Graced with Books

Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater

2011-11-13T12:34:00.001-08:00

Paperback: 226 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (November 24, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440429634
ISBN-13: 978-1440429637

Amaliya wakes under the forest floor, disoriented, famished and confused. She digs out of the shallow grave and realizes she is hungry in a new, horrific, unimaginable way. Sating her great hunger, she discovers that she is now a vampire, the bloodthirsty creature of legend. She has no choice but to flee from her old life and travels across Texas hoping to escape her creator.

Pretty When She Dies has all the best things every good vampire novel should have: blood, violence and lots of good steamy vampire sex. It's dark and twisted, but with great characters that you fall in love with, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I will have to say that Rhiannon Frater is one of my favorite new authors. I love her writing style, and the scenes that she creates are wickedly frightening! I adore a good, exciting vampire story, and Ms. Frater delivered with action packed scenes, that had me up all night until I turned the last page.

Amaliya is just like any other college student, struggling with everyday life, until she makes the fatal mistake of trusting the wrong guy. She winds up dead, alone and running for her vampire life. She turns to her family for support, and finds it in her fiercely religious grandmother and favorite cousin.

As the story unfolds, we follow Amaliya as she tries to survive and learn the life of being a vampire on her own. Her new mission is to find someone like her, and she succeeds when she finds the vampire king of Austin ,Texas.

One of my favorite things about this author, is how her love for Austin, Texas comes through in her writing. As Amaliya travels to different places and sees different things, it made me want to jump on a plane and go see all these things for myself.

Now, back to this vampire king! He is described in the book as being kind of average, but the sex was definitely more than just average. Biting and sucking and well....you know what comes next...whew...it was definitely hot and steamy!

Overall, this is one of my favorite vampire books that I have read in awhile, and like I said before, I am so glad I discovered Rhiannon Frater! I can't wait to read more!

Teaser Tuesdays (#2)

2011-09-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

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 Teasers:
"My enemies are everywhere. And sometimes, those we least suspect turn out to be our biggest threats."
pg 3, "Never Have I Ever" by Sara Shepard

Review: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

2011-09-18T03:30:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1606841440

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?
Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

I really enjoyed reading this book, simply because I am a huge fan of time travel, especially going back into the past. (Back to the Future is like one of my all time favorite movies!) I absolutely loved how unique the plot is in this book, and I felt all the details were beautifully written. I give any author props for taking on the challenge of getting it all to make sense, because time travel can be pretty sticky when it comes to the details. Mara McEntire did a fantastic job, and I hope there will be more books to come.
The characters in this book were fabulous! I loved the relationship between her brother and sister-in-law, and also her best friend Lily. They were real, and loving and it made you care about them. After all that Emerson had been through, it was great that she had a support system.
Emerson was lovely. I thought her life was pretty awful, with her parents dying, and the whole "I see dead people" bit that she had going on, but she seemed to be coming to grips with it in her own way. It showed that she was strong and that she could handle what life threw at her.
Okay, let's talk love triangle. To be honest, I kept going back and forth on the romance in this book. One minute I hated Michael because I thought he was so wishy washy with his feelings for her, but then we would read an intense scene between them and it would take my breath away. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Ms. McEntire has a gift for writing romantic scenes! I usually skim though those parts; I am just not a romantic, but not in this book, I actually re-read a couple of them! Then we meet Kaleb (who I ADORE) and there is chemistry there too, but then here comes Michael again being all jealous.
That was a problem I had with the book, that the love triangle felt a little forced. If the connection with Michael was so intense, that she felt electricity when they touched, how could Kaleb even compare? Aahhh! I have a love/hate relationship with these triangles in books! Sometimes I get so aggravated with the whole situation, but I love it at the same time!
Overall, I thought this book was great, and Mara McEntire is definitely on top of her game as far as time travel goes. Hourglass is filled with great plot twists, and wonderfully developed characters, that will keep you turning pages until the very last one.
4 STARS

My Shopping Cart (#2)

2011-09-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about all the books I have bought lately!! I am in book freaking heaven right now!! As you know, last week was my birthday and my hubby gave me money for books, and some of my in-laws added to that money pile, so I was able to just go on a crazy book buying spree! So much fun!
I purchased all of these in hardback, some of them have I have already received, and I am still waiting on on the rest! Just click on the book cover to go straight to Goodreads and read more about them.

