Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Random Acts of Kindness - July Wrap-Up

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Book Soulmates
RAK is a monthly meme hosted by Book Soulmates. You can find out more and join in on the fun HERE.

My July RAK - Sent

Lexi



My July RAK - Received

Nada

I didn't get to send out very much because I had a LOT of giveaways this month. Anywho, we shall see what next month holds!

Now that we have that settled, can I see your RAK? *wags eyebrows*

Blog Tour (Interview): Flight of Blue by A.E. Howard

1 comment:



A cursed traffic light. A rip in the fabric of the world. A possum sorcerer injured on a quest for revenge.

Kai and Ellie embark on a journey to return the sorcerer to his home. Entangled in events that could destroy the world, Kai must choose whether to accept the role he was born to play, but isn’t sure he wants.




Hi Anna, thank you so much for coming to Bibliophilia, Please to answer some questions for us! In your own words, can you tell us a little about your book, Flight of Blue?

Monday, July 30, 2012

Blog Tour (Interview & Giveaway): The 5 Moons of Tiiana by Paul T. Harry

2 comments:


Captain Rez Cantor is a diplomacy officer in the Imperial Army, and personal attaché to Princess Leanna, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the Emperor, and sole heir to the Melelan throne.

On the eve of a treaty signing ending the twelve-year-war between the alien-hybrid Relcor and the Empire, Rez Cantor learns that the Imperial family has been slated for death. Under orders from his Queen, Rez is given his final command–save the Princess at all costs.

Overcoming incredible odds, Rez abducts Leanna, and the two flee Melela along with others of the Imperial guard. Unfortunately, their ship is nuked as it enters warp creating an event horizon that sends the ship 128,000 light years across the galaxy to the Moons of Tiiana. It is on one of these moons that Rez awakens on a beach–injured and alone–without the Princess.

So begins the sojourn of Rez Cantor upon the Moons of Tiiana: Five moons stagnating from a 2000 year-old war that has left its alien races in limbo and decay. Five moons that crave a hero bold enough to lead its people out of the darkness. Five moons that hold the future of the Melelan Empire deep within the ashes of war.


Mr. Harry, thank you so much for stopping by Bibliophilia, Please today! If you would be so kind, could you please tell us a little about your novel in your own words.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Blog Tour (Review): Let's Hear it for Almigal by Wendy Kupfer

2 comments:

This fun and original picture book introduces Almigal, a spunky little girl with hearing loss who is now determined to hear every single sound in the universe thanks to her new cotton candy pink cochlear implants. These sounds include a baby's funny giggle, the robin's chirps outside the window, the soft song played during ballet class, and especially her best friend Chloe's teeny-tiny voice. But most of all, Almigal wants to hear her parents whisper to her when they tuck her into bed every night. Almigal's spirit will have both children and parents alike rooting for her, while the story delivers a positive message about accepting and celebrating differences.

Title: Let's Hear It For Almigal
Author: Wendy Kupfer, Tammie Lyon (Illus.)
Publisher: Handfinger Press
Release Date: April 16, 2012
Acquired via: JKS Communications

When Let's Hear It For Almigal arrived in the mail from JKS Communications, my five year old daughter immediately snatched it up and ran to her bedroom to look at the book. Since I received the book for reviewing purposes, I had to negotiate with Bug (my daughter) in order to have a turn with the book. The end result - I got a turn to read the book, but I had to read it aloud to her. Being as it is a children's book, I think reading it in this manner was best for the review.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lazy Days of Summer Giveaway Hop (INT)

13 comments:

Welcome to my stop on the Lazy Days of Summer Giveaway Hop hosted by the lovely Laura at Colorimetry and Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer! Because of the name of the hop, I am going to take this opportunity to be as lazy as possible. No worries - this is a good thing for you!

What You Can Win

Thankful Thursday (3)

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Thankful Thursday is a feature on the last Thursday of every month here at Bibliophilia, Please. It allows me to share not only the books that I receive, but also the bloggers, authors, lolcats, aliens, and other entities on the interwebz that made my month amazing.

