May Reading Report

May was a great reading month for me. I finished 24 books for a total of 7588 pages. I read 15 young adult books and 9 adult books. Eighteen of the books I read were books I had for review and most of them were young adult books this month. Check out my spreadsheet for the titles of the books I read.

My favorite young adult book was Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. You can see my review here. Consent to Love by Abby Wood was my favorite adult book. It was an ebook that I received from Carina Press via NetGalley. You'll have to wait until June 13 to see my review on this blog but my review has already been posted to Amazon, GoodReads, and LibraryThing.

This month I added 45 items to my LibraryThing account. Seventeen of the books I added were young adult books for review. I also added nine other young adult books to the pile. Seven of the books I received were adult books for review. Two of the books I added were free for my Kindle when I added them. You can see all my additions here.

My To Read collection has grown to 1331 books this month. I have added a total of 275 books to my LibraryThing account so far in 2012. 79 of them were review books. 181 remain tagged TBR today.

For the year, I have read a total of 102 books and am well on my way to blowing my GoodReads goal of 144 books out of the water. When I hit it, which I hope to do in June, I will have to increase it. Realistically, I think I can read 200 books this year. Summer vacation, which begins tomorrow, is my peak reading time each year.

What was your month like? What were your favorite books?

Book Review and Excerpt: Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller

I am taking part in a blog tour sponsored by Book Trib for this book and have an excerpt for you:

“I’ll be damned,” Hutch muttered, his voice like sandpaper. He was dressed for ranch work, in old jeans, a blue cotton shirt and a pair of well-worn boots, which probably meant he’d had no more notice about this meeting than Slade had.

“Thanks, Maggie,” Slade heard himself say as he turned to leave.

He wasn’t grateful; he’s spoken out of habit.

She got up from her chair, rounded the desk and pursued him, forcing the printout of his father’s will into his hands. “At least read it,” she said. “I’ll set up another meeting in a few days, when you’ve both had time to absorb everything.”

Slade didn’t answer, but he accepted the paperwork, felt it crumple in his grasp as his fingers tightened reflexively around it.

Moments later, as Slade opened the door of his truck, Hutch was beside him again.

You can check out the all the other excerpts by following this link. Read below for my review of this book.

Big Sky Country
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Publication: HQN Books (May 29, 2012)


Description: The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father…until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited half of Whisper Creek Ranch, one of the most prosperous in Parable, Montana. That doesn't sit well with his half brother, Hutch, who grew up with all the rights of a Carmody—including the affections of Joslyn Kirk, homecoming queen, rodeo queen, beauty queen, whom Slade has never forgotten.

But Joslyn is barely holding her head up these days as she works to pay back everyone her crooked stepfather cheated. With a town to protect, plus a rebellious teenage stepdaughter, Slade has his hands full. But someone has to convince Joslyn that she's responsible only for her own actions—such as her effect on this lawman's guarded heart.

My Thoughts: This was another wonderful western romance by Linda Lael Miller. I feel that I can depend on her for heart-warming romances. Joslyn is back in town after leaving in the night with her mother and housekeeper when the scandal broke that her stepfather conned a large number of people out of their life savings in a scam. She had been a pampered princess until this time. Since then she has grown up, gone to college, and started a software company but there was always something missing. She sold her company and used the money to anonymously pay back the people her stepfather defrauded.


Slade Barlow is the county sheriff now but he grew up the unacknowledged illegitimate son of the wealthiest rancher in the area. Now his father has died and has left Slade half of his estate. However, he has to get along with his half-brother Hutch when they have been rivals all of his life. He is also a man who has gone through a divorce and is a little hesitant to start a new relationship especially with a woman he thinks might leave.


Nonetheless, Joslyn and Slade do start a relationship which is complicated by the fact the Hutch is her former boyfriend and now is her friend and Slade's stepdaughter, now a teenager, wants to come and live with him. He adores her and probably, in fact, married her mother so that he could be her father but a 16-year-old girl who is giving her mother fits is pretty disruptive to his lifestyle. 


Lots happens in this story as Joslyn and Slade work on their romance and Slade and Hutch also try to work out what their relationship will be. I look forward to the sequel Big Sky Mountain in August in the hopes that Hutch will find a romance too. 

Favorite Quote:

She stopped just over the threshold, struck by a strange, sweet sensation of nostalgia; even though she'd never been there before, it was as though the house were welcoming her back from a long and difficult journey, almost embracing her.

It was at once pleasant and downright spooky.

I received this ARC for review because I am part of a blog tour. You can buy your copy here.

Teaser Tuesday: Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teaser is from the latest cowboy romance by Linda Lael Miller. I have Big Sky Country as a part of a blog tour. My review will be posted tomorrow.

Here is the description:

The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father…until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited half of Whisper Creek Ranch, one of the most prosperous in Parable, Montana. That doesn't sit well with his half brother, Hutch, who grew up with all the rights of a Carmody—including the affections of Joslyn Kirk, homecoming queen, rodeo queen, beauty queen, whom Slade has never forgotten.

But Joslyn is barely holding her head up these days as she works to pay back everyone her crooked stepfather cheated. With a town to protect, plus a rebellious teenage stepdaughter, Slade has his hands full. But someone has to convince Joslyn that she's responsible only for her own actions—such as her effect on this lawman's guarded heart.

Teaser:

"And what facts are those?" Hutch snapped, peavish.

Pecker-head, Slade thought.

Maggie interlaced her fingers and smile benignly. It took more than a smart-ass cowboy to get under her hide. "The estate is to be divided equally between the two of you," she announced.

Stunned, Slade simply sat there, as breathless as if he'd just taken a sucker punch to the gut. A single thought hummed in his head, like a trapped moth trying to find its way out.

What the hell?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (June 4, 2012)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


I got a lot of reading done this week. Memorial Day was a great reading day for me.

Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh is the eleventh book in the her Psy-Changeling series. It was a nice secy and angst-filled romance and also gave us a chance to catch up with couples from previous books. My review will be posted on June 16.

Moonlight Secrets by Lisa Tyler was a 14 page story sent to my by the author. The fact that it had werewolves convinced me to read it but I found a couple of things that I just didn't like about the story. I didn't like that the female main character lied to the male main character. I also didn't like the idea that she would have hot sex with him and he wouldn't remember a thing about it. I will not be doing a review post for this one.

Consent to Love by Abby Wood was an erotic romance from Carina Press that I got for review from NetGalley. This was erotic romance done right. The plot was much more than an excuse for a string of erotic scenes. My review will be posted on June 13.

Pie by Sarah Weeks was a middle grade story and will be among the choices for the first month of the Mother Daughter Book Club. I thought the story was well-written and heart-warming. My review will be posted on June 16.

The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone is another Mother Daughter Book Club pick. This is a middle grade contemporary story about a girl adjusting to a devastating loss and dealing with her first crush. The author has the seventh grade voice pitch perfect. My review will be posted on June 11.

Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton is the third book in this series and follows the lives of the Riley kids as they find the loves of their lives. This one focuses on the only daughter Jenna and her disinclination to have anything to do with sports which makes it hard for hockey star Ty Anderson to have a romance with her. My review will be posted on June 14.

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown is a mermaid story about revenge that is also a love story. I got this eARC from NetGalley for review. My review will be posted on June 9 since the book will be released on June 12.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead has been sitting on my TBR mountain since it was released last August. I loved it. On one hand, I am kicking myself for letting it sit so long. On the other hand, now I am ready for the sequel which will be released on June 12. My review will be posted on June 14.

I am currently reading Icon by J. Carson Black which is an ARC I got through Amazon Vine. It is a thriller about a plot to kill a famous movie star in order to cash in on his fame. I am enjoying it but find the shifting viewpoint a little distancing.

Next week will be a busy one with meetings and long days as I wrap up the school year. I also have to pack and get organized to move to my summer home. I will be driving almost all day on Friday. Consequently, I don't expect to get much reading done. I do have these three books ready if I have some reading time.

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong is off my YA TBR mountain. I read about it on someone's new book post this week and decided I wanted to read it.

 Can't Buy Me Love by Molly O'Keefe is a romance I got from Amazon Vine. It will be published on June 26 and is the next one on the adult review stack.

Secret Letters by Leah Scheier is a YA review book that I got from NetGally that is also a June 26 release. It is an historical mystery.

That is my week. Next time I update I should be settled into my summer home and be settling into vacation mode. What is your week looking like?

Stacking the Shelves (June 3, 2012)

Tynga of Tynga's Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. She explains at her site. She also does a very nice vlog each week showing her books.

I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will also discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

I added five books to my TBR mountain this week. I got three books for review.

I just found out that the latest in Laura Anne Gilman's PUPI series - Dragon Justice - was available at NetGalley from Harlequin Luna. I had to have it because I loved the first books in this urban fantasy series and can't wait until my print copy arrives to read this story. The book will be released on July 24.

I got Darkness All Around by Doug Magee for a blog tour that I am taking part in later in June. This tour celebrates the paperback release of this book. Here is what part of the book description has to say about this title: "Part murder mystery, part love story, Darkness All Around is a gripping exploration of the depths of the criminal mind, the fine line between the truth and a lie, and the bravery of the human heart." The hardcover was released on Oct. 18, 2011 and the paperback will be released on June 19.

Last I got Moonlight Secrets: A Werewolf Love Story by Lisa Tyler because the author sent it to me as a gift for my Kindle. It is only 14 pages long and was more or less a short story. It does feature my beloved werewolves but I found the story to be problematical for me for a couple of reasons. Because of that and because of the length, I won't be reviewing this one. I did make some comments about it on my LibraryThing account. This book was released on March 20 by the author.

I also purchased two books this week. 

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn is historical fiction by an author I enjoy. Here is the description:

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . .

But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge—in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger . . .

But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril,he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . . .

Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh marks the eleventh book in the Psy-Changeling series and her first hardcover in the series. It features the romance between two SnowDancer wolves. It also lets us catch up with some other characters from earlier stories and continues the arc about the disintegration of the PsyNet. I have already read this one and scheduled my review for later in June. Here is the (slightly inaccurate) product description from Amazon:

Adria, wolf changeling and resilient soldier, has made a break with the past--one as unpredictable in love as it was in war. Now comes a new territory, and a devastating new complication: Riaz, a SnowDancer lieutenant already sworn to a desperate woman who belongs to another.

For Riaz, the primal attraction he feels for Adria is a staggering betrayal. For Adria, his dangerous lone-wolf appeal is beyond sexual. It consumes her. It terrifies her. It threatens to undermine everything she has built of her new life. But fighting their wild compulsion toward one another proves a losing battle.

Their coming together is an inferno...and a melding of two wounded souls who promise each other no commitment, no ties, no bonds. Only pleasure. Too late, they realize that they have more to lose than they ever imagined. Drawn into a cataclysmic Psy war that may alter the fate of the world itself, they must make a decision that might just break them both.

That is what I got this past week. What did you add to your stack?

ARC Review: Silver by Rhiannon Held

Silver

Author: Rhiannon Held Publication: Tor Books; First Edition edition (June 5, 2012)
Description: Andrew Dare is a werewolf. He’s the enforcer for the Roanoke pack, and responsible for capturing or killing any Were intruders in Roanoke’s territory. But the lone Were he’s tracking doesn’t smell or act like anyone he’s ever encountered. And when he catches her, it doesn’t get any better. She’s beautiful, she’s crazy, and someone has tortured her by injecting silver into her veins. She says her name is Silver, and that she’s lost her wild self and can’t shift any more.
The packs in North America have a live-and-let-live attitude, and try not to overlap with each other. But Silver represents a terrible threat to every Were on the continent. 

Andrew and Silver will join forces to track down this menace while discovering their own power and their passion for each other.

My Thoughts: This was an interesting sort of werewolf book spent a lot of time talking about pack dynamics in the New World while exploring two damaged characters. Our male main character is Andrew Dare who is working as the enforcer for the Roanoke Pack. He had spent some time in Europe but is back home after losing his mate and going on a killing rampage to get those responsible for her death. He came back with a very bad reputation, lots of guilt, and an essential feeling of loneliness. He is in the Roanoke Pack but not really accepted by it. He is an alpha wolf who doesn't want responsibility for anyone but himself.
Andrew is sent to track down a lone wolf and finds Silver. She has been injected with silver, has lost her wolf, has hallucinations and is generally crazy. She sees a black wolf she calls Death who talks in the voices of those who have died. When Andrew finds her, he wants to find out where she belongs and wants to find out who did that to her and stop him before he does it again. Using silver as a weapon of torture is something that had been done in Europe but wasn't common in America. His pack alpha wants to get rid of Silver but has no interest in finding the person responsible. As long as he stays out of his territory, he doesn't care who caused the problem.
Andrew decides to disregard his alpha's instructions and find out what is going on. He wants to help Silver. Together they go off to the West Coast to try to find a pack that knows her.The story is told alternately from Andrew's and Silver's point of view. Getting into the mind of a woman who has been poisoned by silver was a very surreal experience. It was fascinating to see her relationship with Death and it was fascinating to see her come to terms with her horrible memories and come back to reality. 
This was a story of growth and change for both main characters set in an interesting world with a new mythology. It wasn't action packed. More time was spent on each characters' internal struggles than on external actions. I recommend it for fans of werewolf stories who want a quieter, more introspective book.
Favorite Quote:

Silver laughed, the sound thin. "I'm not much of an advocate for facing up to things, in any case."

"That's just the silver." Andrew squeezed her hand. Dammit, what did you say in this situation? No, you're not stark raving nuts? Yes, you're crazy, but it doesn't seem likely to change any time soon, so you might as well get used to it? I'm sorry?

"No, it's not." Silver looked away from him. "Since you...purged it, I can feel things at the edges. Names. Memories. I thought you'd be the first to sense that I wasn't trying very hard...Dare."

I received this ARC through the Amazon Vine program. You can buy a copy here. 

Friday Memes: Silver by Rhiannon Held

Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week.

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I am reading Silver by Rhiannon Held. I chose it because I am a fan of books about werewolves. I got this ARC from the Amazon Vine program. Here is the description:

Andrew Dare is a werewolf. He’s the enforcer for the Roanoke pack, and responsible for capturing or killing any Were intruders in Roanoke’s territory. But the lone Were he’s tracking doesn’t smell or act like anyone he’s ever encountered. And when he catches her, it doesn’t get any better. She’s beautiful, she’s crazy, and someone has tortured her by injecting silver into her veins. She says her name is Silver, and that she’s lost her wild self and can’t shift any more.
The packs in North America have a live-and-let-live attitude, and try not to overlap with each other. But Silver represents a terrible threat to every Were on the continent. 
Andrew and Silver will join forces to track down this menace while discovering their own power and their passion for each other.

Beginning:

The lone werewolf smelled like silver and pain. Or maybe it wasn't pain, maybe it was fear. 

Friday 56:

Sarah slipped past Laurence without any apparent qualms about how close it brought her to him. He was properly pack and thus not a threat, Andrew assumed. Lucky him.