YA review: Impossible (mini-review)

Lucy Scarborough is only 17, but she carries the burden of a curse that has already struck down several women in her family. Each of her afflicted ancestors failed at completing three seemingly impossible tasks, and each succumbed to madness at the birth of her first child. Facing this tragic fate, Lucy braces herself for a losing battle. Mercifully, she has allies in her struggle: intensely sympathetic foster parents and her loyal childhood friend Zach. (summary from goodreads)

My thoughts...Using an old ballad, Scarborough Fair, Nancy Werlin has written a crafty story filled with riddles and a bit of romance.

I enjoyed the use of the ballad in the plot of this story. The characters had to use their creativity to solve the riddle and complete the tasks. Lucy was a strong heroine, she persevered where others woud truely have given up. I loved Zach as the hero. He is the kind of character you just want to hug. Lucy has a wonderful support system, all of the characters added something to the story.

Impossible really has me guessing and worrying about the main character. She seems to be in an impossible situation and I truely could not tell if it was going to have a happy ending or not.  Occasionally the story did lag for me, but not enough for me to stop reading or thinking about the characters.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was a nice change from my usual reads.

For more information, including purchase links, visit Nancy Werlin at her website.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Even though I did not complete my list last year, I had so much fun trying, I thought I would do it again.  It is so hard to choose, because there are some fabulous books coming out in 2011.  But I chose 25, figuring I could always add more. Special thanks to The Story Siren for hosting this event! Here is my list (subject to change):

*Update...this is my partial list-it is going to take a while to go through all the upcoming books. Many of the goodreads descriptions are not up yet, also I don't think 25 will do!

1.  XVI by, Julia Karr~ 1/6

2. Warped by, Maurissa Guibord~1/11

3. Across The Universe by, Beth Revis~1/11

4. Vesper by, Jeff Sampsen~1/25

5. The Demon Trapper's Daughter~2/1

6. So Shelly by, Ty Roth~2/8

7. The Iron Witch by, Karen Mahoney~ 2/8

8. Angelfire by, Courtney Allison Mouton~2/15

 9. A Touch Mortal by, Leah Clifford~2/22

 10. Haven by, Kristi Cook~ 2/22

 11. Darkness Becomes Her by, Kelly Keaton~2/22

12. Wither by, Lauren DeStefano~3/22

13. Entwined by, Heather Dixon~3/29

14. Born At Midnight by CC Hunter~3/29

15. Wake Unto Me by, Lisa Cach~3/31

16. The Lipstick Laws by, Amy Holder~4/4

17. Memento Nora by, Angie Smibert~

18. Blood Magic by, Tessa Gratton~4/26

19. Bumped by, Megan McCaffterty

20. Divergent by, Veronica Roth~5/3

21. Jane Jones Worst Vampire.Ever. by Caissie St. Onge~5/10

22. Starcrossed by, Josephine Angelini~5/31

23. Die For Me by, Amy Plum

24. Luminous by Dawn Metcalf~6/30

My Reviews:

Warped by, Maurissa Guibord

Across The Universe by, Beth Revis

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by, Jana Oliver

The Lipstick Laws by, Amy Holder

Angelfire by, Courtney Allison Moulton

XVI by, Julia Karr

Born At Midnight by, CC Hunter

Darkness Becomes Her by, Kelly Keaton

The Iron Thorn by, Caitlin Kittredge

Kat, Incorrigible by, Stephanie Burgis

The Sweetest Thing by, Christine Mandeleski

Wither by, Lauren  DeStefano

YA review: Trance

Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what's to come a trance. She's pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she's never been able to stop it not even when the vision was of her mother's fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn's life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear; it's up to her to save Jake from near-certain death. (summary from goodreads)

 My thoughts...As a fan of Linda Gerber's books, I had really high expectations for this story.  I knew from reading the book summary that Trance was quite different from her usual stories. Trance did not disappoint. It was a great story, creatively written, with edge-of-your seat action.

There were some great characters in Trance.  My favorite was Jake, the resident musician.  His character was very friendly and likable.  Ashlyn, the heroine, proved to be an interesting character too. She faces many trails and I could sympathize with her feelings.  

The plot of Trance moved at a quick pace.  As with her other books, Gerber's style of writing lends itself to great storytelling. She is a pro at weaving great characters into an exciting plot.  Her stories will please readers of all ages. 

My favorite aspect of this story was the use of numbers in the traces.  Linda Gerber used them to send messages and also to learn more about people in the story.  It really provides quite a bit of mystery and a surprising twist at the end. I am going to work out the code to do my own reading. 

For more information, including purchase links, visit Linda Gerber at her official website.

WoW: Entwined

Entwined by Heather Dixon

March 29, 2011

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

This one sounds great.  I love the idea of an enchanted passage with a secretive keeper. 

For more information, including preorder links, visit goodreads.

 

*WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

YA review: Extraordinary

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school, and the two girls become as close as sisters . . . until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe, but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon she'll discover the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that these two are visitors from the faerie realm who have come to collect on an age-old debt. Generations ago, the faerie queen promised Pheobe's ancestor five extraordinary sons in exchange for the sacrifice of one ordinary female heir. But in hundreds of years there hasn't been a single ordinary girl in the family, and now the faeries are dying. Could Phoebe be the first ordinary one? Could she save the faeries, or is she special enough to save herself?(summary from goodreads)

My thoughts...While Extraordinary had some strong points, it did not make my favorite list. 

The pros...The concept behind Extraordinary was very creative.  The story was very well thought out, organized and written in a way that evoked curiosity in the reader.  Nancy Werlin did a great job of writing characters, so much that you will either love them or hate them.  Mallory, the friend of the heroine, really stood out in my mind.  Despite her loyalty to her family, I could tell she had strong values and morals.  Another character, Ryland, gave me the creeps.  He immediately evoked strong feelings of dislike as soon as he entered the storyline.

The author also did a brilliant job on several other aspects.  The settings were beautifully described. On several occasions, readers get a peek into the land of the faeries.  The world seemed breathtaking and magical.  Another great part of the story was the story behind the story. The history of the characters and the events that lead to Phoebe's story were very well organized and creative.

The cons...My main frustration with the story came from our heroine.  While she was being influenced by the wishes of others, I felt her character was weak. I felt there was a strong person in there somewhere, but she just did not emerge until the end of the story. I found myself questioning her actions and judgements.  Her moments of clarity still left her feeble and lacking any real individualism. Overall, I found her to be a tough character to read, and unfortunately for me, the heroine is usually what makes the story worth reading.

For more information, including purchase links, visit Nancy Werlin at her website.

Melting Pot Monday

Dragonart Evolution
by,  J. "NeonDragon" Peffer
Instructional
September 30, 2010 by Impact

With the growing popularity of DeviantArt.com, a safe online community of over 14.5 million young artists who showcase and discuss their original artwork, DRAGONART EVOLUTION is a priceless guide to join the artistic and creative fun. Kids can become part of the craze by uploading their dragon art to the site, which is host to over 100 million submissions.

From feathered to sea creature, DRAGONART EVOLUTION features all-new dragons and detailed anatomy instruction in one fiercely designed dragon encyclopedia. Also included:

•60+ step-by-step demonstrations covering a variety of dragons, including medieval, fairy and sea-dwelling wyrms

•In-depth advice for drawing every part of the beast – eyes, ears, horns, wings, scale patterns, limbs and more

•Extra tips and tricks provided by your dragon guide, Dolosus

With DRAGONART EVOLUTION’s drawing tutorials, you can observe and illustrate your dragon portraits more authentically, without losing any limbs!

Visit goodreads for more information, reviews, and purchase links.
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Phantom Spies, Phantom Justice
by, Mariam Moskowitz
Memoir
October 5, 2010 by Bunim & Bannigan Ltd


Many years of diligent research by a survivor of the McCarthy-inspired anti-Communist hysteria of the 1950s reveals, through court records, FBI correspondence, interviews, and lawyer's records, how Miriam Moskowitz, now 94, was unjustly convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice, and how her two years in prison changed her life. An introduction by Anne Montgomery, RSCJ, relates Ms. Moskowitz's experience to present day persecution of 'terrorists.'
 
''For the Commie of six decades ago we now have the 'terrorist'; ....military tribunals mock justice; and torture is legalized. Peace activists who dare to uphold international law face pre-trial motions that forbid mention of the Bible, conscience, the illegality of indiscriminate weapons under international law..., Mariam Moskowitz has the courage and clarity to expose the elements common to those years, prominent among them the deliberate instigation of fear of imminent attack by an evil enemy, and the resulting acceptance of the targeting and demonizing of individuals because of the ethnicity of relationships. ...The corollary is guilt by association and loss of any presumption of innocence before conviction." --Anne Montgomery, from the Introduction (summary from goodreads_

For more infomation, including purchase links, find this book at goodreads.

YA review: Loser/Queen (GIVEAWAY)

Cammy Hall is what anyone would describe as a loser. She lives with her grandparents and has adopted their way of life… right down to the comfortable shoes and early bedtime. And can she help it that she actually likes to knit?

At school, her skills with knitting needles and some yarn go completely unappreciated: people like Bekka Bell reign while Cammy and her best friend, the fearless Danish exchange student Gerdi, watch from the sidelines. Cammy’s used to being an outsider; after years of humiliating moments, her goal is simply to fly under the radar. Then she suddenly starts receiving mysterious text messages that lead her right to all the embarrassing secrets about the most popular kids in school. Cammy never expected to be able to climb up the high school food chain, and the agenda of the texter may be questionable—but how can she possibly give up the chance to be Queen? (summary from goodreads)
My thoughts...When initially asked if I wanted to review this book, I was not impressed with the title or the cover, but the creation of the book interested me.  Readers voted on plot twists online, resulting in a full length written story.  I have never heard of a book being produced in this fashion, so I was very intrigued. 

I pleasantly discovered that Loser/Queen was a fun, light-hearted, comical story.  It left me shaking my head and laughing out loud on several occasions.  It left me guessing plot twists and turning pages at a quick pace. Loser/Queen was appropriate for all ages (with a small amount of smooching) and would be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Cammie, the main character, is basically a girl who feels invisible.  She and her BFF Gertie keep to themselves and rarely draw any attention to themselves, positive attention that is.  After an embarrassing incident, Cammie receives a mysterious text message that changes her life, for better or worse.  Cammie was a fun character to read. She felt very real and at times flawed.  My favorite characters in the book were Luke, Cammie's dream boy, and Gertie, the foreign exchange student from Denmark. 

The plot of Loser/Queen moved quickly, I read the book in about 2 days.  It is entirely age appropriate, I do not recall any foul language or sexual encounters beyond a few innocent kisses. 

The story has a good moral and leaves the reader guessing. I am disappointed I missed the construction phase of this book.  I am curious how the online voting was organized.  My fingers are crossed that the author writes another story using this method.

For more information, visit Jodi Lynn Anderson at S&S. Loser/Queen can be purchased by following this link. 

*Want to win your own copy?  Thanks to the wonderful people at Simon & Schuster, I have 2 copies to give away!  Follow this link to ENTER!

The Iron Knight

Harlequin Teen needs YOUR help!

They are just about to start shooting for THE IRON KNIGHT by Julie Kagawa, and need help choosing  Puck and Ash. They have met tons of models and picked 3 “Puck” and 3 “Ash”. They are going to post their casting shots on Facebook and are asking fans to vote for their favorite.

To enter, follow this link to the facebook page and VOTE.

Voting ends January 3, 2011

loser/queen giveaway

On July 2010, readers had a chance to write a novel. Each week, readers voted on major plot twists. The winning choice was then encorporated into the next week's chapters. Now that voting—and the book—are complete, LOSER/QUEEN has been published as a paperback and packed with extras from the author… and readers will have the opportunity to own the book they helped create!

What a great concept! Missed the fun? Here's your chance to read the finished copy.

Book Summary from Simon & Schuster Children's Publisher:

Cammy Hall is what anyone would describe as a loser. She lives with her grandparents and has adopted their way of life… right down to the comfortable shoes and early bedtime. And can she help it that she actually likes to knit? At school, her skills with knitting needles and some yarn go completely unappreciated: people like Bekka Bell reign while Cammy and her best friend, the fearless Danish exchange student Gerdi, watch from the sidelines. Cammy’s used to being an outsider; after years of humiliating moments, her goal is simply to fly under the radar. Then she suddenly starts receiving mysterious text messages that lead her right to all the embarrassing secrets about the most popular kids in school. Cammy never expected to be able to climb up the high school food chain, and the agenda of the texter may be questionable—but how can she possibly give up the chance to be Queen?

Thanks to the wonderful people at Simon & Schuster two winners will recieve a finished copy of loser/queen, plus one of those two will also receive an adorable handmade keychain to go with their book. 

To enter, leave a comment below with an email addy.  Enter by December 29th, I will announce the winners around the 30th.  THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS! Watch for my review this week.

Good luck!

Review Me Winners-3 of them

Using Random.org I selected the lucky readers for the Review Me giveaway.  I will try to ship these ASAP, but it may be after the 25th. 

Marie will be reviewing WARPED by Maurisa Guibord

loreimarsh and Jolene Allcock and Family will be reviewing

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE BY Beth Revis. 

Congrats, I will be sending you an email.  Stay tuned, I have more Review Me giveaways coming and a few really cool book promotions planned before the ball drops.

Happy Reading

WoW: Tempest's Legacy

I may actually have done this for a WoW before, but if I don't get my hands on this books soon, I think I will go insane. If you have not visited the world of Nicole Peeler yet, you need to buckle up and get on, seriously.  This is NOT a YA series, but it will not disappoint fans of some good 'ol urban fantasy.  Nicole, who by the way is one of the coolest authors out there, has created this amazing world that leaves you entranced.  I LOVE IT!

Book three, Tempest's Legacy, comes out in...

10 DAYS

I have already preordered and I am ready to tackle the UPS guy (and not just 'cause he's hot).

After a peaceful hiatus at home in Rockabill, Jane True thinks that her worst problem is that she still throws like a girl – at least while throwing fireballs. Her peace of mind ends, however, when Anyan arrives one night with terrible news . . . news that will rock Jane’s world to its very core.

After demanding to help investigate a series of gruesome attacks on females — supernatural, halfling, and human — Jane quickly finds herself forced to confront her darkest nightmares as well as her deepest desires.

And she’s not sure which she finds more frightening.

If you have not read this series yet, get yourself a gift this year and buy it.  Learn more about Nicole Peeler's books by visiting her website. Short on time? Order a copy here!

Happy Reading.

*WoW was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Break Time!

I made it through another semester of grad school! (throws confetti) Now I can spend some much needed time on my blog.  My plan is too do a few advance posts a day- so I have things ready for next semester.  So I am officially back with some fun planned. 

Is everyone ready for the holiday? I still have some shopping and a ton of wrapping to do.  Mmm, and maybe some cookies to bake. yum. 

See you soon!

WoW: Born At Midnight

Ok, I am not actually waiting on this one, I just finished the arc a few days ago.  I am posting this because the book was great and this should be one for everyone's WoW list. 

Born At Midnight

by, CC Hunter

March 29, 2011

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap lately. Her parents are getting a divorce for who the heck knows why. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't put out. And her grandmother died because . . . well, older people do that. But now, Kylie's acquired a stalker and she hasn't a clue what he wants or how to get rid of him . . . and she really wants to get rid of him because apparently she's the only one who sees him. Thinking she may be losing it, her parents send her off to see a psychologist who gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it's a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

Kylie's surrounded by vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shapeshifters. And if she believes what they tell her, she's one of them. They're just not sure exactly how she fits in. As Kylie struggles to cope with the realization that these creatures even exist, and the fact that she might not be human, she's got two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vying for her attention. And they can just keep vying. Kylie's determined that before she lets her heart loose on love, she needs to unearth the truth. What does the ghost want? Who can and can't she trust? And most of all . . . What is she?

 (summary from author's website)

For more information, visit CC Hunter at her website. 

Here is the book trailer:

Review Me! giveaway (3)

Somehow I ended up with not one, but two copies of ATU in my mailbox.  I have already read it, so I am passing them on to someone else for a review.

To be entered:

1. Must promise (scouts honor please) to review the book.  Reviews can be shared on your blog (if you have one), amazon, barnes and noble, goodreads, ect. 

 You are even welcome to do a guest post here if you like.

2. US only please (due to shipping)

3. One entry per person, ends 12/21

*These are not signed arcs.

Don't forget to enter to win an ARC of Warped by M. Guidord

There will be two winners for ATU. Happy Reading.

Melting Pot Monday

Blue
By, Lou Arnonica
January 11, 2011
The Fiction Studio

Do not begin this novel unless you are prepared to be moved, willing to open your heart, and available to the possibility that life can bring you magic.

Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life.

Becky is Chris’s fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who has overcome enormous challenges to become a vibrant, vital young woman – and now faces her greatest obstacle yet.

Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris invented when Becky was little, a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own and now finds itself in terrible, maybe fatal trouble.

Together, Chris, Becky, and Miea need to uncover a secret. The secret to why their worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them.

Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed. (from jacket cover)

For more information, visit The Fiction Studio website.

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Silver Smoke

by, Monica Leonelle

Spaulding House

November 16, 2010 (goodreads)

February 8, 2011 (Amazon)

A broken family, a deadly secret...

 
Siblings Pilot and Brie van Rossum are exiled to Honolulu after their mother's tragic death thrusts them into the paparazzi circus ring. It is there that Brie meets the Hallows, a superbeing race descended from archangels, who insist that everything Brie knows about her mother is a lie. Meanwhile, Pilot and his best friend Rykken research an ancient feud between two Hawaiian families and try to unlock the secrets of an emerald pendant with extraordinary powers. (summary from author)
 

Learn more about the author, Monica Leonelle at Goodreads.  Silver Smoke is available for preorder at Amazon.  You can also find the author at her website.  I found two covers for this book.  I am not sure which one, if either, is the final cover.  I like the top one best.  How about you?

Review Me! giveaway (2)

Hello there.  I have an ARC of Warped by Maurissa Guibord that could use an extra review.  I loved the story and will be purchasing a finished copy.  Interested?  Leave me a comment below and I will select a lucky reader to receive the ARC. 

Requirements...

1. US only please due to shipping costs

2. Winner MUST agree to review the book (honor system in use).  You do not have to have a blog.  Reviews can be left on Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Amazon, ect.  If you like, you can even guest post here with your review.  The goal is to help spread the word about this amazing story.

3. Ends 12/18

**I am having email issues, so I cannot take email entries this time.  If you do not feel comfortable leaving your email addy, be sure it is in your profile or check back around the 20th. 

 Sorry for any inconvenience. 

Happy Reading!

WoW: Jana Oliver

The Demon Keeper's Daughter (US title)

Forsaken (Demon Trappers #1) (UK title)

by, Jana Oliver
February 2011-US release

January 7, 2011-UK release

Summary from Goodreads

Riley has always wanted to be a Demon Trapper like her father, and she's already following in his footsteps as one of the best. But it's tough being the only girl in an all-guy world, especially when three of those guys start making her life more complicated: Simon, the angelic apprentice who has heaven on his side; Beck, the tough trapper who thinks he's God's gift, and Ori, the strikingly sexy stranger who keeps turning up to save her ass. One thing's for sure - if she doesn't keep her wits about her there'll be hell to pay...

Sounds like a great paranormal tale, plus its going to be a series, big bonus.  For more information, including a preorder link, visit Jana Oliver at her website.

I really like the US cover better.  How about you?

*WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

YA review: Hate List

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.



Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life. (summary from goodreads)

To read chapter one, follow this link.

My thoughts...I have to admit, I did not want to read this book.  After reading the book summary, the content seemed too dark, depression, and scary.  The book found its way into my hands and I reluctantly began reading, expecting heartbreak.  I quickly discovered that while this book is definitely covers some tough subjects, it was one I needed to finish.  Hate List haunted me for weeks after competing it.  It left me with mixed emotions including grief and frustration. 

Hate List is a very powerful story.  It explores the aftermath of a student involved in a school shooting that resulted in the death of a number of students.  The story is told through the point of view of Val, who was the girlfriend of the shooter.  Prior to the shooting, they created a hate list of people who treated them cruelly, or in their opinion, unjustly.  The list reached beyond their classmates.  We walk with Val as she returns to school after months of therapy.  She has to learn to come to terms with the events, as do her classmates.  It was a powerful journey. 

The big emotions this book left me with were fear and frustration. This is a scary situation, one that no matter how much you protect your kids, now matter how safe you think they are at school, the truth is they aren't.  High School kids can be cruel and there is no telling what that sort of cruelty can cause people to do.   It is frustrating that we can't control this.  It is frustrating that this sort of thing happens.  As for the book I have to ask myself...Would I want my kids to read a story like this?  Would this story be a good selection for a class library?  My answer is yes.  Bringing awareness to issues like this may be a good way to prevent it. Will it stop the ridiculing and abuse that occurs between students, no. However, it may make people think twice and consider the repercussions of their actions.

In regards to the story, it is very well written and interesting.  It will make you cry and believe that sometimes good things can come from the darkness.

Overall, I recommend this book, especially for discussion.  One question could be the guilt of Val.  Was she guilty?  Did she get off easy?  Making a hate list is definitely not a good outlet for the frustrations they were feeling, but what would be another way to deal with this.  Anyone who has ever been at the receiving end of ridicule can attest to the way it makes you feel.  This story definitely provides a good starting point for discussion. 

For more information about Hate List or the author Jennifer Brown, visit her website. 

YA review: Adversary

The second book of the Ganzfield series. Things are more dangerous than they seem at Ganzfield, and not everyone will survive. Does Maddie have what it takes? See what happens next in the sequel to Minder.

Read an excerpt of Adversary by following this link to Kate Kaynak's website.

My thoughts...Book two in the Ganzfield series, Adversary, picks up where Minder left off.  This second installment takes readers deeper into Kate Kaynak's world and shows readers the darker side of her writing. 

Without giving away any significant events, I will say parts of the book were hard to read.  Not that the writing was less than perfect, but the characters deal with some very trying situations.  The heroine Maddie really steps up to the plate and takes her place as the leader of her group.  She not only proves her strength, but she shows she has the determination, dedication, and spine to protect those around her. 

Some of my favorite characters from Minder were still around and Kate also introduces a few new ones.  While I can't say if I truly trusted these new people, they definitely made the story more interesting.  Another pro for me was the relationship between Maddie and Trevor.  Their relationship seemed toned down a bit; less over-the-top.  It seems to have developed into something more mature and stable. 

Adversary left plenty of room for the story to continue, as there are still several questions left unanswered.  I am curious about the credibility of several of the characters and I am hoping Maddie and Trevor get their happy ending. 

For more information, visit Kate Kayak at her website or the official Ganzfield site.  Book three, titled Legacy, will be out in late January, 2011. 

Mail a Hero

I wanted to take a moment to honor the men and women who are overseas this holiday.  My own hero, my Dad, is serving our country and won't be home for Christmas this year.  We are so proud of him and can't wait for his safe return. 

When making your Christmas card list this year, send one to this address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

PO Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD

20791-5456

You holiday wishes will be passed on to a soldier this season.

If  everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these ...wonderful, brave & special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

Happy Holidays.

Melting Pot Monday

Extinction—The Ultimate Holocaust: The Plan to Exterminate Humanity

by, Dan Ailey
September 2009

This novel is about a small group of fabulously wealthy people who are concerned that the uncontrolled explosion of the world’s population and the excesses of modern civilization will soon put all life on earth at risk. Concluding that humans are incapable of living in balance with nature, they decide that humanity itself must be eliminated to protect life on earth. They create a new organization, with the stated goal of restoring the rich diversity of life that flourished soon after the end of the last ice age. It’s true purpose is to use sophisticated intelligent robots to engineer the eventual extinction of the human species! Fortunately, the experts who provide the ingenious software needed to run these machines soon learn of their nefarious plan. They become the protagonists in our story and, with dogged persistence against incredible odds, reveal the true intentions of this evil organization and contribute to its collapse. (summary from Amazon)

Follow this link to order your copy from Amazon.

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The Cries Of Vampira:

(The Horror Of Gaad Grey, The Evil Alpha Werewolf )

by, Sean H. Robertson

November 2, 2010

When YOU add this book to your To-Read shelf today, YOU'LL be helping to SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES in 2011 through my donations to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, part of my global suicide prevention movement. You'll enjoy the NEW & MOST ORIGINAL Vampire series at the same time, which is now on 223 To-Read shelves worldwide since 11-8-10!

Princess Kristin, Princess Kylie and Prince Kolbe Robertson are Triplet Teen Assassin Vampires. Their royal family, the Robertson Clan, occupied the throne of Scotland during the 11th and 12th centuries. Their peaceful homeland of Vampira is under daily attack from the evil Alpha Werewolf Gaad Grey and his horde of Grey Wolves, who seek to decimate the Vampire species and enslave humanity as well. (summary from goodreads)

Follow this link to goodreads to find out more about the author and for puchase links. 

The League of Extraordinary Writers

The League of Extraordinary Writers is hosting an extraordinary contest this week.  The grand prize consists of Pre-Ordered Copies of all Five of their Books:

XVI

Across the Universe

Memento Nora

Possession

The Eleventh Plague

Plus, they are giving away daily prizes, like this Across the Universe swag pack...

To enter, visit The League of Extraordinary Writers!

Across The Universe (trailer)

I feel as though I have been living across the universe, buried in a mountain of homework. The semester is slowly rolling to a close and soon I will be around more.  I have a pile of emails to respond to, so I apologize if you are waiting for my response, I shall be in touch soon. 

I am so excited to read Across The Universe by Beth Revis.  Visit her at her website for more information.  Have you seen the trailer? 

Check it out...

That's it for now, see you soon!