In My Mailbox - November 30, 2009

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

So! I was away most of last week visiting the family for the holiday but I had some wonderful surprises waiting for me when I got home!
I'm also happy to say that I didn't buy one book last week. Wonder how good I'll be this week ;)

For review from the publisher
Prom Night From Hell by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer and Lauren Myracle

In this exciting collection, bestselling authors Meg Cabot (How to Be Popular), Kim Harrison (A Fistful of Charms), Michele Jaffe (Bad Kitty), Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), and Lauren Myracle (ttyl) take bad prom nights to a whole new level - a paranormally bad level. Wardrobe malfunctions and two left feet don't hold a candle to discovering your date is the Grim Reaper - and he isn't here to tell you how hot you look.
From angels fighting demons to a creepy take on getting what you wish for, these five stories will entertain better than any DJ in a bad tux. No corsage or limo rental necessary. Just good, scary fun.

For review from the publisher
Beastly by Alex Flinn

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright — a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever — ruined — unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly... beastly.

Signed copy from the Author
Cold Streak by Lewis Aleman

Enter Laura's World...
Her family is brutally murdered, and she finds herself on her knees praying for things she never could have imagined. Her dark journey of revenge takes off as she hunts her family's killers, while being chased down by a troubled detective, his lovelorn partner, and an inner voice that grants her no peace. Her quest lures her through an explosive music scene, down unlit alleyways, to the edge of a towering church rooftop, and into the nightmarish landscape of her own mind. Will she get her justice before time runs out? Will her own lust for vengeance consume all that is left of her in the process?
Jump into the book and become part of the story.

Links are to Amazon and descriptions are from PaperBackSwap

So, what's in your mailbox?

News and Updates

Hello All! Did you have a good week last week? I did! It was full of family and turkey! Also quite full of my Dad's dial up internet...painful...I am so spoilied by my high speed!

I do have an In My Mailbox post planned for tonight. I came back to find some very nice packages waiting for me and can't wait to share them with you!

I also have come great ideas for some awesome contests so stay tuned.

Reviews will be posted on a more regular basis. I am determined to be more organized!

In the mean time, could you take a look at my new poll? (points to the left)

Hope you all are having a great Monday...hehehe :)
I'll be back later!

Audio Book Review: Jinx by Meg Cabot

Title: Jinx
Author: Meg Cabot
Publication Date: July 2007
Genre: Teen Fiction
Age: 12+
Pages: 272
Series: no
Publisher's website: Harper Teen
Author's website: www.megcabot.com
Book Acquisition: NH Public Libraries Downloadable Audio Books

The only thing Jean Honeychurch hates more than her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just . . . Jean) is her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfor-tune seems to follow her everywhere she goes—which is why she's thrilled to be moving in with her aunt and uncle in New York City. Maybe when she's halfway across the country, Jinx can finally outrun her bad luck. Or at least escape the havoc she's caused back in her small hometown.
But trouble has definitely followed Jinx to New York. And it's causing big problems for her cousin Tory, who is not happy to have the family black sheep around. Beautiful, glamorous Tory is hiding a dangerous secret—one that she's sure Jinx is going to reveal.
Jinx is beginning to realize it isn't just bad luck she's been running from. It's something far more sinister . . . and the curse Jinx has lived under since the day she was born might just be the only thing that can save her life.

(from publisher's website)

This was my first Meg Cabot book and I'm sorry to say that I wasn't overly impressed. I didn't hate it mind you, but I didn't love it either. First off, the description? It makes the book seem much more interesting then it really is. Basically, a girl from a small town is sent to live with relatives in big, bad New York city. Her cousin is a bitch and tries to make her unhappy...stuff happens...the end.
Only thing - Jinx? Not actually unlucky. The things that happen to her? Not very terrible at all. She is pretty, kind, people like her, her family loves her, she's talented, and smart....um....I didn't really see the whole "curse" thing going on.
There is more to the story then that...but not much more. My main problem with the story was the premise. We are told Jinx is unlucky, she thinks she is, she acts like she is...but...well...her luck? Not so bad. Not wonderful but, overall? Not so bad either.
I don't know, I might give Meg Cabot another shot but maybe not...what do you guys think?

I give this one 2 out of 5 stars.

In My Mailbox - November 22, 2009

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

So - I only got a couple of books this week and I'm way late in posting this so I thought I would share just one book with you.
One awesome book :)

For Review:
The Mark by Jen Nadol
Pub Date: January 2010

(from Amazon)

Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.
Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

So, what's in your mailbox?

Cover Love - The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

One of my most anticipated 2010 books is Carrie Ryan's The Dead-Tossed Waves, the sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth - which I loved!

I've seen a few covers floating around and wanted to know what you guys think. Random House shows this one for the hardcover:

I like it ok but it's not my favorite. There is just something I'm not quite jiving with...

Then there is this cover which Random House has as the "Unabridged Audiobook Download"


I like this one better. It's more inline with the hardcover image from The Forest of Hands and Teeth.

And then there is this one:



I have no idea where this one came form. It was the first one I saw and as of today the only place I have found it is on LibraryThing. This one is my favorite. Not sure why but I really like the simplicity of it.

The Dead-Tossed Waves will be released in March 2010 and I cannot wait!
So, which cover do you guys like best?

On My Wishlist

This new meme is hosted by the fabtabulous Book Chick City.
Every Wednesday I'll post books from my wishlist to share with you.

If you would like to post your own On My Wishlist, please check out Book Chick City's original post and use this week's Mr. Linky to share the love!

Share the book love baby!

The 7 Souls by Barnabas Miller and Jordan Orlando
Pub Date: July 2010

Mary expected her seventeenth birthday to be a blowout to remember, courtesy of her best friends, fellow New York City prepsters Amy and Joon, and her doting boyfriend, Trick. Instead, the day starts badly and gets worse. After waking up in a mortifying place with a massive, unexplainable hangover, Mary soon discovers that nobody at school is even aware that it's her birthday. As evening approaches, paranoia sets in. Mary just can't shake the feeling that someone is out to get her--and, as it turns out, she's right. Before the night is over, she's been killed in cold blood. But murder is just the beginning of Mary's ordeal. Her soul gets trapped in a strange limbo, and she must relive the day of her death through the eyes of seven people--each of whom, she finds, had plenty of reasons to hate her. As Mary explores the mysteries of her world, discovering secrets that were hidden in plain sight while she was alive, she clings desperately to the hope that she can solve her own murder, change the past, and--just maybe--save her own life. With its blend of suspense, horror, fantasy, and realism, 7 Souls is an adrenaline rush of a thriller.

Ash by Malinda Lo
Pub Date: September 2009

In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left alone to pay off his debts in the service of her own step mother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, re-reading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she begins to believe that her wish may be granted.
The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash’s capacity for love—and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.
Entrancing and romantic, Ash is an empowering retelling of Cinderella about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

Gateway by Sharon Shinn
Pub Date: October 2009

As a Chinese adoptee in St. Louis, teenage Daiyu often feels out of place. When an elderly Asian jewelry seller at a street fair shows her a black jade ring -- and tells her that "black jade" translates to "Daiyu" she buys it as a talisman of her heritage. But it's more than that; it's magic. It takes Daiyu through a gateway into a version of St. Louis much like 19th century China.
Almost immediately she is recruited as a spy, which means hours of training in manners and niceties and sleight of hand. It also means stealing time to be with handsome Kalen, who is in on the plan. There's only one problem. Once her task is done, she must go back to St. Louis and leave him behind forever...

(descriptions are from PaperBackSwap and books link to Amazon)

Book Review: The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer

Title: The Supernaturalist
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publication Date: May 2004
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Age: 10-14
Pages: 288
Series: no
Publisher's website: Hyperion Books for Children
Author's website: http://eoincolfer.com
Book Acquisition: NH Public Libraries Downloadable Audio Books

In the not-too-distant future, in a place called Satellite City, thirteen-year-old Cosmo Hill is unfortunate enough to come into the world unwanted by his parents. And so, as are all orphaned boys his age, Cosmo is dipped in a vaccine vat and sent to the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys -- freight class.

At Clarissa Frayne, the orphans, called "no-sponsors," are put to work by the state, testing dangerous products that never should be allowed near human beings. By the time the no-sponsors are sent to their cardboard utility pipes, given their nightly meal pack, and finally fall asleep, they are often covered in burns, bruises, or sores from the work of the day.
Cosmo Hill knows that he must escape, even though he has no idea what might be waiting for him on the outside. He plans for the moment when he can make a break. When that moment finally comes, he nearly dies while escaping. But he is rescued by a gang of "Supernaturalists," a motley crew of kids who all have a special psychic ability -- one that Cosmo is about to learn he has as well. They "see" supernatural Parasites -- tiny, translucent creatures who feed on the life force of humans. The Supernatuarlists patrol the city at night, finding and blasting the Parasites to try and save what is left of humanity in Satellite City. Or so they think. The young hunters soon find themselves caught in a web far worse than they could have imagined, embroiled with private police, illegal racing gangs, and a corporation cover-up, until they discover a horrifying secret that will force them to question everything they believe in.

(from publisher's website)

I loved this book! If you've never read anything by Colfer, well, you should :) And The Supernaturalist would be a good place to start. The world of the Supernaturalist is pretty unique but at the same time, believable. Technology prevails but the same basic human needs, wants, hopes and desires, are the leading forces that drive people's lives.
The characters were very likable. Especially Cosmo Hill. I'm drawn to young, male protagonists and Cosmo doesn't disappoint. I think this would be a great book for young boys. There is adventure and danger. There is also some sadness, but it fits with the story.
The ending is open to a sequel but The Supernaturalist is a stand alone novel - which I like. My imagination was able to fill in the blanks :)

The audio book that I listened too had a narrator with a wonderful accent! It totally added to the story.

4 out of 5 stars

In My Mailbox - November 15, 2009

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Didn't post last week as I was feeling icky and I didn't get that many books. So, of course, I had to make up for it this week! hehe
Trying something new this week by including descriptions (taken from Paperback swap). It will make for a longer post but I thought it would be nice. I personally like descriptions on other people's posts -helps me decide if it's a book I want to read or not. I'm not good at fancy formatting so the pictures and layout maybe a little wonky :)

Bought
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent -- Something is wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh.She doesn't see dead people but...She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next...
I have seen this book talked about a lot and couldn't resist any longer :)

Everwild by Neal Shusterman --Nick "The Chocolate Ogre" and Mary Hightower battle for the fate of Everlost in the thrilling second book in Neal Shusterman's Skinjacker Trilogy.

You can read my review of the first book in this trilogy, Everwild, here. I loved it!




After by Francine Prose -- The shootings in Pleasant Valley were fifty miles away, but at Central High a grief and crisis counselor is hired, security is increased, and privileges are being taken away. No one knows why.If you break the new rules the punishment is severe. And the rules keep changing every day. School feels like a prison. It's for their protection, yet fifteen-year-old Tom Bishop and his friends learn that things are far more sinister than they seem. Students and teachers begin disappearing. There's no way to stop it. Nationally best-selling and acclaimed author Francine Prose has written a haunting novel about what happens when protection goes too far and what it means to have freedom extinguished -- in the name of safety.

Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves -- Joey Harker isn't a hero. In fact, he's the kind of guy who gets lost in his own house. But then one day, Joey gets really lost. He walks straight out of his world and into another dimension. Joey's walk between the worlds makes him prey to two terrible forces -- armies of magic and science who will do anything to harness his power to travel between dimensions. When he sees the evil those forces are capable of, Joey makes the only possible choice: to join an army of his own, an army of versions of himself from different dimensions who all share his amazing power and who are all determined to fight to save the worlds. Master storyteller Neil Gaiman and Emmy Award-winning science-fiction writer Michael Reaves team up to create a dazzling tale of magic, science, honor, and the destiny of one very special boy -- and all the others like him.

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke -- Princess Igraine dreams of becoming a famous knight just like her great grandfather, but the truth is, life at the family castle is rather boring. Until the nephew of the baroness-next-door shows up. He's got a dastardly plan to capture the castle and claim as his own the wonderful singing spell books that belong to Igraine's magician parents. To make matters worse, at the very moment of the siege, her mom and dad botch a spell, turning themselves into pigs! Aided by a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight, it's up to Igraine to be brave and save the day--and the books!

Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer -- Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname "Half Moon" because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that ever since he was a baby, he's had the nose for sniffing out mysteries. And let's just say, it's not a skill that has been appreciated by many people, including his own family. That doesn't bother Fletcher, though. After graduating at the top of his Internet class, he is officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. He even has a silver-plated detective's badge to prove it. Everything is going along fine until two things happen: a classmate hires him to solve a crime, and his prized badge is stolen. All signs point to the town's most notorious crime family, the Sharkeys. As Fletcher follows the clues, evidence of a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can crack the case, Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name, he will have to pair up with the unlikeliest of allies and go on the run from the authorities. Fletcher has twelve hours to find the guilty party -- or he is the guilty party.

Triskellion by Will Peterson -- Following their parents' bitter divorce, Rachel and Adam are sent from their New York home to stay with their grandmother. But the quiet English village where their mother was born is a sinister and unsettling place. Is there a genuinely dark heart beating beneath the thatched roofs and the picturesque village of Triskellion? Buried: The bodies...the secrets...the TRUTH. Against a brooding background of very real danger, the two outsiders follow clues on an archaeological adventure with a startling paranormal twist. In a community where many terrible secrets lie hidden, the villagers of Triskellion have a great deal to protect.

WON!
From: Amy at Addicted to Books
The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan -- Darren Shan is just an ordinary schoolboy who loves to ride bikes and hang out with his three best friends. Then one day Darren and his friends stumble across an invitation to visit the Cirque Du Freak, a strange and mysterious freak show. Almost as if by destiny, Darren wins a ticket and what follows is his horrifying descent into the dark and bloody world of vampires. This is Darren's story. New movie edition features the first three books--Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood-- bound up in one volume!

A Signed copy from: Tina at Fantastic Book Review
Rowan of the Wood by Christine Rose & Ethan Rose -- Rowan of the Wood, a Finalist for the 2008 National Best Books Award in the Young Adult Fiction category, tells the story of a young boy Cullen who meanders through the redwood forest every day on his way to school, losing himself in books and fantasy worlds full of elves, fairies, and wizards. He loves to escape to these magical lands because reality for him is not fun at all. Cullen and his two misfit friends, Maddy and April, are terribly unpopular amongst the other kids, and they regularly endure ridicule and bullying. Cullen's life changes incredibly one day when he uncovers an ancient magic wand that is inhabited by a powerful wizard, Rowan. Inadvertently, Cullen releases Rowan from the wand and finds himself possessed by the wizard, with a great power and an obsessive need to find a lost love. When danger is near, Rowan emerges from the frightened child to set things right. He and Cullen try to understand what has happened to them, only to discover a deeper problem. Nearly fourteen centuries ago, Rowan and his bride Fiana were separated on their wedding day. Rowan manages to survive, trapped in time, until Cullen releases him from the wand. Fiana uses dark magic to stay alive as she continues searching for Rowan. Over the centuries, Fiana descends deeper into the darkness becoming something evil and eventually giving up her search...until a young boy brings Rowan back to her.
ALSO
A signed copy of the sequel - Witch on the Water by Christine Rose & Ethan Rose
These two came with an awesome swag item as well :)

So, what's in your mailbox?

Blog Tour: Random Magic by Sasha Soren

This tour stop is brought to you by Other Shelf Tours

Random Magic by Sasha Soren
Release Date: January 2010 (although it looks like Amazon has it available now)

From Amazon:

When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes. Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is. Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Struths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.

Honesty alert! I didn't finish this book. Time, happenstance, circumstances being what they are - it just didn't happen. (Ooo - I bet Winnie could come up with a cool explanation for the exact reason why or why not this did (or didn't?) happen) hehe.
So, with that said, any thoughts or opinions of mine that I share here are based on about half the book.

Now, with that said, there is one thing I know for certain about Random Magic -- it sure is random and quite a bit magical :)

While it's not really my cup of tea, I really do think there are others out there would very much enjoy it. If this makes any sense, I think it's too random for me. It's the kind of book I would have to read from begining to end without stoping once. I found myself getting lost by the storyline each time I picked it up again to read some more. The writting style reminded me of an author named Mark Leyner. I read his books in the same way - in one sitting - and they are pretty random :)

So! Rather then going by my word on this one, I urge you to check out the multiple links, blinks, blurgs and blurbs I have listed below.

A big thank you goes out to Kate from The Neverending Shelf for founding Other Shelf Tours and for all her hard work!

Another shout out to Sasha for her enthusiasm and love for Random Magic. I wish you nothing but the best!

Enjoy!

Book Trailer - love the spunky music on this one!

Sasha Soren's website

Random Magic blog site

Amazon link - also available for the Kindle

Other Shelf Tours Main page and Random Magic page

Book Review: Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Title: Everlost
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publication Date: August 2006
Genre: Young Adult
Age: 12+
Pages: 320
Series: 1st in the Skinjacker trilogy (2nd book Everwild due Nov 2009)
Publisher's website: Simon & Schuster Childern's Publishing
Author's website: www.storyman.com
Book Acquisition: NH Public Libraries Downloadable Audio Books

IT BEGINS WITH AN ACCIDENT.

Nick and Allie don't survive the crash, and now their souls are stuck halfway between life and death in a sort of limbo called Everlost. It's a magical yet dangerous place, where bands of lost souls run wild and anyone who stands in the same spot too long sinks to the center of the Earth.
Frightened and determined, Nick and Allie aren't ready to rest in peace just yet. They want their lives back, and their search for a way home will take them deep into the uncharted areas of Everlost. But the longer they stay, the more they forget about their pasts. And if all memory of home is lost, they may never escape this strange, terrible world.

(publisher's website)

I really really really liked this book! The world of Everlost is a fascinating place. What I loved most about it was it's sense of order. There are rules in Everlost and those that discover these rules either use their knowledge for their own purposes or use it to help others. Even though these lost souls are only children, they must still find their way.

I also really liked the characters. Each one is different and unique. Each one has their own story.
What I didn't expect was how moving this story was. Each character we meet is a dead soul, lost on his or her way. Where were they heading? We don't know, but being stuck in Everlost takes it's toll on everyone. Among these challenges, friendships are made. People who might have never been friends while alive, find themselves working together, helping each other in this strange scary land.

Everything ties itself together in the end BUT there is still so much more of this story to tell! I'm so happy it's a trilogy. I actually couldn't wait and went out and bought the second book, Everwild, this week - hehe.

5 out of 5 stars.

Eyes Like Stars Winners!

Congratulations to:

Kate

AND

Donnas

You have both won copies of Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev!!
I have send emails - please get back to me with your mailing address

Thanks to everyone for entering. Thank you all also for all your well wishes! I'm feeling better and hope to be blogging more this week and next. I got some awesome books in the mail so I'm looking forward to telling you guys about that!

Fun Facts: 28 people entered with a total of 214 entries. I put everyone's name in a spreadsheet and used Random.org to pick the winner.

Thanks again to everyone who visited my friend's Etsy page. She has some amazing jewelry. Check it out!

Lastly, I have a new poll on my sidebar - help me pick my next book to giveaway!

Checking in + Secret Contest!

Hey guys. I've been feeling a little under the weather (now were did that expression come from I would like to know...aren't we always under the weather - unless, of course we are in a plane and above the weather....)

Where was I?

Oh yes - I feel icky :(

Haven't been able to post much this week and I'll probably miss out on posting an In My Mailbox tomorrow.

I haven't tallied the results of my Eyes Like Stars contest but I plan on doing so later on tonight. I will email and post the winner soon!

As a consolation for all of you out for being so patient with me - I'm sneaking in another contest in this post...hehe

Comment on this post - saying anything you like - wishing me well, telling me a joke, typing some random words that may or may not make sense - anything!
I'll pick a random comment and that person will also win a copy of Eyes Like Stars! (my original copy - you'll just have to wait for me to finish reading it - it's up next on my TBR pile)

How does that sound?

You have until Monday 5pm EST to post. I'll announce both winners Monday night.

Good luck everyone! And thanks for sticking with me!

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Publication Date: October 2009
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction
Age: Young Adult
Pages: 384
Series: 1st in a trilogy
Publisher's website: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Author's website: www.jamesdasher.com
Book Acquisition: BookMooched an ARC

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

(from publisher's website)

This review should really only consist of three words:

READ THIS BOOK!

Seriously - would I lie to you? :)
This book was fabulous. A real thriller with an ending that made me scream 'What? I want more!"

This story draws you in. There are so many unknowns, so many facts you just need to know! I loved how, as a reader, you are learning right along side the characters. Most of them don't know much more then you do. With every turn of the page a little more is reveled...maybe :)
What is it that we are seeing? Whose interpretation should we believe? Who should we trust?

A true mystery, a great adventure and a really really good read all around.
I highly recommend this book to any who like dystopian fiction, mysteries, urban fantasy, thrillers, um...books?

5 out of 5 stars!

Bad Girls Don't Die Book Trailer

So...book trailers are growing on me! I really liked this book and the trailer is pretty awesome :)

Contest Reminder + new extra ways to enter!

Hey folks!
My contest to win a copy of Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev ends November 7th!

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN HERE!

I would love to see more people visiting my site so I've added a few ways to earn some extra entries!

+2 Follow me on Twitter - there is a button on my sidebar
+2 Post about this contest on your blog - sidebar is fine
+2 For sending a friend over here to enter - they must mention you in their post and you both will gain the extra entries!

ALSO!
I have some secret swag I'm adding into the mix!

Please post entries to my original post (linked to above) but if you already did and want to do the new extras - feel free to post here :)

Monthly Reads - October 2009

Goodbye October! Thank you for leaving all this wonderful Halloween candy lying around :)
The leaves are still falling, the air is still crisp and we only had 1 day of snow so far! I'm looking forward to another month of Fall but still preparing for the onslaught of Winter.
There are still a few apples to pick, maybe a pie or two to bake for Thanksgiving and an ever growing pile of books to read! What could be better?
October was a great month for me - went by kinda quick though and honestly, I have no idea how many books I read! Good thing I keep a book journal.
As soon as I finish a book, I write it down along with a few thoughts / notes I help me remember things when review time comes (or not :)

Ok - on with the show!

• The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
• Jinx by Meg Cabot
• Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
• Everlost by Neal Shusterman
• The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
• Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
  
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner
• Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz
  
• Return to Labyrinth Volume 1 by Jake T. Forbes
  

(links are to blog reveiws)

Wow - I am way way behind on reviews! :( I know why - I'm thinking too much about what to say instead of just sharing my thoughts and feelings...gonna have to find a way to fix that...brain transplant? :)

So, what have you guys been reading?