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WELCOME To BLOGMANIA !

My Blog is 80 of 123

You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY (For One Day Only – April 30th) .

We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing. Each blog will have a number and each new blog link will have a number. These numbers will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Why not take a moment to make a list of blog numbers 1-123 and check off the blogs as you go.

I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark that site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.

Here are our lovely hosts! Please visit their websites!

 HOST  Between The Pages 

CO-HOST The Black Sheep Dances 

CO-HOST Books, Books Everywhere 

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

MY GIVEAWAY and RULES:

 

Very simple! Please fill in the form below to be entered to win a gently used copies of 'The Lonely Hearts Club' and 'Wherever Nina Lies' (ARC). These books are amazing and I'd love to pass them on!

*Please only enter if you have a mailing address in the U.S.

Fill out form HERE

Thanks so much for visiting and good luck! Here are more stops: 

(Blog-5) Elaine Hopper - 

(Blog-33) There's A Book - 

(Blog-35) Just Jewelry by Jessica - 

(Blog-67) Arms of a Sister - 

(Blog-86) The Hidden Haven - 

(Blog-104) Reviews from the NutHouse - 

(Blog-112) SueFitz Stitching - 

(Blog-123) Moomette’s Magnificents - 

The Summer of Skinny Dipping (Amanda Howells) Review

Book received from Around the World Tours

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (June 1, 2010)
Paperback: 324 pages

After getting dumped by her boyfriend, sixteen-year-old Mia Gordon is looking forward to spending a relaxing summer in the Hamptons with her glamorous cousins. But when she arrives, her cousins are distant, moody, and caught up with a fast crowd. Mia finds herself lonelier than ever. That's when she meets her next-door-neighbor, Simon Ross. Simon isn't like the snobby party boys her cousins seem obsessed with; he's funny, artistic, and utterly adventurous. And from the very first time he encourages Mia to go skinny-dipping, she's caught up in a current impossible to resist. (Source)

Review
THE SUMMER OF SKINNY DIPPING, by Amanda Howells is a sweet story of teenage angst and first loves. Being a teenager is hard enough emotionally but when broken hearts and unmet expectations occur, the results can be life-changing.

The summer that Mia recounts in this book was the best summer of her life. After being dumped by someone she thought was her true love, she wanted to get away to a time and place where everything was simple. But Mia discovered that the appearance of perfection that her cousins and aunt represented was farthest from the truth.

In the wake of any breakup, a person undergoes an analysis of themselves to try and understand what went wrong. Mia with her southern roots and not-so-thin body was scrutinized by her cousins and even herself. But the interest of Simon Ross transformed Mia's perspective completely.

Howells characters were fantastic. Each one of them was affected by this incredible summer of transformations and realizations. Mia and Simon were a striking couple. They both created a friendship that turned into a romance by opening up completely with each other, including skinny dipping. As a reader, I invested a lot in these characters and their happiness but sometimes bad choices get in the way. Life is about balance and if you create good from bad you are never wrong.

Overall this book was exceptional. This story of love, appearances, and being true to yourself wholly transformed my thinking of life.

Sisters Red (Jackson Pearce) Review

Book received from Book It Forward hosted by Dark Faerie Tales

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 7, 2010)
Hardcover: 336 pages

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris-- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for. (Source)

Review
SISTERS RED, by Jackson Pearce, is a modern version of 'Little Red Riding Hood'. Two sisters are on a mission to destroy the threat of Fenris werewolves, but will love and the lust for a life outside the Fenris tear them apart?

This story was incredible. The action and tension pulled me in from the beginning and it did not stop until the very end. I liked the differing viewpoints of the March sisters. I immediately sided with Scarlett because she was loyal, strong, and independent and would do anything to protect her sister. Rosie was strong as well, but she had more of a free-spirit that took her to a life beyond hunting the Fenris. Scarlett was very straight forward in her goals and always spoke the truth. Rosie held a lot back from herself and Scarlett which created suspense and tension between the sisters. I loved the idea of 'one heart' between these sisters. It was incredibly sweet that in all situations, good or bad, these two always shared their heart with each other, and that made them an awe-inspiring pair.

I really liked Silas. He was the rock for Scarlett and the inspirational nudge for Rosie. He loved both these sisters but wanted each of them to find their own in the big bad world.

Throughout this book I felt the need for these sisters to enjoy their lives no matter what path they chose. Scarlett's passion was the hunt and Rosie's passion was anything but. Their unselfish natures got the best of them when it came down to being truly happy with themselves. Silas became the middleman and coaxed these sisters to find and stick with their passion.

