In My Mailbox: Here's what came in my mailbox this week
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Slide- Jill Hathaway--review for an Around the World ARC TourMonday, January 30, 2012
In My Mailbox- January 30, 2012
In My Mailbox: Here's what came in my mailbox this week
TUESDAY
Slide- Jill Hathaway--review for an Around the World ARC Tour
Book Review- Slide
Late last night I finished reading Slide by Jill Hathaway for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.
Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.
Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.
Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.
I would classify Slide as a paranormal book with a mystery thrown in. I was immediately captured by this book because of the term "Narcolepsy". I have read other books where the character is in another person's body for a second, but I've never read a book that used this term. And for some reason it fascinated me. I know that just falling asleep is a real disease but I've never known anyone with it before or read anything about it.
And then throw the mystery in. I had so many guesses as to who I thought the murderer was. And I had lots of reasons for each one. It turns out I was only sorta right but by default. The book really had me going.
I liked Vee. I liked that she embraced her gift and wasn't afraid of it. And that she was true to herself. I wasn't too sure about Rollins though. I liked that he saved Vee but after that, I didn't really get his appeal. I did like Mattie and Sophie though. I felt for them...trapped in that place between wanting to be popular and making the wrong choices because of it, but really having a good heart.
This book definitely kept my attention the whole way. I just checked and there will be a sequel to this book called Impostor coming out next year. I can't wait!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
Slide will be released on March 27, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 12
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 10
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 2
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 10
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.
Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.
Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.
I would classify Slide as a paranormal book with a mystery thrown in. I was immediately captured by this book because of the term "Narcolepsy". I have read other books where the character is in another person's body for a second, but I've never read a book that used this term. And for some reason it fascinated me. I know that just falling asleep is a real disease but I've never known anyone with it before or read anything about it.
And then throw the mystery in. I had so many guesses as to who I thought the murderer was. And I had lots of reasons for each one. It turns out I was only sorta right but by default. The book really had me going.
I liked Vee. I liked that she embraced her gift and wasn't afraid of it. And that she was true to herself. I wasn't too sure about Rollins though. I liked that he saved Vee but after that, I didn't really get his appeal. I did like Mattie and Sophie though. I felt for them...trapped in that place between wanting to be popular and making the wrong choices because of it, but really having a good heart.
This book definitely kept my attention the whole way. I just checked and there will be a sequel to this book called Impostor coming out next year. I can't wait!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
Slide will be released on March 27, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 12
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 10
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 2
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 10
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Sunday Salon- January 29, 2012
My friend and I ran another 5k yesterday. This one was through both Universal parks. It was fun but it was cold so I was having a hard time breathing and in pain for pretty much the whole thing. But it's so weird because the last one we ran at the beginning of January, I felt sooo good the whole time and our time for that race was a whole minute more than this race where I felt poorly the whole time! Why is that? I'm sore today though! I start my new running for a 10k training program this week. We'll see how that goes. We have our first 10k in March!
I finished and reviewed the following book in the past week:
I fulfilled items in the following challenges in the past week:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 10, 11
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 8, 9
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 8, 9
I am currently reading Slide by Jill Hathaway and up next, if I don't get any more tour books, is A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Book Review- Dreaming Awake
I just finished reading Dreaming Awake (Falling Under #2) by Gwen Hayes for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…
When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.
Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.
And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…
This was another series where I didn't remember too much from the first book. But luckily as I read, things started coming back to me.
The Falling Under series definitely has a unique group for its characters. But I loved them all! Theia was great! Kickbutt yet sweet. Although I didn't really get Haden's appeal in this book. But Theia's friends (Amelia and Donny) are awesome! So supportive and ready to help out no matter what. And their boyfriends (Gabe and Varnie) are pretty great too!
There's definitely a lot of action to keep you going. And a couple of twists, although nothing major. I predicted one of them, just not in the right way. And I liked the ending. It's how I thought it would end but it was done in the right way. I don't want to give anything away by saying too much. I can't tell if there is going to be a third book in the series. If there is, I will definitely be picking it up. But if there isn't, I think this book wrapped everything up well enough.
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 11
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 9
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 9
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.
Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.
And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…
This was another series where I didn't remember too much from the first book. But luckily as I read, things started coming back to me.
The Falling Under series definitely has a unique group for its characters. But I loved them all! Theia was great! Kickbutt yet sweet. Although I didn't really get Haden's appeal in this book. But Theia's friends (Amelia and Donny) are awesome! So supportive and ready to help out no matter what. And their boyfriends (Gabe and Varnie) are pretty great too!
There's definitely a lot of action to keep you going. And a couple of twists, although nothing major. I predicted one of them, just not in the right way. And I liked the ending. It's how I thought it would end but it was done in the right way. I don't want to give anything away by saying too much. I can't tell if there is going to be a third book in the series. If there is, I will definitely be picking it up. But if there isn't, I think this book wrapped everything up well enough.
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 11
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 9
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 9
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday- January 25, 2012
Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers #1)
by Michelle Rowen
Publication Release Date: May 22, 2012
From Goodreads:
Book Review- A Want So Wicked
I finished reading A Want So Wicked by Suzanne Young tonight for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is.
After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.
Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?
I remembered liking the first book in this series, but I couldn't remember why. And when I tried to look back and read reviews, I couldn't find any spoilers (for once!) So I went in with a pretty blank idea of what was going on. But I soon caught on and kinda remembered what happened. And I enjoyed this next book too.
