In the Hammock Book Reviews

Free Kindle Ebook! Jan 25

2012-01-26T12:15:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone!

This book has been on my to read list for awhile, so I wanted to share that's it's now available for free for Kindle! Enjoy!

"Overprotected" by Jennifer Laurens

Kindle

Is anyone else singing the Britney Spears song in their head now?

UPDATE: I'm pretty sure this one is over now, so double check before you download :)

Waiting on Wednesday (100)

2012-01-24T21:44:00.000-05:00

Celebrating my 100th Waiting on Wednesday post!! That's a lot of waiting!!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"The Unnaturalists"
by Tiffany Trent
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: Aug 14, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

Steampunk and magical creatures and a museum? How could I not want to read this! And the cover is awesome!

What are you waiting for this week???

"Fracture" Review

2012-01-24T17:44:00.001-05:00

"Fracture"
by Megan Miranda

Publisher: Walker & Company
Release Date: Jan 17, 2012
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine

—despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

My Review:

This book is definitely an interesting and new concept. I hadn't read anything quite like it before. I was really caught up in the beginning and middle of the book, but the end started to let me down just a little. Still, I would recommend it to others just because it's so new and different from most other books.

The most interesting concept of the book, in my opinion, was when Delaney started to realize that the accident on the ice and her coma didn't just affect the rest of her life, it affected many other people that she loves as well. We saw the effect that it had on her mother and her best friend Decker who both dealt with not being able to save her, and not having that control no matter how hard they tried.

There was something that happened towards the end that was really terrifying and I could have done without that whole storyline. It seemed a little over the top for me, especially for YA. There were some issues that I didn't feel were really explained or tied up in the end, as well.

I liked that the love triangle included someone who Delaney admitted was really bad for her. A lot of times a girl likes a 'bad boy' but all of his bad traits are glossed over and the girl loves him anyway. Here we see her start to fall for a 'bad boy' but realizes that he really isn't a good person and chooses not to pursue him.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: A new and different type of story, there are still some loose ends that need tying up, but worth a read just because it's so unique!

"The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories" Review

2012-01-23T19:19:00.000-05:00

"The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1"
by HitRECord and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Publisher: It Books (Harper Collins)
Release Date: Dec 6, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

HitRECord’s collaborative coalition of artists and writers are making history with The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories: Volume 1, a collection of innovative crowd-sourced creative projects that pushes the limits of originality, cooperation, imagination, and inspiration. HitRECord, a grassroots creative collective founded by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, known worldwide for his performances in (500) Days of Summer and Inception, is a forum where thousands of artists worldwide share work and contribute to their peers’ projects in writing, music, videos, illustration, and beyond. Alongside Dean Haspiel’s ACT-I-VATE, a groundbreaking comics collective, and the photographer JR’s Inside Out Project, hitRECord is a haven for budding creatives. Now, the collective has edited together its most promising stories and illustrations to serve as its face in introducing the world to a new generation of talent, in The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories.

My Review:

This tiny little book is so original and refreshing. I gobbled it down in one sitting, and I simply adored all of the thought provoking tiny stories and beautiful, quirky illustrations.

The most interesting part about the tiny stories is that you can really make up the rest of the story yourself. They all definitely have a beginning, middle, and end, but the rest of the story is up for interpretation. It really makes every one's experience of reading the stories different.

It may not take long to read this one, but readers will likely want to keep this one on their shelves to read again and see how the stories might have changed.

Bottom Line: The perfect gift book for the reader who thinks they have read everything!

Below you can see a few examples of the tiny stories in the book. Click to enlarge them, it's worth it!

Check out this video made by Joseph Gordon-Levitt about the book:

"Liar's Moon" Review

2012-01-23T10:42:00.000-05:00

"Liar's Moon"
by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine/ Scholastic
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Prisons, poisons, and passions combine in a gorgeously written fantasy noir.

As a pickpocket, Digger expects to spend a night in jail every now and then. But she doesn't expect to find Lord Durrel Decath there as well--or to hear he's soon to be executed for killing his wife.

Durrel once saved Digger's life, and when she goes free, she decides to use her skills as a thief, forger, and spy to return the favor. But each new clue only opens up new mysteries. Durrel's late wife had an illegal business on the wrong side of the civil war raging just outside the city gates. Digger keeps finding forbidden magic in places it has no reason to be.

And for a thief in a town full of liars, sometimes it doesn't pay to know the truth.

My Review:

I loved the first book in this series, "Starcrossed", and I anxiously awaited the sequel all year. Maybe my anticipation was too great, but this book disappointed me a little. That special 'it' factor was missing from this one that was in the first book. There were still aspects that I loved about it, but it just wasn't as spectacular as the first book.

Of course, one of the things that I loved about the first book is still apparent in the sequel. Digger is such a fantastic female lead. I love how the traditional gender roles are reversed in this story. The boy, Durrel, is essentially the damsel in distress here, and Digger is the hero who must save him. Durrel is wrongfully serving time in jail, and it's up to Digger to use her wit and her skills to help him escape. The only thing I didn't really buy about this story was the romance between Digger and Durrel. It just wasn't believable for me.

There is a huge cliffhanger at the end of this book, so even if I was a bit disappointed in this installment of the series, I think the third book has the potential to be amazing! I will definitely read it as soon as it is released!

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: The first book was so over the top amazing, that I couldn't help but be let down a bit by the sequel. The story is still great, and I will definitely be reading the next book to see what happens next.

In My Mailbox (97)

2012-01-21T18:57:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

This is my first IMM for 2012, so there's more than usual!

contest wins:

"Kiss of Frost" by Jennifer Estep

won from Anna at Books to Brighten your Mood and Jennifer Estep!

"Crusade" by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

"Matched" by Allie Condie

"Crossed" by Allie Condie

"Passion" by Lauren Kate

These four books (and more) I won from Anna at Anna's Book Blog!

for review:

"Cinder" by Marissa Mayer

I'm so excited to receive this one for review! Looks so unique!

"The Three Colonels" by Jack Caldwell

I try to limit the Jane Austen variations, but I loved this author's first book, Pemberley Ranch!

"Last Man Standing" by Cindy Gerard

"Where Wildflowers Bloom" by Anne Shorey

I've heard a lot about this author, and can't wait to try one of her books.

What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

While you're here, why not enter the contest!?

Win "A Mile in His Shoes" DVD! Ends 1/31

Pinterest, Anyone?

2012-01-21T14:34:00.000-05:00

Pinterest, Anyone?

Has anyone else joined Pinterest yet?

I've just received my invite and it's lots of fun so far!

image from The Graphics Fairy

I'd love to follow you if you have an account too! Please leave your link in the comments and I'll start following you :) Also, if anyone has any tips they'd like to share with a newbie, I'd love to hear them!

"First Date" Review

2012-01-21T13:42:00.001-05:00

"First Date"
by Krista McGee

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: Jan 10, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight.
The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this."

My Review:

I had high hopes for this cute cover, and thought it would be a light, fun read. But it wasn't as relaxing as I had hoped. The message in this book was a bit too heavy handed for my tastes. The story sounded like it had potential, but I couldn't get into it, and it seemed over the top for me.

Addy's best friend on the reality show, Kara, was probably my favorite character. She was spunky and was a lot of fun to read about. It intrigues me that the author's next book features Kara as the main character.

It was fun to read about the world of 'scripted reality' tv, which we all know isn't so much about reality. But sometimes it just went way over the top for me. Hank, for one, was just so mean!

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: This one was a little over the top for me. While there are some great nuggets of wisdom here, I'd recommend it to those who want a very heavy Christian message in their reads.

DVD Review and Giveaway! "A Mile in His Shoes"

2012-01-18T10:58:00.001-05:00

"A Mile in His Shoes"
DVD Review

Release Date: Jan 10, 2012
Source: sent by publicist

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

My Review:

This sweet, family-friendly movie will appeal to fans of baseball and sports movies everywhere. But it's not just a baseball movie, it's a story about a boy overcoming life's obstacles and learning to believe in himself.

The movie is based on the true life story of Mickey Tussler, who played minor league baseball in spite of those who thought he couldn't do it due to Asperger's Syndrome. Murph, coach of the River Rats, has to do something to get his losing team back on track. Little does he know he will find a star pitcher on an obscure farm in Indiana throwing apples into a pig trough. Murph soon finds out that Mickey will help him with much more than just winning baseball games. The story that follows also shows the relationships and struggles that Mickey has with his parents, and with his new friends on the baseball team.

The movie was directed by William Dear, director of "Angels in the Outfield", so of course, it's a can't-miss for fans of baseball movies! Originally a made for tv movie, the strong directing and spot on acting by Dean Cain and Luke Schroder as the two leads make this film a much higher quality than your usual cable tv fare. Sure, some might see a few holes here or there due to budget, but most people would never notice because the story and acting are so engaging.

There are references to faith and church, but please don't let that make you think the movie is preachy, because it's a more subtle message here. It's a movie you can feel safe giving to your kids (or someone else's kids) to watch (and they will probably want to watch it over and over).

Bottom Line: A must see for baseball fans, but this story is much more than a sports movie, it's a great story about believing in yourself.

Website: http://www.watchgmctv.com/video/mile-his-shoes#biography

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Mile-In-His-Shoes/270101973014772?sk=wall

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2T0BFetH4

Dove Foundation Review: http://www.dove.org/reviewmasterframe.asp

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Propeller has generously provided a DVD copy of "A Mile in His Shoes" for one lucky reader of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this post with your email address!Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy

Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
US only
Must be a follower to enter
Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
Leave a comment with your email address
DVD will be mailed out by the publicist, In the Hammock is not responsible for lost or missing DVDs, or the amount of time taken to ship the DVD
Must be 18 or over
Ends Tues Jan 31
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products orservices mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Waiting on Wednesday (99)

2012-01-17T19:04:00.001-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"The Selection"
by Kiera Cass
HarperTeen
Release Date: April 24, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

One enchanting romance. Two lovers keeping secrets. And a uniquely crafted book that binds their stories forever.

When Evelyn Morgan walked into the village bookstore, she didn’t know she would meet the love of her life. When Brendan Thorne handed her a medieval romance, he didn’t know it would change the course of his future. It was almost as if they were the cursed lovers in the old book itself . . .

The Thorn and the Blossom is a remarkable literary artifact: You can open the book in either direction to decide whether you’ll first read Brendan’s, or Evelyn’s account of the mysterious love affair. Choose a side, read it like a regular novel—and when you get to the end, you’ll find yourself at a whole new beginning.

I'm really curious about this one. Definitely has a different kind of concept. And a gorgeous cover!

What are you waiting for this week???

"The Keeper" Review

2012-01-17T12:57:00.002-05:00

"The Keeper"
by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher: Revell
Release Date: Jan 1, 2012
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding—again—she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.
Roamin' Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul's cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant.
Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?
Full of the plot twists and surprises her fans love, The Keeper is the first in a new series by bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher. Through touching family relationships and trials of the heart, Fisher's vivid characters grapple with yielding to God's will when it doesn't match their own.

My Review:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of the best writers of Amish fiction today and this is the start to another great series. Her Amish community is a kinder, gentler type of setting but her writing shows us that members of the Amish community are just like the rest of us. Her characters are never perfect or condescending in their faith or how they treat others. They make mistakes just like everyone else.

Julia is the lead in this installment, but the story is just as much about Rome (the beekeeper), and Julia's family, including her sisters and father. And we can't forget the mysterious Fern, the housekeeper. All of the characters are so sweetly flawed, and thus, so real.

The characters do talk about faith, but never does it become overwhelming to the rest of the story. The story is more about how to live a good life than about rigid rules.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: I can't wait to read the rest of this new series from one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction. Her books would be a great introduction to the Amish fiction genre.

"Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

It’s a “Honey of a Giveaway” from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Suzanne is hosting a "honey of a giveaway"during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
A copy of The Keeper

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

"The Pleasure of Your Kiss" Review

2012-01-05T10:10:00.001-05:00

"The Pleasure of Your Kiss"
by Teresa Medeiros

Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: Dec 27, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Ashton Burke is a legendary adventurer who has spent the past ten years roaming the globe to forget the girl he left behind. His devil-may-care life is interrupted when he's hired to rescue his brother's kidnapped fiancée from a sultan's harem. Too late, he discovers she is none other than Clarinda Cardew, the very same girl who made off with his jaded heart a decade ago.

The last thing Clarinda wants is to be trapped in a palace of sensual delights with the man whose irresistible kisses still haunt her sleepless nights. Although he vows he is only doing his job, Clarinda quickly realizes that allowing Ashton to rescue her may put her yearning heart in even greater peril. In a journey that takes them from the delicious intrigues of a sultan's court to the glittering ballrooms of London, Ashton and Clarinda resume the steps of their dangerous dance only to discover the most seductive pleasure of all may be love itself.

