Wednesday Writing

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).

Current Active Project:

Princess Bs - 32,131 words

A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?

Other Works in Progress:

Tamlyn Marie's Grace - 12,072 words

Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)

The Last Mountains - 15,352

A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?

Night Rider - 17,229

Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

Other Ideas Plotting:

The New Old Home

A lottery won and what is decided to do with the money.

Bloodsoar's Story

A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.

The Assassin's Assassin

A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.

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No new writing this week but I have started the outline for New Old Home, getting ready for Nanowrimo! I have to say I am in love with the characters already and all I have done was lay out their descriptions and personalities!

Note: sorry late, I thought I had scheduled this but it only went to draft.

What's on the List This Week?

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Okay, so I got a little distracted yesterday by the book I was reading and forgot to post!

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Wildwing by Emily Whitman

Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan

Shattered Dreams by Laura Landon

Falke's Peak by Anna Leigh Keaton (review to come)

A Matter of Choice by Laura Landon

and a few others

Currently Reading:

 Sabriel by Garth Nix - PB - on page 187 of 496

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - PB - on page 18 of 348

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Taste Me by Tamara Hogan - Nook - on Page 30 of 384

Next Books to be Read:

Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories

Holes by Lewis Sachar - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge

She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron - Poetry/ 2011 Challenge

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Rhodie Readers Book Club

 

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In other news, there will be some changes coming up on the blog. I have let things fall by the wayside and intend to get caught up again.  I will only participate in Follow Friday on occasion since I can't seem to be able to keep up on it. I will be starting up the Bedtime Stories again.  I will also be bringing back Shelving Saturday but I am going to make it a once a month thing. Writing Wednesday will stay the same as will Monday Reading list. Poetry Pause will be for the next couple weeks to finish this year's poetry challenge, but other than that I find my love for poetry severely lacking and will only have a pause once in a great while.  In My Mailbox will be coming back as well but may be once a month (unless of course I have a great shopping week hehe).  One more note worthy item is that my blogoversary will be coming up shortly and I have a little giveaway planned, so stay tuned!!

Review of Shattered Dreams by Laura Landon

Synopsis: "Brentan Montgomery, Earl of Charfield has one love - his stable of Arabian horses. When he is offered breeding rights to the Marquess of Fellingsdown’s prize Arabian, El Solidar, if for two weeks he acts as companion to Fellingsdown’s sister, he doesn’t care if the reclusive Lady Elyssa has three chins and a dozen hairy moles, the prize at the end is worth anything he has to endure. But when he meets the elusive Lady Elyssa Prescott, all thoughts of gaining a prize Arabian colt disappear. He realizes he’s met the woman of his dreams - if only he can keep her from discovering the deceit that brought them together and convince her that her imperfections don’t matter to him.

Lady Elyssa Prescott knows what it’s like to be ridiculed and shunned. But when Brent Montgomery lets her glimpse a world where her limitations aren’t important, she believes it’s possible for her dreams to become a reality. Until she discovers the man with whom she’s fallen in love was ‘hired’ to offer her everything she’s always dreamed of having.

The cruel reality of a love built on deceit shatters both their dreams and threatens to destroy their lives forever."

My Review: Wow, Shattered Dreams will send your emotions rolling, your heart fluttering and the tears flowing. It sucks you in within the first few pages with beautiful descriptions and fantastic characters. You can't help but care about every character and fall especially in love with Elly. I was drawn in by the Arabian horse element which quickly fell to the back burner as I dove into the story. You see how misunderstandings and assumptions can destroy hearts and lives and how love can sometimes mend those. I really can't wait to read more of Laura Landon's books!

My Rating: This is definitely a Four Paw book for me!

Review of Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan

Synposis: "When a regular night of Robin Hood-ery results in the manifestation of some, um, unusual paranormal abilities, perfume-maker Elleodora Fredricks realizes the normal world she lives in isn't quite... normal. And neither is she, thanks to her father, king of the shadow elves. Not only is he evil incarnate and the reason Elle moonlights as a burglar-someone has to take care of all his victims-he's stolen her memories.
And only reading her fate can fix that.

