Happy Halloween

HAPPY HOWL-O-WEEN

The HaLlOwEeN festivities start today! We will be taking our little Pixie and Pirate to visit our family at all their work activities. Then trunk or treat Saturday night. This year I will be dressing up for the second time in my adult life, amazing what kids can make a parent do.

Photo from Wolf Haven International, if you are ever in the pacific northwest stop by Tenino Washington and visit this wolf refugee for a close up visit with the worlds best (and best looking) predators. (who knows maybe you'll find your own Sam, Adam, Jake, Daniel, Claire...)

Everlasting Kiss by Amanda Ashley

Everlasting Kiss by Amanda Ashley

(all blurb/publishing/photo from barnesandnoble.com)

Pub. Date: February 2010
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384pp
Sales Rank: 46,253
ISBN-13: 9781420104431
ISBN: 1420104438

Synopsis

Desire Never Dies

Daisy O'Donnell doesn't get the attraction some women feel for vampires. She likes her men with a heartbeat. And she's just met one who's full of life: Erik Delacourt, the unreasonably sexy man she keeps meeting at a popular L.A. nightclub called the Crypt. She barely knows him, but there's no resisting the connection she feels

There's one important detail Erik hasn't gotten around to telling her yet. He's a powerful vampire out to hunt the Blood Thief who is draining young vampires all over the city—and who has just raised the stakes by destroying one of Erik's friends. To Erik, Daisy is a bright spot of innocence in a world of darkness and menace. He'll do anything—even lie to her—to keep her safe and pure.

If only he knew that Daisy has something of her own to hide

My Thoughts:

Fans of Jeaniene Frost Night Huntress Series will love this chick book. Everlasting kiss is full of romance, suspense, secrets and sexual tension. Due to the content of this book I recommend that the reader be 18 years or older.

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
(all publishing/blurb/photo from barnesandnoble.com)
Pub. Date: June 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Format: Hardcover, 288pp
Sales Rank: 8,837
ISBN-13: 9781423121978
ISBN: 142312197X

Synopsis
After a close encounter with the front end of a school bus, Alona Dare goes from Homecoming Queen to Queen of the Dead. Now she’s stuck as a spirit (DON’T call her a ghost) in the land of the living with no sign of the big, bright light to take her away. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser outcast who despises the social elite. He alone can see and hear (turns out he’s been “blessed” with the ability to communicate with the dead), but he wants nothing to do with the former mean girl of Groundsboro High.

Alona has never needed anyone for anything, and now she’s supposed to expose her deepest, darkest secrets to this pseudo-goth boy? Right. She’s not telling anyone what really happened the day she died, not even to save her eternal soul. And Will’s not filling out any volunteer forms to help her cross to the other side. He only has a few more weeks until his graduation, when he can strike out on his own and find a place with less spiritual interference. But he has to survive and stay out of the psych ward until then. Can they get over their mutual distrust—and the weird attraction between them—to work together before Alona vanishes for good and Will is locked up for seeing things that don’t exist?



My Thoughts:
Honestly, I cannot say enough about this book. It is fun to read, quirky, comical and refreshing. It seems that I have been reading such serious books lately that I needed something light and entertaining to read, The Ghost and the Goth filled that void for me.

The Ghost and the Goth has a little something for everyone from the "first tier" popular crowd all the way down to the social outcast of high school. I was hesitant to read this book because it seemed that it would be about "that girl." You know the one, seemingly perfect in every way, head cheerleader, beautiful and popular. Well the story was about her and surprisingly, the realization that not everything is at it seems. Alona (cheerleader) and Will (goth) have unpredictable and charming chemistry.


Just read it! Its worth it.



Would I buy this book? Yes


Would I read it again? Yes. I read it in one day and think that with the dynamics and possibilities of the main characters Will and Alona, there could be so many more stories to tell.


Would I let my teen read this? Yes, I personally believe that seeing Alona's perspective (that girl) will be eye opening for the younger reader. Learning that everyone has problems of their own and that appearances are not always a reflection of character is a lesson some never learn. Hopefully with the help of Will and Alona, the reader will see the world with a different perspective.


Queen of the Dead, the sequel to The Ghost and the Goth,
will be coming out on June 7, 2011.

Spooky Contest Updates

The sidebar contest link has been updated. It has been neglected since the Dell Died. Here are a couple more contest that are worth checking out!

Stop by the first week of November, I will be hosting my second give away!

Finally HaPpY bIrThDaY to my big sister Em. She reads everything I give her. (And doesn't complain)

Extreme Reader Book Reviews is having a 100 follower give away. Prizes include several books and swag (infinite days and shadow are my picks) Enter HERE:

Paper Cut Reviews has a Spooktacular extravaganza going on. Enter here:

The Eclectic Reader is hosting an October Spooktacular Contest, there will be three winners and the contest is international. Books included in the give away are Paranormalcy, Crescendo, Pegasus, Dracula My Love, Bayou Moon and The Forever Queen. Enter HERE:

YA Bookie Monster

is having a 100 follower giveaway! There are fabulous books to choose from and eight winners Us and Canada only. Enter HERE:

Shell's Stories

is having a 10 follower contest. She is giving away an ARC of Beuatiful Darkness.

You can check her great blog out here:

AND FINALLY

Word for Teens is having a pretty fun month celebrating Halloween and all things books including this cast your villain contest.

Hunger Games is my favorite book so naturally I chose President Snow as my creepy villain. Just thinking about him makes me smell roses and see bloody lips. Yuck. My choice to play him is Jon Voight.

I think he could do creepy good.

Go here to check out Word For Teens fun Halloween month!

(photo from Jon Voight's IMDb page)

Saturday Spotlight, The Pace by Shelena Shorts

Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time.

(Photo and blurb from barnesandnoble.com)

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Sleepless by Cyn Balog
(blurb/photo/publishing information from barnesandnoble.com)
Pub. Date: July 2010
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Format: Hardcover, 224pp
Sales Rank: 33,670
Age Range: Young Adult
ISBN-13: 9780385738484
ISBN: 038573848X

Synopsis

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.

My thoughts:
Sleepless literally kept me up last night! It is a witty, sweet, sincere story of first love, loss and selflessness.

Eron is a true gentleman – his chivalry makes most men look bad! As he learns to live a mortal life, post sandman, he copes with the feelings he cannot help but have for his charge Julia. He must train his replacement, Griffin, in more ways than being a sandman. Griffin must learn that to love another is to truly care about their well being more than your own.

Would I buy this book? Yes
Would I read it again? Yes
Would I let my teen read this book? Yes.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
(all publishing info/photo/blurb from barnesandnoble.com)
Product Details
Pub. Date: October 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Format: Hardcover, 528pp
Sales Rank: 402
Age Range: Young Adult
ISBN-13: 9780399254826
ISBN: 039925482X
Synopsis

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My thoughts:
Calla is a female alpha werewolf and warrior. She works hard to be the best leader she can be to her pack as well as taking care of their well being as a family. I admire Calla because she has had to maintain higher moral standards than her betrothed did. She feels that she should be equal to the male alphas and is not accepting of the double standards that her society has encroached on her.

Cremer writes with meticulous detail without overwhelming the reader. Her attention to detail reflects on every page down to the symbols and phases of the moon between chapters. Her writing is beautiful and honest. The book itself, cover and pages, is a work of art.
If you only buy one more book this year - buy Nightshade,

it is the best novel of the year.
Would I buy this book? YES!

Would I read it again? Already have

Would I let my teen read this book? Yes, an older teen 16 and up. There is some violence and sexual talk. Calla is a strong female character that is an example of breaking traditional stereotypes. Because of her determination to be the best alpha she can be, she is a great roll model for young women. I would not hesitate to let my teen read this book, I will probably read it with her.

See Andrea Cremers Website here:

Wolfsbane, the sequel to Nightshade will be released Summer 2011.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Sisters Red, Jackson Pearce
(photos/blurb/publishing information is from barnesandnoble.com)
Pub. Date: June 2010
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 328pp
Sales Rank: 21,459
Age Range: Young Adult
ISBN-13: 9780316068680
ISBN: 0316068683

Synopsis
Scarlet March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

My thoughts:
Jackson Pearce’s dark twist on a traditional fairytale left me wanting more of Scarlet and Rosie March. Yet, I was completely satisfied by the ending – I devoured it like a wolf!

Sisters Red is an exciting, grip the pages so hard they had my thumbprints crinkled into the pages and my knuckles were white book. Fenri’s (werewolves) attacked Scarlet and Rosie when they were little children and now they fight to rid the world of the soulless monsters that altered their lives. While searching for the monsters the sisters search their hearts as they grow as individuals and process emotions of loyalty and trust with each other. The unconditional love that the sisters share for each other is endearing.

Jackson Pearce writes a moving story of family ties, heroic actions, love and suspense.

Buy? Yes
Read again? Defiantly
Would I let my teen read this? I would let an older teen read Sisters Red; there is much violence and some language that I would not want a younger teen to read.

Saturday Spotlight, Fallen by Lauren Kate

Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, WHERE every student seems to have an unpleasant even evil history.

It s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there s a reason to be here though she doesn t know what it is. And Daniel s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It s really a protective device that he s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.

(blurb and photo from barnesandnoble.com)

In between....

I like to alternate between strong books that require great attention to detail and mindless read's that I call in betweens. By alternating between a serious read and an in between I am able to clear my mind of details and read an entertaining story in a short amount of time.

What are in between books? They are books that require little or no thought and are strictly for entertainment purpose. The stories are easy to follow and are quick reads.

Really, they are just guilty pleasures.

One series that has been very fun to read is Morganville Vampires. Rachel Cain created a small Texas town where vampires and humans coexist. The cultural dynamic is unique and constantly changing. Claire Danvers, the female lead, is a 16 year old college student with an intelligence that surpasses the general population. As she struggles to find her own individuality and confidence she is constantly put in dangerous situations. She and her housemates despise the vampires yet continue to save them and eventually develop working relationships with the undead.

You can learn more about The Morganville Vampire series here.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Would I buy this series? Nah
WOuld I read it again? Nah
Would I let my teen read this series? Probably 18 and up, there is some violence, language and sexual situations. The characters are in college and the story is age appropriate for the college aged reader.

Sea by Heidi R. Kling

Sea, Heidi R. Kling

(all blurb/photo/publishing info is from barnesandnoble.com)

Pub. Date: June 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: Hardcover, 336pp
Sales Rank: 40,124
Age Range: Young Adult
ISBN-13: 9780399251634
ISBN: 0399251634

Synopsis

Still haunted by nightmares of her mother's death, fifteen-year-old Sienna Jones reluctantly travels to Indonesia with her father's relief team to help tsunami orphans with their post traumatic stress disorder—something Sienna knows a lot about. Since her mother's plane went missing over the Indian Ocean three years before, Sienna doesn't do anything if it involves the ocean or planes, so this trip is a big step forward.

But the last thing she expects is to fall for Deni, a brooding Indonesian boy who lives at the orphanage, and just so happens to be HOT. When Deni hears a rumor that his father may be alive, Sienna doesn't think twice about running away with him to the epicenter of the disaster. Unfortunately, what they find there could break both their hearts.

A compelling summer romance, Sea marks the arrival of a stunning new voice in YA.

My thoughts:

Seeing the lives, culture and living conditions of a third world country is a life altering experience. One cannot come back to the beautiful USA without being grateful for the freedoms and quality of life that we have.

Sea is a beautiful book that can open the reader’s eyes to another world.

Heidi R. Kling’s descriptive visualization of the tsunami made the event more tangible. I did watch the footage of the tsunami over and over when it had just happened, but reading her point of view made me feel the fear of the tsunami and for the victims.

The main character Sienna suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Her father a psychologist suggest that she travel to an orphanage in Indonesia to help the children who also suffer from PTSD, learn to cope with the fear and anxiety from the traumatic life experience. Her father hopes that she will overcome her PTSD and help others along the way.

Buy: sure
Read again? This is a sad book, I would have to be in the mood for it.
Would I let my teen read this? It would depend on the maturity of the teen. While there is not much violence, sexual situations or swearing in Sea, it is about a very horrible experience that the world will never forget. The story and reality of the circumstances may be too much for some young readers to deal with, especially a young reader that may suffer from PTSD and is not ready to recover from it. For these reasons I would suggest a parent or guardian read this book before letting their teen read it.

Mockingjay questions

I am halfway through listening to the audio book of Mockinjay. I like listening to the audio books and find that I notice different parts of the book when I am listening rather than reading.

So here are a couple of things I have noticed:

1) I have never been a Gayle fan, I have always thought he was full of himself and that the only reason he "loved" Katnis is because someone else showed interest in her. He displays alpha male tendencies and somehow has staked a claim on her.

While Peeta and Katniss fall in love during the series it has never been a romance type novel for me. In my mind it hasn't been a Gayle vs Peeta book. Its been the capitol vs all of Panem.

2) Now that I have had this epiphany of Gayle I want to know if he actually sacrificed Finnick in the tunnel. While I was listening I imagined Gayle and Finnick fighting the Mutts and Gayle letting Finnick die to save his own life. Not that it makes any difference, but I was very sad that Finnick died. He was a likable character and had suffered enough. (especially now that he had his Annie back.)

Love to hear your opinions!

Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia

Angel Star, Jennifer Murgia
(all publishing/blurb/photos are from barnesandnoble.com)
Pub. Date: May 2010
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Format: Paperback, 264pp
Sales Rank: 20,393
Age Range: Young Adult
ISBN-13: 9780982500538
ISBN: 098250053X

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

My thoughts:
There is a dark side to every human being – we choose to be light or dark by listening to the guardian within ourselves.

Angel star is free of swearing and sex while giving the reader a valuable lesson on how deceptive, alluring and tempting the dark side can be.

Angel Star encourages the main character Teagan, along with the reader that making good choices can positively change your life and the lives of those around you while telling a suspenseful love story.

As Teagan learns about herself and her personal potential she discovers that there is a truth in all things…even the dark side.

Favorite line: “Understand that light cannot exist without dark.” Page 70
Buy? Yes for the kids
Read again? Nah
Would I let my teen read this book? Yes.

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

Product Details
(all photos/blurb/publishing information is from barnesandnoble.com)
Pub. Date: August 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: Paperback, 336pp
Sales Rank: 18,446
Age Range: Young Adult
Series: Vampire Queen Series
ISBN-13: 9780312649913
ISBN: 0312649916

Synopsis
"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

My thoughts:
Usually I have a hard time following books that flip from present time to history but author, Rebecca Maizel, writes with such a smooth transition between the two that I had no problems concentrating on the story.
The main character Lenah has her humanity back and is learning to live a modern life while dealing with the guilt of her vampire past. Lenah doesn't take anything for granted in her new life and the reader finds themselves enveloped in a world of discovery and senses.
Her mentor and vampire lover Rhode told her to "Shed tears." What a profound statement! Before reading this book I would think that shedding tears would be a depressing desire. The statement has truth to it, shed tears; there is no happiness without sadness. Tears are expressed when experiencing both joy and sadness, emotions that are essential to any mortal experience - and Lenah is about to feel them all.

Would I buy this book? Yes I really enjoyed it.
Read it again? Yes.
Would I let my teen read this book? There are sexual situations and violence. The characters are all in boarding school and the experiences they have are more similar to my college experiences than my high school ones. For this I would suggest that older teens read this book. (18 and up) While I typically don't like to purchase books that I wouldn't let my teen read, this was a very intense book - I call it a top shelfer -a book saved just for me! (A middle aged adult with a young adult heart)

The sequel to Infinite Days is titled Stolen Nights and will be released March 2011.