{Book Review} Passion by Lauren Kate

Passion
Fallen #3
Author: Lauren Kate
Pages: 420
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: June 14th 2011
Rating: 3 Birds

Click book cover to add to your TBR

Luce would die for Daniel.
And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . .
Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.
Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.
Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.
Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series

It had been awhile since I read Torment, (Fallen #2) and that age old problem of worrying I won’t be able to keep up with Passion, (Fallen #3) set in the second I opened the cover. It didn’t last though, thankfully Lauren Kate has  a great way of laying out the need information in a way that makes you feel like it’s apart of the current book, and not a rehashed explanation of the previous one. I could hug her and buy her a pony for this because really one of my biggest pet peeves is when authors don’t explain enough, or rehash the WHOLE previous book and gut wrenching detail that drags on forever. Lauren Kate should teach classes and the seamless transition between books.

Passion will take you on a journey that spans several of Luce’s lifetimes. It’s laid out completely differently than the other two novels in this series and while it is in fact different, it is still enjoyable. Luce travels through Announcers to her past with the help of the mysterious Bill in search of a reason why she can’t ever love Daniel with out meeting an untimely death.

Daniel, chasing after her, is always just moments behind, arriving a little too late to catch her and take her home to her own time. He’s dead set on the idea that there will never be a way to end this vicious cycle of Luce’s lives and deaths.

Passion was really enjoyable, yes but not as gripping and unputdownable as I really need these days to render a 5 bird review. While I loved learning about Luce’s past, and seeing her in her other lifetimes, the relationships she had with Daniel and all the times and places they had been together, it just didn’t pull me in so hard I needed a crow bar to back away from it.

I do have to say that I comment Lauren Kate on the amount of detail, and research that must have gone into writing this because it was just enough. Just enough to know what you were reading and where you were. Just enough to get to interested in the time periods and just enough not to bore you to pieces. Lauren Kate really has a knack with knowing how much and how little is just right!

I have sitting next to me an ACR of Rapture (Fallen #4) and I am greatly looking forward to tearing into it’s pages and seeing how Lauren Kate will wrap up this Angel series! Until I have a review for you on that…make sure you are all caught up on the Fallen Series so that when Rapture does come out in a few weeks, you are ready for it!

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{Movie Review} This Means War

This Means War
Starring: Reese Witherspoon
Chris Pine
Tom Hardy
DVD Release Date: May 22nd 2012
Run Time: 97 MInutes
Rating: 5 Birds

Two top CIA operatives wage an epic battle against one another after they discover they are dating the same woman.

 

I sincerely don’t remember the last time I laughed THIS hard at a movie. I enjoyed every single minute of this hilarious, adventure filled, love story. Who would have thought I would ever use all those words in the same sentence?

Reese Witherspoon’s character is work-aholic Lauren. Thrown into online dating she meets Tuck and everything is wonderful.  Until she also meets Tucks friend, FDR, and everything is perfect there too.

Soon, the normally single and quiet Lauren is forced to have to date two good looking men, to try to figure out which one is right for her.

Witherspoon’s dating dilemma is made even funnier with the help of Chelsea Handler who plays Laurens best friend Trish. Everything is better with Chelsea Handler!

My husband and I liked this movie so much, we had friends over the next night to watch it again!! This is the PERFECT date movie. It literally has everything you could want in one film! Trust me! Rent this, Buy it….just go get it now!!!

Thank you, as always to our wonderful friends at @FoxHomeEnt for allowing us to review the movie!

{Update} The Christian Hurt Files: Free Books and a Kindle Fire?

Time for an update on the Christian Hurt Files!!

You guys! Kayla and I are literally floored at the generosity you all have shown toward her cousin. For a refresher course or to find out for the first time who Christian is and why we are running a charity for him, check out THIS POST.

Now, since we are only 4 days away from the delivery of 25 boxes of books and audio (a total of 812lbs!!!) from the amazing people at Amazon Publishing – I wanted to show you everything we had grated so far,  and tell you the NEW way we are going to run the charity event!

Cast your gaze upon the awesomeness so far:

Notice brand new copies of COLS, Shatter Me, Bitterblue and More!
We have first editions autographed in there!
We have Gift Cards and Author Autographs
We have awesome swag, movies, music, ARCS & more!

WE HAVE A KINDLE FIRE!!!

click any image to make it larger

      

I bet you are asking yourself

How Can I Get My Hands On Some Of This Stuff!

Well, I don’t blame you! Especially that Kindle fire – who doesn’t want one of those!!!

If you read our initial post about Christian and raising money for him and his neck surgery you will remember we were going to a raffle, you would have gotten one entry for each dollar spent.

Well, apparently that’s illegal to do on the internet. Who knew? Well thankfully my step-dad or you’d all be raising money for my bail next…

We came up with a NEW and 100% Legal way to do all this!

• We are going to take the upwards of 800-900 books we will have once all the donations arrive and separate them into 75-100 Flat Rate shipping boxes through the USPS. (depending on how they fill out, will determine how many boxes)
• We will then photograph, catalog and list the boxes here on the blog and you will be able to PURCHASE a box for them low cost of $25 USD + Shipping (between $11-$16 in the US)
• Here’s the kickers, the reasons you want and need one or more of these in your life:  Each box will have over $50 minimum of product inside of it – think about it, a few will have $25-$50 gift cards to B&N, it’s like those ones are free and you’ll still get TONS of other things in it.
• HIDDEN INSIDE ONE OF THE BOXES will be a brand new KINDLE FIRE! Kayla and I will use random.org to choose the number of the box, and you will only know if you go it – if it arrives at your house!

You can expect these items to be ready to go by the 2nd week of June. When I have an exact date I will you know so you can count down, you want these boxes, and some you will not be able to pass up!!

If you have anything you want to donate – swag, arcs, anything….drop me an e-mail at meandmyshelf at gmail dot com! Time is creeping nearer but we still have a few days left!!

          

{Author Interview + Giveaway} Jeyn Roberts

We have the fantastic Jeyn Roberts with us today! You can find her dark and unputdownable post-apocalyptic novel, DARK INSIDE on shelves now! Believe me when I tell you, you don’t want to miss this book, it is a MUST HAVE on your TBR pile!!!
Read MMSAI’s Review of DARK INSIDE
And, thanks to our fantastic friends over at Simon & Schuster we have an autographed copy of DARK INSIDE to giveaway! So if you want to take a crack at winning the hardcover, autographed book be sure to fill out the Raffelcopter at the end of this post!

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Jeyn, thank you so much for taking some time out to join us on MMSAI for an interview! First things first, lets get the typical stuff out of the way, tell all these wonderful readers who you are and what you wrote

I'm Jeyn Roberts. I've written Dark Inside and Rage Within

Now, let’s get to know you. You know, more than just those same old questions you get asked over and over…let’s really get to know Jeyn.

Tell us something crazy you’ve done in your life: 

Where would I begin? I once stayed up three nights in a row with NO SLEEP because my band was putting out an album and could only afford to book the recording studio in the wee hours of the morning. By the final day I was a sleep walking zombie.

What’s something crazy you WANT to do in your life.

If they ever build that hotel on the moon, I'm so going to be there.

What about embarrassing moments, let’s talk about those. Mine involves a “womanly time” and junior high while at an amusement park with a boy I liked….yeah….so spill it – what’s yours?

It always involves a boy. haha I once was on a date and I choked on my coffee. I ended up spitting it all over the table, all over myself, and of course, all over him.

If you could be any kind of cereal, what kind would you be and why? 

Froot Loops. So tasty and bad for you.

It looks like you have lived in, or at least visited a lot of places in your life. Where’s the one place you loved more than anything?

Cuba. I loved Cuba. So beautiful and the people are very friendly.

You’ve just won the lottery, 2 million dollars…what are you going to do first?

I'd go on an extended holiday for a while and then get back to writing. I don't think I could ever give that up.

Let’s swing back around to more normal questions next. What’s on your plate now, what can readers look forward to from you in the future?

I've always got a million things going. I've got a new novel at the editors right now so fingers crossed. I'm also working on a screenplay with a producer friend of mine. I'm also about to start work on a new story (horror this time) and I'm really excited about it. I love horror!

Jeyn, thank you for taking time to hang out with us!!

Find Jeyn Roberts

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Read our 5 Bird Review of DARK INSIDE here.

Win your own copy below!

Since the beginning of mankind, civilizations have fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs… and now us. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening: An ancient evil has been unleashed, and it’s turning everyday people into hunters, killers, and crazies.
This is the world Mason, Aries, Clementine, and Michael are living in—or rather, trying to survive. Each is fleeing unspeakable horror, from murderous chaos to brutal natural disasters, and each is traveling the same road in a world gone mad.
Amid the throes of the apocalypse and clinging to love and meaning wherever it can be found, these four teens are on a journey into the heart of darkness—and to find each other and a place of safety.

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{Book Review} City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls
The Mortal Instruments #5 Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 534 Hardcover
Format: Audio
Release Date: May 8th 2012
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry
Rating: 4 Birds

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.
No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?
Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.
And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?
Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

City of Lost Souls is the fifth book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. These books are definitely not standalone novels so if you haven’t read the first four books you should pick those up before reading this one. If you don’t, you will be completely lost.
City of Lost Souls starts off a little slow which was surprising to me considering how City of Fallen Angels ended. Part of this could simply be the absent of Jace. He is absent for most of the beginning and once he finally does appear you’re not sure how much of it is the Jace that we have all come to know and love.
I did love all of the secondary characters (and when I say secondary characters I mean pretty much anyone besides Jace and Clary). I really enjoyed seeing Isabelle and Simon’s relationship and also Alec and Magnus. I felt there was a lot more Alec/Magnus in this book which I loved. Alec’s insecurities about his relationship with Magnus are clearly evident. While I wanted to tell him to get over it, I couldn’t help but think that if I were in his place I would probably feel the same way.
Isabelle and Simon’s relationship developed in this book a great deal. It is clear that Isabelle has feelings for him which scares her to death. She’s like a fish out of water and has no idea how to act. Simon clearly has feelings for Isabelle but he’s still intimidated by her and doesn’t see how she could possibly have feelings for him.
As I stated earlier, Jace, the real Jace, is absent almost the entire book which was depressing. There were a couple of moments where the real Jace made an appearance which I thoroughly enjoyed. Through it all, Jace and Clary’s love for one another is undeniable. Even the not Jace, can’t stay away from her.
Sebastian was an interesting character in this book. I spent most of the book going back and forth between hating him and feeling sorry for him. At times he seems as if he really cares about Jace and Clary and just wants someone to care about him. Even Clary struggles with whether or not she should trust him.
I love Clare’s writing style and this book is no exception. She is a master at explaining the most unusual things in a way that makes it seem like it is the most natural thing in the world. The characters she creates are ones that you easily fall in love with and are immediately concerned about their well being.
However, there was one thing about this book that kept me from giving it a 5 bird rating. The main storyline seemed forced. I know that this is an unpopular opinion for some but I really feel that there wasn’t a need for three more books in this series. Don’t get me wrong I’m happy that there are I just don’t think that they were necessary. Sebastian could have stayed dead and everyone could have gone happily along with their lives.
In the end, I felt that this was yet another great book by Cassandra Clare. Her story telling ability never ceases to amaze me. I love the characters and can’t wait to (hopefully) see them get a happy ending in the final book, City of Heavenly Fire.
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*Thank you to Simon & Schuster Audio for the audio copy for review!

{YA Rebels} Wednesday Talks Books Into Movies

Cast your gaze upon the parody that is Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton and A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford made into a movie...using my kids toys...;) 

 

{Book Review + Giveaway} Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Goddess Interrupted 
Goddess Test #2 Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher:Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Pages: 304
Rating: 4 birds 

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it. Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

The second book to The Goddess Test as I was memorized by Kate's adventure again!  She won immortality and then goes away for the summer to visit Greece for a bit with James as a friend only.  She comes back and things fall apart but she holds her ground in what she wants to do and her love for Henry.  It seemed like Henry and Kate never get a chance to connect more until towards the end of the book. Kate does have her moments of breaking down but that's all part of being human.

It took Henry a while to figure things out but when he does, it's pretty awesome. There seems to be more emotions here but building up slowly.  I"m not going to give all the lovely details away but Persephone shows up in this sequel. 

The ending was cliffhanger!  I dare wonder what happens next.  My brain racks the many ways of what could happen to Kate and Henry and the rest of the characters.  Wow!!  I guess the third book will have to be on my list to read.  Thanks for Aimee for creating such an unique story! 
Isn't the cover stunning by the way??

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{Book Review} The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: 4/19/2011
Pages: 304
Rating: 4 Birds

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall. Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Of course Kate is the main character throughout the book as she heads back to school and everyone gossips about her.  She then also gets invited to a bonfire which she goes to and somehow that night her life changes as she meets Henry.  A deal is struck and an adventure begins.

At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book or not. Once I started reading, I become fascinated by this story.  Kate was an amazing character who held her ground at all times!  I enjoyed seeing the relationships that Kate goes through with Ava, Henry, her mother and a bunch of others.  James I found to be like the best friend guy you could have.  Although I still liked Henry for Kate. 

To see how the gods and goddesses were portrayed in this book was fascinating.  I love the twist that it had a bit of more modern times with it than being stuck int he past.  They all had personalities in them a bit. Sure they're not automatically to the T of what we've learned or read about gods and goddesses.  Everything can be portrayed in different kinds of light. I liked it! 

This book did keep me on my toes and left me for wanting more of what Kate's next adventure was! 

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{Book Review} ReVamp by Ada Adams

ReVamp
By Ada Adams
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Pages: 299 pages
Format: PDF File
Rating: 5 Birds

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

I loved the cover on this ebook book!

This was a nice change in vampire/paranormal genre! I read this book in one setting as I could not put it down since the entire story grabbed my attention. I loved the story characters and setting! Who thought vampires could come out into the world and live in it? I've always liked vampires stories and this one makes it on my list of vampire stories to read!!

Each character kept my attention until the book was completed. I just could not put it down. Dawn is a strong female character in this book who's life once thought was perfect until she heads out on her mission and also uncovers some truth of who she is. Along with Dawn there's other characters such as Ethan and Sebastian which caught my attention as well. Brooke was hilarious character along with a few others. Even the bad guys I could feel their character aspects. Action, drama, humor and romance explodes throughout this book, it's one heck of a roller coaster ride to read! You won't regret reading this refreshing and inspiring story today!

I'm looking forward from more of the lovely Ada Adams!

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{Book Review} Dark Matter Heart by Nathan Wrann

Dark Matter Heart
By Nathan Wrann
Published: May 13, 2011 by Createspace
Format: Paperback
Pages: 130
Rating: 2.5 birds

A new town. A new school. A new beginning. Seventeen year-old Cordell Griffin and his mother move from Los Angeles to the Pacific Northwest to deal with his "allergies," and start a healthier new life. Cor has one goal: To blend in and be invisible. Unfortunately for him, no matter how far he goes, he can't run away from his secrets. Secrets about who he is. Secrets about why he's sick. And secrets about why so many people he meets end up dead, drained of blood.
In "Dark Matter Heart", the origin novel in the "Cor Griffin Bloodsuckers" Young Adult Paranormal Thriller series from filmmaker Nathan Wrann, Cor must uncover the mysteries of his past and conquer the secrets of the present in order to protect the girl of his future, and save himself

Huh?...What?...Seriously?...those were the words going through my head when I began Dark Matter Heart by Nathan Wrann. I was confused for the first chapter and wondered what I had gotten myself into reading, and then I was hooked. Characters started making more, if not complete, sense.

My favorite character: Taylor Jensen. Initially Cor’s school guide he becomes much more throughout the book. This book does not sit still, it moves at a fast pace and the reader needs to be prepared, which makes it a good book for when you need to pass the time. There is a love story involved but it’s not sappy, which is good if that’s what you want to avoid in YA books.

The ending did not feel like a real ending which may be because I knew there was second book in the series released. This was a good beginning book for the Cor Griffin Bloodsuckers series, it kept me engaged once I got past the first part and the ending made me want more of a resolution so I started on the second book in the series From Out of Chaos.

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{Movie Review} We Bought A Zoo

We Bought A Zoo
Starring: Matt Damon
Scarlett Johansson
Run Time: 124 Min.
DVD Release Date: April 3rd 2012
Rating: 4.5 Birds

Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.

 

 

We Bought A Zoo is based off the book of the same name by author Benjamin Mee. I have not had the opportunity to read the book, too caught up in the YA world of fiction to be able to find time for the Non-Fiction story of the Mee’s and the struggling zoo they bought. I will be making time to get it in now however! If the ols saying that the book is better than the movie, I’m going to adore this book!

I watched We Bought A Zoo 4 times. Once with my husband and when I realized it was suitable for my 8 year old, I watched it 3 times with her over the next couple of weeks. My daughter loved this movie, as much, if not more than I did! In fact I had to hide it so that she would pick something else on family movie night, because while we al enjoyed it, any parent can agree that any movie over and over in a short period can border on torture.

The story of the Mee family is heartbreaking and uplifting, all at the same time. It’s one of those great stories of overcoming life's obstacles that fills you with joy at the end, and the greatest thing is that this is a true story!

After the death of his wife and his son begins to act out, Ben Mee picks up and moves to the country to a run down small town zoo. We Bought A Zoo definitely shows you what a little perseverance, a whole lot of hard work and the bond of family and friends can achieve.

On a little side note, the young man who plays Ben Mee’s son Dylan is played by Colin Ford. That’s right Supernatural fans, little Sammy Winchester. It took me a little while to watch this and see him as Dylan because he really does have an uncanny resemblance to Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki). This really has nothing to do with how I felt about the movie, just some fun little tid-bits for you!

This is a 4.5 Bird review for me and I highly recommend it. It’s great for a family night movie, or just a date night!

Thank you to our friends at @FoxHomeEnt for providing the copy for review!

{YA Rebels} How To Review A Book

After an 78 minute upload today and 6 hours of failed attempts at uploading this yesterday to the YA Rebels You Tube channel, my vlog is finally on the interwebs for you fine folks to watch. Watch as I humorously explain How To Review A Book, as this weeks topic on the Rebels is: Reviews.

{Beyond Swag} A New Drug Created to Promote a Book?

Shaden Pharmaceuticals has created the drug Atendol for teens in hopes of getting their ADD in order. Or, have they created ADD to keep their orders of Atendol going? Or, is it all just a big joke that's not that funny when you really think about it?

No matter what side of the Atendol debate you fall on, everyone seems to be after Sarah Striker, the main character in the new book Pharmacology who seems set on exposing these drug companies for what they're really doing and how they are marketing their products to teens and their parents. The only thing is nobody can really figure out where the marketing stops and where reality begins.

Maybe we're not supposed to be concentrating long enough to be able to find out.

 

Find Author Christopher Herz and his novel PHARMOCOLGY

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{Book Review} Chime by Franny Billingsley

Chime
By Franny Billingsley
Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: March 17, 2011
Pages:361
Format:Paperback
Rating: 2.5 Birds

Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.
Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

My Thoughts

I wanted to love this book. I met the author in Chicago at RT Teen Day and she was super nice. She talked to me for a few minutes about writing and never giving up. I knew the book was a national book finalist so I was excited about reading it.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. The story moves at a much slower pace than I prefer. I’m not one of those people that enjoy watching things slowly unfold. I like action pretty much from beginning to end. Chime was definitely a slow unfolding mystery.

A lot of elements in this book were confusing to me. What time period is it set in? Where are they? What is the Chime child, wolf girl, ect.? The setting is never clearly defined and other elements are presented with very few details. Throughout the course of the book more details are revealed and it’s up to the reader to put everything together.

Another thing I wasn’t a fan of (and never have been) was the writing style. It was written in a very grammatically incorrect and “country” sounding voice. Now, I am an Alabama girl. I was born and raised in the south. I have heard people that needed subtitles to understand what they were saying. The point is I speak “country”. I understand “country”. I don’t, however, enjoy reading “country”. It’s just distracting. I mean a “y’all” here or there is completely fine but when I have to sit there and try to figure out what the word is suppose to be, there’s an issue. That being said, I did love the opening line.

“I’ve confessed to everything and I’d like to be hanged.

Now, if you please.” – pg 1

I must say that the story idea was unique and original. The book was full of mystery and puzzles waiting to be solved. Some of the plotlines were easy to figure out, others took some time. There were clear lessons to be learned, but for me the pacing was just too slow to really enjoy.

If you love slow unfolding stories, Chime is the book for you. However, if you are like me and love fast paced action, you may want to look elsewhere.

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{Cover Reveal + Giveaway} Allegiance by KA Tucker

Check out the awesome cover for book 3 in the Casual Enchantments series by KA Tucker! These covers just keep getting better and better!

Want to WIN a BOOKMARK SET from The Casual Enchantments Series author KA Tucker? Yea you do! Fill out this Raffelcopter and GOOD LUCK!

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{Book Review} That Wedding

That Wedding
Author: Jillian Dodd
Format: eBook
Pages: 381
Published: February 10, 2012
Rating: 5+ Birds

I know he's that boy. The boy I want to marry, my prince, my happily ever after. I feel like I'm living in a dreamy fairytale. 
But then, Pastor starts asking questions I don’t know the answers to.
I have horrible wedding disaster dreams.
I can’t find a dress.
I have to manipulate him to get my way.
An old boyfriend asks me to run away and marry him.
My best friend tells me I'm going to ruin everything.
And forever is starting to sound like a really long time.
Which makes me start to wonder. 
I wonder if best friends should get married. 
I wonder if I'm settling. 
I wonder if the fact that sex with him is so amazing that it’s clouding my judgment.
I wonder if it's just cold feet.
I wonder if marriage is all that fun.
And then I have to decide. Am I willing to give up on true love forever, or should I say, What the hell, and marry him anyway?

First, I want to send a HUGE thank you to Jillian for allowing me to read this book and for the hassle she had to go through so I could have it!  You are the sweetest and most patient person possible!

On with the review: After having read the first book, That Boy, I really wanted to know what would happen with J.J.  Seeing her go through so much at a young age in the first book made me wonder, how would she handle bigger decisions further on…like marriage and all that comes with it?

It sort of threw me for a loop how J.J. (or Jadyn rather) reacted to the idea of marriage at first.  There was nothing but happiness, and sex.  A lot of sex.  But don’t worry, Jillian does a great job of not delving heavily into “what” happened, just that it would.  I think my favorite part of that though, was where she went into the dreams (which you’ll have to read to truly understand) but it was so well thought out, But what happens when you have a relationship based off of sex, and not communication?

Furthermore, what happens when (SPOILER FROM BOOK 1) you don’t deal with your parents’ untimely death?  What happens when you feel like people will just abandon you…like your fiance?  This is a very telling story of not believing what happened to you in the past will haunt your future in some way, and what you can overcome when you finally do realize it.

Jadyn’s journey in this book is comparative to the first book, at an older age, but she learns just how to deal with things that are beyond her normally well thought-out control.  Every turn she took was a new realization, a new way of thinking, and a way of letting go of things that happened in the past.

So what would you do if you could marry That Boy…and have That Wedding?

For more on Jillian Dodd:

• Goodreads
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{Book Review} The Brightest Kind of Darkness

The Brightest Kind of Darkness
By: P.T. Michelle
Published: June 27, 2011 by Patrice Michelle
Format: ebook
Rating: 4 birds

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.
After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.
Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

My sixteen year old self is telling me that she wants a guy who has quiet strength, blue eyes, dark hair and has that dark angst vibe going on. Who am I kidding? I want the same thing now!

Ethan Harris is all of the above and then some it’s no wonder that Nara falls for him. The secrets Ethan and Nara have that bond them together keep them equal as a couple. They both need each other to face what has happened in each of their pasts and the unseen force that is currently wreaking havoc in each of their lives.

This book kept me anticipating each chapter and wanting to know what happened that when I finished I was at a loss for words hoping that P. T. Michelle had a sequel in the works; which I am happy to inform you that Lucid: Brightest Kind of Darkness #2 will be released Spring 2012 according to her website. I guarantee that I will eagerly read that and report back with a review.

Find PT Michelle:

• Website
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{Character Tweets} The Other Life by

We are excited, as always to participate in blog tours hosted by The {Teen} Book Scene.

This time around we have an awesome post about the book characters possible tweets from The Other Life’s author Susanne Winnacker. For more fun posts and book reviews of The Other Life click the banner below for a list of the blogs participating.

 

 

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life. 98,409,602 seconds since the heavy, steel door had fallen shut and sealed us off from the world
Sherry has lived with her family in a sealed bunker since things went wrong up above. But when they run out of food, Sherry and her dad must venture outside. There they find a world of devastation, desolation...and the Weepers: savage, mutant killers.
When Sherry's dad is snatched, she joins forces with gorgeous but troubled Joshua - an Avenger, determined to destroy the Weepers.
But can Sherry keep her family and Joshua safe, when his desire for vengeance threatens them all?

If your characters had twitter accounts, what would the feed look like to someone who followed them?

Of course there’s no internet in Sherry’s world but I’ll give you the tweets she would have written if she could!

Before she and her family went down to live in their bunker her tweets would probably have looked like this:

“Bobby’s so annoying. He hid a spider in my bed! YUCK!!! #stupidbrother”

“@Izzie_girl You’re so lucky your parents didn’t get you a brother…Can you come over? Need to vent! xoxo”

During her time in the bunker, her tweets could have been:

“Mom and Dad are fighting again. The pantry is almost empty. Mom’s blaming Dad. I can’t stand it.”

“Today, Dad put Grandpa’s body in the freezer. Now he’s lying beside our frozen peas. Grandma is knitting. She won’t stop. L”

After Sherry left the bunker:

“I have to find Dad. I hope he’s alright. I’m so scared.”

“I wish I could read Joshua’s thoughts. But maybe it’s good that I don’t. #toomuchdarkness”

Thanks for having me on your blog, Amber!

{Hey MMSAI} Where’s Your 50 Shades of Grey Review?

Sorry loyal and fantastic readers, there will not be one.

 

There are a few reasons why, but only 2 are really, really important.

The first is simply that this is a YA blog, not an NC-17 blog. While I make exceptions for adult fiction from time to time, and early on reviewed (and loved) some Black Dagger Brotherhood before this blog really became anything. The fact is NOW, it’s only YA.

This doesn’t mean I’m a prude who went all PG on you. I just keep those reviews off the blog. I’m anything but innocent. Trust that. Do you KNOW the name of my book club?!

The second reason is a little involved, but I’ll make is as simple as possible:

I’m a writer.

Was that too simple? Yea, I can see how.

Okay here’s what I mean: We all know from the amount of information, interviews and what-nots out there about Stephenie Meyer that she worked really hard to set the example of “sex AFTER marriage” in her Twilight novels. (You do know that 50 Shades was a fan fiction based off Twilight, right? Before it was edited, given a cover and a movie deal? Yup.)

AS A WRITER if I worked that hard to set that particular example in my books, something I believed in, and wanted more young people to understand was ok. I would be pretty cheesed off if someone took it, twisted it and turned it into a dirty, sweaty, romp in the sheets porn. And this would be regardless of weather or not the characters in the fan fic were adults or not. I wouldn’t want to be someone’s inspiration for that, and I wouldn't want my Young Adult books to be either.

Fan Fiction is just that, fiction written by fans. Thousands of books, shows and movies are all apart of the world and subject to having fan fics written about them. They will always be there. Note: I‘m not bagging on the community, more power to you, write til your little hearts content! I just can’t grasp; personally, how people can claim to be “such a huge fan” of an author who is so big on abstinence in life and in her writing, and yet write and publish porn based her novels?

Contradiction in it’s simplest form my friends.

Anyone who thinks that Stephenie Meyer, the strict Mormon, is sitting at home filled to the tippy top with joy about her intended-to-be-innocent novels inspiring 50 Shades of Grey, is on something serious and hallucinogenic.

Now, before you get out your pitchforks and snarky replies….please try to remember…this is MY PERSONAL REASON FOR NOT READING AND REVIEWING. I would feel this way about any novel promoting abstinence being turned into published porn. I am not forcing or expecting my opinion to become the popular one.  I have NOTHING against anyone who is reading, and enjoying it. I just am looking at it from the authors side and don’t think I can do it myself.

 

PS – Dear Target, Wal-Mart and other family oriented stores who’s book section is next to Justin Bieber end caps and across from the toy department – WHY IN THE NAME OF GOD ARE YOU CARRYING THIS BOOK? At least slap a freaking EXPLICIT CONTENT sticker on it!? A tween can’t buy Eminem’s CD, but they have no trouble snapping up a copy of 50 Shades!? Simply putting a sign above the book stating it’s the NEW ADULT release doesn’t help….YA’s see that and think ADULT FICTION not EROTIC FICTION.