My Bookworm Santa

I joined My Bookworm Santa this year hosted by Bree from The Magic Attic and Michelle from Book Briefs. I had fun putting together a package for Larissa Brunken. I filled it with various bookmarks, a book light, a puzzlebook, candy, and a book from her wishlist called

If you are Larissa and not received this package yet it is on the way...delivery confirmation continues to be updated for delivery on Dec 27, 2011.

I have not received my pressie yet but am still anxiously waiting as well. lol I still have some milk and cookies waiting for Santa and once he shimmeys down my chimney I will be back to update this post. :)

Review - Shadow City by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Shadow City by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Released: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Diana Pharaoh Francis

The world is falling apart. The magical apocalypse has come. Now is the time to guard the covenstead against both raiders and refugees. But Max has been stolen by a powerful demi-god who is determined to force her to find a way to use a magical power she never knew she had—even if it kills her. Meanwhile, back in Horngate, a Fury is birthing. When the creature breaks free of the fragile bonds that enclose her, her rage will scour the covenstead from the earth.

The Horngate Witches is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy Series and it seems it only gets better with each book. I loved the back n forth in this particular book with Alexander and Giselle fighting one battle at Horngate while Max and Scooter at the same time were fighting for Scooter's life at Chadare. The interactions were great between them and I enjoyed the growth and sort of respect they all began to feel for each other against the circumstances that put them on the pats they were now on.

Giselle, Max and I, will probably always despise but in Shadow City she shows more of herself and for lack of a better word seems more "realistic" to me somehow. It was sort of funny when Alexander told Giselle to get dressed and she came back wearing jeans, hiking boots, and a pullover along with her hair up in a ponytail and he said to her that it amazed him how "natural" she looked and she scowled back at him that she did bathe every day and keep her armpits shaved.

I recommend this series to any urban fantasy lover. It's action packed with a tough herione, has magic and plenty of adventures involved and just is really good. You can possibly read them out of order and still have a general idea of whats happening but I feel you would be missing out on alot of fun.

Giveaway Winners

I have two giveaway wrap ups to post.

The first is the winner of the Holiday Hop which goes to
Rose with Comment #7

and the second giveaway for Eden books, the two winners are

The name's Kara! Comment #1
Mandroid Comment #3

Congrats to the winners! All have been notified! Happy Reading!

Review - Eden by Tony Monchinski

Eden by Tony Monchinski
Released: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Permuted Press
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 320 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 2/5
Author Site: Tony Monchinski

Seemingly overnight the world transforms into a barren wasteland ravaged by plague and overrun by hordes of flesh-eating zombies. A small band of desperate men and women stand their ground in a fortified compound in what had been Queens, New York. They've named their sanctuary Eden.

Harris--the unusual honest man in this dead world--races against time to solve a murder while maintaining his own humanity. Because the danger posed by the dead and diseased mass clawing at Eden's walls pales in comparison to the deceit and treachery Harris faces within.

I tried really hard to like this book because I am very pro zombie but it was just hard for me to get into. This is one that would have made a far better movie than book because of all the jumping around it did. It just did not read well for me because it starts out with zombies attacking then it jumps to the past then to a set of totally different folks then back to the zombie situation then another visit to the past and so on and so forth.

It's sad because it has the potential for a remarkable story had it been put together more chronologically. It was just to hard to keep up with what was going on as it is. I may have even been able to deal with it had the author marked the chapters like I have seen in some books like where they say "present day" or "2 months ago" ect... I should have been able to read this book in about an hour or so but instead it took me about a week because I kept wanting to throw it against a wall and not because it was that bad a book but because I wanted to like it so bad and couldn't I kept getting frustrated and puttin it down and reading books in between it and kept trying to get into the flow of it but alas it was to no avail.

Review - Killing Rites by MLN Hanover

Killing Rites by MLN Hanover
Released: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: MLN Hanover

JaynÉ Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She's possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher and the circle of friends he left behind, hoping to cleanse JaynÉ before the parasite in her becomes too powerful.

I am getting frustrated but a good kind of frustrated. I want Ex and Jayne to hurry up and get together but maybe it's better this way letting them take their time because she is still kinda on the rebound with Aubrey and Ex is well he's Ex.... but to get on with my review; this was a very happening book! Jayne realized that she did in fact have a rider and worked with Ex and some of his old comrades to try to disperse it but during the ceremony something goes wrong and she tries to let them know but they think it is a trick and Jayne barely escapes some dreadful consequences not to mention having to go on the run from her dear friends because they think she is not in control therefore once again landing her all on her own. I felt so sad for her because seems everytime things start looking up and she has some makeshift family all heck tears it apart.

On the upside my favorite character was back for a short snip in this book; Midian. I just love his snippy short comments and his view of how things are and he flat out let Jayne know exactly what he thought of dear old uncle Eric but um I will let you see for yourself.

As much as I really enjoyed Killing Rites and look forward to another installment, I just can't say I was totally satisfied with the ending. I expected more to come from the big fight scene I guess and felt it lacked the umph it should of had.

