Friday, July 27, 2012

Once Excerpt and Giveaway!

Today I am honored to be able to post an excerpt from Once by Anna Carey.  I am loving the Eve series!  You can my review of Once here.

This excerpt is from the first chapters of ONCE. After spending several months in Califia, Eve has been kidnapped by one of the King’s soldiers. She’s taken to the City of Sand, a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. Here she sees the Palace for the first time and discovers the fate that awaits her...

The Jeep was turning left, cutting up a long road that snaked toward a massive white building. Rows of government Jeeps sat out front. Soldiers were stationed along a strip of narrow trees, machine guns slung across their backs. I stared up at the expansive structure. The main entrance was lined with sculptures—winged horses, angels, women with their heads cut off. After driving so many miles we were here. The Palace.

            The King was waiting for me.

            Stark took me from the Jeep, his hand clamping down on my arm. I could barely breathe as we entered the circular marble lobby. The King’s face had haunted me for months. I thought of the photo I’d grown up with in School. His thin grey hair hung over his forehead. His skin was loose around his jowls and his beady eyes were always watching, following you wherever you went.

            Soldiers milled about the lobby, some talking, others pacing in front of a fountain. Stark took me through a set of gold doors and into a small mirrored elevator. He punched a code into the keypad inside. The doors slid shut and then we were moving, up, up, my stomach rocking as the floors flew past—fifty gone, then fifty more.

            “You’re going to regret this,” I said, straining against the plastic rope around my wrists. “I’ll tell him what you did. How your men threw me to the ground in that parking lot. You threatened to kill me.” I looked down at the gash in my arm, where the blood was crusted black.

            Stark shook his head. “Whatever it takes,” he said, his voice flat. “Those were my orders. Do whatever it takes to bring you here.” Then he turned to me, his eyes bloodshot. He clutched the collar of my shirt and pulled me toward him so my face was just inches from his. “Those men you killed were like brothers to me. They served with me every day for three years. The King will never punish you for what you did, but I will make sure you never forget what happened that day.”

            The doors opened before us with a terrifying bing! Stark’s nails dug into my arm as he led me to a room across the carpeted hall. “You’ll wait for him here.” Then he pulled a knife from his belt and sliced the plastic restraints in two. My hands tingled from the sudden rush of blood to my fingers.

            The door closed. I leapt up and grabbed the handle, knowing before I even tried it that it would be locked. A long mahogany table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by a few heavy chairs. A massive window looked out onto the City, a two-foot ledge just a few inches below. I went to the glass, wedging my fingers beneath the pane, straining against it. “Please,” I muttered under my breath. “Please just open.”

            “They’re sealed shut,” a voice said. I turned. Standing in the doorway was a man of about sixty. He had gray hair and thin, papery skin.

            I stepped away from the window, my hands dropping to my sides. He wore a deep-blue suit and a silk tie, the New American crest embroidered on his lapel. He stalked forward, taking one slow lap around me, his eyes scanning my tangled auburn hair, the linen shirt soaked through with sweat, the scrapes around my wrists from where I’d been bound. He studied the wound on my arm. When he finally finished his survey he stood before me, then reached out and stroked my cheek. “My beautiful girl,” he said, running his thumb over my brow. “You’re here.”

I am also able to give away a copy of Once!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ffe1763/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Book Review- Once

I finished reading Once by Anna Carey on my trip to Asia for a blog tour.

From Goodreads:

When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

In this breathless sequel to "Eve," Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure, and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.


I was quickly absorbed ino Eve's world again.  Once was a quick and engrossing read.

There is a twist that happened pretty early in the story but I figured it out even earlier than that.   I liked this twist and the story that unfolded because of it.

I liked Eve once again.  She's a strong character but not afraid to ask for help.  I didn't really like Caleb this time around.  I felt that he was too much into his "movement" and I just thought Eve's feelings for him were more than his feelings for her were.

There was another twist at the end.  It was definitely shocking but I didn't like it.  I mean, yes, it worked well with the story, but I just personally didn't like it.

I can't wait for the next book to come out.  I want to know what is going to happen next in Eve's world.

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 53
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 45
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 48

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free as part of a blog tour for an honest review.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Book Review- Just Say Yes

I finished Just Say Yes by Phillipa Ashley for a Sourcebooks Landmark blog tour while on my 15 1/2 hour plane flight to Hong Kong on June 25.

