Friday, September 30, 2011

100 Follower Giveaway!!! 9/30-10/7 (Closed)

Good Morning!!!!!!!

I have now reached 100 Followers!!!! Wooo Hooo!!!!




I'm excited over here. Having a mini party in my cubicle at work (okay its not really a party, I just did a little dance and I'm eating snacks at my desk, but you get the picture...by the way, paper cuts and hand sanitizer don't work well together). I love each and every one of my followers and I thank you all for Following me. I never thought anyone would be interested in anything I had to say, and to see the way my page has grown over the short time I have been blogging is insane.

I still remember what was going through my mind when I decided to do this: "I love these book blogs, they're so resourceful. I feel like a stalker going to these same blog every day to see if there's a new post, Lurking in the shadows and secretly reading everything they write, but not commenting because they don't know who I am. Maybe if I had a book blog they'd look at it, or I'd at least be able to comment. Oh and I can tell other people what I read and give them great Ideas like I got. Maybe I'll even have my own little lurking stalkers. No, they probably wont even read it. How will people even know I exist. I know! I'll do some research. (does research) Ugh, I'll have to actually write like every day or so. Why am I even upset, I don't do much anyway. Why not do something productive and spend my time doing nothing blogging about my many books I read. Okay....Here...We...Go!" And just like that my blog was made. I giggled with excitement every time i received a comment and felt like Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura, "You Like me! You Really Like me!!!" Its so exciting.

So, to show my gratitude, I am hosting a giveaway. It will run from today, Friday, September 30, 2011 until Friday, October 7, 2011 and the winner will be announced the very next day. The prize will be of the winners choosing. They have the option of receiving:
A $25 Barnes and Noble Gift card: 

OR

Any one book worth up to $25 from the Book Depository:
 The winner will be chosen via Random.org and, once notified of winning, will need to respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. If I receive more than 75 applicants, I will give out both prizes. The first place winner will get to decide on their prize first, and the second will receive the other

The requirements are as follows:
  1. You must be a follower, New followers and old followers are welcome.
  2. Leave a comment with your choice of prize, and email address. If you choose the book from book depository, make sure to include the name of the book; I will accept pre-order books, but only if the books will be released before December 31, 2011. 
You may be eligible for a total of 4 additional entries if you do the following:
  • (+2) Make a Post about the giveaway including the button in the post (include link to post in comments section so that I can be sure to include the extra entry.
  • (+1) Comment on at least one review
  • (+1) Place my blog button in your sidebar (leave a comment stating you have done so)
Thanks so much for entering. Love you all!!! (I plan to do this whole giveaway thing better in the future with the Rafflecopter and all that good stuff...but the work computer doesnt allow it.) Anywho, the giveaway begins...........Now!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop

Hello everyone and Happy Friday!!!!! I am sooo excited about today, not only because it's friday and I get to browse other bloggers blogs without feeling like a stalker, but because I have nearly 100 followers (I'm at 93 right now, but hopefully by the time you read this I'll have reached 100) and have decided to host my very first Giveaway!!!!!!! (this is so exciting)  The giveaway information will be up soon so stay tuned!!! First, lets handle the friday meme's:

Follow Friday is a weekly meme where bloggers meet and follow other bloggers. It is  hosted by Allison Can Read and Parajunkee's View. This week's question is

Q. What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?

Hmmmm, I would like to see Incarceron and City of Bones turned into a movie (although I hear it will be soon) I guess it doesn't count then huh. I'm not sure otherwise. I am horrible at casting so I wont even try. I guess if i had to choose something else, I would choose the Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare. Those books are just amazing!




Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy For Books. It is a weekly blogger meme where book bloggers get to gether to answer questions and meet other bloggers. This week's question is:

“In honor of Banned Books Week, what is your favorite “banned or frequently challenged book”?”
Click here for 2010-11 list in PDF format. You can also click HERE to view past years and choose from any of those titles!


That's a hard question. I guess I'd say the Hunger Games. I read them like all the time! At least once a month. That would be the only ones I absolutely love.


What are your answers? Leave me a link with them so that I can check out your page!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: A Million Suns by Beth Revis


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

This week's "waiting on" pick is:

Book: A Million Suns
By: Beth Revis
Publication Date: January 10, 2012

Description: When Elder learns harrowing news about the space ship Godspeed, he and Amy must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, all the while dealing with the romance that’s growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart. It all boils down to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

My Thoughts: I am so excited about this book. I loved Across the Universe (although I heard mixed reviews) and I hope I love A Million Suns just as much, if not more. Becides, not only does the cover look gorgeous, but the title seems quite promising, annnd the synopsis is interesting as well!

What are your "Waiting On" picks for this week?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Review: Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

Book: Hades
By: Alexandra Adornetto
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Fiewel and Friends

Description: Heaven Help Her.
Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.
The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times-bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.

My Thoughts: Hades is an interesting book that portrays the many horrors of Hell and the way the Light can always overcome Darkness.

I was super excited to read Hades because I loved Halo. It was my first Angel book I ever read and i was amazed with the general cuteness of the book. Although I liked Hades almost as much, I must admit that I didnt feel as good about it as I did Halo. I'll start with the good things first.

Bethany and Xavier's relationship is stronger than ever and it's just so cute to see how close they are. It reminds me of Twilight the way they exist within their own little bubble and can't really live without the other (dont hate me fellow Twilight Fans, I understand this book CANNOT compete with the awesomeness that is Twilight). I also loved the portrayal of Hell. It was kinda cool in an odd way. For those of you that read the excerpt, you see that Hell is like full of clubs where people have to dance forever. They have swanky expensive hotels and more. It's like someone took the 7 deadly sins, wrote them on a piece of paper, shook them up in a hat, and this is what came out. A place of mess and  ridiculousness fit for all of the crazies. Oddly, I thought it was an interesting portrayal, albiet strange. Jake was as vindictive as ever, even taking things to interesting levels (I'd definitely have started falling for him if I was Bethany, and you know, not an angel...dont judge me). I also loved the nicknames like "Big Daddy" for Lucifer. Too hilarious. For some reason it makes me thing of Scary Movie 2 (strange, I know). Regardless, this book gave me quite a few giggles, and I enjoyed it. I especially like'd the random message I got from it that Light always beats out the Dark.

Although I did enjoy it, as you can tell there was quite a bit I didn't like about it. First, I found an error, WHICH I HATE!!!! I mean, if you have a nice, big time publisher and editers and stuff, you should at least not have any errors in the final product! (okay, it was only one tiny error, but still) Second, I hated Bethany in this book even more. She has been on earth for like a year now, and has dealt with many dark forces, why the heck is she still so naive. I mean come on, EVERYONE knows not to make deals with the devil, and even more so not to trust him to follow through. She's a freaking angel. Ypou'd thing that would be like the first lesson in Angel school or wherever they learn everything. The book was kind of boring at times and I zoned out a few times and had to reread full pages. Bethany barely fought back against her capture, she spent most of her time zoning out (Trying not to add spoilers here. Once you read it you'll know why) Furthermore, if she has some super special bond and can do all these things when she has the "connection" to Xavier and earth, why didnt she use it to do and say more things that could help everyone (okay sorry for the random spoilers, dont worry about it, if you havent read the book you probably-hopefully-don't know what I'm talking about). Next, you're in HELL, I'm sure things for her could have, and should have, been worse than they were. Thats all I'm sayin about that. Why the crap is Jake so delusional all the time, and why was there no real fight at the end? Finally, this ending was the epitome of cliffhangers. I'd at least like the first sentence of the next book or something to satiate me. I know thats a personal problem I need to get over, it's necessary and blah, blah, blah, but it still frustrates me.

Despite my many negative feelings about this book. I still liked it a lot. It was an interesting read and I will be looking forward to the next book, Heaven.


If you read Hades, let me know what you think so we can compare. I'm curious to know what others thought.

Teaser Tuesday: Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Tuesday!!! Its time for Teaser Tuesday:

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from Girl Parts by John M. Cusick:

"'Hello David. My Name is Rose. It is a pleasure to meet you. We are now entering minute two of our friendship. According to my Intimacy Clock, a handshake is now appropriate.'"



Share your teasers with me! I'd love to read them!





Thursday, September 22, 2011

Book Blogger Hop and Follow Friday




Follow Friday is a weekly meme where bloggers meet and follow other bloggers. It is hosted by Allison Can Read and Parajunkee's View. This week's question is:

Q. Do you have a favorite series that you read over and over again? Tell us a bit about it and why you keep on revisiting it? 



My Answer: YES, YES, YES!!! I read Twilight like once a month, I read the Hunger games almost as much and City of bones slightly less than that. Its like amazing!!! I even have them all in audio books so that I can continue to listen to it when I cant read. It's almost like I'm obsessed with them. My parents get annoyed every time they get in my car because all I listen to is these 3 audio book series. What about you? Leave a link so that I can check yours out.




Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy For Books. It is a weekly meme where bloggers get together to answer questions and meet other bloggers. This week's question is not up yet. Stay Tuned!

****edit****

The Hop is extending later this week. Our host had a busy week and was unable to do it on time. This week's question is:

“As a blog reader, what information (besides the book review) do you like to see in other bloggers’ reviews of books? (For example – Author bio, social media links, book synopsis from Amazon/Goodreads or one written by the blogger, page count, ISBN number, link to purchase, etc.)”

Oddly, there isn't uch I like to read becides the book review in other bloggers review of books. Its nice to see the Author bio sometimes, although I will admit that unless there's something particularly spectacular in it, I just skim through it. I do like the synopsis from Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes and Noble. It helps me decide if I would even like to read the synopsis at all. I also like to see the rating at the end of how many "stars" the reviewer would give the book. Regardless of the synopsis, or the way I originally feel about the cover, a rating of 4-5 stars will almost always make me stop and re-read.

What about you?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Too Much Cuteness...

I interrupt my regularly scheduled programming to offer you some adorable pics! My puppy simba has just learned how to jump onto my bed (I am not ready for that...now there's no way for me to ignore him. He'll just jump on my bed and lick my face until I pay attention.) O well. He was so adorable though that I had to take some pics. Here goes:




Okay, so this isnt one of the pictures (obviously) but how else was I gonna showcase the fact that he just got groomed and looks adorable. here's me and him...on one of my bad hair days...ignore it.

Okay I'm done.


Waiting on Wednesday: Legend by Marie Lu






 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's WoW pick is


Book: Legend
By: Marie Lu
Publication Date: November 29, 2011

Description: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

My Thoughts: For some reason, this book cover makes me think of The Hunger Games. I love The Hunger Games, so I think I may love this one. Don't judge my logic. I know it's faulty, but a girl has to start somewhere right?? Besides, everyone knows I'm a sucker for covers (if you didn't know, its probably because you don't follow me...in which case you should go ahead and follow...I'll be eternally grateful, and follow you back!!)

What are your "Waiting On" picks this week?




Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (5) - Hades by Alexandra Adornetto


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!
Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

My Teaser for this week is from:
Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

"'Well, my dear’ – The receptionists eyes glinted darkly – ‘you’re in Hades. Make yourself at home.’”

What are your teasers for today? Leave a link in my comments and I’ll be sure to check them out!

 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Beckoned By Books Blog Makeover!!!

Hello Everyone!!!

I have had a blog makeover installed today (obviously) and I am so excited!!! I would like to thank Diana from Custom Blog Designs for doing the makeover for me and for putting up with my many, many requests and changes. She is the best and responds quickly to questions and comments. I swear she is a miricle worker. It's like she jumped inside my head and saw what I wanted and  created it for me (with the help of a some clues from me of course). She is the best.

To all those who are thinking about having a blog makeover in the future, or just change a header or get a new button, I would definitely suggest contacting Custom Blog Designs to do it. You won't regret it. To all those who didnt get a chance to see the "before" blog, here it is:



I love the new format and I hope you do too! Let me know what you think of the change!

Review: Red Fox by Karina Halle

Book: Red Fox
By: Karina Halle
Publication Date: June 13, 2011
Publisher: Createspace (Self Published)

Description: In the for­got­ten town of Red Fox, New Mex­ico, a Navajo cou­ple is tor­tured by things unseen and by motives unknown. Wild ani­mals slink through their house in the dark, a bar­rage of stones pound their roof nightly, and muti­lated sheep car­casses are turn­ing up on their prop­erty. Armed with a cam­era and just enough to go on, Perry and Dex travel to the des­o­late locale, hop­ing to film the super­nat­ural occur­rences and add cred­i­bil­ity to their flail­ing web­cast. Only their show has a lot more work­ing against them than just grow­ing pains. Tested by dubi­ous ranch hands, a ghost from Dex’s past, and shapeshift­ing decep­tion, the ama­teur ghost hunters must learn to trust each other in order to fight the most ancient of myths…or die trying.
Red Fox is the sec­ond book of the Exper­i­ment in Ter­ror Series and a depar­ture from Dark­house. Aside from Perry and Dex offi­cially hav­ing a work­ing rela­tion­ship, and a web series at stake (called, what else, “Exper­i­ment in Ter­ror”), there are mythic super­nat­ural ele­ments, an eclec­tic cast of char­ac­ters, and a lonely land­scape that comes along for this fast-paced ride.

