For What It's Worth

Tune in Tuesday!

2012-01-31T07:25:00.000-05:00

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to share the music we're listening to and maybe discover someone new.

This weeks pick is LCD Soundsystem: "Dance Yrself Clean"

While I was searching for the video I came across this unofficial muppets version. Seriously - you can't go wrong with a muppets music video.

On a COMPLETELY unrelated note "Jedi Kittens Strike Back"

It was on the sidebar and I felt compelled to click on it. LOL Sorry....

Sunday Ramblings.....

2012-01-29T06:37:00.002-05:00

"Mr. Meow Meow Kitty & Mari"
Thanks to mom - Pam from Midnyte Reader for the picture.

I'm too busy to ramble this week so pretend I said something very profound as I get right to the wrap-up!
I didn't get to do one last week so you get two weeks worth of links. Woo-hoo.

Reviews:

Flip that Zombie by Jesse Petersen

Eat Slay Love by Jesse Petersen - My hubby reviewed both of these books. He loves his zombies and enjoys this series for the combination of gore and snark.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Memes:

Book Blogger Confessions - Reading and blogging slumps

Tune in Tuesday - Young the Giant: Acoustic version of Cough Syrup & My Body
In My Mailbox

Misc:

Happy Birthday Winnie the Pooh!

Giveaway!

YA Giveaway Hop - Win a YA book of your choice. Ends 1/31

BLOGGERS!

The Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge is back! Click HERE to sign up. Challenge begins February 1st!

WINNERS!

The winner of the Burns Day / All Things Scottish Giveaway Hop is..... Heather K.!

Ok - I think that's everything!! Have a great weekend everyone!

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In My Mailbox

2012-01-28T19:07:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight what books we've received for the week.

I went to the Mid-WInter ALA in Dallas TX last week! I got a chance to meet up with my blogger friends and of course find some great books. Here are just a couple....

Timepiece by Myra McEntire - it took me all weekend to snag this one. They weren't handing out many copies. My husband was the one who was able to grab me one of the last three copies on Sunday morning. Can I just say how much I love him??? To infinity and beyond! I'm reading it now and - this is from a jaded series reader - it is AWESOME!

Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan - That cover is just incredible.

Loss: A Riders of the Apocalypse novel by Jackie Morse Kessler - I really enjoy this series. This one is about Pestilence and bullying.

Bewitching by Alex Flinn - I have been meaning to read one of Flinn's books for a while now and I just never seem to get to it so here's my chance.

I'll also be attending Author's After Dark in NOLA in August. In preparation I'm trying to read some of the books by authors that are new to me.

Another bonus is that these books also help me with my Authors After Dark Reading Challenge hosted by Midynte Reader. You don't need to be attending the event to join in so go check it out.

Hunted by the Others by Jess Haines (thank you Jess)

Wanted: Undead or Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks (thank you Avon books)

Dreaming of the Wolf by Terry Spear (thank you Source Books)

And for review:

Demon's Bride: Book #2 from the Hellraisers series by Zoe Archer (thank you Zoe)

What did you get this week?

Sign up for The Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge!

2012-01-27T08:34:00.002-05:00

Lena from Addicted 2 Novels , Tiger from All Consuming Media and I are back co-hosting

The Ultimate Reviewers Challenge.

Throughout the month of February, we invite all bloggers to post and link as many reviews as possible.

How it works: For the month of February you can link your reviews on each of our blogs (our Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge posts will be up with a linky on February 1st) For every review you link you will be entered to win one of two prize packs. Each blog will have two different prize packs. At the end of the event, we'll each pick two winners.

Addicted 2 Novels & All-Consuming Media - US only
For What It's Worth - US and International

"Better Know a Blogger" is back! If you're a blogger and wish to participate in that email me! We'll send you a few questions about your blog as a way to introduce yourself & your blog to others. (Past BNAB posts) There will be a limited number of bloggers this year so please only contact me if you haven't been a featured Better Know A Blogger before and you can only be featured at one blog. First come - first featured.

***All Better Know a Blogger spots have been filled on For What It's Worth!

Prize Pack #1

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Halflings by Heather Burch
Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr
Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer

Prize Pack #2

Cinder by Marrisa Meyer
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Sign up now!
Read the rules and link your blog below if you would like to participate in the challenge!

Rules:

*You must have a book review blog or Goodreads
*These must be real reviews, meaning more than just a couple of sentences describing the book. We'll be checking to make sure you're posting legitimate reviews!
*All reviews must have been posted for the first time during the month of February 2012. You can't just enter all your old reviews.
*No one review can be entered twice on the same blog. That doesn't mean you can't post the same review on each one of our blogs (for a total of 3 entries per review), just not the same review twice on one blog.
*This contest will be US only for All Consuming books & Addicted 2 Novels, US and international on For What It's Worth

*The challenge ends on February 29th, midnight, CST.

*Rules and regulations are subject to change depending on current situations. Don't worry, you'll be informed

*There will be 2 winners per blog for a total of 6 winners.

Thank you to Sandy Scribing Shadows for designing our URC banner

Young Adult Giveaway Hop!

2012-01-26T19:35:00.000-05:00

The Young Adult Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer & Down the Rabbit Hole

This hop runs from January 27th - January 31st

Winner will be announced February 1st.

The prize!

Your choice of any ONE Young Adult book up to $10 value from Amazon.com or The Book Depository, as long as your country is on this list.

To enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Do NOT leave your email in the comments section as an entry - fill out the form!

Extra entries:

+2 if you follow this blog
+1 if you follow me - @teamsheltie on Twitter

That's it! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Eat Slay Love by Jesse Petersen (Living with the Dead, Book 3)

2012-01-26T11:45:00.003-05:00

Sarah and David have survived the zombie apocalypse. They stood side by side and fought the undead, mad scientists, and even bionic monsters until the unthinkable happened. A zombie bite. But not even that could stop them. Now, with a possible cure in hand, they're headed east, looking for a safe zone behind the rumored "Wall." They're feeling pretty optimistic.

That is until Dave stops sleeping and starts lifting huge objects.

Eat. Slay. Love.

Because they haven't got a prayer.

*** Warning: No spoilers for Eat Slay Love but there are spoilers from Flip this Zombie - Living with the Dead, Book #2

Kevin's (Karen's DH) review:

Eat Slay Love begins right where Flip this Zombie left off. Dave and Sarah are now trying to get to The Wall. The Wall is where the government put up a barrier in the mid-west to stop the zombies from spreading to the rest of the country. So far Dave and Sarah have dealt with a cult, a mad scientist and super zombies. That’s just the beginning.

Since Dave has been cured from the bite, he has exhibited some unusual traits. He is now a lot stronger and breathes differently when he is sleeping and has a bigger appetite. Sarah is OK with the strength thing, in fact, she finds it sexy. The breathing kind of freaks her out but she loves Dave and trusts he won’t turn. Little does she know that he has a few more “super” powers.

On their way to The Wall they meet Nicole, a reporter for an entertainment show, who is recording her experiences so she can be famous. As the story unfolds there is more to Nicole than meets the eye. She determines that Dave and Sarah are hiding something, especially after they are taken into custody by the locals because they crossed into their territory. This is where Dave exhibits his new powers that freak everyone out, captors and all. Lets just say they can add “Zombie Whisperer” to there business services.

When they finally make it to The Wall they find out things are worse than they thought. The government won’t let anyone in and they have all the people on the inside believing that there are no living souls on the other side. The government lies but that's to be expected.

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Once again Petersen has maintained and even strengthened the relationship between Dave and Sarah. They have gone from the Bundy’s to the Smith’s. They are kick ass but realistic in their responses or at least as realistic as one could be dealing with zombies. Yes, sometimes the humor is forced but not too bad. There were no moments that annoyed me as there were in Flip This Zombie. It was good quick read. In fact, the whole series has matured with each book and I've enjoyed them all.

My reviews for the series:
Married with Zombies book #1
Flip this Zombie book #2

Jesse Petersen website | Twitter
Take the "How long would your relationship survive in the zombie apocalypse? quiz.
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Orbit
Buy the book! Eat Slay Love (Living with the Dead, book 3)

Burns Day Blogger Giveaway Hop!

2012-01-24T18:41:00.002-05:00

On Janurary 25th, one of Scotland’s biggest cultural holidays, Burns Day/Night celebrates the poet & lyricist Robert Burns.

As well as making original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His poem (and song) Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year).

Burns day is usually celebrated with a Burns Supper that typically includes haggis (a traditional Scotttish dish - NO THANK YOU), Scottish whisky & reading Burns' poetry.

We're celebrating Burns day Team Kilt style! Join Jeri Smith-Ready and the Kilt and Keeley Fansite, along with participating blogs in a day long celebration of fun activities and giveaways!

I'm hosting the All Things Scottish Blog Giveaway Hop for the event. Each participating blog will talk about their favorite thing from Scotland along with hosting a Scottish themed giveaway.

Check out ALL the Team Kilt/Burns Day events - join the hop - have some fun!

My favorite thing about Scotland!

So……here's the thing……um I don't really like guys in kilts…..or Scottish accents. So….um…yeah…..I have to think about this.

Oh I know!!!

FISH & CHIPS!!! I love fish & chips!! My husband was based in Scotland when he was in the Navy & said they have the BEST fish & chips.

AND......

The scenery! It looks quite lovely in Scotland with all the grassy rolling hills!

That beautiful photo above: Walking the Dead - taken in Glasgow Necropolis, Scotland, is from Street Spirit Photo: "Beautiful and unique photographs, taken on the streets of Scotland and the USA."

My Scottish themed giveaway!

**I'm giving away one print of your choice from Street Spirit Photo (up to $20.00 value)

Just fill out the form below. International entries welcome!**

To Enter: Please - DO NOT leave your name & email in the comment section!! Use the Rafflecopter FORM.

Giveaway ends on Saturday January 29th at 12:01 pm EST. Winner will be announced Sunday the 20th.

(each blog will have their own rules and giveaway dates)

OOOH - LOOK A SHINE ARC!! The winners names from each individual hop giveaway will then be passed on to Jeri Smith-Ready and entered into the SHINE ARC Grand Prize Giveaway!! These are very hard to come by and here's why. So be sure to enter all the giveaways from the hop!

But we still have that pesky kilt issue.....after all this is Team Kilt and we are celebrating all things Scotland. If only there was a way I could be convinced........

Wellllllll......he's looking very - statuesque O_O

Happy Burns Day everyone!

Bloggers: LINK YOUR ALL THINGS SCOTTISH GIVEAWAY USING LINKY TOOLS BELOW! email me if you have any questions (fwiwDOTkeaATgmailDOTcom) Please link directly to your giveaway post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tune in Tuesday

2012-01-24T06:13:00.000-05:00

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to share the music we're listening to and maybe discover someone new.

Young the Giant "Cough Syrup" Acoustic Live on SiriusXM

I love this version - stripped down and beautiful.

Favorite line: "There are zombies in the park they're looking for my heart'"

One more bonus Young the Giant video..... "My Body" - fun song

Young the Giant website

Review: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

2012-01-19T07:23:00.003-05:00

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. (YA)

Review:

Cinder is one of those books that had me hanging on every word one minute but then I was able to set it aside for a few days the next.

It starts out fantastic when we are plunged into the crazy cool world of futuristic New Bejjing and meet a truly unique protagonist in Cinder.

"The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle. Her knuckles ached from forcing the screwdriver into the joint as she struggled to loosen the screw one gritting twist after another. By the time it was extracted far enough for her to wrench free with her prosthetic steel hand, the hairline threads had been stripped clean."

“I’m sure I’ll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.”

At first I was utterly enchanted with this retelling of Cinderella. Who wouldn't be? Cinderella as a gifted mechanic cyborg with a metal foot replacing the glass slipper, her Prince Charming - Kai, forced to rule his country before he is ready, a dash of dystopian with a steampunk vibe in a plague ravished New Bejjing plus a potential war with the Lunars from the Moon Empire.

Then about halfway through the blending of genres weighed down the story. The dark gritty overtones that I enjoyed early on clashed with the pivotal lead up to the "ball". It felt forced to me. As in Cinderella, the ball is where all the various threads are tied together and it felt like no matter how bad things were getting around them people kept getting sidetracked by this ball as a chance to snag a dance with Kai. There are a lot of interesting concepts going on that I felt didn't have the time to be fully explored in this novel. Particularly the alien Lunar people. I also didn't feel like the author utilized the setting of futuristic Bejjing very well. Aside from a few references to things like bonsai and emperors there wasn't much to immerse me in this unique culture and setting. I almost felt like the story was taking place in the US at times.

There is a big mystery as to who or what Cinder really is but most readers could guess the truth very early on with the heavy dose of foreshadowing. I'm not sure if that was the authors intent but it took away some of the mystery and interest for me as a reader.

The story is told mainly from Cinder's point of view with occasional chapters from Kai and other characters POV's. Everyone is quite likable/interesting. Kai and Cinder have a slow blossoming relationship which was nice but almost everyone was just ok in my opinion. I wasn't irritated by anyone but there wasn't anyone who stood out for me either except for Iko, Cinder's funny cyborg BFF.

The ending really amps things up and is a bit of a cliffhanger but a tolerable one. I particularly liked Kai's reactions to the fallout out from the ball. It wasn't your typical YA hero response but was more realistic to me.

Rating: 3 out of 4 I honestly can't say anything bad about the story or the writing. Cinder is a good book that I think will appeal to most readers but for some reason it just didn't grab me and hold my attention. I would probably read the sequel at some point just to see where the story goes.

Listen to the first chapter of Cinder below! Read by Rebecca Soler and available at audible.com

Marissa Meyer: blog | Twitter
Source: Provided by the publisher - Feiwel & Friends for my honest review
Buy the book! Amazon

Silly Old Bear

2012-01-18T11:41:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Winnie the Pooh!

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
― A.A. Milne

“We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.
Even longer,' Pooh answered.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
― A.A. Milne

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.”
― A.A. Milne

“If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“A quotation is a handy thing to have about, saving one the trouble of thinking for oneself.”
― A.A. Milne

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Source: Goodreads

Review: Flip this Zombie (Living with the Dead book #2) by Jesse Petersen

2012-01-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

The Zombie Apocalypse has been good to Sarah and David. Their marriage is better than ever. They communicate well, share responsibilities, and now, they’re starting a business. ZombieBusters-for all your zombie extermination needs.
There are lots of zombies and that means lots of customers…Except one of them doesn’t want the zombies dead, he wants them alive and ready for experimentation. Mad scientists make for difficult clients and this time, Sarah and David might have bitten off more than they can chew.

Warning: No spoilers for Flip this Zombie but there are references to Married with Zombies - Living with the Dead, Book #1

Kevin's (Karen's DH) review:
When we last saw Dave and Sarah in Married with Zombies they were in the southwest after surviving zombie attacks during their escape from Seattle. They now have a business called Zombiebusters, exterminating zombies for supplies and are still the same snarky couple I’ve come to enjoy. Dave & Sarah remind me of how I think Karen and I would act in a zombie apocalypse. We may get on each others nerves on occasion but we'd kick zombie ass.

One of their main customers is “no-toes”. When they meet him, he tells them tales of zombies that are bigger and faster than the ones they have seen thus far and he needs them removed. David and Sarah accept the job and head off to remove the super zombie menace but don’t find any, just the usual run of the mill zombies. They collect the heads as proof and go back to “no toes” for payment but he’s gone. When they visit the survivor camp that night there's a note requesting their services. This is when they meet the mysterious Dr. Kevin Benson. He tells them he has a cure for the zombie outbreak but he needs zombies at different stages to perfect the serum. The only problem is he needs them alive…I mean dead but alive…whatever - it's zombies. You know that won’t end well.

I loved how Dave and Sarah clicked throughout the story. They are really working well together now, as a team. Peterson did a good job with the pacing and surprises. She threw in just enough humor to fit the situations. When they run into a 12yr old boy I rolled my eyes thinking here comes one of those sappy hallmark stories, but it never arrives. It fact there is a twist.

There was a moment when Sarah pissed me off with a decision she made that was stupid and didn’t fit with what I expected from her. This decision will lead to a really big problem. She realizes her F-up after the fact but it didn't ring true to me.

Rating: 3 out of 4 If you like zombie stories with a side of snark, you’ll like this. It’s light, humorous and gory. There are betrayals, super zombies, a mad scientist, a 12yr old with an attitude and…..are you ready…..guinea pig zombies.

Jesse Petersen website | Twitter | Take the "How long would your relationship survive in the zombie apocalypse? quiz.
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Orbit
Buy the book! Flip this Zombie (Living with the Dead, book 2)

Book Blogger Confessions (2)

2012-01-16T00:07:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Book Blogger Confessions, a meme co-hosted with Tiger from All-Consuming Books on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers.

You can read the introductory post here.

If you want to participate just grab our button and include it in your post with a link to either Tiger's All Consuming Books or For What It's Worth. We will be providing a linky at the end of our posts so people can "hop" to see all the participants answers.

If you don't want to post you can still comment!! All opinions are welcome.

Todays question is: Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

OK kids this is a long one.....grab a drink and snacks....or run for the hills and avoid. You were warned lol

This week's question is something I've struggled with, as recently as last month. I'll tackle each "slump" separately.

Reading Slumps: My very first reading slump ironically came after I attended BEA for the first time in 2010. I came home with almost 100 coveted ARC's. That sounds like a reader's dream come true but it wasn't for me. I sorted all the books as soon as I got home….then sorted them again…..and again. By genre, by favorite authors, by release date….by pretty covers…..on and on. The problem was, once I had all those books I didn't know what I should read first. Then I started panicking that I would NEVER be able to read them all (which is true - I couldn't). Then as new books were released I would want to buy them even though I had 100 free books that everyone was dying to read sitting on my shelves. I felt like they were taunting me and I felt guilty for not reviewing them. After all they were given to bloggers free with the intention of getting publicity for said books.

So I started randomly grabbing any book that sounded good. There were a lot of duds and just because of the sheer volume a lot of repetition. I ended up hating almost every book I read.

I posted about it and sought advice. Most people suggested reading different genres but that didn't work either. Bottom line - i felt so much pressure to read & review ALL these books that it overwhelmed me and I just shut down.

Even though it was a reading slump and not so much a blogging slump, as a book review blogger, if you're not reading - you're not blogging. Which of course adds more pressure. I ended up hosting a few book tours and giving away books to fellow bloggers that I knew would appreciate them more than I would. It helped eleviate some of my stress because I knew the books were finally being reviewed.

It was odd because even though I didn't want to read the books myself I had a weird possessiveness over them too. I was worried if I let a book go without reading it, I would find out later it was amazing!! & I had it right under my nose the whole time but now it's gone!!! GONE!! lol

I attended BEA again in 2011 and I did get a lot of books but I didn't feel anywhere near the pressure I felt the first time. I tried to research the books beforehand so I made better choices instead of grabbing anything that was being touted as the next "best book ever"! I shared them with friends when I got back so that didn't need to read them right that second.

The other cause of reading slumps for me is hype. I am not a hype driven person by nature. Book blogging is almost defined by hype. Everyone wants that next book NOW based on the pretty cover or popular author. The hype machine can be in overdrive before we even know what a book is about. I started falling into that and choosing my books based on hype rather than how I used to - by walking into a book store and seeing what popped out at me. That led me to a few slumps where I wasn't loving the books that were getting near perfect reviews by everyone else which then of course leads to that cycle again of rushing to read a book, not liking it and then not wanting to read anymore.

Blogging slumps: I've been blogging for two years but I never really had a problem until late last year. When I first started I had envisioned saying "Hey! I loved this book - you might too!" The End. Throw in a few posts about the movies I'd just seen, maybe a favorite song I had been listening to and that's about it. Maybe I could reach 40-50 regular followers.

After reading other blogs that I enjoyed I realized that I wanted to write more detailed reviews. I started reading more. It became an obsession almost to the exclusion of movies, TV or any other hobbies I used to enjoy.

Then came the review books. AHHHH! Nothing is more stressful than review books. Don't get me wrong I love them and I appreciate the fact that any author would even know I exist, never mind want my thoughts on their baby! However, once you start scheduling reading it all goes downhill.

I know many bloggers need and do well with schedules. I do not. I tried to have a blog schedule. Certain days for reviews, memes, author guest posts & interviews, giveaways etc. but I rebel against anything I HAVE to do and that includes blogging.

I do have a loose idea of what I want to do in my head and I do have a planner to organize the upcoming week or two but I can't schedule reading/reviews 3 & 4 months ahead. It stresses me out. It also leads me back to the reading slump issue. I blog as a hobby. When I'm scheduling it more than I do my job, family and downtime it's too much and not fun anymore.

The other issue became Blogger itself. They suck. Sorry but it's true. I think they have good things planned to make it better in the long run but while their tweaking it is making blogging the most stressful hobby EVER. Just formatting a post can take hours.

It can take a few days to read a book - we'll just say I loved it and the review flowed right out of me (rare) - so add another 1- 2 hours to write the review, then I have to spend another 2-3 hours formatting the damn thing. Then after posting I have to link it to the archive, add it to Goodreads and Amazon, Netgalley if required. A lot of work for a hobby.

I was completely burned out by the end of this year. I didn't even want to read or look at my computer anymore. So I didn't. I took all of November through January 1st off except for what was already scheduled.

It scared me to do that. Blogging has become an enormous part of my life and no matter how much I bitch and whine about it I also LOVE it, the people & the opportunities I've had because of it.

I'm not sure why we have this self imposed blogging ethic that we feel guilty about veering from. Most of us don't have advertisers to answer to so what does it matter if we only posted one day that week? Will there be a mass exodus of followers? Will be brought up before a blogging court to stand trial? I know I can't follow everyones blog 7 days a week. I miss a lot of posts so is it a huge deal if you're not blogging something new everyday?

To a certain extent if you get review books or use Netgalley then page views etc are important in order to be approved but I've decided that ARC's aren't the end all - be all of blogging. I like buying books and supporting authors so I've decided to relax about the whole process this year. I do think it matters that people read your blog - I'm not dismissing the importance of it - but numbers can't be the driving force. Not for me anyway. If I'm so stressed out that I quit then what good is that?

My anti-slump mantras & goals for 2012:

*Choose books that interest ME. It doesn't matter that 300 people LOVE that amazing book, if it doesn't appeal to me, I'm not reading it. Also, see that little book over there that no one is reading? Yeah - I think I'm going to read and review it. It may not be my most viewed review but that may be the next great book but we're just not noticing it.

*I can't read everything. I just can't. I must accept this fact once and for all. I haven't read Shiver or Across the Universe or The Night Circus and 100 other amazing books I absolutely must read before I die.. I hope I get to them but it's ok if I don't.

*I'll blog when I have something to say. I won't if I don't. It's ok to go two or three days without blogging if I haven't read anything.

*Same thing with reading. The books aren't going anywhere. I'll read when I'm in the mood not because I HAVE to.

*I don't need to review every book I read. Sometimes a quick one or two lines on Goodreads is fine. Not every book needs a lengthy detailed review.

*Manage my review requests better. I'm doing good with this one so far. I felt guilty turning anyone away before but I couldn't get to half the books for review and then I ended up not the reading process because of self imposed deadlines. That's not really fair to anyone. I'm not at the point of turning away requests but I am sticking to accepting books that I'm sure appeal to my tastes. I still get incredibley depressed saying no but hey - that's just the way it has to be.

This is really long and I haven't' even gotten into half of it! Maybe some of your responses will help lead to a Reding/Blogging Slumps Part 2 !

Book Blogger Confessions schedule for February:

February 6th: Deadlines for reviewing and blogging. Do you set them? How do you keep them? What do you do if you can't meet a deadline?

February 20th: Social networking with authors: Do you interact on Twitter/Facebook etc. with authors? Does it affect how you review their work or do you look at their books differently because you are on friendly terms with them?

Join in the meme and link your post up below or leave a comment!

Feel free to suggest future topics you want to see discussed.

Sunday Ramblings....

2012-01-15T08:18:00.001-05:00

Stella

Mom: @EpicLynnMarie from Bringing the Epic

I'm finally getting back into the blogging groove again. Boy was I in a big slump - both reading and blogging! Which is the perfect segue to remind everyone about the next edition of the Book Blogger Confessions Meme which posts tomorrow! The next question just so happens to cover this very topic.

January 16th question: Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

Have your posts ready to go and link up!

On to the wrap-up!

Reviews:

YA Mini Reviews
The Disillutionists Trilogy by Carolyn Crane Loved Loved Loved!!!!
The Start-Up Series by Sadie Hayes

Memes:

Tune in Tuesday

Book Blogger Confessions

Features:

Tower of Parlen Min by Matt Xell

If you're a fan of Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade series then head on over to the Kilt & Keeley Kickoff Month celebration where we're celebrating the Shade series fansite during the entire month of January. I'm a contributing blogger along with Ficticious Delicious & Brooke Reports.

WINNERS!
The winner of Mind Games & Double Cross by Carolyn Crane is Mel
All commenters on the Tower of Parlin Min post will receive an Smashwords coupon code for the book! (I'll be emailing you all today or you can contact me at fwiw.kea@gmail.com)

Coming up: My hubby reviews Flip this Zombie by Jesse Petersen, I review Cinder by Marrisa Meyer, Tune in Tuesday AND I'm going to ALA!!!! Woot! Expect pictures and excited tweeting. I finally get to meet Lena from Addicted 2 Novels and Tiger from All Consuming Media !!!!! Two of my blogging BFF's

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Have a great Sunday everyone!

Reminder: Book Blogger Confessions meme

2012-01-13T07:59:00.000-05:00

In case you didn't participate in the very first Book Blogger Confessions meme co-hosted with my friend Tiger from All-Consuming Media on January 2nd here's a recap of what it's all about and the guidelines for joining in:

On the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month we'll be discussing a topic that effects book bloggers and give you a chance to vent, share your opinion or offer a solution.

If you want to participate just grab our button and include it in your post with a link to either Tiger's All Consuming Media or For What It's Worth. We will be providing a linky at the end of our posts so people can "hop" to see all the participants answers.

If you don't want to post you can still comment!! All opinions are welcome.

(For more info read my introductory post.)

Guidelines: Do not criticize other bloggers or authors in your post or in the comments! This meme is to help each other not knock each other down. It's YOUR blog. Blog however you want to!

The first meme got off to a GREAT start with 29 bloggers answering the question :

"How has the "job" of book blogging changed your reading habits? Both pro and con."

Monday January 16th is the next question and we would love to have you all join in!

Answer the question: Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

I'm really interested in everyone's answers for this one since it has been an issue for me recently.

See you Monday!!

***Note: Don't answer now in the comments - save your response for Monday please :-)

Review: The Start-Up series by Sadie Hayes

2012-01-12T08:43:00.001-05:00

Summary: Set against the fast-paced, winner-take-all world of Silicon Valley, where today’s software geek is tomorrow’s billionaire, The Start-Up chronicles the meteoric rise of Adam and Amelia Dory, a talented brother and sister team. With only each other to rely on, the naïve eighteen-year-olds must make their way through a treacherous world of money, power, and envy.

Review:

The Start-Up episodes are an interesting concept in story telling for the changing way we read books. The story slowly unravels over a series of novellas - or episodes, as they are called. They are released about 2 months apart in e-book format, priced at about $2.99 per episode. Three have been released so far.

Amelia Dory is a brilliant computer engineer who develops code like a musical prodigy creates a song. It just flows through her and she is content with the process. She's not looking for fame or fortune. The thrill of creating code is enough for Amelia. Her twin brother Adam, however, wants to become rich and powerful. They are attending Stanford on a scholarship and he always feels inferior to the trust fund kids around him. This time one of Amelia's codes for an iPhone app is something BIG.

Amelia: 'I wrote a little program linking the phone signals with television and radio frequencies, so I can control them with my iPhone. It's like an eye. The program is, I mean, in that it can see other devices and access their frequencies.'

Everyone and their brother is vying for this technology and for Amelia to work for them. Adam seeing it as their ticket to the top, convinces her to give up her moral high ground and join venture capitalist Tom Fenway's tech incubator. Adam and Amelia are in way over their heads when they head into the cut throat world of Silicon Valley.

Each episode is fast paced and plunges you into a high tech world of moral dilemmas, double crosses, black mail and corporate intrigue. I've seen a few people compare it to the movie The Social Network and I agree but I would also say it contains a good dose of The Lying Game. Aside from Amelia, we never know who to trust or root for. As she and Adam cross paths with new associates, the waters get murkier when everyone scrambles to get a bigger piece of the pie.

Amelia and Adam are the main focus of the series but there is a wide cast of characters who's stories often overlap as secrets and plot twists unfold.

Episode #1: The Start-Up, introduces us to the high tech and often cut throat world of Silicon Valley while Episode #2: The Anti-Social Network sets up the overall story arc as Amelia and Adam develop Doreye - their new start-up company.

I just read the newest Episode #3: Beautiful Code and I have to say it might just be my favorite. The gang heads to Hawaii to introduce Doreye and Amelia's cutting edge technology at the Maui Waves of Disruption tech showcase. This feels like a game changing episode, particularly with Adam. He often goes unnoticed and under appreciated but may have more of a nose for business than every one thinks. That might not be a good thing.

One negative for this type of format is that there is a lot going on at a very quick pace, within a small time frame. Although this is primarily Amelia and Adam's story we do get multiple POV's from the supporting players. I wasn't always sure what a particular viewpoint had to do with the main story. At first this can be distracting but by episode #3 I'm getting into the groove of things and have no problem following along. Occasionally I felt that each episode has a little too much going but again, I can see how it's all coming together now that the groundwork has been established.

All of the episodes end on killer cliffhangers but with the next one coming out in a few months it's not too bad.

Rating: The Start-Up: Episode #1 - 3 out of 4 stars. The name dropping sometimes felt a little forced (Google, iPhone, Facebook were mentioned frequently) but this was a nice fun fast paced novella if you're a fan of twists, turns and the dangers of technology and Big Brother knowing your every move.

Rating: The Anti-Social Network: Episode #2 - 3 out of 4 stars. There is no turning back for Adam and Amelia after this episode. The twists start coming fast and furious both in their business and personal lives and with this series what goes around comes around.

Rating: Beautiful Code: Epsiode #3 - 3.5 out of 4 stars. A nice relaxing vacation in Maui sounds great for the Dory twins but this is a game changing episode for several characters.

The Start-Up on Facebook

Source: Provided by the author for my honest review
Amazon:
The Start-Up Episode #1
The Anti-Social Network (The Start-Up Episode #2)
Beautiful Code (The Start-Up Episode #3)

Tower of Parlen Min Spotlight & Giveaway!

2012-01-11T08:01:00.001-05:00

Tower of Parlen Min (The Narrow Escapes of Ves Asirin, #1) by Matt Xell

Ves Asirin, an orphaned and introverted boy with a complicated memory loss disorder, wins a trip to the Tower of Parlen Min, the home of the wealthiest inventor of the time, Jacobius Trent. There, with 19 other children, he must compete in the Sword Challenge; a series of intricate puzzles and daring tasks, for a prize of $12 million. As dazzling, glorious and liberating as the Tower seems to be for him, Ves finds that it keeps a dark and secret history that he has been unknowingly connected to for over 150 years, a secret that will define his future and destiny ... if he can escape The Shadow; a powerful and seemingly unstoppable, supernatural serial killer.

