In My Mailbox (15)

**Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM**

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that spotlights the new books you received for review, swapped, or bought!  I got a few really good books this week!  My TBR stack is absolutely ridiculous... but still I BUY MORE!!!!  It is sickness people- I do not think I can be cured, so I just GO WITH IT!!! :D 
I also decided to post book descriptions since I only received a few books this week!


Bought:


The Pace 
Written by Shelena Shorts
Released August 19, 2009
Published by Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC


Summary from Goodreads:
"Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time.

Intensely fascinating and rich with determination, The Pace brings together romance, mystery, and suspense in a compelling bond that is sure to have readers asking for more."

The Iron King (Iron Fey #1)

Written by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: February 1, 2010 (out early in some places!)

Published by Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

"Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series."

Goodreads Swap:

Numbers (arc)

Written by Rachel Ward

Release Date: February 1, 2010

Published by Chicken House/Scholastic Inc. (first published January 5th, 2009)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die.

Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they’re waiting to ride the Eye Ferris
wheel, Jem notices that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem’s world is about to explode!"


Now you know what I got! What did you get?

Friday Finds! (January 29, 2010)

**Thanks to MizB from Should Be Reading for hosting Friday Finds!**

 Radiance (The Immortals Spin-off #1)
Written by Alyson Noel
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Published by St. Martin's Griffin

Summary from Goodreads:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals comes a new middle-grade series featuring Ever’s younger sister, Riley.

"Welcome to the Here and Now.

Riley Bloom left her sister, Ever, in the world of the living and crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. Riley and her dog, Buttercup, have been reunited with her parents and are just settling into a nice, relaxing death when she’s summoned before The Council. They let her in on a secret—the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure; Riley has to work. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a curious boy she can’t quite figure out.

Riley, Bodhi, and Buttercup return to earth for her first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But he’s never met Riley... "
 


Sleepless
Written by Cyn Balog
Release Date: July 13, 2010
Published by Delacorte Press

Summary from Goodreads:

"Eron De Marchelle isn't supposed to feel a connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce human charges to sleep. While he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to--after all, getting too involved in one human's life would prevent him helping his other charges get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia. Julia, with her fiery red hair and her sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. Eron has always felt protective of Julia . . . but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't seem to reach her . . .

Sandmen are forbidden from communicating with humans outside their dreams. But will Eron be willing to risk everything for a chance to be with the person he loves?" 
 


Both covers of these books are beautiful!!!  I had no idea that there was a spin-off of The Immortals coming out! I am really excited to delve into Riley's character more.  Cyn Balog's new book sounds really original.  I haven't read a 'sandman' story before!! What goodies did you find today?  Comment and let me know!

On My WIshlist (6)

"On My Wishlist" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City!  If you would like to participate in this weekly meme just click on the link above.  She has a "Mr.Linky" available so we can check out everyone's wishlists!  My wishlist is loaded with books that are upcoming releases.
Here are just a few:


The Dead Tossed Waves
Written by Carrie Ryan
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Summary from Goodreads:


"Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves."




The Owl Keeper
Written by Christine Brodien-Jones
Release Date: April 13, 2010
Published by Delacorte BFYR

Summary from Goodreads:
"Maxwell Unger has always loved the night. He used to do brave things like go tramping through the forest with his gran after dark. He loved the stories she told him about the world before the Destruction—about nature, and books, and the silver owls. His favorite story, though, was about the Owl Keeper.

According to Max’s gran, in times of darkness the Owl Keeper would appear to unite owls and sages against the powers of the dark. Gran is gone now, and so are her stories of how the world used to be. Max is no longer brave. The forest is dangerous, the books Gran had saved have been destroyed, and the silver owls are extinct. At least that’s what the High Echelon says. But Max knows better.

Maxwell Unger has a secret. And when a mysterious girl comes to town, he might just have to start being brave again.

The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon."







I am looking forward to the release of both of these books!  They sound amazing!!

WINNERS!!!!

Thank you to everyone that entered my contests!  Both were really successful!  I have a new contest in the works that is going to be awesome- so keep an eye out!!   But let's get to the good stuff... the WINNERS! (All winners were chosen using Random.Org)

The winner of The Looking Glass Wars and Seeing Red by Frank Beddor is :

Sab H. from YA Bliss

The winners of my Shadow Hills mini contest are:

• Stacy @ Wicked Walker Reviews- congrats Stacy! You win a signed Shadow Hills bookmark, a Shadow Hills magnet, a Shadow Hills pin, and a handmade Shadow Hills inspired book mark made by me!!
• Ursina @ The Farmer's Daughter's Bookshelf- congrats Ursina!  You win the signed bookmark, pin and magnet!
• Milka @ Read.Read.Read - congrats Milka!  You win the signed bookmark, pin, and magnet!
• Kris @ Intetextual Chronicles - congrats Kris!  You win the signed bookmark, pin. and magnet!

*I will be emailing all of the winners soon.  All winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Thanks again to everyone that entered!

Monday's Question of the Day! (Jan. 25, 2010)

**Thanks to Eleni at la femme readers for hosting Monday's Question of the Day!**



Question: 
So many young adult books feature the"love triangle" (ex. Bella/Edward/Jacob).  Who makes up your favorite love triangle and what book or series are they from?


My answer:

It was hard for me to choose a favorite because a lot of my favorite books feature a love triangle!  But I decided to go with Aislinn, Keenan, and Seth from the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr.  I was drawn into this series because of the characters and the depth that Melissa Marr gave them.  You can feel Seth's devotion to Aislinn, and the longing and desperation Keenan feels is almost tangible as well.  Aislinn has feelings for both of them and is torn between her deep love for Seth and her duty to Keenan and the Faery Court.  I can't wait to read the next installment in this series, Radiant Shadows, that releases April 20, 2010!


*I would love to hear your answer to this question!!  Leave me a comment!!!

In My Mailbox (14)

**Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM**

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that spotlights the new books you received for review, swapped, or bought!  This week I received:

• The Forest Of Hands And Teeth (signed!) by Carrie Ryan
• Signed The Forest Of Hands And Teeth bookmarks (Thanks Carrie!)
• Beautiful Creatures "Dogtag" necklace (from signing event)
• Truly, Madly (arc) by Heather Webber (Goodreads swap)
• Captivate by Carrie Jones 
• You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay
• Dragonfly by Julia Golding (Goodreads Swap)
• A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly (Thanks to Kristi @ The Story Siren)
• Wanderlust (arc) by Lucy Silag (Thanks to Kristi @ The Story Siren)

Now you know what I got!  What did you get?

INCREDIBLE Beautiful Creatures Event!!

I am still a little star struck this morning!  Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Beautiful Creatures book signing and discussion held at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Charlotte, North Carolina.  It was so much fun!  The crowd was small and intimate and we were able to talk freely with Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.  I was also sitting beside.... Carrie Ryan- the fabulous author of The Forest Of Hands And Teeth and the upcoming  The Dead Tossed Waves which is releasing March 9th!  It was amazing!

The event started with introductions and then Kami and Margaret took the floor.  They gave a brief summary of Beautiful Creatures and spoke about why they wrote the book.  Their road to publication was not your typical one.  They said that they wrote the book because of a dare!  Margaret's teenage children and a few of Kami's students dared the two of them that they couldn't write the book.  Both authors said that they aren't ones to turn down a dare (actually a Double Dog Dare!), so Beautiful Creatures was born!  Kami then read an excerpt of chapter one to the audience.  It was amazing to hear her words come to life with her voice.  Frequently asked questions were covered next, which included:

• What is your writing process?
• What was your inspiration for writing the book? and why the South?
• Movie/ Sequel news
• Opened the floor for questions
  

The explanation of their writing process was fascinating!  They write together in the same room (Margaret's home office) surrounded by walls of white boards that outline the entire Beautiful Creatures series! (Wouldn't you LOVE to get a sneak peek at those boards!!)  They alternate chapters ( Kami may write chapter one and Margaret write chapter two), then they switch and take what the other wrote and write over it, add to it,  reword it, or scratch through it.  In the end it is a total collaboration of the two authors.  Margaret said that some sentences may have five of her words and seven of Kami's.  If you read the book, you will see that the writing is beautiful and seamless- a testament to how wonderfully their writing styles mesh!

The inspiration for the book seemed driven by their love of stories in this genre and a desire to write a book that the teenagers in their lives would like to read.  Kami and Margaret both agreed that they chose the South because it provided the proper setting and tone for the book, and it is the place that they feel magic can still happen.  Kami grew up in North Carolina and is very familiar with the ways of small town southern living (like myself!) and wanted to write a book that could reflect her southern roots.  Margaret said that although she isn't from the South, she found a lot of similarites in the small town she grew up in out West.  Both authors did lots of research into the Civil War for the book.  Fortunately, Kami's family contains some true Civil War buffs that helped out too!

I was excited to hear that the next installment in the series will be out this year!  The book (title not released yet) is set for release in December.  Most of you probably already know that Beautiful Creatures is set to hit theatres!  Kami and Margaret said that Warner Brothers has optioned the book.  No news on casting, but I can think of a few good candidates!  I am also happy to announce that Beautiful Creatures was a finalist for the ALA William C. Morris YA Debut Award 2010 and was named Amazon's #1 Teen Book of 2009 and was #5 on the Editor's Pick of 2009 list!  Congrats to Kami and Margaret!!!

The evening was over too quickly!  I talked to Kami and Margaret and gave them the bookmarks I made for them (inspired by the book of course).  I was happy to see that they liked them and even posted about them on their website.  I was able to chat with Carrie Ryan for awhile too (interview about her upcoming release will be coming soon!! Yeah!!).   I also met Vania from Reverie Book Reviews and Caster Girls!   She posted a picture of me, Kami and Margaret at Castergirls and a picture of the bookmarks I made.  Thanks Vania!!  What an AMAZING night!!  Books were signed and pictures were taken and then it was time to go.  Thanks to Kami, Margaret and Carrie!!!

Me and Carrie Ryan!

Signing my book!

The Beautiful Creatures bookmarks I made for them.

If you haven't read Beautiful Creatures yet... GO GET IT!!  You can read my review here.

On My Wishlist (5)

"On My Wishlist" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City!  If you would like to participate in this weekly meme just click on the link above.  She has a "Mr.Linky" available so we can check out everyone's wishlists!  My wishlist is loaded with books that are upcoming releases.
Here are just a few:


The Thirteen Treasures
Written by Michelle Harrison
Release Date: April 12, 2010
Published by Little Brown and Company

Summary from Goodreads:

"While visiting her grandmother's house, an old photograph leads Tanya to an unsolved mystery. Fifty years ago a girl vanished in the woods nearby - a girl Tanya's grandmother will not speak of. Fabian, the caretaker's son, is tormented by the girl's disappearance. His grandfather was the last person to see her alive, and has lived under suspicion ever since. Together, Tanya and Fabian decide to find the truth. But Tanya has her own secret: the ability to see fairies. And, after disturbing an intruder in the night, it emerges that someone else shares her ability ...The manor's sinister history is about to repeat itself ..."






Dark Life
Written by Kat Falls
Release Date: May 1, 2010
Published by Scholastic Press

Summary from Goodreads:

"Set in an apocalyptic future where rising oceans have swallowed up entire regions and people live packed like sardines on the dry land left, DARK LIFE is the harrowing tale of underwater pioneers who have carved out a life for themselves in the harsh deep-sea environment, farming the seafloor in exchange for the land deed.

The story follows Ty, who has lived his whole life on his family's homestead and has dreams of claiming his own stake when he turns eighteen. But when outlaws' attacks on government supply ships and settlements...
... threaten to destroy the underwater territory, Ty finds himself in a fight to stop the outlaws and save the only home he has ever known.

Joined by a girl from the Topside who has come subsea to look for her prospector brother, Ty ventures into the frontier's rough underworld and begins to discover some dark secrets to Dark Life.

As Ty gets closer to the truth, he discovers that the outlaws may not be the bloodthirsty criminals the government has portrayed them as. And that the government abandoning the territory might be the best thing for everyone, especially for someone like Ty, someone with a Dark Gift."

 
Both of these books sound amazing! Waiting is SO hard!!!

What I Read In 2009!

With all the craziness going on around me lately, I realized that I failed to post what I read in 2009!  Unfortunately, before I started blogging at the end of August, I didn't write down the books I read.  This means a couple of things:

• I will probably forget a lot of the books I read!
• I cannot put them in the order they were read, so I am just going to list them in no specific order.
• They are not all YA- I love to read paranormal romance too!
  

So here goes:

1. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
2. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
3. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
4. Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
5. Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz
6. Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz
7. The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz
8. Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
9. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater
10. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
11. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
12. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
13. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
14. Night World No.1 by L.J. Smith
15. Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
16. Destined For An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
17. The Black Jewels Triology by Anne Bishop
18. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
19. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
20. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
21. Evernight by Claudia Gray
22. Stargazer by Claudia Gray
23. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
24. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
25. Specials by Scott Westerfeld
26. Extras by Scott Westerfeld
27. Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
28. The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld
29. Meridian by Amber Kizer
30. Evermore by Alyson Noel
31. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
32. Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Faria Stolarz
33. Far From You by Lisa Schroeder
34. Night Runner by Max Turner
35. Frozen Fire by TIm Bowler
36. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
37. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
38. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
39. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
40. Wonderous Strange by Leslie Livingston
41. Wings by Aprilynne Pike
42. Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman
43. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
44. Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
45. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
46. Girl In The Arena by Lise Haines
47. Need by Carrie Jones
48. Thirst No.1 by Christopher Pike
49. Covet by JR Ward
50. The entire Kresley Cole "Immortals After Dark" Series
51. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
52. Skellig by David Almond
    
53. Vampire Kisses Book One by Ellen Schreiber
54. The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger
55. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
56. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
57. Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon
58. Dream Warrior by Sherrilyn Kenyon
59. Lover Avenged by JR Ward
60. Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
61. Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
62. The Eternal Kiss by Nancy Holder
63. Noah by Jaquelyn Frank
64. and probably a few more I can't remember!

The picture at the top is just one of my bookcases.  Half of the books on that shelf still need to be read!  Thanks for checking out my list!

Cover Love!!!

I have been waiting to see what the cover of this book would look like!!  I found it posted on Goodreads, and I think it looks beautiful.  I have this book on my "to read" list for 2010!

Siren by Tricia Rayburn
Release Date: June 8th, 2010
Published by Egmont USA
 

 Summary from Goodreads:
"Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Sands is afraid of everything—the dark, heights, the ocean—but her fearless older sister, Justine, has always been there to coach her through every challenge. That is, until Justine goes cliff-diving one night near the family’s vacation house in Maine, and her lifeless body washes up on shore the next day.

Though her parents hope that they’ll be able to find closure back in Boston, Vanessa can’t help feeling that her sister’s death wasn’t an accident. After discovering that Justine was keeping a lot of secrets, Vanessa returns to Winter Harbor, hoping that Justine’s boyfriend might know more. But Caleb has been missing since Justine’s death.

Soon, it’s not just Vanessa who’s afraid. All of Winter Harbor is abuzz with anxiety when another body washes ashore, and panic sets in when the small town becomes host to a string of fatal, water-related accidents in which all the victims are found, horrifically, grinning from ear to ear.

Vanessa turns to Caleb’s brother, Simon, for help, and begins to find herself drawn to him. As the pair try to understand the sudden rash of creepy drownings, Vanessa uncovers a secret that threatens her new romance—and will change her life forever.

A seductive paranormal romance full of unexpected twists, Siren is certain to make a big summer splash."

In My Mailbox (13)

**Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM**

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that spotlights the new books you received for review, swapped, or bought!  This week I received:

For Review:
A House Afire by Emma Kinna

Swapped:
The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb
The Named by Marianne Curley

   

Bought:
Wake by Lisa McMann

 

Now you know what I got!  What did you get?

New Awards!!

Thanks to Ursina at The Farmer's Daughter's Bookshelf for this wonderful award!  It is such an honor!  The "Who Loves you Baby!" award is given to those bloggers whom you love and who have awarded you in the past.  So I am going to pass this on to Jennifer at Reading with Tequila.

Jennifer at Reading with Tequila gave me the Happy 101 Award.  The rules for this award are as follows:

• List 10 things that make you happy.
• Try and do at least one of them today.
• Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.
• Link back to the person that tagged you!

10 Things That Make Me Happy: 

1. My son
2. My gorgeous husband
3. Finding a book in my mailbox
4. Finding a book on sale
5. Payday
6. Saturday mornings
7. Shopping with friends
8. My french bulldog Olive
9. Candy Apples
10. A great handbag
    

I am passing this award on to:

1. Ursina at The Farmer's Daughter's Bookshelf 
2. Alyssa at The Shady Glade 
3. Samantha Leanne at Harlequin Twilight's Book Blog 
4. Jenn at Book Crazy
5. Guinevere, Aubrey, and Erin at My Pile Of Books 
6. Kari at A Good Addiction
7. Allison at Read Into This!  
8. Kate at The Neverending Shelf  
9. Kristi at The Story Siren 
10. Jenn at Books At Midnight

Thanks again for the awards!

Friday Finds!

**Thanks to MizB from Should Be Reading for hosting Friday Finds!**

Epitaph Road
Written by David Patneaude
Release Date: March 23, 2010
Published by Egmont USA
Category: Juvenile Fiction- Action and Adventure 

About this Book (taken from Egmont USA website)

2097 is a transformed world. Thirty years earlier, a mysterious plague wiped out 97 percent of the male population, devastating every world system from governments to sports teams, and causing both universal and unimaginable grief. In the face of such massive despair, women were forced to take over control of the planet--and in doing so they eliminated all of Earth's most pressing issues. Poverty, crime, warfare, hunger . . . all gone.

But there's a price to pay for this new "utopia," which fourteen-year-old Kellen is all too familiar with. Every day, he deals with life as part of a tiny minority that is purposefully kept subservient and small in numbers. His career choices and relationship options are severely limited and controlled. He also lives under the threat of scattered recurrences of the plague, which seem to pop up wherever small pockets of men begin to regroup and grow in numbers.

And then one day, his mother's boss, an iconic political figure, shows up at his home. Kellen overhears something he shouldn't--another outbreak seems to be headed for Afterlight, the rural community where his father and a small group of men live separately from the female-dominated society. Along with a few other suspicious events, like the mysterious disappearances of Kellen's progressive teacher and his Aunt Paige, Kellen is starting to wonder whether the plague recurrences are even accidental. No matter what the truth is, Kellen cares only about one thing--he has to save his father.

 White Cat

Written by Holly Black

Release Date: May 2010

Published by Simon and Schuster

About This Book (taken from Simon and Schuster website)

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail -- he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love -- or death -- and your dreams might be more real than your memories.

Both of these books sound really interesting!  I just hate that we have to wait so long to get them!!! 

On My Wishlist (4)

"On My Wishlist" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City!  If you would like to participate in this weekly meme, click on the link above.  She has a "Mr.Linky" available so we can check out everyone's wishlists!  My wishlist is loaded with books that are upcoming releases.
Here are just a few:

13 To Life: A Werewolf's Tale
By Shannon Delany
Release date: June 22nd, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary from Goodreads:
"Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early."

  
Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker, #1) 
By  Jenna Black
Release date: May 25, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 

Summary from Goodreads:
"Dana Hathaway doesn’t know it yet, but she’s in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, Dana decides she’s had it with being her mother’s keeper, so she packs her bags and heads to stay with her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl—she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Soon, she finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone wants something from her, even her newfound friends and family. Suddenly, life with her alcoholic mom doesn't sound half bad, and Dana would do anything to escape Avalon and get back home. Too bad both her friends and her enemies alike are determined not to let her go . . . "

Both of these books look fantastic!  I can't wait to read them.  What books are you wishing for?

