Writer's Block Reviews

Defining New Moon by Brian Leaf

2010-04-17T13:37:00.009-04:00

Defining New Moon is a workbook that helps you learn vocabulary for SAT, ACT, GED and SSAT, by using the book New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. The work book is not only for those tests listed above, but you can also use them to brush up and learn new words. How it works is in the workbook, they give you groups of words and page numbers on where you'll find the word in the actual book. You can then write what you think the word means and then check your answer on the next page which has the definitions. The workbook also has synonyms, analogies and sentence completions.

If you're anything like me, then it sometimes takes a little bit for you to feel like studying. You think about other things, get online, or read a book (not the one you're suppose to be studying..) instead of just jumping in. I think we're all a little guilty of this from time to time. So, when I saw Defining New Moon, I was eager to get it and see if it really worked or not. I was very surprised by how much I liked the book and how much I learned. I would look up the word in New Moon and try to guess what it meant. Sometimes I was right, sometimes I wasn't. But now I know more words than I did when I began this little experiment.

I highly recommend Defining New Moon, along with it's predecessor Defining Twilight. Coming soon there is also going to be a Defining Eclipse, which I'll definitely have to get my hands on! I think these are very helpful workbooks and Twilight fans are going to love them! I think what Mr. Leaf is doing here is great and and it's a genius idea! I think anything to help is worth giving a shot and this is a series to try out! You can check out Brian Leaf, M.A on his website or you can become a fan facebook where there's usually giveaways and news about the series.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

2010-04-16T08:05:00.000-04:00

From borders.com:

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies-or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her.

But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer-and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself.

My thoughts:
This book pulled me in from the first chapter. I loved that this isn't the same ole story that I've read over and over lately. It has paranormal aspects with the right amount of love mixed in. Of course couldn't put it down, because the mystery kept me wondering what was going to happen next.

The characters are also very believable and easy for the reader to relate to. Violet is easy to follow and her feelings are very real. It makes you root for her during the whole novel. Jay is also like a boy that I would know from school. Their relationship is carefree and easy going.

I highly recommend picking up this book. It's definitely worth the time that you'll invest in reading it. Then you can sit with me and wish that Kimberly Derting would hurry up and write another novel! It's hard to find them this good these days!

The Clearing by Heather Davis

2010-04-11T06:31:00.000-04:00

From bn.com:

In this bittersweet romance, two teens living decades apart form a bond that will change their lives forever.

Amy is drawn to the misty, mysterious clearing behind her Aunt Mae’s place because it looks like the perfect place to hide from life. A place to block out the pain of her last relationship, to avoid the kids in her new town, to stop dwelling on what her future holds after high school.

Then, she meets a boy lurking in the mist—Henry. Henry is different from any other guy Amy has ever known. And after several meetings in the clearing, she’s starting to fall for him.

But Amy is stunned when she finds out just how different Henry really is. Because on his side of the clearing, it’s still 1944. By some miracle, Henry and his family are stuck in the past, staving off the tragedy that will strike them in the future. Amy’s crossing over to Henry’s side brings him more happiness than he’s ever known—but her presence also threatens to destroy his safe existence.

My take:

My first thought when I closed this novel was "Wow". This book is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. I loved Amy and how she just doesn't feel like she fits anywhere. The book has both perspectives by rotating chapters from Amy to Henry's point of view. It's beautifully told. The only complaint that I have is that I feel like the friends that Amy makes in school are not fully developed, they could have even been left out and I probably wouldn't have noticed. That's okay, though, because Heather Davis makes that up in the other action that is happening in the book. The book does end in a mysterious fashion, which is kind of a bummer because I wanted a little more of an ending.

This is my first novel by Heather Davis and now I'm going to be picking up her other book that I've somehow missed, which is entitled Never Cry Werewolf. I'll be looking forward to more books from the author in the future!

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

2010-04-08T08:09:00.001-04:00

from borders.com:

When a flower blooms in the middle of her back, Laurel discovers that she is a faerie and was placed with human parents as a child. As Laurel learns about her true background and the dangers that face the faerie realm, she struggles to find her place in both worlds.

My take:

Overall I loved the story line. Laurel is just your average, beautiful girl who starts growing wings, which happens to look like a flower. What bothered me in the story was when she tells her guy friend/ possible love interest that she has something like a flower on her back he doesn't freak at all. He just takes it all in stride.

I loved the other world aspect also. I'm hoping that in the upcoming book Spells we can dig more into the faerie world. That's what is going to get me to pre order Spells. Plus the ending is left open so that there's a lot of possibilities that Ms. Pike will be able to explore.

Hearts At Stake : The Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey

2010-04-06T18:30:00.002-04:00

from bn.com:

On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.

Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy—who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black—in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart.
My thoughts:

As the first book in a series, I was fairly impressed. I really enjoyed it, even though it was a quick read. There are some situations that I would have loved to have more information on, but maybe they'll be touched on in future books of the series. I am definitely going to keep up with the series, because I am really interested in the characters and would like to see what Alyxandra Harvey has up her sleeve. I think she left the book with enough opened so she can explore more into the vampires and the hierarchy. I would have loved to see more in the relationships that develop, because they did feel a little rushed. While that was quick, it didn't hurt the book, just made it more fast paced. This is a quick read that I would recommend for a vacation read.

Giveaway!

2010-02-25T18:27:00.003-05:00

I know, it's been a little bit since you've heard from me. This new year has been a hectic one. To make it up to you, I have some great book reviews and giveaways to come your way!

This first giveaway is a big one, thanks to the lovely and talented Ms. Nancy Holder. You might know her from her books Wicked, Pretty Little Devils or Possessions. She has supplied me with 6 SIGNED books and some yummy Wicked mints (bought by her from Disneyland!).

The grand prize winner will have their pick of 3 of the books that I have.
Second prize will get their choice of the remaining books.
Third prize will be the remaining book and a pack of mints.
Three other winners will win a pack of mints and a grab bag of bookmarks.

All you need to do to enter is comment on this post. That's it.

Now for extra entries:

+1 for being a new follower
+2 for already being a follower
+2 for posting this contest on your blog
+2 for Tweeting about this contest

Thanks for being awesome and loyal readers!!

Contest ends on March 17th!

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

2010-01-09T11:44:00.000-05:00

(from BN.com)

High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out -- doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T -- and to everyone's shock, she's a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ's awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest -- and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize -- Sweet T's dream could turn into Tere's worst nightmare....

This story is such a fast and easy read. I loved it from the first paragraph. Tere is so real and would be easy for anyone to relate to. Being shy in high school myself, I could feel Tere's pain as she had to fight with herself to stand up and do a report. The job that Tere is offered turns her into another person. She's not afraid to show her true colors on air, unlike in school, where she hides herself from everyone. This story is such a fun and easy read. I would definitely recommend that you pick it up!

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

2010-01-06T14:59:00.003-05:00

From bn.com:

One pregnancy. Four friends. It all adds up to a profound time of change in this poignant, sensitively written YA novel.Ellie remembers how the boys kissed her. Touched her. How they begged for more. And when she gave it to them, she felt loved. For awhile anyway. So when Josh, an eager virgin with a troubled home life, leads her from a party to the backseat of his van, Ellie follows. But their "one-time thing" is far from perfect: Ellie gets pregnant. Josh reacts with shame and heartbreak, while their confidantes, Caleb and Corinne, deal with their own complex swirl of emotions. No matter what Ellie chooses, all four teenagers will be forced to grow up a little faster as a result. Told alternately from each character’s point of view, this deeply insightful novel explores the aftershocks of the biggest decision of one fragile girl’s life — and the realities of leaving innocence behind.

review:

Jumping Off Swings is a book that will make you think, especially of all the choices that are out there. The book is in no way condemning or endorsing teen pregnancy, it's just telling the truth. I think it's a very good read that has reality mixed in to it. The only issue that I have with the book is that it seemed too short. I would have loved to read more of the story. See more into the heads of all the characters. This book also rotates perspectives between the two main characters and their best friends. All though it's a quick read, it's one not to be missed!

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

2010-01-04T09:40:00.000-05:00

From bn.com:

To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips...conks her head...and wakes up in the year 1815!
There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily's family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily's cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.

But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex's heart, before her time in the past is up?

Review:

I love all things Jane Austen. So, when I saw Prada and Prejudice was coming out, I was stoked and had to have it. When I read it, it made me wish that something cool would happen to me. Yes, I know that it couldn't...but what if? Mandy Hubbard did a great job with keeping up with the times. It kept things interesting. This is a book that will go on my Austen keeper shelf. It's a wonderful book, especially for middle school through high school. I can't wait to see what other good reads that Mandy Hubbard has in store!

Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson

2009-11-09T18:39:00.001-05:00

From inner flap~

In Kisses and Lies, the thrilling sequel to Kiss Me Kill Me, talented gymnast and amateur sleuth Scarlett Wakefield is hot on the trail of the murderer of Dan McAndrew, her first crush. Dan mysteriously dropped dead at Scarlett’s feet at the first exclusive party she ever attended- just moments after kissing her. Scarlett and her tough American sidekick, Taylor McGovern, follow a trail of clues that lead from a posh private club in London to a Chelsea mansion. Could Plum Saybourne, socialite princess and Scarlett’s sworn enemy, be the owner of the designer handbag that might be the key to solving the mystery? Or does the bag belong to Lucy Raleigh, another girl in Plum’s elite circle? Scarlett must cast a wide net to catch the right suspect--and to clear her own name.

Back at Wakefield Hall Collegiate, Scarlett’s prestigious boarding school, delicious groundskeeper Jase Barnes is doing his best to take Scarlett’s mind off her secret troubles. But a startling discovery means that she must drop everything- including her budding relationship with Jase- and travel to the McAndrew family’s Scottish castle to hunt down Dan’s killer. Will Scarlett become the target of a dangerous predator who has no intention of stopping at just one murder??

If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Kiss Me, Kill Me, that is okay. (Even though I do recommend reading it first..J ) This book does recap briefly and catches you up to speed. It was a nice refresher for me because I tend to read so many books, I start to forget what happened in every book. I can honestly say that I was surprised at who the killer was and why they did it. I love when that happens because usually I can see it coming a mile away and I didn’t with this book. I enjoy the author’s writing style and really like how she doesn’t leave you hanging completely at end. Her next book, Kisses in the Dark, is due out in April 2010.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2009-11-06T18:32:00.002-05:00

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step…

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aiblileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has some secrets of her own. Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

What a stunningly good book! This is definitely in the top 10 best books I have read this year. The character and plot development is some of the best I have ever read. You actually feel the same emotions right along with the characters. You are angry at the injust treatment of the maids, frightened when you hear about the consequences of speaking out, and you feel the love that they have for their “white babies” Each chapter is told from one of the 3 main characters point of view and the transition between characters was flawless. I totally got caught up in each character’s story and was excited to start each chapter. The descriptions are so vivid, you swear that the author actually lived through these times. I had to keep reminding myself that this book was a work of fiction, because it really reads like a nonfiction book. What is the most shocking thing is that this is the author’s first book! I can’t believe it! This is a very inspiring book that I am sure will stay with me forever. If you have not read this book, you are truly missing out on a great work of literature!

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

2009-11-04T18:07:00.003-05:00

From Inner Flap, Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they?When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie----a feisty, demanding girl w/ firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance---mysteriously appears, she has one last request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, and Sadie cannot rest without it. Lara, on the other hand, has a number of ongoing distractions.Her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, her start-up company is floundering, and she’s just been dumped by the “perfect” man…Sadie, however, could care less.

I really enjoyed this book! In typical Sophie Kinsella form, it was a funny and light hearted read. I really enjoyed the character of Sadie, she was so fun and sassy that she really added something special to the book. It does have a little mystery going on within in the book for all you mystery buffs and I found myself eagerly turning the pages and trying to guess what was going to happen next. I was myself laughing out loud quite often (Especially at the part where Sadie dresses Lara in what she considers “proper dress attire” for her big date) Also, I found the references to the 1920’s very fascinating and enjoyed reading about that time. All in all, if you have read any other of Kinsella’s books, you will love this one as well. If this is your first book you are reading by her, you will not be disappointed.

Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel

2009-09-25T10:51:00.003-04:00

From Back Cover

Cat Connelly plays it safe. She’s an accountant with no debt who lives near her family in Manhattan. She’s also thirty-four, unmarried, and with nothing promising on her romantic horizon. After a humiliating incident at her sister’s wedding, she throws caution to the wind and flies off to Rome to find Francesco, the man she’d fallen in love with thirteen years earlier on a trip to Italy. When Francesco turns out to be a dud, Cat is adrift on the streets of Rome, no safety net in sight. With the help of an eccentric waitress with a spare apartment to rent, the handsome restaurateur who calls her Princess Ann, and the family secrets only Rome can unlock for her, Cat discovers that happiness can be found on the back of a speeding Vespa….. But only if you’re willing to take a few risks.

From the time I read about Cat’s grandmother humiliating her at her sister’s wedding, I could totally relate to Cat. She plays it “safe“ in life and is more concerned w/ the needs of others than w/ making herself happy. I think this book is a little bit more emotional than Harmel’s other two books. You really root for Cat as she goes on her journey of self discovery and want things to work out okay for her. I really enjoyed reading about her time in Italy, the descriptions are fantastic, I really felt like I took a mini-vacation there without ever leaving the house! I could literally see the beautiful sites that she was describing and almost taste the delicious food. I loved that the author included some of the recipes of the wonderful food described in the book, and I can’t wait to try one out. I highly recommend this book to anyone want that wants to take a trip to Italy from the comfort of their own home.

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

2009-09-07T13:12:00.000-04:00

Heavenly tells the story of Zoe. Zoe has a lot going on in her life, including her autistic sister Abria. Because Abria is autistic, Zoe and her brother Luke have to make time to help out more around the house. Zoe's only escape is through partying with her best friend. When Zoe's sister gets put in a dangerous situation, Zoe sees Matthias. Matthias is Abria's guardian sent from Heaven to watch over her. But something starts to happen between Zoe and Matthias that shouldn't and then there's a change in everything.

The story line of Heavenly is definitely different from any of the others books that I've read lately. It felt like a breath of fresh air. Heavenly also goes through many emotions with Zoe having to carry such a weight on her shoulders. You can feel the emotion throughout the story. It's also a book that you're not going to want to put down once you start it. Jennifer Laurens is a great story teller and never disappoints! If you want to find out more before you buy, you can visit the book's website if you want to find out more!

Take Off Your Shirt by Nancy Balbirer

2009-09-05T09:28:00.000-04:00

In this strikingly candid memoir, Nancy Balbirer distills two decades of drama school, auditions, bit parts, cameos, and off-Broadway plays into an account by turns hilarious and horrifying. From studying theater in college under the searing purism of David Mamet (“In show business, women who are lucky enough to find employment as asked to do only two thinks in every role they ever play: take your shirt off and cry”) to weathering advice from her brazenly insensitive L.A. agent (“I didn’t think it was possible. But you managed to bore Luke Perry”) to scoring a Saturday Night Live audition based on a drunken Debra Winger impersonation, Balbirer’s adventures are sometimes bizarre, sometimes painful, and always unforgettable.

Between run-ins with an eccentric cast of all-too-real characters, including an infatuated acting teacher who introduces Nancy to the joys of firearms, a former sex symbol desperately seeking a toilet, and a jazz musician who fancies himself a reincarnated Jack Kerouac, Balbirer wrestles with her own ambitions and disappointments, struggling to determine what she really wants and who she really is. She may not be destined for Hollywood stardom, but as Take Your Shirt Off and Cry makes clear, she is definitely a one-of-a-kind talent.

