Book Crazy

Sadened

2011-10-25T09:16:00.001-04:00

It's been so long, I finally figured out thanks to Aubrey, how to post again - but the comments were beyond horrible...so I think it might be time to say good-bye for good...I have started reading again, and thought maybe I could come back, but now I just don't think so.

I miss all my reading friends!

Review - Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

2011-04-19T09:51:00.001-04:00

7 Sexy Brothers + 1 Kick Ass Sister + 1 Crazy, Messed up, Amazing World = The Drake Chronicles!

The Drake Chronicles are like nothing you have ever read before – promise...with each book comes the promise of a new brother, and a new story – yet, at the same time, with each new book, the “world” that Alyxandra has created flows all around you, filling up more and more of those invisible cracks, answering more and more of those intriguing and disarming questions.

Like a snowstorm that dumps 12 feet of snow – The Drake Chronicles, started slow for me – The first book, My Love Lies Bleeding, left me questioning...don't get me wrong I liked it, and I still do – but I had so many questions, and I felt like I had to almost push myself to enjoy it. Then I read Blood Feud and with more questions answered and more information flowing – I fell even more in love with the “world” - as well as the people.

Synopsis via goodreads:
Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

I think honestly, if I were to pour out a bag of M&M's there might be fewer of them than characters in Out For Blood – heck for that matter, all The Drake Chronicles books. The cast is huge, and somewhat disarming – it's tough to have 7 brothers, 1 sister, love interests, parents, guards, plus the Hounds, as well as the “bad guys” - all in one book, it's daunting...yet somehow Alyxandra is able to keep them separate, giving each character not only a sense of self but also allowing the reader to come to know them well enough, that when someone’s talking you just KNOW who it is.

In this book we get to know Quinn, one of the Drake Brother's and twin to Connor; he's a womanizer and a player – always hanging out at the clubs, always with a different girl on his arm...his phone is so full of names and numbers it's hardly working anymore. He's nothing like his brothers, and for that he's grateful – he has never minded the blood change, what's there to miss after all? A proverbial night owl, on the prowl for the hottest woman he can find!

At the same time he's fiercely protective, as all the boys are of Sol, the baby of the family and the only girl born to any vampire clan in over 100 years. She's destined to be queen, if only she can make it though her own blood change.

We also meet Hunter, aptly named Hunter is a Vampire Hunter, the youngest in a long of the elite, she trains and schools at the Helios-Ra Academy – she excels at nearly everything she tries – a determined leader and a self made woman, Hunter does not take shit from anyone!

These two characters, along with little glimpses from Sol, Lucy as well as the other brother's gives this installment enough mysterious moments to make it pulse pounding, yet they also offer enough of there distinct personalities to make it funny, personable and real.

Bottom Line – I love the way Alyxandra Harvey has wielded this intense story...each book with it's different characters as our “main voices” yet, at the same time she brings in more and more information, as the danger ensues. This one has to be my favorite so far – I just fell in love a little bit with Hunter...she's a hero worth fighting with! An enchanting world with alluring details and a daring plot make this a funny and fierce read!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? Alyxandra wields, funny characters, a hint of love, and a dynamic, multilayered plot, which stole my heart! It's a must read series!

Out for Blood (The Drake Chronicles, #3)
By: Alyxandra Harvey
Published: November 1, 2010
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Friday Fav. with Elizabeth Isaacs

2011-04-15T08:03:00.001-04:00

It seems that everyone who reads Asteria is fascinated with the character of Edna. Her voice speaks to them, her wisdom, peppered with humor, gives her an endearing familiarity. In truth, Edna is named after my mom, but her spunk comes from my grandmother and her wisdom from my great-grandmother.

I grew up in the city, and my grandparents lived three hours away in the deep recesses of the country. When I was little, I thought that western Kentucky was a different world. One where people got dirt under their nails, grew their own food, and got up with the sun. Everyone had a gravel drive, and if you didn’t break a sweat hiking to the mailbox there was something wrong with you. I once made the mistake of telling my grandfather that I didn’t have anything to do. Two gallons of paint and an acre of fence later, I discovered that boredom doesn’t exist on the farm.
Because of Mammaw and Pap, cantaloupe tastes a little sweeter, corn is considered a nighttime snack, and I actually like rhubarb pie.

The summer days were filled with fishing, driving at the ripe old age of 12, and topping strawberries, but I’ll be the first to admit my fondest memories were at night. Card games, swinging on an old metal glider, and listening to a bullfrog that was so loud I was sure he must be as big as the barn ... these are the memories I cherish most. Even though we lost Mammaw a few years back, Pap died when before I graduated college, I miss them so much sometimes my heart still aches.

And so, in honor of Edna, I'm proud to be giving away an ebook AND a signed copy of The Light of Asteria.

Thanks for the post, Beth.

First, I want a memory, what do you remember most about your grandparents, or great grandparents or maybe even an (older) friend you looked up to like a grandma or grandpa.

I would be pleased if you shared it on your own blog, then came back and shared the link...but your welcome to drop Jenn an email at Jenn@book-crazy.com or leave your memory in the comments. (This memory does not have to be long or crazy in dept, just a few sentences will work!)

A winner will be chosen at random, but if it's alright with you entries will be shared here on the date the winner is announced - who can't get enough loving memories, right?

Now, if you want a few extra entries your welcome to follow Elizabeth in one of 2 places, her website or her fanpage on facebook!

For the winner of the book, only those in the US can win, but for the eBook, it's international! So get those fingers writing, I can't wait to see what memories you all come up with!

Winner's will be chosen on April 27th (My Birthday)!

Music Monday

2011-04-13T10:01:00.000-04:00

As I am sure you have noticed, I have been MIA for a LONG time!

I apologize! No excuses, but I am working on coming back, I have reviews I have written but never posted, that I am going to work the next few weeks to get up, at least once per week...I am finally back to reading again - YEAH! Though not nearly as fast as I used to, life just will not allow that...I am getting back to it!

I am also going to work on getting back to the Music Monday feature! (YEAH!)

So, if your interested please email me, I would love LOVE to have you!!! And if you have forgotten what Music Monday is here's a little bit more info:

Music Monday is brought to you by Book Crazy (AKA. Me), we work on show casing other bloggers! Our goal is to help you get to know them, though there blog and music. If you would like to be apart of Music Monday please email me, or visit our Music Monday page for more information.

Review - Intrinsical by Lani Woodland

2011-04-12T09:50:00.000-04:00

My grandma lived right off a dirt road, in the country, on a mountain, I still visit her house sometimes, remembering the days when her heart beat inside the walls, it's almost as if I can still hear her calling from the door as I drive away.

On the road you take to get there, it's easy to become lost in the world your eyes are seeing, the exquisite details, the beautiful colors and the pungent smells, it's every detail worlds apart from where I live! However, you MUST keep your eyes on the road, for if you don't and one of those sharp turns comes up or a deer comes flying at you from no were, you could be plunged into nothingness in the blink of an eye.

Intrinsical had me feeling much the same way...

Sometimes I would get so lost in the beauty of the deeply developed story, that when a twist would come up I was blindsided, so caught off guard, I felt as if I was plunged into nothingness; it was so easy to be pulled into this novel, to loose myself and to forget where I was going – the ride was beautiful, with effortless details, that went along with the disturbing and very eerie plot, I can't remember the last time I was so shaken by a plot!

Synopsis via goodreads:
Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist's attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly.

Lani Woodland created characters that were so engaging, fresh and unique; I laughed at there banter, cried at there destruction and triumphed with them in there every victory! Yara and Brent are like two peas in a pod, I craved there banter, and felt surrounded by the unique way they had with each other. I also loved Yara's best friend Cherie, she's a heart of gold character that added so much to this unique tail!

One gripe I have with Intrinsical, you can't read it while tired, not much of a gripe huh? Probably not, but it's true – because this novel is so fast paced and because it's SO full of details, it's one you really need focus on to understand, at least I did. While trying to finish it, I was so mesmerized by the story that I was loosing details, I had to sleep...but after a few hours, the story pulled me to it again, desperate to find out how it would all work out, which honestly I was SURE would not happen – I can say I was pleasantly surprised by just HOW things pulled together and flowed towards the ending...

Though, I am not at all sure why I was surprised, being Lani Woodland has an incredible talent, for details but not just pertaining to the “world” she created but also the intricate details of the plot, it's obvious at least to me that months of planning must have gone into Intrinsical to make it all work the way it did; fingers fitting closely together, interwoven so your not sure where one hand ends and the next begins.

Bottom Line – With eerie twists and devilish turns, Intrinsical holds one of the best laid plots I have ever read, with it's detailed elements, each a different puzzle piece to this hugely expansive story, all somehow fitting finely together to make it all come together. Lani Woodland is a talent, I never felt rushed to understand, or rushed to judgments – it all unfolded, well perfectly. With a story that takes your breath away, characters that will have you belly laughing and a poetic rhythm, I give Intrinsical 5 mushrooms, I can't WAIT to read more from Lani!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? Intrinsical is not a novel you want to miss, especially if you are a lover of eerie tales that set your belly rolling and keep you up at night!

Intrinsical (The Yara Silva Trilogy, #1)
By Lani Woodland
Publisher: Pendrell Publishing
Published: August 20, 2010

It's been a long time...

2010-12-27T19:02:00.000-05:00

I have been debating on how to come back, and when for a while now – I keep wanting to, even though I am not reading nearly the way I was, life has just gotten to complicated for that – but I miss you, I miss my readers, and my friends.

So, today I am hoping you will welcome me back...

First I have to offer some HUGE apologizes, I have been gone along time, so books have been unread and unreviewed, tours have come and gone with out me, and for that I am truly from the bottom of my heart sorry...there's no excuse I can offer, not one that's good enough...I had responsibilities and I failed, I am very sorry for that!

The reason I have been gone so long, life pure and simple...mom has been ill, in and out of the hospital a few times, 6 rounds of Chemo, and weeks of our life surrounding her hoping and praying she would/will get better and recover.

It's been a long road, of little to no reading but that's not all...I would be lying if I said it was...I also have a new guy in my life, if you follow me at all on Facebook you probably have seen mention of him. His name is Lee, and we have been dating for about 3 months. It's going good, very good so far.

Also, I have been working a lot, I put together an impromptu “sale” for my photography business right before Christmas and it kind of took off, which is a VERY good thing...so I have been busy as a bee working on shooting as well as editing photographs...then there's always ordering, ect.

So, I have been busy, and have been finding it hard to read, I am 100% committed to blogging again, I have tons of reviews I have written that have not posted yet, or maybe not tons but several, and I am starting to get back on the reading train, so while it might not be the 3-4 reviews a week blog it once was, I hope it can be a once a week blog at least again, that is if your happy to have me back! :)

Enjoy the rest of the holiday's and look for more posts in 2011 here at Book Crazy!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - Review

2010-11-18T06:53:00.000-05:00

Better than chocolate, better than a 75 degree day with the top down driving though a quiet town on a Sunday afternoon...

Anna and the French Kiss is one of the best, if not THE BEST Contemporary Romance novels I have ever read, it's witty, smart, engaging, sweet and endearing!

Synopsis via goodreads:
Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

Anna and the French kiss has EVERYTHING you look for in a contemporary romance and more!! To be honest, Anna and the French Kiss is a book I was not at all sure I wanted to read, but after seeing some of the reviews from reviewers I trust and love, I figured what the heck!

Now it's a book that MUST have a place on my shelves....December 2nd can NOT come soon enough for me!

I laughed, I cried, I yearned to have a love like Anna and Etienne's, a love that's soft, powerful, a love where you feel like you really can dance like there's no one watching, because even if you stumble no one will love you more than he can, ever!

Anna and the French Kiss is not a good book, not even close - it's STELLER, AMAZING, good for the soul - a book that will remind you, about friendships, and love...A book, that brought a gentle tear to my eye, a giddy feeling to my heart, and a bounce to my step.

If you love contemporary romance at all - THIS is the book to own!!! This is it, I can't say it enough, it's a truly an amazing story!

The way that Stephanie Perkins crafts this story of love, is powerfully real, and so dynamic...I can't remember the last time a book took me though a real JOURNEY of love.

Gertude Stine once said, "America is my country and Paris is my hometown." But in the case of Anna and Etienne, Paris is not there home town, finding each other became here home!

Brilliant Stephanie, Brilliant!

Bottom Line – I both love and hate reading novels like Anna and the French Kiss; a love like this should be something that every person in the world is entitled to have! Loving is not a privilege only afforded to the pages with in a book, yet sadly most people struggle to find it, I know I do. Then again, like Anna, sometimes we find things when we are least expecting them. Even sitting here, now just writing the review I am in tears, thinking about it! :)

I honestly, can't say enough about Anna and the French Kiss, it's phénoménal! 5++ Mushrooms!!!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? I know, this Saturday when I am finished my photo shoot (which I must complete first) I will be pre-ordering this book, it's a MUST have for me...and I urge you to make it a MUST buy for you too!

Anna and the French Kiss
By: Stephanie Perkins
384 Pages
Published: December 2, 2010
Publisher: Dutton
Received via an ARC tour for my honest review.

Character Interview: Julia from The Emerald Talisman and The Sapphire Talisman

2010-11-01T08:48:00.000-04:00

Today I am excited to have Julia, from Brenda Pandos amazing books The Emerald Talisman and upcoming book The Sapphire Talisman which will be out December 15th, here at Book Crazy!

Welcome Julia!

What is your favorite thing about Nicholas? There isn’t anyone I’ve met who completes me like Nicholas does. We fit together like puzzle pieces and my soul knew it the moment we officially met. Though my mind fought the concept at first, my heart kept trying to get me to be patient until I could find out the truth for myself. He gets me and understands me better than I know myself, and because of the tie we have from the experience of my mother’s death, I know nothing could break us apart.

How different do you think your life would be if you didn't have the empathy? Frankly, I don’t think I’d be alive. Without my gift, I wouldn’t have known to run from the stalker (aka vampire) in the woods to begin with when Nicholas saved my life initially. And, I wouldn’t have known who to trust.

If you could have your mother back, but it meant losing Nicholas, would you do it? It would be sacrificing one grief for another. Luckily, I don’t have to make that decision. I don’t think I could choose. I want and need them both so badly, I could never sacrifice one for the other.

Just between us, what do you really think of Alora? She’s a royal witch to put it lightly and there are so many bad words I want to call her, but for the sake of your audience, I won’t repeat them. I can’t believe all the trouble she’s caused in my life and friends who have become vampires at her hand. I hope one day I get to be the one who stakes her cold dead heart.

Can you give us a hint of what we can expect to be upcoming in the series? Go Giants! Oh, wait. You aren’t talking about the World Series. Sorry.

Well, I thought my life was a roller coaster before but everything that just happened in the last week made that look like a stroll on the beach. Imagine being stuck on the tea cup ride and unable to get off, if that gives you any indication. There will be thrills, chills and mind warping revelations, along with new people to love and hate.

Thanks for the interview. I hope you enjoy the next book!

Thanks so much Julia for taking the time to chat with us!!!

To learn more about Brenda and her "Talisman" series:
Brenda's home on the web
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
And to order your copy of The Sapphire Talisman early, click here!

Character Interview with Emily from Knight Angels

2010-10-25T06:45:00.000-04:00

Today I am thrilled to introduce you to Emily from Knight Angels, Book of Love and Book of Revenge!

Emily, it's so nice to have you hear at Book Crazy, thanks for stopping by!

Totally excited.

You have an incredibly cool all-be-it totally annoying talent, can you tell us what's the most bazaar thing you have ever heard?
The most bizarre things always pertain to the bathroom. To me, this room is much more than what most consider it to be, and quite frankly it freaks me out. The worst is when I'm in the bathroom and someone else comes in... seriously. I don't want to go into detail because quite frankly my mind won't let me re-live it, but I'm pretty sure you can paint your own picture on the subject. (Shivers)

You and Jane, have somewhat of a strained relationship, as I think at least in part most siblings do, could you tell us your favorite (and least favorite) part of having her for a sister?
My favorite part of having her as a sister is the fact that even though she acts like she hates me, and I know she doesn't, she is always there for me when I do something stupid. I used to really hate her for caring so much, but over the past month I've realized that that's not such a bad thing. My least favorite part of having her as a sister is that, on the other side of things, she can be a major tattle tale and downer to my mojo. Forget my mother, she's more of a mother to me and I hate her all the same. Naturally, though, in the end we're family and there's no running away from that.

In the books, Abra does a wonderful job allowing us to get to know you, and very well – one thing she lacks to tell us (though she does mention you love music) is what you listen to most?
Yeah, I don't like to tell anyone what I listen to, especially her. I feel like Abra would paint me as a fluffy freak if I did tell her. Between you and me, though, I'm a sucker for Diana Krall. That woman can even make a rubber ball sound swanky. I actually re-name all her songs in iTunes so that it looks like I'm listening to Evanescence all the time, which I do listen to as well, but Diana is my guilty pleasure.

What has been your most favorite moment with Wes?
I guess the first time I got him to change into the lion was my favorite. It was so unexpected and brilliant. I'm devious like that.

Can you divulge any secrets that might be upcoming in the Knight Angel's series? Abra left us at a really interesting moment and I am dieing to know some secrets (I promise I won't tell anyone).
Yeah. I hate her at the moment. Girl to girl, I'm a little confused. I mean, my sister is all wherever she is, leaving me with the craziness thereafter, which is a bit annoying. Not to mention the ongoing mystery of the guy in the rocking chair....... Jake and his stupid blue light.....

Whatever.

Oh and one last question, that vampire guy, Jake right...what do you think about him?
(Snorts) He's cocky, and I hate it. (Shifts Uncomfortably). Blue light... So what....

HMM, thank you Emily for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us, sounds like things could get interesting with blue light guy, looking forward to it! :)

Friday Fav. - Guest post with Stefne Miller author of Salvaged

2010-10-22T07:41:00.000-04:00

Life is full of tragedies, unexpected events, unfair situations and horrifyingly embarrassing moments. Trust me, I’ve had plenty of the above. As you walk through those experiences, it can almost be too much to bear and there’s that moment when almost every single one of us looks towards the sky and mutters: “Why me?”

