Reading is good . Pictures, Images and Photos

Monday, November 23, 2009

In My Mailbox (21)

Unfortunately i got zero books this week and i owe a tremendous amount to my library! :( Im telling you life is pretty crazy for me right now!! lol

Photobucket

Writers Wednesday!

Again, sorry for the huge delay!!

This next tid bit is a pivitol point in the story. Roman rescues Demi from her idiot boyfriend and really, its the first time Demi realizes she needs him.


Chapter 6

Roman Belle

The overwhelming need to protect her pulled me towards the door. Everyone was staring at me now, urging me to go outside and see what was going on. The suspense was slowly starting to eat away at the entire group. Why should I care what happens to her though? All night she’s been giving me the cold shoulder, not even giving me a smile or one friendly glance. Aside from the conversation we had today, nothing’s changed. Yet, I can’t escape this nagging feeling of anger and the need to check up on her. I needed to do something because there’s nothing more I want right now then her safety, for her to be here in my arms. I pushed the chair in quickly and nearly sprinted to the door.

At the entrance, I closed my eyes in anticipation for what I was about to see and stepped outside slowly. The scene was gruesome and I’ve never before felt so mad, so intently furious as I did at that moment. Demi sat cowering in a ball on the concrete floor with a bloody nose; her hands covering her head in an effort to stop Jacob’s next blow. While I made this observation Jake turned my way and walked up to me slowly, I flinched at the strong and sickening smell of alcohol on his breath. He must have been swimming in it with how bad he smelt.

“You out here to play the hero?” He slurred and smiled.
“What the hell are you doing?!” I yelled at him as I shoved him out of my way and picked up Demi slowly. Her body was fragile and weak, with all the blood pouring from her nose and I quickly unbuttoned my shirt and pressed it against her face.

“No Roman!” She cried softly, trying meekly to protest. Jacob wobbled and made his way to me feebly trying to shove me as I shrugged him off and led Demi to my car.

“So you’re going with him then?!” He shouted furiously. “Go with him then you dumb slut!” He screamed over and over again. I looked down at Demi and could tell this hit her especially hard. Her low cries turned into loud sobs. Jake was long gone by the time we got to my car, having given up tormenting her for the rest of the night. I sighed heavily as I set Demi in the passenger seat and she slumped limply into place.

“Don’t take me home.” She cried.

“I won’t.” I assured her.



The next morning Demi wakes up and immedietly regrets giving in to Roman. However, Roman tries to convince Demi that she really does love him and just as Demi is about to change her mind, his brother walks in with some startling and conflicting news. Ahhh! I love this part! It's sad/funnyand heart wrenching!

Chapter 7

Demi Rowe

The morning was frosty cold. I could feel a slight breeze and I hugged myself tighter in the blankets. What’s this though? Cold foreign arms wrapped my naked body?! I froze stiff until I heard his voice,

“Good morning Love.” Roman purred.

“Umm good morning.” I replied shaky and unsure. This had to be the epitome of embarrassing, I launched myself up and scrambled for my clothes. My body ached and throbbed in places they never did before. Oh my God! Did I just have sex with Roman Belle?! I paused for about three seconds after I finished getting dressed, Roman was laying on the bed with his brow furrowed, baffled and confused.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

“Leaving.” I replied lifelessly.

“You can’t tell me you regret what happened last night?” He asked astonished.

“Yeah actually I can! Roman, you seduced me while I was hurt and vulnerable. Do you really think I was in the right state of mind at the time? Because I wasn’t! God, this is so totally wrong! I feel sick!” I grabbed my stomach feeling the dinner from last night resurfacing. I looked at Roman who was now clothed and pacing the length of the room nervously.

“You’re not pregnant are you?!” He asked panicked.

“God no!” I screeched, offended. Just then Joey walked in abruptly and gasped, he stared wide eyed for a long while and then let out a howl of laughter. He grabbed his stomach and tears rolled down his face.

