Friday, May 31, 2013

Book Blogger Hop #20 (5/31 - 6/6): Favorite Series Completely Read





Welcome to the new
Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @
He took over this hop from
Jennifer @ Crazy For Books.
I'm so glad he decided to
continue with this weekly feature!
For more information, click HERE.


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this question:

What is your favorite series
that you've finished
all the books to?
(Must be more than 3 books.)

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit Bill's blog!


My Answer

Oh, I will have to say it's The Twilight Saga!  I have not only read all four books, but am now on my third reading of them!  Actually, I've read the first book four times already -- the first three times in English, and the fourth time in Spanish.

I just can't get enough of these books!  Sigh....

There's actually a fifth book, titled The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, but I'm not at all interested in that one.  This book focuses on a minor character introduced in Eclipse, the third book of the Saga.  The story is told from her perspective, and it's not a very happy one...




Hardcover
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
September 16, 2009
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,
Young Adult Fiction


Here's another series I love!  I haven't quite finished it, though...  I ran into a traumatic event in the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  I had read half the book, but was unable to continue.  However, I am mentioning this series here because, had it not been for J.K. Rowling's very unexpected (and, I think, totally unnecessary) plot twist, I would definitely have finished the series, because I love, love, love it!  Thanks for throwing a monkey wrench in the works, J.K.!  Why did you have to do that?! 








Trade Paperback, 4,167 pages
Arthur A. Levine Books
July 1, 2009
Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction


I have the hardcovers of these books, but, since I love them so much, I might very well buy the paperbacks, too.  I've also been thinking of buying the British hardcover edition.  After all, that's what I've done with The Twilight Saga; I have several editions of the series!











Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Waithng On Wednesday #76: The Twice Lost, by Sarah Porter




This is a weekly event hosted by
It showcases future releases which
we book bloggers are
eagerly anticipating!!




Here's my choice for this week!





(Lost Voices #3)
Sarah Porter
Hardcover, 480 pages
Harcourt Children's Books
July 2, 2013
Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction


The Goodreads Synopsis


Mermaids have been sinking ships and drowning humans for centuries, and now the government is determined to put an end to the mermaid problem—by slaughtering all of them. Luce, a mermaid with exceptionally threatening abilities, becomes their number-one target, hunted as she flees down the coast toward San Francisco.     

There she finds hundreds of mermaids living in exile under the docks of the bay. These are the Twice Lost: once-human girls lost first when a trauma turned them into mermaids, and lost a second time when they broke mermaid law and were rejected by their tribes. Luce is stunned when they elect her as their leader. But she won’t be their queen. She’ll be their general. And they will become the Twice Lost Army—because this is war.




Why I'm Waiting On This Book
I love books about mermaids!
These creatures have always and totally
fascinated me....
This is yet another series I
have long wanted to start reading,
and just haven't had the time.
The plot premise is that
mermaids can be very dangerous,
but of course this book's
mermaid protagonist is several cuts
above the norm. 
She seems to be on the side of the humans,
too, which totally endears her to me.
And what about that cover?
Although looking at pictures of the
ocean depths can be scary,
I love this cover!!
It's not scary at all!!! 
Ahhh....all that blue water
has certainly helped me covet this book!





 

What exciting book(s) are you
eagerly anticipating
this week?




 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Book Review: New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer


New Moon
Stephenie Meyer
Hardcover, 608 pages
First Edition
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
August 21, 2006
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, YA


This was my third re-reading of the novel, which is the second one in Meyer's beloved series.   I read it as avidly as I did the first two times!  I know there will be future re-readings, as well.

I had not posted a review of the book before because so much has been said about it, in other reviews -- on Goodreads, Amazon, and countless blogs, although not everyone likes this book, (nor do they like the entire series).  Still, I felt it was time for me to post my thoughts about this installment in the Saga, since I have embarked on a third reading of all four books.

This is a very bittersweet novel, due to the introduction of the love triangle of Bella, Edward, and Jacob.  In the first novel, Twilight, the intense relationship of Bella and Edward was the main focus throughout.  In this one, Jacob makes it clear to Bella that he has fallen in love with her, even as he realizes she only considers him her best friend. 

The story opens with a deceptively happy event -- Bella's eighteenth birthday.  Bella is hypersensitive about celebrating this event, because Edward is eternally seventeen, of course, and she has been pleading with him, since the first book, to make her a vampire so that she can be as young-looking as he is, forever.  She's terrified of growing old and being mistaken for his grandmother in the future.

Not to be deterred by Bella's reluctance to acknowledge the big day, the irrepressible Alice plans a party for her.  And this is where the novel's emotionally-wrenching, unexpected plot twist takes place....At the party, Bella cuts herself when opening her birthday card, and Jasper, suddenly crazy with bloodlust, attempts to attack her.  Although the other Cullens do restrain him, Edward makes a fateful decision -- to leave Bella, for her own good.  He doesn't want to place her in any more danger because of his vampire nature, and also wants her to have a chance at a normal human life. 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Second Love In Bloom Giveaway Winner!!





Due to a little glitch (on my part) I contacted
two giveaway participants
to tell them they had won....
so now there's a second winner!!!


And that person is....



Here's the book prize
you have selected!


'

Hardcover, 464 pages
Delacorte Press, First Edition
June 12, 2012
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, YA



CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!


Since you live in the United States,
I have ordered Rapture for you
from




You will be receiving the book
much faster this way!!


Thank you so much for participating
in this giveaway,
and especially for your wonderful
comment on my review of
Angelfire, by Courtney Allison Moulton!


Thanks once again to all
participants!!
There are more fantastic giveaways
to come, so stay tuned!!








Saturday, May 25, 2013

Love In Bloom Giveaway Winner!!!





I am so happy to announce the winner
of this giveaway,
which was part of a giveaway hop sponsored by
and Christin @ Portrait of a Book!!


And the winner is...



This is the book prize
you have selected!!



Trade Paperback, 310 pages
Penguin, USA (Berkley USA)
November 6, 2012
New Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance


CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!!


  
 I have already ordered the book
for you from




You should be receiving it soon!!


I'd like to thank everyone
who participated in this giveaway,
especially those who left such wonderful
comments on my book reviews!!

I have a very special 'thank you'
for Ashfa, who left such
a great comment on my review of
Angelfire, by Courtney Allison Moulton!
Please stay tuned, because
there will be more giveaways coming up
very soon, so you will all get
more chances to win a great book!!








Shelf Candy Saturday #69: Charlotte and Emily: A Novel of the Brontes, by Jude Morgan




Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!!



This weekly feature
showcases beautiful book covers,
and provides information,
if available, on their very talented creators!

For more information
about Shelf Candy Saturday,
just click HERE.




This is my choice for this week!



Trade Paperback, 373 pages
St. Martin's Griffin
April 27, 2010
Biographical Fiction, Historical Fiction,
Literary Fiction



Why do I love this cover?


I was immediately captivated by the English moors when I read Jane Eyre for the first time, back in high school.  Their allure was mysterious, romantic, and definitely supernatural.   Of course, all these qualities were, and are, part of their beauty, which is so wonderfully depicted on this gorgeous cover!

Those rolling, peat-covered hills are the perfect backdrop for the passionate romance of Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester, as well as for the obsessive, hideous vengeance of Heathcliff, in his thwarted love for Catherine Earnshaw.

The sky is brooding and stormy, yet part of it seems to be opening up over the distant hills, as if there were some hope, after all, in the midst of all the emotional turbulence.  The play of light over the scene is incredibly well done.  It reinforces the feeling that a storm is about to break, and yet, perhaps not, as the sun and the storm clouds fight for supremacy over the sky. 

Stacking The Shelves #16





This is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer, Lili,
Stephanie, Helen, and Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews!
As the title implies, this is all about
sharing the books you're adding
to your shelves, be they physical or virtual.
For the complete rules, and to sign up,
just click on the link above.


This week's haul!!









 Books Purchased


I have heard so many great things
about this series!
And I'm very intrigued by the
combination of an American Southern town
with supernatural events...
plus, there's romance involved!
If I like the series, I'll
definitely watch the movies!
(Only one has been made so far,
but of course, more are coming.)








\







Friday, May 24, 2013

Book Blogger Hop #19 (5/24 -5/30): Attending BEA....or a GREAT Alternative!!





Welcome to the new
Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Bill @


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this question:

Have you ever been to BEA,
and if so, do you recommend
attending?
Any good advice for first-time
attendees?

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit Bill's blog!


My Answer

Oh, I would so love to be able to attend BEA!!   I envy everyone who does go.... I'm sure I'd be ecstatic if I could attend!!  Ah, such bibliophilic bliss....

Although time and money restrictions keep me from attending this book lover's paradise, I am very much able to attend a local book event, which attracts hungry-for-books people from all over the country, and even all over the world. 

I'm referring to Miami Book Fair International, of course!!   Since I live in Miami, Florida (USA), I am definitely able to attend this book event!!  And oh, what a terrific one it is!!   I've gone three years (not in a row) so far, although this event is quite dangerous to my bank account.  One year I spent over $200.00!!  But I was sooooo happy!! 






This event features book presentations, with book signings included, as well as booths in which many independent and small booksellers offer their wonderful wares!  There's more, too!  There are pavilions representing different countries, with food and music, actors that walk around, stopping here and there among the crowd to perform an excerpt from a Shakespeare play, for example, or perhaps Van Helsing's confrontation with a vampire.  (I saw both on two subsequent years!).  There's also a Children's Pavilion, with characters from children's books that also walk around among the crowd. 

This year, Miami Book Fair International celebrates its 30th anniversary, so there are sure to be some surprises!   Oh, I'll definitely be there!!  Because of my two jobs, I am unable to attend during the work week, which is when many of the book presentations are usually held.  However, there's the street fair on Saturday and Sunday, during which more presentations are held!   And of course, one can walk around from booth to booth, and get some really sweet bargains!!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #75: Magic Rises, by Ilona Andrews




This is a weekly event hosted by
It showcases future releases which
we book bloggers are
eagerly anticipating!!




Here's my choice for this week!




(Kate Daniels #6)
Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Ace Books
July 30, 2013
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy


From the Goodreads Synopsis

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.




Why I'm Waiting On This Book

I love books with strong heroines,
especially if their boyfriends
love and admire them for being strong!
This woman certainly looks
like she can take care of herself,
but is not unfeminine.
Also, I began to enjoy reading about
shapeshifters ever since I
met a certain sexy werewolf named
Jacob Black....
This plot has an original twist, too,
and I will definitely have to get the first
book in the series to start on!!


What exciting book(s) are you
eagerly anticipating
this week?
 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Stacking The Shelves #15





  
This is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer, Lili,
Stephanie, Helen, and Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews!
As the title implies, this is all about
sharing the books you're adding
to your shelves, be they physical or virtual.
For the complete rules, and to sign up,
just click on the link above.


This week's haul!!









Books Received For Review


The author sent me this, her debut novel,
for review. 
The premise is certainly fascinating,
as well as very original!
Mother Earth has, in her fury,
turned against humanity,
recruiting human souls to carry out
her revenge....
I can't wait to start it!!








Books Purchased

I've been wanting to get this
great YA vampire series
for a while now, since
I've heard so much about it!!
I was so happy to get the box set of the
first three volumes!
(And I love these beautiful covers!!)