Monday, April 30, 2012

Spring Fling Giveaway Hop!


We here at The Revolving Bookcase are happy to be participating in the Spring Fling Giveaway Hop hosted by the wonderful people at  Eve's Fan Garden & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. For this hop we are giving away a brand-new paperback ARC of Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler (see my review for book details). The are no requirements, but there will be extra entries to show our appreciation for followers and comments. Be sure to check out the list of the nearly 200 other blogs on this hop after you enter. 
 Thanks for stopping by and good luck! 



Review: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler



Why We Broke Up
Daniel Handler, Maira Kalman (illustrator)
December 27, 2011 (hardcover)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
354 pages

2012 Printz Award Winner (an ALA teen literary award)

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped. 

I loved the freshness of this book...the drawings, the point of view, the backwards way in which the story was told. Even the weight of the book was unique, printed on heavy semi-gloss paper like a coffee table book would be. I felt like I was holding something important in my hands as I read it. And I'm always a sucker for a good break-up. You could really feel the bitterness behind the telling of the story of each item from their relationship.

  And that, Ed, is why we broke up.

What I didn't like was that I found it hard to believe Min's voice was that of a teenager. And if she were a real teenager, I'd probably find her precociousness extremely annoying and more pretentious than cute. You know, the arty-hipster type who hangs out in coffee houses and only likes indie music before everyone else does and would never admit to enjoying something mainstream. But, even if she's a bit annoying, her pain is palpable and it's hard not to relate to that feeling of being a teenager in love going through a break-up. Maybe this was intentional, but Ed was almost a non-character. Even though he played such a big role in the book, I never really felt connected to him. You feel more connected to Min's best friend, Al, the person driving her to drop off the box of mementos, but maybe there is a reason for that, too. Overall, a clever and fresh take on a topic that has been done and overdone a million times. I look forward to what Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) has in store for his next YA/adult book.

Why We Broke Up: 3.75/5   Cover (and art): 4/5


Note: I received a free copy of this book at the 2011 BEA. 


ENTER TO WIN A BRAND-NEW ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK! Giveaway will run May 1-7th Click Here To Go To Entry Form!






The Danger That Is Damion Release Party Giveaways!

Our friend, Lisa Renee Jones, is hosting a slew of giveaways over on her blog to celebrate the release of her newest book, The Danger That Is Damion (#3 in the Zodius series).  Be sure to stop by every day between now and May 14th for new chances to enter to win some awesome books and prizes including a $50 gift card and a bundle of books from Sourcebooks! Plus, you get the chance to look at some very yummy cover eye candy. What could be better than that? Go there now! :)


And be sure to check back here later today for our newest giveaway as part of the Spring Fling Giveaway Hop!


Friday, April 27, 2012

Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Obsidian
Jennifer L. Armentrout
December 6, 2011
(Paperback release date: May 15, 2012)
268 pp

Synopsis:  
Starting over sucks. 
 When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
 And then he opened his mouth.
 Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
 If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Review:
I'm not sure how she did it, but somehow Jennifer L. Armentrout makes a novel built on top of the themes of many other novels seem original. It's hard not to compare Obsidian to I Am Number Four (with a good dose of Twilight thrown in there)- aliens come to Earth after their planet is destroyed, followed by other mean aliens who want to kill them...extraordinary guy who usually only hangs out with his own kind falls for plain girl new to town. While the writing may be structurally better in I Am Number Four, Jennifer's aptitude for storytelling makes up for any lack in her technical abilities. In fact, that lack just may have made the story even better - it really felt like I was reading the story from a teenager's viewpoint. The crude and vulgar way Kat describes things are exactly how most teenagers I know would too.(I'm not sure I've ever seen the word "douchebag" written so often in a book!) I LOVED the tension she creates between Katy and Daemon -- it was so refreshing to not have the two heroes fall instantly in love, and instead be at each other's throats the majority of the book. Although it was extremely frustrating to watch Daemon go from hot to cold every few pages and act like a jerk most of the time- it gave weight to how Katy must have been feeling during those moments. Speaking of Katy, even though she made some idiotic decisions a few times, how could you not love her for being so brave and rescuing the guy more than once in the book! Oh, and one last thing...the decision to make Katy a book blogger? Well played, Ms. Armentrout, well played :)

Obsidian:4/5 Cover: 2.5/5 




Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wednesday's Words & Quippish Quotes

I have always loved quotes. Starting as a teenager, I've kept dozens of journals filled with my favorite ones. I would write down my favorite lines from books, songs, and movies and I'd pour over volumes of quotation texts. Back before blogs and RSS feeds, I subscribed to e-mail lists such as Andi's Quotes and always got a little excited to see a new list pop into my inbox (yes, I am that much of a nerd!). Now that I have this blog, I thought what better platform to share my love of quotes than a blog about books. Every week, I'm going to put up a few of my favorites (and maybe, on occasion, my blogging partner Tanya will share some of hers, too). I'll try to make the majority of them from or about books or authors, but there may be some random ones thrown in there too. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed collecting them!


"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan
"Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: This is the ideal life." - Mark Twain
"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." - Charles William Eliot
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." - William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well 
"I do not want to lose the boy with the bread." - Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games


 

 

Monday, April 23, 2012

I Only Have Eyes for You: A Romance Review

I Only Have Eyes For You: The Sullivan Series
Bella Andre
Publisher: Oak Press, LLC 
April 10,2012
174 pages

Synopsis:  Sophie Sullivan, a librarian in San Francisco, was five years old when she fell head over heels in love with Jake McCann. Twenty years later, she's convinced the notorious bad boy still sees her as the "nice" Sullivan twin. That is, when he bothers to look at her at all. But when they both get caught up in the magic of the first Sullivan wedding, she knows it's long past time to do whatever it takes to make him see her for who she truly is...the woman who will love him forever.
Jake has always been a magnet for women, especially since his Irish pubs made him extremely wealthy. But the only woman he really wants is the one he can never have. Not only is Sophie his best friend's off-limits younger sister...he can't risk letting her get close enough to discover his deeply hidden secret.
Only, when Sophie appears on his doorstep as Jake's every fantasy come to life-smart, beautiful, and shockingly sexy-he doesn't have a prayer of taking his eyes, or his hands, off her. And he can't stop craving more of her sweet smiles and sinful kisses. Because even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn't the right thing to do...how can he possibly resist?

Review: I am a romance book addict. I have been since I picked up my first Harlequin paperback as a teenager 20 years ago. While I love all types of books, romance novels are my favorites. When I'm reading what I like to consider a "true" romance novel, I don't want to be bogged down with anything too serious, scary or sad. I just want to be entertained for a few hours and forget about everything else. I'm a sucker for a friends-to-lovers theme, any situation where two people are forced to spend time together when they otherwise wouldn't, and I just love big, supportive, loving families.

 I recently read I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre. I had never read anything by her before. Honestly, I'd never even heard of her. But, I have now, and this is most definitely not going to be the last I've read by her. All those things I mentioned above about loving in a romance novel? This has them and without any of those side-plots or ne'er-do-well secondary characters who so often detract from the story instead of adding to it. I didn't want to put this one down. Sure, there were some weaknesses, and the writing was far from perfect -- but I don't expect or need perfect in these types of novels. It was exactly what I think a romance novel should be: a welcome diversion for a day or two that makes you forget everything except for falling in love. A great, true romance!

Note: A free e-version of this is available to read on your computer through Goodreads.com:


I Only Have Eyes For You: 4/5 stars    Cover: 3/5

Note: I received an e-copy of this from the publisher on NetGalley for review purposes.

No Strings Attached Giveaway Winner

The Winner of The No Strings Attached Giveaway is: 

Molly @ ReviewsbyMolly

Congratulations and thanks to all who entered! 
Be sure to come back for more giveaway opportunities including a very special giveaway for our one-year blogoversary in June!! 


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Review Blast

I guess if I had to be in bed with the flu for a good portion of the past week, at least I had my nook stocked and my TBR pile waiting next to me. I have to say, I made pretty good use of both of those too. I've read 10 books in the past 2 weeks! Most of them were light, fluffy romance novels because that's about all my brain could handle, but there were a few more serious books thrown in there too. There are too many to publish individual reviews on every one, but here is a little burst of reviews on a few of them for your reading pleasure (it certainly was mine!).


Synopsis: In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Review: I kept hearing how great this book was and I was hoping I'd win a copy somewhere since it seemed to be on so many people's favorite lists. But, as the sequel, Insurgent, is about to be released, I figured I should just buy a copy knowing I'd probably want to lend it to a bunch of people anyway. How right I was. I only wish I had postponed reading it for the extra 2 weeks so I wouldn't have to wait at all for Insurgent.
    I was reluctant to read yet another dystopian YA novel, and even in the first 25 pages or so, still had that feeling like this was familiar. But,that ended soon after, and I all I was thinking from that point on was "Divergent" and how much I loved this story. It was dark, but had enough light and hope to keep you happy to read more.  It was adventurous, romantic, intriguing, intellectual, action-packed, and even had a few moments of humor thrown in -- this book is as close to perfect as anything I've read in a while. Definitely my favorite I've read so far this year. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for May 1st and Insurgent to begin!
Divergent: 5/5 stars  Cover: 4.5/5 stars


Self-professed nerd Maddie Maloney is an expert on jewels. Jewel thieves are another matter entirely! So when a mysterious Englishman warns her that a thief known as The Chameleon is after the rare pink diamond on display in her aunt's shop, she tells herself it's just a joke. Even if she can't get Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome out of her mind...

Review: I just didn't get this book. The title is horrible - doesn't fit the book at all. I guess it was a romance, but there were so few moments of that actually in the book, I wouldn't really classify it as such. I felt like the author was right on the brink of developing chemistry enough to be interesting, but didn't quite get there. I wouldn't call Maddie (the heroine) a true nerd. She may have a PhD in gemology, but that's where her intelligence seems to end. She continually makes ridiculously stupid decisions (like trying to bring a cat onto a running helicopter without a crate!). Our hero isn't much better. His motivations are unclear throughout most of the book and once revealed only become more confusing. The ending (with a somewhat awkward sex-scene) felt like an afterthought instead of a true ending. Maybe it is going to have a sequel, but I doubt I'll be interested enough to read it.
Gentlemen Prefer Nerds: 2.5/5 Cover: 3/5


Everyone knows that CEO Cole Jackson is lethal -- A fact his former executive assistant Meg Parson has learned firsthand. He's the one who banished her from his executive suite with no explanation.
Determined to secure her long awaited promotion, Meg Parson is back and can deliver the one deal Cole Jackson has always wanted and could never get. Now Meg must juggle this high-stakes deal with her unfathomable attraction to her former boss--an attraction Meg has denied for three years. If Meg can't pull off this multi-media merger, not only is her career at stake but also her heart.

There isn't too much original about this book. I even felt like I've read books with the same title before. With that said, it more than fulfills the requirement of a nice, easy beach read (or stay in bed sick read, whichever the case may be). Typical office-based romance with enough of a twist to keep it interesting. Likable characters. Could have used a bit more tension and build-up to the end, but like I said, it was a nice, quick romantic read.
Can't Buy Me Love: 3/5  Cover :3/5




Who's the sexy blonde stranger sleeping in Simon Holcroft's bed? The workaholic returns from a business trip to find someone stretched out on his sheets. Between the laundry basket at her side and the smell of orange cleaner, he deduces that the young woman is his maid-and resists the urge to kiss her awake.


But when his brother's fiancé-his own ex-bursts in and strips down to her panties, Simon introduces the maid as his fiancée. Now he has to bring his supposed bride-to-be to meet the whole family. One offer-she-can't-refuse later, Simon has bought himself a temporary fiancée.


I've read a lot of romance novels, and I really love ones in which the two main characters are thrown into a situation where they are forced to be together for a period of time. A great way to build the tension. This book has just that type of plot. A misunderstanding leads to a 2-week trip posing as a newly engaged couple. Tension mounts into a somewhat predictable, but satisfying finish.
His Secret Temptation: 3/5 Cover: 2.5/5

Note: I received an e-copy of all these books (except Divergent) from the publisher through NetGalley for review purposes. This in no way affected any of my reviews. 


Monday, April 16, 2012

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop!



It doesn't get any easier than this. A chance to win a free book and all you have to do is enter your name and e-mail address (sorry, US only). As it says in the name of the hop, No Strings Attached! No pages to like, no blogs to follow, no other contests to enter. And the best part? All the nearly 100 blogs participating have the same easy entry process! You don't have to be a follower, but of course, we appreciate it if you are! It's our way of saying thank you for visiting our blog. The winner will be chosen by Random.org  Once again, thanks to I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting this hop. 


What can you win??



You can enter for a chance to win a (slightly used) copy of Taking a Shot the new book in the Play by Play series by Jaci Burton (see review below). 


Good luck and be sure to hop around to all the other great blogs on the list!




Review: Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton


Author: Jaci Burton
Publisher: Berkley Heat
Publication Date: March 2012
Format: Trade paperback, 309 pages
Genre: Romance





From the Publisher:
If you want to score, you have to get in the game...
The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock-even one as hot as Ty.
Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...
But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all-including Ty..


This is the 3rd book in the Play by Play series by Jaci Burton and it is my favorite of them (so far). Even though this is book 3 of a series, it most certainly can be read as a stand alone title. This story focuses on the only daughter in the Riley clan, Jenna. Jenna has been surrounded by sports her entire life,her brothers are famous athletes in football and baseball and her family owns the local sports bar. After her dad had a heart attack, Jenna put her life & dreams on hold to help the family and took over the running of the sports bar. The last thing she wants to do is get involved with an athlete. Some athletes are just too darn sexy to ignore, like hockey player Tyler Anderson. Tyler likes Jenna, a lot, and he is willing to pursue her. He knows there is more to her than the sister of two great athletes and the woman who runs the sports bar. It is great to see how Tyler pursues Jenna and helps Jenna realize that it is ok to want something different than her family, to pursue her own dreams. Jenna put up a lot of resistance at first and I am surprised with how much Tyler put up with, really. But the story was great and you get glimpses of the characters from the first two books of the series. As I said in my review of the first two books (found here) This author certainly can write some steamy love scenes. I really like this fun sports loving family. Again in this book just like the others you can feel the love that this close knit family has and how they support each other. This is a great romance story with some sports sprinkled in and the cover eye candy is YUMMY.



Book: 4/5 Cover: 4.5/5

~~~~~Tanya~~~~~

Saturday, April 14, 2012

FINALLY!!!!!

It is with great pleasure that I announce that I have entered into the digital age and bought myself an E-Reader. I got a Nook and now I just have to learn to use it. All the books I can read, no more waiting for it to come into the bookstore or waiting for a book to arrive in the mail. A very happy early birthday to me !



~~~~~~~ Tanya ~~~~~~

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Charity Giveaway Hop Winners!!

We are pleased to announce the winners of our Charity Hopping Around the World Blog Hop --We had 62 entries for Marley & Me, 73 for Hound Dog True, and 82 for The Search! 

Marley & Me: Brianne L.
Hound Dog True: Lauren M. 
The Search: Danielle C. 

Congratulations to the winners --  you will be contacted shortly to send us your addresses.  Thanks to all who entered! 

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Review: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Author: Larissa Ione
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: December 2011
Format: Paperback, 414 Pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance







From The publisher: Sexy, powerful, and immortal, Limos is on a crash course with destiny. She’s been marked as Satan’s bride and her jealous fiancé wants her all to himself. The only way this Horseman can keep herself—and everyone else—safe is to keep her distance. But not even Limos can save herself from the secrets she’s kept . . . or resist the seductive allure of one very brave human.

Arik Wagner, knows the saying “love hurts” better than most, yet he never thought stealing a kiss from Limos would land him in Hell. Literally. It takes all his military training to survive the demon torture, but once he’s topside, Arik realizes that the agony has just begun. With the Apocalypse looming and Satan demanding his bride, will Arik and Limos surrender to the desire smoldering between them? Or will giving in to their passion unleash hell on earth?


If you love the tv show Supernatural than this is the book series for you. The author has created a world filled with demons, angles, wargs, steamy sex and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The four horseman are on a quest throughout this series to prevent their seals from braking and starting the apocalypse. This book is about the second horseman, who is a woman, Limos. She is the main story of this book but there are several other subplots that leave mysteries/questions to keep us anxiously awaiting the next book. As the apocalypse is getting closer this book was a tad bit darker & more violent than the other books in the series. That being said, I still really did enjoy it. It was interesting to see how these 2 characters could make it work and get Limos out of her engagement with Satan and how to deal with her past. This author has a great writing style, even though she is writing about death, torture the end of the world she has little comedic moments and keeps current, she actually mentions that Limos favorite tv show is Supernatural. One of my favorite quotes from the book:


“Hellooo. I’m a Horseman of the Apocalypse, and I’m betrothed to the most infamous, most powerful demon in existence. I couldn’t draw more attention to myself if I wore Lady Gaga’s meat dress to a PETA convention."



This is book 2 in the Lords of Deliverance Series by this author, the first book being Eternal Rider. I will say that some series of books you can read out of order or read as a stand alone, with this book I don't think you really can. I discovered Larissa Ione last year after reading a review for one of her books in the Demonica series and thought what an interesting sounding series. So I wrote her name down, and all the titles of the books in the series, in my trusty notepad so when I would venture out to my favorite used bookstore I could look for them to read. Once I had the first four in the series (there are 5 total), I started to read. And I think I finished all four books in about a week. I had to then rush out to the bookstore to buy the last book in the series so I could know how it ended. Then when I discovered at the end of book 5 there was a "spinoff" series I was just elated. This author does a fabulous job of creating a world that is violent and dark but yet you care about these characters as they all have such heart. She is a masterful story teller. That being said if you are to read these 2 series of books I suggest you start at the beginning of the Demonica Series and then continue onto the Lords Of Deliverance as all of the characters & language are in all of the books.

Overall a great read. it has the right amount of action, romance and plotting revenge. I can not wait to read the next book in the series. At the end of this book the author gives you a sneak peek and boy does it look good.If you are looking for a great paranormal romance series, check this author out.

Book : 3/5 Cover: 4/5

~~~~~~~Tanya~~~~~~


Sunday, April 1, 2012

Review: The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen Series, book 2) by Amanda Stevens

Published: March 27, 2012 by Mira
376 pp. 

Synopsis: 
Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town…

My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I've been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I'm coming to think I have another purpose here.

Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I've discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.

Review: 
If you read my previous review, you'll know I LOVED the Restorer (Book #1 in Amanda Stevens' Graveyard Queen Series). The only thing I didn't like was how many questions it left unanswered at the end. That's why I was very disappointed that the original release date for Book 2 - The Kingdom, was pushed back. Needless to say, when I finally got my hands on a copy, I was brimming with anticipation.

Maybe that's why I was a little disappointed in it. Don't get me wrong, the Kingdom stands alone as a great, exciting mystery/suspense. Stevens' writing is as spine-tingling and intriguing as always. And, yes, one or two questions leftover-ed from the Restorer were answered. But, I really didn't feel like this was part of a series. I missed Devlin and his ghosts. I didn't feel nearly as connected to this whole new set of people as I did to him and kept wishing he was about to make an appearance. I wouldn't even categorize this as a romance novel at all. The chemistry between what would be the romantic leads was very flat and forced. But, like I said before, the story itself was enough to keep me reading. And the little mentions of Devlin just made me more excited to read Book 3. Hopefully, I won't have to wait as long for that one!

The Kingdom: 3.5/5

The Restorer: 4.5/5