Magic Under Glass Trailer-too cool!

Want to win a hardcover of MAGIC UNDER GLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore plus more prizes? See http://fabulousfrock.livejournal.com/ for details!

Review: Ruined by Paula Morris

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost.

A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle.

As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend -- and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey -- she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?  (Summary from Goodreads)

My thoughts...This book can best be described as flavorful.  The reader gets tastes of New Orleans history, Mardi Gras excitement, Haitian magic and an old-fashioned ghost story.  The main character Rebecca is thrown into post-Katrina New Orleans in a house with a view of the famous Lafayette Cemetery.  Curiosity gets the better of her and she finds herself face to face with a real ghost.  Her aunt believe in old magic and voo-doo.  She gives Rececca several warnings to stay out of the cemetery and out of the way of some of the local kids, but of course, they fall on deaf ears.  Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an 150 year old curse. 

Ruined was very well written.  The characters were interesting and like-able.  The plot was fast-moving and very interesting.  The history of Mardi Gras created a great background for the story.  I actually found it fascinating.  There must have been tons of research done to complete this novel.  There were several themes included in the story including racism. Many of scenes described old New Orleans, an area which is rich in history-good and bad.  The ending was a bit predictable, but there was quite a bit of foreshadowing in the form of visions that gave clues.  It was very well written and kept me turning pages until the end. 

As for cons, I really can't think of any.  It wasn't very scary, but I didn't open this book expecting to be frightened.  I would recommend this book to kids 12 and up as well as adults.  It was very enjoyable. 

Here is the trailer for Ruined:


If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy:
1. Prophecy Of The Sisters by Michelle Zink
2. The Hollow by Jessica Verday
3. Another Faust by Daniel and Dena Nayeri

Giveaways and Contests

Contests from here and there...

-Holiday Giveaway at Extreme Reader Book Reviews.  Two great prize packs to choose from-I want pack #2!  Click here to enter.

-Interview and Giveaway with Julie Kagawa at The Book Resort.  Julie is a 2010 debut author!

-Today is the last day to enter Book Rat's 100 followers contest. 

-Enchanted Inkpot is hosting a massive giveaway-check it out!

-Enter the Christmas Box contest at Lost In A Book.  Tell them Ellz Readz sent your for an extra entry. 

-The Bibliophilic Book blog is giving away a Sony Pocket E-Reader.  Tell her Ellz sent you for 5 extra entries.

AT ELLZ READZ

*Today is the LAST DAY to enter to win the Gate House by DeMille.  This may be great for someone on your holiday shopping list.  There are not very many extries, so there are great odds.  Enter here. 

*I am still waiting to hear from Tena, the winner of Evermore.
Also, Luvdaylillies, Alexa, jacabur2008 who all won copies of 7.  Please email me quickly or I will have to pick new winners. 

Happy Reading!

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. I ordered some books, but alas they did not come yet. 



For review:  (links to goodreads)
Fallen by Lauren Kate (click here to see my review)
Ancient Appetities by Oisin  McGann
Strangled Silence by Oisin McGann
Small-Minded Giants by Oisin McGann

Bought:

none

PBS:
none

Won:  (Thank you)
* The Better Part of Darkness signed by Kelly Gay from Dark Faerie Tales
*SWAG-baby from Ryshia Kennie, Kelly Gay and Roxanne at Fang-tastic Book Review

Was your mailbox full?

The Randomizer has spoken ...

The results have been calculated with the help of Random.org and the winner of Evermore by Alyson Noel is...

TENA

Congratulations!  Please email me (zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom)  with your mailing address and I will get this out to you!  Thanks to everyone who entered.  Check my right sidebar for all the current contests. 

*Also don't forget to enter to win a Sony Pocket E-Reader from The Bibliophilic Book Blog.  Tell her Ellz Readz sent you and you will earn 5 EXTRA ENTRIES!

Happy Reading!

~Got INK?~ (2)

I am fascinated with the number of books lately that feature INKED covers. In this weekly post, I am going to feature some of the ones I like best. Can you think of any, seen any inked covers? Leave them in the comments or have your own Got INK? post.

Ariel gets a tatoo thinking it will help her reclaim her life and her identity.  She is drawn to the mysterious tatoo with eyes and wings.  Little does she know the tatoo made with special ink will bind her to the Dark Fairie King.  The court would feed off of her emotions and she would feel nothing. 

Click here to learn more about Melissa Marr and her books. 

REVIEW: Fallen by Lauren Kate

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.
(Summary from Amazon.com)

Click here to read the first chapter of Fallen. 
My thoughts...This is another one of those highly anticipated novels with an incredible cover.  I have been reading mixed reviews, so I started with a bit of apprehension.  There was no need, I really enjoyed reading this story. 

Let me start with the pros.   First, I love a story with a strong heroine and Fallen delivered.  Luce is a girl with a really hard history, she watched her date burn in front of her eyes, she is haunted by eerie shadows, and the court has ordered her to go to reform school for troubled kids.  The story starts her first day when she is introduced to some mysterious characters, Cam and Daniel.  She is drawn to Daniel, but he rejects her and Cam...Cam makes her feel safe and secure.  There are some other interesting people including her new BFF and of course, school would not be school without the mean girl.  I got a great sense of Luce and I could feel through her.  Daniel and Cam remained mysterious, but intriguing. 

I enjoyed the author's writing style, it kept a nice rhythm and it kept me guessing until the end.  This story was not jam packed with action scenes but there was a lot of world building and character building that left the door wide open for the next book Torment, due out in September 2010.  The overall theme, which I believe to be the struggle between good and evil was not new, but the presentation and twists the story provided were very original. 

The big cons for me were the questions that were left unanswered.  I really felt like I read half of the book because there were so many loose ends and so much yet to be told.  Parts in the middle seemed like filler that moved a bit slow, where I would have rather leaned more about the characters' pasts.  I could feel her attraction and her draw to the boys, but not her attachment to them.  I am hoping the next book addresses my questions. 

I will be reading the rest of the series.  If you enjoy a good love story, you will like Fallen.
For more information on Lauren Kate and her books, please visit her website in the US or the UK.

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:
1. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
2. Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl
3. Captivate by Carrie Jones

*Thank you to Random House UK for providing me this book for review. 

Google Doc Entry Forms

As I attempt to get ahead on the entries for the Fallen contest, I realize I need to find a better way of tallying entries.  So I am trying to teach myself to use google docs.  I created a sample of random questions, could you fill it out so I can see it I did it right?   Thanks for your help. 

**UPDATED**
Thanks for the help, I got it figured out. You can expect to see the form from now on. It is better for your privacy, plus it will be so much easier to tally the entries.

Happy Reading!

The 12 Blogs of Christmas

Starting December 12th, there will be a very exciting contest beginning called the 12 blogs of Christmas. Each day, a different blogger will be giving away a great prize for you to win.  
<a href="http://12blogsofxmas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br/><br/><img width="125" alt="The 12 Blogs of Christmas" src=" http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xQ6xuAkQEQY/SwrmIu3LOSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Irfds6ZtxkI/s320/12blogsofchristmas2.jpg" border="0" height="150 "/></a>

 Here are the 12 blogs:

Day 1 Neverending Shelf

Day 2 Literary Escapism

Day 3 Library Lizard Lounge

Day 4 Princess Bookie

Day 5 Ellz Readz

Day 6 The Page Flipper

Day 7 Luxury Reading

Day 8 Bites

Day 9 Shooting Stars Mag

Day 10 Book Rat

Day 11 The Shady Glade

Day 12 vv32Reads

See some new blogs?  Some old favorites?  Want to win 12 prizes?  Stick around, it's gonna be fun!
Spread the word, steal the button-it links back to the 12 blogs update blog!

The Randomizer has spoken...and a REMINDER

Happy Black Friday shoppers.  Using Random.org I chose the 5 winners of Seven by Jacqueline Leo. 

Congratulations to:

Luvdaylillies

Cym

Alexa

jacabur2008

Brizmus

Winners please email me at zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom with your mailing address so I can forward it to the publisher.  The sooner the better, but if I don't hear from you within say...72 hours, I will have to pick a replacement winner. 

Don't forget to enter my other giveaways found on the left sidebar. 

The giveaway for Evermore by Alyson Noel ends today and I will announce the winner tomorrow!

Did you remember to enter to win the Sony Pocket EReader giveaway?  I love paper books too, but this is great for arcs (sometimes bound arcs are limited).  That is what I would use mine for if I won.  Here is the link to enter and if you tell them ELLZ READZ sent you, you will get 5 EXTRA ENTRIES!

Happy Reading

Kidz Korner (4)

This is a special post to help you share a special book with the little ones in your life. Some of these books would make great holiday gifts! They will be reviewed by myself and my two sweeties (5 and 2). Children's books can be expensive, so we will give you some ideas of books that are worth your money.

It's a Snap!: George Eastman's First Photo by,  Monica Culling
Reading level: Ages 4-8

In 1877 in Rochester, New York, George Eastman couldn’t understand why picture-taking was so difficult. Having left school at fourteen to support his mother and two sisters, George decided to find out by making photography his hobby. He packed up glass plates, a plate holder, a tent, a heavy tripod, a thick piece of black cloth, a water jug, and chemicals and set off to take his first photograph.

George realized that not many people could own a camera — they were too expensive and the size of today’s microwave ovens! But how could he make picture-taking easier? Eventually, George created dry plates, and they were such a success that he opened his own dry-plate company in 1881. But this was only the beginning — George went on to invent film and the Brownie camera. The rest is history. (Summary from Amazon.com)

Our thoughts...This was a very interesting book.  It discusses the history of the photograph and the Kodak Company. We leaned how the original pictures were taken, developed, and how the camera progressed to the type we are familiar with today.  It leads us through the life of George Eastman and how he turned a hobby into a very successful business.  There are some important messages in the story such as perserveriance, family support, and reaching for your dreams. 


The illustrations were nice.  They were very appropriate for the tone of the book.  Even at five, I don't think my son was ready for this book, he had trouble staying engaged.  However, I think the book would be great for slightly older children, even adults. 

Justin's Two Cents (my son always has his say)...I liked learning about how people used to take pictures.  It looked like hard work. 

Click here to purchase a copy of It's a Snap!: George Eastman's First Photo. 
To learn more about Monica Culling and her books, please follow this link.

Last Day to enter...

Today is the last day to enter to win 1 of 5 copies of Seven by Jacqueline Leo.  There are not very many entries, so the odds are GREAT.  If this isn't something you would normally read, maybe someone on your Holiday list would enjoy it.

Click here to enter.  I will announce the winner tomorrow!   

Wishing All of You,

Happy Turkey Day from Ellz Readz

2010 Debut Author Challenge

I have decided to join the 2010 Debut Author Challenge.  What is the 2010 Debut Author Challenge you ask?

The objective is to read a set number of YA (Young Adult) or MG (Middle Grade) novels from debut authors published this year.  I will probably be reading these books anyways, so...sounds like fun huh?

The challenge will run from January 1, 2010- December 31, 2010. You can join at anytime! Visit

 The Story Siren for more information.  She will be our gracious hostess. 

 
Here is my list so far...
1. The Mark by Jen Nadol (Jan)
2. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard (Jan)
3. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (Jan )
4. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Feb)
5. Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omolou (Feb)
6.  The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (March)
7. The Line by Terry Hall  (March)
8. Forget Her Nots by Amy Brecount White  (March)
9.  Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis (April)
10. Hex Hall by Rachel Hopkins (April)
11. Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (April)
12. Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw (May)
13. Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia (May)
14.  Sea by Heidi King (June)
15. Everlasting by Angie Frazier (June)
17.  Shadow Hills by Anastacia Hopcus (July)
18. The Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (September)
19. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (October)
20. Freefall by Mindy Scott (October)
21.Inconvenient by Margie Gelbwasser (November)
22. Firespell by Chloe Neill (January)
23. Change of Heart by Shari Maurer (April)
24.The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel (May)

I am shooting for 24, but I may read more.  This list will be a work-in-progress, especially since I need to fill the rest of the year. 

**Here is a list of Tenner debuts and release dates. 

**Authors and publishers-if your book is on the list,  I would love to review it, set up an interview, or contest to help you promote your new releases!

Happy Reading.

MY REVIEWS:
*Firespell by Chloe Neill
*The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
*Freaksville by Kitty Keswick
*Beautiful Dead by Eden Maguire
*The Mark by Jen Nadol
*The Line by Teri Hall
*Forget-Her-Nots by Amy B. White
*The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
*Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
*Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
*Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia
*Under My Skin by Judith Graves
*Change of Heart by Shari Maurer
*Guardian Of The Dead by Karen Healey
*A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

Win a Sony Pocket E-Reader

The Bibliophilic Book Blog is giving away a Sony Pocket E-Reader to a lucky follower.  This would look great under your tree!  Plus a runner-up will receive a prize book pack!  And it's international! Woot, woot!

So follow this link to enter. 

But wait...

Do you want 5 extra entries.  Tell them Ellz Readz sent you and you will will get 5 extra entries!

Good Luck!

Ellz Newz (2)

Interviews:

*Ryshia Kennie at Ellz Readz (giveaway)

*Kelly Medling (Three Days To Dead) at Juiciliciousss Reviews (giveaway)

*Dia Reeves (Bleeding Violet) at The Book Pixie.

*K. Garcia & M. Stohl (Beautiful Creatures) at Juiciliciousss Reviews

*Lise Haines (Girl In The Arena) at Princess Bookie

*Stephanie Worth at Fang-tastic Books

*Claire Delacroix/Deborah Cooke  at SciFiGuy (giveaway)

*Kelly Gay at Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings (giveaway)

*Rhonda Stapelton  (Stupid Cupid) at Zoe's Book Review

*Sasha Soren at A Place for Wicked Good Reviews

*Carrie Jones at Ramblings Of A Teenaged Bookworm

*Kathyrn Smith (Dark Side of Dawn)  at SciFiGuy (giveaway)

*R. A. Riekki (U.P.) at Literary Escapism

*Diana Rowland at Wicked Little Pixie

Other Newz:

*   Melissa DeLa Cruz will be venturing into the world of adult fantasy.  The two novels will follow the lives of two girls as they struggle to fight an arch nemesis and keep the balance between good and evil.  The novels will include characters from her Blue Blood novels.  The first novel, Witches of East End, will be published in the Spring of 2011.  Follow the link to read the whole article. 

*   Melissa Marr released the cover for Radiant Shadows on her livejournal.  I do not like this cover as much as the others, how about you?    

Posts of Interest:

• In case you missed it last week, Literary Escapism posted the Bookworms Carnival #40 in Urban Fantasy/Gothic Literature.  This is a huge list of book reviews, there is something for everyone.
• Romantic Times posted the first two chapter of The Dark Divine by Bree Despain. They will add one chapter a week for six weeks. Watch for new chapters every Monday.
• I was featured on BLT (Books and Literature for Teens).  Thanks Morgan!
• vv32reads hosted the first annual Pemberly Ball this past weekend.  There is still time to check out what happened and enter her giveaways.  The post start with this one, be sure to check them all!

Feature Blog:

*   Dark Faerie Tales is one of my favorite blogs.  She is doing an incredible job of sharing the latest covers, book trailers, and author news.  The blog is super cool, the graphics are ace.  Stop in and check it out it haven't already.  Tell her Ellz sent you. 

Classifieds:

*Parajunkie View is very saavy with web design.  Go to her design blog to learn more about website personalization.

* Interested in a book tour?  Check out 1 Arc Tours for more information. 

Stupid Newz:

*(From the Associated Press)  PHOENIX – A high school librarian in Phoenix says a former student at    the school returned two overdue books checked out 51 years ago along with a $1,000 money order to cover the fines.  Click here to read more.

Funniez:
This is from EGS.  Someone on one of my author groups shared it, I got a good laugh out of it. 

(click on the pic to enlarge it)

REVIEW: Tall, Dark and Fangsome by Michelle Rowen

Immortality Bites.

Sarah Dearly’s vampire life is not all B-positive cocktails. A curse made her a nightwalker, the most vicious vamp there is; the charm she wears to curb her deadly tendencies is losing its juice; and a hunter from hell is turning up the heat. Gideon Chase will kill the ones she loves most if she doesn’t obey his orders – that includes breaking up with master vampire Thierry and turning Gideon into an immortal vamp via her bite so he can escape a doom of eternal hellfire.

Making things worse are Sarah’s growing feelings for Gideon, a bad boy who keeps showing a vulnerable side…but is it for real? Will Sarah’s dark side take over? Or can she cure herself of the nightwalker curse in time to stop Gideon and finally get the chance to live happily ever after with Thierry…forever? (Summary from the website of Michelle Rowen)

Click here to read chapter 1 of Tall, Dark and Fangsome. 

My thoughts...This is the fifth and final book, so if you are new to the Immortality Series, I recommend you start with book 1, Bitten and Smitten.  This last installment did a great job of wrapping up the series.  The ending was very satisfying and I wasn't left hanging.  Picking up from the previous book, Sarah is dealing with the fact that she is a Nightwalker.  This means horrible blood lust, sun allergy, super vamp strength and a wild side.  She is really tested in this book as she has to learn to control her evil side without destroying her friends.  We do get to see some favorites again such as Quinn, George, Amy and even a new character called The Darkness. 

Like the other books in the series, this one a fast-paced, easy read.  Rowen stays true to her writing style with witty characters, exciting twists and unexpected turns.  It was hard to put down.  I could have used more Theirry, but he was the mysterious man as usual.   Although we do see a slightly different side of him, a bit more vulnerable.  I was slightly frustrated by one relationship, I felt random and a bit forced, but I do not want to give away any spoilers.  Overall it was a great read, I would recommend the whole series to an fan of vampire lit. 

For more information on Michelle Rowen and her books, please visit her website. 

If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:
1. Demon Princess; Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen
2. Dead-End Dating: A Novel of Vampire Love by Kimberly Raye
3. Over My Dead Body by, Michelle Bardsley

Interview and Giveaway: Ryshia Kennie

Please help me welcome the lovely Ryshia Kennie.  Ryshia is celebrating the November 15th release of her latest novel, Ring Of Desire.  She also wrote a book called From The Dust. 

1. Your new release, Ring Of Desire, is being described as a medieval paranormal novel. Please tell us about your story.
RK: Picture 1072 England in a place called Hafne. Everything is dreary and dry. But it is a land that echos with the sighs of all things magical. Long ago a Norman’s hand destroyed Hafne’s peace and laid the way for the Ancients’ curse that has left the land barren and taken the gift of immortality.

Now the Normans have returned. Vala is drawn to one man, a Norman, and torn between two worlds human and Ancient. With one chance to break the curse and immortality hanging in the balance, will Vala choose the love of a mortal man over the gift of immortality?

2. A strong heroine makes a story worth reading. Please describe your heroine, Vala, in 5 words.
RK: A generous and courageous leader

3. Will Ring of Desire be a stand alone novel or do you anticipate a sequel?
RK: Ring of Desire is a stand alone. My next books are contemporary suspense.

4. This story is set in medieval times. How much research did you have to do for this novel?
RK: I love historical research and like my first book, I got caught up in it. Politics in England at the time were intense – it was just post conquest – a fascinating time. I read an amazing amount of books on the era and those that didn’t make it into my research library I got from the library, where I haunted the shelves on everything from English history to medieval magic. And for this book I discovered that if you want good visuals on period dress – the children’s section of the library is the place to go.

5. Although you grew up in the beautiful Saskatchewan Prairies (Canada), I discovered you have a passion for traveling to exotic locations. Where are some of your favorite destinations? Do they influence your writing?
RK: I love to travel and with my contemporary suspense stories I will usually set them in a place where I have traveled. I find myself fascinated with differences in cultures and yet the similarities that we all share. It’s a theme that recurs in my stories.

Some of my favorite destinations have been; Burma(Myanmar), Borneo, Northern Thailand, Costa Rica and Cambodia to name a few.

6. Are you currently working on any other projects you would like to share with us?
RK: I have a number of contemporary suspense that are mostly set in Asia. One of my favorites is my entomologist with attitude who gets herself lost in the Borneo jungle and caught in the midst of what looks like a murder to boot.

7. Lastly, what is your favorite way to unwind after a hard day of writing? Any guilty pleasures?
RK: A long day of writing is special and only occurs on weekends right now. My guilty pleasure (not really guilty, just a fave) after such a day – sometimes it’s a visit to a local microbrewery for a beer and a bite. Other times it’s just a glass of wine on a crowded couch – not made for two people and a dog.

Ryshia thank for visiting with us today.  Congratulations on your new release and best luck on your future novels. 

Click here to read an excerpt from Ring Of Desire. 
For more information on Ryshia and her books, please visit her website. 
To follow Ryshia on Twitter, click here. 
To purchase Ring Of Desire from Amazon, follow this link.

Contest Time...

Ryshia has generously offered to give an E-Copy of Ring of Desire to one lucky commenter. 

To enter, simply leave a comment or question for Ryshia.

For extra entries...
+2  Spread the word! (+2 entries for every place you link to-sidebar, post, twitter, facebook, wherever you go.) Please leave me a link for verification!



The contest will begin now and end on December 5th.  I will announce the winner on this blog December 6th. If you are not a follower, click the follow button on the left sidebar so you don't miss the winner post.  This contest is open to everyone.  Good Luck!

250 Followers and I got a button!

Thank you to all my followers.  Watch for a special 250 followers giveaway the first week in December!

I also got a special button made by Tynga's Blog Design

<a href="http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /> <br /> <img width="125" alt="Ellz Readz" src=" http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xQ6xuAkQEQY/SwrmNZ0e4ZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ghTPaK_JfNU/s320/Ellzreadzbutton.png" border="0" height="150 "/></a>

I think one of my New Year's Resolutions will be to become more computer saavy. You are welcome add it to your button collection if you like. Isn't it pretty! Thanks, Tynga!

LIVE CHAT and ANOTHER FALLEN CONTEST

FALLEN is one of the most anticipated books of December.  Lauren will be doing a LIVE CHAT on her facebook page called FIERCEBOOK.  The chat will be live on the 3rd of  December from 5-6pm GMT. 

But wait, GO NOW because Random House is giving away 50 free copies to members who tell them why angels are better than vampires. 

FIERCEBOOK

Don't forget to spread the word!

Also, here are the links to Lauren's other websites:

The UK Fallen website can be found here.

The US website can be found here.

Melting Pot Monday (6)

Watch out, world. Here comes Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie's opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey.

She's a product of the "burg," a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, windows are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six.

Now Stephanie's all grown up and out on her own, living five miles from Mom and Dad's, doing her best to sever the world's longest umbilical cord. Her mother is a meddler, and her grandmother is a few cans short of a case.

Out of work and out of money, with her Miata repossessed and her refrigerator empty, Stephanie blackmails her bail bondsman cousin, Vinnie, into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, fearless bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook. (Summary from JanetEvanovich.com)

Click here to read an excerpt. 
*This is one of my favorite series.  You should read at least one book.  They're fun. 

Between your full-length mirror and high-school biology class, you probably think you know a lot about the human body. While it's true that we live in an age when we're as obsessed with our bodies as we are with celebrity hairstyles, the reality is that most of us know very little about what chugs, churns, and thumps throughout this miraculous, scientific, and artistic system of anatomy. Yes, you've owned your skin-covered shell for decades, but you probably know more about your cell-phone plan than you do about your own body. When it comes to your longevity and quality of life, understanding your internal systems gives you the power, authority, and ability to live a healthier, younger, and better life. (Product description from Amazon.com)

Click here to learn more.

Reminder: Interview and Giveaway with author Ryshia Kennie (11/24)

Author Ryshia Kennie will be here Tuesday to talk about her new release Ring Of Desire.  This is a medieval, paranormal novel.  There will also be a great giveaway for a lucky commenter.  See you then. 

Disclosure and Privacy Statement

Disclosure:

-The majority of books reviewed on this site are purchased by me or borrowed from my local library.

-On occasion, I do receive books from authors or publishers.  These books are provided in exchange for my opinion about the book.  I do not receive any monetary compensation for my reviews. 

Privacy Statement:

-Your privacy is important to me.  Any information collected during contests is discarded upon completion of the event.  Winning mailing addresses are discarded after the prize has been mailed.  Entries for contests can also be made to zenfoxflower@yahoo.com.

-Personal information is not sold or traded for any reason. 

-Questions or concerns?  Please contact me at zenfoxflower@yahoo.com

Awards Page

These are some awards I have gotten from some of my blogger friends.  Thank you to everyone who nominated me, I luv each and every one of you!

The Heartfelt Award

The Honest Scrap Award

The Super Scribbler Award

The Splash Award

The Prolific Blogger Award

The Inspire Me Award

The Monster Blog Award

The Humane Award

The Awesome Blogger Award

The Who Love's You Baby Award

 The Interviewer Extraordinaire Award

The Happy 101 Award

The Over The Top Award

Ellz Book Reviewz

A complete list of all my reviews...
(*) indicates a young adult title

~A~
*A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler
*Across The Universe by Beth Revis
*Adversary by Kate Kaynak
*Ancient Appetites by Oisin McGann
*Angelfire by, Courtney Allison Moulton
*Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia
*Ash Malinda Lo
*Awakened by, Ednah Walters

~B~
*Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater
*Beautiful Dead, Book 1 Jonas by Eden Maguire
Bite Marks by Jennifer Rardin
Bite Me: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
*Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
Barely Bewitched by Kimberly Frost
*Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
*Born At Midnight by CC Hunter
*Boys That Bite by Mari Mancusi
Bunco Babes Gone Wild by Maria Geraci
Bunco Babes Tell All by Maria Geraci

~C~
*Cat The Vamp by Christine Martine
*Change Of Heart by Shari Maurer
*Chime by Franny Billingsley
*Claire De Lune by Christine Johnson
Come Hell or High Water by Michele Bardsley
*Crave by by Melinda Metz & Laura J. Burns
*Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
*Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
~D~
*Death By Denim by Linda Gerber
*Deception by Lee Nichols
*Donut Days by Lara Zielin
Double Cross by Carolyn Crane
*Drought by Pam Bachorz
~E~
*Evermore by Alyson Noel
*Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

~F~
*Fade Out by Rachel Caine
*Fallen by Lauren Kate
*Firelight by Sophie Jordan
*Firespell by Chloe Neill
*Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
*Forgive My Fins by Teri Lyn Childs
*Freaksville by Kitty Keswick

~G~
*Greek Double Date by Marsha Warner
Golden Conspiracy by Robert James Glider
Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris
*Guardian Of The Dead by Karen Healey

~H~
*Hate List by Jennifer Brown
*Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
*Hexbound by, Chloe Neill
*Human Blend by Julie Pescatore
*Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

~I~
*Intertwined by Gena Showalter

~J~
*Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
Just A Quilt? by Dalen Keys
~K~
*Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis
*Kiss Of Death by Rachel Caine
~L~
*Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
*Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia
*Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
*Loser/Queen by Jodi Lynn Anderson

~M~
Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland
*Matched by Ally Condie
Maze of Bones (39 Clues book 1) by Rick Riordan
*Minder by Kate Kaynak
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

~N~
*Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper
*Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

~O~
One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin
Original Sin by Allison Brennan

~P~
Powers by John B. Olson

~Q~


~R~
*Radiance by Alyson Noel
*Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
*Random Magic by Sasha Soren
Real Vampires Have Curves by Jerry Bartlett
Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
*Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore
*Ruined by Paula Morris
*Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

~S~
Seven by Jacqueline Leo
*Shadow by Jenny Moss
*Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
*Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
*Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
*Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
*Sleepless by Cyn Balog
Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

~T~
Tall Dark and Fangsome by Michelle Rowen
*Tell Me A Secret by Holly Capala
Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
*Tempted by P.C. and Kristen Cast
The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox
The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy
The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
*The Candidates by Inara Scott
The Crazy School by Cornelia Read
The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox
*The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
*The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham
*The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
*The Dust Of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
The Great Grammar Book by Marsha Sramek
*The Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Neilson
*The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge
*The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
*The Line by Teri Hall
*The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells
*The Mark by Jen Nadol
The Mayo Clinic Diet by The Mayo Clinic
*The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark
*The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
*The Stillburrow Crush by Linda Kage
*The Sweetest Thing by Christine Mandelski
*The Van Allen Legacy by Melissa DeLa Cruz
The Wisdom of Chakras by Ellen Tadd
*Thirst by Christopher Pike
Tracking The Tempest by Nicole Peeler
*Trance by Linda Gerber
True Blood and Philosophy by William Irwin (series editor)
Truly Madly by Heather Webber
*Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

~U~
Undead and Unworthy by Mary Janice Davidson
*Under My Skin by Judith Graves

~V~
*Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Venom by Jennifer Estep
~W~

*Warped by Maurissa Guibord
*Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
*Wither by Lauren DeStefano
*Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy by, Becca Ritchie
Would-Be-Witch by Kimberly Frost

~X~
*XVI by Julia Karr

~Y~


~Z~

REVIEW: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.  (Summary from Barnes & Noble)

Click here to read an excerpt from the book. 
Click here to read OUTTAKES from the book.

My thoughts...Like everyone else, I fell in love with this cover.  The photographer, James Porto, did a brilliant job.  This cover is stunning and does an incredible job reflecting the story.  Now the big question is should we judge this book by its cover?  My answer is yes.   This was a great story and a solid start to a promising series.  I am not saying it wasn't without its imperfections and it did have a Twilight feel to it, but overall I really enjoyed Hush, Hush. 

Let me start with the pros.  First Patch,  Becca Fitzpatrick can did a great job writing this character.  Patch is the ultimate bad boy.  I flopped back and forth trying to decide if I liked him, if he was trustworthy, evil or good, but one thing I knew was that he was H-O-T!  The rest of the characters, including the heroine Nora, took a back seat.  They seemed to be average teens with average lives. 

I really enjoyed the storyline.  The history of the fallen angels was original to me, as I have not read too many books with fallen angels.  I feel the scenes were described well, I got a sense of where the story was taking place and the mood of the locations.  This was a very quick read, it flowed nicely and I had trouble putting it down. 

There were only a few cons.  One was the very poor judgment of Nora and Vee.  I think teenagers have more sense than what was demonstrated in the story.  For example, at one point Vee tries to justify her friend being slammed against a wall by a boy by saying he was drunk, he's frustrated, or he will feel sorry in the morning.  I was a bit alarmed by the message that this could send to young readers.  Also at one point Nora wanders off alone in a dark alley and gives away her possessions to a homeless woman.  Who wanders down a dark alley alone, especially when they are the victims of previous attacks.  I realize this is fiction, but these choices were unrealistic and they disrupted the flow of the story. 

The only other con was the connection between Patch and Nora.  I did not feel 100% about their connection.  I felt a strong sexual tension and desire, but his intentions were revealed so late in the story that I found myself struggling with their relationship.  I will say that the end was unpredictable, that was a good thing!  Overall, I really enjoyed the story and I will be reading Crescendo when it comes out in 2011. 

For more information about this book and it's sequel Crescendo please vitit Becca Fitzpatrick's website. 

If you liked Hush, Hush, you may also enjoy:
1. Fallen by  Lauren Kate
2. Intertwined by Gena Showalter
3. Blue Bloods by Melissa DeLa Cruz

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.  I put a small dent in my reading pile this week, I am slowly making progress.


For review:
none

Bought:
none

PBS:
Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Won: (Thank You!)
*Tall, Dark & Fangsome by Michelle Rowen- I actually have two copies of this, one will go out for a contest in December when I post the interview with Michelle Rowen
*How To Hook A Hottie and Top Ten Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro (I won book, but she surprised me and sent me two-Thanks-much love!)
*Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell

How was your week?

~Got INK?~

I am fascinated with the number of books lately that feature INKED covers.  In this weekly post, I am going to feature some of the ones I like best.  Can you think of any, seen any inked covers?   Leave them in the comments or have your own Got INK?  post. 

The House of Night Series by PC and Kristen Cast 

Anyone who has seen any of these books in person knows how pretty they are.  The fleglings are marked with a cresent shaped tatoo on their foreheads, but when they turn into adult Vampyres, their tatoo's change.  Their ink shows something about their personality or their affinity. 

Visit the House of Night website to view the characters' ink and make your own design.

REVIEW: Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris

Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface.

To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants no part of the man- but he may not have a choice in the matter.

Soon, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before.

And what she finds out will change her world forever.
(Summary from Amazon.com)

Click here to read the first chapter of Grave Secret. 

My thoughts...Let me start by saying if you have not read any books in the series, you need to go back and read Grave Sight.  This series is different from the Sookie books.  I would describe it as a mystery with a hint of paranormal.  You may want to cover your eyes here, while I will not give away any Grave Secret spoilers, previous events may be disclosed. 

Grave Secret picks right up where Ice Cold Grave left off.  They start off on a usual job assignment that lands them in a graveyard.  Where as the other books mentioned it, this last installment really got deep into Harper and Toliver's past.  We learn the full extent of the abuse, neglect, and poverty they and their siblings lived through.  Harper and Tolliver's quest to find their missing sister Cameron continues and they find themselves where it all began, their hometown.  Charlaine Harris writes incredible strong characters.  Harper shows tremendous growth in this book.  She is much more dependent on herself, partially because Tolliver is unable to help her, and she changes for the better.  I was satisfied at the end of the story with the characters situations and their relationships with each other. 

The storyline in this book was OK.  Although I was not on the edge of my seat, I was intrigued enough to keep reading.  The ending came very quickly and left me shocked.  It took a twist I was not expecting.  The ending did feel a little abrupt and the current mystery wound up so conveniently.  But overall, it was a great read and I am satisfied with the way the series ended.  

For more information on Charlaine Harris and her books, please visit her website. 

If you liked this book, you may also enjoy...
1.  A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris
2. Real Murders by Charlaine Harris
3. Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris