Favorites of 2012

Happy Saturday! The time has now come to announce the favorites of the year! Woot woot!


CATEGORY 1 - MUSIC:
Favorite song of the year.....
'Wide Awake' by Katy Perry.

Favorite solo artist of the year......
Katy Perry

Favorite Band/Group of the year..........

Paper Route

CATEGORY 2 - MOVIES

Female character of the year......

Fat Amy from Pitch Perfect played by Rebel Wilson

Male character of the year.......

Leo from The Vow played by Channing Tatum

Movie of the year.......

Braveheart featuring Mel Gibson 

CATEGORY 3 - BOOKS

Female Character of the year.................

Chloe from 'The Dark Highlander' by Karen Marie Moning

Male Character of the year...............

Li Tao from 'The Dragon and the Pearl' by Jeannie Lin 

Author of the year......................

Karen Marie Moning. Author of the Highlander series and Fever series

And now the biggie...it was so hard to just pick one*drumroll*....

My Favorite book of the year.......*drumroll*....

'The Taker' by Alma Katsu 

That's that. What were your favorites of 2012? 

====================================

<3CaroleRae

Wordless Wednesday

Found this on Facebook...it reminds me of Suyin from 'The Dragon and the Pearl'. 

Book Review: The Dragon and the Pearl

Author:  Jeannie Lin
Title: The Dragon and the Pearl
Genre: Historical Romance,  Intrigue, Drama 
Pages: 288
First Published: September 20th, 2011
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library


"THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COURTESAN OF THEM ALL...

Former Emperor’s consort Ling Suyin is renowned for her beauty; the ultimate seductress. Now she lives quietly alone—until the most ruthless warlord in the region comes and steals her away....

Li Tao lives life by the sword, and is trapped in the treacherous, lethal world of politics. The alluring Ling Suyin is at the center of the web. He must uncover her mystery without falling under her spell—yet her innocence calls out to him. How cruel if she, of all women, can entrance the man behind the legend..."


This is the first Jeannie Lin book I've read. I can pretty much guarentee that it won't be the last.


The Dragon and the Pearl was what I was hoping it be! The two "lovers" are so different, but so similar. He's a hardened warrior and assassian. She's a lovely flower, but an innocent 'she-demon' (so many characters called her this and it fits all too well). Both characters have gone through so much pain, loneliness, heart-ache, struggle, and dark times, but their love/lust is a pecan in the night for them.


I'm sorry to have gone all poetical, but hey, I really adored this couple and this story. The story had me sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. Even though I'm really good at figuring out what will happen next, I couldn't find my way to the ending result. I must give credit where credit is due...congrats Jeannie Lin, you made a real mystery out of this love story. I also applaud her for making the characters slowly, but surely fall out of the lust stage to the love stage. It was realistic for the characters, because both Tao and Suyin are hard and non-trusting people. When both finally declared their love for each other, I nearly cried, "finally!"


Not only did Jeannie Lin do a wonderful job with the story and the characters, but a wonderful job bringing Ancient China to life. I felt like I was really there. I could imagine the sea of Bamboo and Lio Tao's study. The balance between story-telling and describing the setting was very balanced. I would simply love t if they made this a movie! 


The only things I can nick-pick at is the POV balance. I felt most of the story was in Suyin's POV. Yes, Tao did get to have his spotlight, but...not as much as Suyin. I loved Suyin too, but sometimes I would get bored because she was just sitting around waiting, while Tao was having the adventures and preparing for the war that was coming. Tao had about 35% and Suyin 65% of the book. That is my only complaint.


Overall, I really loved this book. I also really loved the author and her writing style. Tao and Suyin were fantastic characters! As many may or may not know, I love my characters complex and original; both characters fit the built. I do wish that Tao had more chances to give his POV, but oh well. Out of five stars I grant this one 5 stars. Woot! Woot!


Favorite Character(s): Li Tao, Suyin, and Auntie
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Gao and Emperor Shen (they are both pains in the rumps)