DforDarla's Definite Reads

I am reading THG - finally.

2012-03-01T00:01:00.002-08:00

I have already gotten my ticket for the midnight showing of The Hunger Games and all that is left is to read the books.

Three books.

23 days.

Anyone else planning on reading or re-reading the series before the movie hits theaters?

*** update *** Finished The Hunger Games and have now started Catching Fire.

Review: Pure

2012-02-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Young Adult
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Source: ARC, Borrowed from my friend Kaitlyn @ Silent T's Book Blog
Overall: 5/5

There is need. And then there is Fate...
Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.
When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.
When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

I've read Pure. I've had my hands on it and I'm still highly anticipating the release of this book. Alex is one kick ass character and we get to see her wipe the floor with some more daimons.

Lets not forget about the hot guys. Seth, who is so blunt that it is hilarious. I really love his reasons for everything "Because I said so," as if that's the greatest explanation in the world. We really get to see a different side of Seth in Pure, which was nice and kind of showed that Seth has his own secrets that he does not like to talk about.

I really wanted to smack Aiden a few times. I really really did, but then he would do something and I would fall in love with him again. I really want to just lock Aiden and Alex in a closet together and let them have at it.

I love the secondary characters, okay maybe only a few of them. I kind of shortened my list of people I liked after Pure. Grandma Piperi spouts of some stuff that sort of makes sense in a weird way. The more you think about it the more it hurts it seems.

Pure was a real roller coaster of emotions and The Covenant series just keeps getting better and better with every book.

Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. When she's not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories....which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Rogers.
goodreads | website | blog
Covenant Series | Lux Series

FF & TGIF (9)

2012-02-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Required Reading: Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

I don't think I had any good or really enjoyable required reading as a kid. They were all pretty boring. Holes wasn't so bad, but One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich was boring. Plus I kept having to make up names since everyone had an impossible to pronounce correctly russian name. I kinda wish I got to read books like The Hunger Games or something remotely interesting that I would enjoy reading. My teachers just tended to pick boring books.

Excerpt: Moon Over Alcatraz

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Following the death of their baby during a difficult birth, Brandy and Weston Chambers are grief-stricken and withdraw from each other, both seeking solace outside of their marriage; however, they vow to work through their painful disloyalty. But when the man Brandy slept with moves back to their hometown, three lives are forever changed by his return.

Excerpt:

Three days later we were standing at the edge of a hole in the ground at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Hayward, the silence so thick, the insides of my ears buzzed like a distant swarm of angry bees. Mr. Peralta and another gentleman stood off to the side while Weston and I held hands next to the tiny casket.

Weston had chosen a simple mahogany box with gold handles, a bouquet of white lilies graced the top of the small box. I knelt down and laid a kiss on the smooth wood then wiped off the tears that had fallen on the wood. Weston joined me and placed a single red rose in the middle of the lilies.

He helped me up and we stood side-by-side in silence, my guilt over her death like a stone in my empty belly. I missed everything I’d dreamed would be happening right now, yearned for all that could have been.

Weston nodded at the man standing next to Mr. Peralta and our baby was slowly lowered into the gaping maw. She reached the bottom, and a bird landed on the rich brown dirt piled next to the grave. It pecked around, chirping a little song, then flew off - as if saying goodbye. My heart squeezed inside my chest.

I picked up a small handful of soft dirt. “Goodbye, Christine,” I whispered, throwing it on top of her casket.

Weston wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in close to his side. Why her? Why my baby? Was this supposed to make sense? And, if so, to whom?

We drove home in silence. No words existed to express my grief.

Fascinated by broken-hearted couples and atypical families, Patricia weaves engaging tales of men and women who create cohesive families where love reigns supreme. She sprinkles her books with intriguing characters who struggle to find balance in life after tragedy. Whether an unwed teenager, desperate widow, abandoned father, or a couple who stray from their marital vows, her characters form relationships impacted by their desire to create a family.

Aside from writing, her favorite things to do include riding her Friesian horse, Maximus, dot-to-dot for adults, and watching Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington movies. She spends a majority of her days writing while her two very large Chocolate Labs lounge on the couch cuddled next to her and her MacBook.

She writes a blog every Wednesday, so if you're interested, sign up to be on the mailing list and she'll notify you after she posts her blog on this website. Or just drop by Wednesday mornings and leave a comment.

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Cover Reveal: Inbetween

2012-02-20T00:01:00.001-08:00

Today I get to reveal the cover of Inbetween, the first novel in the Kissed by Death series by Tara Fuller coming out August 7 from Entangled Publishing.

Here's the official blurb:

Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn't let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left…his soul.

Sounds awesome doesn't it? Inbetween is available for pre-order - HERE or you can add it to your goodreads list - HERE

Here's the gorgeous cover. I love the green with the wispy hair. I really like the two scythes at the bottom.

What do you think of the cover?

FF & TGIF (8)

2012-02-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Book Blogger Pride: What do you take pride in when it comes to blogging?

Anytime someone tells me that they like my blog, review, design, or anything associated with my blog just swells me up with pride. Even if it's a design and no one knows that I designed the banner, but they tell the blogger they love the design - that makes me happy.

Q: BeefcakeandBabes Asks: I like unique names for characters and am looking forward to coming up with some when I start writing. What’s the most unique character name you’ve come across?

I can't really think of any. I usually like normal names that have some unique spelling.

Review: Darkness Dawns

2012-02-15T00:05:00.000-08:00

Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall
Adult
Released: Februrary 1, 2011
Source: Gifted from my mother who demanded I read this book
Overall: 5/5

Once, Sarah Bingham's biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she's handed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control...In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible - when it means forfeiting the world she's always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.

My mom recommended me this series and even purchased the first two for me. After constant nagging, I finally gave in and read the book. I didn't really know much about the series just that my mom loved them and they mad her laugh...a lot.

Roland is an immortal guardian, basically a walking vampire. Except that he has certain gifts and he won't go crazy within a few years. That's what makes him an immortal.

As an immortal guardian, he is responsible for hunting down and killing any and all vampires looking to harm humanity. After being alive for eight-hundred some odd years and a few betrayals over his lifespan, Roland is anti-social.

Roland is one of my favorite characters. After being anti-social for hundreds of years. Roland isn't quite sure how to interact with people. Should I give a comforting hug or just stare as they cry? That kind of thing, which is really amusing after he meets Sarah.

Sarah ends up saving ROland's life and then on the way from the very vampires he is supposed to kill. Immediately drawn to anti-social Roland they are taken on a bumpy ride with threat after threat.

I really loved the secondary characters in this book. Especially Marcus - he is really funny and I can't wait to read his book next (literally starting it immediately!)

Duvall has created a world that feels similar to Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters, with it's own twists and turns. Can't wait for more from this series.

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Dianne Duvall earned a BA in English from the University of St. Thomas and has won multiple awards as a romance writer. Her debut novel Darkness Dawns was chosen as a Top Pick by The Romance Reviews and as Best Book by Long and Short Reviews. It also received a 4.5-star review from RT Book Reviews and 5-star reviews by Bitten by Paranormal Romance, LovLivLife Reviews, Books and Things, Reading Between the Wines and more. Darkness Dawns is the first in her Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series in which powerful immortal warriors battle ferocious vampires and face increasingly complex challenges spawned by an escalating number of formidable foes. Night Reigns, the second book in the series, is scheduled for release in December 2011.

Review: Darkness Reigns

2012-02-15T00:01:00.001-08:00

Night Reigns by Dianne Duvall
Adult
Released: December 6, 2011
Source: Gifted by my mother who demanded I read these books.
Overall: 5/5

Ami isn't much for trusting strangers. She has a hard time trusting anyone. But she's no coward, and she's no pushover in the protection department either. So when she comes across a mysterious warrior taking on eight deranged vampires on his own, she doesn't hesitate to save his bacon. Of course, that was before she realized what one little rescue would get her into . . .

Marcus Grayden has been an immortal protector of humanity for eight hundred years, and at the moment he's not interested in backup. From the moment Ami arrives in his life, he can't deny that she's strong, smart, and extremely skilled at watching his back. But she's also destroying his protective solitude and stirring desires he can't bear to awaken. After all, whatever her secrets — how can she defeat death itself?

I finished Darkness Dawns five minutes before I started on this book. So I thought I knew everything there was to know about the Immortal Guardians.

Wrong and holy crap can Dianne Duvall really put a spin on things. I mean it was the biggest shocker of the year and I totally wasn't expecting it. Makes me think Ms. Duvall has quite a few more curve balls up her sleeve.

I really loved Marcus in book one. He really is one of my favorite characters, so I was really happy to read his HEA as soon as I did.

Ami is cute, funny, and oh so Ami. I really loved her innocence after everything she has been through. One of my favorite parts of this book is seeing Seth act all fatherly towards Ami. Completely hilarious.

So, now I have to wait until October for the third book right? The wait shall be well worth it...the anticipation may kill me though.

IMM (8)

2012-02-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Bought:

A Million Suns - Beth Revis
Incarnate - Jodi Meadows
Hero - Perry Moore
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin
Wings of the Wicked - CA Moulton
Kiss of Crimson - Lara Adrian
The Perfect Play - Jaci Burton
Friday Night Bites - Chloe Neill

Review :

Lies Beneath - Anne Greenwood Brown (NG)
Being Friends with Boys - Terra Elan McVoy (GG)

2012-02-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
Adult
Released: October 6, 2009
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

The story of a young heiress's initiation into the dark society of the Chicagoland Vampires continues...

Ten months after vampires revealed their existence to the mortals of Chicago, they're enjoying a celebrity status usually reserved for the Hollywood elite. But should people learn about the Raves-mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle-the citizens will start sharpening their stakes.

So now it's up to the new vampire Merit to reconnect with her upper class family and act as liaison between humans and bloodsuckers, and keep the more unsavory aspects of the vampire lifestyle out of the media. But someone doesn't want peace between them-someone with an ancient grudge...

Merit is back in book two with more trouble than ever. Trouble just seems to find her, not to mention Celina has it in for Cadogan Vampires, but Merit in particular.

We don't get to see Mallory or Catcher much since they have sorcerer/sorceress stuff going on, but we get to see more of the Cadogan's vampires. I missed Mal and Catcher, but with Mallory getting some training she'll be kicking butt beside Merit in no time. The other guards of Cadogan House were really entertaining and I enjoyed the banter amongst the team of guards.

Morgan, in another book he may be the guy and he probably has tons of fangirls out there hoping for Merit to choose him. I really like the guy - nice, sweet, charming, and he gives just-because presents. Morgan grew on me, in his charming way.

Ethan is still smoldering hot and the sexual tension between him and Merit is stronger than ever. Now being forced to do her Sentinel duties, which include dressing in expensive dresses, attending classy parties, and all with Ethan by her side. Alone time with Ethan and away from the house would be a dream come true for most people, but Merit is determined not to give into her attraction to her house Master.

I still think Celina has her hooks in Navarre House somehow. She is too meticulous and crazy not to. Merit is definitely in for some more trouble.

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite series.

She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest–just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia’s to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)
website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

FF & TGIF (7)

2012-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Love Stories: What are some of your favorite fictional love stories?

Fictional love stories...I don't even know where to start with this. With as many books out there with love, I think it's just concepts that draw me to them and make me want to read them over and over again.

Love at first sight, the forbidden love, the bad boy, the paranormal who falls in love with someone normal, friends who become more, etc. Most of my favorites come from those concepts.

Q: What would your prefer: reading your favorite book over and over again until you got sick of it OR reading 100s of mediocre books? And why?

Probably 100s of mediocre books. Not everyone has an epic story, but it's a story just the same. Plus with 100s of stories I can never get bored and I'll always have a slew of favorite characters.

Review: Scarlet

2012-02-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Young Adult
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Source: Walker Children's/Bloomsbury, Netgalley
Overall: 5/5

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

A retelling of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Scarlet aka ‘Will Scarlet’ Rob’s secret informant, who everyone except the band of thieves believes is a man.

Scarlet wants to do good for the people, even if it means stealing more jewels or giving up a meal or two. Scarlet isn’t without her own secrets though, that are slowly tearing at the band’s trust when Gris Bourne - a thief hunter is hired to catch Rob and his band of friends.

Rob wasn’t really how I pictured Robin Hood in the beginning, but he truly really became Robin Hood to me the more I read. He was selfless, kind, cunning, a great leader, and a loyal friend. I really enjoyed reading about the band of thieves, who would go day to day to make sure that the people were taken care of.

There is a love triangle, but it’s not a typical love triangle where both guys are vying for the girl’s attention, which was a nice change to things. Overall, Scarlet and AC Gaughen’s writing is compelling and will have you flipping the pages to go on the adventures of Scarlet, Robin, and the band of thieves.

Links for Scarlet and A.C. Gaughen

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amazon | b&n | book depo

Review: Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

2012-02-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
Young Adult
Released: August 9, 2011
Source: Purcahsed.
Overall: 3/5

My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

I am a sucker for superpowers which is primarily why I picked up this book. The powers and science behind the powers was really itneresting. Especially how al of the powers were electric based. As much as I enjoyed this book, I had one drawback, which I can't really tell you without spoiling some of the book.

It took me a while to get into this book. It was a bit slow and predictable and not really picking up until the middle-end. I'm actually looking forward to the second book, since now all of the powers and world elements have been laid down, Michael and the Electroclan can set out for some adventure as they take out Elgen.

When Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author. His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. He has since written eleven consecutive New York Times bestsellers. He is one the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won several awards for his books including the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. His books have been translated into more than 22 languages and several have been international best sellers.
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FF & TGIF (6)

2012-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Book Appeal: When you're browsing goodreads, the library, or another blogger's reviews, what grabs your attention to make you want to read it?

Covers get my attention a lot. Even if it's not a gorgeous cover, if it conveys even a hint of what the story may be about I will pick it up and check out the synopsis.

Blogger's reviews get my attention, especially if they're shorter and to the point. I can be honest and say I will skim through a review if it's more lengthy. Excitement in a review gets me every time too, nothing makes me want to read a book more than someone who is ecstatic and passionate about their books.

Q: Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kick ass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?

Favorite characteristics....I always love books with smart ass, snarky, witty characters. If one of the characters can make me laugh I am all over it. Kick ass heroes or heroines are always great to have. I'm a real sucker for a hot love interest. Especially the dark, smart ass, forbidden, and totally gorgeous guy.

I really love books with Greek gods, superpowers, and I love when authors take something and put their own spin on it.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

2012-02-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday, a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. This event highlights the upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting!

This week I am waiting on Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London.

The war is over. The humans lost. And in the shattered world that arises, the vampires are king. They rule over the remaining walled cities with an iron fist, none more terrifying than Lord Valentine. His concern is with blood and blood alone, and seeing that it is ‘donated’ on time.

It’s Dawn Montgomery’s duty to ensure the safety of her fellow humans within the city, but also to serve as Delegate to Lord Valentine. She is the conduit between the two worlds, the human and vampire, and the youngest to ever do so.

But when Lord Valentine’s son, Victor, steps into her life, everything changes. She assumes he wants her blood, like all vampires. But he’s after more: her heart.

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Everneath

2012-01-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Young Adult
Released: January 24, 2012
Source: ARC, Balzer + Bray
Overall: 5/5

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

I love Greek mythology and everyone knows I especially love it when an authors puts their spin on it. Brodi Ashton spun her magic on the tales of Hades and Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice.

Nikki Beckett or as everyone fondly calls her 'Becks' has six months before The Shade comes for her to drag her back to the tunnels. Six months to say good bye, to reclaim what little bit of life she had before she left the first time, and to hopefully leave things better than the first time around.

Since Becks lost a lot of her emotion after being in the Feed for a century, there were a lot of raw moments where she would regain some of her feelings and memories that she thought she had lost.

I never really thought I could like someone named Jack, it's just the name really, but Jack Caputo is hard to resist. He is Jack Caputo after all, star quarterback and Becks' ex-boyfriend. I really loved how he came to terms with Becks coming back into his life.

The romance between the two was like a ghost sometimes where it was almost Becks never left for the feed and other times she would remember that her time was coming to a close.

So when I read the summary of the book, I totally thought this was going to be one of those 'team' books where people choose their sides since Cole was the guy who swept her away to the Feed the first time around.

There could possibly be more to the love triangle in the second book in the series, but in Everneath it was really one sided. Mostly because, Cole is manipulative and controlling. I couldn't bring myself to care about Cole and it took me a while to figure out why. Cole has no feelings. He really does not care about anything and everything revolves around him.

He likes to say that he cares about Becks, but then two seconds later he turns around and tries to make her choose to be an Everliving where she would have to Feed off of people to survive.Plus Cole has alterior motives for Becks besides getting her to become an Everliving. That's the just the tip of the iceberg.

I cried at the end of Everneath, which is a haunting, heart-wrenching book.

Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, Brodi grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, she found a great husband who’s always her first reader. They live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why she's at the computer all the time.

She received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
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Review: Some Girls Bite

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
Adult
Released: April 7, 2009
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student's introduction into a society of vampires.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was Merit's. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker-and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she's traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude- and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan's attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone's still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war-and there will be blood.

I have had this book sitting on my shelves for a while and I finally got to it. Why I waited forever to read it - I dunno - big mistake?

Merit is one cool kick-butt character. She's left facing the fact that she's a vampire and now has to join a house - no say of either really. Which really pisses her off.

You know who also pisses her off - Ethan. Vampire and house are also his fault. More reason to hate him - yes. Did I mention the fact that he is gorgeous? Oh yes, blonde hair and green eyed vampire god. He is also helplessly attracted to Merit who can't seem to meet his fashion sense (or anyone's for that matter).