Well, if you’re a writer the answer can be: Material!

Growing up, I experienced my share of the oddest moments one could ever imagine and now I have the opportunity to relive them. How? I torture my characters by making them experience the exact same things. Usually the characters come out the other side looking better than I ever did but it’s only because I’ve had a “few” years to think about what I would have done differently. I can look back on the situation and take out a life lesson and if I can’t manage to do that, the least I can do is laugh about it.

My freakinly awesome Volkswagon Convertible Bug catching on fire and burning to the ground while hoards of people watched: At the time (I was 16) I thought I would die of embarrassment and grief. Now, it’s the one thing that all of my friends from High School love to talk about on Facebook. Eveyone remembers it and the episode brings a laugh every time the subject comes up.

My first formal and wearing a dress so big that my date had to sit in the back of the truck (his mother was driving): I would’ve preferred someone just go ahead and dig my grave and stick me in it. It was by far the most embarrassing moment of a lifetime. Now? Okay, it’s still embarrassing but I can laugh about it and I can’t wait to subject one of my characters to a similar first date disaster.

I even had my husband and best friends give me their most embarrassing moments and I wrote them into my first novel, Salvaged.

Having my tires slashed in high school – it’s in a book.

Horrible rumors being spread about me by the girl whose ex-boyfriend decided to ask me out – also retold in a book.

Parent’s divorcing and therefore losing all hope in true love or the notion that two people can actually love each other their entire lives – yep, it’s in a story too. And it includes all my questions of why, how, what if….
My life has been a messy adventure and I’ve managed to take moments that seemingly happened for no apparent reason and turn them into the very things that make my characters more real. For it’s those events in our lives where we say: “I couldn’t have made this up if I wanted to;” that end up being the most fun to write and for the reader to experience second hand. And it’s those heartbreaking moments that I’ve experienced and pass on to my characters that allow the reader to relate and understand that they aren’t alone.

For all you writers out there – find cheer in those moments of misery because one day you’ll be able to torture your characters with similar events. Even better ~ walking through it again, may bring some closure. For it’s in reliving that we can heal. It’s in crying that we release fears and hurts. And in many cases, laughter is the best medicine of all.

Salvaged Trailer:

To find out more about Stefne and Salvaged:
Stefne Miller.com
Stefne on Facebook
Stefne on Twitter
Facebook Fan Page for Salvaged

And to read my review of Salvaged by Stefne:
Stefne Miller's Salvaged

Author Interview with Judith Graves author of Under My Skin

2010-10-21T09:30:00.000-04:00

If you could sum up Under My Skin in 10 words or less what would you say?
Buffy meets Beauty and her inner BEAST.

Did you “plan” Under My Skin? Or did you know some of the major plot points but mostly it came to you while writing?
I did a ton of planning for UMS. I had pages and pages of possible plot lines / twists. Ultimately, the story went in directions even I never expected. But all that plotting weeded out the silly ideas and ultimately made the book better. (Well, that and my brilliant crit group and my fearless editor.)

Is there anything you MUST do or have in order to write?
A pen and something (or someone) to write on.

Oh, okay, chocolate is a must as well.

What, do you, think is the most important part of a book, beginning, middle or end? Why?
The beginning. Because if the book doesn’t catch you right away, you’ll never finish it.

If you could trade places with any other person for 1 week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. Whom would it be and why?
Hmmm….a week is a long time to someone else. I have a feeling I’d discover some not so pleasant aspects, famous person, living, dead, or otherwise. Still, spending a week as Buffy Summers could be cool – saving the world twice and all that. ;)

To Find out more about Judith and Under My Skin:
Judith Graves Online
Twitter
Facebook

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles - Review

2010-10-21T07:31:00.000-04:00

I started reading 5 hours ago, sure I would read a few chapters then head to bed...but the more immersed into Maggie and Caleb's heads I became, the more it because impossible to separate from the story...

I am sure you have all seen the commercial, about how many licks it take to the center of a tootsie roll lolly pop and in the end no one finds out because you know the center holds the best part, and you just cant wait.

Return To Paradise was just like eating a Tootsie Pop - each page, was like a lick and when I thought of putting it down, even though sleep was calling me, I knew the best was yet to come and I just could not wait any longer...I had to devour it.

Simone Elkeles is one of my favorite writers, and with stories like Leaving Paradise and now Return To Paradise – the reason's are clear...Simone writes with a passion, her stories are rot with humor, yet at the same time they crush your heart, leaving your feelings hanging out for all the world to see. She's got a desire to pull you into the story, allowing it to fill you up – like a cup, Simone Elkeles writing is always full – of details that enchant you, of characters that delight and overwhelm you and of a sense of family that you cling to.

Just like with Leaving Paradise, Return To Paradise brings us back into the world of Maggie and Caleb – in alternating Points of View – and because of that, we continue on the journey back into their world, just as we left off, though it's been 8 months, the pain is still there for both of them...and though I don't feel as though I can give you a summery without spoiling Leaving Paradise – I can tell you how connected I felt with BOTH Maggie and Caleb...

Caleb is still the cocky guy he was in Leaving Paradise, though I think it's worse – while we all know Caleb's heart, he's exposed us to it, at least little glimpses of it in Leaving Paradise, these last 8 months have not been kind, and he's pulled even further away from not only those that love him, but also from himself. He's more broken, than he ever was before – feeling totally alone, and completely worthless....but Caleb, as always shows a strength even in his darkest hours that sparks a light that, though it's tough to see sometimes it has been known to shine brighter than the mid day sun! He's just gotta get though the hard stuff, so you can see it!

Maggie reminds me of a pillar holding up a pier, much the same way a pillar withstands wave after wave, never crumbling, Maggie does the same – she's been though more than any one person should ever have to be, yet because of that...she's strong, beautiful, with a soul that's on fire. She's the light from a lighthouse calling home the wayward sailors. With her strength, determination and love – she's a character that wears her heart on her sleeve, often allowing it to get dirty, but never being one to be able to hide it away...that's just not how she rolls!

The other characters in this addiction of Paradise, were wonderful as well – I loved Lenny, with his quick wit, he was never one to let a moment pass by with out a joke! Seeing Damon again, perfect, he made such an impact in Leaving Paradise, it was good to see him return – I think the world needs more Damon's!

Bottom Line - One of my favorite things to do, is to stand in the wind or drive with the windows open to feel the wind on my face...it's like a comfort to me, and getting to know these characters again, was just like feeling the wind envelop my body...I felt cradled and loved, yet there's a sense of intense desire and a beautiful longing brought forth as well. Simone Elkeles, draws you into a novel, to were it consumes you, becoming like a hunger you can't quite satisfy until your finished! I give Return To Paradise 5 mushrooms – it's a beautiful ending to what started out as an amazingly epic love story!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? If you love a beautifully told love story, with plenty of teen angst to go along with it, Leaving Paradise and Return To Paradise are both books you will enjoy...they bring teenage life home, in a real and poignant way – I never thought I would want to relive those day's and honestly I don't but if I could live out a beautiful life like Maggie's (even though it's filled with so much pain), I might reconsider!

Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #2)
By: Simone Elkeles
302 Pages
Published: September 1, 2010
Publisher: Flux
Received via the publisher for my honest review.

Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #2) by Simone Elkeles - Review

2010-10-21T06:59:00.000-04:00

I started 5 hours ago, sure I would read a few chapters then head to bed...but the more immersed into Maggie and Caleb's heads I became, the more it became impossible to separate from the story...

I am sure you have all seen the commercial, about how many licks it take to the center of a tootsie roll lolly pop and in the end no one finds out because you know the center holds the best part, and you just can't wait.

Return To Paradise was just like eating a Tootsie Pop - each page, was like a lick and when I thought of putting it down, even though sleep was calling me, I knew the best was yet to come and I just could not wait any longer...I had to devour it.

Simone Elkeles is one of my favorite writers, and with stories like Leaving Paradise and now Return To Paradise – the reason's are clear...Simone writes with a passion, her stories are rot with humor, yet at the same time they crush your heart, leaving your feelings hanging out for all the world to see. She's got a desire to pull you into the story, allowing it to fill you up – like a cup, Simone Elkeles writing is always full – of details that enchant you, of characters that delight and overwhelm you and of a sense of family that you cling to.

Just like with Leaving Paradise, Return To Paradise brings us back into the world of Maggie and Caleb – in alternating Points of View – and because of that, we continue on the journey back into their world, just as we left off, though it's been 8 months, the pain is still there for both of them...and though I don't feel as though I can give you a summery without spoiling Leaving Paradise – I can tell you how connected I felt with BOTH Maggie and Caleb...

Caleb is still the cocky guy he was in Leaving Paradise, though I think it's worse – while we all know Caleb's heart, he's exposed us to it, at least little glimpses of it in Leaving Paradise, these last 8 months have not been kind, and he's pulled even further away from not only those that love him, but also from himself. He's more broken, than he ever was before – feeling totally alone, and completely worthless....but Caleb, as always shows a strength even in his darkest hours that sparks a light that, though it's tough to see sometimes it has been known to shine brighter than the mid day sun! He's just gotta get though the hard stuff, so you can see it!

Maggie reminds me of a pillar holding up a pier, much the same way a pillar withstands wave after wave, never crumbling, Maggie does the same – she's been though more than any one person should ever have to, yet because of that...she's strong, beautiful, with a soul that's on fire. She's the light from a lighthouse calling home the wayward sailors. With her strength, determination and love – she's a character that wears her heart on her sleeve, often allowing it to get dirty, but never being one to be able to hide it away...that's just not how she rolls!

The other characters in this addiction of Paradise, were wonderful as well – I loved Lenny, with his quick wit, he was never one to let a moment pass by with out a joke! Seeing Damon again, perfect, he made such an impact in Leaving Paradise, it was good to see him return – I think the world needs more Damon's!

Bottom Line - One of my favorite things to do, is to stand in the wind or drive with the windows open to feel the wind on my face...it's like a comfort to me, and getting to know these characters again, was just like feeling the wind envelop my body...I felt cradled and loved, yet there's a sense of intense desire and a beautiful longing brought forth as well. Simone Elkeles, draws you into a novel, to were it consumes you, becoming like a hunger you can't quite satisfy until your finished! I give Return To Paradise 5 mushrooms – it's a beautiful ending to what started out as an amazingly epic love story!

Buy Borrow or Steal? If you love a beautifully told love story, with plenty of teen angst to go along with it, Leaving Paradise and Return To Paradise are both books you will enjoy...they bring teenage life home, in a real and poignant way – I never thought I would want to relive those day's and honestly I don't but if I could live out a beautiful life like Maggie's (even though it's filled with so much pain), I might reconsider!

Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #2)
By: Simone Elkeles
302 Pages
Published: September 1, 2010
Publisher: Flux
Received via the publisher for my honest review. Thank you!

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - Review

2010-10-19T06:43:00.000-04:00

Family, duty, desire, love....Calla has all of these in her life, she's always been a Guardian, protector, Alpha...her life is set, in stone it seems, life as an Alpha does not come with an “out clause.” Why should it, the Keepers are there. They make the decisions, it's always been that way.

Calla is good at her job, she loves her pack, puts up with Ren the Alpha of the rival wolfpack and soon to be her beloved. She has no reason to question her life, her duty or her decisions...until one day, it seems destiny changes, or shifts – Shay walks into her life, and it's bound to never, ever be the same!

Shay is not like the “normal” humans she knows, they usually keep there distance from the wolf packs, but Shay, is strong, determined and he's set his sights on Calla...when one of the Keepers demands that Shay be protected, watched and looked after; it becomes Calla's duty to comply...but at what cost, and just who will bear the brunt, of this terrible price?

Synopsis via goodreads:
While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.

First off, YES, Nightshade IS another Werewolf book, I am getting kinda sick of them really, similar to Vampires, it seems like, it's all been said, done and explored – what MORE could someone really bring to these creatures?

Honestly, I believed, not much – until I picked up Nightshade, it was like falling into a waterfall might feel, I was dragged, rolled, kicked, and tumbled into this world, draw in, often times gasping for air...could there really be, another side, a more dramatic story?

There can be, and I found it with in the pages of Nightshade...it's NOT just “another werewolf book” it's so much more than that, and honestly, for me the werewolf part of the story almost sat back seat to the lore of this world, the dense population of characters, and the ever present love, desire and willfulness on Calla's part to do what's best for everyone, though painful as it is, it's not something that even she could count on.

It's an amazing story, scary, prolific, beautiful and intoxicating – with characters that vaulted off the page, werewolf lore that's never been explored before, and text that's every changing, yet captivating – I honestly had to STOP myself from reading, wanting to think over parts I just read, to allow myself to digest them, almost like my gecko takes his time, while eating his dinner of crickets – I needed to take my time, wrap my mind around bits and pieces, allowing the story to come to life...I found myself dreaming of Calla, as well as Shay, not to mention the beautiful world they live in.

Bottom Line - Nightshade is a book you read in hours not days; though it's over 400 pages, I dare you to try to rip yourself away from it, for very long at least! The life created with in it's pages is gentle, dangerous, delicious, and unique. And, in the end – I am DIEING for the next book, Wolfsbane! I don't know what to believe, whom to trust or where to look...like Calla, I found myself so involved that, I cried out when the book was over, turning over the pages....looking past the Acknowledgments, knowing there HAD to be more!

Andrea Cremer has done it, I was not sure there could be another book like The Pace, that I found myself so imbedded into the story that when it was over, and I was dangling over the cliff, I wanted to find Andrea, and reach out and yell at her for leaving me in the lurch...but it's happened, I can only say that this reviewer will be NOT so patiently waiting the sequel, I MUST know what happeneds next... there's no choice...only desire.

I give Nightshade 5 HUGELY ripe mushrooms, having the amazing opportunity to read this one early is a blessing and a curse, a blessing because I got to enter this dynamic world months in advance, and a curse because I must wait even longer to devour Wolfsbane!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? What are you waiting for it's out TODAY!!!

NightShade (Nightshade, #1)
By: Andrea Cremer
464 Pages
Published: October 19, 2010 (HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY)
Publisher: Philomel
Received via an ARC tour for my honest review.

2010-10-18T06:10:00.000-04:00

What's your favorite thing to blog about: (besides books)
I love to blog about teaching and my classroom. I blogged about my classroom library in June and I got so many good ideas from fellow bloggers. I actually took many of their suggestions and implemented them this year. I also am a beach bum, so I love to blog about traveling and my favorite beaches. I try and post photos from my trips whenever I can.

Name 3 interesting things about yourself no one knows (or not your fellow bloggers anyway):
1) I have biked down the steepest paved road in the world....twice. (Haleakala Volcano, Maui.)
2) I'm only a second generation American. I have relatives over in Italy and Slovakia.
3) When I was in high school, I competed nationally in cheerleading on ESPN. (Everyone always makes fun of me for this! )

If you could listen to music all day long, which 4 albums would keep
you most company:
1) Jack Johnson's On and On ( I LOVE all of Jack Johnson's albums, but this one is my favorite!)
2) Frank Sinatra's Nothing But the Best ( I older music and I especially love Frank.)
3) The Police- The Very Best of the Police and Sting ( I am obsessed with The Police.)
4) The Cranberries- Millenium Collection (The Cranberries are one of my favorite bands.)

What's your favorite song/book right now:
Currently:
1) Favorite Song: "Breakeven" by The Script
2) Favorite Book: Matched by Ally Condie I read this book in August and it was outstanding. I highly recommend it!

The Script - Breakeven (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: The Script

What's the one song that you're embarrassed to say you loved as a teen?
I must admit that I danced around my room to this song: "Opposites Attract" by Paula Abdul. I loved Paula Abdul as a kid. One year I even dressed up as her for Halloween. My friends still talk about this, especially since the photos are still around!

Are you one of those people who sing in their car? Do you dance too?
I really don't sing in the car if I am driving, but if my husband is driving, I love to sing, which ends up annoying him. Ummm, my signing isn't very good.

I would definitely host a cocktail party and invite the following five people:
Ernest Hemingway, Jane Austen, Vincent van Gogh, Katharine Hepburn, and Grace Kelly. Now that I think about it, this party sounds really interesting.....I would definitely sit back and watch the craziness. I'm sure Hemingway would drink too much and offend Jane Austen.

If your 5 year old nephew came to you and asked what “suprcalifragilisticexpialidocious” was what would you say:
I'd say that the sound of it is something quite atrocious! I would then insist that we watch the "Marry Poppins" movie; it's so good!

Weekly Wrap-Up 23rd Edition

2010-10-17T10:02:00.000-04:00

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and prayers these last weeks, my mom is home and though there's still a HUGE mountain left to climb, at least she's home with us now! I have not been reading like normal, but I am working to play catch up! I am so sorry to all the authors and publishers that have sent me books, I am working as hard as I can to get everything read!

In my mailbox is a weekly meme brought to you by The Story Siren. It's a way for others to get a look at what you might have gotten in the mail or via the library this week.

received
author/publisher
Dracula, My Love by Syrie James
Ghost Ride by Marina Cohen (Thank You Marina)
Shadow of the Sun (Timeless #1) and Soul Stalker (Timeless #2) by Laura Kreitzer
Rising Shadow by Jacquelyn Wheeler (with the NEW cover, signed WITH my little blurb on the back!!!)

netgalley
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Once In A Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

won
Hush by Eishes Chayil (Thank you Katie's Book Blog!)

bought
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (Aubrey REALLY wants to read this one, she LOVED his other series)
Trance by Linda Gerber

posts

and the winner is

read in the last week

After (Manuscript) ~ So GOOD!
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

So, what have you been up to this week?

Saturday Sights

2010-10-16T06:47:00.000-04:00

Love is gentle and kind,

Not strong or rough.

It's brave and beautiful,

Not hard and tough.

To be in the throws of it,

Gives you a high, higher than the sky.

But when it ends,

Your heart needs to mend.

Friday Fav. ~ Character Interview with Lil from Awakened by Ednah Walters

2010-10-15T06:36:00.000-04:00

Jenn: Hey Lil, thanks for stopping by.

Lil (takes a seat across from Jenn and smiles): I hope she doesn’t ask personal questions. I might have to lie and I suck at it.

That’s okay, Jenn.

Jenn: Oh and thank you so much for your help with getting Bran to cooperate during our interview.

Lil (eyebrows shoots up): He behaved himself?

Jenn: Like a gentleman. Why are you surprised?

Lil (shrugs): Bran can be very difficult and unpredictable. He likes to keep people off balance.

Jenn: Even with you?

Lil: Even me. It drives me nuts.

Jenn: He's quite a character! I hope all is going well with that Lazarus demon he was after. Did you get the information you were looking for out of him?

Lil (frowns): What’s Bran up to now? He didn’t say anything about Lazarus demons. Those demons were unpredictable and impossible to defeat. I hope Jenn doesn’t see through my lie, but I don’t want her to know Bran was keeping secrets from me..

Yeah, we got what we wanted form the pesky demons.

Jenn (nods): Is it true you can erase people’s memories? I knew you could do some pretty kick ass stuff but that's freaky!

Lil (smiles): Jenn, you’ll forget you asked me that question. Now, ask it again.

Jenn (nods): Is it true you can erase people’s memories? I knew you could do some pretty kick ass stuff but that's freaky!

Lil (still grinning): You will forget you asked me that question and ask it again.

Jenn (nods): Is it true you can erase people’s memories? I knew you could do some pretty kick ass stuff but that's freaky!

Lil (giggling and feeling sorry for the clueless Jenn): No way. That psi power only my grandfather possesses. Brean was just playing with you.

Jenn: Do you train with him, too?

Lil: No. He’s far better than all of us trainees, but he gives me pointers whenever he can.

Jenn (consulting her notes): Speaking of training, how's that going? Do you enjoy it or is it just basically like school, a must?

Lil (wrinkles her nose): It’s like school. Endless and boring.

Jenn: I can imagine. Everyone calls you Lil, but I know your full name is Lilith, which is beautiful. Has your Grampa ever told you the story behind its significance?

Lil: She had to go there, didn’t she? Has she any idea how much I hate that name? Should I zap her and make her forget she asked the question. Dang, can’t. She has it down on the paper.

Different mythologies have a demoness Lilith. In Jewish folklore, Lilith was Adam’s first wife, before Eve. She refused to be subservient to Adam, left the Garden of Eve and refused to return. You could say she was the mother of women liberation. Many civilizations and religious groups always have a Lilith. Sumerians, Babylonians, Hebrew, even Hindus. And she’s always a demoness, a devourer of children. But Wiccans revere Lilith. They considered her a goddess of some sort.

Jenn: Nice. You're decidedly, weather you like it or not, the one that the Guardian's have been waiting for, for more years than I care to count, I can't imagine what that kind of pressure is like, how are you holding up with all that pressure?

Lil: Now that’s the kind of question I like, impersonal.

I try not to think about it. During battle, my friends have my back and I have theirs. And then there’s my grandfather and the Cardinals watching out for us all. And finally, my personal and favorite Guardian, Bran. He’s always by my side. We are a team. Whether I’m special or not doesn’t matter.

Jenn: What's your favorite part of your new life?

Lil: Hanging out and pretending to be a normal teenager. That’s what Bran and I do sometimes when we’re together or away from the valley. Pretend we just normal teens in love. No worrying about demons or hunting. Also, I love hanging out with my human friends. They treat me like one of them, which is cool.

Jenn: Speaking of your Grampa, he really held out on you for a long time there, is that how most Guardian children are raised, basically in the dark? Or do you think Grampa held out knowing how important you were going to be?

Lil: No, most Guardians are raised in Xenith, the Guardian world, and only come to earth at the age of sixteen after it’s clear they have special abilities. My case is different because my grandmother was human. There are Nephlings out there like me or like my mother who was half human and half-Guardian. You might even know some. Even you might be one. One day you’re happy being a teenager, then bam, you start hearing voices or moving things with your mind.

Jenn (eyes wide): That would be awesome. I am sure Bran told you, I subjected him to some, very astute questions about you, I would love to ask you a couple about him, would you mind?

Lil: Oh no. My human friends always want to know stuff about Bran too. Are all girls just curious or was their curiosity because of Bran?

Jenn: Uh, Lil?

Lil (grimaces): I don’t mind, but there’re certain things I can’t discuss.

Jenn: That’s okay. I have to tell you first, though I hope you don't want to kill me. Reading Awakened, well, I fell in love with him just a little bit. What's your favorite part of, well, him?

Lil (giggles): Part of him? Was that a slip of tongue?

Jenn (laughing): No, I’m serious.

Lil (laughing too). His lips. He has the most beautiful lips in the world.
Jenn (smiles dreamily): Yeah, I noticed.

Lil (rolls her eyes): Most girls do. Anyway, he’s very protective of me. That’s something I like about him. Although at times, he can be a bit overprotective. Then he drives me nuts.

Jenn: I’m sure he does. What's the most embarrassing thing you have put him through because of that?

Lil (smiles softly): We were at our favorite restaurant in Florida. Beach Café. It’s owned by a Civilian Guardian. Anyway, we were there for dinner and these college guys kept staring at us. Bran insisted the guys were flirting with me. I thought they were admiring him. So while I was in the ladies room, he called Gabriel, that’s the owner of the restaurant, and had the students thrown out. I mean these were college students having a little fun. When I learned about what he’d done, I forced him to go outside, find the boys and bring them back inside. He wasn’t too happy doing it, but he did. He had to pay for their dinner, too. He wasn’t too thrilled about that either.

Jenn (laughing): I would have loved to see that. What's one of your favorite memories from your childhood? What about with Bran?

Lil: Watching my grandfather wow his audience in the circus. Those will stay with me forever, especially now that I know they weren’t an act. Bran? The first time I saw his wings. He took my breath away.

Jenn: Do you think he can show them to me if we meet again.

Lil (shaking her head). He has to remove his shirt to do it. No way was he doing that in front of another girl. Absolutely not. (Lil smiles)

Of course. I’ll ask him.

Jenn: Thank you. What's the most romantic thing he's ever done for you?

Lil(blushing): On our first date when he…you’ve read Awakened, so no need to rehearse it. Everything he did that evening was romantic.

Jenn: Can you dish any dirt about him. He did after all tell us you’re ticklish!

Lil (jaw dropping): He said what? I’m not ticklish. He’s the ticklish one. (What else did he tell this girl about me? I swear I’m going to kill him.).

Jenn: Is he a good kisser?

Lil (blushing): The best. The only man I want to kiss. Now forget you asked that question.

Jenn (unaware she’s been zapped, consults her notes): Bran's family, WOW that's a lot to take in, how you doing with that part of your relationship? Have you met his sister yet?

Lil (shrugs): Gavyn and I don’t talk, but he accepts that Bran and I love each other. I’ve met Celeste. She’s really wonderful. We get along great.

Jenn: Speaking of family, how you holding up with all this going on surrounding your dad, I imagine it's tough.

Lil (stops smiling): She had to bring him up. She just had to. That’s it. This interview is over.

I don’t discuss my father. In fact, I wish you hadn’t brought him up.

Jenn (looking apologetic): Oh, I’m so sorry. Of course, I should have known. (Face pink, looks at her watch)…Gosh, look at me, taking up all your time, I am so sorry. I know you have WAY better things to do than talk to me. Just one more thing, can you tell us what's up next for the Guardians or have you any word when Ednah might be done with the next installment?

Lil (standing up): Our next adventure, Betrayed, will be out next year, I believe. Summer or fall. Ednah should know by end of the year. As for the Guardians, so many things are happening. Some good, some bad. I really have to go now. Thanks for the chat.

To find out more about Ednah:
Walters or Awakened:
Ednah Walters Online
Blog, Twitter and Facebook

Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles, #2) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Review

2010-10-14T06:30:00.000-04:00

Since this is a book 2, and because I don't want to spoil anything -

Synopsis via goodreads:
Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Let me first start by saying, it took me a lot longer to get into Beautiful Darkness, than it did to get into Beautiful Creatures; I am not sure as to why; part of me thinks it had everything to do with the way my mind thought the story was going to go, and the way it actually went; another part of me, thinks it had something to do with getting back into the “darkness” of the rich world that Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have created; still another part of me thinks it had everything to do with Lena, so strong in Beautiful Creatures, she struggles with a great impenetrable darkness in Beautiful Darkness, and it was at times excruciatingly hard to read.

Whatever the reason, weather it be one of them, or none of them; matters none, for after the first few chapters, I found myself craving Beautiful Darkness, not like I might imagine someone seeking out a drug, it was more like I was seeking out shear breath, craving it because I found myself so engrossed, I did not even realize I was not breathing.

Beautiful Darkness, as you might imagine is darker than Beautiful Creatures; especially for our dear Lena, her hurt; hurt me, physically – I cried for her, I felt my heart being ripped out of my chest, wanting for her, praying for her, wishing for her. She, takes a turn toward the dark, in so many ways it's tough to imagine them all, she rips herself apart, figuratively, and in the end almost literally believing she is the reason for everyone's pain. Believing, she can save everyone she loves, if only she can escape them; can Lena, learn that when you run from those who love you most, and whom you love, you only create greater pain for all? That is one of the vital questions....that you must read the book to find out!

There's other characters introduced in Beautiful Darkness, one's we have heard so much about, before – but never truly known, and others whom are “new” each carrying Beautiful Darkness, from what is a very dark novel into a shade of gray, each of them offering a touch of light, in there own ways, shining beacons, pulling the darkness away and creating a world rich with treachery and obscurity into one that illuminates the path, and creates hope.

In Beautiful Darkness, we learn so much more about the world that revolves around Casters, Incubus' and Succubus' diving deeper into a black muddied pool, straight for the heart of what gives this world a pulse. By shear determination, I can only imagine, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, together somehow managed to build a world, which is sticky with twists and turns that could mar you down, and delivered something that could have been a convoluted mess into shear genius.

Bottom Line – Dark, daring, haunting; I had a different dream about Lena, Ethan, Liv and this little town in Gatlin, each night while I was reading this book. It worked its way into my head, into my heart; with characters and a plot such as this I should not have been surprised. It carry's with it, the weight of the world, with a lightness that only two dynamic authors could have created. 5 Mushrooms!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? Beautiful Darkness, is thick with shadows and rot with hunger, yet it burns like a soul, a burning so deep and penetrable you, as a reader absorb it, like a paper towel absorbs water fallen on the floor. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, did with paper and pencil what Thomas Kinkade does with his paint brush – when the lights are out, his paintings look like many others, beautiful yet somehow ordinary, but when the lights go on, it seems the painting somehow glows! Beautiful Darkness Glows!

Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles, #2)
By: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
512 Pages
Published: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Received via an ARC tour for my honest review.

Book of Revenge (Knight Angels, #2) by Abra Ebner - Review

2010-10-13T13:38:00.000-04:00

In a word Passionate...

I will be the first person to tell you, I don't understand much about football, never really watched a game, and picked my “favorite” team based on there emblem and colors rather than real merit.

However, last Sunday, while hanging out with the family, my dad had on the Redskins game – admittedly, I did not get most of the rules, but as I asked questions, and as I watched my passions began to grow...my desires; I felt eager for them to do well, anxious when they did something seemingly, to my untrained eyes, stupid...

I surprised myself and became PASSIONATE about the game...willing the team to do well, desiring the outcome to push past the limits of the game and succumb to my desires.

Of course they lost, but that's besides the point...

While reading Knight Angels: Book of Revenge I was reminded of that game, much the same desires I had for the team I was rooting for, I felt for the characters of this novel – I was anxious, and nervous, while at the same time passionate and impatient.

Things I knew, Abra Ebner could not, would not allow to happen, spun me for a loop...the details began working themselves out even more than they did in Knight Angels: Book of Love, answers to some of the questions, answers I never expected, answers I am not sure I like.

Synopsis via goodreads:
New characters, New world, but old enemies. Emily struggles to ignore a new friend with emotions that temp her, Wes delves deeper into his past and family while finding friendship isn't reserved for the human race alone, Jane finds out her dear Max isn't what he seems, Gregs friendships cost him more than he expected, and Max forgets that the truth is best. But then again, someone always has to be the liar...
Emotional baggage, begrudged enemies, and the bitterness that comes when the honeymoon of their friendship fades...
Will the love survive, or as it all just a game?

I still feel much the same way I did while reading the first book, Abra's writing is like nothing I have encountered before – it's tough, almost like meat that's not been tenderized, yet at the same time it's soft and well worn, much like a shirt you have had for years...it's a weird combination, I will admit...but it works. Somehow Abra's take on this life of SO many characters, and with SO much going on, does not become convoluted, I have no idea how!

Imagine for a minute a firefly at night; it's light seems random, it's flying erratic, yet when you take a minute to connect, stare even – something beautiful emerges from the darkness; the light becomes an intricate set of patterns, the flight patterns an every changing dance.

Abra gave me that, I danced with out knowing, I connected without doubts, I watched the beautiful patters and encompassing story unwrap in such a way, that I gasped at the beauty, and was horrified at some of the twists!

Bottom Line – The Knight Angels series has so much more than just amazingly beautiful covers, they both have a little something for everyone; love, lust, passion, pixies, mind readers, angels and death. Abra Ebner is a amazing storyteller, I was enraptured from the beginning of Knight Angels: Book of Love and continued to be drawn deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole with Knight Angels: Book of Revenge. I give Knight Angels: Book of Revenge 4 mushrooms and will be hounding Abra anywhere I find her to work HARD on publishing the next book!!!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? With a little bit of everything, this series offers so much to the reader, from it's beautiful covers to it's AMAZING story, it's worth a trip to the book store!

Book of Revenge (knight Angels, #2)
By: Abra Ebner
326 Pages
Published: October 2010
Publisher: Crimson Oak Publishing LLC
Received via the publisher for my honest review. Thank you!

Book of Love (Knight Angels, #1) by Abra Ebner - Review

2010-10-13T10:37:00.000-04:00

Abra's writing is like nothing I have ever encountered before, it's soft and flowing, much like a chiffon skirt would be, yet at the same time it's rough and hard like a hunting knife – I found it at times hard to read, yet wanting to press on...I found myself lost in the story, yet all the while distracted...it's weird the feelings that Knight Angels: Book of Love brought out in me, I was encased in the world, enough to dream about it – yet at the same time, I did not feel as though I lost myself.

Synopsis via Goodreads:
When seventeen-year-old Jane Taylor witnessed her father's death at age seven, something happened to her. Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever-changing deaths of those around her.
Sixteen-year-old Emily Taylor always resented her sister’s closeness with their father, who died when she was only six. Ever since she can remember, she’s had the strange ability to read minds, something her father held the key to. Left helpless, she drowns herself in a world of prescription drugs, sending her responsible older sister Jane – who acted as the mother her real mother refused to be – over the edge.
Seventeen-year-old Wes Green was adopted as a baby, left carelessly by parents that clearly did not love him. He moved in next door to Jane, sharing an alleyway window and finding in her a childhood friend that soon turned into his high-school crush. All summer, though, the pain that’s been wracking his body seemed to come with no explanation. He was done growing, was plenty healthy, and worked out regularly as a member of the wrestling team. When senior year starts, though, and the pain gets worse, the changes ahead of him are anything but what he expected, and far to animal for his taste.
When Max Gordo, doomed to be a teenager for the next thousand years, found himself standing above her dying body, he saw in her bright eyes something he hadn’t seen in the nearly one-hundred-years he’d spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was a chance he could still save her from the wreck. Jane was her name, and she was only seven, but already she was all he ever wanted. It was his job to bring her back, but it was an act that could have been the biggest mistake of his life.
When four teens enter Glenwood High on an unseasonably cool day in September, no one but Max could understand the future that was ahead of them. Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon help to bind them even closer.
When the one face Max hoped to never see again shows up on school grounds – his evil twin brother, Greg – he knows that coming back for Jane was the wrong thing to do. Finding that Greg already knows about Max’s attraction for Jane, Max finds he can no longer hope to leave again, afraid of what Greg will do.
Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop...
And Greg... he just wants everyone dead.

While reading Knight Angels Book of Love, I felt a bit like going though a fun house...but not one of the “typical” one's this one was full of beautiful details, yet while they were beautiful they could also become daunting and dark...I enjoyed waiting for the “proverbial” shoe to drop, always knowing it was coming and never quite knowing when.

I also really enjoyed the twist, which makes this epic love story viable – it's not the typical, “I know I have only known you for a week, and I know I am the 'bad boy' but I already love you” kind of thing – this was built on history, though I am sure it could be said that it's still to fast, and I know there are secrets still lurking, Max nor Wes was, to me, the 'bad guy' both, because I was able to read from there POV, they were strong, and beautiful!

I will say that I did get a bit tangled in the web that Abra was spinning – it's very full of intricate details, but as the book started to come together, things began to slide effortlessly into place – and the ending, while being a bit “to perfect” did offer a bit of a curve ball.

This is one of those books I would call “the perfect start to a series” because your able to really drift into each of the main characters points of view, your able to see who they are, connect with them on a very real and poignant level. I would liken Abra's writing style to that of the author of Halo – both haunting and beautiful, and though the stories are both about angels (at least in part) the stories are vastly different!

Knight Angels: Book of Love, is not action packed, it's more of a gentle slope...with details being brought to light in there own time...at times I thought it was to fast, being able to see "into" so many characters heads, at other times I felt so lost, I wanted to email the author for more information!

Bottom Line – Knight Angels: Book of Love has everything, from shape shifters and mind readers to people who can “see” your death and Angels, it's written with 4 main POV's with 2 others occasionally gracing the pages. Frankly I was worried when I opened this book that with so many points of view I would get lost, however Abra did a wonderful job creating each character with a unique personality. Knight Angels Book of Love is a very solid start to an exciting series, I am very excited to dive head first into Knight Angels: Book of Revenge, I have a feeling it's very aptly named! I give Book of Love 4 Mushrooms...can't wait for more!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? I read that Abra wrote her series more like a movie, and I can see that - with so many points of view, you often leave one character while craving to know more about them, much the way you do with a tv show...it's so unique - I loved it!

Book of Love (Knight Angels, #1)
By: Abra Ebner
367 Pages
Published: April 26, 2010
Publisher: Crimson Oak Publishing LLC
Received via the publisher for my honest review.

Friday Fav. with Nancy Werlin author of Extraordinary

2010-10-08T06:48:00.000-04:00

Today I am thrilled to have Nancy Werlin here today at Book Crazy, I got the chance recently to ask her a question....here's what she had to say...

My Question: If you could pick two characters from any two books and put them together (not necessarily for romantic reasons), who would you pick and what do you think might happen between them?

Nancy: This is a very fun question. Now, my favorite book in the all the world is JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte, and so of course I must pick Jane. Jane is a very passionate, feeling, and independent woman, but she is still a woman of her time and place, Victorian England, and as her novel ends, she has what she most wants in the world: she has married the man she loves, he loves and depends on her, and they have a family. (And Jane has her own money, too -- that's one of the many things I find so intriguing about JANE EYRE and its author Charlotte Bronte; it was not enough for Charlotte Bronte to have her heroine marry a man with money -- contrast to Jane Austen's characters the Bennett sisters in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. No, Jane had to have her own money, and lots of it, for the happy ending to happen.)

So my thought is to have Jane Eyre encounter a modern woman character, and see what a woman of our time is like. I'm choosing a woman who is just about Jane Eyre's opposite: V. I. Warshawski, the Chicago-based female private detective in Sara Paretsky's mystery series. V.I. is middle-aged to Jane's 20, fiercely single with a history of interesting lovers, tough both physically and mentally, an atheist where Jane is a believer, grew up in a warm family while Jane had only misery from hers . . . the list of differences goes on and on, and as you can see, they are differences on the psychic and emotional levels as well as the surface 19th versus 21st century changes.

What I'd do: I would drop V.I. down in Jane Eyre's world, and force V.I. to operate within it. V.I. would be so screamingly angry all the time (and let's face it, as fans of this series know, she's angry enough already), and would behave completely inappropriately, and that would add to the tension and interest and fun of the story. V.I. would need Jane in order to maneuver, in order to understand how to talk to people. For me this would be a more fertile story-setting than if I were to send Jane to V.I.'s Chicago where V.I. would perforce be entirely in charge.

Of course Jane and V.I. would be working together to solve a murder. I'm even tempted to handcuff them together (hah!) like in a cop movie. That may be going too far. Although again -- clash of worlds -- it would be V.I. who blanched at sharing close quarters with Jane; Jane with her orphanage background would manage more easily with having to remain that close to another woman under difficult circumstances. Though surely Jane would freak out at the handcuffs themselves (when did handcuffs come into being, historically? research point), which V.I. would know how to handle. Okay, maybe I'll only have them in the handcuffs for part of them -- at the beginning, so they're forced to team up and get acquainted.

The murder mystery would only be the backdrop for me. I'm more interested in the emotional arc of the women getting to know each other, learning to cooperate, learning mutual respect, learning about each others' worlds, opinions, beliefs. I'd like to see them become friends. And, at the climax of the story, they would save each other in some unique way that is possible only because of who they are.

So maybe this isn't quite as random a choice of characters and plot as I thought at first: my novel EXTRAORDINARY is of course the story of the friendship of two girls from two completely different worlds. This is what's interesting me right now.

But wait -- one more thing. I want a complication involving a man in this story. Of course I do -- I'm me. Now, Jane's romantic life is settled -- she's with Rochester. I would never mess with that. But what if V.I. were to fall impossibly in love with a man from the past? Actually, this being V.I., it couldn't end well. Maybe she'll have to kill him. Tragically!

I'm so curious now! I hope that people will comment on what they'd be interested in seeing in this hypthetical Jane Eyre - V.I. Warshawski mash-up . . .

WIN Crescendo!!!

2010-10-06T08:46:00.000-04:00

Prizes:
One (1) grand prize winner from your site receives:
· A handmade gold angel wing and labradorite lariat and a copy of Crescendo!

Hush, Hush and Crescendo's New Website

Becca Fitzpatrick's first book, Hush, Hush debuted as a New York Times bestseller. She graduated college with a degree in health, which she promptly abandoned for storytelling. When not writing, she's most likely running, prowling sale racks for shoes or watching crime dramas on TV. She lives in Colorado. Find out more at beccafitzpatrick.com.

Hush, Hush – Now available in paperback!
A sacred oath, a fallen angel, a forbidden love.

Nora Grey has had a rough year. Her father was murdered and as a result, her mother had thrown herself into work, leaving Nora alone most of the time in their secluded farmhouse. Despite this, she manages to be a very good girl, never missing school, never even driving without permission.

But when the transfer student, Patch, gets assigned as her lab partner in biology, from the moment the two are together, there's an inescapable magnetism that draws Nora deeper and deeper into his dark world. When she discovers the enormous V-shaped scars on his back, she discovers that there is a battle going on between the fallen and the immortal. And she's the object.

The magnetism she feels is now more inescapable than ever.

Crescendo – Available October 19
The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush!

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

To Win:

Leave your Email Address (sorry no form today)
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Winner will be chosen at random on the 22nd of October! This contest is for US/Canada residents only, sorry!

My Mom...

2010-10-05T20:20:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's like walking though a dream...
Things happen, that seem so unreal.
You close your eyes and wish them away...
Only to find out that no amount of wishing can change...
The way things are, the way things go.

People come into our lives for a reason,
some just for a glimpse, some for a life time...

My mother was brought to me by a blessing far bigger than I can describe.
And tonight I sit here praying, thinking and wishing on stars...
That she stays here with me.

She is loved more than she knows by more people than I can say...I love you mom, always stay.

If you pray, please pray...
If you wish on stars please wish for me tonight...
If you hope, send a little hope...

Tonight my mom was put into the hospital, things are not looking good for her...as some of you know we found out about a month ago she's got Cancer, now she's dehydrated and is not doing good...I don't know what I will do with out her. And I am sorry I might be VERY MIA for the next little bit...Please forgive me.

Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James - Review

2010-10-04T19:38:00.000-04:00

Courage is a bridge we all must, somehow cross, no matter what we have been though, or the struggles we have faced. Though not everyone's bridge is the same; it could be an elegant bridge, a beautiful thing that when you get to the middle of, your more happy to be crossing! But honestly, more often than not it's a horrible looking old thing that your sure could NEVER hold your weight, no matter what you do, you look at it afraid – but something - a person or maybe a feeling - something push’s you towards it, because you know in the back of your mind if you allow yourself to be afraid forever the darkness will be your only friend.

Beautiful Malice will tear your heart out; haunt you, scare you and betray you – it's a mesmerizing , and alarming – a book with a voice so rich, so pure and new it will leave you breathless and alone, while at the same time reminding you of the power in the human soul and spirit!

Synopsis via goodreads:
So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?

Following a terrible tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family shattered, Katherine Patterson moves to a new city, starts at a new school, and looks forward to a new life of quiet anonymity.

But when Katherine meets the gregarious and beautiful Alice Parrie her resolution to live a solitary life becomes difficult. Katherine is unable resist the flattering attention that Alice pays her and is so charmed by Alice’s contagious enthusiasm that the two girls soon become firm friends. Alice’s joie de vivre is transformative; it helps Katherine forget her painful past and slowly, tentatively, Katherine allows herself to start enjoying life again.

But being friends with Alice is complicated – and as Katherine gets to know her better she discovers that although Alice can be charming and generous she can also be selfish and egocentric. Sometimes, even, Alice is cruel.

And when Katherine starts to wonder if Alice is really the kind of person she wants as a friend, she discovers something else about Alice - she doesn’t like being cast off.

This book took a lot out of me honestly – the voices were so real, so poignant the story between Katherine and her sister – there relationship, well – I could have written that part, I myself feel the same things I have known and still do sometimes, the jealousy, as well as the intense love, and longing – to be a sister is a hard thing, for anyone I think...and Rebecca James painted the portrait of family life perfectly.

Though all of the characters – though there interactions and backgrounds were glaring perfect, they are honestly hard for me to talk about much less explain, with out giving to much away...

Alice is a well of pain, she's self destructive, mean, and dismissive – the kind of person whom can only think of themselves, the kind of person that feeds on others pain.

Then you have Katherine, someone so broken, though rightfully so, her pain is expansive, yet she has passion that could spark the smallest bit of kindling on a cold dark night...she's beautiful and strong; determined and kind. She's hurting, yet somehow she can look past her pain, to see who you are, inside. Katherine has an old, beautiful soul.

There are others too, Mick and Robbie – to honest to God good guys...with hearts worn on there sleeves, each with a strength and determination second to none, they are genuine and real – they are the guys you root for, and love from the first second they enter the book!

I know what I have said here makes little to no sense, but that's ok – honestly though out most of Beautiful Malice – I was confused myself, things did not make sense, but as the chapters passed, I saw glimpses of what was happening next (in a very unique way, I must add) and the thrilling ride started coming together, in what can only be the most dramatic and rich way!

Rebecca James is, though this her first novel to be published in the states, a powerhouse, a compassionate story teller whom takes on the hard topics, with outstandingly hard yet beautiful characters! I find myself continuing to go over the different steps of the book, reliving some of the moments; Rebecca made me feel...so lost, so alone...yet somehow at the same time, she gave me a great gift of hope; I honestly still don't know how she did it, I am still reeling!

Bottom Line - Intense and gripping, beautiful and sad Beautiful Malice brought feelings to light I had not felt in years – it's a powerful story of love, loss and finding a way to come back even after your hearts been ripped out of your chest. I know I will never be the same after having read it...with it's masterful storytelling, poignant story - Beautiful Malice is an intense mixture of haunting details, daring story lines and emotionally thick characters! 5 Mushrooms!!!

Buy Borrow or Steal? If your a fan of mystery – this book is a MUST read! But not only that, if your a fan of fantastic dynamic plots that gently weave a beautiful kaleidoscope of characters – both good and bad – in front of you, Beautiful Malice is a MUST READ!

Beautiful Malice
by: Rebecca James
272 Pages
Published: July 13, 2010
Publisher: Bantam
Received via an ARC tour for my honest review.

Friday Fav. Interview and Giveaway with Lauren Burd Author of Immortal

2010-10-01T12:01:00.000-04:00

Today I am thrilled to have Lauren Burd here at Book Crazy as my Friday Fav. Lauren with her debut novel, Immortal, has some extremely unique ideas and a wonderful story...though some parts maybe similar to those we have read before the twists through me for quite a loop! Make sure you catch my review!

Hi there Lauren thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to us about your debut novel Immortal!

Could you tell us a little bit about Immortal?
Immortal is basically a coming of age story and learning what life and love is about. It follows eighteen year old Alina Taylor as she starts college and life on her own. She has everything mapped out for her future, but things go a little haywire when she starts to fall in love, and lust, for the first time. It doesn't help that the two men she falls for aren't exactly like the other guys on campus.

Where did the idea for Immortal come from?
It came from Alina. Okay, I know that sounds strange, but it's the truth. I decided to write a novel and thought of the characters first. Since the book is written from Alina's point of view she kind of directs where the story goes.

The boys in Immortal are extra special, in a very unique way, do they have any character traits from friends or maybe your husband?
Yes, they do. Samuel Grant is a lot like my husband he is sensitive, kind, and feels things very deeply, but is still very masculine. Duncan Michaels is a lot like a childhood friend. He comes across as a player, but once you get close you realize he would walk through fire for you.

Can you tell us anything yet about Immortal book 2?
Forever is the follow up for Immortal. It picks up where book one leaves off. We discover more about the characters and why things are happening. We also get to meet Alina's Dad who is a stark contrast to her Mom.

How has the publishing experience been, and why did you decide to go the Indie route?
I think, like most, I tried to get an agent. But to be honest I didn't try very hard. One day I was visiting Writer's Digest and read a blog posted there about an author, Amanda Hocking. Once I read it, the wheels started turning. I had never even considered going Indie, but it just felt right.

The cover is actually one of the main reason's I bought Immortal - I assume you had a lot of input; where did the idea come from to put the face on there?
I looked online for ideas (doesn't everyone). I ran across a picture of a green eye, and the first thing that popped in my head was Duncan. (You can see the first cover idea I had on my blog). When I found out the dimensions needed for a cover, I realized it wouldn't work. So, I went back on the prowl. Once I finished the second cover I showed it to some friends and they went nuts. I figured I might have hit a nerve and decided to go with it.

If you could trade places with any other person for 1 week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. Whom would it be and why?
Elinor Dashwood from Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility (as long as there is indoor plumbing). I like how no matter what is going on she keeps a cool head. It doesn't hurt that she finds true love either.

Ok, I stink at these questions, because, really…
Favorites:
Music: Alternative, Rock
Song: Right now I am totally digging Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie"

Color: Blue
Book: Currently, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Paranormal Personality: Vampire
Place to read: Anywhere I can get comfortable
Place to write: At work, lol, but seriously it is.

Anything you’d like to tell the readers?
Thanks. Whether you like the book or not (hopefully you'll enjoy it) I wrote it to be read, and I appreciate everyone who takes the time to do that.

To find out more about Lauren:
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Immortal Book Trailer:

GIVEAWAY:

Sound like a book you might enjoy? Would you like to win it? All you have to do is comment on the post below with your favorite paranormal personality (and your email address of course)! If you comment on my review of Immortal you will get 1 extra entry (you want to know what your getting if you win right?).

Giveaway is international, as this is an eBook! Winner will be chosen at random on the 15th of October!

Friday Fav. Interview with Wendy Delsol Author of Stork

2010-10-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

Today I am thrilled to have Wendy Delsol here at Book Crazy as my Friday Fav. Wendy is amazing and with her debut novel Stork, which I reviewed yesterday, you can tell this author is going places! Stork is an original tale of a girl, with amazing talents - if you have not heard about it, you should check out my review, I loved it!

Thank you so much Wendy for taking the time to stop by Book Crazy to answer some questions! Having had the chance to read Stork, I can honestly say I am excited to read more!

First off, I have to ask, where on earth did the idea come from? I mean, really, Icelandic mythology about a girl who is a Stork – so original!
Long ago, while watching the TV show Unsolved Mysteries, there was a segment about a young boy who claimed to have a pre-birth memory of flying above the earth and getting to choose his mother. The story stuck with me. Years later, when spinning what-ifs for a YA paranormal book, I tweaked that story to invent my human Storks, women who have the responsibility of pairing undecided souls with the right mother.

Katla is such a powerful heroin, she’s so headstrong, yet loving and adorable at the same time, did you take pieces of people you know to create her?
I imagine all characters are composites of people in our lives combined with general observations. Her individuality and confidence—shown in her unique fashion sense, among other things—is a quality I see (and envy) in so many of today’s teens. Her humor, that I’d have to collectively attribute to my extended family. Our get-togethers were always boisterous with high marks going to whoever made the group laugh.

And the love story that you built with Jack and Katla – I love how it came about as well as the mysteries surrounding their relationship – did you base their relationship on anyone you know personally?
Their relationship is entirely fictional. Given Kat’s special abilities, I thought it was fitting that she would have a fated love interest. Is there anything more romantic than the idea of a soul mate? I don’t think so, anyway.

I have a feeling this is not the last time we see Katla and Jack – or at least I HOPE so – can you tell us anything about their upcoming adventures?
Katla and Jack’s adventures will continue for two more books. Frost, Stork’s sequel is done and in the editing phase. It’s due out in September of 2011. In it, the bonds of Kat and Jack’s relationship will be tested when a new character comes between them. The third—as yet untitled—book in the trilogy should come out in the fall of 2012. That is, of course, if I hunker down and write it this winter :)

If you could trade places with any other person for 1 week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. Whom would it be and why?
I get to trade places with anyone! Dead or alive. Real of fictional. Hmmm. Such a fun thing to ponder. OK, I can’t resist. I’d love—for one week—to be Jane Austen’s spirited Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. And I’m putting my order in now for it to be summertime, with plenty of picnics, carriage rides, and country dances on the calendar. Oh, and Mr. Darcy, let’s make sure that his schedule is free. He just might be the reason why.

Favorites:
Music: classic rock
Song: Van Morrison’s Moon Dance

Color: green

Book: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
Paranormal personality: Edward Cullen
Place to read: in bed
Place to write: on my bed with all my notes scattered around me

Is there anything you might like to add?
May I clarify—though my last two responses would seem to indicate otherwise, I’m not a shut-in. I get up daily, shower, put on clean clothes, etc. I even go out, well, most days. And, finally, thanks, Jen, for fun questions!

Thank you so much again Wendy for being with us today, it's an honor!

To Find Wendy:
Wendy's Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Stork by Wendy Delsol - Review

2010-09-30T12:37:00.000-04:00

Brilliance!

WOW what a powerful, beautiful story - so involved...the details and little eccentricities, make this one a story that once your pulled in, the story itself becomes like water.

Fully submerged, I felt no desire to come back to the world...

The thickness of Wendy Delsol's writing, well wow, it's intense, the weight of each word, each thought, and in turn each sentence, drew me back to the earth much like turning off the gas, while up in the air in a hot air balloon, hesitating, I did not want to come back!

Synopsis via goodreads:
Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

At first I will be honest I picked up this book with hesitation, I mean Icelandic mythology, and names like Hulda, Dorit ect. I was not at all sure I could handle it – I even commented on goodreads after the first 60 or so pages that I was not at all sure if I liked it...and now, after having allowed the details to immerse me I am giving it 5 mushrooms!

