Top 5 Sundays

Top 5 Sundays is a weekly blog meme created by Larissa at Larissa's Bookish Life.

Here's a little info about the meme taken from Larissa's blog:

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3 - Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)

4 - After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5 – If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week's topic is: FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2011...SO FAR!!

*in no particular order

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

One that's hit or miss for some readers, but I loved it! I love Greek Mythology, so this was right up my alley!

Dark Descendant by Jenna Black

Another Greek Mythology book! Totally loved it! Jenna has a KA series that will most definitely stick too!!

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Okay, the last Greek Mythology book, I swear!! But this was another YA debut that I just loved!

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

This was probably one of my first dystopian type novels. I guess you could call it dystopian at least. Like a UF dystopian. Either way I loved it! Riley was just awesome!

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

Totally epic!! This takes the series to places you didn't see coming! At least for me! Loooved it!

My "DUH" Mention (meaning that this was so obviously a fave so far this year that it's doesn't need to be mentioned! But I'm mentioning it anyway. Because I'm a rule breaker too! ;)  )

Bargains and Betrayals by Shannon Delany

Yup! I got to read it early!! Was sooooo psyched! So since I read it already it's a fave for the year!

And now I will stop because I really could go on and on and on!

Cover Art--Richelle Mead

SQUEE! Saw this on the web and had to post it! Don't even have Bloodlines yet and I am super excited for this cover!

The girls on the cover are Jill and Sydney (right). I like it. I think it's pretty cool, although only having half of Syndey's face is awkward.

This releases in May 2012...not soon enough! I don't even have Bloodlines yet!!

Review--Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell

With her vintage clothing store taking off, Lily Ivory is finding that life in San Francisco suits her just fine. But her ability to sense vibrations from the past, so useful in locating secondhand gems, has landed her in the middle of a new mystery...

Lily gets called away from Aunt Cora's Closet when the police need a witch's take on a strange case. Malachi Zazi was stabbed to death in his apartment, under a ladder, surrounded by the number thirteen, a broken mirror, and a black cat--superstitions that the victim, as head of a rationalist society, was devoted to discrediting.

When the police identify a suspect from the Serpentarian Society, Lily is shocked to learn it's someone she knows. But with bad luck plaguing all the members, she begins to wonder if there's more at work than mere coincidence. And while there aren't many clues from the crime scene, Lily finds evidence of dark witchcraft and a hex on her friend's doorstep. With her friend's safety at stake, Lily is determined to use magic to find the murderer before everyone's luck runs out...

Juliet Blackwell's Hexes and Hemlines was fabulous! If you're looking for a light mystery--or cozy I guess is the term--with some supernatural elements intertwined than this is a series for you! Juliet's series is very engaging, the characters are fresh and inviting. Lily is a witch who has finally made a home for herself in San Francisco and has friends and her magic is harnessing her magic thank to Aidan--another magic user she's met upon moving there.

At the beginning of the book Lily is already at the crime scene trying to see what she can see and the story begins. Lily is in for a ride this time around as her life becomes a roller coaster ride! Many ups and downs for Lily. Including her love life. Max is still skeptical about starting a relationship, Lily's magical abilities being apart of it, as well as his skepticism about the whole thing. There wasn't a whole lot of Max this time around, yet there's still definite chemistry between him and Lily, so who knows where things will go.

Then there's Aidan, the other magic user who is just filled with mystery and secrets. Lily can never seem to know what he's on about and there's an interesting discovery or two that we get to learn about him as well. There's also some chemistry brewing between these two, but not sure what Lily's going to do. Hello, love triangle--I barely knew thee. (Ha!)

The mystery element was pretty good. I never seemed to be able to grasp who the murderer was, there were too many suspects for me. The final reveal was a bit shocking too. I was so off! Which can be the fun with a mystery, especially a murder one.

The pacing was great! Truly wonderful. Just as Lily starts to take the case underway and investigate, bad things start to happen and she is begged off the case, but she can't seem to abide by that, not when someone she cares about is in danger. Tension definitely runs high.

On a side-note, just have to say that I love Oscar! Lily's familiar goblin-pig who's her familiar. He's a very funny little guy. Makes great wisecracks and just brings some lighthearted humor into the mix.

