Feature & Follow Friday #3

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The point of #FF is to network with fellow bloggers and get new followers. Each week there is a question to answer to get to know each other. The rules are that you must follow the hosts and each week's featured blogger from each host's site. Write your own #FF post and enter the link into the linky form and then hop around to other blog sites, follow and leave a comment. Easy peasy!

This week's question is:

Q: Have you ever read a book that you thought you would hate — ? Did you end up hating it? Did you end up loving it? Or would you never do that?

The only books I really have hated have been required reading. For instance, in middle school we had to read The Kay. I really hated this book. Plus, it took the class a month to finish the book. Actually, I got into a lot of trouble because I expressed my dislike of the book to my teacher - not the best idea I ever had. 

As for books I choose for myself - either for the blog or just to read for fun - I pick out books that I know I will probably like that are in my genre. There was a book that my sister wanted me to read that she loved from an author I liked, but this particular book was so preachy and just infuriating. I still get angry thinking about it. So I guess my answer is that I rarely hate a book, but it happens.

What about you? Have you ever hated a book?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Chantress & All Our Pretty Songs

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW) is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

This week's theme for my WoW is music. Both of these books have something to do with music, magic, and a terrible evil. Plus, both of their covers are stunning! 

All Our Pretty Songs

(Book, #1)

by Sarah McCarry

The first book in an exciting YA trilogy, this is the story of two best friends on the verge of a terrifying divide when they begin to encounter a cast of strange and mythical characters.

Set against the lush, magical backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, two inseparable best friends who have grown up like sisters—the charismatic, mercurial, and beautiful Aurora and the devoted, soulful, watchful narrator—find their bond challenged for the first time ever when a mysterious and gifted musician named Jack comes between them. Suddenly, each girl must decide what matters most: friendship, or love. What both girls don’t know is that the stakes are even higher than either of them could have imagined. They’re not the only ones who have noticed Jack’s gift; his music has awakened an ancient evil—and a world both above and below which may not be mythical at all. The real and the mystical; the romantic and the heartbreaking all begin to swirl together, carrying the two on journey that is both enthralling and terrifying.

And it’s up to the narrator to protect the people she loves—if she can.

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Chantress

by Amy Butler Greenfield

Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.

“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.

When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.

Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion…

Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.

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One book set in modern times, one in the past, both about music bringing magic into the world - good and bad. I think both books look amazing and I can't wait to see if they live up to my high expectations. I can't decide which one I want to read more...

What do you think about All Our Pretty Songs and Chantress? Did either one catch your eye? What are you waiting for this week?

Stacking the Shelves #2

Stacking The Shelves is a weely meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews to showcase the books we have recieved in the past week. This includes ARCs, purchased books, borrowed books and books from any other source you want to mention. This is the first week that Breathe In BooKs will be participating and I am excited to show everyone what I have in my massive book pile!

Edelweiss

**Star of the Week**
I am so Excited about getting this book! It was my WoW this last week and I did a little happy dance when I got the email from Edelweiss!! Thank you!!

NetGalley

3rd book in The Steampunk Chronicles

This looks fantastic!

Read Now Book

Read Now Book

Library

Both of these books from the library were on my WoW pages ages ago. I finally got them in and I can't wait to get started reading. I only have 3 weeks with each so I better get cracking :)

Any of these books on your TBR pile? What kind of haul did you get this week?

Feature & Follow Friday #2

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The point of #FF is to network with fellow bloggers and get new followers. Each week there is a question to answer to get to know each other. The rules are that you must follow the hosts and each week's featured blogger from each host's site. Write your own #FF post and enter the link into the linky form and then hop around to other blog sites, follow and leave a comment. Easy peasy!

This week's question is:

Q: What is your guilty pleasure as far as reading? Is it a genre, or is it a certain type of book?

I would have to say that my guilty pleasure is the House of Night Series by P.C. & Kristin Cast. I know a lot of people do not like this series, but I can't help it. I know, I know... the writing is not quite there and the pop culture references are ridiculous and the time frame doesn't quite match what is happening, but I don't care! I think of it like a cheesy soap opera for teenagers - even though I am 31 years old. I even got my mom to read this series, lol! I have read and reread all the books at least 5 times plus the novellas. 

How about you? What is your guilty pleasure in reading?

Stacking the Shelves #1

Stacking The Shelves is a weely meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews to showcase the books we have recieved in the past week. This includes ARCs, purchased books, borrowed books and books from any other source you want to mention. This is the first week that Breathe In BooKs will be participating and I am excited to show everyone what I have in my massive book pile!

Print ARCs from the publisher

From NetGalley

I am so excited to read these books! I have a few favorites in mind, but you will have to wait for my reviews to find out which. Any of these books on your TBR pile? What kind of haul did you get this week?

Feature & Follow Friday #1

I am so excited to be joining Feature & Follow Friday! It only took me 10 months of blogging to get here, lol! Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The point of #FF is to network with fellow bloggers and get new followers. Each week there is a question to answer to get to know each other. The rules are that you must follow the hosts and each week's featured blogger from each host's site. Write your own #FF post and enter the link into the linky form and then hop around to other blog sites, follow and leave a comment. Easy peasy! 

This week's question is:

Q: Activity! Hopefully warm weather for most of us is here soon…so tell us about your favorite outdoor reading spot. Or take a picture.

I live in AZ, so reading outdoors is a little tricky. During the fall and spring, I love to sit outside of a Starbucks and read with a nice latte. Sometimes I will go and sit on my back porch, but my dogs don't like to keep quiet when they are outside and it is hard to read while they are vying for my attention. When I lived in Los Angeles, I had a pool that I would sit by with my book and Discman (yes, there was a time before the iPod) and read. But since I am so fair, I have to slather on the SPF 100!

How about you? What is your favorite outdoor reading spot?

Tell Me Something Tuesday

After a month long hiatus, Tell Me Something Tuesday is back! TMST is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. Each week bloggers get together and answers questions about anything and everything to get to know one another. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

What kinds of paranormal creatures do you wish you could read more of? Are there any that you think are overdone?

This is a really difficult question because there are so many paranormals and supernaturals out there. I like all kinds of paranormal books from Fallen Angels to Fairies to Ghosts, but I love books about vampires. I am a huge Twilight fan and am addicted to The Vampire Diaries. Buffy is my go to DVD collection. I also have many books and movies that are all vampire-centric. I have always liked vampires so the current blast in vampire themed everything has been great!

I would like to read more about witches. I love Harry Potter and wish there were more magically inclined novels out there. The Sweep books are great, too. I haven't found a whole lot of YA books - especially with big publishers - out on the shelves. I read A Discovery of Witches and really liked it, but it was too adult and just not what I am looking for. I am looking for more witchiness - think along the lines of The Craft and the old 80's film The Worst Witch. Also, books that feature magic in a different way like the Gemma Doyle trilogy would be fantastic! If you know of any please let me know!

I am getting a little tired of werewolves. I know this may be sacrilegious to some, but they just aren't my cup of tea. The biggest problem I have is that they are shown as lower beings and aren't the greatest of humans when they shift. For example: the wolves in True Blood are straight up trailer trash. What exactly is hot about that? I prefer to see them like Kelley Armstrong writes - as elitist, strong, sexy and something to fear.

So what are your thoughts? What paranormals are you getting tired of and what do you want to see more of?

Tell Me Something Tuesday Returns!

After a month long hiatus, Tell Me Something Tuesday is back! TMST is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. Each week bloggers get together and answers questions about anything and everything to get to know one another. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

What have you been reading since the meme was on haitus? If you haven’t read anything what are you looking forward to reading?

So, that would be since September right? Let's see... I have read all of the Heven and Hell series :) but most of those were rereads for the H&H week. I also read a really cool book called The Messengers about time travel.

The biggest read definitely was Hidden (House of Night)! I read it in 3 hours at Starbucks. I drank 3 double cappucinos and sat in my favorite cushy chair that I stalk and did not leave until the very end. I do love this series and will tell you more about what I thought in my upcoming review.

I also read my very first print ARC of Whispers at Moonrise by C.C. Hunter and loved that as well. I am on C.C.'s street team and was able to get an interview with her that will be posted along with my review for that. Lots of reading - not so much reviewing this month. But that will all be fixed soon.

Right now I am currently reading The Diviners by Libba Bray and Owlet by Emma Michaels.

As to what I want to read? I will keep my MEGA list down to five books that are 'read soon' for now. In no particular order - whichever arrives at the library first.

1. Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampire Series)
2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - I can't believe I haven't read this one yet!
3. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
4. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
5. The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling

What books have you been reading? What are you dying to read soon?
Is there a book that is coming out next year that you are completely obsessed with reading??