I enjoyed Elise. But I thought that her relationship with Harlin was a little weird. Her feels came on way too quickly. I mean I got why they did, but she didn't know at the time why she was so drawn to him, but she was perfectly okay being so attracted to a guy so quickly, even though she had never had a boyfriend before. It was just a little weird. And oooh...Abe was just creepy. The way that her first kiss was described with him was creepy!
There was a sort of surprise at the end (or at least I think it was) but I saw it coming the whole time. And that part was sad. It made me a little teary ( I don't want to give too much away, so you'll just have to know that there was a sad part!).
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
A Want So Wicked will be released on June 26, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 10
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 8
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 8
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.
Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?
I remembered liking the first book in this series, but I couldn't remember why. And when I tried to look back and read reviews, I couldn't find any spoilers (for once!) So I went in with a pretty blank idea of what was going on. But I soon caught on and kinda remembered what happened. And I enjoyed this next book too.
I enjoyed Elise. But I thought that her relationship with Harlin was a little weird. Her feels came on way too quickly. I mean I got why they did, but she didn't know at the time why she was so drawn to him, but she was perfectly okay being so attracted to a guy so quickly, even though she had never had a boyfriend before. It was just a little weird. And oooh...Abe was just creepy. The way that her first kiss was described with him was creepy!
There was a sort of surprise at the end (or at least I think it was) but I saw it coming the whole time. And that part was sad. It made me a little teary ( I don't want to give too much away, so you'll just have to know that there was a sad part!).
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
A Want So Wicked will be released on June 26, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 10
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 8
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 8
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
Monday, January 23, 2012
In My Mailbox- January 23, 2012
In My Mailbox: Here's what came in my mailbox this week
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Sunday Salon- January 22, 2012
So my school is getting rezoned and we are losing half of our kids. We are going from 13 kindergarten classes to 6. And they are keeping teachers based on seniority. I am right in the middle. I found out early this week that I am being offered a position in 1st grade. Not exactly what I wanted to hear. Yes, I'm grateful that I have a job, but there is another teacher who is like my twin. We do everything together both in and out of school. And I hate that I'm being split from her. We would still be in the same school but none of our times would be together. Plus for some reason, the idea of teaching first grade scares me! So I was considering interviewing at the new school to see if I could get a kindergarten position there. But then on Friday, I was offered the position of teaching pre-k. It's a lot more contact time with the kids with not really any planning time and I would have to get to school earlier and leave later for the same pay. But for some reason I think I like this idea better. I still wish I could just stay in Kindergarten!
I finished and reviewed the following book in the past week:
I fulfilled items in the following challenges in the past week:
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge: Dead Reckoning
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 6, 7, 8, 9
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 6, 7
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 5, 6, 7
2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 2
2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge: 1
I am currently reading A Want So Wicked by Suzanne Young and up next is Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes.
Book Review- Love is the Higher Law
I finished reading Love is the Higher Law today by David Levithan.
From Goodreads:
The lives of three teens—Claire, Jasper, and Peter—are altered forever on September 11, 2001. Claire, a high school junior, has to get to her younger brother in his classroom. Jasper, a college sophomore from Brooklyn, wakes to his parents’ frantic calls from Korea, wondering if he’s okay. Peter, a classmate of Claire’s, has to make his way back to school as everything happens around him.
Here are three teens whose intertwining lives are reshaped by this catastrophic event. As each gets to know the other, their moments become wound around each other’s in a way that leads to new understandings, new friendships, and new levels of awareness for the world around them and the people close by.
David Levithan has written a novel of loss and grief, but also one of hope and redemption as his characters slowly learn to move forward in their lives, despite being changed forever.
After reading this book, I find myself conflicted about what I thought on it.
On one hand, I really didn't care about any of the characters. If the book wasn't on such an important topic, I don't think I would have enjoyed it at all. I am such a character person--they are what make books great for me. But these teenagers just didn't do it for me. I wanted to feel shock and horror and terror and sadness and caring but I didn't really get that from any of them.
On the other hard, I feel like this is such a very important book. It's the only book I've read about 9/11. And there need to be more out there. I mean, I know there are nonfiction books out there, but I think there needs to be more fiction out there. Young adult today would have been so young when the tragedy happens that I think there need to be more for them to understand and just FEEL about it.
So I'm conflicted. I wish I liked the main characters more than I did.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 9
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 7
2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free from a contest win from IbookDB.
From Goodreads:
Here are three teens whose intertwining lives are reshaped by this catastrophic event. As each gets to know the other, their moments become wound around each other’s in a way that leads to new understandings, new friendships, and new levels of awareness for the world around them and the people close by.
David Levithan has written a novel of loss and grief, but also one of hope and redemption as his characters slowly learn to move forward in their lives, despite being changed forever.
After reading this book, I find myself conflicted about what I thought on it.
On one hand, I really didn't care about any of the characters. If the book wasn't on such an important topic, I don't think I would have enjoyed it at all. I am such a character person--they are what make books great for me. But these teenagers just didn't do it for me. I wanted to feel shock and horror and terror and sadness and caring but I didn't really get that from any of them.
On the other hard, I feel like this is such a very important book. It's the only book I've read about 9/11. And there need to be more out there. I mean, I know there are nonfiction books out there, but I think there needs to be more fiction out there. Young adult today would have been so young when the tragedy happens that I think there need to be more for them to understand and just FEEL about it.
So I'm conflicted. I wish I liked the main characters more than I did.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 9
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 7
2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free from a contest win from IbookDB.
Book Review- Forbidden
Early this morning I finished reading Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan M. James for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
She should not exist.
He should not love her.
Claire Brennan has been attending Emerson Academy for two years now (the longest she and her mom have remained anywhere) and she’s desperate to stay put for the rest of high school. So there’s no way she’s going to tell her mom about the psychic visions she’s been having or the creepy warnings that she’s in danger.
Alec MacKenzie is fed up with his duties to watch and, when necessary, eliminate the descendants of his angelic forefathers. He chose Emerson as the ideal hiding place where he could be normal for once. He hadn’t factored Claire into his plans. . . .
Their love is forbidden, going against everything Alec has been taught to believe. But when the reason behind Claire’s unusual powers is revealed and the threat to her life becomes clear, how far will Alec go to protect her?
When I first started reading the book, it took a litle while to get into it. Not becuase of the plot or story line, but because it seemed to be written in an immature tone (even though I knew the author wasn't young). But I soon got over that and really got into the story.
I loved Claire. And her friends! Everyone was such a positive figure in the book (Even the popular girl, Gabby, who was made to appear like she was snobby and bratty. But whenever she talked to Claire she seemed sincere and nice, so even the "mean girl" was pretty positive.) This book was kinda unique in that right off the bat, Claire's best friends knew what was going on with her, paranormalish wise. And they were completely okay and supportive. I loved that! I loved how they, and Claire were so open about everything, and while it was a shock, it didn't seem outrageous.
I'm not too sure how I feel about Alec. He's a great guy, but I can't decided what I think will happen in the future for him. And with that being said, I tried to check to see if there was going to be a sequel to Forbidden, but I couldn't find anything. (If anyone knows, please tell me!) I guess the book does wrap up, but I definitely think there is room for another book!
Oh, and there was a small twist towards the end, but I saw it coming. It was sweet though :)
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
Forbidden will be released on January 24, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 8
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 7
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 6
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
He should not love her.
Claire Brennan has been attending Emerson Academy for two years now (the longest she and her mom have remained anywhere) and she’s desperate to stay put for the rest of high school. So there’s no way she’s going to tell her mom about the psychic visions she’s been having or the creepy warnings that she’s in danger.
Alec MacKenzie is fed up with his duties to watch and, when necessary, eliminate the descendants of his angelic forefathers. He chose Emerson as the ideal hiding place where he could be normal for once. He hadn’t factored Claire into his plans. . . .
Their love is forbidden, going against everything Alec has been taught to believe. But when the reason behind Claire’s unusual powers is revealed and the threat to her life becomes clear, how far will Alec go to protect her?
When I first started reading the book, it took a litle while to get into it. Not becuase of the plot or story line, but because it seemed to be written in an immature tone (even though I knew the author wasn't young). But I soon got over that and really got into the story.
I loved Claire. And her friends! Everyone was such a positive figure in the book (Even the popular girl, Gabby, who was made to appear like she was snobby and bratty. But whenever she talked to Claire she seemed sincere and nice, so even the "mean girl" was pretty positive.) This book was kinda unique in that right off the bat, Claire's best friends knew what was going on with her, paranormalish wise. And they were completely okay and supportive. I loved that! I loved how they, and Claire were so open about everything, and while it was a shock, it didn't seem outrageous.
I'm not too sure how I feel about Alec. He's a great guy, but I can't decided what I think will happen in the future for him. And with that being said, I tried to check to see if there was going to be a sequel to Forbidden, but I couldn't find anything. (If anyone knows, please tell me!) I guess the book does wrap up, but I definitely think there is room for another book!
Oh, and there was a small twist towards the end, but I saw it coming. It was sweet though :)
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
Forbidden will be released on January 24, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 8
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 7
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 6
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Harbinger Trailer
There is now a trailer for Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne (released on 2/2/12)
About the book:
Set in a world in which a diminishing oil supply has lead to chaos and mass rioting, sixteen year old Faye is plagued by waking visions and nightmares. Her parents think the only solution is to send her to Holbrook Academy , the creepy prison-like school for disturbed teenagers. When she and her friends wake up on the floor with their hands stained red, Faye has no idea what it means, but fears she may be the cause. But despite the strangeness of Holbrook and the island on which it sits, Faye feels oddly connected to the place. The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain he is trying to kill her –and the rest of the world too.
Advance Praise for Harbinger:
· “Heart-wrenching, terrifying, hot, and un-put-down-able!” – Tamora Pierce , New York Times bestselling author
· “Intricate, suspenseful, completely absorbing. Harbinger is masterfully done.” – Lisa McMann, author of the New York Times bestselling Wake trilogy
Or view the trailer HERE
About the book:
Advance Praise for Harbinger:
· “Heart-wrenching, terrifying, hot, and un-put-down-able!” – Tamora Pierce , New York Times bestselling author
· “Intricate, suspenseful, completely absorbing. Harbinger is masterfully done.” – Lisa McMann, author of the New York Times bestselling Wake trilogy
Or view the trailer HERE
Friday, January 20, 2012
The Teen Book Scene: Guest Blog and Giveaway!: Ivy Adams
I am honored to host Ivy Adams, author of The International Kissing Club, on my blog today as part of a Teen Book Scene Blog Tour.
I got to interview some of the characters from the book!
What is the most significant thing that has happened in your life so far?
Piper: Honestly, going to Paris and taking an art-blowing class. I've been drawing and painting since I knew what it meant to hold a pencil, but none of my art classes before ever came close to what it felt like to create glass in Paris. That class was the hardest I've ever taken, but it taught me what kind of art I want to create.
Mei: Getting adopted. For whatever reason my birth parents felt they had to give me up, I ended up with the best family I could have ever hoped for.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Izzy: Oh, man, I have a lot of those... I going to go with the time I tried to kiss a boy to earn points for IKC, and the guy turned out to be only twelve. Twelve! Hey, all I can say in my defense is that he was really tall for twelve.
What is your best piece of advice for travelling abroad?
Cassidy: Always pack your toothbrush in your carry-on! You never know when fresh breath will be an absolute necessity, and your toothbrush is in your checked luggage. Ugh.
If you could have one wish, what would it be?
Piper: Besides to have that stupid Kiss the Pig video vanish from YouTube forever? I wish that my mother would see me, the real me, instead of the disappointment that she usually sees whenever she looks at me.
Mei: Full scholarship to MIT, of course.
Which person in your life has has the greastest impact on you and why?
Izzy: Probably my father, but keep in mind, his impact hasn't always been good. He's the football at the local high school and all he cares about is football. When I was younger, I drove myself crazy trying to win his approval. I'd never act that way now. Once I realized he was never going to get me, it gave me the freedom to stop caring what he thought.
Cassidy: My mom, hands down. She’s given up everything for me, and while I don’t want my life to be like hers, if I can grow up to be half as strong as she is, I’ll be doing okay. The Barlow women against the world!
Thank you for hosting us today!
Now tell me your best piece of travel advice in the comments (leave your email so we can contact you) to be entered to win the Around the World In 80 Kisses daily and weekly prize and also become eligible to win the Grand Prize, a Kindle Fire. For a list of all our Smooch Posts you can visit and earn more entries to win, visit us here.
The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams is the story of four best friends: Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy--the misfits of Paris, Texas. Their whole lives, they’ve dreamed of escaping small-town life and seeing the world. So when Piper is the victim of an embarrassing prank that goes viral online, she gets the idea that the girls should escape via the school’s international exchange program, in search of fun, love and internet redemption.
Emily McKay, Shellee Roberts and Tracy Deebs write under the pseudonym Ivy Adams. They shop, gossip and watch movies in Austin, Texas.
I got to interview some of the characters from the book!
Piper: Honestly, going to Paris and taking an art-blowing class. I've been drawing and painting since I knew what it meant to hold a pencil, but none of my art classes before ever came close to what it felt like to create glass in Paris. That class was the hardest I've ever taken, but it taught me what kind of art I want to create.
Mei: Getting adopted. For whatever reason my birth parents felt they had to give me up, I ended up with the best family I could have ever hoped for.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Izzy: Oh, man, I have a lot of those... I going to go with the time I tried to kiss a boy to earn points for IKC, and the guy turned out to be only twelve. Twelve! Hey, all I can say in my defense is that he was really tall for twelve.
What is your best piece of advice for travelling abroad?
Cassidy: Always pack your toothbrush in your carry-on! You never know when fresh breath will be an absolute necessity, and your toothbrush is in your checked luggage. Ugh.
If you could have one wish, what would it be?
Piper: Besides to have that stupid Kiss the Pig video vanish from YouTube forever? I wish that my mother would see me, the real me, instead of the disappointment that she usually sees whenever she looks at me.
Mei: Full scholarship to MIT, of course.
Which person in your life has has the greastest impact on you and why?
Izzy: Probably my father, but keep in mind, his impact hasn't always been good. He's the football at the local high school and all he cares about is football. When I was younger, I drove myself crazy trying to win his approval. I'd never act that way now. Once I realized he was never going to get me, it gave me the freedom to stop caring what he thought.
Cassidy: My mom, hands down. She’s given up everything for me, and while I don’t want my life to be like hers, if I can grow up to be half as strong as she is, I’ll be doing okay. The Barlow women against the world!
Thank you for hosting us today!
Now tell me your best piece of travel advice in the comments (leave your email so we can contact you) to be entered to win the Around the World In 80 Kisses daily and weekly prize and also become eligible to win the Grand Prize, a Kindle Fire. For a list of all our Smooch Posts you can visit and earn more entries to win, visit us here.
The International Kissing Club by Ivy Adams is the story of four best friends: Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy--the misfits of Paris, Texas. Their whole lives, they’ve dreamed of escaping small-town life and seeing the world. So when Piper is the victim of an embarrassing prank that goes viral online, she gets the idea that the girls should escape via the school’s international exchange program, in search of fun, love and internet redemption.
Emily McKay, Shellee Roberts and Tracy Deebs write under the pseudonym Ivy Adams. They shop, gossip and watch movies in Austin, Texas.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Teen Book Scene: Guest Blog: Megan Curd
I am honored to host Megan Curd, author of Forbidden, on my blog today as part of a Teen Book Scene Blog Tour.
I got ask Megan several questions!
1) Where did you get the idea for your story?
As cheesy as it sounds, I actually had a dream one night. I don’t remember a ton of it, but I remember a young man tortured from his past and trying to make up for it. I couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to be in that predicament – to be trying to atone for what you’d done in your life, but feel helpless. It was actually ironic, because it was Sunday morning and I had to go to church. I sat through church thinking of this guy and what he’d do. The youth had an event after church that I was going to help with, and on the way to the museum we were going to, I wrote the first four chapters of FORBIDDEN as I drove – NOT SAFE…but I wasn’t taking anyone in my car with me, so it’d have just been me if something had happened! (That’s my safety announcement for the day, haha)
2) There have been a lot of angel stories lately. What makes yours different?
It’s a different look on what a fallen angel might go through. I think a lot of angel stories are pretty straightforward, but I wanted mine to have a different take on what could happen. I love writing characters that have twists you don’t see coming, and I hope I did it with FORBIDDEN. My favorite thing about FORBIDDEN is that it’s from a guy’s POV. Not as many YA novels are from the guy’s POV, so I wanted to freshen that up. I think people will enjoy it!
3) Did you have a say in your cover? If so, how did you come up with that idea?
I love love love my cover! My good friend and fellow writer, Hope Collier, as well as another writer and friend, Beth Isaacs, both worked with Neil before me and spoke very highly of him. I also design book covers for eBooks, but I wanted to outsource my own (I would never be satisfied with something I made – I’m OCD like that :) ). I sent Neil three different designs I’d created, as well as my back blurb. He sent me two different options, and one of them was the cover. I knew the minute I saw it that it would be the cover! It is just perfect and embodies Levi’s struggle and mystery so well. ::Sighs:: I’m fangirling right now, but I loooove the cover! Lol :)
4) How do you come up with the names for your characters?
Some are names I liked and wanted to name my kids someday. Others are names of people I knew. If I run out of names I really like, then I go to baby name websites and lurk around on there until I find one I think fits. It can’t just be any name – the name has to fit the character. Sometimes I just put a letter in to mark a spot for the name when I find one that fits.
5) And just for fun, if you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’ve been really blessed and been able to travel to Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Italy, and Switzerland. My favorite of those were definitely Ecuador and Italy! I did missions work in the South American countries, and I went snowboarding with some friends in Europe. If I could travel anywhere else, I’d choose England, Australia, Japan and China. I want to learn to surf, see the Great Wall of China, and I’d love to see Tokyo. England is just cool in general. I’d love to see London!
Thanks, Megan! I love that you based a book off of a dream..how neat! And I'm taking a girl's trip to Hong Kong and Tokyo this summer...you're more than welcome to come along!
I got ask Megan several questions!
As cheesy as it sounds, I actually had a dream one night. I don’t remember a ton of it, but I remember a young man tortured from his past and trying to make up for it. I couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to be in that predicament – to be trying to atone for what you’d done in your life, but feel helpless. It was actually ironic, because it was Sunday morning and I had to go to church. I sat through church thinking of this guy and what he’d do. The youth had an event after church that I was going to help with, and on the way to the museum we were going to, I wrote the first four chapters of FORBIDDEN as I drove – NOT SAFE…but I wasn’t taking anyone in my car with me, so it’d have just been me if something had happened! (That’s my safety announcement for the day, haha)
2) There have been a lot of angel stories lately. What makes yours different?
It’s a different look on what a fallen angel might go through. I think a lot of angel stories are pretty straightforward, but I wanted mine to have a different take on what could happen. I love writing characters that have twists you don’t see coming, and I hope I did it with FORBIDDEN. My favorite thing about FORBIDDEN is that it’s from a guy’s POV. Not as many YA novels are from the guy’s POV, so I wanted to freshen that up. I think people will enjoy it!
3) Did you have a say in your cover? If so, how did you come up with that idea?
I love love love my cover! My good friend and fellow writer, Hope Collier, as well as another writer and friend, Beth Isaacs, both worked with Neil before me and spoke very highly of him. I also design book covers for eBooks, but I wanted to outsource my own (I would never be satisfied with something I made – I’m OCD like that :) ). I sent Neil three different designs I’d created, as well as my back blurb. He sent me two different options, and one of them was the cover. I knew the minute I saw it that it would be the cover! It is just perfect and embodies Levi’s struggle and mystery so well. ::Sighs:: I’m fangirling right now, but I loooove the cover! Lol :)
4) How do you come up with the names for your characters?
Some are names I liked and wanted to name my kids someday. Others are names of people I knew. If I run out of names I really like, then I go to baby name websites and lurk around on there until I find one I think fits. It can’t just be any name – the name has to fit the character. Sometimes I just put a letter in to mark a spot for the name when I find one that fits.
5) And just for fun, if you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’ve been really blessed and been able to travel to Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Italy, and Switzerland. My favorite of those were definitely Ecuador and Italy! I did missions work in the South American countries, and I went snowboarding with some friends in Europe. If I could travel anywhere else, I’d choose England, Australia, Japan and China. I want to learn to surf, see the Great Wall of China, and I’d love to see Tokyo. England is just cool in general. I’d love to see London!
Thanks, Megan! I love that you based a book off of a dream..how neat! And I'm taking a girl's trip to Hong Kong and Tokyo this summer...you're more than welcome to come along!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Book Review- Hallowed
I just finished reading Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.
Ok, first off, if you're looking for a story with a lot of action, then you might want to choose a different book. This was definitely a book that was completely character driven. Which is makes it right up my alley! I love books that are mostly about the characters. And that's probably why I loved this book so much!
I just love Clara! And Angela. And Tucker. And Christian! All of the characters! (well, maybe not Jeffery but younger brothers will do that to you!) Anyways. I loved how we got to know more about the angel-bloods and more secrets that Clara's mom knew. And I loved the triangle between Clara and Tucker and Christian. But I've had a change of heart. In the last book I was all about Tucker. Now I'm all about Christian! He was so there for Clara through everything without being pushy.
And talk about surprises! With Clara's mom and her dad. With Christian and with Jeffery. Just some really great twists. And there was so much emotion. Joy in love with Tucker and the feelings Clara felt around Christian. And sadness. So much sadness towards the end. I could feel Clara's emotion so easily. The book was the well written. My one complaint--I don't want to wait for the next book to come out!
I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.
Hallowed was released today!
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 7
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 6
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 5
2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 2
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.
Ok, first off, if you're looking for a story with a lot of action, then you might want to choose a different book. This was definitely a book that was completely character driven. Which is makes it right up my alley! I love books that are mostly about the characters. And that's probably why I loved this book so much!
I just love Clara! And Angela. And Tucker. And Christian! All of the characters! (well, maybe not Jeffery but younger brothers will do that to you!) Anyways. I loved how we got to know more about the angel-bloods and more secrets that Clara's mom knew. And I loved the triangle between Clara and Tucker and Christian. But I've had a change of heart. In the last book I was all about Tucker. Now I'm all about Christian! He was so there for Clara through everything without being pushy.
And talk about surprises! With Clara's mom and her dad. With Christian and with Jeffery. Just some really great twists. And there was so much emotion. Joy in love with Tucker and the feelings Clara felt around Christian. And sadness. So much sadness towards the end. I could feel Clara's emotion so easily. The book was the well written. My one complaint--I don't want to wait for the next book to come out!
I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.
Hallowed was released today!
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 7
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 6
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 5
2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 2
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Book Review- Dead Reckoning
I just finished reading Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris.
From Goodreads:
With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...
Wow. Talk about blood and gore. I think this was by far the most violent and gory book of the series. Yuck. It was almost too much violence for me to really enjoy it.
That being said, there some definite twists and turns in this book. And I'm not really sure what to think of Sookie and Eric's relationhip now. I'm not sure if this new turn of events is a good thing or a bad thing.
And we learn more about Sookie's family line and how her "gift" came to be. I think all of the involvement of her grandma in the past kind of surprised me.
Anyways, since this is such a long series, most of the books run together and are similar so I don't really have too much to say!
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge: Dead Reckoning
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 6
*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.
From Goodreads:
Wow. Talk about blood and gore. I think this was by far the most violent and gory book of the series. Yuck. It was almost too much violence for me to really enjoy it.
That being said, there some definite twists and turns in this book. And I'm not really sure what to think of Sookie and Eric's relationhip now. I'm not sure if this new turn of events is a good thing or a bad thing.
And we learn more about Sookie's family line and how her "gift" came to be. I think all of the involvement of her grandma in the past kind of surprised me.
Anyways, since this is such a long series, most of the books run together and are similar so I don't really have too much to say!
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge: Dead Reckoning
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 6
*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.
In My Mailbox- January 16, 2012
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
The Sunday Salon- January 15, 2012
Yesterday one of my friends and I drove up to my hometown so we could go see Wicked with my mom. This is my 8th or 9th time seeing it. I just love it! I probably annoyed my mom and friend because I was mouthing every line and song! After the show, we met my dad in the hotel bar across the street and we saw and overheard a cast member talking to a group of other people. I got a picture with her. But we can't figure out who she was! We think she was Glinda, but aren't sure because it doesn't look like any of the pictures I could find of the actress online!
I finished and reviewed the following book in the past week:
I fulfilled items in the following challenges in the past week: 2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 4, 5
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 4, 5
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 3, 4
2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 1
2012 Immortal Reading Challenge: Angels and Demons 1
2012 Mammoth Book Challenge: 1
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 1
Completely Contemp Challenge 2012: 2012-1
2012 Standalone Reading Challenge: 1
I am currently reading Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand and if I don't get anymore tour books, then up next is The Yoga Club by Cooper Lawrence.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Book Review- Fracture
I finished reading Fracture by Megan Miranda late last night for Bloomsbury blog tour.
From Goodreads:
Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine -despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?
For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.
There are going to be some little spoilers in this review...sorry.
Overall, I liked the premise of this story--a girl who comes back to life miraculously but can then tell when other people are dying. But towards the end of the story, I was left feeling like there needed to be more. And not more like there was a cliffhanger, because there wasn't. But more as in there was a lot of stuff left out.
I mostly liked Delaney. I liked that she was so smart and not ashamed of it. I didn't like that she seemed to be cold to her friends (Decker often had to remind her to be nice.) But for the most part, I liked her character. But I wasn't too fond of either Decker or Troy. I usually like the whole best-friends-turning-into-an-almost-relationship kind of thing. But I didn't like the whole thing with him and Tara. I get that guys will be guys, but he seemed a little too into her to be seriously in love with Delaney. And Troy. I didn't get him at all. One second he seemed to be sweet and caring and the next he was just plain creepy.
As far as the "more" part, I wanted to know more about what Troy did as far as the deaths. That was never really delved into. And I wanted to know more about why Delaney's friends were so cruel at the funeral. Just because she was driving when Carson had a seizure doesn't mean that she had anything to do with it. And I don't really think that any friends would think about wanting her to be the one dead instead of him. And then the ending. I was left with "huh"? The whole scene on the ice with Troy and Delaney was wrapped up too quickly. She could suddenly tell he was going to die even though it was him doing it to himself? Or he guessed that he was sick and he knew the headaches was a symptom, but Delaney had headaches too, so what does that say about her?
So while I did like the idea of the story, I think it needed to be thought out more. It was pretty short (the ARC I read was only 262 pages) so there could easily have been more added in. And I have read some great reviews about the book, so you just might want to give it a try to see what you think.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
Fracture will be released on January 17, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 5
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 5
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 1
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge:4
Completely Contemp Challenge 2012: 2012-1
2012 Standalone Reading Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by Bloomsbury USA for a honest review.
From Goodreads:
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?
For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.
There are going to be some little spoilers in this review...sorry.
Overall, I liked the premise of this story--a girl who comes back to life miraculously but can then tell when other people are dying. But towards the end of the story, I was left feeling like there needed to be more. And not more like there was a cliffhanger, because there wasn't. But more as in there was a lot of stuff left out.
I mostly liked Delaney. I liked that she was so smart and not ashamed of it. I didn't like that she seemed to be cold to her friends (Decker often had to remind her to be nice.) But for the most part, I liked her character. But I wasn't too fond of either Decker or Troy. I usually like the whole best-friends-turning-into-an-almost-relationship kind of thing. But I didn't like the whole thing with him and Tara. I get that guys will be guys, but he seemed a little too into her to be seriously in love with Delaney. And Troy. I didn't get him at all. One second he seemed to be sweet and caring and the next he was just plain creepy.
As far as the "more" part, I wanted to know more about what Troy did as far as the deaths. That was never really delved into. And I wanted to know more about why Delaney's friends were so cruel at the funeral. Just because she was driving when Carson had a seizure doesn't mean that she had anything to do with it. And I don't really think that any friends would think about wanting her to be the one dead instead of him. And then the ending. I was left with "huh"? The whole scene on the ice with Troy and Delaney was wrapped up too quickly. She could suddenly tell he was going to die even though it was him doing it to himself? Or he guessed that he was sick and he knew the headaches was a symptom, but Delaney had headaches too, so what does that say about her?
So while I did like the idea of the story, I think it needed to be thought out more. It was pretty short (the ARC I read was only 262 pages) so there could easily have been more added in. And I have read some great reviews about the book, so you just might want to give it a try to see what you think.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
Fracture will be released on January 17, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 5
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 5
2012 Debut Author Challenge: 1
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge:4
Completely Contemp Challenge 2012: 2012-1
2012 Standalone Reading Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by Bloomsbury USA for a honest review.
Monday, January 9, 2012
In My Mailbox- January 9, 2012
WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY
Book Review- Wings of the Wicked
I finished reading Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton early this morning for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.
She’s been warned.
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.
She’ll be betrayed.
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.
Man, I just get so sucked into these books. This book was definitely chunky, but I flew through it, reading most of it in one night!
I still just absolutely love Ellie. She is so kick butt and funny and sarcastic. Yet she has a feminine and romantic side too. The best of both worlds.
But I do have to say though, that while I started off liking the whole Ellie and Will not-really-a-realtionship thing they had going on, it got a little old after a while. I mean come on! If you both feel it, just go for it! That aside, Cadan kinda got to me too! He could be a sweet like addition to the romance to make it a love triangle. And it'd be extra juicy with the secret we found out about him!
And ooh! There is SUCH a cliffhanger! I mean, come on! Don't leave us hanging like that! (this is said in the best way possible!) I need to get my hands on the next book (which is still untitled) now!!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
Wings of the Wicked will be released on January 31, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 4
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 4
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 3
2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 1
2012 Mammoth Book Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.
She’s been warned.
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.
She’ll be betrayed.
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.
Man, I just get so sucked into these books. This book was definitely chunky, but I flew through it, reading most of it in one night!
I still just absolutely love Ellie. She is so kick butt and funny and sarcastic. Yet she has a feminine and romantic side too. The best of both worlds.
But I do have to say though, that while I started off liking the whole Ellie and Will not-really-a-realtionship thing they had going on, it got a little old after a while. I mean come on! If you both feel it, just go for it! That aside, Cadan kinda got to me too! He could be a sweet like addition to the romance to make it a love triangle. And it'd be extra juicy with the secret we found out about him!
And ooh! There is SUCH a cliffhanger! I mean, come on! Don't leave us hanging like that! (this is said in the best way possible!) I need to get my hands on the next book (which is still untitled) now!!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
Wings of the Wicked will be released on January 31, 2012.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 4
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 4
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 3
2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 1
2012 Mammoth Book Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Sunday Salon- January 8, 2012
I had a short week at school this week. A friend and I took Friday off to run a 5k at Disney. We ran for a little bit longer than we normally do before we started walking, but our time was a minute worse. Boo! But we're gonna try a 10k in March I think!
I finished and reviewed the following book in the past week:
I fulfilled items in the following challenges in the past week:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 1, 2, 3
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 1, 2, 3
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 1, 2
2012 Immortal Reading Challenge: Shifters/Werewolves 1
I am currently reading Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton and up next is Fracture by Megan Miranda.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Book Review- Still Waters
I just finished reading Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
Hannah can't wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He’s leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they’ll never forget.
But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit...off. They can't find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone's been living there, even though it's been deserted for years. And Colin doesn’t seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin’s dark side, and her own safety.
Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.
I'm not too sure about this book. After reading other reviews, I've seen it compared to The Shining. But since I've never read that book or seen the movie, I'm not sure. I just know that there seemed to be alot of holes in the plot and that it was a psychological thriller.
First off, the characters. I liked Hannah and Colin mostly, but I liked Colin more. He seemed like a sweet guy totally in love with his girl. And while I like Hannah, her obsession with whether or not to say "I love you" kinda got old.
But the whole part about the old Pine House was just weird. First off, Hannah sneaking into her boyfriend's house to steal the file was weird. Then the whole lying to her mom thing. And then the drive there was weird. If I were her and my boyfriend started getting upset about going there, I would probably figure that it had to do with his dead brother and suggest going back home. But that's just me. Anyways. She knew this house had been desserted for years, but she didn't think to bring any majory supplies like, I don't know, food? Or flashlights with batteries? Just weird to me. And then later in the story she's making a pie with crackers for a crust. Umm...crackers that are like 8 years old? I don't think so!
Then finally the plot picks up and Colin starts acting really weird. But this good part of the story is so short! It did wrap up completely and doesn't leave you wondering anything but it just seemed to end so quickly. I don't know. The whole book was just kind of weird to me.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 3
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 3
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 2
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit...off. They can't find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone's been living there, even though it's been deserted for years. And Colin doesn’t seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin’s dark side, and her own safety.
Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.
I'm not too sure about this book. After reading other reviews, I've seen it compared to The Shining. But since I've never read that book or seen the movie, I'm not sure. I just know that there seemed to be alot of holes in the plot and that it was a psychological thriller.
First off, the characters. I liked Hannah and Colin mostly, but I liked Colin more. He seemed like a sweet guy totally in love with his girl. And while I like Hannah, her obsession with whether or not to say "I love you" kinda got old.
But the whole part about the old Pine House was just weird. First off, Hannah sneaking into her boyfriend's house to steal the file was weird. Then the whole lying to her mom thing. And then the drive there was weird. If I were her and my boyfriend started getting upset about going there, I would probably figure that it had to do with his dead brother and suggest going back home. But that's just me. Anyways. She knew this house had been desserted for years, but she didn't think to bring any majory supplies like, I don't know, food? Or flashlights with batteries? Just weird to me. And then later in the story she's making a pie with crackers for a crust. Umm...crackers that are like 8 years old? I don't think so!
Then finally the plot picks up and Colin starts acting really weird. But this good part of the story is so short! It did wrap up completely and doesn't leave you wondering anything but it just seemed to end so quickly. I don't know. The whole book was just kind of weird to me.
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 3
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 3
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 2
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Book Review- It Takes a Witch
I finished reading It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake today for a Crazy Book Tour.
From Goodreads:
Darcy Merriweather has just discovered she hails from a long line of Wishcrafters-witches with the power to cast spells by making a wish. She's come to Enchanted Village to learn her trade but finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation...
This book was a fun witchy story. It reminded me of the light paranormal books I read when I first got into the genre. Pure fun!
There was definitely a big mystery in the story. I thought I know who committed the murder but then I would change my mind to someone else. And then someone else again. But I was completely wrong. There was another couple of twists that I did see coming, but not this big one!
The idea of the different "Crafters" is so much fun! And how I would love to be a Wishcrafter! That is completely the type of witch that I would choose to be, if I could!
This was definitley an enchanting book and a great start to a new series. I can't wait to see what happens in the book!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 2
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 2
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Crazy Book Tours.
From Goodreads:
This book was a fun witchy story. It reminded me of the light paranormal books I read when I first got into the genre. Pure fun!
There was definitely a big mystery in the story. I thought I know who committed the murder but then I would change my mind to someone else. And then someone else again. But I was completely wrong. There was another couple of twists that I did see coming, but not this big one!
The idea of the different "Crafters" is so much fun! And how I would love to be a Wishcrafter! That is completely the type of witch that I would choose to be, if I could!
This was definitley an enchanting book and a great start to a new series. I can't wait to see what happens in the book!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 2
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 2
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Crazy Book Tours.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Book Review- Bloodrose
Early this morning I finished reading Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer for an Around the World ARC Tour.
From Goodreads:
Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.
In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.
Okay. So I have to admit it. I didn't really get readers love of this series. The first book was just okay for me and the second one was only slightly better. But I definitely got it in this third and final installment to the series! I finally really enjoyed one of the books!
I think that this book started off on a more character-driven note than the other books (and I'm a more character-driven person). So I think that just set the right tone and off it went for me! But that's not to say that there wasn't any action. Cuz boy was there a lot of action! It just seemed to all flow so nicely this time.
And while I think the love triangle between Calla, Ren, and Shay kind of annoyed me in other books, it only intrigued me and made me want to read more! There were several different twists and turns and a pretty big one at the end that I didn't see coming. But I liked how it ended. I think the trilogy wrapped up really well and all my questions were answered and I was happy with how things turned out. Oh, and there was definitely a tearful scene in there too!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
Bloodrose is being released today!
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 1
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 1
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
From Goodreads:
In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.
Okay. So I have to admit it. I didn't really get readers love of this series. The first book was just okay for me and the second one was only slightly better. But I definitely got it in this third and final installment to the series! I finally really enjoyed one of the books!
I think that this book started off on a more character-driven note than the other books (and I'm a more character-driven person). So I think that just set the right tone and off it went for me! But that's not to say that there wasn't any action. Cuz boy was there a lot of action! It just seemed to all flow so nicely this time.
And while I think the love triangle between Calla, Ren, and Shay kind of annoyed me in other books, it only intrigued me and made me want to read more! There were several different twists and turns and a pretty big one at the end that I didn't see coming. But I liked how it ended. I think the trilogy wrapped up really well and all my questions were answered and I was happy with how things turned out. Oh, and there was definitely a tearful scene in there too!
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
Bloodrose is being released today!
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 1
2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 1
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 1
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.
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