YA Early #Review: Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati

January 22, 2013 | 3 Comments

Dancing in the Dark

by Robyn Bavati

Published by: Penguin/Flux

Keri’s Rating: 

He tossed her into the air as if she were weightless, and just for a moment she seemed suspended there, defying gravity. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I knew what she was feeling. It was in every movement of every limb.

Here was a power I had never seen before, a kind of haunting loveliness I had never imagined. Seeing it made me long for something, I didn’t know what . . .

Ditty was born to dance, but she was also born Jewish. When her strictly religious parents won’t let her take ballet lessons, Ditty starts to dance in secret. But for how long can she keep her two worlds apart? And at what cost?

A dramatic and moving story about a girl who follows her dream, and finds herself questioning everything she believes in.

The Book Pirate’s Review:

I confess that I have a thing for ballerinas. The line of lean muscles, the delicate yet strong bodies, and those graceful point shoes. I have the love for the dance, yet am trapped in the body of…me. This novel seemed to have been written for those of us with dreams yet no hope. The detail in which Bavati wrote the actions allowed the reader to feel as if they were bending as lithely as Ditty herself.

I truly enjoyed reading the life and experience of a strictly jewish family. I don’t normally enjoy historical fiction. Wait…did I say historical? Actually, it was set in present day! I was shocked when they started mentioning music players, jean cutoffs and cell phones!! I had no idea there was such a religious sect of Judaism still.

The story was phenomenal. Bavati writes as though she has lived it completely herself. The struggle between such strict religion and worldly desires is vivid. I actually wanted to read the glossary in the back to learn more! I loved that she used Jewish words. The vocabulary impressed on the traditions that bled through the novel.

The relationship between Ditty and her family and friends was truly convincing. I hurt for her as the guilt weighed her down and built such walls amid her and her parents. Every person reading this will recall at least one time they kept a truth from their parents. Juggling the religious and secular friendships was just as compelling.

I know this type is not one for a sequel, nor would it be realistically possible to recreate the struggle. If there was, though, I’d grab it off the shelves in a heartbeat.

Teaser & Top-Off Tuesday: The Rule-Breaker

January 21, 2013 | 16 Comments

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.  This meme is simple and fun, you just pick up your current read, flip to a random page, and choose 1 or 2 teaser sentences to share!

Top-off Tuesday: What better way than to top off a good book than with a GREAT Cover!

Every week, Amanda from On a Book Bender, Christi from Smitten with Reading,and Felicia from the Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog want to see those Top Off covers that grab your attention!  To play along, share your favorite covers (old, new, or coming soon).  Every once in a while there are covers that just make you say Oh My!  Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is bad, and sometimes it is head scratching.

Have you ever been book browsing, knowing that you really don’t NEED a new book, but you keep looking anyways?    I was browsing NetGalley when I came across this week’s Teaser and Top-Off Tuesday book, the cover had me clicking on the book, the blurb intrigued me, and the next thing you know, I have another book to read!  The book is The Rule-Breaker by Rhonda Nelson, published by Harlequin, and it features a military man and a romance.  Pair that with a hot cover… I have high hopes for this book.  So, here’s my teaser, keep in mind that the teaser is from the Advanced Reader Copy and subject to change: 

Top-Off Tuesday peeps: Let’s talk about the cover… or just eye the man candy look… That is one fine backside, top to bottom.  Very very pretty cover, I wouldn’t mind having this one on a poster… just saying…

Book Blurb from Goodreads:

Subject: Ranger Eli Weston Current Status: On leave Mission: To honor his fallen friend—and protect his secret Obstacle: His fallen friend’s ex, who’s off-limits…and off-the-charts sexy!

Ranger Eli Weston always does the right thing—even when it means defying orders. Now he’s back in town to help with a memorial in honor of his fallen military buddy. This time it’s not just about what’s right. It’s about ensuring that a secret never comes to light. A secret that only he and his friend’s ex-girlfriend know…

Clothing designer Shelby Monroe has always felt an illicit something for Eli. But when the two find themselves working together to ensure the media never discover the truth about the town’s fallen hero, temptation unfurls…hot, wicked and irresistible. How far can they bend the rules before they break?

Uniformly Hot!

The Few. The Proud. The Sexy as Hell.

I don’t know about you, but I love that end tagline, “The Few.  The Proud.  The Sexy as Hell.”  I can’t wait to see all of your teasers and covers this week.  Happy reading everyone,

Paranormal Audiobook Quickie Review: Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler

January 21, 2013 | 5 Comments

Tempest Rising

by Nicole Peeler

Published by: Orbit Books

Heather’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars  

Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn’t quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new “friend,” Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie’s lamp.

If you love Sookie Stackhouse, then you’ll want to dive into Nicole Peeler’s enchanting debut novel.

Book Savvy Babe’s Quickie Review:

3.5 of 5 Stars

Just finished the audiobook. It took me a little bit to get into this one. That may be in part because I was listening to the audio and I was easily distracted. Nevertheless, once I was able to really get into the book, I found that I liked Jane and I was curious about her role in the supernatural world. She is a half-breed, she doesn’t fit in her human town, and she doesn’t fill well with the supernaturals either.

I liked Ryu okay. I think that Jane let him get away with a lot, like the fact that he fed from her more than she realized. She let him off-the-hook, so to speak, more than I liked. There was plenty of sizzle and chemistry between them throughout the book. I like that Jane didn’t shy away from sexy time and she seemed to come out of her shell more as the book went on.

I definitely enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to continuing the series. This is one of the series that I can sit back and enjoy, and not over-analyze too much.

I am not sure whether I will listen to the next book on audio or pick up the print or e-book. I was not the biggest fan of the narration, done by Kate Reinders. I didn’t like the male voices at all, and even found Jane’s voice annoying at times. Not my favorite audiobook, but I enjoyed the story.

This book is the first book to add to my 2013 Audio Book Challenge!

Sunday Post: January 14-20, 2013

January 19, 2013 | 12 Comments

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
~this meme was inspired in part by – In My Mailbox~

It’s a chance to share News.

A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

If you haven’t noticed yet, Book Savvy Babes has been making some pretty big changes for 2013.  This week, we introduced a new blogger, Keri, The Book Pirate.  Keri is our new YA reviewer, she has been blogging in her spare time for a few years now, but decided to join the Book Savvy Babes team due to time issues (we all know how that goes…).  Laurielu posted her first review to Book Savvy Babes this week, and we are hosting a follower giveaway.  So, this has been quite a busy week for us babes

This Week at Book Savvy Babes:

• Monday: Romantica Review: Release Me by J Kenner
  

  Contest Open!

• Tuesday: Teaser & Top-Off Tuesday from Blood Law.  Laurielu’s Romantica Review of Fall Into You by Roni Loren
• Wednesday: Historical Romance Review- Waking Up With a Rake by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe (great HR read!)
• Thursday: Erotic Romance Review of Double Time by Olivia Cunning
• Friday: Welcome Keri, The Book Pirate to Book Savvy Babes.  Book Savvy Babes Celebration and Follower Giveaway Contest (Open to US & INT)

New to the TBR:

For Review:

• Vanilla On Top by CL Ellison (Courtesy of Entangled Publishing)
• Devil May Care by Patricia Eimer (Courtesy of Entangled Publishing)
• Flirting Under a Full Moon by Ashlyn Chase (via NetGalley)
• Darius by Grace Burrowes (via netGalley)
• Lush by Lauren Dane (via NetGalley)
• A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper (via Edelweiss)
• Rush by Maya Banks (courtesy of Penguin publishing)

Bought, Won, Freebies:

Shaedes of Grey by Amanda Bonilla

I love the new reads that came in this week.  I can not wait to dive in.  I hope you are all having a great weekend, Happy Reading–

Book Savvy Babes Celebration and Follower Giveaway!

January 18, 2013 | 13 Comments

In the past month 2 new bloggers have joined Book Savvy Babes!  With all the changes and new bloggers joining the Book Savvy Babes team, we decided to celebrate!  We are hosting a follower giveaway to help all of our followers, from the original Book Savvy Babe, Bona Fide Reflections, and The Book Heroine blogs, follow us here at Book Savvy Babes.

We thank you for putting up with us while we are working through transitions and sticking with us through all of the changes.  We are looking forward to working with more authors, publishers, and other blogs in the future.  2013 really is a whole new year with all sorts of bookish goodness to come.  So, whether you are a long time follower, or new to Book Savvy Babes, THANK YOU!

- Heather, Laurie, Keri, and Rory-

The Giveaway:

3 of our followers will each win a $12 Amazon (or Book Depository for you international followers) Giftcard (USD)  This contest is open to US and International entrants.  The contest will run from today, Friday the 18th of January through January 31st at midnight.

How To Enter:

This is a follower giveaway contest, so following this blog is actually mandatory.  Not all of the entries are mandatory, but following Book Savvy Babes via RSS or Email is.  You can follow in other ways and help spread the word for extra entries.  To enter, follow us and fill out the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for stopping by and entering the contest.  May the odds be ever in your favor and happy reading!

Welcome our new YA reviewer, Keri the Book Pirate, to Book Savvy Babes!

January 18, 2013 | 12 Comments

YA reviewer?  At Book Savvy Babes?  Yes, you read that right.  Book Savvy Babes is continuing to expand, and since so many readers enjoy both Young Adult and Adult reads, we felt it was time to have a YA reviewer join our team.

Enter Keri

Keri has run her own YA blog, The Book Heroine for a few years now, but due to work and life demands and time constraints, she has limited time to blog.  So, we’re bringing Keri on as one of the Book Savvy Babes!  With this new change in venue, Keri’s new moniker will be the Book Pirate (so fun!).  Keri is a long-time friend of mine, we love getting into trouble having all sorts of fun in and around So Cal, so you can all look forward to fun times here at Book Savvy Babes!

Heather & Keri

About Keri:

I am a photographer with an addiction to books. I live with my hubby in sunny Southern California right in between the sandy beaches, cool mountains, and hot deserts.  (Right close to Heather, Book Savvy Babe!)

My life is filled daily with pages of print. Each day begins with a read, my kindle travels in my purse, and I fall asleep with stories mixed in my dreams. I find myself sharing with friends about any recent book that I have read. To save my friends from hearing my squabbles on this topic that I hold dear to my heart, I began to blog.  I love reading and reviewing books! There is such a beautiful connection between a blogger and an author or publisher. Because of that, I try to be as fair as possible with my time to ensure a happy relationship!

Keri is phasing out her blog, The Book Heroine.  So, if you are a Book Heroine follower, be sure to follow here at Book Savvy Babes to read Keri’s posts and reviews in the future.  You can follow Keri the Book Pirate at:

• Twitter: @BookSavvyPirate
• Gooodreads
• Facebook

   

We are all very excited about the changes that have been developing here at Book Savvy Babes, we are looking forward to being a more diverse blog with more content, personalities, and book reviews to fit just about anyone (as long as you like romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, or YA… )

Thanks for stopping by today, be sure to give Keri a shout out and welcome her to Book Savvy Babes!