2012 A-Z Book Challenge

I've have decided to enter this challenge as well. To sign up go here. It's very simple, just read a book that starts with a letter of the alphabet, and make sure to cover all letters. As it says on the sign up post, 'Since it is really hard to find titles beginning with X, the letter X just needs to be in the title somewhere.'

I'm going with option A, and here's my list of books, I will be adding to/changing it as time goes on.

A — A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

B — Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

C — Crusade by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

D — Damned by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

E — Evernight by Claudia Gray

F — Fallen by Lauren Kate

G — Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter

H — Hourglass by Claudia Gray

I — Immortal Hearts by Ellen Schreiber

J — 

K — 

L — Lenobia's Vow by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

M — My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

N — Need by Carrie Jones

O — Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

P — Passion by Lauren Kate

Q — 

R — Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

S — Stargazer by Claudia Gray

T — Tempestuous by Leslie Livingston

U — 

V — Vampires: The Recent Undead edited by Paula Guran

W — Wuthering Bites by Sarah Gray

X — Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Y — 

Z — 

Waiting On Wednesday {11/23}

Title: Lenobia's Vow

Series: House of Night Novellas ⋯ Book 2 

Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Pages: 160

Release Date: January 31, 2012

Summary: The second in the enthralling new mini-series of novellas from the #1 bestselling authors of the House of Night, Lenobia's Vow tells the gripping story behind the House of Night's enigmatic riding instructor – and one of Zoey’s closest allies against evil

The House of Night is an international publishing sensation; with almost 12 million books in print, and an incredible 120 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, the series has taken the world by storm. Now, the excitement continues as the Cast mother-daughter duo shares the back stories of a few of the House of Night's most important – and mysterious – characters. The second of the House of Night Novellas brings us Lenobia, the strong, beautiful horseback riding instructor, who guides Zoey through some of her darkest hours, and has a dark secret buried in her own past...

In a small southern town at the turn of the century, young Lenobia is developing into a beautiful young woman with ideas of her own. But when she is Marked as a fledgling vampyre, her world turns upside down, and she is drawn to the musical streets of New Orleans. There, she learns of the city’s dark underbelly, ruled by powerful black magic. As Lenobia experiences her first love – and loss – and discovers a passion for horses to sustain her, she must come face-to-face with Darkness itself. And she may not escape without scars.

Book Review ⋯ Dragon's Oath

Title: Dragon's Oath
Series: House of Night Novellas ⋯ Book 1
Author: P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Pages: 145
Stars: ★★★★★


Summary: In early 19th century England, long before he’s a professor at the Tulsa House of Night, Bryan Lankford is a troublesome yet talented human teen who thinks he can get away with anything… until his father, a wealthy nobleman, has finally had enough, and banishes him to America. When Bryan is Marked on the docks and given the choice between the London House of Night and the dragon-prowed ship to America, he chooses the Dragon – and a brand new fate.

Becoming a Fledgling may be exciting, but it opens a door to a dangerous world.... In 1830’s St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, Dragon Lankford becomes a Sword Master, and soon realizes there are both frightening challenges and beautiful perks. Like Anastasia, the captivating young Professor of Spells and Rituals at the Tower Grove House of Night, who really should have nothing to do with a fledgling…

But when a dark power threatens, Dragon is caught in its focus. Though his uncanny fighting skills make him a powerful fledgling, is he strong enough to ward off evil, while protecting Anastasia as well? Will his choices save her—or destroy them all?

Review: I loved this book! I really liked seeing how Dragon and Anastasia first met, and since I read this after Destined, I could see how the event that happened in this book was hinted at in Destined. I was dying to know what Dragon was talking about in Destined, and this explained it perfectly. I know that is very vague and mysterious, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Another thing I liked about this book was the different perspectives that it gave, and how quickly it changed POV's to give the right one at the right time.

In My Mailbox {Week 1}

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset
Series: The Steampunk Chronicles ⋯ Book 1
Author: Kady Cross
Pages: 473
Format: Hardcover


Summary: In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her. 

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch. 

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret. 

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help and finally be a part of something, finally fit in. 

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

I can't wait to read this book! It sounds soooo good.

Title: Nyx in the House of Night

Series: Written about the House of Night series

Editor: P. C. Cast

Pages: 219

Format: Paperback

Summary: The House of Night is no ordinary school—and not just because it's for vampyres. It's a place where magic, religion, folklore, and mythology from multiple traditions merry meet and meld to create something incredible and new.

In Nyx in the House of Night—a 2-color illustrated companion to the House of Night series—some of your favorite YA authors, plus a few experts, help you navigate the influences behind the House of Night series in a guide that would get even Damien's seal of approval.

Travel with P.C. Cast as she gets her first tattoo in Ireland, climbs the ruins of Sgiach's castle, and discovers the lore that led to the Isle of Skye vampyres. Read Kristin Cast's defense of women in history and mythology who, like Zoey, have made a practice of juggling multiple men. Sit in on a vampyre lecture by Bryan Lankford, the real-life basis for House of Night instructor Dragon Lankford, on the parallels between Wiccan and vampyre circle rituals. Tour Tulsa's House of Night landmarks with local Amy H. Sturgis.

Plus:

•Karen Mahoney on Nyx and other goddesses of the night
•John Edgar Browning on vampires in folklore, fiction, and reality
•Jana Oliver on tattoos and other Marks
•Ellen Steiber on feline familiars
•Yasmine Galenorn on priestesses and goddess worship
•Jordon Dane on Zoey's Cherokee heritage
•Jeri Smith-Ready on the Raven Mockers and Kalona's less than heavenly inspiration
•Christine Zika on the connection between Nyx and the Virgin Mary
•Triniy Faegen on the Greek version of the Otherworld

Nyx in the House of Night also includes an appendix of character names that reveals the myth behind Zoey's last name, which House of Night cats have ties to Camelot, Egypt, and Middle-earth, and more!

I've read the series and it was awesome, so this book is gonna be sweet.

Title: Chick Kick Butt

Series: Anthology

Editors: Rachel Caine & Kerrie L. Hughes

Pages: 320

Format: Paperback

Summary: Chicks are awesome—and never more so than when they are kicking some serious vampire/werewolf/demon/monster butt.

Chicks Kick Butt is an anthology that features one of the best things about the urban fantasy genre: strong, independent, and intelligent heroines who are quite capable of solving their own problems and slaying their own dragons (or demons, as the case may be).

Edited by Kerrie Hughes and Rachel Caine, Chicks Kick Butt features original stories from thirteen authors, eleven of whom are New York Times bestsellers:

- Rachel Caine (with a story from her bestselling Weather Wardens universe)

- L.A. Banks

- Rachel Vincent

- Karen Chance

- Lilith Saintcrow

- Cheyenne McCray

- Susan Krinard

- Jeanne Stein

- Jenna Black

- Susan Krinard

- Jeanne Stein

- Jenna Black

- Elizabeth Vaughan

- Carole Nelson Douglas

- P.N. Elrod

- Nancy Holder

Sounds really good.

Title: Everlasting

Series: The Immortals ⋯ Book 6

Author: Alyson Noël

Pages: 336

Format: Hardcover

Summary: Their epic love story has captured the hearts of millions and enchanted readers across the world. In this beautiful finale, their journey draws to a spectacular conclusion—where all will be revealed. 

Their darkest enemies now defeated, Damen and Ever are free to embark upon their final quest—to free Damen from the poison lingering in his body. If they can just find the antidote, they’ll finally be able to feel each other’s touch—and experience the passionate night they’ve been longing for. But their fight to be together will lead them into the most formidable terrain yet…into the dark heart of Summerland. 

Here in a land of scorched earth and endless rain, Ever and Damen will discover their relationship’s hidden origins, expose a secret history they never imagined…and come face to face with the true reason fate keeps tearing them apart. Only then, when the final mystery is unraveled and the last secret revealed, Ever and Damen’s future will hinge on one ultimate decision that will put everything at stake….even eternity.

This is the last book in the series, and I can already tell it's going to be gooooood.

Title: Passion

Series: Fallen ⋯ Book 3

Author: Lauren Kate

Pages: 384

Format: Hardcover

Summary: "Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have chosen me. Forever." 

Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . . 

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last. 

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history. 

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

This book sounds reeeaaaallllyyy goooood.