MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
SATURDAY
Zombie Queen of Newbury High- Amanda Ashby--FrugalReader Book Ring
Monday, November 30, 2009
Mailbox Monday- November 30, 2009
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
SATURDAY
Zombie Queen of Newbury High- Amanda Ashby--FrugalReader Book Ring
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Sunday Salon- November 29, 2009
This week I had off from school for Thanksgiving break and it was well needed! I got a wonderful massage on Tuesday and spent the rest of the early week reading and catching up on DVR'd tv shows. Then on Wednesday night, Kory and I drove up to my parents. My best friend, Brit, joined us on Thursday morning. We ate waayy too much yummy food (Thanksgiving is my favorite meal!) and then we went and saw The Blind Side at the movie theatre. I knew that I wanted to see this movie since it was a football movie, but I had no idea how much I would love it. It was funny, yet so very touching at the same time. It's a must see! We went out to dinner at Roy's for my dad's belated bday on Friday night, and then yesterday we watched the Gators beat the Seminoles. I am sooo nervous for the SEC Championship game next week against Alabama. It's going to be such a good game and I hope we come out on top!!
I finished and reviewed the following books this week:
I fulfilled items in the following challenges this week:
Paranormal 999 Challenge: Ghosts (can also be used as witches), Psychics/Sensitives (can also be used as witches)
What An Animal II Challenge: 6
A to Z Reading Challenge: G, N
Read Your Name Challenge: N
I finished the following challenges this week:
What an Animal II Challenge
Read Your Name Challenge
I am currently reading One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin and up next is Over the Holidays by Sandra Harper.
Book Review- Second Skin
Samantha Klein will do anything it takes to be popular and to be part of the A-list crowd. And when she discovers the secret to just how the current queen of the A-list got her popularity, Sam makes the secret her own. But once she gets her wish, she might just discover that its not all that it's cracked up to be.
I thought that this was a cute book. I liked the idea of a second skin--I thought it was a new concept, or at least one that I hadn't read before. And while there was nothing too deep in the book, the message about popularity and being yourself did come across in an intruiging way. I read this book in one sitting so its an easy-to-read, story with a great theme.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free by Jen from TeensReadToo for an honest review.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Challenge Completed- Read Your Name Challenge
I have finished my third challenge!
The challenge is to read your name in book title first letters, ultimately spelling out your name. That means:
1. Using your first name, or blogger name, or your pets name, or even your favorite literary character's name; whichever you like, choose books with first title letters that spell out your name. (Audio books and eBooks are also okay.)
2. The challenge runs from Jan. 1st 2009, to Dec. 31st 2009. You may join at any time.
3. If you join, please leave a comment here with a link to your challenge page, and click on the image above to leave a comment on the original page as well.
Book Review- Never Been Witched
I just finished reading Never Been Witched by Annette Blair.
From the back cover:
Three's a charm, and the third Cartwright sister, Destiny, is certainly not lacking. However, she is troubled by her attraction to paranormal debunker Morgan Jarvis. Destiny opts out of a week in his company, hoping a meditative stay alone at her sister's lighthouse will shed some light on her contrary feelings and her psychic gifts.
Unbeknownst to Destiny, her sly sister also left keys with the unsuspecting Morgan. Late one night, they literally stumble upon each other-- and the lighthouse's ghostly inhabitants. Destiny and Morgan have nothing in common other than the one bed they need to share and some crazy physical attraction. Raising the dead might be easier than trying to make these two opposites work together, but Destiiny has experience--and love--on her side...
I think this was the best book in the Triplet Witches Trilogy. I think that the plot was the best of all three books, and I liked the characters the best too. Once again, I don't have too much to say about this book. There were still some elements thrown in that I thought could have had more thought put into, but overall, I enjoyed this one.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge:Psychics/Sensitives (can also be used as witches, ghosts)
A to Z Reading Challenge: N
Read Your Name Challenge: N
*FTC Disclosure: I traded for the copy of this book with a friend.
From the back cover:
Three's a charm, and the third Cartwright sister, Destiny, is certainly not lacking. However, she is troubled by her attraction to paranormal debunker Morgan Jarvis. Destiny opts out of a week in his company, hoping a meditative stay alone at her sister's lighthouse will shed some light on her contrary feelings and her psychic gifts.Unbeknownst to Destiny, her sly sister also left keys with the unsuspecting Morgan. Late one night, they literally stumble upon each other-- and the lighthouse's ghostly inhabitants. Destiny and Morgan have nothing in common other than the one bed they need to share and some crazy physical attraction. Raising the dead might be easier than trying to make these two opposites work together, but Destiiny has experience--and love--on her side...
I think this was the best book in the Triplet Witches Trilogy. I think that the plot was the best of all three books, and I liked the characters the best too. Once again, I don't have too much to say about this book. There were still some elements thrown in that I thought could have had more thought put into, but overall, I enjoyed this one.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge:Psychics/Sensitives (can also be used as witches, ghosts)
A to Z Reading Challenge: N
Read Your Name Challenge: N
*FTC Disclosure: I traded for the copy of this book with a friend.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday Firsts- November 27, 2009
The first line can make or break a reader’s interest. Just how well did the author pull you in to the story with their first sentence? To participate in this weekly book meme is extremely easy.
~Grab the book you are currently reading and open to the first page.
~Write down the first sentence in the first paragraph.
~Create a blog post with this information. (Make sure to include the title & author of the book you are using. Even an ISBN helps!)
"Destiny Cartwright sought peace in her ritual circle but found self-censure instead."
~Never Been Witched by Annette Blair (ISBN 978-0-425-22649-0)
Friday Fill-In- November 27, 2009
1. Wait! Wait, don't forget the candles on my dad's birthday cake.
2. Thanksgiving is followed at once by Black Friday.
3. The trouble is I ate waaay too much food on Thanksgiving!
4. My best friend, Meredith, lives many miles away.
5. With a faint pop I opened my soda can.
6. Last Wednesday, the weather was rainy, and shadowy and ominous.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out to dinner with Kory and my family at Roy's to celebrate my Dad's belated birthday, tomorrow my plans include watching the Florida/ Florida St. football game and Sunday, I want to relax!
Friday Finds- November 27, 2009
Early to Death, Early to Rise- Kim Harrison
(I can't find a summary)
Spells, the sequel to Aprilynne Pike's #1 New York Times best-selling debut, Wings, continues the story of a not-so-ordinary girl named Laurel.
Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.
When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable? (From Aprilynne Pike's website)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Book Review- Gone with the Witch
I just finished reading Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair.
From the back cover:
Beautiful bad girl Storm Cartwright can be charming when she wants to be. So when she hears the sound of a baby crying every time she's near Aiden McCloud, she turns on the charm. Because she's sure the weeping means a child is in need--and that the handsome antiques restorer is the key to finding that helpless child.
From the start, Aiden is attracted to Storm. Yet this gorgeous got girl won't stop talking baby nonsense. Then Storm sets up a seductive trap, kidnapping him in his very own RV! While Storm follows the sound of the cries, something magical starts happening between her and Aiden. But can they keep the magic alive once Storm finally finds what she's looking for?
This is the second book in The Triplet Witch Trilogy. I really wasn't too fond of the first book, Sex and the Psychic so I was hoping this one would be better. And it was. Not a lot better, but I enjoyed it more. The writing didn't seem as annoying to me. And I liked the characters in this story more. But I still felt like elements of the plot were just thrown into the story. I mean, these elements would have worked if more background had been built up. I have the third book in the series, Never Been Witched, to read next and hopefully it will be the best of the three.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge:Psychics/Sensitives
A to Z Reading Challenge: G
*FTC Disclosure: I received this copy of the book from a friend.
From the back cover:
Beautiful bad girl Storm Cartwright can be charming when she wants to be. So when she hears the sound of a baby crying every time she's near Aiden McCloud, she turns on the charm. Because she's sure the weeping means a child is in need--and that the handsome antiques restorer is the key to finding that helpless child.
From the start, Aiden is attracted to Storm. Yet this gorgeous got girl won't stop talking baby nonsense. Then Storm sets up a seductive trap, kidnapping him in his very own RV! While Storm follows the sound of the cries, something magical starts happening between her and Aiden. But can they keep the magic alive once Storm finally finds what she's looking for?
This is the second book in The Triplet Witch Trilogy. I really wasn't too fond of the first book, Sex and the Psychic so I was hoping this one would be better. And it was. Not a lot better, but I enjoyed it more. The writing didn't seem as annoying to me. And I liked the characters in this story more. But I still felt like elements of the plot were just thrown into the story. I mean, these elements would have worked if more background had been built up. I have the third book in the series, Never Been Witched, to read next and hopefully it will be the best of the three.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge:Psychics/Sensitives
A to Z Reading Challenge: G
*FTC Disclosure: I received this copy of the book from a friend.
Wednesday Wordle- November 25, 2009
Here is a screen shot of my Wordle for the week (Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from words that is seen on my blog)
Waiting on Wednesday- November 25, 2009
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Darklight
by Lesley Livingston
Publication Release Date: December 22, 2009
From Lesley Livingston's website:
In this sequel to Wondrous Strange, Kelley Winslow finds her NYC acting career blossoming as she takes the lead in Romeo and Juliet. But she also finds herself desperately missing Sonny Flannery—who was forced back to the Faerie Otherworld, charged with a dangerous mission by Kelley’s father, King Auberon.When Kelley finds herself thrown into the Otherworld following a deadly chase in Central Park, her passionate reunion with Sonny is cut short. Ancient magick is stirring, and a dangerous enemy has Sonny and Kelley caught in a web of Faerie deception that could tear their love apart.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Teaser Tuesday- November 24, 2009
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
My two teasers:
"She found him on a hard man bench in the mall watching a bunch of sugar-shot toddlers in a gated child-care facility. Since she still couldn't believe that he'd trusted her instincts enough to assault a stranger in a mall on her behalf, she let his defection slide."
~pg 92, Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair
Monday, November 23, 2009
Challenge Completed- What An Animal II Challenge
I have finished my second challenge!!
The rules for the What an Animal II Challenge are the same as the original What an Animal Challenge:
The rules for the What an Animal II Challenge are the same as the original What an Animal Challenge:
1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements:
a. there is an animal in the title of the book
b. there is an animal on the cover of the book
c. an animal plays a major role in the book
d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like ;o)
2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea...
3. Challenge runs from July 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010. That’s 8 months to read at least 6 books (you can read more if you’d like). You can still sign up after July 1st as long as you can get 6 books read by February 28th ;o).
4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.
5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them.
6. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).
7. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.
8. You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.
Book Review- Sex and the Psychic Witch
I just finished reading Sex and the Psychic Witch by Annette Blair.
From the back cover:
Introducing the Cartwright sisters--Harmony, Destiny and Storm--triplets and unstoppable psychic seductresses.
She could touch the past...
As the buyer for her sisters' vintage curio shop, Harmony finds her job a challenge, since she has the ability to read objects and learn things about their former owners--even their deepest, darkest secrets. Now, a Celtic ring depicting a man's empty embrace has lead her to the Paxon castle on the coast of Salem, Massachusetts.
He needed her presence...
King Paxton has inherited a haunted money pit of a castle. He must get rid of it before he's cursed with the same bad luck that has plauged his family for generations. But out of nowhere, a leggy blonde walks in and stops construction, insisting that a witch haunts the place. What Harmony finds is an angry ghost, a disgruntled renovation crew, and a man who could use a harmonic convergence...
I was very excited to start reading The Triplet Witch Trilogy by Annette Blair, but I was quickly disappointed. I expected a fun, light-hearted chick-litish paranormal, but all I got was a sex-filled, annoying book. I don't really have too much to say except that I just didn't like it. The writing got on my nerves, especially the dialogue. And it felt like the plot was thrown together, with random events thrown in. And with the exception of Jake, the two-year-old little boy, I didn't really care about any of the characters. I have the next two books in the series to read, and since I am one of those people that has to follow through, I will read them next. I can only hope that I like them more than this one.
I gave this book a rating of 2.5/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge: Ghosts (can also be used as witches)
What An Animal II Challenge: 6
*FTC Disclosure: I received this copy of the book from a friend.
From the back cover:
Introducing the Cartwright sisters--Harmony, Destiny and Storm--triplets and unstoppable psychic seductresses.
She could touch the past...
As the buyer for her sisters' vintage curio shop, Harmony finds her job a challenge, since she has the ability to read objects and learn things about their former owners--even their deepest, darkest secrets. Now, a Celtic ring depicting a man's empty embrace has lead her to the Paxon castle on the coast of Salem, Massachusetts.
He needed her presence...
King Paxton has inherited a haunted money pit of a castle. He must get rid of it before he's cursed with the same bad luck that has plauged his family for generations. But out of nowhere, a leggy blonde walks in and stops construction, insisting that a witch haunts the place. What Harmony finds is an angry ghost, a disgruntled renovation crew, and a man who could use a harmonic convergence...
I was very excited to start reading The Triplet Witch Trilogy by Annette Blair, but I was quickly disappointed. I expected a fun, light-hearted chick-litish paranormal, but all I got was a sex-filled, annoying book. I don't really have too much to say except that I just didn't like it. The writing got on my nerves, especially the dialogue. And it felt like the plot was thrown together, with random events thrown in. And with the exception of Jake, the two-year-old little boy, I didn't really care about any of the characters. I have the next two books in the series to read, and since I am one of those people that has to follow through, I will read them next. I can only hope that I like them more than this one.
I gave this book a rating of 2.5/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge: Ghosts (can also be used as witches)
What An Animal II Challenge: 6
*FTC Disclosure: I received this copy of the book from a friend.
Mailbox Monday- November 23, 2009
Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week:
MONDAY
TUESDAY
SATURDAY
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Contests- November 16- November 23
Fantastic Book Review is giving away a copy of Betrayals by Lili St. Crow. The contest ends on December 3.
The Book Butterfly is giving away a copy of Bad Apple by Laura Ruby. The contest ends on December 13.
The Book Butterfly is giving away a copy of Bad Apple by Laura Ruby. The contest ends on December 13.
The Sunday Salon- November 22, 2009
I had a busy week this week. My softball team finished up the tournament--we did pretty well considering we moved up into the advance league tournament. And then at school we were getting ready for our Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Dinner. I am ready for the week break and for yummy Thanksgiving food on Thursday!
I finished and reviewed the following books this week:
I fulfilled items in the following challenges this week:
Paranormal 999 Challenge: Misc (bean sidhes)
I am currently reading Sex and the Psychic Witch and up next is Gone With the Witch, both by Annette Blair.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Book Review- My Soul to Save
I just finished reading My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent.
So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry from someone who has no soul.
The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld--a consequence they can't possibly understand.
Kyalee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...
I was so excited when I got the ARC of My Soul to Save in the mail. And it didn't let me down. This was a second great installment of the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. Just as in her last book, My Soul to Take, I loved all of the main characters in the book. I love Kaylee and Nash together. Aside from the fact that they are both bean sidhes, they seem like a very real in-love teenage couple. And I like the fact that we get to see a softer, more real side of Tod in this story.
We also get to see what the Netherworld is like. And the creatures in that world gross me out! They are the stuff of my nightmares! But I like the concept of the alternate world and its relation to ours--its pretty neat.
The ending surprised me. I expected it to go one way, and it only half went there. But it fit and I liked it. I can't wait to read My Soul to Keep!
I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge: Misc (bean sidhes)
*FTC Disclosure: I received this copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review.
From the back cover:
When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.
So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry from someone who has no soul.Kyalee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...
I was so excited when I got the ARC of My Soul to Save in the mail. And it didn't let me down. This was a second great installment of the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. Just as in her last book, My Soul to Take, I loved all of the main characters in the book. I love Kaylee and Nash together. Aside from the fact that they are both bean sidhes, they seem like a very real in-love teenage couple. And I like the fact that we get to see a softer, more real side of Tod in this story.
We also get to see what the Netherworld is like. And the creatures in that world gross me out! They are the stuff of my nightmares! But I like the concept of the alternate world and its relation to ours--its pretty neat.
The ending surprised me. I expected it to go one way, and it only half went there. But it fit and I liked it. I can't wait to read My Soul to Keep!
I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.
This book fulfilled an item in the following challenge:
Paranormal 999 Challenge: Misc (bean sidhes)
*FTC Disclosure: I received this copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review.
Friday Memes
I know I am a day late on all of my Friday memes so I am putting them in one post
Here are my finds for the week:
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June- Robin Benway
Three sisters, three extraordinary, life-changing powers!
Someday My Prince Will Come- Jerramy Fine
Snow White meets Bridget Jones in the hilarious true story of a girl who is more than a little bit determined to live happily-ever-after…
3. If you want it, you have to work for it.
4. I am in a good mood because Kory went with me to see New Moon.
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think that makes a lot of sense..put it toward education!
6. Friends, family, and good food makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to (Friday) going to a piano bar and midnight bowling, tomorrow my plans include (Saturday) watching the Gator game and going to see New Moon and Sunday, I want to go to the Wine Room for good wine and cheese with Brit!
Lunch
What are you most grateful for at THIS moment? besides the obvious ones? right now, that I have boyfriend who will go with me to see a movie that he has absolutely no interest in, just because he knows how much I want to see it
Dinner
What will be different about this year's Thanksgiving? nothing that I can think of
Midnight Snack
Where are you spending Thanksgiving this year and what part of the menu are preparing? Kory, Brit, and I are driving up to my parents house. And I am lucky/spoiled enough that my parents always make all of the food.
Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for this week?) Even if you think you will get beaten, if you try your hardest, you will get farther than you think.
Here are my finds for the week:
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June- Robin BenwayThree sisters, three extraordinary, life-changing powers!
I hugged my sisters and they fit against my sides like two jigsaw pieces that would never fit anywhere else. I couldn’t imagine ever letting them go again, like releasing them would be to surrender the best parts of myself.
Three sisters share a magical, unshakeable bond in this witty high-concept novel from the critically acclaimed author of Audrey, Wait! Around the time of their parents’ divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose?
April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone’s but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they’ll always have each other.
Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood. (From Goodreads.com)
Someday My Prince Will Come- Jerramy FineSnow White meets Bridget Jones in the hilarious true story of a girl who is more than a little bit determined to live happily-ever-after…
Jerramy Fine wants to be a princess. At age 6, she announces that she is going to meet and marry the Queen of England’s grandson and even as she gets older, not once does she change her mind! But growing up with hippie parents in the middle of a rodeo-loving farm town makes finding her prince a bigger challenge than Jerramy ever bargained for. How can she prepare to lead a royal life when she’s surrounded by nothing but tofu and tractors?
Jerramy spends her lonely childhood writing love-letters to Buckingham Palace, and years later, when her sense of destiny finally brings her to London, she dives head first into a whirlwind of champagne-fuelled society parties in search of her royal soul mate. She drinks way too many martinis and kisses far too many Hugh Grant look-a-likes, but life in England is not the Disney fairytale she hoped it would be. Her flatmates are lunatics, London is expensive, and British boys (despite their cute accents) are infuriating. Sure, she’s rubbing shoulders with Princess Anne, Earl Spencer and the Duchess of York – but will she ever meet her prince? (From Jerramy Fine's website)
1. We need to start thinking about our future.
2. Kory told me I was cute and it made me smile. 3. If you want it, you have to work for it.
4. I am in a good mood because Kory went with me to see New Moon.
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think that makes a lot of sense..put it toward education!
6. Friends, family, and good food makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to (Friday) going to a piano bar and midnight bowling, tomorrow my plans include (Saturday) watching the Gator game and going to see New Moon and Sunday, I want to go to the Wine Room for good wine and cheese with Brit!
Breakfast
What is your favorite menu item you will eat at your Thanksgiving feast? mmm...stuffing!!!Lunch
What are you most grateful for at THIS moment? besides the obvious ones? right now, that I have boyfriend who will go with me to see a movie that he has absolutely no interest in, just because he knows how much I want to see it
Dinner
What will be different about this year's Thanksgiving? nothing that I can think of
Midnight Snack
Where are you spending Thanksgiving this year and what part of the menu are preparing? Kory, Brit, and I are driving up to my parents house. And I am lucky/spoiled enough that my parents always make all of the food.
Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for this week?) Even if you think you will get beaten, if you try your hardest, you will get farther than you think.
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