My Thoughts: Red Fox was a great book. I loved almost everything about it. I have never read a book like this and I would definitely read it again!

Okay, I must admit that I love shapeshifters and other paranormals much more than ghosts, but that wasn’t the only reason I loved Red Fox more than Darkhouse. (See review here) Red Fox had so much of everything I love: sexual tension, playful banter, comedic relief, trouble/conflict, shapeshifters, untold secrets of Navajo tribes, secrets, betrayal, near death experiences, and so much more. I could not put this book down, and when I absolutely had to stop reading, I thought about the book every second that passed.

Perry’s life outside of ghost hunting seems to be falling apart. She lost her job (which of course she can’t tell her parents about) and can’t find another job, and she still has strange nightmares. She also has the failing ghost hunter’s web show that needs to get something good on film or the one good thing she has going for her will be lost. It is at this point that she goes to Red Fox, New Mexico with her partner Dex to help a Navajo couple. What ensues is not only frightening and exciting, but also hilarious and sexy. Perry is still so secretive, and a scaredy cat, and a magnet for trouble and it’s interesting to watch her progression of emotion throughout the book. Perry deals with so many near death experiences and issues that I’m sure I would have passed out if I were her.

Dex, the sexy and strange partner of Perry Palomino is even more annoying and sexy that in Darkhouse. Perry thinks she no longer has feelings for him, a good thing since he is (still) taken. But alas, she does! The fact that not only does she have to be around him 24/7, but also play house with him in front of the Navajo couple causes this book to release a multitude of sexual tension and playful banter that are so thoroughly entertaining that I was practically giggling like a schoolgirl at some scenes. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife and I found myself getting angry and screaming at Perry through the book, telling her to just “Jump his bones already!” I loved how much more intense and serious their relationship got in this book.

We are introduced to many new characters in this book. Maximus, Dex’s ex band mate and ex-friend, Sara and Will, the strange Navajo couple who broke off from the Navajo customs and religion, and Shan, Bird, Miguel and Rudy, some interesting people that play important roles in the novel. These additional characters are quite interesting. Because we don’t know any of them, and therefore don’t trust them, it’s a constant mystery trying to figure out why this is going on and who is doing it. It's like the movie, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” As soon as you think you know who it is, something happens and you think it’s someone else, only to find out that It can’t be them and go back to the previous guess. It is for this reason that the book stays away from seeming predictable.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I felt all the right reactions and most were voiced out loud to the amusement of bystanders as I read the book. (I even had someone ask me if I was okay after I yelled “Oh No!!! Don’t Do It!!! Ugh!!! Why??” in the middle of this soup restaurant called Zoup at lunchtime. I quickly apologized to all those onlookers who were now staring at me.) It was hilarious!! I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series, Dead Sky Morning, released on October 13.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Book Blogger Hop and Follow Friday

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Friday!!! I have had such a long week and have Finally reached the end!!! Now For our meme's:


The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy For Books. This week's question is:

“As a book blogger, how do you introduce yourself in your profile?”

The question for this week is pretty interesting. I am quite new to the whole blogging scene, and I don't even want to pretend to know what I'm doing. I am merely trying out everything I can to see what is a good fit. That being said, I believe my profile is not the most important thing about my blog. If you look at it, you see that it's short and sweet. I think my blog is the most important thing, the only thing really focused on by my followers. I do, however, understand that I need to have something in my profile, but its pretty neglected, like the step child you  take care of, dress, and get ready for school because you have to and not because you want to (I don't have step children but based on Cinderella this seems to be the case...don't hate me...I know this isn't the case for all step children, or even some). Therefore, I wanted my profile to be nice, not overshadow my blog, and tell a little about me and why I like books. That's it. After all, what else does it really need?

Let me know what you all think. I just LOVE differing opinions

Next is Follow Friday:


Follow Friday is Hosted by Allison Can Read and Parajunkee's View. This week's question is:

Q. It's that pesky magic book fairy again! She has another wish: What imaginary book world would you like to make a reality?

Another difficult question. I wish I could make them all real (okay not really all, but most). Harry Potter, of course, should be real. I already believe some people in the world can do magic in some form and that there are actual witches (don't judge me), so why not take it a step forward and include wizards and Sorcerer's and stuff. It's not that much of a stretch. I would also love for Twilight to be real (to an extent). That whole sparkling thing, not really feeling it, but I think its more believable than the whole wooden steak through the heart, compelling vampires of other books/movies. I'd also love for Vampire Diaries (the TV show) to be real, although it's only because I am in love with Damon right now (did you see last nights episode...already hooked again). In truth, I don't want any imaginary book world to be a reality in the greater sense. I don't want everyone to know about it, only me and a select few people. The secrecy is what makes the books so great. Besides, if they were a reality to the whole world, we'd have a True Blood scenario on our hands with "racism" and "civil rights" and the whole bit. No, I'm fine without it becoming a reality, at least to everyone. I would like it to be a reality to me.

Okay so I just said a lot, and I'm not really sure if it even makes sense. My brain moves like a thousand miles a minute. Nonetheless, that's what I think. Let me know what you think.

Don't Forget to leave a link back to your posts so I can read them. Oh yeah, and Follow me...I follow back!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

"Waiting on" Wednesday - Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

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

My Choice for this week is:

Book: Touch Of Power (Healer #1)
By: Maria V. Snyder
Publication Date: December 20, 2011
Description: Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted.
Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture.
Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people.

As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....


My Thoughts: Have you seen that cover?!?!?! Even if you have, scroll up and look again! I would buy this book for the cover alone, but then you see that the book has "brains behind the beauty" (haha). The story seems so interesting! I just HAVE to get this book!

What are your "Waiting on" picks for this week?

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (4) - Red Fox by Karina Halle

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
 My Teaser for this week is from Red Fox by Karina Halle:


"With an air of wasted cougars on out left and three rugged mountain men on our right, we were smack in the middle of mating town. In front of us, and a step down, lay the dance floor, the perfect place to showcase the mating rituals, which alternated between sloppy line dancing and sloppy grope fests."

I am definitely looking forward to reading into this book more. Karina Halle is am amazing writer and I am already loving Red Fox, maybe even a little bit more than Darkhouse. What are your Teasers for Today?
  

Monday, September 12, 2011

Review: Darkhouse by Karina Halle

Book: Darkhouse
By: Karina Halle
Publication Date: May, 28,2011
Publisher: Createspace (Self Published)

Description: There’s always been some­thing a bit off about Perry Palomino. Though she’s been deal­ing with a quarter-life cri­sis and post-college syn­drome like any other twen­tysome­thing, she’s still not what you would call “ordi­nary.” For one thing, there’s her past which she likes to pre­tend never hap­pened, and then there’s the fact that she sees ghosts. Luck­ily for her, that all comes in handy when she stum­bles across Dex Foray, an eccen­tric pro­ducer for an upcom­ing web­cast on ghost hunters. Even though the show’s bud­get is non-existent and Dex him­self is a mad­den­ing enigma, Perry is instantly drawn into a world that both threat­ens her life and seduces her with a sense of impor­tance. Her uncle’s haunted light­house pro­vides the per­fect cat­a­lyst and back­drop for a hor­rific mys­tery that unrav­els the threads of Perry’s frag­ile san­ity and causes her to fall for a man, who, like the most dan­ger­ous of ghosts, may not be all that he seems.

My Thoughts: Darkhouse was the first ghost story, and first self published book I have ever read, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I always thought ghost stories would be boring books that gave off the "ghost hunters" vibe from the television shows with no real ghost sightings and random orbs and the like. This book had just the right amount of ghost sightings, eerie happenstance and terrifying events, and balanced it well with comic relief. I absolutely loved it!

The book follows a 22 year old girl named Perry Palomino. Besides our common ages, I did not originally relate to her. She is a "big girl" who has dealt all of the "typical big girl" issues. I have no idea what that's like; therefore, I didn't know how to see eye to eye with her, other than to relate it to my own Popsicle stick youth. Furthermore, she seems to see ghosts and people others cant see, and is easily put down when people question her mental state. I wished she would stick up for herself in those instances; however, I guess anyone would feel the way she did if they always saw things others couldn't see. As the book continued though, I could find a multitude of things I could relate to her on. First, she's still living at home with a younger, more popular sister who seems to be the family favorite (yes, i am airing out dirty laundry). Second, she's stuck in a job that she hates doesn't really like. She wants to find her place in the world, but seems somewhat lost. Plus, she gets carsick while reading in a moving vehicle just like me. I found my affection toward Perry Palomino growing just like it would if she were an actual friend. In the beginning I thought "hey, she's cool...I guess," then "hmmm...I don't really like that about her," followed by "come on...come on...you can do it," and then before I knew it..."WHAM, best friends forever." I absolutely loved Ms. Perry Palomino (and I love her name too. Its one of those names you feel like you should say entirely to thoroughly appreciate).

The love/like interest, Declan "Dex" Foray was (of course) gorgeous and sexy, and amazing, and...bipolar? I'm not sure what his issue was but I loved and hated him. He was annoying and lovable.I couldn't help but want Perry to hug and kiss him, and punch him in the face. That's just what kind of person he was. You couldn't help but be unsure of how you felt about him, just as Perry felt.

Besides Perry and Dex, the other characters seemed a bit flat. I hated Perry's Mom, and thought her dad was...boring. Perry's sister was cute, but way too ahead of herself. She was only 15 and drinking at bonfires while sucking face with men and who knows what else. I'd kill my 13 year old sister if I even knew she was thinking about that kind of stuff (I may be a hypocrite but so what!)

The story itself was good. It had its fair share of horror. I was scared (although I must admit, it's pretty easy to scare me). I couldn't stop reading this book. I needed to know what happened next. I was absolutely terrified during the scary parts and I noticed my heart actually began pacing while I read. That said, there were only two things I didn't like about the book. First, because this book was self published, I noticed a few errors, however, these errors were few, and therefore didn't take away from the book. Second, There were so many questions left in my head at the end. As you all know, I hate unanswered questions. I couldn't help but wonder, what the heck was up with Perry in the past that she keeps running from, why are her parents so worried about her, and why can she see people others can't? What in the world is up with Dex? Is he bipolar or isn't he? What was the result of the lighthouse excursion. What did they gain from it? Despite my many questions though, I understand that this is a series that by the end, will probably answer all my questions slowly but surely. (I just want to know NOW).

Darkhouse was an amazing book that I COULD NOT read late at night in fear that the events would transfer into my dreams. (I have a vivid imagination) It was a great start to a great series. I look forward to reading the next book, Red Fox. Karina Halle is a great writer. I enjoyed the characters she infused in the story and will definitely read every book in this series! I give it 4 stars!
 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Book Blogger Hop and Follow Friday

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday (in 3 hours for me). I am almost done my book Darkhouse for review from Karina Halle so look forward to the review soon!

 It's time for the weekly meme's. We'll start with Book Blogger Hop:

 Book Blogger Hop is Hosted by Crazy For Books. This week's question is:

“Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stopped writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn’t read that genre anymore?”

 I love YA and all the sci fi, fantasy, and paranormal stuff as you all know already; however, that was not always my favorite. I used to read African American Lit (usually scandalous-ness...wink wink) I just like the innocence of YA lit, and the otherworldly experiences that come with fantasy and sci fi and paranormal books. I suppose that I would go back to reading this if they stopped writing my genre, or move to historical fiction. I love the moies at least, i suppose I would probably like the books too. I would never ever in 100 million bagillion years give up reading, unless of course something happened to my eyes (i dont know why i thought of that...i just did)...and even then I'd listen to audiobooks.

What about you?

Next it's time for Follow Friday!!!

Follow Friday is hosted by Allison Can Read and Parajunkee's View.

This week's question isn't up yet (yea I'm early...so what...I'm just a little excited that tomorrow is Friday and I don't have to work!) but I'll make sure to add it and post as soon as I see it's available.

Thanks for Stopping By! Follow Me, I follow back!

****edit****

Okay so I am awake now, and of course the question is up. Here it is:


Q. Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story? If so, which one?

I believe that is a hard question! I don't think I ever really wanted the villain to win at the end of the story. I don't really like bad guys so i always like it when they lose. Maybe I can bring it back to my younger years when I had my own personal bad guy (bullies...i was the smarty pants little girl that always read books...okay i still kinda am...its just cooler now...or people no longer care...either way) and somehow I (kinda) won, and I would prefer it that way. Besides, books where the bad guy wins are so few that i would never remember

What about you?