09 December 2009

Quick update...

Hey guys! Things have been slow around here for a couple weeks. Mainly it's because of my dad rehabing after his full knee replacement. I've been driving him to and from 3-4 appts a week and I stay there while he's at therapy. It usually takes over 2 hours and is pretty boring. Yeah, I take books with me, but you can only stay sitting and reading in those horrible Dr. office waiting room chairs for so long. He's doing so much better, which is great. He still has a ways to go yet, but he's making his way through things.

Then on top of all that, it's a busy time of year without helping him. I don't think I'll be around much until after the first of the year. The hubby has off the week between christmas and New Years, so I'm sure we'll be going to the movies, hitting up sales, etc. just spending some time together.

I wanted to do another contest for the holidays, but just didn't get a chance to set it up. Not even sure what books you guys would love to win. So, I'll have one right after the first of the year and wanted to give you guys all a chance to let me know what books you'd love to win. I'll make it all worth your time. If you fill out the form below you'll get an extra entry into this next contest. Like the idea? The contest will be open INTERNATIONAL! Yep, you heard that correct! If The Book Depository delivers to you, then you can enter. One extra entry per person please. Please don't leave your email address in comments. It's a privacy thing for your safety. If you have any questions, please let me know!

Labels: contest FYI, ramble

5 comments Posted at 4:42 PM

07 December 2009

Review: Captivate By: Carrie Jones

Title: Captivate
Author: Carrie Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
From: Publisher for review

Synopsis: Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

Review: 4.5 stars - Wow, what can I say about Captivate? In my opinion this next chapter in the series was even better then the first book - Need. It was really a great read, which I enjoyed from the first page and hated when it was over. Captivate picks up a couple months after Need left off. (I won't give away anything else of the story so, don't worry for the rest of the review.) It makes feel like you haven't missed a thing.

The characters were the same, yet different in their development. I felt that I still knew who each of the characters were, yet the writing really did shine in allowing me to see just how much they had all grown from the first book. Some of the characters had to deal with some major issues and I was really able to see each of their struggles and joys with the choices they made.

I didn't know exactly where the story was headed from beginning to end. There were some great shocking parts throughout and I always love it when a story keeps me guessing.

The new characters were the perfect addition to the story and will no doubt lead to many more choices for each and every one. With the new and interesting characters and lets not forget about all the lore that was introduced, fit like puzzle pieces into Zara's story... and will only add to the next book. I can't wait to see just where the author takes her characters, the story and us next. The ending left things open to where things for the characters could go.

This is one that I'll be reading again. It was one of the better books I've read so far this year. I can't wait for the next book; I hope that Carrie Jones is writing away on the next book.

FTC Disclaimer: I did not pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this review.

Labels: Bloomsbury, book review, Read in 2009

7 comments Posted at 4:26 PM

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox, is brought to us by Kristi at The Story Siren Thanks Kristi!!

This turned out to be a pretty good 2 weeks in books if you ask me. I missed last weeks (again, ugh! Sorry guys. I'll try better for future IMM's)... I think lol. So this will be what came in the mail to me or I picked up for this week and last week. (Yet, you guessed it, no picture again. Maybe next time. What can I say? It's a busy time of year)

So over the last couple weeks... here's the books that I was either given or purchased:

These books were given to me as early Christmas gifts -

Beautiful Creatures By: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Leviathan By: Scott Westerfeld

From the author - (I couldn't find the second in the series anywhere. Thankfully the author sent me an early Christmas gift as well. Thanks for the book! It was signed and came with some bookmarks and a postcard.)

Kiss of a Dark Moon By: Sharie Kohler

And last but not least... to me this was yet again another early Christmas gift... I came home to find on my door step one afternoon. For review -

Captivate By: Carrie Jones (Review to be posted today!)

Thanks it for me for the last two weeks. Things should be slow book wise for me until christmas. Maybe I'll get some surprises in the mail between now and then... I'll keep my fingers crossed. What did you guys all get?