Review: Mockingjay

Title: Mockingjay
Series: The Hunger Games #3
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Hardcover, 392pp
Source: Library

Connect with the Author

Website | Facebook


 Synopsis

The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Who do they think should pay for the unrest?

Katniss Everdeen.

Warning: This Review May Contain Spoilers

Review

I feel cheated. The only reason I picked up Hunger Games in the first place was because it was being made into a movie and I wanted to jump on the band wagon. I completely fell in love with that book. The characters felt so natural, the drama felt so real. I devoured the book in a day. Same with Catching Fire. I put Mockingjay on reserve at my local library. I just couldn't get enough. I waited for 8 weeks to read this book, and I feel cheated.

The beginning of this book pretty much leaves off where Catching Fire ended. Pretty much everyone's made it to district 13, except for Peeta. The first hundred pages or so is just military stuff. Which isn't my cup of tea but it had to happen so okay. They are trying to figure out how to over throw Snow, trying to figure out how to get Peeta and the other "Game" contestants to district 13.

Peeta is tortured while held in the capitol. When they do rescue him he is a totally different person. Katniss is always mad at Gale, Peeta hates her. There is really nothing holding me to the story now, but I finish any ways. It can only get better right? It wasn't a total let down, but there were people that died that I thought could have been left alone. And the end is what killed me. We get a one page epilogue as a happily ever after. I was pretty upset. Oh well. I'm glad I read it, but it still make me mad. 

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In My Mailbox # 11

Hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren,  inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Where we post about books we have received 

during the week via mailbox, local library, or store bought, etc.

_______

 

 

 

 

 

For Review

Outlander - Diana Gabaldon

Blood Magic - Tessa Gratton

All These Things I've Done - Gabrielle Zevin

Vaclav & Lena - Haley Tanner

Passion in Paris: Directions of the Heart  - Rusty Blackwood

Passion in Paris: Connections to the Past- Rusty Blackwood

The Rafters - AC Montgomery

The Stranger You Seek - Amanda Kyle Williams

Heartwishes - Jude Deveraux

The Map of Time - Felix J. Palma

(I will be busy for a while with these!)

Bought

The Almost Moon - Alice Sebold

Choker - Elizabeth Woods

Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

The Fallen - Thomas E. Sniegoski

Glimpse - Carol Lynch Williams

Pretties -  Scott Westerfield

Library

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

And that's it! I am currently reading Mockingjay since it has to get back to the library. After that I will be working on my "For Review" list since most of them have dead lines. So that's what I got in my mail box, What did you get in yours?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

I am very excited to have Laura here at The Blogging Book today! Laura Sullivan writes all kinds of things. From Adult Criminal Love Stories to Children's books to Historical, All under different pen names. So, with out further ado, Laura Sullivan!!

Bio:

I'm a former newspaper editor, former social worker, former deputy sheriff, current mother,
constant worrier, and perpetual writer. Under my real name (Laura L. Sullivan) I write books
for children. UNDER THE GREEN HILL and GUARDIAN OF THE GREEN HILL (Holt Books
for Young Readers) are about a group of children caught in the middle of a fairy war. LADIES
IN WAITING, out next May from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is a bawdy historical set in the
1660s England.

When I started writing adult crime novels I was intrigued by the idea of self publishing, and
decided to experiment, under the not-so-secret pseudonym Sullivan Lee. It's going very well so
far!

You can find out more about me on my blog, The Omniscient Third Person.
http://lauralsullivan.blogspot.com/ 


In one sentence only, why should we read your book?

Every character in it is a bad guy – some you'll adore, some you'll want to shoot.


What inspired you with the idea for this book?

A constant theme running through my work involves alpha men who are certain they're in
control... until their world unexpectedly crumbles, and they are rescued by a woman they
underestimated. You'll even find it in my middle grade GREEN HILL books (albeit without the
romantic element.) I explore that theme even further in BRIGHTWING... and I'll probably do it
in a lot of my upcoming books, too.

Coming from a law enforcement career, I wanted to explore the flip side – criminal life – so I
found a way to work my favorite themes into an underworld tale.


How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?

Well, I'm interested in all genres, really. I can't think of any genre I wouldn't want to write in.
But stories of crime and violence have always appealed to me, because I've spent so much time
trying to prevent those very things. Know your enemy, I suppose. In my Sullivan Lee books, the
bad guys sometimes win, and often aren't quite as bad as you think, which is what I've found to
be true in life.

What was/is the easiest/hardest part about writing this book?

Brightwing was very research-intense. I went into it knowing a fair amount about paleoindians,
and backwoods Florida, and swamp survival, but still needed to be very meticulous to get
everything exactly right. Research is always my favorite part! I'm probably a writer mostly for
that joyful feeling that comes when I have all my shiny new research books piled around me on
the bed and I can dig into an exciting new topic. I'm a dilettante, so I crave variety.

The hardest part about writing this book in particular was creating Mallory's character. He does
things that are so abhorrent – and yet (spoiler alert!) he lives. But I needed to make him just
a little, ever so slightly sympathetic, too. Everyone wishes I'd killed him off, and I completely
understand. But he had to be alive in the end. Believe me, it was at least as hard for me to write
as it will be for you to read!


Is there anything you wish was different about the book?

As I say, I longed to kill off Mallory Battle, but I just couldn't. I don't wish I'd done things
differently – but I did write a death scene for him, just for my own satisfaction!


What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I try to get in at least a thousand words a day. Right now I do most of my writing during my son's
naptime – luckily he's a great napper – but I'm excited (and a little apprehensive) about how my
writing patterns will change once he goes to school. Will I be paralyzed by all that time, or have a
million-word-a-year career? (Maybe I should think of some more pseudonyms!)


What’s the best thing about being an author?

That thrilling feeling of knowing people are actually reading what I wrote, living the stories
I created. There is a very powerful and mysterious connection between author and reader –
probably the most intimate relation two people can have without ever actually meeting one
another.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

Far too numerous to name! I'll just give you a few, in no particular order:

Richard Adams, Douglas Adams, Jane Austen, Anthony Trollope, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, Eva
Ibbotson, George MacDonald Fraser, Michel Faber... and so many more!

 

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world... Which would it be?

Probably Narnia.


What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Never quit as long as you still love it. (But when it's not fun, stop, at least for a while.)


Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

In my traditionally published YA work (and Laura L. Sullivan) I have two books coming out in
2012 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. LADIES IN WAITING, mentioned above, and another
historical, DELUSION, about two stage illusionist sisters who flee London in the WWII Blitz and
discover an all-male college of real magicians in the countryside.

Then as Sullivan Lee I'll have a paranormal romantic thriller called FLESH out in a few months.

Under the third variation of my name, LuLu Sullivan, I'll be putting out several short stories in
the next month or two, and a novella early next year.

If your book was to be a movie, what would be your dream cast?

Hmm... maybe Jessica Alba for Lucy Brightwing, if you remember how she was in her Dark
Angel role.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers be perfect for Mallory. Have you seen him in Gormenghast? Or Match
Point? He's got that deceptively sweet psychopath look. (It's probably a bit hard to picture him
as Mallory now that we know him as Henry VIII, too.) Or maybe the guy who played Octavian in
the HBO Rome series. (Simon Woods – I had to look it up!) He definitely looks suitably mentally
disturbed.

Edgar Battle is a tough one. Probably George Clooney ten years ago. (You did say my dream
cast, so I reserve the right to turn back time!) Which is not to say that GC isn't smokin' hot
today!

Thank you so much for having me on The Blogging Book!

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to answer some questions!

Now, on to the Giveaway!

Laura is going to giveaway One eBook version of Brightwing!

Ok, so I usually go the easy route with these things, but I'm going to mix things up a bit this time.

Here's what you have to do:

You Do: Have to Follow The Blogging Book

You Do: Have to Follow me on Twitter

You Do: Have to Like me on Facebook

You Do: Have to Follow Laura's Blog

You Do: Have to Follow Laura on Twitter

You Do: Have to Friend Laura on Facebook

You Do: Have to Tweet, Facebook, or Blog Post about this giveaway.

(You will get an extra entry for each one. )

You Do: Have to leave a comment on this post with your links and your email address. That's it!



Ok, I obviously made this giveaway too difficult, so to make it up to you I have made a google doc. To enter all you have to do is fill out this FORM.


This Giveaway is International. And I'm going to extend the deadline to Sept. 19, 2011

Those of you who already entered (Darlene & Booketta) will get 5 bonus entries!

Check This Out!

I stumbled across an amazing giveaway while on Google+ today. Just thought I'd share it!

You can win 1 of 6 prize packs. All new books from Book Depository, and she has ARC's and Swag. It's pretty amazing! you should go check it out! Here's the link Missy's Reads & Reviews

Winners: The Best Laid Plans

I would like to send out a big thanks to Harlequin Ambassadors for donating these books to the blog. And also a big thanks to everyone who reads my blog and to those who entered. None of this would be possible with out you guys. Now on to the winners!

Aliya@ A Story to Love 

Lisa P@ Book Him Danno
Griperang
 Melissa B

Congratulations to the winners. I will be sending you emails shortly. You have 48 Hours to respond or I will pick a new winner.

Review: 10 Ways to Kill a Cupid

Title:10 Ways to Kill a Cupid
Author: Leigh Parker
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Format: eBook, 336pg
Source: Author, Requested Review

Connect with the Author

Blog | Twitter


Synopsis

Leigh has a story to tell and despite the absurdity of it, it has to be told before it's forgotten forever.

You see Leigh used to be a Cupid.
A very silly, naive and regretfully bitter Cupid.
And those are traits a Cupid shouldn’t technically possess.
When Leigh’s murderer is the next assignment, revenge stands in the way of helping Natalie McIntyre find her perfect partner…
That is until the appearance of the blue spark.

Warning: Contains strong language. 

Review

This was a pretty cute story. When reading this is sounds like someone is telling the story as it happens. There's not a lot of detail, just whats happening at the current time. This is a very original story about a girl who dies, gets sent to heaven, only to find she has to work. Her Guidance Counselor pops in, gives her a copy of Jobs for the dead: Heaven Edition.

So basically, once you die you can be either an Angel, Reaper, or Cupid. Once you fulfill your job you are upgraded to Saint. Leigh tries out all her options, Cupid seems to fit best. It's been 3 years since she took the job and she get a task of pairing Natalie McIntyre with her soul-mate. Natalie hates people. She hates life. But the further Leigh digs into her past she figures out it was Natalie that killed her all those years ago. Then Leigh sees the spark.The blue spark happens between soul mates. 

I don't want to give away too many details. pretty much everything its connected to something else in the story, and I don't want to give away the ending. Over all this is a pretty cute story!

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Review: Brightwing

Title: Brightwing

Author: Sullivan Lee

Genre: Mystery/Romance

Format: eBook, 289 pg

Source: Author, Requested Review

Connect with the Author

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Synopsis

A Criminal Love Story

Edgar and Mallory Battle are on the run after a spectacularly violent escape. Now, with a trail of bodies behind them, they need a hostage against the inevitable standoff with the police. Their first doesn’t last long, thanks to sociopathic Mallory. Edgar has been hiding his brother's crimes since they were kids. Now he’s torn between family loyalty and self-preservation.

They carjack Lucy Brightwing, a criminal fresh from her own heist, with a fortune of uncut gems hidden in her vehicle. She could escape – but she won’t abandon her millions. She could kill the Battle brothers, but she has to be careful. For one thing, if the law investigates, they’ll find her ill-gotten loot. For another, her own life is sacred. She’s the last member of a Florida paleoindian tribe thought to be extinct – the Tequesta. With her share of the money she plans to buy, bribe and blackmail her way into her own ancestral tribal lands in the heart of the Everglades: a Tequesta nation.

Lucy leads the brothers into her beloved swamp, determined to kill them. But when she falls for Edgar she must decide whether to risk her heritage and the future of her tribe to save the doomed brothers. Brightwing is a thrilling, action-packed story of love and adventure.

 Warning: This Review May Contain Spoilers

Review

It took me a couple chapters to actually get into this story. But after I got the hang of the characters and what has happening in the story I got attached to them. When I would have to put the book down I often found myself wondering what would happen next in the book. I liked how the two stories wove into one. Lucy was on a mission and the Battle Brothers were trying to escape the police. Then they decide to take (another) hostage, and to their surprise Lucy can hold her own. I was really excited Lucy could handle herself. You find most often the girl just accepts her fate.

Through most of the book I was hoping Lucy would just kill off Mallory. He was so annoying to me. I understand he wasn't all there but every time things cooled down he killed another person. In the end I'm glad she didn't, as he proved to be useful..

I really liked the romance that blossomed between Lucy and Edgar. It wasn't your full on, "Oh, I love you. Nothing mattered before you." but you could tell they made each other comfortable.

Overall I really liked this book. The only thing that bothered me was a few points in the story where it was difficult understanding which character was talking. But other than that it was a very good read. Lots of twists and things to keep you interested!

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Review: Shoe Strings

Title: Shoe Strings
Author: Christy Hayes
Genre: Adult Romance
Format: eBook, 263pg
Source: Author, Requested Review

Connect with the Author

Website | Twitter | Blog



Synopsis


After a surprise visit from her estranged father, Atlanta-based boutique owner and shoe designer, Angelita Barros, heads for the mountains of North Carolina where she finds resisting the tempting Jesse Bloodworth as difficult as maneuvering small town life in her custom made stilettos. By the time her father’s threats force her home, she’s left footprints on almost everyone in Jesse’s life: his father, his ex-wife and his teenaged son.  Jesse knows he won’t ever find someone to fill Angelita’s fancy shoes and follows her to Atlanta where he’ll discover more of her past than he bargained for. Will Angelita’s prince charming come to her rescue or does Jesse’s love come with Shoe Strings attached?