The action in this book was epic. I loved how these girls became the 'bait' for the Fenris then killed them.  The climactic fight for the Potential was nail-biting. Pearce created amazing visuals that pulled me right into the action. I liked the subtle similarities of 'Little Red Riding Hood' with the red cloaks and the hatchets (the hunter originally used it to save Riding Hood and her grandmother), this added a bit of nostalgia for the childhood classic. Overall this book was fantastic. It made me laugh, cry, and think about life and how every moment is precious, so enjoy it!

Tales of the Otherworld: Beginnings (Kelley Armstrong) Novella Review

Publisher: Orbit (April 13, 2010)
Paperback: 416 pages

Have you ever wondered how lone wolf Clayton Danvers finally got bitten by the last thing he ever expected: love? Or how the hot-blooded bad-girl witch Eve Levine managed to ensnare the cold, ruthless corporate sorcerer, Kristof Nast in one of the Otherworld’s most unlikely pairings? Would you like to be a fly on the wall at the wedding of Lucas Cortez and Paige Winterbourne, as their eminently practical plans are gradually upended by their well-meaning friends? Or tag along with Lucas and Paige as they investigate a rather gruesome case that looks to be the result of a rogue vampire?

Now, Otherworld reader can share these moments with some of their favorite characters—as well as catching welcome glimpses into the minds of some of the lesser-known players. But even readers new to the Otherworld universe will find much to love in these seven tales of friendship, adventure, and enduring romance.

Anthology contains: Birthright, Beginnings, Ghosts, Expectations, Wedding Bell Hell, The Case of El Chupacabra and a new story narrated by Eve. (Source)

Mini-Review
BEGINNINGS, by Kelley Armstrong, was another look into the life of the Otherworld werewolf mates, Clay and Elena. I am a huge fan of the Otherworld series in general, especially anything including this stubborn but lovable pair.

I received 'Tales of the Otherworld' this afternoon and sat down and read 'Beginnings' in one sitting. In this novella, we explore the relationship between Clay (werewolf) and Elena (human) and how it became the rocky but epic romance that continued in 'Bitten'. I always wondered how these two came to be and how Elena (werewolf) came about. Clay's heart was literally torn in two when he was forced to make a decision between the Pack and his mate, so his decision to bite Elena was the toughest he had ever made. We also got some backstory on why Elena and Logan were very close friends. I also liked getting inside Clay's head more in this story because his thoughts are more werewolf than human and it leads to a very interesting read.

Overall, this is a MUST read for any fans of the Otherworld series. I am satisfied with my Clay/Elena fix for now, but I know I will soon enjoy the rest of the novellas in this book.

YA Bloggers Debut Book Battle 2010

The YA Bloggers Debut Book Battle is a bracket-style judging contest to pick the best nominated debut work published in the last year (and a little bit of 2010). It is hosted by The Shady Glade. I am fortunate enough to be a judge in this competition. I will be judging the two winners from brackets 9 & 10 shown below (click to make larger)

Which books from the brackets to do you want to see win? Which book do you think will make it all the way? 

Final Eclipse Trailer

So excited for Eclipse now! I was so happy to see some action (finally). This is my favorite book of the series and I can see from this trailer that it will probably be my favorite movie. 

Here is the trailer from MTV.com. Enjoy!

What was your favorite part of the trailer? What scene(s) are you looking forward to seeing in the film?

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter (R.J. Anderson) Review

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books (April 28, 2009)
Hardcover: 327 pages

Deep inside the great Oak lies a dying faery realm, bursting with secrets instead of magic. Long ago the faeries mysteriously lost their magic. Robbed of their powers, they have become selfish and dull-witted. Now their numbers are dwindling and their very survival is at stake.

Only one young faery—Knife—is determined to find out where her people's magic has gone and try to get it back. Unlike her sisters, Knife is fierce and independent. She's not afraid of anything—not the vicious crows, the strict Faery Queen, or the fascinating humans living nearby. But when Knife disobeys the Faery Queen and befriends a human named Paul, her quest becomes more dangerous than she realizes. Can Knife trust Paul to help, or has she brought the faeries even closer to the brink of destruction? (Source)

Review
SPELL HUNTER, by R.J. Anderson, was a faery story like no other. Anderson created an amazing world full of fantasy right in our own backyard.

This book was unlike any other fey book I have read thus far. Anderson went a different direction from main stream fey and produced an amazing story. The faeries portrayed in this book were scared and lost with only a Queen to look after them after all their magic disappeared mysteriously. It only took a spark of imagination to get the ball rolling in figuring out what happened to their magic and how to get it back.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book.  I thought it was a great concept and I was excited to see what journey Knife would undertake. The characters were very unique. Some were stuck on the idea that humans caused their magic to disappear and others had more human qualities that made me think that the influence of humans might not be a bad thing. I adored Knife and her curiosity for the world outside the Oak, and her and Paul made a great team.

Overall this was a great read, and I am excited to read the next book, Wayfarer.

The Reckoning (Kelley Armstrong) Review

*SPOILER ALERT* 

* If you have not read the other books in the series be aware

 there may be spoilers ahead. You have been warned! *

Publisher: Orbit (April 1, 2010)
Paperback: 320 pages

Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope. (Source)

Review

THE RECKONING, by Kelley Armstrong, is the third and final installment of the Darkest Powers Series. We continue from where the kids are in a safe house and are debating their next move to rescue the others from the Edison Group. They join forces with adult supernaturals who rebel against the Edison Group, but complications arise when the kids find out how powerful they really are.

This book was the perfect ending to this series. Many questions were answered and relationships resolved, and the journey was spectacular. In this book, Chloe's skills were becoming more powerful and more difficult to control. I enjoyed getting a deeper look into the world of a necromancer. There were great uses for the gift but being inexperienced did not help matters of raising the dead. There were some instances that everything went right for Chloe and I wanted to jump up and down with happiness for her, she is truly one of a kind. The love triangle with Derek and Simon was explored and resolved. I think fans of this series will be pleased with the result.

One of the more enjoyable parts of this book was Derek's transformation and first Change. I am a big fan of Armstrong's Otherworld series and my favorite characters are the werewolves. I enjoy the human qualities that she gives to the werewolves in her books and this one was no different. The support that Chloe gives to Derek during this time is incredibly sweet and kind.

This book had a lot of action and suspense. These troubled kids were not given any guidance throughout their time at the Edison Group so they were left to explore their talents on their own with consequences. The situations that they faced from the supernatural adults were dangerous and thrilling. This story will definitely keep you gripping the pages for dear life.

Overall this was a great ending to the series, and I look forward to the next young adult series involving other supernatural kids and another project from the Edison Group.

Shadow of the Sun (Laura Kreitzer) Review

Book received from Open Book Society

Hardcover: 524 pages
Publisher: iUniverse (February 22, 2010)
Language: English

Gabriella’s past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn’t given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her.

As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won’t see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all. (Source)

Review
SHADOW OF THE SUN, by Laura Kreitzer, is an epic journey of supernatural proportions. This story of a young and gifted laboratory worker, whose life was turned upside down with the discovery that she has been waiting for, is action-packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

Laura Kreizer is a first-time and self-published author. Her full-time job is in a laboratory which gives the background for our heroine, Gabriella. Gabriella is an amazing character to read. She is strong, intelligent, and has great drive. And the fact that she was only twenty-four years old and so successful was really inspirational. I enjoy books that have successful and talented female heroines because I can, as I did with this book, relate and that makes it much more enjoyable.

The angels in this story were exceptional. These characters were a breath of fresh air because they were so different and spectacular to experience. The chemistry between Gabriella and Andrew was intense and definitely is a romance to remember.

I do admit there were parts of this book that were a bit longwinded where not much was going on to further the story, but besides that I really enjoyed it!

The cover of this book was phenomenal. I can sense the power and emotion swirling around the angel, and the detail was exceptional. I am excited to read the next book in the series, Soul Stalker, along with other books in the future from this new and talented writer.

Check out Laura's website here.

Originally posted here

Fallen (Lauren Kate) Review

The sequel, 'Torment', will be released September 28, 2010.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition/First Printing edition (December 8, 2009)

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her. (Source)

Review
FALLEN, by Lauren Kate, is an epic romance with a supernatural twist. Kate has created an exceptional story full of adventure and mystery with twists and turns throughout every chapter.

I had trouble writing this review. I have been sitting on it for a couple of weeks now, I even reread it wondering why I could not do it. I think I have the answer, this book is so utterly fantastic that words cannot describe my excitement to share it! Between the characters, storyline and giant revelation that Luce unravels, I am completely blown away.

This book is quite long but I sped through it with ease. Kate's writing flows smoothly while she weaves this amazing tale of a love that spans lifetimes. I really enjoyed the characters that were present at Sword & Cross. Since this was a school for trouble-makers, the characters present were extremely diverse physically and emotionally. Arriane was one of my favorite characters because she had the spunk and charisma to keep Luce on her toes.

The love triangle between Luce, Daniel, and Cam was intriguing. These two boys both were handsome, smart, and mysterious and the connection she felt with each of them was unique. I have to say that Daniel holds my heart because he was so brooding and I always wanted to know what he was thinking!

The cover of this book captivated me from the first time I saw it. I love period clothing for one thing, and the emotion that was created makes my heart-break every time I look at it.

Overall, this was a phenomenal book and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance and mystery.

Blogmania Early Bird Check-List!

We want all of our visiting guests in our first Blogmania Event scheduled for April 30th to 

Get On Their Marks-Get Set…

It’s not time to go yet, but if you want to have the most fun and scoop up as much loot as possible, here are a few Early Bird Reminders to help you do just that.

1. Be at any of the blogs participating in the Blogmania Event as early as possible on April 30th. The easiest way to find a Blogmania Blog is to look for the Blogmania Badge.

2. This is an international event, so understand that there will be some differences in time zones. My advice is to start early and stay late to catch all the blogs.

3. Each blog will have their own giveaway requirements. Read them carefully, follow through, and then move on as quickly as possible. If you run across a blog that you really like and want to spend some time exploring, copy their URL and then visit them after Blogmania is over.

4. We will have a 100+ blogs for you to visit. Each one will post their number like this. ( This is blog 47 of 100) This is to help you keep track of which blogs you’ve visited, and which ones you still need to reach. I’d suggest that you prepare a blog sheet which is numbered from 1 – 120, then mark off each numbered blog as you visit them.

5. All blog links provided will also have a number like (Blog 89 of 100). Look for the blogs that you haven’t yet visited and follow those links until you’ve checked off all the blogs on your sheet.

6. We have all types of blogs participating in Blogmania, which means that the range of items in their giveaways are diverse. I have previewed many and they are awesome.

7. Why not contact a friend and partner up. Compare notes, share loot, or organize your own friendly neighborhood Blogmania Competition.

This is our first Blogmania Event, but it isn’t our last. Blogmania is a bi-yearly Giveaway Extravaganza. In fact, our next Blogmania Event will start September 15th, and do we have some cool stuff planned for you! So keep in touch with our Blogmania Blogs, because they will be giving sneak previews, secret codes, and who knows what else in the weeks and months ahead.

Fade (Lisa McMann) Review

Publisher: Simon Pulse (February 10 2009)
Hardcover: 248 pages

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open--but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability. And it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a Dream Catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd even feared... (Source)

Review
FADE, by Lisa McMann, was an intense thriller that explored the twisted minds of criminals and the gifted individual who intends to bring them to justice. McMann truly topped herself in Fade as we delve deeper into the mind of a dream catcher and the life sentence that has been forced upon her.

Once I started this book I could not put it down. Between the characters, case, and exploration of Janie's gift, this book was glued to my hands. This book was a lot darker than Wake. Unspeakable situations are being revealed at Fieldridge High and Janie is once again helping the police solve the crime, along with her secret boyfriend, Cabel.

Janie and Cabel are the most sensational crime-fighting pair. They absolutely adore and accept each other, even with the baggage they both carry. Cabel supports Janie's gift and helps cultivate her powers within dreams. I love them as a couple. They are passionate and understanding, but as this current case continues, the tensions rise within their delicate relationship. I think McMann created such a real relationship with these two. They have real issues and stresses separately that are not always easy to deal with in a relationship. The love that Cabel feels for Janie is unsurmountable but he is overshadowed by his damaging past.

The plot of this book was quite disturbing but straightforward with what can happen in the real world.  I will not give away the story but brace yourself for a bumpy ride.

I enjoyed how Janie dealt with her powers positively. She was aware of all her physical ailments that came with the gift and worked closely with Miss Stubin and Cabel to hone her skills. The whole idea of dream catchers is fascinating to me, and I applaud McMann for her creativity and research in the matter.

This was a great sequel to Wake and I cannot wait to read the final book, Gone.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (Carrie Ryan) Review

Look out for the rest of this series. The Dead-Tossed Waves' (3/2010) and 'The Dark and Hollow Places' (2011)

Publisher Delacorte Press (March 10, 2009)
Hardcover: 308 pages

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death? (Source)

Review
THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan, was a magnificent story about a post-zombie world where humans fight to hold onto their pasts and try to start anew. The idea of a fence holding back hoards of zombies, or Unconsecrated, made me shiver with apprehension wondering what would happen if they broke through?

