Review: Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall

Title: Her Mad Hatter
Series: Kingdom, Book 1
Author: Marie Hall
Publisher: Self-Published
Length: 137 Pages Approx.
Publication Date: December 2, 2013
Available Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Bought
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Get it @: Amazon | Goodreads

Book Description:

Alice is all grown up. Running the Mad Hatter's Cupcakery and Tea Shoppe is a delicious job, until fate--and a fairy godmother with a weakness for bad boys--throws her a curveball. Now, Alice is the newest resident of Wonderland, where the Mad Hatter fuels her fantasies and thrills her body with his dark touch.

The Mad Hatter may have a voice and a body made for sex, but he takes no lovers. Ever. But a determined fairy godmother has forced Alice into Wonderland--and his arms. Now, as desire and madness converge, the Hatter must decide if he will fight the fairy godmother's mating--or fight for Alice.

Two nights ago I was lying on my bed, at the wee hours of the morning, browsing through Amazon on my cellphone, because sleeping seemed impossible at the time. That's how I stumbled into Her Mad Hatter, I was looking for a quick read and both the title and the description drew me in. Little did I know that I would end up enjoying the story so much.

Danika, a fairy godmother for the "bad boys" must find Hatter's true love before a year passes or the madness will fully consume and destroy him. Finally she finds the right Alice, a 24-year-old, cupcake shop owner and lover of all things Wonderland (and Hatter). Unfortunately, there has been quite a parade of "Alices" before including our leading lady's own great-grandmother. So much so that Hatter is not interested in going through with the whole thing all over again. Our Alice has just three days to convince Hatter that not only she is the real deal, but that she loves him with all her heart.

Her Mad Hatter is a re-imagining of, yup, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The story is very reminiscent to the Lewis Carroll's masterpiece in its whimsical and nonsensical quality that at the same time speaks volumes. It is also a beautiful, if short, love story.

It really surprised me because I was expecting a quick read, not to fall in love with the characters. I will be definitively continue on with the series, I'm curious about what else can the author do with our favorite villains. Regardless that is a re-telling of a children story, this book is for adult audiences.

The story, the first in a series, is currently free on Amazon. If you like Paranormal Romance you will enjoy this book.

Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Series: Harry Potter Companion Books, 1
Author: Newt Scamander (J.K. Rowling)
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Length: 42 Pages
Publication Date: November 1, 2001
Available Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Source: Confiscated it from my sisters book collection
My Rating: ★★★★★
Get it @: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Book Description: A copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them resides on almost every wizarding household in the country. Now, for a limited period only, Muggles too have the chance to discover where the Quintaped lives, what the Puffskein eats, and why it is best not to leave milk out for a Knarl.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to improving and saving the lives of children around the world, which means that the dollars and Galleons you exchange for it will do magic beyond the powers of any wizard. If you feel that this is insufficient reason to part with your money, I can only hope most sincerely that passing wizards feel more charitable if they ever see you being attacked by a Manticore.
-Albus Dumbledore

The book Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them is a common wizarding household item. Meaning that wizards all over the world find the information written on these pages to be very valuable and helpful with a great many magical creature related problems. Now, thanks to the amazing persuasive abilities of the one and only Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, muggles all around the globe have a chance to acquire a copy of this book. But not just any new edition, muggles will be able to purchase a copy with handwritten notes at random and irregular intervals on the pages of this book. And whose notes are these? Why, no less than those of The Boy Who Lived and his best friends Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger. These side-notes add an amusing touch to this already wonderful book. And, as if that wasn’t enough, twenty percent of the sales of this book will go to Comic Relief U. K., an organization set on helping children who live in poverty all around the world.

Now thought, in all seriousness this book is a wonderful addition to all PotterHeads out there. It’s funny and easy to read. I loved it from page one (seriously the first page had me in a fit of giggles) till the very end. It has many, many creatures identified in it, from dragons and unicorns all the way to fwoopers and acromantulas.