From Goodreads:

Lucy Gibson needs to get away. When her good-looking, popular boyfriend Nick Laurentis, winner of reality TV show Hot Shots, proposes to her on air she's stunned -- into silence. Every girl loves a romantic gesture, but she's just not ready for that kind of commitment. With the press hounding her as the one who callously broke Nick's heart, Lucy escapes her London flat to seek refuge in an isolated Cornwall cottage. But little does she realise that life down there will be far from uncomplicated!

My opinion on this book varies. On the one hand, it's a chick-lit love story type that I love. Girl gets heartbroken, girl vows wanting nothing to do with boy, girl meets another boy but fights her attraction to him, boy and girl briefly get together, some disaster happens and boy and girl break up, and then boy and girl realize breakup is a mistake and get back together.

But there was something about the writing that was off-putting to me. It was a little too graphic in the sex area. I don't mind that, if that's the type of book that it is. But the rest of the book appeared chick-lit-like, not romance novel-like (or at least at the time I didn't think so. Now looking back, it did kind of seem like a romance novel.)

I mostly liked Lucy. There were some things that she thought/said/did that I rolled my eyes at, but for the most part, I enjoyed her character. Josh was just okay for me. Nothing really great stood out. I loved the teeny side characters of the two dogs though :)

Overall, an okay novel. I think I would give Phillipa Ashley another chance.

I gave this book a rating of 3/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
 2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 52
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 44
Completely Contemp Challenge 2012: 2012-11

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free from Sourcebooks Landmark for an honest review.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

2012 Mammoth Book Challenge


Here are the challenge details:
1. This challenge will run from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
2. You can join the challenge at any time. All books read in 2012 count for the challenge, regardless of when you sign up.
3. This challenge can cross-over to your other reading challenges.
4. You do not need a blog to participate! If you are not a blogger, you can post your reviews at Goodreads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing and link them up here.
5. All formats of books are acceptable: Bound copies, e-books, and audiobooks as long as they meet the guidelines of Point #6 below!
6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT E-BOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS: If you are using an e-book or audiobook for the challenge, the bound format equivalent must be a minimum of 450 pages. Only unabridged audiobooks will count!
7. Both adult and children's literature are allowed: As long as it meets the minimum page count of 450 pages.
8. About LARGE-PRINT BOOKS: Same rules apply as noted in Point #6. As long as the regular-bound format equivalent is a minimum of 450 pages, this format will count.
9. No anthologies, short story collections, or poetry: Just novels.
10. There are four levels for the challenge:
a. Level 1: Read 2 mammoth-sized books.
b. Level 2: Read 4 mammoth-sized books.
c. Level 3: Read 6 mammoth-sized books.
d. Level 4: Read 8 or more mammoth-sized books.
11. When you write your sign-up post, you must choose your level. You can go up, but you cannot go down!
12. There will be link-ups for your reviews on a quarterly basis, which will be posted on THIS page.
13. There will be a link for your wrap-up post at the end of the year.
14. Create a sign-up post and link back to this post. Sign up with Mister Linky below! Be sure to use the direct url to your sign-up post and not the url to your blog.

*Bumping this up to a level 2
  1.  Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
  2.  Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
  3.  The Savage Grace by Bree Despain

2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge



What books count towards the SRC?
Any second YA or MG book published by an author in 2012 counts – it can be the second in a series, a new series, or a standalone. The only requirement is that it is the SECOND book the author has published in the YA or MG realm (and it must publish in 2012 in your home country)! I have started a Goodreads list HERE – as you can see, there are probably many many books on that list you are planning on reading already

When does the challenge run?

Books read before January 2013 count for this challenge.

Why should I join this challenge?
Reading debut novels is AWESOME. It is by far my favorite challenge – it allows me to find many new authors that I love. What better way to support these authors than to read their next published book?

What are the guidelines of the challenge?
Your challenge is to read 10 sophomore YA/MG novels in 2012. To officially participate, you need a Goodreads account or blog where you post reviews in English.

What should I do if I’m an author coming out with a sophomore novel?
I would love to feature you on my blog! Please contact me via THIS FORM or by e-mail (shanynlee at gmail.com).

How do I join?
Link your blog or Goodreads account below, and make a list of the sophomore novels you’re looking forward to

There will be prize packs given away to challenge participants throughout next year. You will receive an automatic entry for signing up to participate – options for additional entries will be announced at the time of the giveway.

  1.  Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
  2.  Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
  3.  Perception by Kim Harrington
  4.  7 Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker
  5.  
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  10.  

2012 Standalone Reading Challenge- July Update



Why a Standalone Reading Challenge?
There's a challenge for Debuts, there's a challenge for Sophomores, why not a challenge for Standalones?

So what's the challenge?
To read 15 standalone YA books in 2012!

What books count towards the 2012 Standalone Reading Challenge?
Any Young Adult standalone book that is released between December 27, 2011 and December 31, 2012. Any format (paperback, hardcover, e-book, ARC) counts, but they must be read during the year 2012.

Where can I find out which books can be read for the SARC?
We have started a list for you HERE. Please note, this list is public and won't be 100% accurate. We will try to keep it updated as best as we can. If you know of any standalones we may have missed, please feel free to add to this list.

I'm an author with a standalone novel coming out in 2012!
If you're an author with a standalone novel releasing in 2012, whether its a debut or not, you can participate too. It would be super spectacular if you would like to either donate a book/swag or sign up for an interview/promotional post! Please fill out the form HERE.

Who can participate?
Anyone with a blog or a Goodreads account where they are able to post reviews (in English) can participate.

Why should I sign up?
One, there will be a lot of fun. Two, there will be periodic prize packs (more info to come) given out to participators, as well as fun posts from and interviews with authors who have standalone YA novels releasing in 2012. And three, its a fun way to promote those novels that aren't part of a series/trilogy!

  1.  Fracture by Megan Miranda
  2.  Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
  3.  Miracle by Elizabeth Scott
  4.  Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis
  5.  Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale 
  6.  Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard
  7.  7 Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker
  8.  Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
  9.  Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
  10.  Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
  11.  Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
  12.  When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
  13.  Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

2012 TBR Reading Pile Challenge- July Update


Welcome to 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us.. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up..

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance.. This is your chance! And we've got PRIZES!!! :D

Challenge guidelines:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.

As we would like to see quality reviews linked up to our monthly wrap-ups, only bloggers can enter. Sorry about that!

Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Only books released in 2011 and earlier! NO ARCs and 2012 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge (You need to include the info + host list + challenge button. You can also grab the button code and add it to your sidebar!)

You can move up levels, but no moving down.

Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

At the end of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. For participating in the mini-challenge you will get +1 entry.

If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)

December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a HUGE giveaway - 12 books, 12 winners, INTERNATIONAL.

You don't have to follow all the hosts to join the challenge, but you do have to follow all of us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:
1-10 - A Firm Handshake
11-20 - A Friendly Hug
21-30 - A Sweet Kiss
31-40 - Love At First Sight
41-50 - Married With Children

Hosts:
Evie from Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com/ @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - http://www.nicoleabouttown.com/ @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home - http://www.handsandhome.ca/ @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading - http://whatchyareading.net/ @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - http://missiontoread.com/ @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea -http://booksbiscuitsandtea.blogspot.com/ @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com/ @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - http://fansoffiction.blogspot.com/ @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com/ @mermaidvisions

Wrap-up POST Schedule:
January - Donna (Theme: Let It Snow + Book Cover Challenge)
February - Nicole (Theme: Un-requited Love/Love Gone Wrong + Advice Column Challenge)March - Rie (Theme: Green or Pinched + Green Cover Challenge)
April - Bonnie (Theme: Easter + Mini Challenge)
May - Christa (Theme: MayDay - Disaster Books! + Cover Disaster Challenge)
June - Jenna ( Theme: Camping + Sentence Challenge)
July - Rie (Theme: International Day + Cover Comparison Challenge)
August - Angel (Theme: Summer Memories + Send Your Fav Character On Vacation Challenge)
September - Nicole (Theme: Life Changing Books + Mini Challenge)
October - Caitlin (Theme: Thanksgiving Theme + Share-A-Book Challenge)
November - Vicky (Theme: Spooky Halloween + Book Puzzle Challenge)
December - Evie (Theme: Xmas Bliss + Book Bachelor Challenge)

*I am signing up for the Firm Handshake level

  1.  Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan
  2.  Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino
  3.  Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight & Vickie Taylor
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Completely Contemp Challenge 2012- July Update


What books qualify?
Any YA contemporary published in 2010, 2011, or 2012. I have lists on Goodreads that show a selection of possible books for each year but this list is NOT exclusive! As long as it was published in one of those years you may count it towards your challenge list! (And note: anyone can “vote” for a book on Goodreads, so it’s best to check the publication date yourself before officially counting it towards your challenge just in case someone added it in error.)

Contemps published in 2010
Contemps published in 2011
Contemps to be published in 2012

When does the challenge run?
Books read in 2012 count towards this challenge.

Can I count books read here for other challenges?
Sure! The goal here is to get everyone to read a few extra contemporary books, so whatever works for you works for me (Make sure your other challenges allow this before counting for both, though!)

Are there places to participate besides on my blog?
Yes! There is a Goodreads group where you can post reviews and talk about the contemporary books you’re reading

*I am choosing the number 5

2010:
  1.  
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  
2011:
  1.  A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava 
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
2012:
  1.  Fracture by Megan Miranda
  2.  Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
  3.  Miracle by Elizabeth Scott
  4.  Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
  5. 7 Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker
  6. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
  7. Belles by Jen Calonita
  8. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
  9. When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
  10. Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge- July Update



Run's January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012.

The Rules:

Anyone can join.

You don't need a blog to participate.

Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.

Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

There are four levels:

The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

*I am participating in the Mega size challenge

  1.  Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer
  2.  Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne
  3.  Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
  4.  Fracture by Megan Miranda
  5.  Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
  6. Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan M. James 
  7.  Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan
  8. A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young
  9.  Dreaming Awake (Falling Under #2) by Gwen Hayes
  10.  Slide by Jill Hathaway
  11.  A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava 
  12.  Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
  13.  The Selection by Kiera Cass
  14.  The Marked (Delcroix Academy #2) by Inara Scott
  15.  The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
  16.  Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
  17.  Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
  18.  Miracle by Elizabeth Scott
  19.  Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis
  20.  Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
  21.  Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale 
  22.  Unraveling By Elizabeth Norris
  23.  The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting
  24.  Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
  25.  The Savage Grace by Bree Despain
  26.  Perception by Kim Harrington
  27.  Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
  28.  Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard
  29.  The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
  30.  Explorer X Beta by LM Preston 
  31.  Elemental by Emily White
  32.  Wake by Amanda Hocking
  33.  7 Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker
  34.  Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
  35.  Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
  36.  Belles by Jen Calonita
  37.  So Close to You by Rachel Carter
  38.  Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
  39.  Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
  40.  Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
  41.  Fairest of All:  A Tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino
  42.  Fated by Alyson Noel
  43.  When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
  44.  This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
  45.  Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
  46.  Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan
  47.  Flock by Wendy Delsol

What's in a Name? 5 Challenge- July Update


Here's How It Works:

Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

1.A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley

2.A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas

3.A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm

4.A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House

5.A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary

6.A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know:

•Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
•Books may overlap other challenges.
•Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
•Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
•You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
•You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

Topographical Feature:
See in the Sky:
Creepy Crawly:
Type of House:
Something You'd Carry in Your Pocket, Purse, or Backpack:
Something You'd Find on a Calendar:

2012 Debut Author Challenge- July Update



CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE:
•To read & review a minimum of twelve young adult or middle grade debut novels between the dates of January 1, 2012 – January 31, 2013.*
*The 2013 extension is so that December Debuts can be read and count toward the challenge.
•Any advance reader copies you read from 2012 BEFORE the January 1st start date DO NOT count toward the challenge!
•You can read twelve books in one month, or one book a month. It doesn’t matter as long as you have 12 read by the end of the year!

RULES & GUIDELINES:
•You must have a Blog to post your reviews or be a member of Goodreads. Youtube Book Reviewers count too!
•Your blog/video must be written in English.
•Deadline to join is May 31, 2012.

BOOK GUIDELINES:
•Must be a young adult or middle grade title.
•Must be the author’s YA or MG debut, released in 2012.
•If an author has a previous novel published for adults or children, they can still qualify for the challenge.
•If an author has a previous YA or MG title, they do not qualify for the challenge.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE 2012 DAC, CAN BE FOUND HERE!

*I finished the challenge on 5/16 but I am going to keep adding to the list so I can see how many I read this year.
  1.  Fracture by Megan Miranda
  2.  Slide by Jill Hathaway
  3.  The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
  4.  Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
  5.  Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
  6.  Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale 
  7.  Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
  8.  Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
  9.  Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
  10.  Elemental by Emily White
  11.  So Close to You by Rachel Carter
  12. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
  13. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
  14. When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

2012 ARC Reading Challenge- July Update




Note: I use the term "ARC" loosely,any book a publisher or author gives you with the expectation that you review it, counts for this challenge.

The Levels

Level Bronze:
a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC's and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to category b.

b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS must read and review at least 12.

Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS

Level Gold: Read 30 ARCS

Level Platinum: Read 35 or more ARCS

Rules:

To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Please leave a comment as well.

You Can join this challenge at anytime throughout the year.

You don't have to make a list of which ARC's you plan to read, but you can if you want.

If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like. However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.

Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC's.

Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

Please subscribe to my blog, as I will be doing a monthly post with MR Linky. Please add your reviews for each month in MR Linky in the monthly post. For your Name, please use this format Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author's Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader). Please be sure to use the direct link to your review, not just to your blog. Then please leave a comment.

HAVE FUN!

*I will be signing up for the Platinum Level
*I finished this challenge on 5/12 but I am going to keep adding on to it to see how many ARCs I read this year.

  1.  Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer
  2.  It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
  3.  Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne
  4.  Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
  5.  Fracture by Megan Miranda
  6.  Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
  7.  Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan M. James
  8.  A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young
  9.  Dreaming Awake (Fallling Under #2) by Gwen Hayes
  10.  Slide by Jill Hathaway
  11.  A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava 
  12.  Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
  13.  The Selection by Kiera Cass
  14.  The Marked (Delcoix Academy #2) by Inara Scott
  15.  The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
  16.  Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
  17.  Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
  18.  Miracle by Elizabeth Scott
  19.  Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis
  20.  Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
  21.  Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale 
  22.  Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
  23.  The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting
  24.  Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
  25.  The Savage Grace by Bree Despain
  26.  Perception by Kim Harrington
  27.  Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard
  28.  The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
  29.  Elemental by Emily White
  30.  Wake by Amanda Hocking
  31.  7 Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker
  32.  Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
  33.  Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
  34.  Belles by Jen Calonita
  35. So Close to You by Rachel Carter
  36. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
  37. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
  38. Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
  39. When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
  40. This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
  41. Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
  42. Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan
  43. Flock by Wendy Delsol

2012 Reading Challenge 150+- July Update


DETAILS/RULES:

1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2012 thru December 31, 2012. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

  1.  Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer
  2.  It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
  3.  Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne
  4.  Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
  5.  Fracture by Megan Miranda
  6.  Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
  7.  Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
  8.  Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan M. James
  9.  Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan
  10.  A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young
  11.  Dreaming Awake (Falling Under #2) by Gwen Hayes
  12.  Slide by Jill Hathaway
  13.  A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava
  14.  Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
  15.  The Selection by Kiera Cass
  16.  The Marked (Delcroix Academy #2) by Inara Scott
  17.  The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
  18.  Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
  19.  Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
  20.  Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
  21.  Miracle by Elizabeth Scott
  22.  Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis
  23.  Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
  24.  Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
  25.  Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
  26.  The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting
  27.  Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
  28.  The Savage Grace by Bree Despain
  29.  Perception by Kim Harrington
  30.  Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
  31.  Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard
  32.  The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
  33.  Explorer X Beta by LM Preston
  34.  Elemental by Emily White
  35.  Wake by Amanda Hocking
  36.  7 Clues to Winning You by Kristin Walker
  37.  Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
  38.  Tiger Lily by  Jodi Lynn Anderson
  39.  Belles by Jen Calonita
  40.  So Close to You by Rachel Carter
  41.  Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
  42.  Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
  43.  Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
  44.  Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino
  45.  Fated by Alyson Noel
  46.  When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
  47.  This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
  48.  Over You by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
  49.  Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan
  50.  Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight & Vickie Taylor
  51.  Flock by Wendy Delsol
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Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge- July Update


Welcome to the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge!

Here's your chance to catch up on Sookie and all her friends -- living and undead, fully human and not.

It's easy, it's fun, it's for you! And you have an entire year to complete the challenge.

The Rules:
1. Between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, catch up on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series. No matter if you're starting with book 1 or book 8, you have a year to read all about Sookie. Read Sookie in print, listen to the audio, read an eBook -- format is not an issue.

*ETA--I didn't complete this one on time, but I am going to still keep track of what I have read.

The Books:
Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
Dead and Gone
Dead in the Family
Dead Reckoning

Short stories:
Bite
Powers of Detection
Night's Edge
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
Many Bloody Returns
Wolfbane and Mistletoe
Unusual Suspects
Strange Brew
Must Love Hellhounds
A Touch of Dead
Between the Dark and Daylight
Crimes by Moonlight
Death's Excellent Vacation
Down These Strange Streets
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion


There are also Sookie and gang short stories and an up-coming anthology! For more, see Charlaine Harris's website.



I probably won't start this one for while, but I wanted to post it now.