In My Mailbox (6)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board.

Every week we’ll post about what books we have received (whether they’re bought/borrowed, etc… you get the idea). This is generally done on Sunday, but I’m told that it’s really whatever day works for you; I’m going to be posting mine on Fridays because I tend to post less on the weekends.

Everyone participating will try and visit other lists to comment and possibly pine for the new arrivals everyone’s talking about. I’ve learned that it’s a great idea to really try and stop by at least two or three lists because I’m constantly finding out about new books that I’ve later added to my TBR list.

So this week I was lucky enough to snag some of the books I've been dying to read and to cross some off my TBR list (which never really seems to get shorter, only longer)!

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (thanks to Harlequin Teen)

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen.

But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen (thanks to Harlequin Teen)

No one at Kayla’s school knows she’s the famous Oracle of Dating—the anonymous queen of dating advice, given through her own Web site. Kayla doesn’t even have a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make her focus on everyone else’s love life. But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart—the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her own oracle of dating--and she knows just where to find one... 

Burned by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Y’all need to get yourselves together. Here’s a newsflash from the only High Priestess you have left at this dang school: Zoey isn’t dead. And believe me, I know dead. I’ve been there, done that and got the fricken tee-shirt. 

Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person – vamp or fledgling – that can stop the evil Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn’t so busy being dead.

Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it’s going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae will have to give up a few secrets of her own . . .

I flew through this book so fast...loved every minute of it...check out the review I posted Wednesday.

And finally...Beautiful Malice:  A Novel by Rebecca James (won from First Reads at Library Thing)

So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed? Following a terrible tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family shattered, Katherine Patterson moves to a new city, starts at a new school, and looks forward to a new life of quiet anonymity. 

But when Katherine meets the gregarious and beautiful Alice Parrie her resolution to live a solitary life becomes difficult. Katherine is unable resist the flattering attention that Alice pays her and is so charmed by Alice’s contagious enthusiasm that the two girls soon become firm friends.  Alice’s joie de vivre is transformative; it helps Katherine forget her painful past and slowly, tentatively, Katherine allows herself to start enjoying life again. 

But being friends with Alice is complicated – and as Katherine gets to know her better she discovers that although Alice can be charming and generous she can also be selfish and egocentric. Sometimes, even, Alice is cruel. And when Katherine starts to wonder if Alice is really the kind of person she wants as a friend, she discovers something else about Alice - she doesn’t like being cast off.

So I've got some great reads to get through this week....what did you guys get this week?  Anything you'd wanna recommend I add to my TBR list?

And yes, it's Friday and you know by now what that means....it's Book Blogger Hop time!  I can't tell you how many great blogs I've come across and started following week after week thanks to Jennifer's weekly meme that gives everyone a chance to get their blog noticed...so head on over to Crazy-for-Books and let me know what you find.

Also...I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm getting such a great response on the contest I'm hosting that I decided to add another book to the pile and give the chance to a 4th winner as well!  I will be adding Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken into the possible winnings because after reading this book all I can say is that it's one that EVERYONE should read.  So if you haven't signed up click here to enter (and if the link doesn't work go to the Contest tab at the top of the page)!

Have a great weekend guys and Happy Reading as always!

Hexbound Details!!

So I'm all about the mini posts today apparently and have been searching the web for news and updates to share....I stopped by Chloe Neill's blog and found some exciting news....she's released the description for her sequel to Firespell, Hexbound...which is located on the back cover.  I loved Firespell and after reading the description, I can't wait for Hexbound to come out in January 2011!

Check it out...(taken from Chloe Neill's site)

Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia’s School for Girls, but she’s already learned that magic can be your best friend…or your worst enemy.

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turns out, even a little magic can turn you to the dark side. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities, on top of avoiding the snobs who think they run her school, nursing a crush on a cute sophomore with a big, werewolf-y secret, and fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago’s nastiest nightlife—including the tainted magic users known as Reapers.

Then Lily’s invited to a private meeting with Sebastian. He’s hot, powerful, and offering to help her harness the magic flowing in her veins in a way no one else can. He’s also a Reaper. Lily can’t hide her suspicions. But she’ll soon find out that the line between good and evil isn’t always clear…

If I find anything else on the net I'll be sure to update you guys throughout the day...has anyone found any interesting sneek peeks of their own?  I'd love to hear about them if you have.

Hitting the Shelves Soon!!!

Now that April is wrapping up, everyone (including me) is getting super excited for the new releases we've been anxiously awaiting to hit the shelves in May, but most readers already have their lists of what they're hopping to snag in May ready and raring to go.  What readers might not have is a list of what's coming out in June, so I wanted to share a few June releases that I can't wait to get my hands on!

Here's my top five June releases:

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood (6/1/2010)

Jessamine Luxson lives with her father, Thomas, an apothecary, in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle. Thomas’s pride and obsession is his locked garden full of dangerous plants, which Jessamine is forbidden to enter. 

When a traveler brings an orphan to their cottage, he claims the boy has special gifts that Thomas might value. Jessamine is drawn to the strange but intriguing boy, called Weed. Soon their friendship deepens into love. Finally, Weed shares his secret: He can communicate with plants. For him they have distinct personalities—and some are even murderous. From the locked garden the poisonous plants call to Weed, luring him with promises of deadly power.

When Jessamine falls inexplicably ill, only Weed’s relationship with the Poisons can save her. But Thomas is determined to exploit Weed’s abilities, even if it risks Jessamine’s life—or drives Weed to the brink of madness.…

Everlasting by Angie Frazier (6/1/2010)

Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty. 

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous—and alluring—magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who—and what—matters most.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce (6/7/2010)

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

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for.

13 to Life: A Werewolf's Tale by Shannon Delany (6/22/2010)

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction… 

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

Blue Bloods: Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz (6/29/2010)

Lavish parties. Passionate meetings in the night. Bone-chilling murders. Midterms. The day-to-day life of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Bloods friends (and enemies) is never boring. But there's oh-so-much more to know about these beautiful and powerful teens.Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, exists a wealth of revealing information about the vampire elite that dates back before the Mayflower.

In a series of short stories, journal entries, and never-before-seen letters, New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz gives her hungry fans the keys to the Repository and an even more in-depth look into the secret world of the Blue Bloods. Won't you come inside?

Don't these just sound great?  I can't wait...they've been on my TBR list for so long and June always felt like it was so far away but it's been creeping up on me and hopefully will be here before I know it!

Speaking of books everyone is anxiously awaiting...Rachel Hawkins announced the title to her new book, the Hex Hall sequel, drum roll please......Demonglass!  Spooky right?   Check out Rachel's full post here.

And don't forget to enter the contest I'm running...it ends May 21st...who would pass up a chance to win free books right?  Click here check it out!

Happy Reading!!!!!

Review: Burned (House of Night, # 7) by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Y’all need to get yourselves together. Here’s a newsflash from the only High Priestess you have left at this dang school: Zoey isn’t dead. And believe me, I know dead. I’ve been there, done that and got the fricken tee-shirt.

Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person—vamp or fledgling—that can stop the evil Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn’t so busy being dead.Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it’s going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae will have to give up a few secrets of her own...

Now with this being the 7th and newest installment in the House of Night series it might be a little different from some of my other reviews, mainly because I don't want to accidentally include any spoilers and ruin it for readers who haven't had the chance to read the previous installments. I fell in love with the House Of Night series from the very beginning and I know that I'm not alone in my enthusiasm. If you haven't read this series you should, end of discussion.
I will say this for those readers out there who are familiar with Zoey Redbird and the rest of the House Of Night crew...Burned was not a let down in any way, shape or form. It had everything I wanted and hoped for from it. The suspense, the mystery, the romance and all the problems that usually go hand in hand with that. I laughed at the characters' witty humor and even found myself close to tears at one point, I can totally be a sucker like that. But what I'm trying to say is that it had it all, everything you could ask for from the series.

