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 rule (you can't get out of it!) - 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, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Jenny from Supernatural Snark!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, how are there still monkeys and apes?

Wow, this question makes my head hurt a little. I’m not sure I’m smart enough to adequately answer this question, but I’ll give it a go! I’m guessing there are still monkeys and apes because not every single member of each species evolved, perhaps certain ones were more genetically prone to evolving while others remained as the native species. Plus, as the evolution occurred, I’m sure there was some sort of species reproductive barrier so monkeys and apes were still making little monkeys and apes as the other evolving groups began reproducing with one another and continued on the evolutionary path.

That was a really long, convoluted answer. Sorry!

2. Why are boxing rings called "rings" if they're square?

Good question. I’m thinking they’re square because if they were circular, the fighters wouldn’t have any place to rest in between rounds, they’d just wander around the outside of the ring continuously looking for a place to stop, but there wouldn’t be one. So in the interest of the fighter’s sanity and to keep them from walking in never-ending circles in search of a corner to relax in, they made the “rings” square.

3. Why do you have to sterilize equipment used for a lethal injection?

I’ve always wondered about this! I’m guessing they want to give them their rights as a human being–to be treated with sanitary medical care despite the fact they’re about to die. If I were the person administering the lethal injections, it could give me a little, and I mean a very little, peace of mind to know I was medically professional even if the result was still death. Whew, that question was a bit of a downer!

4. There are guided missiles, so does that mean the military has misguided missiles, too?

I’m sure in the long history of the military they’ve had some wayward missiles, but I don’t like to think about that. I prefer to stay in my happy little bubble where I know they are all smarter than me when it comes to weaponry and that they’ll sort any misguided missiles out :)
5. Why is it called "tourist season" if it's illegal to shoot them?

 

Well, as much as I’m sure many of the people who live in touristy areas often fantasize about inflicting pain on the tourists that swarm their hometowns, I think season more refers to a time of year as opposed to an open invitation to hunt. Right?

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Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my silly questions, Jenny! To all of you - Jenny has such an awesome blog with insightful reviews, a hilarious Friday meme, and incredible interviews. If you haven't already, please check out Supernatural Snark!
In other news, if I'm a little off on commenting the next couple of days, it's because I'm off to NYC this morning...a very Happy New Year to all of you...I'm hitting up The Strand! ;)

Title: The Latte Rebellion
Author: Sarah Jamila Stevenson
Publisher: Flux
Published: January 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 327
Source: Publisher

When high school senior Asha Jamison gets called a "towel head" at a pool party, the racist insult gives Asha and her best friend Carey a great money-making idea for a post-graduation trip. They'll sell T-shirts promoting the Latte Rebellion, a club that raises awareness of mixed-race students.

Seemingly overnight, their "cause" goes viral and the T-shirts become a nationwide fad. As new chapters spring up from coast to coast, Asha realizes that her simple marketing plan has taken on a life of its own-and it's starting to ruin hers. Asha's once-stellar grades begin to slip, threatening her Ivy League dreams, and her friendship with Carey is hanging by a thread.

And when the peaceful underground movement turns militant, Asha's school launches a disciplinary hearing.Facing expulsion, Asha must decide how much she's willing to risk for something she truly believes in.

The Latte Rebellion follows Asha Jamison, your ordinary teenage girl with extraordinary dreams that finds herself at the bad end of a racial slur during a pool party. When one of her fellow classmates calls her a “towel-head,” Asha and her friend Carey dream up something they call “The Latte Rebellion.” A group formed for all those who don’t quite fit into a single ethnic background, Asha decides to capitalize on the idea to make a little money on the side…but she had no idea that The Latte Rebellion would be so popular. Seemingly overnight, the rebellion takes on a life of its own, and students start becoming more forceful. In fact, the helpful and supportive organization Asha created might just be the end of her Ivy League dreams.

I remember hearing the premise of The Latte Rebellion a while back, and I was instantly hooked by the premise. Plus, who can deny a cover with a steaming mug of coffee, eh? While contemporary fiction isn’t usually my thing, I was attracted to The Latte Rebellion because of the undercurrent of morals that seemed to seep into every pore of the story, giving it a real, tangible approach to a serious issue in this day and age. While a lot of contemps seem to be surface-level only, Sarah Jamila Stevenson has seamlessly blended a coming-of-age story with a strong theme of tolerance, community, and friendship.

What I loved most about The Latte Rebellion was the accessibility of the characters. Asha is extremely approachable. She’s a teen with all her angst and rebellion, but she has a goal and a viewpoint. Carey is well-rounded, too, and a bit of a joker – adding just a hint of comic relief through the otherwise tense situations. While I enjoyed the overall pacing of The Latte Rebellion, it’s important to note that the story jumps between flashbacks of what happened to the current predicament that Asha has found herself in. I felt that, at times, it was a little abrupt, and I had to remind myself we’d changed from past to present.

Overall though, The Latte Rebellion was a poignant, powerful, and inspiring read. In an age where too many people turn a blind eye, or shut up when they should speak, this book encourages the reader to stand up for their beliefs and values. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, as well as adult audiences, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction. 

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Ultraviolet
Author: R.J. Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: June 2, 2011
Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

Hello, pretty cover! While I was perusing the hundreds (thousands?) of amazing books releasing soon, I came across, Ultraviolet, and I was hooked by the premise. It sounds eerie, dark, and just a little bit twisted which, let's be honest, consistently intrigues me. I know I'm trying to read more contemps in the coming year, but I have to say that paranormal and fantasy books will always be on my radar. If they're good, I can get lost in them, and this one sounds good! What do you think...and what are you waiting on this week?

Yes, the New Year is fast-approaching, and if the world is really going to end on 12/12/12, which I highly doubt, I have about a year to make my little site perfect. I digress. Anyhoo, I’ve seen a lot of people posting their blog resolutions for 2011, and I decided to jump on board and do the same. Hey, we all have room for improvement, right? I just started making a few minor changes per people’s suggestions on my Reader’s Poll including adding a search bar, adding more details about the book, pages, publisher, etc, at the top of the post, but I definitely have more to do.

1. I want to make more interactive discussion posts with my readers to get people more involved. I have a few topics in mind, and I really want to continue making my blog a reflection of my thoughts and ideas. I think memes are great, and I’ll still participate, but I want to make i swim for oceans a little more…in depth, shall we say.

2. Provide a mentor/mentee program, of sorts. I’ve seen this done before, and I think it would have been amazingly helpful when I was first starting out as a wee little blogger. I think it would be awesome to randomly pair the newbie bloggers that sign up with more experienced bloggers so there are open lines of communication for advice and a better way for people to bounce ideas around.

3. I want to do 13 reviews per month. I currently do 12 per month because I read like a speed demon, but I’d like to amp it up a bit. Sometimes I’m lazy and only review a few of the books I actually read because it’s easier. In the same breath, I’d also like to make my reviews a bit more critical of the finer points. Yes, most books I read are pretty good, but I want to make sure I always touch on exactly what is good and what isn’t.

4. Comment on more blogs. I usually comment on a lot every day, and I do my very best to always return comments that are given on my site, but I’ll admit, I could do better. I also want to clean out the blogs I do follow because there are a lot of seriously inactive ones that clutter the ones that are active – that will help me see all of your blogs better!

5. Do more author interviews. This was a common theme in my Reader’s Poll – people wanted to see more author interviews. I’m doing my best to start contacting more authors for interviews and hoping for the best. I love hearing what authors have to say, so it should be fun.

6. Relax. I get very uptight and OCD about how my blog looks and flows. I want to be able to roll with the punches more. I think it will make the whole thing more enjoyable!

What about you? Do you have specific blog resolutions for the coming year? If you’d like to do a post, click here to link your post up with Melissa’s post from My World…In Words and Pages.

Tuesday Teaser/Teaser Tuesday #39

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It doesn't matter if you are only coffee on the inside. If you're a latte at heart, you are welcome. 

The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) 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 current WIP, RACE.

The Tuesday Teaser is down! Check back next week for more :)

Title: Trapped
Author: Michael Northrop
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: January 1, 2011
Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade
Pages: 224
Source: Publisher

The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive....

Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall.

But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision....

It’s an ordinary day of school at Tattawa Regional High School, but then the snow starts. At first, it’s just a light storm, but the nor’easter rolls in quickly, giving Scotty Weems and his friends hope that they’ll get out of school after all. Then the snow picks up even more though, and they’ve stayed behind to work on a go-kart project…but they stayed behind too long. The roads are packed, the plows can’t move, and their little town is starting to shut down. With seven kids in the high school, their teacher gone to get help, and snow piling even higher. The kids are braced to face the night at school, but what happens when one night turns to two, and two turns to three? Can they survive in the biggest storm their town has ever seen?

Let's be honest...I was sold based on the cover and premise, alone, of Trapped. I’m a sucker for survival stories, too, and when they involve snow, kids braving the elements, and a battle to stay alive, I’m fairly certain you can’t go wrong with that. Michael Northrop is the acclaimed author of the novel, Gentlemen, which I’ve yet to read, but I’ve heard rave reviews of it, so I was excited to try his YA novel, Trapped. His tone is exceptionally conversational – almost as though the MC is actually speaking with the reader. It’s easily accessible, and extremely easy to follow.

I have to be honest though…Trapped rather disappointed me. I was expecting more of a thriller with gripping scenes and an epic struggle for survival. What I got instead, was a very young teen narrator that, yes, has an easy-to-read voice, but it was almost too easy, if you know what I mean. It felt dumbed down, to be brutally honest. Yes, I know kids say “like” every other word, but I don’t want to read it every word on every single page. I’m also aware that everyone says crass things every now and again, but describing someone crossing themselves as “spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch” and using terms like “turtling” is not really my cup of tea. The tension did begin to build about halfway through the story, and it finished better than it started, which was a redeeming factor for Trapped.

All in all, I can’t say that Trapped was my new favourite read, though I wish I could say it was. Perhaps it will mesh better with a younger audience than it did for me. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to a younger YA and MG audience, especially those who enjoy contemporary and realistic fiction. It’s also great for a male audience with a male MC.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

For Review:

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card (Thank you, Tor/Forge Publishers)

The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson (Thank you, Flux)

Minder by Kate Kaynak (Thank you, Kate)

Won:

Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead by Eileen Granfors (Thank you Electrifying Reviews & Eileen)

The Witches' Kitchen by Allen Williams (Thank you, Imagination in Focus)

Gifts:

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow

Time Windows by Kathryn Reiss

Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia

The Pace by Shelena Shorts

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

The Forest of Hands & Teeth by Carrie Ryan

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas to all of my amazing friends throughout the world. May you have a wonderfully blessed holiday and a happy new year! (Don't worry - I'll be posting through the new year!)

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 rule (you can't get out of it!) - 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, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Tara from 25 Hour Books!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. If I were to amputate both my legs, would I have to change my height on my driver's license?


I'm afraid so. Although it seems unfair to make you deal with the DMV after having gone through something so terrible :/


2. Why are people scared of little mice but they aren't scared of a giant, creepy Mickey Mouse?

I would say that it is because mice (or more accurately - rats) carry terrible diseases... but I don't think that is what most people think of when jumping up on chairs. Personally, I'm not afraid of mice, but wouldn't want to run into Mickey.


3. If quitters never win and winners never quit, who came up with "quit while you're ahead?"

Someone afraid of risk? I'm not a fan of the "quit while you're ahead" mentality... which is probably while I lose all my money at the casino...


4. How does a shelf salesman keep his store from never looking empty?

I would decorate the shelves! Like how you would stage an apartment you're trying to sell. I'd put up books and fish bowls and candles... Hmmm now I want to start my own shelf store so I can decorate it.

5. Do one-legged ducks swim in circles? (this makes me sad, but I've always wondered...)

Oh I really hope not! I'm betting they learn how to swim with their disability. Nemo seemed OK with his special fin!



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Tara, I love your answers. To everyone else, be sure to check out Tara’s awesome site where she reviews books and has sweet features at 25 Hour Books!

Author Interview ~ Annette Mackey

Annette Mackey is an independent author based out of the Midwest. Her debut novel, Class Collision chronicles the life of two complete opposites during the Great Depression. David was born of privilege, but lost it all when he was kidnapped and left for dead. Linda is stubborn and beautiful, and has no idea David is wealthier than anyone she's ever met. The coming-of-age tale resonates with more genres than one, and Annette is already hard at work on the sequel in this new FALL FROM GRACE series, Phoenix Rising. 

1. Your book is set during the Great Depression. What made you choose that particular time period?

The premise for “Class Collision” relies upon financial change, so setting the story during the Great Depression worked nicely. At the beginning of the book, David is spoiled rotten, oozing with perfection, and a complete snob. He’s the epitome of everything fabulous and it makes most people hate him. In writing this book, I wanted to get people thinking. Society focuses so much on physical and monetary superiority, but deep down inside, most people don’t really believe that’s what matters most. David represents all of this, and it’s not until he faces challenges that he realizes the value in other people. That’s when he becomes a truly loveable character.

2. Who is your favorite character in the book, and why?

There’s no surprise here. David is my favorite character. I love creating flawed, complex, and unpredictable individuals. However, a surprise to readers might be that I love Elizabeth’s character. Originally, “Class Collision: Fall From Grace” was written with 150,000 words, which I stripped down to 116,000 for publication. In the original version, I was able to spend more time on all the characters, especially Elizabeth. I was disappointed that I couldn’t keep all of that information when I went to press. If I had, the book would have cost $25. Obviously, that wasn’t realistic, so – drat – a lot of details had to go. Since there was some confusion between my publisher, and me, I didn’t realize the book was over priced until after the final edit. Meaning, that I was cutting after the editing process was over, hence the occasional typo.

3. What inspires you to sit down and write a story?

I write constantly, whether it’s brainstorming or at my computer. I can’t seem to stop, though I’ve never considered publication until recently. My family has been bugging me for years to publish my stories, but it wasn’t until after my daughter’s high school AP English class read “Class Collision,” that I decided to move forward with it. The student’s response was overwhelming. I was deeply touched. Sometimes when I get discouraged, I try to remember what readers have said, and it helps me to keep going. But, I’ll never stop writing, even if it’s just for myself. I love it.

4. You have the choice to be ridiculously wealthy and miserable, or penniless and happy...which do you choose, and why?

I would definitely choose happiness. That’s basically what “Class Collision” is about; going from miserable to happy without a cent to your name. In the book, Linda becomes David’s whole heart and soul. Without her, life would be meaningless. And yet, he would never have given her a second thought had he not lost his family and home. They are from completely different worlds. After fighting his feelings for a year, his love for Linda becomes so consuming that he is willing to do practically anything. And that’s exactly what it comes down to.

5. Describe Class Collision in 6 words or less, please!

“What’s the value of a person?” Not that I have the answer. I’m just posing the question.

6. You can only write in one genre for the rest of your life. What would it be, and why?

Love stories! Life revolves around love, and so do my books. Everything I write has a love story in it. To me, that’s the very best part!

7. Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers and fans?

The sequel, “Class Collision: Phoenix Rising,” is in the editing phase right now, and, yes, I’ve double-checked the word count. I’m hoping to make it available by spring 2011. Since World War II follows the Great Depression, you can expect David’s life to get even messier. On a side note, my small group of test readers has unanimously agreed that “Phoenix Rising” is even better than “Fall From Grace.” That made me pretty happy since I’m really proud of “Fall From Grace.” Needless to say, the conclusion is pretty intense. All lingering questions are answered when David’s past meets up with his present in a colossal boom. Poor Linda is caught in the middle and David has to finally verbalize what he’s known all along.

Annette, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions! To those who would like to read my review of Class Collision, click here. If you would like to be included in the US tour of Class Collision, please leave me your email in your comment, and I will contact you with details!

Title: Class Collision

Author: Annette Mackey

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Published: Aug. 13, 2010
Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 283

Source: Author

What if you didn't know your boyfriend was worth millions?

Born into wealth and privilege, David spends his days rattling the servants and torturing the maid until he is kidnapped for ransom and left for dead. Grueling years follow until he meets Linda. She's sassy, pigheaded, beautiful and way more than he can possibly handle. Hate, love and passion combine as he tries to win her heart. She sees him as a drifter. Little does she know he's a prince in disguise.

Taken from Goodreads.

Class Collision follows the story of David, born into a life of privilege, wealth, and notoriety – that is, until it’s all whisked away in an instant. David is kidnapped, held captive, then left for dead…but he doesn’t die. He survives and learns to live in his new life. It’s tedious, but it works. Then he meets Linda. Linda is gorgeous and precocious, thinks David is penniless, and for some reason, David is completely taken with her. Can the two find love in the uncertain times of the Great Depression, or will their collective secrets tear them apart before they truly connect?

I have a fascination with the time period of the Great Depression, so when I heard the setting of Class Collision, I was extremely excited to give it a go. Author, Annette Mackey has created a rich coming-of-age story that asks the age-old question – can money buy you happiness? Alive with detail and flowing prose, the story is filled to the brim with morals and values without ever feeling preachy or tedious. Rather, Class Collision lets love drive the plot of the story.

I’ll admit I didn’t know a thing about Class Collision when I first picked it up, but that didn’t hinder the story a single bit. David plays the likeable protagonist well, and we watch his transformation from a spoiled and arrogant child into a young man of integrity and grace. Linda’s transformation is slower and more defined, but every bit as poignant as David’s. Their journey to ultimate self-discovery of one another fuels the plot and value of Class Collision, breathing life into the story. There were a few spots that were a bit too descriptive for my taste, but overall, the balance between characters and plot was flawless. I also have to be nit-picky and say that I really dislike the cover...that said, the story far exceeds the cover.

I was definitely pleasantly surprised by just how beautiful Class Collision was. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I am definitely going to read the sequel in the Fall From Grace series, called Phoenix Rising. I would recommend this to both a YA and adult audience, especially for those who enjoy coming-of-age stories, contemporary fiction, and historical fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Witch Eyes
Author: Scott Tracey
Release Date: 2011 (release date unknown)
Publisher: Flux

Braden Michaels wears his sunglasses at night. And at the movies. And in the shower. Raised by his warlock uncle and taught to use magic, he suffers from a deadly curse: the witch eyes. He sees everything that normal eyes filter out: history and memory; love and pain; magic and darkness. The mind, however, was not meant to process so much, and the power is killing him slowly. The only thing saving his sanity are the sunglasses he always wears.

And then the visions reveal a dark threat on the horizon. Braden runs away to Belle Dam, the city where the threat originated, and is immediately swept up into the town’s mysterious feud. Two rival magical families have divided the town into a personal chessboard of scheming and machinations, and Braden is their latest pawn. As he tries to avoid their manipulations, and see the truth behind his return to Belle Dam, he has a choice to make. One side, or the other. Ignite the feud, or end it. Sacrifice himself, or someone else. Live, or die.

Taken from Goodreads.

Confession #1 – I have a fascination with witches. Confession #2 – I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the protag is gay. That’s not to say I’ve avoided such books, but in a world of paranormal stories, I’ve yet to find one with a gay MC. Though I saw someone outwardly state that this would “ruin” the book, I for one, am incredibly excited to read Witch Eyes! The premise is original, fun, and I love the sound of it. Plus, I’m drooling over those cover colours and the design. This book is made of win, and I can’t wait to see if it lives up! What do you think…and what are you waiting on this week?

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A quick closing note - Thank you SO much for nominating me for Best Blog in the 2010 Reader's Choice Awards at Mindful Musings! I am incredibly flattered and humbled, and it's an honour to even be listed with such amazing blogs. Be sure to check out all amazing nominees here!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It was the facial hair that really gave it away. At sixteen, he hoped that his dirty face would add a couple of years since his scruffy chin was sure to speak the truth.
Class Collision by Annette Mackey

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) 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 current WIP, RACE.

The Tuesday Teaser is down! Check back next week for more :)

I had a life anyone would kill for. Then someone did. The worst part of being dead is that there’s nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It’s enough to kill a girl all over again. But I’m about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.

Now Emma’s desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me—to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she’s the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?
Taken from Goodreads.

In The Lying Game, Emma has lived her life in foster care, bouncing from home to home without any real family to depend on. Unbeknown to Emma, her twin sister Sutton is the opposite - popular, privileged, and has a reputation to kill for. Then someone did. Sutton is dead and has no choice but to watch as Emma slips into her shoes to find out what happened to the twin sister she never knew. Along the way, Emma discovers exactly how feared and awed Sutton was in life, and realizes there's a lot more to Sutton's disappearance than meets the eye. Can she find Sutton's killer...and can she find the killer without endangering her own life?

I have to admit, I wasn't expecting too much from The Lying Game, but I really enjoyed Pretty Little Liars, so I figured a new series by the same author would still be fun. I was right! The Lying Game is a great start to a brand new series filled with plot twists, turns, and a mystery that consistently kept me guessing throughout. Sara Shepard has done it again - she's created a perfectly put-together whodunit mystery that has the reader wanting more...and it delivers, but manages to remain a nail-biter throughout.

The only minor hiccup I had with The Lying Game was the prologue, to be honest. I hate prologues. Frankly, I think they're unnecessary 90% of the time and actually detract from the story. The prologue was quite unnecessary, as The Lying Game jumps right into the story from the get-go. The details in the prologue could have easily been established in the first chapter, as well. The greatest strength of The Lying Game, however, were the characters. Emma and Sutton were perfect polar opposites, and while the book is told from Sutton's POV as she watches Emma, Sara Shepard manages to keep the characters from becoming confused with one another by distinctly identifying them.

All in all, The Lying Game is a solid and entertaining start to the new series, and it's not so much like Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series as I'd anticipated. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend this book to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy a good mystery and contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher, HarperTeen, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

The Lying Game - (For Review - Thank you, HarperTeen) - I had a life anyone would kill for. Then someone did. The worst part of being dead is that there’s nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It’s enough to kill a girl all over again. But I’m about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.

The Ancillary's Mark - (For Review - Thank you, Daniel Cohen) - The legend of the Ancillary flower has existed for centuries. Foretold to bring out the limitless potential of its bearer, the flower and the legend have been forgotten by many. Recently, strange events in a shrouded Tibetan town have sparked rumors among those who still believe. Jacob Deer is a quirky young man, bound for college, with an eccentric old librarian for a best friend, an obsession with sitting down in elevators, and a strange birthmark on his hand that's shaped mysteriously like the markings on the Ancillary's petals.

Frostbite - (Bought) - Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway.

Shadow Kiss - (Bought) - For Rose Hathaway, everything seems out of kilter. Ever since she made her first Strigoi kills, a dark shadow has been creeping over her. Looming in the background, too, is another realization: If she follows her forbidden love for guardian Dimitri Belikov, she might lose her best friend forever. And these sleep-shaking worries couldn't have come at a worse time. The immortal unloving are prowling everywhere, famished for vengeance against her.

St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school—it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's—the very place where they're most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.
Taken from GoodReads.

Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir have been on the run for two years when we first meet them in Vampire Academy. Rose is committed to keeping Lissa, a royal Moroi vampire princess, safe, and Lissa is determined to have Rose's back at all times. The girls, however, are brought back to St. Vladimir's Academy - the very place from which they escaped. Rose is keeping a deadly secret for Lissa, and the bond they share is in jeopardy every day - can they keep Lissa and Rose safe while within the walls of the vampire academy?

Yes, I took my sweet assed time getting to Vampire Academy because I loathe vampires. They glitter, and stalk, and whine, and meddle in that vampire series I'm sure some of you might have heard of...but a few of my really good bloggy friends convinced me to give this a go. I can honestly admit that I'm pleased I read Vampire Academy. It's a whirlwind of adventure that blends friendships, lore, and enemies into a tale that makes you want to know more. Richelle Mead has created a world of vampires that I can honestly admit - intrigues me.

Now, that's not to say that Vampire Academy didn't have a few hiccups for me. For one, had I not been forewarned, I would have been extremely confused by Lissa and Rose's relationship. For the first half, I was pretty sure they were a couple - not that there's anything wrong with that, but it kind of confused the other relationships in the story. I also think the book started off a bit slow. There was a lot of background in Vampire Academy, and it took a while for that to get out of the way and into the real action of the story. I will, however, note particular strengths in characterization and descriptiveness. The world within Vampire Academy is alive.

No, it's not the best book I've ever read, and I know I'm eating my words here, but I'm going to give Vampire Academy a 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of YA, paranormal romance, and vampire stories - even if you don't like vampires, this is an exciting adventure! I definitely need to know what happens next...mostly with Dimitri. And Rose.

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 rule (you can't get out of it!) - 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, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Anna from Anna Reads!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. What would happen to the ocean's water level if every boat was removed from the water at exactly the same time?

It would rise too quickly, creating a tidal wave so immense that the entire known world would be wiped out, except the lucky few people who happened to be reaching the peak of Mount Everest at that EXACT moment. They would be high enough up to be spared, but then would be responsible for repopulating the planet, which is quite awkward.


2. What would happen if a bee was allergic to pollen? Would it get hives?

No, it would sneeze a cute little bee sneeze. Bzzzzachoo!

3. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

He would be homeless AND naked, the worst possible combination, especially in winter. Though I think mostly turtles are near beaches, so maybe then it would be nice. Sort of like being on a nude beach.

4. If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth "beeth"?

Apparently the etymological breakdown is: "In Ukrainian the word for booth is not bood, it is booda. When that was brought over into English it would be boodas, and change by the natural laws of consonant drift into one booth, two booths." Which makes no sense to me, but you know it HAS to be true because I Googled it. And people are never wrong on the Internet.

5. Why is Donkey Kong called that if he's not a donkey?

Because that guy is a total ass. He's going around, knocking things down, throwing barrels, harassing Mario. RUDE.



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Anna, you CRACK me up! Only you could come up with answers better than my questions! To all of you – Anna has such a fun blog, and she’s a tweet-stalker, so I’m sure you guys will be friends in no time if you follow her blog, Anna Reads!

In other news, today is the last day to enter My Favourite Things Blogoversary Giveaway! Be sure to check it out and enter because, yes, it's international! Click HERE.

Marc said he heard the dark song when he creeped houses. The song the predator's heart sings when it hears the heart of the prey. I heard it now. Marc said it had always been in me. Lurking. Waiting for me to hear.
Ames is not the person she was a few months ago. Her father lost his job, and her family is crumbling apart. Now, all she has is Marc. Marc, who loves her more than anything. Marc, who owns a gun collection. And he'll stop at nothing--even using his guns--to get what he wants. Ames feels her parents have betrayed her with their lies and self-absorption, but is she prepared to make the ultimate betrayal against them?
Taken from GoodReads.

In Dark Song, we meet Ames. She’s a golden girl with the world at her feet. Born into a life of privilege, cushy mansions, and excess, Ames doesn’t know the first thing about loss until the rug is pulled out from under her feet. When her father is fired from his job, details emerge revealing him for what he truly is, and Ames feels betrayed. Lost and confused, her perfect world starts to unravel, and suddenly she’s thrust into a new town with new lies and new losses. But Marc offers her an out. He offers her protection and a sense of stability…but how much is Ames willing to give up for him?

Before I say anything else, let me state that Dark Song is NOT a feel-good book. If you are looking for something light and fluffy, this is not the book for you. I didn’t really know what I was in for when I started Dark Song, but I was intrigued, and I’ll admit that I devoured this book in about four hours. It’s a quick and fast-paced read that sends you on a dark and enthralling ride as a good girl goes bad. Gail Giles strings you along with Ames and her family, hooking you with a plot that won’t let you go.

I was amazed by just how dark Dark Song really was. I had a general idea where it was going, but wow…it dips into some pretty dark and messy material – stuff that I’m not usually used to or want to read. That said, I think Gail Giles handled the issues with due tact. I will, however, state that while I found the characterization of Ames, her family, and Marc to be superb, I was really, really disappointed in the secondary characters at the beginning like Kim. Her first introduction is as “the anorexic girl,” and her descriptions that followed were stereotyped and a bit crass. Furthermore, her cronies were the stereotypical mean girls that I loathe so much. I wished those characters broke the mold like Emily. I also had some trouble stomaching the actual relationship between Marc and Ames. It’s very…graphic, shall we say. I think, however, that was the point of Dark Song.

All in all, if you’re looking for a no-holds-barred take on one girl’s downward spiral from good to bad, Dark Song is a really great read. It’s very dark though, so if you do read, be prepared for the content to be rather heavy. I give this a very strong 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, contemporary fiction, and I think an adult audience would appreciate it, as well, as it’s a very poignant story.

This ARC was given to me free of charge from the publisher, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Tighter
Author: Adele Griffin
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Brilliantly plotted, with startling twists, here is a thrilling page-turner from the award-winning Adele Griffin.
Taken from Goodreads.

I’m a cover whore. I’ll be the first to admit it. And while the cover of Tighter doesn’t really set me drooling (although it’s perfectly chilling and creepy), the premise certainly does! I fully believe in ghosts, and with a creepy maybe-murder mystery, too, this sounds exactly like my cup of tea. It might just be the ideal blend between mystery, thriller, and the paranormal, and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one. What do you think…and what are you waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and 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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I had a flash of my mom's face as she folded and smoothed the thick, fluffy towels, scented with lavender. She always folded and put away the towels herself for some reason, instead of letting Carmen do it.
Dark Song by Gail Giles

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) 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 current WIP, RACE.

The Tuesday Teaser is down! Check back next week for more :)

Alex Sawyer and his mates should have known there was no way out of Furnace Penitentiary. Their escape attempt only lands them deeper in the guts of this prison for young offenders, and then into solitary confinement.

And that's where a whole new struggle begins—a struggle not to let the hellish conditions overwhelm them. Because before another escape attempt is even possible, they must first survive the nightmare that now haunts their endless nights.
Taken from Goodreads.

Solitary follows the story of Alex and his friends, still trapped in Furnace Prison and losing hope every day. Alex knows he deserves a punishment for what has happened, but nobody deserves to be in the horror that is Furnace. After a successful escape from gen. pop, those who survived are now stuck in solitary confinement, and just when they think things can’t get worse, they do. Alex is desperate to escape, but the horrors of solitary confinement are nothing compared to the living nightmare right beyond their cell doors. Can Alex and his friends escape without losing their minds…or their lives?

If you remember, I read the first book in the series, Lockdown , just a little while back, and I was stunned by just how dark, complex, and intricate the story was. After the cliffhanger ending kept me desperate for more, I was so excited to pick up Solitary to figure out what happens next. I am so happy that this book didn’t disappoint. Once again, Alexander Gordon Smith transports the reader to a hellish world that makes real-life prisons look like resort clubs. Eerie, unsettling, and filled with twists and turns that keep you rooting for the characters and begging for a way out, Solitary is an intense thrill ride.

The main strength of Solitary lies in the characters, in my opinion. Alex isn’t perfect. He’s flawed, and the prison is gradually taking its toll on his conscience, which is perfectly detailed with every chapter. Despite his downfalls though, I was cheering for him throughout, and I could barely put this book down. Furthermore, it’s rare for me to see a book where the setting is as much a character as the characters themselves. Solitary presents a world that’s alive with terror and rich with details that kept me white-knuckling the book.

Sequels don’t always live up to the first book, but Solitary is an incredible follow-up. In fact, I’d be so bold as to say it’s even better than the first. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I would definitely recommend this to those who love YA mysteries, thrillers, and just a touch of sci-fi to keep you guessing. This book is also perfect for boys (not those with weak stomachs!)

I received this book free of charge from the publisher, Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

Class Collision - (For Review - Thank you, Annette Mackey) - Born into wealth and privilege, David spends his days rattling the servants and torturing the maid until he is kidnapped for ransom and left for dead. Grueling years follow until he meets Linda. She’s sassy, pigheaded, beautiful and way more than he can possibly handle. Hate, love and passion combine as he tries to win her heart. She sees him as a drifter. Little does she know he’s a prince in disguise. Set during the Great Depression, Class Collision will transport you to a simpler time filled with heartache and unexpected love.

Wonderland - (ARC For Review - Thank you, Candlewick Press) - Sixteen-year-old Jude has to get out of tiny Churchtown. She has to escape her outcast status and her pathetic dad, who hasn’t gotten past her mother’s death. The one bright light is drama, her way out, if only she can get into the Lab, a prestigious program in London. Then Stella, Jude’s childhood best friend, swaggers in after years away. With bold and magnetic Stella by her side, Jude knows she’s capable of anything. But Stella’s influence extends well beyond the theater. Soon Stella’s wild and dangerous streak begins to cause trouble for Jude -- yet Jude can’t bring herself to abandon Stella and the attention she’s always craved.

Trapped - (ARC For Review - Thank you, Scholastic) - The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive....Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision....

What did you get in your mailbox this week? Leave me a link, and I'll be sure to check it out! Also, sorry for the hideous screencap at the start of my vid...I swear youtube is out to get me!

Click HERE to enter my international blogoversary giveaway - ends Dec. 17th!

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 "sci-philes" 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 hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Taken from GoodReads.

Virals follows the story of fourteen-year-old Tory Brennan living on Morris Island with her estranged father and her three best friends, Hi, Ben, and Shelton. Smart and curious, the three friends have plenty to discover around their hometown, and they decide to explore Loggerhead Island looking for the wolfdogs, a small pack of half-wolf, half-German-shephard dogs living in the monkey-infested island jungle, setting an unimaginable adventure in motion. By saving a puppy, Tory and her friends discover there's something sinister happening on Loggerhead Island, and they've just become a part of it.

Confession: I am the biggest Bones geek in the world. It could have to do with the fact that when kids dreaming of being in the circus when they were little, I just wanted to cut open dead people. I digress (TMI?) Anyway, when I heard that Kathy Reichs was coming out with a YA book, I did a little happy dance and waited impatiently with the rest of you. Virals was so much fun! The nerdlets (Tory and her gang) were so well-defined, and each had a very distinct and well-rounded personality that kept the plot moving along. Best of all though, Kathy Reichs created a story with a conversational narrator, a relatable voice, and a plot with enough intrigue to keep me on my toes the whole time.

That's not to say I didn't have a few qualms with Virals. First of all, I wanted to see more of Kit, Tory's father. I think he added an element to the start of the story that was missing a bit later on. I also think that the actual Virals element could have been introduced a bit earlier on. It didn't appear until about halfway through. And, if I might be petty for a wee moment, every time I saw Hiram's nickname, Hi, I got really confused why someone was saying Hi to me in the middle of the book. I will, however say that Virals is written really uniquely, peppered with sarcasm and fractions just like a tweenager would speak, and it was done in a way that wasn't at all obnoxious to me.

I give Virals a really strong 4 out of 5, and I really can't wait to see how the story continues! I want to see what happens next, and it was so much fun getting to know the characters in the book. I would recommend this to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy sci-fi, mystery, and just a hint of your very own, modern-day Nancy Drew.

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 rule (you can't get out of it!) - 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, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Kylie from The Creative Geek!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. Can you still say "stick that where the sun don't shine" on a nude beach?

Sure! I just think it is an even more awkward few places where you can stick 'it' and I feel really bad for the person who is being 'stuck'.

2. Why is "Sweet Home Alabama" played on Kentucky Fried Chicken commercials?

I live in Australia, our KFC ads always have super skinny people playing cricket. My question is if you eat that much deep fried chicken how can you be skinny and why on earth would anyone want to play Cricket?

3. What do you call male ballerinas?

Married or gay? LOL

4. . If there's an exception to every rule, is there an exception to that rule?

Sure, but for that to come into play we need to talk about time paradox and other dimensions and it just gets confusing. Really the only person that can help us is Sheldon Cooper.

5. When you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, is the rock not hard?

Firstly, DIRTY *giggles madly* okay okay * scolds self... your 22! Behave.... *giggles** I if its Molten rock then I guess its just EXTRA hot right?



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Thanks so much for taking over my awesome blog, Kylie! Your answers were SO funny, and it was great meeting another guttermind like myself. Kylie is a fairly new blogger, but she’s got such a fun little blog going, and you should definitely check it out at The Creative Geek!

Last but not least, My Favourite Things Blogoversary Giveaway is going on now through December 17th! Be sure to check it out and enter because, yes, it's international! Click HERE.