Insert Book Title Here

2011-12-19T17:32:00.000-08:00

I am Taking the Leap: NaNoWriMo 2010!

2010-10-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

I am losing my mind just like Christina @ Books for Life. Huh, Two Christinas going crazy...

Anywho...

Last year I heard a lot about NaNoWriMo from Amber @ Just Your Typical Book Blog. I was very interested, but I just did not think I would have the time to go through with it. This year I have decided that I will make the time.

I am not a superstar-writer-in-the-making; I just want to see if I can do it and have some fun!

So, are you signing up?

Title Revealed for Third Monstrumologist Release!

2010-10-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Title may be too strong of a word, but the third (working) title was revealed by Rick Yancy today.

"I thought I'd let you know the (working) title of the third book: THE ISLE OF BLOOD".

As most of you already know, I am in love with this series. I read the first novel last year during Insert Book Title Here's spooktacular october. I also reviewed his second novel for this year's festivities. I am so excited, and I can't wait to see what is in store for this amazing series and talented writer.

The Curse of the Weindgo by Rick Yancey

2010-10-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

Published: October 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 424
From: Purchased

While attempting to disprove that Homo vampiris, the vampire, could exist, Dr. Warthrop is asked by his former fiancÉ to rescue her husband from the Wendigo, a creature that starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh, which has snatched him in the Canadian wilderness. Although Warthrop also considers the Wendigo to be fictitious, he relents and rescues her husband from death and starvation, and then sees the man transform into a Wendigo. Can the doctor and Will Henry hunt down the ultimate predator, who, like the legendary vampire, is neither living nor dead, whose hunger for human flesh is never satisfied? This second book in The Monstrumologist series explores the line between myth and reality, love and hate, genius and madness.

The sequel to The Monstrumologist, The Curse of the Wendigo, is as equally captivating and thrilling as it's predecessor. Rick Yancey brings back his beloved (and slightly odd) characters Will Henry and Dr. Warthrop this time to help locate his ex-finance's husband.

I adored Dr. Warthrop in The Monstrumologist, but it soon grew to love. Rick takes you through some of the Doctor's many layers and allows you to see that he is not as hardened as previously thought. With a few glimpse into the Doctor's past, a few dangerous situations, and a few up close looks at a some corpses you begin to see how much he really does care for Will Henry. There were a few heart melting scenes between them. Will Henry is the same amazing, sweet boy. I absolutely love him and his loyalty to the Doctor. No matter the danger he felt compelled to follow and protect the Doctor even to the point of taking a beating.

I am very excited to say that Rick Yancey, one of my all time favorite authors, will be signing his novel in Knoxville on the 5th of November!

Good job, Mr. Yancey, as always.

In My Mailbox

2010-10-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

This meme is by The Story Siren.

The Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey
While attempting to disprove that Homo vampiris, the vampire, could exist, Dr. Warthrop is asked by his former fiancÉ to rescue her husband from the Wendigo, a creature that starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh, which has snatched him in the Canadian wilderness. Although Warthrop also considers the Wendigo to be fictitious, he relents and rescues her husband from death and starvation, and then sees the man transform into a Wendigo. Can the doctor and Will Henry hunt down the ultimate predator, who, like the legendary vampire, is neither living nor dead, whose hunger for human flesh is never satisfied? This second book in The Monstrumologist series explores the line between myth and reality, love and hate, genius and madness.

Draw the Dark by Ilsa J. Bick
"The things I draw: They tend to die."

There are things the people of Winter, Wisconsin, would rather forget. The year the Nazis came to town, for one. That fire, for another. But what they'd really like to forget is Christian Cage.
Seventeen-year-old Christian's parents disappeared when he was a little boy. Ever since, he's drawn obsessively: his mother's face...her eyes...and what he calls "the sideways place," where he says his parents are trapped. Christian figures if he can just see through his mother's eyes, maybe he can get there somehow and save them. But Christian also draws other things. Ugly things. Evil things. Dark things. Things like other people's fears and nightmares. Their pasts. Their destiny. There's one more thing the people of Winter would like to forget: murder. But Winter won't be able to forget the truth, no matter how hard it tries. Not as long as Christian draws the dark...
The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks (4/4/11)
When Tobias Richard Vandevelde wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the night before, his horrified mother tells him that he was found unconscious. At Featherdale Wildlife Park. In a dingo pen. He assumes that his two best friends are somehow responsible, until the mysterious Reuben turns up, claiming that Toby has a rare and dangerous "condition." Next thing he knows, Toby finds himself involved with a strange bunch of sickly insomniacs who seem convinced that he needs their help. It’s not until he’s kidnapped and imprisoned that he starts to believe them—and to understand what being a paranormal monster really means.

Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough (8/1/11)
Since the gripping conclusion of ONCE A WITCH, Tamsin Greene has been having nightmares. Though she should be enjoying her new boyfriend, Gabriel, or discovering more about her newfound magical "Talents," she's too busy dealing with her sister, Rowena's bride-zilla wedding demands and worrying about the resurgence of her enemy, Alistair Knight. But most of all, Tamsin is haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision. A choice so terrible, that it could destroy her family forever.

When Tamsin discovers that Alistair successfully went back in time to Victorian Era New York, in order to destory the Greene family, she's forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the 19th century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, bustling about as a servant, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the lascivious advances Liam Knight. As times runs out, Tamsin's brash demeanor and sardonic wit place her in the center of the fray as both families square off in a thrilling display of action and magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell (1/3/11)
In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

That's what's in my mailbox. What's in yours?

Day 2: Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith

2010-10-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

"I'd seen a burning figure.
Yes, it had fangs.
Yes, I was sure.
Yes, I thought that the unidentified injured man had been fighting him."

Winner of Paranormalacy by Kiersten White

2010-10-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

A quick thank you to everyone who honestly entered the contest (no cheaters in this bunch)!

Now, on to the winner:

Congrats to Emily @ The Ninja Librarian

I emailed you! :D

To everyone else: Don't be sad. Click on my current giveaways and try again!

Day 1: Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith

2010-10-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

First: I know I was suppose to start this last week but I had midterms. I am so sorry!

Second: So to make up for it I will post 2 teasers a week!

"My stomach clenched. My throat felt as if I'd swallowed sawdust.
Just down the hall-one door, two-Meghan would be so defenseless."

The Blessed ARC contest is going great! Thank you to everyone who has entered! If you have not, then enter here before October 31st.

Reminder: Enter to win Paranormalacy by Kiersten White

2010-10-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to enter tonight before midnight to win! Must be a USA or Canadian address and you MUST comment on the post about your desired supernatural power!

Click here to win!

Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson and Jane Austen Review and Giveaway (Signed!)

2010-10-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Published: August 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 304
From: Publisher

Blithely unaware of the presence of vampires in Highbury, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs of her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. When her dear friend Harriet Smith declares her love for Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she's the one who wants to stay up all night with him. Fortunately, Mr. Knightley has been hiding a secret deep within his unbeating heart -- his (literally) undying love for her.

This novel was way too cute! I really enjoyed this spin on such a classic tale.

Emma was new to the matchmaking scene, but her first match had been a success. Wishing to continue this streak (and from pure boredom), she quickly sets her sights on her new friend Harriett. Harriett is a little naive and a devoted Emma follower, but she was also very sweet and loving. Mr. Knightley was my favorite. Out of all of them he had the most sense.

Mr. Josephson's goal was to make classics more enjoyable and easier to read. He did an excellent job with this novel. It was very easy to follow and the vampire twist was hilarious.

He also has other gently edited classics available such as The Scarlet Letter, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and Moby Dick. His next novels, The Odyssey will be released this month (I can't wait for that one!) and the Red Badge of Courage will be released in November.

Check out his website for more information.

Enter to win a copy of his novel, Emma and the Vampires. It's signed!

1) Must be USA or Canadian
2) Must enter before October 26th at midnight

Fill out the form HERE! Good luck!

55 Dollar CSN Giftcard Winner

2010-10-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

First, I would like to say that I noticed a few people entered numerous times. I am not retarded, and I do check. Needless to say, you were removed from the contest.

Now to the good news:

The winner is (by random name generator selection)....

JUST YOUR TYPICAL BOOK BLOG

Congrats! I am emailing you the code! Thank you to everyone who entered!

Don't Forget Me: The Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey

2010-10-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help but notice that several bloggers have been displaying recent book releases. None that I stumbled upon had this amazing book by this awesome author mentioned. Remember last October when I reviewed The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey (if not click here)? The Curse of the Wendigo is the sequel, and I have been waiting and waiting to get my hands on this little beauty.
This novel will be released on October 12, 2010. It may already be available at your local bookstore. You just HAVE to check this out.

While attempting to disprove that Homo vampiris, the vampire, could exist, Dr. Warthrop is asked by his former fiancÉ to rescue her husband from the Wendigo, a creature that starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh, which has snatched him in the Canadian wilderness. Although Warthrop also considers the Wendigo to be fictitious, he relents and rescues her husband from death and starvation, and then sees the man transform into a Wendigo. Can the doctor and Will Henry hunt down the ultimate predator, who, like the legendary vampire, is neither living nor dead, whose hunger for human flesh is never satisfied? This second book in The Monstrumologist series explores the line between myth and reality, love and hate, genius and madness.

Read a sample chapter here.

Watch the book trailer for The Monstrumologist:

I'm Back Giveaway Reminder: 55 dollar CSN giftcard

2010-10-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

I'm Back! ends tonight at midnight! Make sure you enter!

1) Must be a USA or Canadian
2) Must enter tonight by midnight

Enter here.

In My Mailbox

2010-10-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

This meme is by The Story Siren.

I did not have enough books to justify an In My Mailbox: In Person post. Let's look at what I recieved, shall we?

I recieved a whole series by the Marilee Brothers. My copy is in ebook format.

Moonstone, Book One of the Unbidden Magic Series

A sickly mom. A crummy house trailer. Highschool bullies and snarky drama queens. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime.

Moon Rise, Book two of the Unbidden Magic Series

Her mom's still dating losers. Her boyfriend's gone back to Mexico. Dad still hasn't told his wife and kids that she exists. At school, the drama queens and bullies still rule. But worst of all for Allie Emerson--aka the Star Seeker of an old Gypsy prophecy--is that her powers have taken a hike. She can't read minds anymore. She can't move stuff just by looking at it. The other Star Seekers are counting on her psychic gifts more than ever, and the evil Trimarks are closing in, eager to snatch her magic moonstone necklace while she's helpless. The hot new guy at school is ready and willing to fight her battles, but he comes with some wicked baggage. Dear Diary: I'm a little worried. My new BF is a demon.

Welcome again to Allie Emerson's funny, scary, amazing, and always unpredictable life, as the girl voted least likely to save the world from evil.

Moon Spun, Book 3, the Unbidden Magic Series

Junior's back from Mexico with his movie-star entourage. Beck's using his half-demon charms to "heal" a new girl. Mom's still whacky and now she's dating Principal Hostetler. High school is still an obstacle course of drama queens, bullies and nutjobs. The Trimarks are still a menace, and the moonstone pendant has revealed even more mind-boggling powers.

In other words, Allie Emerson's life as the Girl Voted Least Likely To Save The World From Evil has gone from Weird to Super-charged Super Weird, and it's about to get even weirder.

You're a faery princess. So says the mysterious Ryker, whose handsome talents include turning himself into a hawk. By the way, he and Allie are destined to marry. In faery land. If they can save it from forces even more deadly than Trimarks and high school.

The third book in the Unbidden Magic series plunges readers into a rich other-world of danger, humor, romance, fable, fairytale and magical destiny.

That's what is in my mailbox. What's in yours?

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White Review and Giveaway

2010-10-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

Published: August 2010
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 352
From: Barnes and Nobel (purchased)

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours. But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Paranormalcy was a very refreshing and interesting look on the paranormal.

Evie is a great character. She is brave, intelligent, and supernatural. Evie is vital to her company because she can do what no other can. She can see through glamours. I found myself feeling a little sorry for her. She felt like she had no one expect her mermaid best friend. Lend was awesome. I love his ability, and I think Evie and him would make such a cute couple. Lend's mother is a hoot as well.

I really liked Paranormalcy, and I love the cover. This is one to read!

Giveaway rules:

1) You must be a USA resident or Canadian
2) You must enter before midnight on October 15th
3) You must comment below on your desired supernatural power

Fill out the below form:

Halloween Tips and Tricks #1: Have some fun family time

2010-10-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

Halloween is a great time to spend sometime with the young ones. My sister (Allison age 7) and I made these adorable little pumpkin pals.

All you need is:
1) A little one
2) Small pumpkins
3) Disney's Pumpkin Pals (at WalMart)

Then let the (age appropriate) terrifying fun begin!

Our Witch, Vampire, and Mummy pumpkin pals!

Alli with her witch

Me with my vampire

Alli with Kevin's mummy

Alli, Me, and Kevin's mummy

Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith Review and Giveaway

2010-09-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

Release date: January 25, 2011
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 480
Received: From publisher

Quincie Morris, teen restaurateur and neophyte vampire, is in the fight of her life —or undeath. Even as she adjusts to her new appetites, she must clear her best friend and true love — the hybrid-werewolf Kieren — of murder charges; thwart the apocalyptic ambitions of Bradley Sanguini, the seductive vampire-chef who “blessed” her; and keep her dead parents’ restaurant up and running. She hires a more homespun chef and adds the preternaturally beautiful Zachary to her wait staff. But with hundreds of new vampires on the rise and Bradley off assuming the powers of Dracula Prime, Zachary soon reveals his true nature — and his flaming sword — and they hit the road to staunch the bloodshed before it’s too late.

Even if they save the world, will there be time left to salvage Quincie’s soul?

The world of Tantalized and Eternal combine in Blessed to create an amazing story that is captivating. I loved both of the previous novels, but Blessed has blown them both out of the water. This is Cynthia at her best.

First off, I missed Quincie so I was very glad that I was able to reconnect with her in this novel. Some of the things that she says are so hilarious! I enjoyed hearing her witty remarks and observations again. Zachary remains the same old amazing Zachary. He is still courageous, bold, adorable, and still a rule bender. I love how he thinks (mostly) the best about Quincie and her soul. Kieren stole my heart again. He is such an intelligent heartthrob. Like Quinice says, "Damn. Smart was sexy." Cynthia did an excellent job at remaining true to the existing characters and introducing new ones.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel was how well she tied Bram Stoker's Dracula into the novel. It went very well with the story line, and I loved her twist on it. Very fresh and very unique.

Here is a snippet of Cynthia's Author's Bio:

"Cynthia Leitich Smith is the acclaimed YA author of TANTALIZE (2007), and its companions, ETERNAL (2009) and BLESSED (forthcoming), all Gothic fantasies from Candlewick Press. She also has written several YA short stories as well as books for younger readers. "

Visit her website http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/.

Read my interview with Cynthia.

Blessed does not hit stores until January 25, 2011. But don't start screaming in rage yet...I am going to give away my arc of Blessed.

Na uh uh! Before you start dancing around your room, the contest does not end until October the 31st. Happy Halloween!

All month I will post little teaser quotes from the novel to keep you on the tips of your toes!

Contest conditions:
1) You must be a USA or Canadian resident.
2) You must enter before October 31st at midnight.

Fill out the below form to enter. Good luck!

Halloween Read-a-thon!

2010-09-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

This sounds right up my alley!

The host is Lesley at Young Adult Books Reviewed. This is a weekend long reading marathon of all things that go bump in the night!

Go check out her post for more details and guidelines!

Happy reading!

Unleasing the 2nd Annual Insert Book Title Here's Spooktacular October

2010-09-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Whew! That's a long title!

My loyal followers may remember that last year I held the first ever Insert Book Title Here's Spooktacular October. I don't know about them, but I had tons of fun!

I had a few giveaways such as the Ghostgirl Candle that the (very kind) Tonya Hurley gifted me with. I also gave away my signed copy of The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading.

I held an interview with Amanda Ashby about her love of zombies.

I also reviewed such awesome books as The Monstumologist by Rick Yancey and Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough.

This year I hope it gets even better! I am still hosting giveaways (go check out my current one), writing reviews, and discussing Halloween tricks and tips. This year, however, I wish to connect with other blogs who are holding their own Halloween festivities.

So if you are doing something extra spooky this year, please tell me about it! Better yet...Let's share buttons(as you can see I have Book Chick City's All Hallows Eve button on my sidebar).

Here's mine:

Let's have a great October this year!

The Forbidden Game by LJ Smith

2010-09-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Published: June 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 750
From: Barnes and Noble (purchased)

When Jenny buys a game for her boyfriend, Tom, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the guy behind the counter. There is something mysteriously alluring about Julian’s pale eyes and bleached-blond hair. And when he places the Game into her hands, she knows their connection is something deeper. But as Jenny and her six friends begin to play the Game at Tom’s birthday celebration, a night of friends and fun quickly turns into a night of terror and obsessive love. Because the Game isn’t just a game — it’s the seven friends’ new reality, where Julian reigns as the Prince of the Shadows. One by one the friends must confront their phobias to win the Game. To lose the Game is to lose their lives. And that is only the beginning. . . .

This novel was not LJ at her worst, but she was not at her finest either. I love LJ. Her old stuff is amazing, and she really knows how to weave a convincing paranormal romance. The Forbidden Game fell a little flat for me though.

The characters were her basic choices. They were (of course) all handsome or beautiful (expect for the chubbier one), and they each had a cliched personality. One was the warrior, one was the heartthrob with issues, one was the snobby girl with a heart of gold, and etc. Usually LJ makes this formula work for her, but it was a little annoying in this novel.

Julian was unique, and I liked the concept of them going into this house to face their fears or die. What killed me were the fears were so unrealistic and kind of stupid. Who is afraid of becoming a plant? Come on! Bring on the zombies! I liked that Julian came off as a complete bad guy, and he still was bad at the end. Maybe a little redeemable, but still bad.

All in all, do not waste your money on this one. Just save it for the last Night World series release on July 1, 2012.

In My Mailbox: In Person

2010-09-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

This meme is by The Story Siren.

Mentioned this week:

Release date of 1/25/2011 Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Paranormalacy by Kiersten White
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Claire
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Haunting of America by Troy Taylor
Deception by Lee Nichols
Immortal by Gillian Shields
The Everafter by Amy Huntley
Sweep by Cate Tiernan

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters

2010-09-27T02:56:00.000-07:00

Published: June 2010
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 400
From: Received for review

Karen DeSonne is used to pretending to be something she’s not. All her life, she’s passed as a normal all-American teenager; with her friends, with her family, and at school. Passing cost her the love of her life. And now that Karen’s dead, she’s still passing - this time, as alive. Meanwhile, Karen’s dead friends have been fingered in a high-profile murder, causing a new round of anti-zombie regulations that have forced nearly all of Oakvale’s undead into hiding. Karen soon learns that the “murder” was a hoax, staged by Pete Martinsburg and his bioist zealots. Obtaining enough evidence to expose the fraud and prove her friends’ innocence means doing the unthinkable: betraying her love by becoming Pete’s girlfriend. Karen’s only hope is that the enemy never realizes who she really is - because the consequences would be even worse than death.

I already knew I was going to love this book as soon as I heard about it. Daniel is just that good! I have really loved the Generation Dead series, and he is an amazing author.

Passing Strange focuses on Karen. While I loved Karen (and was very curious about what exactly happened to her), I still missed the old gang. Even though Adam and Phoebe are in this novel, it is for very brief moments. I missed them! However, I did enjoy a novel from Karen's perspective. She is a very complex, brave, and wonderful person. I love that Daniel takes us a little bit farther into her past and allows us to meet her family. Her little sister is a doll!

I really enjoyed this novel, and I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series will pan out. A fourth book has not yet been confirmed.

The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine Books 1-6 Review

2010-09-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

The Morganville Vampires
By Rachel Caine
Books 1-6
Bought from Barnes and Nobel

I recently decided to pick up this series, and I do love it. There is just other things I do not love about it.

Lets start with the love. Rachel is a awesome writer. Her characters speak to me, and I genuinely love them. Every time something horrible happened, my heart would ache for them. Come on! Give 'em a break, will ya? The concept of this series is very unique. It is like the mafia, vampire style. I enjoyed learning the ropes and the rules of the town. I also loved Micheal. He was so sweet and such a great person!

Now onto the not so love. The series is too long...in my opinion. (If you love the series, than don't kill me!) After the first four books, it got a little cheesy. I just wanted some resolution to the plot line. There were many little phrases that Rachel repeated over and over, and (while that seems kind of stupid) it annoyed me a little bit. I did not like Claire's relationship with Shane. He was a little self centered and a HUGE drama queen.

All in all, I will continue this series. I really enjoy it, and I do recommend it.

I'm Back Giveaway

2010-09-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

It's not a lack of books that has kept me from posting. In fact, I have a whole stack of them sitting on my end table. No, I am going to blame school for this one.

CSN has kindly offered to give away a 55 dollar gift card to any of the numerous stores.

Conditions:
1) You have to be a US or Canadian citizen.
2) You have to enter before Midnight October the 10th.

Here are some of the items I loved:

Winsome Espresso Wide 3 Section Storage Shelf

Good Tidings 2' Wooden Half Moon and Spider

Curt Christian Designs Madison Nightstand

Adesso Madison Coffee Table in Dark Wenge

Fill out the above form and submit. Good Luck!

*Updated: If you Twit or sidebar +4; If you blog post +8*

Current Giveaways

2010-07-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

Want to win free books? Of course you do! Here is the current giveaways:

Ending October 31st: Enter to win an ARC of Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Ending October 26th: Enter to win Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson and Jane Austen

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

2010-07-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish — only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary "gifts." But as the students claw their way up — reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty — they start to suffer the sideeffects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

This novel has an interesting twist. I don't believe I have read anything like it, and I enjoyed this novel.

However...

The ending was not what I wanted at all. It left tons of questions about the children and their fates up to the reader. There was also many unanswered questions about their governess, and her deals with the children.

This novel is not one to buy, but do check it out from the library.

Mass Review Post: Jekel Loves Hyde, Radiant Shadows, Darklight

2010-07-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

I was unable to get internet connection for a while which would explain this mass post. Please forgive how short the reviews are.

This was an amazing novel. I had reservations at first as to how she was going to pull off a new twist on this classic tale, but she did it lovely. Bravo, Beth!

Jill Jekel was my favorite. She had a vulnerability, but she was still brave when it counted. She would do whatever it took for Tristen Hyde. He would do anything for her. I love how strong and sweet he was (unless the beast began to show). His father...I will just leave that up to the reader to discover.

Melissa does it again! How I adore her! I had the chance to meet her, and she seemed like a very nice lady.

Radiant Shadows steers us away from the original story, and instead gives us a closer look at Ani and Delvin. Ani was quite the free spirit, and I really enjoyed her as a character. She took risks, she was brave, and she loved her family. Delvin was interesting. He was conflicted, but I think he did the right thing in the end. If you haven't read it yet, please do.

Darklight picked up where Wonderous Strange left off. Sonny is off fighting the Wild Hunt leaving Kelley in the mortal world without him.

Kelley had to make some tough choices in this novel. I think she did what she thought was best, and Sonny was just as dreamy as ever. I really liked this one, but I recommend that you check this one out of the library. Don't buy it.

100 Dollar Winner

2010-06-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

I want to thank CSN stores for this opportunity, and I want to thank those of you who entered the contest. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner:

Congrats, Roger!

I will be sending you the code soon!

$100 Dollar Giveaway Reminder

2010-06-13T14:19:00.001-07:00

The $100 dollar giveaway from the generous CSN stores will end at 3:00pm on Friday the 18th!

Make sure you enter to win!

Living Hell by Catherine Jinks

2010-06-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
256 pages
Coming: April 2010
From: Publisher
Rating: Excellent

What happens when a single moment changes everything? For seventeen-year-old Cheney, life on earth exists only in history books. The life he and over one thousand other people know is aboard the Plexus spacecraft: self-contained, systematic, and serene. But that was before the radiation wave. Now Plexus has suddenly turned on them, becoming a terrifying and unrecognizable force. As the crew dwindles under attack, Cheney and his friends need to fight back before the ship that’s nurtured them for so long becomes responsible for their destruction.

This was a really interesting novel, and I enjoyed every minute.

Catherine took you to a whole other universe with this novel. Her descriptions of the ship and the creatures who lived on it were amazing. Every detail was expertly written and unique. I loved how she made the ship like a body with functioning organs.

Cheney was a little wimpy in the beginning, but he became brave fast. I loved how he took charge, and he took responsibility for keeping the children safe. His mother was a saint. She was constantly trying to help to the best of her ability, and his father was amazing as well. Sloan was a little bit of a jerk. He just did what he felt he had to, I suppose. Dugal was a riot. I loved how he got so pumped over going out and killing the creatures on the ship.

Catherine never fails to impress me, and this novel is no different. Excellent job!

Moving Out $100 Dollar Giveaway!

2010-06-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that Kevin and I are moving out soon, and (of course) I am slowly becoming obsessed with everything from shower curtains to wall sconces. This is where the giveaway comes in. CSN Stores has kindly offered my readers a one-time-use 100 dollar gift card to any of their 200+ stores! Lucky you! I get to pay deposit fees, and you get a great gift card!

Here are some of their products that I love and recommend:

One Light Scroll Wall Sconce in Ivory - $78.00

Portsmouth One Light Wall Sconce in Tannery Bronze - $40.00

Bling Bling Wall Sconce - $90.00

Gear Wall Art with Clock - 129.00

Wildon Home Shed Three Tier Bookcase in Chrome - $47.00

That is just a sample of the amazing things CSN has available in their stores!

To Enter:
You have to be a USA resident or Canadian resident.
Fill out the below form.

Existing Follower +3
New Follower +2
Twitter +2
Blog post +5
Side Bar +3

I have received no compensation from CSN. This is strictly a giveaway.

Repost: My Wedding meet My Books

2010-05-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

I posted this on my wedding blog, Booking Thru a Wedding. I thought that my fellow book lovers would be interested in seeing it!

Here are a few of my book ideas for the wedding:

For my save the date cards, I thought I would send out the due date library cards. I am making the library card pocket out of black and white decorative paper, and I have customized the library note card with words about our upcoming wedding. I am really excited, and I love them so much! They are too cute!

Thank you, DIY Bride, for this idea!

I am also interested in having vases made out of old books for the centerpieces.

They are cute, huh? Thank you, Sweet Paul!

There are tons more ideas where that came from, but I do not want to give everything away!

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

2010-05-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
352 pages
Coming: September 2010
From: Publisher
Rating: Very Good

They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . .

Wildthorn was definitely a different kind of novel. Jane is an excellent author who weaves the scene into reality with her words, and she creates a very believable atmosphere.

Louisa was a brave young woman. Not only did she defy society's ideals with her choice of occupation, but also with her choice of lover. I will not lie...that part threw me for a bit, but I chose to overlook it and enjoy the novel for what it was. Eliza was a very kind and courageous character. She helped Louisa knowing that she could be caught and dismissed from her post...or worse. I really liked her, and I became fond of her quickly. Louisa's brother (and some of her other relatives) were a little messed up. I just wanted to strangle them for all the pain they caused her.

Jane creates a very believable environment in the asylum. Some of the acts committed there were enough to make me cry at the injustice of it. She is a very good author, and I hope to read more from her in the future.

Wildthorn will be released September 6, 2010.

Annexed by Sharon Dogar

2010-05-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
320 pages
Coming: October 2010
From: Publisher
Rating: Excellent

Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex – but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her? In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter’s point of view. What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her? Especially with your parents and her parents all watching almost everything you do together. To know you’re being written about in Anne’s diary, day after day? What’s it like to start questioning your religion, wondering why simply being Jewish inspires such hatred and persecution? Or to just sit and wait and watch while others die, and wish you were fighting. As Peter and Anne become closer and closer in their confined quarters, how can they make sense of what they see happening around them? Anne’s diary ends on August 4, 1944, but Peter’s story takes us on, beyond their betrayal and into the Nazi death camps. He details with accuracy, clarity and compassion the reality of day to day survival in Auschwitz – and ultimately the horrific fates of the Annex’s occupants.

Annexed is a really interesting look at the story of Anne Frank through the eyes of Peter. This novel will make you laugh, cry, and feel their terror as you go through the journey with the characters.

Sharon got the characters spot on. Anne was portrayed perfectly from her non stop chatting to her quick emotional shifts. Peter was more revealed in this novel. Through Sharon's words you begin to see how Peter might have been in life. Introverted, smart, brave, and willing to survive, Peter was amazing. At first I just wanted him to shut up and quit whining, but as the story progressed I loved him more and more.

This novel also gives a great sense of what it would be like as a Jew during this time period. Dogar isn't afraid to show the more gruesome acts that were inflicted on this people. It was enough to make you shake your head, crying.

Read Annexed. It is definitely worth it. This novel will be released October 4, 2010.

Booking thru a Wedding

2010-05-22T23:38:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about my wedding journey, and I want to share it with you! Please check out my blog on planning my book themed wedding, Booking thru a Wedding.

www.bookingthru.blogspot.com

IMM: Week 35

2010-05-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

The Creator: The Story Siren

This is what's in my mailbox. What's in yours?

Release Date: October 4, 2010

Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex - but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her?

In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter's point of view. What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her? Especially with your parents and her parents all watching almost everything you do together. To know you're being written about in Anne's diary, day after day? What's it like to start questioning your religion, wondering why simply being Jewish inspires such hatred and persecution? Or to just sit and wait and watch while others die, and wish you were fighting.

As Peter and Anne become closer and closer in their confined quarters, how can they make sense of what they see happening around them?

Anne's diary ends on August 4, 1944, but Peter's story takes us on, beyond their betrayal and into the Nazi death camps. He details with accuracy, clarity and compassion the reality of day to day survival in Auschwitz - and ultimately the horrific fates of the Annex's occupants.

Boleyn Tudor Vampire by Cinsearae Santiago

2010-05-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
158 pages
From: Publisher
Rating: Great

The slightest tweak in history makes all the difference in its outcome...

Tudor England. It is during the reign of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. As her time in power nears an end, Anne is greatly disheartened by the false accusations of adultery, high treason and incest she is arrested for, and the cold-heartedness of her father for his lack of defense in her honor. Upon her death, she vows revenge on those who have wronged her, and the simple change of her death sentence from beheading to hanging grants her the opportunity to execute her wish on those who betrayed her. Unknown forces of inconceivable dark magic abounds. Anne discovers she has risen from her grave because of her denouncement of God just moments before her hanging, and resurrects two others from their untimely, wrongful deaths--her brother, George, and her favorite court musician and dear friend, Mark Smeaton. This unlikely trio will drive Whitehall Palace to madness, bringing those closest to Anne to their knees, begging for mercy and forgiveness. Once Anne executes her justice among those who have failed her, the last and final question will be whether Anne will finally have peace, or find comfort in haunting England forever.

I only have one word...WOW. Boleyn Tudor Vampire is unlike any other vampire novel I have ever read. It is sexy, action packed, thrilling, and leaves you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Right from the first few sentences, I was hooked. Cinsearae is an amazing author. She has a way of writing you into the pages and right into the moment. I have to warn gentle readers, however, that this book is not for those who possess weak stomachs. There are many graphic sexual encounters as well as bloody violence.

Anne really kicked ass in this version of her tale. She did do somethings that I thought were way out of line, but she was a very interesting character. She was brave, vengeful, and sympathetic. She was constantly commenting on the other spirits around her, and she sounded as if she felt for them. Thomas was something else. He seemed very willing to go along at first *Spoiler ALERT*, but his conscience changed his tune later on in the novel. I love how he continued to love Anne even after seeing what she had become.

Cinsearae has written an amazing novel. Her writing is so vivid that it takes you straight into the heart of the story in just a few short sentences!

The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan

2010-05-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Coming: October 2010
320 pages
From: Publisher
Rating: Okay

There's something drawing Lena to the water. It's making Lena sleepwalk to the beach. It's compelling her to surf even if it means putting herself in grave danger and going against her father's wishes. A woman emerges from the waves—a woman with a silvery tail. She has a message. She has a key. When Lena finds a brown leather sea chest and uses the key to unlock it, she has no choice but to look into the watery depths of her secret past through the mysterious mermaid's mirror . . .Lena's life will never be the same.

The Mermaid's Mirror has an interesting view on the life of a mermaid, and I found the mermaid village to be utterly charming. However, the beginning was a little slow and hard to get into.

Lena was an alright character. I loved how much she loved her little brother, but otherwise she had no other really defining characteristics. Her father was adorable and kind. He gave up so much for the love of his family. His story was sad, and I still feel tears well up at the thought of it. Lena's brother was the cutest character in this novel. He was so sweet, and his love for his family and Lena just oozed off the pages.

This novel did not really get interesting until the beginning of the end. I enjoyed the mermaid folklore, and L.K. did a good job in bringing the mermaids to life.

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn

2010-05-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Coming: August 2010
256 pages
From: Publisher
Rating: Really Good

When twelve-year-old Florence boards the crowded horse-drawn coach in London, she looks forward to a new life with her great uncle and aunt at Crutchfield Hall, an old manor house in the English countryside. Anything will be better, she thinks, than the grim London orphanage where she has lived since her parents' death.
But Florence doesn't expect the ghost of her cousin Sophia, who haunts the cavernous rooms and dimly lit hallways of Crutchfield and concocts a plan to use Florence to help her achieve her murderous goals. Will Florence be able to convince the others in the household of the imminent danger and stop Sophia before it's too late?

This novel was a cute, short ghost story. I read The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall in a few hours, and loved every minute.

Florence was cast a hard lot in life. She traded one horrible place for another. She remained sweet though, and I love how kind she was to the servants. Sophia was a pretty deranged little ghost girl. Not only was she mischievous, she was downright evil who had no thought to others' safety. She would do anything it took to get her life back. Uncle was a cute, jolly man. I loved him, and he was very understanding and forgiving. Aunt was an evil little witch who I hated. I wanted to strangle her myself.

I really enjoyed the concept that Mary came up with for the ghost. They gained more and more strength as the days crept closer to their death day. I thought that was a very unique concept.

I recommend this novel to readers who love ghost stories. It makes a cute, short read.

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall will be released on September 6, 2010.

Manifest by Artist Arthur

2010-05-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Coming: August 2010
256 pages
From: Publisher
Rating: Really Good

Krystal Bentley is an outsider at her new high school, having just moved to a small Connecticut town. Lately she's been hearing the voice of a teenage boy in her head, and he has become her friend and confidant. The only problem is, he's dead... Ricky Watson was killed a year ago in the alley behind Krystal's new school. The rumor mill is filled with stories of Ricky and his untimely death. Unfortunately, as a ghost, Ricky is unable to investigate his own murder, so Ricky needs Krystal to find the truth and she needs someone to listen. When Krystal befriends Sasha and Jake, both outcasts at her high school, the threesome soon discover that they have more in common than their outsider status. Each has a unique paranormal ability and an unusual birthmark in the shape of an "M." Jake announces that the M must stand for misfits, and so the three form an unusual clique. They soon realize that solving Ricky's murder can help them understand the mystery behind their powers and may reveal whether there are others like them.

Manifest was a really good novel. I love how there were a few twists and turns that I did not expect.

In the beginning, I could not stand Krystal. She was a whiny, spoiled brat who was reacting to her parents divorce the wrong way. As the novel progressed, she progressed. She stopped being so secluded, and started to see that her mother was not the only guilty party. She began to treat her with kindness again. Sasha was great, but a little off. She would be all sweetness and love one minute, and then biting Krystal's head off the next. I enjoyed how she did not succumb to the clicks of her school, and that just because she was a Richie did not mean that she did not want to hang out with other social groups. Jake was a little hard to read. Even now I still feel like I don't really know all that much about him. One of his great character traits, however, is how he always seemed to be there to help Krystal out when she needed him.

I really enjoyed this one. It had romance, supernatural powers, friendship, twists, turns, and mystery. This is one to read.

Manifest will be released on August 1, 2010.

President General Jackson is attending my wedding!

2010-05-12T00:11:00.000-07:00

I adore history, and I am going to college in hopes of becoming a history professor. Recently my fiance, Kevin, and I visited The Hermitage, home of President General Jackson. We both loved it. The property was beautiful, and I fully back the need to preserve our history as the Jackson staff is doing. When we arrived home, Kevin started talking about how it would be so cool to have our wedding up there, and he wanted to check the prices. One thing lead to another...and we are looking at having our wedding in Rachel's, President Jackson's wife, garden. I am so excited that I wanted to share it with my YA blogging family!

I am going to sound like a dork, but this is perfect! It makes me so happy to think that we are going to be married in the garden that Rachel and Jackson walked everyday. I also love how the money we spend will go towards preserving this amazing piece of American history. We have set up an appointment for Thursday. Does anyone know what questions we should ask our venue advisor? I just don't want to miss any vital information because we did not think to ask.

So far here is our list of questions:

How much would the reception be to hold at The Hermitage?
Do we have to use their catering?
What will be included in the price (chairs...etc)?
Where exactly will the ceremony take place in the garden?

Above are some snap shots of the garden. The top right picture is of Jackson's and Rachel's tomb.

Thank you, guys!

IMM: Week 34

2010-05-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

Creator: The Story Siren

This is what's in my mailbox. What's in yours?

Release Date: 10/4/2010

Release Date: 9/6/2010

Release Date: 8/1/2010

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

2010-05-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Coming: November 2010
320 pages
From: Publisher
Rating: Excellent

Teagan Wyllston grew up hearing about Celtic mythology, night crawlers and banshees, and how the Irish Travelers have been at war with goblin kind since before time. One of her favorite stories is the legend of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great hero who defended his people and was cursed by the goblin god for all eternity. It's a good one, full of powerful beings and romance, but it is just that . . . a story, and nothing more. That is, until eighteen-year-old Finn comes unexpectedly into her life. Then, suddenly, the stuff of Irish legend doesn't seem quite so fantastical. Could Finn be her hero, like his namesake in the stories? Or is Teagan destined to fight the forces of evil herself?

Kersten did an excellent job on this novel. Right from the beginning I was sucked into the story, and the world Kersten spun came alive. I connected to the characters immediately, and I began to care about their survival. When I connect to the characters, that's when I know that the story is going to be amazing. Tyger Tyger is a story I will not forget for a long time.

Teagan was wonderful. I loved her from chapter one. She was so sweet to others around her, and her bravery and quick thinking made me love her all the more. Nothing is worse than a cowardly character or a stupid one. Aiden was awesome. He was the cutest little boy, and I enjoyed how he could pick up on songs instantly. His fear of Elvis Impersonators was hilarious and endearing. I did not know about Finn at first. He was a little too forward, but he showed himself to be just as amazing as Aiden and Teagan.

The Goblin world was very imaginative. I loved the old stories, and the creatures that lived there. All of them were unique, and through Kersten's writing the world became very realistic.

I highly recommend this novel, and I will definitely reread this one again. Tyger Tyger will be released on November 15,2010. For more information, please visit www.kerstenhamilton.com.

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks

2010-05-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: 2005
486 pages
From: My local library
Rating: Pretty Good

With a series of breakneck twists and turns, Jinks's (the Pagan Chronicles) latest novel follows Cadel Piggott, a seven-year-old Australian boy with an incredible mind and a proclivity toward mischief: "He loved systems: phone systems, electrical systems, car engines, complicated traffic intersections." Following a string of disasters, which Cadel engineers (e.g., hacking into the city's power grid), his desperate adoptive parents take him to a psychologist, Dr. Thaddeus Roth. But instead of refocusing Cadel on more positive activities, Dr. Roth encourages the boy to develop increasingly destructive plans, such as orchestrating massive traffic jams and manipulating his classmates' emotions so that they turn on one another. Dr. Roth also stuns Cadel by revealing that he is employed by Cadel's birth father, Dr. Phineas Darkkon, a criminal mastermind serving a life sentence. From prison, Dr. Darkkon established the Axis Institute for the world's genetically talented and criminally inclined. Drs. Roth and Darkkon convince Cadel to join its small freshman class, and Cadel slowly uncovers a conspiracy of lies and betrayals that leave no aspect of his life untouched.

Evil Genius was a very interesting novel, and it had it's funny moments (duh! It was written by Catherine Jinks!).

Cadel was a cute boy. Really smart, but really naive in a few ways. He was too quick to trust, and accepted most things at face value. There were an incredible amount of twists and turns in the plot which kept me on my toes. The minute you thought you knew a character...BAM!...Zinks revealed a slice of their betrayals and dark pasts.

I think this novel is worth the read. It was entertaining, and unique. It wasn't as good as her novel The Reformed Vampire Support Group, however.

Waiting on Wednesday

2010-05-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Bet is sixteen, very intelligent, but only knows as much as her limited education will allow. In Victorian England, girls aren't allowed to go to school.

Will is also 16, and though not related by blood, he and Bet act like brother and sister. In fact, they even look like brother and sister. And though they're both raised under the same roof, by the same kind uncle, Will has one big advantage over Bet: He's a boy, and being a boy means he isn't stuck in the grand house they call home. He gets to go out into the world—to school.

But that's not what Will wishes. He wants to join the military and learn about real life, not what's written in books.

So one night, Bet comes up with a plan. She'll go to school as Will. Will can join the military. And though it seems impossible, they actually manage to pull it off.

But once Bet gets to the school, she begins to realize the education she's going to get isn't exactly the one she was expecting.

I just love the cover, and it sounds like it's going to be a cute read. The Education of Bet will be released on July 10, 2010.

Books I Browsed

2010-05-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

I borrowed this idea from Amber at Just Your Typical Book Blog.

I do not know if anyone else has ever experienced this, but while I was reading the first thirty pages I just couldn't go on. The main character annoyed the crap out of me! Her annoying jokes and constant pop culture references kept me from enjoying the novel. I had the second book as well, but I just could not force myself to finish the first installment.

With Wings, the dialogue felt a little disconnected, forced. I could not connect to the characters or really get into the book.

Pure was not for me. When I picked it up, I was not really interested in the plot. Well, at least it was free! ( I borrowed it from work) :)

If anyone feels differently about the novels I have listed, feel free to share!

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

2010-05-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: 2009
339 pages
From: My local library
Rating: Okay

Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever. But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude. Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…

While Shadowland was a step in the right direction, it still lacked the punch that Evermore provided (and Blue Moon killed). This installment may not have saved this series for me, but I may be tempted to read the next in the series---Dark Flame.

Ever was better this go around. She made some mistakes, but they were not as pointless and stupid as her others in Blue Moon. Damen was as hunky as usual, but he was also very whiny. Talk about a big turn off. The introduction of Jude was interesting, and I enjoyed his character.

I think what saved this novel for me was the love triangle. I don't know why, but I get completely sucked into that kind of thing. I think this is what saved this novel for me because I was not really all that interested until that plot twist was set into motion.

Will I reread Shadowland? No. Will I be tempted to buy Shadowland? Definitely not. It would be a waste of money. Will I read the next installment? Who knows. Maybe if I can find it at the library.

I'm a Winner!

2010-05-03T11:39:00.001-07:00

A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive, keeping up an active blog with enjoyable content. After accepting this award, recipients are asked to pass it forward to seven other deserving blogs.

Thank you, Missy, for picking my blog!

1) Just Your Typical Book Blog---Amber
2) Presenting Lenore
3) So Many Books, So Little Time
4) /-La Femme Readers-/

I am suppose to pick 7, but 4 will have to do!

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

2010-05-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: 2009
212 pages
From: My local library
Rating: Okay

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots. Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

Never Cry Werewolf was an okay novel. It would not be something to buy, but more of a library checkout.

Shelby was the typical rebellious teen. Her mother had passed away, her father had found an evil blonde bimbo to take her place, and now Shelby was being shipped off to brat camp. I did not partically care for Shelby nor did I dislike her. She was sort of in the middle, forgettable. Austin did not leave much of an impression ethier...though I thought what he did at the end of the novel was a cute touch.

All in all, this is an okay read. Don't spend your money, just check it out.

IMM: Week (33)

2010-05-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

Creator: The Story Siren

This is what's in my mailbox. What's in yours?

I've seen a lot of reviews for this one and thought, "Why not?"

The librarian recommended these two novels to me, and I adored The Vampire Support Group.

The second installment of this series kind of sucked. I don't know why I am reading this one. Guess I will just give it a shot.

I'm currently reading this novel. So far, it's alright.

Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

2010-05-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: 2009
199 pages
From: My local library
Rating: Excellent

Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha—cheerleading goddess and miss popularity— who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She's sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.

Zombie Queen of Newbury High was hilarious! I was cracking up laughing the whole time, and I read it in a matter of hours.

The methods of dealing with the zombies in this book was great. A water bottle? Chicken? Fattening up the Queen? I absolutely loved it. The methods were imaginative and really unique.

Mia was pretty cool...even though she turned her whole senior class. She was clever and took being the Zombie Queen in stride. I loved Candice. She was too cute with all her "illnesses", and the things that came out of her mouth were hilarious. Chase was adorable, and I could tell that he liked Mia right away.

This novel is great, and I would highly recommend that paranormal lovers read this one. Not only will it keep you laughing, the zombie action is almost nonstop. Great job, Amanda!

Here is a interview I held with Amanda last October.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2010-04-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: 2008
307 pages
From: My local library
Rating: Great; Check out from library

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

The Graveyard Book was adorable! The pictures were beautiful and the characters were unforgettable. What did you expect, though? This man wrote Coraline, the amazing novel and (not so amazing) movie.

I have to say that I love Silas. He was my favorite character in this novel hands down. He had a sense of mystery surrounding him, and I loved how much he loved Bod. Bod was great as well. He was brave, curious, and smart. He faced obstacles that would make others freak. The ghosts were awesome. I liked the whole idea of him being raised in a graveyard surrounded by history. The stories they would tell him were hilarious and each one had it's own personality unlike any other ghost.

The Graveyard Book is a good read. Would I buy it or reread it? No. This is one to check out from the library, but it's a great tale and worth the time.

Okay...Which One is it?

2010-04-29T23:41:00.000-07:00

Back in October during Insert Book Title's Spooktacular October, I reviewed a novel called The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey. This novel left a huge impression on me (and my nightmares), and I was so thrilled to hear that they are coming out with a sequel. *Squeals in fangirl delight*

However, I have read from two different sources two different things.

The first source was Good Reads. They have posted that the novel's title will be The Curse of the Wendigo and will be released October 2010. Here is their summary:

While attempting to disprove that Homo vampiris, the vampire, could exist, Dr. Warthrop is asked by his former fianc - to rescue her husband from the Wendigo, a creature that starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh, which has snatched him in the Canadian wilderness. Although Warthrop also considers the Wendigo to be fictitious, he relents and rescues her husband from death and starvation, and then sees the man transform into a Wendigo. Can the doctor and Will Henry hunt down the ultimate predator, who, like the legendary vampire, is neither living nor dead, whose hunger for human flesh is never satisfied? This second book in The Monstrumologist series explores the line between myth and reality, love and hate, genius and madness.

The other source was Fantastic Fiction. They had no summary, but they did have cover art and a little caption calling it book two.

While I am leaning more towards the Good Reads source, I was wondering if anyone knew about the release of the sequel, it's title, and cover art. Anyone?

Soulstice by Simon Holt

2010-04-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: 2008
231 pages
From: My local library
Rating: Excellent

It's been six months since Reggie first discovered and fought against the Vours, malicious and demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The Vours still haunt Reggie, but only in her dreams-until one night, when an unexpected visitor turns her nightmares into reality.

The Devouring was an amazing novel, and Soustice was no exception. The war continues on and so does the twists, lies, betrayals, and turns.

Reggie was no different. She remained strong and brave in the face of her fears and the fears of others. She continued to fight the Vours. This time, however, she made a few stupid mistakes that landed her in trouble that she could have avoided. *Shakes head* I hope she makes better decisions in the next installment. Aaron remained a loyal friend, but he was braver this go around. Henry, unfortunately, did not play a big part in this novel.

This series is worth reading, and I cannot wait for the third installment which will be released in the fall.

The Devouring by Simon Holt

2010-04-27T19:38:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: 2008
231 pages
From: My local library
Rating: Excellent

"When dark creeps in and eats the light,
Bury your fears on Sorry Night.
For in the winter's blackest hours,
Comes the feasting of the Vours,
No one can see it, the life they stole,
Your body's here but not your soul..."

THE VOURS: Evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice. When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life. To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her? The Devouring is an engrossing tale of terror that will have you wondering: what if your worst fears became your living nightmare?

This novel is AWESOME! I-read-it-in-four-hours kind of awesome! I feel like smacking myself after waiting so long to read this one. Thank God for libraries in these troubled finical times or I doubt I would have been able to read this one.

Holt creates an entirely unique world where your fears can literally devour you. Reggie was a character to admire. She devoured her fears, and tried to find ways to defeat the Vours. Her courage was incredible, and I loved her relationship with her little brother. She would do anything it took to save him. Aaron was awesome. He was afraid of a lot of things, but he pulled himself together to help his friend. Henry, however, was my favorite. He was so sweet and just as courageous as his sister.

Devouring is an excellent novel, and I am going to start on the second one right now (again thank God for libraries). I cannot wait to see how it all pans out.

Three Things I Hate About Waiting

2010-04-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

Number One:

Ten Things You Should Know About This Book

1 Sebastian Grey is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.

2 Annabel Winslow's family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind AND The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church.

3 Sebastian's uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.

4 Lord Newbury detests Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening.

5 Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all of his problems.

6 Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.

7 is shocking, 8 is delicious, 9 is downright wicked, all of which leads the way to

10 Happily. Ever. After.

10 Things I Love About You will be released on May 25, 2010.

Number Two:

Spirit Bound by Rachelle Mead

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's—and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him . . . forever.

Spirit Bound will be released on May 18th, 2010.

Number Three:

Jealousy by Lil St. Crow

It's a good thing Dru Anderson is fast. Because the sucker chasing her isn't slowing down—and he won't rest until he has tasted her blood and silenced her heart . . .

Dru's best friend, Graves, and her strange and handsome savior, Christophe, are ready to help her take on the ultimate evil. But will their battle for Dru's heart get in the way of her survival?

Jealousy will be release July 29, 2010.

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

2010-04-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: April 2010
400 pages
From: Walmart
Rating: Excellent

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal. But normal is one thing I'm not. For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf. Not normal. My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently. Definitely not normal. And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying. As far away from normal as it gets.

I adored this novel. I am so sad to see the end of the series, but I am so glad that it ended the way it did.

I love Derek. He is such an amazing character, and I am so happy to see him again. Simon is the same ol' Simon...sweet and considerate to a fault. Another one of my favorite boys. O...how I am so sad to say that it's over. Chole is wonderful and selfless, and is always thinking of her friends before herself. I like to see that she is handling her powers better.

Is is weird that I am talking about them like they are real?

I will definitely reread this series over and over. I can not wait for Kelley's next venture!

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

2010-04-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

Book Information:
Published: March 2010
339 pages
From: The Publisher
Rating: Excellent

Bianca will risk everything to be with Lucas. After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas take refuge with Black Cross, a fanatical group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend—the vampire Balthazar—hiding is no longer an option. Soon, Bianca and Lucas are on the run again, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they travel, Bianca can't escape her destiny. Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything . . . but can it survive what's to come?

I absoultly love this series, so I was really excited to get the oppurnity to read Hourglass. It was amazing...no surprise there.

I liked Bianca a lot this go around. She really seemed to develop a backbone, and she was ready to face all of her challenges head on instead of hiding behind Lucas. Lucas was adorable again. I love him! His affection for Bianca is so pure.

I would highly reccomend this novel and the series. I can not wait to see what else Claudia has in store for us!

The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

2010-03-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

Longtime readers will already know how I felt about The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I would even go as far as saying that it is one of my top five favorite books of all time. Let me just say one thing about it's companion novel.

Wow.

This book is obviously going to be in the top five of my list. Carrie has once again created the world of Mary's time, but through the eyes of her daughter, Gabby. The gangs all here (meaning the zombies), and I tell you that they could not be more unsettling. I am a complete wuss when a dead, slow walking cannibal is in the picture, but I found myself looking over my shoulder too many times, even for me. Ironically the one thing that Gabby and I have in common is the one thing that annoys me the most about her. She is a coward, big time. Her fear of not just the zombies but of her life is crippling her. She had her good points though. She was an extremely loyal friend.

I am already waiting anxiously for another installment (someone tell me there is actually is another installment in the works!). You can say that Carrie has infected me with the need to read her series.

Some good news, and some bad

2010-02-15T19:43:00.001-08:00

Good news should always come first. My daddy recently retired from the Marines after 28 years of dedicated service. He is an amazing man of God who had a wonderful career. I would like to thank him for everything he does for me and for his years of service. He is someone to look up too. I love you, Daddy! I am so proud of you!

My handsome father giving his speech.

My Father, Stepmother (Tara), Me, Christian, Jordana, and Abagail

The bad news is that Insert Book Title Here will be temporary suspended. I say temporary in hopes that at some point I will be able to keep up with posting. You guys have been amazing, and I love the YA community. It has some of the nicest bloggers EVER! Don't be surprised if I read a novel I just have to blog about, but for the most part I am gone. XOXO.

Cat the Vamp

2010-02-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Published 2009
221 pages
From: The Publisher
Rating: Pretty Good

As a child, Catherine Taylor never understood why her parents were so secretive and distant. After the death of her grandmother, Cat’s parents take her to a mysterious castle called Blacklune. They explain to her that they, and she, are vampires, part of a hidden community co-existing with humans. Now that she’s of age, Cat will be initiated into the community and undergo a period of training in its methods and morals, along with several other vampire students her own age.

At Blacklune, Cat meets a young man who had appeared to her in dreams, Morgan. She and Morgan form an instant bond, but success with their vampire lessons doesn’t come so easily. Tempted by the lure of blood and the powers they now have, Cat and Morgan push the limits over and over, ignoring the concerns of their classmates and the scolding of their teacher, River. As they become ever more reckless, Cat and Morgan risk going too far. It’s only when serious harm comes to someone else that they realize they have to control themselves--and it may be too late

When Cat the Vamp was sent to me, I was hoping that the novel would be interesting. Good thing too...because it was.

The characters are highly interesting as well as the plot line. My only issue is that this novel is not for the YA audience. It has lots of disturbing scenes as well as some rather descriptive sex. If you are considering this novel, be prepared. Unlike other reviewers, this did not take anything from the novel for me, but I can see where it would be considered rather offense. Reader be WARNED!!!

I did enjoy the rather dark aspects of this novel. It is definitely not like other sparkly vampires we know, and that is a relief to me.

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

2010-01-31T15:41:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Published: Harlquinn Teen
From: Bought from Amazon (EBOOK)
She doesn't see dead people, but…

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally. Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

As the prequel hinted at, My Soul to Take is an excellent novel and is the beginning of a wonderful series.

Kaylee does not disappoint. There is lots of screaming to do, and she delivers. I highly enjoyed the myth of the bean sidhes'. It was very unique, but seemed plausible too (in a supernatural way). Nash was amazing. I really loved his character as well as Todd. Todd is someone I would like to get to know a little better in the sequel.

My Soul to Take is worth the read. I can not wait to get my hands on the sequel to this installment.

Bear with me!

2010-01-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

I know that I have had a prolonged absence on my blog, and I do apologize. I have just started college, and it is difficult for me to work and do homework (let alone crack open a book!). Please have patience with me as I attempt to find a balance between my life, work, and school.

Unfortunately (if need be), I will be forced to retire Insert Book Title Here for awhile. I hope it does not come to that.

Just don't think I have forgotten you!

In My Mailbox (Week 31)

2010-01-15T17:48:00.000-08:00

Fallen by Lauren Kate
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

Waiting on Wednesday

2010-01-13T18:22:00.001-08:00

Aura can see ghosts. Born after the Shift, a littleunderstood event that enabled younger generations to communicate with the dead, Aura is relentlessly pursued by these violet-hued spirits. They need help to pass out of this world and into the next. And some are so angry they are on the verge of becoming Shades, dark vortexes of energy. But Aura just wants the ghosts to leave her alone so she can spend time with her boyfriend, Logan. When Aura is paired with a new foreign-exchange student to research the Shift for a class project, she is determined to ignore her partner’s sexy Scottish accent and discover the cause of the Shift so she can reverse it. Then Logan dies a most untimely death. Forced to reconsider her relationship with the living and the dead, Aura is caught in a love triangle with her violet-hued boyfriend and her hot research partner... one of whom may hold the key to reversing the Shift.

This is novel is set for release May 4, 2010.

Can Anyone Help Me? I Need Wedding Advice!

2010-01-10T19:55:00.000-08:00

I feel like ripping my hair out! Gosh, an elopement sure looks nice right now. It seems like I can not find a place to get married that does not cost me my kidney. I am totally budget minded and flexible in my wants (no bridezilla here), but I can not find anything that does not cost 895 & up. I find that I am leaning more toward Bed and Breakfeast weddings, but any ol' chapel will do. Any advice on how to locate a church that is not charging a king's ransom?

Fallen by Lauren Kate

2010-01-10T15:06:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Release Date: December 2009
Recommendation
Level: So-So
From: Amazon (ebook)

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move. Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her. Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Sometimes all it takes is a quick glance at a cover to know whether or not this novel is for you. From my first glance, Fallen definitely seemed like a story I could get into. Unfortunately there is some truth to the saying, "You can't judge a book by it's cover."

One of my pet peeves about Fallen was how slow paced it was. The first half of the book seemed to drag with little to no action, however, the second half kept me up the rest of the night finishing it. I also could not stand how many times Luce was folded into Daniel's arms. It seemed a little repetitive. (We get it. It's a angel reference!) There were holes in the back history of the story that I hope will be addressed in the second installment of this series. I did enjoy the setting (which was a little unusual) and the characters. Most of them were very relatable, but there were a few that I felt could have been expanded on. The writing was rich, detailed, and captivating.

Luce was a little boy crazy and jumped into situations that she otherwise could of avoided. All in all, a typical teenage girl. She was a very connectable character, however. I felt like I really got to know her (unlike other characters in the story). Daniel was the usual mysterious moody hero we all know and love. I wished Lauren would have taken the idea of the mysterious stranger to the next level, but Daniel was predictable which was enjoyable in a way. I guess if it's not broke, don't fix it, and I am a sucker for the mysterious gloom and doom dropdead hottie. Arriane without a doubt was my favorite character in this novel. Her quirky charm and antics had me laughing almost non stop.

Fallen is not a waste of time, but not a novel that I would push up through the TBR pile. Lauren will hopefully capture my imagination with Torment coming September 2010.

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent

2010-01-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: July 2009
Recommendation
Level: High
From: Amazon (ebook)

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life. Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit. She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....

This was was a pretty short teaser (so short I couldn't call it a novel), but tease me it did. By the time I put this one aside, I was aching for the next installment in the series.

Even though it was a brief introduction, I think it is safe to say that Kaylee and I hit it off quite well. She was smart (despite her early slip up), and her supernatural 'talent' was highly interesting.

If you are on the fence about reading Rachel's series then this teaser is something for you check out. It's a free ebook so it's not a waste of cash.

Waiting on Wednesday

2010-01-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

I am dying for the second installment of Lisa Mantchev's series. She is an amazing writer and one of my favorites. This novel will be released on May 25, 2010.

Act Two, Scene One
Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

2010-01-04T21:02:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: Adult
Pages: 384
Publisher: Dell
Release Date: Reissue Edition (January 2009)
Recommendation
Level: High
From: Borrowed

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it -- not any of it.

Confessions of a Shopaholic was a really adorable novel. I am already dying to get my hands on the rest of this charming series.

Becky is a complete mess, but a lovable one. She tries hard to bite her shopping habit in the butt, but she can not seem to get away from one of her biggest downfalls...the shops. Every time she thinks about doing something to save money, she realizes that she needs to buy the supplies to accomplish it! I loved her to death. Her humor and humorous situation kept me laughing and rooting for her. Luke was an obvious suitor. He was the typical business man who underneath the suits is a sweet and funny individual. Even though he was predictable, I still really enjoyed his character.

Sophie really makes the characters in this novel come alive and have such a good connection with the reader. If you haven't seen the movie (and want to) then you best go before you pick this one up. The novel blows the movie out of the water.

First Time for Everything

2010-01-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

I have never had to do this before, but I am going to have to sit The Historian aside for the time being. It's not that I do not like this novel (I am very intrigued by it), but the problem is it is slow reading. I do not know why this novel is taking me so long to read, but it is. I want to apologize to my readers who were looking forward to this review. Maybe sometime down the line I will pick it back up.

Insert Book Title's year (Condensed form)

2010-01-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share my year of blogging with you! The following are my year's highlights.

February:

I officially started on my book blogging journey which I am so grateful for. I have met so many amazing people with beautiful personalities.
I had my first ever IMM post, and I joined the thousands who were intrigued by The Story Siren.
I read nine novels. My favorite was Ophelia by Lisa Klien

March:

I read nine novels. My favorite was The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, and I believe it was one of my best reviews!

April:

I attended my first ever book signing...Melissa Marr! She was such an amazing woman, and I was so lucky to be able to meet her.
I interviewed my favorite author ever, Daniel Waters. I also given the chance to interview Alyson Noel.
I won my commenting award. (I know that's not impressive, but I am trying to get myself hyped up about commenting again.)
I read six novels. My favorite was Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson.

May:

I read six novels. My favorite was Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr.

June:

Darcy and Charity (the authors of Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading) stopped by on their blog tour.
I read nine novels. My favorite was Ghost Girl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley.

July:

I was born on July 28th 21 years ago! Go me for surviving so long!
I read 7 novels. My favorite was What Happens in London by Julia Quinn.

August:

I read six novels. My favorite was City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

September:

I read eight. I discovered one of my new favorite authors this month, Stephanie Kuehnert. My favorite (duh) was Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie herself.

October:

I launched the first Insert Book Title Spooktacular October.
I also interviewed Amanda Ashby about those cuddly zombies.
I read six novels. My favorite (hands down) was The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey.

November:

I bought my first Kindle. I believe that it is an amazing little reader, and I reviewed it here.
I read eleven novels. My favorite was The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz.

December:

I made my first ever blog background, and I am displaying another one right now. I am loving the green!
I was naughty this month, and I read only four novels. *Hangs head in shame* I will be a better girl this year, I promise! My favorite was Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

In total:

I read eighty novels.
I had 193 posts.
I also had 1,152 comments.
I was visited by 91 different countries with the USA as the top visitor and Canada in second.

I believe that this post is highly educational, but a pain to put together. ;)

A Blogger's Resolutions

2009-12-31T22:11:00.000-08:00

Last month I was more than a little naughty. I hardly blogged, hardly read, and hardly shopped for novels. *EEK* I have a good excuse, but I won't go into that again. This has made me sit back and think about what I want to accomplish this year.

1) I don't want to many holes (like a post on December 5th and then another post on December 14th). I know that life happens and that there will be times when I am unable to get around to blogging...but I want to attempt to not leave too many gaps too often.

2) I want to get back to my commenting ways. When I first started blogging, I always seemed to find the time to comment on other YA blogs. I even got acknowledged with an award, but lately I find myself skipping the comments all together. It is way to easy to receive and receive feedback from others and not attempt to leave some of your own. I am happy to say that I have still found that I comment on my favorites, but that will not it cut this year.

3) I hope to continue responding to my reader's comments. I know how happy I get when a comment I made on another's blog is responded to. I feel like they have listened to what I had to say, and they acknowledge my presence on their blog. I want my readers to know that I read every comment they make and appreciate them very much. You guys are why I am here, after all!

4) I am going to make more time to just read. I am beginning college in January, and I hope to continue reading as much or more than I do now. I want to be able to review as many books as possible so you can hear about as many as possible.

5) I want to utilize Twitter more often. *Gasp* I am not addicted to the newest Internet fade Twitter. In fact, I don't really see the appeal of it...however, this is a useful tool that will let readers know of new posts, contests, interviews,etc. I think I also might add a Tweet button so that more of my readers will be able to follow my account.

That's it for me, but tell me about your resolutions.

In My Mailbox: In Person (Week 30)

2009-12-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Mentioned in this video:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

I did it! I made my first blog background!

2009-12-14T17:51:00.000-08:00

I have finally done it! I have made my own blog background, and I could not be happier. It may have taken me most of the day to get it just the way I wanted it, but it was totally worth it. I adore it!

What do you think?

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2009-12-14T10:22:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pages: 576
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: December 2009
Recommendation
Level: High
From: Amazon (Ebook)

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

It seems like I have been waiting to read this one forever, and it was worth the wait. Beautiful Creatures stole my attention and had me still thinking about it even when it was long over.

Lena has some amazing powers alright, and it comes complete with a haunting curse. I could understand that it was having a huge impact on her life, but I wished that sometimes it wasn't all consuming. I wanted Lena to enjoy her time left with her family and Ethan. Aw...Ethan. He captured my heart. He was so brave and loyal to Lena that it was almost like something out of a movie...or a book. There is not that many guys that would risk what he did for her, and I absolutely love him for it. Lena is one lucky girl. Macon was one of my favorite characters because he was so interesting. There was a lot of questions swirling around this man, and I think there still are.

The beginning of this novel was a little slow. I had a hard time getting into it, but once I did I could not get out of it. I can not wait for the release of the sequel. I am going to miss you, Ethan!

Gettin' My Holiday On

2009-12-11T19:06:00.000-08:00

I finally put up my Christmas blog background! Yay! I am trying to teach myself how to make my own blog templates. It's slow but it is moving along quite nicely (not that I made the background that is presently being shown). I did, however, make my signature. It's cute, if I do say so myself. I am starting out small and working my way up. Wish me luck!

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-12-09T16:33:00.000-08:00

By popular request on my survey, here is my first ever Waiting on Wednesday post! I know that I am dying for this particular novel.

"... [a] dark-but-fun, supernatural romance about two teenagers who discover they have a shared destiny, related to the old novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Unfortunately, the more the shy heroine, Jill, starts to fall in love with the mysterious hero, Tristen, the more dangerous he becomes to her. There’s lots of mystery and twists and turns to the plot."

I snagged this wonderful summary from Sara at The Hiding Spot. Thank you, Sara!

The release date is May 3, 2010! I can't wait!

Dead(ish) by Naomi Kramer and Black Silk by Jan Gordon

2009-12-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: Paranormal
Website: Feedbooks.com (Ebook)
Recemdation Level: High

Linda’s had a bad day. First her boyfriend killed her. Then she woke up, still on this boring plane of existence, and with an odd obsession about her missing body. Mike won’t tell her what he did with her body, and she can’t find the stupid thing herself. There’s only one thing she can do - torment the bastard until he coughs up the information.

Dead(ish) was relatively short. I was alright with it's lack of pages because it did not cost me a dime. I ended up finishing it in one sitting, but oh...the journey.

Linda was a little ball of fire. The tricks she played on her ex were hilarious, and sometimes she made me cringe with her antics. I became sucked up into the story, and wanted to find out what happened to her body (maybe even more than Linda did). Trent was not exactly sweet, but he seemed to really care about her case. He was so determined to get to the bottom of it that he even ignored his medical condition in order to chase leads. The gay neighbors had me rolling with laughter. They set the tone in whatever scene they were in. Mike was a jerk, and I could not wait till he got his due. Linda took pretty good care of that.

I am warning you that there is A LOT of cussing. So if the word fuck gets to you, then you need to skip this one.

Book Information:
Genre: Paranormal Romamce
Website: Feedbooks.com (Ebook)
Recomendation: Low

Victoria Hudson is 29 and lives in the kind of small town where everyone knows everyone else. She has two great loves in her life -- her cat, Mister, and reading books from her used bookstore. She doesn't see her life changing much in the future. She's stuck. Until one night when she's saved from probable danger by a mysterious stranger. Steven Colburn has moved around quite a bit during his lifetime, never really finding a place where he felt he could be comfortable. Until he buys an old homestead, and fate steps in to forever change his life and that of one of the town’s quiet entrepreneurs.

I don't want to be rude, but Black Silk really let me down. Even the fact that it was free did not help this novel at all.

I did not finish this novel, because the writing was terrible (in my opinion). It was like a list. She got up, she drank coffee, she brushed her teeth, she went to work...etc. It was extremely boring and very apparent that the author needs to grow in her writing skills. It almost read like a 7th grader decided to type up her own book.

Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf

2009-12-04T19:12:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: Adult Romance
Pages: 288
Publisher: Silhouette
Release Date: February 2009
Recommendation
Level: Pretty Good
From: Amazon (Ebook)

Death cocktail is what the vampires call a witch's blood. It's poisonous--a drop will destroy a vampire within minutes. Nikolaus Drake is the rare vampire who has survived his first taste. Now he's on the hunt for the witch who almost brought him to his demise--Ravin Crosse. A witch who spends her nights hunting vampire tribes, Ravin has three obligations to fulfill to set her soul free. One of those obligations--crafting a love spell--twists her world upside down when Nikolaus draws the spell from her veins. Natural enemies rarely make the best bedfellows--but is it possible their intentions are really, truly the same? Can Nikolaus's tribal loyalty survive if he surrenders to desires far darker than his own?

This novel was a little too sexy and graphic for my tastes, but all in all it was pretty good. You can not get better than free either. *Smile*

Ravin was a hard core, revenge obsessed kind of chick. She slayed vampires with her poisonous blood in attempt to punish the very kind who killed her parents. I can't put my finger on it but something about her annoyed me a little. She was a repetitive thinker, and I got tired of listening to the same problems and possible solutions over and over again. It was like the moment Nikolaus stepped into her life she lost her edge. Nobody likes a sappy vampire slayer. Nikolaus, however, stayed closer to his behavior than I originally thought he would (I don't want to give anything away). Some of the sex scenes were too much, and this novel is obviously not for young children (or young adults for that matter).

This novel was better than I expected. I guess the word free made me think that it would not sell if put out on the market. It had it's nasty and corny moments, but it still held my attention pretty well. If you own a Kindle or want to download the file to your computer, go ahead. You've got nothing to lose but time.

Finish That Series Challenge!

2009-12-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

This is a fun challenge over at Royal Reviews. Need some incentive to finish that series sitting on your bookshelf that's staring at you...mocking you over and over? Well, do not put it off any longer! Join this challenge! I am not sure which series I am going to finish for this challenge, but I can't wait to get started!

Here are the guidelines:

Anyone can join. You don't have to have a blog!

There are four different levels of completion. (Check out Royal Reviews for more information).

This challenge starts on January the 1st and ends in December, 2010. Only books you start reading on January 1st counts though. You have to start a new series from scratch!

Any genre counts.

You don't have to list your novels in advance. You can just include them in your wrap up post!

Join and have fun while you finish your series of choice. See you there!

You were a Good Samaritian--Survey Results

2009-12-02T17:49:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to take this survey! Here is the results...

75% said that they would rate the blog design a 3 out of 4.
Waiting on Wednesday was the most wanted meme.
Most stated that they visit this blog almost daily, often, or when something catches their attention. Only two stated hardly ever. Yay!
Everyone who took this quiz was female.
Their ages ranged from 15-26.
Everyone stated that they discovered this blog on another blog.

A few of the comments were as follows:

"You have a great blog! its one of my faves! kudos."
"I think you are doing a great job so far!"
"Just want to mention that black/white backgrounds are eye straining but other than that I love your blog!"

I fixed the eye straining issue by redesigning.

Thank you and your feedback was very helpful!

Be a Good Samaritan--Take My Survey

2009-11-30T20:25:00.000-08:00

I want to know how to make my blog more reader friendly for my followers. Please take the following survey to help point me in the right direction.

I have enough response.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to take it! I am really thankful!

In My Mailbox: In Person (Week 29)

2009-11-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

Mentioned:
Splendor by Anna Godbersen (Links to my review)
Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Added:
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent

OMG! My favorite author has done it again!

2009-11-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

Everybody who reads this blog should know by now that Daniel Waters is one of my favs. I am dying (pun intended) for the next installment in his amazing series Generation Dead. My most prized book possession is the Kiss of Life arc he signed for me. It's locked up in a fire proof safe. Lol! Just kidding...or am I?

Here is the cover of his new novel (coming out next June) Passing Strange:

Splendor by Anna Godbersen

2009-11-29T18:48:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Historical Drama
Pages: 391
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: October 2009
Recommendation
Level: High
From: Amazon (Ebook)

A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle. In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

I adore this series, and I am really sad to see the end, but oh what an end it was! Splendor will keep you hooked.

Anna's wonderful writing ability does not disappoint. She brings the scenes to life and adds those little details that make the novel so great. All the old gang is back and up to no good. I was really happy with Liz this go around. She finally makes the choice that (in my opinion) she should have made in the first place. Her ending made me smile, and I knew that everything had worked out for her. Diana pissed me off. I can't tell you why because that would give everything away, but I want to write to Anna and ask her why (WHY?!) did Di have to do that! She had it all falling into place for the first time, and she just throws it all away. Henry was sweet ol' predictable Henry. His actions did not surprise me. Penelope was the same as Henry. Once a bitch always one.

It kills me that this series is over. I was attached to the characters and deeply cared about their future. Their happiness made me happy, and now their stories have ended. *Crys uncontrollably* Hopefully Anna will come out with something else soon.

My Kindle 1 Review

2009-11-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Have you been on the fence about the Kindle? Do you know that you love books-real books-, but find that you could save a lot of money by purchasing future novels as a ebook? This is could be the post for you.

At first I was like a lot of other book lovers. I would not even consider a Kindle. I felt that it was trying to take the place of real books and that in time it would. I did not want to support that. I love the feel of a book, the weight of it, and the beautiful covers. I just thought that it was not for me.

But money changes everything...

Novels became too expensive, and when sold they were hardly worth anything. I was spending a lot of cash on feeding my reading addiction, and the books never lasted long. A lot more books were being released in only hard cover which (of course) cost more, but I did not rush into buying a Kindle. I did try other things.

First I tried selling my novels on Ebay. I got sick of books going unsold and still being charged for the listing. I got sick of the postal office charging out the ass to send a book. I was sick of the customers bitching and moaning all the time about things that were out of my control. Thus ended Ebay. I then began my Amazon journey. It seemed to work way better, but upon calculation...I learned that I was making mere pennies for all the trouble I was going to. Hastings was the next obvious choice, but I really wasn't getting anything back and felt like I was just throwing away my money.

Finally I started thinking of the Kindle as an option and began to research it. I learned that almost all the hard cover books were ten dollars and paperbacks could be anywhere from 4-7 dollars. That kept my interest. I also discovered that Kindle had it's own wireless Internet called Wisphernet which was a free service. It could hold up to 200 titles, change font size easily, and a long battry life (as long as you read with the wireless Internet off).

I took the next step after two weeks of watching the price rise and drop. I bought one off of Ebay for 180 dollars. Anticipation set in, but when I received it I was so excited. The first novel I purchased on my Kindle was Nightlight by The Harvard Lampoon. It took a little getting use to at first. Every time you turned a page it would go black before loading the words. After awhile I did not even notice it. It was like my eyes learned to blink at the exact moment it flashed. The most amazing feature was how fast I received my novel. There was no waiting and staring at the mailbox for a week. I found what I wanted, clicked buy, and it instantly download to the device.

My only complaint is that there are no page numbers. I never really know how close I am to finishing my novel. I think it's getting really good and then BAM! it's over almost suddenly.

I really like the Kindle and recommend that you considering buying on. However, I still do love my books and will buy real ones whenever I can.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of the things I am thankful for. She is my personal angel, and everyday I spend with her is a gift from God.

What makes you get up every morning and thank the Heavens for blessing you?

Nightlight (A Pardoy) by The Harvard Lampoon

2009-11-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Pardoy
Pages: 160
Publisher: Vintage
Release Date: November 2009
Recommendation
Level: High
From: Amazon (Ebook)

About three things I was absolutely certain. First, Edwart was most likely my soul mate, maybe. Second, there was a vampire part of him–which I assumed was wildly out of his control–that wanted me dead. And third, I unconditionally, irrevocably, impenetrably, heterogeneously, gynecologically, and disreputably wished he had kissed me. And thus Belle Goose falls in love with the mysterious and sparkly Edwart Mullen in the Harvard Lampoon’s hilarious send-up of Twilight. Pale and klutzy, Belle arrives in Switchblade, Oregon looking for adventure, or at least an undead classmate. She soon discovers Edwart, a super-hot computer nerd with zero interest in girls. After witnessing a number of strange events–Edwart leaves his tater tots untouched at lunch! Edwart saves her from a flying snowball!–Belle has a dramatic revelation: Edwart is a vampire. But how can she convince Edwart to bite her and transform her into his eternal bride, especially when he seems to find girls so repulsive? Complete with romance, danger, insufficient parental guardianship, creepy stalker-like behavior, and a vampire prom, Nightlight is the uproarious tale of a vampire-obsessed girl, looking for love in all the wrong places.

This novel was hilarious! I laughed so hard that I almost cried a few times. Now, if your a die hard Twilight fan then maybe this novel is not for you. I could see a few Edward lovers getting more than a little angry about how he was portrayed. People like me, however, will absolutely love it. Everything you found corny or annoying in the Twilight series will be maliciously torn apart for the sake of comedy, and you will love every minute.

Belle was so delusional. Some of the things that she said had my sides splitting. For example, she thought that everyone was in love with her even when all they did was knock on her door and hand her the mail. Edwart was perfect. Everything about him made me smile, but then again I am not the biggest Edward fan.

Nightlight was a lot of fun, but very short. I read this novel in just a few hours, but laughed so hard that it was worth the money to me.

Dark Visions by LJ Smith

2009-11-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pages: 752
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: September 2009
Recommendation
Level: High
From: Bought from Barnes and Nobel

Kaitlyn Fairchild has always felt like an outsider in her small hometown. Her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings have earned her a reputation as a witch. But Kait's not a witch: She's a psychic. Tired of being shunned, Kait accepts an invitation to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can have a fresh start and study with other psychic teens. Learning to hone her abilities with four other gifted students, Kait discovers the intensity of her power — and the joy of having true friends. But those friendships quickly become complicated when Kait finds herself torn between two irresistible guys. Rob is kind and athletic, and heals people with his good energy. Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious, a telepath concealing his true nature as a psychic vampire, feeding off of others' life energy. Together, Rob and Gabriel's opposing forces threaten the group's stability.Then one of the experiments traps the five teens in a psychic link. A link that threatens their sanity and their lives. And Kaitlyn must decide whom to trust...and whom to love.

Ah, LJ's old work never fails to capture me. She has a way of making you love and genuinely care about her characters, and she sucks you into their story till the very end. Sadly the next Night World series release will be the last one, but LJ has many more stories to share.

Kaitlyn is LJ's typical heroin. She was always different and never understood by those around her. She had not one love interest but two, and each (at their own time) seemed impossible to obtain. The forces of darkness were against her, but she had to stop them for the future safety of her life and others. You would think that this formula would get boring when repeated constantly, but LJ can somehow keep it fresh and interesting. Rob was the little golden boy who wanted to help anyone and everyone in need. He got a little annoying to me, but I am a little stuck on the bad boys in these novels...and Gabriel delivers. There were times when he was so adorable and vulnerable, but then he would revert right back to being the tough guy that he wanted everyone to see. Ah, the chase. Anna and Lewis were the background characters and while they were there...they just did not speak to me. They were more of loyal little lap dogs to Kait then anything else.

I adored this novel, but then I am an LJ fanatic (at least about her early stuff). If you enjoyed the other novels in her Night World series, then this one is right up your alley.

In My Mailbox (Week 28)

2009-11-23T18:36:00.000-08:00

Mentioned:
Kindle 1
Nightlight: A Parody

200 Followers Contest---Lucky You for Following Me

2009-11-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

It's finally going to pay off. You've read the posts, followed the blog, commented, and entered contests...all for the love of reading. You have dedicated your time and give it to little ol' me. You guys are amazing and it is about time that you are recongized for it.

You have to have been a follower starting November 21st 2009 to enter. (I will check).
You will be entering to win a 30 dollar Barnes and Noble giftcard.
Contest will end December 21st, so all followers will have a chance to enter. Shipping to you anywhere you are. If you've followed me from Canda...well...I can ship to Canda!

I love you, guys!

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Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter and Why I Could Not Finish it

2009-11-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA
Pages: 240
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Release Date: October 2007
Recommendation
Level: Low
From: A Friend

After staking out, obtaining, and then being forced to give up her first boyfriend, Josh, all Cammie Morgan wants is a peaceful semester. But that's easier said than done when you're a CIA legacy and go to the premier school in the world...for spies.
Cammie may have a genius IQ , but there are still a lot of things she doesn't know. Like, will her ex-boyfriend even remember she exists? And how much trouble is she really in after what happened last semester? And most of all, why is her mother acting so strangely? Despite Cammie's best intentions to be a normal student, danger seems to follow her. She and her best friends learn that their school is going to play host to some mysterious guests--code name: "Blackthorne. Then she's blamed for a security breach that leaves the school's top-secret status at risk. Soon Cammie and her friends are crawling through walls and surveilling the school to learn the truth about Blackthorne and clear Cammie's name. Even though they have confidence in their spy skills, this time the targets are tougher (and hotter), and the stakes for Cammie's heart--and her beloved school--are higher than ever.

I can honestly say this is the first novel that I have reviewed on this blog that I could not finish. Reading this novel was almost (how else can I say it) painful.

The thing that annoyed me the most about this book was how amazed and put off they were about boys being allowed in their school. I understand that this is an all girls school and that they do not have many males in their day to day life, but come on! Cammie was acting as if it was a death sentence and the other girls were all losing their heads. Seriously, act your age.

Cammie just wasn't my kind of person, I guess. I did not really like her or enjoy hearing the story told by her. She was whiny and annoying. Most of her problems seemed a little petty. Bex was one of the few shining points in most of what I read. She made me smile with her antics.

I feel guilty for smashing this novel, but this is what I really think. I will not force myself to read something I do not enjoy.

Get initiated into the Socitey---Win the novel now!

2009-11-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

2009-11-16T11:04:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pages: 391
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: October 2009
Recommendation Level: High
From: Book Depository (website)

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I devoured this novel. My attention was barely ever turned from it (ask my boyfriend), and I got lost in Nora's story very quickly.

Nora was an easy character to connect with, and I found that we had a lot in common. Neither one of us cared to just jump into things, but a boy always changes that tune. I also loved that when confronted with what he was that she did not attempt to rationalize it. She just told herself to accept it, and moved on.

"I was forced to accept that maybe now wasn't the time to rely on the logical half of my brain. Maybe this was one of those times when I needed to step out of bounds. Stop playing by the rules. Accept the impossible."

I admire her for that. It just gets so old when in almost every paranormal novel the evidence is laid before the main character and they refuse to see it for what it is. Nora did annoy me a little bit, however. She fought too hard against her attraction which is entirely plausible, but more then a little frustrating for me. Patch was something else altogether. I loved him immediately. Talk about another fictional dream guy, ladies! Vee was a good friend, but she made a lot of stupid mistakes...and relayed too much information to people sometimes.

I highly recommend Hush, Hush. It was well worth the wait.

In My Mailbox: In Person (Week 27)

2009-11-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

Mentioned:
Pure by Terra Elan McVoy
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Secret Society by Tom Dobly

2009-11-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA
Pages: 352
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 2009
Recommendation Level: High
From: Book Depository (website)

An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York's wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about. They didn't ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything—even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they're forced to get on the nape of their necks. Once they're part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It's all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.

Tom Dobly, congrats on having such an amazing debut novel! I really enjoyed this one!

Secret Society was very interesting. I enjoyed the cult-like club, the relatable characters, the setting, and the excellent writing. This novel keeps you on your toes. Phoebe was a little whiny, but she had a right to be. There was definitely something going on with the club she joined. She was brave enough to poke around and attempt to figure out just what exactly was going on. I, personally, am a coward. I wouldn't have done it, so hats off to Phoebe! Nick is the character I felt most sorry for. His roots in the Society were pretty deep, and he had the most to lose. However, he was very loyal to his friends and he even put himself on the line for them. Lauren was not the typical socialite. She had depth and smarts. She had a tough break, and my heart went out to her. Out of all the characters in this novel, I related to her the most.

Secret Society is worth the money and the time. I can not wait for the other installments in this series.

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

2009-11-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pages: 304
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: July 2009
Recommendation Level: High
From: Book Depository (website)

Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever’s powers are increasing, Damen’s are fading—stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life. Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen’s past—the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden—but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day...

I did enjoy Blue Moon, however, not as much as Evermore. This novel has a few flaws that the other novel did not.

Ever annoyed me a little. She seemed to make all the wrong choices, and she disappointed me. Alone, Ever could not make her own decisions. It was like she needed someone to hold her hand the whole time. I know that we needed problems to carry over into the third installment, but the "issues" that will be addressed in Sumerland are unnecessary. They could have been avoided entirely just by using a little common sense. Ever's friends did not do much better this go around either. Both of them deserve a good slap in the face. Even though he was in the novel, Damen was not really in it. He made Evermore for me, and I was upset that he was not exactly himself.

Alyson is an excellent author, and I plan on reading Summerland...however, Blue Moon was not what I was hoping for.

The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz

2009-11-07T17:44:00.000-08:00

Book Information:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pages: 384
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Release Date: October 2009
Recommendation Level: High
From: Book Depository (website)

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged.

Melissa has done it again. The Van Alen Legacy took my breath away, and I am dying for more.

Schuyler has got a lot on her plate this go around, and guess what. She's still obsessed with a boy she can't have. A part of me is thinking, "Let him go. The other guy is so much better for you. He has never left you or failed you. The other part of me is in love with the chase. As for the rest of our lovable cast, Oliver remains the loyal companion who gives his all for a girl who won't seem to love him like he wants. Jack makes some difficult decisions which will come back to bite him, and Mimi shows that she actually has a heart. As for Melissa's signature twist and turns, there are plenty in this novel. It kept me on my toes, and I was incorrect with all of my predictions...save one. Ha! I am a champion!

If you haven't bought this installment to the Blue Blood series, what are you waiting for?

I am Contemplating the Dark Side

2009-11-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

I have always had a negative opinion of the Kindle. To me, this is the first step to replacing actual books forever. Lately, a rather shallow wallet has begun to change my tune. Hardbacks cost 17 or 16 dollars and paperbacks can run you 8.99 to 10 dollars. I am finding that I just can't buy as many books as I should be. Come on! I go into a book store like Barnes and Nobel with sixty bucks and come out with three hardbacks. Three! I can read three books in about two weeks. It doesn't seem like a wise investment on my part since I fly through my novels so quickly. And if I sell them...ha. I barely get anything. A stack of brand new looking YA bestseller releases gets me bout twenty bucks. However, if I purchase this Kindle then all hardbacks (that are offered) are around 10 dollars with paperbacks as low as 4 dollars. I can afford 10 to 4 dollars easily.

As my fellow readers, what is your thoughts on Kindle? Do you own one? Are you thinking about buying one? Are you hooked on the real deal...actual books? Or are you looking at the cash value as well?