2012 YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge

I really want to give this one a try. I don't feel like I really read alot of Fantasy and hopefully this will broaden my reading experience.

The rules of this challenge are:
- Read 10 YA or MG fantasy that are released in 2012
- Post a review on a personal blog or Goodreads
- The challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012
- Anyone can join at any point throughout the year
Signing Up:
Please visit this POST

My tentative list which will most surely change as we go along.

01-Bewitching by Alex Flinn (2/14/2012)
02-Touched (Touched #1)by Corrine Jackson
03-Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test, #2)by Aimee Carter (3/27/2012)
04-Witch's Brew (The Spellspinners of Melas County #1)by Heidi R. Kling
05-Sweet Shadows (Medusa Girls, #2)by Tera Lynn Childs
06-Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (5/22/2012)
07-Lies Beneath (Lies Beneath #1)by Anne Greenwood Brown (6/12/2012)
08-The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long (8/16/2012)
09-Above by Leah Bobet (4/1/2012)
10-Queen of Glass (Queen of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas
11-The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova (4/12/2012)
12-Cinder by Marissa Meyer (1/3/2012)
13-Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (12/1/2012)
14-Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (1/31/2012)
15-Fathomless by Jackson Pearce (August 2012)
16-When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen (2/28/2012)

Review - Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Released: March 28th 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 398 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Beth Revis

Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed.

Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense. Godspeed's passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.

Amazing is my thought of this book! Just pure amazing! Loved it! I cannot begin to imagine if I had to decide between being frozen and facing a life of uncertainties and leaving behind the only real life I had ever known or staying behind and never seeing my parents again. Either way I would choose would be devastating for me.

Across the Universe pure intrigued me and filled me with many thoughtful nights of what if situations and while Amy was heartbroken over a few things I can't go into due to spoilers she seemed to take things in stride, far better than I would of been able to handle them. I pure hated Eldest from the beginning and right up to the end of the book although after completing the book and having time to sit back and reflect I can understand "some" of the things he done and can even rationalyze them but alot of it just seemed pure controlling and having his way at any cost whether it be right or wrong and not for the greater good at all.

I am anxious to see how Amy and Elder progress in the next book and if they will get closer and deeper explore their feelings for one another.

In My Mailbox (10)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect..All books are linked to Goodreads.

For Review: (thanks to David Wasserman, Gallery Books, and Harlequin Teen)
The Eternal Child by David Wasserman
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Eden by Tony Monchinski


Bought and Paperback Swap:
The Nine Lives of Chloe King by Liz Braswell (Books 1-3)
Matched by Ally Condie
The Secret Circle (The Initiation and The Captive Part 1) by LJ Smith
Wicked Resurrection by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Soul Screamers (Books 1-3) by Rachel Vincent

What did you get in your mailbox?

Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis Blog Tour Review and Feature

USA Today bestseller Jill Shalvis is the award winning author of over four dozen romance novels, including her sexy contemporary novel Simply Irresistible, book one in the Lucky Harbor series. The 4-time Rita nominee and 3-time National Readers Choice winner makes her home near Lake Tahoe. Visit her website for more fun and updates on her wonderful books! Website

I was able to ask a few quick fun questions of Jill and here were her responses:

1) If you could literally dive into any Christmasy book/movie and become any character who would it be and why?

Christmas Carol. It was my favorite scary movie growing up, the old version, the black and white one … shiver. I’m not sure I’d want to be a character from it, but I still watch it every year.

2) What has been one of the strangest or most awesome Christmas gifts you have ever received as a child or adult?

Most awesome … the black lap dog sitting on my feet right this very minute, wanting to go outside and play ball. He was last Christmas’ present and he’s the gift that keeps on giving. If you count having to keep buying new boots because they get chewed…

3) Santa has you on his extra good list this year and gives you your choice of 10 minutes in any book/movie/music store of your choice. What kind of store would you choose and name a few of the first items you'd grab?

Any book store, and I’d be in heaven, thank you very much! I’d grab every mass market “trash fiction” on the display because that’s the way I roll. I like the brain candy.

Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis
Released: December 1, 2011
Publisher: Forever
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 368 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Jill Shalvis

Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble--and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

I have not read the first two books of the series but it did not keep me from enjoying this light fluffy read. Chloe was just a really high spirited and fun character to follow and Sawyer well he was a sexy sheriff who ran around behind her usually having to help untangle the messes she made in her life. The sexy parts were interesting and really awesomely handled to portray Chloe's asthma condition.

I really enjoyed it. It was a quick read fun book and you just cant help but begin to feel like the chacters in the story could be your real life neighbor or friends.

Eden Giveaway

Thanks to Gallery Books I have two copies of this awesome book for giveaway to two followers of Gimme The Scoop Reviews!

Synopsis:Inside its walls, a community of survivors scratches out a terrifying existence. Outside, hordes of undead pound relentlessly against the barriers and rattle the gates of the humans' last sanctuary-- Eden.

Overnight, the world transforms into a barren wasteland ravaged by plague and overrun by hordes of flesh-eating zombies. In the aftermath of the gruesome destruction of New York City and its inhabitants, a small band of desperate men and women stand their ground in a fortified compound in what had once been the outer borough of Queens. Those who built the walls of Eden fell prey long ago to the undead…those who remain survive by sheer determination, camaraderie, and human ingenuity, making forays into the outside world through the network of pipes under the city streets.

Harris—the exceptional honest man in this dead world—races against time to solve a murder while fighting to maintain his own humanity. Ultimately, the danger posed by the dead and diseased masses clawing at Eden’s walls pales in comparison to the deceit and treachery Harris faces within.

To enter just be a follower of this blog and tell me what your favorite zombie book or movie is in a comment below along with your email address. (US Only Please) Giveaway ends on December 12, 2011 at midnight.

Review - Vicious Grace by MLN Hanover

Vicious Grace by MLN Hanover
Released: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 384 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: MLN Hanover

For the first time in forever, Jayné Heller’s life is making sense. Even if she routinely risks her life to destroy demonic parasites that prey on mortals, she now has friends, colleagues, a trusted lover, and newfound confidence in the mission she inherited from her wealthy, mysterious uncle. Her next job might just rob her of all of them. At Grace Memorial Hospital in Chicago, something is stirring. Patients are going AWOL and research subjects share the same sinister dreams. Half a century ago, something was buried under Grace in a terrible ritual, and it’s straining to be free. Jayné is primed to take on whatever’s about to be let loose. Yet the greatest danger now may not be the huge, unseen force lurking below, but the evil that has been hiding in plain sight all along—taking her ever closer to losing her body, her mind, and her soul. . . .

WOW this series keeps getting better and better! This part is basically about a haunted hospital and a buried demon and the first thing that popped in my mind was that movie by Stephen King called Kingdom Hospital! That was a freaky show and I loved it so obviously this book had my attention!

Some not so nice information was discovered about Uncle Eric that threw the entire group for a loop and has left me wondering just what else has dear Uncle Eric been hiding and why. I continue my stand against Aubrey. Don't get me wrong I love his character but he is not right for Jayne. Aubrey is more of a lover than a fighter type guy and I just feel he fits better behind the scenes and out of Jayne's bed. I am very proud of Jayne in Vicious Grace because I finally believe she is beginning to find herself and her inner strength. She is faced with some very hard decisions..harder than she has ever had to deal with and she stands up and puts her big girl panties on and does what needs to be done. By books end I was chanting Yes Yes Yes You Go Girl!

Book Lover's Holiday Hop

Welcome to the Book Lover's Holiday Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Kid Lit Frenzy

Our hop prize for you is any book up to $10 from The Book Depository! Prize is International but Please be sure they ship to your country!

It's simple to enter. (Up to 4 entries) 3 Extra Entries are only if you want to. :)

Mandatory Entry-You must be a follower of this blog and comment below with your email address and answer this question. What is your favorite holiday food?

+1 Make a new comment and list a few books on your X-mas Wishlist (leave email address)
+1 If you tweet this giveaway and provide link. Make a new comment along with your email address)
+1 Make a new comment and tell me what your most favorite or most weirdest gift has ever been. (leave email address)

2012 TBR-Reading-Challenge

I found another challenge that is right up my alley.

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us.. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up...

Challenge runs from 1/21/12 - 12/31/12. All you have to do is read books on your shelf that you keep meaning to read. They have to be books printed before 2012. You must be a blogger to enter.
You can find out all the details and sign up yourself at Evie-Bookish

I am going to do The Sweet Kiss Level which is 21-30 TBR Books. My tentative list follows with books I am kinda ashamed I have not yet read but just for one reason or another these are still waiting and calling my name....

01-Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
02-Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
03-New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
04-Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
05-Matched - Ally Condie
06-Bumped - Megan McCafferty
07-Sweet Venom - Tera Lynne Childs
08-Wither - Lauren DeStefano
09-Rampant - Diana Peterfreund
10-Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
11-Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
12-Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
13-The Good Ghouls Guide to Getting Even - Julie Kenner
14-Rocky Road Trip - Catherine Clark
15-Pretty Little Liars - Sara Shepard
16-Flawless - Sara Shepard
17-Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
18-Ballad - Maggie Stiefvater
19-Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris
20-Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris
21-Karma Girl - Jennifer Estep

Review - Hunter of Shadows by Nancy Gideon

Hunter of Shadows by Nancy Gideon
Released: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 416 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Nancy Gideon

Transferring to the New Orleans Police Department, Detective Silas MacCreedy has a hidden agenda: to secure his clan’s place once again in the Shifter hierarchy. What he didn’t count on was stumbling upon a sexy assassin who could shred his best intentions and lead him into a dangerous dance that threatens to engage his heart.

Having not read any of the Moonlight Series I think I was running a bit behind on this one but still it was quick to figure out most of what I was missing as the story progressed. I really want to go back and read these from the beginning because the characters are just really awesome and strong and I want to see how it all began so to speak.

Silas..good Lord he could rescue me any day of the week! (sitting here fanning myself just thinking about it) I totally enjoyed how he and Nica met and from there on in the pages just sizzled so much I was afraid my fingers were gonna catch fire. I could just feel the passion flowing between the two whether they were sexually mauling each other or totally trying to kill one another. Really good storlines going on thru-out including mob scenes, some kick ass fight scenes and yep some breath taking sex so I dont recommend for the faint of heart.

Review - Three Day Town by Margaret Maron

Three Day Town by Margaret Maron
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (November 21, 2011)
Language: English
Rate: 3/5
ISBN-10: 0446555789
ISBN-13: 978-0446555784
Author Site: Margaret Maron

Judge Deborah Knott and Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant are on a train to New York, finally on a honeymoon after a year of marriage. January in New York might not be the perfect time to visit, but they'll take it. The trip is a Christmas present from Dwight's sister-in-law, who arranged for them to stay in an Upper West Side apartment for one week. While in New York, Deborah has been asked to deliver a package to Lt. Sigrid Harald of the NYPD. Sigrid offers to swing by the apartment to pick up the box, but when they reach the apartment, they discover that it is missing and the doorman has been murdered. Despite their best efforts to enjoy a blissful getaway, Deborah and Dwight soon find that they've teamed up with Sigrid and her team to catch the killer before he strikes again.

Ok I love a good mystery like the next person but I just couldn't get into this book. Let me start by saying, this was not the best mystery but certainly not the worst either. It does have potential. At first the story just drags along Deborah and Dwight are getting ready to leave to go on there honeymoon. Yeah women want to pack everything in the house ya da ya da....Men are always in a hurry....ya da ya da..... Needless to say they make there train and they make it to New York, safely if I may add.... Hooray!!!!!

I know as good as anyone else a book needs fillers but come on every time I turn around it nonsense stuff. Like what and where they ate at,shoe addict, what somebody
had on... Hum Hello!!! Snows on the ground and in New York. Which is very irradiating to me because it makes the book drag out even further..ZZZZ wake me when the blood shed begins.....

Say what!! The buildings super is dead. Found dead in Deborah and Dwight's apartment. Oh no!!! Who could have done such a thing everybody loved Phyllis oops I mean Phil. He was such a swell guy or may I say gal. Still never figured out what difference it made if he was a male or female. For me this is about when the book started to get interesting. Although I would have figured Dwight would have been more part of the story. Dwight's a deputy he could helped more with the case,even if it was out of his jurisdiction. After all the building super was killed in his apartment.

Review - Darker Angels: Book Two of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover

Darker Angels: Book Two of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover
Released: September 29, 2009
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 368 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: M.L.N. Hanover

When Jayné Heller's uncle Eric died, she inherited a fortune beyond all her expectations -- and a dangerous mission in a world she never knew existed. Reining in demons and supernatural foes is a formidable task, but thankfully Jayné has vast resources and loyal allies to rely on. She'll need both to tackle a bodyswitching serial killer who's taken up residence in New Orleans, a city rich in voodoo lore and dark magic.

Jayne and her posse head to New Orleans in book two of The Black Sun's Daughter Series. She has been contacted for help by one of her uncle's old aquaintances, Karen Black, an ex-FBI agent to help her rid the rider of a young girl.

The group has been working hard and fast for the past few months traveling the world to as many of Jayne's uncle's houses and storage units as possible trying to piece together his work and resources to better assist their needs and they are tired, weary, and in desperate need of some TLC/down time but instead they run headlong into this new mission with their tails dragging and their guards down to much. The action heats up almost the time they enter New Orleans and they immediately get their tails handed to them on a platter and have to regroup by the skin of their hides!

Alot happens in Darker Angels. Whether because of the exhaustion of the group or Jayne's still being wet behind the ears when it comes to leadership the group falls apart as evil trickery and secrets come to light. There are so many different types of struggles going on here...love, friendship, evil, and treachery.

Again another wonderful story by MLN Hanover that kept me up nights until I finished it but I really missed Midian from book one and was hoping he would at least make an appearance with his sassy and quick tongue. He kept me in stitches in the first book. I still am not all that impressed with Aubrey and wonder what on earth Jayne see's in him but their relationship starts to grow as she continues digging in her heels in a profession she was tossed into and is slowly carving out her own place in. I can feel she is getting stronger and the group as a whole is learning to work together but there is still a ways to go.

Winner of Black Sun's Daughter Series

and the winner of this awesome series is.......

post #10-------Books And Beyond

Congrats to you!

In My Mailbox (9)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect..All books are linked to Goodreads.

For Review:
Head Over Heels by Jill Shavis
The Expats by Chris Pavone
Scored by Lauren McLaughlin
Cliques, hicks, and ugly sticks by KD McCrite

Borrowed:
Island Girls and Boys by Rachel Hawthorne

Paperbackswap:
The Vampires Assisstant (First 3 Books Bind-up) by Darren Shan

Review-All About Stacy by Patricia Reilly Giff

All About Stacy by Patricia Reill Giff
Reading level: Ages 5 and up
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Yearling (October 1, 1988)
Language: English
Rating: 3
Authors Site: Patricia Reilly Giff
ISBN-10: 0440400880
ISBN-13: 978-0440400882

Stacy can't wait to start her new class project, making an "About-Me" box. Into it will go special things that she likes. Jiwon's putting a scrap of her old baby dress in her About-Me box. Eddie's putting pictures of food in his. But Stacy can't think of one thing to put in hers.How can Stacy make her About-Me box as special as Jiwon's or Eddie's? She has to do something fast. Can she turn her box of troubles into a box of delights?

I thought this was a great book for young kids espically for those whom just starting school. This year instead of an about-me box, my son's class done a about-me bag. It's the same as the box but they had to put 5 things in a little brown paper luch bag,of things that tells about them and they could decorate there bags. I thought that was just an alsome idea for the little chaps to get to know each other and I had fun helping him fill his up. We put in all kinds of stuff, like a family photo,a toy car,his favorite DVD which is Cars lol, candy wrapper and sent in bag of candy where he could share with his class. Needless to say the little tikes enjoyed themselves not only from the candy but from learning about each other.
Everybody's special no matter what you put in a box or bag. We are all unique otherwise the world sure would be a boring place....

2012 Standalone Reading Challenge List

The Challenge
Read 15 2012 YA Standalone books (Books that are NOT part of a trilogy or ect..)between January and December 2012

For more information including a wonderful list to choose from visit our hosts at
I Like These Books and Icey Books

Here is my list. I have more than 15 listed because I had a hard time choosing right now but you only need to read 15.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
All These Lives by Sarah Wylie
Torn by Cat Clarke
Touched by Cyn Balog
The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker
Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen
Ten by Gretchen McNeil
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Partials by Dan Wells
Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova
Tilt by Ellen Hopkins
Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz
Edgling by Jordan Deen
Fated by Sarah Alderson
Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr
Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook
Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

Review - Unclean Spirits: Book One of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover

Unclean Spirits: Book One of the Black Sun's Daughter by M.L.N. Hanover
Released: July 28, 2009
Publisher: Pocket Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 400 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: M.L.N. Hanover

Jayné Heller thinks of herself as a realist, until she discovers reality isn't quite what she thought it was. When her uncle Eric is murdered, Jayné travels to Denver to settle his estate, only to learn that it's all hers -- and vaster than she ever imagined. And along with properties across the world and an inexhaustible fortune, Eric left her a legacy of a different kind: his unfinished business with a cabal of wizards known as the Invisible College.

Led by the ruthless Randolph Coin, the Invisible College harnesses demon spirits for their own ends of power and domination. Jayné finds it difficult to believe magic and demons can even exist, let alone be responsible for the death of her uncle. But Coin sees Eric's heir as a threat to be eliminated by any means -- magical or mundane -- so Jayné had better start believing in something to save her own life.

Unclean Spirits was action packed..always had something happening to keep me on my toes! It was a pageturner that I had trouble putting down and found myself waking up at night to read just a few more pages. Jayne is basically a loner with no friends, boyfriend, nor any family left that wants anything to do with her. She's sort of the black sheep because she wouldn't follow her father's rules. I felt kind of sorry for her not so much for the obvious reasons but because she just seems to have hit bottom in her life and needs something to hold onto..something to call hers and maybe even a shoulder to lean on. I could relate to that.

I loved Midian! He is sassy mouthed and funny at the same time and I just really enjoyed his two sense worth not to mention he could cook and boy I do think highly of men who know their way around a kitchen!

Aubrey was an okay character but I'm just not all that into him. He's just not tough enough for me and he seems more like a suit man whereas I am all about the jeans and leather and kick ass urban hero type. Maybe he will harden up in later books..I dunno but I just am not feeling him as Jayne's lover or sidekick.

Jayne is just getting her feet wet in book one and still not totally sure if this will be a one time thing with her by killing the thing that killed her uncle or if she resumes his work where he left off and help others with a supernatural crisis.

Review- Island Girls and Boys by Rachel Hawthorne

Island Girls and Boys by Rachel Hawthorne

Released: June 1, 2005
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Format: paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Rachel Hawthorne

Date: July 4
Rental type: 2-person sailboat
Rented by: Jen Taylor and Dylan Nelson
Rental time: 8:15 p.m.
Destination: Out to sea!
Life jackets: 2
Time back: ??? Don't wait up!

Fresh out of High School these 3 BFF's plan to spend there summer on a remote island before they say there goodbyes and head off to different colleges at the end of the summer.. Jennifer got them all summer jobs at the Coastal Campground Resorts to help pay there share of the uittilies and grocery costs while staying in her grandparents house.

I started reading this book and couldn't put it down! I got so caught up in the characters and there little tantrums. I can't say that I like one more than the other because they all have a quality that I can relate to in my younger and now self. Jennifer is a take charge kind of gal and like me I have to have things a certain way. I defiantly don't like changes of any sorts. Amy is more tender hearted and brings in all types of strays(cat,dogs,oh and um mm guys) and always in the middle of Jen's and Chell's squabbles. I feel for Amy because I know what it's like to have to keep the peace. I do it all the time with my youngsters...and Miss Chelsea; what a total drama queen, but she gets it honestly. She's the baby in her family and yes I'm the baby in mine. I had my moments and I still do lol. Anyhow Chelsea has a boyfriend (Noah one of the unexpected things) and she ends up spending all her time with him during their summer of independence. Jen doesn't approve of Noah staying with them and not partaking in his share of the costs. I have to agree I would be hot too but soon Jen finds something to take her mind off the matter at hand altogether when none other than a sexy blue eyed boy named Dylan comes into her life. Dylan's just a passerby also looking to have a good time before he goes off into the army. Unexpected things start to happen between Jen and Dylan. One he will be leaving soon and two they starting to fall in love with each other. What will the out come be???? Will Dylan stay with Jen until he has to go or will he just pack up and leave her heart broken??? Well whatever the outcome it's one summer they all will never forget.....

Jennifer, Amy, and Chelsea learns a valuable lesson during their time spent living together. They all learn that living together is not as easy as they expected it to be. It's not easy living on your own and they found that out real quick..Can there friendship withstand all the unexpected changes that's coming on the horizon???

Review- Pie In The Sky by Lois Ehlert

Reading level: Ages 3 and up
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (April 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0152165843
ISBN-13: 978-0152165840
Authors Site: Lois Ehlert

Do pies grow on trees? Join a father and child as they watch over their backyard cherry tree--and all the colorful living things surrounding it--throughout the seasons. At the end of the summer, they harvest the cherries together and make a delicious pie for the whole family to enjoy.
This stunning new book from bestselling author Lois Ehlert features color concepts, backyard natural history, vibrant collage illustrations, and, best of all, a recipe for making cherry pie. Yum!

Okay seems like Lois Ehlert is becoming one of my children's favorite authors. Every time we go to the library one of them checks out a book by her. lol... Not that I'm complaining! I'm really glad they enjoy her books as much as they do. I think Ehlert is a great children's author and I love her books as much as the kiddies do. They are fun and easy for the kids to read.

Pie in the sky is great for those of all ages. It shows the innocents of a child on how they think and learn. As grown ups we often forget the pricelessness of being a youngster ourselves. I'll never forget that my sister wanted to be an apple tree when she grew up. Well she's all grown up but I still don't see any apples hanging from her. LMAO Sorry issy you knows I love ya but that was just to darn funny.... All those crazy questions we asked our parents growing up and you know a child just knows everything or so they seem to think they do. Like in this story the little boy thinks pies is going to grow from the cherry tree. Everyday the boy looks at the tree and sees different shapes and colors on the tree, all types of insects and birds but never any pie. An one day when the cherries ripened his daddy finally says lets make a pie.

Review-Every-Day Dress-Up by Selina Alko

Reading level: Ages 5 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (October 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375860924
ISBN-13: 978-0375860928
Authors Website: Selina Alko

It's no secret that little girls love playing dress up, but the little girl in this book ditches her princess duds in favor of costumes inspired by great women in history.

What an fun adorable book I just loved everything about it. Besides playing ordinary everyday princess dress up. This little girl spices up her wardrobe every day of the week! She dresses up as a different famous woman in history. For example; Amelia Earhart, the First Lady of the US, and many more that I haven't even heard of. I found that Every-Day Dress-Up is very educational and fun all at the same time. Your child not only learns the days of the week, but also learns about history of different famous women and on how to be creative in learning; not to mention the illusturations are fun and unique. I highly recommend this book....

Review - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Released: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 464 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer doesn't believe life can 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.

Despite the mixed reviews I have read I really found myself enjoying this one in the begining but about three quarters in I think is where I started losing it and where I must agree it has some meh parts in it that I'm not too sure I understand the point of like the thing with the bugs at the zoo. I'm like what was that?

I'm not sure how to explain it but it was like okay here Mara is lost three classmates in a horrible accident, moved to a new school, made a friend, fell in love, maybe she's a bit pyschotic but she seems to be coping with it and so on in the biggest potion of the story and then almost right at the end all heck starts breaking loose which is fine but by the end of the story I am left feeling like I have more questions than answers!

Now that my quirks are listed let me tell you what I loved! NOAH! Noah is a smooth talking hottie and rich to boot and he loves Dogs which is a huge plus for me! Mara is a wonderful character as well. I love how even though she is missing her friend and still trying to piece things together, and maybe a bit pyschotic that she still has spunk and speaks her mind and is not some weakling.

As much as I absolutely adore my vampire, were, and other similar stories I was refreshed by the uniqueness of this one and can't wait to see where the next book takes us because oh yea the clifhanger is like a season finale to your favorite tv show! I kept flipping pages and crying NOOOOOO this can't be it! Not now don't cut me off now!

Review - 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Released: September 26, 2006
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 368 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Maureen Johnson

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one.

