February Book Haul

Well, here we are with another book haul post. The month of February showed me just how many books I can buy in some months. Honestly, I blame the winter weather, because all I want to do is curl up in bed and read all the time. Unfortunately work and such gets in the way so I don't read as much as I'd like, but that doesn't stop me from buying books.

First up, the Hardcovers.

I love anything written by Richelle Mead. I practically own every single book by her, so I went out as soon as I could after work on the release day for The Ruby Circle to find a copy. And yes, I had to try three different local stores before I found a copy, but I have it and that's what matters. On the other hand though, I am so sad that the Bloodlines series is over now.

The picture for Talon by Julie Kagawa does not come close to doing justice to the cover. It is textured so you can actually feel the scales. Plus, shiny...something dragons like, you know? Anyway, I had to finally just cave and get this in hardcover. I don't want to have to keep waiting an extra year to finally read books by Julie Kagawa just so all of my books will be in matching paperback. Fine, I'll upgrade to the hardcover copies...just as long as my Iron Fey new releases continue to be paperback.

Today I had the opportunity to go to my local library for an author signing by Brian McClellan. I had hoped to have a shipment of books from B&N including the first book--Promise of Blood--in paperback, but it didn't arrive in time. Fine guys, I spent the money and got the whole trilogy IN HARDCOVER just so I could have them all signed by the author. Plus, I love having author signed books. I've lost count of how many I have total. Anyway, these books look totally awesome. They are fantasy but sort of American Revolutionary War-esque with Powder Mages, people who can control stuff like bullets and cannonballs, which sounds pretty darn cool to me, so I'm looking forward to reading them. Plus, again, they are signed. Basically this means that I won't let just anyone borrow these books from my personal library.

Next we have all the paperbacks.

Forged in Desire is the fourth book in the London Steampunk series by Bec McMaster and I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have read so far--aka 1.5 books. I really like steampunk books, and when there are vampires and werewolves and nice romances involved as well, it is really easy to grab my interest. I look forward to seeing how this world continues to expand.

Glamour in Glass is the second book in the Glamourist Histories series by Mary Robinette Kowal. Really, I just have one thing to say about why people should pick up this series: It is Jane Austen meets magic! Seriously, I so very much enjoy these books.

I picked up Hot Lead, Cold Iron by Ari Marmell after a recommendation from author Jennifer Estep. It seems a bit similar to the Dresden Files series, but instead of a wizard, the main character is a fae. Also, the series takes place in the 1930s, not modern day. I love all the old lingo involved. The voice of the story is interesting, at least the first chapter or so. I'll read the rest of it soon enough.

I love Veronica Mars, everyone. Really, I don't even try to hide it. And getting even more Veronica Mars books is awesome. I actually still need to finish reading the first book, but when I need my fix from Neptune, California, this series is what I'll pick up (or I'll start re-watching the series again. That is why I own the DVDs).

I'm not going to list the why's for all of my e-books this time, because this post is already super long, but some of these books were free or cheap, and some I picked up thanks to purchasing a brand new NOOK. My new NOOK came with a $5 gift from the NOOK store (Ilona Andrews), and then B&N had a special so buying my NOOK got me a $20 gift card, which I used to get some new books (Mercedes Lackey).

- Death Sworn by Leah Cypess
- Observations of a Curious Governess by Viveka Portman
- Soulfire by Juliette Cross
- Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
- Waterfall by Lacy Danes
- Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer
- Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
- The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey
- The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey
- The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey
- Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
- Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
- Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger

I also bought a paperback copy of Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire, but it was a gift from a friend (that she let me read first). Oh, and the paperback of Promise of Blood, when it comes in, will also become a gift to another book loving friend of mine.

That's it for February. Sorry this was such a long post guys, but I am seriously a book addict.

Most Anticipated Books of 2015 - March, April, and May Edition

Okay, so a couple months ago I posted a few upcoming book releases I was looking forward to. It seems only right that I continue with that by posting a few more I'm excited about. I imagine that I am probably forgetting some books, but these are the ones that I know I keep checking up on. (One book had to be removed because it was supposed to come out in April, but has been pushed back AGAIN, this time to August--I hope). Anyway, here are the books I'm anticipating for the months of March, April, and May. My next post will probably cover the summer months, and then I'll have a fall post and maybe an end of year release post.

Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein 

So far I have read and loved Elizabeth Wein's latest WWII historical books: Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire, but I've also noticed she wrote other books before these. Anyway, while CNV and RUF take place during WWII, BDWR is set just before, as it is clear that something is coming. I love the depth of emotions from the characters in these books, and the stories contained within the pages. They seem so incredibly vivid and honestly leave you thinking for a long while after you read. This book follows Teo and Em, who are basically siblings, though they have different parents. Teo's mom and Em's mom raised them together until Teo's mom dies, and Em's mom takes the two kids to Ethiopia so she can raise them together without judgment, seeing as how Teo is black and Em is white. I'm assuming it gets a lot more complicated after that. Netgalley has graciously given me approval to read this book, so I'll have a review up for it as soon as I finish.

31 March 2015

Cold Burn of Magic (Black Blade #1) by Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep has the YA series Mythos Academy, and the Urban Fantasy series Elemental Assassin. While I've only read the first Mythos Academy book, I am currently reading the sixth Elemental Assassin book. What I find interesting about this upcoming YA release is that in some ways it seems to combine both these series together. The covers also look pretty cool, and I'm hoping they stick with the same cover concept throughout the series instead of changing it a few books in. I'm excited about this scrappy heroine who lives illegally in the library (awesome) in a very magical town, and has to go up against the mob. Sounds interesting to me.

28 April 2015

The Shattered Court (A Novel of the Four Arts #1) by M.J. Scott 

I completely and utterly loved M.J. Scott's Half-Light City series. I own all four books and devoured them so quickly. So to hear that she has another series coming made me super excited. Based on the book blurb, in this world if a woman of the royal line is gifted with magical abilities then those have to be tamed in a marriage ritual. In this book we follow Sophia, who is thirty-second in line for the throne, but something happens that makes her flee the court before she discovers if she is magical. And then her magic arrives. Being unbound by marriage means that she is a huge threat. So, what happens next? I have no idea but I can't wait to find out. I'm sure it will be amazing.

28 April 2015

Grave Phantoms (Roaring Twenties #3) Jenn Bennett 

I still need to read the second book in this series, but the first one was so good! Basically what I need to say about this one is that I am a tiny bit obsessed with the 1920s and this also includes spirits and steamy romances. This one follows Astrid Magnusson, who is the sister of Winter Magnusson (from book one), and her off-limits romance with Bo, who happens to be her brother's right-hand man in the bootlegging business. The second book follows Lowe Magnusson, so I'm wondering if there will be any more Magnusson's to follow after this book, or if it will be the last in the series. I guess I'll just have to wait and find out.

5 May 2015

Ice Kissed (Kanin Chronicles #2) Amanda Hocking 

Okay, so I haven't read Frostfire yet, but I think I may want to re-read the Trylle trilogy first, just to refresh my memory on it. Still, I am looking forward to this book as well, because I have enjoyed every Amanda Hocking book I have read. Plus, the covers are absolutely gorgeous. This book is supposed to continue the story started in the previous book, and I'm trying not to read too much about it in advance in case of any random spoilers.

5 May 2015

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) Sarah J. Maas 

Sarah J. Maas is absolutely amazing. I cannot say enough about her Throne of Glass series. And now she is releasing another series, one that supposedly combines elements from the classic Beauty and the Beast story with faerie lore. It sounds intriguing to me. It follows a huntress named Feyre, who kills a wolf in the woods, but then is dragged into a magical land and held captive basically by Tamlin, who just happens to be a faerie. What I've gathered from reading up about this book is that the wolf is a faerie or part of that world and so Feyre has to give her life to that world for taking one of their lives, but they don't kill her, just make her a servant or something. I don't know. I don't care. I just want to read it.

5 May 2015