Know Me Better #1

Meme hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
 Join in and link up HERE

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? 
My life isn't that exciting so I have no idea. Maybe just a simple title such as Life As Me.

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
Such a hard question. I guess any book by Michelle Rowen because she is my favorite author.

Horror or Romance?
I love both together but if I had to choose it would be romance.  I'm a sucker for a sweet love story.

If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?
I would not want to go back to the past. So I would like to live in the future!  Not sure where.
If in the present I would love to live in New York if I had the money.

Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts or one big expensive one?
I'm going to say one expensive gift! I just got my kindle so I love getting one nice thing instead of a bunch of little things.

WOW #1

Hosted By Breaking The Spine

The book I am most looking forward to is Reign Fall by Michelle Rowen. It comes out in Janurary but no exact date yet. It will be the third book in her Demon Princess series. I am super excited because I have been waiting two years. Her publisher dropped the series but she will be self publishing the next two books for her fans! Thank you Michelle because you made my year! 

It’s been a dangerous ride for Nikki Donovan since she first learned she’s a demon princess. And the ride isn’t over yet!

She’s just found out that her best friend is a demon slayer in training, one who doesn’t know that Nikki is exactly the prey she’s sworn to hunt. Nikki’s demon king father has signed her up for lessons in how to master her erratic half-demon powers, and that’s on top of her regular homework! Also, she’s torn between two boys—Rhys, the faery king she’s prophesied to marry, and Michael, a Shadow whom she’s forbidden to love.

To top it all off, a dark force is haunting Nikki, something mysterious and evil that wants the demon princess dead…but who — or what — is it?

Add to Goodreads!

Here are the first two in the series!

   

Let me know what you are looking forward to!

Dancergirl 
by Carol M. Tanzman

Published November 15th 2011
248 Pages

A friend posted a video of me dancing online and now I'm no longer Alicia Ruffino. I'm dancergirl—and suddenly it's like me against the world—everyone's got opinions.
My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy—even he's acting weird. And some stranger isn't content to just watch anymore.
Ali, dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose more than just my love of dancing.
I could lose my life.

Why I Picked This Up: HarlequinTEEN for review! I'll read any of their books! They are all fantastic!

Why You Should Read It: An interesting take on internet fame and stalking! A great and realistic lead character with a sweet romantic interest.

"The sick feeling that someone's staring at me. Only I'm not on the subway. Or the bus. Or even a park bench. I'm in my bedroom. Alone." A creepy beginning prologue. I was hooked from the very start. Ali Ruffino loves to dance and one day even dreams of Julliard or a career in dance. So when her film buff friend Charlie takes some footage of her dancing at a party and posts it onto Zube she decides to go with it. A little fame and recognition for her dancing can't be so bad, can it? Then after 50,000 hits Charlie still wants to keep up the internet sensation story line. He plays shyboy who is watching dancergirl from a far.

Fame has brought on more than Ali bargained for. Everyone is talking about her, whispering around school, recognizing her on the street and putting in their opinions. Even assuming the most horrible things about her. "My friends and I think you're a bitch. You should leave a message for shyboy, tell him you want to meet." She decides to put an end to the videos but when another video ends up on Zube, one where she is in her underwear, in her bedroom, where no one should have been filming her, Ali begins to realize someone must be stalking her. But who could it be? Charlie with a grudge since she told him no more videos? Her best friend Jacy developing deeper feelings for her? Pot head Luke Sorezzi who is trying to date her? The angry girls at her dance school or their creepy boyfriends?

A close, intriguing and real look at internet fame. How someone can deal with thousands of people talking about your looks, your personality, who you might be dating or blowing off, your every move without ever even meeting you. Ali has to deal with the crippling and creepy feeling of constantly being watched. She doesn't know if it is paranoia or her imagination but she can't escape the feeling. Her best friend Jacy has been distant. He won't tell her what is going on with him so she feels extremely alone. Jacy was a sweet and wonderful best friend character. Going through some extreme life difficulties he does end up being there for Ali. I love when a love interest is a real and sweet guy. No angsty bad boy here. I was rooting for him all along.

When Ali finally discovers a camera hidden in her alarm clock she knows someone is taking their dancergirl obsession to a scary and dangerous new level. On a hunt for the truth, Ali slowly starts crossing suspects off her list. I loved that everyone was a true suspect. It took me awhile to figure it out. I was as shocked and creeped out as Ali. I will definitely keep any personal videos of myself off youtube! This book definitely made me see the scary side of the internet. But sometimes danger is closer to home...

"There she is-dancergirl. But she doesn't even notice me. To her, I'm invisible. Should I go up to her, say something? Not a chance! All I can do is watch from afar. Hoping that one day, she'll see me."

"That's when I understand why I dance. For some people, it's the only way to make sense of the past, to get to the meaning behind the present. To find your true self."

Rating 4/5 Video Cameras!

             

#1 IMM

Weekly Meme Hosted By The Story Siren!

This is my first time joining in! 

My mailbox to be honest is always overloaded! I am known to overdue things and book buying is one of them. I buy a ton of books, check out a ton from the library, and receive a ton of ARCs. But I usually always make it through everything so yay for me!

This week was a good week! I picked up some great reads from the library!

   

Downloaded some fabulous ARCs on my kindle!

   

And bought a couple of kindle books for my brand new kindle touch!

  

I already read all of Dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman today! I really enjoyed it so review up HERE!

I would love to hear all about the books you received this week! 

IT'S HERE!!!

My kindle touch arrived Wednesday!

I was so excited that I went to check my mail a little after 3pm since my mailman usually comes around then and thank goodness I checked because my kindle was stuck in my tiny little mail box. I had to ask the mailman who was luckily still there to open the mailbox up bigger and get it out. Then I spent a half hour talking to him about the kindle and what he is currently reading. He wants to buy one now. 

As I open the beauty!

It did take a little time to download all my books onto it. I already had about 50.

Took me awhile to figure out all places to touch for it to do what I want but I love it! 

No more retina burn! LOL

I still need to get a case. The one I wanted was delayed. So for now it is in a padded envelope. Now I just need to make a goal to try to read all my un-read kindle books. I have several that I put off waiting for this. 

The Faerie Ring 
by Kiki Hamilton

Published September 27th 2011
352 Pages

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger. The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood. Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist. Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

Why I Picked It Up: The cover caught my eye on some blogs. I have really been into fairy stories lately.

Why You Should Read It: Not that much about faeries but a tale of an orphan pick-pocketer.

Tiki lost her parents young and ran away from her Aunt and Uncle's home. She lives with four other orphans, Shamus, Toots, Fiona, and Clara. They survive by stealing food and pick pocketing. Tiki also has another thief friend named Rieker that helps her out of some of her thieving jams. While Tiki is out one night she hops on the back of a carriage that ends up taking her to the palace. Tiki goes in without even realizing it at first to steal food. After she grabs some food she goes to hide in a library. While she is there, Prince Leo comes in and leaves a ring. Tiki grabs it to sell for money. Clara is really sick and desperately needs care that they can't afford.

The beginning was super slow. The middle was too. This book took me forever to get through. I didn't like any of the orphans. They all bugged me. I didn't even get into Tiki's character. The only person in the book I actually liked was Reiker. He was interesting and actually had quite a back story. Although I still don't understand why it took him so long to come out with it. He still annoyed me too even though he was my favorite.

The ring itself has fire in the stone and an inscription that means, For the sake of peace, we agree. The idea around the ring was not fully developed enough for me. It holds a faerie truce and for some reason if the royals don't have it protected the truce is over. The book also barely has any faeries. Halfway in Tiki grabs someone and realizes they have wings. I swear in my mind for a second I thought, what are they an angel?! That is how much I forgot this book was even about faeries. Toward the end there are two evil faeries hunting Tiki to get the ring back. Apparently they want the truce over but I can't even remember why.

The ring was aggravating. Tiki steals it, then puts it back, and then wants to steal it again. It was also rather easy for her to continually steal it and put it back. She just attends a party at the palace and puts it back. While under disguise the prince tells her how she could get the money for it. But then Clara is taken hostage so Tiki wants to just hand over the ring to the faeries. She also has a faerie mark on her wrist and is connected to them but never believes it herself. I just didn't enjoy this. I probably just had too of high expectations of a very adventurous faerie story. But it was a slow story of an orphan girl stealing a ring over and over.

"Just like a kitten pretending to be a lion," he said. "Except I don't think your claws are sharp enough to hurt anyone, little kitten."

"One minute sweet and nice, like a lovable little kitten, the next she'd give you a pop in the jaw if you say the wrong thing."

 Rating: 2/5 Faerie Rings!

                                            

Captivate (Need #2) 
by Carrie Jones

Published January 5th 2010
273 Pages

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town. A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

Why I Picked This Up: I enjoyed Need so onto the next book in the series!

Why You Should Read It: Even better than Need!

The evil pixies are still trapped in the house in the woods. Zara and the gang continue to monitor them but something is up. A bunch of new pixies have been coming to town and they are up to something. Nick believes they should just continue to kill them off one by one. But when Zara runs into one tied up to a tree near death, she just can't let him die. She helps Astley escape and learns that he is also a King. Her pixie blood is drawn to him and turns her skin blue and makes her faint when she is near him. Talk about falling for a guy except she is in love with Nick.

Nick doesn't believe any pixie can be good or should be trusted. He is way to keen to just kill them all off without another thought. But the more Zara hangs out with Astley the more she believes maybe there can be good pixies. Maybe she shouldn't judge all pixies the same since we shouldn't judge all people the same. She wants there to be good ones since she is after all half pixie. I loved Astley. He was so sweet and also funny when he was naive to human ways. "You hold it right there" "Hold what?" Astley asks and I swear I think he really means it. "It's an expression," I hiss "It means stay still.'" I loved his protectiveness of Zara but didn't find it overly zealous like I did with Nick. I looked forward to his every scene. I glanced ahead just to see if he was going to be in the next scene.

Zara's dad says that while he is stuck in that house wreak, pixies and Kings will continue to come to try to take over his territory. When another King shows up, he is far from Astley's kind. There are some truly evil pixies out there. He destroys the house and injures Nick beyond repair. Zara will do the unthinkable to save him. What I also loved about this one was the big game changer. I love when an author takes a character to a place she doesn't want to go. Zara hated pixies and never wanted to turn but sometimes it is the scary thing that is right for the character. Zara has big changes ahead of her but I am positive Astley won't let her down. This one ends of kind of abruptly. Not a total cliffhanger but everything is still up in the air unresolved. I must get the next one immediately. I felt like this one had way more action than the first and I can't wait to see where the story leads next and of course more Astley.

"I promise you. You will survive this. Feel my hand. It is yours now, my queen. I promise you. I am yours." 

"Monsters? Why? Because we admit to the pain we cause? Admit we like it?..."

"I swear his pheromones have my freaking name written on them. They hone in and attack."

Rating: 4/5 Pixies!

                          

Need 
by Carrie Jones 

Published December 23rd 2008
306 Pages

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now. She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara. In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.

Zara's stepfather just died and she is depressed. Her mom decided to send her to Maine to live with her grandmother in the hopes that some new scenery, mostly snow and cold, would bring some happiness back into her life. But there is a strange man that she has seen following her from Charleston to Maine and the kids at school think he is a pixie who is in desperate NEED for a queen. Without a queen the king is weak and in need of sacrificial blood from young boys. Two boys just went missing and Zara is determined to figure out how to stop it. But this happened before and her grandmother knows more than she is saying. Also she has two guys Ian and Nick that are interested in her but seem to have some supernatural secrets as well.

Interesting and unique mix of pixies and werewolves, I found the story very enjoyable. I also loved Zara's use of phobia's. I actually have a huge print out of the names of all the phobia's also. Zara recites phobias when she is scared to calm herself. "Pixiophobia a fear of pixies I made this up, but believe me it should be a word because it sure is a legitimate fear" Zara uses her friends and bravery to hunt down and figure out who and what the pixie King really wants and it is a surprising discovery. A bit slow through the beginning but as the story unfolds a lot of shocking and weird discoveries unfold. Not to mention the evil pixies a bit gruesome.

"A pixie's true skin color is blue. Cookie Monster, Grover, and other lovable Muppets are also blue. Do not confuse the two. Muppets don't kill you. Usually."
"I like a lot of things that aren't good for me."

"He wipes his hand on his shirt." "What? Did I drool on you?" "A little." "You're a wolf. You should be used to drool." "That's low."

 Rating: 4/5 Pixies!

                               

The Iron Knight 
(Iron Fey #4) 
by Julia Kagawa

Published October 25th 2011
361 Pages

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing. Unless he can earn a soul. To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side. To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale. And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Why I Pick This Up: Really excited to see how it would all end. A little weary of a different POV though. 

Why You Should Read It: A great series! A new perspective on Ash both good and bad.

A slow beginning through part 1 for me. But as the story moved on and Ash, Puck, Grimalkin, and the Big Bad Wolf find the seer and truly begin their journey, the book drew me in. Ash made a promise to Meghan that he would not stop until he found a way to be with her. Puck comes along for the journey and they make a wonderful team. I find their fighting so entertaining. "Hey, ice-boy, you okay? You've got your brooding face on again." Puck is definitely such a saving grace during this book. He keeps it light and entertaining when Ash is dark and brooding. Although Puck is still sad and regretful when it comes to losing Meghan to Ash. He still breaks my heart. I love Puck so much.

The seer is going to lead them to the End of the World! There Ash will be able to face the trials and finally earn a mortal soul which will allow him to enter and live in the Iron Realm. But Ash has a deep past with the seer and has more new choices than he wanted available to him. An exciting ride along the river of dreams and through a lost and forgotten area of fae, Ash finally reaches the testing grounds. Through three rigorous and gruesome tests, Ash must face what being mortal will truly mean to him. A future where he will grow old and weak, a soul where he will live with true regret of horrible past actions, a body where he will not be as fast and deadly. When Ash visits all his past mistakes I was truly horrified. I even cried for all the lives he destroyed. It was definitely worse than I thought. But through it all one thing Ash has always been is persistent and in love. He will do whatever it takes to be with Meghan so I have to give him a little credit for that. An amazing ending and I will leave it at that because I sadly accidentally read a ton of spoilers for this book before I read it and I don't want to do the same to others.

"Meghan Chase!" Puck roared, startling me into silence. I blinked, and he sneered at me. "Yeah, your highness. I know what lost is. I've loved that girl since before she knew me. But I waited. I waited because I didn't want to lie about who I was. I wanted her to know the truth before anything else. So I waited, and I did my job. For years, I protected her, biding my time, until the day she went into the Nevernever after her brother. And then you came along. And I saw how she looked at you. And for the first time, I wanted to kill you as much as you wanted to kill me.

Rating: 4/5 Knight swords!

                    

Sirensong 
(Faeriewalker #3) 
by Jenna Black

Published July 5th 2011
336 Pages

When Dana is invited to Faerie to be officially presented at the Seelie Court, it’s no easy decision. After all, everyone knows Titania, the Seelie Queen, wants her dead. But Titania claims not to be the one behind the death threats; and her son, Prince Henry, makes the decision a whole lot easier when he suggests Dana might be arrested for (supposedly) conspiring with her aunt Grace to usurp the Seelie throne. So she and her father better do as they're told… The journey through Faerie is long – and treacherous. Dana thought it would be a good idea to have friends along, but her sort-of-boyfriend, Ethan, and her bodyguard’s son, Keane, just can’t seem to get along, and Kimber’s crush on Keane isn’t making things any easier. When a violent attack separates Dana from their caravan, the sexy Erlking saves her just in the nick of time… and makes it clear that he hasn’t given up on making her his own. Arriving at Titania’s beautiful palace should be a relief. But Dana is soon implicated in an assassination attempt against Titania’s granddaughter, and is suddenly a fugitive, forced to leave her father behind as she and her friends flee for their lives. Will she be able to prove her innocence before the forces of the Seelie Court – or, worse, the Erlking – catch up with her? And will she save her father before he pays the ultimate price in her stead?

Why I Picked This Up: I immediately started this the same night I finished Shadowspell!

Why You Should Read This: Great series! Buy all three books at once!

Dana has been invited by the Seelie Queen to be officially presented at the palace in Faerie. This is a great honor that can not be refused even though it seems like a dangerous trick. Dana along with her father, Finn, Keane, Ethan, and Kimber begin their travels to the Seelie palace. Tensions run high between Keane and Ethan along the way. Some of my favorite parts of this book include Keane picking on Ethan and Ethan bringing down Keane's shields allowing Dana to knee him in the groin during practice. Absolutely hilarious and entertaining to me but the travels are an agonizing ride on horse back for Dana.

Along their travels they are attacked and Dana's horse takes off with her. She learns more about what her dangerous magic can do just when she needs it. The Erlking is still around protecting his deal and what he hopes Dana will one day give him. Once they have finally arrived at the palace they think they get to relax and enjoy themselves. But a set up against Dana leads the group to flee leaving behind her father and Finn. Dana and her gang take off for safety but lots of fighting jealousy and new feelings makes the trip difficult. Dana wants to clear her name and make sure her family and friends are safe. She puts in some bravery, luck, and brains into a plan to clear her name and stop the faeriewalker hunt on her forever.

A great conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. I don't think the author plans on any more books but I would love it if she did. This was an amazing ride with such wonderful characters. I grew to love Dana and Keane so much during this story. A wonderfully unique faerie series. Such great humor and action throughout.

"Far be it from me to insult your manhood," Ethan said. "I'm sure you'd have no trouble whatsoever defending against my magic." Keane sneered. "Just like you'd have no trouble whatsoever defending yourself in a fair fight. Right?"

Rating: 4/5 faeries!

                 

Shadowspell 
(Faeriewalker #2) 
by Jenna Black

Published January 24th 2011
295 Pages

On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

Why I Pick It Up: After finishing Glimmerglass, I immediately had to pick up the next two books in the series.

Why You Should Read It: Definitely worth it! Great series.

The second book in this series begins with Dana still under heavy protection. She is now living in a secret underground home and must take her bodyguard everywhere. Ethan wants another chance but Dana is unsure. She has been holding him off by remaining just friends and when hanging out with him reminds him this is not a date. We get a lot more Keane and his self defense lessons with Dana. He is as hard on her as always but Dana still sees him as a really hot gothic Jonas brother. The action and danger Dana is put into reaches a whole new level when a brand new threat enters the picture. The Wild Hunt lead by the Erlking comes into Avalon. The Erlking desperately wants Dana on his side to use her fairiewalker powers to allow him access to hunt in the mortal world. As a ploy to get Dana to agree, he tricks Ethan into attacking him which allows the Erlking to take Ethan as one of his own, forced to join the Wild Hunt forever.

Dana feels horribly guilty and knows she must find a way to get Ethan back. Teaming up with Kimber she plans to make a deal with the Erlking. But the old saying is still in effect. Never make a deal in fairy. You never truly know what you are getting into and what hidden meanings and hidden dangers are in your deal. Dana has no clue the horrible implications she will be agreeing to in her bargain. She has continually been practicing her secret magic which is more of a dangerous threat than anyone realized. Action packed and still full of surprises this is one of my favorite fairy series! Keane is so completely honest, witty, fun, hot, and enjoyable. Dana is naieve but brave in her attempts to save Ethan. Kimber is funny and charming and is also noticing how hot Keane truly is. I can't wait to see what happens next.

"His hair was dyed jet black, his left ear was pierced about a gazillion times, his entire wardrobe appeared to be black, and he sometimes painted his fingernails black. Even so, there was something strangely... wholesome about his appearance. If the Jonas Brothers ever decided to go Goth, that's what they'd look like." Love Dana's description of Keane!

"Sleep was the greatest invention in the history of mankind. When I was sleeping, I wasn’t feeling guilty, or miserable, or sad."

Rating: 4/5 faeries!