Synchronized Reading: December 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

Top Favorite Books of 2012

Hiya Everyone!
Out of all the books I've read in the year 2012, which is over 150+ books read.
Here are some of my top fave!
Now some might be part of a series, like Obsidian, Half-Blood, and Spark.
That whole series is a fave and I read each book in that series this year, but didn't feel like listing the entire series, if that makes any sense!
I am not one of the ones who can pick just 12 or just 10 books. So here are some of my faves :)

Anyways, on to the book.
(in no particular order)
For got to list Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward

Top Faves of 2012

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Heat of the Moment & Heat of Passion by Elle Kennedy

Heat of the Moment
(Out of Uniform, #1)
by Elle Kennedy
Released |June 17th 2008 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.|
Edition |Ebook|
Add to Goodreads

In this heat wave, anything and everything goes. A Red-Hot Summer story. Shelby Harper has lusted over Navy SEAL John Garrett for over a year, but no matter how many sexy signals she sends out, the man shows a complete lack of interest in getting naked. Then she overhears Garrett talking to his SEAL teammate--a discussion in which they conclude she's vanilla. Stung, Shelby sets out to show them exactly how un-vanilla she is.
Garrett can't believe it when sweet, sexy Shelby suggests a wild and sweaty menage. He's been trying to figure out how to ask her out without coming off as a guy who only wants to get in her pants--her friendship is too valuable to him to risk it. But if a crazy, heat-wave three-way is what Shelby wants, then he's ready and willing to give it to her.
Once she gets it out of her system, however...well, then he'll let her know he wants her all to himself.

This book really turns up the heat. If you can't handle or don't like books that involve sexual relations, then do not read this book. I really enjoyed this story, it was very interesting to read about. The romance part was pretty good, but I wish there was more. I know it's a novella, but I would have really liked to have seen more from it. There was more sexual aspects to the book than actual romance which I didn't like. Me having read book 2 first, book 2 had a lot more romance development in it. But overall, I did enjoy the story and it really brought some flaming heat! I can't wait to continue on with the series, because I love books dealing with military men :)

Heat of Passion
(Out of Uniform, #2)
by Elle Kennedy
Released |March 24th 2009 by Samhain Publishing|
Edition |Ebook|
Add to Goodreads

Carson Scott is the king of one-night stands, so a naughty encounter with a sexy brunette in a nightclub supply closet is right up his alley. When his mysterious seductress disappears, he’s blindsided by an unfamiliar emotion—disappointment. One thing’s for sure…if he ever encounters his lady of the evening again, he won’t let her slip away so easily.
Between her catering business, family issues, and her broken heart, Holly Lawson has too much on her plate to think about committing to a serious relationship. Hot, sweaty, anonymous sex with a Navy SEAL…now that sounds like the perfect appetizer to take the edge off. With no plans to ever see him again, she indulges in a fling. Only to come face to face with him weeks later while working a wedding.
Worse, Carson is hell-bent on the one thing she doesn’t want. The R word. She has no intention of falling for him, but in the face of his seductive, mind-changing methods, her resistance is crumbling…

This book was a pleasant surprised :) I got this book about a month ago as a kindle freebie and I am so glad I got it! I enjoyed this story so much and now am dying to read the other books in this series. I loved this book because it had Navy men! Hot stuff right there :) I loved the connection between Carson and Holly. It was satisfying, entertaining and it really had some intense passion going on! I loved how we got to see into to Holly's stressful family life, but we didn't know anything about Carson's family life, which was kind of disappointing.

Overall, I highly enjoyed the book and really want to read more of the books in this series!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Cover Reveal: Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.
Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth makes him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.
It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

About the Author

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

Georgia Cates | Facebook | Twitter

Book Hauling It Up (34)

Hey everyone :)
Here is this week's haul.
Don't forget to leave your links!
I would love to visit yours.

For Review

Blood Kissed Sky - From Publicist

From the Library

(both audiobooks)

Print/Ebooks Bought

Kindle Freebies

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Opal
(Lux, #3)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Released |December 11th 2012 by Entangled Publishing |
Edition |Ebook|
Add to Goodreads

No one is like Daemon Black.
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

I really just don't know if I can put into words my feelings for this book. I just don't know. My feelings are too out of control. Everything was fine up until that ending. That ending was a What The Fuck?! Excuse the language, but seriously, WTF?! It's like, I knew something like that was going to happen. I had already guessed it pretty much, but I just didn't know how things would go down. I'm just speechless and pissed.

Wishlist Wednesday (16): The Dark Shore by Kevin Emerson

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.
Hosted by: Pen to Paper

The Dark Shore
(The Atlanteans, #2)
by Kevin Emerson
Releases |May 21st 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books|
Add to Goodreads

Owen, Lilly, and Leech have escaped Camp Eden, but the next step on their journey to find Atlantis and protect it from Paul and Project Elysium involves crossing the perilous wastelands of a wrecked planet. And unlike in EdenWest, where bloody truths were kept hidden beneath the surface, out here the horrors live bright beneath the poisonous sun.
Filled with sizzling romance, action, mind-bending twists, and powerful scenes of emotional and physical sacrifice, The Dark Shore: Book Two of the Atlanteans takes readers on a journey to a question that’s so great, even the gods have trouble answering it: What would you be willing to do to save humanity from itself?

Why I'm Wishing...
I enjoyed the first book in this series and can't wait to see what happens in the this installment. The concept with this series is really awesome. Ooh and I like the cover :) But yeah, the first book was pretty good and can't wait to see where this installment leads to next.

Other Books In This Series

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas :)

Merry Christmas :)
For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope that you are having a wonderful times with you family and friends. If you don't then Happy Holidays! I just wanted to take the time to make this post and wish my fellow book lovers happy holidays. I hope you guys get some of you bookish wishes :)

2013 is almost here, so Happy New Year to everyone also, while I'm at it!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Once Burned
(Night Prince, #1)
by Jeaniene Frost
Released |June 26th 2012 by Avon|
Edition |Mass Market Paperback, 346 pages|
Add to Goodreads

She's a mortal with dark powers...
After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...
He's the Prince of Night...
Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

This is the first book that I have read by Jeaniene Frost, and I think it's a spin off so maybe I should read the other series?! But anyways, I absolutely loved this book! At first I was like, 'Dracula?! Ha!', but then the book continued to amaze me :) I am dying for the release of book 2.

Book Hauling It Up (33)

Hey everyone,
Back with another haul!
Don't forget to leave your links :)
I would love to stop by and check out yours as well.

For Review

School Spirits & Rules - Netgalley

Resonance - J Taylor Publishing

Won from jacitamati.blogspot.com

Bought

Gifts

So, I let my aunt borrow my kindle. And I told her about Halfway to the Grave being awesome (Read 3 days ago)! And when I got my kindle back, the entire SERIES was sitting there staring at me, I could have fainted. =O

BTW, Bones is awesome and I am almost finished with book 3 lol

Friday, December 21, 2012

Cover Crazy (7)

Hey everyone,
I am here to show you all the new covers I have seen.
They might not be new to you, but they're new to me :)
Some are pretty awesome!
Tell me which one or ones are your favorite.

Now I am really not happy I with the cover for The Eternity Cure...How do you go from The Immortal Rules to this plain cover. It's not ugly or anything, but still!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter by Nikki Jefford

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it’s to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn’t hurt either.
Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora’s life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska. Basically she’s a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job… by hand.
Now Aurora’s only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire. And if he’s a vampire, she’ll have to kill him.

If you are a vampire/vampire hunter book lover, then I think this book would be for you. I really enjoyed the story and the writing style of Nikki Jefford. The new concept of the vampire hunter that she brought along really caught my attention. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment! I definitely think you should give this book a try :)

Wishlist Wednesday (15): The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure
(Blood of Eden, #2)
by Julie Kagawa
Releases |April 23rd 2013 by Harlequin Teen|
Add to Goodreads

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.
Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Why I'm Wishing...
First off, Am I the only one upset about this cover?! How do go from The Immortals Rules to that. Not digging it! I mean it's not ugly, but I like when covers coincide if you know what I mean. But anyways, I'm super excited for the release of this book. I love Julie Kagawa's writing and I'm really excited for this sequel :) I can't wait.

