Announcement!

Mike over at The Subtle Chronicler is celebrating his 2 year blogoversary! Be sure to stop by throughout the month to check out some author and blogger interviews, guest posts, and giveaways! I will be featured and hosting a giveaway on May 25, so be sure to stop by!

- Many Hugs & Happy Reading

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Personal Update! - Short Hiatus....

Hey everyone!

So I was supposed to get LASIK today, but that didn't happen. Last night I started shivering uncontrollably and had a fever of 102.8 that reduced to 100.1 before I went to bed. This morning I woke up with a fever of 104.1, so my mom took me to the ER. Needless to say, I have pneumonia and will be off the blog for about a week. I have 3 reviews set to post. One on 6/5, 6/7, and 6/9. My May wrap-up will be up as soon as I'm back to my usual self. I will be participating in RAK this month and have that set to post on 6/2. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week...or 2!

Doodle's Out!

{Review} Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood



Born Wicked
by Jessica Spotswood
Publisher:  Putnam Juvenile
Series:  The Cahill Witch Chronicles (#1)
Pages:  330
Source:  Won
Available as of February 7, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository | Books-A-Million



Summary:
Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.




Rating:



My Review:
I've had Born Wicked sitting on my shelf for a month or so now and have been dying to read it. I'm glad I found the time because it was amazing! Jessica Spotswood created a society that is reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials, but has its own unique twist.

Cate Cahill and her two sisters have been hiding their magic from their father and the community. After their mother's death, Cate has only ventured outside her home when need be. Confining her and her sisters to their home and garden, she needs to find a boy who will ask for her hand in marriage or be forced to join the sisterhood. With only a few months to go, Cate has to become a lady and keep her sister's antics in check without drawing too much attention.

I adore Cate. Her mother asked her to keep her sisters safe, and she hasn't let her down yet. Cate is protective of her sisters and would do anything to ensure that they come to no harm, even give up her own happiness. Her younger sisters, Maura and Tess, don't control their magic well and flaunt it around their home, putting them all in danger if anyone were to stop by. Cate is put in the position of scolding them, becoming a hypocrite when it happens to her.

There were a few things I liked and one thing I am not too happy about. I loved that Cate wasn't stupid. She knows what's at stake and does everything she can to keep those around her from finding out the truth. Unlike Maura, she isn't naive. She can tell when she is being lied to. I also liked that the sisters acted like true sisters. They got in fights and kept secrets. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. I was extremely disappointed and I'm not sure if I would have chosen the same thing Cate did. 

Overall, I loved Born Wicked. The ending devastated me and I can't wait to read book two, Star Cursed. I would highly recommend this book if you are interest in the Salem Witch Trials or witches in general!!


Doodle Out

May RAK Wrap-Up




Book Soulmates



I Received:
Silence by Michelle Sagara from Amber over @ Awesomesauce Bookclub
Vesper by Jeff Sampsom from Catherine over @ Cat's Thoughts


Wither by Lauren DeStefano & Identical by Ellen Hopkins 
from Michelle over @ Michelle Chew Writes




I Gave:
Wings by Aprilynne Pike to Aanchal over @ Book Flame
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa to Amber over @ Awesomesauce Bookclub
Asphodel by Lauren Hammond to Liliana over @ Lili Lost in a Book
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver to Margie over @ Bumbles and Fairy-Tales

While He Was Away by Karen Schreck to Liz over @ The Lost Dragonfly Chronicles
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick to Catherine over @ Cat's Thoughts

Significance by Shelly Crane & When Destiny Knocks by Heather M. White
to Michelle over @ Michelle Chew Writes
***Response after receiving Significance***
" Emily!! I love you!! <3 <3 <3 "







A BIG thank you to Isalys and Vanessa at Book Soulmates for hosting!!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

{Winner} Chasing McCree by J.C. Isabella








The winner of an e-copy of Chasing McCree is...

Jenny C.

 Congratulations!
An email has been sent.  If I do not get a response within 48 hours I will pick a new winner.


Be sure to check out my other giveaways going on now:
Silver Knight by Caron Rider
Summer Pre-Order Giveaway
Shut Up by Anne Tibbets


And be sure to check back for other giveaways coming up soon...


Doodle Out

{Spotlight} Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore
has just been released!


Summary:
Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . .

ANGEL EYES

Brielle’s a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.

Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.

A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive



About the Author:
Shannon Dittemore has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. The daughter of one preacher and the wife of another, she spends her days imagining things unseen and chasing her two children around their home in Northern California. Angel Eyes is her first novel.

You can find her:
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter


Where to buy the book:


Doodle Out

Monday, May 28, 2012

Weekly Update


Hey everyone! It's Monday and time for another weekly wrap-up

What I accomplished/posted this past week:

My plans for this coming week:
  • School / Personal Updates
    • Lots of school work to do. Two weeks worth due this week by Thursday.
    • I get LASIK Thursday!
  • Books
    • Being Reviewed
      • 5/31 - Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
      • 6/2 - Easy by Tammara Webber
    • Spotlighting
      • 5/29 - Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore
  • Other blog events
    • Giveaway for Chasing McCree is open until 5/28 @ Midnight EST
    • Giveaway for Silver Knight is open until 5/30 @ Midnight EST
    • Giveaway for Shut Up is open unitl 6/9 @ Midnight EST
    • Giveaway - Subtle Chronicler Celebrates TWO Years - You're choice of 1 of 6 pre-orders - Open until 6/7 @ Midnight EST
    • I will be posting a giveaway with my review of Easy
Doodle Out

Sunday, May 27, 2012

{Winner} ReVamped by Ada Adams







The winner of a Kindle copy of ReVamped is...

Courtney W. @ Courtney's Book Nook
Jessiebelle @ Jessie's Book Place

 Congratulations!
An email has been sent.  If I do not get a response within 48 hours I will pick a new winner.

UPDATE: First winner never responded. Email has been sent to new winner.
New winner has been confirmed!

Be sure to check out my other giveaways going on now:


Doodle Out