UK vs US: The Language of Flowers

Most of you know I have been doing this since I started the blog. I love comparing different covers for the same book. So now that there is two of us on the blog I thought I would actually make it a regular feature on a Monday and a Friday. And since Destiny is from the US and Siobhan is from the UK it would even better. So this is our first combined UK vs US Post.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

UK                                               US

Siobhan: For me there is no contest. I am in love the with UK cover. I love the overall image. Especially the photo of the flower its so pretty. I also really like how the Title looks. Its very eye catching and makes me want to read it. The US cover, for me is just to plain. I would walk right by this in a book store. So UK for me.

Destiny: I really have to say the US cover actually catches my eye more for once. The flowers are so beautiful. However, the UK edition shows a girl holding a flower looking like she has a story to tell. The UK edition is probably more story related, but I think the US cover is far prettier.

WINNER: DRAW

What do you prefer?

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Teaser Tuesday #12

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along just do the following

* Grab your current read

* Open to a random page

* Share a few “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.

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Siobhán's Teaser

 

 "You let me stay!" Jed snarled through his teeth. He couldn't look at Conal. "He knew I had to go back. But he didn't take me. He didn't come. He stayed out killing people till it was TOO LATE" - Bloodstone by Gillian Philip

Destiny's Teasers

 

"Someone cut her throat, but that's an understatement. Someone nearly cut her head clean off. They say she was wearing a white party dress, and when they found her, the whole thing was stained red. That's why they call her Anna Dressed in Blood." - Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake






 


"Still I didn't look back. I had to get away from that building, that room, those girls with the dead eyes. I had to get away." Eve by Anna Carey

Whats your Teaser?

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In My Mailbox #27

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Book links take you to goodreads summaries

For Review

Sektion 20 by Paul Dowswell

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E Wedel

Betrayal by Lee Nichols

Fool's Girl by Celia Rees

Runelight by Joanna Harris

Avengers Angel by Heather Killough-Walden

Acceptable Loss by Anne Perry

**Thanks to Bloomsbury, Random House and Headline for these fab titles.

I didn't realise both Runelight and Acceptable Loss where part of a series. Runelight is book 2 and Acceptable Loss is book 17!! So if you have read these title please let me know if they can be read out of order.

R.A.K

Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe

Dark Heart Rising by Lee Monroe

A massive thanks to Misty over to Bookaholics Book Club. This was a suprise. I knew she was getting me a book but I didn't know what. I wasn't expecting two book. So thanks Misty!!

For Review

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Going too Far by Jennifer Echols

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers (Bought)
Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers (Won/Review)

Won/Review

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

eArcs

Croak by Gina Damico
Radiate by Marley Gibson
Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Bought

All You Desire by Kirsten Miller

Well thats our pretty awesome IMM this week.

What did you all get?

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In The Arms Of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 320
Published: April 1, 2011
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal, Suspense

Description:

Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend--the first boy she ever loved--of being a killer.

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac "White Bird" Henry isn't in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she's pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn't understand.

Feeling isolated and alone, she's up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she's as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won't turn her back on him. She's the only one who can free them both.

Even if she has to expose her secret--a "gift" she's kept hidden her whole life.

Review:

In The Arms of Stone Angels was overall a really good book. Jordan Dane, usually a writer of adult suspense novels, writes a YA parnormal suspense novel here for the first time. The characters of Brenna and White Bird are fleshed out well and the murder is set up nicely leaving the reader on the edge of their seat wanting to know who the real killer is.

Brenna, having turned White Bird into the police, is on her own personal quest to save him now that she is back in Oklahoma, which proves to be one suspense filled adventure after another. However, White Bird is catatonic in a hospital, so he is not a major player in the whole of the book, except in Brenna's dreams and visions.

While Jordan Dane nailed the suspense, I was slightly disappointed that she changed from first to third person point of view so often. Frist person (told by Brenna) read like a young adult novel, while thrid person read like an adult suspense novel. This made the novel slightly disjointed and lack cohesion. Also, the paranormal element was very, very light. Other than the occasional flash or vision of a dead person, most of the paranormal elements are drawn from the Native American beliefs and practices of Shamanism.

Jordan Dane captured the voice of her characters well and ventured into depths of teen angst most authors won't. The suspense was fantastic and surprising. This book was well-written and held my attention and I will definitely be picking up Jordan Dane's next book, only with less expectations of the paranormal.

Rate: 4/5

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Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge

Format: Kindle ebook
Published: May 10, 2011
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
For Jane Jones, being a vampire is nothing like you read about in books. In fact, it kind of sucks. She's not beautiful, she's not rich, and she doesn't "sparkle." She's just an average, slightly nerdy girl from an ordinary suburban family (who happens to be vampires.) Jane's from the wrong side of the tracks (not to mention stuck in the world's longest awkward phase), so she doesn't fit in with the cool vampire kids at school or with the humans kids. To top it all off, she's battling an overprotective mom, a clique of high school mean girls (the kind who really do have fangs), and the most embarrassing allergy in the history of the undead, she's blood intolerant. So no one's more surprised than Jane when for the first time in her life, things start to heat up (as much as they can for a walking corpse, anyway) with not one, but two boys. Eli's a geeky, but cute real-live boy in her history class, and Timothy is a beautiful, brooding bloodsucker, who might just hold the key to a possible "cure" for vampirism. Facing an eternity of high school pressure, fumbling first dates, or a mere lifetime together with Timothy, what's a 90-something year-old teen vampire to do? 

Review:
I was initially drawn to this book by its cute, bright pink cover, and title. Then I read the synopsis and it sounded so funny. Can you imagine a vampire stuck in an eternally awkward tween phase, from the wrong side of the tracks, and to make things worse, has a blood allergy? I HAD to have this book!

Caissie St. Onge did not disappoint. The hilarity begins from page one and does not cease. Meet Jane Jones. The Worst. Vampire. Ever. Jane has been battling a series of undead lifetimes of being less than beautiful, unpopular, slightly poor, and part of your average dysfunctional suburban vampire family. You wouldn't think all of those things would be funny, but the author makes you literally laugh out loud. Additionally, Jane has gone from never dating to having two boys interested in her, which throws Jane's repetitive undead life into a complete whirlwind. Both boys are cute, nice, and couldn't be any different...right down to their mortality.

The synopsis paints a picture of a cute vampire story, which this is, but the author also tells us about Jane's past which is coming back to haunt her, and about a possible cure for vampirism that is leading Jane on a series of fortunate and unfortunate events!

Rate: 5/5

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Me and My Ghoulfriends by Rose Pressey

Format: Kindle ebook
Published: April 10, 2011
Publisher: Rose Pressey
Genre: Adult Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
There's always fun to be had on a ghoul's night out.

By day, Larue Donovan is a down-to-earth bookstore owner. But by night, she's a world reknowned psychic investigator dedicated to helping lost spirits find peace. Dead people won't leave her alone and Abraham Lincoln thinks he's in charge of her lovelife.


Larue can handle ghosts and undead presidents. Its the living that drive her crazy. When Callahan Weiss moves to town, the handsome newcomer opens a coffee shop right next door. She's smitten right from the start, but she's not the only one -- The boutique owner across the street has her eye on Callahan too, and uses witchcraft to fight dirty. When Callahan gets hit by a love spell, Larue will need more than a little help from her ghoulfriends to save the day...


Review:
Me and My Ghoulfriends was a wonderfully entertaining read! Main character, Larue, runs a bookstore, but she can also see ghosts and assist them in crossing over. This creates a hilarious backdrop as dead President Abraham Lincoln, amongst others emerges as one of her matchmakers for her currently non-existent love life.

Soon things pick up when a new coffee shop opens up next to her store and as Larue (and her
tag-along "ghoulfriends") begin dating the coffee chop owner, Callahan. Larue encounters several adventures on her dates and picks up many more undead friends that kept me laughing the whole way. The numerous ghosts each had such a unique personalitiy that I found myself looking forward to the introduction to each new spirit!

The novel is extremely cute and funny but Rose Pressey leaves something brewing with o ne supporting character that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth and I couldn't read fast enough to figure out what was going on with this scenario. It was just enough mystery to keep the story interesting and keep me on the edge of my seat, but not so much that it lost its humor or cuteness.

All of the characters, main and supporting, are very well developed, the plot is excellent, and the ending, while well done, left me wanting a sequel because it was so good! Bravo to Rose Pressey for a fabulous novel!

Rate: 5/5

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Guest Review: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones

Format: Hardcover
Published: February 1, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Presss
Genre: Adult Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.
Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to go into the light. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

Review:
I was initially drawn to this book by it's GORGEOUS cover, then I read the synopsis and I knew I had to have it. Darynda Jones tells a fast-paced story about Grim Reaper Charley, who helps the dead with unfinished business so they can cross over, and manages to find herslef in the middle of solving a triple murder along the way. Charley is a snarky, smart, strong woman that you just instantly relate to and yet want to be--even if she's constantly almost getting herself killed. Combine this with her sidekick detective uncle, a bounty hunter, a Child Demon ghost, a mysterious sexy figure who visits her in her dreams, a friend who is beyond loyal, and a handful of other supporting characters and you have a winning mix! I couldn't put this book down. The writing is wonderful and I found myself more and more engrossed with Charley and trying to figure out who (or what) Reyes really is. This is one book I highly recommend buying because you won't regret it!!

Rate: 5/5

Visit Darynda: [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Pre-Order UK Edition

Order US Edition

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Guest Review: Trinity (Brethren, #1) by Deena Remiel

Format: Kindle ebook
Published: March 20, 2011
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Genre: Adult Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
One way or another, terror will reign tonight...

School teacher and single mom, Emma Livingston, has been through hell—and back so she thinks. While dealing with the night terrors and active imagination of her five-year old daughter, Hannah, she attempts to lead a normal life. That is, until the demon from those nightmares pays her a visit, too, and threatens both of their lives. Desperate, she reaches out for help—and finds Michael waiting.

Michael D’Angelo is known to everyone in Prophet’s Point, Arizona, as their loving elementary school principal. But to The Brethren, he is the most powerful Protector. Immortal and angelic does not mean he’s without doubts or fears, as protecting Emma and Hannah from Evil tests his ability to fight his tortured past.

As the Trinity is formed, ancient secrets are revealed and faith is tested. When a prophecy is exposed, Hannah becomes the main target and Emma wonders if a normal life will ever be possible again. Hope is like an anchor, but can a mother, her daughter, and an angel overcome the evil determined to annihilate the world?

Review: 
Deena Remiel weaves an interesting tale revolving around the ultimate battle of good versus evil. In this novel, we are introduced to the three main characters, Emma, Hannah, and Michael; however, unlike most authors, Remiel does not give in depth histories of each person at the beginning of the story. Instead she opts to let the readers get to know her characters as the plot progresses which really builds suspense and seems to let the characters tell the story themselves. The mother, Emma has to face the harsh reality that her daughter is about to fulfill an ancient prophecy, angels do exist, and she may be in love with the angel? Or is she losing her mind? These are the questions she asks herself and we get to follow along on the adventure.

The novel starts off with a bang with an amazing prologue explaining the prophecies of good and evil and transitions us into the story. Deena Remiel's take on the "Trinity" is a brilliant and ingenious new spin on the formation and revelation of the battle of good and evil. The suspense never falls short and the dialogue is very well-written. Fans of J.R. Ward's Fallen Angels' and Black Dagger Brotherhood series will fall in love with this series as will any lover of paranormal romance!

The supporting Fallen Angels characters are also very well set up for another novel and I am eagerly awaiting another installment. Deena Remiel is definitely an author to watch!!

Rate: 5/5

Visit Deena: [Blog][Facebook][Goodreads]

Order Your Copy

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