P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast took me and I'm sure everyone who reads this book on a non-stop journey that will have you feeling like you're a character in the story yourself. We went to the "Otherworld", an island in Scotland, Venice, Italy, and of course good ole' Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was fantastic and memorable, a story that has stayed with me long after I finished the last page. This mother and daughter writing team really know how to weave a YA novel that will keep readers hooked and always wanting more, more, more! Once again I've found myself wishing that the next installment was coming out tomorrow so that I never have to stop reading.

One snippet I will mention * BEWARE OF A POSSIBLE SPOILER* I am and have always been on TEAM STARK...yes I felt the need to put that in all caps, it shows how much I adore him! This was the first book in the House Of Night series that I really felt did him justice, and gave him the spotlight he so rightly deserved.

Will Zoey be able to pull herself together (literally)? Will Stark and the rest of her friends manage to break through to her and get their high priestess back? Or will the Neferet and Darkness claim a victory that will leave all of us "insignificant" humans in danger? I guess you'll have to read and find out, because I'm sure not telling!

I gave Burned (House of Night, #7) 4 shamrocks - my favorite House Of Night book yet!

Review: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

When Wayland North brings rain to a region that's been dry for over ten years, he's promised anything he'd like as a reward. He chooses the village elder's daughter, sixteen-year-old Sydelle Mirabel, who is a skilled weaver and has an unusual knack for repairing his magical cloaks. Though Sydelle has dreamt of escaping her home, she's hurt that her parents relinquish her so freely and finds herself awed and afraid of the slightly ragtag wizard who is unlike any of the men of magic in the tales she's heard. Still, she is drawn to this mysterious man who is fiercely protective of her and so reluctant to share his own past.

The pair rushes toward the capital, intent to stop an imminent war, pursued by Reuel Dorwan (a dark wizard who has taken a keen interest in Sydelle) and plagued by unusually wild weather. But the sudden earthquakes and freak snowstorms may not be a coincidence. As Sydelle discovers North's dark secret and the reason for his interest in her and learns to master her own mysterious power, it becomes increasingly clear that the fate of the kingdom rests in her fingertips. She will either be a savior, weaving together the frayed bonds between Saldorra and Auster, or the disastrous force that destroys both kingdoms forever.

With a kingdom at stake, not to mention countless lives at risk, the pressure is without a doubt on for our main characters in Brightly Woven. Is that really too much responsibility for a talented weaver from a remote village and a mysterious wizard who could ask for anything, but only wants Sydelle? If you ask me, YEAH that is too much responsibility! But that's what Bracken put our main characters up against.


As a debut YA novelist, Bracken amazed me with how easy she made it for me and I'm sure other readers to become immediately engrossed in the world she created in Brightly Woven. I felt like I was walking (and sometimes running) alongside Syd and North. Reality faded and was replaced by Bracken's world. Her visuals were captivating and her characters became very real, I had to constantly remind myself that this was in fact not reality in order to keep my anxiety to a minimum.


Sydelle is our heroine and although she carried the typical traits readers tend to desire in a female lead (strong, courageous, witty and independent), she was also at the same time very unique and refreshing in my opinion. She was constantly posing questions of those around her that I'm sure readers will find themselves seeking the answers to as well. When her ignorance for any given situation irritated her, readers will empathize with her because they will be sharing her feelings of frustration as well. She was beautiful, fiery and determined throughout the entire story. And her relationship with Wayland North had me turning page after page just to see how it progressed.


North has now become one of my favorite leading male characters of all time. This is not an easy category to obtain entry. Just like Syd, North possessed traits all readers love in a male lead (protective, mysterious, tall, dark and handsome lol) but at the same time was able to cut away from the normal pack of male leads thanks to Bracken's excellent descriptions and the ways she portrayed him throughout the novel. He was constantly struggling to do what had to be done, all the while leaving Syd and the readers wondering if he was trying to do what was right for the kingdom, for Syd or just for himself.


With non-stop action, breathtaking scenery, love triangles, mystery, a villain readers will want to strangle themselves and a story that will snatch readers from the comfort of reality and shoot them straight into a fantasy world unlike any other they've ever come across before, Bracken has created a fantastic piece of writing that readers will never want to put down.


I want more of Bracken's writing and more Brightly Woven please! Please please please let this become a series, or at the very LEAST a trilogy!


I gave Brightly Woven 5 shamrocks!!!!!

In My Mailbox (5)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board.

Every week we’ll post about what books we have received (whether they’re bought/borrowed, etc… you get the idea). This is generally done on Sunday, but I’m told that it’s really whatever day works for you; I’m going to be posting mine on Fridays because I tend to post less on the weekends. 

Everyone participating will try and visit other lists to comment and possibly pine for the new arrivals everyone’s talking about. I’ve learned that it’s a great idea to really try and stop by at least two or three lists because I’m constantly finding out about new books that I’ve later added to my TBR list.

So this week I was lucky enough to snag some of the books I've been dying to read and to cross some off my TBR list (which never really seems to get shorter, only longer)!

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (I posted my review yesterday...go check it out)

In less than a day I had been harassed, enchanted, shouted at, cried on, and clawed. I’d been cold, scared, dirty, exhausted, hungry, and miserable. And up until now, I’d been mildly impressed with my ability to cope.

At her boarding school in New Zealand, Ellie Spencer is like any ordinary teen: she hangs out with her best friend, Kevin; obsesses over her crush on a mysterious boy; and her biggest worry is her paper deadline. Then everything changes: In the foggy woods near the school, something ancient and deadly is waiting.

Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl 

Veronica Walsh is 15, fashion-minded, fat, and friendless. Her summer job in the Consignment Corner section (Employees Only!) of a vintage clothing store is a dream come true. There Veronica can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the Dollar-a-Pound duds, without having to deal with people.

But when two outrageous yet charismatic salesgirls befriend her and urge her to spy on and follow the mysterious and awkward stock boy Veronica has nicknamed the Nail, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. Suddenly, what began as a prank turns into something else entirely. Which means Veronica may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe.

At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

I'm already half way through Vintage Veroncia and loving every minute of it, can't wait to get to the others, what did you guys get this week?  I'd love to hear from ya and hopefully find some new books that I need to add to my TBR list.

It's Friday and you know by now what that means....it's Book Blogger Hop time!  I can't tell you how many great blogs I've come across and started following thanks to Jennifer's weekly meme that gives everyone a chance to get their blog noticed...so head on over to Crazy-for-Books and let me know what you find.

On a last and final note before the weekend...I uploaded my pics from Maria V. Snyder's book signing that I went to last weekend and coulnd't resist sharing them with all of you.  Whatcha think?

The Borders in Lancaster was great and suprisingly my first experience in a Borders, there aren't any around me, I've always been strictly a Barnes & Nobles girl....anyhoo...

                                                    

My friend Lyric was sweet enough to make the drive to the signing with me, she's not a HUGE reader, but I think I may have swayed her a little....she wants to come with me to more signings in the future....YES!

                                                    

And of course.....me and Maria!  She was just so great, her table with all of her previous books, and of course her newest release Inside Out looked great and I wanted to buy them all, all over again!  LOL!  Thanks for letting me share my excitment with you guys....have a great weekend!

                                                          

Happy Reading!

Review: Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

"You're Ellie Spencer."

I opened my mouth, just as he added, "And your eyes are opening." Seventeen-year-old Ellie Spencer is just like any other teenager at her boarding school. She hangs out with her best friend Kevin, she obsesses over Mark, a cute and mysterious bad boy, and her biggest worry is her paper deadline. But then everything changes. The news headlines are all abuzz about a local string of serial killings that all share the same morbid trademark: the victims were discovered with their eyes missing. Then a beautiful yet eerie woman enters Ellie's circle of friends and develops an unhealthy fascination with Kevin, and a crazed old man grabs Ellie in a public square and shoves a tattered Bible into her hands, exclaiming, "You need it. It will save your soul." Soon, Ellie finds herself plunged into a haunting world of vengeful fairies, Maori mythology, romance, betrayal, and an epic battle for immortality.

I'm not quite sure where to start my review for this one. My feelings for this book were continuously changing, so much so that I'm not sure what my final opinion was or if I even have a definitive opinion. What I can say is that Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey was intriguing, the whole way through.

This being Healey's YA Debut novel I tried not to set my hopes too high, I feel like it's unfair to the book because sometimes a reader can come into the reading with too many high expectations and fail to give it a chance because it's not part of a series they already love or an author they're already familiar with. If I did come into this with high expectations it was unintentional, but regardless Healey met or surpassed them, that much I can say for sure.

For me it's usually all about the characters, or at least mostly. If I can't relate to a character or find myself desperate to stay with them along their journey through the story than already the book has failed to live up to my normal expectations. This was not the case with Guardian of the Dead. The main character Ellie Spencer was wonderful. She was different from a lot of the typical female protagonists I've read lately and I found that refreshing. She had a sharp-wit and so much going for her, but at the same time readers will see immediately that she was struggling in her life. She was constantly comparing herself to others and always found herself lacking, self esteem was a major issue for Ellie throughout the book, but at the same time it became an integral part of the story.

As side characters went, Kevin (the best friend) and Iris (the girl who loves the best friend) were great. They were simple and yet perfect for their roles, they didn't overly complicate the plot and definitely didn't slow down the writing. But let's face it...I'm a sucker for the male leads/prospective love interests for my main characters, and in Guardian of the Dead, Healey threw me a curve ball with Mark Nolan. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read the book yet, but I'll say this...Mark was mysterious, frustrating at times, adorable at other times, and I loved him and hated him at multiple points in the book. What's not to love about a guy like that right? All I know is that he wasn't your typical love interest, enough said!
Healey brought a lot of Māori mythology & legends into this novel. I was not familiar with it prior to reading the book and will admit to being confused and slightly overwhelmed at certain points, but overall I enjoyed the lessons. I've always been interested in mythology and other faiths/beliefs that I may not have been knowledgeable in before hand. Along with my confusion there was a matching fascination.
If you haven't read this novel yet, I'm not sure why...go out and see for yourself the truly creative and beautifully written work that Healey presents.

I gave Guardian of the Dead 4 shamrocks and truly look forward to more of Healey's work, which includes me crossing my fingers for a sequel!!!!



P.S. Don't forget to enter my contest that opened yesterday...you have until May 21st...don't miss out on your chance to win!

Also be sure to check out Alexandra Bracken's blog for more information on her current contest that runs until April 27th...you won't wanna miss this one either!

Happy Reading!

My 1st Giveaway!!!

I can't think of a better way to show my appreciation to all my followers than hosting my very 1st book giveaway!

There will be 3 lucky winners to start out -- if the number of followers increases than I'll make sure to add a few more prizes to the pile.

The 1st place winner will get a signed copy of Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder and a companion bookmark that Maria was sweet enough to throw in!

The 2nd place winner will get a copy of the recently released Numbers by Rachel Ward.  I just finished this book and I loved it, my review will be up soon!

And finally the 3rd place winner will get a copy of Vampire Kisses "The Beginning" by Ellen Schreiber.  This volume contains the first three books in her series:  Vampire Kisses, Kissing Coffins, and Vampireville.  Her next installment, the 7th book in the series Love Bites, will be out on May 18th.  So if you haven't read her Vampire Kisses series, this is the perfect chance to jump in to the series from the very beginning!

This contest is for followers only, so if you're not a follower just click on the "follow" button on the sidebar to your right (Yes, I will be checking to confirm the winners)!

**Update**

I've added another book to the pile and decided to have 4 winners instead of 3!

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken is now up for grabs...what a great read!

Now that you know what's up for grabs, just click on the link below to fill out the form and you'll be that much closer to being a winner!  This contest will end on May 21st so hurry up and enter and stay tuned for more updates!

Click HERE to fill out the contest entry form!