Sunday

So Many Books, So Little Time [4]

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Here are some of the books that I discovered this week scheduled for release that I cannot wait to get my hands on.  I will pay, beg and maybe even stand in line somewhere to get these.

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins
Releases on 12/02/10

Anna was 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. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt. 

Starstruck
by Cyn Balog
Releases in 2011

When Gwendolyn “Dough” Reilly’s boyfriend and best friend Wish moves away in seventh grade, the only consolation she can find is in her family bakery’s donuts. Now, it’s sophomore year, and Wish is coming back. But in only three years, they’ve both changed—drastically. She’s seriously overweight, and suddenly Wish is the most popular guy in school, and girls everywhere want him. Dough has doubts that appearances don’t matter and that Wish can love her as she is, so she launches into a plan designed to keep them together. That is, until she discovers that Wish’s gorgeous looks and charm might not be all they appear to be.

Where I Belong
by Gwendolyn Heasley
Releases on 2/01/11

Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems....

In this sparkling debut that flawlessly balances romance and humor, readers will grow to love sharp and sassy Corrinne as she goes on her totally reluctant but completely irresistible journey of self-discovery. 

Falling Under
by Gwen Hayes
Releases 3/01/11 

In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul. 

Born at Midnight
by C. C. Hunter
Releases on 3/29/11

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap. Her parents are getting a divorce. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn’t put out. Her grandmother died and now Kylie’s acquired a stalker. Unfortunately, she’s the only one who seems to be able to see the stalker. And that gets her sent to a psychologist’s sofa.

The kooky psychologist gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it’s a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

It’s a camp of supernaturals: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shape shifters. And if she believes the camp leader, Kylie is one of them, too.

Just because she’s seeing ghosts, just because she was born at midnight, does that really mean she’s not human? And if so, what is she? Not even the other supernaturals can tell her.

As Kylie attempts to cope with the realization that these creatures actually exist, and that she might even be one of them, the ever present stalker/ghost appears to have secrets that could unravel the mystery of Kylie’s identity and her destiny.

But getting a ghost to open up is as hard as getting a guy to talk about his feelings.

As Kylie struggles to find answers, two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vie for her attention. However, Kylie’s determined that before she lets her heart discover a new love, she needs to solve her indentify crisis and unearth the truth of her destiny.

Blood Magic
by Tess Gratton
Releases on 4/26/11 

For Nick Pardee and Silla Kennicot, the cemetery is the center of everything.

Nick is a city boy angry at being forced to move back to the nowhere town of Yaleylah, Missouri where he grew up. He can’t help remembering his mom and the blood magic she practiced – memories he’s tried for five years to escape. Silla, though, doesn’t want to forget; her parents’ apparent murder-suicide left her numb and needing answers. When a book of magic spells in her dad’s handwriting appears on her doorstep, she sees her chance to unravel the mystery of their deaths.

Together they plunge into the world of dark magic, but when a hundred-year-old blood witch comes hunting for the bones of Silla’s parents and the spell book, Nick and Silla will have to let go of everything they believe about who they are, the nature of life and death, and the deadly secrets that hide in blood.
 

These are just some of the one's that I'm looking forward to. Which books are you dying to get your hands on?  

IMM Vlog [11]



For Review:
- The Postcard Killers [audiobook] by James Patterson & Liza Marklund
- Big Nate by Lincoln Pierce
- Love, Inc. by Yvonne Collins & Sandy Rideout
- The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris

Purchased:
- Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Library:
- Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Friday

Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst

Title: Lulu and the Brontosaurus
Author: Judith Viorst
Pages: 128
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Source: Purchased

Lulu wants nothing other than a pet brontosaurus for her birthday.  When her parents tell her that she won't be getting one.  She gets very upset.   She throws a fit, screams, yells, pounds the ground - does anything and everything for her parents to relent and get her her pet brontosaurus.  But her parents are having none of it.  They refuse to get her what she wants.  Well Lulu is having none of that.  She feels that if her parents won't bring her a pet brontosaurus then she'll just have to get her own pet brontosaurus.  So she sets off on an adventure into the forest to find herself her new pet, all the way signing:

I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, gonna, get
a bronto-bronto-bronto-bronto-saurus for a pet!

In the forest Lulu comes across a number of animals: a snake, a tiger, a bear but none of them particularly impress her. Until she finally finds him... her brontosaurus.  But she soon realizes that Mr. Brontosaurus has his own plans... he thinks she'll make the perfect pet for him!  What is Lulu to do?

This is the perfect read-aloud for children 4 and up.  With Ms. Viorst's witty storytelling and Lane Smith's charming illustrations you have a pleasant and clever story. I thought Ms. Viorst's attitude shone perfectly throughout Lulu's pages - on more than one occasion saying that since it's her story, it is more than perfect for a Brontosaurus to be living in the forest.  Originally I read this for myself and then I read it to my children and I can't begin to describe the joy and wonder in their little faces as I read this to them.  Not only is it a funny and clever story but it is also a story with a good moral.  It teaches children that you can't always have what you want but especially to listen to your parents.  What I truly loved was that it is told simply and enjoyably enough to where my 4year old understood its message.  I love that!  The best part of the book though - the alternate endings.  I love that we got various endings to choose from - because yes, it's Ms. Viorst's book and she can do that if she wants. :)

This was a very cute story that I recommend for parents to read to their children - or, if you're like me, for adults who enjoy picture books.  A sweet tale, with a great moral and some fabulous illustrations.    

My Rating:

October at All About {n}

As always we're celebrating a Spook-Tacular Halloween here at All About {n}.  I have so many things in store for you guys all month long, and, as always, I'm super excited about them!  haha

So here's what I got planned:

First off, I was thrilled when Missie - The Unread Reader - contacted me about the Trick or Treat for Books Giveaway.  She had this phenomenal idea to hop from blog to blog, thereby trick-or-treating, in order to win a mega-giveaway at the end of October.  Three other bloggers and myself, will all be hosting the Halloween hoopla, so I highly recommend that you all check out their blogs as they will all be hosting their own mini-giveaways, author guest posts and interviews as well as tackling their own Halloween topic at the end of each week in October - by leaving a comment on these week-end topics, you will be entered into the mega giveaway. 

The Grand Prize - will be a pack including these titles:
Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
One vampire related book of winners choice (courtesy of yours truly)

Here are the authors I was able to score guest posts / interviews with:
 

Each week, along with their guest post / giveaway, I will also be giving away books.  I have purchased books for every week - so stay tuned for those giveaways.  I also got you guys chances at winning bookplates and note cards from The Little Fox.  I know these aren't particularly Halloween, but I think Despina draws with such a Gothic flare, that I think they fit in perfectly with these Halloween giveaways.  I also have a couple of Paranormal Romance bundles - thanks to Hachette scheduled as well.  All giveaways, except for the Hachette one's will be open internationally.

If you look on the right sidebar, I have compiled various other bookish Halloween events that will be taking place in the blogosphere - you might wanna check those out!  If you know of someone who is also hosting one, please provide me with links and I will gladly add them to my growing list.

So, hopefully, there's something for everyone!  Enjoy!

Trick or Treat for Books


Presenting...
Trick or Treat for Books
hosted by:

You don't fool us... We know what you love! Vampires, Witches, Ghosts and Graveyards! And we are here to give you that with the Trick or Treat for Books giveaway!

During the month of October, each of us will be hosting author interviews, guest posts, and mini giveaways, all leading up to the Main Prize! The main prize will be a "Trick or Treat bag" of four (4) books and some awesome swag! This giveaway will be open to U.S. and International participants.

Enter as many mini giveaways as you like, but to qualify for the Main Prize, you must 'Trick or Treat' by visiting each of our blogs. Every Friday in October, one of us will post about something spooky! Below is the complete schedule. Make sure to visit each post, leave a comment, and fill out the official Trick or Treat for Book form

Trick or Treat for Books blog schedule:
Oct 8: 25 Hour Books: post on ghosts
Oct 15: Geeky Blogger's Book Blog: post on graveyards
Oct 22: The Unread Reader: post on witches
Oct 29: All About {n}: post on vampires
Oct 31: Grand Prize Winner announced

Hope to see you there... bwahahahaha <--- that's my evil laugh.

Wednesday

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

Title: Bed of Roses
Author: Nora Roberts
Pages: 368
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased

The second installment in The Bride Quartet, Bed of Roses, is the story of Emmaline Grant.  Emma is also one of the founders of Vows - the wedding business that she and her three BFF's run.  Emma is in charge of ... you guessed it, the flowers.

I am a little biased about this book - there are just so many things that I like that can be found within its pages - that I can't help but being in lurrrv with this series.  I'll tell you why:

1- Weddings - the backdrop for this story is the wedding business (Vows) that Emma and her three friends run.  I loved reading about the in's and out's of the wedding's that they help plan and orchestrate.  I love the hectic-ness, the Bridezillas, the last minute mix-ups, and fix-ups.  This book definitely captures the life of a wedding planner to perfection.  Weddings make me happy so all the bridal hoopla is really a joy to read for me.

2- Flowers -Since Emma is a bridal florist she spends her days dealing with them.  I loved the descriptions of the flowers, the smells, the arrangements, bouquets, etc.  The descriptions were so vivid and detailed you could actually see their colors and smell their fragrance.

3- Romance - Emma is a very talented florist - she loves her job of helping brides find the perfect flowers for that special day.  Jack Cooke is an architect and has been friends with Emma and the other girls who run Vows for years now.  They are friends and treat each other "almost" like siblings.  When they start feeling differently about each other - and by differently I mean in a not-so-familial way, they not only have to worry about their budding relationship but also about how it will affect their circle of friends.  Becoming lovers after being friends for so long is not an easy feat especially when there are other friends involved... Will  their friends accept it and give their blessing?  And what if there is a fight or even a break-up?  Whose side will they be on? 

4- Friendship - But with so many wonderful aspects to this story, my favorite is still the friendship between the four girls.   Mac, Emma, Laurel and Parker - their camaraderie and their love for one another is so genuinely portrayed.  I love how they talk to each other, hang out with one another, work together and even live together.  Their friendship is like another character in the story.  Each one has their own task in Vows, but they also have their own witty sense of humor and sassy attitude - making them someone you want to be or, at the least, someone you know.

This is the second Nora Roberts book that I read so I really don't have much expertise on her writing.  What I can tell you is that this series - the first being Vision in White - has wonderful recurring characters, simple plot lines full of relatable internal struggles, but what I mostly love about them is their happily ever after.  This is the perfect read for when you don't want to think too much and just want to relax and enjoy a good book. This is a heartwarming series that I can recommend to any of you hopeless romantics (like me!). 

Is there anything else that a girl can ask for to make this book/series any better?... well, maybe a puppy, some rainbows and/or a unicorn.  :)

My Rating: 
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