The Book Junkie's Bookshelf

New Blogging Location

2011-05-29T03:26:00.002-05:00

Good morning! I just wanted to drop by and let you all know that I am still book blogging but I am doing it at a different location. If you want to come and visit the "new" blog you can find me at Jamie's Bookshelf. I currently have a discussion post up about how you conquer your TBR pile/mountain. Thanks and have a great rest of your holiday weekend! :)

Better Late Than Never ~ $65 CSN Certificate winner

2011-03-12T08:18:00.000-06:00

I apologize for not getting the winner of the $65 CSN gift certificate chosen sooner. I've had some things come up in real life and I honestly forgot as a result of those things. So here is our winner (chosen by random.org): VAL!
Congrats Val! I'll be emailing you in a minute to let you know that you are the winner!

Blog Tour ~ Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing

2011-03-11T00:01:00.002-06:00

Title: Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing

Author: Kathy Cano-Murillo

Series:

Publication Date: March 8, 2011

Synopsis:

Scarlet doesn't do things like other people. Unfortunately, this leads to some misunderstandings, like when her manager at the fabric store mistakes her measuring methods for assault. But while she may not be as wealthy as her siblings, or as respected as her grandmothers-strict seamstresses whose criticism left Scarlet permanently pattern-phobic-she will be soon. She's been offered a position with Johnny "Scissors" Tijeras, the hottest young designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, attracting a surprising mix of students. Future freeform garment makers include a high-strung office manager whose marriage counselor thinks she needs to learn to break some rules, and an elderly seamstress with a secret past. But as friendships grow, the lines between teacher and student blur, proving there is no single pattern for happiness-it is always a custom fit.

Review:

I don't read a lot of "chick lit." It's usually not my thing. What made me reconsider is that this book is about a "crafty" person. I LOVE being crafty. I may not be great at it but I still LOVE it!

Scarlet Santana is one heck of a spitfire! She holds two degrees in engineering and her family is pressuring her to settle down and get a "real" job. But Scarlet being Scarlet has her own idea for how she wants to live her life.

By day Scarlet works for a local designer by the name of Carly Fontaine. On her own time, Scarlet designs her own wardrobe, sells her "line" on her Etsy store and spends time blogging about her favorite heroine, Daisy de la Flora. The now deceased Daisy was a designer and person who Scarlet looks up to and admires. Now through her blog Scarlet shares with her "fans" her dream of living a Daisy-inspired life.

When given the chance to attend a designer's program offered by the late Daisy's nephew, Scarlet creates her own class to teach others the way of patternless sewing that her Nana had taught her. All of this in an effort to raise funds to attend this program. Through this class, we the readers are introduced to a vast variety of characters that all need a little help getting there lives back on track. There fearless leader, Scarlet included.

I thought that this was a very cute read. I did have a hard time putting it down once I got into it too! Honestly, up until this tour came along I had not heard of this author or the web page that she writes. I think the best thing about this author, for me anyway, is that she writes very strong female characters. They have a goal that they set for themselves and you just can't help but cheer them on as they work towards reaching that goal.

Blog Tour ~ Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing Giveaway, Guest Feature and Book Trailer

2011-03-11T00:01:00.001-06:00

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Kathy Cano-Murillo's new book Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing. I want to thank Kathy for dropping by The Book Junkie's Bookshelf today. I asked Kathy the following question:

This book is about a person who has a "crafty" hobby....Do you have any "crafty" hobbies you like to partake in when you’re not writing?

Here is what Kathy had to say....

I sure do! So much that I converted my living room into my art studio! I love to make assemblage pieces, like dimensional scrapbooks, I also love to made jewelry and collages and I love to sew. When I’m working on my arts and crafts, I daydream about new characters and situations I want to put them in.

Kathy can be found in the following places:

Author Bio and Photo (photo on the left is from this site.)
Twitter - @CraftyChica
Facebook - CraftyChica
Webpage - CraftyChica

Here is the loverly trailer for this wonderful book...I hope you enjoy it!

Now for the fun part! I have been given the go ahead to give away 2 prize packs. Each prize pack will include a copy of Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing AND Kathy's first book Waking Up In The Land of Glitter. Now for the rules:

1. Leave a comment with an email address so that I can contact you if you should be one of the winners.

2. Open to US and Canada

3. Contest closes March 20th at 11:59 pm CST.

Blog Tours and Giveaways

2011-03-01T03:03:00.002-06:00

Coming up on March 4th there will be a blog tour rolling through Nitty Gritty. There will be chances to win a copy of 2 different books...If you have a thing for historical Scotland these are right up your alley! There will also be a guest post by one of the authors. I hope you'll drop by and check it.

March Urban Fantasy Linky

2011-03-01T02:43:00.000-06:00

Click HERE to go to the ACTUAL linky. Since this blog won't support my new linky for some reason....I will be posting the linky's on my other book blog Jamie's Bookshelf from now on.

March Strong Heroine Linky

2011-03-01T02:41:00.000-06:00

Click HERE to go to the ACTUAL linky.

I have decided since this particular blog won't for some reason support my new linky that I am going to be posting the linky's on my other blog Jamie's Bookshelf.

March Christian Fiction Linky

2011-03-01T02:35:00.000-06:00

Click HERE to go to ACTUAL linky.

I have decided since this particular blog won't for some reason support my new linky that I am going to be posting the linky's on my other blog Jamie's Bookshelf.

March Support Your Library Linky

2011-03-01T02:33:00.000-06:00

Click here to go to the actual linky post.

I have decided...since this particular blog won't link up to my new linky system....that I am going to be posting the link ups on my other blog Jamie's Bookshelf.

Modified $65 CSN Gift Certificate giveaway

2011-02-14T12:12:00.001-06:00

As a result of a miscommunication on my part I am opening up the giveaway for the $65 CSN gift certificate here on The Book Junkie's Bookshelf. If you registered to win during the Follower Love Hop your entry still counts....You DO NOT need to re-enter.

It doesn't know it yet but this is my new bookcase!

Everyone, especially us book bloggers can use some home office furniture every now and then right?! I mean what book blogger wouldn't love the chance to win a $65 CSN gift certificate so that they can buy themself a new bookcase or two?! Now here is all you have to do:

1. Fill out the form below...REQUIRED.
2. Open to US and Canada...Canadian's please be sure to check the shipping information.
3. Open from February 14 until February 20 @ 11:59 pm

Discussion Post ~ Bloggers Beware of Unprofessional Authors (AKA Authors handing out Book Blogger Smackdown!?)

2011-02-11T03:42:00.000-06:00

NOTE: I will be adding my extremely personal thoughts on this at the end of this post. It does seem that all hell has broken loose in the book blogging community again. Not good peeps! I've been going through my google reader and I've been reading all these horror stories about all the hell that's being unleashed on us "unprofessional reviewers*" (AKA Book Bloggers). The post that I just linked to is written by an author who had a couple of bad reviews of posted about her book and had the nerve to "call out" two book blogs (Book Binge and Chick Lit Plus). On top of that the author (Sylvia Massara) had this to say about book bloggers: "Oftentimes, the people who set up these kinds of blogs have never written a thing in their lives, except maybe a grocery list. Most are avid readers who think they are qualified to review someone else’s work. So it’s very sad when they go about damaging the image of upcoming small press and indie authors with the rubbish they write." I think that this post was EXTREMELY unprofessional and I think that the two blogs that were called out in this post responded in a professional manner and put the facts out there for their readers to see and read. If you want to check out their responses Book Binge had this to say and Chick Lit Plus had this to say. Ah, and then we get to the good stuff....How In My Mailbox** is to quote the unnamed author “those "in my mailbox" posts represent everything that's wrong with the whole scene. It's all about status and swag.” Then there's the whole book bloggers don't sell books/shouldn't be given ARC's/and how we're only in it for the free books. Seriously, I have some pretty serious thoughts on all of this.....which your about to read.

MY THOUGHTS:

I saw all these posts and I was deeply troubled by all of this. For a while now I've been struggling with my book blogging (if you hadn't noticed from my lack of posting). I feel that it has turned into a job and I already have one of those. I know that this is mostly my fault and I asked for it when I decided to start 2 additional book blogs. But getting back on point...All of this negativity has really troubled me. I just don't understand how an author could go so far as to attack a blogger on a VERY public form of media known as the INTERNET! That is completely classless and trashy on their part. Sure we as book bloggers don't always write glowing reviews of everything that we read. It happens. Life isn't all sunshine and happiness. Put on your big girl/boy under ware and get over it. JMHO. I don't know about anyone else out there but I think that In My Mailbox is a pretty AWESOME meme. I don't always get to participate but even if I don't I always find more books to add to my wish list when I go through my google reader. Honestly, I look forward to In My Mailbox...even if I don't get to participate. It makes me happy to see all those bloggers out there gushing with happiness over the books they got in the mail, from the library or just went out and bought. FOR KRISTI~ Party on Kristi! I think it is very unfair to say that book bloggers don't sell books. I think that there are enough of us out there that anyone who comes across some one's review either intentionally or accidentally that we might influence a book buyers decision. I know that before I started book blogging I came across some review blogs for a couple of books that I was considering buying and reading the reviews helped me to make my decision. For another blogger's opinion on book bloggers and their impact click here OR to read an author's take on book blogger's check out this post. I was extremely offended when I found that many people believe that we book bloggers are only in it for the free books and ARC's. I don't know about anyone else but I spend more money and time buying books or checking them out of the library or swapping them on Paperbackswap.com than I spend trying to coherse a book out of an author. Actually, I've NEVER approached an author about getting a copy of their book and I am only occasionally contacted with review requests. Maybe there are bloggers out there who are fishing for "free books." I am NOT one of them. So I am going to conclude this post before I turn it into a full length novel. Though I do have 1 message for all the haters out there.....Hell Hath No Fury Like Book Blogger's Scorned. *Found in a post posted by Jeremy West of Novel Thoughts**Found in a post posted by Kristi of The Story Siren

Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr (Virgin River #2)

2011-02-10T00:08:00.002-06:00

John "Preacher" Middleton is about to close the bar when a young woman and her three-year-old son come in out of the wet October night. A marine who has seen his share of pain, Preacher knows a crisis when he sees one—the woman is covered in bruises. He wants to protect them, and he wants to punish whoever did this to her, but he knows immediately that this inclination to protect is something much more. Paige Lassiter has stirred up emotions in this gentle giant of a man—emotions that he has never allowed himself to feel.

But when Paige's ex-husband turns up in Virgin River, Preacher knows his own future hangs in the balance. And if there's one thing the marines' motto of Semper Fidelis—always faithful—has taught him, it's that some things are worth fighting for.

Why I decided to read this book: I signed up to try to win a copy of Promise Canyon on Goodreads and I decided to start at the beginning of the series so that book 11 would makes sense to me. I was also able to download the first 4 books of the series on to my Nook as a book bundle! :)

Likes?.....: I really liked Preacher. He's a big ole burly badass former Marine who doesn't think that he's capable of loving or being loved. I also enjoyed Paige and Chris who bring out the best and at some points in the book, the worst in Preacher. I also really enjoyed how the town rallied around Paige and Chris to make sure that they were safe from Paige's abusive ex-husband. Oh and let's not forget about "unlovable" Preacher turned lover extraordinaire Preacher. Everyone calls Preacher by his nickname rather than his given name in town, then Paige comes along and starts calling him John and to me that was pretty sexy in it's VERY simple way.

Dislikes?.....: Paige's brother and ex husband....They BOTH deserve to be beaten to within an inch of their lives in my honest opinion. There were a couple of odd breaks in the story that seemed a little off to me but not enough to be distracting.