Book Trailer:

Author Matt Xell has an interesting series of Tower of Parlen Min: Chapter Commentaries for the series on YouTube and is offering an e-book copy (via Smashwords coupon) to 10 lucky winners.

Just leave a comment with your email or Twitter handle so I can reach the winners.

*International
*Ends Saturday January 14th 11:59 EST
*Winners announced January 15th

Matt Xell blog

Amazon:
Tower of Parlen Min, Volume 1
Tower of Parlin Min, Volume 2
Tower of Parlen Min, Volume 3

Review: The Disillusionists Series (Mind Games, Double Cross, Head Rush) by Carolyn Crane

2012-01-10T05:53:00.001-05:00

I read the Disillusionists trilogy last month but I'm just now writing a review because it took me this long to process the whole thing. I just wanted time to be in love…It sounds dorky I know but I had such a rare blissful reading experience with this series that I wanted to savor it for a while.

As usual, when I really LOVE something my thoughts are a scrambled mess of OMG's and GO READ THIS NOW so here we go with my most likely non sensical review of the Disillusionists trilogy by Carolyn Crane that will in no way do it justice but will hopefully make you want to go read it anyway.

Review:

This is urban fantasy at it's best. Carolyn Crane has created a world that is dark and sinister yet with the potential for hope around every corner.The characters are complex (holy cow are they complex!) and are always walking that razor thin line between right and wrong. The moral contradictions alone had me squeeing with delight.

Hypochondriac Justine Jones is tapped by the enigmatic mastermind Sterling Packard to join his personal hit squad of disillusionists. This is the wackiest team of superheroes you will ever meet. They all have some sort of fear/phobia or in the case of highcaps, heightened brain power, giving them powers like telekinesis, telepathy or memory revision.

Packard's team is hired by victims or their families to "disillusion" the Midcity bad guys. Each member of the team takes a turn at zinging - that's the technical term - their fears & phobias into the target to break them down "on emotional, mental, and other levels." Once the criminal reaches their mental breaking point Packard rebuilds them into a productive member of society.

"Disillusionment crashes and reboots people"

For the disillusionists, Packard offers them salvation and an odd sense of family after living with their debilitating phobias for so long. After they *zing* into the victim they are temporally cured. Seems like a win-win situation for everyone but nothing is ever as simple as it seems in this series.

The title for each book in the series say it all. Mind Games. Double Cross. Head Rush. That is exactly what you get.

So that's the set up. I will commence fangirl babbling now.

The heroine: Justine Jones is one of the most fascinating UF heroines I have ever read. She's no bad ass. She isn't snarky. She is completely crippled by hypochondria and the fear that she will die from a case of rare Vein Star Syndrome. Despite that she is amazing! This girl has an incredible sense of right and wrong and a desire to be accepted as she is. She's probably one of the most sympathetic and real characters I've read about in a loooong time. Another odd insight to Justine…. in UF the heroines instincts are almost always spot on. In the case of Justine, her judgement can't always be trusted. She goes with her heart and that's not always the right call. She wants to believe in people so badly that she sometimes doesn't see things as they are but as she wishes them to be. As a reader seeing through the protagonists eyes you usually know the truth - here you don't and it keeps you guessing right along with Justine the whole time.

The bad guys: This has me giggling. With names like The Silver Widow and The Alchemists this series walks just this side of camp but never crosses the line. These villains are SCARY bad asses. They are also complicated. I definitely wanted them to lose but once you see what's inside their head as the team breaks them down you do start to feel a bit of sympathy for them. They aren't the stereotypical, larger than life villains. A few even think they're helping Midcity. Maybe they are. Interesting stuff.

The relationships: Whether it's the romance (a love triangle which I normally HATE but I loved this one) or a friendship, all of the relationships in this series intersect at some point to strengthen the overall plot. Another high point for me is the close friendship Justine shares with Shelby and the non sexual friendships she shares with her male counterparts.

Side characters that ADD not detract: I loved every single character in this series. Even the one(s) I loved to hate. I'm talking about you Otto. Outrageous over the top Simon, Russian accented, chipped tooth Shelby and the rest of the motley crew are not around for mere decoration. They are pivotal to the plot and each one could carry a spin off series on their own.

The twists: Oh. My. God. How did people wait a year between these books?? There are some MAJOR twists, turns and cliffhangers! What's awesome about this series is that this is a mind game but NOT a mind f*ck. The twists and turns move everyone forward and aren't plot devices or tricks just to confuse and toy with the reader.

Sterling Packard: Is he an evil mastermind? A vigilante? Sex on a stick? The one person who can save Justine? The one person who can destroy Justine? All of those things? Neither?
Plus he's trapped for eternity inside a mongolian restaurant forced to eat only kabobs! Hilarious and only this series could make that a plausible plot line and pull it off so beautifully.

The conclusion to the series: SO good! I have been so disappointed in series enders lately but Head Rush totally delivers IMHO.

I realize I didn't get into too much detail about the plot. There are plenty of reviews on Goodreads if you really want to know. My pal Tiger reviewed the entire series on her blog also. In my opinion this series is such a rare example of a trilogy done right that I think it's better to just dive in and experience it cold turkey.

Confession…..I'm a huge spoiler whore. I read the last page first most of the time. I didn't even want any spoilers for this one. I was completely gripped the entire time, flipping through the pages….stomach churning. It was exhilarating! I seriously haven't felt this way in so long about a series. I was getting excited looking through the book again while writing this review. I just wanted to stop and read the whole thing again.

So um yeah…..I like this series. A lot.

Go read it.

Like now.

Rating: Mind Games, Double Cross, Head Rush. 4 out 4 for them all! A+++

*The Disillusionists Trilogy qualifies for the Author's After Dark 2012 Reading Challenge hosted by Midnyte Reader

Author Website | Twitter

Win a copy of both Mind Games and Double Cross!

Fill out the Rafflecopter below. (DO NOT leave your email in the comments)

Must be 18 years old to enter
Ends Saturday 1/14 - winner announced Sunday 1/15!
International entries OK

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Mailbox

2012-01-08T08:59:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight what books we've received for the week.

Review:

*Before You Go by James Peller
*Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
*52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody

(Thank you Macmillan/ Feiwel and Friends)

* Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
*Not-for-Parents Paris, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know by Lonely Planet (not pictured)

(from Amazon Vine)

*The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

(from NetGalley)

Gifts from my fabulous friends & book faeries!

*Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray (Thanks Lena Beana)

*My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody (Thanks AGAIN to Lena!)
*How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr (Thanks Julie xoxo) (not pictured)
*Nightschool #1 - The Weirn Books by Svetlana Chmakova (Thanks Sandy - my very first manga!!)

I think that's everything!!

What did you guys get this week?

Follow Friday

2012-01-05T23:17:00.001-05:00

Follow my Book Blog Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Q. Go count the number of unread books sitting on your shelf. How many?
I refuse to count. Refuse. The last time I did it was 130 and although I've read and passed quite a few books on since then I've gotten even more.
As for Kindle books there about 30.

Review: Magic Gifts novella by Ilona Andrews

2012-01-05T07:57:00.001-05:00

The super generous husband & wife writing team Ilona Andrews surprised their fans Christmas Day with a free Kate Daniels novella called appropriately enough "Magic Gifts"

"What is this? This is that novella we kept promising you. It’s about 35,000 words long so about a third of a book and it’s yours free.

This novella takes place at the same time as Andrea’s book, right after MAGIC SLAYS, and the two stories intersect." (Source: Ilona Andrews website)

Synopsis:

A dinner date after a hard day at work sounds heavenly. Of course, when that date is between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels, things don’t go as planned. Before you know it, undead are running amok, heads are being chopped off, lawyers are deployed and used with extereme prejudice, and drunk vikings are calling people out.

Read at your own risk.

Review: I LOVED it! I think I even loved it more than the full length books from the series! Because of the shortened time frame, Magic Gifts contains just the bare essentials to the story, leaving us with a really tightly woven, action packed tale and more CURRAN. RAWR!

Curran could grace every single page and it wouldn't be enough for me. Yeah he's the gorgeous Beast Lord of Atlanta but I just find him to be an incredibly fascinating character.

Besides the action and trademark Ilona Andrews world building, we get a nice glimpse at Kate & Curran's relationship. I always feel a little short changed on that front in the series. There is always so much drama going on around them but Magic Gifts gives us a peek into how these two incredibly strong willed people deal with all the issues thrown at them on a daily basis.

This novella is available only for a limited time. You only have until January 6th to download it!

Magic Gifts will not be sold on Amazon or B&N

So go....hurry......head on over to Ilona Andrews' website for instructions for downloading to your Kindle, Nook, or Kobo or PC

YA Mini Reviews!

2012-01-04T08:29:00.005-05:00

Are you ready for a little love at first sight, teenage secret assasins, vampires and some football??

I hope you don't mind the shortened reviews but I've been doing a lot of reading and not so much with the reviewing so I'm playing a little catch up.

I highly recommend Catching Jordan, my first read of 2012 - yay it was good one!! A good reading omen for 2012 I hope.

Ok - here we go!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. (YA Contemporary)

Review: Get ready for the hype. "Best book ever."

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is the kind of book bloggers love. It has romance, a swoony guy with an accent and a foreign setting.

It's an adorable book - very reminiscent of Stephanie Perkins and Anna and the French Kiss. Hadley and Oliver are great characters who are dealing with family issues when they cross paths. There is a surprising amount of character development and depth to a story that takes place over only a 24 time period.

I wouldn't go as far as best book ever or even of the year but it swept me away in a sea of romance.

Quotable moment:

To her surprise, he lowers his face so it's level with hers, then narrows his eyes and touches a finger lightly to her cheek. 'Eyelash,' he says, rubbing his thumb to get rid of it.

'What about my wish?'
'I made it for you,' he says with a smile so crooked it makes her heart dip. Is it possible she's only known him for ten hours?

He looks at her and smiles. 'You're sort of dangerous, you know?' She stares at him. 'Me?' 'Yeah,' he says, sitting back. 'I'm way too honest with with you."

*sigh*

Rating: 3.5 out of 4

Jennifer E. Smith: Twitter
Source: ARC copy obtained at BEA
Buy the book! Amazon

Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry

A year after graduating from high school, nineteen-year-old Emma Ward feels lost. She has spent most of her life trying to please her frigid, miserable mother - studying hard, getting good grades, avoiding the whole teenage rebellion thing - and now she feels she has no identity beyond that....
She leaves home to live with her free-spirited, slightly eccentric Aunt Daisy in a small town that makes Emma feel like she's stepped back in time...
When Emma meets Nicholas Shaw, everything changes - he's unlike anyone she's ever met before, the kind of man she didn't even know existed in the 21st century. (YA Contemporary)

Review: Emma and Nicholas fall in love at first sight. (Note: The statistical probability of love at first sight seems high in YA fiction! That's two in a row!)

I couldn't help feeling like I stepped into the movie Pleasantville. This is a YA contemporary but I felt at any moment there would be a secret reveal that we were in fact in a time warp. Everyone is so sweet, supportive and kind in that small home town kind of way.

That's a good thing because Emma and Nicolas face a heartbreaking test to their love and commitment to each other when he is diagnosed with Leukemia.

This book radiates goodness and hope which could come off as corny but it feels real. Blue Sky Days is a good book for readers looking for a heartwarming story about second chances, faith and the power of love.

Rating: 3 out of 4

Marie Landry: Blog
Source: Review copy provided by the author for my honest review.
Buy the book! Amazon
Blue Sky Days Blog Tour - launches January 17th!

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schrieber

Perry Stormaire is a normal high school senior– he is busy applying to college and rehearsing with his band –until he agrees to go to the prom with the Lithuanian exchange student who is staying with his family. It turns out that Gobi Zaksauskas is not the mousy teenager that she seems but rather an attractive, confident trained assassin. (YA)

Review: I was hoping for a bit more with Au Revoir Crazy European Chick. It was definitely fun and fast paced but there wasn't much in the way of character development. Perry and "more than meets the eye" exchange student Gobi almost take a back seat to the action.

If you just want to go on a quick thrill ride of an adventure on a prom night gone wrong then give it a go. Note: Although the book says it's for 12 and up, I think it dealt with a few darker subjects and would say it's for older teen readers. (Topics include torture and sex trafficking for example but not in a graphic way.)

This book would make an awesome movie and is already under development with Paramount Pictures.

Rating: 2.5 out of 4
Source: Lena Beana (*hugs*)
Buy the book! Amazon

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica Book 2) by Beth Fantaskey

It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. (YA paranormal)

WARNING: *spoilery if you haven't read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side yet.

Review: Jessica is now married to Lucius and is learning how to be a Romanian Princess and future queen to the vampires. Jess is having a hard time coping with the vampire laws and cruelty, after all just a little while ago she was a teenage girl living in America and a vegan.
Jessica Rules the Dark Side is told in alternating POV's between Jess, Lucius, Raniero, and her BFF Mindy. Between Jess being too timid to the point of almost starving herself because she's afraid to ask the servants for food and Mindy whining about how she wants a guy with money to come rescue her because she's failing in school, I was ready to toss this in DNF pile. Then at the halfway point Lucius's life is on the line and Jess finally gets her act together with the help of Mindy and Raniero.
Honestly it was Raniero who made the book for me. We get a look into his violent past and find out how he became a peace loving, surfer dude of a vampire.
There was a lot of character growth and political intrigue in the second half that made up for the frustrating first 100 or so pages.

Rating: 2.5 out of 4

Beth Fantaskey: Website | Twitter
Source: Lena Beana (*more hugs*)
Buy the book!
Amazon - Release date - January 10, 2012
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is FREE on Amazon Kindle right now!

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate. (YA Contemporary)

Review: What a fun, original YA contemporary! The camaraderie between female football captain & quaterback Jordan and her male teammates was hilarious and touching. She's their leader and one of the guys.
When Jordan is instantly attracted to the new hunky back-up quarterback, she finds herself confused by all these "girl" emotions that she's never had before. Not to mention Ty may be out to steal her position.
Throw in ANOTHER (swoonier IMO) boy and you have yourself some relationship and team drama!
I would recommend this to older teens because of language and sexual situations but the one thing I really loved about Catching Jordan was the inclusion of a caring family and close friendships. Jordan is a strong example of a female character who stumbles a bit along the way but has a good heart & head on her shoulders.

Rating: 3.5 out of 4

Author: Website | Twitter
Source: Lena Beana (seriously - *even MORE HUGS*)

Buy the book! Amazon

Tune in Tuesday

2012-01-03T08:07:00.000-05:00

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to share the music we're listening to and maybe discover someone new.

Flo Rida - Good Feeling

I listen almost exclusively to alt/indie rock but when I'm working out I need music to keep me moving.

I found Good Feeling on Spotify and I'm obsessed. I listen to it during every single elliptical machine workout.

It's slightly aggressive, has a great beat and keeps me motivated! Everything I need in a good workout song.

Book Blogger Confessions (#1)

2012-01-02T01:42:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the very first Book Blogger Confessions, a meme co-hosted with Tiger from All-Consuming Books on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers.

You can read the introductory post here.

If you don't want to post you can still comment!! All opinions are welcome.

Guidelines: Do not criticize other bloggers or authors in your post or in the comments! This meme is to help each other not knock each other down. It's YOUR blog. Blog how you want to!

