Top 5 Sundays

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

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 - Feel 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: BEST TV/MOVIE SIDEKICKS!

*in no particular order

DONKEY

Sidekick to Shrek

Donkey was definitely my fave from the movies Shrek! Of course, Puss takes the cake as well when he pops in in movie 2, but still, Donkey was the first!

CARL

Sidekick to Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman)

He was the friar sidekick to Van Helsing in the Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale movie in 04. What is definitely one of my all time fave movies. He was a very funny guy, taking you by surprise by what he was allowed to do and say since he was a friar!

DAVID

Sidekick to Selene in Underworld Awakening

I totally loved Theo James' role in Underworld Awakening! Plus he's freaking hot! But I definitely liked how he helped Selene even though the rest of the vampire posse wasn't up for it! Soooooo cannot wait to see him as Four! Yum!!

DOG

From the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy

This dog, while not at full sidekick speed, definitely made for some great entertainment in the first three Pirates movies! Just when you thought you saw the last of him, he'd pop up in the next movie! I am a sucker for clever dogs--or any really--in movies! They have such character!

INIGO MONTOYA

Sidekick to Vizzini then Westley

And of course there's Inigo! How could you not love Inigo, or Fezzik for that matter! They're definitely a fave duo! Inigo was classic for his famous speech that he says to the Six-Fingered Man! Of course, you all know I love him and use his picture for my Wednesday post, because he does clearly state: I hate waiting.

ARC Review--Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines

The Others–vampires, werewolves, things that go chomp in the night–don’t just live in nightmares anymore. They’ve joined with he mortal world. And for private investigator Shiarra Waynest, that means mayhem…

Have a one night stand with a vampire, and you can end up paying for it for eternity. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, an expert on the Others, knows that better than most. Yet here she is, waking up beside charismatic vamp Alec Royce with an aching head…and neck. Luckily, Shia has the perfect excuse for getting out of town–namely, a couple of irate East Coast werewolf packs who’d like to turn her into a chew toy.

On Royce’s suggestion, Shia temporarily relocates to Los Angeles. But something is rotten–literally–in the state of California, where local vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who could be powerful enough to control them–and reckless enough to target the immortal? Following the trail will lead Shia to a terrifying truth, and to an ancient enemy with a personal grudge…

I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review for apart of the book tour, I was in no way compensated for this review.

NOTE: Be prepared for spoilers from the last book!


Jess Haines's latest H&W Investigations novel, Forsaken by the Others, was superb! Last time around with the ending that totally rocked our world we find Shiarra and Royce right where we left them...in bed! Needless to say Shiarra has a few lingering doubts about what she did and what she has gotten herself into with Royce, that being a relationship. She has her hangups and Royce tries to work them out with her right then and there. It was quite the chapter too!

While in the beginning, Shiarra frustrated me with her constant prejudices towards Others, I have come to understand her. But what I couldn't understand is after so many books why she still denies herself a relationship with Royce. It takes some hashing out, but there was finally a guiding light at the end of the chapter. She likely will still have to work at it, but Shiarra finally takes the step in the right direction! Yay!

Which is right about when Royce tells her that she must go to Los Angeles right immediately. For her own protection and that of Sara's. There's still a mess leftover from last go around and not only are the police looking for her but so are some Weres, so it's in her best interest to get out of town. Perfect timing, right?

Royce sends the two to the master vampire, Clyde, who has other ideas in mind for the ladies. Nothing sinister, just a matter of locating a sorcerer who's been raising zombies. Yes, zombies! Zombies that only seem to be attacking Clyde's vampires. So it's up to Shiarra and Sara to put their PI skills to work, only they cannot use any of their regular resources since they are supposed to be in hiding. The case is messier than it appears to be, for as Shiarra and Sara get closer to solving it, they put themselves closer to danger and the bad guy's hands...and the zombies too.

This was a rather fun read and I enjoyed returning to Shiarra's world where Others are out in the open and everyone knows it. The mystery element was very good, as I always enjoy a mystery with paranormal elements! The action was pretty good as well, as there were quite a few moments when you weren't sure what the outcome was going to be. A few good fights thrown into the mix as well that made things entirely tense! A few surprise characters make an appearance and while I have vague recollections of them, I can't clearly remember them since it's been so long since I read the last book! The pains of reading too many books!

One tiny little no-matter that I totally loved about the book was the reference to The Labyrinth movie with David Bowie! That was one of my fave movies as a kid so having it pop up in reference was just one of those ha-fun! moments.

