Monday, March 25, 2013

Robin LaFevers Author Signing

On April 4th I get to meet Robin LaFevers author of Grave Mercy and Dark Triumph!

The Kings English is hosting, and there is a bloggers conference before the signing... And I get to go!

I love her books, can't wait to meet her! If you haven't read any of her books yet, check them out!
 



Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?
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 Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons....
(The rest is a bit of a spoiler for Grave Mercy)

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Any other fans of her books out there? Have you met her? 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

A Bookworm's Worst Fear


"Abibliophobia" (noun) 
     - The fear of running out things to read

A scary thought, right? Tell me I'm not alone in being terrified of the idea of not having something to read. I brought this up tonight when I was talking to my parents, five minutes later my dad had found this video on YouTube. It's absolutely terrifiying.

 

Heartbreaking and terrifying isn't it? 

As a kid I was always worried about having enough books. I was always dragging books out, because I hated the idea of finishing a book and not having another one to read. We had quite a few books in the house, but I'd read most of them and the rest were all romance novels that were my mother's that I had absolutely no interest in. I'm sure my parents could tell you about how often I begged to go to the bookstore. 

Recently Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner talked about "Time Between Books". It reminded me of that dilemma I always faced as a kid. Do I keep reading? Or make myself put it down because I don't know when I'll be able to get another book?

What about you? Can you relate? Is the video the stuffs of nightmares like it is for me? Leave a comment!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Top Ten Books I just HAD to buy... that are still sitting on my shelf

 
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish. (Nominated for best meme and made it to the final round! Click and vote.)
 
 


1-The Eyre Affair- bought it forever ago because I thought it sounded interesting... Still sitting there.
2- The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle- Thought I needed to read some Murakami, still haven't.
3- A Dog's Purpose- I was at my favorite bookish café and the owner's dog was begging me to buy it.
 
 
 
4- Princess Academy- Met Shannon, had to buy this and have her sign it.
5- Unearthly- Yet another I bought because I was at a signing.                 
6- Saving Juliet- I think this one was on sale or something.                      
 
 
         

7-Statistical Probability- So much hype about this online! So I bought it...      
8- The Lost Hero- LOVED his other books so I bought this immediately.       
9- Vampire Academy- Again, I was at a signing and just HAD to buy a book.
 
 
 
10- Scent of Magic- I feel bad about this. I LOVE her books, but I still haven't read it!
 
 

So, do you buy books simply because you meet the author and can get it signed? Do you have any books by favorite authors you haven't read yet? What is on your list?? Please leave a comment, make sure to include your link!

 

Monday, March 11, 2013

Top Ten Books at the TOP of my Spring TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish.


My list is a mix of genres and publication dates. Some of them won't even be released until June (I'm counting that as spring!)

1. Unravel Me
2. The Warrior Heir
3. Code Name Verity
4. INK
5.Seraphina
6. Dance of the Red Death
7. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
8. The Night Circus
9. Throne of Glass
10. Between Shades of Grey





 
 
So... what's on your list? Make sure to leave a link to your TTT in the comments!


STAGED by Ruby Preston





Book/Author: Staged by Ruby Preston
Publisher: Circle Dress Publishing
Series: Yes
How I got it: From the lovely people at Circle Dress Publishing.
Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Add it: Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 Stars

 

Aspiring Broadway producer Scarlett Savoy has almost everything she needs to make her first musical a huge success- millions in financial backing, a talented (not to mention handsome) young director, and a big-name Hollywood starlet as her female lead. But with none of the theater owners in town willing to back a novice, she’s missing one final piece of the puzzle: a Broadway theater. Just when Scarlett thinks her show might never see the footlights of day, an unexpected meeting with the young, eligible son in the Stewart theatrical empire changes Scarlett’s Broadway prospects forever.


 

 My Thoughts


A quote from a review of the first book in this series, Showbiz, describes it perfectly. “Will have you dreaming of Broadway even if you’re miles away.” (TheatreMania) As I was reading this I found myself remembering my own adventures in NYC… and I was homesick. So much that I actually created an entire board on Pinterest dedicated to it. The author describes the city in such detail, and with such affection, that I was completely immersed in the story. The culture and charm of New York simply oozed from the pages, it’s obvious that the author has a lot of affection for it. I got excited every time she talked about something that I remembered seeing for myself when I was in NYC, the TKTS bleachers, the hawkers in Times Square vying for your attention, trying to get you to come see their show, the restaurants…

 

The story itself was quite enjoyable too. I felt like I knew the characters personally, because I know people, friends, who are very similar. Especially Scarlett’s brother and her best friend, I swear I know people just like them. I felt myself stressing along with Scarlett as she struggled to make her show work. I’ve been part of a production that is just getting started. The stress of finding just the right people for the show, funding, location, publicity, funding, going to read throughs, did I mention funding? Scarlett’s deep devotion and love for the theatre is evident on every page. Not just the “oh, the Arts are popular and we must preserve them”. But the love of the history, culture, tradition… I feel like we're kindred spirits.

 

The only part of the book that I felt was a bit off was the situation Scarlett finds herself in, it was a bit far-fetched and almost felt out of place with the realism of the rest of the book. And yet… it’s New York, and even more importantly, Broadway. ANYTHING is possible.


Oh, and as a warning to those who appreciate show tunes. They are referenced constantly throughout the book. You WILL have them running through your head for days after. I think I'm going to make a Spotify playlist for the songs referenced in this book...


I'll leave you with a picture of Times Square. :)



 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Top Ten Series I'd Like To Start But Haven't Yet





Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish.

Okay okay, it's only six, not ten. This was a hard list!

The Wheel of Time Series:
 

 
I’ve been wanting to star this series for a while, ever since I heard that Brandon Sanderson, one of my favorite fantasy authors, was going to finish the series after the author’s death. The sheer size of each book, and the number of books in the series is intimidating, but I’ve heard such amazing things!

 
 
 
 
 

Under the Never Sky

 

My interest in this series was renewed recently with the release of the latest installment. The premise intrigues me, and several of my blogger friends have read them and enjoyed them.

 
 
 
 

A Song of Ice and Fire

 


 
 
 
Technically, I’ve already started this series. I’ve read the first book.  But I really want to get back into the series.  Half my twitter feed is filled with Game of Throne stuff, I want to join in on the chats! I’m a bit anxious though. I’m not sure my heart can handle it. I’ll just go into the books and leave my heart behind… yeah, that’s it…


 

The Heir Chronicles



 
 

Don’t know a thing about them. Just one thing, and the only thing that really  matters to catch my interest. The author. Cinda Williams Chima. I LOVED her Seven Realms Series, I’m excited to read more from her.

 
 
 
 
 
The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive)



 

 
I don’t know much about this series, but it’s another by Brandon Sanderson so I’m excited to read it.

 
 
 
 
 
 

An Unfortunate Fairy Tale
 


 

 
 
My friend just recently recommended this book to me, and it sounds intriguing! I always enjoy a good retelling. Plus, it was free for the nook and the final book is coming out fairly soon. Always a bonus.