Explore This! Albuquerque, New Mexico

Today, we’re off to the south west part of the United States, visiting the city that Charley Davidson, of First Grave on the Right and Second Grave on the Left fame, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

When I think of this area, it is the blend of American culture with that of the area south of the border, in Mexico itself. Tex-mex food, mariachi music, and, of course, sombreros. How off base am I? Let’s look at some pics and see:

The Sandia Mountains

The wilds of nature seem not far at all from the city.

The Balloon Fiesta. What a view!

Well, no images of sombreros there, but anyone living in Albuquerque, I’d love to hear if it’s as festive as I imagine. Have any of you visited New Mexico? Can you vouch for it’s worthiness of being added to ‘must-see’ places? …

The International Giveaways Café (22)

Welcome back to our Saturday morning get-together, where we have the chance to discuss book giveaways, link up our own giveaways, and enter all the others.

The Café is looking pretty spiffy in its new home, don’t you think? And we’ve put up the holiday decorations too! Anyway, we’re back in business, ready to get sharing those giveaway links.  Good luck with any entries and thanks for stopping by.

Let us know what your weekend has in store. Have you won anything recently that you’ll get the chance to read now? The Book Lovers would love to hear!

At Book Lovers Inc., it’s our pleasure to share the bookish love! Good luck to everyone and hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend 🙂

Here’s the fine print for entering your link:

Guidelines:

If you have a giveaway you would like to share with our other readers, the rules are simple:

1. The giveaway MUST be available …

New Releases: November 21-27, 2011

Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

The signs are everywhere…disastrous world events. Evil rising up, unleashed upon the innocent. The prophecies were there…but no one listened. Until now. The time has come for those who can either usher in Doomsday…or prevent it. They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Arik Wagner, a soldier with the U.S. Army’s paranormal unit, the R-XR, kissed a girl and liked it. And then he went to hell as punishment. Where he’s spent weeks being tortured…and plotting revenge.

Limos, Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, isn’t your average girl. She’s immortal, dangerous, and her fiancé is Satan himself. In a moment of weakness, she gave in to her desire and kissed Arik, triggering her fiancé’s wrath – and his claim on her. In order to save Arik, and the world, Limos must make a dangerous pact with …

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Format Read: ARC supplied by publicist
Length: 361 pages
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Formats Available: Trade Paperback, Kindle, ebook
Purchasing Info: Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads, Author’s website, Harlequin

Book Blurb:

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company …

Author Interview with Julie Kagawa + Giveaway

Hot on the heels of recent announcements that a new series is in the works, as well as a companion series to The Iron King books, one thing is for sure: Julie Kagawa is a very busy woman! Fortunately, she sat down with us to chat about her latest release, The Iron Knight. Please help us offer Ms. Kagawa a warm Booklovers welcome! (And stick around till the end for a little something extra 🙂

Jackie: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

Julie: Hmm, is there a difference? I guess a reader is someone who reads and enjoys the story, but a real Book Lover is someone who falls in love with the characters, can’t wait to get home to start reading, thinks of books as treasured possessions, and would rather be engrossed in a story than anything else.

Jackie: What can we expect …

The International Giveaways Café (21)

Welcome back to our Saturday Sunday morning get-together, where we have the chance to discuss book giveaways, link up our own giveaways, and enter all the others.

The Café opened a day late but there’s still lots of giveaways to enter,  so add your link below or peruse for your chance to win. Also, we’ll be closed down for renovations next weekend (check out the News post for more details). In the mean time, if you’re American, enjoy your Thanksgiving! And we’ll see everyone back here in two weeks! Good luck and thanks for stopping by.

Let us know what your weekend has in store. Have you won anything recently that you’ll get the chance to read now? The Book Lovers would love to hear!

At Book Lovers Inc., it’s our pleasure to share the bookish love! Good luck to everyone and hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend 🙂

Here’s the fine …

Explore This! San Francisco (Past and Present)

 Today, we’re heading to San Francisco, California, but our route is a little different this time. We’re not only travelling the virtual distance to this lovely city, we’re also moving through time. Cool right?

I have to thank the awesome Stella for this idea. It was she who pointed me to When the Walls Fell by Monique Martin. From the Goodreads summary, this novel takes place during the time of the great earthquake that devastated the city. In searching for images of the time, there are many, but all show a dire state of the devastation. Rather than do an entire post of emotion inspiring pics, I decide we’d take a look at San Francisco through the years. So, put on your best time travelling outfit and let’s check it out:

This is the burgeoning …

The International Giveaways Café (20)

Welcome back to our Saturday morning get-together, where we have the chance to discuss book giveaways, link up our own giveaways, and enter all the others.

We’ve made it into November now, just one month away from the holiday season (for those of us that celebrate it.) One thing that is consistent (year round) though is…you guessed it! Book Giveaways. Whether rain, snow, or sunshine, there are always great books around with a potential to win. So, add your link below or peruse for your chance to win. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Let us know what your weekend has in store. Have you won anything recently that you’ll get the chance to read now? The Book Lovers would love to hear!

At Book Lovers Inc., it’s our pleasure to share the bookish love! Good luck to everyone and hope you enjoy …

Elements in Lit 201: Historic Time Periods

Welcome back class! With our Genres lessons having waned somewhat, I thought it was time to take a new approach in our bookish higher learning. So, today I introduce the new batch of lectures, looking at different elements in the books we read, from themes and literary terms to who knows what?

I thought we’d start by taking a look at the different times that appear in historical novels. These will be mostly featuring stories set in England for the moment, but as you’ll soon find out, time is truly relative to the places and subjects in the books. Grab your pencils and let’s get back to school!:

The most commonly heard time frame in historical romances is the Regency Romance. These novels are set during the British Regency and take place within the years 1811-1820. In England, this was a time when the king (George III) was deemed unable to …

New Releases: Nov. 7-13, 2011

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.