It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is being hosted by Sheila at One Persons Journey through a World of Books. This is a great weekly event where everyone can keep track of the books finished last week & the books planning to read this week!

Last week I've read:

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries

Jemima J by Jane Green

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Blame It on Cupid by Jennifer Greene

I loved all of these books. 

This week I'm reading The Turkish Gambit by Boris Akunin and Magpie Hall by Rachael King. After that, I'll read Leviathan by Boris Akunin. I'm not home and these are the only books I took with me, so I'll probably read only them this week!

So, what are you reading this week?

Tell us now here!

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence. Join this meme HERE!

 

Magpie Hall by Rachael King

 

"There were two rumours surrounding my great-great-grandfather Henry Summers: one, that his cabinet of curiosities drove him mad; and two, that he murdered his first wife."

I'd like to thank Aths from Reading on a Rainy Day for the Happy 101 Award! 

Thank you so much Aths & sorry for not posting until now!

The rules are that I must list 10 things that make me happy and then pass it on to 10 bloggers. 

For me, the little trivial things are the things that make me happy every day, so here's my list:

  1. For me, there's nothing like a good, strong glass of NESCAFE Iced Coffee, and if it tastes just as I like it, that makes me happy!

  2. Of course, reading books makes me really happy!!!

  3. Listening to music makes me happy. Especially these songs: Firefly by Owl City; Rain On Me by Tiesto & Dinand; I'm in Love by John the Whistler; Never by Sistem & Stella;  Fairytale by Alexander Rybak; The Current by Blue Man Group & Gavin Rossdale; etc... They can make me smile always, no matter of my mood!

  4. When I'll do something for someone I love & make them happy, that makes me happy!

  5. Blogging about books makes me happy, too...

  6. I love little surprises & gestures. I love to be surprised & I really love to surprise people, so that makes me happy, too!

  7. Going out with friends makes me happy!

  8. Watching How I Met Your Mother & Doctor Who makes me happy!

  9. Exercising makes me happy!

10.Playing with my little nephews & nieces makes me happy!

Lol, that was tough :) 

I just didn't know what to write :)

I'm passing on this award on the following bloggers:

  1. Avi @ My Little Feats
  2. Bobbie @ 'Til We Read Again
  3. Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews
  4. Leann @ YA Book Queen
  5. Abigail @ All Things Urban Fantasy
  6. Janet Ruth @ Along the Way
  7. Lisa @ Book Blab
  8. Kris @ Not Enough Books and other things
  9. Joyce @ JDP News
10. Paul @ Gossiping About Books

I received this award from Christina T from Reading Extensively!

The rules are that I have to answer the following questions with single word answers and then pass the award on to 5 other bloggers.

Thank you so much for the award, Christina!

Your cell phone? Nokia

Your hair? Brown

Your mother? Sagittarius

Your father? Outgoing

Your favorite food? Italian

Your dream last night? Elusive

Your favorite drink? Nescafe

Your dream/goal? Travelling

What room are you in? Mine

Your hobby? Reading

Your fear? Death

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy

Where were you last night? Home

Something that you aren't? Outgoing

Muffins? Caramel

Wish list item? Desert Spear

Where did you grow up? Skopje

Last thing you did? Eat

Your TV? Off

Your pets? Outside

Friends? Funny

Your mood? Happy

Missing someone? No

Vehicle? Green

Something you aren't wearing? Shoes

Your favorite store? Euroasia

Your favorite color? Blue

When was the last time you laughed? Today

Last time you cried? Tuesday

Your best friend? Hilarious

One place you go to over and over again? Bookshops

Facebook? Boring

Favorite place to eat? Piazza De Toros

I'm passing on this award on the following bloggers:
1. Aths @ Reading on a Rainy Day
2. Jan Von Harz @ Eating Y.A. Books
3. Michelle @ The True Book Addict
4. Book Chick City
5. Amanda @ Daydreams and Wanderings

I received the Prolific Blogger Award from T at Reading Schtuff. 

I'm posting this after 2 weeks, so sorry for the delay, I was a little lazy.  

Thank you so much for the award!

A Prolific Blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to This Post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award. 

I'm passing this award to the following bloggers:
1. Kel @ Between the Lines
2. Liz @ Cleverly Inked
3. Jessica @ Book Bound
4. Penelope @ Penelope's Romance Reviews
5. Bunnita @ Worth Reading It?
6. Old-Fashioned Charm
7. Extreme Reader Book Reviews

Ok, first of all, I have to say that I was really lazy this month & although I received a few awards, I haven't posted about them, so although I'm a little late, I'd like to thank Kel from Between The Lines for the Beautiful Blogger Award. Thank you so much!!!

Now for THE RULES:
1. Thank & the link to the person that gave you the award;
2. Pass this award on to 7 bloggers you've recently discovered and whom you think are fantastic;
3. Contact said Blogs to let them know they've won;
4. State 7 Things about yourself!

About me:

1. I always start my day with Nescafe coffee!

2. I want to learn Italian!

3. I can't wait for the next 2 Happy Potter movies!

4. I'm really stubborn!

5. I'm Libra in horoscope!

6. I read contemporary romance novels 'cause they relax me, although they're not my favorite genre!

7. I hate garlick!

I'd like to pass on this award on the following bloggers:

1. Kari @ A Good Addiction

2. Emma Michaels

3. Freda @ Freda's Voice

4. Juju @ Tales of Whimsy...

5. Amanda @ Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick

6. Larissa @ Welcome to Larissa's Life

7. Sheila @ One Persons Journey through a World of Books

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! 

I haven't started new book, but when I will, I'll read Magpie Hall by Rachael King, so here are teasers from it:

"I woke in a panic. A noise had travelled through my dreams, a musical note, floating up from the front paddock, plucked again & again, a sound I had heard in my head many times since I had awoken to it all those years ago."

Magpie Hall

by

Rachael King 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is being hosted by Sheila at One Persons Journey through a World of Books. This is a great weekly event where everyone can keep track of the books finished last week & the books planning to read this week!

 

Last week I've finished The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss & Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards. Also, I read Firespell by Chloe Neill, Sex, Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis & Knock Me for a Loop by Heidi Betts. 

This week I won't have time for lots of reading, but I think that I'll read Magpie Hall by Rachael King or The Turkish Gambit by Boris Akunin.

 

So, what are you reading this week?

Tell us now here!

Summary:

For sharp-tongued food critic Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple's kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. But she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: she has no idea how to cook.

Adam's not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn't even know the difference between poaching and paring. He'll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own - teaching her what it means to cook with passion, and doing more with his hands than simply preparing sumptuous food.

My thoughts on the book:

I really enjoyed this book. It was really fun read. All I can say is, if you like books with cooking like I do, than this is a book for you. Also, I can't wait to get my hands on the second book "On the Steamy Side". That's all...

My rating: 4/5

Challenges:

• Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 2010
• The Fourth Month Challenge, Part 3
• Monthly Mixer Mele
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• 1st in a Series Challenge 2010
• New Authors Challenge 2010

Summary:

When it comes to relationships, talk show host Grace Fisher won't stand for cheating - especially not from her fiance, star hockey goalie Zack Hoolihan. Her weekly knitting group backs her up when she calls it off, but that doesn't entirely ease the sting of betrayal. She won't listen to Zack's indignant explanations of innocence - she just wants to tie up loose ends and move on. Until he winds up injured, that is, and she finds herself playing nursemaid...

Zack doesn't know how that woman got into his hotel room, but he does know losing Grace has put him so far off his game, he's ended up with a busted knee and a broken heart. If things aren't mended fast, he'll miss the playoffs, miss his girl, and lose everything. But if Grace is willing to push him into physical therapy maybe he can pull her back into his arms - before their truce unravels. This time, he'll do everything it takes to knit their relationship back together...

My thoughts on the book:

This is the 3rd & last book in the Chicks with Sticks series. Like the previous 2 books, this one was also fun & enjoyable read. I liked the characters, which I already knew from the previous 2 books (they break-up in the 2nd book). Overall, I really liked the series (especially the 1st book) and I'll definitely read some of Heidi Betts's other books. I definitely recommend them!

My rating: 4/5

Challenges:

• Finish That Series Challenge
• Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 2010
• Read Your Name Challenge 2010
• The Countdown Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010

Summary:

When a mystery writer cries bloody murder, everyone blames her overactive imagination . . .
Thriller scribe Sophie Katz is as hard-boiled as a woman who drinks Grande Caramel Brownie Frappuccinos can be -- maybe it's from a lifetime of fielding dumb comments about her half-black, half-Jewish ethnicity. So Sophie knows it's not paranoia, or post-divorce, living-alone-again jitters, when she becomes convinced that a crazed reader is sneaking into her apartment to reenact scenes from her books. The police, however, can't tell a good plot from an unmarked grave.
When a filmmaker friend is brutally murdered in the manner of a death scene in one of his movies, Sophie becomes convinced that a copycat killer is on the loose -- and that she's the next target. If she doesn't solve the mystery, her own bestseller will spell out her doom. Cursing her imagination (why, oh, why did she have to pick the axe?), Sophie engages in some real-life gumshoe tactics. The man who swoops in to save her in dark alleys at night is mysterious new love interest Anatoly Darinsky. Of course, if this were fiction, Anatoly would be her prime suspect . . . 

