May 31, 2013

May RAK Wrap-Up


Well, it's that time of the month again, it's RAK Wrap-up time. Unfortunately I was not able to participate and send out a RAK this month, but hopefully I will get around to it next month. However, I did receive 2 awesome books from a very awesome fellow blogger. I have been dying to read this and now I finally can thanks to Nikki over at Reviews by Abby. Thanks so much for the awesomeness Nikki! Muah!



May 26, 2013

Crafty Book Idea

So, most of you really don't know much about me. So I decided to write a few things about myself so you might understand why I wanted to show you this.

Hi! My name is Erin, I'm a 33 year old single mother. I love reading and writing reviews in my spare time. I developed a love of reading at a very young age, when my grandmother started to read to me. I used to love reading Amelia Bedelia (still do) and I loved Shel Silverstein. I still own his A Light in the Attic book and hope to pass it on to my soon to be 4 year old daughter.

I also picked up a few extra fine traits from my grandmother. Along with the reading, I also love cooking and love recreating new recipes or vamping up old ones. I also love to do crafts and have since my grandma gave me my own little box of trinkets and glitter and sequins and told me "here is the glue and paper, have fun". I have taken the love of crafts and have been teaching my daughter the very same things. Recently, I took a fancy with canning. I have been canning homemade jams and salsa and sauces for the past few months. Anything to keep myself busy.

I'm starting to get things together for a children's review blog where I will review anything children related, including books, toys and movies, and hope to see some of you there cheering me on. Maybe I can get that underway soon. My daughter has inspired me to do that.

I am currently unemployed, so with all this free time on my hands, I hope to get everything underway soon. I also wanted to let you all know that I am an Amazon associate and affiliated with The Book Depository. So anytime that you see those links on my posts or my sidebar and you decide to click and buy something, I get a small commission. I am in no way trying to get you to click on them, I just wanted to put that out there.

So I hope that you have learned a little about me. And now you can see why I am posting this, besides that this is such a cool and great idea.


I recently saw this posted on my Facebook page and instantly thought, "I have to do this". You can find old hardcover books at garage sales and such. I found the specs on this posted at the Creative Ideas site.

  • Conceal floating book shelf by umbra mounts to the wall and becomes invisible behind a stack of books
  • Constructed of powder-coated steel; mounting hardware included (inside fold of cardboard backing)
  • Supports up to 15-pound of books; maximum stack height 8-inch
  • Size: 5-1/2 by 7 by 6-1/2-inch; fits medium to large books.The maximum book depth is 10 inches.
  • Patented, award-winning design by miron lior; portion of proceeds donated to pratt institute school of art and design
You can purchase the mounts at Amazon

May 21, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #WoW @SpencerHillP @MaryGrayTweets


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.


This week my book is: 
The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray
Release date: October 22nd, 2013

Pre-order your copy today:
Amazon | TBD



A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.

At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.

The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.

If they play it right, then they'll be safe.

But if they play it wrong, they'll die.

In My Mailbox #IMM (aka) Birthday Haul [20]



So this is what I got last week in my mailbox and on my birthday friday, May 17th.


Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (from Listia) purchase: Amazon/TBD
These Broken Stars (from Disney Hyperion) purchase: Amazon/TBD
Beautiful Creatures (movie tie-in, birthday gift from mom) purchase: Amazon/TBD
Beautiful Darkness (birthday gift from mom) purchase: Amazon/TBD

May 17, 2013

Birthday Giveaway!



Today is my birthday, but I won't say which one (wink). So to celebrate my birthday, I am hosting a giveaway. The lucky winner will have their choice of one of three books! Are you excited? I know I am! Here is what I have up for grabs (just click on the picture to take you to the Goodreads page for the info). Now keep in mind, due to shipping costs, this giveaway is for the US only.




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May 14, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #WoW @AmieKaufman @DisneyHyperion

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.

