In My Mailbox - July 31, 2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Short and sweet for me this week!

For Review from Sourcebooks
Emma and the Vampires by Jane Austen and Wayne Josephson
(from Goodreads)
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.

Also got some awesome bookmarks from the fabtabulous Suzanne Young! 

So, what's in your mailbox?

Musings and News

Ever feel like after a long vacation, you need another vacation? That's about where I am now. I'm back in my house and back at work but my brain has failed to fully check in. I'm hoping it will come back to me soon.....oh brain...how I miss you....

As soon as those synapses start firing correctly I'll have some reviews for you guys - I've read a bunch of really great books recently! 

I'm still feeling the urge to annoy? Um....pester?  No! Enrich! Yeah, I'm still feeling the need to enrich your lives with my wonderful babble so don't think you've gotten rid of me that easily :)

A few things -- First! Did you enter my Blogoversary Mega Contest?! Only a few days left!! I'm getting really excited - can't wait to pick winners!

In other bookish news -- some cool things are happening in book land that I wanted to share with you :)

Supper excited about this -- Harlequin Teen has posted the cover for Julie Kagawa's final Iron Fey series book - The Iron Queen! I've read the first two books and have loved them! Couldn't find a good forward facing pic but here is Harlequin's link (click on "Step into the world of the Fey" on the upper left hand side). Take a look - it's pink!

Also, if you're a fan of Julie's -- This Saturday at 8PM EST Gail form Ticket to Anywhere, Pam from Bookalicious and Erica from The Book Cellar are hosting a Twitter Party to celebrate the release of The Iron Daughter. There will be prizes and Q&A with Julie.You can follow the chat using the hashtag #ironfey. I know I'm going to try to participate - are you?

Want to help a publisher pick a cover for an upcoming book? At Teen Fire you can! Teen Fire is the online NING of Sourcebooks publishing and they currently have two books they are asking for help with - Eyes in the Mirror and The Weight of Bones. I'm a little obsessed with pretty book covers so I love when they do this! The more people who participate the better! If you're not a member, I highly recommend you join. If you are a member and haven't voted - what are you waiting for?

That's all for now my lovelies :) Hope you are all having a great week - Happy Reading!

Massive List 2011 Updated

Made some updates tonight to the Massive List of 2011 Debut Authors.

Static page link can always be found below my header. Click Here to see it now.

Updates made:

New reference website added -- Debut Authors Blog

Title Changes
Lisa and Laura Roecker - Liar Society
Alissa Grosso - The Subrosa Semesters
Courtney Allison Moulton - Angelfire
Stephanie Burgis - Kat, Incorrigible (cover)

Relase Date Change
Fall --Kiki Hamilton - The Farie Ring
Aug --Victoria Schwab - The Near Witch
April --Stephanie Burgis - Kat, Incorrigible

Books Added
6-Jan Danette Vigilante - The Trouble with Half a Moon
Fall -- Anna Staniszewski - My Un-Fairy Tale Life
1-Feb Priya Parmar - Exit the Actress (cover)

Also - added some release dates for Winter/Spring books and found a few more covers. Check out the main page for info -- scroll down to the bottom for cover pics.

As always, please let me know if you see anything at all that should be updated and/or changed!

Congratulations Elevensies!!

Prizes added to Blogoversary Mega Contest! Only 3 days left to enter!

2 prize packs added today!

1 (one) US Winner - Vampire Prize Pack

Marked (House of Night Book 1) by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Betrayed (House of Night Book 2) by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Vampire Academy Book 1 by Richelle Mead

1 (one) US Winner - Recently Released ARCs

ARC of Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

ARC of Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

ARC of Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

These will be the last prizes added as the contest ENDS ON JULY 31st!

I'm Back!

Hey guys! I'm back from a very hot, very fun week in (very!) sunny Orlando. I absolutely love Disney World!! 

It might be a day or so before I get back in the swing of things but don't despair! I've read a bunch of really good books lately and can't wait to get my reviews up. AND I have MORE PRIZES to add to my MEGA CONTEST - it ends in 4 days!! Even if I don't have time to tell you guys exactly what I'm adding - there will still be more winners! 

What to see some pictures of my vacation? No? Too bad! heheh

Here's the front of Cinderella's Castle at dusk (I want to live here!)

Here's the Castle from the back - just as beautiful

Everyone who has been to Disney World knows this ride! Please don't ask me to sing the song...

A hidden Mickey!! (I'm not telling where it is ;)

Inside of "The Land" building at Epcot - I have always loved these balloons and even though they are different then I remember I still love them :)

It's a baby giraffe!!

Mickey's golf ball ;) So pretty at night

Hi Mickey!!!

And finally - a picture my 3 year old took....pretty sure it's from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride :)

Flashback Friday: I Saw You That Night! by R.L. Stine

Flashback Friday reviews are of books that I read as a teen, reread now years later :)

Title: I Saw You That Night!
Author: R.L. Stine
Publication Date: 1994
Originally Read: ?

(from back cover)

Sand. Surf. Sun. Roxie lives for the summer. But this summer things aren't going the way Roxie planned. 

It all started when she broke into Lee Blume's house just to win a stupid bet. Because while she was in Lee's house, Roxie saw something she shouldn't have seen. Heard something she shouldn't have heard. 

And now someone's looking for Roxie. 

Someone who wants her...dead.

This one was a pleasant surprise for me. I know I owned this book - I have very real memories of the cover BUT I didn't remember the storyline at all. It's pretty unusual for me to not remember a book I've read (even if it is almost 20 years later ;) So there might be a chance I never actually read it :)

R.L. Stine really is a master. He's one of those authors I would love to sit down for coffee with so I could pick his brain. I Saw You That Night, while somewhat cheesy compared to modern YA thrillers, still, in my opinion, stands the test of time. I very much enjoyed this twisty romp through the landscape of a very disturbed teenager :)

I would recommend pretty much every book Stine has ever written :) Thrill factor might be a little low on this one, but the action is very real. Very much, "crap, I hope I'm never in that situation" combined with "wow, I'm really happy my life isn't this f***ed up ;)

A happy, enjoyable read for me!

On My Wishlist - Debut Authors

On My Wishlist is hosted by Book Chick City :)

I love both of these covers! I also love Friday the 13th, clocks, Edgar Allen Poe and teen romance so I'm super excited about these books :)

The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels
Release Date: FRIDAY August 13th by Bokheim Publishing
(from Goodreads)

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.

The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

Hatred never dies. 

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
Release Date: August 31st by Atheneum
(from Goodreads)

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it. 

So, what's on your wishlist?

Book Review: Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Age: 12+
Publication Date: April 2010

Tags: New Zealand mythology, adventure, romance
Pages: 352
Series: ?
Book Acquisition: ARC from Traveling ARC Tours

My Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

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

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

Karen Healey introduces a savvy and spirited heroine with a strong, fresh voice. Full of deliciously creepy details, this adventure is a deftly crafted story of Māori mythology, romance, betrayal, and war.

My Review:
This book wasn't like anything I've ever read. I love mythology but my knowledge of New Zealand myths is pretty much non existent.Guardian of the Dead is a story of seemingly normal teenagers - set against a rich cultural history - New Zealand folklore, set side by side a modern setting. This was such a wonderful read for me! There was so much going on and I pretty much loved it all.

If I had to pick my favorite aspect of this book it would have to be the main character, Ellie. She is very much a modern, normal girl. She's overweight, awkward, and unsure of herself  but she is also incredible brave and loyal. I found her to be a refreshing, realistic character. You can't help but want the best for her.

Although told from the 1st person, Healey manages to add to layer of mystery where we, as the reader, know more about what is happening to Ellie then she does. This layer really pulled me into the book very early on.

If I had to pick one thing I didn't like it would have to be the ending. As much as I loved the myth and folklore the conclusion was a little too much fantasy for my taste. I would have liked to have seen a more practical resolution.

With that said, I would still highly recommend this book to fans of YA action / romance / fantasy stories who are looking for a great mythology story.

Linkage Love:
Little Brown
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
*A sequel to Guardians of the Dead being written will most likely depend on demand (so says Karen on her website). I for one will be buying my own copy -- my little way of saying "Yes! More please!"

Can you tell me? Answers

My last "Can you tell me question?" was:

What is a "Temporary post used for theme detection" post?

This one stumped some people - me included. I had some theories but mine were all wrong :) I was convinced that these posts were intentional and that someone out there would be able to tell me why they were posting these weird strings of letters and numbers.

To clarify, I was seeing these posts as RSS feeds in Google Reader. Recently, when I clicked on the link to one of these posts, I would get a Blogger 'page not found' error message. Ok...that didn't help me :)

I got a few comments that lead me on the right track...and after doing a little testing of my own I followed my boyfriend's advice to "just Google it" (seriously, what would we do without Google!?). What did I find?
THIS!

It told me exactly what I so very much wanted to know!

So - what's the answer? I'll tell you :)

A "Temporary Post Used For Theme Detection" post will appear in RSS feeds when a blogger refreshes the theme of their blog from Windows Live writer. 

A temporary post is created and deleted instantly. However, the post will appear in your blog's RSS feed. The website I linked to above gives instructions for repressing this post if you use Wordpress. Haven't found a way to do it in Blogger and since I don't use Windows Live writer I have no idea how it works on the user end.

So, it's not evil and it's also not intentional. Just a weird bloggy thing that we can all safely ignore :)

Do you have a question you would like me to feature in an upcoming Can you tell me? post? Let me know!

In My Mailbox - July 18, 2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

For Review -- a big thanks to Paul at Sourcebooks!

The Death (and Further Adventures) of Silas Winterbottom by Stephen M. Giles

Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson 

From Paperbackswap

The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones

Feed by Mira Grant

Bought

Remember Me by Christopher Pike

Under the Dome by Stephen King

Plus - some awesome swag from Emma Michaels from her upcoming book The Thirteenth Chime! I'm supper excited about this book - thank you Emma!!

So, what's in your mailbox?

What? Vacation again?

Pretty much the best summer I've had in a long time! Already went on a fabulous vacation with my family and now I'm going on another one --- to DISNEY WORLD! 

I'm very much a grown woman but I still love Disney :)

By the time you read this I will already be gone! Woo hoo!!

You know what's not so woo hoo? NO INTERNET ACCESS FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK!

I thought about bringing the computer but I think my mother and sister would kill me just little if I wasted even one minute of our precious time in Disney checking my email :)

SO! I'm gone - until at least Sunday the 24th. If you email me, I will get back to you - just after vacation :) 

I do have some posts scheduled for this week and my Mega Blogoversary contest is still ongoing. I have another prize pack to add when I get back so if you haven't already - enter now! (link is above).

I hope you all have a wonderful week while I'm gone.

Later gaters! 

On My Wishlist - Debut Authors

On My Wishlist is hosted by Book Chick City :)

The Ghost and The Goth by Stacey Kade
Release Date: June 2010 by Hyperion Book
(from Goodreads)

After a close encounter with the front end of a school bus, Alona Dare goes from Homecoming Queen to Queen of the Dead. Now she’s stuck here in spirit form with no sign of the big, bright light coming to take her away. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser/outcast type who hates the social elite. He alone can see and hear her, but he wants nothing to do with the former mean girl of Groundsboro High. 

Can they get over their mutual distrust—and this weird attraction between them—to work together before Alona vanishes for good and Will is locked up for seeing things that don’t exist?

Mieradome by Kate Hegarty
Release Date: July 16, 2010 by Kate Hegarty Publishing
(from Goodreads)

Mieradome, revolves around a young girl named Amavia, who believes she is a human girl, but slowly comes to find she is a faery in the world of Mieradome. Amavia's mother, Anastasica, had taken her out of the faery realm and hidden her away here in our human realm, so that she may be protected from her parents' past mistakes. But that was not enough, the forces that be found Amavia, and brought her back into the cosmos of the Grandmother Tree. There she meets other faeries, goblins, Telkar dragons, and Utopisols. Slowly who Amavia really was began to unravel to show the truth. The truth, that she just may be the evil they need to destroy. This is where the story begins. 

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Release Date: August 31, 2010 by HarperTeen
(from Goodreads)

Sixteen-year-old Evie's job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone--or something--starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she's worked hard to help become productive members of society, she's got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal. 

Normal is so overrated.

So, what are you wishing for?

Prize added to Blogoversary Mega Contest!

Another prize added today :)

1 (one) INTERNATIONAL Winner:

$15 from The Book Depository. As long as they ship to your country. Any book (or books) that add up to $15 are yours!

This brings us up to 2 international winners!

Please read my BLOGOVERSARY POST for all details pertaining to the contest. Comments are wonderful but you must fill out the form on the above mentioned post.

Thanks guys!

Book Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Age: 14+
Publication Date: May 2010

Tags: literary fantasy, urban fantasy, romance, suspense
Pages: 288
Series: no
Book Acquisition: received an ARC from the publisher

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship. 

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

My Review:
Although Jekel Loves Hyde turned out to be an easy, well liked read for me, it took me a while to really get into the story. I'm not sure why but the beginning seemed to drag a little. Might sound strange but all in all, it didn't take away from my overall experience. Once the action started, it kept going, right up until the very end.

Told from alternating points of view, we get to see what both Jill and Tristan are thinking - sometimes at the same time about the same situations. I really liked this. It made me feel like I was getting the whole story.

One thing that got to me was Jill's personality. Specifically when it came to her feelings toward Tristan. Jill is such a strong person, she has to deal with so much after her father dies but her uncertainty concerning Tristan was a little frustrating at times. However, what really made the book for me was their relationship. What they had together, while based on something far fetched, was non-the-less routed in the very real reality of what was happening to them.

I liked the overall outcome of the book but the ending seemed rushed to me. There was a lot of action, a few surprise moments and then....it was over. I thought there should have been more.

All in all, I did like Jekel Loves Hyde. It was my first Beth Fantaskey book and I'm looking forward to reading more by her. I would recommend this book to YA fiction lovers who enjoy paranormal adventures and romance.

Linkage Love:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group
Author's Website
Goodreads

In My Mailbox - July 11, 2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Sorry for no descriptions this week - the links go to Goodreads if you want to check them out.
Busy week for me as I'm preparing for my daughter's first trip to Disney World! Aside from all the things a 3 year olds need - do you know how hard it's going to be to pick only a few books to bring with me!?
This week I got some good ones to choose from :)

For Review:

From publishers via NetGalley

The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike 

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Bought:
Prism by Faye and Aliza Kellerman
Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (Michelle sent me a beautiful bookplate that fits perfectly in the paperback copy - Thank you Michelle!!)

From Traveling ARC Tours
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Flashback Friday: Weekend by Christopher Pike

Flashback Friday reviews are of books that I read as a teen, reread now years later :)

Title: Weekend
Author: Christopher Pike
Publication Date: 1986
Originally Read: circa 1993

(from the back cover)

The weekend in Mexico sounded like a dream vacation. Four guys, five girls - and a gorgeous oceanside mansion all to themselves. It should have been perfect.

Except nothing was going the way they'd planned. There was the girl upstairs who was fighting for her life. The phone lines that went dead. And the explosion in the garage that could have killed them all.

But not even that prepared them for what happened next. Because while they were getting some sun, someone else was getting revenge - and the terror wouldn't stop until the weekend was over.

My Review:
OMG I love this book! I remember loving it as a teen and I think I love it even more now. Like many of my teen books, I have no idea where my original copy went but I found a 1986 edition at a used bookstore (pretty sure I squealed a little when I saw it).

The story line? Pretty far fetched. The characters? Very stereotypical and unbelievable. The setting, situations, and scenarios this group of high school seniors find themselves in? No way it could every happen.

BUT!

So wonderfully outrageous!. I mean, teenagers transporting guns and fireworks across the US / Mexico boarder? I don't think so. You don't really even see YA books these days that have young characters carrying guns. In 1986 it was a pretty common affair though. Oh, and apparently, teenagers were also sex crazed maniacs would would kill their best friends over the silliest of things.

Did I say I loved this book? Well, I do! It so very much a typical Pike read for me. The action is way out there but the mystery is spot on.

It will always be one of my favorite and most memorable reads from my teen (or pre-teen) years and if you're a fan of Pike's I recommend finding yourself a copy of this one.

Prize Added to Blogoversary Mega Contest!

You guys rock my socks!

Another prize added today :)

1 (one) US Winner -- Short Story Prize Box

Paperback of The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire

ARC of Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love

Paperback of Prom Nights from Hell

Want a chance to win?
Please read my BLOGOVERSARY POST for all details pertaining to the contest. Comments are wonderful but you must fill out the form on the above mentioned post.

Thanks guys!

Mini Review: The Solstice Cup by Rachel Dunstan Muller

Age: 12+ (my guess)
Publication Date: April 2009

Book Acquisition: bought a new paperback copy

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

(from publisher's website)

Twins don't always see eye to eye.

Something sinister happened to Mackenzie's twin sister Breanne the last time the two girls were in Ireland. Now they're back and the winter solstice is approaching. Breanne scoffs at their elderly relatives' tales of fair folk and banshees and the thin barrier between two worlds, but Mackenzie remembers what happened to Breanne five years before—at the summer solstice. Mackenzie is convinced the Otherworld is real, but is it a place of enchantment or enslavement for humans?

My Review:
This book was a total impulse buy for me. It was tucked away on a shelf at my local bookstore and I couldn't resist it's pretty little cover. I'm glad I did because I very much enjoyed the story. A true fairy tale about what might happen to you if you tread too close to where fairies roam.
Twins Mackenzie and Breanne couldn't be more different. These differences are only heightened after the summer solstice spent in Ireland after which, nothing is the same and they must find a way to work together.
Such a fun tale! I loved the Otherworld of the fair folk and I loved the interplay between the sisters.
A quick read, I recommend this one to fans of fairy stories who are looking for an enjoyable, light read.

**In my Mimi Reviews I explore older, sometimes obscure books I have found in my travels and wish to share with my readers**