Friday 31 August 2012

Currently Reading...

Progress: COMPLETED

Book Haul

So finally all my books have came! (Well, excluding Tempest but ah well...)



If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do? When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.





The undead can really screw up your senior year ... 

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancĂ©. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.




When the Mayflower set sail in 1620, it carried on board the men and women who would shape America: Miles Standish; John Alden; Constance Hopkins. But some among the Pilgrims were not pure of heart; they were not escaping religious persecution. Indeed, they were not even human. They were vampires.The vampires assimilated quickly into the New World. Rising to levels of enormous power, wealth, and influence, they were the celebrated blue bloods of American society. 


The Blue Bloods vowed that their immortal status would remain a closely guarded secret. And they kept that secret for centuries. But now, in New York City, the secret is seeping out. Schuyler Van Alen is a sophomore at a prestigious private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes instead of the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates, and she lives with her reclusive grandmother in a dilapated mansion. Schuyler is a loner...and happy that way. Suddenly, when she turns fifteen, there is a visible mosaic of blue veins on her arm. She starts to crave raw food and she is having flashbacks to ancient times. Then a popular girl from her school is found dead... drained of all her blood. Schuyler doesn't know what to think, but she wants to find out the secrets the Blue Bloods are keeping. But is she herself in danger?



I have not yet read first in series so have not looked up anything about this book in case of spoilers.








Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.

When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by their immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.



An angel is sent to Earth on a mission.
But falling in love is not part of the plan.

Three angels – Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human – are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

And finally...

It's also a sequel and don't want to give anything away.
It's the sequel to Kirsten Miller's The Eternal Ones series.

Boundless Preview

Are your eyes deceiving you you're asking? Nope! This is really a short sample from the third book in the Unearthly Series! And guess what? Clara and Christian are on a date...

#


There’s a sharp knock on the door, and we both jump. I run to open it. Christian’s standing in the hall wearing khakis and a blue dress shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbows. He smells like Ivory soap and shaving cream.

He holds out a bouquet of white daisies. “For you.”

Date modeClara, I tell myself. Now is not the time to do research with Angela.

“Thank you. Come in for a sec, and I’ll put these in some water.”

He follows me in. I rummage around for something to use as a vase, but the best I can find is a Big Gulp cup. I fill it with water and set the flowers on my desk.

Christian glances over at Angela, who’s suddenly produced her black and white composition notebook and is scribbling as fast as she can go.

“Hello, Angela,” he says.

“Hi, Chris,” she says, but she doesn’t stop writing. “Flowers. Very smooth.”

“Yeah, I try,” he says with a smirk.

“You know, daisies are supposed to represent innocence,” she says, looking up and quirking an eyebrow at him.

He looks at me. “You ready?”

“Yes.” I fight the urge to tuck my hair behind my ears. “Bye,” I say to Angela. “We’ll talk later, okay?”

She waves her hand at me dismissively, and I can hear her pen’s furious scratching even after I close the door.

#

In the parking lot I have to stifle a smile when Christian crosses to open the passenger door for me. He gives me his hand to help me climb into his truck.

“Thanks,” I murmur, and I try not to think of Tucker, of the way he always opened doors for me.

He jogs around and gets in, put the key in the ignition, but doesn’t start it. He turns to me.

“This is a date,” he says.

“Oh, good,” I say, “because I was wondering, what with the flowers and all.”

“And as a date, there are certain ground rules we need to go over.”

Oh boy. “Okay,” I laugh nervously.

“I will be paying for all of our activities this evening,” he begins.

“But—”

He holds up his hand. “I know that you are a modern, liberated, independent woman. I respect that, and I understand that you are capable of paying for your own meal, but I will still be paying for dinner, and whatever else. Okay?”

“But—”

“And just because I’m paying for dinner doesn’t mean that I expect anything from you. I just want to treat you tonight, and that’s all.”

It’s cute that he’s blushing.

“All right,” I fake-grumble. “You’ll pay. Anything else?”

“Yes. I’d like us to steer clear of all angel-related topics tonight, if you don’t mind. I don’t want to hear the word angel, or purpose, or vision, or any of our other special terminology. Tonight I want us to simply be Christian and Clara, two college students on a date. How’s that sound?”

“Sounds good,” I say. More than good, even. Normal people on a normal date.

It sounds perfect.


#

Eh?? Please comment and let me know your feelings on this sample of Cynthia Hand's Boundless! This is definitely a major WOW book!

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Sunday 26 August 2012

Drum Role Please...

Announcements...


1. So I have a YouTube channel which is a dedicated BookVlog! Check it out at  http://www.youtube.com/user/ReadableCharperBookV.
But because of crappy camera I have to wait until the new year before I can start posting videos :)
2. I have no subscribers to this blog and yet 700 pageviews. A little bit disappointed. I understand I'm just new but not even one? So if anyone's wondering why I don't have any competitions or giveaways it's because of that
3. Please feel free to comment! It would make me feel a whole lot better if I knew what people thought of this. Even a simple 'cool' would be nice!
4. Suggestions are welcome! Anything else you would like to see on this blog? A book you would like me to read? Just tell me

So contact me at CourtneyH650@hotmail.co.uk or Comment with any inquiries!

Saturday 25 August 2012

A Thousand Words

This just happened to me... Not happy.

Currently Reading...

Status: Not yet started.

TBR: August/September

So I got 3 out of 4 books completed on my August TBR pile but honestly I have a problem. I'm a book buying addict! I know, I know.
My TBR pile is currently 21 books long! Plus I've got a ten book haul coming in from Amazon on Friday AND I start back school that day too!
I'm not even going to start on the fact that most of the books from my haul and TBR pile are only first in trilogies and series' because my head just might explode!
So I'm going to take all this into consideration and hope I don't get too much school work for the first month (unlikely) and balance my family duties (which there are surprisingly a lot of), chores (ugh...) and room decoration with trying to read and post on my blog (which shouldn't be a problem).





So I thought I'd make a bigger dent of the House of Night series and try and get through both Betrayed (which I keep calling betrayal) and Chosen. Some of you may know that I don't own these series but my Aunt does, which is also the case for the Morganville Vampire series too so when I finish these two I can take them back and get another few off them.







So, like I said above I'm hoping to read these two together before getting more.











After originally meaning to read this sooner I've bunked it down a few notches. I have no idea why but the series seems a little bland in my head, even though this is only the second book so I've been putting it off but will read straight after Chosen. Pinky Promise!

Book Review: Last Breath


So, you're new to Morganville. Welcome, new resident! There are only a few important rules you need to know to feel comforable in our quiet little town:


- Obey the speed limits.
- Don't litter.
- Whatever you do, don't get on the bad side of the vampires.



Yeah, we said vampires. Deal with it.
As a human newcomer, you'll need to find yourself a vampire Protector-someone willing to sign a contract to keep you and your safe from harm (especially from the other vampires). In return, you'll pay taxes... just like in any other town. Of course, in most other towns, those taxes don't get collected at the blood bank.
Oh, and if you decide NOT to get a Protector, you can do that, too... but you'd better learn how to run fast, stay out of shadows, and build a network of friends who can help you. Try contacting the residents of the Glass House- Michael, Eve, Shane, and Claire. They know their way around, even if they always end up in the middle of trouble somehow.
Welcome to Morganville. You'll never want to leave.
And even if you do... well, you can't.
Sorry about that.



So this is book 11 in the Morganville Vampire series (wow it's long, but totally worth it!)


Claire Danvers is concerned when three vampires vanish from Morganville without a trace. The last person seen with them is someone new to town - a mysterious individual named Magnus. Claire is convinced creepy Magnus isn't human ...but is he a vampire, or something else entirely? 

Claire's hunt for answers leads her to solving another mystery that's long been puzzling her: why do vampires live so far out in a sunny desert when they're sensitive to sunlight? The answer has nothing to do with sunlight, but with water - and an ancient enemy who has finally found a way to invade the vampires' landlocked community. Vampires aren't the top predator on earth. There's something worse that preys on them ...something much worse. 
Which means if Claire, and Morganville, want to live, they will have to fight on to the last breath ...

Novels

  1. Glass Houses (October 2006, Signet BooksISBN 0-451-21994-5)[5]
  2. The Dead Girls' Dance (April 2007, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22089-7)
  3. Midnight Alley (October 2007, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22238-5)
  4. Feast of Fools (June 2008, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22463-9)
  5. Lord of Misrule (January 2009, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22572-4)
  6. Carpe Corpus (June 2009, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22719-0)[4]
  7. Fade Out (November 2009, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22866-9)
  8. Kiss of Death (April 27, 2010, Signet Books, ISBN 0-451-22973-8)
  9. Ghost Town (October 26, 2010, NAL HardcoverISBN 0-451-23161-9)
  10. Bite Club (May 3, 2011, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23318-2)
  11. Last Breath (November 1, 2011, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23487-1)
  12. Black Dawn (May 1, 2012, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23671-8)
  13. Bitter Blood (scheduled November 6, 2012, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-23811-7)
  14. Fall Of Night (scheduled May 17, 2013, NAL Hardcover, ISBN 0-451-41425-X)
  15. Untitled, scheduled to be released in November 2013

If you can put up with long series and are into the whole vampire thing then this is a series for you. I do warn you though that it's hard to make your collection look like a collection because of the constantly changing cover designs. Although I do warn you now that it's for the mature young adults in some bits. If you get my drift...
But hey! I'm mature :)

But it here: Last Breath Book #11

Setting:  Texas (United States) 

Book Review: City of Bones

Maybe because there was such a big hype about this book and a need to like it or maybe because I was just in a fowl mood when reading it but all I can say was it was... OK.
*Don't hit me!*

Maybe give me a few days and I'll come to my senses but did anyone else see then ending... eck!
But it's ok... I have crap friends who spoil endings if I don't cover my ears and sing at the top of my lungs when around them.

I must of liked something in this book (perhaps the love triangle *wink wink* who knows?) because I did put all of the books up to City of Lost Souls and the Infernal Devices series on my Amazon wishlist. My favourite scene was page 292 and I know this because it's my friend's copy (Morgan, for future reference) and she's a page corner folder which I'm pretty sure most people fell is a sin but what can yaddo?

Anyway....

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

So when I first saw the book in Eason I was like 'Ew!' and even now I wrinkle my nose (wow that makes me sound like a snob) but still... Anyway that one time of seeing the book set of a chain reaction in which the book showed up everywhere! Then my good-friend Morgan tells me she's read it and I can barely stop my jaw-dropping. From what I'd heard of the book everyone loved it so I gave it a chance.

My mind didn't really settle into the world of the Shadowhunters but I kept reading and reading until after less than 48 hours I was finished.
I think I was in a fowl mood, being basically banished my granny's kitchen to read does that to me surprisingly, because once I got home and to my own bed I was laughing at the jokes in the book.

While I was reading I couldn't help but think of all the times I heard Jace was sarcastic but mainly I found Clary funnier even if Jace did have his moments.

Once it ended I should of been shocked like most readers, but nope (thank you blabber-mouthing friends who can't keep their mouths shut) so maybe that's why I wasn't so enthusiastic but I am looking forward to see how the rest of the series goes.

Wow it sounds like I hated this book which I certainly did not. Hate is a strong word. I did enjoy the read and can't wait to read the rest of the series. I'm even trying to earn money to move them quickly from my wish list to basket :)


I also found out this went from being a a trilogy to a fricking 6 books series? Like make up your mind...

Quotes:

"At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.” 


“If you were half as funny as you think you are, you'd be twice as funny as you are now.” 

“It means 'Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234'.” 

Awards:

  • AwkwardTriangle - because the awkward love triangle moments made this book for me
  • BonesToAshesToGlass - Cool names. I'll give them that
  • PerfectlyTimed - The book had the perfect times for people to walk in and mess things up

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Walker Books Ltd (2 July 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1406307629
  • ISBN-13: 978-1406307627
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 3.4 cm

Book Review: Hallowed

*Contains Spoilers for Unearthly Book 1. Please do not read if you have not read the first book*

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.


Basically, I wanted to read this book to find out what happened next for Clara, Tucker and Christian and this book definitely throws the love triangle in.


So what's life like after the fire?

In this book Clara had a new vision. A cemetery. Someone she loves is going to die and there are a few close people she loves who aren't in the vision. Tucker is one of them.

At the same time as dealing with Tucker might die she has to battle her failed Purpose. The night she was meant to save Christian in a forest fire she saved Tucker instead. Luckily, Christian was also part-angel and thought his purpose was to save Clara.
Her brother Jeffrey is going off the rails, her mum is hiding secrets and her friend Angela wants to start an Angel club.
All this is happening while she battles to find out what her mother is keeping from her, trying to save the people she loves and battling with the fallen angel, Samjeeza.

While reading the book I was pulled in by her strong relationship with Tucker but also her growing feelings for Christian.


If you think hard while reading you can guess what is coming. The whole way through I kept thinking what the ending would be and it was a more or less diluted version of my thoughts.


Quotes:

“Before I moved here, I never got the whole love-triangle thing. You know, in movies or romance novels or whatnot, where there’s one chick that all the guys are drooling over, even though you can’t see anything particularly special about her. But oh, no, they both must have her. And she’s like, oh dear, however will I choose? William is so sensitive, he understands me, he swept me off my feet, oh misery, blubber, blubber, but how can I go on living without Rafe and his devil-may-care ways and his dark and only-a-little-abusive love? Upchuck.” 

"Nice night for stalking," he observes.
"No, I was---"
"Get your butt in here, Carrots.” 


"Just in case, I dont know, his comic book collection decided to spontaneously combust. This was dumb and admittedly creepy in an Edward Cullen kind of way” 

"But at least you won't be running away.
I think it's more of a brisk walk.
Whatever.

I'm having an argument with myself. And I'm losing. So not a good sign."


"We search through the powder for a while, but don't locate my missing ski. After ten fruitless minutes I'm convinced that the mountain has eaten it."

-I know I out in a lot of quotes for this and Unearthly. But they're so bloody brilliant!

Other covers: 

Personal Awards!:


  • Choosing You/Choosing Me: Gosh, the whole way though you wonder who she's going to pick!
  • U.N.I -  After the Ed Sheeran Song (duh) but seriously, this is the only book I've read in a while were the person not just thinks about university but actually gets confirmation and a go ahead!
  • Quotastic - Let's just all bow down now to Cynthia Hands quote humour!

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Electric Monkey (2 Jan 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1405259922
  • ISBN-13: 978-1405259927
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 3.2 cm

Book Review: Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide To Getting Girls


While I didn't find the idea around the plot very realistic I did think it was a great plot. The characters were well described and easy to get to know which was surprising in such a short book.

It would be easy to say I hated the idea of teens using sex as a tool but this is a book which will relate to real readers in a modern time.

I knew what I was getting when I picked this book up and even though there weren't any big surprises or 'I am your father' scenes it was a great quick-read which I didn't regret the morning after.

It was short and sweet like cotton candy and even when I put the book down to sleep I felt myself want to pick it up just to find out what happened next.


Personal Awards?

  • Cotton Candy - because it was short and sweet
  • Turn on or Turn over - modern teens with modern teen thoughts

Friday 24 August 2012

Haul...

Netgalley Haul!

Books that I recently got approved on NetGalley and need to read and review :)




Author: Tellulah Darling
Kindly Approved by
Publisher:Te Da Media
Pub Date:October 17, 2012
ISBN:9780988054028

Why the hell can't chicks be more like guys?
That question plagues high school senior Sam Cruz. Sam is perfectly happy being a player. He just wishes girls wouldn't change the game from sex to relationships. It makes him look like an asshole. But when Sam's best friend, Ally Klinger, gets dumped, she begs him to transform her into someone who can screw around then screw off. No risk of heartbreak that way. It's Sam's chance to create the perfect female AND cheer up his best friend. Armed with Sam's Three Step Guide to Backseat Success, Ally gets the game better than Sam thought she would and before long, Sam has his wish: the female version of himself. Too bad it's driving him nuts. Told from Sam's and Ally's alternating POVs, Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls is a fast-paced romantic comedy that follows these teens as they navigate the minefield of sex, love, and friendship.
This book contains strong language, drinking, euphemisms, and lots of "bow chicka wow wow."



Name: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Kindly Approved by
Publisher:Harlequin UK
Imprint:MIRA Ink
Pub Date:August 03, 2012


What if the last person you should fall in love with is the only one who can save you?
"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise."Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you. It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked. The Room tilted...
No one knows what really happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of the horrible night that changed her life forever.
But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And now Echo has to ask herself just what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again...




Name: Two and Twenty Dark Tales
Georgia McBride (editor), Michelle Zink (editor)
SubTitle:Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes
Publisher:Month9Books
Imprint:Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Pub Date:October 16, 2012
In this anthology, 20 authors explore the dark and hidden meanings behind some of the most beloved Mother Goose nursery rhymes through short story retellings. The dark twists on classic tales range from exploring whether Jack truly fell, or if Jill pushed him instead, to why Humpty Dumpty, fragile and alone, sat atop so high of a wall.