Taking A Short Break

You may have noticed that I haven't posted much in the last two weeks. I'm taking a little bit of a break. This is my last full week off before I head back to school, so I'm trying to take a little me time, while also brainstorming ideas for my library next year.

Also, I've been reading more adult stuff since I bought a Kindle. I've found that since I started blogging, I only have time for YA books and so many of the authors that I used to love have gotten pushed to the back. It's catch up time. I love blogging, but when it starts to become a chore, I know it's time for a little break. I shall return though, probably pretty shortly. I can't seem to stay away for long. I have a couple blog tours coming up, too, so that always gets me back in the mood.

Until then, enjoy some summer fun!!

Waiting on Wednesday (72)--Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

Release Date: October 19, 2010 from Atheneum

Synopsis:

In this compelling sequel to Chains, a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson shifts perspective from Isabel to Curzon and brings to the page the tale of what it takes for runaway slaves to forge their own paths in a world of obstacles—and in the midst of the American Revolution.

The Patriot Army was shaped and strengthened by the desperate circumstances of the Valley Forge winter. This is where Curzon the boy becomes Curzon the young man. In addition to the hardships of soldiering, he lives with the fear of discovery, for he is an escaped slave passing for free. And then there is Isabel, who is also at Valley Forge—against her will. She and Curzon have to sort out the tangled threads of their friendship while figuring out what stands between the two of them and true freedom.

So, I don't have a picture of the Forge cover yet. Instead, I posted the lovely cover for Chains, the first book in the series. This is one of my most highly anticipated books of the year. The first book absolutely blew me away and I know this one will not disappoint. It never ceases to amaze me how talented Laurie is. She's always surprises me!

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Release Date: October 19, 2010 from Philomel

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:

Calla Tor has always known her role: as soon as she graduates from the Mountain School, she will become the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the keepers. However, Calla is steered away from her destiny--and the unassailable laws of her masters--when she rescues a beautiful human, Shay. Calla is suddenly torn between her previously unquestioned fate and her natural attraction to Ren, and her growing desire to know more about the mysterious Shay. Following that desire is dangerous, however--and Calla might lose everything she holds dear. Even her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

This book is being touted as the next big thing in YA literature. In many cases, when I hear something is the "next big thing," it fails to live up to the hype. That is so not the case with Nightshade. I picked this book up pretty much immediately after receiving it in the mail and I devoured it very quickly. It's a fantastic read and one of the best paranormals, YA nor not, that I've read in a long time. Just when I think I'm getting tired of the genre, Andrea Cremer comes onto the scene and pulls me back in.

From page one, I was swept into Calla's story. I've always been a werewolf fan, but Cremer puts a whole new spin on the mythology and gives us a kickass heroine who I would follow anywhere. Calla is amazing, tough, and no-nonsense, but she cares so deeply about the people around her that it's her heart that really drew me in. Cheesy, I know, but true.

There's an amazing cast of characters throughout the book. I almost wish I'd waited to read it, because now I have to wait that much longer for the second book. Argh, what was I thinking? Secrets are revealed, but only enough to keep you chomping at the bit for book two. This is what great series are made of, and if the next two books are as good as this one, then this will indeed be the "next big thing." Thank you Andrea Cremer, for making paranormal new again!

Dear Dylan by Siobhan Curham

Release Date: Available Now from AuthorHouse

Source: From Author

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 six 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....

This book was totally not what I expected from reading the description, but it ended up being so much more than I expected. This is an absolutely charming novel. There's really no other way to say it...it's just such a sweet and moving read that I didn't want to leave these characters behind.

While I was reading Dear Dylan, I couldn't help but be reminded of the book 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. While the correspondence in Dear Dylan is fictional, Charing Cross are actual letters shared between two fascinating yet normal people. In both works, you get to see friendships grow through the faceless intimacy that letters and/or e-mails offer.

I really loved Georgie. She's has such an honest voice that you can't help but cheer for her as she's constantly overcoming obstacles. Her experience is one that many children are facing and it's nice to read a story where someone is willing to help.

I was one of those fangirly kids who wrote to her favorite celebrities, of course, it was completely a pencil and paper affair back then. So, I could completely relate to Georgie as she looked to one of her idols for the answers. Those answers sometimes just happen to come from other sources.

Check Dear Dylan out and read 84, Charing Cross Road while your at it. They are both wonderful reads full of laughs, tears, and heart.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Okay, I've been MIA the last couple of days. We are switching cable and internet services, so I've been trying to clear the DVR and to move my emails. My new address is sidebar. Sorry for the absence, but I'll be back as soon as I can.

A Visit From Katie Williams, Author Of The Space Between Trees + A Giveaway!!

Dear readers,

You’ve already noticed, haven’t you? My voice sounds different.

That’s because you’re not hearing from Carrie today, but instead from Katie Williams. Your lovely librarian Carrie has been generous enough to lend me her blog to help get the word out about my new novel, The Space Between Trees.

The Space Between Trees opens with the body of a teenage girl found murdered in the woods behind the affluent neighborhood where she lives. Two of the dead girl’s friends, observant Evie and fierce Hadley, team up in an investigation to find the killer…an investigation that goes very wrong, making these girl detectives question not just the facts of the case, but their own capacity for violence.

I was excited to write the story of The Space Between Trees because I’ve always been fascinated by the figure of the girl detective. She’s young and female, so she’s a typical victim. When she’s faced with a crime, one might expect a certain amount of gasping and heaving and running in high-heeled shoes. But the girl detective subverts our silly stereotypes and our all-too-real crime statistics. Instead of being emotional, she’s rational. Instead of running away, she runs toward. Instead of needing saving, she saves the day. In a world that would control her, that would relegate her to victim or (a touch luckier) damsel-in-distress, she exerts control. She uses her intelligence and reason to order the world around her, to keep herself and others safe.

Lest you think I like wooden supergirls, you should know that my favorite girl detectives are not the pert, perfect reason-machines, like Nancy Drew, but rather the fallible gum-shoes, like Veronica Mars, who sometimes get their own needs and life mixed up with their investigation. See, girl detectives are always solving two mysteries at the same time: The mystery at hand, say the murder or robbery, and the mystery of adolescence. That is to say, girl detectives are at a point in their lives where they’re figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and what they can expect from the world around them. The hint of this messier, personal mystery beneath the obvious case-to-be-solved creates the opportunity for the detective to be changed by her investigation, and the reader to be changed along with her.

Thanks for reading my thoughts about girl detectives! You can read more about The Space Between Trees, including the first chapter, at my website katiewilliamsbooks.com.

And now, how about you? Who is one of your favorite girl detectives? And why is she great? Add her to the comment section below.

Hmm....my favorite girl detective? I always loved Nancy Drew growing up, but I have to agree with Katie and her thoughts on Veronica Mars. I think that show pushed Veronica up to the top of my girl detective list. Please share your thoughts below and one lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of The Space Between Trees!! How awesome it that?!

Visit Katie's next stop over at Bookalicious Blog!
Contest ends July 23 and is open to US residents only.

Thanks to Katie for stopping by and sharing your girl detective love with us!!

The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams

Release Date: Available Now from Chronicle Books

Source: From Publicist

Synopsis:

In this haunting tale, quirky loner Evie is in the wrong place at the wrong time when her sometime friend and total crush, Jonah, discovers a body in the woods--a body that turns out to be that of her childhood playmate. At the funeral, a fateful lie leads Evie into a complicated relationship with the dead girl's father and best friend. Before she realizes what is happening, Evie is on the hunt for a killer, spinning more lies along the way and putting herself in serious danger.

I completely adored this book! It's no secret that I love mysteries and I have to say that this is one of the most exciting, intense, and beautifully-written mysteries I've read in a long time.

It's easy not to like Evie. She rubs people the wrong way, but her quirkiness and abrasiveness only made me love her more. This was such a thrilling read and the tension just kept building and building which incidentally kept me reading and reading. It has such an engaging and yet chilling atmosphere to it which only adds to the mystery.

In Evie's world you never know who to trust and everyone is a suspect, but somehow Evie finds the courage within herself to keep going and keep pushing for the truth. It's such an intriguing storyline filled with fascinating characters. It's also one of the best YA novels I've read this year. Check it out!!

And join me tomorrow when I'll have a guest post from Katie Williams herself and a couple of awesome surprises!!

The Eternal Ones trailer

The Grimm Legacy

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Waiting on Wednesday (71)-- I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Release Date: August 3, 2010 from Harpercollins

Synopsis:

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.
I am next.


This looks awesome and it's already being made into a movie. It's been on my radar for awhile, but while cruising Amazon today, it popped up on my screen. Figured it was as good a time as any to share it with everybody. And it comes out fairly soon, too. Not too long to wait!

Queen of Secrets Blog Tour---Meet Jenny Meyerhoff!!

Today, I'd like to welcome Jenny Meyerhoff to Carrie's YA Bookshelf. She'd like to share with you a little insight into Queen of Secrets, a book I love, love, loved. You can check out my review here.


I’ve heard people laugh about the fact that more often than not the kids in books are orphans. I’ve also heard the explanation that it’s because child and teen protagonists need to have autonomy in order to be the heroes and heroines of their own stories and if they had parents, the parents would likely (as in real life) step in and help them solve their problems. And I do think this is true. But for me, another reason to write about an orphaned heroine (as I did with Essie in QUEEN OF SECRETS) and the reason I’ve loved so many books with orphans as the main character (Anne of Green Gables and Harry Potter are two of my favorites) is because the parentless state is the ideal backdrop to write about the search for love.


When I say love, I don’t mean romantic love or platonic love or even parental love. Forgive me if I start to sound new age-y, but what I really mean by love is a sort of pure sense of acceptance and envelopment by the universe – ultimate love. I think on a certain level it’s a feeling we are all looking for everyday of our lives and so when we read about it, that where do I belong, who do I belong to journey resonates with almost everyone.


My main character, Essie, certainly got a lot of parental love from the grandparents who raised her, but I don’t think it always felt to her like that pure ultimate love she was craving. In the course of the book she starts to look other places, and often the wrong places for that love. I know I’ve made that mistake in my life before, and in the end I’ve started to learn that this kind of love has to start from within, so Essie’s journey really means a lot to me. Hopefully it’s something that will mean a lot to readers as well.

Thank you Jenny for stopping by. And I'm eagerly looking forward to your next book!

Queen of Secrets by Jenny Meyerhoff

Release Date: Available Now from Farrar, Straus, & Giroux

Source: From Publicist

Synopsis:

This is the year that Essie Green's life is going to be different. Now that she's made the cheerleading squad--and even managed to catch the eye of hunky Austin King, captain of the football team--she's positive that sophomore year is going to be one to remember. So what if her best friend thinks that Austin is bad news, or if Essie doesn't always feel at home with her new crowd? Those are things Essie can deal with.

What she might not be able to deal with is Micah, the football team's newest member. Awkward and not too friendly, Micah is instantly branded the freak of the team for wearing a kippah and praying during games. And Essie doesn't want anything to do with him. Unfortunately for her, he just happens to be her estranged cousin--and the person who may hold the key to uncovering one of Essie's family's long-lost secrets. Essie hates hiding the fact that they're related, especially from Austin, but if she tells the truth, won't everyone think she's a religious freak, too? When the football team's teasing of Micah gradually shifts into hazing, Essie is forced to make a choice. Do her loyalties lie with the boy she thinks she might love or with the cousin she barely knows?

Loosely based on the Book of Esther, Queen of Secrets is the engrossing story of family, first love, and a girl's struggle to do what is right.

Tomorrow, my blog will be hosting a visit from the oh-so-awesome Jenny Meyerhoff, so I figured now was as good a time as any to let you know what I thought of the book. Yeah, I loved it. It wasn't what I expected when I first heard about the book. I'm not sure what I thought it was, but I was pleasantly surprised when I sat down and started reading.

Essie is a fantastic character. She loves her life and her friends, but what's so wrong about wanting to try something new? We've all been guilty of trying to fit in at some point in our lives. It's hard to know sometimes how far to take it. Essie has all of those same emotions that many if not all of us have faced. She chooses what to tell and more importantly not tell her new friends, so that she can remain in their group. Hiding her true self becomes harder and harder as the story continues. Meyerhoff has done a wonderful job of putting us in Essie's head. It's easy for the reader to understand why she does the things she does, simply because we are seeing it through her eyes. One of my favorite elements of the book was watching Essie and Micah become reacquainted as cousins. It's not always easy when it comes to family, but Meyerhoff has given us an honest portrayal of family bonds tested over time.

It's a beautifully written book about finding the courage to be yourself and to share yourself with the world. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there and Essie finds that courage with a little help from the people around her.

Read it now, and come back tomorrow for more Jenny Meyerhoff!

The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

Release Date: Available Now from EgmontUSA

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:

When Tessa's best friend Noelle disappears right before the start of eighth grade, Tessa's life changes completely--she shies away from her other friends and stops eating in the cafeteria. Now, two years later, Noelle has escaped her captivity and is coming home, in one piece but not exactly intact, and definitely different. Tessa's life is about to change again as she tries to revive the best-friendship the two girls had shared before Noelle--now Elle--was kidnapped; puts up a futile resistance to the charming new guy at school; pursues her passion for photography while trying to build the bravado to show her photos to the public; and tries to balance her desire to protect and shelter Elle with the necessity to live her own life and put herself first.

This was a great read. It was also a very timely read. It was hard to read this book without thinking about news stories about missing kids who are found years later. When you're thinking about the children being found, it's easy to forget those that were left behind to deal with the loss and now must deal with the return of their loved one. This book perfectly captures those emotions and lets us all in on these troubling events.

Tessa's life basically stopped when her friend Noelle disappeared. She shut herself off from the world around her and from the people around her. Her life and that of the town was changed forever. So when Noelle reappears, we see Tessa trying to figure out how to live again, while dealing with her friend who is not the Noelle she remembers.

It can be a heartbreaking read at times. Rather than focus on Noelle, McBride tells us Tessa's story. We get to see Tessa slowly come back to life and let people in once again. I really enjoyed this book. It grabbed my attention from page one and held it until I turned the last page. It's an absolutely amazing debut. I'm thinking 2010 is a great years for Debs. I can't wait to read more from this talented new voice in YA.

In My Mailbox (59)

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

Extremely slow week for me this time around, but that it okay, because I've been devouring the Pretty Little Liars books all week. I'm taking a break with Nightshade right now, which is AMAZING so far.

For Review:

Wicked Girls

Release Date: Available Now from Balzer & Bray

Synopsis:

What started out as girls' games became a witch hunt. Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials told from the perspectives of three of the real young women living in Salem in 1692.

Ann Putnam Jr. plays the queen bee. When her father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann grasps her opportunity. She puts in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of the people around her forever.

Mercy Lewis, the beautiful servant in Ann's house, inspires adulation in some and envy in others. With a troubled past, she seizes her only chance at safety.

Margaret Walcott, Ann's cousin, is desperately in love and consumed with fiery jealousy. She is torn between staying loyal to her friends and pursuing the life she dreams of with her betrothed.

With new accusations mounting daily against the men and women of the community, the girls will have to decide: Is it too late to tell the truth?

A Printz Honor winner for Your Own, sylvia, Stephanie Hemphill uses evocative verse to weave a nuanced portrait of one of the most chilling and fascinating times in our nation's history.

I've already read and reviewed this one and it was fabulous!!

Purchased:

Wanted by Sara Shepard

To Nook Or To Kindle? That Is The Question!

Okay folks, I have a decision to make. In the past, I've been vehemently against the e-reader phenomenon. I just love the smell, and feel of good ol'fashioned books. However, we bought my mom a Kindle for Christmas and I've become extremely jealous of it over the past few months. I think it would be a good move for me since books are taking over my life and more importantly my room. I'll still buy books, of course, but those titles I only want to read once and don't feel the need to collect...I'll download. So, which should I get?

Barnes & Noble Nook



Amazon Kindle



Many of you already have one or the other. I'm interested in the availability of MG and YA fiction and also just how you feel about which is better. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to chime in!!

Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill

Release Date: Available Now from Blazer & Bray

Source: From Publisher

Synopsis:

What started out as girls' games became a witch hunt. Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials told from the perspectives of three of the real young women living in Salem in 1692.

Ann Putnam Jr. plays the queen bee. When her father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann grasps her opportunity. She puts in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of the people around her forever.

Mercy Lewis, the beautiful servant in Ann's house, inspires adulation in some and envy in others. With a troubled past, she seizes her only chance at safety.

Margaret Walcott, Ann's cousin, is desperately in love and consumed with fiery jealousy. She is torn between staying loyal to her friends and pursuing the life she dreams of with her betrothed.

With new accusations mounting daily against the men and women of the community, the girls will have to decide: Is it too late to tell the truth?

A Printz Honor winner for Your Own, sylvia, Stephanie Hemphill uses evocative verse to weave a nuanced portrait of one of the most chilling and fascinating times in our nation's history.

Yet another novel in verse. I have to say that I love, love, love them. I find myself getting just as swept up in the story as I do with any other novel, it's just that I can race to the finish even more quickly. This book, however, is one to savor. I found myself turning back to favorite passages and reading them over and over.

The Salem Witch Trials have always been an interesting subject to me. It's so frightening to think about this type of hysteria taking over a community and leading to such awful events. It's happened again and again throughout history, but I think Salem is one of the worst cases and one that is the hardest to digest.

This novel is about that hysteria, but at the heart, it's about mean girls, peer pressure, and taking a cruel idea way too far. I've been reading the Pretty Little Liars books, and crazy as it sounds, many of those same these appear in that series; bored little girls just trying to be heard in their community and making those around them miserable. It just goes to show that not much has changed in the last 300 or so years.

This is an incredibly rich and powerful read. I was concerned when I started the book that I wouldn't be able to keep the girls separate while reading, but they each have such different voices that it was easy to know who's speaking without even glancing at the name. Hemphill has a true gift. She's taken real life, horrific events and put them into a context where we can almost see where these girls were coming from. The story races on and the tension builds throughout, until the reader is swept into this madness plaguing 17th century Salem. Beautifully written, this is a book to be treasured.

Waiting on Wednesday (70)--Jane by April Lindner

Release Date: October 11, 2010 from Poppy

Synopsis:

Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.

But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing secret from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?

An irresistible romance interwoven with a darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers.

I love Jane Eyre. It's the one classic that I remember really enjoying in school. And I think it's about time someone gave this awesome book an update. This sounds fabulous!! I don't think that's the finished cover, but it's all I could find.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Release Date: Available Now from HarperTeen

Source: Personal Collection

Synopsis:

Everyone has something to hide--especially high school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.

Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful. But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How so I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling. ----A

This book sat on my shelves for years and I never found time to read it, but when I watched the first episode of the new series on ABC Family, I knew I had to give it a try. I like the show, but I figured the books would be much better, and I was right. This is a great first book in a series. A first book has to give you all the background without getting boring, and it has to keep you wanting more after you turn the last page. Pretty Little Liars did that, and so much more.

I just really enjoyed reading about these girls and their drama. It's like being in on A's game. We get to see all the bad things these girls have done, while watching them slowing fall to pieces before our eyes. It's pretty damn fun. I think Emily is my favorite character. She never sets out to hurt anyone and she seems like the girl I would've hung with in high school.

As I said, I do like the series, but already I'm seeing where it's deviating from the books. I know it's hard to follow the books perfectly, but at least try people. The books just have so much more to offer. I'm still reading them, by the way. I'm up to number 5, so you'll most likely see more reviews coming. I'll try not to be too spoilery.

If you haven't watched the series, give it a try. If you haven't read the books, seek them out now!

Contest Winners!!

The winner of the Sea Change contest is:

Katelyn


The winner of the And Then I Found Out The Truth/Jennifer Sturman contest is:

Bookworm


Congrats to you both. I'll be sending you e-mails shortly, get back to me as soon as you can and I'll pass your addresses along to the publicists.

In My Mailbox (58)

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

For Review:

Almost To Die For by Tate Hallaway

Release Date: August 3, 2010 from NAL Trade

Synopsis:

Twilight meets The Princess Diaries in the new series from the author of Honeymoon of the Dead

On her sixteenth birthday, Anastasija Parker learns that her so-called deadbeat dad is actually a vampire king. And he wants Ana to assume her rightful position at his side, in spite of the fact that she has witch's blood running through her veins-from her mother's side.

Too bad witches and vampires are mortal enemies. And now Ana's parents are at each other's throats over her future. It's up to Ana to make a choice, but deciding your eternal destiny is a pretty big deal for a girl who just wants to get through high school.

Tyger Tyger: A Goblin Wars Book by Kersten Hamilton

Release Date: November 10, 2010 from Clarion

Synopsis:

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Release Date: October 19, 2010 from Philomel

Synopsis:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

All of these were unexpected but most welcome. I'm especially pumped to have finally gotten a copy of Nightshade. It looks so amazing!!

Purchased:

DVD
The Crazies (I actually really liked this movie and I think Timothy Olyphant is pretty dreamy.)

Books
Feed by Mira Grant
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
Killers by Sara Shepard
Heartless by Sara Shepard
Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill
Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

and last, but definitely not least,

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater!!!! (I know, right?! It's not supposed to be out until the 20th and it's not even on Amazon yet. Check your Borders, though, mine had a big ol' stack)!!

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams

Release Date: Available Now from Simon & Schuster

Source: Personal Copy

Synopsis:

In one moment

it is over.

In one moment
it is gone.
The morning grows
thin, grey
and our lives-
how they were-
have vanished.
Our lives have
changed
when I walk in
on Lizzie
my sister
holding a shotgun.

Twelve year old girl Hope's life is turned upside down when her older sister Lizzie becomes an elective mute and is institutionalized after trying to kill herself. Ever since their dad died Hope and Lizzie have relied on each other from a young age. Their mother is a reluctant and unreliable parent at best, who turns tricks to support the family. Throughout the course of this lyrical and heartbreaking narrative readers and Hope discover that the mother is prostituting Lizzie and it's up to Hope to bring the truth to light to save her sister.

With raw and haunting writing reminiscent of Ellen Hopkins and Elizabeth Scott, Carol Lynch Williams is a promising new YA voice.

This was a truly powerful book that I found it impossible to put down. I read it in a matter of hours and although parts of it were hard to read, I had to finish this book and follow these characters. It definitely made me think of the works of Ellen Hopkins in the best possible way.

I always admire authors like Hopkins, and now Williams for telling such a complete story in relatively few words. I can't imagine how hard it is to put these types of stories into prose, let alone in verse. I had no doubt that this author could do that though, because I loved her novel The Chosen One; another powerful read.

Williams does an amazing job here. I was immediately pulled into the troubled world of Hope and Lizzie. Their's is a disturbing story, but an important one all the same. What I loved most about the book, though, was that beneath the sadness, there's an overwhelming feeling of hope. You can't help but feel for these girls and want them to succeed in life.

A really amazing read!!