Let's not forget Morgan. He's a hot single vampire from another house and oh so interested in Merit. Morgan was hot and cold for me. One minute he's sexy and irresistible and the next I want to punch him. He may be growing on me though, will have to see in the next book.

Merit has some awesome friends. Mallory - Merit's best friend - is one of my favorites. She's Merit's opposite and says the best things at the best times. The secondary characters really made this book that much more awesome.

Totally did not expect the twist to the end. Really who would have guessed? Totally shocked me. I will not be waiting three years to read the next book.

Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite series.

She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest–just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia’s to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)
website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Review: Cracked

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Cracked by K.M. Walton
Young Adult
Released: January 3, 2012
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better….

Victor is the victim of a bully. His parents don't care about him, they have unrealistically high expectations of him (which he will never meet), and it seems like the only one who cares about him is Jazzer - the teacup poodle.

Bull is a bully with a bad home life. His pops beats him, his mother watches as it happens, and they both put drinking before him. They could care less about him or if there is food in the fridge.

I felt for both of these characters. Both abused in different ways and with so much pain. Being stuck in the same room in a psych-ward with each other is the last thing either of them wants. While they are both stuck in the psych-ward, neither one of them wants to talk about what lead to them attempting to kill themselves.

The psych-ward was the last place either Victor or Bull wanted to be, but it really gave them both what they were looking for. This book makes you think and reminds you that things do get better, sometimes you just need a little help.

K.M. Walton writes contemporary YA, middle grade suspense, picture books and nonfiction. Her debut contemporary YA novel, CRACKED comes out from Simon Pulse ~ Simon & Schuster January 3, 2012. She is fortunate to be represented by the lovely Sarah LaPolla from Curtis Brown Ltd.

K. M. had a gazillion dreams when she was a little girl. Her biggest dream was to be a teacher. Teaching became a reality for K. M. and she taught for twelve glorious years – some of it in Osteen, Florida and most of it in Springfield, Pennsylvania. But, it turns out writing is her favorite thing to do. Even the hard parts – and there are a lot of hard parts.

website | goodreads | twitter | blog

FF & TGIF (5)

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Buy or Borrow: Where do your books that you read come from? The bookstore? The library? Do you prefer to own a book, or have it on loan?

Most of them come from the bookstore. I am a compulsive book buyer. I used to attend the library about thirty minutes away but that's an awful long drive. I also get some books from book tours.

I definitely prefer owning a book. Especially paper books. There's just something about holding it in your hand and you can visually see that you're almost to the end which will commence a freak out like no other as you devour the remaining pages.

Q: Which book genre do you avoid at all costs and why?

Pretty much anything nonfiction, especially biographies. I just find them really boring.

Review: Amplified

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Amplified by Tara Kelly
Young Adult
Released:
Source: Purchased
Overall: 4/5

When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . .

In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

Jasmine was kicked out of her house by her overly realistic father who really doesn't understand how someone can just go off and forget about college. Jasmine loves music and just wants a break from school. After her car breaks down and a little luck finding a place to stay, Jasmine joins a band under the false pretense than she can perform live.

Jasmine was a great character who has major stage fright. Despite her fears, she wasn't afraid to stand up to the other band members, when she felt that they wouldn't stand up for themselves.

Sean has his sweet moments that make you swoon, he is also a jerk from time to time. The chemistry between Jasmine and Sean builds slowly and it wasn't your normal romance.

The camaraderie between the band was one of my favorite pieces to this whole book. Each character was their own and they all got along great. Veta is one kick ass character who just throws herself at anything.

I really loved the way Kelly described playing the guitar and playing in a bad. Especially the live stage presence and the over coming fear of stage fright.

Tara Kelly is a Jill of all trades--a YA author, one-girl band, web/graphic designer, video editor and photographer. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her ten guitars, supercool bf, and a fluffy cat named Maestro.

For all things Tara Kelly check out the links below -

website | goodreads | twitter | facebook | blog

Review: Under the Never Sky

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Young Adult
Released:
Source: Purchased
Overall: 4/5

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

Aria has lived a secluded and digital life. Her hang outs include realms which are digitally altered through her smart eye and seem like real places. When Aria and a few friends sneak out, an accident occurs. Resulting in Aria's removal from the reverie. Completely outside and alone amongst the aether storms.

Perry, short for Peregrine, has his own problems. None of which include showing a dweller how to survive outside her tiny dome. She smells different, finds rocks fascinating, but he unwillingly needs her help to find his nephew.

With an unlikely alliance, Aria and Perry head to Bliss where they both hope that Aria's mother will be able to help. They just have to cross a forest full of cannibals, avoid aether storms, and not get killed in the process.

I really enjoyed reading from both Perry and Aria's point of views. Especially since Perry is able to scent just about everything - including people's tempers. It took me a while to grasp the world Rossi created, but once I figured it out it was very unique and thrilling. Under the Never Sky will definitely have you thinking.

Veronica Rossi's debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, will be published in over twenty international markets, starting on January 3rd 2012 in the United States. Film rights to the trilogy have been optioned by Warner Bros.

When not writing, she chases after her boys, who make her laugh every day, and who teach her about love that's "a million gazillion times bigger than the ocean."
website | goodreads | twitter | facebook

Review: Babe in Boyland

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman
Young Adult
Released: February 17, 2011
Source: Borrowed from my sister
Overall: 4/5

When high school junior Natalie - or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper - is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected - especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

Natalie has an advice column in the school newspaper. She tells all of the girls that write to her what she herself would want to hear. Natalie has no experience or expertise on love, so after harsh reviews and critiques - she sets out to find out what guys truly want and what goes on in their minds.

With several failed attempts to get the guys at her school to answer a few simple questions - she comes to the conclusion that guys won’t tell her anything while she is a girl. Her friends give her a makeover and Natalie enrolls herself in Underwood Academy - the all boys school.

Natalie learns the hard way that it’s hard to be a guy. I loved Natalie’s friends and the ones she meets through the story. Truly showing that some people are quite different around other people.

Babe in Boyland is similar to ‘She’s the Man’ but with more realistic aspects in the story and is a real cute and funny read.

FF & TGIF (4)

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Recommend It: Which book from the last 10 you've read would you recommend to a friend?

Alright so I had to consult goodreads to remember what the last 10 books I read were. Out of the last 10, I would recommend:

Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (Really cute and enjoyable)
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (girl in a boys world which I love)
Touch by Jus Accardo (It's got superpowers. I love me some superpowers. )
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Aliens that I actually like! Plus snarky and sexiness!)
Variant by Robison Wells (It's like Gone by Michael Grant in a boarding school)

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

2012-01-19T00:01:00.003-08:00

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Young Adult
Released: January 2, 2012
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Hadley is bitter and angry at her father and she would rather do anything than attend his wedding. After missing her flight she ends up meeting Oliver, who is British, ruggedly handsome, and is also heading to London.

I really loved that all of these events take place within twenty-four hours. When I first heard this I thought of outrageous events taking place, but no such thing happened. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who love contemporary.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight will have you believing that there is hope out there for love in the most unexpected places.

Jennifer E. Smith is the author of the three young adult novels: The Comeback Season, You Are Here, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and currently works as an editor in New York City.

website | twitter | goodreads

Review: Darkness Dawns

2012-01-19T00:01:00.001-08:00

Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall
Released: February 1, 2011
Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts. . .where passion can last forever, if you're willing to pay the price. . .
Once, Sarah Bingham's biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she's landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control. . .

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible--when it means forfeiting the world she's always known, and the life he would do anything to protect. . .

A perfect start to a great new series.... The whole world of the Immortal Guardians is intriguing. With some first books in a series you get weighed down with too much information and not enough action, but not with this one. The chemistry between Roland and Sarah is great. You also get introduced to lots of other new characters. I listened to this book just before the release of the second book Night Reigns. I was counting the days until the second installment.

Website | Facebook
Blog | Twitter

Interivew: Ben from Embraced by Rebecca Royce

2012-01-18T00:01:00.002-08:00

I have with us Ben from Rebecca Royce's Conditioned series with us today for an interview.

Benedicte Lavelle is a single father raising two small daughters. When his neighbors put him in charge of handling the haunting that plagues their neighborhood, he has no choice but to use disreputable means in order to bring in a Conditioned ghost hunter to help with their problem. He doesn’t expect to be drawn to the young woman who arrives at his house in chains. He doesn’t expect to have his entire life thrown into upheaval when she is snatched away.

Conditioned prisoner Seven-Two-Four has never had a name. She cannot read, and is scheduled to die as soon as she is returned to the Institution. The Conditioned are not considered human, but Seven can see ghost energy and she can love Ben like no one ever has before.

When fate takes Seven from Ben’s arms, can he move on and find a new purpose in life or will he be forever trapped by the need to rescue those like his lost love?

Before enlisting the service of a Conditioned, how did you believe they were treated?
As a very busy single father, with a lot on my plate, I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about the Conditioned. I think that most people would answer your question the same way. Some of it may be wishful thinking. The idea being that if I don’t think about the Conditioned, no member of my family
will turn out to be Conditioned. But, the reality is that symptoms of the Condition are showing up in our society in a larger proportion every year. Soon there will be few families who don’t know someone who has a family member with it. But I digress, you were asking me about the treatment of the Conditioned. The answer would be that I spent a lot of time not thinking about it.

How did you view the Conditioned before you enlisted the service of one?
I hoped that no member of my family would ever be diagnosed that way and I was nervous about them, having seen what happened the year before with Addison Wade and Spencer Lewis. I mean, didn’t that make everyone just a tad bit nervous about living anywhere near an Institution?

Did your view of the Conditioned change? What made you change your view of them?
In a word, yes. I think meeting Seven and spending time with her changed things for me immediately. She came into my house in chains, in an orange jumpsuit. She looked like the worst kind of prisoner. But, she was smart, lovely, kind and generous. Anyone who spent time with her would have felt the same way. She stopped being an idea and became a person to me.

If you had not of enlisted the help of the Conditioned, do you think you would have met Seven?
Never.

How do you think the Conditioned may live if they were offered every other opportunity like normal people, instead of being institutionalized?
I think, given the history here of what has happened, there would be an adjustment period and we would have to work with them to acclimate them to society. It needs to be noted, however, that most people with the

Condition are not at all dangerous. Not even remotely. And, without giving away any kind of information here that could get me in trouble, I know of a large number of Conditioned people who are living outside of the walls of the Institutions thriving. I think we would ultimately benefit from their presence in our lives.

This interview is part of Rebecca Royce's tour with Sizzling PR

For more things Rebecca Royce check out the links below:

website | facebook | twitter | goodreads

Interview: Cassandra Carr

2012-01-18T00:01:00.001-08:00

Today I have the lovely Cassandra Carr for an interview -

Cassandra Carr is a multi-published erotic romance writer who lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter.

Do you have any upcoming books or works in progress?
Yes! Several things upcoming...Take Me at the Ballgame just released from the brand-new EC for Men line. It's a short story and though it's aimed at men, I haven't had a woman yet who hasn't enjoyed it. On February 1st book 1 in my new bull rider series is coming out from Ellora's Cave. I just sold book 2 in that series so look for that in April or May of this year. On March 7th book 2 of my Buffalo Intimidators series, Cold As Ice, releases. *taking a deep breath before I hyperventilate*

When did you know you wanted to write?
I started out writing fanfiction, more for the fun of it than for any other reason. I had this one really long hockey fanfiction story and my mom (who's a writer too- her first book is releasing in a few months!) said I should fictionalize it and turn it into a novel to sell. That was my first book, which has never sold. :-( But my second book, Talk to Me, became my debut novel, so I can't complain.

What are your favorite books to read?
I do read and enjoy many of the sub-genres in erotic romance, but when I'm not reading stuff that's close to what I write I really like Regency-set historical romances. I have every book Lisa Kleypas has written.

When you're not writing, what are some of your favorite things to do?
*snort* Not writing? What is this "not writing" of which you speak? Well, okay, I guess I have SOME free time. I read, watch my beloved (and right now best described as a hot mess) Buffalo Sabres, and go out to eat. I have a three-year-old, so my life isn't real exciting right now.

Most authors don't get input on their book covers, if you could change anything about one of your covers what would it be?
On my cover for Head Games, the woman's hands are down in between her thighs, but it's hard to tell what they are or what she's doing. Believe me, I've gotten some interesting speculations about it from my fans.

Do you listen to any music as you write?
No, not usually. See, I love my music, and I would be tempted to chair dance and sing and all manner of distracting things. Some people think I'm weird, but I prefer silence or white noise.

Outline or a pantser?
Can I be a pantser with a rough outline? My outline is generally around a page and it's more like bullet points detailing the major pieces of the plot. Oftentimes at the end of the sentence you'll find the phrase "more sex ensues".

Hot or cold?
I haaattteeeee snow, so hot all the way.

Chocolate or vanilla?
The only thing vanilla is good for is adding toppings.

Twitter or Facebook?
Heh. Anyone who knows me knows the answer to this question. I'm a Twitterholic.

This interview is in part with Cassandra Carr's tour with Sizzling PR.

For more links on Cassandra Car -
Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Facebook

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

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

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

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu
St. Martin's Press

Summer 2012

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or "glitch"), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Teaser Tuesday (3)

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

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

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

My teaser:

"I didn't even ask where you're going."
"London" she says and he laughs.
"No, I meant now. Where are you going now?"
- pg. 25 of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

FF & TGIF (3)

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

2012 Must Reads: Which books are at the top of your list to be read this year (new or old releases)?

Tough question. There are tons of great new releases coming out that I am dying to read. A Million Suns by Beth Revis, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, all of JLA's books, Demon Eyes by Scott Tracey, and so much more. For old books, I really want to start JR Wards' Fallen Angel series and The Immortal Guardians series that my Mom got me for Christmas. So I have to read that.

Q: Many readers/bloggers are also big music fans. Tell us about a few of your favorite bands/singers that we should listen to in 2012.

With 2012 I am really happy for some new music. Vampire Diaries tends to give me lots of good music, for some reason or another they always have a good soundtrack.

Looking forward to new music from Shinedown, Halestorm, Cavo, and whatever else I may dig up on itunes now and then.

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

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

This week I am waiting on -

Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy
Simon Pulse
May 1, 2012

Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl's perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys' band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex-best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free...until it isn't any more.

When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl...and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he possibly wants to be more than friends with Char...being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.

I am really loving contemporary books right now. Being Friends with Boys is one of the books I am really looking forward to on my 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge list. Plus I have a thing for the friend who is a boy, but is not a boyfriend, but is really madly crushing on his friend.

What are you waiting on ?

Mini-Review: Obsidian

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Released: December 6, 2011
Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

I just love this book. It reminds me of Roswell on steroids. JLA has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Daemon's POV at the end of the book is really clever and interesting. It also helped me understand him a little more.

Untouched Cover Reveal

2012-01-09T13:04:00.000-08:00

Untouched is the 1.5 in the Denazen series. I really like Kale on this cover. Kind of reminds me of a younger version of Damon from Vampire Diaries or Ian Somerhalder. Doesn't he?

Untouched will be released February 21, 2012.

Be sure to add Untouched to your goodreads list here

What do you think of the cover?

Review: Adversary

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Adversary by Kate Kaynak
Young Adult
Release: August 20, 2010
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

Things are more dangerous than they seem at Ganzfield, and not everyone will survive.
Does Maddie have what it takes?See what happens next in the sequel to Minder.
Young Adult Paranormal Thriller

Adversary picks up where Minder left off. Maddie has a whole lot of new problems besides hearing everyone's thoughts and knowing she can kill people with her mind. We get to see some new characters and some favorite old ones.

I love Maddie and Trevor and their whole soul-mate bond thing they have going on. It makes for some interesting and quite humorous situations.

With her team Maddie is helping train to take down Isaiah. With a few bumps and bruises along the way Maddie and Trevor end up in more trouble than they could imagine. The Ganzfield series has quickly become one of my favorites.

IMM (7)

2012-01-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

***In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It's a post where we write about the books received during the week either for review, from the bookstore or contests and swaps. ***

Bought:

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi Cinder by Marissa Meyer Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Netgalley:

Slide by Jill Hathaway Thanks to Balzer + Bray Scarlet by A.C. GaughenThanks to Bloomsbury

This weeks posts:
Monday - Toxic Cover Reveal
Tuesday - 2012 Resolutions
Wednesday - Waiting on Wednesday: Immortal City by Scott Speer
Thursday - Review: Gone by Michael Grant
Friday - Review: Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Saturday - Review: Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Review: Stupid Cupid

2012-01-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton
Released: December 22, 2009
Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 4 of 5 stars

Felicity's no ordinary teen matchmaker...she's a cupid!

Felicity Walker believes in true love. That's why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid's Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn't just a matchmaker...she's a cupid! (There's more than one of them, you know.)

Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches. But when she bends the rules of cupidity by matching her best friend Maya with three different boys at once, disaster strikes. Felicity needs to come up with a plan to set it all right, pronto, before she gets fired?and before Maya ends up with her heart split in three.

Felicity needs a job and is hired to be a cupid. With a pink PDA and sworn to secrecy she is hired to match up people within her own high school. There are enough problems in high school without adding a teenaged match maker with a magical PDA to the mix.

Not to mention since she now works as a cupid, she can't even match make herself with the guy she's been crushing on. Having to resort to the normal method of getting a guy, who she can barely talk to is hard work she realizes, but completely worth it.

This was a really cute read. A little predictable at parts, but I really enjoyed Felicity's match making antics that were at times laugh out loud hilarious.

Website | Facebook

Rhonda Stapleton started writing a few years ago to appease the voices in her head. She has a Master's degree in English and a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. Rhonda lives in Northeast Ohio with her lovely, energetic family and their crazy dogs.

In the twelve minutes of free time she has each day, Rhonda enjoys reading, photography, writing poetry, singing in the shower (and in the car, at work, or basically anywhere that provides oxygen), drinking chai tea, and playing on the Internet (AKA, connecting to the “mother ship”).

Review: Anna & the French Kiss

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: December 2, 2010
Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

I resisted reading this book for what seems like forever. I have only heard good things about this book. I don't even know why I was so dead set against reading Anna, because it is a sweet, swoonworthy book, and not your typical route to romance. Which I totally enjoyed!

Anna doesn't want to go to boarding school. It's her senior year and it just seems stupid to go to boarding school, in France no less. Being a girl in a foreign country - she gets to see a new country, learn a new language, make new friends, and meet this hot guy that she and every other girl is crushing on.

St. Claire aw man. So many things about this guy. He's swoonworthy, sexy, funny, good friend, and he's just St. Claire.

One of my favorite reads and I am really looking forward to starting Lola and the Boy Next Door soon!

Review: Gone

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Gone by Michael Grant
Released: July 1, 2008
Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from my sister who purchased it.
Overall: 4/5

In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.
Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.
Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.
It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...

In Gone there is no one above the age of fifteen left in the FAYZ. A barrier has gone up so they can't escape the small town that they are trapped in. Not to mention that along with being stuck with no adults, kids begin to develop powers.

There were a few times where I thought that it went a little over board to make you understand that there were no adults, but at the same time it really did freak you out because twelve to fourteen year olds are in charge of everything.

On top of having to take care of everything, animals are changing. I think the animals changing freaked me out a bit more than anything else, because then we know the world has gone to hell. Having a coyote the size of a great dane that can talk ? Creepy. Being locked inside a house at night as they chant 'come out' - freaking scary.

You really got to see a lot of different characters in Gone and each had their own story to tell and crazy emotions that they were going through. It all came together at the end and I am anxious to start the second in the series.

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

2012-01-04T00:01:00.001-08:00

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

This Week I'm Waiting On:

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat … and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.

Usually I am not a big fan of angels, but this book is calling my name. Perhaps it's the hot guy having to watch over someone who could really care less about him? Or just the hot guy in general? Not sure why, but I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for this book.

What are you guys waiting on?

2012 Resolutions for Me and the Blog

2012-01-03T00:01:00.001-08:00

Here are my resolutions for 2012 - some are pretty easy to accomplish and others I will probably struggle with.

Read more! - I feel that I can always read more. This year I read almost 50 books, so next year I'm hoping to increase my reading even more.
Finish a challenge - I signed up for the 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge and I am hoping to complete it. I failed majorly at the DAC, so here's hoping that I succeed in 2012.
Be a more social blogger - I feel like I am never on twitter, despite how much I stalk everyone on twitter. Plus I am looking forward to replying to blogger comments and other stuff.
Try to stay ahead or at least keep up with posting - There were times where I fell majorly behind on blogging this year and for some reason that made me feel like a bad blogger so I am hoping to stay ahead of everything for 2012.
Attend BEA12 and try not to be that person who can not talk to save their life.
Attend Book Blogger Con - I didn't get to attend last year so I am really excited to attend in 2012.
Attend more bookish events in the area - the area being 1-2 hour drives that are totally worth it.
Make more blogging friends - this probably goes back to being a more social blogger, but whatever.
Trade books - I really need to make a list of books to trade. The shelves will not hold them all.
Read more contemporary books. I recently discovered my love of contemporary, so here's hoping that I read more.

Now here are my other resolutions that have nothing really to do with the blog and more to do with me.

Figure out how to use tumblr - I made one and I'm still trying to figure it out.
Write that novel idea that has been bugging me for years - I started it last year and the idea chokes up and dies whenever I try to write. I'm now almost to 10K words. Yay! So hopefully I can finish it...eventually.
Exercise more - I tend to stick my nose in a book and that's that. Really need to exercise more.
Eat a little healthier.
Get to beta read my sister's WIP - this probably won't happen but I am really hoping.

What are your resolutions for 2012 ?

Toxic Cover Reveal

2012-01-02T00:01:00.001-08:00

For those of you dying for more of the vulnerable Kale and sarcastic Dez, today I am revealing the cover and official blurb for Toxic - the second book in the Denazen series.

Gorgeous right?

When a Six saved Kale’s life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she’d lose the one thing she’d give anything to keep… And as if it’s not enough Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading, the Six brought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez's problems.

After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice—surrender to Denazen for the cure…or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn’t involve being bagged and tagged—or losing someone she loves—Dez keeps the poison a secret. But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there’s a traitor among them. Jade.

Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there’s any hope of proving Jade’s guilt before they all end up Residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead...

Sounds amazing and I can not wait until Toxic comes out.

More links for Toxic, Touch, and all things Jus Accardo

Goodreads | website | twitter | blog | facebook

Happy New Year! + IMM

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Catching Jordan - Miranda Kenneally

Struck - Rhonda Stapleton

Half-Blood - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Touch - Jus Accardo

Hushed - Kelley York

Night Reigns - Dianne Duvall

Ascension - Caris Roane

Covet - JR Ward

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer E. Smith

Amplified - Tara Kelly

What did you get in your mailbox? Comment below. Happy New Year everybody!

Bookshelf Tour and also the office.

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

Most Anticipated of 2012 + a Look Back on 2011

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

There are a ton of books coming out in 2012 that I am looking forward to and can not wait until I get my hands on them. I could go on forever since there are a ton of awesome books coming out, but here is my list and there was no way I could keep it to 10 books.

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) - Beth Revis
Pandemonium (Delirium #2) - Lauren Oliver

Truth (XVI #2) - Julia Karr

A Touch Morbid - Leah Clifford

Endlessly - Kiersten White
Demon Eyes - Scott Tracey

Pure - Jennifer L. Armentrout
Onyx - Jennifer L. Armentrout
Dreamless - Josephine Angelini

Wings of the Wicked - Courtney Allison Moulton
Wrecked - Anna Davies
Above - Leah Bobet

The Selection - Kiera Cass
Struck - Jennifer Bosworth
Scarlet - A.C. Gaughen

The Vicious Deep - Zoraida Cordova
Sweet Evil - Wendy Higgins
Unraveling - Elizabeth Norris

Glitch - Heather Anastasiu
Embrace - Jessica Shirvington
Immortal City - Scott Speer

Being Friend with Boys - Terra Elan McVoy

Lots of awesome books. 2012 is sure to be an amazing year if the world doesn't end. I doubt it will happen though, I need to go get a shirt that says 'Survivor of 2012 Apocalypse' because that would be pretty funny.

So looking back on 2011 and the resolutions that I made - let's see how I did shall we

1. To Read More - Well according to Goodreads I read 28 books and 9,413 pages in 2010 , this year I have read 44 books and 14,826 pages. Definitely a lot more than last year.

2. Read more series - well that didn't go according to planned.

3. Try and give away more stuff - I think I succeeded in this. Next year I think I need to spread it out a bit more though.

4. Try out a few ARC Tours or request a few ARCs - I did this! Yea you all are rolling your eyes because it seems like no big thing, but I am insanely shy and get scared of emailing people. Why - I dunno.

5. Get my sister to read more romance books - she promises but so far she hasn't read any.

6. Don't get lost on the way to book events - My husband got me a Tom Tom so now I really don't have a reason to get lost. I call her Suzie because it's kinda weird listening to a woman's voice and calling her Tom.

7. Debut Author Challenge - I failed majorly.

8. Don't buy too many books at once - this resulted in numerous trips to the store. I would buy one to three books at a time. I did read through the books that I purchased though a lot quicker, instead of having them sit there and collect dust.

9. Get a bookcase - my sister got a bookcase! My sister turned my old bedroom into a library/office. I store my books here and get 4 shelves.

10. Read the Hunger Games - I still haven't done this yet. My family keeps yelling at me to do so, yea I know the movie is coming out March 23rd or whatever. See this is my reasoning and my sister doesn't get it - I can read the book before the movie comes out with all of the information still in my head instead of having weird flashback moments as I stare at Jennifer Laurence on screen.

Wow. Okay so I failed at some aspects and succeeded in others. I also attending BEA this year. I am looking forward to attending next year and also attending Book Blogger Con, since I wasn't able to attend this year.

I also attending a lot of other local book signings through out the year and had a lot of fun meeting people and hanging out with my blogger friends who I don't get to see to often.

Now I need to go figure out my resolutions for 2012.

What 2012 books are you looking forward to and did you succeed in your 2011 resolutions?

YA Heroine Tourney - Alex vs. Katniss

2011-12-29T19:30:00.000-08:00

In the next round of the YA Heroine Tourney Alex from The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout faces off against Katniss from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

I found this out and I think I looked like this -

Yep. That's disbelief right there ^

Why? Well because my family is BIG fans of BOTH the Hunger Games and The Covenant series.

I'm really happy both heroines have made it this far. Well actually...let me rephrase that. My family is really happy. I want Alex to win! I haven't read The Hunger Games so I have no emotional attachments to Katniss, unlike everyone else in my family.

We want Alex to win right?

Right!

Alright, so don't forget to hit up the YA Heroine Tourney to vote for Alex. If you all have to ask why? Well the awesome Jennifer Armentrout has come up with even more awesome prizes. Anyone else love bribery? - cuz I sure as hell do!

So here are the prizes -

250 votes: a teaser from Pure

500 votes: a teaser from Onyx

750 votes: a teaser from Pure and Onyx

1,000 votes: a POV from Daemon (Obsidian)

And that's not all.

1250 votes: a teaser from Seth's POV in Pure

1500 votes: a teaser from Shadows.

WINNING votes: a teaser from Pure, Shadows, Onyx, Cursed, and a POV from Aiden

AND

And for every 1000 votes, JLA will give away an ARC of Pure, up to 6000 votes

- ARC will be given away on Twitter

POV from Seth?! Dead hamster girl!? So excited!!

Also tonight at 11 pm EST and 8 pm PST Jennifer is having a live chat and will be giving away a complete set of the Covenant series.

~~So for the live chat tonight make sure you visit this link~~

VOTE FOR ALEX HERE

Top 10 Characters of 2011

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

I'm just going to list my favorite characters, because I don't think I can make a good guy or bad guy list. So here we go.

Warner - Shatter Me
He's insane. Enough said.

Caleb - Half-Blood
Caleb wins best friend of the year award. I mean really - he is freaking awesome.

Gabe - A Touch Mortal
I seriously want to give this guy a hug.

Dee - Obsidian
Dee is just so happy and energetic. You can't help but smile when she talks because she is just so lively.

Dez - Touch
One of my favorite sarcastic characters ever.

Evan, Archer, and Vivian - Hushed
Evan deserves boyfriend of the year award. He is sweet, patient, and pretty much dives into everything and works things out later. I would give Archer a hug if he would let me. Loved his Dexter-esque personality. Vivian is psycho. I seem to have an adoration for psychotic characters.

Nick - Invincible (Chronicles of Nick #2 )
Nick has always been one of my favorite characters from the Dark Hunter series and I love reading his story in the Chronicles of Nick.

Braden & Trey - Witch Eyes
I love these guys.

Ellie - Angelfire

She named her car Marshmallow and she kicks ass.

Harley - Across the Universe
He was my favorite!

Who were your favorite characters of 2011 ?

Top 10 Book Boyfriends of 2011

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Oh crap. Who made this thing? I had issues just picking books. Now I have to pick my boyfriends too?! I've added some of my favorite quotes to show you why they are my book boyfriends. Well here goes nothing -

Seth - Covenant Series
"I wouldn't give up being a Sentinel for the world. Or being the Apollyon, I rock." Laughing, I rolled my eyes. "Wow. You're so humble." "Why should I be humble? I'm great." - Pure

Aiden St. Delphi - Covenant Series
“ALEX: “How come you smile when you knock me down?” AIDEN: “It’s the little things that make me happy.” - Half-Blood

Deacon St. Delphi - Covenant Series
"Can you do something for me?"
"Anything for my favorite halfy." - Pure

Daemon - Lux Series
Beautiful face. Beautiful body. Horrible attitude. It was the holy trinity of hot boys.

Kale - Denazen Series
He sat up straight, eyes wide, and touched the tip of his index finger to his cheek. "What was that?" I blushed. "A kiss." "That's what a kiss feels like?" "Well, technically. There are a lot of different types of—" "Show me." "Show you what?" "Show me some other kinds." "You're asking me to kiss you?"

Az - A Touch Mortal
“Just wanted to make sure the number wasn't a fake," Az said. She couldn't help her bitter laugh. "Well, you can go ahead and erase it. A bit of advice? Either kiss a girl or don't. Never stop halfway through.”

Sam Henry - Catching Jordan
“Are you still scared of Mike's room?" I say, giggling. He falls face first onto the pillow I just threw at him. In a muffled voice he replies, "No, I'd rather just stay with you.”

Bones - Night Huntress series
“Do you think I’m pretty?” I heard myself ask. Something I couldn’t name flashed across his face. “No. I don’t think you’re pretty. I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

Adam - Shatter Me
“He whispers, "You have no idea how much I've thought about you. How many times I've dreamt"-he takes a tight breath- "how many times I've dreamt about being this close to you." He moves to run a hand through his hair before he changes his mind. Looks down. Looks up. "God, Juliette, I'd follow you anywhere. Your the only good thing left in this world.”

Cole - Forever
“I'd learned a long time ago that one of the finest weapons in my arsenal was my ability to invade personal space”

Will - Angelfire
“And I am your guardian, your bodyguard, sworn to protect and defend you. And you are making my job excruciatingly difficult.”

Honorable Mentions:

Akiva - Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Hades - Sirenz

Luc - Original Sin

Gabe - Original Sin

Alright so I have a lot of book boyfriends. Who can blame me? Guys in fiction are hot. I could probably add more to the list, but we'd be here forever.

Who made your list?

Top 10 Book Covers of 2011

2011-12-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

In no particular order are my Top 10 Book Covers of 2011. There are always a lot of gorgeous covers, but these kind of catch my eye because of the designs.

Some people may not like this cover and it's girl-in-a-dress again, but the cover really looks gorgeous in person.

Nothing will top the first cover in the series, but I really love seeing Patch's wings again and having both Patch and Nora on the cover.

Cassandra Clare always has gorgeous covers. Clockwork Prince just begs for you to stare at it all day.

Love the way that they kept the same design through the whole series and the colors were tied to the seasons in the book.

Across the Universe had a paper jacket that was reversible. So you get a gorgeous cover and then you get the ingenious layout of the ship. Ingenious and I love them both!

It's pretty and they keep the same theme going from the first one. Just with a bit of a change. Which I love!

It just looks cool to me. I could stare at it for quite some time and never get tired of it.

The letters and the face - it's just a cool way to design a book cover.

It looks cool, like life in a jar sort of way. I just really like staring at it.

It's pretty and captivating. Plus the little flecks of snow just add to the cover.

What are you top 10 book covers of 2011?

Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2011

2011-12-26T10:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of my Top 10 Books I've Read in 2011. They are in no particular order because I somehow dwindled down my list of books to ten and that's a miracle in itself.

Obsidian - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Jennifer Armentrout has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Which is probably why two of her books are listed this year. Daemon is a hot ass and Katy really does not want to put up with him, not matter how good his ass looks. I never really liked aliens, but I sure do love these ones.

Touch - Jus Accardo

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

I love genetic stuff and super powers, they just go hand in hand. Dez is a smart ass who really loves to piss off her dad and there is nothing that won't piss him off more than going off with an escaped prisoner from her dad's company. Kale is really sweet and he has no clue what the world around him has in store for him.

Half Blood - Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Half-Blood is Jen's other really awesome and amazing series. I always love a spin on Greek gods and myths. Alex is one kick ass character and let's not forget about Seth and Aiden. Seth does what he wants, when he wants, and says just about anything he wants. Aiden, there are no words for Aiden.

Halfway to the Grave - Jeaniene Frost

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.
In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

My mom had been on my forever about reading these books. She even went to the store and bought me my own copy, so I had no more excuses not to read it. I have loved every book in this series so far - thank you Mom.

Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

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

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting asThe Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices,Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

I loved Tahereh Mafi's writing. It was new (as far as I know), unique, and really gave you an insight to how Juliette was feeling. Warner is also really freaking crazy.

Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini

How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

More Greek stuff! Okay not really entirely Greek, but an entirely new spin on Helen of Troy and other various stuff that I don't really remember the titles to because I didn't pay that close attention in English class. I do remember some of the minor stuff though. Loved Starcrossed and it was really hilarious.

Witch Eyes - Scott Tracey

Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain.

After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son.

To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.

I love mysterious and unique - Witch Eyes has both. Braden has the witch eyes which is an awesome ability. If it didn't hurt so damn bad. Love Braden and Trey. Lots of twists and turns with so many secrets in Belle Dam. Can not wait for Demon Eyes.

Possess - Gretchen McNeil

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.

I loved this creepy book. It reminds me a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets The Exorcist. Famous doll store scene - creeped me out and now Barbie is scary.

Catching Jordan - Miranda Kenneally

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

I recently discovered my love of contemporary books. Catching Jordan was one of my favorites this year. After reading, I wanted to watch football a bit and I don't even like football! Seriously one of my favorite books. I love Henry and the guys on the football team.

Minder - Kate Kaynak

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place.

Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control.

A stray thought can burn a building to the ground.

And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey. Especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

More genetic stuff and more super powers! I think I kinda love telepathy now. Everyone doesn't say I want telepathy when asked what super power do they want. They say things like flying, being invisible, and telekinesis. I love reading a book from a telepaths point of view - makes things much funny, especially in a boarding school full of teenagers.

What were your favorite books you read in 2011 ?

Review: Catching Jordan

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Released: December 1, 2011
Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

What girl doesn’t want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn’t just surrounded by hot guys, though—she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that’s just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there’s a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team…and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

After reading Catching Jordan I had a weird craving to watch football and I hate football. I kind of also wanted to go back to high school and I wasn't a big fan of that either. Catching Jordan has a bit of something for everyone and it's not just about the romance or football.

Jordan is strong, determined, and completely relatable. On the field she is one of the guys, but she really is just like any other teenage girl who wants someone to talk with about guys, her disapproving father, and dreams of playing football for a Division I college.

I really loved the scenes where it was just Jordan and her team mates. They joked around, talked about hook ups and break ups, what colleges they were going to, and everything in between. It was a real emotional rollar coaster and sometimes it's about knowing you have other choices.

Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.

website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is having a great holiday!! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Hope you all are enjoying your time off from work or school.

Review: A Touch Mortal

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
Released: February 22, 2011
Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 4/5

Eden didn’t expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own.

And that’s only the beginning of the end.

It took me a while to grasp the point of the Siders in a world of Angels. The characters don't even really know the point of the Siders, just that they're there in a neither here nor there situation. It took me a while to grasp the concept of Touch and Eden's power.

Eden has the power of Touch which depending on a person's mood can make them super high happy or put them in a spiraling downer depression. Too much Touch can kill someone. At the same time you can't keep Touch because if you have too much, it becomes an agonizing pain that continues to build, so you have to spread it.

Eden progresses from broken I'd-like-to-die-now girl to a force to be reckoned with and at the same time there are a ton of people who would like to get a hold of her.

There were a few moments when I thought I knew where the story was going and then something would convince me that none of those things would happen. So I was never quite sure what was going to happen.

Az, man I wish there was more of him in this book and Gabe! Between these two guys I was just craving more of them. I kinda want to give Gabe a big hug.

Also - holy crap ending! Everything came together at the end and I wanted to cry and hit people - need A Touch Morbid now!

Leah Clifford has been an extreme cave tour guide, a camp counselor, a flight attendant, a pizza delivery girl, a waitress, and a grocery store clerk. Now she adds author to that list. She lives outside Cleveland, Ohio. This is her first book.

website | twitter | facebook | goodreads | YA Rebels

Alex FTW!

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Alex is taking on the notorious Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy in the YA Heroine Tourney. So I'm telling you my case of why you should vote for Alex. Rose and Alex are both equally awesome and you may or may not vote for either of them.

That's okay. I'm still going to tell you what makes Alex one of the best heroines ever.

Alex is awesome. Got a problem with this reasoning, then take it up with Seth.

She's sarcastic. Says what she wants, when she wants, and this gets her into loads of trouble.

She kicks ass, lame reason, but it's completely true.

She puts on a brave face, despite how scared she truly is.

She's amazing and remarkable, but also foolish. - Always acts first and thinks about the consequences later.

Tends to break people's noses.

She's irrational, so says everyone else, but she has everyone best interest at heart. Except if she's breaking your nose, then not so much.

I could really go on forever for reasons to vote for Alex. My personal favorite is to use Seth's simple form of reasoning - he says it, so therefore it is.

Also, below is some amazing and truly awesome motivators that JLA will give us if we reach so many votes in the next round:

500 Votes - If Alex reaches 500 votes, Jen will give us a juicy scene from Purethat involves a pool, but will be edited to avoid spoilers. (you guys want this scene!)

750 Votes - If Alex gets 750 votes, Jen will give us Chapter 16 from Half-Blood in Aiden's POV. Yes that chapter.

1000 Votes - If Alex gets 1000 votes, Jen will give us Chapter 26 from Obsidian in Daemon's POV.

We all know we are dying for those chapters from Daemon and Aiden's POV's. Now what happens if Alex beats Rose?

If Alex defeats Rose, Jen will write a very lengthy scene/ basically a freaking novella from Aiden's POV about a trip he and Leon took that involved searching down a certain daimon that got away at the end of Half Blood.

All of this will take some time if Alex wins, but the wait is totally and completely worth it!

You all with me?! Great - go vote for Alex! If not I am going to get Seth, he has no problem frying people. Just kidding! Really everyone - vote Alex!

Also Alex's lovely and talented advocate Momo will be giving away a copy of Daimon, Half-Blood, and a pre-order of Pure in honor of the Heroine Tourney and in honor of being Alex's advocate. - here.

Wrapping up 2011 Readathon

2011-12-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

So the last couple of weeks I have done an awesome job at reading, so here is to continuing that. I missed most of today's reading time as I did a lot of blog stuff, but I really look forward to getting some more reading done.

Day 1 (Dec 22) - Start ~~All These Things I've Done - Gabrielle Zevin -~~ Couldn't get into it, so waiting and see if I'll like it more again later.

Started Struck by Rhonda Stapleton

Day 2 - Finished Stupid Cupid (1/3 of Struck)

Cover Reveal: The Chosen Ones

2011-12-22T07:42:00.000-08:00

Here's the official cover of The Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt. It's gorgeous isn't it? The way the ground is cracked and her dress looks the same? It's also girl-in-a-dress, but you can't tell it's girl-in-a-dress really. Better take on girl-in-a-dress in my opinion. Plus it looks cool...in a stranded in the middle of a desert way.

Here's the official blurb:

What if you were mankind’s last chance at survival?

Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created
Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading
rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and
overwhelming in its danger.

But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

Tiffany Truitt Links:
Wordpress | Entangled Publishing | Twitter
Facebook | Goodreads

Interview: Kelley York

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Today I am interviewing Kelley York the fabulous and awesome author of Hushed. If you want to see what I thought of the dark and twisty book, you can check out my review HERE

Here's a bit more about Hushed:

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

Interview -

Q: How did you come up with the idea for Hushed?
A: It started with Archer—the "broken boy." Messed up and emotionally damaged, and in dire need of a hug. Everything else stemmed from him.

Q: If you had to be Archer for a day, would you make the same choices or would you make different ones?
A: Oh, that's so hard to say. If I had Archer's emotional problems and his mentality...maybe I would've done exactly as he did.

Q: Who was the hardest character to write?
A: Maybe Evan, but only because sometimes his patience was hard to imagine since I'm nowhere near as calm and patient as he is.

Q: Do any of your personal likes come out in your characters?
A: Sometimes, yeah. Archer, socially, is a lot like me. A hermit. We both prefer to stay home and away from people. I love the ocean the way Archer and Evan do, too. I find it so relaxing and beautiful.

Q: Do you visually have your characters casted as actors/actresses?
A: I do. It makes it so much easier for me to write them when I have a solid visual in my head and I can literally 'hear' how their voice would sound when they speak. For Archer, I chose Steven R. McQueen, Elisabeth Harnois for Vivian, and Matt Lanter for Evan.

Q: If someone looked at your google history as you researched Hushed, what do you think they would think?
A: They'd probably have me committed, haha. My Google history would show things like, "how to kill someone and make it look like an accident" or "dosage of drug-name-here required for lethal overdose."

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'Kelley York delivers in this impressive debut. I was at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next! Bottom line, this was unputdownable!!!' --- YA Fantasy Guide ---

'How exciting that we live in a time when gay teen protagonists can bejust as screwed up as straight ones -- and their stories just as creepy!'--- Brent Hartinger, award-winning author of Geography Club and Shadow Walkers ---

Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she still resides with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets. (Although she does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.) She has a fascination with bells, adores all things furry - be them squeaky, barky or meow-y - is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to pretend she's a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid.

Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers, paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. She loves stories where character development takes center stage.

Kelley's Website

2012 YA Contemporary Challenge

2011-12-21T12:08:00.000-08:00

So I recently discovered my love of YA Contemporary books, so next year I am going to participate in the 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge hosted by Katie from Katie's Book Blog and Angela from Reading Angel.

So here is my tentative Contemporary Challenge reading list. I think I may have went a little overboard, but we'll see how it goes through the next year.

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare - Melissa Jensen

~~The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer E. Smith~~

Keep Holding On - Susane Colasanti

Isla and the Happily Ever After - Stephanie Perkins

Ditched - Robin Mellom

Fracture - Megan Miranda

Being Friends with Boys - Terra Elan McVoy

The Miseducation of Cameron Post - Emily M. Danforth

Bittersweet - Sarah Ockler

Graffiti Moon - Cath Crowley

The Girl I Used to Be - Miranda Kenneally

Love? Maybe - Heather Hepler

Before You Go - James Preller

Life is But a Dream - Brian James

Thou Shalt Not Road Trip - Antony John

Shooting Stars - Allison Rushby

Gone, Gone, Gone - Hannah Moskowitz

One for the Murphys - Lynda Mullaly Hunt

What Happens Next - Colleen Clayton

The Summer of No Regrets - Katherine Grace Bond

~~Cracked - KM Walton~~

Something Like Normal - Trish Dollar

If you feel like signing up for the 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge or just want more info on the challenge - check out this link

http://www.katiesbookblog.com/2011/11/2012-ya-contemporary-challenge.html

Review: Minder (Ganzfield #1)

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Minder by Kate Kaynak

Released:

Young Adult

Source: final copy at BEA11, Spencer Hill Press

5/5

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place.

Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control.

A stray thought can burn a building to the ground.

And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey. Especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

Most people know I go crazy for Greek stuff, I also happen to go nuts for genetic anomalies, super powers, and boarding schools. I loved Minder, especially the way telepathy is described in the book. It's especially amusing in a school full of hormone crazy teenagers who also have powers.

Maddie is a kick ass character who is not afraid to stand up for herself and her friends. Her power is pretty cool, well minus the fact that she hears everyone's thoughts and can broadcast her nightmares to everyone.

Trevor is really sweet and he doesn't have a problem with Maddie hearing his every thought, which I enjoyed. Their relationship grew quickly, but since Maddie is a telepath it's understandable.

A character that I can't help but think about is Seth. There's something up with him and I look forward to actually seeing him, instead of hearing his thoughts all the time.

Whoever enjoys super powers, X-Men, and boarding school - this is the book for you.

After finishing Minder, I immediately bought the rest of the books in the series and now I'm impatiently waiting for them to arrive in the mail. Once you start this series, you're not going to want to put the books down.

Ganzfield Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Spencer Hill Press | Facebook

Kate was born and raised in New Jersey, but she was able to escape. Her degree from Yale says she was a psych major, but her true course of study was YPMB.

After serving a five-year sentence in graduate school, she started teaching psychology around the world for the University of Maryland.

While in Izmir, Turkey, she started up a conversation with a handsome stranger in an airport. She ended up marrying him.

Kate and her husband now live in New Hampshire with their three preschool-aged kids, where she enjoys reading, writing, and fighting crime with her amazing superpowers.

Review: Embraced

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Embraced by Rebecca Royce
Released: November 6, 2011
Adult
Source: Received for Review, Sizzling PR
Overall: 5/5

Benedicte Lavelle is a single father raising two small daughters. When his neighbors put him in charge of handling the haunting that plagues their neighborhood, he has no choice but to use disreputable means in order to bring in a Conditioned ghost hunter to help with their problem. He doesn’t expect to be drawn to the young woman who arrives at his house in chains. He doesn’t expect to have his entire life thrown into upheaval when she is snatched away.

Conditioned prisoner Seven-Two-Four has never had a name. She cannot read, and is scheduled to die as soon as she is returned to the Institution. The Conditioned are not considered human, but Seven can see ghost energy and she can love Ben like no one ever has before.

When fate takes Seven from Ben’s arms, can he move on and find a new purpose in life or will he be forever trapped by the need to rescue those like his lost love?

The Conditioned is one of my favorite series and Embraced picks up a year after Eye Contact. Embraced is featured around a small family (Ben, Daphne, and Ella), Ben is pretty normal and in charge of getting rid of his building's ghost problem.

Pulling a few strings, he winds up with a small frail conditioned woman in his house - Seven. When Seven came to Ben's house she just wanted to do a good job and go back to the institute where she would be condemned to death. She's really accepting about all of the new rules for the Condtioned, having grown up in one of the toughest institutes.

I didn't know what to think of Ben at first. He was sweet, caring, and it took a while before he was convinced that The Conditioned were just normal people. Being a lawyer he soon wanted to change how the Conditioned were treated and living.

Roman, I really love this guy and I can't wait for his book. He almost always has a plan and he is a rare Conditioned person who can pretty much do whatever he pleases.

I can not wait for the next Conditioned book and for more in the war against the institutes.

I received this book for review as part of a blog tour through Sizzling PR. Check out more information about Sizzling PR - HERE

Review: Wilder's Mate

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Wilder's Mate by Moira Rogers
Released: March 8, 2011
Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 4/5

Wilder Harding is a bloodhound, created by the Guild to hunt down and kill vampires on America’s frontier. His enhanced abilities come with a high price: on the full moon, he becomes capable of savagery beyond telling, while the new moon brings a sexual hunger that borders on madness.

Rescuing a weapons inventor from undead kidnappers is just another assignment, though one with an added complication—keeping his hands off the man’s pretty young apprentice, who insists on tagging along.

At odds with polite society, Satira’s only constant has been the aging weapons inventor who treats her like a daughter. She isn’t going to trust Wilder with Nathaniel’s life, not when the Guild might decide the old man isn’t worth saving. Besides, if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that brains are more important than brawn.

As the search stretches far longer than Wilder planned, he finds himself fighting against time. If Satira is still at his side when the new moon comes, nothing will stop him from claiming her. Worse, she seems all too willing. If their passion unlocks the beast inside, no one will be safe. Not even the man they’re fighting to save.

Warning: This book contains a crude, gun-slinging, vampire-hunting hero who howls at the full moon and a smart, stubborn heroine who invents mad-scientist weapons. Also included: wild frontier adventures, brothels, danger, betrayal and a good dose of wicked loving in an alternate Wild West.

Satira pushes the envelope where women are concerned. Most women basically stay at home, clean, and they most certainly do not handle unstable inventions that could possibly blow up at any second. They also don't ride off with a Bloodhound to rescue their mentor, but Satira is stubborn and does what she wants. She's sarcastic and really gets under Wilder's skin.

Wilder is a Bloodhound who hunts vampires, ghouls, and pretty much whatever the Guild tells him to do. Bloodhounds pretty much work alone, so he doesn't know what to make of Satira who insists that she is going with him to find Nathaniel.

Satira also knows what happens on the full moon to bloodhounds and she's more than willing to help Wilder, but Wilder insists that they'll have Nathaniel before it comes to that or they'll stop somewhere during the full moon, because he isn't sure if he stop himself from claiming Satira as his mate.

Really loved Wilder's Mate, kind of wish I knew a bit more about the Guild and what they do, but can't wait for the next Bloodhound book.

Review: Don't Expect Magic

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

Delaney Collins doesn't believe in fairy tales. And why should she? Her mom is dead, her best friend is across the country, and she's stuck in California with "Dr. Hank," her famous life-coach father—a man she barely knows. Happily ever after? Yeah, right.

Then Dr. Hank tells her an outrageous secret: he's a fairy godmother—an f.g.—and he can prove it. And by the way? The f.g. gene is hereditary. Meaning there's a good chance that New Jersey tough girl Delaney is someone's fairy godmother.

But what happens when a fairy godmother needs a wish of her own?

This wasn't the book I was expecting. I was expecting cute, pink everywhere, shiny stuff, and maybe a pony or two. None of that happened. The characters were believable and I loved Delaney and her sarcasm. I especially loved how Delaney and her relationship with her dad changed through out the book.

Delaney learns that being an f.g. is a bit more difficult than just getting her wand. Plus with her f.g. duties she has to find time to design her wicked awesome boots, be the new art director of the year book, and actually have a social life. Don't Expect Magic was a cute and fast paced read that I wasn't expecting.

Review: Variant

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Variant by Robison Wells
Released: October 4, 2011
Young Adult
Source: Purchased
Overall: 5/5

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.
He was wrong.
Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.
Where breaking the rules equals death.
But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

I love books with boarding schools. Especially when the boarding schools are not normal. Maxfield Academy is in the middle of no where, full of cameras, surrounded by several fences, no adults, and four rules. Rules that are only enforced by fellow students who make up three gangs - The Society, The Havocs, and the Variants.

I was sitting on the edge of my seat and I could not flip the pages fast enough, I was dying to know more about the school and the secrets surrounding Maxfield Academy before Benson even discovered the true secret of the school.

Variant is one thriller roller coaster that will definitely keep you guessing and begging for more. One of my favorite reads this year.

Deity Cover Reveal

2011-12-12T07:36:00.000-08:00

Two awesome things are happening today.

1) Deity cover is below. Deity is the third book in the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

2) Alex faces off against her first match in the Heroine Tourney hosted by The YA Sisterhood so be sure to head over there and vote for Alex.

Here are the first three books in the series. Gorgeous right? The covers seem to get better and better as the series goes on.

I know you're sitting there going, "Show me the pretty new cover." as you rock in your chair impatiently. Well I'm getting there...eventually.

Also did you know that if you vote for Alex in the Heroine Tourney that Jen will write a scene between Aiden and Alex that occurs between Half Blood and Pure? Just one more reason to vote. Just throwing that out there.

I know - show you the pretty cover. Well here is the gorgeous, fantastic, and pretty darn awesome cover of Deity.

I wasn't lying was I? The cover is flipping awesome. The people at Spencer Hill Press have really outdone themselves. You kind of really just want to stare at the cover all day long as you are dying to hold the book itself.

Here's all of the gorgeous Covenant novels next to each other.

So, people don't forget to vote for Alex in the Heroine Tourney at The YA Sisterhood. Her first match is Nora Grey from Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush Hush series. Get people to vote, if they ask why just say "Because she is awesome."

It's a valid reason - Seth says it all the time. Plus the added bonus of JLA writing a scene between Half Blood and Pure is like icing on the cake.

What do you think of the Deity cover?