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!

"A ripping sound preceded a woman's scream and the shocking twang of steel cable parting; then came momentary silence, as if something had sucked away the air. And then a maelstrom of dust and flying shards - red, yellow, green, all with edges like knives - filled the world, became the world, while all around were people were throwing themselves down, trying to escape, some plucked upward by the air, levitating for a second, then flung aside like old socks."

Edge by Thomas Blackthorne

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 read a lot, at least is a lot for me ;)

 

From the books I've started previously, I finished:

• Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
• Fools Rush In by Kristan Higgins

I also started & finished the following books:

• Vacations from Hell - A Collection of Stories by Libba Bray, Claudia Gray, Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson & Sarah Mlynowski
• Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many by Heather Wardell 
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
• Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley
• Three Nights with a Scoundrel by Tessa Dare  

At the moment I'm not reading anything and I have no idea what I'll read next! It all depends on my mood :)  

Summary:

The bastard son of a nobleman, Julian Bellamy is now polished to perfection, enthralling the ton with wit and charm while clandestinely plotting to ruin the lords, ravish the ladies, and have the last laugh on a society that once spurned him. But after meeting Leo Chatwick, a decent man and founder of an elite gentlemen's club, and Lily, Leo's enchanting sister, Julian reconsiders his wild ways. And when Leo's tragic murder demands that Julian hunt for justice, he vows to see the woman he secretly loves married to a man of her own class.

Lily, however, has a very different husband in mind. She's loved Julian forever, adores the man beneath the rakish façade, and wants to savor the delicious attraction they share - as his wife. His insistence on marrying her off only reinforces her intent to prove that he is the only man for her. Obsessed with catching a killer, Julian sinks back to the gutters of his youth, forcing Lily to reach out with a sweet, reckless passion Julian can't resist. Can her desire for a scoundrel save them both - or will dangerous secrets threaten more than their tender love?

 

My rating: 5/5

 

My thoughts on the book:

This is the last book in the Stud Club trilogy & it's my favorite book in the series! Actually, this is my favorite book by Tessa Dare so far... I just couldn't put it down, I loved both Julian & Lily, I loved the story & it wrapped up the trilogy great! One of my favorite historical romances that I'll definitely re-read more than once! I don't really care about epilogues, but the epilogue in this book I absolutely loved! I highly recommend it!

Challenges:

• Finish That Series Challenge 2010 
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Arithmancy)

Summary:

Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again--this time by leaving him.
Now the reformed Mac has returned, and he wants one thing: Isabella back in his life, his house, his bed. He'll do anything he has to, play any game, as long as he gets her back. Isabella resists, but when she agrees to pose for erotic paintings he's been working on, she realizes her body has never stopped craving her husband’s very skilled touch. Mac is determined to show Isabella that he's a changed man, but three years without her has only increased his hunger for her.
When an ingenious forger with designs on Mac's paintings, and Isabella herself, comes dangerously near, Mac sets himself up as Isabella’s protector and vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not. 

My rating: 4/5

My thoughts on the book:

This is the sequel of The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie, which I absolutely loved! Most of this book felt like one big seduction & there was a lot of lovin' ;) & although sometimes I feel that too much is too much, this time for me that wasn't the case. I enjoyed the book a lot, I really liked Mac & Isabella as characters & I especially loved when Ian was back :) I really do love him as a character :) Fun book, that I recommend it :) Now I'm looking forward to reading Cam's story next year!

Challenges:

• 100+ Reading Challenge
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Four Month Challenge, Part 4! 
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Muggle Studies)

Summary:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. 

My rating: 5/5

My thoughts on the book: 

Before I read Mockingjay, I didn't read any of the reviews already posted, 'cause I wanted to be surprised & at the beginning I was... When I read Catching Fire last month, I thought that Mockingjay's story will take a little different direction than it did, but when I started reading it, I realised I was wrong, but I still wasn't disappointed. I just realised what probably will & won't happen in the book & I just let myself to be wrapped up in the story & enjoyed the journey. There are a lot of deaths, but that was expected, although most of my favorite characters died... I won't go into details, so I won't spoil the story for the ones that still haven't read it... I'd like to mention that when I finished it, it left me feeling similar like I felt when I finished Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game (although there I didn't see the big twist) & the same like when I finished Neal Shusterman's Unwind, which are some of my favorite reads. Although Mockingjay is not one of the best books I've read, I still enjoyed it a lot (almost loved it), everything that happened it felt real & Mockingjay wrapped up the series just like it should  & I'm glad that Suzanne Collins took a little different approach & I highly recommend the series!

Challenges:

• 100+ Reading Challenge
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• Finish That Series Challenge 2010 
• The 2010 YA Reading Challenge 
• The 42 Challenge 2010
• Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Astronomy)

Summary:

 

Millie Barnes is this close to finally achieving her perfect life . . .

Rewarding job as a local doctor on Cape Cod? Check. Cute cottage of her very own? Check. Adorable puppy suitable for walks past attractive locals? Check! All she needs is for golden boy and former crush Joe Carpenter to notice her, and Millie will be set.

But perfection isn't as easy as it looks -- especially when Sam Nickerson, the town sheriff, is so distracting. Sure, he needs a friend after being dumped by Millie's fortune-hunting sister, but does she really need to enjoy his company that much? He is definitely not part of her master plan. But maybe it's time for Millie to start a new list . . .

 

My rating: 4/5

 

My thoughts on the book:

This is the second book by Kristan Higgins that I've read & definitely will not be the last one! It's really fun read, with some hilarious situations & likable characters. I should mention that I love that adorable cover, too... I recommend it!

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Book Challenge 2010 
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Muggle Studies)

Summary:

The fiercely private Madeleine-Cora Spencer is the last person who should be on a reality TV show, but when she's shunned by a friend's new wife because "you can't trust desperate single women" her pain and humiliation drive her straight to the "Find Your Prince" dating show's web site. Armed with date-appropriate clothes and a detailed game plan she arrives to meet her potential loves, only to be dumped... on a remote island with seven ex-boyfriends. Seven exes! Could this be any worse? 

 

My rating: 5/5

 

My thoughts on the book:

I loved this book! I'm not really into reality shows (I've only watched survivor a couple of times & usually the 2nd part of the show, not all of it) and I knew it'll be fun book, but still it surprised me! It's funny, sweet, hilarious, I loved the ending, the characters are well developed & you can't help it, but learn to love them all (almost all, not Phillip)! I actually had a smile plastered on my face all the time for the second part of the book! It was fast-paced, the games were really fun & I couldn't put it down :) Definitely a great book that I'll be re-reading more than once in the future & I recommend it a lot... :)

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Book Challenge 2010 
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Arithmancy) 
• New Authors Challenge 2010

Summary:

Life's a beach . . . and then you're undead? 

In this must-have collection, five of today's hottest writers - Libba Bray (A Great and Terrible Beauty), Cassandra Clare (City of Bones), Claudia Gray (Evernight), Maureen Johnson (13 Little Blue Envelopes), and Sarah Mlynowski (Bras & Broomsticks) - tell supernatural tales of vacations gone awry. Lost luggage is only mildly unpleasant compared to bunking with a witch who holds a grudge. And a sunburn might be embarrassing and painful, but it doesn't last as long as a curse. Of course, even in the most hellish of situations, love can thrive. . . 

From light and funny to dark and creepy, these stories have something for everyone. You definitely won't want to leave this collection at home!

My rating: 4.5/5

My thoughts on the book:

I enjoyed all the stories a lot & they really start light & funny and slowly become darker & creepy and I'm really glad I read them! I still haven't read any books from all this authors, so they were all new to me & I'll definitely read books from them all, although I've been already planning to... 

I won't say too much about the stories, so I won't spoil them, but I'll just rate them all individually!

- Cruisin' by Sarah Mlynowski - 4/5

- I Don't Like Your Girlfriend by Claudia Gray - 4/5

- The Law of Suspects by Maureen Johnson - 5/5

- The Mirror House by Cassandra Clare - 4.5/5

- Nowhere Is Safe by Libba Bray - 5/5

I highly recommend this collection! The stories are really great! I just still can't decide which one I loved the most!

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Book Challenge 2010 
• The 2010 YA Reading Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Defence Against the Dark Arts) 
• New Authors Challenge 2010
• Monthly Mixer Mele

Summary:

There are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.
Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.
It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.
But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.
Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

 

My rating: 5/5

 

My thoughts on the book:

I loved it! Two-Way Street is told alternately in the present (after they broke-up) & in the past (from when they became couple) & from both Jordan's & Courtney's point of view! I loved the story, it was fun & I slowly attached to the characters & I couldn't wait to read what will happen next. I recommend it a lot!

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Book Challenge 2010 
• The 2010 YA Reading Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Arithmancy) 
• New Authors Challenge 2010

Summary:

At the start of her senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things in his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. A popular jock named Dave, though, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her - like why she loves the Lloyd Dobler boom-box scene in the movie Say Anything...

Can a slacker rock-star wanna be win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

My rating: 4/5

My thoughts on the book:

I enjoyed this book a lot! The story is told from both Tobey's & Sara's points of view & I enjoyed reading how their love slowly developed. Definitely fun & sweet YA romance. I actually hadn't watched Say Anything before I read this book, but after I read it, I watched it... This is the first book by Susane Colasanti that I've read & I'll probably read more... I recommend it!

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Book Challenge 2010 
• The 2010 YA Reading Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Muggle Studies) 
• New Authors Challenge 2010

Summary:

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. 

Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them...

My rating: 5/5

My thoughts on the book:

I loved it, loved it, loved it! This is the first book by Elizabeth Scott that I've read & I'll definitely read more! The book was fun, I just loved Will so much from the beginning & I loved the story! I liked Kate a lot, too! I just couldn't put it down & although I haven't read a lot of YA contemporary books, this one is my favorite & I highly recommend it!

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Book Challenge 2010 
• The 2010 YA Reading Challenge
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Muggle Studies) 
• New Authors Challenge 2010

Summary:

According to the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter -the world's only "totally reliable" guide to the future - the world will end on a Saturday.

Next Saturday, in fact.
Just after tea.
Which means that Armageddon will happen on a Saturday night.
There will be seas of fire, rains of fish, the moon turning to blood and the massed armies of Heaven and Hell will sort it outonce and for all.

Which is a major problem for Crowley, Hell's most approachable demon and former serpent, and his opposite number and old friend Aziraphale, genuine angel and Soho bookshop owner. They like it down here (or, in Crowley's case, up here).

So they've got no alternative but to stop the Four Motorcyclists of the Apocalypse, defeat the marching ranks of the Witchfinder's army* and - somehow - stop it all happening.

Above all (or, in Aziraphale's case, below all) they need to find and kill the Antichrist, currently the most powerful creature on Earth.

This is a shame.
Because he's eleven years old, loves his dog even though it's really a Satanic hellhound under all that hair, really cares about the environment and is the sort of boy anyone would be proud to have as a son. He's also totally invulnerable, and a nice kid.

And if that isn't enough, they've still got Sunday to deal with. . .

* All two of them.

 

My rating: 5/5 

My thoughts on the book:

I have one word for it: hilarious!!! I'm already big fan of Neil Gaiman's books, but I hadn't read this one until now. I've wanted to start Terry Pratchett's Discworld series for a long time, but hadn't got around to it, so this is his first book I've read, and all I can say is, can't wait to read more of him! It's really fun & humorous book! If you love british humour and you still haven't read Good Omens, I highly recommend it!

 

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Reading Challenge 2010 
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Divination)  
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010  
• New Authors Challenge 2010 
• Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge 2010 
• 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge
• Neil Gaiman Reading Challenge 2010

Summary:

FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .

Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…

. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS

Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…

My rating: 5/5

My thoughts on the book:

What more I can say, except great book! If you still haven't read any of Julie James' books, what are you waiting for? Just as her previous two books, I loved Something About You, too! It's fun book, with lovable characters, that it's hard to put it down, definitely one of my favorites & I can't recommend it enough!

Challenges:

• Stand Alone Reading Challenge 2010 
• The Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2010 (Muggle Studies)  
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• Summer Reading Challenge 2010

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

So, this week's my-can't-wait-to-read choices are:

 The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
by
Kody Keplinger

Publication date:
September 7, 2010

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Crusade

(Book 1 of the Crusade series)

by

Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Publication date:

September 7, 2010

The ultimate battle. The ultimate love.

For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain's Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.

Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated - and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.

Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself - and her heart.

Extraordinary 
by
Nancy Werlin

Publication date:
September 7, 2010

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school, and the two girls become as close as sisters . . . until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe - but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself.

Soon she'll discover the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that these two are visitors from the faerie realm who have come to collect on an age-old debt. Generations ago, the faerie queen promised Pheobe's ancestor five extraordinary sons in exchange for the sacrifice of one ordinary female heir. But in hundreds of years there hasn't been a single ordinary girl in the family, and now the faeries are dying. Could Phoebe be the first ordinary one? Could she save the faeries, or is she special enough to save herself?

Dark Song
by
Gail Giles


Publication date:
September 7, 2010

Mark said he heard the dark song when he creeped houses. The song the predator's heart sings when it hears the heart of the prey. I heard it now. Mark said it had always been in me. Lurking. Waiting for me to hear.

Ames is not the person she was a few months ago. Her father lost his job, and her family is crumbling apart. Now, all she has is Marc. Marc, who loves her more than anything. Marc, who owns a gun collection. And he'll stop at nothing--even using his guns--to get what he wants. Ames feels her parents have betrayed her with their lies and self-absorption, but is she prepared to make the ultimate betrayal against them?

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!

"We followed him through the trees until he stepped aside and waved us into a clearing a bit larger than out camp site. Trees surrounded it on all sides, a few paths snaking of into the wilderness, and the ground was covered with scruffy grass."

Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many

by

Heather Wardell

I still haven't started this book, but I'll probably read it next! At the moment I'm actually reading Vacations from Hell, which is collection of 5 stories by 5 authors, but I decided not to share a teaser from one of those stories, but to share a teaser from this one! 

Jan von Harz @ Eating Y.A. Books is hosting a 250+ Followers Thank You Giveaway for all the followers of her blog! 

The contest is international & ends August 26th. 

Because she now has over 300 followers, she's giving away two $25 Amazon Gift Cards or $25 worth of books from Book Depository!

If you still haven't entered, go HERE & enter now!

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!

 

 

Although last week I said that I'll probably continue reading Mortal Coils, I didn't. Instead, I finally returned to Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett & I finished it & of course I loved it!

I also read Something About You by Julie James (I loved it), Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott (I loved it) & When It Happens by Susane Colasanti (I enjoyed it a lot). I'm still in a mood for ya contemporary romance, 'cause now I'm reading Two-way Street by Lauren Barnholdt & so far I'm loving it & I'll probably finish it soon! After that, I don't know what I'll read, maybe some fantasy...

There's an awesome giveaway hosted by Sara @ Babbling Flow!

The giveaway is international & ends September 8th!

Here are the prizes:

 Set of hardcover copy of Beautiful Creatures & ARC of Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (both signed by both authors)

 

ARC of Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

 

ARC of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

ARC of The Unidentified by Rae Mariz

ARC of Halt's Peril by John Flanagan

ARC of The Goblin Gate by Hilari Bell

ARC of Jane by April Lindner

ARC of The Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke

Awesome prizes, right? 

I've already had most of these on my wishlist & now I'm adding the rest, 

'cause they all sound great!

So, what are you waiting for?

GO HERE & ENTER NOW!!!