if you are a new follower make sure to let me know!

Swoon Thursday #1

Who doesn't love a good swoon?
The ladies over at YA Bound have created this hot and fun meme!
If you want to join in here's all you need to do.
From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling and your stomach fluttering?

Then pick a smaller portion of your swoon and tweet it, just don't forget to add the #YABOUND Hashtag to your tweet!

My jaw locked in irritation.  If he'd been a character in a book, I would have hated his dirty mouth.  As it was my body loved his dirty mouth.  No need to tell him that.

"You know, Braden, I've watched you over the last few months and you're such a gentleman to everyone but me.  What's with that?"

"I want you in my bed.  Gentlemen are boring in bed."

Good point. 
"Gentlemen are gentlemen in bed.  They make sure you're having a good time."

"I'll make sure you're having a good time, and that you're okay with everything we're doing.  I just won't be well-mannered about it."

And just in case my Swoon doesn't convince you... On Dublin Street is HOT!  The chemestry between Jocelyn and Braden is electric and I am enjoying it immensely.

What is your swoon worthy moment this week?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know!

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is a perfect way to highlight books that we are waiting patiently to be released... it is also a sure-fire way to watch your TBR pile grow!

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall.  Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Expected Publication: December 11 2012
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads

Why am I so eagerly awaiting this release you ask?

First let me start off by saying... WOW what a cover!  As soon as I saw it I knew I had to read it.  I admit that I am a cover whore (this is how my friends affectionately refer to me) so I was not shocked at how much I was drawn to it for that reason alone.

Then I read the synopsis and got even more excited.  It just all sounds so intriguing... forgotten magic, a princess, a rebel, a supernatural legacy, a warrior.  What is there not to get excited about?  I can not wait to read this!

What is your Waiting on Wednesday?

Feel free to leave your links below so that I can check them out and if you are a new follower be sure to let me know so that I can come and check out your blog in return!

Review: Finale

Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch.

Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean that they will always be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him.

But now they face their biggest challenge. Can their love survive a seemingly insurmountable divide. And in the end, will there be enough trust left to rebuild what has been broken?

The lines are drawn - but which sides are they on?

Title: Finale (Hush, Hush ~ Book 4)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publication Date: October 23 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0857072943
Length: 464 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Unfortunately I am not a fan. Very stiff posing and without his wings there is no reason for Patch to be shirtless.
Point of View: 1st person, following Nora

My Rating: 4 Stars

And so... it comes to an end.  Sadly I come away from this series wishing I loved it more than I do, however I do not regret reading it and that is all that matters.  How could I regret anything that brought me Patch?  For it is him alone that I have continued to give each book 4 stars.  I love his attitude, the way he talks, his love for Nora... I could go on and on.

It is nearly impossible to write a review of the final book in a series without giving away bits and pieces of the books that have come before.  So please, if you have not yet read the Hush, Hush series continue at your own risk.

Let us start at the beginning of Finale.  *start rant* I will just come out and say that I was disappointed in the about of rehashing that took place.  I mean this is book four in a four book series.  We know who the characters are and what they look like at this point, why do authors insist on doing this?  I get that there is sometimes up to a year between books so a little rehash is acceptable.  But to go into as much detail as giving physical attributes, this is going too far.  I do not see why anybody would need this information when we are this far into the series.  And if somebody does start with book four then it would be their own fault for starting at the end and loyal readers of the entire series shouldn't be forced to read it... again.  *end rant*

I must admit that for the first 25% or so I was wondering if I had somehow entered into the Twilight Zone?!  At the end of Silence we find Nora having to step up as the leader of the Black Hand's army, this pitting her against the Fallen Angels.  Meaning, against Patch.  They swore to each other that they would get though this together but we know there are rough roads ahead.  I am expecting non-stop action from the get go...  Nope.  Next thing I know Nora is back at home, her Mom is giving her yet another curfew, banging on about it being a school night and off Nora goes to party with Vee at a nightclub.  What?  We are only a week or so away from that time in the year where Fallen Angels take over the bodies of Nephilim.  The Nephilim are sure to be in anarchy as their leader has just been murdered. Her Mom has just been broken free from being held captive, in a cage... but it seems as though it has all been forgotten in order to go dancing.

There is plenty of character development, which of course had to happen with it being the last in the series.  I think my biggest shock was with Scott.  Those that have read it will know what I am referring to and for those that haven't I will not spoil it.  I will just say that I did not see this coming at all.  Vee wasn't really in Finale all that much to be honest, she came into it more toward the end but I can't say I was disappointed.  I never really warmed to her all that much.  There were also new characters introduced with Dante playing the biggest part of them all.  He was close to Hank (the old Black Hand) and therefore steps up to show Nora the way to being the Nephilim leader.  Patch trusts him about as far as he can throw him... well no that isn't right because Patch could probably throw him pretty far.  Let's just say he doesn't trust him at all.  Marcie is also back in all her glory.  I have to say I have hated her from the start but there is a part of me that feels sorry for her... but that feeling doesn't last very long.

Overall I feel this was a fitting end to a series but I can't escape the feeling that it was maybe one book too many.  I've read in a few different places that this was meant to be a trilogy however of course when the series started and it did so well the publisher convinced the author to turn it into four books.  Fair play to them, four books means more money than three.  I do think though it would have been stronger as a trilogy.  I can't throw a big stink about it though because it meant more Patch.  And I wasn't kidding in my review of Silence when I said I would so love a series of books about Patch pre Nora.  Would love to have a series about how he fell in love and fallen so many years ago and what he did before he met Nora.  Maybe a trilogy that starts with him meeting 'the girl and then his fall, a second book many years later when he was at his worst and then just before he decides to go after Nora in order to try to become human.  I would read those in a heartbeat!

All in all I would recommend this series but I would ask that they be read with this in mind.  Yes there are going to be moments where you want to pull your hair out, your eyes will roll and you will want to toss the book aside.  But I also promise you that there will be moments where you can't put the book down, you will swoon over Patch and you will find yourself smiling from ear to ear.  It will be a mixed bag of emotions but the ending is well worth the roller coaster ride.

“I know I can’t feel your touch, but I feel your love, Nora. Inside me. It means everything to me. I wish I could feel you the same way you feel me, but I have your love. Nothing will ever outweigh that. Some people go their entire lives never feeling the emotions you’ve given me. There is no regret in that.”

MORE QUOTES FROM FINALE

Book Blogger Spotlight: That READioactive Book Blog

That READioactive Book Blog


When and why did you become a book blogger?

My blog was born on 23 Aug 2012 (yeah I marked the date :P) and it was on a whim.  Also, people around me were over their heads with the amount of book-talk I indulged in.  I knew I'd have to vent somewhere else lest I drove them mad  :D

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

I'd like to say it came to me in a dream but Stephanie Meyers used that line for the concept of Twilight.  I was doodling in my notebook over names - combining, mixing & matching.  Wrote READioactive & it just felt right! :D

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Making blogger friends!  Having a free reign to talk books as much as I want to & yeah the author interviews.  Before blogging; authors were an intangible entity but now after talking & interviewing them... they seem quite real  :D

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

Making time for all that blogging encompasses; posting frequently, connecting with everyone, PR-ing.  I mean, it's time consuming and as a working professional who sucks in time management, it's sure a challenge!

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

I haven't participated in the weekly features in a few weeks but I used to enjoy Feature & Follow over at Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

That is yet to come!!  I have a guest post by Kendare Blake on Halloween - & I absolutely LOVE her.

Also, author Maggie Shayne stopped by my blog to comment on my review of her book. I was shocked & thrilled since I had never interacted with her before!

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

I love to read & review YA, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy & Dystopian.  I'm also a huge fan of thrillers but I haven't begun reviewing them on the blog. (Long time fan of Tess Gerritsen & Robert Ludlum)

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

Currently, UNSPOKEN by Sarah Rees Brennan rocks big time.  I loved it because humor is an element that is so hard to nail correctly & I will eat my best hat (though I own none) if you don't get a bad case of stomach cramps laughing while into Unspoken.