Overall Hexes and Hemlines was another wonder edition to the series. I soooo cannot wait for the next one, which is likely next year since Juliet has 2 series running. Oh well, more goodness to come in December when the second book in her Haunted Home Renovation series comes out. 

Also since I had bought a copy of this then won a signed one, what I plan to do is have a giveaway--eventually. Still having hopes of getting a job soon. But I'm trying to arrange to go to Bouchercon in September for a day. Can't afford the whole convention but was told there would be day passes. And since Juliet will be there I was hoping to get her to sign my other books, plus my extra so I can give it away. Basically there's no worries til September, this isn't a contest right now. Just letting you know in advance that there will hopefully be one in a few months! So stick around! Especially if you would like a SIGNED copy of Hexes and Hemlines in September.

Overall rating 5/5 stars!

Friday Hops

This blogger hop was created by Jennifer at Crazy for Books.

Here are the rules:

1. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below (be sure to include how long you've been blogging and what genres you review!). If you post about the Hop on your blog, please link directly to your Hop post (don't forget to answer this week's question - see below!).

2. Visit other blogs in the Linky List! Make new friends! Follow new book bloggers! Talk about books! Rave about authors! (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

3. Post about the Hop on your blog! Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier!

4. In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!):

This week’s question isn’t a question at all! I thought I would do things a little differently this week and give all of you a chance to promote a giveaway (or two!) from the blogosphere.

The catch?

IT CAN’T BE YOUR OWN GIVEAWAY!

Gotcha!

You have to find another blogger who is having a giveaway and promote their giveaway for them! If possible, promote a giveaway from a blogger doing the Hop (hey, you are visiting other blogs anyway, right?). Have fun with this one! It’s not an easy task this week!

MY ANSWER: One of the blogs I follow, The Reader Bee, is having a contest to win a SIGNED copy of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter. I know it's been getting mixed reviews lately, but I truly loved this book. I'm a big Greek Mythology buff and I am so entering this contest as well!

If you want to read my review on The Goddess Test, click here. To enter Christy's contest, click here.

This is a weekly blog meme created by Parajunkee's View.

Here are the general rules to Follow Friday:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://annettesbookspot.blogspot.com/

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: Let's step away from besties...What is the worst book that you've ever read and actually finished?

MY ANSWER: I hate to say it, since I know a lot of people enjoy this one, but I just didn't care for Jennifer Estep's Spider's Bite. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't get into it. I did read the first book--even if I skimmed some of the pages at a point or two--I completed it. It just wasn't the book for me really.

Here's my review if you cared to see it.

Random Thursday

So I got to thinking about how I have a weekly memes for nearly every day of the week, except Thursday. I've seen a few "Hops" here and there, but nothing I felt like joining in on. Basically because I couldn't always think of an idea or whatever. 

So I just started thinking of what I could do and then thought I would post a "random thought" or fact. Not sure if a hop like this exists or whatever, but thought hey, why not? I like random mindless facts or whatever. And I have a few in my "quiver of knowledge"--something a professor of mine use to say! Basically what I'll do is post 1 random fact or thought or whatever you want to call it.

If you feel like joining in with your own random thought or fact feel free to leave one in the comments! I'm not really looking to make up my own hop where people travel or hop about, I just felt like having my own fun Thursday meme.

This week's random fact...

One of my fave movies is Jaws! I practically grew up watching this. Seen it a million times if not more! Watched documentaries on it too, and boy did Steven have a helluva time making this movie! He was a young new director at the time and this movie was either going to make or break his budding career.

Needless to say he didn't work on the sequels!

My first Random Thursday is going to break my own rule, I'll share more than 1 fact from this movie just because I love it so. And most of this stuff might be common knowledge to some, but maybe not to others.

Did you know that...

The mechanical sharks, for there was more than 1, they even found another one in a junk yard earlier this year, was nicknamed Bruce for Steven's agent at the time.

Because Bruce had so many problems filming took longer than expected, like 2 months longer. And when Bruce wouldn't cooperate they even used real life footage of sharks--when Hooper was in the shark cage--to take the place of the killer shark.

Peter Benchley, the writer of the novel, starred in the movie as a television reporter.

In seasons 1-4 of Psych there's at least 1 episode where a Jaws reference is made! (Would have to rewatch season 5 to see if it was there, don't recall one though...)

