June RAK Wrap-Up

I Received:Immortal City by Scott Speer from Michelle @ Michelle Chew WritesDemonglass by Rachel Hawkins from Miranda @ The Lonely Bookshelf

I Gave:

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma to Jana @ Infinity
Heart On A Chain by Cindy C. Bennett to Rabiah @ Confessions of a Readaholic
Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock to Michelle @ Michelle Chew Writes
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma to Miranda @ The Lonely Bookshelf

A BIG thank you to Isalys and Vanessa at Book Soulmates for hosting!!

Today is the day!!!

Hey everyone!!

Today is the day I get LASIK!!!

*SQUEE*

Now, I know I've been a little M.I.A. recently and I'm sorry for that, but it's going to last just a tad bit longer. 

As my vision gets better I will begin posting reviews again, but it won't be at nearly the same rate until after July 15.

That being said, when I get back I will be doing something special for my amazing followers!

Happy Reading!!

*Big Hugs*

{Winner} Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White

The winner of an e-copy of Redheads are Soullesss is...

Gale N. CONFIRMED

 Congratulations!

An emails has been sent.  If I do not get a response within 48 hours I will pick a new winner.

Be sure to check out my other giveaways going on now:

Easy by Tammara Webber

Any book in the Grey Wolves Series by Quinn Loftis

And be sure to check back for other giveaways coming up soon...

{Review} Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher:  Spencer Hill Press
Series:  Coventant (#1)
Pages:  281
Source:  Purchased
Available as of October 18, 2011
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository | Books-A-Million

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Rating:

My Review:

I'm thrilled that I have found a new series that I could read over and over again. Jennifer L. Armentrout has written a wonderful start to a series that has, so far, made me laugh, cry, and get angry. There was action, romance, death, and surprising twists. If you haven't picked it up yet, you should really get on that.

After leaving the Covenant three years ago, Alex has to go back. Her mother is no longer able to take care of her and her money is dwindling. After being trapped in a building and attacked by daimons, she realizes that if she can't get out and get to a Covenant as fast as possible, she's as good as dead.

Describing Alex in one word would be difficult. If I had to pick one word though, it would be self-reliant. Overall, she is one of my favorite characters ever. It could be because she reminds me of myself, but she truly is a great person. She is funny, confrontational, stubborn, and most of all, impulsive. She doesn't take anyone's crap and when she feels like something is her fault, she feels guilty and needs to rectify the situation. 

I LOVED this book! Absolutely loved it. Everything about it screams amazing! I'm not saying that lightly either. Normally I can see a twist approaching a mile away. That wasn't the case. I was completely flabbergasted...TWICE. From the start, I didn't want to put Half-Blood down. I was so entranced in the story that time just slipped away.  The characters were well thought out and never deviated from what I felt they would do. I expected some certain events to happen, but other's I didn't think would, and I was giddy when they did. 

Writing this review has difficult because I want to *squee* and tell you everything that happened. It was that good. If you haven't read Half-Blood, you really need to do that as soon as you can. It was amazing.

{Help Wanted} Operation: Find Daniel

Hey Guys!!

I know I've been a little M.I.A. recently, but Frankie Rose, author of The Hope Series, needs your help!

The first book in her series, Sovereign Hope, comes out in a few days and she is looking for a cover model for book two!

You're probably wondering what this cover model needs to look like...

He needs to...

- be smokin' hot

- have green eyes

- messy black hair

- a body to die for

If you know a guy or can find a picture fitting this description send the picture to Frankie Rose.

Be sure you have said hotties permission!

{Review & Giveaway} Out of the Dark by Quinn Loftis

Out of the Dark
by Quinn Loftis
Series:  The Grey Wolves (#4)
Pages:  253
Source:  Purchased
Available as of June 3, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Darkness has descended on the Transylvanian Alps.Four packs of the powerful Grey wolves – in a rare show of cooperation – had joined together here in an effort to help their pack members find true mates. Then they were betrayed by one of their own – an Alpha hell-bent on becoming the most powerful of the Canis lupis. And though the wolf's assassination attempt on the currently-reigning Romanian Alpha failed, his plans to get Decebel, the Romanian Beta, out of the picture were coming together even as his treachery was discovered. The wolf fled, leaving destruction, death, and a missing mate behind him.

Unbeknownst to the other packs, the wolf has employed a witch to finish the deadly job and help him gain another tool to increase his power. A curse of devastating proportions will cripple Decebel in a way that may dissolve his fragile bond with Jennifer. Meanwhile, injured and alone, Jen has been fighting for her life. She had come to terms with her fate, accepting that she would not share a life with Decebel, until help came in the most unexpected form...

Vasile will have to use all his resources – including Sally, the new gypsy healer of the Romanian pack – to discover a way in which to destroy the witch, lift the curse from Decebel and reunite him with the one woman who makes him whole, and solve a mystery that's been surrounding the Romanian pack for 300 years.

Rating:

This review contains spoilers if you haven't read the first three books in this series. 

You can find the other reviews at the following locations:

Prince of Wolves

Blood Rites

Just One Drop

My Review:

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Quinn Loftis has yet to disappoint me with her Grey Wolves Series. Now I'm left wishing book 5 would come out soon.

Out of the Dark picks up right where Just One Drop left off. Jen is hurt and about to die. Dec has promised he will take care of her friends before looking for her. How much time does he have before he loses her forever and becomes a disgrace to all Grey Wolves?

So much of the focus of this book was on Jen and Dec, but Sally was also allowed some spotlight. She has just learned she is a gypsy healer, but she has no idea how to use her powers. Soon, one of the wolves from the Romanian Pack begins to take interest and she is left wondering how long till he finds his true mate and breaks her heart.

What I loved most about Out of the Dark was that we get to see more of Jacque. After her and Fane got hitched we were never really in her mind for any lengthy period of time. I also like that we got to see more of what Sally could do. I loved the witty banter between the girls and even more so, the banter between Jen and Dec. They went through a l lot in this book and its nice to see them becoming who they once were. To make the book even better, the girls are on a mission to defy their mates. 

There is nothing bad I can say about this book. Quinn Loftis is an amazing writer and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in book 5. I highly recommend the Grey Wolves Series if you haven't started it yet.

Giveaway Time!!!

I am offering one 

Nook or Kindle copy

of any book in the Grey Wolves Series

to one lucky follower.

Open Internationally!

Giveaway Policy Applies

Ends 7/5 @ Midnight EST

CLICK THIS ENTRY FORM TO ENTER

{Winners} Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop

The winners of my Clear Your Shelf Giveaway are...

The Twilight Saga - Amanda F. CONFIRMED

Keeping Faith - Tara K. CONFIRMED

Plain Truth - Sue F. Gala CONFIRMED

 Congratulations!

Emails have been sent.  If I do not get a response within 48 hours I will pick new winners.

Be sure to check out my other giveaways going on now:

Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White
Easy by Tammara Webber

And be sure to check back for other giveaways coming up soon...

{Winners} In Too Deep & Indie Author Giveaway Hop

The winner of my ARC of In Too Deep by Amanda Grace is...

Grigory of Siberia CONFIRMED

The winners of a signed paperback of Dirty Blood by Heather Hildenbrand are...

Kristin H. CONFIRMED
Jessica R. CONFIRMED

 Congratulations!

Emails have been sent.  If I do not get a response within 48 hours I will pick new winners.

Be sure to check out my other giveaways going on now:

Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop

Nook or Kindle copy of Easy by Tammara Webber

And be sure to check back for other giveaways coming up soon...

{Mini-Review} Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daimon
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher:  Spencer Hill Press
Series:  Covenant (#0.5)
Pages:  62
Source:  Purchased
Available as of May 6, 2011
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository | Books-A-Million

For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards… and that she'll never be prepared for that duty.

According to her mother, that’s a good thing.

But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death… because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill.

The daimons have found her.

Rating:

My Review:

I had heard so many great things about this series and I figured I should try it out. Not knowing what exactly I was walking into, I read Daimon. I didn't want to write a review for this immediately after reading it because I can review a 62 page book in all of three sentences, so I went ahead and read Half-Blood before writing this and there was a lot more background information in Daimon that didn't really pertain to what you need to know when starting Half-Blood, but I'm glad I read it. We get a taste of who Alex's mother is and I think this is important for relating to and understanding Alex when the end of Half-Blood comes around. Is this worth taking a look at when you start reading the series? Definitely.

{Review & Giveaway} Blog Tour: Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White

Redheads are Soulless
by Heather M. White
Series:  Red Trilogy (#1)
Source:  e-book courtesy of Heather M. White in exchange for a fair and honest review
Available as of May 22, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

High school senior, Sofia Black, has had a very hard life. Since her father's death 7 years ago, she has had to look after her drug addicted, alcohlic mother. School isn't any better for her either. The other kids constantly tease, and ridicule her. All she wants is to get out of her small hometown in Alabama.

When new student, Jason, shows up, Sofia's world is turned upside down. She doesn't understand why he wants to befriend her so badly... And, just when she thinks she can trust him, trouble appears.

Jason's twin brother, Robbie, moves into town, and things go haywire. Sofia is now running for her life - and Jason is forced to share hidden secrets with her. She learns the truth about her father's death, and finds out that she may not be as "human" as she once thought. She struggles to accept her fate, while fighting for her life.

Rating:

My Review:

If you asked me to pick one word to describe Redheads are Soulless, I would pick entrancing. I was dying to know what would happen after the first sentence. The only reason I put it down was to go to sleep and even then it was hard to do. Heather M. White wrote another fantastic book and I'm so glad I got a chance to read it. It was above and beyond what I had expected.

Sofia Black isn't your average run of the mill, everyday seventeen year old. Her father died when she was ten. After his death her mother turned to drugs and alcohol to get her through the day. That was seven years ago. Sofia has picked her mom up from the local bar every Friday night since his death, bought clothing from yard sales, and has been taunted at school every day. So what happens when an attractive boy shows up at school and takes immediate interest in her? Well, you'll just have to read to find out....

Sofia thinks little of herself. She has little self-worth and thinks she is a waste of space. For the last seven years she has been taking care of her mother. No child needs to ever be put in her shoes. No ten year old should play the parent. Jason and Robbie are the two new boys in town. They are twins and both very attractive. When Jason shows up, he worms his way into Sofia's heart. Later, Robbie, who is made out to be a monster, makes his appearance and she begins to doubt everything she has ever known.

What I loved most about Redheads are Soulless was that we see Sofia begin to see herself differently. She goes from an insecure girl who takes care of her mom to a girl with a little bit of confidence who stands up to her mothers antics. I loved that I was always so enticed by the story. There was never a moment where I was bored or wanted to be anywhere but sitting down with the book. 

There were a few minor things that just kinda irked me. First, insta-love. Granted it wasn't truly insta-love, but I felt the relationship Sofia formed with Jason was off somehow and yet they were so into each other. Something about it just bothered me. Second, there was a little bit of a love triangle going on. I don't have a huge issue with this specific love triangle because in the end a decision is made, but the things that happened during the triangle just rubbed me the wrong way. I'm chalking it up to Sofia never being in a relationship before, so it was more of an annoyance than anything else.

Overall, Redheads are Soulless was an awesome book. If you have never read any of Heather M. White's books, you really should. They are intriguing with romance and action. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It was truly a great read!

Giveaway Time!!!

Heather M. White is kindly providing

an e-copy of Redheads are Soulless

to one of my lucky followers.

Open Internationally!

Giveaway Policy Applies

Ends 6/24 @ Midnight EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.  

In My Mailbox #16

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It is a weekly blog that allows the blogger to brag about what they received in the mail, got for review, won in contest, purchased, ect.

Books Mentioned:

Random Magic by Sasha Soren

Swipe by Evan Angler
Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein
The Immortal Rule by Julie Kagawa
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
ExtraNormal by Suze Reese
Immortal City by Scott Speer
Out of the Dark by Quinn Loftis 
Rapture by Lauren Kate
Timepiece by Myra McEntire
Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Blogs Mentioned:

Katrina @ Kindred Dreamheart
Lucile @ Book Sp(l)ot
Jenna @ coFfee, bOokks, and mE
Mike @ The Subtle Chronicler

Michelle @ Michelle Chew Writes
Annabelle @ Sparkles and Lightening

What's in your mailbox?

{Review & Giveaway} Easy by Tammara Webber

Easy
by Tammara Webber
Publisher:  Self Published
Pages:  316
Source:  Purchased
Available as of May 25, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Note: MATURE YA

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex’s frat brother, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Her econ professor gives her an email address for Landon, the class tutor, who shows her that she’s still the same intelligent girl she’s always been. As Jacqueline becomes interested in more from her tutor than a better grade, his teasing responses make the feeling seem mutual. There’s just one problem—their only interactions are through email.

Meanwhile, a guy in her econ class proves his worth the first night she meets him. Nothing like her popular ex or her brainy tutor, Lucas sits on the back row, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. At a downtown club, he disappears after several dances that leave her on fire. When he asks if he can sketch her, alone in her room, she agrees—hoping for more.

Then Jacqueline discovers a withheld connection between her supportive tutor and her seductive classmate, her ex comes back into the picture, and her stalker escalates his attention by spreading rumors that they’ve hooked up. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

Rating:

My Review:

As soon as I read that Tammara Webber was writing this book, I got super excited. I loved Between the Lines and knew this would be just as good if not better. She didn't let me down. I was captivated and couldn't put it down, even to go to bed.

After being forced to go to a party by her best friend, Jackie walks out to her truck to kill some time while waiting for her girl friend to say she's ready to go. Then it happens. Her supposed friend attacks her. She tries to yell and get attention, but he muffles her cries. Suddenly she feels the weight lifted off of her and she scrambles to the opposite side of her truck. When she looks up, a mystery guy is doing quite a number on her attacker. Who is this guy and how does he know her name?

Out of the blue Jackie's boyfriend of three years breaks up with her. After two weeks of skipping class, her best friend, Erin, forces her to go to class. It isn't like Jackie to skip class. She's failing Econ because her ex. She doesn't want to watch him flirt with other girls and who could blame her. She's never failed a class, but she doesn't have the strength to deal with his antics. Jackie comes a long way from the person she was to the person she is by the end of the fall term. She's found strength and courage and learns to defend herself.

I loved how realistic Easy was. Sorority girls try talking one of their sisters out of telling the horrific tale of what happened to her because the person to blame is a member of the sororities brother fraternity. I also loved how detailed the story was because I could very vividly imagine how a scene went down. The content of the novel was so true to life. I've been witness to some of the common problems on college campuses that were mentioned. Most of all, I loved Jackie. She didn't give in to her ex-boyfriend when he wanted to get back together. She was so broken and miserable at the beginning of the novel, but she turned into such a strong person by the last page. She was truly remarkable. Oh, and mystery boy. He was a big plus too! I wish I had one!!! <3

Overall, this book went above and beyond what I had imagined it could be. It is one of my favorite books this year and I can't wait to see what Tammara Webber haa in store for us next. I highly recommend this to college students! There are mature scenes that aren't suitable for younger audiences.

Giveaway Time!!!

I am offering one 

Nook or Kindle copy of Easy 

to one lucky follower.

You must be 17 years of age or older to enter.

This book contains mature content 

not suitable for younger audiences!!!

Open Internationally!

Giveaway Policy Applies

Ends 6/30 @ Midnight EST

CLICK THIS ENTRY FORM TO ENTER