Overall: I think that this book was even better than the first book in the series. Another one that once I started reading I had a VERY difficult time putting down. I think that the series builds really nicely from one book to the next with the inclusion of new characters as well as reoccurring roles of the "regulars." I can hardly wait to keep reading! I'm just soooo mad at myself for not reading this series before now!

Virgin River By Robyn Carr

2011-02-09T00:01:00.002-06:00

Wanted: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against the backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to reenergize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she's made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning.

But a tiny baby, abandoned on a front porch, changes her plans…and a former marine cements them into place.

Melinda Monroe may have come to Virgin River looking for escape, but instead she finds her home.

Why I decided to read this book: I signed up to try and win a copy of Promise Canyon on Goodreads and thought that I should probably start at the beginning so book 11 might actually make sense to me...provided I was able to win a copy. :) Lucky me...I was able to find the first four books bunched together in a bundle available on my Barnes and Noble Nook.

Likes?.....: I really liked the premise of the story....Jack and Melinda (Mel) are both damaged souls looking for a change....and Boy Howdy do they get it in spades! I also enjoyed the mostly good hearted turmoil between Doc and Mel....everyone thinks he needs some help and he doesn't. I also enjoyed picturing Jack helping out the town as well as helping with a an abandoned newborn baby....Here's this big burly badass former Marine who is actually a gentle giant underneath all that big burly badassness. I also enjoyed the reunion with Jack and his fellow Marine buddies and Jack's "fall from Grace" as a result of the reunion.

Dislikes?.....: I think that the reason for Mel to stick around at times was a little thin. Sure Mel's a midwife and babies are her thing but once she made sure that the baby was safely placed she could have easily taken off. I also thought that in some places (not very many, just a few) that the story was a little bit rushed. Another small thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way a little bit at the beginning of the story was how Jack became almost instantaneously possessive of Mel.

Overall: I think that this was a pretty good start to the Virgin River series. Minus my few quirks with the book I think that it was a VERY good. Once I started reading it I was pretty much sucked in and could NOT put it down. But my quirks prevented this story from getting a 5/5. Jack and Mel's story is very sweet and it makes me wish I had a big burly badass Marine who's just a big ole gentle giant underneath all that badassness!

Falke's Peak by Anna Leigh Keaton & Madison Layle ~ Contains Adult Content

2011-02-08T00:39:00.001-06:00

She couldn't believe her eyes.

Stressed out ad-exec Dakota wandered into Catamount Outfitters in search of a guide for a wilderness excursion. She didn't expect to be greeted by not one, but five of the most ruggedly delicious-looking men she'd ever seen. Not to mention a live cougar guarding the shop.

The Falke brothers have more than just good looks in their genes.

Eldest brother Axel agrees to guide Dakota on her mountain trek. In cougar form, Axel's twin, Gunnar, was there as a protection from predators—but he had his eye on the sexy client instead.

Into the wild...

While the rule with clients was "paws-off," both Axel and Gunnar couldn't resist Dakota's seductive Native American beauty and determination. As cold days led to hot nights in the cabin, Axel and Gunnar wondered if they'd finally found a woman strong enough to tame them...

Why I decided to read this book: I was looking through all the new releases on Netgalley and saw this one and as you can see from the reading the synopsis, it really tripped my trigger. That and the cover I think is pretty neat too.

Likes?......: What really drew me into the story was Dakota. The way she's described you think "fluffy city girl," but the farther you read into the book you definitely start to change your tune about her. I also liked the premise of "modern day" shapeshifters....Especially extremely HOT "modern day" shapeshifters who give one hell of a back rub! Is it wrong that I really liked the internal struggle of Axel and Gunnar? Cause I REALLY did.

The sexual stuff?!?!?!?...Just as HOT as the "modern day" shapeshifters!

Dislikes?......: I don't have very many....I didn't particularly care for the "deception" scene. I did feel that at certain points the story was a little bit rushed. Overall, not too many dislikes.

Overall: I really enjoyed this story. Even with the couple of dislikes that I found in the story I think that this is a VERY good beginning to the author's series. I can hardly wait to check out the rest of the series! Hopefully each of the remaining brothers and Heidi will get their own stories!

Review Link Ups for February

2011-02-07T04:01:00.000-06:00

Good morning everyone! Since it seems like Mclinky has done away with my lists and my new service is giving me fits about copying the code into the posts until I get my "issues" figured out could challenge participants please leave a comment with the link(s) to there reviews on the respective posts please. I'm not quite sure what's going on...It let me put the new linky into my YA challenge posts but not this blog! Yeah technology!

In My Mailbox

2011-02-06T03:34:00.000-06:00

In My Mail Box is hosted by The Story Siren.

*BOUGHT*

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

The tightly knit community of Virgin River has been a safe haven for more than a few lost souls over the years -- and there's always room for more . . .

A decorated U.S. Marine reservist, LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela was badly wounded in the line of duty, but has found hope and healing in Virgin River. When he agrees to become the town's first cop, he does so knowing it's time he settled down. Twice divorced and the lover of too many women, he secretly longs for the kind of commitment and happiness his marine buddies have found -- a woman who can tie up his heart forever. He finds that woman in Brie Sheridan, a Sacramento prosecutor who understands his drive to protect and serve. Virgin River becomes a safe haven for Brie after nearly losing her life at the hands of a crazed criminal. Though tough and courageous, she's got some fears she can't escape -- but now she has someone who will show her just what it means to trust again.

Mike will do anything to help Brie free herself from painful memories. Passionate, strong and gentle, he vows to give back to her what she's so selflessly given him -- her heart, and with it, a new beginning.

Last Christmas Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband, Bobby. This Christmas she's come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.

Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby's shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago, then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived stateside. Since then, Marcie's letters to Ian have gone unanswered.

Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain town of Virgin River and finds a man as wounded emotionally as Bobby was physically. But she is not easily scared off. As Marcie pushes her way into his rugged and reclusive life, she discovers a sweet but damaged soul beneath a rough exterior.

Ian doesn't know what to make of the determined young widow who forces him to look into the painful past and, what's worse, the uncertain future. But it is, after all, a season of miracles and maybe, just maybe, it's time to banish the ghosts and open his heart.

*PAPERBACKSWAP.COM**

He's the Super Bowl hero men idolize and women lust after...the bad-boy quarterback with a dangerous edge. But behind his devil-may-care grin, Ty Calhoun hides a desire that only one woman can ever fulfill — and a memory he can't shake: high school graduation night...and mind-blowing sex with the untouchable girl of his dreams. He would trade every trophy to feel the heat of her sensual, uninhibited lust once more. And he may get that chance...because she's just been hired by the San Francisco Outlaws' new owner to make over Ty's less-than-angelic reputation.  The country's top image consultant, Julie Spencer is a total pro at cleaning up the messes of the rich and famous. Even working with the man who took her virginity and broke her heart ten years ago can't rattle her. Until he touches her again. One caress — and one very hot kiss — is all it takes to spark the same knee-quaking electricity, and soon they're mixing business and extreme pleasure. But knowing the danger this bad boy poses to her heart, Julie is determined to keep her distance. But Ty has a game plan of his own. The more he misbehaves, the more Julie will have to keep tabs on him — and the more he can give his dream girl some very real thrills, by showing her just how fun it is to be bad. This time around, he's game for anything...especially winning her heart.
It doesn't get hotter than this!  Zack fights fires and saves lives, yet his own thirst for life has run dry-until he comes to the rescue of a sharp-tongued exotic dancer named Corrine Shannon who soon has the normally shy hero burning out of control. But just as they are consumed by flames of passion, they find themselves under fire from two relentless enemies with fifty million reasons to succeed. Can they withstand the heat while trying to save their own lives-or will their newfound romance be extinguished as fast as it began?*FOR REVIEW* A new twist on the coming-of-age memoir in this eccentric and captivating story of the summer the author ran away from college to join the Sandinista revolutionaries in Nicaragua  "1987 is the year I did nothing. The year I fought in no war, contributed to no cause, didn't get shot, jailed, or injured . . . The only thing that changed as a result of our presence was us." Some people go to the Tibetan Himalayas to find themselves; some to Italy's great temples of art. Not Deb Olin Unferth. A freshman at a large state university, raised a secular Jew, Unferth fell in love with a Christian idealist and followed him to Central America in search of a revolution. Despite their earnest commitment to revolutionary causes— all revolutionary causes—and to each other, the couple find themselves unwanted, unhelpful, and unprepared as they bop around looking for "revolution jobs." As the months wear on, cracks begin to form in the foundation of their relationship. They get fired, they get sick, they run out of money and grow disillusioned with the revolution and each other. With an unflinching and unique comic sensibility, Unferth reflects on the youthful search for meaning and on what happens to a country and its people after the revolution is over.
They formed a bond so strong even death couldn’t keep them apart.  CEO Eric Randall’s plan is simple—fix the mess his researchers have created in Malaysia, experience the pleasures the country has to offer, and hightail it back to the comforts of America. Then again, simple plans always seem to have a way of going awry. All it takes is one beautiful aborigine to completely flip his world upside down, and Eric finds himself stranded in a world of Malaysian myths and legends. A novice shaman amongst her people, Berani is free and independent; the rainforest is her playground. Yet all is not well in her homeland. Evil forces are slowly causing her people to dwindle to extinction. When a strange speaking man invades her forest, she has one more item to add to her already troubled life. One thing for sure, she’s not about to let some overbearing human control her on her own turf. Attraction or no, she will fight Eric tooth and claw to maintain her freedom. But will she end up destroying herself in the process?The Grammulu Emperor of the Mulu Empire has ordered that newly wed Surmmulu must not have children, and therefore have to choose between living together in sexual slavery, living apart, or breaking their religious laws. Herra and Stuww choose to live together in sexual slavery to the Aqquo horse shape shifters who are the Emperor's personal horses.   Can Herra and Stuww's relationship survive?

The John Doe bleeding out on the ER gurney had to be the sexiest man Adele had ever seen. Too beautiful to die. As an ER nurse, she works to save him, but her bond--her connection--to him lingers long after he's out of danger. What she didn't expect was that before the night was over her life would end up in his strong, surprisingly capable hands. Wyatt Young's exile had few perks-condemned to Greensboro, he had a steady stream of loud, cranky people, and lousy food. Constantly hunted by his uncle, he's startled when he wakes up shirtless in a hospital, with his sword missing and his torso ripped apart. A beautiful healer helps him recover-a healer he can't stop thinking about even when he passes out. A bond is formed between Adele and Wyatt-one they can't fight. Wyatt's uncle seeks to make Adele his personal healer-at any cost. Adele is the key to Wyatt's salvation and his redemption. He won't let her go without a fight. Ever.

Two years after leaving home to make his own fortune, Joshua Bradley has finally returned to the Bradley Equine Ranch-and to Tessa McCade, the sexy ranch manager with whom he shared a single steamy tryst.

Tessa now owns the ranch like she's always dreamed-but it's in trouble. Dozens of horses have been lost and she's on the brink of bankruptcy. To save his family's business, Josh offers to buy it from her...and share the ranch house with her once again.

Tessa chafes at needing Josh's help, but she's never forgotten the taste of pleasure Josh gave her so long ago. Soon, neither of them can resist the desire mounting between them, and unleash a passion that is even more powerful than Tessa's pride... *FREE E-BOOKS*

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

Ever wonder how Italian sounds with a Southern drawl?

Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding?

Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

"I fell in love with the Rossi clan, who feel as passionately about their pizza as Texans do about chili. Add a hunky cowboy with a slow Southern drawl, and you've got a recipe for one terrific story."--Virginia Smith, author, Stuck in the Middle

"A charming tale about stumbling upon love and finding a bit of your true self along life's journey. This fun read makes you grateful for the truly important things in life."--Megan DiMaria, author, Searching for Spice and Out of Her Hands

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and native Texan. An experienced wedding coordinator herself, Thompson brings alive in her books the everyday drama and humor of getting married. She lives in Texas.

Two Hearts. One Hope.

Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

What's in your mailbox this week?

Scene's from our Blizzard

2011-02-02T05:16:00.000-06:00

So I live in the Great White Midwest...More specifically...Wisconsin. Since Monday it has been pretty much snowing non-stop here with the exception of about 10 hours...But that was before the REAL blizzard showed up and raised all sorts of hell. Below are some scenes from the blizzard.

The little bit of green you can see is a flower window basket attached to the side of our deck and the post is the corner post of our deck...We have a covered deck so that my mom could have a porch swing. As you can see at about 3:15 this morning the snow was as high as our deck and it's not supposed to end until later this morning.

This is the same corner post just a different angle. The red thing is a shovel...we have to dig out a path/area for our dogs to do their business. Again it's deck high on this side too.

The snow depth according to our patio window.

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Passion and a few of her friends

2011-02-02T03:00:00.000-06:00

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross and fought immortals at Shoreline, they lived many lives. . . .

Available June 14, 2011

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Available February 8, 2011

Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn't live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he's never known, and just when he thinks he's got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?

Continuing all the steamy romance of the first two books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles gives fans one more satisfying taste of the irresistible Fuentes boys.

Available May 24, 2011

#1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward's thrilling new novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself--only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can--but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?

Available March 29, 2011

Still looking for Guest Posters/Guest Authors

2011-02-01T00:10:00.000-06:00

I'm still looking for some more guest posters/guest author for my Love event over at For The Love of YA. If you are interested you can drop me an e-mail at bookjunkie221@gmail.com. I don't really have a "theme" I'm going with love wise....just as long as your post has something to do with some sort of love and your able to email me a copy before it goes live that is all that I really am asking.

February Review Link Up ~ Christian Fiction

2011-02-01T00:02:00.000-06:00

This is the place to link up your February reviews for the 2011 Christian Fiction Challenge. If you aren't participating in the challenge and would like to click here to go to the sign up post.

February Review Link Up ~ Support Your Local Library

2011-02-01T00:01:00.003-06:00

This is the place to link up your February reviews for The Support Your Local Library Challenge. If you aren't participating in the challenge and would like to click here to go to the sign up post.

February Review Link Up ~ Strong Heroine

2011-02-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

This is the place to link up your February reviews for the 2011 Strong Heroine Challenge. If you aren't participating in the challenge and would like to please click here to go to the sign up post.

February Review Link Up ~ Urban Fantasy Challenge

2011-02-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

This is the place to link up your February reviews for the 2011 Urban Fantasy Challenge. If your not participating in the challenge and would like to click here to go to the sign up page.

GnL Recommend ~ Paranormal Edition

2011-01-31T09:27:00.000-06:00

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

To read my human's review click here.

After being separated from his fiancee centuries ago, Gabriel binds himself to a sorceress who makes him immortal and promises to help him find his lost love. But when the woman he's been looking for is discovered living in modern times, Gabriel finds the sorceress has no intention of letting him go.

To read my human's review click here.

GnL Recommend ~ Animal Stories

2011-01-24T00:45:00.002-06:00

I haven't done GnL Recommend in a VERY long time....So without further ado....I give you GnL Recommend....Animal Story Edition. Take it away girlies!

This vivid inside look into the world of horseracing, complete with colorful horses, jockeys, trainers and gallop girls, wonderfully depicts the insights horses and other animals can offer when we reevaluate our relationship with them. Reardon shares an unlikely story. In 2004, she quit her Washington DC–area office job and moved to rural Texas to open the racehorse adoption ranch LOPE. (LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers.) Though now the director of this high-profile organization that has saved more than 600 thoroughbreds from the slaughterhouse, Reardon didn’t learn to ride until she was an adult. Horses like Tawakoni, the son of a Kentucky Derby winner, and Endofthestorm, the speedy bay who required an emergency tracheotomy, give Reardon — and readers — an apprenticeship in facing fear and finding a new life.

Ten-year-old Willy needs to win the big dogsled race in order to pay the back taxes on his grandfather's farm--but that means beating the huge Indian mountain man, Stone Fox. "Gardiner's description of the race and sudden climax (based on legend) is fast-paced and enveloping."--School Library Journal. New York Times Outstanding Children's Book. NOTE: Our human LOVES this movie!

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.

“One Good Dog is a wonderful novel: a moving, tender, and brilliantly crafted story about two fighters—one a man, one a dog— hoping to leave the fight behind, who ultimately find their salvation in each other. Susan Wilson’s clear and unflinching style is perfectly suited for her story that strips away the trappings and toys we all hide behind, and exposes our essential need to give and accept love in order to thrive.”—Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

Adam March is a self-made “Master of the Universe.” He has it all: the beautiful wife, the high-powered job, the glittering circle of friends. But there is a price to be paid for all these trappings, and the pressure is mounting—until the day Adam makes a fatal mistake. His assistant leaves him a message with three words: your sister called. What no one knows is that Adam’s sister has been missing for decades. That she represents the excruciatingly painful past he has left behind. And that her absence has secretly tormented him all these years. When his assistant brushes off his request for an explanation in favor of her more pressing personal call, Adam loses it. And all hell breaks loose.

Adam is escorted from the building. He loses his job. He loses his wife. He loses the life he’s worked so hard to achieve. He doesn’t believe it is possible to sink any lower when he is assigned to work in a soup kitchen as a form of community service. But unbeknownst to Adam, this is where his life will intersect with Chance.

Chance is a mixed breed Pit Bull. He’s been born and raised to fight and seldom leaves the dirty basement where he is kept between fights. But Chance is not a victim or a monster. It is Chance’s unique spirit that helps him escape and puts him in the path of Adam.

What transpires is the story of one man, one dog, and how they save each other—in ways they never could have expected.

NOTE: Our human bought this in e-book format because of the beginning of the story. You think the author is talking about one character but you don't realize until the last sentence of the first section that she's talking about the other.

Looking for Guest Posters/Guest Authors

2011-01-22T04:42:00.000-06:00

Coming up in February I am in the process of putting together a little bloggy feature called "14 Days of Love." This little feature will commence on my YA book blog For The Love of YA on February 8th @ 12:01 am and will conclude on February 21st (MY B-DAY! The BIG 27!)) @ 11:59 pm.

So here I am...Putting out a call for the following:

~ Guest Posters*

~ Guest Authors*

~ Individuals who might be interested in hosting or contributing to a giveaway

If you are interested in becoming a guest poster/guest author please feel free to drop me an email at bookjunkie221@gmail.com.

*Since this feature is about love and this is being hosted on a YA blog, I am trying to guest post "love" related.

Bloggiesta Update # 1

2011-01-22T02:25:00.000-06:00

So here's my first update for Bloggiesta here on The Book Junkie's Bookshelf. I don't know if you would consider them a "series" or not, but I have decided to bring back GnL Recommend. Starting on Monday with the Animal Story edition GnL Recommend will be a regular Monday feature here at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf. Yeah I accomplished something on the list that I hadn't even thought about doing!

Bloggiesta!

2011-01-22T01:31:00.000-06:00

It's on like Donkey Kong! I'm bound and determined to get my blogs under control! I don't know how much time I'll be able to spend on it over the designated 2 remaining days but I'm going to do my best. I've had some things come up in Real Life that take precident over the blogs.
So here's a list of things that I'd like to get done here on the blog (Blue are my list for now):

Write reviews.

Write backup posts for a rainy day.

Write that great post idea from three months back.

Work on series posts.

Write guest posts.

Put out invitations for guest posts.

Conduct and edit author interviews.

Create template posts for your future reads (ie: title, images, linking, tags, etc,) so you can open up, write review and post without being bogged down with technicalities

Clean up your tags, archives, books reviewed list, etc.

Create a text file (or Google Doc) of cheat sheets (html codes, post url’s, etc)

Improve your blog template, clean up sidebars, add a favicon, install those plugins that you’ve been meaning to do.

Add or edit your about me page, review policy, disclosure policy, privacy policy, create landing pages (for example – an about me for Twitter readers page) or any other pages you might have.

Any bloggy type housekeeping that you’ve been neglecting.

Clean up and update your challenge lists. Link up your posts with hosts.

Make sure all of your social network profiles are up to date. Be consistent in those profiles with color scheme, images, etc.

Go get a gravatar.

Visit the Blogging Tips group on the Book Blogs Ning and find ways to improve your blog.

Work on any specialized projects that you may have going.

Clean out and organize your feed reader and blog subscriptions.

Create an elevator pitch.

Make business cards.

Find a blogging buddy.

Analyze and re-evaulate your blog.

Back up your blog.

Learn more about blogging, read great articles, get inspired.

Make sure you have properly copyrighted your blog and know what to do when somebody reposts your material.

Brainstorm blogging topics.

Manage your feedreader.

Help other bloggers, answer questions, share your expertise (let’s face it – this is the best part of Bloggiesta!)

The sky’s the limit!

Book Blogger Hop and Friday Follow

2011-01-14T07:40:00.001-06:00

"Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?"

I read all sorts of genre's to be honest. I like to keep my options open and I'm pretty open to learning all sorts of new things. If I have to pick a genre I guess I'm really liking YA right now. I don't know what it is about it...it just sucks me in.

What makes up your non-human family??

Well...I have 2 dogs Gus and Laci (they made my blog header) and 2 of those $.28 feeder goldfish that keep going and going.

Link up your January reviews - Urban Fantasy Challenge

2011-01-10T05:50:00.000-06:00

This is the place to link up your January reviews for the 2011 Urban Fantasy Challenge. If your not participating in the challenge and would like to click here to go to the sign up page.

Link up your January reviews - Strong Heroine Challenge

2011-01-10T05:45:00.000-06:00

This is the place to link up your January reviews for the 2011 Strong Heroine Challenge. If you aren't participating in the challenge and would like to please click here to go to the sign up post.

Link up you January reviews - Christian Fiction Challenge

2011-01-10T05:39:00.000-06:00

This is the place to link up your January reviews for the 2011 Christian Fiction Challenge. If you aren't participating in the challenge and would like to click here to go to the sign up post.

Link up your January reviews - Support Your Local Library

2011-01-10T05:33:00.000-06:00

This is the place to link up your January reviews for The Support Your Local Library Challenge. If you aren't participating in the challenge and would like to click here to go to the sign up post.

Bloggiesta!

2011-01-10T04:54:00.000-06:00

I actually get to particpate now! Yeah for no more working weekends! Anywho...Here is the 411 on Bloggiesta the 4th:

It’s already time for the fourth edition of Bloggiesta! Are you a blogger? (With apologies to those who are not). If so, this event is just for you! Bloggiesta is scheduled for January 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. The beginning of the year is a great time to evaluate your blog, see how you’re doing, and get re-energized for the rest of the year!

Some of you may be asking what is Bloggiesta? In short, it’s a blogging marathon. A opportunity to cross those nagging items off of your to-do list and improve your blog while in the good company of other awesome bloggers doing the same thing. Our awesome mascot Pedro (Plan. Edit. Develop. Review. Organize) is ready to break out the nachos, enchiladas, drinks, mariachi music and whack a pinata or two! It’s nothing short of an awesome fiesta!

What to do during the Bloggiesta?

•Write reviews.

•Write backup posts for a rainy day.

•Write that great post idea from three months back.

•Work on series posts.

•Write guest posts.

•Put out invitations for guest posts.

•Conduct and edit author interviews.

•Create template posts for your future reads (ie: title, images, linking, tags, etc,) so you can open up, write review and post without being bogged down with technicalities

•Clean up your tags, archives, books reviewed list, etc.

•Create a text file (or Google Doc) of cheat sheets (html codes, post url’s, etc)

•Improve your blog template, clean up sidebars, add a favicon, install those plugins that you’ve been meaning to do.

•Add or edit your about me page, review policy, disclosure policy, privacy policy, create landing pages (for example – an about me for Twitter readers page) or any other pages you might have.

•Any bloggy type housekeeping that you’ve been neglecting.

•Clean up and update your challenge lists. Link up your posts with hosts.

•Make sure all of your social network profiles are up to date. Be consistent in those profiles with color scheme, images, etc.

•Go get a gravatar.

•Visit the Blogging Tips group on the Book Blogs Ning and find ways to improve your blog.

•Work on any specialized projects that you may have going.

•Clean out and organize your feed reader and blog subscriptions.

•Create an elevator pitch.

•Make business cards.

•Find a blogging buddy.

•Analyze and re-evaulate your blog.

•Back up your blog.

•Learn more about blogging, read great articles, get inspired.

•Make sure you have properly copyrighted your blog and know what to do when somebody reposts your material.

•Brainstorm blogging topics.

•Manage your feedreader.

•Help other bloggers, answer questions, share your expertise (let’s face it – this is the best part of Bloggiesta!)

•The sky’s the limit!

If you want to play along head on over to MAW Books Blog to sign up to join the fun!

A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley

2011-01-10T04:36:00.000-06:00

Synopis:

She's an outlaw; he's a preacher. Both are in need of a miracle.

Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life. Just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot first and ask questions later.

Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when the once-respected clergyman encounters a feisty redhead in handcuffs with a dying U.S. Marshal at her side, their journey takes a dramatic turn.

His high society expectations and Sarah's outlaw habits clash from the start. With a price on her head and towing an orphaned baby rescued from the brink of starvation, Justin and Sarah make the difficult journey toward Rocky Creek. There, justice will be meted out. Perhaps—they hope—with a healthy portion of grace.

Filled with mishaps, laughs, and adventure, Margaret Brownley's inspiring romance will keep readers cheering for Sarah as she struggles to become a true lady.

Review:

This is my first ever Christian fiction novel and I really enjoyed it a lot. In the past Christian fiction hasn't really been something that I thought would "trip my trigger" so I just avoided that section at all costs in the bookstore. I'm glad to say that I was WRONG about the genre.

The story is about two characters who are trying to find God in unlikely places and circumstances. Sarah Prescott is an outlaw and a member of THE Prescott gang, who has always dreamed of having a "normal" life and Justin Wells is a Reverend who is out of his element, trying to bring God's word to the rough and tumble town of Rocky Creek.

Through many danger's, toils and snares....Justin and Sarah find the answers to their prayers. As well as one thing that neither of them had counted on at all....Love.

Overall, I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I can hardly wait to tear into book number 2...A Suitor for Jenny.

Rating: 4/5

Delirious by Daniel Palmer

2011-01-09T13:06:00.000-06:00

Synopsis:

One day, Charlie Giles is an up-and-coming electronics superstar. The next, he's a prime homicide suspect as his former employers are picked off one by one. Charlie watches his life unravel as his company and inventions are wrenched from his control, and his family is decimated. With nowhere else to turn, he enlists his schizophrenic brother to uncover the dark family secrets that lie at the heart of the unfolding terror. "Delirious" is a mind-bending story where the line between what is real and what is imagined twists and turns...an addictive literary puzzle that every reader will want to solve.

Review:

Oh my goodness! When I started this book I had no idea what to expect. I'm still pretty new to the Thriller genre and I'd never read a Techno-thriller before. I'm really glad that I took a leap of faith on this book because I really enjoyed it.

Charlie Giles has it all at the beginning of the book. He has a great job and has a fair number of people who work for him. But then he gets word that his department is being "axed" and the job has been done internally. Even though Charlie tries extremely hard not to lose his job he is eventually fired. To add insult to injury he's becoming Delirious just like his brother and father....NOT GOOD AT ALL!

That's when things start to get REALLY interesting! Charlie finds a note that he apparently hand wrote himself, that lists all the people from his old job who MUST die. Charlie doesn't remember writing such a horrible note. Was he the one who ACTUALLY wrote it? Has Charlie already acted on the note or not? That is where the roller coaster begins! Usually I'm not a fan of roller coasters but the one in this book was a fun ride.

I thought that this book, for a debut, was really strongly written through out the whole book. This may sound really sick but my favorite part was watching Charlie deteriorate into craziness. I was a little disappointed by the climax of the story. There was a really strong build up to it and then it kind of leveled off.

Overall, I was really impressed by this book. Even with the leveling off at the climax I wasn't able to knock the rating down too much. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to add a little craziness to their TBR pile.

Rating:

4.75/5

See what reading has got me doing now!

2011-01-09T09:21:00.001-06:00

Ok, so for the past couple hours I've been reading The Frugalista Files by Natalie McNeal (review coming soon) and as I was reading I kept thinking...."I am in the same boat as Natalie." So I have decided that I am going to make some lifestyle changes and I AM going to get myself out of debt. I've already created the blog...It's called Sheepless in the City....and not only am I going to blog about becoming debt free I am going to blog about my life in general....I've got some recipes and other crafty stuff to share so I hope that you'll drop by and say hi.

Update on being Hacked

2011-01-08T11:01:00.002-06:00

After hearing from several bloggers out there in the bloggy world I have come to realize that I may have jumped ship too quickly. After the security measures I've already put into place I have decided that I am going to remain here. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused...believe me it wasn't intentional....I tend to do things like this when I'm really tired.

I've been HACKED!

2011-01-08T02:28:00.000-06:00

Have I mentioned how much I REALLY don't like bad people?! I really don't. I like the bad people who hacked my blogger account even less! I've been doing what I can to remedy the situation but it doesn't seem to be working (dang hackers!). As a result of this very unfortunate situation I am in the process of moving my book blogging venture to a new account. You can find me at my new book blogging home Once Upon A Time..... So far all I have up on there is 1 review of my first ever Christian fiction novel and some goals I have set for myself for 2011. For those who are participating in challenges that I am hosting....I will continue to monitor this account and get rid of any "bad" posts as soon as I find them. I will also be linking my reviews back to the original challenge post from the new blog. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at bookjunkie221@gmail.com.

Gentlemne/Ladies....

2011-01-01T01:32:00.000-06:00

Start your reading challenge engines! In the next few days (hopefully) I will have a post up for each challenge where you can post your reviews (if you intend to review the books you've been reading). So there it is...short and sweet. Let the reading challenges begin!

Off The Shelf Challenge

2010-12-21T07:07:00.003-06:00

Note: This challenge is to read those books you own copies of, but have never got around to reading. If you don't have many that you own, but have a massive TBR shelf you're welcome to read those ones as long as you don't add new ones. You don't need to actually get rid of your books after you've read them, this is just to read them.

How To Participate

Decide which challenge level you'll be doing (further below) - do not include books that you buy from the start of this challenge.

Grab the code for the badge down below and post it on a side bar or in a signature (if you want to participate, but aren't blogging, on a social network or forum - Submission For Non Bloggers).

Create your own post to let all your readers know you’re taking part in the challenge and at what level (if you're really proficient you can list your books!). Make sure to link back to this page with either one of the buttons or a text link..

Use the link form below to enter into the challenge by sharing your challenge post url and your name (either your name, blog name, or both).Please don't use the comment form to participate, only to comment on the challenge or something else..

Submit your reviews (if you choose to review them, but that is optional) on the review page.

When you’ve completed you’re challenge let us know on the completion post. If you're using a tag or category I recommend sharing the link back to that so everyone can find them

Challenge Levels

Tempted– Choose 5 books to read

Trying – Choose 15 books to read

Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read

On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read

Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read

For extra hard challenges

Hoarder – Choose 76-125 books to read

Buried – Choose 126-200 books to read

I am choosing (for now...I might upgrade) to do the Making a Dint level.

1. A Lady like Sarah (Christian Fiction)
2. Fantasy Lover (Paranormal Romance)
3. The Frugalista Files (Non-Fiction)

2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge

2010-12-19T06:55:00.004-06:00

I participated in this challenge last year when it was hosted by J. Kayes book blog. But it seems that J. Kaye is no longer blogging and I really wanted to do this challenge again so I thought that I would try my hand at hosting it.

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Just create a post for the challenge and link to your challenge post in the linky below.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. There are four levels to this challenge...Pick your poison:

--The Mini – Check out and read 30 library books.

--"Fun" Size – Check out and read 40 library books.

--Jumbo Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

--Mega Size – Check out and read 51+ library books.
(Aim high. As long as you read 30 by the end of 2011, you are a winner.)

3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – basically any book counts just as long as it is checked out from the library. Books MUST be checked out like with a library card, books purchased at a library DO NOT count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

6. Challenge begins January 1st 2011 and goes thru December 31 2011.

MY TITLES

The DUFF
Knitting for Dummies
Knitting Patterns for Dummies
Where I Belong
The Iron Witch
Unearthly
Crescendo
Mercy Kill

100+ Reading Challenge

2010-12-19T05:24:00.005-06:00

Hosted by Amy @ My Overstuffed Bookcase. (click the link to go to the sign up page) DETAILS:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2011. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

NOTE: All books read and reviewed on my other blogs will be linked in this post.

MY TITLES:

1. The DUFF2. Texas Tangle (EROTICA)
3. A Lady Like Sarah (Christian Fiction)4. Fantasy Lover (Paranormal Romance)5. The Frugalista Files (Non-Fiction)6. Knitting For Dummies (Non-Fiction)7. Knitting Patterns for Dummies (Non-Fiction)8. Virgin River9. Shelter Mountain10. Whispering Rock11. A Virgin River Christmas12. Where I Belong13. Hush Hush14. Crescendo15. The Iron Witch16. Empire of the Summer Moon17. Seduced by Destiny18. Highland Master19. Blood Knot20. I Beat The Odds21. Pegasus22. Intrinsical23. Falke's Peak24. A Creed In Stone Creek25. No Mercy26. Mercy Kill

2011 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

2010-12-19T05:14:00.001-06:00

Hosted by Reading With Tequila. (click the link to go to sign up page)

The Rules:

•Challenge will run January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Participants can join anytime throughout the challenge.

•Create an intro post, linking back to this post.

•Sign up with the MckLinky below. Please link to your challenge intro post, not your blog home page.

•Chose your own books from the list. You can decide to read books only on the Top 25 list or from the entire recommendation list. You do not have to make a list of books before the challenge begins.

•All forms of books acceptable (audiobooks, eBooks, etc.)

•Rereads do not count towards the completion of the challenge. The challenge is about discovering books that are new to you.

•You don't need a blog to participate.

•Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

MY TITLES (I chose Level V - 20+ books):

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows - J.K. Rowling
3. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
4. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
5. The Host - Stephenie Meyer
6. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
7. City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
8. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
9. DreamFever - Karen Marie Moning
10. Darkfever - Karen Marie Moning
11. Rot & Ruin - Jonathan Maberry

12. Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

13. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
14. Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
15. Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick
16. Graceling - Kristin Cashore
17. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling
18. Soulless - Gail Carriger
19. The Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum
20. The Giver - Lois Lowry
21. The Princess Bride - William Goldman
22. Where the Red Fern Grows - Wilson Rawls
23. Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver
24. Fallen - Lauren Kate
25. Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

26. Halo - Alexandra Adornetto
27. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling
28. Linger - Maggie Stiefvater
29. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
30. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
31. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
32. Tuesdays With Morrie - Mitch Albom
33. The DUFF - Kody Keplinger
34. Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon
35. Fire - Kristin Cashore
36. Poison Study - Maria V. Snyder
37. Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead
38. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
39. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
40. Laid Bare - Lauren Dane
41. The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
42. Persuasion - Jane Austen
43. Emma - Jane Austen
44. Nightshade - Andrea Cremer

45. Shadow Hills - Anastasia Hopcus
46. Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
47. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling
48. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith
49. The Passage - Justin Cronin

50. Torment - Lauren Kate
51. A Certain Wolfish Charm - Lydia Dare
52. A Midsummer Night's Dream - William Shakespeare
53. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer

54. Lover Avenged - J.R. Ward
55. The BFG - Roald Dahl
56. The Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa

57. Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
58. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
59. Beautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
60. Crank - Ellen Hopkins
61. Delirium - Lauren Oliver
62. Silver Borne - Patricia Briggs

63. Dracula - Bram Stoker
64. Leaving Paradise - Simone Elkeles
65. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

I was suprised to see that I actually own a decent number of books that made the lists. Hence why my list of titles is 65 titles long! NOTE: All books that are listed here that are either Romance or YA/MG will have there reviews linked to this post.

2011 Mystery & Suspense Challenge

2010-12-19T03:57:00.000-06:00

NOTE: If you participate in the challenge each member is able to claim a FREE arc of The Survivor by Sean Slater. Click on the button above to go to the sign up page.

Other Details

•Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

•Rules: To read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2011 (12 is the minimum but you can read more if you wish!)

•You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

•You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.

•At the beginning of Jan 2011, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews. There will be a monthly prize too courtesy of the lovely Simon & Schuster - you must be signed up to the challenge and add the link to your review to be entered into the monthly prize draw.

MY TITLES:

Sooo Busy

2010-12-15T08:24:00.000-06:00

I am soooo busy! So I haven't had a lot of reading time lately between work and knitting some Christmas presents I've been UBER busy. Hopefully everyone is having a Happy and Safe Holiday season?! We just survived our first BLIZZARD of the year here in Wisconsin. I've been hearing on the news that all over the country there has been "interesting" weather lately.

I won't be back to blogging regularly until after the New Year....So early Happy New Year everyone!

Moon Crossed by Patricia Briggs

2010-12-07T08:50:00.000-06:00

Title: Moon Called
Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated

Release Date: 2006, January 31

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Source: Paperbackswap.com

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they'll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I'm not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too.

Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.

She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.

But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself ... and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

The "Short Story:"

Were-wolves, shape shifters, vamps and more oh my!

The "Long Story:"

Now that I've actually read the first book in the series so many things from the last book I read in this series makes sense. I really like Mercy....She's a "no nonsense" take no prisoners type of heroine...I really LIKE ass kicking heroines!

I also was really impressed by all the attention to detail towards how the relationships between all the different types of paranormals in the book work as well as the politics. I'm not usually big on politics but I think that the politics in this book were pretty alright.

Alright....I'm jealous of Mercy. Who doesn't want to have the attention of not 1 but 2 sexy werewolves?!

The suspense kept me turning pages. All the twists and turns kept me wanting MORE! I really hated to put the book down. The only thing I didn't really care for was how LONG it took me to get this book read....DANG YOU REAL LIFE!

2011 E-book Challenge

2010-12-03T08:22:00.001-06:00

Hosted by The Ladybug Reads.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post about the E-Book Reading Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can join in and read your reviews and post.

I have chosen to do the OBSESSED level.

1. The Frugalista Files

Waiting on Wednesday

2010-12-01T08:21:00.000-06:00

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The New York Times bestselling author and master of suspense delivers another novel at the crossroads of politics and medicine in this shocker of a thriller

On the night of the State of the Union address, President Max Hilliard expects to give the speech of his career. But no one anticipates the terrifying turn of events that forces him to quarantine everyone in the Capitol building. A terrorist group calling itself “Genesis” has unleashed WRX3883, a deadly, highly contagious virus, into the building. No one fully knows the deadly effect of the germ except for the team responsible for its development—a team headed by Hilliard, himself. The only one who might be able to help is virologist Griffin Rhodes, currently in solitary confinement in a maximum security federal prison for alleged terrorist acts, including the attempted theft of WRX3883 from the lab where he worked. Rhodes has no idea why he has been arrested, but when Hilliard offers to free him in exchange for his help combating the virus, he reluctantly agrees to do what he can to support the government that has imprisoned him without apparent cause.

Meanwhile, every single person in line for presidential succession is trapped inside the Capitol—every person except one: the Director of Homeland Security, who is safely at home in Minnesota, having been selected as the “Designated Survivor” for this event. With enemies both named and unnamed closing in, and the security of the nation at stake, Griff must unravel the mysteries of WRX3883 without violating his pledge as a scientist to use no animal testing in his experiments…and time is running out.

Tense, thrilling, and entirely plausible, A Heartbeat Away will make you reflect, wonder, and be truly afraid.

Available February 15, 2011

In My Mailbox

2010-11-28T04:01:00.000-06:00

Welcome to In My Mailbox! You can find out how to participate and the "official" details on the IMM page.

IMM is a meme I started here at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.

**Library**

My name is Gin, and I kill people.

They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South — when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way — good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction...especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

Teaser Tuesday - Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

2010-11-23T08:39:00.000-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

"With my fangs," I told her; she knew what I was. "It was sort of an accident - at least his death was."

Pick The Blog Apart - The Book Junkie's Bookshelf Survey

2010-11-20T11:12:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've done a survey and I think it's time that I do one again. I am in the process of giving this particular blog a major overhaul...complete with a new blog design. So I'm asking you, the reader's of The Book Junkie's Bookshelf, to help me pick my blog apart in an effort to improve my blog. Below is the survey that I've come up with. If you have idea's you can leave them in the survey or feel free to drop me an e-mail (if you do drop me and e-mail please let me know in the subject that your critiquing my blog). I WANT you to pick my blog apart. I WANT an unbiased opinion.
Here are some of the idea's that I've come up with so far for my upcoming overhaul.....

**Pages**

Home
About
Reviews - Coded so when you click on the page it shows all of my review posts.
Review Policy
Challenges - Coded so when you click on the page it shows all of my book challenges.
Interviews - Coded so when you click on the page it shows all of my interviews.
GnL Recommend - Coded so when you click on the page it shows all GnL posts.
Discussion Posts - Coded to show all Discussion Posts

**Contact/Social Networking/Other Blogs**

Email Button - Click the button and it goes to e-mail
Twitter Button - Click the button and it goes to Twitter
Facebook Button - Click the button it goes to FB.
Goodreads Button - Click and goes to my Goodreads profile
YA/MG reviews - Takes you For The Love of YA
Romance/Erotica Reviews - Takes you Nitty Gritty

2011 Christian Fiction Reading Challenge

2010-11-19T02:01:00.002-06:00

Book Blogger Hops!

2010-11-19T01:33:00.002-06:00

The question for this week is: "Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!"

I'm thankful for this great blogging community. I sometimes do a lot of bitching here on The Book Junkie's Bookshelf when I don't understand something about our community and there are always bloggers out there who are willing to put their perspective out there for me to read.

Family wise....I'm thankful that my brother's wedding went off with out any problems. We have a few people in our family who are "Wild Cards" and we were a little bit worried. I'm not really sure what the plan holds for the actual Thanksgiving Day but I know there's TONS of yumminess headed my way!

The question for this week is: How long have you been book blogging??

Here on The Book Junkie's Bookshelf I've been blogging since September of 2009. So I've been at it for a little over a year.

This hop is hosted by Bitten by Paranormal Romance.
The question for this week is: What is one of your recent hot reads?

It's been a few weeks but the "hottest" read that I've LOVED (to the point of jumping up and down and telling people THEY MUST READ THIS BOOK!) and reviewed on this blog is The Lost Dogs. It's about the Michael Vick dogs and their trials and tribulations. I really liked how the dog's were portrayed as the victims and how Vick was "The Big Bad Wolf" in the whole situation.

What I've been up to recently on the blog:

2011 Strong Heroine Reading Challenge

2011 Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge

2011 Christian Fiction Reading Challenge

2011 "Lucas Davenport" series by John Sandford Reading Challenge

Wedding Pics part 1

"Sharing The Wealth" discussion post

Wedding Pix part UNO

2010-11-18T07:06:00.000-06:00

This is my family....L to R: My dad, my new sister-in-law, my brother, myself (apparently I was going for "Sarah Palin" when I got my hair done) and my mom.

AWWW!

My Brother and his witness being...well...themselves.

2011 Strong Heroine Reading Challenge

2010-11-15T00:59:00.000-06:00

The Rules:

1. Create a post for the challenge using the image above and link back to this post.

--Non-Bloggers: You are welcome to join too. Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. Sign up with the Mr. Linky.

--Link to your challenge post when you sign up please.

3. The goal of this challenge is to read AT LEAST 12 novels that have "Strong Heroine's" between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Books read before January 1, 2011 do NOT count towards the challenge.

4. Audio, eBooks, paper all count. Re-reads are ok but try to keep them to a minimum. Cross overs from other challenges are ok.

5. There is no need to create your list now. Please feel free to use your challenge post to keep track of your titles if you so desire.

Here are a couple of lists that I found on Goodreads if you are looking for ideas: Strong Heroine Series (238 titles), Best Heroine in a Fantasy Book (311 titles), The Heroine Book Lists.

2011 Urban Fantasy Challenge

2010-11-15T00:44:00.000-06:00

The Rules:

1. Create a post for the challenge using the image above and link back to this post.

--Non-Bloggers: You are welcome to join too. Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. Sign up with the Mr. Linky.

--Link to your challenge post when you sign up please.

3. There are 4 levels:

-- Newbie ~ read 5 Urban Fantasy titles

-- Intermediate ~ read 15 Urban Fantasy titles

-- Moderate ~ read 25 Urban Fantasy titles

-- Professional ~ read 40 Urban Fantasy titles

**An "up the anty" Challenge**

-- Rockstar ~ Read 60 Urban Fantasy titles

-- AWESOME SAUCE ~ Read 80 Urban Fantasy Titles

The goal of this challenge is to try your chosen level of Urban Fantasy novels between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Books read before January 1, 2011 do NOT count towards the challenge.

4. Audio, eBooks, paper all count. Re-reads are ok but try to keep them to a minimum. Cross overs from other challenges are ok.

5. There is no need to create your list now. Please feel free to use your challenge post to keep track of your titles if you so desire.

If you are looking for idea's I found this list on Goodreads. It has close to 600 Urban Fantasy titles on it and it maybe a good place to start if this is a "new to you" genre.

2011 "Lucas Davenport" series by John Sanford Challenge

2010-11-15T00:15:00.000-06:00

The Rules:

1. Create a post for the challenge using the image above and link back to this post.

--Non-Bloggers: You are welcome to join too. Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. Sign up with the Mr. Linky.

--Link to your challenge post when you sign up please.

3. The goal of this challenge is to read as many of John Sandford's "Lucas Davenport" novels (there are 20 already published and 1 to be published in May of 2011) between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Books read before January 1, 2011 do NOT count towards the challenge.

4. Audio, eBooks, paper all count. Re-reads are ok but try to keep them to a minimum. Cross overs from other challenges are ok.

5. There is no need to create your list now. Please feel free to use your challenge post to keep track of your titles if you so desire.

The series in order:

1. Rules of Prey
2. Shadow Prey
3. Eyes of Prey
4. Silent Prey
5. Winter Prey
6. Night Prey
7. Mind Prey
8. Sudden Prey
9. Secret Prey
10. Certain Prey
11. Easy Prey
12. Chosen Prey
13. Mortal Prey
14. Naked Prey
15. Hidden Prey
16. Broken Prey
17. Invisible Prey
18. Phantom Prey
19. Wicked Prey
20. Storm Prey
21. Buried Prey (May 10, 2011)

Discussion Post - Sharing the "wealth"

2010-11-14T01:52:00.000-06:00

I was going through my google reader this morning (which is a very scary place right now because I haven't checked it all week) and I found a post that I was inspired by to write this post. I've been blogging for a little over a year now and then I've gone into this "dark place" when it comes to blogging. Mainly in the way of feeling like a REALLY small fish in a UBER HUGE pond. So here I go on my tangent/I just don't understand/WTF's the deal post...... After reading the post that I was inspired by, I got to thinking the same thought that the original blogger was thinking...."Why am I not good enough?" I've been blogging for a while and I was UBER stoked when I got my first review request when I was just an "infant" in book blogging land and then I got my next request and I was even more stoked. Now I'm up over 400 followers and I get a few requests here and there...which honestly is probably a good thing because of how HUGE my TBR mountain is....and I'm wondering what a blogger has to do to be part of the "cool kid" club? You know the club where you get the "coveted" ARC's and blog tour invites coming out your ears and authors beating down your door to get their book on your blog? Why aren't the publishing companies/authors/agents/whoever else is involved in the process of getting books out there and noticed spreading the "wealth" around? Now I know that even the "big fish" of book blogging don't always get the ARC's and other book related "stuff" that they would LOVE to have. And I know that when publishing companies/authors/agents/whoever else is involved in the process of getting books out there are looking for avenues to get certain books out there and recognized they don't want to send a request to someone who's been blogging for a week. I know that there are some "rules" to go along with this hobby of ours. I guess I just had a better understanding of what those "rules" are? Why are smaller bloggers being passed over? Is it because we have lives and don't devote our entire existence to our blogs? Do we not have enough followers? Not enough comments? Not enough reviews? What's the deal? Honestly, when I see that one of my bloggy pals has gotten a review copy of a book that I requested and got turned down for, I get jealous and a little cranky. I know it's not that blogger's fault but it just sends me into a "dark place" where I once again start questioning myself/my blogs and wondering why I'm not good enough. Personally, I've started using netgalley as a way to try and read some of the upcoming releases. So far I've been pretty lucky on there. I've considered joining tour sites but since I've divided my reviewing up into 3 blogs now I'm worried that because my 2 new blogs don't have enough followers and haven't been active long enough I'll be rejected. So what's a "small fish" to do? Start a tour/support group for smaller bloggers (I'm game by the way, email me if you are)? "Tap out" (sorry for the wrestling reference) and be resigned to the fact that you may never be part of the "cool kid" club? I don't know. Personally, since I've started my other 2 blogs I've been working on blogging more for myself than for anyone else (I've been really bad at this for a long time). I work a full time job, 3rd shift (so most of the daylight hours are spent sleeping for me), on my days off I try to actually get things accomplished, so my reading time is precious. Hence why The Bookshelf has been kinda quiet for a while. That and we're in full on wedding mode until it finally happens on Wednesday. So now that you now what I'm thinking I'm going to sign off and try and visit some blogs.

The very wedding day is coming up!

2010-11-07T01:09:00.000-06:00

I'm more than likely going to be scarce around the blog world for the next 2 weeks or so. See my brother is FINALLY (they've been engaged for about 4 years) marrying his loverly fiancee on the 17th and we're in Full On Wedding Mode here at our house. Now I can HARDLY WAIT for the day to get here!

2011 Get Steampunked Challenge

2010-11-05T01:55:00.000-05:00

This challenge is hosted by Dutchie of Bookish Ardour.

Get Steampunked starts one minute past midnight, 1st of January 2011 AEST and end the 31st of December 2011 (if you find this challenge later you can still join in though as long as you finish before the end date) so make sure you decide on your books, what level of challenge, and let me know before then!

If you’d like to choose a reading challenge instead to what is set out below then don't forget to check out some of the other challenges I'm hosting, otherwise read on.

How To Participate

~Decide which challenge level you'll be doing (further below) - gaslight fantasy is allowed.

~Grab the code for the badge down below and post it on a side bar or in a signature (if you want to participate, but aren't blogging, aren't on a social network or a forum - Submission For Non Bloggers).

~Create your own post to let all your readers know you’re taking part in the challenge and at what level (if you're really proficient you can list your books!). Make sure to link back to this page with either one of the buttons or a text link..

~Use the link form below to enter into the challenge by sharing your challenge post url and your name (either your name, blog name, or both).Please don't use the comment form to participate, only to comment on the challenge or something else..

~Submit your reviews (if you choose to review them, but that is optional) on the review page.

~When you’ve completed you’re challenge let us know on the completion post. If you're using a tag or category I recommend sharing the link back to that so everyone can find them

Challenge Levels

Geared – Choose 5 books to read ~ This is the level that I am going to be reading for this challenge.

Cogged – Choose 15 books to read

Goggle Mad – Choose 30 books to read

Victorian Lord/Lady – Choose 50 books to read

Steampunked! – Choose 75 books to read

For extra hard challenges

Zephyr Pilot – Choose 76-125 books to read

Inventor – Choose 126-200 books to read

2011 Reading Challenges

2010-11-05T01:34:00.003-05:00

I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any 2011 reading challenges that have been posted so far? I'm looking to get a little more organized with my challenges this year and I'm wondering if any have been posted yet.

Musing Mondays

2010-11-01T08:28:00.000-05:00

Musing Mondays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

This weeks question is:

Do you have any special reading that you do as it gets closer to Christmas? If so, tell us about it! And, if not, tell us why not!

I really don't have any special reading that I do the closer it gets to Christmas. Actually, because I work in retail and the Christmas season is EXTREMELY busy for us I find reading to be a great escape from all the chaos. It keeps me from going crazy on people...well for the most part anyway. I think this year I am going to try and get through Lonesome Dove again. It's long enough that added to the two YA books I'm going to try and re-read I think I should be well occupied this holiday season. :)

When Life Throws You Lemons....Make Cranberry Juice by Shari Bookstaff

2010-11-01T01:42:00.001-05:00

NOTE: This tour post was supposed to be posted last Thursday...For some reason Blogger has been giving me grief about this post. Which has been making me cranky all weekend. :( Synopsis: When my kids were learning to walk, I remember walking behind them, ready to catch them if they stumbled backward. I never dreamed that thirteen years later my kids would be walking behind me, ready to catch me if I stumble backward. I was 42 years old when I was diagnosed with a benign, operable brain tumor in July 2006. Doctors predicted a short hospital stay followed by a speedy recovery. Complications arose, giving me lifelong obstacles that I never could have prepared for. A divorced mother of two beautiful, talented, wonderful children, I had high hopes for a bright and happy future. I tried online dating, which got me a few cups of coffee, but no real dates. A couple of dating disasters later, my dating karma was beginning to change when my brain tumor was diagnosed. My life since that fateful day has been focused on regaining basic human functions: breathing, swallowing, walking, etc. I am working again, and trying to be a good mother to my two beautiful, talented, wonderful children. Putting a positive spin on life’s disasters doesn’t always work, but looking for, and accepting, positive things in spite of life’s disasters works. Instead of making lemonade out of lemons, I add life’s sweet sugar and cranberries to my lemons. This makes life much more palatable. Review: What I really liked about this book was how open and honest the author was. This could NOT have been a very easy time in her families lives and she was, in my opinion, an open book. The good, the bad and the ugly make it into this book as well as a score of other emotions. I really liked the concept that Shari shares with the readers - that you really can't always put a positive spin on some disasters. Sometimes you need to take those lemons (sour) and find the sweetness (cranberries) in them throw a little extra sugar on them in the hopes that it makes the bumpy road your on a teeny bit more "enjoyable," or really sweet lemonade. In Shari's case the lemon was a majorly traumatic brain injury following surgery on a benign brain tumor. An injury that had Shari pretty much relearning everything that she's been able to do up to that point in her 42 years on this Earth. There were a LOT of baby steps ahead for Shari (sorry for the What About Bob?! reference) and she found all the cranberries....That had to of been some pretty SWEET lemonade?! RATING: 4/5

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

2010-10-30T11:41:00.000-05:00

Title: Iron Kissed
Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson #3

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Publisher: Ace

Release Date: 2008, January 2

Format: Paperback, 287 pages

Source: Public Library

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shapeshifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.

Review:

I have heard so much about this series on the Internet that I thought that I would give it a whirl. It wasn't until I got down to writing this review that I realized I had started with the 3rd book in the series instead of the first book. Yeah me and my blonde moment!

When I started this book it sucked me in right away. I am actually short sleep and cranky today because I stayed up reading instead of sleeping. I thought that the character of Mercy was a kick ass heroine who is loyal to her friends and loved ones. This is really the first book that I've read where the heroine takes names and kicks butt. I loved that there was an air of mystery to the story as well. In the case of this book it was "who done it." And Mercy has to figure it out to clear Zee.

Being that I started with the 3rd book instead of the first book in the series I'm not quite sure if there is build up to Mercy having to chose between Adam and Sam but I do like the way it finally played out. I'm not going to say anymore about it other than read the book to find out who she chooses. HAHAHA.

I was really impressed with how well structured the dialogue between the characters was. From other reviews that I've read by other bloggers who have reviewed other Patricia Briggs books, this author is REALLY good at writing engaging and well thought out dialogue. The other characters in the book may have only had small parts but even the smallest part was an important piece of the puzzle.

Overall, I should have started with the first book. But I am really happy that I picked up the series out of the library. I'm defiantly going to continue reading it. I have to know more about Mercy Thompson!

You Are What You Read

2010-10-30T03:35:00.000-05:00

I recieved this email in my inbox this evening and I just wanted to pass it along to all of you out there. I've signed up and I hope to see you there!

Scholastic launched You Are What You Read (http://www.youarewhatyouread.com/), a new social networking site for readers around the world. Users log on to http://www.youarewhatyouread.com/, list the five books that had the biggest impact on their lives, and connect with other readers through these shared “Bookprints.” The site also contains the Bookprints of more than 130 “Names You Know” – notable people from entertainment, academia, business, media, publishing, and more – including Taylor Swift, Bill Gates, Scarlett Johansson, Tony Hawk, Venus Williams, Tommy Hilfiger, Jodi Picoult, Philippa Gregory, Rick Riordan, James Patterson, Jim Parsons, Ann M. Martin, Eva Mendes, Judy Blume, Sanjay Gupta, and two former Presidents.

After logging into You Are What You Read via Facebook or Scholastic.com accounts, users can:

Discover new books through an interactive web that shows how users’ Bookprints are connected

Find and connect with users across generations and from around the world to see the books in their Bookprints

Compare their Bookprints to those of the participating “Names You Know,” and find out if they share a book in their Bookprint with famous athletes, award-winning entertainers, world-renowned scientists, or iconic business leaders

“Favorite” other books they like and check out what similar users enjoy reading

See which books have been chosen as Favorites from around the world

Share a book in the real word through Pass It On, which encourages users to give a favorite book to a family member, a friend, or even a complete stranger.

You Are What You Read also features a separate community for young readers that provides kid friendly information about books and other activities. I encourage you to check out the site, add your Bookprint, and see what connections you make. You can also find downloadables – including screenshots and blog widgets – on our media room.

PS: The site is part of our 90th anniversary global literacy campaign, Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life, which celebrates the importance of literacy in the 21st Century.

The Great Book Ban

2010-10-26T09:48:00.002-05:00

I am up to my eyeballs in books! I have more books that I know what to do with. So it's official...I've put myself on a book buying ban, with the exception of the Nora Roberts book that comes out next Tuesday. My plan is to go through my book collection and weed out the books that I feel I won't get to in a timely manner and try to swap them via bookmooch, paperbackswap.com, goodreads swap or just flat out donate them to goodwill of St. Vincent De Paul. If your on any of the mentioned swap sights find me or e-mail me and I'll get you the information you need to be able to see what I've got available.

For the time being I'm going to be relying heavily on my current collection and my local library to take care of my reading habit. I just recently got a new library card so I can FINALLY use my library again! Yeah me! So far in the 3 days that I've had my new card I've placed 72 hold requests and 35 of them are "IN TRANSIT." I can hardly wait to see what all shows up.

So there you have it. The beginnings of The Great Book Ban. Anyone want to join in?

Big Changes

2010-10-25T04:18:00.000-05:00

There will be a bunch of big changes coming up here at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf. Almost all of them are taking place because I feel this blog in particular has gotten disorganized and is nowhere near where I would like it to be. One of the big changes that is taking place here on the blog is that in addition to taking the romance reviews out of here and giving them there own blog I am also doing that with my YA reviews. I am in the process of moving my YA reviews from here at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf and posting them on there own blog, which is called For The Love of YA.

In My Mailbox

2010-10-24T05:37:00.000-05:00

IMM is a meme I started here at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies. Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library. Here's My Loot For The Week: E-Books There isn’t much worth living for in Gypsum, Missouri—or Trashtown, as the rich kids call the run-down neighborhood where sixteen-year-old Hailey Tarbell lives. Hailey figures she’ll never belong—not with the popular kids at school, not with the rejects, not even with her cruel, sickly grandmother, who deals drugs out of their basement. Hailey never knew her dead mother, and she has no idea who her father was, but at least she has her four-year-old foster brother, Chub. Once she turns eighteen, Hailey plans to take Chub far from Gypsum and start a new life where no one can find them. But when a classmate is injured in gym class, Hailey discovers a gift for healing that she never knew she possessed—and that she cannot ignore. Not only can she heal, she can bring the dying back to life. Confused by her powers, Hailey searches for answers but finds only more questions, until a mysterious visitor shows up at Gram’s house, claiming to be Hailey’s aunt Prairie. There are people who will stop at nothing to keep Hailey in Trashtown, living out a legacy of despair and suffering. But when Prairie saves both Hailey and Chub from armed attackers who invade Gram’s house in the middle of the night, Hailey must decide where to place her trust. Will Prairie’s past, and the long-buried secret that caused her to leave Gypsum years earlier, ruin them all? Because as Hailey will soon find out, their power to heal is just the beginning. This gripping novel from thriller writer Sophie Littlefield blazes a trail from small-town Missouri to the big city as Hailey battles an evil greater than she ever imagined, while discovering strengths she never knew she had. From Net Galley

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Purchased

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Won't You Be My Neighbor?!

2010-10-22T05:42:00.000-05:00

The question for this week is: What are you currently reading? Basically, what book is that?

I am currently working on Beautiful Darkness. So far, I like it but I'm not really in LOVE with it...but then again I'm only about 100 pages into a 500 page book. It took me a little bit to get into Beautiful Creatures so I have hope that things will get better!

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

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

Follow our Featured Bloggers - whatbookisthat.com

Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

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

Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!

If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

It's Monday What are You Reading?! October 18

2010-10-18T03:34:00.000-05:00

What I've read in the last week:

What I'm Currently Reading:

An unusual dog, part St. Bernard, part Scotch shepherd, is forcibly taken to Alaska where he eventually becomes leader of a wolf pack.

This epic, Pulitzer Prize winning novel depicts fun-loving Gus MacRae and taciturn Captain Woodrow Call, a pair of longtime friends and former Texas Rangers who crave one last adventure before they bow to their advancing years. Convinced that animals will thrive on the lush grasslands of Montana, Captain Woodrow persuades Gus to undertake the arduous, 3,000-mile cattle drive there.

Rounding up over a thousand head from Mexican rustlers south of the border, the men recruit a diverse crew of hands to help them. Among the party are Woodrow's illegitimate son Newt Dobbs, local prostitute Lorena Wood, and old compatriots Joshua Deets, Jake Spoon, and Pea Eye Parker.

Storms, hostile natives, poisonous snakes, and rustlers take their toll on the company before Montana is reached in an adventure that is equal parts Greek tragedy and classic, John Ford-style.

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

A sweeping narrative about the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful and influential tribe in American history.

What I Plan To Read:

Right now I have no plan. I'm just hoping to get 1 or 2 of the books that I'm currently reading completed.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

2010-10-16T09:24:00.001-05:00

Title: Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices Series #1

Genre: Fiction, YA, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Release Date: 2010, August
Format: Hardcover, 479 pages

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4.75/5

Synopsis (from Barnes and Noble):

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review:

This is the first book by this author that I have ever read. I definitely will be reading more of her books in the future! Awesome Sauce is what it is and I LOVE me some Awesome Sauce!

Even though I think this book was Awesome Sauce I did think that it got off to a slow start. I also was confused as to how exactly Will found Tessa at the Dark Sisters house. Did he senses her while she was in someone else's body, a random tip? That bothered me a little bit.

There were times when I thought Will was more than a little bit of an ass. Now I like "bad boys" but there's a difference between being a "bad boy" and being verbally and emotionally abusive. I think at times Will walked a little bit too close to that fine line for my taste. I guess that makes me a member of Team Jem then.

I found the writing style to be of my liking also. Once I got past the slow beginning I thought the story was a definite page turner. The action throughout the book was very well described also. You felt like you were there. I also liked how the bad guy wasn't completely obvious (at least to me) until you got closer to the end of the book. Just when you think you have it all figured out it turns out our completely WRONG!

Overall, I really enjoyed Clockwork Angel. The cliff hanger ending has me thinking that next September will NEVER get here!

Teaser Tuesday - Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love

2010-10-12T08:44:00.001-05:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Comes From:

Synopsis:

In the bestselling tradition of Rescuing Sprite comes the story of a puppy brought back from the brink of death, and the family he adopted.

In 2002, Larry Levin and his twin sons, Dan and Noah, took their terminally ill cat to the Ardmore Animal Hospital outside Philadelphia to have the beloved pet put to sleep. What would begin as a terrible day suddenly got brighter as the ugliest dog they had ever seen--one who was missing an ear and had half his face covered in scar tissue--ran up to them and captured their hearts. The dog had been used as bait for fighting dogs when he was just a few months old. He had been thrown in a cage and left to die until the police rescued him and the staff at Ardmore Animal Hospital saved his life. The Levins, whose sons are themselves adopted, were unable to resist Oogy's charms, and decided to take him home.

Heartwarming and redemptive, OOGY is the story of the people who were determined to rescue this dog against all odds, and of the family who took him home, named him "Oogy" (an affectionate derivative of ugly), and made him one of their own.

Teaser:

"Behind them, his head directly above and between where their shoulders touch, Oogy sits alert, watching me. Illuminated by the murky light behind them, the outlines of Oogy and the boys blur together; they look like one being, a three-headed mutant."

Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young Blog Tour

2010-10-12T00:06:00.001-05:00

Title: Buying Time
Author: Pamela Samuels Young

Series:

Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Publisher: Goldman House

Release Date: 2009, November 1

Format: Paperback, 370 pages

Source: Received for the blog tour

Rating: 5/5

Smuttiness: N/A

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Waverly Shaw is a down-on-his-luck lawyer who stumbles upon a potentially lucrative business just when he's about to hit rock bottom. In his new line of work as a viatical broker, Waverly comes to the rescue of people in desperate need of cash. There's a catch, however, his clients must be terminally ill and willing to sign over rights to their life insurance policies before they receive a dime. Waverly then finds investors to advance them thousands of dollars—including a hefty broker's fee for himself—in exchange for a significant return on their investment once the clients take their last breath. The stakes get higher when Lawrence Erickson, who's bucking to become the next U.S. Attorney General, hires Waverly to broker the insurance policy of his cancer-stricken wife. But Waverly's clients start dying sooner than they should, and Erickson—who has some skeletons of his own to hide—is unwittingly drawn into a perilous web of greed, blackmail, and murder. With two determined federal prosecutors hot on his trail, Waverly is on the run, and this time he might need some life insurance.

Review:

I was asked if I would be interested in reading this book as part of a blog tour and I happily agreed. This is the first thriller that I've read that has been written by a woman also. I'm so very glad that I was asked if I wanted to participate because I thought that this book was AWESOME SAUCE!

Buying Time is an extremely fast paced read as well as being a page turner. Once I started reading this work of art I was fully sucked into the story. I did think that as the book was progressing there were a lot of "cliff hangers" throughout but the farther I got into the book everything fell into place and I was plesantly surprised.

The way the book was written I thought was pretty unique. There are two side stories in Buying Time an I found that with the I was constantly trying to figure out what the link was. I thought that all of the characters were pretty interesting as well....They all have there own conflicts and issues going on and I thought it was great how all those conflicts and issues help to form the story.

Another big plus (at least in my opinion) is that by the end there is no clearly defined hero. I think that's a first for me also. Almost all of the books I've read there is a hero. So for the author to have no hero got her a lot of bonus points with me...keeping things interesting is AWESOME SAUCE.

Overall, I thought that this was a exceptionally well written thriller that has a VERY strong plot and VERY strong solidly written characters. I'm also very impressed by how well researched the book was. Pretty much what I'm telling you is to add Buying Time to your TBR pile! Do it...you won't be sorry.

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

2010-10-11T01:05:00.000-05:00

Arson

Minder

What I'm Currently Reading (AKA my on going read):

Lonesome Dove

New Blog

2010-10-10T05:23:00.001-05:00

All righty then! I've gone ahead and created a new blog that will be specifically for reviewing Romance and Erotica. I LOVE me some romance novels and Erotica is a newer to me genre that I'm really starting to like A LOT! If you want to check it out (though for right now there really isn't anything there) it can be found at Nitty Gritty Down and Dirty. I will be reviewing everything else here on The Book Junkie's Bookshelf.

In My Mailbox & Got Books Sunday

2010-10-10T04:29:00.000-05:00

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and Got Books Sunday is hosted by Paranormal Haven. The purpose of these meme's is to show off the "fruits" of our book hunt adventures. These are the books that I received this week:

Bookmooch:

Memoirs of a Geisha

Bought:

Best Friends Forever

Won on Goodreads:

A Season of Seduction

Don't forget to enter my ALMOST 400 Followers contest.

The ALMOST 400 Follower Giveaway

2010-10-08T07:39:00.000-05:00

Since I've been blogging for a little over a year now and I'm also at almost 400 followers....I have decided to not make you all wait until February until my next giveaway. Happy Friday everyone!

NOTES:

* Not all of the books that are being given away in this giveaway are brand-new. Any used books will be noted.

* For every 10 new followers I will be adding more "booty" (both book related and Non-book related) to the giveaway box

So here is just some of the "booty" that I am starting with for the giveaway:

Book Related "booty": The English Patient - UsedMcKettricks of Texas: TateBeautiful CreaturesBeautiful DarknessThe Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl - I LOVE her blog...It's a daily must read for me...plus she has another book coming out on February 1.IncarceronSapphique The next books due to be added are: Minder (signed)AdversaryNightshadePleasure of a Dark Prince Some of the NON-Book Related "booty": A homemade cooking apron made by yours trulyA folder full of my all time favorite recipesA copy of one of my favorite movies - The UndefeatedA BURNED copy of Kenny Chesney's Hemingway's Whiskey Upcoming Non-Book Related "booty" to be added next: $20 Barnes and Noble Gift CardA little something something from my state (Wisconsin) Important Information: * Open to US and Canada* Runs from October 8th 2010 until November 26th 2010 11:59 pm CST* NO P.O. boxes

Book Blogger Hop

2010-10-08T03:53:00.000-05:00

The question for this week is: What's your favorite beverage while reading or blogging, if any? Is it tea, coffee, water, a glass of wine, or something else?

I don't usually drink while I'm reading but if I am I like to enjoy a nice tall glass of ICY COLD water (has to be ICY COLD or it's a no go...I'm weird that way) or sometimes a soda.

Friday Follow

2010-10-08T03:45:00.001-05:00

The question for this week is: How many reviews do you like to do a week? I like to try and do as many a possible. It just depends upon what's going on in my real life and how much extra reading time I have. I've taken to writing notes down about each book that I've read and write my reviews out long hand first before I even consider putting it on the blog. It's a new thing for me but I find that it's helping me stay more organized.

Arson by Estevan Vega

2010-10-08T02:11:00.000-05:00

Title: Arson

Author: Estevan Vega

Series:

Genre: YA, Paranormal

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Release Date: 2010, May 4

Format: Paperback, 318 pages

Source: Received from the author

Rating: 4/5

Smuttiness: N/A

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CAN CREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN'T SHUT IT OFF.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl-who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin-moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears the most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Review:

Oh my goodness! I've seen reviews for this book all over the book blogging community and it really caught my attention. The cover has just enough "creep factor" that I had to get my hands on it. I mean just look at the cover! A Freddy Krugerish "mask" and flames! Anyway....moving on.

What really turned me on about this book was the writing. From the very first sentence until the very last sentence the way that it was written kept me engaged and reading and pretty much putting my life on hold because Arson's life was oh so very interesting. Oh well, Arson is oh so much more fun than doing laundry anyway.

The characters in the story for the most part I really enjoyed. I did at times have trouble relating to/understanding a couple of the characters. That is the main reason that I wasn't able to give Arson 5/5. After learning all sorts of secrets as the book progressed I am looking forward to learning even more about all of these very interesting characters in the sequel that's coming up.

Overall, Arson is most definitely the most "different" (in a good way) book that I've read in the past couple of months. Once you get past the "creep factor" I think this book is pretty dang good. I think that Estevan Vega hit a home run with this one!

In My Mailbox & Got Books Sunday!

2010-10-03T03:31:00.000-05:00

How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else? For Review:

ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CAN CREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN'T SHUT IT OFF.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl-who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin-moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears the most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey--especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

The second book of the Ganzfield series. Things are more dangerous than they seem at Ganzfield, and not everyone will survive. Does Maddie have what it takes? See what happens next in the sequel to Minder.

E-Books:

Riders of the Purple Sage (1912) has been called the most popular western novel of all time. It is set in the mysterious canyon country of southern Utah, and the rugged landscape the novel inhabits is more than a backdrop for the action. Villains and heroes both try to use the stone labyrinth to their advantage, but it is the landscape's power and majesty that dictate the final result. Portraying the conflict between Mormon and non-Mormon settlers over the possession of land in the 1870s, the novel questions the right of a religion to tyrannize its followers and deprive them of freedom in the name of good.

They came by river and by wagon train, braving the endless distances of the Great Plains and the icy passes of the Sierra Nevada. They were men like Linus Rawlings, a restless survivor of Indian country who’d headed east to see the ocean but left his heart—and his home—in the West. They were women like Lilith Prescott, a smart, spirited beauty who fled her family and fell for a gambling man in the midst of a frontier gold boom. These pioneering men and women sowed the seeds of a nation with their courage—and with their blood. Here is the story of how their paths would meet amid the epic struggle against fierce enemies and nature’s cruelty, to win for all time the rich and untamed West.

In New Orleans, immortal Amazon warrior Samia is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before.

At fourteen, Nick Gautier is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Mini Review ~ Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

2010-10-02T04:35:00.000-05:00

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games
Genre: YA
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: 2010, August 24
Format: Hardcover, 390 pages
Source: Bought

Rating: 5/5

Smuttiness: N/A

Synopsis:

"My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead."

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

Review:

I was really uber excited about this book. Though I throughly enjoyed the book there were a few times that I thought that the story was dragging on. I also didn't enjoy how everyone had all these carefully laid out plans and hidden agenda's and kept Katniss in the dark and treating her at times like she's almost disposable. Even with those few quirks I still gave this book a 5/5 rating.

I felt horrible for Peeta. Being treated the way that he was by The Capital. I guess the saying "war is hell" is pretty applicable to a lot of what went on in this book. The descriptions and imagery were excellent as usual. The characters new and old were adding new twists and turns all over the place. The story line was pretty good even though there were parts where I felt it dragged on a little bit. I think overall this was a good ending to the trilogy.

NOTE: I purposely kept this review short, sweet and vague to not giveaway anything to anyone who hasn't read this book yet.

Mini Review ~ Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

2010-10-02T04:14:00.000-05:00

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games

Genre: YA

Publisher: Scholastic

Release Date: 2009, September 1

Format: Hardcover, 400 pages

Source: Bought

Rating: 5/5

Smuttiness: N/A

Synopsis (From Goodreads):

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Review:

Another Awesome Sauce installment of the Hunger Games Trilogy! I couldn't read this one fast enough...So far this series is one that once you start it it SUCKS YOU IN! In other words...VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN! The original cast of characters are back and better than ever. Even the new characters that are added for the Quarter Quell flow nicely with the original "cast". The storyline is riveting and sucks you in. The harshness and bloodlust of the games are very vivid. I LOVE this series enough that I've converted a couple of my co-workers into Hunger Games junkies!

NOTE: I kept this review a mini review and pretty vague to keep from giving away anything to anyone who hasn't read this book yet.

On My Wishlist

2010-10-02T02:30:00.001-05:00

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click HERE.

This week on my wishlist:

Synopsis:
Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that's not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia's mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just...happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to anyone, belieiving this way she can supress her powers and keep them hidden.

But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy show up in her living room to offer her a full scholarship, Dancia's days of living under the radar may be over. Only, Delcroix is a school for diplomats' kids and child geniuses--not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. So why are they treating Dancia like she's special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make Dancia feel welcome.

And then there's her mysterious new friend Jack, who can't stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the Academy and wants Dancia to help him figure out what. But Dancia isn't convinced. She hopes that maybe the recruiters know more about her "gift" than they're letting on. Maybe they can help her understand how to use it...But not even Dancia could have imagined what awaits her behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

Synopsis:

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

Synopsis:

Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

Synopsis:

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn’t, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love—again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.

Then Lexi meets Cole. Against her better judgment, she finds herself opening up again, falling in love when she knows she shouldn’t. But when she’s offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving him up.

In Ripple, Mandy Hubbard spins a sea-ravaged tale of melancholy beauty, and the choices one girl makes between land and waves, love and freedom, her future—and her heart.

Synopsis:

The Infernal Devices is a series of prequels to The Mortal Instruments series, set in 19’th century London. The story concerns 16-year-old orphan Tessa Gray, whose quiet life is thrown into turmoil when her older brother Nathaniel suddenly vanishes, leaving her alone. Her search for him leads her into Victorian-era London’s dangerous supernatural underworld, where warlocks throw masked balls for half-demon Downworlders. When Tessa discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must come to trust her natural enemies, the demon-killing Shadowhunters, if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother. Torn between the beautiful Will, a Shadowhunter who isn’t what he seems, and the devoted Jem, whose own deadly secret is slowly destroying him, Tessa must draw on all her strength to save her brother and keep herself alive in this deadly new world.

Synopsis:

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.

The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

Hatred never dies.

The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dog and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant

2010-09-29T00:12:00.001-05:00

NOTE: There is the use of cuss words in the review that follows.

Title: The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption

Author: Jim Gorant

Series:

Genre: Non-fiction, animals, sports

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: 2010, September 16

Format: E-Book, 488 pages

Source: Bought for my Barnes and Noble Nook

Rating: 5/5

Smuttiness: N/A

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

An inspiring story of survival and our powerful bond with man's best friend, in the aftermath of the nation's most notorious case of animal cruelty.

Animal lovers and sports fans were shocked when the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick's brutal dog fighting operation. But what became of the dozens of dogs who survived? As acclaimed writer Jim Gorant discovered, their story is the truly newsworthy aspect of this case. Expanding on Gorant's Sports Illustrated cover story, The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, which were saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals coupled with a court order that Vick pay nearly a million dollars in "restitution" to the dogs.

As an ASPCA-led team evaluated each one, they found a few hardened fighters, but many more lovable, friendly creatures desperate for compassion. In The Lost Dogs, we meet these amazing animals, a number of which are now living in loving homes, while some even work in therapy programs: Johnny Justice participates in Paws for Tales, which lets kids get comfortable with reading aloud by reading to dogs; Leo spends three hours a week with cancer patients and troubled teens. At the heart of the stories are the rescue workers who transformed the pups from victims of animal cruelty into healing caregivers themselves, unleashing priceless hope.

Review:

I was checking out the new releases on Barnes and Noble the other day and I saw this book. I'm an animal lover and I thought that the premise of this book sounded really interesting, so I downloaded it onto my Barnes and Noble Nook. I started to read it at about 2 am Sunday morning and I could NOT stop reading it until I had read all 488 pages e-book pages (the print version is 304 pages). I was absolutely FLOORED by some of the things that I had read.

Now if you are going to read this book I must warn you in the beginning there are a few graphic scenes that show just big of an fucking jackass Michael Vick truely is. And they let this fucker BACK into the NFL! The author of this book doesn't hold anything back really. He goes into the gorey details of how Vick and his "crew" disposed of dogs that just didn't have it in them to fight.
Once the bust is made on Vick's property and the dogs are confiscated then there is a big hoopla about if the case is going to be a state/local case or a federal case. In the end it became a federal case but the state/local attorney did slap some charges on about 5 months AFTER the case started.

While the case is going on there is much discussion about what should be done with the dogs. There were many who said that they should ALL be destroyed because they were taken from a fighting situation, which makes them steriotypical "killers" naturally....I mean hell...even PETA said destroy them. In the end, after much discussion and bringing in outside help. It was decided that they would evaluate each dog individually. After all the evaluations were done, of the 51 dogs that were seized, only 1 was deemed to dangerous to even evaluate.

Because I don't want to give away too much of this book away I'm not going to go into very many more deatils. All I'm going to say is that there is a happy ending for the remaining dogs...They actually get to learn how be a dog and do dog things and many of them have been adopted out and several are even therapy dogs. I hope that if you read this book you learn as much about this breed that is known as the "nanny dog", because it was originally bred to be a family pet as well as a protector of the farm, as I did. I can honestly say that after reading this book, it has definately changed my opinion on the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Teaser Tuesday

2010-09-28T07:55:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: •Grab your current read•Open to a random page•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Teaser #1 comes from: "She went suddenly still, so still that she could hear the ticking of the clockwork angel against her chest. She didn't have to shrink herself down to the size of a mouse, did she?" Teaser #2 comes from:

"It ain't dying I'm talking about, it's living. I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live."

It's Monday! What are you reading?! #1

2010-09-27T02:57:00.000-05:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. This meme is hosted by Sheila over at Book Journey: One Person's Journey Through Books. This is what I've read in the last week: The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant (Review in Progress) 5/5Radiance by Alyson Noel What I'm currently reading: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryClockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare What I'm hoping to read: I am Number 4 by Pittacus Lore What I've blogged about this week: Musing's Monday hosted by MizB of Should Be ReadingRadiance Review - Click on Radiance above to read reviewDiscussion Post - When a Bad Review goes to far....

Musings Monday #1

2010-09-27T02:05:00.000-05:00

If your book group asked you to bring two (2) suggestions for group reads to your next meeting, what two books would you suggest? Why? I'm not really a member of a book club....Wish I was but things happen. If my book club asked me to bring 2 suggestions for books to read for the group I would suggest the following: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - Not only is it my current read (that I am throughly enjoying) it's a book that is written like a true western should be (were you immediately become so immersed in what your reading that by the time you absolutely HAVE to quit reading you've read a couple hundred pages.) Though this book is NOT for the faint of heart at 945 pages. Plus, I think it would make for interesting discussion! Sinner Takes All by Tera Patrick - Ok to keep things from getting to blah in the book club why NOT suggest a memoir by an adult movie star? I've read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think that it too would make for VERY interesting discussion!