Falling Off The Shelf

I'm coming back!

2011-09-27T17:05:00.000-04:00

After giving birth to a beautiful baby boy, and now moving into a new place....I'm coming back to review! I'm going to be changing things up a bit though, not as many giveaways or interviews at first.

I'm also (probably) going to be starting a new blog just for YA Reviews as well, so they will be separated.

As soon as I get settled, look forward to more reviews from me, along with pics of my adorable baby boy Connor :)

Connor at 4 1/2 Months

I've also started making handmade wire-work jewelry. I may be doing some giveaways of that as well. Look forward to more info on that as well!

Blog Tour : Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

2011-02-22T13:22:00.000-05:00

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Blog Tour

Read My Review

About the Book

Life has been nothing but unfair to Grace Parkes and her sister. Penniless, the two orphans manage to stay alive-but only barely, like so many on the streets of Victorian London. And Grace must bear a greater heartbreak, having become pregnant from terrible circumstances and then given birth to a stillborn baby. But the infant's death sets Grace on a new path, bringing her into contact with people who hold both riches and power. A great fraud has been perpetrated on young Grace and her sister, and they are the secret recipients of a most unusual legacy-if only they can find the means to claim it. Mary Hooper's latest offers Dickensian social commentary, as well as malicious fraud, mysterious secrets, and a riveting read.

About the Author

Mary Hooper is a very popular writer for children and young adults. Mary's brilliant historical novels, At the House of the Magician, By Royal Command, At the Sign of the Sugared Plum, Petals in the Ashes and The Extraordinary Life and Times of Eliza Rose have a huge fan base, as do her contemporary novels for teenagers. Mary is very much in demand for her events at literary festivals and schools. She lives in England.

More Teen Titles by Mary Hooper

At the House of the Magician
By Royal Command
The Betrayal
The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
Petals in the Ashes
Amy

Visit Mary @ MaryHooper.Co.Uk

A special Thank You to Kate from Bloomsbury Kids for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.

Review : Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

2011-02-22T13:20:00.000-05:00

Title : Fallen Grace
Author : Mary Hooper
Publisher : Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Genre : Historical Fiction, YA
ISBN : 978-1599905648
Source : Received from Publisher
Release Date : February 1, 2011
Rating : 2/5 Stars - Okay

Description from Amazon :

Life has been nothing but unfair to Grace Parkes and her sister. Penniless, the two orphans manage to stay alive-but only barely, like so many on the streets of Victorian London. And Grace must bear a greater heartbreak, having become pregnant from terrible circumstances and then given birth to a stillborn baby. But the infant's death sets Grace on a new path, bringing her into contact with people who hold both riches and power. A great fraud has been perpetrated on young Grace and her sister, and they are the secret recipients of a most unusual legacy-if only they can find the means to claim it. Mary Hooper's latest offers Dickensian social commentary, as well as malicious fraud, mysterious secrets, and a riveting read.

Trailer :

Review :

The story starts with young Grace Parkes, on a journey to Brookwood Cemetery. The unfortunate death of her newborn son has forced her to bring the lifeless body of her infant to be buried. Grace is only sixteen years old, and as far as anyone thinks in the 1800's, she is considered a fallen woman. No one will want to love her now, knowing that she has given birth out of wedlock. As sad as this time is for Grace, she knows that she wouldn't be able to care for the baby, because she can barely afford to care for herself and her sister Lily.

Each day Grace and Lily go out and buy watercress to sell on the streets of Victorian London. It's not a stable job, but it makes them enough money to pay their weekly rent and to put food in their mouths, most of the time. When things become to tough, Grace must make some decisions that will change her and her sister's lives forever. Accepting a job from a woman she met while at Brookwood Cemetery, she becomes a mute for a funeral home. The job is depressing, as it is her job to mourn the death of every dead person that they are to bury. While Grace works at the funeral home, the owners of the home, the Unwins, take her sister in as a maid in their family home. Grace barely sees her sister, and begins to become suspicious of some of the things that have been going on with the Unwin family.

Grace thinks it best to contact Mr. Solent, a man who had pressed her to contact him if she ever was in need of help. With his help she finds out some disturbing and somewhat relieving news. It's up to the two of them to blow the lid off a huge scandal, and restoring a fortune to it's rightful owner.

I'll have to admit that this book didn't capture me as much as I was hoping that it would. I normally fall into historical novels and can't get out of them because they are just so engrossing. The only thing that engrossed me about this novel was the fact that the author clearly researched the era before writing about it. At times I felt like I was truly walking through the streets of London, as the descriptions of the surroundings were perfect.

I didn't really feel as though I connected with any of the characters, except maybe Grace, but only in the aspect that by losing a child she was in constant grief. I myself am pregnant, and don't know what I would do under those circumstances, and pray that I won't have to feel that sort of pain. Other than that I couldn't really feel much toward any of the characters, and at times caught myself skipping parts of the story looking for something a little more interesting. I rarely skip full pages in a book, but it was the only way I was going to finish this one, because I felt that the story was creeping along far too slowly.

I was disappointed in this book, but I did manage to finish it, out of curiosity and the history that was jammed into the pages. I will not let this one book by this author prevent me from reading more from her in the future, because her writing style is quite beautiful. The writing and amount of detail that went into this story makes me believe that I just happened to pick up the wrong book by this author, and I'm sure she will give me a good story next time.

Despite my low rating, I encourage you to go out and read this book. There have been many great reviews for this title, and I think that you may either love or dislike this book. I unfortunately did the latter in these circumstances.

Where did I get this book? :
I received this book from Kate at Bloomsbury Kids publishing house in exchange for my honest review for a blog tour.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Friday Finds - February 18, 2011

2011-02-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Friday Finds was started by MizB @ Should Be Reading.

Check back each Friday to see what I've found, and make sure to stop by Should Be Reading's Friday Finds Post to see what other bloggers have found as well!

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter (Pre-Order Hardcover @ Amazon)

Publisher : Arthur A. Levine Books

ISBN : 978-0545221306

Release Date : August 1, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

Adult or YA : YA

"The Luxe" meets the ancient world in the extraordinary story of Cleopatra's daughter.

Selene has grown up in a palace on the Nile with her parents, Cleopatra & Mark Antony—the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But the jealous Roman Emperor Octavianus wants Egypt for himself, & when war finally comes, Selene faces the loss of all she's ever loved. Forced to build a new life in Octavianus's household in Rome, she finds herself torn between two young men and two possible destinies—until she reaches out to claim her own.

This stunning novel brings to life the personalities & passions of one of the greatest dramas in history, & offers a wonderful new heroine in Selene.

The Revenant by Sonia Gensler (Pre-Order Hardcover or Kindle Edition @ Amazon)
Publisher : Knopf Books For Young Readers

ISBN : 978-0375867019
Release Date : June 14, 2011
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone
Adult or YA : YA

When Willie arrives in Indian Territory, she knows only one thing: no one can find out who she really is. To escape a home she doesn't belong in anymore, she assumes the name of a former classmate and accepts a teaching job at the Cherokee Female Seminary.

Nothing prepares her for what she finds there. Her pupils are the daughters of the Cherokee elite—educated and more wealthy than she, and the school is cloaked in mystery. A student drowned in the river last year, and the girls whisper that she was killed by a jealous lover. Willie's room is the very room the dead girl slept in. The students say her spirit haunts it.

Willie doesn't believe in ghosts, but when strange things start happening at the school, she isn't sure anymore. She's also not sure what to make of a boy from the nearby boys' school who has taken an interest in her—his past is cloaked in secrets. Soon, even she has to admit that the revenant may be trying to tell her something. .

Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay (Pre-Order Paperback or Kindle Edition @ Amazon)

Publisher : Pocket Books

ISBN : 978-1439189863
Release Date : May 31, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : #1 Dead on the Delta

Adult or YA : Adult

If you believe in fairies, run. . . .

Once upon a time, fairies were the stuff of bedtime stories and sweet dreams. Then came the mutations, and the dreams turned to nightmares. Mosquito-sized fairies now indulge their taste for human blood—and for most humans, a fairy bite means madness or death. Luckily, Annabelle Lee isn’t most humans. The hard-drinking, smart mouthed, bicycle riding redhead is immune to fairy venom, and able to do the dirty work most humans can’t. Including helping law enforcement—and Cane Cooper, the bayou’s sexiest detective—collect evidence when a body pops up outside the barricades of her Louisiana town.

But Annabelle isn’t equipped to deal with the murder of a six-year-old girl, or a former lover turned FBI snob taking an interest in the case. Suddenly her already bumpy relationship with Cane turns even rockier and even the most trustworthy friends turn into suspects. Annabelle’s life is imploding: Between relationship drama, a heartbreaking murder investigation, Breeze-crazed drug runners, and a few too many rum and cokes, Annabelle is a woman on the run—from her past, from her future, and into the arms of a darkness waiting just for her. . . .

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on links in parenthesis in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Waiting on Wednesday - February 16, 2011

2011-02-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking The Spine

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Heroes 'Til Curfew by Susan Bischoff

Release Date : TBA

Synopsis from Goodreads :

How do you impress a girl who can toss dumpsters around with her brain, when all your invisibility Talent makes you great at is hiding? As Dylan ponders this, Joss finds herself mired deep in "he likes me, he likes me not" territory. While our super couple dances awkwardly around their feelings, NIAC's mysterious undercover agent is sending away more Talents than ever. It's the perfect climate of fear for Marco to draw these scared kids to his cause as he plots both his revenge, and a crime wave that sweeps over the town of Fairview, threatening Joss's family business and the safety of all Talents, good and bad. Joss and Dylan have to decide if they're going to stand up or step aside. Is it worth risking their freedom? Or each other?

I recently read the first book in the Talent Chronicles, Hush Money, and instantly wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters in the sequel. Unfortunately there isn't a definitive date as to when it will be released, but as soon as I find out I will be sure to let everyone know! Until then, you should most definitely head on over to Amazon and grab yourself a copy of Hush Money!

You can also read my review of Hush Money HERE.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Blog Tour : Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

2011-02-15T07:01:00.001-05:00

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Blog Tour

Read My Review

About the Book

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother-and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth-that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.

About the Author

Suzanne Selfors is the author of Saving Juliet as well as a middle grade series with Little, Brown. She held a number of jobs before becoming a writer, including children's photographer, video producer, organic flower grower, and marketing director. She lives in Washington.

More Teen Titles by Suzanne Selfors

Saving Juliet (Amazon)

Coffeehouse Angel (Amazon)

Visit Suzanne @ SuzanneSelfors.com

A special Thank You to Kate from Bloomsbury Kids for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.

Review : Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

2011-02-15T07:00:00.056-05:00

Title : Mad Love
Author : Suzanne Selfors
Publisher : Walker Books for Young Readers
Genre : Young Adult
ISBN : 978-0802784506
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone
Release Date : January 4, 2011
Rating : 4/5 Stars - Very Good

Description from Amazon :

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother-and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth-that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.

Trailer :

Review :

Alice Amorous is the Queen of Romance's daughter. Life is pretty tough for her though, because her mother suffers from a very serious mental condition. She's had it her whole life, but has recently been admitted into a hospital to help her out of a catatonic state. Alice has quit going to the private school she has been going to her whole life, and has climbed into a pair of adult pants earlier than she ever thought she would. She's been holding up the fort for quite some time, and letting everyone around her believe that everything is perfect, when clearly things just aren't. Now she has to come up with a new book for her mother's publisher, or they're life will surely go down the drain.

Errol, who claims he is the real Cupid, has confronted Alice with the true story of Cupid and Psyche. Alice doesn't believe a word he says, so she continues to make excuses as to the reason why she can't write his book for him. When she starts hearing his voice in her head, and can't stop thinking about him, she thinks she must be going insane just like her mother, and this is the scariest thing she can imagine for herself. Besides, he can't really be Cupid, right?

When I started this book I expected more of a comedic attempt at a story about Cupid. Surprisingly, I was wrong. I'm glad I was wrong though, because this book is perfect just the way it is. If not for lack of time due to a bit of nesting fever, I would have devoured this book within hours. I clearly have been missing out on the talent of Suzanne Selfors, and now I want to go back and read each and every one of her previous titles.

My favorite character in this title would have to be Archibald, the only gay tenant in the building that Alice and her Mother own and rent out. He always seemed to be there for someone, and never had anything to complain about, even when dealing with everyone else's drama. My least favorite character was Realm, previously known as Lily, until she cut all ties from her previous self and became a self-centered, manipulating little brat. There were times that I wanted to shake her because of the things she put Alice through, but her character clearly had some issues that she needed to work out.

The main character, Alice, annoyed me at some points in time. She was absorbed with trying to write a new romance novel in her mother's name, but didn't seem to realize that Errol was trying desperately to give her one. I thought she was a little stubborn at times, but like all of us, we just need to sit back and look at the big picture. Sometimes things just come to you when you least expect it.

Despite Alice's mother being the Queen of Romance, and Errol being the supposed 'real Cupid', there wasn't too much romance in this book. Alice has a huge crush on a new boy in town, Tony, and they do get to know each other a little bit throughout the book, but I wouldn't consider it to be too much of a romance between them. I'm glad that there wasn't that much romance between them though, because they are so young, and I hate to see young characters fall head over heels in love with each other within a few short chapters. I thought that their feelings toward each other, and the slow pacing of them getting acquainted was much more realistic than most young adult books.

I really liked how Selfors included a very serious mental condition into this book. It gives a lot of insight on what families have to go through when their loved ones can't take care of themselves and need to be admitted into a hospital. The illness in this book hits close to home too, because I do have a few family members that suffer from it, although they had it treated early on so it never had the time to come to the state that Alice's mother faced.

The bottom line is that this was a great book. Within the last few chapters I cried my eyes out, and I'm not sure if it was because Selfors is fantastic with depicting emotion, or if my pregnancy hormones were just raging at the moment. Either way, I love a book that can grip my heart and make it break for the characters. I highly recommend this book, to both young adults and adults alike, because it will give you a real insight on a teenager who has to deal with a parent being mentally ill, and how sometimes you have to grow up before your time.

Where did I get this book? :

I received this book from Kate at Bloomsbury Kids publishing house in exchange for my honest review for a blog tour.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Review : Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

2011-02-10T00:05:00.000-05:00

Title : Cryer's Cross
Author : Lisa McMann
Publisher : Simon Pulse
Genre : Young Adult, Paranormal, Mystery
ISBN : 978-1416994817
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone
Release Date : February 8, 2011
Rating : 3/5 Stars - Good

Description from Amazon :

The small town of Cryer’s Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

When a second student goes missing—someone close to Kendall’s heart—the community is in an uproar. Caught in a downward spiral of fear and anxiety, Kendall’s not sure she can hold it together. When she starts hearing the voices of the missing, calling out to her and pleading for help, she fears she’s losing her grip on reality. But when she finds messages scratched in a desk at school—messages that could only be from the missing student who used to sit there—Kendall decides that crazy or not, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t act on her suspicions.

Something’s not right in Cryer’s Cross—and Kendall’s about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Trailer :

Review :

Kendall Fletcher lives in the small town of Cryer's Cross. Nothing bad has ever happened there, and everyone knows everyone. The high school is a one room classroom, so when one girl goes missing, the whole town knows about it. Kendall takes it very hard when the girl goes missing, because she already has really bad OCD as it is. Now Kendall has added on new tasks to her daily life, because she fears that she might be the next person to go missing.

Things are even worse for her when someone she truly cares about is the next one to go missing. She even begins to think that the stress of the missing children has made her crazy, because she starts to hear their voices. Words scratched into a desk at school are her only clue that she's not crazy, so she uses those clues to try to find her missing friend.

I'll be quite honest, I didn't even read the synopsis of this book before I started it. The cover just looked so interesting that I wanted to read it from that image alone. I was about half-way through the story, wondering whether or not there was a paranormal element when I decided to read the synopsis. While this book does have some paranormal elements, you don't see them until close to the end of the book. It all just seemed like a regular mystery novel to me for quite some time.

I liked Kendall, although she wasn't my favorite main character. She really enlightened me on how a person with OCD goes throughout their day, and what they really do go through. Most people don't realize how difficult life can be for a person with OCD, but McMann easily portrayed how a person with this disorder would live their life. At times I thought Kendall was a little too judgmental, especially to the new boy in town, although he wasn't the nicest person to her either.

This was the first book that I've read by Lisa McMann, and honestly I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I've heard a lot of good things about her writing, but it felt like it lacked something, although I can't put my finger on it. I'm not saying that this story wasn't good, because it was, but it was a little slow moving. I did however, think it was good enough to read more of her work, so I'll be going back and reading her Wake Series.

Where did I get this book? :

I received my e-galley from the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab for my honest review.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Busy Busy Busy!!

2011-02-05T00:10:00.002-05:00

Sorry folks! I've been quit busy this past week with work and baby stuff! I'll be back to make some posts on Sunday, and luckily I only have 3 days on the schedule this week so I can relax a little bit!

Also have another ultrasound, so I'm going to be posting the pics from both the first one, and the new one this week so everyone can see how my little man is progressing!

See you soon!

In My Mailbox - January 24, 2011

2011-01-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox was started by Krist @ The Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau (Kindle Edition)

December 1, 2010 - Purchased from Amazon for $2.39

Freak of nature takes on a whole new meaning...

If she hadn't been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?

Most. Embarrassing. Moment. Ever.

Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?

Jade is determined to find out. So how does a plus-size, aqua-phobic mer-girl go about doing that exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend, Cori, and to her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting...

Ghost Ocean by S.M. Peters (Paperback)

May 5, 2009 - Received from Bookmooch

Beings of unimaginable power, classified as myths and legends, have been imprisoned in the secluded town of St. Ives for centuries-watched over by guardians with supernatural skills. Te Evangeline-s father was one such guardian, a -binder- who died in the line of duty and who passed along his ability to his daughter. Now, Te must awaken the magic within her before her father-s killer releases his fellow prisoners on an unsuspecting world.

A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp (Paperback)
April 27, 2010 - Received from Bookmooch

Meet three noble bachelors and a quartet of American girls of questionable manners! New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp delights with an exciting new series featuring love, laughter, and intrigue.
When Mary Bascombe’s stepfather tries to sell her and her sisters to the highest bidder after their mother’s death, she resolves to take drastic action. Although their British mother was estranged from her family, Mary decides the four will flee to London and take their place in society as granddaughters of the Earl of Stewkesbury.

Dashing Sir Royce Winslow doubts the honesty of the young women’s claim—despite their charms, they seem to be hiding something. His attraction to feisty Mary, however, is no ruse, so when the sisters are shipped off to Willowmere, the earl’s country estate, to acquire some polish, Royce is quick to join them. When an unknown villain attempts a kidnapping, Royce and Mary are thrown together as they confront the danger . . . and Royce learns that while high society may sing the praises of proper behavior, it is a most improper American who is winning his heart.

Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here by Christine Warren (Paperback)
November 2, 2010 - Received from Paperbackswap

Danice Carter is not one for glass slippers. A stilettos-wearing lawyer at one of Manhattan’s most elite establishments, Danice has a very strong grip on reality. So when she’s asked by one the firm’s founding partners to take on a personal case, Danice knows she’s in for the opportunity of a lifetime. All she has to do is convince her top boss’s granddaughter, Rosemary, to file a paternity suit. Sounds simple enough…until Danice arrives at Rosemary’s home and is pounced on by a handsome stranger.

Private investigator McIntyre Callahan’s was only following his powerful client’s orders: Find Rosemary—at all costs. Instead, he’s found a super-hot lawyer prowling around looking for answers he can’t give. The half-human, half-Fae Mac tries to warn Danice that she’s way in over her head—that Rosemary may roam among The Others, and may have dangerous ties to the Unseelie Court—but she won’t be deterred. Even if that means following Mac to the ends of the earth to find Rosemary…or surrendering to his supernatural powers of temptation…until death do they part.

Whom God Would Destroy by Commander Pants (Kindle Edition)
May 5, 2010 - Received for review by the Author

t's 1987, and “God” decides that it's about time he returned to Earth once more. Opening up a New Age store, he brings with him a fresh message for mankind to screw up - one tailor-made for this, the age of greed. It's called Meism, and it extols the virtues of selfishness, having its adherents, "Do good unto others so they can feel good about themselves," instead of that Golden Rule's tired old message. Sadly, He runs into a few kinks he didn't foresee...

Whom God Would Destroy; it's about God, Big Macs, insanity and the search for the Ultimate Orgasm!

Big Girls Don't Die by Crystal Jordan (Kindle Edition)
February 6, 2009 - Kindle Freebie on Amazon (Currently $1.99)

“I will always love you.” Not just a figure of speech when you’re undead.

In the Heat of the Night, Book Two

Six months ago, Andre St. James committed the ultimate one-night-stand party foul by turning Cynthiana into the spawn of Satan…also known as a vampire. He insisted he knew they were meant to be together forever and ever, so why wait for her to be on the same page with him to suck the life out of her?

What. Ever. The only thing the two of them share is chemistry that blasts off the charts. So she dropkicked him out of her life and told him to never come back. He listened. Until now.

Andre knows Cyn has trouble dealing with his take-no-prisoners approach to life, and that turning her against her will was a mistake. But he’s got patience born of centuries of immortality, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get back into her good graces and stay there forever. Including wait until she has no choice but to turn to him.
After all, no one understands forever like a vampire. He’s loved her from the moment he saw her…and he always will.

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson (Kindle Edition)
August 24, 2007 - Kindle Freebie

Fifteen-year-old Scotty Dawn has spent her young life on the road, traveling to movie sets with her single mom, Charley, a food designer. Yet even though Scotty is wise beyond her years, she still struggles to find her identity. Complicating matters is a mother who offers no guidance and a father she's never met.

Now Scotty is determined to discover what she wants from life. She's even documenting the journey on her "Hollywood Nobody" blog. But as Scotty begins to find dark answers to tough questions, will her story have a happy ending?

The first in a series, Hollywood Nobody is a novel for teen girls that examines real issues with honesty and humor. Enhancing the book's themes, the story includes journal and blog entries as well as screenplay dialog, providing an engaging experience for readers.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Sunday Kindle Deals - Young Adult Titles Under $5 (+3)

2011-01-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Each Sunday come back here to Falling Off The Shelf to find out the latest Kindle book deals in the Young Adult genre! If you find a deal that you would like me to showcase, please let me know!

**Clicking on Title Links will redirect you to Amazon**

Titles still under $5, previously showcased.

Marked (House of Night Bk 1) by P.C. & Kristin Cast - $2.99

Evermore (The Immortals Bk 1) by Alyson Noel - $2.99

The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine Bk 1) by Bree Despain - $2.39

Vampire Kisses (Vampire Kisses Bk 1) by Ellen Schreiber - $3.99

Dramarama by E. Lockhart - $3.76

The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods Bk 4) by Melissa de la Cruz - $4.24

Book of Love (Knight Angels Bk 1) by Abra Ebner - $4.99

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry - $4.88

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn - $4.69

Football Genius by Tim Green - $4.99

All Alone in the Universe by Lynn Rae Perkins - $4.99

Ghost of a Chance by Laura Peyton Roberts - $4.79

This Week's Showcase :

My Little Phony (The Clique #13) by Lisi Harrison

Current Kindle Price : $1.99

Lending Enabled : No

Massie Block: The holidays are just around the corner, and the only thing Massie doesn't want for Christmas is a lip-kiss from her ninth-grade crush, Landon. Not that she'd ever admit it, but she's nervous! To distract herself, Massie focuses on getting revenge on Claire for ditching the Pretty Committee. But when the plan to bug her ex-BFF backfires big-time, she may find herself headed for a Merry Kissmass-whether she likes it or not.

Alicia Rivera: Promised her parents she wouldn't shop at awl between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her reward? An all-expenses-paid trip to the Spanish Riviera. But what happens when she sees the cuh-yutest pair of Ralph Lauren sunglasses? No pain, no Spain.

Dylan Marvil: After going overboard at the Westchester Mall, Dylan isn't worried about the size of her clothes . . . but she is worried about the size of her clothing budget. Cuh-redit denied!

Kristen Gregory: Is sick of being the only poor girl in Westchester. But misery loves company, and maybe, just maybe, she won't be the only broke member of the Pretty Committee for long. . . .

Claire Lyons: When Massie scares off her new drama friends with a fake-lice scare, Claire decides she's done letting Massie bully her. The alpha may have exterminated Claire's social life, but what goes around comes around. The raid is on, and it won't be over until the fat ladybug sings.

The Clique . . . the only thing harder than getting in is staying in.

The Fifth of March : A Story of the Boston Massacre by Ann Rinaldi

Current Kindle Price : $4.80

Lending Enabled : No

Rachel Marsh is a servant in the Boston household of John Adams. But her loyalty to the Adams family is tested by her friendship with Matthew Kilroy, a British private who leads his soldiers in firing upon a mob of Boston citizens.

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau

Current Kindle Price : $2.39

Lending Enabled : No

Freak of nature takes on a whole new meaning...

If she hadn't been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?

Most. Embarrassing. Moment. Ever.

Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?
Jade is determined to find out. So how does a plus-size, aqua-phobic mer-girl go about doing that exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend, Cori, and to her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting...

Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
Current Kindle Price : $4.99
Lending Enabled : No

After her mother's death, Julie goes to live with Aunt Cordelia, a spinster schoolteacher, where she experiences many emotions and changes as she grows from seven to eighteen.

Don't Kiss Him Goodbye by Sandra Byrd
Current Kindle Price : $4.69
Lending Enabled : Yes

Now established in her quirky British village, Savvy works hard to get an article with her own byline published in the school newspaper. When an attractive and mysterious boy asks her for help with his school work, Savvy is slowly pulled into his circle and soon finds out that the wrong set of friends—boys and girls—can influence her own behavior. Following her own advice to cut ties with a charming bad boy would mean abandoning her dearest wishes, and it just doesn't seem as wrong as it feels. Is it? Read on for surprise twists throughout the book!

London Confidential is a new series for young girls. In the series, British fashion, friendships, and guys collide as an all-American teen girl learns to love life and live out her faith. The series follows Savvy's entertaining attempts to fit in during her first year at a new school in a new country.

Flirting With Disaster by Sandra Byrd
Current Kindle Price : $4.79
Lending Enabled : Yes

In a shocking turn of events, all writers for the Wexburg Academy Times will cast their votes for next year's editor—and it looks like Savvy's vote will be the tie breaker! She must choose between a nasty-girl-turned-nice, with a sudden interest in letting Savvy get what she wants, and the prickly Hazelle, who promises nothing at all. Savvy then finds herself wrapped up in a new, seemingly innocent but potentially dangerous activity. It's all at risk in this book: her position on the paper, the boy she likes, the ministry she wants to go well. At a critical moment, Savvy must figure out how to rely on God rather than luck and to overcome temptation before it is too late.

London Confidential is a new series for young girls. In the series, British fashion, friendships, and guys collide as an all-American teen girl learns to love life and live out her faith. The series follows Savvy's entertaining attempts to fit in during her first year at a new school in a new country.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Friday Finds - January 21, 2011

2011-01-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Friday Finds was started by MizB @ Should Be Reading.

Check back each Friday to see what I've found, and make sure to stop by Should Be Reading's Friday Finds Post to see what other bloggers have found as well!

Between the Sea & Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore (Pre-Order Hardcover @ Amazon)

Publisher : Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

ISBN : 978-1599904344

Release Date : June 7, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. Then Dosinia runs away to the mainland, and Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

Siren's Storm by Lisa Papademetriou (Pre-Order Hardcover or Kindle Edition @ Amazon)

Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers

ISBN : 978-0375842450
Release Date : August 9, 2011
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

Nothing has been the same for Will ever since what happened last summer. One day, on an ordinary sailing trip with his brother, there is a strange accident. When Will wakes up, he learns his brother has disappeared, presumed drowned. Worst of all, Will can't remember what happened—his family finds him unconscious, with no memory of the accident.

Now Will and his best friend and neighbor, Gretchen, are starting a new summer. Gretchen seems troubled—her sleepwalking habit is getting worse, and she keeps waking up closer and closer to the water. Will is drawn to Asia, the exotic new girl in town. Nobody knows where she's from—all Will knows is that her beauty and her mesmerizing voice have a powerful effect on people.

Then there is another mysterious drowning, and Will and Gretchen begin to wonder: Is Asia just another beautiful, wealthy summer resident? Or is she something entirely more sinister . . . and inhuman?

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (Pre-Order Hardcover @ Amazon)

Publisher : HarperTeen

ISBN : 978-0062011992

Release Date : May 31, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : #1 Starcrossed

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Publisher : Tor
ISBN : 978-0765328
Release Date : September 2011
Series or Stand Alone : #1 Anna Dressed in Blood

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

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

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

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

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma (Pre-Order Hardcover or Kindle Edition @ Amazon)
Publisher : Dutton Juvenile
ISBN : 978-0525423386
Release Date : June 14, 2011
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

Chloe’s older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can’t be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby’s friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns home two years later, a precarious and deadly balance waits. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

Imaginary Girls is a masterfully distorted vision of family reminiscent of Shirley Jackson, laced with twists that beg for their secrets to be kept.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on links in parenthesis in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Waiting on Wednesday - January 19, 2011

2011-01-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking The Spine

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward

Release Date : March 29, 2011

Synopsis from Amazon :

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself-only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can-but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?

If your a fan of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, than your probably just about as psyched as I am about this upcoming release! I'm a little behind on this series, as all of my books are packed away and I have yet to find all the ones I want RIGHT NOW, but that doesn't stop me from wanting this book. The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series is one of my favorite paranormal romance reads.

Read my Review of Lover Enshrined (Bk 6)

You can also read my review for Ward's first book in her Fallen Angels Series, Covet, here.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

E-Review : Hush Money by Susan Bischoff

2011-01-18T14:53:00.000-05:00

Title : Hush Money (Kindle Edition)
Author : Susan Bischoff
Publisher : CreateSpace
Genre : Paranormal,Young Adult
ISBN : 978-1453787540
Series or Stand Alone : #1 Talent Chronicles
Release Date : September 24, 2010
Rating : 4/5 Stars - Very Good

Description from Goodreads :

Be normal, invisible. Don’t get close to anyone. Kids with psychic abilities tend to mysteriously disappear when they get noticed. Joss has spent years trying to hide. Now she has an unasked-for best friend, who is the victim of an extortion plot by the school bully, who used to like Joss, who is best friends with her long-time crush, who is actually talking to her. Life just got more complicated.

Review :

Joss has been trained by her father to blend in, not be noticed, let no one know her secrets. It's the only way Talents like her and her family can keep under the radar of the NIAC. No one wants to be dragged away to the State School. It's always been easy to push people away and know that they would leave her alone. Eat alone at lunch, walk home alone, it's just part of her daily routine. When she meets Kat, that all changes. She can't get rid of this girl if her life depended on it. She goes so far as to tell the girl to go away, that she doesn't want any friends, but Kat won't stand for it. Kat is determined to bring Joss out of her shell.

When Kat starts getting blackmailed by the biggest bully in school, Marco, Joss finds herself beginning to worry about her. Marco is bad news, he's been out to get Joss ever since she rejected him years ago. He's always had a huge crush on her, but Joss can see what kind of person he is, and even if she were allowed to date, she wouldn't want to date him. On the other hand, she'd love to date his best friend, Dylan. Dylan is cute, and while he's the best friend of the biggest bully, he's always seemed far less hostile.

I loaned this book from another Kindle user, not even realizing that it was a self-published book. The gorgeous cover alone had me, even before I read the synopsis. After I read that, it sealed the deal for me. I can never turn up a paranormal type book. I sped through this book pretty quickly. It was a short read, but it was well worth the time I put into it. Susan Bischoff clearly has talent, and I'm surprised she hasn't been picked up by some big time publisher yet. I just hope that she gets the credit she deserves for such a well written story.

I really enjoyed all of the supernatural talents in this book, but don't want to give away too much. It's just safe to say that there is telekinesis, invisibility, laser vision, and even super strength all rolled up into this fantastic book. There was so many little stories all looping together, and surprisingly they meshed very well. I thought I would get confused, but Bischoff interwove each little piece perfectly to create one giant story that makes you want to keep turning the pages. Unfortunately there was an end to this book, but just knowing that this is only the first of many, excites me!

One thing I have to say I didn't enjoy about this book was the ending. To be honest, there really wasn't an ending. It just simply stopped, and that kind of upset me. I wanted a little bit more closure to this first book in the Talent Chronicles. I'm just hoping that Bischoff can redeem this short ending with a phenomenal second installment. I'm hoping to get my hands on the next in the series, it will be called Heroes, and will hopefully be released within the next couple of weeks.

Where did I get this book? :

I loaned a copy of Hush Money by Susan Bischoff from a fellow Kindle reader. I'm reviewing this book at my own leisure, and not receiving any compensation for doing so.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

In My Mailbox - January 17, 2011

2011-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox was started by Krist @ The Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Lover Mine by J.R. Ward (Paperback)

November 30, 2010 - Received from Paperbackswap.com

John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown. Taken in by The Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was-or his true identity.

Xhex has long steeled herself against the attraction to John Matthew. Until fate intervenes and she discovers that love, like destiny, is inevitable.

Starlighter by Bryan Davis (Kindle Edition)

March 16, 2010 - Amazon Kindle Freebie

Jason Masters doubted the myths that told of people taken through a portal to another realm and enslaved by dragons. But when he receives a cryptic message from his missing brother, he must uncover the truth and find the portal before it's too late. At the same time, Koren, a slave in the dragons' realm, discovers she has a gift that could either save or help doom her people. As Jason and Koren work to rescue the enslaved humans, a mystic prophecy surrounding a black egg may make all their efforts futile.

In Starlighter, bestselling author Bryan Davis masterfully weaves fantasy and inspiration into a captivating novel for young adults.

Wicked : Resurrection by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie (Trade Paperback)
July 7, 2009

WHAT THE CAHORS witches thought was the end of their troubles was only the beginning. A threat more powerful and more frightening than anything they have faced has been watching and waiting. The Cahors witches must come together and find Jer and Eli as both the Deveraux and the Cahors family lines face eradication.
All the secrets of the Cahors will be revealed, forcing them to overcome their greatest weaknesses in order to achieve their most powerful strengths. And only united do they have any chance at victory. Before the end, sacrifices will be made, alliances forged, and old friends lost forever.

The Raven's Gift by Don Rearden (e-book)

January 25, 2011 - Received for review from the Author.

Shifting from contemporary Yupik Eskimo village life to a gripping post-apocalyptic Alaskan nightmare, The Raven's Gift reveals a heartbreaking truth -- many remote communities in rural Alaska currently teeter on the brink of total collapse. Don Rearden's debut novel dares to confront the frightening possibility of an impending catastrophic loss of human life, love, and indigenous culture.

Delivered in an authentic new voice, The Raven's Gift takes readers on an arctic journey to very real, but seemingly impossible and desolate locale. Dramatic, suspenseful, and chilling, the novel examines the contemporary life of the rich Yupik Eskimo culture, and reveals the heart of a barren tundra landscape in an unexpected collision of cultures.

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann (e-galley)

February 11, 2011 - Received from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab

he small town of Cryer’s Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Sunday Kindle Deals : Young Adult Titles Under $5 (+2)

2011-01-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Each Sunday come back here to Falling Off The Shelf to find out the latest Kindle book deals in the Young Adult genre! If you find a deal that you would like me to showcase, please let me know!

**Clicking on Title Links will redirect you to Amazon**

Titles still under $5, previously showcased.

Marked (House of Night Bk 1) by P.C. & Kristin Cast - $2.99

Evermore (The Immortals Bk 1) by Alyson Noel - $2.99

The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine Bk 1) by Bree Despain - $2.39

Vampire Kisses (Vampire Kisses Bk 1) by Ellen Schrieber - $3.99

Dramarama by E. Lockhart - $3.61

This Week's Showcase :

The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

Current Kindle Price : $4.24

Lending Enabled : Yes

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged. Young, fanged, and fabulous, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth installment of the Blue Bloods series.

Book of Love (Knight Angels Bk 1) by Abra Ebner

Current Kindle Price : $4.99

Lending Enabled : Yes

When seventeen-year-old Jane Taylor witnessed her father's death, something happened to her. Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever-changing deaths of those around her. Sixteen-year-old Emily Taylor resented her sister's closeness with their father, who died when she was six. With the strange ability to read minds, she drowns the voices out with drugs, sending Jane over the edge. When seventeen-year-old Wes Green was adopted, he moved in next door to Jane, finding in her a childhood friend turned high-school crush. All summer, the pain in his bones seemed unwarranted. He was done growing long ago. When senior year starts, however, the pain only gets worse. The foreseen changes are not expected, and far too animal for his taste. When Max Gordon found himself standing above the dying body of an innocent seven-year-old girl, he saw in her eyes something he hadn't seen in the century he'd spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was hope to save her. Jane was her name, and already she was all he ever wanted. It was his job to bring her back, and it was his job to protect her - the biggest mistake of his life. When these four teens enter Glenwood High their senior year, no one but Max could understand the future ahead of them. Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon bind them together. Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop... But their fate just wants them dead.

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

Current Kindle Price : $4.88

Lending Enabled : Yes

When a mysterious piece of jewelry and a strange visitor arrive in the jewelry shop where she works for her evil aunt, Lucinda's course takes a surprising turn. With the help of the Amaranth Witch, a young (and harmless) con-artist, and a prince, Lucinda uncovers secrets about her own royal past. A strong seller in hardcover, this original fairytale marks an exciting debut from a lyrical new voice. Can one magical momentlead to happily ever after? Julie Berry grew up in western New York. She holds a BS in communications from Rensselaer and an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College. She now lives in eastern Massachusetts with her husband and four young sons, and works as a director of software sales and marketing for a technology startup. This is her first book.

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

Current Kindle Price : $4.69

Lending Enabled : No

Just before summer begins, 13-year-old Ali finds an odd photograph in the attic. She knows the two children in it are her mother, Claire, and her aunt Dulcie. But who’s the third person, the one who’s been torn out of the picture?

Ali figures she’ll find out while she’s vacationing in Maine with Dulcie and her four-year-old daughter, Emma, in the house where Ali’s mother’s family used to spend summers. All hopes for relaxation are quashed shortly after their arrival, though, when the girls meet Sissy, a kid who’s mean and spiteful and a bad influence on Emma.

Strangest of all, Sissy keeps talking about a girl named Teresa who drowned under mysterious circumstances back when Claire and Dulcie were kids, and whose body was never found. At first Ali thinks Sissy’s just trying to scare her with a ghost story, but soon she discovers the real reason why Sissy is so angry. . . . Mary Downing Hahn is at her chilling best in this new supernatural tale that’s certain to send shivers down her readers’ spines.

Football Genius by Tim Green

Current Kindle Price : $4.99

Lending Enabled : No

"An ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent - Troy White can predict any football play before it happens. And when his single mom gets a job with the Atlanta Falcons, Troy knows it's his big chance to help them out of their slump--and finally prove his football genius."

All Alone in the Universe by Lynne Rae Perkins

Current Kindle Price : $4.99

Lending Enabled : No

When her best friend since the third grade starts acting as though Debbie doesn't exist, Debbie finds out the hard way that life can be a lonesome place. But in the end, the heroine of this wryly funny coming-of-age story -- a girl who lives in a house covered with stuff that is supposed to look like bricks but is just a fake brick pattern -- discovers that even the hourly tragedies of elementary school can have silver linings. And a house covered with Insul-Brick can protect a real home.

Ghost of a Chance by Laura Peyton Roberts

Current Kindle Price : $4.79

Lending Enabled : No

Melissa Soul's ready for another routine California summer of sunny days at the beach--until her best friend Chloe introduces her to someone incredible. His name is James. He's funny, smart, and gorgeous. Melissa's never met anyone like him. There's just one tiny problem. He's a ghost. And he's living in Chloe's 1920s mansion. What happens when two best friends fall hard for the same ghost? Can a love triangle ever be twisted back into a circle of friendship?

