As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Summary:

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Review:

I've been dying to read As You Wish for what seems like ages now. Since, for one, does it or does not have a really original premise? Plus, even though a lot of people are going to disagree with me on this one, I do like the cover. Mostly because it reminds me of the one scene that takes place in the book.

Anyway, As You Wish is one book that can be quickly summed up in one phrase: " A cute and darling book". I really did highly enjoy this read.

For one, Viola was a character that I could easily connect with and picture myself in her shoes. One of the biggest reasons was that she was just surprisingly real. Since, who hasn't ever felt at one point or another lonely like she does even if you/ her have a great set of friends? Probably not many of you. Also, Jinn was yet another character that I adored. Him and Viola were just such a great pair and one that I constantly rooted for. Lawrence was a fantastic add, too!

The one thing that was quite refreshing about As You Wish was that the love between Viola and Jinn built up over time as they became closer to each other and just at first sight like most novels out there. Oh, and I did enjoy the suspense that came at the end that left one question in your mind: 'Will they be together or not?' and more importantly 'Will she remember him?'

Overall, As You Wish is one read that I definitely suggest you give a try. I truly can't wait to read more by Jackson!

Grade: A

As You Wish is now out!

Quick Q and A's with Reggie From The Undercover Book Lover ( Not Really!)

Reggie is the toatally awesome person behind The Undercover Book Lover which is an amazing blog if I do say so myself! :) Anyway, here's the Quick Q and A's post.

~~~~~

1) What lead you to start your blog, The Undercover Book Lover?

I saw a blog called A Garden of Book when I was surfing online one day and what I saw, shocked me! I never knew something like this existed! I love being a book blogger!

2) One thing that really catches my eye about your blog is the name which leaves to wonder how you came to choose it.

Haha! The Undercover Book Lover is actually pure irony. Most people who know me, know that I love books. That's all I get from everyone! For Christmas, everyone gives me books or gift certificates for bookstores...I love it!

3) Is there anything that makes your blog different from the usual YA blog? If so, in what ways?

Well, the titles of the features are one thing. I like tinkering around with the titles. Another thing is my review system. It's probably the most complicated one...hehe

4) What had your reaction to the blogging community been like so far?

It is UH-MAZE-TASTIC!!! Seriously! Everyone is sooooo nice and friendly! That's what I love most about blogging...meeting new people!

5) If you had to go to a desert island and you could only pick three books which ones would they be? Why?

I would pick Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (even though I haven't read it yet), A book on survivng a desert island (totally original right? LOL!), and Hush, Hush (I can't wait to read this!)

6) Do you have any advice for other young adults or even adults who would like to start their own blog?

DO IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT! Don't do it for free books...sure it's a fantastic plus, but don't make it your sole motivation for starting one...for me, it's kind of abusing your power as a blogger.

7) What would your idea of prefect day be like?

My subtitle under my blog is Rainy Days + Caramel Macchiato + Books + Oreos = My Life (I wish!) That is how I want my days! Haha...unfortunately, it's filled with homework and stress right now...oh, well, that's school!

8) Can you list three random things about yourself?

If I could re-name myself, I'd pick Ava. (I have no clue why!)
I'm writing a 60, 000 word novel...I'm currently half way done! (30, 000)
I can do a split! (seriously! it's completely true!)

9) Is there anything else you would like to add?

YES! Thanks so much to all my followers and........LAUREN!!!!!!!! You guys are DA best!!!!!

~~~~~~~~

Why thank you! :) Anyway, what are you all waiting for, go check out Reggie's blog now!

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

* Spoilers present in both Summary and Review from previous books. I tried hard as I could to not touch on any big revelations BP has in store.

Summary:

DIMITRI'S HEART HAS GONE DARK

Now Rose must journey to the ends of the earth to find--and kill--her one true love...

Or has the time come to join him?

BOUND BY LOVE, BUT SWORN TO KILL...

The rest of the world had considered Dimitri dead. And to a certain extent, he was. But I hadn't been able to forget a conversation he and I had once had. We'd both agreed that we'd rather be dead—truly dead—than walk the world as Strigoi. It was time to honor our words.

Guardian Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Review:

I've probably mentioned this an hundred times before, but I'm still going to for the 101th time because it's 100 percent true. Vampire Academy is by far my favorite vampire series out there and in the top three of my favorite series overall.

Blood Promise was just as amazing and mind blowing as the previous installments.

Richelle just has this talent to make you became completely intertwined in her books from the start. Since, she makes you laugh at the funny parts and your heart continue to ache as Rose went on the harrowing journey to kill Dimitri.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the new fabulous characters we met along with Rose as she journeyed through Siberia. I really hope Sydney, Abe, and a few others make appearances in the next two books, because I truly enjoyed reading about them.

I also liked how Adrian's character continued to grow throughout the story in way that showed he would never stop caring for Rose. This all made him one guy I wouldn't mind seeing Rose end up with. Well, only if the miracle I'm hoping for with Dimitri doesn't work out.

Lastly, I loved the twists and turns Richelle kept throwing in, especially towards the end, because they made the story go in a fast pace.

The one thing that I didn't fully enjoy about this was how Lissa got when Rose left her. I mean, seriously, it's time for Lissa to start standing up for herself. I do understand, though, that there were criticisms that made her act the way she did. But she still should had the common sense to not ruin almost all the good things she had going for her. Luckily, this didn't detract from the overall story too much and Lissa had already begun to redeem herself in my eyes by the last couple of chapters.

Overall, Blood Promise is a book to enjoy thoroughly and one that will make you sad when it's over. Since, all you want to do is find out what happens next as soon possible. Sadly, Spirit Bound doesn't hit shelves till next May, the 18th to be exact.

