Birthday Giveaway! 3 Books, 3 Winners!

YES YOU HEARD RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



It is my birthday in a few weeks. On Febuary 11th I will be turning 21! In celebration I am doing my first ever Blog Givaway Featuring 3 Awesome book prizes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Prizes you may be wondering about???

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)

by Cynthia Hand (Goodreads Author)

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E. Smith

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Tempest (Tempest #1)

by Julie Cross 

The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

SO BE SURE TO ENTER!

a Rafflecopter giveaway I hope you all enjoy!

Review: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker

Title: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker
Author: Leanna Renee Hieber
Pages: 322 pages, paperback
Published: August 25th 2009 by Leisure Books


Favorite Quote: “I assure you; while I look like a ghost, I'm no spirit or demon. I'm nothing but a girl struggling to make her way in an intolerant world. I bleed, I love, and someday, I'll die.” ― Leanna Renee Hieber, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker


Summary: What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Hidden in the dark heart of Victorian London, the Romanesque school was dreadfully imposing, a veritable fortress, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met its powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadows, of the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She saw simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gift. This arched stone doorway was a portal to a new life, to an education far from what could be had at a convent- and it was an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death.

So Hit or Miss

This book was so very beautiful. It is written with such care and is really very exquisite. I love the mix of Greek Mythology and the Victorian Era. Hieber plays off Hades and Persephone story very well. I am a big fan of Mythology in my books and this was so nicely done. There is alot of lovely interaction between Percy and Alexi, especially in their tutoring sessions that I loved reading.

This is defintely a Dark and Gloomy feel about this book but not in any distaste. I love how the story incorporates Jack the Ripper story and as a whole brings underlining messages and morals that you as a reader will unravel as you go along. This book defintely kept my fancy and was a very good read!

HIT

Review: Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

Love this Cover! Hit!

Title: Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker #1)

Author : Jenna Black

Pages: 294 pages, Paperback

Published: May 25th 2010 by St. Martin's Griffin

Favorite Quote:

“I can see why you opted out of Knight training,” I countered. “They’d have ‘accidentally’ killed you before you made it to adulthood.” ― Jenna Black, Glimmerglass

Summary: It's all she's ever wanted to be, but it couldn't be further from her grasp...

Dana Hathaway doesnt know it yet, but shes in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides shes had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl, she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she'll never have a chance with...until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn't sure where she'll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again

                               So Hit or Miss

This is the type of book I hate to start reading. Such a promising book and yet so in fulfilling. I literally wanted to stop reading several times. I hate not finishing a book but this one made it so hard. The beginning was too much for me. No backbone to everything that was being written. Dana runs away from her alcoholic mother to join her father in Avalon. This is a great concept but the first 6 or 7 chapters the voice of the book just bow beat me.

Halfway through the book it became bearable and even enjoyable at the end. I got a better since of the main character who transformed from whiny little brat to sensible heroine doing what’s right. The plot was interesting but I felt little attention was paid to major elements.

The concept of a faeriewalker was weak until the end. I’m hoping the sequels hold up to the endings level of goodness because if I pick up books 2 and 3 for more of the beginnings of this book I will scream.

There were a few good points. I love the friendships between ethan and dana and I love the interaction between old school father (I’m talking century’s here) and dana. Dana’s mom makes another appearance later in the book that is both interesting and leading. I have strong thoughts that the mother daughter and father interactions will be key in the next books.

Anyway this book was still overall disappointing even with the middle/ending building interest enough that I shall seek the rest of the series.



MISS!



Review: The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Title: The False Princess

Author : Eilis O'Neal

Pages: 319 pages, Hardcover

Published: January 25th 2011 by EgmontUSA

Favorite Quote:

"This was what I had now. Just this. I had to make it enough.” ― Eilis O'Neal, The False Princess

Summary: Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance

                               So Hit or Miss

 This is a great fantasy. It’s so charming. I adored every character, but my favorite had to be Sinda (Nalia #1). This setting was so complete. I could literally draw a map in my head of this seemingly real world. Nothing was left to guessing where the setting was concerned. The start was so drawing, the character interaction was breathtaking and I remained captivated by this novel.

Upon finding that Nalia is not the real princess, she is sent to her only remaining relative bearing only a few items sanctioned by the royal family, money enough to live a simple life and a new name, Sinda. I love that Sinda is such a strong character. All her breeding made for a strong and sophicated young woman and heroine. Even placed in a trying situation she remains steadfast and works hard knowing that she is highly disadvantage.

The hurt she harbors, the betrayal she feels deep inside, all of this she keeps on the back burner, trying as she always has to do her duty to the crown. At first I thought Sinda was going to exploded and break into war. But more in more I saw Sinda as a person and she really loved her people and her country more than anything else. In this she is selfless.

When Sinda unravels the conspiracy to destroy the crown and royal family, her adventure takes her into danger, but still she continues.

I love the depth that went into this book. Sinda with her magic finally un suppressed finds herself a wizard scribe introducing more fun characters. The romance with her childhood friend Kiernan is something that was so lovely. It went up and down and still stayed present. I don’t want to give to much away but this story is so awesome! Magic and Mystery and Conspiracies Oh MY!

A true and enjoyable YA Fantasy!

                                             Hit



Review: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)

Title: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)

Author : Marissa Meyer

Pages: 390 pages, Hardcover

Published:  Published January 3rd 2012 by Feiwel & Friends

Favorite Quote: “You have no idea how to dance, do you?”  Cinder fixed her gaze on him, mind still reeling. “I’m a mechanic.”       ~ Marissa Meyer, Cinder

Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

                                   So Hit or Miss

Sigh… There is so much and so little to be said about this book. I give it an A for almost everything. Creativity? A.

 Plot? A.

Imagination? A.

Voice? A.

Hot drool worthy Prince? A++.

Originality in Re-telling a classic? Yes again an A.

But then there are the F’s.  I was disappointed with this book in a lot ways. There were so many opportunities for this book that I feel were not used to great effects. New Beijing. This was a chance to show us how futuristic this book was. Other than being named New Beijing I had no idea what the difference was. No culture was really established. No hint of whether the people maintained any of their past culture. I was hoping to see a hint of something, a festival or a clear description of differences. For all I know New Beijing was like New York on New Years Eve.

The same thing happened with many concepts, all just seeming un utilized. From the Lunar Kingdom, to Cyborgs, to the Royal Class Systems, to the Plague. Many things just gave me questions. Questions that if had been answered would have given more substance to this novel.

I also had a problem with some predictable elements in this story. Without ruining it for you viewers, I just have to say that the second I read one sentence I knew the ending of the book and this was in like, chapter 5! When I turned out to be right I was completely frustrated. I absolutely hate obvious endings.

Speaking of endings, even though this is a series and not a standalone, I still wished for a better resolution to the end of this story. It seemed to me that this ending just really fell short. The action all lead up to a cliff hanger that really didn’t encourage me to read the next installment. I was kind of like, “What! It's over?!? I can’t believe THAT is the end! But it didn't say anything!”

All in all this just doesn’t measure up. A good read but well it’s going to be a…..

Miss!

Review: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)

Title: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 391 pages, Hardcover
Published: September 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press


Favorite Quote:

“I really can't think about kissing when I've got a rebellion to incite. ” ― Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire

Summary:

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster children for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol...

So Hit or Miss

I had really wondered how the next installment for this series was going to go. I wasn't surprised however when it turned out to be just as good as the last. For me this was where the real conflicts started. After the games. I wondered what would happen once they returned? How would they go on with their lives? What would become of Peeta and Kat or Kat and Gale. How do you go from falling in love in the heat of battle to a somewhat sense of reality and normalcy, where someone is waiting for you? I had in mind something similiar to war hero's coming home, I think.

What I got was intrigue, anguish, and about a million other things. But most importantly, I got anwsers to every question I had thought up in my head and others I hadn't even dreamed of.

When the President comes knocking at Katniss's door I see that the Capital is still a major player. I felt more so in this book than the first the fact that Katniss really is a little girl. 16 and trying to save everyone. Trying so hard and only seeming to enrage the Capital.

I love the fact that we see other Districts in this book. We are introduced to just how bad things are for everyone outside the Capital. Before we got a sense of it, but now it is extremely obvious just how much the Districts suffer.

But back to Peeta and Gale! This new book made me tipsy turvey in so many ways. I couldn't decide who I wanted Kat with more. I loved Peeta from the first moment I was introduced to him but then Gale, he just kept being more for Kat. He had the edge, he had history and family, but I couldnt stop loving Peeta. I could just see his love through out all the written pages. His one goal was Kat and that makes him my favorite.

Yes this another hit for me!

HIT

Review: Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

While I now understand the cover it's a Miss


Title: The Hunger Games (Hunger Games #1)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 374 pages, Hardcover

Published: October 1st 2008 by Scholastic

Favorite Quote:

“Here's some advice. Stay alive.” ― Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

Summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

So Hit or Miss

I'm an emotional reader. Time and time again I fall into the worlds of my books. I become the characters, it would seem. I follow their path and emerse myself in their world. Some books defintely make this process easier for me then others. Not every book can take you somewhere, but The Hunger Games is defintely one of those favorites for me. And boy did it take me places.

A real ride I followed, I tell you. I can't tell you how I gasped at the drawing of sweet and young and innocent Prim. Then thus I was thrown into the chaos of the games. In mere hours I finished this book and luckily I was able to move on to the next two. Kat is protrayed so strong to me. Every chapter compelled me to the next. That's one thing I really loved about this book. Each ending of a chapter really kept me wanting more. I was always saying to myself, "I'll stop after this chapter." only for the chapter to end at such a turn of events that I HAD to keep reading.

And can I just say that Peeta was the most surprising and enjoyable character. Though I rarely like love triangles. I enjoyed this one! Mainly for the sheer fact that it was written so authentically. I could see every struggle and I could understand why they occurred. Their was never any doubt that the character should act a certian way.

I truly believe this book is in par with some of the great story tellers both classically and of our generation. Hunger Games Easily captured me as Harry Potter had done. It is a story that many will enjoy!

that is why this book is officially

a HIT

A classic if I ever saw one! HIT

Never easy is it?

So after moving successfully on to my campus, setting up my room and going to my classes I found myself in the library. This library that contains several computers that all have the same problem. Each and every conputer on my campus runs on Internet explorer!!!!!!!

This hasn't been a problem before. That is until I found out that blogger isnt supported on Internet Explorer! Grrrrr!!!!!!! I have been trying for sometime to figure out what to do and have only have one option until I recieve a computer of my own.

Thats right everyone, I shall now be blogging from my precious Iphone that has this wonderful blogger app. It doesnt let me spruce up my blogs but at least they will be up. I can always edit them letter when I get my own labtop or go home for a weekend.

So bare with the now pretty layout. I know everyone really lives the content any!

I will be trying to put all my reviews up today. I have written out quite a few! So stay tune for more

HIT OR MISS REVIEWS

Cover Reveal: OTHERKIN by Nina Berry

Striking Isn't It

Title: Otherkin
Author: Nina Berry
Pub Date: July 31, 2012
Back Cover Text:

I thought I knew myself. Then I met Caleb.

Dez is a good girl who does as she’s told and tries not to be noticed.

Then she rescues a boy from a cage, and he tells her secrets about herself.

Now inside her burns a darkness that will transform her.

Everything is about to change -- and neither Caleb, nor the Otherkin, nor those who hunt them are prepared for what Dez will unleash.

So Hit or Miss

I'd read a few things around the web about Nina Berry's Debut Novel OTHERKIN and I'd wondered if I'd read it. I'm a little hit or miss myself when it come to shape shifting. Sometimes i'm all, "Yay!!!!!" and sometimes i'm all, "Psst. whatever." This fierce cover has definitely made me want to read and experience this story. I love how the eyes draw me in! Every which way I turn my head I can 'feel' the eyes of Dez on me. From just the intensity of this cover I definitely calling this a

Hit

Be sure to pre-order your copy of OTHERKIN from Amazon

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

This cover is officially a HIT! 

Title: The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1)
Author: Aimee Carter
Pages: 293, paperback
Published: April 19th 2011 by Harlequin


Favorite Quote: 

“Do you think he's cute?" 

I rolled my eyes. "He's a god, Mom. Of course he's cute.” 

― Aimee Carter, The Goddess Test

Summary:

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

So Hit or Miss

I'd been eyeing this book for weeks before I finally could buy it! The cover, which looked so enthralling online looked even better in person. I'd thought, "Yeah, this will be a good book to read as any." I expected just a nice read that I could finish in a week or so and then off to the next book." I categorized in my head a nice book to pass sometime since I had nothing else to read.

BOY was I ever So completely WRONG about a


BOOK!

Firstly, I finished the book in one day. In the time since I bought it back in November, I have read it 3 times. Although I always re-read my favorite books I never do so in such a relatively small passage of time. 

I was captivated by Kate. Her character was so dynamic and her relationship with Henry, OMG! I loved that it was a steady build on love and not, "where the heck did that come from." love that you sometimes find in YA novels. I clearly saw the switch from Kate's, "I want to save my mother" to "I won't let you die if I can help it." followed by a "Fight Henry, as I fight for you my friend." to "I'll win to give us a chance Henry." (Mind you these are not direct quotes but I think there a pretty good capture of the flow of feelings.)

I also love the Mythological aspect involved in this book. I have read the story of Hades and Persephone a million different ways and yet I have never read a more intriguing rendition. Though it is not a sole focus on Mythical events, The characters embody I feel the essence of the stories I grew up on.

The interaction between all the characters created catchy dialogue, loving characters and a feeling of being lost in this amazing world. I loved the feelings this book invoked. I was embarrassed and flustered. I was happy and curious and I fell in love right along side Kate. 

All of these things make for a GREAT book..... and that is why this book is officially


a 
                        HIT




                                                      

                                                                          Thumbs up to This Novel it is defintely a HIT

 

Lots of Love to Aimee Carter

Aimée Carter was born and raised in Michigan, where she currently resides. She started writing fan fiction at eleven, began her first original story four years later, and hasn’t stopped writing since. Her first novel for young adults, The Goddess Test, will be published by Harlequin Teen in May 2011. The sequel, Goddess Interrupted, will follow in February 2012.

Welcome To My BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been reading blogs for years and years.... well two years really, but it definitely felt like a million and three years. I have been reading blogs and yearning to actually read the books that my favorite blogs ranted and raved about. Between schoolwork and finances and just life, I could never really afford either the time to lounge reading or the cost of keeping up with my over enthusiastic reading habits. But this Christmas of 2011 that changed!


I guess no one talked with each other and everyone ended up getting me the same  for good old Xmas gift! Yes on December 25th at 12 a.m. I opened over $200 of different book gift cards! Finally I could get all the books I had been thinking about, and re-imagining, and hoping for.


When my mom saw just how much I got on gifts she was worried I'd just read them once and waste money. SO I convinced her that by me blogging I would be showing I appreciated my gifts, and also that it would be a good stepping stone for my dreams of a marketing job in publishing. Five shopping trips later, I present to you my blog:

The Reading Whims of Marnise

This will be my collection of reviews focused mainly on YA and Historical Romances. I will read anything though so there will be the odd Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, and much more.  My review goal because I am still a college student is 2 -3 books a week. Depending on my course work that may vary. 

I am hoping to move on to Interviews from characters and authors, have giveaways and fun little reading challenges in the future. 

In the meanwhile comment with questions, suggestions and any little tid-bits and helpful hints; I am a young college student new to blogging!

Til next time,

Nise