From making her mother laugh in the kitchen with her Joan Crawford impersonations when she was 9, to playing “Psycho Ex-Girlfriend from Hell” on MTV’s Remote Control and co-starring in a couple of episodes of Seinfeld (Wait…Jon Voight bit you?) plus everything in between and beyond, Nancy Balbirer writes a hilarious tale of the ups and downs of trying to “make it in Hollywood”. Anyone who dreams of making it big as an actor/actress definitely should read this book. I am a huge memoir junkie and finished this in a day. I highly recommend it to all you other memoir junkies out there, you won’t be disappointed. Also, after reading this, you will learn why only people who are full of sh*t whisper.

TMI by Sarah Quigley

2009-09-01T13:53:00.000-04:00

(blurb taken from back of the book)

Becca’s tendency for over sharing-confessing all of her business to anyone willing to listen- never seemed like a problem to her until she gets into serious trouble blabbing about her sweet, band-geek boyfriend’s sloppy kisses. Becca wonders: is it better to resist the temptation to talk? Can she break her over share addiction? And how does someone kick a lifelong TMI habit??She simply must spill, but rather than over share face-to-face, Becca decides to blog anonymously about everything else instead.

On her blog, too much information, Becca unleashes her alter ego, Bella. Bella tells it like it s…though perhaps with a bit more drama. After all, no one she knows is actually going to read it, right?

Oh my goodness, did this book ever take me back to my high school days!! I think adults and teens alike can relate to Becca and her innocent oversharing. Who amongst us hasn’t been guilty of giving out just a little bit TMI? My favorite character was Jai and, without giving away his secret, think that the subject was handled wonderfully and the ending conveyed an important message about friendship and excepting others as they are. Becca’s blog entries as “Bella” are hysterical and I found myself laughing out loud reading them. I also love how one of my favorite movies “Grease” plays a large part in the book. (Plus all the 80’s movies references were great!) I highly recommend this book to all teens and especially to adults that just want to take an afternoon and get lost in their high school memories! I truly hope that Sarah Quigley writes a sequel to this!

Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

2009-08-29T09:21:00.000-04:00

From the back of the book-Madison’s prom was killer-literally. For some reason, she’s been targeted by a dark reaper-yeah, that kind of reaper- intent on getting rid of her, body and soul. But Madison realizes she has to take control of her own fate once and for all, before it takes control of her. Well, if she believed in that stuff.

A little more in-depth blurb-Madison Avery is dead. After running away from her prom date with a strange guy she's never met before, they get in a car accident. This does not kill her. The guy's (a Dark Reaper) sword stabbing does. She doesn't know why he came to kill her, but she knows that by stealing his amulet she is able to keep her soul in her body and continue living life normally, or as normal as possible when you're a dead teenager. Now she is constantly under the watchful eyes of Barnabas, a Light Reaper, and Grace, her new Guardian Angel. While trying to learn to read auras and thoughts, Madison is trying to keep up the facade of a normal life at home with her dad, and her relationship with Josh (her prom date).

From the very first page, this book grabs you and really pulls you in. I am used to having to read a little bit before I can “get into” the story. Not with this book. From the very first sentence, I was hooked. This book is not a book you can just breeze through. You really have to pay attention to what you are reading so you can understand what is going on. I adored Madison, she is a very feisty girl that will make you smile. If you are a paranormal junkie, you truly have to read this book!

Easy On The Eyes by Jane Porter

2009-08-26T09:34:00.000-04:00

At thirty-eight, Tiana Tomlinson has made it. America adores her as one of the anchors of America Tonight, a top-rated nightly entertainment and news program. But even with the trappings that come with her elite lifestyle, she feels empty. Tiana desperately misses her late husband, Keith, who died several years before. And in a business that thrives on youth, she’s getting the message that her age is starting to show and certain measures must be taken if she is to stay in the spotlight. It doesn’t help that at every turn she has to deal with Michael O’Sullivan, the devilishly handsome plastic surgeon to the stars. But a trip away from the Hollywood madness is about to bring new problems-and a new man-into her life…..force Tiana to ask herself who she wants to be when then the cameras are finally turned off.

I was ecstatic to see that yet another character from Porter’s previous book, Odd Mom Out, was getting her own book! I adored Odd Mom Out and Mrs. Perfect and was very excited to read this book as well. As expected, it was wonderful. Jane Porter has this ability to grab you in at the very first page and make you feel as though the character is a cherished friend of yours. Tiana Tomlinson is no different. You are right there with her as she deals with some serious issues (death, cosmetic surgery, over-seas charity work) and hope that she come out of all the twists and turns a better person. I really liked how Jane Porter gave you little snippets of updates about her main character from Odd Mom Out in this book, it was a wonderful surprise and I enjoyed knowing what one of my favorite characters was up to. Even if you haven’t read any of Porter’s previous books, I do recommend you give this a read, you won’t be disappointed!

Are You Living Your Five?

2009-08-25T12:13:00.004-04:00

Check out this awesome new website by some of my favorite authors, by clicking the link above. And find out what Living Your Five really means!

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

2009-08-24T09:16:00.003-04:00

(top taken from flap description)

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That’s what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they’re both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school’s scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weather girl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents’ house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She’s just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. “Something horrible has happened,” Val tells Addie, “and you’re the only one that can help”.

WOW, just wow! What an amazingly good book! I am a huge Jennifer Weiner fan and this book did not disappoint me. The story is told in flashback and present day form, mainly from Addie’s point of view and from Detective Jordan Novick’s point of view. The character development in this book is amazing, you truly feel like you know each character personally. During the flashbacks, the descriptions are so vivid that you really feel like you are right there experiencing everything with Addie. There is a nice little twist at the end that will make you smile. Truly, you can not miss this book, it is a must read. Thank you Jennifer Weiner for writing the kind of books that you think about long after you finish them.

Winner of Sunnyside Blues ::

2009-08-12T12:41:00.001-04:00

Congrats to : Belinda M!

Sent you an email to confirm. Thanks to everyone that entered and I have some more contest to come soon!! Be sure to check out Sunnyside Blues!

The Debs by Susan McBride

2009-08-09T13:36:00.002-04:00

(top description from back of book)

Debutante season in Houston is under way and four ultra privileged girls await their invitations from the illustrious Glass Slipper Club.

Laura Delacroix Bell: This trust fund baby’s size-fourteen figure doesn’t stop her from attracting hot boys or the admiring eye of the GSC selection committee. But a salacious secret could take her out of the running quicker than you can say “Rosebud”.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie” She’d rather bury her nose in a book than embrace her deb destiny. But Mac’s debut is her late mother’s dream and her stepmother’s obsession. If Mac doesn’t bow out now, she may become the crankiest deb in Texas.

Ginger Fore: She hopes to wear her grandmother’s vintage ball gown on her big presentation day. But when a mysterious college guy puts Ginger’s deb eligibility in jeopardy, she may end up wearing an unflattering orange jumpsuit instead.

Jo Lynn Bidwill: A former beauty queen, she makes it her mission in life to take out the debu-trash. For now, Jo Lynn’s sights are set on Laura Bell, and what she has in store for her bitter rival is anything but ladylike.

This book was fantastic, I literally could not put it down! Each chapter is told from one of the girl’s point of view, and I found myself anxious to see what happened next. These girls may be debutantes, but they each face real problems that I think most teen girls can relate to. (Laura struggles w/ her weight, Mac is having problems w/ her young stepmother, Ginger is very much into the whole “green scene” and all 3 of them show you the meaning of a true friendship) I hate to admit this, but I loved reading Jo Lynn’s chapters b/c I she is just so catty and vicious that you can’t help but want to see what she is scheming up next.. I think this book was a great set-up to what I am sure is going to be a wonderful series!

I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book, The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips, which is out in bookstores now.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

2009-08-06T13:48:00.000-04:00

Connie Goodwin should be spending her summer doing research for Ph.D. dissertation in American History. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie’s grandmother’s abandoned home near Salem, she’s compelled to help. One day, while exploring the dusty bookshelves in the study, Connie discovers an ancient key, and within the key is a brittle slip of paper with two words written on it: Deliverance Dane.

Along with a handsome steeplejack named Sam, Connie begins to research Deliverance Dane. But even as the pieces fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of long ago, and she fears she is more tied to Salem’s dark past than she could have ever imagined.

A little side note about the author- Katherine Howe: Her ancestors were accused witches in Salem, which I thought really added a little something special to the book!

This book was a nice change from the genre I usually read. It was very well written and the attention to detail in the 1600’s parts was phenomenal. You can really tell that the author put a lot of time and effort into the research. The book flows seamlessly between the 1600’s and 1991 and you find yourself caught up in both Deliverance’s and Connie’s stories. If you adore books about witchcraft, historical fiction, or magic, this book is a can’t miss. I really enjoyed the book and am very glad that I read it.

Contest Alert!

2009-07-22T12:51:00.002-04:00

Hope you saw the review of Sunnyside Blues! Ms. Carter was kind enough to give another copy for giveaway! This copy is signed and the contest is open for anyone to enter! Just leave a comment by Friday, Aug. 7th!

Good luck! ;)

Sunnyside Blues by Mary Carter

2009-07-21T11:03:00.003-04:00

Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right. In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she's found it. But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase. Smart, secretive, and precocious, Chase touches a chord with Andes even as he plays on her last nerve. When Jay needs someone to take care of Chase temporarily, Andes agrees to accompany the boy to Sunnyside, Queens, on a quest she's sure will prove fruitless. But in this new, strange, unexpectedly welcoming city, Andes will confront the secrets she tried to leave behind and the lies that have kept her running. And against all odds, she'll discover a place, a man, and a new found peace of mind that feel very much like home.

First off, just let me say that I adored this book! From the very first chapter where Andes is getting interrogated about the “kidnapping” of Chase, I was drawn in. The author does a beautiful job of inserting pieces of Andes past throughout the book and really helps you connect w/ her character and understand why she is the way she is. There are several little side stories that keep you interested and guessing throughout the whole book. (Such as whom is starting all the fires, the identity of Chase’s father and what is so important about Andes matchbook collection?) This is the first book I have ever read by Mary Carter and I was truly sad to have it end. I look forward to other books by her in the future!

Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

2009-07-10T13:23:00.006-04:00

Love You, Hate You, Miss You tells the story of Amy and her best friend Julia, who use to be joined at the hip and do everything together until one night at a party. At the party Amy and Julia make a decision that will change everything. Suddenly Amy is having to live life without her best friend and she has to live with the guilt of what happened.

At school, Amy is withdrawn and talks to no one. Which is okay, because everyone knows what happened and that it's all Amy's fault. Amy floats through classes and suppresses her urge to drink the pain away. When Caro (Corn Syrup, which is what Julia use to call her) starts to talk to Amy in class, Amy is pulled into different directions on her feelings. But will Amy ever forgive herself and try to go on living life, even if it's without Julia?

Summing up this book was hard. If you've ever read any of Elizabeth Scott's other books (Living Dead Girl, Perfect You, Stealing Heaven) then you'll know what I'm talking about. Ms. Scott's writing is always gripping and tells a wonderful story in every book that she writes. Love You, Hate You, Miss You is another one of those that gets you from the beginning. It only took me a few hours to read, it was that good. I honestly felt for Amy, because of what she's going through, even thought I have not been in that situation. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and I also put it in my Top 2009 Picks. Elizabeth Scott also has another book coming out in 2010, be sure to look out for it also!

Winners!! and Another Contest Announcement!

2009-07-10T12:47:00.005-04:00

Thanks to you guys that entered the contest for Dork Diaries! I decided to also give my review copy away to a second place winner! So, we'll have 2 winners!! YAY! I love giving books away! The first place winner of the Nikki purse and copy of Dork Diaries is (thanks to random.org)::

PARADOX! congrats!!!

And the second place winner of the review copy I have, plus some cool bookmarks is::

MARIE! congrats, also!!

****New contest announcement::

Hopefully you guys remember the review I did of One Wish. If not, I linked for a refresher! Well, Leigh is holding an awesome contest on her blog where you can win a signed hardback copy of One Wish and it's super east to enter. So, go by Leigh's Blog and enter to win! It's international AND it's until July 31st! Good luck!!

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell + Kickin' Contest!!

2009-06-30T10:57:00.007-04:00

Dork Diaries is a diary that follows the life of eight grader Nikki Maxwell. But it's not just told in diary form, it's also contains drawings and comics, which makes it all the more entertaining. The diary also contains everything from stories of her crushes to fights with her parents. When the school's new queen bee, Mackenzie goes up against Nikki at the art competition, sparks fly and I'm not talking about the good ones. Will Nikki be able to conquer Mackenzie and take home the prize or fall to the graces of the evil Mackenzie?

This is such a cute book! I loved it. All the comics and drawings just add to the book. This book will make you laugh out loud and root for Nikki all the way through. Not only that, but this book is relate able to all younger girls. The situations that Nikki goes through are honest to life and can make the readers fell as if they're not alone. I will be looking forward to the next book by Ms. Russell! This one is a must not miss!!

Interview with the author Rachel Russell::

1. Did you make it a known fact that you wanted to be a writer or was it more of a secret desire?

For the past few years, writing had become my new hobby and my family and close friends knew this. However, most of my casual friends and acquaintances are not aware that I currently have a children's book on the New York Times Best Seller List. So, that part is a bit of a secret.

2. Who or what was the inspiration for the book?

I would say my youngest daughter, Nikki. She had a hard time fitting in with her peers during middle school. Some of the events in the book actually happened to her. She also gave me permission to name my main character is named after her.

3. What helps you overcome Writers Block?

Sometimes taking a short break or rest from writing helps. But, most of the time, it's just a matter of disciplining myself to actually sit down at the computer and write something. Anything. Even if it has to be reworked later.

4. Do you have any writing superstitions or rituals?

Not really. Although, I usually snack on candy and listen to teen pop music to help set the mood.

5. What is your guilty pleasure?

Desserts! Like, fresh strawberries with pound cake and ice cream, topped with extra whip cream. Or, a warm brownie with hot fudge and ice cream, topped with extra whip cream.

6. What was the first book you ever read?

The first book I every read on my own was the early reader, "Go Dogs Go!" Then I read, "Hop On Pop" and "Green Eggs and Ham." To this day, I have most of "Green Eggs and Ham" memorized :-).

CONTEST!

Comment here to enter to win Nikki's Purse full of goodies and a copy of Nikki's diary!! Winner will be chosen on July 7th!! Good luck!!

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

2009-06-26T14:21:00.006-04:00

When Miranda's grandmother passes away, she leaves her estate on a Georgia island to Miranda's mother. Reluctantly, Miranda pushes aside an internship that she had planned for the summer to meet her mother at Selkie Island to help her clean up and sell the house.

Miranda arrives at Selkie Island with a plan, help her mom clean up the house, get the house sold, and go back to the big city to do her internship. What Miranda doesn't expect is the myths and legends that surround the small island to interfere with her thoughts. In her grandmother's house, she finds a book filled with the island myths and it starts to make Miranda wonder if any of them could be true.

Then she meets Leo, a local around her age, who is as mysterious at they come. As Miranda starts to get wrapped up in Leo and the myths, her good girl image starts to get lost.

Sea Change is a breath of fresh air. It's different from other books that are on the market right now and that makes me love it more. I like the mystery of the story and it kept me glued to the book, waiting to see what exactly was going on. The overall story is engaging. Some of the characters got on my nerves, but I believe that's the way it was written. I would recommend this book for someone who would like a light, summer read, or fans of Aimee Friedman.

