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:

A Darkness Absolute by Kelley Armstrong (ARC)--Review to come at a later date

Review That was Posted:

The Operator by Kim Harrison (ARC) (4 stars)

Currently Reading:

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles (ARC)

What I Might Start Reading this Week:

Winter Halo by Keri Arthur (Early Copy) 

Other Posts of Interest:

IT'S HERE!!! The NEW Live Action Beauty and the Beast Preview!!

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Waiting on Wednesday

Random Thursday

Follow Friday

Stacking the Shelves

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!


Well despite being sick all week and barely getting any reading done, it wasn't too bad of a week. Still trying to kick the last of this cold out of me. Really dragging its feet too. I can almost breathe, but am still kinda congested. Ugh. The week wasn't too rich with new books either. Which I suppose is a good thing, my TBR pile didn't suffer too much. But it still saddens me when I can't use the coupons B&N sends me. It just doesn't seem right!! LOL!


Anyway for review this week, I received:

 Winter Halo by Keri Arthur (Early Copy)

THANK YOU Signet!

 

Follow Friday

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

 

The Rules:

• The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.
• You create your own post using the post prompt.
• You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt.
• Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment.
• If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation.
• The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
• It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
• As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

Specific RULES:

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• 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 and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed FOLLOW as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers

 

This week's prompt is: What is Your Favorite Scary Story?

MY ANSWER: Hmm...bookwise, I'd say Dawn Kurtagich's The Dead House!

I also find thrillers terrifying! These are the kind of stories I consider more real! Like more of the chance that it could happen! So freaky!!!

I haven't read You by Caroline Kepnes yet, but it's the kind of real life scary story that I feel like could happen! So freaky!!!

Random Thursday

Let us return once again to the ever entertaining That's a Fact Jack: A Collection of Utterly Useless Information [Updated] by Harry Bright and Jakob Anser! I am learning new things right there with you all as I share these and I am feeling educated! LOL!

(image borrowed from The Mummy Wiki)

"In 897, Pope Stephen VI exhumed the rotting corpse of his predecessor, Formosus, in order to put him on trial. Although the deacons put up a spirited defense, the corpse was eventually found guilty of perjury. As punishment, the corpse had its three 'sacred' fingers broken off, was dressed in layman's clothes, and buried again. Later it was exhumed again and tossed into a river."

Jaw literally dropped. Thinking about the extremes of exhuming a corpse to find him guilty of a crime way after the fact. I mean, damn!!! That's crazy!!




 

Waiting on Wednesday

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

 

 

An epic clash between gods and mortals threatens to tear Mytica apart . . . and prove that not even the purest of love stands a chance against the strongest of magic.

MAGNUS and CLEO are forced to test the strength of their love when Gaius returns to Mytica claiming he's no longer the King of Blood but a changed man seeking redemption.

LUCIA, pregnant with the child of a Watcher, has escaped the clutches of the unhinged fire god. Her powers are dwindling as she goes forth to fulfill a prophecy that will keep her baby safe . . . but could mean her demise.

JONAS treks back to Mytica with a plan to overtake Amara, but fate takes hold when he runs into the beautiful Princess Lucia and joins her on her perilous journey.

AMARA has taken the Mytican throne, but with no way to unleash the water magic trapped within her stolen crystal, she'll never be able to seize glory and get sweet revenge.

And what kind of darkness will descend--and who will be safe--after Prince Ashur reveals the dangerous price he paid to cheat death?

 

 

Must not read...must not read!! I still need to read Frozen Tides and I am seeing words! I am seeing words!!

 

 

TITLE: Crystal Storm
AUTHOR: Morgan Rhodes
PUBLISHER: Razorbill
GENRE: Fantasy YA
RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by MizB of Books and Beat. 

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

"I don't see anyone. Don't hear anyone. Don't even sense anyone. But if Dalton did? Someone's there, watching us. I know it." p 104*

*This quote comes from the ARC, therefore it and its page number are NOT final.











TITLE: A Darkness Absolute
AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong
PUBLISHER: Minotaur Books
GENRE: Thriller/Mystery
RELEASE DATE: February 7, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list  that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

This week's topic is: MOVIE FREEBIE: Top Ten Favorite Movies

*in no particular order

**all images were borrowed from Wikipedia

10. VAMPIRES SUCK--OMG! This movie is friggin hilarious!! It's basically like Scary Movie for the first two Twilight movies! And ohhhh god!! I laughed so hard in this movie! It's just hilarious!!

9. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL--I enjoyed the whole franchise and look forward to the newest installment as well. But I have a special fondness for the first film! It was sooo good!

8. BEETLEJUICE--loved this movie!! It's just old school classic awesomeness! I had mixed feelings over the sequel. Not sure if that's still happening or if it was one that was nixed. I mean...this movie was just great! A little dated, obviously but still a beloved favorite of mine!

7. UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION--I think the second movie is still one of my most favorites of this franchise! It was just incredible I thought! Lots of action and blood and guts flying everywhere! LOL! And maybe because it's the last time we see Michael. Sob!!

6. VAN HELSING--I LOOOOOVED this movie!! Ironically this is the movie that my friend spoiled the ending for me, unintentionally! He had seen it early, I didn't believe him, so I just said tell me how it opens since I planned on seeing it that weekend. Amidst telling me about it, he let slip the ending. I was sooo mad at him. And of course when watching it, I kept waiting for it to happen and then thought maybe he lied, and then realized he hadn't! Oh the emotions!

5. THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON--I have odd taste in movies, yes! LOL! This was the first classic horror film I ever saw. And I legit laughed my way through it all! Obviously it's waaaaay dated but it just cracked me up. Felt a little bad for the Creature though. He just wanted to find love! Apparently a remake is in the works, again, mixed feelings about that one too!

4. JAWS--yes of course! I grew up watching this. It terrified me yet I still found it entertaining! And this is the very reason why I will NEVER EVER go swimming in the ocean. EVER!!!

3. LABYRINTH--ahhh, David Bowie! The great one! Loooved this movie! Such a huge part of my childhood!

2. TANGLED--one of my most favorite Disney movies ever outside my childhood! Maximus was a large part of that! That horse cracked me up!! He reminded me of our dog, just with his personality and being sooo snarky! And our dog is all white too!

1. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST--because duh! Of course a year from now I might have to also include the remake. Pending that it's as awesome as I am hoping it is!!

 

IT'S HERE!!! The NEW Live Action Beauty & the Beast Preview!!

Despite being miserably sick today, this preview really cheered me up! Loved seeing so much newness to this film. Loved even more seeing all the familiarness. I got chills! Just like I did when I saw the original one for the first time!

Behold... 

ARC Review--The Operator by Kim Harrison

On-the-run ex-agent Peri Reed returns bigger and bolder than ever in this second highly-anticipated installment in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison's new suspense trilogy, The Peri Reed Chronicles.

Peri Reed’s job eats her mind, but for a special task agent in hiding, forgetting the past can be a blessing.

Betrayed by the man she thought she loved and the agency who turned her into the very thing she fought against, Peri abandoned the wealth and privilege of Opti for anonymity riddled with memory gaps and self-doubt. But when a highly addictive drug promises to end her dependency on those who’d use her as a tool for their own success, she must choose to remain broken and vulnerable, or return to the above-the-law power and prestige she once left: strong but without will—for whoever holds her next fix, will hold her loyalty.

Yet even now as then, a love based on lies of omission might still save her life.

I received this eARC from the publisher via Edelweiss for a honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Kim Harrison returns to the Peri Reed Chronicles with The Operator and continues Peri’s journey as she tries to flee her enemies and a find a way to draft without losing her memories. Something that is next to impossible to accomplish. This series is definitely way different than Kim’s previous one and there’s zero supernatural or magical elements to it. But I find the whole writing time situation to be quite intriguing.

It’s been a year since the events of the first book, Peri has brought down Opti—to a point—and is living a nice, normal life. That is until Silas finds her to give her her journal back. Then Allen finds her to tell her Jack, who had previously been incarnated is now missing. And the CIA is involved and they want Peri to help find him. Basically wanting her to get back into the role she fought so hard to leave behind.

Add to that there’s a deranged and somewhat psychotic drafter named Michael who’s working for Bill who has it out for her. Bill is still trying to bring her back under his wing. And oh yes, there’s a dangerous new drug out there that is not only addicting, but can supposedly let you draft and remember what happened in both timelines.

So basically, a lot is going on! I once again have virtually no memory over the first book. Probably in part because the world is so different than my norm. It’s sometimes hard to focus on and figure out just what’s going on. This time, I didn’t have that same amount of confusion though, even though I can’t remember much at all of the first book. I was able to just roll with things and comprehended some of the science to this one rather well. Trying to explain said science in a spoiler free and comprehensive matter is another issue! LOL!

We do get multiple third person points of view in this one. Over the years, I’ve gotten used to pretty much all the usual routes of narration. Never really developed a favorite, but I just like to mention the narration type just to let you guys know how the story’s told. I must say I do enjoy getting inside the other characters’ heads! Seeing into the villains’ eyes is always a trip, because sometimes, they don’t really see themselves as a bad guy.

The pacing to this one was pretty good. It kind of had moments of slower pacing, but then burst with a few action scenes and then slowed back down. It was enough to keep me engaged because I was itching to see what would happen. This series is meant to be a trilogy, so at the same time I figured a HEA ending was not in Peri’s future, but there was still that wanting of hope for her!

There wasn’t much romance in this one. Take that as you will, though we do get some tantalizing moments between Peri and Silas, for as she reads her journal she is able to recall their past history. Which felt like a trip for me since I so couldn’t remember Silas much from the first book. Overloaded reader’s memory is a serious issue folks! LOL. But I liked seeing them care for one another. In a way it was like watching it all from the beginning.

The ending kind of left me with some questions. Things are wrapped up case wise, but as I said, this is a trilogy and all is not totally resolved. There are characters’ fates who remain unknown. And with how Bill hinted at one being not so honest, it has me wondering if we will see that character again. I kind of felt like we kept seeing this character a bit too often without really having said character involved. We shall just have to wait and see what the finale will bring, I guess!

I am a diehard Kim Harrison fan and I must say as a paranormal reader, I quite enjoyed her non-paranormal story here! The Operator is like the must see action/suspense flick of the year! It’s got a lot of secretiveness to it, engaging characters, sci-fi like elements involving rewriting time, and some sprinkles of romantic intrigue! Pretty much making it a must read, especially for Kim Harrison fans! And if you haven’t yet read this new series, I definitely recommend starting at the beginning!

 
Overall Rating 4/5 stars


The Operator releases November 22, 2016



 

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:

Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics (3.75 stars)

 City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong (4.5 stars)

Currently Reading:

A Darkness Absolute by Kelley Armstrong (ARC)

What I Hope to Read this Week:

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles (ARC)

Other Posts of Interest:

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Waiting on Wednesday

Fantastic Disney Art!

Random Thursday

Follow Friday

A Long Ramble on Something that is NEEDED!

Stacking the Shelves

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!


I had a pretty good week this week! Added a few books, but not too many. Got two of my preorder incentives that I had been waiting on. And I think I am caught up, not including a more recent one that I just submitted for next month! ;)

Here's what I bought:

Two Can Play by Kate Kessler--STILL need to read the first book of this series too!

Scooby Apocalypse #7 by Keith Griffen & Jim DeMatteis & Ill. by Howard Porter--and one day soon I will actually start reading these! LOL!

Pre-order Incentives that came along:

Heartless Bookmark!!

Midnight Star tote bag and water bottle

And then I FINALLY won a #HeartlessCountdown challenge! One of the last few days before the release really:

Heartless thermos 

Heartless ARC!

THANK YOU Feiwel & Friends!!

 

 

And then while not totally bookish related, but the other thing that I always share...yup DISNEY related! I picked this up when I had a B&N coupon plus it being on sale online, I pretty much got it half off before tax!

 

The DISNEY 2017 Desk Calendar! 

How many mistakes will I find this year? We shall have to wait and see! I am going to keep better track of them this time around! LOL!

And that was my pretty awesome week! What did you all get?