Stork is, and I know I have said it a lot lately, one of the most original books I have ever read...I mean, come on, how many books have you picked up recently that deal with a human “stork?” It's not the norm for the YA Paranormal genera, which made it all the more rich and almost deliciously daring!

The characters also added to the decadence of this carefully thought out, brilliant novel – like a rich cake that is so moist you nearly have to drink it, instead of chewing – Katla, wove her beautiful web around my heart; with her head strong ways, and opinions about everything – I laughed at her, understood her, and enjoyed watching her not take any crap from anyone!

I also loved Jack, Kat's faithful companion, but not in the way your thinking...yes there's a love story, but Wendy Delsol creates this story in such a way that, it's comfortable...like that old ratty sweatshirt you only pull out of the closet when you need a gentle hug, after a long day. Jack is Mr. dependable, warm, sensitive, not at all the bad boy we so love in YA Lit these days...he's got a heart that he wears on his sleeve, which sadly for him allows for it to get dirty from time to time – but never fear Jack is strong, in all the right ways!

I also loved the “ladies” of the Stork Society, though we don't know them all, that well – they defiantly, though totally different than my own grandmother's, reminded me of them greatly – with their sage “old world” advice, that Kat tends to shrug off, only to realize that maybe sage advice is advice that has been tested time and time again, and it might help her to listen to it, they brought such a light to this novel...especially Hulda, whom though she travels with many secrets, shares her light, power and grace with Kat!

Bottom Line – Wendy Delsol, you can tell did her research for this novel, it's not some crackerjack paranormal book with little to no imagination – this story wields with it, plot twists and turns, secrets and truths like none other...it's unique, an exceedingly rare pink diamond in a sea of somewhat ordinary white ones. Stork did not disappoint me, and though it took me a good 60+ pages to get good and buried in the story, I am so glad I did not give up, it was worth ever second I spent reading! I give Stork 5 mushrooms, and simply can not WAIT till we get to see more of Kat and Jack – not to mention my beloved Hulda!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? If original, well thought out paranormal love stories are your thing, this is one you should not over look! And honestly, I have to tell you – with all the new authors popping up in the YA world, competition is going to get even stiffer than it already is to get published! WOW...I don't envy the writers of today!

Stork
By: Wendy Delsol
355 Pages
Published: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick
Received via an ARC tour for my honest review.

Immortal by Lauren Burd - Review

2010-09-30T06:31:00.000-04:00

Synopsis:
The wound inflicted only a few minutes before was nearly healed. A small cut was the only sign that anything had occurred. I watched in disbelief as it finished closing and eventually disappeared. “What are you?” Gods, demons,vampires eighteen year old Alina doesn’t believe in any of them, until she meets Samuel and Duncan, and discovers a world that could destroy everything she loves.

The other day I was browsing though Smashwords.com and Immortal caught my eye, since finding that place, I have picked up several books that have been really wonderful – if you have not checked it out you should...

ANYWAY – all I read about it was the blurb above, it sounded interesting and I needed something, quick and not to heavy...and with this one it sounded a bit like Vampire Diaries with a side of Twilight – so, I figured why not! Twilight is a favorite of mine, and I LOVE the Vampire Diaries show, even though I did not love the books...

So when I opened it up, I was not surprised to find that Immortal does have a very Vampire Diaries/Twilight feel to it...

2 “hot” guys, one innocent girl, and an ability to heal faster than the speed of lighting...

Immortal had all that in spades – however, these two “hot” guys are not Vampires – they are something else entirely...and the “innocent” girl did not remind me of either Bella or Elena, even though her name is Alina.

The characters, were not the strongest I have ever read, don't get me wrong I liked Alina, she's quirky and sweet – I just wanted a bit more, you know...and the one guy we get to know most, was not the one I fell in love with from the start, but then that was essential for the story to make sense, I just wanted a little more of my favorite!

For me, in Immortal, what really stands out and makes this one a book all unto it's own, is the last half of the book, which I can't talk about – without giving things away! Immortal has an extremely interesting twist on the whole bad boy angle – not to mention the magic that makes this book possible – which I hope we learn more about!

Bottom Line – You might be thinking from the shortness of this review, and the way it's put together that this book is not one to pick up, but you would be wrong – Lauren Burd starts off Immortal with a feeling of books we've read 100 times before – yet, she gives it her own unique spin...I can't wait to read more! I give Immortal 4 mushrooms!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? If you like indie authors, that offer a love story and a unique, fun story - Immortal is a book you can't go wrong with! :)

Immortal
By: Lauren Burd
Published: September 6th
Publisher: Indie Author
Received via my hard earned cash.

WoW - Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2010-09-29T05:39:00.000-04:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I am patiently waiting on December 2nd to get here, it's the day when I can finally BUY my FAVORITE love story!!! I recently read Anna and the French Kiss, granted I was not even sure I WANTED to, but when the opportunity to read it came up, via an ARC tour, I figured why not!

Little did I know it would become one of my favorite books...and now I just can NOT wait to own it, for it to be mine and to be able to open this book and wonder into the world of Anna and St. Clair again!

If you are not sure if Anna and the French Kiss is for you, like I was not - I recommend you try it, at least - it's AMAZING!!!

Synopsis via goodreads:

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

Since I have gotten to read this book, I thought it would be fun to share with you a song I think goes really well with the book...I hope you enjoy it too! :)

"If my heart was a house you'd be home" - Love that....

But also, in Anna and the French Kiss, Anna talks about St. Clair's hands and holding them, which is in the song...I have a thing for guys hands, and that really struck a cord with me, honestly there's not ANYTHING about Anna and the French Kiss I did not love, and devour!

What are you waiting on this week?

Girl, Stolen by April Henry - Review

2010-09-28T09:34:00.000-04:00

To be blind, is one of my worst nightmares; to be kidnapped is another...April Henry took 2 of my worst fears and paired them together in this unforgettable novel of courage and struggle, strength and friendship..a novel that I will never forget.

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

Girl, Stolen is a hard book to read...as a mother, the idea of my kids being kidnapped because of a little misstep on my part haunts me, and now might even more than before. Yet, at the same time I picked up this book a little after 8, and finished it just 4 hours later, unable to put it down, unwilling not to know what would become of Cheyenne and for that matter Griffin the boy that unknowingly kidnapped her in the first place.

Girl, Stolen is unlike any YA novel I have ever read before, it's a hard core story dealing with a painfully hard subject, children are kidnapped everyday, just like Cheyenne, and just like her they struggle to survive doing what they have to in order to do just that.

Cheyenne is a strong lead character, she's got guts on top of guts, she's not lead an easy life, of course there's the fact that she's blind, but on top of that the loss of her mother, a father that's never home and a life that will never be the same...but Cheyenne has learned that in life, there's no promise of “perfect” you must take what your given and learn to work with it, somehow...and in Girl, Stolen – somehow she works with it.

Then there's Griffin, the boy who thought he was doing a “good thing” something his father would be proud of, he lifted a car – a Cadillac Escalade, only to realize after the fact that it had Cheyenne inside...Griffin is a broken boy, full of his own heartache, he longs to try to make his father proud, after all that's the life he's been given – time to make Lemonade.

Though alternating points of view, Cheyenne and Griffin take us though the harrowing ride that is Girl, Stolen; with intense scenes, and a roller-coaster ride that I never thought would be over, I tore though the pages, devouring every word, wanting deeply to know and understand what would happen next.

Bottom Line – Girl, Stolen is intense, electric and fast passed; things I thought I knew, things I wish were true – were totally wrong. I laughed with the characters, even in a book as intense as this one; I cried with both Cheyenne and Griffin as they shared more of themselves with each other and in turn me; I rooted for Cheyenne to make it, to survive and come out on the other side better than she was before...but when everything was said and done, not everyone makes it and I was still left with questions...questions I am sure April Henry left hanging on purpose...wanting us to make up our own minds about just how this story ends!I give it 4 mushrooms and am excited to read more of April's work.

Buy, Borrow or Steal? With it's intense story line, this one is not for the faint of heart...if you enjoy books that are not “on the beaten path” of YA these days, Girl, Stolen is a book you will want to pick up, I know I am glad I did!

Girl, Stolen
By: April Henry
224 Pages
Published: September 28, 2010 (HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY APRIL)
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Received via the publisher for my honest review.

Music Monday with ANIMEGIRL from A Girl, Books and Other Things

2010-09-27T07:41:00.000-04:00

Music Monday is brought to you by Book Crazy (AKA. Me), we work on show casing other bloggers! Our goal is to help you get to know them, though there blog and music. If you would like to be apart of Music Monday please email me, or visit our Music Monday page for more information.

Today we have with us the amazing, ANIMEGIRL From A Girl, Books And Other Things. Thank's for being here Animegirl!

What's your favorite thing to blog about: (besides books)
Definitely movies and TV, they were actually the reason why I changed the name of my blog; it used to be called AnimeGirl's Bookshelf, but that sort of limited the kind of things I could talk about, so I changed it to expand the range of topics I could blog about.

Plus, I've always been a stay at home girl, so during most of my childhood movies and TV were constant companions of mine. For Movies I have the "At The Movies" section and for TV Shows I have "As Seen on TV"

Name 3 interesting things about yourself no one knows (or not your fellow bloggers anyway):
I'm a compulsive card-sender. Whenever I can, I send cards to my friends - thanks to the internet I've accumulated friends all over the world. Greeting cards, post cards and even letters, I love old fashioned mail! Also, I suck at buying presents but I love matching cards to people!.

I can recite the movie The Lion King from start to finish, songs included, in Spanish! :D And my sister and I sing the Hula Hula song (by Timon and Pumba) at the drop of the hat, in public, whenever we feel like it.

I sing Christmas carols all year 'round. I love them and whenever I feel stressed or incredibly happy, Christmas carols are the first thing that come to my mind.

If you could listen to music all day long, which 4 albums would keep you most company:
The Hits - Volume One by the Backstreet Boys - total fan girl! It's missing a few songs I love, but is still pretty comprehensive.
The Pokemon's First Movie Soundtrack - Surprisingly good songs!! Though I still swear that Aaron Carter sings like a girl in this album.
Alejandro Sanz's MTV Unplugged - Love most of the songs, so yeah.
Italianissimo - Various Italian artists - this one is totally my parents fault, they used to play it when I was little all the time, so I can sing in Italian, knowing not what I'm saying.

What's your favorite song/book right now:
Song(s) Wonderwall by Oasis (the Noel version, I don't like Liam's voice), HSM3's Can I have this dance? (totally corny but I like it!), and I Need to Know by Marc Anthony.

Book(s), Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George, I just read it and I LOVED IT, I love fairy tales and collect their re-tellings, this one was so good. Also, currently obsessed with Erin McCarthy's Fast Lane series.

What's the one song that you're embarrassed to say you loved as a teen?
The theme song of a Telenovela I used to watch, it was called Luz Maria. I still got it on my ipod.
More main-stream, probably The Macarena, but it was just such a riot to dance it whenever.

Supersanta In: How To Dance The Macarena - The most popular videos are here

Are you one of those people who sing in there car? Do you dance too?
Oh, yeah! I sing top of my lungs in the car, we all do in my family - with different degrees of bad. And I wouldn't call what I do dancing, but I do move about a bit. Never been able to properly dance, though.

Lets say your having a dinner party, the guest list is up to you, living or dead – but it has to consist only of “artistic” people (IE musicians, authors, painters, photographers ect.). Who would you want to invite, what would the event be like: (IE Chaos, formal, 80's bash ect.)
I would definitely host a brunch! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, second favorite is lunch, so I would combine!

For guests I would go with my original anime crush Lantis from MKR (his voice still does things to me), Spanish singer Miguel Bose, Meg Cabot, The Wesley Twins and probably Cara Lockwood so I could pump her for info on the fates of all the characters I love from the Bard Academy series.

If your 5 year old nephew came to you and asked what “suprcalifragilisticexpialidocious” was what would you say:
I would say "Thats what you say when something is so awesome you can't find the right word to describe it."

Weekly Wrap-Up - 22nd Edition

2010-09-26T13:40:00.000-04:00

In my mailbox is a weekly meme brought to you by The Story Siren. It's a way for others to get a look at what you might have gotten in the mail or via the library this week.

received
bought
The Ghost Hunter by Lori Brighton
Crave by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

author
Glimpse by Stacey Wallas Benefiel
Awakened (Guardian Legacy, #1) by Ednah Walters (SIGNED!)
Almost Human ~The First Trilogy~ by Melanie Nowak
Poster from Seers of Light SIGNED by Jennifer DeLucy and a new worry stone (THANK YOU SOO MUCH JEN)

ARC tour
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent

posts

Monday I had Jessica Verday here with her Blog Tour + a perfume giveaway! I also posted on #SpeakLoudly!
Tuesday I reviewed The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Kiplinger ~ 5 mushrooms!
Wednesday brought a review of Promise (Soul Savers, #1) ~ 5++ Mushrooms and a WoW for Purpose (Soul Savers, #2) both my Kristine Cook
Thursday I reviewed a book I also read this week Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) by Ednah Walters ~ 5++ Mushrooms
Friday I had 2 AMAZING authors here BOTH for Friday Fav.'s along with giveaways! First I interviewed Kristie Cook author of Promise (and soon Purpose) (giving away an eBook copy of Promise) AND I interviewed Bran from Awakened by Ednah Walters (giving away a signed copy of Awakened)!

Another thing I did this week is revamp my Jenn's Fav's, now it hold all the books I have given a 5++ to, I have it arranged by Contemporary Fiction and Paranormal Fiction (gosh are we seeing a pattern here, maybe I need to branch out) - anyway feel free to check it out!

and the winner is
The winner of She Smells the Dead is -Michelle @ The True Book Addict!!! Congrats!

read in the last week

Knight Angels: Book of Revenge by Abra Ebner ~ 4 Mushrooms
Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) ~ 5++ Mushrooms
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins ~ 5++ Mushrooms

This, as you can tell, has been a KILLER reading week for me...Awakened is now on my TOP list of FAVORITE books ever with the paranormal theme and Anna and the French Kiss is a book I was not even sure I wanted to read but it's now my FAVORITE contemporary romance EVER!

So, what have you been up to this week?

Saturday Sights

2010-09-25T09:34:00.000-04:00

Sometimes remembering to look up, and breathing is all we can do....

Friday Fav. Bran from Awakened by Ednah Walters + Giveaway

2010-09-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

Jennifer: Hi there Bran, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to join us here at Book Crazy. Please, have a seat.

Bran (dressed in all black straddles a chair and props his arms across the back): Pretty human…wonder if I can make her squirm (eyes narrows). Times like this, I wish I had Lil’s abilities. I’d make this human postpone the interview until after I’ve tracked down that Lazarus demon in Tijuana. No, Lil will give me hell if I don’t go through with this. She warned me to play nice or else, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my girl. But first things first.

Jennifer…may I call you Jennifer?

Jennifer: Of course.

Bran: You understand that you can never publish this interview.

Jennifer (blinks): I can’t?

Bran: No, you can’t. As soon as the interview is over, Lil will erase all traces of this meeting from your memory.

Jennifer (frowns): Why?

Bran (leans forward): Because humans are not supposed to know about us or what we do. If you’re recording this meeting and the High Council finds out, you will be terminated.

Jennifer (squirms): Uh…uh….

Bran (smiles, dimples flashing): I’m kidding. No one is going to hurt you. We, Guardians, hold human lives sacred. In fact, our duty is to guard you against demons. Without humans, we’d be lost, soulless beings like our brothers, the demons.

Jennifer (sighs with relief and nods).

Bran: However, Lil will erase your memory once this interview is over.

Jennifer (blinks again): Oh, okay.

Bran (flashes another smile): So what do you want to know?

Jennifer (consulting her notes, hands a lit tle unsteady): Could you tell us…me a little bit about yourself?

Bran: I’m a Nephilim, a Guardian, I hunt down and vanquish demons. My grandfather was a Cardinal Guardian with the ability to manipulate water, an ability I inherited through my father. My mother (Bran frowns and shakes his head)…I don’t like talking about my mother, or me, for that matter. Are you sure you don’t want to talk about Lil. She’s more interesting.

Jennifer (smiles): Maybe some other time. This interview is about you. You have one of the most interesting names, do you know the story behind it?

Bran (sighs): Do you know that most civilizations have written about us?

Jennifer (looks confused): Y…eees. But I’m the one asking questions here, not you.

Bran (cocks his right eyebrow): The human has guts, kind of reminds me of Lil. My father named me after Bran, son of Sea-god Llyr…Bran the Blessed…a giant of man…an honorable man. Of course, you do know he wasn’t just an interesting figure in Celtic mythology. He was one of us. I think we might be related somewhere down the line. You know, my water powers, he being son of a sea god and all.

Jennifer (nods): You have very different heritage than most, what do you find is the hardest part of being you? What's the best?

Bran (frowns): The hardest part is having my fellow Guardians look at me and see my parents. I’m not my mother or father. I’m me, an individual. I’d like to be judged by what I do and say, not who my parents were. The best part is using my experience to help the girl I love. Having known the dark side, I know how to avoid its seduction. Lil has trying times ahead of her and I plan to be there for her.

Jennifer: Could you tell us what you like to do in your spare time?

Bran (winks): I do stuff with Lil…and train. Demon-hunting is a full-time job, and so is being in love with a stubborn girl. But I have several centuries to do both.

Jennifer (smiling dreamily): What's one of your favorite memories?

Bran (shakes his head): Of Lil? Those are private. But I can talk about childhood memories, which includes learning about my heritage from my father, flying with my little sister, goofing with my brother… before things changed (Bran stops smiling).

Jennifer: Your relationship with Lil is complicated, yet beautiful, what's one of your favorite things to do together?

Bran (grins again, dimples flashing): Lil’s pretty cool and an easy girl to love. As long as we’re together, she’s happy. We like to teleport to different places for lunch or dinner. She likes the beach the best. We’ve visited quite a few around the world. We’ve also dined at some of the best restaurants. (Bran laughs softly) We often don’t have reservation, but Lil’s power of persuasion makes that problem go away.

Jennifer: Can you tell us anything juicy about her we don't already know?

Bran: Oh no, I’m not going there. She’ll kill me if I tell.

Jennifer: Come on, just one tinsy little secret.

Bran (sighs, looks up and smiles): Okay. You’re a very curious lady, just like Lil. She’s very ticklish. Whenever I tickle her she kicks and screams and promises to vanquish me. But she never means it because afterwards we kiss and make-up. (Bran grins) I think that’s why I do it. Making up is fun.

Jennifer (blushing): I am not entirely sure what to think about your brother, it's clear that you love him desperately though, can you tell us something awesome about him we might not know?

Bran (no longer smiling): He’s very protective of our little sister. He and I don’t agree on many things, but when it comes to her, we’re on the same page. He’d do anything to protect her. (Bran stands up) I think we are done here. I have a demon to catch and interrogate.

Jennifer (stands too): Just one more question. Can you tell us anything about what's next for the Guardians?

Bran (shrugs): We’ll continue what we always do, fight the good fight. Personally, I’d like Lil’s father to disappear forever. He’s pure poison and she’s not exactly sure about how to deal with him. I don’t like seeing her worried about what he’ll do next. I’d like to see my brother join the Guardianship program, but I don’t see that happening any time soon. He’s too pissed at them at the moment. I don’t particularly care about what happens to the other trainees on a personal level although Sykes needs a girlfriend. Do you know a single girl who’d have him? He pisses me off when he flirts with Lil. I’ve really got to go now. Nice chatting with you, Jennifer. Lil will be here shortly.

Jennifer (thankfully I got this all posted before Lil walked in, and made me forget)!

To Find Out More About Ednah Walters:
Ednah Walters Online
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

GIVEAWAY

Because I loved this book so much, and because Bran was such a sport, he left a copy of Awakened (Book One of the Guardian Legacy) for me to give away for one of you lucky followers. It's even signed!

US/Canada only, sorry guys
Winner will be chosen on October 10th

To enter just Fill in this Form!! *Good Luck* (BTW you get extra entries for posting on this interview with Bran! :) and my Review of Awakened!)

Friday Fav. Interview and Giveaway with Kristie Cook

2010-09-24T02:13:00.000-04:00

Today I am thrilled to have Kristie Cook here at Book Crazy as my Friday Fav. Kristie is an amazing talent, you might have caught my review of Promise earlier this week as well as my WoW on Purpose, which as you can see below DOES have a cover!! (So exciting!)

Thank you Kristie for taking the time to answer a few questions, I am beyond excited to have you hear!

First off, I would love it if you could tell us about Promise?
Promise tells the love story of how the main character of the series, Alexis, meets and falls in love with her soul-mate, Tristan. They were created for each other and their union brings promise to their society and all of humankind. But they each have internal demons to overcome to be together and the enemy has other plans. Because they are a match made in Heaven and in Hell. Promise is like a prologue for the rest of the series, introducing several characters and sharing what happened to get them to where they are in the rest of the series.

Promise, took us on a thrill ride, with paranormal creatures we have all read about before, twisted and turned them, until they are nearly unrecognizable. What gave you the idea for such an unexpected, yet amazing story line?
It didn’t just come to me in one nice package with a bow on it. A pivotal scene that now appears in Purpose (book 2), [EAK she's talking about Purpose!!] although drastically changed, came to me first and I worked my way out from there. I was blessed with all these ideas that wove in and around each other, eventually coming together to form the story in Promise and Purpose and creating new paths for the rest of the series.

The characters in Promise are intense, and well, simply amazing; what makes you and Alexis alike? In what ways are you different?
Like Alexis, I was raised by a single parent, but unlike her, sometimes it was my mom and sometimes it was my dad. With the changing of households, in addition to my dad being in the Air Force, I moved around a lot, so I know what it’s like to be the perennial new kid. Although I was – and still am – shy, I’ve never been a total loner and was never called a freak (at least, not that I know of! lol). I’ve had good friends everywhere I lived. Oh, and we’re both writers. Although…she’s much better than me and that’s for a very good reason that you’ll have to read Purpose to find out! :) (HMM, better than you Kristie, not sure if that's possible!)

I know some writers tend to map out exactly what happens in each book, others let the characters lead them. So, I am curious, the shocking twist at the end of Promise, really caught me off guard, in an alarmingly good kind of way, was that planed or something that the characters themselves brought about?
Promise’s ending has everything to do with that first scene that came to me, which I mention above. I can’t say it was really planned because I do let the characters tell me their story. I can’t outline because when I know too many details about what happens, I lose interest. But I did know that somehow, that final event would happen…because it leads to where Alexis is mentally and emotionally in Purpose. I just didn’t know how it would all go down until I wrote it.

Is there ANYTHING you can tell us yet about Purpose?
It’s better than Promise, in my opinion. :) If you think there are lots of twists and turns in Promise, you’ll really enjoy the next ride. Let’s see…if you look at the covers, you can get a couple clues. The crocus on Promise’s cover is just beginning to open – that’s Alexis just beginning to learn who she is and what her life has in store for her. The leaves on the front represent important characters. On Purpose’s cover, the crocus, representing Alexis again, is fully open and the leaves have changed. (You can see Purpose’s cover here: http://www.ihavepurpose.com/). You can make your own predictions from there, because that’s all I’m going to say. :)
(By the cover I am a little scared to read Purpose...but can only hope things are not totally what they seem.)

I can only imagine the feeling of having a book published, what's it like to see your book in bookstores and to have people emailing you telling you how much they enjoyed your story?
It’s indescribable. When I first decided to dabble in fiction again, I really had no idea it would come to this. I thought it would just be something fun for me to do that was more constructive than TV or World of Warcraft. Once it became something more and I dared to dream of publication, I tried to imagine what it would be like to get fan mail and I had no idea. Every time I get a good review or an email from a new fan, I float around on cloud nine for a while. And then I just feel really blessed to have been given this story.

Speaking of publishing how was that process for you?
When Promise and Purpose were one book, I pursued traditional publication. I garnered interest, but nothing solid. I realized the big problem: too much going on in one book. I mean, I couldn’t even describe it well because there were two different plots. So I split it, rewrote, revised and edited for many more months. By that time, I’d done so much research on publishing, I had so many people on my support team and I saw all these opportunities for going indie. So my business partner in our first business joined me in starting a second business – a publishing company.

If you could live the life of any paranormal personality out there, which would you choose and why? Hmm…I’m not nearly as well-read as you book bloggers. While you get to explore countless other worlds, I’ve been immersed in my own made-up one. So there’s probably someone better, and this may be a little tongue in cheek, but all I can think of is Bella Swan. LOL I mean – two guys falling all over her (and not the smelly, greasy, gross kind!) and then she becomes this perfect vampire with no murderous tendencies, gets to still be around her dad and all of her loved ones with no sacrifice at all, and gets to live happily ever after with her Mr. Perfect…and “ever” means forever. Can you ask for anything better? (I don't think so Kristie!)

Favorites:
Music? 30 Seconds to Mars, Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, many more – I can’t pick just one.
Song? Depends on my mood.
Color? Now that one’s easy! Purple!!!! LOL
Book? Again, can’t pick just one, except maybe Purpose. :) Seriously, I have so many favorites and then another one comes out. You know how it is!
Paranormal personality? Tristan :) (Tristan is the main HUNK in Promise) Harry Potter and the whole crew
Place to read? Bed or by the pool
Place to write? In a very quiet room by myself – usually my bedroom

Is there anything else you might like to tell our readers?
Just that readers rock! Because of you, I and other writers have a purpose for our passion. Knowing there are people out there wanting to read the stories I have to tell feeds the flames within. I would write anyway, but probably not with as much focus. Also, readers have so much power to help their favorite authors. Write and post reviews on the major retailer sites, donate books to the library, talk your faves up to everyone you know, request libraries and bookstores to stock the books… No advertising and expensive marketing can compare to the power of readers’ word of mouth.

Thank you again for taking the time to share with us, I am honored! Thank you, Jenn, for having me! I think I’ll be around again soon. After all, Purpose comes out soon and I’ll be doing some blog touring and lots of giveaways! :)

To find out more about Kristie Cook:
Kristie Cook Online
I have a Promise...Do You? (Blog dedicated to book 1)
I have a Purpose (Blog dedicated to book 2)
Twitter and Facebook

GIVEAWAY

Because I LOVED Promise so much, I am giving away a copy!!! It's an eBook copy, so it's INTERNATIONAL! Just fill out the FORM to enter to win - winner will be chosen the 10th of October!

Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) by Ednah Walters

2010-09-23T09:43:00.000-04:00

Have you ever seen a Praying Mantis? They are amazing, undeniably strong and beautiful insects. I love watching them, though in this area they are pretty elusive, your lucky to catch site of one once or twice a year...but part of me thinks that's what makes them so special.

Lil the main character in Awakened reminded me of a female Praying Mantis, not because she eats the heads off the boy she copulates with, but because much like the Praying Mantis, Lil is strong, determined and extremely beautiful. But one of the most defining thing's about Lil, is that she's ultimately human, with the feelings that go along with that.

My Synopsis:
Lil has spent her whole life moving from one place to another, a gypsy, the only family she's had has been her grandfather. Life is not perfect, she's lonely and wishes only to be seen as “normal” and not “nomad.” But it's a comfortable life, a life she might have taken a little to much for granted.

Days after her 16th birthday, when Lil starts hearing a voice she's sure ghosts have found her, wanting nothing to do that with part of her gypsy heritage, Lil tries to ignore the voice...but when there's someone inside your head, who will not leave, denying they are there is a daunting task...and when Bran walks from out of the shadows and into her world, she's positive he's much more than a ghost.

With a message for her grandfather that Lil does not understand, and accusations that her whole life might be a lie – Lil struggles with who to believe, and when a devastatingly storm hits the tiny little valley she lives in, seemingly brought on my her...Lil is determined to find out the truth!

But with secrets on-top of secrets, Lil feels her already abnormal life implode even more, she begins to deny who she is, what she is meant for, questioning all that surrounds her; if grampa is not even truthful and trustworthy, how could she ever find “normal?”

That as the world starts to unfold, secrets come tumbling out, and Lil begins to find friendships she never knew she could form...she begins to accept her life, as a Guardian, sent to earth to protect humans from the demons that dwell.

In addition to the human friends she has, and the team of Guardian's she trains with, Bran also becomes someone Lil comes to trust, especially once they realize that there's something inside of Bran that brings out the best in Lil. But when Lil realizes that Bran maybe holding a dark secret, and things start to change, she's thrown back into darkness, with even more deceit, she beings to wonder whom to trust when, at every turn there's only more lies.

Can Lil come to trust? Can she find a balance between love and sacrifice before it's to late for them all or will the secrets the demons are hiding be to much for ALL of them to handle?

Now...most of you know I am a romance junky, I will admit it freely – yes I love paranormal or urban fantasy but when there's a little romance brewing, I like it all the better and Awakened had a romance that captured my heart! Bran is a special kind of hero, he's the hero of Lil's heart. Yes, of course dark secrets lurk deep within him however he's passionate, loving, with an air of darkness that seeps into the deepest depths. He captured my heart, left me panting and giddy, he's my kind of super hero!

Then there's Lil, often you find while reading a main character finds out she's “special” for one reason or another; when that happens one of 2 things occurs; one the character accepts it blindly or two the character rejects it, questions, demands answers...Lil is defiantly the ladder of these two things. She's a strong lead, with a beautiful sense of self, even when she's at her worst, deep down she always, ALWAYS knows who she is! She's brilliantly created, right down to her gypsy dresses and crazy braids!

The plot of Awakened is unlike anything I have read – with certain elements it reminded me of the TV show Charmed, but only because of the familiarity I felt with the “world” - much in the same way I felt while reading The Light of Astera, the world that Ednah Walters build felt like a “home” to me, I was quieted by the intense details and amazing interactions; captivated by the characterizations and driven by a deep understanding of what the Guardian's can do!

Bottom Line – Awakened, with it's 100% unique take on the paranormal element, characters I felt like I could understand and trust, and a simple yet ultimately beautiful take on love, is a book that will ALWAYS sit on my shelves – to be read and reread! Ednah Walters, with her crazy curve balls, to her daring details, is an author that I will be keeping my eyes out for, I can't wait for The Guardian Legacy Book 2, I only hope it comes out soon! I give Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) 5++ mushrooms...please Ednah publish again soon!! I can't WAIT for more.

Buy, Borrow or Steal? Awakened is Indie publishing at it's very, VERY best!!! I received Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) and within hours was buried in the story, by 6 AM, I was closing the book, finished. It's an epic story, with all the elements of a good paranormal romance...I devoured it!

Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1)
By: Ednah Walters
272 Pages
Published: September 2, 2010
Publisher: Pill Hill Press
Received via Ednah Walters for my honest review.

WoW ~ Purpose by Kristie Cook

2010-09-22T12:43:00.000-04:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today's WoW directly relates to the book I reviewed earlier today Promise (Soul Savers, #1) - a book in which I devoured and LOVED so much it's currently my avi over on Facebook!

Today's WoW is for Purpose (Soul Savers, #2) here's what Kristie's website has to say:

Alexis feels like she's falling into a deep abyss that she may not ever escape. She worries about her sanity, her body is changing daily and she's about to lose her grip on her lifeline. She learns the best-selling books she's been writing aren't exactly fiction and the enemy is after her and her family for disclosing their secrets. Learning her life's purpose, she's the only one who can protect her loved ones...if she can survive.

It's coming out this fall, I hope - but there's not specific date yet - I know I for one will be watching Kristie's blog, twitter and facebook account for news, I simply can NOT wait...Seriously if you are looking for a KILLER start to what I can only imagine a WONDERFUL story - not to mention an ending that breaks your heart - Promise and the Soul Savers Series is a top pick in my book!!

Promise (Soul Savers, #1) by Kristie Cook - Review

2010-09-22T08:39:00.001-04:00

Does true love exist, even if it can, is it ever enough? Most people I have found would probably say no, true love is something found in fairy tales, books or TV not something to be found in real life – are we even capable anymore of finding that one true, beautiful love – do we even bother to take the time to look?

I might have said no, before this morning – but yesterday and then again last night – I found love, so beautiful and pure that...it reminded me again, that not only does true love exist, but it's powerful and surrounds you, often at the most inopportune times.

Yes, I found at least one of these love stories within the pages of a book – which should, I guess, lead me to believe that once again, true love is only found their – but amazingly, it does not...it reminded me, that if we take the time to really look, and are willing to put in the hard work – true love not only exists but it has the power to take over our world, exposing us to unimaginable pain but also the most exquisite beauty the world has to offer.

Love to me is like watching a perfect sunset, while sitting on the beach – it's beauty surrounds you, it's heat envelopes you, and it's smell brings you to a whole new level...Alexis felt this kind of love, though she never though it was possible, she's always wanted love, even dreamed of it – but with moving around so often, and with basically everyone thinking she was “weird”...she often felt like her hopes were dashed before she even had the chance to dream.

Yet, when Tristan opens the door, and Alexis dares to walk though, she knows from the first minute, her life will never, ever be the same...because, once you find that true love, your soul is lifted to another plane...

Synopsis via goodreads:
Alexis Ames has a life full of promise…but not all promises can be kept.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can’t be real, she decides it’s time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family’s secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy…until she discovers he’s not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family’s secret society, the Angels’ army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy – Satan’s minions and Tristan’s creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

I started reading Promise, after I had seen several book reviews for it, though I can't exactly tell you what they said...when I saw it, read the synopsis while shopping for new eBooks – I knew it was one I had to have!

So after a FULL day with family, I started reading around 9, by 10:30 my head was heavy and even though I had only read a bit (I read slow), I was so enamored with the characters I wanted badly to continue, sadly I drifted off to sleep.

But by 1:30 I was awake, unable to sleep - with Alexis in my head and in my heart – I was unable to break the chain any longer, I had to have Promise back in my hands and Alexis back in my heart. Little did I know, that I would never make it back to bed or at least back to sleep.

Promise, is intense - in the best way possible - it shook me to my very core – honestly the intensity of it caused me to overflow with emotions, I was actually throwing up, unable to catch my breath, and shaking...it was that amazing!

There are some books, some authors that - when they publish you know, from the very tips of your toes that you will do EVERYTHING in your power to get the book early, and if not, you will be the first in line, or the first to order it where ever you can get it. Elizabeth Isaacs, is an author that's like that for me – and there might be 1 or 2 others – Kristie Cook has become that to me...

She created an intense connection, an amazing world, full of the little details, but while doing so, she created characters that took my breath away, they offered so much more of themselves than most characters do, at least for me. Alexis with her heart of gold, the love she wears on her sleeve and her intense desire to understand everything around her and Tristan with his strength, never ending love and his intensity – I was enraptured, captivated!

Bottom Line – With dark webbing of love intertwining throughout this haunting love story, it encapsulated me, spun a web that became impenetrable. Kristie Cook offers what every reader wants, a beautiful escape, with rich details, and characters that take your breath away, before you even realize it. The ending had me doubling over in physical pain, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, I was already crying my eyes out...I simply can NOT wait for the next book Purpose, where I can only hope and pray that Alexis finds...sorry, never mind – I can't say that, with out ruining it! :) I give Promise 5++ and I simply can't wait for more!

Buy Borrow or Steal? Indie publishing at it's very best, a must read in my book!

Promise (Soul Savers, #1)
By: Kristie Cook
368 Pages
Published: July 30, 2010
Publisher: Ang'dora Productions, LLC
Received via my own cash from Smashwords.com.

Fangirl, me?

2010-09-21T14:33:00.003-04:00

Sabrina from About Happy Books asked today as her question of the week: Which Author Makes You Act Like A Fangirl?

This question is hard for me, because I love so many different author's for such different reason's and I find MOST of the authors I fangirl about the most, are NOT mainstream authors at all: most of my fangirling comes into play when indie authors do!

