My Year in Books - 2010 (It's Insanity!! *mwah ha ha*)

Okay readers, I thought it would be fun to do an end of year post to see where I stand with all my stats with books read and other "stuff".

So, here it goes *dun dun dun dun*

Books I Reread this Year:

1. Soulless (Parasol Protectorate Series No.1) by Gail Carriger,
2. Changeless (Parasol Protectorate Series No.2) by Gail Carriger,
3. Moon Called (Mercy Thompson No.1) by Patricia Briggs
4. Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson No.2) by Patricia Briggs
5. Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson No.3) by Patricia Briggs
6. Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson No.4) by Patricia Briggs
7. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter No.7) by J.K. Rowling
9. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments No.1) by Cassandra Clare
10. City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments No.2) by Cassandra Clare
11. City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments No.3) by Cassandra Clare
12. A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibotson

Favorite Series Found and Read this Year:

1. Jane True by Nicole Peeler
2. Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
3. The Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill
4. Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
5. Weather Warden by Rachel Caine
6. Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris
7. Georgina Kincaid by Richelle Mead
8. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Favorite Fictional Boyfriend this Year:
(I have 2)

1. David from the Weather Warden Series
2. Anyan from the Jane True Series

Books I was Most Excited for This Year:

1. Mockingjay (Hunger Games No.3) by Suzanne collins
2. Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls No.2) by Maggie Steifvater
3. Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices No.1) by Cassandra Clare
4. Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy No.6) by Richelle Mead
5. Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven No.5) by Brandon Mull

Favorite Book Cover:
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
I have a complete unadulterated obsession with the color purple. And although I only gave this book 3 flowers, I truly loved the cover. It's why I bought it...that and the synopsis.









Best Book from a Debut Author I Read This Year:
(It's a throw up for me between)

1. Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy No.1) by Kiersten White
2. Firelight (Firelight No.1) by Sophie Jordan

Book I Was Most Surprised by (and Loved):

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer No.1) by Jenny Han

Best Adult Book I Read This Year: (Couldn't pick just one, so I'd say)

1. Tempest's Legacy (Jane True No.3) by Nicole Peeler
2. Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson No.5) by Patricia Briggs

Best YA Book(s) I Read This Year:

1. Firelight (Firelight No.1) by Sophie Jordan
2. Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy No.1) by Kiersten White
3. Carpe Corpus (Morganville Vampires no. 6) by Rachel Caine
4. Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy No.6) by Richelle Mead

Worst Book I Read This Year: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Today's Favorite Song: Grenade by Bruno Mars


This Years Favorite Book Blogs:
(I have a lot, so I couldn't list them all. If you aren't listed here, it's not because I don't love you too! XOXOXO)

Book Love
Frazzled Book Nommer
I Swim For Oceans
Fluidity of Time
Mad Steampunkery
Books Are Like People
Butterfly Feet Walking on Books
Lu's Bloody Big Book Blog

Currently Reading (as of today):

1. Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson No.5) by Patricia Briggs
2. The Kiss Test by Shannon McKeldon
3. Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

If you want to view any more of my books/stats, you can look me up on my
JEN THE BOOKKEEPER'S (BIBLIOPHILE) GOODREADS.COM PROFILE

That kind of ties up the year for me. I may add more later, but for now, I'd like to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!! May it be fun and the books be amazing!

Delirium (Delirium No.1) by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium (Delirium No.1)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Pages: 440
Published: February 1st, 2011 by HarperTeen
Read: December 29, 2010

Synopsis: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. (from Goodreads.com)

This is the first book I've read by Lauren Oliver and let me just say that my feelings for this book are kind of twisted.

Not twisted in a bad way, but twisted as in conflicted and somewhat opposing. Overall, I would say the book was really good. I've actually seen a movie with the same general principal as the book (Equilibrium starring Christian Bale *yummy*) and I've always thought it such an interesting concept. That of removing certain feelings from a person. Given, it would be done for no other reason than control, but still, it's done. And the left over mold of a person is sad and despicable. Maybe at one point I might not have said that, maybe I would have thought, thank heaven, take away the hurt and pain and give me numbness, because anyone who has had their heart broken knows the physical pain such an emotion causes. But, now that I have 2 children of my own, I could never imagine someone taking my love for them away. I would rather fling myself off the nearest cliff than that. Those with children, I hope you know what I'm talking about here. Because even though they have the power to break your heart down to the bitter core, they are a part of you and I just cannot fathom that being removed from me.

