Feature and Follow Friday #220

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 ayou 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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Wonderfully Wicked Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

Wonderfully Wicked by C.J. Burright

Release Date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Swoon Romance

Summary

He haunts her dreams and embodies her nightmares…

Waiting on Wednesdays: My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

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

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Publish Date: February 10, 2015

Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray

I was initially drawn to this book because of the title. Heart and Black holes? Who could want more. But the synopsis sounds fabulous. Definitely something I want to read.

"Smart, Strong Woman:" Is this phrase an insult?

I was going to post a review today, but I just finished reading a fascinating article about an interview conducted by Linda Holmes of NPR and Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal.

Part of the interview involved a discussion in response to an article that appeared Friday morning in the New York Times which referred to Ms. Rhimes as an "angry black woman," which the writer apparently meant as a compliment, but was not taken that way by anyone else, least of all Ms. Rhimes.

Anyway, the interview between Linda Holmes and Shonda Rhimes touched on the racial aspects of the television industry and also discussed gender issues. Ms. Rhimes said that she hates the frequent description of her characters as "strong, smart women." Why use those descriptors, she asks? Is the alternative writing "dumb, weak women?" She goes on to note that male writers are never complimented for creating "smart, strong men."

Manga Mondays: Mushroom Pup vol. 1 by Aoboshi Kimama

Manga Mondays Meme

I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 4 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.

Mushroom Pup vol. 1 by Aoboshi Kimama

Summary

A depressed author. A concerned editor. An eccentric mushroom researcher. And a strange pink mushroom... that turns into a dog?! Put this all together and you get Mushroom Pup. Mushroom Pup tells a heart-warming tale of the power of friendship, a dog's love, and the dangers of dwelling on regrets. With the help of his friends and the mysterious Mushroom Pup, Hotaru Yuyami, a grieving picture book author, slowly begins to move forward after the tragic loss of his beloved dog, Hanako. Full of laughs and warm moments, Mushroom Pup is sure to find a place in your heart. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Feature and Follow Friday #219

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 ayou 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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Where To Read When Banned From Your House

*Bang!*                                                                   *Bang!*

*Bang!*                                                                   *Bang!*

We are getting a new roof. Starting yesterday and through Monday, construction guys will be tearing apart our old roof and putting on a new one. We had a horrible hail storm back in May. Basically everyone in my part of town (guessing 20,000-30,000 people) had their roofs damaged in this storm. My car had about $5000 worth of damage. It's finally getting fixed next week.

Waiting on Wednesdays: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

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

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

Publish Date: February 10, 2015

Publisher: Razorbill

Can't remember if I've featured this before or not. Since I reviewed Silver Shadows yesterday, Bloodlines is on my mind. I cannot wait to finish off this series and see where Sydrian end up!

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Release Date: June 29, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Purchased

Summary

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.(courtesy of Goodreads)

GIVEAWAY! The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Release Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Books for Young Readers

Summary

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Feature and Follow Friday #218

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 ayou 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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The Bookish Seven Deadly Sins Tag

One of my favorite bloggers, Aylee from Recovering Potter Addict posted a super fun survey the other day. I don't usually do these things, but I really enjoyed the questions.

Waiting on Wednesdays: Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

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

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

Publish Date: September 23, 2014

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

This sounds fascinating and I love the cover. So beautiful.

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic
Source: BEA

Summary

Raina can't wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn't improve much over the years, but when a baby brother enters the picture and later, something doesn't seem right between their parents, they realize they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters, after all.

Raina uses her signature humor and charm in both present-day narrative and perfectly placed flashbacks to tell the story of her relationship with her sister, which unfolds during the course of a road trip from their home in San Francisco to a family reunion in Colorado.(courtesy of Goodreads)

Feature and Follow Friday #217

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 ayou 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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Book Riot Quarterly Box #4 Unveiling

I was having a bad day yesterday. Just when I was at my peak of sulking, the dog started barking like there was an ax murderer bearing down towards his neck. That can only mean one thing. The UPS man!

To my great pleasure, the latest Book Riot Quarterly Box had arrived! Just in time to cheer me up. (And to the dog's great pleasure, the UPS man came bearing dog biscuits in addition to packages. A smart man)

Book Riot is a very popular book blog and recently created a quarterly subscription box. For $50, they will send you a box filled with books and book related items every quarter. This is their fourth box and the third one that I received. I've loved them all. If you haven't subscribed yet, I highly recommend it. It's always a lovely surprise.

Waiting on Wednesdays: Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

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

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Publish Date: September 23, 2014

Publisher: Simon Pulse

I've heard good and bad things about this, but I've been impressed with Scot Westerfeld's Uglies series so I'm excited for this one.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: August 14, 2014
Publisher: Dutton
Source: Purchased

Summary

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.(courtesy of Goodreads)