On My Wishlist #7

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet,
but desperately wants to read,

because the plots sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

The Swan Kingdom

Zoe Marriott

Trade Paperback, 288 pages

Published by Walker Books, Ltd.

March 5, 2007

Genre: YA Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

When Alexandra’s mother is slain by an unnatural beast, shadows fall on the once-lush kingdom. Too soon the widowed king is entranced by a cunning stranger — and in one chilling moment Alexandra’s beloved brothers disappear, and she is banished to a barren land. Rich in visual detail, sparked by a formidable evil, and sweetened with familial and romantic love, here is the tale of a girl who discovers powerful healing gifts — and the courage to use them to save her ailing kingdom.

When I first saw this book,

I fell in love with the gorgeous cover!

So I know I will try to buy itas soon as I possibly can!!

This is the UK cover, by the way.

The story promises to be just as enchanting as the cover,

too, since it's a classic 'hero's quest' tale,

only, in this case, the 'hero' is a heroine.

Just my cup of tea!

The Seraph Seal

Leonard Sweet,  Lori Wagner

Trade Paperback, 384 pages

Published by Thomas Nelson

April 12, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction, Christian Fiction,

Religious Thriller

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Using the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to symbolize the four Gospels, four transcendentals, and four forces of the universe (air, water, earth, and fire), Sweet and Wagner weave a fast-paced, end-times tale of good vs. evil and the promise of a new dawn for humanity.

Set in 2048, when planet Earth is suffering from the damaging effects of years of misuse and abuse, cultural history professor Paul Binder receives a mysterious letter that leads him to examine a lost 2nd-century Diatessaron manuscript. Ancient prophecies, cryptic letters, and strange events set him on a course to uncover the missing clues that could lead humanity into a new age. Each character embodies elements of the four horsemen in a race to save the world from total destruction. Layered with forgotten symbolism from the ancient, Jewish, and Christian traditions, the novel is a type of engaged fiction in which the main character's lost journal serves as a guide to the reader in interpreting clues and understanding the novel's conclusion.

This one sounds so very fascinating!

I love the subject matter,

since I've long been interested in

the spiritual riddles of the universe.

This novel also contains a lot of action,

and speculation regarding mysterious manuscripts

and end-of-times angst.

Just the thing for me to get lost in!!

And I have to say that this cover is very striking!

Ruby Red

Kerstin Gier (Author)

Anthea Bell (Translator)

Hardcover, 324 pages

Published by Henry Holt & Co.

May 10, 2011

(first published January, 2009)

Genre: YA Science Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

I've had my eye on this one for a couple of weeks now.

The cover is absolutely luscious!

I love it even though red is not usually a color

I'm attracted to (except at Christmastime).

It's really all that elegant,

Art Nouveau scrollwork that I find so

aesthetically pleasing!

The plot sounds so very exciting!

I adore the combination of romance and time travel!

I like the new twist given to the theme

by Gier, too -- the idea of "a time travel gene"

is quite interesting.

So, what wonderful books are you all

wishing for this week?

Book Blogger Hop #4 (7/15 - 7/18)

HAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!

This is a very interesting book meme!

It's hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books,

and runs every week,

from Friday to Monday.

Be sure to check out her blog for

the hop participation rules!

This week’s question comes from Veronica who blogs at:

Read Books, Have Fun

 

How/Where do you get your books? Do you buy them or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use like paperbackswap?  

My particular 'brand' of book addiction dictates that I must own a book I think I will enjoy reading.  Therefore, I stopped going to libraries a very long time ago...it was just too depressing for me!  The thing is, I would take out a book that looked interesting, go home, eat it right up, and promptly fall in love with it.  Then would come the dreaded day that I would inevitably have to return it to the library, if I didn't want to incur a fine.  Throughout the years, I did have to pay some rather high fines, because I would procrastinate on returning beloved books.  So, one day, I decided: no more libraries for me!!  I then started haunting used book stores, but, since I'm very, very picky and finicky about my books, I would only buy those in nearly pristine condition.  (I was an impoverished college student at the time, but I managed.) 

I 'graduated' to regular bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders when I began to earn my own money working full-time.  

When I got into the Internet, I discovered Amazon and eBay, and those are the main sites I do most of my book buying on.  They have excellent prices!  Also, eBay has the added advantage of selling books in lots of several volumes, again, at very reasonable prices.  I recently bought the Evernight series, by Claudia Gray, listed as being in 'very good' condition, and was pleasantly surprised to see, when I received the books, that they looked to be absolutely brand new!  To make my day even more, I won them at auction by sniping at the very last minute!!  (Excuse me, but I have to pat myself on the back.)

Other sites I go to are Alibris, Abebooks, and, of course, The Book Depository, which, as all of us bibliophiles know, has free international shipping!!!   From time to time, I will also visit Powell's.

Oh, and of course, I don't visit any book-swapping sites.  I neither lend nor borrow books.  Once they're mine, that's it.  I'm very possessive about my treasures!  Lol.

I have continued to visit actual bookstores, too, even though I do buy a lot of books online.  However, nothing beats the absolute pleasure and joy of walking into a real bookstore and seeing all those shelves full of books!!!  And then there's the blissful, timeless thrill of walking around and browsing, until a book (or books) call out to me, and I know I will give them a good home...sigh...oh, such happiness...

So I still go to Barnes & Noble, as well as Borders.  There's also a local, indie bookstore I love, here in Miami, called "Books and Books".  And that's a perfect name, too, because they have books, and books, and books!!!!! 

One very important reason to go to a real bookstore, aside from the lovely pleasure of handling books, is the events.  At Books and Books, as well as B&N, they host author events.  An author will come in, present their book, take questions from the audience, and then sign the book for those who have decided to buy it.  These events, while fascinating to me, are also a bit 'dangerous', because I will usually be unable to resist buying a book that will cost me at least $24.95 and up, just so I can have the author's signature!  So that means I will spend more money than I'd like to...

Oh, and last but most definitely not least -- I only buy print versions of books.  I totally refuse to read or buy ebooks, since I prefer to handle a book, smell the paper, lovingly turn the pages, and admire the cover.  If I am madly in love with a given book, I will even hug it tightly for a few seconds whenever the love madness gets a hold of me!!! 

Hope you all have fun blog-hopping! 

Enjoy a book-filled weekend!! 

Book Blogger Hop #3 (7/8 - 7/11)

HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!!

This is a very interesting book meme!

It's hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books,

and runs every week,

from Friday to Monday.

Be sure to check out her blog for

the hop participation rules!

Things are a little different this week!

Jennifer has posted, not a question,

but a surprise "task"!

Check this out!

Jennifer says:

This week’s question isn’t a question at all! I thought I would do things a little differently this week and give all of you a chance to promote a giveaway (or two!) from the blogosphere.

The catch?

IT CAN’T BE YOUR OWN GIVEAWAY!

Gotcha!

You have to find another blogger who is having a giveaway and promote their giveaway for them! If possible, promote a giveaway from a blogger doing the Hop (hey, you are visiting other blogs anyway, right?). Have fun with this one!

It’s not an easy task this week!

Well, this is certainly interesting, since I have been doing this very thing, from time to time,on this blog!  I figure it's a nice gesture, even if one has not entered the giveaway one is promoting.  So, in response to this 'task', I have decided to promote the following giveaway:

This is the original giveaway/hop

button, and it looks as if the

giveaway has already ended.

But...

Over at Lindsay Writes, the giveaway

will go on until July 15th,

and it's for a great cause, too!!

For further details,and, of course, to enter,

 just click on the link above to visit Lindsay's blog.

Here are some of the fabulous prizes,

with more being added daily!!

A signed copy of Ashes, Ashes

by Jo Treggiari.

A signed copy of Inside Out

by Maria V. Snyder.

,

A signed copy of Texas Gothic, plus swag,

by Rosemary Clement-Moore.

A signed copy of City of Bones,

by Cassandra Clare.

Signed Mistwood swag, plus mini posters,
from author Leah Cypess.

