a GREAT read

Teaser and Top Ten Tuesday

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a page

3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE

4. Name the title, author, etc.

Totally loving this one! It's set in the same world as The Gardella Vampire Chronicles, taking place I think 60 years later. So no Victoria, but she is mentioned as being the great-great aunt of Evaline! But yes, this is definitely becoming a fave!!

"His eyes bored into me as I edged away. I could feel his angry stare between my shoulder blades as if he held the barrel of a Steam-Stream gun there. And of course, the moment I was out of his presence, I thought of all the sorts of cool, smart things I could have said to put him in his place." p 142*

*This quote comes from my ARC copy, therefore it and the page number are not final

I totally love this teaser because I have found myself in this same position as Miss Holmes. When you're just too flabbergasted by the other person's attitude (or idiocy or something else!) that you can't come up with that snarky comeback until its too late!

TITLE: The Clockwork Scarab
AUTHOR: Colleen Gleason
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books
GENRE: Steampunk/Paranormal YA
RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is: Top Ten Favorite Book Covers Of Books I've Read

*in no particular order

1. 13 to Life by Shannon Delany

This shouldn't surprise any old followers!

2. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Really, all these covers in the series are awesome!

3. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder (original hardcover version)

The perfect cover for a fantasy/magic read!

4. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Totally just gorgeous!

5. Magic for a Price by Devon Monk

Allie looks totally kickbutt here and ready to save the world! Love the flame colored magic!

6. Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson

I looove this cover! It's just the prefect kind of werewolf novel! Really like Cold Blooded's cover too, but I haven't "read it" yet.

7. Wicked as They Come by Delilah S. Dawson

This cover is just deliciously awesome! Criminy rocks!

8. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

This one is really pretty! Love the colors and the darkness, gives it a mysterious feel!

9. Viper Moon by Lee Roland

Another kickass Urban Fantasy cover! Behind in this series but still looove this cover!

10. Arise by Tara Hudson

I have read this entire trilogy now, but I still think I like this cover the best! Amelia is a little more clear this time and I love the graveyard and purple colors behind her!

ARC Review--The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

The Girl with the Iron Touch (The Steampunk Chronicles, #3)

In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken.

When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons-or forfeit her friends' lives.

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin.

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist’s ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she’s to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn’t know she has....

I received this e-ARC from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

It's been a long time since I last ventured into Kady Cross' Steampunk Chronicles, I've read them all so far with Netgalley, so it's somewhat helpful to at least be able to read them the same time each year, but I've been reading lots lately, so it's hard to remember everything about every seires! No matter!

The Girl with the Iron Touch is Emily's book in a way, like the last one was Jasper's, in a way. I say "in a way" because the story doesn't totally revolve around them, yet they each play a key role in the plot! And this is one where we get to see Emily, as you may note on the cover.

Emily is good with automatons. She has the ability to understand the machines when they make their clicks and whirl sounds and know what they are trying to convey. She's very talented. Which is what makes her a prime candidate for the kidnapping that happens, by automatons no less.

The automatons are being controlled by none other than Leonoard Garibaldi. Yes, you heard right! The villain from the first book who we believed to be dead once a building came down on him. He's in a sort of stasis, yet at the same time he is able to communicate with his automatons to do his bidding. He wants Emily to put his brain into an automaton they have prepared for him. His brain will go into this new version of the automatons that is slightly more human. Everyday she becomes more human like and is being prepared for the transistion.

Emily is terrified, and yet fascinated. She realizes she has the means to put an end to Garibaldi for good. The automaton is a friendly girl like person. Emily is captivated by her because Emily likes to tinker with automatons and other machinery, yet she sees that this automaton is growing her own personality and she soon names herself Mila, after Emily said it would be weird if she chose Emily as her name too!

Emily is set in her plan to kill Garibaldi, but her plans get thrown out the window when Sam comes to rescue her. While that is all good and plenty, it's also when things start to turn south.

This was a wonderful read! I enjoyed each and every moment! The characters are just so awesome and colorful that I enjoy returning to London with this cast! They are each so detailed with their own quirks and personalities! I love all the different accents Kady gives them! I feel like I can hear each of them speaking with their particular dialect!

