Waiting on Wednesday #08: Edge of Dawn

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

It's been a while since I have done one of these, and since I am reading an ARC for this book, I have decided to showcase it for this meme.

Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn—when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them—the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost.

Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift—and even lethal—justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.

Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again—or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides—between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts.

Publication date: Feb 26th, 2012

Sounds awesome? Are you intrigued to read about Mira and Kellan's story? I know I am. I need this book in my hands like ASAP.
I have always said, Lara's 'Midnight Breed' series is one of my fav pnr series, and this book, so far shows me why.
I'd read anything Lara writes. She knows her characters so well, even though things have changed a bit, characters and the world has evolved, this is a story that I would not miss out on reading.

Review: A Witch in Winter (Winter Trilogy #1) by Ruth Warburton

A Witch in Winter
Ruth Warburton
Publication date: January 5th, 2012
Number of pages: 346
Format: Paperback

Goodreads | Purchase

Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. 
When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. 
She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

I was enchanted, spelled and captivated by this newest magical story.
We have a young teenager, Anna Winterson, who with her dad, moved to a small town named 'Winter', Ha. Coincidence, much? I doubt it.
After moving into their new house, Anna and some new friends she had recently made at school decide to have a sleepover where strange and bizarre things occur that will change Anna's life forever.

What does she do? Accidently activate her magical powers and cast a love spell on the guy she likes in school, Seth. The problem?  He happens to have a girlfriend.
I have always loved teen witch mythology. Whether it has to do with books or television. There is just something about it that brings me back to my teenage years, and it gives off a 90's type vibe to it.

I really liked the relationship between Anna and Seth. Even though there was, complications. I do believe that spell or not, the feelings were real. It adds an interesting dynamic between them. A obstacle in which they have to overcome. How do they know what he is feeling is true, or caused from a spell. But in my experience, you can't force something, or in this case, cause a spell in which no feelings were there to begin with.

Anna was a great protagonist. Her feelings, fears and insecurities were normal for a girl who just moved to a new town without any friends and basically leaving everything she knew before behind. It's certainly a shock trying to fit in somewhere new. She goes through the natural order of things... not only as a teenager going through the motions of moving and starting a new life, but also of someone just discovering who and what she really is, what she might be descended from.

I look forward to getting and reading the second installment in this magical trilogy, to see how things progress between Anna and Seth, her friendships and also the whole mythology of her origin.

My verdict

Review: Immortal City (Immortal City #1) by Scott Speer

Immortal City
Scott Speer
Publication date: April 5th, 2012
Number of pages: 406
Format: Paperback
Goodreads | Purchase

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat … and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.

I had this book sitting on my shelf for months, and I decided to read it on the plane during my trip to the US.
I was so glad that I did, because this book? Definitely one of my favourites for 2012. I have always been a fan of this genre, involving angels for a while now, but this book was so awesome I may feel a need to gush about it for a few moments.

You have been warned....

In this book we have a couple of POV speaking. The two main characters for the most part: Maddie and Jackson (or 'jacks') and we get to know who they are, their lives and how they come to know one another.
Basically, Jackson and Maddie comes from two different worlds. Maddie -- human, and Jackson is an angel who has come of age and is in the middle of becoming a guardian. Which means he could be one of those special angels in which you can 'hire' for protection.

Angels have taken over the 'City of Angels', Aka Los Angeles. Quite ironic, huh? And of course, it's only those people with money who will be able to have their very own guardian angel. Who cares about anyone else. What makes one person's life more valuable than someone else? Money, that's what. It seems everything is about how much money someone has. What connections or what they can do for YOU. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that doesn't seem to be anything new from our world in which we live in. If you have money, that's it. Life is an oyster.
Maddie's life starts to change rapidly from a life-altering moment in which she meets Jackson Speed. She just has no idea it is him. I mean, she must be the only girl in the entire city that isn't fawning over the angels as everyone else seems to me. But to Maddie, she couldn't care less. And she makes a great case for it as well.
Jackson on the other-hand, has everything he could ever want. Money, girls, a new job prospect in doing something great. But he still feels like something is missing, that maybe his life is a little too perfect.
The moment he meets Maddie, and she has no idea who he is... I believe that is the moment when this story officially begun.
From what started out as two great characters turns into one great relationship that will make you swoon, sigh and hope for something like this to happen to you. I know I sure did. Can I buy a Jackson of my own? No? Darn.

Their relationship isn't all there is. No, we have an amazing plot. Maddie and Jackson soon discover that not everything is as it seems. There is a murder spree going on and the big question is whether they can be solved before Jackson or Maddie find themselves at the head of the revenge. When angels start to get killed (how the heck do you kill an angel? like seriously...) in a particular and specific row, it's only a question of who is doing this, and why.
We have lots of interesting things that happen in this book. Twists and turns, things you don't see coming and revelations that will make your head turn.
I was so mesmerized by the story that I didn't want it to end. Of course I am now anxiously awaiting book 2, which won't be released until 2013... but if you have considered checking out this book, I will double that and recommend that you order it, go to your nearest bookstore, or even get it from the library.
You will not be disappointed.

As for the characters...
Maddie -- She is such a great heroine for this book. She may look human, but inside, her heart is immortal. It's full of strong will. She is the sort of girl in which you will root for. The kind of character where you hope she gets everything she wants out of her life, because she has been through so much at such a young age in which nobody should have to endure.
Jackson -- He may appear spoiled, but deep down, there is a part of him that wants and needs something more than other what he has. If you had everything, what challenges would there be in life? What would you need to transpire to do? Life would seem a bit pointless, don't you think?
I loved Jackson. I loved hearing about him, his thoughts, life and what he wanted, or didn't want. I found him to be such an interesting and compelling character that I just wanted to read more about him. About his life, about his doubts and feelings. About his relationship with someone he knows he shouldn't be near, but finds himself unable to keep away.

Now let the swooning begin...

“You’re right,” Jacks said. “You’re not part of my world. You’re not one of those girls. And maybe that’s why.”
“Why what?”
“Why I can’t stop thinking about you.” 
Maddy rolled her eyes. “Guys like you don’t say that to girls like me.”
“I’ve never said that to anyone, actually,” Jacks corrected. “In fact, I’ve never done anything like this before.” He let out a little laugh. “How am I doing?”

My verdict -- 

Review: Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pure (Covenant #2)
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication date: April 3rd, 2012
Number of pages: 329
Format: Kindle
 Goodreads | Purchase

There is need. And then there is Fate
Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.
When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude or killing her.
When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

Ah. What to say about Pure? I can say one thing: It slowly takes off in its own, because I know how similar 'Half Blood' was to Vampire Academy, even I could admit that.
But Pure shows that it is its own original story, even though you probably could envision similarities still.
During the first book, Alex went through many things. From a love that is forbidden to her, heartbreak and lots of death. It is sure more than one single person should have to go through.

In Pure, Alex finds herself growing closer to her other 'half', Seth. It's known that once Alex comes into her powers, she'll not only be one heck of an Apolloyn, but also a force to be reckoned with. While she finds herself falling for her forbidden love, Aiden so much more, he on the other hand, seems to be pushing her away for reasons she can't understand. Or maybe she does, but it hurts her too much to think about them.
This was a great installment to this new series. There are some revelations that comes to light that will make you think "OMG" or "WTF". There is a moment toward the end of the book that shows how much Aiden loves Alex, even though he might not say the words out loud. Sometimes actions speak louder than any words spoken.

As an Aiden & Alex fan, this book was heartstopping and saddening. I knew this was more of a Seth book, but I was surprised that there was still enough of Aiden to keep me on his team. Usually, I don't change teams, and I knew this would be the same case. Team Aiden forever.
I did like Seth and his whole.. relationship with Alex. I prefer them as friends, and I like the banter they have going on. It's fun and interesting, but I don't feel the romantic and sexual chemistry between them that her and Aiden have always had.
If you ask me, Alex's heart has already been given out to someone, and Seth has no right to it. I have a feeling something big is about to happen concerning him.

All in all, a great sequel to "Half Blood" to and I look forward to book 3, to see what happens next for Alex and the men in her life.

My Verdict -

Stacking the Shelves [#01]

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!


So, this is the first time I have done this meme. I usually do IMM, but I figure, new blog design, I felt like totally doing something different.
Since I have been away for the past two months over in the US (New Orleans, Florida, Virginia, Atlanta) and Canada (Vancouver), I haven't managed to buy any books in such a long time. Yesterday, I went on a spending spree and bought about 19 or 20 books. I'm pretty sure I spent at least $200. I'm really only making up for lost time in which I would have spent anyway during those months.

Given for review:

This arrived while I was overseas, by Pan Macmillan, and I discovered it's book three in a series, but I figure I should read the first two. Or are they stand alone books? Can anyone tell me?

Won from a Giveaway, thanks to Katrina

Via The Blue Bloods readalong

And these are the ones I bought. yesterday I went on a spending spree, considering it's been months since I have been able to buy anything new.


 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 

Follow Friday #10

It's been a while since I have done one of these since I just spent the last two months overseas. I'm looking forward to meeting new people once again.

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Q: Activity! Who is your to-die-for book crush? What do you think they look like? Add an image to make us all happy.

Three words.

Jericho. Z. Barrons from The FEVER series by Karen Marie Moning


There is nobody else that compares to this guy. He is everything you could ever want in a crush. Hotness to the max. Sexual. But once you get to know him, he'll become your whole world.
Just ask Mac. She can tell you first hand experience.

Photos? I have two, one is of the first guy whom I saw Barrons of, and in some ways I still do. And the second, I feel is my current Barrons.

Review: Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5) by Melissa de la Cruz
Publication date: October 26th, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion
Number of pages: 265
Format: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon & The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads
Description: After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the five remaining gates that guard the earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silver Bloods.

Back in New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a crumbling coven. Struggling with her heartache over the loss of Kingsley and with her overwhelming desire to destroy Jack, she must focus all of her energy on a perilous new threat. Vampires are being abducted and their captors are planning to burn them alive online...for all the world to see. Help arrives in the form of Deming Chen, a Venator from Shanghai, who must untangle the web of deceptions before the killers strike again.

As the young vampires struggle for the survival of the coven, they uncover a deadly secret, a truth first discovered by Schuyler’s mother during the Renaissance but kept buried for centuries. And as the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler to a terrible choice that will ultimately map the destiny of her heart.

Jen's review:
Melissa delivers yet another fantastic installment to her BB series, and this one sure does not disappoint. I'm not even sure she knows the meaning of the word. :P
Not only do we get both Schuyler and Mimi's usual POV's in the book, but we also get introduced to a new interesting character, Demming Chan. She is someone she was brought in to help with an investigation in which they can't solve themselves.

We also see glimpses of the past from Florence and see something seriously went wrong back then. I personally would like to hear more of the past. I find it very fascinating of past cycles.
This story brings us  a few new developments, and ones which we might not have expected.
A budding new friendship in the form of Mimi and her unlikely partner in well, not crime, Oliver. This was something I really liked. Mimi herself has been growing on me since the previous book, and I feel these two would have more in common than they would like to even admit to themselves. But when they find themselves working side by side, they soon discover it's a task that is not as horrible as they originally thought it might be.
Mimi also faces some new challenges. In her new work as regis, and also some personal conflicts. Will she choose love, or revenge?

Schuyler and her love, Jack find themselves with a battle all of their own. They are still on the run, but trouble is never too far behind them. I can understand that some people might think things have gotten boring between them, but I don't think that is the case. Sure, things might be different now they are together, but that does not mean they don't have things to face and overcome that is standing in their way.  They have Mimi who is hunting Jack down, and if he goes back to New York, there is a chance his soul could be burned on the blood trial.
They don't have much time for themselves, but what they do have, they make it worth something. Sometimes small moments is all you have, and you have to make it count and that they sure do.

New character, Demming Chan also finds herself in quite the situation when she gets put on a case that turns its head inside out. Just when you think you have the killer, doesn't mean you know the full story.
She gets brought in when a girl is found dead, and she is determined in discovered who did it, and for what reasons. But as she digs deeper inside the case, she starts to learn things about the people closest to the girl in question that make things appear clearer, and more tragic once the truth finally gets revealed. It's a doozy and one she never thought she'd see.
It was interesting to see this new character come into the story, but I quite liked her. She was strong, determined and honest. I look forward to discovering more about her and her sister, who seems to be coming in quite soon given the ending of the book.

Melissa always seems to do a great job at keeping the story fresh, and true to the characters. This world is so fascinating I feel I never want to move out from it.

Verdict --

April's Review:

 The format for the fifth installment of Cruz's Blue Blood series is a little different format than the previous books. The book is divided into three different parts, and each part is focus on a different character. The first part focuses on Schuyler and Jack. In the last book they fled to  European Concave to seek protection under Countess Isabelle. But it wasn't long until they realized that the Countess has imprisoned them, and refuses to let them leave. Barely escaping with their lives they start their search for the Gate of Promise. But the Blue Blood doesn't make anything easy. They discovered that humans were left in charge of the gate, but turns out wasn't the real gate after all. But Mimi has put a bounty on Jack's head. As long as he stays with her, he's putting her life in danger. He makes the only decision that he can make. This part was super cute and sweet. They still remain my favorite couple of the series.

The second part focuses on Mimi and her new role as Regent. But not everyone is very happy with her new title. But it's not long before someone is abducting young vampires and threatening to burn them to show to the world. Mimi turns to the last person you would think, Oliver. And I absolutely loved these two working together. It's nice to see a pair together with no romantic interest on either part what so ever. They both seem to understand each other. As much as I love Sky and Jack, I do think this was my favorite part in the book.

And the third part we are introduced to a new character, Deming Chen. I immediately took a liking to her. Even though Mimi couldn't save the vampire in time, she is determined to find the killer. Deming is a Truth Seeker Venator, is one of the best. Similar to what Kingsley did in the second book, Deming was sent undercover into Duchesne. But it isn't long before a second vampire is taken. Deming has never failed a case before, but the time clock is running out.

Like the rest of the books in the series, this one is a very quick and easy read. I feel like it's more of a filler book. Really no new plots, but seems like they are setting up for the next book. But still is amazing.

Verdict --

Fantastic new blog design.

We're proud to say that our blog has just gone under a new design. Thanks to Giselle from Xpresso Design.
This has been something I have wanted to do for a while now, and I am glad I was finally able to get it done, just the way we like it.

What does everyone think?

Teaser Tuesday 13

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

 I figured it was time to start doing these again. This week's teaser is a little longer than the 2 sentences. But it's from one of my favorite series. It's from The Curse by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love.

Quinn sighed. "You scare the shit out of us sometimes." 
He swore the bloody jaguar smiled at him until Evalle said, "We need Isak Nyght's help."  

Review: The Curse by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love

The Curse (Belador #3) by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books
Number of Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads
Description: Evalle Kincaid will fight to the death for her supernatural friends. But when Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love’s tough-as-nails heroine reveals her darkest secret, who among those she had trusted will be left standing?

With the freedom of an entire race hanging in the balance, Evalle has two days to make good on a promise that she suddenly has no hope of fulfilling when demonic Svart Trolls invade Atlanta. She takes a leap of faith, seeking help from the one man who recently put Evalle in his crosshairs—Black Ops specialist Isak Nyght. While trying to stop the bloody troll-led gang wars, Evalle unwittingly exposes a secret that endangers all she holds dear and complicates her already tumultuous love life with the mysterious Skinwalker, Storm. But when Evalle discovers she’s the number one target in the Medb coven’s ruthless plan to destroy all Beladors, the deadly Alterant is forced to make a game-changing decision with no time left on the clock.

Evalle Kincaid is one badass woman, and also a Belador warrior. The Beladors are a line of warriors of Celtic descent who answer to the goddess Macha. But things aren't easy for Evalle, who isn't full blood Belador; she's an Alterant, half blood Belador mixed with an unknown species. The result is glowing green eyes and the ability to shift into a monster. Evalle is the only free Alterant and is working for VIPER.

The third installment in the series picks up about three weeks after the second book left off. Evalle had failed in bringing in the escape Alterants and was placed in the Tribunal prison, only being freed by making a deal with Macha. Macha is filling to stand behind a petition to make the Alterants a recognized race. But Evalle first has to bring forth other Alternants to pledge their loyality to Macha and discover the origins of their species. Tristan knows the origin, but Evalle hasn't been able to find him and his sister and her time is quickly running out. And of course Evalle has her VIPER duties to attend to. Their has been a lot of troll activity in gang wars outbreaking all over town. Not to mention she hasn't heard from Storm in three weeks and not even sure if he is still alive. Not to mention the seed of doubt that Kizira had planted in her mind about one of her best friends, Quinn.

I had forgotten how much I love this series. The book was very action pact. I just simply couldn't put the book down. I absolutely love Evalle and Storm. And add Isak into the mix, I couldn't help but laugh through the scenes. I just wish we would of gotten more of Evalle, Quinn, and Tzader scenes. I love how the men see her as a little sister. Their friendship is one of the many reasons why I love this series so much. I just wish Quinn would confess to Evalle. Speaking of Quinn, I'm torn between how I feel about him and Kizira. Some points I just wish they could be together. But they are at opposite ends of a war. Most of the time I just wish Quinn could move on from her. And then we have Tzader who is in love with their warrior queen, Brina. A last wish before Tzader's father's death made him immortal preventing him from entering the castle where Brina resides. And Brina being the last in the bloodline cannot leave the castle. From her deal with Macha she must make Tzader think she's moved on but still want her. She begins her plan in the book. I really hope her plan doesn't backfire on her.

With one word this book was amazing! This series is one of my favorites. And it makes me sad that it seems like the series isn't as well known. I encourage everyone to read this.

Rating:5/5