In My Mailbox (Nov. 13th)

Hey, guys! I don't think my post could be later if it tried, but I've been sick and busy. Yes, that is a very scary combination. I also didn't have enough to really warrent an IMM post until today. But now that I do have stuff to show, here we go. :)

For Review:

Thanks so much to White Whisker Books for sending these. My Kindle approves.

"Love at Absolute Zero" is the story of Gunnar Gunderson, a 32-year-old physicist at the University of Wisconsin. The moment he’s given tenure at the university, he can only think of finding a wife, causing his research to falter. With his two partners, Gunnar is in a race against MIT to create new forms of matter called Bose-Einstein condensates, which exist only near absolute zero. To meet his soul mate within three days--that’s what he wants and the time he can carve out--he and his team are using the scientific method, to riotous results.

“As if Einstein didn’t struggle hard enough failing at a unified field theory,” says Philip Persinger, author of "Do The Math," “Meeks ups the ante by tossing philosophy, anthropology, hashish and love (with a capital L) into the mix. And while we’re so sorry, Uncle Albert, in "Love At Absolute Zero," Meeks succeeds absolutely. This delightful story begins when a duck steps out of water and into a wormhole—kind of like a quantum mechanical breakdown on the interstate. Fortunately, the author has such technical control over his material, that the reader does not share the same misery index with the main character as Gunnar bounces down a difficult path to ultimate happiness. It’s a great read.”

“It is impossible not to like Gunnar Gunderson," says critic Sam Sattler of Book Chase. "As he progresses from one disaster or near miss to the next, one views him with a mixture of compassion and laughter, but he is such a good-hearted young man that it is impossible not to root for him (even while, on occasion, wanting to shake some sense into his head). Christopher Meeks has created a memorable character, a man with a uniquely interesting take on life, and he makes Gunnar real by allowing the reader to see him through the eyes of a wide cast of secondary characters: his students, his speed-dating partners, his mother and sister, his research partners, and a passel of very confused Danes, among them.”

I don't normally take on adult fiction, but when I was approached to review this I could not resist. Not only does it sound like it has the potential to be completely hilarious, it also seems like it has the potential to be fresh and original as well. Plus, it is told from a male point of view, which is not extremely common for a love story. I am curious what I will think once I finish reading it.

Fifteen year-old Megan Barnett and her single mom, Suze, have a special relationship—they are friends, close friends, who do almost everything together.

“But come on, guys, she’s my mother… Can I really tell her that while we’re snuggled up on the sofa watching Spider Man Three, I’m secretly undressing James Franco with my eyes? Of course not…”

The special bond takes a turn for the worse when Suze decides to start dating again. She hasn’t had a man in her life since Megan’s father left ten years ago.

Enter two mysterious young men, Megan’s new classmate, sinfully attractive bad boy, Guy Matson, and the dangerously handsome art dealer, Armando. Before long Megan and Suze both wind up in steamy relationships.

But neither of the handsome pair is quite what he seems. In fact, one of them is Satan, with his sights set on a new bride. Megan has precious little time to figure out how to stop him. If she doesn’t, either Megan or Suze are quite literally going to HELL.

This. Looks. Fun. I remember being in my teens and my mom wanting to help me get ready for dates. I could not imagine having a mom who was dating at the same time. Also, I actually recall chatting with people over on Absolute Write this summer and joking that a book about Satan wanting a wife would be interesting. This isn't necessarily going to be what *I* had in mind, but I am still really excited to see someone tackling the idea in any way. Yeah, I'm crazy like that. 

This is the sequel to Boyfriend from Hell. I didn't find a summary for this one when I looked it up on GoodReads, but I will say that it will be nice to read the two books close together like that. It's actually a personal preference for me. (Probably because that's also how I watch DVDs?) 

At any rate, I am really eager to get started on this series.

Won: 

A fiercely individualist Goth girl wakes up to discover that the whole world has gone Goth and she's actually — gag — popular.

Jade Leigh is a nonconformist who values individuality above all else. She has a small group of like-minded Goth friends who wear black, dabble in the dark arts, and thrive outside the norm. They're considered the "freaks" of their high school. But when Jade's smart mouth lands her in trouble — again — her principal decides to teach her a lesson she'll never forget.

Taken to a remote location where she is strapped down and sedated, Jade wakes up in an alternate universe where she rules the school. But her best friends won't talk to her, and the people she used to hate are all Goth. Only Clarik, the mysterious new boy in town, operates outside all the cliques. And only Mercedes, the Barbie clone Jade loathes, believes that Jade's stuck in a virtual reality game — because she's stuck there, too, now living the life of a "freak." Together, they realize they might never get back to reality...and that even if they do, things might never be the same.

I have been a huge fan of Gena Showalter for years but I've never taken a look at any of her YA books. I am really looking forward to reading this, even though it might take me a while to get to it since the books I have for review need to get done too. 

Bought:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I can't believe I found this at WalMart. Not just because I can't believe it was there, but also because I can't believe I found it where it was and considering how I felt today. I now have all four of the Iron Fey books. I am really looking forward to jumping into these and finding out the whole story. 

Thanks so much for dropping by and checking out my super late IMM post. What did you get in your mailbox this week? I hope that the "book fairy" was kind to you. ;) Feel free to post a link in the comments. Bye!