Review

Wow! Let me first say I have been in a kind of reading funk.. I think its in big part to me not being home, but nothing was grabbing my attention. I picked up this book, and it blew me away. It captured me from the beginning and didn't let me go until I finished. Every time I set this book down i would think about the characters and what they were going through and wondering what was going to happen next until I just gave up. I told the dishes they would have to wait, I had to finish this book. Christy did a fabulous job with her writing style. Every scene is believable, she did an amazing job on detail. Every thing played out like a movie in my head.

I love the story. There is more than one story, more than one happily ever after, and it made me feel good inside. I know this is only a book but just thinking what these characters went through and how they end up.. you have to read this book. 


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Blog Award

First of all I would like to say sorry for the lack of reviews lately. My friend just had a baby so I've been out of town helping her. But now I am home and things will get back to normal soon.

And secondly I would like to thank Aliya@ A Story To Love  for nominating me for this award!

The award is called the Liebster Blog Award and is out there to recognize, mostly new, bloggers who have less that 200 followers.

 

And here are the rules for this award:

 

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger that gave you the award

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers

5. And most of all -- have bloggity-blog fun!

Going through my list of bloggers I follow, I realized I don't follow very many people with less than 200 followers. So if you know of any bloggers just starting out, who don't have more than 200 followers leave a link for their blog in the comments. I will go check them out!

I only have 2 but that doesn't make them any less special.

And here are the blogs/bloggers I nominate (in no particular order)

 

Songhe's Book Blog 

A Cover Lover

They are wonderful bloggers with great reviews and adorable blogs! Hope you check them out!

Review & Giveaway: The Best Laid Plans

Title: The Best Laid Plans
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Genre: Adult Romance
Format: Paperback, 275pp
Source: Harlequin Ambassadors

Connect with the Author

Website | Blog


Synopsis


Boundaries. The key to how corporate lawyer Alexandra Knight manages her busy life. However, lately all her precisely drawn lines are getting blurred. Blame it on her out-of-control biological clock that is ignoring her single status…and on Ethan Stone.
Because her sexy, no-strings colleague has posed an outrageous solution to her dilemma—he'll be her baby daddy. This from the guy who avoids all commitment? Okay, so they're attracted to each other. Really, really attracted. But crossing the line from coworker to co-parent with Ethan could ruin Alex for all other men. After all, when you've had the best…


Review

I thought this was a very cute book. The whole time reading, you're hoping with all your might that they end up together. We can tell from the beginning how much they like each other, but both have been hurt so bad it's hard for them to open up and love again.

I loved the relation ship between Alex and Ethan. I think a story is really good when my moods would change with what ever mood the characters were in.

Alex still believes in Happily-Ever-After, but her time is running out. All she wants is a family that loves her as much as she loves them. Her time is ticking away. She has almost reached the point in time where she can no longer have babies so she decides to find a donor.

In steps Ethan, the charming, handsome playboy who's afraid of commitment. Alex and Ethan have been friends for a while, but that's it.

When Ethan finds out Alex is looking for sperm donors, he gets upset. He knows Alex doesn't really want to have a child that way, and he gets an idea.

Ethan wants to be her sperm donor. Alex is as shocked as she is happy. Could she get her happily ever after all?



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Now on to the Giveaway!

A huge Thank You to Harlequin Ambassadors. They have supplied me with 4 copies to give away!

All you have to do is fill out this form!

This Giveaway starts on Friday, August 5, 2011 and ends on Friday, August 26, 2011 @ 11:59 PM Central Time.

This giveaway for US residents only please.

The Legal Stuff

________________________________________________________

• The Blogging Book is not responsible for items lost in shipping or items shipped from 3rd party sponsors. 
• Winners will be chosen randomly by The Blogging Book using Random.org .
• You have to be a follower to participate.
• Winners will be contacted by The Blogging Book via email or blog post depending on availability.
• There is no limit to the amount of giveaways you can enter on The Blogging Book but you can only enter each giveaway once, there are five extra entries available for this giveaway.  If it is found that a person has entered the same giveaway more than the allotted entries those entries will be disqualified.
• If it is not stated, it should be assumed that giveaway items have been provided by a 3rd party as a donation to The Blogging Book.