Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Hi All

Hi all.

As you may have noticed I haven't done as many reviews for this month as I'd like to.  Tonight being no different.  The reason for this is that I have two assignments left in my module and I'm really pushing to get these finished before they are due, which means there is less time to read than I would have liked.  Fingers crossed in the next few days I'll be back on top of things, which will include reviews to be posted since my review book pile isn't getting any smaller.

Hope you all understand and I'll do my best to get some reviews up in the next week.

Melissa

Sunday, January 29, 2012

In My Mailbox (98)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:



Thanks to Penguin Australia for sending both of these books!

Bought:

N/a

What did you get in your IMM?

Friday, January 27, 2012

TGIF (13) Buy or Borrow


TGIF is a weekly feature created and hosted by Ginger at GReads! that re-caps the week’s posts and has different question each week.


This Friday's Question:
Buy or Borrow: Where do your books that you read come from? The bookstore? The library? Do you prefer to own a book, or have it on loan?

The answer to this one for me would definitely buy!  It also depends on how quick I want the book as to where I go shopping for them.  For instance, if I don't mind waiting a week to two I'd look at Book Depository.  The shipping is free and it's awesome for saving money on pre-orders.

Booksamillion is another fantastic shop but being in Australia the shipping is a bit more expensive.  I think the last time I bought a book I paid for the most expensive which was like $30 or something like that for shipping but true to their word, four days later I had my book.  So that was pretty cool!

Booktopia is pretty good for buying bulk load of books.  The prices for the books are pretty good and Australia wide for up to 100 books it's only $6 or so dollars for shipping.  The only downfall with this one is the time it takes.  If it's not urgent, then go for it but sometimes I've had to wait a few weeks because they've had to get the book in from either overseas or publishers.  There are some better options out there if you don't want to wait.
A few others also include Barnes and Noble and Amazon

This Weeks Posts

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Spellbound Noticeboard (22)



Welcome to Spellbound Noticeboard. Here is where Authors, Bloggers and others can send in anything that you'd like promoted. Competitions, book releases, blog events etc. This is your spot! So feel free to send me a line if you have anything book related (Including books made into movies) and I'll be sure to post these up! I'll also be including features etc that I come across to help spread the word for other Authors and bloggers! Just email me at melissa@spellboundbybooks.com  


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Cover Reveal

Bite Me by Lori T Strongin is scheduled to be released 30th January so keep your eyes open.

Synopsis
This summer at Hedgehill University: take one totally screwed werewolf, a vegetarian vampire, and the psycho who wants to kill them both.

Surfer-boy werewolf Talbot Osbourne is under pressure to get a summer job, find an apartment, and make up for the classes he failed last semester. The fur will fly when Talbot is forced to partner with Julian St. George on a class assignment. Unfortunately, the vegetarian vampire brings more than just a set of fangs to the table when a stalker takes special interest in the unlikely duo.

Time is running out for the ParaNorms of New York as they’re picked off, one by one. Talbot and Julian will have to work together catch the ‘Slayer’ before the psycho finds them. If they don’t kill each other first, that is.

Throw in a shapeshifter with ferret envy, a wizard who makes people’s clothes disappear, and an apartment with cannibalistic furniture and zombie squirrels, and these boys are in for the summer of their lives. Or deaths.


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The Kindle version of Curb Chek by Zah Fortier will be free for this week at the Kindle store at Amazon.  Don't miss out on this great offer!  Check out Amazon now!

Synopsis
Curbchek is the story of a damaged cop, Zach Fortier. Fortier worked in the police department for the city where he grew up. One foot in the world of the cops, courts and legal system. The other in the world of gangs, drugs, thugs and street violence. Where the laws and rules are made by the strongest, the schemers and the most brutal. Read about the transformation of Fortier from a green rookie to a damaged paranoid veteran seeing danger in every situation. Follow along as he walks this tight rope. Trying to make difference, breaking the laws he promised to enforce. This is a story of law and order uncensored.

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Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (90)

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

I've picked The Temptation by Alisa Valdes the first book in the Kindred series.  This book won't be out until the 24th April 2012 but I definitely can't wait!

Synopsis:
His touch was electric.
His eyes were magnetic.
His lips were a temptation....
But was he real?

After crashing her car on an empty highway, Shane is miraculously saved by Travis, a mysterious cowboy who walks out of nowhere. She is instantly attracted to him, and for the first time, she believes in “soul mates.” But Shane soon discovers that Travis is dead and that strict rules from the Underworld govern kindred spirits of different dimensions. Breaking these rules could destroy both their souls. And while Travis is almost impossible to resist, temptation proves to be the kindest enemy they encounter.

Can true love surpass the power of pure evil? Part love story, part
supernatural thriller, this first book in the Kindred trilogy will leave readers lusting for more!

Pre-order The Temptation at Book Depository now!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Silverbirch by Rob Kaay

Title:  Silverbirch; A Tear in The Fabric of the Night Sky
Author:  Rob Kaay
Genre:  Urban Fantasy/Speculative Fiction/Sci Fi
Publisher:  RobKaay Publishing
Publication Date:  26th January 2010
ISBN:  9780980687712
Stand alone or series:   Series
Pages:  222 pages
Book Received from:  Author
First Lines:   You can only control a person when they are not in control of themselves.  This is the most important rule

Synopsis:
Silverbirch; A Tear in the Fabric of the Night Sky

Part I

By eating an extremely rare mushroom that has a red lightning bolt image naturally built-in to its black-gilled underbelly, Nudge discovers he can create a tear in the fabric of the night sky that will allow his soul to legally leave Earth and enter Silverbirch.



My Thoughts:
I've read a few books so far this year but this will officially be my first review book.  And what an awesome read it was!

Silverbirch wasn't like anything I'd read before.  It's short and quite a quick read but I managed to drag it out to savour it.  The beginning almost quite literally goes off with a bang and it starts with a very interesting first line.  Once I was through the very first page it's hard to stop reading.

Nudge is the main character in this book and it's his ninth birthday where everything begins.  Nudge, Hayley, Dieter, Chase and Zoe stumble across a mysterious box in an abandoned house that will forever change each of them.  From then on things get quite complicated for each character.

I found Silverbirch to be well written and kept me on the edge of my chair.  I was amazed at how well Rob Kaay linked different parts of the story and by the end you can see how each part fit in, and contributed to where they ended up.

I want to say so much more but at the same time I don't want to ruin it for others.  If you want a brilliantly written, fast paced and quick read.  Give this one a try.

Fave Line:  Sometimes you only have two seconds to make a decision, except in this case, someone else was making it for me.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Two Local Bookstores...

Thanks to the Courier Mail I've been introduced to two new bookstores in the Great South East.

Avid Readers and Riverbend Books and Teahouse.

Source: Eat Out With Kids

You can find Avid Readers (who also happens to have an author by the name of Trent Jamieson working there!!) at 193 Boundary Street, West End, Qld - or visit them here.  I didn't get a chance to go into this one though since by the time I got to West End it was full of both car and foot traffic.  So I decided to give this one a miss since dragging the little one on foot seemed was going to be impossible. 

Source: Google Images
You can find this one at 193 Oxford Street, Bulimba.  It was so much easier for parking too.  I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff were lovely.  Especially when a certain child who I won't name *Cough*, was throwing a tantrum and I was ready to exchange him for a book and do a runner lol.  The lady gave him a sticker and we were on our way.  It isn't a very large bookstore so if you have children that tend to play up when you're out.  Leave them at home.  
You can check out there website here!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

In My Mailbox (97)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:

N/A

Bought:


Just a quiet one for me this week.  What did you get in your IMM?

Friday, January 20, 2012

TGIF (12) Recommend It


TGIF is a weekly feature created and hosted by Ginger at GReads! that re-caps the week’s posts and has different question each week.



This Friday's Question:
Recommend It: Which book from the last 10 you've read would you recommend to a friend?


I'd recommend Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I was a late comer to both books and wish that I hadn't waited so long to read these.  

Another book I'm thoroughly enjoying but haven't finished yet is Silverbirch by Rob Kaay and while I'm still reading so far I've enjoyed this immensely.

This Weeks Posts (From Saturday):

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Spellbound Noticeboard (21)



Welcome to Spellbound Noticeboard. Here is where Authors, Bloggers and others can send in anything that you'd like promoted. Competitions, book releases, blog events etc. This is your spot! So feel free to send me a line if you have anything book related (Including books made into movies) and I'll be sure to post these up! I'll also be including features etc that I come across to help spread the word for other Authors and bloggers! Just email me at melissa@spellboundbybooks.com 


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Cover Art Revealed and Special Print-eBook Bundle Announced for Reissue of First Two Titles in The Brotherhood of Dwarves Series



Seventh Star Press proudly announces the reissues of the first two books in The Brotherhood of Dwarves series, The Brotherhood of Dwarves, and Red Sky at Dawn.

To commemmorate the Seventh Star Press editions of these two titles, the publisher is offering special bundles that combine both the print and eBook versions of the books. Readers can get the first two books in this fashion, or a bundle of all three books in the series including the recently-released third title, The Fall of Dorkhun.

The Brotherhood of Dwarves and Red Sky at Dawn feature covers and illustrations from fantasy artist Bonnie Wasson. The latest artist to work with Seventh Star Press, Bonnie created and designed a new look for the first two titles that is consistent with the brand new third release.

The first two books were originally self-published by D.A. Adams and edited by Sherrie Shuler. They became strong sellers on the convention circuit and received a wave of positive reviews. The reissues were planned when D.A. came aboard Seventh Star Press for the release of his latest installment, The Fall of Dorkhun.



( interior illustrations by Bonnie Wasson for The Brotherhood of Dwarves and Red Sky at Dawn)

Living and working in East Tennessee, D. A. Adams is an established novelist, a farmer, and professor of English. He has contributed writing to literary and fine art publications, and maintains an active blog, entitled "The Ramblings of D. A. Adams".

Softcover and eBook formats will be available by mid-February, with a collectors' hardcover limited editions planned for mid-summer of 2012.


(all three covers side by side)

Those wanting to pre-order one of the special softcover-eBook bundles should visit: http://www.seventhstarpress.com/documents/books.html

Updates and additional information can be obtained at the official site for Seventh Star Press, at www.seventhstarpress.com , or at the author's site at www.brotherhoodofdwarves.com


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Covet - vampire erotic romance book
paranormal vampire romance
Vampire Erotic Theatre series
30000 words
rated sultry
released 14 Jan 2012




Covet
by Felicity Heaton

They’ve burned for each other for two years, the forbidden attraction between them growing each night. Now resisting the sinful desires of their hearts is becoming impossible.

Javier knows better than to succumb to his hunger for Lilah. The mortal female belongs to a powerful aristocrat patron of Vampirerotique, the theatre he runs with three other vampires. A single touch is all it would take to break the sacred law of his kind, sentencing himself to death, but his passion for her has become too fierce to ignore and he will risk everything to make Lilah his.

Lilah has fought her desire for Javier since arriving at his theatre as a servant but each glance he has stolen, his eyes promising pleasure that will satisfy her longing for him, has chipped away at her defences and she can no longer deny her need and her forbidden feelings for the powerful vampire male.

When they find themselves alone in a private box during one of the erotic performances, will they surrender to their passion and live out their wildest fantasies in a night of wicked pleasure or will the threat of Lilah’s master keep them apart forever?


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Hope you enjoy these!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (89)

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

This week's pick is Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne.  This will be released on the 5th June 2012.  This one sounds pretty awesome and for some reason I keep thinking of Stephen King's movie The Mist when I read the synopsis.  Weird!

Synopsis
Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

A huge store isn’t the worst place to be stranded. There’s food and water, bedding and books. But what if it’s not safe to leave? Emmy Laybourne had us from the get-go with her utterly fresh and fast-paced debut.

Six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids are trapped together in a chain superstore. Together they build a refuge for themselves inside, while outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapon spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

Pre-order Monument 14 at Book Depository!

What are you waiting on?

Sunday, January 15, 2012

In My Mailbox (96)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:

While I'm Still Myself by Jeremy Mark Lane
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Thank you both to Jeremy and Penguin for sending these to me!

Bought:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
(Book 2 in The Hunger Games Trilogy)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
(Book 3 in The Hunger Games Trilogy)

What did you get in your IMM?

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Sticky Beak (73)

Sticky Beak is all about sharing. Sometimes we can't all get around to every single blog and website available so that's where Sticky Beak comes in. By word of mouth (well you get what I mean) we are more likely to get to those blogs that we wouldn't have normally seen without someone pointing them out to us.


The links could be to your own post, a favourite blog post you would love to share, an authors blog/website, book/writing contests, reviews you really enjoyed, tour info or anything you would love to share with others. Just use the comments below to add your link!


Here's Mine:


Cool Stuff To Check Out:
The Story Siren: The Cool New Curseworker Covers
Between The Lines: Black Dawn by Rachel Caine extract.  Book 12 in the Morganville Vampire Series.  Check it out!!
Kalyn's Kitchen: Egg Muffins.  I'm not much of a cook but I tried these out and they are awesome!
Novel Novice: Great list of Most Anticipated 2012 reads.
All Things Urban Fantasy: Why they do not accept Self Pub books.  Interesting Post.  


Just a small one this week!

Friday, January 13, 2012

TGIF (11) 2012 Must Reads



TGIF is a weekly feature created and hosted by Ginger at GReads! that re-caps the week’s posts and has different question each week.

This Friday's Question:
2012 Must Reads: Which books are at the top of your list to be read this year (new or old releases)?


Well it's hard to say since I've read the top ones I've been meaning to read all last year.  Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare were two.  These were amazing books, something I was even quite surprised I loved so much.  The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins were the other lot that were right at the top to read.  In the last two days I've read the first two, devoured them really.  I'm now up to Mockingjay which I ended up buying the epub edition since I couldn't get to the shop this afternoon.  That's how much I NEEDED to read this! lol.  The other series will be The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare which I'm hoping to get to in the next month.  Since I loved Clockwork Angel and Prince I'm sure I will like this as well!


Apart from that, most of my TBR that have sat on the shelves from last year will be high on the list to read.  That and of course the fantastic review copies that have been coming in.  




This Weeks Posts (From Saturday):



Which books are at the top of your list to be read this year (new or old releases)?

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Tempest by Julie Cross Book Trailer

This looks pretty good!



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (88)

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

This week's pick is called Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard and will be released on the 24th July 2012.  This sounds awesome!

Synopsis
There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Pre-order Something Strange and Deadly at Book Depository.

What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges Book Trailer

This trailer looks so awesome I can't wait to read the book!



Monday, January 9, 2012

GFC Is going...so what now?

Join this site
Members (522More »

So.. many of us will have noticed that Google is taking Google Friends Connect off Blogger in March.  It's a bit of a pain really because what now?  I haven't had a look around yet but what else would we use to keep our Google Readers up to date.

Do you guys have any ideas which are the best options for this?  Thanks to the follower who brought this question up.  Best to get things organized now right?  

And what is Google +? 

Sunday, January 8, 2012

In My Mailbox (95)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:


Bought:

(Perfect Chemistry #1)
(Lumatere Chronicles #1)

What's in your IMM this week?

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare Book Trailer

Loved these books. Not sure how I feel about the book trailers. What do you think?




Friday, January 6, 2012

TGIF (10) Reading Resolutions


TGIF is a weekly feature created and hosted by Ginger at GReads! that re-caps the week’s posts and has different question each week.


This Friday's Question:
Reading Resolutions: What are some of your reading goals for the new year?

I guess my main reading goals this year are to outdo last years which was 100 books read.  Goodreads is a brilliant website for keeping track of it too.  So I decided to aim it at 120 and see how I go.  Fingers crossed ;) My other goal is to knock my own TBR pile down by at least a third which is like 30 or so books last time I checked.


This Weeks Posts (From Last Friday):


What are some of your reading goals for the new year?

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Spellbound Noticeboard (20)



Welcome to Spellbound Noticeboard. Here is where Authors, Bloggers and others can send in anything that you'd like promoted. Competitions, book releases, blog events etc. This is your spot! So feel free to send me a line if you have anything book related (Including books made into movies) and I'll be sure to post these up! I'll also be including features etc that I come across to help spread the word for other Authors and bloggers! Just email me at melissa@spellboundbybooks.com 


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Marissa Meyer has also kicked off an extensive author tour in the US; you can access all her dates on her blog. http://marissameyer.livejournal.com/ 


About Cinder:

Cinder: Book One in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Even in the future, the story begins with Once Upon a Time…. Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

TRAILER URL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXrMAFGWyuE


LINKS:

Marissa Meyer's Blog:

Facebook:

Twitter:

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Seventh Star Press Announces Call For Submissions For New Fantasy Anthology

Seventh Star Press is proud to announce a call for submissions for an exciting new anthology to be edited by Joshua Leet, entitled The End Was Not the End: Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy Tales.

The stories can be up to 10,000 words in length, and must be set within a setting ranging between ancient worlds, like the Sword and Sorcery Hyborean Age of Robert E. Howard, to medieval settings like those found in many epic fantasy series. Timed appropriately for 2012, the anthology will focus on the aftermath of an apocalypse.

The stories can have any style or feature any Earth culture-inspired background, such as the more commonly encountered european-based knights and wizards, to Viking sagas, Russian folklore, Chinese wuxia, Japanese samurai, and Native American environments, just to name a few. The apocalypse itself can be whatever suits the writer, be it magical catastrophe, plague, monster horde, the death of gods, etc. It can include modern catastrophes that precipitated regression in technological level to a medieval or ancient world type level. The stories should have a serious overall tone, and can range from action-driven to tales with a darker edge.

The concept for the anthology was first pitched by Seventh Star Press author Stephen Zimmer, who writes the Fires in Eden series (epic fantasy) and the Rising Dawn Saga (epic-scale urban fantasy). Joshua Leet expressed a desire to serve as the editor of Seventh Star Press' first anthology project, and worked with Stephen to solidfy the project concept. The project represents Stephen's first as a commissioning editor.

Joshua is currently serving as the editor for Sela, the forthcoming second book in the Leland Dragon Series by Jackie Gamber, as well as the newest Gorias La Gaul adventure from Steven Shrewsbury, titled Overkill. Joshua is not only an editor, but is also an author, whose credits include the recently released historical work Civil War Lexington, Kentucky: Bluegrass Breeding Ground of Power, co-authored with Karen Leet, as well as business projects such as two volumes he co-authored in the Compliance and Ethics field. Joshua's love for the fantasy genre and range of technical literary expertise promises to bring forth a debut anthology of outstanding quality for Seventh Star Press.

Submissions must be in by midnight on July 1, 2012. Provide a cover letter, and use standard manuscript format. RTF or Word Documents preferred for the file format. Communications and submissions should be directed to Joshua by email, using the address Joshua (at) seventhstarpress.com

The agreement on accepted stories will be for first print and digital rights, with exclusivity for one year from date of publication. After this time, authors are free to re-sell their stories in other markets. The stories need to be original works, and no previously published characters or properties will be accepted.

The anthology is planned for release in eBook, limited hardcover, and softcover formats in the 4th quarter of 2012. A royalty pool will be generated on print and eBook sales, at a rate of 10% royalties for print, and a rate of 50% royalties for eBooks, with each included story having an equal share of the royalty pool. Royalty statements and payments will be made biannually. All included authors will receive a complimentary trade paperback copy of the anthology.

Updates and additional information can be obtained at the official site for Seventh Star Press, at www.seventhstarpress.com

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New Blog on the Block

Check out Dani's new blog called The Book Finder!


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Hope you all enjoy!

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