The romance in this one was pretty widespread! We have Emily and Sam. They're in love, yet cannot bring themselves to admit it to one another. Emily has known that she was in love with Sam for awhile and he seems to return some affection towards her, they just have a few kinks to work out. And also admit to one another that they love the other!

Then there's the ever present Jack-Finley-Griffin debacle! Although, I am pretty sure last time around, Jack was out of the picture for Finley. Her heart has decided on Griffin, yet there is still some sort of friction between her and Jack! And I have to admit that I really love Jack! His accent is so fun and he's a very mysterious kind of guy! I don't begrudge Finley for not choosing him and I kind of like her not being with him even though he cares for her and may even love her. Besides, in this one, it looks as if though Jack might be having a new love interest! Hard to say really, but I won't get into it!

Griffin and Finley are still butting heads with some things. They are so much alike, it's no wonder they spend a good deal arguing! Griffin is harboring his own kind of secret though that has been putting distance between him and Finley and when it's revealed it's pretty surprising!

Overall this was just a delightful read! So much action and adventure and lots of secrets! The ending was spectacular! I cannot wait to see what the characters are going to do now after this big event! There was also something else pretty wicked that happens, but again, not saying what! I tend to have the need to give people the heads up on all the awesome surprises that occur, because who doesn't want to know that something incredible happens? I always do! And you will find I will say something amazing happens, yet I'll never say what!

I think what I enjoy most about this series are the characters, as I mentioned, they are just so colorful and detailed! I love it! It really makes me feel like I am in London! The worldbuilding is also incredible! We have the steampunk element where the setting is 1897 and yet there seems to be an excess of technology! In the steam engine type way that has become norm for steampunks! I love that blend, it gives a slightly more modern feel to the story that at times I forget what century the characters are in! Which just sums up to how beautifully written this novel is that it can take the reader away from the world and be swept up into a new one!

Overall Rating 5/5 stars

The Girl with the Iron Touch releases May 28, 2013

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It's a fun meme where we gather to share what we've read last week and our reading plans for this week.

Last Week I Read:

Replica by Jenna Black (ARC)--Review to come at a later date

The Arrivals by Melissa Marr (ARC)--Review to come at a later date

Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines (ARC)--Review to come at a later date

Currently Reading:

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason (ARC)

What I Plan to Read this Week:

Vengeance Moon by Lee Roland

Vicious Moon by Lee Roland (e-ARC)

Other Posts of Interest:

Teaser Tuesdays

Waiting on Wednesday

RT Winners!!

Random Thursday

Follow Friday

Stacking the Shelves

Lots of review books last week, so reviews won't be up for awhile. Plus I have two more to get through this week before I can get back to my regular reading schedule with reviews! So stay tuned!

Stacking the Shelves

This weekly meme is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!

Had a pretty decent week after the mania of last week's combo RT haul! This week was pretty sedate which was a nice change of pace!

For review I received from the author:

Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines (SIGNED ARC)*

*Already read it too! Not sure when the review will be up, possibly next week when my Tour Stop is otherwise it will be closer to release date

For review for a blog tour I received:

Vicious Moon by Lee Roland (e-ARC)

Then a book I bought, but actually already read as an e-ARC was:

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

So what did you get?

Follow Friday

This is a weekly blog meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

Here are the general rules to Follow Friday:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers

3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!

8. If your new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

This week's question is: School is out! What is your favorite Summer Reading book??

MY ANSWER: Hmm..I don't think I really have one. There's always too much to read and never enough time for re-reads or stuff like that! I guess I did enjoy the one summer I read The Count of Monte Cristo, the full version! Other than that it's always a new read from the TBR mountain!

Random Thursday

Have you ever noticed that some of the early princes in Disney movies have no names? Like at all. To top it off the first two were hardly there and barely say anything at all! They had no lines? What's up with that?

I get that the story is about the princess, the titles let you know that. But still, I kind of thought that these guys would say more than a few words! But they are totally silent! And nameless!!

