Incessant Rambling: Bloggin' Around

Hey everyone! I just wanted to drop by and greet you all a very Merry Christmas! How was Santa sliding down the chimney? Any great books you've received as presents? Anyway, I know my greetings is a [little bit] late, but hey, "Better late than never" huh?!

I got all theses big, many things going on about school and stuff and I find it hard to look for time for my blog. I know, I know.. Kill me now, T_T So! Has anyone noticed anything new? Huh, Huh?! I got my blog a new look! I'm really happy with how it looks but I'd really love to hear what you guys think.. I'd really appreciate it! *cue tap dance*

It's Christmas! (Well, actually, it's waay past Christmas) Lots of celebration going on here and there, family gatherings all around and let's not forget, all the delicious, drool-worthy food! Received any great books that made you jump up and down like it's the greatest thing on earth? Or maybe at least the second best. The first being the "end of the world" not being the end, hmmmm..

And before I blabber on again, I've got three awesome things to tell you! *drum roll*

There's a new season for NCIS and Criminal Minds! I have been waiting for so long, I cannot tell you how happy I was when I saw it on tv! I missed watching 'em so much! Ooh, and there's a new character on Criminal Minds.. I'm not sure, but I liked Emily better.

All right, that's not one of my "three awesome things" although, that is awesome news, lol. So, the first great news is..

TA-DA!

I won a giveaway! Yep, from the generous author Taryn Browning, I won her signed novella, Dark Beauty and two personalized bookmarks! I got these a week before Christmas and it was just lovely! It made Christmas more Christmas-y. Scroll further, cause I got it in several different ways..

And here's another one..

And another one..

And apparently, that's the last one. So a big, big thank you to Ms. Taryn Browning for these lovely goodies. I love her Seeker books and it's a definite must-read!

And my second big thing? Remember when I said that I should have a new blog look and a signature? Well, I've done the former and I'm glad to tell you that I have a signature too! It may not be much but, it's my signature and I like it.. You can find it at the end of this blog post, :)

The third and last great news.. 

Tada!!

There's a really huge giveaway going on right now. And I mean it when I say it's HUGE, O_O

You have got to check this out 'cause it's pen INTernationally and you just can't miss this! The winner will be one lucky gal, I tell ya.. So, just click on the picture and you'll be taken directly to Evie-bookis Blog - Gooduck!

And that is it everyone! New Year's coming, what are the 2013 books you're looking forward to? I definitely have a lot in mind, *evil laugh* So, Happy Holidays and enjoy the days ahead! Signing out -

Incessant Rambling: Bloggin' a Giveaway

One thing people don't know about me is that I'm.. gay. Kidding! I got you there, didn't I?

Anyway, what I'm supposed to say is I'm a big, big fan of Giveaways. I enter any giveaway that comes my way and holy hell weasel are they many..

So.. Now I'm about to share and blog about one of the giveaways I most recently entered. *drum roll* (And boy, am I serious - there's drum rolling in the background. Oh and are there birds singing, stars twinkling? Disappointingly, there are not.) Okay, I should probably get on to the point.

On to the point - There's this huge giveaway hosted at The Hollow Cupboards for reaching 1,000 followers. How I wish I knew the feeling. Oh well, there's no point in sulking about it - I only have 972 followers to go, O_O (now that's, like, huge) *sigh*

So, on to the point. Again. Which reminds me.. Does anyone of you watch Arrow? It's just this greatest tv show series in the world and it's kinda like a modern Robin Hood or something. But with the whole killing part, stranded on an island thing going on, probably not? Anyway, it's now my top most favorite tv show. The Vampire Diaries used to be my number one but with everything that happened.. You should know that I'm a solid Stelena fan and well, oh you know what I mean. Or then again, maybe not?

Oh heck, is that the time? I should totally get a hold on myself.

And here it goes - 1,000 Followers Giveaway is being hosted at The Hollow Cupboards blog and it's open INTERNATIONALLY and to US/CAN residents. And as a not US/CAN resident myself, this is great news!

What's up for grabs, you say? Visit the The Hollow Cupboards blog and you'll know!

And that's it - I finally said it. And yep, in case you're wondering, I am a huge fan of How I Met Your Mother. It's just a cool, humorous show everyone should watch. It makes one's crappy day, slightly crappy. Ha! It sure does.

And.. Here's a thought - I vote for changing my "blog look". Yep, and I'm thinking how about a signature? Yes, yes? 

And that's a wrap everyone! Great day ahead, earthlings! The Holiday's coming..

Book Spotlight: Black City by Elizabeth Richards

A dark and tender post apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable - they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed - but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths. - Goodreads

Book Spotlight: The Reluctant King

        Avalon St. Andrews has endured Hell and war in an attempt to secure freedom and immortality for his people. Raised and conditioned to be both warrior and leader, he now sits on a throne with his sister Eden, governing the Kingdom in peace. While his people enjoy the benefits of his struggle and loss, he is restless, bored and alone.

     Avalon is summoned to fight to save his people once more as the Kingdom is threatened by a brand new evil. In addition to reigning in a kingship he doesn't want, he is fighting against the very people he has fought so hard to protect. They are determined to throw away their newfound freedom and their newfound leaders.

        In this war and in this kingship he feels alone. And for the first time he feels hollow. That is until Amelia Cartier shows up, invading his every thought and shaking up his carefully controlled world.

Now he faces yet another battle - making Amelia his queen. - Rachel Higginson Blog

** My Thoughts **

I cannot tell you how much I'm jumping up and down when I heard news about this new project of Miss Higginson! I loved Eden and Kiran so much I would've wanted more of them but it's Avalon! Gaahh!

I am so excited for this book I don't know what else to say! I love love love the Starcrossed series and Miss Higginson is such a great and awesome writer!!

Don't you just love to see Avalon throwing away his bachelorhood and for Amelia nonetheless! lol Anyway, I really cannot wait until this book comes out. I'm sure this is another one of Miss Higginson's that I'll read over and over and over again.. *squeals* All right, so much for that. Happy reading earthlings!

Book Review: Dolmarehn (The Otherworld Trilogy 2)

"Do you trust me Meghan?"

His voice was soft, almost pleading. I swallowed and tried hard to discern his expression in the dark. The paltry amount of light reaching this far into the small cavern glinted off his eyes, giving him the appearance of a demon trying to tempt me into doing something evil.

“Yes,” I answered, my own voice a mere whisper, “I trust you.”

“Good.”

A year ago, Meghan Elam learned that she was Faelorehn, a being of the Otherworld. Immortal. Now she must juggle her life in the mortal world with the one she has started to build in the Otherworld. However, keeping her identity secret from her friends and family while trying to avoid a wrathful Celtic goddess is no easy task.

With the help of the intriguing Cade MacRoich, Meghan will learn that not only does she come from a place full of magic and wonder but that she, too, is far more powerful than she ever thought possible.

He gave my hand a quick squeeze, and then I was pulled forward into the icy abyss that loomed before us . . .


Book Review
Rating: 4 (out of 5)

            Alas! I’ve waited long enough to read Dolmarehn and lemme tell ya, it did not disappoint!
      
First and foremost, I absolutely love Dolmarehn better than I did Faelorehn. As compared to the first book, Dolmarehn has so much more packed for us readers. There are a lot of new characters introduced and we would finally visit and see Eile like never before. Miss Johnson created a very vivid magical world you’d wish you’ve been to (yep, even with all the vile creatures roaming around, ready to eat-slash-kill you).

There’s also a lot of Celtic mythology involved that would pique reader’s interest and I just love reading and knowing about those stuff. Dolmarehn is also a time of discovery for Meghan. She’d finally know her biological parents and unlock her powers and the secrets behind her origin. Not only that, we would also learn more about Cade – the secrets he keep and who/what he really is. (And is it possible I love Cade even more after reading Dolmarehn? *squeals!*) Also, there will be more of Meghan and Cade moments here. You’d see how much they really like each other no matter how hard they refuse to admit it and that leads to ‘aawww’ sweet moments.

Dolmarehn is all parts romance, adventure, fun and excitement that would keep you on the edge of your seat. It would definitely keep you asking for more..You just have to read this book to see for yourself! It’s [a million times] worth it..

P.S.: There’s a third book and it’s called Luathara!

Incessant Rambling: Just Sayin'

       

    Hello everyone!! I'm off to college, weee! I probably won't be back for some weeks 'cause I'll surely be busy.. But I'll make time as best I can. Anyway, I wish you all a great many days ahead!! :D

I'm super excited, I'm going to college, nyaaahhh!! All right, I'll say bye. For now. Toodles! :)

     By the way, I heard from Mundie Moms a teaser posted by Ms. Cassie Clare. Here it is - 

“I don’t know why I ever helped you.”

“Because you like broken things.”

Book Spotlight: Cover Reveal

The Mark of Athena

(Heroes of Olympus 3)

 

 

384 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: Oct. 2, 2012
      

     In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six—who will complete the Prophecy of Seven?

      The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land—Greece itself—to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophesy remains a mystery...

      With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.

Book Review: Dark Seeker (Seeker)

 

She's the Seeker. He's the hunted. What's at stake could kill them both...

For 17-year-old Seeker, Janie Grey, ridding the Baltimore streets of the undead is an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors. Seeker Training Lesson #1: Never trust the undead. After her father’s tragic death, Janie creates her own life lesson: Love isn’t worth the risk. Both lessons are easy to follow until she encounters the flawed Kai Sterdam. At first, she believes he is the hybrid she is trained to hunt. But, when he has human traits, she determines she doesn’t know what he is. As Janie’s intrigue over who Kai is pushes her deeper into his mysterious past, she discovers a shocking truth that is even more harrowing than the evil they are up against. It’s a secret Kai wants to keep hidden, especially from Janie. 

Book Review
Rating:   5 (out of 5)

      Dark Seeker is superb! A great book to start off a great series. Taryn Browning did a wonderful job of putting a whole new twist in the way we see vampires. Browning created a world that would surely lure you in. This is another one of those rarely-found un-put-down-able books; you’ll just love it!

     Janie Grey is one tough, kick ass character (and I mean that both figuratively and literally). She has been raised and trained to protect humans from “Daychildren” – humans that became demons because of fallen angels possessing them and then they are turned into vampires, they’re basically a hybrid of some sorts (but to make that less confusing, in short it means, humans-turned-demons-turned-vampires). Anyway, back to our ass kicking heroine. Janie is impulsive and infuriatingly stubborn with a lot of determination. She lost his father when she was still young and from then on, she decided she’ll never get anyone get too close to her to avoid [another] heartbreak if she loses them. That is, until Kai Sterdam shows up and rescues her. Kai is not what Janie expected. She should’ve killed him from the first moment they met (which is the rational, sane thing to do) but for some reason she didn’t. And ever since that encounter Kai seems to pop out anywhere she goes and whenever she needs help the most. But there are a lot of things Janie doesn’t know about Kai. And some of these may be better left off a mystery. Kai Sterdam is one gorgeously hot guy. He is always so sure of himself and he can be overly annoying. But with that said, he’s really charming who knows just the right thing to say. He is absolutely, incredibly sawooon worthy.

     Dark Seeker is a well-written story with a unique plot. Browning created a very interesting storyline with equally riveting characters to go with it. And I thought that it was cool that for once I’ve read a book wherein the family is part of the whole” ridding the world of vampires” thing. I mean I’ve come across a lot of vampire books, and it’s nice to see that the heroine isn’t sneaking up on her family or friends and keeping a huge secret that a vampire world exists out there. I guess it was kinda refreshing to say the least. What bothered me though is how the humans (well, at least, one human in particular) eagerly accepted all that is said to them. I mean, come on, no doubts at all? They should have at least once thought “Ooh, this one’s crazy” and then after much thinking and consideration, then they will believe. I just find it somewhat weird in a way. Oh and one more thing, I found it hard to believe how Janie and Kai’s feelings for each other blossomed that fast. One moment they were not even friends and then *snap of the finger* they’re in love. I guess what I’m saying is that I didn’t see how the “love” developed. It was like in fast forward or somethin’. But nevertheless, it did not stop me from loving this book!

     Dark Seeker is just terrific! I’m glad that as soon as I saw this book, I immediately went searching for it and read it the instant I found it. This book is just full of wit, excitement and romance I just savored every bit of it and now I want more!! When is the second book coming out anyway? I cannot wait!

My favorite line/s from the book –

“Isn’t that always how it happens? We never fall in love with the right person. They’re either too different or already hold a place in someone else’s heart. You don’t even know how you feel until it’s too late to do anything about it.”

”You don’t know what you can’t live without until it’s gone.”

Book Spotlight: Clockwork Prince Extra

Will's Letter to Tessa

 

- I saw this letter from Goodreads ~ here. And it made me remember what happened in Clockwork Prince and I felt really sad for Will.. It's really heartbreaking and makes you see a whole other, softer side of Will, *sigh* Anyway, here it is -

 

“Tess, Tess, Tessa. 

Was there ever a more beautiful sound than your name? To speak it aloud makes my heart ring like a bell. Strange to imagine that, isn’t it – a heart ringing – but when you touch me that is what it is like: as if my heart is ringing in my chest and the sound shivers down my veins and splinters my bones with joy.

Why have I written these words in this book? Because of you. You taught me to love this book where I had scorned it. When I read it for the second time, with an open mind and heart, I felt the most complete despair and envy of Sydney Carton. Yes, Sydney, for even if he had no hope that the woman he loved would love him, at least he could tell her of his love. At least he could do something to prove his passion, even if that thing was to die.

I would have chosen death for a chance to tell you the truth, Tessa, if I could have been assured that death would be my own. And that is why I envied Sydney, for he was free.

And now at last I am free, and I can finally tell you, without fear of danger to you, all that I feel in my heart.

You are not the last dream of my soul.

You are the first dream, the only dream I ever was unable to stop myself from dreaming. You are the first dream of my soul, and from that dream I hope will come all other dreams, a lifetime’s worth.

With hope at least,

Will Herondale” 

Book Spotlight: The Immortal Rules Book Trailer

The Immortal Rules

Julie Kagawa

 

            I just finished reading The Immortal Rules and I absolutely loved it!! And isn't the above trailer so cool? And for more info about the book, check it out on Goodreads. Have fun! :)

Book Spotlight: A Giveaway

Lauren Kate's Rapture (Fallen 4)

 

 

      All right! I'm gonna spill the real reason I created a blog >> There's a chance for one lucky winner to win a SIGNED copy of Lauren Kate's Rapture (Fallen book 4) and one of the requirements for a chance to win is to blog about it. (Yep, that's how much I love Ms. Kate's books) I really love the Fallen books and I'm super excited I can't wait to read Rapture. This is so awesome, right right?? Whoever wins this is one lucky person and I really really hope it's me *evil laugh* Anyway, for more info, go HERE. 

Best of luck to us all!

Book Review: Faelorehn (Otherword Trilogy 1)

I never heard him come after me and even as I climbed the slope and stumbled onto our shaded back lawn, I didn’t look back. It was like the day the gnomes chased me all over again, but this time I was not escaping some horrible little creatures, I was fleeing from an incredibly good-looking guy who could very well understand me completely. I was either saving myself from that serial killer I always imagined lived down in the swamp, or I had finally gone over the deep end . . .

Meghan Elam has been strange her entire life: her eyes have this odd habit of changing color and she sees and hears things no one else does. When the visions and voices in her head start to get worse, she is convinced that her parents will want to drag her off to another psychiatrist. That is, until the mysterious Cade MacRoich shows up out of nowhere with an explanation of his own.

Cade brings her news of another realm where goblins and gnomes are the norm, a place where whispering spirits exist in the very earth, and a world where Meghan just might find the answers she has always sought.

Book Review

Rating: 4 (out of 5)

        I'm so glad I got a chance to read (and review) this book which Ms. Jenna has generously given through the We <3 YA books group on Goodreads. Faelorehn was actually the first book of Ms. Jenna's that I read and I don't normally read books that involve fae and such, but I'm so incredibly happy that I read it and gave it a shot.

       Faelorehn revolves around Meghan Elam, an unusually trustworthy, gutsy and independent heroine. She is not your average normal girl, what with her hearing voices and seeing things no one else but her can. She has always been different and picked on because of that. Meghan has a very likable personality. Even with all that's happening around her (the normal and the not-so-normal), she still presents herself as one tough girl. She has a candid personality who has the tendency to act on instinct [and most of the time get herself in trouble because of it].

       Reading Faelorehn was a nice time-out for me from reading all the angels/vampire/witch books out there. I'm not totally fond of reading books with fae in them, but reading Faelorehn has totally changed my mind. (I might just find myself reading more fae books now and again, hmm)
Anyway, Faelorehn is a definite must-read book. Yes, I found it quite slow-paced at the beginning but it started to pick up pace through the middle and that's when it started to become really interesting. It was nice to see how the whole plot involved the Celtic history and such since I really don't know much about them. Ms. Jenna created a story that will pique reader's interest and a whole new world that will suck you in. Though it felt to me like we didn't get enough glimpse of "Otherworld" and was left hanging, so now I'm left wanting more.
The characters too held intrigue and interest and they were all equally fun to read. I especially want to see more of Meghan's brother, Aiden. I feel like there's something more to him than that. But of course I especially love Caden's character. There's still so much mystery surrounding him and what his true identity and intentions truly are. I so badly want to read the next book just to have more of him..

I cannot wait to read the second book of the Otherworld trilogy!

Incessant Rambling: An Introduction

Me, Myself and I

(yeay me!)

 

Greetings!! I'm a "blogger newbie" as of today and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do right now, -_- I love discovering things though and I think blogging is such a good way to express yourself and show the whole world what you're made of, LoL.. I am still studying (I can't wait to finish college!!) and I read whenever I can since there's always schoolwork and such *sigh* I am a huge fan of reading YA romance and paranormal novels. I love watching crime, suspense/thriller and mystery shows and movies, having said that though, my favorite movie is Up, O_O

I am not a writer/author but I think it would be super cool to be one... Anyway, if there's one thing you should know about me, it's this - I. LOVE. READING.

P.S.: Thanks so much for reading ^^