Darlene's Book Nook

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Ten Books That Were A Chore To Get Through #TopTenTuesday

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, they post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers will answer. Everyone is welcome to join!

Today's list is:

Ten Books That Were A Chore To Get Through
(you can click on the links to my reviews to find out why!)

The Unnaturalists
by Tiffany Trent
(The Unnaturalists, Book #1)

White is for Witching
by Helen Oyeyemi

Into the Water
by Paula Hawkins

Blood Rose Rebellion
by Rosalyn Eves
(Blood Rose Rebellion, Book #1)

Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus
by Mary Shelley

A Clockwork Orange
by Anthony Burgess

The End Games
by T. Michael Martin

Three Graves Full
by Jamie Mason

The Gunslinger
by Stephen King
(The Dark Tower, Book #1)

Gilt
by Katherine Longshore
(The Royal Circle, Book #1)

So, have you read any of those? If so, was your opinion different from mine? What books were a chore for YOU to get through? Please let me know in the comments, or leave me a link to your blog post if you are also participating in the meme!

Monday, September 4, 2017

Chapter Break August Bookish Bingo: Wrap-up Post @juliecookies @lynnmpoppe

This is my Wrap-up Post for the monthly challenge hosted by Julie & Lynn at Chapter Break.

20/25 SQUARES COMPLETED (with the FREE space)

Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber - Completes 6 squares: Audiobook, Set in a city, Loyal, Library book, Enemies to lovers, Loner
Beyond Exile by J.L. Bourne (Day by Day Armageddon, Book #2) - Completes 4 squares: Science fiction/fantasy, Free book, In a series, Road trip/travel
The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel (The Book of Ivy, Book #2) - Completes 3 squares: Siblings/kids, Empowered female, Packing/moving
Make My Wish Come True by Fiona Harper - Completes 2 squares: Swimming, Stars on the cover
Blood Vow by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Legacy, Book #2) - Completes 4 squares: Artist, Steamy, Special/superpowers, Piercing/tattoo

That was fun! Thanks for hosting, Julie & Lynn!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This weekly meme is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

I'm reading:

Something from my dusty bookshelf. I think it's a good pick for this time of year!

TITLE: Possess

AUTHOR: Gretchen McNeil

PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray

PUBLICATION DATE: August 23, 2011

FORMAT: Hardcover, Autographed
LENGTH: 382 pages

GENRE: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal, Horror

ISBN: 9780062060716

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her overprotective mom, by Matt Quinn, the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, the voices are demons - and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. Literally.

Terrified to tell her friends or family about this new power, Bridget confides in San Francisco's senior exorcist, Monsignor Renault. The monsignor enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession, but just as she is starting to come to terms with her freakish new role, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. And when one of her oldest friends is killed, Bridget realizes she's in deeper than she ever thought possible. Now she must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone else close to her winds up dead - or worse, the human vessel for a demon king.

I am taking this nine-week course with a group of people, which features DVD Study sessions and a Participant Guide with study questions (homework!) for discussion each week. I'm looking forward to this! I've heard the book is great.

TITLE: Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life

AUTHORS: Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

PUBLISHER: Zondervan

PUBLICATION DATE: November 2, 1992

FORMAT: Hardcover
LENGTH: 314 pages

GENRE: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self-Help

ISBN: 9780310585909

Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances -- Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions -- Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others -- Spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own and give us renewed awe for our Creator -- Often, Christians focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations. When confronted with their lack of boundaries, they ask: - Can I set limits and still be a loving person? - What are legitimate boundaries? - What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries? - How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money? - Aren't boundaries selfish? - Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I consider setting boundaries? Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer biblically-based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves.

I'm listening to:

Something from my review pile.

TITLE: False Flag

AUTHOR: John Altman

NARRATOR: Edoardo Ballerini

PUBLISHER: Blackstone Audio

PUBLICATION DATE: May 16, 2017

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook

LENGTH: 10 hrs and 20 mins

GENRE: Thriller

In False Flag, Israeli-born Dalia Artzi, a tactical genius and specialist at Princeton in the study of maneuver warfare, uncovers a fiendish plot by a small group of Israeli fanatics to commit a horrific crime against the United States government and pin the blame on Iran. At first, Dalia, a pacifist, is hesitant to get involved. But she recognizes that extremism of any kind is the real enemy in the world and, strong in her Jewish faith, she believes that the goal of her religion is not to crush one’s enemies but to practice tikkun olam, to repair the world. Soon, Dalia sees that she has little choice but to act quickly and do what she must to prevent the unspeakable from occurring.

Meanwhile, Jana, a beautiful but deadly Israeli operative taking orders from the conspiring fanatics, is determined to deftly fulfill the deadly mission entrusted to her. Once the plot has been carried out, Jana and the commanders of her mission believe that Israel’s enemies will meet with total destruction when the world’s most powerful nation retaliates. Jana is firm in her conviction that she is on the side of right, and believes the ends will justify the means, however violent.

Centered on a fascinating and original Israeli heroine and anti-heroine, False Flag probes some of the most important political and moral conflicts of our times. Altman examines extremism in its many incarnations and the complex pitfalls humans encounter when they try to do what is right, no matter the cost. In the process, he continues his tradition of creating ruthless female assassins, delivering his most terrifying creation yet. Riveting espionage, struggles of conscience, and edge-of-your-seat intrigue combine to make False Flag one of the most compelling and controversial thrillers of 2017.

I just finished:

TITLE: Skitter

SERIES: The Hatching, Book #2
AUTHOR: Ezekiel Boone

PUBLISHER: Random House Canada

PUBLICATION DATE: May 30, 2017

FORMAT: Paperback
LENGTH: 304 pages

GENRE: Horror, Science Fiction/Apocalyptic

ISBN: 9780345816511

Tens of millions of people around the world are dead. Half of China is a nuclear wasteland. Mysterious flesh-eating spiders are marching through Los Angeles, Oslo, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, and countless other cities. According to scientist Melanie Guyer, however, the spider situation seems to be looking up. Yet in Japan, a giant, truck-sized, glowing egg sack gives a shocking preview of what is to come, even as survivors in Los Angeles panic and break the quarantine zone. Out in the desert, survivalists Gordo and Shotgun are trying to invent a spider super weapon, but it’s not clear if it’s too late, because President Stephanie Pilgrim has been forced to enact the plan of last resort: The Spanish Protocol. America, you are on your own.

TITLE: The Chosen

SERIES: Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book #15
AUTHOR: J.R. Ward

NARRATOR: Jim Frangione

PUBLISHER: Random House Audio

PUBLICATION DATE: April 4, 2017

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook

LENGTH: 17 hrs and 32 mins

GENRE: Paranormal Romance

A scorching forbidden love threatens to tear a rift through the Black Dagger Brotherhood in J. R. Ward s newest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.

Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.

As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these books and, if so, what did you think? Please let me know in the comments and, if you are also participating in this meme, leave me a link to your blog post so that I can stop by!

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Stacking The Shelves and Sunday Post

This meme is hosted by Tynga over at Team Tynga's Reviews, which she describes as follows:

"Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!"

Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

September already? August just flew by. I don't know where the time went! Thank goodness for:

Did you pick up the August E-book of the Month at Heroes & Heartbreakers? You can still pick up this FREEBIE until Sept 4th at 11:59 PM ET.

Mine Till Midnight
by Lisa Kleypas
(The Hathaways, Book #1)

I also picked up Tantor Audio's FREEBIE of the month:

Vanity Fair
by William Makepeace Thackeray

I also picked up more cheap Daily Deals from Audible:

The Once and Future King
by T.H. White
(The Once and Future King, Books #1-4)

The Woman in White
by Wilkie Collins

Iced
by Karen Marie Moning
(Fever, Book #6; Dani O'Malley, Book #1)

I saw this scary book recommendation on another blog, and I picked up the Amazon Kindle e-book for $1.59:

The Shuddering
by Ania Ahlborn
I've wanted to read this author for a long time, and I've heard her books are scary. I think it will be perfect for the R.I.P.XII challenge!

Recap: Last Week On The Blog

Sunday: Stacking the Shelves and Sunday Post

Monday: Bout of Books 20 Read-a-Thon Wrap-up Post

Monday: It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Tuesday: Hidden Gems in the Young Adult Genre

Wednesday: Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Ravenous by Amy Lukavics

Thursday: Summer 2017 Bookish Bingo Wrap-up Post

Friday: Audiobook Review: 5 out of 5 stars for The Chosen by J.R. Ward

Saturday: August Wrap-up

What books have you added to your shelves this week? If you are also participating in either of these memes, please leave me the link to your blog post in the comments so that I can come and drool over all your goodies!

Saturday, September 2, 2017

August Wrap-up

Well that month just flew by! I took a week off early in the month, and we went on another road-trip. This time, we headed east and spent time at a provincial park in a neighbouring province. That made it three provinces that we visited this summer!

The week before last, my former colleague had a big bash at their cottage for her husband's 50th birthday so we spent the weekend at the beach.

It's been a beautiful summer. We've had warm temps, very little rain, and no mosquitoes (because it's been so dry). I hope that Fall will be equally wonderful.

I finished eight books this month! That seems to be about average for me, and I'm pleased that it's higher than last month.

FROM MY BOOKSHELF:

4 stars
Beyond Exile
by J.L. Bourne
(Day by Day Armageddon, Book #2)

5 stars
The Revolution of Ivy
by Amy Engel
(The Book of Ivy, Book #2)

3 stars
Make My Wish Come True
by Fiona Harper

4 stars
Blood Vow
by J.R. Ward
(Black Dagger Legacy, Book #2)

FROM THE LIBRARY

5 stars

Twelve Days of Christmas

by Debbie Macomber

4 stars

Skitter

by Ezekiel Boone

(The Hatching, Book #2)

REVIEW COPIES

4 stars
Here and Gone
by Haylen Beck

5 stars
The Chosen
by J.R. Ward
(Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book #15)

I read such good books last month! I think Twelve Days of Christmas and The Chosen were my stand-out favourite reads of the month. I tried to veer away a bit from mysteries, but I really enjoyed the one that I read: Here and Gone. That one is definitely a nail-biter!

My least favourite book was Make My Wish Come True. I did enjoy it, but I thought that I was going to get a holiday romance and that wasn't quite what was a delivered. Still, an enjoyable read but just wasn't what I was expecting!

I discovered two new authors, and I continued on in five series. I finished one of those series (The Book of Ivy), and I'm now up to date on three of the other series (The Hatching, Black Dagger Brotherhood, and Black Dagger Legacy).

January Wrap-up: 10 books

[3 shelf-love, 5 library, 2 review]

February Wrap-up: 9 books

[2 shelf-love, 5 library, 2 review]

March Wrap-up: 7 books

[5 shelf-love, 2 review]

April Wrap-up: 8 books

[6 shelf-love, 2 review]

May Wrap-up: 8 books

[1 shelf-love, 1 library, 6 review]

June Wrap-up: 9 books

[1 shelf-love, 3 library, 5 review]

July Wrap-up: 6 books

[2 library, 4 review]

August Wrap-up: 8 books
[4 shelf-love, 2 library, 2 review]

Year to date total: 57 books

[22 shelf-love, 18 library, 25 review]

So, how was your August? What was your favourite book? Least favourite? Please let me know in the comments! I'd love to add your favourites to my TBR :)

Friday, September 1, 2017

#Audiobook #Review: 5 out of 5 stars for The Chosen by J.R. Ward @JRWard1 @PRHAudio

TITLE: The Chosen

SERIES: Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book #15
AUTHOR: J.R. Ward

NARRATOR: Jim Frangione

PUBLISHER: Random House Audio

PUBLICATION DATE: April 4, 2017

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook

LENGTH: 17 hrs and 32 mins

GENRE: Paranormal Romance

A scorching forbidden love threatens to tear a rift through the Black Dagger Brotherhood in J. R. Ward s newest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier's fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.

Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.

As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.

MY REVIEW:

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook for voluntary review consideration.

The Warden definitely shook things up in this one! My emotions were all over the place, and I loved every minute.

The main storyline focuses on Xcor and Layla. The Black Dagger Brotherhood is keeping Xcor alive in their cave, after the assassination attempt on Wrath's life. When Qhuinn finds out that Layla met up with Xcor while she was pregnant with the twins, he flips out and actually fires a gun in the BDB mansion in the children’s room. Qhuinn wants Layla’s maternal rights revoked and that she is thrown out of the mansion. As a mom, my heart bled for Layla. Qhuinn goes after Xcor while he’s in the cave and, even after smelling Xcor’s bonding scent for Layla, Qhuinn’s rage remains unchanged even though he’s now aware that Xcor could never harm his shellan and that Layla and the twins were never in any danger. It doesn’t matter to Qhuinn, though. There is no reasoning with this guy! He’s a hot-head, and that also affects his relationship with Blay who goes to stay with his parents. I have to admit that Qhuinn really pissed me off in this book. First, with his horrid treatment of Layla and then giving poor Lyric the cold shoulder just because she reminds him of her mahmen? Blech, that was just wrong! I thought he acted very immaturely.

I loved seeing Xcor’s evolution from foe to friend, as well as the development of his relationship with Layla. With Lassiter pulling the strings in his new role as replacement for the Scribe Virgin, he unites the BDB with Xcor’s Band of Bastards. We learn about Xcor’s sire, and that was a shock for me that I didn’t see coming!

Elsewhere in Caldwell, iAm is interviewing for a new waitress and is stunned to meet Therese who is a dead-ringer for Selena. Even Trez thinks so, who is so taken with her that he can’t keep away. I’m not sure what’s going on there but, if that really isn’t Selena, I think it’s hardly fair that she be just a substitute. Please tell me the Warden is not going there!

V, oh V!! My heart broke for Vishous. His relationship with Doc Jane is on the rocks, and V finds himself tempted to stray. He surprised me with backing up Xcor and Layla, but I was troubled by his own unhappiness. I really want to see things come to a head between V and Doc Jane NOW. I was frustrated at how he denied his own feelings and downplayed his hurt. I really hope this couple gets back on track in the next book.

Throe is getting more diabolical, and he’s still determined to overthrow the King. I didn’t particularly care for where things went with him.

So, the part of the story with Xcor and Layla I loved, but the rest of the book was an emotional rollercoaster! I still loved it, though, and I can’t wait to see where all these sub-plots are going!

Jim Frangione is just a pure delight for me. He is ear candy, and I could listen to him all day long. He reverted back to the new pronunciation of Primale (Pruh-MAH-lee instead of PRY-male), so let’s hope for continued consistency with the new pronunciations. Here is a sample of the narration:

MY RATING: