Explore This! Malta

I seem to be in a vicious cycle of revisiting past locations in any of the books I’ve been reading lately, so I thought I would take a different route today. I’m currently reading I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley. The book takes place somewhere in the English country side, but I thought it would be much more interesting to see where the author lives.

In fact, Mr. Bradley grew up in a town not 20 minutes from where I live now, but he has since moved to the lovely island of Malta. I have to be honest here, I had no idea where Malta was and (forgive me, anyone who resides there) at times mistake it for Madagascar (it might be time for me to bone up on my geography lessons :p ).

Anyway, I hope you’ve packed your bathing suit, as I whisk you away to …

The International Giveaways Café (24)

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.

If you’re anything like me, book buying is a thing of dreams through the holidays. Thankfully, there’s lots of great giveaways running out there (including our Advent Calendars, which are awesome!), so there’s still chances to win the books that may not be in the budget.

My Saturday includes Christmas shopping (which I’ve just started); how about all of you lovely readers out there? Are you madly shopping over these last two weeks. Or have you done all the shopping, and now get to sit back with the egg nog, listening to carols and wrapping? (If so, can you stop by my place to help me wrap?! 😉 )

Have you won anything recently that you’ll get the chance to read now? The Book Lovers would love …

Advent Calendar Day 9: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones + Giveaway

Welcome to the 9th day of Book Lovers Inc Advent Calendar. Each day we will offer you one great read in a giveaway on all 24 days till Christmas.

Today you will have the chance to win a signed copy of First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones! *Whoo Hoo* First Grave of the Right, being a debut novel this year, had a cool back story and was a whole lot of fun to read/listen too. If you like quirky characters (obviously, I do :p ) then you’ll really enjoy this one.

Purchasing Info: Amazon, Book Depository, Chapters, Author’s Website, Goodreads

Book Blurb:

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 …

Elements in Lit 201: Rank and File

If you’re anything like me, when reading historicals, there’s always a time when I have to run off to my reference books to check out one detail or other for historic truth. There’s another thing I’ve noticed when reading these types of romance novels, and it needs constant clarification (at least for me): What the heck do all these ranks mean? You read about the roguish Baron, the wicked Marquess, the daring Lord, but authors tend to insert snippets about how these characters are ranked in relation to others. ‘He shouldn’t be saying that to so and so, he’s of a higher rank’ kind of deal.

I thought it would be neat to take a look at how the British nobility are ranked and what it all means (I chose British because of the frequency of the Regency Romance, etc. and its ties to Britain. Other countries may be …

New Releases: Dec. 5-11, 2011

Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla

In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind—an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin.

When Darian’s next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she’s taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished…

Demon’s Like it Hot by Sidney Ayers
I Heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelk
Alien Proliferation by Gini Koch

That Old Black Magic by Michelle Rowen
Ruthless by …

The International Giveaways Café (23)

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 the first week of December, which means the holiday parties, Santa sightings, and other fun holiday events are in full swing. The one thing I dread at this time of year is hearing the carols starting in November. Once the snow hits the ground, it’s a whole different ball game though, helping to get me into the spirit of the season and all that. Have any of you had snow yet? Are you in the holiday spirit? Anyway, 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 …

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 …