Follow My Book Blog Friday (22)

This is a meme hosted every Friday by Parajunkee, where book bloggers answer a question each week and check out how others answered it. It's a cool way for bloggers and viewers to connect and learn more about each other!

Question: Go count the number of unread books sitting on your shelf. How many? 

Answer: 171 I know, I couldn't believe it either. At first I was like...

But then, really 171 is not that bad because you know what? I LOVE BOOKS! So having that many books that I haven't read is perfectly okay with me because I know I'll always have something to read at home. And honestly, I can't help from buying books even though I know I have 171 sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. I'll read them eventually...I promise! That's why I joined the TBR challenge this year, to try to make a dent in my TBR pile. Hopefully I can get through a bunch this year! 

2012 Romance Blog Tour and Giveaway

All I Want Is You
By Sherrill Bodine
Release Date: January 1, 2012

Summary: SHE'S STEALING HIS HEART . . . 

Vintage boutique owner Venus Smith is stunned to realize her newest acquisition comes with a larcenous legend. Stolen years ago, the antique mermaid brooch belongs to the Clayworth family. The right thing to do would be to return it, but that means facing Connor Clayworth O'Flynn, the sexy department store heir Venus has had an unrequited crush on since childhood-and the man who helped ruin her father. 

ONE KISS AT A TIME 

Connor knows that Venus has never forgiven him for what happened between their families. But business isn't personal, even though Venus's father's betrayal still cuts him like a knife. So when Venus proposes a deal-she'll return his family's brooch if he helps clear her father's name-he reluctantly agrees. As action-packed days turn into flirtatious fall nights, it isn't long before old memories resurface . . . and new desires ignite. Can two young lovers leave the past behind? Or must they first admit that all they've ever really wanted . . . is each other? ***Check out my review here***

Sanctuary Cove

By Rochelle Alers

Release Date: January 1, 2012

Summary: Sometimes love is the simplest choice of all.

Still reeling from her husband's untimely death, Deborah Robinson needs a fresh start. So she decides to pack up her family, box up her bookstore, and return to her grandmother's ancestral home on Cavanaugh Island. The charming town of Sanctuary Cove holds happy memories for Deborah. And, after she spies a gorgeous stranger in the local bakery, it promises the possibility for a bright, new future.

Dr. Asa Monroe is at a crossroads. Ever since the loss of his family, he has been on a quest for faith and meaning, traveling from one town to another. When he meets Deborah, the beautiful bookstore owner with the warm eyes and sunny smile, Asa believes he has finally found a reason to stay in one place.

As friendship blossoms into romance, Deborah and Asa discover they may have a second chance at love. But small towns have big secrets. Before they can begin their new life together, the couple must confront a challenge they never expected . . . ***Review soon to come***

***Giveaway***

For being a part of this blog tour, I have two sets of these books to give away to my awesome followers! Just fill out the rafflecopter below for your chance to win! Good luck! Giveaway ends January 9th! ***US ONLY***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: The Pleasure of Your Kiss by Teresa Medeiros

The Pleasure of Your Kiss

By Teresa Medeiros 

Release Date: December 27, 2011

Summary: Ashton Burke is a legendary adventurer who has spent the past ten years roaming the globe to forget the girl he left behind. His devil-may-care life is interrupted when he's hired to rescue his brother's kidnapped fiancée from a sultan's harem. Too late, he discovers she is none other than Clarinda Cardew, the very same girl who made off with his jaded heart a decade ago. The last thing Clarinda wants is to be trapped in a palace of sensual delights with the man whose irresistible kisses still haunt her sleepless nights. Although he vows he is only doing his job, Clarinda quickly realizes that allowing Ashton to rescue her may put her yearning heart in even greater peril. In a journey that takes them from the delicious intrigues of a sultan's court to the glittering ballrooms of London, Ashton and Clarinda resume the steps of their dangerous dance only to discover the most seductive pleasure of all may be love itself. ***Check out my review of this awesome book here***

Book Review: The Pleasure of Your Kiss by Teresa Medeiros

The Pleasure of Your Kiss
By Teresa Medeiros
Release Date: December 27, 2011

Summary: Ashton Burke is a legendary adventurer who has spent the past ten years roaming the globe to forget the girl he left behind. His devil-may-care life is interrupted when he's hired to rescue his brother's kidnapped fiancée from a sultan's harem. Too late, he discovers she is none other than Clarinda Cardew, the very same girl who made off with his jaded heart a decade ago. 

The last thing Clarinda wants is to be trapped in a palace of sensual delights with the man whose irresistible kisses still haunt her sleepless nights. Although he vows he is only doing his job, Clarinda quickly realizes that allowing Ashton to rescue her may put her yearning heart in even greater peril. In a journey that takes them from the delicious intrigues of a sultan's court to the glittering ballrooms of London, Ashton and Clarinda resume the steps of their dangerous dance only to discover the most seductive pleasure of all may be love itself.

Review: Ahhh yet another great historical romance novel :) I was really excited to be able to get this book for review because I don't read nearly enough historical romances. Reading this one made me realize how much I missed them! Since the first page of this book, I was hooked. I loved Clarinda's character and how she had actually had her heart broken by the infamous, adventurous Ashton Burke. And even though a majority of the time Clarinda was seen as the damsel in distress, she could really hold her own when it came to handling men. 

The story was fast paced and engaging, dealing with Clarinda's fiancé (who happens to be Ashton's brother) hiring Ash to rescue her from a Sultan who had bought her from pirates. Clarinda and Ash's chemistry was undeniable, but Clarinda was already engaged to two men (his brother and the sultan) and Ash had already walked out of her life 10 years ago. What a tangled web, huh? I also liked the side-romances that occurred in the book, especially with Poppy, Clarinda's best friend who was captured with her. 

What I liked best about this book was how the ending was very surprising and really wrapped everything up. This whole story was charming and addicting and I really can't wait for the next book that is a brand new historical romance and deals with one of the very handsome characters of this book!

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

This is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where every Wednesday bloggers highlight a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of! 

When You Open Your Eyes

By Celeste Conway

Release Date: March 20th

Summary: Tessa is in love with Lucien, the son of a European diplomat. He's French and sexy and artistic. With him, she realizes how naive and American she is, and just how alive she can feel.

But Tessa’s father forbids her to see Lucien. So they meet in secret, which makes their relationship feel all the more exciting.

The harder Tessa falls for Lucien, the more volatile he becomes. Suddenly it’s not just their relationship that’s breaking the rules—Lucien knows no boundaries. And Tessa must figure out how far she’ll go for Lucien…before there is no turning back.

So after reading this summary, I'm not really sure what to expect about this book. In the beginning, it seems like it's going to be a cute, foreign love story like Anna and the French Kiss, but near the end Lucien "knows no boundaries." This makes it seem like he's actually mean, or even abusive. Either way, it sounds like a great read! I'd like it more if it were a fun, light-hearted read, but if it ends up being deep and about serious issues, I know it'll be a good book!

Movie Review: The Three Musketeers

Summary: The hot-headed young D'Artagnan along with three former legendary but now down on their luck Musketeers must unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war.


Review: I absolutely LOVED the 1993 version of this movie, so I was really excited to see the newly improved version in theaters. This version was definitely new (including flying ships) but I would have to say nothing can beat the Kiefer Sutherland/Chris O'Donnell movie. 


Looking at this movie by itself, though, it was pretty good. D'Artagnan was as young and arrogant as ever, but he really made the movie with his passion and fearlessness really bringing the Musketeers together. What I liked in this movie was how the Countess de Winter had a bigger part in this movie and it was really explained how she betrayed Athos. I loved the time period it was portrayed in, with their clothes, dialect, and tools. There was rarely a dull moment in the story and the action was really fun to watch. 


Though I'd recommend the 1993 version over this one (which if you haven't seen, get it NOW), this newer version was actually fun to watch. It was weird seeing Orlando Bloom as a villain, but he made it work. So as a movie, The Three Musketeers brought back the story we all know and love with a new and interesting twist.

In My Mailbox (20)

In My Mailbox is a meme that I picked up from The Story Siren's blog. It's where we share the new books that we've gotten for that week with our readers. These books could be from the library, the store, or from the writers/publishers for review. Whatever the reason, I will share my new books every Sunday!

From Publisher/Author

Earlier this month, I had entered a contest to win one copy of Winter's Kiss from Jennifer Echol's website. A couple of weeks ago I got an email from her saying she had extra and asked if I wanted a review copy! I said yes (of course) and it came in the mail this week! This book includes her copy of The Ex Games and The Twelves Dates of Christmas by Catherine Hapka. It's going to be the perfect winter read :)

From Santa

For a Follow Friday post in late November, bloggers were supposed to make a "wish list" of books they wanted Santa to bring them that year. I posted a bunch of books and then basically forgot all about that post because I never get that many new releases, so I wasn't expecting to get them. Come Christmas morning, I opened a box and sitting in it were these four AMAZING books! I got so excited because I had no idea my mom was going to get them for me. Needless to say, my mom is awesome (who I know is reading this because she always does. Hi Mom!!). I am super excited to dig into these books because I've been pining for them! They all look so amazing and they're all mine! I ended up having a very good Christmas :)

From Barnes and Noble 

 

Along with my four awesome books I got from Santa, I also got a Barnes and Noble gift card! So a couple of days ago I visited the store and came out with these two lovely books :) I'm excited to read these too because they've been on my TBR list for a while and the covers are just so cool! The Predicteds hasn't gotten that great of reviews of Goodreads, but I guess we'll see how I like it!

From Library Sale 

This book was on sale for a dollar at the library so I picked it up. It looks like something I would love to read and it's by the author who wrote The Devil Wears Prada, which was an awesome movie. Just another book to add to my ever-growing bookshelf! Maybe I'll read it for the TBR list challenge this year...

Movies from Santa and Half Price Books

Santa was VREY good to me this year! He got me the first four movies (Including the second season of Vampire Diaries, which is the best show ever!!!). The last four I got on sale at Half Price Books and when they were having their 20% sale. So I got tons of great movies to bring back to school with me! 

I don't know about you, but I'd say my mailbox was pretty amazing this week! And that's it! I hope you all had a very happy New Year and a great mailbox from the last week of 2011!