I So Don't Do Makeup book trailer

Another great new trailer. This one is adorable!! I have this whole series and I need to read them. This definitely gave me some inspiration.

SHADOW HILLS by Anastasia Hopcus --Book Trailer

Check out this awesome new trailer for Shadow Hills, by our very own Vania of Reverie Book Reviews. It's gorgeous!!

Morpheus Road: The Light by D. J. MacHale

Release Date: Available Now from Aladdin

Source: From Publicist

Synopsis:

Marshall Seaver is being haunted.

It begins with mysterious sounds, a fleeting face outside a window, a rogue breeze—all things that can be explained away. That is, until he comes face-to-face with a character who only exists on
the pages of a sketchbook—a character Marshall himself created.

Marshall has no idea why he is being tormented by this forbidding creature, but he is quickly convinced it has something to do with his best friend, Cooper, who has gone missing. Together with Cooper’s beautiful but aloof sister, Sydney, Marshall searches for the truth about his friend while ultimately uncovering a nightmare that is bigger and more frightening than he could ever have imagined.

Number one New York Times bestselling author D. J. MacHale launches his eerie new trilogy with a story so packed with chilling suspense, readers will want to sleep with the light on.

I enjoyed this book, but it took me a little while to get into. Once I got into it though, I couldn't stop reading. The premise is great and there are some truly spooky, creepy moments.

I really like Marshall, but I like his friend Cooper even more. I also think Sydney is a great character, even though sometimes I just wanted to smack her. You do get a lot of back story on the characters which is wonderful, because it helps the reader to buy into the story. You end up really caring about what happens to these kids.

I though this was a good read. I usually give up if something doesn't grab me right away, but something told me to stick with this one and I'm glad that I did. I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series, because it looks like it'll be from another key character's point of view. I don't want to give anything crucial away, so I think I'll just stop there.

If you like ghost stories or are in the market for another great teen horror title, then check this one out.

Waiting on Wednesday (61)--The Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller

Release Date: August 10, 2010 from Razorbill

Synopsis:

Haven Moore can’t control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother’s house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again.


This looks fabulous!! Past lives? Murdered rock stars? Count me in!!

Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast--Release Day Extravaganza!!

Today is the release day for Burned, the latest book in House of Night series.

Here's a little bit about the book:

'Burned' is the seventh book in the House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast....


"Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her. But how? He will have to die to do so, the Vampire High Council stipulates. And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left… "


The New York Times-bestselling mother-daughter writing team of P.C. and Kristin Cast again prove why they have become a major force in teen fiction. With over 3 million copies of their books in print, a well-publicized film option, an updated interactive website, daily-growing fan base, the Cast duo will command your attention with every page turn.

To celebrate, I received some goodies to share with you all.

Check out the trailer:



If you like the trailer music, you can find that here.

And as an added bonus....you can read the first chapter of Burned on the House of Night Website located here.

It's time to hop on board with this series....I need to play catch up. I'm a couple books behind. Oh well, guess I know what I'll be doing this summer.

No really....I'm still alive!!

Sorry, I know I say it often, but really I'm sorry. I came back from my library conference with strep and double pink eye. Dreadful!! I couldn't even read or get on the computer, because my eyes hurt so bad. I am on the mend, although still feeling pretty crappy. I shall return tomorrow night, because my totally-waited-til-the-last-minute homework is done.

See you soon...and sorry!

Guest Post From D.J. MacHale!!

Hello everyone!! Sorry I've been MIA lately, but I came back from my conference sick, so I've been trying to take it easy. I'm back now to bring you a guest post from D. J. MacHale, author of the Pendragon series, and the new series, Morpheus Road. The first book, The Light, is available now from Aladdin. I'll post my review of the title tomorrow. For now, let's hear what D. J. has to say:

One of the great things about being an author is that I get the opportunity to travel all over the country (and sometimes to other countries) where I can meet the readers of my books.

Someone once asked me what my favorite part of writing was and the answer was simple: When somebody comes up to me and says: “I loved your book”. Man, it doesn’t get any better than that, and travelling around gives me the chance to experience that.

When a new book comes out I go on a tour for a few weeks to visit as many schools and bookstores and libraries as possible to meet readers and to talk about the new book. I have to admit that the travelling itself can get tiring. Lots of airports, lots of flying time, lots of fast food, lots of cars, and lots of hotel rooms. The only thing I don’t get lots of is sleep. I’ve found that when I leave a hotel room I have to force myself to stop, turn around and register what the room number is because I’ve often forgotten what room I’m in. It all kind of blends after a while. But the amazing thing is that the second I get to a school or a bookstore, it all gets better and I find that I’m just as energized on the last stop as I was on the first.