Good thing she's got a trio of hotties willing to help her find said fate, but only if she gives them something in return. Saving her oracle BFF's fiance, falling in love with the gargoyle, and making up for breaking the phoenix's heart ought to be a piece of cake for the princess of the shadow elves.

If only the king didn't want his daughter dead..."

My Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this one, I could not put it down and read it all through work and finished it when I got home. Now I can't wait for the next book to come out! I loved the characters, and the story line. When I first started I was a little confused but I believe Jess Macallan meant for it to read like that because we learned what was going on along side of the MC Elle, it helped connect with her. Jax, oh my *fans self* total hottie, possessive hottie but when he come with wings and turns to stone who cares! I really really cannot wait for the next book to come out soon! I want to thank Erika from Badass Book Review Blog who hosted the giveaway I won this book from and also Danielle from Entangled publishing for sending it to me and allowing for the giveaway!

My Rating: I could not pull my eyes away from this one and I am anxious for the next book so I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

** also fun note - this was my 100th book this year!!

Review of Wildwing by Emily Whitman

Synopsis: "When Addy is swept back in time, she couldn't be happier to leave her miserable life behind. Now she's mistaken for Lady Matilda, the pampered ward of the king. If Addy can play her part, she'll have glorious gowns, jewels, and something she's always longed for—the respect and admiration of others. But then she meets Will, the falconer's son with sky blue eyes, who unsettles all her plans.

From shipwrecks to castle dungeons, from betrothals to hidden conspiracies, Addy finds herself in a world where she's not the only one with a dangerous secret. When she discovers the truth, Addy must take matters into her own hands. The stakes? Her chance at true love . . . and the life she's meant to live."

My Review Well I did enjoy Wildwing. I loved the time periods but I didn't really connect with the characters. While I enjoyed them, I seemed to like the sub-characters more than the main characters. Also I felt that I had read the book before, and well before the end of the book I could see how it would end, but I kept reading in hopes that something different would pop up. It was still an interesting book and one that could be a favorite for some people, I just found it a little predictable. The feature of "hawking" was a great addition to the book and one thing I loved about it

My Rating: While it wasn't my favorite book it was still enjoyable, so I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

It's Not Monday - again

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Okay, so I got a little distracted yesterday by the book I was reading and forgot to post!

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

Wildwing by Emily Whitman (review coming soon)

Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan (review coming soon)

Currently Reading:

 

Sabriel by Garth Nix - PB - on page 179 of 496

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - PB - on page 18 of 348

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Next Books to be Read:

 

Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories

Holes by Lewis Sachar - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge

She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron - Poetry/ 2011 Challenge

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Rhodie Readers Book Club

Wednesday Writing

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).

Current Active Project:

Princess Bs - 32,131 words

A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?

Other Works in Progress:

Tamlyn Marie's Grace - 12,072 words

Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)

The Last Mountains - 15,352

A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?

Night Rider - 17,229

Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

Other Ideas Plotting:

The New Old Home

A lottery won and what is decided to do with the money.

Bloodsoar's Story

A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.

The Assassin's Assassin

A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nothing new this week, but I hope to have some done next week and maybe start planning for November's Nanowrimo!

Poetry Pause: Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

I am working in the poetry section of my own 2011 Reading Challenge. I had planned on posting the poems for you to join me in reflecting on them; however, I am not entirely certain on the copyright laws regarding some of the poets we will read. So to be on the safe side I decided to try to link you to the poem I will be reading.

Another option, if you are looking to purchase a book of poetry, I suggest Half Hours with the Best Poets (Barnes & Noble or Amazon)

This is a fantastic collection of poems, nearly all of my top poems are in this one book!

So the next poem is

 

Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

The title link with take you to the poem

 

 

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

 

I don't know if I am just in a pessimistic mood today or what because I honestly am not struck with this poem. I know it is one of the most popular of love poems and is on Valentine's cards, Wedding cards and Anniversary cards. I really don't get the feel of why it is a love poem other than loving the person's beauty, but you don't know what that beauty is. I also don't that surge of feeling that you get when reading something to do with love and think about your own loved ones.  I have to say I am definitely more partial to Shakespeare's plays as opposed to his poems.

Its Monday, What are you Reading?

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

I decided to join in this meme for my sanity and your own to keep track of what books have bookmarks in them!

I have a few weeks to catch up on here! I read a ton while we were out of power and didn't get a chance to review everything (heck I don't even know if I have them all listed!).

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

A Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Grampa-Lop by Stephen Cosgrove

How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Dangerous Desire by Diane Escalera

Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze

Heart of a Knight by Barbara Samuel

Wild Hearts by Susan Mallery (no review)

Virgin Slave, Barbarian King by Louise Allen (no review)

Dusty Britches by Marcia Lynn McClure (no review)

 

 

 

Currently Reading:

Wildwing by Emily Whitman - HC - on page 35 of 359

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - PB - on page 18 of 348

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - PB - on page 23 of 269

 

Next Books to be Read:

Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories

Holes by Lewis Sachar - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge

Sabriel by Garth Nix - YA/ 2011 Challenge

Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare - Poetry/ 2011 Challenge

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Rhodie Readers Book Club

Review of Heart of a Knight by Barbara Samuel

Synopsis: "Lady Elizabeth D'Auvers returns to her beloved home, Woodell Castle, after a self-imposed exile to save herself and her stepchildren from the plague sweeping Britain. Afraid that she will find death and ruin, she is relieved to discover that her castlefolk and lands have thrived in her absence due to the presence of Lord Thomas of Roxburgh. Lord Thomas's great physical size is equaled only by the size of his heart, and his kindness and care for her people earn him the Lady's gratitude. But Elizabeth soon feels much more for Thomas than gratefulness, for desire and passion draw her to the dark, mysterious knight. Thomas, too, is powerfully attracted to the beautiful Lady, but the secrets he keeps may destroy their chance at happiness and bring about his own death."

My Review: Another beautifully written book by Barbara Samuel. I aboslutely love her descriptions, it paints such an amazing picture you can almost look around you and see the scene playing out. The characters were well thought out and even the sub-characters were well developed. It did seem like there was a little too much pushing and pulling in the middle that caused a little lull but it was nice to see the little things that cause love to grow. The ending is such a rush of nervous excitment that you can't pull your eyes away from the page.

My Rating: I really enjoyed reading this one, though it did seem a little slow at times and is definitely longer than most romance novels I have read, but it was beautifully written and put together.  I give Heart of a Knight a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!



Review of Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze

Synopsis: "Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties...They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan.
These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon—but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan...
If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crislin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first."

My Review: Let me first start by saying I loved the 1st person narration! Its not very often I enjoy books with first person, but this really fit the book. Next let me say that it is like so many other fantasy and quest stories but yet still so unlike that it really holds you in. Christine really does a great job of painting the images in your mind as well as making you feel the emotions of the characters. I really did enjoy the characters, granted I would have loved to have Chalom be more involved in the story, I didn't get as much of a feel for him as I would have liked (don't get me wrong, I love him, I just want more of him). It was a great fantasy quest to tag along for, and not quite the ending I was expecting. There were a few surprises throughout the story that really kept you on your toes. Another great book from Christine Schulze!

My Rating: This one gets Four Paws from me! I really enjoyed it an hope there is more to come!

**Note: The ebook version of this was sent to me by the author for review.

Review of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Synopsis: "The adventures of Desperaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin."

My Review: This was a fun book to read. Even though there were dark parts and not so pleasant things happening, the narration was still kept light. I really like the story telling type voice that was used when Kate DiCamillo wrote this one. The story moved a long quickly and sucked you in; however for some reason I didn't really connect with any of the characters as strongly as I normally do. After finishing it though I did crave soup hahaha!

My Rating: I really enjoyed reading about Despereaux and think that it was written well for middle grade readers. Even adults can enjoy it.  So I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

Review of Dangerous Desire by Diane Escalera

Synopsis: "Sienna Diaz is desperate to find her missing beagle, no matter what it costs. She hires Cruz Santino, the best-and hottest-in the business. He's an ex cop, dangerous on many levels, which comes in handy when all evidence indicates her beloved pet was snatched to use in a dogfighting ring.

Cruz will do whatever it takes to find Sienna's lost pet, but he also wants results from the smokin' hot attraction between them-and he isn't above breaking his own hands-off-clients rule to get there. However, until he brings her beloved beagle home safely, he won't have Sienna's undivided attention...and affection."

My Review: I won this on a Badass Book Review blog giveaway and must thank Erika so much and Diane Escalera as well for sending me this book! I loved Dangerous Desire. I could relate to the characters well, with their love of dogs. I really enjoyed the banter between the characters, especially Tori she was a great sub-character! And good gordy, Cruz! What a hottie, everything a woman could ever want and of course Sienna is what every woman wishes she could be! I really enjoyed reading about a dog fighting ring being busted, I know it's fiction but it still feels good. There were only a few little hiccups that distracted from the book, for example I didn't see the point of her loosing her job, except to gain more sympathy also it seemed a little fast for their relationship to grow over a single weekend, I did however like seeing the realistic conflict between Cruz and Sienna after the moment of crisis. All in all though it was a great book, a fast read and very entertaining, I couldn't put it down!        

My Rating:  I really enjoyed Dangerous Desire and can't wait to read more from Diane! I give this one Four Paws!

Review of Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey

Synopsis: "Kristen Haardrad met the icy fury in her captor's crystal-green gaze with defiance. She was the prisoner of Royce of Wyndhurst, but his slave she'd never be. This powerful Saxon lord had at last met his match in the Viking beauty - his equal in pride, in strength...and in the fierce, hot hunger of insatiable desire. But Kristen could not know the torment that divided his soul; how he ached to hold her soft, supple body, thirsted for the ringing joy of her laughter - yet hated her for an ancient crime that was not her own.

But her golden loveliness drives him mad with desire, her fiery eyes taunting him, compelling him to claim her. Until, in wordless surrender, they cast aside the shackles of doubt and distrust to unite forever in the searing promise of all-consuming love"

My Review: So I have something to confess to, I have a major soft spot when it comes to Vikings and Norsemen and Norsewomen! I absolutely loved this book! Kristen is such a strong woman, doesn't show weakness and makes those in charge feel like they are in charge even though she is really calling the shots. I also loved all of her friends and family, it was great to see those close family bonds. Royce, wow what to say about Royce, I enjoyed reading his character and really fell for him even with his rough and hateful exterior. I really enjoyed the little spats between Kristen and Royce, you could feel the hatred yet attraction through their interactions. Granted it was an ending you would expect but you still loved every minute of the tale.        

My Rating: This was an exciting book that I couldn't put down so I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

Review of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Synopsis: "A ten-year-old orphan comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors where she discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden." My Review: Its been a long time since I originally read this book and I know I wasn't a huge fan then but I did enjoy it this time around. I don't know why it took me so long to finally finish the book because it moves a long nicely and I grew attached to the characters and the scenes that were painted for me. I th...moreSynopsis: "A ten-year-old orphan comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors where she discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden." My Review: Its been a long time since I originally read this book and I know I wasn't a huge fan then but I did enjoy it this time around. I don't know why it took me so long to finally finish the book because it moves a long nicely and I grew attached to the characters and the scenes that were painted for me. I think maybe it was trying to read the Yorkshire that slowed me down, but it was an important part of the story. As I said I really grew to love the characters, especially Dickon and Ben Weatherstaff. It was great to see both Mary and Colin grow and become less self centered. It was very interesting to see how Mary, after seeing Colin, put together that she had acted the same way and how she changed herself. It was a very enjoyable book, one I plan to keep in my collection. My Rating: While I enjoyed the book this time, I can now see why I didn't enjoy it the first time I read it, for someone younger it might seem like the story drags and the Yorkshire language can be difficult to read. However, I think it would be good for kids to read it and maybe learn that going outside does a person a lot of good!  I give The Secret Garden Three Paws.

Wednesday Writes

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).

Current Active Project:

Princess Bs - 32,131 words

A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?

I cam so close to finishing on time for the Nanocamp! If I hadn't lost power because of Irene then maybe I would have, but oh well, we have another Nano coming up soon enough. So for now I am going to continue working on this story as well as some of the others I have started and begin planning for this years Nano!

Other Works in Progress:

Tamlyn Marie's Grace - 12,072 words

Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)

The Last Mountains - 15,352

A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?

Night Rider - 17,229

Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

Other Ideas Plotting:

The New Old Home

A lottery won and what is decided to do with the money.

Bloodsoar's Story

A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.

The Assassin's Assassin

A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I know I haven't been too active lately, it has been due to the lack of power and clean up from the storm, but I promise you I have several reviews to share with you and will have everything caught up and back on track for next week!

Follow Friday & In My Mailbox

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - Jenni Elyse & Caught in the Pages
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. LINKY TOOLS IS BACK! I paid for the subscription - finally so now you can add the links to your own post!!! To add the code to your own post click on GET THE CODE here under the list of names.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q. If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

Hmm, tough question! I am sure there are a lot books that I would want to change the ending of, but I think its usually not so much how the characters ended but because of a rushed ending. I really dislike when it seems as though the author either was pushed to finish the series or book because of deadlines and just threw their ideas down or when it seems as though they just lost interest in the story lines and characters and finished it just to get it done and move on to something they find more interesting.

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In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren that I have decided to participate in.

How IMM works:
Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
I post every week, but you don’t have to. You can do one week out of the month or every other week it’s up to you.
You don't have to call your post In My Mailbox... (some people don't even have mailboxes!)
I post my IMM on Sunday, but choose a day of the week that works for you.
Once you have your IMM posted, come back to The Story Siren on Sunday and add your link to the list.
Try to post a comment on other bloggers IMM posts. I don’t expect you to post a comment on every single one, but pick a few!

All book bloggers are welcome, while I’d like to keep the theme to YA literature it’s NOT a requirement.

There is no right or wrong way to do In My Mailbox, you can vlog, you can take fun picture, you can use the books cover art, it’s up to you!

Most importantly HAVE FUN!

 

So knowing that I would probably loose power because of Hurricane Irene, I stocked up on books for my Nook . . .

 

"Who can tame the wildest man in Titanville?

Zeke Titan has a reputation for breaking hearts, but the townspeople of Titanville can't deny all the good he's done for them. So they turn the other cheek as he seduces one schoolteacher after another. Until Alethea Harbaugh comes to town.
The new teacher brings with her a passion for women's rights that invigorates the ladies of Titanville, and instills fear in the men. Zeke is intent on seducing her, if only to send her running, ruined, from the town so that things can return to normal. But Zeke just might have met his match...in more ways than one!"

"Julia Livia Rufa is horrified when barbarians invade Rome and steal everything in sight. But she doesn't expect to be among the taken! As Wulfric's woman, she's ordered to keep house for the uncivilized marauders. Soon, though, Julia realizes that she's more free as a slave than she ever was as a sheltered Roman virgin. It would be all too easy to succumb to Wulfric's quiet strength, and Julia wants him more than she's ever wanted anything. But Wulfric could one day be king, and Julia is a Roman slave. What future can there be for two people from such different worlds?"

 

"Beautiful and defiant, Kristen Haardrad meets the hot, longing gaze of Royce, Thane of Wyndhurst, with icy fury - vowing never to be enslaved by the powerful Saxon lord who holds her captive.
She is his enemy and his prize - a wild and lusty hellion to be tamed by her dashing conqueror's kiss. But though maddened with desire for the golden-haired Viking temptress, noble Royce, in conscience, cannot force his exquisite prisoner to submit. For only Kristen's willing surrender can quench the blistering fires that sear his tormented soul - and heal a heart consumed by passion with a soothing balm of rapturous, unconditional love."




And yet, Angelina had not always been so hardened. There had been a time when she boasted a fun, flirtatious nature even more delightful than her sister Becca’s—a time when her imagination soared with adventurous, romantic dreams. But that all ended years before at the hand of one man. Her heart turned to stone…safely becoming void of any emotion save impatience and indifference.

Until the day her dreams returned, the day the very maker of her broken heart rode back into her life. As the dust settled from the cattle drive which brought him back, would Angelina’s heart be softened? Would she learn to hope again? Would her long-lost dreams become a blessed reality?

"Lady Elizabeth D'Auvers returns to her beloved home, Woodell Castle, after a self-imposed exile to save herself and her stepchildren from the plague sweeping Britain. Afraid that she will find death and ruin, she is relieved to discover that her castlefolk and lands have thrived in her absence due to the presence of Lord Thomas of Roxburgh. Lord Thomas's great physical size is equaled only by the size of his heart, and his kindness and care for her people earn him the Lady's gratitude. But Elizabeth soon feels much more for Thomas than gratefulness, for desire and passion draw her to the dark, mysterious knight. Thomas, too, is powerfully attracted to the beautiful Lady, but the secrets he keeps may destroy their chance at happiness and bring about his own death"

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Traumatized by a blaze that killed her parents, young Johanna remembers nothing of her privileged past and remains ignorant of the dangers that surround her. She grows up among the servants, where she develops a sense of purpose that helps her survive the betrayal that unmasks her true identity. Once she is forced to take her proper place in Regency society as the highly sought heiress to the Ambersley fortune, she must defy the relatives who would make her a pawn in their struggle for power.

When Derek Vaughan inherits the dukedom. his dubious parentage makes it a sacrilege to accept. But touched by the ravaged estate and its destitute staff, he braves a society that once shunned him while he rebuilds Ambersley and guards it from his stepmother's bankrupting clutches. He intends to grant the title to his half-brother when the boy comes of age, but Derek's plans go awry from the moment the gardener's apprentice-once his trusted young friend-is revealed to be not only an heiress of beauty and spirit, but the one woman who may finally capture his heart."

"Dreaming of the past.Hannah Falcon loves her job cataloging medieval artifacts and setting up the displays at the Natural History Museum in New York. What she doesn’t love is her father’s steadfast refusal to let her go on any of his archeological digs, or her friends insisting she date more. When a man dressed as a medieval knight shows up in the museum, Hannah mistakes him for her friend’s latest attempt at a blind date.Sent into the future:Sir Gavin of Rogueforth is a battle-hardened twelfth century knight, having seen and caused his share of death in the crusades. He expects nothing more from life than to live and die by his sword. After Gavin rescues a woman and her daughter from a band of highway thieves, she sends him through time to protect another Hannah, claim her as his own and fulfill his destiny. He doesn’t expect a woman who refuses to be protected.Timeless passion:Can a man in chain maille convince a twenty-first century woman to follow her heart? Can a modern day woman show a medieval knight there’s more to life than being a protector? When two people from two different times explore Manhattan during the holiday season will time be an obstacle or will they find the magic to span centuries under the mistletoe?"

And now after reading the first four as well as a couple others I already had downloaded, I think I officially need to stop reading romances for a while its starting to make me cynical and cranky since not every love story ends with a happy ending with the person you want, a marriage, a house and babies!

I have Missed all my Awesome Online Friends

I know I know it was only four days but that is a long time to go without power or internet! It was an interesting few days since I was having to heat water on the grill to wash up and do the dishes and reading by flashlight, as well as having to guard the fence from Niko getting out! We finally got power back late yesterday so I have a lot of catching up to do, your posts and reviews to read as well as a few posts and reviews of my own to make. I wont be able to review all the books I read over the past couple of days because that's all I had to do for four days! I thank you for your kind thoughts and please send those thoughts on to everyone who is still going through the clean up.

Niko was very helpful with my reading! Valerie however chose to sleep the power outage away!