Category: This one’s a Keeper

Stacking the Shelves #5

Posted February 8, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 4 Comments

StackingTheShelves Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Hosted at Tynga’s Reviews If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

This past week I gave into temptation. I used up my Amazon Gift Cards from Christmas and indulged in getting some current series that I really want to read… now.

I know, I’m certifiable – but really so tired of not reading series in order… so I gave in. But I’m a happy reader for indulging in the book binge. 😉

Now, I must not one click, I must not one click, I must not one click…. yeah, right.

Review: The End of All Things by Lissa Bryan

Posted February 7, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 4 Comments

How would you survive should a virus wipe out most of humanity? Would you curl up in a corner and wait for the end? Or would you fight every single day for one more hour of life at any cost?

Title: The End of All Things
Series: End of All Things
Author: Lissa Bryan
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian
Published: January 24, 2013
Source: NetGalley

Cover Blurb:

After a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.

She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.

Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.

But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.

This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.

I am a huge, huge fan of The Walking Dead. While I would never want to live in a zombie filled world, how people survive is a fascinating journey to follow.

*I received an e-ARC of The End of All Things from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

While The End of All Things does not have zombies – it does have other kinds of monsters. There is no need for rotting flesh to bring out the monster in humans, just a situation where they can flourish.

Read on for my thoughts on The End of All Things. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

Posted February 7, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

To be a Seeker was an honorable dream. To right wrongs, defend the innocent and protect the defenseless that was what this is all about — isn’t it?
Title: Seeker
Series:
Author: Arwen Elys Dayton
Genre: Fantasy
Published: February 10, 2015
Source: NetGalley

The night Quin Kincaid takes her Oath, she will become what she has trained to be her entire life. She will become a Seeker. This is her legacy, and it is an honor.

As a Seeker, Quin will fight beside her two closest companions, Shinobu and John, to protect the weak and the wronged. Together they will stand for light in a shadowy world.

And she’ll be with the boy she loves–who’s also her best friend.

But the night Quin takes her Oath, everything changes.

Being a Seeker is not what she thought. Her family is not what she thought. Even the boy she loves is not who she thought.

And now it’s too late to walk away.

*I received an e-ARC of Seeker from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.

Can you imagine at the age of 8 to have your future mapped out for you? To know what you will do, must do at such an early age? And by the age of 15 be fully trained to .. change the future?

Read on for my thoughts on Seeker. No true spoilers, promise.

Feature & Follow #4

Posted February 6, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 22 Comments

FeatureFollowParaAlison The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!

This week’s feature blog is: My Bookish Itinerary

Today’s Question up for discussion is:

Do you read more than 1 book at a time, and if so, how, like a certain amount of pages per book before moving on to the next one in the queue? – via Words I Write Crazy

My Answer: I usually have 3 books going. One on my Kindle, which is usually e-ARCs. One on my Kindle App for the PC because I have tons of Kindle free books on that app that thankfully did not load over on my new Kindle…gotta get that TBR of Kindle books cleared up. And I always have one book, real physical book to hold and read. They are never the same genre though. I love so many different styles of novels. So I will have a Contemporary on one, a Historical on another and a Paranormal/Fantasy/YA on the other. How much do I read of each? It totally depends on my mood (or a review deadline). I might start out in old time London, spinning through a young woman’s First Season and in the evening be deep in the darkest night with a vampire hunter hot on my trail. Mood reading is my downfall.

Now it’s time to get following – hope you find awesome new blogs today.

Because this blog cannot use GFC – I prefer Bloglovin’ please.

Review: The Highlander’s Folly By Barbara Longley

Posted February 5, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

The Highlander’s Folly is book 3 of The Novels of Loch Moigh series

Title: The Highlander’s Folly
Series: The Novels of Loch Moigh series
Author: Barbara Longley
Genre: Paranormal, Time-Travel, Historical
Published: February 3, 2015
Source: NetGalley

A brave fifteenth-century Highlander fiercely devoted to his foster family, Hunter of clan MacKintosh can defeat any man in battle. Thanks to his fae gifts, he can read the intent of his opponents and guess their next moves. But when the faerie Madame Giselle sends Hunter to the present day, he stumbles into a staged battle and rescues a young knight—only to discover that the knight is a woman, and she’s anything but a damsel in distress.

Meghan McGladrey learned martial arts and sword fighting from her father, a time-traveling Highlander himself. To Hunter’s surprise, Meghan is as skilled as any knight. When both of them are pulled back to the fifteenth century, Meghan becomes desperate to return to her time. Hunter, who is pledged to another, begins to fall for the beautiful, brave warrior as they fight side by side against a common enemy. Now, he must decide which matters more: his honor, or following his heart.

Exciting battles and intoxicating passion reunite in the third Novel of Loch Moigh from award-winning author Barbara Longley.

*I received an e-ARC of The Highlander’s Folly from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

A fierce Highlander from the fifteenth-century, a faerie’s plot and a modern day time-traveling maiden. What’s not to love in that combination?

Read on for my thoughts on The Highlander’s Folly. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Fool’s Paradise by Jo Ann Ferguson

Posted February 5, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

A Lady Priscilla Flanders Mystery

Title: Fool’s Paradise
Series: A Lady Priscilla Flanders Mystery
Author: Jo Ann Ferguson
Genre: Historical
Published: January 2, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Something is rotten in the Lake District . . . and the Prince Regent has asked Lord Neville Hathaway to investigate. But in order to ensure success, he asks his wife—and intrepid partner in crime-solving—Lady Priscilla, to join him.
When they learn that a young woman of the Beau Monde has vanished in the area, they can’t help wondering if that disappearance is connected to tales of a strange new settlement being created by a half-mad lord. Drawn into the madness against their wills, Priscilla and Neville go undercover as willing citizens in Novum Arce, the utopian recreation of Roman Britain, but it quickly becomes obvious that the person behind the kidnapping and insanity may have a very real ulterior motive—one that could change the future of the war against Napoleon.
Now they have to do more than save a missing lady—they have to stop an invasion! And there’s even more at stake! Priscilla has just discovered she’s going to have a child. And Neville has to decide: just how much is he willing to sacrifice for King and country?

*I received an e-ARC of Fool’s Paradise by Jo Ann Ferguson from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

This was the first of the ongoing series “A Lady Priscilla Flanders Mystery” that I have read. While it might have helped to have a bit more background – the opening chapters filled me in on the basics enough to dive right into the story with comfort.

Read on for my thoughts on Fool’s Paradise. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Magic Found by Misha McKenzie

Posted February 5, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

What would you do if a towel suddenly appeared outside of your shower? And no one is holding it!

Title: Magic Found
Series: The Magic of the Heart (book 1)
Author: Misha McKenzie
Genre: Paranormal
Published: January 24, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Marissa Spencer’s world has been turned upside down since waking up one morning with magical powers. She has no idea where they came from and controlling them has not been easy. To make matters worse, these new abilities seem to have brought with them a mysterious evil force that torments her dreams and tracks her down dark alleys. With the help of her sexy PI boss, Jack Slade—whom Marissa has always had a crush on—she will have to fight a battle for power that began before she was born. Along the way, she’ll discover a family she didn’t know she had, an inheritance she may not want, a strength she never knew was within her, and a love she’d only dreamed of.

The premise of this novel drew me in. I mean, really, who wouldn’t be just a bit freaked out to find out they suddenly had magical powers? Especially when you know you hadn’t had a single drink the night before!

Read on for my thoughts on Magic Found. No true spoilers, promise.

**I received an e-ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of Magic Found. This in no way changes what I thought of the book.**

Waiting on Wednesday #3

Posted February 4, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 4 Comments

“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is from a favorite author and is part of a long series:

A Pirate’s Wife For Me #11 in the Governess Brides series

Caitlin MacLeod of Scotland is proud to announce her graduation from The Distinguished Academy of Governesses. She specializes in the womanly arts of housekeeping, picking locks, and overthrowing ruthless dictators, and is looking for a position wherein she can utilize these skills. No dashing, dastardly pirates or faithless, former lovers need seek her services.

Ship’s captain (and prince in disguise) Taran Tamson is by coincidence in need of the best lockpick in the land; he needs the reckless auburn-haired beauty to retrieve the papers that will help him leave behind his swashbuckling ways and win his island kingdom of Cenorina. He assures said lady that he will honor her demand for a proper, chaste relationship for as long as she desires it, then use his every sensual wile to make sure she desires only one thing — him…

I have enjoyed Christina Dodd’s Historical novels for years – (I love her paranormal The Chosen Ones series as well). This is one Historical I cannot wait to get my hands on. 🙂

How about you? What are you waiting for this week? Is it just me or do those eyes remind you of a certain swashbuckling pirate of movie fame ? *wink*

Review: Riding The Odds by Lynda K. Scott

Posted February 4, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Riding The Odds
Series:
Author: Lynda K. Scott
Genre: Sci-Fi
Published: February 2, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Book Blurb:

Spaceship captain Tara Rowan has her secrets. One is her Rider, Zie. Zie is an organic symbiote—like a living tattoo—that enhances Tara’s physical abilities, including superhuman strength and reflexes. The other is the past she’s tried so hard to leave behind her. But it’s not until oh-so-sexy Trace Munroe decides to blackmail Tara that she realizes her secrets aren’t so secret after all…

Trace is a Holy Knight who does everything by the book. Desperate to find a missing princess, he’ll do whatever it takes to rescue her and bring her kidnappers to justice. Including blackmail. Yet something about the feisty ship captain draws Trace in and stirs his desire—even if she is a wanted criminal. Because the last thing he needs is any complications…especially when he has his own secrets to hide.

**disclaimer: I received an e-ARC copy of Riding the Odds from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The fact that I did not pay for this novel does not change what I thought of it.**

Riding the Odds is sci-fi at its best. We have a female spaceship captain (an Independent so she’s on her own out there in the void of space) – a feisty, charming symbiote who steals not only hearts but the story – and a Holy Knight, who is deep undercover in his search for his missing sister, a kidnapped princess.

Read on for my thought on Riding the Odds. No true spoilers, promise.

Teaser Tuesday #3

Posted February 3, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 30 Comments

teaser tuesday One of the fun parts of taking part in blog hops (aside from getting to visit new to me blogs) is finding great ways to interact with other book lovers. This is one:

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“I love your body, I love every curve on you, how soft you are, how smooth your skin is.” He’s seducing me with his soft words, and if we weren’t standing so close, the mountain breeze would have blown the sound away.

“But the sexiest curve on your body is your sweet smile.” ~Loving Cara by Kristen Proby 45% in Kindle edition

Finished Loving Cara in the wee hours of this morning. One word? Yum. 😉

Loving Cara KP

Are You Ready For Mr. Grey?

Posted February 2, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

Valentine’s Day isn’t that far away. And neither is the premiere of Fifty Shades of Grey.

Are you ready?

Will you brave the theater?

Or wait for the chance to view Fifty Shades of Grey in the privacy of your own home, later?

I’m curious. Aren’t you?

The Series That Never Ends Challenge

Posted February 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 4 Comments

The-Series-that-Never-Ends-Challenge We all know those series that just keep on going. For me it’s the GhostWalkers series by Christine Feehan or the In Death series by J. D. Robb or even the Dark series by Christine Feehan (again). The series just takes on a life of its own.

There is a very interesting Challenge going on over at Delighted Reader – The Series that… Never Ends Challenge. The signup page, rules and information can be found by clicking on the graphic or on the written link above.

This is a very specific Challenge, the number of books read from a series matters a lot, so please head on over to the signup page and look it over before you decide what to do with this.

I own a lot of novels in ongoing series. But they do not count for this Challenge because I’ve read them already. This idea is to read a new to you series, or get caught up on one you started – as I said, very specific rules here.

I gave it a lot of thought – visited many author websites to find something that I hadn’t read, but could see myself finishing the series before the end of 2015.

I finally decided on Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series. It has 12 novels in it, at the moment plus a couple novellas. I’ve read Ms. Macombers works before, enjoy them but for some reason I have never read anything in that ongoing series.

I created a sub-page under Challenges to track my progress on this one. It’s located HERE. It’s a bit different than the others though. I have all the novels in the Cedar Cove series already listed on that page in order to quickly know which novel I’m looking for next in line. I will link each title as I read and review it for this blog.

Sound like something you might be interested in? Then head on over to Delighted Reader and check it out for yourself. 🙂

Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2015

Posted February 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

The Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2015 is being hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello Chelly. You can find the signup pages, information, rules and more by following the links above.

It’s hard to turn away from Reading Challenges when the subject is so close to my heart. During the time I spend on weekly memes, I have seen and read about a lot of Fantasy novels I want to read, many series I need to get caught up on. Taking part in this challenge just makes perfect sense.

I have a sub-page under Challenges for this one. I need to keep track of what I’ve read throughout the year. That is the easiest way to keep it documented. If you want to see what I’ve read so far that page is HERE.

If you read Fantasy, then this might be a Reading Challenge that you’d want to take part in. Go on, check it out. You know you want to 😉

Historical Romance Reading Challenge 2015

Posted February 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

I have loved Historical Romance novels for – well, as long as I’ve been a reading adult I suppose. Lords and Ladies, Prince and Princess they have always been on my bookshelves.

That’s why I was delighted to find the Historical Romance Reading Challenge 2015 hosted by Herding Cats & Burning Soup. You could find the signup page, information and rules by clicking either on the graphic or the written link above.

I’m aiming for the Level 3 of 24 novels read this year. I believe I can reach that goal, and perhaps a bit beyond – we shall see. I am lucky in that I have a very good friend who also enjoys Historical Romance novels and will bring me half a dozen each week plus the ones I have in the TBR pile, the ones I know I’m going to buy this year and the always available Library copies. 🙂 Yes, I really do love Historicals of all eras.

I have created a sub-page under Challenges to track my progress throughout the year. You could see how I’m doing HERE. Simply have to remember to update it when I finish a novel. That will be the most difficult of any Challenge I’ve joined… remember to track. 🙂

If you love Historicals and you know you’re going to be reading them anyway – why not click on the signup page link and join in the fun!

New Authors – Seeking New Escapes Reading Challenge 2015

Posted February 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

By following so many amazing book blogs I have discovered tons of new novels I want to read. Many are by authors unknown to me – so joining in on this challenge is perfect for my education and reading enjoyment this coming year.

New Authors – Seeking New Escapes a 2015 reading challenge is being hosted again by Literary Escapism. You can find the signup page, rules & suggestions plus the linky by following the link above or clicking on the graphic.

I am truly looking forward to a new year of brand new to me authors, exciting new novels to explore and perhaps finding new auto buy favorite authors along the way, too.

I have created a sub-page under Challenges to keep track of my progress this year. That can be found HERE if you’d like to find suggestions from my list. It just makes keeping track so much easier for me if I keep all the Challenges separate.

I’m going for the 25 new authors goal. How about you? Check it out, might as well have some fun while you discover new authors throughout the year. 🙂