This is my only pre-order...shipping date is September 27! I am DYING to read this one!

These are the books that I got for my Nook. Rhiannon Frater is an author that I got turned onto by Ashley over at the Bookish Brunette. She has raved about how great this author is that I just had to check her out!

All of these including the Demon Trapper's Daughter were only $2.99!

I picked these two up for free as I was browsing around, gotta love the freebies!!

Overall I must say it was a delightful birthday and I don't mind getting an extra year older with all these great books to read!

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

2011-09-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (August 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765328658

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

First, let me start off by saying how much I adore ghost stories, and how I love creepy settings, with gory gruesome dead bodies that scare the crap out of you. This book had all of that and then some! It was amazingly written, with chilling tales of dark and horrible things that make your skin crawl. It was great and I just loved every minute, of every page.

I am trying so hard not to gush and be like "OMG you just have to read this" but the hardest reviews to write are the ones where the book is really amazing, and you just love it. So I apologize for being slightly unprofessional when I say....OMG!! You just have to read this freakin' amazing book!
Okay, now that I have that out of my system, lets talk characters. Or rather, let's talk Cas. He has some serious daddy issues, given that his father was murdered when he was a child, and now Cas must carry on his Dad's legacy. The legacy of hunting down and killing ghosts, with this bad ass athame, that is all powerful and makes him like a superhero. Sounds pretty awesome, but it's a difficult job to do, and essentially he is just practicing, getting ready to face the ghost that ended his father's life.
He does not do all his ghostbusting alone though, his mother, a white witch, travels with him, as a support system. I think she is a strong, and wonderful person, that looks after him when needed, and understands that he is called to do this, and stands by him in every way. Their relationship is great, he is still just a high school student, so he still is young enough to need his mom, but they look out for each other. They have a system, it's unconventional, but it works for them.
Cas encounters something in this town that is new to him, he makes friends with some of the kids at the high school he attends. Carmel and Thomas become very valuable to Cas, and he bonds with them as they fight the evil that they have seen face to face. These two characters were wonderfully fleshed out, and I enjoyed getting to know them.
The romance that develops in this book is a total surprise. I did not see it coming, but it was passionate and real, and I liked the turn that the story took. I won't say anymore because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else!
Overall, I really loved this book. I thought it was beautifully written, and it contained a painful and haunting story, about two characters that come together under strange circumstances, and find love.
5 STARS

Winner!!!

2011-09-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

I have a winner for the College Game Day Book Giveaway!
Lizzie
Congratulations!
She has been notified by email and has 48 hr to respond. If she does not, I will pick another winner.

Thanks to everyone who participated, it was a great success! I have a lot of football fans as followers!!
Unfortunately, my Bulldogs did not win last night....*sigh* I know it's so depressing, but we always have next week!
Don't forget to re-enter the contest for next game day drawing! Just go here to fill out form!

Go DAWGS!!!

Yay! It's the Weekend! (#2)

2011-09-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

This is the second edition of Yay! It's the Weekend, it was created just to keep you informed about what's going on with me...ya know...the blogger behind it all.

So first off, I want to explain my lack of reviews (only one last week..gah, I'm so behind) and that is because I was up to my eyeballs in books..textbooks! I had two major test on the same day, and I was totally stressin ya'll. BUT I made an A and B on my tests, Yay! and now I am ready to kick back and chill for a few days!

to me!

I am also celebrating my birthday this weekend! Today is the official day, but I am actually having my birthday dinner tomorrow, with family, some good food, drinks and of course cake! The entertainment for the night will be watching the Georgia Bulldogs whip some South Carolina ass in what will hopefully be a great game of football!

So, I apologize for the lack of commenting, I have been a busy girl, and I plan to try and catch up next week. For now, I am gonna read the new books my hubby bought me, and then probably take a good long nap.... aahhh...sounds like heaven right?

Also, don't forget to check out my College Game Day Book Giveaway this weekend! The deadline is tomorrow and you don't want to miss out on some cool prizes!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

College GameDay Giveaway!

2011-09-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

Okay guys, here's what's up. I am a HUGE college football fan. Well, let me rephrase that...I am a HUGE Georgia Bulldogs football fan. There that's better! I could care less about any of the other teams!
So, the season just started last weekend, and while I was watching the game I thought of a great idea. To give away books on college game day! Sounds awesome right? Thought so.
I have picked out several key games of the season that will be my giveaway days. On those days, I will select a winner randomly, and a prize pack will be given away.
CONTEST/GAME SCHEDULE
~~Georgia vs. South Carolina September 10, 2011~~ Georgia vs. Tennessee October 8, 2011 Georgia vs. Florida October 29, 2011 Georgia vs. Auburn November 12, 2011 Georgia vs. Georgia Tech November 26, 2011
These are the dates that the contest will run. On these game days, I will post a new form for you to fill out to be eligible for the new drawing. So remember that you have to re-enter to be able to win the prize for that day!Don't worry about forgetting though, because I will be reminding everyone to come re-enter and cheer for those Bulldogs!!
If my team wins...I have a little extra something that I will throw in just for fun!
I will have a place for extra entries, and please feel free to grab my button and link back to my post!
The prize will be the same each week, just a new winner.So ya wanna know what's up for grabs?

$15 dollars towards the book of your choice from the Book Depository!
AND
A drink coozie and key chain featuring your favorite college football team!

Alright so now you know the prizes...it's time for the rules.

To enter, fill out the form below.
You must be 13 years of age to be eligible.
Open to U.S. residents only.
Contest deadline is end of each game day.
Must fill out form EACH game day to be eligible.
One entry per person.

UPDATE: This is the new form for Saturday October 8th 2011

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;
The first contest is this Saturday, so you guys get signed up!I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming season!
GO DAWGS!!

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Waterfall Wednesdays #2

2011-09-07T06:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's time for Waterfall Wednesdays Discussion post! Once again I will be joining a group that is discussing Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. Last week was a lot of fun, and I think this week will be too!This weeks discussion is being hosted at The Unread Reader.
Discussion Questions for Chapters 7-11
1. Gabi's search for her sister is made increasingly difficult by the fight for territory between Castello Forelli and Castello Paratore. At this point, do you think the rivalry is warranted? Why or why not?

I think the whole rivalry is just something that has been going on for so long, it just continues...just because it always has. Kinda like that feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys, they hated each other for generations, I bet no one even really knew what started the whole thing in the first place. I think this is a similar situation.

2. Gabi aids Fortino by having his sickroom cleaned out and using steam to loosen the phlegm inside his lungs so he could breathe better. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that required you to rely on home remedies to aid yourself or another? What are some of your favorite home remedies?
My little brother has asthma, and I remember my mom putting him in the bathroom with the shower on so the room would fill up with steam. It always seemed to help his breathing during an attack and it's something I have done with my own children.
3. Marcello and his men don't hide their surprise when they learn that Gabi is skilled with a sword. What did you think of this development? Has your initial impression of Gabi changed? Do you have any secret skills?
I think Gabi is bad ass! I love that she can sword fight! I think it's hilarious that the men don't like that she can fight! No man likes to be beaten at their own game by a female. I remember when I was younger I was rowdy and always tried to win against the guys. I will always remember when I won the spitting contest in the church parking lot one Sunday. I was the only girl participant and of course I beat all the guys! I could run faster, and beat most of them up! They hated it!
4. "Our lips were so close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin." Gabi and Marcello's feelings for one another are beginning to stir. What do you think of Marcello as a romantic interest thus far? What do you think of his intended?
I am not feelin Marcello, I like his brother. I know he is sickly and all, but he just needs a little TLC and an inhaler and he would be good to go. The number one problem is Marcello IS TAKEN! She would be a total slut if she moved in on another girls man, I mean, they are engaged. I actually think Lady Rossi is a more of a spitfire than we give her credit for. When they are being chased through the woods, she holds her own and doesn't freak out.
5. Marcello and Luca take turns teaching Gabi the dances of Toscana. Would you have liked to attend a ball like the one Gabi was practicing for? Do you like to dance? Do you know any cool dance moves?
I would have loved to have attended a real ball like that, what girl wouldn't?? I LOVE to dance! I have lots of cool dance moves, unfortunately the only place I have to show them off anymore is in my living room getting down with The Wiggles, but that's okay, my kids adore my moves.

Review: Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

2011-09-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (September 13, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442423730

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.

Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees.

The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?

This book is different. I love different! This book is unique, like no other teenage vampire book I have ever read. The vampires in this story, they actually act like vampires. They drink blood, NOT animal blood, but real live human blood. For real you say? Yes, for real.
Pearl ( forgive the old lady name) is a tenacious and sassy young girl, and she is what made this story such an enjoyable read for me. I love a good, strong female lead in a book, and Durst did not fail in bringing Pearl to life in this delightful and engaging story.
After Pearl gets stabbed by the unicorn, she discovers that she can walk about in the daylight. Sweet! Her family decides that she must now be the daylight hunter, and secure meals for The Family, and the vampire King. I adore that their great idea is to enroll her in high school!
Of course, she does not abandon her search for the ever elusive unicorn, and to me it is so obvious who it is, but I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be that easy or not. Anyway, you will figure it out pretty quickly, but it does not take away from the story.
There is a lot of action; where vampires actually die, get beheaded, and some of them get set on fire too! Love it. The fight scenes are very well written, and I didn't even skim over any of them like I normally do. Great props to the author for a job well done.
Overall, I thought this was an easy, fast enjoyable read. I thought all of the characters were great, and Pearl is definitely someone that I want to know more about. I recommend this one to all you vampire lovers out there, who like to see some ass kicking and some blood drinking. Real blood that is.
4 STARS

Waterfall Wednesdays (#1)

2011-08-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

I am reading along, with a bunch of other gals, a great book called Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. Each week we will discuss the book by answering some questions about the story.
So far, I am enjoying the book and I think this event is going to be loads of fun!

Waterfall Wednesdays-A Read-a-Long Event

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Discussion 1- Chapters 1-6

Today's questions hosted by Tinasbookreviews

Waterfall opens up with the introduction of Gabi, she's depressed, a little angry, and is dealing with feelings of loneliness. Are you connecting with her this soon in the novel? Do you see things you like or dislike?
I absolutely love Gabi! She is a wonderful character and it is easy to like her. She is strong, and not afraid to do things her own way. I think she could easily become on of my favorite female characters.
It sucks that her mom is so self-absorbed and her father is deceased. Having a good relationship with your parents is so important, and I hate that she felt isolated from them.
And to be stuck at a dig when you are in such a great place like Italy for the summer! Can you imagine being forced to work, and miss out on summer vacation! Boo!

Gabi gets to time travel back to 14th century Italy--- The Dark Ages in its prime. Is there any time in history that fascinates you and would you travel back if you could?
There are a lot of periods that I am fascinated with, Medieval times where there are Knights on white horses, real princesses and the beautiful gowns and balls. It all sounds like a fairy tale! Also, I think the roaring 20's seem pretty awesome. The clothes were so banging, and I love the feel of that era. That would probably be my favorite time period. The dancing and partying of that time period seem scandalous and fun!
BUT
I definitely do not want to time travel back. I like modern conveniences way too much to want to experience life without them. I know, no adventure, but I think I can just read about those times and time travel in my mind!

Most of the men, including Marcello, have a very set opinion about a women's place. Gabi gets manhandled a bit in these first few chapters, and even gets asked if she's a witch. The men are shocked when Gabi rides on a horse like a man, and shimmies down the castle walls. What do you think of men's mentality back then? Gentlemanly, chauvinistic, simple-minded?

I think the poor guys just didn't know what to think! It was like nothing they had ever seen before! It was just their nature to want to take care of a woman, and she definitely was not making it easy. I think maybe they might be just a little simple minded, but change is something that can take years to accomplish. There are still men today that think women cannot do the same things that men can do! Boo!

When Gabi becomes apart of this era, the people are immediately intrigued, but suspicious of her. Many judge her by her difference. Do you think this is fair? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider or that others were misjudging you?

I think it is just natural as humans to wonder about people that are different. She was just so alien to them, with her clothes and even her speech sometimes. It is not really fair to judge people this way, but I think we all do it. I have been in many situations where I felt outside of the loop and I have definitely been guilty of judging others unfairly. It is something that we all need to work on. Don't automatically judge a book by its cover as they say, get to know a person for WHO they are before you make a decision about them.

What do you think the coolest thing would be about living in the Dark Ages? What would be the worst?
I guess the only cool thing I can think of is the clothes. I think it would be cool to wear those beautiful dresses.
I have lots of complaints about the Dark Ages...no running water, disease, no air conditioning, no cars, no cell phone, no hospitals, no epidural (yikes!) having to marry who your parents told you to, being treated unequally, no mocha lattes and ...um...I could go on all day...I guess you get the picture right? LOL I guess I am definitely a modern girl!

Check back next week for more discussion questions!

Its Monday, What are you Reading?

2011-08-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila over a Book Journey. Click on the image above to check out her week!

This past week I finished Fury by Elizabeth Miles and also Nocturne by Christine Johnson. I enjoyed both of these! Click on the link to check out my reviews!

I have downloaded Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan to my Nook app on my phone. I usually read this in between classes. So far it's great!!

I am also participating in the Read-a-long of Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. Click on the button to participate in the event!

My library haul was pretty sweet this weekend, so I have a couple of good ones to choose from!
I haven't decided which one I am going to start on first though!
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett and Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

I also have one for review that I just started, Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst. Hope to have that finished and review up on the blog by next week!

Well, that's what my plans are for next week!
What are you reading?

Kids Korner (#3)

2011-08-27T03:30:00.000-07:00

We found some really good books at the library this past week! This a just a few of their favorites!

( I let them pick out the ones to put in the post!)Just click on the book to follow link to Goodreads.

Riley's Stack

(Cars Galore by Peter Stein) This one is super cool with lots of great illustrations. Plus it's about cars! You can never go wrong with that when you have a 4 yr old boy.
(Otto Grows Down by Michael Sussman) This is one of the best books!! Riley and I laughed so hard at some parts I couldn't even read! 5 STARS
(That's How! by Christoph Niemann) This books is soooo cute! My kids laugh and laugh when I read it. It's a winner for both girls and boys! It's got really bright and colorful illustrations too.

Eliza's Stack

(You Can't Eat a Princess by Gillian Rogerson &amp; Sarah McIntyre) Anything with a princess in it is a big hit with my little 2 yr old darling! It's pink, got a cute story and everybody lives happily ever after in the end! She loves it!
(The Pink Party by Maryann Macdonald) She actually pulled this one off the shelves all by herself and brought it to me. Pink. That's all that mattered. Oh, and she has a magic wand, she loves that.

Well that's some of what the kiddos are reading right now!
Please feel free to leave any suggestions for our next library haul!

Review: Nocturne by Christine Johnson

2011-08-25T03:36:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 368 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse (August 23, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 144240776X

Some secrets are too dangerous...
After the tragic events of the summer, Claire is looking forward to a new school year. All she wants to worry about is finding the most gorgeous dress to wear to the Autumn Ball with her perfect boyfriend.
But as Claire knows all too well, the life of a werewolf is never that simple, or that sweet.
When Claire’s human and wolf lives start to collide, her worst nightmares come true. She is hurting her best friend. She has been caught lying. And then the unthinkable happens: Someone discovers Claire’s secret.
If Claire’s werewolf identity is exposed, everyone she knows will be put at risk. And the pack’s response comes at a cost higher than Claire can imagine. Claire will be forced to determine just how far she is willing to go.

Nocturne by Christine Johnson is a story about a girl trying to juggle to separate lives, two separate identities, and failing badly. She is lying to her friends, family and most of all to her pack. She is desperate to have both, her human life, and her life as a werewolf, but it just is not an easy task.
I did not read the first book in this series, Claire de Lune, but there was enough information throughout the story, that I was not lost, and picked it up pretty easily. I was not utterly floored by the book, it was just okay for me. Although, if you read my blog regularly, you know that I am not a huge werewolf fan. There is just something about people turning into animals that is just not my thing, but I'm not knocking it for all those werewolf lovers out there. Hey, whatever floats your boat!
Claire is a likable main character, although I got a little frustrated with her at times, but she wasn't overly annoying. I definitely got caught up in her struggle and I was cheering for her all the way. I wanted to see her succeed in the end.
Throughout the story, Claire is feeling the pressure from the pack to perform several tasks. She has to prove she is a true werewolf. She has to light a ceremonial fire. What? That's the biggest thing she has to do? That's the big bad task you have to do to prove your a good pack member? BUT if she doesn't do it they cut off part of her ear?? Her own mother? Kind of a heavy price to pay for not making a good campfire. That part I felt could have been a little bit more...I don't know...not so lame. She should have had to fight another werewolf, or survive the night on a snowy mountain, or sniff out a secret treasure. I think boy scouts have to do harder tasks than she did! Okay, I am trying not to bash that part too bad, but it really annoyed me.
The writing was good though. It flowed, and the story and characters were believable, and for the most part likable. I felt the relationship and struggle that Claire had with her mother was true to life and intense. I could relate to that, having been a teenage daughter of a strong mother once!
Overall, it was good. Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely. It was an intense story about a young girl trying to balance the hardships of life, family and friends, with a little werewolf thrown in there! I give this one 3 1/2 STARS.

Waiting on Wednesday (#11) The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

2011-08-24T03:30:00.000-07:00

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Reading level: Ages 14 and up

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Razorbill (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595143394

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.

Isn't that cover just gorgeous!! I want this one simply because it's so beautiful...but I'll read it too of course!Can't wait!
Don't forget to leave me a link so I can check out your WoW this week!

Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

2011-08-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Simon Pulse (August 30, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442422246

Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Fury by Elizabeth Miles was heart wrenching, spine-tingling ,and down right creepy at times. I loved every minute of the whole dang book! It kept me interested and invested the entire time I was reading it. I had no idea what was around the next corner and I couldn't wait to find out where the author was leading me.
Most books you read, you actually like the characters, at least somewhat. I hated these two, Em and Chase, right from the beginning. I take that back, I didn't hate them, I hated what they were doing. I loved that even though I didn't like the decisions that they were making, they were real human mistakes that people make every day. There are tons of girls, just like EM, that are in love with their best friends guy, and they act on it too.Then we have Chase, who is mean and hateful, full of anger and bitterness, but he was real.
The Furies were awesome! What great mysterious and dark characters! Even the descriptions of each girl were creepy, and had me peeking behind the shower curtain at night. They are deadly and are not to be taken lightly. I can't wait to read more about these three, and if they can ever be defeated.
My favorite character though, and the reason I wanted to bitch slap Em upside the head, was JD. Why could she not see how wonderful he was and just be with him! It was so obvious what a sweet and caring guy he is to everyone but Em. So true to life though, you can't see what's right in front of you
Overall, I thought Fury was an honest, and wonderfully written YA novel that will have you wanting more. Elizabeth Miles is great and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. I give this baby a whopping 5 STARS.

In My Mailbox (#4)

2011-08-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week! I kinda went crazy with the ebooks this week, BUT there have been so many good deals for my Nook!
For my Nook:

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren Summers Crossing by Julie KagawaHaunting the Night by Mara PurnhagenThe Strange Case of Finley Jayne

All of the ones listed above were FREE, FREE, FREE!!

First Frost by Jennifer Estep only 99 cents! and Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink for $2.99

Firelight by Sophie Jordan for $1.99

For Review:

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver I got this from NetgalleyThe Pledge by Kerberly Derting I received this one from S&S Galley Grab.

Medium Dead by Chris Dolley this one I got from Library Thing Early Reviewers

So, that's what my week was like! Don't forget to leave me a link so I can check out your IMM!

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

2011-08-18T03:31:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (July 26, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442421177

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

I had read mixed reviews before I even started this book, so I put off reading it for the longest time. I'm glad I finally did pick it up, because it was really great. It's a wonderfully written and unique story about a young girl, who discovers that there is way more to her, than her Polynesian roots.
The main character, Ashline, is not your typical teenage girl. She is strong, powerful and does not take crap from anybody, but that is nothing compared to her sister, Eve. I love these girls! The love/hate between the two sisters kept me all wrapped up in their relationship. One minute, I hated Eve, the destructive and violent sister, but at the same time, I felt compassion, because she kept trying to reach out to her sibling, but in the wrong way. I was pulled in and involved in this family battle throughout the entire story.
After a tragedy in her hometown, Ashline flees to a boarding school, where she tries to settle in to a new life. As the book progresses, we discover that her new friends are not your regular teenagers, but reincarnated gods, that are in danger of extinction. The secondary characters in the book are awesome. We get a little back story of each character from a vision that they all share together . What a great idea! We got to see each character, from their POV and it was a fantastic and creative way to meet the entire group intimately.
Some people seem to have a problem with the violence in the book, but you have to remember, that these are not regular teenagers. Knight stayed true to the nature of who they really are, gods and goddesses, and so they acted in that way.
Wildfire is edgy, and a little dark, but I loved every minute of this action packed debut. Karsten Knight is brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed how he sucked me in to the characters and their life. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys an on the edge of your seat ride! 4 STARS

Waiting On Wednesday (#10) The Vampire Diaries (The Hunters) by L.J. Smith

2011-08-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

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

Hardcover: 416 pagesPublisher: HarperTeen (October 25, 2011)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0062017683ISBN-13: 978-0062017680

A regular on national bestseller lists, having sold well over three million copies, The Vampire Diaries series is a classic of thrilling paranormal romance. The Vampire Diaries series has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers—and the CW network TV show that it inspired has introduced millions more to the chills, thrills, and heart-stopping romance. Phantom begins a new trilogy in this breathtaking saga of love among vampires.

Since meeting the irresistible vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore, Elena Gilbert has been to hell and back. Now that she and her friends have saved their hometown from a demonic sprit, everything can finally go back to normal. But Elena should know better than anyone that Fell’s Church will never be normal. In Phantom, a dangerous new threat sets its sights on Elena. And this time she can only count on one Salvatore brother to protect her.

I am always looking forward to another good Vampire Diaries book!

What was your WoW this week?

Don't forget to leave me a link so I can check it out!

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

2011-08-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; Reprint edition (June 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442419954
ISBN-13: 978-1442419957

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But ...They are brother and sister.

Well let me start off by saying that I will NEVER forget this book. It was beautifully written, with heartbreaking characters and very controversial subject matter. I have read a lot of other reviews, and this book has definitely left it's mark on the book reading community.
The characters in Forbidden, will pull at your heartstrings, and bring tears to your eyes, as you read about the hardships that they must endeour at such a young age. The two eldest children, Lochan and Maya and forced to raise the three youngest children in the family, due to an absent mother. Lochan, is one of the best characters that I have read about in such a long time. I felt a strong compassion as I read about his struggle, and with his sister Maya as well. I don't usually cry when I read, but this one did bring a few tears to my eyes. It made me think about the countless families of children out there, that deal with these horrible situations everyday, and that are forced to grow up much sooner than they should, because of "absent" parents.
Now, comes the difficult part. The love story. I had a lot of trouble with this, and I am not quite sure how I felt about it. I tried to be open minded, because as you get towards the end of the book, you see it coming. I will not lie; I was really disgusted and shocked at first, but I kept thinking that there was a twist at the end. Surely, this brother and sister are not going to do what I think they are....but they did. I just could not wrap my head around the fact that they were physically attracted to each other. I mean, I have two brothers, but could I actually have sex with one of them? Absolutely not. It makes me sick just thinking about it. I couldn't stop imagining myself and my own brothers....it really messed the story up for me big time.
Although, I do not agree with the act of incest, I will not give this book a bad review or let it affect what I thought about the rest of the story. Yes, I was grossed out in the end, but it was a fantastic story, about wonderful people, struggling to keep their heads above the water.
I do not think that this should be a young adult novel, even with the strong material disclaimer on it, it is not suitable for young people. It got a little graphic at the end with the physical stuff and I would not want my children reading this kind of book at the "young adult" level.
Overall, I give this one 4 STARS

Waiting on Wednesday(#9) Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2011-08-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over 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:

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Harper Collins (November 15, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0062085484

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 as The 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 can't wait to get my hands on this one!

What is your WoW this week?

Review: Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

2011-08-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 306 pages

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books; 1 edition (September 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0761374086

ISBN-13: 978-0761374084

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

This is not her story.

Right from the beginning I was pulled into Allison's story. I felt her frustrations and confusion as she struggled to unravel the mystery of why she was held against her will in a psychiatric ward.

While at the mental hospital, she discovers that the secret about herself, the one that she thinks is so bad, is actually a condition called synesthesia. This condition that she has suffered from is debilitating, her senses are magnified allowing her to see, hear and taste things that other people cannot. It has caused many problems in her life, but she has learned to deal, even though her own mother shuns her because of this condition.

I thought that all of the information about this condition, synesthesia, was fascinating. If there are people out there living life with this, then I feel nothing but compassion. It truly would be a daily struggle.

I was completely wrapped up in this book, and enjoyed the story as it developed. The other patients in the mental hospital make for some crazy characters, but the love story that surprisingly develops is sweet and lovely.

However, then the story kinda takes a turn and becomes a little wacky. I guess there has to be an explanation for the disappearance of Tori, (the girl that is Allison supposedly murdered) but I was not really expecting the outcome that played out. I guess that's a good thing though, because I did not see it coming.

Overall, I really loved the book. As I said before, the things that I learned about synthesia and how Allison discovered and dealt with it was intriguing.

I give this one 4 STARS and I forgive the wacky ending!

Review: Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

2011-08-07T03:43:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; (July 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547482507

When fourteen-year-old Luce is assaulted on the cliffs near an Alaskan village, she expects to die when she tumbles into the icy water below. Instead, she transforms into a mermaid. Luce is thrilled with her new life—until she discovers the catch.

I really fell in love with this book! I enjoyed the story of how Lucy, desolate and alone, turns into a mermaid during a dark time in her young life.

As the story progresses, we learn about her, as a mermaid, and the lives of her new family, her sisters. Lucy is torn between her passion and ability to sing, and the discovery that her powerful voice, has the ability to kill. It is one of the most powerful voices, in fact, it begins to stir jealousy in the hearts of the others, and Lucy finds herself once again ostracized.

This is a touching story and you cannot help but become wrapped up in the lives of these young girls, and be filled with compassion. I enjoyed this book immensely and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

4 STARS

Yay! It's the Weekend!

2011-08-05T03:27:00.000-07:00

Finally, it's here!

What we all work towards the whole week...those 2 little days of relaxation and (hopefully) a couple more hours of sleep!

I have had a wonderful summer off from school, and just returned from a lovely beach vacay with the fam, so it has kinda felt like one big weekend lately, BUT somehow I always seem to enjoy Saturday and Sunday better than any other days of the week. Ya know what I mean?

Before I had kids, this is what my weekend looked like:

BUT..times have changed!

Now, it's a little more G rated.

I always get more reading done, family outings, and maybe even a little romance with the hubby, if the kids go to bed on time!

For some reason my energy level picks up; and when I was dog tired on Friday afternoon; Saturday I'm ready to take on the world! I always try to schedule things I need to get done, but somehow I always end up with my butt back on the couch, surfing the web on my phone, reading a book, and watching a Desperate Housewives marathon on Netflix...damn can I multi-task or what??

I actually lucked out this weekend; my hubby has the weekend off! How he managed that after a week's vacation at the beach beats me, but now I have a partner to help wrangler our kids!

It's always nice to have a partner!

So, how about everyone else?

Do you try and schedule chores or activities on the weekend?

Do you have a rigorous schedule that you never stray from?

maybe, you are still one of those chicks in the picture above!
Jealous!

Whatever role you play, I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Now, it's time to get my read on!

Review: Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

2011-08-04T03:07:00.000-07:00

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Clarion Books; 1 edition (August 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0547224850

The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

This is the second book in this series and Tamsin and her honey Gabriel are back with some time traveling action and adventure, wrapped up with a little witchy romance to get us excited for more! I really enjoyed this book. I liked this one better than the first. Tamsin isn't as annoying to me in this book. She seems to have gained some confidence and probably being with Gabriel has helped some too.

I really liked the Greene family and the strong character of Tamsin's grandmother. Although, I would have loved to slap Tamsin's sister a couple of times. Good lord is she annoying!

The time traveling is very exciting and I loved how the story develops. I enjoyed the fact that Tamsin becomes employed by the King family and we get to see the enemy up close. Very clever.

I love how the story gets wrapped up in the end, and a lot of things from the first book now make sense. I can't say anymore without ruining the ending, so I will just leave it at that!

I definitely recommend this one and I give it 3 1/2 STARS.