This week my book is: 
These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman
Release date: December 10th, 2013

Pre-order your copy today:
Amazon | TBD




It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

May 10, 2013

Review: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

Title: Juliet Immortal
Author: Stacey Jay
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Genre: YA, Retelling, Fantasy
Release Date: Aug 9, 2011
Source: Random Buzzers
Purchase: TBD | Amazon
The most tragic love story in history . . . 


Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love. 



"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

I have always been a fan of re-tellings, and more so a fan of Romeo and Juliet, ever since we read it and watched the movie in school. So when I heard about this book, I just had to read it. And I'm glad that I did.

What I really liked about this book is that it wasn't what I expected. Jay keeps the reader questioning and curious about the fated night of Romeo and Juliet's demise. I found myself questioning what was going on throughout the entire book until the end when all the pieces of Juliet's life and afterlife come together.

When Juliet inhabits the body of Ariel Dragland, she is in for more then she bargained for. And she didn't realize Romeo would be so close behind. Juliet/Ariel notices that things are not quite right with this shift. She can't get a hold of her trusted Ambassadors by any means and Romeo is right on her feet and watching her every move. But he realizes something isn't right himself and devises a plan to try to save him and his beloved, Juliet. However, Juliet doesn't quite trust him and is faced with decisions of her own. Should she trust the boy she once loved and gave up everything for or should she embrace her new feelings for a boy that she doesn't quite know and is forbidden to love.

This had me pulled in from the start, trying to fit in as much reading time as I could. And that's quite hard with a 3 year old that keeps me busy all day long. I found myself staying up until 3am once or twice trying to read as much as I could before I went to sleep. It gripped on to my attention from the moment I picked it up and started reading to the very end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of second chances, a little action, romance and retellings. And if you're not familiar with Romeo & Juliet, it's ok, you really don't have to be to read this and get caught up into their lives.


May 7, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #WoW @genashowalter @HarlequinTeen


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.


This week my book is: 
Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter
Release date: September 24th, 2013




Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.




Pre-order your copy today:
Amazon: Hardcover
TBD: Hardcover 

Nerd Blast: Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck + Giveaway!

Book Nerd Tours

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck.






Back in Oregon, Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest–this time with Ren’s dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger’s Curse. Fraught with danger, spellbinding dreams, and choices of the heart, TIGER’S QUEST brings the trio one step closer to breaking the spell that binds them.
Winner of a Parent’s Choice Award!


You can purchase Tiger’s Quest at the following Retailers:




Colleen Houck’s New York Times bestselling Tiger’s Curse series has received national praise with the fourth book, Tiger’s Destiny, debuting September 2012. Colleen is a lifelong reader whose literary interests include action, adventure, science fiction, and romance. Formerly a student at the University of Arizona, she has worked as a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter for seventeen years. Colleen lives in Salem, Oregon, with her husband and a huge assortment of plush tigers.







And now for the giveaway!

1 Winner will receive a Tiger’s Curse Series Box Set by Colleen Houck.
2 Winners will receive a Signed Paperback Copy of Tiger’s Quest by Colleen Houck.

Giveaway is International!

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May 1, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday #WoW @SaundraMitchell


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.


This week my book is: 
Mistwalker by Saundra Mitchell
Release date: February 4th, 2014




When Willa Dixon’s brother dies on the family lobster boat, her father forbids Willa from stepping foot on the deck again. With her family suffering, she’ll do anything to help out—even visiting the Grey Man.

Everyone in her small Maine town knows of this legendary spirit who haunts the lighthouse, controlling the fog and the fate of any vessel within his reach. But what Willa finds in the lighthouse isn’t a spirit at all, but a young man trapped inside until he collects one thousand souls.

Desperate to escape his cursed existence, Grey tries to seduce Willa to take his place. With her life on land in shambles, will she sacrifice herself?

Pre-order your copy today:
Amazon: Kindle/Hardcover
TBD: Hardcover
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