The only issue I had with the book was the lack of Royce. He was only there in the beginning while Shiarra was in New York with him and I can understand why he didn't go to LA with her. As usual, I also suspect our author has reasons why she teased us with Shiarra and Royce being a couple for such a short time and then force them apart.

But we the readers likely won't know until the next book. Which really, really needs to come out very soon! Because yes, this one ends with a nasty little cliffhanger. Like the jawdropper kind! On a scale of 1-5, I'd say the frustration level is an even (ironic since it's not an even number) 3. It's not one that I think kills you not to know what's going to happen until next year, but it's still not one of those that you can just brush off. Just a nice little evil in the middle 3! Which is still bad since it's a cliffhanger!

Forsaken by the Others is yet another incredible read written by the fabulous Jess Haines that brings excitement, action, and a bit of mystery and romance into the mix. The characters are amazing and the plot is just a whirlwind of events that take you by surprise! Even as you think you know what's about to happen, Jess totally throws a curve ball your way and then it's the end! Be prepared!


Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars


Forbidden by the Others releases July 2, 2013

Forsaken by the Others Blog Tour!

FORSAKEN BY THE OTHERS BLOG TOUR 

Stop 1: What’s Up With Shia’s Attitude? 

By Jess Haines 

Hello there! Jess Haines here. I’m the author of the H&W Investigations series—urban fantasy novels about Shiarra Waynest, a human private investigator in an alternate, present-day New York. Somehow she keeps getting pulled into supernatural troubles way above her pay grade…

So, now that I’m here, Jessica had a couple of very interesting questions for me. Specifically, how difficult was it to write Shiarra in the beginning, and sometimes still, with her prejudices against the Others?

Let me tackle the first part—how difficult she was to write in the beginning—first. Honestly, not at all. I had been reading so many urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels with heroines who had already grown into their Big Girl Panties that I was getting pretty sick of not finding what I felt would be a realistic representation of how a human would react to being faced with vampires and werewolves. Not to mention that, at the time when I first started the series, a purely human heroine in the genre was extremely hard to find.

Rather than have a heroine who could trade caustic barbs and witty repartee with the monsters while simultaneously kicking their butts, Buffy-style, I wanted to write a normal girl who wanted no part of them but was forced to be in their proximity anyway. I wanted to write something I thought would be more like what would be likely to happen if a vampire really did flash its fangs at someone borderline phobic.

Granted, it doesn’t put Shiarra in a very good light. She’s clearly prejudiced against Others from the start, though as the series progresses, she grows a little more comfortable around them and in her own skin.

Still, give it some thought. An undead creature wanting to suck your blood? Maybe toy with your mind? A furred, fanged monster that might rip your throat out? Those critters might sound sexy when they get all protective, and I suppose some people like the idea of being watched in their sleep, but the reality is that it’s creepy as all get-out if you consider the consequences of getting chummy with a monster.

Put yourself in her shoes. Would you really want to put yourself in the hands of someone you knew you could never fully trust not to hurt you?

Hence my accepting my own challenge to write a character who did not start out as a kick-ass-take-names badass, but is slowly heading in that direction over the course of several books. As the series progresses, it’s actually become more difficult to keep that core of distrust, because her experiences have made her into a person who recognizes and is slowly starting to accept that vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures can be people, too.

She may not be perfect. She may not be the smartest crayon, or the biggest kid on the block. That’s okay. We’ve got enough of those. Shiarra’s learning, accepting, and finding her place in Other society.

I hope you’ll come along for the journey.

Thanks again for having me and the gang over, Jessica! 


For the next stop on the blog tour, be sure to visit the official FORSAKEN BY THE OTHERS blog tour calendar!

You can also visit me on the web:

www.JessHaines.com 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JessHainesAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Jess_Haines 
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jesshaines


US GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway



INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY:

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Review--Hexed by Kevin Hearne

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to “make nice” with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial non-aggression treaty—when suddenly the witch population in modern day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. The new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II.

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch-hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.   

OMG, I cannot believe it's been almost two years since I last read Hounded, the first in the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. Well, I plan on getting caught up now! I will have hopefully just one minor interruption when a review book pops in, but that is all! Okay, enough chit-chat, I really had to delete more of it. Onto the review!    

Kevin Hearne's Hexed picks up a few weeks after the events of Hounded and since I read that nearly two years ago I was glad for the recap. Not that it was overly detailed, but enough to give me an idea of what I forgotten! Anyway, life for Atticus is moving on. He has his apprentice he's training to the life of the Druids, Granualie, and still has to fight the attraction he has towards her. Falling for your apprentice isn't wise.    

But problems seem to be popping up for Atticus left and right! For starters, a local high school is being plagued by a fallen angel who is eating the students--seriously! Then there's a dangerous group of Bacchants terrorizing a club and its patrons. Not to mention the Morrigan is getting a little more fierce in her advances and has come to collect in a favor Atticus owes her. But oh yeah, there's also a group of vengeful witches that is out to get him that he tangled with many, many years ago in World War II. His vampire lawyer, Leif, wants his help in killing Thor as well. The Thor. Then the local police is still on his case about the gun shooting that occurred in his shop and Atticus happened to be on the scene of a few other "events" where he was trying to save the day or survive an attack from unsavory characters. Needless to say, Atticus has a LOT on his plate!    

Taking on all these nefarious villains isn't really a walk in the park, but Atticus takes it all in stride! That man is freaking tough! I guess he'd have to be for being 2,100 years old! Atticus is quite the enjoyable character. Being used to the female side of Urban Fantasy with heroines written by female authors, it's a nice change of pace to read about a hero written by a male author. 

Definitely a difference in writing at certain points, but all still so enjoyable! Of course, while Atticus is definitely a rockin hero, I think my favorite character might be his Irish wolfhound, Oberon! That particular dog is just too funny! The things he says are just comical. Sometimes they are very doggy-like and other times they are just so random and all are hilarious! What's not to love about this oversized pooch?    

This was definitely an action packed read! The pacing was fast and exciting! There's also a healthy amount of humor thrown in for good measure. No romance really, expect for a few moments where Atticus is trying to get a control over...things! But there is definitely some tension running between him and Granualie and I cannot wait to see if anything further ever happens there. 

I must give Kevin extra kudos points for throwing in a reference from The Princess Bride! Truly the greatest movie/book ever and he picks out one of the best sets of lines to use! And it happened perfectly naturally as well, nothing forced about it! I also enjoyed some of the other pop references, not all that I am familiar with but at least recognize the movie when its mentioned!    

The Iron Druid Chronicles--now that I am two books in--is definitely a series to check out for any Urban Fantasy wanting to seek out a different kind of read. Urban Fantasy is sometimes seen as a woman's genre, but that is so not the case as any Urban Fantasy reader can tell you. This series in particular would probably appeal more to the male reader, but still can be enjoyed by anyone! It's fun to be inside a guy's head and know that it was written by a male author, it's definitely a different kind of reading experience but still highly enjoyable! Looking forward to seeing what else happens in Atticus's world and the next adventure he will have!      


Overall Rating 5/5 stars    

Cover Copy Reveal--The Sharpest Blade

McKenzie Lewis's ability to read the shadows has put her--and those she loves--in harm's way again and again. The violence must end, but will the cost of peace be more devastating than anyone ever imagined?

After ten years of turmoil, the life McKenzie has always longed for may finally be within her grasp. No one is swinging a sword at her head or asking her to track the fae, and she finally has a regular--albeit boring--job. But when a ruthless enemy strikes against her friends, McKenzie abandons her attempt at normalcy and rushes back to the Realm.

With the fae she loves and the fae she's tied to pulling her in different directions, McKenzie must uncover the truth behind the war and accept the painful sacrifices that must be made to end it. Armed with dangerous secrets and with powerful allies at her side, her actions will either rip the Realm apart--or save it.

Totally wicked cover!! Saw this at RT while I was there and Sandy said she wasn't allowed to officially share it online but glad to see it up now! It was a small picture then! This is most likely my fave cover out of the trilogy!


The Sharpest Blade releases December 31, 2013

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: The #FF is 150 weeks old! And we want to hear from you! What would you change about the hop? What do you like about it? Or just suggest a question to be used for next week!

MY ANSWER: I pretty much love the hop! Can't say there's anything I would want to change about it!

As for a question idea...not sure if we ever used this one but, what bookish world would you love to live in?

Movie Review--Iron Man 3

I totally forgot to write this up days ago! But I finally saw Iron Man 3 last weekend and it was flippin amazing! Now I don't know squat about the comic book world and what really happens as in the case of the Spiderman movies and how they are now starting them over, apparently our new set is The Amazing Spiderman and that's a different spin on the comic books, as my cousin tried explaining to me at one point.

Anyway, Iron Man 3 takes place after The Avengers, so if you haven't seen that incredible movie--which I really recommend!--then you might be a tad confused as to some of the references being made to New York, a giant wormhole and aliens. Well, Tony is having moments of PTSD from that ordeal as he was the one flying through the wormhole to try to save the planet and it was possible that he might not make it back out. After that ordeal, having a little case of post-traumatic stress disorder seems logical.

There's a new villain in town and he's called The Mandarin. He's bombing places and killing people, typical villain like behavior. But when one of the bombs hurts Tony's friend, things get personal and Tony makes it his mission as Iron Man to track down this guy and end him. Unfortunately, the bad guys find him first and chaos reigns! Pepper is nearly killed and then kidnapped, as the bad guy has his cronies. Only these cronies are very weird and are nearly impossible to kill.

Tony is going to need a little help in order to stop the Mandarin and save the president--The Mandarin's target--before all is lost. You know, the typical superhero plot line!

I totally loved the movie! I tend to like the comic book movies despite never having read any. I guess in some way it leads back to my love of paranormal reading. Superheroes tend to have something strange about them that makes them hero capable. Like Thor being a demigod, Spiderman being bit the radioactive spider and getting super powers, but like Batman, he and Iron Man are just regular dudes with an insane amount of money and have the desire to fight for justice for those who need it. Of course Tony is also a flipping genius, but I think Bruce was pretty smart and savvy himself.

As with any Iron Man movie there is a bit of humor tossed in here and there! Tony and his quips are just hilarious and always worth a laugh! There is tons of action and surprises as well. That's the best part of the comic book movies and not knowing anything about them, you can be taken completely by surprise by something that might be obvious.

The ending was spectacular! Although it left me wondering if there would be more Iron Man movies, The Avengers 2 is already going to happen, so I suppose it's possible, I just don't know. And since I saw the movie with a friend, I didn't stay to sit through the credits to see what little clip there was at the end. It will be easier to see it on DVD anyway, it's usually just something small! But anyway, Iron Man 3 was totally epic and definitely worth a see!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars

Random Thursday

Today I want to talk about something kind of bizarre. Movie ratings. Specifically for two movies I love, Jaws and Beetlejuice. Granted they are older movies, so perhaps the rating values weren't so strict back then and even for a few minor mishaps, I almost wonder if the ratings should be reconsidered.

For instance...Jaws! One of my all time favorites!

I think it's safe to say nearly everyone has at least heard of this movie/book. Killer shark attacks beachers. A cop, a shark expert and a shark hunter go out to kill it finally past the halfway point--the mayor was real douche and didn't think there was a problem.

Stephen Spielberg did an amazing job with this movie given the time and that he was a newbie director. There were tons of problems that came up for him too, but I still love the way he did things and can totally understand why he didn't do the sequels. Plus, you can never top the original sometimes!

Anyway, since this is a shark attack movie, there were quite a bit of attacks and some scary moments. We all know the Jaws theme music, so it could get pretty scary even knowing that he's coming. And there were times we actually saw the carnage. And even when we first see the shark, attacking the guy in the boat who we later see his leg, one way that it was almost filmed had the guy holding one of the kids as one would when wanting help from being eaten by a shark, but naturally that idea got cut.

Basically, I thought that a PG rating with some scary moments--it actually says something like that on the poster--was a little tame. I would think PG-13 would've been better. There's mild language but nothing obscenely vulgar. Which brings me to my next movie...

Beetlejuice! The movie before the awesome cartoon series--which is coming to DVD soon I heard! This movie was rated PG as well. Which is all good and all, Tim Burton is a master at these odd but not quite scary movies! So PG seems fitting, yet have you ever caught Betlegeuse--as is spelled in movie--dropping the f-bomb after first meeting the Maitlands? It happened right after Barbara wishes them home from being trapped in the model display. Betlegeuse rants and raves than kicks over a tree and says, "Nice f--in model!"

Yeah, I had to rewind--it was a VHS at the time--a couple of times and replay that and was totally shocked! This one was made in 89, so I guess ratings still weren't too strict then. I would've thought that just because of that one time said word that the rating should've been higher, like PG-13 again. But oh well!

And according to Wikipedia--not the best source I know--and even IMDB there was hopes for a Beetlejuice sequel. It was canned, but then apparently last year they announced that they are going back to doing a sequel. Not sure how I feel about that in all honesty. I really liked Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice and having another guy step in and take over the role wouldn't be the same. It was like with The Punisher 2, never saw it since Thomas Jane wasn't the Punisher anymore, it feels like a new movie, but in a bad way.

Although at the end of the month on the 28th, you can own the complete animated series when it releases on DVD! A show I had great fun in watching as a child, so I might be buying it! Still debating on it since it's priced at $70 on Amazon!

Review--Vengeance Moon by Lee Roland

Madeline Corso can't rest until she hunts down the three unknown assailants who killed her father and witch mother. two of them are now dead by her hand. But the third eludes her while she serves time with the Sisters of Justice--a mysterious order of female warriors with ties to her mother.

The Sisters have tracked the last murderer to Duivel, Missouri, and the dark underworld of the Barrows. But Madeline's release is contingent on her fulfillment of a mission for the Sisters. Madeline doesn't question them, but once in the Barrows, she discovers that things aren't what they seem.

Can she rely on Michael, a handsome and enigmatic local businessman, to help her navigate a world of men and beasts? Or will she lose her heart before the mission is complete?

It' been way too long since I last read Viper Moon, the book that started Lee Roland's Earth Witches series. So I basically had no memory of what happened already. Luckily, Vengeance Moon stars new characters with a new storyline so that helped.

Although, I know our heroine from last time shows up, but other names that get tossed out, I cannot say one way or another if they are returning characters or newbies. One or two names might have held some familiarity, but I can't say for sure. The bane of reading too many series!

Anyway, this story was pretty good! A young woman out for vengeance for her parents who were brutally murdered when she was just a teenager. Her mother was a witch and when she touched her dead body, in farewell, a spell was cast onto Madeline. She was marked with white hair and blue eyes and a scar, they were the result of the curse that demanded vengeance for what was done. Madeline manages to track down two of the killers in time, but after killing the second one, she is caught and sent to prison. Shortly thereafter she is moved to the Sisters of Justice's place where she was trained to be an assassin of sorts.

Now an adult, I think it was twenty-six, Madeline is given another mission, one that will lead her to the third murderer so she can finally put an end to her quest for vengeance. She is sent to Duivel, Missouri to find an object that opens up the Portal. It's too powerful to be out there unprotected and it once had a protection system but another witch disrupted that.

Duivel is a very strange town, filled with creatures called the Drow and other powerful magic users and dark entities. Madeline is a very strong heroine, she was trained for fighting and killing, yet she has no magical powers of her own. She's immune to the effects of magic, a secret she holds close to her.

Vengeance Moon was quite the read! It was fast paced and exciting. Although at times I struggled to try to remember things that happened in the last book--and it likely wasn't necessary--I did enjoy this book. Michael, our heroine's love interest was quite mysterious! I think we saw him last time around since a reference was made by him to our previous heroine, but since it's been nearly 2 years I cannot say much for sure. But the man is very mysterious and has his own dark secrets! The romance was good, it wasn't all hot and heavy, but the sort of sweet build-up kind.

The action, as I said was awesome! Pretty nonstop as it went from tracking down the bad guy to learning new information to the case Madeline was also working on in conjunction to tracking down her family's last murderer. It's definitely a different kind of urban fantasy read, but it still makes for an entertaining read! I enjoy the different heroines that come into play each book, so it's like each book can be a standalone and the previous characters make an appearance. I am looking forward to seeing where this series is headed, since it's still early on, nothing in the long run seems to be clear. But the journey to that point is going to be filled with amazing reads, I can feel it!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars

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.

Dawn returns from L.A. with terrifying news: In his greed for power, the maniacal Day Walker Sin is raising an army and infecting his followers with the Thirst—a rabieslike disease that will turn them into mindless killers. To stop him, Dawn and Victor will have to convince humans and vampires to work together before it’s too late.

Can't wait to see how this one ends! Although I definitely need a recap since I last read this second book too many books ago! Sadly, I did just read it this year!!  

TITLE: After Daybreak
AUTHOR: J.A. London
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen
GENRE: Paranormal YA
RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2013

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life…or is it Hunter?     

Let's face it, what JLA fan is not eagerly awaiting this one?! Very excited to read about other characters in the Lux world!! I just hope it actually releases on the day Goodreads says!    


TITLE: Obsession
AUTHOR: Jennifer L. Armentrout
PUBLISHER: Entagled Publishing, LLC (Covet)
GENRE: Urban Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2013


   

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

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!