In My Mailbox: 48

In My Mailbox is created and hosted by The Story Siren


From the library:

I've heard some great things about Hourglass, and it's about time travel. Is there anything better then that?

Another book I've heard some great things about, it also sounds amazing. 

Won: 

I loooooove Seventeen magazine, I even have a subscription to it.

I won this from  Morgan at Books and Literature for Teens. I love her blog, you should go check it out. :)

dfhajdhflaurnvdfubg <----this is what my brain looks like right now. It's mush and I'm only 80 pages in. This is an EPIC book so far. I won this from Amelia at Imagination in Focus. Another blog I really love and you should also visit. 

That is what's in my mailbox this week. Whats in your's?

*Make sure you stop by again this week, I have another giveaway going up!

--Danielle

Review: Eve

Eve by Anna Carey

Release Date: 10/4/2011 

*Copy from BEA

Summary: The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her. 

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life. (Goodreads)

Review: Dystopian has exploded in young adult within the last year, the new books about vampires and werewolves are dwindling down and dystopian is taking its place. It is a great genre to take over with books like Divergent and Delirium. Eve had great potential and story line but it didn't quite hold up to the leaders (Hunger Games, Delirium) in the dystopian genre for me. 

Eve started just like any other dystopian novel, something was wrong with the future society and the main character gets into the middle of it. However there was something about the plot that kept me reading, it was similar but it had it's own qualities. The story was fast paced and keeps you interested throughout the whole book; there were no sluggish spots in Eve. 

The main character is the reason I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to. Eve was very clueless and needy and just annoying. She couldn't do or think anything for herself. Throughout the novel Eve did start getting stronger and more independent, however she still had that clueless quality. 


Yet Eve's relationship with Caleb was a completely different story and my favorite part of the book. Eve and Caleb's relationship was almost comic relief, Eve being forced to think men and love are evil made some really funny scenes. Their relationship was also a slow and gradual process that was so much fun to read. When they first met each other it seemed like Eve and Caleb hated each other then their relationship slowly grew. Plus Caleb is just a great character, my favorite in the series so far. 

There were aspects of this book that I had problems with yet others I really enjoyed. Plus with Eve's ending I'm going to be first in line for the sequel when it comes out. I'm dying to know what happens next to these characters. If you're a dystopian or romance fan you might want to check this one out too when it comes out in October.

Giveaway Winners!

Hey everyone, I know it's been awhile since you've seen a post from me. A WHOLE WEEK. I feel horrible about that. To make it up to you, here are the giveaway winners for the giveaways that ended while I was gone.

Winner of Daughter of Smoke and Bone is.....

Shadow!

Winner of the  e-book copy of Across Eternity is.....

Zoe L

I have emailed both winners but if they don't get back to me I'll have to pick new ones.

Also if you didn't win don't worry I have another giveaway going up in a few days.

--Danielle

Waiting on Wednesday

Do you guys remeber how much I love the first book in this series??? (My review of Immortal Beloved HERE) I'm just so excited to see the sequel coming out soon. I can't wait!

Here's the summary from Goodreads. Only read it if you've read the first book.

Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get any better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River's Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River's Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won't allow herself to have. But just as she's getting comfortable, her family's ties to dark magick force her to leave. 
She falls back into her old, hard partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Or will it be her first step to embracing the darkness within her?

Its not my favorite cover in the world but I'm super excited to read this and find out what happens to Nastasya and Reyn. Only a few months left YAY!.

Have you read any of Cate Teirnan's books?

--Danielle 

Vacation. (Again).

Hey everyone. I just wanted to let you know that I'm on vacation so there might not be to many post this week. I'm going to try my best, and I have a few things scheduled but I wanted to let you know in case there's nothing up this week. I know if seems like I was just on vacation (since I was last week) but this time I'm going to Florida. They actually have internet and cell service there so I will be able to answer emails. I might even have time to write a post or two. You'll probably see me tweeting a bunch still. 

I should be back on Monday. Then posts will be normal again. 

While I'm gone you can listen to the song that's been in my head ALL DAY. I just put it on my ipod to. I wonder how many times I'll listen to it on the 3 hour flight. 

It's from one of my favorite movies, Moulin Rouge. I have a thing for musicals. 

If you haven't seen it. Go watch it NOW. The video made you smile didn't it? It makes me smile every time I listen to it. I love the meledy of great songs song by Nichole Kidman and Ewan McGregor

with their amazing voices.

Let hope I can get a ton of reading done this week!


--Danielle

Bloodlines Trailer!

I have to say I squealed a little bit when I was this. Just because it made me realize how close the release date is! YAY. I'm such a HUGE fan of this series. I've been following since the first book and I just loved every single one of them.

Anyway here's the trailer before I start rambling.



Awesome right? I was confused at first but then I watched it a second time and it made a little bit more sense. I'm just so excited to see more Adrian. I always knew Dimitri was better for Rose but I just like Adrian better. If I was in Vampire Academy I would have, hand down, picked Adrian. He just always stood out to me.



Here's the actors explaining which character's they are. I really liked their choices in actors. Usually I don't like book trailers but it sounds like they spent a lot of time on these. It really payed off.


What do you think of the trailer? Are you as super excited as I am?

--Danielle

Summer Giveaway Part 2: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (extended)

My giveaway for Daughter of Smoke and Bone was suppose to end yesterday but I decided it would be better to extend it one more week. I'm going on vacation and won't be able to mail it out until I get back next Monday. When I had created the contest I didn't know I would be going on vacation.

So feel free to enter if you haven't been able to yet!

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

I accidentally got three books with doubles while at BEA (I didn't mean to take extra's both me and my mom were walking around). Instead of just having the books sit on my shelf I'm giving them away. I already did the first giveaway, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is the second. I've heard some amazing things about this one.  And isn't this cover beautiful? 

• The contest ends on July 25th 
• You have to be 13 or older to enter
• Contest open to people in the US.
•  You don't have to be a follower to enter (but you get extra points if you are)
• Fill out this FORM to enter. 

Also why you are here don't forget about the e-book giveaway for Across Eternity!

Across Eternity by Aris Whittier
Amazon/Goodreads
*Received from author for a review

Summary: Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn't much that Logan couldn't learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.

Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar. 

For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.

**See my review HERE. 

The author had offered to giveaway one e-book copy of Across Eternity through Amazon! 

To enter the giveaway just follow the rules below. 

• The giveaway ends on July 26th 
• You have to be 13 or older to enter
•  You don't have to be a follower to enter (but you get extra points if you are)
• Fill out this FORM to enter. 

Good luck everyone!

--Danielle

In My Mailbox: 47

Hello again everyone! I can't believe its already the end of the week and In My Mailbox time. 

In My Mailbox is created and hosted by The Story Siren.

For Review:

Thanks to HarlequinTeen for sending this book out. I'm apart of the Teen Panel, which is interesting and you can sign up https://www.harlequinteenpanel.com/Portal/default.aspx. I'm still not to sure what I feel about the panel yet. Still can't wait to see what I think of the book. It sounds interesting but the cover is a bit dull. Anyone else agree?

From The Library: 

This book is a summer reading book for school on of three. Into the Wild by John Krakauer and Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut are the other two. I decided to pick this one up first because it's the only one I'm very slightly excited to read. I really enjoy reading plays, I only get to read them during school but there's just something about them that I really love. Plus dialog is one of my favorite parts of book, a play is all dialog which is just fun to read. As cliche as it is, Romeo and Juliet is my favorite play. I've read it a few times and just love it. I also really enjoyed A Midsummer Nights Dream.

Anyway enough about plays, we'll see how I like this one. 

What did you get  in your mailbox? Do you like to read plays? What's your favorite?

--Danielle

*Make sure you stop by tomorrow (Monday) I'm going to do a short vlog. 

Journey To The Past: Hoot

Journey To The Past: When most people go to the bookstore or library they look at the new releases, but what about all those other books? They deserve some love too. So once a week I write about a slightly older book.

It's been MONTHS since my last JTTP. I miss these, I'm going to have to try and do them more often. 

Summary: Roy Eberhardt is the new kid--again. This time around it's Trace Middle School in humid Coconut Grove, Florida. But it's still the same old routine: table by himself at lunch, no real friends, and thick-headed bullies like Dana Matherson pushing him around. But if it wasn't for Dana Matherson mashing his face against the school bus window that one day, he might never have seen the tow-headed running boy. And if he had never seen the running boy, he might never have met tall, tough, bully-beating Beatrice. And if he had never met Beatrice, he might never have discovered the burrowing owls living in the lot on the corner of East Oriole Avenue. And if he had never discovered the owls, he probably would have missed out on the adventure of a lifetime. Apparently, bullies do serve a greater purpose in the scope of the universe. Because if it wasn't for Dana Matherson... (From Amazon)

Thoughts:  You don't have to be a tree huger or 12 years old to enjoy Hoot. This one book that every one can love.  It has everything from bullies to the cutest owls ever. 

The main character Roy moves from Montana to the sunny state Florida where he feels extremely out of place. Bullies torment him and he still hasn't found any real friends. That is untill he see's a boy running down the street, and is curious. One day Roy even ends up following him and this starts an adventure to last a life time. 

The last time I opened Hoot was back in six grade, a little before the movie came out. I was obsessed with every word, every page, and couldn't put it down. Hoot was the first book that I read in only one day. I can still remember Hoot today. The book not only has a good message, you also can just read just to enjoy. 

After finishing the book you can also watch the movie! (trailer below). 

Back from Vacation

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know I'm back. I had an amazing time up in the mountains. I wasn't able to get much reading done because we pack so much stuff to do in such little time. We went hiking each day, sat around a fire each night roasting marshmallows and even saw some bears!

I'm in the process of going through my email now, almost done. If you sent me anything just give me another day or two to get back to you.

I was hoping to finish a book while I was up there to review when I got back but I wasn't able to. Instead of a review I'm going to show you some pictures from my trip. All of these were taken by my dad.

**Click the photo's to see a bigger version.

The mountains are beautiful! 

Waterfall we hiked to. 

Dogs enjoying the FREEZING water. The one in the middle is mine. 

I promise this frog was not harmed. Isn't he just so cute?

One of the millions of deer we saw on the mountains. We weren't able to take any pictures on bears. 

I just really like this picture, the squirrel is just to cute. I didn't see it but my dad said it was really red! 

I hope everyone enjoyed their week. I have to go get ready for my grandparents 50th anniversary party. (It why we went up to the mountains) I'll try and get a post up tomorrow. 

--Danielle

Waiting On Wednesday

AHHHHHH I'm excited. Anyone else excited???? The sequel to Across the Universe! There's no summary released yet but I still just can't wait. Across the Universe was so good, and I can't wait to see what will happen next. 

Release date: January 2011. 

Why so far away? So not fair. 

--Danielle

Review and Giveaway: Across Eternity

Across Eternity by Aris Whittier
Amazon/Goodreads
*Received from author for a review

Summary: Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn't much that Logan couldn't learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.

Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar. 

For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.

Review: A love story, romance, and reincarnation. How can you get any better then that? I rarely read adult books, most of them I've read by accident thinking they were YA. When I read the summary of Across Eternity I just had to read it. 

Across Eternity was filled with beautiful descriptions and a lovable plot. It was hard to put this book down, I just wanted to keep reading more about this couple. At times it seems like they had the perfect romance but Amber and Logan still had their ups and downs. Which made their romance more believable, and kept me turning the pages. By the end I had even tear up a few times. 

Even though this is an adult novel I think any young adult will enjoy this story. Of course it would be for 15-16 and up, not for younger teens. While the two main characters weren't teens themselves I forgot that while reading. The beautiful writing and the irresistible romance will make you fall in love with this story whether you are 16 or 30. 

Now Giveaway time! 

The author had offered to giveaway one e-book copy of Across Eternity through Amazon! 


To enter the giveaway just follow the rules below. 

• The giveaway ends on July 26th 
• You have to be 13 or older to enter
•  You don't have to be a follower to enter (but you get extra points if you are)
• Fill out this FORM to enter. 

--Danielle

Review: The Book Blogger's Cookbook

The Book Blogger's Cookbook
by Christy Dorrity 


Goodreads/Amazon 


Summary: Great books, bloggers, and recipes meet in this fresh and unique cookbook that helps you experience books, not just read them. 

Books were selected from the author's book review blog and paired with delectable recipes like "Fairy Touched Calico Brownies" from the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull, "7-Day Layer Dip" from Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall, and "I Hate Chocolate Cake" from Amanda Hocking's Switched. Mouthwatering photos complement every recipe. 

The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook includes a foreword by Amanda Hocking, author of the USA Today Bestselling Trylle Trilogy and showcases over seventy reviews with links to book review blogs and author websites. 

Whether you're a food lover, an avid reader or a book blogger, there's something for you in The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook.

Review: This is such a great idea taking books, book bloggers, and mouth watering recipes all in one book. All the recipes went really well with the books. They all had descriptions why that certain food was chosen and it just made sense. "The 7-Day Layer Dip" for Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall went perfectly with the story. With each recipe there was also excerpts of bloggers reviews of that certain novel. It was a nice touch, to an already great book. 

I was able to make one of the recipes "Fairy Touched Calico Brownies" based on the book Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. The brownies were topped with a mint icing and a hard chocolate topping. I have yet to read the book but this recipe just looked to good to pass up and I already had most of the ingredients at my house. The instructions were easy to follow and the brownies came out perfectly. Everyone loved them. I can't wait to try out some more recipes from this cookbook. 

This is a great cookbook for any blogger, author, and reader to have. At only .99 cents on Amazon it's a hard deal to pass. I think everyone should have a copy of The Book Blogger's Cookbook. 


*I forgot to take a picture of my brownies to show everyone. But they did look and taste amazing.


--Danielle

In My Mailbox: 46 (and Important News)

In My Mailbox is created and hosted by The Story Siren.


This week I got one book for review:

I'm not familiar with the fairy-tale but this book just looks so good! I can't wait to start reading it. Here's the summary from goodreads. 

A modern retelling of the German fairytale "Tristan and Isolde", Tris and Izzie is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until -- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school.

The only down part is all the bad reviews on goodreads...but I'm still going to try it out. PLus just look at how pretty that cover is!


On to the news, I'm going on a short vacation. My family and I are staying at our cabin in upstate New York from Monday to Wednesday. Since the cabin is in the middle of a mountain near nothing there is no cellphone or internet service. I really love it up there so I  don't mind. It's just not good for blogging.

I just wanted to let everyone know I'll be out of contact during those days. Feel free to still stop by I have scheduled posts (and one giveaway) to go up while I'm away. If you send me an email in this time I'll try my best to get back to you as soon as I get back from the trip.

Have a great week everyone!

--Danielle

Review: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Summary: (goodreads)In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. 

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. 

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Review: Both the cover and summary kept me from reading Divergent at first. Neither one of them appealed to me, it just seemed boring and confusing. Now after finishing the book I realize that I was completely wrong. There was nothing boring about this book, and not even confusing. Veronica Roth made this futuristic society easy to jump right into without wondering what was going on and it was extremely fast paced. 

I hung on to every word, devoured every page, and just couldn't stop reading. With the face paced action, and never knowing what will happen to these characters, that you just become attached to, it's hard to even think about putting Divergent down. It was so easy to get attached to the characters, Veronica Roth made these characters so addicting you can't help but fall in love with them. 

As much as I loved (loved loved loved loved) Divergent, there was one little part that bothered me. The names of characters changed so instantly with no problem at all. I know if I randomly changed my name I would have a hard time getting use to it. Even as a reader I got confused with the name changes. This happened a couple of times in the book. 

With the small part that bothered me out of the way, I really loved this book.  Since I've finished I've been recommended Divergent to everyone I know.  This story is just to good, to addictive, to not tell everyone in the world to read it, especially is you love dystopian novels. 

--Danielle

*Did anyone else have a problem with the quick name changes? 

Blog Hop!

With school out I never remember what day it is. Usually every Friday I forget it's Friday, and by the time I realize its the weekend it's to late to do a blog hop. Well I remembered it's Friday today!  So I can participate in the blog hop! 


This weeks question was to promote a giveaway that's not your own. 


La Femme Readers - Hot Summer Giveaway with some awesome books lie Lola and the Boy Next Door.  


At Books at Midnight, their are a bunch of giveaways going on right now.  An ARC of Virtuosity is just one. 


If I can think of any more, I'll add them here. 




If you're here from the hop leave a comment so I can visit your blog too!


--Danielle

Waiting On Wednesday (On Thursday)

  

I just love love love love love love Anna Godbersen. historical fiction is one of my favorites but the way Ms. Godbersen writes it is incredible. Her Luxe series was really good and I think A Bright Young Thing is even better. I can't wait to see where this series goes. 

Are you a fan of Historical Fiction or Anna Godbersen?

--Danielle

Sorry this is late. I know I've complained about how blogger hates my scheduled posts but its true. This never went up yesterday like it was suppose to. Hopefully blogger isn't moody about my posts for the next to weeks since I'm going to be on vacation but we'll see. 

Review: Between

Between by Cyndi Tefft
Amazon/Goodreads
*Received from author for a review


Summary: It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent. 
After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates. 
Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.

Review: Between was an interesting and different story that starts the day Lindsey Water dies.  The story was so different. It was filled with romance, emotion, and even a little bit of history. 


I really enjoyed reading Lindsey story that starts after she dies. I also liked that it touched on religion which not many young adult novels do. It was a nice change yet I think anyone could enjoy this story. 


Time Travel. Always a fun part to a story yet in Between it wasn't exactly time travel. They could cast memories and live in those moments. Yet because Lindsey's love interest lived in the 1800's we got to go back and see all those amazing Scotland sights. It was by far one of my favorite parts of the novel. The only part of the novel that bothered me, was how quickly Lindsey and Aiden fell in love. It seemed to be instant but not in a love at first sight  kind of way. 


Overall Between was a well written, beautiful love story and even cause me to tear of a few times. It's full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing, just when you think you've figured things out you'll be thrown for a loop. 


**If you want an actual (not e-book) copy of Between the author sells personalized ones on her website HERE.

The Secret Circle: TV Show

I'm sure you've heard of the TV show Vampire Diaries. It's one of my favorite TV shows, and it's on The CW. If you haven't it's a show based on the books of the same name by L.J. Smith. A girl falls in love with a vampire but the twist is she looks just like the vampires love interest from the 19 hundreds. And the vampire's brother also falls for the girl. Crazy story line right?

Well I love that show but I haven't read the books, but I have read other L.J. Smith novels. Like Night World, Dark Visions, and The Secret Circle.

Now The CW is making The Secret Circle into a TV show, just like Vampire Diaries. I know they are probably going to change almost everything like Vampire Dairies but I'm still very excited to watch it. Then best part? It's on after Vampire Dairies on Thursday's this fall.

This books are amazing and I highly recommend reading it even if you're not going to watch the show.

http://youtu.be/EWK0vfwYhqA &lt;--- YouTube won't let me add the video but this is the link to the trailer for the show. Doesn't it look so good?

Are you excited for this show?

In My Mailbox 45

In My Mailbox is created and hosted by The Story Siren.




For Review: 

This one looks insanely cute. It's a graphic novel which I don't read to much but I do enjoy them when I do. 

From The Library: 

I've been looking forward to reading this one. I love mermaid stories ever since I saw The Little mermaid when I was younger. I've heard some great things about this one. 

What did you get this week? 

--Danielle