There are many more prizes!!!

If you can donate to the fight against cancer,

Lindsay provides links to do so.

You will get extra entries if you do!!

So head on over to Lindsay's blog,

and participate!

Also, please spread the word through

posting on your blog, Twitter,Facebook, Goodreads, Shelfari,

and any other site you visit

on a regular basis.

Thank you for your support!!!

Good luck to all who decide to enter!!!

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill at Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

My pick for this week is Wolfsbane,
by Andrea Cremer.

Wolfsbane

(Nightshade #2)

Andrea Cremer

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published by Philomel

Expected Release Date: July 26, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended-Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind.

Although I do prefer the original cover,
I'm still looking forward to the release of this book!
It's just such a great story!

I must sheepishly confess that I haven't read
the first volume, Nightshade, yet...
but I do want this one already, anyway!!




So what books are you all eagerly anticipating
this Wednesday?

Saturday Situation #2: Book Review of The Vampire Diaries #1

Here's a wonderful meme hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination,

and Candace at Candace's Book Blog!

There are two Mr. Linky's,

one for Giveaways that you want to promote,

and the other for Posts that you want to promote.

The posts can be reviews, discussions, rants,

events you are planning,

anything that you want people to read!

There are so many great posts out there that often go unread.

Here's your chance to tell the world!

Feel free to link up to other bloggers' posts as well!

As Lori says, "Let's spread the love!"

To read my review of The Vampire Diaries #1
(Omnibus Edition), just go HERE.



Hope you all enjoy!

On My Wishlist #5

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet, but desperately wants to read,

because the stories sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

The Begotten: A Novel of the Gifted

(The Gifted #1)

Lisa T. Bergren

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published by Berkley Hardcover

August 1, 2006

Genres:

Christian Fiction, Fantasy,

Historical Fiction, Religious Thriller

From the Goodreads Synopsis

The year is 1339, the height of the Inquisition. A secret half a millennium old is on the brink of being exposed. Centuries before, the Church compiled the letters written by St. Paul with other texts to form the foundation of the Christian canon. But what the world doesn't know is that Paul wrote another letter-a letter speaking of men and women who, though begotten of men, possess mysterious spiritual gifts. Now, the time has come for the Gifted to gather.

The Betrayed: A Novel of the Gifted

(The Gifted #2)

Lisa T. Bergren

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published by Berkley Hardcover

September 4, 2007

Genres:

Christian Fiction, Fantasy,

Historical Fiction, Religious Thriller

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Now the breathtaking quest of the spiritually empowered Gifted ones-prophesized in a long-lost illuminated letter from the apostle Paul-continues as the healer, the priest, and the knight gather together to fight a battle in a profound new war. For the enemies of the Gifted are gathering, led by an evil lord who will do anything to destroy their unwavering faith.

The Blessed: A Novel of the Gifted

(The Gifted #3)

Lisa T. Bergren

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published by Berkley Hardcover

September 2, 2008

Genres:
Christian Fiction, Fantasy,

Historical Fiction, Religious Thriller

From the Goodreads Synopsis

In The Blessed, Sir Gianni de Capezzano and Daria d'Angelo face an uncertain future and are trailed by the enemy on a treacherous journey out of hell's reach and into their blessed destiny.

I'm really excited about these books,

and hope to add them

to my already humongous collection!

So what books have all of you added

to your wish list this week?



Saturday Situation #1: The Rainbow as the End of the Bridg, Chapter 1 (fan fiction)

Here's a wonderful meme hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination,

and Candace at Candace's Book Blog!

There are two Mr. Linky's,

one for Giveaways that you want to promote,

and the other for Posts that you want to promote.

The posts can be reviews, discussions, rants,

events you are planning,

anything that you want people to read!

There are so many great posts out there that often go unread.

Here's your chance to tell the world!

Feel free to link up to other bloggers' posts as well!

As Lori says, "Let's spread the love!"

To read my fan fiction story,
"The Rainbow at the End of the Bridge",
Chapter 1,
just go HERE.



Hope you all enjoy!