What are you Reading?

(click on the picture above to visit the home of this weekly meme at J.Kaye's Book Blog)

Reading Now: The Scottish Thistle-DONE

Up Next:

• Just Breeze-DONE
• Samson's Walls-DONE
• Searching For Whitopia
• Divorce Sucks-QUIT-totally not what I expected.
  

Thankfully Reading Weekend Wrap Up

Well this excellent weekend reading event was just not meant to be for me. I think I read a total of 50 pages all weekend. I felt sick for the first half and then got better. Treated myself to some Chinese food to celebrate and wound up with food poisoning. So Sunday was spent mainly hugging porcelain and miserably wrapped up on the couch begging for death. Yup..plans totally went down the drain. Oh well. I've seen a lot of posts for people that got a LOT of reading done this weekend and Congratulate them!

Maybe next time, eh?

Thankfully Reading Weekend Update 2

So yesterday was a reading BUST! I seriously started to feel icky at the end of the morning. I wasn't sure what was going on but I feel better today! Sooo..gonna plug in and do this thang!

Ever have a book that's well written and isn't at all bad, but you just can't get into it? That's exactly how I am right now with The Scottish Thistle. It's a good book and I like the characters but I just am lagging. Maybe it's because this is the 3rd blog tour book in a row? I'm probably going to cut back on those after these few I have left.

So there ends my update and rambling! Once the coffee kicks in I'll be ready to go! Happy Reading!

Tynga's 300 Followers Contest

This contest is awesome! Check out what you could win!

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper

Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Dark Visions by L.J. Smith

Fade Out by Rachel Caine

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Marked by P.C. Cast

Flesh Circus by Lilith Staintcrow

Hunting Grounds by Patricia Briggs

Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter

There are all brand new!!

There will be a total of 4 winners

1st winner - 3 books of their choice

2nd winner - 2 books of their choice

3rd winner - 1 book of their choice

See what I mean? Contest ends December 23rd. So get your butt over there and enter! Let them know that Melissa C sent ya (pretty please)

CONTEST PAGE

Thankfully Reading Weekend Update 1

Well I haven't started reading just yet. I'm about to pop some popcorn, feed the kidlet, and get my book pile ready! I've got a few blog tour books to crack into but there are some of my own that are calling my name.

• The Scottish Thistle-blog tour book
• Samson's Walls-review
• Just Breeze-blog tour book
• Defenders of the Scroll-review book
• Hades Daughter-bought book
• Divorce Sucks-review book
• Searching for Whitopia-review book

These aren't set in stone but what I'd like to get read. Several are very VERY thick so I probably will not get to those but I'll give it a try!

Thankfully Reading Weekend

I'm reading this weekend! I've got tons of books to read and reviews to write so yay! I probably won't spend the WHOLE time on reading but I will get as much in as I can! I love love loved the Read-a-Thon and have been jonsing for more!

Have fun! Oh yeah and check out the website: Book Blog Social Club

Blog Tour-Too Many Visitors For One Little House

Book Description:
The crabby neighbors of El Camino Street are not very happy when cousins, aunts, uncles, and grannies arrive for a big noisy reunion at the house of the new family on the block.

My Review:
I read this book with my five year old son. He really loved the artwork found in the book. (Illustrations by Veronica Walsh) The story kept both of us entertained and made my son giggle. This was a cute story and a very good lesson in inclusion. There are only about 40 pages to this little book, but my son and I spent an hour or so looking at each drawing and talking about the book. He's asked me to read it to him about 5 more times since then, so I'd say it was a success, wouldn't you?

I'd definitely suggest this book for children ages 3-6 and especially children starting school. I think my son loved the message because he's just now learning how to interact with people that are different. Just like the nosy neighbors in the book!

Website

My Son Has to Have This!!!!

The Mommy Files is giving away a Strider Sports Running bike!!! This looks like something my son would go nuts for! He's five and just getting interested in bikes. He's still very anxious about trying to actually ride one, so this looks just perfect! I mean look at it!
Doesn't it look like fun? They should make some for adults! LOL
Anyway, check out the giveaway deets and enter! Thanks for reading my Mommy Ramblings for now!

CONTEST RULES

The Great Kindle Giveaway!!!

The Great Kindle Giveaway is being held over at Bibliofreak !!! This is freaking awesome!! Enter in for your chance to win one of these

Ain't it purdy? I have been dying to get my hands on one of these thingies for ages! Well not ages but you get the point! Anyway, here are the deets to the giveaway! Good luck!

From the site:
The drawing will occur on December 18th. The drawing will be randomized using random.org. Every point you get above qualifies you for another entry. Having the highest score doesn’t guarantee you a Kindle, but it does increase your chances.

What's Up With That?

.....successful ingredients to a strong marriage......

I know my blog hasn't been all that active this last week. I have a really good excuse though! I do! My son AND my husband have been sick! We found out yesterday that the boy has Strep throat and probably the man does too. Awesome! I don't know what it is about men but they become babies if they are sick. So I have been taking care of two babies all week. The little man got a shot of good old penicillin so he should be good to go tomorrow (at least that's what the doctor says) and the big man says he's feeling better. So that's my excuse!

My blog isn't dead. I'm not done yet! I have plenty of Blog Tours for you coming up between now and December 16th! Six of them to be exact! Plus I'm planning a few little goodies here and there to spice up the holidays a bit! Next week I'll catch up with all the fun meme's I've been missing!

So that's me..hope you guys haven't quit me already! :)

Mini Review-Sugar Time

Charlotte "Sugar" Kane was someone that I could relate to almost instantly. I loved how tough but emotional she was. This was a quick read and definitely in what I could consider the "chick lit" genre but not overly sappy. The whole time I read this I was hoping things would work out for her. I was cheering her along and hoping that she showed all her naysayers that and "old" lady could still rock it. I liked how it wasn't a fairytale Hollywood ending, but still felt right.

I'm not sure if my copy was an ARC or not, but there were a few typo's and some formatting issues that at times distracted me from the story. That was about the only problem I had with the book. It wasn't a light and fluffy, but wasn't too serious. I would say that it was just right. I'll give it a 3.5/5!

Blog Tour-Bitter Night

SOMETIMES YOU CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES. AND SOMETIMES, THEY CHOOSE YOU...

Once, Max dreamed of a career, a home, a loving family. Now all she wants is freedom...and revenge. A witch named Giselle transformed Max into a warrior with extraordinary strength, speed, and endurance. Bound by spellcraft, Max has no choice but to fight as Giselle's personal magic weapon -- a Shadowblade -- and she's lethally good at it. But her skills are about to be put to the test as they never have before....

The ancient Guardians of the earth are preparing to unleash widespread destruction on the mortal world, and they want the witches to help them. If the witches refuse, their covens will be destroyed, including Horngate, the place Max has grudgingly come to think of as home. Max thinks she can find a way to help Horngate stand against the Guardians, but doing so will mean forging dangerous alliances -- including one with a rival witch's Shadowblade, who is as drawn to Max as she is to him -- and standing with the witch she despises. Max will have to choose between the old life she still dreams of and the warrior she has become, and take her place on the side of right -- if she survives long enough to figure out which side that is....

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416598146
• ISBN-13: 978-1416598145

Check Out The Website

Participating Blogs:

Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
Debbie’s World of Books: http://debbiesworldofbooks.com
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Patricia’s Vampire Notes: http://patricias-vampire-notes.blogspot.com/
The Neverending Shelf: http://neverendingshelf.blogspot.com
My Life in Not So Many Words: http://www.ziarias.blogspot.com/
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Pick of the Literate: http://bookrevues.blogspot.com/
Temple Library Reviews: http://templelibraryreviews.blogspot.com/
The Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com/
Confessions Of A Romance Book Addict: http://confessionsofaromancebookaddict.wordpress.com
The Life (and Lies) of an Inanimate Flying Object: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/
I Heart Book Gossip: http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/
Revenge of the Book Nerds: http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com
Fantasy Freak: http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/
Jens Book Talk: http://jensbooktalk.blogspot.com/
The Bibliophilic Book Blog: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/
My Adventures in Mommyland: http://musingmainiac.blogspot.com/
Parajunkee’s View: http://parajunkee.blogspot.com/
Crazy Books & Reviews: http://lindsayphotobook.blogspot.com/
The Book Tree: http://thebooktree.blogspot.com/

Blog Tour-Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor

One day twelve-year-old Tirissa discovers
that everyone in her village is under a
spell. Everyone but her!

Then she sees a mysterious stranger
change into a huge bird, a bird with a
beak like a sword. Did he cast the magic
spell? She's desperate to find someone
who can break it,so she flees, leaving her
village behind. She soon meets some
wood nymphs and learns that she is part
wood nymph, too!

An old herbwoman tells her to seek help
from a wizard who lives far away, and her
journey takes her across the Three
Kingdoms.

Along the way she's joined by a kindly
troll and an overweight, lazy palace
guard. They are pursued by the twin
princes of Kellayne, the best hunters in the
Blue River Kingdom, as well as by the
huge, dangerous bird.

Meanwhile, an evil wizard watches Tirissa
and her friends in his magic mirror and
plans to cast a second magic spell that
will kill everyone in the Three Kingdoms...

Read an Excerpt

My Review:

This YA Fantasy novel will please any budding fan of the genre. I enjoyed it tremendously. The characters all were well written and fleshed out perfectly. The magic system was explained well enough that I wasn't left wondering what was going on, as is the case in some fantasy plots. Willow has a good heroine here in Tirissa. She's a very strong little girl and has a tender heart!

I enjoyed the story and how well the plot moved. The action was well choreographed. The only problem I may have with this book (and it's a nit-picky one) is Tirissa and company seemed to get out of trouble a bit too easily. Everything sort of fell into her lap or was explained a bit too perfectly. I don't however think that is that big of an issue. This is Willow's first novel and it is a good one at that. I see from her website that she is thinking of a sequel and I for one will be excited to see what happens next.

Tirissa is a solid effort and a very enjoyable book. I would recommend it to young girls AND young boys alike. I'll give this book a rating of 4/5! Enjoy!

Join Tirissa's Facebook fan page for a chance to win a free copy of the book:
http://tinyurl.com/yzna8l7

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 338 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (August 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143274013X

Intertwined Sweepstakes

Like to talk about books?

There is a new forum in the blog-o-sphere that needs more members! If you like to talk to books and have a preference to the YA genre (but not limited to) then check it out!

Kate of The Neverending Shelf has opened up the forum and so far it has plenty of potential and a very nice vibe! There will also be a book club if members are so inclined! So visit the FORUM and check out her blog.

I Joined the Swap and You Should Too!

What swap is that you might ask?! Click on the cute button up there ^^ and find out! It's gonna be fun! I LOVE getting cute things from strangers! Tee hee! So throw some Holiday Cheer on someone and sign up! Registration ends on November 12th so hurry up and mosey over there!

Friday Somethings (non-book related)

I will give you a random peek into what I'm looking forward to this weekend. *drool*
New Season starts tomorrow!

Blog Tour-Medina Hill

From TundraBooks.com:

In the grimy London of 1935, eleven-year-old Dominic Walker has lost his voice. His mother is sick and his father’s unemployed. Rescue comes in the form of his Uncle Roo, who arrives to take him and his young sister, Marlo, to Cornwall. There, in a boarding house populated by eccentric residents, Marlo, who keeps a death grip on her copy of The New Art of Cooking, and Dominic, armed with Incredible Adventures for Boys: Colonel Lawrence and the Revolt in the Desert, find a way of life unlike any they have known. Dominic’s passion for Lawrence of Arabia is tested when he finds himself embroiled in a village uprising against a band of travelers who face expulsion. In defending the vulnerable, Dominic learns what it truly means to have a voice.

Trilby Kent brilliantly handles a far-off time and place to present a story of up-to-the-minute relevance.

About the Author:



Trilby Kent was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in cities on both sides of the Atlantic. After completing degrees at Oxford University and The London School of Economics, she worked in the rare books department at a prominent auction house before turning to writing feature articles for publication in Europe and North America. She now lives in London, England. Medina Hill is Trilby Kent’s first novel.

My Review:

This short book is such a wonderful surprise! I was NOT prepared for the character of the book! I know that sounds strange, but the book was just so much like an old friend! I loved it! The characters are delightful and well written. Trilby Kent is truly talented!

Dominic is a character you just wanna hug and take good care of! Each of the characters are written in a way that you just know them! They come to life on the pages and won't leave you be! Sancha is fiesty, Marlo is your kid sister or at least that's what I got from them!

Basically, I loved this book. I was surprised! I wasn't sure what I was getting into. The cover reminded me of Angela's Ashes, so I was expecting something a bit depressing. I'm so glad I got a chance to review this book! I'll keep my eyes peeled for more from Kent. Medina Hill is a excellent first book! I give it a 4.5/5!



Tour schedule can be found HERE

Blog Tour-Hoodoo Sea

About the book: (from the website)

The government of the United States of America is on the verge of startling the world.

Billions of dollars had been invested in its space program.

And now, the moment of truth has arrived...

Scott Reed is the man for the historic mission. He is the Wing Commander chosen by the elite brass at NASA. The assignment to test flight the first speed of light craft, held top secret, was about to shock the world. The risk? Utter and complete failure. The reward? Being a part of the greatest human accomplishment ever known to mankind.

Major James Harrow, second in command of the four person crew, despised his Wing Commander. Harrow was a proud and patriotic American. What was NASA thinking when they selected a Canadian to pilot the voyage? There was no comparison as to who was the better skilled aviator. This was his time, his moment. Major James Harrow was about to prove to everybody they were wrong to bypass him as Commander.

The weather conditions were perfect and lift-off for the test flight was text book. The triumphant cheers from Mission Control in Houston were echoed all the way to Cape Canaveral. The silent fear of the first hurdle of the flight had been succumbed. All systems were go! That is, until the crew and SOLT-X1 entered the Bermuda Triangle...

About the Author: (from the website)


Rolf Hitzer was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1959 and raised by his parents, Erna and Julius Hitzer.

Rolf attended Princess Margaret Elementary School, John Pritchard Junior High and Graduated from Kildonan East Regional Secondary School where he had majored in Culinary Arts.

Rolf is married to his wife Irma since 1997. Together they have a wonderful blended family with Rita and Clark Bodoano and Grand children, Alexandria, Patrick and Braeden. Jason and Leah Tutlies, and Grandson Easton. Mandel Hitzer, and the youngest Jessica Hitzer. Clearly the growth of his family is still a work in progress.

Rolf Hitzer has several passions besides writing, they include being at the log cabin on weekends. Spending time on the water with a fishing pole in hand. Wildlife viewing and especially Moose calling during the fall rut. Playing a range of Poker card games and a variety of board games.

Rolf is a Member of the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, The Manitoba Real Estate Association and the Canadian Real Estate Association. He is currently working on his second novel.

My Review:

This was definitely a surprising book! I was totally expecting it to go one way but then it flips and turns another! Hoodoo Sea is a good first novel, written by Rolf Hitzer! The characters are well developed and nicely fleshed out and the plot was amazingly well done for a first time writer!

I will admit to not being a total fan of the cover (both front and back) but I will say that once you open the book and get reading you will forget about it and get lost in the story.

From start to finish, this book was a fun read. I love the Bermuda Triangle and all the weirdness that comes with it, so this book was a treat for me! The story did seem a bit abrupt at the end, but it worked so I am not calling that a strike against it.

All in all I say this is a solid effort from Mr. Hitzer and would definitely suggest this book! I give it a strong 4/5 rating and definitely hope to hear more from Rolf Hitzer in the future!

What are you Reading?

Well I have two Blog Tours coming this week, so I'm getting that wrapped up!

Hoodoo Sea-Rolf Hitzer
Medina Hill-Trilby Kent
Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor-Willow

What I'm looking forward to: New season start of Legend of the Seeker on Saturday! Nov. 7th!

My October book count was pretty nice (for me) thanks to the Read-a-Thon! I might just plan another personal one around my B'day (hint hint..november 11th)