Hi, guys! It's actually me blogging! *twirls* I apologize for things being a bit slow around here, but you guys are consistently awesome in still hanging about. Last month I had to deal with doctor visit after doctor visit, and this month was crazy because of a very hard out-of-town funeral, dating (don't be too shocked - I'm not THAT old!), and a sick baby. I won't even get started on the crap my email account has been giving me. By the way, if I was supposed to respond to an email you sent me - let me know. I may have sent it and then had it eaten by Interwebz Gremlins.


*shudders* Anywho, on with the thankfulness!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

1 comment:
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Author: Richard Kadrey
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: August 28, 2012

Getting out of hell is just the beginning.

What do you do after you've escaped Hell, gone back, uncovered the true nature of God, and then managed to become the new Lucifer?

Well, if you're James Stark, you have to figure out how to run Hell while also trying to get back out of it . . . again. Plus there's the small matter of surviving. Because everyone in Heaven, Hell, and in between wants to be the fastest gun in the universe, and the best way to do so is to take down Lucifer, a.k.a. James Stark.

And it's not like being in L.A. is any better--a serial-killer ghost is running wild and Stark's angelic alter ego is hiding among the lost days of time with a secret cabal who can rewrite reality. Starting to care for people and life again is a real bitch for a stone-cold killer.


What are you waiting on this week?

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Dumb Characters

6 comments:
Over the past months, I’ve begun to notice certain things in books that I hadn’t before. I’m normally an easy going reader – I don’t pick up on plot holes, inconsistent logic, and fails of that nature. Even when I do notice them, I usually suspend disbelief and what not, keep reading, and don’t let that ruin the experience.

But that attitude has begun to fray at the edges. Now when I notice them, I roll my eyes, tisk tisk, or just curse at the character (sailor fashion, otherwise you’re doing it wrong, matey). What’s really getting to me lately is dumb choices. Not ill-informed ones – I get it if the character makes a bad choice because he or she didn’t have all the information provided to us as readers. What I mean is stupid choices, having something glaringly obvious slap you in the face and go wondering where that extremely strong gust of wind came from. It’s having two delineated paths and choosing the one which will obviously create the most problems, only to then have the character painted as this witty, clever PI, for example, and very successful right up until someone wrote a book about them – at which point they apparently had their common sense removed and replaced by a watermelon. Hmm... watermelon... Anyway!


Friday, July 20, 2012

Team Percy Update & Giveaway Winners

3 comments:

As many of you already know, my crush - Percy Jackson - lost his match against Patch (from Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick) in the YA Crush Tourney over at the YA-Sisterhood on Monday. Even though we did not take the victory, I still feel like we won in other ways. I got to see some really fantastic tweets about Percy, and we were able to bond over a really fantastic fictional character.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Vacation Reads Giveaway Hop (US/CAN)

3 comments:

Hi kids! Thank you for stopping by Bibliophilia, Please for my stop on the Vacation Reads Giveaway Hop! This hop is being hosted by the mindblowingly awesome Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Jasmine at Bookish Mama.

There is one book that I have been dying to read this year, and I really want to read it this summer. During my effort of getting my hands on a copy, I ended up with two. So today I'm giving away the ARC I received during a trade that is in fantastic condition. Wonder which book I'm talking about?

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Vote Percy Jackson in the YA Crush Tourney!

6 comments:
For the next 24 hours my co-advocate (everyone should have one of these for real!) Ashley from Wholly Books and I are participating in the YA Crush Tourney, representing the son of the sea god Poseidon, child of the prophecy, Roman legionnaire, and crush to be reckoned with -

the One

the Only

Percy Jackson!

Are you swooning yet? You should be. Imagine this - dark black hair, deep sea green eyes, tall, loyal, a sarcastic sense of humor, and willing to save the world again and again. He's risked his life to save his friends, as well as his enemies, throughout two series of books.
“Your fatal flaw is personal loyalty, Percy. You do not know when it is time to cut your losses. To save a friend, you would sacrifice the world. In a hero of the prophecy, that is very, very dangerous.” - Athena, The Titan's Curse p. 298
But every hero has a fatal flaw. Percy Jackson? He’s too loyal to his friends. He cant’s give them up, not for anything. He was told that, years ago. And someday soon, he’s going to face a sacrifice he can’t make.” - Mars, Son of Neptune p. 364

Blog Tour (Review & Giveaway): The Wild Princess by Mary Hart Perry

7 comments:


To the court and subjects of Queen Victoria, young Princess Louise—later the Duchess of Argyll—was the “Wild One.” Proud and impetu¬ous, she fought the constraints placed on her and her brothers and sisters, dreamed of becoming an artist, and broke with a three-hundred-year-old tradition by marrying outside of the privileged circle of European royals. Some said she wed for love. Others whispered of a scandal covered up by the Crown. It will take a handsome American, recruited by the queen’s elite Secret Service, to discover the truth. But even as Stephen Byrne— code name the Raven—vows to risk his life to protect the royal family from violent Irish radicals, he tempts Louise with a forbidden love that could prove just as dangerous.

In the vein of Philippa Gregory, Mary Hart Perry tells the riveting story of an extraordinary woman—a princess who refused to give up on her dreams, including her right to true love.


When I first discovered that Innovative Online Book Tours was doing a review tour for The Wild Princess, I jumped at the opportunity. Historical fiction is one of my favorite alternatives to science fiction/fantasy. Philippa Gregory is one of my absolute favorite authors, so I could not get my hands on the book quickly enough.

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop (INT)

5 comments:

Welcome to my stop on the No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop hosted by the lovely Kathy at I Am a Reader, Not A Writer. Being as most of my giveaways have no strings attached, it will be no different from my other giveaways. My giveaway is INTERNATIONAL as long as the Book Depository or Fishpond delivers to you for free. The prize today is going to be a paperback book of your choosing, as long as it is less than $10US. There are quite a few newly released books that come in that format, so no frowns please! (They do not get nearly the attention they deserve.)

Giveaway Requirements
  • Be thirteen (13) years old, have parental consent, or lie about it. (Please don't do that.) 
  • Live somewhere that can get shipments from Amazon, Fishpond, or the Book Depository for free. 
  • Be Awesome (and fill out the Rafflecopter). 
  • Following is NOT required, but it is always appreciated. Your options are on my sidebar, but I will tell you that I am yet to figure out Linky. 
  • You can help me spread the word, but it isn't required.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

July New Release Blog Hop

17 comments:

Welcome to my stop on the July New Release Giveaway Hop! It is being hosted by the magnificent O'Dell at Book Twirps and the glorious Dani at Refracted Light Reviews - which is very awesome of them. On my stop, you can enter to win a book that was released in July. It can be a picture book, middle-grade, young adult, literary, erotica - just try to keep it under $12US. Here are some ideas for you:


My First Review of the First Book I Ever Read

2 comments:
I’ve been struggling with the choice of what book to review first. I tried deciding by genre. Urban fantasy maybe? I LOVE The Dresden Files series (Jim Butcher). Or a space opera? I just finished A Rising Thunder (David Weber). The thought kept rattling around my empty skull, until a thought made its presence known. Since this is our first review, let’s make it about the first book we ever read. You may have noticed a plural or two there. Nothing to see here. This is not the multiple personality disorder you’re looking for. *waves Jedi arm thingy frantically*


I have read books before The Lord of the Rings. I even remember a few titles. Sandokan, The House of the Spirits, and that’s ALL I remember! And I only remember the titles at that. I do know there were some pirates in Sandokan. Maybe some jungle. Maybe a turban or three? And The House of the Spirits was about a... haunted house or something. I wasn’t paying attention. Ghostbusters anyone?(Whoyougonnacall!?)

So, even though I have read books before, they obviously left no impression whatsoever. The Lord of the Rings on the other hand, changed me. It gave me magic, wizards, elves, dwarves, quests, evil overlords. It’s important to me. It’s (dare I say?) precious. Jeje*.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up

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Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

Once again, thank you so much to Angela at Reading Angel, Lori at Pure Imagination, and Candace at Candace's Book Blog for hosting the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon, which I enjoyed thoroughly. I didn't reach all of my goals, but here's how I did as of 12:01 CST, July 11th:

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

3 comments:
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Title: A Wolf at the Door (Jesse James Dawson #3)
Author: K. A. Stewart
Publisher: Roc
Release Date: August 7, 2012

STAR STRUCK

Jesse James Dawson was once an ordinary man until he discovered that demons were real, and fighting them meant putting his own soul on the line. His new case is a beauty: Gretchen Keene, a Hollywood starlet who's become an unwitting catalyst in an all-out demon war. It's not her soul Jesse needs to protect, but the two-hundred-and-seventy-six others she's carting around--all the souls sold to spend just one night with the blonde bombshell. That's a lot of baggage, although it might explain her meteoric rise to fame. And it's all up for grabs by the demon world.

All Jesse has to do is keep her safe until New Years. Sounds easy. But darkness is casting a nasty shadow in the California sun--a new unseen enemy is closing in and leaving Jesse to wonder, how do you fight something you can't see coming?


Pre-Order Here: Amazon | Book Depository | Fishpond
Be sure to add it to your TBR on Goodreads!

What are you waiting on this week?


Kayla is out of town for a family emergency and not participating this week. Tune in next week for both picks!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Summer Lovin' Giveaway Hop (INT)

24 comments:

Welcome to the Bibliophilia, Please stop on the Summer Lovin' Giveaway Hop! It was brought to you by our wonderful hosts, I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Tifferz Book Review. The novels being focused upon this go-round are of the romance genre. I don't read too many books that are considered "romance", but I am going to offer the winner the choice of one of my three favorite books of 2012 with an über swoon-worthy love.


Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Skylark by Meagan Spooner (pre-order)
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna (pre-order)

Giveaway Requirements

Guest Post by Jane Kindred (& Giveaway) - The House of Arkhangel'sk Blog Tour

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Thanks for having me on Bibliophilia, Please today! This week I’m kicking off the second half of my blog tour for the first two books in my House of Arkhangel’sk series from Entangled Publishing: The Fallen Queen, re-released in mass-market trade paperback in June, and The Midnight Court, coming August 14. The middle book of the trilogy, The Midnight Court sees the return of Grand Duchess Anazakia and her demon cohorts, Belphagor and Vasily. Some readers have expressed concern about whether Belphagor and Vasily still feature prominently in the series. I’ll let you in on a little secret: even though it’s Anazakia’s story, my naughty demons are the real protagonists of House of Arkhangel’sk. They aren’t going anywhere, and they will only get naughtier. One very smexy demon, in fact, will be appearing on the cover of The Midnight Court, but for now you’ll just have to imagine him in the blog tour banner above, as the artwork is still being finalized.

Of Mushroom Mounds and Fairy Courts

If you happen to be traipsing through the woods some afternoon, you may come upon a circular mound of mushrooms in a clearing where the dances of fairies have left their mark. The scientific explanation for this is a fungal proliferation of mycelium strands in the soil that stimulates a circular growth of new grass, followed by a profusion of mushroom clusters after a rain as the fungus fruits.

I think it’s more fun to imagine the Unseen folk stepping out on a moonlit night for mischief.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

5 comments:

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

First off, a big shout-out to Angela at Reading Angel, Lori at Pure Imagination, and Candace at Candace's Book Blog for being awesome and hosting the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon. I'm pretty behind on my reading because of All The Things*, so I thought this would be a great time to join my first Read-a-Thon. *squee* I don't know how much I'll be able to get done due to some extenuating circumstances which have come up (hence the late post about this), but I'm sure I'll get a bit done in the car. Soooooo enough of my rambling. Here's what I'm hoping to read:

The Wild Princess by Mary Hart Perry
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

I would list more, but I'll be blown away if I can finish three books in three days. I'll post updates here, I reckon, and link my reviews back to this post whenever I get them put up.

Have a great week!

UPDATE #1 - 11:10pm CST July 10, 2012

I'm about 89% of the way through The Wild Princess. I hope to finish it before bed. (I had to take a break because I was getting carsick.) I'm super excited about Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses! *dances*

UPDATE #2 - 11:05am CST July 11, 2012

I'm a little over halfway through Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses. I know I probably won't finish Seraphina today, but at least I'm on a roll!

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop (INT)

12 comments:

Welcome to my stop on the Christmas in July Giveaway Hop hosted by My Pathway to Books and Claire Reads! This is a little bit different than the usual giveaway hops that I participate in because I don't get to tell you what you win. Maybe it's a toaster. Or perhaps a visit from Santa LOLcat -


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Reading with No Expectations

4 comments:
First of all, why do I get ideas to write a post when I’m about to fall asleep and have nowhere to write? I wrote pretty much this whole post last night and now I only remember bits and pieces… GAH!

Second of all, I should be working instead of writing this. But if I do, I’d have forgotten even more of what I wanted to say. So… PROCRASTINATION ON! *whirring sound*


I’ve been reading a book recently called Wild Cards, an anthology edited by George R.R. Martin. The idea sounded interesting, with ordinary people gaining super powers. The editor is famous and supposedly a REALLY good writer. (Confession time – I have never read anything by Mr. Martin... Now I feel dirty...) Yes, I recognized the names of some of the authors in the anthology, such as George R.R. Martin, Roger Zelazny, so on and so forth. So it should have been an enjoyable experience, right?

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Summer Reads Giveaway Hop (INT)

18 comments:

First things first, thank you so much to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Rex Robot Reviews for hosting this wonderful hop that is sure to be a lot of fun. It is going to be especially fun for you because I have been completely overwhelmed with work and have not given any thought at all to the prize.

Soooooo... If you win, you get to choose your own prize. I just ask that you try to keep it below $12US because I am trying to bribe people into joining Team Percy and voting for him later this month in the YA Sisterhood's 2nd Annual Crush Tourney. (If you like to be bribed, please go HERE.) The book you choose can be young adult, middle grade, comic, graphic novel, erotica, adult - whatever you want.

Giveaway Requirements

Blog Tour (Review): Riser by Becca C. Smith

4 comments:



Title: Riser
Release Date: June 10, 2010

Riser is a science fiction novel by Becca C. Smith that is aimed at a young adult audience. It tells the story of Chelsan Der̩e, a young girl who lives in the United States in the year 2320. Although aging has been cured, people (and other animate creatures) still die of other causes Рand Chelsan can raise the dead. While she tries to discover herself and the source of her powers, she has to overcome betrayal, heartache, and figure out why someone wants her dead.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (22)

2 comments:
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Will's Pick:


Author: Ben Aaronovitch
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: July 31, 2012

A WHOLE NEW REASON TO MIND THE GAP

It begins with a dead body at the far end of Baker Street tube station, all that remains of American exchange student James Gallagher—and the victim’s wealthy, politically powerful family is understandably eager to get to the bottom of the gruesome murder. The trouble is, the bottom—if it exists at all—is deeper and more unnatural than anyone suspects . . . except, that is, for London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant. With Inspector Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, tied up in the hunt for the rogue magician known as “the Faceless Man,” it’s up to Peter to plumb the haunted depths of the oldest, largest, and—as of now—deadliest subway system in the world.

At least he won’t be alone. No, the FBI has sent over a crack agent to help. She’s young, ambitious, beautiful . . . and a born-again Christian apt to view any magic as the work of the devil. Oh yeah—that’s going to go well.


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Blog Tour (First Chapter): Murder on Spyglass Lane by JM Griffin

6 comments:


Photobucket


Artist Sarah McDougall flees from New England to Florida's west coast thinking she can escape her unwanted psychic abilities. When she finds a dead body buried under the sand trap on the thirteenth hole of the golf course behind her home, Sarah realizes she was mistaken. She is stuck with an ability that will nearly be her undoing. Unable to shake the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, Sarah turns to her neighbor Raven DeVille, a swashbuckling pirate-like handsome man, for help, only to find he has secrets of his own. The duo investigates the murder with surprising twists that place Sarah in harms way more often than she ever thought possible.

Chapter One

Eerie owl hoots echoed across the thirteenth green. A full harvest moon spilled its golden glow across the golf course. I walked Sparky on our nightly stroll along the cart path. We were near Spyglass Lane, the cul-de-sac where I lived. My house loomed in the shadows a short distance away.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Join Team Percy!

10 comments:


As you may have gathered by now, I'm the advocate for #TeamPercy in the YA-Sisterhood's 2nd Annual Crush Tourney. However, I want YOU on the team! Percy wants you on the team. Either way, I am willing to offer you a bribe. I am offering up pre-orders of the newest book that features Percy Jackson that you can win: