Dragonflowers and Books

Torment

2012-01-09T18:20:00.004-07:00

Torment

by Lauren Kate

394 pgs. on my iPad

Young Adult

Synopsis:

Hell on earth.

That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.
It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous.
What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

First Line:

Daniel stared out at the bay.

My Thoughts:

I really do love the covers of these books. Simply beautiful. This was a quick and good read. I like the story and can't wait to get my hands on the next one to see where it leads.

*Some swear words are included.

Favorite Line:

"What?" Molly barked as the whole group turned to gape at her. "I like that Nephilim. She reminds me of someone I know." pg. 375

Read more about the author here.

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

2011-12-30T16:58:00.002-07:00

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

by Lorna Landvik

593 pgs. (on my iPad)

Adult Fiction

Synopsis:

The women of Freesia Court are convinced that there is nothing good coffee, delectable desserts, and a strong shoulder can’t fix. Laughter is the glue that holds them together—the foundation of a book group they call AHEB (Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons), an unofficial “club” that becomes much more. It becomes a lifeline. Holding on through forty eventful years, there’s Faith, a lonely mother of twins who harbors a terrible secret that has condemned her to living a lie; big, beautiful Audrey, the resident sex queen who knows that with good posture and an attitude you can get away with anything; Merit, the shy doctor’s wife with the face of an angel and the private hell of an abusive husband; Kari, a wise woman with a wonderful laugh who knows the greatest gifts appear after life’s fiercest storms; and finally, Slip, a tiny spitfire of a woman who isn’t afraid to look trouble straight in the eye.

This stalwart group of friends depicts a special slice of American life, of stay-at-home days and new careers, of children and grandchildren, of bold beginnings and second chances, in which the power of forgiveness, understanding, and the perfectly timed giggle fit is the CPR that mends broken hearts and shattered dreams.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

I knew all about having my life saved.

My Thoughts:

I laughed out loud and cried my way through this book. This is a great read about friendship, family and love. What a great group of women to read about. I thought this book would drag out forever because of the length, but it was a quick and good read. I really liked reading the history through the decades through the groups eyes, their opinions, thoughts, and struggles.

**This book does contain several uses of the "F" word. Also, sex is mentioned.

Favorite Quotes:

"My point is, sometimes life's like a bad waiter and serves you exactly what you don't want. You can cry and scream and order him to take it back, but in the end, you're the one who has to deal with what's finally set before you." pg. 11

"Books were Faith's easiest friends. They demanded nothing from her but her attention. She opened the cover and ran her hand over the page, enjoying the paper's smooth, cool texture under her hand.

Chapter One. How many times in her life had those two words invited her to go to a different place, a better place than the one she lived in?" pg. 42

"What I had come to love about book club (besides the fabulous desserts and free liquor) was how in hearing so many opinions about the same book, your own opinion expanded, as if you'd read the book several times instead of just once." pg. 127

Read more about the author here.

The Hundred Dresses

2011-12-30T15:36:00.001-07:00

The Hundred Dresses

by Eleanor Estes

96 pgs.

Synopsis:

Never out of print since its 1944 publication, this tender story offers readers of all ages a timeless message of compassion and understanding. At its heart is Wanda Petronski, an immigrant girl in an American school, who is ridiculed for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. When she tells her classmates that she has one hundred dresses at home, she unwittingly triggers a game of teasing that eventually ends in a lesson for all.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Today, Monday, Wanda Petronski was not in her seat.

My Thoughts:

Great read and a great reminder to be kind. I'm going to read this to my kiddo's!

Read more about the author here.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

2011-12-30T12:00:00.002-07:00

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

by Tom Angleberger

141 pgs.

Synopsis:

In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

The big question: Is Origami Yoda real?

My Thoughts:

This book is too funny. One my oldest stole from me so she could read it first and giggled the entire time she read it. It's very Junior High (not something I'd like to repeat) and had me giggling and groaning from memories that came flooding back. Before I began reading the book, I heard a talk show with the author as guest speaker. He sounded like a fun and laid back kind of guy and someone who would write just the kind of book my kiddo's would like. It's a quick and easy read. Fun for ages 8 and up.

Favorite Quote:

Didn't Gandalf say, "With great power comes great responsibility?" (If it wasn't Gandalf, maybe it was Thomas Jefferson. Or Spider-Man's uncle.) pg. 102

Read more about the author here.

The Morning Gift

2011-12-30T11:46:00.001-07:00

The Morning Gift

by Eva Ibbotson

416 pgs.

Synopsis:

Twenty-year-old Ruth Berger is desperate. The daughter of a Jewish-Austrian professor, she was supposed to have escaped Vienna before the Nazis marched into the city. Yet the plan went completely wrong, and while her family and fiancé are waiting for her in safety, Ruth is stuck in Vienna with no way to escape. Then she encounters her father's younger college professor, the dashing British paleontologist Quin Sommerville. Together, they strike a bargain: a marriage of convenience, to be annulled as soon as they return to safety. But dissolving the marriage proves to be more difficult than either of them thought—not the least because of the undeniable attraction Quin and Ruth share. To make matters worse, Ruth is enrolled in Quin's university, in his very classes. Can their secret survive, or will circumstances destroy their love?

First Line:

Vienna has always been a city of myths.

My Thoughts:

Every book I've read written by Eva Ibbotson has been amazing. I love her style of writing and how there is so much history included. In my opinion, she's a very talented and gifted writer who writes books that I would read again and again.

Favorite Quote:

The sheep's butting head became more frenzies, but its mood was lifting. The string of bleats it was emitting seemed to be social rather than despairing. Then quite suddenly it sat down, sticking out one hoof and extending its neck like someone was listening to a lecture. "Very well, I will recite some Goethe for you, which you will like, I think, because he is an extremely calming poet, though somewhat melancholy, I do admit." pg. 134

Read more about the author here.

The Christmas Letters

2011-12-30T11:18:00.004-07:00

The Christmas Letters

by Bret Nicholaus

80 pgs.

Synopsis:

The nine letters Grandpa hands to his family each contain a personal story of how they brought joy to him.

First Line:

It's been about six months since that cool and rainy June afternoon when Grandpa passed away.

My Thoughts:

What amazing and great reminder of Christmas and family.

Read more about the author here.

The Looking Glass

2011-12-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

The Looking Glass

by Richard Paul Evans

352 pgs.

Synopsis:

The winter storms of the wide-open frontier reflect the anguish raging in Hunter Bell, a minister who heads to Utah's gold-mining towns after his wife dies in childbirth. A man with nothing left ot loose, he plays the card tables for money to care for his youngs daughter back home. But in the heart of a driving blizzard, Hunter makes a shocking discovery —and begins to see that a life tested by unthinkable cruelty can still be rich with faith, love, and hope for a better ...

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

There are those who find God in the order of the universe - evidenced in elements as small as atomic nuclei to forces as massive as the cosmic energy that holds galaxies at bay.

My Thoughts:

I always love a good story by Richard Paul Evans, and this was a good one. An easy and emotional read. Not the ending I was hoping for, but one to think about all the same.

Favorite Quote:

"While theirs is a story of redemption, it is, as well, a love story; they are, perhaps, the same. For it is true that all salvation comes only in and through love." pgs. 4-5

Read more about the author here.