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

I love Adrian Ivashkov from The Vampire Academy/Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead.  Why?  Why do we love someone? :P I like that he is a flawed character, he has shades of grey, he is struggling to be a better man for the girl he loves (awww) and has a kick-ass sense of humor (so important in a man).  (Being drop dead gorgeous never hurt either!)

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Tie b/w Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games & Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.  Because I want to be them.  SO BAD.  And they are spunky, kick-ass, can hold their own in a crisis w/o being damsels in distress.

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Sarah Rees Brennan for the wacky sense of humor.

Julie Kagawa for Badass plots .

Laini Taylor for the most gorgeous prose ever.


What are you reading right now?

Velveteen by Daniel Marks.  Also reading the awesome blog that goes by the name Rainy Day Reads ;)

Paper books or ebooks?

LOVE the feel of good paper but enjoy the Kindle app on ipad! Touch tie.

Which would be your favorite place to read? Curled up on a cold day in front of a fireplace, in front of a window on a lovely overcast rainy day or outside on a hammock on a warm summer’s day?

If Melancholy then former, if Cheery then the latter! 

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

I really appreciate this question. I like Milk chocolate. Make that love. :D

Coffee or hot tea?

Coffee Addict.

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog: http://highlyreadioactive.blogspot.in/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/READioactiveBookReviews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ichbinaditi
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Readioactiveblogger

I am a talkative person (you might have figured that out) so don't hesitate at all to connect!

Review: Silence

Nora Grey can't remember the past five month of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend.

But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows.

And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.

Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again.

Title: Silence (Hush, Hush ~ Book 3)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publication Date: October 4 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 
Length: 448 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: By far my favorite of the series. Still loving the gray tones, but those waves and those wings... VERY nice!
Point of View: 1st person, following Nora

My Rating: 4 Stars

I highly enjoyed Silence and I think so far this has been my favorite of the series.  But still... there is just something that is stopping me from giving any of them the highest form of love, those sought after five stars.  I feel this series has been a lot of fun to read but there is just always something missing.

Nora.  I feel Nora has changed a lot since Hush, Hush.  Unfortunately, I am not convinced she has changed for the better.  She just has some of the oddest thoughts and some of her choices are darn right ridiculous.  Even after she remembers and says she loves Patch, soul mates, to the end of their days... She still doubts him?!  What?  That is not true love to me.  How can somebody one minute say they love somebody with all their heart and the person say it in return and then you think they are going to double cross you?  UGH.  Nora, please wake up and smell the coffee.  Please don't get me wrong though, I don't hate her.  I actually really do like her as a character it's just sometimes I feel like she is two people.  The one that shows outwardly to others and then the one that is in her head.  Those two don't always sound and act like the same person.

Patch.  Well I just love Patch.  In fact I really wish that Fitzpatrick would write a prequel trilogy about Patch before he met Nora.  I bet he has some wild stories he could share and I would love to read them!

At the start of Silence we find Nora waking up in the cemetery and unable to remember the last five months of her life.  As in no memory of Patch.  *sigh*  Will these two ever get to just be together already?  Because she can't remember anything about the Fallen Angels, the Nephilim, etc.. I did feel a bit too much deja vu as I continued reading.  I mean she is having to learn everything again so the retelling of what has happened got a little old.

However... I do have to say I enjoyed Nora and Patch/Jev getting to know each other again.  I mean let's be honest I like these books because of the chemistry between the two so to see the sparks fly again as if it was the first time, I'm not hating that part.

As I said earlier, this was an enjoyable read.  There was plenty of action and suspense and I didn't really want to put it down.  I know there is a lot of hating on this series out in bloggerville and on Goodreads but honestly I feel this has been a good series to read.  With the way Silence ended I am very eager to start Finale!  It is funny how cliffhangers aren't nearly as bad when you have the next book in the series to start right away.

“I love you.” His voice was straightforward, affectionate. “You make me remember who I used to be. You make me want to be that man again. Right now, holding you, I feel like we have a shot at beating all odds and making it together. I’m yours, if you’ll have me.”

MORE QUOTES FROM SILENCE