New Layout + Some Contests!

Hello, hello!  As promised, I found a new layout.  I really like this one...it's got a sort of vintage-y/historical feel to it...

Finals were okay...I guess.  I actually didn't end up reading a leisure read, so no new finished books.  My final paper for one of my classes actually took more time to write than I had anticipated, so a lot of my concentration was on that.

Anyway, I leave for Vancouver tomorrow, and I only have one book packed right now!  I couldn't decide which ones I wanted to bring...so I'm going to look through them later today and decide.  I'm super excited for this trip! :)

Unfortunately, I didn't win the contests I entered before.  But that's not going to stop me from entering more contests.  Here are a couple I've entered recently:

- Princess Bookie's Book Giveaway: Win up to THREE books! (All ARCs)
- The Bibliophilic Book Blog's Follower Giveaway: Win a signed copy of Lament, Ballad, and Shiver

Recap: Mar. 14 - Mar. 20, 2010

Currently Reading
- On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
- Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke

Books Read
- no books read this past week, because of finals week :(

Books Added to TBR Pile
- N/A

Books Added to Wishlist 
- Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
- Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
- Jane Austen's Best Friend
- Sushi for One by Camy Tang
- Percy Jackson series
- Numbers by Rachel Ward
- Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten
- The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
- Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

Books Reviewed
- N/A

Challenges Completed
- N/A

Challenges Joined
- 1st in a Series Challenge
- Finish that Series Challenge
- Romance Reading Challenge
- Audio Book Challenge

Audio Book Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

I have never listened an audio book, so I thought I'd give it a challenge.  Since I'm not sure if I'll like audio books, I am going to just attempt the Curious level for now, which is listening to 3 audio books.

I'll post the list as I go along...

Link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/audio-book-reading-challenge.html

Romance Reading Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

A romance challenge hosted by Royal Reviews.  Since I'm a big romance fan, I think I'll aim for Obsessed level, which is reading 20 romance novels.  I'll post to the list as I read the books...

Link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/romance-reading-challenge.html

1. Curveball by Kate Angell - 03/28/2010
2. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye - 03/30/2010

Finish That Series Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

Another challenge from Royal Reviews that deals with series.  This one is the finish them...

For this challenge, I'm going for the obsessed level, which is to finish 10 series.  For now, this is a holder post while I check out series to read.

Link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/finish-that-series-challenge.html

1st in a Series Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

I found this challenge at Royal Reviews, and since I love series, I thought I'd take up this challenge.  There's also a challenge about series at the RRRC...and I'll probably join that one too. Hehe...

I'm going to go for the Addicted level, which is 12 novels that are first in a series.  But for now, this is just a holder post.  I'll post my list of books later...

LIST
1. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson)
2. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/1st-in-series-challenge.html

A Couple of Contests

I know I just said I wasn't going to be really posting, but I just entered a couple of contests, so I thought I'd let you know about them.  The books that are being given away all sound really interesting!

Wherever Nina Lies Giveaway - enter by 3/17

Numbers Giveaway - enter by 3/27

Go enter too! And good luck! :)

Finals Week

It's that time of the quarter again: finals week!  A time when I should be doing nothing but studying and reading only my textbooks.  (I'll probably end up reading some leisure reads though...I always do.)  Just letting you know that there probably won't be as much posting this week...Sort of a mini-hiatus.

When I get back, it'll be Spring Break, and I'll probably come back with a new layout.  I think this blog would do better in the 3 column format.  Too much going on in the one sidebar...lots of scrolling to get through all of it.  So yeah, expect that.  And I'll be going to Vancouver for Spring Break, so I'll probably get some reading done along the way, with all the waiting at airports...

Good luck with your finals, if you're having them now, too! :)

Recap: Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2010

Currently Reading
- On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
- Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke

Books Read
- Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller
- Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Books Added to TBR Pile
- Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
- On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
- Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison
- Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants by Louise Rennison
- Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
- Curveball by Kate Angell

Books Added to Wishlist
- The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
- Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
- Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
- Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

Books Reviewed
- Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller

Challenges Completed
N/A

Challenges Joined
N/A

WWW Wednesday: Mar. 10

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

Currently reading Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison.

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished reading Corbin's Fancyby Linda Lael Miller, and wrote a review on it.  I would say it's not one of her best.

What do you think you'll read next?

On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God...it's the sequel to Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging.

ROMANCE: Corbin's Fancy

Title: Corbin's Fancy
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Genre: Historical Romance
# of Pages: 311


Summary:

"When a traveling carnival left Fancy Jordan stranded in the rugged Washington Territory, she thought her luck had run out.  Alone, penniless, she welcomed a most intriguing offer--to live in the home of Jeff Corbin's brother, and coax the wounded, withdrawn Jeff back to health and happiness.

But a villainous attack on his ship had hurt only his body--a far deeper sorrow tortured him, heart and soul.  For as the beautiful gamine fell deeply in love with this handsome, brooding man, she faced a phantom rival...one that only the most splendid, most hearfelt passion could conquer."

Review: I'm really glad this was not the first Linda Lael Miller book I read.  It would have put me off her books forever.  Usually, I find her books engaging and well written, with good character and relationship development.  Not so with this one.  Though it may have been well written, the characters were not at all fleshed out.  And their relationship definitely had issues.  It was altogether too unrealistic.  I know it's fiction, but there has to be a bit of realism to fiction, too.  It has to be just a bit believable...

The main female character, Fancy Jordan, is fired from the traveling circus she was with and is almost immediately offered a job by Keith Corbin, a pastor.  She is to be a companion to his brother, Jeff, who suffered burns when his ship was set on fire.  Keith wants Fancy to draw Jeff out of the inner world he has hidden himself in.  Within two days, it seems she's successful.  Jeff goes outside for the first time in a long time, picking a fight with his brother and calling Fancy a slut.  The brothers don't end up fighting, as Keith will be late for church.  Instead, Fancy and Jeff have sex.  And then Fancy runs away.  Fancy is very insecure about herself and prone to jealousy, stemming from her insecurities and lack of self confidence.  The story is basically Fancy and Jeff arguing, making up, having sex, and then doing it all over again.  They did not get to know each other at all, even after they got married.  They each claimed to love the other, but all they really seemed to have going was sex.  Also, the antagonist of the story, Temple Royce, whom Fancy has been running from and who is Jeff's enemy, is dealt with in an unsatisfying way.  After all the times Temple is mentioned and seen in the story, the ending was very anti-climatic.  It seemed like Temple was there just so there could be a villainous character in the never.  In the end, it seems the author got tired of writing and just wanted it to be over with.

So, to sum it up: I found problems with the characters and the ending.  Plus, the plot wasn't very original.

Rating: ★★

Teaser Tuesday: Mar. 9

"We tried all the testers, and this stuff that you put on your hair, like a wand and it puts a streak of color into your own hair.  I tried all of them but blond looked really brilliant."

~ Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison, p. 151

Recap: Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2010

Books Read
- Impetuous by Lori Foster

Books Added to TBR Pile
- Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller
- The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb
- Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force
- Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl Woods

Books Reviewed
N/A

Challenges Completed
N/A

Challenges Joined
- Read The Last Time I Was Me in 1 month
- Read Line of Scrimmage in 1 month
- Read Sweet Magnolias series (4 books) in 4 months
- 2010 A-Z Author Challenge
- 2010 A-Z Book Challenge
- 2010 A-Z Character Challenge (f)
- 2010 A-Z Character Challenge (m)
- RtM: March
- Women We Love Challenge

RRRC: Women We Love Challenge

RRRC Quarterly Challenge: March 1, 2010 - May 31st, 2010

1. Office/Clerical - Secretary, Assistant, Receptionist, etc.
2. Service Industry - Waitress, Maid, Hairdresser, Cashier, etc.
3. Professional Career Woman - Owns a business or any career that requires a college degree.
-> Rosalie Ronaldi is a Corporate Turnaround Expert in Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye (3/30/2010)
4. Life Saving/Medical - Nurse, Doctor, EMT, Lifeguard, etc.
5. Geek/Computers - Librarian, Accountant, Computers, etc.
6. Mom - Single mother, Widow, Homemaker, Pregnant, etc.
7. Traditional Man's Job - Military, Mechanic, Cop, Lumberjack, etc.
8. Works with children - Nanny, Au pair, Day care, Preschool, Pediatrician, etc.
9. School/Academic - Teacher or Student
-> Carlie McDaniels is an elementary school teacher in Impetuous by Lori Foster (3/5/2010)
10. Creative - Artist, Musician, Chef, Photographer, Writer, etc.

For PNR Fans:

1. vampire
2. shifter
3. witch
4. demoness
5. goddess

(I'll add the actual book titles when I read them)

Read the Month: March

Another challenge from Romance Readers Reading Challenges!

What kind of challenge is this?

From the RRRC Group:
The idea is simple: you take the letters of the month, and for each letter you find a book which either has an author whose last name starts with this letter or a book which title starts with the given letter.

Progress: 5/5 - COMPLETED

M - Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian (03/14/2010)
A - Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison (03/13/2010)
R - Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye (03/30/2010)
C - Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller (03/09/2010)
H - Heartbreaker by Diana Palmer (03/07/2010) 

2010 A-Z Male Character Challenge

Progress: 6/26

A:
B:
C:
D: Dan Calebow from It Had to Be You - 01/17/2010
E:
F:
G:
H:
I:
J: Jeff Corbin from Corbin's Fancy - 03/09/2010
K: Kevin Tucker from This Heart of Mine - 01/06/2010
L:
M:
N: Nigel Bevelstoke from The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - 02/21/2010
O:
P:
Q:
R: Risk Kincaid from Squeeze Play - 01/15/2010
S:
T: Tyler Ramsey from Impetuous - 03/05/2010
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

2010 A-Z Female Character Challenge

Progress: 6/26

A:
B:
C: Cheever, Miranda from The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - 02/21/2010
D:
E:
F: Fancy Jordan from Corbin's Fancy - 03/09/2010
G: Grayson, Jacy from Squeeze Play - 01/15/2010
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M: Molly Sommerville from This Heart of Mine - 01/06/2010
N:
O:
P: Phoebe Sommerville from It Had to Be You - 01/17/2010
Q:
R: Rosalie Ronaldi from Romeo, Romeo - 03/30/2010
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

2010 A-Z Book Challenge

I'm in for this one as well! :)

Progress: 3/26

A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
I: It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 01/17/2010
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R: Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye - 03/30/2010
S: Squeeze Play by Kate Angell - 01/15/2010
T: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 01/06/2010
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

2010 A-Z Author Challenge

Progress: 6/26

A: Angell, Kate - Squeeze Play 01/15/2010
B:
C:
D:
E:
F: Foster, Lori - Impetuous 03/05/2010
G:
H:
I:
J:
K: Kaye, Robin - Romeo, Romeo 03/30/2010
L:
M: Miller, Linda Lael - Corbin's Fancy 03/09/2010
N:
O:
P: Phillips, Susan Elizabeth - This Heart of Mine 01/06/2010
Q: Quinn, Julia - The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever 02/21/2010
R:
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

Change in 101010 Challenge

So, I decided to change the Shakespeare category in my 101010 challenge, to the Georgia Nicholson books.  After watching the movie, I got interested in the rest of the storyline.  And so now, I'm going to read the complete series, which has 10 books.  Works out pretty perfectly, haha.

Also, I'm doing some other challenges too, and am interested in participating in still more challenges.  Challenges introduce you to so many new books!  I love it!  So the new ones that I've decided to take part in for now are ones I found in the Romance Readers Reading Challenges group on  Goodreads, under their "Dare You to Read" challenges.  The challenges I decided to partake in are: to read Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force in a month, to read The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb in a month, and to read the Sweet Magnolias series (4 books) by Sherryl Woods within 4 months.  Actually, the Sweet Magnolias series is going to come out with 3 more books this year, so that challenge might be extended.  So yeah, this doesn't seem too bad.  And I can use these books to cross challenge with my 101010 challenge.

There are many more challenges from the Romance Readers Reading Challenges (RRRC) group that I'm interested in.  I also have some I'm interested in from the Royal Reviews site.

So check back for more news on the challenges I'm participating in.  Also, I should have some reviews up next week! :)

Monday Motivation

Hello!  It is officially Monday, and so I thought I'd post with my new weekly thing: Monday Motivation.  Every Monday I will try to post a quote that will try to help motivate us through the week...or maybe just give us a laugh, to make the week not so daunting.  Anyway, I found a good one for this week!

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.

                                                                                            ~ Louisa May Alcott