My Review:

From the summary, I wasn't sure I would like the setting and plot of a sultan's harem, but I really enjoyed this book as soon as I started reading. This is a true romantic fantasy book because all of the negatives of the harem are really glossed over and it focuses on the good aspects, so you can really be swept away.

The lead characters were very nice but I really loved the supporting characters of Poppy and Farouk. They were so complex, much more than meets the eye, and it was fun unraveling the different aspects of their personalities. My question is, why can't these different types of multifaceted, flawed characters ever be the leads?

I love the type of plot where the heroine and hero are childhood sweethearts and then they are reunited. It always warms my heart. So much history is added to the story that it's so easy to believe in their love story.

Some parts of the harem tale were over the top but I suppose it all tied into the full on fantasy of the novel. If anything, these aspects were a little much for me and otherwise, this book would have received 5 stars for me.

This was my first book by Medeiros, but her fast paced and easy to read style have won me over. It definitely won't be my last book by this author.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: A fun, fast-paced historical romanctic fantasy.

Waiting on Wednesday (98)

2012-01-03T23:26:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"The Thorn and the Blossom: A Two-Sided Love Story"
by Theodora Goss
Quirk Books
Release Date: Jan 17, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

One enchanting romance. Two lovers keeping secrets. And a uniquely crafted book that binds their stories forever.

When Evelyn Morgan walked into the village bookstore, she didn’t know she would meet the love of her life. When Brendan Thorne handed her a medieval romance, he didn’t know it would change the course of his future. It was almost as if they were the cursed lovers in the old book itself . . .

The Thorn and the Blossom is a remarkable literary artifact: You can open the book in either direction to decide whether you’ll first read Brendan’s, or Evelyn’s account of the mysterious love affair. Choose a side, read it like a regular novel—and when you get to the end, you’ll find yourself at a whole new beginning.

This sounds so fun and innovative! And there's not long to wait!

What are you waiting for this week???

"The Best of Me" Review

2012-01-03T14:27:00.000-05:00

"The Best of Me"
by Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: Oct 11, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

THE BEST OF ME is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

My Review:

I'm not really sure that Nicholas Sparks' books are for me. I always think that the movies turn out better than the books, which is a rare feat. This one, for me, was melancholy from the very beginning, there wasn't much hope to be found. Dawson's life was so very sad from beginning to end, the only bright spots seemed to be the father figure he found in Tuck and his brief romance with Amanda. I genuinely felt sorry for him, but I had a hard time sympathizing with Amanda at all.

I'm never a fan of the cheating storyline, I feel like no one wins, and I really wasn't a fan of it here. If Amanda wanted to be with Dawson so badly, why didn't she go back to him instead of marrying Frank in the first place. Again, I found it hard to find much sympathy for her.

There were auxiliary characters' points of view throughout the novel, and I didn't really get much out of their chapters. Yes, they were all tied together at the end, but I just didn't feel like they added enough to the novel to enjoy wading through their stories. I would have preferred to see things from Frank and Amanda's points of view, with Tuck's story tying them together.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 2/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 3/5

Bottom Line: Overall, a very melancholy read with a very predictable Sparks style ending.

Free Ebooks for Kindle and Nook! Jan 3

2012-01-03T13:43:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!

Here are some new free ebooks available now for Kindle and Nook. Enjoy!

"Jenna's Cowboy" by Sharon Gillenwater

Kindle

Nook

"Talk of the Town" by Lisa Wingate

Kindle

Nook

"Paradise Valley" by Dale Cramer

Kindle

Nook

Free Ebooks for Kindle and Nook! Dec 30

2011-12-30T15:23:00.000-05:00

Here are some free ebooks available for Kindle and Nook to keep you busy over the weekend!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year!! See you in 2012!

"Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side" by Beth Fantaskey

Kindle

Nook

"Warriors #1: Into the Wild" by Erin Hunter

Kindle

Nook

"To Love Anew" by Bonnie Leon

Kindle

Nook

Happy New Year!

"Susanna's Choice" Review

2011-12-28T15:56:00.000-05:00

"Susanna's Choice"
by Sarah Luck

Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: Dec 27, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Set in the tumultuous frontier days of the American West, this thrillingly authentic debut novel illuminates the passionate choices of one woman’s heart. A chance encounter . . .
Wealthy entrepreneur Rab Trudeau is seething mad. A Nevada newspaper is printing fraudulent stock prices that could force his silver mine to close. Posing as an investigator from San Francisco’s Great Western Detective Agency, which he happens to own, Rab travels to Nevada to uncover who’s behind the false claims. Soon after stepping off the train, he rescues a beautiful woman from an oncoming carriage—and in one blinding moment, both are consumed by the powerful strength and seduction of their embrace.
An uncertain destiny . . .
An aspiring writer for The Pioneer, Susanna agrees to interview the stranger whom everyone is talking about, and is shocked to discover he’s Rab Trudeau—the gentleman who saved her life. Promised in marriage to the wayward son of the couple who raised her after her parents died on a westward-bound wagon train, Susanna fights her overwhelming desire for Rab. But as the mine scandal heats up and turns violent, Susanna must make an impossible choice—one that could bind her to Rab forever or destroy any hope of their future happiness.

My Review:

This was definitely a different type of historical romance, but I'm not sure it was my style. The historical details were very authentic and well-researched, and I surely learned a few things I didn't know about the time period and setting. However, the romance wasn't special to me and some of the storytelling seemed elementary.

There really weren't a lot of scenes with the hero and heroine together which always disappoints me in historical romance. A lot of the plot centered around the stock in the silver mine. It was interesting to read about, but not really what I had in mind when I picked up a romance book.

The romance felt uncomfortable to me, especially some of the scenes. Their relationship felt awkward instead of romantic. This is a debut novel so perhaps this will improve in her upcoming books.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 3/5

Bottom Line: This will probably appeal to die hard western fans, but those looking for a great romance may be disappointed.

Review and Giveaway! "Artemis the Loyal" Goddess Girls #7

2011-12-20T23:40:00.001-05:00

"Artemis the Loyal" (Goddess Girls #7)
by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: Dec 6, 2011
Source: sent by the authors

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

It's time for the annual Olympic Games, and the four goddessgirls are not happy! It's boys only--and the girls at MOA are not pleased.
Led by Artemis, Athena, Persphone and Aphrodite, the ladies of Mount Olympus hatch a plan to get Zeus to open up the games to everyone. Will they succeed--or end up watching from the sidelines again?
These classic myths from the Greek pantheon are given a modern twist that contemporary tweens can relate to, from dealing with bullies like Medusa to a first crush on an unlikely boy. Goddess Girls follows four goddesses-in-training – Athena, Persephone, Aphrodite, and Artemis – as they navigate the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most priviledged gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

My Review:

This is yet another excellent addition to the Goddess Girls series. The entire gang of Goddess Girls is back in this story told from Artemis' point of view.

This installment really explores Artemis' relationship with her twin brother, Apollo. Artemis wants things to be like they always have been, but Apollo is starting to need his own space. Artemis tries to understand that just because Apollo wants to see if he can succeed on his own and do things for himself instead of relying on Artemis, it doesn't mean that they have to grow apart.

I like that Artemis has a crush, but she also has a boy who is just a friend. It's nice to see boys and girls as friends but not in a romantic way. Of course, there's a cute romance too, with plenty of pitfalls.

The main conflict in the book is that girls aren't allowed to participate in the Olympics at school. It's great to Artemis fired up about equal rights for girls. Hopefully, it will encourage girls to speak up for themselves in their own lives.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: Another fantastic installment of one of my favorite series. The Goddess Girls are such great role models for girls.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams have generously provided a finished copy of "Artemis the Loyal" for one lucky reader of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this post with your email address!Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy

Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
US only
Must be a follower to enter
Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
Leave a comment with your email address
Books will be mailed out by the authors, In the Hammock is not responsible for lost or missing books, or the amount of time taken to ship the books
Must be 18 or over
Ends Sun Jan 1
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

"Kiss Crush Collide" Review

2011-12-19T16:06:00.000-05:00

"Kiss Crush Collide"
by Christina Meredith

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: Dec 27, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club? The one who isn’t her boyfriend, the one that her mother would never, ever approve of, the one that her perfect older sisters would never, ever look at twice. The one who is always looking back at her. Irresistible attraction, smoldering glances, the bad boy and the good girl—Kiss Crush Collide has everything that a steamy forbidden romance should, and then some.

With graceful and honest writing and an electric love story, this is a book about growing into your own skin. For fans of Perfect Chemistry, Sarah Dessen, and John Green.

My Review:

This book was written in a style that I hadn't really seen before. It was written in first person, so that always adds a little bit of novelty to a book, but here it read a bit strangely. The prose was almost like puffs of dream, instead of complete thoughts. There was also a lot of observances of mundane, everyday things that were blown up into huge detail. It was actually an interesting and new approach, but I'm not sure it was for me.

The story was definitely more focused on the family drama, especially Leah's sisters, rather than her relationship with Porter/Duffy. It seemed like Duffy was more like just another way to prove herself as different from her sisters than a true love story. The cover is a bit misleading for this reason, it would be more accurate with three sisters on the cover.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: Overall, this is really quick read, so it's a good way to spend a rainy afternoon, but doesn't really deliver in the romance department.

"mental_floss: The Book: The Greatest Lists in the History of Listory" Review

2011-12-18T22:32:00.001-05:00

"mental_floss: The Book: The Greatest Lists in the History of Listory"
by Cara Elliott

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

For ten years, the knowledge seekers at mental_floss have been hunting and trapping the world’s rarest facts, locking them into captivating lists for the world to admire. Thanks to their tireless efforts, Mental Floss: The Book is packed with a decade’s worth of the smartest, quirkiest stories around, including:
Five Presidential Fashion Flubs
Seven Shameless Abuses of Diplomatic Immunity
Five Units of Measurement Weirder Than the Metric System
Four Toys That Have Gone to War for America
Seven Reasons Mister Rogers Was the Best Neighbor Ever
Five Things Your Body Can Do After You Die
Six of Baseball’s Strangest Trades
Four Foods People Actually Die For
Seven Things Walmart Has Banned
Four TV Shows That Changed the Course of History
Ten “Q” Words That Aren’t “Q-U” Words
Four Horrifying Parasites to Keep You Awake at Night
Eight Fake Archaeological Finds
Five Articles of Clothing That Caused Riots
Four Memorable Moments in Cross-Dressing History
Five Doomsdays We’ve Already Survived
And 124 Other Extraordinary Lists!

My Review:

I was very impressed with this book, there was a mix of pop culture tidbits as well as little known historical and scientific facts. You could definitely find some facts in here that would impress friends when you sprinkle them into everyday conversation.

There's a list for everyone here, from the Muppets, to sports, to US Presidents, there's a bit of everything. Who knew that some of the quotes that I always attributed to Mark Twain, weren't really his quotes at all? And no other book has ever referenced Steve McQueen as many times as this one.

It's not labeled as a kids book or anything, but I think the book is family friendly. I think the whole family would enjoy this book and learn a lot of useful and not so useful (but still fun) information. It's been a week or so since I finished reading the book, and I'm still quoting it all the time!

Bottom Line: This is a fun gift book or coffee table book that can be enjoyed by everyone.

In My Mailbox (96)

2011-12-18T12:06:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

for review:

"Fracture" by Megan Miranda

I've already started this one and it's so good!

"The Revenant" by Sonia Gensler

I won this from the author at Small Review, and it came autographed and all wrapped up for Christmas!

"The Keeper" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I'm really a fan of this author's Amish fiction!

"Susanna's Choice" by Sara Luck

A western historical romance from a debut author!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

"Cloudburst" Review

2011-12-17T16:19:00.000-05:00

"Cloudburst"
by V.C. Andrews

Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: Oct 25, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The follow-up to Family Storms from New York Times bestselling author V.C. Andrews features high school senior Sasha Porter in search of her sister—but instead she learns secrets that could tear her family apart.

Sasha is a popular senior in high school, with excellent grades and no more secrets to hide. She finds herself more and more interested in one boy, Duane Banks, who stands out not because he flaunts his good looks and his achievements at the school like so many, but because he is shy and somewhat withdrawn.

When auditions for the new school play begin, she and Duane both get parts and with the rehearsals, Duane seems to be coming out of his shell, permitting himself to hope and succeed at something. Sasha and Duane become a couple, and their relationships continues to grow.

When the play opens, Sasha’s foster parents attend, but neither of Duane’s parents show up. Duane goes into a depression, and he begins to ignore not only his schoolwork, but also his appearance. She tries to warn his mother to be more concerned, but she resents Sasha’s inserting herself into their private lives and does nothing. Meanwhile, things take a bizarre turn at home for Sasha and then a sudden tragedy makes her wonder whether there’s anybody she can truly trust.

My Review:

When you're in the mood for some melodrama, there's no one better to turn to than VC Andrews. This book really delivers on the over the top family drama. While some of the story was a little predictable, especially the foster sister and foster father storylines, the rest was more dramatic than even what I thought would happen.

You'd think with a ghost writer writing under the VC Andrews name, that the storytelling would be subpar but this is just not the case. The writing is fast paced and really draws you in. I was turning the pages so fast with this book, and couldn't wait to see what happened next. The writing may be missing that special something that VC Andrews herself had, but it's still good writing.

Sure, a lot of the story is way over the top, and in some cases simplified too much. There were some awkward moments, but overall it was an engrossing story.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: I wouldn't go into this book expecting the next great literary masterpiece, but as far as entertaining, over the top melodrama goes, it hits the mark.

"Little Women and Me" Review

2011-12-16T13:17:00.001-05:00

"Little Women and Me"
by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: Nov 8, 2011
Source: ARC sent by author

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Emily is sick and tired of being a middle sister. So when she gets an assignment to describe what she'd change about a classic novel, Emily pounces on Little Women. After all, if she can't change things in her own family, maybe she can bring a little justice to the March sisters. (Kill off Beth? Have cute Laurie wind up with Amy instead of Jo? What was Louisa May Alcott thinking?!) But when Emily gets mysteriously transported into the 1860s world of the book, she discovers that righting fictional wrongs won't be easy. And after being immersed in a time and place so different from her own, it may be Emily-not the four March sisters-who undergoes the most surprising change of all. Lauren Baratz-Logsted's winning confection will appeal to fans of Little Women as well as anyone who enjoys a modern twist on an old favorite.

My Review:

The idea for this book seemed really cute to me, and the writing is fun and sweet. I think we'd all love to be plopped down in the middle of our favorite book. However, I seem to find with most variations on classics, that they seem to be repetitive of the original book. I know that goes with the territory, but still, I feel like I already know the story.

Ah, Laurie and Jo, there's a controversial couple if ever there was one. When I read the original story, at first I was disappointed when they didn't get together, but then as I kept reading, I also liked Laurie with Amy too. I guess I thought that Jo turned him down so that was her loss. I also liked Amy in the original, so I was a little disappointed to see how she was portrayed in this version. Of course, I definitely don't blame Emily for having her own crush on Laurie, though!

There was a twist ending that I thought was really cool and inventive. I really didn't see it coming, that's for sure.

I think if you're really a fan of the original book, you will like this variation. You will especially like it if you are fans of the 'classics variation' genre in general! I also think a tween might be interested in reading this, since it's modern, and maybe that would inspire her to read the original version. I'd recommend the book to a young YA audience or older MG/tween.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 3/5 (my boyfriend thought it was a little creepy)
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: This is a cute variation on a classic book, and you'll have to read it to see if you like the changes she made!

"Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks" Review

2011-12-14T15:28:00.000-05:00

"Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks"
by K.D. McCrite

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: Dec 6, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Just when April Grace thought the drama was over . . .
After an automobile accident, Isabel St. James-resident drama coach and drama queen-needs help putting together the church play. Mama insists April Grace and Myra Sue will help. April's fall is now devoted to spending every afternoon with Isabel and Myra Sue-if anyone is as big of a drama queen as Isabel, it's Myra Sue. Plus, she's dumb. (Okay, not dumb, but "older sister dumb.") If that's not enough, Isabel is wreaking havoc in the community trying to get Rough Creek Road paved, the new boy at school will not leave her alone, and then Mama drops the biggest bombshell of all . . . April Grace is no longer going to be the baby of the family . . .
Girls will completely relate to April and love her sense of humor as she deals with siblings, boys, and the many changes that come with growing up.

My Review:

This book was an adorable middle grade story, with some deep topics. April Grace's mother had some really tough times with her pregnancy. While it was really good storytelling, it put April Grace through a lot of stress and heartache, and since she's so young it was hard to read about sometimes. She was so strong and never wanted to add to her parents' stress over the baby, so she internalized a lot of own pain. Of course, the story isn't all heartache, there are lots of more typical everyday issues explored in the book. It's a nice balance of tough issues and everyday middle school problems, instead of all fluff.

I love how strong April Grace is, she is a great role model, especially at that tough age when boys and clothes and makeup start to take over common sense. She stands up for herself and doesn't let the cliques at school run her life. Her family has some very accurate observations on why cliques are the way they are.

There's one thing in book that I absolutely love when it's done right, and I really can't stand when it's done wrong, and that is the southern accent. When done wrong, it comes across as fake, and it can ruin a book for me. In this book, April Grace's southern drawl is written to perfection and I loved it. It really added to the story for me, and I don't think April Grace would have been as endearing to me without it.

April Grace goes to Church and Sunday School, but I wouldn't say this book is overly religious. There's just the basic message of treating others the way you would want to be treated.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: N/A
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5 (love it)
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: I thoroughly enjoyed April Grace's story and I would love to read the other books in the series. Her authentic southern charm really won me over.

Waiting on Wednesday (97)

2011-12-13T21:33:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Legacy"
by Molly Cochran
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Release Date: Dec 20, 2011

The following description is from goodreads.com:

When her widowed father dumps 16-year-old Katy Jessevar in a boarding school in Whitfield, Massachusetts, she has no idea that fate has just opened the door to both her future and her past. Nearly everyone in Whitfield is a witch, as is Katy herself, although she has struggled all her life to hide her unusual talents. Stuck at a boarding school where her fellow studens seem to despise her, Katy soon discovers that Whitfield is the place where her mother commited suicide under mysterious circumstances when Katy was just a small child. With dark forces converging on Whitfield, it’s up to Katy to unravel her family’s many secrets to save the boy she loves and the town itself from destruction.

This one looks spooky, and I love the cover. There's not too long to wait either! It's out Dec 20th!

What are you waiting for this week???

"Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish" Review

2011-12-12T23:57:00.001-05:00

"Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish"
by Grace Burrowes

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: Oct 1, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

All she wants is peace and anonymity...
Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.
But Sophie's holiday is about to heat up...
With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits-but when Sophie's brothers whisk her away, Vim's most painful holiday memories are reawakened.
It seems Sophie's been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true...

My Review:

Grace Burrowes is an author who never fails for me. All of her books are excellent, and "Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish" is no exception. In fact, while Valentine's story is still my favorite, I think Burrowes' storytelling may be her best yet in this book. The story reads much more quickly than her other books, and it flows much better.

One thing that I always love in historical romances is when the hero and heroine are actually TOGETHER for most of the book. In this instance, Sophie and Vim meet in the first 2 or 3 pages, and they are not separated for more than a few pages for the rest of the book. They actually get to know each other instead of just falling in love at first sight.

The baby storyline wasn't my favorite thing about the book, but it does bring Sophie and Vim together, and create conflict, so it worked out.

I loved that Sophie's brothers were in the book quite a bit at the middle and end. I was sad not to see their wives, but as long as Val was back in the story, I definitely won't complain.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5 Val :)
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5 (I saw the finished cover in person and it's gorgeous!)
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: Another excellent romance by Grace Burrowes. I hope we continue to see all of the Windham siblings in future books.

In My Mailbox (95)

2011-12-11T00:27:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

for review:

"The Pleasure of Your Kiss" by Teresa Medeiros

Looks like a fantastic historical romance, my favorite!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

Winners Announced!! Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop!

2011-12-09T22:03:00.000-05:00

Winners Announced!!

The winner of the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop is

Linda!

The winner has won an ARC of "Hades" by Alexandra Adornetto!

Waiting on Wednesday (96)

2011-12-06T22:47:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Such Wicked Intent"
by Kenneth Oppel
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: Aug 21, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

When does obsession become madness? Tragedy has forced sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein to swear off alchemy forever. He burns the Dark Library. He vows he will never dabble in the dark sciences again—just as he vows he will no longer covet Elizabeth, his brother's betrothed.

If only these things were not so tempting.

When he and Elizabeth discover a portal into the spirit world, they cannot resist. Together with Victor's twin, Konrad, and their friend Henry, the four venture into a place of infinite possibilities where power and passion reign. But as they search for the knowledge to raise the dead, they unknowingly unlock a darkness from which they may never return.

I have been wanting to read the first book in this series since it came out, and now there is a sequel with a fantastic cover and a great synopsis! Can't wait to read both books!

What are you waiting for this week???

Teaser Tuesday (54)

2011-12-06T14:06:00.000-05:00

Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

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

My teaser Tuesday pick:

" Ole Isabel says she's going to quit smoking, but your guess is as good as mine as to when that will be."

p 8 "Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks" by K.D. McCrite

Free Ebook for Kindle and Nook! Dec 4

2011-12-04T19:48:00.000-05:00

This ebook is available for free for a limited time for both Kindle and Nook! Just in time for Christmas!

"A Victorian Christmas" by Catherine Palmer

Kindle

Nook

In My Mailbox (94)

2011-12-03T22:12:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

for review:

"Artemis the Loyal", Goddess Girls #7 by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Another installment of one of my favorite kids' series!

"Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks" by K.D. McCrite

I couldn't resist this cute cover!

"Mental Floss: The Book: The Greatest Lists in the History of Listory" by Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur

What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

"Too Wicked to Wed" Review

2011-12-02T11:53:00.001-05:00

"Too Wicked to Wed"
by Cara Elliott

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Outspoken and independent, Lady Alexa Bingham enjoys the heady freedom of making all her own decisions, even though the challenges of overseeing her family's country estate are daunting. But when a chance encounter with London's most notorious rake awakens a secret longing for adventure, she accepts her aunt's invitation for a Season in Town . . . only to find that breaking the rules of the ton has serious consequences.
The Earl of Killingworth uses his rakehell reputation to hide the fact that poverty has forced him to work for a living. As the owner of a gambling den and brothel, Connor has no time for glittering ballrooms or innocent young ladies. But after a reckless wager leaves him with a new business partner, he is forced to take a risky gamble . . . Will the cards fall in their favor? Alexa and Connor begin to play a dangerous game of intrigue and deception as they seek to outwit a cunning adversary who wants to put them permanently out of business. But if they are not careful, it is the flames of their own fiery attraction that may destroy them.

My Review:

I think this is the start of a great new historical romance series. I love the three "Lords of Midnight" that the author has introduced. All three characters are definitely different from your run of the mill historical romance rogue. Connor might have been a little grouchy for my tastes, but he meant well, I think, so he was okay. But I loved Gryff and Cameron, the other two Lords of Midnight. I think Cameron will be especially fun to read about in his own story.

I also really liked the heroine, Alexa. She had a lot of spunk, and not in an annoying over-the-top way. I would have loved to have seen her traipsing around town with her cousin even more. They made a great pair, but after their infamous card game, he kind of disappeared.

I liked all of the gambling references and I almost wanted to see some type of card-playing in the title or on the cover. It could have tied in well with the book.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: Overall, this is a great start to a new series and we get to meet a while cast of fun and exciting new characters.

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

2011-12-01T23:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my stop on the "Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop"

hosted by

Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer

and Alyson at Kid Lit Frenzy.

Here at In the Hammock Blog, I'm giving away an

ARC of "Hades" by Alexandra Adornetto!!

I'm passing my copy of the ARC on to one of my readers!

GIVEAWAY RULES:

The winner will receive an ARC of "Hades" by Alexandra Adornetto

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this post with your email address!
Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.

There are no extra entries for this one, I know you all are wanting to get to each giveaway quickly! All you have to do is be a GFC follower!

Rules:

US only
Must be a follower to enter
Must be 18 to enter
Leave a comment with your email address
Books will be mailed out by me
Ends Dec 6 at midnight
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop!

"Fortune's Son" Review

2011-12-01T18:20:00.001-05:00

"Fortune's Son"
by Emery Lee

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Love is the ultimate gamble…

Seasoned gambler Philip Drake knows every trick and uses most of them. After years of infamy, he’s ready to accept the mantle of respectability with his earldom— until a devastating racing loss and the threat of debtors’ prison force Philip right back into his gaming ways…

Susannah, Lady Messingham, is a woman with a past who refuses to belong to any man again. But Philip’s skill catches her eye and she persuades him to teach her how to win at the tables. Their new partnership turns into an exhilarating high-stakes game that entangles them in terrifying risk and unimaginable rewards…

Immerse yourself in the risky side of Georgian England with a pair of lovers who aren’t afraid to risk it all on a toss of the dice...

My Review:

This story was a nice change of pace from the typical historical romance. It definitely didn't follow the same formula as most romances. For that reason, it was a refreshing read.

On the same note, I was a little frustrated that so much of the story revolved around the gambling instead of the romance. This was especially true at the beginning. I found myself a little bored of all the explanations of how to win at cards and other games. But once the romance finally kicked off, I was definitely drawn in and really wanted these two to find their way to each other.

The older woman-younger man romance isn't one that we see a lot, but it's a storyline that I like a lot when I can find it. It really works here and it's well thought out and meaningful, not just a gimmick.

I must admit that I didn't read the first book in this series, "The Highest Stakes", because it wasn't packaged as historical romance, but as historical fiction. After reading "Fortune's Son", I feel like the series is a nice mix of both genres, it's not too romance-y but at the same time, it's not as gritty and dark as most historical fiction. I also think that I was probably missing a little by not having read the first book, so I will probably go back and read it now.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5 (gorgeous!)
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: I recommend this one to readers who want a little something different from their historical romance.

Waiting on Wednesday (95)

2011-11-30T11:11:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving with family and friends! I know I did!

Now it's time to get back to the books and catch up on blogging!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary Queen of Scots"
by Carolyn Meyer

Harcourt Children's Books
Release Date: June 19, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Mary is only six days old when she is crowned after the death of her father, five years old when she is sent to France to be raised alongside her future husband. Surrounded by friends and beloved by the royal family, Mary absorbs the culture, becoming more French than Scot. But when her frail young husband dies, Mary, now eighteen, is stripped of her title as Queen of France and set adrift in the harsh world, alone.

Determined to reign over what is rightfully hers, as well as to claim the throne of England to which she believes she is entitled, Mary returns to Scotland. The fiery young queen must sometimes go to brutal lengths to establish her sovereignty. And she is just as willful when it comes to her love life. Hoping that a husband will help her secure the coveted English throne, Mary marries again, but the love and security she longs for elude her. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a murder scandal that could cost her the crown. And her attempts to bargain with her formidable "sister queen," Elizabeth I of England, could cost her her very life.

I love historical YA and I've really liked the other books I've read by this author. Plus how fabulous is that cover?!

What are you waiting for this week???

"The Highlander's Heart" Review

2011-11-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

"The Highlander's Heart"
by Amanda Forester

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Fleeing into the wilderness to escape an abusive marriage, Lady Isabelle Tynsdale would sooner face down a wild boar than spend another night with her wretched husband. Battered by the elements, desperate to elude a band of attackers, and defending herself against, as fate would have it, a wild boar she is rescued by the handsome Laird David Campbell.
Campbell knows holding Isabelle captive for ransom is his best chance to temper the storm threatening to destroy his clan. The ransom of an English countess should be more than enough to pay off his debts to England and save him from an unwanted marriage. But Isabelle didn't escape her husband just to become another man's captive and Laird Campbell is seriously misguided if he thinks she's going to go quietly.

My Review:

After reading the author's first book and finding it a really refreshing change from the norm, I was excited to read this book. I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first, but it was still a sweet, relaxing read.

The story is very sweet, and nothing really objectionable happens. There are no cringe-worthy moments or traumas. Even the ever-present highlander kidnapping turns out to be a good thing for all involved. The leads were slightly bland for my liking but there were actually two supporting couples with romances of their own and they were a little more multi-faceted. I enjoyed watching the secondary romances play out.

It did seem like problems and obstacles worked themselves out a little too perfectly and a little too quickly. On one page an obstacle would arise and it would be solved perfectly on the following page. Still it was a cute, sweet, and relaxing read.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a sweet, quick read about highlanders, this is the book for you.

"The Iron Knight" Review and Excerpt

2011-11-21T11:57:00.000-05:00

"The Iron Knight"
by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: Oct 25, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publicist

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review:

This book was so much different than what I thought it would be, and I mean that in a good way. This was my first book in the Iron Fey series (not that I advise reading book 4 first, haha) and I was very surprised at the depth of the characters and story, as well as the detail of the adventure and setting. This is not your typical fluffy YA paranormal romance. While I admit to feeling bewildered sometimes at the beginning since I hadn't read the other books, I felt like the author did a great job of recapping the events from the first books. So while, I never felt lost, I still think I could have gotten so much more out of the book if I had read the other books first.

I can see how fans are so passionate about this series and have chosen teams, either Team Ash or Team Puck. This is a book that will stay with you, you'll still be thinking about it long after you read it.

I liked the fairy tale references sprinkled though out the book. It was a lot of fun for a fairy tale fanatic like me.

I think it's so interesting that one of the characters makes a reference to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, because I was reminded of the Indiana Jones movies the entire time I was reading this book. It's the same type of adventure with trial after trial that must be overcome, and it makes for a very exciting story.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5 (Excelllent!)
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line:I highly recommend this book, it's so much more than a typical paranormal teen romance.

As part of "The Iron Knight" Blog Tour, I'm happy to announce that I have excerpt for readers of my blog!

“Would you believe the cat owes him money?” Puck’s voice

came from behind my shoulder, making me wince. The witch

scowled at him.

“I did not ask you, Robin Goodfellow,” she snapped, jabbing

a clawlike finger at him. “And you had best watch your

tongue, lest you find yourself neck-deep in a pot of boiling

snake venom. Right now your friend’s civility is the only

thing keeping me from skinning you alive, and you will be

silent on my land or you will leave. My question was for the

prince.”

“I am a prince no longer,” I said softly, interrupting her

rant. “My service to the Winter Queen is done, and Mab has

cast me from her circle. I am dead to her.”

Don't miss tomorrow's stop on the blog tour:

Bibliosaurus Text

"The Virtuoso" Review

2011-11-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

"The Virtuoso"
by Grace Burrowes

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The highly praised trilogy of Regency romances by award-winning author Grace Burrowes concludes with gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland. Val retreats to the country after an injury robs him of his musical ability, only to learn from impoverished widow Ellen Markham that he can be loved even when his music falls silent.

My Review:

The lead in this story, Valentine Windham, was a supporting player in the author's previous books in the series. The quiet piano virtuoso was one of my favorite and most memorable characters from a book ever. That's some pretty high expectations to set on a character, and I'm glad to say that Val did not disappoint on his own story. Much gentler, kinder, and more artistic than the heroes we're used to seeing in historical romance, Val is my favorite type of hero. The type who is kind to everyone, and not afraid of his feelings. The only thing I could possibly say that I was almost disappointed in was that his injury prevented him from actually playing the piano.

I'm not sure I really loved Ellen, but maybe that's because Val was so special and it seemed like Ellen's good traits really weren't described. It was more like she was "there" instead of being someone really outstanding. It was hard to see why exactly Val liked her so much. The story was skewed more towards Val's point of view anyway. It was really his story, which was fine with me, it really worked here.

I liked all the musical terms scattered throughout the book. The reader could see that Val thought musically even if he wasn't actually playing.

There is so much emotion in the book, you really get a deep sense of the characters' feelings. One thing about the author's books is that there is a lot to absorb so they do read rather slow. You can't start reading one of her books and expect to fly through it. There are many intricacies to each character that you need to absorb to really feel the book's emotions.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5 (I think I need to buy the finished version because my ARC didn't have this fantastic cover!)
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: The Virtuoso did not disappoint and it's definitely going on my keeper shelf. I hope we're lucky enough to see more of Valentine in the Windham sisters' series.

Winners Announced!!

2011-11-17T17:35:00.000-05:00

Winners Announced!!

I've had two contests end this week on In the Hammock, and here are the winners!

The winner of "The September Queen" by Gillian Bagwell is:

Gwendolyn B

The winner of the Romance at Random Giveaway Hop, winning an e-book of "Because of You" by Jessica Scott, is

donnas

Winners were chosen via random.org random number generator. Congrats to the winners!! I have emailed the winners for her/his mailing addresses. Winners have 3 days to respond :) A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered!! Congrats!!

Please note that the contests were sponsored by the publisher/publicist, and they are responsible for mailing out the prizes. In the Hammock Blog is not responsible for lost or undelivered books or for the amount of time it takes to deliver the books.

"Shadow Horse" Review

2011-11-17T13:25:00.000-05:00

"Shadow Horse"
by Alison Hart

Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Release Date: March 27, 2001
Source: sent by author

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Horses + mystery + rescuing abused animals = a triple crown of perpetually popular preteen genres!

Thirteen-year-old Jasmine is found guilty of assaulting Hugh Robicheaux, the owner of the horse farm where she works. But she's still determined to prove that Robicheaux killed Whirlwind, the mare she loved. Jas is sure that Shadow Horse, a scrawny brown gelding she rescues at a horse auction, is the key to the mystery—but just how is Shadow Horse connected to Whirlwind?

Deftly written by a teacher and equestrian who has authored more than sixty books, this heartwarming and inspiring Edgar Award nominee will have special appeal for mystery fans as well as young horse lovers.

My Review:

This book was originally written in 1999 and it definitely reminded me of the simpler, sweeter YA that I used to read. Even the packaging of the story is like the slim, 250 page YA books of that time. There's nothing over the top in the book, and it's a nice, refreshing change of pace from today's dystopians, and tear-jerker contemporaries.

The heroine, Jas, is 13, so it's probably suited to a young YA audience or the older middle grade reader.

The mystery is nice and I sure didn't see where it was headed. I loved Jas' relationship with her grandfather. It's very loving and sincere. The romance with Chase is cute and age appropriate, it's really more about developing a strong friendship than a romantic relationship.

Of course, the book is perfect for horse lovers. It would be a great read for a girl who has graduated from all the middle grade horse series and is ready for something older.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: Overall, this is a great, wholesome read with lots of horses and nail biting mystery.

Thanks to the author, Alison Hart, I will be having a giveaway for this book and the sequel, "Whirlwind" soon! Stay tuned for details!

Waiting on Wednesday (94)

2011-11-16T00:01:00.001-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Sweet Evil"
by Wendy Higgins
Harper Teen
Release Date: May 1, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being
bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen
angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth
sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of
a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger,
but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring
Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her
will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned
you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality
that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's
time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace
her halo or her horns?

I can't help it, I'm drawn in by the cover and title!

What are you waiting for this week???

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" Review

2011-11-14T09:50:00.000-05:00

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"
by Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Publishing
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

My Review:

I absolutely love the concept of this book. The author used eerie "found" vintage photos and developed a back story for each photo. The photos weren't the whole story, but there was an eerie and supernatural explanation for each strange photo.

I loved the beginning of the book, when Jacob was re-telling the stories his grandfather had told him, and before the mystery had really unravelled. I also liked the spookiness of when he first found the orphanage. But after Jacob actually meet the kids and how he was able to meet them, things grew a little confusing for me. I won't give any spoilers, but there was a lot going on and it was pretty out there. I had a lot of questions about how exactly everything worked.

The presentation of the book itself is gorgeous. In a world of e-books and e-readers, this book really reminds you how beautiful books are and what a great experience that reading a real book can be.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: The beautiful book and intriguing photos make this story a keeper.

In My Mailbox (93)

2011-11-12T22:38:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

Only one book this week, but that's ok, I really need to catch up! Plus with Thanksgiving coming up, I'm going to be really crunched for time!

for review:

"Kiss Crush Collide" by Christina Meredith

This one was my waiting on wednesday pick awhile back so I'm super excited to read it!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

Veteran's Day Giveaway Hop

2011-11-10T17:22:00.002-05:00

A Salute to Our Veterans – Veteran’s Day Blog Hop

From Romance at Random:

In honor of Veteran’s Day & their awesome service for our country we’d like to celebrate with our very own Jessica Scott, active duty army captain, full time mom & author & her husband, first sergeant deployed with the army on his final tour; with promoting Jessica’s new book, BECAUSE OF YOU, the first in her Coming Home Series.

Each participating blog found in this blog hop, will be giving away a FREE ebook of BECAUSE OF YOU. Be one of the first to read this powerful love story – comment below and any of the participating sites to be included in this random drawing – 25 winners total as each site will choose a winner — increase your chances to win by visiting all of these sites.

"Because of You"
by Jessica Scott

Publisher: Loveswept
Release Date: Nov 14, 2011

Summary from goodreads.com:

From the war-torn streets of Baghdad to the bittersweet comforts of the home front, two wounded hearts navigate the battlefield of coming home from war in this explosive eBook original from newcomer Jessica Scott.

Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again—until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care.

Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels—for the first time in a long time—like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty—it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected—her deepest desire.

Visit Jessica online: http://www.jessicascott.net

Follow Jessica on Twitter

Romance fan? Take a look at Romance at Random! Whether you love historicals, contemporaries, or paranormals, Romance at Random has it all!

Romance at Random

Loveswept at Romance at Random

Facebook

This novel is already getting rave reviews!

I think this one is really emotional, a tear-jerker for sure! Check out the summary and leave a comment to enter!

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Romance at Random has generously provided an ebook copy of "Because of you" for one lucky reader of my blog!

All you have to do is comment on this post with your email address! If you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy

Rules:
Open Internationally
E-book copy of the book
Leave a comment with your email address
Ebook will be provided by the publisher, In the Hammock is not responsible for books not recieved, or the amount of time taken to deliver the book
Must be 18 or over
Ends Sun Nov 13
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

Check out the other stops on the tour here:

"Hades" Review

2011-11-09T19:35:00.000-05:00

"Hades"
by Alexandra Adornetto

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: Aug 30, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Heaven Help Her.

Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well.

The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times-bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.

My Review:

Honestly, from the reviews I've read of this book, I was expecting a lot worse. I actually liked the beginning of the book before Bethany was kidnapped and went to Hell. The beginning was very light and fluffy, and sure, she over-romanticized Xavier, but there's nothing wrong with that in my opinion. I liked that Bethany and Xavier had a happy, healthy relationship.

However, after Jake kidnapped Bethany and took her to Hell, I wasn't as interested in what happened. The overly sweet writing style didn't work in that setting for me. You could tell the book was written by someone very young, it just felt a bit limited in it's overall view of the world. There wasn't a lot of structure to the world she built or to the rules of that world. There were lots of holes in the plot and setting.

I didn't really enjoy the constant bickering between Xavier and Bethany's best friend, Molly, because it seemed too close to flirting. There was definitely one of those "I hate you, I love you" vibes going on, even though it was never addressed.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5 ( I liked it a LOT before I knew this was the kidnapping scene!)
Writing: 3/5

Bottom Line: I really didn't hate the book but I think with the author's style, she might have been better suited to write a gooey, fluffy, teen romantic comedy instead of a paranormal set in hades.

Waiting on Wednesday (93)

2011-11-08T23:41:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Wrecked"
by Anna Davies
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: May 1, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Miranda has lived on Whym Island since the death of her parents. She has taken comfort in its seclusion and in the folklore that claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and its surrounding waters. It's just been easier to believe that things are out of her control.
But when a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy that haunts her dreams. As the guilt of the accident consumes her, she finds refuge in her late night swims. Then, she meets Christian, a boy who seems so familiar, but won't tell her where he is from and why they can only meet at the beach. As Miranda falls for Christian and begins to put the accident behind her, she discovers that there are secrets that Christian is keeping to protect her that may only end up bringing her nothing but harm.

Sounds like a mermaid story to me, so I'm in! What a cover, doesn't look much like YA, does it?

What are you waiting for this week???

Teaser Tuesday (53)

2011-11-08T00:55:00.000-05:00

Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

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

My teaser Tuesday pick:

" If Luck were indeed a lady, this evening she was playing devilishly hard to get."

p 24 ARC of "Too Wicked to Wed" by Cara Elliott

"Ghost Files" Review

2011-11-07T19:40:00.001-05:00

"Ghost Files: The Collected Cases from Ghost Hunting and Seeking Spirits"
by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson

Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: Sep 27, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

An omnibus edition of GHOST HUNTING and SEEKING SPIRITS, the real-life adventures of the paranormal investigators from Syfy's hit show Ghost Hunters.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this collection of tales from the "Ghost Hunters'" real experiences. This book contains both of their previous non-fiction titles in one volume, so there are a lot of spine-tingling ghost stories to be read!

The stories are told in the same tone of the show, you'll feel like it's a friend sitting down and telling you the stories. This really makes for an enjoyable read. The stories are all very short, only 3-7 pages each, so they're quick, entertaining reads too.

I really liked the stories from the late 90s and early 2000's because they happened before the tv show started, and were all new stories for me. I was also glad to finally read Jason and Grant's personal experiences with the supernatural that got them started with ghost hunting because they never talk about these experiences on the show.

Each of the stories are so intriguing they could each be expanded into a whole book. They range form the super scary-poltergeists, etc; to the strange-ghosts walking through floors; to the sweet-the 1950s teen curious about a new baby.

Bottom Line: A treat for any fan of ghost stories not just the Ghost Hunters tv show.

In My Mailbox (92)

2011-11-05T21:15:00.000-04:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

for review:

"The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks

I was very surprised to receive this one for review!

bought:

"The Seduction of Scandal" by Cathy Maxwell

"The Deed" by Lynsay Sands

I didn't realize this was a reprint until I got home, oh well, I didn't have the old one either.

"In Bed with a Highlander" by Maya Banks

I've been seeing this series everywhere and I've really been wanting to try it!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

Giveaway: "The September Queen"

2011-11-05T15:15:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Gillian Bagwell and Berkley Trade, I have one copy of her new historical novel, "The September Queen" to give away to a lucky reader of In the Hammock! This novel is already getting rave reviews! Check out the summary and leave a comment to enter!

"The September Queen"
by Gillian Bagwell

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011

Summary from goodreads.com:

Jane Lane is of marrying age, but she longs for adventure. She has pushed every potential suitor away-even those who could provide everything for her. Then one day, adventure makes its way to her doorstep, and with it comes mortal danger...
Royalists fighting to restore the crown to King Charles II implore Jane to help. Jane must transport him to safety, disguised as a manservant. As she places herself in harm's way, she finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. And despite his reputation as a breaker of hearts, Jane finds herself surrendering to a passion that will change her life forever.

Visit Gillian online: http://gillianbagwell.com/

Follow Gillian on Twitter

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Gillian and the publisher have generously provided a finished copy of "The September Queen" for one lucky reader of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this post with your email address!Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy

Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
US and Canada only
Must be a follower to enter
Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
Leave a comment with your email address
Books will be mailed out by the publisher, In the Hammock is not responsible for lost or missing books, or the amount of time taken to ship the books
Must be 18 or over
Ends Mon Nov 14
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

Free Ebooks for the Weekend! Nov 4

2011-11-04T19:54:00.000-04:00

Here are some free ebooks available for Kindle and Nook to keep you busy over the weekend!

Not all are available for Nook.

Remember these go fast!

"Wild & Steamy" by Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane, Jill Myles

Kindle

Nook

"The Queen of New Beginnings" by Erica James

Kindle

Nook

"A Measure of Mercy" by Lauraine Snelling

Kindle

"I Dream of Genies" by Judi Fennell

Kindle

Nook

"Hollowland" by Amanda Hocking

Kindle

"Songbird Under a German Moon" by Tricia Goyer

Kindle

Lots of Winners Announced!

2011-11-04T14:19:00.000-04:00

Winners Announced!!

I've had three contests end this week on In the Hammock, and here are all the winners!

The winner of my 1300 Followers Giveaway is:

BLHMistress

The winner of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop, a ARC of Tempest Rising, is

LisaILJ

The winner of the "Song of the Nile" giveaway is:

Paige

Winners were chosen via random.org random number generator. Congrats to the winners!! I have emailed the winners for her/his mailing addresses. Winners have 3 days to respond :) A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered!! Congrats!!

Please note that the Song of the Nile contest was sponsored by the publisher/publicist, and they are responsible for mailing out the prizes. In the Hammock Blog is not responsible for lost or undelivered books or for the amount of time it takes to deliver the books.

"Between the Sea and Sky" Review

2011-11-04T13:35:00.000-04:00

"Between the Sea and Sky"
by Jaclyn Dolamore

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: Oct 25, 2011
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

My Review:

This book was excellent, it really was so much more than what I thought it would be. I assumed it was yet another YA paranormal set in today's world. But I was so wrong. The author has set up an entire world where mermaids, humans, and winged people all live (somewhat) together. The world is historical in nature, even though I couldn't pinpoint an era, it'd definitely not today's world of cell phones and mean girls.

I loved that the author really thought out the romance. It wasn't the watered down fairy tale where the girl drops everything to be with the boy. Both Esmerine and Alan really respect each other and don't want to tear the other from their home and way of life.

Aside from the Dosinia storyline, which I had figured out pretty quickly, there was nothing else predictable about the story. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen to Esmerine and Alan. I loved that the book was only 250 pages. Because there was no filler to make the book longer, every page was exciting.

The romance was fantastic, even tough I wanted more romance in the beginning. The couple was very guarded at the start, but once they let each other in, their relationship was wonderful. And what better hero could a reader want than a cutie who always has a book tucked into his vest pocket?

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: This book is perfect for fans of fantasy and romance who are ready for something different from the norm. It's definitely on my keeper shelf.

Waiting on Wednesday (92)

2011-11-01T22:53:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Masque of the Red Death"
by Bethany Griffin
HarperCollins Children's Books
Release Date: Apr 24, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

YA based on a story by Poe? Can't wait!

What are you waiting for this week???

In My Mailbox (91)

2011-10-29T18:34:00.001-04:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

for review:

"Between the Sea and Sky" by Jaclyn Dolamore

I can't resist a mermaid book!

"Family Storms" by V.C. Andrews

"Cloudburst" by V.C. Andrews

Two new books by VC Andrews, just in time for Halloween!

"Valley of Dreams" by Lauraine Snelling

A fantastic author and a book about a Wild West show! Sounds awesome!!

"Too Wicked to Wed" by Cara Elliott

I loved the first two books by this author, so I can't wait to give this one a try!

I also won an autographed booklet about Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series from Forever Romance on twitter! So excited to have an autograph from one of my favorite authors!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week???

Follow Friday and TGIF Oct 28

2011-10-28T01:51:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday, everyone!

Hopefully I'll be able to find more new blogs to read this week!

If it's your first time here, please leave a comment and I'll come check out your blog too!

Short and Sweet Answer:

"Ruined" by Paula Morris is one of my fave Halloween reads! I was really hoping to read "Dark Souls" by her this year but I am quickly running out of time to buy it and read it!

While you're here, you can win 6 spooky ARCs in my 1300 Followers Contest!

Click the button below to enter!

"The Doctor's Lady" Review

2011-10-27T13:02:00.000-04:00

"The Doctor's Lady"
by Jody Hedlund

Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: Sep 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.
Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

My Review:

I really loved the beginning half of the novel, but towards the end it really slowed down for me. I didn't feel like the romance was developing enough. And so much happened, it seemed to hop from event to even really quickly.

I enjoyed the start of the book very much, before they started their journey west. Priscilla was downright unlikeable, but I really liked the author's choice to portray her this way. She was so sheltered and close-minded at the beginning, we were really able to appreciate her growth so much more.

I really appreciated the fact that the story was based on the true story of a real life heroine. I was glad the author showed us a little of the real doctor's wife's story in the author's note at the end. Ironically, some of the stranger plots from the story were ones based on true events!

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: I think this will appeal to fans of American pioneer stories as well as fans of sweet romance.

"Dark Passage" Review

2011-10-26T18:52:00.002-04:00

"Dark Passage"
by M. J. Putney

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: Sep 13, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The Irregulars return home to 1803 England safely, but their worldview has changed. Not only have their heroic efforts at Dunkirk given them pride and confidence but their dangerous mission has increased their magical powers.
Tory delights in the ever deepening bond she shares with Allarde until she discovers how powerfully he is connected to his ancient family estate—the lands he will not inherit unless he denies his magical powers and chooses a nonmagical mate. If Tory really loves him, she must walk away—but does she have the strength to leave the love of her life?
Cynthia’s heroic efforts at Dunkirk have won her the respect of the Irregulars, but her sharp tongue keeps everyone at a distance. Isolated and very alone at Lackland Abbey over the Christmas holidays, she reluctantly agrees to join Jack Rainford and his family for their celebration even though they’re commoners, far below her own noble rank. The warm welcome of the Rainfords makes her feel happier and more accepted than she has ever been. But she can’t possibly be falling in love with flirtatious Jack! Can she?
Then the Irregulars are drawn into a dangerous attempt to rescue a vitally important French scientist from Nazi-occupied France. Tory and Allarde must work together because countless lives are at stake. Disaster strikes and not only is their mission threatened, but their very lives. Can magic and their loyalty to each other help them survive to return home?

My Review:

This book had a little bit of everything that I like. It was historical, YA, and had magic. And it had a lot of something that I love-romance! You can really tell the author was a romance writer first because she really knows how to do romance!

Tory and Allarde were a great lead couple. Allarde, especially, was so noble, but yet never seemed too good to be true. His love for Tory was above everything else for him, and he wasn't afraid to show it.

But I have to admit that I liked the gorgeously flawed Cynthia more than the too perfect Tory. Cynthia was so prickly on the outside, but the author always let us in on how she was really feeling on the inside. She was so vulnerable, and afraid of being hurt again, like she was when her family wouldn't accept her magic. Cynthia's friendship with the adorable Jack and the slow growth of their relationship was just so good!

My favorite part of the book was the Christmas holiday that Cynthia spent with Jack and his family. She finally fit in somewhere and felt accepted and loved. Plus, it's a Christmas party with lots of mistletoe, what's not to love!

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: I loved this book and I especially enjoyed the two very different romances. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves historical romances with a lot of magic too.

Waiting on Wednesday (91)

2011-10-25T20:59:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink"
by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Graphia/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: May 8, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. But at Camden Harbor Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem.

This looks just too cute! I love that it's set in a historical village! The setting sounds so fun and I've already read great reviews!

What are you waiting for this week???

Teaser Tuesday (52)

2011-10-25T00:27:00.000-04:00

Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

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

My teaser Tuesday pick:

" When she chanced another glance, she caught sight of Eli watching her and Henry. Storm clouds were gathering in his eyes."

p 118 "The Doctor's Lady" by Jody Hedlund

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!!

2011-10-23T22:49:00.003-04:00

Welcome to my stop on the "Spooktacular Giveaway Hop"

hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Rhianna at Diary of a Bookworm.

Here at In the Hammock Blog, I'm giving away an

ARC of "Tempest Rising" by Tracy Deebs!!

I'm passing my copy of the ARC on to one of my readers!

GIVEAWAY RULES:

The winner will receive an ARC of "Tempest Rising" by Tracy Deebs

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this post with your email address!
Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.

There are no extra entries for this one, I know you all are wanting to get to each giveaway quickly! All you have to do is be a GFC follower!

Rules:

US only
Must be a follower to enter
Must be 18 to enter
Leave a comment with your email address
Books will be mailed out by me
Ends Oct 31 at midnight
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

While you're here, check out my two other contests!

1300 Followers Contest! Win 6 Spooky Books! Ends 11/1

Win "Song of the Nile" Ends 10/28

Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!

In My Mailbox (90)

2011-10-23T00:25:00.001-04:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

for review:

"The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

I received a special edition ARC from the publisher! So nice!

"Scandalous Desires" by Elizabeth Hoyt

I absolutely can't wait to read this!

"Shadow Horse" by Alison Hart

"Whirlwind" by Alison Hart

I received both books from the author and will be having a contest soon!

I also received a movie this week, but it's based on a book by Beverly Lewis:)

"The Shunning"

won from Texas Kitchen

Click the button below to enter my contest for 6 Spooky ARC's!

Giveaway and Review: "Song of the Nile"

2011-10-21T13:32:00.001-04:00

"Song of the Nile"
by Stephanie Dray

Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: Oct 4, 2011
Source: sent by publicist

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.
The magic of Isis flowing through her veins is what makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra's daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother's throne be more than she's willing to pay?

My Review:

I love reading about Cleopatra, so I already knew a little about her daughter, Cleopatra Selene. Maybe I had too many preconceived notions to really enjoy this version of the story, plus a lot of the elements really took me out of my comfort zone. I think I would have liked the story more if it had been a YA book or historical romance. The Historical Fiction genre is often too gritty and dark for me, which was true of this book. I just didn't like reading detailed rape scenes or the main character having sex with her twin brother. If you are ok with reading these types of things, this may be the book for you.

I'm not sure about the magic in the book. While I understand that the magic and goddesses theme ties in with the beliefs of that time period, it's hard to read a book based on real people and really believe that they had magical powers.

There was a lot of action and lot of drama here so the book was very fast paced. It's almost like an R-rated soap opera set in ancient times. This book has been getting many amazing reviews, so I encourage you to try it if you think you will be okay with the difficult themes.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: A fast-paced read, however a lot of the themes were too graphic for my tastes.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Stephanie's publicist has generously offered a copy of "Song of the Nile" to one lucky reader of my blog!

Mandatory entries:
GFC follower of In the Hammock

and by the author's request, do one of the following:

Follow Stephanie Dray's Twitter @stephaniehdray
Facebook fan of Stephanie Dray
Join Stephanie Dray's Newsletter

Leave a comment on this post with your email address and let me know which way you follow Stephanie Dray.
For each additional way you follow Ms. Dray you will receive an additional entry.
Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :)

Extra Entries:
+1 for each additional way you follow Ms. Dray
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
US and Canada only
No PO boxes
Must be a follower to enter
Must follow Stephanie Dray in one way
Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
Leave a comment with your email address
Books will be mailed out by the publicist, In the Hammock is not responsible for lost or missing books, or the amount of time taken to ship the books
Must be 18 or over
Ends Fri Oct 28
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

Follow Friday and TGIF Oct 21

2011-10-21T01:58:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday, everyone!

Hopefully I'll be able to find more new blogs to read this week!

If it's your first time here, please leave a comment and I'll come check out your blog too!

TGIF Answer:

5 Great Bloggers: 5?? I can only pick 5?? There are many more :)

Confessions of a Book Addict

Black and Gold Girl's Book Spot

Reading Extensively

A Girl, Books, and Other Things

For What It's Worth

While you're here, you can win 6 spooky ARCs in my 1300 Followers Contest!

Click the button below to enter!

"Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novels" Review

2011-10-20T14:14:00.001-04:00

"Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels"
by Sarah Wendell

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: Oct 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Straight from the heart of influential romance blogger Sarah Wendell, this inventive gift book provides the best wisdom about love that the romance genre has to offer. Laced with signature witty commentary and peppered with thoughts from bestselling romance authors and avid readers, these pages will reveal what every romance reader already knows: while romances are certainly steamy, they have more to offer than just a sexy hero. In fact, they might have more to say about love than we give them credit for.

My Review:

Don't you love it when a book reinforces what you already believe? Over and over during this book, I found myself saying "That's what I always tell people!" and "See, I knew what I was talking about!" Many of you may know Sarah Wendell from her blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, and her new book is a must read for romance novel addicts like me.

This book is all about all of the positive things about romance novels, including contemporaries, paranormals, and my romance of choice-historicals. There are two main points that really stand out in my head that are reasons why I love the genre, too. First, the books focus on women, women are important, and women are worth it. This is a huge reason why I read romances. The other main point I agree with is that romances are overall positive and hopeful. Even when there are tough issues in the book, the main message about hope and the books stay positive.

It's also interesting to me that the romances that I have really just not enjoyed have broken some of the 'rules' that are talked about in the book. One example that the author gave was that we don't want to read about how fat the main character thinks she is. Another deal breaker in romances is when the heroine is repeatedly beaten down in her self esteem-yes even by the 'hero'. She also makes the point that sexual fidelity is a main component of romances. If the hero cheats on the heroine, you can count me out for the rest of the story.

If you know someone who doesn't 'get' why we read romances, maybe they could page through this book and see all of the real and positive aspects about the genre.

Bottom Line: Let's celebrate romance novels! And in doing so, we celebrate women, love and hope.

"There You'll Find Me" Review

2011-10-19T10:58:00.002-04:00

"There You'll Find Me"
by Jenny B. Jones

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: Oct 4, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

When Finley travels to Ireland as a foreign exchange student, she hopes to create a new identity and get some answers from the God who took her brother away and seems to have left her high and dry.
But from the moment she boards the plane and sits by Beckett Rush, teen star of the hottest vampire flicks, nothing goes according to Finley's plan.
When she gets too close to Beckett, a classmate goes on a mission to make sure Finley packs her bags, departs Ireland-and leaves Beckett alone.
Finley feels the pressure all around. As things start to fall apart, she begins to rely on a not-so-healthy method of taking control of her life.
Finley tries to balance it all-disasters on the set of Beckett's new movie, the demands of school, and her growing romance with one actor who is not what he seems. Yet Finley is also not who she portrays to Beckett and her friends.
For the first time in her life, Finley must get honest with herself to get right with God.

My Review:

What an intense book! There is so much going on in this story. Sometimes, I felt like there were too many different aspects of the story, but then everything really ties together in the end.

The romance between Finley and Becket was absolutely swoon-worthy. Who wouldn't want the most gorgeous movie star to also be such an amazing guy on the inside too? It's interesting how this most ultimate of romantic fantasies is in the book along with such traumatic issues and experiences that make up the rest of the book.

The cover blurb says that Finley picks up a "dangerous vice" so I suppose it would be a spoiler to explain what the vice is. It's strange because I picked up on the warning signs early on but I was wondering if the problem was every going to be addressed. But since the tale was told in first person, I guess we had to wait until Finley figured it out for herself.

The story is so well told and the characters are so finely crafted, you will certainly need a box of tissues by the end of the book.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 5/5 (pretty much in love with the cover)
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: I think fans of contemporary YA with a strong message and great romance will really take this book to heart. I don't think you need to be a fan of Christian Fiction to enjoy it.

Waiting on Wednesday (90)

2011-10-18T19:57:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Winterling"
by Sarh Prineas
Harper Collins
Release Date: Jan 3, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

"A girl named Fer who travels to a magical land where she has to discover who she truly is while putting right a terrible wrong. She’s helped by a tricksy puck-boy named Rook and a wild horse named Phouka."

"What a wonderful, imaginative alternate world Prineas has created for this book!" --Kristin Cashore, author of the New York Times bestsellers Graceling and Fire.

"Filled with wonder and with characters both devious and charming, Winterling is a mischievous delight!" --Ingrid Law, New York Times bestselling author of Scumble and the Newbery honor book Savvy.

There's not too much of a summary yet, but the wild horse sounds awesome and how can you say no to that cover!!?

What are you waiting for this week???

"Dael and the Painted People" Review

2011-10-18T10:23:00.000-04:00

"Dael and the Painted People" (Zan-Gah #3)
by Allan Richard Shickman

Publisher: Earthshaker Books
Release Date: Aug 30, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

A prehistoric adventure, this is the third of the Zan-Gah young adult books. When Dael, guilty and tormented, came to live with the tribe of the painted people, he longed for peace and restoration; but without knowing it, he made a powerful enemy. Luckily, Dael had friends-including a troop of crows-and his own mystical powers. The disturbed and violent hero learns from the Children of the Earth, and from his submissive wife, a new way of life that is peaceful and generous. Dael and the Painted People is a story of conflict, healing, hate, and love by the winner of the Eric Hoffer Award, a finalist for the ForeWord magazine Book of the Year Award, and the Mom's Choice Gold Seal for Excellence in a family-friendly book series.

My Review:

The Zan Gah series is so well done and this book is a welcome addition to the series. This is the first book where Zan Gah's twin, Dael, is the lead instead of Zan Gah. I have to admit that I missed Zan Gah in this one, but I did like being able to see Dael finally grow and be happy.

The second book in the series is still my favorite, because I loved meeting all of the fantastic characters. Most of my favorite characters are back in this story, but it seemed like not as much time was devoted to characters other than Dael and his wife, Sparrow. I was so glad that Rydl was back, he was one of my favorite characters, and after all, we had to see how he and Sparrow would interact after what happened between them.

The thing I liked the best about this series is that you see it doesn't matter whether it's the 21st century, or prehistoric times, people are pretty much the same. We still want and need the same things. We still have the same types of social relationships. This is a series that I never would have picked up based on the summary, but I am so glad I did. Now, I'm totally immersed in this prehistoric world and anxiously awaiting the next installment.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5 (I just wanted to see them more!)
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 3/5 (it is straight from the story though)
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: A nice addition to the Zan Gah books, this time focusing on Zan's troubled twin brother, Dael. It's an adventure filled trip back to Zan Gah's prehistoric world, full of lessons we can learn from today.

"A Heart Revealed" Review

2011-10-17T19:11:00.001-04:00

"A Heart Revealed"
by Julie Lessman

Publisher: Revell
Release Date: Sep 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Ten years ago, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston as a battered woman, escaping the husband who scarred her beautiful face. The physical and emotional wounds have faded with time, and her life is finally full of purpose and free from the pain of her past. But when she falls for her friend Charity's handsome and charming brother, Sean O'Connor, fear and shame threaten to destroy her. Could Sean and Emma ever have a future together? Or is Emma doomed to live out the rest of her life denying the only true love she's ever known?
Filled with intense passion and longing, deception and revelation, A Heart Revealed will hold readers in its grip until the very last page.

My Review:

This book was very different from what I had anticipated. It's part of a series, and I'm not really sure that it can be read as a standalone novel. There were a lot of characters to keep straight right from the very beginning. It was a struggle to keep up with all of the different couples and become invested in all of them at the same time. I had thought the book would focus on Emma and Sean, but there was just as much time and pages devoted to the other two couples as well. I'm sure this contributes to the hefty 500 page count.

I wasn't fully able to become immersed in Emma and Sean's romance for a few reasons, including the fact that she was still married to an abusive husband who didn't even live in the same country. But another reason I couldn't embrace their love story was because of Rose. I really squirmed every time I had to read about the "hero" kissing another woman and how much he liked it. Plus this doesn't make sense based on the other views on cheating in the book.

One thing I enjoyed reading about immensely was the time period in American history. I love to read about how different things were, but mostly what has stayed the same. I loved all the 1920s/30s name dropping. Their little shop sells Brooks Brothers? Way to go! And Charity wore an Elsa Schiaparelli dress? Wow! High roller! This was by far the most fun of the book for me.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: This would probably be a welcome addition to fans of the series just because there is so much continuation of the other characters' stories. But I just couldn't get on board with the main romance in the book.

“Available September 2011 at your favoritebookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

"A Necessary Deception" Review

2011-10-16T11:07:00.001-04:00

"A Necessary Deception"
by Laurie Alice Eakes

Publisher: Revell
Release Date: Oct 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

When young widow Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreamed he would turn up in her parlor. But just as the London Season is getting under way, there he is, along with a few other questionable personages. While she should be focused on helping her headstrong younger sister prepare for her entré into London society, Lady Lydia finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting her family in danger?

Readers will enjoy being drawn into this world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades. Author Laurie Alice Eakes whisks readers through the drawing rooms of London amid the sound of rustling gowns on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past and let love guide the future.

My Review:

This is a nice regency spy/double agent type of mystery. The romance and lead characters could have been developed a little more but all in all, it was a fun, relaxing read. The book was almost fluffy, nothing too heavy here, which makes for a nice, cozy read.

In my opinion, Lydia's two sisters outshone her. I was much more interested in Cassandra's and Honore's lives and romances than in Lydia's. They both seemed to have more spunk and backbone than Lydia and they weren't quite so goody-goody.

Cassandra and Honore were much more real to me than Lydia was. i couldn't wait to see what would happen next with Cassandra and Wittaker. Their relationship was so tumultuous! Perhaps they will get an entire book in the series too. Also, Honore's starry-eyed love for a forbidden gentleman was so unexpected and I didn't know what would happen next.

Christien did have some heart-stoppingly romantic moments. Who wouldn't like sweet nothings whispered in her ear in French?

The Christian message of the story was very relaxed, which I did like. I think it would appeal to those who don't normally read the genre but who like a cozy Regency mystery.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: A cute Regency era spy mystery with fun supporting characters.

“Available October 2011 at your favoritebookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

In My Mailbox (89)

2011-10-15T18:46:00.001-04:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

contest wins:

"The Diva Haunts the House" by Krista Davis

Just in time for Halloween! Won from Bookin' with Bingo

"Risky Chance" (Horse Diaries #7) by Alison Hart, illustrated by Ruth Sanderson

I've already finished this book and I loved it! Won from Two Bears Farm and the author, Alison Hart.

What did you receive in your mailbox this week??

While you're here, you can win 6 spooky ARCs in my

1300 Followers Contest!

Click the button below to enter!

Winner Announced! "Kiss of Night"

2011-10-15T16:40:00.001-04:00

Winner Announced!!

The winner of Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie is:

cherry

Winner was chosen via random.org random number generator. Congrats to the winner!! I have emailed the winner for her mailing address. Winner has 3 days to respond :) Please allow at least 8 weeks for delivery, delivery time is determined by the publisher. Book is mailed by the publisher, In the Hammock Blog is not responsible for lost or missing books or the length of time that it takes to receive the book. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who entered and huge thanks to Faithwords for sponsoring the contest!! Congrats!!

"Reasons to be Happy" Review

2011-10-14T14:17:00.000-04:00

"Reasons to be Happy"
by Katrina Kittle

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Release Date: Oct 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Hannah's parents are glamorous Hollywood royalty, and sometimes she feels like the ugly duckling in a family of swans. After her mother's tragic death, Hannah's grief is compounded by her desperate need to live up to her mother's image. She tries to control her weight through Bulimia, and her devastated father is too distracted to notice. The secret of her eating disorder weighs heavily on Hannah, but the new eighth grade Beverly Hills clique she's befriended only reinforces her desire to be beautiful. The only one who seems to notice, or care, that something is wrong is Jasper, the quirky mistfit.

My Review:

I usually consider it a spoiler to reveal too much more than what the back cover of a book delivers, but this book is about bulimia. I thought I knew what bulimia was before I read this book, but I realize now I barely knew anything. The author paints a gruesome look at all of the dirty, embarrassing details of the eating disorder, without sugar coating anything. She creates an honest, and still very compassionate, view of a young girl with bulimia.

I think this book could be really helpful if you know someone with this eating disorder. It really helps to understand what the disease is and what the person is going through.

Hannah's relationship with her dad is so honest, especially since he is going through a disease that has many similar qualities. In the end when you can tell he finally understands, it is really bittersweet.

When Hannah goes to Ghana with her aunt, it really puts her decisions into perspective for both Hannah and the reader. I thought this was a really interesting perspective on the disease.

Jasper was too adorable as a love interest. He was much more mature and accepting than most 8th grade boys in my opinion (and probably more mature than most adults for that matter). Sometimes, I felt like Hannah was a little older than 8th grade as well. The book felt more mature than a middle grade book, so I think I would classify it as YA instead of MG.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: There's so much to mention about this book and not enough space. But overall, it is an honest, compassionate look at the effects of bulimia.

Follow Friday and TGIF Oct 14

2011-10-14T03:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday, everyone!

Last week was my first week participating in TGIF and it was a lot of fun and I found many great new blogs!!

Hopefully I'll be able to find more new blogs to read this week!

If it's your first time here, please leave a comment and I'll come check out your blog too!

TGIF Answer: Poolside or beachside, even though it doesn't happen too often!

While you're here, you can win 6 spooky ARCs in my 1300 Followers Contest!

Click the button below to enter!

Kindle and Nook Ebook Freebies!

2011-10-13T14:09:00.000-04:00

There are some interesting new free ebooks for Kindle and Nook!

Not all are available for free for Nook, though.

"Jenny Pox" by JL Bryan

I've seen some great reviews of this, I had always thought it was YA, but the Kindle page notes that it's for ages 18+ .

Kindle

"Skulduggery Pleasant: Skepter of the Ancients" by Derek Landry and Tom Perciva

This is the first I've seen of this middle grade novel, but it looks really fun!

Kindle

Nook

"Ascent" by Amy Kinzer

I haven't seen this one before either, but it seems to be YA dystopian which is a super popular genre!

Kindle

Nook

"Just the Way You Are" by Barbara Freethy

Kindle

Enjoy the books!

Waiting on Wednesday (89)

2011-10-12T00:23:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"The Alchemy of Forever"
by Avery Williams
Simon & Schuster
Release Date: Jan 3, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Seraphina’s first love made her immortal…her second might get her killed. Incarnation is a new series that introduces a fresh mythology perfect for fans of bestselling series like The Immortals by Alyson Noel and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting—and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s his again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?

What are you waiting for this week???

Teaser Tuesday (51)

2011-10-10T22:27:00.000-04:00

Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

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

My teaser Tuesday pick:

" Beckett tapped the seat beside him. 'Sit. Eat. I promise you're safe. I'm too tired to tick you off.'"

p 35 "There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones

"Ella Finds Love Again" Review and Tour

2011-10-10T14:28:00.000-04:00

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Jerry S. Eicher

and the book:

Ella Finds Love Again

Harvest House Publishers; 1st ptg thus edition (September 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karri James | Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Bestselling author Jerry Eicher concludes the Little Valley Series with one more glimpse into young Ella’s Amish world. She loves the widower Ivan Stutzman’s children and enjoys caring for them. Although she is genuinely devoted to Preacher Stutzman and keenly aware of his desire to propose, her feelings for him stop short of romantic love. Yet Ella yearns for marriage and wonders if what she and Ivan have is enough.

When the handsome Englisha stops by and asks about converting to the Amish faith, Ella is intrigued and warily agrees to meet with him. Soon Ella realizes she’s torn between her devotion to Ivan and his children and her growing feelings for the Englisha. With dire consequences at stake, Ella must determine what the truth is, if her feelings are dependable, and how to stay faithful to the will of God.

About This Series: The Little Valley Series follows Ella Yoder, a young independent Amish woman who has suffered the loss of her beloved fiancé. Relying on her faith and the support of her community, she picks up the pieces of her shattered life and learns to live, love, and dream again.

Product Details:

List Price: $11.99
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; 1st ptg thus edition (September 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736928065
ISBN-13: 978-0736928069

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

The light snow swirled around Ella Yoder’s buggy, the drifts along the ditch already high for this early in winter. Ella pulled the waterproof buggy blanket higher over her legs. Oh, to be home at Seager Hill, sitting near the warmth of the old woodstove, the whole family gathered at the supper table under the hiss of a gas lantern. There to experience the long evening with the dishes done and nothing to do but enjoy reading a good book.

“I have to try!” Ella said, the words echoing in the empty buggy. “I have to make a real home for us. The girls deserve that much.” Her thoughts wandered back to Aden and his untimely death. I have to forget him and our dreams and hopes. I must move on. Ella slapped the lines. And yet I have no feelings for Ivan Stutzman. How can I marry him?

Snowflakes drifted into the open storm front. They perched like white crystal gems on her black shawl—fragile, breakable…breathless beauty sent from heaven. She shook her blanket and sent the snowflakes flying off her lap. The horse jerked his head with the movement on the lines, as if to tell her he was going as fast as he could in this weather. At least the wind was coming from behind. The return journey would be another matter, driving straight into the teeth of what was turning out to be a fierce winter storm.

How like her life. The time since Aden’s death had flown like the wind at her back, pushing her along with its force and fury—and by men who proclaimed their love for her—Wayne Miller, the bishop, and Preacher Stutzman…Ivan.

Now the time had come to leave behind the memories of the past, to turn her heart toward love. And that journey looked to be as fierce as this trip home after supper at Ivan’s house. She could have said no to the invitation…but the girls…It was always about the girls, really. They needed a mother and a home. They needed her, and she could make the decision that would make her their mother. She would surely marry Ivan.

“You can love him, and the feelings will come later,” Ella’s mamm had said, her voice firm. “He’s a gut man of God. He loves you. And Aden’s gone forever. You can make a home for Ivan’s girls. They need that from you, and you do love them.”

From behind her she heard the sound of an Englisha vehicle approaching even though the engine was muffled by the snowdrifts on either side and the heavy cloud cover. The noise was approaching much too swiftly. She tensed. Headlights reflected off the snowbanks. Her horse turned its head sideways and his blinder slipped, leaving him blinded on that side. Ella tightened the reins to keep him away from the ditch.

The vehicle behind her sounded like it was accelerating, the motor much louder now. Ella checked her lights outside the buggy with a quick sideways glance. Were they working? The intensity of the headlights behind her drowned the feeble glow her buggy lights were putting out. Surely the driver could see her. The road behind her was a straight stretch—no curves to hide the buggy’s profile.

Ella pulled right, her horse protesting with an arch of his neck, hesitating to follow her directions. She held him to the side of the road with the sheer force of her hands on the lines.

“Slow boy,” she hollered, hoping he could hear her above the roar of the motor. “It’s safe. Come on over—just a little more, Moonbeam. Give that driver plenty of room.”

Surely it was a man in the Englisha vehicle behind her. There were women who drove as they pleased, even among the Amish. Yet it was hard to imagine that anyone but a man would drive so recklessly on slippery, snow-covered roads.

The headlights wavered and then moved away from the buggy. Ella drew in a deep breath and willed the pounding of her heart to slow down. Surely she had been spotted, and the driver was turning out in time.

She waited for the crunch of tires beside her and the swirl of snow as the vehicle passed her. Instead, it slowed as it drew alongside her, keeping pace with the horse’s slow gait. She glanced out the small buggy window. The pickup truck window was rolled down, but no faces were visible in the darkness inside the cab. Was she about to be waylaid on this lonely stretch of road during this cold winter night? Ivan’s place was still at least a mile ahead, and she would never be able to outrun a truck.

“Are you by yourself ?” the question came.

The voice was female, and Ella opened the buggy door, pushing it aside. Not that it would have done much good, but if it had been a man’s voice, she would have let out on the lines, whipping the horse with her cries and at least made a dash for Ivan’s place.

“I don’t have far to go,” she said, hoping her weak voice carried to the speaker.

“There’s a big storm comin’,” a male voice said from the other side of the truck. “Straight off the lake, the radio said. It’s supposed to dump the worst in a few hours. You’d best get off the road. It’s bound to be dangerous weather…especially for you Amish folks.”

“Ach, thanks,” Ella said. “I’m just goin’ another mile or so.”

“You’re not driving back tonight?” the man asked.

“I had thought I would, but I imagine I can stay over if things look too bad.”

“We’d best be getting inside ourselves,” the woman said. The motor roared again. Quickly the red taillights bounced and faded in the falling snow before disappearing into the blinding whiteness.

So the approaching storm was a bad one. She’d been suspecting as much the last fifteen minutes or so. Her initial hopes had gotten the best of her. She didn’t want to stay with Susanna, Ivan’s sister, but surely she could if she must. Certainly, she couldn’t stay at the main house. Should she turn back now? Yet going back was farther than moving ahead, and Ivan would worry. He would think she had gotten stuck in some ditch and would set out to find her.

She slapped the reins. There was no choice but to go on. Perhaps Moonbeam could increase his pace. He shook his head, but lifted his feet faster, his hoofbeats all but soundless on the snowy road.

In the heavy darkness, Ella stayed in the center of the road. Already the drifts were sending tentative feelers out from the edges of the banks. She kept the lines tight, glad to see a house come up ahead. The soft shine of a gas lantern glowed from the window and across the sparkling snow.

It looked Amish, the familiarity a gut thing. Like the feeling of a warm blanket at night, making the darkness beyond the glow seem less deep, the distance yet to travel closer. Inside the house would be people like her, who saw the world as she did, who experienced life in a way she could understand. Surely the Englisha felt the same about their people.

Ella drove on. No other headlights appeared, the darkness of the woods deepening on either side of her, the snow increasing by the minute. This invitation to supper from Ivan had seemed such a wise idea at the time. If only they had put the occasion off until next week. She opened the buggy door again, glancing out. There was no doubt the Englisha man had been correct—she would not be returning tonight. She would surely be spending the night at Susanna’s place. But perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad. Maybe it was Da Hah’s way to expose her to Ivan’s extended family.

Her mamm often said, “Da Hah makes use of all things for His own good.”

Since Mamm was usually right, she would simply accept tonight’s change of plans. The snowstorm was none of her doing.

Ella peered into the falling snow, recognizing the turn toward Ivan’s farm. She dodged a long stringy snowdrift, pulling sharply left, before turning into Ivan’s lane. Before her rose the familiar outlines of his white, paint-peeling home and the brown barn, both of them standing like ghostly forms in the falling snow. A light was still on in the barn, and Ella drove toward its door, pulling past the hitching post, which sat closer to the house. Moonbeam would need to be taken inside on a night like this, and since Ivan wasn’t likely to notice her arrival, Ella pulled the buggy to a stop and climbed out, preparing to unhitch by herself.

One tug was off, the leather frozen under her gloves, when the barn door swung open. Ivan rushed out, leaving the door swinging in the wind, the warm glow of the barn lantern flooding the yard and reaching the buggy. Ella blinked, her head bent against the sting of the snow.

“Ach, I didn’t hear you drive in,” Ivan said, quickly unhitching the other side of the horse. “I’m sorry about that. I half expected you to turn back.”

“The storm came up faster than I thought it would,” Ella said. “Someone did stop to warn me on the road, but I was closer here than home.”

“I’d hoped to have a better welcome for you,” Ivan said, smiling through the snowflakes that were settling on his eyebrows and beard.

“It is awful tonight,” Ella said, forcing a laugh.

Ivan grabbed the horse’s bridle, and Ella shut the buggy doors against the force and howl of the wind. She paused, opening her mouth on impulse, feeling the cold snowflakes against her tongue. How strange this evening was—so cold and yet joy stirred within from the snow. She felt young again, perhaps even ready to move on with life.

“Makes me feel like a child again,” Ella said into the wind, repeating the gesture, her mouth open longer this time. Ivan would surely think her silly, would he not?

But Ivan laughed easily with her as he led the horse forward, the shafts dropping softly onto the ground. He had paused while watching her. “Da Hah gives pleasure even in snow, doesn’t He? I just don’t look forward to all the shovelin’ tomorrow morning.”

“If it even stops by tomorrow. The Englisha couple said the storm was a bad one.”

“I think they’re right. The barometer is falling fast. I don’t think you’ll be able to get back home tonight, Ella.”

“No, I don’t suppose I can,” she said as they entered the barn. She shut the door behind them. “Can I keep Moonbeam in here for the night? And perhaps Susanna can put me up?”

Ivan turned to look at her over the horse’s mane. “I see my invitation put you in a pickle. I’m sorry about that. Susanna has room for you. I guess we could have called supper off if the storm hadn’t come so suddenly.”

“It’s not a problem,” Ella said with a nervous smile. “I really wanted to come—snowstorm or not. And this will give me more time to spend with the girls…and you. And perhaps get used to the place.”

Thankfully Ivan seemed to understand. He nodded his head. The horse bumped him, reaching its head toward the stall and the wisps of hay hanging in the manger.

Ella waited for Ivan, standing under the lantern as he led the horse forward and into the stall. He came out and shut the latch on the stall before pulling more hay down into the manger with a pitchfork.

“There!” he said. “That should keep him satisfied for the night.”

Ella rubbed her gloved hands together, the little warmth from the gas lantern on the ceiling not reaching her.

Ivan walked toward her, his face fully visible now. The snow melted from his beard, leaving wet spots that glittered in the glare of the lantern light. He seemed burdened, worried, the lines on his face longer than usual.

My Review:

3 Stars

This story is very well written and the author has a vast knowledge of the day to day life of the Amish people. However, the story didn't hold my interest as much as I had expected.

I thought that the romance would be more of a love triangle/square, when actually it was very obvious from the start whom Ella would choose.

If you enjoy reading about taking care of small children, I think you will really like this book. The meatiest story line seemed to be Ella's role as caretaker of Ivan's small girls. I enjoy kids in books very much, but it seemed to go overboard here for me. The kids weren't so much individual characters as much as they were an obligation, which was sad for me.

Overall, a sweet, well-written story that fans of Amish fiction will embrace.

In My Mailbox (88)

2011-10-08T19:45:00.000-04:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

for review:

"Liar's Moon" by Elizabeth C. Bunce

The sequel to Starcrossed! I'm sooo excited!! I've been looking forward to this one for a year!

"The Iron Knight" by Julie Kagawa

Can't believe I was able to get a review copy of this one!

"The Doctor's Lady" by Jody Hedlund

This one already has fantastic reviews!

"A Heart Revealed" by Julie Lessman

contest wins:

"Llama Llama Home with Mama" by Anna Dewdney

Won from mamabzz! This book is sooooo cute!!

What did you receive in your mailbox this week??

While you're here, you can win 6 spooky ARCs in my 1300 Followers Contest!

Click the button below to enter!

Follow Friday and TGIF Oct 7

2011-10-07T00:37:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday, everyone!

I haven't participated in Follow Friday for a long time, and this is my first time participating in TGIF.

Hopefully I'll be able to find some new blogs to read!

If it's your first time here, please leave a comment and I'll come check out your blog too!

TGIF Answer: My to read pile is absolutely falling over. I can't seem to make a dent in it because as soon as I'm done with some review books, there's always more waiting. The book that keeps getting shoved to the bottom of the pile is "Anna and the French Kiss.

While you're here, you can win 6 spooky ARCs in my 1300 Followers Contest!

Click the button below to enter!

"Hello, Hollywood" Review

2011-10-06T14:06:00.000-04:00

"Hello, Hollywood"
by Janice Thompson

Publisher: Revell
Release Date: Sep 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Athena Pappas is the head writer on one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. But when Vegas comedian Stephen Cosse is brought in to beef up the show's suddenly sagging ratings, she starts to worry about her job. Sparks fly as the competition--and attraction--between the two writers heats up. Athena has never had a problem scripting the romances of her characters. So why is her own love life so hard to script?

With humor and a Hollywood-insider viewpoint, Hello, Hollywood! delivers lots of laughs as the characters discover that not being in control of the plot of their lives might just be the best thing that ever happened to them.

My Review:

If you love sweet contemporary romances, you will really enjoy this book. The romance is very sweet, but tends to take a backseat to work and family drama.

I enjoyed the insider Hollywood view of Athena's screen-writing team. I also sympathized with Athena feeling like the men on her team weren't listening to her ideas in meetings. I felt her frustration at feeling like she wasn't being heard, and it was told in a non-whiny, realistic way.

Since there's a super cute dog on the cover, I was happy to see that Zeus had a decent sized role in the book. It always feels like false advertising if there is a cute animal on the cover, but not in the story.

Sometimes, the book felt like it was written for a bit of an older audience than myself. That is great, but it might be why I personally didn't completely enjoy it. The romance especially seemed skewed to an older reader.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 3/5

Bottom Line: Overall, this is a cute book with a nice romance and lots of family fun.

“Available September 2011 at your favoritebookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Free Ebooks for Kindle and Nook!

2011-10-05T22:03:00.001-04:00

Here are two ebooks available right now for free for Kindle and Nook!

Enjoy!

"Wickedly Charming" by Kristine Grayson

Kindle

Nook

"Prairie Rose" by Catherine Palmer

Kindle

Nook

Review and Giveaway! "Kiss of Night"

2011-10-05T10:48:00.001-04:00

"Kiss of Night"
by Debbie Viguie

Publisher: Faithwords
Release Date: Oct 7, 2011
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Centuries ago, Raphael was a blasphemous knight who fought in the Crusades purely for his own mercenary benefit, and to satisfy his taste for killing. Now, condemned for his evil passions and hypocrisy, he wanders the earth a vampire, cursed with first-hand knowledge of the supernatural world he once denied existed. The powerful relic he still possesses from his days as a Crusader has been stolen by a rival vampire who has recruited an army of soulless underlings to aid him in spreading evil. At the time he learns this, Raphael has been hunting this vampire for nearly a century, and it seems the final battle is destined to take place in Prague. For help in this quest, Raphael must enlist the aid of two humans, David and Susan, who suddenly find themselves immersed in a world they never imagined, entangled with supernatural forces they can't control. Susan, in particular, finds herself conflicted as she struggles with her inexplicable attraction to Raphael. In the end, both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question, "What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God?" is answered.

My Review:

"Kiss of Night" is a genre-defying, and boundary-pushing story about vampires told form a Christian perspective. This story is not a watered down tale by any means! The action is intense and non-stop. In fact I was pretty scared during a lot of the scenes.

There are two love stories in the book, and even if they do take a backseat to the action, I enjoyed the romances a lot. Susan and Raphael's relationship was much more intense and a little edgier than most Christian fiction romances, in my opinion. I really felt the chemistry between these two characters. David and Wendy's story was a lot sweeter, but sometimes it felt like too much of an add-on for me to really get into. Still, it was nice to see two very different types of romances represented.

Sometimes, I'm disappointed in the quality of storytelling in Christian fiction, but definitely not here. There's a fully drawn out story with tons of intense action. In fact, I was surprised by how scary and intense some of the story was. The flashbacks to Raphael's evil human years were especially brutal.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: I admire the author and publisher for being willing to push boundaries and try something so new. The story may have been a bit scary for me personally, but I would definitely recommend it to fans of vampires and urban fantasy action books.

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Faithwords has generously provided a finished copy of "Kiss of Night" for one lucky reader of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this post with your email address!Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy

Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
US and Canada only
No PO boxes
Must be a follower to enter
Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
Leave a comment with your email address
Books will be mailed out by the publisher, In the Hammock is not responsible for lost or missing books, or the amount of time taken to ship the books
Must be 18 or over
Ends Fri Oct 14
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

Waiting on Wednesday (88)

2011-10-04T21:04:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"A Witch in Winter"
by Ruth Warburton
Hodder Children's Books
Release Date: Jan 5, 2012

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

Although a perfect fit for the paranormal romance genre, A WITCH IN WINTER avoids fangs, excessive body hair and submissive female leads, and tells the heart-wrenching story of a couple meant to be together, but being forced apart. Seth is utterly irresistible and Anna is an empowered, proactive young woman with unimaginable magic inside her. This is fast-paced, sensuous writing with believable incantations inspired by Warburton's research into witchcraft legend and old English.

The second paragraph really makes me want to read this book!! It sounds like the perfect YA paranormal for me!

What are you waiting for this week???

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win 6 Spooky books just in time for Halloween!!

Click the button below to enter to win: