Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (#15)


“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Dirty Little Secret
Author: Jennifer Echols
Expected Publication: July 16, 2013 
Publisher: MTV Books
Synopsis:
Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…



Thoughts:
I'm always interested in any book with music in it that's why when I saw the book, I didn't hesitate to add it in my TBR list. I have read Jennifer Echols' Such a Rush and I can't wait to read this!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Evie's Knight GRAND FINALE

GRAND FINALE!!

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Our awesome Tour in images:

We announced the NEW COVER on the Tour Launch:

Original Cover                                   Our Shiny New Cover






1 – Kimberly Krey – Cover Change!


1 – Kelly Fox – Goodreads Review
"The action scene in the end had me on my toes wondering what would happen next."
1 – I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Clean Romance I
2 – Monique Morgan - All You Need is Love I
3 – Getting Your Read On – Review - Clean Romance II
4 - Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
6 – Passion and Life – Passionate Peaches Cobbler Recipe & Smokin' Hot Excerpt – English/Spanish
6 - Paulette’s Papers – All You Need is Love II
7 - Bookworm Lisa – Review - Clean Romance III
"This book caught my imagination from the beginning."
7 – Pages of Forbidden Love – Review
8 - Vanessa Morgan – All You Need is Love III
9 - Proud Book Nerd – Review
9 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review/Interview
Watch for Fiona's Fight ~ coming soon ~.
10 - Geo Librarian – Review
"Whoa, baby. What a ride!"
10 - The Literary Forest - Exerpt
11 - InfectedLoser – Excerpt
13 - Welcome to Couch Potato Reader – Review
14 - Letters to the Cosmos – Review
"...the story took on a deeper tone..."
14 – One A Day YA – Drafts Guest Post
14 - Little Miss Bookworm – Review
15 -  Magical Manuscripts – Review/Top Ten things you would do if you could not write!

  1. Cry.  2. Muse story ideas in my head.  3. Cry some more.  4. Listen to characters converse inside my head.  5. Eat illegal amounts of chocolate.  6. Work through plots and scenes for the stories stuck within my head.  7. Throw up the chocolate.  8. Stubbornly search for a way to get the stories onto paper & out of my head.  9. More crying would take place here.  10. Slowly slip into a mind-numbing stupor.

Ultimate Grilled Cheese16 - Musings of a Reader Happy - Excerpt
17 – Proud Book Nerd – Ultimate Grilled Cheese

17 - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit – Interview
17 - Book Sake – Review
"...uber romantic."
18 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Aromatic Noodles Recipe

20 - A Life Bound by Books – Excerpt I
21 - Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Reviews – Excerpt II
21 - Oh, The Books You’ll Read – Review
22 - A Backwards Story – Excerpt III
22 - Passion and Life – Review – English/Spanish
"This is a perfect clean romance story, with some creepy moments when you will feel chills down over your spine!"
23 - Framed In Words – ART Exerpt
23 - Colorimetry – Random ART thoughts
24 – Unputdownable Books – The Raven-haired Ghost ART
24 - Living a Goddess Life – Crepe Cake Recipe










25 – icultgen – Review, The Raven-haired Ghost ART
25 – Pieces of Whimsy - Review

27 – The Reading Diaries – Review
"a perfect mix of romance and fantasy."
28 – Stressed Rach – Review
28 - Literally Jen – Review
"...modern day fairy tale where the damsel in distress is rescued by her one true love who just happens to have superhuman abilities."
29 – Min Reads and Reviews – Review
29 – Grand Finale, WINNERS drawn

Two original works of art of the Raven-haired Ghost:

  resenha_eviesknight_1
from Anna


From Naj

Kimberly Krey, the awesome author:



Grand Finale Giveaway!!

From January 29 - 31 - Evie's Knight will be available for FREE to download from Amazon.






Super Swag-a-licious Giveaway Winners:


Grand Prize: $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

2nd Prize: $25 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

3rd Prize: $10 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

Five more winners will receive an ebook version of Evie’s Knight!

Paperback winners may choose between old cover (shown below) or the new cover, featuring Calvin Knight (shown above).

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Colorimetry & Rafflecopter as well as emailed to winners who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Laura, Burgandy Ice, @ www.burgandyice.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

(Winners will be drawn & notified 1/29 Pacific Time - will also show on Rafflecopter!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward




January's Feature: VAMPIRES

MY CHOICE:
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward


Publication Date: September 6, 2005
Synopsis (Goodreads):

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
 
The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.



______________________________

Review:
I haven't read other book that concentrates on vampires since Twilight. Then I saw this reading challenge and I thought it's an opportunity for me read more about the different creatures of paranormal books.

I chose Dark Lover because it's on my list for quite sometime now. I've been hesitating from reading the series because it's a long one and I've been contemplating if I can catch up. Then I saw high ratings other people gave the book so I finally decided to read it.

My first reaction: "WHY DID I WAIT THIS LONG TO START THE SERIES?!"

There's a lot of things to love about the book. I especially love all the characters! I had the tendency to be confused with a book with a lot of characters or guys in this case, but I wasn't. The author gave distinct characteristics about each character that you'll remember them well. They are not just the fighting and all serious types and I always love to see their witty sides. All of the brothers are so intriguing I can't wait to read their stories!

The romance part was predictably fast and steamy. What I love about Wrath and Beth's relationship is that they changed each other for the better especially with Wrath. Wrath learned how to love and be selfless.

There are a bunch of POVs which I think has it's positive and negative sides. The only negative side is that there are a lot and you may be confused at times. But I have to commend the author for pulling it off. I think it's a necessary move for readers to understand the sides of the protagonists and antagonists.

All in all, the story is quite unique and I can't wait to read the sequel! If you haven't started the series yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Rating:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


Memorable Quote:

“Some bridges you crossed on your own, no matter who drove you to the edge” 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (#14)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:



Title: Crossing the Line 
      (Pushing the Limits #1.5)
Author: Katie McGarry
Expected Publication: April 1, 2013 
                      by Harlequin Teen
Synopsis:
Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.



Thoughts:
I LOVED Pushing the Limits! So I can't wait to read Katie McGarry's next installment of the series! If you haven't read her first book yet, you should go and check it out!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Synopsis (Goodreads):
Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story...
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life


______________________________

Review:

I’ve been busy for the past few weeks so I had to squeeze minutes everyday  just to read a book. And this time it’s harder because it’s a horror book. Even when I'm not yet sleepy, I quit my reading at night because my imagination was too wild, making myself scared for no reason.

Anyway, I just have to say..Whew! That was one mind thrilling read! I was expecting that because I've heard a lot about the book so when I had the chance when I won a book giveaway, I chose the book. Thanks Melissa of Book Nerd Reviews

The book is about Cas, a ghost hunter and his adventures. When his father died, he took over the job and he's been driven to find who's responsible for his father's death. With his mother, they go to different places just to find those bad ghosts for him to kill and gain experience until he's ready to fight the one he's been wanting to kill for so long. Then he meets Anna dressed in blood, and his plan changes.

I like that the book is narrated from a guy's POV. It's just different because you're in a guys head. It's breathtakingly fresh and good. I like Cas very much. Not just because it's his POV, but because he has a very cool persona. I like how he's so confident about himself, that it's not annoying. Having the kind of job he has, he has a hard time trusting other people. He's afraid of attachment, thus it's just him and his mom. I like how  he learned to trust and love people or a ghost in his case.

I liked all the supporting characters especially Thomas. Love his geekiness! I love how they affected Cas in a good way and make him change his perspective in life. 

I liked how the story flowed. There was never a dull moment. It's either scary, terrifying, sad, funny or sweet. It's an emotional ride so if you haven't read it yet, give this a try! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


Rating:

Memorable Quotes:

“I’ve seen most of what there is to be afraid of in this world, and to tell you the truth, the worst of them are the ones that make you afraid in the light. The things that your eyes see plainly and can’t forget are worse than huddled black figures left to the imagination. Imagination has a poor memory; it slinks away and goes blurry. Eyes remember for much longer.” 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

COVER REVEAL and BLURB: Blurred (Kissed by Death #2) by Tara Fuller


Blurred Blurb:
Cash is haunted by things. Hungry, hollow things. They only leave him alone when Anaya, Heaven’s beautiful reaper, is around. Cash has always been good with girls, but Anaya isn’t like the others. She’s dead. And with his deteriorating health, Cash might soon be as well.

Anaya never breaks the rules, but the night of the fire she recognized part of Cash’s soul—and doomed him to something worse than death. Cash’s soul now resides in an expired body, making him a shadow walker—a rare, coveted being that can walk between worlds. A being creatures of the underworld would do anything to get their hands on.

The lines between life and death are blurring, and Anaya and Cash find themselves falling helplessly over the edge. Trapped in a world where the living don’t belong, can Cash make it out alive?


______________________________



About the Author:

Tara Fuller writes novels. Some about grim reapers. Some about witches. All of course are delightfully full of teen angst and kissing. Tara grew up in a one stop light town in Oklahoma where once upon a time she stayed up with a flash light reading RL Stine novels and only dreamed of becoming a writer. She has a slight obsession with music and a shameless addiction for zombie fiction, Mystery Science Theater, and black and white mochas. Tara no longer lives in a one stop light town. Now she lives with her family in a slightly larger town in North  Carolina where they have at least three stoplights.

______________________________

Thoughts:
I haven't read the first book yet but I've been really wanting to read it since it came out! It's still not available in my country that's why. Anyway, check it out!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (#13)


“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Music of the Heart
Author: Katie Ashley
Expected Publication: March 15, 2013
Synopsis:

For Abby Renard, the plan was supposed to be simple—join her brothers’ band on the last leg of their summer tour and decide if she’s finally ready for the limelight by becoming its fourth member. Of course, she never imagined stumbling onto the wrong tour bus at Rock Nation would accidentally land her in the bed of Jake Slater, the notorious womanizing lead singer of Runaway Train. When he mistakes her for one of his groupie’s, Abby quickly lets him know she sure as hell isn't in his bed on purpose.

Jake Slater never imagined the angel who fell into his bed would resist his charms by promptly kneeing him in the balls. Of course, the fact she seems like a prissy choir girl makes her anything but his type. So he is more than surprised when after betting Abby she wouldn't last a week on their tour bus, she is more than willing to prove him wrong. But as Jake’s personal life begins to implode around him, he finds an unlikely ally in Abby. He’s never met a woman he can talk to, joke with, or most importantly make music with.

As the week starts comes to a close, neither Abby nor Jake is ready to let go. Can a sweetheart Country songstress and a bad boy of Rock N Roll actually have a future together?


Thoughts:
I'm a fan of books involving music so when I saw this, I didn't hesitate in adding it in my TBR list. Then I read some teaser and it made me want it more! Teaser? Here's the LINK.

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Calling All Bloggers!! ENTANGLED WANTS YOU!

Taken from this WEBSITE.

Calling all bloggers!

Calling all bloggers!

Entangled needs you! *points at you*

Be part of The List.

Here's what you need to know:

One of my awesome publicists at Entangled is compiling a list of bloggers.

Here are the requirements:

Do you have a blog?
(YES!)

Do you love to review books?
(YES!)

Do you want access to books before they release?
(ohhhh..YES!)

If your answers to these questions is a resounding "YES" then you're the right blogger for the job.

We want you! Now's a great time to join The List.

If you want to be a part of The List, here's what you have to do:
Go to this WEBSITE for the instructions.

Monday, January 14, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Evie's Knight by Kimberly Krey (Review and Giveaway)

On tour with Prism Book Tours
Up For Grabs? $50 Amazon Gift card, book swag, and much more!


About Evie’s Knight:


When Evie falls in love with Calvin Knight, their young, virtuous romance conjures a truly wicked spell.



Evie always thought her eighteenth year would be magical, but so far it's not what she hoped for. Her best friend has gone wild, her love life is void, and she misses her mom more than ever. But life for Evie is about to change. Calvin Knight, the object of her fascination, is about to fall madly in love with her. Just one problem: Their love conjures a murderous woman from beyond the grave who wants Evie dead. The same demon who has haunted the Knight men for over four generations. Soon Calvin is forced to make a choice: Set Evie free and hope to evade the wrath of The Raven- haired Ghost, or use his newly gifted strengths to fight against her. If he chooses to fight and wins, Calvin will free the Knight men of this demonic witch. If he loses, Evie will become her next victim.




Review:

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the cover is Sleeping Beauty. Do I need to explain why? Because of that, I became interested with the book. When I read the blurb, I thought it's a bit similar with fairytales because of the "curse" thing.  So I decided to read this and participate in the blog tour. I want to know what it's all about and how they'll be able to break the curse. 

Evie is just a normal teenager who falls in love with Calvin Knight. Their relationship should be fun, not until a curse comes into picture.

I liked how the book started strong. It instantly caught my attention by giving me a preview of how the curse was made. Basically, the story revolves around the curse and the course of Evie and Calvin's romance. 

Evie has a very likable personality. She just has some abandonment issues because of her mom and past relationship. It's understandable how she reacts and having some insecurities. On the other hand, Calvin is your typical good guy. He's beautiful, a responsible brother and genuinely kind and loving. I can't help but love him too. There's just some parts where he made bad decisions which made me hate him a bit. 

For the story, the falling in love part was fast, which is expected. But I would've liked it more if there's more to it than the two instantly having some attraction to each other. How the book progresses was a bit slow. I'm a fast-paced reader so I was bored at some parts that I almost skipped it. The good thing is that little by little, the author gives you a picture of how the evil witch will be defeated, but as it goes on, you still don't know what will happen. 

Overall it was a good romance fantasy. It was fun, sweet and something new I've read. For those who likes such genre, you may give this a chance. 


Rating:

Memorable Quotes:

"No one is so important that your life depends on them,Evie. No one." 

"People come and go Eve. It's a part of life. You have to live yours so it doesn't revolve around someone else. So that your happiness isn't dependent upon them, their actions, or even their love."

"I also remember not knowing what to do with the hurt once I was done. I had opened up all these wounds, and suddenly they were almost impossible to ignore. "

______________________________



Launching the Tour with Kimberly Krey - 

So I have to say that I absolutely love my original cover. I do. It’s my dream cover for Evie’s Knight. But there came a time when I had to take a second look at it and make a few changes.

Why?

The colorless, thumbnail-sized image didn’t stand out as much as I’d hoped when compared to the others on Amazon. And there’s another reason too. We were missing something. Someone, actually.

We were missing... *drum roll, please* … OUR MAN!!!

I really felt like Calvin needed to be on the front of the novel, more than our Raven-haired Ghost. Calvin Knight, our strong, masculine, and ever so hunky hero deserves to be front and center. And personally, I’m thrilled with the change.

So there we have it kids – a splash of color, our handsome Knight, and a new cover I think represents Evie’s Knight beautifully!

Original Cover      Our Shiny New Cover

(Also new in this edition, is an epilogue which wasn’t included in the original.)

Get Your Copy:

Amazon: ebook just $2.99 for a limited time.



Author, Kimberly Krey:

Writing Romance That’s Clean Without Losing the Steam!

I’m a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry.
I’m not patient enough to enjoy a yoga class, or tall enough to be great at basketball, but I do love to run – anywhere but on a treadmill. I love the sound of a rainstorm when I have no place to go, the feel of Soft Lips chap Stick on my lips, and the first peek of blue water as we round the mountains toward our favorite getaway in Bear Lake.

Find & Follow Kimberly Krey:



Super Swag-a-licious Giveaway.


Grand Prize: $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

2nd Prize: $25 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

3rd Prize: $10 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

Five more winners will receive an ebook version of Evie’s Knight!
Paperback winners may choose between old cover (shown below) or the new cover, featuring Calvin Knight (shown above).

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Colorimetry & Rafflecopter as well as emailed to winners who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Laura, Burgandy Ice, @ www.burgandyice.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Catch the Tour:
1 - Min Reads and Reviews – Blast!
1 - Passion and Life – Blast!! – English/Spanish
1 – Kelly Fox – Goodreads Review
1 – I Am A Reader, Not A WriterClean Romance I
2 – Monique Morgan – All You Need is Love I
2 - Letters to the Cosmos – Review
3 – Getting Your Read On – Review - Clean Romance II
3 – Reading with Anacrasia - Interview
4 - Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
6 – Passion and LifePeaches Recipe & Excerpt – English/Spanish
6 - Paulette’s Papers – All You Need is Love II
7 - Bookworm Lisa – Review - Clean Romance III
7 – Pages of Forbidden Love – Review
8 - Proud Book Nerd – Review
8 - Vanessa Morgan – All You Need is Love III
9 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review - 
10 - Geo Librarian – Review
10 - The Literary Forest - Review, Exerpt
11 - InfectedLoser – Review
14 – One A Day YADrafts Guest Post
14 - Little Miss Bookworm – Review
15 – Musings of a Reader Happy – ART excerpt Raven-haired Ghost
15 -  Magical Manuscripts – Review 
16 – Proud Book Nerd – Ultimate Grilled Cheese
17 - Book Sake – Review
18 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Aromatic Noodles Recipe
20 - A Life Bound by Books – Excerpt I
22 - A Backwards Story – Review, Excerpt III
22 - Passion and Life – Review – English/Spanish
23 - Framed In WordsART Guest Post
23 - Colorimetry – ART Guest Post
24 – Unputdownable BooksART Guest Post
24 - Living a Goddess LifeCrepe Cake
25 – icultgen – Review, ART Guest Post
25 – Pieces of Whimsy - Review
27 – The Reading Diaries – Review
27 - Icefairy’s Treasure ChestExcerpt
28 – Stressed Rach – Review
28 - Literally Jen – Review
29 – Min Reads and Reviews – Review
29 – Colorimetry – Grand Finale, WINNERS drawn