Monday, May 31, 2010

A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp

Amazon.com:

Meet three noble bachelors and a quartet of American girls of questionable manners! New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp delights with an exciting new series featuring love, laughter, and intrigue.

When Mary Bascombe’s stepfather tries to sell her and her sisters to the highest bidder after their mother’s death, she resolves to take drastic action. Although their British mother was estranged from her family, Mary decides the four will flee to London and take their place in society as granddaughters of the Earl of Stewkesbury.

Dashing Sir Royce Winslow doubts the honesty of the young women’s claim—despite their charms, they seem to be hiding something. His attraction to feisty Mary, however, is no ruse, so when the sisters are shipped off to Willowmere, the earl’s country estate, to acquire some polish, Royce is quick to join them. When an unknown villain attempts a kidnapping, Royce and Mary are thrown together as they confront the danger . . . and Royce learns that while high society may sing the praises of proper behavior, it is a most improper American who is winning his heart.

Having read just a small stack of historical romances I think I am beginning to understand the common plot elements that most novels in the genre possess. I have also begun to see what is unique to each story and I think in A Lady Never Tells that would be the strong sense of family.

Right away we are introduced to the four Bascombe sisters, headed by eldest sister Mary. They are right off the boat from America and aren't afraid to use their mouths and weapons (seriously) to stop a thief from taking a satchel of important papers. They are a refreshing family, unlike any I have seen so far in the historical romances I have read. They are a great match for the refined Sir Royce Winslow and his brothers. They are amused by each other because they are so very different. I never got tired of these characters! There are also secondary characters, cousins and friends that were really great as well!

The relationship between Mary and Royce while not an uncommon one in the genre is a lot of fun! It seems whenever these two are alone naughty things happen. So it should be said that A Lady Never tells is higher on the steamy scale. While their arguments were typical I still really enjoyed reading their story and carried it around with me everywhere I went most of the few days I was reading it.

I think this book is a great set up for the Willowmere trilogy and I simply cannot wait to read the next book, A Gentleman Always Remembers. I will be getting it as soon as it comes out!

A Lady Never Tells was released on April 27th
Genre: Historical Romance
4/5 Stars
ARC provided by Amazon Vine

Sunday, May 30, 2010

This Week In Books or While I Was Away


Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
The Starlet by Mary McNamara

The Sons of Liberty by Alexander Lagos and Joseph Lagos

The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

My Ultimate Sister Disaster by Jane Mendle

Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

Dork Diaries: Takes from a Not So Popular Party Girl by Rachel Renee Russell
(came with some slumber party goodies)
The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

The Mosts by Melissa Senate

A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley

Insatiable by Meg Cabot


These are the review copies that came in while I was away. Whoa.

The Playboy's Proposition by Miranda Lee
Taken by Her Greek Boss by Cathy Williams


Got these from Bookmooch.

A Victorian Scrapbook by Various
The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

Delightful Deception by Nancy Lawrence

3 Love Stories by Various

Free-Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Crafternoon by Maura Madden

I bought these while bookstore hopping in the D.C. area and sent them home to myself.

Snare of Serpents by Victoria Holt
Rising Tides by Nora Roberts

The Calhouns: Suzanna and Megan by Nora Roberts

Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small
Kentucy Rich by Fern Michaels
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde


These were my Grandma's.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Lookalikes 103

She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

Black Tuesday by Susan Colebank

Definitely She's So Dead to Us, Black Tuesday looks kind of awkward are the pearls falling in the air? Because they don't look like they are laying but it's not very clear if they are falling either. I guess the are?

Thanks to Kelsey for pointing out this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!


UPDATE: 5/30/10 Saw this one at BEA!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Cinderella retold by Beth Bracken and illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins

Capstone Publishers:

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.

Like Rapunzel, Cinderella is illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins and he shines here as well. I especially loved how he treated the women's hair and silhouettes in Cinderella. He has again used watercolor to create these beautiful washes of color but small details too. Thought again I would have wished the speech bubbles be hand drawn.

I love the story of Cinderella and with the addition of Jeffrey Stewart Timmins's illustration this is a winning rendition. Like the other Capstone offerings from the Graphic Spin line in the back of the book you will find a history of the fairy tale, discussions and writing prompts. Cinderella is a reading level of 2.1 or I.

Cinderella was released on September 1st 2009
Genre: Childrens Graphic Novel
4/5 Stars
Review copy provided by publisher

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

"Waiting On" Wednesday 84

Cowl Girls by Cathy Carron

Amazon.com:

No summary.

Released October 5th 2010

Even though there is no summary it's obviously about cowls! I love the name of the book as well, clever! I have the author's book about hats, Hattitude. Even though I haven't made anything from that book yet I really like the way the book is laid out! This will be a great one to learn from as well and maybe a bit easier than Hattitude!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Hardcover vs Paperback 82

Goldengrove by Francine Prose

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

After the sudden death of her beloved older sister, thirteen-year-old Nico finds her life on New England's idyllic Mirror Lake irrevocably altered. Left alone to grope toward understanding, she falls into a seductive, dangerous relationship with her sister's boyfriend. Over one haunted summer, Nico faces that life-changing moment when children realize their parents can no longer help them as she experiences the mystery of loss and recovery. Still, for all the darkness at its heart, Goldengrove is radiant with the lightness of summer and charged by the restless sexual tension of adolescence.

Definitely the paperback. I find the human element on the cover of this book to be very important. I guess you could see something subtle in the hardcover but to me it just looks like a non-fiction story about someone living on a lake. Sounds like an interesting book as well.

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

Amazon.com:

Ten Things You Should Know About This Book

1. Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.

2. Annabel Winslow's family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind and The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.

3. Sebastian's uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.

4. Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.

5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.

6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.

7 is shocking, 8 is delicious, and 9 is downright wicked, all of which lead the way to

10. Happily. Ever. After.

My adventure in historical romance continues and what a fun book Ten Things I Love About You was! I really liked Annabel and LOVED Sebastian. He was played off as a bit of a rake but he was so darn sweet and a very nice guy! He has a secret occupation that no one else knows about but makes him so very endearing, that was definitely my favorite part of the story.

And Annabel's struggle between doing what's right for her family and what's right for her, stuck between a mean (and disgusting) uncle and his nephew he hates. It happens accidentally but when it comes down to it, words are had, fists are thrown and it's kind of awesome.

Another great character was Annabel's grandmother, oh god lord this lady had a mouth on her and she made every scene she was in! But really all the secondary characters were great like Sebastian's relatives and Annabel's cousin.

Ten Things I Love About You has a really great balance of humor and the dramatics and for those of you that want to know it's light on the sensual scenes but there is still a touch of it there. I've been hearing for awhile know Julia Quinn is a talented author and I would have to agree! I can't wait to go back and read some of her earlier books including The Duke and I!

Ten Things I Love About You will be released on May 25th 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
4/5 Stars
E-galley provided by publisher

Check out the super cute trailer below. Is it just me or are book trailers getting better and better? Love this one!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Party by Tom Leveen

While I didn't exactly love Party it was an interesting story that I hope one of you might enjoy. I have an extra hardcover copy to give away!

Here's a bit about the book.

Amazon.com:

It's saturday night in Santa Barbara and school is done for the year. Everyone is headed to the same party. Or at least it seems that way. The place is packed. The beer is flowing. Simple, right? But for 11 different people the motives are way more complicated. As each character takes a turn and tells his or her story, the eleven individuals intersect, and reconnect, collide, and combine in ways that none of them ever saw coming.

Here's how to enter to win a hardcover copy of Party!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. only.

The giveaway will end June 12th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Copy provided by the publisher, sent by me**

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Amigurumi World + Amigurumi Two! by Ana Paula Rimoli

Amigurumi World

Amazon.com:

Get hooked into the quirky world of Amigurumi! Crochet these irresistibly cute creatures today's coolest craze in crochet. * Over 20 projects are super hip and super quick to make you need only basic crochet skills and small amounts of yarn * Funky designs include mommy and baby owls, hedgehogs, and penguins, plus silly crocheted treats like cupcakes and ice-cream cones * Find complete instructions for crocheting designs and adding facial features and other embellishments

Ana Paula Rimoli's amigurumi books (crocheted dolls/toys), Amigurumi World and Amigurumi Two! are by far my favorite for the craft. Her creations are very cute and original. In this book you'll find a lot of mother and child or father and child patterns which basically consist of two sizes of a pattern with maybe a few differences in the look of the finished product. They range from owls to lions to hedgehogs to penguins. There is a lot in this book and most of it is cute!

My favorite patterns are the smaller dolls you can find towards the back of the book, the ones that can fit in the palm of your hand. I would love for her to put out a book of just tiny patterns. The ones in this book include a cupcake, ice cream cone, coffee cup, 7 little animals and some fruit. Those are my favorite patterns! I think using a smaller hook than required on some of the patterns in the front of the book might bring those down to tiny size as well. I did notice the apple towards the end of the book looks more like a tomato and my hedgehog didn't look like a hedgehog (probably user error) but besides that I found the patterns to be great looking!

This was the first amigurumi book I used and with practice my stitches got tighter and my amigurumi got better looking. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone that is interesting in amigurumi. Might be helpful to learn the basics of crochet before starting into amigurumi!

Amigurumi World was released on February 25th 2008
Genre: Crafts/Crochet/Amigurumi
4.5/5 Stars
Purchased at Michaels

Amigurumi Two!

Amazon.com:

Get hooked into the hottest craze in crochet with these irresistibly cute, and fun-to-make characters. "Amigurumi" is back! With their cute faces and manga-inspired style, these wildly creative and imaginative toys are irresistible. "Amigurumi Two!" features over 25 fun projects that are super simple and quick to make - all you need is a basic knowledge of crochet and some yarn. Designs include teddy bears in PJ's, turtles, tigers, bumblebees, and robots, as well as crocheted treats such as cake and cookies.

Just like Amigurumi World from Ana Paula Rimoli, Amigurumi Two is full of a large variety of cute patterns! While the first book was an overall look at amigurumi, Amigurumi Two! has more of a focus on toys for babies. And if you are like me you really don't have any need for that but there are still some great patterns in there besides those and I think if you wanted to you could modify the patterns for babies to fit your own tastes and needs. The baby patterns include mobiles, stroller toys and rattles.

I think it's so great that she could create another whole book with brand new and different patterns, together they make the perfect set! Like the other book this one also has the parent and child pattern sets (bees, tigers, squirrels, and my personal favorite the robots!) Other great patterns include little animals hidden inside of fruits and flowers, sweet peas, and animals in pjs!

Overall, I could have done without the baby toys but for some people that will be their favorite part of this book and they can be easily modified to serve a different purpose! Definitely recommend!

Amigurumi Two was released on June 22nd 2009
Genre: Crafts/Crochet/Amigurumi
4/5 Stars
Purchased at Joann's

Friday, May 21, 2010

Lookalikes 102

The Eternal Kiss edited by Trisha Telep

My Wicked Vampire by Nina Bangs

Ok let's talk about this for a minute. What on earth is happening on the bottom right hand corner of The Eternal Kiss, it looks like the person is decaying before our eyes, is that what it's supposed to be because that's definitely what I'm seeing! If it wasn't for that I would love that cover, I love the cropping and the coloration of it compared to My Wicked Vampire.

Thanks to Yan, Violet Crush, and Pirate Penguin for pointing out this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha

Amazon.com:

Based on the award-winning 10-million-plus-hit blog 1000awesomethings.com, The Book of Awesome is a high five for humanity and a big celebration of life's little moments:

• Popping Bubble Wrap
• Wearing underwear just out of the dryer
• Fixing electronics by smacking them
• Getting called up to the dinner buffet first at a wedding
• Watching The Price Is Right when you're home sick
• Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row
• Waking up and realizing it's Saturday

Sometimes it's easy to forget the things that make us smile. With a 24/7 news cycle reporting that the polar ice caps are melting, hurricanes are swirling in the seas, wars are heating up around the world, and the job market is in a deep freeze, it's tempting to feel that the world is falling apart. But awesome things are all around us-sometimes we just need someone to point them out.

The Book of Awesome reminds us that the best things in life are free (yes, your grandma was right). With laugh-out-loud observations from award- winning comedy writer Neil Pasricha, The Book of Awesome is filled with smile-inducing moments on every page that make you feel like a kid looking at the world for the first time. Read it and you'll remember all the things there are to feel good about.

The Book of Awesome reminds us of all the little things that we often overlook but that make us smile. With touching, warm, and funny observations, each entry ends with the big booming feeling you'll get when you read through them: AWESOME!

If it is not obvious already, The Book of Awesome is.... AWESOME. Whenever you need a laugh, a giggle, a smile a little pick me up, The Book of Awesome is right there waiting for you.

The format of the Book of Awesome is sort of an extended list. Each title describes the awesome thing and then the actual body copy ranging from a word to a few pages details the awesome. Pasricha goes off on a lot of tangents and tells a lot of stories and gives a lot of scenarios but his way with words made me follow him everywhere he went and it was very satisfying. It's like one of my very clever and funny friends wrote it, seriously!

I'd have to say I agreed with about 99% of the things he declared awesome, this guy has great taste. Some of my favorites include: Fixing electronics by smacking them, When you're really tired and about to fall asleep and someone throws a blanket on you, and Terrible businesses run by children. There is so much here!

This is a book that should be kept around forever and always. Who doesn't need a dose of positive attitude or memories of happy moments. This book is happy making and it's ... AWESOME!

The Book of Awesome was released on April 15th
Genre: Awesome/Humor/Non-Fiction
4.5/5 Stars
ARC provided by Amazon Vine

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

"Waiting On" Wednesday 83

Things I Know About Love by Kate Le Vann

Amazon.com:

Things I know about love.

1. People don't always tell you the truth about how they feel.
2. Nothing that happens between two people is guaranteed to be private.
3. I don't know if you ever get over having your heart broken.

Livia Stowe's past experiences with love have been nothing but disappointing, but all that is about to change. After years of illness, she's boarding a plane for the first time to spend the summer in Princeton, New Jersey, with her brother who's studying abroad. This Brit is determined to make the most of her American summer and to record every moment of it in her private blog.

America is everything that Livia's ever dreamed of. And then she meets Adam.

Swept up in the promise of romance and the magical New York City that Adam shows her, Livia is smitten, but with all she knows about love, is Livia really ready to risk her heart again?

Released June 22nd 2010

First of all, it's written as a blog, heck yes. Brit in New York heck yes again! It just sounds great!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Hardcover vs Paperback 81

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

In ancient Egypt, a forgotten princess must overcome her family’s past and remake history.

The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty’s royal family–with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl’s deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh’s aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.

Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family’s history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history.

If I didn't know The Heretic Queen was fiction I wouldn't doubt for a second that the Hardcover was non-fiction from afar. Luckily it does say, A Novel on there in tiny lettering. So in my opinion the paperback seems more like it's telling a story and is a better choice for this book. Personally neither is really that exciting. If the Paperback had some more variation in the color that would have helped. I do like how the photo is kind of epic though.

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!


Monday, May 17, 2010

Giveaway: Autographed copy of The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

I've been hearing so much about this book I must read it and now here is your chance too, and an autographed copy at that!

In less than twenty-four hours Meghan Chase will be sixteen. Countless stories, songs and poems have been written about this wonderful age, when a girl finds true love and the stars shine for her and the handsome prince carries her off into the sunset.

But Meghan suspects that it won’t be that way for her.

After all, Meghan has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined….

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and a pawn in a deadly war.

Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Book's Website

Book Trailer:





Here's how to win an autographed copy of The Iron King!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S only.

The giveaway will end May 31st at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Copies provided by marketing firm**

Sunday, May 16, 2010

College in a Nutskull compiled and edited by Professor Anders Henriksson

Amazon.com:

He's back. Anders Henriksson, author of The New York Times bestseller Non Campus Mentis (retitled Ignorance Is Blitz), returns with even funnier, nuttier, more outrageous material culled from the actual exam books of real college students. And it's a hoot that covers all subjects of the core curriculum, including: American History: "The Underground Railroad was built as the nation's first public transit system." Art: "Cubism is art from Cuba." Religion: "Moses led his Islams out of Egypt. Bananas from heaven arrived to feed the hungry people. These events are described in the Book of Zeus." Philosophy: "Plato did his thinking in the Cave of Al Gore." Economics: "The theory of surplus value is Marx’s idea that you always shop with coupons." Music: "Bach's sacred choral music includes the B Minor Mess. . . . All one million of his famed works can be found in his BMW. He had over one hundred children and was, of course, very famous for his work with his organ. Two of his successful sons were Jesus Christ Bach and Bacherini." Literature: "Jay Gatsby moved to East Egg because it would be a good place to raise his chickens." And Psychology—or is it Theater Arts: "Most people are either straight, gay, or thespian."

Published in the irresistible form of a spiral notebook, a pure parody of a course-by-course study guide (complete with doodles), College in a Nutskull is stuff that just cannot be made up—bloopers and blunders and desperate attempts to bluff the right answer, woven together to give a hilarious, unintentionally brilliant report on the state of American higher education. A comedy, that is, for anyone not paying tuition.

Once I figured out what the premise of College in a Nutskull was (people's test/paper responses that are horribly inaccurate, hilarious mistakes etc) I was really looking forward to reading it. And while it was a lot of fun I would definitely point out that this should be used as a coffee table book, don't try to read it in a sitting or even really a spam of a few days (yes I totally did that) because it does begin to get repetitive but reading from it now and again I think would be a great idea.

This might make me fodder for the book but here's the three ways I reacted to the passages in the book.

1. I totally knew what the correct information was and found the person's answer to be really funny!

2. I wasn't exactly sure what the right answer was but I knew what they had written was definitely wrong.

3. I know nothing about this subject matter so I'm not really sure what's funny about this.

So obviously some sections I liked better than others, art being my favorite. The history section is pretty lengthy but that makes sense since the man that compiled and edited it is a chairman of a history department.

While I understand why the format and binding of a spiral notebook was appropriate I really do not like spiral spines for reading, the pages snag on the rings and it's hard to keep the pages flipping. I think maybe a better solution would have been to have the book look like a composition notebook, it would still look like a notebook but with better binding! I do like that the inside was laid out as a notebook as well, with doodles, pictures, handwriting in some places etc.

Overall this might be a fun coffee table book for those interested in scholarly humor.

College in a Nutskull was released on April 8th
Genre: Humor
3/5 Stars
Review copy provided by the publisher

Saturday, May 15, 2010

This Week In Books Or I'm Off!

Well, I'm out of town for the next two weeks, in fact I should be to my first destination by now! I probably won't have much, if any internet access but I do have a bunch of posts scheduled! Hope you guys have a great two weeks and if you are going to BEA I will see you there!



Saturday (evening):

Super-Super Cute Crochet by Brigitte Read
Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer

Catwalk by Deborah Gregory


I ordered the crochet book the week before so I went to pick it up. But then I actually went further into the store than the check out counter and of course had to see the bargain books. But what a deal, I got both of those for $4 buy one get one free!

Sunday: nothing

Monday:

A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore
Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter


Got these from the local library sale rack.

The Cult TV Book edited by Stacey Abbot
Folly by Marthe Jocelyn

The Fire Opal by Regina McBride


Surprises for review.

Tuesday: nothing

Wednesday:

The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
Desperate Duchess by Eloisa James

Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh

Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress by Ann Lethbridge


Half Price Books. I was there to sell some books so I didn't have the book buying bug, but of course still had to get a few things with the money I earned! And I only used a bit of it!

Leaving Unknown by Kerry Reichs

This is for an upcoming blog tour!

Thursday:

And Then I Found Out the Truth by Jennifer Sturman

For review. I loved And Then Everything Unraveled so I'm so excited to check out the sequel!

Friday:

One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare

Got this for an upcoming blog tour, yay!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Lookalikes 101

Everything is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis

Safe bt Susan Shaw

Lifted by Wendy Toliver

Hmm. I think my vote is going to Everything Is Fine in this case. I love that the designer brightened up a dark image with some color and I love the messy font. Not digging the vehicle (is that a taxi?) on Safe.

Thanks to Briana, Sharon, Khyrinthia, Deborah, GirlwiththeBraids, Allison, The Compulsive Reader, and Sab H. for pointing out this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Winner of the Signed Hardcover of Something Like Fate

The winner of Something Like Fate is Anna!

I have emailed you so please respond with you full name and mailing address by Tuesday May 18th to claim your book!

Thanks!

GIVEAWAY: Caleb + Kate by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

I haven't yet had the chance to read Caleb + Kate but I really enjoyed the author's previous release Beautiful!

Here's a bit about the book.

Amazon.com:

As the popular darling of the junior class and heiress to the five-star Monrovi Inn empire, Kate has both everything and nothing. She's bored with school and life...until she locks eyes with Caleb at a school dance.

Caleb is new to Kate's exclusive prep school, and it's clear he doesn't fit in. In fact, he and his dad work in maintenance for Kate's father. And while Caleb knows better than to spend time with the boss's daughter, it seems that every time he tries to back away, something pulls him right back in.

When their parents demand that they are to stay away from each other, they learn of a fight between their families that occurred more than fifty years ago. It's a mystery Kate doesn't understand...but a legacy Caleb has endured his entire life.

With the world stacked against them, Caleb and Kate will have to walk by faith to find the path that God has planned for them.

Here's how to enter to win Caleb + Kate!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. only.

The giveaway will end May 27th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Copy provided by the publisher, sent by me**

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

"Waiting On" Wednesday 82

Yummi' Gurumi by Christen Haden and Mariarosa Sala

Amazon.com:

Yummi 'Gurumi: Over 60 Gourmet Crochet Treats to Make from Christen Haden and Mariarosa Sala is a "cookbook" for the hottest trend in the yarn craft world: crocheting tasty treats that look good enough to eat!

Yummi 'Gurumi features 20 "recipes" to guide crafters--from the hairnet set to the hipster jet set--through this evolutionary next step in the craft craze known worldwide as amigurumi--the Japanese word for knitting and crocheting cute, little animals and objects.

With techniques easy enough for novices yet adaptable to keep expert crocheters interested, each of the delectable dishes in Yummi 'Gurumi takes less than an hour or two to create. Each design is explained with stitch guides, clear patterns, and easy-to-follow instructions.

And perhaps the best part of Yummi 'Gurumi--no calories!

Released July 13th 2010

I'm totally taken with the cover photo of the amigurumi sushi. I'll have to check it out to see if it's similar to Tasty Crochet or maybe they explore other foods. Either way it's exciting to see more amigurumi books coming out!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Barrie Summy Prize Pack

It was brought to my attention that today's featured Hardcover vs Paperback also coincides with a contest, see below! And note, I am not holding this contest just sharing the information!

Author Barrie Summy is hosting a giveaway of her fun mystery series! One Grand Prize winner will receive autographed copies of the three books in the series, I SO DON'T DO MAKEUP, I SO DON'T DO SPOOKY, and I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES, plus a tote bag and t-shirt! Three lucky runners up will win an autographed copy of I SO DON'T DO MAKEUP and a t-shirt!

To enter, send an email to ISoDontDoMakeup@gmail.com (note: no apostrophe!) with the subject line "Pick Me!" In the body of the email, include your name and email address (if you're under 13, submit a parent's name and email address). One entry per person and prizes will only be shipped to US or Canadian addresses. Entries must be received by midnight (PDT) on June 30. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on July 1 and notified via email. Check Barrie's website after July 6 for the list of winners!

Hardcover vs Paperback 80

I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:


Laughs, ghosts, and a lip-gloss-loving teen sleuth!

Sherry (short for Sherlock) Holmes Baldwin is spending spring break in California with her best friend, Junie. She can’t wait to hang out in the sun, hit the mall, and spend time with cutie-pie Josh.

Then . . . a freaky change of plans. Sherry’s mom, a cop killed in the line of duty, contacts her. Not only is she a ghost, she’s a ghost in danger of flunking out of the Academy of Spirits, and she needs Sherry’s help. Unless she solves an important mystery in San Diego, she’ll be banished to an afterlife for ghost failures!

If Sherry wants to be a normal seventh grader (as in, one who doesn’t communicate with ghosts), she can’t tell anybody about her mom—or what she has to do. Not her brother, not Junie, and especially not Josh. It’s up to Sherry alone to save the day. Except . . . she so doesn’t do mysteries.

I feel like there is something nice about both of these but also something missing. And neither really say ghosts to me. I get that it's a mystery but not a ghost mystery. I do think that changing from illustration to photography will help the book find a older audience though.

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!


Monday, May 10, 2010

Rapunzel retold by Stephanie Peters and illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins

Capstone Publishers:

Long ago, a beautiful maiden named Rapunzel lived a life of loneliness. Taken at birth by an evil witch, she remained hidden, locked within a giant tower. Then one day, a prince heard her voice through the forest. To reach her, he must climb Rapunzel’s lovely locks and avoid being caught by the witch.

Of the four children's graphic novels from Capstone I've read I think the books illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins are my favorite. What a beautiful mix of dark, haunting imagery created with the soft touch of watercolor. The way he creates his characters are so interesting, I especially liked the Witch in Rapunzel. The only thing I would have changed would have been to have the speech bubbles and text also handdone instead of computer generated, I feel like it took away from the magic of the illustration and sort of sticks out like a sore thumb.

The actual story was a great rendition of the fairy tale I remember. I just love that witch! And as with the other books from the Graphic Spin series you can find a glossary, history, discussions and writing prompts in the back of the book. The reading level of Rapunzel is 2.5 or L. This would be a great introduction to the fable for children.

Rapunzel was released March 30th 2009
Genre: Children's Graphic Novel
4/5 Stars
Review copy provided by the publisher

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Winner of The Eternal Ones + Nightshade

I've decided to end this contest a day early (first time ever?) and the winner is Katryna!

Please get back to me with your full name and mailing address by Wednesday the 12th to claim your prize!

Thanks!

Naughty Bits 2 by Various

Amazon.com:

Naughty Bits 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the successful debut volume from the editors of SPICE BRIEFS, delivers nine unapologetically raunchy and romantic tales that promise to spark the libido.

In this collection of first-rate short erotic literature, lusty selections by such provocative authors as Megan Hart, Lillian Feisty, Saskia Walker and Portia Da Costa will pique, tease and satisfy any appetite, and prove that good things do come in small packages.

Since I'm new to the romance genre and all it's subgenres I thought what better way to explore the naughtier part of the genre than with an anthology. While the actual naughty bits are perfectly naughty the storylines for at least the first half of the book fall flat.

While the settings and time periods earn points for variety (British Manors in the present time, ancient Egypt, caves in the jungle in present day) when you get down to the actual stories some of them were a bit laughable in the sense that I felt like the only reason things happened in the stories was to get to the naughty bits. And maybe that's the way it's supposed to be, but I would have preferred more to the stories.

But when you get to the second half of the anthology I felt like all the pieces finally started to come together and I started to enjoy the stories more so, specifically This Is What I Want and Improper Pleasure. So I would say if you are going to give this anthology a whirl maybe start in the back of the book or skip around.

Overall a mixed bag that introduces me to the genre and some authors to explore further. Also, I would definitely not recommend this for younger readers. If you don't think you should be reading this book, please don't.

Naughty Bits 2 was released on March 1st 2010
Genre: Erotica/Anthology
3/5 Stars
Review copy provided by Amazon Vine

Saturday, May 08, 2010

This Week In Books Or I Tamer Week, For Me


Sunday:

The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin

Borders.

Monday:

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
Sell-Out by Ebony Joy Wilkins

Surprises for review!

Tuesday:

Hot On Her Heels by Susan Mallery
To Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

The Alpha Bet by Stephanie Hale

Amigurumi Animals by Annie Obaachan

5000 Animals


Half Price Books. Might not look like it but that's what I call control! But wait....

Never Deceive A Duke by Liz Carlyle
The Viscount Claims His Bride by Bronwyn Scott


Got these from a library that has a Friends of the Library Store right by HPB. Go there not very often.

Wednesday:

Dark Lover by JR Ward

Bought this new at a used bookstore lol. Apparently people don't give these up and you can't get them used!

Thursday:

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

Surprise for review.

Friday: nothing

Saturday:

So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones

Surprise for review, I think I have the whole series now!

Friday, May 07, 2010

Lookalikes 100

Finding Alice by Melody Carlson


Finding Alice by Melody Carlson (back cover)

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline

The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice

Things To Do Indoors by Sheena Joughin

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

Rainy by Sis Deans

We've got a bunch from one photo shoot and then one with a similar pose. Whoa that's a lot of covers! I think my favorite is Crossing Oceans, the rest have some less than pleasing color palettes and I don't like the playing cards on the first cover.

Thanks to Kelsey, Deborah, Irish, and Anghalina for pointing out this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

And since this is Lookalikes 100 (WOW!) a few more fun things!



Check out the first lookalike I ever posted, on January 2nd 2007! It's for two movie posters and was entitled Umm What?! I was literally the only reader back then I think! And because of when I started numbering my posts I think this is actually really the 104th lookalike, oops!

Top 6 Most Commented on Lookalikes

click the links to see the original posts and in some cases more lookalikes!






Lookalikes 53

I'd love for you to vote for your favorite of the Top 6 Most Commented Lookalikes and also overall favorite, funniest, and worst!

Click here to vote!

And lastly, I've finally updated a few lookalikes posts check them out!

Lookalikes 9
Lookalikes 31
Lookalikes 76

Thanks to Pam of Bookalicious and all the other tweeters who helped me brainstorm some ways to celebrate Lookalikes 100th post!

And a big thanks to everyone that has taken the time to suggest and submit a lookalike!!!!! Here's to 100 more!

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Craft Stash Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Craft Stash Giveaway is Stephanie!

Stephanie I have emailed you please respond back with your full name and mailing address by Tuesday May 11th to claim your prize!

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

Amazon.com:

Best friends Lani and Erin couldn’t be more different. Lani’s reserved and thoughtful; Erin’s bubbly and outgoing. Lani likes to do her own thing; Erin prefers an entourage. There’s no possible way they could be interested in the same guy.

So when Erin starts dating Jason, Lani can’t believe she feels such a deep connection with him—and it may be mutual. The more Lani fights it, the more certain she feels that it’s her fate to be with Jason. But what do you do when the love of your life is the one person you can’t have?

I rather enjoyed Colasanti's previous release Waiting For You and was excited to read another book from her. But it's hard to not compare it to Elizabeth Scott's The Unwritten Rule which was also recently released which explores a similar subject. But I'll try not to talk about that much here as to not detract from Something Like Fate. But if you liked one of these titles I'd definitely suggest trying the other to get another take on the subject.

My favorite part of Something Like Fate was Lani and Jason finding their connection and I really believe stuff like this happens for people, it's fate and you can't deny it I don't think. I love the theme of fate in this book. Every time they would get together as a group with Erin and Blake, Lani would notice more and more she had in common with Jason but tried to push it aside since he was with Erin. It was not an option for a long time until she realized this might be her chance at something amazing.

I would have liked to have gotten to know Erin a bit more because then I would have felt the emotional stress that Lani was feeling because from where I was standing Erin had no business in a relationship that was made for Lani and Jason. I also would have liked to get to know more about Lani not in relation to Jason, for example I really liked her relationship with her friend Blake, great subplot.

One nitpicky thing I will point out was the use of things such as "And then I was like" or "Then he was like". I know that people do speak like that, I do, but it did start to get on my nerves after a few uses.

Something Like Fate was released on May 4th

Genre: Young Adult
3.5/5 Stars
ARC provided by publisher

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

"Waiting On" Wednesday 81

Freak Magnet by Andrew Auseon

Amazon.com:

A novel about freaks, geeks, crushes, and friends—and how sometimes you can be all of them at once.

Charlie is the freak. Gloria is the freak magnet. They're pretty much destined to meet. And when they do, sparks fly . . . for Charlie. Gloria, well, she just thinks he's like every other freak who feels compelled to talk to her, although a little better-looking than most.

While Charlie has his head in the clouds, Gloria's got hers in a book: her Freak Folio—a record of every weirdo who's talked to her in the last year (it's a big book). But never before has she felt the pull to get to know one of them better. Until now.

In this he-said-she-said tale of love, loss, and lucky signs from the author of the ac-claimed Funny Little Monkey, two young strangers at a crossroads in their lives become friends by happy accident (okay, maybe some harmless stalking is involved—and not by the person you'd think!) and forever change each other.

Released June 15th 2010

This sounds like a sweet story ahh I don't know what to say except I totally want to read it!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!
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