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

In My Mailbox (98)

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

For Review:

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Jessic Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Thanks to Penguin Australia for sending both of these books!

Bought:

N/a

What did you get in your IMM?

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

In My Mailbox (97)

Two Local Bookstores

Review: Silverbirch by Rob Kaay

Waiting on Wednesday (90）

Spellbound Noticeboard (22)

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  

****************************

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.

****************************

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.

****************************

Enjoy!

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!

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.

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!

In My Mailbox (97)

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

For Review:

N/A

Bought:

Lia's Guide to Winning the Lottery by Keren David

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

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):

Sticky Beak (73)

In My Mailbox (96)

Waiting on Wednesday (89)

Spellbound Noticeboard (21)

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 

****************************

 

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

****************************

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?

****************************

Hope you enjoy these!

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?

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?

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!

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):

Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare Book Trailer

In My Mailbox (95)

GFC Is going... so what now?

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges Book Trailer

Waiting on Wednesday (88)

Tempest by Julie Cross Book Trailer

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

Tempest by Julie Cross Book Trailer

This looks pretty good!

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?

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges Book Trailer

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

GFC Is going...so what now?

Join this site

with Google Friend Connect

Members (522) More »

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 +?