I know I have mine...Sever by Lauren DeStefano - the last book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Gameboard of the Gods

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW) is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

Gameboard of the Gods

Age of X, #1

by Richelle Mead
Expected Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Published by Dutton Adult

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

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I love everything Richelle has ever written. I especially love her adult books, particularly the Succubus series. Richelle has a way of bringing myth, religion, and satyr to her works and does it flawlessly. I am excited to see what she does with the dystopian genre. Vampire Academy was really great, but I think Richelle's strength is in her adult works. She doesn't have to hold back and can really bring a story to life: the good, the bad, and the downright naughty.

What do you think, will you be adding this book to your TBR? Have you read anything by Richelle Mead? Are you a fan of her YA or Adult novels?  And what are you waiting on this week?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Tirade

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

Tirade

Heven & Hell Series, #3

by Cambria Hebert
Expected publication: November 30, 2012

Betrayal burns. Death hurts and the clock ticks…

Minutes and hours stretch into days. How long can Sam survive being confined in Hell? I have a plan… a plan with a lot of holes. I need someone who can make up for my weaknesses, someone who possesses the power that I lack. Riley is supposed to be off limits. He’s dangerous, he’s mean and he’s not to be trusted. But I do.

Beelzebub is on a tirade, bent on revenge. I took what he wants and sent him into the flames. I will wear the scars of his punishments forever. But scars don’t scare me anymore.

On my way to free Sam I find my true path, a secret place and new allies. But in Hell nothing is easy… and everything is cruel. The only thing left to do is survive.

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Since this week is all about the Heven & Hell series, I thought it would be appropriate to make my WoW pick the newest book in the H&H series by Cambria Hebert. Tirade will be the third book in the series, but sixth story including the short novellas that bridge the books together. Riley, if you remember him, was Sam's roomate in Masquerade and left after things with China were finally resolved. Now he is back. 

I love this series, it is fun, suspensful, romantic, and just an overall great series. They are geared to the YA market, but they are readable for anyone YA and older. I love that the cover model was her husband and it just makes it that much more awesome knowing that her cover models are based on real people.

What are you waiting on this week? Have you read anything from the Heven & Hell Series? Will you be adding Tirade to your TBR pile?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Pantomime & Broken

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's book that I am eagerly anticipating is...

Since I missed last week's WoW, I am going to pick two for today. 

Both novels are from Strange Chemistry Books.

Pantomime

by Laura Lam
Expected Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Published by Strange Chemistry
Paperback, 320 pages
Cover Art by  Tom Bagshaw

R.H. Ragona's Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass -- remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone -- are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It's a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It's a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist's apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

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Broken

by A.E. Rought

Expected Publication Date: January 8, 2013

Published by Strange Chemistry

Paperback, 416 pages

Cover Art by Steven Wood

Imagine a modern spin on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein where a young couple’s undying love and the grief of a father pushed beyond sanity could spell the destruction of them all.

A string of suspicious deaths near a small Michigan town ends with a fall that claims the life of Emma Gentry's boyfriend, Daniel. Emma is broken, a hollow shell mechanically moving through her days. She and Daniel had been made for each other, complete only when they were together. Now she restlessly wanders the town in the late Fall gloom, haunting the cemetery and its white-marbled tombs, feeling Daniel everywhere, his spectre in the moonlight and the fog.

When she encounters newcomer Alex Franks, only son of a renowned widowed surgeon, she's intrigued despite herself. He's an enigma, melting into shadows, preferring to keep to himself. But he is as drawn to her as she is to him. He is strangely... familiar. From the way he knows how to open her locker when it sticks, to the nickname she shared only with Daniel, even his hazel eyes with brown flecks are just like Daniel's.

The closer they become, though, the more something inside her screams there's something very wrong with Alex Franks. And when Emma stumbles across a grotesque and terrifying menagerie of mangled but living animals within the walls of the Franks' estate, creatures she surely knows must have died from their injuries, she knows.

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Pantomime looks like a cross between The Night Circus and Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and since I loved both of those books, this should be awesome! Also, I love the cover - anything with masquerade masks catches my eye. Fantasy, magic and secrets - I can't wait!

Broken is a modern spin on Frankenstein. Retelling of classics can be good or can be really bad. I think Broken will be a interesting spin because it is not the exact tale modernized, but something else with a tinge of Mary Shelly's original. I have an ARC from NetGalley for this one and can't wait to get to it!

What do you think? Do one or both of these books look interesting to you?