Bachelorette Weekend Take Two

It's round two of bachelorette weekends for this girl! It's crazy but it seems to me that once one friend gets engaged or married, the rest begin to fall in line, or so it seems. So this year has definitely become one of those years for my girlfriends and I couldn't be happier for each and every one of them. This the second bachelorette weekend I've had so far this summer and I'm really looking forward to it. The girls and I are headed to Atlantic City for a great weekend to celebrate our friend S's upcoming wedding and "last" weekend as a single girl. It's sure to be quite crazy since our group is so large but I'm hoping everyone has a great time and manages to leave in one piece. So I'm thinking I won't get a whole lot of time tucked away for catching up on my reading or much of anything else, but be sure to do some for me!

And to all of you mothers out there...you're the best and we couldn't survive without you! I'm heading home after A.C. to visit with my mom and hopefully to remind her how wonderful she is and how grateful I am for everything she does for me...the list is long! Hopefully we'll be able to convince her to relax a little and take some time for herself while she can!

So happy Mother's Day and Happy Reading as always!!!!

Blood of a Red Rose Blog Tour!!

It's tour time everybody and today I'm lucky enough to be the first stop along Tish Thawer's blog tour for her upcoming release of Blood of a Red Rose in her exciting Rose Trilogy. So be sure to check out all the stops after this one on the tour because it's sure shaped up to a be a great number of fun and interesting BLOGS! And now for my review....

As soon as I finished Thawer's series opener, Scent of a White Rose, I couldn't wait until I would get the chance to check out the second installment in her trilogy. After meeting her wonderful characters and being introduced to this unique and interesting world Thawer created, I had to know what would happen to them next. Secrets were revealed, surprises and shocking twists were thrown at readers at all possible times, and this novel was definitely not lacking in suspense.

I was also relieved and excited to find that Thawer's gift for fast paced writing and flowing dialogue continued on in her second installment. I literally flew through this title, finding myself finishing it all in one day! It was addicting and I think readers will find themselves hooked and unable to close their books until the last page has been read. And what a last page it was! Some may feel differently but one of my favorite aspects of Thawer's writing and this series in general is that she varies her narrators. I love getting the chance to hear from each of the main character's points of view. Readers get a full compass of everything that's going on and how each character feels and views the goings on around them. It makes me feel like nothing is left out and nothing is held back.

The various narrators also keeps things exciting in my opinion. There's never a dull moment because even when the action slows down at points, it's at these moments where Thawer lets her readers get a glimpse into how her characters are reflecting on everything that's happening. I found myself just as anxious to read how certain people were feeling as well as finding out what would happen next. Thawer is definitely not one to leave her readers complacent and comfortable. She throws wrenches into her characters' well thought out plans left and right. There is no lull in the action and at times I could attempt to tamper down my frustration at all these characters were going through. It was exciting to say the least.

Now that Thawer has left her readers with another doozy of a cliffhanger to wrap this second installment up with, I'm once again craving the next book. Not sure when readers will be able to plan on seeing the third and final installment hit the shelves in this exciting series, but you can be sure that as soon as I find out the countdown will begin and I can't wait! Be sure to pick up your copies of this installment when it hits bookstores' shelves, tomorrow, May 8th!

I gave Blood of a Red Rose (The Rose Trilogy, #2) 3 shamrocks!!!

In My Mailbox (51)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

The Forsaken (The Forsaken, #1) by Lisa M. Stasse (Thanks to Simon & Schuster)

A thought-provoking and exciting start to a riveting new dystopian trilogy.As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

Auracle by Gina Rosati (Thanks to Roaring Book Press)

16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.

When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help.

Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them.

Shift by Kim Curran (Thanks to Strange Chemistry)

When your average, 16-year old loser, Scott Tyler, meets the beautiful and mysterious Aubrey Jones, he learns he’s not quite so average after all. He’s a ‘Shifter’. And that means he has the power to undo any decision he’s ever made.

At first, he thinks the power to shift is pretty cool. But as his world quickly starts to unravel around him he realises that each time he uses his power, it has consequences; terrible unforeseen consequences. Shifting is going to get him killed. In a world where everything can change with a thought, Scott has to decide where he stands.

Glitch (Glitch, #1) by Heather Anastasiu (Thanks to St. Martin's Press)

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network. When Zoe starts to malfunction (or "glitch"), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse. In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

Blood of a Red Rose (The Rose Trilogy, #2) by Tish Thawer (Thanks to Tish)

Doubt blooms...

Someone bleeds...

Change is coming...time to take heed.

Book 2 in The Rose Trilogy. A paranormal romance that continues to surprise with a heroine that’s embracing her darker side, a vampire whose love starts to waver, and a vampire clan whose new Sire is filled with doubt.

~ ROSE ~
I'm Rose Reynolds. I’ve shared my secret and ruined lives.
I’m no longer welcome in my childhood home.
And, I’ve recently threatened to kill my best friend.
I warned you - I'm not as innocent as everyone thinks…

~ CHRISTIAN ~
I'm Christian and I’m worried about Rose.
She’s changed and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
She knows my secret and loves me still.
This I know, because I’m starting to hear whispers wherever I go…

To Read:

Insurgent (Divergent, #2) by Veronica Roth

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Happy Weekend!!

Normally my weekends are reserved for relaxing, catching up on stuff that I've been putting off all week, like laundry, watching and cleaning up my favorite TV shows that I've recorded and of course using as much of my down time as possible to read all the great books that I've got waiting to be opened and enjoyed. This weekend though I'm more than happy to put my reading off a for a little while...or at least to share some of that down time for some fun and exciting stuff. Tonight I'm lucky enough to get the chance to see Cirque du Soleil perform...the Michael Jackson Immortal show and I can't wait! I always knew these performers were talented and that I would enjoyed watching them perform, but last year was my first experience and I've got to say that I have become such a huge fan ever since! A few friends and I got tickets for this show months ago and I've been counting down ever since! And then tomorrow I've got my friend Shannon's Bridal shower, so it's looking like it'll shape up to be a pretty fabulous and super fun weekend!

I hope you guys are able to enjoy (what I hope will be) nice weather and relax a little from everyday life with a good read, quality time with your family and fun times with your friends!

Happy Reading!!!!!

Review: Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

I can't believe I waited so long to read this one! Hopefully I won't let another gem like this one fall through the cracks again in the future. I've had this title since it was released and somehow I overlooked it until now. While I'm regretting waiting so long, I'm thrilled that I corrected my mistake and finally gave myself the chance to read this fabulous title! I simply enjoyed every single turn of the page on this one. McEntire created a scenario that fascinated me. Time travel has always been one of those phenomena that I couldn't help but be intrigued by. And when you take that and add in all the other remarkable details and twists that McEntire did in her novel, it became a combination that is utterly impossible to turn away from.

I stayed up late into a few nights reading, so that I could try and race through this title and was simply sad when I would have to close it for the night. If that isn't a clear mark of a great read, I'm not sure what is. Emerson is one of those characters that shows a great combination of bravery and spunk, while remaining humble and somewhat vulnerable at all the right times that makes it impossible to not adore her. The other characters like Michael, Lily and Emerson's brother, Thomas and his wife, Dru, are each endearing in their own ways. It's a great cast of characters and the situations they find themselves in will leave readers rooting for them to come out on top. But when so much is at stake it's hard to predict what will happen, and where McEntire will leave her characters in the end. After finishing up this series opener, I'm extremely anxious for the chance to read, the second installment, Timepiece, when it releases in June 2012.

I gave Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!

Great Finds!!

It might just be me, but more often than not, I find myself reading a book and researching people mentioned, artwork, poetry, etc... I recently read Myra McEntire's Hourglass, and found myself doing this once again. Lucky I did as it turns out. I'm a huge art buff (or at least I try to be) and in the beginning of Hourglass, the main character, Emerson describes her room for readers. I was curious when she mentioned that her bedroom walls were lined with prints by John Williams Waterhouse. I'd never heard of him (shame I know) but I wanted to fix that error immediately. When I did a basic search I found that the paintings that came up were beautiful. One of them I am familiar with and was sad that I hadn't remembered the artist attached to this work of art.

Here are some of my favorites of his work.

The Lady of Shalott

Miranda the Tempest

Ophelia

Ophelia (not sure if this is the official title of the painting)

Circe the Sorceress

After seeing all of these great pieces I'm thinking that I might need to buy myself a print to display in my apartment. Which one is your favorite? I'm still trying to decide.

Happy Reading!!!

ARC Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Yet another series opener that has pulled me in and left me no hope of getting away. Higgins created a very unique and interested set up throughout this entire debut and I really think fans or this type of novel are going to fall in love with everything she included. You're got the good guys and the bad guys, but the lines are not so clear, and it's not really all black and white, but more muddled with gray areas than I was used to. I loved not knowing who was going to do something and win me over with each turn of the page. Or have me reacting the opposite and wanting nothing more than for certain characters to get what's coming to them after creating so many obstacles for my favorite lead characters.

It was crazy how much Higgins managed to pack into this debut, and she did this without it being too much, if that makes sense. She has the ability to take readers on an adventure right alongside her characters, and while I felt overwhelmed for the leads, like Anna and Kaidan and all that they were dealing with, I still wanted to learn more. So many times I read books that include way to much detail, to the point where all I can do is focus on the amount of text that could have been left out completely. This was not the case in Sweet Evil. Higgins includes a lot but readers will want more, and they won't be satisfied until their demands are met.

While I love receiving ARCs, there are a few drawbacks. The biggest in my opinion is that while you get the opportunity to check out the read before it hits the shelves, at the same time you are then left waiting even longer for the second installment to be released. Higgins has me hooked, and she did it before I even made it half way through her book. I can't wait to see how other readers are going to react to this debut! I can only imagine the positive feedback she'll be receiving. While they haven't yet scheduled a second release for this series, Higgins has said on her site that she pictures it as a trilogy and I am crossing my fingers that her vision becomes a reality!

I gave Sweet Evil 4 shamrocks!!!!