Secrets (Ivy, #2) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

*Spoilers from the first book may be present in the summary, so if you have not read it and/or don't want the book be spoiled, please do not read this review.*

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Gregory or Clint? Clint or Gregory? Matt, anyone? And what is Lexi up to . . . exactly? When we last saw Callie Andrews, she was caught on the horns of a dilemma. Lexi was threatening to expose all of her safely guarded, deeply buried secrets from high school, and Callie had just hooked up with bad-boy Gregory—despite the fact that she had a perfect (sort of) boyfriend and her BFF Vanessa had claimed (sort of) Gregory as her own. Yow. Entertaining, hilarious, addictive, scandalous, sexy, and smart, The Ivy series is an insider’s look at freshman life at Harvard University. This isn’t high school anymore!

Review:

Just when I thought the world of The Ivy could not get any more scandalous, dramatic, or suspenseful, Secrets, the newest addition in The Ivy series, comes along and blows my expectations right out of the water.

Quite simply, Callie is not looking forward to returning to the drama and deceit she left back at Harvard. However, not going back is not an option so there she is back in her freshman year after an uneventful Thanksgiving break. As usual, nothing is going her way. For one, Lexi is still threatening to unleash the secret Callie would do anything to hide, and because of it, Callie’s now doing all of Lexi’s dirty work, even if means letting go of the things she loves the most. Next, her BFF Vanessa is not talking to her, which is causing major chaos in their dorm. Most importantly, Gregory, the boy she hates to love, is acting weird around her, leaving her to wonder once again whom she will end up with… Gregory, Matt, or Clint? Better yet, will she ever get out of Lexi’s hold on her? Moreover, will her and Vanessa every call a truce and make up? Only time and more pages will tell in this unforgettable sequel to what started it all- The Ivy.

Just like in The Ivy, the characters in this were one of the best parts of the novel. For one, there was some much-needed development into them and their relationships, and for two, they became just all around three-dimensional for the most part. My favorite would still have to Callie, as not only is she very much likable and root-able, but parts of her story are very much ones that any girl can relate to, no matter how young or how old. The only aspect I didn’t like about her character in this was the fact that it took her quite a bit of time to stand up for herself involving that one secret, but it did cause for some great suspense to occur in the long run as well as nail-biting type scenes, so I suppose it was worth it in the end.

I also enjoyed the focus on Callie’s love life, because if anything, it is very eventful, and best of all, it moves in some great directions. For instance, Gregory steps it up a bit in this novel, as does Clint, which made me forever indecisive when it came to picking whom Callie would end up with.

Furthermore, I once again think the Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur did a great job with the plot in this. Full of drama, secrets, lies, and romance, there wasn’t a time when I wasn’t dying to flip the page, so I could finally find out what would occur next. Better yet, I also loved that while a big portion of Secrets has to do with love, there still is a focus on friendship and day-to-day college life, as I feel it give this series an edge to most YA books out there. Most importantly, I also liked how they faced a particularly heavy issue in this, though I will not say much more about that, since I don’t want to spill any spoilers.

Even better than the prequel, Secrets once again has the ability to win over fans, as they become fully involved in Callie’s story. I can only hope the third one will be as amazing, if not more.

Grade: A+

Secrets is now out!

Source: Melissa at HarperTeen- thanks!

All the Things You Are by Courtney Sheinmel

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Carly Wheeler lives a charmed life. Her motheris a stylist for the soap opera Lovelock Falls, she lives in a nice house, and goes to an excellent private school. But when her mom is arrested and charged with embezzlement, everything starts to unravel. There are shocking stories about her mother's crimes in the local newspaper. Carly's friends start avoiding her. And her stepfather starts worrying about money. How can Carly put her life back together when it feels like she's missing all the pieces?

Review:

After Courtney Sheinmel’s Positively, Courtney and her books officially landed on my book radar, because she has such a knack for writing memorable and poignant middle-grade fiction. Thankfully, her newest release, All the Things You Are, did not disappoint.

In Carly Wheeler’s life, everything is nearly perfect. She has a best friend named Annie whose funny and one of a kind. She attends a diverse private school filled with lots of interesting and nice people. Best of all, her mom works on Lovelock Falls, one of the top soap operas, and because of it Carly and her friends are constantly meeting celebrities and wearing fancy clothes. However, everything changes when her mother is accused of embezzlement. Suddenly, everything is different. She’s dodging questions, her mom, who has always been there for Carly, seems to be drawing back into her own cocoon, and her best friend has betrayed her in the worst way possible. Worst of all, Carly still does not know what exactly happened with her mom…Did she really commit embezzlement? Will she go to jail? Will Carly ever be able to forgive her for turning everything upside down? Only time and more pages can tell in this one of a kind contemporary read.

One of the things I always love about Courtney’s books is that she always introduces likable and charismatic characters, Carly being one of them of course. Carly and her story managed to take a hold of my heart from the very first pages, because not only did I relate to Carly in some basic ways, as will any tween or teen girl, but also her story is one that is so innocent yet heartbreaking. I especially loved reading about the relationship between Carly and her mother. It was strong yet the impact of the drama and deceit weighed heavily on it, causing lots of drama that constantly managed to test it.

The premise of this story is also nearly one of a kind. I do not think I have ever read a book about embezzlement; much less, what happens after to the family of the accused after everything is said and done. It caused for lots of twists and turns as more info was brought into the story, and it allowed Carly and other characters to go from being sometime selfish and materialistic to being stronger people who realized that money is not everything. A coming of age that was unique and memorable to say the least.

Courtney’s writing was also fabulous. I loved what she did with the characters, and how will she brought their emotions and feelings across the page. Better yet, I loved how this story did not exactly have a happy ending; instead, it was realistic but hopeful.

