Teaser Tuesday (Nov. 30)

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!

"Seven years ago, after two centuries under brutal Horde rule, the pirate captain Rhys Trahaearn had destroyed the tower that the Horde used to control the nanoagents infecting every person in London. For seven years, Ivy had been free to move as she wished, to feel as she wished-until earlier that night. " 

pg 206 of the Burning Up anthology in Meljean Brook's Here There Be Monsters short, prequel to The Iron Duke.

I'm just now starting this SS, so this is a teaser for me too. ;)

Book Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight

By Sophie Jordan

Won H.C. from Juliana Stone’s blog

A HIDDEN TRUTH

MORTAL ENEMIES

DOOMED LOVE

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.

Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away - if it dies she will be left a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...

Book Review: Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

Misguided Angel

Blue Bloods, Book 5

By Melissa de la Cruz
H.C. won from Paranormal Haven

After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence--with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the seven gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silverbloods.

As the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler closer to a terrifying crossroads--and a choice that will determine the destiny of all vampires.

Mmm...Monday (11/29)

Happy Cyber Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fab holiday weekend. 

To start your week off right here is your man candy, hope you enjoy it as much as I do! ;)

***IMAGES REMOVED***

Is it just me or is this man candy looking a bit wolfish this week? Growwwl...

• The Thanksgiving Giveaway winner selected using random.org is Kristen @ My Bloody Fairy Tale. Congratulations Kristen! An email has been sent and you have 48 hours to respond. Thank you to everyone who participated! 

• Don't forget I have other giveaways going on as well: Win a signed copy of Jane and the Damned by Janet Mullany, ends November 30th. Win a book of your choice from Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Park series, ends December 2nd. Win a signed copy of Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost and bookmark, ends December 15th. And then on this Thursday I will feature an interview with Thea from Thea Jeanne Designs & a giveaway and at the end of December I will be participating in the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop. 

Quote of the week: 

“Reading takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere.”

- Hazel Rochman New releases out tomorrow: Women of the Otherworld, Counterfeit Magic by Kelley Armstrong  Devoured by Darkness, Guardians of Eternity book #7 by Alexandra Ivy  Delilah Street: Silver Zombie by Carole Nelson Douglas  Black London, Bone God by Caitlin Kittredge  Dirk & Steele, In the Dark of Dream by Marjorie M. Liu  Night Trackers, Vampires Not Invited by Cheyenne McCray  Argeneau Vampires series, Hungry For You by Lynsay Sands  Eternal Flame (Night Watch) by Cynthia Eden  Matched by Ally Condie In other ramblings: I would like to do some guest posts this month. If anyone is interested in doing one, maybe spreading the blogging love and getting your blog out there some more, you can contact me at readingbetweenthewines10@gmail.com. Or if anyone has some holiday themed reviews they'd like to share. =) Have a great week everyone and happy reading! XOXO ~Crystal

What's Your Status? (11/28)

Hosted by Butterfly Feet Walking on Books and lists what you've finished in the past week, what your currently reading and where you are in the book/s, what you plan to read next, and possibly what you want to buy/get.

Finished This Week:

• Misguided Angel by Melissa De La Cruz

Currently Reading:

• Firelight by Sophie Jordan: pg 156 Jacinda was just caught by Will having Draki blood. 

Next On My TBR  Pile:

• The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

What I Would Like To Buy/Get Next:

• I would like to get the last two books in Alyson Noel's Immortal series and finish it up. 

Didn't much care for Misguided Angel, was disappointed with it. But Firelight is good so far. =)

Book Review: Death’s Sweet Embrace: A Dark Brethren Novel By Tracey O’hara

Death’s Sweet Embrace: A Dark Brethren Novel

By Tracey O’hara

eARC – Won from Tracey @ The Supernatural Underground

Release Date: January 25, 2011

After centuries of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens the tenuous peace. Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force forms to halt the madness, including the vampiric Aeternus Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes . . . and forbidden lovers. A centuries-old blood feud has divided their shapeshifting peoples, and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside, for the killer they seek is but the first sign of the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.

Contests & Giveaways!

Here is a list of contests and giveaways I've found around the blogosphere, a lot of them are ending soon so check them out! And then of course I have a few giveaways going on here that you can check out on the right side-bar. =)

Weekly Linkies of contests/giveaways;
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
Lu's Bloody Big Book Blog
Candace's Book Blog
Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick

I'm Over At Strange Candy Reviews Today!

Hi all, hope everyone is having a smashing weekend!

I am over at Strange Candy Reviews today for Jennifer Rardin tribute month. This is my first guest post ever, so nervous. I'll also be giving away one book in the Jaz Parks series, your choice, and Jo-Anne is giving away a signed copy of Bitten in Two. Head on over HERE to check it out. 

You can find my reviews on the series here; just click on the covers.

Friday Book Blogger Hop, Follow & Tag Along! (11/26)

Hosted by Laurie at Bitten by Paranormal Romance, Parajunkie and Crazy-for-Books

This week's Follow Friday from Parajunkie: HAPPY FRIDAY!

Book Blogger Hop & Crazy-for-Books question comes from Sarah who blogs at Writer, Reader, Dreamer: "What is your favorite book cover?" 

Right now I am loving the cover of Juliana Stone's latest release, His Darkest Embrace

The 18+ Tag Along is hosted by Laurie over at Bitten by Paranormal Romance. This week Laurie asks; Do you have a recent hot m/f/m read? If not just tell us another hot read.

I haven't read one recently but I think the last one was a Lora Leigh, I believe one from her Bound Hearts series. 

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and you all have a wonderful weekend. I actually was able to do some Black Friday shopping this morning and it wasn't that bad, didn't have to tackle a singe person. LoL But now I have to sneak in the toys. 

Thank you for stopping by and happy reading! If you want to leave a comment make sure to leave a link to your own blog and I'll comment back. And if you like what you see and decide to follow let me know and I'll be sure to return the love. XOXO

Happy Thanksgiving and Giveaway!

Gobble Gobble everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving for those of you who celebrate it and for those who don't, a wonderful Friday-eve. 

Today (and tomorrow since I'm posting this a wee bit early) I am thankful for a lot of things but right now I am thankful for half naked Native Americans. Man, where was this guy at all the pow wows I attended growing up? Take me to your wigwam please! 

I am also thankful for all the fabulous authors out there that take the time to create such wonderful worlds for me to fall into and my fellow book blogger/reading addict freaks like me who'd rather be buried in a book then in turkey, mash potatoes and gravy. Which just doesn't compare to kick-ass heroines and sexy alpha-male heroes; less fattening too. =)

And of course I am thankful for all you followers out there who saw something you liked; whether it be reviews, off the wall ramblings or the half naked men, and decided to stick around for more. 

Just for you, my lovely followers, I have a on-the-whim giveaway for the Thanksgiving weekend; 

Fill Out This Form (Giveaway is now closed)

for a chance to win your choice of (1) book from The Book Depository, up to $10.00. Open to wherever The Book Depository ships to. 

Ends at 11:59 on Sunday, November 28th. Comments don't count, you must fill out the form, but are always appreciated. =) 

OH! I am also thankful for never having to cook a Thanksgiving dinner, yet, because we have family who live close by who do. Though I have offered up to cook my yummy caramel pecan pumpkin pie. Speaking of which I must get that started, I hope everyone has a fabulous day. Be positive, be thankful and of course; Happy Reading! 

2011 Reading Challenges

These are the first reading challenges I've participated in so I am super excited! Annnnd....I think I got a bit carried away, yikes!

To save time and space I am making one post for the reading challenges I've signed up for. The lists will be updated regularly. 

If you are interested in participating in these challenges then just click on the button/blog name and it will take you to that blog, if I do reviews for a book listed it will be linked to the title. Happy Reading everyone!

"Waiting On" Wednesday (6): Pale Demon by Kim Harrison

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Pale Demon

The Hollows Series

by Kim Harrison

Release Date: 02/22/2011

Banned from the flight lists, Rachel teams up with tycoon Trent Kalamack, headed for the West Coast for his own mysterious business. Can a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car survive for over 2,300 miles?

And that’s not counting the assassin on their tail.

Find out more about the Hollows series & books at Kim's website HERE

I must say, with this summary from Kim's website I'm not sure what's going on but I am excited to see what Rachel's next adventure will be. 

Book Review: Bitten in Two by Jennifer Rardin

Bitten in Two

By Jennifer Rardin

7^th in the Jaz Parks series

Jaz Parks here. I. Am. Pissed. Just as Vayl and I arrive in Morocco to secure an ancient artifact, he wakes up calling me by another woman's name. And it's not even a good one. But since any form of argument transforms him into an unholy terror, I'm forced to play along until the gang and I can figure out what kind of power has so vastly altered his perceptions.

So it's time for me to do what any well-trained assassin in my position might do. I attack. What follows is a hair-raising, breath-taking bullet train ride to the finish as the crew battles on multiple fronts. I now know what I have to do - I must return to hell one last time.

Bitten in Two starts right where Bite Marks left off with the team going from Australia to Morocco to find the Rocenz, a demon forged tool that can reduce a creature to it’s most basic elements and the only way to free Jaz from Lucifer's Assassin Brude’s possession. The night they arrived in Marrakech though Vayl developments a weird case of amnesia that has thrown him back to 1777. He doesn’t remember the last 230 years and thinks him and his trusty servants (Jaz & Cole) are in Morocco for the protection of his ward Helena (Bergman). Jaz must persuade the warlock Sterling to help lift the possible curse put on her lover/boss but they have an explosive history, literally, they brought a house down on their last mission! Then while roaming the streets of Marrakech trying to save Vayl from himself Jaz picks up an unwanted admirer, err...stalker, who seems oddly turned on by her violent behavior. And now she also has to worry about the Demon Kyphas carrying a torch for her buddy Cole and hope that he isn’t falling for the demon as well. Talk about a birthday from Hell.

Teaser Tuesday (Nov. 23)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Because we paid him to. So we could set up your hunt tonight and make sure your victim didn't end up dead. Like the first one nearly did, before we realized what had happened the night we arrived in Marrakech when you went missing and we had to hunt you for real.        -pg. 14 

I finally finished re-reading the series and now I'm on to the new book and so far I can't put it down! That teaser was in the prologue too, sounds intriguing doesn't it? 

What's your teaser for the week?

Book Review: Bite Marks by Jennifer Rardin

Bite Marks

By Jennifer Rardin

Book 6, Jaz Parks series

Jaz Parks here. But I'm not alone. I'm hearing voices in my head - and they're not mine. 

The problem, or maybe the solution, is work. And the job's a stinker this time -- killing the gnomes that are threatening to topple NASA's Australian-based space complex. Yeah, I know. Vayl and I should still be able to kick this one in our sleep. Except that Hell has thrown up a demon named Kyphas to knock us off track. And damn is she indestructible!

Jaz & Vayl’s steamy vacation on his private island (BTW- I want, I want!) is cut short when Pete asks them to travel to Australia and stop a group of gnomes from wreaking havoc on and ultimately taking out the Canberra Deep Space Complex. With the whole team back together they head to their safe house but then come under attack by the demon Kyphas, who has a contract for Cassandra’s soul. Raoul arrives to help out with his demon fighting weaponry and with Bergman’s latest invention, a cute but kick-ass robo-kitty, Astral; they just might make it out of this mess. That is, if Jaz can stop the unknown voice in her head from taking over. 

Book Review: One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin

One More Bite

Jennifer Rardin

Book 5 in Jaz Parks series

*so probably will contain spoilers for you if you haven’t read the series yet*

It's Jaz Parks. I've already smoked the guy who was the pain in the CIA's you-know-what for the past few years. But now, in the power vacuum left by the death of Edward "The Raptor"Samos, a struggle for supremacy has begun between his former allies. 

The CIA feels the balance must be maintained. So when an agent planted among the Weres discovers a plot to assassinate the Coven's leader, my vampire boss and I are brought in to take out the woman hired to do the deed, a killer who might be as wily and Gifted as ourselves.

So it's off to the Scottish Highlands for some twisted fun among murderers, demons and half-crazed relatives. Sometimes being a top-secret CIA assassin isn't all it's cracked up to be.

The Neon Graveyard by Vicki Pettersson Cover!

The Neon Graveyard

by Vicki Pettersson

Sign of the Zodiac, Book 6

Release Date: May 31st, 2011

From Wicked little Pixie interview:

The Neon Graveyard-

Though once the perceived savior of the paranormal underworld, Joanna is now just another mortal. Yet the dueling factions of Shadow and Light won’t leave her alone. And while she’s being hunted for her duality, she can’t afford to hide. Her lover – her future – is being held captive in Midheaven, the stronghold of a goddess, her greatest foe. Joanna will risk everything she’s fought for up until now in order to bring about the future she really wants, but that includes the prophesized apocalypse that will consume the valley if she fails.

OMGoodness, I just saw the new cover for Vicki Pettersson's The Neon Graveyard today and had to share!!! *Squee* So excited for this to come out! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series, it is my second favorite series EVER. (Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress PR series being the first, duh) and my #1 fave UF. But...sniff, sniff...sad news; this is going to be the last book. It's always sad to see a series end with characters that you love but I hope Joanna & Hunter go out with a bang and Joanna gets her HEA. 

There is a great interview with Vicki at Wicked little Pixie where she talks about her series and the upcoming release of The Neon Graveyard, and it's also where I found the book info & cover, check it out. Though Vicki did post it on FB and darn it, I must not of got on FB that day! 

If you haven't read this series yet then shame on you! Go get it, treat yourself to an early Christmas present or something. Seriously. I would describe this series as; 

arresting, captivating, consuming, engrossing, enthralling, exciting, fascinating, gripping, interesting, intriguing, monopolizing, preoccupying, riveting, spellbinding

Friday Book Blogger Hop, Follow & Tag Along! (6)

Laurie @ BittenbyParanormalRomance 18+ Tag Along aks:

What is one of your recent hot reads?

Sadly, I haven't had a hot read lately and I am way overdue! I think my last semi-hot read was Kresley Cole's Demon from the Dark last month. But after I finish re-reading the Jaz Parks series and the newest one that came out this month I plan on re-reading Cheyenne McCray's Wonderland Series and those are like 5 alarm fire, I now need a cold shower hot! I wish she would write more of those, there could be one more book added in to make the series complete. How about you guys, any hot reads lately? Any suggested hot reads? 

This week's featured blogger over at Parajunkie for Follow Friday is Ginger @ GReads

QOTW: How long have you been book blogging??

I'm still a blogging newbie. I started this blog at the beginning of September. I actually had no clue about blogging period and only started following blogs since June thanks to following my favorite authors on Facebook and seeing them put together the Supernatural Underground. 

So far it's been a blast! 

Book Blogger Hop & Crazy-for-Books QOTW:

"Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!"

Short answer; I am most thankful for my family & my hubby who works so hard to keep this roof over our head. 

Hmm..we don't really have any traditions right now but we do usually try to make it to my dad's every year for dinner and last year I made outfits for the kids to wear (they were little Indians)  & probably will again this year.  

Thanks for stopping by, wishing you a wonderful Friday and a fabulous book-filled weekend! 
If you like what you see here and decide to follow let me know and I'll return the love. Also, make sure to check out our two giveaways;

• Win a signed copy of Jane and the Damned by Janet Mullany HERE 
• Win a signed copy & bookmark of Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost HERE