Fragment Friday (17) - Song Quest by Katherine Roberts

It's FRIDAY. Which means it's time for Fragment Friday! Fragment Friday is hosted by James of Book Chic. Fragment Friday is where you read excerpts of your favorite books or what you are reading now. This week I'm reading from an all time favorite - Song Quest by Katherine Roberts (part of the Echorium Sequence).

Giveaway: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Thanks to the lovely people at Penguin, I have a copy of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness AND a set of super fun pins to giveaway! If you haven't heard about A Discovery of Witches, here's the summary from Goodreads:

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.
Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism
 

How to enter? SIMPLE. Fill out the following form and leave a comment with your FAVORITE WITCH! I have so many, but I'd have to say Elphaba from Wicked falls high on the list for me :) Open until May 7th and US Only.

Waiting on Wednesday (97) - The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Coming September 13th from HarperTeen

A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?
A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRís calls to her body and soul.
She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in.
 
Oh my gosh! I want it to be September now! I hadn't heard much about this one until several weeks ago, and now that I've heard about it - I need it! :P It looks absolutely wonderful and something that is totally up my ally.
 
And that cover? Can you say GORGEOUS? It is just stunning.
 
What are you guys waiting on?

A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

A Touch Mortal
Leah Clifford
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Pages: 422
Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 stars

Eden didn't expect Az. Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick-up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long, happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else's game. Her heart is her own.
And that's only the beginning of the end.

A Touch Mortal....how to describe it? Well, I liked it. It was good. I take that back, A Touch Mortal is absolutely mind blowing and freaking fantabulous. I had heard about it months before its release and was simply counting down the days until it was out, and once it was, things kept coming up - keeping me from reading. Let me just tell you, A Touch Mortal was worth the wait and more.

A Touch Mortal is honestly unlike any other book you'll read. It is unique in about every way possible. It is like nothing I have ever read, and definitely very far from the other angel books out there now. It also is raw and real - the dialogue isn't the cleanest thing in the world, and I thought it really made it authentic. The characters became even more real through even the littlest details.

The entire idea of A Touch Mortal was brilliant. I loved every aspect, with Siders and the angels and the way they live. It was great. It was something completely new - this was my only issue with the book at times. It would take me a few pages or need to reread several scenes to completely understand things. I mean, that only happened like 2 or 3 times, but once I got it, it would make so many things make more sense.

I loved the twists and turns A Touch Mortal took me on. There was so many moments I was literally gasping out loud – at the amusement (or horror?) of those around me. I would not even come close to guessing major plot details. Clifford allows readers to guess, and be right, about several smaller details, but after that, it’s a complete field day.

None of the characters in A Touch Mortal were at all like one another. They filled every type of person you can think of and then some. They were all so different, yet I found them all linked in other, more subtle ways. I felt most of the characters were easy to relate to and really get in their head, and try to experience life the way it is for them in this alternate world. Leah Clifford is not afraid to make her characters suffer - they are tossed down so many paths and some of them suffer quite a lot.

Much like she's not afraid to give her characters a hard time and sort of throw them down many paths, she's not afraid to make readers suffer. Clifford builds the plot throughout the entire book with an absolute explosion at the end, only to leave readers turning the page to find acknowledgements. The wait for book 2 will be painstakingly awful, as the many possibilities of what could come to happen are infinite.

This is a must read. As in stop reading my review and rush to the nearest book store to you. I started this book at the airport, waiting for my flight, read until I boarded the plane, only to pull it out and read straight through my flight, leaving me shocked that the plane was pulling into the terminal. I was absolutely captivated by Eden and Az's world. I was transported there, sucked in, and didn't want to leave.

Defiance by Lili St Crow

Defiance
Lili St Crow
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 259
Source: Bought

Rating: 4.5 stars

The heart-stopping fourth novel in New York Times bestselling author Lili St. Crow's Strange Angels series.
Now that sixteen-year-old Dru's worst fears have come true and Sergej has kidnapped her best friend Graves, she'll have to go on a suicidal rescue mission to bring him back in one piece.


That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day . . .
I absolutely love this series - it is so much fun to read.

The new characters that were introduced in Defiance were awesome! I really loved Nathalie. She was so much fun, and I thought a much needed female in the book. I loved what she brought to the story. The old characters were just as great as before. I still am very Team Christophe :)

My biggest issue with Defiance was that Dru came off as a sort of weaker character in this one towards the end, contrasting with the ultra strong heroine she has always been. She was also way too gullible in this one - which led to her doom. I called it out right away.

The plot was awesome! There was so much action and in Defiance there was so much conflict! The story in this series never gets old, and something new is always popping up. I am now counting down the days until Reckoning - November cannot come soon enough!

I recommend this series 100%! It is so fun and full of tons of kickass characters. There is always a ton of action in the books, and they're super fast reads. You will become addicted to them with page one. A must read!

In My Mailbox (95)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got:



Review:
The A Circuit by Georgina Bloomberg and Catherine Hapka
Flawless by Lara Chapman
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

RandomBuzzers:
Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

Bought:
Defiance by Lili St Crow

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Scars
Cheryl Rainfield
Publisher: Westside Books
Release Date: March 24, 2010 (BUT the paperback will be out May 25, so don't forget to check that out!!)
Pages: 250
Source: Copy for Review

Rating: 3.5 stars

Summary (Via Goodreads): Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

Scars was kind of like a car crash for me - you know that tragic accident that you pass, and have to slow down to look at, even though know you know you shouldn't? Scars was like that - an absolutely horrifying story and was really sad, yet I couldn't stop reading once I started.
The plot was really intriguing. It was incredibly tragic to think that that sort of thing happens, but it was one of those stories that needs to be read. Mixed with the sadder seens there were scenes that, while I was reading them, I just couldn't stop smiling! They were so heartwarming. At times, things seemed to work out too perfectly for Kendra. That would probably be my biggest fault of the book.
The characters were all very well written. Kendra was a really strong character and very easy to relate to, even though most people haven't gone through the same things she has. Rainfeld made is really easy to get into Kendra's head and understand her emotions. Meghan was kind of like the shining ray of light of the book I thought. I really admired her for her attitude and the way she stayed strong.
Scars was a really great read - I read it in 3 sittings. The story was intriguing and the characters were great. I would really recommend it.

Catching Up Readathon! My progress

So, if you recall, I posted about the Catching Up readathon early this week! If you want to sign up, it's not too late, information is over at Kristen's blog. I'm hoping for 8 reads between today, Saturday, and Sunday.

So far I have read:

1. Scars by Cheryl Rainfeld (Though, I had started this one before the actual read-a-thon)
2. 50/50 Monologues for Student Actors by Mary Depner

Fragment Friday (16) - Jealousy by Lili St Crow

It's FRIDAY. Which means it's time for Fragment Friday! Fragment Friday is hosted by James of Book Chic. Fragment Friday is where you read excerpts of your favorite books or what you are reading now. Not long ago, I finished Jealousy by Lili St Crow

Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany

Secrets and Shadows
Shannon Delany
Publisher: St Martins Griffin
Release Date: February 15, 2010
Pages: 320
Source: Borrowed

Nothing's simple when you run with werewolves. Jess Gillmansen thinks she's seen it all but her eyes are about to be opened to even more danger and a reality far more paranormal than she's suspected. With Jess' realization that the Rusakovas' mother is still alive and imprisoned, the group's choices become harder and trust more important. Lines are drawn and relationships change as the broken Rusakova family struggles to reunite to free their mother - and those who Jess thought to be normal people show themselves to be much, much more...

I am really confused about my feelings on this book. I really liked the book overall, but there were different details that I wasn't  too crazy about. I love the overall plot arc, but there were some dips in the road of Secrets and Shadows that made for a little bit of a bumpy ride. The story took only several chapters to get in to, then I had a hard time putting it down.

The plot was kind of predictable, though it still had a lot of twists and turns I didn't see coming. I really liked the direction the story took in terms of the werewolves and the master plan by the CIA. Some of the scenes were a bit cliched, like love declaration scene where the boy's family intervenes, trying to save the girl and keep her safe. I also felt some details weren't fully explained, as I am still confused after reading.

Peitr drove me mad this entire book. He kept pulling the classic Edward Cullen - I'm not safe for you, blah blah blah. And Jessie? The overprotective mom act for Sarah REALLY needs to go. The two of them with their unnecessary angst and drama was making my headspin! Jessie also came off as a much weaker individual in this book, as she was pining after Pietr.

That aside, I really admire the other characters. Max and Cat are way too much fun. I really admire Amy, I think she is a very relatable character. I thought different other characters also really developed in Secrets and Shadows.
I was slightly disappointed at the ending. While I am now anxious to see what happens in book 3, it almost didn't make sense to me. It still really built up my anticipation though.

My thoughts on Secrets and Shadows were very mixed. I liked the overall story and the majority of the characters, but there were some other aspects that drove me mad. Regardless, I am still really excited for book 3. This is a fun series to read, and quick reads at that.

Waiting on Wednesday (96) - Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Love Story by Jennifer Echols
Coming July 19th from MTV Books

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW.



Erin Blackwell is headed to college in New York City to study creative writing and earn a living as a romance novelist. Her grandmother has other plans: she approves of the college, but she wants Erin to major in business and then come back home to Kentucky to run the family’s famous racehorse farm. There is no way Erin will agree. Studying in New York and writing her way into a career is her escape from the farm and the family tragedy that happened there. So Erin’s grandmother decides Erin really will live life as a starving artist. She takes Erin’s future job running the farm, her inheritance, even her college tuition, and gives them all to Hunter Allen.


Hunter has lived on the farm for years. He’s Erin’s age, he’s the stable boy, and he’s the romantic dream of every girl in her high school. But he was involved in the family tragedy. Erin has always given him a wide berth. And he’s a slick opportunist. She’s furious that he fooled her grandmother into giving him Erin’s birthright and sending him to Erin’s college.
At least she’s free of him in her creative writing class. So she pens a story that has haunted her lately, in which the horse farm heiress at the very first Kentucky Derby starts a forbidden affair with the lowly stable boy. Unfortunately for her, the day she’s sharing this story with her New York classmates, Hunter walks in. He’s switching to her class. And after reading about himself in Erin’s story, he writes his own sexy assignments that lure Erin into dangerous fantasies about what could have been between them, and what might be.

I cannot wait for another Jennifer Echols book! She is my favorite author, and every year I count down until another one of her books is released! They are simply fantastic, and Love Story sounds like it will be another smashing hit! Plus, it has another to die for cover! July cannot come quick enough!

The week leading up to Love Story's release will be stellar - as it will be my birthday, Harry Potter, then Love Story! :)

Books to Read Before BEA

So in 34 days I will be on my way to New York for BEA, and I have a TON of books I have not read. I am challenging myself to read 33 books before then. I am not really sure if it will happen, but it's a goal. Catching up on some of the ones I have will be a fabulous idea before BEA, as I'll get some new ones there as well.

Katie is doing a similar challenge over at her blog, so go cheer her on here!

My list:

1 - Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2 - Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

3 - Beautiful Dead: Arizona by Eden Maguire

4 - Beautiful Dead: Summer by Eden Maguire

5 - Maybe Now, Maybe Never by Kimberly Joy Peters

6 - Rise by Stefne Miller

7 - Heisit Society by Ally Carter
8 - A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

9 - Rival by Sarah Bennett Wealer

10 - Between Shades of Grey

11 - So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

12 - Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

13 - If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

14 - Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

15 - Red Riding Hood

16 - 50/50 Monologues for Student Actors by Mary Depner

17 - Across the Universe by Beth Revis

18 - Delirium by Lauren Oliver

19 - When I Was Joe

20 - King of Ithaka

21 - The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

22 - Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

23 - Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

24 - Draw the Dark by Ilsa J Bick

25 - John Belushi is Dead by Karen Charles

26 - Flawless by Laura Chapman

27 - Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson

28 - Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

29 - The A Circuit by Georgina Bloomberg & Chatherine Hapka

30 - The Survivors by Amanda Havard

31- Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter
32 - Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany

33 - Defiance by Lili St Crow

What do you guys think I should read first?

Past Perfect Cover!

So I totally loved Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales some crazy amount - I even used it for my forensics piece this year! So fun! And Leila has another book coming out October 4. Here's the front jacket blurb:

All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra's working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated...even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.


Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she's got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it....



AND THE COVER. Which I think is fabulous!

I think it's a totally fun cover. Though I think having some historical reenactment clothing in the cover would've been pretty snazzy :D Either way, I am super excited for it! Don't you guys think it looks super fabulous?

Mini-Views: Vanished and Ominous by Kate Brian

Vanished (Private #12) by Katie Brian

So I usually think I have some sort of idea as to where this series is going to take me.... after finishing the last page of Vanished I have no idea! But all I know is, I like it, and I'm super excited to see where Kate Brian will take readers next! All the characters are tested in Vanished in more than one way, and the plot is mysterious and intriguing. While a few points seemed to almost bend reality, I guess it makes sense for all the Easton kids. Vanished ends with essentially another cliffhanger that leaves readers pining for the next book.

5 Stars

Ominous (Private #13) by Kate Brian

I am really loving the direction the Private series has taken with Ominous and Vanished. It is definitely nothing I would have expected, and I absolutely love it. Ominous gives readers more of their favorite characters, some older characters, and some new ones as well. The plot got quite eerie, and I am dying to know where Kate Brian will take it in the next book, as it can only get better from here on out! The ending makes me anxious for it to be September, and for Vengeance! I cannot believe that will bring the series to a close - I wish it could go on for quite awhile.
5 stars

The Catching Up Readathon!

I am SO behind on reading AND I just set a new almost ridiculously impossible goal for myself: Finish 30 books by BEA. So I was happy when Kristen announced the Catching Up Readathon. This takes place Thursday 21 through Modnay the 25th.

I did the goodreads challenge and set it at 100 books. According to that, I'm 12 books behind. Which is totally not good! My goal is to read at least 8 books throughout those days (I'm not really sure if that will happen, as I'm flying out to visit ChelseaMonday so I'm already down one day, but I'm sure as heck gonna try) :)

Sign up over at Kristen's blog. Happy readathoning :)

Anyone else signing up?

In My Mailbox (94)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.


This week I got:

For Review:
The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Won:
A chapter sample of Once Every Never - I read this, and I can't wait for it! I've loved Livingston's other stuff, so I'm super excited for this one.

Bought:
Revelation by Kate Brian - For some reason I was missing this book in the series yet I owned the other like 13 that were already out, so I thought I should complete my set, as this series is an absolute favorite :)
Bookmooch:
The Seventh Daughter by Frewin Jones

What did you guys get?

Mini-Views Suspicion and Scandal by Kate Brian

Suspicion (Private #10) by Kate Brian

So I absolutely love this series. It always is filled to the brim with fun, drama, and some sort of mystery and drama. Suspicion is no different - and it was pretty fun to see the life away from Easton and Billings. I really enjoyed the plot. I found the romance between Reed and Upton a bit pushed and forced. Reed also came off a bit selfish and self centered, in my opinion, in Suspicion, which is something I had seem a bit on occasion in other books but not very much.


4.5 stars







Scandal (Private #11) by Kate Brian

This was another fun read in the series! The drastic changes were awesome. I loved seeing the new side of a lot of characters. The characters are one of the best parts of this series, and seeing more of them was just awesome. The ending has left me really intrigued for the next book, and boy am I happy it is already out because that cliffhanger would be a killer!

5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday (95) - Defiance by Lili St Crow

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Defiance by Lili St Crow
Coming April 19th from Razorbill.

Now that sixteen-year-old Dru's worst fears have come true and Sergej has kidnapped her best friend Graves, she'll have to go on a suicidal rescue mission to bring him back in one piece.


That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day . . .

AH! I want it so bad! I love this series so much, and after the end of Jealousy I am DYING to get it! I have already preordered it and have working into my schedule being a hermit the day it comes out and just reading straight through :D

I am really happy they chose to go back to the Dru covers they had for the first 2 books. The gossipy girl-esque cover for Jealousy was pretty, but was a bit odd for the series. I still liked it, but I just love the sole Dru covers - they have such charm and are GORGEOUS!

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Enclave
Ann Aguirre
Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: April 12, 2011
Pages: 259
Source: ARC for Review

Rating: 5 stars

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.


Enclave was a real treat to read! I simply loved every page. Dystopians, for me, are a hit or miss, and Enclave was very much a hit. The characters are relatable and the story is just wonderful.

Enclave was a fascinating story. While the plot is a edgier and harsher, there was an underlying warmth that ran alongside the main story. I'm really curious to see how the story develops in book 2 and how the characters grow. It starts out quicker paced, but once Deuce and Fade get further on their journey, the pace gets even faster, making it a very quick read.

The characters in Enclave were very well written. Even the minor characters, like Banner and Stone, stay fresh in my mind, and don't merely fade into the wallpaper like minor characters have a tendancy to do. Deuce was such a strong heroine, and I really appreciated that. I fell for Fade right away.

Enclave ends with an ending to leave readers hanging. I gasped, and frantically turned the page, looking for more story, but could only find acknowledgements. I cannot wait for Outpost, book 2, as it will be one heck of a story!

Enclave is an absolutely wonderful read. I read most of it in one sitting, as I couldn't bear to put it down. The characters were all very relatable, and the story is very interesting. A must read.

----------

Also see Enclave's awesome trailer, below

Jealousy by Lili St Crow

Jealousy (Strange Angels, Book 3)
Lili St Crow
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: July 29, 2010
Pages: 316
Source: Purchased Copy

Rating: 5 stars

It's a good thing Dru Anderson is fast. Because the sucker chasing her isn't slowing down—and he won't rest until he has tasted her blood and silenced her heart . . .



Dru's best friend, Graves, and her strange and handsome savior, Christophe, are ready to help her take on the ultimate evil. But will their battle for Dru's heart get in the way of her survival?

Jealousy was another amazing book in the Strange Angels series. For some reason, I did not read it until now? I was absolutely crazy to wait, especially since I stalked many many a stores to see who would have it out early. I was instantly transported right back into Dru's world and captivated by the wonder of everything around her. Lili St Crow takes readers for quite the ride, with many twists and turns with Jealousy.

I continue to love the characters. Dru is a strong character, and in Jealousy, a bit more of what her weakness is comes through. While I always thought she was a relatable, great character, I thought seeing her weakness made me connect with her that much more. I continue to love Christophe, never exactly sure what he's up to. Graves is always a fun character to read about.

The action in this book is just awesome! The plot is thrilling and always leaves me surprised. These books aren't predictable by any means, and I absolutely love not knowing what is going to be thrown at me next. I love the world the story takes place in - it is so easy to transport yourself right into the story and just be captivated.

This series is a must read, and Jealousy is just another continuation of thrilling stories from St. Crow. I am now impatiently awaiting the upcoming release of Deviance, as I love the world, story, and characters.

In My Mailbox (93)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.
This week I got:

Rise by Stefne Miller

Won:

Possess by Gretchen McNeil
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte + soundtrack + pencil + other stuff

Basically it was an epic epic mail week - I am SO excited about Possess and Rise and I absolutely LOVE Jane Eyre.  Plus Rise's cover is just so pretty! I love it! Possess's is pretty snazzy too! :)

What did you guys get?

Language of Love by Deborah Reber

Language of Love (Part of Love, Love, Love)
Deborah Reber
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: December 21, 2010
Pages: 452
Source: Copy for Review

Rating: 3.5 stars

In Language of Love, Janna is quickly adapting to life in Seattle as a high school exchange student from Hungary. Or at least Julian, the cute boy she met in a coffee shop, thinks she is. The truth is, he overheard Janna using a phony accent, and now she’s stuck playing the part….Will Julian want to be with the real Janna? Or will she discover that lies don’t always translate to love?

Predictable and fun, Language of Love is an adorable read that will be sure to entice readers. The plot was a bit elementary, as any girl should realize pretending to be someone you are not never ends up well. The plot was quite predictable, but that's part of the charm of the romantic story.

The plot was very cute, despite the initial drawbacks I had. The story was very easy to get caught up in, and it was a lot of fun. Deborah Reber does a really great job transporting readers right into the story.

I really connected with the characters. I enjoyed seeing Janna break out of shell and experience a little more with her wild side as the story went on. I think everyone has a Molly in their life, so she was a really fun character to follow. I think Emmett was my favorite character of the book, as he is the perfect best friend anyone would want. I really enjoyed his role in the story - the scenes with him were the best.

Language of Love is a wonderful addition to the collection of romantic comedies out there. They always are fantastic reads, that consume you from page 1 to the last.

Tour: The Opposite of Amber by Gillian Philip

The Opposite of Amber
Gillian Philip
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Release Date: April 4, 2011
Pages: 320
Source: ARC Tour for Teen Book Scene

Rating: 4.5 stars

'They found the fifth girl right after the snow melted ...the place where he left her was winter water, crazed with ice-feathers and dusted with snow. The traces from her body were gone, the ones that said his name, but she had an extra skin of ice that protected her and she looked perfect, like Snow White'. Ruby and her older sister Jinn live together on their own, just about making ends meet. Jinn is beautiful, with glittering blonde hair, and makes it her business to look after Ruby. They are horrified by, but try to ignore, the local newspaper stories of prostitutes who are murdered, their bodies eventually discovered underwater. Then the no-good Nathan Baird turns up on the scene - again - and Jinn starts to change. First Nathan moves in with Jinn and Ruby, making Ruby feel an outsider, and then Jinn and Nathan move out, leaving Ruby alone. Jinn no longer has time to look after Ruby. And it seems to Ruby that Jinn herself needs looking after. Her beautiful glittering hair starts to lose its shine. And then Jinn disappears. A deeply moving, chilling, and incredibly powerful thriller that celebrates the love two sisters have for each other and mourns the events beyond their control that will conspire to drive them apart.

This was a really awesome book! It was really touching and intriguing. Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down, and the pages couldn't seem to flip fast enough. It was addicting, and I needed to know what was going to happen next and what twists Gillian Philip would throw at readers next.

The plot was not predictable by any means. Gillian Philip made readers suspect so many different characters and would switch the facts around to make other characters look just as guilty. I was constantly switching my opinion on who I thought was behind everything. My sole issue with the book was there were a few brief moments was that I was slightly confused at what was happening. It would take me a few pages, then I'd realize exactly what I had missed.

I loved all the characters in The Opposite of Amber. They were all really well written and very well rounded. I really liked Ruby. She was very personable and easy to connect with. She was just a ton of fun. The relationship between Jinn and Ruby was really well done. It was so easy to see how Ruby was the younger sister, and yes, at times annoyed Jinn, but the bond they had was incredible. Jinn was such a good hearted person you couldn't not like her if you wanted to. As much as Ruby despises Nathan Baird in the book, you couldn't really hate him either. He had unpleasant qualities, but behind those it was easy to see how much he cared for Jinn. I loved Foley and his sister, Mallory as well. Mallory was absolutely hilarious and even the little things she did made me smile. Foley was just an all around nice guy.

I would whole heartedly suggest The Opposite of Amber! It was a fantastic read, that will captivate readers until the very last page.

Waiting on Wednesday (94) - Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about!

Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Coming September 12 from Harcourt Children's Books


Willa is lucky: She has a loving blended family that gets along. Not all families are so fortunate. But when a bloody crime takes place hundreds of miles away, it has an explosive effect on Willa’s peaceful life. The estranged father she hardly remembers has murdered his new wife and children, and is headed east toward Willa and her mother.
Under police protection, Willa discovers that her mother has harbored secrets that are threatening to boil over. Has everything Willa believed about herself been a lie? As Willa sets out to untangle the mysteries of her past, she keeps her own secret—one that has the potential to tear her family apart.
I am really excited for this one - I think it sounds simply fantastic! What are you guys waiting on this week?

Cassandra Clare and Holly Black Tour and Interviews Around the Web!

Happy Red Glove and City of Fallen Angels Day everyone!!! Click on the picture above to take you to the details about the tour stops and dates! I'm so bummed I won't get to see them on tour this time!

All week long CASSANDRA CLARE and HOLLY BLACK interviewed with each other on MTV’s HOLLYWOOD CRUSH! Check it out below:

http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/03/16/mortal-instruments-white-cat/

http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/03/16/mortal-instruments-white-cat/

http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/03/16/mortal-instruments-white-cat/

http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/03/31/mortal-instruments-maureen/

http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/04/01/cassandra-clare-city-of-lost-souls/

Winners!

I am almost embarassed at how behind I am at posting winners of giveaways. I am really sorry! Life has been crazy the past few months, but things are starting to slow down for me now.

The winner of Sea is...

Danielle

The winner of The Unwritten Rule is...

Katie

The winner of Angelfire is...

Amber


Congrats! All winners should have received an email :)

Wither by Lauren Destefano

Wither
Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Release Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 356
Source: ARC for Review

Rating: 4.5 stars

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.
But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.

I really enjoyed Wither. I thought it was a really creative and unique book filled with a great cast of characters. Wither starts out slower, but soon turns into an intense page turner that will leave you begging for more!

While the story was slow building at first, it is very interesting to read about. The first chunk of the book I was not as in to the story, and it was a bit more of world building, to set the stage. All at once, I was so caught up in the story, and could barely put it down. I was sneaking in pages whenever I could.  I loved the science of the idea of the human race dying so young. I thought it was a really cool idea.

I absolutely loved the characters of Wither. While I found Cecily shallow and annoying at times, she really had her charming moments. Rhine annoyed me at different times throughout the book, but like Cecily had her moments. Jenna was hands down my favorite character of the book - she was so lovely. Vaughn was so absolutely creepy - I thought he was probably the best written character out of the book.

Wither's cover is one of my favorites I have seen in a very long time. It is absolutely stunning. Wither is a book I would definitely suggest. It's interesting and very thought provoking. It is a book you will not want to miss.

In My Mailbox (92)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got:



The Time-Traveling Fashinista by Bianca Turetsky
Luminous by Dawn Metcalf
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby
Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando
The Survivors by Amanda Havard
Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley
Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep