Book Blogger Hop (7) & FF Friday

The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer from Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended December 31, 2012.

 Luckily, Billy from Coffee Addicted Writer will relaunch the Book Blogger Hop. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end on Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt just like before. The hop's purpose will remain the same as it will give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.

Q:  What are the top 5 books you would grab in an emergency?
A:  If my house was on fire AND I have the opportunity to save some books, I would grab my entire hardback collection of Jane Austen. My husband gave them to me for our 1st wedding anniversary and they are from Oxford Press. Beautiful books! Besides being Jane Austen, they have incredible sentimental value.

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!

Q:  What is your guilty pleasure as far as reading? Is it a genre, or is it a certain type of book?
A:  My guilty pleasure is some good urban fantasy; especially Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews and Kelley Armstrong.

Why I Love to Read: Book Blogs

Why I love to Read

Book Blogs

When I began my blog in May 2012, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know what a weekly meme, blog hops or blog tours were. All I wanted to do was write about the books I was reading. At that time I was completely immersed in supernatural fiction. I wasn't venturing beyond that genre.

Once I started posting regularly, I discovered that there is this amazing book blog community. I had no idea how many people had blogs that talk about how much they to read. What’s even better is that these blogs cover every genre imaginable. I have found so many new books and authors by visiting all of these amazing sites. Each blogger has his/her own favorite books and authors. I've read so many great reviews about books that I thought I would never try.

I remember when I started I had to Google the definition of a blog tour. I had no idea what it was. Now I participate in several. I love that blog tours introduce readers to new authors and releases. I, also, love giveaways that are included in the tours; not to mention all the wonderful author interviews and guest posts. You are exposed to so many different aspects of a book during a tour. It just makes you want to read that book even more.

I have yet to come across the nastiness of book blogging. I haven’t had any mean confrontations with other bloggers or authors. No jealousies either! For that, I’m very grateful. What I have experienced is a remarkable community who want to share new releases, covers, authors or whatever else he/her discovers in the book world. It makes me want to read more and more. With every new book recommendation, my TBR list is turning into Mount Everest. I will never be without something to read next.

Finding new authors is another pleasure of starting my own blog. Some people don’t like when they receive a cold email from an author wanting you to read and review their book. Actually, I enjoy it; but I don’t receive many. Maybe if I received tons I might get a little jaded. That being said, the authors that have sent me their books have been really good and the authors have been really kind when I didn't like their book.

So far, I've had a very positive experience with my book blog. I’m reading more than I ever have before. I’m reading new genres (graphic novels) and going back to my favorite genre (historical fiction). I've found some amazing blogs and met some great people.

In case you’re curious, here are some of my favorite book blogs: ·         Passages to the Past
·         The Relentless Reader
·         Oklahoma Women Bloggers
·         Indie Jane
·         Workaday Reads
·         Book Journey
·         (un)Conventional Bookviews
·         Peace Love Books
·         Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
·         Booklover Book Reviews
·         I Am a Reader, Not a Writer
·         Historical Tapestry
·         Austenprose
·         Austenesque Reviews
·         English Historical Fiction Authors
·         Austen Authors
·         My Jane Austen Book Club

Waiting on Wednesday: Hot Blooded

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My Waiting on Wednesday:

Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson
To Be Released on April 23, 2013

It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.
Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.
Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.
Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.
All in a day's work for a girl.
The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties...

Review: Full Blooded

Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Published by Orbit Books

Published on September 11, 2012

322 Pages

Urban Fantasy

Received as a gift from the author

                                                         

 

Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

 

Let me start by saying that I love urban fantasy and especially werwolves. I have very high standards when it comes to books about both and Full Blooded didn't disappoint. I loved the story and the characters. Ms. Carlson created a world of supernaturals that I truly emjoyed and definitely want to read more.

 

Jessica McClain makes a wonderful werewolf. She's strong, bold and with a touch of feminine guile. Her transition from human to the only female werewolf makes for some really good reading. There is action at every turn and a little bit of sex to make it really entertaining and fun. Jessica has a great personality and loyal beyond anything else.

 

One of the main I love werewolves is their sense of Pack. The loyalty really gets to me. I don't care for the absolute authority in the Alpha but the tight bonds that holds the Pack together is really amazing. Jessica has a tight family bond inside the Pack. Her father and brother plus several other Pack members would die to protect her and she for them. I respect that very much.

 

Full Blooded briefly touched upon an intense relationship for Jessica. It's a very interesting match and sparks definitely fly between the two of them. I can't wait to see how it develops. The book ends with a little bit of a cliffhanger that centers around her potential love interest. Usually, cliffhangers drive me crazy and this one did as well. However, the second book, Hot Blooded, comes out in two months. I don't have that long to wait. Thank goodness!!