Ive joined J. Kayes 2010 Reading Challenge. Im excited to start 2010 and thought this challenge would work well with me for the year along with my Horns and Halos challenge!

You can sign up for the 100+ over at J.Kayes blog here

2009 was a great year of reading for me, I read over a 100 books and had a great year getting started with my blog almost 9 months ago!

Ive had the most awesome time co-hosting the Blog with Bite, which is an urban paranormal-fantasy group that reviews one YA and one Adult selection a month. I also became an affiliate of Mindful Musings, which is run by the lovely Natalie. If you missed out on any of these great titles add them to your TBR...(highlights have reviews)

1. The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman

2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

3. Unwind by Neil Shusterman

4. Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

5. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

6. Blue Aspen by Tenaya Jayne

7. Green by Ted Dekker

8. The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

9. Of Bee's and Mist by Erick Setiawan

10. Still Alice by Lisa Genova   (thanks Melissa....)

Happy New Years....be safe and read.......

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Tall, awkward Amy feels unloved by her parents, who are too smitten with each other to pay her any attention. Along with her beautiful, fearless, and free-spirited friend Julia, Amy turns to drinking and casual sex to feel loved. After a devastating car crash leaves Julia dead and Amy only slightly injured, Amy goes into rehab. There, a therapist gives her a journal, which Amy uses to write letters to Julia, each dated with the number of days after Julia’s death.

Raw and heartbreaking are two words I can use describing this book. Scott examines the complex nature of friendship between teen girls, promiscuity and the emotional wariness of a teenager.

The story opens seventy five days after Julia’s death. Amy still doesn't know how to function. Amy is leaving rehab (for alcohol) and doesn't know how she's supposed to live without her best friend. How can she carry on when she killed her? Amy struggles along; barely able to bear the desire to have a drink, endure school, and stomach her parents relentless "trying to make up for being a crappy mom and dad to you all these years". Angry and frustrated, Amy starts writing letters to Julia, which carry through until the end of the book. With writing comes healing and Amy starts to realize that Julia may not have been perfect, (are any of us really) that there is a limit to what she can control or change, and that the future also deserves a chance.

This novel is moving and gripping and I found myself identifying with Amy on so many levels. Her character is so realistic and her grief is compounded by insecurity, anger and loneliness. Amy’s thoughts are heartbreaking, but yet so real and I as the reader became completely attached.

The story is told  through Amy’s perspective and although she is depressed and 16, I felt at times I was reading the thoughts of a much older woman…that's where I think Scotts talent soared...the splash of wisdom and a few f-bombs the only way a pissed off 16 year old could say it, brought you the finesse it took to bring this young character to life on the pages.

I personally have never been addicted to drugs or alcohol but I’ve seen friend’s fall into that madness. I’ve been a friend looking in and turning the other way like Julia, because I was too messed up with my own crap to help. What teenager isn't dealing with crap? You couldn't pay me to go back to high school! I think that’s why I loved Scott's writing. She holds no barriers diving into the world of young adults who are openly having sex, doing drugs and dealing with the issues of our society. I know many parents want to turn a blind eye to this behavior, but even the best of kids in the greatest homes will at some point face serious adult issues. I mean at 17 I was dealing with crap my parents couldn't even think of. Then again when my parents where 17 they probably thought the same thing! One of my favorite lines in the book was Amy talking about her shrink and I quote.....{Laurie really doesn't know how highschool works, but that's how adults are. They think school is so easy and life there is so great. Id like to see them go back} not all adults think that way. Some of us are glad we made it to graduation and sometimes when I get around a bunch of catty ass women I feel like Im back there.

Although the main focus in Love You is grief, I liked how it was a mixture of psychology and the human condition, pealing apart the layers of a young mind and exploring reflection and the aftermath of choices.

4/5 YA 

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

October 3, 2006 by Allison & Busby
Paperback, 348 Pages
Purchased

Welcome to Morganville, Texas. Just don't stay out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life. But they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.

What if Vampires ran a town? Could you survive? Could you look the other way? A mix of gloom and doom splashed with some sunlight Glass Houses was a very entertaining read. With its “CW” young feel the characters and plot are very well written and likeable with their quirks and shortcomings, each has a past, baggage, and hidden secrets.

Claire is scary smart in academics, lacks brains in the common sense area but she is a very likeable character. Claire is one of those prodigy kids with a brain like Einstein. At sixteen she is already headed off for college. Inexperienced and alone, she discovers the girls in her dorm are not only beautiful but psychotic to boot. Crazy classmates, sinister cops, and other threats lurk in a town where vampires make the rules and unwary humans are there for the taking. It’s not too smart to be the only one in Morganville who doesn’t know the town’s secrets- and that’s where Claire finds herself.

I think the scariest aspect of this book was the issue with bullies. Although Claire doesn't deal with ordinary bullies (hers are certifiably insane and completely controlled by vampires) the overall feel is the same. One girl picked out to be humiliated, taunted endlessly and tortured on a daily basis. Some scenes in the book when these girls are ganging up on Claire seriously made my stomach nauseous. I have to give kudos to Claire though, she doesn’t just take it -she fights back- scared out of her mind, through the tears she sticks up for herself and never lets Monica (the ring leader) get the last word. Bravery aside Claire should have done the smart thing and called her parents to get her the heck outta there, but then we’d have no kick butt story, so she chooses the latter- moves out of the dorm.

