Uncovered (4): Rapture (Fallen Angels #4)

Thoughts: Ahhhh! I didn't even know that the cover for the fourth book in J.R. Ward's Fallen Angels series had been revealed until this week. I think it was a pretty recent thing but I was surprised I didn't catch wind of it sooner. It has also come to my attention the next book, Rapture, will be coming out in hardcover instead of paperback like the other books in the series. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I don't really blame the publisher for wanting to capitalize on an author's popularity (they can't stay in business if they don't make money). However, I don't like the mid-stream switch. And not to degrade the genre, but I am much less likely to buy a hardcover copy of something like a romance or urban fantasy novel. It's not that I think they should be valued less but one of the reasons that I like that books in these genres are usually affordable and accessible. I am much more willing to pick up something I know nothing about if it's in paperback form. 

Anyway, rant over. I do like the new cover. It's kind of mysterious looking and the wings are very beautiful. I kind of miss having the male hero on the cover. It doesn't match the other covers in the series. I think this might have something to do with the hardcover thing. Perhaps when it's released in paperback, there will be a new cover that matches the themes of the older ones. At least I hope so. Overall I think the new cover is nice, but not mind blowing. I'll probably end up getting this one from the library and then purchasing it when it releases in paperback. That way, my books will match. :)

What do you think? Yay or nay on the new cover style? And will you be picking it up in hardback?

previous cover in the series

   

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Tag, you're it!

This is my first time ever being "tagged" on the blog. The tagger is my friend Kimberly from The Windy Pages. Since I am not very good at asking for things, I am not going to tag anyone specifically on this. However, if you read this and would like to participate, please consider yourselves tagged. Now, onto the questions!

1. How did you get into blogging?

My good friend Alethea who runs Read Now Sleep Later, was a long time Borders employee and introduced me to the world of book blogging. Before getting to know Alethea, I had no idea book blogs even existed. She asked me to contribute a few reviews and it just went from there. 

2. What fictional character would you most want to be best friends with?
Ooh that's a really tough one. I really like Charley Davidson from First Grave on The Left by Darynda Jones and Mercy Thompson from the Patricia Briggs series. Both are badass women with a great sense of humor. I think we'd get into a lot of trouble together and it'd be a lot of fun. 

3. What fictional world would you like to visit for one day? As character or as yourself?
Pretty sure everyone says Harry Potter for this question and that's because Harry Potter is AWESOME. 

4. How do you buy the majority of your books? Indie book store? Larger chain or Internet retailers?
I'll buy books pretty wherever I can. I used to go to Border a lot (R.I.P.) but now I go to B&N when I can. I also frequent my local indie bookstores (Vromans, Once Upon A Time, used bookstores). I also buy ebooks from Amazon and order from Book Depository. Even Target and the grocery store. 

5. Do you buy a book based on its cover?

Yes, definitely. I am an extremely visual person and I have bought books based on cover alone. That said, I won't not read a book if I don't like the cover. If I like the author I will still read it or if it has an interesting premise or if a friend recommends it. But a good cover goes a long way to catching my eye and I have bought many books based on cover.

6. What does your TBR pile look like?
I don't have one TBR pile per se. My TBR books are mingled with my read books in my bookshelves. At this point I am sure my unread books outnumber my read books as I tend to give books away. Yeah, the TBR pile is pretty much the entire living room. i have been thinking about getting a small bookshelf for my bedroom to keep my tbr books in but it hasn't happened yet.

*editing to add pictures*

part of my urban fantasy/romance shelf. i've read about half of the books in here.

this is my hutch/tv cabinet. it used to be empty but then i started putting books into it and now it's almost full. 

7. eReader vs. Physical book. What do you own and Which do you prefer?

I have a Kindle, which I love but I still own and buy a crazy amount of physical books. In a perfect world I would have my own giant library for all of my books, but I don't. I love the ease of having taking my Kindle with my when I travel and I love that I can download a book at any time of night. It's saved me many times when I have finished a book with cliffhanger ending. In the end, I believe that anything that encourages people to read is a good thing.

8. Coffee or tea?

Um, both? I love coffee with lots of cream and sugar but I also love a good cup of tea. I also love sweet tea, which I would drink all the time if it wasn't so bad for me.

9. What was the last book you bought?

Phyical book: River Marked by Patricia Briggs 

Ebook: Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton

10. Most of the time, do you read the book first, or watch the movie/tv show first?

I almost always try to read the book first if possible. An exception was the Swedish version of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo which only had a limited run at the time and I really wanted to see it in theaters. And I still haven't read the book. It's one of my goals for this year.

Thanks, Kimberly, for tagging me. This was fun. Again, I am bad at tagging people so if you're reading this and want to participate, consider yourself tagged. If you do it, please let me know - either here in the comments or send me a message on twitter @fishgirl182.

1. How did you get into blogging?
2. Who is your current book boyfriend?
3. If you could read any book over and experience it again for the first time, what book would it be?
4. What's your favorite spot to read?
5. What's the last book you bought?
6. What is your favorite movie adaptation of a book? 
7. Do you ever re-read books?
8. Cake or pie and what kind?
9. Book you liked but don't want to admit that you liked?
10. What are you reading right now?

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An Irresistible Bachelor - Review

An Irresistible Bachelor (Unforgettable Lady #2) 

by J.R. Ward writing as Jessica Bird

Publication date: 05 July 2007 by Signet (re-released July 5 2011)

ISBN 10/13: 0451230981 | 9780451230980

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Romance, contemporary, realistic
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook

From Goodreads:

CALL HER CRAZY...

Art conservationist Callie Burke isn't thrilled with her lucrative new assignment. Restoring a masterpiece acquired by ruthless business magnate and politico Jack Walker should have been the project of a lifetime. But the problem is not the painting--it's that the sexy owner is a perfect work of art in his own right.

CALL HIM IRRESISTIBLE...

The attraction is very mutual, but Callie knows mixing business and pleasure is a bad idea--and not just because she isn't from his world of privilege: She has a secret to keep--one that must remain buried. However, after she moves into Jack's Boston mansion to do the job, their undeniable spark becomes an all-consuming passion...and her hidden past threatens to destroy any possible future for them.

As she brings the painting back to life, Callie knows her time with Jack is limited...unless love can somehow find a way to turn a hig-profile committed bachelor into the husband of her dreams.

Thuy's Review:

I hate to speak ill of a J.R. Ward book but Irresistible Bachelor fell flat for me.  It usually only takes me a couple of days to read one of her books but this one lingered for weeks while I put it aside to read other things. Written before Ward hit her stride with the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Bachelor seems very formulaic and was kind of boring. We first met Jack Walker in An Unforgettable Lady, where we saw him propose to his girlfriend Blair. A known ladies man, Jack’s friends and family alike are shocked with this turn of events. Though Jack doesn’t love Blair, he cares for her and respects her, and thinks that’s a good enough basis for marriage. An Irresistible Bachelor picks up a few months later when contacts Callie, the (secret) half sister of Unforgettable's heroine, and asks her to restore a painting for him.

While I initially had high hopes for Jack after meeting the charismatic business man in An Unforgettable Lady, I found him to be lacking in personality in this one. He’s a workaholic with parent issues. He’s charming at times but not enough to make him memorable. I think part of the problem for me was also that Jack was engaged for half the book. He makes no secrets about the fact that he doesn’t love Blair. However, instead of calling it off one he starts to feel attracted to Callie, he lets it go too far for my comfort. Even though nothing very scandalous goes on between Callie and Jack, it’s still a betrayal of trust. When the breakup finally happens, it’s dealt with rather easily and with little fuss. It seemed like Jack was getting a pass on his indiscretions and it made me like him less.

Callie comes from a completely different world than Jack. An art conservationist living paycheck to paycheck, Callie feels out of place in Jack’s world of high society and money. I admired Callie’s independence and drive but was frustrated with her at times. Her lack of trust puts a strain on an already tenuous relationship. And I guess that the real problem is that I just didn’t feel the connection between Jack and Callie. There were some good moments but, overall, I just didn’t feel that zing that I usually do when reading a good romance.

If you’re looking for a good contemporary by Ward, I’d recommend An Unforgettable Lady or The Billionaire Next Door (love) instead. Though this was disappointing, I am glad that I read it and am gladder still that Ward has found her niche writing about kickass vampires, angels, and heroines in the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angels series.

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Visit the author online at www.jrward.com 

Storm Front - Audiobook Review

Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher
audiobook read by James Marsters

Publication date: 02 February 2003 by Ace/Roc

ISBN 10/13: 0965725502 | 9780965725507
Goodreads | Amazon | Buzzy Media

Category: Adult Urban Fantasy
Keywords: Urban fantasy, paranormal, wizards, magic
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook, audiobook

From Goodreads:

My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. I'm a wizard. I work out of an office in midtown Chicago. As far as I know, I'm the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country. You can find me in the yellow pages, under Wizards. Believe it or not, I'm the only one there.

With rent past due and a decent meal becoming an issue of some importance, Harry needs work, and soon. A call from a distraught wife, and another from Lt Murphy of the Chicago PD Special Investigation Unit makes Harry believe things are looking up, but they are about to get worse, much worse. Someone is harnessing immense supernatural forces to commit a series of grisly murders. Someone has violated the first law of magic: Thou Shalt Not Kill. Tracking that someone takes Harry into the dangerous underbelly of Chicago, from mobsters to vampires, while he himself is under suspicion of the crimes. One thing is certain, if he can't stop whoever is on this killing spree, Harry will be the next victim.

Thuy's Review:

I first read Storm Front a couple of years ago after hearing some really great things about it. I remember liking it and thinking that I would probably read the rest of the series someday, but I was in no hurry to do it. Fast forward a couple of years and I still hadn’t gotten around to any of the sequels. But it still drew my eye whenever I was in the bookstore and I finally decided to give the series another try. This time, I decided to go back and re-read Storm Front as an audiobook. So many people told me that the series was truly awesome in audio. After hearing that James Marsters (Spike in Buffy) was the reader, I was sold.

Harry Dresden is a down on his luck wizard who’s just trying to make a living, but he can’t seem to catch a break. After a couple is find with their hearts blown out Harry finds himself in the midst of some very dark magic. Unfortunately he’s the only professional wizard in town and suddenly becomes the number one suspect.

Harry is socially awkward, dry, shrewd, and a little bitter, but he’s also extremely likable. He just wants to get the job done and not get killed in the process. He’s also clever and has an innate sense of honor and justice. I think part of Harry’s appeal is that he’s an underdog, and I love a good underdog. And James Marsters is a wonderful narrator for the series. With his unhurried voice with just a hint of sarcasm, he perfectly embodies what I think Harry Dresden would sound like.  The mystery wasn't the most original but I still had fun watching Harry put the clues together.

Storm Front also has a great cast of secondary characters. Bob the snarky spirit stuck in a skull cracked me up and I really like Murphy, Harry’s long suffering friend and police lieutenant. I know this is only the first book but I am really hoping that something romantic happens between Harry and Murphy down the road. Don’t tell me if it happens, though! I want to be surprised.

All in all, I thought this was a solid intro the the series and a thoroughly fun read. I enjoyed getting to know quirky cast of characters and I am definitely going to read (or listen) to the next book in the series.

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Visit the author online at www.jim-butcher.com and his blog

In My Mailbox (23)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives book bloggers the chance to share what they’ve bought/borrowed/received! 

Still on a bit of a book buying ban though I did stop by the library and picked up a *few* things. I went to the middle grade/picture book section and found a bunch of fun picture books as well as a few YA and one romance book. Man, I love the library.

Borrowed (library)

(picture books)

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon - I am a big fan of Michael Chabon and am really interested in his foray into children's books.

The Loud Book by Deborah Underwood - Companion to The Quiet Book, which I really liked.

Stop Snoring, Bernard by Zachariah Ohora - Um, there's an otter on the cover. A really cute one.

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell - I've actually read this already but I loved it and wanted to read it again. Picture book about Jane Goodall that is super sweet and inspiring.

My Tattooed Dad by Daniel Nesquens & Magicomora - I have no idea what this is about but I loved the cover.

(other books)
Unclaimed by Courtney Milan - One of my new fave historical romance writers. Can't believe my library had this. Their romance section sucks.

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez - I've been meaning to read this one.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanh Le - National Book Award winner. I have a feeling that this one is going to hit close to home.

Received

 

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers - Thank you, NetGalley! I've heard amazing this about this one and cannot wait to read it.

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas - I won an ebook of Lisa's newest book from the blog Queen of All She Reads. I didn't love the first book in this series but it was cute and I have high hopes for this one.

Bought

Unraveled by Courtney Milan (kindle) - The final book in the Turner series. I read Unclaimed and had to buy this one immediately afterwards. ebooks are so good for instant gratification.

What's in your mailbox this week?

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Follow Thuy on Twitter @fishgirl182