I highly recommend this series.

Grade: A+

Blood Promise is now out!!

In My Mailbox ( 8/24 to 8/29)

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. All summaries are from either Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Goodreads.

For Review:

The Sky Always Hears Me ( And The Hills Don't Mind) by by Kirstin Cronn- Mills ( Paperback/ September 2009/ Flux)

I borrow the car again from Grandma and drive out to my hill. I scream I AM A BIG FAT ZERO, plus I AM SWEARING OFF KISSING FOREVER, and I HATE BEING A SECRET SEX FIEND, about sixteen times each. Then I sit very still and watch a hawk swirl over the fields. I have to get a new life before I go crazy.

Sixteen-year-old Morgan lives in a hick town. Her mom was killed in a car accident when she was two, her dad drinks, and her stepmom is a non-entity. Her boyfriend Derek is boring and she can't stop staring at her coworker Rob's cute butt. Then there's the kiss she shared with her neighbor Tessa . . . But when Morgan discovers a devastating secret about the one person she completely trusted, her entire world crashes and she must redefine her life and herself.

Compelling and complex, The Sky Always Hears Me is a fast-paced narrative with raw humor and a heart-wrenching twist.

Already read it and it's amazing! Loved it! Review coming September 3rd, I think. :)


Everything Sucks by Hannah Friedman ( Paperback/ HCI/ August 2009)

When everything sucks, change everything . . .

And that's exactly what Hannah Friedman set out to do in an ambitious attempt to bust out of a life of obscurity and absurdity and into an alternate world of glamour, wealth, and popularity.

Being dubbed 'That Monkey Girl' by middle school bullies and being pulled out of sixth grade to live on a tour bus with her agoraphobic mother, her smelly little brother, and her father's hippie band mates convinces Hannah that she is destined for a life of freakdom.

But when she enters one of the country's most prestigious boarding schools on scholarship, Hannah transforms herself into everything she is not: cool. By senior year, she has a perfect millionaire boyfriend, a perfect GPA, a perfect designer wardrobe, and is part of the most popular clique in school, but somehow everything begins to suck far worse than when she first started. Her newfound costly drug habit, eating disorder, identity crisis, and Queen-Bee attitude lead to the unraveling of Hannah's very unusual life.

Putting her life back together will take more than a few clicks of her heels, or the perfect fit of a glass slipper, in this not-so-fairy tale of going from rock bottom to head of the class and back again.

This book came in like the most crazy package thing ever, so it took me forever to open it. Though, it definitely was worth it when I saw this was in it. :)

The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones ( Hardcover/ September 2009/ Walker Books)

Fans of urban fantasy should prepare for a new kind of vampire—one that feeds off of tears instead of blood. Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears, Cassandra Gray depends on human sorrow to live. Her job as a grief counselor at the hospital provides the perfect cover to keep this secret safe, and any time a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, she’s there. Only Cass has grown tired of living a lie and wants to live like a human, especially now that she’s found someone worth fighting for.

Vampires that eat tears? I'm intrigued.

Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein ( ARC/ November 2009/ Bloomsbury USA)

The daughter Macbeth might have had, if Shakespeare had thought to create her…

Albia has grown up with no knowledge of her mother of her father, the powerful Macbeth. Instead she knows the dark lure of the Wychelm Wood and the moors, where she’s been raised by three strange sisters. It’s only when the ambitious Macbeth seeks out the sisters to foretell his fate that Albia’s life becomes tangled with the man who leaves nothing but bloodshed in his wake. She even falls in love with Fleance, Macbeth’s rival for the throne. Yet when Albia learns that she has the second sight, she must decide whether to ignore the terrible future she foresees—or to change it. Will she be able to save the man she loves from her murderous father? And can she forgive her parents their wrongs, or must she destroy them to save Scotland from tyranny?

In her highly anticipated follow-up to Ophelia, Lisa Klein delivers a powerful reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, featuring a young woman so seamlessly drawn it seems impossible she was not part of the Bard’s original play.

Ah, I love historical fiction!

Waking : A Dreams of the Dead Novel by Thomas Randall ( ARC/ November 2009/ Blomsburry USA)

Kara’s afraid to go to sleep—until the nightmares come when she’s awake . . . .

Sixteen-year-old Kara Foster is an outsider in Japan, but is doing her best to fit at the private school where her father is teaching English for the year. Fortunately she’s befriended by Sakura, a fellow outsider struggling to make sense of her sister’s unsolved murder some months ago. No one seems to care about the beautiful girl who was so brutally murdered, and the other students go on as if nothing has happened. Unfortunately, the calm doesn’t last for long. Kara begins to have nightmares, and soon other students in the school turn up dead, viciously attacked by someone . . . or something. Is Sakura getting back at those she thinks are responsible for her sister’s death? Or has her dead sister come back to take revenge for herself?

This first book in a frightening new trilogy will have teens glued the page and scared to go to sleep.

This looks really good!

Pastworld by Ian Beck ( ARC/ October 2009/ Bloomsbury USA)

What if all of London were really an amusement park—a whole city returned to Victorian times to entertain visitors from the twenty-first century? That's the wildly original premise of Ian Beck's Pastworld, a high-stakes mystery set in a simulated past.

Eve is a lifelong resident of Pastworld who doesn’t know she’s living in a theme park until a mysterious threat forces her to leave home. Caleb is a visiting tourist who finds the lawlessness of the past thrilling—until he suddenly becomes a fugitive from an antiquated justice system. And in the midst of it all, in the thick London fog a dark and deadly figure prowls, claiming victim after victim. He’s the Fantom, a creature both of the past and of the present, in whose dark purpose Caleb and Eve will find their destinies combined.

