Author: Francine Rivers
Series: Mark Of The Lion #1
Published: 2. 18. 98 by Tyndale House Publishers
Pages: 520
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Summary: Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

Note: This is a work of Christian Fiction.

My Thoughts: Incredible. I loved this book. It was moving, and a very well done work of historical fiction.

First off I want to mention how awesome the historical setting was. Francine has painted one of the most realistic setting I've ever read. It just makes me wonder and appreciate all the research that went into this book! This was no light matter at all. With the time period this book covers, the setting is decadent Rome and that wasn't always very pretty. The image I picked up was a very rowdy immoral society. They were wild and not very refined. It for sure wasn't the golden age. I think Francine defines this with incredible accuracy and skill. She doesn't just glance over it all and mention it. We get the juicy details. We see the different perspectives of the characters in all aspects of this society. We are very aware of it and the things that the characters choose.

However, for those who are worried about content, because this book was not light in content. Many violent or sexual things happen. But I will say that I didn't find it bugged me as much, because I found it to be part of the story and the society that was being shown. True, it was a bit much in some parts but for the most part it didn't hit me as it normally would.

The character development was fabulous. I loved getting the POVs from all the different aspects of the culture. Those completely immersed in the hard, wild aspects of the world at the time, characters like Decimus who was a worried parent beginning to feel out of his element as the Rome he knew is changing, and those like Hadassah, with the more Christian view. I loved how each fit into their own category and were so different. It was all so believable. I loved it!

The storyline itself was very intriguing and wove into one bright quilt that will keep you on your seats, and eagerly anticipating the next installment. It was full of new plot twists and felt very well thought out and planned. The ending was so unexpected and I was on the edge that I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! Loved it!

Favorite Quote: "Unless you have something worth dying for, Atretes, you have nothing worth living for."


Content: Heavy
Language -((characters swear on their Roman gods))
Sexual - ((Reference to Homosexual people in the society. Two homosexual males seen kissing. A girl kisses a girl. A girl moves in with a male homosexual so that she can have the freedom she wants to be with her lover. A girl has an abortion. A girl has "love" a few times to a man she isn't married to. Once, during marriage a girl gives herself to a man for an hour to help settle problems. People known to have had affairs with a few members of the opposite sex. Some innuendo or references to people speaking that way. Girl gets pregnant from her lover when she isn't married. Gladiators show off their bodies to the crowd before the games. Nude statues and art seen in town, villas and in bedrooms. Man wants a girl but she is not willing to be his "lover" and being the master, almost forces her to.))
Violence/Other - ((Gladiator games are very gory and some references to the bloody fighting. Description of blood and the crowd loving the games. Woman poisons her husband to death because she is sick of him. Abusive husband. Women are slapped a few times. People drink wine and get drunk. Some characters lead others to do wrong things under their influence))

A fabulous read that I really enjoyed. This book is made of Awesome-Sauce and is highly recommended for lovers of Historical Fiction.










This review is 100% from Inky's brain, and use of this review without consent is prohibited.

I'm sure most of you are aware of the drama that has been ensuing from The Story Siren. Many bloggers have chosen to disengage from some of the memes and blogging from the Story Siren, others haven't. I don't want to get to in depth on the matter, I just thought I should make it known where I stand on the matter.

What happened is not okay. I don't agree with it. But I'm not condemning Story Siren either. I know that what she did was wrong but she's apologized and I'm not going to give her grief about it. However I know that this is where people differ on opinions. I have read some and I know that in truth it's hard to unknowingly copy the thoughts of other people. This is one of the many arguments or opinions that have been expressed but I'm not going to go into all of this, but I just wanted to say that I don't like what happened, but I'm going to forgive her and let it blow over. She's learned and I don't think giving her grief about it is going to help.

Because of all the drama I've decided to leave the official meme In My Mailbox. I don't hold any hard feelings against Kristi and her blog, despite this little incident, but I feel like it will be easier to simply have my own "Book Haul".

That's all I have to say on the matter. If you feel differently I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Happy blogging!

About Andrea:
Andrea Cefalo is a bit of a roamer, growing up in New Hampshire, Maryland, and South Carolina, though the bulk of her family lives in Maine. She dreamed of a career in art restoration, but somehow ended up becoming a grade school teacher before realizing she really wanted to be a writer. She taught for three years and then decided to finish The Fairytale Keeper series and pursue her new found ambition. Andrea lives with her husband and two border collies in Greenville, South Carolina, which she calls home, at least for now.


Where You Can Find Her:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AndreaCefalo
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/andreacefalo
Website:  http://www.andreacefalo.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=the+fairytale+keeper
Book Reading: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRV7d-ckaQaftMq_RhnD8wQ




Now that I’ve finished my last round of revisions, I am so excited to delve into the pile of half-read books that I already have: The Queen’s Fool by Phillipa Gregory, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet, Dearskin by Robin McKinley, The Amarenth Enchantment by Julie Berry, and Graceling by Kristin Cashore.   

There are so many to list, but it wasn’t until I read Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series that I actually sat down and wrote my first chapter.  She writes characters incredibly well.  When the Twilight series ended, I felt like my friends had moved away.  I’m still holding out hope that she’ll write a sequel to The Host or finish The Midnight Sun. 

  

What are your favorite scenes to write?

Writing Adelaide’s dreams is oddly liberating.  I’m writing historical fiction so there are boundaries to what my characters can say and do.   Dreams are so unrestricted.  They allow me to expose Adelaide’s true thoughts and fears more creatively.

What do you have in common with your MC? 

We are both determined.  When I decide I am going to do something and it becomes a priority, I’ll get it done or just about die trying.  I think Adelaide has that quality, but she lives in a time and place where that kind of mindset can kill a person.   We’re also both quite clumsy.  That can kill a person, too I suppose. 

Favorite quote from a book?

No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.

-Jon Donne Meditation XVII 

Favorite quote from your book?

 “Vengeance has cost us, I know it.  I feel the pain of it in my aching joints with every step I take.  I feel it in my stomach as I watch Father grow closer to her, but I tire of being the pawn in someone else’s game of chess.  I am the player now.  I shall always be the player, I promise myself.”-Adelaide

Any advice to Aspiring Authors?

Keep doing what you love.  Read books you love and write what you’re inspired to write.  Don’t let the idea of making lots of money ruin your love of the craft.  That being said, if you intend to be published, find out everything you can about the industry as you’re writing.  It’s very complex and there are definitely some things I know now that I wish I knew then. 



Book Excerpt:
12 March, 1247 Afternoon

Giveaway:
~Andrea has sent me copy of her book to giveaway so one luck winner will receive this!
~Only US residents may enter! I'm not going to be shipping internationally for some time. Sorry! 
~ Good luck! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Look for my review of The Fairytale Keeper coming soon!

Hi everyone, I'm postponing this weeks IMM/Book Haul till next week when I'll have a bigger stash to share with you. Hope you had a fabulous week in books!

Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Published: 2. 7. 12.
Pages: 330
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Summary: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

My Thoughts: There are no words to describe what I'm feeling right now after finishing this book. Well, there are but some are a bit trashy. Let me try to break this down a little more, so it's not so blunt.

Right After Finishing:
WHAT A HORRIBLE WAY TO END THE BOOK!!
WOW THAT STORY WAS INTRIGUING!
HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!
FINN!! *swoony face*
GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!
AAAAAAGH.

Where to begin? I was really drawn to the subject of this story. Witch sisters in a historical setting. I Loved Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle and so I was really excited for this one. I was happy with what I read and it hooked me but I was also disappointed in some ways. I'm not even sure how to say everything I want to say here. So I'll break this down into two parts. Spoiler Free, and Spoiler Full.

Spoiler Free Review(if you haven't read the  book):
Ever since the beautiful cover and premise caught my eye I have wanted to read this. And I honestly wasn't to disappointed. I enjoyed Cate's story. A lot was going wrong for her and for the most part she felt with it pretty well. But I'm going to point out that hs'es really indecisive. She seemed to keep coming to the realization that shed needed to so something, but she never did and it got worse. This happens a few times. That was one of the character flaws I found.

