Just Bought These Books #2

Well, it is such a disappointed moment that I didn't post any book review yet for a couple of days. Even though I already finished some of them, including Out of My Mind, Breathe, Existence, and From What I Remember..., I still don't start writing my review. I promise myself to write its review immediately. I hope I can do that on this weekend. *cross-finger*

Whilst I don't write any review yet, I keep shopping the book. Jeez. And, this evening I just bought Ruling Passion by Alyxandra Harvey. Though it looks like only one book but it consists of the first three books of The Drake Chronicles' series, that are Hearts at Stakes, Blood Feud, and Out For Blood. I bought it at Kinokuniya Bookstore, Plaza Senayan, Jakarta, only for IDR 112.000

MEET the Drakes:

A darkly romantic, irresistibly alluring family of royal vampire blood. Read Alyxandra Harvey's Ruling Passion: a haunting, humorous saga, now gathered into one juicy volume!

"A refreshing take of the familiar teenage vampire drama . . . Harvey builds an engaging world of vampire cultures balanced wit a smart mix of darknewss and humor." -Publishers Weekly

A fabulous and fast-paced read! The action is superb . . . this is the perfect escape read." -Romantic Times

Bind up contains:
Hearts at Stake
Blood Feud
Out for Blood

Previously published separately as The Drake Chronicles.

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Just Bought These Books #1

Well, due to my limited budget for buying books, I have already promised myself to buy book less than 5 books or equally IDR 500.000 for a month. Beside that, I also must buy some local books for my reading materials so I have to manage my budget carefully.

Okay, I just got back from my Eid Mubarak 2012 vacation to my village and I'll be back to my daily life here in Jakarta. I bought few books in two days.

“If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it” (Denver Post). 

Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow. In this breakthrough story—reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.

I am on page 100+ now, and I really love this book. I hope it can stay like that until the end of its page. Ameen! IDR 75.000

Out of My Mind on Goodreads

I just found this book on book-sale at Kinokuniya fX Sudirman. Since I knew that a lot of fellow readers love this book, I didn't have to think twice to buy it, even though I didn't have the three previous books of this series yet. IDR 50.000

A DEMON ENSLAVED
Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master's assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister's life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he'll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission. 

AN ANGEL TEMPTED
Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side, sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She's determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary-even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.

Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again-one hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.

Ecstasy Unveiled on Goodreads

I just smiled when I saw this book. I like Hrithik Roshan, and I like Bollywood in general, and this book only IDR 20.000, so I also bought this one.

Welcome to Bollywood, the Bombay–based film capital of the Indian subcontinent. Every year the Hindi film industry pumps out twice as many pictures as Hollywood to satisfy the romantic cravings of its billion–strong audience. 

Enter Hrithik Roshan, new idol of the silver screen, seducing both the industry and the women of India in a flurry of triceps, biceps, and slick dance moves. In Bollywood Boy, Justine Hardy charts his meteoric rise through the celluloid firmament. With its heroes and villains, glitter and sleaze, the story could be straight out of a big–budget schlockbuster. But there’s a dark side to this story, the moment the hero stumbles—the moment in Bollywood when people die because they haven’t played by the rules of the underworld. And in India’s tinseltown, the underworld is king.

Bollywood Boy on Goodreads

I remember that I ever saw this book somewhere awhile ago and I want to have it. Fortunately, I bought this only for IDR 20.000.

"Don't die," Gus whispered.

He reached out and touched her hand. Were there superpowers that could bring her back? Would there be gods in Africa that could help them save her?

"I stayed alive when you ordered me to. Now you return the favor, okay? Just . . . whatever you do, don't die."

Ruthlessly stabbed by a fellow avatar, Diana suddenly finds herself hopelessly wandering through the underworlds, fighting her way past everything and anything vile, struggling to find a way back to life.

Up above, her fellow avatars--Gus, Kali, and Tigre--have set sail to Africa, hoping to find refuge and a healer to bring Diana back from death. Time is racing against the avatars, because once Diana reaches the Greek underworld, Hades, she is gone. Forever.

But that problem pales in comparison to the larger issue at hand--only one avatar can take back the power of the gods and live forever.

Beautifully weaving together myth and realism, Tui T. Sutherland delivers the breath-taking conclusion to a trilogy that places the fate of the world in the outcome of a battle between power-hungry pantheons of gods and four teen avatars.

Kingdom of Twilight on Goodreads

I have no specific reason when I decide to buy this book. I just bought it. IDR 20.000.

From New York Times bestselling author Allegra Goodman comes a post apocalyptic novel about love, loss, and the power of human choice.

Honor and her parents have been reassigned to live on Island 365 in the Tranquil Sea. Life is peaceful there, the color of the sky is regulated by Earth Mother, a corporation that controls New Weather, and it almost never rains. Everyone fits into their rightful and predictable place. . . .

Except Honor. She doesn't fit in, but then she meets Helix, a boy with a big heart and a keen sense for the world around them. Slowly, Honor and Helix begin to uncover a terrible truth about life on the Island: Sooner or later, those who are unpredictable disappear . . . and they don't ever come back.

Other Side of The Island on Goodreads

Honestly, I also want to buy From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas for the paperback version. Unfortunately, this book isn't on sale in Indonesia yet. I already read the ebook version but i am DEFINITELY want to have its paperback one because I really LOVE this book. 5 STAR!

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Review: The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

Author: Jennifer Echols

Page: 288 Pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse

on Goodreads

It’s my first Jennifer Echols’s book. Actually, I want to read her books since a long time ago because of their cover. Yes, though some friends of mine called me a verbal person, but I don’t refuse that I love visual stuff too. Including, book cover. I adore cute-romantic-beautiful book cover. I often pick a book because of its cover. And, I truly believe that Jennifer’s book cover is one reason I want to read them. 

The One That I Want tells about Gemma van Cleve who has an experience to be overweight girl. She worked hard to decrease her weight and she succeed, up to 48 pound! Amazing job. From the beginning, her main goal is achieve her best performance as majorette on marching band team. Of course, she also has the courage from her best friend, Addison, though in negative way. Sadly, though she can raise her confidence level, she still doesn’t believe that there is any guy out there meant to be her boyfriend. Neither did Robert, her childhood friend who is already on her radar for so long time. Unfortunately, Robert never fell into her. He just made fun of her. Neither did Max Hirayama, a cute Asian boy who stole her heart since the first time she saw him across the field when she was on band-camp.

I had assumed I was imagining things. Boys did not look at me. They saw through me.

So, when Max comes closer, Gemma thinks that he comes to Addison. She always aware that in a battle with Addison over a boy, Addison will always win. Furthermore, the situation become more complicated when Gemma has been trapped on a few double-date series. Gemma and Carter. Addison and Max. Weird!

thecollegecrush.com

 Wew. I agree with Jocelyn (played by Helent Hunt) on The Jane Austen Book Club the movie when she said that “High School never ends”. Reading this book, my memory flew back a couple years ago when I still in the high school. Everything seemed easy and difficult at the same time. I could shine through my academic performance but failed on my love life. I never thought that there was a girl for me back in High School. Haha. Shame on me.

Whatever, I love this book. The awkward moment between Gemma and Max continously chills me out. I barely had no patience while both of them stay under the blanket. I am so tense when waiting for their confession that they are into each other. I am biting my bottom lip while they kept silent. Wake up, buddy! Shout your heart out loud! Geez!

Oops, Jennifer teased me badly. 

Beside that, this novel also bring a deep morality messages. One of them is about your motivation to change yourself. You must know what is the main goal that you want to achieve. Because if you don’t set that goal, you’ll never know the limit of your work. Because, darling, every thing has limit in this world. Don’t push yourself too hard.

My Rating:

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Review: Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane

Always putting business before pleasure, Cassie McPherson works hard for her family's construction business. That might explain why she doesn't have a date for the company Christmas party. But it doesn't quite explain why she's crazy enough to hire an escort for the event or - crazier still - why she's dying to unwrap him like a present . . .

With whiskey-colored eyes and a killer smile, James is one gorgeous hunk who really knows how to fill out a tuxedo. He charms everyone, including Cassie. And when the night ends, the party doesn't stop. As Cassie falls, literally, into his bed, James falls head over heels in love. Now he has to figure out a way to tell her the truth: he's not an escort. He's her family's fiercest business rival. But all he wants for Christmas is her . . .

Author: Katie Lane

Expected to be Published: 15 September 2012 

Pages: 384

Free Excerpt on KatieLane.com

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Cassandra “Cassie” McPherson is the one and only daughter of Big Al McPherson and Mary Ann Katharine while the other sibling of hers are men. Though, she’s the only child of McPhersons who is willingly to continue the family business, M&M Construction, while her bothers choose to stay away. Living around boys make Cassie used to control everything or everyone, including men. No wonder, she’s single until now. But, instead of sad, Cassie prefer to enjoy her single life by hiring an escort to accompany her to attend few big events, especially family events. But, don’t underestimate her, she never-ever had sex with her male escort until she meets James-she-doesn’t-even-know-his-last-name-guy. He’s hot, incredibly handsome, and charming. What happens next?

Yes, and the story begin after that. I love reading this because it reminded me of Brothers and Sisters, an american television series which is showed a complicated story of an American family. It is starred by Calista Flockhart, etc. I feel its warmth is similar to that TV series. Lovely!

Personally, I do love all characters on this novel, especially Cassie. She is a strong woman and I can relate to her independency. She grew up as the only girl amongst his brothers, but unfortunately her father still doesn’t give her full authority yet to take over the business. Honestly, I enjoy this story so much. It’s romantic yet beautiful. And, one of the most important thing, though it can be categorized as romance novel but Katie succeded in building the backround. All the construction stuff. Escort service. Family matters. Those are easily related to the whole plot. The conflicts are just enough to light up the story.

This novel is not only focus on Cassie-James relationship but also feature another relationship. One of them is Amy-Rory. Usually, I hate to be distracted by another love story on a novel, but in here, I am happy to follow the story of Amy-Rory. Their love story is kind of cute.

I giggled all the time while I reading it. So much fun! And, wowsaaa, there are one or two HOT scenes up here. You better to open your window widely or turn down your AC. Hahaha.

Overall, I love this book and I will look forward another Katie’s books. I hope she wrote as cute as this book. *chuckle*

My rating: 

 

Thankyou Netgalley for providing this novel.

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Book Cover: Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Okay, I didn't read the first book of this trilogy yet, but here's the cover for the second book of this Veronica Rossi's trilogy. Since its publication date is still at 8 January 2013, so I have a lot of time to finish the book one, Under the Never Sky, ASAP.

Harper/HarperCollins
January 8th, 2013

Unfortunately, there is no sneak peek about the story itself, so we have to wait until Veronica Rossi or the publisher reveal it.

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