Friday, August 31, 2012

Stacking The Shelves #3

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a post for bloggers to share what books they've received to review, bought, won, borrowed or were gifted.

What I got this week


Books mentioned in the vlog:

I raved about
Cinderella: The Graphic Novel (Graphic Spin)

Library haul
Discount Armageddon (InCryptid, #1)On the Edge (The Edge, #1)Ghostopolis
             Goodreads   Amazon                               Goodreads   Amazon                        Goodreads   Amazon


Have you read any of these???
What is new to your shelf this week?
Happy reading,
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Review: Cinderella: The Graphic Novel by Beth Bracken, Illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins

Every now and then I come across a children's book that I just have to share. Cinderella: The Graphic Novel is one of those books.

  Cinderella: The Graphic Novel (Graphic Spin)

Title: Cinderella: The Graphic Novel
Author: Beth Bracken
Illustrator: Jeffrey Stewart Timmins
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: Stone Arch Books
Release Date: September 1, 2008
ISBN-10: 1434208605
ISBN-13: 978-1434208606
Source: Library
Goodreads   Amazon

Cinderella's wicked stepmother won't let her go to the ball. But with a little help from a Fairy Godmother, she'll be getting there in style. There's just one catch. At midnight, her magical gown will turn back into dirty old rags.(Goodreads)

Review

As you know I love to read fairy tales, the original and retold stories. Cinderella has always been one of my favorite stories. When I was at the library the other day with my girls, Cinderella: The Graphic Novel caught our eye.

Cinderella: The Graphic Novel is not quite the Disney version most people are used to. This version of the story was wonderful. The author, Beth Bracken went closer to the original version and put her own spin on it. 

What I love the most about this book is how well the artwork and story go together. The art in this graphic novel is wonderful! I love the style of it.

Illustrations by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins

If you are a fan of Cinderella and graphic novels this is a perfect fit. Bonus, at the back of the book there is a bit of Cinderella history that we all enjoyed reading. I have now read this with my children three times because they LOVE it! I will be purchasing it soon because I will eventually have to return it to the library.

Happy reading,
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Totally stalking the author and illustrator when I get done with this review!
OK, I already have;)

Recommended For
EVERYONE 

Thursday, August 30, 2012

I Need Authors and Bloggers!!!

Spooking Button (200x156) (2)
Yep, that’s last years button!

Spooking The Spine starts in one month!!!

I need authors and bloggers that would like to participate in Spooking The Spine this year.

Last year was so awesome!
I had bloggers guest review spooky books they loved.
Great authors came by to do guest post, interviews, and giveaways.
Spooking The Spine will go from October 1,2012 to November 1,2012.

I had so much fun with last years Spooking The Spine event! I hope this year is just as great:)

To participate just send me an email letting me know how you would like to participate.
Put Spooking The Spine in the subject please.

For Bloggers
  • let me know what book you are planning on reviewing.
  • I would also love you to send me little something about you and your blog to put in your post.

For Authors
  • Send me your book info: title, genre, Goodreads link, ect…
  • Let me know if you want to do a guest post, character GP, or interview. also let me know if there will be a giveaway available.      

Thanks everyone!
I can’t wait to hear from you.
bendingthespine(at)gmail.com
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

Bending_the_Spine_MeMe_WW
"Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at “Breaking the Spine”, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
 
My Pick This Week
 
The Haven
Release Date: April 16th 2013

For the teens at The Haven, the outside world, just beyond the towering stone wall that surrounds the premises, is a dangerous unknown. It has always been this way, ever since the hospital was established in the year 2020. But The Haven is more than just a hospital; it is their home. It is all they know. Everything is strictly monitored: education, exercise, food, and rest. The rules must be followed to keep the children healthy, to help control the Disease that has cast them as Terminals, the Disease that claims limbs and lungs—and memories.

But Shiloh is different; she remembers everything. Gideon is different, too. He dreams of a cure, of rebellion against the status quo. What if everything they’ve been told is a lie? What if The Haven is not the safe place it claims to be? And what will happen if Shiloh starts asking dangerous questions?(Goodreads)

Goodreads  

Why I’m Waiting
 
I am in love with this creepy cover!!! I’m also very intrigued about this odd place these people are calling home. Why are they there???
 
Are you excited about The Haven?!?!
What are you waiting on???
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Are You Buying??? (August 28, 2012 Edition)

I love Tuesdays! These are some of the titles releasing today.


Starling (Starling, #1)

"Love is just the beginning... of the end."

Mason Starling is a champion fencer for Gosforth Academy, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Until now. When a ferocious storm rips through Manhattan and unleashes terrifying creatures onto Gosforth’s campus, Mason barely escapes alive. Without help from the mysterious stranger who appeared in the midst of the storm, she might not have made it at all. But now, in the aftermath, Mason’s life begins to spin dramatically, mystically out of control, and the only one who seems able to help her is the stranger who can remember nothing but his name: Fennrys Wolf.

As Mason and Fenn uncover more about Fenn’s past and the strange events that surround them, they realize that Mason’s family — and its dark allegiance to the ancient Norse gods — is at the center of everything. A predetermined fate seems to be closing in on Mason, but is it possible to change one’s destiny?

Readers who fell in love with Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange trilogy and those who love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series will be captivated by the sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action of Starling.(Goodreads)


If I Lie

A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.

Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.(Goodreads)


Erasing Time

In this high-action and romantic futuristic adventure, there is no escape from the future for two contemporary girls pulled out of their own time.

When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that’s so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can’t go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The moblike Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

Full of adrenaline-injected chases and heartbreaking confessions, Erasing Time explores the strength of the bonds between twins, the risks and rewards of trust, and the hard road to finding the courage to fight for what you believe in.(Goodreads)


The Blood Keeper (The Blood Journals, #2)

Paranormal romance fans who are looking to up the ante will be drawn to this tale of horror, fantasy, and romance. For Mab Prowd, the practice of blood magic is as natural as breathing. It's all she's ever known. Growing up on an isolated farm in Kansas with other practitioners may have kept her from making friends her own age, but it has also given her a sense of purpose—she's connected to the land and protective of the magic. And she is able to practice it proudly and happily out in the open with only the crows as her companions. Mab will do anything to keep the ancient practice alive and guard its secrets. But one morning while she is working out a particularly tricky spell she encounters Will, a local boy who is trying to exorcise some mundane personal demons. He experiences Mab's magic in a way his mind cannot comprehend and is all too happy to end their chance meeting. But secrets that were kept from Mab by the earlier generations of blood magicians have come home to roost. And she and Will are drawn back together, time again by this dangerous force looking to break free from the earth and reclaim its own dark power.(Goodreads)


The Lost Girl

Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

From debut novelist Sangu Mandanna comes the dazzling story of a girl who was always told what she had to be—until she found the strength to decide for herself.(Goodreads)


Dangerous Boy

A modern-day retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with a chilling twist

Harper has never been worried about falling in love, something she is skeptical even exists. But everything changes when Logan moves to town, and to Harper's shock, the two tumble into an intense romance. It's everything she never thought she wanted.

Then she meets Logan's twin brother, Caleb, who was expelled from his last school. True, he's a bad boy, but Harper can't shake the feeling that there's something deeply sinister about him--something dangerous. When Logan starts pulling away, Harper is convinced that Caleb's shadowy past is the wedge being driven between them. But by the time she uncovers the truth, it may be too late.

The author of Prada & Prejudice, You Wish, and Ripple delivers a modern-day retelling of a famously gothic tale, full of suspense, lies, and romance.(Goodreads)


Inbetween (Kissed by Death, #1)

Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky — and unending — lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn’t let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left…his soul.(Goodreads)


The Dark Light

Mia is torn between two guys—and two worlds—in this epic, romantic fantasy.Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she’s concerned, that’s about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town.

That is, until Sol arrives. Mia’s not one to fall for just any guy, but she can’t get Sol—or the brilliant tattoo on his back—out of her mind.

Then Mia’s brother goes missing, and Mia’s convinced that Sol knows more than he’s sharing. But getting closer to Sol means reevaluating everything Mia once believed to be true. Because Sol’s not who Mia thought he was—and neither is she.(Goodreads)

Goodreads   Amazon

Every Day

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.(Goodreads)
 
Goodreads   Amazon
 
How To Lose a Demon in 10 Days (10 Days, #1)
 
GOT DEMON?

Grace does. She's got more demon than she can saddle. In fact, she's got a sinfully sexy Crown Prince of Hell named Caspian. She's also got ten days to get rid of him or Bad Things shall ensue. See, her Russian mobster ex-boyfriend didn't take kindly to her smutty Mephistophelean contract. It's not that she's conspiring with fiends; that was his idea. It's that she's conspiring against him with outrageous devilry that runs the gamut from embarrassing to a dead hooker turned dominatrix demon gunning for his soul.

One should never trust demons, let alone shag them. They don't have hearts. Yet Grace is buying hers some slightly tarnished armor and hoping that once he's been shoveled into it, kicking and screaming, he'll find it's just his size. This wicked witch needs a white knight--or at least a Prince of Darkness for a Happily Ever After.(Goodreds)


The Demoness of Waking Dreams (The Company of Angels, #2)

Even ANGELS can be tough... Ex-cop Brendan Clarkson is an angel with an edge. His tough exterior is the perfect camouflage for his job-hunting down the most dangerous criminals on earth. Brendan's a self-reliant and demanding lone wolf, constantly on the brink of clashing with his superiors at the Company of Angels.

Brendan is the perfect angel to track and capture demoness Luciana Rossetti. Luciana's cool, green-eyed beauty masks her true nature: inside, she's a dangerous and malevolent killer. Yet, she sees what most people don't-that beneath the layers of Brendan's rugged shell beats the heart of a passionate lover.

They are perfectly matched. Yin and yang. Angel and demon. Man and woman. But only one of them can win the battle of wills, of strength and of desire.(Goodreads)


Immortally Yours (Monster M*A*S*H, #1)

IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE GODS… 

No one patches up the incoming wounded like Dr. Petra Robichaud. Recruited by the gods for her uncanny medical skills, she’s the best M*A*S*H surgeon in the army. Along with a nosy guard sphinx,vegetarian werewolf, and otherparanormal paramedics, she bandages soldiers who are built like Greek gods (literally). But when one sexy immortal ends up on her operating table—half dead and totally to-die-for—Petra’s afraid she’ll lose her patient and her heart…


NOTHING IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN LOVE

Commander Galen of Delphi is one gorgeous but stubborn demi-god. When his spirit tries to slip out of his fatally wounded body, Dr. Petra has to slip it back in—unwittingly revealing her ability to see ghosts. Now that Galen knows her secret, he’s convinced she’s part of an ancient prophecy. If the oracles are right, Petra could lead Galen’s army to peace. And if he seduces her on the way to hell and back? Heaven knows—all’s fair in love and war…(Goodreads)




Tony Prosdocimi lives in the bustling Metropolis of San Ventura — a city gripped in fear, a city under siege by the hooded supervillain, The Cowl.

When Tony develops super-powers and acts to take down The Cowl, however, he finds that the local superhero team Seven Wonders aren’t as grateful as he assumed they’d be…(Goodreads)





So… do you plan on snatching any of these books up today? Is anything new to you?

Happy Bookday!!!
To all the author that have books out this week.
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: The Guardian of Bastet by Jacqueline M. Battisti

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Title: The Guardian of Bastet
Author: Jacqueline Battisti
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance Publisher: Carina Press Date of Publication: 8/20/2012 ISBN: 978-14268-9424-4 ASIN: B0088NH1Z8 Number of pages: 237 Word Count: 84,000 Source: Bewitching Book Tours Goodreads   Amazon    Barnes & Noble

Cat-shifter Trinity Morrigan-Caine has discovered a demon is killing supernaturals. Magically challenged, she has every intention of letting handsome Alpha werewolf Gordon Barnes handle it. But after a dying vampire gifts Trinity a mystical amulet, she is drawn into the fray as the legendary Guardian of Bastet, a warrior born when the need arises.

Though Trinity initially rejects the role, she warms to the idea when Gordon agrees to train her—and their passion for each other grows as he teaches her to embrace her animal instincts.

As she begins to accept her destiny and believe in her growing powers, Trinity realizes the danger is even closer to home than she ever imagined—and she and Gordon are going to have to face the demon in a fight to the death...(Goodreads)










Review

It took me a little bit to get into The Guardian of Bastet. In the beginning it seamed to move a bit slow and I was a little worried at first, then all of a sudden the story takes off and I could not push the page button on my reader fast enough.

You all know that Urban Fantasy is one of my favorite genres. Well, the cool thing about The Guardian of Bastet is that while it is obviously a UF it also has a bit of PNR mixed in as well. Another fun thing about TGoB is that for the most part the paranormal characters go by the old rules: As in werewolves can’t handle silver, and vampires must be invited into a residence.

With an exasperated sigh he said, “You have to invite me in, Trinity. I am a vampire,
remember? I cannot enter until I am formally invited inside. Since this is my first visit to this
address, you must give me permission.”
“Damn, I forgot.” Stupid of me…

Jacqueline M. Battisti is a new author to me and I was very impressed by how character driven The Guardian of Bastet is. I really grew to love Trinity. At first Trinity is very unsure of herself as far as her supernatural abilities go.

I can yell like the girl I am. (I swear my voice goes sonic when I screech.) I have some martial arts training, great marksmanship with my handgun and a keen sense of smell. But that’s about it. I’m nothing special, just a genetic disappointment. It seems being a half-and-half, I have the ability to cast spells and shift, but neither one is very impressive. My spells tend to backfire, usually to my
mortification, and I only shift into a housecat. Not exactly intimidating material, so I may as well
be a norm.

I loved that I got to see her grow so much throughout the book. Trinity’s character was very well developed. Not to mention the fact that she is incredibly snarky and sarcastic, so of course I have to love her character. I loved Trinity’s normal BFF, Brandon! He is so sweet and has no idea about Trinity’s supernatural side. I am excited to see how their relationship continues if there are future books in this world. Another male character that I rally enjoyed is the very smexy Gordon. Gordon is the alpha werewolf in town. The blooming relationship between he and Trinity really fit, and I love the fact that he is alpha, but not in that annoying overpowering way.

I would love to go through so many more characters with you but then I will start to give to much of the story away…

I very much enjoyed this urban fantasy! I knew who the villain was early on but that didn’t spoil the story for me because I wanted to see how each characters role would play out. I am anxious to see more of these characters in the future.

Happy reading,
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[Bending_The_Spine_Moon_Rater%255B23%255D.png][Bending_The_Spine_Moon_Rater%255B23%255D.png][Bending_The_Spine_Moon_Rater%255B23%255D.png]
It's good. I had fun for the most part.

Recommended For
16 and up : For language, violence, and sexual content.



The Guardian of Bastet
Tour Wide Giveaway
TheGuardianOfBastet[2]
What is being given away?

* In celebration of the release of her new book, Jacqueline is giving away 5 copies of The Guardian of Bastet (EPUB or PDF) your choice!  
AND  
140[1]
3-Pewter Egyptian Bastet Cat Pendants, The Goddess Bastet (cat goddess) is an important role in The Guardian of Bastet

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

ARC Review & Giveaway: The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin

The Waiting Sky

Title: The Waiting Sky
Author: Lara Zielin
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: August 2, 2012 
ISBN-10: 0399256865
ISBN-13: 978-0399256868
Source: Publisher
Goodreads   Amazon   Book Depository

One summer chasing tornadoes could finally change Jane's life for the better.

Seventeen-year-old Jane McAllister can't quite admit her mother's alcoholism is spiraling dangerously out of control until she drives drunk, nearly killing them and Jane's best friend.

Jane has only one place to turn: her older brother Ethan, who left the problems at home years ago for college. A summer with him and his tornado-chasing buddies may just provide the time and space Jane needs to figure out her life and whether it still includes her mother. But she struggles with her anger at Ethan for leaving home and feels guilty--is she also abandoning her mom just when she needs Jane most? The carefree trip turned journey of self-discovery quickly becomes more than Jane bargained for, especially when the devilishly handsome Max steps into the picture.(Goodreads)

Review

Can I just start this review with some cover love?!?! Ok, lets take a moment and look again… It is so stunning! It’s even better in person. All right on to the real review.

OK, so after trying like eight times to write this review I finally gave up and did a gushy vlog review to get what I was trying to say across. If you are not one that likes to watch reviews, let me just say I loved The Waiting Sky! It is an awesome YA contemporary that deals with real issues and really gets it. The Waiting Sky has awesome memorable characters that I fell in love with. And I already want to read it again.

Loved it! I want to know about everything this author writes.

Happy Reading and watching,
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My Ramble


The Waiting Sky Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday: Revel by Maurissa Guibord


Bending_the_Spine_MeMe_WW


"Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at “Breaking the Spine”, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

My Pick This Week

 

Revel



Title: Revel
Author: Maurissa Guibord
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 12, 2013
ISBN-10: 0385741871
ISBN-13: 978-0385741873
Goodreads   Amazon

There’s an island off the coast of Maine that’s not on any modern map.


Shrouded in mist and protected by a deadly reef, Trespass Island is home to a community of people who guard the island and its secrets from outsiders. Seventeen-year-old Delia grew up in Kansas, but has come here in search of her family and answers to her questions: Why didn’t her mother ever talk about Trespass Island? Why did she fear the open water? But Delia’s not welcome and soon finds herself enmeshed in a frightening and supernatural world where ancient Greek symbols adorn the buildings and secret ceremonies take place on the beach at night.


Sean Gunn, a handsome young lobsterman, befriends Delia and seems willing to risk his life to protect her. But it’s Jax, the coldly elusive young man she meets at the water’s edge, who finally makes Delia understand the real dangers of life on the island. Delia is going to have to fight to survive. Because there are monsters here. And no one ever leaves Trespass alive.(Goodreads)


Why I’m Waiting


What first caught my attention was Revel’s amazing cover. Then I read the description and I was totally intrigued! Like what kind of supernatural are we talking here? Is the blurb talking about real monsters or just evil people? Why does no one leave Trespass alive? Although with a name like Trespass…


And what the heck is a lobsterman?!?!

*Googles lobsterman*

Wow! a lot of stuff popped up… Still not 100% sure. Now I just want to read it more! 


Other News

Come back tomorrow for my review and giveaway of The Waiting Sky

 
Are you excited about Revel?
What are you waiting on?
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