{Happy New Year}

The end of December marks the end of my first year blogging about the books I've read, participating in book tours, giveaways, and spotlights. I had blogged before years ago, but that was personal stuff in a closed community online. I met some wonderful people also sharing their life stories and I'm glad we're all still friends. But...I had turned in my blogging hat for a while.

With rediscovering goodreads and a goodreads giveaway, I discovered Netgalley. And with Netgalley and setting up a blog, I discovered blog tours! It has been a super wonderful year of reading for me, filled with books I probably would never have heard of, some I never would have picked up, new friends, new authors to stalk online adore, and books I just cannot get enough of.

My sweetheart bought me a Kindle Paperwhite for Valentine's Day last year and that just made my reading explode! Plus discovering blog tour companies to host and help promote authors, etc. It was definitely a year of discovery.

I may have gotten a bit too eager in signing up for review tours and my Netgalley finger was quite itchy. I honestly did not expect to be approved for as many books I was approved for and am now playing catch up. In fact, that is my Book Blogging Resolution for the New Year! While I read well over 250 books this year, sometimes it got to be too much and I'm still behind. So this year, I am still going to participate in tours, but perhaps not as many review tours until I get caught up with my Netgalley reads and other Read-to-Reviews.

I've also played around with my review style a bit here and there and am still figuring out "my voice." I am probably on the softer end of reviewers, but I am okay with that. I might change my style from review to review, but I approach each one the same: I think of it as a letter. To whom? A letter to you my readers of course!

Below is a widget from goodreads of some of the books I read and reviewed this year. I still have about 6 books that I have notes on but have not yet written a review, but I will crank those out as soon as possible.

But before I get to the widget...I'd like to invite you all to MY BLOGAVERSARY PARTY which is happening on Facebook at the end of the month!

I had the privilege of reading and meeting many authors and bloggers in the book world and I have a bunch of donations for prizes from ecopies to print copies to swag from authors such as Carlie Sexton, Lizzy Ford, Mia Fox, AJ Bennett, Livia Olteano, and more! So click the link and be sure to come! The more the merrier!

Happy New Year and thanks for being with me this year! I hope you stick around for 2014!

a_tiffyfit's favorite books »

{Release Day Blitz} Reviews of BEG ME TO SLAY by Lisa Kessler and ASHES by Sarah Gilman...plus a FB party invite and giveaways!

Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, LIKE their Facebook page, and join the Book Club.

{Blog Tour} Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak -- with review, excerpt, and giveaway!

Book Title: Chasing the Star Garden
Author: Melanie Karsak
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Publishing Date: December 4, 2013
Length: 325 pages
Source: Fangtastic Book Tours for honest review

{Hurry! Last few hours for a giveaway!)

I'm sharing a major giveaway from a ton of authors! You only have a few hours left to enter for the KindleFire HDX, but a couple days for the gucci cosmetics bag and gift card! Good luck!

the following is from Elixa Everett!



"HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Santa may be done for the year, but me? I'm just getting started! Insatiable Reads authors are offering their latest works for only $0.99. PLUS Insatiable Reads has a great giveaway. How does a new model Kindle Fire HD sound? Or some gift cards to replenish your mugged-by-Christmas wallet?
BUT those prizes aren't even the best part.

EVERY author participating in this sale is having a special give away that is open only to their newsletter subscribers.

That means, every time you enter the BIG giveaway, you're also entering up to TWELVE other giveaways from each individual author. (contests for most authors close Dec 28th)

What are the prizes? I can't tell you! It's a holiday mystery gift! Every author is giving away something different (and in some cases very expensive designer items). You won't find out what the special giveaway is until you subscribe to one of the participating authors' newsletters. The more you subscribe, the more prizes you could win !

What am I giving away? One lucky winner who opens this email will win one of three prizes, one of which will be a Gucci cosmetics case valued at over $300.00. Two other winners will also receive a $25 gift card from Amazon. (My contest closes on Dec 30th)

(Giveaway Fine Print: Winner will be contacted via email and announced by January 1st 2014 on the Terry Towers Facebook Page and on her website www.elixaeverett.com.)

Note that while book prices are accurate at the time I generate the newsletter, they are not guaranteed and can change without warning. Double check the price before you buy!"

http://www.elixaeverett.com/author_blog_?results=238   ENTER HERE

{Blog Tour} CHARRED TEARS by LIZZY FORD

{Book Review with Giveaway} DRAGON CRAVING by Livia Olteano

Dragon Craving (Otherworld Summons #2)

by Livia Olteano

Length: 230 pages

Edition: ebook

Self-published

Part of a series; can be read as stand-alone

The world holds few secrets for Oracle Elana Anderson, or as her fans know her, Ela Deville. Successful author of paranormal romance, Ela has a secret: not all her paranormal characters are quite that fictional. She hardly expected she'd trigger a chain of events that might bring about the end of the world via a pesky dragon. Rendered blind to visions of him, Ela’s only way to save her world is to keep the dragon close…very close.

Obitus, the only awake dragon in the Otherworlds, is determined to get back the magic that was stolen from him and secure his position for a good thousand years. Becoming Akai’s new guardian after getting rid of the current one is the best way to it. But that means getting Ela on his side. He’ll bargain and maneuver his way there if he has to, but ends up tormented by the desire to have her for real.

In a game of deals, half-truths and irresistible cravings, does one heart have to break in order for the other to save the world?

 I had read the first book in this series, GARGOYLE ADDICTION, earlier this year. (See my review here). I really enjoyed it and enjoyed the cast of characters as well. I was excited to be offered a chance to read DRAGON CRAVING from the author directly and I enjoyed this book just as much, if not more, than the first!

The Otherworld Summons series is great in that you can read each book as a stand-alone. While the characters cross over into this second book, I could envision someone reading it and enjoying it just fine without having read Karla & Kann's story.

This book focuses on Obitus, the dragon Karla summoned and released from his prison in order to save her own life. Back in our human realm, Obitus and Karla have a friendship going on that Kann and Ela, Karla's favorite author who happens to be the Oracle of Akai (human realm), just cannot seem to understand. In fact, Ela is constantly fighting her own attraction to him, believing him to be the worst sort imaginable. Obitus...the Destroyer of Worlds. He must've been imprisoned for SOME reason, right?

Obitus meanwhile is searching for magic, his magic, so he can wreak revenge on Naum, the person he trusted who betrayed him and imprisoned him. We learn a lot from Obitus about what really happened, about what the guardians TRULY are, etc. A lot of information without being lectured; it all unfolds in the course of the story.

The sexual tension and pulling of heartstrings between Obitus and Ela is wonderfully written as is the pace of this novel. Once I was able to get a little time to myself to read, this was a fast, enjoyable nugget of a book that made me smile as the ebb and flow of relationship woes and highs pulsed.

I cannot wait for another book in this series; something tells me we're going back to gargoyles. Maybe? Hopefully? ;) 

The author is graciously giving away one ebook set of both novels, mobi/epub only. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{SEASONS GREETINGS} Merry Christmas to you all!

From two of my furkids and I...

H A P P Y       C H R I S T M A S ! 

{Release Day Blitz} FRACTURED INNOCENCE by Julia Crane -- with excerpt and giveaway!

Fractured Innocence 

(IFICS #2Freak of Nature)

By Julia Crane

Release Date: December 24, 2013

{Book Review} THE DEATHS OF TAO by Wesley Chu

The Deaths of Tao
by Wesley Chu
Publisher: Angry Robot Books
Published: October 2013
Length: 464 pages
Source: publisher via netgalley

The sequel to The Lives of Tao.

The Prophus and the Genjix are at war. For centuries they have sought a way off-planet, guiding humanity’s social and technological development to the stage where space travel is possible. The end is now in sight, and both factions have plans to leave the Earth, but the Genjix method will mean the destruction of the human race.

That’s a price they’re willing to pay.

It’s up to Roen and Tao to save the world. Oh, dear…

 A thoroughly enjoyable follow up to THE LIVES OF TAO. I'm an Angry Robot publishing house junkie...they have such fantastic books like Wesley Chu's. 

Roen & Tao's story continues a few years after where we left them in THE LIVES OF TAO. Now, Roen is married (and separated) to Jill, and they have a toddler son, Cameron, but Cameron lives with his maternal grandparents out in California. 

The war between the Prophus and the Genjix is escalating. Prophus, the general populace, continues on their regular battles, not believing Roen. Meanwhile, Roen follows Tao's suspicions and leaves the organization in pursuit of Tao's belief that something much greater is going on at the Genjix camp, besides the creation of superior specimens of human hosts. 

Although Roen misses his family, his wife Jill & their son Cameron, he is ever-focused on discovering what the Genjix are up to. By chance, he finally DOES discover that Tao's hunches were correct. And Roen aims to stop them for both the Quasing's future and the world's survival. The Genjix mean to achieve their goals no matter the consequences to humans and the humans who house the Genjix Quasings are so fanatical in their belief that the Quasings are deities that they are willing to sacrifice everything, especially Enzo, the human host to the Quasing Genjix leader, Zoras. Superior in form and trained since birth to focus on one ultimate end goal, Enzo is focused and determined to bring about the ultimate end: the goal of turning planet Earth to the home for the Quasings by changing the environment to make it conducive to Quasings, but uninhabitable for humans. Without humans, these Quasings would never have survived all these generations and years, but the Genjix don't care as they view humans as worthy to only be a means to an end whereas the Prophus are regretful for inhabiting humans and grateful to their hosts. It is this most basic of differences that is the cause for the battle and war between the two factions of Quasings. 

If you read THE LIVES OF TAO, you must read this sequel. It accomplishes that which you rarely see in a sequel: it surpasses the first book. Funny and poignant, at times heart-wrenching, this was a kindle bruiser as I had to read on. A fresh look on the world with that question of "what if..." I loved it! 

{Book Review} WITCH FIRE by Laura Powell

Witch Fire
by Laura Powell
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Lucas and Glory are hard at work in WICA (Witchkind Intelligence and Covert Affairs). As part of their training, they learn more about the witch-terrorist organization Endor. It is believed that Endor has infiltrated a boarding school for young witches in Switzerland, so WICA sends their two youngest agents—Lucas and Glory—to the school undercover. There, they learn more about an experimental brain implant that blocks the power of the fae. It’s a dangerous procedure . . . more so than they could ever have imagined

What if the witches of the 1600s persecutions were real and they had proliferated and became part of our society? That is what this novel's premise is based on. And this proliferation isn't just in the United States near Salem, but all over the world. Although it is accepted that there are witches in the world, registration is demanded and required by government. Some protest against this bias and go rogue to fight back. Some in protest resort to minor but strong and well-formed criminal groups. When these criminal witches are caught and prosecuted, their punishment, at the worst, is to be burned alive. Although "numbed" from the pain, they are conscious and aware of their flesh burning. *shudders*

Glory and Lucas, both born witches, have joined WICA. Sent undercover to the school in Switzerland, Glory learns the truth about her mom's involvement in what they had said she did, and her disappearance after the accusations. Glory's only memories of her mom consist of an old photograph of her mother and a short note she left to her husband, Glory's father, Patrick, that said it is better if she is gone and that she is sorry. That was all Glory knew about her mom until the moment of discovery at this school for the well-to-do families with witch children. The kids are sent to this school to be hidden away from the public at large, really. Since Lucas's conversion, his father, one of the heads of the Inquisition Office, had to resign from his post and yet still is involved, although from a more subtle position/post. He's still powerful though. He's not a bad man though; he just strongly believes in the law and justice. Events lead these two to Cordova in South America and that's where everything comes to light. Mysteries answered, unknowns made known, and both the good and the bad revealed.

It was an enjoyable alternate history story to what happened in American culture before the USA was the USA we now know. It incorporates some of the ugliest events of our past as well as events into the present day and gives the reader a different and interesting take on the witch hunting. Well envisioned, I enjoy this tale and could see parallels and correlations to politics and prejudices of our society to here. 

{Book Blast} The Princess Madeline Series by Kirstin Pulioff -- with giveaway!

Title: The Escape of Princess Madeline (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #1) Author: Kirstin Pulioff Publication Date: November 4, 2012 Publisher: Caliburn Books Number of pages: 138 Recommended age: 10+

Summary: The Kingdom of Soron is known for many things, its rolling landscape, haunting history, fiery sunsets, and its beautiful princess. Princess Madeline woke on her sixteenth birthday to realize that her future had been planned out, a life full of privilege, royalty, and boredom... a life with a husband and knight champion that she did not choose. Using her charm, strength and stubbornness, she defies the King at every turn, determined to keep her freedom on her terms.

Freedom quickly turns to disaster as she finds herself seized by a group of wandering bandits. With the kingdom in turmoil over her capture; her Knight Champion eager to prove himself, a group of dedicated suitors determined to win her hand, and a group of exiled wizards join forces in the hunt to rescue her. Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure full of twists and turns as she tries to find her freedom and answers to her questions about life and love.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords

 Read on for the other books in the series and the giveaway! 

{Blog Tour Review} The Nightlife Omnibus (Books 1-4) by Travis Luedke

Title: The Nightlife Series Omnibus (1~4)
Author: Travis Luedke
Series: The Nightlife Series
Genre: Paranormal/Erotic/Vampires
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 2 2013
Source: Tour Organizer for Honest Opinion
Edition: eBook with Print Coming Soon

{Cover Reveal} BRED BY MAGIC, by Diana Marie DuBois

{Blog Tour} AURORA SKY series by Nikki Jefford -- with review and giveaway!

BOOK ONE:
Aurora Sky by Nikki Jefford
(Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #1)
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

{Release Blitz} VENDETTA by Autumn Karr and Sienna Lane -- with giveaway!

{Book Blitz} PENTIMENTO by Cameron Jace -- with giveaway

Pentimento by Cameron Jace
Publication date: December 20th, 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult

{Book Review} MELT: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese by Stephanie Stiavetti and Garrett McCord

MELT: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese
Published: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown, & Company
Length: 224 pages
Edition: eARC through Netgalley

A cookbook that reinvents the American classic, macaroni and cheese, with gourmet ingredients, handcrafted artisan cheeses, and unique flavor combinations.

MELT: THE ART OF MACARONI AND CHEESE is the first book to marry the American standard, macaroni and cheese, with handcrafted artisan cheeses and a wide array of pastas, producing dishes that are both classic and chic. Home cooks of all levels will be encouraged to incorporate fresh, simple ingredients into the everyday comfort food they know and love. Featuring such unexpected and delicious combinations as Beecher's Flagship Cheddar with Avocado, Lime, and Shell Pasta; Drunken Goat, Fennel, Edamame, Mint, and Rotini; and Pumpkin Stuffed with Fontina, Italian Sausage, and Macaroni, MELT takes mac and cheese out of the box and elevates it to a level that will delight even the most sophisticated palates.

With gorgeous color photography throughout, MELT is a compendium of inventive recipes that will add a fresh twist to the family dinner or play a starring role at your next dinner party.

This review took me a little from time of request at Netgalley to time of writing. I wanted to try a few of the recipes. I would say that the title of this book is a bit misleading. This is NOT your traditional mac & cheese "only better" kind of recipe book. This is...here's a pasta, here's a different kind of cheese, here is gourmet deliciousness and if you think about, sure you can call it mac & cheese! 

Incredibly unique flavor combinations (I would NEVER have come up with these...ever!), wonderful color pictures, and a lovely history and explanation on cheeses, this cookbook is one I will be getting myself in hardcover. (As stated above, I have an eARC from Netgalley).  Many of the recipes use cheeses that you will need a specialty store for; I know for certain that my local super market does NOT carry a lot of the goat cheeses, or anything other than some of the "staple" cheeses. If you're looking for dishes that impress, dishes that are delicious, dishes that evoke comfort food while looking super fancy? This is it, folks. 

I took some screenshots from my kindle for you as a sneak peek into the book. Please remember that this is an electronic ARC and therefore may not reflect what the final book looks like: 

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The few recipes I tried were simply delicious and rich and flavorful...and so not what I was expecting from a book called "MELT: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese."  I really was expecting an admonishment for making Kraft Mac & Cheese and instead make homemade style, and add bacon to be fancy! Look at the Campo De Montalban! Either as a main course or a side, this is rich flaky crust with a burst of flavor in the middle. There's even an udon dish! 

Yes, definitely on my list for Xmas -- both as a gift and for myself! 

At the time of this blog post, hardcover is $18 on amazon!