Contest Sticky


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Contest Winner : Digital Room Giveaway - 500 Business Cards




Today I picked the winner of the Digital Room giveaway for 500 Business Cards! This is an exciting giveaway, because every book blogger wants business cards right?

So without further ado...

The Winner is...
 
Kelsey/ Just Blinded Book Reviews

I have already emailed you Kelsey!  Also look for an email from Digital Room that will link you to your free business cards!  I've already filled out the form and created mine, they should arrive soon!

Waiting On Wednesday - May 5, 2010


Waiting On Wednesday


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
 
 
Release Date : June 8, 2010
 
Description from Amazon
 
When a stranger offers her a small fortune to break into a traveling magician’s wagon, Kim doesn’t hesitate. Having grown up a waif in the dirty streets of London, Kim isn’t above a bit of breaking-and-entering. A hard life and lean times have schooled her in one lesson: steal from them before they steal from you. But when the magician catches her in the act, Kim thinks she’s done for. Until he suggests she become his apprentice; then the real trouble begins.

Kim soon finds herself entangled with murderers, thieves, and cloak-and-dagger politics, all while trying to learn how to become both a proper lady and a magician in her own right. Magic and intrigue go hand in hand in Mairelon the Magician and The Magician’s Ward, two fast-paced novels filled with mystery and romance, set against the intricate backdrop of Regency England. 
 
The first thing that caught my eye was this cover!  It's gorgeous :)  Love that glowing ball, and her outfit is just stunning!  Then, you read the synopsis, and boom..who can resist magicians, thieves, and murderers?!  Sounds like a great combo to me...  

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Teaser Tuesday - May 4, 2010


Teaser Tuesdays

Hosted by Should Be Reading

Anyone can play along!
Just do the following :

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
5. Share the book title and author so others can wishlist the book.

My Teaser :

Suddenly, there were loud bangs and pops as fireworks appeared overhead, and everyone in the crowd looked up and cheered.  While they were distracted, I flew down, snatched the earphone out of the guy's ear, and shot back into the air.  As he looked desperately around for it on the ground, I pressed the mute button and shoved it into my ear.
 
pg. 200
 
 
 

Monday, May 3, 2010

Blog Tour & Giveaway : Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn


Thanks to Anna Balasi of Hatchette Books, I am able to give away 5 copies of Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn!  

About the Book

Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn
Release Date : April 27, 2010
Historical Romance

FORBIDDEN LOVE

Davina Montgomery is no ordinary English lady. For her own protection, she's been locked away from society, her true identity the Crown's most closely guarded secret. Until a shocking betrayal--and a bold rescue--land her in the arms of a fierce Highlander, a powerful warrior whose searing gaze and tantalizing touch awaken her body and soul.

UNDENIABLE DESIRE

As the firstborn son of a powerful Scottish laird, Robert MacGregor has no loyalty to the English throne, but he's not the kind of man to leave a woman in distress, even if she is English. He vows to deliver Davina to safety, unharmed and untouched. Yet one stolen kiss leaves them both smoldering with desire...and desperate for more. With Davina's secret threatening to destroy his clan, Rob must choose between everything he holds dear and the one woman he can't live without.

RAVISHED BY A HIGHLANDER

About the Author

I was the kid in school who raced to get to English class, especially on Poetry day. There just wasn't anything better than standing in the front of an audience and reading moving prose. Of course, Sister Mary Elizabeth didn't consider Bad Company lyrics stunning verse, but I made sure to toss some Edgar Allen Poe into the pot for balance. The true thrill came from reading my own work. I still have every journal, and there were many, stashed away in my closet, each page filled with my careful script, i's dotted with hearts.

I typed my very first novel on an Adam computer. Yes, that's Adam, not Apple. A paranormal romance (the first one of it's kind in the early eighties) but no one was interested, much to my shock and amazement. Will I admit it was a cheesy novel? Never! I still have it, dot matrix as black as the day it was first printed up.

Putting away my trusty Adam, I went on to bigger and better things, like marrying my childhood sweetheart and having three children. But I once read that authors don't choose to write; writing chooses them, and there were an endless store of characters in my head to prove it. So we traded in the Adam for an Apple. I promised my husband that I wouldn't be gone long, and off to Camelot I went. Most of me returned home, but there's a part that remained in the medieval world of knights, castles, and chivalry. I've since brought my family there and they love it as much as I do, although I suspect my husband was a crusader knight long before I envisioned him in a red cross tabard. But that's another story entirely. I think I'll write it in pen and dot my I's with hearts.

I'm a disgustingly sappy romantic moved by music, beautiful words, and the sight of a really nice pen. I live in Manhattan with my knight in shining armor. We have three beautiful children, two dogs and too many reptiles to count. I love to read romance and science fiction and have been writing since I was eleven. I'm a faithful believer in God and thank Him daily for all the blessings in my life. I love all things medieval, but it’s my love for Scotland that pulls at my heartstrings.

Enter the Contest!

Fill out the entry form below for a chance to win one of 5 copies of Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn.


Deadline May 17, 2010 @ Midnight
US & Canadian Residents Only.  No PO Boxes.

What's New This Week? : The Good & The Bad (1)

In a Nut Shell :

Whats New This Week : The Good & The Bad is an exclusive Falling Off The Shelf Feature.  It is intended to introduce readers to new titles, and give them an all around opinion of those books.  It is also a great way to find new blogs throughout the blogosphere that you may not have known about in the past.  Each week I will introduce a few new titles, whether they be Children's Chapter Books, Young Adult, or even Adult titles (maybe even a mix!).  Each title will be linked to a Good Review, and a Bad Review, so that you can understand what your getting yourself into before obtaining a copy.

*NOTE!*

*Good Review* - Recommended by the Reader
*Bad Review* - Not Recommended by the Reader (not to be confused with a badly written review)

-*- Feel free to suggest an upcoming title and/or a review you would like to be showcased by emailing me at FallingOTShelf@aol.com-*-

Released May 3 - 9, 2010


Reading Level : Young Adult
Genre : 
Release Date : May 4, 2010

Synopsis : 

It's war time, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they've recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners' son, who died by drowning.

With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the strange circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called the Prince of Mist--a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden--an adventure that will change their lives forever. 

The Bad -  Killin' Time Reading


Reading Level : Young Adult
Genre : Paranormal
Release Date : May 3, 2010

Synopsis : 

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad. 

The Good - A Good Addiction
The Bad - Lurve a la Mode  


Darkborn by Alison Sinclair (Paperback)
Reading Level : Adult
Genre : Fantasy
Release Date : May 4, 2010 (Original Release : May 5, 2009)

Synopsis : 

For the Darkborn, sunlight kills. For the Lightborn, darkness is fatal. Living under a centuries-old curse, the Darkborn and the Lightborn share the city of Minhorne, coexisting in an uneasy equilibrium but never interacting. When Darkborn physician Balthasar Hearne finds a pregnant fugitive on his doorstep just before sunrise, he has no choice but to take her in. Tercelle Amberley’s betrothed is a powerful Darkborn nobleman, but her illicit lover came to her through the daytime. When she gives birth to twin boys, they can see, something unheard of among the Darkborn. When men come for the boys, Balthasar is saved by the intervention of his Lightborn neighbor—and healed by the hands of his wife, Telmaine. Soon he finds himself drawn deeper into political intrigue and magical attacks, while Telmaine must confront a power she can no longer keep sheathed in gloves, a power she neither wants nor can control.   


I hope you like these titles, and feel free to post a link to your own reviews as well (I will update the post with them for the future reference of other readers).

-*- Feel free to suggest an upcoming title and/or a review you would like to be showcased by emailing me at FallingOTShelf@aol.com

In My Mailbox - May 3, 2010

In My Mailbox was started by Krist @ The Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

June 23, 2009 - Received for review from the Author.

In 1776 England, American born Anadreya Macgregor is branded a spy by the arrogant Marquis of Canderlay. Despite her pleas of innocence, he refuses to listen and has her imprisoned. Aided by the Scottish father she never knew, Dreya escapes to Dragon's Breath Castle.

Five years later, the laird is missing and a badly injured Frenchman washes ashore. Dreya is wary of the blind and amnesic man, though something about him is hauntingly familiar. Is he an ally or a ruthless mercenary who stumbled upon her father's smuggling activities?

The stranger's vision and memory gradually return and Dreya discovers her fate and the continued existence of her clan might very well be in his hands. As the web of deception binding them together unravels, both are in danger of losing everything. Including their hearts.

Apocalyse Happens by Lori Handeland (Paperback)
November 3, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch.


Elizabeth Phoenix is one of a select few with the power to battle those who have escaped from the darkest level of hell—demons bent on destroying humanity and reclaiming earth once and for all.  Liz is determined to stop yet another Doomsday. But this time, it’s going to be more difficult than ever because someone she thought was dead isn’t dead anymore…and is bound and determined to destroy Liz and everyone she loves in the upcoming Apocalypse.

Liz has arrived in Los Angeles to ferret out a nest of varcolacs: half human, half dragon creatures who crave the destruction of the sun and moon. But before she can prevent the kind of eclipse that would bring the world to an end, Liz must mine the depths of her own heart. She and her former lover Jimmy Sanducci have some personal demons to battle—and there’s always her mentor, the Navajo shaman Sawyer. Is he on their side or isn’t he? In the end, the three of them must find a way to fight together…or perish alone.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Hardcover) - SIGNED
March 2, 2010 - Won @ Princess Bookie! (Thanks Lauren & Cindy!!) 

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined. 

Crimson by Jordan Summers (Paperback)
November 3, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch. 

On the run from the law, Gina ‘Red’ Santiago and Sheriff Morgan Hunter continue their search for the proof needed to clear their names. Unfortunately, the danger doesn’t just lie in No-Man’s-Land. Someone near to them is about to betray them for the Other blood running through their veins.

Politician Roark Montgomery is desperate. The election is near and he still hasn’t found the fugitives. Roark’s not above using the traitor in his midst to kill the two people that stand between him and political victory. It takes a predator to catch a predator.

Morgan’s and Red’s only option is to face the assault head on. With Roark, nothing is ever that easy, but they know two things he doesn’t: Love is worth dying for. And it’s never smart to corner a hungry wolf. 

Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre (Paperback)
September 29, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch.

It’s not easy to tread lightly
wearing steel-toed boots.

Sirantha Jax isn’t known for diplomatic finesse. As a “Jumper” who navigates ships through grimspace, she’s used to kicking ass first and taking names later—much later. Not exactly the obvious
choice to sell the Conglomerate to the Ithtorians, a people whose opinions of humans are as hard as their exoskeletons.

And Ithiss-Tor council meetings aren’t the only place where
Ambassador Jax needs to maneuver carefully. Her lover, March,
is frozen in permanent “kill” mode, and his hair-trigger threatens to sabotage the talks—not to mention their relationship.

But Jax won’t give up on the man or the mission. With the Outskirts beleaguered by raiders, pirates, and the flesh-eating Morgut, an alliance with Ithiss-Tor may be humanity’s only hope.

Which has Jax wondering why a notorious troublemaker like her was given the job…
September 28, 2010 - Received for review via Around the World Tours 

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price? 

November 3, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch.

Allison Beckstrom's magic has taken its toll on her, physically marking her and erasing her memories-including those of the man she supposedly loves. But lost memories aren't the only things preying on Allie's thoughts.

Her late father, the prominent businessman-and sorcerer-Daniel Beckstrom, has somehow channeled himself into her very mind. With the help of The Authority, a secret organization of magic users, she hopes to gain better control over her own abilities-and find a way to deal with her father... 

May 18, 2010 - Received for Review via A @ Gallery Books

Lively young socialite Nancy Carrington-Chambers has always believed an excellent sense of style and strict attention to detail are what it takes to succeed, but her own husband Todd is showing symptoms of incurable tackiness, so Nancy flees their McMansion for her posh San Francisco apartment. She knows her event planning company, Froth, is a real winner, but she must prove herself by reinventing the turgid Barbary Coast Historical Museum fundraiser. Luckily, Nancy now has the perfect assistant. Derek Cathcart is British, impeccably dressed, gorgeous, and clearly gay—so why does Nancy find him so attractive?

Before Nancy can unravel her feelings, her irresponsible cousin Birdie abandons her little daughter with Nancy and takes off. Nancy, Derek, and Eugenia make an unlikely “family,” but strangely it seems incredibly right. Now Nancy’s parents are pressuring her to return to Todd, and she still has to pull off a spectacular party. For someone who’s always known exactly where she’s going, Nancy is in dangerously uncharted waters.

Rising Shadow by Jacquelyn Wheeler (Trade Paperback)
September 10, 2009 - Received for review via Other Shelf Tours 

Ashlyn Woods just transferred to one of the most beautiful campuses on the west coast, where she can't wait to start her life over as a normal college student. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she discovers that she is a Soterian: a person who develops amazing powers when the balance of good and evil shifts too far in evil's favor. Soon she and the other Soterians are studying martial arts and learning to use their powers to prevent California from being plunged into chaos. But they quickly discover that they're up against a much more dangerous enemy than they anticipated. And when Ashlyn meets Kai, a devastatingly gorgeous guitar player, she realizes she must sacrifice more than she ever imagined. 

Scorched by Sharon Ashwood (Paperback)
December 1, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch

Ex-detective Macmillan has a taste for bad girls, but his last lover really took the cake—and his humanity. Now a half-demon, Mac’s lost his friends, his family, and his job. Then a beguiling vampire asks for his help to find her son. Suddenly, Mac has a case to work—one that leads him deep into the supernatural prison where Mac learns that cracking the case will cost him his last scrap of humanity. 



March 30, 2010 - Recieved from Paperbackswap
When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down. It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit. All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live... 

September 1, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch (Already have a copy, so this one will be in a future giveaway!)
Brilliant Rosamund Hill has lived her life buried in academia, discounting the legend of the Chosen as a myth-then Aaron Eagle shows up at her door. With the promise of a love that will defy fate itself, Rosamund is forced to confront the truth about the Chosen...and the dangerous man who sweeps her into a world of dark secrets. 



September 14, 2008 - Won from Hilda @ The Dip-Files (Thanks hun!)
In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place. 




February 1, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch 

Aleksia, Queen of the Northern Lights, is mysterious, beautiful and widely known to have a heart of ice. But when she's falsely accused of unleashing evil on nearby villages, she realizes there's an impostor out there far more heartless than she could ever be.

And when a young warrior disappears, Aleksia's powers are needed as never before.
Now, on a journey through a realm of perpetual winter, it will take all her skills, a mother's faith and a little magic to face down an enemy more formidable than any she has ever known…. 

Wow, I had an awesome week.  How bout you?

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Review : If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor


Title : If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?
Author : Melissa Kantor
Publisher : Hyperion Book CH
Genre : Young Adult
ISBN : 978-0786809615
Series : Stand Alone
Release Date : March 27, 2007
Rating  : 3/5 Stars - Good

Description from Amazon :

Wicked stepmother? Check. Evil stepsisters? Check. Miserable life? Check.

Lucy Norton’s life has all the makings of a Cinderella story. Her dad’s always away on business, leaving Lucy with her cruel stepmother and bratty stepsisters. She’s burdened with chores, and has a hard time fitting in at her new school. So when she sees Connor Pearson, the star player on the varsity basketball team, Lucy hopes her destiny has finally changed. With everything else going on in her life, doesn’t she at least deserve to get the handsome prince?

Melissa Kantor’s enchanting novel proves that sometimes the happy ending isn’t quite the one you’d expect. Lucy’s about to discover the truth about finding her real Prince Charming… and finding herself.

Review

Lucy Norton might actually have a wicked stepmother, or so she seems to believe.  While her bratty stepsister practically get away with murder, she gets in trouble for the smallest things.  Her father is hardly ever home to know the difference, and merely takes what she says as over reacting.  Lucy believes that her life has seriously gone down the drain, until the day she sees Connor Pearson.  Every Cinderella gets a prince, right?

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? is a cute, quirky, short read.  It caps out at 283 pages, and I flew through them in a matter of mere hours.  I've always had a love for modern day fairy tales, and this one is no exception.  At first I thought this book was going to be a lot about how Lucy was just a drama queen, and for awhile, it really was.  I had to read on to get the full picture.

As far as I'm concerned, the way Lucy's stepmother treated her in this novel was quite wrong.  I personally would have labeled her as a wicked stepmother myself, and it wouldn't have hurt to throw a bucket of water of her head to see if she melted.  Her bratty daughters were no exception, as they were only nice when it benefited them.  And for Lucy's father?, her blood related father?, he rarely listened to his daughter.  I understood why Lucy was as dramatic as she was, and I probably would have acted the same way had I been in her shoes.

Melissa Kantor easily gave the impression of a modern day Cinderella story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  A few other great things about this story are the life lessons that Lucy learns along the way.  It's not only a modern fairy tale, but a coming of age novel about a girl growing into herself, and understanding her place in the world.  I'd highly recommend this title to those of you who enjoy a good modern day retelling of one of your favorite fairy tales, as well as fans of other works by Melissa Kantor.

Where did I get this book?

I received my copy from a swap on Bookmooch.

Amazon Affiliates 

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com.  If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.