200 Followers "Shadow Hills" Mini Contest! *CLOSED*

200 Followers!

Wow! I can't believe that I already have over 200 followers!  I have been doing the *HAPPY DANCE*  all day!!  You guys know I love to hold contests (by the way.. don't forget to enter my "Looking Glass Wars" contest here!) and what better reason to hold one than this!  If you have been keeping up with my blog, then you know that I can't wait to read Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus!  This book is on my "To Read" list for the 2010 Debut Author Challenge (hosted by The Story Siren) and is at the top of my wishlist!  So in appreciation of you (my fabulous followers) and thanks to Anastasia,  I have an awesome array of Shadow Hills swag to give away!  I LOVE swag (who doesn't?!)  I am also giving one lucky winner a handmade "book thong" made  by yours truly!  I used the beautiful cover of Shadow Hills as my inspiration!  There will be four winners.  Each winner will get a Shadow Hills bookmark signed by Anastasia Hopcus, a Shadow Hills button, and a Shadow Hills magnet!  The first winner chosen (using random.org) will also receive the bookthong that I made!  The contest ends January 24th at midnight.  This contest is open to all FOLLOWERS!

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
Release date: July 13, 2010
Hardcover: 400 Pages

Publisher: EgmontUSA

In My Mailbox (12)

Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM!!

My mailbox wasn't overflowing this week, but what I did get was GOOD! 

• It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale - Won
• Thirst No.2 by Christopher Pike - Bought
• I also received some really cool Shadow Hills swag from author Anastasia Hopcus! I am offering some up today in a mini contest! (Check blog "home" page for updates!)

Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev

Eyes Like Stars, Theatre Illuminata Act I is the debut novel by Lisa Mantchev and the first book in a planned series.  I have to say that I was in love with this cover the first time I saw it!  I am such a sucker for beautiful cover art and I will buy just about any book if the cover is beautiful or eye-catching- but this story was just as beautiful as the cover!                     
Summary from Goodreads:

"Enter Stage Right

All her world's a stage.
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She is not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but has no lines of her own.
Until now.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every place ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain"

My Thoughts:
What an interesting and unique book!  Lisa Mantchev's writing flows perfectly and is just brilliant!  The pace of the story was good and the plot was so unique, I found myself glued to the book!  The cast of characters are incredibly engaging and written with depth.  Most of us will recognize the characters in the book from famous plays throughout history, but Lisa Mantchev still managed to give them a fresh voice!  The fairies from "A Midsummer's Night Dream" add the perfect amount of humor and mischief, while the characters of Ariel from "The Tempest",  Ophelia from "Hamlet" and Nate from "The Little Mermaid" add the perfect combination of intrigue, romance and mystery.  It is truly beautiful storytelling!!   The plot is full of twists and turns and keeps the reader engaged and guessing which way the story will go next.  For readers that have an interest in theater, this book will delight and give the old characters from famous shakepearean plays new life and personality.  Readers that are unfamiliar with the theater may learn a thing or two!  I would highly recommend this book to not only the young adult audience but adult readers as well.  I am anticipating the next book in this series titled Perchance To Dream, Act II of the Theatre Illuminata which is due out in the fall of this year.  The cover was just released and it is just as beautiful as it's predecessor!

On My Wishlist (3)

"On My Wishlist" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City!  If you would like to participate in this weekly mem, click on the link above.  She has a "Mr.Linky" available so we can check out everyone's wishlists!  My wishlist is loaded with books that are upcoming releases. Here are just a few:

Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia
Release Date: May 18th, 2010
published by: Lands Atlantic Publishing

Summary from Goodreads: 

"Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.
But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.
Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower."






The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Release Date: February 1, 2010
Published by Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

  "Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series."

**I can't wait for these books!  What books are you wishing for?

In My Mailbox (11)

     

*Don't forget to enter my "Looking Glass Wars" contest!  Click HERE to enter (open to everyone!).

**Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM!**

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that lets everyone explore what new books you received! This week I got a few good ones!

Trade:

• The Mark (arc) by Jen Nadol 
• Prophecy Of The Sisters by Michelle Zink

Bought:

• The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
  

Now you know what I got, what did you get?