Roy Scheider's famous line--and my fave part--"You're gonna need a bigger boat" was the work of improvising. I can't remember what his original line was supposed to be, but what came out was the most famous lines of the movie and became well known!

There have been rumors of a Jaws 5 lately or a possible remake, but the rumors have been around for awhile and as far as I know they have no merit. Honestly I don't think a remake of Jaws could live up to the original and the sequels weren't faves of mine either. The original is truly the best!

Review--Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey MacKenzie

As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an Arcane race that has meted out justice since time immemorial. As Boston's Chief Magical Investigator, she's responsible for solving any crimes committed by or against supernaturals.

Months have gone by since Riss discovered some unwelcome truths about her past--and managed to stop a supernatural war. Since then, things have been quiet. Too quiet. But that all changes when the bodies of Bastai, shape-shifters also known as Cats, begin piling up in Boston's magical underbelly--even though the legendary shifters are supposed to have ninety-nine lives.

One common thread ties the victims together: All were old flames of FBI Agent Harper Cruz. And since Harper and since Scott Murphy, Riss's lover, enjoyed a long-ago one-night stand with Harper, the Fury has twice the incentive to crack the case wide open, before the killer's green-eyed gaze turns in Scott's direction...

Kasey MacKenzie's Green-Eyed Envy was a great followup to her debut, Red Hot Fury! I'll admit that what led me to read Kasey's first book was the knowledge that she was a local author and I just had to give her books a try! And they're really pretty good. Much different from my normal "save the world" urban fantasy books. There's still problems Riss has to deal with, but they tend to be more personal. And there's still lives at stake, just not the fate of humanity or supernatural well, sort of...

This time the supernaturals at risk of dying by a possible serial killer, are the ex-lovers of Harper. And they date back from high school. Someone is focusing on the old lovers, not so much the current one. So things are intense, Riss and her team go undercover to try to find out who the bad guy is, all while trying to plan a wedding! Won't say whose either! But the families of both the bride and groom are not at all pleased with the match, which just gives Riss a helluva lot of suspects to look at. 

It doesn't help either knowing the Scott had a one-time fling with Harper. Will the killer mark Scott as someone to be killed? Does the killer know about the fling to begin with, since as far as Riss knows, she is the only one not directly involved in the relationship who knew about it.

Green-Eyed Envy was a well told book. Besides the ultimate trying to find the bad guy situation, Riss also has family drama to deal with. And in more than 1 dose. There's definite story potential there that will likely take place in future books, now was just the starting up of future problems.

Riss is a fun character to know. She's sassy and witty. She's not a diva or girly girl. She's got edge. Like most UF heroines, but of course the true UF reader can see the different flavors the heroine has. Even if qualities are similar to other heroines, they always tend to shine in their own light. To me at least!

There wasn't a whole lot of romance in this one, there was a lot of romantic tension and buildup. Riss and Scott are getting back into their relationship from before and seem to be easing into it, so there's no hot and heavy love to see, but there's still love between the two.

I can't wait to see where else the storyline will go with Riss, Scott and the others. The ending was good. After awhile I so totally nailed the killer before the big reveal. And there was still a nice little calm ending--can't quite say HEA since the story ain't over yet--for the characters. Got a chuckle out of me!

Definitely going to be keeping my eye on this series! Even planning on making the treacherous trip to downtown St. Louis tomorrow to meet the author. It's in the late morning to early afternoon, so traffic and parking should be my only problems. Hence why I'll be leaving very early! Can't wait! Will take pics and post them here as well!

Overall rating 4.5/5 stars

Cover Copy Reveal--Kelley Armstrong

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home. Plentiful action and romance in this second installment in the Darkness Rising series will keep readers enthralled to the very last page!

The Calling releases April 10, 2012

Cover Description--Richelle Mead

Yesterday on her blog, Richelle posted the cover description for the next Dark Swan book, Shadow Heir.

Note, the is very important: DO NOT READ DESCRIPTION UNLESS YOU'VE READ THE FIRST 3 BOOKS!! THERE ARE SPOILERS FROM THE FIRST 3 IN THIS DESCRIPTION, SO PLEASE DO NOT READ!!

#1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own--and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage...

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice...

No cover yet, but will post once it's up somewhere...

Shadow Heir releases January 3, 2012

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.

Nothing says "home" like being attacked by humans with very large guns, as Jane and Anyan discover when they arrive in Rockabill. These are professionals, brought into kill, and they bring Anyan down before either Jane or the barghest can react. Seeing Anyan fall awakens a terrible power within Jane, and she nearly destroys herself taking out their attackers.

Jane wakes, weeks later, to discover that she's not the only thing that's been stirring. Something underneath Rockabill is coming to life: something ancient, something powerful, and something that just might destroy the world.

Jane and her friends must act, striking out on a quest that only Jane can finish. For whatever lurks beneath the Old Sow must be stopped...and Jane's just the halfling for the job.

TITLE: Eye of the Tempest
AUTHOR: Nicole Peeler
GENRE: Urban Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2011

Sooooo can't wait to read the next Jane True novel!! The last one ended just so shockingly that I know this one is going to be just as GREAT!

Cover Copy Reveal--D.D. Barant

Saw this today and wanted to post it! Looove the cover! Very cool! Jace is KA!

Dark magic, unknown enemies, monsters of every stripe - FBI profiler Jace Valcheck have seen it all. In this bizarre parallel universe, shape-shifting werewolves and blood-thirsty vampires don't even warrant a raised eyebrow. That is until Jace has to face what life might look like as one of them...It starts as just another run-of-the-mill assignment: to track down the rogue don of a mafia werewolf family before he upsets the delicate balance of the underworld, but Jace wasn't counting on being bitten...and soon she's fighting the growing wolf inside her with a startling antidote - vampirism. Stopping a bloody gangland war won't be easy when Jace is feeling some new, and very inhuman, desires...

Better Off Undead releases October 4, 2011

Review--Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

There can only be one alpha.

Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were. With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Trial by Fire was a good sequel to Raised by Wolves. My memory regarding the first one was sketchy at best but the important details were brought up again and I was able to read smoothly through the book. And overall I felt it was okay, it was good just not as good as the first one in my opinion.

I guess there was just more to the storyline or something in Raised by Wolves. Trial by Fire has its storyline, Bryn is trying to adjust to her new role as alpha and has a lot on her hands. New threats and old threats attacking her and her pack left and right, she can't seem to catch a break. Being alpha is a lot harder than she expected. Even when Callum gives his cryptic assistance in mysterious ways, Bryn is still at a lost.

Bryn takes in a wolf who belongs to her old (and current) enemy, he claims to have been loaned to another group who has been abusing him as Shay had been. Now both Shay and the other group are coming a calling, they want him back and will do whatever it takes to get him, including war.

The beginning is what slowed me down the most, it definitely picks up in the middle or so for me. That's when Bryn starts taking drastic measures to protect her pack. The battle that looms when Bryn still refuses to relinquish the wolf after the given time was intense as well. There's more than one shocking situation that results from it. And the ending leads to an even bigger one.

So overall it was a decent read, probably much the same as I felt for the first book. I liked it, just didn't loooove it.

Overall rating 3.5/5 stars

Teaser Tuesday

Still reading Trial by Fire. Started it sort of in the middle of my vacation so not too far into it. It's alright so far. Hoping things pick up.

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.

"'Let the record show that I don't trust the expression on your face right now. I know that expression, Bronwyn.'

Lake smiled beatifically, ready and willing to misbehave. 'So do I.'" Loc 946/5393 on my Kindle

TITLE: Trial by Fire
AUTHOR: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
GENRE: YA Paranormal
RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011

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.

 

Since I was on vacation and out of town for most of the weekend, I didn't get too much done. Oh well! Still had a blast!

Last Week I Read:

Deadworld by J.N. Duncan

Currently Reading:

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

What I Plan to Read this Week:

Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey MacKenzie

Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell

Other Posts of Interest:

Cover Art--Kimberly Derting

Happy Fourth of July!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

And the Winner is...

Sorry folks!! Forgot to post the winner earlier this morning. Went to an early movie, saw Pirates 4 while it was still out. Loved it!

Anyway for the reason you're all here for....

Suz@A Soul Unsung!!

Congrats Suz!! I'll be emailing you in a bit! You'll have 48 hours to respond to my email or else a new winner will be chosen. 

Thanks again everyone for stopping by for the interview and much thanks to Jeannie for doing the interview/giveaway!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly blog post hosted by Kirsti over at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

I had a tremendous week! Got quite a few books and swag and other cool stuff! One of the coolest IMMs ever!!