But, still, the concept leaves me in a thoughtful stupor. I mean, to think along this route and the consequences that become of such a procedure as cutting out Love.

Although, none of these reasons are behind my conflicting emotions toward this book. I think it is due to how the first half of the book is written. At first I was having a hard time getting into the book. I think I would mostly blame it on the main character, Lena. She seems so dull and following, just like a herd of sheep. She goes where she is told and says what she is told, for the most part anyway. And when she veers from the norm, it's weird to me because it doesn't seem within her character. Like she experiences a growth that I haven't seen instilled in her yet. It's just a bit odd.

Mostly though, I think it's because in so much of the book I couldn't relate to her. I think it was her obedience, above all, that annoyed the hell out of me. I've never been a conformist in most senses of the word, so it's always hard to see others do it when I can tell it doesn't make them happy. I know, teenagers should be obedient, but I don't know a ton that are. Lena seemed to be disgustingly so. It wasn't until anger came into play that she even could do something she wasn't supposed to.

But, and this is where the conflicting emotions come in, eventually she grows a bit and changes a bit and I could relate to her so much more. But at times, she still seems to hold back, to hold on to that obedience even though she doesn't want to. Like she wants the new world, but the old one too.

It was kind of frustrating.

However, Alex makes up for a lot of it. He was so wonderfully written and sweet. I loved him and the way he expresses himself. How he can see both sides of the picture and be so understanding even though he had to be frustrated as hell. My very, very favorite scene in this book is with him when he is reading poetry to Lena. Never before this book have I found that poetry was so beautiful, that it could make me float up with the stars. It was just glorious.

Overall though, I really did like the book. It was such a brilliant take on a dystopian world that I wouldn't be surprised to see one day. And even though it started off a bit slow, by halfway through the book I didn't want to put it down and by 3/4 through, Hubby was getting really ticked at my necessity to keep my kindle attached to my hands with imaginary super glue. So, even though I had a rough start where Lena is concerned, the rest was pretty brilliant. Therefore, if any of you are looking for some spectacular sunsets, some word salad, late night raids, horrific dog bites and a unique plot that will keep your mind running, you'll want to pick up this book.

Rating: 4/5
Quotes:

I keep willing the clock to go faster, but it seems to be resisting me deliberately. I see a customer picking her nose in the tiny aisle of (kind of) fresh produce; I look at the clock; look back at the customer; look back at the clock--and the second hand still hasn't moved. I have this terrible fear that time will stop completely, while this woman has her pinkie finger buried up her right nostril, right in front of the tray of wilted lettuce.

He doesn't answer me directly. He flips forward a few pages in the book, but he doesn't glance down at it. He keeps his eyes on me the whole time. "You want to hear a different one?" He doesn't wait for me to answer before beginning to recite, "'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.'"

There's that word again: love. My heart stops when he says it, then stutters into a frantic rhythm.

"'I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach...'"

I know he's only speaking someone else's words, but they seem to come from him anyway. His eyes are dancing with light; in each of them I see a bright point of candlelight reflected.
He takes a step forward and kisses my forehead softly.

"'I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need...'"

It feels as though the floor is swinging--like I'm falling. "Alex--." I start to say, but the word gets tangled in my throat.

He kisses each cheekbone--a delicious, skimming kiss, barely grazing my skin. "'I love thee freely...'"

"Alex," I say, a little louder. My heart is beating so fast I'm afraid it will burst from my ribs.

I received this book free of charge from HarperCollins and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Goodnight!

It's that time again...the season of giving and all that jazz. It used to at one time be my favorite part of the year, but it hasn't for sometime. I wonder when exactly things like that happen. I know it's different for everyone, but for me I'd say it was about 6 or so years ago. Don't think I could pin point it on anything exactly, but still...it's lost it's joy.

Still, I try. The Hubby doesn't celebrate, and that makes it so much harder than anything. Having to fight for a holiday you want to celebrate...not fun...not fun at all. But, I still try to make the most out of it. Because, it's not about the getting of gifts, it's about the joy on my girls faces when they wake up and see that maybe they got a little something. Or, the joy of warm cookies with ice cream and staying up late with my brothers and sister laughing hysterically at something that probably really isn't that funny. It's hugs and kisses and all the things that make you feel warm inside and out. That is what I try to get back every year. And even though I have to push and work for it, every once in a while it happens, and I think, wow, this is wonderful.

So, to help this along, I'm going to tell you my favorite parts of the season. Starting with lights. I absolutely love and adore Christmas lights. When I was young and shared a room with my 2 sisters, my mom used to let me wrap the little Christmas lights around my bunk bed. I loved that. And when ever I could, I'd go sit in the room with the tree in the dark and watch it glow and the bubble lights, bubble. I loved it.

But, one of my very favorite things when I got older was driving through the city and seeing the palm trees lit up. Because let me tell you, with the thousands of palms around the valley, it's an amazing sight to see lights towering above you like that. The picture below is the best I could find. Imagine this, but taller trees, thinner and row after row after row. Because in the city where I live, that, a lot of the time, is how they are planted. And most of the time, the lights are colored. It's an amazing sight.

Now, I also love Christmas movies. Here are my favorites:
White Christmas

The Santa Clause I:


And then of course Christmas music. My favorite 2 songs being:
Carol the Bells
(this one is my favorite with the Trans Siberian Orchestra)


O Holy Night
(I really like Josh Groban, so this is him singing O Holy Night)


So, that is my Merry Christmas to you all who celebrate! I hope you have a wonderful holiday! And for all those who don't, happy holidays and enjoy the winter season.

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy No.6) by Richelle Mead - A Book Review

Title: Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy No.6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 594
Published: December 6th, 2010
Read: December 18th, 2010

Synopsis: She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

This review is going to be short and sweet, because one, what can I say that hasn't already been said, and two, those who've read the series, know it's yumminess. (If not, you can read my description by checking out my series review HERE)

This book was amazing. I absolutely love Richelle Mead and her writing and how she can take me into a story and show me it's goodness. I was in a kind of reading slump just before I picked up this book. I think it's because all the books I was reading were kind of boring me for some reason. But, then I picked up this book, this book that I had been waiting for forever. And, like that, I was whipped into a world where things are so much different than this one, but I could feel the difference, like I was there with all the characters.

I love Rose, she is such an amazing and brilliant character. I love her strengths and her weaknesses and I love how they showed so strongly in this last of the series. I love how she says what she thinks and can keep up with the best of them, no matter what.

Dimitri. Gosh, what could I say about Dimitri other than he is drop dead sexy and I would follow him wherever he wanted me to go. Preferably half dressed, but I'd take him in his duster too.

Adrian was still delicious and his sarcasm and wit never cease to make me laugh and lick my lips a bit.

This book was full of twists and turns and happiness and remorse. I came close to tears a couple times too. I was especially sad after I finished the book because I didn't want it to be over. I just love Rose as a main character so much, telling the story and sharing what she thinks. I love seeing her physical strengths and how she never lets anyone push her aside. She is who she is and she rocks. I will miss her most of all. So, if you are looking for a series that will rock your world and take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions with love triangles, things blowing up, evil vampires that enjoy the hunt and some scenes that had me sweating, you'll want to pick up this book. If you haven't read this series yet, what on Earth are you waiting for? Go, run, buy it, because Richelle Mead rocks!

Rating: 5/5

Everyone be on the look out for my future post for a giveaway of this book SIGNED! It will be posting soon and it will be international, so keep coming back so you can enter and here the story behind the signature.

Waiting on Wednesday - WoW

It's Wednesday, and we all know what time it is...time to wait. Okay, well, it's Waiting on Wednesday hosted by Breaking the Spine. We all get to share the titles we are most excited for in an effort to spread the word. So, my picks this week for WoW are:

Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires No.4) Chloe Neill Release Date: May 3rd, 2011

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.

Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in the heady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem too ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands...(from goodreads.com)

I simply love this series. Merit is just so kick a$$ and the storyline and plot are awesome. There is no shortage of fight scenes and love scenes and total conflict. Plus, I can't figure out exactly how I feel about Ethan except I'd like to lick him. He is a very complex character and I love that about him. This book has been on my mind for so long now. I cannot wait!

Bite Club (Morganville Vampires No.10) Rachel Caine Release Date: April 2011

And I don't have a synopsis for this one or even a summary as it hasn't been posted on Rachel Caine's blog or on goodreads, but I love everything Morganville. So, I simply cannot wait to see what happens after that last scene from Ghost Town. *squee*!!!

What's your WoW pick for this week?

Angelfire (Angelfire No.1) by Courtney Allison Moulton - A Book Review

Title: Angelfire (Angelfire No.1)
Author: Allison Moulton
Pages: 464
Published: February 15th, 2011 by HarperCollins

Synopsis: When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.(from goodreads.com)

Yum! This book was amazingly delicious in every sense of the word. Now, I want to tell you that I was very skeptical about it at first. I've had some not so good experiences recently with angel books (angel related?) so I was a bit....deterred. But, I'm always about a heroin who kicks some a$$ and doesn't always have to rely on someone else -*clears throat*namely strong protective/co-dependent boyfriend - , and Ellie was my girl there (most of the time anyway). Plus, she was funny in an offbeat sort of way - she had definitely honed in on her sarcasm.

I was a little slow to start into it, but eventually I was so hooked I couldn't put it down. It was just so action packed and crazy eventful that I couldn't help myself. Or maybe it was the characters. I liked Ellie, she was fun and lovely and didn't take crap. Although, I really did feel for her concerning her father (what is it with crappy fathers?). But I think she took all the crap that came her way in stride. She may have had a bit too much angst, but what 17 year old isn't angsty?!

But, really it came down to her love interest...Will! Could I just tell you all I have another fictional boyfriend I'm adding to the tally! I mean, come on, the guy was smokin', shove against the wall, sex on a stick hot! I loved his tattoos. Not that I could actually see him (as he is my fictional boyfriend), but I could completely and totally imagine it. He was like the guy that could be bad, but acted good. You know exactly what I'm talking about here, I know you do.... *prrrr, lick, lick*

I liked some of the other secondary characters, namely Nathaniel, Will's friend, and I did like Ellie's mom, but most of the other characters I didn't really care for. They were just kind of passe and forgettable. But in the end it didn't really matter because the story isn't about them, it's about Ellie and her fight against the dark forces. *mwah ha ha*

It's about her finding what she is made of and fighting the evil that wants to take the souls of humans to Hell. She is the only one who can call the Angelfire. She is the warrior who fights the good fight, the good fight with her wickedly scorching hot guardian, Will, by her side. He who has been with her for 500 years. He has secrets, but then again, she does too. It's quite a scintillating plot now that I'm thinking about it.

Overall, I really did like this book. And even though I thought the beginning might have been a bit slow, I liked everything else about it. I can't get it out of my head. Because, with some sweet flaming swords, sexy tats, reapers, the Phantom of the Opera, secrets galore and some touching that may make you sweat, you just won't want to put it down.


Rating: 4.25/5
Quotes:

"You look very sharp yourself. Where'd you get the shirt?" (Ellie)

"A friend." (Will)

"You have friends?"

"Don't be so shocked. I've lived a long time. I was bound to find someone who likes me. It was just Nathaniel, anyway."

"Oh, that's so cute," I said, pinching his cheek. "He shopped for you. You're, like, biffles."

He disappeared out my window, leaving me alone, once again putting distance between us as soon as we got close. I stared after him, past the curtains billowing in the icy nighttime breeze and out that black hole of a window.

He dropped his head to mine, his body so close to mine I could hardly stand it. "If we're separated--if I lose you--I'll find you," he breathed, his cheek touching mine gently, lighting tiny fireworks on my skin.

Fresh, relentless, warm tears rolled down my cheeks, His promise melted through me, and my heart ached for everything that I wanted and couldn't have.

I received this book free of charge from HarperCollins and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Insturments No.4) Cover Reveal and Book Trailer

Oh. My Gosh! Can we say "excited"!! Cause that's exactly what I am, friggin' excited!! (to the point of not being able to spell and having to use spell check repeatedly). It's finally that time! Cover reveal for

And, to top it off, it will be released April 5th, 2011!!

Woo Hoo! (So many exclamation marks!)
So, check out the amazing cover below and the brilliant book trailer below that.

Tempest's Legacy (Jane True No.3) by Nicole Peeler

Title: Tempest's Legacy (Jane True No.3)
Author: Nicole Peeler
Pages: 368
Published: January 1, 2011 by Orbit
ISBN: 9780316056601

Summary: After a peaceful hiatus at home in Rockabill, Jane True thinks that her worst problem is that she still throws like a girl - at least while throwing fireballs. Her peace of mind ends, however, when Anyan arrives one night with terrible news . . . news that will rock Jane's world to its very core.

After demanding to help investigate a series of gruesome attacks on females -- supernatural, halfling, and human -- Jane quickly finds herself forced to confront her darkest nightmares as well as her deepest desires.

And she's not sure which she finds more frightening. (from NetGalley.com)

I have three words for you all...Oh. My. Gosh. Yes, profound, I know *sarcasm intended*, but this book was absolutely, positively freaking Amazing with a capital "A". All my dear readers, you know my love and complete unadulterated obsession with my dearest Jane True. As you also know that includes her wonderful consorts *clears throat*....namely a sexy hell hound...and if you don't, then you should. (Or you can remind yourself by checking out my review of book one HERE and book two HERE) Because I'm telling you, there is nothing like the deliciousness of Jane True the half selkie!

Each book so far has had it's own beauty, it's own lovely developing version of the heroin, Jane True. In book one, we see her realize her worth, in book two, we see her realize she can take care of herself, and in book three....well...we see her realize her strengths. And, I don't think the fights between her libido and her virtue will ever get old. Maybe because I can relate. Especially while reading this book can I relate. Although, I think I side with her libido when I say, can I ride a motorcycle with the Barghest?!

Mmmmm, yummy, the smexy Anyan Barghest. I mean, I currently feel like licking my lips over an over just at the thought of him. *grrrruff* Oh yeah, that is one hot piece of hell hound. Seriously, just sitting here in this chair, recalling the deliciousness of his keister. Okay, okay, I know you aren't reading this review to hear me talk all about my current favorite fictional boyfriend, but dearest readers, you know my fondness for hot men, especially the supernatural kind.

On a more literary note though, I do think that Peeler has created brilliant characters and using her miraculous author skills, has developed them into a lovely cast of awesomeness. Plus, her plot content was absolutely amazing and pulled me right in to the craziness that is Jane True. I just love the way that Peeler can write the story like she does with all the uniqueness and beauty inserted and all the annoying kornyness kept out. She makes you feel like you are right there, in the action with all of the characters. Up close and personal and amazingly done.

This third book in the series, if you haven't figured it out yet, was absolutely marvelous and wonderful all contained in 368 pages of yumminess. And, with an absolutely friggin' amazing plot that will swerve and careen you into a world of fantasy that you will never want to leave what else can you do but pick up your very own copy. I mean, what could be better than furry brownies, science gone awry, mage balls run amuck and the sexiest damn man/hell hound alive, you just can't go wrong.

Rating: 5/5

Quotes:

...He'd let my sleeping body know he was there to protect me, and my sleeping brain had thanked him by making him the star of one of the most explicit erotic dreams I'd ever had. And I'm someone who dreams dirty.

"Everything 'pony' is better. Especially pony-style."(Trill the Kelpie)

I laid my head back down, squeezing my eyes shut. "ohmigod, are you talking about pony sex? 'Cause if you are, I think you may have ruined me for life."

I stood in front of my closet, completely at a loss. What do you pack for a vengeance quest? I didn't have time to rewatch my Tarantino, and from what I remembered, Uma's wardrobe wasn't going to work on me. Imagine yellow pleather on a girl who was half-seal rather than pure Viking. Notpretty.

...From there, our team would "bring the pain"...and hopefully rescue the hostages held inside the lab.

"I was with you right up until you said, 'Bring the pain.' I've only ever brought cookies, or the occasional casserole."

Anyan's big nose twitched. "Well, for your first time, you can just bring a minor irritant."

..."Nothing's going to happen, Jules. Can I call you Jules?"

"Only if I can slap you each and every time you do.".... (Jillian - a guy)

..."Did you take your sassy pills tonight, Jules?"

"Seriously, Jane. I will cut a bitch."

"Where did you even learn that expression? Have you been watching RuPaul's Drag Race again?"

I received this book free of charge from Orbit and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Giveaway - Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles No.2) *International*

Alright everyone, in celebration of the Caster Chronicles feature week over at Mad Steampunkery, and me being a part of it, I will be giving away a copy of

Beautiful Darkness.

For all those who have not read Beautiful Creatures:
You can Win a Copy of Beautiful Creatures @ Mad Steampunkery with the Mad Scientist!!

So, here are the rules and point entries for this giveaway:
Beauiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles No.2)
by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Rules:

• Open Internationally
• Must be 13 yrs old to enter
• Giveaway will run through January 7th, 2011 - Midnight (Mountain Standard Time -AZ)
• To enter, leave a comment on THIS post with your email address and number of points

Point Entries:

• +5 for following me (But you don't have to follow to enter)
• +3 for following the Mad Scientist (leave her a comment saying Jen sent you her way)
• +10 for posting the giveaway (Must leave me the LINK for where you posted about it)
• +5 for leaving a creative comment on any of the BC/BD posts on this blog (links for posts at the bottom)
• +4 for commenting on any of the BC/BD feature posts (listed below) for the Mad Scientists blog

Okay, so it's pretty strait forward, you don't have to follow me to enter, but you get extra points for doing it. Plus you get 10 extra points for sharing the joy of the giveaway. AND, it's open internationally. So, everyone get a entering! Oh, and please post your email address is this format:

jtheunknown{at}gmail{dot}com

If you don't feel comfortable posting your email, you can email me at that address with your info.

Posts for Commenting (In the Closet With a Bibliophile)
Beautiful Darkness Book Review
Uncle Macon Character Post
Ridley Character Post

Posts for Commenting (Mad Steampunkery)

Macon Ravenwood - Gentleman of Incubus Nature

Steampunkery Duel - BC vs BD

Travel Machine - Into the world of the Caster Chronicles

Tuesday's Knicker Teaser - Quotes from BC/BD

Book Review - Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures Movie Post

Happy holidays everyone! Hope you all have a fabulous season! Also, keep posted for my giveaway of Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy No.6) by Richelle Mead (SIGNED COPY OPEN INTERNATIONALLY).

Ridley - The Lollipop Girl!

I don't know if any of you are followers of the Mad Scientists, but if so, you know that this week is Beautiful Creatures/Beautiful Darkness feature week. As I've been asked to participate *insert evil laugh here*, I'm doing another post about one of my favorite characters....

Ridley!
from

Beautiful Creatures (Beautiful Creatures, Book 1)
Beautiful Darkness (Beautiful Creatures, Book 2)
Beautiful Chaos (Beautiful Creatures, Book 3)

I have a definite love of all things Ridley. She is this evil girl who has this almost tiny streak of good running through her. But, that is why I love her so. She seems to be super conflicted with herself and the things she thinks she wants and who she is supposed to be. Like in book one with being so close to Lena and loving her, but still supposed to be trying to kill her and all that. What a battle to wage with oneself. It's even more prominent, this battle, in the end of BC because of what goes on with Link and Ethan's dad concerning a balcony...(you who've read it know what I'm talking about!!!CRAZY!)

But, in Beautiful Darkness, we really really see it. I think that Macon's quote from that book truely applies to Ridley when he says:

It's hard to be light when you've been dark.

But, that's Ridley. Her in all her lollipop sucking glory. Which, by the way I love that feature of her. That her Siren powers are kind of linked to her a lollipops. Makes all my candy loving ways even better. Plus, even at 27 years, I'm not beyond pretending sometimes when I do get the chance to pick up a lollipop of my own. Yeah, I'm a nerd, but what fun would life be without those little nerdy moments?!!

But Ridley, she Is our fashion blazing, lollipop sucking goddess who has an evil core and a soft heart. I always love a character that is seriously conflicted. And, let it be known that I loved Ridley a bit more than Lena even. It's because we know she is inherently bad, and on occasion she does nice things. But we just expect the bad in her, so when she is good, it's surprising. As for Lena, she's just so all over the place that it seems more bi-polar than anything. Although, I'm not saying I have anything against Lena, just didn't like her as much in Beautiful Darkness as I did in Beautiful Creatures.

But Ridley, she was fun and exciting and deliciously surprising. Plus, I always love a character with excellent fashion sense, who loves to have fun and in the end, she may still have some "kid" left in her! (My pick for Ridley would be Katy Perry - yah, I know she is a singer, but she just reminds me so much of what Ridley might look like! *grins*)