Page-turning, complex, and haunting, Pastworld masterfully exposes the human experience of the past, of violence, of technology, and of entertainment.

This looks amazing, too!

The Duplicates:

Stealing Death by Janet Lee Carey ( Hardcover/ September 2009/ Egmont!)

“I want that soul sack,” he said suddenly.
“What?” the witch asked around the scrap of meat she was chewing.
“I want it so no one I love will ever, ever, ever have to go inside again.”
“It’s not for mortal hands to have.” The witch spat out a bit of bone.
“You know magic. Give me the power to steal the sack.”

When fire steals his family from him, Kipp is left with only his little sister to protect as best he can, and he’s determined that death will not come to her–or to the girl he loves but can never approach.

But who would dare to master death? As Kipp finds out, it’s complicated, and possession of the soul sack is no guarantee of success. Dragon’s Keep author Janet Lee Carey has crafted a stirring and original fantasy set in a harsh and beautiful desert landscape, in which a young man who has lost everything finds the strength within himself to care for those he loves–and to allow those he cannot keep close to him to take a path he cannot follow.

Already have an ARC of this which I'm excited to read. Anyways, maybe I'll be giving it away sometime soon.

From Contest:

Jet Set by Carrie Karasyor and Jill Kargman ( ARC/ September 2008/ Harper Teen)

What have I gotten myself into?

Caviar at every meal, white-tie affairs (because black tie is so last season), trips to Geneva to pick up the latest couture, and real, live royals lurking around every corner? Let me tell you, there are plenty of times when I feel like I don't fit in at my new Swiss boarding school. I'm just an American, here on scholarship, ready to kick some academic and tennis butt so I can have my pick of Ivy League colleges.

But now I'm falling all over myself to impress my crush, who just happens to be a prince; I've gotten myself tangled up in a tabloid disaster - literally - and the "it" clique on campus has decided that I am worthy of their royal scorn. Okay, okay. I have to remember to stay positive. And to breathe.

I won this from Alyssa at The Shady Glade in her contest Monday feature. Anyway, you all should go check out her blog because for one it's awesome. Plus, she's having her blogoversay in September which will involve contests and Author Interviews/ Guest Blogs.

The Bought or I kind went a bit crazy this week:

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

DIMITRI'S HEART HAS GONE DARK

Now Rose must journey to the ends of the earth to find--and kill--her one true love...

Or has the time come to join him?

BOUND BY LOVE, BUT SWORN TO KILL...

The rest of the world had considered Dimitri dead. And to a certain extent, he was. But I hadn't been able to forget a conversation he and I had once had. We'd both agreed that we'd rather be dead—truly dead—than walk the world as Strigoi. It was time to honor our words.

Guardian Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love.

I love, repeat LOVE, this series and I can't wait to find out what happens next!!

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

This look so cute. Plus, I've heard great thing about it.

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

As said in my Waiting On Wednesday post a couple of months ago,

" Why I Want To Read This:

Two words: Killer Unicorns!"

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

They had early copies of this at Barnes and Noble and since I decided I can't wait any longer for the ARC to arrvie for the 1 ARC Tour, I got it!

From Library:

Love Is The Higher Law by David Levithan

The Water and The Wild by Francesca Lia Block

Overalll, I had a really great week book wise! Anyway, enough about me, what did YOU get in the mail/ buy/ borrow this week?

Winner of Boy Toy!!

Wow, I'm actually on time with posting a winner for a contest!

Anyway, the winner of the signed copy of Boy Toy is:

Casey of A Passion For Books!

Congrats! I just sent you an email, so be sure to reply in the next 72 hours or I'll have to pick a new winner! Oh, and thank you to everyone who entered, there will be more contests coming up soon! :)

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Summary:

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

Review:

After seeing this featured on the 2009 Debutantes site a while back, I just knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Since, for one, I love these whole dystopian type novels, especially this one for being scarier then others. And for two the cover is awesome. Luckily, Candor is a perfect mix of scariness, mystery, and romance with an added twist of a villain like dad.

The premise which Candor is passed on was unique and cool, one being something that I could definitely happening in the future. It was interesting to see how Candor developed from "subliminal messages" ones that told you whether something was right or wrong and when it was wrong it stopped you from doing it.

Oscar was a character that I liked and often felt sad for because of his distance relationship with his dad, his non present mom, and missing brother. Though, I felt that when it came to the start of his relationship with Nina, he was a bit childish. Since, one of the main reasons he became first interested in her, was because she was different from the rest of the cookie cutters and a girl his father would detest. But after a while it became clear that even if it he had some iffy intentions at first, he still loved her with all his heart by the end and the same goes for her with him.

The plot was well developed in this book making it a fast paced read, one with few faults and lags. Plus, I promise you, that the ending will take you for a total surprise.

Overall, Candor was a fantastic debut and if this a introduction of what's to come to Egmont, I certainty look forward to reading more of their novels.

Grade: A

Candor will be released September 22nd by Egmont. Be sure to also check out Pam Bachorz's awesome site, here, as well as the book trailer below:



* Much thanks goes to Pam as well as Egmont's publicty team for sending me a copy of this book! :)

An Awesome New Site

Earlier this week YA authors Kay Cassidy, Tera Lynn Childs, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Alyson Noel announced for their new joint website called " Living Your Five".

Here's what it's about: (from website)

"Living Your Five is all about knowing what matters most to you and making a difference in your world in ways large and small."

Plus, to kick off the launch there giving away some awesome prizes such as the ones mentioned below to one lucky person:

" A $100 Barnes & Noble gift card
(because we know you love books!)

A $100 donation in your name to the non-profit of your choice
(because we know you love making a difference!)

And the latest book (or ARC) from each Founding Fiver
(that's four signed books!)"

So, what are you waiting for? Go, check it out! :)

R U Haunted?

All will be answered September 1st, 2009!

More info can be found here, here, or here.

* I personally think this photo looks terrible, even with help from Photoshop. lol. Though, a big thanks goes to Jessica for sending me this shirt! I lurve it! :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 41

My pick this week is:

My So-Called Death by Stacey Jay

All in all it was a good day to die. If there really is such a thing.

You hear characters in movies say that all the time, but does anyone really believe the words “good” and “die” belong in the same sentence?

Still, it could have been worse. It could have been dark and spooky night instead of a beautiful Georgia morning in late October, with a light wind whipping across the Peachtree High School football field, making zombies seem like the last thing anyone needed to worry about…

Fifteen-year-old freshman, Karen Vera, is well on her way to ruling her school when a freak cheer leading accident turns her into, well, a freak. Much to her Horror and Dismay, Karen learns she is a genetic mutation, one of the Death Challenged--a politically correct term for a zombie!

Now she has to go to a top secret zombie school, eat brains for lunch, and take courses with names like "Secrets of Successful Morticians and their Uses for the Undead: Foundation and Beyond". And to make matters worse, her roommate is the most reviled girl at DEAD High, a complete head case, and maybe...a murderer.

Can Karen find out who's offing the nearly un-off-able Undead before she becomes the next victim? Can she convince the super-cute captain of the swim team that a girl can have a pathological love for pink and still carry on an intelligent conversation? Will she ever pass remedial Algebra for the Death Challenged?

My Thougts:

I loved Stacey Jay's You Are So Undead To Me ( and am eagerly awaitng Undead Much?), so I just know this will be great! Plus, zombie books are zombietastic! :)

My So-Called Death will be realeased March 1, 2010.

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Summary:

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Review:

Once a Witch is an enchanting tale of the life of a black sheep from the Greene family, her name being Tamsin. Carolyn created Tasmin in a way that was easy to like and gave her flaws along with characteristics that any teen girl or boy can relate to even if they are not an almost witch. Tamsin feelings towards her family were ones that I could understand, because as anyone can realize it would be hard to live and interact with your witch family if you thought you didn't have a talent. I also adored reading about her relationship with the drool worthy Gabriel because it was funny to read their conversations and to see how his talents, as well as her, developed throughout the novel.

The plot of Once a Witch was one that was thrilling and mysterious making this a fun read. Carolyn is one to make your hypothesis of whats going to happen constantly change with the twists and turns she deals into the plot. Also, her writing flowed well, making this a well written read.

Overall, Once a Witch was a fast paced and excellent read that will defiantly be flying off the shelves come it's release in September. I look forward to reading more about the Greenes, possibly, because then ending of this novel is built for a sequel.

Grade: A+

Once a Witch will be released September 14, 2009. Be sure to check out the website for this novel, here, which includes quizzes, news/ events, and an excerpt among other things.

*Much thanks goes to JG for sending me a copy of this! :)

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Summary:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Review:

Hush, Hush was an amazingly awesome novel, though what else could you expect from a book that has a cover and summary as great as the one this does?

When I set down to read this, I was expecting to read a couple of chapters and then go to bed, because it was getting late. Though, as soon as I hit chapter two, I was hooked by this addictive novel filled with action, forbidden romance, and fallen angels. Leaving my quick read of a couple chapters to turn into a night were I read a whole book in one sitting.

Nora was a character that was definitely three dimensional because you could feel her fears and desires throughout the book. Patch was the same way though adding the part where you think he would be drop dead gorgeous in real life. But one of my favorite characters was Vee because she added a funny undertone to the story with her dialogue.

The plot was also well done, making Becca a new favorite author of mine. I loved the twists and turns she brought out with the fallen angel and forbidden love sub-plots. Also, her writing always moved in a smooth and easy way making Hush, Hush an excellent read.

Overall, Becca's Hush, Hush was an amazing debut, one of my favs of '09. And I truly can't express how much I want to read Crescendo without sounding all fangirly. :)

Grade: A+

Hush, Hush hits shelves October 13, 2009. So, make sure you're in the loop and pick it up! :)

*Much thanks goes to Becca as well as CH at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for sending me this novel! :)

Okay, I'm really going to stop with the posting of contests going on. Well after this time....

Bree Despain is having a contest where you can win not only an ARC of the totally amazing looking Dark Divine but some other goodies to such as gift cards, purple nail polish, and books. Click here to find out more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I was recently alerted by Alica of LuShare Jewelry that she is hosting a contest where you can win a $ 200 dollar gift card for her store by just posting a button like the one below:



So, if this interests you, you can check out all the info here.

In My Mailbox ( 8/17 to 8/22)

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. All summaries are from either Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Goodreads.

For Review:

The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous by Suzanne Crowley ( Paprerback/ September 2009/ Greenwillow: an imprint of Harper Collins)

Thirteen-year-old Merilee Monroe maintains a Very Ordered Existence, VOE for short. As long as she keeps up with her minute-by-minute daily schedule, she can avoid the internal trauma caused by change and spontaneity. So when two very distracting newcomers arrive in town, Merilee does her best to ignore them and stick to her plans. But can even a VOE have some room for friendship?

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley ( Hardcover/ June 2009/ Greenwillow: an imprint of Harper Collins)

When her adoptive mother dies, Katherine Bab takes the chance she has been waiting for her whole life: she moves from her country village to London, to uncover the secret of who she really is. Before long, Kat has become a favorite of Queen Elizabeth herself, and rumors are swirling - could fiery-haired Kat be the secret daughter of the Virgin Queen? Kat's got plenty of other things to figure out, as well . . . such as how to choose between her childhood love and two handsome men at court vying for her affection.

This smart, sensual novel drips with intrigue, period detail, and drama and will resonate with anyone who has ever longed to find his or her place in the world.

Both of these were suprises this week, I actually already have an ARC verison of The Stolen One, so maybe I'll be giving it away. Anyway, I can't wait to read both.

From Library:

Every Demon has His Day by Cara Lockwood

Whipping up prize-winning chicken fried steak...fighting demonic forces...East Texas gals can do it all!

In her wildest dreams, Constance Plyd never thought she'd see dead people. Then again, she never thought she'd be hit on by her ex-husband at his own funeral...or be the prime suspect in his murder. Fortunately for Constance, irresistibly sexy sheriff Nathan Garrett wants to believe her explanation -- that a card-carrying demon in a black suit killed Jimmy in the garage -- or maybe he wants something more. Either way, all signs are leading to a showdown of hellish proportions, with Constance at the heart of the battle, when the Devil and would-be mother of the Antichrist (a pop princess wannabe) descends on Crockett County. Sure, she'd rather be cooking up a storm for the next state fair, but if she's going to be the Chosen One, at least Constance can give a few demons a Texas-style butt kicking....

The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie

A mesmerizing debut novel about love, grief, and the ghosts who show up where we least expect them.

Sarah McConnell’s husband had been dead for three months when she saw him in the grocery store.

What does a woman do when she’s thirty-nine, childless, and completely alone for the first time in her life? Does it mean she’s crazy to think she sees her late husband beside a display of pumpkins? Or is it just what people do, a natural response to grief that will fade in time? That’s what Sarah McConnell’s friends told her, that it was natural, would last a season, and then fade away.

But what if there was another answer? What if he was really there? They never found the body, after all. What if he is still here somehow, and about to walk back into her life?

I also got a very cute shirt promoting one of Fall '09's biggest releases, though you'll see more about that later this week! :) And if you haven't check out what I got for my birthday ( book-wise of course) then head over here.

A Contest You Need To Check Out ASAP

Magic Under Glass is a book that I've been dying to read since I saw it a couple of months ago on Goodreads. Anyway, Jaclyn Dolamore is having an fantastic contest for an ARC of it that includes sketches of the characters drawn by Jaclyn herself. You can check it out here.

Also, here's the summary and cover if you would like to know more about it:



Coming 12/22/09 from Bloomsbury...

Nimira is a music-hall girl used to dancing for pennies. So when wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing accompaniment to a mysterious piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it will be the start of a better life. In Parry's world, long-buried secrets are about to stir. Unsettling rumors begin to swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry’s involvement in a group of corrupt sorcerers for whom the rules of the living and dead are meant to be broken for greater power. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing fairy gentleman is trapped within the automaton, she is determined to break the curse. But even as the two fall into a love that seems hopeless, breaking the curse becomes a perilous race against time. Because it's not just the future of these star-crossed lovers that's at stake, but the fate of the entire magical world.

Winners of Geektastic!!

The two winners are:

Ninja Fanpire

*Samantha*

Congrats! I just sent you two both emails, so be sure to reply in the next 72 hours or I'll have to pick a new winner.

Didn't win?

Well, my Boy Toy contest is still open and will be until the 28th so be sure to get your entries in. :)

The Fidelity Files by Jessica Brody

Summary:

How far will you go to find out the truth?

Jennifer Hunter is prepared to go all the way—well, almost. For the past two years, she has been working undercover as a “fidelity inspector,” hired by suspicious wives and girlfriends to test the faithfulness of the men in their lives. As she explains to her clients, “I don’t initiate anything. I only follow his lead.”

Working under the code name “Ashlyn,” Jennifer has exposed hundreds of unfaithful husbands, fiancés and boyfriends. Of course, she never actually sleeps with any of them; she tests for an intention to cheat only. But while Ashlyn may be changing the lives of countless women for the better, Jen’s real life is quickly starting to unravel. Keeping her friends and family from finding out what she really does on all those “business trips” is proving more difficult every day and a string of unfortunate incidents leads her to believe that her secret identity is about to be exposed.

Just when it seems like nothing is going her way, Jen meets a man who makes her think it may be time to retire Ashlyn willingly, for the sake of true love. But before she gives up her double life for good, she decides to take on one last assignment—-a job which will change everything.

Review:

I've been dying to read this book for what seems like forever. Since, for one, it has an amazing book trailer, one of the best ever, and for two it has an interesting premise. So, when I got the chance to read it on my past vacation, I was so excited. And as it turns out, I had every right to be excited. Since, The Fidelity Files is one awesome debut book!

In The Fidelity Files you get a glimpse into the complicated world of Jennifer Hunter (code name: Ashlyn). You see, Jennifer is a secret "fidelity inspector", a person who tests the faithfulness of men all around, acting as a "superwoman" for desperate wives and girlfriends. Jen was definitely one of my favorite female protagonists because I loved her for what she did. Since, this issue of cheating sadly hits close to home for me. Plus, she was a girl that any woman or teen girl could identify with because she has issues from her childhood that were never quite resolved and has hard time letting her true self be exposed at times.

Adding to the awesome main character, the plot was also intense and provided for several twists and turns you didn't see coming. Also, I enjoyed how it has a light side too it because of funny secondary characters.

Lastly, Jennifer's writing was pretty good and it seems that it will only get better as time goes on.

Overall, The Fidelity Files is definitely a book filled with awesomeness, I truly look forward to reading Love Under Cover and lucky for me I have an ARC of it.

Grade: A+

The Fidelity Files is now out!

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris

Summary:

Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae have one thing in common: they all want to die. When they meet online after each attempts suicide and fails, the four teens make a deadly pact: they will escape together on a summer road trip to visit the sites of celebrity suicides...and at their final destination, they will all end their lives. As they drive cross-country, bonding over their dark impulses, sharing their deepest secrets and desires, living it up, hooking up, and becoming true friends, each must decide whether life is worth living--or if there's no turning back.

Review:

Going into Crash Into Me, I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. Since, on one side, different teen authors have been raving non stop about this book, while bloggers have had a less cheerful response. Sadly, I'm on the bloggers side about this, Crash Into Me wasn't that good.

While it has an interesting premise ( four teens on a suicide pack road trip) it failed to bring three dimensional characters and a solid plot to the table. Sometimes, I felt like the the plot just wondered around aimlessly leaving me to loose hope at the thought of this becoming good. Also, while you got to the know the characters a bit, you really didn't understand their thoughts and feelings, because Albert tended to just tell a one sided plot, one that stopped at the surface.

The one thing I did enjoy about this novel, was the writing methods Albert incorporated into the plot. For example, there was IM messages and lists which almost always got my attention. Though, the narrative part was kind of bland and flat mostly because of the lackluster plot and characters.

Overall, Crash Into Me really isn't a book I would recommend. Since while this novel seems interesting on the surface, when you start to read it, it just falls to the side and unravels. Plus, the ending kind of felt like it called for a better conclusion to this novel.

Grade: D

Crash Into Me is now out!

* Much thanks goes to AK at S and S.

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 40

My pick this week is:

Dirty Little Secrets by Cynthia Jaynes Omololu

Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.

For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to—nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal.

When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children—they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue.

With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

My Thoughts:

~ I love the creepy sort of feeling the cover has because it just calls to you to pick it up.
~ Cyn is a 10'er and everyone knows 10'ers are awesome.
~ Dying from a stack of National Geographics is kind of a weird way to go, don't you agree?
~ The plot sounds interesting.
~ And I LOVE the title!

Dirty Little Secerts will be released April 2010 from Walker Books for Young Readers!

Update: Cyn just announced on her site that DLL will actually be coming out in February '10 instead of April! :)

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

Summary:

Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

In her third novel, acclaimed author Sara Zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed---about God, about your family, about yourself---is transformed.

Review:

Sara Zarr's novels are always filled with greatness. Story of A Girl was an amazing and fascinating read while Sweethearts was a heartbreaking story that made me cry. So, when I found out she had a new novel coming out soon, I was supper excited. Luckily, Once Was Lost may seriously be Sara's best attempt yet!

Once Was Lost is novel that deals with loosing hope because of different tragedies that are occurring around you while still trying to restore that hope. One thing, I enjoyed about this novel was the way Sara Zarr approached religion. Since, it was well done and wasn't overbearing which I admired about this book. Also, I loved the whole mystery aspect of this novel which is brought out from the kidnapping. It was interesting to see the twists and turns that come from this and the final revelation of who did it.

Sadly, at times, Once Was Lost moved in a way that was a bit slow, especially at the beginning. Though, the characters tended to over shadow this bad point, because I really enjoyed reading about them all, especially Sam. She is a character that is easy to relate to and like.

Overall, Once Was Lost is a beautiful tale about forgiving and starting to believe again, I look forward to reading more books by Zarr!

Grade: A

Once Was Lost will be released October 1, 2009.

* Much thanks goes to AM at Little Brown for sending me a copy of this amazing book! :)

It's My Birthday!

As some of you may already know, today was my birthday or as I like to call it my bday. So, yes, today so many years ago, I was officially born! So, yay me! :)

Anyway, I thought I would share with you all what I got for my birthday over the past couple of days.

First off, I got three books, I've been dying to read:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Yellow-eyed werewolves? I'm intrigued!

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. When a mysterious boy enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of nowhere, Deirdre finds herself infatuated. Trouble is, the enigmatic and conflicted Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin – and Deirdre is meant to be his next mark. Deirdre has to decide if Luke's feelings towards her are real, or only a way to lure her deeper into the world of Faerie.

Luke isn't her only problem. A sinister faerie named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Long-time enemies with a common goal, Luke and Aodhan carry the same assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is her best friend James whose devotion has been teetering precariously on the line between friendship and love for months – a feeling that Dee doesn't quite reciprocate. It's Luke she can't stop thinking about: Luke, who was supposed to kill her immediately but hasn't. Luke, who cannot refuse the Queen's orders without paying an unimaginable price. Deirdre ultimately must confront the Faerie Queen before she loses everyone she loves.

Yes, anther Maggie book! lol. Anyway, I can't wait to read this. Plus, I really love this cover more then the previous one, does anyone else agree?

Bite Me! by Melissa Francis

AJ Ashe isn't a typical seventeen-year-old vampire (as if there is such a thing as 'typical!') Her ex-boyfriend is now her stepbrother. Her two BFFs are in a huge fight and AJ's caught in the middle. She's totally framed for cheating on a Lit test. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. Like that's fair. What ever happened to the good old days when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her fetish for necks?

I love the whole "boyfriend turned step brother" thing this book has going on, it could make for a drama filled read.

Also, I got an assortment of clothes from AE as well as other stores, CDs, and some cash!

I was originally planning to have a giveaway for one of the extra books I have lying around, though I decided to hold of for a bit. Since, I already have a contest for Boy Toy going on ( link on the top of right sidebar). Though, I promise, I will be having an awesome one coming up shortly. :)

By the way, this is the THIRD time I posted today! I think that's a new record of mine.

Three Contests That You Should Definitely Check Out!

Princess Bookie is having an amazing contest for the following books:

1. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick ARC
2. Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen ARC
3. Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters ARC
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater ARC
5. Troy High by Shana Norris ARC
6. Love You Hate You Miss You by
Elizabeth Scott ARC
7. Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn ARC
8. Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker
9. Death by Series by Linda Gerber (3 books total)
10. a 5 dollar giftcard from Walmart (you can buy yourself half of a book with it, lol)
11. 3 Sarah Dessen books ( Just Listen, This Lullaby, Someone Like You)
12. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
13. Fire By Kristin Cashmore ARC
14. Last but not least, I have some extra amazon cards, so I will also include a preorder for CATCHING FIRE BY SUZANNE COLLINS. It will be shipped to on or around Sept 1st (whenever they ship it)

AND a book of your choice (under $15.00 please and it can be a pre-order as long as it comes
out in September-so many good books get released

Also, more books will be added as she gets more followers! So, be sure to check this contest out! By the way, if say I referred you to the contest, it would be greatly appreciated!

~~~~~~~~

Also, Lost In A Book is having a Super Summer Blowout contest, were you can win all of the followings books:

1. ARC of Shiver
2. ARC of How to Say Good-bye in Robot
3. ARC of As You Wish
4. ARC of Give Up the Ghost
5. ARC of Lipstick Apology
6. ARC of Devoured
7. ARC of The Sweetheart of Prosper County
8. Hardcover copy of Eyes Like Stars
9. Hardcover copy of Hannah (Daughters of the Sea)

She will, also, be adding more prizes as she gets more followers.

~~~~~~~~~~

Bloody Bookaholic is also having a drool worthy contest! Here's the details:

There are going to be a bunch of books to give away, options:

- Signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia + Goodies
- Hardback Another Faust
- Hardback Prophecy of the Sisters
- ARC The Dark Divine
- ARC Hush Hush
- ARC Give Up The Ghost
- ARC Ash
- ARC Behind Every Illusion
- ARC Shiver
- ARC Eyes Like Stars
- ARC The Demon's Lexicon
- ARC Betraying Season
- ARC Any Given Doomsday
- Dead Until Dark
- Gossip Girl 1st Book
- The Black Tatto + poster
- Vampire Academy
- Frost Bite, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Shadow Kiss, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Blood Promise, a Vampire Academy Novel.

20 books, now I am going to have 3 winners.

Winner number One gets to pick 7 books out of the bunch.

Winner number Two gets 3 books out of the bunch.

Winner number Three gets 1 book out of the bunch.

Only the first winner gets to choose his or her prize.
For the other two I get to choose what they get.

Also, if you could say I refereed you, that would be great, because we BOTH would get extra entries. :)

Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart

Summary:

Ever since her mother passed away, Katie's been alone in her too-big house with her genius dad, who restores old paintings for a living. Katie takes a summer job at a garden estate, where, with the help of two brothers and a glamorous librarian, she soon becomes embroiled in decoding a mystery. There are secrets and shadows at the heart of "Nothing but Ghosts": symbols hidden in a time-darkened painting, and surprises behind a locked bedroom door. But most of all, this is a love story--the story of a girl who learns about love while also learning to live with her own ghosts.

This is a heartfelt, lyrical tale from the National Book Award-nominated author of "Undercover" and "House of Dance."

Review:

I've actually never read anything by Beth Kephart before and after reading Nothing But Ghosts I totally feel bad about not doing so.

Nothing But Ghosts is a novel filled with the aftermath of loosing someone close to you ( the pain and regret) and how to get by while still keeping parts of that person in memory. I personally thought Beth dealt with the loss of Katie's mother excellently. Since, while you could feel Katie's sadness in Beth's writing it never felt like too much or too little. Also, I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the plot. It was fun to try to figure out why Miss Martine, Katie's employer and her small town's mysterious ex socialite, went into hiding. I was always trying to figure out the reasons why and they ended up being pretty close to what actually happened.

The characters in this novel where also amazing and they just jumped off the page from the start. As mentioned briefly above, I really enjoyed reading about Katie. Many girls and boys out there can relate to her feelings of loss, me being one of them. Plus, I loved how she was such a strong character; one that could overcome loss and still be okay. The additional characters were also cute and had their own unique personalities. One being Katie's dad. It was interesting to read about his job restoring paintings and to see how he dealt with the loss of his wife. Sammy Macker, was yet another creative add to the story, as was Ms. McDermott and Danny, who was such a sweet guy!

Beth Kephart's writing also won me over big time. I loved how it had this lyrical feeling and hooked you from the first chapter and didn't let you go till the ending. I really can't wait to read her future and past novels, since she has such a great talent.

Overall, I truly adored Nothing But Ghosts and suggest that you should definitely give it a try; it's just a beautiful novel.

Grade: A+

Nothing But Ghosts is now out!

* Much thanks to Beth Kephart for sending me a singed copy of her book! :)

In My Mailbox ( 8/10 to 8/15)

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. All summaries are from either Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Goodreads.

For Review:

Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough ( ARC/ September 2009/ Clarion Books)

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga ( ARC/ October 2009/ )

Time is a funny thing in the hospital. In the mental ward. You lose track of it easily.

After six months in the Maryland Mental Health Unit, Kyra Sellers, a.k.a. Goth Girl, is going home. Unfortunately, she’s about to find out that while she was away, she lost track of more than time. Kyra is back in black, feeling good, and ready to make up with the only person who’s ever appreciated her for who she really is.
But then she sees him. Fanboy. Transcended from everything he was into someone she barely recognizes. And the anger and memories come rushing back.

There’s so much to do to people when you’re angry. Kyra’s about to get very busy.

Hold Still by Nina Lacour ( ARC/ October 2009/ Dutton)

An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, froma breakthrough new voice in YA fiction.

dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself .

This is my second copy of this, so maybe I'll be giving it away sometime soon.

From Contest:

Love Under Cover by Jessica Brody ( ARC/ November 2009/ St. Martin's Griffen)

Can a former fidelity inspector tear herself away from her old calling for the sake of the perfect guy, or is the temptation to conduct love under cover just too strong?

Jennifer Hunter never saw herself as the relationship type. After all, she’d spent the last two years of her life as an undercover fidelity inspector, hired to test men’s faithfulness—not exactly the kind of job that lends itself to intimacy. But when Jamie Richards walked into her life, everything changed, and Jennifer vowed to trade in her undercover lifestyle for something more normal. That’s why she formed the Hawthorne Agency: five full-time fidelity inspectors, hired to carry out Jennifer’s mission while she manages the process from a safe (relationship-saving) distance. Jen's business is booming, and just when it seems like things can’t possibly get any better, Jamie proposes. Despite her lifelong issues with trust and commitment, Jen says yes. But can a woman who’s seen nothing but failed marriages ever come to terms with tying the knot herself? And when Jen receives a frantic phone call from one of her employees in trouble, she’s forced to make a choice. A choice that lands her in an all-too familiar place—a strange hotel room, kissing another man. And she knows that nothing will be the same.

Oooh, I'm so excited about this one! I LOVED The Fidelty Files, so I'm hoping this will be just as great.

The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas ( Hardcover/ June 2009/ Harper Collins Children)

With starred reviews from Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, and Kirkus, The Magic Thief is a sweeping fantasy debut, the first in an anticipated trilogy.

In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure. Conn should have dropped dead the day he picked Nevery's pocket and touched the wizard's locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic and work spells. But for some reason he did not. Nevery finds that interesting, and he takes Conn as his apprentice on the provision that the boy find a locus stone of his own. But Conn has little time to search for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover who—or what—is stealing the city of Wellmet's magic.

Being a middle grade novel, this isn't my usual read, though I've read some great reviews of this, so why not give it a try?

Break by Hannah Moskowitz ( Paperback/ August 2009/ Simon Pulse)

Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before. And Jonah wants to be stronger—needs to be stronger—because everything around him is falling apart. Breaking, and then healing, is Jonah's only way to cope with the stresses of home, girls, and the world on his shoulders. This is the story of his self-destructive spiral, his rock-bottom moment, and how he finally learns to accept help and find true strength through recovery.

This looks really interesting.

Pure by Terra Elan McVoy( Hardcover/ April 2009/ Simon Teen)

Tabitha and her four best friends all wear Purity Rings, symbols of the virginity-until-marriage pledge they made as tweens. Now the girls are fifteen, and their rings have come to symbolize not only their purity, but also the friendships and identities they've built based on their shared faith. Simmering tensions rise to the surface and the group is split apart when one of Tab's friends admits that she and her long-term boyfriend have broken the pledge. In the midst of the confrontations, betrayals, confessions, and revenge that follow, each girl is forced to reexamine her friendships, her faith, and what exactly it means to be pure.

Haven't heard the greatest about this, but I still want to give it a chance.

Crash Into Me by Albert Borris ( Hardcover/ July 2009/ Simon Teen)

Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae have one thing in common: they all want to die. When they meet online after each attempts suicide and fails, the four teens make a deadly pact: they will escape together on a summer road trip to visit the sites of celebrity suicides...and at their final destination, they will all end their lives. As they drive cross-country, bonding over their dark impulses, sharing their deepest secrets and desires, living it up, hooking up, and becoming true friends, each must decide whether life is worth living--or if there's no turning back.

Already have a copyof this ( review coming soon!) so I may be giving it away.

From Library:

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

She doesn't see dead people, but…

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

I love this and you can check my review of it out here.

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

Summary:

She doesn't see dead people, but…

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

Review:

I recently started Rachel's adult Shifters series, but so far there's nothing that has impressed me. So, when I got the chance to read this, I was a bit weary. But all I can say now is "Wow". Since, My Soul To Take was one amazing book that mixed together mystery, romance, and the world of Bean Sidhes.

One of the things, I loved most about this book was the world Rachel created for the Bean Sidhes ( or Banshees). It was fun to see what they could do with their power of soul screaming and how their work tangled together with the ones of grim reapers.

Also, Kaylee was an interesting character, one any teen can relate to in some way. Since, she's still reeling form the aftermath of her mom's death, dealing with her mean girl cousin, and trying to find out who she is. Also, her boyfriend, Nash, was definitely swoon worthy Though, it felt at times, that their relationship was moving a bit too fast. For example, she told him basically everything about her secret "talent" by their second conversation. But with saying that, I still thought they were a cute couple and I loved how they could work together to save souls.

The plot was also a high point because it was fast paced and addicting, which left you to only want more of the same.

Overall, My Soul To Take was an wonderful paranormal and one that shows a great intro for books to come from Harlequin.

Grade: A+

My Soul To Take is now out!