In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. It’s a wonderful weekly meme where we can share which books we picked up or received in our mailboxes over the past week!

This past week I received:

From Becky:

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

Through Inter Library Loan:

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

How I Found the Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood

Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler

Through Paperbackswap:

The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

Bought:

NONE!!! I would like to say that I have exercised self-control but this is not the case. I have been absolutely broke. I get paid tomorrow so this next week will be the true test of my new goal. Wish me luck!

Friday Funnies (2)- Bedtime Stories

Friday Funnies is brought to you by the People of Walmart. If you have never been to this website, I highly suggest that you check it out. Every Friday I will be sharing my favorite person of Walmart that I found during the week. So sit back, relax and laugh because it's Friday and we have the weekend to look forward to.

Caption: "Part of me want to let you read me a bedtime story as you tuck me in, the other part of me wants nothing to do with you or your candy."

I can't even tell if this is a man or a woman. The shemale is wearing a shin length skit, has quite a bit of facial hair and what looks like boobs. I don't know; a woman with some extra testosterone? You decide. Man or woman?

Review- Secret Society by Tom Dolby

Title: Secret Society

Author: Tom Dolby

Published by: HarperTeen

Pages: 352

My thoughts:

Since I have been reading fantasy book after fantasy book, Secret Society was a welcomed change. I enjoyed every part of this book: the streets of New York, the underground clubs, the indie clothing stores and a secret society that four teenagers joined and they have no idea why. The only thing they know is that everything that happens with the society must be kept an absolute secret. They're not supposed to even tell their parents! It's great that the story is never focused around one character, but the reader is given perspective into each of the character's lives.

After the four main characters join this secret society, amazing things begin happening in their lives. But at what price is their success given and do they truly know what is expected of them?Not only do the characters want to know who and what is behind this whole secret society, but so do I!! Who are the other, older members and how did these teenagers get chosen? And how is it possible that suddenly everyone knows who they are?? Is it possible that the society is behind Patch's mother's mental illness? It's all so crazy and cryptic! This book left me with so many questions and so little answers. I'm just hoping with all my heart that theres going to be a sequel.

"Waiting on" Wednesday (10)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections is: Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu. This book looks very interesting because it sounds like it's about hoarding. Hoarding is a fascinating and complex disorder that can effect the whole family.

Title: Dirty Little Secrets

Author: C.J. Omololu

Published by: Walker Books for Young Readers

Pages: 244

Release Date: 02 February 2010

Everyone has a secret. But Lucy’s is bigger and dirtier than most. It’s one she’s been hiding for years—that her mom’s out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. She’s managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they’d be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable—and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right.

With details that are as fascinating as they are disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy’s desperate attempt at normalcy. Her fear and isolation are palpable as readers are pulled down a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen’s life will have readers completely hooked.

Review- Tempted

Title: Tempted

Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Pages: 336

It has been a couple of weeks since I have read this book now and I'm still having trouble putting my feelings into words. I'm also trying to make this review sound as nice as possible without it sounding like I absolutely hated this book. Which I did; except for the end.





My thoughts:

1. I get irritated with authors who create an amazing series but then think they can slack on their writing skills and disappoint their audiences. Books one, two and three were so good I was practically sitting on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed the distinction of characters and how they possessed extensive personalities. But in books four, five and six their personality "quirks" became taxing. I became tired of Stevie Rae's southern accent and Zoey's 23 boyfriends. Seriously Zoey, just chose one. You can't possible be head over heal in love three different guys!

2. These vampires are mere teenagers dealing with life and death situations. Yet they still talk to each other as if nothing serious is going on. I know that a little light hearted humor helps with heavy dilemmas, but their conversation was always way too casual.

3. The plot always just moves too slow. It seems like each book spans only a couple of days. Just end the damn story alread. I'm tired of reading this series but I just can't stop. I'm already committed after reading these six books and I will most likely read the seventh.

WHEW!!! This book was terrible. Don't pick up the series!!!

