Sunday, July 31, 2011

In my Mailbox (5)

Hello everyone! In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

I have gotten some great books from the past two weeks while I was away!!
Don't worry, I am not going away anytime soon again so I will be posting a lot more often!

Okay onto the books I received this week from the kindle book store/library/netgalley/barnes and noble!!

666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce





















Between the Lines by Tammara Webber






















Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen





















Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow




















Forever Frost by Kailin Gow























Silver Frost by Kailin Gow

 



















Queens of All the Earth by Hannah Sternberg

 





















Marie Antoniette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser





















Legacy by Cayla Kluver




















Dark Souls by Paula Morris


















Well that's all I have gotten this week! What do you think of the books I have received? What did you get this week? Comment below!
Sarah@catchingbooks

Friday, July 29, 2011

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber Review

Name: Between the Lines
Release Date: April 29th, 2011


When Hollywood It Boy, Reid Alexander, arrives on location to shoot his next movie, his goals are the same as always—film another blockbuster hit and enjoy his celebrity status to the fullest while doing so. His costar is a virtual unknown with whom he had blazing hot chemistry during her auditions. The universe is lining up nicely to grant whatever he wants, as usual, until he’s confronted with unexpected obstacles on location like a bitter ex-girlfriend and a rival for the first girl to spark his genuine interest in years.

Emma Pierce just got her big break after more than a decade of filming commercials for grape juice, department stores and tampons, and more recently, bit parts in made-for-TV movies. Nailing the lead role in a wide-release film sent her agent, father and stepmother into raptures, and should have done the same for her. The Problem? Emma is experiencing a building desire to be normal, and starring in a silly, modernized adaptation of one of her favorite novels—opposite the very hot Reid Alexander—isn’t going to advance that aspiration.

Graham Douglas doesn’t fear playing the part of a nerdy dimwit; when it comes to choosing film roles, if it pays, he’ll do it. Besides, his friend Brooke Cameron snatched up the role of the bitchy hot girl and could use his help as a buffer, because her ex is the star. Graham has no problem keeping a handle on the situation, until he finds himself attracted to Reid’s costar, Emma, the girl Reid is pursuing full-throttle with his standard arsenal of charm, good looks and arrogance.
- Goodreads


My Review:
Last week I found this book on my kindle and was really interested in the plot of the story. I really like the whole unknown actress is found and is then thrust into a major motion picture!
At times this book seemed to drag on a little too much with unnecessary plot, and I felt like at points in the novel I knew what was going to happen.
However, I did really enjoy the story line and found myself really enjoying this novel.

Overall, this book was a fun read and I would definitely recommend that everyone checks it out!

My Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney Review

Name: Dark Mirror
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: March 1st, 2011
304 pages

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.
- Goodreads

My Review:

I absolutely adored this book! When I first heard about this book I fell in love with the cover! I loved the colors and the girl looking in the mirror!

One of my favorite parts about this book was the main character Tory. She is so strong willed and I love her personality!
I also loved that this book took place in the 1800s. It was really cool to imagine what people wore and dressed like at the time!

Overall, if you are looking for a fun paranormal book to read this summer, check this book out!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

P.S. I am back from my trip! Sorry for the lack of updates and I promise more will be coming soon!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Vacation

Hello everyone! I will be away for the week and I will not really have internet, so I will try my hardest to update but if not be expecting a bunch of great posts when I get back!

Happy reading!

Sarah@catchingbooks

Monday, July 18, 2011

Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison Review

Name: Tris and Izzie
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Release Date: October 11th, 2011
304 pages

This book was received from Netgalley!



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-
Goodreads

My Review:
When I first heard about this book, I was immediately drawn to the cover! I loved the boy in the girl on the lake, and the colors were beautiful.

Overall, this was a pretty good book but at times it felt very rushed. I wished that the book went at a slower pace because I felt that I could not really keep up.

I did really like the retelling of the German fairytale "Tristan and Isolde" and thought that it was interesting to see a modern take on this story.

Overall, Tris and Izzie did not live up to my expectations but still was a fun book to read!

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Sunday, July 17, 2011

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

This week I received some AWESOME books from my library and Netgalley!

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare




















Eternity (Fallen Angel Number 2) by Heather Terrell





















Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison (from Netgalley)




















The Marked Son by Shea Berkley (from Netgalley)



















Misfit by Jon Skovron (from Netgalley)




















Well that's all I received this week!! What did you get in your mailbox? Have you heard anything about the books I got?
Happy Reading!

Friday, July 15, 2011

HARRY POTTER

Since today is the official Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows release day in the U.S., I thought I should do another special post in honor of our favorite boy wizard Harry!!

To catch everyone up to speed check out this awesome video!
Happy Harry Potter day everyone!!
I hope you all enjoy the movie as much as I did at midnight :)

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs Review

Name: Tempest Rising
Publisher: Walker Books for young readers
Release date: May 10th, 2011
352 pages


Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.- Goodreads

My Review:
This was an AWESOME read!!! I have read lots of books about mermaids, and this book is definitely one of the best books that I have read!!

I really liked how the main character, Tempest, knew that she was already a mermaid and seeing her struggle with the choice to become a mermaid or stay human was very interesting.

I also loved the relationships in this novel!! It was fun to see different relationships progress throughout the book.

Overall this was a great summer read and you all should check it out!

My rating: Five out of Five Stars

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch Review

Title: The Magnolia League
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
368 pages


After the death of her free-spirited mother, sixteen-year-old Alex Lee must leave her home in northern California to live with her wealthy grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. By birth, Alex is a rightful, if unwilling, member of the Magnolia League, Savannah's long-standing debutante society. She quickly discovers that the Magnolias have made a pact with a legendary hoodoo family, the Buzzards. The Magnolias enjoy youth, beauty and power. But at what price?

As in her popular adult novels, Crouch's poignant and humorous voice shines in this seductively atmospheric story about girls growing up in a magical Southern city.
-Goodreads

My Review:
When I first saw this novel on Goodreads, I was really interested. The cover was so pretty and the plot summary was really different then other novels.

Unfortunately, I went into this novel with high expectations only to be disappointed. At times the plot was very predictable and halfway through the novel I felt that I knew what was going to happen at the end.

What I did like was the hoodoo magic in the novel. I never really knew anything about hoodoo magic so it was really cool to learn more about it in this novel!

My Rating:
Three out of Five stars

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 4: Night Circus

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Night Circus
Publisher: Doubleday
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Publication Date: September 13, 2011


I am actually really really excited for this book to come out! The plot sounds really interesting. I have never read any books about a circus, so this one should be a good read! The cover is really pretty too! I love the black and the red and white color combos. Can't wait to pick this one up in September!


 The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.
-Goodreads

What do you think of Night Circus? Do you plan on reading it when it comes out? Comment below!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Review

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: December 2nd, 2010
372 pages

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?-
Goodreads




My Review:
Of all the books that I have read this year, Anna and the French Kiss is one of my favorites!!
Once I picked up this book I could not put it down. Every chapter kept you wanting more and more from this novel! I started it at around 8 at night and kept on reading till 1 am!

The best part about this novel was the romance between Anna and St. Clair (isn't that the best last name?!). Their relationship kept going back and forth and I was rooting for them throughout the whole novel!

Of course, I loved the setting. Paris isn't called the city of love for nothing!

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this book! I think I have read this book at least three times which goes to show how much I loved this book!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Monday, July 11, 2011

Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs Review

Title: Fins are Forever
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: July 1st, 2011
272 pages

On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mergirl, true, but signing the renunciation will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being-human thing once and for all.

Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, the waves start to get rough. Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

The seafoam on the raging surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up—Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her own dreams?

Tera Lynn Childs’s sequel to Forgive My Fins offers another tail-flicking romance with plenty of fun, sun, and underwater adventure.-
Goodreads

My Review:


What a fun summer read! This book was a great book to read while sitting at the beach this past week!
Fins are Forever is the sequel to, Forgive my Fins, which was published last year. This book was a quick read, but it was an upbeat and fun novel!

I really liked seeing my favorite characters again especially Quince! I really like the relationship that he and Lily has and I liked seeing their relationship grow throughout both novels.

Highly recommend reading this book! But if you haven't read the first book in the series you should all check it out!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars

Sunday, July 10, 2011

In My Mailbox (3)

Hello fellow readers!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

So this week I did not receive that much because I received so much last week!

Here’s what I received from my local library:

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs






















Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski






















May (Daughters of the Sea # 2) by Kathryn Lasky




















Well that’s all I got this week!
What do you think of the books I received? What books did you get this week? Comment below!!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Harry Potter Appreciation Day

With the release of the final Harry Potter movie coming out next week, I thought I should have a blog post all about Harry Potter!!



So here's the Epic Trailer for the last movie:


Favorite Book: I have to say that the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was my favorite one of all. Everything tied together perfectly and I felt very content at the end. It had epic battle scenes, romance and of course lots and lots of magic.

Favorite Film: My Favorite film from the series was definitely Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It was such a great film! It was much darker then the first two films but it still included everything I love about the series (including Qudditch!!)


My Memories about Harry Potter: The first time I ever heard about Harry Potter was when I was six years old. My father would read one chapter of the Harry Potter series every single night until the fourth book. After that, I was on my own and would dive into each book when I got my hands on it.

I feel a little bit emotional about Harry Potter ending. It has been a huge part of my childhood and I feel sad that it is the end.

Before I end this post I have to say my favorite quote from the fifth movie:
"Working hard is important, but there's something that matters even more-believing in yourself. Think of it this way: Every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than we are now-students. If they can do it, why not us?" - Harry Potter

And so my fellow muggles, what are your thoughts on Harry Potter's end? What were your favorite memories/movies/books?
Comment below and let me know your thoughts!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday 3: Fateful

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Fateful
Publisher: HarperCollins
Author: Claudia Gray
Publication Date: September 13th, 2011


I am soooooooooooo excited for this book! I love epic love stories and this one is going to be a great one! A girl and a boy (who happens to be a werewolf) stuck on the Titanic? I think we are in for one great love story! I really like the cover of this book too, the colors really catch my eye and I love how the girl is staring out at the sea under the full moon.
Can't wait for September to get my hands on this one!!

It's about a servant girl named Tess in 1912, who wants to escape from the house where she works, and most particularly the lecherous young lord of the manor. But that's not her biggest problem. While on a voyage to America, where she plans to escape and start a new life, she meets Alec, who's ruggedly handsome, fabulously wealthy, intelligent and yet so clearly troubled that she'd rather not fall for him, but she does. That also is not her biggest problem. Alec, it turns out, is a werewolf ... one cursed to change every night, unless and until he surrenders his independence and joins the Brotherhood, a pack of violently misogynistic werewolves who have been tracking him for months. You'd think that would be their biggest problem, wouldn't you?
But no. Their biggest problem -- though they don't know it yet -- is that they're aboard the RMS Titanic.-
Goodreads

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter Review

Name: The Goddess Test (Goddess Test # 1)
Published: April 19th, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
304 pages


It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.-
Goodreads

My Review:


It seems like more and more authors are diving into retellings of Greek myths, especially the myth of Hades and Persephone. Like I've said in previous posts, I am a HUGE fan of anything that has to do with Greek Mythology and The Goddess Test was an awesome retelling of one of my favorite myths!

The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover! It is really unique and I loved the colors and the girl lying on the grass.

Another thing that made this book really stand out to me was the plot. The storyline was very different then other retellings of this myth and I really liked how this retelling stood out.

The romance of this novel was one of my favorite parts! I loved seeing Henry's and Kate's relationship grow throughout the novel and I was so happy when they finally got together.

If you love Greek mythology, or you are looking for a great summer read look no further! This book is one to check out!

My Rating:
Five out of Five Stars

Monday, July 4, 2011

Lure by Stephanie Jenkins (Siren's Call # 1)

Name: Lure by Stephanie Jenkins
Published: March 31st, 2011


Charlotte Brewer is sure she's crazy when she hears singing drifting from the ocean-normal people don't have arias playing on repeat in their head. When she gets wasted at a party and investigates the ethereal tune, she almost drowns. Charlotte comes to with an overwhelming thirst for salt water, a new desire to eat fish, and a heartbeat of only seven beats a minute. She wakes up by the sea almost every day and dead men wash up hours later.

But then Charlotte meets Lorelei, a siren. Lorelei reveals she saved her from drowning with the "Siren's Kiss"-a curse that made Charlotte a soulless immortal. Her role as a siren is simple: guide the souls of the dead at sea. Too bad taking care of the dead means being stuck in the middle of a war between a fertility goddess and the sirens . . . and losing her soul. If Charlotte wants to regain her mortality, she must find love with a mortal. And if she fails to secure it, she risks becoming a puppet to the gods
- Goodreads

My Review:

I actually stumbled upon this book a few days ago on my kindle and decided to check it out. I am so glad that I did!!
I am really into the whole siren, mermaid book trend right now and this book is definitely one to check out!

The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the cover. The colors, the girl on the rock, whats not to love about it?

One of the coolest parts of this book was that it blended different myths together. It had the siren myth in it but it also incorporated Greek mythology which was really interesting to see.

I also really liked the relationship between the main character Charlotte and Wyatt. Charlotte is a really feisty character and is really strong willed and I loved seeing her react with Wyatt who was totally different then Charlotte.

Overall, this is a great summer read and everyone should check it out. I can't wait to see what the sequel has in store for us! I know this book is available on Ebook readers such as the kindle and the nook, but if you don't own one of these devices it still available online to read!

My Rating:
Five out of Five Stars

Sunday, July 3, 2011

In My Mailbox (2)

Hello fellow readers!
In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

So this week I went a little overboard on buying books..but it is summer and I needed some good books to read this week!

Here is what I received from my library/bought on my kindle

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz





















A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young



















Fateful by Cheri Schmidt



















Fractured (book # 2 in the Fateful Series) by Cheri Schmidt

 



















Lure (Siren's Call # 1) by Stephanie Jenkins


















Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

 

















Afterlife (A Discovery of Vampires # 1) by Isabella Kruger


 

















Fins are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs




















Well, that's all I got this week! I will have a lot of reading to do for sure!
What did you all receive this week? What do you think of these books?
Comment below!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

Name: Angel Burn
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: May 24, 2011
464 pages

Willow knows she’s different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people’s dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces, and that he’s one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil. In the first book in an action-packed, romantic trilogy, L..A. Weatherly sends readers on a thrill-ride of a road trip - and depicts the human race at the brink of a future as catastrophic as it is deceptively beautiful.
They’re out for your soul . . . and they don’t have heaven in mind
-Goodreads


My Review:

Wow what an awesome book! This was such a different twist on the idea of angels and I loved it!
I really loved the relationship between Alex and Willow. I liked how their relationship progressed throughout the novel and grew.

I also liked how the Angels in this novel werent like your typical Angels in other Angel novels. The Angel myth was really cool and different and I really liked that aspect of the novel.

Overall this was a great summer read and I highly recommend it to anyone whose looking for a good book to read!

My Rating: Five out of Five Stars