Another great benefit is that I get to make new friends. Now that I’ve been doing this for a few years, I’m getting back to some spots a second and third time and seeing many friends I’ve made along the way.

I’ve also found that when I’m on a book tour, I’m not the only one who is doing the travelling. At most every stop there is at least one parent, or grandparent, whose kid has twisted their arm to take them to come and see me, and sometimes they’ve driven quite a few hours to get there. So to all of you awesome fellow-travelers, I salute you!

There’s only one real downside to travelling like this and I have yet to figure out the best solution: There’s never enough time to do laundry!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! If you'd like to know more about Morpheus Road or any of D.J.'s titles, check out his website here. And be sure to visit Frenetic Reader for the next stop on the Morpheus Road tour.

Contest Winner and I'm Outta Here For A Few Days!!

The winner of my contest for 5 awesome books is:

Christa Holland

Congrats Christa, I will send you an e-mail shortly. Get back to me with your address and I'll get the books out as soon as possible.

Thanks to everyone for entering and stay tuned, because I'll announce a new contest next week.

I'll be out of town, until late Tuesday, so you might not hear from me. When I get home I'll post my IMM. I got 6 amazing books this week.

I;m heading to the MASL (Missouri Association of School Librarians) Conference. It's only about 3 hours away, and I'm really looking forward to it. Best of all, Susan Beth Pfeffer, author of Life As We Knew It, is going to be there accepting one of our state book awards. She's also speaking and signing. Needless to say, I am pumped. She's one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to meet her.

Next weekend, my sister and I are planning on driving to St. Louis to meet Melissa Marr. So, this may turn out to be my week of author signings. There are much worse ways to spend a week, eh?

Well, I'm outta here, but I'll return soon.

Guest Post From Author Chris Bradford!!

Today, I am thrilled to have a guest post from Chris Bradford. Here's a little bit more about Chris:

Chris Bradford is the author of the award-winning Young Samurai series, a tale of adventure, friendship and heroism that follows an English boy as he strives to become the first foreign samurai. (www.youngsamurai.com )

Chris is a black belt in martial arts and lives in a village in West Sussex, England, with his wife.

Books in series: The Way of the Warrior and The Way of the Sword

Now let's see what Chris has to share with us:


Ninja Librarians by Chris Bradford

In the past year, I’ve visited over 150 school libraries performing my Young Samurai show to over 30,000 school pupils. During that time, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful librarians – many with ninja-like skills in organization, crowd management and spreading the word of Young Samurai.

One particularly fantastic American library experience that sticks out for me was my very first major event in the United States.

St. Louis County Library organised for two martial arts schools (St Louis Self Defense & Fitness and Shito Ryu Shukokai Karate Do Union) to perform displays at the launch of The Way of the Warrior.

The library was rammed with people and the atmosphere was exhilarating as real young samurai brought my book to life with high-kicking moves and fast-punching action.




I was blown away by this young lady who proved to be a phenomenal martial artist – she possessed the same devastating skill and courage as my heroine Akiko!

Such enthusiasm from both librarians and readers encourages me to write more books - and it’s always awe-inspiring to see real Young Samurai in action!

Should you wish to witness this samurai girl and her display team in action, watch the following Youtube video from my US tour:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY2wO6G7Zfg

Thanks to all the ninja librarians who are supporting Young Samurai. Keep up the good work!

For a free downloadable Librarians’ and Teachers’ Classroom Activities & Discussion Guide, please visit: www.youngsamurai.com


Thanks for stopping by Chris!!

Waiting on Wednesday (60)--The Ghost of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty

Release Date: June 1, 2010 from Arthur A. Levine Books

Synopsis:

This is the story of Amelia and Riley, bad kids from bad Brookfield High who have transferred to Ashbury High for their final year. They've been in love since they were fourteen, they go out dancing every night, and sleep through school all day. And Ashbury can't get enough of them.

Everyone's trying to get their attention; even teachers are dressing differently, trying to make their classes more interesting. Everyone wants to be cooler, tougher, funnier, hoping to be invited into their cool, self-contained world.

But they don't know that all Amelia can think about is her past -- an idyllic time before she ran away from home. Riley thinks he's losing her to the past, maybe even to a place further back in time. He turns to the students of Ashbury for help, and things get much, much worse.

In the tradition of the gothic novel, this is a story about ghosts, secrets, madness, passion, locked doors, femmes fatales, and that terrifying moment in the final year of high school when you realise that the future's come to get you.

I love Jaclyn Moriarty. Her books are fantastic, so fantastic that I had my friend from Australia bring me a copy of one of her books not available stateside. She's just that good. So, needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting this one.

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Release Date: Available Now from HarperTeen

Source: Personal Collection

Synopsis:

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone--but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he's ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her--but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.

I'm trying to get ready for Radiant Shadows, so I'm playing catch up. I love Melissa Marr, but I just didn't have time to get to this one until now. It was wonderful to delve back into Seth and Aislinn's story. Although I loved Ink Exchange, Seth and Aislinn really fascinate me, so it was like catching up with old friends.

This was a fantastic read, and I've come to expect nothing less from Marr. She's a truly wonderful storyteller who always sweeps me away and into the story. I love escaping into her books and this one was just as rich and gorgeous as her previous two books. Seth and Aislinn are great characters, and I love that as much as I love Seth, Marr always lets Keenan pull on my heartstrings, too. It takes a great author to make me fall for two vastly different fictional characters, but she can certainly pull it off. And don't even get me started on Niall, who I would run away with at the drop of a hat. Lovely!!

The intrigue is really upped in this outing. You never know who you can trust in the world of Faery. Just when you think you have someone figured out, Marr throws in a curveball that makes you question all of your beliefs. I just love her books and I can't wait to read Radiant Shadows. I know it's going to be amazing....no pressure though.

Melissa is passing through Missouri in a couple weeks. She won't be coming to my side of the state (Kansas City), but she will be heading to that other big Missouri city (St. Louis). It's about 3 1/2 hours away, but I've convinced my sister to drive over there with me. I can't pass up seeing Melissa Marr, after all. I CANNOT wait!!

In My Mailbox (52)

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

Another big book week for me, so I decided to just do one photo and then list the titles. Hope that's okay with all of you, but once again I am feeling a wee bit on the lazy side. So here goes:

For Review:

Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz (2nd Copy)
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (2nd Copy)
Epitaph Road by David Patneaude
Ivy's Ever After by Dawn Lairamore
Summer of the Geek by Piper Banks (2 Copies)
I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy
I So Don't Do Spooky by Barrie Summy
I So Don't Do Makeup by Barrie Summy
Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine (Morganville)
Divine by Mistake by PC Cast
Divine by Blood by PC Cast
Divine by Choice by PC Cast
Elphame's Choice by PC Cast
Brighid's Quest by PC Cast

Purchased:

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

That's it for me. Can't wait to see what everyone else picked up this week!!

Radiant Shadows Winner!!

The winner of Radiant Shadows is:


Robin_Titan


Congrats!! I've dropped you an e-mail. Please get back to me with your address before Monday, so I can pass it on to the publicist. Thanks to all who entered. I currently have another contest running which you can see in my sidebar.

Reminder!!

Just wanted to remind everyone that my Radiant Shadows contest ends tomorrow. You can find it here if you'd like to enter. I'll announce my winner on Saturday.

Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve

Release Date: Available Now from Scholastic

Source: Personal Collection

Synopsis:


Fever Crumb is a girl who has been adopted and raised by Dr. Crumb, a member of the order of Engineers, where she serves as apprentice. In a time and place where women are not seen as reasonable creatures, Fever is an anomaly, the only female to serve in the order. Soon though, she must say goodbye to Dr. Crumb-nearly the only person she's ever known-to assist archaeologist Kit Solent on a top-secret project. As her work begins, Fever is plagued by memories that are not her own and Kit seems to have a particular interest in finding out what they are. Fever has also been
singled out by city-dwellers who declare her part Scriven. The Scriveners, not human, ruled the city some years ago but were hunted down and killed in a victorious uprising by the people. If there are any remaining Scriven, they are to be eliminated. All Fever knows is what she's been told: that she is an orphan. Is Fever a Scriven? Whose memories does she hold? Is the mystery of Fever, adopted daughter of Dr. Crumb, the key to the secret that lies at the heart of London?


Haunting, arresting, and astonishingly original, Fever Crumb will delight and surprise readers at every fast-paced, breathless turn.


I love Philip Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles. In fact, I've posted about it before here. This book is a prequel of sorts to this series. It's set hundreds of years before in a world that is just beginning to look like what we see in the Hungry City Chronicles. If you haven't read this series, I can't recommend them highly enough. This is the perfect place to start, too.

Fever Crumb is an amazing character. She's been raised by the Engineers who have shunned any emotions in favor of cold, hard science. She doesn't know anything about her life before the Engineers until she's sent to help an archaeologist who is searching for secrets. Slowly, Fever starts to learn more and more about her past and about who she really is.

It's a fantastic read. Granted, I'm already a fan, and I mean a rabid fan of this series. Even with that being said, this would be a wonderful stand-alone novel. I can't tell you how happy I was to learn that Reeve was returning to this world, but he's gone even further with this book. It's always great to get the back story to a series you love....to learn where this fascinating world grew from. Philip Reeve has given us all a look into the past of the Hungry Cities, and what a past it is. There's adventure and intrigue, and so much action I felt like I was racing through to see what happened next.

Buy these books. It's one of the best series out there. It will capture you and take you away to an incredible post-apocalyptic, dystopian world where you might just catch a glimpse of our future.

Waiting on Wednesday (59)--Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Release Date: October 1, 2010 from HarperTeen

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Evie's job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone--or something--starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she's worked hard to help become productive members of society, she's got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal.

Normal is so overrated.

This sounds awesome-tacular and it has one of the prettiest covers I've seen in a very long while. Unfortunately we have a very long while to wait for it, but it's not like I don't have a million more things to read in the meantime.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Release Date: Available Now from HarperTeen

Source: Personal Collection

Synopsis:

Since the dawn of time, the Faerie have taken. . . .

Seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow always thought faeries were just something from childhood stories. Then she meets Sonny Flannery. He's a changeling—a mortal taken as an infant and raised among Faerie—and within short order he's turned Kelley's heart inside out and her life upside down.

For Kelley's beloved Central Park isn't just a park—it's a gateway between her ordinary city and the Faerie's dangerous, bewitching Otherworld. Now Kelley's eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her, but to the heritage that awaits her . . . a destiny both wondrous and strange.

I'm reading Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr at the moment in preparation for Radiant Shadows, so it got me thinking about other books of faerie that I've read recently. This is another of my winter reads that I'm just getting around to reviewing. I had seen this book about a million times in the bookstore, but just never chose to pick it up. Then I was offered the sequel, Darklight, to review (still haven't worked my way to it yet), so I picked up the first one, because I wanted to know what they heck was going on. This is a great read, and I can't believe it took me so very long to finally read it.

I think I was afraid the book was going to be too Shakespeare heavy, but it wasn't at all. The Shakespearean stuff is blended really well with the rest of the story, but not in an overpowering way. There were a lot of really original elements to this book, which gets harder and harder to do as the faerie book market becomes more saturated. I love to read something original and this one realy fit the bill.

Kelly is fantastic and I'm a little in love with Sonny Flannery. He's one of the dreamier faerie dudes out there. The real star of the show, at least for me, is Lucky the kelpie. I decided immediately that I need my very own kelpie to feed Lucky Charms to. What an adorable faerie beastie.

I absolutely recommend this book, and I'm hoping I can work my way to Darklight soon. There are just too many books and not nearly enough time. I feel like I'm always playing catch up, but oh well, it's a great problem to have. At least I don't have a giant supernatural horse in my tub, right?

Thirteen Days To Midnight by Patrick Carman

Release Date: April 12, 2010 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (although I just checked and it's In Stock at Amazon, so you don't even have to wait!!)

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:


You are indestructible. Three whispered words transfer an astonishing power to Jacob Fielding that changes everything. At first, Jacob is hesitant to use the power, unsure of its implications. But there's something addictive about testing the limits of fear.

Then Ophelia James, the beautiful and daring new girl in town, suggests that they use the power to do good, to save others. But with every heroic act, the power grows into the specter of a curse. How to decide who lives and who dies?

In this nail-biting novel of mystery and dark intrigue, Jacob must walk the razor thin line between right and wrong, good and evil, and life and death. And time is running out. Because the Grim Reaper doesn't disappear. . . . He catches up.


Wowza!! I've been in a reading slump lately. There's a lot going on with work and school, then I went on vacation and it was just hard to get back into the swing of things. I picked up a few books, but nothing really caught my attention. Then I remembered I had the new Patrick Carman. Carman has never disappointed me, so I picked it up and gave it a go....and as I said before Wowza! This book is fan-freakin-tastic! It captured me from page one and held onto to me until I turned the last page. It's been awhile since a book took me for a ride like this one and it felt good to be eagerly page-turning again.

I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that I loved the premise of this book. It had a wonderfully dark feel to it that is different from earlier Carman books. It's more Skeleton Creek than Land of Elyon, and hey, I am happy either way. This is his first foray into the world of YA and I don't think he'll have any trouble capturing the YA audience. This book has everything: action, adventure, romance, supernatural whatnot....you really can't go wrong.

The main character Jacob is incredibly likable and sympathetic and with his best friend Milo, they just become those kids you'd have fun hanging out with in and away from school. When strangeness starts to happen in their lives, you are just as surprised and curious as they are, which makes each new spin simply amazing. And who hasn't dreamed of having some superpower?! With this book you get to experience that not always pleasant feeling through the eyes of someone living with a power.

It's no secret that I love Patrick Carman's books. Every time I turn around he's throwing something new into the mix, which makes reading each new book a complete thrill. As I said before, he has yet to disappoint me and with this new book, he's taken it to a whole new level. If you haven't read Carman before, now's the perfect time to hop aboard. I promise it'll be one hell of a ride.

In My Mailbox (51)

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

This is two week's worth of In My Mailbox and there's quite a bit of stuff, so no pics or descriptions, just titles and authors. And away we go:

For Review:

Earth Day set from Harpercollins including:

Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Fancy Nancy: Every Day is Earth Day by Jane O'Connor

Global Warming by Seymour Simon

Where Do Polar Bears Live? by Sarah L. Thomson

Roberto & Me by Dan Gutman

Tess' Tree by Jess M. Brallier

Poetry Month Set from Harpercollins including:

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

The Wonder Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire by Jane O'Connor

Time You Let Me In (25 Poets Under 25) edited by Naomi Shihab Nye

Hip Hop Dog by Chris Raschka

And two other books that I can't think of, because I took them to work to read and left them there this weekend. I'll add them to next week's list. I have to say that I'm thrilled that Harper has started sending me more kids books. They always give me great ideas of stuff to do in the classroom. So thank you Harpercollins and feel free to keep the kids books coming.

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

The Snowball Effect by Holly Nicole Hoxter

She Thief by Daniel Finn

The Gardener by S. A. Bodeen

Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale


Purchased:

North by Northwestern by Sig Hansen
A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard
Keep Sweet by Michele Dominguez Greene
Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
Frankenstein Takes the Cake by Adam Rex
The Poison Eaters by Holly Black
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
The Baby-Sitters Club: Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls by Ann M. Martin
The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
The Baby-Sitters Club: The Summer Before by Ann M. Martin
Kingdom Keepers III: Disney In Shadow by Ridley Pearson (YAY!!)
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Epitaph Road by David Patneaude
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

Release Date: Available Now from Hyperion CH

Source: Personal Collection

Synopsis:

Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she’s determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a website for “completers”— www.through-the-light .com.

While she’s on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, uncovering a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she’s not on the Web, Daelyn’s at her private school, where she’s known as the freak who doesn’t talk.

Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she’s waiting to for her parents to pick her up. Even though she’s made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won’t give up. And it’s too late for Daelyn to be letting people into her life…isn’t it?

National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters shines a light on how bullying can push young people to the very edge.

This is another one of my Christmas break reads that I am just now getting around to reviewing. I am a fan of Julie Anne Peters. Her books are fantastic and are full of interesting, real characters. This book is no exception, although it is a wee bit darker than her previous books. Most of her books that I've read deal with LGBT teens who are trying to find their place and their way in the world. This book deals with a teen who is completely lost and has turned to suicide to end her pain.

As the synopsis says, "Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair," and she attempted suicide many times. After one such attempt, Daelyn decides to pretend for her parents that she is healing, while all the time she is planning her next and final attempt with the help of a website created to encourage and support people who are suicidal. I know that such websites exist and it's pretty scary and mind-boggling. I hate that we live in a world where people will encourage one another to commit suicide and it's even more frightening that children and teens have access to these sites, as if life isn't hard enough for kids.

I really did feel for Daelyn. She's a very sympathetic character who had just totally given up on life. Then she meets Santana and things start to slowly turn around for her. Santana is the true hero of this story. He's a guy who is battling demons of his own, yet still sees something special in Daelyn and won't give up until he reaches her. I loved this character; he's pretty much impossible not to love.

Julie Anne Peters is such a brave author. She tackles some tough issues, but does it in a very thoughtful way. Her books are full of heart and understanding, which means that each book she writes makes life just a little bit easier for teens. You have to respect that.

New Contest!

So, I've decided to simplify my life and part of that is getting rid of some books. My obsession is now your gain, because I have lots and lots of books. I'm starting small, but in the coming months you will see more titles up for grabs here. I am drowning in a sea of books and I'm starting to feel a little claustrophobic in my room. It's the best kind of problem, really, but a little overwhelming.

So up for grabs first is:

Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening by Marley Gibson

Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance by Marley Gibson

Ash by Malinda Lo(ARC)

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe(ARC)

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore(ARC)


There you have it. 5 books to one lucky winner.

To enter:

+1 Leave a comment below with your e-mail address.
+3 Link to this contest on your blog or through Twitter. Please leave me a link.

Contest open to US only. Sorry, but that's a lot of book to send overseas.

Contest ends April 17th.