Shut Up & Read

Title: Redemption Author: H.D. Gordon Series: The Alexa Montgomery Saga #4 Goodreads Rating: The final test is here. The war is no longer a worry of tomorrow, but a reality of today. Turning back is no longer an option. Maybe it never was. It is time for Alexa Montgomery to look fate in the eyes. Death waits there for certain. The only question is... for who? Add Redemption to your Goodreads list! See the whole Alexa Montgomery series on Goodreads! My Thoughts- Redemption by H.D. Gordon My rating: 5 of 5 stars Writing this review is bittersweet. I absolutely fell in love with this series and the characters therein, but it came to a necessary end. You have to love a book that can punch you in the gut in the last chapter. It was not at all what I was expecting, but then, why read a book if you know exactly what's coming? As I have said in all my reviews for this series, I love H.D. Gordon's writing. She has a way with words and is able to...

Half Black Soul by H.D. Gordon My rating: 4 of 5 stars The second book in the Alexa Montgomery series picks up right where the first one left off. In this book we get to see Alexa grow into her role as a Sun Warrior. It is a difficult struggle for her, though, to embrace her destiny and accept what she sees as a monster inside of her. We also got to see her grow as a person as she searches out her feelings for Kayden. I loved that we got Nelly's POV in this book. She is a great character and you can see, though she did not play a big role in book one, she is quickly becoming crucial to the plot of the story. I liked the fact that we got to know her a little bit better and were able to invest ourselves in her more. The world the author created for this book was wonderful. She has a way of painting a picture with her words that flow right off the page. This series is fast becoming a favorite for me. View all my reviews

Dark Waltz, a Praestani Novel by A.M. Hargrove My rating: 4 of 5 stars Dark Waltz is the first book in a spinoff of A.M. Hargrove's The Guardians of Vesturon series. This book takes the characters from the YA series and brings them into a whole new light in this adult series, set a few years in the future. Don't worry…if you have not read The Guardians of Vesturon books, you do not absolutely need to in order to understand Dark Waltz. However, you will get a lot of background understanding by reading those books first. That all being said, one of the reasons I loved this book so much was Jurek. I absolutely fell in love with him in Determinant, and here he is again, all hot and sexy. Now, at first Jurek is kind of…a jerk. But, can you really blame him? Look what he's fighting against and everything he has to deal with. He pretty much has the weight of the world on his shoulders. So I will forgive him if he acts a bit defensive, protective, and untrusting at f...

Hybrid by Juliann Whicker My rating: 4 of 5 stars Book 2 in the House of Slide series is, in short, amazing. We come into the story shortly after Dariana has gotten her soul back and becomes "normal" (if there can be a normal in this story) again. She has to learn to live a completely different life than she had been, and I love the character development we get to witness as she deals with everything thrown her way. The continuation of the world we first entered into in Hotblood (book 1) is completely unique from anything you've read before…and the complexity! I am amazed how the author is able to strand everything together to make it into a coherent, engaging story. Delving into the world of the Hotbloods, Cools, Wilds, and Hybrids is an amazing journey. The author's incredible imagination feeds the story and grows it into this fascinating creation. In Hybrid we are reintroduced to our favorite characters from Hotblood, Dariana and Lewis (oh Lewis, how I...

The Rise by H.D. Gordon My rating: 4 of 5 stars The third installment of the Alexa Montgomery series is amazing in that the author took the word "twist" to a whole new level. No way could anyone have seen that coming. The story continues right where book 2 left off but plunges into a dark abyss that will be difficult to climb out of. The book is action packed with never a dull moment. There is a lot of love in this story, as well as loss, pain, hope, fear, emotion, emotion, emotion, and the author did it all quite well. Through the whole story, even still at the end, Alexa is conflicted with what and who she is. She knows her fate and never questions it, though she does wonder, why her? What makes her so special that she should be able to do what is being asked of her? Though I love Alexa and her badass self, her whole crappy attitude did get on my nerves a bit in this book (is it really necessary to be so freaking rude to EVERYBODY? I'm sure she has some ni...

It's day four of the Magnificently Magic Read-a-thon hosted by Faye at A Daydreamer's Thoughts. How is your reading going? Here is my reading progress so far: Death Masks by Jim Butcher - Completed (451 pages) Crimson Darkness by Amos Cassidy- Completed (277 pages) Iced by Karen Marie Moning - Started Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to read yesterday between work, family, and school. Hopefully I'll find a few hours today :) I'm also taking part in today's mini-challege hosted by Faye. Today's challenge is to make a book Christmas tree...so here is mine!   Not too bad, and a lot of fun!  Making a Christmas tree book is definitely harder than I thought it would be.  There is still time to get in on yesterday's mini-challenge hosted by me. Stop by here to see the challenge.

It’s day three of the Magnificently Magic Read-a-thon hosted by Faye at A Daydreamer's Thoughts . How is your reading going? Here is my reading progress so far: Death Masks by Jim Butcher - Completed (451 pages) Crimson Darkness by Amos Cassidy- Completed (277 pages) Iced by Karen Marie Moning - Starting today I am excited to be the host of today's mini challenge and giveaway! For today's giveaway- I am giving away a hardcover of one of my favorite books of all times:  Daughter of Smoke and Bone. To take part in the giveaway, the only mandatory task is that you participate in the read-a-thon. But, you can get extra entries by taking part in the mini-challenge. Enter using the Rafflecopter below (international).   Here is today's mini-challenge: I have taken three of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and have taken some words out. Your task is to put the quotes back together. Quote 1) ...

It’s day two of the Magnificently Magic Read-a-thon hosted by Faye at A Daydreamer's Thoughts . How is your reading going? Here is my reading progress so far: Death Masks by Jim Butcher - 90% (planning on finishing tonight) Crimson Darkness by Amos Cassidy- 50% (planning on finishing tomorrow) Iced by Karen Marie Moning - Not started I am also taking part in today's mini-challenge hosted by Vicky over at Books, Biscuits and Tea. Today's challenge is book spine poetry. I've never heard of book spine poetry, but I am going to give it my best shot.  Here is my entry:                 Choosing to see Things that are changeless Eclipse things not seen   Hmmm...not too bad for my first try :) Come back tomorrow for my mini challenge and giveaway!

Title:   Redemption   Series:   The Alexa Montgomery Saga #4 Author:   H.D. Gordon Release Date:   December 21, 2012 Cover Artist:  Regina Wamba The final test is here. The war is no longer a worry of tomorrow, but a reality of today. Turning back is no longer an option. Maybe it never was. It is time for Alexa Montgomery to look fate in the eyes. Death waits there for certain. The only question is... for who? Add Redemption to on Goodreads!

The Magnificently Magic Read-A-Thon starts today! Don't worry, it's not too late to sign up.  Visit Faye at A Daydreamer's Thoughts to see how you can still join!     There is a mini-challenge and giveaway today being hosted by Hollie at Music, Books, and Tea .  Stop by and see what you can win.   Stop back here Saturday for my own mini-challenge and giveaway!   Here is my 'magic' reading list for the Read-A-Thon weekend: Crimson Darkness by Amos Cassidy Death Masks by Jim Butcher Iced by Karen Marie Moning      

What is the Genre Reading Challenge?   This is a challenge hosted by Faye over at A Daydreamer's Thoughts .  The challenge is to read books from different genres throughout the year.  You can go HERE to find out more and to participate in the challenge.  The level I am aiming for in this challenge is AVID READER - 24 different genres, 24 books. I will keep an updated widget with the books I have read for this challenge.  Stop back for more! 1. Young Adult Fantasy - Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia 2. Steampunk - Blameless by Gail Carriger 3. Paranormal Romance - Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost 4. Contemporary Romance - Slammed by Colleen Hoover 5. Erotic Romance - Release Me by J. Kenner 6. Young Adult Contemporary - Easy by Tamara Webber 7. High Fantasy - Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder 8. Woman's Fiction - Is This All There Is? by Patricia Mann 9. New Adult - The Athena Effect by Darrolyn Anderson 10. Histori...

