Time to announce some winners from my contests!!!

I am still waiting to hear back from author Rachel Caine for the cover contest. She has been touring, so she is very busy! If I don't hear from her by Monday, I will have a neutral person pick the winner!

Now for the winners that I do have picked already thanks to Random.org!





Congrats to the winners!! Thanks to everyone who entered. I am emailing the winners shortly and they have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be picked!

VAMPIRE LOVERS
A BOOK OF UNDEAD PIN-UPS
Author: Gavin Baddeley
Source: Library

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Plexus Publishing; Original edition (April 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0859654508
• ISBN-13: 978-0859654500

SUMMARY:

A new generation was awakened to the romantic lure of the vampire genre with Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Twilight’s soulful vampire, Edward Cullen. This book is for all those whose thirst remains unsated. A heady history of the silver screen’s undead dreamboats, this intoxicating study examines each of the mesmerizing performers who have taken on the role of leading vampire. From Buffy’s brooding flames David Boreanaz and James Marsters to Stephen Moyer, the pulse-quickening star of True Blood, every intriguing incarnation of Stoker’s monster is found here. Beginning with radical characters like Kate Beckinsale’s gun-wielding, PVC-clad action hero in Underworld and ending with delectably dark visions of legends Christopher Lee and Bela Lugosi, the book demonstrates precisely why the fascination with this genre — much like Cullen’s timeless love — will never die. Illustrated with more than 100 irresistible film stills, Vampire Lovers is essential reading for any well-informed fan. 

MY THOUGHTS:

While I was cruising around the Halloween section of my local library, I came across this book and thought it would be a quick and fun read for the weekend.  It features pictures and details of screen legends focusing on the allure of vampires.

From Edward Cullen and Eric Northman all the way back to Bela Lugosi and Gloria Holden, this book features screen legends to current heart throbs.  The author goes into details of what each characters role has brought to the frenzy of Vampire thrill and love.  With wonderful color photos from the show the actor portrays, the author also includes summaries of each story and what romantic appeal each one draws on the most.

I really enjoyed this book and the authors thoughts on each one.  While I knew a majority of the films and TV shows that were included, I also found some new ones to explore in the process.  If you are fan of the Vampire phenomenon, then this is one book worth checking out!

MY RATING:

Labels: 5 flames

ECSTASY IN DARKNESS
Author: Gena Showalter
Source: Publisher

• Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition (October 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439175772
• ISBN-13: 978-1439175774

SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling sensation Gena Showalter enthralls with a dark, tantalizing world of humans, otherworlders, powers beyond imagining, and a seductive vampire undone by his insatiable hunger for one woman. . . .Growing up poor on New Chicago’s meanest streets, Ava Sans had two options: be the predator or be the prey. No contest. Now, working for Alien Investigation and Removal, she’s been ordered to capture the biggest, baddest warrior of all—a vampire too beautiful to be real, with the abilityto manipulate time. Once the leader of the entire vampire army, McKell has been deemed savage and unstable, spurned even by his own kind.To McKell, humans should be nothing more than sustenance. Yet the petite, golden-skinned Ava is a fascinating contradiction—vicious yet witty, strong yet vulnerable, lethal but fiercely loyal. Against his better judgment, McKell craves that loyalty, and much more. When the chase leads to seduction, McKell and Ava will race to discover the truth about his past. But the answers will come at a price, even for a woman who thought she had nothing left to lose. . . . 


MY THOUGHTS:


I have been craving another installment in the Alien Huntress series and the day had finally arrived!  I love the writing style of author Gena Showalter, and when the publisher offered the book for review, I emailed them so quickly that I might have broken my computer mouse! 


In the 5th book in the series, we get the chance to learn more about McKell.  Between bouts of laughter and swells of sadness, the story was written so well that I didn't want it to end. I loved the plot and the characters and truly enjoyed this installment more than the previous books for some reason.  One thing I enjoy about the authors writing is that even if you haven't read the entire series yet, she gives you just enough information to give you the basic rundown of the others without going overboard with history.  


I loved how McKell's personality balanced out Ava's and vice versa.  McKell was the grump and was strict at times while Ava was lighthearted and knew how to make a comeback with McKell's grumpiness.  Even though McKell is written as the Alpha male in the book, Ava makes sure he knows that she is the Alpha female of the story. If I could change one thing about the story it would only be the rushed feel of the ending.  I wanted a couple more chapters to make the book feel complete.


If you haven't picked up a story written by Gena Showalter yet, you are truly missing out on a fantastic read!  She keeps you laughing with just the right amount of romance that will keep you craving more of her writing no matter what the story is about!


MY RATING:

Labels: 5 flames, Gena Showalter

Dragonart Evolution
How to Draw Everything Dragon
Author: J "NeonDragon" Peffer
Source: Meryl L. Moss Media
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Impact; 1 edition (August 19, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440302529
• ISBN-13: 978-1440302527

SUMMARY:

A dragon artist’s guide to better drawing
Magnificent and powerful creatures, these dragons be, with bone-crushing jaws and razor-sharp teeth, it’s difficult to tell whether you’re dealing with a hotheaded nature or a wise and benevolent beast. Therein lies the trouble with drawing them from life. Make your dragon portraits more authentic (while avoiding loss of life and limbs) with the help of this guide. A follow-up to the fiercely popular DragonArt, this book features ALL NEW dragons and EVEN MORE detailed dragon anatomy instruction.
· 60+ step-by-step demonstrations cover a variety of dragons, including medieval, fairy and sea-dwelling varieties
· In-depth advice for drawing every part of the beast—eyes, ears, horns, wings, scale patterns, limbs and more
· Extra tips and tricks provided by your dragon guide, Dolosus
It’s everything you need to draw a variety of dragons—from enormous, ancient beasts with broken scales and fractured horns, to sleek, sinuous creatures with leathery skin and fancy frills. So steel your heart, prepare your trusty inking pen, and venture forth, brave artist … unleash the ferocious, extraordinary, original beasts that dwell within your fiery imaginings!

MY THOUGHTS:

I held off on reviewing this book right away because I wanted a chance to sit down and practice some of the techniques that the book has to offer so I could get a better understanding of the book for review.  As I ventured through the lessons, I found them to be fun and quite easy to follow.

I am by no means an artist.  I can barely draw a stick figure!  Yet with practice and study of this book, I found myself actually drawing dragons! And yes, they did resemble dragons as well!  Now granted, they did not turn out exactly like the book shows, but at least when I looked at my finished product you could tell I was attempting to draw a dragon and not a deformed horse.

I also enjoyed how the author used vibrant colors for the finished images that was being taught in the book.  The attention to detail and shadowing was great.  I have a daughter who loves to draw and I know that she would love a book like this!  If you have a child or teen who is into serious drawing, then this is a book I would recommend in teaching the art of fantasy drawing!

MY RATING:

Labels: 5 flames

DUST DEVIL
Author: Anne Isaacs
Illustrated by: Paul O. Zelinsky
Source: Publihser
* I received this book free of 
charge in exchange for an honest review*

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (September 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375867228
• ISBN-13: 978-0375867224

SUMMARY:

Here is the thrilling, thigh-slapping companion to Swamp Angel, the beloved Caldecott Honor–winning picture book.

Swamp Angel has a reputation as the greatest woodswoman and wildest wildcat in all of Tennessee. But when she grows too big for that state, she moves to Montana, a place so sizeable, even Angel can fit in. It’s there that she wrestles a raging storm to the ground and, at its center, finds herself a sidekick—a horse she names Dust Devil. And when Backward Bart, the orneriest, ugliest outlaw ever known, starts terrorizing the prairie, seems like Angel and Dust Devil may be the only ones strong enough to stop him.

Children will be captivated by the beauty and exaggerated humor of Paul Zelinsky’s American primitive–style paintings and the wit and energy of Anne Isaacs’s unparalleled storytelling. Here is an original folktale starring an extraordinary gal who is as feisty as she is funny and as courageous as she is kind.

MY THOUGHTS:

When I received this book, my daughter and I shared it at bedtime for her routine read of the evening.  While the story was fun and whimsical, it was a bit long for younger children.  She lost interest in it quickly because there was so much reading involved per page.  On that note, I would definitely save this book for older children around age 8 and have them read it themselves.

The story was great, but the illustrations could have been so much better.  While they may have been suited for the storyline, the illustrations were bland and not as pretty as girls would normally enjoy.  Again, the illustrations tend to fall in the older child range and even focused more towards a feel that boys would like better.

If you were wanting to find a book that is well suited for a boy and who falls in the age range of 6-8, then this would be best for that.  Overall not a bad book, but not one I would recommend for younger girls.

MY RATING:

Labels: 2 flames

I was going through my books and I happen to have an extra copy of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  I thought I would offer it here for one lucky person to win! Book is brand new!

Thanks to HarperCollins, I have ONE copy of The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde to giveaway to one lucky person!

"On Christmas Eve, if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny."

BLOOD TRINITY
Book 1 in the Belador Series
Author(s): Sherrilyn Kenyon and Diana Love

• Mass Market Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; Original edition (October 19, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439155828
• ISBN-13: 978-1439155820

SUMMARY:

THE FIRST LOVE COOKIE CLUB
Author: Lori Wilde
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Original edition (October 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061988421
• ISBN-13: 978-0061988424

SUMMARY:

"On Christmas Eve, if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny."

The townsfolk of Twilight, Texas, believe the legend, but not Sarah Collier—not since she was a pudgy teenager, running down the church aisle on Christmas Day in a jingle bell sweater and reindeer antlers, trying to stop Travis Walker from marrying someone else. She may be grown-up, slimmed-down, bestselling children's book author "Sadie Cool"now, but Sarah will never forget that day. And she'll never fall foolishly in love again! 

But when a letter from a sick fan brings Sarah back to Twilight, she's shocked to discover that Travis is the little girl's father—unattached and hotter than ever. His smile still makes her melt, but Sarah knows that ship has sailed. Travis, however, might have different ideas. 

MY THOUGHTS:

When Sarah Collier stays with her Grams during the holiday season, she has had a tradition of making Kismet Cookies and putting them under her pillow at night.  It is said that if you sleep with the Kismet cookie under your pillow on Christmas Eve, you will dream of your one true love that you are destined to be with.  Sarah has dreamed about her true love every year that she has done this.  When she dreams of Travis Walker, she just knows they are meant to be together.  When she receives the news that he is getting married though, she is heartbroken and races to the wedding to stop it from happening.  Sarah halts the wedding and tries to explain to him that they are meant to be together and gets her dreams crushed when he tells her to go home.  Since that day, Sarah has dreaded Christmas and left Twilight behind.

Sarah has grown up now and made drastic changes. She lost weight and wrote a book about her horrible mistake in Twilight in the way of a children's book.  She is now Sadie Cool and wealthy, yet she is still alone and thinking of Travis. When Jazzy, Travis' daughter, writes to Sadie Cool asking to see her for her Christmas wish, Sarah decides to go back to Twilight and give the sick child her wish.  Along the way, we get to see Travis realize what he should have known all along, Sarah break out of her shell, and little Jazzy pull at your heart strings with her sickness and upbeat personality.

This was another great read by author Lori Wilde featuring the town of Twilight. While we do get to hear about a few of the characters from previous books, they don't really make an appearance throughout this story.  The ending was abrupt and tied up within a small ending chapter and I would have liked to have had it paced better at the end.  Other than that, this was a book that will leave you with a new look on Christmas.

MY RATING:

Labels: 4 flames, Lori Wilde

CRASH TEST LOVE
Author: Ted Michael
Source: Purchased

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385735804
• ISBN-13: 978-0385735803

SUMMARY:

The last thing Henry Arlington wants is a girlfriend. He's just very, very good with girls—reading their body language, knowing what they want to hear, and more importantly: getting them into the backseat of his car. But all that changes when he meets Garrett Lennox at one of the many Sweet Sixteen parties he crashes.

Garrett thinks she's done with guys. She was dumped by her ex when she moved from Chicago to Long Island, and now she realizes that she needs to find out who she is by herself, instead of with a boyfriend. What she really needs is some good friends.

Fortunately for Garrett, the J Squad—the "it" girls of East Shore High School—want her in their clique. All she has to do is pass one little test: get East Shore god Henry Arlington to take her to one of the biggest Sweet Sixteens of the year, then dump him in front of everyone.

Garrett has promised herself not to fall for another guy, so playing with Henry's heart shouldn't be hard. Right?

And Henry doesn't fall for girls, so when he and Garrett start to click, it doesn't matter. Does it?
As William Shakespeare once said, "Love is blind," or in this case, the lovers may be, as Henry and Garrett fall in love—and into the trap that awaits them. Because neither of them can even begin to see what the girls of Henry Arlington's past have in store.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have seen this book from other reviewers and noticed it getting low ratings all the way up to high ratings.  This caught my attention and the summary sounded great, so I thought I would give it a go as well.  After reading Crash Test Love, I have found my rating to be in the middle.

I wasn't a big fan of Henry.  He was the typical player of the school and frankly, they deserve to get taught a lesson.  Not only did he think he could get any girl he wanted, he usually did just that.  I will say that his fellow party crashers, Nigel and Duke, were hilarious and dumb as rocks at times.  I found myself wanting to read their dialogue more than I wanted to hear from the main character of Henry.

Garrett was the new girl at school and was let into the J Squad on a probationary period.  The J Squad was basically a bunch of popular, stuck up snobs who thought they were better than everyone else at school.  To be a part of their group, you had to prove yourself.  For Garrett to pass the test, she has to use Henry and leave him high and dry.  I seriously was hoping Garrett would tell the J Squad off and find her own way of dealing with Henry.

Overall the book was okay, but not one I would read again. It is told from alternating point of views, and at times I wished it would just stick with one person.  The characters didn't capture my interest as much as I was hoping either.  To me the book was kind of bland, but still had some interesting points in the story.

MY RATING:

Labels: 3 flames

THE KING'S CHRISTMAS LIST
Author: Eldon Johnson
Source: Book Sneeze
*I received this book free of 
charge in exchange for an 
honest review*

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400316456
• ISBN-13: 978-1400316458

SUMMARY:

Emma couldn't wait to go to the King's birthday party, but what should she bring?
 
Emma and her little dog Shu-Shu were thrilled to be invited to the King's birthday party. But what do you get a King for his birthday? Emma and Shu-Shu have no gift, but they bring the Christmas cake they made with Mom and put on their Sunday best as they dash to the King's carriage.  And of course, Emma couldn't go anywhere without her beloved Cherry-Bear.  On the way, they have encounters that lead them to bestow their cake, winter-cape, and even Cherry-Bear, on others. Now they're chilly, rumpled, and empty-handed-what will the King think? Emma frets, but when they finally meet the King at his palace, they discover they gave the King exactly what he wanted.

MY THOUGHTS:

While my child and I enjoyed the story and the illustrations of this book, I felt that the writing was geared more for children aged 8-10 years old.  The book seemed a little long in writing for each page and it left my child bored.  Younger children like short little paragraphs to go along with each illustrated page. That is what holds their interest in a book long enough for you to read it to them.  My daughter grew impatient as I read the long page of story and lost interest in the book before I could turn the page.

The illustrations were beautiful throughout the book.  She liked the colors and the cute pictures of Emma and her dog Shu-Shu.  She understood the meaning of the book in which doing small acts of kindness are better than giving and receiving gifts at Christmas time.  The only other part of the book that I wasn't a fan of was the coupons at the end of the story.  They were coupons to donate money and such to feed the homeless.  To me, those sort of things do not belong in a book geared for children.

Overall the illustrations and meaning of the book were the best part of the book.  While the story was a little long and drawn out, I would recommend it for kids around 8 years old instead of the younger kids.

MY RATING:

Labels: 3 flames

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (January 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061996165
• ISBN-13: 978-0061996160

Labels: 4 flames

EMMA AND THE VAMPIRES
A JANE AUSTEN UNDEAD NOVEL
Author(s): Jane Austen  and Wayne Josephson
Source: Sourcebooks Landmark

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402241348
• ISBN-13: 978-1402241345

SUMMARY:

What better place than pale England to hide a secret society of gentlemen vampires?

In this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, screenwriter Wayne Josephson casts Mr. Knightley as one of the most handsome and noble of the gentlemen village vampires. Blithely unaware of their presence, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs of her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. But when her dear friend Harriet Smith declares her love for Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she's the one who wants to stay up all night with him. Fortunately, Mr. Knightley has been hiding a secret deep within his unbeating heart-his (literal) undying love for her... A brilliant mash-up of Jane Austen and the undead.

