Facebook Group: All Things YA

Alethea has created a new Facebook community for Young Adult book enthusiasts called All Things YA. Authors, bloggers, publishers/publicists, teachers and librarians, booksellers and the like are all invited to post anything related to YA books--promote a book, blog, event, or anything really! Middle-grade books are welcome, too along with anything else relevant to young adults and reading. Photo and video sharing is currently enabled for all users. If you wish to become a Community Admin, just ask Alethea Allarey (@frootjoos) or myself. Admins can add Events, Notes, and other special community features, moderate/delete inappropriate posts, etc. You do not have to be an Admin to link to something that is already posted elsewhere! You can just add the Link and it will appear on the main Wall.

For more information:

• For direct questions and correspondence you can email us at: allthingsya@gmail.com
• Our twitter hashtag is #atYA, and you can mention @AllThingsYA
• Join us on Facebook

We hope you’ll join us!

2010 Year in Review

I can’t believe 2010 is done and over with. It seems like it went by in a flash! I read 86 books this year and there was 11 books I DNF. I discovered that I really enjoy reading romantic suspense and I love a good series with lots of built-up tension. Another first for me this year was reading Urban Fantasy. Here are some other bookish highlights:

Re-Reads

1. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. The movie was coming out and I wanted to re-read the book before watching it. I love this book. It’s definitely one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks novels. I do not like that the ending of the movie differs from the ending of that found in the book.
2. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. When I got Crescendo, I realized that I couldn’t remember much of what happened in Hush, Hush so I re-read it.

Favorite Reads

1. Broken by Shiloh Walker. This was the book that paved the way for romantic suspense for me. Shiloh Walker was a new-to-me author this year and she’s now one of my favorites. She knows how to write good, steamy love scenes with characters that connect with chemistry.
2. Crimson Moon by J.A. Saare. Another new-to-me author that landed her way onto my favorites list. This author has a way with words. I really enjoy reading her books and I can’t wait for more. She brings the characters to life.
3. Murphy’s Law by Sandy James. Great premise and well executed. I love the equine element to the story. I’ve been a horse lover since I was little.
4. Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder. A YA novel written beautifully in verse. This style of writing was new to me but Lisa Schroeder did a fabulous job of lyrically telling a story.
5. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles. My favorite book by this author so far. Simone Elkeles is the master of telling a story from alternating POVs and taps into a teenage mind with ease.
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. A poignant YA novel that I believe should be required reading in junior high schools everywhere. It left me stunned.

Favorite Series

1. The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. Cat and Bones – need I say more? The chemistry between these two is fierce!
2. The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this series! I was hesitant to read it because it’s UF and I’m not a UF person – until now it seems. I’m going to try more UF. As long as there’s romance somewhere in the story, I’m in. I am anxiously awaiting for January 18th to come.
3. Firefighters of Station Five by Jo Davis. I am a sucker for firefighters (who isn’t, right?) and this series hit the spot. Romantic suspense with steamy love scenes. I really hope the series goes on. I’m not ready to let go of my boys.
4. The Redhead series (The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed) by Alice Clayton. This was a hilarious, steamy romance. This series took me by surprise. It was not at all what I was expecting; it was better!
5. The Ganzfield series (Minder and Adversary) by Kate Kaynak. This unique YA paranormal series is a hidden gem. Amazing world building, unique paranormal elements. I cannot wait to read Legacy.

Exciting Events
This year in September I went to a speaking engagement/book signing for Nicholas Sparks. This is the first time I’ve been to one of his signings and let me tell you, it was the book highlight of my year! He is the nicest guy. He was genuinely happy to be there with his fans. He spoke for about an hour about his life, his writing and other stuff. I feel even more in love with him.

Reading Challenges
I participated in 2 reading challenges this year: (1) the YA reading challenge and (2) the 100+ reading challenge. For the YA challenge, I started off at the Mini level (12 YA books) and accomplished that level in April. So I bumped myself up to the Just My Size level (25 YA books), which I reached in September. I could have done more than that but I got lazy and never updated my challenge page. As for the 100+ challenge, I missed it by 14 books. Close but no cigar.

For 2011 I have signed up for 14(!) reading challenges, 4 of which I created and am hosting myself. I know what you’re thinking. And yes, I’m nuts. But I believe all of the reading challenges I signed up for allow crossover reads from other challenges. What can I say, I’m an addict. You can check out my Reading Challenges page to see which ones I’m participating in and to check out my progress throughout the year.

And there you have it. What was the most memorable book moment of 2010 for you?

Kindle Lending is (finally) Here!

It’s been over 2 months since the Amazon Kindle team announced that they would be introducing a lending feature for the Kindle but it’s finally here! Details on how to lend Kindle books can be found on the Kindle help page.

Here are some things to consider in regards to the Kindle Lending feature:

1. Each book can be lent out only once. Ever. So if I lend you my Kindle copy of a book, then I can never lend out that book ever again.
2. Books can be lent out for 14 days. After the 14 days are up, I’m assuming that the book will magically disappear from the Borrower’s Kindle and will magically reappear on the Lender’s Kindle.
3. While a book is being lent out, the Lender cannot read the book. Only one person can read said book at a time.
4. Not all eBooks will be lendable. It will be up to the publisher (or the rights holder) to determine whether or not a book will be lendable.

Looking to lend out or borrow a Kindle book? Then check out this group on Goodreads where Kindle lenders and borrowers can come together.

How to Read Library Books on your Apple Device

I may not be able to get eBooks from the library on my Kindle but I can get them for my iPod Touch. A few people asked me about this so I put this simple tutorial together. A few things to keep in mind: (1) Check to see if your library has an eBook lending program, (2) You will need a library card in order to download eBooks and (3) Check your library’s website for requirements as they may differ from my library’s requirements. Here we go.

2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge - COMPLETED

I love reading romance so I think this will be a great reading challenge to join.  

Details

1. By contemporary romance I mean straight contemporary, so without paranormal, fantasy or time-travel elements. Sexy, steamy contemporaries are eligible and so are category romances. (i.e. Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Super Romances, Silhouette Desires, etc.)
2. Read at least 10 contemporaries between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.
3. You don’t have to pre-select your books, you can just add them as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed. Nothing is set in stone! Also, the books you choose can crossover into or from other challenges you are participating in.
4. Feel free to grab the button below for the sidebar of your blog. It would be great if you would link it back to this post so others can find their way back to this post and join the challenge.
5. If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others and feel free to add a link back to this post so others can join in the fun.
6. Go to Romance Book Maven to sign up.

Here is my list of books for this challenge (links go to my review):

1. One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake
2. Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
3. Compromising Positions by Jenna Bayley-Burke
4. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
5. Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning
6. Sugar Creek by Toni Blake
7. Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy
8. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy
9. Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy
10. Tempt Me by Shiloh Walker
11. Staying at Daisy’s by Jill Mansell
12. Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning
13. Trust in Advertising by Victoria Michaels
14. Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley
15. One Night by Debbie Macomber
16. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
17. Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery
18. Bad Girl by Night by Lacey Alexander
19. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey
20. Undeniably Yours by Shannon Stacey
21. Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey
22. The Chase by Erin McCarthy
23. Something About You by Julie James
24. Only Mine by Susan Mallery
25. The Best Laid Plans by Sarah Mayberry
26. Turn It Up by Inez Kelley
27. Only Yours by Susan Mallery
28. Only His by Susan Mallery
29. The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
30. All I Want for Christmas by Liliana Hart
31. A Present for Christmas by Shiloh Walker
32. Four Kisses by Bonnie Dee
33. Baby, I’m Yours by Stephanie Bond
34. Only Us by Susan Mallery

What can I say; I love romance

How do you decide what order to read books from your TBR pile?

I want to pick your brains to see how y’all decide which books you decide to read from your TBR pile first. I’m not talking about review requests. We each have our own rhyme and reason in which dictates our reading order for review requests. I’m referring to that massive pile of books that you’ve accumulated over the months (or years). How to you decide which to read first, then next and so on?

There are so many books that I want to get to right now but unfortunately I can only read one book at a time. My TBR pile is over 200 books deep and that’s not even including the books that I have on my TBR list that I plan to get from my local library (that list currently stands at almost another 200). Seeing how I can probably read about 100 books next year, you can surely see my dilemma. So many books, so little time and all that.

If you really want to help a Vixen out, please feel free to check out what books are in my TBR pile and let me know which book(s) should be at the top of my 2011 reading list. If you’re really brave, you can check out the books that are on my TBR list, which I plan on getting from my local libraries (Library One is closest to my home, Library Two is just the next town over).

I’m in need of all the help I can get O.O

TEASER TUESDAYS: The Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook

“Blimey,” says Dan. “Is it cold in here, or are you trying to smuggle a couple of peanuts out from behind the bar?”

p. 141, The Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook by Matt Dunn

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 and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Holiday Break

Just a little note to say that I won’t be posting much during the next 2 weeks. With the holidays right around the corner, I’ll been up to my eyebrows with getting things ready around the house. I still haven’t finished my Christmas shopping and I have yet to start any wrapping. Yes, I am one of those last minute people.

I’m also going through the feedback that I’ve received from people who have filled out the survey. Lots of good stuff in there! I’m making a list of changes that I want to make to the site. I’m not sure if I’ll start making the changes now, a little at a time, or if I’ll wait until Bloggiesta starts (January 21st).

I’ll be around on Twitter and reading blogs. And I’ve been reading up a storm so there’ll be lots of reviews come January.

Until next time…

2011 YA Reading Challenge - COMPLETED

Last year I participated in this reading challenge and not only did I complete it, I read more than I had originally thought I would. Since I love reading YA, I’m going to participate in this challenge again for 2011.

 

Rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.  Create a post about the challenge and click HERE to sign up.
2. There are four levels:
      ►The Mini level – Read 12 YA novels.
      ►The Fun Size level – Read 20 YA novels.
      ►The Jumbo Size level – Read 40 YA novels.
      ►The Mega size level – Read 50+ YA novels.
3. Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. The Challenge starts on January 1, 2011 and goes until December 31, 2011.

I’m going for the Fun Size level (read 20 YA books).

Here is my list of books for this challenge (links go to my review):

1. Life, Liberty, and Pursuit by Susan Kaye Quinn
2. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
3. Legacy by Kate Kaynak
4. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
5. Pink by Lili Wilkinson
6. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
7. Blank Confession by Pete Hautman
8. Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting
9. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
10. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
11. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
12. Enclave by Ann Aguirre
13. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
14. Future Imperfect by K. Ryer Breese
15. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
16. Divergent by Veronica Roth
17. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
18. Secrets by Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur
19. Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
20. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
21. Glow by Stacey Wallace Benefiel
22. Love Story by Jennifer Echols
23. Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
24. Fateful by Claudia Gray
25. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
26. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
27. Eve by Anna Carey
28. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

I read quite a bit of YA

2011 100+ Reading Challenge – COMPLETED

I participated in this reading challenge for 2010 but failed. The year is not over yet but I’m only at 83 books read and there’s only 12 days left in the year. With the holidays fast approaching, I know I’m not going to make it. My goal for 2011 is to read 100 books.

Rules:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.
2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.
   What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.
3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2011. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.
6. Click HERE to sign up.

Here is my list of books for this challenge (links go to my review):

1. Life, Liberty, and Pursuit by Susan Kaye Quinn
2. One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake
3. Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
4. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
5. Compromising Positions by Jenna Bayley-Burke
6. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
7. Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning
8. Sugar Creek by Toni Blake
9. Free Falling by Sandy James
10. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
11. Legacy by Kate Kaynak
12. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
13. Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy
14. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy
15. Pink by Lili Wilkinson
16. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
17. Blank Confession by Pete Hautman
18. Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy
19. Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting
20. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
21. Tempt Me by Shiloh Walker
22. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
23. Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
24. Hunter’s Fall by Shiloh Walker
25. Staying at Daisy’s by Jill Mansell
26. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
27. Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning
28. Enclave by Ann Aguirre
29. Trust in Advertising by Victoria Michaels
30. Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley
31. The Wish List by Gabi Stevens
32. One Night by Debbie Macomber
33. As You Wish by Gabi Stevens
34. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
35. When You Dare by Lori Foster
36. Future Imperfect by K. Ryer Breese
37. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
38. The Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones
39. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
40. Divergent by Veronica Roth
41. Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery
42. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
43. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
44. Trace of Fever by Lori Foster
45. Savor the Danger by Lori Foster
46. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
47. Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill
48. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
49. Bad Girl by Night by Lacey Alexander
50. Make Her Pay by Roxanne St. Claire
51. Secrets by Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur
52. Inside by Brenda Novak
53. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey
54. Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
55. You Belong to Me by Karen Rose
56. Nightfall by Ellen Connor
57. Undeniably Yours by Shannon Stacey
58. Cover Me by Catherine Mann
59. Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey
60. The Chase by Erin McCarthy
61. Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare
62. Something About You by Julie James
63. Only Mine by Susan Mallery
64. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
65. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
66. The Best Laid Plans by Sarah Mayberry
67. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
68. Turn It Up by Inez Kelley
69. Crux by Moira Rogers
70. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
71. Glow by Stacey Wallace Benefiel
72. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
73. The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
74. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
75. Love Story by Jennifer Echols
76. In Seconds by Brenda Novak
77. Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
78. Only Yours by Susan Mallery
79. Fateful by Claudia Gray
80. Dangerous Race by Dee J. Adams
81. Only His by Susan Mallery
82. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
83. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
84. If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker
85. Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep
86. Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep
87. The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
88. Eve by Anna Carey
89. The Heart of a Killer by Jaci Burton
90. The Storm That is Sterling by Lisa Renee Jones
91. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
92. Hot Zone by Catherine Mann
93. Open Me by Reina Stowe
94. In Close by Brenda Novak
95. All I Want for Christmas by Liliana Hart
96. A Present for Christmas by Shiloh Walker
97. Four Kisses by Bonnie Dee
98. Make Mine Midnight by Annmarie McKenna
99. Baby, I’m Yours by Stephanie Bond
100. Only Us by Susan Mallery

I reached my goal!!

2011 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge - FAILED

I have two local libraries, one of which is interconnected with over 50 other libraries in the county. I plan on utilizing these libraries A LOT in the upcoming year so this challenge is perfect for me.

Rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Click HERE to sign up.
2. There are four levels to this challenge...Pick your poison: 
        ►The Mini – Check out and read 30 library books. 
        ►Fun Size – Check out and read 40 library books. 
        ►Jumbo Size – Check out and read 50 library books. 
        ►Mega Size – Check out and read 51+ library books.
3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – basically any book counts just as long as it is checked out from the library. Books MUST be checked out like with a library card, books purchased at a library DO NOT count. 
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
6. Challenge begins January 1st 2011 and goes thru December 31 2011.

I’m going to start off at the Mini level (read 30 library books).

Here is my list of books for this challenge (links go to my review):

1. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
2. Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy
3. Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy
4. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
5. Blank Confession by Pete Hautman
6. Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy
7. The Wish List by Gabi Stevens
8. One Night by Debbie Macomber
9. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
10. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
11. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
12. Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill
13. Make Her Pay by Roxanne St. Claire
14. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
15. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
16. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

I was doing pretty good up until my due date. LOL

On My Wishlist (56)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. If you want to know more click here.

Sugar Daddy (Travises, #1) by Lisa Kleypas

SHE’S FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS
Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas---if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty Jones is a complication he doesn’t need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.

HE’S THE ONE MAN SHE CAN’T HAVE
When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty finds herself under the spell of a billionaire tycoon---a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family’s past.

WILL THEY FIND THEIR HEARTS’ DESIRES OR WILL HEARTBREAK TEAR THEM APART?
Two men. One woman. A choice that can make her or break her. A woman you’ll root for every step of the way. A love story you’ll never forget.

This was recommended by Hanging with Bells. After reading the blurb, I’m definitely interested in trying out the series.

 

Flat-Out Sexy (Fast Track, #1) by Erin McCarthy

She met him at the racetrack...
...which was the last place Tamara Briggs wanted to find a man. Even a deeply intriguing, seductively sexy man like Elec Monroe. Tamara's a single mother now after losing her daredevil husband in an accident--and she's not about to get involved with another driver and put her kids, or herself, through that again. Besides, Elec's young enough to be her...younger brother.

Now things are moving a little too fast...
But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she's tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how big a risk she's willing to take to experience the thrilling, terrifying power of true love...

 

Hard and Fast (Fast Track, #2) by Erin McCarthy

An experiment in romance…
New to Charlotte, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect thesis for her Sociology degree. If she follows The Rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way to into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating—and mating—patterns?

That’s testing the limits of passion.
Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, she knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty won’t fail to disappoint, will satisfy all her curiosity—and make all the risks worthwhile…

 

Hot Finish (Fast Track, #3) by Erin McCarthy

Desire is about to reach its peak.

Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she's given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client-and best of all, he's paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: the bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne's stock racer ex- husband is the best man. At least she though he was her ex-husband...

 

The Chase (Fast Track, #4) by Erin McCarthy

No blurb yet. This one is set to be released on March 1st, 2011.

This was recommended by Julie from Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks. I have the whole Fast Track series on my wishlist because it looks and sounds that good. I love romance stories involving cars and racing. I don’t know how it took me so long to find out about this series. So if you know of a good romance that involves cars and/or racing, let me know!

So that's what I'm wishing for this week. What's on your wishlist?

Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

Today is Jane Austen’s 235^th birthday!

Sourcebooks, the world’s leading publisher of Jane Austen fiction, is offering a unique deal to readers who want to celebrate Jane by reading special editions of all six of Austen’s beloved novels in a 21^st century format.

Special e-book editions of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Mansfield Park will be available for free for one day only. These celebratory editions include the full novels, plus the legendary color illustrations of the Brock brothers, originally created to accompany the books in 1898.

In addition to the Jane Austen classics, readers can also enjoy these bestselling Austen-inspired novels. The following bestselling e-books will be free on December 16th in honor of her birthday:

Eliza's Daughter by Joan Aiken
Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins
The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Abigail Reynolds

Available wherever eBooks are sold. (The links I have provided are for the Amazon Kindle eBook.)

Edit to update:

Sourcebooks sincerely apologizes for all the confusion regarding the free offer of Jane Austen special edition titles as well as the 10 Austen inspired novels. They have been trying to fix the problem all morning. It takes a lot of cooperation from different parties to make the offer happen and it unfortunately it took some extra time to iron out the kinks.

iBooks and Google books currently has everything correct. Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Sony are currently working to get their prices adjusted. They should be correct shortly.  Sourcebooks.com will also have our books and the illustrated versions available for free within the next hour!

Because of this confusion they want to celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday an extra day! This offer will be good tomorrow as well.

Celebrity Look-A-Like Book Covers

Is it just me, or do these book covers remind you of a certain celebrity?

Angelina Jolie

Jessica Simpson

Alicia Silverstone

Reese Witherspoon

 
Jennifer Love Hewitt

Leslie Mann

Nicole Kidman

Any other book covers out there that remind you of a celebrity?

On My Wishlist (55)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. If you want to know more click here.

My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher

Vanessa is wise beyond her years. She's never really fit in at school, where all the kids act and dress the same. She's an artist who expresses her talent in the wacky colors she dyes her hair, her makeup and clothes. She's working on her biggest art project, and counting the days until she's grown up and can really start living. That adult world seems closer when Vanessa gets her dream job at the art supply store, Palette, where she worships the couple who runs it, Oscar and Maye. And she's drawn to a mysterious guy named James, who leads her into new, sometimes risky situations. Is she ready for this world, or not?

 

The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

High school junior Nick Brandt is intent on getting a girlfriend, and Eden Reiss is the one that he wants. He has exactly four semesters to get the girl, but when the phone rings on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday night, life for Nick and his parents will never be the same. What had been a seemingly idyllic home life has become something else entirely. But with this shake-up comes a newfound confidence for Nick; he's become a bolder version of himself, no longer afraid to question his parents, and no longer afraid to talk to Eden.

Alyssa B. Sheinmel has written a powerfully gripping story about family secrets, falling in love, and finding luck in unexpected--and sometimes unwelcome—circumstances.

 

Strings Attached by Judy Blundell

According to Pub Marketplace, the story is about “a plucky 17-year-old chorus girl in 1950’s New York, struggling to avoid her obligations to a mob-affiliated lawyer. . .who is father to the boy she loves.”

No “real” blurb yet but it sounds interesting. I read one of the reviews on Goodreads and that’s what book this book on my wishlist.

 

Where She Went (If I Stay, #2) by Gayle Forman

**Do NOT read this blurb is you haven’t read If I Stay**

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

I read If I Stay and really enjoyed it. It was a thought–provoking read about death and survivor’s guilt.

So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

Scott Abrams is the love of Brooke's life. He just doesn't know it yet. So when his family moves to New York City the summer before senior year, Brooke has no choice but to follow Scott. It's her last chance to prove to him that they're meant to be together.

What will Brooke do when her biggest dream finally comes true, but instead she wants something more?

This cover reminds me of the YA book covers from the 80s (in a good way).

That’s what’s on my wishlist this week. What’s on yours?

2011 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge - FAILED

Jennifer from Reading with Tequila says:

Book bloggers are my favorite source of book recommendations. More than any other source, they consistently introduce me to books and authors that impact my life. Therefore, I have created the Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge.

The Rules:

• Challenge will run January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Participants can join anytime throughout the challenge.
• Create an intro post, linking back to this post.
• Sign up here.
• Chose your own books from the list. You can decide to read books only on the Top 25 list or from the entire recommendation list. You do not have to make a list of books before the challenge begins.
• All forms of books acceptable (audio books, eBooks, etc.)
• Rereads do not count towards the completion of the challenge. The challenge is about discovering books that are new to you.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Reviews, while always appreciated, are not mandatory.

The Levels:

Level I - Read 5 books from the 2010 Book Blogger Recommendation List
Level II - Read 10 books
Level III - Read 15 books
Level IV - Read 20 books
Level V - Read 20+ books

I’m going for Level III – Read 15 books.

Here is my list of books for this challenge (links go to my review):

1. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
2. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
3. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
4. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
5. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Bummer. I wanted to read so many more book recommendations!

REVIEW: Ride the Fire by Jo Davis

Title: Ride the Fire (Firefighters of Station Five, #5)
Author: Jo Davis
Format: paperback, 310 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: review copy from Fiction Vixen
Published: December 2010 by Signet

After he lost his wife and children to tragedy, Capt. Sean Tanner drowned his pain with alcohol. Now, fresh from rehab, he wants to regain the trust of his team and begin again. The last thing he needs is to have feelings for beautiful firefighter Eve Marshall. But even as they dare to explore their growing desire, Sean learns that his family may have actually been murdered. And that a shadow from his past has returned to finish off Sean-and anyone he loves.

Why I Read this Book: I read Line of Fire, the 4th book in this series, earlier this year and really liked it. When I was given the opportunity to read Ride the Fire, I jumped at the chance. Romantic Suspense is becoming one of my favorite genres to read.

What I Liked: I like that I got closer to Sean’s character. Ride of Fire is the long awaited story of Sean and Eve. Poor Sean has been through a lot. He and his crew had responded to the call and when they arrived on the scene, Sean learned it was his wife and two children that had perished. He has been carrying around this huge weight of guilt on his shoulders for the past two years because he was suppose to be with his family the day of the crash. Instead he was covering another shift at the fire station.

I love the character of Eve. She is my favorite female from this series. She’s a strong woman, which you have to be when working in a male dominated line of work. Until now, everyone except Sean has known that Eve has had feelings for Sean. Sean was too busy drowning in his own misery to even notice. Even though Eve kept her feelings to herself, it was clear to the other guys at the station how she felt about Sean just by the way she looked at him. There never seemed to be a right time for her to make a move; Sean at first had been a married man with children. Now Sean comes with major emotional baggage and his being a recovering alcoholic doesn’t make things any easier.Add in the fact that Sean is the Fire Captain of Station Five, and Eve’s superior, and well, you get a tricky situation.

I really like that the villain’s narrative was told in short snippets. I don’t like reading a lot from the villain’s POV, as I feel it takes away from the hero and heroine of the story, so this was good.

What I Didn’t Like: There was one love scene that was a bit…out there for me (for lack of a better words). One word: foil. It doesn’t belong anywhere in a love scene. I cringe just thinking about it.

Please correct me if I’m wrong but I believe Ride the Fire is the last book in this series and this saddens me. A new character was brought into Station Five’s A-Shift, which would enable another book to be added to this series, but from what I’ve read online I think the author might do a novella for this character instead of a full-length novel (if anything). This of course didn’t effect my review or opinion of Ride the Fire but I don’t like that it has come to an end (if my assumptions are indeed correct).

Overall Impression: It’s been days since I’ve finished reading this book and I’m still thinking about Sean, Eve and the guys at Station Five. Ride the Fire, along with the rest of the Firefighters of Station Five series, is the perfect blend of romance and suspense. Neither element overshadows the other. Jo Davis creates a great combination of romance, steamy love scenes with mystery and suspense mixed in. I was pulled right into the book and before I knew it, the last page was turned. I wasn’t ready to let go.

Reading tip - I had read Line of Fire (book 4) first, before any other book in this series, and that book was fine to read as a stand alone. However, I do not recommend reading Ride the Fire as a stand alone since bits and pieces of Sean’s story has been written into each book in this series. Sean’s story begins in book 1, Trial by Fire. And you continue to get his story along the way in the other books. I knew that before I could read Ride the Fire I would have to read the first 3 books in the series in order for the story to come full circle, so I did. So to truly appreciate Ride the Fire and Sean’s journey, I highly recommend and encourage you to read this series in order. Besides, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the rest of the boys, now would you.

 

The Book Vixen’s Rating:

*This review was originally posted on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews as a guest review.