Quickie Review: Eclipse Movie!!!

So I went to the midnight showing of Eclipse and I just have to tell you guys about the movie!! ECLIPSE was Incredible!!!!  By far the best Twilight Saga film to date!  The special effects were so much better and the fight scenes were really cool because of it.  The acting was much better in this movie too.  Some of the vampires got favorable make-overs in my opinion (Rosalie, Esme, Emmett and Edward), while others not so much... Jasper and Carlise (what is up with the hair?)!  The main focus in Eclipse is the turmoil Bella feels concerning her feelings for both Edward and Jacob and the choices she faces.  I think that Kristin, Rob and Taylor did wonderful jobs conveying the love and turmoil necessary to make it believable.  Some of my favorite scenes were:

• The tent scene before the battle with the newborn army
• The battle ~ The Cullen Clan and the wolves versus the newborn army (the effects were so much better!)
• Edward and Bella in the meadow 
• Jacob and Bella's kiss
• Jasper's flashback

Those are just a few!  I can't wait to go see it again!!!  If you are a Twilight fan then this movie shouldn't dissappoint!!!

CSN Product Review: Awesome Bookcase!!

I want to give a BIG thanks to Alexandra from CSN for offering me the opportunity to receive this AWESOME new bookcase in exchange for an honest review of the product.  I have been in dire need of more book storage and the Winsome Espresso Storage Shelf was just what I needed!  It looks great and holds quite a few books!  I received my bookshelf only a few days after I ordered it and it arrived in pristine condition.  I have to admit that I am not usually very successful at putting anything together, but this bookcase was SO EASY!!  Everything needed to assemble the unit was included (you didn't even need a screwdriver!).  I honestly put the shelf together all by myself in 15 minutes!  This product turned out to be sturdy, versatile, and really pretty.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quality storage piece that can be used in small spaces, yet able to hold lots of books (right now mine has 32 books on it and most are hardcovers!)  I couldn't be more pleased with my new bookshelf!  If you haven't visited CSN before you are missing out!  There are over 200 stores to browse through.  Whether you need a bookcase, a bed, housewares or something for Fido, chances are CSN Stores have exactly what you are looking for!!

In My Mailbox (34)

**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, won or bought!  Have a look at what I got!

For Review:

Winsome Espresso Bookshelf from CSNBookcases.com
 (review coming soon... Thanks CSN!!)

Bought:

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Origami Flowers ~popular Blossoms and Creative Bouquets~ by Hiromi Hayashi
Origami Flowers by Michael G. LaFosse
 (Origami is my newest craft endeavor!  If I make anything recognizable then I will post it and let you guys see! :)
 

Swapped:

Perfect ~A Pretty Little Liars Novel~ by Sara Shepard


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

Summer Giveaway!

 ***CLOSED***

It's Giveaway Time again on the blog!  Yeah!!  This time I have some pretty awesome goodies up for grabs! There will be three prizes and three winners!  This is what's up for grabs:

• SIGNED ARC copy of The Reckoning (Darkest Powers #3) and four pins featuring Simon, Tori, Rae and Derek!!  The pins are SO CUTE!!
• A copy of Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins! 
• A copy of Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman!

The contest is open to all followers (international followers too!) and will run until Friday, July 30th at midnight! Just fill out the form below!

Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill from Breaking The Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.  It is always so hard to decide which books I want to feature on Wednesdays.  There are so many wonderful books coming out this year.  Waiting is such torture!  Here are a few that I am waiting for:

I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, #1)
Written by Pittacus Lore
Release Date: August 17, 2010
Published by HarperCollins

Summary from Goodreads:

"John Smith seems like an ordinary teenager, living an ordinary life in Paradise, Ohio.

But John is not ordinary. He’s one of nine aliens from the planet Lorien. John’s in danger and he’s always on the run, but this time he has more at stake than ever before—his girlfriend, Sarah, the only person he’s ever allowed to get close to him, is also at risk.

The evil beings who are hunting him have killed Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. John Smith is Number Four. And he is next.

As John struggles to outrun his past, discover his future, and live a normal life on Earth, he must choose between the legacy he was destined for and the love he never thought he would have."

*This sounds GREAT!  The storyline seems very original and interesting.  I can't wait to read this one!! 

The Game

Written by Monica Hughes
Release Date: October 19, 2010
Published by Simon Pulse

Summary from Goodreads:

"It’s the future, and most jobs are done by machines. Now that school is over, Lisse and her friends are consigned to a bleak neighborhood for the permanently unemployed. Then they receive an invitation to the Game—which transports them to a paradise. Is it a dream, or a computer simulation? Each time they play the Game, the new world seems more and more real....

Netting more than 75,000 copies when it was originally published as Invitation to the Game in 1991, this title continues to be a favorite, and, with its eye-catching new package, will reach an eager new audience hungry for dystopian stories."

*The summary reminds me a little of The Hunger Games and it sounds pretty interesting!

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

 

Hex Hall

Written by Rachel Hawkins
Available NOW!!
Published by Disney/Hyperion Books

If I had to describe Hex Hall in one word it would be.... FUN!  I absolutely loved this book and I adored its main character Sophie Mercer!  Debut author, Rachel Hawkins, created an interesting storyline, which included a wide array of characters and lots of humor.  She really set the stage for a phenomenal new supernatural ya series!

Summary from Goodreads:

"Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her."

My Thoughts:

This book has so many great attributes!  My favorite has to be Sophie.  Her wit and sarcasm had me laughing out loud while reading (which gained a few strange looks from my husband!) and I enjoyed her banter with the other characters in the book.  Since Hex Hall is a 'reform' school for supernatural teens, you get to meet witches, warlocks, werewolves, faeries, ghosts, and vampires.  That crazy mix of characters leads to action, betrayal, and of course, romance!  The romantic interest in the story was very worthy!!  He was super-hot, mysterious, and dangerous.  I found the pace of the book to be perfect.  The pages seemed to turn themselves and I did not want to stop reading!  There was plenty of mystery to keep you guessing until the end and the ending itself was unexpected.  I totally did not see it coming!  I highly recommend this book to middle school age and up.  With its humor, fast pace and awesome storyline, this book will not disappoint you!!

*Finished copy provided by Disney/Hyperion and Authors On The Web in exchange for an honest review.

URGENT! Calling ALL Pretty Little Liars Fans..... I NEED Input ASAP!

I had lots of fun participating in the ABCFamily Pretty Little Liars Secret Keeper game!  The game is now over, but I get to ask the cast of the show a couple of questions that they will answer personally!  I would love some input on what you guys would like to know!  Please leave me some of your burning questions in the comments and I will pick two of them to submit to ABC Family.  I am supposed to have the two questions back to them today, so I will choose the questions tonight.  Thanks for your help!!

In My Mailbox (33)

**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, won or bought!  Have a look at what I got!

Bought:

13 To Life by Shannon Delany
Oh. My. Gods by Tera Lynn Childs
Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman

Swapped:

The Prophecy by Dawn Miller

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

Upcoming Bookcase Review!!

I will be reviewing a new bookcase from CSN Stores soon.  I was really excited when they approached me about reviewing a bookcase (since I am in deperate need of one!!) and I think I chose a really pretty one!  If you are not familiar with CSN Stores then you are missing out.  They have over 200 websites that offer just about anything you can imagine- you can find bookcases, pet supplies, shoes and more.  They even have a bed that I really want!  My review of this beautiful bookcase will be up on the blog soon!!

In My Mailbox (32)

**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, won or bought!  Have a look at what I got!

Won:

Code Name: Silence by Kirsten van Dyke (Thanks to Goodreads!)

Bought:

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer
Vampire Academy (signature edition hardcover) by Richelle Mead

Swapped:

The Mark by M.R. Bunderson
Tenth Grade Bleeds (Chronicles of Vladimir Tod) by Heather Brewer
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

*Well school is officially out for summer!!!  I am going to start tackling my review stack this week, so keep your eyes out for upcoming reviews.  I am also posting a new contest this week!  I LOVE summer!!

Winner of "The Emerald Talisman"!!

I am happy to announce that the winner of a signed copy of The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos is

Lydia!!!

 I will be sending you an email shortly.  Thanks to all of you that entered!  I would also like to thank Brenda Pandos for generously donating a copy for this contest.  If you would like to check out my 5-Star review of The Emerald Talisman then click HERE.  I am working on my next contest now.  It should be up by next week.   Have a great Sunday!! 

Last Chance to Enter and an Update!

Hi everyone!  I just wanted to let you know that my contest for a signed copy of The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos ends tomorrow!  Don't miss your chance to get your hands on this awesome book!  I am also excited to announce that I have a comment published about the book in the newest edition!  Brenda made this awesome button for the reviewers that are quoted to post on our blogs!  YEAH!!! This is the first time I've seen my name in print!  You can also see my little blurb about the book on the book's official website www.theemeraldtalisman.com - Head over and check out her new site updates and watch the book's trailer!

Once again, I am going to apologize for my disappearing act on my blog.  I really haven't had time for much of anything besides school paperwork and family obligations.  I am a Secret Keeper in the ABC Family Pretty Little Liars Secret Keepers Game though, so I've managed to squeeze in time to play the character of Aria Montgomery in the challenges.  It has been so much fun!  I love scavenger hunts, Clue and riddles and this game is all of those!  I have also enjoyed meeting some of the other bloggers who are playing.   I just wish my time wasn't so limited right now so I could interact more with everyone!  The good news is that school is out next Friday :) and then I am FREE!!!!  My blog will be back to regular posting and my reviews will finally start posting again.  The Secret Keeper Game isn't over until June 18th, so I will also be able to enjoy the last week of that more too!  I have completed 5 missions so far and one is waitin for me right now!  'A' can be pretty demanding and vicious!  She definitely knows how to keep all of us on our toes!  Don't forget that Pretty Little Liars debuts on ABC Family on June 8th!  Thanks for sticking by me and don't for get to enter the contest!  You can get to the entry form HERE!