Birthday Bash Contest at Leilani Loves Books!

Leilani Loves Books is having a birthday Bash: 

This is what she says:

"Here's how it works:

Starting June 11th to August 13th (my birthday) I am going to have a list of contests. On August 13th I will have the names of all of the winners.

I will have separate posts for each contest and their will be rules there.

Right now, I have some things I am going to give away and some awesome authors coming up so as soon as I get an update, I will post the dates and prizes here. So keep a look out!

PRIZES!

Kissing Sin by Kerri Arthur-Thanks Demon Lover!
One header and blog button designed by Loud Words & Sounds-Thanks Andrea!
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa-Thanks Ky!
House Of Immortal Pleasures by Katie Salidas-Thanks Katie! (OPEN!!!)
ANY book $10 or under from The Book Depository! INTERNATIONAL!-Thanks Steph! (OPEN!!!!)
Manifest by Artist Arthur and swag!-Thanks Artist!
First 3 installments of A Vampire's Kiss by Laura Stamps-Thanks Laura! (Open!!!! )
Signed copy of I'll Be Slaying You by Cynthia Eden-Thanks Cynthia!
more to come!

Rules: In order to sign up for my big event, all I ask is make a post about it, put my button on your blog, and post the post here with Mr.Linky and you must be a follower."

It's Friday! Let's Hop!

Friday - Book Blogger Hop is hosted at Crazy-For-Books! 

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!

Thanks to all my followers that have been so patient with me - I have been trying to blog, but have not been getting around to many other blogs.  Last weeek and this week I have been trying to visit all the blogs I follow - so, with that in mind....if I am following your blog I will be stopping to comment asap.  I will be going back and checking out the blog hop after that!  

Reading Update!

I am attempting to read 100 books in 2010 and this is how far I am:

1. Search for the Flaming Chalice by Robert Shaw Kesler

2. Immortal: Love Stories with Bite by various authors

3. My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers #2) by Rachel Vincent

4. My Soul to Lose (Soul Screamers # 1.5) Rachel Vincent

5. Beautiful Creatures Kami Garcia/M. Stohl

6. Hearts at Stake Alyxander Harvey

7. Firespell Chloe Neill

8. Doomsday Can Wait Lori Handeland

9. Magic Under Glass Jaclyn Dolamore

10. The Iron King Julie Kagawa

11. Carter Finally Gets It Brent Crawford

12. Shift Rachel Vincent

13. Blood Lite Kevin J. Anderson

14. Deeper Than the Dead Tami Hoag

15. In Too Deep (39 Clues #6) Jude Watson

16. The Crossroads Café Deborah Smith

17. Soulless Gail Carriger

18. Unknown: Outcast Season Book 2 Rachel Caine

19. Crux: Southern Arcana Book 1 Moira Rogers

20. Must Love Hellhounds Ilona Andrews

21. Hex Hall Rachel Hawkins

22. Wolf Signs: Granite Lake Wolves #1 Vivian Arend

23. Wolf Flight: Granite Lake Wolves #2 Vivian Arend

24. Wolf Games: Granite Lake Wolves #3 Vivian Arend

25. Skin Deep: Laura Blackstone #1 Mark Del Franco

26. Male Call: Hot Zone book 1 Denise A. Agnew

27. Stopping Time: part 1 Melissa Marr

28. Stopping Time: part 2 Melissa Marr

29. Into the Mist: Falcon Mercenary Group #1 Maya Banks

30. Into the Lair: Falcon Mercenary Group #2 Maya Banks

31. Undone: Outcast Season Book 1 Rachel Caine

32. Crossroads: Southern Arcana Book 2 Moira Rogers

33. Cry Sanctuary: Red Rock Pass Book 1 Moira Rogers

34. Sanctuary Lost: Red Rock Pass Book 2 Moira Rogers

35. Sanctuary's Price: Red Rock Pass Book 3 Moira Rogers

36. Alpha Turned K.B. Alan

37. On the Edge Ilona Andrews

38. Dear Dumb Diary: Let's Pretend This Never Happened Jim Benton

39. Elphame's Choice P.C. Cast

40. Brighid's Quest P.C. Cast

41. Heartless Anne Elizabeth Stengl

42. Exposure Brandilyn Collins

43. Try Me Parker Blue

44. Run, Wolf: Nightfall Wolf Clans #1 Keith Melton

45. Tainted: Blood Lily Chronicles #1 Julie Kenner

46. Torn: Blood Lily Chronicles #2 Julie Kenner

47. Turned: Blood Lily Chronicles #3 Julie Kenner

48. Changeless Gail Carriger

49. Magic Bleeds Ilona Andrews

50. Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

51. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

52. Once Bitten by Kalayna Price

53. Addiction by Sandra Marshall

54. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

55. Wings by Aprilynne Pike

56. The Mark by Jen Nadol

57. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

58. Even Money by Dick Francis

59. Short Stories from Red Rock by Moira Rogers

60. Sanctuary Unbound: Red Rock Pass Book 4 by Moira Rogers

61. 13 to Life by Shannon Delany


62. Leader of the Pack by Karen MacInerney


63. Pleasure Unbound: A Demonica Novel by Larissa Ione


64. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance


65. The Mark by Jen Nadol


66. Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts


67. Origin In Death by J.D. Robb

6 x 5 Challenge

The 6 x 5 Challenge is hosted by Mystee at A Moment with Mystee. 

This is a quarterly challenge.

1st: October 2010 -- 10.10-10.17

2nd: January 2011 -- Exact dates TBA

3rd: April 2011 -- Exact dates TBA

    4th: July 2011 -- Exact dates TBA

                            5th: October 2011 -- Exact dates TBA

During the dates, the goal is to drag out your reading pile and get caught up. Do you have reviews that need to get done? Books that you've really just wanted to sit and read? This is your chance.


Then for at least 5 of the listed dates {don't have to be in a row}, you set your goal to read 6 hours a day. You can post your daily updates on what you're reading and how many hours that you managed each day. Then when the challenge is over, you post up your final results. You do not have to manage to read 5 of the days nor do you have to manage the 6 hours each day, just do what you can. she decided on 5 days and 6 hours to try to make it so it was no pressure all around.

I am going to attempt this challenge!  I was unsuccessful at the 500-page book challenge in May because I just had too much to do for the end of the school year, but I think I can make this one fit in my schedule!  Books and reading dates will be listed later!

Super Amazing Contest!

You have to check out this contest!  Reggie at Undercover Book Lover (not really) is hosting and as you can see from the pic above - this is one you want to win!!! Okay really this is one I want to win!  But you can enter too!  Swing on over and sign up!

Friday! Fun Hopping Friday!

The Book blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-books! 

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, go back later and join the fun!  Nearly 200 blogs each week!

Wednesday!

What have I been reading?  Wow - everything I have handy!  I keep starting new books depending on which room in the house I am in.  Not the way to go - I don't recommend it. 

I just read Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris.  I have been meaning to get it read since it came out, but so many books on the stack.  I saw it sitting on the shelf and had to start it.  Read it all day!  I am not getting as much cleaning done as I want to, not that it is breaking my heart!  This was a great read!   She has well-developed characters that have been brought from other books in the series, while bringing in new, interesting characters at the same time.  I enjoyed the expanded roles some of the characters had in this book.  I still want Sookie to be with Bill, but that is just me - I realize that the whole vampire marriage thing makes that not work out, but a girl can hope right!  The new Claude is amazing!  I love the new bartending woman, Kennedy.  One of my favorite characters is Pam - she is just a great vampire. I also really like Sam.  I was thrilled with the closure on the Compton/Bellefleur issue.

 

Today I read Wings by Aprilynne Pike.  This book was on my summer reading pile from school.  This was an amazing story.  She gives a whole new look to the fae.  I wasn't sure about the whole flower/wing idea at first, but I really enjoyed the book.  Her characters are well thought out.  You instantly admire David, for so many things and you fall for Tam immediately.  He has that mysterious air that demands another look.  Lauren and her parents create the perfect family for the plot and the complications and struggles keep you turning the pages.  I can't wait to go get the sequel:  Spells .

I just started The Mark by Jen Nadol this afternoon.  I am only on chapter five, but I am loving it.  I feel for Cassie, I can't imagine what it would be like to "see" the deaths of people.  I don't have much to say about it right now - more when I finish. 

Monday - sweet Monday!

How many times can you really say that?!  I am on summer break from school, so I get to say that for a few weeks! 

I am pleased to say that although I have nothing in my mailbox for this week, I get get a bit of reading done! 

I finished Once Bitten by Kalayna Price: it wasn't what I expected, but I enjoyed the story very much.   I have put Twice Dead on my TBR list and will be picking it up as soon as I get some of my current summer reading list behind me. 

Amazon Product Description:

Vampires and Shapeshifters. A Fictionwise bestseller: No. 1 on the Fictionwise Dark Fantasy list in Feb. 2009 Kita Nekai, on the run and the smallest of her shifter clan-a calico cat among lions and tigers-is being hunted. She was expected to accept her role as her father's successor whether or not her cat was up to the task of leading the clan. She disagreed. Now she's less than a step ahead of the hunters, bone-tired, cold, and living hand-to-mouth in the city of Haven. And that's the high point of her day. She's also drugged, "accidently" turned into a vampire, and sentenced to death for recklessly creating a rogue shifter who tortures its human prey. She's got seventy-two hours to find the rogue, evade a city full of hunters, prove she's not responsible for the rogue, and keep the vampire council from killing her. All while sorting out an apprentice mage, a married ex-boyfriend shifter-hunter, and the vampire who made her.