She rents a room at The Glass House where she meets Michael, Eve and Shane, all older but all in the loop on the towns naughty’s. Together these four form friendships and a little romance that help them protect Claire and find the one thing the Vampires want- the only thing that could change everything.

This was my first Rachel Caine book and I am left very pleased.The swift pace of the book kept me reading until the last page non-stop! The ending has the biggest cliff-hanger that will leave you breathless.....I just ordered Dead Girls Dance......

4/5 YA Vampires

Movie Cast Mondays is a Meme created by Natalie over at Mindful Musings

Want to join in the fun? Anyone can play! Here are the guidelines:

1) Create your own cast for an upcoming book-to-movie adaptation OR pick a book you'd like to see be turned into a movie and choose a cast.
2) Post the book title, author, and summary.
3) Try to pick at least 3 of the main characters to cast.
4) Grab the button please!

So Heres my pick this week!

                         

The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman (One of my favorite books)

A dark family saga of Elv, Megan and Claire Story, sisters plagued by uncommon sadness. As a child, Elv spun fairy tales of a magical world for her sisters, but a period of savage sexual abuse—information about which slowly leaks out—sends her spiraling into years of drug addiction and painful self-abuse. Elv's story is unrelentingly grim. Tragedy after tragedy befalls the family—Elv's commitment to a juvenile rehab facility, a deadly accident, a fatal illness and betrayal after betrayal. When the last third of the book turns to focus on Claire, who has been so damaged by the family crises that she refuses to speak, the slight glimmers of hope and goodness are too little, too late.

And my picks for the parts.........

Zooey Deschanel as Claire Story, I think Zooey could pull it off- Claire is quiet and becomes a depressed withdrawn girl.

Selma Blair as Megan Story, she would play the older teen part- as Megan doesn't make it into the adult story of Elv and Claire.

Emily Blunt as Elv Story....Elv is a hard one, she has to be beautiful but edgy. She's mysterious yet tortured. Then she is mad and addicted to herion- definitely a hard role to pull off, but she was really good in Sunshine Cleaning.

Jennifer Connelly as the girls mother, who struggles with all drama and trys to save Elv........her character is young for a mother of 3.

Lastly...my pick for Lorry, Elv's boyfriend is Robert Pattinson....I know he's crazy popular right now- but Lorry needs to be a guy who is wicked handsome, but can pull off tortured drug addict, I thought Robert looks the part. So what do you think?????


Photo Credit: Jennifer Connelly- Creative Commons - Free Use, Unknown Photo

Ive reached 150 followers, what a way to end 2009.....so to celebrate all you lovelys out there Im giving away a $20 Shopping Spree to The Book Depository.

The more followers I get the more Ill add (ie..200 followers=$30-cap at $50)

The only Rules: You must be a follower!!!

+5 Old Follow

+3 New Follow

+5 Blog about this contest

+2 Add Blog Button..or if its already up

Add your points, links and email.

Ill pick a winner January 25, 2010

Goodluck

WOW! Its almost the end of 2009- where has this year gone? I for sure had a great reading year- I read so many awesome books, and discovered some new authors as well. I thought Id share my favorites!!

My favorite Adult book for 2009 was Alice Hoffman's The Story Sisters

Seriously, maybe it was just an emotional day when I read this one, but it haunted me for weeks!

Book Synopsis: Hoffman's  latest follows the dark family saga of Elv, Megan and Claire Story, sisters plagued by uncommon sadness. As a child, Elv spun fairy tales of a magical world for her sisters, but a period of savage sexual abuse—information about which slowly leaks out—sends her spiraling into years of drug addiction and painful self-abuse. Elv's story is unrelentingly grim, and without Hoffman's characteristic magic realism, its simple downward spiral becomes exhausting. Tragedy after tragedy befalls the family—Elv's commitment to a juvenile rehab facility, a deadly accident, a fatal illness and betrayal after betrayal. When the last third of the book turns to focus on Claire, who has been so damaged by the family crises that she refuses to speak, the slight glimmers of hope and goodness are too little, too late. Hoffman's prose is as lovely as ever.

My Favorite YA book for 2009 was Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Not only was this my favorite book, but Maggie is my new favorite YA author!

The story of Grace and Sam was so poetic- I loved every minute of it!

Book Synopsis: "For years, Grace has been fascinated by the yellow-eyed wolf that saved her from its pack when she was a child. Sam, bitten by a wolf as a boy, is that wolf. Long obsessed with each other at a distance, they finally meet after a wolf hunt (inspired by the apparent death of a local teen) sends a wounded and temporarily human Sam into Grace's arms. Their young love is facilitated by Grace's hands-off parents Once upon a time, I would've leaped at the rare opportunity of curling up with Mom on the couch. But now, it sort of felt like too little, too late, Grace muses), but threatened by two linked crises: the fact that Sam will soon lose the ability to become human and the instability of a new lycanthrope. Stiefvater skillfully increases the tension throughout; her take on werewolves is interesting and original while her characters are refreshingly willing to use their brains to deal with the challenges they face."

Lastly my favorite CD for 2009 was The New Moon Soundtrack........

Edgy and had an Indy feel, I thought the songs fit the movie and I really enjoyed it.

****Im looking forward to all the greatness coming in 2010.....Linger, The Percy Jackson Movie......they are making Beastly into a movie.......The Dead Tossed Waves...eccckkk..............can't wait......well then, Im off to spend a Merry Christmas with my family, I will talk to you all after New Years......

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May you all be blessed!!!

Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

Book synopsis:

Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she’s just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn’t entirely human. (So what else is new?) Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England School for other teens like her, and there’s a big problem— she’s the only girl in the place. A school full of cute boys wouldn’t be so bad, but Dru’s killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead. And with all eyes on her, discovering a traitor within the Order could mean a lot more than social suicide. . . …

---I liked Strange Angels, and was excited to jump back into Dru’s world. Betrayals starts exactly where Strange leaves off. The pages flew by, no dull moments and the story was just as good, if not better than the first book. I think Ms. Crow found her style of writing and the plot seemed to be sharper the second time around.

Dru finds herself stuck in a Schola, a school for the paranormally challenged…well at least challenged until their trained. Being stuck in a school where you’re the only girl can have some issues attached. Nothing’s happening though and that’s the problem. No one will train her, teach her and frankly even talk to her. Graves the one exception, and her best friend continues to be her only support system. Something is creeping on the outside, Dru can’t see it but she knows someone is betraying her.

Dru learns about hidden secrets and more of Christophe’s past that leave her confused and scared. Why is it in these paranormal stories that the guy the character is secretly attracted to scares the daylights outta her? Fear and loneliness start looming in on Dru and depression nearly drags her under but stubborn and set in her ways – Dru is bound to get some answers or escape the school altogether. I liked that Dru’s character really grew in this book; she basically comes to terms that her father is gone, and finally is able to deal with the grief. I think she grows up a lot and is ready to become what she needs to be.

Readers get to see more of Christophe as well. I’m pretty sure this hottie is my favorite…I mean come on he smells like apple pie!!! I like Graves too, as the nice wolfy friend..(not Jake, I promise) but its always the mysterious, tortured guy I want the girl with.....(and Christophe is so not Edward....a-hem.....) both of the books in this series focus more on danger and plot rather than romance and love. Lots of fights and scary stuff has no room for roses and kisses. So if your looking for the typical romance wolf and vampire thing- this series is not that! Im hoping book three will have a bit more spice in the romance department.

My one negative was the language- swearing doesn’t bother me, but when you have so much swearing it starts taking over the story it’s no longer relevant…its annoying!! It's off the charts for a YA novel. Almost every paragraph had a demeaning reference to God or another tasty curse. The characters, especially Dru- would thank God in one sentence and curse Him in the next. It got to be double minded after awhile and to the extreme where I as a reader thought it took a lot away from the plot and the integrity of the characters. Dru is a smart tough gal, not a double minded ignorant sailor……Swearing aside, it was a good story and I’d recommend it to the mature teen or adult paranormal fan!

4/5 YA, paranormal, mystery

Movie Cast Mondays is a Meme created by Natalie over at Mindful Musings

Want to join in the fun? Anyone can play! Here are the guidelines:

1) Create your own cast for an upcoming book-to-movie adaptation OR pick a book you'd like to see be turned into a movie and choose a cast.

2) Post the book title, author, and summary.

3) Try to pick at least 3 of the main characters to cast.

4) Grab the button please!

5) Come back and link to this post so everyone can check it out!


So Heres my pick this week!

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Book Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan, a gifted harpist who regularly plays for weddings and other events, has the kind of stage fright that makes her physically ill before a performance, which is an inauspicious way to start a romance; but while vomiting before a competition she meets a gorgeous boy who comes into the restroom to hold her hair. He is Luke Dillon, a flautist who proceeds to accompany her in a truly stellar performance. As four-leaf clovers start appearing everywhere, Deirdre develops telekinetic powers and encounters strange, unworldly people who seem to bear her ill will. Her best friend, James, also a talented musician; her beloved grandmother; and her mother all are in danger, as Deirdre is targeted by the queen of Faerie. Deirdre eventually discovers that she is a cloverhand, a person who can see the denizens of faerie, and Luke, not the only immortal who has her in his sights, is a gallowglass, an assassin assigned by the queen of Faerie to kill Deirdre but who falls in love with her instead.

And my Picks:

Garrett Hedlund as Luke

Anton Yelchin as James 

Camilla Belle as the Queen

An Indie unknown as Deirdre

How fun was that.....?? So what do think of my choices?

Some Girls Bite, by Chloe Neill

A Blog with Bite Group Review

Book Synopsis: Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead. Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude— and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood.

Ok so Im rushing to get this up before the midnight deadline so if my review seems a bit rushed...it is...sorry savvys!!!

Merit at first seemed to be the stereotypical girl next door and I have to admit during the first few chapters I really wasn’t looking for the “written about a thousand times” butt kicking heroine. I must say once I got sucked into the storyline I was surprisingly impressed. This was my first Chloe Neill book, and I loved it! Think Underworld with lots of humor and spicier romance. The writing was suburb and the plot was fast paced and full of everything that makes a story great!

The story opens with Merit awaking to her new life as a vampire; she was changed against her will and has a hard time through the duration of the book coming to terms with the loss of her human life. Slowly and well done, Neill begins to peel back layer after layer of Merit, who by far is one of my favorite characters in a vampire series. Merit comes from a prestigious family, known for its money and stature. She isn’t close with any of them expect for her grandfather who winds up being a fun sidekick to the story.

Mallory, Merits best friend- is perfect; she’s funny and supportive and brings so much humor to the story. I loved the banter that flowed between the characters and the various laugh out loud moments. The humor gives the book a break from the serious undertone of Vampire wars and steamy romance. The lightly sprinkled makings of a hot tensioned filled romance begin with Ethan Sullivan, the vampire who turned her. He also happens to be the head of the Cadogan House in Chicago. Ethan is arrogant and wears his confidence and power like a chest of armor. At first with Ethan I was leaning towards the sleaze ball but I kind of like him…………Im unsure of Morgan, the second piece of a potential love twist but it will be interesting to see how Neill plays this love triangle out.

By the end of the book we know Merit is stronger and smarter than the average vampire, one of my favorite parts in the book was reading through her training sessions with Catcher, who discovers Merit’s weapon of choice: A Katana Sword. There’s a lot of background information I think this author has coming, I’m still wondering what happened in Catcher’s past, why was Merit targeted for death in the first place? Why is she so powerful, why is her father such a butt, and why is it that Merit gets to eat like a pig and not gain a pound!!!

Favorite book lines: Merit: I'm just warning you, Im probably going to be a total hard-a** vamp. Mallory snorted and walked out of the kitchen, calling out, "Yeah, well, you've got a purple marshmallow on your chin, hard-a** vamp!!

I can't wait to get started on Friday Night Bites and see how everything evolves. Vampire and paranormal lovers will love this book and if that doesn't grab you...all the characters have really cool names!!

4.5/5 - Vampires, romance

BWB Discussion Questions

1.Obviously the issues of social status and class are used in this story, do you feel Merit is above the simplistic ideology in this book, or is she the typical character: shuns away from the idea of being better than others but loves her status, in both the vampire and human worlds?

I think Merit does truly shun away from the whole Im better than you thing....she doesn't like the way her father flaunts his status and she wants to be known for her smarts not her money! Merit has confidence in herself yet she doesnt look down on others. I think she was really happy with her life and thats why she stuggles with the vamp girl who at some point is going to come out more and more. Thats why I loved Merit, she seems real and like a best friend Id want, so I guess that tells me I think Id really love hangin out with Chloe Neill....(lol)

2.What motivations do you believe pushed Amber to behave the way she did? Her cattiness seemed rather shallow, but could it only be cattiness that had her acting the way she did in the end?

I think she was just playing a game.....she was so background that I really didnt think about her behavior, I can tell you I hated the scene with Ethan, Amber and um Merit watching in his apartment.....(ewww)

3.Do you see a House of her own in Merit's future?

YES.....I think Merit is going to be a kick-butt master.....maybe with some shifters and other sups thrown in!!!

4.Which vamp are you hoping Merit ends up with?

Im probably going against the popular vote....but as of now I want Ethan to break out of his Master shell and be a giddy man in love!! I might change my mind later after I get to know Morgan better.

Paperback, 400 Pages- Tyndale House 

All Thomas Kent wants is to die, but a mysterious e-mail and a voice from the past stir him to fight for his life and the lives of a family he doesn't know. The leader of a powerful and dangerous cult threatens the country’s future, and Thomas holds the only evidence for its destruction. As the cults plan enters its final phase, Thomas must cast his fear aside and act before it is too late.

 "Don't be so sure--In today's world, reality is all a matter of  "spin"."

This story was like a firecracker, from the first page tension was building and like an explosion chapter one ended and threw me into a nonstop nail biter. The book opens with Paul Bishop on a desperate mission to see his children safely aboard a Dallas bound airplane. He’s panicked and scared and I as the reader about chewed the skin off my pinky finger waiting for him to get the kids on the plane without getting himself killed by The Fellowship, a deeply sinister cult. Peter’s children Michelle and Micah are carrying vital information of national importance. Just before poison arrests his body, he manages to get a call in to Thomas Kent, the man to whom he has trusted with the lives of his kids. As Peter is hanging on to life, he mutters one desperate cry: "Save my children."

The last thing Thomas Kent wanted was a couple of kids. Thomas is a depressed and hollowed man. Half alive himself, he’s tortured by the images of his dead wife and two children. When he finds out that Bishop, a man he barely remembers from his college years sent him two children and not a package, his first reaction is to run the other way. Realizing the children's danger, Thomas finds strength he didn't know he had and resolves to get the kids to their mother, who’s also in hiding. As Kent risks his life trying to help the kids, they encounter ever danger possible from the blizzard snow to assassins. As Thomas draws closer to Michelle and Micah, painful memories flashback to the horrid night he lost family. Thomas a former pastor finds himself at a crossroad with God, life and tremendous responsibility of saving this family he’s never known.

This was an amazing heart pounding story. From page 1 to 402 I couldn't stop reading. Well written and fast paced Blind Sight played out like a movie in my head. I’d have to say this was one of the best Christian fiction books I've read. Now I can hear some of you groaning...."christian fiction"....but don't be to hasty to snub your nose at this one, its a fantastic thriller and as everyone has noticed the leaps and bounds of the YA world, Christian fiction is making huge waves with more thrillers and sci-fi options.

Also interesting this book was a healing factor for one man’s journey after the devastation of his family’s murder. Author James Pence motivated after hearing how this story changed Terry Caffey’s life co-wrote and featured Blind Sight in an autobiography called Terror by Night which I’m working on right now.

4/5 – Christian Fiction, murder suspense
Thanks to Publisher for Review Copy

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Synopsis: When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe. Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back -- if Cassie will agree to be his bride. That is the beginning of Cassie's own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her -- until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice. (Product Description)

I love fairy tales, and any story that starts with "Once upon a time" always makes my heart leap.This one of a beast and his beauty about knocked my socks off….no I take that back I was so cold reading through all the snow and ice I needed my toasty socks on. At one point late in the night I asked my hubby to build me a fire because just reading this adventure made me chilly. A Scandinavian telling of Beauty and the Beast is transformed to present day, giving us a girl who lives on an Arctic research station with her father and his assistants. Cassie kind of gives you the feel of Liv Tyler’s character in Armageddon- smart, beautiful, growing up in dads world being raised by all the guys…..the difference- Cassie’s mom never abandoned her, she was blown to the troll castle by her father the north wind……sounds far-fetched yes but this was a fabulous absolutely wonderful fantasy story.

So let’s jump in with a little but a Cassie: being a young scientist, living in the Arctic this gal is no princess. Cassie has been homeschooled all her life, and only knows how to live surrounded by the ice. She is far from being inclined to believe in magic, though when she was little her grandmother used to tell her a magical story about how her missing mother was the adopted daughter of the North Wind, stolen by trolls after having bargained Cassie away to a magical bear. Cassie thinks her father doesn't believe in fairy tales, either, but when she meets the Polar Bear King, her father freaks and wants to send her away ASAP. Cassie's first reaction…(like any sane person) ”ok did I just hit my head and land in bizarre-O world”? No way was she leaving and no way was some make believe polar bear going to ruin her future.

Although outrageous, after having a full on conversation with Bear, Cassie realizes that her father has lied, and her grandmother's story is true. So Cassie makes a deal…..save her mother from the trolls and she would marry him. After the vows are said and mom is safe back home Cassie is stuck in Bears castle, but soon she learns to enjoy his company, eventually falling in love with him. NOW…before you get grossed out Bear does take the form of a man by night. BUT..there is one rule: she can never see Bears human face or it will bring devastating consequences!!

Despite love and happiness each will betray the other, one out of ignorance and one out of foolishness. In an act of anger Cassie breaks her promise and her world is turned upside down. Pregnant and alone she must journey to the ends of the earth, fighting enemies who will trick her, lie to her and tempt to steal everything that matters. In the Arctic wilderness, Cassie encounters the dangers of the ice, cold and open ocean water. With a touch of irony the same ice that Cassie loves so much, is bound by nature to kill her. Durst has a tremendous gift to detail, written beautifully I felt as if I were in the Arctic, surrounded by polar bears on Cassie’s unseemly endless journey on the ice. Our brave hero uses her knowledge of survival as well as relying on magical allies (which I can’t tell you about- because you have to read this to find out) to accomplish her goal of retrieving her shape-shifting husband. I loved the intriguing aspects of the Aspens and the trolls and how poetic the story came together. I seriously did not want the story to end!!!

Favorite Quote: You're my twaaqan, my soul mate

5/5 YA Fantasy

The Silver Kiss by Annette Curits Klause

Zoë’s life is falling apart; her mother is dying of cancer and her best friend, Lorraine, is moving away. She's a typical teenager dealing with terrible issues.So when the mysterious and handsome Simon comes along, Zoë who is feeling lonely and isolated is drawn to him. On one hand Simon is dark and charming, on the other hand he is a vampire. After the two connect, things in Zoe's life get strange.With a serial killer leaving his mark on her formerly quiet hometown, Zoe soon becomes leery of Simon. Even with fear and doubt surrounding the tender relationship, circumstances plunge the two closer together and Simon is the only thing Zoë can hold on to when everything else is falling apart. But what will become of him, her mother, her life? The Silver Kiss was simple yet a haunting little story unlike any vampire tale I’ve read.

Simon is dark and basically scary as hell. He not only carries the traditional vampire aspects, but can easily become mist moving with the air. Being mist carries its dangers for Simon, as he can become lost and completely unaware of the physical world. With death surrounding the entire theme of the book it only made sense that Simon (who I found in the beginning unlikable) was used as a metaphor for death. Not to fret though, there’s always a beautiful girl who changes the monster right?

Zoë’s description can only make you think of beauty, she has long slightly curly black hair and light gray eyes. She is thin with huge breasts……(yes that is frequently talked about in the story, not in a rude way it’s just pointed out to the reader a lot). Breasts aside I think Zoë’s character was a metaphor for life. Simon and Zoe apart created longing and loneliness, while together in their odd relationship created hope and ultimately serenity.

The Silver Kiss worked, even on a simple level, the writing was told through Simon and Zoë’s perspectives, shifting between the first and third person. At times this got very annoying but the story line was interesting and the shifting didn’t bother me to a point where I wanted to put the book down. Simon comes into Zoë’s life just at the right time in the book, she’s lonely in this point of the story but also dealing with a huge amount of anger. I think the anger makes Zoe brave, to a point where a normal girl would be running for the hills and not going toe-to-toe with a serial killer who may or may not be Simon. We as the reader know who the serial killer is mid-way through but Zoe learns after we do. The suspense is done well enough to carry you to the end of the book. Although we have unresolved issues in Zoe's family the depressing finale makes it not hard to draw conculsions of future outcomes. That said, I thought the ending was terribly sad, and written beautiful, as was most of the book from beginning to end- it’s funny how in one page I could read teenage banter yet have it be filled with words so haunting they vexed my mind……here’s my favorite line, thought by Zoë upon meeting Simon……..

With a sudden ache she realized he was beautiful. The tears that pricked her eyes broke his bonds, and he fled, while she sat and cried for all things lost.   (little sob...how sad was that?...)

I used the new cover in my review because I think it’s very pretty but it has that Twilight feel to it. This story is nothing like Twilight……Simon has some small resemblances to Edward with the animal thing, but besides that the outcome, the love story (if you can really call it that) doesn’t cross into the realm of obsessive, Zoë and Simon have a bittersweet sorrowful tale to share.

3.5/5 YA Vampire, romance, death

Awards Awards Awards

I’ve gotten some very fun awards over the past few months when my blog underwent a sweet new update, including new design widgets and what not, some of my archives got lost, one of those was my award section……so if you’ve given me an award and I never posted it, a thousand apologies, and thank you thank you…… some great ones over the last few weeks……..

I received The Lovely Blog award from Lindsey at Lindsey's Photobook.....

I also received the Honest Scrap Award from Rach-(Parajunkee), Kayleigh-(Incident) and Jackie (The Book Whisperer)

Im passing this on to....

Chellie at Art From my Table  (You want a fabulous cook to give you recipes check this blog out!)

Emily at What Book is That (because your reviews kick butt)

Jenny at Take me Away ( For having such heart felt reviews)

Jake at Teensreadandwrite

Greg at Teensreadandwrite

Alyssa at Teensreadandwrite  (these guys are so cool)

Nely at All about N ( So much devotion to her blog)

Aimme at My Fluttering Heart ( In depth and insightful)

So here are the rules for the Honest Scrap….you list ten trues about yourself and pass it on to seven blogs. So here is my 10 true’s that your all dying to know about me.

1. I love reading but when I’m not reading and chasing my 3 yr old around I love to cook, I actually just joined a cooking group and its so much fun!!

2. I’m completely addicted to those huge fountain pops you can get at the gas station with loads of ice!

3. Maggie Stiefvater is my new favorite author

4. After my whole life having long hair, I just chopped it all off…it’s a nice fun bob right now

5. I liked the Notebook movie better than the book

6. I love winter more than summer

7. Dove Chocolate is my favorite treat

8. I read the Screwtape Letters by C.S Lewis once a year

9. I have a butterfly tattoo on my ankle that looks like a freaky goth spider….

10. Since blog’n I’ve connected with some of the nicest fun people ever…..

Thanks girls for thinking of me the lovely honest scrapper!!!!!

24 Angel Book selections for 2010.

Angel Time - Anne Rice

Fallen - Lauren Kate

Kissed by an Angel Series– Elizabeth Chandler

Kissed by an Angel

The Power of Love

Soulmates

Eternal - Cynthia Leitich Smith

The Gargoyle- Andrew Davidson

Coffeehouse Angel - Suzanne Selfors

Meridian - Amber Kizer

The Screwtape Letters by Cs Lewis….(One of my top 10 favorite books)

The Shape Shifters Wife - Sharon Shinn

The Maximum Ride Series- James Paterson

The Angel Experiment

Schools out Forever

Saving the World

The Final Warning

Max

Fang (Releasing in March)

This Present darkness Series by Frank Peretti (Includes 3 books)

This Present Darkness

The Prophet

Piercing the Darkness

I’m leaving 4 off for flexibility on new releases, movies, graphic novels what have you!!!!
Hope you like my list……Happy Reading...........

Moonstone by Marilee Brothers, Book Synopsis: A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil……Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. (Product Description)

Allie's the small town girl who takes care of her mother, the house, the whole enchillada and everything else. Allie soon realizes she’s all but small in the big scheme of things. Its not everyday you can make a bull move backwards, hence saving your butt in the process but leaving you with a killer headache soon to be a third eye in your forehead......that being Allie's special gift and all.

I love stories of  slayers, the girl who thought she was the underdog turned superhero...so I was excited to start Moonstone which opens with a very light tone and is laced with humor that basically runs true through the whole story. I mean who doesn’t think landing in a cow pie face down laugh out loud fun? Allie is very funny, but at times she's so immature I really couldn’t connect with her or look beyond the stupidity of her character at points. The story was a very fast read coming in at 129 pages. It’s hard to say what I didn't like about it. Perhaps it was the plot that seemed to build and then fall flat. Or maybe it was the never flushed out characters. Most seemed to be just there, some held no real purpose and others just made you go what…who are you? Then there was the annoying ones like the MOM.....

I didn’t like the fact that Allies mother (another YA boneheaded parent) is mooching off relatives and the government. She puts everything on Allie and takes a backseat on life…heres an idea…get off your lazy rear-end- get a job and take care of your kid!!!!

To learn more about OST tours click here.
Tues, 11pm- PS.....in response to an author comment, I must disclose my E-book copy that I read and reviewed contained 144 pages, the story ended on page 129, then had author bio, and had an expert of another book, beginning with a vampire story. My apologies for posting vampires in my original "vampire sizzle comment" the death was actually not a vampire!!!

Blue Aspen by Tenaya Jayne:
Review Copy

Book Synopsis: When seventeen-year-old Dulcee Elders' mother embarks on a road trip from their home in California, Dulcee knows something odd is about to happen. Her suspicions are confirmed when they arrive at Uncle Jack's house outside of Durango, Colorado. Without another word, Dulcee's mother is gone, and Dulcee faces life with her reclusive and wealthy uncle in a looming rural mansion. Dulcee has suffered from insomnia ever since her father died more than ten years ago. But once at home at Uncle Jack's, inexplicably Dulcee now can sleep; sleep brings not only strange and intricate dreams, but a dream lover. For now, Vincent Sands is only the silhouette of a man, but when Uncle Jack leaves town for business, Dulcee's dream world and reality collide. Once she is alone, the silhouette is no longer content to remain only in her dreams.

The prologue alludes to a dark, gothic feel but the magical atmosphere which is so captivating in the beginning slowly pulls the reader into a world of madness.

When Dulcee arrives at Uncle Jacks it’s unreal. What's a girl not to love when she has her own indoor pool, library, greenhouse, bowling alley and a giant master bedroom? I mean the house itself is its own character and feels alive in the story, it breathes with its castle like charms, and with the backdrop of winter, roaming the house with Dulcee made me feel its intense isolation and it's vast loneliness which seeped off the pages. Its no wonder Dulcee felt a shifting madness within her, a few more pages of the meloncoly would have driven me to madness as well, but just when we think that we're falling into a madness vortex or that Dulcee is being stalked by a demon in the shadows of the house, in walks Vincent.

A dark and mysterious Vincent, who basically appears out of thin air or could be madness itself, begins romancing our naive Dulcee, he heals her heart, helps her sleep and has sexy blue eyes....or DEVIL eyes depending on how you interpret this ghost man.

As the romance intensified, I found it difficult to experience the relationship between them, because frankly Vincent thoroughly freaked me out. Vincent is seen largely in the dream world but he’s able to manifest into Dulcee’s reality. He comes off the page as a gentleman (not really) but underneath he is a dark predator. I was thinking the whole time “RUN” you stupid girl, but Alas, our victim falls for his charms hook, line and sinker.

And then everything stops....

Once we dive into the second part of the book we are introduced to Dr. Verell where the story gets even more mysterious. I was on the edge of my seat shifting between Dr. Verell and Dulcees perspectives. Once I thought I had it figured out something would throw me off, I just couldn't see if what was happening was real or everything was the tellings of a physco.

I was seriously guessing until the last page. I think my favorite aspect of the book was the fact that Vincent is as much of a mystery to us as he was to Dulcee, and Jayne keeps the reader wound tight with his identity.......until the very last words written on the page Vincent remained a conundrum to me. I had no clue, even with the hints the author gives, and for me it was a great reveal.

I loved crawling and spiraling into Dulcee’s madness. It was beautifully written and well throughout. Despite a few issues with unresolved background questions, I found the story entertaining and haunting words a page turner.
4.5/5 Dark Romance, Mental Illness,
Thanks to author for Review copy.
Check out Tenaya's cool website ( not only is she a writer but an indie artist as well)  here!!

The Shoe Box by Francine Rivers:

Ms. Rivers once created her own "God Box" for talking with God. Whenever something was bothering Rivers she would write a prayer about it and slip it in her decorated cardboard box. It was this personal God Box that gave her the idea for writing this compelling Christmas story about a foster child named Timmy who’s only valued possession is a shoebox.


We begin this lovely little story with the arrival of Timmy at his new home with a young Christian couple, who will be his foster parents due to the fact that dad is in jail, and his mother not by fault of her own is penniless, she willingly puts Timmy into foster care so they don’t live on the streets together.

Timmy's only possession: a old crusty shoe box..... Of course everyone is curious about this 6-year-old's mysterious box. What could be inside? But knowing that his privacy is one of the few things Timmy has left, they decide not to pry. The story uses the backdrop of Timmy's foster family, church community, and the dedication of his birth mother to illustrate what Christian faith can do. Throughout the pages of this tiny tale we read personal thoughts from Rivers, who shares her thoughts on nativity scenes and special things about Christmas. Also Rivers includes plenty of her favorite Christmas recipes and why they are special to her.

The Christmas pageant finale is a true heart warmer for all believers. This was a lovely light read and I enjoyed reading it. I love Francine and her writing, if none of you have read Redeeming Love....I highly suggest you go grab yourself a copy....you can read my review here.

4/5 Christian Christmas, book 3 of my Holiday Reading Challege hosted by Nely at All About {N}

Im joining a 2010 Reading Challenge...Horns and Halos hosted by the lovely Aimee at My Fluttering Heart

The Challenge:
This challenge isn't about confining or boxing in its participants- it's about exploring Heaven and Hell and idea of Good versus Evil. So you can be creative. For example, if a book is set in Hell, but doesn't feature devils/demons, or it's set in The Fields of Elysium but no angels, you can still twist it to be on the list. Or if you're reading a book that features Greek gods, they could be classified as angels (or devils, if they're really mean). Oh, and fallen angels can be on whichever side you think best suits them. You can include movies, poetry, artworks, graphic novels, picture books - any medium you want!

DO NOT START before January 1 2010. You can prepare, but don't start posting until then. Rereads are optional. You can choose to read as many or as little number of books for this challenge as you like, but once you commit to a number, you're committed to that number.

The challenge will run from January 1 2010 until December 31 2010. My level for this challenge will be......

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater:

Music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, (James tells us she pronounces it Noooola) a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. While Nuala compelled to make a deal with James who will steal his life is left confused and finding herself falling in love with the very boy who she is to claim. James is terrified of Nuala….at first….but after composing beautiful music together they both realize they have mutual admiration for each other. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James is drawn to the songs of the Thorne King and realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives and so much more………

This series, beginning with Lament which introduces us to James through his best friend Dee's story was a wonderful book, but I just fell in love with James so much that Ballad is now my favorite of the two. The story is told through James and Nuala’s perspectives, and it flowed beautifully. If you didn’t read Lament first Dee might have seemed like a cold and distant character but her torture over losing Luke was so apparent I couldn’t help but feel depressed with her, but also was whooping with James who tremendously grows up in this book and then some. The always poor, poor James forever pinning over the heartbroken and intense Dee, is finally……FINALLY able to see past his unreturned love for her and opens his heart to true love and endless possibilities.

Holy whimsical Wednesday....I can't say enough how much I loved this book. I can’t begin to say how much I love Maggie Stiefvater.....(please Maggie have coffee with me because I want to pick the brain of your awesomeness) The beautiful writing is so creative, she makes James so witty that you love him even if he is supposed to be arrogant...It just works for him. He is the type of character that you just can't get enough dialogue from! I was laughing through most of this because James is so hysterical and Nuala (funny and witty herself) was a perfect match for James and the two complemented each other well!

Like with all of Ms. Maggie’s writing thus far, each chapter wove poetic and haunting words. Her characters have so much depth they are hard to forget. I mean taste this little nugget from the King of the Dead:
I keep the dead and the dead keep me. We are cold and dark, we are one and we are many, we wait and we wait so sing the dead; So sing I, grow, rise follow……………….
Cernunnos’ music was beautiful but creepy dark and goose bump worthy, thinking about his big antler head and the dramatic and eerie words that he sang made me shudder just a bit.

Also, I loved that Maggie (because a lot of YA author’s adult characters are all bone-heads or so background you never get to know them) wrote in a fantastic adult character named Sullivan. I loved that he was able to connect with James and had maturity and wisdom that comes with living longer than a teen, but is also able to use his maturity and wisdom to help kids and be “guidance” to them. I loved who Sullivan was and absolutely love what this author did to his character. I want a book all about Sullivan Ms. Maggie!!!!!!

I dont want to put to much info in my review because I truly feel you need to experience all the oh's and ah's and gasps for yourself.Don’t miss out on this wonderful and mesmerizing new author. Due to language and content I’d recommend this to the mature teen and adult.

Dark Faerie Tales is having a crazy book giveaway...winners choose from 40 different selections......Dont miss this one!!!

Find out more here!!!!!!!!!!!! Also dont miss your chance to win a signed copy of Twilight over at Ramblings of a wannabe scribe...enter here

Happy Reading

Tina

I have a winner for the God is with Me books!!!!!! And the lucky gal is..........................................................

CHELLIE.......congrats Chellie, I sent you an email.....thanks to everyone who entered. I will be having many more contests in the future!!