I felt like the Historical Setting for this book was good and nice but I also felt like it took me a while to gauge where they were. I did figure it out, but maybe I was just slow. Jessica's writing was also good. I felt like it was smooth and well done but beside that point there were times that I felt were rushed and so I was confuzzled a bit.

I would have liked more magic and more Tess but was happy with that I got. Though, speaking of the magic it wasn't as big as I thought it would be. Most of the book was dealing around not doing magic and the romance aspect. Speaking of Romance...



 Finn was fantastic. Cate did not deserve him. And she totally didn't realize what she had. That's why he's mine. I liked him even better than Cate herself. He had the most depth of everyone! He wasn't one of those cases where it's Love At First Hot Guy. Or whatever. I really wanted to get to know him better. So yes I approve of Finn. Yay Jessica! Good boy there. I'm not sure what else I can say with out spoiling a lot. The story was interesting I enjoyed it. THE COVER IS GORGEOUS. I dare you to say otherwise.

I liked the tension. But the buildup didn't seem to be as big as could be. I didn't feel the tension of the problem was a serious. I want to know what happens to the sisters, but honestly I'm so shocked by the ending I have to find out more. I'll give you one hint: It's dealing with Finn. So yes. Finn is the driving power for me.

Honestly though, it was good and I'd probably still recommend it. Despite all the itty-bitty plot points I pick out. It's just my writing side driving me nuts.

So if you've read the book, read on for my spoiler review.

Spoiler Full Review(if you have read the book):

So it starts out with our MC Cate wishing her mom was here. Because she and her sisters have a secret. They're witches. No one else knows this and it's getting harder to hide. Throughout this book it's a struggle to hide. New feelings and developments happen and things slip. But Cate is always worrying and trying to contain her sisters. And she's told over and over again how I could do this and given options but Cate has a little bit of the "I-Can-Do-It-All-Myself." And sometimes that gets aggravating. She's described as an independent character but seriously? Sometimes she didn't even TAKE action. There were some moments but that's not the word I would normally choose to describe a character like her.

K, let's take the Prophecy and all things witch related. I felt like a lot of it was in the shadows and didn't get answered by the end of the book. and the magic wasn't even as developed. The book is about witches so give us the Witches baby! Yes, it's true that in the setting, witches are a bad thing, but we need more to happen. When the prophecy is finally discovered this is a worry that Cate and her sisters Maura and Tess might be the ones. Then Cate never does anything but worry. She needs to FIGURE IT OUT! Everyone keeps saying they probably are and things keep changing and stuff but it's never definite and not definite sets are taken to protect her sisters. I don't feel like anything happened on that level. COME ON. Give us more.

Maura and Tess were actually really good side characters. Tess is my favorite. After Finn. I want to find out more about her since there were definetly some things left unanswered the most with her. Maura was all emotion. I understood where it all came from. Cate did have that over-protective-aspect-so-I-don't-notice-my-sisters-and-what's-right-in-front-of-me. That was something she had to over come but I felt that a lot of it was sudden. One thing that bugged me in relationship to her sisters was that she doesn't want her sisters to do magic and keep it col, because of the prophecy. She tells them not to and stuff but they don't listen. Partly because she never tells them WHY. Gosh. They should know! They might actually obey or listen to you. It didn't help your relationships at all by not.

Because of this over-protectiveness that Cate has with her sisters it was apart of most of her decisions. Make some yourself Cate. Think about what you want. I want to get to know you better than just some over-protective sister. So when she totally goes against her intended decisions and bases it off part of a end-of-thebok threat it drove me NUTS.

I think I'm done screaming about what I didn't like. It sounds like a lot, but I will honestly say that I did really enjoy read this. I did keep me hooked late at night wanting to see how it ended. I really ready for book two now to see what all HAPPENS with this plot and how things work out for FINN. Poor guy.

Content: Mild-Moderate
(There is a smattering of Deity references throughout and a few instances of "D-word". In the beginning there are references to witches in the past being homosexual. This is not an issue until the very end when we find out that Maura who didn't have anyone, developed this "love" for the governess and ends up kissing her. I didn't need that. It might be just me but it's seriously annoys me when these things are sprung on you at the end of a book. Also, Cate wondered slightly what Finn looked like Naked and what it would be liked married and sharing Finns, and in another instance, Pauls bed. Some kissing with a little heat. Mentions hands on arms, chest, back, hip and hair)





This review is 100% from Inky's brain, and use of this review without consent is prohibited. 

...spotlighting awesome giveaways with epic books!



The subject of today's giveaway spotlights is undoubtedly the Fairy-Tale Giveaway Hop! With tons of blogs participating in this (including me!) this is a fabulous opportunity to try and snag some of your favorite faith-tale reads! Check these ones out:

Pen to Paper Fairy-Tale Giveaway
*Choices like Cinder, Beastly and Scarlet.
*Lots of ways to enter!

Mostly YA-Book Obsessed Fairy-Tale Giveaway
*Book Choices include: The Fairy-Tale Keeper & Tiger Lily

Don't Miss These, and others!  Thanks to Pen and Nereyda for the giveaway!

Yeah that's right! I'm doing a giveaway! *applause and cheering* What's so great about this giveaway? IT'S ALL ABOUT FAIRY-TALES. I'm a nut for fairytales! So, I'm going to offer some of my FAVORITE retellings.  (Cue: This is where you start to hyperventilate about amazing prizes you could win) .

Now first, I should tell you all about my favorite fairy tale! It's a little uncommon mind you...


~Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
~The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott

Okay, so are you ready to see what you can win? Of course you are!

Your Book Choices:




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hi! So yesterday was hectic that I totally didn't get time to post this! So here is my WOW. Apologies for delay!
***

Continuing with all the fabulous bloggers I've had on the site, Benji from The Non-Reluctant Reader joins me today for another great interview! Benji, like me is a Young Adult reviewing books and sharing our passion for them. Other interests include Soccer, School and Sailing. Go S!

Welcome to the blog Benji!

..A Meme, hosted by Should Be Reading.
How To Participate:
1. Open the book you are currently reading to a random page
2. Find a paragraph or sentence to share
3. Post and Link Back to the blog.

Today's Teaser comes from "Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters" by Meredith Zeitlin:

"Yeah of course I will," I say, bending down to adjust my right knee-high boot but really trying to surreptitiously peer around the corner to see if Em is coming.

You have officially been teased....do you realize how close that is to tased?  As in... taser... But, anyway, Find the book here on Goodreads!

Happy Tuesday!

...spotlighting fabulous giveaways with amazing books!





MIMI VALENTINE is hosting a Blogoversary Giveaway! Happy Birthday! Two winners will a few choices between some new debut books this year. Go celebrate with Mimi!


AND keep an eye out for my 1 year Blogoversary as well! Giveaway to come with that! 

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Series: Wings Quartet
Publisher: Harper Teen
Released: 5. 1. 09
Pages: 294
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Summary: Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words. Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.


My Thoughts: I read this a couple summers ago I remember really enjoying this fresh take on faeries. I honestly can't remember all my thoughts about it but it was engaging and enjoyable, a quick light read. Not to dark at all. The plot was interesting and leaves you ready for book two, Spells. 


Laurel, the main character was well plotted and portrayed. I remember being able to understand her confusion and feelings throughout the book, something that find find really increases how much I like the book. The main love interest, David is one that I loved. He was a great guy and one that you want to route for. However, I found that he was suffering from Second Book Syndrome a little in book two and there. More on that in later review. 


If you are looking for a light summer read or just a fun book to curl up with, this is for sure one that you should consider. 


Content: Mild
((a few light instances of language. One time of the S-word. a reference to Faery sex. some kissing. ))


This review is 100% from Inky's brain, and use of this review without consent is prohibited. 

Spotlighting books that I would die to have an ARC of!


After Hello by Lisa Mangum
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: 9. 4. 12
Pages: 272
Summary: What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had? Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City. 
Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find. 
When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate?  The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The moblike Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.