Review Doctor Who Series 1: Winter's Dawn, Season's End

Title: Doctor Who Series 1: Winter's Dawn, Season's End
Author: Tony Lee, Matthew Dow Smith, Al Davison, Blair Shedd, and Kelly Yates
Format: eBook Graphic Novel
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Diamond Book Distributors

 REVIEW: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

I am not a big Doctor Who fan but I wanted to read this and give it a try. I don't really enjoy Graphic Novels either. So this was my first real Graphic Novel and my first Doctor Who experience.

I actually enjoyed it. I did struggle at some parts because I got confused with the pictures and stuff but that's because I'm new at all of this.

I loved the pictures and the characters and the plot line. It was definitely entertaining and very intriguing I can definitely see why so many people are such huge Doctor Who fans. I'm not sure what else to say other than if you like Doctor Who you should definitely buy this!

Overall, I gave the book 5/5 kitties because it was just that awesome. I might be a Doctor Who fan now.

Review Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Publisher: Atria Books

REVIEW: I was at Goodwill and I picked this book up without looking at it so I could see the book that was next to it. Then I looked at what I was holding and squealed. I was so shocked to find this book. I've been dying to read this book for over a year. Now that I have...

 Let me catch my breathe... I haven't been able to breathe the entire time I was reading this book. I was holding my breathe, on the edge of my bed, shocked, confused, sad, happy, soooo many emotions.

I cried. Not just tearing up. I actually was crying. I don't envy Travis and Abby's relationship at all. It's violent, unhealthy, dependent and way too intense for my blood. But the story was amazing and I found myself in love with all of the characters. It also shows that, although Travis didn't change ALL of his lifestyle, love can change people for the better.

America was an amazing best friend. Shep was a good boyfriend. AND what story would be complete without the gay guy best friend? Finch was awesome and such a good friend to Abby.

Parker... Hmmm. I'm not entirely sure what to say about him. I think he really was just trying to get in Abby's pants so maybe he could say that he "bagged"  her when Travis couldn't. I'm not sure of his exact motives but I don't think they were good. 

 I honestly can't say anything bad about this book. It kept me guessing and I was happy with the ending.

I was, however, unhappy that this was the first book that I have ever owned that I got wet... Why this book? Seriously? Why not get Twilight wet? UGH!

Overall, I gave the book 5/5 kitties.

Stacking The Shelves (10)

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

There will be one more STS after this and then until after vacation I am on a BOOK BUYING BAN! I need to stop... I really do. I have bought over 150 new books this year. Jesus! waahhh but I love them sooo much! -sigh- But with my fiance getting his hours cut and vacation with his parents coming up I have no choice but to cut the sh*t and quit buying books. The only reason there will be one more STS is because I was allowed to buy books from BookCloseOuts. That place is EVIL!!!

 

 

Review Shadow of the Mark

Title: Shadow of the Mark
Author: Leigh Fallon
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Publisher:HarperTeen

REVIEW: This is probably one of the few books I have read where I liked the second book better than the first book. I actually anticipated this book because of how the first one ended and put it on order at the library the minute it came out.

My heart aches for Megan and Adams inability to really have a physical relationship. It effects them so much that they risk everything and try it anyways causing dire consequences.

I think it is messed up of Chloe and Rian to wave their relationship in Megan and Adams face. They are definitely responsible for pushing Megan and Adam over the edge.

The shock of Cu and Chloe was a good addition. 

I read 230 pages on the first day. But for some reason, with these books, once I get to the end I really don't want to finish it. I know the action is coming but it doesn't interest me for some reason. It took me 2 more days to finish the last 70 pages. The action was okay and intense.

The fact the the Order wasn't who they said they were was also shocking.

Anu?! Whaaaat???

The very end made me tear up. Having to walk away from someone you truly love is the hardest thing in the world to do. And having to do it at such a young age over some stupid power you never wanted in the first place? That has to suck even more.

I'm not sure how I feel about Caitlin's involvement. I admit I wouldn't want to lie to my best friend all the time but I'm not sure if I would have been able to tell her that big of a secret.

Fionn and Randell... That broke my heart. I was kind disappointed that Chloe survived. I really didn't like her.

In short this book was heartbreaking and shocking.

One more thing.. DID THEY DO IT OR NOT?! Guess I have to wait for the next book. The way it ended... There has to be a next book.

Overall, I give the book 4/5 kitties.

Seriously?

Are people just not creative anymore? I have seen this before with a girls face but never the entire picture pretty much.

I believe Ruth Frances Long was the first to use the model. But this is ridiculous. They all have wooded backgrounds! Creativity goes a long way. This kind of stuff bothers me :(

Review VA Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Title: Blood Promise
Author: Richelle Mead
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Publisher: Razor Bill

REVIEW: Holy crackers! This book... This book was.. Wow! The beginning was definitely slow and boring. It was mainly information, traveling, meeting people, etc. But once you got into the book there was so much emotion and action.

Rose left Lissa to go in search of Dimitri's Strigoi form. The emotional toll this book had on so many characters was unbelievable. The addition of Avery was definitely unexpected but it was very exciting and proved to be very eventful in the end.

I do admit Rose was brave. Going to a place where you don't speak the language is very frightening to me. Telling Dimitri's family the truth also took a lot of guys. I am upset with how things were left with his family. Viktoria was definitely WRONG!

Dimitri definitely was changed. He had no feelings it seemed like and I don't understand how Rose let the lust get in the way of killing him. She faltered and that really made me upset because I loved the fact that she was so strong in the other books. If it would have been her LOVE for him that got in the way then I would have understood it. It was nothing but lust though.


I'm not sure how I feel about Adrian. He sounds like he would be good for Rose but I can't imagine her with anyone else but Dimitri.

Lissa and Christian... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Rose did do the right thing though. Dimitri was gone and I am so happy she finally came to that conclusion. The battle between them was amazing and I could tell that Dimitri didn't want to hurt Rose but he still wasn't the same person.

I didn't really enjoy when Rose was in Lissa head. It was quite boring for most of the time and it just distracted me more than anything.

The fact that Rose returned home was a good idea. Her mothers reaction definitely shocked me. A lot of the reactions to her return shocked me. But nothing shocked me more than the last few pages. I was seriously in shock and now I'm left wondering how? What? HUH?! Oh my god!

I have a lot of hopes for the last two books. I hope Dimitri and Rose find a way to be together. I hope Lissa and Christian are okay. I hope someone overthrows that damn royal court!

And I just found out that the book series in being made into a movie! I am so excited for that. I just really hope they don't mess Dimitri's character up. The books definitely focus on the height difference between Rose and Dimitri and I have a feeling the actor won't be 6'7".

Overall, I give the book 4/5 kitties due to how bored I was for the first 200+ pages.

Lazy Days of Summer Spontaneous Giveaway Hop (Ends 8/4) US ONLY

 Burgandy Ice & I Am a Reader Not a Writer invite you to put up Lazy Days of Summer Giveaway post and join us in this “spontaneous hop”.

There are not a lot of rules to follow.  You need to create a post and then add yourself to the linky.

Do not add your link to the linky until you have a post up so you can “Direct Link” to the linky.  If you add your link prior to putting up a post it will likely be deleted, and then you would have to add it again!

A direct link looks like this (also known as a Permalink)

http://www.iamareader.com/2013/06/spontaneous-midsummers-eve-giveaway-hop-join-now.html

Hop Rules

1. Create a giveaway post specifically for this hop and give something away on your blog.

2. Please include the Hop image.

3. Include the linky or link to this post.

4. Add a direct link to your post to the linky.

5. Family Friendly of course!

You can put your post up anytime from until the end of July; the sooner the better but I realize this is last minute!

Grab the code for the linky at the bottom of the linky where it says get code here.

I have been wanting to join a big book giveaway for a long time now! So here is my chance! I am poor so I am going to be offering 4 books that I already own. They are still really good books =). All of the books are paperbacks except The Secret Keeper, which is an adult romance book. Just click on each picture to read more about the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stacking The Shelves (9)

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

I've been having a stressful week. Sorry I haven't been posting much! I will be better next week. I promise.

Review Captive by A.D. Robertson

Title: Captive
Author: A.D. Robertson
Format: ARC
Source: ARCycling
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: October 22nd 2013

REVIEW: This book was NOT very good at all sadly. I wanted to like it. I really did. This isn't my normal genre of books but since it's based in the Nightshade world, book series by Andrea Cremer, I had to give it a shot.

Sarah and Lord Tristan aren't very complex or well built characters. I actually found myself 1/4 of the way in and was asking if it was done yet.

The "sex" in the book leaves a lot to be desired. It was basically just characters saying "f**k" over and over again.

Needless to say, I don't have much of a review for this book because I truly disliked it. I give the book 1/5 kitties.

On a side note:

The book fell apart while I was reading it. Literally fell apart. I have pages everywhere. I know it's an ARC but seriously? And there were so many misspellings and misuses of words. Once again, I know this is an ARC but I have never seen so many errors in an ARC. I just don't think this book should be published at all. Good thing there are still 3 months to repair it before it comes out.

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge Day 6

Created by GoodBooksAndGoodWine.

My book buying habits are... bad. I just buy books whenever. If I see a book I want, I get it. I usually go shopping for books 1-2 times a week. I normally bring in about 15-50 books a month. I am obsessed!!

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge Day 5

 

Created by GoodBooksAndGoodWine.

 I'm going to say Article 5 is the most recent book that has made me tear up. So I do recommend that. I don't normally read books that would make people cry. I do get emotionally attached to characters if the book is really good. But other than that I'm not a girly girl that reads sad contemporary books.

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge Day 4

Created by GoodBooksAndGoodWine.

I haven't had any recent books that I can think of. I did try to listen to Delirium on audio book and I really didn't like the persons voice. But other than that, I have nothing.

Review Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Title: Article 5

Author: Kristen Simmons

Format: Hardback

Source: Library

Publisher: TOR Teen











REVIEW: I have really been on a dystopian kick lately and this book was on my wishlist for a long time so I decided to pick it up at the library and if i enjoyed it I would buy it. Well, enjoy it I did. I thought I would just read the book in a day and do a review and be done with it. But it went way beyond that. I found myself reading it slowly, not wanting to miss anything.

I definitely felt a connection to Ember and Chase. I found myself teary eyed a lot of times throughout the book. Chase definitely frustrated me. His back and forth with the emotions towards Ember made me want to smack him with his baton. Ember was a little indecisive as well but can you honestly blame her with everything she went through in such a short period of time? She definitely is a strong character. If I would have been in her position I probably would have broken down after the first 100 pages.

I found myself actually excited that Sean was still alive. Although he wasn't a huge character in the book he still played a very important roll. I found it very sweet that Sean and Rebecca would both take a beating for each other. It showed that even in this horrible post-apocalyptic world, love can still prevail.

It took forever but the relationship between Ember and Chase finally got somewhere. I wasn't entirely sure if they would end up together with how mixed up Chase was and how angry Ember was. 

I am glad the book ended the way it did. I truly would have shot Tucker Morris if I was in Embers position. But I think she did the right thing by letting him walk away and I'm glad she didn't stoop to the FBR's level of violence and murder.

This book both scared me and excited me. Knowing that this actually could happen some day and if it happens the way the book portrays, my home area will be one of the first places to go, a little east of Baltimore, is very scary.

The cover of the book is also very lovely. You can definitely tell that the people on the cover are Chase and Ember.

Overall, I give the book 5/5 kitties.

This book held a sort of personal place in my heart because of the mentioning of Hagerstown. I was so excited about that. I wrote the author on twitter about the content and even went to Hagerstown and took a picture of Garland Groh Boulevard. I love when I can interact with books like that and I thank the author for writing about Hagerstown. I will surely try to visit a few more places that were in the book as they were mainly on the East Coast.

Another interesting fact. The 2nd & Charles I go to is on this road. And the copy of Article 5 that I purchased for my collection was also bought at this store. I got the book before the "war" hit. Yay!

Booktube-A-Thon TBR

I finally decided on the books I am going to be reading for the Booktube-A-Thon starting tomorrow.

I am going to be reading:

Blood Promise - Richelle Mead
Afterlife - Claudia Gray
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Invisibility - David Levithan & Andrea Cremer
Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini

Annnd whatever else I get to. I will also be finishish Article 5 which has 135 pages left so those pages will count towards my 2100 total.

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge Day 3

Created by GoodBooksAndGoodWine.

 I don't have any blogging BFF's. I would love to make some though. Any volunteers? Hahaha! No, seriously... Any Volunteers?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge Day 2

Created by GoodBooksAndGoodWine.

My bedtime reading schedule is whatever... Honestly some nights I will read a while book and some nights I won't read at all. It depends on if I have work in the morning, what time I lay down and if I have a book I'm already reading or if I need to start one. I normally read books on my Nook when I am in bed. That way I don't have to get up and turn the light off when I am done. Sometimes my fiance will wake up in the middle of the night and yell at me to go to sleep. It just depends on a lot of factors.

Hillbilly daylilly festival

This is my first ever time doing a blog post from my phone. I am at something called the Hillbilly daylilly festival with my fiances family and I'm bored and hot and decided to sit in the car. I am going to post part of my STS soon. I bought some books before coming here and was happy with what I found. 

Stacking The Shelves (8)

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

So does everyone know how the last book won't be out in paperback for a few more months? Weeellll... I got it in paperback. 2nd & Charles had a used copy and I was so confused. Turns out its a UK copy. I think that is soo fricken awesome.

 

 

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge | Day 1

I found this on The Happy Bookers blog and followed it back to the creator, GoodBooksAndGoodWine. It sounds like fun and I've been quite boring lately. Plus I need something to do before the Book-a-thon. So here goes.

Created by GoodBooksAndGoodWine.

Day 1
15 Book related confessions.

1. I hate slow moving books.
2. The covers are normally what attracts me first.
3. I cannot, for the life of me, manage to finish any of the classic books I start. Except Wuthering Heights. That is the exception to everything.
4. I started out reading "older" books when I was in middle school. I would read Stephen King, Anne Rice, etc. And it's like I have devolved because I read strictly YA now.
5. I collect bookmarks. My favorite one at the moment is my "soft kitty" one.
6. I own over 300 YA books.
7. I have collected MANY things over my 24 years of living but books have always been a constant.
8. My favorite places to buy books are Ollies, 2nd & Charles, Thrift Stores and Barnes and Noble. I have never bought a book offline. I need to feel the book in my hand before I buy it. I also love the joy of finding books as opposed to just looking them up on Amazon and clicking "add to cart."
9. It bugs me when covers don't match in series(Across The Universe by Beth Revis is a good example. I also hate when I am forced to getting a paperback when my series so far is in hardback and vise versa.
10. I have 2 Nooks and a smart phone with a Nook and Kindle app on it. I still prefer actual copies of books. But I use my nook to do ARC ebook reviews.
11. I buy waaayy too many books. My TBR pile is going to crush me in my sleep one day. This past month(june-now) I have bought over 60 books. 
12. I always carry a book or my Nook in my purse where ever I go. Never know if I'm going to get trapped or stuck somewhere.
13. I never finished the Twilight series. I got 100 pages into Breaking Dawn and gave up. Best decision I've ever made, book-wise at least.
14. I regret every book I've ever gotten rid of. I have slowly started to re-buy the ones I am missing.
15. I would rather have a book buying spree than any jewelry, clothes, shoes, etc. Books are definitely my love, besides my hubby. ;)

These are my 15 confessions. What are some book confessions you have?

Review Love Hurts by Beverly Scudamore

Title: Love Hurts
Author: Beverly Scudamore
Format: ARC ebook
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: James Lorimer & Company
Publication Date: September 2 2013

REVIEW:

This book is very sad but very eye opening. I would honestly recommend that anyone in their teens and even parents of teens read this. It definitely will help you see if you are in a dangerous relationship or if your child is in danger. Mel happens to be one of the very few girls who were strong enough to get away with her life(barely.) Regardless of this book being fictional, this is still very factual information. I have seen this happen and I have also been involved in a relationship that was bad for me.

I think if Mel would have went with her heart in the first place and just went with Dustin then she would have been fine. But everyone makes mistakes, although, this mistake, almost cost her her life. I do not agree with the ending though. Her leaving Dustin ALONE with Colter still being around wasn't such a good idea. Her leaving at all wasn't such a good idea because it makes Colter think he has won. I would have loved to find out what happens with Dustin and Mel and I would have loved to find out what goes on with Colter and the lawsuit. The book was very short but it was full of drama and information. Peyton was a very good friend. Normally during these kind of situations the girl will lose all of her friends due to the abuser and she will have no one to turn to. But Peyton stuck around and really helped out. I didn't like the character of Mels aunt, Gina. She was way too self involved and needed to open up her eyes. I think its a shame that people can get away with killing people by making it look like an accident.

After meeting Colter's dad at the end of the book I can definitely see where Colter learned his manipulative behavior from and I can see why his mother left. 

I am probably going to go ahead and recommend this book to a few close friends.

Overall, I liked the book and the ideas surrounding it. There were a few grammatical errors but it was an ARC so no big deal. I give the book 4/5 stars.

Review Slumber by Tamara Blake

Title: Slumber
Author: Tamara Blake
Format: ARC eBook
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Diversion Books
Publication Date: July 16 2013

REVIEW:

This book confused the heck out of me. I feel as though I should have been on some form of drugs before reading the book. But that doesn't mean I didn't like it. I have just never read such a creepy, weird book like this before. The faeries definitely aren't what they are normally portrayed as. They are murderous, vengeful and like to use human as sex/play toys. This book definitely isn't for the faint of heart or anyone who shy's away from cursing. The cursing isn't overdone but the words that are used are on the strong end.

The main character, Ruby, is a very strong willed person and I like that a lot about her. She would do anything in her power to save her mother and make sure her sister is safe. I like the strong sense of family pride and awareness. Most of everything now-a-days, whether it be books or real life, don't really have a strong sense of family at all.

The character of Tam confuses me and angers me at the same time. With the way his personalty changes throughout the book it makes me wonder if the faeries themselves can be affected by Slumber. Tam is supposed to be considered the proverbial "Knight in Shining Armor" but Ruby could have used a better knight.

Violet is a sick and twisted harlot. She has half naked humans on leashes. She enjoys torturing people and she definitely wants Tam all to herself. Violet most definitely makes the perfect villain in this book.

Ruby's young sister, Shelley, is an adorable, everyday type of little sister. She seems totally unaffected by anything that is going on around her. I still would like to know how Violet got Shelley into Cottingley Heights and why Shelley wasn't more upset than she was about being locked away in a room in a strange house.

Overall, I have a lot of unanswered questions and I am thinking there might be a sequel with how the book ended. But I definitely wasn't expecting that ending. And I really want to know what happened to Tam.

I give the book 4/5 kitties.

Goodreads

Bookshelf Updated Pictures

This is my shelf where books that are either stand alone or I only have 1 book by that Author go.

This is my series shelf.

And this is my overflow/classics/library shelf.

The GRAND total of all(most) of the YA books on my shelves is 369. I have a few more in my boyfriends "mancave" but I don't have room for them out here at the moment. When I move and get my own office I will have 10+ bookshelves full I bet.

Review Reboot by Amy Tintera

Before I write this review I want to clear something up. Someone told me my reviews aren't what they need to be. And I just wanted to say I'M SORRY! No.. Actually I'm not sorry. My reviews are how I FEEL about the books I read and I am completely honest in what I say. I don't do the whole in depth breakdown of the book bit by bit because I don't enjoy spoilers so I wouldn't want to be the one to give them too. Ive seen people write HUGE essay's on how they felt about the book and that just isn't me. I am pretty straight forward and I don't like to sugarcoat everything. Quite frankly, in my opinion, people who write essay reviews are just telling people what the stories are about in a nutshell. That isn't a review. A review is supposed to be personal. But this is just my take on the situation. So I'm not sorry if you think my reviews aren't right. They feel right to me.

Title: Reboot
Author: Amy Tintera
Format: Hardback
Source: Library
Publisher: HarperTeen

REVIEW:

I hated this book... because it made me fall in love with it. This book definitely puts a whole new twist on the Zombie Apocalypse/T-Virus hype. I started this book and for some reason I couldn't get more than 5 pages in without putting it down and walking away. But I am very glad that I sucked it up and decided to read it regardless of the first 5 pages. I completely LOVE Wren. She definitely proves that you can be a bad ass but still have room in your heart to fall in love. She also proves that love will make you do lots of things you never would have done before. Callum is super sweet and I am glad he doesn't give in to Wrens hard-ass behavior in the beginning. He sticks to his true nature and that, in turn, helps Wren come out of her shell.

HARC is a very evil corporation, much like the Umbrella Corporation. They control the Reboots and use them as super enhanced soldiers. And after Ever falls victim to their testing and drugs I knew there was no way Wren would remain a good little soldier anymore. The final straw was the threat put on Callum's life. This book kept me guessing. I could never quite tell what was going to happen next and I really enjoyed that.

I definitely could have finished this book in a day but I am a horrible, HORRIBLE procrastinator lately and I need to stop that.

By the end of the book I was on edge, I didn't know what was going to happen toe Callum. I didn't know is Adina would make it. And when Bishop locked Wren in that room I was freaking out. But I am glad the book ended the way it did. Makes me hope for another book that explains the life of the Reboot Reservation and tells me what happens between Wren and Callum. I reaaaalllyy hope there is another book.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with this book. I connected with all of the characters. My favorite character has to be Leb as he helped Wren save Callum. But aside from that, TEAM CALLUM! Oh lord, I'm drooling over a Reboot.

I give the book 5/5 kitties.

Amazon|Goodreads

BookTube-A-Thon, Blogger style

I have been seeing the BookTube-A-Thon everyone on youtube so I decided to do it without making a video. Making videos is very difficult for me due to the noise level in my house. But the BookTube-A-Thon runs from July 15th-21st and you have to read as many books as you can from what I understand. There are also a few "challenges."


THE CHALLENGES:
• Read 300 pages a day
• Read a book with 500+ pages
• Re-read a book
• Finish a series or trilogy
• Read a book that's been on your shelf forever
• Listen to an audiobook
• Read a classic
BONUS: Combine as many challenges as you can

Now I'm going to go through my shelves in a few minutes and pick out the books I will be reading so I will update this later. If you wish you join then just go right about and post about it on your blog or where ever.

Stacking The Shelves (7)

My firsssttt EVER video!! Squeeeee

BookHaul

Stacking The Shelves (6)

I have bought a few new books this week but I also have some sad news. The Ollies store I get a lot of my books from has a fire due to some moron setting off fireworks(they are illegal in Maryland) and the entire book department was drenched! Not the boooooooksss! I did manage to get 2 books from there today but they were on the only saved shelf, besides all the religious inspirational books(UGH). But here are the books I got this week.

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

These are the books I managed to save from Ollies.

 I got these from 2nd & Charles.

 I got this from Wal-Mart. I have read half of the first book before but I cannot pass up bind ups.

I found this at my local thrift store. I have A Light In The Attic from my childhood but I have lost my copy of Where The Sidewalk Ends and I NEEED to find a new copy. My collection is INCOMPLETE!!!

And I got these from PBS.

I am very excited for the next coming weeks. I applied for 2 Library jobs and I am hoping and praying that I get one of them. 

Thank you for looking! What did you get this week?