Giveaway number 2!

I've posted my review of Bridger by Megan Curd here recently(http://tamarasbookramblings.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-remembrance-giveaway.html) , and now I'll be giving away one (1) e-copy to one lucky reader!

Rules: Be a follower of my blog. (you can follow me on twitter too, I won't mind ;) )
Leave a comment with the name you're following and e-mail addy.

International, of course :)

That's all! Giveway open now, until 6th of August midnight EST.
Will pick the winner a day or two later, I think.

Feel free to tweet or facebook or blog this :) It is very appreciated!

:)
Good luck to everyone!

Read on! :)

In which I ramble about reviewing books and vacations. And RAK

So, if you talk to me on twitter, you probably know that I was supposed to be out of town this week, but rain ruined it so I'll be gone next week. I'm leaving either tomorrow or on Monday, soo, I won't be updating the blog for around 4-5 days. That means, I won't be able to answer your giveaway-related questions. Sorry!

Next, today I want to talk about reviewing books.

Now, I respect other reviewers and bloggers, I really do. And I don't know how they review books, but here's my system.
To me, it's not about how many typos or plot holes the book has. To me it's how the book makes me feel. Don't get me wrong, if there's something majorly wrong with the book, I'll write it, but I don't care if I don't like the main character or whatever. I like when a book makes me jump from excitement and tension, anticipation, when it makes me cry because it's so touching, when it makes me giggle when nobody else is watching. I don't ask much from books, because that is not what books are for. They are for enjoying something, for losing yourself in another worlds.
That's all.

And, since I won't be in town, I need to wrap up July's Random Act of Kindness.

BIG THANK YOU to Bella from http://www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com/ for sending me A Touch Mortal and Crossed. It's very much appreciated <3 :)

Leave your thoughts in comments. AND, so you don't forget, I have a giveaway of Remembrance running now :) Go and enter!

Read on :)

Review: Remembrance + GIVEAWAY

By Michelle Madow, a new author who, I'm sure, will go a long way.

Goodreads blurb:

New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet. 

Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she seem to get him out of her mind?

Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn't going to be easy.




Personal opinion: 


I love discovering new YA authors. And, when I got Remembrance from Michelle I was excited. This novel, I'm happy to say, lived up to my expectations. It is a story new to me, I've never read a novel with a theme like this, but it never disappointed. I mean, the story flew well, the characters were interesting, I liked how the author payed attention to the small details like names (you have to read the novel to see what I mean here ;)).


Let me find one passage for you. Ah, here it is.


But it was time to realize that I wasn’t Cinderella, and no matter how hard I wished it were true, life wasn’t a
fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after.


In the moment I read this sentence, I was struck by an unusual feeling. I don't know why, but I was. I think that Michelle can really hit you with her writing, and that's always a big plus :)


So, without any more ramblings, because I can't form any more sentences about this novel, I give it... *drum roll*
5 stars


You can find Michelle on Goodreads here--> http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5028484.Michelle_Madow
Add Remembrence here--> http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12170873-remembrance
Add Michelle on other social sites here: http://www.michellemadow.com/  <-- really good idea, this line is ;)


Keep reading ;)


:) AND NOW


 My first GIVEAWAY ever.


Want to read Remembrance? I have one (1) e-copy of the novel to give to one special lucky reader!
The giveaway is international. 
Only one requirement, be a GFC follower.
You can follow me on twitter, too, if you don't mind: @tammyb_28

Please feel free to facebook, tweet or blog this giveaway! I'd like that a lot :)Leave your entry in the comments please. Leave GFC name and e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. Feel free to write the e-mail address with any signs you want to protect from spammers.


*EDIT* I've been getting messages that Blogger doesn't allow you to post comment! If so, tell me on twitter and leave an entry there pls!** 


The contest runs from now - July 30th, for one week, till August 6th. The giveaway ends at midnight EST. I will pick a winner most likely a day or two later, I'll do my best not to be late! You will know, though! :)


Good luck! 
Read on! :)

Review: Heavenly

So, I've been waiting for a chance to read this book for like, some time now, and it finally came.
Heavenly is the first book in the Heavenly trilogy by Jennifer Laurens.

Goodreads blurb: I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. 

Zoe's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoe lost in her broken life. Zoe escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoe's autistic sister. After Zoe is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever

Personal opinion: My, oh my. You'd think this theme is already worn out and too popular, but Jennifer's writing surpassed every expectation. She makes chaacters loveable, realistic and far from perfect. Zoe, the main character, was so easy to relate to sometimes. I mean, even if you don't have family like hers, problem like hers, you can still feel and understand how she takes it all in. I absolutely loved the descriptions. Whether it's the nature around, or emotions, Jennifer nails it all. I want to share two passages with you to see how amazing this woman writes.

The first one: "I was angry. I'm sorry.I shouldn't have. It was wrong. I'm sorry.

 Silence. Thick. Hot. Sticky.

 Look at me.

 I can't."

Second one: "The car whirled round, round, round, the screeching so loud it was as if the heavens screamed through the rain.

                  Black."

You're still not convinced to read this? Hmm, how about this? Matthias. Do I need to say any more? 

The end, I must say, I did not expect. It wasn't such a cliffhanger as it was an ending that leaves you to crave for more. Luckily, the sequels Penitence and Absolution, are already out, promising us more trouble, more intensity and more great momets.

Overall,  5 stars, and it will just keep getting better.

You can find Jennifer on twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/jenniferlaurens

On GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/758992.Jennifer_Laurens

Visit her blog: http://jenniferlaurens.blogspot.com/ - Little extra info about this- Jennifer is currently having a blog tour for Overprotected, another novel of hers, and it runs till July 31st, so be sure to check it out. They have prizes ;)

Visit the official site for Heavenly trilogy: http://heavenlythebook.com/

                                                                                                                  

The second picture is the hardcover edition which will be available through Jennifer's site only. If you want it, contact her :)

Read on :)

Teaser Tuesday (3)

Today's TT is dedicated to a book that I received today.

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

I cannot express how good this book is so far. My review will be up in September (I know, I know), but for now here's a little teaser ;)


"“What?” Seth and I both shouted. 
That was some serious stuff right there."


Hm, okay, here's another one, just for you *points*

Seth turned and gave me a long look. “Could be worse, I suppose.”

There ya go. Hope they make you eager to read this, because you really should. Until Oct.18, when the book releases, read its prequel, Daimon, here -- http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/Daimon.php

Still here? Go read it! Go!

Read on :)

Pinelight

Today I'd like to talk about a book I want to read.
It's called Pinelight, by author Jillian Peery.

With ratning of 4.69 Pinelight is a promising book.
Goodreads blurb:
"I loved him - that was my torment. And I was losing him all over again." 
Walls crumbled all around me. An undeniable force pulled at my core. I tried to fight it, I tried to deny it the power, but I was weak. I felt pain in my side, and I knew that this dark force was winning. My veins started to burn, and I screamed, but it didn't stop.


Here's the trailer for the book:

Read on :)

Review: The Willows: Haven

Today I'm introducing another new YA author, Hope Collier. Yesterday I did a Teser Tuesday with her novel, and today I'll review it!
Yay, so. I recived an eARC copy of the novel from Hope herself.
Goodreads blurb:
When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finders herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality. 

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?


Personal opinion: I loved this book. I read it in two days, it was so great! Hope sure can write believable and loveable characters, face them with challenges and throw in a great plot. Every page of this novel was exciting and wonderful. Plus, the scenes with Gabe are so beautifly written I made ooh and aah noises a lot ;). I even found myself screaming no! once. This book has great balance, great story, it's fresh and new, the guys are ^^ and I definatelly recommend it to everyone who love YA. I loved the ending and I was thrilled to find out that this is a series :D Can't wait for sequels. Hope, great, great job! :)) Plus, look at that cover! I heart it a lot!
5 stars (6, but can't give them)


You can find Hope on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5016653.Hope_Collier
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/HopeCollier
Add the book on Goodreads here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11953675-the-willows
Check out Hope's blog: http://lilliputianjourney.blogspot.com/

Read on :)