Here is some swag that I won in a contest, I actually won 2 separate ones for swag, but one swag pack is cool with me, from Chloe Neill!! Photo's a little blurry, sorry. Camera and lighting were not working together for this shot.

Then I also finally got the books/swag that I won in a contest a few months back from Shannon Delany!! Squee! You all know how much I love her 13 to Life series! I won both books SIGNED and some awesome swag!!

Was unbelievably happy to have won this! Was only a little bit upset that the post was bent and crumpled on the top, but it'll be okay! Already added it to my swag scrapbook/blinder!

I also got my SIGNED copy of Hexes and Hemlines that I won in a blog contest at Amberkatze's Book Blog, it came from Juliet herself!!

I also bought this week at the store:

Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey MacKenzie

In the mail came books I ordered awhile back:

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Black Heart Loa by Adrian Phoenix
Kitty's Big Trouble by Carrie Vaughn

Also while I was on my vacation I was able to go to a Disney Outlet store--which as you know I loooove Disney! So along with a sweatshirt and two over-sized t-shirts to lounge/read in I bought an adorable little bookmark with Donald on it, it was dubbed Geeks or something like that. They had him and Minnie, but I thought Donald was cute!

Then another Disney related item that I got, although not book related, was this super cool Beauty and the Beast box. I actually got it from Disney Movie Rewards, but it's still Disney!

And that was my fabulous mailbox this week!! What did you get?

Top 5 Sundays

Top 5 Sundays is a weekly blog meme created by Larissa at Larissa's Bookish Life.

Here's a little info about the meme taken from Larissa's blog:

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3 - Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)

4 - After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5 – If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week's topic is:  Bookish Pet Peeves

*in no particular order

As Larissa says these pet peeves I chose never prevent me from reading more and more UF. I love UF and these are just traits that make me roll my eyes if anything else!

THE LOVE TRIANGLE

Yeah, getting kind of tired of love triangles and teams. I mean sometimes it works well and whatnot, but lately there are just too many. I don't mind the triangle itself, but seeing more and more of them it's starting to get a tad annoying.

ROMANCE COVERS ON UF BOOKS

Sometimes the covers of UF books have too much of a romance feel for me. The story content is still good, and there's the whole "don't judge a book by its cover" thing, but when covers get all hot and heavy romance and the book is definitely an UF I can't stand it. Thank goodness for hideaway covers!

LEATHER OVERLOAD

Too many UF covers always depict the heroin in a leather outfit. And a good chunk of the time the heroin never wears this in the book! I mean I get that UF is supposed to be dark, gritty and edgy but does that mean the heroine has to wear a body suit of it?

LOVE VS LUST

When the characters fall in love too quickly. It starts out as a lust thing and it's just gross some times. That the characters start boinking after saying, "hi my name is..." I don't mind characters falling in love but when it happens so early on and they just met, I'm annoyed.

 NEW WORLD RULES

When reading a book that has a new world setting there's always new rules and history to learn. Sometimes a whole different culture and whatnot to learn. Sometimes it's just frustrating to have to learn all that stuff in books. It's no big deal really. But I hate not knowing the "rules" so to speak in settings. With some UF books, they take place in the here and now but with vamps and whatever, so society's rules are already known, but with a different setting that's futuristic or something else, there's a whole history book of info to learn about. Not overly annoying, just sometimes frustrating.

Friday Hops

This blogger hop was created by Jennifer at Crazy for Books.

Here are the rules:

1. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below (be sure to include how long you've been blogging and what genres you review!). If you post about the Hop on your blog, please link directly to your Hop post (don't forget to answer this week's question - see below!).

2. Visit other blogs in the Linky List! Make new friends! Follow new book bloggers! Talk about books! Rave about authors! (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

3. Post about the Hop on your blog! Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier!

4. In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!):

What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?

MY ANSWER: As long as the book starts out in a way that it can keep my interest I usually read it. Very rarely do I stop early on or at all for that matter. I tend to stick with a book to the end, unless it just really doesn't hold my attention.

This is a weekly blog meme created by Parajunkee's View.

Here are the general rules to Follow Friday:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://annettesbookspot.blogspot.com/

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: ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

MY ANSWER: I like Alexander Skarsgard who plays Eric on True Blood. I think he makes a great Eric and totally love him! I would probably have to hold back a squeal when I run and tackle him!