Crossed

2011-12-08T13:43:00.001-07:00

Crossed

by Ally Condie

384 pgs

Young Adult

Synopsis:

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

I'm standing in a river.

My Thoughts:

Of course I loved this one! I really liked the first book in this series, and this is a great continuation. New characters, the return of old ones, new plots and twists...I think I read it in a day. Can't wait to read the next one!!

Favorite Quote:

"Good-byes are like this. You can't always mark them well at the moment of separation - no matter how deep they cut." pg. 335

Read more about the author here.

Happy Like Jesus

2011-12-08T13:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Like Jesus: Lessons From Jesus Christ on How to Live

by D. Kelly Ogden

128 pgs.

Synopsis:

Through chapters such as "Be Happy," "Be Prayerful," "Be Loving," and "Be Forgiving," the author takes us on a tour of seventeen attributes of our Savior and gives us hope that we can emulate those aspects of His personality. Readers will find much to inspire them to live better lives, to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ better, and, by emulating His life, to become Happy like Jesus.

(deseretbook.com)

First Line:

On both sides of the world the Savior taught that to have abundant life here on earth and everlasting life in heaven, we must look to him.

My Thoughts:

I purchased this book for several reasons. What really caught my eye was the cover. I have always envisioned Jesus as a happy and smiling person. I love this cover because it shows just that. This is a great book, with a lot of insight, stories and scriptures. Wonderful read!

Favorite Quote:

Scientist inform us that if we could position ourselves right in the center (the eye) of a hurricane, with fierce turbulence all around us, we could sit quietly reading the day's newspaper. It is perfectly calm at the center. So it is with the life of true disciples: though the evils of the world, and even our own saintly trials, rage around us, if we keep the Savior at the center of our lives, we can feel perfect serenity, his kind of peace, immediately around us." pg. 48

Read more about the author here.

What the Moon Saw

2011-12-08T10:48:00.001-07:00

What the Moon Saw

by Laura Resau

189 pgs. on my iPad

Young Adult

Synopsis:

Clara Luna's name means "clear moon" in Spanish. But lately, her head has felt anything but clear. One day a letter comes from Mexico, written in Spanish: Dear Clara, We invite you to our house for the summer. We will wait for you on the day of the full moon, in June, at the Oaxaca airport. Love, your grandparents.

Fourteen-year-old Clara has never met her father's parents. She knows he snuck over the border from Mexico as a teenager, but beyond that, she knows almost nothing about his childhood. When she agrees to go, she's stunned by her grandparents' life: they live in simple shacks in the mountains of southern Mexico, where most people speak not only Spanish, but an indigenous language, Mixteco.

The village of Yucuyoo holds other surprises, too-- like the spirit waterfall, which is heard but never seen. And Pedro, an intriguing young goatherder who wants to help Clara find the waterfall. Hearing her grandmother’s adventurous tales of growing up as a healer awakens Clara to the magic in Yucuyoo, and in her own soul.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

The moonlight touches them both tonight, despite the thousands of miles between them.

My Thoughts:

I do enjoy reading this authors books. There is always a great story with a little bit of magic. It is heartfelt and real and truly inspiring. I also like how the author writes.

Favorite Quotes:

"The most beautiful things in life are unexpected, Clara." pg. 37

"It's strange how life can switch from scary to funny in seconds, how one minute it seems as fragile as a butterfly and the next, as solid as obsidian." pg. 129

Read more about the author here.

Hollowland

2011-12-08T10:24:00.001-07:00

Hollowland

by Amanda Hocking

306 pgs.

Young Adult; 16+

Synopsis:

Hollowand - the first book in the young adult dystopian series The Hollows...

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

My Thoughts:

I always like a good zombie book. For me, this was a very fast paced, never dull book. I enjoyed it until the very end, and then I wanted more. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

*This book contains violence, some language and sexual situations.

Favorite Quote:

"Nobody had ever kissed me like that before, like he couldn't breathe without me." pg. 241

Read more about the author here.

Thanksgiving Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-08T10:18:00.001-07:00

By sheer random finger pointing at my computer screen, the following gal is the winner:

Terri M

I'm grateful for a washing machine that works too :)

Congratulations!

I'll be emailing you shortly!

Gratitude Giveaway Hop

2011-11-16T20:07:00.001-07:00

We've been crazy busy in this house this month with the adoption of our sweet girl, sickness and many other things. I promise to update soon. But for now, in honor of Happy Thanksgiving Week...a giveaway!

This time I'm giving away a $10 gift card to Amazon.

To enter, please leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you as well as share with us one thing that you're thankful for.

**As always, you do not have to be a follower to participate.

**I have one gift card to give away.

**This give-a-way is open until midnight, November 27th.

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer

2011-11-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer

My Life At Rose Red

288 pgs.

Synopsis:

At the turn of the twentieth century, Ellen Rimbauer became the young bride of Seattle industrialist John Rimbauer, and began keeping a remarkable diary. This diary became the secret place where Ellen could confess her fears of the new marriage, her confusion over her emerging sexuality, and the nightmare that her life would become. The diary not only follows the development of a girl into womanhood, it follows the construction of the Rimbauer mansion -- called Rose Red -- an enormous home that would be the site of so many horrific and inexplicable tragedies in the years ahead.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Dear Diary: I find it a somewhat daunting task to endeavor to place my thoughts here inside your trusted pages.

My Thoughts:

I remember being scared out of my wits and loving this movie.

So, I thought I'd read the book. Much to my disappointment, although I was scared at times, I did not like this book. I kept thinking I would, so I kept reading. Sad to say this is one of those cases I liked the movie, which is completely different than the book, much better.

What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Have you seen this movie?

*This book contains adult situations and relationships. It is not for kids. Sex is mentioned.

The Raven

2011-11-01T20:34:00.001-07:00

The Raven and other poems

by Edgar Allen Poe

With and Introduction by Philip Pullman

80 pgs.

Synopsis:

Hailed as one of America's most preeminent storytellers, Edgar Allen Poe broods in a collection of poems that will captivate your modern reader with their lyricism and unworldly visions. Lovers of scary tales will appreciate his truly original voice and get a good introduction to classical literature.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

How lucky you are, you who are about to read this poem for the first time.

My Thoughts:

I've always loved Edgar Allen Poe's works. Always. As I was reading this book, I decided to read The Raven out loud. Late at night. With almost every light in the house off. And for some odd reason, my hubby was hauling dirt into the backyard with a wheel barrow that squeaked. The more I read into the poem, the faster my voice got. Reading this, along with the fast squeaking, gave me goosebumps and scared me crazy. Awesome. It reminded me of the first time I read it. I think I loved it as much then as I do now.

Favorite Quote:

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary..." pg. 36

Someday I'm going to go here.

Read more about the author here.

Spooktacular Winners!

2011-11-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

By sheer random finger pointing at my computer screen, the 2 following ladies are winners!

Congratulations to Patsy on winning Rose Red (I'm terrified of clowns as well :)

and

Ashley for winning The Raven (I LOVE Frankenstein!)

I will be contacting you by email shortly.

Thanks to all who participated. Stay tuned to a few more give-a-ways this month!!

Happy Fall!

I Am A Mother

2011-10-28T19:39:00.002-07:00

I Am A Mother

by Jane Clayson Johnson

144 pgs.

Synopsis:

"What do you do"

Author Jane Clayson Johnson has been asked that question on many occasions since trading in a prestigious and rewarding career in network news for the equally challenging career of motherhood. And, like most mothers, Jane has hesitated before answering the question.

In this personal - and honest - narrative, Jane recounts how she has since learned to welcome questions about her role and to respond with enthusiasm, "I am a mother."

(from back of book)

First Line:

Nearly ten years ago I listened to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland give what has since become one of my favorite talks.

My Thoughts:

I love this book. It's such a great reminder to me that motherhood is an important and sacred calling. It's hard, very hard, but the rewards are amazing. I'm so happy that I get to be a mother and that I get to love my kiddo's with all my heart, might, mind, and strength...even in the toughest of times.

Favorite Quotes:

"If you can control your behavior when everything around you is out of control, you can model for your children a valuable lesson in patience and understanding...and snatch an opportunity to shape character." pg. 81

Don't waste your time trying to do it all! If you do, you may miss the best parts. Motherhood is the ideal time to "live in the moment" because it is the perfect time to see life in action, to witnes your child taking his first step, picking her first flower, walking out the door for his first day of school, or leving with a fine young man on her first date. These things will never happen again." pg. 87-88

"Each of us has a story; we each wear the shoes that best fit our circumstances and personalities. We may have one child or ten children, we may be married or divorced, we may be school teachers or law students, PTA volunteers or community board members. Every story is different, but each includes a common thread: We are all mothers. We love our children. We love the Lord, and we want our children to love Him, too. We are sisters!" pg. 103

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

2011-10-24T19:29:00.002-07:00

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

By Alan Bradley

409 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Mystery; Historical Fiction

Read for Sorta Naughty Book Club

Synopsis:

It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.

For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

It was as black in the closet as old blood.

My Thoughts:

I was hooked on this book from the first line. Flavia is one of the funniest and quirkiest characters I've come across. I love how intelligent she is along with her clever come backs and comments. This book is a laugh out loud mystery and one that I would read again. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

Favorite Quotes:

"So that was it. As at birth, so at death. Without so much as a kiss-me-quick-and-mind-the-marmalade, the only female in sight is enlisted to trot off and see that the water is boiled. Rustle up something, indeed! What did he take me for, some kind of cowboy?" pg. 43

I hated Mrs. Mullet's seed biscuits the way Saint Paul hated sin. Perhaps even more so. I wanted to clamber up onto the table, and with a sausage on the end of a fork as my scepter, shout in my best Laurence Olivier voice, "Will no one rid us of this turbulent pastry cook?" pg. 58

Read more about the author here.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

2011-10-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

In honor of Halloween, I will be giving away one copy of

(with a different cover)

and one copy of

(with a different cover)

To enter, please leave a comment on this post with which book you prefer, a way to contact you as well as share with us your favorite Halloween read.

**As always, you do not have to be a follower to participate.

**I have one copy of each book to give away.

**This give-a-way is open until midnight, October 31st.

Good Luck!!

Fall into Reading 2011

2011-10-21T15:12:00.005-07:00

Katrina at Callapidder Days is hosting Fall Into Reading where readers are invited to participate for the purpose of finishing off reading projects, or like me, a huge pile of books, before the end of the year. I know I'm a little late in starting (it opened up in September), however I'm here and starting and can't wait to get some books off my nightstand :)

So without further ado...ladies and gentlemen, my book list (which I'm sure will be constantly changing):

Book Blogger Hop 10/21/11 to 10/24/11

2011-10-21T14:45:00.001-07:00

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy for Books and lasts Friday through Monday every week.

Question:

“What is your favorite type of candy?”

My Answer:

I Love Candy. I don't eat it a lot, but I do LOVE it. My favorites happen to be Almond Joy, Salt Water Taffy and Red Vines. I'm truly excited for these braces to come off next week so I can eat the taffy that's been staring at me for the passed 2 weeks :)

Pumpkin Roll - Virtual Book Tour

2011-10-16T20:26:00.003-07:00

Pumpkin Roll

by Josi S. Kilpack

368 pgs.

Genre: Culinary Fiction

Synopsis:

Sadie Hoffmiller is looking forward to spending her favorite baking season of the year making delicious New England recipes in Boston, Massachusetts, with her favorite leading man, Pete Cunningham, as they babysit his three young grandsons. But when the boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such Halloween-induced ideas. However, it gets harder and harder to explain the strange things that keep happening, particularly after Sadie learns the eccentric Mrs. Wapple has been attacked in her home. As the unexplained occurrences escalate, Sadie finds herself embroiled in yet another mystery with life-or-death consequences. Can Sadie discover whoever—or whatever—is behind the mystery before anyone else gets hurt? Or will this be Sadie's last case?

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

"So, what's the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath?"

My Thoughts:

I LOVE this series of books! I love that the main character, Sadie Hoffmiller, is an everyday mom, who has a passion for cooking and solving mysteries. This book offers the usual humor and mystery along with a bit more of the spooky, which in turn makes for a great Halloween read. As always, I cannot wait to try out the recipes in this book, especially the Whoopie Pies. I also can't wait for the next book, Banana Split, coming in spring of 2012.

Favorite Quote:

"They would be safe tonight, Sadie was sure of it, and the pumpkins would be a good distraction, even if pumpkin guts were one of Sadie's least favorite things to handle." pg. 134

Read more about the author here.

~Much Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book for allowing me to read and review this book!~

In conjunction with the release of Pumpkin Roll, the author, Josi S. Kilpack, and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, are sponsoring a contest for a new iPad2. To enter, leave a comment in the comment section of this blog before November 1, 2011. Winners will be announced and notified November 3, 2011.

Good Luck!

Witch Song

2011-10-16T20:08:00.003-07:00

Witch Song

by Amber Argyle

320 pgs.

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Synopsis:

The world is changing.

Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons. But not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her.

Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Brusenna's straw-colored hair felt as hot as a sun-baked rock.

My Thoughts:

This is a great debut novel! I really enjoyed reading this story and I especially liked the MAP in the front. In any book, but especially in books where a new detailed world is created, I like to know where the characters are and where they travel. I really like that the type of magic in this books deals with the earth, water, plants and sunlight. Great read and can't wait to read more from this author!

Favorite Quote:

"Pure joy, Senna thought as tears slipped from her eyes. In this moment, I know pure joy." pg. 305

Read more about the author here.

The Red Pyramid

2011-10-16T19:53:00.003-07:00

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan

516 pgs.

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Synopsis:

Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

We only have a few hours, so listen carefully.

My Thoughts:

I'm a big fan of this author. I truly enjoy reading his works. They remind me how much I loved learning about Greek and in this case Egyptian mythology when I was in school. Great book and fast to read!

Favorite Quote:

"Have you ever noticed how parents can go from the most wonderful people in the world to totally embarrassing in three seconds?" pg. 502

Read more about the author here.

Starcrossed

2011-10-16T19:36:00.002-07:00

Starcrossed

by: Josephine Angelini

496 pgs.

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Synopsis:

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

"But if you bought me a car now, it would be yours when I go away to school in two years."

My Thoughts:

Ok, here's the truth: I bought this book because I really liked the cover. Then, I ended up REALLY liking the book. Those 496 pages went by so fast! It is a perfect mix of romance, mystery and suspense with great characters. I cannot wait for the next book!

Favorite Quotes:

"Claire had, hands down, the best laugh in the universe. Never forced or shrill, it was the kind of laugh that could make anyone within earshot smile." pg. 3

"Helen hadn't realized how heavy the burden of hate had been until she was allowed to put it down." pg. 110

Read more about the author here.

Banned Books Winner!

2011-10-04T09:48:00.003-07:00

Using Random.org, the lucky winner

for

The Hunger Games

Erin Shim

Congratulations!

I'll be contacting you shortly by email.

Banned Books Giveaway Hop

2011-09-23T17:48:00.002-07:00

This hop runs from Saturday, September 24th to Saturday, October 1st with winners announced on October 3rd.

When the last Twilight book came out, I was at the party leading up to midnight where I received my book. While there, I observed a lot of people, but mostly I watched an 11 year old girl who won the costume contest. I later thought of that little girl as I read the book. In my opinion, that was not a book for an 11 year old girl. I believe very strongly in reading books, observing movies and video games before my children do. While there are books I probably will never read because of the content, I am very grateful for my right to choose which books I will or will not read and the opportunity to help my kiddo's to make good choices when it comes to media as well.

One lucky winner will receive:

**As always, you do not have to be a follower to participate.

**I have one copy of this book to give away.

**Please fill out the form below to enter. Comments made on this post will not count as an entry.

**This give-a-way is open until midnight, October 1st.

Good Luck!!

Darwin's Children

2011-09-12T13:32:00.003-07:00

Darwin's Children

by Natasha Larry

260 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Young Adult; Paranormal

Synopsis:

Life can get pretty complicated for any seventeen-year-old girl, but for a home-schooled telepathic black girl trying to survive in a prestigious private school in small-town Jonesborough, Tennessee, it can be maddening – especially when her telepathic father keeps eavesdropping on her thoughts!

Jaycie Lerner’s family isn’t the usual mom-dad-kid setup. Jaycie’s mom’s MIA, but Allison, her personal live-in ‘trainer,’ is more than a mom, with her own special abilities, like being able to lift cars and run incredibly fast. And Jaycie’s godfather John is more than persuasive – he can literally convince anyone to do anything.

As far as the rest of the world’s concerned, Jaycie’s on the outside looking in. The townsfolk love Jaycie’s pediatrician father, but she doesn’t fit in with ‘normal’ kids, and she doesn’t really want to. Most of her free time is spent training to keep her telekinetic and telepathic powers under control. But there’s one thing she can’t control – and that’s her feelings, especially when her best friend Matt is nearby. If only he knew what she was truly capable of...

Everything seems to be status quo for Jaycie until she receives a cryptic message from a stranger and meets a very unusual girl new to Jonesborough. Then all hell breaks loose!

(goodreads.com)

First Line:

From the other side of the glass, Mason Lerner watched Haylee Mitchell circle the monster like an aerial hunter while Sasha Gray stood like a statue waiting.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed the story. The cover, not so much, but the story, yes...I liked it. Although I don't agree with some of their actions, I liked the characters and the relationships of the family, especially since only 2 of them were actually related. This is another book that proves you don't have to be related by blood to be a family. The ending kind of threw me for a loop since I was wanting a bit more...I guess I'll just have to wait and find out what happens in the next book!

*Sex is mentioned but not described.

Favorite Quote:

"We all think it's important to have as much fun together as we can. The world has a hard time breaking a good sense of humor." pg. 180

Read more about the author here and here.

~Much Thanks to the author for allowing me to read and review her book on my blog!~

Back to Books Give-a-way Winners

2011-09-11T19:43:00.003-07:00

Using Random.org, the lucky winner

for

A Certain Slant of Light

Darcus

and for

Ella Enchanted

the winner is

Angie

Congratulations!

I'll be contacting you shortly by email.

Fallen

2011-09-06T11:55:00.003-07:00

Fallen

by Lauren Kate

389 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis:

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce—and goes out of his way to make that very clear—she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Around midnight, her eyes at last took shape.

My Thoughts:

There are some books I choose to read without even reading the synopsis, just because I like the cover. This is one of those books. I LOVE this cover. And, since I had no clue what this story was about, I had a hard time putting it down. I needed to know what was going to happen and who Luce and Daniel really were. I truly had no clue and was shocked at what I found. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next books in the series.

Favorite Quote:

"A warm feeling came over Luce as she looked around the library. She'd always loved the faintly sweet musty way that only a roomful of books smelled. She took comfort in the soft occasional sound of turning pages." pg. 67

Read more about the author here.

Maine

2011-09-06T00:01:00.001-07:00

Maine

by J. Courtney Sullivan

368 pgs. on NOOK

Genre: Adult Fiction

Read for Sorta Naughty Book Club

Synopsis:

For the Kellehers, Maine is a place where children run in packs, showers are taken outdoors, and old Irish songs are sung around a piano. Their beachfront property, won on a barroom bet after the war, sits on three acres of sand and pine nestled between stretches of rocky coast, with one tree bearing the initials “A.H.” At the cottage, built by Kelleher hands, cocktail hour follows morning mass, nosy grandchildren snoop in drawers, and decades-old grudges simmer beneath the surface. As three generations of Kelleher women descend on the property one summer, each brings her own hopes and fears.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Alice decided to take a break from packing.

My Thoughts:

I had a really hard time with this book. First of all, I felt I had nothing in common with any of the women and second, I kept waiting for them to grow up. They seemed all so immature and mean to each other and that really irritated me. I think Maggie was the most neutral and she deserved more help from her family than what she received. I'm glad that in the end her mother did decide to step up.

**This book includes several "F" words.

Favorite Quotes:

"You never knew where a day or a year would take you." pg. 55

"That might be a good idea," Kathleen said, and her heart swelled to think that this fearless young woman was her daughter." pg. 356

Read more about the author here.

Trees Cry For Rain - Virtual Book Tour

2011-09-05T00:01:00.001-07:00

Trees Cry For Rain

by Dr. Jeri Fink

325 pgs.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

It’s August in Bryant Park, New York City. A man with fiery eyes hovers on the edge of a grisly mystery.

Five hundred years earlier, Rozas, a Marrano or Secret Jew, is betrayed. She’s anonymously reported to the Spanish Holy Office of The Inquisition. Dragged into an underground dungeon, Rozas is tortured, forced to “confess” crimes against the church, and convicted of heresy.

The Inquisitors demand that she reveal the fate of her three daughters. She refuses. Rozas is burned alive at the stake; the secret dies with her.

The story jumps seamlessly in time, connecting Rozas, the man with fiery eyes, and characters that amble across Bryant Park’s Great Lawn. Suddenly three women find each other.

Time freezes. The man is ready. Something unthinkable is about to happen.

First Line:

Gilgul gives people the chance to make things right.

My Thoughts:

In all the books I have read, I have never read one about the Spanish Inquisition. This book was such an eye opener for me and had me thinking about it for several days. In some books that I have read, the transition from one time to another was a little rough. Not so with this book. The story seemed to flow nicely. I really liked the objects, either physical or verbal, that connected each time as well (a key split into several pieces, purple flowers and trees crying for rain). This is great read, with brave and courageous characters with an interesting ending.

*Sex is mentioned and slightly described.

Favorite Quote:

"Sometimes when you believe that everything is set, that forever is well in hand with a clear path to follow - a path that will lead you into a well-defined life - there's a sharp turn in the road and you're plunged into a direction you never imagined." pg. 40

About Jeri Fink

Dr. Jeri Fink is an author, Family Therapist, and journalist, with over 19 books and hundreds of articles to her name. She writes adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction, and has appeared on television, radio, book events, seminars, workshops, and the internet. Dr. Fink’s work has been praised by community leaders, educators, reviewers, and critics around the country.

To find out more about Dr. Fink http://www.drjerifink.com

~Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book for allowing me to read and review this book!~

Shanghai Girls

2011-09-04T19:27:00.002-07:00

Shanghai Girls

by Lisa See

467 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

In 1937 Shanghai—the Paris of Asia—twenty-one-year-old Pearl Chin and her younger sister, May, are having the time of their lives. Both are beautiful, modern, and carefree—until the day their father tells them that he has gambled away their wealth. To repay his debts, he must sell the girls as wives to suitors who have traveled from Los Angeles to find Chinese brides. As Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May set out on the journey of a lifetime, from the Chinese countryside to the shores of America. Though inseparable best friends, the sisters also harbor petty jealousies and rivalries. Along the way they make terrible sacrifices, face impossible choices, and confront a devastating, life-changing secret, but through it all the two heroines of this astounding new novel hold fast to who they are—Shanghai girls.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

"Our daughters look like a South China peasant with those red cheeks," my father complains, pointedly ignoring the soup before him.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book by Lisa See that I've read and I can guarantee it won't be the last. This is a great novel that gives us a great look into Chinese and American history in the 1930's and 1940's. It is a story of sisterhood, family and sticking together when times are especially tough. Readers beware, the ending is a little abrupt and leaves it wide open for the sequel, Dreams of Joy, which was released in May of this year.

*This book contains adult themes such as violence, rape and adult relationships.

Favorite Quotes:

"Maybe we're all like that with our mothers. They seem ordinary until one day they're extraordinary." pg. 84

"When you don't have much, having less isn't so bad." pg. 103

"Having a baby is painful in order to show how serious a thing life is." pg. 314

Read more about the author here.

Back to the Books Giveaway Hop: September 1 - 7

2011-09-01T00:01:00.001-07:00

It's back to school time! (At least for part of my family anyway:) I'm hoping since it's now September, Fall will actually show it's face in this HOT place.

The 2 books I have to give away have absolutely nothing to do with going back to school...I just like them. So, without further ado, I give you:

Synopsis:

In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: For the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen-terrified, but intrigued-is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

(from barnesandnoble.com)

*Read my Review here.

AND

(with a different cover than this)

Synopsis:

How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse?

At her birth, Ella of Frell was given a foolish fairy's gift—the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day or chopping off her own head!

But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. She goes on a quest, encountering ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, fairy godmothers, and handsome princes, determined to break the curse—and live happily ever after.

Read my review here.

**As always, you do not have to be a follower to participate, HOWEVER, the sooner I reach 300 followers, the sooner another book giveaway happens (hint, hint :)

**I have one copy of each book to give away.

**Please fill out the form below to enter. Comments made on this post will not count as an entry.

**This give-a-way is open until midnight, Wednesday, September 7th.

Good Luck!!

The Thirteenth Chime

2011-08-31T19:59:00.004-07:00

The Thirteenth Chime

A Sense of Truth Novel

by Emma Michaels

248 pgs.

Genre: Young Adult; Paranormal

Synopsis:

HATRED NEVER DIES...

Destiny has finally found the life that she has always wanted. She is about to finish college, has a fiancé that loves her, and a great summer on the West Coast planned with her friend, Stephanie. But her world is turned upside down when an antique clock mysteriously chimes thirteen times and someone attacks them, sending Stephanie and her mother to the hospital.

Alone, and without any help from the police, Destiny has no choice but to turn to the one man she had left behind a year ago - her ex-boyfriend, David. Together, they must solve the riddle of the thirteenth chime before the clock strikes thirteen again. Yet as they face their own past and hearts, a trap over half a century old is waiting for them to become its prey.

For revenge, fifty years is never too long...

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Destiny flipped her light brown hair back into the flow of the wind.

My Thoughts:

Wow! This is another one of those books that had me in such suspense that I COULD NOT put it down. I had to know what was going to happen, even if I was scared out of my wits at 1 in the morning (doesn't take much for that, though). This was a great, fast and scary read. I must tell you that after reading this, I will never own a grandfather clock. Ever.

I'm very excited to read the next book!

Favorite Quote:

"Water sucks," David shouted, scowling. "The cold sucks. Prisoners suck. And I'm really starting to hate any clock that isn't digital!" pg. 225

Read more about the author here.

Love & Logic Magic for Early Childhood

2011-08-30T08:10:00.002-07:00

Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years

by: Jim Fay & Charles Fay, Ph.D.

192 pgs.

Synopsis:

Parenting little ones can be exhausting.until you discover Love and Logic. Take the exhaustion out and put the fun into parenting your little one. If you want help with:. Potty training. Temper tantrums. Bedtime. Whining . Time-out. Hassle-free mornings. and many other everyday challenges. Then this book is for you!This book is the tool parents of little ones have been waiting for. America's Parenting Experts® Jim Fay and Charles Fay, Ph.D., help you start your child off on the right foot. The tools in Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood will give you the building blocks you need to create children who grow up to be responsible, successful teens and adults. And as a bonus you will enjoy every stage of your child's life and look forward to sharing a lifetime of joy with them.

First Line:

Parenting can be a joy!

My Thoughts:

I purchased this book a few years ago when I thought I was having trouble with my 2 year old son. I skimmed through it and it used a few of the suggestions. A year ago in November, we added two kiddo's to the mix who have experienced trauma and neglect and still continue to suffer from it. Then, just for the fun of it, in February, we added another little girl whom we get to adopt in November. So, now I have 6 kiddo's, 4 of which are 3 and under. I decided it was time to dive into Love and Logic. Can I just say that this book has helped in our family immensely. Both my husband and I try very hard to use the suggestions and advice listed in here. Since completing this book, I have ordered several more books and cds and have listened to all the podcasts off of iTunes. I am a firm believer in Love and Logic and will continue to study and use this book as a reference.

Favorite Quotes:

"A smile speaks volumes about how you feel about your child...The child who sees smiles learns how to smile, and every time you share one, the bond grows. The child develops a smile in his or her heart." pg. 47

"When kids feel good about themselves, the odds go up in favor of their behaving." pg. 63

"Set the limit once and follow through." pg. 148

Teaser Tuesdays 8/30/11

2011-08-30T06:10:00.002-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teasers:

"Beggars squat on the ground, their arms outstretched, their palms open. Barbecued ducks hang in the windows."

pg. 265, Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Enclave

2011-08-29T14:24:00.003-07:00

Enclave

by Ann Aguirre

272 pgs.

Genre: Young Adult; Dystopian

Synopsis:

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

I was born during the second holocaust.

My thoughts:

Have I told you how much of LOVE zombie novels?! I really do and I really LOVED this one. I think I read it in less than a day. It's scary, at least for me anyway. So scary that I don't understand why I read it on a night my husband was out of town. I was up all night looking out my window for "Freaks." Deuce is one tough girl. I can only hope that I would be brave and strong enough like her if I ever had to fight a zombie :) Great Read and I can't wait to read the next one!

Favorite Quote:

"If we were brave enough, we'd have to find out for ourselves." pg. 189

Read more about the author here.

The Eye of the Crystal Ball

2011-08-29T13:57:00.005-07:00

The Eye of the Crystal Ball

by T.P. Boje

133 pgs on my iPad

Genre: Young Adult; Fantasy

Synopsis:

When Sara was newborn her parents left her at the doorstep at Mr. and Mrs. Schneider’s house.
When Sara was ten she discovered she was telekinetic. She began to move stuff around when she got angry just by her will alone.
When Sara was twelve her real parents came for her and took her with them to live like the Gypsy that she was – or Romani as they like to call themselves. They told her she was going to fulfill a prophesy. That it was once said that out of the Romani people the greatest sorceress who had ever lived would be born.
When Sara was thirteen she had a baby brother and when she was fourteen he got very sick with a strange illness. To save her baby-brother Sara sets off on a quest to find his cure – well knowing that it will cost her dearly. Soon Sara finds herself going through the Singing Cave, crossing Wild Witches Valley, talking to a ten foot giant snail, rescuing the Beads of Souls from the Hell-hounds, escaping a spell in Vamila, the Forest of Vanity, visiting the king at the City of Lights before she finally reaches the Black Castle where she is told the Eye of the Crystal Ball can tell her how to cure her brother’s strange illness.

But nothing is free in this world - and as Sara soon will know - everything has a price.

First Line:

They came in the middle of the night.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this one. I liked the author's writing style and I really liked reading about all the different characters she came upon on her quest, especially Abigail the giant snail. Sara is a dedicated sister who learns to overcome her fears and use her talents to find a cure for her brother. Good read.

Favorite Quotes:

"Maybe that was why she loved her books so much, because they had the ability to take her away on journeys to strange places and strange worlds." pg. 8

About the Author:

T. P. Boje is a mother of two, a stepmother of another two and a hardcore cartoon lover, Tim Burton enthusiast, and enjoys any movie the Coen Brothers have made (with the big Lebowski being her favorite strongly followed by Burn after Reading). She is also a Y/A fantasy and mystery-writer. She is originally from Denmark but currently living in Florida, USA. Her books are translated into several languages.

She has been kind enough to answer a few questions for us:

1. What is one book everyone should read?

Jules Verne's classic adventures. I love the way he mixes Science Fiction with adventure and fantasy.

2. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Don't take bad reviews personal.

3. What is your favorite food?

I love anything with sea food.

4. Please tell us why we should read your book?

Because it is a great book for anyone who likes to use their imagination.

5. What kind of books do you enjoy reading? What are you reading now?

Jules Verne's amazing journeys. Five of his classics.

6. Who is your favorite character in this story? Who do you relate to the most?

I have a lot of favorites in this story. But the funniest to write was without a doubt the ten foot giant snail Abigail. She has a heart of gold and really means well, but she is just so clumsy.

7. If you could jump into ANY book and live there, what book would that be?
The Neverending Story. It is my all times favorite book and I love that universe that Michael Ende creates.

T.P. also wanted to mention that she has a new novel coming up next week. It is called The Academy. It is a Young Adult paranormal romance and is part of a series under the title "Afterlife."

Here is a synopsis:

Meghan is 16 when she dies. She wakes up on a flying steamboat on her way to a school run by Angels in a white marble castle.
On the boat she meets Mick who has been dead for more than a hundred years but still looks like he is 18. He helps her through the difficult beginning at the new school in a new world filled with heavenly magic.
One day some of Meghan's roommates find a mirror in the cellar of the school and they persuade her to go through it with them - well knowing it is strictly against the rules of the school. Meghan ends up back on earth where she meets Jason. But Jason is in danger and Meghan knows something important. Soon she is forced to choose between the two worlds. The one she belongs to now, and the one she left.

Thanks T.P.!

Read more about the author here.

**Much thanks to the author for allowing me to read and review her book on my blog!

The Floating Islands

2011-08-29T13:37:00.002-07:00

The Floating Islands

by Rachel Neumeier

400 pgs.

Genre: Fantasy; 10+

Synopsis:

When Trei loses his family in a tragic disaster, he must search out distant relatives in a new land. The Floating Islands are unlike anything Trei has ever seen: stunning, majestic, and graced with kajurai, men who soar the skies with wings.

Trei is instantly sky-mad, and desperate to be a kajurai himself. The only one who fully understands his passion is Araene, his newfound cousin. Prickly, sarcastic, and gifted, Araene has a secret of her own . . . a dream a girl cannot attain.

Trei and Araene quickly become conspirators as they pursue their individual paths. But neither suspects that their lives will be deeply entwined, and that the fate of the Floating Islands will lie in their hands. . . .

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Trei was fourteen the first time he saw the Floating Islands.

My Thoughts:

I really liked this story. I liked the characters, especially Trei and his cousin Araene. As hard as it was, they both followed their dreams and helped to save the home they loved. I really enjoyed the authors writing style and I'll definitely be reading more from her. A great read with magic and dragons.

Favorite Quote:

"When we endure loss, the past reaches out to grip us from behind, but it's not wrong to turn your face forward." pg. 118

Read more about the author here.

Book Blogger Hop 8/26-8/29

2011-08-27T23:16:00.003-07:00

Book Blogger Hop Time!

“Non-book-related this week!! Do you have pets?”

Yes! We have 3 boxers. Two who just turned 10 years old! And a baby who is 3.

Ophelia

2011-08-13T16:18:00.002-07:00

Ophelia

by Lisa Klein

330 pgs. on my iPad

Young Adult

Synopsis:

A rowdy, motherless girl, she grows up at Elsinore Castle to become the queen’s most trusted lady-in-waiting. She catches the attention of the captivating, dark-haired Prince Hamlet, and their love blossoms in secret. But bloody deeds soon turn Denmark into a place of madness, and ultimately, Ophelia must choose between her love for Hamlet and her own life. In desperation, Ophelia devises a treacherous plan to escape from Elsinore forever . . . with one very dangerous secret, she is pregnant with Hamlet’s child.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

My Lady

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading Hamlet in High School, but had always wondered about Ophelia. This is a good story from her perspective. My favorite character is Horatio because of his loyalty and kindness. I liked how the author included direct quotes from Hamlet...kind of makes me want to pick up Hamlet and reread it :)

Favorite Quote:

(My favorite quote were actually at the end of the book in A Conversation with Lisa Klein)

What would you like your readers to come away with after reading Ophelia?

I would tell my readers this: enjoy Ophelia. Then go and reread Hamlet with a fresh eye, or read it for the first time without being intimidated by Shakespeare. Read more of Shakespeare's works. His plays belong to all of us, and we don't want to miss what they have to say about the human condition that we all share. pg. 322

Read more about the author here.

Inside Out

2011-08-10T11:30:00.003-07:00

Inside Out

by Maria V. Snyder

288 pgs on iPad

Young Adult

Synopsis:

Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.

Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

A vibration rippled through my body.

My Thoughts:

I really have enjoyed the Poison Study and the Storm Glass series written by this author, so I knew without a doubt that I would like this book...and I did. It's a great read that is fast and easy and kept me wanting more. Can't wait to read the next one!

Favorite Quotes:

"No sense wasting energy on what I shouldn't have done. I had made my choice. I'd see it through and resign myself to whatever fate had in store for me." pg. 46

"I never said it would be easy. Giving up is easy." pg. 256

Read more about the author here.

Okay for Now

2011-07-29T12:17:00.002-07:00

Okay for Now

by Gary D. Schmidt

190 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Juvenile

Synopsis:

As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal parts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt. As Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer—a fiery young lady who “smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain.” In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon’s birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

Joe Pepitone once gave me his New York Yankees baseball cap.

My Thoughts:

Wow. I LOVE this book! This is an amazing story of a boy who has experienced many struggles and the friends and teachers who help him overcome. Did I say I LOVE this book?! It will make you laugh and cry out loud...seriously. It's a great reminder that kindness goes a very long way and can change lives. I'm definitely reading more by this author.

Favorite Quote:

"I never thought that one person could own so many books. I picked one up off the desk and smelled its pages. The smell of old paper." pg. 31

"There are some things in this world that we cannot fix, and they happen, and it is not our fault, though we still might have to deal with them. There are other things that happen in this world that we can fix. And that is what good teachers like me are for." pg. 64

Read more about the author here.

Ella Enchanted

2011-07-29T11:58:00.002-07:00

Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine

274 pgs.

Genre: Juvenile to Young Adult

read for Sorta Naughty Book Club

Synopsis:

How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse?

At her birth, Ella of Frell was given a foolish fairy's gift—the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day or chopping off her own head!

First Line:

That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me.

My Thoughts:

I was surprised at how different this book is from the movie. Don't get me wrong, I really liked it and I really like the movie. I'm a sucker for anything fairytaleish and this is a great, fun and magical read. I truly enjoy anything written by Gail Carson Levine.

Favorite Quote:

"I gathered them on my stomach and waited for sleep. But sleep was busy elsewhere." pg. 42

Read more about the author here.

The Mistress of Nothing

2011-07-29T11:34:00.002-07:00

The Mistress of Nothing

by Kate Pullinger

250 pgs.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

When Lady Duff Gordon, paragon of London society, departs for the hot, dry climate of Egypt to seek relief from her debilitating tuberculosis, her lady’s maid, Sally, doesn’t hesitate to leave the only world she has known in order to remain at her mistress’s side. As Sally gets farther and farther from home, she experiences freedoms she has never known—forgoing corsets and wearing native dress, learning Arabic, and having her first taste of romance.

But freedom is a luxury that a lady’s maid can ill afford, and when Sally’s newfound passion for life causes her to forget what she is entitled to, she is brutally reminded she is mistress of nothing. Ultimately she must choose her master and a way back home—or a way to an unknown future.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

The truth is that, to her, I was not fully human.

My Thoughts:

This one was very hard for me to put down. I've always wanted to go on a grand adventure to Egypt and reading this let me do so. This book is based on the real lives of Lady Duff Gordon and her maid, Sally. It was also a harsh reminder of what the social ladder was like during that time. How at times, a servant or a maid can be a best friend, but then if a mistake was made, the tables were completely turned. This is a story of adventure, love, hardship and disappointment. It's a great and quick read.

Favorite Quote:

"I'm very good at getting on with the task at hand: it's what suits me." pg. 248

Read more about the author here.

The Scorch Trials

2011-07-24T21:35:00.003-07:00

The Scorch Trials

by James Dashner

412 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis:

The Scorch Trials picks up where The Maze Runner left off. The Gladers have escaped the Maze, but now they face an even more treacherous challenge on the open roads of a devastated planet.
And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Can Thomas survive in such a violent world?

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

She spoke to him before the world fell apart.

My Thoughts:

I think this is a great follow up to the first book, The Maze Runner. Fast paced, intense and hard to put down, this book is a bit darker than the first, but still a great read. Can't wait to read the third book, The Death Cure, which will be out in October.

Favorite Quote:

"Thomas wanted to scram at the man but knew it'd serve no point." pg. 398

Read more about the author here.

The Graveyard Book

2011-07-24T21:25:00.002-07:00

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

241 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Synopsis:

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would becompletely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book. I liked the ghosts who became his family and friends in the graveyard. It was interesting to read about his school lessons from the ghosts and their perspective on history. Quick and easy read, though I would probably rate it as young adult instead of juvenile fiction.

Favorite Quote:

"If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, nothing is all you will have gained." pg. 177

Read more about the author here.

The Bronze and the Brimstone

2011-07-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Bronze and the Brimstone

by Lori S. Kaufman

336 pgs.

Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis:

What could go wrong in the 14th-century for three time-traveling teens? How about – EVERYTHING!
Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln, three teens from the 24th century, are trapped in 14th-century Verona, Italy. They’ve survived many deadly experiences by keeping their wits about them and by introducing futuristic technology into the past. Principal among these inventions is the telescope, which brought them to the attention of the rich and powerful.
But standing out can get you into unexpected and dangerous situations. The nobles of Verona now believe Hansum is a savant, a genius inventor, especially after he brings them plans for advanced cannons and black powder. Being the center of attention is great, but the potential for trouble is now exponentially greater because people are watching Hansum’s every move.
Meanwhile, artistic genius Shamira has fallen for a Florentine artist with bloody and disastrous consequences. Lincoln, considered an incompetent back home in the 24th-century, has blossomed – at least until he’s shot in the head with an arrow. And Hansum, after secretly marrying his new master’s beautiful daughter, Guilietta, is offered the hand in marriage of lady Beatrice, daughter of the ruler of Verona. To refuse could mean calamity for all the teens.
Amazingly, none of this is their biggest challenge. Because a rash illness is spreading across Verona – and it is threatening to consume everyone.
Do they have a future in this past?

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

"Why don't I feel pain?"

My Thoughts:

As in the first novel in this trilogy (reviewed here), you learn more about the life of the people of Verona during the 14th century. There is a bit more action in this novel than the first. The selfish teenagers from the first book are more grown up and less selfish. Overall it was a quick easy read in which I was entertained and wanting to find out what happened.

*Some swear words included. Sex is mentioned but not described.

Favorite Quote:

"Realizing how little you know is the first sign of true wisdom," Eli said. pg. 263

Read more about the author here.

~Much thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book for allowing me to read and review this book!~

The Way of Kings

2011-07-12T15:29:00.002-07:00

The Way of Kings

by Brandon Sanderson

1258 pgs.

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Synopsis:

I long for the days before the Last Desolation.The age before the Heralds abandoned us and the Knights Radiant turned against us. A time when there was still magic in the world and honor in the hearts of men.The world became ours, and we lost it. Nothing, it appears, is more challenging to the souls of men than victory itself.Or was that victory an illusion all along? Did our enemies realize that the harder they fought, the stronger we resisted? Perhaps they saw that the heat and the hammer only make for a better grade of sword. But ignore the steel long enough, and it will eventually rust away.There are four whom we watch. The first is the surgeon, forced to put aside healing to become a soldier in the most brutal war of our time. The second is the assassin, a murderer who weeps as he kills. The third is the liar, a young woman who wears a scholar's mantle over the heart of a thief. The last is the highprince, a warlord whose eyes have opened to the past as his thirst for battle wanes.The world can change. Surgebinding and Shardwielding can return; the magics of ancient days can become ours again. These four people are key.One of them may redeem us.And one of them will destroy us.

(from the back cover)

First Line:
Kalak rounded a rocky stone ridge and stumbled to a stop before the body of a dying thunderclast.

My Thoughts:
Yes, you read right...there is 1258 pages in this book! Holy crazy, right? I must say, I was so sucked in that I didn't even notice. I really have enjoyed reading the authors other books and had high expectations for this one. My expectations did not fail me. There is a lot of back story and character development in this novel, preparing you for the future books (I've heard there will be 10 in all). I couldn't wait for the characters to finally meet each other. By the end of this book, part of my wishing came true. In this novel, the author builds an amazing world that is completely different than any of his other books. Can't wait to read the next one!

Favorite Quotes:
"A man could get sick that way, not getting enough sunlight." pg. 197
"Sometimes when Shallan walked into the Palanaeum proper - the grand storehouse of books, manuscripts, and scrolls beyond the study areas of the Veil - she grew so distracted by the beauty and scope of it that she forgot everything else." pg. 619
"Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right. If nobody starts, then others cannot follow." pg. 728
"What you saw belongs to you. A story doesn't life until it is imagined in someone's mind." pg. 1005

Read more about the author here.

The False Princess

2011-07-11T13:24:00.002-07:00

The False Princess

by Eilis O'Neal

318 pgs on my iPad

Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis:

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

(barnesandnoble.com)

First Line:

The day they came to tell me, I was in one of the gardens with Kiernan, trying to decipher a three-hundred-year-old map of the palace grounds.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this one! Sinda is an intelligent and courageous gal, though she wasn't always that way. Just when I thought I had things figured out something unexpected was tossed my way. It did not drag or end abruptly. A great read with friendship, romance, adventure and magic!

Favorite Quotes:

"After two days of exploring, I had felt a strong, almost overwhelming need to read something, anything, and I had been determined to spend at least an hour in the palace library." pg. 9

"I did not have all the pieces of myself intact, but the shattered ones lay quieter than they had in Treb, gradually being smoothed over so that they no longer cut me as often." pg. 103

"To my chagrin, the knot in my stomach eased the tiniest as I breathed in the scent of paper and dust. It was so familiar, the smell of so many books together, and it comforted me." pg. 173

"This kiss trampled Tyr's kiss, threw it to the ground, and danced on its grave. It was like being kissed by sunlight, or joy." pg. 220

Read more about the author here.

Melissa Douthit Interview

2011-07-02T16:27:00.005-07:00

I really liked the preface to The Raie' Chaelia (which is also included on the author's website) and wanted to share. I feel it gives you a great insight as to the type of person Melissa Douthit is and how this book came about.

Preface

On the morning of 21st of September, 2007, I sat down at my computer with a cup of coffee and clicked a familiar bookmark on my internet browser. The link took me to a website that I knew well. In doing so, I learned that one of my favorite authors had passed away. His name was James Oliver Rigney, Jr., also known as Robert Jordan. The website was www.dragonmount.com.
Ever since I was seventeen, I have been reading his epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time. I remember buying the first book, The Eye of the World, from a local bookstore and rushing home to read it. I remember it like it was yesterday. To this day, after twenty-one years, I am still reading his series as it quickly draws to a conclusion in its final completion by Brandon Sanderson.
I never thought I could be a writer given that my talents lie in other areas, mostly in mathematics and science, but when I learned of Jordan’s passing, I decided to start writing a story that I had been tossing around in my head for a while. The ideas were there but the realization of those ideas into a book was a problem. I didn’t believe that I could do it. So, that morning, inspired by Jordan’s life story, I sat down and started typing. I soon found that by having read his books, as well as many others by other authors, the writing came naturally and the words flowed. The following novel is the result of that day.
Now, three years later, my first novel has been published. It is a novel with both a storyline and a background theme. The ideas for the story were conceived out of a desire to write a fantasy that was different from any other I had read in the past. The entire story required a few years to fully develop, but I believe I have achieved my original intention – keeping it different. I am hoping that you, its reader, will feel that difference and love it.
As you read, you may come across language, names, or terminology in the text that appear out of place or anachronistic. They are not. There is a reason for them that will become more clear as the story progresses. In fact, almost every detail in the novel has a purpose, from the intricately-drawn scenery in the beginning to the hair color of the heroine of the story. Again, those purposes will become clearer later on.
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoy it.

Very Respectfully,
Melissa Douthit

In Memoriam
James Oliver Rigney, Jr.
October 17, 1948 to September 16, 2007
A good man and a great writer
May he rest in peace

*The following are some fun questions the author was kind enough to answer for me.

1. What is one book everyone should read?

The Bible - for both believers and non-believers because I find it fascinating that it was written by different men who lived thousands of years ago during different periods of time, who never knew one another, and yet it seems tell a tale that is both interesting and coherent.

2. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Wear sunscreen.

3. What is your favorite food?

Chocolate.

4. Please tell us why we should read your book?

Because it has an important message in it that starts with the first book, becomes more clear in the second, and then ends with the third (the story is a trilogy.) The message of the story is the message from the ancient world and is tied into the riddle of the astronomy tower and what lies in the archive of Portalis.

5. What kind of books do you enjoy reading? What are you reading now?

Usually young adult novels. I'm currently reading Hunger Games and the Graveyard Book.

6. Who is your favorite character in this story? Who do you relate to the most?

My favorite character is Bunejab because he is so weird but I relate strongly to Jeremiah. I have a lot of his characteristics.

7. If you could jump into ANY book and live there, what book would that be?

It used to be Harry Potter but after I wrote The Vanishing, which is Jeremiah's story before The Raie'Chaelia begins, I came to realize that I would rather live in Jeremiah's village of Branbury. I love it there! I told my editor the same thing. =o)

*Thanks Melissa! Can't wait to see how the story turns out!

The Raie' Chaelia

2011-07-02T10:04:00.005-07:00

The Raie' Chaelia

by Melissa Douthit

301 pgs. on my iPad

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

When Chalice sets off for Branbury in the middle of the night with her grandfather’s instructions, she has no idea of the dangers that await her. The King’s men have destroyed her home village of Canton and she is suddenly thrown into a Terravailian world that she does not know. Lost and alone, she is hard pressed to evade the iron grasp of the madman who rules the land. With the help of a friendly Chinuk, an old man, and a book that she discovers along the way, not only does she find true friends and true love, but she also finds her true self and what it means to be the Raie’Chaelia.

First Line:

Waves pounded the shoreline, spraying mist into the wind that stirred white sands glittering in the moonlight.

My Thoughts:

What a great story! I enjoyed reading this adventure. It definitely kept me on my toes. At times I thought I had everything figured out, then another twist and turn came my way. Definitely a compelling story that had me wanting to know what happened next. I have to say that my favorite character happens to be the curious Chinuk named Bunejab. He's very smart, very brave and very loyal. All characteristics I like in a friend.

This is the first in a trilogy. However, the author also has two prequels available as well (which I'm sure I'll be reading soon).

Raie' Chaelia, pronounced rye-kale-ya, is currently available in electronic format on Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com. The print version will be available in September of this year.

Favorite Quote:

"Riches and eternal life don't bring you true happiness. It's the time you share with those around you while you have it, improving their lives and helping others. That's what brings you joy. Many people don't understand this truth in life and so spend it foolishly searching for precisely those things that make them miserable." pg. 34

Read more about the author here.

**Much Thanks to the author for allowing me to read and review her book on my blog!**

Blog Makeover Give-a-way Winner...

2011-07-02T08:58:00.003-07:00

Using Random.org,

the True Random Number Generator chose:

Mandi

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I'll be contacting you by email shortly.