My Book Boyfriend (#29): Caleb Becker

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme, hosted by Missie at TheUnread Reader. What is My Book Boyfriend you might ask.  Well it is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out the My BookBoyfriend Introduction Page over at Missie's blog The Unread Reader.

Right so, I haven't done this boy coming up, because I couldn't find a good enough model for him. But I was randomly Google searching and came across a model that I think fits the bill. And ironically his name is actually Caleb. So here is My Book Boyfriend for this week...Caleb Becker from Simone Elkele's Leaving Paradise.

Caleb Becker


Description: Caleb is 17 years old, and he's only recently come out of Juvie for a hit and run whilst drunk driving. He has dark crew cut hair. He and Maggie are supposed to stay away from each other after the accident, but they end up working for the same old lady, and there they forge a new bond that turns to love.

"Maggie-" He takes my hand in his and places my palm against his cheek roughened with a day's worth of stubble. He turns his head and kisses the inner, sensitive part of my palm, his eyes holding my gaze. "I should have done this a year ago." My heart flips over as he leans in and touches his lips to mine.

"Are you following me?" She asks, but doesn't meet my gaze.

"Yeah" I say.

"Why?"

"Honestly?"

She looks at me, her eyebrows raised. I give her the only honest and true answer I have. "You're where I want to be."

“From the look of us, you'd never know we slept in the same bed last night and made out like the world was going to end if we stopped.”

“Why shouldn't I be introspective? We dont' make sense."

"Neither do Chocolate and Peanut Butter, but it somehow works." He says "Somehow the mixture of two things is genius.”

Well there you go. Caleb Becker of Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise. The model today is Caleb Halstead, he's not perfect but he's pretty close. Closer than most of the men I came up with to begin with. 

If you haven't read these books then you really should!

Thank you to Missie for hosting this each week

Who's your Book Boyfriend?

A Review for Devour (the Devoured #1) by Shelly Crane

Posted by Donna
Published Date: October 31st, 2011
Finished Date: January 21st, 2012
Source: For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: 272
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Clara has it all. A wrestling star boyfriend, popular friends, all the right school activities...pretty much a perfect life...up until her parents died. Now she lives with the Pastor and his family and though they take good care of her, she feels alone. Then her boyfriend, Tate, starts to show signs of trouble when a new guy, Eli, comes to town. Clara is fascinated with him but hides it until something happens. Eli confesses to her that she gives him something he's never had before...something he needs. Everything is about to change for this normal pretty popular girl in a supernatural way.

The Review: Shelly Crane amazes me! Honestly, as an author she definitely knows how to hit the right spots and writes another fantastic novel. Her other series Significance I thought, was completely unique but Devour seriously smashes Significance out of the water for its uniqueness.

Devour follows the life of Clara, a young girl who is living with a foster home after her parents are murdered. Clara attends the local high school where she sits with the popular crowd and has a popular boyfriend, who is a star wrestler and even though Clara is surrounded by people, she’s not really happy and mostly she feels alone. When new boy Eli starts her school, she feels an undeniable attraction to him and suddenly she’s thrown into Eli’s world…..one that is very dangerous and Clara seems to be right in the middle of it.

If you didn’t already guess, I loved this book. There is actually nothing to dislike about it because it’s pure awesomeness and the story line is thrilling, loving and fresh and once again UNIQUE! I’ve never read anything like it. I don’t want to tell you too much about the story because I don't want to ruin the surprise but the mystery surrounding Eli and what he really is,  really leaves you guessing. I even got to one point of the book and thought  “What the hell is he?” but I was completely blown away when I found out and it truly makes me think “why hasn’t this book been picked up by a publisher?” It is seriously awesome.

One of the key points of this book were the characters and I adored all of them. Even the bad guys, there’s just something about them that you like. Clara and Eli, were a fantastic couple and even with all their obstacles they overcome so much. They are bound to one other that is really touching and loving and it that makes it slightly magical. It was a real joy to read about and I want more. Now Enoch;  Eli’s brother, really reminded me of Damon from The Vampire Diaries with his snarky comments and bad boy attitude. I really enjoyed him as a character and I can not wait to see more from him.

Overall, Shelly Crane has blown me away yet again and I can not wait to dive in another one of her books. Devour is a must read!

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book for review. 

Dusty Reads (#3)

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted by Xpresso Reads featuring a book that has been sitting unread on our shelves for some time. To participate and more information, click here.

So we usually do Teaser Tuesday but we've gotten a little bored with that so we decided to take part in Dusty Reads, so this is our first post, hope you enjoy it! 

Jess's Dusty Read

Unearthly
By Cynthia Hand

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . 

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Jess's thoughts: Argh! Another book that's been sat on my shelf for over a year now. I ordered this along with a few others and I just stuck it on my shelf thinking I'd get to it at some point. It's now been a year and it's still there, collecting dust. I've heard good things about this book and it makes me want to read it, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe this year.

Donna's Dusty Read


Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin 

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange new girl in school, and the two soon become as close as sisters. Then Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate hold on Phoebe - but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon Phoebe discovers the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that they are from the faerie realm, here to collect on an age-old debt. And the price of that debt could cost Phoebe everything. But with the help of her friend Ben, Phoebe ultimately learns her own worth and breaks the generations-old curse.

Donna's thoughts: I've had this book on my shelf since my birthday in September and I STILL HAVEN'T READ IT! I keep looking and looking at and I keep promising to read it but I still haven't. lol. I adore the cover and the blurb sounds so, so good! I seriously need to read this soon. 

So that's our Dusty Read's for this week! Don't forget to leave us your thoughts below. 

Happy Reading!

A Review for Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires #4) by Rachel Caine

Posted by Jess
Published Date: February 23rd, 2009
Finished Date: January 23rd, 2012
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 365


The Blurb from Goodreads: The wait is over. dig into the feast...

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town's living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he's set for Morganville.

The Review: Will you swear?" And Myrnin said, shockingly "I will." And he proceeded to, a string of swear words that made Claire blink. He ended with, '-frothy fool-born apple-john! Cheater of vandals and defiler of dead dogs!" and did another twirl and a bow.

Well Feast of Fools, definitely isn't a filler book. Although slow in the middle, it was probably the best one yet! Do these just keep getting better? Hmm...interesting.

I loved every minute of this one. I think it's safe to say I love Myrnin more now, and I know my love for him is going to keep growing. He's so incredibly scary, but fascinating, I think he's one of the most intriguing characters in this series so far.

Rachel Caine just keeps it coming. It's all constant, doesn't lack action; and is just incredible. Rachel Caine, manages to keep the back story up at the start of the book if people decide to just join in in the middle (not that you would), or if you need a refresher of after an MV break. So it doesn't lack information. She manages to make twists and turns through out, shocks, and cries. Swoons, and loves. Feast of Fools has it all, even a mega cliffhanger!

As I said at the beginning, this book isn't a filler. It's a continuance of an epically good vampire series, and one I've needed to read for a while now. I'm so glad that I am. I just want more and more.

All my favourite characters return, and some of the non so favourite characters, but that's what makes the story great. The one big thing I loved about this book was the way every Morganville vampire came together in their time of need to try and overthrow Master Bishop (unsuccessfully I might add). Vampire nemesis like Amelie and Oliver come together for the sake of the town, and I love the strength that Caine showed us in this book. Bringing everyone together for the sake of the town and it's residents.

Anyway, this book was great. That cliffy at the end was a killer! But, luckily for me, I had Lord of Misrule right at my side and ready to begin. And I've begun and I can't wait to get more, and more, and more! Because there are, more, and more!

Amazeballs!

A Review for On the Rim of Love by Marie Astor

Posted by Donna
Published Date: October 7th, 2011
Finished Date: January 23rd, 2012
Source: For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: Uknown 
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Twenty-two-year-old Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking Jeffrey Preston for a year. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage to her a week after her college graduation, Maggie finds herself wondering if she wants to spend the rest of her life married to a workaholic TV show producer. Her doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia she meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier. Maggie’s attraction to Taylor is undeniable, but she is engaged to marry Jeffrey. Will Maggie have the courage to follow her heart?

The Review: I had never heard of this book before I was asked to review it and I have to admit, I was really excited to start. I’ve been itching to read a contemporary romance novel for a while now and this seemed like the right novel but after reading, I generally liked it but didn’t love it.

This story follows Maggie, a 22 year old girl who has just got engaged to her boyfriend of 2 years. However Maggie isn’t in a happy relationship and even though she tries, she knows deep down that Jeffery isn’t for her. When they go on their engagement trip to British Columbia to a ski lodge, it is there that she meets Taylor; a handsome skier. Maggie and Taylor’s attraction is undeniable but with Maggie being engaged to Jeffery, she has to really decide who and what she wants for her future but will Jeffery let Maggie go willingly? 

On the Rim of Love was a loving and likable story. It’s was a pretty easy read which was great because this is why I love contemporary romance novels. You can get lost in the story and know there will be a happy ending and the love interest is always to die for.  This is what On the Rim of Love was and I enjoyed it!

The main character Maggie was really likable and easy to connect with, despite her being quite unsure about her feelings for Jeffery and Taylor, she soon see’s who will truly encourage her to follow her dreams but not only that, become the women she has always wanted to become. It was really nice seeing her grow into that person. Now Taylor, I loved him. As soon as he came on the scene you just wanted to get to know him. I really enjoyed all the qualities he brought to the book too. Now the other characters like Jeffery and Bethany…..I really disliked. They were all shallow, selfish and were money hungry and from page one I hated them. None of them redeemed themselves either so I still dislike them now. So, overall Maggie and Taylor made this book for me.

The story itself was likable; I have to admit I got kind of bored with the ski references so when Maggie bought in her Photography dreams, it was a welcome addition to the book. I also didn’t really think the end of the story with the light and dreams were necessary. I would have preferred that part cut out of the story but is what is it but still enjoyable nonetheless. 

If you’re looking for a light and quick read that will leave you satisfied, then this is the novel for you. I enjoyed it and I reckon you will too.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy for review. 

A Review for Morrigan's Harvest (The War for Inisfail) by Kaiya Hart

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Published Date: December 22nd, 2011
Finished Date: January 19th, 2012
Source: For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: Unknown
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Shea is living a simple, country life and is well pleased with it. Then Galen, the elf guardian Shea's mother chose for her, appears. Between the threat of being carried off by him and a vicious attack on her village, everything begins to change. Shea sets off on a noble quest, but what begins as only a rescue mission will reveal dark secrets buried deep within the heart of her magical world. Shea must discover a way to overcome the obstacles in her path while learning about her own capacity for hatred and love. If she cannot balance the two, she may lose more than just her friends. She might end up losing herself.

The Review: Morrigan’s Harvest is told through the eyes of 21 year old Shea. When we first meet Shea it is her 15^th birthday and her mother Brenna has given her a locket that she has always worn with strange writing on it and regales her with stories of all things magical, not all with a happy ending. They lead a simple life, Shea is good with horses and her mother is known as the ‘town witch’, feared by most of the villagers and Shea has a crush on the Lord’s son Tamerick. Shortly after her birthday, her mother becomes unwell and dies but not before sending a secret letter to an anonymous person via the gypsies and in return getting a strange message from the gypsy seer.

Fast forward 6 years- Shea is now 21 and employed by the Lord to train the horses, she still has feelings for Tamerick – which everyone disagrees with – and Rook, her mothers’ friend has become her guardian. Everything is fine until the recipient of the letter finally turns up demanding that Shea be turned over to his care and leaves with him immediately. She does not want to go and leave everything she has ever known but fate has other plans and when her village is invaded and her friends and neighbours (including Tamerick) took to be used as slaves, she decides that those left are the captives’ only chance for freedom. So, along with her 2 guardians, 2 mercenaries and her temperamental horse, Shea sets off on her quest for freedom and justice, leading them into all sorts of dangerous encounters. Can she accomplish her quest? Will she ever see Tamerick again? Will she survive?

Shea is a great character, her village is all she has ever known and her world collapsed with the death of her mother, she mourns so long she begins to think she might never get over it. So, in the beginning we see that she is just a young girl, who has a crush on a friend, really innocent who becomes lost after the death of her mother. When her new guardian turns up we see a different side to her, she’s stubborn - to say the least but then as the plot goes on we get a whole range of emotions from her, devastation, anger, sorrow, determination, regret. . . . We get it all as she is forced to see the world for what it truly is and face facts that her mother wasn’t who she thought she was and everyone seemed to know except her. She has an awful lot to deal with in this as you see her evolve and it’s just the beginning of the series so you can imagine what she will become. Now, Galen – There is one complicated character if ever you met one, even after reading the book I still don’t get him or maybe that’s because we are seeing him through Shea’s eyes. But, I liked him and he has left an impression, I definitely want to know more about him. He is mysterious. . . .

Loving her horse too, I’m not an animal lover but when they are involved – I like ones with attitude. . . Go Aisling! Even Tam too but I’ll leave him for you to discover.

I really enjoyed this book and the only reason it isn’t a 5* is because I was nearly put off by the really slow start, to me it was overly descriptive and didn’t really grab me until about the 20% mark but saying that, there is a lot of important things that needed to be told during that. That is quite easy to overlook though because it got really good soon after and kept my attention throughout. It is quite a long read, somewhere between 950-1000 kindle pages but don’t let that put you off because the author takes us on an epic fantasy adventure with the unlikely gang on their travels through a kingdom on the brink of destruction. It’s like Shea has to go through certain trials in her life to become a better person as the road to their goal is fraught with danger. I liked that they often told her stories of times past either about her mother, giving her a glimpse of the woman they knew so that their version didn’t seem like a stranger or stories of the magical world filled with knowledge that could help her tackle or outwit the things she would be up against. It always seemed to be relevant to where the plot was heading and gave little clues, loved it. The enemies they came across were truly sinister and that made for a scary rollercoaster ride of a book. The world is quite elaborate too, with the different cities, towns, villages, lakes, woods, mountains which is filled with all manner of creatures – humans, elves, goblins, kelpies, mermaids, gypsies etc. with opposing faiths and way of life, so it’s a vast world that we have been introduced to and I didn’t want it to end! It reminded me of Lord of the Rings in some ways- I am a fan – the journey part more than anything but I think that was a plus for me.

The next book is set up by the end of this so you know where it’s headed and that the next part of their journey isn’t going to be easy but I’m really looking forward to it. I want to see Shea become something amazing, I want to see her get justice for all those who have been wronged, rescue all of her people and save the world! I also want to get to the bottom of Galen, what stories could he tell? What skeletons are in his closet? And what was in the letter!!! So I’m expecting a lot more from him. I wonder what they will come up against next? I can’t wait. 4.5 out of 5! 

US vs UK (#38)

Welcome to Book Passion for Life's 38th US vs UK book cover battle. We've seen this posted on a few other blogs, and thought we'd jump on the band wagon!

The idea of this battle is once a week we'll post 2 sets of books of our choice, one US cover and one UK cover, and we'll just give our opinion on which one we love the most. Which cover captures the story, which one would catch our eye if we saw it on the shelf in a shop. The US cover will be on the left, and the UK cover will be on the right.

US vs UK Round 38

Legend by Marie Lu

VS   

Jess says: I think I'm going with the UK for this one. I like both, but the UK seems to be more out there and I guess fits a little more to the story.

Donna says:  UK wins hands down for me. I really like both covers, the US one is simple but I think too simple where as the UK cover tells a little bit more about the story. The UK cover looks like something from a movie but I really love it. 

Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer

 VS  

Jess says: Hmm this is a hard one. I really like both, but if I really had to choose? I'd pick the UK for this as well. I love all the blue and I especially love the tiger (or lion??) on the cover. So if I was to buy this book it would be the UK cover that I buy.

Donna says:  I have this book for review and I have to say choosing a cover a hard one. I really love both. I love the colours of the green on the US cover and the snake but then I feel the UK fits the book better with the tiger. Ummmm.....I think I'm going to pick the US cover though, if it was a book I was going to buy, I'd pick that one. 

Which do you prefer?

__________________

Okay guys, this weeks US vs UK goes to.........UK with 3 votes

Come back next week for more US vs UK! :)

In My Mailbox (#38)

So it's another sunday and we've had an another awesome week of books. Mostly are kindle books because I seriously don't read enough kindle books but hey, we all love kindle books......so let's get started. 

Donna's In My Mailbox 
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For Review:
Legend by Marie Lu
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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On Loan
Jessica's Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Thank you Lesley @ My Keeper Shelf
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Gifted
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Thank you HarperCollins UK!


Kindle Books for Review
(Click on the photo to be taken to Goodreads)

  

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Bought eBooks 
(click on the book covers to be taken to Goodreads)

   

  

Free eBooks off Amazon (UK)

(Click on the photo to be taken to Goodreads)

       

     

Thank you to HarperCollins, Penguin, Atom, Quercus, Marie Astor & Ella James. So that's it for my IMM this week. Don't forget to leave me your links below. 

Jess's IMM


Free eBooks from Amazon (UK)
(Click on the photo to be taken to Goodreads)

    

Kindle books for review:

What's in your mailbox this week?