Release Day: 'Untraceable' by S.R. Johannes

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies her whole life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. But when Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. When a Cheetos bag and stolen government file materialize, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

Then one day while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent, that’s definitely not from her neck of the woods, and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged Wyn.

Now with renewed confidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kickass heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.

Release Date: November 29th 2011
Publisher: Coleman & Stott
Genre: YA Thriller / Adventure / Action
Format(s): Paperback & eBook
Where to Find It: Goodreads | Amazon

"Grace is a spunky, independent, nature girl who doesn't need a boy to save her. With wilderness survival, a juicy love triangle, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this fast-paced novel had me holding my breath until the very last page—and still begging for more!" - Kimberly Derting, author of the The Body Finder

"This thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance. The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page." - Kirkus Reviews

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Tune in Tuesday (#9)

A weekly meme by Ginger of GReads! In the meme I'll talk about music and showcase it here each week. And this week I'll be talking about cover songs from a very well know show . . . I think some people call it: GLEE!

I don't know what it is about this show, but they have done some amazing covers to some VERY well songs and some that people might not know unless they attend broadway plays, or just see plays in general. But there have been some awesome covers this season! So many fun songs and many that are very emotional too. I know a lot of people said the show was getting darker in tone, but it's really helped developed the characters into something more, which makes it a very amazing show to watch now.

Anyway, back to the music... the ones I'm listing below are some of the coolest they have done so far for their third season.

And then the rest of the videos are from episodes that aired during the first two seasons.

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Sneak Peak: Spring 2012 Penguin YA Books!

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IMM (#11)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or you got them for free from a contest or the library.

Let's see what I've received in my mailbox this week . . .

1. Hourglass by Myra McEntire2. Soul Screamers: Vol. 1 by Rachel Vincent

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Free eBooks (#6)

"Luke and his twin sister Sera have unusual abilities. Hers is a gift--she can heal with a touch of her hand. His is a curse--he can see the future but he can’t do anything about it. On a hike up the mountain, Luke has a vision unlike any other--one that leaves him terrified. Knowing that it will come true--and that he must do everything in his power to stop it--leaves his own future uncertain." - Smashwords

"Lucinda Dent never planned to call demons. She saw what the addiction did to her mother. But when she needs money to save her home, who can blame her for using the only talent she has? Now Demons are loose in Caldera High and Lucinda may lose everything--her home, her new love and her soul. This novel contains swear words and sexual situations." - Smashwords

*Make sure to use this promo code before you check out to get "Demon High" for free: DP73R (it expires: December 31, 2011)

"When a Taker steals her best friend's soul, Evee refuses to let Jaeger become just another Void. After an accident gives her a concussion, she starts hearing voices in her head--well, one voice, loud and clear and belonging to Jaeger's little sister. And Mercy has a plan to get his soul back once and for all...as long as they can outwit the Taker hunting them first." - Smashwords

"Natalie Winters is unhappy about moving in the middle of a school year, until she meets Anali and Chloe and finds they’re as interested in magic as she is. Each girl has an affinity for one of the elements and can draw on the incredible power present in nature. But soon the friends are plunged into deeper magical waters, facing a djinn that’s not as obedient as the genies in fairytales." - Smashwords

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Book Review: 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

"Harper Lee's classic novel of a lawyer in the Deep South defending a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has earned many distinctions since its original publication in 1960. It won the Pulitzer Prize, has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than thirty million copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously popular movie. Most recently, librarians across the country gave the book the highest of honors by voting it the best novel of the twentieth century." - Goodreads

Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Publisher: Warner Books
Original Publication: July 11, 1960
Edition: December 1st 1982 (Version)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 284
Age Group: Middle Grade/Young Adult
Genre: Fiction
Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤
Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | The Book Depository

Not only did I have to read this book in high school (way back in 2002 during my sophomore year), but since then I sometimes goes back to it to read certain parts once in a blue moon. Even if that means just hitting up the CliffNotes version, I still go back to this book. I even own the movie on DVD and have seen my own cousins perform this play at her high school about 4 1/2 years ago.

This book may not be for everyone. One reason is because of the pace. I don't mind a book that goes slow as long as the writing is modernized a little and the plot makes some kind of sense by the end of the story. Oh and as long as there is no greek tragedy sequence that makes me want to poke my own eyes out and ring my own brain through some bleach to get the images out of my head (MacBeth! YIKES! lol) than I'm willing to read some of the classics.

Beyond the main theme of acceptance, the book was written in a time when racial segregation was still happening in the deep south. Black people couldn't use anything a white person used in public and so many other horrible things Jim Crowe Law's did to any black person was a horrible reminded of our nation. But this book makes you believe in justice and the heart of the story that comes to fruition from some of the characters.

All in all, this book is a treasured piece in my library. My own children someday will be reading this book. I'm hoping before they get to high school so that they can have a better understanding of life in general and learn to accept everyone for who they are and not what they are... which is the message of the story as well.

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YA Love Stories: Too Good To Be True?

Don't get me wrong, I love them, but ever wonder what some of them would be like in real life with or without the "magic' elements?

For myself, I don't have to too much. I've actually have dated a 'Jace Wayland' or an 'Adam Kent'. I've even dated my version of an 'Edward Cullen' (minus the vampire nature). Those tall, handsome guys who brood, are romantic, even make your heart do the jump, jive, and wail lol but may actually be a complete contradiction to what the book may make those type of guys up to be verse what is found in real life.

And it had me thinking, some of these guys in real life wouldn't be all that great, minus being nice on the eyes. They would actually be those overly confident cocky guys who gets one too many girls or the guy who hangs out with the VERY wrong crowd or was popular in high school because of a sports team or something along those lines who feels entitled to anything and everything. This is due to the way the boys are physically described that have lined up with real world guys that don't add up.

The sad part is and I hate bursting the bubble, but guys like 'Edward' or anyone similar in real life is considered very dangerous. I think the appeal of the brooding bad boy is an infamous thing (i.e. - Angel or 'Spike' from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is a big example).  We crave that kind of guy who can make us live on the edge, but in real life some of those type of guys are the ones that you hear the horror stories about all the time. The cautionary tale if you may.

I guess this is more of a warning post to any younger readers that dream too much of a book version of the guy in the story. I say look for the good parts of these type of guys, because some of the qualities are good. But always keep a checklist of the "red flags" of those dangerous parts in the back of your mind.

Guess in reality, I'll still enjoy the books, who wouldn't? But I always try to keep myself aware that what may be in the books could be a false sense of reality with guys like that in real life. Than again it's always good to dream anyway...

So what are your thoughts on fantasy vs. reality from YA love stories:

Do you think some writers go too overboard and build up this character that is too out of reach?

Do you think some don't do certain characters justice?

Or should there be a more realistic version of the characters like real life?

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Book Review: 'Eclipse'

Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devour Eclipse, the much anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob —- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which? - Goodreads

Title: Eclipse
Series: The Twilight Saga
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: August 7th, 2007
Format: Hardcover (1st Edition)
Pages: 629
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Sub-Genre: Romance
Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤
Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

This was one of the books I favored more. Mostly because of how the characters conversed with one another. I was disappointed, yet again, with how they sort of missed that depth in the movie. I do remember Robert Pattinson saying how in the first movie they made him wear contacts, so he couldn't really use his eyes to convey the emotions like he does in most of his movies (i.e. - Harry Potter). And that is something I see in every movie. A good actor knows their eyes say a lot too... that's why I was so disappointed with each movie.

Anyway, enough about the movie... let's talk about the book instead. I originally read this book in 2007/2008 time frame. I do remember a friend of mine joking on line saying: "So what would you do if I bought you the 'Edward' poster?" "I'd give it to someone else. He's not a bad looking guy, just not my type", lol I couldn't help it, plus I also visualized when reading the series, just like Meyer's herself, Henry Cavill as Edward. (Side Note: Speaking of which, been watching that man's career since 2003! So glad he is finally moving up in the world of acting! YAY! lol... no back to your regular book blogging program...)

As I mentioned, the dialogue, is one of the big reasons I enjoyed the book so much. This time around Meyer's went deeper into the complexity of the love triangle and made the characters feel what they really truly feel. She made them put it out into the open, especially the conversations that Jacob and Edward have while Bella is asleep in the tent.

Another point of interest was the banter between Bella and her father Charlie. It was quit funny and I felt they got that right in the movie. So I'm pleased with that part beging translated from book to screen.

This book packed a lot of action sequence that I think makes up for all that romance aspect Meyer's crammed into the first two books. I respect her for trying to balance that out, because some authors over time don't try to make a series well rounded; just stick to the same old themes and moods for the story.

Anyway, overall to wrap it up, the book is worth a read at least once. I know so many guys that groan because it's too romantic, but I found the third book to have the element, but also action, blood, and some guts thrown in. It's the one book I believe guys won't roll their eyes at when their girlfriends swoon over the characters lol

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Tune in Tuesday: Soundtrack Edition (#8)

A weekly meme by Ginger of GReads! In the meme I'll talk about music and showcase it here each week. And this week I'll be talking about the music on the new television show, "Hart of Dixie".

I started watching the show about two months after it began, but I can say that it's a pretty good show so far. I'm loving Rachel Bilson's character Zooey Hart, who is this born and bread NYC girl, that went to Med School to become a cardiovasic surgeon (i.e. - a heart surgeon, think Christina from Grey's, but who has a heart and cares about people). Basically in a nutshell, things get interesting when she leaves it all behind and moves to small town Blue Bell, Alabama.

Anyway here is some awesome songs that have been featured on the show so far...

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IMM (#10)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or you got them for free from a contest or the library.

Let's see what was in my mailbox from Monday through Saturday this past week . . .

This is my first video for In My Mailbox! (I apologize about the lightening in the video. If the video does well, I'll try something new and get a better light and background imaging for next weekend! Also will be trying a different recording program as well).
1. Marked by P.C. & Kristin Cast (Amazon | Goodreads)2. Chosen by P.C. & Kristin Cast (Amazon | Goodreads)3. Betrayed by P.C. & Kristin Cast (Amazon | Goodreads)

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Follow Friday (#3): Dear Santa...

Follow Me Friday is a fun book meme hosted by the fabulous Parajunkee & Allison Can Read. Each week a new question is asked and it's a lot of fun! And this week's edition is a little fun... let's check it out!

Q: Letter to Santa: Tell Santa what books you want for Christmas!!!

• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• Crossed by Ally Condie
• Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
• Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
• Delirium by Lauren Oliver
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
• Wildefire by Karsten Knight
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• The Walking Dead, Vol. 5 & 6 by Robert Kirkman

All books I've been dying to read because everyone keeps on talking about them to the point that I can't stop thinking about the books. Plus three on the list are sequels I've been wanting to read! I would list the "Shatter Me" sequel but that's not out yet... a girl can dream!

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Book Review: 'Shatter Me' by Tahereh Mafi

"Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior." - Goodreads

Title: Shatter Me (#1)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: November 15th, 2011
Format: Paperback (Advance Readers Copy)
Pages: 342
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Sub-Genre(s): Paranormal/Sci-Fi
Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤
Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | The Book Depository

So this story is A-MAZ-ING! Before I dive into that let me do a short quick recap of the story....

It starts off with a young woman named Juliette who has been locked in a room for almost a full year. She gets one small window, a four walls, and one of those walls is her door with air holes. It's gray and dreary. No animals outside, no birds flying in the sky, and the grass doesn't really have that color anymore. The Reestablishment treats her and everyone else like property in this world. It's a really sad life to live in. But then Juliette's life gets thrown upside down, she experience things she hasn't in all her life, and she finally learns the truth about herself and the Reestablishment's true motivation for the world.

This story captivated me. It was like a beautifully choreographed dance on a broadway stage, watching that final number that has fireworks going off in the background while everyone is in dazzling sparkling outfits. You couldn't look away and had to watch it till the last note was sung. I was exhausted last night, couldn't sleep and finished the last few chapters of the book. I don't regret it one bit!

I'm in awe of her connection with the character Adam. I can't tell you too much, but they both have a profound effect on one another from the moment they met. He makes her come alive and she softens him to a human form of existence inside again.

The magic of how evil the Reestablishment is truly makes me think of how reckless power can be in any hands with the wrong ideas. It felt like a communist regin in charge of the people. Their way or the highway type of thinking. They shoot down people if they don't fall in like to their way of thinking. Kind of sick, don't you think? Makes me glad to live in the world that I do live in. But it was so intense to be reading it and live in Juliette's shoes for the story. I loved every moment of it!

Then the best parts were the moments that felt like poetry. Some of the most amazing words, lines, paragraphs I've ever read in all my years of living! Here is a short sample from the book:

❝ I only know now that the scientists are wrong. The world is flat. I know because I was tossed right off the edge and I've been trying to hold on for seventeen years. I've been trying to climb back up for seventeen years but it's nearly impossible to beat gravity when no one is willing to give you a hand. ❞

Mafi wrote Juliette in such a way, it made me wish I could write as beautifully as she does. Even if it's for a moment, because it was so woven perfectly with the story, the tone, mood, even the setting; the words she used made me feel alive more with each chapter. I'm so thankful for writers like her. They reinvigorate the sense of reading a book and make you ache for the next installment of the series.

Oh this book... I would recommend it to everyone, more so women because of the romance aspect dripping in through out the book. But it's beautifully done the romance, so no complaints there hehe.

Anyway, the book just literally came out yesterday, so if you've gotten a copy, you won't be sorry. If you have yet to receive on in the mail don't worry, it's worth the wait. And if you haven't bought one yet? Well depending on if your pockets are tight right now, but in the long run it's a great investment.

This is one of those books, if I could, I would throw down 10 hearts for the love of this book! © 2011

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Tune in Tuesday (#7)

A weekly meme by Ginger of GReads! In the meme I'll talk about music and showcase it here each week.

And this week I'll be talking about a band named 'SafetySuit'. Let's start from the beginning… The first time I heard of SafetySuit was 2008. iTunes had done a promotional single of the song "What If" on the application main page and I had downloaded the free song, never really thinking about it, but I did listen to it and it was good. I didn't forget it, but it did "move" me in a way that I know a band will be the next big thing kind of feeling...

Later on towards the fall of 2009, I was searching Youtube for fanvids of some of my favorite couples of movies and tv shows. Some had done an Alice/Hatter video and had a song by this band. I never heard of the band before that day.

From there I fell in love with the song, 'Anywhere But Here', it was amazing! I had to see other versions of this couple and the song. It swept me away with the sincerity of the voice and the eloquence of the poetry from the lyrics. I was also wrapped up in the SyFy movie "Alice" so any fan video of the show was on my radar.

Anyway, then I started looking for other videos of favorite shows that had this band. Then I found a fan made video of one of my all time favorite characters.

There was this underground love for the band with the use of the fan videos that besides 'Trading Yesterday' and 'Thriving Ivory', it was the main band to use for expressing the mood for the video.

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The Hunger Games (Official Trailer)

I always say: It's better to be late to the party, than to never show up at all. I watched the trailer hours ago, but forgot to post it too. I was very thrilled with how amazing the trailer turned out. It kept so true to the story and the visual look of the book. There have been too many books that have been turned into movies and never reach the true feel or look that was in the book. I'm glad that isn't going to happen with this movie!

So without further ado, here it is:




For more information on the movie head to the website or to the Apple Trailer website to download the full length trailer!

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2012 Debut Author Challenge

The contest is beging held by none other than Kristi over at The Story Siren blog! For more information, be sure to click on the highlighted text and head on over to her blog for everything, including all the books that are on the list!

This will be my first year trying the challenge. My goal is to try and read one book from the list for the 12 months and hopefully maybe tack on three more for three of those months of books I want to read badly. 20 books will be my maximum reads for the year of this list.

I was also a little nervous about this because of school and the possibility of maybe not sticking to it. But I want to push myself to read more next year. I also want to explore these new worlds that sound exciting.

So how long is the contest you might ask? Well here is the main gist of it:
- It is a year-long challenge that begins on January 1, 2012 and ends on January 31, 2013. (It has been extended a month so December 2012 debuts can count toward this year’s challenge.)

The Rules
- You must have a blog to post your reviews or be a member of Goodreads
- Your blog must be written in English
- Deadline to join is May 31, 2012
- The book must be a young adult or middle grade title
- The book must be the author’s YA or MG debut, released in 2012
- Only books read between the dates of January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013 will count toward your challenge total.
- If an author has a previous novel published for adults or children, they can still qualify for the challenge.
- If an author has a previous YA or MG title, they do not qualify for the challenge.

Okay now here are the books I'm looking to read for the challenge:
"Everneath" by Brodi Ashton
"Tempest" by Julie Cross
"Incarnate" by Jodi Meadows
"Cinder" by Marissa Meyer
"Under the Never Sky" by Veronica Rossi
"The Catastrophic History of You and Me" by Jess Rothenberg
"Born Wicked" by Jessica Sportswood
"Pretty Crooked" by Elisa Ludwig
"The Selection" by Kiera Cass
"The Vicious Deep" by Zoraida Cordova
"Struck" by Jennifer Bosworth
"Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe" by Shelley Coriell
"Sweet Evil" by Wendy Higgins
... and many others! I'll add more as the year goes. Some do not have a release date or much added to the book itself on Goodreads. So it's a mystery at the moment.

So to everyone that is joining, I wish you all good luck and wonderful adventures in reading!

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IMM (#9)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free. Let's take a look at what goodies are in my mailbox this week...

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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(#1) Quotes: Friendship

Here are some great inspiring quotes about friendship... some very wise words:

❝Never explain - your friends do not need it and your will not believe you anyway.❞
- Elbert Hubbard

❝ I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing.❞

- Katherine Mansfield

❝ If it's very painful for you to criticize your friends - you're safe in doing it. But if you take the slightest pleasure in it, that's the time to hold your tongue.❞ 

- Alice Duer Miller‎

❝ Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.❞ 

- Oprah Winfrey

❝ Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts.❞ 

- Margaret Lee Runbeck

❝ The language of friendship is not words but meanings.❞ 

- Henry David Thoreau

❝ When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.❞

 - Edward W. Howe

❝ When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.❞ 

- Henri Nouwen

❝ You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.❞ 

- Laurence J. Peter

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Book Review: 'Ghost Huntress: The Awakening'

"Get out your tape recorders, crystals, and extra batteries— you’re about to go where our world meets the spirit world.

Psychic Kids, Paranormal State, Haunting Evidence—these and countless other television shows are making believers out of millions of people: Ghosts exist, and they’re living right beside us. For centuries, individuals have been trying to prove the existence of ghosts. But without hard evidence, it’s been difficult to make the case. But now as science and technology have progressed, ghost hunters have been able to use scientific means, along with more traditional psychic tools, to make their case. Photographs, video recordings, and sound recordings are all producing some amazing results.

In this new series, Ghost Huntress, meet Kendall Moorehead, a seemingly typical teen. When her family moves from Chicago to the small historical town of Radisson, Georgia, her psychic abilities awaken. She’s hearing, feeling, and seeing things that seem unbelievable at first, but with the help of the town psychic, Kendall is able to come to terms with her newly emerging gift. So, together with her new BFF, Celia, Kendall forms a ghost hunting team. They’ve got all the latest technology. They’ve got Kendall for their psychic. Now they’re going to clean up Radisson of its less savory spirits.The story is fiction. The science is real. Welcome to a new reality." - Goodreads

Title: Ghost Huntress: The Awakening
Series: Ghost Huntress
Author: Marley Gibson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: May 4th 2009
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤
Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | The Book Depository

Where do I begin... I guess maybe saying that I ❤'d this book! Not many people would because not everyone is into the idea of "ghosts" (quoting in loose terms for the moment).

Now on to the book itself. Marley Gibson created a very interesting character named Kendall Moorehead, who grew up in south side Chicago. Home of deep dish pizza, the cubs, and the infamous windy city! But her dad gets a job and relocates the entire family to a small town an hour away from Atlanta called, Radisson. There you have a small main street, even a cafe oddly named 'Central Perk' (lol even the show is referenced in the book).

Through out the book, Kendall is tested by her old beliefs and the new ones she encounters. Her mother is a devout Episcopalian and a Registered Nurse, so you can guess how the news of her oldest daughter believing in ghosts goes over well. Anyway, she is also tested in waking life by the unseen and forces beyond her control. The one character that helps her learn how to deal with it all is a woman named Loreen who is a new-age type of person.

The one issue I did have was the dialogue. It was too much like how kids talk and think today, BUT I felt certain slang terms could of been used instead of point blank ones of like 'b***h' or 'sh*t' (using symbols to cover up the words a bit). I know it was written two years ago, but I would have loved to seen more slang terms that kids in chicago use in the inner city, especially the south side. That would have given Kendall a more authentic feel.

I do on the other side of this coin, love the phrases that she says. It all goes back to how Kendall's grandmother had all these sayings and now she uses them and also explains who and why or what they mean too (kind of makes you want to use them in places you normally say something similar to it).

Here are some interesting quotes from the book:

"It's so quiet you can hear the dead thinking."

"I am totally up shit's creek without a paddle."

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, more than I've enjoyed over time. I think it's because I live in an over 200 year old house and in an area in NY state where it's so old, even points to the river, the Hudson River, that George Washington use to ride in on (that famous painting of him in winter on that boat, yeah that's him on the same river i'm mentioning!). Not to mention the actual location that inspired the original tale of "Sleepy Hollow". All of that and it could make anyone think about "ghosts".

Anyway, I'd probably recommend this book to anyone that LOVES the show "Ghost Hunters", "Paranormal State", and "Ghost Adventures", because not only is about ghosts, but about the real aspects how ghost hunting is really done. There is an excerpt in the beginning of the book from Marley's fiance Patrick Burns (now by tomorrow officially her Husband!), who is a famous ghost hunting and such from TruTV's "Haunting Evidence". It goes on to explain a lot about it before you dive into the book about the world of ghost hunting and the book itself stays true to the technical aspects of it.

Also... I'm ready for the next book and to see what happens with Kendell and her Ghost Hunting team in Radisson, GA!

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Bargin YA Book(s): Unearthly

Amazon: $5.94 (Hardcover Bargin Price)

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

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Tune in Tuesday: '90s Edition! (#6)

A weekly meme by Ginger of GReads!In the meme I'll talk about music and showcase it here each week. And this week it'll be about music I love from the decade of the '90s! Oh this will be such a special treat for everyone!

1) "The Impression That I Get" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Okay the first time I heard this song was on the local rock radio station that my dad was playing. Then the next time I heard it being played anywhere else was the movie "Clueless", which show cased the band playing on stage at the dance club. I had a cousin that passed away that was a big fan of the band. I think that's one reason why I still do sometimes play them; beside that I do enjoy the music. But it's such a fun ska beat and the lyrics are just silly but also have some meaning. Then again it's ska of the 90's haha.

2) "Sunday Morning" by No Doubt

One of my all time favorite songs off of their 'Tragic Kingdom' album. I first heard the song 'Spiderwebs' and was just a kid, but thought 'hmm I like the sound of this and really want to know who this is...' ever since then No Doubt has been one of my favorite bands from the '90s. From Gwen's style and voice to the energy the band brings, it's kind of hard not to listen to the songs they created on the album. Plus the band was more rock oriented back then what they are today, which is pop. I always felt they shouldn't have drifted that far from their roots because of what they could create, but sometimes you have to go with the tides in the music industry. But they are starting to come back to the rock element from what I'm gathering with new music.

3) "Wonderwall" by Oasis

So this was the 'It' song of the mid-90s. I heard it just as much as I heard 'Ironic' by Alanis. I went to camp and in 1996 this song was everywhere. But it's such a great cover of Adam's song. This song gives that '90s vibe and makes you feel like you wanna wear hemp jewelry, watch some classic MTV (before they got rid of the music videos) and slip on a comfy original style flannel shirt of the '90s.

4) "Big Me" by Foo Fighters

This was the first song i ever heard by the Foo Fighters and it was their first hit. It came out in 1995 and  I remember watching the VMA's in 1996; seeing them win awards and proving they could do it. I may have only been about eight at the time, but I knew they were something special. My father had a huge influence on my taste in music, especially during the '90s. You wouldn't think someone in their late 50's would but he did. He introduced me to this band, Nirvana, and a few others.

5) "Fly" by Sugar Ray

You know how some parents are influenced by hearing new music their kids listen too? Not me, it's the other way around in my household haha. I heard these guys through MTV and my local rock radio station, also because my dad would keep it on if this song came on. I know weird, right? Anyway, I remember being in the 4th grade when this came out and it was weird when they said the line: "My momma got breasts or so..." always made me feel weirded out because it was so random and for Mark to be talking about his mom's boobs was even weirded lol but none the less the song was good and the music video, well, it kept true to the oddness of the lyrics.

And lastly, there are hundreds of other songs that I listened to in the '90s! Way too many to list. Because of that, here are the other songs that I enjoyed over the course of that decade that I played way too much or heard way too often:

"The Way" by Fastball


"Closing Time" by Semisonic


"One Headlight" by The Wallflowers


"Ants Marching" by Dave Matthews Band


"Hey Jealousy" by Gin Blossom


"Run-Around" by Blues Traveler

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Free Digital Reads for Review from Edelweiss.com

When 17-year-old Rosie’s mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington’s Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty percent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when Rosie tells her mother’s best friend, “Aunt Sarah,” that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie wasn’t her real mother after all. Rosie was swapped at birth with a sickly baby who was destined to die.

Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, joining her ex-boyfriend on his gap year travels, to find her birth mother in California. But all does not go as planned. As Rosie discovers yet more of her family’s deeply buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonizing decision of her own, one which will be the most heart breaking and far-reaching of all. On Sale Date: February 14, 2012.

After her father loses his job, Sonia Nadhamuni, half Indian and half Jewish American, finds herself yanked out of private school and thrown into the unfamiliar world of public education. For the first time, Sonia’s mixed heritage makes her classmates ask questions—questions Sonia doesn’t always know how to answer—as she navigates between a group of popular girls who want her to try out for the cheerleading squad and other students who aren’t part of the “in” crowd.

At the same time that Sonia is trying to make new friends, she’s dealing with what it means to have an out-of-work parent—it’s hard for her family to adjust to their changed circumstances. And then, one day, Sonia’s father goes missing. Now Sonia wonders if she ever really knew him. As she begins to look for answers, she must decide what really matters and who her true friends are—and whether her two halves, no matter how different, can make her a whole. On Sale Date: January 10, 2012.

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe’s royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina’s strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources…including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar’s standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina’s help to safeguard Russia, even if he’s repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart? On Sale Date: January 10, 2012.

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Free eBooks (#5)

Teenage mystic Rachelle Dugas knows to expect the unexpected when she fills in for a friend leading a Haunted New Orleans tour. But when she decides to check out a haunted house on her own, nothing prepares her for the secrets lurking in the shadows—or the twist of destiny about to unfold. For more from the Midnight Dragonfly series check out Shattered Dreams, on sale December 2011.

(Previously published in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance) Introducing the international bestselling Gardella Vampire Chronicles series. 1820: Victoria Gardella tries to enjoy a ball with her new beau, Lord Rockley--but when bloodthirsty vampires invade, she must leave the fun in order to employ her stake alongside a grim Max Pesaro (vampire slayer) and the mysterious Sebastian Vioget.

Twelve-year-old Stephanie Edgley inherits her uncle Gordon's estate and is promptly attacked on her first solo visit to the property. A mysterious skeleton-detective, Skulduggery Pleasant, comes to her rescue, explaining that he thinks Gordon was murdered and that she may be next. The two join forces and set off to solve the crime in a series of magical adventures that take them into a world filled with ancient evil creatures, including Nefarian Serpine, who seeks the Scepter of the Ancients and the infinite power it will bring him. Landy, whose previous writing credits include horror screenplays, keeps the action brisk, his characters slightly macabre, and uses humor to take the edge off the violence. The story line is intricate (with numerous plot twists and switches in allegiance), and although her actions seem better suited to a somewhat older girl, Stephanie is a well-developed main character.

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Book Review: 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'

"For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, 'He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts.'

Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst." - (Excerpt from the Book)

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Series: Harry Potter
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: October 1st 1999
Format: Hardcover (1st Edition)
Age Group: Middle Grade/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 435
Rating: ❤❤❤❤
Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The story starts on the night of Harry's 13th birthday. He receives gifts by owl posts and other such magical things start to happen. The oddest things start to happen as well. He then has to escape and wait out till the new school year begins. Along the way he meets up with his two best friends: Ron and Hermione. There we find out that Sirius Black is looking for Harry. From there on out, things start to turn into another adventure for the three musketeers at Hogwarts.

This was such a fun book to read. I remember reading it back when I was just a mere 12 going on 13 (I'm now 24). Anyway, I couldn't put the book down, yet had to because of school and sleep (being young does have it's draw backs when reading a good book haha). But never the less I did find time to read it like my life depended on it.

The story has all the normal elements found from the series woven in this story, yet with a few surprises. Some I would say wasn't in the movie or fully explored either. So it's a great idea to pick up this book and read it at least once.

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A Children's Classic: 'Dr. Seuss The Lorax' (Official Movie Trailer)

The 3D-CGI feature is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic young boy who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Ashley, the girl of Ted's dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O'Hare, and beloved actress Betty White will portray Ted's wise Grammy Norma. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop). Dr. Seuss' The Lorax movie hits theaters on March 2, 2012.

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IMM (#8)

In My Mailbox is a weekly/monthly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free.

"Shatter Me" by Tahereh Mafi (Amazon | Goodreads)
*Won the ARC in a contest from HarperCollins*

"Dreamland" by Alyson Noel (Amazon | Goodreads)

*Won this from Rachel's blog My Reading Pile*

"Sisters Red" by Jackson Pearce (Amazon | Goodreads)

And this is the Swag I won that came from Rachel's other blog Fiktshun.

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Book Review: 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'

"The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone — or something — starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects...Harry Potter himself!" - Goodreads

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Series: Harry Potter
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: January 1st 1998
Format: Hardcover (1st Edition)
Pages: 341
Age Group: Middle Grade/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: ❤❤❤❤
Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The story starts off with Harry stuck at the Dursley's house and for his birthday. They get so mad at the boy they lock him away in this room for the rest of the summer. I know, crazy right? But of course Ron comes to the rescue for Harry and they go back to the Wesley household. From there on out the Harry, Ron, and Hermione start another fabulous adventure, all the while learning about some of the past. The key to want will become information in how "thou shall not be named" makes his return!

I read this book over 10 years ago. I have yet to re-read it but that is one of my goals in the next six months; to re-read the entire first four books of the series and try to finish the 5th one as well. I never read the last two, but I heard they are amazing! One good reason for my to dive right back into the wonderful series.

Anyway, I was just a 'tween' when I started the series back in 1999. I ate up the first one faster than I've ever read anything in my entire life! The 2nd book didn't stand a chance when my mother bought it for me. The way the story makes you feel, as though you are really there, immersed in this magical world. It's a priceless piece of imagination that no other series has done in the last 20+ years for children and everyone else of all ages.

I'd recommend this book, of course, to those that read the first book. But also to those that haven't read the first two. I'd give them both to someone who loves the read and take a truly amazing journey with books.

J.K. Rowling is simply a visionary in story telling. I wish she would maybe write a pre-quel to the books about maybe how things began or how Harry's parents were as teenagers at Hogwarts. I think that other fans of the series would love that too, mostly due to the fact that on 'Pottermore' she explains some backstory information. Some of that included that his Aunt Petunia, she is Harry's mother's Sister, which meant she is a witch herself! She denied her magical side and well ended up marring Veron, a muggle, and had a very boring life. This means his cousin Dudley is half muggle and doesn't know about it. Things like that could make a very lovely story! But alas Rowling doesn't want to write anymore of the 'Harry Potter' world.

So in conclusion, if you haven't read the series, you may want to or wait, because next year for the first time ever, the eBooks will be available. So no matter how you decide to read it, this series isn't one to miss, especially this one from the series!

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Sneak Peaks and Early Reads!

Here is a list of books that have available sneak peaks of their books, excerpts from a chapter or two, and other goodies! Some of the books includes: 'Crossed', 'Dark Eden, 'Legend', Shatter Me', and 'The Future of Us'.

'Crossed' by Ally Condie was released in the U.S. on November 1, 2011. This the second book in the series. The third one doesn't come out till 2012 and is currently untitled. For those that don't know what the next book is about, here is a quick description: "In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake." Click on EW’s Shelf Life to read the first two chapters of the book!

'Dark Eden' by Patrick Carman was released in the U.S. on November 1, 2011. A sequel to the book 'Eve of Destruction', is set for release on April 24, 2012. This is one of those books that has a slightly creepy element to it. But here is the synopses for those that have no idea what it is about: "Seven teens are sent to Fort Eden in a last-ditch attempt to overcome their fears. But while Fort Eden may hold the cure, the price might not be worth paying. And with an unusual twist at the end about just what’s really going on at Fort Eden and a complete multimedia experience to supplement the story, this is definitely worth checking out." HarperTeen is giving everyone a sneak peak of the book: Sneak Peek!

'Legend' by Marie Lu will be released in the U.S. on November 29, 2011. Here is a short description of the book: "The story revolves around June, who is from a well-to-do family, and Day, who is not. Day becomes the suspect in June’s brother’s murder and she is seeking vengeance against his killer." Click here to look at the excerpt from the website: Click Here. And go here to Scribd to see more: Click Here.

'Shatter Me' by Tahereh Mafi will be released in the U.S. on November 15, 2011. 'Shatter Me' is the first book in a new dystopian/paranormal series by debut author Tahereh Mafi. Here is a short description about the book: "The Reestablishment has imprisoned Juliette for murder. Her touch is lethal and because of that she’s been in isolation for a very long time. After being in captivity for so long, without any human contact, they decide that her deadly touch could be an asset. She could be their weapon. And Shatter Me is Juliette’s story." Get a sneak peek of the book by heading over to the Facebook page: Click Here!

'The Future of Us' by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler will be released in the U.S. on November 15, 2011. Here is a short description about the book: "It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future." To read an excerpt from the book, go to the website: Click Here! & to see exlcusive content, head on over to the Facebook Page (FB account is required): Click Here!

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Follow Friday (#2)

Follow Me Friday is a fun book meme hosted by the fabulous Parajunkee & Allison Can Read. Each week a new question is asked and it's a lot of fun!

This week's Follow Friday question: We want to see what you look like! Take a pic with you and your current read! Too shy? Boo! Just post a fun pic you want to share.

*not my best, but I humored myself and also used Picnik to help give it some cool effects.*

Well if you can't tell, I'm currently reading, Ghost Huntress: The Awakening by Marley Gibson. I flew through the first three chapters quickly. I love this book so much that when I'm finished with it this is going to be lent to my long time BFF who ❤'s shows like "Ghost Hunters" and "Paranormal State". FYI: She is always telling me, ❝You should get Ghost Hunters to come to your house! It's so old and you have ghosts here!❞, lol my house was built in 1801 and half of it is still has the original wood and construction that was handcrafted over 200 years ago. It gets a little creepy late at night, but that's one of the reasons why I'm loving this book. I can't wait till I do a review for it on here!

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