ghostgirl: Lovesick trailer

I think this trailer is pretty awesome. I love this series, too!! I have the new book, but haven't gotten around to it yet, but after watching this, I'm thinking I need to move it up in the TBR pile!

Waiting on Wednesday(69)--The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Release Date: September 21, 2010 from Razorbill

Synopsis:

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Edward Scissorhands meets The Catcher in the Rye in this wildly imaginative and frighteningly beautiful horror novel about an unusual boy and his search for a place to belong.

I've always been fascinated by the idea of changelings, so this one sounds amazing to me!! Also, who can resist that comparison, "Edward Scissorhands meet The Catcher in the Rye?" How awesome does that sound?!

And Then I Found Out the Truth by Jennifer Sturman

Release Date: July 1, 2010 from Point

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:

Delia Truesdale is still searching for the truth about her mother, who is in hiding somewhere in South America. But for now, Delia has to make do with her mystery-solving in New York City, alongside her Aunt Charley (a downtown hipster), her Aunt Patience(an uptown ice queen), a detective with a questionable taste in neckties, an eccentric psychic, her brainiac friend, and Quinn, the wealthy, gorgeous boy who--gasp!-- seems to return Delia's affections. Too bad Quinn's shady CEO dad may be involved in the scheme Delia is trying to crack. And a trip to South America may be in order after all...

I really loved the first book in this series, And Then Everything Unraveled, and I think this one is as good if not better than the first. We get another wonderful dose of Delia, a heroine who I could read about all day every day. She's fun and daring and willing to do anything to reunite with her mother.

The wonderful cast of characters that were introduced in the first book are all back and wackier than ever. My favorite characters are Delia's aunt Charley and private detective Rafe. They are a joy to read about and even better, I could totally hang with them.

These two books are fantastic! I love the humor, the mystery, and of course the romance, but what gets me the most is the heart. Delia cares about the people in her life and is willing to fight for them. That's what kept me reading well into the night. I wanted Delia to find answers and happiness and I couldn't stop reading until she did.

An amazing follow-up to an equally amazing book! Check these out!!

Iron King Contest Winner!!

The winner of the Iron King giveaway is:

Meredith

Congrats, Meredith!! I'll be sending you an e-mail shortly so please send me your address as soon as you can and I'll forward it on to the publicist.

Summer Break Reading Challenge Activity #2

The Hungry Cities Chronicles by Philip Reeve

In My Mailbox (57)

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

For Review:

The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams

Release Date: Available Now from Chronicle Books

Synopsis:

Not your everyday coming-of-age novel

This story was supposed to be about Evie how she hasn't made a friend in years, how she tends to stretch the truth (especially about her so-called relationship with college drop-out Jonah Luks), and how she finally comes into her own once she learns to just be herself but it isn't. Because when her classmate Elizabeth "Zabet" McCabe's murdered body is found in the woods, everything changes and Evie's life is never the same again.

The Season of Risks by Susan Hubbard (2nd Copy)

Release Date: July 6, 2010 from Simon & Schuster

Synopsis:

The vampire sects are at war—and war among vampires is fought not with weapons, but with minds.
My name is Ariella Montero, and I know a secret. Telling it will change everything.

Half-human and half-vampire, Ari confronts the darker sides of vampirism, and herself, as the sects deploy new technologies to battle for influence and power.


But beyond these challenges lie greater risks: Ari’s relationship with Neil Cameron, the first vampire to run for the U.S. presidency, must be kept under wraps from even those she trusts most. When scandal inevitably erupts, Ari is forced to face the consequences of her actions, learning the hard way that love demands delicate negotiations between memory and desire.


Dear Dylan by Siobhan Curham

Release Date: Available Now from Authorhouse

Synopsis:

Fourteen year old Georgie Harris feels as if the summer holidays are over before they have even begun. Banned from going to the local drama workshop by her bully of a step-dad and her increasingly fragile mum she is consigned to sic long weeks of babysitting her kid sister. Sick of feeling like the outsider at home and at school, she starts emailing the one person she thinks might understand; Dylan Curtland, star of the popular soap opera Jessop Close. And when Dylan starts emailing back Georgie finally feels a spark of hope. At last she has someone who really gets her, someone who really wants to help. But in the faceless world of email all is not as it seems...
Molly Fyde and the Blood of Billions by Hugh Howey

Release Date: Available Now from Broad Reach Publishing

Synopsis:

It's been ten years since Molly last set foot on her birth planet, and this isn't how she'd imagined her homecoming. The sky is full of an invading fleet, one powerful enough to threaten the entire galaxy. The new family she has come to rely on -- her crew of alien misfits and runaways -- are scattered in three directions. As they struggle to reunite, events beyond their control seem to be driving more than just them apart: the universe itself may be torn asunder if the bond between these unlikely heroes is broken.


Purchased:

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams
Unbelievable by Sara Shepard
Wicked by Sara Shepard
The Unofficial Guide: The Color Companion to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger

ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison Moulton (YA Book Trailer)

The Wolves of Mercy Falls: A Stop Motion trailer for Linger

This is so amazing!! Can't wait for Linger!

Guardian of the Gate trailer

Contest on my sister's blog!

My sister is a crocheting freak, and she's working on a little creature to give away on her blog. Here's the link to the contest and some early images of her project. Check it out!!

Ivy's Ever After by Dawn Lairamore

Release Date: Available Now from Holiday House

Source: From Publicist

Synopsis:

A frothy, fractured fairy tale filled with humor and high adventure!

Long ago in the kingdom of Ardendale, the Dragon Treaty had been signed to protect the dragon herds and lure gallant young princes to the remote kingdom to marry its princesses. Since then, when a royal princess turns fourteen, she is locked in a tower guarded by a dragon to await rescue by a handsome prince. But feisty Princess Ivy doesn't care to be rescued; and Elridge, an under-sized, peace-loving dragon who's better at solving puzzles than breathing fire, certainly doesn't care to be slain. Princess and dragon join forces, setting off on a perilous journey across the Craggie Mountains. Can they overcome hungry trolls, hypnotic swamp sprites, and fairyland magic in their quest to escape their dire fates? Fast paced and fun, Ivy's Ever After offers a lighthearted twist on the classic fairy tale.

It's always the books that it takes me forever to get around to that truly blow me away. Then I have to think...why did it take me so long to read this?! That is, of course, the case with Ivy's Ever After. It's been sitting on my shelves for a couple months now, and I finally picked it up earlier this week. I finished it in two days, and that's while completely cleaning and reorganizing my room. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop thinking about the book until I finished it (at 2am a couple nights ago).

This is an adorable read. It has all the elements of a classic fairy tale, but then it shakes things up and takes that classic tale in a whole new direction. Ivy is a wonderful heroine. She's not your average princess. She'd rather be outside running around with her friends, the stable boy and the daughters of the kitchen staff, than sitting with her nursemaid, Tildy, learning all those things a good princess should know. Ivy has no use for embroidery, etiquette, or fancy dresses. When she finds out she's to be locked in a tower at fourteen, Ivy's world is turned upside down. It's like everyone around her has gone mad, because they can't fathom why she's upset at the prospect of spending, potentially, her whole life waiting for some prince to save her. Ivy doesn't want to be dependent on any prince to determine her fate.

Enter Elridge, who's pretty helpless at being a dragon. When the two meet, you just know they're going to be kindred spirits. Their adventures together as they try to save Ivy's kingdom and her future are truly exciting. All those magical creatures we've come to know and love are present and accounted for, but they might just be a little different than you remember them.

This was a fun read from start to finish. I just loved Ivy and I'm hoping that we'll get to read more about Ivy and Elridge in the future. Lairamore has created an exciting world that I know I'll want to return to again and again. Check this one out....I think you'll like it!

Summer Reading Challenge Reading Wish List!

Okay, for the reading challenge, I'd like to get to the following books:

Pretty Little Liars (books 2-8)

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden

This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas

A Web of Air by Philp Reeve

Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

Okay, that's all I can think of for now and I think that's a pretty lofty goal. I really need to buckle down and get reading.

Summer Break Reading Challenge!!

I'm trying to do some major catch-up reading this summer. I have to go back to work on August 3rd, so I only have a little over a month left to read, read, read. I figured taking part in Karin's (of Karin's Book Nook) Summer Reading Challenge would help to motivate me a little more.

If you'd like more info about the challenge, you can find it on the blog.

I have a lot of books to read, and the hardest part is fitting review books in while still finding time to read those books that have been sitting on my shelf for awhile (AKA Pretty Little Liars series, which I am quickly becoming hooked on). Here's hoping I get as much reading done as I'd like.

Waiting on Wednesday (68)--Virals by Kathy Reichs

Release Date: November 2, 2010 from Razorbill

Synopsis:

Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage Òsci-philesÓ who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hotÑif they can stay alive long enough to catch the killerÕs scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friendsÑ theyÕre a pack. They are Virals.

I'm a big fan of Kathy Reichs adult mysteries and of the show Bones, so I'm very excited that she's moving into the YA realm. I'm hoping that this one is as much of a pageturner as the Tempe books.

Read All About It! by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, Illustrated by Denise Brunkus

Release Date: Hardcover Available Now; In Paperback June 22, 2010 from Harpercollins

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:

A classroom adventure that will have readers racing to the shelves, from Mrs. Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna!

Tyrone rules the school!

He's king of the monkey bars, a math machine, and a science whiz.

The only thing he doesn't like about school is reading. It's so boring! But when strange visitors start dropping by the classroom during story hour, Tyrone discovers there's more to books than just words on pages.

This is the perfect book for a school library! I loved this book the first time I read it, when it originally came out in hardcover and I loved it even more when it came in the mail and I gave it another read.

It's an adorable book and it truly captures how magical books can be. Reaching a kid like Tyrone is why I do what I do. It's so amazing to be able to get a reluctant reader hooked on books and it only takes one to really show them what they've been missing.

Say what you will about the Bushes (I know I have), Laura Bush cares about books and libraries. When you read this, you can see the school teacher/librarian that she used to be. It's a great read and one that I'll be using, probably as my welcome back to school book in the fall.

The amazing illustrations by Denise Brunkus, Junie B. Jones illustrator, help, too. Picture books are nothing without an illustrator and this book shows one at the top of her game. Definitely recommended!!

In My Mailbox (56)

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

The following list all arrived while I was in California. I always seem to get books when I'm out of town. This week, I got zip, zero, nada, but that's okay, my shelves are full.

For Review:

Summer Reading Box from HarperTeen including:

As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Queen of Secrets by Jenny Meyerhoff

Burned by PC & Kristin Cast

Seth Baumgartner's Love Manifesto by Eric Luper

Touch by Francine Prose

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Manifest by Artist Arthur

Read All About It by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager

Purchased:

Perfect by Sara Shepard

Flawless by Sara Shepard

My Soul To Keep by Rachel Vincent

Lifted by Wendy Toliver

Nomansland by Lesley Hauge

A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner

So, that's what I've picked up lately. I can't wait to see what everyone else got this week.

Brontë Sisters Power Dolls

This is pretty freakin' awesome!!

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Release Date: Available Now from Philomel

Source: From Author

Synopsis:

In Caitlin's world, everything is black and white. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff her brother, Devon, always explained. But now Devon is dead, and her father cries a lot. She wants to help her dad--and herself!--but as a ten-year-old girl with Asperger's syndrome, she doesn't know how.

She turns to textbooks and dictionaries, easy for Caitlin because they;re full of facts in black and white. After reading the definition of Closure, Caitlin knows this is just what she and her father need. And she is determined to find it. In her search, she discovers that not everything is really black and white--the world is full of colors, messy and beautiful. And perhaps if she "Works At It," Caitlin and her father can have Closure and Empathy, too.

A warm and loving book that gives young readers a rare glimpse of a very special world and a brave and very special girl.

What a powerful book. It's small in length and in overall size, but it packs a powerful punch and stays with you long after you turn the last page. In my first year as a media specialist in an elementary school, I was exposed to at least one child who has Asperger's. It can be a challenging thing to deal with and I could see that the child was separated somewhat from their classmates. I've never known a lot about Asperger's, but this book was an invaluable learning tool, and I know it would help my students understand their classmate better.

Caitlin is a fascinating little girl who is brutally honest and sees that world in very literal terms. I love the fact that the book is written completely from her point of view. It really put me in the mindset of Caitlin and it was easy for me to see how she sees the world and also the struggles, both internal and external, that she faces from day to day.

The background of the story makes it seem like it'll be a sad read, but it actually turned out to be one of the most uplifting books I've read in quite a long time. It was just a feel-good read, and made me smile repeatedly while I was reading. Of course, there were some touching moments and a few tears might be shed throughout the reading, but overall, when I finished the book I felt hopeful and happy. This book also pays tribute to the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird. That's storyline is blended so seamlessly with the story of Caitlin and Devon. It's really done beautifully.

Erskine has a true gift. You can see through her writing how much she cares about the subject matter. I also love the fact that Caitlin's counselor is such an integral part of the story and of Caitlin's life. My school has a wonderful counselor and they really are the unsung heroes of schools. Our counselor never falters no matter what gets thrown her way and our school and students couldn't even begin to function without her. Caitlin's counselor, Mrs. Brook, works with her tirelessly. She never gets frustrated, but constantly urges Caitlin to try harder and to go beyond what she believes she can do. It's a wonderful, true portrait of a relationship that goes on in schools across the country day after day.

I can't wait to read more from Erskine. I can't think of a book that that captures the true spirit of To Kill a Mockingbird more than Kathryn Erskine's Mockingbird. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's one that I know I will read over and over again and it'll probably be the first book I buy for my school's shelves in the fall. It's an important read and one that I won't soon forget.

Waiting on Wednesday (67)--Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Release Date: October 12, 2010 from Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Synopsis:

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

Doesn't his look amazing? And A Northern Light was fabulous, so how could I not completely want this book?!

Countdown Winner!!

The winner of a copy of Deborah Wiles amazing Countdown and a canvas Countdown tote is:



Dawn





Congrats Dawn, I've sent you an e-mail, so please get back to me as soon as you can.

Deception Winners!!

The winners of a copy each of Lee Nichols awesome book, Deception are:


californiameaghan

The Book Pixie


Congrats Ladies!! I've sent an e-mail your way, so get back to me as soon as you can.

Sea Change Paperback Release Giveaway!!!

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her (now ex) boyfriend, she's happy to be spending the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.


On the lush, beautiful island, Miranda finds new friends and a community with a mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, romance...and reality.


Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

Would you like to learn more about Sea Change? Find your answers here.

What can you win?

Hit the beach with this Sea Change prize pack!

One winner receives:

Handmade bamboo beach mat and a paperback copy of Sea Change!

Contest is open to the US only and runs until June 29th, AKA the night I'll be headed to the midnight show of Eclipse, with my Twilight-crazed buddies!

To enter, simply leave a comment below with your e-mail address.

Back in Town!!

Hello all!!

I am back in Missouri, but feeling pretty miserable. I have an ear infection and let me tell you, ear infections and multiple altitude changes?....they just don't mix. So, I've got some antibiotics and I'm hoping to be back up to full speed soon.

As often happens when I leave the state, I got a ton o'books this week, so I'll share my IMM post sometime this week belatedly.

Back soon....when I can move my head without piercing pain. Oh, my sister and I did listen to The Host on audio during our epically long journey. I'll share my thoughts on it soon.

The Iron King Giveaway!!

One lucky winner will receive:

Treat the faery creature in you to something magical and mysterious with a $25 Visa Gift Card and a copy of The Iron King!

Here's the books official website if you'd like to learn more.

Check out the book trailer:

In My Mailbox (55)

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

I'm actually in LA right now basking in the Disneyland magic with my cousin and my sister, so I'm writing this on Wednesday night before we hit the road. This is what I got last week and this week.

For Review:

Insatiable by Meg Cabot


Release Date: June 8, 2010 from William Morrow

Synopsis:

Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.

Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)

But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .

If she even has one.


Half Way Home by Hugh Howey


Release Date: Available Now from Broad Reach Publishing

Synopsis:

Less than sixty kids awaken on a distant planet. The colony ship they arrived on is aflame. The rest of their contingent is dead. They've only received half their training, and they are being asked to conquer an entire planet. Before they can, however, they must first survive each other. In this gritty tale of youths struggling to survive, Hugh Howey fuses the best of young adult fantasy with the piercing social commentary of speculative fiction. The result is a book that begs to be read in a single sitting. An adventurous romp that will leave readers exhausted and begging for more.

Ten Unusual Features of Lulu McDann by Kelly Pulley


Release Date: July 1, 2010 from Frog Legs Ink

Synopsis:

Miss Lulu McDunn, with her ten unusual features, will not only make you laugh but warm you heart as she teaches a lesson all children should learn, to celebrate the things that make us unique.






The Jaguar Stones, Book One: Middleworld by J & P Voelkel


Release Date: Available Now from Egmont USA

Synopsis:

“As I see it,” said Max, “all that stands between humankind and the end of the world is two talking monkeys, a crazy archaeologist covered in red paint, and a couple of kids with blowguns. Am I right?”

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy, video-gamer extraordinaire, is furious when his archaeologist parents cancel the family vacation to go on a dig in Central America. But things go from bad to worse when Max is summoned to join them, only to discover that his parents have vanished. With the help of Lola, a fast-talking, quick-thinking Maya girl, Max embarks on a quest to find out just what’s going on. Soon Max and Lola are running for their lives in the perilous rainforest, as they unlock ancient secrets, meet mysterious strangers, and begin to understand that, in San Xavier, nothing is ever as it seems.

Fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to Max Murphy. But can a teen whose biggest talent is for video games rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save himself from the villainous Lords of Death?

Purchased:

Nothing....aren't you proud of me?!

Ten Unusual Features of Lulu McDunn by Kelly Pulley

Release Date: July 1, 2010 from Frog Legs Ink

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:

Miss Lulu Dunn, with her ten unusual features, will not only make you laugh but warm your heart as she teaches a lesson all children should learn, to celebrate the things that make us unique.


I've been trying to keep more up to date with picture books, especially since I'm in an elementary library. I think it's important to find new, different books that will reach the students. It's so much easier for me to choose young readers, middle grade, or young adult, but with picture books, I tend to struggle. There are just so many great titles out there, it's hard to know what to choose.

This is another of those great titles. Lulu McDunn is different from other people and this book show you exactly why she's so different and in the end, exactly why those differences don't matter.

This is a great book for teaching kids to embrace what's unique about them and also to accept what's unique about others. It's full of wonderfully eye-catching illustrations and is written in verse, which I know for a fact that kids love. It was an easy read and would be a great quick read aloud with a lot of potential for lessons.

This one is highly recommended and come fall, I'll be buying a copy to share with my students.

My Blog's Been Hijacked by Lauren Mechling!!

Hello book (blog) lover!


Lauren Mechling, author of the Dream Girl books, here. I have hijacked Carrie's blog in order to convey some Very Important Information.

You might not know it by looks alone (no pink hair, no metal bar through my septum), but I've become a total hacker worthy of her own "Dragon Tattoo" installment. And I'm not just talking about how I've cracked the code and broken onto Carrie's YA Bookshelf. My new book MY DARKLYNG, which I co-wrote with Laura Moser (my hilarious co-author on the "10th Grade Social Climber" books), is a YA thriller chockablock with multimedia awesomeness that will be appearing in serialized form on the awesome website Slate.com. The first installment runs today, and there will be more excitement every Friday for the rest of the summer. Also: it's free!


Slate is calling MY DARKLYNG its "juicy summer read for vampire lovers (and haters!)." It's about a normal 10th grade girl named Natalie Pollock whose own fiction addiction gets her into major trouble. She's been reading Fiona St. Claire's yummy "Dark Shadows" book series since middle school and when she sees a post on Fiona's blog about an open casting call for the model for the next book's cover, well, she can't resist. What she had thought was just a random field trip turns into a dark and terrible new-best-friendship, scarier and more thrilling than any of Fiona St. Claire's vampire novels.

MY DARKLYNG is different from anything you've ever read before--it's a first-of-its-kind story told in simultaneous platforms. Huh? you ask. Okay, so here's the deal: While you are perfectly free to follow the MY DARKLYNG chapters on Slate and leave it at that, we have been milking the magic world of the Internet for all its worth. Why limit a story to mere words? What about pictures and videos and weird Tweets and scary Facebook wall posts that bring texture to the story and bring the characters to life? With that in mind, we found real (and really awesome) teenagers to play our characters. Here's a picture:




Pretty, right? Expect to get to know these faces really well over the course of this book.

Without further ado, this is the Slate page that will host the chapters.

Here is Natalie's Facebook page--well worth "liking" so you can follow when weird things start happening on it.
Natalie's Twitter page is here.
Fiona's (the vampire writer) Twitter page is here.
Natalie's best friend Jenna tweets here.
James (the vampire model) tweets here.
And Fiona's loving sister Tilly uses this Twitter page.

Natalie and Jenna post Youtube videos here. Here's a sample video that shows them getting ready for the audition that will change their lives:



Now YOU can help make our great experiment in Internet fiction even more amazing. There is an upcoming scene that has a missing detail. We need to come up with a movie that Natalie and her friends all go to this June. Again, we are desperately seeking A SUGGESTION FOR A NEW MOVIE THAT 16 YEAR OLD GIRLS WOULD GO TO. Please write in your suggestions in the comments section. The winner will be chosen in a week and featured in MY DARKLYNG--if your answer is selected, it'll be like the story is actually winking at you from the screen.


I know this is all a bit much to wrap your head around. Sorry for any confusion--just read the first installment and take it from there. Please please post comments or send us emails telling us how you're finding the series. We can be reached by my website.


And if you find yourself feeling afraid, don't say I didn't warn you!

your humble hacker,
Lauren Mechling

Waiting on Wednesday on Thursday( The It's My Birthday and I'll Blog If I Want To Edition) (66)--The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Release Date: September 7, 2010 from Poppy

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

This sounds amazing and I don't know why, but I really love that cover. Looking forward to reading this one!

And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman + Giveaway!!

Release Date: Available Now from Point

Source: From Publicist

Synopsis:

Delia Truesdale has no idea her life's about to change forever. She's too busy enjoying the California summer. Her internet tycoon mother, T.K. Truesdale, is out of town, and that means Delia can spend all her time at the beach, surfing. That is, until everything unravels.

Her mother suddenly goes missing, and everyone thinks she's dead - except Delia, who knows T.K.'s way too organized to simply disappear. But Delia's still sent to New York to live with her two aunts - a downtown bohemian and an uptown ice queen.

And in case that's not bad enough, she also has to deal with a snooty new school and trying not to fall for the wrong guy. Oh, and finding her mother.


As she delves deeper into the tangle of conspiracies and lies surrounding T.K.'s disappearance, Delia begins to suspect that the wrong guy may be the right guy...and that some secrets - especially the dangerous ones - were never meant to be unraveled.

This book is FANTASTIC!! I could really just leave it at that, but I'll give you a few reasons why. First of all, it's a great mystery, which if your a reader of my blog you know I love a good mystery and I'm always happy when a new YA mystery comes on the scene. This book isn't necessarily new, but the sequel is soon to be released. I'm reading that one right now actually.

Another reason this book rocks, Delia Truesdale herself. She's fabulous!! She's completely uprooted from her life in California and yet she bravely faces New York City with nary a complaint. She's someone I would've hung out with in high school. Her family and supporting cast and equally as cool. I love Delia's aunt Charley, especially her love of '80s movies and takeout. I also love Natalie who's too smart for her own good, but who never questions Delia's instincts...well, almost never.

I just thoroughly enjoyed this read. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I immediately started reading the second book. I don't usually read series one right after the other, but I just had to know what happened next.

If you'd like to experience the fabulous Delia Truesdale for yourself, I've been offered a copy of this book, the sequel And Then I Found Out the Truth, and a cool little Magic 8 Ball key chain to give to one lucky winner.

To enter, simply leave a comment below which includes your e-mail address.

The contest is open to US residents only and ends on June 30.

Deception: A Haunting Emma Novel by Lee Nichols + Giveaway!!

Release Date: June 8, 2010 from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Source: From Publicist

Synopsis:

When Emma Vaile's parents disappear on a mysterious business trip, her life begins to unravel. The eerie visions she had as a child return, her best friend abandons her, and a new friend notifies social services that she is living alone. Enter Bennett Stern, her older brother's best friend and Emma's knight in J. Crew armor. Bennett whisks Emma away to New England to live in his family's museum-like mansion and attend Thatcher, and old-fashioned private school.

Emma makes friends with the popular legacy crowd quickly and spends her free time crushing on Bennett. But the haunting visions are only getting worse. Emma has memories of Thatcher she can't explain--it's as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Bennett finally confides that he and Emma are ghostkeepers, people who can communicate with ghosts. He's been keeping Emma close to protect her, but now Bennett needs her help tracking an other-worldly murderer.

Mystery, tradition, and forbidden romance make Deception the perfect read for fans of series like Kate Brian's Private and paranormal fans.

I'm so glad that synopsis mentioned the Private series, because I couldn't help but be reminded of that series while reading Deception. That's a good thing though, trust me, the Private series is one of the few "rich kid" series that I can handle, so the similarities were much enjoyed.

Deception is a fun read. You'd think by now, with all the paranormal books filling the YA market, that I would have seen or read it all. Each time I think I'm starting to get tired of paranormals, along comes another enjoyable read like Deception and it pulls me back in. I love a good ghost story to begin with, and this one puts a whole new spin on the creepy haunted mansion thing.

I have to admit that the characters are one thing that made this such a joy to read. I really love Emma. I think she's a fantastic character who's trying to work her way through a tough situation. First her parents go missing, then she starts seeing things, has to face some hard truths about herself, and most horrifyingly, ends up in a private school with a bunch of snobby snobs. She remains relatively cool throughout though. I just really relished reading and learning more about this character. She's flawed, fun, and completely down to earth.

I definitely recommend Deception. It was one of those nice little surprises that I'm really glad I picked up and read. I look forward to the next book, in what I'm assuming is going to be a series. I can't wait to see what challenges Emma has to face next, or what new secrets she uncovers.


If you'd like to enter Emma's world yourself, I've been offered two copies of Deception to give away to two lucky readers.

If you'd like to enter, simply leave a comment below including your e-mail address. The contest is open to the U.S. only, and ends on June 14th.