Happy release day! Furthermore is here and we are all so excited to share it with you. Buy now for Kindle , Nook , and Paperback A first date, a lottery, treachery and deceit. Sometimes fate has other plans. Sometimes there's more to tell. In Furthermore , seventeen original stories take you on a journey through worlds here and beyond. From the depths of the earth to the embrace of the sea, your favorite series continue. Prequels, alternative views, and new scenes give readers a chance to experience more than originally told. Including stories from Rebekah Campbell, David Estes, Amber Garr, Karen Amanda Hooper, Stephanie Judice, and Leigh Michael. The best part? In honor of those who lost the battle and those who continue to fight, all proceeds from this anthology will be donated to cancer research and support. Find out more about your favorite characters from The Darkness Through the Light Series, The Dwellers Sage, The Syrenka Series, The Leila Marx No...

I'd like to welcome Juliann Whicker to the Shut Up & Read blog today! Check out Juliann's latest release, book 2 in the House of Slide series, Hybrid - A new soul in a dangerous world. Dariana Sanders, daughter of the prestigious House of Slide, has her hands full. The Bloodworker who killed her brother is dead, but it turns out that he's not the only one who wants Dari, or who will do anything to make sure that she's taken care of before she learns to control her powers and becomes a force to be reckoned with. She needs her friends, family, and a reluctant soulmate if she's going to survive. Add Hybrid to your Goodreads shelf! Available from: Amazon ~ Smashwords My Review: Hybrid by Juliann Whicker My rating: 4 of 5 stars Book 2 in the House of Slide series is, in short, amazing. We come into the story shortly after Dariana has gotten her soul back and becomes "normal" (if there can be a normal in this story) again. She ha...

Halfskin b y Tony Bertauski Halfskin 4.00   Biomites are artificial stem cells that can replace any cell in your body. No more kidney failure, no severed spines or blood disease. No cancer. Pharmaceuticals become obsolete. With each dose of biomites, we become stronger, we become smarter and prettier. We become better. At what point are we no longer human? Nix Richards nearly died in a car accident when he was young. ...more Biomites are artificial stem cells that can replace any cell in your body. No more kidney failure, no severed spines or blood disease. No cancer. Pharmaceuticals become obsolete. With each dose of biomites, we become stronger, we become smarter and prettier. We become better. At what point are we no longer human? Nix Richards nearly died in a car accident when he was young. Biomites saved his life. Ten years later, he’s not so lucky. The Halfskin Laws decree a human composed of 50% biomites is no longer human. Halfskins have no legal rights and will hav...

The Moon Dwellers by David Estes The Dwellers #1   The Moon Dwellers (The Dwellers, #1) 4.18 In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treaso ...more In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason. Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine name...

The Rise by H.D. Gordon The Alexa Montgomery Saga #3 The Rise (The Alexa Montgomery Saga #3) 4.31   The supernatural world in which Alexa Montgomery has found herself is on the brink of war. She is charged with the task of raising an army, defeating an evil dictator, and struggling to contain the bloodthirsty monster that lives within her. These are things Alexa can handle, but when the person she loves most in the world takes a turn for the worst, Alexa's loyalty and det ...more The supernatural world in which Alexa Montgomery has found herself is on the brink of war. She is charged with the task of raising an army, defeating an evil dictator, and struggling to contain the bloodthirsty monster that lives within her. These are things Alexa can handle, but when the person she loves most in the world takes a turn for the worst, Alexa's loyalty and determination will be tested in the most horrifying of ways. Will she be able to rise to the challenge, or will her love ...

  Teaser Tuesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Should Be Reading! where you share two (2) “teaser” sentences from your current read to try to entice others to want to seek it out. Find out how you can participate Here!     Here is this week's teaser:     Title:   Days of Blood & Starlight Series:   Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2 Author: Laini Taylor Genre: YA Fantasy Published: November 6, 2012 Goodreads Rating: 4.41   “Dead souls dream only of death. Small dreams for small men. It is life that expands to fill worlds. Life is your master, or death is.”