Coming Soon: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (and giveaway)

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th.  

GIVEAWAY:
Pre-order here. Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.


I just have to say how much I love Shiver and can't wait to read Linger - I hope I'm a winner and you are too - head on over to Maggie's blog to enter and check out my review of Shiver here.

Review: Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb

Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb


My rating: 8.75/10.0

Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: March 1, 2003



My Review:

Another enjoyable foray into the world of the future with Eve, Roarke and their friends.

I listened to this on audio and have to say I love the reader. She does magnificent Irish accents - it's like music to listen to her. She also does a great job with the differing voices - I know from the voice pretty much who is speaking.

Now on to the actual book. I think this one concentrates more on the characters and personal goings-on than on the crime and solving it. The usual mystery is there, but it really takes a back burner to relationships and things happening in Roarke and Eve's life. I enjoyed every minute. I think I really like these books because they focus on a married couple, and one that no matter what their problems, they try to work them out in their own way. Their love is great to watch.  The secondary characters play their role in this one as well, but Eve and Roarke are definitely the focus.

Quick moving plot, great growth in the characters and an interesting crime all make this 16th installment in the series well worth reading.

Rating Breakdown:

Characterization:    2.0/2.0
Plot:                      1.5/2.0
Writing:                 1.75/2.0
Attention-holding:   0.75/1.0
Ending:                  0.75/1.0
Believable:             1.0/1.0
Genre:                   1.0/1.0    
Rating:                 8.75/10.0


About the Book:

After a tip from a reporter, Eve Dallas finds the body of a young woman in a Delancey Street dumpster. Just hours before, the news station had mysteriously received a portfolio of professional portraits of the woman. The photos seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary for any pretty young woman starting a modeling career. Except that she wasn't a model. And that these photos were taken after she had been murdered.

Now Dallas is on the trail of a killer who's a perfectionist and an artist. He carefully observes and records his victim's every move. And he has a mission: to own every beautiful young woman's innocence, to capture her youth and vitality - in one fateful shot... 

Book Tour: A Note From an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker

Join Bill Walker, author of the soul searching romance novel, A Note From an Old Acquaintance (iUniverse, June 2009), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in February and March on his third virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

My Thoughts:

Due to a crazy week - I have started this book but haven't finished it.  But I must say that as I started reading it I found it hard to put down.  I am enjoying it so far and look forward to reading more and becoming more involved with this book.  A Note from an Old Acquaintance sucks you in from the very first page. 

About Bill Walker

Bill Walker is a graphic designer specializing in book and dust jacket design, and has worked on projects by Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. Between his design work and his writing, he spends his spare time reading voraciously and playing very loud guitar, much to the chagrin of his lovely wife and two sons. Bill makes his home in Los Angeles and can be reached through his web site: http://www.billwalkerdesigns.com/

About A Note From an Old Acquaintance

Brian Weller is a haunted man. It’s been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega-selling thrillers, Brian’s life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife’s prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair.
Everything changes the morning an e-mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short-lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book-signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart.
Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.

“Please tell me why you’re doing this, Brian! Please!”
He tried opening his mouth, tried to tell her the truth, but the words
he’d always wielded with such effortless aplomb, failed him, slipping
away like smoke on a windy day. His throat felt as if it were gripped in
a vise, his mind a flat, cracked slab of flyblown desert; and her muted
sobs echoing through the phone’s earpiece made him want to take it all
back. Every word. But how could he do that, now?
“I—I’m sorry, Joanna…for everything….”
“BRIANNNN!”
THE PHONE JANGLED, RIPPING Brian Weller out of the dream. He sat
up, gasping, sounds and images jumbling in his groggy brain until
none of it made any sense.
The phone rang again, startling him.
He grabbed it, his eyes struggling against the darkness in the
room.
What time was it?
Jesus, it was only 6:00. It felt even earlier due to the late night he’d
spent at the computer.

What Are You Reading Monday - February 15

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week:

Reading Now:

• Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens
• Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson 
• Evernight by Claudia Gray (Kindle)
• Absolute Power by David Baldacci (audiobook)

 

Next:

• A Note From an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker
• Mom's Ultimate Book of List: 100+ Lists to save you Time Money and Sanity by Michelle LaRowe 
• Listen by Rene Gutteridge
•  One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
• Sleep No More by Susan Crandall
• The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

Reviews Completed this week:

•  The Marriage Project by Kathi Lipp
• Dreams that Won't Let Go by Stacy Hawkins Adams
• Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale
• Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt
• Love and War: Finding the Marriage you've Dreamed of by John and Stasi Eldredge
• Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen
  

Reviews to do:

• Don't You Forget About Me by Cecily von Ziegesar
• Let Them Eat Fruitcake by Melody Carlson
• Smash Cut by Sandra Brown
• Invitation Only by Kate Brian
• Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)  
• Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb (audiobook)

Summary -


Busy week again and not as much reading.  Doing well with the reviews, but need to do some catch-up.  I am going to try and spend this week reading and getting caught up.

Review: Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

My rating: 8.5/10.0

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: May 1, 2010
Paperback, 192 pages
Genre: Young Adult


My Review:

An adorable read. It took me back to the best moments of high school, made me feel the romance and just took me out of life for awhile.

Kayla is a typical teenage girl, in fact her and her group reminds me more of my crowd in high school - the ones in the middle, neither popular or unpopular, friends with everyone. So that made this a winner in the first place. It made it really easy to relate with her and her friends. I think all girls will find it easy no matter what their popularity is.

There are all types in the book. The focus however, is on Kayla. I enjoyed getting to know Kayla as a character. She can come off a little judgmental at times, but you realize she has everyone's best interest at heart. Also as you read more about her you understand more why she is that way. I loved the aspect of the dating oracle. Her website and articles were cute and helpful for the dating scene. I like the way Kayla grows and develops through the book and look forward to where further books in this series will take her (the next is due out in November 2010).

I also enjoyed the character of Jared. He sounds amazing and just perfect for Kayla. I like the way he's described as being handsome to her. You never feel like he's the hottest guy at school, but you know that he's the hottest to Kayla and that tells a lot to me. The romance aspect was great. It's well written and has great tension. You never know if the two will get together or not, but you are cheering for them the whole time.

Overall this is a fun book to spend time with. The plot and characters are well-done and it makes a great young adult read.

Rating Breakdown:
Characterization:    1.5/2.0
Plot:                      1.5/2.0
Writing:                 1.5/2.0
Attention-holding:   1.0/1.0
Ending:                  1.0/1.0
Believable:             1.0/1.0
Genre:                  1.0/1.0    
Rating:                8.5/10.0

About the Book:

No one at Kayla’s school knows she’s the famous Oracle of Dating—the anonymous queen of dating advice, given through her own Web site. Kayla doesn’t even have a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make her focus on everyone else’s love life. But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart—the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her own oracle of dating--and she knows just where to find one... 

FCC Disclamiers:

I received this book through NetGalley for review purposes.

All links through Amazon do not result in any commission for me, I live in NC and we aren't allowed to receive commission (I'm not sure why, but it doesn't matter), so I don't make any money - but the authors do so feel free to buy their works :)

Weekend Wondering and Giveaway - Romance is in the air

First up the winner of last week's weekend wondering is:

Between The Lines and More 

please contact me with your address and your book choice (see the choices here.) 

She will get her choice of one of six books. The rest of the books will go back into the pot for the next weekend wondering.


Thanks so much to all who participated. I really enjoyed reading your responses. So many of you mentioned books and authors I had forgot about, so it was really great. Please know I read each and every response.

So onto this weekend. We all know it the magical/hated (depends on your view) Valentine's Day. For me it really isn't a big deal. I'm married and I tend to celebrate our anniversary more, but DH and I will be childless for the evening and I look forward to going out to eat with him. But cards and flowers aren't expected. And I will freely admit I am looking more forward to Daytona on Valentine's Day anyway. I'm a huge racing fan and look forward to the start of the new season. Anyone else a fan?

Okay on to the bookish things - Romance.

I started reading romance as a teenager. Silhouette use to have a line of romance for teenagers in the late 80s - something like Silhouette first romance. I read every one of those I could get my hands on. I don't remember anything about them now, but I did read them.

I think I got away from the romance genre in college and headed more towards thrillers/suspense/horror. Then I came back to my first love after I got married and my sister-in-law introduced me to Nora Roberts. Yes I had heard of her, but I had not read her yet. My SIL gave me Carolina Moon to read and I was in total love. Here was an author who mixed romance and suspense - it couldn't get any better than that.

Then I found the internet and found out how many other great authors are out there. Linda Howard, Sandra Brown, Susan Mallery, Robin Carr, Sheryl Woods and so many more. I read all I could get my hands on. I even found I loved Harlequin Blaze books and had a subscription for awhile.

I loved romance in any form I could get it and I still do. I don't read as much of it as I use to but I fit it in from time-to-time and every time I come back to it I remember how much I love it. I have very rarely been disappointed with a romance book, but then again I freely admit I am not horribly picky with my books.

Themes - this is my question for the week - what themes/plots do you like best in your romances? Do you like friends to lovers, hidden pregnancy, tortured heroes, paranormal, romantic suspense, take this one anywhere you want. Just tell me what kind of romance book you like to read if you like to read them and one of your all-time favorites. If you don't read them, tell me why, I'm interested.

As for me, I think I have learned I really like the friends into lovers books. One of my favorites that comes to mind was Kristin Higgins' Just One of the Guys - an excellent romance in my opinion.

So for Valentine's Day this year try to fit in a romance - you may love it, it may make you happy, just try it out. :)

***** Giveaway  *****

Comment and answer my question from above on what kind of romance you like and your all-time favorite romance read and you can have a shot at winning any two of the books shown below. Open to US/Canada only. Giveaway runs through 2/19/10 and I will post the winner in the next weekend wondering post.  Additional entries for tweeting and getting the word out about this giveaway (blog posts/sidebar work too). Also note if you are a follower and how you follow and there will be extra entries for that as well - I'm still trying to work my way to 200 blogger followers.

Please note books have been read - they are in good shape, but they are not brand new.