Teaser Tuesday (143)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Jailbird (p. 167)
   - Kurt Vonnegut

My name meant nothing to him. His area of historical expertise was heresies in thirteenth-century Normandy. But he did glean that I was an ex-jailbird--from the slightly queer return address on my envelope: a box number in the middle of nowhere in Georgia, and some numbers after my name.

Photo Friday

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/229120699768195660/
http://writers-write-creative-blog.posthaven.com/quotable-ts-eliot-1

Oh, how I love T.S. Eliot. 

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all book lovers out there! 

I hope that your TBR list led to wonderful gifts. 

Teaser Tuesday (142)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Marching Band and the Expanding Universe (Kindle 1%)
   - Markus Almond

He looked me up and down. "And let me guess, you're a freshman."

Photo Friday

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/229120699768157124/
Pinned from: http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2014/04/27/craft-room-table-diy/

Well, now that you mention it. That sounds quite nice. 

Death Never Lies

The federal bureaucrat charged with stopping the importation of dangerous materials vanishes only days before approving a new list of prohibited substances.

Homicide detective turned Homeland Security Agent Greg Kane suspects that the HHS employee may have been killed to keep the new list from going into effect, but he has no idea who's behind the crime, which chemical they are so desperate to import, and what they plan to do with it once they've gotten their hands on it.

After he dives into the case things quickly get complicated for Kane with twists, turns and the tangled relationships that comprise Greg Kane's life.

*May Contain Spoilers*

David Grace pens a crime thriller with focused details in his novel, Death Never Sleeps. Many small occurrences lead readers to the present plot of this book. As a Baltimore Police Officer, Gregory Kane is shot in the head, leaving him angry and blunt. Jason Kane disappears while transporting a criminal to a prison upstate. An importation regulator goes missing while a hit is taken out on a Supreme Court Justice. One loose thread can unravel the entire mystery, if only Kane and his partner can find it. 

Greg Kane is the main character of the book, but not the only important character nor the only character that readers will relate to. After running into gun fire to stop a couple of robbers, Kane is injured as a bullet skips along his brain like a rock thrown perfectly over a pond. Readers immediately know that Kane is brave, courageous, and a little ways off from normal. When he's transferred to Homeland Security, Kane is given a certain amount of leeway because of his history, but he still manages to irritate nearly everyone he comes into contact with. He's more intelligent than most and thinks he is a humorist. No matter, readers will enjoy the upfront officer who doesn't play nice. It's refreshing when a character surprises you and Kane is full of surprises. 

Both Danny Rosewood and Allison Varner are also characters that readers will enjoy. Danny is a desk jockey who does everything he can to look good on paper so one day he'll become a field agent. He's incredibly loyal, voracious for information, and never complains. Allison is the semi-love interest of Kane. Her husband died of cancer two years prior and she won't accept that he's gone. Readers will understand her point of view but won't necessarily agree with some of her decisions. 

The plot is a complete twister of chaos and criminal activity that all fits together rather nicely. Maybe a little too nicely? Or maybe the investigation has a lot of facets? I'm thinking a little bit of both. The main point is that Munroe, a criminal who escaped police a few years prior, has returned and a scientist has disappeared. Kane knows that if he can catch Munroe then a) he will find out what happened to his nephew Jason Kane, who Greg thinks was murdered by the criminal, b) exact his revenge on the dirty cop who aided Mr. Munroe, and c) save the United States from a new drug that's about to go into production. Though there is a lot going on, Grace does a wonderful job in keeping everything direct and understandable for readers. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (128)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

     

01. Currently Reading: 

In between books at the moment. It's a rare occurrence, but it does happen. ;)

02. Recently Finished:

Death Never Lies by David Grace. Police procedural novel about a Homeland Security officer and his search for the man who killed his nephew and the criminal who masterminded the plot. 

03. Reading Next:

Marching Band and the Expanding Universe by Markus Almond. Joey decides to join the marching band when he begins his high school career. A coming of age novel that tackles bullies, self discovery, and falling in love. 

