Bookart



My best friend, Nichole, introduced me to this website Bookart & Design yesterday. I think it is pretty amazing what some people can create with books.

Granted some of them do make my heart hurt because I can't stand hurting books in any way.

But definitely check it out. They are all very unique and beautiful.

 

An artists imagination is limitless.

Easy by Tammara Webber

Title:  Easy
Author:  Tammara Webber
Publisher:  Berkley Trade (May 25, 2012)
Genre:  New Adult/Romance
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Goodreads

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

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WOW what a great debut novel for this talented author.  This book is "easy" to read, and "easy" to love.  Right from the start Tammara makes your heart drop right into your stomach.  The main character Jackie is attacked right at the start of this story, and is saved by an unlikely hero.  From that moment on Jackie has had a hard time opening up, and trusting anyone.

This story has taken a delicate situation, and turned it into a mind blowing read.  The author has made this story as a way to introduce a traumatic experience (that we have all scene happen in television shows) to every woman out there, and then bringing it home by using Jackie to help us find ways to stop something like this from happening, and what you should have done if you ever were a victim.

Lucas the male lead was sweet, understanding, and helpful to Jackie in all matters envolving this situation.

I have recommended this book to all of my friends.  I suggest you do the same.

This was a very powerful book, with an even MORE powerful message.

Rating:  4.5 out of 5

“sometimes, how a situation is perceived carries more weight than the reality of the matter.” 
- Tammara Webber

Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title:  Obsidian (Lux #1)
Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn)
Publisher:  Entangled Teen (November 23, 2011)
Genre:  YA Paranormal Romance
Amazon
Goodreads

Starting over sucks. When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy Internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.  And then he opened his mouth.  Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me.  You heard me.  Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is.

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HOLY ALIEN HOTNESS

I usually don't go for aliens.  Most authors go for vampires or werewolves (lately angels), but this author decided to throw in aliens and all I have to say is BRAVO.  I am absolutely in love with this book.  Some Authors try to capture true sarcastic personalities and wittiness in their characters but JLA masters it. She does an amazing job creating humor in it without turning you off to the characters. You just fall for this highly passionate and combustible relationship between Kat and Daemon in Obsidian. You never know if the are going to kiss or kill each other and you can get lost into the journey with them.

As I said before, I usually don't go for aliens.  I mean most times they are the enemy, with slime dripping off of them (visualizing the alien movies...shutter).  But I was soooooo wrong.  Who knew aliens could be so HOT. 

 

 

If that doesn't make you drool, I don't know what will.  Daemon has a personality that will have you loving him one moment, to hating him the next.  Then you will find yourself questioning your sanity because all you will want to do is kiss him.  He is a major ass, but he also has a gentleness to him that is endearing.  Bear with him, he has his reasons.

 

Katy has a fun, witty personality.  She is shy, but knows how to stand up to the enigma that is our incredibly sexy, infuriating, and devastatingly handsome Daemen Black.  She also has a gentleness to her that is very refreshing.  I can very easily relate to her, and if she were a real person I'm sure we would be close friends.  And get this she is also a book blogger!!!  I have never read that in another book before.  Her internal dialog will have you laughing, especially the running commentary about his lack of wearing a shirt is great.

 

Dee is also a great character.  She is sweet, talkative, and understanding.  She is one of those friends who is always there when you need her the most.  She makes living in West Virginia more enjoyable for Katy, and she also makes sure that she somehow interferes with her brother and Katy's relationship.

 

If you haven't read this book, what are you waiting for!!!

 

I just wish we could have this book in Daemen's POV.

 

Rating:  5 out of 5

 

“Beautiful face. Beautiful body. Horrible attitude. It was the holy trinity of hot boys.”

- JLA

 

Here is a website Daemon's POV that offers his POV from all the Lux books.  So if you haven't read beyond book one, make sure you don't read those POV's.  Trust me it will confuse you.

 



Review: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Title:  Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1)
Author:  Ilona Andrews
Publisher:  Penguin (March 27, 2007)
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
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Goodreads

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league—but she wouldn't have it any other way…

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I don't know about you but I love a book that has a kick ass heroine.  To many books nowadays have very weak female leads, and trust me when I say Kate Daniels is NOT one of them.  This is a fantastic debut novel for the co-author couple. 

Kate Daniels lives in alternate Atlanta, where technology and magic are constantly at odds with each other.  When her guardian is killed, she will do anything in her power to bring his killer to justice....the Kate Daniels way.  Which is bad ass and hilarious at the same time.

Just like any fantasy book, there are vampires and shape shifters.  But in this world the vampires are NOT the absolutely drop dead gorgeous beings to ever walk on two legs.  They don't "sparkle", and they still don't like the sunlight.  They tend to walk on all fours, have gleaming red eyes, with their flesh rotting off their bones.  They are out of control, and must have a "driver"  to keep them under control.  In other words, they are undead puppets controled by the Masters of the Dead.

As for the shape shifters, they are HOT, plentiful, and come in many different breeds of animal (bear, lion, wolf, panther, hyena, rat...just to list a few).  Number one favorite is Curran, the packs king.  He will have you drooling all over yourself the second you meet him.  He is always giving Kate a hard time, and vise versa, but he is always there when she needs him the most.  I can't wait to see what's in store for these two.

It did take a while for the book to get rolling, and I did find it confusing at some points.   Just give the book a chance, and you won't be disappointed.  All in all, this book will forever be gracing my bookshelves.

Rating:  5 out of 5

“Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...” 
- Ilona Andrews

^ That quote comes from one of the best scenes in the book!!!

Review: Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright

Title:  Feral Sins (The Phoenix Pack #1)
Author:  Suzanne Wright
Publisher:  Montlake Romance (January 1, 2012)
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Amazon
Goodreads

If your inner wolf and your body react rather enthusiastically to a psychotic Alpha male who’s own wolf has a tendency to turn feral, it can’t be a good thing, can it? Entering into a bargain with him wouldn’t be good either. Unfortunately, Taryn Warner, a latent wolf shifter, doesn’t have many options open to her right now. Okay, she has no options. Basically it comes down to whether she’ll do what it takes to escape the arranged mating with the sick SOB that her father set up. As the answer in this case is yes, it looks as though she’ll have to agree to Trey Coleman’s deal…she’ll have to mate with him instead.

Having always disliked shifter politics, Trey Coleman hadn’t bothered trying to form alliances with other packs. Now that his uncle – a wolf with many alliances – means to take Trey’s territory and his pack, he has no option but to form some alliances of his own very quickly or he’ll be easily outnumbered in the upcoming battle. He figures that the easiest way to do that would be to mate with a female who’s Alpha is powerful and influential. There’s only one problem with that – he would then be stuck with her, and the last thing Trey wants is a mate. When he hears of Taryn’s situation, he offers her a deal – if she falsely claims he’s her true mate and allows him to claim her, he’ll save her from her arranged mating and then let her leave after the battle with his uncle is over.

Sounds like a pretty straightforward deal...but soon Taryn and Trey realize they got more than they bargained for. Their mating instincts to protect and possess are weighing on them, they crave each other’s touch and company, and their inner wolves don’t like it whenever they’re apart. Add in that they’ll have to deal with this for an entire three months until the day of the battle finally arrives, and they’ve got themselves a recipe for disaster – or maybe for something quite the opposite.

Warning: This novel contains an extremely sarcastic Alpha female, a broody possessive Alpha male, bitter in-laws, voyeuristic enforcers, a whole lot of dirty talk, and steamy bedroom battles for dominance. Reader Advisory: This book also contains a graphic ménage scene - not for the faint-hearted.

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This book is the epitome of the word EROTIC.  This book will make you tingle and squirm, in a good way.

I REALLY enjoyed this book, but I must warn you it is very "stimulating".  You might want to keep your husband or boyfriend in close proximity (HELL maybe even girlfriend if you guys out there read these type of books *wink wink*).

LADIES you have been warned!!!!

Trey is a HOT, obsessive and even considered crazy (by other packs) alpha of the Phoenix Pack.  He will have you in a state of bliss with just a few words.  Taryn is a quick whitted layent(she can NOT shift) she-wolf who is not afraid to give you a piece of her mind (especially with the alpha's grandmother).  Along with all the secondary characters it makes for a very awesome read.

The only part in the book that I was now very found of was the "Pack scene/birthday present".  I am usually all for a well discribed sex scene, but this was just to intense for my taste.  I get the whole Alpha thing and that they are wolves, but this was over kill. After Taryn fights to be an Alpha the whole book and Trey can't stand the thought of anyone else touching her, I just don't get why it's in there. If the author wanted the Pack involved some how they could have watched and not participated.  I thought it was a little over the top....your opinion may be different from mine.  It was a very intense scene that is still "stimulating" nonetheless.

From what I have been reading, the said scene (stated above) will not be in the re-release of this book.  In all honesty that whole scene can be easily removed, and it will not take away from how great the rest of the book is. 

Rating: 4 out of 5

“She's one of those people who are like Slinkies."
"Slinkies?"
"Yeah. Basically useless, but they make you smile when you push them down the stairs.” 
- Suzanne Wright

Book Deals

So I came across this website a few months ago called BookBub. It's a site that will send you deals via email to let you know what eBooks are on sale based on the eReader device that you own.

What I love most about this website is that it will ONLY send you the books based on the categories you have selected...(ie...romance, fantasy, young adult etc.).  Anything that will save me money on books to feed my addiction...SIGN ME UP!!!

Here's a little more info about BookBub:

BookBub’s free daily email notifies you about deep discounts on acclaimed and bestselling eBooks. You choose the types you’d like to get notified about — with categories ranging from romance to mysteries to cookbooks — and BookBub sends great deals in those genres to your inbox.

BookBub alerts you to fantastic limited-time offers that are available for Kindle, Nook, iPad, Google Play, and others. A team of experts makes sure that BookBub only features great deals on quality books that you’ll love, from both top-tier publishers and critically acclaimed independent authors.

BookBub’s goal is to delight you every day with the best deals on great eBooks. All deals meet the following criteria:

• Free or Deeply Discounted
     ~ All books featured are either free or dramatically discounted, sometimes as much as 90% off their original price.
• Top Quality Books
     ~ BookBub only features books that are bestsellers or written by bestselling authors and have received strong reviews from critics and readers.
• Limited-Time Offers
     ~ BookBub generally features deals that are available for a limited time, so it’s important to act quickly.
• Matching Your Interests
     ~ BookBub’s website lets you customize which types of books you like so your inbox doesn’t get clogged with unwanted deals.

Signing up takes less than 30 seconds, and BookBub will never rent or sell your email address to anyone. Start finding great deals on eBooks now! Recommend it to your friends!

GO CHECK IT OUT, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!!

"I absolutely love this site, thank you. I look forward every day to see what the new deals are. Although this does not help my book addiction… lol"

-Tracey, Amherstburg, ON

Book vs. eReader

Nowadays print books are becoming obsolete because of the rise of the eReader devises(eBook).  Many bookstores are closing their doors due to these devices.

I curious to know how many people prefer the ereader over print or vise versa?  Maybe you prefer both.

I personally perfer both.  I have certain books that I must own in print format.  Mainly because I love the series so much and I would like to display it in my library.  I also prefer them to all be in hardback as well.  When it comes to loning these books, I have a hard time letting go.  I have been threatening to make a waver stating that:

1. No eating/drinking around my book, or with book in hand.
2. Do NOT break the spine.
3. Do NOT dog ear the corners of the pages.
4. NO writting/highlighting in my books

And the list goes on and on, but those are the MAJOR points.  My books are my babies.  You damage them, I damage you....just kidding...but seriously?!  Then I would make them sign it etc...you get the point.....

When it comes to eReaders (kindle, nook, etc...) I own a kindle.  The kindle was first introduced to me by an old co-worker of mine.  I noticed her reading on it in the break room, and I was curious.  Needless to say that night when I got home I mentioned it to my parents.  They did some research and by my birthday I was a proud owner of my very own.  I LOVE my kindle. 

I also own an Ipad.  I do read mostly on this device because there is so much more that I can do with it (I have the first generation kindle).  When it comes to traveling I always read from my kindle, the battery life is amazing.  Where as with the Ipad it would last me 12 hours at most if I'm constintly using it.

Out of all the devices there are out there these days, the kindle would still be my number 1 choice.  I know everyones preferance is different, but I will be extremely sad if one day bookstores are non-exstitant.