First Line Friday...

This feature was started on Katie's Book Blog and I hope she doesn't mind but I'm going to be doing the same thing.  I love the idea and hopefully you can help me pick out what I read next.


So in this post I will post the first line of 4 books on my TBR list and you can help me pick what to read next.  Alright so here we go...

Sometimes, rarely, I lie in bed at night unable to sleep.

The ornate script on the board twisted in the candlelight, making the letters and numbers dance in my head.

Mae Mobley was born on a early Sunday morning in August 1960.

The circus arrives without warning.

Time to Announce A Winner....

Its time to announce our winner for the personalized signed copy of The Legend of Lady MacLaoch...YEAH!!!

So the Winner is: 

Laura (MnkyLuvinLady)

Congrats...  

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking  the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom….

I'm really excited for this book to come out.  I love the cover so much and the summary sounds amazing.  This book comes out on November 15, 2011.  Make sure you all look for it!!!

Blog Tour: The Legend of Lady MacLaoch Givaway and Author Interview

Hello everyone… I would like to take a few minutes and welcome an amazing writer, Becky Banks.  She is the author of a book that I fell in love with called The Legend of Lady MacLoach.  Thanks so much Becky  for agreeing to doing this interview and for letting me review your book.  

1.) How did you come up with the idea for The Legend of Lady MacLaoch and are there any special lessons you want your readers to learn from this amazing book?

The idea more or less began during the infamous trip to Scotland in 2009. It was an amazing trip and while I had started the manuscript prior to going, the story evolved while there and solidified on my return. The overarching lessons to be taken away from the novel are unique to each reader, much like other forms of art I’ve discovered that each person has a different take on the novel. While I’d love to say that I want women to see the strength in Cole and impart some of that sass into their lives, I know that the book will resonate differently with every reader. What each reader (and a handful of them are men) take away will be unique, and as long as there is enjoyment and happiness with it? I’m content.

2.) What traits in each of your characters do you love in this book?

Ah, great question! And how do I keep this short? :0) With Rowan, it’s his quiet observance, Cole, it’s her ferocity of spirit and tenacity to stick to her guns. The MacDunnah brothers though, they by far - and Peabody - are my favorite for their humor and keenness. 

3.) How long did it take you to write The Legend of lady MacLaoch 

The first (rough, rough, rough) draft took me just three weeks to complete. When stories come to me, they come fast and intense. It then took me roughly a year to edit and revise to the final version. Quite a quick processes overall.

4.)  What are you currently reading or writing right now?

Well, I’m currently reading a few random things, the best of which is a book called, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. On my off time I love to garden so this book is a little like a mini dreamscape where I’m immersed into a world of growing things then eating them.  

On what I’m writing now, I’m currently working on the next novel, its working title is The Mechanic. The Mechanic, is very very different from The Legend of Lady MacLaoch, as it is set here in the US and is much more of a gritty love story. The main character is a woman named Eva Rodgers. She’s a businesswoman and a chief editing officer for a large magazine, the man in the story is named Nathaniel Vellanova. Nate is a street-wise European auto mechanic with a brutal past. The grit comes out in strong language, even stronger characters and a storyline that is about fast cars, smart yet tragic youths and intense life changes. Oh, and the bond of it all? Love.

5.) Is there anything you would like to say to the readers out there?

Yes! I love you! :0)
That, and if they’re interested in learning more about the book or me or whisky or anything else, stop by and visit me online at www.beckybanksonline.com, I’m also on Twitter (beckybanks) and on Facebook at The Legend of Lady MacLaoch.

Thanks again for having me Ali!

You are so welcome Becky, I was so happy to have you here! Alright time for the giveaway, you all ready to try to win this amazing book? Alright this is what you have to do.  There are a few different ways to sign up to win, but you must do the following to be in the running:

*You have to follow Ali's Bookshelf by GFC

*You must comment on this post

*You must follow Becky Banks blog as well

*You must be a resident of The United States.

The rest of the options are for extra entries.  So if you do all of them even the extra two questions then you can have up to eight chances to win Becky's wonderful book The Legend of Lady MacLaoch. 

Make sure you check out my review for this book that was already posted this morning! I have so many amazing things to say about this book! 

 

A Legendary Love and a Scottish Curse...What more could you want!

A Legendary love and a Scottish curse what more could you want from a book? 

Oh I know...A hot Scottish man lol...Oh that's right that's defiantly in this book too!

Title: The Legend of Lady MacLaoch
Author: Becky Banks

Paperback: 260 pages

Published May 27th 2011 by Ha'iku Press (first published May 23rd 2011)

ISBN13

9780578075662

A legendary love, an unforgiving curse, and the discovery of a lifetime ...
Centuries ago a vengeful curse buried itself deep into the history of the MacLaoch clan and become a legendary tale told by all those not cursed by its words.

In present-day Scotland, the laird and chieftain of the MacLaoch clan is an ex-Royal Air Force fighter pilot who has been past the gates of hell and returned a changed man. Rowan MacLaoch does battle with wartime memories and a family curse that threaten to consume him—unaware that his life and that of the history of the clan will be changed forever by the arrival of an American woman.

Cole Baker, a feisty recent graduate of a master’s program, stumbles upon the ancient curse while researching her bloodlines. Moved by the history of the MacLaoch clan and the mystery of its chief, she digs into the legend that had been anything but quiet for centuries.

On their quest for answers, Cole and Rowan travel to places they have never before been and become witnesses to things they have never before fathomed. The legend—one started with blood—will end with more shed as its creator finally exacts her justice.

Blog Tour: The Legend of Lady MacLaoch Givaway day at a glance

I am so excited right now, today is the day we have Becky Banks here with us! So this is how today's posts are going to go... First I will be posting a great interview with Becky Banks and the giveaway Rafflecopter.  Then around 1 P.M. EST I will be posting my review of her amazing book The Legend of Lady MacLaoch.  Make sure you check out both of these.  There will be a clue in the review for you to answer on the giveaway for an extra try at winning her amazing book! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I want to Reread.

Hosted by :The Broke and the Bookish

Well there is a few books that I haven't gotten to read that I feel most people have so lets see my list. 

 Alright this weeks topic is Books I want to Reread. 

1. Twilight - The Whole saga I could read and reread over and over.  Love those vamps and the love story. 

2. The Host - This is another one by Stephenie Meyer that I am in love with and could read over and over.

3. Fallen by Lauren Kate - I love the Fallen Series so much, only read it once but I know I could read it over. 

4. The Outsiders- this is one of my favorite books ever.  I could read it over and over again and never get tired of it.  I pretty much already know every word of it, but still could read it again lol. 

5. Mocked by Faith - Michele Richards is amazing and the words of the book pulled me in the first time I read it.  Its another book I know I could read again and fall even more in love with it. 

6. Harry Potter- I love these books and always will.  I would love to reread them.  

7.  The Love Comes Softly Series - These books are some of my favorite.  I loved reading them the first time around and I would love to read them all over again! 

8.  Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist - I loved reading all his books and this one one my favorite one.  I really want to read all of them over again. 

9.  Dear John - LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and I would really like to read it again! 

10. Mistakes - I just finished this book the other day but its amazing.  I can't wait for the next one so I more than likely will go back and reread Mistakes lol.  

Alright there's my list of ten books I want to reread, what books are on your list?

Make sure you check this out!!!

Hey everyone...I want to make sure you all check out this blog giveaway over at Unique Book Critic. 

She is trying to reach 100 followers in 6 days!! WOW I know that is a big thing to do, followers are everything.  So head over and enter to win one of two amazing books. 

You can chose from:

After Obsession and Scorpio Races!!

Don't Forget!!!



Don’t forget:

A Legendary tour with

Author Becky banks

Interview & Book Giveaway Happens Wednesday!  Also I will be posting my review for this amazing book!

Annoucing the Winners of the Mocked by Faith Giveaway!

Alright its time to annouce the amazing winners of our first giveaway.  The winners are:

Mailin Eriksson

ebook

bookmark

Kim Justice

ebook 

bookmark

Patricia Wendell

Bookmark!

YEAH, congrats to all the winners! Thanks so much for signing up to win and checking out the review and interview.  I hope you enjoy the books and bookmarks.  

CONGRATS

Its Monday...What Are You Reading??

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week? This is a weekly event to list the books completed last week, the books currently being reading, and the books to be finish this week. It is hosted by Book Journey. 

Books I Finished Reading Last Week...

Mistakes by A.M. Hayward & L.J. Holder

The Legend of Lady MacLaoch by Becky Banks

Cover Crazy

This will be a new meme here on Sunday nights... The purpose of Cover Crazy is to feature a cover each week for us to admire its beauty. I really like this idea since there are so many great covers out there! Cover Crazy is a meme that was started by The Book Worms.

What I love: 

I love the colors in it, the muted purples and the red that is in the flowers, the gold in her eyes.  Just grabs you and makes you stare.  

I love the blood dripping off the letter T of the title.  

I love that the cover has this sparkly sheen to it as well.  

I simply love it!!!

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

So what do you think of this amazing cover?? Love it or not?

"Mistakes"...We all Make Them

Title: Mistakes

Author: A.M Hayward and L.J. Holde

Category: Romance

Format: Ebook

Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop (April 28, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1612130321

Mistakes... Everyone makes them. We are only human. Some of our mistakes are small... like the times you stay up till 2 am studying for a test that you end up failing because you are too tired to think. Others are so catastrophic that they change your life.... forever.... Maddison regrets not listening to her parents, not being a 'good girl' and not staying at home like she was supposed to instead of sneaking off with her friends for a Spring Break getaway. How she wishes she could turn back time; then maybe she wouldn't be in the nightmare she is in now. Kidnapped and taken to a different country unaware of where she is or what these men want with her. Maddy's parents can't help her, in fact they aren't even aware she is in Mexico. Who can save her? Or can she save herself?

Mocked by Faith blog tour: Author Interview and Giveaway!!!

Hey everyone...I hope you are as excited for this day as I am.

Today, the amazing writer Michele Richard is stopping by with an author interview and giveaway! As you all should know I am in love with this book and can't get enough Mocked by Faith.  My review for this book was posted when I started this blog, it is the first one I actually posted.  Make sure you check it out if you haven't already: Mocked by Faith Review.  Also make sure you comment and let Michele and I know what you thought about the book if you have read it.  Her book was the first book I reviewed here so I thought it fitting that she be the first author I Interviewed. 


So Lets get this interview started shall we...

First of all I would love to take a moment and welcome Michele to Ali's Bookshelf.  I'm so happy you are here with us Michele and going to be doing a great giveaway with us.  I'm so excited! Thanks so much Michele for doing this interview with me and for writing this amazing book for us to enjoy.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking  the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

SHATTERED SOULS

A thrilling debut story of love, death, destiny, and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Excerpt:

The thing’s laughter rang over the pounding pulse in my ears. I realized in horror that I hadn’t told my mom good-bye. I was going to die, and I hadn’t even said good-bye. . . . Just like Dad.

“I will have you. You are mine. Surrender.”

“You’ll never have me! I’ll never surrender!”

A sharp pain shot up my abdomen. I watched as drops of blood seeped through my shirt. Run! I yanked off the high-heeled shoes. I could hear it laughing as I bounded down the patio stairs two at a time into the parking lot. Run! I had to get away. Another slash across my stomach.

“Never!” I screamed as I ran between the cars toward the Ferris wheel. A horrible ripping sensation filled my body—like Velcro ripping out my insides. Alden was right. These weren’t just voices. Somehow this voice was making me bleed. It had entered my body. And now I was housing its soul.

(Excerpt: from Mary Lindsey's website

I'm so excited about this story.  It sounds amazing and I can't wait till it comes out so I can buy it! I just know I wont be able to put it down.  So what do you think? What book are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday

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

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Aye, close, he said. "Her pain is very well known as one of heartbreak, no' disappointment in a late rescue."

"Do you believe in the curse, I mean do you feel that you are cursed?" Pg 122 of The Legend of Lady MacLaoch

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Feel Everyone Has Read But Me

Hosted by :The Broke and the Bookish

Well there is a few books that I haven't gotten to read that I feel most people have so lets see my list.

1. Hush, Hush: I started it but I haven't finished it.  I ended up buying more books before I finished it and never went back to it.  I know I need to finish it and I will! 

2. Vampire Dairies: Again, I have the first book just haven't gotten to it yet.  It is on my TBR list though. 

3. Vampire Academy:  These books I don't have and really haven't gotten the chance to get them and read them.  I want to though.  

4. Water For Elephants: This book I have and started it, got through 5 pages and put it down.  I haven't gone back to it because really I have found better books.  But I really want to go back and try it again.

In My Mailbox (#2)

Alright, so this is my second IMM.  I hope you like these amazing books I got in my mailbox and at walmart this week.  I can't wait to read a few of these.  So what was in your mailbox???

First Line Friday

This feature was started on Katie's Book Blog and I hope she doesn't mind but I'm going to be doing the same thing.  I love the idea and hopefully you can help me pick out what I read next.


So in this post I will post the first line of 5 books on my TBR list and you can help me pick what to read next.  Alright so here we go...

London, 1897

The Moment she saw the young man walking down the darkened hall toward her, twirling his walking stick, Finley Jayne knew she'd be unemployed before the sun rose.

I'd always welcomed war, but in battle my passion rose unbidden.

I scowl at myself in the mirror.

Kerrigan Milena Cruz lay tossing and turning in the comfort of her bed on the eve of her twenty-fourth birthday.

Geno's was a small Italian restaurant about a mile from my office.

So what do you think I should read next??