Review: The Pace by Shelena Shorts

 

The Pace is the debut novel by young adult author, Shelena Shorts.  This title has been on my list of books that I wanted to read for awhile now, and I am so glad that I finally read it!  How refreshing to read a story about immortality that was completely different than anything I have read before.  Her take on this popular YA trend is so original and clever!

 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."

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book!  Unfortunately, I have been in one of those dreaded reading funks of late.  You know, the ones that cause your tbr pile to grow far too high!!  I am happy to say that The Pace was just what I needed to get me back on track.  I really love stories featuring immortals.  However, the reason for the character immortality is usually not very original.  Shelena Shorts was able to breath new life into this common YA theme with a clever, original, and interesting take on immortality!  I enjoyed her characters (especially Weston!) and felt that she did a good job developing them.  Sophie did get on my nerves from time to time, but I think her character was a pretty accurate portrayal of a 17/18 year old teenage girl in love.  Her relationship with Weston was the central theme of the book and the development of this relationship was interesting and romantic.  Weston definitely had an air of maturity that Sophie lacked, but as you read the book you do see that this is a necessary dynamic to the story.  Weston, Weston, Weston.... My new fictional boyfriend (sorry Travis of The Forest of Hands and Teeth- you have been replaced)!!!  Weston was so very swoon-worthy!  His confidence radiated from the page, and he always said the perfect things to Sophie.  Gorgeous, wealthy, confident, and romantic- that is a serious total package!  I do feel that there is more to Weston's character and past that wasn't covered and I hope that the next book in the series will further explore this.  The ending was a nail biter and completely unexpected!  It was a cliff hanger that leaves you turning the remaining white pages at the back of the book in hopes of a sneak peak at the sequel (no luck unfortunately!).

Overall, this was a fun book with an original storyline.  It was fast paced for the most part and left me wanting more!  I would recommend The Pace to any reader that enjoys a good romance with a twist!  The next book in The Pace Series is titled The Broken Lake and is due for release on August 19, 2010.  If you haven't checked out my 'MEGA Swag and More' giveaway, you need to do it now!  Shelena was very generous and donated some awesome goodies.  I have a SIGNED copy of The Pace, a cute koala stuffed animal (relevant to the book), signed bookplate, 2 'Weston' pins, and signed The Pace bookmarks!! Just go up to the picture under my nav bar and click and it will take you to the giveaway post!!  Now take a look at The Pace book trailer:

Author Appreciation Week (March 16, 2010)

I am so excited to be participating in 'Author Appreciation Week'!  Heidi Kling, author of the highly anticipated book Sea, came up with this wonderful idea!  You may be asking, "What do you have to do to participate?"  Well, there are no set guidelines, just write a blog post everyday this week that spotlights the authors that you appreciate!  You can spotlight as many as you want each day.  If you would like to join in this week full of author love, then stop by Heidi's site (Click Here) and get more info, avatars, and graphics that you can use in your posts.  I am planning on spotlighting two to three authors a day.  In truth, I appreciate all authors!  I admire what they do and aspire to do it myself.  But unfortunately, I would be blogging forever, so I will limit it to some of the authors that have written stories that have touched me in some way, or made a strong impression on me.


I really appreciate... Suzanne Collins


She is the author of the INSANELY popular Hunger Games Trilogy as well as The Underland Chronciles, and a picture book titled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.  I am a huge fan of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.  Both books are in my top ten reads of ALL-TIME!  She created such a vivid world in these books that enabled me, as a reader, to completely envision it in my mind.  I felt like I knew exaclty what the arena looked like, how the characters looked, and this is what connects me to a story!   I felt like I was inside of it (my favorite kind of book!).  I am anxiously awaiting Mockingjay, which is the final book in this incredible series.  It is due for release on August 24, 2010!  If you would like to find out more about Suzanne Collins or her books click here.  This will take you to her official website.  

I really appreciate... Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

(Margaret Stohl, Me, and Kami Garcia at a booksigning event in Charlotte, NC)

These extremely talented ladies are the co-authors of Beautiful Creatures.  This book took my breath away!  It is the first book in the Caster Chronicles Series.  I had the pleasure of meeting the authors at a book signing event in January.  They were SO nice!  After reading the book you can hardly believe that this is a debut novel.  It is hauntingly beautiful, epic, and compelling, with a good dose of southern charm to boot!  A definite stay up all night kinda book!!  I  cannot wait for the next in this series which is titled Beautiful Darkness and is scheduled for release on October 26, 2010.  If you would like to learn more about Kami and Margaret or The Caster Chronicle Series click on the links below!

Official Beautiful Creatures Website 
Some Loves Are Cursed (Little Brown Official BC Site)
Caster Girls (Fansite for BC) 

*There are so many wonderful authors out there in the YA genre!  I look forward to spotlighting some of my favorites this week.  Join in the fun and show your favorite authors how much their hard work means to you!



 

Award Time!

I am so honored to be the recipient of a new award.  It is always humbling to be recognized by fellow bloggers!  The award was given to me by Dazzling Mage at A Reading Kabocha and Yzhabella at Yzhabella's Bookshelf .  They gave me the 'Beautiful Blogger Award'!  Thanks so much ladies!

Here are the rules:
•Thank and link to the person that gave you the award.
•Pass this award onto 5 bloggers you’ve recently discovered and think are fantastic.
•Contact said Blogs and let them know they’ve won
•State 7 things about yourself
 
  Here are 7 things about me:

1. I have way to many hobbies!
2. I am beginning my attempt at writing a YA book.
3. I buy books way faster than I can read them!
4. I am a major procrastinator.
5. My 'sweet tooth' is out of control!
6. I HATE getting up early.
7. I have a 5 year old son who is the coolest guy I know!

I am passing this award along to the following blogs:

• Maire @ Monster Of Books
• Liz @ Cleverly Inked
• The Serpentine Librarian
• Cate @ Sparrow Review
• Isalys and Vanessa @ Book Soulmates

Thanks again to Yzhabella at Yzhabella's Bookshelf and Dazzling Mage at A Reading Kabocha.

Author Appreciation Week (March 15, 2010)

I am so excited to be participating in 'Author Appreciation Week'!  Heidi Kling, author of the highly anticipated book Sea, came up with this wonderful idea!  You may be asking, "What do you have to do to participate?"  Well, there are no set guidelines, just write a blog post everyday this week that spotlights the authors that you appreciate!  You can spotlight as many as you want each day.  If you would like to join in this week full of author love, then stop by Heidi's site (Click Here) and get more info, avatars, and graphics that you can use in your posts.  I am planning on spotlighting two to three authors a day.  In truth, I appreciate all authors!  I admire what they do and aspire to do it myself.  But unfortunately, I would be blogging forever, so I will limit it to some of the authors that have written stories that have touched me in some way, or made a strong impression on me.  So without further ado here is my first batch of 'appreciated authors'!!!

I really appreciate... Melissa Marr

She is the fabulous author of The Wicked Lovely Series.  The books in the series (Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, and Fragile Eternity) are some of my all-time favorite YA reads!  I truly enjoy reading her books!  Her writing style is beautiful, yet edgy and her characters are so well developed that you feel like they are real!  Thank you Melissa- for writing some of the most amazing books I have ever read!  If you would like to learn more about Melissa or her books just click here and you can visit her official website!  Don't miss the next book in the series...Radiant Shadows is set to release April 10, 2010!!  I have already read and reviewed it and it is AWESOME!!  Check out my review HERE.

I really appreciate... Scott Westerfeld

He is the AMAZING author of Peeps, The Last Days, The Midnighters Series, The Uglies Series, So Yesterday, and Leviathan.  I LOVE every Scott Westerfeld book I have read!  His writing is so original and creative.  I always have a hard time putting one of his books down! I cannot even count the number of times I have recommended one of his books. The cool thing is that you can recommend his books to guys, girls, teens, and adults!  If you are interested in learning more about Scott Westerfeld or his books, then click here to go to his official website.

*There are so many wonderful authors out there in the YA genre!  I look forward to spotlighting some of my favorites this week.  Join in the fun and show your favorite authors how much their hard work means to you!

In My Mailbox (21)

**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!  Here are the books I got this week!

Bought:
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Jonas (Beautiful Dead #1) by Eden Maguire

*Carrie Ryan sent me some goodies along with the swag for my contest!  I got a bookplate that she personalized for me, along with a The Dead-Tossed Waves postcard that she wrote a little note on,  a DTW sticker, bookmark, magnet and business card.  She also signed my book and a copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth for my giveaway.  Thanks Carrie!  She just went on tour for the release of her book, so go to her website (www.carrieryan.com) and see if she is going to be near you!

Swapped:
Witch and Wizard by James Patterson


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

The Friday 56

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I followed the rules and grabbed the CLOSEST book to me while typing this.  I have stacks of books on my table right now because I am doing research for a book (I am taking the leap!).  I am brushing up on my ancient Egyptian mythology and archaeological history.  Sounds pretty serious...huh!  Aside from my teaching degree, I do have a degree in anthropology/archaeology and I figured that I could use that part of my past as the back drop for an adventure through the Great Pyramids that will include Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, romance, danger, and who knows what else!  I am still trying to figure everything out plot-wise and I am so afraid that it's going to take me ten years to write it- but I am gonna do it!!!  Anyway.. here is my Friday 56!

"All of this meant to Carter that Tutankhamun (King Tut)  had not vanished off the face of the Earth, but had never been found."

Taken from page 56 of Tutankhamun: The Untold Story by Thomas Hoving

MEGA Swag and More Giveaway!!

I am SO excited about FINALLY being able to get this giveaway up and running!  I wanted to wait until I had received most of the goodies I was expecting.  That way I could entice you with pictures of bright, shiny bookmarks, stickers, pins, magnets, and other various swaggish items! Oh yeah... did I forget to mention there are also brand spanking new SIGNED books too!!  I am still expecting some items that haven't arrived to me at post time, but I will list them below and add pictures later.  I am also happy to add new items to the prize pile if any authors want to join in the fun!  Just go to "Contact" in the nav bar and let me know that you are interested!  Now on to the goodies!!

So here is what's in the 'prize pile':

• ** Contest has been updated and will now include a "Vampire Academy"  prize pack that contains the first two books in this incredible series by Richelle Mead!** 
• Signed paperback copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan!! 
• Bookmarks featuring the new paperback cover of The Forest of Hands and Teeth and bookmarks featuring the original hardback cover (1 signed!)
• Bookmarks, stickers, magnet, calendar magnet, business card featuring The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
• Bookplates signed by Carrie Ryan
• Signed paperback copy of The Pace by Shelena Shorts, adorable stuffed koala bear (you have to read the book to find out why it is significant!),  signed bookplate, 2 cute 'Weston' pins, and signed bookmarks
• Two exclusive preview booklets of FANG by James Patterson and FANG temporary tattoos
• Two exclusive preview booklet of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Reading Group Guides, and Beautiful Creatures 'dogtag' necklace
• Soccer stress balls featuring Change Of Heart by Shari Maurer
• Signed audiobook of Prophecy Of The Sisters by Michelle Zink and bookmarks!
• Paperback copy of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr with Summer and Winter 'Court Bands' (bracelets) 
• Paperback copy of Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr with Ink Exchange temporary tattoo and a Solitary 'Court Band'
• The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting signed posters and bookmarks, stickers(2 styles), and tote bag
• Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus bookmarks (some are signed), magnets and pins
• Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White bookmarks (signed and unsigned), temporary tattoos, postcards, and pins
• Arson by Estevan Vega signed poster (full-size)
• Mistwood by Leah Cypess bookmarks
• Nice And Mean by Jessica Leader signed bookmarks
• The Mark by Jen Nadol signed bookmarks
• Everlasting by Angie Frazier signed bookmarks and pins (2 styles)
• Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia bookmarks, stickers, bookplate, business cards, Octagram card
• Sea by Heidi Kling swag goodies (on the way.. post pics soon!)

So that's what I have so far!  Pretty swagalicious contest... right?!!  You may be wondering how I plan to break down the prize pile?  Well.... prizes will fall into one of two categories (swag bag or prize pack).  Swag bags will contain a mixture of various swag items from the pile.  Near the close of the giveaway I will update this post and give specific contents of each swag bag.  I figured that since I haven't received everything yet and more authors may add to the pile, it would be easier to wait!  The second type of prize will be a "Prize Pack".  So far these are the prize packs (subject to change if more goodies come in!):

1. The Forest of Hands and Teeth Prize Pack - contents: Signed paperback copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, 1 bookmark featuring hardback cover, 1 bookmark featuring new paperback cover, 1 The Dead-Tossed Waves sticker and 1 The Dead-Tossed Waves bookmark, 1 author business card featuring image of The Dead-Tossed Waves
2. The Pace Prize Pack- contents: Signed paperback copy of The Pace by Shelena Shorts, stuffed koala bear, 'Weston' pin and signed bookmark
3. Ink Exchange Prize Pack- contents: Paperback copy of Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr,  Ink Exchange temporary tattoo, "Solitary" court band (bracelet)
4. Wicked Lovely Prize Pack- contents: Paperback copy of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, "Summer Court" court band and "Winter Court" court band (bracelets)
5. Prophecy Of The Sisters Prize Pack- contents: Signed audiobook of The Prophecy Of The Sisters by Michelle Zink, bookmark

A BIG thank you to all of the awesome authors that contributed to the giveaway!  You guys are the best!!  Entering the giveaway is easy! Just fill out the form below and then leave a comment on this post.  You must be a follower to enter.  This giveaway is open internationally and will end on May 1st at 12:00pm (noon).  Thanks everyone!!!