BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Petterson, Turner and Kellison Oh My! Great Things Happening at Bitten By Books !

Vicki Pettersson Release Party & HUGE Book Giveaway! THURSDAY 6/2 – RSVP Here

http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=42938

1

“Once she was a soldier for the Light, the prophesied savior who would decide the outcome of the eternal conflict raging unseen in the dark corners of her glittering hometown. Now Joanna Archer is just another mortal—still born of an impossible union of Shadow and Light . . . still hunted by both—and carrying the unborn child of a lover held captive by a depraved demon goddess. Joining forces with a band of rogue Shadow agents, Joanna’s ready to storm the stronghold of her demonic foe, risking everything to enter this ghastly, godforsaken realm where the price of admission is her eternal soul. Because in a world that has stripped her of her power, identity, and fortune, Joanna has nothing left to lose—except her baby, her future, and the epic war poised to consume the city.”

1

Jennifer Turner Release Party & $100.00 in Gift Cards! TOMORROW RSVP Here 6/1

http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=42935

“Toni Tutoro just wants to go home. Banned from Chicago’s vampiric society after cutting a swath of violence through the city, she must now successfully complete an investigation for the Lord of Chicago to regain the right to live in her hometown again.

To ensure Toni’s safety during her probationary period, Drake Black, a feared assassin, is secretly contracted to protect her. Even with direct orders to keep his relationship professional, and his own personal vow to never get involved with a female vampire again, Drake finds himself drawn to Toni in ways he can’t explain. But unbeknownst to him…he’s tied to one of the people who drove Toni to her night of destruction.

Drake’s legendary heritage holds the key to Toni’s survival and success, but will she be able to forgive his connection to the brutal night that robbed her of those she loved most? Will Drake be able to forget the betrayals in his past and risk taking one more chance? But most of all – can they find a way to reach each other in the darkness?”

 

1

Erin Kellison Release Party & $100.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest TOMORROW RSVP Here 6/1

http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=42931

“Magic

It is bleeding into our world, bringing with it banshees, wraiths, fae from the twisting forests of Twilight.  But Elllie’s problem is a very different kind of phenomenon.  .  .

Shadow

It ought to be attached to her; instead it has a life of its own.  And her dark mirror image is a wild thing, willfully seducing the very man Ellie hoped could help.

Science

Cam has devoted his career to exploring the boundaries between this world and the Hereafter.  But nothing could prepare him for the mischief and mayhem of a soul split in two.

Surrender

Who will give in first:  the man struggling to unite two halves of one fascinating female; the shadow fighting for freedom to experience the thrill of every emotion; or the woman who is about to discover her own deepest desires?”

Abandon by Meg Cabot Book Release and Book and Jewelry Giveaway at Bitten By Books!

Check this out! Scholastic has launched a new online community called This Is Teen to connect readers with their favorite YA authors and books. Visit their page on Facebook for all the latest news on Meg Cabot and her new book Abandon http://www.facebook.com/thisisteen.
Contest: Contest ends 6/5/11 at 11:59 pm CDT. Open to readers in the US.
Prize One: (1) grand-prize winner from your site receives:
- A copy of
Abandon and a necklace inspired by the book
!
Prize Two: (2) additional winners receive:
- A copy of
Abandon

To Enter: go here http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=42953

Monday, May 30, 2011

Saturday, May 28, 2011

I Just Won 9 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

I Just Won 9 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

Starcrossed By Josephine Angelini Read the First 5 Chapters !

“How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.”




Want to read the first five chapters? Thanks to Harper/Teen you can do just that. Click here and enjoy!

Friday, May 27, 2011

The Amanda Project By Amanda Valentino, Melissa Kantor –Free Read from Harper/Teen

“Mysterious, charismatic, and one of a kind—the only way to find Amanda is to think like Amanda.
When enigmatic freshman Amanda Valentino arrived at Endeavor High, she chose three people—Callie, Hal, and Nia—to guide her through the choppy waters of her new school. Except she didn't tell them about each other. When Amanda leaves, the three must reluctantly work together to figure out why. But once they start piecing together the cryptic clues that Amanda herself is leaving for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew about her is false. The more they dig, the mystery of where—and who—Amanda is deepens.”




 Thanks to the great people at Harper/Teen The Amanda Project By Amanda Valentino, Melissa Kantor is free to read here.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross 5*

The Girl in the Steel Corset-NET GALLEY




Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset
Author: Kady Cross
Genre: YA Steampunk
Rating: * * * * *
Publishers Date: May 31, 2011
Hardback: 480 pages
ISBN: 0373210337
FTC Disclosure: Net Galley




“In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one, except the "thing" inside her.
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch..
Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.
Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help - and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.
But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on - even if it seems no one believes her.”

Absolutely, the best YA Steampunk I’ve read to date. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in the late 1890’s it contained everything I love about that London era, throw in the steampunk gadgets and it is a solid winner. It has super power action figures (well kinda of), a bit of romance, mystery, drama, and a cast of characters that were all wonderful in their own right. Finley Jayne (don’t you just love that name) has a bit of a Jekyll/Hyde type of personality and when her rich employer’s son tries to push himself on her, that personality takes over. While escaping from him she is injured in a velocycle accident and Griff’s menagerie of strays takes her in. She quickly discovers that this group of people have many other powers and secrets.
Griff’s group is working with the Queen of England to flush out the Machinist, an individual they suspect of turning the machines/androids against the humans. Though the book was told from several POV’s, I was never lost and this book moved at a very fast pace. At nearly 500 pages, it ended way to quickly for me. I’m glad that this is to be a series as I can’t wait to see where their adventures and hopefully romance take them next. Though a young adult book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to readers of Cassandra Clare’s books. It was simply awesome! As I read it as an e-book, I didn’t get to drool over the cover too much (it is gorgeous), but I’ve got a copy on order as I know this is one I’ll want to reread and share with others.



SPLASH INTO SUMMER GIVEAWAY HOP! 5/25-5/31


Winners will be chosen by Random.org.
Co-Hosted
 by blogs Page Turners  and
Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop
will run from  12:01 AM on May 25
till 11:59PM on May 31.
Contest will be open Internationally. 



 I will be giving away a $10 Amazon Gift/Barnes and Noble ecard or you can choose a book up to $10 from Book Depository and as long as they ship free to you, you can enter. Just make sure they ship to you. If not sure,  check here I love to win Gift Cards and these are the simplest and the best as far as I'm concerned.
For every 50 new followers I get, I'll give away an extra $10 gift cards/Book Depository book. Hope you'll take the time to look around, make a comment or two and offer any suggestions. 
Giveaway Details per the Grandbuns!


To enter giveaway please follow this blog on Goggle Friend Connect, comment telling me where you would go on vacation if money was no object and then fill out the form here.
Last Day to Enter is May 31th 11:59 PM EST
Usually, I offer extra entries for comments on non-contest blogs but I've been busy,buzy working in the yard, (flowers, flowers, flowers) attending graduations, motorcycle riding in the gorgeous mountains, and reading till my eyes bleed. Unfortunately, I've not written any reviews lately. (I've set aside the whole weekend to get caught up --we'll see).
 So, anywhere you comment, retweet, share on Facebook, follow me , just in general share the summer loving, I'll add an extra entry to your name (be sure and leave email address as this is how I tag you).
Enjoy the Hop, meet new and old friends, find that one golden treasure that's going to be your read of the summer and take away a smile- from my home to yours!

I am number 18 and Taming the Bookshelf (US) is in front of me and
Helen Smith (Int) is behind me. Click here for the full list of participating bloggers on the hop, over 200 blogs participating. This is a great way to meet more bloggers, win books, gift cards and more!!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Brought To you by Robert--Harlequin Novel, Updated.... 2011 Version:

ren_and_stimpy He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room. Then he quietly shut the door and we were
alone. He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear.” Just relax."
Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my
calves, slowly but steadily.
My breath caught in my throat. I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn't care. His touch was so experienced, so sure.
When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was
pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage.
And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply.
Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine and into my panties.
Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. A
man not used to taking 'No' for an answer. A man who would tell me what he wanted. A man who would look into my soul and say . . . .
"Okay ma'am, you can board your flight now.  TSA has approved you to fly today."

Monday, May 16, 2011

Thursday, May 12, 2011

THIS WEEK’S NEW TEEN BOOKS !

 
Logo
Here are this week’s new releases for the category ‘Teens’.
MY PICK OF THE WEEK!!!
Which one must you have?
Tempest Rising
Stores: USA | Canada | Kindle
By Tracy Deebs
ISBN: 0802722318
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $10.24
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Catherynne M. Valente
ISBN: 0312649614
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $9.00
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Sarah Dessen
ISBN: 0670012947
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $10.25
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Joanna Philbin
ISBN: 0316049093
Publisher: Poppy
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $8.64
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Amy Plum
ISBN: 0062004018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $9.64
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Gail Carson Levine
ISBN: 0061229652
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $9.94
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
ISBN: 1416975535
Publisher: Atheneum
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $9.65
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook

Tempted
Stores: USA | Canada | Kindle
By P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast
ISBN: 0312609388
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Paperback
Estimated price: $6.40
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Obert Skye
ISBN: 1609080505
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: May 9, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $9.55
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Trudi Canavan
ISBN: 0316037869
Publisher: Orbit
Publication date: May 11, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $13.02
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook

Ruby Red
Stores: USA | UK | Canada | Kindle
By Kerstin Gier
ISBN: 0805092528
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $10.24
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By James Patterson
ISBN: 031603830X
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Paperback
Estimated price: $5.11
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook

Bitter End
Stores: USA | UK | Canada | Kindle
By Jennifer Brown
ISBN: 0316086959
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $8.20
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Christina Mandelski
ISBN: 1606841297
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $10.95
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Gae Polisner
ISBN: 0374371938
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $10.23
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Alyssa Sheinmel
ISBN: 0375867856
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $9.75
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook

Boom!
Stores: USA | Kindle | UK Kindle
By Mark Haddon
ISBN: 0385752245
Publisher: Yearling
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Paperback
Estimated price: $4.80
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Veronica Chambers
ISBN: 1423123662
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Paperback
Estimated price: $5.43
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Amanda Grace
ISBN: 9780738725949
Publisher: Flux
Publication date: May 8, 2011
Binding: Paperback
Estimated price: $7.37
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook
By Lauren Henderson
ISBN: 0385737793
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Estimated price: $9.75
Share this book on Twitter | Facebook

Author Michele Hauf Character Interview and Contest 5/12 – RSVP at BittenByBooks!

1

Join me at BittenByBooks on 5/12 with author Michele Hauf for a Character Interview, chat and contest. This event post goes up in the morning and runs into the evening. Michele will start answering questions at 12:00 pm Central Daylight Time. For those visiting from outside of the US, here is the time conversion link. We are in the Chicago time zone:http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Michele will be talking about her brand new release Forever Vampire.


“Vail the Unwanted is a pure-blooded vampire. But raised by Faery, he has neither home nor peace, and when his aid is sought in the recovery of a priceless diamond gown, his price is information. Specifically the whereabouts of his accursed father. His goal is revenge, and the supernaturally sexy Lyric, the icy blond vampiress with whom he must work, is a distraction he can’t afford.

Outwardly as cold as the diamond dress in which she was kidnapped, Lyric has her own secrets. Desperate to break free from her criminal family, she aligns herself with the brooding Vail. Together they seek justice while each secretly works for freedom and a fresh start. For Lyric that means holding herself apart, even from the smoldering blue-eyed Vail. For Vail, it means a battle to the death for revenge—and for a temptress he can’t deny.”

CONTEST INFO: The contest portion of the event runs until 11:59 pm Central on 5/13/11. Open to readers in the US.

Prize: One set of the following books Her Vampire Husband, Seducing the Vampire and Forever Vampire

RSVP at BiitenByBooks and get 25 entries to the prize portion of the contest when you show up on the day of the event. If you don’t show up and mention your RSVP AND ask a question, your points won’t be entered into the contest.

Check out Michele Hauf’s website and get your questions ready for the event.


http://www.michelehauf.com

Be SURE to give your friends this link: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=41990 so they can RSVP too.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

How to Win Leigh's Big A$$ RT 11 Bag?

 

It's easy to enter the giveaway, and here's the best part: there are multiple chances to win! The more things you do, the more times your name goes in the hat, and that increases your chance of winning. Click here for the deal!

Monday, May 9, 2011

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT of Spring Blog Carnival!

carnivalbutton-1
imageThe main winner of my Spring Blog Carnival Celebration is #43  Heather from http://booksavvybabe.blogspot.com/ . When I asked her what was the first sign of Spring for her--





Heather (booksavvybabe) said...









I’m a new GFC follower, I always think of the new baby bunnies that take over my yard every spring! They are around for a few weeks until my cat chases them off, but it means spring is here!

I had 111 individual entries and with the extra entries it went up to 164. I had 31 new followers and all of the rest were faithful followers. So even though I didn’t get another 50 newbies in my control, I decided what the heck and picked a second winner anyway. Lucky  #58. WooHoo!


And #58 belongs to Rad H… whose email begins with emi3mle@ who said
imageThe bluebells bloom :) Thanks for the giveaway. GFC follower

I've emailed the winners to verify email addresses for a $10 Gift Certificate from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or a book from Book Depository up to $10. Your choice!. You have until midnight on May 12 EST to respond or a different winner will be chosen.
All winners were chosen by Random.org