Other Books in this Series

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Author Interview: Ciye Cho

Hi everyone :)
I am here to share with you my interview with Ciye Cho, author of the Florence Waverley series! This is an amazing series with some awesome characters and an imaginative world.
I hope you guys enjoy the interview!
Thanks so much Ciye for taking the time to stop by the blog!

The Interview

1. Well to start off, Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi. My name's Ciye and I write fantasy novels. I'm obsessed with mermaids and mermen, and I've been known to ask many of life's all-important questions (such as, "Do mermaids ever get barnacles?") I'm also a freelance graphic designer.

2. When did you first know you wanted to become a writer/author? Any inspirations?
I can't pinpoint the exact moment. But I've always been a chronic daydreamer, and I tend to spend way too much time lost in my own imagination. So I guess that's how I started coming up with stories.

I'm very inspired by nature, especially ocean life. Some of the most vivid memories I have are of the coral reefs beyond Hamilton Island. There's so much wonder, beauty, and mystery in the big blue; and of course, these things are key traits found in mermaid/merfolk lore.

3. If you could be apart of the Niemela world in actuality, would you rather take Florence's place and be the only human or would you rather be one of the merfolk who live there? Why did you choose that answer?
I would probably choose to be the only human. That way I could discover new things about Niemela each and every day. I would see a world of wonder with fresh eyes.

Luminaire by Ciye Cho

Being the only human in a world of merfolk... isn't easy. Florence Waverley chose to stay in Niemela, but things have gone awry. Secrets have risen and the prince she cares about has pulled away. All the while, dark dreams warn her of a tragedy that only she can stop. But in order to save the merman she loves, Florence will have to enter the Life Path tournament: a brutal test of fear and madness.
The tournament is a rite of passage--a maze where young mermaids and mermen battle to find their purpose. It is also a place where Florence will face grave danger: mermaids with evil magic, tunnels filled with sea fire, and guardians who wish to use her as a pawn in their secret plans. But will Florence be strong enough to survive the tournament... or will she perish inside it?
Everything hangs in the balance: her life, her world, and her love.

I thought Luminaire was a great sequel to Florence, book 1. I loved being reunited with this unique world of Niemula. I believe Ciye does a fantastic job in describing the world and the characters in a way where you can truly envision them in you mind. I devoured this book in about a day or so and did not want to put it down and was so sad when I reached the end. If you have not checked out this series, I really think you should give a try because I am definitely enjoying it and can't wait to find out what happens in book 3 :)

Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.
I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.
I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself…

This is probably one of my favorite installments in the Mythos Academy series. I don't know if it's my favorite, but its one of the top! This book was filled with tons of action. Tons :) Not much romance in this book, but the action made up for it. So many elements happened in this book that left my mind spinning.

Book Hauling It Up (32)

Hey everyone :)
I've finally started getting back into reading my adult books!
I missed reading those.
Don't forget to leave your links!
Hope everyone had a wonderful week :)

For Review - Netgalley

Print Books

My mom bought me the EL James books. She read them and thought I'd enjoy them. But, I'm still skeptical to start this series.

Ebooks

Friday, December 14, 2012

Bookmark Blitz: Phantom by Laura DeLuca - Excerpt

Phantom
by Laura DeLuca

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.
Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.
Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

Author Bio

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan and Player.

Author Links

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Goodreads
Buy Links

Amazon || Barnes & Noble || Smashwords

Excerpt

“What is it about you that makes me feel like you’ve stolen not only my heart, but my soul,” she whispered as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

He smiled sadly, and continued to caress her hair as he sang to her in his clear, beautiful tenor.

Your soul is filled with a beauty so rare.
With the power to bring both love and despair.
Which will you bring me, my angel of song?
A quick painful end or a love that’s life long?

Blog Tour: ReAwakened by Ada Adams - Review + Excerpt

ReAwakened
(Angel Creek, #2)
by Ada Adams
Released |November 27th 2012|
Add to Goodreads
Review of ReVamped (book 1)

Becoming a vampire guardian was Dawn Fairchild’s ticket out of the Scarlet House. Fresh off a successful mission, life in Angel Creek should have been great. But when her sort-of-maybe-boyfriend, Sebastian, disappears on a quest to help a beautiful vampire from his past, Dawn finds herself amidst a web of danger, lies, and deceit.
Joining forces with Razor, an enigmatic rebel lacking both a verbal and a physical filter, and her band of Misfits—Brooke, Sophie, Hunter, and Seth—Dawn is thrust into a race against the clock to solve the mystery surrounding brutal Born kidnappings and come to terms with the sudden discovery of her own unique powers. With time ticking away and Born vampires’ lives in jeopardy, it quickly becomes evident that someone—or something—desperately wants Dawn and is willing to shed any amount of blood to get her.
Dawn has only one chance to face her demons and overcome all obstacles standing in her way as she embarks on the biggest mission of her life—one that threatens a deadly outcome for all involved.

Oh, what to say about this installment in the Angel Creek series. It was pretty awesome, beside one major thing. But we'll get into that later. I definitely enjoyed the sequel :) It was action packed with lots of little twists and turns that made it a great read. Once I got halfway through the book, I devoured the rest in the span of a day.

Cover Reveal: Flicker & Burn by T.M. Goeglein + Giveaway

Hey everyone
I am here with the cover reveal of book two in the Cold Fury series, Flicker & Burn, and the redesign for Cold Fury.
Also, there is an ARC giveaway of Flicker & Burn as soon as they're available and you can enter further below. (US only)

Cold Fury in paperback will be released in June 2012…and Flicker & Burn comes roaring onto the scene in August 2013!

Synopsis

The thrill ride that began in Cold Fury kicks into high gear in Flicker & Burn, as the threats to Sara Jane Rispoli come at her from all directions. She continues the desperate search for her missing family, but this time she’s on the run from creepy beings with red, pulsing eyes and ghostly white skin chasing her through the streets of Chicago in black ice cream trucks – they can only be described as Ice Cream Creatures. They're skeletal and ferocious, hell-bent on catching or killing her, but also a weird link to her family, a clue to where they might be and who has them.
While Sara Jane battles these new pursuers, she learns painful lessons about the phenomenon that possesses her, cold fury. At the same time, she’s uncovering buried secrets about the misdeeds of her family – old murders and blood vendettas – that might be connected to the disappearance of her mom, dad, and brother. The mysteries, violence, and constant state of chasing or being chased could be the undoing of her relationship with handsome Max Kissberg. Despite the love growing between them, Sara Jane can’t tell him the truth about her life, and fears for his safety.
Not only do the Ice Cream Creatures display the grisly amputated finger of her mom to prove their viciousness, and not only does Lucky, the Outfit Boss of Bosses, whistle in Sara Jane for a sit-down with deadly consequences, but her gorgeous cousin, Heather Richards, enters the scene, as well. All that matters to Sara Jane is saving her family and keeping everyone she loves alive and safe. But the forces she encounters, both external and the ones crackling inside of her, fight her every step of the way.

Wishlist Wednesday (14): Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Antigoddess
(Antigoddess, #1)
by Kendare Blake
Releases |September 10th 2013 by Tor Teen|
Add to Goodreads

Old Gods never die…
Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.
Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.
These days, Cassandra doesn't involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn't even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.
Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.
Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.
The Goddess War is about to begin.

Why I'm Wishing...
I love Kendare Blake's, Anna Dressed in Blood series and I can't wait to see what she has in store for this new series! And plus, I love books with gods/goddess in them and anything with Greek Mythology. So I'm really excited for this one! Too bad it's such a long wait :(