Heartbreak River by Tricia Mills

2009-06-08T16:25:00.000-04:00

When tragedy strikes Cooley Mountain Whitewater a year earlier, Alex's life is turned upside down. Now, her father is gone, her mother is taking some time out and Sean is back. That's the same Sean that Alex has grew up and worked with in years past. When Alex's father died, it changed a lot of things, including Alex's and Sean's relationship. They haven't talked since. There's also some new guys working for Alex at Cooley Mountain, that seem to keep things interesting.

With all of the fun that starts to happen, there's also some downsides, that include, some of Sean's friends come to visit (a few of which are girls) and a barn party that goes terribly wrong. With all of this happening, will Alex ever begin to feel normal again?

I loved Heartbreak River. It was a book that was hard to put down. Tricia Mills' writing pulled me into the story with the first chapter. Although, it is a sad book, it still has it's high points. It's also not your average romance novel, because there's more added in and it also makes you thing. This is a great debut novel and it has me looking forward to more from Ms. Mills. I would definitely recommend this one!

WINNER of The Real, Real.....

2009-06-08T16:15:00.000-04:00

Is....addictedreader! Congrats! I sent an email your way. I need to hear from you in a week, or I'll re draw!

If you didn't win, don't worry, I have more contests coming!!

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

2009-06-02T13:25:00.004-04:00

This review might not completely make sense, if you haven't read the first book in the series, which is called Airhead. Pick that one up (at your local bookstore or library, it's out now in paperback!) if you're planning on reading Being Nikki! Now, on with the review!!

In Being Nikki, Em Watts is still stuck in a body that's not her own. Not only that, but she finds out that her mom (well, Nikki's mom) is missing, she has a brother (surprise!) and Christopher still has no idea that she's really Em. Em is also still having to act the part of Nikki and she has to watch her step to make sure to cover her tracks. No one can find out who she really is or it can affect her real family. There's a contract that will see to it, if there's a mess up. Dealing with the paparazzi is also another story. When you're just a normal girl, then you're thrown in to the public eye, everyone watches and knows everything that's going on in your life. It's a lot to handle.

When more problems are thrown into the mix, it spells disasters for Em. Can she handle all the surprising turns that headed her way in Being Nikki? Well, for that, you'll have to read to find out.

I didn't want to go into too much detail, considering the fact that I don't want to give anything away. This series is awesome and original. I love books that are different and keep you wondering what's going to happen. Meg Cabot keeps you engrossed and even throws in a surprise ending. If you've never read a book by Meg (where have you been? just kidding!), then this series is a great start! With the ending, you'll be biting your nails waiting for the last book in the series which is going to be titled Runaway! Being Nikki is the second of the Airhead trilogy. Be sure to read Airhead first!

The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus CONTEST!

2009-05-21T14:09:00.004-04:00

The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (they are the authors of the New York Times bestsellers The Nanny Diaries, Citizen Girl, and Dedication) is out now! Click here to preview some of the book.

They're also going on tour. Here are the dates to see if they're coming to a place near you!

THE REAL REAL tour:

May 23 Bookhampton, Amagansett, NY

May 26 B&N Skokie, IL

May 27 Anderson’s, Naperville, IL

May 28 B&N Lake Grove, NY

June 2 Changing Hands, Phoenix, AZ

June 3 Vroman’s, Pasadena, CA

June 4 Borders, Torrance, CA

June 5 B&N Huntington Beach, CA

June 6 B&N, El Cerrito, CA

June 7 Copperfields, Petaluma, CA

June 8 Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA

June 24 Borders Columbus Circle, NYC

Comment here to win a signed copy, sent by the publisher!

Sorry, but open to US residents only. The contest will end June 4th!

Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

2009-05-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

For summer, Kayla has decided to be a hiking sherpa, where her and her adoptive parents camped last year. Kayla made a friend with Lindsay and they kept in touch over summer, so that makes it an easier decision for Kayla to come back. Kayla has been weary of the woods since her parents got killed when she was younger. They were camping and hunters mistaken them for wolves.

The first group of hikers that Kayla and the other sherpas take out are Dr. Keane and his grad students from a university. Along with Dr. Keane comes his son, Mason, who starts to show some interest in Kayla. It also seems to make the senior sherpa, Lucas mad. Kayla can't figure out why Lucas gets upset about it, there seems to be more to that story.

Moonlight is the first book in the Dark Guardian trilogy. It's filled with friends, love and even shape shifters. It's a very easy and light read, but I really enjoyed it! It's page turning, fast read. This is the first book that I've read from Rachel Hawthorne and it won't be the last! I can't wait for the next book to come out! The next book is based on other characters in the Moonlight story, and it's called Full Moon. Be sure to look for it in June! Look below for an author interview with Rachel Hawthorne!

Interview with Rachel Hawthorne ::

1. What was the first book you read?:: The first book I ever read by myself was called "Surprise!" It was a picture book I received at a school Christmas party.

2. Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?:: Oh, yes. When I was younger, I would rewrite the endings to my favorite books. I kept journals and wrote long letters to relatives and had several pen pals.

3. Did you make it a known fact that you wanted to be a writer or was it more of a secret desire?:: It was a secret desire--except to my closest friends. The dream to get published just seemed so big that I felt like I needed to achieve it before telling people who might not be supportive.

4. Who or what is your inspiration?:: My younger sister, Theresa. Several years ago, she was a divorced mom with three young children, working full time, and going to school part-time to better her life. Her drive and determination to succeed were amazing.

5. Do you have any writing superstitions or rituals?:: I listen to a CD of a thunderstorm when I'm writing. I also write my most emotional scenes in the dark.

6. What helps you overcome writer's block?:: So far, I haven't had to deal with writer's block. Even if the story isn't going exactly as I expected it to, I keep plowing through in order to figure out where it's taking me. I'm a by-the-seat-of-my-pants writer. If I don't write, I have nothing to build on.

7. What is the strangest way you have come up with an idea for a book? :: It wasn't strange, necessarily, but I was at a baseball game when I came up with the idea for The Boyfriend League. It was a North Texas Collegiate Baseball game and they were having family night. As they called the families up to recognize them the whole story for The Boyfriend League popped into my mind. When I got home, I wrote up the proposal for the story and emailed it to my agent and editor. The rest is history.

8. Do you have any other creative outlets?:: I love to get massages and going into a relaxed meditative state so my creativity is unleashed. But if you're asking if I do anything creative other than write, no. I'm simply not very creative with anything other than words.

9. What is your guilty pleasure?:: Getting massages, spending the day at the spa.

10. Recommend a book to me. :: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I love that series and can't wait for the next book. (I agree!! I can't wait, either!)

Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity by Kerry Cohen

2009-05-19T21:10:00.001-04:00

When Kerry starts to think back on all the guys that she's slept with and can't remember them all, she sees a problem. With guys this is an epic moment, but if you're a girl, this one of those moments that makes your stomach turn.

With the first paragraph of Loose Girl, I was hooked. Kerry goes through her whole story and her writing flows so well, that it feels like you're listening to your best friend telling a story. Kerry lives with her pot-smoking dad, who doesn't give her too much parental guidance. To fill the void that she has, from her mother leaving and her distant sister, she turns to boys and tries to feel better about everything. Something like that, though, can only make you feel better for so long. Then you're just left with the empty feeling that you began with.

The book also opens your eyes on a sensitive subject. You have to applaud Cohen for her honesty and courage of writing her story for everyone to read. The book is very interesting and funny at times. It's a personal story and Kerry tells it well. This book opens your eyes and makes you see others like this in a different light. I know that I won't be looking things the same way anymore. Bravo to Kerry for putting her story out there and hopefully help others.

One Wish by Leigh Brescia

2009-05-10T22:28:00.005-04:00

Wrenn Scott is overweight and would give anything to fit in with the popular crowd that Bree Donnelly is apart of. Wrenn has a great family life, with a mother and younger sister who loves to torture Wrenn with 'girl's night'. Wrenn also has a great best friend who understands her and loves her just the way she is. But, there's still that little part of Wrenn that would give anything to be popular,skinny, and get a boyfriend. When her best friend, Zoe, finds out that the school is going to do a play on Grease, Zoe knows that Wrenn would be perfect for the play. Wrenn has an amazing singing voice and reluctantly tries out for the play.

Not only does Wrenn get a part in the play, but so does Bree and her clique. Wrenn decides this is a perfect opportunity to show Bree and everyone else how cool she really is. In the process, Wrenn changes, and not in a good way. She starts to shut out her best friend who was always there for her and Wrenn also starts to drop weight in a drastic way. Wrenn has to start and wonder is this what she always wanted?

Leigh Brescia's debut novel One Wish is just about as good as you can get with a debut novel. It's a heartbreaking look into the life of a girl who just wants to desperately fit in. From there, Wrenn makes some not smart choices and lose site of who she really is. Wrenn's voice is a great narration to the story and drags you in. This is a great read that I highly recommend and check out below for a Q&A with author Leigh Brescia.

Q&A WITH AUTHOR OF ONE WISH LEIGH BRESCIA

1. What was the first book you read?
I don’t remember the “first” book I read (my mom read to me when I was younger), but the first book I remember reading that had an impact was “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” by Avi. It had everything: an awesome female protagonist, adventure, danger on the high seas, murder . . . and ultimately it’s about staying true to your desires and following your heart. I was in the sixth grade the first time I read it, and I remember repeatedly checking it out from the library after that. I still go back and re-read it on occasion, and it’s just as awesome now as it was then.

2. Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?
Not really. Growing up I had a wild imagination and an affinity for story-telling (i.e. lying). I daydreamed a lot and found myself lost in my own world, listening to the characters inside my head. The first time I decided that I wanted to write a book I was fifteen years old. I sat down at the computer and started working on a historical fiction novel. Unfortunately, my floppy disk corrupted and I lost half of it (and never finished writing the rest). I wrote short stories and poems until college, when I decided I wanted to take another stab at writing a book. I practiced my signature a lot, though, so I apparently thought I would be signing something someday.

3. Did you make it a known fact that you wanted to be a writer or was it more of a secret desire?
It depends on the person. Close friends and family members knew I was writing in my free time, but no, I didn’t talk about it that much. Extended friends and acquaintances are just now hearing about One Wish, so for many it was a well-kept secret.

4. Who or what is your inspiration?
Probably Sarah Dessen. After reading her YA novels, I knew that it was the perfect genre for me. I love all of her characters and I read her books over and over again. Though I feel woefully inadequate after I finish them, ultimately her stories make me want to tell my stories.

5. Do you have any writing superstitions or rituals?
No, I’m not really a superstitious person. I usually do my serious writing at night. I like to have a glass of milk and something chocolate close by. Life is hectic. If I can find a moment to write, there’s no time to waste.

6. What helps you overcome writer's block?
I have a general outline I use when writing a book (which alters as new ideas pop up) so I always have an idea of what I need to write on a particular day. If it’s not working, I go back and re-read chapters to figure out where the story needs to head. If I’m having serious issues, I put the work in progress aside and read books or watch movies and brainstorm until I’ve figured things out. There’s nothing like a good RomCom to get the creative juices flowing again!

7. What is the strangest way you have come up with an idea for a book?
I do my best thinking when I’m driving (or riding, more often than not), so a lot of my ideas have appeared while I was on the road. The strangest: I wrote a novel based on an idea I had while I was washing my hair. No joke.

8. Do you have any other creative outlets?
I love any kind of artsy/craftsy thing: making jewelry, painting, sewing, etc., but I rarely have enough time to do them. I usually go through spurts: like one time, I made a whole tray of beaded flowers; another time I hand-stitched books/journals for people; then I went through a reconstruction phase where I ripped apart old clothes that I didn’t like or couldn’t wear and tried to make something new. My best piece was a skirt I made from an old pair of jeans. I wear it *all* the time! I also play the piano.

9. What is your guilty pleasure?
A hot bubble bath. I treat to myself to one at the end of every day. I lock the door and disappear for at least 30 minutes (usually with a book). It’s warm, and quiet, and people know better than to interrupt. I also love sleeping in, but I can’t always make that happen.

10. Recommend a book to me.
Right now I’m reading The Season by Sarah MacLean. Highly Recommend! Of course, anything by Sarah Dessen, and I enjoy Maureen Johnson as well (especially her latest: Suite Scarlett).

Two Great Author Contests!

2009-05-06T12:11:00.001-04:00

Head over to Susane Colasanti's blog and Melissa Walker's blog to enter to win goodies from each one!

Happy Reading!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

2009-05-03T15:00:00.000-04:00

Mia is a seventeen year old high school student that has the world at her fingertips. She's a great musician, who's even tried out for Julliard. Mia is also close with her parents and younger brother. Her boyfriend, Adam is also musical, he's in a band that's close to getting their big break. But sometimes happiness can be short lived. Everything is going great for Mia, until one morning when school is called off because of snow.

That one morning changes all of their lives in an instant. Mia finds herself in an out of body state as she fights for her life in a hospital. Throughout the story, you will go back and learn more about Mia and her family, including her little brother Teddy. Also, about her relationship with Adam and best friend Kim. While you also see flashbacks, Mia has an ultimate choice to make.

To say this book is good, is to vague. It's heart wrenching and enchanting all at once. I have no idea how. This book is the first book in a long time that made me cry. But this book isn't just about death, it's also in a strange way about life. Mia is like a friend talking to you. Telling you all of these stories, while waiting to figure out her ultimate choice. This is a short book, being only a little over 200 pages, but the story it told in such a way that it's complete by the time you finish those pages. I would highly recommend this book to anyone to read. It's such a gripping novel, that it makes you really think.

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

2009-05-02T22:00:00.000-04:00

When Quincie Morris is young, her parents both died and left her in the care of her Uncle Davidson. They also leave a restaurant to her. Quincie and her uncle decide to redesign the restaurant and re open it. Quincie spends more time in and working on the restaurant than she does at school. Her uncle's weird girlfriend (who wants to be a vampire), Ruby suggests that they do a vampire themed restaurant where dinners can have not only a dinner, but an experience.

Not only is Quincie dealing with the restaurant, but she has another problem. She's in love with her best friend Kieren, who is also a hybrid werewolf. When the chef of the restaurant is killed before the opening, Kieren is a prime suspect. That leaves Quincie in between feelings, trying to figure out who really killed the chef. Was it really a vampire or a werewolf? Davidson hires a new chef, Henry Johnson, who is not a vampire type guy but he's the best man for the job, so Quincie doesn't put up a fight. But something suspicious is going on in town and Quincie is in the middle of it.

Tantalize is a pretty good read. The characters are likable and the setting is amazing. The idea of the restaurant is original and I really like that. Unfortunately, the story got a little predictable and boring to me. I'm not quite sure if I would actually recommend it, but if the description seems interesting, you might want to try it.

The Season by Sarah MacLean

2009-04-27T12:19:00.004-04:00

Alexandra's season is arriving and she's not too enthused about it. When your season comes, you're pretty much paraded around from ball to ball and fancy dinners. From there, you're expected to find someone to marry. At the age of seventeen, Alex isn't ready for that. Not yet, anyway. Alex and her friends, Vivi and Ella, want adventure and fun. And, adventure is what they'll get. Alex's neighbor and childhood friend , Gavin Sewell's father died in a weird accident. Gavin doesn't think that it was an accident like it was explained. When Gavin's home is robbed, Alex, Viv and Ella decide it's time to look into what's going on.

Gavin has always been Alex's childhood protector, so when he finds out what the girls are up to, he's not too happy. Also, Alex has to stay close to Gavin to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. With Alex getting close to Gavin, she starts to have feelings that even surprise her.

I have to admit that The Season entranced me. I loved Alex's character so much! She's a strong willed girl who just wants more out of life (like most of us, I'm sure). She's a very likable character and isn't afraid to go for what she wants. Her friends, Ella and Vivi are just as easily enjoyable. This is a book that you're not just reading, you feel like you're in the story. I really didn't know what to expect about the mystery involved with the story, but Sarah MacLean put that in very well. The story flowed very well and it was an easy read. I'll be looking forward to new books from Sarah, she's a great new author to keep an eye on!

The King's Rose by Alisa Libby

2009-04-20T08:00:00.002-04:00

Catherine Howard is a mere fifteen years old, when she catches the eye of King Henry VIII. That means that Catherine's life is about to take a dramatic change. Following in the footsteps of her departed cousin Anne Boleyn, Catherine is introduced to the life of a royal. Leaving all of her secrets in the past, Catherine has to leave her carefree teenage life behind and act properly for the aging King that she has wed. That includes leaving the love affair that she's had with Thomas behind. Thomas works in the royal court with the King, so Catherine does run into him from time to time.

Things do start to become complicated, though. With Thomas around, it's hard on her heart and the girls that once was her friends are now wanting to join the court. Will they hold her secrets for her or make a mess with what they know? After awhile, when Catherine doesn't come up pregnant with an heir for the King, Catherine has some hard decisions to make. But in the 1500s, you have to watch what you do or how you act, especially if you're the wife of a King or your life can be ended. Hoping not to meet a end like her infamous cousin Anne Boleyn, Catherine will have to watch her choices.

I am a self proclaimed history buff, so when I saw that this book was coming out, I had to have it. Based loosely on the true story of Catherine Howard, this book is an inside look at what the young girl was faced with when she was sent to marry the King. Catherine was a very vivacious girl who looked for love and might have even found it before she had to marry the King. With her family pushing her (they of course want power), she happily married him. This book was so good, that after I read it, I did some research on what the true story was behind the young Catherine Howard. I found the story interesting and I'm shocked that I have never heard of her before, considering she's the cousin of Anne Boleyn and she married the same King as she did. Alisa Libby did a wonderful job on capturing the feelings that Catherine could have had. This is a must read that I know most will enjoy. It does cover a few hot topics, so it's not for the younger readers. If you would like more information on Catherine Howard, I have found a great site here. You can check out Alisa's site here.

Austenland by Shannon Hale

2009-04-19T12:00:00.002-04:00

Jane Hayes is in a rut. Her secret obsession of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is getting the best of her. Every date she goes on, she compares the men to the characters in the Jane Austen books and the date just goes down hill from there. When her aunt dies, Jane is shocked to learn that she's been included in the will. She wonders what she could have left (or how much...). Imagine her surprise, when Jane learns that it's not money that she's been left, but a trip. The trip is for an English resort (or should we say a Jane Austen type resort), where you dress up and act as if you're back in time. There are actors and actresses that play parts and entertain guests. All the rules of society from back then are the rules that you have to go by. Including not talking to servants, not being alone with a man, and acting properly.

Jane feels as if she's gone to the twilight zone. She keeps messing up on how to act and even hid her cell phone, so she could keep it with her. But, the longer Jane stays there, the more she feels like she could stay forever. The men are polite and the other women there are very enjoyable to be around. After staying for so long and starting to really enjoy it, Jane wonders if this is going to kick her obsession to the curb, or if it's going to make it worse by the time she gets home.

Shannon Hale tells a funny and enlightening tale of what it's like to be in the middle of an obsession that's not good for your health. The book is very easy to read and it only took me a few hours to finish it. I have to admit that I love all things Austen, so of course I especially love it. I would say that if you're not a Jane Austen or Pride and Prejudice fan that you probably wouldn't like it, since that the subject of the tale. This book would be good for teens or older. It's the type of book that anyone could enjoy. I would recommend it for a quick, humorous read.

Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin

2009-04-18T17:00:00.002-04:00

Parker Prescott is know as the "Ice Princess". And, because of Marion Henessy's blog, everyone knows it. Everyone at school reads Marion's blog, so every fault of Parker is broadcasted to the entire school. Does is bother Parker? Of course, but you can't let your enemies get the best of you. If you're wondering what happened between Marion and Parker to make them the worst of enemies, it's a complex story involving siblings, stalking and a restraining order.

Parker is the good child of her family, which insists of an older (and wilder) sister and a younger brother. Now she's ready to just be herself and if that means breaking out of the good girl shell, then she's ready. You see, Parker has a ex-boyfriend that still has ahold of her. When her parents find her in a comprising position with some handcuffs, they find out the hard way that Parker is growing up and changing. But, that's going to be the least of their worries.

Handcuffs is and excellent first novel from Bethany Griffin. Parker is a girl that is a great narrator. She has the same feelings that girls her age feel. Also you can learn about the hard consequesnces of choices that we make, even if at the moment it feels like the right thing to do. I will be looking forward to more by Bethany, because her books are thought provoking and very easy to read. Welcome to the YA world, Bethany Griffin! If you would like to learn more about Bethany or Handcuffs, visit her site here!

Winners

2009-04-18T14:48:00.002-04:00

Using random.org, I have 2 winners of the book Discovering Pig Magic. The lucky winners are :

1. I Heart Book Gossip

and

2. Liane66

I will be emailing you guys and I have to hear back by next Friday, or I'll have to pick another winner. Thanks to everyone that entered! More contests to come! (and great reviews...of course! lol)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center

2009-04-03T18:48:00.008-04:00

Meet Lanie, a married mother of three, who is following her husband's dream by leaving her town and taking up residence elsewhere. She's not too happy about it. Especially since her husband is not around as much as he use to be and she's having to look after their three sons by herself. Lanie starts to wonder if there is more to life and if her husband can chase after his dreams, why can't she? But what Lanie doesn't think about is the impact that the changes will make on her life.

Everyone is Beautiful is a cute and fun read. Lanie has the wit and humor that makes her character stand out. It honestly portrays motherhood and life. While every now and then it did get a little slow, it picked right back up and the book was still a fun and fast read. I'll be looking for more from Katherine Center in the future!

Discovering Pig Magic by Julie Crabtree ++ 2 book GIVEAWAY!!

2009-04-03T18:18:00.005-04:00

Best friends Mattie, Ariel and Nicki discover a magic book that contains spells. They decide to perform a ritual out of the book. At the age of thirteen, they decide that it's time to make a change. Little do the three girls know, they are getting themselves into a mess that they might not be able to clean up. When bad things start to happen, the girls decide that the ritual must be working against them and they have to try to see if they can break the spell. Will the three girls be able to band together and fix the mess that they caused?

Discovering Pig Magic is a quick and cute read that spans 184 pages. But, they are a very enjoyable 184 pages. The girls remind me of how I was at the ripe age of 13, when you think that you can take the world on. Ah, memories. Mattie is a unforgettable character with a sharp wit. This story is enchanting and will keep you engrossed in it until it's completed. And the story is very believable. I recommend this book for all ages, even the younger girls!

**GIVEAWAY DETAILS**

I have two copies to giveaway to 2 lucky readers! Julie Crabtree was nice enough to send some to give out. All you have to do is comment to enter! Sorry, but only open in the US. Contest will be open until April 17th, so get to commenting!!

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

2009-04-01T20:40:00.008-04:00

When we meet with the gang again in the second book of the trilogy, Clary is in the middle with fighting with her feelings for Jace, who they just found out is her brother. To help with the feelings, Clary starts dating her best friend Simon. That brings some tension in the group. With that going on, Clary and Jace's mother is still in a coma and no one can get her to wake up. But as Clary tries to shed away from the Shadowhunter life, she realizes that she needs that life. And not only that, but she needs Alec, Jace and Isabelle to help her track down the evil Valentine. It's the only way her mom has a chance of getting out of the coma.

This book is not too much different from the first. The attention that Cassandra Clare gives to detail in these books are amazing. You're pretty much stepping into the story when you read, because you can see everything that's going on. The only part that bothered me a little was about Jace and Clary being related. I hated that part in the book, of course it made me keep reading to hopefully find out that it was all a big misunderstanding. Was it? Well, I'm not telling. You'll have to find all of that out yourself. I did find myself feeling really sorry for Simon. To me, he got the short end of the stick in this one. I can't wait to read the last and final book, City of Glass, which is out now!!

City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare

2009-03-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

When Clary and her best friend, Simon go to Pandemonium (a night club), the events that unfold that night are very unexpected.

When Clary sees someone in the club with a knife, she sends Simon to get the guard, while she goes to check it out. In the next few minutes, she witnesses a murder, talks to the killer and figures out that she's the only one that can see what's going on. Confused yet? That's when Clary discovers the world of Shadowhunters. A world that she should know nothing about, but somehow now she does. Jace, Isabelle, and Alec are just as confused as Clary is when she can see them.

From there, Clary's life is changed. While out with Simon, her apartment that she shares with her mom is broken into, and to top it off, her mom is missing. With the help of Jace, Alec and Isabelle, Clary will not only discover secrets that have been covered up from her but she will learn who she really is and what's she's capable of.

City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal Instruments Trilogy. I love books that explore the outer rim of what could be. This is a great example of that. Although it can get slow, it will pick back up and speed by. I kept wanting to see what could possible happen next and trust me, you will be very surprised in some of the things that arise in this book. It's a thick book, but worth it. I like thicker books, though, because they give you more story! The next book in the series, City Of Ashes is next on my list along with the third one (which was released this week), City of Glass so look for those reviews coming up soon!

*Winner and a side note ::

2009-03-20T21:28:00.002-04:00

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a great week!! Here's the winner of the TWO signed books from Jennifer Echols (courtesy of Random.org) ::

Catt!!

Thanks everyone from entering, but never fear, I have a lot of good stuff to come! Plus A LOT of new reviews! I've been getting books left and right!! So check back!

Have a great weekend!

Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

2009-03-13T08:00:00.003-04:00

Prom is a big deal, especially if you're asked by the football god himself. So, when Mia is asked by Rob to prom, she is ecstatic. That is until the super evil cheerleader, Samantha has a problem with her date and decides to swoop in on Rob. Mia feels that she needs to get Rob's attention back, but she just doesn't know what will do it. But, Mia's best friend, Candice has an idea. You see, Candice is a hypochondriac and she has to get all kinds of special vitamins and more to make sure that she stays healthy. Candice suggests that Mia goes with her and see if there's a love spell that the store can provide her with. When they get to the store, a weird witch looking lady waits on them. That should have been Mia's first clue to run out of there, but she doesn't.

After the spell is done, things start to look up for Mia. Well, except people start to act a little funny around her, especially the new guy, Chase. He seems to think that her little love spell has turned the senior class into zombies. Mia is a huge Buffy fan, but isn't zombies a little far fetched? Well, apparently not. That means in about four days they will all be zombies and eat Mia, that is unless Mia and Chase can save the day. Now, let's see if Mia can fix what she did in time to save the senior prom and her skin.

Zombies are in. Seriously. I'm loving that vampires are moving over for the new paranormal books! Zombie Queen is a great new and original story. I love Mia and her crazy friend Candice. They are very easy to relate to and you can't help but to feel for poor Mia, when Samantha steps in. Ashby keeps the story more on the realistic side of paranormal, so it's not as far fetched as you might imagine. Ashby keeps the story rolling with a lot of action in it and keeps you anticipating about the prom and how everything will turn out. A very fun and light read!

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols + CONTEST!

2009-03-07T22:14:00.006-05:00

Meg has wanted nothing more than to get away from her backwater town. Dealing with her parents who don't understand her, she rebels. She does what she wants when she wants to do it, so she's no friend of the police in town. One night, a week before spring break, Meg and some friends decide to go to a bridge in town that's off limits. Before she can dye her hair another bright color, Meg is having to cancel her plans to go to the beach for Spring Break, so that she can ride with the cop that arrested her on the graveyard shift.

What Meg expects from the week riding with Officer John After and what she gets are two totally different things. She never expects that she knows John from high school or that they even had a class together. Meg also doesn't expect to fall for John. He's the opposite of everything that she stands for. But they both have skeletons in their closets and maybe they'll be able to help each other and find a common ground.

This is the first time that I have intentionally read slow so that the book would last longer. Going Too Far is a wonderful and deep book. I didn't want it to end. Jennifer Echols makes you feel like you're in the story. I felt what Meg felt, even though I've never been in her kind of trouble. The story isn't as stereotypical as you might think that it is. It gives a new spin and a refreshing look at how life can be unfair sometimes, but it's how you pull yourself out of the rubble that counts. This is one of my Top 2009 Picks and I highly recommend that you pick it up when you're on your next trip to the bookstore. It will be released on March 17th in bookstores, but you can already order it online, if you would prefer to do that. Happy reading!!

***CONTEST***

Jennifer was kind enough to give me a copy of two of her earlier books :: The Boys Next Door and Major Crush. They are both signed copies! This contest will run until March 17th (Going Too Far's release date).

All you have to do is comment on this post. Sorry, but only open to US residents!

Envy by Anna Godbersen

2009-02-28T23:15:00.003-05:00

**PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ::I am going to do my best not to give any spoilers to you who haven't read this one yet! =)

In the latest installment of The Luxe series, Elizabeth is still trying to patch up the wounds that Will's death left on her. Staying in the house and not getting out much, people are starting to worry about her. That's when Penelope, the deceiving vixen, invites Elizabeth and her sister, Diana, to join her and her new husband, Henry, in Florida. Also joining on the trip is Lina, who use to be Elizabeth's and Diana's maid. Carolina, what Lina is now called, has been seeing an older man who has loads of money to spare and she has reinvented herself with him. There is also Henry's best friend Teddy and Penelope's brother, Grayson along for the ride.

Things get complicated, though, as they usually do. There's the situation with Henry and Diana, who are in love but can't be together. Henry only married Penelope, so that she wouldn't destroy Diana's reputation. Teddy is interested in Elizabeth, but Elizabeth is not quite ready to move on yet. Penelope and Carolina, of course, have some tricks up their sleeves. There's so much drama in this book, you can't put it down, for fear of missing something.

I am a self proclaimed Luxe series fan. I love this series. I hate how people compare this series to the Gossip Girl books because they are so different. This book series keeps getting more complicated and I want to scream at it and put it down, but if I do that, it calls out to me to pick it back up. I really feel for the characters, even if I can't relate to them, because of the time period. Anna Godbersen, in my opinion struck gold with this great series. I'll be glad to see how Ms. Godbersen can put all the pieces back together in the next book, which is titled SPLENDOR and will be out in October. On one last note, can these covers be any cuter? I love them! I can't wait to see the next one.

HUGE Speak Giveaway!

2009-02-28T23:09:00.003-05:00

Check out two awesome contests over at Presenting Lenore and Reviewer X to win a copy of SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson!!

Here Today, Gone To Maui by Carol Snow

2009-02-23T22:30:00.003-05:00

Okay, I want you to think of a vacation that you've taken that made you think that you've just had the worse possible vacation ever. Times that by one hundred and you have the book Here Today, Gone To Maui by Carol Snow.

Meet Jane Shea. She's your typical "Plain Jane". She works a steady job, , she has a great boyfriend, Jimmy, who is taking her on luxury vacation to Maui, and she makes sure that her apartment is always in tip top shape. So a luxurious trip to Maui is just what she needs. Of course the closer the trip comes, the more she worries about losing her luggage, missing the flight, flight delays and pretty much everything else that she can think of. The one thing, though, that she doesn't worry about is the one thing she should. And, that would be losing her boyfriend, Jimmy.