This book was so fabulous I don't even know how to begin my review! I can't imagine being given a set of envelopes and sent out to foreign lands like Ginny's aunt did her. I'm not sure I could do it which is why I think I enjoyed this book so much is because I got to galavant along with Ginny and not have to endure the fright factor. With that said I still found myself comparing my younger self to her and coming to the conclusion we were not so different actually. Neither of us had really done much traveling away from home, both sorta shy, and both seeking adventure.

I feel like Ginny really needed to go on this adventure even against her family's wishes because she needed to find herself and come out of her shell. Her aunt realized how Ginny was so much like her and would probably have never taken a step like this without a push and she would have missed out on so many things...maybe even the love of her life!

Keith ohh I loved him and was so happy when he and Ginny were together but totally hated what he done at Mari's even if he did have good intentions! His friends kinda had me rolling my eyes though. They were far to childish.

I have book two waiting and cant wait to see what happens next!

Review - Fallen by Traci L. Slatton

Fallen by Traci L. Slatton
Released: July 27, 2011
Publisher: Telemachus Press, LLC
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 242 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Traci L. Slatton

When the world ends, all that is left is love....

As chaos descends on a crippled Earth, survivors are tormented by strange psychic gifts. In this time of apocalyptic despair, love is put to the test. One woman with mysterious healing power guides seven children to safety. Charismatic Arthur offers her a haven. Slowly Emma falls for him. But at the moment of their sweetest love, his devastating secret is revealed, and they are lost to each other. Will Emma stay with him?

Oh my God! This book was soooo so good! The first few sentences draw you in and take you on an emotional roller coaster ride and just when you think it's okay to uncover your eyes or quit screaming it takes off again!

Emma is a woman who has been separated from her husband and older daughter, been thru heck and saw so much pain and suffering from the mists that have taken over and killed most everything in their path. Strange things are happening because of the mists...the ones who have survived them are either going insane or have heightened abilities like Emma who has discovered she has a healing power in her hands since they came that she had not had before and one of the girls who she has taken under her wing has developed a sort of psychic ability and can fortell things that are to come.

They eventually meet Arthur and his men and Emma begs him to take her and the orphaned children she has taken into her care back to his camp so that they may have security and a sense of safety away from the rogues who so often abuse and torture the weak. He says his camp is all men and no place for a woman and children but she offers him a trade he cant refuse though he tries...It begins as a "business arrangement" but turns into so much more than either expected especially since they both had secrets they were not sharing.

This was just such a wonderful story that at times made me laugh, other times made me wonder what in heck I would do in Emma's shoes, and yes there was sadness in parts as well but I'll let you find those parts for yourself.

The only thing that I really hate about Fallen is how it ended. This is book one of a trilogy that ended like a soap opera on a Friday afternoon with a cliff hanger leaving me wanting more.

In My Mailbox (8)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect..

This week was kinda slow. Don't even think we got mail but one day the entire week and ugh bills bills bills! On Friday the UPS truck showed up and made me smile though with the following series! (Thanks Simon & Schuster!)

The Black Sun's Daughter Series by M.L.N. Hanover
Unclean Spirits
Darker Angels
Vicious Grace
Killing Rites

I also have a giveaway going on for this entire series thanks to the wonderful folks at Simon & Schuster and you can enter that HERE

Know Me Better! (1)

1)-If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

My family including my poochies, a huge trunk of books, and a good supply of Sprite!

2)-What is one book everyone should read?

The Bible of course but other than that I cant fathom going thru life and never have read The Cat in The Hat by Dr Seuss

3)-If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Mind Control

4)-Harry Potter or Twilight?

Harry Potter because Bella gets on my nerves.

5)-Gum or Breath Mints?

I actually used to have an addiction to breath spray! My hubby would tease me because every few minutes he would hear me squirting it in my mouth but of those two I would say Gum so I can pop bubbles!

Don't forget to enter my Giveaway to win the entire 4 book set of The Black Sun's Daughter HERE

Giveaway: Black Sun's Daughter Series

To celebrate the release of the 4th book, Killing Rites, of the Black Sun's Daughter Series, Simon and Schuster has graciously offered up a complete set (books 1-4) to one lucky follower of this blog! Look at these gorgeous covers!

In a world where magic walks and demons ride, you can't always play by the rules.
Jayné Heller thinks of herself as a realist, until she discovers reality isn't quite what she thought it was. When her uncle Eric is murdered, Jayné travels to Denver to settle his estate, only to learn that it's all hers -- and vaster than she ever imagined. And along with properties across the world and an inexhaustible fortune, Eric left her a legacy of a different kind: his unfinished business with a cabal of wizards known as the Invisible College.

Led by the ruthless Randolph Coin, the Invisible College harnesses demon spirits for their own ends of power and domination. Jayné finds it difficult to believe magic and demons can even exist, let alone be responsible for the death of her uncle. But Coin sees Eric's heir as a threat to be eliminated by any means -- magical or mundane -- so Jayné had better start believing in something to save her own life.

Aided in her mission by a group of unlikely companions -- Aubrey, Eric's devastatingly attractive assistant; Ex, a former Jesuit with a lethal agenda; Midian, a two-hundred-year-old man who claims to be under a curse from Randolph Coin himself; and Chogyi Jake, a self-styled Buddhist with mystical abilities -- Jayné finds that her new reality is not only unexpected, but often unexplainable. And if she hopes to survive, she'll have to learn the new rules fast -- or break them completely....

Giveaway ends at midnight Eastern time on November 24,2011 and winner will be announced on Black Friday, November 25, 2011 Giveaway is US only and NO PO Boxes allowed! Prize will be shipped from publisher. (Thank you Simon and Schuster!)

Mandatory Entry: You must be a follower of this blog and answer this question in a comment below along with your email address so I can contact you if you win!
Question: What is your most anticipated new release in 2012?

Extra Entries:(1 point each- Put them in separate comments along with your email address)
+1 Follow me on Twitter
+1 Follow me on Tumblr
+1 Tweet this giveaway (Post link Please) (You may do this once per day)

Review - Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
Released: September 22, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Lesley Livingston

When Kelley moves to New York to pursue her dreams of theatrical success, she expects that her only encounters with mythical beings will be confined to the stage, in the Avalon Grande Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. All of that changes when she meets Sonny Flannery, who introduces Kelley to a world she never knew existed. A member of Auberon's Janus Guard, he patrols the portal (in Central Park) between the human and faerie worlds on the few dangerous nights when it opens and members of the Unseelie Court can pass into the mortal realm. He is strangely drawn to Kelley, and as he gets to know her, he begins to suspect that there is more to her history than either of them know. Through encounters with sirens, hellhounds, and kelpies, Kelley and Sonny are drawn irrevocably into a battle among the Fey.

Wondrous Strange was simply an Awesome story of a modern day magical version of Romeo and Juliet. Sonny and Kelley have become two of my all time favorite characters and they took me on a rollercoaster ride; well scratch that they took me on a carousel ride that was fun and magical and heartbreaking and frightning all at the same time.

I am very anxious to continue this series and find out more about the relationship and history of Kelley's father and her mother. I really loathe her father at this point but have mixed feelings on her mother. Does either of them care about her at all or is she just a pawn in a power struggle? One thing is for certain...I learned a valuable lesson thru Sonny's mistake; always make doggone sure when making a deal with a magical creature that you have all your facts verified and laid out on the table leaving no loopholes for later chaos!

If you have not read this series yet...What Are You Waiting For? Go! Read! It!

In My Mailbox (7)

Hosted by The Story Siren, In My Mailbox is a weekly meme of what goodies we got to read during the week either thru mail, library, or ect..I haven't made an IMM in a coupla weeks so this is like 2 weeks worth of goodies.

Won:
Awake at Dawn by CC Hunter from Author
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson from Jen Ryland
The Veil by Cory Putnam Oakes (signed) from Author/Goodreads
The Time In Between by Maria Duenas from Atria Books

For Review:
Stomp Out The Bullying by Angel McGowan
Hunter of Shadows by Nancy Gideon
Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2 by John Austin
Fallen by Traci L. Slatton
The Blacksmiths Daughter by Arley Cole
The Next Thing I knew by John Corwin
Pyxis by KC Neal
Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo
The Belonging by Eric Del Carlo

Paperback Swap:
Complete Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

Bought:
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop Winner

and the winner is... Post 148-----Dominique

Thank you to all who entered. Winner has been emailed. I wish I could give all of you a gift but never fear if you didn't win this go round I have more holiday giveaways to come as well as a special follower giveaway. Have a great weekend!

Friday Follow (9)

Welcome to Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee and AlisonCanRead

This weeks Featured BloggersSky Ink & The Magic Attic

This weeks question:
Q.Today's Question is something new, an activity. We want to see what you look like! Take a pic with you and your current read! Too shy? Boo! Just post a fun pic you want to share.

A. I dont take good photo's especially of myself but here goes with my read of the moment. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Review - STOMP OUT the Bullying by Angel McGowan

STOMP OUT the Bullying by Angel McGowan
Released: October 7, 2011
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Age Group: Childrens
Pages: 30 Pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher/Author
Rating: 4/5
Authors Site: Angel McGowan

Mikey lies awake in bed at night because he is worried about what is going to happen in school the next day. Mikey's frustration grows and he almost makes a wrong decision, because he listens to a friend. Finally, Mikey learns that his teacher, Mr. Jones, can do more than teach math.

This was a great children's book letting kids know about bullying and how to deal with it. It explains how fighting and running away only adds fuel to the flames and that you should advise a trusted adult of your situation.

I loved that this was a story geared towards a smaller childs point of view because bullying needs to be identified and "stomped out" at an earlier age before it becomes a bigger problem.


Angel McGowan is a fifteen-year old junior at JL Mann High School in Greenville, South Carolina. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and basketball team. She is also a two-time USAIGC National Gymnastic Champion. Angel enjoys writing, playing basketball and spending time with her family and friends. Ultimately, Angel plans on becoming a pediatrician. The Illustrator, Matthew Linn is a fifteen-year old sophomore at JL Mann High School in Greenville, South Carolina. He is an avid soccer player. He plans to pursue a career in art after college.