My thoughts on the book:

I loved it. It was much better then I expected. It was really fun & enjoyable. The author has done a great job in the murder mystery part and I will definitely continue reading the series.

My rating: 4/5

Challenges:

• 1st in a Series Challenge 2010
• 2010 Chick Lit Challenge
• New Authors Challenge 2010
• The Countdown Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010

Summary:

As the new girl at St. Sophia's boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she'll have to face - but oh, how wrong she is. 

When Lily's parents decide to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she's not happy. Lily's classmates are the ultrarich brat-pack type - and if that isn't enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophia's creepy campus. 

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout's a little weird - she keeps disappearing late at night. When a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout, who's running from a real-life monster. Scout is part of a splinter group of rebel teens who protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and the gone-to-the-dark-side magic users called Reapers. She lets Lily in on her secret, even though Lily has no powers of her own...or at least none she's discovered yet. 

My thoughts on the book:

I loved it. It's really fun & enjoyable book. The story was interesting & although I guessed where it's going, I couldn't put it down. I stayed until 4am, so I can finish it. I loved the characters, too. There are few things that I'd like to know more about, so I can't wait for the 2nd book.

My rating: 4/5

Challenges:

• Hogwarts Reading Challenge (Charms)
• The Four Month Challenge, Part 3
• The Countdown Challenge
• Fantasy Reading Challenge 2010
• New Authors Challenge 2010
• 1st in a Series Challenge 2010
• The 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Monthly Mixer Mele

Summary:

My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree.

"The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire.

"The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age.

I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic.

My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them.

But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know."

I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins the tale of Kvothe—from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe as a notorious magician, an accomplished thief, a masterful musician, and an infamous assassin. But The Name of the Wind is so much more—for the story it tells reveals the truth behind Kvothe's legend. 

My thoughts on the book:

I loved this book! It's definitely one of the best fantasy books I've read. It was everything I expected to be. I  loved the characters & the story & when I finished it, I wanted more. I can't wait for the second book. I recommend this book & I think that this one is a must-read.

My rating: 5/5

Challenges:

• 2010 TBR Challenge
• The Four Month Challenge, Part 3!
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge
• New Authors Challenge 2010
• Fantasy Reading Challenge 2010
• 1st in a Series Challenge 2010
• The Countdown Challenge
• Monthly Mixer Mele

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

Want to participate?

Go here!

My "can't-wait-to-read" choice is:

"Lois Lane Tells All"

(The 2nd book in the Talk of the Town series)

by

Karen Hawkins 

Publication date:

March 30th, 2010

Summary:

She thinks she’s Lois Lane. . . 

Susan Collins wants to be a hard-hitting reporter, but there’s never been much call for her talents in sleepy Glory, North Carolina. But when the Murder Mystery Club—a trio of bored but enterprising octogenarians—decide to open their own CSI lab at the assisted living center, and strange ‘accidents’ begin to happen around town, Susan senses she might have discovered the news story of her dreams.

He doesn’t want to be her Superman. . . 

Mark Tremayne has agreed to come back to Glory and to take over as CFO of The Glory Examiner. His job is to keep the newspaper profitable, which means covering the annual Baptist Bake-Off and selling ads for the county fair, not allowing his main and too-sexy-for-her(and his)-own-good reporter to hare off after a wild story that seems to have brought out the worst in one of Glory’s many colorful residents.

But together . . . they’re Kryptonite. 

Mark’s and Susan’s viewpoints on how to run a paper are from different planets, but their mutual attraction is in total alignment. Despite their arguments, the indomitable redhead and the hot accountant are a sexual explosion waiting to happen.

And when it does, Glory had better watch out!

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?

This weekly meme is being hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

 What are you currently reading?

Firespell

(Book 1 in the Dark Elite series)

by 

Chloe Neill 

 What did you recently finish reading?

The Name of the Wind

(Book 1 of the Kingkiller Chronicles)

by

Patrick Rothfuss

What do you think you’ll read next?

Sex, Murder and a Double Latte

(Book 1 in the Sophie Katz series)

by 

Kyra Davis 

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! 

 I still haven't started Firespell, but I plan to read it after I finish The Name of the Wind, so instead of sharing another teaser from The Name of the Wind, here are my teasers from Firespell:

"I tilted my head as I surveyed the statues. Was it weird that nuns had been guarded by tiny stone monsters? And were they supposed to keep people out...or in?"

Firespell

by

Chloe Neill

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is being hosted by Sheila at One Persons Journey through a World of Books. This is a great weekly event where everyone can keep track of the books finished last week & the books planning to read this week!

Last week I've finished: "Mes Amis, Mes Amours" by Marc Levy, "Save the Date" by Tamara Summers, "Too Hot to Handle" by Robin Kaye & "Bed in Breakfast" by Robin Kaye. 

What I'll read next? Although I know I won't read a lot this week,  I'll probably continue reading "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss or I'll read "Firespell" by Chloe Neill.

So, what are you reading this week?

Tell us now here!

Summary:

Victoria Finnegan to marry Kevin Ork in the Rose Bower of Cynthia Flair Botanical Gardens
Sunday, June 17, 3 p.m.
Dress: very flowery.
Yay.

Paris Finnegan is marrying Jiro Kuan on the beach at Huntsville National Park
Saturday, August 11, 1 p.m.

Dress: Um . . . she's not really making me wear overalls, right???
Hideous bridesmaid dress fitting #6.
Calm Victoria down.
Try not to kill Paris.
Try not to think about wedding planner's hot son. 

Do not date wedding planner's hot son.
Stop kissing wedding planner's hot son!!!

My thoughts on the book:

I really liked this book. Jack has 5 older sisters & she believes that there's a wedding curse, so if she brings a date to the wedding, there'll be some kind of disaster, which happened at the weddings of her 2 oldest sisters. So ahe decided not to date anyone and that's too bad, 'cause she meets Leo. "Save the Date" really fun & enjoyable teen romance, which I recommend it!

My rating: 4.5/5 

Challenges:

• The 2010  Young Adult Reading Challenge 
• New Authors Challenge 2010 
• Stand Alone Book Challenge 2010 
• Chick Lit Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• The Countdown Challenge

This challenge is being hosted by Jen at Jen's Book Talk!

All you have to do is read a book that begins with a letter of each month or read a book that begins with the authors name (first or last name, doesn’t matter).

There are 74 letters so you will have to have 74 different books to complete the challenge. Books can however be used to complete other challenges.

You don’t have to do the months in any kind of order, just fill in books as you go along until you have each letter a book by it.

Challenge begins November 1, 2009 and ends November 2, 2010 so you have a whole year to complete! Lets break out them books and get busy!

Join this challenge HERE! 

• Name of the Wind, The by Patrick Rothfuss - review
  
• On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards - review
• Vacations from Hell by Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, Maureen Johnson & Sarah Mlynowski - review
• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - review
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - review
• Blame It on Cupid by Jennifer Greene - review
• Exiled Queen, The by Cinda Williams Chima - review
• Remains of the Dead, The by Wendy Roberts - review

• Dark Divine, The by Bree Despain - review
• Eragon by Christopher Paolini - review
• Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards - review
• Eldest by Christopher Paolini - review
• Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, The by Jennifer Ashley - review
• Body Check by Deirdre Martin - review
• Everwild by Neal Shusterman - review
• Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles - review

• Jemima J by Jane Green - review
• Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough - review
• Nightmare Academy by Dean Lorey - review
• Unwind by Neal Shusterman - review
• Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman - review
• Risque Business by Tawny Weber - review
• You've Got Murder by Donna Andrews - review

• Firespell by Chloe Neill - review
  
• Everlost by Neal Shusterman - review
• Best Girl, The by Emma Harrison - review
• Red Pyramid, The by Rick Riordan - review
• Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson - review
• Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie - review
• Rake, The by Suzanne Enoch - review
• You Can't Hide by Karen Rose - review

• Magpie Hall by Rachael King - review
• All or Nothing by Debbi Rawlins - review
• Raven Prince, The by Elizabeth Hoyt - review
• Cinderella Deal, The by Jennifer Crusie - review
• Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, The by Douglas Adams - review

• Amaranth Enchantment, The by Julie Berry - review
• Promise Me Tonight by Sara Lindsey - review
• Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry - review
• If Only It Were True by Marc Levy- review
• Leviathan by Boris Akunin - review

• Maze Runner, The by James Dashner - review
• A Most Sinful Proposal by Sara Bennett - review
• You've Got Male by Elizabeth Bevarly - review

• Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James - review
• Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane - revew
• Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean - review
• Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev - review

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - review
• Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane - review
• Lois Lane Tells All by Karen Hawkins - review
• You're the One That I Don't Want by Alexandra Potter - review

• All Over You by Sarah Mayberry - review
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - review
• Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare - review
• Unlucky by Jana DeLeon - review
• Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard - review
• The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie - review

• Stardust by Neil Gaiman - review
• Electric Church, The by Jeff Somers - review
• Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James - review
• The Turkish Gambit by Boris Akunin - review
• England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch - review
• Monster Madness by Dean Lorey - review
• Burning Up by Sarah Mayberry - review
• Exchange by Dale R. Cozort - review
• Real Women Don't Wear Size 2 by Kelley St. John - review

• One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare - review
• Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden - review
• The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries - review
• Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough - review
• Body Finder, The by Kimberly Derting - review
• Edge by Thomas Blackthorne - review
• Return of the King, The by J. R. R. Tolkien - review