Now, don't get me wrong when Lauren Kate comes out with a new book, you better believe I will do what I can to get one of the very first copies – same goes with Cassandra Claire and Stephenie Meyer (if she ever writes again), plus countless others...

But what really gets me going these day's are indie authors – I get all crazy when one of these awesome woman tweet me, or drop me an email – and yesterday when I got a poster in the mail in which Jennifer DeLucy signed, I nearly jumped up and down AND fell out of my chair!

That's right, Indie authors are what is really rowing my boat these days! Authors like Elizabeth Isaacs (whom you all know I fangirl after), Kristie Cook (whose book cover is my facebook avi these days), Susan Bischoff, E.J. Stevens, Brenda Pandos, Kate Kaynak, Catherine Banks, Jacquelyn Wheeler and Lisa Sanchez – plus countless others I have yet to discover or have forgotten...

It's not because these authors are “off the radar” that I love them, it's all about their stories – the connections, the very real feeling each of these books gave me – yes of course they are all about VERY different things – but each, in there own way gave me something, I take with me; something I carry around in my pocket.

These woman not only offer WONDERFUL stories full of mystery and intrigue as well as amazing love stories and immeasurable twists and turns – they also offer themselves, and I don't mean to say that the more “main stream” authors don't offer themselves with in the pages of their books (or even on Twitter and email) – they do, totally! But when your an Indie author you have 0 budget for marketing, so they really do, I think, put themselves out there even more! And though I don't know each of them as well as I might like, I can tell you they wear there hearts out there on there selves, they do this because it's in there soul to do it, and for me – that shines though!

So while, I might have been scared to read my first book from an unknown Indie Author, I never will again – these authors are Diamond’s in the rough and their stories are totally worth your time!

The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger - Review

2010-09-21T09:53:00.000-04:00

Bitch, Slut, Prude, Tease, Dork, Cunt, Liar...The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)...

We, as people, at one time or another are all these things - maybe not each day, maybe not each week or month - but at some point or another, we think and feel about ourselves, the way each of these words makes us feel.

My mom often tells me that a person can hear 1,000 times that they are beautiful, amazing, respectful, sweet, loving...ect. But hear any of these words, just once, either from yourself or someone you love - and that becomes who you are, that word begins to define you, you begin to almost live by it - a word with no more than 5 letters suddenly defines you...who you are, whom you can become, as well as in some cases whom you allow yourself to love.

The DUFF reminds us, that everyone - look around you - EVERYONE is or has been The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend), at some point in there life, as well as the bitch, or the liar.

None of us are perfect, none of us has the right to throw stones...if we all lived in glass houses, the world would be highly uninspiring (not to mention icky) - it's the differences that makes us whole, it's the bitchiness, the shyness, the sluttiness - that defines us, makes us who we are...The DUFF reminds us to embrace who we are, not hide from it.

Synopsis via goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I loved The DUFF, it's empowering, though it deals with some rather hard topics, like teen sex, using others to make yourself feel good (or at least numb), alcoholism, best friends and boys – it's told in a poignantly real, effective way. Kody Keplinger – you can tell is a teen. NOT because her writing does not hold all the power of a more seasoned author – but with her teen status comes, authority on the subject of teens! She writes like she knows, like she's been there – like she lives in the mind of Bianca – and I guess, maybe a little part of her does. Being an 18 year old author, plays into Kody's hands with The DUFF, she just knows!

Kody's main character Bianca, makes some REALLY horrible choices, Wesley is a womanizing jerk, and Bianca's friends are typical – they want to help, but when Bianca pulls away they let her go...begrudgingly. All of them felt real to me, walking talking teens, with feelings, thoughts and desires. Everything they did, and said felt real, never pushed or rushed...Wesley's quips to Bianca, Bianca's outside shell, that she tries hard to hold onto, so no one can see her pain...and even “the friends” pushing, but only so much until they started to get ticked off!

The characters really nailed this one, but the plot is expansive; it's a book that really stands out from the crowd. I felt like each of the different aspects of The DUFF worked hand in hand with each other...often times I fall in love with the characterization or the plot – but when the two work cohesively together that's when a masterpiece – for me – is born. The DUFF had that, in spades.

Bottom Line - The DUFF is an emotional read, but not in the way that I was crying my eyes out – but rather in the way that, it made me want to push to become a better person, to stop being so judgmental, to remember that each of us IS the DUFF, at least some of the time. Kody Keplinger is an amazing talent, we in the YA world are lucky to have, she's got a gift – not of telling the most beautiful story you have ever heard, but of telling one of the most real, and authentic books I have ever read! I give The DUFF 5 mushrooms – it's a MUST read for teens today!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? With it's real and poignant voice, The DUFF offers a real look at teen life today, from what I can tell as a mom looking though her daughters eyes. Was it tough to read, yes but was it important, YES!

The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)
By: Kody Keplinger
288 Pages
Published: September 7, 2010
Publisher: Little Brown/Poppy
Received via an ARC Tour for my honest review.

#SPEAKLOUDLY

2010-09-20T08:39:00.000-04:00

As a book blogger, there's nothing I can say that these amazing ladies did not say better....

As a rape survivor, there's a hollow feeling inside my chest at the very thought that a book like Twenty Boy Summer would be pulled off the shelves...I have yet to read Speak, but I own it, and will be reading it ASAP!

As a woman who has always suffered with depression, I feel as though Mr. Scroggins is trying to take away my right to feel connected to those who have suffered, in much the same way I have.

As a woman who has experienced having charcoal being used on her to prevent her death, and who has used coping mechanisms like cutting to just make it though the day, I feel an intense urge to spit on men like Mr. Scroggins - his thoughts are beyond disgusting, his arguments beyond reproach, I can't even find it with in me to link to him!

As I said before, I can't say it better...than the ladies in the links below - so please if you have not already, take the time and #SPEAKLOUDLY, for those of us that still don't feel like we have a voice!

Veronica Roth: A (Christian) Take on Banning Speak
J.C. Redwine SPEAKing Out in a big way!
Saundra Mitchell Speak Loudly
Myra McEntire: Speaking Loudly - In Defense of Laurie Halse Anderson
Late Bloomer - We are Fighting Back!
Lisa and Laura - #SpeakLoudly: Your Comments = Donated Copies of Speak
Reggie from Under The Cover Book Lover - Do not Listen to Wesley Scroggins!
April from Good Books and Wine - On Speak and Book Banning
Natalie at Mindful Musings - The Truth Can Change Everything: Speak Out About Speak
Lexie at Poisoned Rationality - Make Your Voices Heard, #SpeakLoudly
Frankie Writes - #SpeakLoudly + Giveway

As well as Laurie Halse Anderson herself about Speak:
Laurie Halse Anderson herself- This guy things SPEAK is pornography

And what Sarah Ockler is doing:
Win a Wesley Scroggins Filthy Book Prize Pack
She also has a post written day's ago about what Censorship Teaches Kids

Blog Tour: Guest Post with Jessica Verday + Giveaway

2010-09-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

Today I am thrilled to have Jessica Verday, author of one of my favorite haunted series, The Hollow and The Haunted.

I asked Jessica, If you could trade places with any other person for 1 week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. Whom would it be and why? What would you like to do?

I would love, love, love to be Sailor Moon for a week. (After she meets Tuxedo Mask but before her daughter, Sailor Mini Moon, comes to earth) Tuxedo Mask was one of my first fictional crushes. I grew up watching the anime cartoons and SO wanted to be a Sailor Scout. Yes, I *might* have pretended that I had secret powers.

If I actually got my wish, I think I would spend all of my time with Tuxedo Mask. You know, swooning around and letting him come to my rescue. I love Sailor Moon so much that I dressed up as her for Halloween in 2008. (And I even had my own Tuxedo Mask!)

More about Jessica (taken from her blog):
A life-long book lover, and avid reader, Jessica Verday wrote her first story when she was much younger. Titled "Bobby's Bazillion Bananas" it was about a boy named Bobby who planted a banana in his backyard and it sprouted into a banana tree overnight. There were - you guessed it - a bazillion bananas.

If she could have any superpower, she'd want to have X-Ray vision and the ability to make no-calorie cupcakes appear out of thin air. When not daydreaming about moving into a library of her own, she can be found working on her next story, taking a nap, or buying vintage furniture. She likes: rainy nights, warm blankets, old postcards, baby animals, cemeteries, Johnny Cash, handmade jewelry, zombie movies, L.J. Smith books, abandoned buildings, trains and snow.

To find out more about Jessica you can visit:
Jessica V erday.com
Jessica's Blog
Jessica's Facebook
Hollow Fandom

GIVEAWAY

Jessica is giving away one of her amazing perfumes...here's your chance to win:

Kristen

here's what Jessica say's on her blog about this scent:

Kristen - Grapefruit, ginger, vanilla, and myrrh swirl together to create a sweetheart of a scent. What else could be a better fit for a best friend?

US only!

To enter just leave your name and email address (so I can get a-hold of you) - if you are a follower of Jessica make sure to leave a note and I will give you one extra entry! :)

Winner will be choosen on 26th of September!

Weekly Wrap-Up

2010-09-19T12:18:00.000-04:00

In my mailbox is a weekly meme brought to you by The Story Siren. It's a way for others to get a look at what you might have gotten in the mail or via the library this week.

received
bought
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

publisher
Knight Angels Book of Love by Abra Ebner
Knight Angels Book of Revenge by Abra Ebner
Crash into Me (x2) by Albert Borris

author
Forts Fathers and Sons by Steven Novak (he even drew me something!)

won
Return the Heart by T.K. Richardson (Signed +swag) from My Overstuffed Bookshelf (THANK YOU I can't wait to read it!)

posts

Monday I had Jami from YA Addict here for Music Monday. Monday I also asked How Do You Choose?
I reviewed The Haunted (The Hollow, #2) by Jessica Verday on Tuesday - I gave it 5++ Mushrooms.
Wednesday brought a MiniView of Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin - I give it 3 Mushrooms. Wednesday I also featured Whispers of Light (Light, #2) by Jennifer DeLucy for my WoW.
I reviewed, Hush Money (Talent Chronicles, #1) by Susan Bischoff on Thursday - I gave it 5 Mushrooms.
My Friday Fav. was with Susan Bischoff, I interviewed her as well as offered a giveaway of Hush Money!
Then Saturday I featured some of my own photography in Saturday Sights.

read in the last week

Promise (Soul Savers, #1) by Kristie Cook ~5++
Reunion of the Untouchables (The Study Train, #1) by Kurt Frenier ~2
Intrinsical by Lani Woodland ~5
Book Of Love (Knight Angels, #1) ~4

This week I would have to say my favorite read was Promise by Kristine Cook, it was amazing in so many ways - stay tuned this coming week for my review! I also really enjoyed Intrinsical by Lani Woodland and Book of Love was also, a really interesting book, so different from my norm, yet also dealing with much the same "subjects" I love - IE angels, shapeshifters and mindreaders!

Up next for me is Book of Revenge (Knight Angels, #2) then probably Torment (Fallen, #2)...looking forward to them both!

So, what have you been up to this week?

Saturday Sights

2010-09-18T10:12:00.000-04:00

The last one is of Aubrey, the other's random photo shoots I have done...gotta love my job!

This is Aubrey last winter...

Friday Fav. Interview with Susan Bischoff and Giveaway!

2010-09-17T07:45:00.035-04:00

Today I am thrilled to have Susan Bischoff here at Book Crazy as my Friday Fav. Susan and I have, though email, become friends she's funny, bright and lovely to chat with, I am so excited to share her with you! As well as get a little tidbit of info on Hero's 'Till Curfew (Talent Chronicles, #2)!

Where did the idea of Hush Money come from?
Hush Money is the first story in the Talent Chronicles series. The Chronicles is something I’ve been kicking around for years because I LOVE superheroes, Saturday morning cartoons, superhero movies like Batman, but I get so frustrated by what they do to the romances in those stories (and sometimes by the way they portray women, but that’s a whole other deal…). So I kept saying, someday, I’m going to have superhero romance and there WILL be happily ever after, dammit!! (Picture me raising my fist in some Gone With the Wind “So help me” moment. It’s very dramatic.)

Anyway, the Talent Chronicles actually originated as a series with adult characters that I wasn’t doing particularly well with, and I was looking for some fresh ideas. While watching the entire Buffy series back-to-back, again, I just thought, “Man, I wish I’d written Buffy.” It didn’t take long for me to decide that I was at least going to try.

Of course, I couldn’t actually write Buffy. Been done. And even though Joss is definitely worlds away from being a Buffy, I hope that some of what inspired me comes through in her story.

Did you draw any of the character's traits from yourself or those you know?
The way I think about this stuff, every character I write has to have a facet of me. It’s not that they are all me, but there has to be something that we share, something that serves a bridge for me to get into them and write them. Otherwise, I don’t think they’d ever feel authentic. So I guess the best way to describe that is just to say that it’s that feeling you get when you’re talking to someone, someone who’s not exactly like you, but you think, “Yes! I’ve had that experience, I know exactly what you mean.” In at least that one area, you “get” them and have a connection. So some traits are mine, and some I steal from other people.

In Hush Money, Joss is taught from a young age that standing out, is never a good thing, with good reason - but did this give you pause, while writing? With teens today being so afraid to be who they really are, did you think anyone might take it the wrong way (if they don't read the whole book, which would be silly since it's amazing but...)?
Honestly, that’s one of the important themes for me, personally, in Hush Money. To some people, conformity is just sooo important. And sometimes it can be very soul-sucking and damaging. I think Joss experiences something that a lot of kids do, as far as their parents having certain expectations. Joss’s dad wants her to fit a certain mold, and yes, that’s because he loves her and doesn’t want her to become a caged animal in a government lab. For other kids, it might be a parent who wants them to really stand out and excel. Those are two sides of the same coin. Part of what Joss is going through is a bump that makes her stumble on her path, it’s waking her up a little, and it’s making her question whether this is the only way, whether it’s really right or what she wants.

One of the teen movies I really love is Pump Up the Volume with Christian Slater. Often, as I’m thinking through these situations, I’m hearing Paige Woodward (“the girl who blew up her kitchen”) at the podium, ranting about how she’s just been going through the motions of being perfect, “and we’re all just afraid to be who we really are!”

So this struggle about hiding our true identity is something that a lot of us have to go through, even if we don’t have an illegal superpower. I hope readers will relate to that, and that it will pull them through the story, and maybe get them thinking about their own path.

Kat, really dragged Joss kicking and screaming from her shell, in turn allowing Joss to fully come into herself, was it important to you to show kids that even with a reason, surrounding yourself in a shell is never a good thing?
As a long-time turtle myself, I think what I wanted to show was how much she was missing. It’s not right or wrong. Sometimes, being in a shell is what you have to do to get by. But there’s so much to miss out on, and I wanted Joss to realize that.

I’ve been kind of surprised by how some readers have reacted to Kat, the love they have for her as a character, and I really shouldn’t have been. People like Kat, who can reach out to an outsider and really try to lift them up and include them, those are some really awesome people. So that was another thing I wanted to show: how important those people are, and how much that out-stretched hand can change a person’s life.

How has the publishing process been, why did you decide to go the Indie route?
For people who aren’t really into the whole publishing process or the emergence of ebooks and independently published authors, there’s tons of stuff that’s been going which has fed into my decision. But I don’t want to bore you with all that.

Short version: The biggest factor for me was this idea that no one was ever going to read about the Talents. Everyone’s always harping about how your query letter has to be pitch-perfect and hit the right agent at the right time with exactly the concept of moment, just to get a request for a few chapters, which have to be pitch-perfect… Then you get an agent, and the agent starts shopping it to editors and the same process begins again. Then the editors don’t want to see series books from new authors, because who knows if people will like you, or if you can write past the first book, and all I really wanted to work on was my series.

There was just so much negativity on the path to traditional publishing that I quit writing, and I didn’t come back until I got into reading about indie publishing. The idea that I could just write, and sell my books to people who wanted to read them… lather, rinse, repeat that. It totally appealed to my DIY, stick-it-to-The-Man soul.

I love the cover, I assume you had a lot of input, can you tell us where the idea came from, it's an attention grabber.
Thank you! I love it too. The cover was designed by Robin Ludwig of Robin Ludwig Design Inc., who is just an incredibly talented graphic designer and a wonderful professional to work with. Robin really listened to what the story was about, read excerpts, and exchanged a lot of ideas with me. My critique partner and friend, talented author Kait Nolan, came through with a link to the perfect image for Joss, and it all came together.

Is there anything you can tell us about Hush Money - book 2, I know there's gotta be more, please tell me I am right!
Book two is called Heroes ’Til Curfew, and it is all about more. I’m having trouble in this next one, not letting the romance take over the whole story. There are also more new characters with more super abilities, more fight scenes, more tough choices. It’s definitely going to have to be a longer book. And yes, it is another Joss/Dylan story.

If you could trade places with any other person for 1 week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. Whom would it be and why?
Ok, I stink at these questions, because, really…

Would I go be Malcolm Reynolds, so that I could stop being an idiot and tell Inara that I LOVE her!? But then, if I were on Firefly, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep my eyes off Jayne, and as Malcolm, that might be a wee bit uncomfortable, so…

Would I go be Lana Lang so I could stop being an idiot and go make out with Clark Kent for a week? But then, I’m not sure she, even if she were me, is good enough for him, even if he would be happy for a bit, so…

Would I go be Buffy so I could know what’s like to really kick some ass? And then, when Spike makes his amazing speech to me after all my friends turn on me, I could say what an idiot I’ve been and suggest we just run away together, except that that would mean the end of the world, so…

Maybe I should just be myself. Plus, who knows what any one of those guys would do to my life during the trade.

Favorites:
Music: LOVE Breaking Benjamin, also Evanescence, Metallica, 80s glam rock and Monster Ballads, a-ha, and good covers. (OH WOW, AWESOME MUSIC CHOICES - I love ALL these LOL)

Song: Breaking Benjamin’s “Until the End” is a Talent Chronicles theme song for me, so I’m listening to that a lot right now.

Color: Unlike Joss, I love pink!

Book: Well, that’s a pretty impossible question, so I’ll tell you that my I’m loving manga right now, and thought Mark Crilley’s Miki Falls quartet was pretty much Teen Paranormal Romance perfection—with fabulous art.
Paranormal Personality: I just freakin’ love Buffy. You already got that, right? I love her vulnerability, and the inner strength that always makes her get up again every time. I love the reluctance that accompanies her selfless gestures, and how that reminds us that she’s just a girl.
Place to read: I have an e-reader device that I am absolutely mad about, so really, anywhere is my favorite place now that I’ve got a hundred books in my bag all the time.

Place to write: I usually write at my kitchen table, surrounded by many empty Diet Coke cans.

Anything you’d like to tell the readers?
Thank you. Like I said before, when I thought no one would ever read the Talent Chronicles, it felt like there was no point in doing the work. If it weren’t for you guys, I’d just be sitting around day-dreaming about Joss and Dylan. Putting them down on the page for you makes them that much more real for me. So thank you for that.

Becoming an indie author has made me so much more aware of the power that we all have in the Information Age. As we casually talk to each other about what we like and what we don’t, more than ever before, consumers are deciding what movies, music, and books are the ones that everyone will want to read. It doesn’t have to be all about who has the biggest budget anymore. So if you like a book, I hope you’ll leave a review on Amazon, send out a tweet, or just tell a friend. From us it’s spam, but from you it’s a recommendation, and it’s a tremendous gift to any author.

Hush Money is available as an ebook from...

Amazon (DRM-free PRC)
Amazon UK (DRM-free PRC)
Smashwords (HTML, MOBI, EPUB, PDF, LRF, RTF, PDB, TXT)
Scribd (PDF)
Kobo (EPUB)
Sony (EPUB)
Barnes and Noble (for Nook)

Paperback coming soon.

Visit Susan Bischoff:
Website/Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Goodreads

Giveaway!!!

Susan is giving away to one lucky reader a FREE copy of the eBook Hush Money - all you have to do to enter is fill out the FORM - Winner will be chosen at random on October 1, 2010!!!

Hush Money (Talent Chronicles, #1) by Susan Bischoff - Review

2010-09-16T07:32:00.002-04:00

Have you guys seen Pretty Little Liars? I can't talk about the books, I have yet to read them, but the show...each week the characters are dealing with a “smaller” problem, while the bigger issue always lies just outside there reach...they are always trying to conceal there secrets, because there sure, at this point if anyone found out, it would ruin them.

Hush Money reminded me of that, NOT because the stories are similar, but...

My Synopsis:
In Hush Money, we are introduced to Joss, a girl with a secret...but wait, though alternating points of view we also enter the world of Dylan a boy that Joss has always, basically ignored, but at the same time secretly crushed on...over the years.

Though, Dylan is not atypical, Joss tends to ignore everyone – she's been told since before she could walk or even understand that standing out, is NEVER a good thing...if your to popular or your grades are to high, people notice; but if your to standoffish and make bad grades others tend to look your way...so Joss prides herself at being just standoffish enough, while making B/C grades to maintain her ambiguity.

She likes it that way...or so she's told herself, she does not need people, or friends – she tried that once and it did not end well. Joss is sure that her family is all she needs, that's who can protect her, that's what her fathers always said.

But when Kat shows up, and takes on the mission of bring Joss out of her shell...she beings to wonder, just how much she's missing out on by her families imposed isolation but at the same time always understanding the risks she takes by revealing to much about who she really is.

After all, she's seen first hand what the government is capable of, when they even suspect someone of having a Talent – they don't ask questions, they don't gather evidence; they just come in, guns blaring, ordering you to surrender yourself, and no one ever sees you again! The last time that happened Joss lost her best friend, her only friend, and she's determined not to let that happen again!

But when Marco, the class bully, begins to blackmail Joss, her quiet world starts to slip away...she needs help, she needs to somehow learn to trust, she needs to remember what it's like to not feel so alone, but how – when at every turn revealing your secret could mean, exposing yourself, and with that comes the chance that her secrets could fall into the wrong hands; the governments hands.

Can Joss learn to trust in time, can she start believing that not everyone is out to hurt her, or is she just kidding herself?

Hush Money is a fast paced story, with superheros – honestly what's not to love? But it's not just that, it's got beautifully ingrained messages on friendship, hope and learning to trust. Susan Bischoff has created with her debut novel a winner! Honestly, I had no idea what to expect when I first read the synopsis for Hush Money – I had not seen any reviews, and when I found out that it's just over 100 pages – I did not hold out much hope.

Honestly, I have never read a book where I felt connected enough to the plot as well as the characters in a book so short! It's unheard of...however, Hush Money was different – I connected, within the first few pages, I was in love with Joss – her personality, her originality, and her spirit shine though. She's a heck of a character! Then we have Dylan, though, we did not get to know him as well as Joss – he's got an amazing heart, and a solid head on his shoulders, which I enjoyed! There are others too, like Kat, whom I believe would bend over backwards for anyone – especially someone she calls a friend!

Susan Bischoff has a writing style that's different from most, she's raw, and powerful; if your looking for a novel that's full of beautiful prose, full of explicit details, Hush Money is not for you...however if your looking for a truly harrowing story, full with mystery, the beauty of friendship and the unique power of love – Hush Money will not disappoint!

Bottom Line – Hush Money is a short, quick read – but don't let that fool you because it is a well thought out novel with truly wonderful characters, the action flows seamlessly off the page, yet the characters themselves are so loveable your laughing with them, and rooting for them! Towards the end, when things start coming together, I teared up for Joss...I love that girl! Susan Bischoff is a wonderful addition to YA Literature, I am thrilled to be able to recommend this one to all my friends! I give it 5 mushrooms, and I can NOT wait for Heroes 'Til Curfew!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? Talents abound, secrets flourish, and characters leap from the pages in this funny, novel about friendship, mystery and love - if your looking for a quick read that comes together in a beautiful way Hush Money is the book for you!!!

Hush Money (Talent Chronicles, #1)
By: Susan Bischoff
Published: August 4, 2010
Publisher: Indie Author
Received via Susan Bischoff for my honest review. THANK YOU, for sharing it with me!

WoW ~ Whispers of Light by Jennifer DeLucy

2010-09-15T09:02:00.001-04:00

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I am actually NOT so patiently waiting on the 2nd book in the Light Series by Jennifer DeLucy - Whispers of Light - I am ACTUALLY freaking out waiting!!! *EAK*

You might recall my devout love for Seers of Light (Light, #1) and with Whispers on it's way in late October...I gotta tell you I am BEYOND excited!

Jennifer has yet to release the cover but here's the blurb, seen for the first time here!

The saying goes that all men are created equal... but Nicole Abbot knows better. Lacking the supernatural gifts of the Sentients she has known all her life, Nicole has lived with her nose pressed to the glass, withering beneath the guilt of her own inadequacies and the disapproving glare of her father.

It's easy to believe that the universe has forgotten all about her, but things are not always as they seem. With the arrival of Christian Wright, a handsome but complex Combatant with a troubled history, Nicole is forced to question everything she has ever believed about herself, proving that sometimes, our most flawed perceptions are those reflected in a mirror.

HUGE FAN GIRL *SQUEAL* I can't tell you how excited I am!

So what about you, what are YOU waiting on?

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin – MiniView

2010-09-15T07:40:00.000-04:00

Addictive, yes – I struggled with this book, on one hand, the story is intense, addictive, with action and mystery that surrounded each place as well as each character. It left me guessing, all the way up till the last few pages. On the other hand, I felt like something was missing, I was left wanting more, more to the love story, more to the characters.

Synopsis via goodreads:
Avery Hood is reeling from the loss of her parents--and the fact that she can't remember what happened to them even though she was there.

She's struggling to adjust to life without them, and to living with her grandmother, when she meets Ben, who isn't like any guy she's ever met before.

It turns out there's a reason why, and Ben's secret may hold the key to Avery finding out what happened to her parents...

But what if that secret changes everything she knows about--and feels for--Ben?

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy Low Red Moon, and the ending left me thinking there's bound to be at least one sequel, which I will defiantly read. Low Red Moon has, what paranormal YA lovers might consider “it all” - a love story that's unique, a plot that's ever changing, with dramatic scenes, and a mystery that leaves you guessing right up till the end. However, I felt a bit let down...

I really had no expectations going into Low Red Moon, I had not heard much about it, but the synopsis as well as the cover stuck with me, and when the opportunity to read it came up, I jumped at the chance. I am, in all honest, happy I did.

The only thing really lacking, I felt, were those pesky characters, while I will admit in most books, I dont mind the characters falling “in love” quickly, without really understanding or knowing why, but in Low Red Moon, it felt forced, there was defiantly a connection between Ben and Avery, but I just did not totally buy into it, which in the end took away from the intense story line of Low Red Moon, I am sad to say.

I have read a few reviews, suggesting fans of Shiver/Linger might enjoy this book, and I can totally see that – the writing style is similar, though the plot's, while both having Werewolves in them, are completely different.

Ivy Devlin, much like Maggie Shiefvater, writes with a mix of sentence fragments as well as “normal” sentence structure. Which, was done extremely well in Low Red Moon, I loved how each type of sentence played off of the other, allowing us to see as well as feel fear, anxiety as well as love and betrayal. Ivy Devlin, has created a book that draws you in, even though the book (the ARC I read anyway) is just under 200 pages, things fit, and the mystery expands into something intoxicating!

Bottom Line – Action packed, this one has lots going for it, with a unique mystery, and a well thought out plot, I give it a solid 3 mushrooms, I can't wait to find out what happens next, I mean, the story can't end here...I don't think, or at least I hope not, anyway.

Buy, Borrow or Steal? A borrow for me, I am glad I got it via an ARC tour - but I don't think it's one I need to own.

Low Red Moon
By: Ivy Devlin
256 Pages
Published: September 14, 2010
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Received via an ARC tour for my honest review.

The Haunted (The Hollow, #2) by Jessica Verday - Review

2010-09-14T07:54:00.000-04:00

How do you know when it's love?

Is it because there touch feels right?
Is it because they stay up at night?
Is it because they laugh at your jokes?
Or maybe because they'd be in love with your ghost?

Do you think that when it happens you'll know?
What if your looking, and every way wrong?
What if the man of your dreams is gone?

Jessica Verday – is a favorite of mine, the moment I picked up her first book The Hollow and saw that she wrote it using spiral bound notebooks and black pens, I was hooked – a silly reason I know, but honestly in that small detail, Jessica became so real to me – and then when I got the opportunity to read her book, now books...that "realness" became pliable. Jessica became more than just a cool "about me" section in the back of her book...

Her writing is a breath of cool autumn air – her books both The Hollow and now The Haunted read fall to me, with it's crisp air, enticing smells and alluring colors...it's my favorite season and Jessica is one of my favorite authors.

Synopsis via goodreads:
After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with by the bridge where her best friend drowned - the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead - Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, determined to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into schoolwork, perfume-making and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be able to help her get over Caspian once and for all. But Abbey is never going to truly be able to move on from Caspian and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side: for Caspian is a Shade and Abbey is his destiny. The two are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow and the famous legend that binds their fates - a legend whose true ending and dark truths they are only just beginning to guess...

Usually, I admit, with a book 2 I struggle, getting back into the “world” recovering old memories from the book before, even with books that are my favorites I am, almost scared to continue the story – afraid of what will happen, afraid I might be disappointed...and with The Haunted, I did not even have an old review I could refer to for The Hollow, since I read it before I was blogging...

However, I was wrong to be nervous where Jessica is concerned, I was effortlessly thrust back into Abbey and Caspian's world...even though it's been a year since I read The Hollow, details slid off the page, the world encased me much like the shell encases a peanut, keeping it safe, warm and protected.

Abbey, is just as I remembered her; strong, independent, yet rich and graceful – she's still Abbey with her uncanny ability to create scents out of feelings, to bring out the beauty in others, along with her ability to adapt no matter what the situation.

Caspian is also back, and as I grew to know him more, I found him to be not only the hero that every girl dreams about but also, more solid – he's funny, and had me laughing on more than one occasion...he's passionate, loving and oh so determined.

I loved the scenes where Abbey and Caspian where talking, learning more and more about each other – it's with these scenes that we could see, their love growing in a gentle, yet beautiful arch...giving them a strength and substance we don't often see in YA literature. This is a love like very few other, it's got substance as well as a heart, and though without ruining some of the secrets, I can't explain why – I will tell you that Abbey and Caspian's love has a palpable, believable reason for existing!

The Haunted also explores more about the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, bringing in different elements and more details about what exactly a shade is (along with some other supernatural forces), we also meet with some much anticipated answers to long ago asked questions! Sufficed to say, without giving to much away, I enjoyed reading more about the "whys" of this intense world along with getting some of those elusive answers.

Bottom Line - With more secrets revealed, more suspenseful moments, more haunting details – The Haunted was aptly named, it's not a riveting novel, where your sitting on the edge of your seat the whole time (at least not till the end), but much in the style of Lauren Kate – The Haunted is an epic glide up a traitorous cliff. The details that Jessica Verday includes in her novels only add to there unforgettable allure, each word, each detail added for a reason – and when it comes together – it's nothing short of amazing! I give The Haunted 5++ mushrooms and I can NOT wait for the climax in The Horror (The Hollow, #3)!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? If your a fan of intense love, dark secrets, and legends that seep off the page – The Hollow and The Haunted or books you want to own, it's been my intense pleasure to have had the opportunity to read them both!

The Haunted (The Hollow, #2)
By: Jessica Verday
304 Pages
Published: August 31, 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Received via the publisher for my honest review.

How do you choose?

2010-09-13T10:43:00.001-04:00

I am having the hardest time, remember a while back I was complaining because I had sooo much to read, and I felt overwhelmed!

Well, I have since gotten over it, I mean – for the most part I have cut down on my ARC Tours, not because I wanted to but because of the pressure...and though I have still been getting plenty of books from publishers and the like, I feel less pressured, since they are “my books” I can read them as I want to.

So, now I have another problem – figuring out what to read next...

I mean – I have over 300 books sitting on my shelves UNREAD! Books I really want to read, like Firelight, 7 Souls, Shade, The Death Day Letter and Extraordinary...to ONLY name a select few...

Then I have 2nd books in the series to read too like Torment and Crescendo – which I am actually afraid to read, afraid that I will not like them as much as I did the first ones.

I think my problem is, fear actually, at least part of it – that and being TOTALLY overwhelmed with the AMOUNT of books I have waiting.

Does that stop me from browsing Smashwords.com for a new eBook to read, or heading off to Barns and Nobel, or browsing the new books coming out online, with an intense desire to BUY that new book that just come out, like Mockingjay, Immortal Beloved, Nevermore or Infinite Days – NOPE!!! Just last night while looking for something to read, I searched for Nevermore and Infinite Days for my Nook so I could read them.

I can't help it, my favorite place IS the book store – besides hanging with the kids, and home of course! I also, don't want to take all the books down, I LOVE looking at them, they feel “like home” to me – if that makes sense!

So, I wrote all of this to ask you one simple question – how do YOU pick your next read? Do you just put them in order and take one off the stack at a time? How do you balance your eBooks with your REAL books? I mean, I see my REAL books in front of me, but my eBooks are on a device, I can't see there shiny covers or read there synopsis'.

So, tell me – give me the benefit of your great wisdom and advice – oh and if you want to check out my “to read pile” and help me pick out my next read – you can see it on goodreads! (Some of them are not even listed! ACK!)

Well due to one of the suggests I just went though, and created a TBR - ARC, TBR - Publisher (most of these are from NetGalley) and a TBR - Bought lists - :) Maybe it will help! :D

Music Monday ~ Jami from YA Addict

2010-09-13T07:26:00.004-04:00

What's your favorite thing to blog about: (besides books)
Hmm, I don’t know if I blog about anything else. lol Even if I am not talking about books, I am talking about the Pub Industry or writing or YA topics. I guess if I were to blog about something else, it would be music, movies and TV shows. Especially True Blood and The Vampire Diaries. I know I have mentioned those before. Ooh, and Glee!

Name 3 interesting things about yourself no one knows (or not your fellow bloggers anyway):

1) I didn’t learn how to ride a bike until I was 12 years old, but I have been swimming since I was a baby.
2) I am left handed.
3) I am allergic to watermelon.

If you could listen to music all day long, which 4 albums would keep you most company:
Lungs by Florence and the Machine
The Resistance by Muse
Only by the Night by Kings of Leon
Bleed American by Jimmy Eat World

What's your favorite song/book right now:
My favorite song right now is King of Anything by Sara Bareilles. The lyrics are just perfect. I think we all have felt that way at some point.

My favorite book right now is The Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs. It was an unbelievably beautiful story. I am real tempted to drop all these review copies and read it again!

What's the one song that you're embarrassed to say you loved as a teen?
Just one? My God, there was so much crap out when I was a teen. But one I am really embarrassed to admit is All or Nothing by O Town. I remember singing it at the top of my lungs in my bedroom. Okay, I’ll go die now.

Are you one of those people who sing in there car? Do you dance too?
Oh, yes. I sing all the time in the car. I dance depending on who I am in the car with. My husband and I like to out-stupid each other with our crazy dance moves.

Lets say your having a dinner party, the guest list is up to you, living or dead – but it has to consist only of “artistic” people (IE musicians, authors, painters, photographers ect.). Who would you want to invite, what would the event be like: (IE Chaos, formal, 80's bash ect.)
I would invite every YA author there is. I would invite all the YA bloggers too (we are artistic!).
The theme would be Kailmeyra, like in The Light of Asteria. It would be all whimsical and fey-like. Oh, and Ian Somerhalder would be my ‘Gavin’ for the night. ;)

If your 5 year old nephew came to you and asked what “suprcalifragilisticexpialidocious” was what would you say:
I would tell him it means he has to start doing the chicken dance when someone says it. Then I would put in Marry Poppins every time he comes over. :D