Sweet and heartwarming, Courtney Sheinmel’s All the Things You Are is yet another fantastic addition to middle grade, one that will be sure to satisfy previous fans and bring new ones to the mix.

Grade: A+

All the Things You Are will be released June 14, 2011.

Source: Galley Grab

In My Mailbox (124)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren.

For Review:

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach (It's not too often that I get to read a book from a male POV so I'm really looking forward to this one!)
Legend by Marie Lu + bookmark (I can already tell this one is going to be amazing based on the cover and premise, so the question is: will I be able to hold off reading it until this fall? Answer: Probably not but can you really blame me?)
Witches of the East End by Melissa de la Cruz (Already have an ARC of this one that I'm very much looking forward to reading it, so probably one of my copies will be given away when my review is posted)
Chaos Unleashed by Barry Hoffman (Received an ARC of this one a few months ago, but now I not only have the finished copy but the first two books as well. Yay! I'm looking forward to checking them all out.)
Shamra Divided by Barry Hoffman
Curse of the Shamra by Barry Hoffman

The Summer We Came to Life by Deborah Cloyed (Ahh, not only adult fiction, but debut adult fiction! I have a feeling this one is going to be an utter gem.)

From Library:

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han (You might remember that I got the first two Summer books last week. Well, since then I've read both, and my gosh, were they fantastic. I liked The Summer I Turned Pretty, but the It's Not Summer Without You blew me away. So I'm really hoping We'll Always Have Summer will manage to do the same. However, I do have one dilemma: should I be on team Conrad or team Jeremiah? Both have their fantastic as well as bad qualities.)

Bought: 

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen (There's not a better way to start your summer than by reading a Dessen book, especially if it's a good one. Luckily enough, I'm in the midst of reading this one and it's fantastic so far. I have a feeling it's going to be one of my favorites of hers.)

Galley Grab:

The Winters in Bloom by Lisa Tucker

In all, those are the books I got this week, and I cannot wait to read them all. But which one should I read first? Let me know in the comments! :)

Have a great week everyone, and feel free to link to your IMM posts in the comments- I look forward to seeing them! 

Three (+ Giveaway!)

Why three?

Because, as of today, that's how many years I've been blogging! Can you believe it? Because I certainly cannot!

Just like the year one and year two, this one has been filled with amazingness. From the books, to the publishing people, to my blogger friends, to my readers, to everything and everyone in between, this blogging year has been nothing short of incredible. Sure, this year had its drama and setbacks, but as always, the warmth and brilliance of the blogging community never ceases to inspire as well as amaze me every day. 

So here's to another fantastic year! I can only hope you'll stick around to see what's in store. :)

And thank you to all the people who continue to leave comments, click that pesky little "follower" button, and visit every once in all. I always say I would blog even without all the support and feedback, but your thoughtful comments and support always make the experience even better. 

Lastly, since I personally feel this day calls for celebration. I always have a few books to giveaway in an.... INTERNATIONAL giveaway! 

What books can you win?

I have the following up for grabs:

One Winner Will Win:

~ An ARC of The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle (An amazing book!) 

~ An ARC of Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs (Mermaids, Romance, and Drama galore! What more could you ask for?)

~ A finished copy of Amanda Grace's But I Love Him (Heartbreakingly sad but still a beautiful and important read regardless!)

Another One Will Win:

~ An ARC of Deb Caletti's Stay (One of Deb's best books!) 

~ An ARC of Elizabeth Scott's Between Here and Forever (Who doesn't love Elizabeth Scott?!) 

~ An ARC of Amanda Ashby's Fairy Bad Day (Slaying, monsters, and strong main characters!)

Exciting, right?! And I promise I'll get the books out quickly once I pick the winners... 

Official Giveaway Rules:

~ Must fill out form to enter.

~ Must be 13 years or older to enter.

~ This giveaway will close on June 9, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST!

This giveaway is now over. The winners are Jessy and Alicia. Thanks to all that entered! :)

Interview with Amy Fellner Dominy, author of OyMG!

