Waiting on Wednesday (22)--Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Release Date: October 6, 2009 from Simon Pulse

Synopsis:

The year is 1914 and Europe, armed with futuristic machines and biotechnology, is on the precipice of war. Prince Aleksandar is fleeing for his life, having discovered that his parents have been assassinated and that he is now a target for the Clanker Powers, a group determined to take over the globe with their mechanical machinery. They will stop at nothing to get what they want, so Alek knows his only choice is to keep on running. When he meets Deryn Sharpe, an orphan girl who has disguised herself as a boy so she can to join the British Air Service, they form an uneasy, but necessary, alliance. But the pair will soon discover that their emerging friendship will dramatically change their lives and the entire course of the Great World War...

I love Scott Westerfeld....like a lot. The Uglies series is one of my absolute favorite series of all time, probably my favorite YA series. I already think the man's a genius. Then he uses his awesomeness to write steampunk, which is one of my fave genres. Basically it's like two worlds of awesome colliding together to create the ultimate awesome. Did I mention it's gonna be awesome? And that cover???? Argh, must read soon.

Can't wait, can't wait. Please oh great book gods hear my plea and send Leviathan to me. Begging with poetry?! I'm not above it people.

Can't wait to see what everyone else is waiting on this week.

Waiting on Wednesday is brought to you by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Shiver Trailer and Contest!!

So, you need to check out this AWESOME trailer that Maggie Stiefvater created for her upcoming book Shiver. It's incredible and she created it all by herself.

Here it is:



And if that's not enough, Maggie is also having an equally awesome contest to win various prizes including a copy of the book itself.

Can't wait for this one, especially after seeing that trailer.

In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash

Release Date: Available Now!!!

Synopsis:

If you don’t belong here— you just don’t belong…

The Bramford building’s newest resident and small-town transplant Casey McCloy is adapting to life in the Big Apple and loving it. She’s got the look, the attitude, and a delish new boyfriend, Drew Van Allen. But she’s starting to have second thoughts as to whether the “New York” Casey is the real Casey. And she’s not so sure she likes herself much anymore. She’s not the only one.

Madison Macallister has always had her Manolo Blahniks firmly planted on the top rung of the social ladder—until that corn-fed cow Casey stole Drew away from her and made her look the fool. So what if Madison wasn’t exactly dating Drew at the time? She wanted him. And everyone knows that Madison gets what she wants, like Drew—and a little revenge.

This is the second book in Banash's Elite series. This time around we see a slightly different side of all of the girls. Madison shows her human side when she tackles the modeling world, and Casey tries her hand at really fitting in with the Bram's queen bees.

Once again, though, I found Sophie's story to be the most interesting and appealing. She's struggling with not only trying to compete and keep up with her sky's-the-limit friends, but more importantly is dealing with the news that she's adopted. When the story culminates at Sophie's Sweet 16, you can't help but hope it all goes well for her. Needless to say, surprises are in store.

This was a another fun, quick read from Banash. Another peak into the lives of the privileged sons and daughters of Manhattan's Upper East Side. I'll certainly be reading her next book, Simply Irresistible, which hits shelves July 7, 2009.

Contest Reminder!!!!!

Just a reminder that my June contest is ending tomorrow, so enter now for a chance to win

Eyes Like Stars
Emily the Strange: The Lost Days
Breathe My Name
I'll probably post a winner on Wednesday. I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I'll get it done as soon as possible.

Thanks!!!!!

Gifted Book 2: Better Late Than Never by Marilyn Kaye

Release Date: Available Now from Kingfisher!!

Synopsis:

Goth girl Jenna Kelley has the ultimate tool to stage a teenage rebellion: she can read people’s minds without even trying. When her alcoholic mother is hospitalized, a stranger shows up who says he’s her long-lost dad and promises a better future. Too good to be true? Her gifted classmates think so, but Jenna is so determined to have a real parent around and a somewhat normal life that she might have lost her ability to listen.

This is the second book in the Gifted series and I think I liked it even more than the first one. I learned more about the characters and it showcased Jenna, the snarky goth girl, who is definitely my favorite of the nine kids in the "gifted" class.

Jenna's life is not the stuff of dreams; it's more the stuff of After School Specials. When her Mom gets shipped off to rehab, Jenna moves in with Tracey's family for awhile. Then mysteriously her dad appears and wants back into her life. Kaye wonderfully captures all of Jenna's secret hopes about having a happy family.

Interspersed with Jenna's story is more about Amanda who is trying anything and everything, including supernatural means, to get her hands on her dream guy Ken. When her stunts go a little too far, Amanda gets closer to Ken than she ever imagined and learns that the man of her dreams may be even more unattainable than she thought.

I'm really liking this series a lot and I'm looking forward to the third book, Here Today, Gone Tomorrow, in which Emily takes a starring role. It's not out until October 13th though, so I have a little wait ahead of me. I'm definitely hooked on Gifted and I'm anxious to read some more.

There's an awesome Gifted website which can be found here. It has lots of cool stuff including Marilyn Kaye reading the first chapters of the first three books.

In My Mailbox (19)

As always, In My Mailbox is brought to you by the awesomeness that is Kristi, AKA The Story Siren. Go check out her blog and her mailbox.

I got five very awesome books in the mail this week, and I ended my no book buying streak, which only lasted like two weeks. So here goes, by the way, as an aside, it's raining in Kansas City....again. It seems like it storms every other day. That's okay though, I have my books to keep me occupied. Also we're in the middle of a heat wave that just won't quit. You'd think the rain would help, but you would be wrong. Okay, enough griping...let's get on with the books.

For Review:

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley



Available Now!!

Synopsis:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

And if I should die before I awake,

I pray the popular attend my wake.

Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is invisible. Even worse: she's dead. And all because she choked on a gummy bear. But being dead doesn't stop Charlotte from wanting to be popular; it just makes her more creative about achieving her goal.

If you thought high school was a matter of life or death, wait till you see just how true that is. In this satirical, yet heartfelt novel, Hurley explores the invisibility we all feel at some times and the lengths we'll go to be seen.

Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley



Release Date: July 1, 2009 from Little, Brown, but it's probably already on your bookstore shelves. My bookstore got it yesterday.

Synopsis:

Heaven couldn't be a phone bank, could it?

Charlotte Usher discovers that the afterlife isn't quite what she pictured when she's forced to intern at a hotline for troubled teens. Before she can officially cross over, she'll have to be a source of guidance for one such teen. The problem is she doesn't have much advice to offer since dying hasn't exactly boosted her confidence level.

But when Hawthorne High's leading, love-to-hate cheerleader Petula and her gothic little sis' Scarlet find themselves suddenly resting-in-peace in comas, Charlotte's opportunity to save them will prove to be the risk of a lifetime-for all of them.

So, my original copies of these book got lost somewhere along the way, so thanks to Little, Brown for sending them out again. I'm halfway through the first one right now and lovin' every minute of it.

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephenie Kuehnert



Release Date: July 21, 2009 from MTV Books

Synopsis:

Kara hasn't been back to Oak Park since the end of junior year, when a heroin overdose nearly killed her and sirens heralded her exit. Four years later, she returns to face the music. Her life changed forever back in high school: her family disintegrated, she ran around with a whole new crowd of friends, she partied a little too hard, and she fell in love with gorgeous bad-boy Adrian, who left her to die that day in Scoville Park....

Amid the music, the booze, the drugs, and the drama, her friends filled a notebook with heartbreakingly honest confessions of the moments that defined and shattered their young lives. Now, finally, Kara is ready to write her own.

Yay, yay, yay!!! I am so pumped to have this one and it's a pretty finished copy with the awesome cover. Can't wait to read it, but there are a few books in front of it in the queue.

From contests:

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

I won these from Aimee over at A Book Dork. They are both Hardcover and both Autographed. Double YAY!! Thank you so much Aimee, I am totally psyched to read these.

Purchased:

So, today, I broke down. I couldn't resist anymore.

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
Geektastic edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
Prism by Faye Kellerman and Aliza Kellerman

I also found in the bargain bin at the bookstore the most awesome 9.99 DVD find ever....well, for me. Back in the '80s, 1985 to be exact, there was this made for TV version of Alice in Wonderland that starred all of these people like Sammy Davis, Jr., Carol Channing, Red Buttons, etc. Anyway, I as a young Alice fan, loved it and I've been searching for it ever since. And there it was. I'm not sure if it'll hold up to my childhood memories, but I'm glad to have it anyway.


There you have it. My week in books, and DVD. Can't wait to see what everyone else picked up this week.

Too sad to blog!

What an incredibly weird day. Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson both gone? I told someone it felt like my childhood was dying. Two major '80s icons gone on the same day.

It's just too strange. So, basically don't feel like blogging. I think I'll go finish The Hate List and watch some TV, although totally not the news. There seems to be no good news today.

Back tomorrow though.

Gifted Book 1: Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Marilyn Kaye

Release Date: Available in bookstores now from Kingfisher!!

Synopsis:

Queen of Mean Amanda Beeson, 13, gets the shock of her life when she wakes up one morning to find herself in the body of one of her victims, Tracey Devon. Amanda discovers that Tracey, ignored at home and school, has the ability to become invisible. When Amanda finds herself in a special class that Tracey usually attends, it becomes clear that at Meadowbrook Middle School the definition of “gifted” has a whole other meaning. Can Amanda rescue her one-time target from obscurity and get her own life back on track? In order to do so, she will have to reveal her own startling gift and take her rightful place among Meadowbrook’s very secret clique.

When these were offered to me for review, I pretty much jumped at the chance. The covers are very cool and the story sounded really interesting to me as well. I'm glad I accepted them, because I really enjoyed reading this one.

It's weird that reading this coincided with my Degrassi obsession, because Amanda Beeson totally made me think of Paige on the show. She's such a queen bee and really quite a bitch, but there are secret layers beneath Amanda's harsh exterior. There's a reason why she has a heart of stone.

When she wakes up in Tracey's body, Amanda is at first horrified to be stuck inside such a plain jane. Of course, after literally walking a few in Tracey's shoes, Amanda starts to see things a little differently. She also ends up in Tracey's class for the "gifted," and when I say gifted, I mean gifted. Mind readers, telekenetics, seers, the gang's all there and Amanda is forced to look at herself and her powers in a whole new way. She also forms a new if somewhat strained friendship with Jenna, the grumpy goth girl, who is trying to get Tracey back where she belongs.

This was a fun, quick read full of characters that I definitely want to know more about. One thing I liked was that Amanda's character doesn't suddenly become the nicest girl in the school just because she experiences Tracey's life for while. She's still a little snot, but there's always hope for the future. The second book is all about Jenna, who is full of acerbic wit and pure angst, which means she's my fave, of course. I'll be reviewing it in a day or two, so come back for that one.

I think there are nine books planned in the series; one for each kid in the gifted class. I look forward to reading the rest of them and to Marilyn's fall release, Demon Chick, which looks fantastic.

If you'd like to see a pretty cool little trailer for Gifted there's one currently rolling on Amazon and you can check it out here.

Waiting on Wednesday (21)--Ruined by Paula Morris

Release Date: August 1, 2009 from Point

Synopsis:

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend - and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey-she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

I love New Orleans and I love ghost stories. In fact, when I went to New Orleans years ago, my friend and I took a haunted tour of the French Quarter. I think we even had some ghostly encounters, of course, I'd had a drink or two at the time, so I can't be positive. Anyway, this book looks awesome and I am totally digging that cover, too. Oh great book gods....feel free to bestow this book upon me, it will not go unappreciated. Never hurts to ask right?!

Can't wait to see what everyone else is waiting for this week. By the way Waiting on Wednesday is brought to you by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Atherton Book 2: Rivers of Fire by Patrick Carman

Available in bookstores now from Little, Brown Young Readers!!

Synopsis:

In bestselling author Patrick Carman's rich and riveting follow-up to The House of Power, an extraordinary world meets its destiny in an epic and unforgettable rebirth.

The world of Atherton has collapsed and the three levels have become one. Humans and monsters, once separated by vast cliffs, now roam the surface of Atherton together. The inside of Atherton--where the most troubling secrets are hidden--has been breached. While Edgar embarks on a life-or-death quest to find Atherton's mad maker, his two friends, Samuel and Isabel, venture through dangerous underground realms, confronting deadly cave dwellers, rivers of fire, and waters of life.

Atherton is not what it seems at all, but something far more dangerous, with a history locked inside the mind of a madman and a future beyond Edgar's wildest imagining.

I love Patrick Carman. I discovered him a few years ago when he released The Dark Hills Divide, which is the first book in his Land of Elyon series. The Elyon books are fantastic and I highly recommend them.

Atherton is his second series, which revolves around a world that is made up of three vastly different levels: the Flatlands is the bottom level and is basically a desert populated only by some very nasty creatures, the second level is Tabletop where most of the inhabitants of Atheron live and it's basically an agricultural area in which all of the products of Atherton are grown and raised, and lastly, is the Highlands where the rich folks live. In the Highlands, they basically consume all of the product created through the hard work of those in Tabletop. It's almost like a serfdom.

Anyone, in book one, changes come to Atherton. The levels start to drop, anarchy ensues and by the end, Atherton rests at all one level, but what's to stop it from dropping further? Basically in this one, more changes are happening and it's up to three children to try to save Atherton and it's people.

The Atherton books, at least the first two, are great. They are for slightly younger readers, but I think anyone who likes a great adventure story would really dig them. The characters are wonderful and their personalities vary so greatly that you get to know each and every one of them and you can't help but cheer, or in some cases boo, them.

There's also an ecological message in the books. Atherton was created to escape The Dark Planet, which is basically Earth. The planet was dying and Atherton was one scientists last ditch effort to save humanity.

So, it may seem like I'm giving a lot away here, but trust me I'm not. These stories are very rich and are filled with an incredible amount of detail that really pulls you into the story. Also there are some truly fabulous illustrations throughout the book.

I will continue to read Patrick Carman, probably forever. He has yet to disappoint me. I have a copy of the third book, which I will be reading soon and I also have a copy of the first book in his third series, Skeleton Creek, which I still need to read. So, this isn't the last time I'll be mentioning Carman on this site. Go check him out!!

Win Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson!!

I'm using the contest as my post for the YA Book Carnival being presented by the wonderful Lauren at Shooting Stars Mag. There are lots more awesome contests going on during the Carnival, so go visit Lauren to find the links.

Now, back-to-business time. I have for you, 5, count them, 5 copies of Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson to give away courtesy of some very awesome publicists. We all know Maureen is amazing. My personal favorite of her books is The Bermudez Triangle, but she is altogether genius. I haven't had a chance to read Suite Scarlett yet, but now that I have my very own copy, I will be reading it soon.

Here's the synopsis:

When Scarlett Martin turns fifteen she is put in charge of the Empire Suite, one of the rooms in her family’s hotel. Enter Mrs. Amberson, an aging C-list starlet who decides to employ Scarlett. Soon, she is taking dictation, running around New York City , and getting caught up in Mrs. Amberson’s crazy adventures. In the midst of it all, Scarlett falls in love–or so she thinks–and it takes Mrs. Amberson to help her see the light. Now in paperback from top-selling author Maureen Johnson!

Sounds great, right?! If you'd like to find out more about Maureen, you can do so here.

If you're interesting in buying a copy of Suite Scarlett, or any of Maureen's books, you can find them here.

To win a copy from little ol' me here's the info:

+1 for commenting with your e-mail address
+1 for becoming a follower
+2 if you are already a follower
+1 for blogging about my contest, please include a link
+1 for adding me to your blogroll


This contest will run until Monday, July 13th, so enter now and spread the word. Enjoy the Carnival...it's in town all week!!

Another Contest in the Blogosphere!!!

My sister, Sara, has her own blog. It's pretty new, but she's trying to grow a readership, so she's having her first contest. I know how much we all love a contest!!

She's a third grade teacher, so her books are for younger readers, but she's giving away a great batch of books. Head on over and show her some love people!! Below is the link:


Sara's Classroom Reads

In My Mailbox (18)

As always, In My Mailbox is brought to you by the genius that it The Story Siren. It's my favorite part of every week, because I get to see what everyone picked up throughout the week. There's always lots of new titles to add to my ever-growing wish list.

This week I received 6 new books for review, so let's get to it shall we?

The Mitochondrial Curiosities of Marcels 1-19 by Jocelyn Brown
Available Now from Coach House Books


Synopsis:

Biology is not Dree's thing. Equally heinous are English, social studies, her sister and mother, not to mention Edmonton in general. Toronto's upcoming Renegade Craft Fair is where she belongs.

On her 15th birthday, she will get the special fund her father promised, and the day after that she'll be on Westjet Flight 233 to Toronto. Instead, her dad has a fatal heart attack, and all she finds are clues leading to the ominous Alberta Psychiatric Hospital where her parents once worked. As Dree tries to unearth a mystery, and still pass science, she keeps searching for the money, and for a way to grieve her father.

Told in a fresh, frank voice, The Mitochondrial Curiosities of Marcels 1 to 19 is a wry, adventurous, unflinching look at the trials of teenage life.

Instructions for renegade crafts included.

This one came from Coach House Books in Toronto. It sounds like an interesting read and I'm really looking forward to it.

The Birthing House by Christopher Ransom

Release Date: August 4, 2009 from St. Martin's Press



Synopsis:

When Conrad Harrison impulse-buys a big old house in Wisconsin, his wife Jo doesn’t share his enthusiasm, reluctant at the idea of leaving their LA life - so Conrad is left to set up their new home as she ties up loose ends at work. But Conrad’s new purchase is not all that it seems. Soon Conrad is hearing the ghostly wailing of a baby in the night, seeing blood on the floor and being haunted by a woman who looks exactly like Jo. With his wife away, Conrad becomes obsessed by the pregnant girl next door, Nadia, who claims to be a victim of the evil in the house. The crying leads him to a bricked-up body, and the mystery of the Birthing House unravels, pulling in Jo, Nadia and leading Conrad to a nightmarish conclusion…

I actually picked this one up at work, but it sounds awesome and pretty freaky. Can't wait!!

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Release Date: Available Now from Point

Synopsis:

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.


When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.

Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off.

I'm a Maureen Johnson fan, but I haven't read this one yet. I was psyched to receive it in the mail. Also, I'll be hosting a contest for this title next week, so be sure to check back on the 22nd for all the info.

The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill Alexander

Release Date: September 1, 2009 from Feiwel & Friends


Synopsis:

Almost-15-year-old Austin Gray is tired of standing at the curb and watching the parade pass her by. Literally. She decides this is the year she’ll ride on the hood of a shiny pickup truck in the annual parade, waving to the crowd and finally showing the town bully that she’s got what it takes to be the Sweetheart of Prosper County.

But far from simply being a beauty contest, becoming Sweetheart involves participation in the Future Farmers of America (FFA), raising an animal, and hunting or fishing. Austin will do almost anything to become Sweetheart, and has the support of her oldest friend, Maribel, her new FFA friends (including the reigning Sweetheart, and a quiet, cute cowboy), an evangelical Elvis impersonator, a mysterious Cajun outcast, and a rooster named Charles Dickens. If only her momma would stop overprotecting her, and start letting Austin live her own life. But Austin can’t move on until Momma moves on, too—and lets the grief of losing Austin’s daddy several years before out into the open.

Here is a bighearted story that will leave readers agreeing with Austin that sometimes, it’s not what you ride, it’s how you roll.

I want to thank Jill for sending me an awesome autographed ARC. It was very sweet of you and I'm looking forward to reading the book.

Simply Irresistible by Jennifer Banash

Release Date: July 7, 2009 from Berkley Trade


Synopsis:

Small-town girl turned Big Apple beauty, Casey McCloy is really beginning to enjoy the high life in her high rise. She’s climbing the social ladder, to the dismay of her neighbor and rival, Madison Macallister. And Casey could end up as popular as Madison now that the two are set to star in their own reality show, “De-Luxe.” But reality TV can be so unreal…

Madison loves the attention, but having every bit of her life caught on tape is often less than glamorous. Yet fame comes at a price—and she’s willing to pay. Meanwhile, now that Casey and her almost-boyfriend Drew Van Allen are currently more off than on, she’s beginning to wonder if everything in her life is just an illusion—and how much longer the illusion can last.

This is the third book in the Elite series. I've read the first one and loved it, so I really need to get with it and read the second and third.

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Release Date: September 14, 2009 from Clarion Books


Synopsis:

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

I've been anxiously awaiting this one and I want to thank Carolyn for making it happen. It looks fantastic and it's definitely moving up in my TBR pile.

So, there you have it. That's my week in books. Can't wait to see what everyone else got.

My current obsession!!

I'm actually old enough to remember the original Degrassi Jr. High from way back in those day-glo filled eighties. Granted I was a little younger than those Jr. High kids, but I still loved it.

I've seen a few episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation through the years, but I never paid much attention. Well....I was home the other day and apparently The N has been running marathons in preparation for the new season in July. So, basically, I'm hooked. I've watched like two whole seasons already and my DVR is filled with episodes.

What is so appealing about these crazy Canadian teens?! I have no idea. Maybe it's the fact that they address serious issues, which American teen shows might shy away from, with honesty and grace. Or maybe it's just that I like hearing them say things like oot or aboot (love those accents).

No matter the reasoning behind it, I am currently lost in all the drama of Paige, Emma, Manny, Marco, et al. It's a guilty pleasure, what can I say?!

The Hollow--Chapter One

Hey folks, if you are like me then you are totally looking forward to The Hollow by Jessica Verday.

Here's the synopsis:

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.
Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

I know right?! Sounds fantastic. It doesn't come out until September 1 (September is looking like an awesome month), but you can read the first chapter on Jessica's website. Here's the link. A warning though: it's just gonna leave you wanting more.

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Available at bookstores now!!

Synopsis:

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don't count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.

But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.

I'd heard nothing but good things about this book, so I think I was a little weary. When a book has that much hype to live up to, sometimes it disappoints. That was totally not the case with this book. It was amazing!!

The topic of polygamist sects is a very timely one. I've always been interested in the idea. I can't imagine sharing a husband with numerous other women and I always wondered what it was like for a child growing up in such conditions. From page one, this book swept me into Kyra's life and gave me an idea of life within a community like this.

Kyra's story is heartbreaking and yet beautifully captured through Williams' writing. It's a difficult subject to tackle and yet Williams does it with grace. I like the fact that Kyra's family isn't portrayed as the bad guys in the story. When it comes down to it, they are loving and supportive to the best of their abilities. Just because I disagree with their ideas and methods, doesn't mean I couldn't respect the love they had for their children.

As a future librarian, I also greatly appreciated the way that Kyra's life opened up through her trips to the Mobile library. It shows how a seemingly simple book can create a world of opportunities and a thirst for knowledge and experience.

You can't help but feel for Kyra and I for one felt the need to race through the book to see what would happen to her. All in all, The Chosen One is absolutely worth all of the hype and then some. Strongly recommended and I can't wait to read her next book.

Waiting on Wednesday (20)--Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow by Ridley Pearson

So, anyone who's been reading my blog for awhile knows that I am a Disney theme park junkie. I go to Disneyworld at least once a year and even though I went in March, I am already trying to find a way to return very soon. Oh why can't I win the lottery?!

Okay, I love everything Disney, and what could be better than a series of books that take place inside the parks. Enter Ridley Pearson and his amazing Kingdom Keepers series. Needless to say, when I was tooling around the Internet the other night, I was thrilled to see that book three is on it's way. Here's the info:

Release Date: April 27, 2010 (I've heard earlier dates, but this is the Amazon date listed) from Hyperion Children's Books (No cover, so I've included my own view of Epcot from my March trip).

Synopsis:

When Disney Imagineers installed hologram guides for the Magic Kingdom, using teenage models they had no idea the technology might backfire. But backfire it did: some nights when the kids go to sleep, they wake up in one of the Disney parks as a hologram.

With the adventures set forth in the first books now behind them, Kingdom Keepers 3: Disney In Shadow follows the five teens, Finn, Philby, Willa, Charlene, and Maybeck as they search to find Wayne, their mentor and head Imagineer who has mysteriously gone missing. Concerned Wayne has been abducted by the Overtakers-Disney villains, who along with other Disney characters, take over the parks when the turnstiles stop spinning, and want desperately to steer the parks to a far darker place-the five kids pick up a major clue from a close friend, Jez, whose dreams (nightmares, really) often accurately predict the future.

The very few clues from Jez's dream lead the kids into Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot--through imaginary worlds that become real, by imaginary kids who are real. Each clue seems tied to the last, and with the stakes growing ever higher, what starts out as a puzzle ends up as a fight for their lives. Through a transparent paper box, a quest for a sword, rides on Soarin' and Maelstrom, life-and-death encounters with giant snakes, and a devious Maleficent, the Kingdom Keepers not only begin to decipher deeper meanings to the clues, but discover new truths about themselves and their ever-growing friendships.

There you have it. I am very excited, especially since this one takes the kids to Epcot, which is quickly becoming my favorite of the four Florida parks. Woo hoo!! Hey folks at Hyperion, please feel free to send me a copy if you'd like. Begging works right?!

As always, Waiting on Wednesday is brought to you by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

The 39 Clues Book 4: Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson

Synopsis:

A Clue found in Book 3 sends Amy and Dan jetting off to find out just what's behind the fierce rivalry between the Tomas and Ekaterina branches of the Cahill family. Was a Clue stolen from the Tomas branch? Where is it now? And most important, can Amy and Dan get their hands on it before their rivals do?

It's a wild race that will take Amy and Dan deep into the bowels of the earth . . . and right into the hands of the enemy.

So, I love this series. It's for somewhat younger readers than most of my picks, but they are fantastic. Each book is written by a different children's author and I appreciate the fact that each author is able to continue the story so seamlessly. It must be hard for different authors to write the same characters and yet I haven't been disappointed by any of the books.

Dan and Amy have one of the most realistic sibling relationships I think I've ever read and they are just a lot of fun to get to know. And their au pair Nellie is awesome. More hi jinks and intrigue in this one and more racing around looking for clues.

It's just a completely fun series and I look forward to each new book. I'm too old to play the online game, but I love the books anyway. They've been coming out about every two months, which is a good pace I think. The next book is written by the most excellent, Patrick Carman, who I adore. I'm really looking forward to that one.

If you haven't read these, they are definitely worth checking out. They are quick, fun, and full of adventure and cool little historical tidbits. Check 'em out!!

In My Mailbox (17)

As always, In My Mailbox is brought to you by the letter K as in Kristi AKA the Story Siren. Go check out her mailbox, it's always full of awesomeness.

Ahhh, a much lighter week this time around. Only two books, but I am very, very pumped for both of them

First up,

Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance by Marley Gibson


Release Date: September 7, 2009 from Graphia

Synopsis:

Kendall and her ghost hunting team is the talk of Radisson, Georgia, but one person isn’t so pleased. Courtney Langdon doesn’t appreciate Kendall’s new popularity or her relationship with Jason, Courtney’s ex.

So Courtney begins dabbling in the paranormal world. At first it’s all a game to draw attention away from Kendall. But Courtney doesn’t know what she’s getting into—or what wants in her. This is one game that’s about to turn deadly serious.

I really liked the first book in this series, so I am super-excited to read this one. Apparently, Marley also has a teen non-fiction book coming out in September, which is called The Other Side: A Teen's Guide to Ghost Hunting and the Paranormal. It sounds pretty cool, too.

And last, but most definitely not least,

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown



Release Date: September 1, 2009 from Little, Brown Young Readers

Synopsis:

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.

YAY!!! I'm sooo excited for this one. It was a WOW post for me and I was thrilled to get it in the mail. Plus, Jennifer is from the Kansas City area, which is totally cool. Maybe we'll actually have a cool book signing sometime in the near future. Fingers crossed.

So, that is it for me this week. I do want to say thank you to everyone who has given me awards this week. In the madness to reorganize my mess of a room, I lost my list of awards, but I really appreciate all of them and I think you all rock.

Thank you soooooo much and I can't wait to see what everyone got in their mailboxes.

"What's on your Desk Wednesday....Friday night?"

So, Jenny from Wondrous Reads tagged me in this awesome meme. Here's the info and the how-to:

Rules from Alternative-Read.com: What's on your desk Wednesday? is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Sassy Brit of Alternative-Read.com. Check my blog out each Wednesday for the post titled What's on your desk Wednesday?

Here's what you do: Grab a camera and take a photo of your desk! Or anywhere you stack your books/TBR pile. And no tidying! Add this photo to your blog. Tag at least 5 people! Come back here and leave a link back to your photo in the comments section.

So, this week has been a little crazy in Carrie's deskworld. I was reorganizing my room so as to fit more bookshelves in for the mass amount of books I've been buying. I'm trying to be more organized with my review books, etc.

Here's what it looked like during the reorganization.

My desk before:





Notice Donald Duck and my Harajuku Lovers perfume, which I love. Also Sims 3 is there which I haven't had time to play yet, but I'm sure I will lose many hours playing in the future.

My desk after:



It will look like this for about a day I'm sure. Notice Shaun of the Dead clutching his cricket bat. My zombie love knows no bounds.


My books before or really during, because we moved them all out into the living room:



My books after, at least most of them:



Oh, so nice and neat, but probably not for long. I really need a book-buying intervention.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but basically just because I'm super tired from moving furniture and books all day.

Thanks Jenny, I enjoyed sharing my mess.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Synopsis:

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends -- her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

I found this book pretty hard to read. I'm not easily disturbed, but this one really got to me. It was incredibly written and very moving, but the subject matter was just hard for me to deal with.

I think it's because I read Dark Places by Gillian Flynn and then immediately read this one. They are both very dark novels. Maybe if I had read something cheerful in between, this would have been easier to handle.

I liked the book, don't get me wrong. I can see why people respond so strongly to Scott's writing and I plan to read more of her books. She has an incredible ability to put you into the mind of the main character. Alice's mind was just a tough place to hang out for awhile.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely. The writing is worth the uneasy feeling it gave me. I think it's an important book about a very heartbreaking topic.

Waiting on Wednesday (19)--ArchEnemy by Frank Beddor

Release Date: October 15, 2009 from Dial

Synopsis:

As SEEING REDD ended, King Arch had been successful in sapping Wonderland - including Alyss and Redd - of Imagination. Now the two enemy queens are forced to come together in an attempt to reclaim Wonderland and their imaginative powers. Hatter M is AWOL as he escorts his daughter, Molly, to our world, leaving her in the care of Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll). It appears that the caterpillar oracles are in cahoots with Arch, but we learn they are manipulating him to save the Heart Crystal, also know as 'Everqueen"--the source of imaginative power. How far will Alyss regain her power?

I love, love, love this series. I've always been an Alice in Wonderland fan, but this series takes that beloved classic and turns it on its head. It's fresh and exciting and I cannot wait for this one.

Unfortunately, it's not out until October, so I have a long wait ahead of me.

As always, Waiting on Wednesday is brought to you by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

P.S.

I saw The Hangover tonight and it was hilarious. I thought my sister was going to hyperventilate from laughing so much. She did that snort laugh thing, which was funny just by itself. Great movie!!

June Contest!!!

Okay, for June I'm giving away three very different books.

Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson(PB)


Synopsis:

"I need to see you. Please come right away. We have to finish."
Frances Robinson can try and forget her birth mother.
She can even try to forgive her.
But she can never escape their past.









Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev(ARC)



Synopsis:

All her world’s a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

That is, until now.

Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.

ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

BERTIE. Our heroine.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain

Emily the Strange: The Lost Days by Rob Reger and Buzz Parker (ARC)




Synopsis:

13 Elements you will find in the first Emily the Strange novel:

1. Mystery

2. A beautiful golem

3. Souped-up slingshots

4. Four black cats

5. Amnesia

6. Calamity Poker

7. Angry ponies

8. A shady truant officer

9. Top-13 lists

10. A sandstorm generator

11. Doppelgängers

12. A secret mission

13. Earwigs

Emily the Strange: 13 years old. Able to leap tall buildings, probably, if she felt like it. More likely to be napping with her four black cats; or cobbling together a particle accelerator out of lint, lentils, and safety pins; or rocking out on drums/ guitar/saxophone/zither; or painting a swirling feral sewer mural; or forcing someone to say "swirling feral sewer mural" 13 times fast . . . and pointing and laughing.

To enter:

+1 for commenting with your e-mail address
+1 for becoming a follower
+2 if you are already a follower
+1 for blogging about my contest, please include a link
+1 for adding me to your blogroll

So there you have it. This contest will end June 30th.

Supernatural Summer Tour--Naperville, IL, June 2, 2009

So, I'm finally going to post a few pictures I took from my trip to Naperville for the book signing. It was a ton of fun. All of the authors were super gracious and really wonderful to meet.



Here's a shot of all three authors....well, there's a camera in front of Melissa Marr, but other than that.



Ah...here we can see all three of them. Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, and Kelley Armstrong. They spoke first and answered a lot of questions. I think they all got about and equal number of questions, which was cool. There were quite a few people there, I would say at least 150 if not more. The line moved really quickly though, and they personalized all of my books, and I got some cool swag. I picked up a bracelet from Melissa, a bookmark from Kelley, and from Kim, some Once Dead, Twice Shy shoelaces, tomato seeds (the Hollows books), and a bus token to the Hollows.
I'm sooo glad that I went; it was a once in a lifetime thing to meet three of my faves.



The next day, the 3rd, was my birthday, so my sister and I headed into Chicago and went to the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. So, above is a random picture of some jellyfish, which I thought was sort of cool. We also saw some penguins and I love me some penguins, so I was excited.

Then we went back to Anderson's bookstore for the Julianne Moore signing. She was signing copies of her picture books which are very cute. My sister teaches 3rd grade and she collects picture books, so she was pumped. Here's a pic of Julianne.



She read one of her books and answered questions from the kids. She was great. I'm so glad we went back for her signing.

Anyway, that's it from my mini-vaca. It was quick but awesome and now I have a ton of signed books. I wish more authors came to Kansas City. I did get to meet Stephenie Meyer last year, though, when the Host came out, so that's pretty huge. We need more author visits, though, KC loves authors too.

I'll be announcing my new contest sometime tomorrow, so come back and check it out!!

In My Mailbox (16) AKA the week I broke the bank!!

As always, In My Mailbox is brought to you by the awesomely awesome Kristi, AKA The Story Siren.

I got three, well technically four books in the mail this week. They are good ones, too. Plus I picked up a certain very special ARC at work, which I am currently devouring.

First up, the oh so special.....

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins!!!!!! YAY!!



Release Date: September 1, 2009 from Scholastic

Synopsis:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

I know I don't have to tell you guys why I'm so excited for this one. I was amazed when it showed up at work and one of my co-workers is anxiously awaiting its return, so I have to finish it soon.

Never Slow Dance With A Zombie by E. Van Lowe


Release Date: September 1, 2009 from Tor Teen (apparently September 1st is going to be a big book day)

Synopsis:

Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion meets Night of the Living Dead in this laugh-out-loud debut YA novel by Emmy Award-nominated TV writer E. Van Lowe

Principal Taft's 3 Simple Rules for Surviving a Zombie Uprising:

Rule #1: While in the halls, walk slowly and wear a vacant expression on your face. Zombies won't attack other zombies.

Rule #2: Never travel alone. Move in packs. Follow the crowd. Zombies detest blatant displays of individuality.

Rule #3: If a zombie should attack, do not run. Instead, throw raw steak at to him. Zombies love raw meat. This display of kindness will go a long way.

On the night of her middle school graduation, Margot Jean Johnson wrote a high school manifesto detailing her goals for what she was sure would be a most excellent high school career. She and her best friend, Sybil, would be popular and, most important, have boyfriends. Three years later, they haven't accomplished a thing!

Then Margot and Sybil arrive at school one day to find that most of the student body has been turned into flesh-eating zombies. When kooky Principal Taft asks the girls to coexist with the zombies until the end of the semester, they realize that this is the perfect opportunity to live out their high school dreams. All they have to do is stay alive....

Thanks to E. for sending this out to me and for autographing it. I'm really looking forward to reading it. It looks fantastic and any book which can be described with both Romy and Michelle and Night of the Living Dead is perfect for me.

Gifted: Out of Sight, Out of Mind and Better Late Than Never by Marilyn Kaye



Release Date: June 9, 2009 from Kingfisher

Synopsis:

Queen of Mean Amanda Beeson, 13, gets the shock of her life when she wakes up one morning to find herself in the body of one of her victims, Tracey Devon. Amanda discovers that Tracey, ignored at home and school, has the ability to become invisible. When Amanda finds herself in a special class that Tracey usually attends, it becomes clear that at Meadowbrook Middle School the definition of “gifted” has a whole other meaning. Can Amanda rescue her one-time target from obscurity and get her own life back on track? In order to do so, she will have to reveal her own startling gift and take her rightful place among Meadowbrook’s very secret clique.

These two books came in one volume. They look great and I can't wait to read them.

Atherton: The Dark Planet by Patrick Carman



Release Date: Currently Available from Little, Brown

Synopsis:

In the dazzling conclusion to the epic story of Atherton, Patrick Carman takes readers on the most rewarding journey of all, to the perilous realm of The Dark Planet: Earth.

When Edgar discovers a way to leave the mysterious satellite world of Atherton, he couldn't have imagined the gloom that awaited him on the dark planet, where the oceans are toxic, the forests are full of mutant monsters, and children toil in darkness, controlled by ruthless maniacs. Max Harding, an orphan of the Silo, the maker of Atherton, and the last hope of a dying world, left this place behind, and now Edgar is determined to complete the mad scientist's spectacular plan, revealing Atherton's true purpose.

Edgar's quest to discover Earth's dark secret leads to an out of this world adventure in the final book of the Atherton trilogy.

I love Patrick Carman's books. I've read the first in this series, but I need to get caught up.

So, that's it for my mailbox, but I also happened to go a wee bit crazy at the bookstore. That employee discount is dangerous. Here's what I got. Just names and authors, too many for pictures and whatnot.

Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner
The 30 Clues: Book 4: Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson
Dull Boy by Sarah Cross
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
Giving up the V by Serena Robar
Take me There by Susane Colasanti
Slept Away by Julie Kraut
Girl Stays in the Picture by Melissa de la Cruz
The Real Real by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Fairest of Them All by Jan Blazanin
Vacations from Hell (various authors)
Diva Without A Cause by Grace Dent
Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph
Oh and then I almost forgot, when I went to the book signing in Naperville, I picked up some autographed books that they had on the shelves at Anderson's.

Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison (I had the ARC, but I bought the hardcover for her to autograph)
Hunger by Michael Grant (autographed)
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (autographed)
Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor (autographed)
Wings by Aprilynne Pike (autographed)

Thank God for birthday money, otherwise I would be broke as a joke. And when will I read all of these.....someday. Okay, that's the end of my lengthy post. I'll hopefully be posting something about the signing tomorrow.

Can't wait to see what was in your mailboxes!!

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Synopsis:

"I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ."

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas. As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived-and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who've long forgotten her.

The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details-proof they hope may free Ben-Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she'll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club . . . and maybe she'll admit her testimony wasn't so solid after all.

As Libby's search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby's doomed family members-including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started-on the run from a killer.

Okay, so this isn't a YA book, but a girl has to branch out once in awhile. I read Gillian Flynns's first novel Sharp Objects right when it came out and loved it. So, I've been anxiously awaiting this one for a long while.

I wasn't disappointed. Dark Places is a fantastic novel! Libby Day's story is incredibly tragic and yet it's impossible to turn away, even when you want to. This isn't a light read by a long shot. It's gruesome and heartbreaking and Libby can at times be hard to like. But at the same time, there is so much heart in the story of this family who meets a tragic end.

The modern story of Libby's search for the truth is interspersed with the story of the events of that terrible day. The chapters which cover the day of the murders go back and forth between Libby's mother and her brother Ben's viewpoint on the day. The way it's written definitely keeps those pages turning. As the tension builds you can't help but race through the chapters to finally solve the mystery.

One of my favorite things about this book is that it takes place in Kansas City.....Missouri not Kansas, which Flynn writing as Libby points out. Only someone from Kansas City, Missouri would feel the need to clarify the difference, which is just one of those little touches that I like. I'm from Kansas City myself and we don't often have books written about our fair city, but Gillian Flynn is from KC. Her first book, Sharp Objects, took place in Missouri as well, but it was in Southern Missouri, if I remember correctly, down in the Bootheel. Just another reason to love her books.

Even if your not from the MO, though, I highly recommend her books. Both of them are wonderfully written mystery novels with compelling main characters. If you're going to step away from YA for a spell, these books are a great choice.

Waiting on Wednesday....or rather Thursday--Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Release Date: September 1, 2009 from HarperTeen

Synopsis:

"Moonlight can totally change your life.
And it all starts so simply.
You. Him. The moon. You’re toast."

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had “borrowed” that Porsche?). But her step-mother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior. Suddenly Shelby’s summer plans are on the shelf, and she’s being packed off to brat camp. It’s good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges, III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn’t be getting tangled up with another bad boy…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good looking one? One thing’s for sure, that pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

So, werewolves are my second favorite paranormal creature, after zombies of course. I think this one sounds great and I love the cover. Can't wait to read it, but I will for about three more months.

Winner, Winner!!

Hey all, I'm still in Chicago. Today is my Birthday...woo hoo! My birthdays are usually sort of blah, but today's been pretty good. Last night I met Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong and then tonight my sister and I went back to the bookstore for another signing. Actress Julianne Moore was signing her picture books, which are adorable. More on the signings later.

For now, I want to announce the winner of my May contest. I was going to do this sooner, but the trip got in the way.


So the winner of Switch and an autographed copy of Academy 7 is:

Amy from Addicted to Books

I sent you an e-mail Amy, so get back to me within 48 hours and I will send them your way.

I'll be announcing my next contest soon, but first I have to drive 8 hours home tomorrow. I've missed blogging, so I can't wait to get back.

The Windy City!!

Okay folks, at this moment, my sister and I are on our way to Chicago. Well, Naperville, but it's basically Chicago. Tonight I will be meeting Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr, 3 of my very favorite authors. I cannot wait.

Then Wednesday, my birthday, my sister and I are going to the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Or at least we are going to try to cram them both into one day. I think we can do it.

So, I may or may not post tomorrow with news of the book signing. I'm taking a laptop, but it's a fickle and feisty laptop that doesn't always like to work.



In other news, guess what ARC I got at work today?! Any guesses?! (Not that the giant picture won't give it away. Well...here's a hint. It made me do the happiest of happy dances. That's right....Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. My friend was opening the package, which she said was from Scholastic and I was chanting out loud, Catching Fire, Catching Fire, and apparently it worked. So yay!!! I am very excited. So a great book week for me so far!!

I shall return soon with news of authors and books signed.