Showcase Sunday #89

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Physical Books

  

 

The top three I got for 3 for £5 at The Works, couldn't find a third one that I have had my eye on so went for Personally... as it sounded like something I would enjoy. The bottom two books I got as I was having a really bad day so thought I would get a couple of books.

Kindle Books Bought

  

I bought these for my kindle when I was having that bad day. The first one was only 99p and the other two was £1.99!

Free Kindle Books

  

 

Kindle Review Books

  

1 Year Old Blog!

 

Hey everyone,

As you may have realized from all the giveaways going on my blog has turned one today (19th September) which I for one can't believe how quickly that time has gone.

I want to thank my wonderful (344) Followers I love you all you have made my year by all of you following or even commenting. It's great to hear what everyone has to say about our shared love of books.

 

 

http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/books-received.html - Here is a link to my very first post. It was a Book Recieved post which you may realize that I no longer do this and now I do a Showcase Sunday here's the latest SS post -  http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/showcase-sunday-16.html

 

http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/ballad-gathering-faerie-books-of-faerie.html - This is a link to my first ever review which I don't think it says as much as my latest review post - http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/book-review-stone-girl.html. Whats so weird about both of these is that they are both one star rating books!

 

Looking back I haven't rated many books 1/5 (there are only 4!) but out of those here is a link to my least favourite book that I have read over the year - http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies.html. Throughout the year I have ben blogging I have rated 20 books 5/5 but here's the link to my favourite http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/vanishing-game.html. It was a lot harder to chose my favourite as on different days it could have easily have been another book but this is the one I love today.

 

I have added loads of things throughout the year and I have also added other social networking sites to go with this blog (Click on the sites title to send you to my pages).

 

Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

YouTube

Pintrest

Google+ Kate BookLife

 

 

 

Birthday Celebration Giveaways

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James (UK ONLY)

Lex by James Mylet (UK ONLY)

Secrets, Lies, and Locker 62 by Lil Chase (UK ONLY)

Vampire Shift, Doorways, Black Hill Farm, Cowgirls & Vampires all by Tim O'Rourke (INT)

2 Winners of Swag from Mia Castile and 1 winner of Becoming a Butterfly by Mia Castile as well as some swag (US ONLY)

Click on the titles to send you to the giveaways.

 

Over this past year I have learnt new things and changed the way I blog but I still have a lot to learn as you can tell by this post!

Thank You everyone can't wait for more years to come :)

Birthday Celebrations Giveaway #6 (International)

So today is my blogs first birthday so I am going to do a few giveaways today. So for this international giveaway I am pleased to tel you that the lovely Tim O'Rourke has kindly said he will giveaway the first in the series of his books in digital form. The books are Vampire Shift, Doorways, Black Hill Farm, Cowgirls & Vampires!
To find out more about each of the books click on the images below which will send you to Goodreads.

 

 

 

 

Would you like to win this great prize? Then enter the rafflecopter form below. Good Luck everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #41

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

As you may have guessed it was a bad week of reading from me again as I am addicted to watching the Olympics. They are coming to a end soon so I will have more time to read plus I read when something is on that I don't need to know about.

Currently Reading

Foretold by Jana Oliver

Just under 100 pages left of this book and so far it's a brilliant book they seemed to have saved the best until last. If you are from the UK then you can win a copy of this book in my stop of the Foretold Blog Tour. (Click here to enter)

What I plan on reading next

Wake by Amanda Hocking

If you have seen a previous It's Monday post you will know that I was planning on reading this book a couple of weeks ago but I never got around to reading it so this week I will definitely be starting this one.

Semi-Charmed Life by Nora Zelevansky

Another book that I have said that I was going to read in previous posts but never got around to it, this time I will start it.

So that's my week of reading planned, what are you planning on reading this week?

In this post I mentioned about my UK only giveaway but I also have a International giveaway going on (only a couple of days left to enter). This is a chance where you can win an ecopy of Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke. (To enter click here)

300 Follower Giveaway

This week I have reached the 300 follower milestone which I am so grateful to you all so much so I have decided to do my first ever giveaway.

For my first giveaway the lovely Tim O'Rourke has said he is willing to give 5 e-copies of his novel Vampire Shift to 5 lucky winners. I have actually read this book and I have to tell you it's a very good read here's a link to my review. With this being an e-copy this giveaway will be International.
As I said this is my first giveaway so please bare with me as I am learning how to even use Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Cover: Vampire Shift

Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke

The first time I came across this book I loved this cover and was the main reason why I had to add this book to my tbr pile. I have not long since finished this book and I have to say that the story lives up to the cover which doesn't always happen but I'm so glad this does as I need this cover on my bookshelf!

I can't actually pinpoint what the main focus of this cover is as I seem to focus on it all and I love that this cover can do that.

I have seen quite a few covers with people in full on them which I do like but in this cover the whole of the cover is filled with the girl's face. I do like it when covers fill the whole of the cover as I think it looks more intriguing and you seem to notice things more. I love the way that part of her face is covered as the colour of the hair breaks up what would have been a more neutral coloured cover which in some cases work but in this case the added colour makes it stand out.

The main part of the cover that I love is the way it looks like she is crying blood as it's not normal so there for the reader knows something interesting will be happening in this book.

Her eye is very captivating as it looks like she is staring right at us and makes me want to know what she sees which is in keeping with the story.

I love that the title's font has been kept simple as it just wouldn't have looked right, it would've taken the focus of the rest of the cover.

Not everything that is going on in the cover is in keeping with the story but I don't think that it matters in this case as it gives us enough clues to guess what is going to happen.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #36

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Currently Reading

Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey

I do love this series but for some reason it has took me a little while to get into it. Now that I am into it I love it just as much as the previous books in this series.

Otherkin by Nina Berry

I am not liking this book in fact there is too much going on that I just don't get what is going on. I am hoping it will settle down soon.

Reading Next

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

Burn by Heath Gibson

Not heard too much about these books so I don't know what to expect from them.

So that's what I am planning on reading this week, what's on your reading plan?

BOTM #9

I have read quite a few books this month so for this months Book of the month I have decided to do a vlog version which is where you will find out what I read and the winner or you can take a peek at the BOTM tab at the top of the blog.
Let me know what you thought of the books that I read? and did I pick the right one? which would you guys have picked?

Book Review: Vampire Shift (Kiera Hudson #1)

Vampire Shift (Kiera Hudson #1) by Tim O'Rourke

Format: e-book
Publisher: Createspace
Published: 6th June 2011
Pages: 251
Main Characters: Kiera, Luke, Potter, Murphy
Date Started: 21st June 2012
Date Finished: 27th June 2012
Rating Given: ****

Blurb from Goodreads:

When twenty-year-old police recruit Kiera Hudson is posted to the remote town of The Ragged Cove, her life is changed forever. Investigating a series of horrific murders, grave desecrations and missing persons, with her unique ability of ‘seeing’, Kiera soon realises her life is in danger.

But when Kiera is crewed with Police officer Luke Bishop, not only is her mind and heart opened to a terrifying new world, she comes to suspect that Luke might be involved in the killings.

In a race against time to unearth the truth, Kiera must discover the identity of who or what is behind the gruesome deaths on the ‘Vampire Shift’.

This book had been on my wishlist for awhile and then the author got in touch with me and asked if I wanted to review his book for him which I obviously jumped at the chance and I'm glad I did.

The cover is actually what made me want to read this book as I love it so much so that I will have to get my hands on a hardcopy so it can sit on my shelf. I love that the face takes up all the cover space yet it still looks interesting. The reason why it looks so interesting to me is the blood running from her eye it looks so effective against the pale skin. I love the colours that have been used epesially the purple from the hair and the golden eye they are so eye catching.

This is my first book I have read by Tim O'Rourke and it most definitely won't be the last. I loved the different take on the vampire myth after reading pleanty of them I didn't think there could even be a different take on them but O'Rourke deffinitely did. I'm not usually one for creepy books but O'Rourke has changed my mind as it was creepy but I was so intrigued by everything that was happening that I didn't care. The only thing about his writing that did put me off was towards the end it would seem Kiera had flashbacks to murder scene's that she had seen earlier in the book. The reason I didn't like that was because it seemed like something a film would do but just didn't make sense in this book.

There was so much going on in this book that kept me gripped throughout the book as I love a book that can have so much going on but not overwelming me. There was scene's that had me on the edge of my seat and then smiling along with it in the next. I loved that I never knew what was going to happen next it makes a refreshing change.

Kiera was a great female character as she was strong, independant, smart but also she had a softer side to her that made me warm to her. Kiera is able to see things that not everyone else notices which I am looking forward to finding out the reason behind this in the coming books. The rest of the characters I would either love or hate at one point or another as like Kiera I never quite knew who to trust. What I didn't like though was the connection between Kiera and Luke it just seemed a bit forced and rushed I just didn't believe it.

Overall a highly gripping story and would recommend anyone who likes vampire stories to give this book a try.

Teaser Tuesday #28

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!




My teasers:

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

He didn't have to finish his thought aloud. She knew he was talking about the two of them. Tears started to heat up Helen's eyes. Helen knew she couldn't get emotional in front of him or she would truly lose it. Before she could start crying, she jumped into the night sky and flew home. - Page 142 (Quote may differ in the final copy as this is an ARC)

Not sure about this book as loads of things are happening but I'm not sure I understand what actually is going on.

       Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke

"You'll be fine," He said from the darkness. "Just some cuts and bruises. You were in a nasty car crash."
"It was a car crash?" I mumbled, consciousness fading again.
"There was a vamp - "
"Shhh," he said, moving away. "We can talk about it tomorrow." - Page 79

I am really enjoying this book as there's loads of mystery but I think things are going to start to be explained.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #35

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I Am (Not) The Walrus by Ed Briant

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

Currently Reading

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Not read much of this book but so far I am not really getting what is actually going on but I'm hoping that will change soon as I haven't even read the first full chapter yet!

Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke

I am really enjoying this book as loads of things have been happening. Looking forward to find out what is actually happening.

Reading Next

Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey

Otherkin by Nina Berry

So that's my week of reading plan, what's yours?

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #34

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Currently Reading

Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Only started this book yesterday but it seems good so far and something has just happened so I think it will only get better.

I Am (Not) The Walrus by Ed Briant

Again I have only just started this one yesterday but this one seems a bit slow so I'm hoping that it will pick up.

Reading Next

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke

Looking forward to reading both of these books as I love the Drake Chronicles and I have been wanting to read Vampire Shift for ages.

That's my reading plan for this week, what's everyone else reading?

Showcase Sunday #6

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog. Click on the images of the books to take you to Goodreads.

Swap Books

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I did a swap a couple of weeks ago but instead of a book I received a gift card for the postage and when this book went down to £2.80 I just knew it was the book for me. I have had it on my wishlist for ages but never got around to getting it but at that price who was I to refuse.

Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

Another swap book and another one that I have been after. I love re-tellings so I'm hoping I will love this too.

Review Books

Velvet by Mary Hooper

This book arrived yesterday but I wasn't expecting it at all as it was a few weeks ago when Bloomsbury emailed to see if anyone wanted to review it so I just thought there wasn't enough books available. Thanks to Emma over at Bloomsbury.

Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke

Tim O'Rourke contacted me through Facebook to see if I wanted to review his books and seeing as I have been dying to read this series I jumped at the chance and has now sent me an ecopy of it. Also we have been talking about me hosting a giveaway for this book so watch out for that :) A big thanks to Tim O'Rourke.

So that's the books I received this week. What did everyone else receive?