Check out the new cover…..

Can’t wait for this new release!!!!!

Jessica Verday next book in the Hollow Trilogy!!!

****Release date scheduled for September 2010****

 

 

The BookWhisperer is a blog that hates giving bad reviews. With that said this is my chance to start a new trend. Every book that I tend to dislike I am going to incorporate into a Second Chance Contest for that book. This way it will give other readers the chance to win this book, and possibly give it a better review than I found myself capable of doing. So for the start of this contest I am giving away a copy of Truly Madly by Heater Webber.

RULES:
CONTEST WILL RUN TO 02/28/2010 MIDNIGHT.
APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE FORM TO BE ENTERED (if problems try tabbing through the form rather than selecting boxes with mouse)
MUST LEAVE ME A WAY TO CONTACT YOU, OR YOUR ENTRY WILL NOT BE COUNTED
MUST LEAVE IN THE US, SORRY MONIES ARE TIGHT
EXTRA ENTRIES WILL BE GRANTED FOR BLOGGING OR POSTING IN SIDEBAR ONLY(4 POINTS FOR POST 2 POINTS FOR SIDEBAR)

Title: Truly, Madly

By: Heather Webber

Publisher: St Martins Press (Released Feb 2010)

BookWhisperer Rating:

Book Description:

Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and so not qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.

Plus, her rent is due.
Here’s the problem: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking for something. So when Lucy locates a missing engagement ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who works upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it…

  Many readers can know within the first couple chapters if they are going to enjoy a book, and while I don’t really like to be one of these readers. Truly Madly fell into that quickly disliked category. I would love to say that I was able to finish reading this book, and there were aspects about the book that I enjoyed but I was unable to find any relatable material within this book. The characters were more of the chic lit reading characters, and I always find it hard to be captured by the Chic Lit stories. I hate giving bad reviews, and apologize that I am having to do it again.

Title: In A Heartbeat

By: Loretta Ellsworth

Reading Level: Young Adult (Ages 12-up)

Publisher:  Bloomsbury Books (Released Feb 2010)

BookWhisperer Rating:

Book Description:

When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart.

When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different—dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy—her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan’s life, meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.

In a Heartbeat is an incredibly heart wrenching tale from cover to cover. I was captured by this story in the first chapter.  Eagan is an incredibly talented character with her life laid out before just awaiting the taking. While Amelia is a sweet innocent character that any reader can love. I enjoyed each chapter alternating between Amelia and Eagan. Following Amelia’s struggle through accepting her new heart, and the changes that she is experiencing after the transplant. Then jumping to Eagan experiences on the other side, and accepting what has happened and that her life is truly over. This novel with capture your heart, and you will feel conflicted which character to offer your sympathy. Never knowing whom you are really rooting for in the end.

 

 Title: Be Careful What You Wish For

By: Kimberla Lawson Roby

Publisher: William Morrow (Harper Collins Imprint)

Book Whisperer Rating:

Book Description:

Her first marriage didn’t work out, but that isn’t going to stop Alicia Black, the privileged daughter of the charismatic Reverend Curtis Black, from getting what she wants. One month after her wedding to her second husband, she can’t believe her good fortune. God has heeded her prayers, blessing her with Pastor JT Valentine, a handsome, dynamic man of the cloth with his own large congregation, just like her father.

Reading the book description I was anticipating more of a religious based book. While this novels setting was loosely based around religion it was not a religious lesson of any sort. I enjoyed the writing style, but lacked the interest in the content. The repeative nature of betrayal, lying and sins sums this book up in its entirity. I would not look at recommending this book in the future. 

This is an interview with Samira Armin Hodges the talented new author of Milestones. Milestones is an awesome new young adult novel about a young girl that is struck by lightning, and finds herself shipped off to Camp Milestone that appears more like boot camp than a summer camp.  This is a wonderful read for the young readers filled with sweet romance and mystery.  This talented new author is a pediatrician by day and young adult author by night. It appears that her connection to the younger generation brought forth an awesome new YA author.

1- Where was the idea for Milestones created?
In my head. The concept for Milestones was one that basically just 
popped into my head one day and I thought, "Hey, this idea could make 
for a really good book!". I was inspired by small things concepts and 
there (for instance, I attended a sleep-over summer camp when I was 15 
years old) but most of Milestones came straight out of my over-active 
imagination. This is proven by the fact that Milestones is not really 
a camp story. It's another type of story masquerading as a camp 
story.

2- Have you always been interested in being a writer and did choosing 
young adult books stem from your daily profession?
I have definitely always been interested in being a writer because I 
have always loved writing and it has been a secret fantasy of mine to 
be a writer - one I never thought would come true!  But writing isn't 
my only love - I am also a Pediatrician and from that stems my desire 
to write for a younger crowd. I am inspired by what I see every day as 
well as the people I interact with. So yes, being a Pediatrician made 
being a young adult author a reality.

3- I see that Milestones is to be a trilogy. When can we expect 
another book?
Yes that's right! Milestones 2 (the official name has yet to be 
announced) is due out in the winter of 2010.

4- Do you have any other books currently published that my readers 
should look into?
Not yet. The Milestones trilogy is my first literary project but for 
those interested in my writing, I do have a blog that I update 
regularly and I welcome all readers. I talk about life as a 
Pediatrician/Author and I love to answer reader questions and have 
interesting discussions!

5- What do you think of book blogger in the literary world?
I think it's awesome. We didn't have this concept when I was growing 
up and I kind of wish we did! I think it's a great way for readers to 
stay connected and for them to spread the word. Reading is a wonderful 
hobby and I wish all teenagers were as into it as book bloggers are. I 
think book bloggers are also gradually changing the entire world of 
literature (at least in the young adult realm!). Word is spreading a 
lot faster than it used to and book bloggers raise issues and 
discussions that were nearly impossible to have back in the olden 
days.

Thank you to Ms. Hodges for taking the time for my interview, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Title: Milestones
By: Samira Armin Hodges
Reading Level: Young Adult
Published: Hungry Goat Press (Released 08/01/2009)
BookWhisperer Rating:


Book Description:
One day. That's how long it took for fourteen year-old FAye Martin's ordinary life totake adramatic and unexpected turn. First, she gets struck by lightning. Second, Benjamin Parker, the object of her obsession, witnessed her near-death experience. Finally, her partents force her to leave her hometown of Seattle to attend an overnight summer camp, aptly named 'Camp Milestone'.

Only, Camp Milestone is no ordinary camp. Before she knows it, Faye finds herself caught in a whirlwind of uncertaintity, torture, calamine lotion, and romance.... all in the name of summer camp. But as the summer unfolds, she realizes there is much more to Camp Milestone than meets the eye. Will she be able to unravel the mystery that surrounds this unusual camp? And more importantly., will she be able to survive the madness long enough to put the pieces together?

Hello catching up life and blogging... Things are getting better, although being given more than I can handle of tough decisions.... Ready for things to calm down... I have winners to annouce for contest "The Good and The Bad' as well as "The Wish" contest. The winners have been selected by Random Generator....

For Wish by Alexandra Bullen ...... the winner is..................READING ADDICT

AND

For The Good and Bad Contest..... the winner is...................... JENNIFER

I will be emailing those who won shortly.... I have a review to post for my review of MILESTONES....
You will have to take a look!

Thanks for your patient and understand lately... I am getting back in the sadle just taking a little more time than I thought.

Meme brought to us by Story Siren. I recieved some awesome books this week

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Book Description:

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY— ONE SHE COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Book Description:

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the parking lot to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

 

Title: Wish

By: Alexandra Bullen

Release Date: January 12, 2010

Publisher: Scholastic Books

Reading Level: Young Adult

BookWhisperer Rating:

                                 

Book Description:

Nothing can change the fact the Olivia Larsen’s twin sister, Violet, is gone… Until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn’t look magical- it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

Olivia’s wish will be granted.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses and two more wishes left.

I enjoyed reading this book, but felt that it lacks the punch of many other new releases I have been reading. I found this book to be a quick read; even though it lacked the intensity that I desire. Wish’s innocence and care free feeling is better for the younger reading generation.