I recently read and loved Amy Fellner Dominy's OyMG (you can find my review here) and recently I had the  chance to ask Amy a few questions about OyMG, writing, etc. So without a further ado...

~~~

In your opinion, what are the top three reasons why teens (or even adults!) should consider picking up OyMG the next time they see it in stores or online?

They’ll laugh.
They’ll cry.
They’ll learn Yiddish curse words.

OyMG tells the story of Ellie Taylor so would you mind sharing a little about her? In addition, if you could give her any advice, what would you say?

Ellie is out-spoken, confident, and determined. But she’s yet to meet her match. That all changes when she arrives at summer camp. First, there’s Devon the hot competition. And Mrs. Yeats, the scholarship benefactor. If I could give Ellie advice, I’d tell her you can’t control what other people think or feel. But you can control how you deal with it. So stay strong, and keep your chin up. (You’ll get less wrinkles that way, too.)

OyMG has several fantastic characters; however, one of my favorites would have to be Ellie’s Zeydeh (grandfather), so what was the inspiration behind his character?

I seem to have a semi-crazy Jewish grandpa living in my brain. When I started this book, his voice was just…there. I was never close to my grandfathers (they died when I was young), but I did have a grandma who spouted Yiddish curse words. I suppose that part of Zeydeh came from her. As for the rest, I think Zeydeh’s good heart is an embodiment of my dad.

Over the course of the book, Ellie deals with problems that arise other her Jewish background, which leaves me to wonder the following: what made you decide to have this play such an important role in the book?

I always start a book with one dramatic question. For OyMG, that question became: Will Ellie reveal her identity—how far will she go in order to reach her goal? To answer that question, Ellie’s got to figure out who she is and who she wants to be—and faith and religion are a part of her identity. In fact, some of the other characters are dealing with the exact same question in their own ways, including Devon and Megan.


Now out!


In the book, Ellie also has a love of debating so what made you decide to give her this trait? Was it taken from your own life?

Ellie’s love of debating actually came from a newspaper article. Originally, I had Ellie as a dancer, but that wasn’t working. Then I saw a feature in the local paper about one of the high schools that just won the state championship in speech, theater and debate. I called up the coach of the team who invited me to watch his school compete. So I did. From that day on, I was hooked, and Ellie was an orator.

OyMG is such a catchy title so how did it come about? Was it always the title or did it come later on in the process?

It’s hard to imagine the book not being called OyMG, but the truth is, the title took a long time to come. The book sold under the title Honestly, Ellie, but that was so pointed. My editor asked if I could give her some other options. Could I ever! I’ve got a background in advertising and snappy taglines and titles was one of my strengths. But this turned out to be harder than I expected. I submitted all sorts of options from Sizzle, Secrets and Matzo ball Soup to Speechless. Finally, my editor asked for one more go-around concentrating on a Jewish flavor. As I brainstormed, OyMG popped out. Right away, I got that tingly feeling that meant I’d hit on something good.

With OyMG’s release date quickly approaching, do you have any big plans on how you will spend the day?

I plan to pamper myself. And, uh, maybe visit one or two or seven bookstores to look for OyMG. :) My big plans will come on May 22nd when I head to New York for BEA week. I can’t wait—I’ve got signings and library visits lined up with Class of 2k11 authors. Mostly, I’m just excited to meet bloggers and readers and book lovers!

What’s up next for you book wise? Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’m very excited to have a new book coming out next year! Audition and Subtraction will be out fall 2012, again from Walker & Company. It’s about fourteen-year-old Tatum who could suddenly lose her spot in District Honor Band—and her best friend—when a new guy transfers to her school. Friendships change and romance sparks in unexpected places.

~~~

Thanks so much for stopping by Amy! To find out more about Amy and her books, be sure to check out her website.

My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

High school sophomore Adam Zeigler, who lost his father to a sudden accident two years ago, thinks the best way to live life is behind the spotlight. As a member of the theater crew, he believes he's achieved it all when he wins the coveted job of spotlight operator. But that was before a young actress, Summer, appeared in his view. Instantly smitten, Adam is determined to win her over. But to do so, he'll have to defy his best friend and break the golden rule of his school: techies and actors don't mix. 

Set against the backdrop of a high school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Zadoff's latest is a bromance, a love story, and theater story in one. The politics of love and high school collide as Adam struggles to find the courage to step out of the shadows and into the light.

Review:

Sweet, funny, and heartfelt, Allen Zandoff’s My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies truly captures the voice of teen in nearly every way possible.

Ever since the death of his beloved dad, Adam Ziegler has made it a point to fall into the background. From his friendships, to his after school actives, to school in general, Adam never lets himself truly get involved or attached. However, everything changes with his high school’s production of A Midsummer’s Dream, because after meeting a cheerful and mysterious new actress, one who may just be interested with him, he suddenly wants to be in the spotlight- for better or for worse. Though what happens when you throw in a crabby student, a tainted production, one teeny tiny rule, and one huge director? Will everything come out okay, or will Adam once again retreat out of his life? Only time and more pages can tell in Allen Zandoff’s memorable sophomore novel.

I always love when a YA book is not only told from a boy’s perspective, but also in a realistic tone. Thankfully, Allen was able to give readers both with Adam’s character. Awkward yet likable and sweet, Adam stole my heart from the first page to the very last. His feelings over his dad’s death were very realistic, and they constantly made me want to reach out and give him a big hug. Furthermore, I also enjoyed seeing him build up relationships with new friends as well as one certain girl, because it allowed him to grow as a character in many fantastic ways. Other characters that always managed to steal the spotlight were Adam’s fellow techies and actors/actresses. Sure, some of them were shallow and narrow-minded, but they still brought lots of drama and laughs to the table.

Another memorable aspect of this book was the premise. Books dealing with play productions always interest me, and this one was no different. I especially enjoyed being able to go behind the scenes so to say and see all the work and dedication that goes into making a show spectacular. Moreover, with the quick chapters in which this was told, it was easy to get lost in the world of costumes, lighting, and fairies for a few short hours.

The only aspect of this novel I was not particularly pleased with was the lack of development in certain characters, because I felt it would have been even better if more details were included.

However, Allen Zandoff still provides a great retreat within the pages of My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies— one that will be sure to leave readers craving for more memorable boy protagonists.

Grade: B

My Life, The Theater, and Other Tragedies is now out!

Source: Goodman Media- thanks Jenny!

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.
Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.
In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

Review:

I'm not even sure of where to start in describing Katie Kacvinsky's Awaken. It's haunting, romantic, and hopeful! It will make nearly any reader breathless and eager to find out what will occur next. It's without a doubt one of the best books I've ever read...a book I'll definitely be a huge advocate for once it's released.

Awaken tells the story of Maddie, a teen girl living in a disturbing and haunting future. You see, in Maddie's world there is no need to leave your house ever because everything can now be done by the click of a button. School? There's an Internet one every one uses. Going to the movies with friends? Once again at the touch of a button. Maddie's been raised on this idea of seclusion, and while she does think there is something wrong with it, she can't go against it. She has already tried once and failed miserably at it. Plus, her father's one of the big shots leading this revolution. Soon enough everything changes in Maddie's world. She meets Justin, a boy who believes that people should leave their houses more and have face-to-face interactions every day, not just once in a while. Maddie's starting to agree with everything he's saying. But is she ready to go against her parents? To stand on her own and make her own choices? Better yet is Justin hiding important information from her? And talking about him, does he like her as much as she likes him? Only time will tell in this unique and fantastic dystopian tale.

