In My Mailbox: March Wrap-Up

For Review:


Return the Heart by T.K. Richardson


Shield the Heart by T.K. Richardson

Crave by Melissa Darnell, courtesy of Mira Ink
Review to come on 7th April!


The Girl Who Was on Fire, courtesy of Smart Pop Books

Promise Me Eternity by Ian Fox

Giveaway Wins:

Inside Out The Stars of the Hunger Games by Mel Williams
Won at Read2Review

In My Mailbox: February Wrap-Up

I used to do IMM's once a week, but some weeks I don't have anything to share, so I figured I'd do monthly IMM's instead. The following are what I've received in February:

For Review:
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

It is 1875, and Ann Eliza Young has recently separated from her powerful husband, Brigham Young, prophet and leader of the Mormon Church. Expelled and an outcast, Ann Eliza embarks on a crusade to end polygamy in the United States. A rich account of a family’s polygamous history is revealed, including how a young woman became a plural wife.

Soon after Ann Eliza’s story begins, a second exquisite narrative unfolds–a tale of murder involving a polygamist family in present-day Utah. Jordan Scott, a young man who was thrown out of his fundamentalist sect years earlier, must reenter the world that cast him aside in order to discover the truth behind his father’s death.

Thanks to Transworld Publishers Black Swan!

I'm currently reading this book. The polygamous marriage practiced by the Latter-Day Saints intrigues me. Is it really what the Prophet deems - God's command? Or is it merely a political play to cover up his insatiable lust for beautiful young women?

Lockdown (Escape From Furnace, #1) by Alexander Gordon Smith

Furnace Penitentiary: the world's most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth's surface. Convicted of a murder he didn't commit, sentenced to life without parole, Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars.

My deepest gratitude to Alex for sending me this book! It sure sounds great! And I totally love the kick-ass cover.

Giveaway Wins:

The Cabinet of Earths by Anne Nesbet

To protect her baby brother James, 12-year-old Maya has to take on the magical underworld of Paris, in which houses have bronze salamanders for door handles, the most beautiful people are all hooked on the sweet-smelling “anbar,” and a shimmering glass Cabinet of Earths has chosen Maya to be its next keeper.

Many thanks to Anne Nesbet for this book! I won a giveaway on her blog with a random number of 123 - actually not so random as I chose this number because my birthday falls on the 23rd of January!

Smoulder by Brenna Yovanoff

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

Many thanks to Brenna for this book! You can read more about the prize pack I received here: A Surprise Package from Brenna Yovanoff

Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by Michelle Moran

In this deft historical novel, Madame Tussaud (1761-1850) escapes the pages of trivia quizzes to become a real person far more arresting than even her waxwork sculptures. Who among us knew, for instance, that she moved freely through the royal court of Louis XVI, only to become a prisoner of the Reign of Terror? Her head was shaven for guillotining, but she escaped execution, though she was forced to make death masks for prominent victims. Novelist Michelle Moran covers this breathtaking period without losing the thread of its subject's singular story.

You can't imagine how excited I am about this book! I was supposed to review this book before its publication date, but the books Michelle sent my way never arrived. It literally broke my heart. But the good thing is, I ended up as the 7th place winner in Michelle's Heads Will Roll contest thanks to Queeny's help. Michelle was kind enough to send two copies of Madame Tussaud - one for me and one for Queeny! And fortunately this time, the books arrived safely - yay! Thank you so much, Michelle!

Torn by Cat Clarke

Alice and her best friend Cass are stuck in a cabin with Polly, the social outcast, and Rae, the moody emo-girl. Then there’s Tara – queen of mean. Powerful, beautiful and cruel, she likes nothing better than putting people down.

Cass decides it’s time to teach Tara a lesson she’ll never forget. And so begins a series of events that will change the lives of these girls forever...

Many thanks to Claire from Claire Reads for sending this book my way! Torn sounds like a winner!

Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1) by Lauren DeStefano

At age 16, Rhine Ellery has four years to live. Thanks to a botched effort to create a perfect race, all females live to age 20 and males live to age 25. On the cusp of her 17th birthday, Rhine attempts to flee, but what she finds is a society spiraling out of control.

I won this last year, but it only arrived now because it was a pre-ordered copy. It's amazing how I can wait 100+ days for a book to arrive. Many thanks to Simcha from SFF Chat for this book!

Random Act of Kindness (RAK):

Touch of Power (Healer, #1) by Maria V. Snyder

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

Thanks to Jen at lratrandom.blogspot.com for this gift! You can read my review HERE.

In My Mailbox {25}

Sorry, guys and girls, for the lack of updates recently. I'm having my trials (pre-SPM test) and don't have much time to blog. Today, I'm going to share with you what I got in the mail this week.

Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2) by Simone Elkeles

Synopsis

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Yeah... I know what you're thinking. Awesome, right?

Shift by Em Bailey

Synopsis

Olive Corbett is definitely NOT crazy.

Not anymore. These days she takes her meds like a good girl, hangs out with her best friend Ami, and stays the hell away from the toxic girls she used to be friends with.

She doesn’t need a boyfriend. Especially not a lifesaver-type with a nice smile. And she doesn’t need the drama of that creepy new girl Miranda, who has somehow latched on to Olive's ex-best friend.

Yet from a distance, Olive can see there's something sinister about the new friendship. Something almost... parasitic. Maybe the wild rumours ARE true. Maybe Miranda is a killer.

But who would believe Olive? She does have a habit of letting her imagination run away with her…

This one came on Saturday, but no one spotted it on the boulder. Today my granny retrieved it from its original place. The book is soaked wet from rain and morning dew. I'm so sad... :(

In My Mailbox {24}

In My Mailbox is inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie and hosted by The Story Siren.

Won:

Forsaken (The Demon Trappers, #1) by Jana Oliver
Thanks to Michelle from Novels On The Run!

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
Thanks to Velvet from vvb32reads!

Also, I won a packet of Michael and Leesie M & M's from The Itzel Library! You can head over to Angela Morrison's blog, Cayman Summer to find out more about her books!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Thanks to Whispered Thoughts!

In My Mailbox {23}

Dear Readers:

Just a note, I'm going to cut down my posts updates henceforth. My SPM exam is just around the corner (less than 100 days!!!) and I really have to start studying right now. So, it's going to be less blogging and minimal reading of story books for me. I hope you will understand my situation and continue to support The Bookaholics! Love, Aik.

Books Won:

The Iron Queen (Iron Fey, #3) by Julie Kagawa
I've been wanting to read this one for a long time!


Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves
This one sounds creepy - in a good way.

Storm Glass (Glass, #1) by Maria V. Snyder
I loved Maria's Study Series. Can't wait to see how the Glass series turn out to be. More action and adventures, I hope!

Thanks to:
Loni from A Casual Reader

*****


The Magician (#2) & The Sorceress (#3) by Michael Scott

Awesome! Now I have books 2 and 3.

Thanks to:
Jessica from The Tales Compendium

In My Mailbox {22}

Won:

Reckless (Reckless, #1) by Cornelia Funke
Thanks to the Star NIE (@StuffatSchool) crew!


The Autumn Palace (Ondine, #2) by Ebony McKenna
Thanks to Ebony McKenna for ordering this book for me!

Purchased:

Wish by Alexandra Bullen
This one seems like an interesting book. I love how the word 'Wish' on the cover sparkles.


The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley
I saw this on the internet earlier. Not sure if it is good, but the cover is attractive. The design is infused with an Oriental style.

In My Mailbox {20}

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender
I've been wanting to read this book for a long time! The cover looks outright creepy and the synopsis sounds intriguing.


Deadly Little Lies (Touch, #2) by Laurie Faria Stolarz
I loved the first book and can't wait to start this one!


Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A tale of a gentleman and an officer by Karen V. Wasylowski
I'm currently reading this one. It consists of 400+ pages, so it might take me a longer time to finish considering my hectic school life.


The Clearing by Anne Riley
This book is intended for young adults, but the cover gives me an impression of a general fiction. But then, you can never judge a book by its cover.

Monkey High!, Vol. 1 by Shouko Akira
I don't usually read Japanese manga, except for Doraemon and Crayon Shin Chan when I was younger, but I'll try reading this one and see how it turns out to be. It's so thin, I bet I can finish it in one hour.

In My Mailbox {18}

Before you start wondering if my exam is over, the answer is 'no', unfortunately. I just can't resist the urge to update my blog as I've received some great books this week. Feel free to leave a comment if you like, and have a nice day! :)

For Review:

Possessions (Possessions, #1) by Nancy Holder

I'm super-excited about this book! Horror is a genre I'm learning to explore. And from what I hear this book has a high 'scare' factor. Even the book cover looks somewhat creepy! Special thanks to Nancy and Erin for sending me this book!

Won:

Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula(Cassidy Jones Adventures, #1) by Elise Stokes

I won this book from a giveaway hosted by the author herself. Thank you for signing this book, and sending it to me, Elise! I'm looking forward to reading it.

Gift / For Giveaway:

Nancy's assistant Erin sent me two copies of this book - one for review and one for giveaway! So you'll have the chance to win a brand new copy of this book for yourself soon!

Author Megan Crewe kindly sent me some *signed* bookmarks. I'm including one of them in my 300 Followers Giveaway! It's INTERNATIONAL and ends 31st May, 2010.

For Sale:

All 3 books are SIGNED by the author! The King's Bastard (#1) + The Uncrowned King (#2) + The Usurper (#3) by Rowena Cory Daniells

Category: Fantasy, Science Fiction

Description: Brand New, Signed by author

Price: RM 81

The author sent me a set of these books. As I've already owned a set, I'm selling these books and donating half of the proceeds to the Japanese Relief Fund. Please contact me at aikychien@yahoo.com if you wish to inquire about / purchase these books.

In My Mailbox {17}

For Review:

The Blackberry Bush by David Housholder

David sent me an ARC of his book. Thanks, David!

Won:

Opal Fire by Barbra Annino

I won this book on Far From Reality. The author was kind enough to sign the book for me. Thank you, Barbra!

Gift:

Captivate (Need, #2) by Carrie Jones

Thanks to Renee from A Path of Joy, now I have a complete set of the NEED series! I read the first book in 2009 and loved it! Read my review HERE.

In My Mailbox {16}

Won:

Thanks to Renee for ordering this book for me! I won this book last year from her blog, but unfortunately it got lost in the mail. So, she offered to buy me a book under $10 as a replacement. I chose a copy of Captivate by Carrie Jones (which hasn't arrive yet because it's a paperback pre-order). But then she also bought me a copy of A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods even though I told her that it was unnecessary since I had already chosen a copy of Captivate. But she insisted on buying the book for me. So, I'd like to thank her for her kindness and generosity. Thanks, Renee! You can visit her blog at A Path of Joy.

Gift:

Melissa Marr's Assistant, Donna sent me these Pretty Double Sided Bookmarks SIGNED by Melissa Marr herself! Thanks, Donna!

I'm going to give away one of these + a signed bookplate as shown below to one lucky reader in the near future as a part of a swag pack. I'm currently compiling an assortment of swag, so please be patient!

This is a picture I took from Google Images because my camera is not working. You can visit Melissa Marr HERE. I don't have the book pictured.


Again, a picture I took from Google Image. The items I received are not the ones shown above. Author Kimberly Derting kindly sent me some The Body Finder bookmarks and Desires of The Dead bookmarks + stickers to share with you, my loyal supporters. Thanks, Kim! I'll be adding some of these to the swag pack pile I'm preparing for the giveaway mentioned above.


Update: Thanks to Chris Jasper for sending me some Demon Trapper's Daughter swag! Again, I'm adding some of these to the swag pile. The picture is taken from Google Images, so the items I received are not exactly the ones shown above.

Jana Oliver


UK vs. US
Which is prettier?

Lastly...


Don't forget to enter my giveaway for an e-book of Andy McDougal and the Crypt of the Chimera by Kevin Richardson! It's INTERNATIONAL and ends 16th April, 2011. Entries are low, and I can say that you will definitely win if the number of entries doesn't exceed 20 by the time the contest ends.


And remember to leave a comment on my review for Daughter of Xanadu by Dori Jones Yang and feel free to take the quiz on Goodreads to test your understanding for the book if you've already read the book!