Feature and Follow Friday #177

Welcome to the Feature & Follow

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Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

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!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope all of you celebrating Thanksgiving today have a wonderful meal and time with your family. And to everyone else, have a fabulous rest of the week and weekend!

Waiting on Wednesdays: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Publish Date: July 29, 2014

Publisher: Razorbill

I finished The Fiery Heart a few days ago and immediately started foaming at the mouth for the next Bloodlines book. Unfortunately, I'm going to be doing a lot of foaming since the next book doesn't come out until July. Boo.

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Release Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Purchased

Summary

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

There are surprisingly few books that I buy and begin reading on the day they're released. Richelle Mead's Bloodlines series falls into that vaunted category. I waited for The Fiery Heart with bated breath for month and dug into it as soon as it was released.

Review: Day of the Doctor

This isn't book-related, but so many bloggers are huge Doctor Who fans that I think a review of the fabulous, wonderful, awesome Fiftieth Anniversary special is warranted.

If my adjectives in the previous sentence aren't enough of a clue, here's my three word review:

I loved it!

Day of the Doctor: 2 Hours to Go!!!!

It's Doctor Who day!!!!!!

I am so very excited. I've only been a fan of the show since May but I have become unbelievably obsessed.

I cannot wait to see the Tenth Doctor (My Doctor), Rose, Eleven, and Clara all together. I only wish Nine, Donna, and Captain Jack could be there too (who knows, maybe they'll show up, but I doubt it).

Feature and Follow Friday #176

Welcome to the Feature & Follow

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Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

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!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

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Waiting on Wednesday: Fireblood by Trisha Wolfe

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!

Fireblood by Trisha Wolfe

Publish Date: December 17, 2013

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

I'm a fan of Spencer Hill Press. I'm excited to see what they're putting out next and this sounds pretty great!

Australia and New Zealand Bloggers

Guess what?

I'm going to Australia and New Zealand for 2.5 weeks in January!!!!

We're going to be in Sydney for about 4 days and then go on an 11 day cruise around the coast of New Zealand. We will stop in Napier, Wellington, Picton, and Dunedin.

Author Interview: Miranda Kenneally of Racing Savannah

Have you read the Hundred Oaks series yet? If not, you really should. It's one of the best contemporary YA series out there right now. Each book features a strong female character who is typically passionate about a sport and also has some fabulous romance.

Get the series!

Crossing Jordan: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Stealing Parker: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Things I Can't Forget: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
Racing Savannah: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

Release Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

Feature and Follow Friday #175

Welcome to the Feature & Follow

---

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

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!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

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Is Book Blogging Declining?

Have you noticed a change in the book blogging community in recent months?

My comments and pageviews have decreased in the last 3-4 months. I attributed it to a lack of commenting and involvement in the blogging community on my part. While I'm sure that is a factor, now I'm starting to wonder if it's a symptom of a larger issue.

Other bloggers I've spoken with have also noticed a downturn in pageviews. Our Follow Friday meme, while still well-trafficked, is receiving fewer sign-ups and pageviews as well.

What's going on?

Waiting on Wednesday: Snakeroot by Andrea Cremer

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!

Snakeroot (Nightshade Legacy #1) by Andrea Cremer

Publish Date: December 10, 2013

Publisher: Philomel

I've only read the first Nightshade book, but I really enjoyed it. I want to finish the series and check out this new one set in the same world.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Spoiler Free)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Release Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Purchased

Summary

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

It seems almost inevitable that the final book in a beloved series will disappoint. I was disappointed by Breaking Dawn and so disappointed by Mockingjay that it tainted my view of the whole series. I expected not to like Allegiant, especially after hordes of fans were spitting fire at Veronica Roth like deranged dragons. My opinion differs from many readers. I love, loved the ending. The journey to that point...not so much.

GIVEAWAY! Feature and Follow Friday #174

Welcome to the Feature & Follow

---

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

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!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

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All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Release Date: September, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: BEA

Summary

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

Wow. There are few books that manage to successfully tug at all your emotions - happiness, sadness, anger, affection, grief - and also engage your brain in such a way that you feel smarter after having read it. All Our Yesterdays is one of those books.

Waiting on Wednesday: Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Publish Date: December 24, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This sounds great. Set in the not quite high school, not quite college time frame. Something not enough YA books cover.

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Release Date: November 26, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Netgalley

Summary

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other. (courtesy of Goodreads.)

Review

Katie McGarry has created a pattern of steamy hot, fun bad girl/good guy (or bad guy/good girl) romances over the course of three books. She established a close friendship between three troubled teens in her first novel Pushing the Limits - Noah, Beth, and Isaiah. Each has been the star of his or her own novel and found the love of that character's life.

Manga Mondays #169: Kekkaishi vol. 10 by Yellow Tanabe

Manga Mondays Meme

I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 3 years ago. It started out as a personal feature, but I decided to turn it into a meme last year. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme is a great way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.

The linky will be below my review.

Kekkaishi vol. 10 by Yellow Tanabe

Summary

The Kokuboro ayakashi launch a major assault on the Karasumori site to siphon its magical energies to heal their ailing princess. When our friends' mysterious new ally Gen pulls out every last stop to battle them, they make him an offer he can't refuse--join their demon alliance or perish! (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.

Yay for more Kekkaishi! It has been nearly two years since I read the 9th volume of Kekkaishi. Now I've moved (twice) and my library doesn't carry any copies of Kekkaishi nor can I find it at Barnes & Noble. So I was forced to...gasp...buy it.