Book Review- Drought

I just finished reading Drought by Pam Bachorz for a Book-It Forward ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?
 
Where to start?  I don't even really know how I feel about this book.  For some reason, I thought that I had read somewhere that this was a dystopian novel.  But its not really.  It's a book about modern day slavery (if I had read the Goodread's summary, then I would have known that) and it disturbed me.  And it was kind of cultish in a way.  I kept thinking, why don't these people escape?  I mean, I get that its all they've known for the past 200 years, but still!  They knew that it was wrong but they kept waiting for this "person" to save them.  I don't get it.  I really can't even put my thoughts into words to review the book, so that's all I have to say about it.
 
I gave this book a rating of 2.5/5.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 24
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 22
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 20
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Book It Forward ARC Tours.

Waiting on Wednesday- March 30, 2011

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

Shift (Shade #2)
by Jeri Smith-Ready
Publication Release Date: May 3, 2011

From Jeri Smith-Ready's website:

Aura's life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend Logan died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows that he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can't deny her connection to the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she's not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura's search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets...and her heart.

Book Review- The Lipstick Laws

I just finished reading The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder for a Teen Book Scene review.

From Goodreads:

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her.   For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity.   But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?

This book was the typical "Mean Girls" style of book.  There's the clique of girls with a ringleader who had some trauma growing up and has turned into an evil witch.  Then there's a new girl introduced into the group, becomes part of them, only to be later shunned.  Then she realizes that the group is morally wrong and stands up to them and the ringleader.  And The Lipstick Laws pretty much went through all of those stages.

I liked April, the new-ish girl.  She was funny and had a pretty good head on her shoulders.  And Britney was a great girl who we all love to hate.  And I loved the Lipstick Lawbreakers.  They were a great group of girls.

If you've read any kind of "Mean Girls" book, then you already know the story.  But its a fun one nonetheless!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

The Lipstick Laws will be released on April 4, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: H
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 13
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 11
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 3
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 11
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 2

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Teen Book Scene.

Teaser Tuesday- March 29, 2011

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:

" 'There's not much room for fun here,' I say.  'There must be something.' "
~pg 69, Drought by Pam Bachorz (ARC)

Book Review- Forgotten

I just finished reading Forgotten by Cat Patrick for a Book-It Forward ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.
 
Oh my, I loved this book!  Right off the bat, it reminded me of the movie 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore (which I loved, by the way) but with one important difference--London "remembers" the future.  Her "memories" are all about things that are yet to happen.
 
And characters--man, were they great.  I loved, loved, LOVED London!  For the problem that she had to go through every, single day, she was still incredibly normal.  No sulky, moody teen there (which she would have been entitled to be).  And Luke--hello!  I want a guy like that!  Seriously--a guy who completely gets London and understands!  And even Jamie, London's best friend who is the complete opposite of her.  They just work so well together.
 
I did not want to put this book down.  I originally started it at about midnight last night thinking that I would just read a few chapters before bed. Then at 2am. I had to MAKE myself put the book down and go to sleep.  I didn't want to let go! 
 
There are all sorts of twists in this book that I definitely didn't see coming.  It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next!  And the way the book was written, it just flowed so well.  I can't stop raving about this book!  I think that if I have any complaint at all, its that I wish the epilogue told us more about what happened to London, Luke and the surprise at the end!  ( I checked and there is no sequel to be written, but Paramount bought the rights to the book!  Ooh, I want to see it!)
 
I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.
 
Forgotten will be released on June 7, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 23
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 21
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 9
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 19
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Book It Forward ARC Tours.

Book Review- Lost Voices

I just finished reading Lost Voices by Sarah Porter for a Book-It Forward ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

What happens to the girls nobody sees—the ones who are ignored, mistreated, hidden away? The girls nobody hears when they cry for help?


Fourteen-year-old Luce is one of those lost girls. After her father vanishes in a storm at sea, she is stuck in a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village with her alcoholic uncle. When her uncle crosses an unspeakable line, Luce reaches the depths of despair. Abandoned on the cliffs near her home, she expects to die when she tumbles to the icy, churning waves below. Instead, she undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid.


A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. The mermaids are beautiful, free, and ageless, and Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: they feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks.


Luce’s own talent at singing captures the attention of the tribe’s queen, the fierce and elegant Catarina, and Luce soon finds herself pressured to join in committing mass murder. Luce’s struggle to retain her inner humanity puts her at odds with her friends; even worse, Catarina seems to regard Luce as a potential rival. But the appearance of a devious new mermaid brings a real threat to Catarina’s leadership and endangers the very existence of the tribe. Can Luce find the courage to challenge the newcomer, even at the risk of becoming rejected and alone once again?


Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.
 
Lost Voices was a dark and weird book to me.  I mean, I like the idea of there being something lovely for children who are abused but to me, this version of the mermaid isn't so lovely.  It's revenge-like.  I understand that these children have a hateful view of adults, but I don't think the murders are necessary.
 
And I didn't really care about any of the mermaids.  And after their pasts, I wanted to care but I just didn't.  Luce needed to do more instead of just hiding away in her cave.  She either needed to become the queen or defend Catarina more.  Instead, she didn't really do anything.  The only real emotion I felt was hatred for the newest mermaid Anais (and by the way, we never did find out what happened in her life to make her change into a mermaid).
 
I don't know.  I don't always have to read happy, light stories, but if they aren't happy then I want to feel for the characters.  And this one was just dark without getting any emotion out of me.
 
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.

Lost Voices will be released on July 4, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 22
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 20
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 8
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 18

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Book It Forward ARC Tours.

Mailbox Monday- March 28, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week

MONDAY

The Mysterious Four- Dan Poblocki--from publisher

Bad Taste in Boys- Carrie Harris--review for Teen Book Scene

Book Review- Clarity

I just finished reading Clarity by Kim Harrington for a Book-It Forward Tour.

From Goodreads:

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Clarity engaged me right from the very beginning.  It had just a little bit of paranormal (psychics) with a mystery thrown in.  And usually I can figure out the mystery, if not at the beginning, but at least a couple of pages before the mystery is solved.  But not in this book.  I definitely didn't see it coming. 

I really liked Clarity, Gabriel, and Justin.  I liked that Clarity stayed true to herself and who she was.  And I liked the two boys.  I really liked Justin. Part of me thinks that Clarity should go back with him, but then the other part of me says that cheating is not acceptable under any conditions.  And Gabriel.  Mmm...just the right touch of bad boy (I don't go for the bad boy types so the tattoo and just a little bit of the attitude works for me!)

I feel like the book left off where a sequel could take place.  A prediction was made about Clarity's future and I feel like author could easily make that into another book.  And who would Clarity choose- Justin or Gabriel?  (ooh..and I just looked and there will be a second book called Perception coming in March of 2012.  Can't wait to read it!)

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:

2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 21
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 19
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 7
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 17

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Book It Forward ARC Tours.

The Sunday Salon- March 27, 2011

The Sunday Salon


So not too much this week.  Still just more wedding stuff.  My dress came in and I went for my first fitting.  Wahoo!

I finished and reviewed the following books this week:

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I fulfilled items in the following challenges this week:
2011 A to Z Challenge: P
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 18, 19 
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 16, 17
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 15
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 3

I am currently reading Clairty by Kim Harrington and up next is Lost Voices by Sarah Porter.

Friday Fill-In- March 25, 2011

Friday Fill-In

1. Why does it seem like the wedding will never come? (probably because it is the last day of post-planning for school and the end of the year always takes forever).
2. How much sleep I get is equal to how grumpy I am in the morning.
3. My favorite breakfast includes waffles.
4. Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris was the last book I read and my review will be up in July.
5. I am SO glad it's finally Spring Break.
6. Being able to get my wedding costs down would make me feel better right now.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the Improv comedy club with the Goldsteins and Kory (well, I already did it), tomorrow my plans include going to an arts and crafts festival with my matron of honor and Sunday, I want to enjoy lunch at the Wine Room with my maid of honor!

Friday Finds- March 25, 2011

Friday Finds

City of Fallen Angels- Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

“City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.” (From Goodreads)

Something Deadly This Way Comes- Kim Harrison

Seventeen, dead, and in charge of Heaven's dark angels—all itching to kill someone.


Madison Avery's dreams of ever fitting in at her new school died when she did. Especially since she was able to maintain the illusion of a body, deal with a pesky guardian angel, and oh yeah, bring the reaper who killed her to his untimely end. Not exactly in-crowd material. It's amazing that her crush, Josh, doesn't think she's totally nuts.

Now Madison has learned that she's the dark timekeeper, in charge of angels who follow the murky guidelines of fate. Never one to abide by the rules, she decides it's time for a major change to the system. With the help of some unlikely allies, Madison forms a rogue group of reapers who definitely don't adhere to the rules of the heavens.

But as she grapples with the terrifying new skills that come with being a timekeeper, Madison realizes she may not be prepared for what lies ahead—unless she gets some seriously divine intervention. (From Goodreads)

Book Review- The Day Before

I finished The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder a couple of days ago for an Around the World Book Tour.

From Goodreads:

Sometimes there's no turning back.

Amber's life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of her family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell that he's also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she's drawn to him. And the more she's troubled by his darkness. Because Cade's not just living in the now--he's living each moment like it's his last.
 
The Day Before is told in verse.  It took me a little bit to get used to it, but then I flew right threw.  I feel a little bit undecided about the book. 
 
On one hand, I love the plot line to the story.  I loved what both Amber and Cade were going through (although "loved" isn't the right word--because the issues were not happy--not at all.  But because they made you feel for the characters and if I can't feel for the characters then I just don't enjoy the book). 
But on the other hand I feel that it was way too short.  Too much like a short story, which I don't enjoy that often.  I wanted to know more, go deeper.  I wanted even more background to both Amber and Cade.  And I wanted to know more about what happened in the future.

But I guess that's the point of how the story was written.  It was just one day and the impact a day can make.

I gave the book a rating of 3.5/5.

The Day Before will be released on June 28, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 19
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 17
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 15
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 3

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Sing You Home

I finished reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult last night for a Crazy Book Tour.

From Goodreads:

Zoe Baxter has spent ten years trying to get pregnant, and after multiple miscarriages and infertility issues, it looks like her dream is about to come true – she is seven months pregnant. But a terrible turn of events leads to a nightmare – one that takes away the baby she has already fallen for; and breaks apart her marriage to Max. In the aftermath, she throws herself into her career as a music therapist – using music clinically to soothe burn victims in a hospital; to help Alzheimer’s patients connect with the present; to provide solace for hospice patients. When Vanessa – a guidance counselor -- asks her to work with a suicidal teen, their relationship moves from business to friendship and then, to Zoe’s surprise, blossoms into love. When Zoe allows herself to start thinking of having a family, again, she remembers that there are still frozen embryos that were never used by herself and Max.

Meanwhile, Max has found peace at the bottom of a bottle – until he is redeemed by an evangelical church, whose charismatic pastor – Clive Lincoln – has vowed to fight the “homosexual agenda” that has threatened traditional family values in America. But this mission becomes personal for Max, when Zoe and her same-sex partner say they want permission to raise his unborn child.

SING YOU HOME explores what it means to be gay in today’s world, and how reproductive science has outstripped the legal system. Are embryos people or property? What challenges do same-sex couples face when it comes to marriage and adoption? What happens when religion and sexual orientation – two issues that are supposed to be justice-blind – enter the courtroom? And most importantly, what constitutes a “traditional family” in today’s day and age?
 
Once again, Jodi Picoult gives us a book that is filled with moral issues.  This time its about same-sex relationships and about infertile couples and their struggle with getting pregnant.  And once again, I could really get into the characters' heads and feelings.  I love her writing!
 
I live in a city where being gay is completely normal and acceptable.  Thank goodness!  So many of my friends are in same-sex relationships and I truly believe that they should have the same rights as opposite-sex couples.  Hopefully one day this will become a reality.  But enough about politics. 
 
The only negative is that I missed the big surprise ending.  I feel that usually in books by Picoult, there's some shocking thing that happens or is revealed at the end of the book that isn't forseen.  But there wasn't really anything like that in this book.  Or if there was, I could competely see it coming so it wasn't a shock at all.
 
That being said, Picoult is still my favorite author and I can't wait to devour the next book that she writes!
 
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 A to Z Challenge: P
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 18
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 16
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Crazy Book Tours.

The Sunday Salon- March 20, 2011

The Sunday Salon

Wow.  I am just really not with it this year.  Between the puppy and wedding planning, I'm lucky to get one book read a week, and last year I was easily read two to three a week.  And forget keeping up with emails!  I have so many that I'm never going to get around to!

I finished and reviewed the following books this week:

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares











I fulfilled items in the following challenges this week:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 16
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 14

I am currently reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult and up next is The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder.

Friday Fill-In- March 18, 2011

Friday Fill-In

1. I love to go to the popcorn store because I love flavored popcorn.
2. Most of the time it's not the quantity but it’s the quality!
3. The last thing I had to eat was waaay too much food at Urban Flats (black and white chips, half a bowl of lobster bisque, have a turkey, pear, and brie flatbread, and a chocolate molten lava cake).
4. Feeling like I need to go out every night is no longer essential.
5. Please take a moment to count your blessings.
6. The ups and downs in life have brought you this far.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include going to a breakfast at Disney and going bridal shower and rehearsal dinner dress shopping with my matron of honor and Sunday, I want to sleep!

Friday Finds- March 18, 2011

Friday Finds

Wildefire- Karsten Knight

Ashline Wilde never received an instruction manual on how to be a 16-year-old Polynesian volcano goddess. If she had, it might have contained helpful warnings such as:

• Dreaming about your (thankfully) mortal boyfriend may cause your bed to spontaneously combust
• Oven mitts should be worn at all times during heavy make-out sessions

Instead, Ash has to learn these life lessons the hard way as her dormant powers erupt at the most awkward times. In the wake of a hometown tragedy, Ash transfers to Blackwood Academy, a boarding school nestled in California’s redwoods, where a group of fellow gods-on-earth have mysteriously convened. As if sophomore year couldn’t get any worse, her storm goddess older sister, the wild and unpredictable Eve, resurfaces to haunt Ashline. With a war between the gods looming over Blackwood, Ash must master the fire smoldering within her before she clashes with her sister one final time, which leads us to life-lesson #3:
• When warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm. (From Karsten Knight's website)

Lola and the Boy Next Door- Stephanie Perkins

For budding costume designer Lola Nolan, the more outrageous the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins move back into the house next door.

When the family returns and Cricket—a gifted inventor and engineer—steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. (From Stephanie Perkins' website)

Mailbox Monday- March 14, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week


THURSDAY

A Need So Beautiful- Suzanne Young--review for Teen Book Scene











FRIDAY

The Day Before- Lisa Schroeder--review for an Around the World Tour

Book Review- My Name is Memory

I just finished reading My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares for a Crazy Book Tour.

From Goodreads:

From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, inspired, magical book-a love story that lasts more than a lifetime.

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short.

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.

A magical, suspenseful, heartbreaking story of true love, My Name is Memory proves the power and endurance of a union that was meant to be.

I liked the premise of this book.  That true love will always find each other, through every lifetime.  But I not sure about the actual book.  I just didn't connect with any of the characters.

First of all, I didn't really care for Lucy.  She was not the tad bit interesting to me.  Sort of boring.  And I guess I liked Daniel.  I liked that he loved Lucy (Sophia) so much that he spent eternity looking for her.  But I wasn't crazy about him.

There were lots of flashbacks in the story and maybe that's partly why I didn't really enjoy it that much.  I guess they were kind of historical in nature (and I don't like historical fiction).  Oh well, I can't like every book.  Not that I disliked it.  It was just a book that read, nothing to rave about.

I gave the book a rating of 3/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 16
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 14

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Crazy Book Tours.

The Sunday Salon- March 13, 2011

The Sunday Salon

Not too much happened this week.  Still just a lot of wedding planning.  Oh and Bella graduated from puppy training class!

I didn't finish any books this week.  Yikes!

Friday Finds- February 11, 2011

Friday Finds

Iron Crowned- Richelle Mead

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land’s queen, she’s fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear…

Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown’s ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation--one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril… (From Richelle Mead's website)

Haunting Violet- Alyxandra Harvey

Violet Willoughby doesn’t believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother’s elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother’s scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she’s known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?  (From Alyxandra Harvey's website)

Mailbox Monday- March 7, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week

MONDAY

The Raising- Laura Kasischke--for review from publisher

The Dark and Hollow Places (#3)- Carrie Ryan--for review from publisher

SATURDAY

Wicked Appetite- Janet Evanovich--PaperbackSwap

The Sunday Salon- March 6, 2011

The Sunday Salon

Yesterday was ESPN the Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  I didn't plan on going this year....until I heard that Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer would be there!!!!!!!!!!!!  AHH!  I wouldn't  miss that for anything!  It was so great to see them together!  I was "thisclose" to getting his autograph.  Sigh!

I finished and reviewed the following books this week:

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter











I fulfilled items in the following challenges this week:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 14, 15
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 12, 13
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 4, 5
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 12, 13
What's in a Name? 4 Challenge: Life Stage

I am currently reading My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares and up next is Clarity by Kim Harrington.

Friday Fill-In- March 4, 2011

Friday Fill-In

1. Bring your favorite dessert to the party.
2. Family and friends are included.
3. The wedding is exactly 99 days from now!
4. Well, you see, I can't wait!
5. It will be here soon!
6. But what if I don't get the invitations out soon?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the Melting Pot for dinner, tomorrow my plans include going to see Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer speak at ESPN the Weekend and then to the chocolate festival with some friends and Sunday, I want to do absolutely nothing but veg out!

Friday Finds- March 4, 2011

Friday Finds

Hexbound- Chloe Neill

Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia’s School for Girls, but she’s already learned that magic can be your best friend…or your worst enemy.

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turns out, even a little magic can turn you to the dark side. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities, on top of avoiding the snobs who think they run her school, nursing a crush on a cute sophomore with a big, werewolf-y secret, and fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago’s nastiest nightlife—including the tainted magic users known as Reapers.

Then Lily’s invited to a private meeting with Sebastian. He’s hot, powerful, and offering to help her harness the magic flowing in her veins in a way no one else can. He’s also a Reaper. Lily can’t hide her suspicions. But she’ll soon find out that the line between good and evil isn’t always clear… (From Chloe Neill's website)

Wildcat Fireflies- Amber Kizer

Meridian Sozu is a Fenestra—the half-human, half-angel link between the living and the dead. She has the dark responsibility of helping souls transition safely into the afterlife. If people die without the help of a Fenestra, their souls are left vulnerable to be stolen by the Aternocti, a dark band of forces who disrupt the balance of good and evil in the world and cause chaos.


Having recently lost her beloved Auntie—the woman who showed her what it meant to be a Fenestra—Meridian has hit the road with Tens, her love and sworn protector, in hopes of finding another Fenestra. Their search leads them to Indiana, where Juliet, a responsible and loving teenager, works tirelessly in the nursing home where she and several other foster kids are housed. Surrounded by death, Juliet struggles to make a loving home for the younger kids, and to protect them from the violent whims of their foster mother. But she is struggling against forces she can't understand . . . and even as she feels a pull toward the dying, their sickness seems to infect her, weighing her down. . . .

Will Meri and Tens find Juliet in time to save her from a life of misery and illness? And will Meri and Tens' own romance weather the storms of new discoveries? (from Goodreads)