It's Monday! What are you reading? (25 Jan. 2010)

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. It's a weekly meme where we can share with our readers and followers which books we finished reading last week, what we're currently reading and what is to come for the rest of the week.

Last week I read but did not finish:

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Currently reading:

Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber

--The mansion on top of Benson Hill has been empty and boarded up for years. But a new family has moved in. A family that never ventures out during the day. Who are these creepy people-especially the handsome, dark, and elusive Alexander Sterling? Or rather, what are they? Could the town gossip actually be true? Are they vampires? Raven, who secretly covets a vampire kiss, both at the risk of her own mortality and Alexander's loving trust, is dying to uncover the truth.

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman (almost finished!!)

Hopefully to read this week:

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

The Dead Girl's Dance by Rachel Caine

In My Mailbox (6)

This past Monday school started again. BLAH!!! I hate trying to get into a new routine and trying to find the time to balance reading for school and reading for this blog. As you may have noticed, I did only one post because I was so overwhelmed with just thinking about what kind of schedule I could work out. Not blogging has made me feel disconnected and very much off kilter. Hopefully, this week will run a little smoother and I can actually catch up on my book reviews.

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. It’s a wonderful weekly meme where we can share which books we picked up or received in our mailboxes over the past week!

The past couple of weeks, I have received:

Through Interlibrary Loan:

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

Through paperbackswap:

Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber

Borrowed from a friend:

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Won:

Witch Ball by Linda Joy Singleton

Bought:

NONE!!! I have made a solid decision not to purchase anymore books until I have read (or at least attempted to read) all the books in my bookshelf. **Must exercise self-control**

"Waiting on" Wednesday (9)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections is: A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler. Although I have already seen this book highlighted in another blogger's WoW, it looks so amazing that I decided to still go ahead. The cover is gorgeous and Holly Schindler is a debut author!!

Title: A Blue so Dark

Author: Holly Schindler

Publisher: Flux

Pages: 288

Release date: 01 May 2010

Mom looked down at me, her eyes not just glittering but snapping with fire, like two Fourth of July sparklers. "We're just alike, me and Aura." And, you know, back then, the idea of that didn't scare the absolute hell out of me.

Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, Grace, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her sole caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that creative equals crazy, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination. Just as desperation threatens
to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked- and together offer an escape from her fears.

50 Followers Contest

First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who has been reading and supporting my blog. I couldn't have done it without you! After a couple of weeks pouring over my bookshelf, trying to decide which books to give away for my 50 followers contest, I finally came up with these and here's why.

1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

----I choose this book because after and read and reviewed it, so many people commented on how they haven't read it yet and really want to. So

the first book in the Vampire Academy is up for grabs.

2. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

----I absolutely love this series so I thought I would give away the first Blue Bloods book in the hopes that someone else can get hooked on this amazing series.

3. The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
----I have The Glass House and The Dead Girls' Dance bound together in one book. This is a very popular series and one that I like very much as well. Because it is a two books in one book, it's going to be the grand prize.

Here's how it works:

Contest is open to all who wish to participate: US and international. There are going to be 2 winners. The first winner will receive the first 2 Morganville Vampire books and then their choice of Vampire Academy or Blue Bloods. The second winner will get which ever book the first winner didn't chose.

You must be a follower and 13 years old to enter this contest.

Extra entries:

+2 old followers
+1 new followers
+3 sidebar post
+5 blog post

*Please leave your email address in the comment, as well*

**Please leave your entries in the comments section. A link to the sidebar or blog post must be left for extra entries to be assessed. Contest ends Friday, March 12, 2010 and winners will be picked on Monday, March 15.**

Friday Funnies (1)

Friday Funnies is brought to you by the People of Walmart. If you have never been to this website, I highly suggest that you check it out. Every Friday I will be sharing my favorite person of Walmart that I found during the week. So sit back, relax and laugh because it's Friday and we have the weekend to look forward to.

Caption: "Guess who's back....back again....guess who's back...with his patterned back end. Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back, da da da.

OMG it's so funny! Look at his fanny pack and his white socks are pulled up over his calves!! **Gasping for air** WOW!

"Waiting on" Wednesday(8)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Nevermore

Author: Kelly Creagh

Published by: Antheneum

Pages: 528

Release Date: 31 August 2010

In Nevermore, cheerleader Isobel falls for Poe-fan Varen–but will she be able to save him from the madness taking hold of his mind?




I would have liked the synopsis to have a little more detail to have a better understanding of the book. What little is given sounds very interesting. The cover is scary yet beautiful and intriguing at the same time!

Review-Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Bitten

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Penquin Group

Pages: 436

Description from the back of the book:

Elena Michaels seems like the typically strong and sexy modern woman. She lives with her architect boyfriend, writes for a popular newspaper, and works out at the gym. She’s also a werewolf.

Elena has done all she can to assimilate to the human world, but the man whose bite changed her existence forever, and his legacy, continue to haunt her. Thrown into a desperate war for survival that tests her allegiance to a secret clan of werewolves, Elena must reckon with who, and what, she is in this passionate, page-turning novel.

My thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book. It was fantastic. I counted down the hours and minutes to when I would get home from work and I could continue reading this book. It is an adult fiction book which means it ranks a little higher on the steamy scale so I would not recommend it to any of my young readers.

Kelley Armstrong weaves a tale of werewolf lore in which the werewolf gene is only passed through the male to the male child. The pack is a group of werewolves who pledge their loyalty to each other and the pack leader. If they don’t live together then they live close, protecting one another and killing mutts who pose a threat. Mutts are those who refuse to join the pack and are therefore denied any kind of territory. They often travel from place to place, keeping to themselves and minding their own business.

The only other types of werewolves are those who are bitten and survive the agonizing process of the first change. Since werewolves came into being, a female werewolf has never been born nor has a female ever survived being bitten. Elena is the first female werewolf and she is highly sought after by many of the mutts. But as a member of the pack and Clay’s mate (since he bit her) they know that she is off limits. Until a group of mutts team up and start killing off human and pack member on the pack’s territory, Elena soon discovers it’s her they’re after. Will Elena willingly sacrifice herself for those she cares about the most?

The main character Elena is great. She is strong, confident and always has a plan when it comes to getting her man back. The only part that annoyed me was when she was trying to convince herself that she didn’t belong with Clay and that she is not trying to save him because she love him. Then what is she doing having sex with him practically every night as he’s telling her how much he loves her. Who cares if he bit you and turned you into a werewolf; he’s hot, gorgeous and wants to spend the rest of his life with you and over the 10+ years you’ve been “together” he’s never once cheated on you!! **Okay, done with my rant...lol**

Overall, this book was amazing and I loved every page of it. I would recommend it to anyone who loves the paranormal romance genre.

It's Monday! What Are you reading? (11 Jan. 2010)

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. It's a weekly meme where we can share with our readers and followers which books we finished reading last week, what we're currently reading and what is to come for the rest of the week.

Finished last week:

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Secret Society by Tom Dobly

**Reviews to come!**

Currently reading:

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
Wake by Lisa McMann
---For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does-they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd thing she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant...

Coming up this week:

Frostbite (A Vampire Academy novel) by Richelle Mead
Revelations (A Blue Bloods novel) by Melissa de la Cruz

Review: Beyond the Valley of Thorns

Title: Beyond the Valley of Thorns

Author: Patrick Carman

Publisher: Orchard Books

Pages: 221

Description from the back of the book:

Alexa Daley thought her troubles were over when she defeated the man who had threatened to bring down Bridewell from within. But now that the walls around her land have fallen, a new, unexpected threat has risen from outside. Suddenly, Alexa is involved in a battle much, much larger than her own life…a battle in which she is destined to play a key role in.

Sinister forces are gathering in strange and vile forms, all with the goal of bringing darkness to the land. In order to help good defeat evil, Alexa and her friends must venture farther than they’ve gone before-confronting giants, bats, ravenous dogs and a particularly ghoulish mastermind in order to bring back peace.

My thoughts:

I really enjoy reading this book series. Although they are children’s books, they are really exciting. In the first book, Alexa had to find her way outside of the walls to find one of the few remaining Jocasta (a gem with microscopic writing on it that when worn allows her to talk to animals) so that the animals and her can help warn her people about the attack of the convicts. Also, by bringing down the walls they no longer have to live in captivated fear and are given the freedom to roam about the land.

In Beyond the Valley of Thorns, Alexa must again use the help of the animals to free a small village that has been suffering under the rule of a merciless and blood thirsty dictator. Will she be able to do what she needs before her and her friends get lost in the fight?

This book was really good and I read it in about a day. The Land of Elyon Books are always full of adventure, secret maps, talking animals, giants and midgets and at the end there is always a fight of good vs. evil. It even has a very surprising twist at the end and I was very shocked. These book are really good and I would recommend them to anyone who likes a great adventure book.

Review- Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Masquerade

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children

Pages: 305

Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help-her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly under way for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city’s wealthy, powerful, and unhuman-a true Blue Blood affair.

But it’s the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire’s density.

Rich with glamour, attitude, and vampire lore, this second installment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

My thoughts:

YES!!! I am definitely left thirsting for more! Masquerade continues to follow Schuyler and her struggle to find her grandfather (who holds the key to taking down the Silver Bloods) and to find out who is behind the Silver Blood attacks on the young vampires. She is also trying to make sense of her relationship with Jack Force who she has an undeniable chemistry with but he insists they’re just friends. Will Schuyler be able to find who is harboring the Silver Blood and fulfill the prophesy before more young vampires are killed?

This book was so good I couldn’t put it down. It is a constant roller coaster in the fight of good and evil. And you never know what it around the next corner. I was constantly surprised with the events and shocked at the end. I want to say so much but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. I would never have guessed the end. All I can say is READ IT!!!! I hope the third one is just as good as the first 2!

"Waiting on" Wednesday- Forgive My Fins

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

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



Title: Forgive My Fins

Author: Tera Lynn Childs

Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books

Pages: 320

Release Date: 01 June 2010

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

I can't wait to read this book. Not only does it sound really good and interesting, but the cover art is beautiful. This might be one of the few books I buy in hardback. June: come quick!!

Review- Revealers by Amanda Marrone

Witchin' ain't easy.

Jules has a rebellious streak, a massive crush on Connor, and the abilities of a Revealer witch. By day, she and her coven friends seem like typical high school seniors. By night, they have the power to make werewolves, vampires, and ghosts reveal themselves, so they can destroy them. It's not exactly cheerleading, but at least the girls know they're doing the world some good.

One by one, Jules's friends turn eighteen and are initiated into the coven's inner circle. And one by one, they are getting completely freaked out. Jules is the youngest, and though her friends are too scared tell her what's going on, something's clearly not right. As her birthday approaches, Jules realizes she's got to find out what's behind the shadows of her coven before it's too late to save her friends...and herself. But what she discovers may be too powerful for even the toughest witches to defeat.

My thoughts:

Revealers is a somewhat coming of age story. It tells about the experiences of five best friends over the span of a couple months. Throughout their lives, they were raised in a witch coven, led to believe that they were riding the world of its monsters. As coven tradition, the girls are officially initiated on their 18th birthday and become privy to the coven’s most valuable secrets. Jules, the youngest of all her friends, notices the difference in the other’s after the initiation ceremony. Not only does she have to worry about her friends acting weird but she is also starting to notice the amount of monsters that they are “ordered” to kill. Because they are revealers, they are able to force almost anyone to reveal their true nature. But when Jules discovers the true motives behind the coven’s actions, she is forced to make the biggest decision of her life.

At first I had no idea what was going on because chapter 1 just jumps right into the story as if you were there and you know what’s going on. The idea of the story is really interesting but I believe it could have been written differently. She hints on the coven’s mating rituals and why the girls are not allowed to date but she doesn’t really explain it and I was left confused and wanting to know more about it. She also doesn’t really talk much about the history of the coven.

Overall, this book was a pretty quick read and the story line was somewhat interesting. If you’re a big fan of witch books I probably would not recommend it because there was not much meat to the story. I expected more of it and it failed to deliver.

In My Mailbox/It's Monday! What are you reading?

This past weekend has been absolutly crazy! Packing, trying to spend as much time with my family as possible, last minute shopping, and traveling have kept me away from blogging the past couple days. So to make up for missing two of my favorite memes, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and post them together.

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.



From Inter Library Loan I got:

Secret Society by Tom Dobly

Tempted by P.C. & Kristin Cast

-2 things about this book:
--1. I requested this book about 2 months ago and I couldn't wait to get it. Withing those months I read some reviews and needless to say, I'm not looking forward to reading it.
--2. I read Hunted and was not that impressed. I had high expectations until I read that it was changed around a little bit; the story being told from multiple view points. If I don't read it I will always wonder what happened so the only way to be fully satisfied is to read it.

From paperbackswap.com

The Tenth City (Book of Elyon #3) by Patrick Carman

Books I bought:

Frostbite (A Vampire Academy Novel) by Richelle Mean
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. It's a time during the week when we can share with our readers and fellow bloggers what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what we might read later on this week.



Last week I read:

Beyond the Valley of Thornes by Patrick Carman
Revealers by Amanda Maronne
Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

**Reviews to come!!**

Currently reading:

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Elena Michaels seems like the typically strong and sexy modern woman. She lives with her architect boyfriend, writes for a popular newspaper, and works out at the gym. She's also a wereworlf.

Elena has done all she can to assimilate to the human world, but the man whose bite changed her existence forever, and his legacy, continue to haunt her. Thrown into a desperate war for survival that tests her allegiance to a secret clan of werewolves, Elena must reckon with who, and what, she is in this passionate, page-turning novel.

If I finish Bitten this week (it's really long) then I will probably move on to Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz.

*Just so everyone knows, I still have the next two weeks off from school so I will be catching up on all my book reviews. There will be a lot and I hope you all enjoy them!*

No kiss blogfest

I do not consider myself a writer and I have not authored any books. But I still wanted to participate in the No Kiss Blogfest hosted by Frankie Writes. I picked a scene out of a book I had just recently finished. Let me set up the scene.

Rose Hathaway has just returned to St. Vladimir's Vampire Academy for vampires and their guardians after being away trying to protect her best friend and Moroi princess, Lissa Dragomir. Because Rose has missed so much training, she has been fast tracked and assigned to train with Dimitri, Lissa's very hot, strong guardian. Rose has noticed how attractive Dimitri is and he has more than once defended her honor.

Judging by his stiff posture, I'd clearly caught him by surprise. And yeah...I'd actually caught myself by surprise, too. But he relaxed a few moments later, and when he reached around and rested his hands on my lower back, I thought I was going to die.

"I'm glad you're better," he said. His mouth sounded like it was almost in my hair, just above my ear. "When I saw you fall..."

"You thought, 'Wow, she's a loser.'"

"That's not what I thought."

He pulled back slightly, so he could see me better, but we didn't say anything. His eyes were so dark and deep that I wanted to dive right in. Staring at them made me feel warm all over, like they had flames inside. Slowly, carefully, those long fingers of his reached out and traced the edge of my cheekbone, moving up the side of my face. At the first touch of his skin on mine, I shivered. He wound a lock of my hair around one finger, just like he had in the gym.

Swallowing, I dragged my eyes up from his lips. I'd been contemplating what it'd be like to kiss him. The thought both excited and scared me, which was stupid. I'd kissed a lot of guys and never thoughts much about it. No reason another one-even an older one-should be that big of a deal. Yet the thought of him closing the distance and briging his lips to mine made the world start spinning.

A soft knock sounded the door, and I hastily leaned back.

-Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead pg. 250-251