Falling Off The Shelf : Quoted

Whenever I get quoted on one of my reviews that I have posted here on Falling Off The Shelf, I will add them here.

Quoted by Author - On Website/Blog

Michele Lee, horror author quoted my review of Rot -

“Michele Lee was able to quickly give her readers a well written background of each character, and a great story.” ~Falling off the Shelf

Teaser Tuesdays - June 30th

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 two (2) "teaser" sentences from anywhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (be sure that what you share doesn't give to much away, you don't want to ruin the book for others.)
5. Share the title & author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR.

My Teaser :

He returned to the couch and they resumed their previous positions. All of a sudden, like a silent game of jinx, neither one wanted to stall anymore.

pg. 9

No Mad by Sam Moffie

Mailbox Monday - June 29th

Mailbox Monday

Hosted by The Printed Page

Here's what I got this past week! OooohHhh, I'm so excited :)

For Review : From Thomas Nelson

1. Between Wyomings : My God and an iPod on the Open Road by Ken Mansfield

For Review : From Author

1. 
   
   
   A Circle Of Souls by Preetham Grandhi
2. 
   
   
   No Mad by Sam Moffie

Paperbackswap

1. 
   
   
   The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
2. 
   
   
   Angel of Mercy by Toni Andrews
   

Won from Wendy's Minding Spot

1. Obama's Blackberry by Kasper Hauser

Monday Crazy Questions : Likes or Dislikes

Monday Crazy Questions is hosted by Lani, over at Monday Crazy Questions. You should head on over and show support by participating!

1. What would you say is your biggest blessing?

-I'd have to say that my dog is my biggest blessing. She's like my baby, because I bottle fed her from a pup, and she's the most beautiful creature in the world. When I was lonely (not completely, I lived with my boyfriend and his family, although it was 350 miles from my original home), and I had no one during the day but myself when everyone was at home...I had her to take care of. If not for her I think I would have gone insane, and I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost her.

2. Do you shop on ine...Home goods or personal items? Can you tell us what personal items you look for??

-I shop online every once in a blue moon. I buy books online (although I swap them more often now), as well as DVDs and some games that we can't seem to find around here. I've also shopped for lingerie on Victoria Secret's website, but haven't done that in a very long time.

3. Name a song from your past that you have always loved. What year was it recorded?

-From the moment my boyfriend played Stay With You by John Legend, I've loved it. We were fighting (arguing really), and he turned it on and started singing to me. I started crying, and everytime I hear it I cry. It's such a sweet song, and it makes me realize how much I love him, and what we've been through together.

4. If you found out there was a pedophile living in your neighborhood, would you take any action or ignore the fact??

-Well, we actually do have one. I want to wring his neck and leave him out to dry, but everything is still pending. I stay as far away from him as I can, as does everyone else.

5. If you could live in any city In the USA...what would it be?

-I honestly don't know. I haven't been to a lot of places in the US, so I'm not sure if I would even like any other place but here. I've visited Florida, and would love to live there, just don't know what city. I've lived in NY, and there's nothing special about that. I think I'm content where I am right now.

6. What is the one city you wouldn't live in even if you were paid to!?

-Uh...I'd have to say Manhattan. It's a great place to visit, but it's too crowded! I'd never get any sleep.

7. If you were strapped for cash would you ask a parent or sibling for money?

-As much as I hate to say it, yes I have and do this. I hate asking anyone for money, but I always pay it back!

8. What is your most favorite thing to do to relax when you are not working?

-Read, or watch one of my favorite TV Shows. I also love to just sit back and play Full Tilt Poker online, or The Sims 3 :)

Musing Monday - June 29th

Musing Mondays
Hosted by Just One More Page

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about mid-year reading…

Now that we’ve come to the middle of the year, what do you think of your 2009 reading so far? Read anything interesting that you’d like to share? Any outstanding favourites?

So far I'm quite happy with my reading for the year of 2009. I've already read a total of 35 Books and 10 New Authors. I know, it's not quite as much as most of you do, but I'm picking up speed, I'm on my 7th book this month! I'm hoping to have it finished and reviewed before July starts, and it'll be my 11th New Author for the year too!

As for some outstanding favourites, I've gotten quite a few this year! I read Sarah Addison Allen's first novel, Garden Spells , this year and I absolutly loved it! I just recieved her second novel in the mail, and can't wait to read that. I'm in love with the works of Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Jeaniene Frost, Yasmine Galenorn, and Nancy A. Collins.

I have an extreme love for paranormal romances, and anything with vampires, werewolves or witches. They have become an addiction for me, and my wishlists at both paperbackswap and bookmooch have increased to astronomical amounts!

Feel free to post links to your Musing Mondays in my comments, I'd love to read them!

I Was Nominated! - The Humane Award

I'd like to thank both Jessica from A BookLover's Diary, and Julie from Julie's Jewels for nominating me for the Humane Award!

"The Humane Award is in order to honor certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world.”

I know everyone else had 10 nominations, but I'm still fairly new and don't know too many people yet, so here are my measly 4 Nominations :

Wendy @ Wendy's Minding Spot

Suzanne @ Chick With Books

The Book Butterfly

Eleni @ La Femme Readers

Review : The Satanic Mill by Otfried Preussler

Title : The Satanic Mill

Author : Otfried Preussler

Publisher : Macmillan Publishing Co.

Publication Date : 1972

Genre : Children's Chapter Book

ISBN : 0-8446-6196-1

Series : No

Rating : 3

From Paperbackswap :

In seventeenth-century Germany, a boy desperately wants to escape from a school for Black Magic where he is held captive by demonic forces.

Review :

Krabat has been a beggar boy for the better of a year, traveling from town to town with his two companions dressed as one of the Three Kings. They sing songs for local towns people for mere pennies, and eat and sleep in the barns of the local farmers. He was not always a beggar boy. His parents died, and living with the local pastor was just too much on him, so he ran away.

Krabat is plagued by dreams of a voice, telling him to come to the mill in the Kosel of Fen, although he knows not where this is. He ignores it for the better of two days, and on the third day he decides he must go to this mill. On arriving at the mill he is met by the Miller, he informs Krabat that he will be his apprentice, and gives him room and board. He awakes in the middle of the night to eleven ghostly faces, claiming they are the Miller's journeymen, and for not to fear because they will not harm him.

It is not long before Krabat realizes that things are very strange here at the mill in the Kosel of Fen, and he's determined to find out what is going on. It is not right for young men to be able to do magic, although it is quite helpful at times, and he must know everything that is happening, and why.

This was yet another book that was dropped into my hands by a friend from work. He insisted that it was an excellent book, and that I just "had to read it". I picked it up not even two days ago, and started digging into it. I soon realized, that yes, it was good. I enjoyed the aspect of magic from this book, although there was quite a lot of repetition, and that began to grow annoying for me. The book is set into three parts, each being what goes on in Krabat's three years of being at the Mill. Each part was basically the same, although characters changed, and some events were a little different, or just explained more. I had to give this book a 3 for rating, because yes, I did like it, but it's not something I could say I loved.

Saturday 9 - June 27th

1. Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson died? - I was sitting at my computer desk writing a review.

2. How do you think that he will be remembered? - I think more often than not most people are negative and they will remember him by his 'molesting little children', instead of remembering him for his title as the King of Pop.

3. What was your favorite Jackson tune? - Thriller, by far!

4. Did you watch the original Charlie’s Angels? - Nope, but my father did.

5. Did someone you know have that poster of Farrah? - No one I know.

6. Did you consider her battle with cancer heroic? - I consider anyone's battle with cancer to be heroic. It's hard to overcome, and it's a feat of strength for whoever can do it.

7. Were you a fan of The Tonight Show Starring Johnnie Carson? - No, sorry.

8. Did you like Ed McMahon on the show? - Never watched him.

9. What else will you remember McMahon for? - Uh, I dunno...

RIP
In Memory of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon

Friday Finds - June 26th

This weeks Friday Finds are :

Blood Ninja by Nick Lake
Publisher : Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN : 978-1416986270
Release Date : December 1, 2009
Series : Unknown

From Fantastic Fiction :

In a secret underworld, ninjas and vampires are one and the same.

Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block
Publisher : HarperTeen
ISBN : 978-0061547850
Release Date : September 22, 2009
Series : No

From Author's Page :

Charlotte Emerson seems to have the perfect existence. She is enviably beautiful and lives alone in a mansion full of reasures and beautiful clothes, perched atop the cliffs of the Pacific Palisades. But Charlotte has been lonely and dead for almost a century. Now she might get a second chance at life.