Before Jane can even start to enjoy Maui, Jimmy comes up missing. That's the start of the longest and strangest week that you could even imagine! Jane goes from perfect vacation to pretty much hell on earth to her. Everything you thought you knew is going to change.

Carol Snow is now in my favorite author category. I have read a few books by her before and really enjoyed them, but it's like she just keeps getting better! Here Today, Gone To Maui had me hooked from the first page. I was fascinated with Jane and this trip of a lifetime. Ms. Snow's writing is dangerously good and makes you want more. I seriously can't rave about this book enough. Just when you think you know, she changes it on you and that's the type of writing that is irresistible. Now, I guess I'll go and sit and patiently wait (NOT! lol) for her next book. Carol, please don't keep me waiting!

WiNNER!No New Posts This Week...

2009-02-16T19:47:00.002-05:00

Thanks to everyone who visits my blog!! I'm sorry that I haven't been posting as frequently and this week I won't be posting any, because I'm having surgery tomorrow (boo!!). But, the good news is that I have loads of good books to review! So, please bear with me this week and I'll be back before you know it with new reviews and contests! I have a lot coming up!!

And the winner of You Are So Undead To Me is::

Debbie from Wrighty's Reads!

I have emailed you, Debbie!

Thanks everyone, and have a great week!!

Geek Charming by Robin Palmer

2009-02-12T10:27:00.005-05:00

Meet Dylan. She's everything that you could ever want to be: Pretty, popular and rich. She finally gets a coveted bag that everyone wants. Everything is great, until she has a conversation with her two best friends, Lola and Hannah, about the awful Amy Loubalu, when her coveted bag flies off her arm and into the water fountain at the mall. What's a girl to do but try to find someone else to jump in and rescue it for her. That's where Josh comes in. Josh goes to the same school as Dylan and even knows her, but Dylan has never given him a second glance. So, when Josh gets Dylan's bag back, he decides it's a great time to get her to help him with his college entrance project. You see, Josh is a flat out film geek and not ashamed of it. For his project, he wants to follow Dylan around and document the workings of the "in crowd".

But when Dylan's life starts unraveling, Josh starts to see that she's not really a heartless snob, but really a person, who feels just like everyone else. When her boyfriend drops her, she's not only alone, but starts to see the inner workings begin to work against her. Will Josh be able to help Dylan and show her that there's more to life that designer bags and cute surfer boyfriends?

I have to say that I'm a huge fan of Robin Palmer since I read Cindy Ella. This book is along the feel good lines of Cindy Ella, but different enough to make it's own impact. I loved the character of Dylan, even as self absorbed and clueless that she is. She's your sterotypical popular high school girl, but she's somehow still loveable. Josh, to me, is alot cooler than Dylan and even himself, gives him credit for. He's a enjoyable character that kept me interested in the story. Robin Palmer has a fresh voice in YA and I'm loving it. Hopefully, we'll have something new from her to look forward to soon! If you're in a bookstore and in need of a book, this or Cindy Ella would be a great choice!

Evermore by Alyson Noel

2009-02-07T18:59:00.005-05:00

Ever lost her whole life in an instant. Her family and dog were all killed in a car wreck and some how she survived it. Moving from Oregon to California to live with her aunt, Ever has a hard time adjusting to her new life. Hiding behind her iPod and hoodies, she avoids as much interaction as she can. And it doesn't help that ever since the accident she has had physic abilities. From seeing everyone's auras to hearing others thoughts, that's the main reasons she listens to her iPod all the time, to drown out all of the unwanted thoughts.

When a new, mysterious student arrives, Ever's life is changed. Damen has the looks that every girl lusts after and he can make flowers appear out of no where. There's also another mysterious fact about Damen. Ever can't see his aura and she can't read his thoughts. Which is strange, because ever since her near death experience, that's all she's tried to avoid. But of course things can't stay as they seem. There's also a new girl, Drina, who is invading Ever's life. Drina also doesn't have an aura and Ever can't hear her thoughts, but Ever knows something is up with her and even possibly Damen. Ever has to figure out what's going on, before it's too late for her.

Evermore is one of those books that is simply hypnotizing. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. It's in my top of 2009. I like paranormal but have felt a little burnt out on the whole vampire aspect of novels that are popular now. Evermore has so much more to give than just your average story. It has mystery, love, and intrigue. Throughout the whole book, I couldn't put it down, due to needing to know what was really going on and how Ever fit into the whole big picture. Ever is a great protagonist and never bored or irritated me. Alyson Noel is one of my all time favorite authors and she doesn't disappoint this time. The ending is also nice to where you can wait for the next book (out later '09 --titled Blue Moon) and not feel like you're going to pull your hair out. I have complete faith in Alyson Noel to take this series to where it should go and not disappoint. Now, I'm just waiting patiently for Blue Moon.

You Are So Undead To Me by by Stacey Jay // + CONTEST

2009-02-06T20:35:00.005-05:00

Megan has it going on right now. She's going on a date with a hot and popular guy, she has a great best friend and homecoming is just around the corner. So Megan is a little upset when a zombie ends up on her doorstep. Megan is a Settler, which means she helps the undead with what's keeping them around and then she makes sure they get to their graves. Easy, right? Well, not so much, since she hasn't done this in years and the zombies are turning up everywhere. What's better, though, is that Megan's old Settler friend is now back in the picture and he's turned out to be way better looking than she remembers.

Life for Megan starts getting harder when someone in school starts using black magic to raise the dead and the worse part is that they are after Megan. It looks like someone is out to get her, but will she be able to figure out who and fix it before it's too late?

You Are So Undead To Me is a different and cute story. I liked the character of Megan, but every now and then she would get on my nerves a little because of her whining. Other than that, you have your regular villain who frequently fights with Megan. I love the whole zombie aspect. It's something differet and adds to the story. Megan's life is very interesting and I can't wait to read more when the next book comes out in 2010, called Undead Much. Although a little predictable, it's still an enjoyable and fast read. And I want to give YOU the chance to read it.

//**CONTEST//** Comment here and enter to win your very own ARC copy of You Are So Undead To Me.

Sorry, but only open to US residents. Contest will stay open until Feb 12th! Good Luck!!

Winner!

2009-02-02T21:20:00.002-05:00

Thanks for everyone who entered! I was overwhelmed with the responses! You guys are awesome. And, never fear, I have a bunch more contests to come! So, if you didn't win this time (you can yell at the randomizer!!) then keep your eyes open for another chance soon!

and the WINNER is::

Chelsea

I've emailed you and I need to hear back within a few days, or I'll have to get another winner!

Thanks again everyone!!

Frostbite (VA book 2) and Shadow Kiss (VA book 3) by Richelle Mead

2009-02-02T20:33:00.008-05:00

If you're already familiar with Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, then you know these are the next two books in the series. I'm going to keep the descriptions a little brief, so newbies to the series won't be spoiled!

In Frostbite, Rose Hathaway is still going to school and taking the classes that she'll need to protect her best friend and vampire princess, Lissa, in the future. Not only is she busy doing that, but she's trying to keep her mind off of her hot and older tutor, Dimitri. When there's a huge Strigoi attack, the whole school is pretty much on lock down with everyone looking over their shoulders. With the high alert, the St. Vlad's holiday ski trip is mandatory. And when Rose finds out some information that she shouldn't know in the first place, she passes it on and three students leave the ski trip to find and kill some Strigoi. Will the Strigoi win this fight?

In Shadow Kiss, Rose gets some disturbing visions that start to mess with her in class. That's not a good thing, considering the fact that field experience is coming up. The field experience is a major part of graduating and being a dhampir. But Rose will get Lissa, since they're going to be together after they graduate, right? On top of that, the girls find out that the trial for Victor Dashkov is coming up and is making tensions high. Also, the Strigoi are back and are planning something major in this book.

Review: You know how when you read a series and the first book is as good as the series can get? I hate that and I'm sure you do, too. This series is the complete opposite. This series just keeps getting better with each book that I read from it.When I closed Shadow Kiss, the first thought that I had was that I can't possibly wait until August to see what's going to happen. That one is title Blood Promise, in case you didn't know. This series has everything that a reader looks for in a good story, including friends (conflicts included, without addition charge..), love interest (that of course you can't possibly have), and the ups and downs of high school. Richelle Mead is one of the best storytellers that I've seen in awhile, especially in the vampire world, where different aspects are few and far between. This is one series that is definitely worth checking out!

Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey ++CONTEST!!

2009-01-21T19:05:00.007-05:00

What do you get when you put a normal high school senior, a vampire prince and high school together? Problems. C'mon, what did you think I was going to say?! Jessica has always been normal, with a normal life, she was adopted when she was really young and doesn't know a lot about her birth parents. She's ready for her senior year to be the best year and hopefully she'll get to score a date with Jake. But, when Lucius Valdescu shows up, he has the surprise of her life waiting for her. Lucius tells Jessica that she's a vampire princess in Romania. And, not only that, but they are to be married. That's one way to dampen your senior year. Jessica doesn't believe a word he says, though, until her parents back up everything. Jessica has to try and figure out a way to get herself out of this.

Lucius lives with Jessica's family and goes to school with her. Hoping to sway her to believe him so he can take her back home with him. But, when Lucius is about to give up, he meets Faith. Faith is a cheerleader who is use to getting what she wants and she's set her eyes on Lucius. With the freedom that Lucius has in the United States, he decides not to force Jessica into being a vampire or even married and he starts to date Faith. That's when things start to go all wrong. Will Jessica and Lucius be able to figure out what it is that they want?

I'm sure you've heard the whole "Don't judge a book by it's cover" saying. This stands true for Jessica's Guide. If you look at the cover, you might assume, as I did, that this book is going to be a fluffy teen vampire romance. Well, you're kinda right. But, this book is more than that. Not only is Jessica a vampire princess, she's not one to be messed with. She can hold her own. Lucius is cocky, arrogant, and sometimes got on my nerves. Not to say I didn't like him, he's just not the usual vampire lead that you see in books today. This book also has a dark side. I can't get into that too much, because I don't want to give anything away, but it is dark. Maybe not at the beginning, but, trust me, it gets there. I hope that if you pick up one book this month, then this will be one of the books you get. It'll make you want to laugh, scream, and maybe even cry. This book will jerk at your emotions!

**CONTEST TIME!**

Because I've raved about this book, I'm going to give away my copy to one lucky commenter! Just leave me a comment here until Jan 31st and I'll drawn a lucky winner! Sorry, but contest is only open in the US! Good luck!

Falling For Romeo by Jennifer Laurens

2009-01-21T18:26:00.005-05:00

Jennifer and John use to be best friends as well as next door neighbors. That is until they drifted apart. Now John is Mr. Popular and can have any girl he wants. Jennifer has never been kissed and doesn't want to be in John's fan club. Then, as luck would have it, Jennifer and John get cast in the school's Romeo and Juliet play. That causes changes in feelings and tensions to mount up.

But the question remains can Jennifer get over her pride and figure out her feelings for John? And if she does figure them out, will she be able to talk them over with him? Well, I guess that you'll have to read and find out!

Falling for Romeo is a quick and cute read. And, if you're into romance, this is a book for you. I do wish, though, that the book could have been longer. But, I do feel that Ms. Laurens did a great job in wrapping it up. I just wanted more after I finished it! Definitely pick this one up, if you're wanting a fun, fast read.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

2009-01-17T17:39:00.007-05:00

Prefect Brittany Ellis never expected to be partnered with gang member and all around bad ass Alex Fuentes in Chemistry. She was suppose to coast through school this year. It is, after all, her senior year. But, between Alex's snide comments and her boyfriend pushing her to do something she's not sure she's ready for, perfect Brittany is perfectly stressed. Not to mention her home life isn't that great. To make up for her older sister, Brittany is forced to be the best at everything and if she's not, she has hell to pay from her mom. But, it has to get better, right?

Alex Fuentes hates people like Brittany and her crowd. They live privileged, where he has to work to help keep food on his family's table. Plus, it's not like he wanted to be in a gang. But, after what happened to his father, he has to get revenge. So when Alex gets partnered with Brittany in Chemistry class, he enjoys making her squirm. Alex thinks he knows everything there is to know about the goddess herself, but he's soon to learn that he's not as smart as he thinks.

I'm sure you've heard this age old story of the perfect girl and the bad boy. This story is that type, but it digs deeper. At first, I thought I wouldn't like Brittany. She's the type of person who would get on my nerves with the poor little rich girl act and so on. And, Alex? Don't get me started on him. He's your stereotypical bad boy in a gang. But, you find out that there's more to both of them than it seems. As stereotypical as it seems, Simone Elkeles adds more to this story and creates a monster. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Even though I probably could have guessed the ending, I wanted to keep reading, just to make sure that I was right. The chapters rotate in Alex's and Brittany's point of view, so you can get to know them better and it adds to the story. This is an excellent read, that comes recommended by me!

Switch by Carol Snow

2009-01-15T18:46:00.009-05:00

Claire is your normal teenage girl, except for the fact that the boy she has a crush on calls her "dude". Oh, and you can't forget the fact that during storms, she can switch bodies with you. Yup, that's what I said. Switch bodies. The good thing is that it's usually at night, so by the time she gets into your bed and falls asleep, she'll wake up back at home and in her own body. The only girls that she can switch bodies with are people who are born near her birthday and live near her. Not a big deal, right? Well, that is until one night she gets stuck in a girl's body, Larissa, and she can't get back out.

So, what does Claire do? She improvises, of course. Especially the since the guy she has a crush on likes Larissa. But, then Claire finds out more about this girl and her life and she's ready to get home. School starts soon and if she's in Larissa's body, who's in hers?

This books is another one of those fast reads. It only took me a day, since it only has 215 pages. I love the whole story, though. It has a different feel to it, when you're reading and you get sucked in to the story. It's a one of a kind, that's for sure. Bravo, Ms. Snow! You really know how to drag the reader in and keep us focused on the story at hand. Hopefully we'll have more great stories to follow from her!

Woot! Another Award!

2009-01-15T18:14:00.004-05:00

Can I just say that I love my fellow bloggers! They are so awesome to recgonize me! I started reviewing for my love of books and now it's just an obsession!

Thanks so much to Neve for nominating me! And go by and check out her awesome blog!

The rules for passing it along are:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Award up to ten other blogs.

4. Add links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.So the ten sites I would like to honor with this cool award are as follows, in no particular order.

1.LisaMay
2.Steph
3.Carmen
4.The Compulsive Reader
5.Shooting Stars Mag
6.BookEnvy

7.Leave A Mark
8.Sharon Loves Books and Cats
9. Just Listen

10. Pop Culture Junkie

Parties & Potions by Sarah Mlynowski

2009-01-14T20:56:00.003-05:00

In the fourth book of the Magic in Manhattan series, Rachel and her sister, Miri, learn more about what all comes with being a witch. Miri meets a friend online, Wendaline, and Wendaline tell the girls about a Samsorta, which is a debutante ball for witches. Miri is more than happy to take classes to get ready for the Samsorta. That means she'll be able to make friends in the witching world. Rachel is less than thrilled. Anything that interrupts time that she could be spending with the love of her life, Raf, is something that is not a priority. But, when Rachel sees how much it means to Miri to participate in the Samsorta, she agrees.

Not only does Rachel have that going on, but Wendaline is starting classes at her high school. And, Wendaline is definitely not afraid to use magic in front of others or even tell them that she's a witch. That of course gets Cassandra's, the meanest girl in school, attention. So, to help out Wendaline, Rachel tries to find ways to make her fit in better and hopefully get Cassandra off of Wendaline's back.

