Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Review of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare


When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.


When I first saw this book, it was about two years ago on an ad for Cassie Clare on FB.  It said, "Read City of Bones for Free!"  I was like... Free book!!  Why not?!? So, I clicked on it, and it took me to her website.  Sure enough, the book was available via PDF on the site!  So, I started reading... and reading!  When I actually printed one whole chapter off to take home, I knew I had to buy it!!  

So, this is a re-read for me.  My cousin and I decided to have this be the next series for our book club, and again... I love this book!  It starts out with Clarissa Fray going to a club with her best friend Simon.  While there, she sees a girl go into a back room with a boy, who is followed by two more.  She rushes in, sees them attacking the boy and tries to stop them.  They are all surprised, because they can't understand why she can see them; as normal humans can't see them at all.  This is her first experience with Shadowhunters.  

And Jace...

It is after this, she is shown a world that normal people can't see.  She's confused, because she's seeing things that even Simon can't see and she can't understand why.  After she is attacked by a demon, Jace takes her to the Institute to get healed.  While there, she finds out that her mother, who is missing, was a shadowhunter and she herself is a shadowhunter.  She's also finding herself drawn to Jace and she doesn't know why.  He's sarcastic, obnoxious towards Simon, and too honest at times, but she sees there is more to him.  There is a vulnerability to him that he only shows to her.  For all of Jace's toughness, he is incredibly sweet to her when no one is there to see it.  He doesn't want to be seen as weak by anyone, so makes sure to keep feelings to himself.  

I love Jace!  Have loved from his first contact with Clary.  He's rough around the edges, but he's actually a very nice kid.  He's tough, but there is a softness to him when Clary is around.  You know that he would protect her to the death if he had to.  

I did not like Simon.  I found him to be annoying.  I love that he's always there to support Clary, but there are times he's a whiner.  You know what his feelings for Clary are, and you know why he's so hostile towards Jace.  She likes Jace, the way she should like Simon.  

You also meet Isabelle and Alec, who are brother and sister.  They're parents are helping to run the institute with Hodge who was exiled there for helping Valentine.  Once it is known that Valentine is still alive, after being thought dead, they find out he wants The Mortal Cup.  Something that is used to asisst in making other Shadowhunters.  Alec for reasons of his own is very angry at Clary, and makes it known pretty fast that he doesn't want her around.  Isabelle is a free spirit, who I think, likes having Clary around.  They don't become fast friends, but they do become friends eventually.  It just takes a bit of time.  

Once they retrieve the Cup, they are decieved by someone close to them.  Jace is taken by Valentine, and Clary knows she has to go after him.  After joining forces with Luke, and his werewolf pack, they set off to find Valentine and Jace.  They do find him, but they also find her mother who is asleep.  The ending of this book was shocking, but it was great!!  I was like... Wha???  The action starts about two chapters until the end and doesn't stop until the end of the book!  

I loved this book so much, that I read it in less then a week!  I could not put it down, because I had to know what happened with Jace and if he was ok!  

I've now started City of Ashes, and I'm hooked on that one as well.  I have to know what happens with them!! God, I love this series!!!! 



Release Day of Eternal Island by Kristie Haigwood and Ella Medler!!


Here it is!!!  When Kristie asked me to be a part of the blog tour, I jumped at the chance!  Here is a little explanation about the book, and the links to buy it!!   



A place where vampires rule, witches play, danger lurks and dreams really do come true.

Eternal Island is a paranormal suspense novel, deeply rooted into myth. Vampires and magic form a unique backdrop to a love story with long reaching consequences. Human girl Ariana Lochalan finds herself transported from the relative calm of her ‘Nowhere, Arkansas’ life into a diametrically opposite existence when she discovers she is a powerful witch and meant to wed High Vampire of Eternal Island, Abe Cambridge. Despite first-sight magnetism, the two protagonists are being pushed apart, obstacles tripping them at every step, outside forces interfering and threatening their peace, and ultimately their lives.

A world rich in magic and intrigue, Eternal Island is the first installment of a saga which has love at its core and delves through the mire that is human nature in a turmoil of feeling and emotion. Would courage, resilience and love be enough to bring together two soul mates?

How much would you sacrifice to save the one who owns your heart?

ETERNAL ISLAND ON US AMAZON

ETERNAL ISLAND ON UK AMAZON

ETERNAL ISLAND ON FACEBOOK

Happy Release Day Kristie and Ella!! 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare


My cousin and I are now and book two, and OMG!!!!  We got through City of Bones in about a week if not sooner then that, and are about halfway through this.  Can I say OMG again?!?!?!

Also, I have found someone to replace Edward... it would be Jace.  I.love.him!!!!

Can not wait until we start City of Glass!!!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Review of Flukes by Nichole Chase!!!


Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea, and buried just as deep. When court appointed community service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal sanctuary, everyone is on high alert. It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise line contract.

Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community service gig cleaning fish crap. No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heart strings.

When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold onto all that really matters.



I had known of this book coming out for a few weeks before it became available to buy.   I am friends with Nichole on FB, and am so happy that I am!!  If not, I would not have known about this amazing book!!  First, it was available a day early on Amazon... how cool is that?!?!?  Second, I was REALLY dying to read this book!!  I read a little snippet that Nichole had posted on her timeline, and was like... I need to read it NOW!!!

This is the first mermaid story that I've read, and if this is a series, I can not wait for more books!!  We meet Meena, who helps her parents around their animal sanctuary called Flukes.  It is there she meets Blake Weathering, who is there doing court mandated community service, along with a bunch of other kids.  She's weary of him, as she is of all strangers, but soon finds herself attracted to him.  They are stuck together by her father, when he asks them to work on a new logo for the sanctuary.  It's also her father's way of keeping Meena away from the convicts who had been making it obvious they were interested in her.  

As they get to know each other more, the attraction between them deepens.  There is one who wants to see them apart, and wants to hurt Meena.  She doesn't know why, but Blake saves her just in time.  This is the turning point in their relationship, and brings them closer together.  Meena is still worried about him leaving, and is sad that most of her friends are leaving and she's being left behind.  Her secret and her love  of the sanctuary and her parents are what is keeping her there.  

While she's out with Blake, she meets two mer-people who she had seen swimming along her beach.  They are happy she's out with Blake, but she's confused when they talk about a life she has no concept of.  She finds out she has family she never knew about, and is excited about meeting them.  She isn't the only one of her kind, and that makes her happy.  

I must say that the love scene in this book was beautiful!  I'm not just saying that because Blake is gorgeous!  She's uncertain, he's uncertain, but in the end, it's a beautiful experience for them both.  It wasn't planned, it was just something decided at the last minute.  

I love how the book ended.  It is told from both Meena's and Blake's viewpoints, which I really liked!!  I found myself rooting for them up until the end!  Her parents were constantly supportive of her no matter what she did, and that's how it should be! There was never any judgement from them!  Blake, on the hand, had to deal with a father who didn't care at all.  He was more about appearances to everyone on the outside.  I loved that her parents accepted him right from the beginning, never questioning Meena's choice.  

She was his, and he was hers.  



Make sure you visit Nichole's website at www.nicholechase.blogspot.com!  There is a giveaway right now for a Kindle!!  I know I'm entering that one!! 


Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Women Of Strength Giveaway!!!!



The month of October will be celebrating womanhood! The strength, beauty, and inspiration that women hold and provide to the world everyday. Women carry many titles: mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, best friends, nieces, granddaughters, chef, laundry person, nurse. Women are the nurturers, the quiet strength that holds a family together, and beacons of love for everyone who needs it.

TeamNerd Reviews is teaming up with family, friends, reviewers, bloggers, and authors throughout October to bring some inspirational and powerful stories of great women.

In addition to the many posts that will be coming in throughout the month, they will be throwing a fun giveaway!



One lucky winner will receive the following:

--FOUR different purses
--ONE copy of TEEN VOGUE MAGAZINE

--ONE copy of ENVY by GREGG OLSEN

--ONE copy of BETRAYAL by GREGG OLSEN

--ONE copy of FATED by ALYSON NOEL

--ONE copy of EVERLASTING by ELIZABETH CHANDLER

Terms and Conditions
**Giveaway runs from OCT 8-31**
**Open to U.S., Canadian and U.K. fans**
**Winner will be notified OCT 31 and have 48 hrs. to respond before another winner is selected**

Envy by Gregg Olsen

Betrayal by Gregg Olsen

Fated by Alyson Noel

Everlasting by Elizabeth Chandler


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, October 1, 2012

Disappointed in myself...

The first weekend in a long time that I was offline, and I didn't get one word written.  At all!!

I'm so disappointed in myself... I feel like I let down my characters by not writing this weekend.  I'm determined to write tonight, just because I haven't taken the time that my book deserves.  My characters have talked to me a lot, so I know there is so much to be written!  If only I had three more hours in the day to work on it!!  I would get lots done then!!

I'm off now... heading to the daycare to pick my crazy little man!!  Then home to make dinner.  After that, then my laptop gets opened and I lose myself in the book.  If my children allow it that is...

It's a little post today... hoping I can get on later today maybe to post more!!
 

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