Let's get to it! The first topic is:

Q. How has the "job" of book blogging changed your reading habits? Both pro and con.

I look at reading more critically than I used to. Before blogging, if I didn't like a book I just tossed it aside and forgot about it. Now I have to articulate why I didn't like it. That makes me live in the book longer and sadly makes me dislike it (and sometimes reading) even more.

Same thing goes if I love a book. In fact the "OMG this book is amazing" are sometimes the hardest reviews for me to write.

When I'm fully absorbed in a world with characters I love, the last thing I want to do is stop to jot down notes but with blogging you have to.

I'm often torn when I love a book - sometimes I just want to keep it for myself and not over analyze it. It takes away from what I originally saw as perfection. On the other hand I want everyone to know how wonderful it is so they will go buy it right this second!

Picking apart a book isn't always fun whether you liked it or not. It gets time consuming and makes reading feel less spontaneous - like something you have to schedule. I may be able to read a book in one day but when I have to stop to take notes then spend a few hours on a review (don't even get me started on the blogger formatting issues) it can take away my reading high.

Deadlines. This is probably the most stressful thing about blogging for me.

If you are part of the Amazon Vine program, you have about 2 weeks to read and review that book before the next newsletter comes out, publishers want their books reviewed within a few weeks of release, Netgalley's e-ARC's often expire after a certain date. I read fast, so that's not the problem. However, I don't always want to read that book at that moment but I have to.

I often wonder if that changes my response to a book. If I read it at a different time, when I was in a different reading mood and this wasn't my 5th dystopian, alien, love triangle, time travel, circus book in a row would I have liked it better??

I've really lightened up on the self imposed deadline pressure the past few months. I don't request many books for review and it's in my review policy that it may be several months before I can read a book for review. I have found most authors to be very receptive to that. After all they are readers too! They understand TBR piles.

Blogging about reading is sometimes more time consuming than the actual reading part which can get very frustrating but overall I think reviewing has deepened my appreciation for writers and the art of writing. I know I couldn't do it!

While I may not enjoy every book I read I can now see the love and dedication that went into the process of writing of that book. I don't think I ever really noticed that before I started reviewing and blogging.

By far the biggest thing that has changed is the number of books and authors I have found out about through other bloggers. This is great for obvious reasons. I find even more great books/new authors but it can make it seem like you will NEVER EVER EVER read all the books you want to. It stresses me out sometimes but it's a trade off I'm willing to live with.

Next Book Blogger Confessions is scheduled for January 16th: Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

Join in the meme and link your post up below or leave a comment!

Feel free to suggest future topics you want to see discussed.

Winners!

2012-01-01T10:12:00.000-05:00

My 2 year Blogoversary Giveaway and The Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop ended last night so I have some winners to announce!!

Two Year Blogoversary - there are FOUR winners!!

1) $50.00 Amazon gift card - Michele L.

2) Choice of 3 books from my favorites of 2011 list - Alex C

3) Choice of 2 books from my blogger BFF's favorites of 2011 - Latoya/Crickit

4) Four of my favorite indie/self published books of 2011 via Amazon Kindle - Cindi M

Congratulations everyone and thank you for helping my celebrate this blogging milestone!!

The Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop winner is:

Natasha A

Happy New Year everyone!!

2011 - The books that got away......

2011-12-31T17:32:00.001-05:00

Every year starts with good intentions for all the books I want to read but then they slowly get bumped a little further down the TBR pile when "OOH NEW SHINY BOOK!" comes out.

There were a few books that I had really wanted to read in 2011 and i just ran out of time. So I'm making a little list and throwing it out here to hopefully motivate myself to read them in 2012.

I find if I say things publicly, on my blog, I tend to follow through better.

In no particular order.....

Saltwater Vampires by Kirsty Eager Described as an Australian vampire thriller, this seems like a very different take on the vampire genre. Quite a few of my blogger friends enjoyed it too.

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta This author is probably recommended to me more than any other. Everyone says I MUST read The Piper's Son as well as Saving Francesca and Jellicoe Road also by Marchetta.

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs - The Mercy Thompson series. I loved book #1 Moon Called and I have the whole series sitting on the shelf right over there -----> but for some reason I haven't gotten around to reading it.

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent Do I have an obsession with books titled Blood Bound?? I could have a Blood Bound reading marathon one weekend. There must be others...lol This looks like a fresh Urban Fantasy series that my blogger besties loved. My book store never has it in stock and I've been too lazy to order it. Must remedy that!

Grimspace by Ann Aguirre I've actually read the first two books in the Sirantha Jax series but it was a few years ago so I'm due for a series re-read and I need to catch up quick. The 5th and final book, Endgame releases in 2012. This is a favorite series of mine and I have to admit I haven't kept up because I'm a wimp. Ann is mean to her characters and I was waiting until the end so I wouldn't suffer too much.

The Night Circus by Eron Morgenstern I have this one signed thanks to my friend Lena from Addicted 2 Novels. Everyone LOVES it and I want to read it - I just simply ran out of time.

I also wanted to read more classics. I started David Copperfield and never made it past page 100. Probably not the best book to start with. I'll attempt it again in 2012. I have several downloaded for free on my Kindle so no excuses!

How about you? Were there any books you were dying to read in 2011 and you just didn't have the time to get to them?

Follow Friday

2011-12-30T10:36:00.001-05:00

Follow my Book Blog Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Q: The New Year is here — and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?

My resolution for 2012 is to to have more fun with blogging again. It has sort of become more like a job. My original intention was to talk about whatever I was reading, watching and listening to but now I spend most of my time reading review requests and responding to emails.

Don't get me wrong....I'm so thankful and LOVE all the opportunities blogging has given me but I really need to get back to the simple joy of reading whatever I want, not just whatever book is deemed "the next best book ever".

I want to blog because something has inspired me..... and not just to meet some self imposed schedule.
I have to try not to feel guilty and think there will be a mass follower exodus just because I didn't blog for a week. There are thousands of blogs out there. I don't think anyone even notices. lol

I want to find a way to introduce readers to new authors. Unfortunately I just don't have time to read and review every book that comes my way but I would still like to give the authors an opportunity to showcase their work. Interviews seem like the best idea but I'm horrible at them so maybe that's a skill I can work on for 2012.

Learning more html code would be nice. I have my DH to fix all my blog related emergencies which is great (thank you Kevin - love of my life ;-) ) but I really should know how to do some of these things myself.

I would love to find a streamlined way to write reviews and a rating system that better expresses what I'm feeling. I'm not sure that will be accomplished anytime soon though.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!

Favorite Books of 2011

2011-12-29T08:12:00.000-05:00

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Review

I love Ann Agurrie's adult novels so when I saw she was venturing into YA I HAD to get my hands on this book! I did and was not disappointed.

I was immediately plunged into the dark claustrophobic tunnels of the enclave with one of my all time favorite heroines, Deuce. This is dystopian and YA at it's best. Enclave is intelligent and action packed with engaging characters that have you asking; What's right? What's wrong? and if you would do the same things to survive.

Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready

(Bridge is a story in the Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions anthology)

Jeri Smith-Ready website

Bridge is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Period. Told in verse, Bridge is the story of Logan Keeley's journey for forgiveness, redemption and his struggle to let go.

Logan is a ghost from Jeri's Shade trilogy who is having a little trouble moving on but you don't need to have read the series or know Logan to understand this powerful message of love between brothers. I have several friends who have never read the Shade series and still loved Bridge.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Review

Holy WOW! This book was amazing and creepy! I was surprised how far Blake went on the scary/gore scale considering this is YA. I need book two now please!

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Review

CRICKET BELL!

That is all.

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

Review

Finally! A sequel that is as good as, if not better than the first book in the series. Queen of the Dead left me completely satisfied but DYING to know what happens in the conclusion to this excellent trilogy.

Between the Lines Trilogy by Tammara Webber

Reviews:

Between the Lines

Where you Are

Good for You

One of my favorite contemporary YA series where the characters make mistakes and take time to grow throughout the series. No cookie cutter characters here. It's messy and complicated and FUN with a wild, glamorous hollywood backdrop. BONUS: You can get the whole series on your e-reader for under $10!

Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

Review

A hidden gem. Sophie and Carter delves into some pretty heavy subject matters but I promise you'll be smiling bright when it's over.

Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Review

Think you're totally burnt out on vampires? Love snarky dialogue? Drink Slay Love is the book for you! Bonus: UNICORNS! Trust me - it works.

Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett

Review

A fresh twist on the genre. This time we have a bad girl trying to corrupt the good boy! Loved all the sci-fi geek references! Another hidden gem.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Review

I'm not usually a fan of time traveling novels. They always feel like a contrived way to "reset the clock" but Hourglass was smart and wonderful. Hourglass is also one of those rare cases where the story was as great as that amazing cover!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Review

A great introduction to a series that promises to be epic! The last 100 pages of Divergent had me holding my breath and covering my eyes. Whoa!!!

The Disillusionist Trilogy by Carolyn Crane

I haven't had time to review this series yet but consider the entire series 4 out of 4!

Carolyn Crane website

OMG OMG OMG! Reading nirvana. Urban Fantasy nirvana. Trilogy nirvana. Hands down best series I read all year and one of my favorite UF series of all time. The best thing??? It's only three books and the third book is out now! Warning.... buy all three and set aside a few days to read the trilogy all at once. There be big cliffhangers ahead. I was so riveted that I read the last two books in one day.

What a hell of a way to end my reading year!

New Blogger Meme!

2011-12-28T08:24:00.003-05:00

Blogging has been one of my most rewarding experiences. I've been able to share my opinion and meet wonderful people.

However, after two years of reading & reviewing I hit a slump. A reading slump, a reviewing slump and a blogging slump.

Luckily I have Tiger from All-Consuming Books to talk to about all things blogging. Honestly, if I didn't have her (and many other blogger friends) to vent to I probably would have quit blogging this year. I came this close. When I mentioned it on Twitter, other bloggers were so relieved to hear that someone else was going through the same thing as them.

Tiger and I thought it might be time to start a meme to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers. What happens when the hobby you love becomes more of a chore?

We're introducing a meme called "Book Blogger Confessions"

On the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month we'll be discussing a topic that effects book bloggers and give you a chance to vent, share your opinion or offer a solution.

One thing this meme isn't is a way to bash other bloggers or authors. Everyone can blog however they like. It's your blog. Book Blogger Confessions is just a way to shine a light on the things that affect us all but we might be reluctant to admit to otherwise.

If you want to participate just grab our button and include it in your post with a link to either Tiger's All Consuming Media or For What It's Worth. Once your post is up feel free add a link to our post.

Alternately, you can comment on our posts once they are up.

For non-bloggers feel free to comment and let us know if there is something we could do better regarding that weeks topic.

Feel free to give us topic suggestions in the comment section!

I think we lose a lot of good bloggers each year to burn out. It's our hope that through this meme we can all find suggestions and support to help ride out those times.

Past Book Blogger Confessions Topic links:

January 2nd: How has the "job" of book blogging changed your reading habits? Both pro and con.

January 16th: Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

Upcoming Topics:

February 6th: Deadlines for reviewing/blogging. Do you set them? How do you keep them? What do you do if you can't meet them?

February 20th: Social networking with authors. Do you interact with authors on Twitter/Facebook etc? Does it effect how you review their books if you are on friendly terms with them?

Thank you to Sandy from Scribing Shadows for making our meme button.

Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop!

2011-12-26T15:56:00.001-05:00

The Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

This hop runs from December 27th - December 31st

Winner will be announced January 1st.

I'm giving away my favorite two books of 2011 to one lucky winner!

Enclave by Anna Aguirre

Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready which is part of the Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions anthology including stories by the following authors: Melissa Marr (editor), Kelley Armstrong (editor), Rachel Vincent , Sarah Rees Brennan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Mary E. Pearson, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Jessica Verday, ,Claudia Gray, Jackson Pearce, Carrie Ryan, Rachel Caine, Kami Garcia , Margaret Stohl, Kimberly Derting , Ally Condie

*Giveaway is open to international entries as long as your country is on this list for The Book Depository

(In the case of a US winner your copy of Enthralled will be signed by Jeri Smith-Ready)

To enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. **Do not leave your name and email in the comments!!

I'm making this a super simple giveaway to enter - no extra entries but if you do choose to follow me via GFC, Feedburner, Twitter (my favorite place), Facebook, Goodreads, Google+..... links are on my sidebar. THANK YOU and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**Also check out my 2 year Blogoversary Giveaway where I'm giving away even more of my favorite books of 2011!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Good for You (Between the Lines Bk #3) by Tammara Webber

2011-12-26T09:03:00.002-05:00

Reid Alexander's life is an open book. His Hollywood celebrity means that everything he does plays out in the public eye. Every relationship, every error in judgment is analyzed by strangers. His latest mistake totaled his car, destroyed a house and landed him in the hospital. Now his PR team is working overtime to salvage his image. One thing is clear—this is one predicament he won’t escape without paying for it.

Dori Cantrell is a genuine humanitarian—the outward opposite of everything Reid is about. When his DUI plea bargain lands him under her community service supervision, she proves unimpressed with his status and indifferent to his proximity, and he soon wants nothing more than to knock her off of her pedestal and prove she's human.

Counting the days until his month of service is over, Dori struggles to ignore his wicked magnetic pull while shocking him with her ability to see past his celebrity and challenging him to see his own wasted potential. But Dori has secrets of her own, safely locked away until one night turns her entire world upside down. Suddenly their only hope for connection and redemption hinges on one choice: whether or not to have faith in each other. (YA - Mature young adults)

Note: SPOILER WARNING! There are no spoilers for Good for You but there are a few for Between the Lines and Where You Are if you haven't read the first two books in the series yet. My reviews are linked at the end of this post.

Review:

There isn't a character we know better from Tammara Webber's Between the Lines series than Reid Alexander . Reid has always been the one constant. Even when the books were about another couple, we've always gotten his POV. Now we finally get to see his story play out.

In Between the Lines he was a womanizing, hard partying actor with a huge ego who considered trying to act better to win a good girl. In Wherever You Are he was a womanizing, hard partying actor with huge ego who committed his first selfless act for someone else. I adore Reid Alexander as a character and I've enjoyed watching him evolve over the series but I do not swoon for Reid. He's a jerk. Could he win me over in the end?

Reid, driving drunk, crashes his Porsche into a house and now has to pay the piper. His license is taken away and he has to perform community service for Habitat for Humanity. He reports to duty reporting to Dori Cantrell, a true humanitarian and someone with a very good bullshit detector. That doesn't bode well for Reid.

Although I enjoyed both Dori and Reid along with their tension filled banter, it felt like a little bit of a retread of Reid's attraction to his former costar Emma in Book #1. Emma was the only other girl who didn't melt under his advances so of course that's the type of girl he wants the most.

As an actor Reid knows people. He observes them and learns how to manipulate them. When he first realized that he liked Emma in Between the Lines, he wanted to be the type of guy she could like. Unfortunately even though his intentions were good he wasn't ready yet or maybe Emma wasn't the right girl. He was playing the part of a good guy, he hadn't really become one so of course he fell off the wagon as it were.

Dori made Reid want to change for REID. Sure his goal was to get Dori but she made him aware of the man he could be. To do it for himself, not for her, not for the cameras and not to win a game. This is what won me over in accepting them as a couple.

Dori could not be more different from Reid but she's suffering from a past romantic heart break and a crisis of faith. It was interesting to watch them break through their barriers together.

Although Dori is new to the series, she was very well developed and a complex character trying to live up to the altruistic standards her family embraces. I loved how Dori's family was an integral part of the story and not used as background decoration.

The Between the Lines series really should be taken as a whole. Even though each book is about a different relationship, there are common elements and characters throughout. Each book shows a progression and maturity of the characters. The first book was about wild teenage inhibition, the second (Wherever You Are) about commitment and responsibility and the third about personal redemption and acceptance. My opinion of each character changed over the series too. Someone you hate in one book, you might enjoy in the next.

I'm going to sound like a broken record because I've always mentioned this in all of my reviews for the series but I have to repeat it. Tammara Webber takes her characters on a sometimes infuriating ride with complete and utter honesty. I sometimes feel like there is no writer involved, that I'm really just watching their life play out. I want to rush them to their conclusion or whack them upside the head for taking so long but their actions are always 100% true to them and feel honest.

I was happy with the conclusion to Reid's story and yes, he won me over in the end. There are a few hints of maybe one more book to the series. Brooke, Reid's ex, makes a brief reappearance. Now if Tammara can make me like Brooke again then she is a miracle worker!

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Great series. One of my favorites of 2011.

Find the author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Source: Provided by the author for my honest review

Buy the book!
Book #1 - Between the Lines - Ebook $2.99
Book #2 - Where You Are - Ebook $2.99

Book #3 - Good for You - Ebook $2.99

Reviews for the series:
Between the Lines -
Where you Are -

US READERS! - I'm giving away Between the Lines & Where You Are e-books as part of my 2 year Blogoversary celebration - enter here.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:05:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thank you all for your love, support and friendship this year!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

2011-12-22T07:28:00.000-05:00

Starting over sucks.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Review:
Teenager and book blogger (how cool is that??!!) Katy is forced to move to West Virginia when her mom wants a fresh start three years after her father's death . She's expecting the stereotypical southern accents, and lack of technology, not the smoking hot guy and his friendly sister for her new neighbors.

When she decides to be friendly and go introduce herself she connects immediately to Dee but not so much to Dee's older brother Daemon who despite his good looks is rude and cocky right from the second he opens his front door.

Since Daemon Black seems to be taking the blogosphere by storm, let's get that out of the way first.

Daemon…..ahh Daemon. He runs really really hot - then really really ice station zebra cold. I am SO over the bad boy with a soft center if only the right girl is patient enough to wait for him but I found myself enjoying Katy with Daemon. I found his reasons for being such an ass to be justified. Sure he could have done it in a different way but he was protecting his sister. He has lost family members in the past and he has no reason to trust outsiders. Even better Katy absolutely does not take his crap. I think Daemon pushes it a little overboard in the arrogance department and almost lost me a few times but I still liked him overall.

The big draw to Obsidian is Daemon and the hotter than hot scenes between him and Katy. There is plenty of that but what I loved most about this book was the friendship between Katy and Dee. We don't get to see as many friendships between girls as we should in YA. This is a really good one. Both girls need someone to open up to and rely on and aren't considered part of the popular crowd. They are able to share their feelings and because of it help heal each others emotional wounds. Dee and Katy are quite different in looks and personality but they balance each other perfectly. And more importantly to me, is that her friendship with Dee is not dependent on her relationship or lack there of with Daemon. Makes me want to hug Katy!

There are touches of Twilight - Katy suspects that Dameon & Dee's family might be keeping secrets. They are other worldly beautiful, the other students are weary of them and they act aloof to those around them. Katy finds herself surviving situations that she shouldn't whenever Daemon is around.

But the bigger influence that I felt was from the TV series Roswell. Yup - Daemon and company are aliens, hiding on earth from enemies that mean to steal their powers. This puts Daemon, Dee and even Katy in danger.

I'm a little shocked at how much I enjoyed Obsidian. It contains loads of cliches and tropes I don't usually enjoy. Despite this Armentrout kept the story moving at a great pace and didn't take everything too seriously. There is plenty of teenage angst and hormones but it didn't slow the story down. The sci-fi aspects aren't anything new but again the story was fun and made me want to learn more about what's to come.

Rating: 3 out of 4 A fast paced, fun book filled with steamy kisses, aliens, danger and mystery! If you like brooding bad boys, Daemon is your guy.

Bonus! Because Katy is a book blogger there are lots of meme mentions like Waiting on Wednesday and "It's Monday, what are you reading? We also get to see Katy desperately checking the mail for her new books to arrive. Cute touch.

Jennifer L. Armentrout: website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy the book! Obsidian (A Lux Novel, Book one)
Source: Netgalley / Entangled Publishing
Character Interview with Daemon Black from the Obsidian Blog Tour HERE

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop!

2011-12-20T21:10:00.003-05:00

The Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer & Oasis for YA

This hop runs from December 21st - December 27th

Winner will be announced December 28th!

The Prize!

Your choice of any ONE book up to $10 value form Amazon.com or The Book Depository, as long as your country is on this list.

To enter: Fill out the form below.

Extra entries:

+2 if you follow this blog
+1 if you follow me - @teamsheltie on Twitter

This giveaway is now closed.

The winner is: STUCK IN BOOKS!

ARC Review: Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

2011-12-20T07:52:00.000-05:00

Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club? The one who isn’t her boyfriend, the one that her mother would never, ever approve of, the one that her perfect older sisters would never, ever look at twice. The one who is always looking back at her. Irresistible attraction, smoldering glances, the bad boy and the good girl—Kiss Crush Collide has everything that a steamy forbidden romance should, and then some.

With graceful and honest writing and an electric love story, this is a book about growing into your own skin. For fans of Perfect Chemistry, Sarah Dessen, and John Green. (YA)

Review:

I was pretty excited to receive Kiss Crush Collide for review. The cover is very sexy and the book is recommended for "romance fans of Perfect Chemistry". That would be me.

I admit I had certain expectations going in that weren't met. I also think it's a disservice to the reader to compare this book to PC. The only things they have in common are a poor guy from the wrong side of the tracks and a wealthy blond haired girl with big boobs (this is something she repeatedly points out about herself - not me being sarcastic).

The similarities end there. Rather than a hot forbidden romance novel this is about a girl living in the shadow of her perfect sisters, harsh task master of a mother and sweet but passive father.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that - it's just that a reader has certain expectations based on the summary/cover.

Now that I have that out of the way I'll address the actual story.

Leah has a seemingly picture perfect life. The perfect family and the perfect boyfriend, Shane, however Leah always feels like she's living a carbon copy of her sister's lives. She is expected to be the valedictorian and marry her boyfriend right after high school. Just like her sisters. Only Leah feels she can't live up to their standards. She's not as pretty, not as smart and not sure she loves Shane.

As the pressure mounts for Leah to meet her families expectations she feels the need to rebel. When she meets a boy that sets her on fire in a way that Shane never did she starts meeting him secretly.

I really wanted to sympathize with Leah and feel that passion leap off the page when she and Duffy are together but it just didn't happen for me. One problem for me was that Kiss Crush Collide is told exclusively from Leah's POV. Without knowing why Duffy is with her and Leah barely explaining their encounters, it felt like a random hookup to me. There was a point where they got in a fight about lies they've told each other and I was kind of stunned at how upset they were. They hadn't even exchanged phone numbers yet.

As for Leah herself, I just could not connect with her. I did at first but as the story continued I felt less and less sympathetic towards her. She is treated incredibly harshly by her mother and her sisters are indifferent at best so when she has the opportunity to befriend a sweet girl from school it was shocking how badly she treated the girl.

There are very interesting family dynamics in this book but by dividing the story between Leah's family and the romance, neither plot got the full attention it deserved. Instead, I just ended up disliking everyone except Duffy. Unfortunately I didn't get to know him enough to form an opinion but he seemed nice enough in that rebellious but sweet sort of way. I felt the story had unfulfilled potential.

Rating: 1.5 out of 4 The summary isn't entirely accurate. Kiss Crush Collide is less about forbidden romance than about a girl coming to terms with her family and future. I was never able to connect with Leah and there just wasn't enough of Duffy.

Author: Website | Facebook
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Source: ARC courtesy of the publisher for my honest review
Buy the book! Kiss Crush Collide Publication date - December 27th, 2011

Obsidian Blog Tour E-book winner!

2011-12-18T15:08:00.000-05:00

Author Jennifer L Armentrout and Daemon Black stopped by the blog this week for an interview and Entangled publishing was nice enough to give away a copy of Obsidian to one lucky commenter.

Without further ado....the winner is:

EBAKER!!

Thanks to everyone for the comments and to Jennifer/Dameon for the hilarious interview.

Go read Obsidian everyone! It's a really fun story.

In My Mailbox

2011-12-17T12:40:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight what books we've received for the week.

Won:

From Midnyte Reader - Thanks Pam!

Crossed by Ally Condie
Deadtown by Nancy Holzner
The Postmortal by Drew Magary

And comi-con signed swag (not pictured)

Gifted:

Also from Midnyte Reader - Thank you again!

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

For Review:

Good for You (Between the Lines #3) by Tammara Webber (thank you Tammara)

Bought:

Fates Edge by Ilona Andrews (not pictured)
Double Cross by Carolyn Crane (*see rave below)
Head Rush by Carolyn Crane (Kindle)

Street Team Swag:

Shade/Shift and WVMP bookmarks for giveaways from Jeri Smith-Ready

*I just finished the Disillusionist trilogy by Carolyn Crane and it's ZOMG - GO read it NOW - awesome! (Mind Games/Double Cross/Head Rush) All three books are out so no excruciating year long waiting between books. It has a very satisfying conclusion! Yipee - still on a reader high!!

What did you guys get this week?

2011 YA Story Scavenger Hunt - Question # 31

2011-12-16T09:43:00.000-05:00

I'm today's hunt stop for the 2011 YA Story Scavenger Hunt hosted by Most Important Letter!

Follow the hunt every day during the month of December! Answer the daily trivia questions from MG and YA books published during 2011 to be entered into the YA book giveaway.

Today's question is from Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma.

Question #31: What is the name of the town buried under the reservoir?

Remember to fill out your answer in the form at Most Important Letter here!

2012 Reading Challenges

2011-12-15T15:41:00.000-05:00

OK so I'm really bad at challenges of any sort. I'm not competitive and I hate being told what to read and when to read.

I signed up for three this year and failed at all of them. But why the heck would that stop me from trying again in 2012??

First up is Midnyte Reader's Authors After Dark Reading Challenge. I'm going to AAD next year in NEW ORLEANS!!! (sorry I got excited - I've never been before) I know a few of the authors but most are new to me so this should be a fun one since I will actually be able to meet the authors behind the books in August.

Guidelines:
*Although AAD 2012 takes place in August, this challenge will run from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
*Books must be read and reviewed in 2012.
*You can join at anytime during the year.
*Anyone can join (not just book bloggers).

My book goals for this challenge:

*The Disillusionists Trilogy by Carolyn Crane (Mind Games, Double Cross and Head Rush)
*Dearly Beloved (Gone wiht the Respiration #2) by Lia Habel
*On Midnight Wings by Adrian Phoenix
*My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

Everyone knows about this one. The YA Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story SIren. This will be my third year participating. The first year I did great, this year? Not so much....but I will succeed in 2012! My goal is to read 12 books by YA debut authors.

This is the button for 2011 but I'll be signing up for the 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge. A good generic just read a ton of books challenge is about right for me. I chose 100 books this year and I'm about 22 behind. I didn't sign up up until late in the year & hadn't been keeping track of all my reading so I know that did pass this challenge even though it looks like I didn't. I easily read over 100 books a year.

My goal will be to read 100 books again next year.

How about you guys? Did you sign up for any new ones for 2012? Hate challenges?

Team AuraFTW winner!

2011-12-15T11:45:00.000-05:00

Aura Salvatore from Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade series went head to head against Kaylee Cavanaugh from Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series in round #14 of the YA Sisterhood Tournament of Heroines yesterday.

It went down to the wire but Kaylee won that round. Congratulations to her advocate and to Rachel Vincent.

But his was Team Kilt & Aura's Army y'all and we know how to have fun and keep the party going!

Posted on Twitter by @jderucki

Posted on Twitter by @jenduffey

I was hosting an incentive giveaway for all three books in the Shade Trilogy if Aura won. That didn't happen but as usual you all came out in force to get her over 1300 votes! That must be rewarded so I'm still picking a winner who will get to choose one book from the trilogy!

And the winner is......

Nicole M!!

*We also raised $470 for the Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore to help them keep open the Poe House. (I'm sending my $100 donation today - there's still time for you to help!!)

*I want to give a BIG, GINORMOUS {{{{{ HUG }}}}} to Aura's advocate Brooke from Brooke Reports /@BrookeWorm33 on Twitter. She wrote an amazing defense for Aura! We love you Brooke - you did us proud!

*Still want a chance to read SHINE (& that castle scene) before everyone else?? Then make a bid over at Christine Johnson's Humane Society Auction! Jeri has donated a highly coveted ARC of SHINE ( also included in this auction: Rampant and Ascendent by Diana Peterfreund, both in hardcover, both signed.)

Bidding ends December 20th). This is the ONLY non-lucky way to get this book.

YA Sisterhood Tournament of Heroines - Team Aura FTW

2011-12-13T16:58:00.003-05:00

After the incredible success of the YA Crush Tournament earlier this year, The YA Sisterhood is holding it's first ever YA Tournament of Heroines.

Starting at midnight tonight Aura Salvatore from Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade series will be competing against Kaylee Cavanaugh from Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series. Which is too bad because I think these two would be great friends.

I know quite a few of you are fans of both girls and both series so this is a particularly tough round.

Jeri has some VERY cool incentives for voting for Aura including having a character named after you in SHINE!

I'm adding a little incentive as well if Aura WINS her first round.

Before we get to that - Jeri is donating $10 for every 100 votes Aura receives (up to 1000 votes) to the Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore to help them keep open the Poe House. Due to budget cutbacks, they're in serious danger of having to shut down this historic landmark, which was featured in SHADE and may *cough* make a reappearance in SHINE. Without generous donations, the Poe House will close in June 2012. (More information here)

I'm going to match that donation, so let's get a lot of votes so we can donate money to a great cause!

Now back to what you will win if Aura WINS!

The Shade series is getting a makeover with all new covers when Shine is released in May 2012. Read all about that on Ficticious Delicious's cover reveal post.

So now you all need a brand new matching set...right?? Well if Aura wins this round of voting, I will give one winner a brand new set of the Shade series with the new covers. Shade & Shift (paperbacks with the new covers) and Shine (hardcover). If you are a US winner those will be signed and personalized by Jeri. (This will be a pre-order - all books release in May of 2012)

So are we ready for tonight?? Oh hell yes!!

Join Aura's advocate, the freaking hilarious, amazing, wonderful (seriously there aren't enough complimentary words for this girl) Brooke from Brooke Reports / @BrookeWorm33 on Twitter, and show your support for Aura. Go grab a button, tweet like a maniac (use #AuraFTW), chat with the Shade Boys!

VOTE HERE starting at 12:01 am 12/14!

That's right! The boys will be back for a very special #SHADEboys chat at 11pm Eastern time tonight. Logan and Zachary will be taking questions about Aura who will be making her Twitter Tourney debut. Sssh....don't tell the boys - it's a surprise.

Fill out the form below to enter the giveaway. (Do not leave your email in the comments - only the Rafflecopter form counts as an entry) Giveaway starts at 12:01 EST 12/14 when voting begins. If Aura wins her round I will pick a winner Thursday morning. I'm using the honor system and assume that you are indeed voting for Aura. She has to WIN for you to WIN so I think that should be enough incentive to keep you honest :-) - You do NOT need to sign into Facebook to enter - use the name & email option below the Facebook option if you want instead.