Rachel is also having to deal with all the Samsorta classes and having to come up with excuses to tell her dad and her boyfriend, Raf, why she and Miri have to leave early or for periods of time. It would be so much easier if she could tell them what's going on, wouldn't it? With all this going on, how is a girl suppose to have fun with all the fun, world wide parties that the other witches in class through?

I have loved the Magic in Manhattan series since the first book, Bras and Broomsticks, and this book is no different. This whole series is fun to read and there's a lot of humor through out. Ms. Mlynowski knows how to delight readers with mixing something supernatural with problems that every teen is sure to encounter. All of Sarah's books are sure to delight. If you haven't read this series, I suggest you pick it up and try it out.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

2009-01-14T18:20:00.003-05:00

When U.S. Marine Logan Thibault is on his third Iraq duty, he finds the picture of a smiling girl in the dirt. On the back is a simple message "Keep Safe! E.". Thibault decides to pick it up and try to give it back to it's owner. He puts the picture on a board at the entrance of the computer center, where he's sure the owner will see it and claim it. After a about a week, Thibault notices that the picture is still there. On a whim, he decides to pick up the picture and keep it. It's not until a few things happen and his life is spared, that his friend, Victor, points out that Thibault's luck has improved since he has gotten the picture. Thibault decides to keep the picture for good luck.

After Thibault returns home, he decides to go and search for the girl in the picture. There are very few clues in the picture, but he eventually finds her. Not telling her about the picture, he applies for a job with Elizabeth, who is not only a teacher, but she also helps her grandmother with their dog kennel. Thibault also learns that not only has she been married before, but she also has a son. Will Thibault be able to tell Elizabeth about the picture or will he even be able to deal with all that Elizabeth has on her plate?

The Lucky One is a breezy book, to say the least. I've read a few of Nicholas Sparks' novels before, because my sister is a huge fan. To me, his books are too predictable, and that makes them boring to me. This one had such potential going in to it, but I could guess just about everything that happened. Now, I'm not saying this is a bad book, because it's not and it did have me drawn it, I just like books that have twists that you can't predict. Although, if you're a Nicholas Sparks fan, than I'm sure you'll love this one.

When You Wish by Kristin Harmel

2009-01-09T20:03:00.004-05:00

Haven't heard of Star Beck? Well, where have you been? Star Beck is one of the most famous pop stars around. But, her life isn't all that you think it's cracked up to be. She can only eat certain food (her mom makes sure she sticks by that), she is always told what to do (and can't have her own opinion) and her dad left her years ago. Not to mention that she thinks her mom uses her for money and the only real boyfriend she's ever had is just a publicity stunt.

So imagine her surprise when, after a blow up with her mom, Star finds out that her dad has been trying to contact her for years. All the letters were hidden from her. So Star decides she's had enough and gos on a quest to find her dad and find out the real story on what happened.

On her adventure, she doesn't take much money and that catches up with her. A number of things also happen to Star, such as she has to buy a car, get a job and find a place to stay all before she finds her dad. But will things turn out the way she hopes when she finally gets to confront her dad?

I usually love everything by Kristin Harmel. She's a great writer. I just personally think that the whole poor little rich girl storyline is used too much. Although the storyline is good, it's predictable. Star doesn't come off as a spoiled brat, which is always a good thing. But she does come off a little naive, which is common, I'm sure if you're raised in the spotlight. Overall, it's a good, fast read, but I would get it from the library rather than spending $15.99 for the hardback.

The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas

2009-01-09T00:50:00.005-05:00

Antonia has two goals in life. Her first goal is to be the first living saint. Yes, you read that right. She wants to be a saint. So, in her quest to be the first living saint, she has launched a letter writing campaign that has been going on for years. Every month she'll write to the Vatican Committee and suggest what saint she could be. Then, every month, she receives a rejection letter. But, Antonia doesn't let that get her down. She just puts the letter up and starts on next months idea. The only people who know about her obsession is her best friend, Maria, her mother and her grandmother.

Antonia's second goal is to be kissed. Which almost happened once with her friend, Michael, but Antonia chickened out and ran away from him. So now, she still hasn't been kissed and she doesn't talk to Michael much anymore. Which isn't too bad, since the boys and girls go to separate schools. Antonia has a crush on a boy named Andy, who goes to the boy's school. But, Antonia thinks that Andy is out of her league. What Antonia doesn't expect, though is for her love life to get more confusing than she ever thought it could.

Antonia is a very quirky and likable character. I was kind of skeptical about this book at first, because I'm not Catholic and didn't know if the book would be preachy or I wouldn't understand some of the things going on. I'm glad I went ahead and picked it up, because the book is definitely not preachy. It's just your regular coming of age story, with a little bit of a twist. The letters that Antonia writes to the Vatican Committee are highly entertaining and kept me laughing. This is a very easy read. Hope to read more from Ms. Freitas in the future!

Need by Carrie Jones

2009-01-07T01:57:00.003-05:00

Zara is heartbroken when her beloved stepfather dies, she even resorts to listing phobias to keep her mind off of things. So much that her mother sends her to stay with her grandmother (her stepfather's mother) for a while. Zara feels like her mom is trying to get rid of her and Zara is less than thrilled that she feels that way. Her grandmother lives in a different state, so Zara is having to leave her school and everything she's use to.

When Zara begins school, she makes friends and, of course, she makes enemies. Her enemies are not what begins to bother her, though. There's a strange man that she sees following her around and he keeps leaving gold dust whenever she sees him. Zara and her friends do some research and find out that he could be a Pixie. Zara has a hard time believing that there are pixies, but she's is ready to get to the bottom of this pixie stuff and she enlists her new friends to help her.

What Zara doesn't expect, is to discover a whole new world that she could never imagine. With pixies and more roaming around the small, sleepy town, there's no telling what she could run into next.

Ah. Where to start. Need is, in my eyes, a breakout hit. Zara is a wonderful protagonist, who you can relate to, even if you haven't lost a parent. I really enjoyed reading the book in her voice. This is my first time reading a book on pixies and I found Carrie's take on them very interesting. I also love how Zara lists phobias throughout the book. This is a book that left me wanting more and I'm not meaning that in a bad way, I'm saying that I would love more of Zara's story or even a new story, based around pixies. This is one of my favorite books already and I can't wait to read more!

Butterfly Award!

2009-01-07T01:37:00.003-05:00

I just love getting awards. This is a new one, though. It's the Butterfly Award! Thanks to Carmen Alexis' Book Talk for nominating me!

The rules for passing it on are:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded the blog to you.

3. Award up to ten other blogs.

4. Add links to the blogs you award onto your blog.

5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

I just want to award everyone who reads my blog, so if you have a blog and you're reading this, consider yourself awarded! C'mon! You know you deserve it!

WINNER

2009-01-07T01:26:00.003-05:00

Congrats to

LAUREN

for being the lucky named picked from the random generator!

Thanks to everyone who entered and I'll be having more contests coming up, so be sure to check in! Have a great week, everyone!

WIN ME

2008-12-29T20:53:00.004-05:00

Hey guys! I have two new reviews I hope to be posting soon, but until then, how about a contest?? All you have to do is comment or email me (writersblockreviews at gmail dot com) to be entered to win. Contest will run through Jan. 5th! Here's the prize:

A unabridged copy (CD) of The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher and some other goodies that I'll throw in! The goodies include things like bookmarks, postcards, pins, etc.

Sorry this is only open to residents of the U.S.! Hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday!!

I Love Your Blog Award....

2008-12-27T21:20:00.004-05:00

YAY! I got the I Love Your Blog award again! Thanks Laina!! And don't forget to check out her blog!

The rules:

1. Put the logo *look up!* and rules on your blog.

2. Link the person who nominated you.

3. List your seven favourite blogs.

4. Tell them they’ve been nominated!

Nominations:

1. The Book Muncher

2. Reviewer X

3. MacLean Space

4. YA Fresh

5. Liv's Book Reviews

6. The Page Flipper

7. Bits & Pieces

Guest Post from Dianne Ascroft

2008-12-23T09:22:00.006-05:00

ENGLISH AS SPOKEN BY THE IRISH

When I moved to Ireland, from Canada, nearly two decades ago I felt confident in my ability to speak English, my native language. Then I found that I had a new language to learn - English as spoken by the Irish. At times it was a steep learning curve. But I think I’m getting the hang of it and I often don’t even notice Irish words and expressions creeping into my own speech - though I’ll never have the lovely, lilting accent! Their vocabulary has gradually become part of my speech and now I don’t have to think about the meanings of most of the words I’ve learned.

I haven’t used too many Irish words and expressions in Hitler and Mars Bars, but, for readers who may not be as familiar with the Irish version of English as I am, I’ll give you some pointers to help you out. Here’s the meanings of a few words and expressions I’ve used in the book. I’ve also included short quotes from the novel, so you can see how the word is used in context.

BOLD:“Margaret, don’t be so bold. If you don’t behave Father Christmas won’t stop here tonight,’ her father said.” pg 71.When the word is used by the Irish ‘bold’ isn’t a positive trait. It doesn’t mean ‘confident’ or ‘fearless’ but rather naughty or impudent. It is usually applied to a child in Irish households.

BYRE: “When Daddy Davy finished milking the cows they went into the stable next to the byre.” pg 97. This is a word I’ve never heard used in North America. It means ‘a cow shed’. North Americans would say ‘a barn’.

COURTING: “Are ye courting yet, Erich?’ Willy asked, during the first lull in the conversation.” pg 178. This question does not imply that Erich has fallen foul of the law and has to appear before a magistrate. Willy wants to know whether Erich is dating anyone or has a girlfriend.

DRAUGHTS: “Do you want to play draughts?’ Will asked Hans.” pg 204. What kind of game is this? It has nothing to do with cold air swirling around you - even if you spelled it ‘drafts’. This game is known as ‘checkers’ in North America.

DRESSER:“Aunt Elsie reached for a loaf of freshly baked bread on the dresser, drawing Erich’s eyes to the Christmas cake beside it.” pg 102. If you are staying with an Irish family, don’t unpack your clothes and set them in the dresser. It isn’t a piece of bedroom furniture but rather a cabinet to store and display china and dishes. It’s usually found in the kitchen or dining room.

FOUNDERED: “Ye must be foundered after that long journey. Come sit down and we’ll get a cup of tea,’ she said….” pg 93. Erich was in no danger of breaking down or sinking after his journey. The word means ‘cold’ or ‘freezing’. It usually refers to a person’s state after being out in the elements.

GIVING OUT:“He was giving out this morning, while I w-w-was milking, because he saw me drinking some milk.” pg 314. No, it wasn’t Erich’s lucky day - there were no free handouts or treats being distributed. Criticism or complaints were being ‘given out’. Erich was being reprimanded.

HAGGARD: “Large, grey slabs protruded from the ground, in the dirt haggard.” pg 92. As you may gather from the context above, this word has nothing to do with looking tired and ill. It is another name for a farmyard. I had never heard the word used, in this context, until we moved to my husband’s family farm a few years ago.

HUMOUR: “What humour is he in the day?” pg 314. Despite the fact that the Irish are renowned for their wit and they undoubtedly enjoy a joke, this word has nothing to do with their sense of humour. It is a commonly used word meaning ‘mood’.

JUMPER:“His broad chest strained against his jumper and tweed jacket, as he leaned over to pat and reassure the wary sheepdog.” pg 93. Obviously this isn’t a class of horse (ie. show jumper) at an equestrian competition. It’s a piece of clothing - specifically a pullover. Even today, a pullover worn under a suit jacket is the fashion for older men in rural areas. It’s almost a uniform, it’s that common.

KNICKERS: “A tall, red-haired girl sat with her knickers around her ankles.” pg 175. This item is an important piece of apparel - girl’s and women’s underpants. The word is a contraction of ‘knickerbockers’ though few people would remember the word’s origin.

QUEUE: “The children were queuing up to play musical chairs.” pg 232. Obviously, in this case, the word is a verb. But it can also be a noun. But what action is it referring to? The children are ‘forming a line’ or ‘lining up’ to play musical chairs.

SUPPER: “Well, time’s getting on. I’d best make the supper,’ she said a few minutes later as she rose, dabbing at her eyes.” pg 131. You would be disappointed if you were expecting your main meal of the day when you are offered ‘supper’ in an Irish home. It is a bedtime snack.

SWEETS: “When he lived at the Goldschmidthaus Father Christmas had brought a few sweets for him but he didn’t remember any other gifts.” pg 72. This is a very apt word - what better way to describe candy or any other confectionery?

TEA: “I have a surprise for you after tea, Erich,’ Daddy Davy said.” pg 98. It can be confusing if you are offered tea in an Irish home. You may get a cup of tea and a biscuit or your main meal of the day (usually called ‘supper’ or ‘dinner’, depending how formal you wish to be, in North America). The evening meal is always referred to as ‘tea’ in Ireland.

So now that you have a bit more understanding of how the Irish speak English, I have a question for you about the following quote. The first right answer posted in the comments will win a free copy of Hitler and Mars Bars (be sure to include your email address so you can be notified).

QUOTE: “Sean, you were bold, putting sweets in Granny’s knickers while we were having tea!”

QUESTION: Is the speaker:

A). Commending Sean for his fearless and innovative actions?

B). Scolding Sean for being naughty?

C). Asking Sean to do it again?

I enjoyed dropping by here and I hope you’ve learned a bit about how the Irish speak English today. Good luck in the contest!

Hitler and Mars Bars is the story of a German boy, Erich, growing up in war-torn Germany and post-war rural Ireland. Set against the backdrop of Operation Shamrock, a little known Irish Red Cross project which aided German children after World War II, the novel explores a previously hidden slice of Irish and German history. If you would like to learn more about the novel, please drop by my website at www.geocities.com/dianne_ascroft .

My Virtual Book Tour continues until December 24. You can get the full schedule at http://www.dianneascroft.wordpress.com/.

Hitler and Mars Bars is available to order from http://www.trafford.com/, many other online book shops, including http://www.amazon.co.uk/, and my website. It can also be ordered from any book shop.

Hitler and Mars Bars by Dianne Ascroft

2008-12-22T09:33:00.010-05:00

Born in Germany, Erich is only a small child when he is sent to live at Goldschmidthaus Children's Home. His mother works and that is why he and his brother are sent to live there. It's during the Second World War and most children living in the home are there while their parents work or their parents have passed away. Erich lives for visits with his mother and waits for the days that he will see her. Then after a visit, there's a bombing and his mother does not come again. This leaves Erich confused and distraught as to why his mother would not want to come see him. Another thing at Goldschmidthaus, is that there's hardly enough food to go around, due to the food shortages, so there's a lot of times that Erich is starving, even after eating his food, which is barley enough to keep them alive.

In Ireland, there's a Red Cross project called Operation Shamrock. In the project, they help hundreds of children recover from malnutrition and help find them a home. When Erich and his brother, Hans, are sent to Ireland to another children's home, Erich can barley speak and understand what's going on. What he does understand, though, is now they have food and not just watery food, but enough for everyone. There is also days, that scare Erich and that's when strange people come to look at the children. When his brother leaves, Erich is scared for when his time will come to leave with strange people.

This is a story of a German boy, growing up during possibly one of the hardest times. Erich goes through some placement homes where at some of them he feels like he belongs and some he's just there going through motions. At Daddy Davy's Erich is reunited with his brother and it's been over a year since they last saw each other. But, happiness is shattered, when Erich and Hans have to leave due to unforeseen circumstances. This is the story of a strong boy who doesn't give up the fight, no matter how bad it gets.

Being a big history fan, I was very excited to pick this book up. I was not disappointed. Ms. Ascroft writes an amazing story that is sure to stick with you. Erich is just a small child, dreaming of living with his mother, when his world is shattered and he's sent to live with all of these other families. But, Erich never gives up hope. This is a book that definitely tugs at your heart strings, but also shows you that there are people who will help, like the Irish in this book. What they did for these children was amazing. It gave them hope at a time when they needed it the most. Thank you to Ms. Ascroft, who shows us that war is not only about the battlefield, but how it affects others.

**Look here tomorrow for a guest blog from Dianne Ascroft!!

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

2008-12-19T21:31:00.012-05:00

Lissa is a princess. And, she's not just any princess. She's a Moroi, which is a mortal vampire. Her best friend, Rose is a half human and half vampire hybrid, and is bound to Lissa to make sure she's safe at all times. Rose and Lissa's bond is so strong that even other vampires won't believe it, that's why the girls have kept their strong bond a secret. There is also the Strigoi vampires. They weren't born vampires, they were changed into vampires.The Strigoi vampires are evil and try to kill the Moroi, so at the academy, the students are taught about them and how to defend themselves against them. Two years before this book begins, Rose and Lissa sneak out of St. Vladimir's Academy. When the book starts, they are found and sent back to the academy. Rose isn't too happy about this, considering the reason they left in the first place is because it's dangerous inside the iron gates. When the girls get back, things are strange with the other students and there's a big shift in the social circles. Rose and Lissa are the center of some vicious rumors. The rumors are nothing compared to the fact that someone is trying to get to Lissa. Strange things start happening and the girls have to figure out what's going on, before it's too late.

Richelle Mead has created a new vampire world that I was more than happy to jump right into. It took me a couple chapters to get into the book, but once I was, I was instantly interested. The world that's created is so different from any other vampire books and I believe that the roots in the story go deeper than other books of this nature. This is the first in the series and as of right now, there are two other books in the series out, Frostbite and Shadowkiss. I can't wait to read more from this series, since the book does leave some stuff a little open!

Check This Out!!

2008-12-18T10:27:00.004-05:00

Go on over to Reviewer X's blog to read an awesome post with Libba Bray, author of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. You can also win the signed set. That's a series that I highly recommend, so jump on over and check it out!!

The Crushes By Pamela Wells

2008-12-17T09:54:00.008-05:00

In the sequel to The Heartbreakers, you meet friends Alexia, Raven, Kelly and Sydney once again. But a lot has changed from the first book. All the girls now have boyfriends, except for Kelly. Sydney and Drew have gotten back together, but there seems to be a little trouble brewing there. Raven and Horace are having to spend a painful month apart, but will the flirty Raven remember her love for him when he's gone? Alexia is spending a lot of her time with her boyfriend, Ben. Then it comes time for "the talk", but is Alexia ready to make that decision? Since Kelly is single, Alexia comes up with the idea for them to make a Crush Code, since they no longer need the Breakup Code. This new code is hopefully going to help Kelly snag her crush on the gym guy, Adam. And with forty one rules, this should be easy. But what happens when Kelly realizes that she's actually crushing on someone that she can't have?

Reading The Crushes is like reading a book about your best friends. You get into the story and really start caring about the characters. Honestly I was rooting for all of the girls to do what makes them happy and hopefully find the happiness that each girl deserves. It's a real book with real situations and can be relate able for any girl. You don't necessarily have to read The Heartbreaks first, although I would recommend that you do, so that you can get a background on each of the girls and their situations in the story. If you haven't read this series yet, then I highly suggest that you do so. So run to your nearest bookstore (or library) and pick this up. You won't be disappointed. Plus, you'll have some good reads over the Christmas holidays for when your family starts to drive you crazy!

Also, there will be two more books in the series, so keep your eyes out for those to come soon!

Coming soon :: an interview with Pamela Wells and don't forget to check the side bar ----> for an awesome contest that Pamela is having!!

Some Great Contests and Girl Week!

2008-12-17T09:49:00.003-05:00

Run over to check out Step's blog, Reviewer X, because she's having girl week (which is kick ass!) and she's having some killer giveaways!! She's also having some insightful and interesting blogs.

Rumors : A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen

2008-12-12T22:23:00.005-05:00

In Rumors, the follow up to The Luxe, two months have past and you find out that Elizabeth Holland is not dead (not a spoiler, you learn this in The Luxe) and she has left to go out west to find Will, the love of her life and her former coachman. The only people that know she's actually alive is her sister, Diana, and her friend Penelope. No one else can know, due to Will being inferior to her family and they would be looked down on. Elizabeth left behind a fiance, Henry, that she didn't want to marry, but she was going to have to, due to it being arranged by their parents. Diana, Elizabeth's younger sister, and Henry are in love and believe that now they can be together, after their mourning period for Elizabeth is over. Or so they think. Penelope has other plans, though. She wants to marry Henry for status and can't stand the idea of him being with anyone else. Penelope knows that something is holding Henry back from being with her, she just can't pin point what it is. Then, there's Lina, she use to be a maid to Elizabeth and Diana. Lina sells other people's secrets to make money and try to get ahead. Lina is also in love with Will and she hates Elizabeth since he chose her. But, Lina thinks that Elizabeth is dead and she wants to claim what's rightfully hers, and that's Will. Are you still with me?? =)

I believe that to fully enjoy Rumors, you need to read The Luxe first to get the idea of what's going on. And, it's not as complicated as it seems. I really enjoyed both of the books. I love books that are set back in time, being a big Jane Austen fan. I hate that people say these books are Gossip Girl back in 1899, because these books are better than the GG ones. I don't find the GG books as near as entertaining as this series. Rumors is addicting and I finished it as quick as I could, because I couldn't wait to see what happens. The ending is quite shocking, though, I must say. Now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one in the series that comes out in January called Envy. Oh, and aren't these covers cool? These are some of the coolest covers! I really hope that Anna Godbersen makes up for the shocking twists that are in Rumors, I'll be waiting to see if she can pull it off.

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

2008-12-10T02:06:00.003-05:00

Phoebe Castro is an amazing long distance runner, who has her life all mapped out. Down to the college that her and her two best friends will be going to together. That is until in a race, when she's almost at the finish line, she unexpectedly finds her mother standing near the finish line, waiting on her. This wouldn't be odd, if her mother wasn't supposed to be out of town. It's not until later that Phoebe is greeted with the news. Her mother is engaged. Yes, I said engaged. And to top off that shock, Phoebe finds out that she is going to move to Greece. And, no, it's not negotiable. Phoebe is not too happy that her mom is marrying someone she hardly knows and they are having to move around the world.

To make matters worse, and yes they can get worse, when they are almost there, Phoebe learns that they are going to a secret island in Aegean. Phoebe will be going to an exclusive academy, where the other teens are descendants of Greek gods. Greek gods, as in Zeus, Ares, Aphrodite and more. Also, her new step dad is the headmaster of the school. She also finds out that she has a evil step sister, who likes to zap her and try to make Phoebe's life miserable. At school, if you're not a descendant, then you're a nobody. Phoebe knows that if she can run and make good grades, she'll be off the island in no time and be able to go off to college and get away. She just has to work hard to get her scholarship. But the hard part is she'll have to survive first.

Oh. My. Gods. is an awesome first novel from Ms. Childs. I love literature and history, so the whole myth concept was right up my alley. The way that she mixes the myth in with the story is amazing and works so well together. All the characters are relateable, even though most of them are descendants. I seriously read this book in less than a few hours. It's that entertaining. This is the first book that I've read like this and I can't wait to see what Phoebe will be up to in the next book which will be out next year and it's called Goddess Boot Camp. Don't forget to pick up a copy of this one! It's a must read of the year!

Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling

2008-12-08T12:32:00.008-05:00

Ever since Clare can remember, she has had weird visions. The only other person who knows about the weird dreams is her grandmother.It also doesn't help that her parents take her out of her school, where she fits in nicely, to go to a new school. Clare also has enemy at her new school. An old friend named Shelia, but, that friendship was long gone, after a boy was added into the mix.

KiKi, Clare's grandmother, lives a high society lifestyle and she also had the visions that Clare now possesses. KiKi helps Clare with her visions and for a gift, Clare's grandmother gives her a beautiful necklace. The necklace is supposed to help Clare figure out what her visions mean. Which is sometimes hard for Clare and she usually gets herself embarrassed when she tries to play detective. Then, necklace starts to work and helps Clare to start seeing things a little clearer and there's no telling what she's going to find.

Dream Girl is a hard book for me to review. With that being said, I really liked the plot and I loved the characters, something was just missing to me. I struggled through it, because it was slow paced. I felt like it was a struggle to get to the next chapter. I didn't hate the book. Hate is a strong word for me to use, especially when a book is involved. I just think that there could have been more and not as drug out as it was. The characters had so much promise and I loved them. I also thought that the whole relationship that Clare had with Andy was odd. I have read other reviews of the book, just to see what others thought and there are some really good reviews. Maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea. But most of the reviews that I read were leaning better than mine. So, pick this one up with caution.

Undone by Brooke Taylor

2008-12-06T19:02:00.006-05:00

Serena is a loner, computer geek in the eight grade. Kori is the hot topic of the school, since the summer of infamous incidents. Serena thinks that she and Kori couldn't be any more different, especially according to the gossip that's spreading around the school. That is, until one fateful day Kori runs into Serena in the bathroom and tells Serena that they might be more alike than she thinks. Ever since then, they have become like sisters, even dying their hair the same color to look more alike.

Serena lives to torture her goody two shoes mother and Kori's parents don't understand her. So, they live life as they want to, including sneaking out and going to parties. One of their favorite activity is daring each other to do things that they wouldn't normally do. Mostly it's Kori taking the lead, she's the more outgoing one and doesn't care what others think about her. In one of their classes at school, their teacher gets them to write down five things that they want to do in the future to tempt fate.

Shortly after, a tragic accident happens and leaves Serena depressed and shocked. After finding Kori's list, Serena makes it her mission to finish the list out for her. Challenging herself, Serena learns there is more to her best friend than she knew about and she finds things out about herself along the way.

Undone is a book that when you get to the end, you look back and want to experience it all over again. It's an amazing first novel from Brooke Taylor, who I'm sure will be around for awhile. Undone is not only grips you from the first chapter, but keeps you into the story throughout and tugs at your heartstrings in the process. This is a novel from '08 that your not soon to forget. Highly recommended!

Sucks To Be Me by Kimberly Pauley

2008-11-30T18:28:00.009-05:00

Mina, yes, the same name as from the Dracula novel, has known for years that her parents are vampires, but it's not until they get a unexpected visit, that the vampire community learns of Mina. This means that in a month, Mina has to make her final decision on whether or not she wants to be a vampire. Mina also has to take a class on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help her make the decision. She meets a bunch of different people in her class and a boy, George, even goes to her school.

The only thing that bothers Mina, besides the whole blood thing, is that she can't even talk to her best friend about what she's going through. The vampire community is very strict about who finds out and how they take care of the problem. And, speaking of being human, there's also the massive crush that Mina has on the popular guy at school, Nathan, and what will she do if they start dating? Ah, the many reasons that it sucks to be Mina.

Sucks To Be Me is a very enjoyable first novel from Ms. Pauley. I love how at the top of the chapter headings it lists myths and facts of being a vampire. It made me laugh often. Mina is also an entertaining character who is very insightful and not to mention funny. All the characters in the book are very memorable and add to the story. I'm glad to say I read that Ms. Pauley is writing a follow up novel to this one, even though she's not sure when it's going to be out. But, I for one will be looking for it at my local bookstore.

I'm awarded...

2008-11-26T19:32:00.004-05:00

Thanks so much to Mommy's Fun Books for the I Love Your Blog Award! It means alot to me to get recognized!

Now, here are my nominees:

1. Molly at Random 101 :: she has a very cool site! Great job, Molly!
2. Jane Austen Today :: I love some Jane Austen and this site has great giveaways and has a LOT of info!

3. Julie's Jewels :: she has awesome book reviews and more!

4.The Page Flipper :: this is the first book review blog I read and I still love it. Awesome job!!

5.Reading is a Drug :: she's super sweet and has great reviews to read!

6. Melissa Walker's Blog :: she's a kick ass author, has great contests, and interesting perspective!

7. Elizabeth Scott's Blog :: another amazing author and I love to read her blog!

**Now for the rules ::
After receiving the award you are supposed to pay it forward:
1) Add the logo of your award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

2008-11-25T11:08:00.010-05:00

Best friends Ashleigh and Julia have decided to crash a fall dance at an all boys school near town. What would process them to do this, you might ask?

Well, Ashleigh is what they call an enthusiast. She goes through phases like most girls do clothes. And, Ashleigh always brings Julia along on her wild rides, even though Julia is the more conservative one. This time, Ashleigh is on a Jane Austen kick. She wears the dresses and talks from the books, calling everyone Ms., Miss., or Mr. Julia is a little jealous, because Jane Austen has always been her thing, but she figures that Ashleigh will move on, like she always does. That is until Ashleigh decides they will find their Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley at the all boys dance, that they are going to crash.

When the girls get rescued by two mysterious boys at the dance, Julia is all too happy about one of them being the stranger that she runs into sometimes in town. That is until Ashleigh claims him as her Mr. Darcy. Being the best friend that she is, Julia decides not to tell Ashleigh and to deal with it. The girls then find out about try outs for a play at the boys school and rush over to the school to try out. That's when it all starts getting interesting.

First, I have to warn you, I am an avid Jane Austen fan, with that being said, I will try my best not to be bias. Enthusiasm is a very breezy and light read. Honestly, I really enjoyed it. It's not one of those novels that will change your life or even your way of thinking, but it is very enjoyable. I loved how Pride and Prejudice was worked into the plot . Also the friendship between Julia and Ashleigh is so real and reminds me of the friendship that I have with my best friend. I can honestly say that I'm sure we'll be hearing more from Polly Shulman in the future.

Massive HEARTBREAKERS Contest!!

2008-11-22T23:41:00.003-05:00

Have you read my review of Heartbreakers by Pamela Wells?? Or, have you already picked up a copy and read it?

Well, Ms. Wells is having a great contest, that everyone should get in on! All you have to do, is email Pamela Heartbreakersbook (@) yahoo (dot) com, with the 2 rules that you think should have been in the break up code.

I know what you're thinking...what do I win?! You're going to get a kick ass prize! The winner will get a signed copy of Heartbreakers AND 2 outfits from an online company of your choice. It can't get any better than that!!

Contest will end Feb. 28th 2009, so get your entry in!!

In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg

2008-11-20T10:28:00.004-05:00

Molly and Charlie are two totally different teens, from totally different places. Molly, living in LA. and is into fashion and having fun with her two close friends. Charlie is from Boulder, CO., and loves the outdoors, especially mountain biking. What do these different teens, who have never met have in common? Their families are switching houses for the summer. And, to be exact, Molly and Charlie are staying in each other's room. Molly is still having trouble accepting her mother's new marriage and is upset that she has to go with them on their honeymoon. Molly does everything she can to keep her distance. Charlie isn't happy that he's leaving his favorite place to be and is not excited to be going to LA, where everyone is fake, or that's what his friends warn him. Then, unexpectedly, Molly and Charlie start swapping emails. They slowly start to get to know each other through the summer. In one summer, Molly and Charlie will discover new activities, friends and each other.

In Your Room is a very different concept. Molly has such a real voice and is full of hope, even though she would have rather to stay in her home for the summer. Charlie is interesting enough and just your average guy. My favorite part of this book is the fact that Molly and Charlie only know each other from emails that they write to each other and this shows a different side of relationships. This is just another book that I recommend for a fast and light read, but make sure you have a little while, because you'll want to finish this one in one sitting.

Lily Dale : Awakening by Wendy Corsi Staub

2008-11-14T11:26:00.008-05:00

After Calla's mother dies in a freak accident, Calla decides to go and spend some time with her estranged grandmother in Lily Dale, New York. Trying to get away from her home in Florida, where she can still see where and how she found her mother's body and the boyfriend, who decided to break up with her after years of being together. It's not until after Calla arrives, that she realizes that Lily Dale is a different kind of place than she thought. Lily Dale is full of psychics, and her grandmother is one of them. While debating on whether to stay or not, Calla meets Evangeline, a girl living next door with her aunt. With Evangeline, Calla discovers Lily Dale and starts to understand more about Lily Dale and the psychics.

When problems arise with Calla's dad looking for them a new home in California, Calla opts to stay a little longer with her grandmother. She even decides to enroll is school there, and meet her dad later on, after he's settled and ready for her. When strange things start happening to Calla, she then discovers her mother's past that she never knew about before. And she also has to deal the fact that it's possible that she has inherited her grandmother's skill.

Lily Dale is definitely something new for me. It's the first book that I've read about psychics (I think..well, I'm pretty sure. It's hard to keep up sometimes. lol). I know, I know. I'm slacking. Lily Dale is a very interesting place, to say the least. And the book is really good, also. Good enough for me to go and get a copy of the next one in the series (Lily Dale: Believing -- to be reviewed later). I have to say this book is very suspenseful and I kept waiting for something to happen. And I really felt the emotions that Calla was feeling. Awakening will leave you wanting more of the story. This is a series that you should keep an eye on.

How Not To Be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler

2008-11-13T11:29:00.006-05:00

Maggie Dempsey has always lived her life as a free spirit with her parents. They move from place to place and are proud hippies. Maggie has had enough when her parents tear her away from her great boyfriend and her friends, when they leave Portland to move to Austin. Maggie decides that the only way for her to not get hurt again is to try not to fit in or make any friends. Easy? Well, not so much. Maggie goes out of her way to make bad fashion choices and say all the wrong things. Trying her hardest to make it difficult for people to like her, Maggie can hardly believe it when the popular guy at school is harassing her and she found a girl, Penny, who sits at lunch with her and makes all kinds of conversation.

Then Maggie remembers, for college, she must get a letter of recommendation from a teacher. What better way than to join a club? Penny announces to her at lunch one day that she's in Helping Hands, it's a club that does community service projects and fundraisers. That's perfect for Maggie, a club filled with do-gooders that will not pay attention to her, and she gladly joins. What she's not prepared for is the possible friendships and heartache that could be on the way.

Okay, I have to say that I LOVED THIS BOOK. No joke, and with that said on with my review. This is the funniest and most entertaining book that I've read all year. I had to put the book down a couple of times, because I was laughing so hard, that I couldn't see the pages. Maggie tries so hard not to be popular, but sometimes , because she is trying so hard, that it just draws more attention to her. But, Maggie just has her best interest at heart, or so she thinks. She doesn't want to be hurt again, and who can blame her? This is a must read for everyone so, put it on your list to buy, I can promise that you won't be disappointed!

Popular Vote by Micol Ostow

2008-11-12T11:44:00.002-05:00

Erin Bright is use to being in the spotlight. Her dad's the town mayor, so she's the first daughter and her boyfriend is always the student council president, so she's also the first girlfriend. She's never questioned her role, she just always takes it on. Fashion, school, and helping with campaigns is what her life always consists of and she doesn't expect it to change. But, the time for change comes, when a big company, Caswell Corporation, tries to buy out Everett Field, a sacred place to Erin, where she had not only her magical first date with Logan, but it's the place where her idol wrote the famous book, Restless Nature, that Erin uses as inspiration. When Erin mentions to Logan that he should help save the field, it becomes a major sore spot for both of them. It ultimately results in Erin standing up for what she believes in, by running for office against him, and trying to save the field herself.

This brings even more problems to Erin, considering the company trying to put a gas station over Everett Field, is none other than Caswell Corporation, the company that is standing behind her dad in his election campaign. Should Erin just keep her mouth shut for the sake of her dad's campaign or should she fight for what she believes in?

Popular Vote is a fast and entertaining read. Ms. Ostow's writing is catchy and she even uses blogging as a major point in her book, which we can all relate to. I like how Erin is headstrong and doesn't break when Logan doesn't agree with her and she decides to run against him. I honestly can say that I didn't see a slow point in this book. It's fast paced and the hits keep coming. I can't wait to read more from Micol Ostow! Bravo!

Winners!

2008-11-12T11:42:00.002-05:00

Thanks to everyone that entered! You guys rock! Here are the winners and I'll be contacting you!!

Nicole

Alyce

Julie

Congrats! And I have more contests to come, so keep your eyes open!!

Buy A Book....

2008-11-10T14:53:00.002-05:00

I read this post from Reviewer X and it hit me. I really haven't heard that the book industry was this bad, but apparently it is.

Read this post from Reviewer X, get inspired, and then go out (or in...) and BUY A BOOK!!

And, don't forget with the holidays coming up that a book is a great gift!

The Smart One and The Pretty One by Claire Lazebnik

2008-11-02T00:09:00.006-04:00

Lauren and Ava are two sisters who could not be more different. Ava is the successful lawyer and Lauren spends way too much money and finds herself in debt. When Ava finds out of Lauren's money drama, she intervenes and gets Lauren to not only talk to a financial advisor, she also draws up a contract for Lauren to sign stating that she will not spend any extra money. When learning that their mother has cancer, Lauren decides to quit her job and move back home and hopefully leave her bad debt behind. While at home, Lauren discovers a contract that their parents drew up when the girls were younger, stating that Ava was betrothed to Russell Markowitz. Russell and Ava's parents were friends when they were kids and thought it would be fun to draw up the contract, in hopes that they would one day be in-laws. Loving the chance to get her older sister back for the financial agreement that she had to sign, Lauren plans a meeting with Russell at a restaurant, without Ava knowing about it and takes the contract. But, a contract that isn't drawn up by a lawyer can't be that binding, or can it?

The Smart One and The Pretty One is a fun, realistic tale of two sisters, who are discovering themselves and each other. The emotions in the book are high and sometimes will tug at your heart strings. You can't help but to love the fashion centered Lauren and how she fights the urges to go out and spend money that she doesn't have. And, Ava just needs to let her hair down and have a little fun. Through out the book, I couldn't wait for the moment that Ava would just go with her instincts and not logic, which she lives by. The book does have a few slow spots, but they are not large and once you get past that, it's a fast and breezy read. The Smart One and The Pretty One is out now!

***Contest***

The lovely publishers have given me 3 copies of The Smart One and The Pretty One to give away. All you have to do to be entered is leave me a comment or email me WritersBlockReviews (@) gmail (dot) com and you'll be entered. Contest is only open in the US and will end Sunday Nov. 9th, so hurry and enter!!

The Heartbreakers by Pamela Wells

2008-10-25T22:15:00.004-04:00

Raven, Kelly, Sydney, and Alexia are all best friends. And, at the start of the book, you find out that Raven, Kelly and Sydney are all in relationships (or sort-of relationships). Then on the same day, they all get broken up with their boyfriends. Alexia, who has never been in a real relationship, decides to help out her friends by making a break-up code for the girls to follow. Some of the rules are the basic break up stuff, as in not talking to your ex or calling him just to hear his voice on his voicemail. Some of the girls have a hard time following the code. And, poor Sydney is in denial about her break up and believes it will be soon for her and Drew to get back together.

Alexia starts to get a crush someone and hides it from her friends, because even though she didn't break up with anyone, she's supposed to be going by the code, too. Kelly is spending more time with Sydney's ex and hiding it from her other friends. And, Raven is wondering how anyone has ever gotten along without a boyfriend to keep them occupied. Throughout this story there are a lot of twists and friendship tests that will keep you turning the pages.

The Heartbreakers is a great book. I laughed throughout the whole book and even got mad through some of it. Ms. Wells' writing is unlike any other that I have read. She keeps you in the story and wondering what's going to come next. The Heartbreakers is a story that I'm sure all girls can relate to, if they've ever been in a relationship, or even if they haven't. I can't wait to read more by Ms. Wells!

The Heartbreakers is available now and the sequel The Crushes will be released on December 1st, so be sure to pick them up sometime soon. I know I'll be picking up The Crushes to see what's going to happen in the next installment.

Congrats....

2008-10-21T11:53:00.001-04:00

Traci!!

She's the winner of the signed copies of Frenemies by Alexa Young.

Thanks everyone that entered and we'll be having more contests to come!

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Frenemies by Alexa Young + Contest

2008-10-06T00:05:00.008-04:00

Avalon and Halley have been best friends since they can remember. The live next door to each other and even have a puppy, Pucci, that they share custody of. When Halley goes off to art camp, Avalon can't wait for her best friend to come home. She's even planned a party in their friendship's honor. But, when Halley returns from art camp, Avalon gets a huge surprise. Not only has her best friend lost her fashion sense, she's gotten a new friend, in the form of Sofee. A girl that was once nicknamed by the two friends as Softee. At school, the two friends, who are in the same class for the school paper, begin a competition in which they are fighting with others for their own column, where they give fashion advice to the other students. Both girls are having a hard time adjusting to the new friends that the other has made.

When, two friends end up having a falling out, that's when the true drama begins. Avalon, who is the daughter of lawyers, draws up an agreement which lets them know the terms of custody of Pucci, and they start rotating days on the Style Snark column for the paper. They decide that the students can vote for which style snark they like the best. From parties to sleepovers, the girls throw low blows to each other. Will these two friends work everything out, or will be be full on war for the rest of the year? Well, I guess you'll just have to read to find out.

This book is a different kind of fun. You'll be turning the pages to see what the Avalon and Halley will come up with next to try and destroy the other. I love the way that the girls' claws come out in the Style Snark column. Both throw out comments on the others outfits and more. This book is fashionably fun and, trust me, addicting. Make sure to look for the sequel, Faketastic, coming out Jan. 2009.

*** Enter the contest!! Leave me a comment or email me to enter. Contest will be open until Oct. 18th.

Good Luck by Whitney Gaskell

2008-10-04T21:52:00.004-04:00

Have you ever had such a bad day that you wish that you could run away? Or, have you ever wished that you could win the lottery and be set for life? If you have, then this book is for you. Lucy Parker is having the worst day of her life. She gets fired from her job, her car breaks down and she finds out that her live-in boyfriend, Elliott, is cheating on her. Feeling down, she visits her friend Maisie to clear her head. While at Maisie's, they get on the subject of lottery tickets and the probability of winning. Later in the day, Lucy stops in a gas station and decides on a whim to buy two tickets. The next morning, when she gets out the morning paper to read it , she discovers that she has the winning lottery ticket of 87 million dollars. Deciding to keep her winnings a secret for now, she goes to pick up her money at the lottery office and doesn't tell anyone where she's going. In the next few days, Lucy's life becomes a media circus, when a too nosey reporter finds out about her winning the money right after getting fired from her job. Dying to escape, Lucy gets a call from her college roommate, Hayden, to get away with her and go to Palm Beach, where Hayden's parents own a house. There, after changing her appearance to throw off the press, she meets some interesting guys and has a blast with Hayden. But sooner, rather than later, Lucy figures out that money doesn't solve all of her problems and makes it hard to figure out who she can trust.

Good Luck is a highly engrossing and entertaining book. Lucy is a love able character, who is down on her luck and you can't wait to see her get away from all the bad press. I find Ms. Gaskell's writing flawless and never boring. This is the first book that I've picked up by her, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for future books. You can visit her website to find out more.

Good Luck will be released on October 28th.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

2008-10-02T21:03:00.006-04:00

Right before Alice turns 10, she goes on a school field trip. During the fateful trip, Alice gets abducted and has to go and live with her abductor Ray. For five years, she lives in a miserable type of prison, that you could not imagine. Ray threatens her, so that she will not run away, by saying that he will kill her whole family if she tries. Also, Alice just sits at home, while Ray is at work and watches daytime T.V. and, if she's lucky, she'll be able to eat a yogurt. Ray refuses to feed her anything else, so that she will not grow much. Fifteen year old Alice has endured years of physical, mental and sexual abuse, that makes you see how strong that one girl can be. She now is a self-proclaimed Living Dead Girl, who wishes that her pain can go away, even if it does mean death . Then, one day everything changes when Ray decides it's time to expand their family and add another young girl. Ray appoints Alice to pick out the girl and help figure out a way to abduct her. But, if Alice does chooses another girl, will she be able to live with herself, even if it means there might be a way for her to escape her prison?

Living Dead Girl is a very gut wrenching and haunting book. It shows how, in just a few minutes, your life can be changed forever. This is not my first book by the very talented Ms. Scott, but this is the first book by her that actually made me gasp. At some points in the book, I did have to set it down, because I felt so much for Alice. Living Dead Girl is a very honest, but to some may be too graphic. I would recommend this book to older teens and young adults alike. You will not be disappointed. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Scott. It's because of authors like her that I love to read. You can visit her website and read her blog and she also hosts the occasional contest.

Living Dead Girl is available now at bookstores and online stores.

Writer's Block Reviews

Defining New Moon by Brian Leaf

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Clearing by Heather Davis

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Hearts At Stake : The Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey

*Giveaway!*

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

Take Off Your Shirt by Nancy Balbirer

TMI by Sarah Quigley

Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

Easy On The Eyes by Jane Porter

Are You Living Your Five?

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Winner of Sunnyside Blues ::

The Debs by Susan McBride

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

**Contest Alert!**

Sunnyside Blues by Mary Carter

Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

**Winners!! and Another Contest Announcement!**

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell + Kickin' Contest!!

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Heartbreak River by Tricia Mills

WINNER of The Real, Real.....

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus CONTEST!

Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity by Kerry Cohen

One Wish by Leigh Brescia

**Two Great Author Contests!**

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

The Season by Sarah MacLean

The King's Rose by Alisa Libby

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin

**Winners**

Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center

Discovering Pig Magic by Julie Crabtree ++ 2 book GIVEAWAY!!

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare

***Winner** and a side note ::

Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols + CONTEST!

Envy by Anna Godbersen

HUGE Speak Giveaway!

Here Today, Gone To Maui by Carol Snow

**WiNNER!**No New Posts This Week...

Geek Charming by Robin Palmer

Evermore by Alyson Noel

You Are So Undead To Me by by Stacey Jay // + CONTEST

Winner!

Frostbite (VA book 2) and Shadow Kiss (VA book 3) by Richelle Mead

Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey ++CONTEST!!

Falling For Romeo by Jennifer Laurens

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Switch by Carol Snow

Woot! Another Award!

Parties & Potions by Sarah Mlynowski

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

When You Wish by Kristin Harmel

The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas

Need by Carrie Jones

Butterfly Award!

**WINNER**

**WIN ME**

I Love Your Blog Award....

Guest Post from Dianne Ascroft

Hitler and Mars Bars by Dianne Ascroft

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Check This Out!!

The Crushes By Pamela Wells

Giveaway!

Contest Alert!

Winners!! and Another Contest Announcement!

Two Great Author Contests!

Winners

*Winner and a side note ::

WiNNER!No New Posts This Week...

WINNER

WIN ME