Author Interview: Anthony J. Melchiorri

REVIEW: The Human Forged by Anthony Melchiorri

Author Interview: Siobhan Davis

Introduction post: SCI-FI November

Introducing: Southern Born Books Christmas

Review: The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks

REVIEW: A Week In New York by Louise Bay

Random Questions Tag

I've been tagged by Jules @  The Book of Jules. Thanks for the tag, you're awesome!

The TBR Tag

created by Dana @ Dana Square & Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books.

Review: The Tethered Trilogy by Jennifer Snyder

The Tethered Trilogy by Jennifer Snyder

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Age Category: New Adult

Release Date: June 30, 2014

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes

"Magick, Mystery, and a Sexier Than Sin Romance..."

CATALYST:
Sometimes who we really are lies buried just beneath the surface…
After learning she’s inherited a house in the beachside town of Soul Harbor, Georgia, Addison Harmon and her best friend decided to take a much needed vacation before the pressures of life after high school suffocate them too heavily.
But what Addison finds isn’t a chance to recoup from a bad break up and hang out with her best friend while she decides what she wants to do with her future. What she finds is Kace Sullivan—a sexy guy she can’t seem to get enough of—someone who with one touch reveals a seductive world full of magick and secrets Addison isn’t sure she’s ready to be a part of.

how do you keep track off all your social media accounts

BLOG TOUR: THE ARRANGEMENT by Krista Lakes, Carly Phillips, and Lauren Hawkeye

 

Review: Fountain of the earth by H.L. LeRoy

Fountain of the Earth by H.L. LeRoy
Genre: Dystopian
Age Category: Young Adult
Release Date: November 22, 2013

Goodreads

Amazon

After witnessing the horrific murder of her mother, fifteen-year-old Terra Vonn has a singular focus—exacting revenge on the killers. But before she can complete her plan, savagery intervenes, and she is cast alone into a brutal post-apocalyptic world. As she trails the murderers south—through a land filled with cannibalistic criminals, slave traders, and lunatics—the hunter becomes the hunted. Terra quickly learns that she is not as tough or as brave as she thought she was. Worse, she may be the only one who stands between what little remains of civilization and destruction.

Things I instantly hate in books

 

      This post was inspired by a book that I really hated. It was painful, excruciating, and I can't think of any other synonym right now. I'm sure we all have a list of things that automatically turns us off and here's mine.

Review & Giveaway: Unbearable by Cynthia St. Aubin

I am happy to be a part of this blog tour. This is the 4th book from The Case Files of Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist.

Goodreads
Amazon

Paranormal Psychologist, Matilda Schmidt is sick of secrets. But when her troubled mother falls into dangerous hands, she must enlist the help of the two men who may be hiding the most: the hot-bodied demigod who's suddenly tight-lipped about his current client, and the delicious hit man who's been concealing much more than a gun in his pocket.

Faced with the destruction of her tidy life at the paws of three rowdy werebears, and protected only by an immortal egg on the edge, Matilda will have to come riding to her own rescue, or risk a life that's anything but happily ever after.

Mommy Monday: My Top Fictional Mothers

REVIEW: True Calling by Siobahn Davis

True Calling by Siobhan DAvis
Genre: Sci-Fi
Age Category: Young Adult
Release Date: August 1, 2014

 
 Goodreads
 Amazon
 Barnes & Noble
 Kobo

I wonder which situation is hardest.

Mine, because I remember everything, or hers because she can't.

Planet Novo, nestled in space twelve hundred miles above the surface of the Earth, is the new home of 17 year old Cadet Ariana Skyee. Confused by the government-sanctioned memory erase and distressed at her impending forced marriage and motherhood, Ariana’s plans for the future are thrown into complete disarray.

As the traumatic events within her family life enfold, Ariana grows increasingly alarmed at the authorities apparent pre-occupation with her and feels progressively more isolated and alone.

Her growing feelings for fellow Cadet Cal Remus intensify as the recently announced pageant,‘The Calling’, gets underway. Struggling to comprehend the continuous, inexplicable dreams of the mysterious Zane, discovering the past helps shape her future, with devastating personal consequences.

Book Buying Ban (3B's)

REVIEW: Daughter of Isis by Kelsey Ketch

Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis #1)
by Kelsey Ketch
Genre: Fantasy
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: October 26, 2013


 Goodreads
 Amazon
 Barnes & Noble
 Kobo
 Smashwords

“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”

Their worlds collide in California’s high desert. The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.

Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: The Case Files of Dr. Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist’s FOUR NOVELLAS

 Welcome to the Cover Reveal of Cynthia St. Aubin's The Case Files of Dr. Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist.

Before

Liebster Award

I have been nominated by Sofia @ Take A Walk On The Write Side, thank you!

The rules to the Liebster Awards are these:
Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog!
List 11 random facts about yourself.
Answer their 11 questions.
Nominate 11 bloggers who have less than 200 followers.
Ask them 11 questions.
Let them know you have nominated them

11 random facts about me:

Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon!

I'm joining!!! I just read about this today and I really wanted to lessen my TBR, so here goes nothing.

Here's the list of what I plan to read from September 8-20.

I have a review coming up for this and I would like to be able to finish it in time. Updates will be posted here as well.

Yes! I haven't read this yet. Please don't kill me. I'm going to finish it within the read-a-thon I promise!

I also have a review due for this. I know, I suck at organization.

 Just the cover alone makes me want to finish this ASAP. I've read a lot of good reviews and I'm excited for it.

There you go. That's it for now. I don't want to overwhelm myself, I still have a day job. But looking forward to accomplishing all these.I'm also looking forward in reading the other participant's update. Fingers crossed we might get a dent on our TBR list. Good luck to everyone!

Introduction: Mommy Monday

        

      I created this feature to highlight anything mommy-ish. I am after all, above all else a mom. I may review a book or a movie about motherhood. And fingers crossed, interview a mommy that I look up to and aspire to be. Bottom line is, I will make Mondays a day to celebrate motherhood. After all, one day a year is not enough to honor the most wonderful woman in our lives.

For my first Mommy Monday post, I would like to share one of the books that really nailed it when it comes to being a mommy. I present to you, Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner.

 -Goodreads-

Jennifer Weiner's rich, witty, true-to-life "New York Times" bestselling novel tells the story of three very different women as they navigate one of life's most wonderful and perilous transitions: the journey of new motherhood.Becky is a plump, sexy chef who has a wonderful husband and baby girl, a restaurant that's received citywide acclaim -- and the mother-in-law from hell. Kelly is an event planner who's struggling to balance work and motherhood while dealing with an unemployed husband who seems content to channel-surf for eight hours a day. And Ayinde's basketball superstar husband breaks her trust at her most vulnerable moment, putting their new family even more in the public eye. Then there's Lia, a Philadelphia native who has left her Hollywood career behind, along with her husband and a tragic secret, to start her life all over again. From prenatal yoga to postbirth sex, "Little Earthquakes" is a frank, funny, fiercely perceptive take on the comedies and tragedies of love and marriage.

My Rating:

Why?
            Motherhood is beautiful. It's one of the most amazing things that can happen to a woman. But, and it's a big but, it can also be stressful, messy, stinky and sometimes just downright gross. I love how Jennifer Weiner managed to capture both sides. Little Earthquake is a story about four very different women that deals with the same thing: motherhood. All of them are first time moms. It gives you a glimpse on how it's really going to be when you give birth. There's no Johnson & Johnson moment wherein you're cradling a child fast asleep. Little Earthquakes provide a realistic narration of what really happens the first few months of your baby's life. I can definitely relate to most of them. Ayinde's struggle with breastfeeding. Becky's mother-in law problems. Kelly's money issues. This book just really hit it close to home. It's definitely in my backyard.

            I recommend it to first time moms. To those who are curious what the fuss is all about raising a baby. If anything, it's a fun read because these women have their own way of dealing with shit, pun intended.

Do you have any favorite books about moms? What do you think of this feature? I would love to hear them.

The Seven Deadly Sins Tag

Joy of The Bookshelf Intruder tagged me for this fun post. I hope I do it with justice. Pardon my random choices, I've been anesthetized twice. :)

GREED

1. What is your most unexpensive book?

Hands down, that would be Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas. I won it at a giveaway over at The Social Potato. (Thanks Faye!)

WRATH

2. What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

Err, Sophie Kinsella? I loved The Undomestic Goddess and Can You Keep a Secret. Ironically, I didn't love the Shopaholic series. I hated Becky Bloomwood with an intensity meant for an ex-boyfriend.

GLUTTONY

3. What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?

Top of my head, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. During random moments I'm struck with the need to spend time with Cath, Levi and Reagan. Even Simon & Baz.

SLOTH

4. Which book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. I've tried reading this in high school. But every time, I feel like I should be taking down notes. There are just so much information that my lazy mind doesn't even bother processing.

PRIDE

5. What books do you most talk about in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

Jane Eyre. To Kill a Mockingbird. The ones in my college syllabus.

LUST

6. What attributes do you find attractive in a male or female character?

The bad ones. I like that some of them are impatient, selfish and just downright bitchy most of the time. Sarcasm is a huge turn on for me.

ENVY

7. What book would you most like to receive as a gift?

Hmmmm. A lot. But first thing to come to mind would be The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset. I don't own any Hunger Games book and I've always wanted to re-read all of them.

Whew! I'm done! Again, thanks Joy for tagging me. It's always nice to be remembered. And now I would like to tag:

Aimee of Deadly Darlings
Hazel of Stay Bookish
Cayce of Fighting Dreamer

I hope you haven't done this. I'm excited to read all your answers!

Notes: Trying to stay positive

    

         This is what I have been telling myself for the last couple of days. It's never easy when someone wants you to fail. It's hard to comprehend why would anyone go to so much trouble to give you grief. It's easy enough to say that I don't care, but it hurts me regardless. A part of me wants to prove them wrong. Good thing, I'm lazy. I figured after 11 seconds, none of this will matter. And if I stop caring and they still continue, that means I sort of win right? :)

Regular programming will resume after the weekend! Happy weekend folks! Let's all lose ourselves in a good book :)

The Road So Far

Source: CW

            I've loaded up on posts this August and I feel very proud of myself. I usually give up 3 posts in so this is really an achievement for me. Let's back up a bit and see how I did on the..

Book Front

Finished & Reviewed:

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

Dangerous Boys by Abigail Hass

(Just) Reviewed:

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

(Just) Finished:

 One For The Money by Janet Evanovich

Re-reading:

Isabel's Bed by Elinor Lipman

Currently Reading:

Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag

Already started on:

Drawn by Cecilia Gray

The 100 by Kass Morgan

I WON the Dangerous Boys Giveaway hosted by The Social Potato. Yay!

Look at that! I know it's pretty confusing. How can I be re-reading one book when I'm currently reading another book and have already started on two more books? Well, I'll tell you more about my reading habits on a separate post. I'll leave you wondering for now. 

Home Front

We moved houses and it was oh so stressful but oh so worth it.

We're starting to have a lot of things to do at work, ergo fewer posts. But I'm going to try really hard this month to produce quality post and not stress over the dreaded "numbers."

I am excited for: 

 

This is Supernatural Season 10 Promo Poster Released by the CW

This Month's GOAL:

• Read at least 5 NEW books
• Review at least 5 books
• 25 blog posts
• Have more pictures posted

 

That's all I can think of for now, but once I've figured out my to-read list this September, I'll update this. I will try to organize my post soon.  

Review: Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas

Thank you to Faye from THE SOCIAL POTATO for running that giveaway! I won!

 

Three teens venture into the abandoned Monroe estate one night; hours later, only two emerge from the burning wreckage. Chloe drags one Reznick brother to safety, unconscious and bleeding; the other is left to burn, dead in the fire. But which brother survives? And is his death a tragic accident? Desperate self-defense? Or murder? Chloe is the only one with the answers. As the fire rages, and police and parents demand the truth, she struggles to piece together the story of how they got there-a story of jealousy, twisted passion, and the darkness that lurks behind even the most beautiful of faces…

My Rating:

Why?

        It plays to my love for all things messed up. Seriously, this novel messes with you big time. I was on WTF mode the whole time (that's a positive response from me). Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me give a brief intro. This is a story about Chloe. Very unfortunate Chloe. No rabbit foot Chloe. I-could-pass-off-as-a-Baudelaire-Chloe. At first, it might seem that the story is about how she's dealing with life's bitchiness. But of course, there's more. It then takes us on a terrifyingly vivid journey to Chloe's emancipation. I loved this book because the characters literally change before your eyes. You turn a page and they become so unfamiliar that you seem to be reading a different book altogether. I enjoyed the uncertainty, not knowing or even having the tiniest bit of an idea what will happen next. 

          Another thing that is memorable for me is that this book managed to pique my curiosity. I wanted to know how other people would respond given the same situation Chloe was in. Was it who she really was or is it just a phase? You'll know what I'm talking about when you read it. I recommend it to those who enjoy playing games, not those kinda games, but mind games. Oh and I highly recommend it to people who feels stuck at the moment. I'm not saying to copy the book but it's an option. *wink*

             The reason why it's a 4/5 is because I'm a sucker for the usual endings. I can't go into it too much without any spoilers but let me just say I like my little ducks in a row. It felt kind of anticlimactic somehow because I want explosions at the end, fireworks, a kiss before the camera pans and zooms out to show the credits. Well, that's just me. But I suggest you get up/go online and get yourself a copy of this book. You'll finish it in less than a day I tell ya.

If you've read the book, how will you have reacted if you were in Chloe's shoes? and if you haven't read it then..what are you waiting for?! 

Weekend Read: The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

The inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift. He is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years. Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a mission: a chance to redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time. He returns to our world - now dominated by the hour-counting he so innocently began - and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: one a teenage girl who is about to give up on life, the other a wealthy old businessman who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. And stop the world to do so

My Rating:

Why: 

           It was an easy read. The words and the meaning were easy to grasp and the message of the book was very clear. The story started about the Father of Time and how he became who he is. It's different since it changes point of view between the three characters. The simple narration really made it a pleasurable read for me because it was one of those days when I don't want to analyze things too much. The reason why it only got three stars is because the lesson in the story is something that I've already realized a long time ago. Meaning there wasn't much revelation in terms of me relating to the story. I already know how important time is and I neither want to take my life nor extend it for an abnormal period of time. Overall, it was a nice reminder of something very dear to me which is to spend time as much as possible with the people I love and to not waste it on things such as holding grudges, wallowing and whole lotta bunch of negative stuff. I recommend it to those who love Albom's writing since it doesn't disappoint in that aspect.  

Happy playlist

             We all have that go to playlist whenever we need a bit of cheering up. I know that aside from a good book and tight tight hug from my daughter, a happy playlist is what I need at the end of a stressful day. Click PLAY and listen to some of the songs that makes me smile.

1. Dancing Queen - Abba
2. I Love You More Today Than Yesterday - Goldfinger
3. Hold On, We're Going Home - Drake
4. Crazy - Javier
5. Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry
6. Just Dance  - Jamiroquai
7. Feel It Boy - Janet Jackson Feat. Beenie Man
8. No Letting Go - Wayne Wondder
9. Do-Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill
10. God is a DJ - Pink

What's in your happy playlist? :)

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

        This is suppose to be one of my Sci-Fi month post but I figured it's best if I post it for Throwback Thursday. Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favorite books.

 

Five prominent biophysicists give the United States government an urgent warning: sterilization procedures for returning space probes may be inadequate to guarantee uncontaminated re-entry to the atmosphere.
Two years later, Project Scoop sends seventeen satellites into the fringes of space in order to "collect organisms and dust for study." Then a probe satellite falls to the earth, landing in a desolate area of northeastern Arizona. In the nearby town of Piedmont, bodies lie heaped and flung across the ground, faces locked in frozen surprise. The terror has begun..

My Rating:

Why:

         I've finished this book in under three hours? It's a fairly straight forward novel. Although, it's not your usual storytelling since Crichton used a third person point of view. On his notes for this book, he admitted to thinking about how he would narrate the story if it was real. And that's how he came up with the sort of fact-telling narration that the book is known for. One of the reasons why I love this book is that I believed it was real. It made me feel that the scenario he's describing is happening right now. It was one of those edge of your seat kind of read. The questions that begged to be answered were "what is it?", "what's going to happen now?" and "what are they going to do?" Also, one of the positive things in this book is that even if it has some hardcore science discussion, you won't really feel left out because Crichton tries to explain it in a way that helps us understand. If you like science and feeling stressed out for the duration of reading a story then I highly recommend this book. But if you don't want lengthy explanation of scientific studies/reports then this might not be the book for you. However, I urge you to give it a shot. The Andromeda Strain was responsible for making me fall for sci-fi books. I believe it has the right mix of exciting, educational, and absolutely terrifying.

Beautiful Book Blogs Part II

Because there are many beautiful things in life, I give you Part 2 of my beautiful book blogs. Enjoy these eye candies

artsy musings of a bibliophile

What makes me happy?

             I'd like to think I'm one of those people who are easy to please. Too easy in fact, I remember my husband giving me an egg for a birthday gift. Yeah, he's very sweet that way. Anyways, I'd like to share the random things that make me happy. The simple things that gives me such a rush that it earns me dubious looks from people. (Imagine me sniffing a book in a crowded bookstore) I urge you to create a list as well. I would love to read the simple things that makes you happy.

Beautiful Book Blogs

There's a saying that goes like this: "Don't judge a book by its cover." But sometimes, isn't it nice to look at something that's beautiful. Especially if you know that a huge amount of creativity and hard work was poured into it. Allow me to highlight a few of my favorite book blog layouts. They aren't listed in any order and all of them are pretty awesome in their own right. Enjoy.

The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Giveaway

Fangirling w/ Tellulah Darling

@taraletsbehappy My pleasure! It was so fun to get into his head. :)
— Tellulah Darling (@tellulahdarling) August 10, 2014

I'm seriously in fangirl mode right now. I can't wait for her other books to come out. If you want to check her out, please visit her WEBSITE. And don't forget to subscribe to get some amazing gifts from her.

August Random Reads: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by MIlan Kundera

 I'm Loving Books

Spotlight: Sugar & Spice and everything nice

                 

Click here to visit her blog:  Sugar & Spice and everything nice

What made me smile today

Let me round up some of the random things that made me happy today:

Spotlight: Stay Bookish

Stay Bookish by Hazel

What made me smile today

I'm a HUGE HUGE Supernatural fan. Seeing this just made my day.

Credits to PopSugar for the article.

 Source: The CW

Credits to PopSugar for the article.

 The "Hate to Say I Told You So, But . . . "

  Source: The CW

  The "I'm Going to Need a Sec to Process This"

  Source: The CW

The "Kind of Totally Freaking Out Right Now"

  Source: The CW

 Credits to PopSugar for the article.

 Source: The CW

 

Source: The CW

 Source: The CW

Guess whose my favorite? I can't wait for Season 10 to come out this October. How about you? What made you smile today?