Stacking the Shelves #39

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hi gorgeous people!  Very busy week, I'm glad is over :)  I didn't posted my STS last week, so this is two weeks worth of books.

Purchased (or Free) for Kindle

How Beauty Saved the Beast by Jax Garren - This is an adult title, book two of the Tales of the Underlight series.  I really enjoyed book one and I can't wait to read this one. 

Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout (as L. Lyyn) - I'm probably the only blogger that has yet to read a book by this author (put the tomatoes down people!)  I know, I know, I plan to remedy that soon.  I do own Obsidian and Cursed! 

A Man for the Summer by Ruby Laska - I can't honestly remember how I found out about this book, but it does sound like a good romance ;)

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - I've only heard amazing things about this book, and I plan to find out why.

Tribulation by Phillip W. Simpson - I just finished reading Rapture, book one of this series and I need to find out what happens next.

Friends & Foes by Sarah M. Eden - This is a historical regency romance (which I love) and it has great reviews. Oh, and the cover calls to me...

Purchased (Physical Books)

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger - I wanted to read this book since I fist saw this cover months ago!

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green - My goal is to read all of John Green's books - after The Fault in Our Stars, I'm a fan for life.

Library

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan - I've heard wonderful things about this book.  Have you read it?

A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton - I enjoyed Darkness Becomes Her, book one of the series, I'm long overdue to read book #2.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - Well, my fellow bloggers insist that I must read this book and I aim to please ;)

For Review 

The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross - Although I haven't read the second book of the series, I did love The Girl in the Steel Corset, and I plan to catch up on this series. Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Teen.

The Collector by Victoria Scott - I cannot wait to read this one!!! I'm SO exited for this blog tour hosted by YA Bound.  Thanks!

Not Book Related

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I've been struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome for a while, so I decided to try an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, both at home (pictured) and at work. It makes a world of difference!

I got a new phone last week!  Let me introduce you to the Gallaxy S III, we are currently in the 'dating' phase, that is, getting to know each other.  So far, so good :)

That's it for me!  What is stacking your shelves this wee?  Have you read any of these?  Which one should I read first?

Review: How Beauty Met the Beast by Jax Garren (Tales of the Underlight #1)

*********Adult Book*********

Title: How Beauty Met the Beast by Jax Garren

Published: November 19^th, 2012 by Carina Press

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased for Kindle

Challenge(s):  eBook

Grade rate: A

The Beast Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley "Hauk" Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He's starting to lose hope…and then he sees her. The Beauty Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn't see. After she's kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed. Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more? 

My Review

How Beauty Met the Beast is a novella that introduces the exciting world of the Underlight, and what a ride it was!

The characters in this story are to die for!  Jolie comes from money and power, but has chosen another path for herself.  Her path leads her to an edgy type of entertainment as a burlesque dancer and that is how she ‘meets’ Hauk.   Jolie is gorgeous and successful and she can have any man she wants.  Hauk is a big man, he is tough, scarred inside and out, and somehow vulnerable.  He has been shunned and rejected many times and has lost hope on any type of normal life.  When Jolie and Hauk meet, I could actually see the fireworks!  Their chemistry together is amazing and I love them both. 

Jolie and Hauk are working together as he is helping him with a big problem (I hate to be cryptic, but I don’t want to give anything away).  I love Whitney!  She reminds me (in character) to my own 12-year-old.  Aren’t they precious?  Other characters are well fleshed out and I’m sure we will see more of them in the next book.

The plot and the story are a combination of paranormal and conspiracy theory with a bit of mythology for good measure.  Since I don’t read a lot of adult-paranormal, I found it all refreshing.  The world of the Underlight is very interesting.  The writing is so good!  It flows nicely and effortlessly, the characters are full of wit, sexual innuendo and just plain awesome. I still have unanswered questions, like why Hauk has the blackouts and his pain-sense.  I will definitely read the next book in the series titled How Beauty Saved the Beast, due to be published in February.

Here are some fun quotes:

“You have a nice smile, you know.  You should use it more often.”

“Don’t patronize me. I’m ugly as Hel’s bad half, and I don’t give a damn.” His smile grew as he stood up. “But then I don’t have to look at me…”  Hauk talking to Catrina

When she smiled at him again, eyes shining with admiration, he know he would take on any pain, any struggle, any ordeal to have her look at him like that again” – Hauk

“Can I still tell him that you carried his butt? Because that’s just funny.”

Jolie relaxed and followed her niece toward the door. “Yes you can tell him that part”.  – Whitney and Jolie

About the cover:  I love this cover!  Jolie (not precisely as I imagined her), is wearing a burlesque costume with Hauk looking over her (with his trademark hoodie) and they are underground.  I love how she is all ‘color’ and the rest are shades of gray.

Stacking the Shelves # 26

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Sorry if I've been a bit MIA this week.  It's always busy during this time of the year.  I spend some time cleaning the house and of course cooking.

For Thanksgiving we had: turkey (stuffed with mofongo), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), sweet potato casserole, green beans with shallots, mushrooms and bacon, roasted potatoes with rosemary, and a green salad; for dessert I baked pumpkin and apple pies, gooey nut bars and made tembleque.  I know you might think is a lot, but for Hispanics food is a BIG deal.  My intention was to take some pictures, but of course I didn't remember  :(

After the kitchen was clean, hubby and I went shopping for Black Friday deals. Did you go shopping?  Anyway, these are my new acquisitions this week:   

Purchased for Kindle

The Ivy by Lauren Kunze  - I'm not sure where I saw this book, but it sounded good, was inexpensive and I like the cover.

So Close to You by Rachel Carter - I've had this one on my TBR list for a while, so I finally go it. 

How Beauty Meet the Beast by Jax Garren  - I saw this novella in several blogs and I just had to check for my self.  I already read it and loved it (for adults though), review coming soon.  Can't wait for the full novel next year!

Insignia by S.J. Kincaid - This book looks incredible and has great reviews in Goodreads. 

Gravity by Melissa West - I'm intrigues by this one and the 'alien' component. 

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - This one has an amazing 4.47 average in Goodreads.  I can always make time to read a little romance :)

For Review 

I received an amazing bundle in the mail: a copy of League of Strays by L.B. Schulman, a journal and a pens.  Thank you to Amulet / Abrams Publishers!

That's it for me.  What is stacking your shelves this week?  Have you read any of these?  Do you have any recommendations for me? Oh, and how was your holiday?