One of my favorite things about this book was the world Maddie and Justin lived in. It was disturbing and frightening. A world that I feel will someday become the one we have today, and that, everyone, scares me. But I digress. And while I found Maddie and Justin's world to be alarming that never once stopped me from being completely enamored in it. Throughout Awaken I was constantly eager to find out more about this new world: how it came to be, why it did, and what its existence meant for the characters I liked so much.

Another part of this book I enjoyed were the characters, Maddie and Justin in particular. Maddie is character who is fearless but cautious at the same time, a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve but takes a while to warm up to people, and most importantly she's a girl who knows when it's time to risk everything and take a stand for herself and her fellow peers. That trait was one of my favorite parts about her. I also loved that Maddie constantly saw the good and bad sides to the world she lived in instead of just having one particular view of it, because it allowed for the reader to also make their own decisions about it as well. Justin was another person I enjoyed reading about. I liked what he stood for and how he would risk his own life just so the people who came after him could have the chance of a world with constant face-to-face interactions. Furthermore, I loved Justin and Maddie's relationship. I found it to be realistic and romantic. And I adored seeing how both of them played off one another to have many touching, funny, and awe-worthy moments in the story.

The plot in Awaken was also a high-point. I don't want to give too much of it away, so I'll only say it's definitely very intriguing and unpredictable, and when tied together with Katie Kacvinsky's writing and world-building it's flawless!!

In all, Awaken is lot of things- fantastic, enjoyable, unique, etc. It also serves an important message to its readers. So mark Awaken's release date (May 23rd) on your calender because this is one book you do not want to miss!

Grade: A+

Awaken is now out!

Source: HMH via Netgalley- thanks!

In My Mailbox (123)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren.

For Review:

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody (Already read and loved! Be sure to check back in June for a review/giveaway/interview feature!)

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin + awesome package (Absolutely spectacular! You need to add this to your wish list ASAP- it's THAT good! And I'm not just saying that because the chocolate covered espresso beans rocked my world. ;) )

Won from Prince Bookie's Contest Craze:

Streams of Babel by Carol Plum-Ucci

What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci

From Library:

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer #1) by Jenny Han

It's Not Summer Without You (Summer, #2) by Jenny Han

From Galley Grab:

Love Story by Jennifer Echols (I nearly always love Jennifer's books so I'm really looking forward to reading this one!)

Wildefire by Karsten Knight (This one looks so good!)

The Babysitter Murders by Janet Ruth Young (The premise of this looks promising)

Dreams of Significant Girls by Cristina Garcia (I've been looking forward to reading this one for ages now!)

From HarlequinTeen via Netgalley:

Legacy by Cayla Kluver (I simply adore the cover of this one!)

I also got a poster for the BookSparksPR with Get Red PR and Little Bird Publicity Summer 2011 Reading Challenge (left). For the challenge, they've selected a few books for participants to read and review as the summer goes on. For every review you post for a selected book, you get one entry into different prizes, which include books, beauty products, and much more! Interested? Head on over here to sign up!

Much thanks this week goes to Netgalley, Galley Grab, Ksenia at FSG, and BookSparksPR!

In all a pretty great week book wise, and from the few books I've read so far (My Life Undecided and All These Things) I can already tell this batch will probably be fabulous as per usual!

Though, enough about me, what did YOU get this week? Anything amazing? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to link to your own IMM post.

Have a great week everyone! :)

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Sometimes at night, I wake up and stare at the heart for hours. I think of how I collected each piece from the beach, how I glued it all together into one big sculpture. I wonder if Connor realizes what it means, that he'll always have a piece of me no matter what happens. Each piece of glass is another piece of myself that I gave to him.

It's too bad I didn't keep any pieces for myself.

At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved - and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything - and everyone - in its path.

This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong.

Review:

Startling, exceptional, and fast-paced, Amanda Grace’s But I Love Him offers a fascinating new look into the world of abusive relationships.

Prior to meeting Connor, Ann was a girl going places. From a track star, to a loyal friend, to a good student, Ann appeared to be the picture perfect girl. However, everything changes the day Connor walks into her life. Connor is a boy with a bad family history, but all Ann can see is a boy who needs someone, a boy who can be loved even if he does not realize it himself. That is when everything changes for better and worse. At first, Ann and Connor’s relationship seems to be fabulous. Sure, it has its bad moments, but everyone’s does… Then he hits her, and everything goes askew. Told in reverse chronological order, Ann and Connor’s story is quickly revealed from start to finish in short and powerful bursts sure to intrigue nearly any reader, as they ask themselves “When did everything go so wrong?”

I always find books about abusive relationships to be interesting, and with Amanda Grace’s But I Love Him, this interest level was raised to the highest of levels for several reasons. For one, the idea of reverse chronological order was simply brilliant. I loved that it allowed for not only suspense but for a new level of understanding in abusive relationships for both the victim and the abuser, which leads me to the characters…

In most ways, Ann is nearly broken to no repair. She is someone who has been hurt and beaten down to the extreme emotionally and physically, and yet the reader is not able to judge her for not leaving, simply because it is easy to understand her feelings towards Connor: how hard it is for her to walk away and admit failure. Connor, on the other hand, is presented in an interesting way. For the most part, I could not help but dislike him. He was distrusting, rude, and dogmatic, but I could not help but feel a little bit sorry for him, because he was a nice boy under it all, he just did not know how to show it and submerge his anger instead.

As briefly mentioned above, the plot in this was fantastic. I loved the suspense because it allowed for some many questions to be constantly running through my head. The twists and turns were also fabulous, and best of all, there truly was not a moment in this story that I felt was unneeded, which is a big thing in my eyes.

Grace’s writing was decent as well. She presented this story in a complex way in which she showed the best and worst of all the characters and relationships, which left for much thought on my part about abusive relationships.

In all, Amanda Grace’s But I Love Him not only packs quite the emotional of punches, but also introduces a great new player in the world of gritty contemporary YA. I highly suggest this one!

Grade: A+

But I Love Him is now out!

Source: Publicist at Flux

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:

Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.

Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...

Review:

Just when I thought Elizabeth Scott's books couldn't get any better, Between Here and Forever comes along and not only blows me away once again, but makes me proud to say Elizabeth Scott is one of my favorite authors in the world.

Between Here and Forever tells the story of Abby, a girl who always fallen second best to her sister Tess. Tess is everything Abby is not: beautiful, kind, a boy magnet...just a stunning person everyone can't help but love. But everything changes the day Tess lands herself in a bleak coma after a horrific automobile accident. The doctors tell Abby and her parents the chances are slim Tess will ever wake up, and if she does, she'll have major brain damage. Though, Abby knows she can save her sister; she has to save her sister; she can't be the the one left, right? So she recruits the beautiful and secretive Eli to help her save Tess once and for all, but what happens when she tumbles upon something she shouldn't? Will Abby be able to figure out her sister for the first time, or will she never truly understand the person Tess is deep down? Better yet, will Abby realize that everything she ever wanted in a guy is standing right in front of her? Only time can tell in this deep but light tale of one girl's coming of age in times where it couldn't be any harder.

As per usual the characters in this book were nothing short of the relatable and lovable characters I've come to expect with Scott's books. First of all I adored Abby. Abby is a girl I feel many teens will have no problem relating, because who hasn't ever felt like they lived in the shadow of a friend or sibling? Better yet, what I liked most about Abby was that even though she's had hard things happen to her that have broken down her self esteem, she's still strong and feisty, a girl to be reckoned with, a girl who has the ability to overcome life's problems and still be true to herself.

Though, the best book of this book was, in my opinion, the different relationships Abby had with others, and how they changed her life for the better or for the worse. There was the one with Tess, which always made me feel sad for not only Abby for having to live in her sister's shadow, but for Tess because deep down she has some major problems as well. I also adored the one between Eli and Abby. It was interesting to see how they came to depend on each other, and how they allowed the other to lift them up when everything was dark and deary and unforgiving. The friendship between Claire and Abby and Clemente were interesting as well and brought a lot more drama and goodness to this book.

I also adored Scott's writing in Between Here and Forever. Brisk yet informative enough to pain a vivid picture in my head, it was yet another aspect that made this book the best it could be. Scott's talent is one I always envy as well as admire.

Heartbreaking, romantic, and heartwarming, Between Here and Forever maybe just be Scott's best book yet. It's a book that will have nearly any reader on the edge of their seat, guessing until the very last pages, and rooting for Abby and her friends and family every step of the way.

Oh, and for fans of Scott's Bloom, some of the major characters from that reappear in this and that's all I'll say about that.

Grade: A+

Between Here and Forever will be released May 24, 2011.

Source: Galley Grab

Waiting on Wednesday (110)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

Doesn't this one sound amazing? I've been wanting to read more historical fiction type books lately, and this seems like it will fit the bill perfectly! And the cover is simply stunning! The dress especially.

Darker Still will be released November 8, 2011!

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

When Kate Mercier’s parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life—and memories—behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate’s guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he’s a revenant—an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.

Review:

Beguiling, unique, and full of swoon-worthy romance, Amy Plum’s Die for Me not only introduces an absorbing new voice to YA, but also a series that is sure to capture many fans as it continues.

Die for Me begins the story of Kate, a girl who has not had the best of luck lately. For one, after a tragic accident leaves her sister, Georgia, and her orphans, they are off to leave with their grandparents in the beautiful city of Paris. Lonely and full of bitter feelings, Kate truly feels like life will never get better, that she will never stop missing her parents ever second of each day...then she meets Vincent. Secretive, alluring, and sweet, Vincent captures her heart the first time she meets to him. However, Vincent is hiding a major secret, one that could tear him and Kate apart, or make their relationship stronger than ever. Which will occur- will Kate find the love of her love within Vincent, or will she run away from him? Only time and more pages will tell in this deeply engrossing tale of one girl’s path to finding herself once again.

One of the best aspects of this would was the setting. Ms. Plum did a fantastic of allowing the setting to jump right of the page with her descriptions, allowing the reader to get a true taste and feel of the Paris right along with Kate as the story progressed.

The characters of this were also full of fun and intrigue, making the story even better. For one, I loved Kate. She was a main character I clicked with from the start. Her feelings and thoughts were easily relatable, and I also loved that she was strong- never letting anyone or anything get in her way one bit. Her relationship with Vincent was another high point. A common problem I have with YA books is a weakly developed main romantic relationship. However, that was not at all the case with Kate and Vincent. Built on plenty of getting-to-know the other moments, their relationship truly did feel believable when finally it did bloom. More importantly, I really enjoyed all the drama, twists, and turns that come with it, and I am sure many will agree with me on that.

The secondary characters of this were also well developed. Some of my favorites included Kate’s sister Georgia, whose zest and attitude constantly brought plenty of funny moments to the novel, as well as Vincent’s friends- Charlotte, Charles, Jules, and Ambrose.

One of the things that originally attracted me to this book was the premise, and I have to say the execution was even better than I expected. I thought the idea of “revenants” was fantastic, and more importantly, Amy Plum did a great job of fully fleshing out the idea to the fullest potential possible. I also adored all the twists and turns it added to the novel. From the fight scenes to the fear it brought to Kate and Vincent’s relationship, there truly was not a moment where I was not on the edge of my seat, quickly flipping the pages, dying to know the conclusion.

I will admit, though, I was a bit put off by some small similarities Die for Me shares with Twilight in the beginning, but by the end of the book Amy truly made this idea and series her own with her world building as well as writing.

Full of fun, drama, and romance, Die for Me is, without a doubt, one of my favorite reads of this year- one I will be suggesting repeatedly come its release in May.

Grade: A-

Die for Me is now out!

Source: HarperCollins via Netgalley- thanks!

Book Trailer:



Amy Plum on Die for Me:

Georgina Bloomberg & Catherine Hapka's The A Circuit (Review & Giveaway!)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

The A Circuit is the top of the top when it comes to horse shows. It's a world with its own rules and superprivileged lifestyles. Teens travel the circuit all year, showing horses that cost as much as some homes.

Tommi, Kate, and Zara are all elite competitors on the circuit, but they come from totally different backgrounds. Tommi is a billionaire heiress trying to prove she has real talent (not just deep bank accounts). Kate puts the working in working student-every win has been paid for with hours of cleaning stalls. She's used to the grueling schedule, but Fitz, the barn's resident hot guy, is about to become a major distraction. And then there's Zara. She's the wild child of a famous rockstar, but she's ready to take riding seriously. Can a party girl really change her ways?

Readers who enjoy peeking into the elite world of Gossip Girl or The A-List will feel right at home in this new series with its friendships, drama, and privilege set against the backdrop of competitive horseback riding.

Review:

Ever since Gossip Girl and The A-List, two of my favorite guilty pleasure series, ended, I have been trying to find the next flashy and light series to replace them. Luckily, I think I just may have found what I have been looking for in The A Circuit, Georgina Bloomberg & Catherine Hapka's new look into the exclusive would of horses, wealthy girls, and the secrets that tie them together.

For Kate and Tommi, the world of horse showing is everything. Addictive, fun, and fully of plenty of rewards, both are willing to sacrifice nearly anything to be the best of the best. For Kate, this means working herself to the ground so she can compete and work with one of the best trainers in the country, and for Tommi, this means going against what her father and sister think is the best for her. However, everything changes when Zara comes to town. Flashy, wealthy, and snarky, Zara is the queen of mean, and because of this, she quickly winds up on the bad sides of Tommi and Kate. What happens, though, when you throw in one bad boy player, a party, and a disaster that may change everything? Will Kate, Tommi, and Zara come to the rescue? Or will their bitter feud ruin everything? Only time and more pages can tell in this glossy read sure to enchant even the most reluctant of readers.

While this book did not continue the most developed of characters, I still did enjoy reading about Kate, Tommi, and Zara in their alternating perspectives. My favorites out of the bunch would probably have to be Kate and Tommi, because not only did I find their friendship an interesting side to the story, but I also enjoyed how they were more “real” then Zara. The addition of Fitz, the player, was also interesting, though I sometimes felt his character was all over the place, and because of it, I never knew if I should like him, love him, or hate him.

The most exciting part of The A Circuit though would have to be the focus on horses. When I was little, I used to love horse reads- even though I was terrified of riding horses myself- and because of this, I loved seeing the behind the scene of horse shows and all the determination and work that is put in to be the best of the best.

The ending is this was also good enough to make me not only curious to see what will happen next the characters, but also happy that it was not exactly cliff-hanger-ish.

Full of horses, drama, and a dose of depth, The A Circuit is a great lazy day read.

Grade: B

The A Circuit is now out!

Source: Publicist at Bloomsbury Publishing- thanks Kate!

Best of all, I have ONE copy of The A Circuit to giveaway, thanks to Kate at Bloomsburry. To enter, please fill out the form below.

Official Contest Rules:
~ Must be 13 years or older to enter.
~ Must have a US Mailing Address (No PO boxs please!)
~ This giveaway will end on May 30, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST

Some Bookish News!

Hi everyone!

I was recently told about a few different happenings in the bookish world (there seems to be a lot these days!) and I thought I would share some of them with you today.

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Remember how I reviewed In the Storm and interviewed its author Karen Metcalf a few months ago? Well, In the Storm is now officially available in both eBook AND print formats. To find out more about this, head over here. And be sure to check out Karen's site in the coming weeks for some great giveaways!

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One of the artworks available for bid, and one
of my personal favorites. What can I say
I have a soft spot for pandas... :)

In other news, Scholastic is holding month-long online charity auction to benefit Reading Is Fundamental and Reach Out and Read, two literacy organizations that have recently lost all federal funding. Interested in helping out and making a bid? Here's all the info you need to know:

Twelve original works of art created by some of the top children’s book illustrators and featuring some of the most beloved characters in children’s literature are now available on auction at charitybuzz.org through June 5, 2011. Net proceeds from the auction will benefit the literacy organizations Reading Is Fundamental and Reach Out and Read, organizations that provide books to underserved children and are suffering from recent federal funding cuts.

The artwork, ranging from pen and ink sketches to acrylic and watercolor paintings to digital art, was commissioned by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, as part of the company’s 90th Anniversary global literacy campaign, Read Every Day. Lead A Better Life. Artists were asked to provide their own artistic interpretations of the campaign message, underscoring the importance of reading in the lives of young people. The resulting art captures the whimsy, the imagination, the adventure and the humor to be found in great children’s books.

"At Scholastic, we believe that books are key to ensuring that children have access to a world of big ideas," said David Saylor, VP and Creative Director of Scholastic Trade Publishing, and the curator of the collection. "We are proud to have brought some of today’s most talented children’s artists together to raise awareness of the critical role that books play in all of our lives."

Artists participating in the project are: Norman Bridwell, creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog®; Bruce Degen, illustrator of The Magic School Bus® series; Mary GrandPré, illustrator of the U.S. editions of the Harry Potter series; Jeff Smith, author/illustrator of the BONE graphic novels; David Shannon, author/illustrator of No, David! and its sequels; Jon J Muth, author/illustrator of Zen Ties and Zen Shorts; Mark Teague, author/illustrator of the LaRue series and illustrator of the How Do Dinosaurs...? series; Stephen Savage, author/illustrator of Where's Walrus?; Edwin Fotheringham, illustrator of Tony Baloney; Barbara McClintock, illustrator of fairy-tale retellings; Sean Qualls, illustrator of Dizzy; and RainaTelgemeier, author/illustrator of Smile.

To extend the reach of the Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life campaign message to millions of children worldwide, Scholastic is making poster editions of the twelve works of art available for schools, libraries and literacy organizations. Posters will also go on sale exclusive at www.scholasticstore.com on June 6, 2011.

For more information about the artwork or to access the auction, please visit www.scholastic.com/readeveryday. (info taken from Scholastic's Media Room)

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One of the featured titles!

Those of you loving the eBook trend, will be happy to know about Fiction Express, a new online fiction express including books form Luisa Plaja, Stewart Ross, and many others! The unique part? YOU have a say in deciding what will occur next in the story! Interested in joining in on all the fun? Here's all the info you need to know:

Fiction Express allows readers to control plotlines in real time.

• Gripping e-fiction written chapter by chapter in real time
• Online voting determines the course of the plot

Providing high quality YA fiction, Fiction Express holds readers' interest with a gripping twist. At the end of each weekly-released chapter, readers are given options and can vote to determine what happens next in the plot. With chapters released every Friday at 3:30 pm, readers have until 10 am the following Monday to cast their votes. A challenging but exciting prospect for authors, they will write each new chapter in real time according to the most popular reader choice.

The list is launched with four titles:
Diary of a Mall Girl by Luisa Plaja (Split by a Kiss and Extreme Kissing - also author of the Chicklish fiction site)
The Soterion Mission by Stewart Ross (Timewarp Trials and What if the Bomb Goes Off?)
Soul Shadows by Alex Woolf (The Chronosphere)
The Last Symbol by Rebecca Morton

Each e-book is published in 11 weekly episodes. The first is available for free, and subsequent episodes sell from as little as 59p (or equivalent local currency).

Fiction Express also gives readers the opportunity to submit their own ideas for incorporation into the plot, and there will be competitions for readers to become a part of the story itself.

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In other news, Jennifer Weiner, author of several books including the upcoming Then Came You, is hosting a great giveaway in sponsor of her 10-year anniversary of the publication of Good in Bed, her first novel published back in 2001.

How to enter: What's the most memorable thing that has happened to you in the last ten years? That's the question Jennifer's asking you to answer to enter. Have an answer that's between 125 and 175 words long? Click here.

Deadline: May 31st.

Prize up for grabs: A winner and a guest will fly to Los Angeles and experience the best Hollywood has to offer. From Sunday, June 19th through Wednesday, June 22nd, they will stay at the luxurious Beverly Wilshire, enjoying breakfasts and spa treatments, a workout with a trainer, dinner at one of Los Angeles' top restaurants, and an invitation to watch a taping of State of Georgia, the new ABC Family sitcom co-written and executive-produced by Jen herself.

In conjuction, Jennifer's publisher, Atria Books, is releasing an anniversary edition of  Good in Bed on May 24, 2011! This edition will include an updated cover and a special introduction by Jennifer Weiner herself.
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And that's all for today...  :)

In My Mailbox (122)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren.

For Review:

Populazzi by Elise Allen (I've heard so many good things about this one!)

Wildcat Fireflies (Fenestra, #2) by Amber Kizer (I loved the first one so I can't wait to see what happens next!)

What We Keep Is Not Always What Will Stay by Amanda Cockrell (I've been loving all of the Flux books I've been reading lately so I'm hoping this one will continue the trend.)

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (I've been looking forward to reading this one for ages now...Look for a review/giveaway coming soon!)

Cut by Patricia McCormick (For an upcoming review/giveaway promotion. I read this a couple of years ago, and don't remember much of it so I'm looking forward to rereading it.)

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle (2nd copy... And you know what that means, right? GIVEAWAY coming your way soon!!)

From Library:

Faithful by Janet Fox

From Galley Grab:

Past Perfect by Leila Sales (LOVED Mostly Good Girls and I've heard this one is pretty fantastic as well!)

Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss (I've heard amazing things about this one as well. Can't wait to read it!)

Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz (I love Hannah's books!)

Much thanks goes to Galley Grab, the people at HarperCollins, Scholastic/Chelsy at Big Honcho Media, the people at Flux, BookSparksPR, and the people at Random House/Amber Kizer.

In all, such a great week bookwise. Though, enough about me, what did you get this week? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to link to your IMM posts! :)

A & L Do Summer by Jan Blazanin

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

I’d like to say something clever, but my tongue is paralyzed. This guy is tall and built and—okay, maybe he’s not exactly handsome. Wait, that’s not true. He is exactly handsome. From ten feet away I can see the electric blue of his eyes. All of that put together makes him the Superman of redheads.

After a year in rural Cottonwood Creek, Iowa, city girl Laurel is still adjusting to a place where parties take place in barns, guys ride around in pickup trucks, and a killer senior prank involves getting pigs into the principal’s office. Fortunately, she has her best friend Aspen, an Iowa native, to show her around. The real problem is that neither the country girl nor the city slicker have boyfriends—or any prospects for getting them. Clearly, they need to raise their profile—and they have a summer to do so.

Review:

Every summer comes the wave of summer books, the ones that promise funny, light reads with their pretty covers, and with Jan Blazanin’s newest book A & L Do Summer the reader receives that and much, much more to say the least.

Aspen, one city girl stuck in the country, and Laurel, a longtime country girl, have always been the girls to fall under the radar in their small country town, but this summer will change everything for the better. To begin this, Aspen has a great first plan involving one prank, pigs, and the principal’s office. Unfortunately, their prank idea ends up in the wrong hands and involves one late night clean up that starts their summer off to a less than satisfactory start. However, this does not get them down; instead, they plan to try harder. From summer jobs involving interesting drive thru service, to walking skunks in strollers, to parties and boys, this summer will surely be unforgettable. Though, will it land Aspen and Laurel on the radar once and for all, or will it leave them even farther down on the social ladder? Only time and more pages will tell in this funny and easy read.

Adorable and funny, Aspen and Laurel were two main characters that I could not help but adore. Their antics involving being noticed were hilarious; their friendship was three-dimensional and relatable to every girl or boy who has a crazy best friend; and best of all, their personalities jumped off the page and came to life. The secondary characters also added a great deal of fun to this light read such as Clay, Laurel’s love interest, Manny, Laurel’s brother who Aspen cannot help but love from afar, and Miss Simmons, the typical crazy old skunk lady.

While the plot of this was too complicated or original, it was easy to fall into, because of the different events that occurred as well as the spark the characters brought. I enjoyed seeing Aspen and Laurel’s everyday lives depicted on page, and I especially loved seeing all the trouble they got themselves into. Several scenes had me laughing aloud, which always makes me love a book even more.

Finally, Jan Blazanin’s writing has definitely improved in this one. From the story building to the character and plot development, everything was right on key, and this has made me even more eager to read more by her.

Full of spunk and sparks, A & L Do Summer will have you giggling to yourself as these country girls make a name for themselves.

Grade: A-

A & L Do Summer is now out!

Source: Publicst at GoodMan Media- thanks Jenny!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Review:

Nothing short of spectacular, Divergent is simply one of the best of the year, if not ever. Heart-racing, unique, extremely well-written, and spellbinding, there wasn't a time when I wasn't racing to get through this, eager to see what would occur next, and in the rare occasion I wasn't able to read it for a time, I was constantly thinking about it and dying to find a way to read more.

Divergent tells the story of a Dystopian Chicago where people are put into five different groups- Amity, Candor, Dauntless, Abnegation, and Erudite; and if you aren't lucky enough to make it through any of them, you become factionless, poor and given a dirty job no one else wants to do. For Beatrice it's just about time for her to decide on a faction, and while her parents are eager for her to continue on with Abnegation, the fraction she's belonged to for her whole life along with them, she wants something different; she's not like the other Abnegation: she asks too many questions and she isn't always selfless. So, come the day of the decision, she picks a fraction that surprises not only herself but her family as well. With her new fraction, comes a new identity: Trish, a girl who is fearless and daring so much unlike boring old Beatrice. As Trish, she begins to find her place in life, she makes great friends and she may even have caught the eye of one of the most stunning and daring guys alive. But, as it turns out, this fraction will not be easy. She'll have to fight, come to peace with her past, and face challenges like she could have never imagined. Will she come out alive and not ruined? Will her friends? Only time and more pages will tell!

There were so many fantastic things in Divergent that I don't where to begin, though I guess I'll start with the world.

Veronica Roth has created quite the atmosphere in this one. Unique and interesting, there wasn't a time when I wasn't curious to find out more about the five fractions, as well as what each entitled for the members. Specifically, I loved learning about the Dauntless, because while it sounded scary, it also seemed like fun, something that would give anyone quite the thrill so to say.

Even better, I loved the characters. Tris was someone I came to admire and adore over time, because I loved how she not only become someone so brave and fearless over time, but she was also someone who would go to the end of the world to be there for her friends, especially Four, a guy who was cocky, adorable, secretive, and someone I came to love nearly as much Tris did over time. I also loved seeing her interact with her new friends, because not only did a different side of Tris come out when she was with them, but they also brought even more funny and heartbreaking scenes to the mix.

And when the characters and world were mixed together, it created quite a plot. There were so many twists and turns within this one that I never exactly knew how everything was going to end, and more importantly, I loved how Veronica didn't shy away from the gritty parts within this: the death, the scars people have, the fight to find your way in life, everything was in this and nearly perfect.

As you can also probably imagine, Veronica's writing was simply spectacular in this. She created such an amazing and powerful novel in this with her immense talent, talent that I can't wait to see more of as time goes on.

And the ending? I adored it. It has left me craving to read the sequel, as I know it will be even better than Divergent, and even more importantly, it wasn't nearly as cliff-hanger-ish as I thought it would be.

Heartbreaking, unique, and daring, Divergent is a novel that will manage to gain plenty of fans once its release. But word of warning, you may need a box of tissues along with you, because this book isn't always for the faint-hearted.

Grade: A+

Divergent is now out!

Source: Publicist at HarperTeen- thanks Allison!