MY THOUGHTS:

Shhh. I have never read a true Jane Austen novel.  I know what you are thinking. What rock have I been hiding under? Well, I never have picked one up, but after reading this book I think I might have to change that.

Emma and the Vampires was a fun read.  Emma was so naive in this book that it was comical.  She thinks she is a great matchmaker in the book, and at times her heart is bigger than her brain.  The way this book was written, it just fits in the parody category of the genre's.  I don't know much about Austen novels, so I can't say if it reminds me of them, but I will say if they are as fun and exciting as this one I will have to give one a try.  With everyone scrambling to read vampire novels and trying to figure out which ones are worth the money, I say pick up a copy of this one next! 

If you are a fan of fun loving romance with a paranormal twist, sink your teeth in Emma's funny, yet sometimes disastrous matchmaking skills!  You won't be disappointed!

MY RATING:

Labels: 5 flames

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (December 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425236994
• ISBN-13: 978-0425236994

WHY I WANT THIS BOOK:  Dakota Cassidy!!! Need I say more? 

Labels: WOW

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (February 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062004999
• ISBN-13: 978-0062004994

MY THOUGHTS: 

First of all, let me say this book is not a light or quick read.  It is 418 pages in ARC format.  It is also has a romance with a darkness to it that is not what you would normally see in a normal young adult romance.  

The first half of this book was very difficult for me to get through.  It was confusing with talk of Touch, Upstairs, Downstairs, The Bound, The Fallen and everything in between.  Afterlife is not what Eden thought it would be.  She thought heaven with angels, or hell with demons.  What she didn't expect was living on Earth still -- forgotten by everyone she knew-- yet immortal.  Add onto that the ability of Touch and it can leave you even more confused than Eden the first few chapters. 

In my opinion, there were too many people to keep track of, too many paranormal trends, and the romance between Eden and Az felt forced.  Yet, when you get past the first half of the book, everything starts to fall into place.  The things start clicking in your mind like a puzzle that has finally been solved and it all starts to make sense.  When Az reappears in Eden's life, the romance turned up a notch and took off.  Between Az struggling not to completely Fall, Gabe trying to keep his friends secrets from the Bound, and Eden trying to find her way with new abilities, you find yourself hoping for each character to find happiness and love.  

Then for the last half of the book, it EXPLODES!  The suspense, drama and climatic scenes will leave you in awe at the excitement that follows.  Usually, you expect a huge and climatic ending in the final chapters, but the author used the last half of the book as one giant climax for the reader.  

The ending was frustrating in the fact that now I have to wait forever for the next book to see what is to come with each person in the story.  

MY RATING:

Labels: 4 flames

ARSON
Author: Estevan Vega
Source: Author Submission
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

• Perfect Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Tate Publishing (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1615666036
• ISBN-13: 978-1615666034

SUMMARY:

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation. 

MY THOUGHTS:

This is a book that I have seen around the book blogging community for some time now and have read wonderful things about.  When the author contacted me to review the book as well, I jumped on the chance! The cover alone had me drooling with anticipation, so the story was just icing on the cake!

Arson is a 17 year old boy who can create fire with his mind.  He has been trying to control his power even though he has no idea why or how he received it.  He has felt alone since the death of his parents until he meets Emery, a girl who wears a mask and has secrets of her own who has moved in next door.  Both Arson and Emery have problems that are real, yet with a paranormal touch added in. 

Secrets will arise, romance will blossom, and suspense filled with intrigue will keep you moving in this wonderfully paced plot. Just when you think the story will come close to an end, the cliffhanger of an ending will have your head exploding in flames at the frustration of knowing you will have to wait for the next book to get more of the characters involved in this book. 

A well written young adult book filled with action, love and suspense that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat! Well done!

MY RATING:

Labels: 5 flames

STRANGE ANGELS
Author: Lili St. Crow

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (May 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1921518324
• ISBN-13: 978-1595142511

SUMMARY:

Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her? 

MY THOUGHTS:

I had really high expectations for this book.  It sounded great from the summary and I had heard wonderful things about the series.  However, it ended up being a disappointment for me.

When Dru's Father takes off for another hunt, he doesn't come back.  She is worried and scared about him which is understandable.  They hunt things that go bump in the night, and things that most people think are not real.  When her Father does return though, she finds he has been turned into a zombie.  After he attacks her, Dru is forced to shoot and kill her father.  She finds herself hiding out with a boy from school named Graves.  He quickly finds out that Dru is not like other girls when a werewolf attacks and he is bitten.  Instead of him turning though-and forcing Dru to kill him- he ends up only half changing.  Together they try to figure out what is going on, while another boy named Christophe tries to convince them that he is there to help as well.

This book had more description than actual dialogue.  It went overboard in the supernatural to the point of enough already.  While I loved the character of Graves-even when he was whiny and scared- Christophe came off as a jerk, while Dru came off as a stuck up ditz.  She is suppose to be trained in this stuff growing up with a father who hunts.  At times, she couldn't even take the safety off a gun!  There were many filler scenes and pages with no actual reason to be in there.  A lot of repetitive story with no substance and progression.  By the time I neared the end of this book, I didn't really care what happened to anyone in the story.

That being said, the story could have potential in the rest of the series.  If the books following Strange Angels would put its focus on the characters and their interaction more than the dialogue of useless information, then the plot of the story could really take off and make it work. The basis of the plot is the only reason I am giving this a 2 star rating instead of a 1 star rating.  I still might give the next book a try, but I don't have the excitement in the series as others might have.

MY RATING:

Labels: 2 flames

THE DEVOURING
Author: Simon Holt

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316035734
• ISBN-13: 978-0316035736

SUMMARY:

When Reggie finds an old journal and reads about the Vours, supernatural creatures who feast on fear and attack on the eve of the winter solstice, she assumes they are just the musings of some lunatic author. But soon, they become a terrifying reality when she begins to suspect that her timid younger brother might be one of their victims.

Risking her life and her sanity, Reggie enters a living nightmare to save the people she loves. Can she devour own her fears before they devour her?

Bone-chilling, terrifying, thrilling...what are you waiting for?

MY THOUGHTS:

When Reggie finds a journal at the book store she works at, she brings it home and starts a bone-chilling and true to life story that you would expect to see in movies.  She reads about Vours who devour your fears and bring them to life on Sorry Night.  She is into scary movies and her best friend Aaron is quite the movie buff as well.  Reggie's mother left her, her brother Henry, and her father a few years ago.  The hurt of her leaving never faded with Henry, even though Reggie has tried to fill in as a mother to him instead of a sister.  When Sorry Night approaches, Reggie makes the mistake of reading part of the tale to Henry as a bed time story.  Little did they know, the Vours were more than just a story.

Reggie figures out that the Vours have come and taken Henry to Fearscape.  What she doesn't know is how to get Henry back.  With Aaron helping and her boss Eben holding mysterious secrets, Reggie tries to confront the Vours and bring Henry back to the real world. 

This was a perfect read for this time of year. With Halloween approaching, I loved sitting down with this fear gripping read.  I admit that at times it felt like a B-Rated horror flick, but the idea of Vour's alone were chilling and heart racing.  The book was full of action, even if it stumbled at times, and the devotion that Reggie has for saving her brother was strong. 

The ending left a bunch of open story, but this is only the first book in the series.  It left us still wondering about how Eben knew things at times, and also what he wasn't sharing was left a mystery.  Since the book didn't have closure at the end, I wouldn't recommend getting your hopes up for a happily ever after.  Still, it makes me want to read the next book in the series as soon as I can to find out what did happen and see what other secrets will unfold!


MY RATING:

Labels: 3 flames

Inspired by Princess Bookie, I have decided to host a Re-Create A Cover contest!  Since it is October, and the month of everything spooky, I have decided to go with one of my favorite vampire series! Ghost Town by Rachel Caine is being released on October 26th, 2010.  So in celebration of the release, I have a great prize package as well for the lucky winner! So let's get to the details of the contest!

Labels: Cover Contest

Labels: WOW

IMMORTAL
Author: Gillian Shields

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; 1 edition (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061375802
• ISBN-13: 978-0061375804

SUMMARY:

Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness. 

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Evie has been shipped off to the elite and mysterious Wyldcliffe boarding school after her Grandmother, who has raised her since her Mother's death, falls ill.  Her Father is being deployed and signs her up at the Gothic style boarding school.  Upon arrival to the town where the school is located, she comes face to face with Sebastian.  They form a secret relationship and meet at night.  She thinks she has found the perfect romance to take her mind off of the bullies and strict rules of the school.  As you read further into the book, you start to realize that Sebastian is hiding many secrets, ones he is not proud of, and the book explodes with suspense, mystery and supernatural experiences.

At first, I was a little confused with the book.  It kept switching from present time to a past life of the owners of the Wyldcliffe Mansion.  It was a bit predictable, yet it captured my interest.  As I kept reading, more of the mystery started to unravel and make sense.  It's a bit of a stretch of a story, but the author does well weaving it together into a whole. Even though the ending felt abrupt and left much to be desired, the characters give you the chill factor of creepy and mysterious.  Not too bad if you are looking for a quick and spooky read around this time of year.

MY RATING:

Labels: 3 flames

NOCTURNE
Author: L.D. Harkrader

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Mirrorstone (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786955023
• ISBN-13: 978-0786955022

SUMMARY:


Flanders Lane is tired of being protected by her Uncle Anatole. After years of studying magic in the back of his bookshop, she's ready for an adventure of her own. Then one day, strange things start happening. A burglar breaks into the butcher's shop, stealing nothing, but leaving the floors sparkling clean. Soon the seamstress's apprentice vanishes on her way home, leaving behind only a shoe still laced at the top. And then worst of all, Uncle Anatole disappears. That night, a young vampire hunter named Pascoe knocks urgently on the bookshop door. Pascoe insists there is a vampire lurking in nearby Blakely Hall. Flanders looks deep into Pascoe's gorgeous eyes and finds herself agreeing to help him. As Flanders tracks the vampire, her feelings for Pascoe grow until she stumbles upon a secret that turns everything she thought she knew about Pascoe--and herself--upside down. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Flannery Lane was left as a baby on the doorstep of Anatole. Not only does he take her in a raise her, but he is also a wizard.  Flannery grows up with the wizard even though he tells her time and again not to use the magic.  Since Anatole is reluctant to teach her, she sneaks behind his back and learns the craft herself.  When her "uncle" Anatole falls ill, she decides to use the magic to help him.  Then Flannery meets a tall, dark and handsome man named Pascoe, who also hunts vampires.

While the plot sounded intriguing and whimsical, I just couldn't enjoy this book.  I understand it is focused for more of the younger teens, but the older teens might not enjoy it as much.  The plot is predictable, and at times it dragged.  Even though it has the mysterious plot and supernatural elements that readers are enjoying at the moment,  I fell the book could have been so much more.  The ending didn't feel as complete as it should have either.

Overall, not a book I would read again.  I also would recommend it for the tween scene more than the younger adults for the paranormal fix.

MY RATING:

Labels: 2 flames

After all the posts and talks I have read about books that have been or will be banned, I finally decided to share my opinions on the subject. As a book review blogger, and devoted reader of books, I felt something from my blog should be posted as well.  Here is my story!

When I was in school, books didn't appeal to me.  We didn't have much selection at that time in books to read, at least in my opinion.  We had Sweet Valley High and a few other teen reads, but nothing like we have today.  Yes, I love SVH and I would read those when I was bored, but nothing really captured my interest in reading.  I had to be forced with book reports and failing grades to read To Kill A Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye and various other required books for class.  While I enjoyed To Kill A Mockingbird, and still would read it again, they were required reading and not ones that would keep me interested in reading.

As I moved on in life, the only interest in reading for me involved reading magazines.  I had put reading books so far back in my mind that I didn't even visit a library.  I had my children, I worked various jobs and moved on with my life.

Then one day, my oldest daughter who is now 15, told me I needed to read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.  I groaned and thought that it was going to be torture.  Yet, I couldn't refuse since my daughter had actually found a passion in reading.  So I indulged her and picked myself up a copy at the store.  I was immediately drawn into the world of vampires, love and suspense.  I also couldn't believe that it was a Young Adult book!  I couldn't believe that the genre had progressed from Sweet Valley High into something that could hold my interest so much that I stayed up all night reading this book! I could not put it down until I finished.  My daughter laughed and told me that there was more in the series.  I quickly went online and found the rest of the books and ordered them.  I had to find out what happened with Edward, Bella and Jacob! I was hooked!

The books that I were buying were quickly outgrowing my little basket beside my bed.  My family was tired of hearing me talk about books.  My daughter even commented that she had created a monster!  I started reviewing some books on my craft blog that I had at that time.  When I found myself writing more reviews than actual craft posts, My Overstuffed Bookshelf was created.  When I reached my first 10 followers, I couldn't believe it! Somebody actually cared about my opinions!

As my site grew, so did my collection of books.  I have now acquired 7 bookshelves that have 5 shelves on each, plus several 2 shelf bookcases.  My husband converted our formal dining room into a home library for me.  I have books ranging from Cat in the Hat books on up to Opal Carew erotica books.  I am in heaven with my library.

Then came the talks about banned books.  How can people ban a book?  I thought of all my books in my library that have opened a world of knowledge and excitement! I could not fathom someone telling me I could not read them!  My 5 year old explores my library all the time.  She doesn't know what erotica's are about, but I don't tell her not to touch them.  I just tell her that when she is older she will be able to read them.  My 15 year old has free reign of my library as well.  If she accidentally picks up an erotica, she just asks if it is one she is suppose to read.  I tell her that she can read anything she wants, yet I do explain that they are pretty sexually graphic, and she puts them up.  She has told me on many occasions, that she appreciates me not holding her back in reading.  While she has no interest in reading erotic books, she knows that someday when she is older, she is happy that I won't refuse it to her.  Most of my friends can't believe it when I tell them I don't censor her reading. Why would I want to?  Teens hear and do more in school that a book isn't going to corrupt them.  They get enough stories from their friends and such about sex, that I am not scared of her reading about it.  I have had the talk with her, so I trust her!

Last time I checked, since it has been awhile since history class for me, we earned the right to freedom of speech.  Aren't books an expression of that? Shouldn't we be able to write and read whatever we feel like? I couldn't believe it when I found out that books such as Winnie The Pooh had been challenged from a child's classroom! Winnie the Pooh? What did Tigger do? Did he jump to high into the clouds?

The next time you read a book, or even a magazine, think about how that story that you love might be the next book your child or teen might miss out on in life due to book banning. What if that one book your child picks up to read is the book that will spark the interest in reading? I consider all books a gift. If one book can get one child to read and stay reading through life, then why should we ban it? Why would we want to stop the creativity that all parents want in their children? Why should we close a book forever on someone who might discover their passion for the written words?

MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED
Author: Carolyn Brown
Source: Sourcebooks
*I received this book free of 
charge in exchange for an 
honest review*

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; 
• Original edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402239289
• ISBN-13: 978-1402239281

SUMMARY:

He's just doing his job...

If Hank Wells thinks he can dig up dirt on the new owner of the Honky Tonk beer joint for his employer, he's got no idea what kind of trouble he's courting...

She's not going down without a fight...

If any dime store cowboy think's he's going to get the best of Larissa Morley-or her Honky Tonk-then he's got another think coming...

As secrets emerge, and passion vies with ulterior motives, it's winner takes all at the Honky Tonk...

MY THOUGHTS:

In this third installment of the series, we get the pleasure of meeting Hank and Larissa. I loved the bickering, the sparks and the western bar theme.  The author knows how to bring the pages to life and make you feel as though you just stopped by for a drink in a great place!  Larissa is strong willed and ready to fight for what she has and believes in.  She doesn't take any grief from anyone.  Hank is hiding secrets, yet he has the sex appeal to make you forget the real reason he is in town.  He also doesn't go down without a fight and enjoys every minute of it.

Even though you will get frustrated at Hank through the story, you will also find him endearing and a romantic as well.  When Hank and Larissa are together, the sparks jump off the page and leave your heart beating faster than a line dance!  The author has a great talent for creating cowboy love stories with a modern day love story weaved together perfectly!

You better get your tush pushed to the book store and pick up this latest installment for your cowboy fix and a rocking ride of a story!

MY RATING:

Labels: 5 flames