And the winner is.....

The winner of Jeaniene Frost's One Grave At A Time is Tasha!

Congraulations!
I hope you enjoy this great series! I have already sent you an e-mail, you have through Nov. 1 to respond or I will choose a new winner.

Thank you all who entered and for following The Book Diva. Have a great weekend everyone!

Dirty Little Secret (1)

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by us at Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.  We hope that you will all join us!

To participate in the meme all you need to do is:

1. Be a follower of Under the Covers.
2. Create a post in your blog taking the meme image and copy instructions.
3. Answer the question we propose! This can be done in any way you like, post a video, write a post etc.
4. Then add your link, click here.

Non-bloggers: We want to hear from you as well!!!  Let us know your answer in the comments!

We hope you join us and let us know your Dirty Little Secrets!

"If you could shape shift into anything, what would it be?" 

Oh I have always had a thing for white tigers!

But a dragon would be cool too. 

What book do you what?

I am trying to decide what books to giveaway in Nov. and Dec. I thought I would ask my followers to tell me what they want! So now is your chance! Leave a comment letting me know!

Review: The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood

Title: The Ideal Man
Author: Julie Garwood
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Hardcover, 322 pages
Published:  August 9th 2011 by Dutton Adult
Source: Library
Buy It: Amazon

From Goodreads: Dr. Ellie Sullivan has just completed her residency at a large urban hospital. While jogging in a park nearby, she witnesses the shooting of an FBI agent in pursuit of wanted criminals, a couple identified as the Landrys. The only person to see the shooter's face, Ellie is suddenly at the center of a criminal investigation. Agent Max Daniels takes over the Landry case. A no-nonsense lawman, he's definitely not the ideal man that Ellie has always imagined, yet she's attracted to him in a way she can't explain. Ellie heads home to Winston Falls, South Carolina, to attend her sister's wedding. Shortly after she arrives, though, she receives a surprise visitor: Max Daniels. The Landrys have been captured, and she'll be called to testify. But they've been captured before, and each time the witnesses are scared into silence-or disappear before they can take the stand. Max vows to be Ellie's shadow until the trial, and it isn't long before sparks fly.

I am a big Julie Garwood fan. I love her books and even though her historical's are my favorite, I still enjoy her contemporary novels. When I first found her books I could not stop until I had read them all. Since I have not picked up one of her books in a while I was excited when I saw this was coming out and put myself on the waiting list at the library.

Ellie Sullivan is a very intelligent women and the best at her job. Ellie has lived a hard life being separated by her family due to a violent stalker in grade school so her parents sent her to live with another family for her protection. She has always lived looking over her shoulder and now she has become a witness in a dangerous investigation when she sees a FBI agent shot. She unwilling returns home at attend her sister's wedding who just happens to be marring Ellie's ex-fiance. When she arrives things go from bad to worse when Ellie discovers that her stalker has been released and no one knows his location.

Max Daniels is the noncommittal type, but when he meets Ellie he starts to notice more than just her good looks.  Max is a caring and understanding guy and I loved how close he is to his own family. It does not take long for the sparks fly. When he starts to see how much danger she could be in he becomes protective and joins her for the family wedding. With a hired killer and violent stalker after Ellie, there is no slack on the action.

The romance between Max and Ellie is sweet and I enjoyed seeing them fall in love. Ellie reactions to everything that goes on is very believable and she is written as a strong woman. I was very annoyed with her family. Ellie's sister, Ava is a snob and so selfish, I just wanted to put my hands through the pages to slap and ring her neck. The worst part is Ava never sees the light and sees no wrong with her attitude toward Ellie and the rest of the family puts up with it never saying anything. Ava is constantly telling Ellie how everything is her fault and she's trying ruin the wedding. The mother just kind of goes with flow trying not to step on anyone's toes. Most of the time Ellie and her other sister Anne just laugh and joke about it. I was a little sad that Ellie felt she was inconveniencing her family by being there when danger could come knocking at the door.

Overall I enjoyed the book, although I will say this not one of Julie Garwood's best. I enjoyed the little secondary story with Ellie's sister Anne. I was glad to see things resolved but it felt a little rushed at the end.  I give this book 3.5 stars, I liked it and it was worth the read.

Giveaway at Unabridged Andra

Andra at Unabridged Andra is having a big giveaway. In celebration of reaching 500 followers, she is giving away a mystery box of books. How great is that?! The Giveaway ends Oct. 28 so hurray over to enter!

How long after you read a book do you write the review?

Let's see I usually try to write the review right after I read the book so everything is fresh in my mind. Sometimes I will end up starting another book because I just can not wait! Unfortunately, with one book it was weeks later that I started the review...not good. This week I am working on getting my reviews ahead and ready to be posted each Monday! 

What about you and your reviews?   

On My Wishlist (#4)

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

Merciless (Long, Tall Texans)
Diana Palmer
Publication Date: July 26th 2011 by HQN Books
Genre: Romance

Tall dark and eligible? That’s all that matters to the women of Jacobsville when it comes to handsome and aloof FBI agent Jon Blackhawk. But if it were up to him, he would never settle down. Luckily, Jon has the best gatekeeper: his efficient and reliable assistant, Joceline Perry. Without her help, he’d be at the mercy of husband hunters — but the more he comes to rely on her, the more he notices how invaluable she really is.... While Joceline can’t deny that her boss is attractive, as a single mother with responsibilities she’s determined to be professional. But when Jon is accosted by a criminal seeking revenge, she comes to his aid — fueling the spark that is growing between them. As the attempts on Jon’s life increase, Joceline stands by his side. But when the smoke clears, will the man who avoided love realize that all he ever needed was right there all along?- Summary taken from author's site

Book Blogger Hop #3

Check out Crazy for Books to find out more about the Book Blogger Hop and link up your own answers.

This week's question is:  

“What is your favorite type of candy?”

Oh! I love this question! My favorite is a Milky Way. chocolate and caramel...yum. I really like the new simply caramel Milky Ways.

 

 When I'm having a bad day and need a pick me up, I just sit down with a milky way & a Dr. Pepper. When I sit down with a book too, I love to have these along, they are my comfort food for sure. ;)

 

Review: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4)

Author: Ilona Andrews (click for author's website)

Format: paperback, 349 pages

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: June 2010 by Ace Books

Source: Library

Buy It: Amazon

Taken from back of book:

Kate Daniels works for the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle—especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community.

When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar midway between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years—and rode to war at the side of Kate’s father.

This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family…

Kate is called by the order to investigate a fight at a bar called, Steel Horse.  She arrives to find a shapshifter hung to a post by a crowbar with a live magic disease. After containing it and questioning witnesses, Kate concludes that a mysterious guy in a cloak comes in and starts the fight, others join in but they are not sure why just that they suddenly became angry. The other shapeshifters who were at the bar left when the fight broke out. The mysterious guy can spread and induce disease. Kate ends up walking away from the scene on high alert due to the disease spreading Mary on the loose that could reek havoc on city and unanswered questions. She ends up with a killer poodle as evidence that may end up as her pet. As Kate continues to investigate more of the mystery starts to unfold. She once again has to work with the People, Shapshifters and Samian. Curran and Kate are at it again, but things will be resolved just not easily. We finally get to see if they will be mated (you will need that to hold onto after you read the prologue). ;) More is revealed about Kate and the magic she possess as she comes to her biggest battle yet.....family.

This is definitely the best in the series so far, you will not be disappointed. Each book in this series keeps getting better and better. You could start with this book, the author does a good job of reviewing but not over doing it. But you will lose the build up of Kate and Curran's relationship, happenings with other characters and progression in revealing Kate's magic. It took me a while to sort out this new world on Magic vs Tech and book one and two were good for that, so I could really enjoy the others. Here are the other books in this series (click to see my review): Magic Bites, Magic Burns and Magic Strikes. I give this book 5 stars!

                  

This book contains adult language and sexual content.

On My Wishlist (#3)

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

Never Been Bit (Regency Vampyre Trilogy #3)
Lydia Dare
Publication Date: September 1, 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Lydia Dare's paranormal historical romances feature the hottest theme in paranormal combined with the most popular time period in historical romance. This is the third in a trilogy of vampire Regency romances, where the glittering world of English high society is a playground for the rich, titled, and undead.
Vampire Alec McQuarrie's heart was broken long before it stopped beating. Now Alec's after-life is an endless search for pleasure. Young witch Sorcha Ferguson has come to London in search of a man, beast-or even a blood sucker-of her very own... (Goodreads)

While Reading a Book, have you ever looked ahead?

I have to throw this question out there, because I wonder what other people do. When I read a book I enter it's world and become an unnamed character or fly on the wall watching to events take place.  I have two toddlers and I am unable to read a book in one sitting and I'm often interrupted. When I reach an intense part or results are not unfolding fast enough, I get emotional because I have to know. I find myself grumpy and anxious, maybe this is not normal. ;) So I find myself looking ahead just enough to hold me over until I can pick up the book again. Sometimes it's the next chapter, but times I have looked at the end.

Now, once I finish the book do I regret looking? Most of the time no, but I have experienced let down because I already knew what was going to happen and on one occasion lack of desire to finish the book. I found I did not give the "sigh" at the end.
 
So tell me, what about you?

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones

Expected publication: February 2nd 2012

From Goodreads:

Charley Davidson—grim reaper extraordinaire, private investigator . . . meh—is practicing her profession under the influence, caffeine and copious amounts of it, due to an extreme desire to induce insomnia. Every time she closes her eyes, Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan, is there. Only thing is, he’s a tad peeved. She did bind for all eternity, so it’s hard blame him. But 13 days without a wink is bound to bring out the crazy in a girl. So, when a man hires her to find his wife, Charley accepts the job with one goal in mind: Put the man behind bars, and not the wet kind. She can sense the guilt waft off him and vows to find the woman’s body and prove he’s a murderer.
In the meantime, Reyes is back in prison and none too happy about it . . . so Charley thinks, until she is carjacked by the dark-haired rake, who swears the very man he went to prison for killing is not only alive, but close by. And he wants Charley to find him.

While a visit to her old friend Rocket sheds no light on Reyes’s situation, Charley finds out the man’s wife is still alive and time is running out. Finding her before she dies would be a miracle, but she has to try. Together with the help of a fashion-impaired receptionist named Cookie, Charley sets out to bring the bad guys to justice. She just hopes Reyes is not one of them. And that she’s not hallucinating from her self-induced bout with insomnia. 

What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Title: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1)

Author: Darynda Jones

Format: paperback, 310 pages

Genre: Paranormal Suspense

Published: June 7th 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

Source: Personal Shelf

Buy It: Amazon

From Book: Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?


I first saw this book on another blog I follow. When I read it was about a grim reaper I was a little skeptical, but JR Ward labeled it as a must read so I knew I had to give it a try. I pictured a grim reaper as a black-cloaked, scythe-wielding personification of death, but it turns out Charley Davidson is not the typical grim reaper.

Charley has been able to see dead people since the day she was born. She does not wear a black cloak or carry a scythe, but there is someone in the book who does. ;) Instead she wears a Scorpions hockey jersey and boxers to sleep in and uses a Bugs Bunny comforter. Charley works with her Uncle Bob, who is a detective for the police department, to help solve cases. She thinks it's easy when all you have to do is ask the dead person who killed them. 


The book starts out with Charley waking up from a sexual dream, to a phone call from Uncle Bob aka Ubie, with a dead guy in her bedroom and none of this is unusual. She gets to the crime scene, with dead guy and learns that there are three murder victims. They are all lawyers at the same firm. Not only will Charley have to solve the lawyer's murders, but she wants to find out who is in her dreams and what exactly is "The Big Bad" that shows up in her time of need but scares her half to death. Charley has the help of Cookie, who is her neighbor-slash-best-friend-slash-receptionist. Angel is also a "dead" employee who helps solve her cases involving the already departed. The demon child is one Charley tries to avoid. Through out the book we learn more and more of what Charley is and what she does for the dead, as more of them show up to pass through her to the other side.

One of the things I love about this book are the funny sayings found at the beginning of each chapter that come from Charley herself, a t-shirt, bumper sticker or somewhere else. I love the humor, it did give me a few laughs. First Grave on the Right is full of action, humor, romance and mystery, what more could one ask for in a book? Once I finished the book, I started really looking forward to book 2, Second Grave on the Left (published Aug. 16,2011). Book 3, Third Grave Dead Ahead publish date is Feb. 12, 2012.

 

 This book contains adult language and sexy scenes

Giveaway: One Grave At A Time by Jeaniene Frost

I am giving a way a signed copy of One Grave At A Time by Jeaniene Frost. This is her latest release in the Night Huntress series (Cat and Bones, book #6). I am also including a bookmark she gave away at her book signing!   

From back of book:
How do you send a killer to the grave when he's already dead?
Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving--leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit. Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever. But one wrong step and they'll be digging their own graves.


This giveaway is for USA and Canada residents only.
This giveaway ends Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 11:59PM ET.
I will use Random.org to choose a winner.

Winner will be announced  Friday, Oct 28, 2011 on my blog and I will send out an e-mail, if you do not respond by Nov. 1, 2011, a new winner will be chosen.

You must be a at least 18 years or older to enter, this is an adult book.
You must also be a Book Diva follower (1 entry).
To enter, leave a comment below with your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.
You can earn extra entries by posting about this giveaway on your blog, just leave a comment and the link to your post.(+2 entries )
Follow me on Twitter (+2 entries)
Tweet about this giveaway (+1 for each tweet, only one per day)
Like me on Facebook (+1 entry)
Please leave a comment stating each of your entries



Thank you for following and good luck, this is one of my favorite series!

On My Wishlist (#2)

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

 

 

Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison 

(Elder Races, book 3)

Recently, Vampire Queen Carling's power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee. Wyr sentinel Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help find a cure for the serpent's kiss-the vampyric disease that's killing her. With their desire for each other escalating they will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent's kiss... (Goodreads)

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 

(The Mortal Instruments, book 1)

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....
 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end. (Goodreads)

Book Signing with Jeaniene Frost

Jeaniene Frost answering questions for her fans

On September 10, 2011, I went to the BOOKMARKS festival of books in Winston-Salem, NC. Jeaniene Frost was a guest author and held a book signing and a discussion time. She basically sat down with us and answered questions anyone had. At the time, I had only read to book four in the Night Huntress series so I did not want to ask any questions about Cat and Bones that may have been answered later in the books. :) Some questions asked were about Vlad's book, how she comes up with character names, how she determined what "gifts" her vampires would have and a few writing tips for beginners. She was fun and I really enjoyed hearing her talk about her Night Huntress world!

My personal note about the pictures: On my way to the BOOKMARKS festival I planned to stop in VA where my family lives to visit and pick up a sister or two so they could watch my kids for me while I was there. When I got to their house I realized I had forgotten my camera! I am a scrapbooker and photos mean a lot to me so I had set it out to be put in the van but some how it did not make it (I also forgot to pack underwear, but that is not the point). My sister #3 said I could use her camera, but we could not find the cord to charge it. So she went and got another one but it still would not work. Sister #5 ( yes, there are five girls and two boys in my family, same parents yada yada) said she had a disposable camera that I could have. So that is why the quality of these pictures suck! But I would rather have these than none at all!

Jeaniene Frost signing my books

While getting my books signed, I confirmed with Jeaniene that there are nine books planned for Cat and Bones. I also asked if she a;ready knew how she wants things to come to an end. She smiled and said yes, she has already shown the editors. :) I'm jealous! I told her she has to keep Cat and Bones together! I don't think I take much more of the together, apart, together again. I did let her know one of the things I like about the series was that Cat and Bones fall in love in book one. It is hard for me when a series waits til like book 4....he says do I like her, she says should I be with him? Example: the Kate Daniel series by Ilona Andrews and the Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill

Good News! When I got my books signed, I also got an extra copy of One Grave At A Time, book #6 her latest Cat and Bones release. I plan to have a giveaway for it on my blog so be sure to keep your eyes out!  If you have not read any of the Night Huntress series, there is a special going on for EBOOK readers until Oct. 25, 2011. You can get Halfway to the Grave, book #1 for only $1.99 and it includes exclusive bonus material!  These books are a must for any (adult) paranormal romance fan!

Jeaniene Frost and I! ;)

If you would like to know more about Jeaniene Frost and the Night Huntress series you can visit her website!

Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Title: Waterfall

Author: Lisa T. Bergren

Format: Ebook, 277 pages

Genre: YA

Published: 2011 by David C Cook

Source: Personal Shelf

Buy It: Amazon

From Goodreads: Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life.

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

Waterfall starts out with two sisters, Gabi and Lia who have recently lost their father. Once again they are are following their mother, who is an archeologist, to find another dig site that has been a dream of their parents. They decide to explore the ancient tomb and Gabi finds herself  thrown back in time to medieval Italy. Not only does she arrive during a battle, but her sister is no where to be found. Gabi is seen by the men and the battle comes to end while Gabi hopes she her instinct is right in who the good guys are. She makes up with a believable story of how she came to be there. When Gabi finds a safe haven at Castello Forelli she starts the mission of trying to find her sister. 

  

The man who comes to Gabi's rescue is Marcello, youngest son of Lord Forelli. He was betrothed at birth to Lady Rossi (called Miss fancypants by Gabi and a viper by staff), in order to strengthen an alliance. Marcello starts to take notice of Gabi as she is prone to usual actions for his time, like wearing her hair down and riding a horse bareback. There are also other talents Gabi brings into the past that makes this book exciting to read. 

Gabi battles to find her sister, with her feelings for Marcello and her feelings to return home. Marcello battles between what he feels is his duty to his family and his feelings for Gabi. This book is exciting, clean and full of adventure. One of my favorite characters is Luca, Marcello's cousin and captain. He is kind, easy going and after a given description of Lia he really wants to help Gabi find her. :) I also found myself giving a little laugh at Gabi's thoughts.

I wish this series would have been around while I was in my teens, I know it would be one of my favorites and one my mom would approve of. I am so glad Mrs. Bergren has written this series and I will recommend to anyone who reads YA. I look forward to the next book, Cascade where I hope to find answers to the questions left open in Waterfall, I recommend having it on hand because you will want to start right into it.  This is a must read for every young adult fan!

                               

A little warning for the "younger" young adult readers: there is a little scene of attempted rape, he ties her hands and starts to lift dress but nothing else is carried out.