Sunday, December 27, 2009

Obligatory New Year's Post


2010 is quickly approaching and I'm starting the annual "Oh crap it's time for me to think about Resolutions!" Seriously, every year I plan all these THINGS that I want to accomplish in the new year and every single friggen year they fall to pieces! *sigh* Sooo...anywhoodle. This is what my insanely brilliant mind has come up with for this blog in the new year! These don't sound too far fetched so I just might be able to stick with them!

  • I will post at least 4 times a week (memes, reviews, interviews, etc)
  • I will try to host 1 giveaway a month. (i love doing these things and they rock for traffic)
  • I will try to write longer and more in depth reviews.
  • My rating system will change. I'm working on it right now. My rating system sucks right now and I need something more substantial.
So there. Those are my blog resolutions! My regular ole life resolutions are the typical: I'm gonna loose a bajillion pounds by 2011, etc etc.

Monday, December 21, 2009

What are you Reading?

This weekly meme is hosted by J.Kaye's Book Blog (click the picture to visit that page.)


Last week I posted that I wanted to read two books. Not that many and I should have been able to finish them, but (always a but, right?) not only did my husband get sick but so did my son and I. Sooo...needless to say not only was I busy getting better, but also nursing them back to health too. Mommies don't usually get to just take sick days do they?

Anywho, I'm going to keep the two books from last week, Strange Angels and The Hobbit.

Since this is a Holiday week I won't put anymore. I'll be lucky to read them both!

What are you reading?

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Review: The Wives of Henry Oades


From Amazon:
When Henry Oades accepts an accountancy post in New Zealand, his wife, Margaret, and their children follow him to exotic Wellington. But while Henry is an adventurer, Margaret is not. Their new home is rougher and more rustic than they expected—and a single night of tragedy shatters the family when the native Maori stage an uprising, kidnapping Margaret and her children.

For months, Henry scours the surrounding wilderness, until all hope is lost and his wife and children are presumed dead. Grief-stricken, he books passage to California. There he marries Nancy Foreland, a young widow with a new baby, and it seems they’ve both found happiness in the midst of their mourning—until Henry’s first wife and children show up, alive and having finally escaped captivity.

Narrated primarily by the two wives, and based on a real-life legal case, The Wives of Henry Oades is the riveting story of what happens when Henry, Margaret, and Nancy face persecution for bigamy. Exploring the intricacies of marriage, the construction of family, the changing world of the late 1800s, and the strength of two remarkable women, Johanna Moran turns this unusual family’s story into an unforgettable page-turning drama.



My Review:
I cannot begin to express how much this book pulled me in. I was so caught up in the drama! The first wife and children get captured and are presumed dead, and then the heart break! OMG! I was riveted! This book reads like a soap opera, almost. I loved that the two main women in this book learned to interact. I don't think I would be able to cope if something like this were to happen to me and my husband! There were spots where it got a wee bit slow, but those weren't enough to take away from the story or make it boring. I really did enjoy reading this book and highly recommend it.

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 23, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 034551095X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345510952



**I was given a free copy in return for an honest review!**

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Blog Tour-Just Breeze


Eighth grade starts out the same as every other year for Breeze Brannigan. She’s still the tallest student, boy or girl, in her class, wears shoes that would fit an elephant, and her smile reveals dazzling braces that blind everyone within ten feet. She also has to deal with the dented fender on her sister’s VW that they paint to cover up and the new girl in school, Allison, who likes to steal boyfriends. Breeze isn’t concerned. She’s everybody’s bud. No boy is interested in her. Then there’s Cam, AKA Carlomango Christiano y Moises, who Breeze thinks must be from another planet because none of the boys At Whispering Springs Middle School are that polite. He also has a secret, a secret that could mean life or death for Cam and his mother, a secret Breeze must help him keep.

My Review:

Breeze reminded me of myself when I was younger. She's not the popular girl, she's a bit clumsy, she's got wild hair, and just feels out of place. This book was a delightful trip down memory lane. Breeze is a very lovable character. Her boring life gets a very unexpected shake-up when she meets Cam., the mysterious new boy that seems to like her. Breeze is a fun and at times funny story about a girl just learning to be herself. This is definitely a book aimed at the YA genre (on around the 8th grade level,) but I am a 29 year old woman and had a blast reading it! I'd recommend it for a quick fun read!

My Rating: 4/5

Monday, December 14, 2009

Library Lounge Lizard's Christmas Contest!

On Day 3 of the 12 Blogs of Christmas...Library Lounge Lizard is hosting a giveaway for some really awesome books!


Check it out HERE!

What are you Reading?


What are you reading on Mondays? is a weekly meme hosted by J.Kaye's Book Blog (click button to visit the blog.)

Here are the books that I'm reading/will read this week. After posting such a ridiculously long list last week, I'm gonna keep it simple, short, and sweet! I definitely learned my lesson!

So up first: I'm going to finish up The Wives of Henry Oades (DONE)
Then it's onto:
  • The Hobbit (which is part of the 2010 challenge, but I'm going to read it early)
  • Strange Angels
I MAY (if I finish these before the end of the week) read one of these:
  • Gringa in a Strange Land
  • Defenders of the Scroll (finish it up)
  • The Manufactured Identity
So there..that first list is what I WILL read this week. The second is if I have time. What are you reading this week?

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Friday, December 11, 2009

2010 Challenges!!!!

Wheel of Time Series (I'm going to attempt this one. I'm not sure I can stick to the discussions but I will try to read the whole series in a year!) Click the button below to visit the Challenge page.

January
Book #1: The Eye of the World
February
Book #2: The Great Hunt
March
Book #3: The Dragon Reborn
April
Book #4: The Shadow Rising
May
Book #5: The Fires of Heaven
June
Book #6: Lord of Chaos
July
Book #7: A Crown of Swords
August
Book #8: The Path of Daggers
September
Book #9: Winter's Heart
October
Book #10: Crossroads of Twilight
November
Book #11: Knife of Dreams
December
Book #12: The Gathering Storm



Sword of Truth Series: I have read this series but I'd like to read it again. I'm a big fan of the TV show and thought this was a fun challenge to enter. Again, click the button below to go to the challenge page.

The Books (in order):
Wizard's First Rule
Stone of Tears
Blood of the Fold
Temple of the Winds
Soul of the Fire
Faith of the Fallen
The Pillars of Creation
Naked Empire
Chainfire
Phantom

Confessor



Lord of the Rings: I cannot believe that I have never read these books! So when I saw the challenge I just had to join up!




Personal Chunksters Challenge: These are HUGE books! I'm planning on reading these next year!

  • Gone With the Wind
  • The Mists of Avalon
  • Les Miserables
  • The Chronicles of Narnia
  • Anna Karenina



100 Books in 2010: I almost succeeded with this challenge this year, so hopefully I will make it next year!

blog Tour-The Scottish Thistle


Loyalty and honor. A Highland warrior prizes both more than life, and when he swears his oath on the dirk, he must obey or die. Duncan Cameron heeds his chief’s order without question, but discovers his wife-to-be is no fair maiden. Although women are no longer trained in the art of fighting, Rory MacGregor follows in the footsteps of her Celtic ancestors. Secrets from the past and superstitious folk endanger Rory and Duncan as much as Bonnie Prince Charlie and his uprising to win back the British throne for his father. Rory and Duncan must make difficult choices that pit honor and duty against trust and love.

My review:

This book is long but doesn't feel that way. You really slip into the story and find yourself getting to know Rory and Duncan from the start. There is a familiar Romeo and Juliett kinda feeling to this novel, but it's not cliched or overly dramatic. I loved how Rory was fiercly independent and ready and willing to do whatever it took to help her people! She is such a strong character and was well written by Vallar. I loved the book from start to finish. The ONLY grump I could come up with is that it took me a while to get used to the Scottish dialect that's peppered throughout the novel. Even the dialect didn't keep me from enjoying myself.
My Rating: 4/5


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Blog Tour-The Ghost, The Eggheads, and Baby Ruth's Piano




It’s the summer of 2004 and Freddie Holtzman can’t wait to get to Camp Mason, a summer camp for eggheads or rather, gifted teens. He hopes to reconnect with Ginny Haig, a girl he met at camp last year. Freddie’s old friends, Logan and Monty, are there along with some new faces. He tries to win Ginny’s affection, but every time he tries to talk to her, he says—and does—nerdy things. At Camp Mason, a science fair pits the eggheads against one another for the top prize of a five thousand dollar scholarship. But, when the projects go missing, friendships are put to the test, relationships get put on hold, and everyone’s a suspect. To make matters worse, the camp is haunted by young Billy Mason who died there decades ago.
My review:

This book was so very fun to read! I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from the book based on the title, but I was happily surprised. It took me a little under a day to read this story, which is very good for me! I was completely drawn into Freddie's story and kinda felt like I was at the camp too! The story was well written and never felt like a kid's book. This IS labeled as Children's Fiction but I think that even grown ups would like it! This is one of those books that I found myself hard pressed to find something wrong with it...Really the only thing I could come up with is that it's too short!

My Rating: 4.5/5





Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Blog Tour-The Magic Warble


Twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly feels like the most unpopular girl in her school. The kids all tease her, and she never seems to fit in. But when Kristina receives an unusual Christmas gift, she suddenly finds herself magically transported to the land of Bernovem, home of dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and the evil Queen Sentiz.

In Bernovem, Kristina not only fits in, she’s honored as “the chosen one” the only one who can release the land from Queen Sentiz’s control. But it’s not as simple as it seems. To save Bernovem, she must place the gift she was given, the famous “Magic Warble” in its final resting place. And she must travel through the deep forest, climb a treacherous mountain, and risk capture by the queen’s “zelbocks” before she reaches her destination. Guided by her new fairy friends, Clover and Looper and by Prince Werrien, a teenage boy, as well as an assortment of other characters, Kristina sets off on a perilous journey that not only tests her strength but her heart.


My review:

This is a very cute story! I loved slipping back into my childhood and feeling as if I were reading my first fantasy novel! I would definitely recommend this book to kids ages 9-12 that are looking to dip their toes into the fantasy genre. As a grown-up, I did recognize a few cliched characters but that didn't stop me from immersing myself into the story! The plot was well developed, for a kid's book. The characters are also well done. I did enjoy seeing Kristin evolve as the story progressed. It was a quick read that made me smile on several occasions!


My rating: 4/5


The Trailer:



Monday, December 7, 2009

THANK YOU!!!!


My super awesome Secret Buddy's gift came through today! Thank you Kristina (Violetlady) from http://violetladyathome.blogspot.com/!!!

She got me an adorable little notebook, some really smell good soap, a thing of Christmas hankies (OMG where have these been my entire life!?), an awesome headband (needed one of these so badly!), some Burt's Beeswax lip balm and this awwwwwesome smelling satchety keychain thing! I don't really have keys for it but I can just make due with smelling it every five minutes! That's what I've been doing since I got it in the mail!!!

So thank you very very much Kristina! :)

Blog Tour-Cemetary Gates


CEMETERY GATES

All the signs are there. Dead things everywhere. Nightmares of bloody bodies and eaten corpses. Michael knows he’s coming for him. The prophecy cannot be fulfilled without him. From behind the Cemetery Gates, his brother, Shane, enters the world. He’ll force Michael and the others to take their rightful place at his side.

When Michael decides to go to a neighbor’s party, a beautiful stranger thrusts him into his past. Through meditation, Michael is thrown back into a world he had long tried to forget. He works quickly because time is short. Shane is on the prowl. He'll force Michael to fulfill his destiny.

Only, Michael has a problem with what he is sent to do and he's tired of running. As he recalls who and what he is, he realizes he's humankind’s only hope for survival. He decides to battle his brother, not only for the woman he loves, but also for the redemption of his soul.

My Review:

I have to be honest, this book was at times confusing. There were constant shifts of time frames and characters at times, and those had me re-reading and occasionally lost. The characters themselves were very well written, though. Paige did a very good job at that. The back story was well crafted and well written too. I felt like each main character got plenty of "page time" and was well developed enough. I have no complaints about that part. Basically the book's guts were good, but there were those pesky time jumps, flashbacks and viewpoint shifts that kept me from really getting into the book.

Maybe this wasn't the right book for me? Maybe not the right time.

Here is another review:
Jen's Book Talk


My rating: 3/5



**I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.**

What are you Reading?

I have lofty reading goals this week! Yup! I have a stack of books I wanna read! I may not make it to my goal of 100 books read in '09 but I'll get as close as I can!

So without further delay here is what I plan on reading:

  • Exit Music-Ian Rankin
  • Savage Days Haunted Nights-Bennett Kremen
  • The Wives of Henry Oades-Johanna Moran
  • Secrets of a Christmas Box-S. Hornby-DONE
  • Defenders of the Scroll-Shiraz
  • To Beguile a Beast-Elizabeth Hoyt-DONE
I'm still reading To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt so that would make it 6 books read this week, if I make it! Woo hoo..it's gonna be a coffee fueled week! :) What are you guys reading?

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Read.Read.Read-a-Thon Conclusion


In total I spent about 8 (ish) hours reading. I took a very big break in the middle and near the end to rest and eat. I had a blast though! I read 2 books which equates to 591 pages, and I started on To Beguile a Beast so I'll add the pages that I read of that to get a grand total of 611 pages read all day! Not as much as I hoped but still that's two more books to add to my goal!

Thanks to Dreadlock Girl for hosting this event! I had so much fun!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Annnnddd We're Off!


And we're off! I picked my book! Made my coffee and am just about to settle down to start!

First book:

It's 8:05 am CST! I'm ready to party! See ya in about an hour or so!

Update 1: 9:00Am
Pages Read: 23 (slow going because I've developed a huge headache. waiting for ibuprofen to kick in)
Snacks Eaten: water and egg drop soup
Breaks Taken: a few. because of my head.
Where I've Been: sitting in my comfy chair.

Update 2: 10:26
Pages Read: 17...sigh. my head is throbbing. looking at the bottle i noticed it's for kids. no other headache medicine int he house and husband is at work all day. i am going to take a little nap and put the read a thon on pause for an hour or so. i'll pick up where i left off.
Snacks Eaten: none
Breaks Taken: many many many
Where I've Been: all over the place
Update 3: 1:00pm (When I start again) I took a nap and plan on starting up at 1pm CST!
Pages Read:42
Snacks Eaten: cheese crackers
Breaks Taken: none! my head is gone! *must be that special voodoo!*
Where I've Been: my comfy chair!
Update 4: start 2:00pm
Pages Read: 40
Snacks Eaten: none
Breaks Taken: none
Where I've Been: still in the chair
Update 5: start at 3pm (still reading Green)
Pages Read: 53
Snacks Eaten: nope
Breaks Taken: none
Where I've Been: at my desk
Update 6: starting at 4pm
Pages Read: 77 almost done with Green
Snacks Eaten: popcorn
Breaks Taken: one to make the popcorn and feed the kid
Where I've Been: kitchen, desk, comfy chair :)
Update 7: 5pm finished Green
Pages Read: 101
Snacks Eaten: none
Breaks Taken: none
Where I've Been: desk
Second Book:
Update 8: 6pm started Confections of a Closet Master Baker
Pages Read: 47
Snacks Eaten: no snacks
Breaks Taken: no breaks
Update 9: 7pm
Pages Read: 79
Snacks Eaten: no snacks
Breaks Taken: no breaks

Update 10: 8pm still on Confections, gonna try to stay up as late as I can. I probably will crash at midnight (ish) but I'll do what I can!
Pages Read: finished Confections with 97 pages/Started on To Beguile a Beast (husband's gonna tease me for this one!!!)
Snacks Eaten: pizza! my husband brought some home from work! yummy! :)
Breaks:1 big one to eat and hang out with mr. man
Third Book:
Update 11: 9pm Reading Beguile a Beast. This will probably be my last update. I can feel myself fading out and my husband's going to take the computer over. I'll stay up a wee bit longer and update tomorrow morning, but I probably won't last til midnight! *sigh* I'm getting old.
Pages Read: 20 pages
Snacks: nothing
Breaks: a couple to get kid ready for bed (he got to stay up past his bedtime!) and clean up the kitchen.

****From now til the end of the night I probably won't be able to update every hour. I WILL update tomorrow with my night's progress, etc. My computer has now been taken over by a kid and will be taken over by a Husband when he comes home! Look for my update tomorrow morning! Good Luck everyone! Have fun! Happy Reading!****

Friday, December 4, 2009

Lord of the Rings Read a Long


I am ashamed to say that I have never read a single book in this series. I OWN them, but haven't cracked their spines yet. (sounds quite disturbing when I say it that way!) I have glanced at them once or twice on one of those many "What to read?" days, but never actually started one. Now imagine how excited I was to find this Read a Long!?

It's hosted by Shelf Love, I believe her name is Teresa. Here is what the website says:

Starting January 1, 2010, we’ll be reading one book from the series (including The Hobbit) each month with a goal of finishing all four books in April. We’ll be taking turns hosting the readalong, so you can follow our intrepid fellowship of readers around the blogosphere. Here’s where you’ll find us each month:

Anyway, I'm so excited to actually do this! My husband seriously could not believe someone that called themselves a book nut had never actually read the series! So yeah..pshaw on him now!

This Weekend's Read-a-Thon




Dreadlock Girl Reads is hosting a Read-a-Thon starting tomorrow! I already did a post about it but I wanted to start off by saying I've already picked out a HUGE stack of books to choose from. I won't list them so I don't feel too tied down when I start. I haven't gotten my snacks yet but I will do that tomorrow morning bright and early. I'm thinking I'll start sometime around 8 or 9am tomorrow. I won't be able to do the full 24 hours but I'll try for as long as I (and my son) can hold out.

I'm about 25 books shy of my goal for the year so I'd be geeked if I can get a little closer this weekend! Anywho..I'll come back tomorrow and post the first update for my "Go Time!"

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Books in the Mail



All of these were in my mailbox today! Wow! I haven't seen such a booky day in a long time!

Aww yeah son, it's ON! Another Read-a-Thon!


Woot woot! I failed on the Thanksgiving Read so I figured why not join this one and try again? I'll fill in my list for what I'll read! I'll load myself up with caffeine and snacks and stay up as late as I can! Click the picture ^ to join in!