Here we have Prince Charming and Prince Charming, I guess! Both Snow White and Cinderella's princes have no names.

Now I never did watch the Cinderella sequels, so I don't know if they decided to name him then. I know he got a few more lines in those from the glimpses I saw of them on Disney channel!

Our other nameless prince isn't quite from the early category. After Prince Charming the Second from Cinderella, we had Prince Phillip and then Prince Eric! Names, by golly!

But then suddenly the naming stopped in 91, we have The Beast. Yes, I loooove Beauty and the Beast, but even as a kid, I didn't quite like us having to call him The Beast, or Beast. Yeah, that was his "name" since that's what he was. But even after he turns into a prince, there's no "My real name is..." I suppose kids don't care about these kinds of things, but I kind of did.

At least with Beauty and the Beast. "Beast" felt insulting. And I know that's because it was supposed to be because he wasn't a nice guy before Belle came along. But really, did he forget his name somewhere along those 10 years? Which is another odd thing, that would mean--I suppose--that he was turned into a Beast when he was 11 years old, since the narrator makes the comment of him reaching his 21st year. Unless, he was 21 at the time and time just froze for him.

I suppose that one makes more sense since Chip appears as a child. I doubt the Enchantress who cast the curse would allow teapots to reproduce teacups! Which is another matter--again--where is Mr. Potts? But that's a post for another day!

RT Winners!!

Hey all! Sorry for the late reply, couldn't do this while at work then totally forgot when I first got home. Onto the winners...

NEREYDA

MARISSA

JESSICA MANGICARO

JENNA CHRISTY MATALAM

Emails have been sent! Please respond within 48 hours or new winners will have to be chosen! Thanks to everyone who entered!

Waiting on Wednesday

I hate waiting...

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.

For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.

Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

The sad thing is I am soooo very behind in this series! Really need to try getting caught up in it!! Loved the first book--the one and only I read--so I need to read the remaining ones. Maybe after my ARC/review pile is gone...

TITLE: Hunted
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
PUBLISHER: Del Rey
GENRE: Urban Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2013

From NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason, the long-awaited spin-off of the international bestselling Gardella Vampire Chronicles.

Amid the glitzy age of Jazz, when gangsters and bootleggers control the cities, there lies another, more insidious threat ... the undead.

Macey Gardella is a typical young woman of the Roaring Twenties: she works a job, has her own flat, and loves to dance the Charleston. But when a mysterious man named Sebastian Vioget informs her she belongs to a family of vampire hunters, Macey is stunned and disbelieving.

Yet, strange and frightening things begin to happen, and when Macey comes face-to-face with one of the fanged creatures, she has no choice but to believe Sebastian. And when she learns his own soul depends on her willingness to carry forth the family legacy and hunt the undead, Macey capitulates and joins the fight.

As she begins to learn about her new life, Macey meets the handsome newspaper reporter known as Grady--who seems to know more about vampires than he should. When he begins to ask too many questions, she has to juggle her strong attraction to him with the need for secrecy.

Slipping into speakeasies and sampling bootlegged whiskeys, dodging gangster gunfire and trying to keep her nosy landlady from finding the stakes in her flat, Macey Gardella must navigate through a world of stunning violence, passionate romance, and dark betrayal...

So very very excited to be returning to this world!! True, we're moving to a new time period, but I bet it's going to be just as awesome as the first series!!

TITLE: Roaring Midnight
AUTHOR: Colleen Gleason
PUBLISHER: Avid Press
GENRE: Paranormal Historical
RELEASE DATE: June 18, 2013

Teaser Tuesdays

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a page

3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE

4. Name the title, author, etc.

"Mrs. Reeves made a sound between a snort and a laugh. 'Always favored the cleaver, myself. Gets the point across faster.'" p 203*

*This quote comes from my ARC copy, therefore it and the page number are not final.

TITLE: Replica

AUTHOR: Jenna Black

PUBLISHER: Tor Teen
GENRE: Sci-Fi YA
RELEASE DATE: July 16, 2013

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It's a fun meme where we gather to share what we've read last week and our reading plans for this week.

Last Week I Read: