Book Giveaway - Lori's Reading Corner

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Book Giveaway ~ Knit The Season by Kate Jacobs ~ ARC

Knit the Season: A Friday Night Knitting Club Novel (Friday Night Knitting Club Novels) by Kate Jacobs

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I posted last year about this, and I'm here again. Here's what I'm doing this year:

Hosting a shopping swap on my favorite site (paperbackswap.com) where we are all buying gifts for each other from stores/sites that will donate a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research.

Walking the 5k in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on October 17.

Rewarding anyone I know who gets or schedules a mammogram OR (if they aren't old enough to get need to start) gets their mom, aunt, friend, etc. to go get one.

And here's just one reason why -- this cause is important to me in a big way. My daughter's grandmother, my husband's mother, died from breast cancer, and I'm soooooo angry about that. She was one of the most decent, loving women I've ever known. I'm angry that my daughter won't know her grandmother. Won't visit her, cuddle with her, talk to her on the phone, draw her pictures. Won't grow up having another person on this earth love her unconditionally. I'm pissed that Jean won't know her granddaughter - this beautful, amazing girl who looks like her. Who is bright and funny and so full of life, and would love her so much.

Please please please, let there be a cure before my daughter grows up. Let this horrible thing be one less thing she needs to worry about.

Evernight (Evernight Novels (Hardback)) by Claudia Gray

This is an enjoyable YA read about a young girl who is new to Evernight Academy. Not the typical vampire novel, but unfortunately nothing all that unique here either.

Still, the characters are likeable (or not, in some cases!) and this first installment definitely leaves you wanting more to the story.

The Missing Ink: A Tattoo Shop Mystery by Karen E. Olson


From Amazon:

From Publishers Weekly
The Painted Lady, a tattoo shop in contemporary Las Vegas, and its owner, artist turned tattooist Brett Kavanaugh, are central to this pleasantly jargon-free themed mystery from Olson (the Annie Seymour mysteries). When a woman requests a devotion tattoo from Brett and then vanishes, her disappearance is quickly linked to a series of murders involving tattooing equipment and rival shop Murder Ink. Brett's police detective brother, Tim, requests her expertise, and a murder at an engagingly excessive fictional hotel leads to Brett meeting its mysteriously handsome manager, Simon Chase, providing a solid base for further sleuthing and romance. Readers need not be conversant with street flash or other industry terms to enjoy the setting and follow Brett down a trail of needles and gloves to the dramatic finale. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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I thought this was a refreshing change from the usual craft, cooking, or paranormal cozies that are so popular lately. While I like those others quite a bit, this one was just so much fun to read! It even made me want to go get a tattoo :)

4 1/2 stars, and will definitely read the next one!!

Black Dagger Brotherhood

I love this series! I read books 4 and 5 back to back, and have the 6th one coming to me - hopefully it will be here soon!

Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 4) by J.R. Ward

This book in the series features Butch, the human who was a cop that just learned way too much about the vampires and the black dagger brotherhood. Now he lives and fights with them. Still, he feels like an outsider. Especially since he's in love with Marissa - a vampire female who (he believes) does not want anything to do with him.

Lots of surprises in this one, especially about Butch, who has far more to him than meets the eye!!

Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5) by J.R. Ward

Next up is Vishous's story. After a particularly bad fight, he is rushed to a human hospital because of a bullet wound - and meets Jane. He immediately connects with her, which causes all sorts of problems! We also learn about his childhood, the abuse he suffered at his father's hands, and with him, we find out who his mother is.

While the relationship between him and Jane is good, the far more interesting parts of this book deal with his relationship with his mother and with Butch. I wasn't really happy with the way the book dealt with him and Jane, but hopefully during the next book it will become a bit more palatable.

Catching up on Reviews!

Doom with a View (Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 7) by Victoria Laurie

The FBI has asked Abby for help with a case involving missing teenagers, so she heads to DC with her partner Candice. Unfortunately, she meets some resistance from the head of the task force, and Dutch's boss. But of course, she manages to prove herself!

This was a really good addition to the series. A good, solid mystery with plenty of red herrings thrown in, some intrigue, romance, and a big surprise ending that has me counting down until the next book in the series comes out!!

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, Book 4) by Richelle Mead

This is by far one of the best YA Vampire series written. I love Rose, tough but tender-hearted, who at the beginning of this book has set out to find and kill Dimitri, who has been turned into a Strigoi. She leaves Lissa behind at the Academy, and is out in the world alone, with no idea where to go or if she'll succeed in her quest.

Of course, both her and Lissa end up in very scary situations and they both learn how strong they really can be.

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid, Book 2) by Richelle Mead

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid, Book 2) by Richelle Mead

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the first book until I picked up this second one!

Georgina is a succubus - she drains life energy from her sexual partners/victims. And she's in love with a human - which means she can't have sex with him without draining away some of his life. And if that's not enough, now she's dealing with someone dealing "otherworldly" drugs, problems at the bookstore, and on top of that, her friend Bastion (an incubus) comes to town and needs her help.

This book has lots of steaminess, action, and humor - more than enough to keep you reading late into the night!

PaperBack Swap - This is new!

PaperBack Swap: Discussion Forums for our Book Club members

Shared via AddThis

I just noticed something new at paperbackswap.com! So this is a test...

Prettiest Girl in the World!

Finally got a picture that doesn't look posed, lol!

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

"How far would you go to save someone you love?"

As a teen novel, this book works on many levels. There's the usual teen angst (trying to fit in, self-discovery, dealing with parents, falling in love). But there's also deeper levels here - what it means to be a human, what is a soul, what is the mind.

Jenna Fox is a 17 year old girl who wakes from a year+ long coma and finds herself in a world that is foreign to her. As her memory slowly returns, and as she begins to uncover some secrets her parents are keeping, she finds that she has found more questions than answers.

Can Jenna accept that sometimes there aren't answers at all?

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins' verse style of writing is growing on me! This is the 2nd book I've read (I listened to Crank on audio).

Burned is about a young Mormon girl who is questioning her beliefs and her place in the LDS community. She begins to experiment with alcohol and exploring her sexuality - which leads to her being sent to her aunt's house for the summer. There, she meets Ethan and falls in love and develops a strong, loving relationship with her aunt as well.

The novel deals with great sensitivity the issues of spousal abuse, alcoholism, and teen sexuality, not to mention the compelling way the Mormon view of women and their place in the church is described.

The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong

I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1), and thought this sequel was a good follow-up. As with the first, it leaves the ending open for another book in the series.

This book picks up with Chloe being held in the facility she was taken to after running away from Lyle House. Simon and Derek are still on the run, Chloe is trying to deal with her aunt's duplicity as well as her abilities as a necromancer.

I think this series is excellent for YA readers. It's got strong characters and a good storyline, and most teen readers will love it.

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) by J.R. Ward

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) by J.R. Ward


Another great book in this series! This book focuses on Zsadist and Bella, but also brings more lore into the story - we learn a bit about sympaths, trainees, etc.

I have to say, the writing and story is getting so much better, too. This book had me riveted, and there were several times I cried! I am just such a fan of this series. I have the next one on it's way to me, and I'm sure I'll be starting it soon :)

Blue Moon: The Immortals

Blue Moon: The Immortals

I hate to say, but I didn't like this book. The first one (Evermore: The Immortals by Alyson Noel) showed a lot of promise. It was a great concept (combining immortality and reincarnation), and introduced some solid teen issues for the characters to deal with.

This one, however, was just confusing and rushed. It could have been an excellent book - I enjoy Ms. Noel's writing style and I like the characters - but sadly this one falls short.

A Whole New Look!

I have changed the look of my blog!!! I have been in love with this guy's artwork (www.vladstudio.com) for a long time, and finally decided to incorporate some of it into my blog.

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2) by J.R. Ward

Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2) by J.R. Ward


I couldn't help it, I had to pick up the next book in this series! It was as good, if not better, than the first one. This book is about Rhage and Mary, but also continues the storyline of the Lessers and their plans to take down the Brotherhood.

The writing in this book (and the 1st one) is great, and the plot is terrific. I am fighting the urge to go straight to the next one! But I have other books to read and send out :-D

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) by J.R. Ward

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) by J.R. Ward

So.... what does it say that instead of reading the books I needed to read, I bought them new just so that I could read the next book in this series?!

Loved it!!!! Love Beth and Wrath. Love the concept. And I can't wait to read more about this world they live in.

This is one of the best vampire books written. It took a while to start this series, and I'm kicking myself about it - seriously!

Lots of romance, intrigue, and excitement. I give this one a 4 1/2!!! Can't wait to get really into the next one :)

The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer

The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer


Set in Victorian England, this is the story of Susan Rose, the daughter of a wet nurse who finds herself taking on the same job.

On the surface, the book describes her journey from single parent to wet nurse, and her struggles along the way with her family, her work, her employers, etc.

But there's also another story being told. It's the story of women from all walks of life and their experiences with motherhood, pregnancy, PPD, etc. We meet women who want to nurse their babies but can't, women who don't want to nurse. Women who must help their husbands or take care of other children and are just too busy. We see women who are helpers to their husbands, who are lovers, and also those that are at the mercy of men who are cruel to them.

And throughout the book is the love Susan has for her child, and the lengths she will go for him. She will risk everything for this child.

I'm not a huge reader of historical fiction, but this one completely captivated me! I highly recommend it - for the story of the women, the historical significance, and the beautiful writing and plot.

Awaken Me Darkly (Alien Huntress, Book 1) by Gena Showalter

Awaken Me Darkly (Alien Huntress, Book 1) by Gena Showalter


A thorougly enjoyable read! Usually I try to read a series in order, but I've read the two YA books in this series - Red Handed and Black Listed - and enjoyed them, so I finally decided to go back and start the series from the beginning.

This book is definitely NOT Young Adult! There are some pretty steamy sex scenes and a lot of violence, so I think it's very interesting to see a series that mixes genres this way.

In this book, the main character is Mia Snow who works for A.I.R. - a group who is dedicated to hunting aliens who have commited a crime. She's part of a group who is investigating the murder of several men, and during the investigation, she discovers a lot more than just who the murderer is!

I can't wait to read the next one - and luckily I have it here :)