“Did you… I can’t believe you...oh my...Alex!” He called for his brother who appeared at the door quickly and began chuckling at the scene. I covered my now crimson face and shivered in embarrassment. Joey reached to high five Roman who pushed his hand away roughly.

“Get out Joey!” He yelled ferociously. I looked up at his also red face and realized it was because of anger not humiliation. Joey and Alex backed away still laughing and closed the door.
“Demi I love you.” Roman whispered looking down at the floor now upset. I felt a tinge of guilt and my own brand of sadness tug at my heart strings.

“Im sorry Roman, I just don’t see you like that! I don’t know what came over me last night but that wasn’t truly me…” He walked up to me and interrupted my speech mid sentence by cupping my face in his hands and kissing me fervently.

“You love me…I know you do. Just please tell me you love me.” He said softly while resting his head against mine. I looked up at him feeling the same fire I felt last night before I stupidly attacked him. Did I really love him? Or was I just unwillingly stuck in this messed up situation? I knew the truth but achingly deprived myself of it. Just before I was about to give in Joey burst through the door unexpectedly. He looked away from our embrace and talked to the ground while holding out a phone.

“Demi it’s for you, its Evie.” I jumped towards him and grabbed the phone in a rush.

“E? Come pick me up!”

“Dems? There’s been an accident! Jacobs in the hospital, he’s really hurt!” My mouth dropped and the room started to spin. Just a minute ago I was about to confess my love for Roman Belle, now I’m faced with the haunting memory of Jacob Lewis. I felt the old quiver of worry I got when people called about him and questioned my thoughts completely. I couldn’t love Roman, at least not fully; I was still in love with Jacob. After everything he’s done to me I continue to stupidly love the wrong guy. What’s my problem?





Photobucket

Want It Wednesday!

Very late!!! I apologize but i am a senior and life is getting a bit hectic right now!!! lol




Spells
by Aprilynne Pike

Plot
Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.


When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?







Mistwood
by Leah Cypress

Plot
Everyone tells Isabel that she is the Shifter – the ancient shape-shifting creature who has protected the kings of Samorna for centuries. They need her to be the Shifter. Prince Rokan risked everything when he rode into the Mistwood to summon her to his side; Ven, the magician's apprentice, has devoted his life to studying her legend; and even Princess Clarisse, who fears and hates her, depends on Isabel's powers to further her own plans.


But Isabel doesn't feel like the Shifter. She feels like a lonely human girl, beset by flashes of memory that do more to confuse than to help her. If she is the Shifter, why can't she change her shape? Why doesn't she remember what made her flee the castle so many years ago? As she is drawn deeper into a web of magic and assassination, Isabel will have no choice but to look for answers. But her search will lead her to the one question the Shifter hasn't faced in a thousand years: where does she come from, and what does she really want?


Photobucket

Monday, November 16, 2009

Review: The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones


The Tear Collector
By Patrick Jones
Published: September 2009
Pages: 272
Provided By: The Author
Characters: 12/20
Plot: 20/20
Cover: 15/20
End: 20/20
Writing: 10/20
Overall: 72/100
Song Cry: Tears Don't Fall by Bullet For My Valentine

Synopsis
Fans of urban fantasy should prepare for a new kind of vampire–one that feeds off of tears instead of blood. Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears, Cassandra Gray depends on human sorrow to live. Only Cass has grown tired of living this life and wants to live like a human, especially now that she's met someone worth fighting for.

Review
This new kind of vampire novel was strikingly original but a little neglected writing wise. I really wish Patrick Jones had gone deeper into the whole history of these "tear stealing" vampires! I was begging for more! I could thoroughly picture Cassandra too, she seemed like the badass type, the kind of girl who was really cold on the outside but soft and melty on the inside! Her character was very well thought out and interesting-not just your run of the mill vampire slash human wanna-be!

Scott though, i must say, kind of sucked. He was overly religous (which isn't a bad thing but im talking like that lady from the movie "The Mist" over-religous) and he was kind of boring. Like really boring, and he didn't sound hot what-so-ever. Another thing that really ticked me off, but maybe it was just me, was that some parts seemed really irrelevent to the story and i had no clue why it was in there! I need answers! lol

The villain of the novel Alexei was rather unknown for most of the book. There were a few hints here and there but it wasn't until about 3/4 of the way that we actually "met" him. He was very alluring and extremely annoying. Poor Cassandra couldn't get a break with that guy, it was all about "family duty" and the "good of our kind."

The ending really confused me but the last, like, two sentences made me want to know more. Though the novel was highly original, it only got a 75 because there were some parts that just straight up confused me. I would definitly give it a shot though and i honestly can't wait for any sequels that come out! Maybe it'll go into more detail and explain some of the confusion from the first book! I say try it!

Photobucket

Sunday, November 15, 2009

In My Mailbox (20)


The Silenced
by James DeVita

Plot
In a world filled with sanctions and restrictions, Marena struggles to remember the past: a time before the Zero Tolerance Party murdered her mother and put her father under house arrest. A time before they installed listening devices in every home and forbade citizens to read or write. A time when she was free. In the spirit of her revolutionary mother, Marena forms her own resistance group—the White Rose.


(This is actually an old ARC that i found at the Goodwill! What luck? And some random girl next to me said- "OMG that is such a good book!")





Beautiful
by Amy Reed

Plot
When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie's chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who's worth noticing.


Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined...one moment, one choice, will change everything.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life?but she can't sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.

Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now.

(I got 2(!) of these in the mail soooo i wil probably either a) give one away on my blog or b) use it for The Neverending Shelf's Secret Santa Book Swap!)


A Match Made in High School
by Kristin Walker

Plot
When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can't get any worse. That's until she marries her "husband": jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona's long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very dorky, very big Johnny Mercer.







Magic Under Glass
by Jaclyn Dolamore

Plot
Nimira is a foreign music-hall girl forced to dance for mere pennies. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing with a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new and better life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets are beginning to stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumors swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry's involvement with a league of sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. Then Nimira discovers the spirit of a fairy gentleman named Erris is trapped inside the clockwork automaton, waiting for someone to break his curse. The two fall into a love that seems hopeless, and breaking the curse becomes a race against time, as not just their love, but the fate of the entire magical world may be in peril.




The Mark
by Jen Nadol

Plot
Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.


Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?




Dirty Little Secrets
by C.J. Omololu

Plot
Everyone has a secret. But Lucy’s is bigger and dirtier than most. It’s one she’s been hiding for years—that her mom’s out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. She’s managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they’d be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable—and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right.With details that are as fascinating as they are disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy’s desperate attempt at normalcy. Her fear and isolation are palpable as readers are pulled down a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen’s life will have readers completely hooked.





Monstrumologist
by Rick Yancey

Plot
These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed.



But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets.


The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a grueso me find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.



Photobucket

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Want It Wednesdays:D



The Monstrumologist
by Rick Yancey

Plot
These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed.

But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets.
The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a grueso me find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

(this is actually really weird because i just got this book from the delivery dude like a second ago! fate?)




The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June
by Robin Benway

Plot
Three sisters share a magical, unshakeable bond in this witty high-concept novel from the critically acclaimed author of Audrey, Wait! Around the time of their parents’ divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose?


April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone’s but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they’ll always have each other.

Photobucket

Writers Wednesday!

I got this idea from Just Your Typical Book Blog and you can read their first post here.

For the next 2 weeks of NanoWriMo im going to post little clips of my novel- This Is Where You Are. It's more of a Sarah Dessen type of novel but I love it! I've been moving so fast with it, i'm over half way done! I even made a little cover for it!



(You Like?)

Here's a little summary-

The last thing Demi Rowe wants to do is fall in love with Roman Belle- rich, over-the-top and too flashy for the small town of Bones in which they live in. But after a series of unfortunate and heartbreaking events, Demi finds out that Roman is more then big houses and a Doctor's son. Through love, unexpected circumstances and unbearable tragedy, Demi learns what it takes to fall in love and the importance of family.

Roman Belle has been in love with Demi Rowe since he first laid eyes on her freshman year but his wealth and her abusive boyfriend keep them apart. After saving Demi from a potentially life threatening situation and showing her who he really is, not just the rich boy with a nice car, she learns to love him. Roman couldn't be happier and through everything they experience after that one fateful night they fall in love and take life in stride.

Does it sound a little cheesy? Well guess what! I dont care:) dont make fun! lol It's from two points of views, Roman's and Demi's, in case you're wondering why there two parts to the summary.

Here's my first snippet. Its actually the first paragraph in which i am deeply unconditionally in love with!

Chapter 1

Demi Rowe

He was sitting behind me on the first day of school, just sitting there like a stone statue staring at my back. I felt his eyes burning into me but tried not to grow irritated, I sighed heavily and kept my eyes on the whiteboard in front of me. Roman Belle-Did he know how stalker like he was? Or did he get a kick out of making me so uncomfortable? After a terribly long forty five minutes of this, the bell finally rang. I got up in a rush but my books fell unmercifully to my feet.

“Let me get those for you.” He whispered attentively.

“I got them.” I spat back, more then enough venom in my voice. His eyes widened and he bowed his head apologetically. Really, I didn’t even know why I hated him so damn much; it must be something about his fancy cars and designer clothes that rubbed me the wrong way. He lives in Bones, Michigan for Pete’s sake! There’s no one to impress here in this small town, no one except for me that is.


And here's another little piece from Roman:) He is the nice guy who always finishes last and i am currently in love with him!

Roman Belle

It’s not like I needed to give Demi more reasons to hate me…especially ratting out her abusive boyfriend. Sending him to jail would be about the millionth and two reason why she loathed every fiber of my being.

The funny thing is I don’t exactly know what the first million and one reasons are but ever since I can remember she has absolutely despised me. Yet, I still try to impress her every chance I get; I always wear the best clothes, drive in the fanciest cars, I even played match maker with my brothers and her sisters. What else can a man do to make a girl fall in love? I try to be polite and be more out going, even go to the stupid Christmas parties her dad hosts! I’d probably jump off a bridge for her…maybe that’s exactly what she wants me to do- jump off a bridge. Ever since my adoptive brothers and I moved to Bones freshman year, I always had an eye for her, not even noticing anyone else.

That didn’t seem to matter to her though, she avoided me like leprosy. The harder I fell, the less subtle she was about hating me. No matter how hard I try I just can’t get her to see my way, and it’s even worse now that Jacob’s here. They started going out last year and she looked almost relieved to have someone to protect her from me. The thing is, his protecting went way too far and anyone who paid close enough attention to her could see that that was no ordinary relationship. It didn’t take Autumn telling me to know something was up.


So what do you think? :)  You can visit my profile/add me as a buddy/ read another excerpt on the website here!


Photobucket

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Winner of the Hate List Giveaway!





I know i've been totally sucky at posting stuff lately but i promise i am getting back on track! Recently i had a giveaway for a signed copy of Hate List by Jennifer Brown, graciously sponsored by the author herself! The winner of the contest, whom i already emailed and got a reply from is...


Congragulations and thanks for entering my contest! Also, a big thanks to everyone who participated and didn't win! I appreciate your great opinions about banned books and their atrociousness! Look out for a new giveaway coming soon!


Photobucket

Review: The Everafter by Amy Huntley


The Everafter

By Amy Huntley
Published: September 2009
Pages: 256
Provided By: Publisher- Balzer + Bray of HarperCollins
Characters: 10/20
Plot: 15/20
Cover: 20/20
End: 15/20
Writing: 10/20
Overall: 70/100
Song Cry: “Love and Some Versus” by Iron and Wine and “So Small” by Carrie Underwood



Synopsis
Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this - she is dead. And alone in a vast, dark space. The only company Maddy has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things she lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that, with these artifacts, she can reexperience - and even change - moments from her life.
Her first kiss.
A trip to Disney World.
Her sister's wedding.
A disastrous sleepover.
In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and frightening truths about her life - and death.

Review
I love books about the after life and that explore the theories of where you go after you die. The Everafter definitely delivered the same thought provoking circumstances and interesting topics that come with these great novels! It consisted of “diary entry” like chapters where the main character Madison looks back on her life using things she lost while she was alive. I never encountered such a concept when dealing with death but it was a really, awesomely interesting way to go. It really got the gears turning in my head and had me thinking about all the things I lost over the span of my life.

This whole book was one big mystery. You never knew what was happening or how Maddy got there. I liked the unknown element of it and it surprised me in many ways. By the time this book ended I was biting my nails ferociously, anxious about what was going to happen next and believe me you would’ve never suspected the ending! I cried a little at the end too (I’m such a loser!) because it was just a very heartbreaking but very good ending that gave you just a super great feeling inside! Read The Everafter! You won’t regret it!



Photobucket

Secret Santa Holiday Swap!



Kate over at The Neverending Shelf is hosting this awesome Secret Santa that i think everyone should participate in! It's open internationally where UK swappers will be paired with other UK swappers and Canadians with Canadians, etc. Sign-up ends November 15th so hurry up and register here! I have a ton of ARC's and other great books that i wouldn't mind parting with and i think its fun to interract with other book bloggers and join in the holiday fun so i'm really excited for the gift giving to begin!


Photobucket

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Review: The Pace by Shelena Shorts


The Pace
By Shelena Shorts
Published: August 2009
Pages: 316
Provided By: Author
Characters: 10/20
Plot: 15/20
Cover: 5/20
End: 5/20
Writing: 10/20
Overall: 45/100*
Song Cry: "Keep Me Warm" by Ida Maria and "From Yesterday" by 30 Seconds To Mars

Synopsis
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.

Review
I didn’t hear a lot about this book before I read it so I was a bit apprehensive (but excited also) to read it. For some crazy reason, The Pace took me longer to read then I expected. I constantly needed to read things over to really comprehend what the book was saying. I’m no doctor so gator blood, hemophiliacs and blood transfusions were way over my head. This didn’t prevent me from enjoying the book though. If you love books that feature characters that are reincarnated in different time periods, I think you’ll really love The Pace.

Sophie was definitely an interesting character, but I found her a little tiny bit ordinary. She was the all around girl next door, if the girl next door was an extreme introvert! Really though she was highly identifiable and really relatable. Weston was absolutely charming. He seemed to grab your attention from the get go and really captured my sympathy. I loved his story including the way he became what he is and Sophie’s role in all of that.

The whole plot was amazing! I found it was really original and enthralled me completely. I think Shelena Shorts is an author that everyone should give a chance and I am eagerly awaiting the next novel in this series!


*As a side note, i'd just like to say that the new rating system is not perfected and i'm just trying it out for right now. I wouldn't take the "overall score" to seriously right now and instead look at the individual ratings instead!


Photobucket

Want It Wednesday:)

So i am officially back and in action and i have a couple of awesome reviews coming up...not to mention some very awesome giveaways! Wooohoo! These are some of the books i am dying to have!




Linger
by Maggie Stiefvater

So there's no "official" synopsis for this yet but Maggie did release the first chapter recently! SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read Shiver yet, do not read this next paragraph!

• grace •


This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one.
Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. His was the disease we couldn’t cure. His was the good-bye that meant the most. He had the body that was a mystery, too strange and wonderful and terrifying to comprehend.
But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies. Sam stays Sam, and Cole stays Cole, and it’s only me who’s not firmly in my own skin.





Claire De Lune
by Christine Johnson

Plot
A teenager learns that she is a werewolf, descended from a long line of female werewolves, and must balance her human and werewolf lives, while tracking down the rogue werewolf preying upon the people of her town.




Photobucket
Related Posts with Thumbnails