I truly loved this book J.K. Rowling has a wonderful gift through which she charms the reader and allows you to get lost inside the wonderful world of witches and wizards that she created. This book adds magic and expands the already big world of the infamous Harry Potter. In all honesty Rowlings could publish twenty books more just to expand on the history of Harrys world and I would more than happily read them all. I hope that someday she publishes Hogwarts Through the Ages. That would truly make my life complete, or as close as it will get xD

Comic Relief U.K.:

http://www.comicrelief.com/ 

http://www.comicrelief.com/about-us/product-licensing 

http://www.comicrelief.com/news/2009-07/harry-potter-book-profits-go-comic-relief 

http://www.comicrelief.com/news/2012-08/harry-potter-companion-books-now-available-ebooks

Review: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

Title: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire
Series: Love at Stake, Book 1
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Publisher: Avon
Length: 371 Pages Approx.
Publication Date: July 26, 2005
Available Format: Paperback, Mass Paperback, Kindle Edition, eBook, Audiobook
Source: Bought
My Rating: ★★★☆☆
Get it @: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Book Description:

Roman Draganesti is charming, handsome, rich...he's also a vampire. But this vampire just lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn't have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop-sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren't going well for Shanna Whelan, either. After witnessing a gruesome murder, she's next on the mob's hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral, because she's afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she's found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman's fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her?

This book was extremely funny and the romance was rather cute. Picture this, extremely old vampire, highly feared among his peers, bites into the neck of a rubber doll (I will leave the way he does this for you to find out when you read the book) and ends up dislodging one of his fangs from the root. He needs to reattach the fang before the sun forces him into slumber and his gums seal clean. But when he makes it to the only clinic available, a 24 hour dentist office, the doctor present not only refuses to attach a "dog tooth" in a "human" but she's attacked by a group of mobsters from whom she was hiding.

Review: UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn

Title: UnEnchanted
Series: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale, Book 1
Author: Chanda Hahn
Publisher: Self Published
Length: 216 Pages approx.
Publication Date: December 30, 2011
Available Format: Paperback, Kindle Edition, eBook
Source: Free Download
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Get it @: Amazon | Goodreads

Book Description:

Mina Grime is unlucky, unpopular and uncoordinated, that is until she saves her crush's life on a field trip, changing her High School status from loser to hero overnight. But with her newfound fame brings misfortune as an old family curse come to light. For Mina is descended from the Brothers Grimm and has inherited all of their unfinished fairy tale business. Which includes trying to outwit a powerful Story from making her its next fairytale victim.

To break the fairy tale curse on her family and stop these deadly events, Mina must finish the tales until the very Grimm end.

Picture yourself in high school, those awkward years. Now, not only are you a high school student, you are also a very clumsy one. One, so epically clumsy, that you are the school's outcast. You are such an epic klutz that some pretty weird, explainable things happen to you all the time. And that every single time one of these things happens, your Mom packs up and forces you change zip-codes. Now, imagine what it feels like to one day discover that the reason behind all of your misfortune is because you (and your kid brother) are the last descendants of the Brothers Grimm and as such you have inherited the family curse.

I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed this book. First heard about it when my sister asked me to buy her the second book in the series, then explained to me that she had stumbled into the first one (for free) at Amazon. I was intrigued by the premise so I went and downloaded myself a copy. This book turned out to be a great twist on the fairy tale realm. And much like my sister, now I want to get my hands on the next story.

ARC Review: Club Monstrosity by Jesse Petersen

Title: Club Monstrosity
Series: Monstrosity, Book 1
Author: Jesse Petersen
Publisher: Pocket Star
Length: 233 Pages
Publication Date: April 29, 2013
Available Format: Kindle Edition, eBook
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: ★★★★☆ 
Get it @: Amazon | Goodreads

Book Description:

Natalie’s one of Frankenstein’s creations and works in a New York City morgue. So of course she needs therapy. She and her friends—er, fellow monsters—have formed the world’s most exclusive, most dysfunctional support group. What could go wrong?

Undetected in the modern world and under pressure to stay that way, Natalie Grey, Dracula, Bob the Blob, and others (including the fetching wolfman Alec) meet regularly to talk about the pressures of being infamous in the Big Apple. Topics include how long it’s been since their last sighting, how their “story” creates stereotypes they can’t fulfill, and—gasp—sometimes even their feelings. But when their pervy Invisible Man, Ellis, is killed in a manner reminiscent of the H.G. Wells novel, it’s clear someone’s discovered their existence and is down for some monster busting.

Led by Natalie—and definitely not helped by Hyde’s bloodthirsty tendencies—the members of Monstofelldosis Anonymous band together for security and a little sleuthing. And maybe—maybe—if they don’t end up dead, they’ll end up friends somewhere along the way.

When I requested this book at NetGalley, I did it solely because of its blurb. Who could turn down the chance to see our favorite classical monsters adjust to modern day times? That they feel that they need to have a support group in order to be able to deal with all the changes that come with centuries of human evolution was just the icing on the cake. Based on that premise I was expecting to have a grand time while reading the story; and I’m so glad to say that the novel delivers.

Although the story is mostly mystery and horror, none of the deaths that occur throughout the narration are described as they are happening. No, these occur behind the scenes and we later find out about their gruesomeness alongside the characters. In a story about monsters that is quite a refreshing approach, so my hat tips to Ms. Petersen.

Review: Bewitching the Werewolf

Title: Bewitching the Werewolf
Author: Caroline Hanson
Publisher: Host of the Hills
Length: 62 Pages Aprox.
Publication Date: September 25, 2011
Available Format: Kindle Edition, eBook.
Source: Free Download @ Amazon
My Rating: ★★★☆☆
Get it @: Amazon | Goodreads

Book Description:

When witch for hire, Megan Stephens, is assigned to help the local werewolf pack leader find a mate, she thinks the job will be easy. Get in, get it up and get gone. But when she meets Zack Connor, she realizes her future might have a lot more dog jokes in it than she ever imagined.

I bought this book on a whim because I wanted to read something new, but had no idea what. So I went into check Amazon and stumble upon this baby. I'll admit it, the cover was the reason I got the book, that and the fact that it's a short.

Turns out that it's a really fun and quick story with lot's of witty lines that had me smiling through the whole thing. Short enough that it can be read in minutes, a little rushed, yet satisfying for such a short story. I'm looking forward to read more about this author.

Best part is that so far it's still FREE at Amazon; click on the corresponding link above to check it out. It includes an excerpt for Love is Darkness, the first book in the Valery Dearborn trilogy.

Quotes (said by Megan):

"Fortunately, I’m the best Wiccan in a two state area. So my personality literally can’t get me fired. (Kindle Locations 43-44)." 

"...endless windows giving the impression of being outside. It was exactly how I liked nature— air conditioned and bug free. (Kindle Locations 58-59)."

Review: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

Title: Slave to Sensation
Series: Psy-Changeling, Book 1
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Length: 293 Pages
Publication Date: September 5, 2006
Available Format: Kindle Edition, eBook, Paperback, Mass Paperback, Audiobook.
Source: Bought
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Get it @: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description:

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”— the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was….

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation…

Sometimes I put off books based on the most idiotic of arguments. In this case it was the cover and the length of the series. Although the cover has an incredibly hot guy, something about it (can’t quite say what) wasn’t calling me. But thanks to Kick’n Ladies I gave this series a go and boy I wish I had done so a while ago.

Review: An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and, Jean Johnson

Title: An Enchanted Season
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Length: 341 Pages
Publication Date: October 2, 2007
Available Format: Kindle Edition, eBook, Paperback, Mass Paperback
Source: Bought
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Get it @: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Book Description: (taken from Goodreads)

It's the time of year when dreams come true, miracles happen every day, and love is the greatest gift of all. The holidays always seem to bring out the best in everyone, with heartfelt hugs for long-missed friends, sincere smiles in the spirit of the season, and a feeling of magic in the air...

This scintillating collection of paranormal romances celebrates the holidays as never before. From a shape-shifting leopardess who wants a pack-mate to be her soulmate, to a sudden snowstorm that brings a surprise gift, these four tales will stir readers' spirits in all the right places.

An anthology of Christmas stories, perfect for the holiday season. It includes four shorts: Melting Frosty by Maggie Shayne, Charlotte’s Web by Erin McCarthy, Beat the Temptation by Nalini Singh, and Gift of the Magi by Jean Johnson. Because these are short stories I can’t really tell you what they are about without risking revealing the whole thing up, but I’ll do my best to review them without spoilers.

So I read this book due to the Vet VS Newbies challenge at Goodreads’ Gotta Have Paranormal Romance with a Kick Group. The book showcases spirits, witches, werewolves, and the magi and I totally love it. I usually stray away from Christmas books unless I want to read a story from a particular author. It’s nothing against the books, just not what I normally read. Which is why I’m so glad that I was given this book as one of my alternatives, otherwise I would have missed it completely. All four stories are worth the time and can be read in one sitting.

Here is the breakdown:

Blog Tour: Wisteria by Bisi Leyton

Hey Everyone! How have you all been?

Did you read yesterday’s review? Where you intrigued to know more? Well then, I have a treat for you today, Bisi Leyton –author of Wisteria (the first novel in her YA PNR Series– has joined forces with Innovative Online Book Tours and us Bloggers to bring you a taste of the story. And today is your chance to read Wisteria’s Prologue and the complete first chapter.

But before we get to the reading I bet you are wondering who Bisy Leyton is? Well…

Bisi Leyton was born in East London in 1978. She grew up in London, Nigeria and the States, listening to the stories life and love from aunts, cousins and big sisters.

She lives in London, but has worked around Europe including France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She has a fondness for reading graphic novels.

You can find her @:

• Facebook, 
• Twitter (@bisileyton), 
• Goodreads, 
• Current Blog, and/or 
• Old Blog

Now, unto what you want to read ^.^ Enjoy…

Review: Wisteria by Bisi Leyton

Title: Wisteria
Series: Wisteria, Book 1
Author: Bisi Leyton
Publisher: Self-Published
Length: Aprox. 275 Pages, 484 KB
Publication Date: August 15, 2012
Available Formats: Kindle Edition, eBook
Source: IO Book Tours
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Get it @: Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads

Book Description:

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.

Eighteen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dirt People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows.

Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.

This book is classified as Young Adult Paranormal Romance, and although it fits the bill, the story itself pulls from a wider set of norms. In fact, the novel has many elements of the horror and the sci-fi genre. To begin with, the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a scientifically created virus has turned most of humanity into flesh –and brain– eating zombies. Sprinkle the mix with a healthy dose of mostly older sexy teenage aliens and inter-dimensional traveling and you have the recipe for great entertainment.

Review: Quidditch through the Ages

Title: Quidditch through the Ages
Series: Harry Potter Companions Book, 2
Author: Kennilworthy Whisp (J.K. Rowling)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Length: 56 pages
Publication Date: September, 2001
Available Formats: Hardcover, Paperback
Source: Borrowed
My Rating: ★★★★★
Get it @: Amazon | Book Depository

Book Description:

If you have ever asked yourself where the Golden Snitch came from, how the Bludgers came into existence, or why the Wigtown Wanderers have pictures of meat cleavers on their robes, you need Quidditch Through The Ages. This limited edition is a copy of the volume in Hogwarts School Library, where it is consulted by young Quidditch fans on an almost daily basis.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to improving and saving the lives of children around the world – work that is even more important and astonishing than the three-and-a-half-second capture of the Golden Snitch by Roderick Plumpton in 1921. – Albus Dumbledore

I confiscated this book along with many others from my sister’s collection out of boredom. xD

Quidditch Through The Ages is a must have for all fans of the sport. Whether new to this sport or a lifelong fanatic this is a valuable addition to anybody’s personal collection.

Review: Dreamwalker by Andrea Heltsley

Title: Dreamwalker
Series: Persephone’s League of Immortals, Book 1
Author: Andrea Heltsley
Publisher: Andrea Heltsley
Length: 951 KB
Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Available Format: Paperback, Kindle Edition.
Source: Supplied by the author through IO Book Tours
My Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Get it @: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Description:

Noel Kennedy lost her boyfriend, her job and her dignity all in one week. Then something happened and she began to dream of this stranger she had never met. She couldn’t resist the man of her dreams named Jared especially when she met him in real life. Entranced, she slowly unraveled a world she was meant to stay out of. Her life was not what she thought it was once a sexy Boone stepped into the mix and shook things up. Can she escape a life of servitude or immortality for a chance at love?

I really wanted to like this story because it has a great concept; unfortunately the elements that I didn’t like were far too many for me to enjoy this book.

Some of the characters (like Sam and Autumn) are intriguing and kept the story fresh. However, I just had problems with the way the main characters were portrayed. The story focuses heavily on two elements that have become my pet peeves when reading books, the love triangle between Noel, Jared and Boone and her “lust at first sight” reaction to both guys.

Review: The Quest for the Last Kimeiji

Title: The Quest for the Last Kimeiji
Series: The Last Tales of the Kimeiji, Book 1
Author: Francisco Muñiz
Publisher: iUniverse
Length: 237 Pages, 397 KB,
Publication Date: March 4, 2008
Available Formats: Paperback, Kindle Edition.
My Rating: ★★★★☆

A High Fantasy children book that showcases the journey that a child is willing to undertake in order to prevent evil forces from obtaining a powerful amulet.

Book Description (from Goodreads):

In this debut of "The Last Tales of the Kimeiji" trilogy, the essence of a powerful magic force known as the Manaya is lost one night when a dark wizard tries to steal it to become its guardian –the Kimeiji– again. The incident triggers a chain of events that lead an entire world into war, and as a result, kingdoms fall, countries are divided, many die, and history is marked forever.

Yet under the trees of the enchanted Cloud Forest, a young elf named Atrelis has no knowledge of that past. When a wounded dragon who falls from the sky entrusts Atrelis with a magic amulet, the past seems to return, for the amulet is the key of the Manaya, which long ago allowed the Kimeiji to control the powerful magic force. Now, the evil Kali troopers are after the amulet, and Atrelis must deliver it to Minol, the last keeper of the Manaya.

Thus Atrelis is plunged into an unforgettable mission in which he encounters fantastical creatures and reaches extraordinary places where danger, excitement, deception, and magic lead him to the first step of the destiny he's not sure he wants to fulfill.

The Quest for the Last Kimeiji follows Atrelis as he crosses land after land in order to fulfill his mission. In his journey Atrelis meets great friends and even greater foes. The story takes place in a different world, it’s not our past or an alter reality, is a completely different world from ours. One that has strong magical connections and where the creature of folklore and legends are as real as the next person.

ARC Review: Gabriel by M.A Abraham

Title: Gabriel
Series: Elven Chronicles, Book 1
Author: M.A. Abraham
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Length: 183 pages
Publication Date: 2012
Available Format:
Source: ARC in PDF supplied by the author
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Get it @: Amazon

Book Description:

"He has returned from the wars a hero to his people, savior of their Empire and honored as such, but his world is empty, despite the peace he has won for his people. There is no light where he lives, no soft touch to comfort him, to push away the darkness of his memories. He lives only to serve his King and the world he lives in. He is the High Lord General Gabriel Eagle Claw, Commander of the Combined Elven forces sent into the outside world to bring their people home he travels with his troop to the valley where he has been told they await his coming. She is like a forest creature, wild and free. Warrior trained alongside her brothers. She guards the life and spirit of the forests that surround them, as well as those who live in the valley with them. She also guards a secret, for she is more than just a simple Elven maiden tending to the care of the elements they live in. Bur when blue eyes meet silver each knows they have met their Life Mate, but such things are not as quickly accepted as they are recognized. He would have order in his ranks, she must be free to mark her own trail, he would bind her, tie her, control her. She would test his patience and will to the limit, and challenge his rights to own what she would not give freely."

One of the main reasons I love the fantasy genre so much is for its epic worlds and descriptions. The adventures have a monumental feeling with a wonderful lore supporting the main story arc. That is exactly what I got when I read Gabriel.

Gabriel Blitz Tour

Hello my amazing followers and lurkers, today I have a special treat for you. My first Blitz Tour! (Also known as a Blog Hop) To celebrate the occasion, we are being visited today by author Mary Ann Abraham who is here to talk to us a bit about her debut novel “Gabriel” and to give us a slight insight into her mind and the mind of her major characters.

For my review of the book go HERE.

So without further ado, let’s give a warm welcome to M.A. Abraham:

In my mind the kiss of death of any story is slow dialogue. A book that is not moving is one that is apt to get thrown across the room in frustration. I think that reasoning follows through with most anyone who reads. Sure there are people who read books I consider dull, people who think any book that is not academic is not worth reading. I am sure there are people who think Gabriel silly and without purpose. It is not a story that is meant to have a major purpose; it is meant to be entertaining. I hope I reached that goal. It is meant to make you chuckle and shake your head with the things that happen at times between the proverbial covers. It is also meant to show love in all the different forms it can take.

ARC Review: The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Title: The Peculiars
Series: Standalone Book
Author: Maureen Doyle McQuerry
Publisher: Amulet Books
Length: 354 Pages
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Reviewed Format: eGalley through NetGalley
My Rating: ★★½☆☆☆

Description: 
Lena Mattacascar has lived all her life scared of what she might be; hiding her abnormal hands and feet fearing that someone will recognize her as a Peculiar, not knowing if she truly is one. On her 18th birthday her mother hands her over a letter left by her deadbeat dad which prompts her to pack her bags and travel to Scree, a territory believed to be the home of all Peculiars to try to find her long lost father. Will she ever see him again, or will destiny have another plan for her?

Lena, as the female heroine and main character of the story, was –for me– a bit disappointing; she began as a strong character and somehow was replaced halfway through the story. I like my heroines to be strong. Lena’s insecurities were so deeply rooted on her need to be accepted that she let others dictate her actions instead of taking ownership of her situation. She is constantly just waiting to be rescued and relies on others to be able to do anything. Strangely, that is not the character that we meet at the beginning of the book. From the get go Lena seems to be ready to find out her father and just try to make it on her own. However, as soon as she arrives at the first point on her destination she completely develops the damsel in distress syndrome. Even when she ‘takes matters into her own hands’ she is just ignoring the evidence right in front of her and letting other characters’ decisions and actions determine her moves and her path.

ICED Teaser Quotes

So far (or rather, as far as I know) Karen Marie Moning has given us three teaser quotes from her next novel ICED, a continuation of the Fever Series from Dani’s POV. Today, she gave us a short (fourth) quote. So I decided to dedicate a post to the torturing times that are sure to come with a series of quotes; October can’t get here soon enough!

I’ll be reposting the first three quotes plus today’s quote and any future one as well, so stay tune…

For some Into the Dreaming Teaser follow this link.

First ICED Teaser

Four nights he’s come to me, murmuring my name, making it an exquisite melody with which not even the divine orchestral choir of all the angels in heaven could compete.  He chimes my name in the language of the Unseelie and it makes my ears ring until my mind is emptied of all thought, until my eyes are incapable of beholding any vision other than him. He is so beautiful that merely looking at him makes me weep and when I brush tears from my cheeks, my hands come away stained red with blood. He wakes me but doesn’t wake me. He takes me to a place that is so perfect and serene and free of worry that I want to stay there forever. My name is Cruce, he says. Not V’lane. I was so weary of wearing his golden shining face. He was never half the Fae I am. I have you in the Dreaming, is it not beautiful? Do you not feel divine here with me? You need not fear me. I am not what I seem.
 I’m in danger.

Second ICED Teaser

Underworld: Awakening

Movie: Underworld: Awakening
Genre(s): Action, Fantasy, Horror
Runtime: 88 minutes
Format: 2D and 3D
Rating: R
Studio: Screen Gems
Country: USA
Language: English (with Spanish subtitles)
Official Website: http://www.entertheunderworld.com/

Director(s): Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein
Producer(s): David Kern, Gary Lucchesi, James McQuaide, Tom Rosenberg, Skip Williamson, Henry Winterstern, Len Wiseman, Richard S. Wright
Writer(s): Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, Allison Burnett, Kevin Grevioux, Danny McBride
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Theo James, Kris Holden-Ried

Release Date: January 20, 2012 (USA); January 26, 2012 (PR)
Find it: In a theater near you
Scores:

• Metacritic: 39/100 (critics); 7.2/10 (users)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 31% (critics); 75% (users)
• My rating: ★★★☆☆

Underworld: Awakening opened in theaters here in Puerto Rico this past Thursday. I have been a loyal fan to the franchise since the very first Underworld made its debut, so naturally by Friday I was, with ticket in hand and boyfriend in tow (not that he minded ~.^), walking into the cinema to enjoy the next chapter of this epic story. We managed to find some decent seats in the top level of the fully packed cinema. 45 minutes of movie trailers and same commercials that I can watch home and the movie began. Approximately an hour and a half later the credits began to roll and I was left with a feeling of “that’s it?!” Let me explain…

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Inkspell

Title: Inkspell
Series: Inkheart Trilogy (Book 2)
Author(s): Cornelia Funke
Publisher: The Chicken House
Publication Date: October 1, 2005
Reviewed Format: Hardcover
My Rating: ★★★★☆

Inkspell is the second book in the Inkheart trilogy. Although some scenes in the book are predictable the overall story is great. It has amazing characters (you actually want to see the bad guys suffer). And is a magical journey. The story picks up one year after the events in the first book. The Silvertongue family is overwhelmed for finally being together but Meggie can't take the "Inkworld" off her mind, and so decides to visit it when Farid comes asking for her help. But just four days after her departure things go sour when the surviving Mortola and Basta try to avenge Capricorn's death attacking the family. And so we finally make our way to a world no longer bound by the covers of the book. Where the characters struggle to survive while the book/story goes on telling itself.

For those expecting the ending of this particular book to have some resolution, it doesn't. It ends like any normal chapter when you are half way through a story. That is because the story continues in the third book right where this ends. And do expect a little chronological back and forth since the main characters are split from one another.

This review originally appeared on my amazon, as one of my reviews.