Sunday 22 July 2012

Review - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose




Everyone has a soul


Some are just worth more than others



Farley Hope was seventeen when her mother disappeared. In the last six months not much has changed, except that her eighteenth birthday came and went and still no sign of Moira. Her life is just as complicated as it always was. Since her father died in a car crash before she was even born, she’s officially parentless, and to top it all off she’s still suffering from the hallucinations. Mind-splitting, vivid hallucinations- the kind prone to induce night terrors and leave you whimpering under your covers like a baby.



The last thing on her mind is boys. Farley is on break from St. Judes’ when she meets Daniel. It’s not some casual run in at a party, or even a blind date with friends, though. Daniel is the guy following her in his 1970′s Dodge Charger; the guy standing at her window in the LA lunch hour traffic, trying to persuade her to leave everything behind and follow him. And he's hot as all hell. 



The moment Farley lays eyes on Daniel, everything changes. He is cold and withdrawn, but there are cracks in his harsh veneer- cracks that betray the secrets he is trying so hard to hide. Farley is drawn into a world that will shake apart everything she thought she ever knew. There are truths out there that she must learn: that a person’s soul is their only real currency, and there are people who would do anything to take hers; that loving someone can hurt so much more than hating them; but, most importantly, when your future is predestined, there is little you can do to change it.



Farley Hope is prophesied.



Her coming has been awaited for hundreds of years.



She is destined to end the tyranny of the Soul Reavers.



To do so she must die


The story begins with Farley in her car and figuring out that she is being followed and from there on in this story zaps by. And that was the main thing that I liked about this story. There was no pausing in the actions and no moments were I wanted to skip to the next page. Everything about it made me want to find out what happened next.

The villains of the story are a group of immortals called Reavers and there human no-longer-quite-themselves minions Immundus. So guess who our hero has to keep our heroine safe from ;).

I LOVED this heroine! 

Farley was so strong willed and independent and at the same time didn't do any of those hair-pullingly stupid things that other heroines do (because they all seem to be exceedingly brainless and DON’T LISTEN TO ANYONE – pet peeve there guys). That isn’t to say that she listens to everything that she is told to do or anything but the stupidity is kept to a blessed minimum. Although my one issue with her is that she seems to handle thing a little too well. I was waiting for a full on emotional melt down that never happened. 

Daniel - our hero – goes around with a bee in his bonnet for most of the story and he and Farley have a love hate relationship that comes from him trying to keep some distance between them. But why we ask?

Frankie Rose did a marvellous job of holding back just enough information to have me wanting to tear through the rest of the book to find out just what was going on.

I am looking forward to reading more about this world and it's characters :).

*Thanks to author Frankie Rose for providing this book for review*



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Monday 16 July 2012

Outlander Read-a-Long - Chapters 29-35




(Sheesh being away from home has really  messed up with my blogging flow)


1. We are now settled into life at Lallybroch. What are your impressions of this place, and Ian and Jenny Murray? How do the stories of Jamie’s life here growing up shape your feelings toward him?

Something about Lallybroch unsettles me. I am sure that it was a lovely place to grow up and that Jamie had a wonderful childhood their but there is still something that just gives me the heebie-jeebies.

I love Jenny and Ian, both as a couple and as individuals. :)


2. What do you think of the story of what really happened between Jenny and Jack Randall? Could you have been as bold as Jenny? Does this change your understanding of Randall?

No way could I have been as bold as Jenny. I am one of these people who imagines in her head how much she would like to chew someone up and spit them back out for doing something but (dang it) I just can never get it passed my mouth. So no I would never have been able to do what Jenny did. But I love her for doing it! And Randall…Nope, I still think he is the biggest creep of the creepsters. *shiver*


3. For the second time, we see Claire warning a Fraser about future events. Do you think this is wise? Or does this mess with history/the space-time continuum/the natural order of things?

DON’T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All the Star Treks tell you that interfering with history is a big ‘NO-NO’ (of course that doesn’t stop Piccard giving it a good go). Only Q can do it and get away with it!


4. Do you consider Claire brave or foolish for going after Jamie? Would you be courageous enough to go into enemy territory to try and save the man you love?

Ummm…I’m thinking. Good grief girl haven’t you learned anything! But I still do not blame her for her actions and I do think she was brave to do it – especially with what has happened before when she has gone off by herself. I would like to think that I would rush into a dangerous situation to save the man I love. But unfortunately like many things in life it is one of those things where I would have to be in the situation before I would know.


5. Jamie makes a gut-wrenching decision in Chapter 35. Do you blame Claire for putting him in that position? What kinds of repercussions do you expect?

Oh dear, this just goes back to Claire and her dogdy decisions making doesn’t it…? Ummm no comment.

Repercussions? As in Claire is going to feel soul destroyingly guilty? That kind of repercussion?


Rapid Review - Zombie Kid Diaries - Playing Dead by Fred Perry and David Hitchison

Middle school is horrific enough for any 5th grader's first day. But for Bill Dookes, it's a festering, rotting, undead nightmare! Since Bill's deadbeat dad got arrested trying to burn the house down for the insurance, Mom's had to make ends meet by volunteering to various medical research companies for cash. This would be fine if she hadn't brought home a mysterious zombie virus! Now Bill has to deal with skin problems and body chemistry changes that make puberty look like a walk in the park! And then there's his ever-growing appetite for BRAINS!

I think young kids who have a high gross scale and find eating worm funny will love this book. Me I found it turned my stomach. It doesn't go into detail or anything but it is the thought of some the stuff. Eating roadkill, and gone of milk with mouldy cereal. 

Ick!

*I received this book in e-book form from NetGalley*

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Sunday 15 July 2012

Size 12 Is Not Fat (Heather Wells Bk #1) by Meg Cabot

HEATHER WELLS ROCKS!
Or, at least, she did. That was before she left the pop-idol life behind after she gained a dress size or two -- and lost a boyfriend, a recording contract, and her life savings (when Mom took the money and ran off to Argentina). Now that the glamour and glory days of endless mall appearances are in the past, Heather's perfectly happy with her new size 12 shape (the average for the American woman!) and her new job as an assistant dorm director at one of New York's top colleges. That is, until the dead body of a female student from Heather's residence hall is discovered at the bottom of an elevator shaft.
The cops and the college president are ready to chalk the death off as an accident, the result of reckless youthful mischief. But Heather knowsteenage girls . . . and girls do not elevator surf. Yet no one wants to listen -- not the police, her colleagues, or the P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives -- even when more students start turning up dead in equally ordinary and subtly sinister ways. So Heather makes the decision to take on yet another new career: as spunky girl detective!
But her new job comes with few benefits, no cheering crowds, and lots of liabilities, some of them potentially fatal. And nothing ticks off a killer more than a portly ex-pop star who's sticking her nose where it doesn't belong . . .

(Image and description from Goodreads)


*there will be some spoilers in this post - well, more than I usually mention anyway as I will be indulging myself in a mini-rant ;)*


This was a fun read, the pages flew by in true Meg Cabot style which is always a nice fluffy, gift wrapped bonus for a book.

Having a heroine who is not a stick insect (or on a track team or anything else) was great and who also has proper issues going on her life. Her mother had legged it with all of her money, her father is in prison and she had been dumped by her fiance - after finding him in a situation with his now fiance.

I loved Heather. She was sure of herself (even when she wasn't) and doing her best to make a life for herself. She also told her ex where to do when he made an appearance. Now THAT I loved. That is until this one time!

He showed up and like that *insert finger snap here* they are going at it on the hallway floor. At that point I am afraid my opinion of Heather crashed and burned. She said herself that in that moment she had become the 'other woman' and she didn't like it. Yeah well, I agree Mrs - not to mention it wasn't even your house!!!! anyone could have came in.

Yeah, after that moment I didn't quite liker her as much - even though this is only proving that out heroine is not perfect and is flawed, yadedadeda. Still went off her.

I still enjoyed the book though and like all of Meg Cabot's work it is filled to the gills with some great 1 liners and as I have mentioned it was a fun and fast paced read.

Reading about an ex-pop-star turned dorm director who tries to do some crime solving on the side make for some good fun :)


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Saturday 14 July 2012

Stacking the Shelves #4

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme that you can find over at Tynga's Reviews :)



I am a bit broke right now so no huge haul but I am still getting my Agatha Christie Collection subscription so I got these pretties through the mail :)





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Wednesday 11 July 2012

Woolgather Wednesday (5) To Bookmark or Not to Bookmark, that is the question...?



Hello darlings.

Still working my way through mt notebook of random bookie thoughts and observations.

They come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

You can make your own or buy them. You can get them in paper, card or metal. Hey you can even get ones with magnets and your favourite characters on them.

What am I talking about?



BOOKMARKS!

So guys do you use them?

Or do you ......



DOG EAR!!!!!!!




(this is nothingness btw)






or maybe you are a rebel and use *waves magic wand* nothing....


I love bookmarks, I am tripping over them I love them that much. The problem is though that, all though some of them a VERY pretty they just ain't practical for keeping your place in a book without mangling the page - yip, you know what I mean don't you? We've all been there. Been lured in by the pretty design only to discover upon use that the uber-pretty bookmark is a book eater.

So when it comes to books I am more-often than not a post-it of piece of paper kind of gal.

(although I do have a favourite bookmark that gets brought out of retirement occasional)

Anyway, pieces of paper and post-its are brilliant because I can scribble down notes and page numbers to bore entice you guys with later in a review :)

But, I have a favourite book of mine that gets re-read several times a year. And this book had notes in it, dog-eared pages, a mangled spine and has been sticky-taped in several places to keep it from falling apart. So, I definitely dog-ear too.

And unless the book is below 100 pages I just don't have the patience to go flicking through a book to try and find the page because I have forgotten where I left off. So I don't do nothin'

:0)

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*Images do not belong to me*

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Tune in Tuesday


Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature that you can find at GReads and it gives us a chance to show off some of our favourite music :)

Do we have any Captain Scarlet fans in the audience?

How about Thunderbirds?

And what about STINGRAY?!

Eeeek. Now when I was younger (I think I must have been about 12-13) I fell in love with (and still love) the closing theme to the show. I mean it, I loved it that much that I taped the last 2 minutes if the show and played it over and over again - and then someone (who shall remain nameless) taped over it. Grrr.

But now, in the land of MP3 Downloads and amazon I have the song sitting happy and snug on my i-pod. Good times!

So, without any ado I give you.

Aqua Marina! 






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Monday 9 July 2012

How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #4) by Cressida Cowell

In his 4th sidesplitting adventure, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III must rescue his best friend, Fishlegs, from the deadly disease Vorpentitis. The only cure is rare and almost impossible to find...a potato. But where will Hiccup find such a thing? He'll have to dodge the terrible Sharkworms, battle Doomfang (abilities = 30), and outwit crazy Hooligans if he's going to be a Hero...again. A fast paced plot, slapstick humor, witty dialogue and imaginative black and white illustrations enhance this exciting tale.
(Image and Description from Goodreads)

Fishlegs has been bitten by a dragon and has become ill with Vorpentitis. His only hope lies in the mythical vegetable - the potato.

Out of all of the book sof this series so far this one has the most twists and turns. As I was reading I kept thinking I had it sussed and then BAM, OK maybe I don't have it all figured out after all.

I felt my anger at the adults in this story growing. I doesn't seem to matter how much Hiccup does or how many times he saves the day they are always doubting him. Although his father finally clues in on something. :)

This book hasn't been my favourite in the series. It was still good but it was missing something that was in the first three books and I can't quite pit my finger on it.

I still can't wait to get stuck into Book 5 though!


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Outlander Read-a-Long - Chapters 22-28






1. How do you feel about Claire disobeying Jamie and the resulting punishment he brings forth on her for this? Do you feel that Jamie's punishment was justified by the fact that everyone was put in danger by Claire's actions? Finally, did Jamie's vow with Claire's dagger do anything to sway your thoughts or change your mind on how you initially feel/felt about his punishment?

I don’t blame Claire for disobeying Jamie. I think it was stupid of her and not very well thought out but I can understand why she did it. My feelings about Jamie punishing her have not changed from the first time I read this. My 2012 Woman’s Lib brain screams WHAT THE HELL!!!!!! But in the time and place it does make sense, it is what is expected. And I think in the long run having Jamie wallop her would be a lot better than one of the other me.

But I still don’t like it and I cheered when Claire threatened him. You go girl! 
"If,' I said through my teeth, 'you ever raise a hand to me again, James Fraser, I'll cut out our heart and fry it for breakfast!"
Yeah, I suppose Jamie’s vow did kind of help me to see just how much he disliked raising his hand to her, and he is a man of his word so I have no doubt he will keep his vow – or he had better any way or I’ll be going right off him. But then there was all that weirdness about him enjoying it, but not enjoying it...


2. Just for fun, what was your reaction to the suspicious black spot Claire spotted on the floor near the area where Jamie was sleeping? Did you have any theories to what it might have been before it was revealed to be a _____?

Ummm are we talking about the bed-bug or have I totally missed a scene somewhere? Ok, I’ll go with the bed-bug. At first I thought that it was a stain on the bedding and they were sleeping with minging stuff that hadn’t been washed properly, which – in the time and place wouldn’t have surprised me. Or that she was hallucinating and seeing spots of blood – I was waiting for something very deep and meaningful.

But when Jamie tells her what it was I couldn’t help by laugh at Claire’s response. And for some reason it leads to one of my favourite bits.

"In the end we did sleep a bit more, peacefully entangled on the floor, atop a hard but bugless bed composed of my cloak and Jamie's kilt"
I just find that image adorable for some reason. One of my favourite sentences in the book.


3. With regard to the 'changeling' baby Claire and Geilie spotted in the wild - if it were you back then and you happened upon a changeling baby in the wild in a circumstance such as this, do you think you'd have reacted most like Claire or Geilie? Explain.

This is another one of those situations where it is difficult to separate the 2012 brain from the 1700’s brain. It all has to do with how you are brought up doesn’t it? If I was born back then and in that situation I would like to think I would do what I could for the baby but then if I had been brought up to believe that the wee folk have left it and the child was cursed would I… *shrug* But then if I was Claire and I had been whisked from my time to that time I would be like her. "Screw you, that’s a baby!"


4. Share your thoughts on Geilie Duncan. Is there anything that surprised you about her story or were you suspicious of her from the beginning? 

I had a feeling there was something a little off about her. I didn’t guess anywhere near what she was and what happened though. And don’t get me wrong, I did like her. I liked her because she was spunky and had attitude. But at the same time I was always thinking, ‘you are far too nice for your own good lady’


5. Your thoughts on Jamie's LAST REASON for wanting to marry Claire - the one he had been so secretive about. GO!

Alright, so if we hadn’t guest his feelings after what he said about trying to be strong enough not to beg her to stay when he was sending her to the stones we do now!

Excuse me while I melt into a puddle of cute and love fuelled goo. I read Jamie’s declaration – if you can call it that, with a smile on my face the whole time.

First of all  -

“Because I wanted you.’ He turned from the window to face me. ‘More than I ever wanted anything in my life,’ he added softly.
Dang!

But then I loved how he injected humour into what he was saying to her too – once again turning the stereotypical ‘declaration of love’ on its head :)

“Jamie Frasier, for all ye canna see what she looks like, and for all she weighs as much as a good drought horse, this if the woman for you,"
And finally from further on –
“My love,’ he whispered. ‘Oh, my love. I do want ye so.”
*SIGH* 

Yip…Do I really need to say more?
 
Got to me one of the best 'I love you's in fiction. 

-----------------

You can check out the rest of the link to this weeks questions/answers here and also find the questions for next week too :) 





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Saturday 7 July 2012

Feature and Follow



Follow Friday is a weekly Blog Hop that can be found over at Parajunkee’s View.

Q: Jumping Genres: Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don’t like and LOVE it? Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.

I usually avoid anything that is set in reality like the plague (there is of course exceptions to this rule). I like there to be a smidgen of fantasy to something I read. I also enjoy historical fictions because if something bad happens in it, it is easier to accept that there is nothing I can do to fix it. But, with contemporary and real life stories set in my time I can't quite distance myself enough from the characters even if they are all made up. 

But. Last week I just finished The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and I LOVED it. 

It checked most of the boxes for books that I avoid but in an attempt to stretch my reading I listened to it on audio. 


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Thursday 5 July 2012

How to Speak Dragonese (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #3) by Cressida Cowell

A Viking lesson in pirating takes a strange turn when Hiccup and his best friend, Fishlegs, accidentally raid the wrong ship while trying to escape Sharkworms. The two lads rescue a tiny yet arrogant nanodragon named Ziggerastica, but then they are kidnapped as part of a vicious plot to steal every dragon on the Isle of Berk! Hiccup must rely on his tiny new friend, and his ability to speak Dragonese, to save the day ... again!
(Image and Description from Goodreads)

I love the pictures in these book and with the introduction of the Romans the pictures are even better. I must be easily amused as I did get a giggle out of the tattoos that the Romans had. Things like 'Rome Sweet Rome' and 'Mother' in a heart with an arrow through it. Yip easily amused.
"The Romans were the Vikings' deadly enemies - a very bossy lot who wanted to take over the world and had jolly near got there"
We are again introduced to more species of Dragon as well as the King of the Nanodragons and Alvin the Terrible returns bent on revenge. And, because the Romans plan in stealing all of the dragons we meet Camicazi, the heir of the Bog-Burglar Tribe.

Int his book we see Toothless' growing attachment to  Hiccup and (even though he tries to hide it) how much he cares for him.
"Toothless had spent the last 10 minutes muttering to himself on top of the mast....
'Nobody loves T-T-Toothless' he muttered to himself. But then the noises from the Roman ship got louder, and the boys did not reappear, and he started to get worried.
When he heard Hiccup YELL for help the little dragon called of his strike"
I have found that these book are filled with loads of little lessons for kids about acceptance and not tarring everyone with the same brush.


These books continue to live up to the first one! :) 
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Wednesday 4 July 2012

Woolgather Wednesday (4) What Should I Read (1) and Win a Bookmark


free glitter text and family website at FamilyLobby.com

Hello guys, so this week I don't have anything that I have been pondering (well...I do (I actually have a notebook full of them) But this week I thought I would ask you all a question.

What should I take with me for a weekend away from home (I have one coming up in 3-4 weeks).

Here is the lists of books I have on my shelves and I still have to read - some of these are re-reads and bind-ups by the way.

So I am looking for 2 book to take away with me for a weekend and I would love it if you guys could chose which books you would like me to read and try and convince me.

And whoever wins me over to their choice/s will wiiiiiiiiin. Uuuuuuuuuuum *looks around*

Ahaha!

Your choice of a nice and shiny Matilda or BFG bookmark! :)


(Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you along with your recommendation and reason :))


BOOK LIST!

  1. Tilly Trotter by Catherine Cookson
  2. Rose of Traille by Katie Flynn
  3. Camelot’s Shadow by Sara Zettlel
  4. Camelot’s Honour by Sara Zettlel
  5. Camelot’s Blood by Sara Zettlel
  6. Camelot’s Sword by Sara Zettlel
  7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
  8. The Ship that Sang by Anne McCaffrey
  9. Once Upon a Winters Night by Dennis L. McKiernan
  10. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
  11. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
  12. The Silver Metal Lover
  13. The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
  14. Acorna by Anne McCaffrey
  15. Acorna’s Quest by Anne McCaffrey
  16. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
  17. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
  18. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
  19. Goddess of the Sea by P.C. Cast
  20. Goddess of Spring by P.C. Cast
  21. Goddess of the Rose by P.C. Cast
  22. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
  23. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
  24. The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
  25. Beatrix Potter by Linda Lear
  26. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
  27. The Other Countess by Eve Edwards
  28. Tinker by Wen Spencer
  29. Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer
  30. The Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton
  31. Summer of Secrets by Rosie Rushton
  32. Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams by Rosie Rushton
  33. Echoes of Love by Rosie Rushton
  34. Petals on the River by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
  35. So Worthy My Love by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
  36. Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
  37. Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
  38. Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce
  39. Tricksters’ Queens by Tamora Pierce
  40. The Waterborn by Greg Keyes
  41. The Blackgod by Greg Keyes
  42. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
  43. The Salamander Spell by E.D. Baker
  44. The Dragon Princess by E.D. Baker
  45. The Game by Laurie R. King
  46. The Moor by Laurie R. King
  47. Locked Rooms by Laurie R. King
  48. The Language of Bees by Laurie R. King
  49. A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
  50. A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King
  51. Healers Quest by Jessica Palmer
  52. Fire Wars by Jessica Palmer
  53. Return of the Wizard by Jessica Palmer
  54. Alien Tango by Gini Koch
  55. Alien in the Family by Gini Koch
  56. Alien Proliferation by Gini Koch
  57. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
  58. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
  59. Charmed Destinies (3 Novellas) by Mercedes Lackey, Rachel Lee and ragrine Asaro
  60. Prospero’s Children by Jan Siegel
  61. The Hunchback of Notredame by Victor Hugo
  62. The Elvenbane by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
  63. The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan
  64. I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
  65. Phoenix Rising (A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel) by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris
  66. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
  67. Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter
  68. Up in Smoke by Katie MacAlister
  69. Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister
  70. The Scarletti Curse by Christine Feehan
  71. Night Shadow by Nora Roberts
  72. Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
  73. Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron
  74. Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
  75. Jane and His Lordships Legacy by Stephanie Barron
  76. The Wizards Ward by Deborah Hale
  77. The Destined Queen by Deborah Hale
  78. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
  79. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
  80. Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson
  81. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (got 100 pages in and gave up)
  82. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
  83. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
  84. Clarts and Calamities by Henry Brewis (this is one of those lol books that I can read snippets of for a laugh :))
  85. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
  86. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater
  87. Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
  88. Pagasus by Robin McKinley
  89. Nobody’s Girl by Sarra Manning
  90. Adorkable by Sarra Manning
  91. Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte
  92. When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winham
  93. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
  94. Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson
  95. Dead Gorgeous by Malorie Blackman
  96. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
  97. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale by Cressida Cowell
  98. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons by Cressida Cowell
  99. All American Girl by Meg Cabot
  100. All American Girl – Ready or Not by Meg Cabot
  101. The Princess Diaries – Third Time Lucky by Meg Cabot
  102. The Princess Diaries – Mia Goes Fourth by Meg Cabot
  103. Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot
  104. When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot
  105. Code Name Cassandra by Meg Cabot
  106. Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
  107. Snow White and the Huntsman by Lily Blake
  108. Shakespeare’s Landlord by Charlaine Harris
  109. Shakespeare’s Champion by Charlaine Harris
  110. Shakespeare’s Christmas by Charlaine Harris
  111. Shakespeare’s Trollop by Charlaine Harris
  112. Shakespeare’s Counselor by Charlaine Harris
  113. Beyond the Shining Water by Audrey Howard
  114. Liverpool Taffy by Katie Flynn
  115. A Handful of Silver by Meg Hutchinson
  116. No Place of Angels by Meg Hutchinson
  117. Unholy Love by Meg Hutchinson
  118. The Child Queen by Nancy McKenzie
  119. The High Queen by Nancy McKenzie
  120. So Silver Bright by Lisa Mantchev
  121. The Virgin Widow by Anne O’Brien
  122. Teach Me by R.A. Nelson
  123. North Child by Edith Pattou
  124. Daughter of Twin Oaks by Lauraine Snelling
  125. Sisters of the Confederacy by Lauraine Snelling
  126. The Long Way Home by Lauraine Snelling
  127. The Lark and the Wren by Mercedes Lackey
  128. The Robin and the Kestrel by Mercedes Lackey
  129. The Eagle and the Nightingales by Mercedes Lackey
  130. The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey
  131. The Unlikely Ones by Mary Brown
  132. Dragonne’s Eg by Mercedes Lackey
  133. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
  134. Dear Miss Grey by Shirley Smith
  135. A Tall Dark Smith by Joan Smith
  136. The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean by David Almond
  137. Dear Mr Bigelow by Frances Woodsford
  138. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
  139. Out of the Dark by Sharon Sala
  140. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
  141. The Girl’s Car Handbook by Maria McCarthy
  142. As She Climbed Across the Table by Jonathan Lethem
  143. If There Be Thorns by Virginia Andrews (I need to read Flowers in the Attic first so if you guys think it’ll be worth my while I read this series :))
  144. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
  145. Who’s Afraid of Jane Austen? By Henry Hitchings
  146. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
  147. The Taste of Sorrow by Jude Morgan
  148. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
  149. Changeling by Philippa Gregory
  150. The Secret Me Book by Rachel Kempsten and Meg Leder
  151. Shift by Em Bailey
  152. Cinder by Merissa Meyer
  153. Winging It by Deborah Cooke
  154. Divergent by Veronica Roth
  155. The Somnabulist by Essie Fox
  156. The Klone and I by Danielle Steel
  157. Room by Emma Donoghue
  158. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
  159. A Place Called Here by Cecelia Ahern
  160. Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
  161. Daphne by M.C. Beaton
  162. Frederica in Fashion by M.C. Beaton
  163. Minerva by M.C. Beaton
  164. Deirdre and Desire by M.C. Beaton
  165. Diana the Huntress by M.C. Beaton
  166. The Taming of Annabelle by M.C. Beaton
  167. The Dragon Queen by Alice Borchardt
  168. The Raven Warrior by Alice Borchardt
  169. Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
  170. Dancer’s Illusion by Ann Maxwell
  171. Dancer’s Luck by Ann Maxwell
  172. Firelord by Parke Godwin
  173. Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong
  174. The Princess Dairies – Guide to Christmas by Meg Cabot
  175. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
  176. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
  177. I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend by Cora Harrison
  178. Decicon at Doona by Anne McCaffrey and Jody Lynn
  179. Decisions at Doona by Anne McCaffrey
  180. Resenting the Hero by Moira J. Moore
  181. The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
  182. The Dinosaur Planet Omnibus by Anne McCaffrey
  183. Green Rider by Kristen Britain
  184. First Rider’s Call by Kristen Britain
  185. 32C That’s Me by Chris Higgins
  186. Tapas and Tears by Chris Higgins
  187. Tinker by Wen Spencer
  188. Wok Who Rules by Wen Spencer
  189. Chanson de l’Ange by Paisley Swan Stewert
  190. Merlin’s Legacy – Daughter of Fire by Quinn Taylor Evans
  191. Misery by Stephen King
  192. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
  193. A Cavern of Black Ice by J.V. Jones
  194. The Girl with the Glass Feet by Ali Shaw
  195. The Phoenix of the Opera by Sadie Montgomery
  196. Out of the Darkness by Sadie Montgomery
  197. No Return by J.C. Sillesen
  198. Forsaken by Theodora Bruns
  199. Mon Ami by Theodora Bruns
  200. Erik and Christine by Angel Taormina
  201. The Phantom Returns by Stefanie Cole
  202. The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth
  203. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
  204. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
  205. Emma by Jane Austen
  206. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
  207. Persuasion by Jane Austen
  208. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
  209. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
  210. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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Tuesday 3 July 2012

Tune in Tuesday

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature that you can find at GReads and it gives us a chance to show off some of our favourite music :)


I went through this epically huge Dirty Dancing phase when I was about 10 where all I could do was listen to the sound track or watch the movie over and over again.

Come on! Every closing dance sequence of every film tries to live up to the amazing-ness of that finale scene. In my opinion, they fail.

The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes





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Monday 2 July 2012

Outlander Read-a-Long - Chapters 15-21






1. We FINALLY get to the scene we've all been waiting for. You know what I'm talking about--yay sexytimes! What were your impressions? Was it what you were expecting? Or did you want more? 

This is what I love about this book. How it turns your stereotypically expectations of a romance novel on its head. I loved how there was laughing and there was tenderness. I did love how even though Claire is the 'experienced' one it was Jamie who seemed to be doing what he could to make her comfortable. 
"Don't be afraid," he whispered into my hair. "There's the two of us now."
I wanted to cry at that point.

I know that some readers thus far have been bothered by the fact of Claire being married to Frank but still being involved with Jamie, despite the different time periods. Does their time as newlyweds change anyone's opinion of that? If not, now what are you thinking of the situation?  

The way that I look at it is that if she had a choice then Claire would have stayed single and remained faithful to Frank. I mean it isn’t like she has been chasing after Jamie or anything - she was trying to play matchmaker for crying out loud. But necessity has made it so that so safe she has had to marry another man. I admire her for than (even if I hate Frank’s guts). But then there is the whole, Frank isn’t born yet so should she feel like she is still bound by her marriage vows to him *shrug*. It is one of those screwy situations where you can’t do right for doing wrong.


What did you think about the "waterhorse" that Claire saw? Why do you think Peter was so spooked? And what do you think this means for Claire? 

Ok, I have to admit I was all. “Loch Ness monster…Riiiiiiiight” But if you look into why Diana Gabaldon actually put it into the book in the first place I find it hilarious. And besides if I can accept the time travel element then why not Nessie too.
Well this was when superstitions were pretty strong so living with that I can’t blame Peter for being a little freaked.
Claire is going to be in aaaaaaaaalot of trouble me thinks (I saw that one coming the first time I read this :))


If you were Claire and you were knowingly in the vicinity of the stones, would you have done the same thing she did?  
Hmmmm… I have this thing about doing what I am told and avoiding confrontation like the plague, but I think in this situation yes I would. And I think this gives her extra brownie points on the Frank front (see question 2)


What do you think about Captain Randall? How do you think the family resemblance between him and Frank affects Claire and particularly her relationship with Jamie? 

Creeps. Me. Out! BIG TIME.
Well I think his constant appearance is going to serve as a reminder of Frank for Claire and it will make it difficult for her to immerse herself fully into her new life.



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Sunday 1 July 2012

Outlander Read-a-Long - Chapters 8-14






1. Claire has been given the task of healer at the castle. She must adapt her nursing skills for the time and learn what herbs and etc will cure each particular ailment that is presented to her. Do you have any home remedies that were passed down to you (cure for a cold, bee sting or what have you)?  

There is only one thing that I can think of and that is warm milk and pepper for period pains. I know it doesn’t sound very nice but I think it tastes pretty yummy. :) As it is usually drank around the same time as taking pain killers I have yet to figure out if it works or not lol.


2. What do you think would be the biggest challenge of living in the past? (Clothing, hygiene, food, etiquette or etc.)

I think I would have to go with lack of electricity. We have all became so dependent on it that a simple power cut is enough to throw us for a loop. And from no electricity comes everything else. We are used to having it to cook our food, to heat and light our homes and to wash our clothes. And suddenly – after getting thrown back in time we would have to learn all of these skills again.


3. Do you have a favorite character, scene or quote so far? If so, share it with us.
‘Does it bother you that I’m not a virgin?’ He hesitated a moment before answering.
‘Well, no,’ he said slowly, ‘so long as it doesna bother you that I am.’ He grinned at my drop-jawed expression, and backed towards the door.
‘Reckon one of us should know what they’re doing,’ he said. The door closed softly behind him; clearly the courtship was over.
(Now there is confidence for you ;)


And my favourite scene is when Claire is getting totally sloshed after signing the paper. And for some reason I find the bit with the fly funny… Yeah, I don’t know why.


4. What did you think about the addition of the blood bond in the wedding ceremony? Is this something you would do with the one you love?
Ready for a very quick and cheerful answer to this?
Kind of freaked me out.
And no.
Moving on…


5. Are you reading along closely with the scheduled chapters or are you ahead or behind? 
As of now (18:39 July 1st 2012) I have just caught up with the questions and I am behind with the reading. (Can’t win them all ;)) I am going to be doing some crazy catching up tonight :)

Link to my (late) post for chapters 1-7


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