Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Winner

Wow, my first hop was such fun.  Thanks to all who took time to enter and follow me.  You guys rock.  I'm happy to announce that Tamara has won my giveaway.  Hurray for Tamara!

Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have not had the typical childhood.  Summers have been spent at archaeological sites while their parents dig and discover.  This summer is no different, except their father isn’t there anymore.  The Betarrini sisters join their mother, obsessed with her latest discovery, in rural Tuscany.  Gabi is tired of dusty dig sites and being ignored by her mother who lives in a different world.  Looking for a bit of adventure, Gabi convinces her sister to join her in one of the recently discovered ancient burial tombs to explore.  When Gabi finds handprints in the wall that fit her and her sister’s hand perfectly, the world shifts, spins and they find themselves in the fourteenth century.  But Lia and Gabi are separated.  Gabi  is set in the middle of battles, castles and of course, knights in shining armor.  This wasn’t exactly the usual summer in Italy she had planned.  Who knew her very own knight in shining armor would be found hundreds of years before her time in the midst of so much turmoil?  But, Gabi must find her sister and get home.  No matter what.

I'm seriously so happy I read this book.  It was so much fun.  And, I freely admit I'm a sucker for a good, fast paced adventure/romance with a hunk of a medieval knight leading the way.  Yup, it was a great read.  I polished it off in one day and I'm now handing it off to my 13 year old daughter who is going to eat this book up.  Guaranteed.  I sure don't like endings that leave me hanging though and this one sure did!  I'm wishing it were June 1st so I could snatch up the next book and read it too!  Aagh!

There was no offensive language or sexual content in this book.  (Yipee!)

Matched and meeting Ally Condie!

From Goodreads:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

I actually read this book before I started blogging so I've never done a review on it.  I'm going to today because I met Ally Condie last night at an author event near me.  She was part of a 5 member panel and it was so much fun to hear all the authors.

Loved this book. Loved it. Well written, thought provoking, enjoyable. It evoked emotions in me and kept my interest the whole way through.  I loved Grandpa.  He is one of my favorite characters in book one.  He reminded me a lot of my grandpa. 

It always scares me a bit when I read books where the government takes complete control.  It seems, on one hand, that it could never be that way.  Right?  I mean, how would we, as people ever let it get that far.  And then, on the other hand, I can totally see it happening.  Slowly but surely until we don't even realize it has happened.  "Do not go gentle."

Matched was a great read and I'm sad I'm finished with it. It's going to be a long wait for the next book!

If you haven't read this book yet, you should pick it up.  It's a keeper.

This is a clean read.  No swearing, no sexual content.  Yipee!  :)

Follow My Book Blog Friday

Q. What is on your current playlist right now?

Well, I'm still obsessed with Mat Kearney.  I love him. 

 I'm going to see him in concert in July and I'm SO excited.  I love this album by him:

I'm actually as eclectic with my music as I am with my book reading so I listen to all kinds of music.  But, Mat is the top of the charts for me.  Nobody has moved in to take his place for awhile.  I'm patiently waiting for his new album.  Hopefully it will come out soon!  :)

So, have you heard Mat Kearney's music?  Is there any love for him?

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase, half faery princess, half human, now resides as prisoner to the Winter Fey.  After defeating the Iron King she returned with the Winter Prince, Ash, as his prisoner as promised.  All dreams of Ash loving her have vanished as his icy cold treatment and words cut through her heart.  Relations between the Summer and Winter fey are strained and there is talk of war.  Meghan knows that the real threat comes from the Iron fey but nobody believes her.  And worse, she can’t do much about it because her powers have been cut off and she has no idea who to trust anymore.

I was excited to read this book.  I’ve read so many reviews of people loving this series and the word is that every book gets better.  I would have to agree that this book was even better than the first one.  It is pretty predictable as far as plots go, and it has the classic love triangle but if you just read it to enjoy a romp through fairy land with a half-human girl and two hunky fey boys, you are in for a fun read.  I must admit that one of my favorite things in the book are the swirly vines at the beginning of each chapter.  Thorns?  No thorns?  Hummm.  I love the fast pace of the books that never leave me bored.  It’s time to get some good love resolution though.  I’m hoping I find that in the next book!  Am I going to get it?!

My one complaint is the language in the book.  It’s just too much for me.  boo hoo.

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop

This is so exciting!  This is my first giveaway hop!  Thanks for stopping by.  The giveaway rules are simple. 

1)        1.  You must be a follower of my blog.

2)     2.  Leave me a comment with your email address

3)     3.  If you want an extra entry, leave a comment on one of my reviews and let me know in a separate comment on the giveaway page.

I am giving away a book, your choice, from the Book Depository up to $12.00.  

If The Book Depository ships free to your country, you can enter!  J

Happy Hopping!

Follow My Book Blog Friday

Q. Do you have anyone that you can discuss books with IRL? Tell us about him/her.

I have a lot of people asking me about what books to read or what books their kids would like and it's fun to talk to them about books, but I guess I don't really have anyone who is obsessed with reading like me to talk with. Like Marie at Romance Around the Corner,I am a garbage disposal of book reading.  I like to read so many different kinds of books.  Probably the reason I started up a book blog.  I know that every single book I read someone out there in book blog land will have read too and have an opinion on.  If I have read a book my kids love, they will talk with me.  I have some girlfriends share a love for sappy romantic, happy ending books so we talk about those.  See how I need my friends in blog land?  Only you people can understand my love for books and talk with me about them!