This is my second attempt at a zombie book, my first being Brains: A Zombie Memoir, by Robin Becker. I had expectations that it would be a laugh out loud comedy like Brains but I was mistaken. This book was a totally different view on zombies and I hung on for dear life to every single word. Ryan has an amazing writing style that kept tension brewing the entire time. She created situations that I could actually see occurring if a zombie-attack ever came about. She was honest and thorough which made this book utterly fantastic.

The protagonist, Mary, dreamt of the life that her mother remembered and revealed to her. She dreamt of oceans, New York City, and everything unattainable in her current situation. Her village was run by the Sisterhood. These Sisters created a community based on God and his teachings. Rules were created to keep justice and peace throughout the village. People were only to marry based on compatibility over love. These guidelines were strictly enforced to keep the human population growing while the threat of the Unconsecrated beat at the fences. Mary secretly fought against the Sisterhood in her fantasy of having the man she wanted and the life she wanted outside of the village.

Mary's relationship with Travis was breathtaking. The passion that each felt for each other was heart-breaking when they were told they could not be together. But they resisted as much as they could, and that made them a dazzling pair. He was truly loyal to Mary and her fantasies, and that made him a perfect man in my eyes.

The journey along the path in the Forest of Hands and Teeth was brilliant. Ryan's creativity made this adventure one of a kind. These characters were in such close proximity to the flesh-desiring monsters, the uncertainty grew as the story progressed.

A large theme in this book was love. The love of a husband, wife, brother, mother, the love of two people who were kept apart, and the love for something more. Mary underwent great trials and regrets when she figured out what really mattered. She never lived for the moment and that became clear to her much too late.

The cover of this book was marvelous. It truly showed Mary's solitude among her village and their ideals. And the forest was portrayed very ominously.

Overall this was a great book. I cannot wait to read the next installments!

Keeper (Kathi Appelt) Review

Book received from Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Atheneum (May 18, 2010)

To ten-year-old Keeper the moon is her chance to fix all that has gone wrong ... and so much has gone wrong.

But she knows who can make things right again: Maggie Marie, her mermaid mother, who swam away when Keeper was just three. A blue moon calls the mermaids to gather at the sandbar, and that's exactly where Keeper is headed - in a small boat. In the middle of the night, with only her dog, BD (Best Dog), and seagull named Captain. When the riptide pulls at the boat, tugging her away from the shore and deep into the rough waters of the Gulf of mexico, panic sets in and the fairy tales that lured her out there go tumbling into the waves. Maybe the blue moon won't sparkle with mermaids and maybe - Oh, no ... "Maybe" is just to difficult to bear. (Source)

Review
KEEPER, by Kathi Appelt, was a creative and intriguing journey of a ten-year old in search of her past. Keeper was convinced that her mother was a mermaid and that she could help Keeper salvage what was left of the special "Blue Moon" night.

I thought this was a fun and amusing book. All of the characters were delightful, especially being seen from a ten-year old's eyes. Keeper was such a great character with an amazing heart and passion for the fantasy world she desperately holds onto. Even the animal characters had their special qualities about them. BD was one of my favorite non-human characters, he was so loyal to Keeper and her imagination. I think any reader will fall in love with these characters from the get-go.

I liked the progression that Keeper went through in regard to understanding the truth from fantasy. She desperately wanted something out of reach, she did not see that everything she needed and could ever want was right in front of her.

I really liked the cover of this book. It was very artistic and beautiful. And the illustrations (by August Hall) were stunning. Both the cover and pictures really added to the uniqueness of this book.

There were some parts of the book that dragged on, but overall was a fun and light read.

You can visit Kathi Appelt's website HERE

The Lonely Hearts Club (Elizabeth Eulberg) Review

Publisher: Point (December 29, 2009)
Hardcover: 285 pages

Love is all you need…or is it?

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating, so she vows: No more. She’s had one too many bad dates, and has been hurt by one too many bad boys. It’s a personal choice…and soon everybody wants to know about it. It seems that Penny’s not the only girl who’s tired of the way girls change themselves (most of the time for the worse) in order to get their guys…or the way their guys don’t really care about them.

Girls are soon thronging to The Lonely Hearts Club (named after Sgt. Pepper’s band), and Penny finds herself near legendary for her non-dating ways – which is too bad, since the leader of The Lonely Hearts Club has found a certain boy she can’t help but like… (Source)

Review
THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB, by Elizabeth Eulberg, was an adorable reinvention of teenage girl-power with a bit of The Beatles in the mix. Penny had her heart broken by her long-time love and vowed never to let it happen again. With the strength of her friends at her side she became who she wanted to be  and not what she thought guys wanted her to be.

I absolutely adored this book! Any female who has ever had her heart broken can find relief in the idea of giving up men altogether. But banding together with girlfriends and taking a look on improving oneself can be the best gift those men can give you.

The main girls in this book were fantastic. They were strong independently but became an unstoppable force when brought together by a common goal. Penny just wanted to survive her first heart-break, but a small conversation with an old friend sparked a movement that changed everything. Tracy and Diane were the best side-kicks. Tracy was always there to make me laugh with the crazy remarks she had about everything and everyone. And Diane was an inspiration by changing her high school image for herself,  even though it caused social suicide. I truly admired the theme of friendship in this book. Penny and Diane's friendship was non-existent and then one day it was back to how it used to be. This situation shows a true friendship and it was marvelous to experience. And the camaraderie that the girls created was inspiring. They were always there for each other and molded their club to be a positive influence on those who needed it.

The relationship between Penny and Ryan was delightful. Just when she gave up guys, a really great one came into the picture. The choice between swoon-worthy Ryan and her girlfriends dangled heavily over her head.

The background for this whole book involved The Beatles. Personally I am not a huge fan of The Beatles, but how Penny idolized them and connected them into her life was irresistible. The recreation of 'Abbey Road' for the cover was truly ingenious!

I highly recommend this book to any women who is looking for a pick-me-up after having her heart broken.

Wake (Lisa McMann) Review

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (March 4, 2008)

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 think 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... (Source)

Review
WAKE, by Lisa McMann, was a thought-provoking, edge of your seat thriller that will keep you wanting more. The idea of unwillingly witnessing the deepest and darkest secrets of friends, family, even strangers, was intoxicating to read.

I enjoyed the diary-like structure of this book. It helped create a timeline that was easy to follow and straightforward during the flashbacks and flash-forwards of Janie's life and her unusual gift. Also the quick and short sentence structure was strange at first but I really enjoyed this new approach. I felt like the story was always moving without too much fluff and descriptions to interrupt.

This was the first young adult book I have read that has dealt with issues of poverty and inadequate family life. I felt a deep connection with Janie and her social situation. She did not have a lot of money and her mother was an alcoholic, but she persevered and had the drive to become something more. I think she is a great role model for teens by showing that anyone can make something of themselves no matter what his/her home or monetary situation is.

Janie was definitely a force to be reckoned with. She achieved amazing grades and skillfully dealt with her more privileged classmates who taunted her. But she held the upper hand when it came to knowing everyone around her on an unspoken level. Janie endured the sick, twisted, and hilarious fantasy's of those who fell asleep in her presence. She knew more about these people then even they dared to understand. I enjoyed Janie's ability and desire to control it, it definitely made this story one of a kind.

Janie and Cabel were such an unlikely pair. They grew up in the same school but never really got to know each other until a string of events pulled them together. The way McMann portrayed Cabel as a mysterious but alluring boy made my heart quicken with anticipation of who he really was.

This book was phenomenal and exhilarating. I cannot wait to read the continuation of Janie's story in FADE and GONE.

Wherever Nina Lies (Lynn Weingarten) Review

Book won from Word for Teens giveaway!

Publisher: Point (February 1, 2009)
Hardcover: 288 pages

Nina was beautiful, artistic, wild . . . and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But one day, without any warning, Nina disappeared.

Two years later, Ellie can't stop thinking about her sister. Although everyone else has given up hope that Nina will return, Elile just knows her sister is out there, somewhere. If only Ellie had a clue where to look.

And then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing tucked into the pages of a book. Determined to find her sister, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she's got a chance -- her hot, adventurous new crush.

Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn't planning on. Like love. Mysteries. Lies. And something far ore shocking -- the truth. (Source)

Review
WHEREVER NINA LIES, by Lynn Weingarten, was an unexpected adventure and thriller. Weingarten took the many ideas of love and expressed them through this irresistible story of a girl in search of her missing sister.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. Nina went missing when Ellie was too young to understand why. But she idolized her sister and wanted nothing more then to bring her back home. She always thought with her heart and that made her character a delight to read. Sean was something else entirely. He always held some mystery but Ellie was as smitten with him as he was with her. His devotion to her and her cause to find Nina was wonderful to read.

I feel I cannot go much further into the plot without ruining the shocking 'truth' that Ellie discovers, but for me it was jaw-dropping. Weingarten built this stunning story then took a turn that was so unexpected and terrific, it still gives me chills.

This story takes the idea of love to both extremes. Some people can live their lives without it and others have nothing to live for but love. The idea of a happy-medium between living through the heart and mind is questioned by Ellie as her journey unravels.

I liked the cover of this book. It portrayed the mysterious and dark secret that this novel is based on extremely well.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great modern thriller.

Hot Scots, Castles, and Kilts (Tammy Swoish) Review

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (January 22, 2008)

Little does 16-year-old Sami Ames know what she’s in for when she and her mother head to Scotland to help their cousins save MacKensie Manor. Sami feels like she’s landed in a medieval time warp. There’s no electricity, no running water, or hair conditioner! But Sami joins in the challenges of daily peasant life in order to get MacKensie Manor up and running as a working farm tourist attraction. She can’t imagine people paying to make soap, dye wool, or milk cows. What’s worse, a ghost has invaded her room. Sami can’t figure out cousin Fiona, who obsesses over an ancient family feud with the McClintoggs, but Sami’s thrilled when she has a close encounter with a hot Scot. Too bad it’s Adan McClintogg! (Source)

Review
HOT SCOTS, CASTLES, AND KILTS, by Tammy Swoish, was a delightful and entertaining book. This semi-supernatural tale of a modern teenager going over to Scotland, with not many contemporary luxuries, will keep you captivated until the very end.

The character of Sami was down-right adorable. She was so quirky and fun I could not help but smile while reading.  Sami was a typical teenager who was brought up with everything that was needed to be comfortable in these times, but that was soon changed when she went overseas to help rescue her family land. The way Sami handled her new surroundings was hysterical. Also, the relationship between the charming and wealthy Adan and the awkward and love-struck Sami was absolutely endearing. Sami's faithful sidekick, the stubborn and rough Fiona, was a barrel of laughs when she relentlessly ridiculed the McClintogg's. All of the characters were light-hearted and an absolute joy to read.

I really enjoyed the cover of this book. It was bright and cheerful which matched the general style of Sami. I also liked the diary-style that this book was formatted in, it made this a fast-paced but interesting read.

I want to share my favorite quote from the book because it made me laugh out loud. This quote expressed the awkwardness and personality that Sami encompassed.

"Every swallow sounded like I was trying to force down a boulder of meat. I wasn't sure if the romantic atmosphere had somehow heightened my sense of hearing, or if I was just now realizing what a pig I was. " ~p. 93

Overall this was a fantastic book. It was a nice upbeat story with a little supernatural mixed in.

The Cinderella Society (Kay Cassidy) Review

Book won from Tenner ARC Giveaway 

Book Two of the Cinderella Society series, Cindy on a Mission will be released Spring 2011!

Publisher: Egmont USA (April 13, 2010)
Hardcover: 320 pages

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it’s like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys’ magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she’s finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch-enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there’s more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn’t want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters? (Source)

Review
THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY, by Kay Cassidy, created a modern twist on the classic story of a diamond in the rough rising above negativity to land her Prince Charming. But in high school,it is a bit more complicated than that.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. Kay Cassidy completely reinvented Cinderella to contemporary times. The drama was intensified and the fight against evil was not as easy as a wicked stepmother and stepsisters.

Jess Parker just wanted to get through high school doing what she loved, cheerleading. But in her case, cheerleading did not make her popular. She was constantly being bullied, which lowered her self-esteem. And her lack of confidence prevented her from taking initiative against her tormentors. With the help of some 'fairy-godmothers', Jess received the guidance she was looking for, just in time.

The major themes in this book certainly concern everyone in high school at some point. At that age, teens are insecure and vulnerable to the situations that surround them each day, and survival of the fittest definitely holds true. Bullies do not make this transition to adulthood any easier, but serve as a towering obstacle that could make or break you. The Wicked's were a jump back in time to my high-school days, where girls could be ruthless for no reason. But these heartless acts feed into their own insecurities. They were definitely a force to be reckoned with.

I loved the Cinderella-like transition that Jess went through in this book. This 'fantasy' journey through her physical and psychological makeover make this story enchanting. And the support system that these girls created was incredible and inspiring. The Cindy's worked hard within their organization to create the best version of themselves. This book is a great pathway for young teen girls to follow to achieve anything they dream.

The relationship between Jess and Ryan was a great example of real-life relationships, which are not always perfect. Ryan was extremely sweet and kind-hearted but only when they were alone. And since Jess was on sensory overload with her metamorphosis, her fear of rejection from Ryan clouded her goals within the Cinderella Society. I appreciated the fact that Cassidy veered off the typical young-adult-book path and did not make it easy between these two. Great relationships take work and effort to be successful, but in the end it is well worth it.  I was happy for the change in pace and the realistic nature of this couple, it kept my heart-pounding in anticipation of whether or not they would make it.

Overall, the ideas that this book encompassed were utterly fantastic. The drive to succeed after learning to accept yourself  is an excellent framework for young adults. The ability to get passed physical insecurities to shape your mind is a great asset. I give two major thumbs up to this book and I cannot wait for the sequel!

Just as a side note, the character of Lexy reminded me of Megan Fox in 'Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen'. She was so mean and ruthless! I think if the book becomes a movie, Megan Fox should definitely be in the running this character. 

Dewey's 24-Hour Read-A-Thon FINAL Update

Time Started: 8:00 AM (Saturday)
Time Now: 7:00 AM (Sunday)

Currently reading: Gone by Lisa McMann
Pages Read Since Last Update: 353
Total pages read: 1,199
Books finished: 5
What’s up next: sleep! :)

Total Time Spent Reading: 20 hours 25 mins
Time Spent Blogging: 2 hours 30 mins
Total power naps (20 mins): 2

Mini-challenges completed: 11
Food/drink consumed: banana (looking for some coffee!)
Other Activities: none
Mentality: A little delirious but so excited for the finish line!

End of Event Meme:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Hour 18

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
The Cinderella Society
Lonely Hearts Club

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
If you could give more advice to first-timers, such as ideas for templates. Also making the mini-challenges less time consuming and more quick so as to get back to reading faster.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
Everything went very smooth to me!

5. How many books did you read?
Five

6. What were the names of the books you read?
The Cinderella Society
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
The Lonely Hearts Club
Wherever Nina Lies
The Forest of Hands and Teeth

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
The Cinderella Society (very engaging)

8. Which did you enjoy least?
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (obviously a short book, just a compilation of fairy tales)

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
N/A

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
Very likely. I will be more prepared next time, and I will definitely be a reader.

Thanks for an amazing but tiring 24-hours!! :)

Crescendo Cover Reveal

Cover for sequel to 'Hush, Hush' by Becca Fitzpatrick. What do you think of it?

Cover by: James Porto

Synopsis:

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.


The further Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim bloodline has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine? (Source)

Hour 17 Mini-Challenge

Get the Heck Out of Here Mini-Challenge is hosted by The Literate Housewife:

What steps did you take to ensure you’d be able to read as much as possible today?
I took the day off work, I planned my meals, and pulled out books to have on hand.


Of those steps, which proved to be the most beneficial to your day?
All of them! Especially the meals, it is easy to just get up and eat instead of wasting time preparing instead of reading.


Is there anything you might do differently next time?
Budget my time better for blogging/mini-challenges.

Dewey's 24-Hour Read-A-Thon Update #6

Time Started: 8:00 AM
Time Now: 11:40 PM

Currently reading: The Lonely Hearts Club
Pages Read Since Last Update: 219
Total pages read: 846
Books finished: 3
What’s up next: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Total Time Spent Reading: 12 hours 15 mins
Time Spent Blogging: 2 hours 15 mins
Total power naps (20 mins): 0

Mini-challenges completed: 9
Food/drink consumed: banana & milk
Other Activities: none
Mentality: Getting sleepy

Title Teaser's Mini-Challenge hosted by Write for a Reader:

The goal of this challenge is to complete some book titles. I am going to give you a list of 20 titles, leaving out some of the words. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to complete the title.

Here are your titles:
The Dark Divine
An Irish  Country Girl
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
Necessary Heartbreak
She's So Dead to Us
Fireworks Over Toccoa
Club Dead
Scones & Sensibility
All Unquiet Things
Beautiful Creatures
Perchance to Dream
The Dead-Tossed Waves
I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It
Prophecy of the Sisters
Very Valentine
The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
Marriage and Other Acts of Charity
Making Toast
White Cat
Letters to My Father

Read-A-Thon Activity #6: Top Books Read in 2010

Saturday: Taking part in 24-Hour Readathon. So far today I have read:

The Cinderella Society
Tales of Beedle the Bard
Wherever Nina Lies
Working on The Lonely Hearts Club

Today's activity is hosted by La Femme Readers:

Rules of Participation: In order to enter my two ARC giveaway of Possessed by Kate Cann and Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison you must post on your blog your top six books that blew you away this year. They don't have to be 2010 releases, they could of came out in other years, as long as you read it in 2010.

No particular order:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Fallen by Lauren Kate

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Brains: A Zombie Memoir by Robin Becker
Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia