Review - Feast Of Fools by Rachel Caine

Feast Of Fools by Rachel Caine
Released: November 3, 2009
Publisher: Signet
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Rachel Caine

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though, especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town's living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he's set for Morganville.

Of the first 4 books in this series this one is the one I least liked but don't get me wrong it is NOT because it was not good it just was a bit "slow" moving for me until about midways. Anyhow...I thought Oliver was bad news but Oh my Gawd Bishop and his cronies have quickly went above and beyond him! Hell he is like a vamp angel next to them! I despised Ysandre ( a female vamp that came with Bishop) more than the lot of them. She instantly took a strong liking to Claire's man Shane and rubbed their noses in it because there was nothing they could do about it without causing ALOT of trouble for themself and their friends and Claire's family who stupidly moved to Morganville to be near Claire. Gives a totally new meaning to that old phrase "Sometimes parents just don't understand!" because I wanted to lay the smackdown on them myself! Here Claire is trying to protect them and they have to play the parent card and wind up in deep doo doo alongside her. As if the poor girl didn't have enough problems!

OK I can't go into much more except to say that a big welcome feast is coming up for Bishop and each vampire must bring a human "date" and wouldn't you know that dang Ysandre demands Shane to be hers and he can't say no or else. There are quite a few eye raising pairs going to the feast but I'm not telling! You'll have to dive in and catch up! So until Book 5 I'm over n out!

Forever's Paranormal Blog Tour

Midnight Reckoning by Kendra Leigh Castle
Released: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Forever
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Kendra Leigh Castle

Two separate worlds . . .
One passion that binds them

Wild and passionate by nature, Lyra Black is not just any werewolf. She's the future leader of the powerful pack of the Thorn-if she can stay alive long enough to inherit the title.

One of the Cait Sith bloodline of vampire cat-shifters, Jaden Harrison has no interest in the wars plaguing the world of night. But when he rescues Lyra from a violent attack, they're both captured by an insatiable desire that threatens to overwhelm them and bind them together for eternity . . . just as ancient enemies prepare to strike. And when they do, the Thorn and the Cait Sith-and Lyra and Jaden's love-may never recover from the deadly blow . . .

OKay so I missed book one and missed the actual "meeting" between Lyra and Jaden our two star crossed lovers in Midnight Reckoning where apparently they didn't get off on a good foot and in fact really pissed each other off good fashioned! So as the story opens Jaden is out for a nightly stroll and comes across a heated argument between a man and woman. The man is making advances on the woman who turns out to be Lyra and she is not welcoming them so to make a long story short Jaden steps in and comes to her rescue. During the struggle Lyra loses a precious family heirloom and in her haste to get away she forgets it and Jaden makes his way to her home and this is where things get going!

I didn't like Lyra to begin with. I felt she was a spoiled rotten brat who was totally full of herself but I warm up to her as I learn more about her world and being an only child,,,a female child at that always having to prove herself to earn the respect she deserved because her father was Alpha of the Thorn. Jaden I immediately fell in love with I mean come on part vamp part puddy cat? purrrrrrrrrr lol I mean I loved that weird combination (weird because it was a first time for me) I just wonder about the cat part. I think I missed something like how that was sposed to come into play or the purpose of him being part cat.

I enjoyed learning about The Proving and and the ways of The Thorn and their laws although I found most of them harsh but when you think about it real packs of wolves react similar to things mentioned in the story I think so it went hand in hand I guess. Still there comes a point in time when my heart actually breaks for Lyra. I even had to get a tissue!

Incredible love story! I was completely immersed in it and look forward to reading the next book!

Firelight by Kristen Callihan
Released: January 31st 2012
Publisher: Forever
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Kristen Callihann

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

I have got to say I had low expectations when I began reading this book because I usually don't like historicals very much but this one grabbed me and would not turn me loose! It kind of has a feel of Beauty and the Beast but with extras like Miranda's power and it's even hard to say it's only purely historical because of the paranormal and mystery bits and such added in.

Firelight flowed off the pages leaving me devouring it and eager to find out what would happen next and the love story between Miranda and Archer was simply breathtaking for lack of a better word. Their's was an arranged marriage but once they actually began falling/feeling for each other the chemistry was just explosive and I could not wait until they realized what they had together.

Even if you have not really enjoyed historicals, like me, in the past you should totally give Firlight a try because it is much more!

In My Mailbox (12)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect... This is my catch up post for like two weeks worth of mail. All are linked to Goodreads. I love how the covers for The Unseen and The Unseen 2 match up! What did you get in your mailbox?

For Review:

Saving June by Hannah Harrington
The Great Grammer Book by Marsha Sramek (Not Pictured)
Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter


Bought & Paperbackswap:

The Unseen by Richie Tankersley Cusick
The Unseen2 by Richie Tankersley Cusick
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
SWitched by Amanda Hocking
The Strange Power, The Possessed, The Passion (Dark Visions #1-3) by L.J. Smith
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

Review - The Great Hamster Massacre by Katie Davies

The Great Hamster Massacre by Katie Davies
Released: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Age Group: Middle Grade
Pages: 208 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 2/5
Author Site: Katie Davies

I am really kind of on the fence over this book. On the one hand it was a quick child's story, told thru the "language" of a child, about finally getting a pet hamster and all the responsibilities of taking care of a pet but on the other hand I found it quite graphic as it paints a significant picture of the deaths of past pets and even a section that made me want to puke when they dug up a dead animal to rebury it more proper. It was just ewwww. Maybe I am wrong in feeling as I do but I just dont think it's a story that should be geared towards children ages 8-12.

There's not much else I can comment on except it's a book about death, pets, and children's investigations. Which I enjoyed the little investigative parts where the kids go in search of who killed the hamsters but still...it's just a bit much. Just not something I am ready for my kids to tackle right now. It's a shame to because the book itself is just so darn cute. It's made up to look like a spiral bound investigative note pad and when you open it up towards th spine inside is printed up to look spiralbound as well. The drawn illustrations were really cute to.

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

YA Hop Hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Down the Rabbit Hole

Welcome to the YA Hop! Thank you for dropping in on Gimme The Scoop! We have a choice of two really awesome books for you. Just let us know in the comments below which one you would prefer should you win or if you'd like it to be a surprise! Please remember as always to leave a working email address within all of your posts so we can contact you if you are a winner! Your comment is your entry! Please make sure Book Depository will ship to your country! Ends Midnight Eastern January 31, 2012


You Must be a Follower and this prize is International!

The following are for extra entries Remember to include email addy in each comment!
1) Tweet this giveaway. Be sure to put @bookwormjen05 and place your tweet link in a comment.
2) Friend/Follow me on Goodreads. My Goodreads Page Leave your Goodreads name so I can easily find you.
3) I am working on some prize packs for a 300 follower+ giveaway. Please leave a brief comment letting me know some unique things you would be happy to find in a prize pack.


Books to choose from are:

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.

Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.

Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy.

Review - Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine

Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
Released: October 2, 2007
Publisher: NAL Jam
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Rachel Caine

Claire Danvers's college town may be run by vampires but a truce between the living and the dead made things relatively safe. For a while. Now people are turning up dead, a psycho is stalking her, and an ancient bloodsucker has proposed private mentoring. To what end, Claire will find out. And it's giving night school a whole new meaning.

This is book three of The Morganville Vampire Series and things are really beginning to heat up now! Claire is beginning to come into her own and I sometimes forget myself that she is only 16 years old! She has taken on so much responsibility in a world that she only thought was a figment of movies and horror books but has now became the very existance of the way she must live. After signing a "protection" contract with Amelie she must begin an apprenticeship with Myrnin but she is sort of left out of the loop on a few things and more than once it almost lands her in some serious trouble.

This book has so much going on in it that you don't even have time to go potty...or well you wont want to because it is just one thing after another. I honestly don't see how these kids ever get any sleep or social life at all because their lives are filled with running from vampires, dealing with crazy family members, and fending off pyscho bitches from hell who one minute want to kill you and the next want you to be their best friend!

I truly wish Shane would get over the fact that his best friend is a vampire now. He had a good reason for doing what he did and who knows what Shane would have done in the same situation. I could sort of understand more if it was Claire freaking out but Shane grew up in Morganville and has been around issues like this so often it should not be so big of a deal as he is making it. Besides what is done is done...ya know?

I was totally shocked with the cliffhanger on this one. I had not expected that at all!

Review - Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Released: March 27, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Aimee Carter

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

I was soooo excited when I got this ARC in the mail yesterday that I just could not wait to curl up on my sofa and read it from start to finish. I was not dissapointed in the least! It was a thought provoking book for me that made me rethink how I felt about a few of the characters and why they were one way or another.