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Review : Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

2011-01-14T14:10:00.000-05:00

Title : Anastasia's Secret
Author : Susanne Dunlap
Publisher : Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Genre : Historical Fiction
ISBN : 978-1599904207
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone
Release Date : March 2, 2010
Rating : 4.5/5 Stars - Very Good

Description from Goodreads :

For Anastasia Romanov, life as the privileged daughter of Russia’s last tsar is about to be torn apart by the bloodshed of revolution. Ousted from the imperial palace when the Bolsheviks seize control of the government, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia. But even while the rebels debate the family’s future with agonizing slowness and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blooms between Anastasia and Sasha, a sympathetic young guard she has known since childhood. But will the strength of their love be enough to save Anastasia from a violent death?

Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the last days of the Romanov family, Susanne Dunlap’s new novel is a haunting vision of the life—and imagined love story—of Russia’s last princess.

Review :

The story of Anastasia Romanov has always been a huge interest for me. At a young age I was introduced to the animated presentation of Anastasia from 20th Century Fox, and I fell in love. Even to this day, it is one of my favorite movies to watch. For the longest time I thought that was exactly how Anastasia's life had been, and then I grew up and learned the horrible truth of the things her family had to endure. While no one is completely sure if Anastasia had gotten away or not, I like to think that she did, and that she had a wonderful life ahead of her.

Susanne Dunlap brought Anastasia to life once again for me. Although her take on the story of the beloved Russian Princess is quite different, it is also one that you should most definitely take the time to learn. I felt like Susanne really knew first-hand about Anastasia, and she made her character very believable. I could have finished this book within a day if my internal clock were the way it used to be. Being 6 months pregnant, I tend to take a nap here and there, although most of the time I don't even realize I'm about to do it.

I really like how we learned a little about each character in this story, and their role, even if they weren't a big part of the scheme. My personal favorite was Anastasia's older sister, Maria, because despite her timidness she was always there for Anastasia, and ready to back her up if need be.

The romance between Anastasia and Sasha was a little confusing to me for a short time throughout this book. I'm sure that's how we were supposed to feel though, because we read from Anastasia's point-of-view, and she herself is quite confused in the beginning as well. I enjoyed Sasha's character through the beginning of the book, but as it wore on, and the war wore on him, he became too hard for me. I didn't always trust him throughout the book, and at times I felt like I was in the same boat as Anastasia's young brother Alexei, always waiting for Sasha to mess up and show his true colors.

I waited far too long to read this book, and am quite upset with myself for not taking the time to give it the attention that it clearly deserves. I had received this book well before the release date, and had all intentions of reading and reviewing it early, but unfortunately life took me for it's own personal spin and I was pulled away from reading anything. I'm glad that I finally was given a chance to come back to reading, and reviewing, because it has been something that I've missed for so long. I'm also glad that on my return I happened to pick up a fantastic read that I will remember for a long time.

Where did I get this book? :

I received my copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Susanne, it was a pleasure reading your book, and I plan to read more of your work in the future.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Friday Finds - January 14, 2011

2011-01-14T12:15:00.000-05:00

Friday Finds was started by MizB @ Should Be Reading.

Check back each Friday to see what I've found, and make sure to stop by Should Be Reading's Friday Finds Post to see what other bloggers have found as well!

Blood Red Road by Moira Young (Pre-Order Hardcover @ Amazon)

Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry

ISBN : 978-1442429987

Release Date : June 7, 2011
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

The Unbecoming of Marla Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (Pre-Order Hardcover @ Amazon)

Publisher : Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN : 978-1442421769
Release Date : September 27, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

Mara Dyer believes life can’t get any stranger than waking up in a
hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember
that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been
through, she can fall in love. She’s wrong.

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz (Pre-Order Hardcover @ Amazon)

Publisher : Hyperion

ISBN : 978-1401323905
Release Date : June 21, 2011
Series or Stand Alone : #1 Beauchamp Family

The two novels will follow the lives of the Beauchamp girls, who live in the fictional town of North Hampton, as they struggle to stop an arch nemesis and restore the delicate balance between good and evil. De la Cruz will weave characters from her best-selling Blue Bloods young adult series into this new paranormal series for adults.

Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi (Pre-Order Hardcover @ Amazon)

Publisher : Hyperion Book CHISBN : 978-1423134817

Release Date : May 24, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

It's been four years since Donna Parisi's father passed away, but it might as well have been four days. Donna makes conversation and goes through the motion, but she hasn't really gotten on with life. She's not close with anyone, she doesn't have a boyfriend and she's going to college at the local university with a major that her mother picked. But one day Donna has an epiphany. She wants to work with dead people. She wants to help people say goodbye and she wants to learn to love a whole person--body and soul. She wants to live her life and be exceptional...at loving, at grieving and at embalming and cremating,too. Even as she makes the decision, things start to change. Donna makes friends with the charismatic new student, Liz. She notices the boy, Charlie, at her table and realizes that maybe he's been noticing her, too. And she begins to forgive the rest of her family for living their lives while she's been busy moping.

Jennifer Violi's gentle, moving story of a girl who finds a life in the midst of death will appeal to any reader who's felt stuck and found inspiration in an unexpected place.

Raziel by Kristina Douglas (Pre-Order Paperback @ Amazon)
Publisher : Pocket
ISBN : 978-1439191927
Release Date : January 25, 2011
Series or Stand Alone : #1 The Fallen

Kristina Douglas’s sexy new series introduces a realm of fallen angels and ruthless demons, where an eternal rebellion is brewing . . . and one unsuspecting woman can change the fate of the Fallen forever.

She was just an ordinary mortal . . .

“You’re dead” is so not what Allie Watson wants to hear. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like the dark, angelically handsome man who ferried her to this strange, hidden land. The last thing she remembers is stepping off a curb in front of a crosstown bus. Now she’s surrounded by gorgeous fallen angels with an unsettling taste for blood—and they really don’t want her around. Not exactly how she pictured heaven.

. . . until death catapulted her into a seductive world she never imagined.

Raziel is unsure why he rescued Allie from hellfire against Uriel’s orders, but she stirs in him a longing he hasn't felt in centuries. Now the Fallen are bracing for the divine wrath brought by his disobedience, and they blame Allie for the ferocious Nephilim clawing at the kingdom’s shrouded gates. Facing impossible odds at every turn, the two must work together to survive. Raziel will do anything to defend his spirited lover against the forces of darkness—because Allie may be the Fallen’s only salvation.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on links in parenthesis in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Waiting on Wednesday : January 12, 2011

2011-01-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking The Spine

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
Release Date : June 7, 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads :

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.

Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.

Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea.

Packed with romance, lovable characters, and a killer cliffhanger, Queen of the Dead is the out-of-this-world sequel to The Ghost and the Goth.

First off, the cover to this sequel is just as awesome as the cover for The Ghost and the Goth! I can't wait to read this book. I'm literally itching with excitement at the prospect of reading it! If you haven't read The Ghost and the Goth yet, than you really should!

Read my Review for The Ghost and the Goth.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Review : Out of Body by Stella Cameron

2011-01-11T19:40:00.006-05:00

Title : Out of Body
Author : Stella Cameron
Publisher : Mira
Genre : Paranormal Romance
ISBN : 978-0778327622
Series : #1 Court of Angels
Release Date : March 1, 2010
Rating : 3/5 Stars - Good

Description from Amazon :

Born of an ancient family of clairvoyants, Marley Millet finds that her psychic gift is both unsettling and incredibly dangerous. She never wants to "travel" again—but the choice is not hers to make.

After glimpsing the fates of two missing New Orleans jazz singers, Marley knows she has no choice and must speak up before more women disappear. Flinty cop-turned-writer Gray Fisher, who interviewed both chanteuses before they vanished, takes a special interest in Marley's incredible story—and in Marley.

Scouring the wild clubs of the French Quarter, Marley and Gray make an unlikely and uneasy team. But their determination is matched only by the heat between them…and the evil they have uncovered.

Review :

Marley Millet and her entire family are each gifted with a different ability. As for Marley, she can 'travel' to different places and glimpse things that she would rather not see. In this case, she's been witnessing the deaths of local New Orleans jazz singers. She can't very well go to the cops, and tell them what she has seen without looking like a crazy person. Against her better judgement, she does just that, but the only person who believes her is an ex-cop, turned writer named Gray Fisher.

The premise of this book sounded really appealing to me, so I made sure that I got my hands on a copy. After finishing it, I came to the conclusion that it wasn't nearly as good as it could have been. Marley's character was okay, but she didn't strike me the way I wished she had. I understand that the Millet family is very secretive, and don't trust the outside world, but I personally think Marley was far too shy.

I enjoyed the bit of romance between Marley and Gray. Especially the little surprise about their romance that you'll have to wait to learn when you pick up the book for yourself. I expected something along the lines of what was exposed, because of some information strewn along the way. I however, didn't expect what was revealed about Gray toward the end of the book, and it made me understand more about him as a character.

I read this book a few months ago, but have yet to pick up the second installment to this series, Out of Mind, where we learn more about the next Millet sibling, Willow. I'm looking forward to reading about her, as she sparked my interest in the first book.

Where did I get this book? :

I received my copy from a swapping site, whether it be Paperbackswap, or Bookmooch.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

In My Mailbox - January 10, 2011

2011-01-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox was started by Krist @ The Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong (Hardcover)

July 27, 2010 - Received from Paperbackswap.com

The new novel in Kelley Armstrong's bestselling Women of the Otherworld series showcases the fascinating Savannah Levine, a powerful young witch with a rebellious past and a troublesome heritage.

The orphaned daughter of a sorcerer and a half-demon, Savannah is a terrifyingly powerful young witch who has never been able to resist the chance to throw her magical weight around. But at twenty-one she knows she needs to grow up and prove to her guardians, Paige and Lucas, that she can be a responsible member of their supernatural detective agency. So she jumps at the chance to fly solo, investigating the mysterious deaths of three young women in a nearby factory town, as a favour to one of the agency's associates. At first glance, the murders look garden-variety human, but on closer inspection signs point to otherworldly stakes.

Soon Savannah is in over her head. She's run off the road and nearly killed, haunted by a mystery stalker and freaked out when the brother of one of the dead women is murdered when he tries to investigate the crime. To complicate things, something weird is happening to her powers. Pitted against shamans, demons, a voodoo-inflected cult and garden-variety goons, Savannah has to fight to ensure her first case isn't her last. And she also has to ask for help, perhaps the hardest lesson she's ever had to learn.

Lady Friday by Garth Nix (Hardcover)

January 17, 2007 - Given a copy from a friend.

Four of the seven Trustees have been defeated and their Keys taken, but for Arthur, the week is still getting worse. Suzy Blue and Fred Gold Numbers have been captured by the Piper, and his New Nithling army still controls most of the Great Maze. Superior Saturday is causing trouble wherever she can, including turning off all the elevators in the House and blocking the Front Door. Amidst all this trouble, Arthur must weigh an offer from Lady Friday that is either a cunning trap for the Rightful Heir or a golden opportunity he must seize - before he's beaten to it!

Hush Money by Susan Bischoff (Kindle Edition)
August 3, 2010

Be normal, invisible. Don’t get close to anyone. Kids with psychic abilities tend to mysteriously disappear when they get noticed. Joss has spent years trying to hide. Now she has an unasked-for best friend, who is the victim of an extortion plot by the school bully, who used to like Joss, who is best friends with her long-time crush, who is actually talking to her. Life just got more complicated.

Jennifer's Body by Diablo Cody (Trade Paperback)
June 1, 2009 - Bookmooch

Someone needed to put a stop payment on Jennifer Check.

Some people find it hard to believe that a babe like Jennifer Check would associate with a dork like me, Needy Lesnicki. But we had history. We'd been the Wonder Twins since we were preverbal, and sandbox love never dies. Or at least that's what I thought.

But after that night in the woods, Jennifer was different. She looked different. And then the killings began. . . .

A lot of people ask me if I'm sorry I did it. I'm only sorry I didn't do it sooner.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Sunday Kindle Deals : Young Adult Titles under $5 (+1)

2011-01-09T21:21:00.000-05:00

Each Sunday come back here to Falling Off The Shelf to find out the latest Kindle book deals in the Young Adult genre! If you find a deal that you would like me to showcase, please let me know!

**Clicking on Title Links will redirect you to Amazon**

Evermore by Alyson Noel
Current Kindle Price : $2.99
Lending Enabled : Yes

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Current Kindle Price : $2.39
Lending Enabled : No

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.

Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
Current Kindle Price : $3.99
Lending Enabled : No

In her small town, dubbed "Dullsville," sixteen-year-old Raven -- a vampire-crazed goth-girl -- is an outcast. But not for long...

The intriguing and rumored-to-be haunted mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood vacant and boarded-up for years. That is, until its mysteriously strange new occupants move in. Who are these creepy people -- especially the handsome, dark, and elusive Alexander Sterling? Or rather, what are they? Could the town prattle actually ring true? Are they vampires? Raven, who secretly covets a vampire kiss, both at the risk of her own mortality and Alexander's loving trust, is dying to uncover the truth.

Ellen Schreiber's spooky and stirring romance tells the story of two outsiders who fall in love in a town where conformity reigns, and ends with a shocking surprise.

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
Current Kindle Price : $2.39
Lending Enabled : No

Would you risk everything for someone you just met?

What if he had a secret worth killing for?

Welcome to a future where water is more precious than oil or gold...

Hundreds of millions of people have already died, and millions more will soon fall-victims of disease, hunger, and dehydration. It is a time of drought and war. The rivers have dried up, the polar caps have melted, and drinkable water is now in the hands of the powerful few. There are fines for wasting it and prison sentences for exceeding the quotas.

But Kai didn't seem to care about any of this. He stood in the open road drinking water from a plastic cup, then spilled the remaining drops into the dirt. He didn't go to school, and he traveled with armed guards. Kai claimed he knew a secret-something the government is keeping from us...

And then he was gone. Vanished in the middle of the night. Was he kidnapped? Did he flee? Is he alive or dead? There are no clues, only questions. And no one can guess the lengths to which they will go to keep him silent. We have to find him-and the truth-before it is too late for all of us.

Lockdown : Escape From Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith
Current Kindle Price : $1.99
Lending Enabled : Yes

Furnace Penitentiary: the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, “new fish” Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries. Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as cruel and dangerous as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison.

Together with a bunch of inmates—some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers—Alex plans an escape. But as he starts to uncover the truth about Furnace’s deeper, darker purpose, Alex’s actions grow ever more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose this nightmare that’s hidden from the eyes of the world.

Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Current Kindle Price : $3.61
Lending Enabled : Yes

She was just big-boned, big-nose Sarah living in Brenton, Ohio, where, as she puts it, "committing suicide would be redundant." Then she meets Demi, who is trying hard to be invisible--surprisingly easy considering he's black and gay. Alone they are, well . . . alone, but brought together by their love of musical theater, they light up. All this might sound like a stereotypical take on gay men and the women who love them, and there is some of that, but there's also so much more. The renamed Sayde and Demi make their way to a summer theater camp, and that's where things change. Encouraged to become part of the ensemble, Sayde finds she is too opinionated to do that, even as it turns out that she is less talented than she believed. At the same time, Demi is discovering that he's a star who can hang out with actual boyfriends rather than Sayde. Lockhart mixes this all up neatly. Most of the story is told in a bright, bitchy voice that, while familiar, is very smart and very funny; transcripts of tapes made for "posterity" add delicious detail. Although it's hard to say what kids who aren't into musical comedy will make of the myriad detail offered here (Birdie! Cabaret! Cats! ), theater lovers will applaud, and everyone else will appreciate the twists and the ending you don't see coming.

Am I Right or Am I Right? by Barry Jonsberg
Current Kindle Price : $1.47
Lending Enabled : No

Calma Harrison is in love. Not just with herself, but also with the handsome checkout guy at Crazi-Cheep. So stocking shelves at the Crazi- Cheep seems like the perfect job—until that annoying customer tries to hold up the store. . . .

And then there's the small matter of the rest of Calma's life, which is fast falling apart: her absent father turns up after five years and wants to "talk," her mother is clearly living a secret second life, and her new best friend is hiding something horrible.

Calma is sure she knows exactly what's going on. And clearly her direct, personal intervention is required to make things right.
Except . . . if she's wrong. And then her butting in will make everything much, much worse.

Am I Right or Am I Right? is a whip-smart, wise-cracking, big-hearted novel about a girl who is learning that things are not always what they seem, and how to start again when you've gotten it all so very wrong.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

E-Book Review : The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt

2011-01-09T13:55:00.004-05:00

Title : The Sevenfold Spell
Author : Tia Nevitt
Publisher : Carina Press
Genre : Fantasy, Romance
Format : e-book
Series : Stand Alone
Release Date :September 27, 2010
Rating : 2.5/5 Stars - Okay

Description from Amazon :

Have you ever wondered what happens to the other people in the fairy tale?

Things look grim for Talia and her mother. By royal proclamation, the constables and those annoying "good" fairies have taken away their livelihood by confiscating their spinning wheel. Something to do with a curse on the princess, they said.

Not every young lady has a fairy godmother rushing to her rescue.

Without the promise of an income from spinning, Talia's prospects for marriage disappear, and she and her mother face destitution. Past caring about breaking an arbitrary and cruel law, rebellious Talia determines to build a new spinning wheel, the only one in the nation--which plays right into the evil fairy's diabolical plan. Talia discovers that finding a happy ending requires sacrifice. But is it a sacrifice she's willing to make?

Review :

I've always been a huge fan of a good fairy tale retelling, and when I read the synopsis of this book on NetGalley I had to read it. Sleeping Beauty has always been one of my favorites, and I wanted to read what Nevitt's take on this story would be. I was surprised at the approach, but still intrigued.

Normally, the princess is the main character, but not in this retelling. A young maiden from a tiny village, named Talia, is our main character in this situation. She isn't remarkably beautiful as most would assume. In fact, she's quite the opposite. Talia is described as being ugly, with warts, and most definitely not a looker. She has even been forced to settle with one young man as her only chance at marriage, because of her ugly features.

When Talia and her mother are forced to give up their spinning wheel, the only source to their livelihood, Talia is forced to use her dowry to keep them alive. Without that money to offer to her future husband, Talia loses the chance at becoming a wife as well.

I found this part of the Sleeping Beauty tale to be most distressing. I'm glad the author gave us insight into the lives of the people we had never before seen. I didn't particularly like Talia's character, but she was good for this part. There was a lot of sexual content in this story, and at times it felt like it was not necessary. I just wanted to skip over most of these parts, and get to the real story.

Nevitt's take on Sleeping Beauty was in fact different, but I can still only say that I only enjoyed it a little bit. I felt like she could have given us a little more magic, and romance, rather than just flat out sexual content. I would love to give more of her work a chance in the future, because I feel she has great potential.

Where did I get this book? :

I downloaded my review copy from NetGalley.com and read and reviewed this copy for my own enjoyment.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Kindle Deal : Need (Need Bk 1) by Carrie Jones - $1.99

2011-01-08T16:25:00.000-05:00

Yet another great deal for the Kindle! If you haven't started this series and you own a Kindle or are able to read it through one of the Kindle apps than you should definitely go grab this! It's the first book in the Need Series. I myself am picking it up, because I have yet to start this series!

**Lending is Enabled for this title.

Current Price - $1.99

Purchase HERE.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Review : Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

2011-01-07T17:40:00.000-05:00

Title : Eyes Like Stars
Author : Lisa Mantchev
Publisher : Fiewel & Friends
Genre : Young Adult
ISBN : 978-0312380960
Series : Theatre Illuminata #1
Release Date : July 7, 2009
Rating : 5/5 - Loved It

Description from Goodreads :

Enter Stage Right

All her world's a stage.
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She is not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but has no lines of her own.
Until now.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every place ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain

Review :

After being away from reviewing for some time, I'm going back and reviewing books that I read a long time ago and never got around to writing a review for. Thankfully I no longer have a full-time job, so I can dedicate more time to reading and reviewing. I wish that were the case back when I had read this book, because in all honesty, it was my favorite read of 2010. I literally wanted to call off of work, with the risk of being fired, to stay home and read this book. Knowing how that job treated me when I found out I was pregnant, makes me wish I had done just that.

Bertie was a fantastic character, this much I remember. I loved her from the very start, including her wild ways. I hated how the Theater Manager treated her, and he quickly became my least favorite character because of this. Her friends were always there for her though, especially her hysterically funny fairy friends. They were always doing something outrageous and I couldn't help but laugh myself to tears.

The Theater Manager gives Bertie an ultimatum. Either she makes herself useful somehow for the theater, or it's time for her to leave. So Bertie has to figure out what kind of job she can do, before she loses the only home that she has every known. My personal opinion on that is that it's horrible, why would anyone push someone out of the only home they've ever known, away from the only family they've ever had? The only clear explanation to me is that he's heartless.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me. I'm not one to go back and re-read titles, but I can see myself picking this book back up in the future. Unfortunately I lent my only signed copy to a friend and never received it back. That's the last time I lend out a book that I want to keep my hands on for a good long while. I do hope I can have the honors of owning another signed copy of this book someday, because it's something I would love to save in my collection.

Where did I get this book? :

I won my copy from another blog in the blogosphere. It's been so long that I don't remember which one it was, but I'm eternally grateful that I was given the chance to read this book.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Friday Finds - January 7, 2011

2011-01-07T01:15:00.000-05:00

Friday Finds was started by MizB @ Should Be Reading.

Check back each Friday to see what I've found, and make sure to stop by Should Be Reading's Friday Finds Post to see what other bloggers have found as well!

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney (Pre-Order Paperback or Kindle @ Amazon)

Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin

ISBN : 9780312622848

Release Date : March 1, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : Unknown

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the Earl and
Countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she
will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if
exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted…by magic. When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever
known or considered important will be challenged. What lies
ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey
into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true
love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of
character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.

Devil Without a Cause by Terri Garey (Pre-Order Paperback or Kindle @ Amazon)

Publisher : Avon

ISBN : 978-0061986390

Release Date : May 31, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : #1 The Devil's Bargain

Idle hands are the Devil's workshop...
Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, Sammy Divine is hell-bent on doing things his way...

Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad boy rock star who long ago sold his soul for rock n' roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation... because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each others' arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?

Hooked by Catherine Greenman (Pre-Order Hardcover or Kindle @ Amazon)

Publisher : Delacorte Books for Young Readers

ISBN : 978-0385740081

Release Date : August 9, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

Thea Galehouse has always known how to take care of herself. With a flighty club-owner mom and a standoffish, recovering-alcoholic dad, Thea has made her own way in her hometown of New York, attending the prestigious and competitive Stuyvesant High School. But one chat with Will, a handsome and witty senior, and she's a goner—completely hooked on him and unable to concentrate on anything else.

Always worried that she loves Will more than he loves her, Thea is pleasantly surprised when their romance weathers his move to college and Will goes out of his way to involve her in his life. But then, Thea misses a period. And that starts Thea and Will on a wild ride that neither of them could have possibly prepared for. When they decide to keep the baby, their concerned parents chip in what they can to keep Will in school and give both teenagers a comfortable place to raise their child. But when a freak accident leaves Thea shaken and threatens to upend their little family altogether, Thea is forced to turn to the last place she would have chosen for comfort: her stiff, uncompromising father.

This smart, touching first novel brims with realistic, beautifully drawn characters, and reminds us that love is never as easy or predictable as we might like it to be.

Subject Seven by James A. Moore (Pre-Order Paperback or Kindle @ Amazon)

Publisher : Razorbill

ISBN : 978-1595143044

Release Date : January 20, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone

Years ago, scientists began developing the ultimate military weapon: deadly sleeper assassins housed within the bodies of teenagers. Now, Subject Seven, the dangerous alter-ego living inside a 16-year-old boy, has escaped the lab and is on a mission. His objective? To seek out others like him and build an army capable of destroying their creators.

Hunter, Cody, Gene, Tina, and Kylie: five teenagers leading typical lives, until the day they each receive a call from a mysterious stranger--and learn that their destinies are intertwined. Subject Seven holds the key that connects them all. And a vicious, bloody battle for their lives is just beginning.

Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke (Pre-Order Paperback)

Publisher : NAL Trade

ISBN : 978-0451233882

Release Date : June 7, 2011

Series or Stand Alone : #1 The Dragon Diaries Trilogy

Zoë Sorensson is perfectly normal – well, as normal as a girl with an obsession with drawing dragons can be. The thing is that she’s always been told she’s special and destined for great things. It’s not just because of her good grades, either. Zoë’s the Wyvern, the one female dragon shapeshifter with special powers. But Zoë is at the bottom of the class when it comes to being Pyr and her powers are AWOL. Worse, there’s no reference book to consult and the last Wyvern is dead…

Everything changes when Zoë’s best friend is bullied and Zoë reacts. Before she can blink twice, her inner dragon is loose, she’s suspended from school and headed to a boot camp for the Pyr guys she’s known all her life. But soon she’s doubting her powers—and even some of her friendships.

Zoë quickly realizes that she has to master her powers yesterday – the Pyr are in danger and boot camp is a trap. The Mages want to eliminate all shifters and the Pyr are next in line—unless Zoë and her friends can solve the riddle, work together and save their own kind…

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Kindle Deal : Marked (House of Night Book 1) by P.C & Kristen Cast - $2.99

2011-01-06T13:14:00.001-05:00

While scrolling through Amazon today I found a great deal! If you haven't started reading the House of Night Series, and you own a Kindle or a device that you can read Kindle books on, you should most definitely go and pick this up!

**Lending is enabled for this title!

Current Price : $2.99

Purchase HERE.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Review : The Ghost & The Goth by Stacey Kade

2011-01-05T12:40:00.004-05:00

Title : The Ghost and the Goth
Author : Stacey Kade
Publisher : Hyperion Book CH
Genre : Young Adult
ISBN : 978-1423121978
Series : 1st in Trilogy
Release Date : June 29, 2010
Rating : 4.5/5 Stars - Very Good

Description from Author Website :

After a close encounter with the front end of a school bus, Alona Dare goes from Homecoming Queen to Queen of the Dead. Now she’s stuck here in spirit form with no sign of the big, bright light coming to take her away. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser/outcast type who hates the social elite. He alone can see and hear her, but he wants nothing to do with the former mean girl of Groundsboro High.

Can they get over their mutual distrust—and this weird attraction between them—to work together before Alona vanishes for good and Will is locked up for seeing things that don’t exist?

Review :

Alona Dare has always been the center of attention. She was the Homecoming Queen at her high school, Groundsboro High, for three years running, so it's no surprise that she's a bit peeved about being dead. If it wasn't for the bus she happened to get run over by, she probably would still be sitting with all her friends on the first tier of the popularity ladder. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Alona is no longer the center of attention, and to make things even worse, the only person that can see, or hear her is the biggest loser in school, Will Killian.

Will Killian has always been able to see and hear the dead, but that doesn't mean that he prefers living his life trying to block out their voices. He'd much rather be a normal teenager, one that doesn't get threatened to get locked up in the closest loony bin. It takes an accident for the most beautiful and popular girl in school to talk to him, but he doesn't want anything to do with her. She needs his help before she vanishes completely, but will he give into the needs of the dead, or watch or disappear forever?

On first glancing at the cover of this book, I honestly squealed. The cover is flat out gorgeous, and I knew that I just HAD to read it. I know judging a book by it's cover is wrong, but in this case, it was completely right. I flew through this book in a matter of two days on my lunch breaks at work. Had I had the time at home, I would have curled up for hours and just enjoyed the story.

Alona's character is your typical high school debutante. I didn't like her from the get go, but then again, I'm pretty sure that's the point. She's selfish, and so stuck up that her nose can probably be seen floating through the clouds. On the other hand, Will Killian, reminds me of the students that I could be found roaming the halls with. He's quiet, reserved, and clearly doesn't want to be there, but then again, who does?

While The Ghost & The Goth is a great story about life, afterlife, it's also a wonderful depiction of how school really is for students. Everywhere you go there is a social ladder, and school is the first place it starts. Some people let it get to them, and turn into nasty people, while others, simply don't care what those around them have to say. In this story, Alona and Will learn more in a few short weeks than most people learn in their whole lives about the social ladder, and how to truly gain the respect you deserve.

I'm extremely grateful to have been given a chance to read this first installment to a new trilogy, and can't wait to see what new adventures Alona and Will have in store for them in the future.

Get this book for your Kindle.

Where did I get this book? :

I received this ARC in order to participate in a traveling tour with Around the World Tours, hosted by Cindy @ Princess Bookie. (I am not longer participating with ATWT)

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Waiting on Wednesday - January 5, 2011

2011-01-05T12:05:00.000-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking The Spine

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

Release Date : July 26, 2011

Synopsis from KelleyArmstrong.com

Savannah Levine is in terrible danger, and for once she’s powerless to help herself. At the conclusion of Waking the Witch, Savannah swore that she would give up her powers if it would help a young girl. Little did she know that someone would take her up on that promise.

And now, witch hunting assassins, necromancers, half-demons, and rogue witches all seem to be after her. The threat is not just for Savannah; every member of the Otherworld might be at risk. While most her fellow supernaturals are circling the wagons at a gathering of the council in Miami, Savannah is caught on the road, isolated from those who can protect her and unable to use her vast spell casting talent, the thing she counts on most. In a story that will change the shape of the Otherworld forever, Spell Bound gathers Elena, Clay, Paige, Lucas, Jamie, Hope, and others, who soon learn that the greatest threat to supernaturals just may come from within.

I'm a little behind in reading the books in this series, but that doesn't mean that I can't be super excited for the 12th installment! Kelley Armstrong is easily one of my all-time favorite authors. Her Women of the Otherworld Series is fantastic, and if you haven't started reading them yet, you really need to start!

Series in Order

1 - Bitten (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

2 - Stolen (Amazon - paperback edition or Kindle edition)

3 - Dime Store Magic (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

4 - Industrial Magic (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

5 - Haunted (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

6 - Broken (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

7 - No Humans Involved (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

8 - Personal Demon (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

9 - Living With The Dead (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

10 - Frost Bitten (Amazon - paperback edition, or Kindle edition)

11 - Waking the Witch (Amazon - hardcover edition, or Kindle edition)

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Reviewed Books in 2011

2011-01-01T12:50:00.008-05:00

These are all of the books I have reviewed in 2011. They are organized alphabetically by title. I will be adding them as I post reviews. You can also read my reviews that I wrote in 2009 here. Reviews for 2010, are here.

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap (4.5/5 Stars)
Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann (3/5 Stars)
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (5/5 Stars)
Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper (2/5 Stars)
Hush Money by Susan Bischoff (4/5 Stars)
Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors (4/5 Stars)
Out of Body by Stella Cameron (3/5 Stars)
The Ghost & The Goth by Stacey Kade (4.5/5 Stars)
The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt (2.5/5 Stars)

Review : Girl, Stolen by April Henry

2010-12-30T13:40:00.000-05:00

Title : Girl, Stolen : A Novel
Author : April Henry
Publisher : Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
Genre : Young Adult, Suspense
ISBN : 978-0805090055
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone
Release Date : September 28, 2010
Rating : 4.5/5 Stars - Very Good

Description from Amazon :

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price?

Review :

Cheyenne Wilder is lying in the back of her step-mother's SUV, awaiting her return from the inside of their local pharmacy. Her step-mother, Danielle, didn't want to leave Cheyenne alone in the car, but she insisted, as long as she leave the keys just in case she needed to turn on the heat. It's not long before the door of the SUV is opened, and quickly slammed shut. This is the first thing that alerts Cheyenne to the odd behavior, as her step-mother has only just left to fill her prescription. The next, is the smell, that is quite obviously not her step-mother's perfume. While her ears and nose have done the job of telling her something is seriously wrong, her eyes have no way of confirming it, because she is blind.

Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne. He just seen a really nice Escalade parked, with the keys in the ignition. Who could be so dumb as to leave such an expensive car unattended? He doesn't think about the consequences of stealing such a prized possession, he just hops in the drivers seat and peels out of the parking lot. It's not long before he discovers he has made a huge mistake. Cheyenne has revealed herself, and now he has no idea what to do. He can't just let her go, because she'd just get him caught for stealing. The only logical thing he can think to do, is take both the new ride, and the girl, back to his father for further instruction.

Upon meeting Cheyenne in this novel, I felt complete sympathy. I had no idea how a blind girl would survive being kidnapped and held for ransom. How would she defend herself if they felt the need to hurt her if she couldn't see them coming? I was scared for her, and just wanted to pull her from such a horrible situation. Despite Cheyenne's handicap, she clearly is a brave character. She doesn't let her blindness interfere with her life, although it does make it more difficult. Now she depends on her other senses in order to help her.

Griffin's character wasn't what I was expecting, at all. The only obvious thing I could figure out was that he was from a troubled home, and I soon learned why. His father wasn't the most legit person to associate yourself with. He'd do pretty much anything to make a buck, including introducing a life of crime to his son. It's no surprise that when Griffin is given an opportunity to impress his father, he takes it. His mother is gone, and now his father is all he has, so why not make him proud? I couldn't blame him for following through with the things his father expected of him, because it was all he knew. I liked learning the history of Griffin's life, and hoped for a chance for him to come out clean in the end.

Each chapter in this book was narrated in turn by Cheyenne and Griffin. They revealed their feelings, as well as their secrets. I liked that it was narrated by both the victim and the kidnapper, because it gave you a better feel of the novel. Despite it's change in narration, it never gave away what would happen at the end. I was surprised by the quick turn of events toward the end of the book, and caught myself before I shouted. It did however leave me a little stumped on the very last page, because it leaves one question unanswered, but I think you should read it to find out what.

In a novel where the main character is blind, April Henry will help you see. It's new, original, and completely fresh. It was nothing like I've ever read before, and I'm not sure if anything can compare. It was different to see through the eyes of someone who was blind, while still seeing everything so vividly. Cheyenne goes through life using her nose, ears, and hands to guide her, and Henry was able to give great descriptions of each of her experiences.

Read the first chapter.

Where did I get this book? :

I received this ARC in order to participate in a traveling tour with Around the World Tours, hosted by Cindy @ Princess Bookie. (I am no longer participating in ATWT at this time.)

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Review : The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells

2010-12-20T13:50:00.000-05:00

Title : The Summer of Skinny Dipping
Author : Amanda Howells
Publisher : Sourcebooks Fire
Genre : Young Adult
ISBN : 978-1402238628
Series or Stand Alone : Stand Alone
Release Date : June 1, 2010
Rating : 5/5 Stars - Loved It

Synopsis from Amazon :

Sometimes I still wake up shivering in the early hours of the morning, drowning in dreams of being out there in the ocean that summer, of looking up at the moon and feeling as invisible and free as a fish. But I'm jumping ahead, and to tell the story right I have to go back to the very beginning. To a place called Indigo Beach. To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves. To the start of something neither of us could have predicted, and which would mark us forever, making everything that came after and before seem like it belonged to another life.

My name is Mia Gordon: I was sixteen years old, and I remember everything.

Review :

Mia Gordon is on her way to spending a fun, sun filled summer on Long Island. It's the kind of vacation she deserves for feeling the heartache of being dumped by her first boyfriend. The last thing she wants to do is think about him, and the ocean is the perfect remedy.

Mia has always spent her summers on the beaches of the Hamptons in New York. It's only been for the past couple of years that her parents have decided they wouldn't bother spending their summers there, but now Mia has a chance to return to the one place that has always made her happiest. All she can think about is the sand, the sun, and the warmth of the water on her skin. Even the thought of it can clear your head and make you forget your worries. It's also high time she meet up with her favorite cousin, so they can catch up and have the summer of their lives.

When Mia arrives at her aunt and uncle's summer house, she realizes this may not be the summer of all summers. Her cousin is clearly not the person she remembers, and now they no longer have anything in common. She thought she would have someone to talk to her about her heartbreak, someone who would understand her. It's clear that her cousin no longer has the same feelings, since now she seems to look down on the world like it is nothing but a soiled napkin, and Mia is nothing more than an offensive speck.

Mia spends a great deal of her time just trying to fit in with her spoiled cousins, and their snob of a friend. When things seem to be going horribly wrong, she meets Simon at a party. He's funny, and most definitely has a way with words. Mia can't decide whether he can be trusted or not, but she soon finds herself meeting him in the middle of the night to go night swimming. The two learn a great deal about one another, and soon he's trying to coax her into skinny dipping.

I'll have to say I enjoyed this book from the very first page. While I could have chosen the synopsis from Goodreads, which gave you more insight on what the book was truly about, I chose the one from Amazon because it's what really caught my eye. I knew I was in store for something far different than what the title alone revealed.

I enjoyed Mia's character a lot, and felt bad for her when she realized her own cousins didn't really want anything to do with her. She was sweet and cared about even the smallest of things, while her cousins only cared about who and what was in fashion at the time. While I hated her cousins, and their mean friend, they were a huge part of the book. Without them, I think this book would have been rather lacking in story. They helped Mia to figure out her true self, and become something better.

As for Simon, I didn't really know what to think of him at first. I guess I felt the same way about him as Mia did, and fell for him with each passing page. He was a little on the strange side, but I think that's what made him unique, and more alluring. Despite Mia's ode to ban boys for the summer, she found herself drawn to him. He understood her, and was content to just sit and listen to her pour her heart out.

Amanda Howells was excellent at describing Mia's vacation spot. I found myself reminiscing my own summers on Long Island, although far removed from the beaches of the Hamptons. I became home-sick for the ocean, and can understand how Mia was so attached to it.

The most memorable part of this book was the ending, which I found was a huge surprise. I only started to feel like something big was going to happen a few paragraphs before it occurred. I was in shock, but found myself devouring each page looking for the same thing Mia was looking for. As much as I would like to tell you, I can't, because it would ruin the story for you. I highly recommend giving this title a try, as it's not only a romantic tale, but a coming of age novel as well. I'll most definitely be picking up more titles by Howells in the future.

Where did I get this book? :

I received my ARC in order to participate in a traveling tour with Around the World Tours. ( I no longer participate with ATWT).

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Life has been overhauled!

2010-12-20T13:21:00.000-05:00

Well folks, remember that post I posted a few months ago? The one saying that I would be back ASAP to start reviewing again? Well...let me tell you what's been keeping me..

So, I had my gall bladder removed, YAY! Only to realize that I was experiencing really bad nausea everyday, and couldn't keep anything down. It turns out that I was pregnant!! I know right?! The most exciting thing that has ever happened to me, no lie. Technically now I am 5 months along, and I *hopefully* find out tomorrow if it's a boy or a girl!

We're going to name the baby Connor William if it's a boy, and Ashlyn Faith if it's a girl :)

Shortly after finding out that I was going to be bringing an adorable bundle of joy into the world, we found our own house! We're only renting, but it's something we can call our own for a while.

Then I quit that horrible job, Walmart!, they wouldn't allow me to work because I'm pregnant. Bull right?

I'm currently working at KFC/Taco Bell, and they treat me great, and don't make me do anything that will stress the baby, so life is doing pretty good now! I've actually been able to pick up some books to read in my spare time now, that the nausea has subsided. Sometimes I get sidetracked though, because the baby likes to kick non-stop while I'm reading, and I tend to just stop reading and concentrate on all the feelings, lol.

Oh, and I got myself a Kindle!!! Awesome!!! I'm loving it SO much, and actually just finished my first book on it. So now I'll be reviewing e-copies as well!

So enough about me, and more onto the books. I'm going to post a review that has been sitting here waiting to be posted for some time. Look forward to more from me from now on, because now that I don't work 40 hours a week I have plenty of reading and reviewing time!

I've been Missing!

2010-07-24T16:03:00.000-04:00

I just want to let you all know that I'm a horrible person because I haven't updated here in almost 2 months.

I've had a few things going on lately, and haven't had much time to even go near a computer.

In fact, I was internet-less for about 2 weeks, so I couldn't update here for that reason alone.

I just recently started a business selling Mary Kay Cosmetics. I really needed to find a way to make some extra cash on the side, so that's been taking up some time.

I've also come to find out that I may have gall bladder problems. I find out on Monday whether I have a 'lazy gall bladder' or not. Hopefully I won't have to go through surgery. I've already been to the emergency room twice due to pain, and have had to miss work. I'm on the verge of getting fired because I couldn't show up because of how much pain I've been in, not to mention, the nausea is horrible.

From now on I'm only going to be posting reviews and the occasional interviews or giveaways. I no longer have the extra time for weekly memes. I'm also no longer participating in any traveling tour sites, because I have plenty of books on my TBR pile as it is. Not to mention, I've had them coming in the mail non-stop..and about 95% of those were surprises to me!

So please look forward to reading my reviews again, because I'm going to start posting them ASAP.

Thanks for being so supportive!

Giveaway : Desire Me by Robyn DeHart

2010-06-16T13:29:00.000-04:00

A big THANK YOU to Anna Balasi of Hatchette Books for allowing me to give away 5 copies of Desire Me by Robyn DeHart.

Synopsis

The Legend Hunters . . .

The Men of Solomon's meet in secret, their very existence only a rumor among the best of Victorian society. They are treasure hunters, men of wealth and title, seekers of myths and legends. And no legend is as mystifying as the lost city of Atlantis . . .

DESIRE ME

Years ago, Maxwell Barrett found a map to Atlantis and dedicated his life to the search for the mystical lost continent. But when an alluring woman makes a wager for the priceless artifact, he may have discovered an even greater treasure.

A descendant of Atlantis, Sabine Tobias needs the map to decipher an ancient prophecy. What she doesn't need are the sparks flying between her and Max. He's too devilishly charming to be trusted: The fate of her people is at stake as well as her heart. Yet a ruthless killer also covets the map. Now Max and Sabine must race to decode the prophecy's riddle before this criminal fulfills his deadly mission.

Enter to Win

You must FILL OUT THIS FORM in order to enter.

Leaving comments will gain you an extra entry, but you must fill out the form initially to receive your first entry!

Contest Deadline & Restrictions

Ends June 30, 2010 @ Midnight

US & Canada Residents Only. No PO Boxes.

Guest Post : Robyn DeHart, author of Desire Me

2010-06-16T13:10:00.000-04:00

Robyn DeHart

I'd like to thank Robyn for stopping by to tell us about her favorite legends. Here she is!

For today’s blog I was asked a great, but difficult question – what is my favorite myth/legend and whether or not it inspired me to write the Legend Hunters series. I don’t know if I can pick just one, there are so many mysteries out there that I find intriguing and there is something so fascinating about legends that have caused enduring curiosity. The older the legend, it seems the more intriguing it is.

Take Excalibur and King Arthur, who doesn’t love the Arthurian legends? The romance of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table, the love triangle between Guinevere, Arthur, and Lancelot–what’s a girl to do? But then there’s Robin Hood, another fascinating tale and it’s so like mankind to cheer for the underdog. But what about all those fabled treasures? Rumors and stories of hidden caves and chests and whatnot filled with gold, gems, and other lovely sparkly things. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about Solomon’s mines or the El Dorado, people love stories of treasure hunts.

In short I’d say that yes, my love of these myths is what inspired me to write the series. I’ve always been fascinated with archaeology and I know I’m not alone. I mean hello, Indiana Jones….need I say more?

My love of so many legends and myths made it quite challenging to select those I would write about. I’ve always been interested in Greek Mythology so Pandora’s Box seemed a must and though it wasn’t the first legend I thought of, it did inspire the first book in the series. It seemed the perfect storyline for an adventure romance. Atlantis actually was the first myth I thought of in relation to the series so I knew I would have to write a book about that lost continent. Who isn’t fascinated by tales of lands and cities that are no more? It pulls on most of us, I think. Perhaps that’s why researchers are still looking for the land, still trying to prove the Atlantis story was real.
In my Atlantis myth, I introduce descendents who escaped the island before its untimely demise, people who settled on the first land mass they found, which happened to be Great Britain. There’s also an ancient prophecy, a secret weapon and a scavenger hunt that gets Max and Sabine (the hero and heroine) into all sorts of trouble. Add in a maniacal villain and things get dangerous very quickly.

I hope you’ll all enjoy my take on the Atlantis myth. So pick up a copy of Desire Me and let me know what you think.

Thanks so much for having me today and for participating in my blog tour!

Blog Tour : Desire Me by Robyn DeHart

2010-06-16T13:02:00.000-04:00

Desire Me by Robyn DeHart
Historical Romance

About the Author

I'm one of those writers who always knew that she wanted to be a writer. It took me a while, however, to figure out precisely what I wanted to write. Reading Kathleen Woodiwiss' "A Rose in Winter" sealed the deal for me and I've been reading and writing romance ever since. I should have known I was destined for this when my Barbies insisted on hosting elaborate masquerade parties, complete with stolen kisses in the moonlight.

I'm the youngest of three children, so of course I'm the favorite. I was raised in central Texas, in the beautiful Hill Country, right smack-dab between Austin and San Antonio. My parents were high school sweethearts and married a week after my mother graduated – they both needed their parents' permission to marry since they were so young. So I blame them and their amazing marriage for the fact that I'm a hopeless romantic.

Somewhere along the line, I graduated from college with a degree in Sociology, only after completing an internship with none other than award-winning author, Pamela Morsi. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life and I learned more about the writing business than I could have hoped.

After college I worked a myriad of jobs: Computer Software Trainer, Recruiter, Administrative Assistant. But no matter what my day job, I come home to my real job and click, click, click away on my computer and get lost in my imaginary world where justice always prevails and the girl always gets her guy! It's the coolest job in the world.

I'm married to the most amazingly supportive man who makes me laugh every day. He's so proud of my career, and loves to tell people, "My wife is a romance novelist." We live in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, where my husband is a university professor.

We have two very spoiled cats who are of no help at all when it comes to my writing, although they sometimes nap in the same room where I sit diligently working.

After writing for seven years I sold my first book to Avon in 2004 and Courting Claudia was released in 2005. I had three other releases with Avon and have recently moved to Grand Central Publishing and am awaiting my first release with them. I love to hear from readers, so feel free to send me an email or you can find me online at my group blog, or at on my Facebook or MySpace pages.

Five Fun Facts

1. One of the most fun aspects of writing Desire Me came from creating the scavenger hunt for Sabine and Max. It was a thrill to come up with all manners of danger to put them in.

2. The underground bath is based on a real Roman bath that was unearthed by archeologists outside of Kent in 2004. My characters just happened to find it first.

3. Desire Me is the first book I’ve written that has two villains. And they’re both deliciously evil—and one is a woman!

4. When I came up with the concept for the Legend Hunters series, the lost continent of Atlantis was the very first legend I thought of.

5. When writing the scenes with Queen Victoria, I swear I was channeling Judi Dench; I kept hearing her voice and imagining her mannerisms. She was the perfect inspiration for my Queen.

Upcoming Review : Poker Table-Top from CSN Stores!

2010-06-16T12:53:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to have been contacted by CSN Stores again to review yet another great product. I've already reviewed one of their great bookshelves, and am still currently loving it!

When I was contacted a few weeks ago to review another product I couldn't decide whether I wanted another great bookshelf, since they have such a huge variety, or something completely different. They just have so many products to choose from!

I suggested one of their great bathroom vanities as a gift to my mother, but when my fiance saw they had a poker table top, he begged me to choose that!

Here's a picture of the poker table top that we decided on!

You can purchase your own by going here.

As soon as it arrives I'll be posting my review. It's probably going to be a joint review from my fiance and myself. Maybe I'll drag it along to one of our Monday Night poker games!

Contest Winners : Montana Destiny by R.C. Ryan

2010-06-16T12:44:00.000-04:00

Thanks again to Anna Balasi of Hatchette Books for allowing me to give away 5 copies of R.C. Ryan's Montana Destiny!

So sorry I am behind on posting this. I've been on vacation for the past week, and the week before that there was a LOT of planning for upcoming events. If you read my vacation post then you'll understand why, and we even threw in a last minute visit to Hershey Park this past Friday!

This contest we had 29 people enter with 171 Entries!

We also had 1 person that donated to the site for future contest shipment, and maintenance! Thanks for that!

So without further ado, here are our winners!

Anita Yancey

Cindy Woolard

Kimberly H.

Rachie G.

Buukluvr81

I already have your mailing addresses, but I am going to email all of you just so your aware that you've won!

I haven't forgotten you! I'm on Vacation!!!

2010-06-08T10:50:00.000-04:00

I know, I'm a horrible person. I haven't posted anything for awhile.

Last week we were getting ready for our week of vacation, which doesn't really feel like a vacation at all.

Here's what we've done so far on vacation....

Saturday : Birthday Party

Sunday : 50th Anniversary Party / Renewal of Vows

Monday : Shopping for Graduation Parties

Tuesday : Cleaning the house and Shopping for Graduation Parties! Mary Kay Makeup Party tonight!

What do we still have to do?

Wednesday : Graduation Party for my sister

Thursday : Graduation for my sister and her boyfriend. Graduation party for her boyfriend!

Friday : Graduation for my cousin, and her fiance.

Saturday : Graduation party for my cousin and her fiance. Birthday party for my little 3 year old cousin!

Sunday : Leaving for Connecticut. Foxwoods here we come!

Monday : Leaving Foxwoods in the afternoon.

Tuesday : I'm FINALLY FREE TO READ AGAIN!!!

So please don't hate me. I haven't really had ANY time to relax, and I'm angry because I had a tour book come in during last week and haven't gotten a chance to finish it and now I have to send it on to the next person. Did I mention that the first book in the series was my FAVORITE read of 2010?! Well..it was.

So look for more posts from me in a week from today!

Miss you guys!

Review : Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

2010-05-31T10:28:00.006-04:00

Title : Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
Author : Morgan Matson
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Genre : Young Adult
ISBN : 978-1416990659
Series : Stand Alone
Release Date : May 4, 2010
Rating : 4.5/5 Stars - Really Liked It

Synopsis from Amazon :

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

Review :

Amy Curry has been going through some rough times. Her father recently died in a car accident, and her family is pretty much falling apart now. Both her twin brother, and her mother are already out and on their way to starting their new lives. Now it's just up to Amy to pull in the rear, and leave her old life behind.

Amy is about to do her first cross country trip, but it's clearly not welcome. She would much rather continue to live in the house she has always known in California, than to move to Connecticut. She's not sure how she can even cope with getting into the car, let alone make it across the country. Along for the ride is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy doesn't recognize him at first, because the last time she seen him he was a young boy.

She is really nervous about traveling across the country with someone she doesn't even know. She has a hard time talk to people she's known her whole life since the accident, so she doesn't think this ride is going to be the most thrilling part of her summer. She soon realizes that Roger isn't the gawky looking child he used to be, and now he is in fact quite handsome. Her nervousness only increases because of this new development, and now all she can think of is how she doesn't want him to dislike her...and how she's really starting to like him.

When I first started reading this novel I couldn't decide if I was going to really like Amy or not. She was far too timid, but given her circumstances, it was understandable. All I wanted her to do was climb out of her shell and give the world another chance. I felt bad every time she mentioned how she would much rather blend into the background than be front and center. I think she needed a jolt to wake her up again, and remember that life really is worth living for, even if you make some mistakes in your life.

I liked Roger throughout the whole book, even though his obsessiveness towards a certain ex girlfriend made me want to strangle him. The more he talked about her, and the way she acted, the less I liked her. She sounded far too stuck up, and not like the kind of girl that Roger would be seen walking hand in hand with. I wanted to take his head in my hands and just make him look closer at Amy, and realize that she needed him far more, and that he might just need her just as much. He was an all around caring guy, and I can honestly say that if I were Amy, I wouldn't have had a hard time falling for him.

I loved Amy and Roger's detour in this book. While they didn't visit that many great places, their adventure was something to remember. I've never been given the opportunity to do a cross country trip, and after reading this book, it's something I've really been thinking about. Morgan Matson did a great job describing all of the places that they traveled, and made them feel more alive. Little rinky-dink towns in who knows where sounded more beautiful than some of the places that I've gotten to visit.

The more Amy traveled with Roger by her side, the more she opened up to both him and the people she met along the way. I think that their traveling was the perfect medicine, and it helped her develop more as a character. The strangers she met along the way were a big help as well, because not knowing her story, made it easier for them to just accept her for who she was and not what she has done.

In all honesty, I loved this book. If I am given the chance to have my own cross country trip, I'll more than likely be visiting some of the spots Amy and Roger landed in. I can't wait to read more books by Morgan Matson in the future, and can only hope that they are as good as this one.

Where did I get this book? :

I received my ARC for participating in a traveling blog tour with Around the World Tours. (I no longer participate on this traveling blog tour).

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Contest Winners : The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker (audiobook)

2010-05-31T09:52:00.000-04:00

Thanks again to Anna Balasi of Hatchette Books for allowing me to give away 3 copies of Ted Dekker's, The Bride Collector (audiobook)!

I'd like to say that I've been a little slow with posting this past week...and I'm sorry for that. I've received a lot of traveling tour books and have wanted to make sure they all get read and out the door on time. I've also been going through some personal issues, and I have NOT forgotten about you guys.

On to the giveaway, yeah, that's why your really here..right?!

There was a total of 27 people who entered with 124 Entries...

Our 3 Winners are...

Jamie Payne

Melissa (Books R Us)

jellybelly82158

I already have your mailing addresses, so I will forward them to Anna so she can get your books shipped out! I'm also emailing you just in case you don't see this post!

In My Mailbox - May 31, 2010

2010-05-31T09:28:00.000-04:00

In My Mailbox was started by Krist @ The Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

14 by J.T. Ellison (Paperback)

February 1, 2010 - Received from Bookmooch

Ten victims, each with pale skin and long dark hair. All have been slashed across the throat, the same red lipstick smeared across their lips.

In the mid-1980s the Snow White Killer terrorized the streets of Nashville, Tennessee. Then suddenly the murders stopped. A letter from the killer to the police stated that his work was done.

Now four more bodies are found, marked with his fatal signature. The residents of Nashville fear a madman has returned, decades later, to finish his sick fairy tale. Homicide Lieutenant Taylor Jackson believes the killings are the work of a copycat killer who's even more terrifying. For this monster is meticulously honing his craft as he mimics famous serial murders…proving that the past is not to be forgotten.

A Gentleman Always Remembers by Candace Camp (Paperback)

May 25, 2010 - Received unsolicited for review from Pocket Books

Married young to a charming but improvident army officer, Eve Hawthorne was widowed with little left except for a few extravagant trifles. Desperate to avoid her domineering stepmother, she accepts employment as chaperone to the Earl of Stewkesbury’s American cousins. Who better than a levelheaded widow to remind these young girls that they no longer live on a frontier? But when she flirts with a handsome stranger who turns out to be the earl’s brother Fitz, Eve worries she’s given the wrong impression. Trying to prove herself responsible—with Fitz challenging her at every turn—is hard enough, but a blackmailer with an interest in Eve’s prior marriage proves far more troubling. With the earl away, Eve can turn only to Fitz for help. But dare she confide in him, when getting too close to this confirmed bachelor might risk her heart to his alluring ways?

Embers by Laura Bickle (Paperback)

March 30, 2010 - Won from The Book Smugglers (Thanks!)

Truth burns.Unemployment, despair, anger—visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit’s unease. A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force that further stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya—who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern—suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil’s Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya—with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team—can stop it.Anya’s accustomed to danger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she’s risking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her for everything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she’s ever faced.

Embers

A sizzling debut from a red-hot new author . . .

Homecoming by Jason Garret (Trade)

November 2, 2009 - Received for review from Yorkshire Publishing

On a perfect autumn night in the coastal village of Wicker Bay, a young couple was attacked and a life was forever changed. When teenager Nickel Warren awoke she learned her boyfriend, Eric, had mysteriously vanished. Seemingly the only person on Bishop's Island eager to find him, Nickel devoted her life to learning what happened to her first love on that tragic night. Though the years provided no clues or comfort, she never allowed herself to stop believing Eric was alive. Now, after an eighteen year absence Eric Kade has resurfaced on Bishop's Island under circumstances as unsettling as his disappearance. Though reunited, Nickel's search for answers is sidelined by another horrific event more deeply connected to her childhood sweetheart than she can imagine. Living as a preacher, Eric has traveled the world for nearly two decades hunting demons in a sect named The Progeny. But a chilling prophecy has named him as a threat and turned his fellow hunters against him. With a sense of urgency, Eric has come back to the island not to rekindle the past but to protect the home he loves from an oncoming war. Relying on the help of a rare group of locals, he builds a network of his own to defend the unknowing against a world he has come to know too well. As he works to prepare a haven, Eric will strengthen his bond with Nickel and introduce her to a world of miraculous events and unholy terror.

Love in the Time of Dragons by Katie MacAlister (Paperback)

May 4, 2010 - Received from Paperbackswap.com

When it comes to love, one woman is scaling back her expectations...

Tully Sullivan is just like any other suburban mom-except she's just woken up in a strange place surrounded by strange people who keep insisting that they're dragons-and that she's one too.

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev (ARC)

May 25, 2010 - Received for review from Around the World Tours

From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Once again, LISA MANTCHEV has spun a tale like no other—full of romance, magic, adventure, and fairies, too—that readers won’t want to put down, even after the curtain has closed.

Presidential Risk by Michael Bronte (Trade)
January 20, 2010 - Received for review from Yorkshire Publishing

When dead presidents in a supernatural world play the board game of world conquest, their moves are carried out in the human world.

Leaders are born and dictators rise to power as presidents past, such as Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower, and others, plot their moves. One of them makes a move, and invasion takes place on Earth.

In the supernatural world, it's about strategy, wits, and the will to win. But on Earth, it's an action and adventure story featuring a psychopathic dictator threatening the United States, and the boy who will grow up to stop him from taking over the world. It might seem impossible, but history is being determined before it actually happens.

In the end, it's all about leadership, and little Pauli Campo emerges from his meager existence to lead his country in the fight to avert a world war that could lead to the deaths of millions of people. This is the unGame, and the struggle for world domination continues with each roll of the dice in Presidential Risk.

Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison (ARC)
June 29, 2010 - Received for review from Dorchester Publishing

Death

Some people will do anything to avoid it. Even trade their immortal souls for endless existence.

Wraiths

Secretly, inexorably, they are infiltrating our world, sucking the essence out of unsuspecting victims with their hideous parody of a kiss.

Segue

Adam Thorne founded the Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow.

Twilight

This is the place between life and what comes after - a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.

The Clearing by Heather Davis (Trade)
April 12, 2010 - Received for review from Around the World Tours

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.

That's all for me this past week, how bout you?!

Waiting on Wednesday - May 26, 2010

2010-05-26T08:23:00.000-04:00

Waiting On Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking The Spine

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Signal From Afar by Stella Lennon & Peter Silsbee

Release Date : June 22, 2010

Synopsis from TheAmandaProject.com

Signal from Afar is told from the sensitive artist eye of Hal. Hal was completely entranced by Amanda from the moment she set foot in Endeavor, and she shook his world view to its core, re-coloring the way he looked at everything. The guides continue to make surprising discoveries as they sleuth into recent alarming developments at school, Amanda's true identity, and her reasons for coming to Orion. They come to realize that Amanda may have disappeared physically, but she is definitely still sending beacons and clues so that they can uncover the larger mystery of which she is a part . . . does an intricate, carved box belonging to Amanda hold the key to everything?

The first book in this series, Invisible I, was a great read. I actually reviewed it here, last year, and now I can't wait to read more clues as to the disappearance of Amanda..and learn more about her friends!

There's also a third book set to be released in this series called, Do You See?, which will be co-authored by Stella Lennon and Laurie Faria Stolarz. There is no release date for this one, but it will most likely be released in 2011. As soon as I find out more info, I'll let you all know!

Blog Tour : Ni'il The Awakening by James Boyle

2010-05-26T07:59:00.000-04:00

Ni'il : The Awakening by James Boyle
Dark Fantasy

Read my Review.

When several people are brutally killed in the town of Placerton, on the isolated Oregon coast, most locals think a rogue bear or cougar is roaming the forested hills near town. Police Chief Dan Connor is not so sure. He has witnessed some very strange things lately, such as disembodied voices, muttering a strange foreign language and an old Indian man who seems to be near every crime scene, but disappears before he can be questioned.Dan's investigation takes him to the local Sihketunnai Indians and their legend of the Ni'il, magical shamans charged with maintaining the balance between humans and the natural world. According to the elders, one of the Ni'il is responsible for the murders and intends to kill everyone in the community. It is Dan's job to stop it.It sounded unbelievable, but was the only explanation that fit the facts.As a violent Pacific storm crashes ashore, cutting off power and washing out roads-cutting the town off from the outside world--Dan finds himself entering a strange world of myth and magic that was not covered in his police training. He must use all his wits and new-found powers to save himself and his community from the Ni'il.

About the Author
James Boyle

Like all of us, James is a product of his environment.

He was raised in a religious/spiritual family and that spirituality pervades most of his work. He even attended a Catholic Seminary for a year before deciding the priesthood was not for him.

James’ father worked for the phone company as he was growing up, which was much like growing up in a military family. The company transferred his family from town to town every couple of years. By the time he’d graduated high school, they’d moved twenty times. He attended nine different schools in five cities and three states.

He lived mainly in North Dakota until he was eight, since then he lived in Washington and Oregon, moving to Gold Beach when he was sixteen. He finds that the landscape of the Pacific Northwest has done more to influence him than nearly everything else. Its vast forests, rugged mountains, seascapes and sparse population inspire recollections of what the pioneers first fell in love with a century and a half ago. From his house, he can still hike fifteen minutes and spend the entire day without seeing another human being. And the possibility exists that he could see sasquatch.

One of his goals is to build a dark fiction landscape of the Pacific Northwest, much like Stephen King has done with Maine. A landscape of dark possibilities.

When he was a child living in Bismark, North Dakota, his parents took James to Fort Abraham Lincoln, the fort Gen. Custer left on his last, fateful campaign and the Knife River Village, the restored ruins of a Mandan village. Now forty years later, the memories have faded, but not the memory of the impression the visits made on a small boy. Years later, he read Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. After that he devoured everything he could find about Native American history and culture. He came to have a deep sympathy for the Native peoples’ doomed resistance to the white culture and admiration for their cultural connection to the natural world around them. The dominant culture seeks to change and subjugate a nature it sees as an enemy; the Natives sought to live within the natural world as one part of a dynamic whole.

When he was eighteen, James was diagnosed with a severe case of scoliosis. After graduating early from Gold Beach High School in 1978, he underwent surgery that fused most of his lumber spine. Six months in a body cast later, he continued on to college at the University of Oregon, where he earned a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. Now, forty years after the surgery, his body is beginning to break down a bit. So if you see him and notice he seems to be bent and twisted, you know why.

When he’s not writing, James has worked in the restaurant industry as a cook and as a manager, mostly in the Eugene/Springfield area, but most lately at Gold Beach’s Port Hole Cafe. Looking back, he seems to have a lot of scenes set in restaurants. He enjoy reading, playing an occasional video game, taking his dog for exploratory hikes along the beach or river. He is happily single. (it’s so much less complicated.)

Thank you Tracee from Pump Up Your Books for allowing me to be a part of this tour.

DNF Review : Ni'il - The Awakening by James Boyle

2010-05-26T07:45:00.000-04:00

Title : Ni'il : The Awakening
Author : James Boyle
Publisher : IUniverse
Genre : Dark Fantasy
ISBN : 978-1440108679
Series : #1 in Ni'il Series
Release Date : December 2, 2008
Rating : 1/5 Stars - Couldn't Get Into It

Description from Amazon :

When several people are brutally killed in the town of Placerton, on the isolated Oregon coast, most locals think a rogue bear or cougar is roaming the forested hills near town. Police Chief Dan Connor is not so sure. He has witnessed some very strange things lately, such as disembodied voices, muttering a strange foreign language and an old Indian man who seems to be near every crime scene, but disappears before he can be questioned.Dan's investigation takes him to the local Sihketunnai Indians and their legend of the Ni'il, magical shamans charged with maintaining the balance between humans and the natural world. According to the elders, one of the Ni'il is responsible for the murders and intends to kill everyone in the community. It is Dan's job to stop it.It sounded unbelievable, but was the only explanation that fit the facts.As a violent Pacific storm crashes ashore, cutting off power and washing out roads-cutting the town off from the outside world--Dan finds himself entering a strange world of myth and magic that was not covered in his police training. He must use all his wits and new-found powers to save himself and his community from the Ni'il.

Review :

At first I was really interested in what was going to happen in this book, especially when there was a mystery of missing dogs all over the town. I'm an animal lover, and I certainly wanted to make sure those dogs were still alive, and well. Despite by interest in what was going to happen, I became bored with this book. I couldn't relate to any of the characters, and didn't really like the main character, Dan, either.

I may decide to give this one another try, just to see what is really going on in the town of Placerton. I'm still sort of curious as to where all of the dogs are disappearing to.

I don't want you to turn this book away merely because I had no interest in it, in fact, I want you to give it a try. I encourage you to try this book, and link back your reviews so that we can compare our opinions.

Where did I get this book? :

I received my copy for review from the author for a blog tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotions.

Amazon Affiliates :

Clicking on title links in this post will redirect you to Amazon.com. If you happen to make a purchase after clicking these links I will receive a small percentage of the profits.

Do You Take Notes? - Time to Review it!

2010-05-25T08:58:00.000-04:00

As you may have noticed, there hasn't been a lot of reviews posted here at Falling Off The Shelf. I'm not too happy about this, but I haven't had the time with trying to read all the books that have been barreling through my mailbox!

I've finally (should have started a long time ago!) started to take notes when reading a book, so when it comes time to doing my reviews, I remember more about the book.

This was a really hectic week, with 4 traveling tour books arriving, with just a week to send them each away, so taking notes was a super idea!

Do you take notes, or just write your reviews right after you finish the book?

Teaser Tuesday - May 25, 2010

2010-05-25T08:16:00.002-04:00

Teaser Tuesdays

Hosted by Should Be Reading

Anyone can play along!
Just do the following :

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
5. Share the book title and author so others can wishlist the book.

My Teaser :

He caught himself after two steps.

What the hell was he doing?

He was here to do a job, not get laid. Still, as he watched the slow roll of her hips and the way tendrils of thick crimson-colored hair slipped from her topknot to tease the back of her neck, he imagined coming up behind her, slipping his hands around her hips to her belly and losing himself in her heat.

pg. 95

Enemy Lover by Karin Harlow

While I'm not currently reading this one, I will be in a few short days. I'm currently reading an ARC, and since they never really match up in pages, and sometimes, they get changed, I chose to stick with a finished copy instead.

What's your tease this week?