I also finished reading Addiction by Sandra Marshall.  This was a great read.  I won the pdf version in a blogger contest from Sandra Marshall.  I sat down to read it this evening and stopped when I finished the story.  I decided early on who I thought the killer was and couldn't possibly put it down until I knew if I was right!  Love the characters!  Joley and Jake are my favorites, then the mom.  The mom only gets a little bit of print - but you instantly love her!  I could have done without the sister Mel - too snotty and spoiled little girl for me. 

I just got an email from Sandra Marshall and the book will be out in print this summer!  Please check it out!

I have started Wereling (The Changeling in England) by Steve Feasey and I am halfway through Even Money by Dick Francis. 

I did check out a huge stack of books from the MC at school for the summer, but I will list them as I read them.

It's Friday! Let's Hop!!!

The Friday Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jen at Crazy-For-Books.com.  Hop on over and get signed up!

Review: Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

Touch the Dark: Cassandra Palmer Book 1  by Karen Chance -

Back cover blurb:  Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits - talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead.  The ghosts of the dead aren't usually dangerous; they just like to talk...a lot.  The Undead are another matter.  Like any sensible girl, Cassie tires to avoid vampires.  But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped from three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she is forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.  The undead senators won't help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire - and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay...

My thoughts:  Why I chose this book, what I liked about it, and what I didn't like.
     I tend to be a cover shopper - sad as that sounds.  I tend to walk through the bookstore looking at covers, when I see something that catches my eye  - I pick it up and read the blurb, then if I like the blurb I buy it.  I do also shop by author, and now that I am a blogger - of course I have more and more book ideas every day!
     This was a fast, one day read.  Tomas and Mircea were my favorite characters, and Cassie of course.  The character descriptions are great.  The author portrays a different vampire world than I have seen in most stories.  Virtually everything about them is different is some way - from feeding to appearance.  The idea of the vampire mob being after Cassie makes for interesting twists, for they are not the only ones after her.  The twists continue in all aspects of the book, the tangle of relationships the most.  Cassie is forced to make decisions about her life and her future based on the information she is given by all sides, not knowing what the truth is. 
     Overall, I enjoyed the book - like I said, one day read!  I found it abundant in details at some points and realized a few times that I was skimming to get to what I wanted to know.    The end sets us up for the next book (but so does the title - Cassandra Palmer Book 1).

Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

W...W...W...Wednesdays is hosted by Miz B at Should be Reading.

Currently I am reading Touch the Dark by Karen Chance.

I just finished reading Mind Games by Carolyn Crane. 

I enjoyed the story - it was a good read!  I liked the intrigue and the characters. 

I liked the highcap idea and the different mind control people, the forcefield part is great.  The idea of a group of crime fighters that control minds is scary at best.  The question of who is fighting crime and who is controlling the innocent....we still don't have the answer to that - I hope there is a sequel coming.

Next I plan to read Addiction by Sandra Marshall.  I also plan to finish reading The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan - I was hoping to finish it in May as my 500-page challenge, but I was unsuccessful.  I didn't realize how little time I would have to read in the month of May.  I will try to remember that next year.

I also will be reading something on the Kindle.  I always have it in my bag and so I am always reading something on there too.  I am thinking that the Kindle read will be Once Bitten by Kalayna Price.   It is part of my Read Your Name Challenge.  I also plan to read Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan LeFenu on-line.

Soul Screamers #3 - My Soul to Keep - trailer & Contest!

Check out the trailer for the newest Rachel Vincent YA - Soul Screamers #3 - My Soul to Keep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90a670nkVak&feature=player_embedded

Check out the contest here!

Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

My teaser this from page 1 of Touch of Dark by Karen Chance. 

"I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw the obituary.  The fact that it had my name on it was sort of a clue."

Literary Road Trip ~ #1

The Literary Road Trip is hosted at Jen's Bookshelves.  I am sharing Minnesota authors!  I am starting out my leg of the journey with Lois McMaster-Bujold.  You can check out her blog here. 

I chose to start out this road trip with Lois because I have had the pleasure of meeting her a few times.  I have been fortunate enough to be able to not only attend book signings, but also dinners with Lois McMaster-Bujold and a group of her fans. 

Lois McMaster-Bujold was born in Ohio, but now resides in Minnesota.  She writes science fiction and fantasy.  She is one of the most acclaimed writers in her field.  She won the Hugo Award for best novel four times. Her novella "The Mountains of Mourning" won both the Hugo and Nebula Award. The Curse of Chalion won the Mythopoeic Award for Adult Literature and was nominated for the 2002 World Fantasy Award for best novel, and both her fourth Hugo and second Nebula were for Paladin of Souls.

She is best known for her Vorkosigan saga.  Shards of Honor (1986), Barrayar (1991), Ethan of Athos (1986), Falling Free (1988), Dreamweaver's Dilemma (1995), The Warrior's Apprentice (1986), Borders of Infinity (1989), Brothers in Arms (1989), The Vor Game (1990), Barrayar (1991), Vorkosigan's Game (omnibus) (1992), Mirror Dance (1994), Cetaganda (1995), Memory (1996), Young Miles (omnibus) (1997), Komarr (1998), A Civil Campaign (1999), Miles, Mystery and Mayhem (omnibus) (2001), Diplomatic Immunity (2002), Miles Errant (omnibus) (2002), Miles, Mutants and Microbes (omnibus) (2007), Miles in Love (omnibus)(2008), Winterfair Gifts (2008), and CryoBurn (Forthcoming, late 2010).

She broke into the Fantasy realm in 1993 with The Spirit Ring, then wrote The Curse of Chalion (2001),

Paladin of Souls (2003) (sequel to The Curse of Chalion),  The Hallowed Hunt (2005).

I was introduced to Lois and her amazing work when The Sharing Knife Series was pubished.  This series consists of: Beguilement (2006), Legacy (2007), Passage (2008), Horizon (2009). 

You can check out a list of all of her books and awards at Fantastic Fiction.

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Magic Bleeds: Kate Daniels Book 4 by Ilona Andrews -

Amazon Product Description


Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.

And now there's a new player in town-a foe that may be too much for even Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family.
 
I was hooked on this series from the go.  I have been awaiting this book, and now am awaiting the next one, which I will preorder as soon as I am able.  I started reading this as soon as I finished Changeless by Gail Carriger and put it down only to sleep and work - yes, I read while I ate.  Loved it!  The characters are great, the plot is solid, and the relationships are fantastic.  I truly enjoy the dynamics between the different shifter groups and the humans.  Kate is a fantastic heroine!  The author keeps you engaged all the way to the end.  One thing I like about this series is that the end of the book feels finished - but not over.  It, like the three books before it, is a great read.
 
I have to share my favorite quote from this book - it says so much about the kind of character Kate is.  (It is at a point when the council is meeting to decide Kate's place - so to speak.  I was going to use it as a teaser, but I will be reading a different book on teaser Tuesday).

"Some of you know me. Some of you have seen me fight and some of you are my friends. Have your vote. But know this: if you come to remove me, come in force, because if you try to separate me from him, I will kill every single one of you. My hand won't shake. My aim won't falter. My face will be the last thing you'll see before you die." 

WOW! What a week!

School is out!  The kids are probably more excited than I am, but I can't say I am not glad for it to be summer break!  89 days of sleeping in, reading all day, and staying up too late!  Life is good!  Thanks to all my followers for hanging in there this week when I was too busy to blog!  I will be posting about Minnesota authors, working on my challenges, and participating in Camp Read-a-lot (SELCO) so there should be lots to see coming up soon!  I will be posting some stats from my school reading club too!

Monday!

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. It is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.  Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This is what I got in my mailbox!

The Flanagan book is for my son - I have only managed to read book 1 is this series.  I enjoyed it so much I told my son he needed to check it out - now he is a huge fan and the newest Ranger's book is preordered as soon as possible! 

After the Darkness came from the Early Reviewers at LibraryThing.  I have always been a Sheldon fan so I am looking forward to reading this one!  It will be on the top of my TBR.

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews has been long awaited - so this is my very next read!  This one won't even make the TBR, it went from the amazon box to my bag.  I plan to start it this evening!

Claire de Lune showed up in my mailbox and I am thrilled!  This one is on my summer read list (which is entirely toooooo long, but I can't wait to try to get them all read and reviewed).



It's Monday What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through Books.

What I am reading:

I just finished reading Changeless by Gail Carriger.  It is the sequel to Soulless and I enjoyed it very much - although I was unhappy about the ending.  I will be impatiently awaiting book three so that I can find out what happens next!

I am also reading The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan - this is a great one, I am almost finished with it, as well as Mind Games by Carolyn Crane.

Next I am reading (as I said above) Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews.  I have been waiting for this one and am very excited!

What's on deck?  Addiction by Sandra Marshall - which unfortunately has been pushed to the NEXT pile a couple times already.