*One last public service announcement - Do you want a highly coveted ARC of SHINE? Make a bid over on Christine Johnson's Humane Society Auction ( also included in this auction: Rampant and Ascendent by Diana Peterfreund, both in hardcover, both signed. Bidding ends December 20th). This is the ONLY non-lucky way to get this book. Tis the season for giving! GO BID NOW!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Obsidian Blog Tour! Character interview with Daemon Black

2011-12-13T08:10:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to welcome author Jennifer L. Armentrout to For What It's Worth for the OBSIDIAN Blog Tour.

Today Jennifer will be sharing her interview with Dameon Black. Daemon is the incredibly hot but sometimes rude and frustrating alien from Obsidian, the first book in Jennifer's new Lux series. I really enjoyed Obsidian - my review will be up this week!

Take it away Jennifer and Daemon......

Jennifer L. Armentrout: Why are you five hours late?
Daemon Black: I thought you said 8pm.

JLA: No, I’m pretty sure I said 3pm. I even sent you a text message and email.
DB: Oh.

JLA: Yeah, and I also called you five times. Like a total stalker.
DB: I was sleeping.

JLA: You were sleeping until 8pm?
DB: I need my beauty rest.

JLA: Oh, yeah, like that’s something you need.
DB: So you think I’m beautiful? Huh, you do? It’s okay. Totally natural reaction.

JLA: We are NOT talking about how you look. This room isn’t big enough for your head. Got that?
DB: Fine, if that makes you feel better about being undeniably attracted to me.

JLA: Back to the real reason we’re here. People want to know.
DB: Know what?

JLA: Why you’re such a poopey head?
DB: Poopey Head? How old are you, Jen?

JLA: Old enough to kick your butt. So, tell us. Why are you always such a jerk?
DB: I’m not a jerk.

JLA: The masses beg to differ.
DB: Okay, so maybe I’m not a people person.

JLA: Why?
DB: Uh, I have poor social skills?

JLA: That’s like a psycho saying they are a sociopath because they have poor social skills.
DB: I don’t get it.

JLA: Basically that’s not a good enough reason.
DB: Sorry you don’t like my answer. Oh. Well.

JLA: There’s that attitude again.
DB: I like to think I have a glowing attitude. A real go getter.

JLA: You’re ridiculous. Back to the meanie part. Why were you so tough on Katy?
DB: Katy knows my reasons. I’m not saying it’s justified, but she knows why and that’s all that matters.

JLA: I think you love her.
DB: I think you need to mind your own business.

JLA: Oh, touchy, touchy, Daemon.
DB: You want to touch me?

JLA: That’s not what I said. Anyway, you have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. Is that tough?
DB: It’s not like I’m the only one who shoulders their family. There are many like me in the same position.

JLA: But it’s got to be hard right, especially after—
DB: I know where you’re going with that and just don’t.

JLA: Ooo-kay. What’s it like being an alien?
DB: Cooler than being a human.

JLA: Can you say one nice thing, right now? About anything. Just something nice.
DB: Damn. Put on the spot like that…

JLA: Waiting…
DB: The first snowfall of the year is always the most beautiful.

JLA: Wow. That was kind of unexpected.
DB: I live to surprise you and only you.

JLA: Yeah, okay. Do you have anything you want to share with the readers?
DB: I like ghost shows.

JLA: Something a little deeper than that.
DB: Okay. If I could take away some of the things I said to Kat, well, I would.

Karen: Awwww

JLA: Now that’s actually kind of nice. Sort of like an apology.
DB: Ha-Ha.

JLA: I’m being serious.
DB: And I’m still laughing.

JLA: You are a poopey head.
DB: Yeah, are we done? I think Kat’s going to try to film an IMM tonight and I so have to bust up in that.

JLA: Yes. We’re done. Try not to tick Kat off. I’m sort of tired of hearing her complain about you.
DB: No promises.

JLA: Oh, wait, I have one more—dangit! I hate when he does that super-speed alien crap.

Karen: That Daemon is a tough one to pin down on anything isn't he? I can't wait to see what kind of sparks he & Katy create in Onyx which is tentatively scheduled for release in May 2012. I know you have one!

Thank you to both Jennifer & Daemon for stopping by the blog today!

Jennifer L. Armentrout Links: Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

About the Book:

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Buy the book! Obsidian - (A Lux novel book 1)

Hug an Author Blog Hop! Part 2

2011-12-09T08:46:00.000-05:00

Lynn from Bringing the Epic, Jen from What's On the Bookshelf and Marissa from And Many to Read Before I Sleep, have organized this fantastic blog hop to celebrate authors! Don't forget to check out their blogs for great interviews with your favorite authors and bloggers all week.

My first Hug an author post is here:

Today I'm answering the question:

Which author wrote the character you would want as your best friend? I have two answers for this question. (I have two!)

Deuce from Enclave by Ann Aguirre. I love that character so much. There are a lot of kick-ass heroines that I adore but she has this vulnerability and honesty that I admire. Deuce can kick freak butt one second but be a normal girl giggling with her friend Tegan the next or figuring out how to talk to a boy. Friendships and loyalty are very important to her but so is doing the right thing. The strength of her convictions in a time where she could fall back to self preservation mode show a rare quality in a person. Deuce would be the perfect best friend whether you're trying to survive the apocalypse, navigating high school or just needing a friend to confide in.

Ciara from the WVMP Radio Vampire series by Jeri Smith-Ready. She's intelligent and snarky as hell. Loyal almost to a fault (with total disregard to her own safety) Ciara would be a blast to hang out with and she would always have my back no matter what. I'm hoping she wouldn't take offense if I'm ogling her boyfriend Shane who I adore. Scratch that - I won't ogle - Can they BOTH be my best friends?? Shane, a Vampire DJ, can provide the music while we all hang out.

What about you? Who would be your pick?

The Gift Card Giveaway Hop!

2011-12-08T20:31:00.001-05:00

The Gift Card Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer & Attack of the Book.

This hop runs from December 9th- December 13th

Winner will be announced December 14th!

The winner will receive a $15 Gift Card to Amazon.com

I'm actually going to be flexible on this and you can alternately choose another retailer as long as I can purchase the gift card online and send via email.

I'm sorry for making this one US only guys but I had a hard time finding gift cards that could be gifted internationally and at a low US exchange rate :-( You can still enter my 2 year Blogoversary Giveaway - link is on my sidebar - where I'm giving away LOTS of books and it's international.

To enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Please do NOT leave your email in the comments section. If you have a problem with the form feel free to email me at fwiwDOTkeaATgmailDOTcom

Extra entries:

+2 if you follow this blog
+1 if you follow me - @teamsheltie on Twitter

Review: The Taker by Alma Katsu

2011-12-08T07:53:00.001-05:00

True love can last an eternity . . . but immortality comes at a price. . . .
On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.
Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.
Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption. (Adult)

Review:
Reading The Taker made me feel like I was watching an oncoming wreck while being stuck in quicksand with my mouth duct taped shut, powerless to warn the victims of their impending doom.

When Lanny is just 14 years old, she falls instantly and madly in love with Jonathan, the son of the town's founder. They become friends and occasionally more. For Lanny it becomes an obsession, going so far as to sabotage Jonathan's relationships.

Jonathan is a bit of an enigma; he's described as beyond beautiful. This brings him the attention of all of the town's women and yet he seems unhappy. He turns to Lanny whenever his relationships hit a speed bump. Every time she comes to his aid, and every time they seem to take a step forward in their relationship only to take 10 steps backwards. I never could tell if Jonathan truly reciprocated any of Lanny's feelings or if he was just using her to get out of his many illicit affairs or as a rebound. She was easy to manipulate into doing his bidding. She's so young and so infatuated that I could see why she would fall for his lines time & time again. I even found myself believing him once or twice. When he's speaking to her he seems so sincere…..until he doesn't.

When her forbidden relationship with Jonathan causes her family to send her away to Boston, Lanny's life hits yet another tragic turn where she falls prey to a group of beautiful strangers offering her shelter and food and maybe the happiness she seeks. There she meets their enigmatic leader, the Romanian Count Adair. Theirs is a house of horrors which nearly leaves Lanny dead until Adair offers her the gift of immortality and possibly forever for her and Jonathan.

This is where the story took me on an emotional and downright disturbing ride. Katsu has drawn such a detailed picture of Adair. I was horrified to learn his background and even more shaken to see what he had become. The story of how he was sold to a cruel alchemist as a naive and innocent boy turned cruel, sadistic leader was tragic beyond words.

The Taker is really several stories told within a story. Lanny in present time after she is brought to a Maine hospital as a murder suspect and through flashbacks spanning 200 years recounting her and Adair's tales. It was very reminiscent of Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice where the Vampire Louie recalled his tragic life to a reporter.

The present day chapters didn't really grip me the way the past did. Lanny meets a Dr. named Luke Findley who, of course, is immediately drawn to her and Lanny finally tells her story. She's lived with guilt and shame for centuries and finally feels the need to unburden herself. She also needs Luke to help her escape from the police and a murder charge.

I wanted to feel sympathy for the characters because of what they've endured but I just couldn't. I only felt pity. Lanny and Jonathan in particular seem to be passive about everything that happens in their lives as if they had no choices other that the ones they've made. Unfortunately, we never really learned much about Jonathan other than he was beautiful which seems a poor reason for Lanny to be inspired to basically sell her soul for him. To her credit Lanny acknowledges this fact. Adair….well let's just say his situation is more complicated. I in no way liked him or condoned any of his actions, but he was incredibly fascinating and I could see how he got to the place he is at.

I wish at least one person was redeemable or even moderately likable but I couldn't find it. Even Luke who may bring hope for Lanny's redemption didn't make much of an impression. I almost see a set up of him being so infatuated with Lanny that he doesn't see her using him to do her bidding like Jonathan used her. This is the first book in a series so I could be way off base here and Lanny could be, in fact, on her way to finding true love or at least redemption. I hope so for everyone's sake. They most certainly deserve it.

I have to warn you that this is a very dark tale of tragedy, selfishness and hedonistic behavior. The sex scenes are plentiful and for me in no way romantic but were surprisingly not graphic. Honestly, I found what she didn't write far more disturbing when left to my imagination than if Katsu had been more graphic. The author uses sex in The Taker not as titillation but as a psychological weapon (IMHO anyway). It's not going to be for everyone and I had a hard time with it myself. I'm used to having at least one character to pin my hopes on….a glimmer of a happily ever after. You're not going to find that here.

Rating: 3 out of 4: Definitely not for the faint of heart. The Taker is beautifully written with characters that will shock and offend you but hopefully you will see it as a cautionary tale. I do wish that Lanny and Jonathan's story was fleshed out more so that I could see what about him was worth all the sacrifices Lanny made. Adair was both revolting and riveting as the villain.
Tragic..... yes, but I could not look away.

Alma Katsu: website | Facebook | Twitter
Buy the book! The Taker
Source: Provided by the publisher/author for my honest review
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Gallery Press

*To purchase The Taker inspired jewelry visit Cadsawan Jewelry

Hug an Author Blog Hop! Part 1

2011-12-07T07:59:00.000-05:00

They've included a few prompt questions to get things started.

Is there an author who brought you back/to reading? Those of you who have followed my blog for a long time can look away now - you know what's coming……Jeri Smith-Ready.

I guess strictly speaking it was the Twilight Saga that brought me back to reading, but it's Jeri's writing that has touched me the most and has had the greatest lasting impact on me.

I originally read her WVMP Radio Vampire series and fell in love with the snarky, fun writing style, then moved on to the Aspect of Crow series that absolutely blew my mind with it's awesomeness. To this day it is my favorite series ever.

More than that though is Jeri herself. She was the first author who I wrote a fangirly, embarrassing TMI filled email to. She was amazingly kind and generous to me. Because of her response, I forged ahead and started blogging to share my love of reading. I may seem social to you guys but I'm actually painfully shy. It was a huge deal to put myself out there and I have Jeri to thank for the inspiration to do so.

The other thing she gave me through her books is a new found appreciation of music. Anyone who reads Jeri's books knows how important music is in her writing. I had always listened to music in the car but honestly I could care less what was on. Since reading the WVMP series, complete with playlists, I am now a HUGE music fan. I had attended maybe 3 concerts in my lifetime (the last one Prince in the 80's), now I probably go to three a month!

Is there an author you've met or attended their signing? I've had the opportunity to meet Jeri on several occasions and she's the real deal. What you see on Twitter and her blog is really her. She's a truly kind and generous person. It's wonderful to admire someones talent and then not be let down when you meet them in person.

The YA Sisterhood's Tournament of Heroines has kicked off and Aura, from Jeri's Shade series, is up for her first round of voting on December 14th!

Her advocate is one of my favorite people ever.... Brooke from Brooke Reports. Go check out her post, grab some buttons and stay tuned to Jeri's blog for some pretty cool incentives in store if Aura wins her first round!

Friday I'll have another hug an author post and answer the question:

Which author wrote the character you would want as your best friend?

Review: Devil's Kiss by Zoe Archer

2011-12-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

1762. James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney, is a gambling man. Not for the money. But for the thrill, the danger—and the company: Whit has become one of the infamous Hellraisers, losing himself in the chase for adventure and pleasure with his four closest friends.

Which was how Whit found himself in a gypsy encampment, betting against a lovely Romani girl. Zora Grey’s smoky voice and sharp tongue entrance Whit nearly as much as her clever hands—watching them handle cards inspires thoughts of another kind...

Zora can’t explain her attraction to the careless blue-eyed Whit. She also can’t stop him and his Hellraisers from a fiendish curse: the power to grant their own hearts’ desires, to chase their pleasures from the merely debauched to the truly diabolical. And if Zora can’t save Whit, she still has to escape him. (Paranormal, historical romance)

Review:
In Zoe Archer's new series she takes us to the year 1762 and introduces us to five friends, known as the Hellraisers, for their relentless pursuit of adventure and life's pleasures.

James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney (Whit) meets a gypsy beauty named Zora at her family camp. They have an instant connection. Zora doesn't usually believe in superstitions but she has a heavy sense of foreboding as Whit leaves her camp with his friends to tour a local ruin that evening.

Zora's intuition is correct and she arrives too late to stop the longtime friends from entering a deal with the devil himself. Whit's vice is gambling. In his exchange with the devil, Whit receives the gift to control the odds unaware of just how high the cost.

"For you, my dear Lord Whitney, I shall grant you the ability to control the odds. You can make them good or bad, as you require."

Once the bargain has been sealed, Whit and Zora are tied to each other. Whit is pleased that his deal also won him his fiery gypsy but Zora will not give in to the man, no matter how attractive, until he turns his back on the devil and regains his soul.

I can't even tell you how much I loved Zora. She has got to be one of my favorite heroines in a long time. She's beautiful, confident and intelligent but most of all she has values that she will not compromise. Even in the heat of lust. You go girl!

Whit was passionate, and I loved how much he respected Zora and treated her as an equal although he didn't really stand out for me. Their declarations for each other also seemed a bit much at times.

One thing that didn't work for me is the setting. This is more a reflection of my reading preferences, not about the writing itself. Since the series takes place in 1762 there is fair bit of descriptions about cravats and corsets and the like but I'm just not a big fan of historical romances or the language of that time period. If you are, then this might be a better fit for you.

Archer skillfully blended elements of paranormal, historical, and gypsy mythology. I definitely enjoyed the magic the most. I don't want to spoil it but I particularly loved just how Zora came to be in Whit's "possession". Nice twist.

In order to save his soul, Whit also has to choose between his friends and Zora. Whit is continually drawn to the dark and the lure of beating the odds as his friends beckon him. I thought that played out nicely and is a good set up for the next books in the series. It seems that both Whit and Zora may be players and not cast aside. (I hope anyway)

According to Archer's book trailer, not all of the men will get their happily ever after. That makes for a fun twist.

Rating: 3 out of 4 The historical feel was not a favorite of mine but I adored the feisty and intelligent Zora and the creative use of magic in this story.

Author: website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr
Buy the book! Devil's Kiss
Publisher: Zebra
Source: ARC provided by the author for my honest review

Book trailer:

Guest post by Richard Due - From Sketch to Chapter Art

2011-12-05T07:37:00.000-05:00

Karen: I'm thrilled to have author Richard Due on the blog today with this fascinating guest post; From Sketch to Chapter Art, an Illustrator at Work. Richard interviews Moon Coin illustrator Carolyn Arcabascio about the process of turning his words into works of art.

Gibbering Gnome Press Presents a Tale of Epic Fantasy - The Moon Coin

For Lily and Jasper Winter, the Moon Realm began with a single secret bedtime tale. As the children grew older, Uncle Ebb enthralled them with thrilling tales of the Dragondain riding horse-sized, catlike Rinn; mysterious tales of peerin-wielding lunamancers manipulating the magic that lies just beneath the surface of reality; exciting tales of flying dragons, swimming merfolk, stomping giants, and troublesome faeries. But as the magic of their childhood faded, so too did the tales. Eventually, they were just . . . good stories.

Or were they?

Now, nine years after it all began, Uncle Ebb is missing.

Lily and Jasper search for clues, but their uncle's mansion is full of distractions. A Tesla generator thrums in the basement. Prismatic electrimals flit around walls resembling underwater reefs. Then a most unexpected friend comes to their aid, leading them to a hidden room where they find a mysterious coin—the moon coin. Before the night is out, Lily is transported to the real Moon Realm. But the moons are in trouble. The Rinn of Barreth are under siege, and the lunamancers of Dain are beset by the very dragons they once loved. Most horrifying of all, the moon Darwyth has fallen to a villain named Wrengfoul, whose creeping evil now threatens to overshadow all the Realm.

Are Lily and Jasper too late to save the Moon Realm, or will they have enough time to write an ending of their own?

Featuring twenty-two stunning full-color illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio. Volume One of the young adult fantasy adventure series The Moon Realm.

From Sketch to Chapter Art, an Illustrator at Work

by Richard Due

For me, getting to work with Carolyn Arcabascio was a dream come true. On The Moon Coin, we worked from a master list of scene options, with Carolyn picking out scenes she liked and making sketches. For the prologue, Carolyn drafted three options. All three were great, but two in particular were spectacular. I first went with option 3 (one of my scene suggestions). I think we spent more time on this sketch and subsequent color drawing than on any other piece. But it never seemed right. At the eleventh hour, I asked Carolyn how hard she’d hit me if I suggested scrapping the thing and instead going with the pinky promise scene you see below (one of her scene suggestions). Carolyn responded: "There would be no hitting involved!" and told me it wouldn't be a problem. You sure can't ask for better than that.

From the Prologue: Bedtime Tales.

Richard: Did you make all these sketches in the same location, Carolyn?

Carolyn: Yes, I do all of my work at a drafting table that's situated in a little nook of my apartment in Acton, Massachusetts. There's a bookshelf to my right and a wall of "inspiration" to my left, where I hang prints of other artists' and illustrators' work. On either side of my drafting table are drawers of supplies, and stacks of sketchbooks and old paintings. The drafting table faces a window overlooking a quiet street and the woods beyond it.

From Chapter Two: A Coin of the Realm.

Richard: Do you use models when you're sketching?

Carolyn: I use a combination of models and photo references. If I need to work out the nuances of a character's posture and really understand the perspective of it, I'll ask whatever friend or family member is handy to pose for a sketch. Often, I'll get into the position myself or mimic the facial expression I want to portray in order to get the feel of it. And sometimes, if there's a character being portrayed multiple times across scenes, I'll make a rough model of their head out of clay so I'll have it to refer to.

From Chapter Four: To Barreth.

Richard: When drawing fantastical creatures, do you use bits and pieces of real animals for inspiration, or have you actually seen a wirtle and you're just not telling us? ;)

Carolyn: No wirtles native to Massachusetts, fortunately! When figuring out the look of fantastical creatures, I use photo references of different animals to understand the way the anatomy might work, and then combine features as I see fit and as the story calls for. To understand the wirtle's legs and paws, for example, I referred to a series of photographs of show dogs leaping over hurdles. The severely arched, scruffy back was influenced by photos of hyenas on the prowl. The bone-structure of the face ended up being something of a cross between a cow and a warthog, and I wanted the snout to be bare—kind of gross and raw-looking. Add it all up and, voila! We have a wirtle.

The Moon Coin, by Richard Due, is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the iBookstore for $2.99.

❍

Gibbering Gnome Press, A Division of Ingenious Inventions Run Amok, Ink™

The Moon Realm™

My two year Blogoversary Bash Giveaway!

2011-12-03T11:09:00.004-05:00

I'm two! Well my blog is anyway!

For What It's Worth will be two years old on December 15th - but let's celebrate all month shall we??

You know I love a good giveaway and I had to have a BIG one since it's been TWO years since I started blogging, plus it's the holiday season!

Let's get right down to it......

There will be FOUR winners!

First Prize!

A $50.00 Amazon Gift Card (International winner will receive $50 in books from The Book Depository)

Second Prize:

Your choice of THREE books from my favorite reads of 2011. (selection below)

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Enclave by Ann Aguirre, Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready (as part of the Enthralled anthology - various authors), Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Third Prize:

Ok - I'm going to interrupt this giveaway post and take a moment to thank a few special people who have really made blogging such an incredible experience, especially over the past year. (it results in a prize for you!)

To: Tiger - All-Consuming Books, Julie - My 5 Monkey's, Alex - Eclectic Inspirations, Brooke - Brooke Reports, Tori - Book Faery, Carrie - In the Hammock Blog, & Lena Beana - Addicted 2 Novels.....

Thanks to all of you for sharing the book love (and sometimes letting me vent when it's not book love). Thank you for helping me through reading slumps, blogging slumps and a host of other blogging dilemmas. Most of all, THANK YOU for ALWAYS making me laugh!! You all keep me sane (or something resembling sanity). Love you all!!

I asked Tiger, Julie, Lena, Alex, Brooke, Tori, Carrie & Lena to tell me their favorite books for 2011. (Several of them picked Enclave so I added it to the mix)

You get to choose TWO books from their favorites! (selection below)

Divergent by Veronica Roth, Crossed by Ally Condie, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Dearly Departed by Lia Habel, Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade, Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Fourth Prize:

You get all four of my favorite indie/self published books of the year via Amazon Kindle:

Between the Lines & Wherever You Are by Tammara Webber, Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine, Geek Girl by Cindy Bennett

Fourth place prize is for US Only - and you need a Kindle or e-reader with the ability to read Kindle books for this prize.

*Giveaway Ends December 31st.

*International entries ok for prizes 1 - 3, as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.
Fourth place prize s US only.

*Just fill out the Form below and I'll announce the winner on January 1st!

This giveaway has ended

Winners announced HERE

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

2011-12-01T20:02:00.000-05:00

The Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

This hop runs from December 2nd - December 6th

Winner will be announced December 7th!

The Prize:

Your choice of any ONE book up to $15 value form Amazon.com or The Book Depository, as long as your country is on this list.

To enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Extra entries:

+2 if you follow this blog
+1 if you follow me - @teamsheltie on Twitter

2011 YA Story Scavenger Hunt!

2011-12-01T06:47:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! I'm today's hunt stop for the Most Important Letter's 2011 YA Story Scavenger Hunt!

Follow the hunt every day during the month of December! Answer the daily trivia questions from MG and YA books published during 2011 to be entered into the YA book giveaway.

For more information check out the page here.

Today's question is from Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann.

Question #1: Kendall suffers from what psychological condition? (Abbreviation accepted.)

Remember to fill out your answer in the form at Most Important Letter here!

(Be sure to enter your answer for this question in the "question 1" box)

Tune in Tuesday - Of Monsters and Men

2011-11-29T08:11:00.000-05:00

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to share the music we're listening to and maybe discover someone new.

This week my pick is Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"

Of Monsters and Men is an indie/folk band from Iceland. I've been hearing this song on Sirius's - Alt Nation a lot recently and it's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. It has a bit of a Mumford & Sons feel to it.

Bio: Of Monsters and Men are the 2010 winners of Músiktilraunir (a nation wide battle of the bands competition). The band's name is apt and fitting to their lyrics, which mostly comprise stories of all kinds of monsters, both fictional and human. While they used to be mainly an acoustic band, OM&M has taken their sound to a different level with the addition of bass, drums, piano and the accordion. Creating a bigger sound.

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Gratitude Giveaway Hop Winner!

2011-11-28T11:17:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Gratitude Giveaway Hop is:

REN

Congratulations - an email has been sent.

My 2 year blogoversary giveaway starts Thursday, December 1st!!!

Sunday Ramblings...

2011-11-27T14:44:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!

I've been a little scarce over the holidays and I'm enjoying it so much I'm hoping to continue through until Christmas. I need a bloggy break!

I do have several things planned and a few reviews already written so it won't be a complete ghost blog during the whole month of December.

Here's a quick summary for all the giveaways and Hops I have scheduled:

December 1st

Most Important Letter will be hosting a YA Scavenger Hunt for the month of December. My trivia question will be posted here on December 1st and a second question on the 16th!

My blog will be TWO on December 15th! I'm kicking things off early with a month long giveaway with fantabulous prizes!

December 5-10th

Hug an Author Hop, hosted by Bringing the Epic, And Many to Read Before I Sleep, and What’s On the Bookshelf. There's still time to sign up and declare your author love!

Giveaway Hops!

OOPS! I forgot how many of these I signed up for.....oh well, it's all good for you!

December 2nd - Book Lover's Holiday Hop
December 11th - Gift Card Giveaway Hop
December 21st - Mid-Winter Giveaway Hop
December 28th - Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop

Guest Posts

December 5th - Moon Coin author Richard Due "From Sketch to Chapter Art, an Illustrator at Work"
December 13th - My stop on the Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout Blog Tour

Reviews:

Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith
The Taker by Alma Katsu
Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

And..... A shout out to two of my favorite bloggers who will be advocates in the YA Sisterhood's Tournament of Heroines

Brooke - Brooke Reports will be an advocate for Aura from Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade series.

Julie - My 5 Monkey's will be an advocate for Tris from the DIvergent series. Her first match up is December 7th - Match #8

Congratulations girls and good luck!

That doesn't really seem like much of a break does it? Most of the posts are already written so I hope to kick back for the month and do a little reading for fun (what's that again??) and maybe stay away from the computer for a day or two.

I hope you all have a safe holiday season filled with whatever you wish for the most!

Where to find me:

Twitter
Google+
Goodreads
FeedBurner
Facebook

In My Mailbox

2011-11-26T13:21:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight what books we've received for the week.

No books this week :-(

BUT......

I got a Kindle Fire!!!

Sorry for the bad picture quality. I'll try to do a more in depth review of it once I've gotten to play with it a little longer.

I really love it so far. The picture quality is incredible! I'm uploading all my music onto the Kindle Cloud right now so I should be able to listen to that soon enough. It's very easy to download apps, order from Amazon, access your Kindle books.

A few things that I don't like so much.....

There is no way to organize your books into folders. For example: review/to-read/YA/read etc. A regular Kindle doesn't have this option either but I was hoping it would be remedied with the Fire. It seems like this would be an obvious and standard feature to me.

Note: I stand corrected here as to the regular Kindle. They do have a collections feature. The Fire doesn't though and I can't even fathom why not. Maybe it will be an update.

The other big thing for me is there are no compatible readers at the moment (such as Bluefire) so I can't read DRM protected Netgalley books on the FIre. This seems to be an Amazon issue as Bluefire has said that they did make an approved app but Amazon does not allow you to load it at this time.

So....a few minor peeves but at the price of $199 this is one amazing reader that allows you to read, watch movies, tweet, play games, email and more.

As I've said I'll do a more detailed review after I've used it for a month or so. I've had it a few days and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you don't want to pay for the pricier iPad.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Tune in Tuesday

2011-11-22T08:16:00.000-05:00

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to share the music we're listening to and maybe discover someone new.

I read Saving June by Hannah Harrington and one of the things I loved about it was the inclusion of three playlists at the back of the book.

One of them is titled "Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum" ("Don't let the bastards grind you down")

In the book June was a girl that seemingly has it all on the outside but ends up committing suicide. Music is prominent throughout the book but it wasn't until after I finished and listened to the playlists that I really saw how the lyrics fit into the story.

Gloomy Sunday by Billie Holiday really hit home with me. Saving June is about the survivors and the aftermath of suicide but the lyrics of Gloomy Sunday allowed me see the story through June's eyes even though she never makes an appearance in the book. And I just love Billie Holiday.

Have I thoroughly depressed you?

OK - Let's switch gears to another song on a different Saving June playlist. Aptly named "Saving June" as her sister and friends drive to California with June's ashes.

ABBA - Take a Chance on Me

Review: The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks (KGI #1)

2011-11-21T08:07:00.000-05:00

It's been a year since ex-Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly saw his wife Rachel alive. Now he's received an anonymous phone call claiming Rachel is alive. To find her, Ethan will have to dodge bullets, cross a jungle, and risk falling captive to a deadly drug cartel that threatens his own demise.

Review:
The Darkest Hour was a pleasant surprise for me. Maya Bank's has written a love story with heart wrenching loss, rediscovery and complexity that isn't often seen in romance novels.

Ethan's wife Rachel died a year ago in a plane crash while on a relief mission, or so he thought. On the one year anniversary of her death he receives a package informing Ethan that Rachel is still alive and being held prisoner in the Columbian jungle by a drug cartel.

Luckily Ethan is a former Navy Seal with 5 brothers who run a private security agency called Kelly Group International. Everyone is dubious of the claims at first. Why would anyone go throughout the trouble of faking Rachel's death? Going so far as to give Ethan her remains and wedding ring, then keep her alive in the Columbian jungle for a year without asking for ransom.

Despite their reservations Ethan and his brothers head into the jungle on a rescue mission. What they discover is horrifying. Rachel is indeed alive but barely. She has been drugged to the point of addiction and is left with very little memory of her past. She recognizes Ethan and his brother Garrett…although vaguely at first. It's more a sense of knowing she can trust these people than actual recognition of her past.

The way the trauma Rachel has endured and Ethan's reaction to her trauma was handled was a breath of fresh air. Rachel is suffering from both withdrawals from the drugs and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from her cruel captivity. This was handled so delicately. So many books use lust and sex to sweep away all of the couples problems. The Darkest Hour really delves into Ethan and Rachel's relationship in a realistic way. Their marriage wasn't perfect before her presumed death. Ethan carries around a lot of guilt about that. He has her back and he doesn't ever want to let her go again. Rachel is struggling to become a wife to a man she is beginning to love again although she has nagging suspicions about their past. They really have to work at it, slowly breaking down barriers. It's not easy and there are setbacks which only make sense.

The mystery as to why Rachel was kidnapped is believable and interesting. She's still in danger once she's home after certain parties find out she's still alive. This got a little old for me. One attack sure, two possibly but after the third or maybe fourth time she gets attacked I was beginning to roll my eyes and be done with it.

One other thing that bothered me was a shift in POV. This is the first book to a series so I believe the author was setting up the next books a bit which is fine. The parents of the Kelly brothers are a hoot. Mom is no nonsense, keeping her boys in line no matter how big they get. Loved her……but I didn't need to read her POV or about the stray homeless girl, Rusty that she takes in. It seemed to me that the main story of Rachel was plenty and pretty traumatic so shifting to a girl whining about how no one thinks she's important didn't really move me. Sure I felt bad but I was focused on Ethan and Rachel's plight. Maybe Rusty is important in future stories but I didn't enjoy her here.

Rating: 3.5 out 4: Impressive story that favored character development over a quick solution. A few missteps but overall I adored The Darkest Hour. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series. The Kelly brothers are full on alphas, I could almost feel the testosterone oozing off the page, but they weren't afraid to show their feelings and tenderness to the people they loved.

Author: website | Twitter | Facebook
Source: Purchased
Buy the book! Amazon
Publisher: Berkley Sensation (July 29th 2010)

Sunday Ramblings...

2011-11-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

"Sally"

I haven't done a Sunday Ramblings in a few weeks because honestly I needed a breather from posting. I was suffering from a bit of blogger burnout. The self imposed desire to have a new post everyday was wearing me down so I decided to relax a little and go to other things that didn't involve sitting at my computer fighting with Blogger for several hours per day.

Things like playing with my friends new puppy....Sally....pictured above. Puppies make everything better.

Any-hoo.....since I haven't done a wrap-up in a while, I'll be putting all the links to the reviews and meme's from the past few weeks in case you've missed something.

I do believe my slump is over.....thankfully just in time for my 2 year Blogoversary next month!

Reviews:
Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst
The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
Where You Are by Tammara Webber
Shadowlander by Theresa Meyers
She Smells the Dead by E.J. Stevens
Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Memes:
Tune in Tuesday's
In My Mailbox

Giveaway!
Gratitude Giveaway Hop! Pick your book! Open to international entries - ends 11/27!

Have a great Sunday! and welcome to all the new followers from the giveaway hop!

Review: Saving June by Hannah Harrington

2011-11-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again. (YA - Contemporary, Fiction)

Review:
I'm not sure how exactly to describe Saving June. I think it defies being pigeon holed into one particular genre. It's a story about grief, despair and death. However, it's also a story about joy, discovery and living. Then just to defy description again, Saving June is a hilarious road trip adventure filled with a nostalgic nod to the power of music to change and heal a fractured soul.

"He took his pain and turned it into something beautiful. Into something that people connect to. And that's what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you." Jake speaking about Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven.

Harper's older sister June commits suicide leaving Harper shattered. June was always the perfect over achieving sister, at least in Harper's eyes, and now she wonders what signs she missed, regrets her last words spoken to June and wonders what her place in her broken family is.

While Harper's divorced parents are arguing over how to split June's ashes, she hatches a plan to grant June one last wish. June's dream was always to go to California. Harper, her best friend Laney and a mysterious boy named Jake take June's urn and embark on a road trip to take June to her final destination and discover truths about themselves along the way.

This is where this review gets dicey for me. There are things I adored about Saving June. I mean really LOVE! The prose is beautiful. Harrington is a truly gifted writer. I read the book in under 8 hours, I was fully engrossed.

However…..the characters were all fairly selfish. Harper stole her sister's ashes. I could never shake that fact. I deliberately had to shove that in the back of mind so I didn't think of how agonizing it must have been for her mother to have not only lost one daughter, but to also lose the choice of how to dispose of her ashes PLUS have your only remaining daughter missing with only a note and a "trust me" to go on.

Laney the best friend is described as a free spirit, always looking for adventure, willing to skinny dip with total strangers, and having random hook ups. She's an incredible and loyal best friend that I liked a lot but OMG how I worried about her safety. There is nothing fun about getting trashed on Tequila and swimming naked in the ocean at night with two other total strangers when you are 16 years old.

As Jake says: "A bunch of drunk kids skinny-dipping in the middle of the night. That'll end well."

I'm not sure if it's my age (46) or something else. I think these things do happen and I was not a perfect teenager….at all… but I felt these kids were engaged in some pretty dangerous behaviors. I know I was just supposed to go with the free spirit - this is a fun road trip, coming of age, adventure of a lifetime feeling but I just couldn't relax about it and have fun as I think the author intended. I do want to point out that lessons are learned and there are a few consequences but for the most part these kids lucked out.

Jake is a really nice, quirky guy who is REALLY into music. Mostly old. Meaning I'm old because it was all the music I grew up with. The Rolling Stones, ABBA, Tom Waite, The Doors…. Just put on a song and Jake Tolan will tell the story behind the song and the artist. Consider him your personal VH1 Behind the Music narrator. I think this was my favorite part of the book. He's incredibly patient with Harper (even when he's snapping at her) and has his own reasons for wanting to be on this trip. His connection to June is kept vague for much of the book. I enjoyed his relationship with Harper and Laney. He called them out on their bullshit even though he needs to be called out on occasion too (which Harper does quite well).

There were tone shifts throughout the book that threw me a bit also. I would be reading a philosophical debate about the existence of God and then the next scene would be about going Fridgehenge at a dump. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

Saving June was one of those really unique reading experiences for me. I loved all the characters, yet I was horrified by some of their behavior. I felt the ending was way too neat and tidy but I finished the book with a wide smile on my face.

Much as the book defies description, so does my reaction to reading it.

Yeah - I know that doesn't make much sense or help you decide if you want to read it or not but that's how I felt. I will say three of my blogger friends put Saving June on their top reads for the year if that helps.

My final thought after I put the book down was to run to listen to music for hours non stop. I tweeted this: "Saving June by Hannah Harrington makes me want to listen to every song ever written and have Jake Tolan explain every one of them to me."

Rating: 2 out of 4 or wait.....4 out of 4?? I just don't know….I'm still thinking about it…..I felt a jumble of emotions when I finished.

Hannah Harrington can be found on | twitter.
Buy the book! Amazon
Source: BEA
Publisher: Harlequin Teen May 1, 2011

Gratitude Giveaway Hop!

2011-11-16T22:28:00.000-05:00

The November Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

and my blogger BFF Tiger from All-Consuming Books!

This hop runs from November 17th - Novemeber 27th.

Winner will be announced November 28th!

THE PRIZE.......

Your choice of any book up to $15. value from Amazon or The Book Depository, as long as your country is on this list.

To Enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter form below & you must be a GFC follower

GOOD LUCK, Happy Hopping and....

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-11-16T07:41:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine to spotlight upcoming releases that we're anticipating.

Girl of Nightmares (Anna #2)

by Kendare Blake

Publisher: Tor Teen

Expected publication: August 2012

Summary:
Cas doesn’t know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn’t deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it’s time for him to return the favor.

I really loved Anna Dressed in Blood (you can read my over enthusiastic review here) and when I saw this cover I just about passed out. How awesome is that cover?? But now I'm really worried about Anna....those of you who read the the first book know what I mean. And Cas.... I need more Cas.

Tune in Tuesday

2011-11-15T08:26:00.000-05:00

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to share the music we're listening to and maybe discover someone new.

My pick this week is an oldie. "I Melt With You" by Modern English. I fell in love with this song back in the 80's. I don't believe it was ever that big of a mainstream hit but I still hear it on the radio at least two or three times a year. I absolutely love this song to this day.

I mean c'mon! He'll STOP THE WORLD & melt with you! lol How romantic.

I found the original video but I will spare you that. It almost ruined the song for me. This was the 80's and the early days of MTV - some things don't need to be seen.

Review: She Smells the Dead by E.J. Stevens

2011-11-14T08:27:00.000-05:00

It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like the ghost hunting on television.

SHE SMELLS THE DEAD.

The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki's friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears.

Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?

Review:

I have been dying to read this series for a very long time. Just look at that cover - so pretty and creepy!!
I'm really happy to say that in the book Yuki is described exactly how she appears on the cover.

I loved Yuki's personality; she's very confident in her quirkiness but she's not one of those rebellious types trying to buck the system. She's in a black dress with combat boots and heavy eyeliner because that's what she likes - not as an F-you to the world. She is picked on a bit by the jocks but she has her friends by her side and is pretty well adjusted.

Yuki can also smell the dead as the title implies. Whenever a ghost is near, she can pick up a smell impression rather than see them. In order to make the spirit go away she has to find out what he/she needs resolved in order to pass on by following these scent trails.

In She Smells the Dead Yuki is trying to help a spirit pass on and believes that his death was a result of murder, which puts Yuki and her friends in more danger than usual as they try to solve the case.

Yuki treats this talent as very matter of fact, going about her business with the help of her best friends Calvin and Emma to solve the mysteries of the undead. I never really understood when or why Yuki obtained this particular gift. If it bothers her, she doesn't really show it which was quite refreshing actually but I still felt like I was missing some background information.

As an added romantic element, she is beginning to have feelings other than friendship for best friend Calvin who is suddenly acting a little weird and distant. I absolutely loved the relationship between Calvin and Yuki. He's such a great guy and they have such a great rapport. There is a twist to the story connecting them in a pretty cool way that really adds to the paranormal feel.

Emma is hysterical as Yuki's other best friend. Another kookie character for sure but she cracked me up fighting for bee rights or any number of her other causes. She's loyal, compassionate and smart.

She Smells the Dead was a fun lighter type of mystery with paranormal elements. I think I would recommend this to younger teenage readers or those who are tired of the overblown, angst and drama of a lot of the YA out there right now. For my reading tastes, I would have liked it to be a bit darker and edgier but I did enjoy all the characters. This is a really quick novella length read that leaves the door open to future adventures that hopefully explain more about Yuki's powers. I'm also looking forward to learning more about Calvin and Emma.

Rating: 3 out 4: Cute, quick read. I would have liked the story to have delved a little deeper concerning Yuki's gift and the ending was fairly abrupt leaving me with an unresolved feeling but the characters are so sweet and fun to be around I didn't mind too much.

Find the author: E.J. Stevens writes poetry and young adult paranormal novels. E.J. is the author of the haunting collection of dark poetry From the Shadows, the chilling collection of paranormal poetry Shadows of Myth and Legend, and the young adult paranormal Spirit Guide Series, including She Smells the Dead, Spirit Storm, and Legend of Witchtrot Road.

When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she can be found blogging at From the Shadows, a paranormal book blog, or hanging out on Goodreads or Twitter.

Buy the Books! Amazon
Source: Provided by the author for my honest review.

You may also be interested in: My interview with E.J. Stevens (NOTE: the giveaway has ended)

In My Mailbox

2011-11-12T12:00:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight what books we've received for the week.

Bought:

Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, Book 1) by JL Bryan - FREE for the Kindle on Amazon
This sounds like a creepy cool new series....and did I mention FREE for the Kindle??

Review:

The Start-Up & The Anti-Social Network by Sadie Hayes
Thank you Sadie and Backlit Fiction!
Cool cover!

And finally my friend Julie from My 5 Monkey's sent me:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Stop yelling at me people - I'll read Shatter Me - I promise! lol

What did you get this week?

November Giveaway Hop Winner!

2011-11-12T11:38:00.000-05:00

The winner of the November Giveaway Hop is:

nfmgirl

Congratulations!

The winner has been contacted.

Welcome to all the new followers - I hope you stick around.

The Gratitude Hop starts November 17th!

Review: Shadowlander by Theresa Meyers

2011-11-10T09:53:00.000-05:00

Review:
Cate O'Connell and her three sisters have lived by these three simple rules:

O'Connell Family Rule #1: Don't let the Fae know you see them.
O'Connell Family Rule #2: Don't talk to the Fae.
O'Connell Family Rule #3: Never, ever follow them.

As a seer, one of the few humans with the ability to see the Fae, Cate has trained herself well to mask her reactions to the creatures as they interfere in the daily life of humanity. There may be a tiny ferret looking Fae taking a dip in her iced tea, a toad like Fae digging into the dessert cart or a very sexy Fae male named Rook following her every move that sets her heart racing. All must be ignored so that they remain unaware of her ability. For as long as Cate can remember, her Grandmother has warned her of the danger the Fae pose to her and her sisters.

Cate can no longer afford to hide her gift when her friend Maya is kidnapped by the Fae. Her only hope to get Maya back may be trusting Rook and venturing into the world from which she tried to stay hidden for so long.

Rook is shocked when he realizes Cate can see him. He is even more shocked to discover that she is a Seer. Cate can be used to open the gates between the Fae worlds and help his people win the war against his rivals then eventually help them control the human realm. Rook has been enchanted by Cate for years and is torn between duty to his people as High Court Advisor to his father The Shadow King and to his attraction to Cate.

If Rook hands her over to the court, Cate will be revered and honored by his people as a rare Seer among their ranks but she will also belong to the king and serve as his consort. Rook isn't sure he will be able to let her go so he agrees to help her find her friend in the hopes that Cate will choose to bond with him of her free will and stay in the Shadowland with him.

Shadowlander is a novella that moves at warp speed. On the downside, the relationship and conclusion all come on pretty fast (the book was just over 100 pages on my iPad - 540KB). On the positive side, Meyers has kept her story lean with only essential information with little filler. She has managed to create a fairly complex world, characters, and plot in a very short time frame. I'm not a fan of insta-love but I was able to let my logic take a time out for this one to believe in Cate and Rook. The way he admires and respects her overcame any reservations I may have had. He's alpha for sure but not an ass. He wants her to choose him, not dominate her. I really loved the variety of creatures from the Fae world, especially the giant Black Panthers.

One minor peeve I had was Cate's friend Maya. What a self absorbed jerk. I never understood why they were good friends. I'm not sure I would have been as good as Cate, sacrificing myself to go save her but I guess it gets the story rolling so it's ok.

There was plenty of action and sexy times with a nice set up for the new Shadowlander series. I'm assuming that the future books will be focused on each sister's HEA. We didn't get much of an introduction to them and I'm sad to think we might not get to see more of Cate and Rook. I really enjoyed reading about them.

Rating: 3 out of 4 - Novella's are becoming my favorite "in-between" books to read. They're inexpensive and the ones I've read recently have been lots of fun with excellent plot development with a conclusion, all in under 1-2 hours. Can't beat that! Shadowlander definitely falls into this category. If you're looking for something quick, a palate cleanser, give this one a try.

Connect with Theresa: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | website | or blogging with the other Lolitas of Steamed

Buy the book! Amazon .99 | Barnes and Noble

Publisher: Entangled Publishing | Author page and Shadowlander excerpt

Source: Entangled Publishing via Netgalley

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-11-09T08:12:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine to spotlight upcoming releases that we're anticipating.

Timepiece (Hourglass #2)

By Myra McEntire

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Expected publication: June 12th

Stunning cover and I love the title. It sound mysterious, yet sophisticated.

Hourglass (book #1) is one of my top reads for this year. I admit that I picked it up based entirely on the stunning cover but for once wasn't disappointed with the story inside.

There isn't a synopsis for Timepiece yet but I'm sure it will be just as amazing as Hourglass!

What is your pick this week?

Tune in Tuesday

2011-11-08T07:45:00.002-05:00

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger over at GReads! to help spotlight the music we're listening to.

I find it incredibly depressing but what can I say - I do kind of prefer sad/angry music.

Buy the CD - All at Once
Airborne Toxic Event website

November Giveaway Hop!

2011-11-07T21:24:00.001-05:00

The November Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

This hop runs from November 8th - Novemeber 11th.

Winner will be announced November 12th!

THE PRIZE.......

Your choice of any book up to $15. value from Amazon or The Book Depository, as long as your country is on this list.

To Enter - fill out the mandatory entry on the Rafflecopter form.

Extra Entries:
+1 if you follow this blog
+1 if you follow me on Twitter (@teamsheltie)

Get hopping!