Yet another busy week has come and gone, but I received some amazing books this past week, so I'm pretty excited to add to my ever-growing TBR pile. In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and features the books you've received during the week. Ok, so without further ado, this week I received:








Won - a copy of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult from Juiciliciousss Reviews









Won - a copy of In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner from Juiciliciousss Reviews









Won - a copy of Soulless by Gail Carriger from Juiciliciousss Reviews














Won - a copy of The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg from Carrie's YA Bookshelf









Bought - a copy of Meridian by Amber Kizer











What did you receive this week? Leave a link and I'll be sure to comment! :)

Last but not least, Affiliate News! Lea from YA Book Queen got some amazing books this past week...be sure to check them out! Lucy from Delightful Reviews is having a party for the Before I Fall book release! She has a great contest coming up, so be sure to stop by!

It's no secret that I loved Percy Jackson from the first time I opened The Lightning Thief, so you can imagine how excited I was to start The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan.



After a summer spent trying to prevent a catastrophic war among the Greek gods, Percy Jackson is finding his seventh-grade school year unnervingly quiet. His biggest problem is dealing with his new friend, Tyson, a six-foot-three, mentally challenged homeless kid who follows Percy everywhere, making it hard for Percy to have any normal friends. But things don't stay quiet for long.

Percy soon discovers there is trouble at Camp Half-Blood: the magical borders that protect Half-Blood Hill have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and the only safe haven for demigods is on the verge of being overrun by mythological monsters. To save the camp, Percy needs the help of his best friend, Grover, who has been taken prisoner on an island somewhere in the Sea of Monsters, the dangerous waters Greek heroes have sailed for millennia. Only today, the Sea of Monsters goes by a new name: The Bermuda Triangle.

Together with his friends, Percy must retrieve the Golden Fleece from the Island of the Cyclopes or Camp Half-Blood will be destroyed. But first, Percy will learn a stunning new secret about his family, one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.
Taken from GoodReads.

The Sea of Monsters picks up where The Lightning Thief left off. Percy is nearly done with his school year, and for the first time, it seems as though he might make it entire year without being expelled. Naturally, his excitement is a bit too hasty because a brutal attack on the last day forces Percy, Annabeth, and their new cyclops "friend," Tyson, who might just have a lot more in common than anyone knows. When they escape to Camp Half-Blood though, the camp's defenses are failing, Thalia's protective pine tree is dying, Chiron has been fired, and Grover...well who knows where Grover is now that he's searching for Pan? Percy and Annabeth must find a way to save the camp, or watch as their world falls to ruin around them.

This was definitely a fun book to read, but it wasn't as fast-paced as The Lightning Thief was. And, to be honest, though Grover was in the book, I missed his ridiculous banter fueling the story. I was, however, very pleased to see a progression in the relationship between Percy and Annabeth. One of the most unsettling things for me was the lack of face-time for the gods in this book. I really wish Poseidon or Zeus would be more involved in the story. I did enjoy the twist with Hermes though!

Despite being a bit too slow for my taste in the beginning, The Sea of Monsters ends brilliantly, and I can't wait to get my paws on The Titan's Curse now! I'm going to have to read this entire series...soon...though I hate when series come to an end. I digress. I give this book a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I can't wait to read the next book!

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As promised, I'm having a little flash contest for all of you, and yes, you're going to have to work for it. I'm giving away my signed copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick because I already own a copy, and I've read it, and I'm sure someone will appreciate this even more than I do!



So, I propose a little contest...I'm working on editing down my manuscript, and I want to change the title. I have no idea what to call it though, so that's where you come into play. I'm going to post a little blurb about it, and here are your rules:

Post a title you think is fitting for my book. Each title you post (up to five) gains you another entry. That means you can have up to 5 entries total. When the contest ends, I will put all the entries in a hat, and draw the winning entry. The person who wrote that entry will win the signed copy of Hush, Hush. Now, from all the titles you give me, I will choose the one I like best, and yes, that means one of you will have made the title for my book! Sounds like fun...right?! (It helps me, too, so this is a win-win, baby!) You have until next Friday night (10:00 PM MST), March 5th to enter.

Ok, this is the blurb for my book:

Emma Snow just discovered she can play with fire - and not get burned. Plagued by the fear of being ordinary, Emma always tried to excel at everything, but without warning, Emma is thrust into a supernatural world where time bends, objects fly without wings, and Mother Nature is a little girl. Armed with six others like her, Emma must choose to embrace the backlash of the adventurous life she so desperately hoped for, or die trying to escape it.

Ready?!?!??! GO!!!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory thing - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you.



Now, unfortunately this week, I wasn't able to find another blogger in time to put up their very own Friday Fix, so I would love to extend this invitation again to all of you! Big blogs, little blogs...you're all welcome, and I'd love to have you. If you click on my profile, you can find my email address. Just let me know you're interested in participating, and I'll give you both a date and the most ridiculous questions you've ever seen!

Well, instead of asking myself the questions I'd normally ask others, I thought I'd do something silly. I figured I'd tell you 10 of the most random things you never wanted (or needed) to know about me instead!

1. I am obsessed with cleanliness. I vacuum every day, and I shower at least three times a day.
2. I am terrified of the bottom of boats. And spiders. And things with too many legs.
3. If I were given $1 million, I would invest half and travel with the rest.
4. I have the maturity level of a flea when it comes to humour.
5. I would like to go to Antarctica.
6. I love church, but I've always been scared I'll accidentally stand up and yell something inappropriate in the middle of the homily.
7. I can't function without coffee in the morning.
8. I read the last two Harry Potter books in 14 hours and 15 hours, respectively. Oh, I'm also secretly annoyed that Hermione is pretty in real life because I am jealous. :)
9. I freak out when I have minor paper cuts or bruises, but if I seriously injure myself like when I broke my foot sophomore year of university, I play it off and pretend it didn't happen.
10. I have a penchant for using big words like "penchant" and flaunting my excessive vocabulary skills, but if you ask me excel in math, I will have to admit a cocker spaniel is most likely smarter than I am.

Now, because I took over my own post today (so sorry to disappoint), I'm going to share a few contests with you around the blogosphere!

Just Blinded Book Reviews is giving away a signed copy of WAKE and some amazing swag! Check out the link for more info!

Sarah is giving away a copy of an amazing book. Want to see which one? Check out the link!.

Angie is ringing in spring with some of the cutest presents I've ever seen!

Almost lastly, because you're all so wonderful, and I'm so appreciative of every single of one you...I'm hosting a flash giveaway starting tomorrow. Check back tomorrow if you'd like to participate!

Annnndddd finally, the lovely Jessica from Jessica's Vision put up an interview with me today! Please show her some blog love!

I think life is making me read at a much slower pace. It's a tad unsettling, but nevertheless, I just finished reading Intertwined by Gena Showalter.

Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:

One can time-travel.
One can raise the dead.
One can tell the future.
And one can possess another human.

With no other family and a life spent in and out of institutions, Aden and the souls have become friends. But now, they’re causing him all kinds of trouble.

Like, he’ll blink and suddenly he’s a younger Aden, reliving the past. One wrong move, and he’ll change the future. Or, he’ll walk past a total stranger and know how and when she’s going to die.

He’s so over it. All he wants is peace.

And then he meets a girl who quiets the voices. Well, for as long as he’s with her. Why? Mary Ann Gray is his total opposite. He’s a loner; she has friends. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks; she tries to make everyone happy. And while he attracts the paranormal, she repels it. For her sake, he should stay away. But it’s too late. . .

Somehow, they share an inexplicable bond of friendship. A bond about to be tested by a werewolf shape-shifter who wants Mary Ann for his own and a vampire princess Aden can’t resist. Two romances, both forbidden. . . doomed. Still, the four will enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger. . . but not everyone will come out alive. . .
Taken from GoodReads.

The story follows the collision of Aden Stone and Mary Ann Gray's lives. He's been called crazy since birth, while she has been completely normal - albeit sad because of the loss of her mother. When the two meet, there's an instant connection, though one we're not sure is either good or bad. For Aden, it means peace from the voices of Eve, Caleb, Elijah, and Julian, the four souls in his head. For Mary Ann, it's a terrifying plunge into a world she didn't know existed. The two have to discover where their paths in life lead, and why they share a connection.

I had really, really high hopes for this book. I wanted to love it. I adore the premise, and the idea of having multiple souls in your head is original and enticing. I have to admit I felt a bit let down though. Gena Showalter has a definite unique voice, and a great writing style, but more often than not, I was confused in this book. I wanted to love Aden and Mary Ann, but half the time I was like...what the heck is happening now?!

I think it's interesting to create a world where more than one supernatural creature exists, but I also think each deserves a fair share of "screen time." Sometimes I was wondering where the heck werewolves came into play...then why zombies were involved, too. The internal dialogue also threw me off a bit, as well...not the dialogue in Aden's head between the souls, which I thought was great...the dialogue in Mary Ann's mind. There was something about her that I just couldn't connect with.

All that aside, Intertwined is an interesting read, and perhaps it just wasn't the best for me. I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5, and recommend it to those who enjoy books about the paranormal. I will definitely look for more of Gena's work in the future...perhaps something like the Lords of the Underworld series? Recommendations are welcome!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for! We all know there are a ton of great books coming out this year, but this week, I'm particularly excited for...

Title: The Heart is Not a Size
Author: Beth Kephart
Release Date: March 30, 2010



Georgia knows what it means to keep secrets. She knows how to ignore things. She knows that some things are better left unsaid. . . . Or are they?

When Georgia and her best friend, Riley, travel along with nine other suburban Pennsylvania kids to Anapra, a squatters' village in the heat-flattened border city of Juarez, Mexico, secrets seem to percolate and threaten both a friendship and a life.

Certainties unravel. Reality changes. And Georgia is left to figure out who she is outside the world she's always known.
Taken from Amazon.

I just love the sound of this one. It's deep, beautiful, meaningful, and poignant. While I don't absolutely adore the cover, I think this is going to be a stunning read, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

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I know what you're all really waiting for thought...the winner of my Birthday Bash Giveaway!!!



As promised, I'm announcing the winner on my actual birthday. I put all the names in a hat last night, shook it up, dropped some out, put them back in, shook it up...(repeat this sequence 5 times until we decided to use a bucket instead) annnnddddddd the winner isssssss................

Amelia from Imagination in Focus!!!

Congratulations, Amelia...send me an email to claim your prize, and I'll get this lovely bundle of goodies sent off to you ASAP!

For everyone else - don't worry! I have a couple fun flash contests coming up, so get ready to flex your creative powers...this should be fun!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other Tuesday Teaser participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



"Let's say we did find a way out. Eve paused. We'd then need bodies, living bodies, or I fear we'll be as insubstantial as ghosts."
Intertwined by Gena Showalter.

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And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teaser's differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature a teensy snippet of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from one of my current WIPs.



That's it, my friends...the Tuesday Teaser is down...check back next week if you'd like to read more!

I'm late. Yes, I know I am. I was meant to see this last weekend, but scheduling conflicts/illnesses/life got in the way of my doing so...BUT I finally got to go this weekend, so here is my review for The Lightning Thief!


(I had to use this film poster because I liked it best.)

Ok, for those who haven't read The Lightning Thief yet, here is a wee summary:

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
Taken from GoodReads.

As I've said before, I'm really not a fan of book to film adaptations because they usually just don't measure up in the slightest. That said, I really enjoyed this movie! No, it didn't stick completely to the book, but it was full of fun, adventure, drama, excitement...the whole lot that makes movies fun to watch! Moreover, I think Logan Lerman was an excellent choice for the part of Percy Jackson, and who can resist Sean Bean as Zeus?! I have to say that the parts of Annabeth and Poseidon, played by Alexandra Daddario and Kevin McKidd, respectively, wouldn't be my first choice, but they did well.


Chris Columbus of Harry Potter fame, actually did something well this time. While this wasn't the best or most perfect film adaptation I've ever seen, I have to say I really enjoyed it, and I'll definitely be looking forward to the sequel. I give this film a very strong 4 out of 5, but don't expect the movie to be as good as the book - go in with an open mind! Below is the trailer, if you've not yet seen it.



Finally, as a quick and unrelated closing note, the lovely Jenn from Book Crazy has featured me on her amazing Music Monday! If you get a chance, check it out because I love her blog. Thanks!

It's been such a productive busy week, but I'm glad to say I got a few books, so I'm super excited about that! In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and features the books you've received during the week. Ok, so without further ado, this week I received:









Won - a signed copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick from The Lateiner Gang










Won - The Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee from Mary at Bookfan










Bought - The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan (yes, I am addicted to this series!)









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Ok, affiliate news! My first blog sista is Lucy at Delightful Reviews!



Lucy, though currently on a wee hiatus because of school and such, has such a fun blog. Her reviews are amazing, and I always look forward to reading her posts. If you don't already follow her, I suggest you do so soon! I'm so glad we're blog sistas!

My second affiliate is the lovely Lea from YA Book Queen!



Lea has such an adorable blog, her fan base is devoted (and you'll understand why if you follow her), and she leaves the sweetest comments. She definitely has one of the best blogs I've seen! Oh, and you should definitely check out her review of Bleeding Violet!

I'm so very honoured to call these blogs affiliates! Every Sunday from now on, I'm going to post a smidge of affiliate news to keep you all up-to-date on their amazing blogs, whether it be amazing posts or contest related news.

Ohhhhhhh, and before I forget, I have one last tidbit of news. I deleted my old twitter, in case anyone noticed. I was tired of having a personal twitter, so I've started a twitter to be completely devoted to my blog. If you'd like to follow me, you can do so here. Thanks!

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…
Taken from GoodReads.

Dreaming Anastasia is the debut novel by Joy Preble and follows the story of modern-day Anne Michaelson as bizarre dreams of a girls splattered with blood plague her. She's certain her dreams are somehow tied to the death of her brother, but she can't understand them in the slightest. Enter Ethan Kozninsky, the stunning, posture-perfect guy who might just be able to explain what she's seeing and why she's doing us - and help her embrace her destiny to save Anastasia Romanov from the evil witch, Baba Yaga.

When the book first began, I was intrigued by all the great reviews, but I have to admit that I was a bit bored for a while. I enjoy back story, and I think it has its place, but I feel it was very heavy in this book. The action - the real action, didn't begin until later. I also was a bit disturbed that Anne wasn't more worried about her dreams. Yes, she was concerned when she woke up screaming, but they didn't make her worry all the time. I feel that, were I in that situation, I would be a complete wreck.

I don't want to give spoilers, so I won't give too much away, but Anne decides she should work with Ethan, which I think is great, but she still doesn't trust him. I think the trust bit is a little tired in the YA books I've read of late. I guess I'm saying that I'm on the fence on this one. I really enjoyed the ending, and I'll definitely want to read the potential sequel (is it true there is going to be one?), but for now, I'm just kind of mehhhhhhhh on it all. I give this book a 4 out of 5 because it's beautifully written, it just didn't capture me as well as I hoped for it to. That said, the cover is still stunning!

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Ok, a few tidbits of news - First of all, there are still a few more days to enter my Birthday Bash Giveaway if you haven't yet done so! Second of all, I'm going to have a new little flash contest coming up verrrrryyyy soon, so get excited! Finally, last but not least (and yes, this is a shameless plug), my favourite band Angels & Airwaves has released their third studio album, LOVE, free to the masses. How generous is that?! If you like them or are simply intrigued, I encourage you to download the album for FREE here. Enjoy!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory thing - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, shoot me your email, and let me know! So, without further ado...it's Robby from Once Upon a Book Blog!



First, the 5 most random questions...

1. If you could go on a roadtrip with one person dead or alive, who would you choose and why?

Whoa...I honestly have no idea. The first person who came to mind was my mom. :D I'd probably want to go on a roadtrip with Amanda Palmer, so I can tell her how much I love her for hours and hours. Or I'd possibly go on a road trip with Mary Shelley so I can ask her over and over again why she could possibly write such a horrible book.
I'd probably go alone actually. Do some soul searching.


2. Why is it that those winning a game never say "it's only a game"?

If you win, then you win. If you lose, things are different. I'm a competitive person, so answering this question is easy for me. Games aren't for fun, games are about winning, even if they shouldn't be. If you win, then it's not just a game. It's something you've accomplished. If you lose then it is just a game because you weren't good enough and you're trying to make yourself feel better.
But, honestly, it is just a game.
Life is a game, but there is no losing.
That sound much more corny than I thought it would.


3. If a bus station is where the bus stops and the train station is where the train stops, what happens at your work station?


Oh! I get it! Work stops! Hahahahahahaha *fallsover,clutchingsides*


4. Why is the number 11 not pronounce onety one?


Why is the sky blue?


5. If you could have three wishes granted, what would you choose?

Nooooooooooo way. I'll tell you a little secret, actually. During the day, I am a teenage boy. By night, though, I am Lady Gaga. And Lady Gaga is a genie. I grant my own wishes.

I am not a spontaneous person. I plan things out, write list after list, map my days/weeks/life out. I always feel the need to have structure, to know what I’m doing and where I’m going. This is not necessarily a good thing.

On occasion, though, I am spontaneous and impulsive. This involves stalking an art student around Beverly with my friend Sophie and then falling into a bush. This involves throwing rocks into the road and getting yelled at by the cops in the Dairy Queen parking lot. I was thirteen and therefore much younger than I am now. Or not, but I like to think I’ve changed.

I have not learned my lesson and now I am always making mental lists, sorting everything out in my mind. This bothers me, sometimes bothers the people around me, and I have decided that, instead of rambling for the next few minutes, I will make a list. It’s what I’m good at. So here goes…

Fourteen Random Things About Fourteen Year Old Me

1. I love Starbucks. If you read my blog, you probably already knew that.
2. I love babies. No explanation required.
3. I have a strange nun fetish. No one understands this, not even me. For some reason, they just make me smile. I have never met a nun. I would like to.
4. Yoga is the answer to everything.
5. I have to buy books. I can’t get them from the library, can’t borrow them. It’s a bad bad bad habit, but I can’t stop. Bookaholics Anonymous, here I come.
6. Did I mention I love Starbucks?
7. I have a hat. It is also an owl. Not an actual owl, but said hat likes to think of itself as an owl. No, it does not stare at me at night while I am sleeping. Yes, it stares at people I pass in the hallways at school. I enjoy this.
8. I have 3500 songs on my iPod.
9. My iPod’s name is Sara Kiersten Quin, named after Sara of Tegan & Sara .
10. I am madly in love with Amanda Palmer. She is my soul mate, and of this I am sure.
11. The Teletubbies scare me.
12. I love Oprah.
13. I will never write a book about vampires. Or werewolves. Or Edward Cullen.
14. Wait. Isn’t he a vampire?

And there you have it, fourteen random things you never wanted to know about me.

Now I am off to drink more coffee and find out who this Edward Cullen person is.

Ps - I have read the Twilight books and actually liked them quite a bit. I know who Edward Cullen is, and I actually think he is kind of sweet. Kind of. He is also very creepy. Robert Pattinson’s hair does confuses me, though.



(psssttt...it confuses me, too, robby! thanks for participating!)

I am so excited today because the lovely Aimee Friedman has taken time out of her busy schedule for an interview with yours truly...exciting, right?! For those of you who don't know,Aimee is the author of such books as South Beach and one of my newest favourites, Sea Change.



If you'd like to read my review for Sea Change, click here. Otherwise, without further ado, here we go!

Meet Aimee Friedman!!!



1. How and when did you decide to become a writer? Was it a conscious decision, or did it just come about?

For as long as I can remember, writing was the thing I loved to do best. The drawers of my childhood bedroom were jam-packed with "novels" I had written in spiral-bound notebooks. So I always knew I wanted to be a fiction writer, but it wasn't until I was in my early twenties, and working as a children's book editor, that I realized I wanted to write YA fiction. I fell in love with YA, and there were so many exciting things happening in YA literature at the time. That was when I was given the opportunity to write SOUTH BEACH, my first novel--and I was off and running from there.


2. How did you come up with the idea for Sea Change?

One summer afternoon a few years ago, I was riding a ferry. I was standing by the railing, and looking down into the ocean spray, and I started thinking about all the rich sea life that exists beneath the waves, and then I remembered that my favorite fairy tale as a child was The Little Mermaid. I began to wonder: what if the gender roles were reversed? What if it was a girl who fell in love with a boy who came from the sea? My heart started pounding, and when I got off the ferry, I went home and wrote what would become the first chapter of SEA CHANGE.

3. The ocean is extremely prevalent in Sea Change (obviously), but it's almost a character in and of itself. Do you have an affinity with the water, yourself? (I ask this because I'm obsessed with oceans, of course.)

I have always been drawn to water, soothed by water, captivated by water. I suspect this may be in part because my astrological sign is Cancer the Crab! (and, like a crab, I'm often happiest under my umbrella on the beach, borrowing my toes into the sand). But the funny thing is, I never learned how to swim. I grew up in New York, a real city child, with not much access to pools. And I think in a way because I can't really swim, water is that much more mysterious and intriguing to me: the dark unknown. Though the main character in SEA CHANGE is a good swimmer, I still wanted the book to capture some of that feeling.


4. Are there specific authors that inspired you to become a writer?

Like most book lovers, other authors are often like celebrities to me. Growing up, I read constantly and followed certain writers religiously! Some of the authors that most inspired me when I was young were Ann M. Martin, Judy Blume, the Bronte sisters, Frances Hodgson Burnett, J.D. Salinger, Paula Danziger, Candice Randsom...the list goes on and on.


5. If you had to, would you be able to pick your favourite character from Sea Change? If so, who would you pick, and why?


I have a little bit of a crush on Leo, who is so mysterious and sensitive and soulful. And of course Miranda is very near and dear to my heart. But in some ways, my favorite character is CeeCee, because she was lots of fun to write, and she's not quite what you expect she will be.

6. Will there be a sequel to Sea Change?

At the moment, there is no sequel planned, but I will let you know if and when that changes!


7. I hear you're a fan of shoe-shopping, so answer me this - shoes or mermaid fins?


Ooh, that's a tough one! I guess I'd love the best of both worlds: mermaid fins in water, and fabulous shoes on the city streets.

8. Do you have any secrets to curing writer's block?


I wish! Writer's block can be so painful, so agonizing, but it is helpful to remind yourself that nearly every writer goes through it, and it's just part of the writing process. What also helps is stepping away from the book for a while. Sometimes just going for a long, cleansing walk, meeting a friend for dinner, seeing a movie, reading another book--some sort of outer distraction may be just what you need to get you re-energized and back on track.

9. Just because I'm mean, I'll ask you this - What is your favourite book of all time if you can only choose one?

That is mean! Of course this answer changes all the time, but if I have to choose right now, I'd say Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Such an amazing character, and a rich, surprising story with flawless writing. It's a book I return to time and again.


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Thank you so much for participating, Aimee! It was so great to hear your thoughts, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for that sequel!

If you all get a chance, please check out Aimee's site here. Thank you!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for! We all know there are a ton of great books coming out this year, but this week, I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Keep Sweet
Author: Michele Dominguez Greene
Release Date: March 9, 2010



Alva Jane has never questioned her parents, never questioned her faith, never questioned her future. She is content with the strict rules that define her life in Pineridge, the walled community where she lives with her father, his seven wives, and her twenty-eight siblings. This is the only world Alva has ever known, and she has never thought to challenge it.

But everything changes when Alva is caught giving her long-time crush an innocent first kiss. Beaten, scorned, and now facing a forced marriage to a violent, fifty-year old man, Alva suddenly realizes how much she has to lose--and how impossible it will be to escape.
Taken from GoodReads.

This book caught my eye primarily because I live in Utah at the moment, and the LDS culture and the idea of polygamy is prevalent in association with this state. I doubt this book would even be offensive for LDS people because it's only the fundamentalists who condone polygamy...I believe, but I'm not certain because I'm not LDS. Either way, I think this book sounds fascinating and heartfelt. Oh, and I love the cover and how the title nearly censors the girl. I think it's brilliant.

What are you waiting on this week? If you add a link in your comment, I'll visit and check it out!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other Tuesday Teaser participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



"His eyes - those two cute little pools of blue - are now flashing like two angry blue crystals. "Get down!" he shouts."
Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

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I know I usually do my Tuesday Teaser here, but I'm going to give away an award instead! Don't worry, I'll have my normal teaser up next week!



This award was given to me by the lovely Allie of A Literary Odyssey...Thank you! Ok, so for the rules:

A Prolific Blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers.

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to this post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

So, I'd like to honour a few blogs right now...

Robby at Once Upon a Book Blog
Lucy at Delightful Reviews
Jenn at Books At Midnight
Amelia at Imagination in Focus
Sasha at The Sweet Bonjour
Juju at Tales of Whimsy
Nina at J'adorehappyendings

Congrats guys, and thank you to everyone who supports my blog! I truly appreciate every single one of you!

I know I usually do a Monday Movie Review on Mondays, but I didn't quite make it to the theatre as planned. I ended up getting a wee bit sick on Saturday, so I didn't get to see The Lightning Thief, but I am going tonight!



It all starts when Matthew observes a heroic scene in a convenience store: A man named Murdoch puts himself between an abusive father and his son. Matt is determined to get to know this man. And when, amazingly, Murdoch begins dating Matt’s mother, it seems as if life may become peaceful for the first time.

Matt and his sisters have never before known a moment of peace in a household ruled by their unpredictable, vicious mother. And so, after Murdoch inevitably breaks up with her and the short period of family calm is over, Matt sees that he needs to take action. He refuses to let his family remain at risk. Can he call upon his hero, Murdoch? And if not, what might his desperation lead him to do?
Taken from GoodReads.

The Rules of Survival follows the story of Matt and his two younger sisters, Callie and Emmy. Callie and Matt have the same father, while Emmy is their half-sibling from a one night stand where Nikki, their mother, tried to trap a rich man into marrying her. Matt and his sisters bore both emotional and physical abuse from their mother for years because nobody believed or understood what was happening. When Matt and Callie witness Murdoch McIlvene protecting a child in the convenience store, they swear he'll be the one to save them, but it turns out to be much harder than they thought.

Ok, I had planned on doing this review later in the week, but I couldn't get it out of my head, so decided to do it today. First of all, can I just say how amazing Nancy Werlin did at making this story tangible and real? It's incredible. This story is written in letter form from 18 year-old Matt looking back at his life before college and putting it all in a letter for his younger sister, Emmy, before he leaves. I thought that might be hard to keep up throughout the book, but it wasn't. It made it so much more poignant.

I don't remember why I decided to read this, but I had read Impossible by Nancy Werlin, and I enjoyed her writing style. I was honestly just blown away by this book. The characters are so real, and the story strings you along the horrifying, heart-wrenching tale of a broken family. You want to scream, and cry, and help them, but all you can do is keep reading.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something real that makes you feel. I give this a definite 5 out of 5.

I've made a decision. I think I need one day off blogging per week, and it might just have to be Saturdays. It felt good to do absolutely nothing productive yesterday except changing out my banner. So, from now on, Saturdays are my day off!



Ok, onto the real point of this post. In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and features the books you've received during the week. Ok, so without further ado, this week I received...


Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble


The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

What can I say? It's been a slow week, BUT I did just find out that I won a review copy of Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee from Mary at Bookfan. Thank you, Mary!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory thing - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, shoot me your email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here are Justine & Steff from A Bookful of Thoughts!



It's us, Steff and Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts coming to raid Melissa's blog. Partayyyy!

Anyway, we're to answer these questions straight from the heart. We hope you enjoy them.

1. Do you have any weird hidden talents?

Steff has this odd ability to bend all the third segment of her fingers (the one with the nail), causing her fingers to go straight. Do you know what I mean? It's difficult to explain. It sort of looks like a claw...

As for Justine, well, she doesn't have any hidden talents. Other than her ability to throw ninja stars from a long distance...but that's supposed to be a secret.

2. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a picture of a thousand words worth?

Steff & Justine: Confusion. We don't get what the question is asking...but we figure a picture of confusion (however that looks like) is worth a thousand words.


3. If you were forced to change your name, what would you change it to?

Steff: Felicity Winchester (last name originates from the epic TV show, Supernatural)

Justine: Persephone Lilianne Hugenstein (a random combination of names)

4. Why is a piano player called a pianist, but a race car driver isn't called a racist?

Justine: Because he can't multi-task.

5. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would it be called Fed UP?

Steff: Yeeeaaah

Justine: Okay, so I was going to say something inappropriate...but instead, I prefer it to be called "The Fed Up Ex's". Can't forget about the "Ex" part.

That's all for now, folks. See us next time at the next guest blog, which is in the future...However, we are not fortune tellers, therefore, we cannot predict when exactly that time will be. So without further ado, we would like to say thank you to Melissa for this wonderful opportunity to be featured on her lovely blog! What fun questions she had for us!

And one last thing, don't forget to enter our international Raptoriffic Giveaway , which ends soon on February 19th. There are 2 winners who will get the chance to choose a book of their choice out of 15 (or so) books! So enter today and good luck!

Signing out,

Steff & Justine



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So that's all, folks! Thanks so much to both Steff & Justine for taking the time to answer my ridiculous questions as best they could...don't worry, ladies...half the time I don't even know what I'm asking!

As a final quick aside, to all music lovers or any Angels & Airwaves fans, the new album, LOVE is being released two days early today here. Trust me, it sounds amazing (I've heard a few sneak peeks, and I think you'll love it!

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.
Taken from GoodReads


So, Need by Carrie Jones follows the story of Zara White after her father's sudden and untimely death. Broken down, Zara spends her time writing letters to Amnesty International and memorizing phobias...lots of phobias. She chants them when she's scared, or nervous. Her mother thinks sending her to her grandmother's small town in Maine will help, so she does, but Zara feels Bedford, Maine is cold, creepy, and she's more of an outsider before. Boys start disappearing, and Zara feels she is being stalked by a man leaving gold dust behind him. Her friends, Issy and Devyn, are convinced he's the Pixie King. Then there's the beautiful boy, Nick Colt, who always seems to come to the rescue...

I'll admit, I was a little bored with the beginning of this book. I felt like I'd heard the story before - cold, creepy town, sad family story, beautiful boy consistently saving the girl. (Not that that ever gets old, but you know what I mean). The pace picked up though, and I started to enjoy it a lot more. I have to say that Zara wasn't too endearing to me at first, though. I wanted to feel bad for her, but I just felt a little annoyed. Life is hard...get a helmet, and all that.

But the story picked up the pace, and I realized it was more than a supernatural story about pesky pixies. It's a story about grieving, coming to terms with loss, falling in love, and learning to completely trust and rely on yourself...throwing in the balance of good and evil is just icing on the cake. I give this book a definite 4 out of 5, and I will definitely read the next book Captivate, in stores now.



Oh, and by the way, I think both of these covers are stunning. That's part of the reason I've been dying to read them!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine , and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for! We all know there are a ton of great books coming out this year, but this week, I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Compromised
Author: Heidi Ayarbe
Release Date: April 21, 2010



With a con-man dad and a long-gone mom, the only thing that makes sense to Maya is science. In fact, every time her dad’s cons go wrong, she has a scientific way to fix it, to keep both of them safe and together.

Only this time Maya’s scientific method doesn’t work. She finds herself stuck in an orphanage, and then living on the street, where scientific laws don’t apply, with two unlikely allies, and she has to learn to live on instinct alone. But when Maya goes off in search of an aunt she’s never met in hopes of finding some semblance of stability in her chaotic world, she finds something even more important: her own strength.
Taken from GoodReads

I've been quite into coming of age stories lately, and this seems like the perfect blend of adventure, intrigue, personal crisis, and drama. Personally, I think it sounds great, and I can't wait for it to come out! As for the cover, while I enjoy frilly details and bright colours, I think this is refreshing. The black and white contrast makes the cover resonate, so I really like it.

What are you waiting for this week? If you link me, I'll comment!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading . My normal type of Tuesday Teaser is below this one. But first, the rules to this Tuesday Teaser...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other Tuesday Teaser participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Need by Carrie Jones

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And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teaser's differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature a teensy snippet of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my completed manuscript.

That's it! The teaser is down :)

Well, Dear John has officially reaffirmed my lack of faith in book-to-film adaptations. I know, it's sad to hear because I was really excited for this film, and I'm pretty sure a lot of you were/are, too. Perhaps it's just me. Either way, let's review...Below is the summary of the novel by Nicholas Sparks.



An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love--and face the hardest decision of his life.
Taken from GoodReads.

Dear John opens with a monologue from John, one of the many letters he has written over the course of his life, and it begins by showing the day John was injured overseas. A huge part of the book was the letters John and Savannah wrote one another while he was deployed. That was so downplayed though. It was almost an afterthought. (I'm really trying not to give spoilers here, so you'll have to forgive my incoherent babbling.) Nicholas Sparks books are sad. We all know this, but I have to be honest - the relationship between John and Savannah didn't make me cry. Not once. John's dad though, I cried over him. That broke my heart.

The movie fails to give much of John or Savannah's back story at all - back story that creates the actual story at hand. Yes, it's visually appealing, and yes, the setting is as gorgeous as the book describes, but other than that, there was just no real connection between John and Savannah, played by Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, respectively. To be blunt, Channing Tatum, though incredibly attractive, simply can't act the part. Rating this movie based only upon itself and not on the failure to live up to the book, I give this a 2 out of 5. Bottom line - do not go in expecting to see The Notebook because this will not measure up.

Highlights Include: The previews, watching Channing Tatum surf and checking out his abs, and dumb quotes like "You made fire! How primal."



P.S. They showed the trailer for The Last Song, also by Nicholas Sparks, and I have to say it looks a thousand times better, even if I'm not partial to Miley Cyrus.

I had to forgo the "In My Mailbox" party this week because, thinking about it last night, I realized I actually have posts planned all this week, and I would be unable to post my review for The Lightning Thief if I didn't do it today. So, sorry friends! You'll have to make do with this instead!

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
Taken from GoodReads.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan follows the unlikely hero, Percy Jackson, as he gets kicked out of another school because he's "unmanageable." Percy isn't your typical hero, suffering from ADHD and dyslexia, finding his temper gets the best of him because he is very misunderstood. After being kicked out of his final school though, a series of events leads to Percy attending Camp Half Blood, a school for demi-gods, of which Percy is one. Half god and half human, he is accompanied by his satyr friend, Grover. When someone steals Zeus' master lightning bolt, Percy is immediately suspected, and he, Grover, and a daughter of Athena, Annabeth, must find the missing bolt within ten days, or a devastating war will break out on Mount Olympus.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I heard a lot of great things about it, but I wasn't sure if I should read it because I thought it looked like a little kid book. Then, I remembered that was exactly how I felt about Harry Potter, and we all know how I feel about HP these days. I was right - to an extent. The Lightning Thief is a very easy read, but it was also one of those books I just couldn't put down. The writing is fluid, and catching, and there is action on every single page. Even written so kids can read it, I could feel Percy's wants and desires. I hated his stepfather. I loved his mother.

Most of all though, I love that Rick Riordan didn't make just another sweet, beautiful little hero. His hero was inherently and understandably flawed. I thought it was refreshing to read about a hero I could actually relate to. His struggles and the way he dealt with them were very real, and very human. Oh yeah, and there's tons of mythology in this book, so it's educational, too! I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone. To kids who cannot read yet - read it to them! Do a good deed! This book is a definite 5 out of 5, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Below, I've posted one of the movie trailers (the best I've seen yet). It looks pretty great, though I'm pretty sure that's Hogwarts in the background, just manipulated to look a smidge different. Methinks the director cut corners ;)

As promised, I interviewed one of my favourite authors recently, so here it is! Her name is Abby Sher, and she's the author of Amen, Amen, Amen: Memoir of a Girl Who Couldn't Stop Praying (among other things).



Until the age of ten, Abby Sher was a happy child in a fun-loving, musical family. But when her father and favorite aunt pass away, Abby fills the void of her loss with rituals: kissing her father's picture over and over each night, washing her hands, counting her steps, and collecting sharp objects that she thinks could harm innocent pedestrians. Then she begins to pray. At first she repeats the few phrases she remem-bers from synagogue, but by the time she is in high school, Abby is spending hours locked in her closet, urgently reciting a series of incantations and pleas. If she doesn't, she is sure someone else will die, too. The patterns from which she cannot deviate become her shelter and her obsession.

In college Abby is diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and while she accepts this as an explanation for the counting and kissing and collecting, she resists labeling her fiercest obsession, certain that her prayers and her relationship with G-d are not an illness but the cure. She also discovers a new passion: performing comedy. She is never happier than when she dons a wig and makes people laugh. Offstage, however, she remains unable to confront the fears that drive her. She descends into darker compulsions, starving and cutting herself, measuring every calorie and incision. It is only when her earliest, deepest fear is realized that Abby is forced to examine and redefine the terms of her faith and her future.
Taken from GoodReads.

Without further ado...the interview!

1. As it is a memoir, how did it feel to write Amen, Amen, Amen: Memoir of a Girl Who Couldn't Stop Praying (Among Other Things)? Was it cathartic?


It was definitely a turning point (can a point take two years?) in my life, in my writing, in my view of ocd. I'm realizing every day how much this process of getting everything on paper has opened up so much new space in my brain.

2. You find a way to weave humor and a good-natured voice into a very deep book. Is that truly your outlook on life?


Gee, I hope I didn't sound too upbeat. That would suck. No, I think that's really me. At least, I hope so. 

3. What compelled you to become an author? Were there specific authors that significantly impacted you?

I'm still stunned that I get to be called author. I don't know that I ever dreamed of that as a little girl. I was obsessed with my handwriting for a while. It got so small in fourth grade that I think my teachers complained. But I loved the way I could say something in all different shapes and sizes. I'm an incredibly slow reader, but I know as an adult I've been most in love with Ann Patchett, Lauren Slater, Aimee Bender, John Irving, and Lorrie Moore. 

4. What can you tell us about your first novel, Kissing Snowflakes?

It's pretty fun to read if you want to day dream about first kisses or muse about stepmoms who mean well but just don't cut it.

5. How different was the process of writing Amen, Amen, Amen from writing your first YA novel, Kissing Snowflakes?


Amen Amen Amen is to Kissing Snowflakes as running a marathon through sleet in flipflops is to strolling to the mailbox


6. If I remember correctly, you also perform theatre. If you were forced between writing and performing, which would you choose?


I really hope no one makes me choose. But I guess I would love most of all to write during the day and perform at night. As long as there's time for tickling and bath time with my daughter.

7. If you could say something to those out there who also suffer from OCD, what would it be?


Thank you for keeping those hands washed and switches turned to OFF. Thank you for making sure the earth is rotating at the right angle and there are exactly five steps to the next crack in the sidewalk. And now, your work is done. There is always a safe place to share your world, whether it be a trusted friend, a doctor, or in the pages of a book. The greatest part about OCD is that it can be kneaded and coaxed, a slow loosening, but a loosening none the less.

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Thank you so much, Abby! It was wonderful to hear your thoughts! I highly suggest everyone check this book out from the library, purchase it, borrow it...do what you must, but read it. It truly is amazing!

And, for my final closing note: I won a signed copy of Hush, Hush from The Lateiner Gang. I'm so excited! Now I just need to figure out what to do with two copies...perhaps a giveaway?! ;)