Sunday, December 29, 2013

Showcase Sunday (#40)


Welcome to Showcase Sunday, hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea. The aim of this event is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed form the libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week (it's becoming more of a monthly thing for me, though lol). For more information about how this feature works and to join in, click here.

Here is what I got in the last 2 weeks or so (I always forget to do this post, lol):

Friday, December 27, 2013

Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2014


This is the second time I join this event and I absolutely LOVE it! It basically showcases my reading year in a nutshell... even though it's tough choosing ONLY 10 books, lol.

Here is the complete schedule of what will be coming up this week:

Monday, December 23rd: Best Books I’ve Read in 2013
Tuesday, December 24th: Best Book Covers of 2013
Wednesday, December 25th: Best Novellas, Debuts, & NA Books of 2013
Thursday, December 26th: Best Book Boyfriends of 2013
*Friday, December 27th: Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2014*


Thursday, December 26, 2013

Top 10 of 2013: Best Book Boyfriends of 2013


This is the second time I join this event and I absolutely LOVE it! It basically showcases my reading year in a nutshell... even though it's tough choosing ONLY 10 books, lol.

Here is the complete schedule of what will be coming up this week:

Monday, December 23rd: Best Books I’ve Read in 2013
Tuesday, December 24th: Best Book Covers of 2013
Wednesday, December 25th: Best Novellas, Debuts, & NA Books of 2013
*Thursday, December 26th: Best Book Boyfriends of 2013*
Friday, December 27th: Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2014


Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Top 10 of 2013: Best Novellas, Debuts, & NA Books of 2013


This is the second time I join this event and I absolutely LOVE it! It basically showcases my reading year in a nutshell... even though it's tough choosing ONLY 10 books, lol.

Here is the complete schedule of what will be coming up this week:

Monday, December 23rd: Best Books I’ve Read in 2013
Tuesday, December 24th: Best Book Covers of 2013
*Wednesday, December 25th: Best Novellas, Debuts, & NA Books of 2013 (Readers/Bloggers choice.)*
Thursday, December 26th: Best Book Boyfriends of 2013
Friday, December 27th: Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2014


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Top 10 of 2013: Best Book Covers of 2013


This is the second time I join this event and I absolutely LOVE it! It basically showcases my reading year in a nutshell... even though it's tough choosing ONLY 10 books, lol.

Here is the complete schedule of what will be coming up this week:

Monday, December 23rd: Best Books I’ve Read in 2013
*Tuesday, December 24th: Best Book Covers of 2013*
Wednesday, December 25th: Best ________ Of 2013 (Readers/Bloggers choice.)
Thursday, December 26th: Best Book Boyfriends of 2013
Friday, December 27th: Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2014


Monday, December 23, 2013

Top 10 of 2013: Best Books I've Read in 2013


This is the second time I join this event and I absolutely LOVE it! It basically showcases my reading year in a nutshell... even though it's tough choosing ONLY 10 books, lol.

Here is the complete schedule of what will be coming up this week:

*Monday, December 23rd: Best Books I’ve Read in 2013*
Tuesday, December 24th: Best Book Covers of 2013
Wednesday, December 25th: Best ________ Of 2013 (Readers/Bloggers choice.)
Thursday, December 26th: Best Book Boyfriends of 2013
Friday, December 27th: Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2014


Thursday, December 19, 2013

Review: Loki's Wolves (The Blackwell Pages #1) by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr

Loki's Wolves (The Blackwell Pages, #1)
Title: Loki's Wolves

Series: The Blackwell Pages #1

Author: K.L. Armstrong (AKA Kelley Armstrong) & M.A. Marr (AKA Melissa Marr)

Publication date: May 2013

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Source: Won ARC in giveaway

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok, that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters--wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds, all bent on destroying the world.

The gods died a long time ago.

Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history--because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, South Dakota, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt's classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke.

However, knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids--led by Matt--will stand in for the gods in the final battle, he can hardly believe it. Matt, Laurie, and Fen's lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to prevent the end of the world.

My rating: ★★★★★

I absolutely LOVED this book! I was so excited when I found out about it... I have not read any of Melissa's books, but I love Kelley's Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising series, AND I love mythology! Right then I knew I HAD to read this book! So, imagine my excitement when I got home from school one day and found an ARC waiting for me! Apparently, I won it in a giveaway and I didn't even have a clue about it! It totally made my day :)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Book Blast $50 Giveaway: The Offering (The Pledge #3) by Kimberly Derting



offeringThe Offering (The Pledge #3) by Kimberly Derting

True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.

Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.

Find The Offering here: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Praise for The Offering

"This was a truly epic ending to the series." --Crystal Perkins, Goodreads Review

"The final book in Kimberly Derting’s Pledge trilogy is a thrilling conclusion. I was immediately swept up into it and powered right through. It was pretty much what I wanted with a few surprises along the way." --Krys at Bibliopunkk Reads

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Review: The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #1) by Rick Riordan

The Son of Sobek
Title: The Son of Sobek

Series: Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #1 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus | The Kane Chronicles

Author: Rick Riordan

Publication date: June 18, 2013

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own e-book

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

In this e-book short story by Rick Riordan, Carter Kane is investigating rumored sightings of a monster on Long Island when he runs into something else: a mysterious boy named Percy Jackson. And their meeting isn't exactly friendly. . . . Includes a sneak peek chapter from HOUSE OF HADES, Book Four in the Heroes of Olympus series.

My rating: ★★★★★

Percy AND Carter? YAY!! Rick basically answered our prayers of a cross over and the result was pure freakin' awesomeness! I absolutely loved everything about it! And if you've got no idea what I am talking about, Percy Jackson from "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" and "Heroes of Olympus" AND Carter Kane from "The Kane Chronicles" meet in this clash of mythologies!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway- Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series by Nikki Jefford


Hi guys! Welcome to my stop on the Aurora Sky Blog Tour! You know, I've known Nikki for a while now, and I realized that I have never interviewed her in the whole time I have known her! So, today on my stop, I have an interview plus an awesome giveaway!

Cover Reveal: Stakeout (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #2.5) by Nikki Jefford


I've got a stunning, very winter-y cover for you guys today! It is the cover for Nikki Jefford's upcoming novella in the Aurora Sky series, Stakeout. And let me tell you one thing, I cannot wait to read it! After what happened in Northern Bites... I need to know more! lol. Anyway, take a look:

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Blog Tour- Review + Giveaway: Mercy's Magic (Mercedes Cruz #1) by P.J. Day & Elizabeth Basque


 Mercy's Magic
Title: Mercy's Magic

Series: Mercedes Cruz #1

Authors: P.J. Day & Elizabeth Basque

Publication date: September 18th 2013

Published by: P.J. Day

Source: For review for blog tour

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Mercedes Cruz is a Bruja--or Witch, in Spanish. Just like many first generation sons and daughters of immigrant parents, Mercy has embraced America, its culture, and its customs in their entirety. But Brujeria or Mexican Witchcraft is deeply tied with Mercy's heritage and her family's past, and because she's neglected such a large chunk of her identity, Mercy now stands a stunted witch in her 30's.

Mercy, also a single mother of five year old Terra, who may also share her attributes, has decided to start her own private investigation firm in the heart of Orange County, California. She's decided to use her budding talents to recruit business, solve challenging cases, and help those in the community who lack a voice and who may be too afraid to report crimes due to their legal status --leaving criminals to freely exploit those who choose to live in the shadows.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Mercy Cruz has just started her own Private Investigator business when she is asked to work on a case the hits close to home. Oh, and she is also a witch! When Mercy realizes that is case may or may not have some supernatural stuff involved, she pulls out the big guns to help her out: brujeria. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and the magical mess that's she made might just get her in trouble.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Showcase Sunday (#39)


Welcome to Showcase Sunday, hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea. The aim of this event is to showcase our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed form the libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders this week (it's becoming more of a monthly thing for me, though lol). For more information about how this feature works and to join in, click here.

Man, I haven't done one of these in a while! I feel procrastination coming on so I'll write up this post instead of studying for my exam tomorrow :) lol

Here is what I've gotten over the last couple of weeks:

Friday, December 6, 2013

Review: The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2) by Rick Riordan

The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2)
Title: The Son of Neptune

Series: The Heroes of Olympus #2

Previous Book in this Series: The Lost Hero

Author: Rick Riordan

Publication date: October 2011

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own Hardcover

Add it to your Goodreads shelf

Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.


Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem — when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery — although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely — enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

My rating: ★★★★★

PERCY IS BACK!!! YAY!!! And now with that out of my system, lets get to the review... :)

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Launch Day Excerpt + Giveaway: Proxy (Avalon #0.5) by Mindee Arnett



Title: Proxy

Series: Avalon #0.5

Author: Mindee Arnett

Publication date: Dec. 3rd, 2013 (TODAY!)

Published by: HarperTeen Impulse

Genres: YA | Sci-Fi

Blurb: If you need something stolen from any star system in the Confederation, you need look no further than the Shades. Jeth Seagrave and his band of teenage mercenaries have been making a name for themselves for being able to steal anything—and for disappearing before anyone is the wiser.

Their latest job, a jewel heist on Grakkus, should be no different. But when Jeth's boss replaces a key member of his crew just before takeoff, and Jeth discovers a betrayal within his own ranks, he begins to suspect that not everyone is going to be coming back from his job alive.

Proxy is an action-packed introduction to a world like nothing readers have seen before.

Find Proxy here: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble