December RAK is here. :)

Random Acts of Kindness is brought to us by the ladies of Book Soulmates.  How big is your RAK?


Another month is upon us and we have another opportunity to share in our love of books.  Thank you for stopping by to take a look at my RAK wish list.

I’ve broken it up into two categories - in no particular order:

Adult

Blood Bound - Rachel Vincent

Night Veil - Yasmine Galenorn

Chosen By Fate - Virna DePaul

Primal Law - J D Tyler

Flesh and Blood - Kristen Painter

Rebirth - Sophie Littlefield

Darkness Descending - Devyn Quinn

Deadline - Mira Grant

Shadow Walker - Allyson James

YA

Cinder - Marissa Meyer

Ashes - Ilsa J Bick

Dearly, Departed - Lia Habel

Hollowland - Amanda Hocking

The Reapers Are The Angels - Alden Bell

Possess - Gretchen McNeil

Misfit - Jon Skovron

Hunger - Michael Grant

The Replacement - Brenna Yovanoff

My complete wish list can be found on GoodReads.

As always, I am happy to accept ARC's and used books. 

November Review Rewind

I can't believe November has come and gone and Christmas is just around the corner.  :)  This year has flown by and I've almost reached my goal of reading 200 books.  Here is run down of what I read this month:


5 Stars
Last Breath - Rachel Caine
The First Days - Rhiannon Frater
Fighting to Survive - Rhiannon Frater
Fate's Edge - Ilona Andrews


4 Stars
Embrace the Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney
The Storm that is Sterling - Lisa Renee Jones
Blood Drunk, Faded Blue - Angela Lovell
Magic on the Line - Devon Monk
Sex, Lies and Mistletoe - Tawny Weber
Acquainted with the Night - Piper Maitland


3 Stars
The Doomsday Vault - Steven Harper
Who Do, Voodoo? - Rochelle Staab
One Grave at a Time - Jeaniene Frost
Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver
Beautiful Creatures - Garcia & Stohl


How was your reading month?

November RAK Wrap-Up

November is a pretty busy month around here - but I still managed to send out  a few books:


The Magicians - Lev Grossman to Angie
The Den of Shadows Quartet - Amelia Atwater-Rhodes to Ivy
Memento Nora - Angie Smibert to Jennifer
The Shattering - Karen Healey to Lillie
A Box of Books to Sara
NightWorld, 1 & 2 - L J Smith to Paige


I also received some books:


From Sullivan McPig
Storm's Heart - Thea Harrison


From Sara
Managing Death - Trent Jamieson
Death Most Definite - Trent Jamieson
Mermaid - Carolyn Turgeon 


From Paige
Lies - Michael Grant


I imagine with the holidays coming up, the RAK's may slow down until the first of the year.  :)  If you aren't participating in RAK, I urge you to give it a try - I'm having a blast.


Happy Reading!

Review: Acquainted with the Night by Piper Maitland

Acquainted With The Night is a novel by Piper Maitland from Berkley.


Book Blurb:


Caroline Clifford’s bland life as a London tour guide flips upside down when her beloved uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archaeological site.  While traveling to recover his remains, she meets a man who corresponded with her uncle.  Jude Barrett is a biochemist on a mission - to rid the world of vampires...


At first, Caro is dismissive of Jude’s beliefs, but she can’t ignore the signs that are all around her: the human bite marks on her uncle, the men following her, the anguished cries after sundown.  Strange anagrams on her uncle’s passport lead her and Jude to a cliff-top monastery in Greece, where a shattering revelation connects a relic Caro inherited from her parents to an age-old text on immortality - and an enigmatic prophecy that pits the forces of darkness and light in a showdown that could destroy them all...


My thoughts:


Caro lost her parents when she was young.  Barely surviving the freak accident that took their lives - Caro went to live with her eccentric uncle and was given a new lease on life - actually, she was given a new life.   Urged never to speak of the accident - or the life she had before, Caro was caught up in her Uncle’s nomad lifestyle - moving from place to place, learning of diverse cultures and ancient civilizations. 


When her Uncle is murdered - Caro is thrust into a world she was never meant to know about - a world her Uncle spent his life protecting her from.


A world of vampires, violence and prophecies of immortality.


Caro travels from Greece to Italy and Egypt in search of the clues her Uncle left behind.  Clues that hold the secret to the very thing responsible for her parents death.


But unknown to Caro is her own part in an ages old prophecy...


Acquainted With The Night is a very enjoyable read that can not be contained in one genre.  We have   paranormal romance, romantic suspense, thriller and even a touch of urban fantasy all rolled into one read.


This book should appeal to readers across several genre’s.


I give Acquainted With The Night 4 out of 5 stars and hope for a sequel.  We were left with a bit of a cliff hanger.



Product Details
Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Berkley (November 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 042524363X
ISBN-13: 978-0425243633

E Van Lowe's Earth Angel Cyber Monday Giveaway

E Van Lowe's Earth Angel Cyber Monday giveaway is open to all those with a US mailing address.  This prize back includes:


1.  Signed copies of both Boyfriend from Hell and Earth Angel

2.  Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple Gift Set

3.  Fuzzy Black Winter Hat, Black & Purple Striped Slipper Socks & Fuzzy Gloves, Bewitching Witch Hat Mini Notebook, Bewitching Book Tours Broom Pen and a Jennifer Scales Novel by MaryJanice Davidson


Interested?  Just fill out this form:


  


You can find the complete list of blogs that are participating in this giveaway at Bewitching Book Tours.

In My Mailbox: 11-26-11

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what we bought, borrowed from the library or received in the mail.


Here is what I received this past week:

For Review:

Sex, Lies and Midnight - Tawny Weber

Thanks to Author Tawny Weber

From PaperBack Swap:

Bloodlust - Michelle Rowen

Bought:

Immortal Rider - Larissa Ione

How was your mailbox?  

Early Review: Fate's Edge by ILona Andrews

Fate’s Edge is the third book in the Edge series by Ilona Andrews and an ACE Fantasy.

Book Blurb:

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale - and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny...

Born into a family of con men, Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge for an unmagical existence in the Broken.  Audrey is determined to stay on the straight and narrow, but when her brother gets into hot water, she takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack-of-all-trades.

Kaldar Mar is a gambler, a lawyer, a thief, and a spy with some unusual talents that guarantee him lucrative work. His latest assignment has him tracking down a stolen item, and Kaldar doesn’t expect much of a challenge - until Audrey turns up to give him a run for his money.

But when the missing object falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job and survive, he’s going to need Audrey’s help...

My thoughts:


A potentially deadly item has been stolen and Kaldar, as an agent for the Mirror, has been sent to retrieve it before it falls into the wrong hands - literally.  If the Hand gains possession of this item it could give them the added ability to move freely within the Broken.


If that weren’t enough, the Claws of Bast are after the item as well - and their leader has a personal vendetta against Kaldar.


Audrey just wants to be left alone, to make her way in the world legally and without magic.  If that means doing one more job for her father, so be it.


But walking away from this job is not an option.  When Kaldar finds Audrey and explains just what she’s stolen, Audrey agrees to help get it back.


Easier said than done.


Fate’s Edge is a great addition to one of my favorite series.


I give Fate’s Edge 5 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Ace (November 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0441020860
ISBN-13: 978-0441020867   

Winner: The Black Sun's Daughter series by MLN Hanover

The giveaway for the complete series of the Black Sun's Daughter has ended and Random dot Org has spoken.


The winner is #12 - SableLexi - an email is on the way.


Thank you all for participating.


Happy Reading!

Happy Thanksgiving!! :)

I hope everyone is having a great day.  I am forever thankful for the health and happiness of my loved ones.   

WoW: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine to showcase books we are patiently awaiting.

My WoW for the week:

The signs are everywhere ... disastrous world events. Evil rising up, unleashed upon the innocent. The prophecies were there ... but no one listened. Until now. The time has come for those who can either usher in Doomsday... or prevent it. They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Arik Wagner, a soldier with the U.S. Army's paranormal unit, the R-XR, kissed a girl and liked it. And then he went to hell as punishment. Where he's spent weeks being tortured ... and plotting revenge.

Limos, Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, isn't your average girl. She's immortal, dangerous, and her fiancé is Satan himself. In a moment of weakness, she gave in to her desire and kissed Arik, triggering her fiancé's wrath - and his claim on her. In order to save Arik, and the world, Limos must make a dangerous pact with her recently turned evil brother, Pestilence. A deal that might just cost her her soul ... and her heart.

Product Details 

Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (11-22-11)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0446574473

ISBN-13: 978-0446574471

Review: Sex, Lies and Mistletoe by Tawny Weber

Sex, Lies and Mistletoe is the first book in the Undercover Operatives series by Tawny Weber and a Romance from Harlequin Blaze.


Book Blurb:


He sees her when she’s sleeping...


Undercover DEA agent Caleb Black is home for the holidays - possibly to bust his own father.  But maybe Caleb’s con-man dad isn’t the one running drugs through the small town of Black Oak.  Maybe it’s the green-eyed goddess who runs the New Age shop and has Caleb under her sultry spell.


Pandora Easton saved the family store with two words: sex sells.  And her delectable aphrodisiacs really work, as she’s proven with notorious bad boy Caleb again and again and again.


Little does she guess that, in the end, her most potent potion will be the truth...


My thoughts:


Caleb Black, fed up with his con-man Dad, left his small hometown and entered law enforcement - never looking back.  Until now.


Word through the ranks is that drugs are being run in Caleb’s hometown - and all leads point to his Dad. Thinking that Caleb could infiltrate the community fairly easy simply by going home, the FBI call in a favor and Caleb heads back to Black Oak.


Pandora Easton left Black Oak at the first opportunity - hoping to make all of her dreams come true.  And she thought she had - a great job, a great boyfriend.  Until it all fell apart.  Now back home and in charge of the failing family business, Pandora is trying to find a way to keep her family legacy afloat.


Caleb may not want anything to do with his father, but the same can not be said for the beautiful Pandora.  Caleb falls hard and fast for the café owner - and the feelings are mutual.  But when evidence points to Pandora, Caleb must find a way to clear her name...before she is arrested.


I really enjoy Tawny Weber’s stories and Sex, Lies and Mistletoe is no exception.  Ms. Weber creates relatable characters that I want to see get their HEA.


I give Sex, Lies and Mistletoe 4 out of 5 stars.



Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373796609
ISBN-13: 978-0373796601

Giveaway: Black Sun's Daughter series by MLN Hanover

Thanks to Simon & Schuster I have one (1) set of the complete Black Sun's Daughter series by MLN Hanover to give away.


This giveaway is open to all followers of this blog with a US mailing address.  Just leave a comment with a valid email addy so I can contact you when you win.


Using Random dot Org, winner will be chosen and announced on Friday, 11-25-11.


Good Luck and Happy Reading! 

Sign-Up for the Shameless Giveaway Hop

The Shameless Giveaway Hop is hosted by three ladies who love to read - and aren't ashamed of it.


Michelle @ Michelle's Book Blog
Jen @ Red Hot Books 
Brie @ Romance Around the Corner

The Shameless Giveaway Hop is open to all those who wish to share the love of reading - whatever the genre. We just ask that your giveaway be a book or book related.


Your post needs to be up by midnight on Friday 1-20-12 and stay up until midnight on Friday 1-27-12.


Please include the button and links to the three hosting blogs as well as the linky list or a link to the list.




Thank you for participating and spread the word!

Review: One Grave at A Time by Jeaniene Frost

One Grave at a Time is the sixth book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost and a novel of Fiction from Avon.


Book Blurb:


How do you send a killer to the grave when he’s already dead?


  The grave is one wrong step away.


Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving--leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.


Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever.  


But one wrong step and they’ll be digging their own graves.


My thoughts:


Cat and Bones arrive home to find their place surrounded by ghosts - as usual.  Thanks to the powers Cat gained after drinking the blood of the New Orleans voodoo queen - she’s turned into a ghost beacon.


When one of the ghosts asked a favor - and explains her reasons behind the request, Cat and Bones agree to lend a hand.


Things turn out to be a little harder than expected when the normal vampire apprehension techniques fail to work on a ghost driving Cat and Bones to turn to a group of human ghost hunters for help.


Along for the ride are Ian, Spade and Denise and Cat’s Mom.


Also Don makes a ghostly appearance and realizes that something is up at the Compound when Jason Madigan shows up as the teams Operations Consultant.


All in all, One Grave at a Time was an okay read.  For me, this was not the most exciting installment in the series.  


I give One Grave at a Time 3 out of 5 stars.



    Product Details
    Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
    Publisher: Avon (August 30, 2011)
    Language: English
    ISBN-10: 0061783196
    ISBN-13: 978-0061783197

Review: Fighting To Survive by Rhiannon Frater

Fighting To Survive is the second book in the As The World Dies series by Rhiannon Frater from TOR.


Book Blurb:


The hundred or so survivors in the fortified heart of Ashley Oaks are running out of food and room.


The newly renovated historic hotel seems a perfect sanctuary - if it can be emptied of zombies.


As search-and-rescue teams bring food, supplies - and more survivors - back to town, they draw unwanted attention.


Bandits.


My thoughts:


Katie and Jenni and the survivors within the fort have settled into a routine.  Each person is assigned a certain duty - kitchen, clean-up, sentry...whatever is needed to keep order.


But things are cramped.  They are running out of room and people are becoming itchy for more space, more privacy - and more bathrooms.


Travis has decided that it is time to move into the ten story hotel next door.  But after the safety of the enclosed fort - everyone is a little shaky about confronting the zombies trapped inside.


With the volunteers in place - Katie, Jenni and Nerit, their no-nonsense sniper, head into the hotel to clear out the zombies.     


The hotel will give the survivors in the fort the needed room to expand - and hopefully bring in more survivors from the outlying areas.


Their efforts are both a blessing and a curse, as lives are lost and unwanted attention brought upon them.


Whether from the walking dead or the immoral living - the survivors of Ashley Oakes have worked hard to secure their safety and the safety of those around them - and they are unwilling to give it up without a fight.


As the World Dies is one of my favorite series and I could not wait to read Fighting To Survive.


I give Fighting To Survive 5 out of 5 stars.


Product Details
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (November 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765331276
ISBN-13: 978-0765331274

Giveaway Winners!! :)

I've had several giveaway's end recently and wanted to announce the winners.


Winner of Blood Drunk by Angela Lovell - #3, Stephanie
Winner of Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa - #1, ML
Winner of the Giveaway Hop:
PNR/UF Box of Books - #62, April
YA Box of Books - #45, Danah


Winners have been emailed and confirmed.


Congrats to all winners and thank you for participating in the giveaway and following my blog.


Happy Reading! 

Review: The First Days by Rhiannon Frater

The First Days is the first book in the As The World Dies series by Rhiannon Frater and a Horror Novel from TOR.


Book Blurb:


This is the way the world ends...not with a bang, not with a whimper, but with the rending and tearing of flesh.


It begins on a peaceful, beautiful morning. Katie, a prosecutor, is driving to work when a dead man jumps into her car and tries to eat her.  Elsewhere in the city, Jenni, a housewife, opens a bedroom door to find her husband devouring their infant son.


Fate puts Katie outside Jenni’s door when the younger woman flees her zombified family. Fate - and Katie’s quick reflexes behind the wheel - see them safely out of the city while most of the living are quickly chased down by the undead.


The two women begin a cross-Texas odyssey to rescue Jenni’s oldest son and hopefully find safety...somewhere...


A small, isolated, fortified town is their only hope.  Fewer than one hundred people have gathered there, clinging to civilization and to hope.  They all know the zombies will come for them.  But until that day, they will live, and love, and maybe even laugh.


My thoughts:


Jenni married young, hoping that with time she would grow to love her husband.  She didn’t. Now, she hopes that with time she will be able to secretly put away enough money to leave her abusive marriage and take her children to safety.


This morning all that changed.  Her abusive husband is now a zombie and her children...she can’t think of the children.  


Jenni lost a little bit of her mind today.


Katie is a successful prosecuting attorney.  She and her wife are happily married, starting their day in quiet contentment before heading out to face whatever the day throws their way.


Nothing could have prepared Katie for this morning.  While sitting in traffic on the way to the office, Katie is surprised when a man tries to pull her from her car.  Another driver offers her help - only to be tackled to the ground by people trying to eat him.


Katie flees and by chance finds Jenni in time to offer her help.  The two women become inseparable - overcoming unthinkable odds trying to stay alive, trying to stay ahead of the zombie horde.


The First Days explodes from page one and doesn’t look back.  This is down and dirty, in your face, I want to eat you - zombies.  I love it 


I give The First Days 5 out of 5 stars and I can’t wait for the next installment in this series - Fighting to Survive.

Product Details
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (July 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765331268
ISBN-13: 978-0765331267