First off lets get Persephone off my chest. I'm just sorry but I don't like her much more than I do Calliope. Some try to portray her as the poor little wounded victum who was forced into a marriage she did not want and had to lead a life of misery because of it. Well I say boo hoo hoo. Poor little Persephone. This is however one of those things I had to rethink because I was comparing it to situations of todays times when if you make a mistake in marriage you can easily file divorce and be done with it. I am sure things had to be different back then but what makes me so put out with her is I still dont see her living with Hades/Henry for thousands of years in such a miserable state and ripping his heart out in the process sleeping with his nephew, James right under his nose! In Goddess Interrupted Kate needs Persephone's help and Persephone has a attitude about it all that makes me wanna smack her down so bad. I'm like where does she get off acting like that especially after she got what she wanted...to leave Henry and be with the mortal of her dreams.

The next thing is I must admit I did get a little peeved at Henry and Kate both because if they would have just sat down and talked more alot of things that happened or didn't happen sooner could have been avoided. They both should have been more patient with the other's feelings. Kate needed reassurance that Henry wanted her and he needed reassurance that Kate only wanted him but both were just too stubborn to see it. Then Kate is so afraid she is not living up to everybodys expectations and being so appalled at some of the relationships of the Gods, and not understanding why Henry is so afraid to show his feelings but she is not seeing the big picture here that these folks have lived a zillion times longer than her and had so many more experiences and time to adjust to God and Goddesshood. Kate just acts like just because she has become immortal that everything shall just happen at once and for lands sake even in mortal life things dont usually turn out that way.

I totally hate that I dont have book three right now because I am soooooo anxious to see what happens next! We are left with a major cliffhanger!

Review - The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine

The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires #2) by Rachel Caine
Released: April 3, 2007
Publisher: NAL Jam
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Rachel Caine

Claire has her share of challenges. Like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains; homicidal girls in her dorm, and finding out that her college town is overrun with the living dead. On the up side, she has a new boyfriend with a vampire-hunting dad. But when a local fraternity throws the Dead Girls' Dance, hell is really going to break loose.

May contain spoilers if you have not read book 1 (Glass Houses)

My awe continues into book two of this series again with not a moment of dullness and with just as much action, if not more! We are sitting on our seats as the book opens in fear and pain because Shane's dad has come to town with revenge on his mind for what happened to his family when they lived in Morganville. He and his possee has taken over Michael's house and "killed" him thinking he was a vampire. I really wanted to scratch that mans eyes out!!! How can Shane have the same blood running thru his veins as Frank Collins?

Frank causes all kinds of nasty messes all about town and gets Shane into some very hot water and we're left worried and upset if The Glass House gang will be able to come to the rescue before it's too late.

I'm still not 100% sure which of the guys I lust for more..it's still a tight race there nor have I drawn any new conclusions on Amelie but I do respect her which is a helluva lot more than I can say for the other vamp leader Oliver whom I despise with a passion. Sam, a new vamp we're introduced to has a history with Amelie that I am anxious to explore more. I just know there is more there than what has been revealed thus far and it has totally peaked my curiosity wondering if they were lovers or what?

Oh and just a little side note on our girl Claire...well it seems she has started growing a nice pair of balls and is quickly losing the 16 year old sweetness and I think things is about to get all kinds of nasty up in here so stay tuned and don't come out after dark!

Review - Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
Released: October 3, 2006
Publisher: NAL Jam
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Rachel Caine

Just don't stay out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero.

When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life. But they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.

This is the first book I have ever read of Rachel Caine's and I absolutely LOVED it. There was not one slow part in it. It was just non-stop action thru and thru and I hated to even take a bathroom break for fear of missing anything! (lol)

There were quite a few parts that made my jaw drop and exclaim No Way! especially when I discovered that (ha did ya really think I was gonna spill the beans?) Seriously though just know that your in for a few surprises for sure and I usually can spot them a mile off and even I was stupefied in this book until they were revealed!

I adored the characters even the deranged lunatic Monica who tortured Claire. Rachel really fleshed her out as one of those characters you LOVE to HATE. I am still undecided on which of the leading males (Michael or Shane) I like best but maybe by end of the next book I can share my preference as well as my thoughts on Amelie. I'm just not completely disliking her even though I know she is a vampire and probably can't really be trusted. Claire is just a regular girl next door type that happens to be a brain except when it comes to common sense sometimes and as much as I loved her innocence..I wanted to smack her a few times or at the very least shake her and ask her if she was pure nuts! I mean sheesh if I knew there were vampires I be dogged if you'd see me bouncing around after dark! No way no sir!

Review - Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry

Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
Released: December 20, 2011
Publisher: Gallery Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 304 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Jael McHenry

After the unexpected death of her parents, painfully shy and sheltered 26-year-old Ginny Selvaggio seeks comfort in cooking from family recipes. But the rich, peppery scent of her Nonna’s soup draws an unexpected visitor into the kitchen: the ghost of Nonna herself, dead for twenty years, who appears with a cryptic warning (“do not let her…”) before vanishing like steam from a cooling dish.

This was a fascinating story of a young lady who has Asperger's Syndrome and has tragically lost her parents and now trying to live on her own. She never really knew anything was wrong with her because she led a sheltered life which has not prepared her for living in the "real" world so to speak. Even so I still got angry with her sister quite a bit. She just assumes Ginny should now come to stay in her home and they will automatically sell the family home and get rid of the things inside and never stops to think how this will affect Ginny and what she may want.

I don't have Asperger's but I could still relate to alot of what Ginny felt and like her, I can even see myself hiding in a closet and trying to shut out the world sometimes when it gets to hard to deal with. Maybe it's because of this association that I enjoyed this book so much and the incredible recipes were just an added bonus! But either way I highly would recommend it to anybody for a quick wonderful inspirational read.

Review - The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Released: April 19, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Aimee Carter

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My emotions were all over the place while reading The Goddess Test. I felt sorrow for Kate and what she was going thru with her mother and having to move to a new town..new school..ect and then to be teased and taunted by a girl at school, Ava, who thinks Kate is after her boyfriend Dylan. (insert eyeroll)

This has got to be one of my most favorite books! I just couldn't put it down until I was done reading it! I have never really cared for mythology very much but Aimee puts a spin on it that intrigues me and I found myself falling in love with Hades (Henry) the God of the Dead. Henry is just as lost and sad as Kate and I couldn't help but want them to hook up and find an incredible love amongst themself but love is never that simple.

I loved the "tests" Kate had to endure especially once I found out what they were based on and the total surprises that were revealed but my lips are sealed now. If you wanna know more your gonna have to check it out!

Review - Hell House & Other True Hauntings from Around the World by Alison Rattle and Allison Vale

Hell House & Other True Hauntings from Around the World by Alison Rattle and Allison Vale
Released: January 1, 2005
Publisher: Barnes & Noble
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 208 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5

The chilling title of this hair-raising volume refers to the real-life Hell House of New Orleans—a mansion haunted by the ghosts of tortured and murdered slaves. But that’s only one of the 43 forbidding locations documented within these pages. Bold readers are invited to go on a world-spanning tour of haunted places, to meet ghosts, apparitions, and spirits such as the Windigo of the remote Canadian forests, which possesses unwary travelers and compels them to eat human flesh. Here also are such horrors as the moving coffins of Barbados, the Hungry Ghosts of China, and other bizarre manifestations of the spirit world. Truly a feast of shudders and thrills for all fans of the supernatural.

I have always been a sucker for a good ghost story but the true ones are so much more scarier such as the ones in this book some of which I have heard of and some new to me but made my toes curl beneath me and shivers run up my arms nonetheless! They are not just stories we have come to know from aroun the United States but also from all around the world. One in particular was set in Jamaica and told of the ever feared duppy which is believed to be the shadow of a dead person and most folks in the region spread the blood of white chickens around their home to ward off this evil.

I loved everything about this book..the cover is just awesome resembling an old timey book with a skull like image and two bulging red eyes popping from the center. Then the pages on the inside are lightly tinted giving you the feeling of reading an older book and has beautiful photographs and illustrations to depict each of the stories within.

It will make a fine addition to your library if you like to be a bit creeped out or just simply enjoy ghost stories. But remember to keep a light on and a cover to duck under when you begin reading!

2012 YA Contemp Challenge

I could have sworn I had already made this post because I have had the button up since forever. lol Anyhow here we go!

Katie, from Katie's Book Blog and Angela from Reading Angel are hosting this awesome challenge.

There are different levels that you can choose to challenge yourself in:
Level 1: 5+ books
Level 2: 10+ books
Level 3: 15+ books

Rules:
You can read any contemporary YA novel that is published between January 1, 2012and December 30, 2012 but you must read them in 2012! (All formats accepted: paperback, ARC, e-book)

I am going to be doing Level 2 (List will probably change but here is a tentative one. I may even post more than 10 and just mark off the ones I actually read for challenge.)

01-The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George
02-Belles by Jen Calonita
03-The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee
04-Purity by Jackson Pearce
05-All These Lives by Sarah Wylie
06-Survive by Alex Morel
07-Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani
08-The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
09-Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
10-Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz
11-Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Review - Shadows and Fire by Jennifer Fales

Shadows and Fire by Jennifer Fales
Released: November 1, 2011
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 114 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Author
Rating: 3/5
Author Site: Jennifer Fales

In the parallel world of the future, mankind has created its own worst enemy - a supernatural species of animal-human hybrids that exact a high toll in return for peace. Step into the dark, and occasionally funny, world of the domes where a brother and sister bridging the gap between these two species struggle to reunite with one another. Meet the menagerie of creatures that impact their lives and a man who would bring redemption, providing he doesn't get lost along the way.

A debut with lots of promise is what Shadows and Fire was to me. I was able to slip just enough away into the story to get a tiny glimpse of what I think will become a fantastic fantasy world full of memorable supernatural creatures and adventure. The book was just a bit to short for me to really make alot of noise over but it will be interesting to see brother and sister reunite and channel their powers and also to get to know the rest of the characters better. Jennifer has done an excellant job at laying the groundwork for a great story in the next book for sure!

Review - The Veil by Cory Putman Oakes

The Veil by Cory Putman Oakes
Released: November 1, 2011
Publisher: Octane Press
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Author/Goodreads Win
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Cory Putman Oakes

Seventeen-year-old Addison Russell is in for a shock when she discovers that she can see the invisible world of the Annorasi. Suddenly, nothing is as it appears to be--the house she lives in, the woman who raised her, even the most beautiful boy in town all turn out to be more than what they seem. And when this strange new world forces Addy to answer for a crime that was committed long ago, by parents she has never known, she has no choice but to trust Luc, the mysterious Annorasi who has been sent to protect her. Or so he says . . .

The Veil is an AWESOME debut and I enjoyed reading such a unique story that had no hint of vampire , werewolf, or anything of the sort. Don't get me wrong those are my favorite stories but every now and again its refreshing to find something new that interests me and tickles my fancy.

I couldn't get enough of the relationship between Addy and Luc and it was just a sweet young romance that the reader felt compelled to cheer on. The friend relationships were well played but I would have liked to have seen more action between Addy and Emily. Maybe even a catfight over Luc?

The Veil made me laugh but also got me to thinking about secrets and how deadly they can actually be and how true that old saying really can be about "what they don't know can't hurt them".

The only thing that I really didn't like about The Veil is actually the cover. I know it is supposed to represent the bridge from the story but it doesn't scream pick me up at me. I know I am not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I can't help it! I like pretty covers and this one is just boring to me.

In My Mailbox (11)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect... I got extremely slack on making In My Mailbox posts in December so this is a catch up post of books I have gotten in the past 3 weeks or so.

For Review:
Strange Flesh by Michael Olson
Shadows and Fire by Jennifer Fales
It Takes A Witch by Heather Blake
Midnight Reckoning by Kendra Leigh Castle
Firelight by Kristen Callihan
Shadow City by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Won: (Thank you both!)
Blood Work by Kim Harrison (Graphic Novel) from Fangs For The Fantasy
Nowhereville by Sean Campbell from Dreamonus.com

Paperbackswap:
Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
Kissing Coffins by Ellen Schreiber
Vampireville by Ellen Schreiber

For Xmas:
Hilarious Fishing Cartoons by John Troy (Hubby got this for xmas)
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Review - I Love You More... Than Chocolate by Melanie Milburn

I Love You More... Than Chocolate by Melanie Milburn
Released: December 6, 2010
Publisher: InstantPublisher
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 32 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Author
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Melanie Milburn

This book was originally a song, and inside the back cover, you have a CD of Melanie singing the song. When Melanie would tuck her children into bed at night, she made sure they knew how much they were loved. She told them she loved them more than anything even chocolate!

This has quickly became our little girls favorite book! She reads it several times a week and is always singing the tune so much so we decided to record her for your viewing enjoyment! I myself thought it had the most beautiful illustrations and rhyming words which I am a sucker for. This will be a great addition to your childs library for sure! I can't even express how much we have enjoyed it!

Review - It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
Released: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Signet
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 320 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Author/Crazy Book Tours
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Heather Blake

Darcy Merriweather has just discovered she hails from a long line of Wishcrafters-witches with the power to cast spells by making a wish. She's come to Enchanted Village to learn her trade but finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation...

Love Love Loved it! This was a wonderful change of pace for me. I needed something quick, fun, and supernatural to get me thru those hectic somewhat stressful holiday days! This was perfect! It had lots of humor, suspicious characters, lovable and sometimes supernatural animals, hints of flirtation....not to mushy or over the top hanky panky, and characters I quickly fell in love with!

Anybody that loves a good cozy mystery will find great pleasure with Darcy Merriweather while she struggles to free an innocent man, solve a murder, find a pickpocketer, fall in love..maybe, and learn the ways of witchcraft.

May all your wishes come true when you read it!