Graced with Books

Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater

2011-11-13T12:34:00.001-08:00

Paperback: 226 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (November 24, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440429634
ISBN-13: 978-1440429637

Amaliya wakes under the forest floor, disoriented, famished and confused. She digs out of the shallow grave and realizes she is hungry in a new, horrific, unimaginable way. Sating her great hunger, she discovers that she is now a vampire, the bloodthirsty creature of legend. She has no choice but to flee from her old life and travels across Texas hoping to escape her creator.

Pretty When She Dies has all the best things every good vampire novel should have: blood, violence and lots of good steamy vampire sex. It's dark and twisted, but with great characters that you fall in love with, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I will have to say that Rhiannon Frater is one of my favorite new authors. I love her writing style, and the scenes that she creates are wickedly frightening! I adore a good, exciting vampire story, and Ms. Frater delivered with action packed scenes, that had me up all night until I turned the last page.

Amaliya is just like any other college student, struggling with everyday life, until she makes the fatal mistake of trusting the wrong guy. She winds up dead, alone and running for her vampire life. She turns to her family for support, and finds it in her fiercely religious grandmother and favorite cousin.

As the story unfolds, we follow Amaliya as she tries to survive and learn the life of being a vampire on her own. Her new mission is to find someone like her, and she succeeds when she finds the vampire king of Austin ,Texas.

One of my favorite things about this author, is how her love for Austin, Texas comes through in her writing. As Amaliya travels to different places and sees different things, it made me want to jump on a plane and go see all these things for myself.

Now, back to this vampire king! He is described in the book as being kind of average, but the sex was definitely more than just average. Biting and sucking and well....you know what comes next...whew...it was definitely hot and steamy!

Overall, this is one of my favorite vampire books that I have read in awhile, and like I said before, I am so glad I discovered Rhiannon Frater! I can't wait to read more!

Teaser Tuesdays (#2)

2011-09-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:
"My enemies are everywhere. And sometimes, those we least suspect turn out to be our biggest threats."
pg 3, "Never Have I Ever" by Sara Shepard

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

2011-09-18T03:30:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1606841440

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?
Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

I really enjoyed reading this book, simply because I am a huge fan of time travel, especially going back into the past. (Back to the Future is like one of my all time favorite movies!) I absolutely loved how unique the plot is in this book, and I felt all the details were beautifully written. I give any author props for taking on the challenge of getting it all to make sense, because time travel can be pretty sticky when it comes to the details. Mara McEntire did a fantastic job, and I hope there will be more books to come.
The characters in this book were fabulous! I loved the relationship between her brother and sister-in-law, and also her best friend Lily. They were real, and loving and it made you care about them. After all that Emerson had been through, it was great that she had a support system.
Emerson was lovely. I thought her life was pretty awful, with her parents dying, and the whole "I see dead people" bit that she had going on, but she seemed to be coming to grips with it in her own way. It showed that she was strong and that she could handle what life threw at her.
Okay, let's talk love triangle. To be honest, I kept going back and forth on the romance in this book. One minute I hated Michael because I thought he was so wishy washy with his feelings for her, but then we would read an intense scene between them and it would take my breath away. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Ms. McEntire has a gift for writing romantic scenes! I usually skim though those parts; I am just not a romantic, but not in this book, I actually re-read a couple of them! Then we meet Kaleb (who I ADORE) and there is chemistry there too, but then here comes Michael again being all jealous.
That was a problem I had with the book, that the love triangle felt a little forced. If the connection with Michael was so intense, that she felt electricity when they touched, how could Kaleb even compare? Aahhh! I have a love/hate relationship with these triangles in books! Sometimes I get so aggravated with the whole situation, but I love it at the same time!
Overall, I thought this book was great, and Mara McEntire is definitely on top of her game as far as time travel goes. Hourglass is filled with great plot twists, and wonderfully developed characters, that will keep you turning pages until the very last one.
4 STARS

My Shopping Cart (#2)

2011-09-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about all the books I have bought lately!! I am in book freaking heaven right now!! As you know, last week was my birthday and my hubby gave me money for books, and some of my in-laws added to that money pile, so I was able to just go on a crazy book buying spree! So much fun!
I purchased all of these in hardback, some of them have I have already received, and I am still waiting on on the rest! Just click on the book cover to go straight to Goodreads and read more about them.

This is my only pre-order...shipping date is September 27! I am DYING to read this one!

These are the books that I got for my Nook. Rhiannon Frater is an author that I got turned onto by Ashley over at the Bookish Brunette. She has raved about how great this author is that I just had to check her out!

All of these including the Demon Trapper's Daughter were only $2.99!

I picked these two up for free as I was browsing around, gotta love the freebies!!

Overall I must say it was a delightful birthday and I don't mind getting an extra year older with all these great books to read!

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

2011-09-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (August 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765328658

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

First, let me start off by saying how much I adore ghost stories, and how I love creepy settings, with gory gruesome dead bodies that scare the crap out of you. This book had all of that and then some! It was amazingly written, with chilling tales of dark and horrible things that make your skin crawl. It was great and I just loved every minute, of every page.

I am trying so hard not to gush and be like "OMG you just have to read this" but the hardest reviews to write are the ones where the book is really amazing, and you just love it. So I apologize for being slightly unprofessional when I say....OMG!! You just have to read this freakin' amazing book!
Okay, now that I have that out of my system, lets talk characters. Or rather, let's talk Cas. He has some serious daddy issues, given that his father was murdered when he was a child, and now Cas must carry on his Dad's legacy. The legacy of hunting down and killing ghosts, with this bad ass athame, that is all powerful and makes him like a superhero. Sounds pretty awesome, but it's a difficult job to do, and essentially he is just practicing, getting ready to face the ghost that ended his father's life.
He does not do all his ghostbusting alone though, his mother, a white witch, travels with him, as a support system. I think she is a strong, and wonderful person, that looks after him when needed, and understands that he is called to do this, and stands by him in every way. Their relationship is great, he is still just a high school student, so he still is young enough to need his mom, but they look out for each other. They have a system, it's unconventional, but it works for them.
Cas encounters something in this town that is new to him, he makes friends with some of the kids at the high school he attends. Carmel and Thomas become very valuable to Cas, and he bonds with them as they fight the evil that they have seen face to face. These two characters were wonderfully fleshed out, and I enjoyed getting to know them.
The romance that develops in this book is a total surprise. I did not see it coming, but it was passionate and real, and I liked the turn that the story took. I won't say anymore because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else!
Overall, I really loved this book. I thought it was beautifully written, and it contained a painful and haunting story, about two characters that come together under strange circumstances, and find love.
5 STARS

Winner!!!

2011-09-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

I have a winner for the College Game Day Book Giveaway!
Lizzie
Congratulations!
She has been notified by email and has 48 hr to respond. If she does not, I will pick another winner.

Thanks to everyone who participated, it was a great success! I have a lot of football fans as followers!!
Unfortunately, my Bulldogs did not win last night....*sigh* I know it's so depressing, but we always have next week!
Don't forget to re-enter the contest for next game day drawing! Just go here to fill out form!

Go DAWGS!!!

Yay! It's the Weekend! (#2)

2011-09-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

This is the second edition of Yay! It's the Weekend, it was created just to keep you informed about what's going on with me...ya know...the blogger behind it all.

So first off, I want to explain my lack of reviews (only one last week..gah, I'm so behind) and that is because I was up to my eyeballs in books..textbooks! I had two major test on the same day, and I was totally stressin ya'll. BUT I made an A and B on my tests, Yay! and now I am ready to kick back and chill for a few days!

to me!

I am also celebrating my birthday this weekend! Today is the official day, but I am actually having my birthday dinner tomorrow, with family, some good food, drinks and of course cake! The entertainment for the night will be watching the Georgia Bulldogs whip some South Carolina ass in what will hopefully be a great game of football!

So, I apologize for the lack of commenting, I have been a busy girl, and I plan to try and catch up next week. For now, I am gonna read the new books my hubby bought me, and then probably take a good long nap.... aahhh...sounds like heaven right?

Also, don't forget to check out my College Game Day Book Giveaway this weekend! The deadline is tomorrow and you don't want to miss out on some cool prizes!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

College GameDay Giveaway!

2011-09-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

Okay guys, here's what's up. I am a HUGE college football fan. Well, let me rephrase that...I am a HUGE Georgia Bulldogs football fan. There that's better! I could care less about any of the other teams!
So, the season just started last weekend, and while I was watching the game I thought of a great idea. To give away books on college game day! Sounds awesome right? Thought so.
I have picked out several key games of the season that will be my giveaway days. On those days, I will select a winner randomly, and a prize pack will be given away.
CONTEST/GAME SCHEDULE
~~Georgia vs. South Carolina September 10, 2011~~ Georgia vs. Tennessee October 8, 2011 Georgia vs. Florida October 29, 2011 Georgia vs. Auburn November 12, 2011 Georgia vs. Georgia Tech November 26, 2011
These are the dates that the contest will run. On these game days, I will post a new form for you to fill out to be eligible for the new drawing. So remember that you have to re-enter to be able to win the prize for that day!Don't worry about forgetting though, because I will be reminding everyone to come re-enter and cheer for those Bulldogs!!
If my team wins...I have a little extra something that I will throw in just for fun!
I will have a place for extra entries, and please feel free to grab my button and link back to my post!
The prize will be the same each week, just a new winner.So ya wanna know what's up for grabs?

$15 dollars towards the book of your choice from the Book Depository!
AND
A drink coozie and key chain featuring your favorite college football team!

Alright so now you know the prizes...it's time for the rules.

To enter, fill out the form below.
You must be 13 years of age to be eligible.
Open to U.S. residents only.
Contest deadline is end of each game day.
Must fill out form EACH game day to be eligible.
One entry per person.

UPDATE: This is the new form for Saturday October 8th 2011

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;
The first contest is this Saturday, so you guys get signed up!I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming season!
GO DAWGS!!

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Waterfall Wednesdays #2

2011-09-07T06:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's time for Waterfall Wednesdays Discussion post! Once again I will be joining a group that is discussing Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. Last week was a lot of fun, and I think this week will be too!This weeks discussion is being hosted at The Unread Reader.
Discussion Questions for Chapters 7-11
1. Gabi's search for her sister is made increasingly difficult by the fight for territory between Castello Forelli and Castello Paratore. At this point, do you think the rivalry is warranted? Why or why not?

I think the whole rivalry is just something that has been going on for so long, it just continues...just because it always has. Kinda like that feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys, they hated each other for generations, I bet no one even really knew what started the whole thing in the first place. I think this is a similar situation.

2. Gabi aids Fortino by having his sickroom cleaned out and using steam to loosen the phlegm inside his lungs so he could breathe better. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that required you to rely on home remedies to aid yourself or another? What are some of your favorite home remedies?
My little brother has asthma, and I remember my mom putting him in the bathroom with the shower on so the room would fill up with steam. It always seemed to help his breathing during an attack and it's something I have done with my own children.
3. Marcello and his men don't hide their surprise when they learn that Gabi is skilled with a sword. What did you think of this development? Has your initial impression of Gabi changed? Do you have any secret skills?
I think Gabi is bad ass! I love that she can sword fight! I think it's hilarious that the men don't like that she can fight! No man likes to be beaten at their own game by a female. I remember when I was younger I was rowdy and always tried to win against the guys. I will always remember when I won the spitting contest in the church parking lot one Sunday. I was the only girl participant and of course I beat all the guys! I could run faster, and beat most of them up! They hated it!
4. "Our lips were so close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin." Gabi and Marcello's feelings for one another are beginning to stir. What do you think of Marcello as a romantic interest thus far? What do you think of his intended?
I am not feelin Marcello, I like his brother. I know he is sickly and all, but he just needs a little TLC and an inhaler and he would be good to go. The number one problem is Marcello IS TAKEN! She would be a total slut if she moved in on another girls man, I mean, they are engaged. I actually think Lady Rossi is a more of a spitfire than we give her credit for. When they are being chased through the woods, she holds her own and doesn't freak out.
5. Marcello and Luca take turns teaching Gabi the dances of Toscana. Would you have liked to attend a ball like the one Gabi was practicing for? Do you like to dance? Do you know any cool dance moves?
I would have loved to have attended a real ball like that, what girl wouldn't?? I LOVE to dance! I have lots of cool dance moves, unfortunately the only place I have to show them off anymore is in my living room getting down with The Wiggles, but that's okay, my kids adore my moves.

Review: Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

2011-09-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (September 13, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442423730

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.

Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees.

The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?

This book is different. I love different! This book is unique, like no other teenage vampire book I have ever read. The vampires in this story, they actually act like vampires. They drink blood, NOT animal blood, but real live human blood. For real you say? Yes, for real.
Pearl ( forgive the old lady name) is a tenacious and sassy young girl, and she is what made this story such an enjoyable read for me. I love a good, strong female lead in a book, and Durst did not fail in bringing Pearl to life in this delightful and engaging story.
After Pearl gets stabbed by the unicorn, she discovers that she can walk about in the daylight. Sweet! Her family decides that she must now be the daylight hunter, and secure meals for The Family, and the vampire King. I adore that their great idea is to enroll her in high school!
Of course, she does not abandon her search for the ever elusive unicorn, and to me it is so obvious who it is, but I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be that easy or not. Anyway, you will figure it out pretty quickly, but it does not take away from the story.
There is a lot of action; where vampires actually die, get beheaded, and some of them get set on fire too! Love it. The fight scenes are very well written, and I didn't even skim over any of them like I normally do. Great props to the author for a job well done.
Overall, I thought this was an easy, fast enjoyable read. I thought all of the characters were great, and Pearl is definitely someone that I want to know more about. I recommend this one to all you vampire lovers out there, who like to see some ass kicking and some blood drinking. Real blood that is.
4 STARS

Waterfall Wednesdays (#1)

2011-08-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

I am reading along, with a bunch of other gals, a great book called Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. Each week we will discuss the book by answering some questions about the story.
So far, I am enjoying the book and I think this event is going to be loads of fun!

Waterfall Wednesdays-A Read-a-Long Event

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Discussion 1- Chapters 1-6

Today's questions hosted by Tinasbookreviews

Waterfall opens up with the introduction of Gabi, she's depressed, a little angry, and is dealing with feelings of loneliness. Are you connecting with her this soon in the novel? Do you see things you like or dislike?
I absolutely love Gabi! She is a wonderful character and it is easy to like her. She is strong, and not afraid to do things her own way. I think she could easily become on of my favorite female characters.
It sucks that her mom is so self-absorbed and her father is deceased. Having a good relationship with your parents is so important, and I hate that she felt isolated from them.
And to be stuck at a dig when you are in such a great place like Italy for the summer! Can you imagine being forced to work, and miss out on summer vacation! Boo!

Gabi gets to time travel back to 14th century Italy--- The Dark Ages in its prime. Is there any time in history that fascinates you and would you travel back if you could?
There are a lot of periods that I am fascinated with, Medieval times where there are Knights on white horses, real princesses and the beautiful gowns and balls. It all sounds like a fairy tale! Also, I think the roaring 20's seem pretty awesome. The clothes were so banging, and I love the feel of that era. That would probably be my favorite time period. The dancing and partying of that time period seem scandalous and fun!
BUT
I definitely do not want to time travel back. I like modern conveniences way too much to want to experience life without them. I know, no adventure, but I think I can just read about those times and time travel in my mind!

Most of the men, including Marcello, have a very set opinion about a women's place. Gabi gets manhandled a bit in these first few chapters, and even gets asked if she's a witch. The men are shocked when Gabi rides on a horse like a man, and shimmies down the castle walls. What do you think of men's mentality back then? Gentlemanly, chauvinistic, simple-minded?

I think the poor guys just didn't know what to think! It was like nothing they had ever seen before! It was just their nature to want to take care of a woman, and she definitely was not making it easy. I think maybe they might be just a little simple minded, but change is something that can take years to accomplish. There are still men today that think women cannot do the same things that men can do! Boo!

When Gabi becomes apart of this era, the people are immediately intrigued, but suspicious of her. Many judge her by her difference. Do you think this is fair? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider or that others were misjudging you?

I think it is just natural as humans to wonder about people that are different. She was just so alien to them, with her clothes and even her speech sometimes. It is not really fair to judge people this way, but I think we all do it. I have been in many situations where I felt outside of the loop and I have definitely been guilty of judging others unfairly. It is something that we all need to work on. Don't automatically judge a book by its cover as they say, get to know a person for WHO they are before you make a decision about them.

What do you think the coolest thing would be about living in the Dark Ages? What would be the worst?
I guess the only cool thing I can think of is the clothes. I think it would be cool to wear those beautiful dresses.
I have lots of complaints about the Dark Ages...no running water, disease, no air conditioning, no cars, no cell phone, no hospitals, no epidural (yikes!) having to marry who your parents told you to, being treated unequally, no mocha lattes and ...um...I could go on all day...I guess you get the picture right? LOL I guess I am definitely a modern girl!

Check back next week for more discussion questions!

Its Monday, What are you Reading?

2011-08-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila over a Book Journey. Click on the image above to check out her week!

This past week I finished Fury by Elizabeth Miles and also Nocturne by Christine Johnson. I enjoyed both of these! Click on the link to check out my reviews!

I have downloaded Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan to my Nook app on my phone. I usually read this in between classes. So far it's great!!

I am also participating in the Read-a-long of Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. Click on the button to participate in the event!

My library haul was pretty sweet this weekend, so I have a couple of good ones to choose from!
I haven't decided which one I am going to start on first though!
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett and Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

I also have one for review that I just started, Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst. Hope to have that finished and review up on the blog by next week!

Well, that's what my plans are for next week!
What are you reading?

Kids Korner (#3)

2011-08-27T03:30:00.000-07:00

We found some really good books at the library this past week! This a just a few of their favorites!

( I let them pick out the ones to put in the post!)Just click on the book to follow link to Goodreads.

Riley's Stack

(Cars Galore by Peter Stein) This one is super cool with lots of great illustrations. Plus it's about cars! You can never go wrong with that when you have a 4 yr old boy.
(Otto Grows Down by Michael Sussman) This is one of the best books!! Riley and I laughed so hard at some parts I couldn't even read! 5 STARS
(That's How! by Christoph Niemann) This books is soooo cute! My kids laugh and laugh when I read it. It's a winner for both girls and boys! It's got really bright and colorful illustrations too.

Eliza's Stack

(You Can't Eat a Princess by Gillian Rogerson &amp; Sarah McIntyre) Anything with a princess in it is a big hit with my little 2 yr old darling! It's pink, got a cute story and everybody lives happily ever after in the end! She loves it!
(The Pink Party by Maryann Macdonald) She actually pulled this one off the shelves all by herself and brought it to me. Pink. That's all that mattered. Oh, and she has a magic wand, she loves that.

Well that's some of what the kiddos are reading right now!
Please feel free to leave any suggestions for our next library haul!

Review: Nocturne by Christine Johnson

2011-08-25T03:36:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 368 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse (August 23, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 144240776X

Some secrets are too dangerous...
After the tragic events of the summer, Claire is looking forward to a new school year. All she wants to worry about is finding the most gorgeous dress to wear to the Autumn Ball with her perfect boyfriend.
But as Claire knows all too well, the life of a werewolf is never that simple, or that sweet.
When Claire’s human and wolf lives start to collide, her worst nightmares come true. She is hurting her best friend. She has been caught lying. And then the unthinkable happens: Someone discovers Claire’s secret.
If Claire’s werewolf identity is exposed, everyone she knows will be put at risk. And the pack’s response comes at a cost higher than Claire can imagine. Claire will be forced to determine just how far she is willing to go.

Nocturne by Christine Johnson is a story about a girl trying to juggle to separate lives, two separate identities, and failing badly. She is lying to her friends, family and most of all to her pack. She is desperate to have both, her human life, and her life as a werewolf, but it just is not an easy task.
I did not read the first book in this series, Claire de Lune, but there was enough information throughout the story, that I was not lost, and picked it up pretty easily. I was not utterly floored by the book, it was just okay for me. Although, if you read my blog regularly, you know that I am not a huge werewolf fan. There is just something about people turning into animals that is just not my thing, but I'm not knocking it for all those werewolf lovers out there. Hey, whatever floats your boat!
Claire is a likable main character, although I got a little frustrated with her at times, but she wasn't overly annoying. I definitely got caught up in her struggle and I was cheering for her all the way. I wanted to see her succeed in the end.
Throughout the story, Claire is feeling the pressure from the pack to perform several tasks. She has to prove she is a true werewolf. She has to light a ceremonial fire. What? That's the biggest thing she has to do? That's the big bad task you have to do to prove your a good pack member? BUT if she doesn't do it they cut off part of her ear?? Her own mother? Kind of a heavy price to pay for not making a good campfire. That part I felt could have been a little bit more...I don't know...not so lame. She should have had to fight another werewolf, or survive the night on a snowy mountain, or sniff out a secret treasure. I think boy scouts have to do harder tasks than she did! Okay, I am trying not to bash that part too bad, but it really annoyed me.
The writing was good though. It flowed, and the story and characters were believable, and for the most part likable. I felt the relationship and struggle that Claire had with her mother was true to life and intense. I could relate to that, having been a teenage daughter of a strong mother once!
Overall, it was good. Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely. It was an intense story about a young girl trying to balance the hardships of life, family and friends, with a little werewolf thrown in there! I give this one 3 1/2 STARS.

Waiting on Wednesday (#11) The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

2011-08-24T03:30:00.000-07:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Reading level: Ages 14 and up

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Razorbill (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595143394

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.

Isn't that cover just gorgeous!! I want this one simply because it's so beautiful...but I'll read it too of course!Can't wait!
Don't forget to leave me a link so I can check out your WoW this week!

Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

2011-08-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse (August 30, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442422246

Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Fury by Elizabeth Miles was heart wrenching, spine-tingling ,and down right creepy at times. I loved every minute of the whole dang book! It kept me interested and invested the entire time I was reading it. I had no idea what was around the next corner and I couldn't wait to find out where the author was leading me.
Most books you read, you actually like the characters, at least somewhat. I hated these two, Em and Chase, right from the beginning. I take that back, I didn't hate them, I hated what they were doing. I loved that even though I didn't like the decisions that they were making, they were real human mistakes that people make every day. There are tons of girls, just like EM, that are in love with their best friends guy, and they act on it too.Then we have Chase, who is mean and hateful, full of anger and bitterness, but he was real.
The Furies were awesome! What great mysterious and dark characters! Even the descriptions of each girl were creepy, and had me peeking behind the shower curtain at night. They are deadly and are not to be taken lightly. I can't wait to read more about these three, and if they can ever be defeated.
My favorite character though, and the reason I wanted to bitch slap Em upside the head, was JD. Why could she not see how wonderful he was and just be with him! It was so obvious what a sweet and caring guy he is to everyone but Em. So true to life though, you can't see what's right in front of you
Overall, I thought Fury was an honest, and wonderfully written YA novel that will have you wanting more. Elizabeth Miles is great and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. I give this baby a whopping 5 STARS.

In My Mailbox (#4)

2011-08-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week! I kinda went crazy with the ebooks this week, BUT there have been so many good deals for my Nook!
For my Nook:

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren Summers Crossing by Julie KagawaHaunting the Night by Mara PurnhagenThe Strange Case of Finley Jayne

All of the ones listed above were FREE, FREE, FREE!!

First Frost by Jennifer Estep only 99 cents! and Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink for $2.99

Firelight by Sophie Jordan for $1.99

For Review:

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver I got this from NetgalleyThe Pledge by Kerberly Derting I received this one from S&S Galley Grab.

Medium Dead by Chris Dolley this one I got from Library Thing Early Reviewers

So, that's what my week was like! Don't forget to leave me a link so I can check out your IMM!

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

2011-08-18T03:31:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (July 26, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442421177

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

I had read mixed reviews before I even started this book, so I put off reading it for the longest time. I'm glad I finally did pick it up, because it was really great. It's a wonderfully written and unique story about a young girl, who discovers that there is way more to her, than her Polynesian roots.
The main character, Ashline, is not your typical teenage girl. She is strong, powerful and does not take crap from anybody, but that is nothing compared to her sister, Eve. I love these girls! The love/hate between the two sisters kept me all wrapped up in their relationship. One minute, I hated Eve, the destructive and violent sister, but at the same time, I felt compassion, because she kept trying to reach out to her sibling, but in the wrong way. I was pulled in and involved in this family battle throughout the entire story.
After a tragedy in her hometown, Ashline flees to a boarding school, where she tries to settle in to a new life. As the book progresses, we discover that her new friends are not your regular teenagers, but reincarnated gods, that are in danger of extinction. The secondary characters in the book are awesome. We get a little back story of each character from a vision that they all share together . What a great idea! We got to see each character, from their POV and it was a fantastic and creative way to meet the entire group intimately.
Some people seem to have a problem with the violence in the book, but you have to remember, that these are not regular teenagers. Knight stayed true to the nature of who they really are, gods and goddesses, and so they acted in that way.
Wildfire is edgy, and a little dark, but I loved every minute of this action packed debut. Karsten Knight is brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed how he sucked me in to the characters and their life. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys an on the edge of your seat ride! 4 STARS

Waiting On Wednesday (#10) The Vampire Diaries (The Hunters) by L.J. Smith

2011-08-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hardcover: 416 pagesPublisher: HarperTeen (October 25, 2011)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0062017683ISBN-13: 978-0062017680

A regular on national bestseller lists, having sold well over three million copies, The Vampire Diaries series is a classic of thrilling paranormal romance. The Vampire Diaries series has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers—and the CW network TV show that it inspired has introduced millions more to the chills, thrills, and heart-stopping romance. Phantom begins a new trilogy in this breathtaking saga of love among vampires.

Since meeting the irresistible vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert has been to hell and back. Now that she and her friends have saved their hometown from a demonic sprit, everything can finally go back to normal. But Elena should know better than anyone that Fell’s Church will never be normal. In Phantom, a dangerous new threat sets its sights on Elena. And this time she can only count on one Salvatore brother to protect her.

I am always looking forward to another good Vampire Diaries book!

What was your WoW this week?

Don't forget to leave me a link so I can check it out!

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

2011-08-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; Reprint edition (June 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442419954
ISBN-13: 978-1442419957

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But ...They are brother and sister.

Well let me start off by saying that I will NEVER forget this book. It was beautifully written, with heartbreaking characters and very controversial subject matter. I have read a lot of other reviews, and this book has definitely left it's mark on the book reading community.
The characters in Forbidden, will pull at your heartstrings, and bring tears to your eyes, as you read about the hardships that they must endeour at such a young age. The two eldest children, Lochan and Maya and forced to raise the three youngest children in the family, due to an absent mother. Lochan, is one of the best characters that I have read about in such a long time. I felt a strong compassion as I read about his struggle, and with his sister Maya as well. I don't usually cry when I read, but this one did bring a few tears to my eyes. It made me think about the countless families of children out there, that deal with these horrible situations everyday, and that are forced to grow up much sooner than they should, because of "absent" parents.
Now, comes the difficult part. The love story. I had a lot of trouble with this, and I am not quite sure how I felt about it. I tried to be open minded, because as you get towards the end of the book, you see it coming. I will not lie; I was really disgusted and shocked at first, but I kept thinking that there was a twist at the end. Surely, this brother and sister are not going to do what I think they are....but they did. I just could not wrap my head around the fact that they were physically attracted to each other. I mean, I have two brothers, but could I actually have sex with one of them? Absolutely not. It makes me sick just thinking about it. I couldn't stop imagining myself and my own brothers....it really messed the story up for me big time.
Although, I do not agree with the act of incest, I will not give this book a bad review or let it affect what I thought about the rest of the story. Yes, I was grossed out in the end, but it was a fantastic story, about wonderful people, struggling to keep their heads above the water.
I do not think that this should be a young adult novel, even with the strong material disclaimer on it, it is not suitable for young people. It got a little graphic at the end with the physical stuff and I would not want my children reading this kind of book at the "young adult" level.
Overall, I give this one 4 STARS

Waiting on Wednesday(#9) Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2011-08-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Harper Collins (November 15, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0062085484

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

I can't wait to get my hands on this one!

What is your WoW this week?

Review: Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

2011-08-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 306 pages

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books; 1 edition (September 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0761374086

ISBN-13: 978-0761374084

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

This is not her story.

Right from the beginning I was pulled into Allison's story. I felt her frustrations and confusion as she struggled to unravel the mystery of why she was held against her will in a psychiatric ward.

While at the mental hospital, she discovers that the secret about herself, the one that she thinks is so bad, is actually a condition called synesthesia. This condition that she has suffered from is debilitating, her senses are magnified allowing her to see, hear and taste things that other people cannot. It has caused many problems in her life, but she has learned to deal, even though her own mother shuns her because of this condition.

I thought that all of the information about this condition, synesthesia, was fascinating. If there are people out there living life with this, then I feel nothing but compassion. It truly would be a daily struggle.

I was completely wrapped up in this book, and enjoyed the story as it developed. The other patients in the mental hospital make for some crazy characters, but the love story that surprisingly develops is sweet and lovely.

However, then the story kinda takes a turn and becomes a little wacky. I guess there has to be an explanation for the disappearance of Tori, (the girl that is Allison supposedly murdered) but I was not really expecting the outcome that played out. I guess that's a good thing though, because I did not see it coming.

Overall, I really loved the book. As I said before, the things that I learned about synthesia and how Allison discovered and dealt with it was intriguing.

I give this one 4 STARS and I forgive the wacky ending!

Review: Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

2011-08-07T03:43:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; (July 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547482507

When fourteen-year-old Luce is assaulted on the cliffs near an Alaskan village, she expects to die when she tumbles into the icy water below. Instead, she transforms into a mermaid. Luce is thrilled with her new life—until she discovers the catch.

I really fell in love with this book! I enjoyed the story of how Lucy, desolate and alone, turns into a mermaid during a dark time in her young life.

As the story progresses, we learn about her, as a mermaid, and the lives of her new family, her sisters. Lucy is torn between her passion and ability to sing, and the discovery that her powerful voice, has the ability to kill. It is one of the most powerful voices, in fact, it begins to stir jealousy in the hearts of the others, and Lucy finds herself once again ostracized.

This is a touching story and you cannot help but become wrapped up in the lives of these young girls, and be filled with compassion. I enjoyed this book immensely and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

4 STARS

Yay! It's the Weekend!

2011-08-05T03:27:00.000-07:00

Finally, it's here!

What we all work towards the whole week...those 2 little days of relaxation and (hopefully) a couple more hours of sleep!

I have had a wonderful summer off from school, and just returned from a lovely beach vacay with the fam, so it has kinda felt like one big weekend lately, BUT somehow I always seem to enjoy Saturday and Sunday better than any other days of the week. Ya know what I mean?

Before I had kids, this is what my weekend looked like:

BUT..times have changed!

Now, it's a little more G rated.

I always get more reading done, family outings, and maybe even a little romance with the hubby, if the kids go to bed on time!

For some reason my energy level picks up; and when I was dog tired on Friday afternoon; Saturday I'm ready to take on the world! I always try to schedule things I need to get done, but somehow I always end up with my butt back on the couch, surfing the web on my phone, reading a book, and watching a Desperate Housewives marathon on Netflix...damn can I multi-task or what??

I actually lucked out this weekend; my hubby has the weekend off! How he managed that after a week's vacation at the beach beats me, but now I have a partner to help wrangler our kids!

It's always nice to have a partner!

So, how about everyone else?

Do you try and schedule chores or activities on the weekend?

Do you have a rigorous schedule that you never stray from?

maybe, you are still one of those chicks in the picture above!
Jealous!

Whatever role you play, I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Now, it's time to get my read on!

Review: Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

2011-08-04T03:07:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Clarion Books; 1 edition (August 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0547224850

The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

This is the second book in this series and Tamsin and her honey Gabriel are back with some time traveling action and adventure, wrapped up with a little witchy romance to get us excited for more! I really enjoyed this book. I liked this one better than the first. Tamsin isn't as annoying to me in this book. She seems to have gained some confidence and probably being with Gabriel has helped some too.

I really liked the Greene family and the strong character of Tamsin's grandmother. Although, I would have loved to slap Tamsin's sister a couple of times. Good lord is she annoying!

The time traveling is very exciting and I loved how the story develops. I enjoyed the fact that Tamsin becomes employed by the King family and we get to see the enemy up close. Very clever.

I love how the story gets wrapped up in the end, and a lot of things from the first book now make sense. I can't say anymore without ruining the ending, so I will just leave it at that!

I definitely recommend this one and I give it 3 1/2 STARS.

Waiting on Wednesday(#7) Ingenue by Jillian Larkin

2011-08-03T03:22:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 9, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385740360

Bobbed hair. Short skirts. Cool jazz. Dark speakeasy. Anything goes. Meet the flappers, Gloria, Clara, Lorraine . . . and the rich young boys who love and loathe them.

I LOVED Vixen, the first book in the series, so I am super excited about this next installment! I love this era! It's so cool and sophisticated. Plus the clothes! Would you just look at that cover? Beautiful!

What was your WoW this week?

My Shopping Cart (#1)

2011-08-02T03:40:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about starting this as a random post every now and then, and what more of a perfect time than after vacation! Of course I bought books, what kind of vacation would it be if I didn't?

There is an awesome little used book store that I visited, and I picked up a couple of things in there for great prices!

Night World 2 by L.J. Smith

I got this baby for only 4 dollars! What a sweet deal, right?

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Paper Towns by John Green

I haven't read the The Forest of Hands and Teeth yet (the first in the Carrie Ryan series) but I think I will just pick it up from my local library. I can't wait to get started on Paper Towns, I have heard lots of good things about it!

Nook Book purchases:

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

I read so many great reviews of Touch of Frost that I couldn't wait to read it, so I just went ahead and purchased it for my Nook. It was on sale too for $6.80!

I love all the Sookie Stackhouse books and from what I hear there is only one more left in the series :(

I guess I will just have get my Eric fix from True Blood, which was AWESOME last Sunday night by the way...anyone else catch that action in the woods? Finally some Eric and Sookie lovin!!

Anyway, just had to get that out of my system!

So, these are some purchases I have made recently.

I can't wait to get started on them all!

Anybody read any of these?

What did you think?

Review: The Raising by Laura Kasischke

2011-08-01T03:37:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 496 pages

Publisher: Harper Perennial; Original edition (March 15, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0062004786

Last year Godwin Honors Hall was draped in black. The university was mourning the loss of one of its own: Nicole Werner, a blond, beautiful, straight-A sorority sister tragically killed in a car accident that left her boyfriend, who was driving, remarkably—some say suspiciously—unscathed.

Although a year has passed, as winter begins and the nights darken, obsession with Nicole and her death reignites: She was so pretty. So sweet-tempered. So innocent. Too young to die.

I completely fell in love with this book from the very beginning. A ghost story (my fav) with the backdrop of a college town and some really great characters. What could go wrong?

The writing was terrific throughout the entire book. Ms Kasischki had me enthralled as she painted this story. It had me guessing and on the edge of my seat.Loved the characters! They were well developed and very believable.Now comes the bad part. I am not going to ruin it for you, but I was so disappointed in the ending. It was all the build up but no great climax. What a let down! I will not let that change my opinion of the book though. It was still an enjoyable read. I definitely recommend it and give this one 3 STARS.

Review: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

2011-07-30T03:29:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (January 25, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373210183

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

I really liked The Iron King, loved The Iron Daughter, but I absolutely adored The Iron Queen! Usually in a series, the books get worse as you read, but not in this one. Julie Kagawa certainly knows how to keep pounding out great books that are filled with excitement, adventure and romance!

I just can't get enough of Meaghan and her two hunks of burning love! I am completely torn between the two boys, I don't know how I would ever be able to choose between them. I am all wrapped up in this juicy love triangle and I can't wait to read more.There is also WAY more action in this book and I thought the fighting scenes were well written and completely believable. The characters in this book are growing and becoming more developed. It is fascinating to read, as we see Meaghan accepting who she is and changing as the story unfolds. She definitely is one of my favorite female characters that I have read lately. I mean, who doesn't love an ass kicking heroine??This new concept of the fairy world is so different from the other fae books I have read. The iron world is unique and I love it. I can't wait to read more.Overall I give this one a big 5 STARS. I recommend this one to anyone!

Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

2011-07-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (December 28, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 006198650X

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

Well, I hate to write negative reviews. Mostly because I rarely read anything that I just didn't like. I really, really tried to like this one, but I just couldn't.

I have two things to say though in the books defense: I don't like werewolf books and it was mainly written for younger YA (at least I thought so). So, those are two really good reasons why I just didn't fall in love with this book.

Celeste's character was okay. I hated her friends though. I thought their interactions were cheesy and fake, and I wanted to bitch slap them most of the time.

Brandon was likable though. He was really the only reason I kept reading the book.

It was a predictable and rather short love story about a girl, and how she handles the discovery of werewolves.

I give it 3 STARS because even though it wasn't my favorite, I am sure there are lots of werewolf lovers out there who would enjoy it.

Happy Reading!!

Waiting on Wednesday(#6) Angel Fire

2011-07-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Paperback: 512 pages

Publisher: Usborne (October 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1409522016

This is the thrilling second chapter in the electrifying "Angel Trilogy". Angels will never be seen in the same way again. Gorgeous, charismatic Alex has the courage and skill of a trained Angel Killer. Unique, dazzling Willow has the beauty and power that comes with being half-angel. As the power of the malevolent Church of Angels grows, now it's up to Alex and Willow to train a new team of Angel Killers. Willow soon finds her half-angel identity met with hostility by some of the other AKs, while privately, she must wrestle with the knowledge that her father, Raziel, is a depraved, evil angel. However, while life in the AK training camp is tough, at least Alex and Willow are together. But when Alex discovers that the death of his brother and fellow Angel-Killer, Jake, was linked to a secret CIA mission to defeat the angels, he is forced to leave the camp to complete his brother's work... without Willow. Alex promised Willow he would never leave her, but with the fate of the human race at stake, destiny has ruled that Alex and Willow must be parted once more...

So, that's my pick for this week. I read Angel and it was great, so I am really looking forward to getting my hands on this one in October!

What was your Wow this week?

Review: Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

2011-07-25T03:00:00.001-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin(June 22, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312590970

Blurb:
At the start of this mesmerizing new installment of the Immortals series, Ever is helping her friend Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and carelessly putting them all at risk, their friendship becomes more and more strained. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into magick in order to get control over her enemy Roman and free Damen from his power. But when the spell she casts on Roman backfires, she’s bound to her deadliest enemy. Frantic to reverse the spell the moment the moon enters a new phase, she finds her efforts are fruitless—there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, one that propels her toward Roman. Desperate to break free of this terrible curse before Damen or the twins can discover what she’s done, she turns to Jude and delves deeper and deeper into dark magick, ultimately risking everything she knows and loves—including Damen.

This series is pretty great, even though I was kinda skimming the pages toward the end. I can't stand when the ending feels like it is no where in sight, and the story is dragging it's feet. I really don't know why I lost interest in this series. Not that the writing wasn't good, or that the story sucked....I just lost interest.

Anyway, I did finish the book, but I skipped around a lot, I must confess. BUT do not let that discourage anyone from reading this book, because like I said...it's me not you.

2 STARS

Happy Reading!!

What I'm Reading on my Beach Vacation!!

2011-07-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Today I am leaving for my beach trip with the family! I can't wait to have my toes in the sand, sun on my hair, with the sound of waves(and my two screaming kids) while a read a good book. aahhh....I love the beach!!

So I thought I would do a little post about what I will be reading on my week of sun and fun!

First on the list...

I have been waiting on this one, thank goodness Netgalley finally came through :)

Next...

This is a great series that I have thoroughly enjoyed...glad for the next installment!

and last but not least...

I have been wanting to read this one for awhile now.

Well, I think that's all I'm going to take on this trip- the rest of the time is good food, drinks and plenty of sunshine!

Happy Reading!!

Review: The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

2011-07-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Harper Teen (December 7, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 9780061869709

I had a life anyone would kill for.

Then someone did.

The worst part of being dead is that there’s nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It’s enough to kill a girl all over again. But I’m about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.

Now Emma’s desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me—to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she’s the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?

From Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of thePretty Little Liars books, comes a riveting new series about secrets, lies, and killer consequences.

Let the lying game begin.

Sara Shepard has a unique gift. She has the wonderful ability to spoon feed you little bits of information(without pissing you off) about the story you are desperately trying to unravel, and keeps you coming back for more. It is an incredible talent for an author to have, and I give her two thumbs up for doing such a kick ass job!

I am in the middle of her other series Pretty Little Liars, and I am really loving it, but this is by far WAY better. I read the entire book in just a couple of hours. I cannot wait for the next installment in the series. I know this series is going to be very popular!

The story is full of mystery, excitment with lots and lots of questions, but as I said before, the questions somehow seem to make you want more, not piss you off.

The main character Emma is a foster child, that you immediately love right from the beginning. She discovers a long lost twin sister, by way of a horrible snuff video online.

She gets drawn into the world of her twin sister Sutton, who she discovers is a dead sister. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as more of the story unfolds and Emma takes the place of her sister Sutton.

Overall, I give this 5 STARS!!

Books I Lust For...

2011-07-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

Almost everyday I waste precious time looking for new books to read, (like my TBR pile isn't big enough already) and my wish list just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I think you all know what I'm talking about! It's like you just can't stop yourself from adding to that growing pile.

So, instead of doing a WOW (because I have more than one and most of these are already out) , I decided to do a Lust List... Books that I just can't wait to get my hands on!

Here are just I few I have stumbled across!

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Quirk Books (June 7, 2011)

ISBN-10: 1594744769

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the Mcrumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here—one of whom was his own grandfather—were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Doesn't that one sound creepy? Just dying to read it! Check it out on Amazon

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (May 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061826871
Amazon

Melissa Marr is known to young adult readers as the author of the popular faery series Wicked Lovely. Her debut leap into adult fiction lands her in the small community of Claysville, a town where the dead walk free unless there their graves are not properly tended. Into this eerie maelstrom, Rebekkah Barrow descends as she returns to a place that she once believed she knew. Kelley Armstrong justly described Graveminder as "a deliciously creepy tale that is as skillfully wrought as it is spellbindingly imagined."

This next one is to die for....

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 9, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385740166

Amazon

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

This one looks so good, PLUS the cover!!! It's so beautiful. Gotta love it.

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: EgmontUSA (June 14, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1606841440

Check it out on Amazon

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Those are just a few in my ever increasing TBR pile...one day I will get around to reading these delicious books!! What is on your LUST LIST??

Happy Reading!

Review: The Betrayal of Maggie Blair

2011-07-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hardcover, 435 pages
Published April 18th 2011

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

ISBN: 0547341261

In seventeenth-century Scotland, saying the wrong thing can lead to banishment—or worse. Accused of being a witch, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged. She escapes, but instead of finding shelter with her principled, patriotic uncle, she brings disaster to his door.

Betrayed by one of her own accusers, Maggie must try to save her uncle and his family from the king’s men, even if she has to risk her own life in the process.

Originally published in the UK, this book has a powerful blend of heart-stopping action and thought-provoking themes.

I thought this was a great historical book! It had everything required for a wonderful read and I adored the main character.

I knew I would enjoy it first of all because it had witches in it- I really enjoy a good witch story and I loved the historical scottish version.

I think someone else mentioned that if you liked the Crucible you would enjoy this book- I agree. She was accused of being a witch and sentenced to hang.

It was refreshing to read something that is different from all the other witch books out there right now. It was real and the struggle for survival was real. It contained a great message of salvation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I definitely recommend it to other historical fiction lovers!

4 STARS

Review: Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

2011-07-18T17:16:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Hyperion (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1401323901
ISBN-13: 978-1401323905
From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.
The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.

I am a big fan of Melissa de la Cruz, so I was most definitely very excited about reading this book. It was all I had hoped for, with a great new cast and exciting plot, I read the whole thing in one night.

This book is not a YA novel, this is the author's debut adult novel, and when it says adult, it definitely means it! I had forgotten that is was in fact "adult" and when the steamy sex scenes started to unfold, I was shocked, but enjoyed every minute of it! *wink wink*

The characters in this book are great. Freya is my favorite because she is feisty and the most colorful, but all three women are delightful, and I can't wait to read more about them.

The story keep me interested with several twists and turns that I did not see coming. That was great because I hate when you see them coming a mile away!

There was only one part of the story that was a little predictable, and that was the love story with the eldest daughter Ingrid, but it did not take away from the rest of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all the witch lovers out there!

4 STARS

Back to Blogging Giveaway!!

2011-07-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been awhile. I have completely abandoned my blog for way too long. It is just too hard sometimes to even think of blogging when you have 2 kids and a stack of schoolwork. BUT don't get me wrong...I have definitely been still reading!

That is why I have come back! I have read so many good books lately and I just have to share. PLUS the guilt! oh the guilt that comes with my stack of TBR pile....anyway enough of that.

Just know that I am back, well as much as I can be, and to start it off right....

**DRUM ROLL**

A GIVEAWAY!!!

I have a copy of Entwined by Heather Dixon that I just finished and I would love to pass it on!

So I am gonna keep it simple. Just leave a comment with your name and email. I will randomly pick a winner!
I am willing to spread the love internationally, so everyone join in!! :)
Good Luck and Happy Reading!!

ARC Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

2010-09-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Philomel (October 19, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 039925482X

Blurb:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

I normally don't like werewolf stories, just not my thing, but Nightshade will have to be my exception. I really liked this book, and stayed up half the night trying to finish it, then was pissed when I was left hanging at the end.

I am getting really tired of reading a book, anxious to find out what the end result will be, only to discover, I have to buy another book to find out. Not only do I have to buy the other book, but I have to wait like a year! So, I am kinda pissed off, BUT the story was so awesome, that I will forgive and forget, and since I did get this one for free (ARC) I guess I shouldn't be complaining. :) My point is, I am just a little frustrated with trilogies and the never ending love triangles. Teen drama though-- that's what I get for reading it!

Let me just say that Calla, the main character, is freakin' awesome. I thought she was smart, intelligent, and a strong woman. She is the Alpha female, and it rocked to read the story from her point of view. I enjoyed reading about her struggle, and really felt for her as she came face to face with some very tough decisions.

I will say that as far as the love triangle, I have not picked a side yet-- Team Ren or Team Shay? Can't decide. A part of me, the rebellious part, says Team Shay, but simply because I would be totally pissed if my family tried to tell me who to marry, or in this case-- mate.

The story was intriguing, and definitely had me on the edge of my seat. The Were politics were very interesting, and definitely made for a good story line.

Overall, the story was great, and I actually will probably read it again close to the release date of the next book in the series. I definitely recommend this book, even for those who are not Were fans, this is a different kind of story that I think all will enjoy. 5 STARS

Blogfest Winners!!

2010-09-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have just been simply overwhelmed by all the entries in my contest! 364 all together! Thanks to everyone who participated in my giveaway, it has been a lot of fun!

Now, let's get on with it!

These are my Grand Prize Winners!

#342-Lucy

#12-April

#45-Stacie

They have been notified via email and have 48 hrs to respond before I pick another winner. They will choose between the top 3 prizes of an ARC copy of Matched, ARC copy of The Eternal Ones or the Amazon GC.

My other winners are:

#286-Patricia

#127-Nadia

#183-Kelly

#55-Corrie

#280- Tanya

They will choose between the remaining prizes:

ARC copy of Truly, Madly, ARC of The Poison Eaters, My Forbidden Desire, Chosen or The Phanton of the Bathtub.

They have also been notified via email and have 48 hrs to respond! All the winners were chosen, using Randsom.org.

BLOGFEST IS HERE!!!!

2010-09-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

Head on over to A Journey of Books (the official host of BlogFest) or click on the Official BlogFest tracker link HERE. Once there you can register with a valid email address (to be used solely for the purpose of contacting the winner). This site will allow you to track your progress through BlogFest 2010! You can log on from anywhere at any time and continue where you left off. The best part is that every blog that you visit and mark off through this tracking site will give you one entry into the massive giveaway! We have a great collection of books, goodies and other swag that is looking for a new home!

Okay, ready to get started? I am stop number 189.

The next stop is Notorious Spinks Talks

Here is what you can win right here at Graced With Books during Blogfest!

**UPDATE**
(I have decided to add a $25 dollar gift card from Amazon.com and have a 3rd place winner IF I reach 200 followers!)

The GRAND PRIZE (1st and 2nd place) is a choice of

An ARC copy of Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller OR

an ARC copy of Matched by Ally Conde

The other winners will get to choose from the following:

House of Night series, Chosen by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast.

My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

The Phantom of the Bathtub by Eugenia Riley

I also will be giving away an ARC copy of The Poison Eaters by Holly Black

and an ARC copy of Truly, Madly by Heather Webber.

ENTER HERE BY COMPLETING THE BELOW FORM

This giveaway is open to anyone with reliable mail service. There will be 7 winners! One book for each winner. They will have 48 hours to respond to my email notification. I will ship by UPS or USPS, whichever is cheaper. The winner will be chosen by Random.org. The contest ends at midnight PST, September 12. Open to US contestants only.

Extra Entries:

Facebook Friend +1

Tweet about contest +1

Post about this on blog +3

Please leave a new comment for each link with a way to contact you and which book you prefer. Winner one will choose which book they want, winner two... choose from what is left...etc. Got it? Good. Have fun and Good Luck!!

Author Interview :The Replacement by Breena Yovanoff

2010-08-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that it has been a WHOLE freakin' week since my last post, but college life + 2 kids and a husband, is just a little bit on the difficult side. Anyway, I hope this post today makes up for it! I have a special guest on my blog today, Brenna Yovanoff, and I am really excited to have her! Her new book, The Replacement, is coming out on September 21, and I have had the privilege of reading it already (see review at bottom of post!) and it is AWESOME! I am going to make a bold statement and say that it is probably going to be one of my all time favorites for years to come.

ME: First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your debut novel! The Replacement is a unique and incredible story!

Can you start off with telling us about yourself? Just give us 5 random things that you want us to know about you.

Brenna: Hmm . . . I like dresses. A lot. Also, baking, zombies, mittens, and candy. Basically, I'm a lot like the Morrigan, except the teeth situation is under control and I don't look like I've ever been on fire.

ME: Do you remember when you decided to become a writer? Why?

Brenna: I always wrote, ever since I learned that you could use the alphabet to make words, but I don't think I seriously considered being a writer until I was about twenty. In high school, I was always writing short stories and working on novels I never finished, but it wasn't until I got a writing scholarship in college that I really thought, "Hey, I could *do* this!"

ME: What are you reading right now?

Brenna: Well, I'm absolutely awful about sticking to one book—three is a pretty comfortable number for me. Right now, I'm reading WHITE CAT by Holly Black, YOUTH IN REVOLT by C.D. Payne, and THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, by Audrey Niffenegger.

ME: Tell us a short, most embarrassing moment.

Brenna: I never have anything good for these, because I really do try to avoid embarrassing moments. Expect for all the times I've fallen off of fences, swings, park benches, merry-go-rounds, and teeter-totters while wearing a very short skirt. I am absolutely lacking in decorum.

ME: What inspired you to write this book?

Brenna: I can't say that I was inspired by one specific thing (I'm really not an inspiration person). I had the basic idea nagging around in the back of my mind for years, and then one day I just decided it was time to write it!

ME: Can you tell us more about your main characters, and are any of them based on real people?

Brenna: I don't typically base characters on real people, but I do tend to give them qualities I admire. Growing up, I've known a number of Roswells, and a few Tates as well. I really like to give credit to people who are kind or brave, even (especially) if they are also passive or stubborn or impulsive.

ME: What was the most challenging thing you had to overcome when writing this novel?

Brenna: Probably the plot. I mean, there were *weeks* when opening the manuscript was like going into battle, trying to get everything to come together and move along at a good clip. In fact, turning ideas into plots seems to my biggest challenge most of the time

ME: I absolutely adore the cover of this book! Did you have any say in the cover, and what do you think of it?

Brenna: I had no say whatsoever in the cover design, but that is completely immaterial—I don't think I can adequately express how much I love my cover! It fits the book perfectly, and I couldn't have asked for a better one.

ME: Are you working on anything now? Can you tell us about it?

Brenna: Right now, I'm smack in the middle of my next book, which is undergoing heavy revision, so it's hard to give specifics (I'm pretty much a chainsaw reviser), but I can say that it is probably going to wind up being longer than THE REPLACEMENT, and it's about demons. Also, there will be monsters and kissing.

ME: Is there anything else that you would like readers to know?

Brenna: I tried to think of some crazy trivia, but I've got nothing. Thanks so much for the great interview, Grace! And of course, anyone who wants to know more can visit me at brennayovanoff.com and check out my blog.

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Razorbill (September 21, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1595143378

Blurb:

Mackie Doyle seems like everyone else in the perfect little town of Gentry, but he is living with a fatal secret - he is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now the creatures under the hill want him back, and Mackie must decide where he really belongs and what he really wants.

A month ago, Mackie might have told them to buzz off. But now, with a budding relationship with tough, wounded, beautiful Tate, Mackie has too much to lose. Will love finally make him worthy of the human world?

I am going to try really hard not to gush in this review, but it's going to be hard! Maybe just a little though, OMG it was so good!! Okay, now that I got that out, I will tell you WHY it was so freakin' good. :D

Right from the moment I laid eyes on this one, I knew I was gonna love it. The cover is so beautiful, and it really captures the true essence of what the book is all about. The Replacement, is not like anything I have read in awhile. It is dark and creepy, and just plain weird, and I loved every bit of it.

I have read other reviews that are comparing this book to Tim Burton, and I absolutely agree. It has that creep factor, ya know? I read this one (I am always making this dumb ass move) at night, alone, and I freaked myself out. It's not that there is anything particularly scary, it's just the "feel" of the book, gives you the willies.

Brenna creates this underground world, Mayhem, and it is just filled with weirdos. This is where Mackie comes from, he is a "replacement", a changeling of some sorts. The craziest part to me is that the town knows that this is happening, but they are in such denial, that they continue on as if nothing happened.

Mackie, the main character...is lovely. I just want to take him home and keep him forever. He feels that he is a freak, an outcast and that he doesn't belong. When he discovers who he really is and where he comes from, it breaks my heart at the struggles that he faces.

The love story between Mackie and Tate is sweet, and I loved watching it develop. Tate is strong and different from all the other girls, and I felt she was a perfect match for my adopted son Mackie(sorry I am attached to him already).

The only problem that I had with this story, was the fact that his family accepted him, although they knew deep down what he truly was. There is no fucking way in hell, that if I went into my babies room, and realized that some freak had "replaced" him/her that I would continue to live my life like normal. Even though I adore Mackie, I would definitely have a problem replacing one of my own with him, even if he wasn't a freak.

I am very impressed with the fact that this is a debut novel, if you didn't know that it was, you would never guess it! It took a lot of hard work and effort to create this fantasy world, and the characters were very well developed.

Overall, this is one of the best books I have read in awhile. I just really loved it. Okay, I know, more gushing, but I promise, it is a really great book. That is why I am giving this one 5 STARS.

ARC Review: The House of Dead Maids by Clare Dunkel

2010-08-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 160 pages

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (September 14, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0805091165

Stalk the Author:
http://www.claredunkle.com/

Blurb:

Young Tabby Aykroyd has been brought to the dusty mansion of Seldom House to be nursemaid to a foundling boy. He is a savage little creature, but the Yorkshire moors harbor far worse, as Tabby soon discovers. The ghost of the last maid will not leave Tabby in peace, yet this spirit is only one of many. Why do scores of dead maids and masters haunt Seldom House with a jealous devotion that extends beyond the grave?

As Tabby struggles to escape the evil forces rising out of the land, she watches her young charge choose a different path. He is determined to keep Seldom House as his own. Though Tabby tries to befriend the uncouth urchin, her kindness cannot alter his fate. Long before he reaches the old farmhouse of Wuthering Heights, the boy who will become Heathcliff has doomed himself and any who try to befriend him.

My Thoughts:

Do not...I repeat...DO NOT ...read this book late at night, by yourself, like a dumb ass. I did that very thing, and this book scared me to death! It is a very well written, scare your pants off, traditional ghost story.

It is the story of Tabby, a young maid, and the events that unfold, after she begins her work at Seldom House. Obviously, the place is haunted, and strange things begin to happen in the old house. Tabby begins to see the dead, and she realizes that the girl she is seeing, is the previous maid. She begins her fight against the evil in the house, and struggles to save her life and the life of the young master.

The boy, who is her charge, has an identity that ties into the story of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. In the epilogue of the book, we discover that Tabby, was the name of the nurse that worked for the Bronte sisters. She was like a devoted family member, and was the author of many a dark, and scary tale told to the sisters.

I love how this inspired Ms. Dunkle's story of Tabby and also how she incorporates the tie-in to Wuthering Heights. It is very clever, and beautifully composed story.

Overall, I loved the story. I thought it was creepy, dark and utterly delicious! I absolutely love Wuthering Heights(who doesn't) and enjoyed the link to the story. I definitely recommend this book and give it 5 STARS.

Review: Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

2010-08-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 312 pages

Publisher: Graphia (September 6, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0547417306

Blurb:

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Have you ever been jealous of a sibling? So jealous, that sometimes you hated them for being so flipping perfect? Well, imagine being jealous, and feeling unworthy of your WHOLE family. That is how Tamsin feels when she is surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, sister...you name it...all of them. That is because they are all witches, and somehow, this family trait skipped right over her.

So, dealing with feelings of inadequacy, unworthiness and just plain old normal growing pains, Tamsin, tries to get on with life as a normal person. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. The story gets complicated when, fueled by the need to prove herself, Tamsin takes on a challenge that quickly get out of control.

With the help of her childhood friend,Gabriel, she embarks on a journey that will change her life forever. The journey is filled with action, adventure, and kidnapping, along with a little time travel. Throw in some romance and magic, and you have one great story on your hands.

I really enjoyed this book. It tells the story of a girl, coming into her own, and discovering love and magic for the very first time. I think we can all identify with feeling inadequate or unworthy at times in our life. I saw a little of myself in Tamsin and I had a great time following along as she learns about life and love.

Overall, I thought the story was great and I enjoyed all the kooky characters that fills her family. Obviously, the ending leaves room for more of the story in a second book, and I can't wait to check it out! I give this one 4 STARS.

Winner!!!

2010-08-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

**FALLON**

She is the winner of the $40 Gift Card from CSN!! I have sent her an email notifying her of her win. She has 48 hours to respond before I pick another winner. Thanks to all who participated in this contest :D

Today's post will have to be short. Sorry I haven't been posting this week, but OMG I have been so busy! This past Monday was the first day of classes and I am so overwhelmed right now! I hate that my blog has to take a back seat temporarily, but its either the blog or my kids. LOL!! I chose my kids of course. :D

So, until I can get into a regular routine, my postings will be sparse. Hopefully, I can get caught up on some reviews this weekend!

Thanks to all my faithful readers!

Kids Korner(#2)

2010-08-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

This week Mommy has been REALLY busy finishing up with registration for school, so we haven't had a chance to go to the library much this week. We did manage to swing by once to pick up a couple of books and some DVDs. ONE time is not our usual, but it's better than nothing!

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Release Date: July 2010

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0374378045

Blurb:

What Leo wants is a fire truck; what Mama gives him is a kitten: Lola. To make matters worse, mischievous and high-spirited Lola just about takes over all of Leo’s favorite things. Just when Leo’s had enough, Lola surprises him and saves the day. Colorful, bold illustrations filled with trucks, trucks, and more trucks enliven this satisfying story of friendship.

What They Loved:

This was one Riley picked out on his own. Anything with trucks on the front is a winner! This turned out to be a REALLY cute book that I enjoyed too! This is a must read for your truck loving toddlers! 4 STARS

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Paperback: 40 pages

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (August 10, 2004)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 006058940X

Blurb:

Sam may be a man of few words, but he is certainly eloquent on the subject of his car. With a bright, bold palette of mostly primary colors, author-illustrator Byron Barton (Trucks, Planes, Machines at Work, etc.) deftly depicts the fondness Sam has for his chunky little car and the care with which he treats it. "I love my car. / I keep my car clean. / My car needs oil / and a full tank of gasoline." Sam also describes the parts of his car, how to drive carefully, and where he likes to go in his car. The story concludes with a twist, sure to delight already rapt readers.

Sam and his acquaintances are unusual-looking, blocky figures, with big black blobs for eyes, and more blobs for nose and mouth. Characters and objects are reminiscent of the cars, signs, and figures in a child's play station. Small details are appealing: the mechanic is a woman, and the car's headlights bathe a portion of the text in yellow. This should be required reading for every driver's ed student; we can only hope that the repeated readings this book is bound to receive will sink in to preschoolers' minds for future recall: "I obey the laws. / I stop for pedestrians. / I read the signs." This is a lovely picture book.

What They Loved:

Oh my lord! We read this one over, and over, and over! I don't know if it was the pictures or the rhythem of the words...who knows? They really enjoyed it and we will probably go and purchase this one for our home library! 5 STARS

Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Nickelodeon

DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008

Run Time: 97 minutes

What They Loved:

EVERYTHING! We adore the Backyardigans! This movie features opera rock style music and some serious booty shakin'. They dance and sing along with them and I enjoy it too. Great pick for the little ones! 5 STARS

Review: Wildthorn by Jane England

2010-08-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (September 6, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0547370172

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Louisa Cosgrove longs to break free from her respectable life as a Victorian doctor's daughter. But her dreams become a nightmare when Louisa is sent to Wildthorn Hall: labeled a lunatic, deprived of her liberty and even her real name. As she unravels the betrayals that led to her incarceration, she realizes there are many kinds of prison. She must be honest with herself - and others - in order to be set free. And love may be the key...

I was totally shocked by the events that unfolded in this book, but in a good way. This story was not at all what I thought it was going to be. From the moment I began, I become totally engrossed in this horrific tale of false imprisonment, oppression and possible insanity.

Louisa, was different than all the other girl she knew, but in their own home, her father allowed it. She wanted to learn and go to school, not have tea parties and socialize. When her father passed away, her world as she knew it, was turned upside down. Confused and grieving, she was talked into leaving her home, but it became the worst decision she could have possibly made.

She ends up in a place called Wildthorn, and the people there call her by the name Lucy Childs. That is not her name...or is it? She begins to frantically try and unravel this mystery, of how she came here, and who is Lucy Childs?

I love strong female characters, and Louisa is no exception. She has strong beliefs and emotions, and is not afraid to speak her mind. Which was completely unheard of in the day and time that she lived.

I really liked this story, and at times I felt like I was imprisoned right along with her. The writing was very moving, and I felt her pain. I felt her frustrations of captivity, confusion and unhappiness.

The only thing about this book was the fact that the story was told with alternating chapters of flashbacks, but that is totally a PERSONAL preference. It definitely, did not in any way take away from the beauty of the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The story was emotional and captivating. I also enjoyed the love story that develops towards the end. I give it 3 STARS.

Review: Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

2010-08-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (May 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316036358

Blurb:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
And if I should die before I awake,
I pray the popular attend my wake.

Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is invisible. Even worse: she's dead. And all because she choked on a gummy bear. But being dead doesn't stop Charlotte from wanting to be popular; it just makes her more creative about achieving her goal.

If you thought high school was a matter of life or death, wait till you see just how true that is. In this satirical, yet heartfelt novel, Hurley explores the invisibility we all feel at some times and the lengths we'll go to be seen.

Poor Charlotte Usher, she chokes to death, literally, right in front of the guy she is head over heels in love with, and he doesn't even notice. How awful is that?

This book is about a young, high school girl, and how she deals with the afterlife. We follow her on her journey, and meet all kinds of kooky characters along the way.

Charlotte is definitely my favorite though. She is funny, and a fly by the seat of your pants kinda girl. She is so engrossed in finishing up her last mission on earth, to be with her crush, she can barely see past the end of her nose.

As the story rocks on, she manages to conjur up all kinds of ghostly troubles, and fails to stay focused on her task of figuring out how to move on to the "other side".

The end is slightly cheesy, and everything gets a wrapped up a little too easily. That kinda of bothered me a little. I originally thought this book was going to be too juvenille for me to enjoy, and for the most part it wasn't, but the ending was silly.

Overall, I enjoyed this unique tale and I will probably read the others in the series. My continuation of the series, is based solely on my enjoyment of the main character. I am curious to see what happens to her next. I give this one 3 STARS.

Review: Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

2010-08-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1 edition (February 2, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312946139

Meet Lucy Valentine; sassy, fabulously original…and psychic.

Lucy hails from a long line of matchmakers known as Valentine INC. According to family legend, the Valentines have been blessed by Cupid with the ability to help couples find true love. Trouble is Lucy’s powers were zapped away by an electrical surge and now all she can find are lost objects.

But what good is that in the matchmaking world?

Lucy is about to find out when she tries to solve a murder and winds up falling into a romance of her own.

I really enjoyed this light, and fun read. This book has been laying around for a couple of months, because I thought I wouldn't really like it. Someone had given it to me, and I just tossed it aside. For some reason, I picked it up the other day and started reading it, and I never stopped! It was funny and romantic, with a little mystery all wrapped up into one. I am glad a decided to give it a try!

Although, the mystery was a little predictable, it was okay because the other aspects of the book made up for it. I really enjoyed the romance and I thought her paranormal ability of "finding things" was funny.

A little family scandal forces Lucy Valentine to take over the family matchmaking business, Valentine Inc. Lucy is slightly lacking in family talent though, and is very nervous about what might be the outcome of her stint as president of the company.

Thing heat up when Lucy has to hire private detective Sean Donahue to help her on a case turned deadly. The chemistry between the two is great, and obviously, things will continue between the two of them in future installments of this series.

Along with Donahue, the book features two best friends, a crazy grandmother, and various other likable characters. At the end of the adventure, there are several story lines left hanging that involve the people in Lucy's life. The future of Lucy Valentine looks very promising.

Overall, the story is cute and surprisingly engrossing. Lucy, is a great main character and I look forward to reading more about her, and her family and friends. As I said before, some of it was very predictable, but it did not take away from the enjoyment of the book at all. I definitely recommend this book and I give it 4 STARS.

Kids Korner(#1)

2010-08-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

This post is something that I am going to start doing weekly. I have two toddlers that love to read just as much as I do (of course they do!) and we go to the library at a minimum of 2 days a week. I know, right? We just love to be around all those books! So, I am going to share a little bit about what we read and some of their favorites.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Holiday House; 1 edition (March 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0823422801

Blurb:
Follow a little boy's backyard safari as he shares his love of bugs--from fly-around-the-light bugs to curl-up-tight bugs; fun springy leapy bugs to slimy creepy crawly bugs. But the best bugs are hairy bugs, the scary send-me-squealing bugs. With a bouncy rhyming text and colorful collagelike art, this book is perfect for miniscientists everywhere.

What They Loved:
The colorful pictures were a hit and the subject matter itself - BUGS!! We read this one over and over and it brought lots of smiles. I give it 5 STARS.

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Paperback: 24 pages

Publisher: Simon Spotlight (February 1, 2001)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0689838735

Blurb:
Join Steve and Blue when they take Periwinkle, the big city kitten, to the country festival to show him what's so great about spring. You can help Blue and Periwinkle hunt for eggs, make leaf prints, plant seeds, and visit all the booths at the fair!

What They Loved:
My daughter is Blue's Clues obsessed right now and Riley(3 1/2) is still young enough that he enjoys it too. They love the characters so much...it could be a book about eating garbage, but if Blue and Steve were doing it...then it's all good. Of course this gets 5 STARS.

Board book: 12 pages

Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd (February 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1405251611

Blurb:
Fireman Sam and the Pontypandy fire crew are called on to help with many emergencies, from a cat stuck in a tree to a bus nearly falling off a cliff. Jupiter the fire engine races to each scene with sirens wailing.

What They Loved:
This is another one that is all about the character! Riley thinks Fireman Sam is the coolest dude on the planet... and wants him to move in with us. Eliza doesn't hate him...but no one can take Steve's place right now. 5 STARS.

Language: English

Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: LIONSGATE
DVD Release Date: May 19, 2009
Run Time: 45 minutes

A great way to get children thinking about fire safety - best followed by a parent-child discussion

What They Loved:Riley really liked this action adventure and enjoyed learning about safety while we watched it together. Eliza not so much.

These are just a few products that my kids were into this week! What have your kids been reading/watching lately?

Review: Insatiable by Meg Cabot

2010-08-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 006173506X

Blurb:

Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.

Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).

But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . .

If she even has one.

I have not read very many books by Meg Cabot, but after reading this book, I get why everyone loves her so much! What a great book!

This is definitely not your typical, meet vampire, fall in love with vampire, live happily every after with vampire...etc. You gotta give Ms. Cabot props for capitalizing on this vampire crazed society, and coming up with a unique twist to this overdone story.

It was fresh and different, and it was so good I could hardly put it down! It is so rare these days that you can read a good vampire book and not know what the outcome is going to be. Sometimes lately, I have felt like I was reading the same book over and over. Thank goodness I didn't pass this one by and gave it a shot. I really enjoyed it.

Meena was awesome. What a great character. I liked how strong of a woman she is and how she sticks to what she believes in all the way to the very end. She is a very real character. She has strong emotions, and she really does hate vampires, but Cabot does allow her some weakness when it comes to Lucien, the incredible handsome and seductive vampire. Her paranormal power of precognition was pretty awesome too. I like it when the chicks are not just swooning, they need powers too!

We have Lucien, son of Dracula, and then we meet Alaric, crazy ass vampire hunter. I enjoyed both of these guys. I really like it when an author lets us read from the point of view of all the main characters. To me, it makes the characters so much more real and I relate to them better.

Alaric is hilarious. He was definitely my favorite out of all the characters. He calls his vampire killing sword Mr. Sticky and he is always ready to use it. Sounds like my kinda guy!

Lucien, of course, is a devilishly handsome and delicious vampire, that no one can resist. I found myself torn between Lucien and Alaric. I can't wait to read more about this triangle of love!

Overall, this book is one I highly recommend. It has action and adventure, love, and even a little comedy. I give this one 5 STARS and a "whoot whoot" for being a really great read!

Upcoming New Releases

2010-08-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have been scouring the Internet looking for upcoming new releases, and I have come up with a HUGE list! It is going to take me awhile to get it organized, but I thought I would at least get August together, since this month has some really kick ass new releases! Hopefully, it won't be long and I will have the entire list posted soon! :D

This list is mainly YA, but there will be some adult fiction thrown in there too!

2010

August

(1)The Iron Daughter by Julia Kagawa

(3)Betrayal (Immortal) by Gillian Shields
(3)The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May and June by Robin Benway
(3)Infinite Day by Rebecca Maizel
(3)Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway
(3)Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love by Trisha Telep
(3)I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

(5)Stalker Girl by Rosemary Graham
(5)You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

(10)Girl Parts by John Cusick
(10)The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
(10)The Agency 2: The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee

(12)Winter Longing by Tricia Mills

(17)The Mourning Wars by Karen Steinmetz

(19)The Broken Lake (The Pace Series, Book 2) by Shelena Shorts

(24)Kisses from Hell by Kristin Cast, Richelle Mead, Kelley Armstrong, and Alyson Noel
(24)The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki
(24)Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart
(24)You by Charles Benoit
(24)Delcroix Academy, Book One: The Candidates by Inara Scott
(24)Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins

(31) Vanished (Private) by Kate Brian
(31)Radiance by Alyson Noel
(31)Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
(31)The Ivy by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur
(31)The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
(31)Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
(31)The Haunted (The Hollow, Book 2) by Jessica Verday
(31)Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
(31)The Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare
(31)Born to Bite (Argeneau #13) by Lynsay Sands
(31)Unraveled (Intertwined #2) by Gena Showalter

Review: Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun by Victoria Laurie

2010-08-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Signet; Original edition (March 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451226305

Blurb:(Amazon)
When ghost hunter and medium M.J. Holliday appears on a television show called Haunted Possessions, she encounters an evil knife that releases a demon. Now all hell has broken loose in the haunted hotel where M.J. is staying—and it’s up to her to give the uninvited guest an early checkout.

I picked this book up from the library yesterday afternoon, and finished it off last night. It was so good! It was a perfect spooky and rainy night for reading this ghoulish tale and it was deliciously creepy!

This series of books is about a medium named M.J. and her entourage (her best gay friend Gilley and sexy boyfriend Steven) as they ghost bust around the country. This is the third book in the series and I am still just as hooded as I was the first time around!

I love the friendship between the dramatic Gilley and M.J.! He adds a little comic relief to the serious jobs that they are performing. Also, M.J.'s love interest, Steven, adds a little heat to the situation!

The action and adventure kept me guessing, while the entrance of a possessed artifact had me seriously creeped out! It is just the right amount of murder, mystery and paranormal all rolled up into one.

I think the only part of the book that had me disappointed was the lack of interaction between M.J. and boyfriend Steven. M.J. was just so busy with other stuff, and then towards the end of the book, Steven was not even in the picture. There was a new character, Heath, that was introduced though, and I hope to see more of him. It makes me wonder if maybe M.J.'s eyes will begin to roam in his direction in the future? We shall see!

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading a book this author, then you are seriously missing out! I definitely recommend this book as well as the others in this series! 5 STARS of pure pleasure.