Monday, March 31, 2014

A to Z - A (2014)

I'm doing the A to Z Blogging Challenge this year. The basic idea is to blog nearly daily with each day representing a different letter of the alphabet. My entries will be short and book-related.  


A is for...
Antagonist!

If you've read my reviews, you know how important it is to me that I'm able to connect with one or more of the main characters. I need to understand them, care about them, preferably find some way to relate to them so I can empathize and invest in their situation.

So what about the antagonist? 

Well, lately, a lot of the books I've read have been more about personal struggle than a clear villain. And those that have had them - I'm thinking of you Full-Blood Half-Breed - have had antagonists that I want to root for, to some degree. When I'm able to empathize with the villain, I know I'm guaranteed an emotional and exciting story.

Antagonists have to be motivated by something that I can comprehend, that seems logical even if I don't agree with it on a moral/ethical level. If I can at least see their point-of-view while disagreeing with their methods, then there's so much more tension in the book.

Who are your favourite literary antagonists? 


Sunday, March 30, 2014

The Ties That Bind by Constance Munday

The Basics:

The Ties That Bind by Constance Munday
Xcite Books
Erotic Romance
Published February 19, 2014
Source: Received via third party for honest review.
Amazon.ca

Why I picked up this book:

I love being asked to review books. Plus I'm still looking for great 'voluptuous' women romance/erotica.


Sunday Update - March 30, 2014

Every other Sunday I post a general news post. These might preview things I'm planning for the two weeks following (such as a new feature - On My Mind), they might reflect on books I'm looking forward to, or that I've recently heard of and want to discuss.  

I'm hooking into: 



This is a meme hosted by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer wherein everyone gets to share their news for the week. It's a great opportunity to see what's happening out there in the blogosphere, so go check out some other Sunday Posters!

Today's post is going to have a few sections:

1. What Happened?

2. COYER - March E-reader Clean-Out

3. DNF Reviews

4. Currently...

5. Year-Long Challenge Update

6. March Site Stats

7. Blogging A-Z?



Friday, March 28, 2014

Lockstep by Karl Schroeder

The Basics:
Lockstep by Karl Schroeder
Tor Books
Science Fiction
Published March 25, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

The cover reminded me of the urban fantasy series by Rob Thurman - the same artist, I imagine. I also love and trust Tor as a publisher of fantasy and science fiction, so this seemed like a safe bet.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

John Dreamer by Elise Celine

The Basics:
John Dreamer by Elise Celine
AuthorBuzz
Book One in John Dreamer Trilogy
YA, Romance
Published February 12, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca

Why I picked up this book:

The concept sounded fresh and intriguing.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

The Basics:
Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
Hachette Book Group, Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Book Two in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series
Fantasy
Published November 6, 2012
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Why I picked up this book:

After reading the first, I had to know what happened next.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Full Blood Half-Breed by Cleve Lamison

The Basics:
Full-Blood Half-Breed by Cleve Lamison
Hydra
Fantasy
Published March 11, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Why I picked up this book:

I've enjoyed a number of books put out by Angry Robot in the last couple years, and I liked the idea of MMA in a fantasy setting, which is kind of how I interpreted the blurb combined with the cover.

Friday, March 21, 2014

If Only by A J Pine

The Basics:
If Only by A J Pine
Entangled: Embrace
New Adult
Published March 24, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

Sounded like a cute romance.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday - March 18, 2014


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from The Broke and the Bookish in which they post a book-related top ten every - you guessed it! - Tuesday.

This week the theme is Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR List.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Sunday Update - March 16, 2014

Every other Sunday I post a general news post. These might preview things I'm planning for the two weeks following, they might reflect on books I'm looking forward to or that I've recently heard of and want to discuss.  

I'm hooking into: 



This is a meme hosted by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer wherein everyone gets to share their news for the week. It's a great opportunity to see what's happening out there in the blogosphere, so go check out some other Sunday Posters!

Today's post is going to have a just two wee sections:

1. COYER - March E-reader Clean-Out Update

2. Currently...

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe

The Basics:

The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe
BenBella Books
Book One in the V Trilogy
Young Adult, Paranormal
Published Jan 14, 2014
Source: Received via Goodreads First Reads.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

Girl attending mysterious boarding school for the wealthy, who doesn't seem to fit their usual profile? With a romantic interest? Yes.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

The Basics:
Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski
Delacorte Press
YA 
Published March 11, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

Well, I received an invite to it, which was pretty tempting because I've only received a handful via NetGalley. I also liked the sudden telepathy in high school idea. It sounded... dangerous!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Telling Tales by Charlotte Stein

The Basics:
Telling Tales by Charlotte Stein
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Erotica
Published March 4, 2014
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Why I picked up this book:

I read Control by Stein late last year and really enjoyed it. 

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Stacking the Shelves - March 8



Stacking the Shelves is an awesome meme hosted by Tynga's Review.

Bloggers share the books they've received, bought, borrowed - and I collect more and more books for my 'must acquire' list.

I'm starting to think I may need to declare one month this year as solidly TBR month: reviews only written for books on my TBR instead of putting out new release reviews. Or maybe a week every other month. Or something. Folks, I may need help.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Sapphires are an Earl's Best Friend by Shana Galen

The Basics:
Sapphires are an Earl's Best Friend by Shana Galen
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Book Three in the Jewels of the Ton series
Historical Romance
Published March 4, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

Historical romance, spies, a courtesan engaging the eye of an Earl.... All sounds good to me!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy

The Basics:
Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy
Book One in Shadows of Asphodel series
Dieselpunk, Romance
Published September 13, 2013
Source: Received direct from author in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca

Why I picked up this book:

I love steampunk, and haven't consciously read a dieselpunk book, so I thought I'd check one out. Also a romance with a necromancer... come on!


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine

The Basics:
Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine
Forever
Book One of the Finding Fate series
New Adult, Romance
Published March 4, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:
I liked the connection between Pixie and Levi that was suggested in the blurb. Particularly Levi's desire to protect Pixie and his need for her.

The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O'Neal

The Basics:
The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O'Neal
Bantam
Romance
Published March 4, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

It sounded so happy and upbeat, I couldn't resist.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday - March 4, 2014


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from The Broke and the Bookish in which they post a book-related top ten every - you guessed it! - Tuesday.

This week the theme is Top Ten Popular Authors I Haven't Read.

Passionately Yours by Cara Elliott

The Basics:
Passionately Yours by Cara Elliott
Forever
Book Three in The Hellions of High Street series
Historical Romance
Published Mar 4, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I actually loved the cover - it felt very spring-like and I really need a good dose of spring right now. Also, I love headstrong, opinionated historical romance heroines.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Every Part of You: Resists Me by Megan Hart

Just a short one today!

The Basics:
Every Part of You: Resists Me by Megan Hart
St Martin's Press
Part 2 (of 5) of Every Part of You
Erotica
Published February 18, 2014
Source: Purchased.
Amazon.ca Kobo.com

Why I picked up this book:

I enjoyed the first one enough that I wanted to see what happened next.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Sunday Update (3)

Every other Sunday I'll be posting a general news post. These might preview things I'm planning for the two weeks following (such as a new feature - On My Mind), they might reflect on books I'm looking forward to, or that I've recently heard of and want to discuss.  

I'm hooking into: 



This is a meme hosted by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer wherein everyone gets to share their news for the week. It's a great opportunity to see what's happening out there in the blogosphere, so go check out some other Sunday Posters!

Today's post is going to have a few sections:

1. COYER - March E-reader Clean-Out

2. February Site Stats

3. Currently...

4. Year-Long Challenges Update


COYER Kick-Off

This month I'm participating in a TBR pile reading challenge called COYER - Clean-Out Your E-Reader , hosted by Fantasy is more fun and Because Reading is better than real life.