I'm coming back!

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

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

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

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

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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 wea...moreWhen 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

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

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

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.