Book Blogger Hop: Jan 30th - Feb 5th - Author Comments

Hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer

"Book Blogger Hop" is a weekly meme where our fellow blogger submit new topics and everyone joins in with their answers.

This Week's Topic/Question:

Do you ever get comments from authors when you have posted or tweeted your review? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

My Answer:

I've been lucky enough to have 3 authors respond to my posts, one on Facebook last week and two on Twitter last year. It wasn't for reviews.... but I'm sharing anyway:

AUTHOR:: D.J. MacHale (Facebook | Twitter)
BOOK:: SYLO (The SYLO Chronicles, Book 1)
BLOG POST:: This comment was in response to a comment I made on his Facebook. D.J. had just mentioned the audiobook for the latest book was out, and I at the time, was listening to Book 1. I did, write a review and recently got book 2 & 3 with my Audible points.

Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: How to Run with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Hosted By Rose City Reader & Freda's Voice

"Book Beginnings" is a weekly event that shares the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. "The Friday 56" is also a weekly event, sharing a sentence from page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)


My Pick This Week:  How to Run with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

“If Gordie Fugate didn’t hurry the hell up and pick out a cereal, I was going to bludgeon him with a canned ham.

I didn’t mind working at Emerson’s Dry Goods, but I was wrapping up a sixteen-hour shift. My back ached. My stiff green canvas apron was chafing my neck. And one of the Glisson twins had dropped a gallon jar of mayo on my big toe earlier. I hadn’t been this exhausted since doing an emergency rotation during my medical residency. The only nice thing I could say about working at Emerson’s was that the owner hadn’t asked for photo identification when I applied, eliminating an awful lot of worry for my undocumented self. Also, I usually dealt with less blood.

Unless, of course, I did bludgeon Gordie with the ham, which would result in a serious amount of cleanup in aisle five.”

~ p. 1 

"Waiting On" Wednesday: The Fold by Peter Clines

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: The Fold

Author: Peter Clines (Twitter)

Genres: Horror, Science Fiction

Release Date: June 2, 2015

The folks in Mike Erikson's small New England town would say he's just your average, everyday guy. And that's just how Mike likes it. Sure, the life he's chosen may not be much of a challenge to someone with his unique gifts, but Mike is content with his quiet and peaceful existence.

That is, until an old government friend presents him with an irresistible mystery--one that Mike is uniquely qualified to solve: it seems that a team of DARPA scientists has invented a device that could make teleportation a reality. But something is very wrong with the project. The personalities of the scientists who work on it are changing. People are dying. And reality itself seems to be...warping.

Mike soon learns that the machine is not at all what it appears to be--and that its creators may have opened a doorway to something horrible that lurks just outside our world's borders.

Why I Picked It: Peter's book, 14, was one of the most interesting books I've read. At the center of that book, there too, was a mystery. I'm going on faith that this book will be just as insane of a ride, and I'm all in.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Love to Read With My Book Club

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, as they are "particularly fond of lists".

This Week's Topic:

 Books I'd Love to Read With My Book Club

ARMADA
Author:: Ernest Cline (Twitter)
Genre(s):: Science Fiction, Aliens

Zack Lightman is daydreaming through another dull math class when the high-tech dropship lands in his school's courtyard-and when the men in the dark suits and sunglasses leap out of the ship and start calling his name, he's sure he's still dreaming.

But the dream is all too real; the people of Earth need him. As Zack soon discovers, the videogame he's been playing obsessively for years isn't just a game; it's part of a massive, top-secret government training program, designed to teach gamers the skills they'll need to defend Earth from a possible alien invasion. And now…that invasion is coming.

As he and his companions prepare to enter their ships and do battle, Zack learns that the father he thought was dead is actually a key player in this secret war. And together with his father, he'll uncover the truth about the alien threat, race to prevent a genocide, and discover a mysterious third player in the interplanetary chess game he's been thrown into.

Why I Picked It:: This is my most anticipated book of the year. I have been stalking Ernest's website for the past few years since finishing Ready Player One, as it is my favorite stand-alone book, just hoping he'd publish something new. So, as you can imagine, I'm just itching to get my hands on Armada; oh yes, the magic will strike twice!

     

Cover Characteristic: Bunnies/Rabbits

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: Brilliance by Marcus Sakey

Hosted By Rose City Reader & Freda's Voice

"Book Beginnings" is a weekly event that shares the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. "The Friday 56" is also a weekly event, sharing a sentence from page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)


My Pick This Week:  Brilliance by Marcus Sakey  

““The radio host had said there was a war coming, said it like he was looking forward to it, and Cooper, coatless and chilly in the desert evening, was thinking that the radio man was an asshole.

He’d chased Vasquez for nine days now. Someone had warned the programmer just before Cooper got to the Boston walk-up, a brick rectangle where the only light had been a window onto an airshaft and the glowing red eyes of power indicators on computers and routers and surge protectors. The desk chair had been against the far wall as if someone had leaped out of it, and steam still rose from an abandoned bowl of ramen.

Vasquez had run, and Cooper had followed.”

~ p. 1 

“The heavy door of interview room four muffled the shouting within, rendering the words indistinct. But through the window Cooper could see Dickinson leaning over the table, one hand planted knuckles down, the other up and pointing, inches from the face of a man with the same cheekbones and brow line as Alex Vasquez. Dickinson was stabbing the air with his finger, jamming it back and forth as if he were pushing a button.

Using the shouting as cover, Cooper gently opened the door and slipped inside, catching it with one hand as it closed and easing it shut.

“—had better come clean with me, do you hear? Because this isn’t some speeding ticket. It’s not an eight ball of blow. You’re looking at terrorism charges, my friend. I will vanish you. Just,” Dickinson straightened, held his hands out in front of him and stared at them in mock bewilderment, “where’d he go? Wasn’t there a guy here a minute ago? Some twist lover? Poof, he’s gone, no one knows where, never seen again.” He leaned forward again. “Do you hear me?”

“I hear you,” Cooper said.

The agent whirled, one hand blurring to his empty holster. Man, he’s fast. When he saw Cooper, he looked briefly sheepish, but that faded quickly, buried by naked dislike. “I’m in the middle of something.”

“Yeah? What?” Cooper spared a glance at Bryan Vasquez, saw no sign he’d try something stupid, so turned his attention back to Dickinson. “What exactly are you in the middle of? Which case? Who’s the target?”

Dickinson gave a wolfish smile. “Just following a lead. Never know where it’s going to go.” The other agent squared up to him. “Until I get there. ”

~ p. 56 

Audioook Review: Hillbilly Rockstar (Blacktop Cowboys, Book #6) by Lorelei James (ADULT)

Title: Hillbilly Rockstar

Book Series: Blacktop Cowboys, Book #6

Author: Lorelei James (Twitter)

Genres: Erotica, Western Romance

Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)

Narrator: Scarlet Chase

Length: 11 hours & 50 minutes

Length: August 5, 2014

Length: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge

She’s protecting his body and guarding her heart...

Country music star Devin McClain never imagined he'd attract crazed fans who would do anything to garner his attention. When veiled threats become real, he agrees to hire a discreet security detail. But Devin is shocked to find that the bodyguard is a hard-bodied woman and that he's attracted to the steely-eyed stunner.

Former soldier Liberty Masterson’s return to civilian life has been wrought with challenges until she lands a job with a prestigious security firm. But when she agrees to provide personal protection during a cross-country tour, she doesn’t realize she has signed up to masquerade as the playboy star’s girlfriend. Though she’s more comfortable in combat boots than high heels, she has no choice but to appear to be the sexy groupie Devin prefers.

Living in close quarters causes the chemistry between them to ignite, and Devin realizes he wants to turn their charade of a romance into reality. Although Liberty surrenders to his every whim behind closed doors, she fears the sexy country star doesn’t see the real her; and Devin can’t help but worry when the tour ends that there might not be enough between them to build something that won’t fade away...

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Armada by Ernest Cline

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: Armada

Author: Ernest Cline (Twitter)

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Aliens

Release Date: July 28, 2015

Zack Lightman is daydreaming through another dull math class when the high-tech dropship lands in his school's courtyard-and when the men in the dark suits and sunglasses leap out of the ship and start calling his name, he's sure he's still dreaming.

But the dream is all too real; the people of Earth need him. As Zack soon discovers, the videogame he's been playing obsessively for years isn't just a game; it's part of a massive, top-secret government training program, designed to teach gamers the skills they'll need to defend Earth from a possible alien invasion. And now…that invasion is coming.

As he and his companions prepare to enter their ships and do battle, Zack learns that the father he thought was dead is actually a key player in this secret war. And together with his father, he'll uncover the truth about the alien threat, race to prevent a genocide, and discover a mysterious third player in the interplanetary chess game he's been thrown into. (less)

Why I Picked It: For my first WoW post, this is the perfect choice. This is THE book I'm most anticipating in 2015. Ready Player One is my favorite standalone book ... ever! I've been hoping and wishing and praying that Ernie would bless the world with another story fabulous mind and behold! No way I'd miss this!

Top Ten Tuesday: FREEBIE (My Favorite Series)

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, as they are "particularly fond of lists".

This Week's Topic:

FREEBIE (My Favorite Series)

My Answer:

For this freebie post, I've decided to cover a topic I never tire of discussing — my favorite series. As of today, these are My Top Ten Most-Beloved Series, in descending order, with my favorite series listed first. No surprises if you've visited my blog, it's The Dresden Files. Each series is represented by my favorite book so far; so at the same time, beware of spoilers:

COLD DAYS
Book Series:: The Dresden Files, Book #14
Author:: Jim Butcher (Twitter)
Genre(s):: Urban Fantasy, Mystery

HARRY DRESDEN LIVES!!!

After being murdered by a mystery assailant, navigating his way through the realm between life and death, and being brought back to the mortal world, Harry realizes that maybe death wasn’t all that bad. Because he is no longer Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard.

He is now Harry Dresden, Winter Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. After Harry had no choice but to swear his fealty, Mab wasn’t about to let something as petty as death steal away the prize she had sought for so long. And now, her word is his command, no matter what she wants him to do, no matter where she wants him to go, and no matter who she wants him to kill.

Guess which Mab wants first?

Of course, it won’t be an ordinary, everyday assassination. Mab wants her newest minion to pull off the impossible: kill an immortal. No problem there, right? And to make matters worse, there exists a growing threat to an unfathomable source of magic that could land Harry in the sort of trouble that will make death look like a holiday.

Beset by enemies new and old, Harry must gather his friends and allies, prevent the annihilation of countless innocents, and find a way out of his eternal subservience before his new found powers claim the only thing he has left to call his own…

His soul.

Why I Love It:: I discovered this series on Audible, so James Marsters gets a lot of the credit. I loved him on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Spike, so when I saw his name as the narrator, I picked it up immediately. I'd never heard of The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher, and embarrassingly enough, a few years back I didn't really read many books by men (sexist much, I know. I'm not sure why). Anyway, after the first book I was in love and marathoned through about 6 books back-to-back. I've listened to the full series to date at least 4 times in the past 2-3 years. Crazy right.

Audiobook Loyal:: I'd also bring up the concept of being "audiobook loyal". Which means, for this series, it's audiobook only. For me, James is Harry. I do have a signed copy of Skin Game, I just am not sure if I'll ever read it. 

      

Making Up for Monday: Character Sucker Punch

Hosted by An Avid Reader; A Wannabe Writer

Each week, there will be a book-related theme or game, or something fun to do that week. And you can play along! All you have to do is find the question for that week and write a post that day based on that question.

This Week's Topic/Question:

What character in a book would you like to sucker punch in the face?

My Answer:

From Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series, Donovan Caine wins the highest accolade here. He was a JERK!!! Huge hypocritical dick, that one. He, a cop, fell for Gin Blanco, an assassin, knowing full who she was and what she did for a living. Then, he makes her out to be some kind of evil temptress who he can't deny being attracted to, despite him thinking that she's also the spawn of Satan. He's not the most evil character I've come across, but after 6 or so books of this treatment toward Gin, I wanted to put a major hurtin' him! A throttling was well deserved for that one. 

Here are some of the other characters who also, in Ana Steele's words, give me a case of the twitchy palm:

• Waldo Butters, Charity Carpenter, Donald Morgan, the Merlin, Martin, Mavra & Rudolph - The Dresden Files series 
• Shoshanna Scott, Henry Scott & Santano Enrique - Psy-Changeling series
  Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby
• Delores Umbridge & Percy Weasley, Harry Potter series 
• Joffrey Baratheon, A Song of Ice and Fire series

Audiobook Review: How To Run With A Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #3) by Molly Harper

Title: How to Run with a Naked Werewolf

Book Series: Naked Werewolf, Book #3

Author: Molly Harper (Facebook | Twitter)

Genres: Humor, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)

Narrators: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 8 hours & 39 minutes

Release Date: December 31, 2013

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge

Down, Boy

Anna Moder has just witnessed a shooting, seen her car pulverized, and rescued a wounded stranger only to discover he’s really a werewolf. And by her recent standards, things are actually looking up. Lycanthropes don’t faze Anna. Doctoring a wolf pack outside Grundy, Alaska, is the closest thing to home life she’s known in years. But hitching a ride to Anchorage with long-absent pack member Caleb Graham—that’s a risk. Part of her itches to whack his nose with a newspaper. The rest is trying unsuccessfully to keep her own paws off every delicious inch of him.

The problem is—Caleb employs his lupine tracking abilities as a notquite- legal bounty hunter, and Anna is suspicious of both him and his profession. On the run from her past, with old problems closing in, she’d like to stay far, far away from anybody with connections to the law. Caleb, however, seems determined to keep her close. Are his intentions noble, or is he working a more predatory angle?

Anna’s been dreaming of returning to a semi-normal life, but now she’s experiencing a strange new urge...to join Caleb in running with the wolves.

MINI REVIEW:: This one is going to be short. When it comes to Molly Harper, I can always expect a hilarious ride. This was no exception. Anne/Tina was hilarious, of course, as all of Harper's heroines are. I really liked her origin story, as well. Caleb was lovable, yes, but slightly underdeveloped. I didn't fall in love with him as a character. Both of them together is what made the story work.

Cover Characteristic: Brides/Weddings

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Audiobook Review: Skin Game (The Dresden Files #15) by Jim Butcher

Title: Skin Game

Book Series: The Dresden Files, Book #15

Author: Jim Butcher (Twitter)

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Magic

Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)

Narrators: James Marsters

Length: 15 hours & 49 minutes

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge

Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, is about to have a very bad day.…

Because as Winter Knight to the Queen of Air and Darkness, Harry never knows what the scheming Mab might want him to do. Usually, it’s something awful.

He doesn’t know the half of it.…

Mab has just traded Harry's skills to pay off one of her debts. And now he must help a group of supernatural villains - led by one of Harry's most dreaded and despised enemies, Nicodemus Archleone - to break into the highest-security vault in town, so that they can then access the highest-security vault in the Nevernever.

It's a smash-and-grab job to recover the literal Holy Grail from the vaults of the greatest treasure hoard in the supernatural world - which belongs to the one and only Hades, Lord of the freaking Underworld and generally unpleasant character. Worse, Dresden suspects that there is another game afoot that no one is talking about. And he's dead certain that Nicodemus has no intention of allowing any of his crew to survive the experience. Especially Harry.

Dresden's always been tricky, but he's going to have to up his backstabbing game to survive this mess - assuming his own allies don’t end up killing him before his enemies get the chance.…

FIRST IMPRESSION:: Fifteen books in, reading the first chapter felt like reconnecting with an old friend . One you don't see for prolonged lengths of time that makes you wonder why it's been so long. Every joke they tell lights up your face and ever horror they've face makes you gasp in dismay. You want to hear their story. Where they've been, what they've done and most importantly, were their going. That's how I feel about Harry Dresden. Every book is a new adventure from an old and dear friend; I know I am going to love the ride.

Audiobook Review: SYLO (The SYLO Chronicles #1) by D.J. MacHale

Title: SYLO

Book Series: The SYLO Chronicles, Book #1
Author: D.J. MacHale (Facebook | Twitter)

Genres: YA, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Mystery

Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)

Narrators: Andrew Bates

Length: 10 hours & 42 minutes

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge

Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?

Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.

It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.

FIRST IMPRESSION:: Yes! This is the kind of “Chapter One” I like. Start off with a bang and don't beat around the bush with unnecessary pretense! A perfectly healthy, all-star football player, Marty Wiggins, drops dead after celebrating the final touchdown in a blowout game. And that was just the first death in a "Night of Deaths." Our main character, the all-stars back up, who's more interested in cheerleaders than football. A not-so-obvious hero. A possible villain - a surfer-looking guy scribbling furiously in a notebook during play who is the only one not paying attention to the game and the only one  missing from the stands when Marty dies. Im I intrigued... Uh, heck yeah!

Book Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Attachments

Author: Rainbow Rowell (Twitter)

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook (Amazon)

Length: 327 pages

Release Date: April 14, 2014

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 MGR Reading Challenge

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

FIRST IMPRESSION:: Jennifer and Beth are my kind of people! I love their banter immediately! This is such an interesting approach to a story. It's simple and yet, perfect. Pulled me right in. Jennifer and Beth are my kind of people! Their email exchanges are so entertaining. I love their humor, their wit and there pop culture references (hell yes STYX's Renegade is an amazing song). I can see how Lincoln couldn't stay away.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Releases I Meant To Read, But Didn't Get To

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, as they are "particularly fond of lists".

This Week's Topic:

Top Ten 2014 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To

My Answer:

This list could be massive! But these are the books I was genuinely excited for but never got to. I spent much of 2014 revisiting my most beloved series from beginning to end. Especially the Harry Dresden series. I marathoned that 15-book series, and almost started from the beginning again. YEP, I was cray cray for rereading in 2014. But in 2015, these books right here, shall be read. Oh yes, they shall be read:

ZODIAC
Book Series:: Zodiac, Book #1
Author:: Romina Russell (Twitter)
Genre(s):: YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Astrology, Mythology

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

WHY I PICKED IT:: L-O-V-E Astrology. I am an Aquarius -- a proud Aquarius (however, not in this universe, however, but I digress). So as soon as I read the synopsis, I was all over it. Granted, this book released last month, so it's not too bad I haven't read it yet. Besides the astrology angle, it sounds like a well-developed world. So ready to dive in.