Wednesday, September 30
Blog with Bite wrapping up Never Cry Werewolf
Waiting on Wednesday
I am dedicating this weeks Waiting on Wednesday to the sequel to Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles. At this time this book is still without a name or a release date, but I loved Leaving Paradise so much that I am having the hardest time waiting to read the next book.
Monday, September 28
Library Loung Lizards Amazing Contest!!!
Saturday, September 26
In My Mailbox #3

Cassandra can see the future with 100% accuracy . . . for everybody except herself. Ever since Cassandra was a little girl, she's had a remarkable psychic gift. Now a successful columnist for a weekly magazine, she predicts the future with uncanny precision. And thanks to her stunning co-worker Charlene—and the latest love of Charlene's life, hot television producer Jack—Cassandra's moving up . . . to daytime TV!
The trouble is, whenever Jack's around, the hapless seer's second sight goes dim—something that always seems to happen when a desirable single male is around. But despite a truly abysmal dating record, she believes Jack is the one for her . . . though Charlene might strongly disagree. Is true love or outrageous catastrophe right around the corner? Cassandra doesn't have a clue. But it seems even being able to foretell the future can't protect her from what destiny has in store . . . and sometimes fate won't allow you to look before you love.
Harper Collins website stated I Never Fancied Him Anyway is already in the works for a Major Motion Picture by the same producer as P.S. I Love You and The Devil Wears Prada.
After six months in the Maryland Mental Health Unit, Kyra Sellers, a.k.a. Goth Girl, is going home. Unfortunately, she’s about to find out that while she was away, she lost track of more than time. Things seem normal at first. Roger’s his typical, pain-in-the-ass fatherly self. Jecca and Simone and the rest of the goth crowd still do their thing. And Kyra is back in black, feeling good, and ready to make up with the only person who’s ever appreciated her for who she really is. But then she sees him. Fanboy. Transcended from everything he was into someone she barely recognizes. And the anger and memories come rushing back. Fanboy. The Spermling. Miss Powell. Roger. Her mother. There’s so much to do to people when you’re angry. Kyra’s about to get very busy.
Awesome Week... Can't wait to start reading them.
Friday, September 25
Review: Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
Using a series of “gifts” given to them by Madame Vileroy, the children are able to soar to suspicious heights at Marlowe. The gifts seem child-like in their simplicity. The governess teaches them to cheat, steal, hide, and lie; ‘harmless’ she calls them, though they are much more. For the vicious over-achiever, reading an unsuspecting mind is simply to cheat. For the reclusive pariah, the gift of stopping time is just another way to hide. And who but an aspiring writer can weave a convincing lie?
Soon, Madame Vileroy’s gifts become darker and more complex. Living in a gray home designed to cultivate and corrupt them, they are enveloped in the side effects of their own addictions. They live cursed lives, making deals with the devil as they claw their way toward their goals….that is until two of them begin to uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. A modern retelling of an ancient dilemma, Another Faust recreates the story of the Faustian bargain. Set in present-day New York, but spanning the centuries, it is a chilling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.
Review: Another Faust is a unique story told from the perspective of five missing children. This story in theory is captivating, but in reading I found it lacking and struggled from page to page. Throughout the story the potential for excellence was papable, but it was lacking the strong suspenseful feeling that is required in a great story. I rated Another Faust 3 Stars because I feel it was worth the read, but I would not return for a second visit. To summarize in my own words this is a story of five children that desired something so badly that they would give up everything. Then portraying what happens when a desire becomes your worst sin, and what it takes for these children to redeem themselves.
Thursday, September 24
Wednesday, September 23
Review: My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent
By: Rachel Vincent
Reading Level: Young Adult
Book Whisperer Rating: 5 Stars
Rachel Vincent Website:
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH KAYLEE CAVANAUGH
She doesn't see dead people, but...
She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next...
Review: Rachel Vincent has proven to be able to write almost anything, and remains one of my favorite authors in Young Adult and Paranormal Romance Genre. My Soul To Take was action packed from the first chapter on, and never lacked in intensity throughout the book. My Soul to take is a whole new take on Supernatural with Bean Sidhe and Reapers. I found this book to be refreshingly original with a new species that has not been overused. The characters of My Soul To Take will remaining memorable way past the final pages. I find Todd to be a very intriguing character, and I loved the books outcome for this character. Rachel Vincent never stops captivating me with her ability. I look forward to every book this author creates, and I always crave more.
More about this Author
Waiting on Wednesday
October being the debut of BITE MARKS which is the sixth book in this awesome series.... If you have not read any of the Jaz Parks books you are missing out run fast and buy them, borrow them, steal them but you must read them. Okay maybe don't steal, them but you will not regret reading.
Author Description:
Jaz is possessed. After biting the neck of a domyter during a forced visit to his territory, she now has unwelcome voices in her head. While fighting for supremacy in her own mind, she finds herself confronted with a near-impossible task: perform perfectly on her next mission or face the unemployment line.
Learn more about this author
Other Book in this series
Tuesday, September 22
Interview with Heather Davis for Blog with Bite website
Blog with Bite is a new group review blog that is currently reviewing Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis. Below is the interview that she so generously gave us. For more information on the Blog with Bite blog group just click the above graphic for a direct link.
Tell us a bit about the book?
Never Cry Werewolf is a teen paranormal romance geared toward younger readers. It's a sweet, funny, light read. It's purely for fun and entertainment -- and it has a good heart.
What drew you into the paranormal genre?
My father was an English teacher and my mother is a flower child/new age hippie. Paranormal was the obvious choice.
What do you like best about werewolves?
I love the idea that everyone has two sides to themselves - a public and private side, I guess.
With werewolves, just like every human, there are ugly parts that never see the light of day, quite literally.
Did you base the main character Shelby Locke off of a real person/ actress, or is she completely fictional?
No. Shelby is a pure figment of my imagination, though I do know many teen girls that share her attributes -- including the teenage me.
Which character do you most relate to in Never Cry Werewolf?
Shelby, for sure. When things in your family change - for Shelby, her mother dying and a new, not-so-nice stepmother coming onto the scene - and your family doesn't discuss it with you, there is a sense of powerlessness that can overwhelm you. That is certainly the case for Shelby.
Is there going to be a sequel to Never Cry Werewolf?
I really hope so. At lot of readers are writing me asking that question! And for me, I have
a sequel in my head already.
Have you ever attended a brat camp as a teen?
No, but I attended a lot of camps over the years.
What made you decide on writing a YA novel?
I wrote 5 adult novels before I started writing YA. I was partly inspired by a student I had when I was substitute teaching at an elementary school. Thinking back, my first short story ever published (in Cricket Magazine) was for younger readers. I guess it was meant to be.
How did you become a writer?
Many, many hours of practice, I guess. I wrote plays and short stories all of my life, and found novel-writing as an adult, but storytelling has always been part of who I am. I was a film major in college and intended to be a screenwriter/filmmaker.
How do you get your ideas for your books?
They start as little blobs of ideas for characters or situations. They glom onto other blobs and grow into a story. That probably doesn't mean anything to anyone -- but, it's like when I read an article in a newspaper or see something happen on the street and I start to think about it. Soon, it's growing into a connected idea or series of events and situations.
Who is your favorite author?
No fair! That is too difficult a question to answer. Currently in YA, I would have to say Libba Bray or Scott Westerfeld. I love writers whose stories carry the reader away.
Was the publishing process hard for you and what would you recommend for writers trying to publish?
Yes. I had been writing novels for six years before I found an agent and sold Never Cry Werewolf. I would reccomend that writers trying to publish find a critique group and get some solid feedback on their work -- really focusing on improving their craft before they worry about the selling part of writing. That, and spending a lot of time "butt in chair" -- the only way to get better at anything is spending time doing it, right?
Are you planning to write anything besides a possible sequel?
Yes, my book for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, THE CLEARING, comes out in April 2010. It for slightly older YA readers and is a much more serious work. People who are looking for something dark, brooding and emotional will really connect with it, I think. It's a paranormal time-travel romance about a modern girl in love with a boy living in the endless summer of 1944. After that, who knows? I have several other projects underway!
Covet by JR Ward 50% Off
Thank you to Falling off the Shelf for the awesome information. She found Covet by JR Ward at Book Depository for $3.99 with free shipping. This is the second review book for Blog with Bite . I just ordered my copy, hurry over you can't beat this price.
Discussion Questions about Never Cry Werewolf (Blog with Bite)
Q#1 - What do you think about stereotypical characters? Do characters like "Honey bun" - the evil stepmother & Shelby - the teen acting out, bother you, or are you accepting of them?
A#1 - I don't have a problem with stereotypes, eveyone knows what they mean and it immediately identifies a type of person. Unfortunately relationships with stepmothers and Shelby really exist, therefore I find it easy to accept them.
Q#2 - How did you feel about the immediate attraction and relationship between Shelby and Austin? Do you think it worked in this story or not?
A#2 - Unlike in many other stories that everyone can relate there is usually a reason for the relationship to be immediate. I felt that this was really thrown at the reader, and while I like the relationship and what we know of Austin and Shelby's characters I felt it was very brash.
Q#3 - What did you think about the attempts the camp staff made to connect with Shelby? Were they at all effective? Did the staff have a point in their position on her personal life?
A#3 - If felt that Shelby was trying to piece her life back together in a situation that was not easily allowing her the space to progress. I got the impress Davis was trying to lead the reader softly into a relationship of a stepmother that was not open to having Shelby in the picture. It seemed as though the author want a terrible relationship, but wrote it lightly making it seem less. So yes, to answer the question I think she did need help, and the staff had Shelby's best interest at heart. I also feel that she progressed while at camp, and started moving in the right direction to begin moving on.
Q#4 - What is your opinion on parents who send their kids to reformation camps - the ones who need to be "reformed" and the ones who don't?
A#4 - This could be a very "touchy" subject. I have my own beliefs when it comes to raising my children, but for most if you discipline your children when they are young you don't seem to have this much trouble when older. Now there are those special occasions where life causes a hiccup in the balance, such as loss and tragedy in a childs life, in this case I do believe that a camp such as what Shelby was at could be beneficial. Lastly, as for discipline and beating the mean out of your kids, like the desert camp, they call that a Military School.
Q#5 - Do you wish there would have been a bit more mystery regarding Austin being a werewolf, letting us get to know his character first and then the big reveal?
A#5 - I feel like the reader really misses out by not being able to learn more about Austin, or the fact that his character was MIA in a lot of the book. This is where I feel the length of the book, did not allow for the kind of character building necessary for an excellent book.
Q#6 - Do you think this novel has enough momentum for a sequel? There was some hinting at the possibility (the scratch), do you think this would be a good follow-up?
A#6 - I don't know.. Really I think the author did a good job for her first book, and I have read series that the first book was not all that, then a sequel went through the roof. Although, I can say that if there was a sequel I would definetly give it a try.
Tell me a Secret by Holly Cupala
Monday, September 21
BWB Review: Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis
Author Description: Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had “borrowed” that Porsche?). But her step-mother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior. Suddenly Shelby’s summer plans are on the shelf, and she’s being packed off to brat camp. It’s good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.
Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges, III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn’t be getting tangled up with another bad boy…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good looking one? One thing’s for sure, that pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.
Sunday, September 20
In My Mailbox #2

Friday, September 18
Treat Me!!
Review: Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley
By: Jennifer Jabaley
Reading Level: Young Adult
Book Whisperer Rating: 3 Stars
Author's Description:
Four Little Words Written in Lipstick...
mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return.
Review: Lipstick Apology was a roll with the punches kind of book. Readers follow a very emotional rollercoaster of loss, humor, and love in this new age story. While the story was entertaining, it seemed to lack a direct plot. The story vaguely strayed in the first half leaving me confused about the path the book was supposed to be leading. This was my first read by Jennifer Jabaley and I felt that she was still a little distant from her characters. This story was packed with emotion, but I failed to feel that severity of this from the writing. I enjoyed this book, but I do not see as a book that I would give a return visit.
One in a Lifetime Contest!!!!
Wednesday, September 16
Leap books (Leapbks) A New Face
Tuesday, September 15
Look alikes!
Monday, September 14
Blogs with Bite Breaking News!!
I was just this morning invited to be a co author of the BWB (Blog with Bite) group review website. Everyone must take a look. I am so very excited to be a part of this group. Many thanks to the other co-authors for allowing me to join. I am honored.
Sunday, September 13
In My Mailbox #1
For Review from Candlewick
I know myself I like to get ideas from others In my Mailbox for my to read pile. Although, in the effort to have the best blog that I can have. Tell me as a reader do you prefer to have the description of the book on with the new titles, or do you prefer to look the book up yourself? I think that I would prefer to read about it all here, and if that is the majorities preference than I will be adding the description on the next Mailbox entry.
Review: Sticky Fingers by Niki Burham
Saturday, September 12
Michelle's Bookshelf Contest
Technical Difficulties
Review: Exposed by Susan Vaught
By: Susan Vaught
Reading Level: Young Adult
Book Whisperer Rating: 3 Stars
Description from Author's Website:
Most things are going right for Chan Shealy—straight As, a shot at the regional majorette championships in baton twirling, and the best best friend a girl could wish for. And when she goes tofind the perfect boyfriend online, those good things get even better. Or so she thinks . . .As Chan’s home life collides with her dream life and reality challenges what she thought was safer than safe, Chan must make impossible choices to save the family she cherishes and the futureshe imagines for herself. A fast-paced, gripping story ripped from the headlines, Exposed is aboutwhat happens when your gut tells you something that you just refuse to hear.
My Review: This is riveting tale about what can happen with you mix immaturity and the internet. Chan is a young girl trying to escape life by finding the "perfect guy" online. Only what she finds is much more scary and dangerous than it appears. This is a learning lesson for the younger generation about what can really happen, and why the internet is not always safe. As for a entertaining, I was not totally impressed but I think there is a lot more to gain from this book than an entertaining read.
Friday, September 11
Pureheart and Whisper to the Blood Giveaway
Review: Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Back Cover: Tamsin only wishes to be a normal girl. After having spent most of her life as the family blacksheep she is now moving forward. Attending a prep schools has also helped Tamsin construct was appears to be a semi normal life. Tamsin was supposed to be a witch of great power, but at the age of eight it was discovered she lacked a talent. Talents are the power that a witch gains at a certain age. It is then that a member is guided through initiation rites, and begins to truely learn how to be a witch. Only when Tamsin failed to gain a talent, she rejected the witch lifestyle and never learned the rules. On summer break Tamsin returns home to a summer of torture. When a strange strolls into town Tamsin finds a chance to finally fit in by agreeing to help them find what they have lost. Only with no talent this presents a problem, and what the strangers looking for turns out to be more than just a family heirloom.
Office Chair Giveaway- Eclectic Reader
Thursday, September 10
Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn
Wednesday, September 9
Waiting on Wednesday
Description from authors webpage http://www.devonmonk.com/default.asp . Magic is Allison Beckstrom's blessing and curse. As a Hound, she uses her gifts to track down practitioners who abuse their power and stop them from inflicting harm on unsuspecting innocents. Unfortunately, her spells have taken their toll on her, physically marking her and erasing her memories—including those of the man she supposedly loves. But lost memories aren't the only things preying on Allie’s thoughts. Her late father, the prominent businessman—and sorcerer—Daniel Beckstrom, has somehow channeled himself into her very mind. With the help of The Authority, a secret organization of magic users, she hopes to gain better control over her own abilities—and find a way to deal with her father…