Ruined : A Novel by Paula Morris
Publisher : Point
ISBN : 978-0545042154
Release Date : August 1, 2009
Series : No

From Amazon :

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend - and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey-she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

Werewolf Smackdown by Mario Acevedo
Publisher : Unknown
ISBN : Unknown
Release Date : Unknown
Series : Yes, Felix Gomez Book #5

***This book is in the works, and it's driving me crazy because I want to know when it's released!***

Friday Fill In - June 26th

Friday Fill-Ins

1. She had a great stack of novels waiting to be read.

2. Virgo, my dog is by my side, always.

3. I know this: I will be proud of my achievements, even if those around me aren't.

4. Sit still.

5. These words apply to me: loud, rambunctious, talkative, silly, hyper.

6. Finally the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading some of The Satanic Mill, tomorrow my plans include writing a review of The Satanic Mill and Sunday, I want to start reading No Mad by Sam Moffie.

Friday 56 - June 26th

The Friday 56 is hosted by Storytime With Tonya and Friends!
Rules :

* Grab the book nearest you, Right Now!
* Turn to Page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Post that sentence (along with one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog , and post back to Storytime With Tonya and Friends.

Here's my Friday 56 :

"He flexed his arm muscles and watched as they bulged, quivering with energy. In the mirror, his dark brown skin glistened with sweat. Satisfied with what he saw, he kicked off his sneakers and stripped down to his underwear."

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

Thursday Rambler - June 25th

This weeks 'Thursday Rambler', is solely dedicated to my TV Series addiction! Feel free to comment on your addictions to TV Series, or even what you think of mine.

First off, my newest addiction is House. My sister pretty much had to force me to sit down and watch an episode of this show. I was thinking it was going to be like every other medical show out there (with the exception of one of my favorites that will be listed below!) Anywho, since that first episode, I've since been sitting down with my fiance watching the entire first season. We're trying to catch up, but I love this series so much. Dr. Gregory House is by far the funniest asshole I have ever watched on TV.

My absolute favorite TV Series is True Blood. If your wondering whether I have read the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris, I have not. I'm thinking that I may wait until the end of this season before I pick the first couple books up. I have heard there are a lot of differences between the show and the books, and I'm not sure I wish to see the controversy first hand. It's fun seeing the show without being annoyed how things turn out!

I've also been quite addicted to Heroes, although I haven't been religiously watching any episodes in the past 2 seasons. I just haven't had the time, honestly! With my blog, and having a full time job, a fiance and all the other crap that there is that I'd rather not mention, I just have NOT had the time to sit down and watch the past 2 seasons :( It's quite depressing really, because I love this series.

And last but certainly not least, one of the funniest TV Shows out there, in my honest opinion, is Scrubs! I have watched every single episode of every single season up until the most recent. I work, so now I have to just record every episode that comes on, and am waiting until I can watch every episode back to back on my next vacation. So exciting!

So tell me, what are you favorite TV series, do they match mine? I watch a lot of other shows on TV as well, these are just ones that stick in my mind as being my top favorites. Although I'm pretty sure that in the future I will be adding more to the list (hint hint : Vampire Diaries!)

Feature : Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia : A Life in Poems

by

Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Patricia Neely Dorsey's Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems is "a true celebration of the south and things southern." The author states , "There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. In my book I try to show that there is much more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed. I invite readers to Meet Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry, Prose and The Written Word."

Southern Life

If you want a glimpse of Southern life,

Come close and walk with me;

I'll tell you all the simple things,

That you are sure to see.

You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,

Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,

Caterpillars on the step,

Wooden porches cleanly swept;

Watermelons on the vine,

Strong majestic Georgia pines;

Rocking chairs and front yard swings,

Junebugs flying on a string;

Turnip greens and hot cornbread,

Coleslaw and barbecue;

Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,

Fried pies and pickles too.

There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,

And cool, green grass beneath your feet;

Catfish nipping in the lake,

And fresh young boys on the make.

You'll see all these things

And much, much more,

In a way of life that I adore.

Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems

Book Available : www.reeds.ms/books.asp

Also at : Amazon.com

Author Website : www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com

Review : The Lie by Fredrica Wagman

Title : The Lie : A Novel
Author : Fredrica Wagman
Publisher : Zoland Books
Genre : Contemporary
ISBN : 978-1-58642-157-1
Series : No
Rating : 4

From The Publisher :

Ramona Smollens has a chance meeting on a park bench with an older man, Solomon Columbus. The two became lovers, and soon Ramona is leaving the home of her mother and recently deceased father for marriage and the trappings of adult life. She takes with her a dark family secret, the sort of secret one simply did not talk about, one that would stalk her as she matured into her role as wife and mother. Coming of age in 1950s America, Ramona gets her cues about a woman's role from the world around her, and about female sexuality from the silver screen. But when experience teaches her that Hollywood's ideal is in fact "the lie," truth and desire collide with a force that is deeply moving and unforgettable.

Review :

Romona Smollens has lived her whole life completely ignored. The day she meets Mr. Soloman Columbus is the first day she feels as though she is someone. He sits down beside her on a bench across from Belgravia Hotel. If not for his ten penis-like fingers, and the sadness that seems to emanate off of him, Romana isn't sure if she would have even noticed him. He is nothing special, except that he listens to her every word, and makes her feel as though she is the center of his world.

Shortly after their meeting Rsmona finds herself marrying Mr. Solomon Columbus, but why?, is it because she truly loves him or because he is infatuated with her as no one else has ever been. Ramona isn't sure, she's not even sure she knows what love is and what it should feel like. She just knows that he loves her, and she must do everything to keep him by her side, even if it means to Lie.

Every night Mr. Colombus rolls atop Ramona, and goes about 'making-love' to her. She's unsure what this could possibly mean, especially because she can't feel a thing down there, she's completely frozen. That doesn't mean he has to know about it though, and so she pretends she's having the time of her life, as though she were her beloved Rita Hayworth, the goddess of the flamenco and sex.

Her lies build up inside her, creating a sort of wall against the real world. She can't seem to tell the truth regardless of how hard she tries, and it makes it worse when she realizes that her husband may have someone else on the side. How could he do such a thing to her? How can he come home every night to her smelling of that woman, of her rich gardenia perfume! It becomes an obsession for Ramona, to find her husband's mistress, and make him stop the lies.

I wasn't sure if I would be interested in reading this book when the publisher contacted me to review it. I was skeptical, by solely looking at the cover! I know, it's horrible to read a book by it's cover alone, but I tend to do that more often than I should. Before I could tell myself no, I decided I needed to read a little about the book, and decide from it's description whether it would be something I would enjoy. The description alone caught my attention, and I decided I should give it a go.

I took this book with me to the bar to read it, yes, to the bar. I'm not a big drinker and so every Monday night I arrive at the bar with a book in hand just in case I go out in poker. Before I even sat down to play my Monday game, I started reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. I immedietly wanted to know what would happen to Ramona, and how her beloved Rita Hayworth would be portrayed in the book. That first night I read half of the book before poker even started, and was dissapointed when I had to put it down to even play the game in the first place.

I really enjoyed this book, and was surprised by the ending, although I'm not going to give anything away because I really believe that you should give this book a try. It's a story of a young girl running from her past, and trying to jump directly into adult life with no knowledge about it. Her past haunts her, and her future is what will suffer because of it.

-below is an article on Rita Hayworth, written by Fredrica Wagman, the author of The Lie. It was sent to me by the Publisher to add to my review.

"Finding Rita Hayworth"

By Fredrica Wagman

Author of The Lie: A Novel

My fascination with Rita Hayworth began when I was very young because my mother was so enthralled with Rita Hayworth herself that she named me Rita, and although she polished my name off with the name Fredrica in the middle, it was the name Rita that profoundly connected me to my mother -- to my childhood and to that exquisite creature who ruled the sliver screen for all my growing years.

People do things like that. Pick the name of presidents and movie stars whom they admire for their newborn babies, hoping, preposterously, that the name of the famous person they admire will evoke the same magic on some poor unsuspecting little child.

I use the word "poor" because the child in full innocence sallies forth into life burdened with a name and a namesake she knows nothing about. In this case, what glowed in my mother's esteem couldn't be denied -- Rita Hayworth was a goddess, worshiped by men and women alike. She was the quintessential pin-up girl of World War II. She was the epitome of glamour and elegance. One of her five husbands was a prince and the others were iconic movie stars themselves. She had everything -- she was gorgeous; she had astounding beauty. She had children and wealth and jewels and clothes and incredible fame so that all-in-all she was a living breathing testimonial of immensely enviable success. But that wasn't all she had. She also had a secret. Buried deep within her was the knowledge of a terrible tragedy, the effects of which she bore silently her whole life; she was the victim of severe abuse -- physical, emotional and sexual, vested on her by her father while her lackluster, impoverished mother turned a blind eye to the devastation that was her daughter's fate.

The research that went into writing The Lie, dealt extensively with understanding the lives and struggles of many famous movie stars, a fascinating subject itself -- what makes them, what drives them -- but I settled finally on Rita Hayworth, not only because our names are the same, and not only because my mother thought "she was the most exquisite thing that ever lived or breathed," but because her story was the most clear-cut and the most brutal.

She was born Margarita Consuelo, the granddaughter of a great and famous flamenco dancer, so great and so famous that he was part of the court of the King of Spain. His son, Rita Hayworth's father came to this country speaking no English and earning his meager living, paltry as it was, by giving dancing lessons with his young, exquisite daughter as his partner. Fred Astaire, speaking once of Rita Hayworth said she was the best partner he ever danced with, and that statement included all his partners -- even the remarkable Ginger Rodgers. In the days of prohibition, because this country was dry with no liquor being sold, Rita's father took his young, beautiful and extremely talented daughter to Mexico, frequenting cheap night clubs and filthy dance halls where the liquor was flowing so they could eek out a bit of money on which to live by dancing for "tips". Things were so bad at times that Rita was forced by her father to catch fish off of wooden piers, often kneeling for hours in order to catch them with her bare hands and if that day she caught nothing, her father would beat her within an inch of her life, all the while introducing her as his wife and using her sexually.

This is not an unusual story. Neither for movies stars nor for the vast throngs who watch them. It is a common secret tragedy for men as well as for women, and as fascinated as I am with what makes movie stars tick -- their stories and struggles, I am even more concerned with the subject of childhood sexual abuse -- how to bring it out of the darkness and into the light for the millions of people like Rita Hayworth who have been so deeply scarred.

©2009 Fredrica Wagman, author of The Lie: A Novel

Author Bio

Fredrica Wagman, author of The Lie: A Novel, is the author of six novels, such as Playing House, His Secret Little Wife, Mrs. Hornstein, Peachy, Magic Man, Magic Man and her latest The Lie. She has four grown children and lives with her husband in New York City.

For more information please visit http://www.fredricawagman.com/

Waiting On Wednesday - June24th

Waiting On Wednesday

Hosted by Breaking The Spine

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

This weeks's pre-publication "can't wait to read" is :

Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong

Publication Date : September 29, 2009

From Amazon :

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong returns with the tenth installment of the Women of the Otherworld series.

The Alaskan wilderness is a harsh landscape in the best of conditions, but with a pack of rogue werewolves on the loose, it’s downright deadly.

Elena Michaels, the Pack’s chief enforcer, knows all too well the havoc “mutts” can wreak. When they hear of a series of gruesome maulings and murders outside Anchorage, she and her husband, Clay, journey to Alaska in the dead of winter in order to hunt down the dangerous werewolves. Trapped in this savage, untamed winter realm, she and Clay learn more about their own werewolf heritage than they bargained for, tapping a little more into the wild nature of the beast within. With Elena back in the starring role, this is the book Kelley Armstrong fans have been waiting for.

I have been loving Kelley Armstrong's Women of The Otherworld Series since the very start. I have still yet to read Living With The Dead, the ninth installment to this series, and it's driving me crazy! It was even more exciting for me to learn that in Frostbitten, Elena Michaels would be featured again as the leading role! She's by far one of my favorite characters, along with Jamie Vegas.

Contest Closed : My Name Is Will by Jess Winfield

This contest is CLOSED, winners are listed here.

I'm doing yet another giveaway thanks to Hatchette Books! I have 5 Copies of My Name is Will : A Novel of Sex, Drugs, and Shakespear by Jess Winfield up for grabs!

To enter please leave a comment including a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS telling me you would like to enter my contest.

Extra Entries

• +1 Become a Follower (Existing Followers mention you are)
• +1 Become a Twitter Follower (Mention Username, Existing Followers mention as well)
• +2 Post about this contest on your blog (leave a link to it please!)

Deadline : July 6th, 2009

US & Canada Residents Only. No PO Boxes.

Contest Closed : My First Giveaway! Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons

This contest is CLOSED, winners are listed here.

Thanks to Hatchette Books, I'm able to give away 5 copies of Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons!

All you have to do is post a comment to enter, including your email address! I will choose all winners using Random.org.

Extra Entries!

Thats right, you can get more entries into this contest! Here's how :

+1 Become a Follower (existing followers mention that you are already)
+1 Become a Twitter Follower (let me know your username there)
+2 Post on your blog about this contest.

Deadline : July 6th, 2009
US & Canada Residents Only. No PO Boxes.

Teaser Tuesdays - June 23rd

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 two (2) "teaser" sentences from anywhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (be sure that what you share doesn't give to much away, you don't want to ruin the book for others.)
5. Share the title & author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR.

My teaser :

...as all of a sudden...the ghost of Nathab Smollens rose silently up out of the blazing concrete in front of us...then sat down on the bench between us...and begand staring at the ffellow with the steady unabashed glare of the dead looking back into life and still hating it.

Pg. 9 of

The Lie : A Novel by Fredrica Wagman

Review : Ghosts I Have Been by Richard Peck

Title : Ghosts I Have Been

Author : Richard Peck

Publisher : Puffin Books

Genre : Young Adult

ISBN : 978-0141310961

Series : Yes, #2

Rating : 5

From Paperbackswap :

Blossom Culp is the outspoken outcast of Bluff City, always getting into trouble. No one wants to cross her, especially now that she's revealed that she can see the Unseen. Then Blossom herself is stunned, because her lie turns out to be truth. She actually does have second sight ...and she is "on board" the sinking Titanic.

Review :

The Gift of Second Sight is nothing new to young Blossom Culp, as it is a gift that has been passed down amoungst the women of her family for years. Her own mother is one to have been blessed with this particular gift. Blossom herself doesn't believe she could possibly be gifted like her mother, as people with gifts such as these come in hand with good looks and a good meal.

Blossom decides that she must stand against the local gangster boys from tipping out houses, by scaring them witless with her ghostly costume. She doesn't give her name away, but she does give the name of another young girl, Letty, in her own class. Letty gets attacked the next day at school by one of the young gangsters and, feeling guilty Blossom finds herself defending the poor girl.

To show her appreciation, Letty's mother invites Blossom to their house to spend time with Letty and her band of friends, The Sunny Thoughts and Busy Fingers girls, as they call themselves. Letty doesn't appreciate what Blossom has done, and neither do the other girls, so they make Blossom tell them a scary story. She tells them about an encounter her own mother had with her gift of second sight, only for them to tell her she's nothing but a liar. Before Blossom can even think, she tells them that she herself has the gift.

Blossom must prove to them that she isn't lying, and so she begins to tell them that two of such girls will be punished the following day for cheating. They believe her, because they know they have cheated, so she is in the clear. To make things more believable, her own true gift shines through and she foretells an actual event that will stir the whole town. She will soon become a celebrity for her gift of second sight.

This book was recommended to me by a friend from work. I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I suppose he knew more about myself than I did. This story was truly captivating, and at points even gave me goosebumps. It was also a nice quick read, only lasting a mere three hours total of reading time. This book was originally published in 1977, and it shows in the way that it is written. The author, Richard Peck, has written many books including, Are You In The House Alone?, Dreamland Lake, and The Ghost Belonged To Me. This is the first of Richard Peck's books that I have encountered, and I look forward to reading more of them in the future.

Mailbox Monday - June 22nd

Mailbox Monday

Hosted by The Printed Page

Here goes, I got even more this time!

Bookmooch

1. Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

2. Deadly Gift by Heather Graham

3. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

4. Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green

5. Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian

Paperbackswap

1. Just After Sunset by Stephen King

Won at Suzanne McLeod's Blog

1. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Requested to Review

1. The Lie by Fredrica Wagman

Monday Crazy Questions : Hodgepodge

Monday Crazy Questions is hosted by Lani, over at Monday Crazy Questions. You should head on over and show support by participating!

1. MEN- Boxers, briefs or commando? LADIES-Hipsters, thongs or granny panties?

-Well, I'm very versitile, I love hipsters (or as my fiance calls them, booty shorts), as well as thongs and even granny panties for those times during the month when I'm feeling less than sexy. I think a better question for me to answer what I prefer on the opposite sex, and that would be Boxers!

2. Have you ever had an infatuation with someone on the internet?

-No, I've never been infatuated with someone on the internet, although I did talk to some people on a daily basis for sometime. It felt as though I knew them, when really they were miles and states away.

3. A 20 dollar bill is laying on the door step of a store as you are leaving. Half the bill sits outside the door..half in. Do you turn it in or pocket it? If you were coming INTO the store when you saw it, would it make any difference in your decision?

-Yeah, your probably going to call me a thief for this one, but I'd pocket the money. It obviously doesn't have anyones name on it, so therefore it's a lost cause. Whether you bring it to the register or not someone will tell you it's theres, whether it really is or not. I've already in the past found money, as well as an 8GB Ipod Touch, and have kept all of it! The Ipod had no information indicating an owner, so it quickly became mine. Yeah, call me a thief if you want, but I'm just being honest!

4. You just won the lottery....your family will be all over it as soon as they find out. Do you try to keep from telling them about it?

-No, I'd tell them. My immediate family are not money hungry fiends. In fact, I'd even give them a portion of it to hold them over (pay for houses and vehicles so they were well adjusted), so it wouldn't be a problem to me.

5. Did you ever play 'I'll show you mine, if you show me yours', when you were a child?

-I honestly did not play this game. I wasn't as curious about the anatomy of the male body when I was a child.

6. Do you remember a huge crush you had on someone while in high school? Did the crush turn into more?

-Unfortunetly yes, I did have a crush on someone in high school and it did turn into something more. The unfortunate part of it was that I was currently in a relationship with my current fiance. Don't worry, this isn't new news to him, he is well informed and actually pushed me to go out on a date with this other guy. You see, my fiance was then living in New York, while I in Pennsylvania, and we were still young (I was 16), and he was my first boyfriend. I learned quickly after that one date that he was all I wanted (and still do). It still upsets me that I hurt him though, even though it didn't event to anything but a movie and a kiss goodnight.

7. Have you ever had a full body massage? Were you comfortable or uneasy about being touched all over?

-I've personally never had a professional massage, let alone a full body one! I have had a full body massage from my fiance though, and no, that isn't at all uncomfortable, it's quite relaxing, and stimulating, lol.

8. What do you think of wet tshirt contests?

-I think they are pointless. Yeah, so she has big boobs and her shirt is now wet and you can see her nipples..yay! My fiance is with me on this subject, he can't touch them, so why does he care? lol.

Musing Mondays - June 22nd

Musing Mondays

Hosted by Just One More Page

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about library borrowing…

Do you restrict yourself on how many books you take out from the library at a time? Do you borrow books if you already have some out? Do you always reborrow books you don’t get to?

To be completely honest, I don't borrow books from the library anymore! As I've gotten older, and have more responsibilites, I tend to forget when library books are due back. When I was in grade school, up to high school I would take books out all the time, usually up to 3 at time (as that was usually the limit).

I was a quick reader, as I still am, and would finish at least those 3 books a week, more often more because I didn't have a full time job and other responsibilities as I do now that I've gotten older. More often than not I was being yelled at by teachers to put my books away, or actually having them taken until the end of class.

I don't know where I got my reading habits from, because I'm the only one of my family that would rather pick up a book than turn on the television. In fact, they are baffled when I haven't seen the latest funny commercials, and more often than not will make me search on YouTube for them.

Now that I've just given you more of a story than you probably would have wanted to hear, lol, sorry! Anywho, I only buy books from the library donation shop, as well as swap online and rarely buy from big chain book stores and online stores. I do need to stop with the buying and swapping of any books though, as my TBR pile is dangerously past the 500 mark and counting.

Feel free to post links to your Musing Mondays in my comments, I'd love to read them!

Review : Night Huntress by Yasmine Galenorn

Title : Night Huntress
Author : Yasmine Galenorn
Publisher : Berkley Publishing
ISBN : 978-0425225462
Series : Yes, #5
Rating : 4

From Booklist :

"Delilah’s not sure which is more troublesome, fighting demons or figuring out what’s bothering boyfriend Chase. As the war and love life grow more complicated, new threats emerge from Netherworld. One bit of good news: another Spirit Seal has emerged, and she, her sisters, and allies have a jump on the enemy. The bad? That won’t stop the enemy from threatening what Delilah holds dear. Delilah matures in a number of ways in this entertaining continuation of the Sisters of the Moon series. Part questing adventure, part urban fantasy with a liberal serving of romantic entanglements, the story should appeal to a wide range of fantasy fans."

Review :

Delilah D'Artigo isn't your average girl, she's half-Fae, half-human, Were-tabby, and Were-panther, as well as being one of the Autumn Lord's Death Maiden's. She has enough on her hands with having to be all of these things. Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, her boyfriend Chase mutters another woman's name in his sleep. This throws her for a loop, and she's not sure whether she should be upset because he could be cheating on her, even though she had told him she had slept with Zachary Lyonnesse of the Rainer Were Puma Clan. Life as a Fae isn't about fidelity, as they aren't monogamous, but with her half-human blood she feels the green head of jealousy looming on the horizon. It doesn't make matters any better when the cat in her feels as though someone has just stepped on her turf.

With the appearance of the fourth spirit seal, the D'Artigo girls must get together to collect it before Shadowwings cronies can get their mitts on it. But when Chase gets himself captured by Karvanak, a deadly Raksasa general of Shadowwings army, Delilah has to decide whether Chase's infidelity is even a major problem, now that his life is on the line.

This is the fifth installment to the Sisters of the Moon series. Delilah D'Artigo is honestly my favorite character of all the combining books. She has problems, and she's not afraid to admit it, but she knows when it's time to fight she needs to put them aside and do whats right.

I wanted to like this book more than I did, but I just couldn't. The storyline itself is fabulous, with lots of history and information to make your brain just have a field day. There are plenty of Fae, Demons, and other otherworldy creatures that will be sure to give you your weekly dose of supernatural. The one thing I can't get over is how these girls just collect men like I collect books! I know, I know, that shouldn't be a major problem because it's just a book, but I'm purely monogamous myself, and it's hard for me to get into their many relationships.

All in all, I do recommend this book purely for the story line itself. If you love Fae, Witches, Weres, Dragons and the like, your sure to love this book. I highly recommend you start from the beginning of the series with Witchling, the story of Camille D'Artigo. I can't wait to see what happens next with the sisters in the newly released Demon Mistress. There is also a seventh book on the horizon for 2010, Bone Magic.

Saturday 9 - June 20th

1. Do you like James Bond films? If yes, what’s your favorite? - I honestly don't remember if I've ever sat through an entire James Bond Film, so I'd have to say...No.

2. Are you daring enough to go snorkeling in the water fountain at the mall? - Nope, I've never even been snorkling!

3. Do you sometimes hate everything and everyone around you? - Yes, I usually feel this way when I'm at work..ugh.

4. Do you secretly or openly believe the world revolves around you? - Of course not! Sometimes I wish it did, but I think we all secretly wish that everyone would stop and focus on us for a change instead of the other way around.

5. Would you rather buy a moped or a Harley Davidson? - I'd have to say a moped! They look like so much fun, and I'm not the Harley kinda gal.

6. Do you water ski or ice ski? - I've never tried either! I have ice skated though. My fiance used to take me ice skating for our anniversary every year, but the rink has closed so we don't do that anymore.

7. Tell us about the last time that you tailgated. - Wow, I'm a loser, I've never tailgated..lol.

8. What was the last concert that you attended? - Yeah, I'm beginning to feel as though these questions for formulated to make me sound like I'm unexperienced in my 22 years of life. The last concert I was at was an NSYNC concert when I was 12, and I didn't even have tickets! I watched the contest from outside the fence, up atop a hill...lol.

9. What’s the most exotic food that you’ve ate? - I'd have to say calamari, lol, and it was GROSS! Tasted like a rubber band.

Friday Finds - June 19th

This weeks Friday Finds are :

Shadowfae by Erica Hayes
Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN : 978-0312578008
Release Date : October 13, 2009
Series : Yes, #1

From Author's Page :

Steal souls.

Live in hell.

Never die.

In a city infested with psychotic fairies and run by sadistic vampire mafiosi, life as a soul-sucking succubus rarely involves lacy lingerie, hot guys or great sex.

Instead, Jade must spend her nights seducing gangsters and murderers, or simpering as a trophy girl for hell's minions.

So when she discovers a forbidden ritual that promises to break hell's thrall and set her free, she's got nothing to lose, even if it involves seducing the four most repellent souls in town.

But when you're cheating hell, there's always a catch...

Shadowglass by Erica Hayes
Publisher : St. Martin's Griff
ISBN : Unknown
Release Date : April, 2010
Series : Yes, #2

From Author's Page :

A seductive magic mirror, deep in a demon's lair.

A simple warning: don't stare at the glass.

A light-fingered fairy who can't resist.

For Ice, a compulsive fairy thief, life is a wild party of magical confidence scams. She's never cared for rules, so when she filches a demon's beguiling magic mirror, she can't resist a peek.

Malicious magic strikes, and Ice can no longer tell a lie. If she can't undo the spell, she'll have to turn respectable.

Two words: no way.

Demon Chick by Marilyn Kaye

Publisher : Henry Holt and Co.

ISBN : 978-0805088809

Release Date : September 15, 2009

Series : Unknown

From Amazon :

Jessica may not have the warmest relationship with her mother, aspiring presidential candidate Margaret Hunsucker, but it still comes as a shock when she discovers that her mother has sold her to the devil. Will she have to spend eternity in hell with one of Satan’s minions, a demon named Brad? Brad takes pains to explain that they live in one of hell’s better neighborhoods, and he seems like a nice enough guy—but still! And things only get worse when Jessica learns the full extent of her mother’s evil plans. Can she and Brad come up with a plan to save the world?

These and other pressing questions are all answered in Marilyn Kaye’s delightfully satirical Demon Chick.