18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #18: Is it 2013 yet?

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that runs over the weekend, hosted by Crystal from one of my favourite blog sites, Reading Between the Wines.

Question of the Week:  What are the Top 5 Books that you are looking forward to in 2013?

Apologies, folks! I haven’t been around for a while, and I haven’t done one of these follows for ages, but this looked like a good one to join in on.

Obviously, my first must-buy for 2013 will be Lover At Last by J.R. Ward. I know a lot of people are really looking forward to March when it comes out.

I can’t wait for Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi, because Shatter Me was one of my fave books this year. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

Julie James is another auto-buy, so Love, Irresistibly is expected to be really good.

I don’t have the cover for it yet, but Burned by Karen Marie Moning should be good. I haven’t read Iced yet – it isn’t available here, much to my annoyance – but this series is pure win and you can’t have enough Barrons or Ryodan.

And my number five, again with no cover yet, is Painting by Numbers by Jasper Fforde. The first book in this series, Shades of Grey, was amazing!

What about you? What are you looking forward to in 2013? Leave a comment below or link up HERE to follow the meme.

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #15: What to Pack?

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that runs over the weekend, hosted by Crystal from one of my favourite blog sites, Reading Between the Wines.

Question of the Week:  When going on vacay, do you pack your print books, e-reader or both? 

Once again, I’m a bit late with this one – blame my computer exploding last week! Anyhoodle, it’s the middle of winter here so I envy anyone going away on holiday, but if it was me I would definitely just be packing my Kindle. I have 119 unread books on it as of right now, so I’d have plenty to choose from and could keep it in my handbag all day without fear of bending any corners.

What would you pack? Leave a comment below or link up HERE to follow the meme.

Related articles

• 18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #14: Cast Your Current Read! (mrsaubergine.wordpress.com)
• 18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #13: (Cat)Fight Club! (mrsaubergine.wordpress.com)
• 18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #12 (mrsaubergine.wordpress.com)

Teaser: Iced, by Karen Marie Moning

You all know how much of a fan of Jericho Barrons I am – *swoon* – so I was super-excited to see Karen Marie Moning had posted a wee teaser for her upcoming continuation of the Fever series, Iced, on her Facebook page yesterday. Iced is going to be the first in a trilogy based on Dani and featuring Christian MacKeltar and the mysterious Ryodan – and I hope JZB makes lots of appearances!

Here’t the teaser:

Ryodan doesn’t like Mac. He never has. She got between him and his best boy-bud. I give him a look. “I’ll tell you a secret, Ryodan. You mess with her, Barrons’ll kill you.” I drag a finger across my neck. “Just like that. You aren’t all that. Barrons’ll stomp your ass, hand’s down.”

He smiles faintly. “I’ll be damned. You have a crush on Barrons.”

“I do not have a crush—”

“You do, too. It’s all over your face. Anybody could see it.”

“Sometimes, boss, you’re just wrong.”

“I’m never wrong. You might as well take out a billboard. ‘Dani O’Malley thinks Jericho Barrons is hot.’ My offer to teach you is still open. Save you from future embarrassment. If I can see it on your face, he can, too.”

“He never figured it out before,” I grumble then realize I just admitted it. Ryodan has a tricky way of wording things that makes you say things you didn’t mean to say. “Maybe I’ll ask Barrons to teach me,” I mutter and turn away from the stairs, heading for his office. I run smack into his chest. “Dude, move. Trying to get somewhere here.”

“No one but me is ever going to teach you, Dani.”

He touches me before I see it coming, has his hand under my chin, turning my face up. My shiver is instant and uncontrollable.

“That’s non-negotiable. You signed a contract with me that grants exclusivity. You won’t like it if you try to break it.”

Ooh, me likey Iced is expected to be published on October 30.

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #4

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that runs over the weekend, hosted by Crystal from one of my favourite blog sites, Reading Between the Wines.

Question of the Week: Doing something a bit different this week…I would like you all to turn to page 60 of your current read (Even novella’s should have at least 60 pages, true.) And share the third to last sentence on that page! Make sure to share the title and author as well.

Apologies to all my readers – I’ve been out of the country and internetless for the last couple of weeks, but what a great question to come back to! My sentence is from Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst, and I had to do some calculations with my Kindle edition to find page 60. I think I got it right

“The girl never looked at Pearl, never knew how lucky she was to be here safe in the sun, rather than meeting Pearl in the shadows.”

Sounds creepy, but actually the book is really funny!

What about you? What are you reading at the moment? Leave a comment below or link up HERE to follow the meme.

COVER REVEAL! Karen Marie Moning releases her ICED cover

Reblogged from The Book Hookup:

Today on Karen Marie Moning's Facebook page was the cover reveal for her upcoming novel, ICED.

This is the spinoff from the fabulous FEVER series (yes, the one with JZB!) and centers on Dani O'Malley.

Iced will be published October 30, 2012

She added this teaser with the cover reveal :) :

I figure the folks that are the most interesting get to go to heaven.

Read more… 75 more words

I can't wait until October!

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #2

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that runs over the weekend, hosted by Crystal from one of my favourite blog sites, Reading Between the Wines.

Question of the week: If you could get an early look at one of March’s releases, raw and pre-edits, which book would it be?

Oh, this is so tough! There are two books coming out on March 27 which are part of some of my most favourite series, and I can’t decide between them!

The obvious choice is Lover Reborn, by J.R. Ward. I have been an avid reader of this series for a couple of years, and Tohrment’s book promises to be one which may polarise Ward’s fans. I’ve seen some spoilers and am not really sure what to expect. I’ve pre-ordered it, though, and am keen to read what happens to one of my favourite Brothers as soon as it hits my Kindle.

I love Tohr, but I think I love Terrible just as much, so I would have to say I’m hugely impatient to read Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane. The end of the last book was so brilliant and I can’t wait to read Chess and Terrible together as a couple.

Was that a copout? Sorry, but I just can’t choose!

So what about you? What book can you not wait to get your hands on this month? Leave a comment below or link up HERE to follow the meme.

A sneak peek at Insurgent

Pretty British cover

Entertainment Weekly has given us an exclusive excerpt from the highly anticipated Divergent sequel, Insurgent, due out May 1!

I loved Divergent so much, and can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to hit my Kindle! Read on for the teaser

View this document on Scribd

About A Dragon, by G.A. Aiken

Format: Kindle edition, 353 pages

Published: November 2008 (first published 2006)

Publisher: Zebra

Back cover blurb:

For Nolwenn witch Talaith, a bad day begins with being dragged from bed by an angry mob intent on her crispy end and culminates in rescue by-wait for it-a silver-maned dragon. Existence as a hated outcast is nothing new for a woman with such powerful secrets. The dragon, though? A tad unusual. This one has a human form to die for, and knows it. According to dragon law, Talaith is now his property, for pleasure…or otherwise. But if Lord Arrogance thinks she’s the kind of damsel to acquiesce without a word, he’s in for a surprise…

Is the woman never silent? Briec the Mighty knew the moment he laid eyes on Talaith that she would be his, but he’d counted on tongue-lashings of an altogether different sort. It’s embarrassing, really, that it isn’t this outspoken female’s magicks that have the realm’s greatest dragon in her thrall. No, Briec has been spellbound by something altogether different-and if he doesn’t tread carefully, what he doesn’t know about human women could well be the undoing of his entire race…

My review:

Is it wrong of me to like the secondary characters more than the main couple? This book, the second in the Dragon Kin series, began a bit slowly and I was of two minds about it, but the party really started once Gwenvael walked in. He is just hilarious, and thankfully brought out the playful side of gruff, serious Briec. I love the other brothers, too, and was pleased to see Morfyd and Brastias finally getting it together after two books of UST. The next book is Gwenvael’s, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he copes with being tamed by a woman. I’m sure if she hits him it will only be an “accident”.

My rating: 4/5

Karen Marie Moning Announces Release Date of NEW Fever Book & Treats Us to an Excerpt!

Reblogged from The Book Hookup:

If you were sad to see the last installment of the Fever Series Shadowfever come to an end, you'll be thrilled with this news.  On her facebook page, author Karen Marie Moning has announced the release of the next book in the series...ICED.

ICED: A Dani O'Malley Novel
October 30, 2012
Book 1
Begins the morning after SHADOWFEVER ends (EEEEEEEP ~ Jag) …

Read more… 247 more words

So very excited about this! Click on The Book Hookup link to read the smexy snippet :)

2012 Reading Challenges

The new year has begun, so of course I have been madly signing up for new reading challenges. The first two are old friends – ones I signed up for last year and managed to complete – but then I saw some new ones and thought… well, you know!

Last year I managed to completely outdo myself and read 129 books, so to outdo myself in 2012 I will have to manage 130 or more. That seems rather daunting, but I hope I can make it.

Here are The Book Vixen’s competition rules, and if you want to join me you can sign up HERE:

Details:

• Runs January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012 (books read prior to 1/1/12 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2012 than you did in 2011. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you could track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

 

Levels:

     Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
     Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
     Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
     I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

So I will be aiming to get my heart rate up. Anything more than that will be seriously amazing!

I just love Book Chick City‘s pink hair! Her fun logos just make me want to join her in whatever challenge she has going, so I’m signing on for her Mystery and Suspense one again this year.

Here are the details, and if you want to join me the link is HERE:

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: There are TWO LEVELS you can choose from:

- Read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2012
- Read TWENTY FOUR (24) mystery & suspense novels in 2012

• 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 at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

• You can choose from the numerous sub-genres of mystery and suspense, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or romantic suspense written by the likes of Linda Howard, forensic crime such as those written by Kathy Reichs and even paranormal/supernatural suspense such as Kelley Armstrong. I’m sure this challenge will have something for everyone! To help you figure out and decide, I have updated a sub-genre list – to view this list go HERE.

Last year I managed 22 mysteries and thrillers, so I’m going to choose the option to read 12 this year. If I do more, then that’s a bonus.

Since I managed 129 books last year, and am aiming for 130 this year, I thought I could also sign up to Book Chick City’s 100+ Books in  Year challenge.

To join me in this one, click HERE.

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: Read 100+ books in 2012 (any genre)

• 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 at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• Only fiction, no non-fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

I read a reasonable amount of Urban Fantasy, so I was a sucker for this one. And I love the logo!

To join me in this challenge, click HERE.

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012

• There are two levels:

- Read TWENTY FOUR (24)  horror & urban fantasy novels in 2012
- Read FORTY EIGHT (48) horror & urban fantasy novels in 2012

• 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 the challenge at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• No non-fiction – only fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

I’m aiming for 24 UF books.

Likewise, I read a lot – A LOT – of paranormal romance these days, so this was a no-brainer. And again the logo is too cute to ignore!

Join me in this challenge HERE.

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: There are FOUR (4) LEVELS to choose from:

- One Sexy Demon: Read 6 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

 - Two Sexy Werewolves: Read 12 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

- Three Sexy Vampires: Read 18 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

- Four Sexy Archangels: Read 24 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

• 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 at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• Only fiction, no non-fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

• GENRES:

- Paranormal romance
- Dark fantasy romance
- Urban fantasy romance
- Steampunk romance
- Sci-fi romance
- Apocalyptic romance

In my opinion as long as the main plot line is the romance element then you’re good to go! Also remember, this is ‘speculative‘ romance so no historical or contemporary allowed

I think I can probably manage to read to the archangel level – we shall see!

Finally, this one seemed appropriate. I found out about it through Book Chick City but it is hosted by Literary Escapism. I have been trying a whole lot of new authors lately, often debut writers but sometimes just ones who are new to me. This seemed like a good challenge to join to keep note of them.

Join me in this challenge HERE.

Here are the guidelines:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels.  Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors.  It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be.  If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop. Any new author you try, go ahead and head back here and add it to the list.  Introduce us all to whoever you find.  Afterall, there’s no reason to stop trying new authors, right?

I’ll start off with 15, although I suspect I might manage 25 before the end of the year.

What do you think? Too ambitious? Only time will tell I will update my progress in the Reading Challenges pages on my menu bar as I go.