Hello and Welcome!

Red House Books is going through a bit of a update!

I've always had a pretty clear vision of what I wanted this space to be but I've been detoured from my path by...lots and lost of other people's opinions and ways of doing things...

I'm committed to this little chunk of the interweb but I've also branched out into other places so! Now it's time to think of Red House Books as more of a hub of all things me! And Me is a hell of a lot of book love!

Stay tuned!

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Saturday, October 30, 2010

In My Mailbox - October 30, 2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

A few good ones this week!

For Review from the author:
The Sapphire Talisman (Talisman Series Book 2) by Brenda Pandos
I've read the first book, The Emerald Talisman and really liked it. Review to post soon. Can't wait to start on this one.
(from Goodreads)
With the local vampire coven decimated, Julia and Nicholas try to begin a somewhat normal life together. Bound by secrecy from a shape shifter determined to see Julia’s world-saving prediction come to fruition, Julia isn’t allowed to tell Nicholas the leader survived, ransacking her happiness with guilt. When Alora returns, bent on revenge, the reunion forces Nicholas and Julia to choose what they are willing to live and die for.

For Review from publicist:
The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by George Beard and Harold Hutchins
(from Goodreads)
In this all-new graphic novel, George Beard and Harold Hutchins present the sensational saga of two silly cave boys named Ook and Gluk. Ook and Gluk have a pretty awesome life growing up together in Caveland, Ohio, in 500,001 BC-even though they are always getting in trouble with their nasty leader, Big Chief Goppernopper. But Ook and Gluk's idyllic life takes a turn for the terrible when an evil corporation from the future invades their quiet, prehistoric town. When Ook, Gluk, and their little dinosaur pal, Lily, are pulled through a time portal to the year 2222 AD, they discover that the world of the future is even worse than the devastated one they came from. Fortunately, they find a friend in Master Wong, a martial arts instructor who trains them in the ways of kung fu, so that they may one day return home and make things right again. And, like the other Captain Underpants books,The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future features the world's cheesiest animation technology;Flip-O-Rama, in every chapter

**A big thank you to Brenda Pandos and Big Honcho Media***

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Spoiler Free Review: Beautiful Dead: Arizona by Eden Maguire

*Spoiler Free reviews are reviews of 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) books in a series 
with no fear of spoilers!*

Age: 14+
Publication Date: October 2010 (reprint)
Pages: 288
Series: 2nd in a series
Acquisition: received an ARC from the publisher

Summary:
Goodreads Link

Quick thoughts:
Very much like the first book. Starts pretty much were book 1 leaves off so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.

Likes:
Darina is still the same, still trying to convince the people in her life that there isn't anything wrong with her. I love being in her head. I love how dedicated she is to helping the Beautiful Dead and how crazy her life is.

We get a little more back story on the BD overlord, Hunter which I really enjoyed. We also get Arizona's complete story. I didn't much like her in the first book but after seeing how her life really was and how her death really happened - I had a change of heart.

Dislikes:
A little too much like the first book maybe. The same scenarios are played out, the same tensions and strife between characters are there. It was a little slow going for me in the beginning.

Final thoughts:
After reading book 1, I knew I needed to finish out this series. I very much enjoyed Arizona's tale and I can't wait for the next.

Overall Rating:
4 / 5 Stars

The Beautiful Dead Series
1. Jonas
2. Arizona
3. Summer
4. Phoenix




Linkage Love:
Sourcebooks
Goodreads

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Have you heard?


The e-book version of The Dark Divine by Bree Despain is now only $2.99 from major online retailers. AND Barnes & Noble and Amazon are selling it for only $2.39!
I highly recommend this book to paranormal YA fans. It's up there as one of my top 2010 reads.
Prices good until November 22nd!






Patrick Carman's Walla Walla Kids Read annual literacy event is going digital this year with free live webcast events for students and educators all over the country. This year's speaker is National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Jon Scieszka. For more info visit Walla Walla Kids Read




HarperCollins Children's Books has launched a photo contest to find the fanciest fan. The winning child will be turned into a character in the next Fancy Nancy book.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Book Review: Virals by Kathy Reichs

Age: 12+
Publication Date: November 2, 2010
Pages: 464
Series: 1st in a series
Book Acquisition: received an ARC at BEA

Book Summary:
Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.
As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals. (from Goodreads)

Quick Thoughts:
Loved it! Kathy Reichs is one of my favorite authors and this book is a wonderful start to what I hope is a long lived YA series. Lots of action and mystery!

What I didn't like:
I didn't love how young Tory and her friends are. It's realistic to a point but I was worried that the hard science aspect, which I love, would be dumbed down. It wasn't but I'm really curious how future books will play out. Tory is an extremely intelligent girl but at the same time, she's just a kid. I guess this is more of a concern of mine rather then a dislike :)

What I liked:
This book was a fabulous read for me. All the style, mystery and flare that makes Kathy Reichs's Temperance Brennan series so wonderful, in a new young adult package.

A great story, great mystery with a slight paranormal / super powers thing going on. Supper fun to read and I really felt a connection to the characters. Tory is pretty amazing and I love how she interacts with her friends. I really liked the secluded setting and I'm hoping future books will take place on the island as well. It's the perfect setting for intrigue and mystery.

Reminded Me Of:
Kathy's adult Temperance Brennan series - no surprise there :) Also, take away the paranormal element and the island setting / teen mystery solving / animal focus elements really reminded me of Bonnie Doerr's Island Sting.

Who Would Enjoy It:
Fans of Kathy's, also fans of paranormal teen fiction who also like really good mysteries. Despite it's hefty size, I can see younger readers, both boys and girls, really gobbling this one up!

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars

Books in the series: 
Virals (Nov 2010)
Virals 2 (Summer 2011)

Linkage Love:
Publisher's website
Author's Website
Goodreads

Saturday, October 23, 2010

In My Mailbox - October 23, 2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Um...I think I might have went a little overboard at the Library Book Sale this week...hehehehe

Also go some cool extras! And bought too much (again :)

Wanna see?!?!

Thanks to a well timed tweet and the wonderfulness that is HarperCollins I was offered this awesome swag package!
HarperCollins is currently holding a Fancy Nancy photo contest.
If you have a little one who enjoys this series you should definitely check it out.

Have I ever told you folks how much I love bookmarks? I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in this bookmark swap. Organized by Alyssa from The Shady Glade -- she put so much time and effort into this and the bookmarks I received are gorgeous!
I was very proud of the ones I made as well. Here's a picture of them before I shipped them out. Hope whoever got mine likes them!


For Review from Blog Tour hosted by Eleni of La Femme Readers
The Emerlad Talisman by Brenda Pandos
(from Goodreads)
To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves.

For Review from the author - Thank you Steve!
Heart with Joy by Steve Cushman
(from Goodreads)
In Heart With Joy, fifteen-year-old Julian Hale’s life is turned upside down when his mother suddenly moves from North Carolina to Venice, Florida under the pretense of running her parents’ motel and finishing the novel she has been working on for years.  While Julian has always been closer to his mother and wants to go with her, she tells him he has to stay with his father until the end of the school year.
Six weeks after his mother leaves, Julian’s father decides to run a marathon.  This surprises Julian because he has never seen his father exercise, but once he agrees to help him train the two develop the sort of close relationship they’ve never had before.  Also, with the help of an elderly neighbor, Julian learns that the most important thing in life is to follow your heart.  And Julian’s heart leads him to a passion for cooking and a young cashier at the local grocery store.  By the end of the novel, Julian is forced to choose between staying with his father and going to live with his mother.
Heart With Joy is an uplifting coming of age novel about cooking and bird watching, about writing and pottery, and about falling in love and the sacrifices we all make.  But ultimately, it’s about the importance of following your heart and trusting that it will take you where you need to go.  

Bought
Scary Stories Treasury by Alvin Schwartz

Bought this one especially for my scary quest post for Lexie at Poisoned Rationality

Check it out - if you dare!






Bought
The Crossbones (Skeleton Creek Book 3) by Patrick Carman

Love this series!









Bought
Ghost Hunt: Chilling Tales of the Unknown by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson

Did you know I met these guys! Ok - it was for all of 2 minutes at BEA last May but it was still awesome!







Won from Princess Bookie
The Witchy Worries of Abby Adams by Rhonda Hayter

Everyone should read this one - it's fabulous!









LIBRARY SALE!!!
Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding
Hunter's Pray by Lilith Saintcrow
Dealing with Dragons by Patrica C. Wrede
Cut by Patricia McCormick
Sorcers Secretaries by Amy Kim Ganter
Specials by Scott Westerfeld
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
ttyl and L8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle
Hunger by Michael Grant
The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
You Are so Undead To Me by Stacey Jay
Bloom by Elizabeth Scott 
Ready or Not by Meg Cabot

MORE LIBRARY SALE WONDERFULNESS!!!
By Christopher Pike:
Gimme a Kiss, The Grave, Final Friends 1 and 2, Last Act, Remember Me 2, The Immortal, The Lost Mind, and Road to Nowhere
By Lois Duncan:
Don't Look Behind You and Down a Dark Hall
By Caroline B. Cooney:
Wanted! and The Cheerleader
By A. Bates:
Party Line
By R.L. Stine
College Weekend, The Baby Sitter II, Blind Date and Ski Weekend

So, what's in your mailbox?

Friday, October 22, 2010

Mini Review: Beautiful Dead: Jonas by Eden Maguire

Age: 13+
Publication Date: March 2010
Book Acquisition: bought new paperback

Book Summary:
Something strange is happening in Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances. 
Rumours of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss. Darina,Phoenix's grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can't escape her intense heartache, or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echo inside her head! And then one day Phoenix appears to Darina. 
Ecstatic to be reunited, he tells her about the Beautiful Dead. Souls in limbo, they have been chosen to return to the world to set right a wrong linked to their deaths and bring about justice. Beautiful, superhuman and powerful, they are marked by a 'death mark' - a small tattoo of angel's wings. Phoenix tells her that the sound of invisible wings beating are the millions of souls in limbo, desperate to return to earth.Darina's mission is clear: she must help Jonas, Summer, Arizona, and impossibly, her beloved Phoenix, right the wrong linked to their deaths to set them free from limbo so that they can finally rest in peace. Will love conquer death? And if it does, can Darina set it free? (from Goodreads)

Review:
There are a lot of things I liked about this book. The first thing I noticed while reading was how much I was enjoying the romance part of the story. Phoenix is dead, but he came back and he's still in Darina's life. Their relationship is already established before we, as readers, enter the story. It was refreshing not reading a wishy-washy, love at first sight, happens too quickly to be believable, romance story.

Another thing I really liked was the fact that The Beautiful Dead are zombies! Ok, not your typical night of the living dead variety but zombies none the less. They even give reasons as to how zombies got pegged as gross, decaying, monsters. The Beautiful Dead are, well, beautiful. Perfect but doomed.

There is a mystery aspect and I wasn't sure how it was going to play out but I was very happy with the ending. Poor Darina though. I'm curious how she's going to make it through the rest of the series without having some sort of mental breakdown.

Can't wait to read more!

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars

The Beautiful Dead Series:

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

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Can't wait to get my hands on...

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS COVER!!!!


Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins
March 1, 2011 by Hyperion Books

from Goodreads: (CONTAINS SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ HEX HALL!)
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. 
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth. 
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers. 
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Book Review: Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Age: 12+
Publication Date: September 2010
Pages: approx 208
Series: ?
Book Acquisition: received an ARC at BEA

Book Summary:
Avery Hood is reeling from the loss of her parents--and the fact that she can't remember what happened to them even though she was there.
She's struggling to adjust to life without them, and to living with her grandmother, when she meets Ben, who isn't like any guy she's ever met before.
It turns out there's a reason why, and Ben's secret may hold the key to Avery finding out what happened to her parents...
But what if that secret changes everything she knows about--and feels for--Ben? (from Goodreads)

Quick Thoughts:
Not as good as the hype and not what I was expecting but I did enjoy the story.

What I didn't like:
The romance. Too quick, too much 'I saw him and I knew he was the only one for me' type of stuff. It didn't feel natural. Ben is very sweet to Avery and they are pretty cute together, but their relationship seemed a little hollow.

The ending wasn't my favorite either. I won't give anything away but it kind of made me question the premise of the book. It made sense, as book endings go, but, for me, I didn't quite fit.

What I liked:
The story in general was very well told. I really enjoyed the writting style and I felt that I got to know the characters really well. Avery's parents played a big part in the story and even though they are dead, we still get a good background on them. It made the flow of the book work. It made simpathizing with Avery more meaningful because I felt a connection to the parents that she lost.

The emotions in Low Red Moon are pretty raw at times. I couldn't imagine going through what Avery did. Even with the paranormal elements, I felt like this could be a true story.

It's a quick read, but a good one.

Reminded Me Of:
In retropect I would say 13 To Life by Shannon Delany because of the similar elements. While I was reading it though, I couldn't help but think of Need by Carrie Jones. Low Red Moon had that same small town, creepy surroundings, something's out there to get us feeling.

Who Would Enjoy It:
Fans of paranormal young adult books looking for a quick, easy and enjoyable read.

Overall Rating:
4 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Publisher's website
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
*Ivy Devlin is the pseudonym of a popular YA author and Low Red Moon is her paranormal fiction debut.
*The finished copy of this book is beautiful! The are red highlights through the pages and the dust jacket is shiny and very pretty :)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

CSN Preferred Blogger / Upcoming excitement!

The wonderful folks at CSN stores have picked me as a preferred blogger. I've already ordered a couple of things from them (reviews to come soon!) and maybe this time I can share the love (stay tuned!)

I've been looking at their end tables. Perfect for sitting a cup of coffee on AND storing books underneath or in!

Isn't this one gorgeous?


What would you buy? 


Book Review: Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Age: 10-14
Publication Date: October 2010
Pages: approx 304
Series: no
Book Acquisition: received an ARC from the publisher

Book Summary:
In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .
Berry's debut novel garnered glowing reviews and strong sales—and now she's done it again with a beautifully woven tale to keep all readers, young and old, absolutely charmed. (from Goodreads)

Quick Thoughts:
Loved the fantasy in this one! Removed from reality with very cool paranormal elements.

What I didn't like:
The story line is a little predictable.

What I liked:
The fantasy was spot on. There was lots of details and a good back story. After being reunited with the ocean, Evie discovers her destiny in the form of an adorable character. I don't want to give too much away but the fact that who Evie discovers is powerful, loyal, cute, smart and hers forever makes for some great story telling.

The plot twists were ok. Predictable but it worked with the story.

Reminded Me Of:
The fantasy and magical aspects reminded me of Sharon Shinn's Truth Teller's series. The paranormal elements however were very unique.

Who Would Enjoy It:
A perfect fit for younger readers. Nothing too mature and the storyline moves along well. A perfect stand alone book for young adult fantasy fans.

Overall Rating:
4 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Bloomsbury
Author's Website
Goodreads

Monday, October 18, 2010

Book Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Age: 12+
Publication Date: August 2010

Pages: 353
Series: 1st in a trilogy
Book Acquisition: bought new hardcover

Book Summary:
Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. 
Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. (from Goodreads)

Quick Thoughts:
Loved it! Read it in a few hours - I just couldn't put it down!

What I didn't like:
So hard to think of something. Really, the whole book just worked for me. If anything, I would have to say that because the characters were so interesting, I would have liked to have seen more points of view through out the story. Really, I just want more - of everything!

What I liked:
Um...everything?

Seriously though, this book was fantastic. I was hooked from page one. Evie was such an enjoyable character to read. Her life has never been normal. Luring, catching and tagging vampires, werewolves and their like is just another day on the job for her. Through it all though, she's still a teenager. She's still real. I felt like, if she were taken out of this story and dropped into say, a realistic teen fiction sans the paranormal creepy crawlies? I would still love her.

There is some romance, but it's cute and realistic. No - 'I just know we are meant to be together even though we just met and I know nothing about him - seriously, did you see him? He's so perfect and my body makes all these strange noises when he's near, even though I've never had a boy like me before I'm sure he's the only one for me and I cry whenever he walks away, even though I never cry because I'm so different then other girls - it's all him - he does this to me - that has to be love right?'

Sorry, I've had my fill of that type of romance in YA fiction! None of that here!

Reminded Me Of:
Lili St. Crow's Strange Angels series. Young girl, fighting the bad guys that normal society knows nothing about. Living with old secrets and discovering new ones.

Who Would Enjoy It:
Fans of paranormal young adult book (duh :) Also, maybe those who have been reluctant to pick up on the paranormal craze. The story is entertaining and there is lots of action. Also, lots of paranormal elements that work really well together. No wishy washy characters here.

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars
One of my top reads of 2010

Books in the Series:
1. Paranormalcy
2. Supernaturally (Fall 2011)
3. Book 3 (?)

Linkage Love:
Harper Teen
Author's Website
Author's Blog
Goodreads

Can't wait to get my hands on...

March 2011 from Harcourt Children's Books

The summer of 1889 is the one between childhood and womanhood for Amelia van den Broek-and thankfully, she's not spending it at home in rural Maine. She's been sent to Baltimore to stay with her stylish cousin, Zora, who will show her all the pleasures of city life and help her find a suitable man to marry.
Archery in the park, dazzling balls and hints of forbidden romance-Victorian Baltimore is more exciting than Amelia imagined. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset-visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. Newly dubbed "Maine's Own Mystic", Amelia is suddenly quite in demand.
However, her attraction to Nathaniel, an artist who is decidedly outside of Zora's circle, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own- still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him. And while she has no trouble seeing the futures of others, she cannot predict whether Nathaniel will remain in hers.
When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia's world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she's not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

I love the creepy, mysterious feel to the trailer.


Sunday, October 17, 2010

In My Mailbox - October 17, 2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Ok - bought way too many books this week. I couldn't help it! I had coupons for all of them, I swear ;)

First up are these supper cool Halloween goodies from Cyn Balog. I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to figure to answer her Disney trivia BUT I fianally got it! How awesome is she!?

And here's the pile :) 
Links are to Goodreads

PaperbackSwap:
Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn - I now have the complete Twelve Houses series :)

Bookmooch:
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman - been wanting this one for a while now

ARC of I was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison
ARC of The Ruby Notebook by Laura Resau

Bought:
Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway -- New (to me) vampire series - yum!
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers -- can't wait to start this one
Ash by Malinda Lo -- it's in paperback now!
Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen -- love me some ghosts
The Unidentified by Rae Mariz -- couldn't resist the hardcover

So, what's in your mailbox?

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Mini Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Age: 12+
Publication Date: August 2007
Book Acquisition: bought used paperback

Book Summary:
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever. (from Goodreads)

Review:
I have no idea why I waited so long to read this one. I bought a copy ages ago but it just sat on my shelf. When I finally did pick it up - pretty much couldn't put it down until I was done! So so so good! Now I know why so many people were going fangirl ga ga at BEA over meeting Richelle :)

These days, young adult vampire stories are pretty much everywhere. Vampire Academy, to me, stands out from the crowd. Everything was spot on - the character development, the setting, the fantastic world Richelle created -- I loved it all. One of the cool things, I thought, was the fact that we pretty much get all vampires in this story. It's a vampire cultural documentary :)

If you haven't started this series, and you like vampire stories - good vampire stories - you need to pick up a copy of Vampire Academy, With 6 books in the series - I can't wait to see where Richelle will lead me next!

Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars

The Vampire Academy Series:
1. Vampire Academy
2. Frostbite
3. Shadow Kiss
4. Blood Promise
5. Spirit Bound
6. Last Sacrifice (December 7, 2010)

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

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Can't wait to get my hands on....

Upcoming Series Sequels!

Hope you enjoy my little contribution to your ever growing Wishlists and TBR piles - As always, I'm here to serve ;)

Links are to Goodreads

Touch Book 3
December 28, 2010 from Hyperion
1. Deadly Little Secret
2. Deadly Little Lies

The Dark Divine Book 2
December 28, 2010 from EgmontUSA
1. The Dark Divine

13 to Life Book 2
February 15, 2011 from St. Martin's Press
1. 13 to Life

Need Book 3
December 7, 2010 from Bloomsbury
1. Need
2. Captivate

Soul Screamers Book 4
January 1, 2011 from Harlequin Teen
1. My Soul to Take
2. My Soul to Save
3. My Soul to Keep

Faeriewalker Book 2
Shadowspell by Jenna Black
January 4, 2011 from St. Martin's Press
1. Glimmerglass

Strange Angels Book 4
Defiance by Lili St. Crow
April 2011 from Penguin / Razorbill
1. Strange Angels
2. Betrayals
3. Jealousy

The Wolves of Mercy Falls Book 3
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
July 2011 from Scholastic
1. Linger
2. Shiver

**some covers might not be final**

Monday, October 11, 2010

Contest! Win Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein


The story of a dramatic love triangle, inspired by a historical mystery
Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.
Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth. (from publisher's website)

GIVEAWAY DETAILS
*Open to US residents 13 years or older (if you are under 13 please ask your parents to email me at WilowRaven@yahoo.com before entering)
*Ends November 1, 2010 11:59 EST
*Fill out THIS FORM to enter
*Extra entries for following (blog, twitter)
*Book will ship directly from the publisher -- thank you Bloomsbury for hosting this event!