Teaser Tuesday (141)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Death Never Lies (Kindle 62%)
   - David Grace

"He didn't suffer," Farber said in a rush. "A quick one to the head."

The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey #3)

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

*May Contain Spoilers*

With the third book in The Iron Fey series, The Iron Queen, many things change for Miss Meghan Chase, Prince Ash, and Puck. Julie Kagawa writes without boundaries or character favoritism. Faery is in dire need of a heroine and Meghan just happens to fit the bill. 

Readers have witnessed Meghan grow from a clueless human child to a Summer Fey Princess. Readers have witnessed her strong caring heart, her fierce loyalty, and her ability to succeed where others have failed. This series installment is no different. She has saved her brother, her father, and now she must save all of Faery. No pressure right? 

Even though she was exiled in book two, Meghan is brought back to Faery with the promise that if she succeeds, the exile will be lifted for her, Puck, and Ash. To succeed she must kill the False Iron King and stop the destruction of the NeverNever. Readers will see the blooming hope that comes with this chance. With one look at Puck and Ash, how can she say no? As a plan is formed, readers will begin to believe in Meghan. She becomes a fighter, a leader, in this novel. With the firm bond between reader and Meghan in place, readers will grow to respect Meghan with each written word. She looks at the bigger picture and refuses to be selfish. Even though the odds are stacked against her, Meghan pushes on in hopes of trying to save the ones she loves, and all of Faery along with them.

The plot of The Iron Queen is wonderfully twisty and full of secret allies. The story begins with Meghan being offered a deal from the rulers of Faery: if she kills the False Iron King then she, Ash, and Puck can return to Faery. Of course they jump at the chance. (Well, not exactly jump because the Iron Kingdom is deadly to Puck and Ash but they kind of, sort of take care of that problem.) Anyway, the three allies travel back to Faery and make a deal with Oberon. And then the adventure begins. Meghan lets the Iron Glamour she feels pull her toward the false king, but there are those that want to stop her. Those that think that the False King will steal her powers and become the strongest Iron Fey in history. But Machina, the last Iron King, won't let that happen. If only Meghan would let him help her. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Photo Friday

Pinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/pin/229120699768157111/
http://sinfulfolk.com/?og=1

How can I argue with that?

(Not that I want to.)

WWW Wednesday (127)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa. Meghan, Puck, and Ash have a chance to lift their exile from the Faery Realm, if they can stop the False Iron King and save the NeverNever.

02. Recently Finished:
The Outlanders by Erin Rhew. In the sequel to The Prophecy, a new Fulfillment has been found and the Outlands become a threat to uniting the two kingdoms.

03. Reading Next:
Death Never Lies by David Grace. A federal agent is killed to ensure a certain chemical can be imported into the U.S. The case falls to Greg Kane in this crime novel.

Teaser Tuesday (140)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



The Iron Queen (p. 131)
     - Julie Kagawa

I didn't see any falling stars, but if I had, I would've wished my dad be kept safe, that Ash and Puck would survive the coming war, and that somehow, we all would come out of this okay. If wishes were horses. I knew better. Fairy godmothers didn't exist, and even if they did, they wouldn't wave a magic want and make everything better.

The Outlanders (The Fulfillment #2)

With King Jesper dead and Prince Wilhelm mortally wounded, Halfling prince, Nash, and the Fulfilment, Layla, assume the throne of Etherea. They must contend with a new Prophecy Candidate who asserts her position, and Layla is surprised to find her fate intertwined with this challenger. Facing a myriad of choices, Nash and Layla’s decisions affect not only their own futures but that of two kingdoms.

Unbeknownst to the Ethereals or the Vanguards, a slumbering menace stirs in the south, awakened after centuries of slumber. The mysterious Outlanders, a force shadowed in mystery, sit poised to tip the balance of power, sending ripples of fear throughout both warring kingdoms.

Elder Werrick proved a formidable foe, but Layla may yet meet her match in the monstrous Outlander queen. This mistress of the dark’s plans, rooted in revenge and ancient lore, now threaten the livelihood of all three kingdoms.

Racing against time, Layla travels to the Borderlands—home of the Voltons and Ecclesiastics—to discover as much as she can about the war, the First Ones, and the prophecy itself. Lives teeter in the balance, kingdoms sit on the cusp of ruin, and a beast, greater than any she’s ever faced before, plots a catastrophic attack.

*May Contains Spoilers*

Erin Rhew continues her mesmerizing tale of a prophecy's future for three separate kingdoms in her novel, The Outlanders. This sequel to The Prophecy begins just after Prince Wil was hurt in the final battle. Though this book doesn't sport much battlefield action, readers will be on edge as they hope for everyone's survival. 

Layla, Wil, and Nash are all considered main characters again. Layla struggles to decipher her feelings for the half-brothers. She's stays loyal to Wil, sitting by his side as he tries to recover from a life threatening wound. Readers will appreciate her strength in troubling times. Layla is a trustworthy character and has the ability to weed out others who are untrustworthy. She's a caring character who will reach out to the empathetic side of readers. 

Wil fights for his life throughout most of this novel. Readers know that the Prince of Etherea is a compassionate man, as well as ruler. The goodness of Wil touches readers, bringing their hope for his survival to the surface. His feelings for Layla are true and completely selfless, helping readers relate to the Prince. 

Nash plays a large role in this novel, but the setting for his involvement is the Outlands as he's held prisoner for quite some time. His strength and focus are impressive, but readers will see him slowly breaking down as he waits for either release, rescue, or death. Nash's situation plays a big role on how readers feel toward his character. Sympathy and fear for him will weigh heavily on the minds of readers. 

The plot is engaging as the future of both the Vanguard and Etherea kingdoms are at stake. Though the first book gave readers more action, the conflict in this novel is more mental and mortal. Both lives and futures are on the line. I have to admit I did find myself skimming the chapters that didn't involve the three main characters. I'm not proud of this fact, but my focus was definitely on the characters I cared the most about. I did absolutely love the surprise twist at the end. I was wondering if we'd ever learn about Layla's real family... and we do! I had a feeling that her father had made an appearance already and readers will be happy with his reveal. Even though we'll all have to wait until book three for a reunion... if everyone survives to see it. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Faery Marked - Blog Tour

Synopsis
When Callie Rycroft wakes to find purple flames flickering on the ceiling, she believes she’s still dreaming. But soon she’s forced to accept that she has magic―a special magic that grants her entrance into the Faery Realm.

For centuries humans have been banned from Faery, but dangerous times call for dangerous measures. Declared Champion by the Faery Queen, Callie is assigned a Guardian, and tasked with finding the Cordial―a magical elixir needed to keep the portal to the Faery realm a secret from humans.

The upside? Reece Michaels, the boy she's been crushing on for years, is her Guardian. Callie hopes that, by spending time with Reece, he'll start to see her as more than just his best friend's sister.

The downside? She's in a race not only against time, but against another Champion, and a rogue Guardian―a Guardian who stands to threaten her developing relationship with Reece.

Magic, mistaken identities, and hidden agendas are the least of Callie's worries when she learns that the Cordial requires a sacrifice. Will Callie be willing to risk everything―even Reece―to complete her task as Champion? Or will she let the portal open, and doom both realms?

Review

Mary Waibel writes of a riddle and a challenge to save the Faery Realm in her new novel, Faery Marked. A human has never been chosen as Champion before, but Callie bears the winged mark. With her Guardian to help her, Callie has one week, after she takes the oath, to unravel the riddle and find the Cordial, ensuring the safety of Faery. 

Callie is an orphaned teenage girl, living with both her brother and foster brother while finishing high school. Just six months ago, she was in a terrible car accident that killed both of her parents. Still dealing with the guilt and mourning her loss, Callie is trying to focus on her future. Until she learns of Faery and her unexpected task. Readers will like Callie as she's a typical high school girl. She isn't stereotyped into any specific group, which makes her more relatable. She's intelligent and brave, willing to risk her life to find the Cordial. Though, I was disappointed in how she treated her best friend in the book, Alyssa. Even if Callie needed to keep her Faery quest a secret, she shouldn't have lied to her best friend and avoided her. Perhaps an all encompassing "I'll explain later" would have sufficed. 

The plot of Faery Marked was fast paced, beginning with Callie's discovery of her awakening powers. Without hesitation, she is taken to Faery and is required to take an oath for the Cordial quest. Soon after, Callie returns and begins training with her Guardian. While trying to crack the riddle, Callie is attacked multiple times and the threat of failure is mounting. But as with most beginnings of series, things don't wrap up nicely in the end and, suddenly, the threat of failure isn't the scariest possible outcome. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Meet the Author

YA author Mary Waibel’s love for fairytales and happy-ever fill the pages of her works. Whether penning stories in a medieval setting or a modern day school, magic and romance weave their way inside every tale. 

Strong female characters use both brain and brawn to save the day and win the heart of their men. Mary enjoys connecting with her readers through her website: marywaibel.blogspot.com. 

!Available December 16th from BookFishBooks!

Win Faery Marked/Book Swag Here 

Photo Friday

Found on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/229120699768111126/
http://excessivebookshelf.tumblr.com/post/2888811934/via-etsy-com

Oh the joys of a blank notebook. Crisp pages just waiting to be filled with words.

One of my favorite things. 

WWW Wednesday (126)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Faery Marked by Mary Waibel. Just started this one for a blog tour next Monday (Dec. 8th!). Callie learns that she's a champion for the Faery realm and must protect the portal that links the realm with the mortal world.

02. Recently Finished:
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa. The second book in The Iron Fey series. Meghan fulfills her promise to return with Prince Ash to the Unseelie Court. But defeating the Iron King doesn't mean the Iron Fey are giving up their desire to rule the realm.

03. Reading Next:
The Outlanders by Erin Rhew. Sequel to The Prophecy in the Fulfillment series. Wil is still recovering as Nash and Layla rule the kingdom. Meanwhile The Outlanders wish to get into the fight between the Ethereals and the Vanguards.

The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey #2)

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Oh my goodness. Julie Kagawa ensnared me with her fantastic descriptions of the Faery world in The Iron Daughter, the second book in The Iron Fey series. Keeping her promise to Prince Ash, Meghan returns to the Unseelie Court where she becomes a volunteered prisoner to Queen Mab. That is until the Iron Fey show up and destroy everything. 

Meghan is still the loyal, loving, brave soul readers remember from the first book, The Iron King. But there's something more to her as she begins to feel and wield iron glamour. Not that we have time to focus on that just now. The situation in the Fey world is dire and no one believes that the Iron Fey are real. After the Scepter of the Seasons is stolen, the Winter Fey declare war on the Summer Fey. But Meghan knows that the war must be stopped. Readers will be impressed at her willingness to help a place that has never been home to her, though her help may be pointedly aimed at Prince Ash, even if he is being quite an ass. With Meghan being such a wonderful character, the writing style a world to get lost in, and the plot a complicated mess of intrigue, readers will love this sequel. 

The plot begins with Meghan being trapped at the Unseelie Court. During the celebration of the official season change from summer to winter, the Scepter of the Seasons is stolen. Blaming the Erlking, Queen Mab declares war. Prince Ash and Meghan escape, labelled as traitors, and begin a journey to find the Scepter. A new Iron King sits the throne, a fraud some say, and he's recruiting fey to join him in order to overtake the Faery realm. Readers will enjoy the very bumpy ride through Fey and the Mortal world with Meghan, Puck, and the unexpected ally, Ironhorse. Oh and Grimalkin. Who can forget him? Though all may be for naught when certain characters are banned from Faery... not that I think it will stop them from returning. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups