Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Wolfsbane

By Andrea Cremer

Copyright 2011, Philomel Books

Release Date: July 26, 2011

In Nightshade, Calla was forced to grow up awfully quick and she discovered lies that had encompassed her world as well as love that was never meant to be part of it. She learned the ruthlessness of the Keepers, the passion of her chosen mate Ren and that her love of a boy, Shay, would cause her to cross all lines. In Wolfsbane we pick up where Nightshade left off, with Shay and Calla in the care of the Searchers. But not everything is as it seems. This edition to the tale Cremer started weaving with Nightshade is a beautifully told execution of the lengths we go to for love and how those actions effect everyone around us. The host of characters grows, no longer only dealing with Guardians and Keepers we are now introduced to the Searchers as more than just blood thirsty enemies of the Guardians. The Searchers have their own family dynamics including lovers, parents, dirty jokers and passionate mercenary types. Calla and Shay have each other in this strange place and that should be enough, but Calla can't help the longing to get her pack out of the trouble she's sure she caused. She has no idea the extent of pain and torment they might go through in her absence. While she has the chance to commit to Shay, since the rules of her world seemingly no longer apply, she doesn't even need to look down to the ring Ren gave her to hear his voice and feel the connection between them. When it comes down to it, Calla must decide why she can't stop looking back and how doing it just might help her future.

I had heard so many mixed reviews of Wolfsbane I was achingly scared to start it, but when my dear friend Erika sent it to me I couldn't stay away. The lives, emotions and stories Cremer created in Nightshade pulled me headfirst into this epic sequel. My opinion of Wolfsbane does not vary. I loved it. All of it. Calla is a refreshing and realistic heroine, even in a sequel. She's torn between two loves, it's not easy guys, I know a lot of books and people make it seem like love is a one shot deal - that you meet one person and BAM that's it. Forever. Really? Calla's a teenager, let's remember that first off. And does love only actually hit once? I think you can love multiple people. I think you can love them for the same and for different reasons all at the same time. Yea, I think one wins out and that's who hopefully you end up with but still! And Calla has lived her whole life knowing who will ber her "mate" and knowing love has nothing to do with it. To be taken away from that idea and thrust completely into a love she didn't have to be told to have - that's powerful and it has to be awfully confusing! SO. Let's cut her some slack! : ) Like I said, we do meet Searchers and out of all of them there is ONE that I wanted from the first time I saw her name appear on the page to end up eaten. I'm not a spoilery type of girl so I won't name names or drop major hints but UGH. Beast, I would SO tear out your throat! Ok ok, rant over... :) I welcome the new characters, they add so much to the story - so many new layers and emotions.

All in all, Cremer produces a world that is vivid and thrumming with life in a sequel that is thrilling, compelling and alive. Heartbreak, love, lust, desire, jealousy, hatred, prejudice, pride and hope lace the pages of Wolfsbane and I encourage you to meet me at the shelves on July 26 to pick up a copy.

Tune In Tuesday! Featuring Ellie Goulding!

Who loves Ginger?! I Do! Go follow her!! She has good ideas!! And she's nice!! AND her name is Ginger, which is the ultimate in epic names!

This weeks Tune In Tuesday is... Ellie Goulding!! Wait...who?! Oh I don't know, some amazing British songwriter/songbird who tells stories with her beautiful voice?! Holy COW. I feel like I'm thanking Erika a lot these last few days but DANG GIRL, I OWE YOU AGAIN! I said "Help!" On Twitter and Erika's only response was Ellie Goulding. Thank you, Google. I'm going to put up two songs today by her. One is her newest and it's called Guns and Horses and the other is from her debut CD and that song is called "The Writer" - I wonder if you guys are immediately as connected to these just by their titles as I was? SO SO good. I feel like her songs are a soundtrack to the books we read but I can't pin down just one title! I will say that a big majority of Guns and Horses, to me, absolutely screamed Shay and Calla from Nightshade/Wolfsbane and I think you guys will agree :)

And like always, a big thank you to AZLyrics for always having what I need and *knock on wood* never giving me a virus :) ....that sounds kind of dirty....lol never mind me :)

Guns and Horses

You're so quiet
But it doesn't phase me
You're on time
You move so fast, makes me feel lazy

And let's join forces
We've got our guns and horses
I know you've been burned by every fire is a lesson learned

I left my house
I left my clothes
Door wide open
Never knowing
You're so worthy, you are

But I wish I could feel all it for you
I wish I could be it all for you
If I could erase the pain
And maybe you'd feel the same
I'd do it all for you
I would

Let's tie words
'Cause they amount to nothing
Play it down
Pretend you can't take what you've found
But you found me
On a screen you sit permanently

I left my house
I left my clothes
Door wide open
Never knowing
You're so worthy, you are

But I wish I could feel all it for you
I wish I could be it all for you
If I could erase the pain
And maybe you'd feel the same
I'd do it all for you
I would

It's time to come clean
And make sense of everything
It's time that we found out who we are
Cause when I'm standing here in the dark
I see your face in every star

But I wish I could feel all it for you
I wish I could be it all for you
If I could erase the pain
And maybe you'd feel the same
I'd do it all for you
I would
I'd do it all for you, I would

The Writer

You wait for a silence
I wait for a word
Lying next to your frame
Girl unobserved
You change your position
You're changing me
Casting these shadows
Where they shouldn't be

We're interrupted
By the heat of the sun
Trying to prevent
What's already begun
You're just a body
I can smell your skin
And when I feel it
You're wearing thin

But I've got a plan
Why don't you be the artist
And make me out of clay?
Why don't you be the writer
Decide the words I say?
Cause I'd rather pretend
I'll still be there at the end
Only it's too hard to ask
Won't you try to help me?

Sat on your sofa
It's all broken springs
This isn't the place for
Those violin strings
I try out a smile
And I aim it at you
You must have missed it
You always do

But I've got a plan
Why don't you be the artist
And make me out of clay?
Why don't you be the writer
Decide the words I say?
Cause I'd rather pretend
I'll still be there at the end
Only it's too hard to ask
Won't you try to help me?

You wait
I wait
Casting shadows
Interrupted

You wait
I wait
Casting shadows
Interrupted

You wait
I wait
Casting shadows

Why don't you be the artist
And make me out of clay?
Why don't you be the writer
Decide the words I say?
Cause I'd rather pretend
I'll still be there at the end
Only it's too hard to ask
Won't you try to help me?
Won't you try to help me?
Won't you try to help me?

Review: Dark Swan Comic book by Richelle Mead & Wonder Woman & the Furies

I've chosen to review something that is not a book, per say. Today I give you two reviews, one of a comic book rendition of Richelle Mead's Dark Swan Series and a new twist on Wonder Woman and The Furies! I like comic books, their really just a quick way to read a book! All the pages of description? Yep, pictures on the pages. Ok Ok I enjoy reading books more than comics but still, they can be pretty fun! When I saw Richelle Mead's at my local comic shop I immediately picked it up. I haven't read anything by her but Jen loves her so I thought I'd give the comic a go :) Wonder Woman on the other hand, I've read numerous times. She's pretty tough! I especially like her in Red Son Superman. It's a retelling of Superman and if he had landed in Communist Russia instead of America! Wonder Woman is all decked out in Communism too and it's a really interesting twist on both what could have been and the characters themselves! Anywho, here's my review of Storm Born, the comic!

Dark Swan : Storm Born

Written by: Richelle Mead and Grant Alter

Art by: Dave Hamann

Colors by: Nelson Cosentino De Oliveira

Lettering by: Dave Lanphear

Eugenie is a part time Shaman. She gets all kinds of calls of possessions, ghosts, basically all things supernatural. The first call we see is a man whose shoe is possessed. When Eugenie casts the spirit out of the shoe she see's it actually a Keres, a much bigger and much tougher kind of spirit. More unsettling than that, it calls her by her real name; not the name spirits from the Otherworld call her. Regrouping from the strange attack Eugenie calls her secretary on another job - a girl has been taken into the Otherworld by a Fairy (Gentry in this book) King. While deciding whether or not to take the new and very dangerous job, Eugenie decides to lose herself in the moment for a change - she goes to a bar and gets picked up. While their conversation is sparking so are her feelings and a very visual sexytime is played out on the pages. I'll tell you this- it was not what I was expecting! Just when she and her boy toy are about to go for round two a chill comes through them and we're left with a very large ice monster in the room...awkward much? lol!

All in all I think the story line is good, I like the strong character and I like how she's trying to deal with all the pressures on her life. I know that makes it sound like I'm saying when life gives you decisions, go to the bar and have sex with a stranger. I'm not condoning this...but I think sometimes we do need to lose ourselves in a moment. Go out and have fun. Just live. Ya know? Anyway. The artwork was fun. Not to rigid and a lot of play in the characters expressions. I also enjoyed the use of silhouettes in several places of the book. It added a mystique while not hiding anything, almost like the characters may have been hiding something and we're getting a visual representation of it. I would not give this comic to a child because of the sexual drawings and detailings, however, it's not X-Rated. I'll be picking up issue 2 next week and perhaps we'll see where it goes!

Favorite Quote: "Suddenly, I realized I kno longer wanted to be alone. I didn't want to talk to people. I just wanted to be around them. Lost in the crowd. I wanted to forget Jasmine Delaney. At least for tonight."

Next up is Wonder Woman and The Furies

Written by: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Pecilled by: Scott Clark

Inked by: Dave Beaty

Wonder Woman created by: William Moulton Marston

Holy. Wow. I've always liked Wonder Woman but this is a whoooole different story, and I LOVE it!! This is part of a huuuuge series called Flashpoint and there are crossovers between a majority of the books found in the DC Universe. (Ranging from Lois Lane and the Resistance, to Flashpoint: Emporer Aquaman and even to: Booster Gold!) In this story Wonder Woman sets out to leave her home island of Themyscira for the first time. It's home to the Amazonian women of her race, they are beautiful and intelligent warriors but Diana (Wonder Woman) wants more. She longs to see what else is out there. She sneaks away in a boat and when attacked by a Kraken she meets Arthur aka Aquaman. AKA the  most under rated superhero - EVAR. He communicates and controls water, organisms in the water, aquatic life and so on - isn't the world mostly made up of water? Aren't our bodies like 80% water?! He-lloooo, he could totally rule us all! Anyway, he and Diana decide that if they were to be joined by marriage they could unite their people and come into the rest of the world without fear of being alone or different. Like all decisions leaders make, there are those who disagree. At Diana and Arthurs wedding one of those disgruntled people will make a decision to rebel - costing a royal Amazonian life. But who did it and why? Those are tales to find out in the next issue!

The art work in this book is SO GOOD. I love the sketching, the coloring, everything. The pictures make you feel like you could dive into it, or decorate your home with it...which I just might...Wizard World is coming up...I digress. This would be a good book for children, teens and adults. Anyone of any age. It has vivid artwork and an age old tale of love and politics. Also a benefit is that these are characters that are found in a wide array of other books so if you like it you'll definitely get your fill of them!

Favorite Quote: "We're taught there is a world outside, but I've never seen it. I want to see it. I want to learn of its wonders."

IMM! A Week of Awesomeness!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! She's what you call Kind of Amazing :)

This weeks IMM is mostly in thanks to my IRLBFF Jen at Makeshift Bookmark, whom loves me dearly and knows what books I will love to read :)

From Jen:

Karma by Cathy Ostlere

The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones

The Lost Queen by Frewin Jones

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Need by Carrie Jones

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Flecks of Gold by Alicia Buck

Clarity by KimHarrington

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Hex (not pictured) by Ramona Wray

From Erika at Moonlight Book Review

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

From Heidi and YA Bibliophile

How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr

Purchased

Girl vs Boy by Yvonne Collins & Sandy Rideout

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis (but I'd imagine you already knew that!)

All in all I'd say it was an overly successfull week of books and I certainly don't expect to have another one quite as epic in a LONG time!! Hex isn't pictured because it's still out from the review I posted :)

Thank you SO much to Erika for letting me read Wolfsbane! I've been DYING to get my grubby little paws on it! And of course to the wonderful Heidi for How To Save A Life! That will be my first title by said author and Heidi thinks I'll enjoy, I tend to agree with her :) AND A shout out to Ashley at Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing! Her review of Girl vs Boy is what prompted me to pick it up!

                     What are you guys reading this week? Hope you all have had a restful Sunday!

Review: Hex by Ramona Wray

Hex

Ramona Wray

Copyright 2010, Self Published

Big thanks to Jen at Makeshift Bookmark for mailing me this book! She knew I'd likey :)

 

Hex is a story of a girl in which magic lives. It causes her pain but brings much joy to people she may never even meet. Lily lives in the woods in a small town with her free spirited mother, she has a father but he's almost never around due to work - he's also the complete opposite of them (business suit, works in a city, etc). Under the guidance of the moon she goes into her woods and collects berrys, leaves, dirt, whatever it is the magic inside her tells her to get - all while speaking a language she doesn't understand. As if it wouldn't be confusing enough to deal with so much magic, she's also unable to physically touch anyone. When she does she see's into their lives and it causes her magnitudes of pain, therefore she rarely comes in direct contact with people. Her avoidance of people and "witchy" tendencies has also made her an outcast in school, she has exactly one friend whose name is J. J understands her and supports here, they're really more like sisters! But even J doesn't know when the world stops spinning for Lilly and it was all because of him. The tall, olive skinned God-among-ants that has newly been found in the classrooms and halls of her highschool. Ryder Kingscott. After a year of silent observation Ryder does the unthinkable - asks Lilly to prom. Lilly's not dumb and she doens't want to be played a fool, why would he wait a whole year to even talk to her and then ask her out? As stubborn as she can be she doesn't have a chance. With new beau Ryder another stranger enters the picture, Lucian. Lucian is the opposite of Ryder but just as beautiful and seemingly just as dangerous. When the two start having verbal and physical battles over her and who is trying to hold her back versus choosing "her life for a change" Lilly has to wonder - Who's lying? Who can she trust? Does her heart tell her where she belongs or should she listen to reason? And what implications will arise from the decision only she can make?

I thought Hex was a very fun read. There were parts that weren't so fun, like dealing with sacrficing yourself and how it will effect those around you - there was more than one occasion in which I was seriously saddend! There are a lot of pop culture references in the book as well and while living in the "now" and understanding them perfectly (painting an even clearer picture of what was going on/who characters acted or looked like) I can't help but wonder if 60 years from now people will read it and then have to google people or tv shows on their Terminator arms to fully understand. And yes, in 60 years people will have Terminator arms.

I would recommend this book to a wide variety of people. I think anyone who has a background in Wiccan practices will appreciate subtle nuiances while waiting to hear terms they've come to know. They will also appreciate the strong relationship Lilly seems to have to the moon - unspoken but apparent, at least to me. There are also flash backs to regency times complete with costumes, dialogue and protocol which were endearing. Not to mention Archangels and Nephilim in the tale! So there's pretty much something for everybody!

Check out Hex by Ramona Wray for a light read on the serious circumstances that undoubtedly follow any great fate, love and sacrifice!

TGIF! Summer Book Lovin!

This week, Ginger asks us: Where are you taking a book on vacation this summer?

I'm taking books everywhere with me! But FOR SURE to the annual girls weekend! Last year a group of girlfriends from my church got together at a lakehouse owned by one of their grandparents in Michigan! Last year I brought a book called God Girl which is about becoming the woman God wants you to be! It was really insightful and I loved laying on the pier next to the lake and reading while the sun warmed me! This year I'm not sure what I'll bring! Mostly because my TBR is HUGE. Seriously out of control. lol! I'm thinking I might bring Evenfall...I think it would be a good one for a girls weekend :)

I'm also taking books with me to Tennessee! Probably Everlasting or Passion...I'm starting Wolfsbane tonight, so we'll see! I love all of these series so there's a good chance I'll fly through all of them before I even make it to Tennessee!! Guess I'd have to stop at a bookshop out there...Oooh, darn.... :)





ALSO TODAY! Is my very first time in the Follow My Book Blog Friday meme by Parajunkee!! Idk where I've been but it's such a great idea!!

Today the hosted blogger is  Mickey at I'm A Book Shark and let me just say that her favorite fairytale is Little Mermaid and from the description, she's also a Ginger - which kind of makes us instant friends. Just sayin :) So go check her out and then make sure to check out Parajunkee for a whole list of awesome bloggers!!!


Question: In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?
I'm torn on favorite fairy tales between The Little Mermaid and Thumbelina :) Thumbelina was the very first book I read, I was in kindergarten! I used to think it would be the coolest thing to be able to sit inside a flower...and have a Prince! How much better does it get, right?! :) The Little Mermaid is pretty self explanatory - heeeeelloooo princess? Red hair? YES.

As far as favorite stories revolving around Fey now, it would have to be the book I wrote and am trying to get published. lol! But my favorite published stories would be Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely Series! She created such a vibrant world. Even the Dark Court has a strange beauty about them!
And now, it's time for me to go to wrestling practice! I get to beat up a student today. This makes me smile :) Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see you Sunday for an IMM!

Review: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Stealing Heaven

Elizabeth Scott

Copyright 2008, Harper Teen

As an already standing member of the Elizabeth Scott cheer team I didn't expect anything less than butterflies when I picked this book up. I was not disappointed, in fact, what I got was much more than butterflies.

Sydney..err..Rebecca...err Danielle, has been raised to believe in one thing: What you can hold. With identity theft and jewels thieves can get wrapped up in a multitude of different problems, but silver is different. Silver is easy. Silver taught her math. Silver taught her how to read a map. Silver gave her a car to drive (for awhile at least) and Silver made her mom happy. That's what matters.

But when Danielle and her mom come to the small beach town of Heaven for a large job, Danielle finds herself breaking the rules she's grown up with and experiencing things she's never had the chance for. Is it time to settle down and find a real place of her own? Do people really want to know about her? Want to spend time with her? Or do they know what she is and are just waiting for the chance to catch her?

Danielle is an easily lovable character who finds herself in a prediciment she never expected. When she befriends, unknowingly, the daughter of the house the heist is set to take place at she finds herself questioning why she has this life. Her internal torment is only perpetuated by her moms insistance that this is the right thing, the only way to really live. To complicate things she's getting all weak in the knees over this guy who asks too many questions and is always looking at her, and who happens to be a cop.

Dealing with friendships (even if they don't know her real name!), potential boyfriends (who could throw her in jail!) and a mom who she doesn't want to disappoint, Danielle has to find herself and what she believes in. Turns out you can't steal happiness, but just maybe you can steal Heaven.

Tune in Tuesday! The Watchtower looking out for one of my fave Tweeple :)

 Today, I take Gingers awesome meme and a suggestion from a fave Tweeple, @tomdmaloney, and have for your listening enjoyment:

All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix

Can I be real honest, guys? I've never heard this song. In my life. But after last weeks Glee-Fest, I asked my dear trouble making friend Tom what song he thought I should do! I chose the Jimi Hendrix version over DMB because..well..I loathe them, *ducks from stoning DMB diehards* :) and also because when I brought it up to Hubby he proclaimed: "No. Hendrix did it, everyone else ruined it." lol! So here we go!

Lyrics Provided by AZLyrics!

There must be some kind of way out of here
Said the joker to the theif
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Business men they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the wine
Nobody of it is worth

No reason to get exited
The thief he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us talk falsely now
The hour's getting late

All along the watchtower
The princess kept the view
While all the women came
And went bare feet servants too
Outside in the cold distance
A wild cat did growl
Two riders were aproaching
And the wind began to howl

I'm digging the poetic vibe here, I really am. And I totally follow the "life is hard and people who aren't deserving get the best stuff" but then I get kind of confused with the last verse. Is Hendrix suggesting that what's due is finally coming? I wasn't quite positive, although it was the feeling I got from it, so I went to trusty google where I found a scholarly-formed article disecting the song! The author of the article felt as I did about the bulk of the lyrics, that these two outsiders understand the values of life and hard work and the spoils go to those who don't work for it. I was interested to see what he thought of the last verse :)

"A wildcat growls from a distance, suggesting the savage, untamed power of nature lurking just beyond the well-ordered lights of the castle. Then we see the two riders approaching. Suddenly, in only four words, the first two verses are connected with the last. With a sort of cinematic establishing shot, but used at the end of the story rather than the beginning, we see the thief and the joker approaching the castle. We already know that they want to establish a different set of values, one based on the worth of human life. Their approach towards the guarded castle suggests an impending confrontation. And then the last line of the song strengthens this suggestion with imagery of a furious storm starting to build. "

So it looks like Hendrix took this poem, inserted himself into it and is wanting to make a change - to make a difference on society and it's views. I like it! I'll admit that my small-mindedness had probably stopped me from listening to this song in the past, when people refer to it as a song they "got high to" it didn't really appeal to me as anything worth listening to. However, with lyrics like this being so poetic and the idea of changing your circumstances and wanting others to see what could be - it makes a lot of sense and is really pretty moving! Not to mention that dude could play the heck out of his guitar. I'm lucky to get through a couple chords without screwing something up - this guys is amazing!

This was actually really fun, being thrown into a song/sub culture that I'm not familiar with and learning about it! If you guys have any other suggestions for future weeks definitely hit me up!!

I found the article on a site called "Reason to Rock" definitely check it out, it's pretty interesting! I leave you now with Mr. Jimi Hendrix himself, enjoy!

The Single Greatest Day of MY LIFE. (Don't tell the Hubby) I Introduce: Libba. Freaking. Bray.

Few of you know me very well. Jen knows me better than myself sometimes, and so when she heard of the This is Teen event featuring Libba Bray, Meg Cabot and Maggie Stiefvater she text me immediately. You see, I quit reading after the Twilight series. Yes, I was sucked into it and I'm not ashamed dang it! :) But afterwards I was lost. Jen kept on and kept on about A Great & Terrible Beauty by some author named Libba Bray that I'd never heard of. Whatev, Jen is persistent - you guys know this! lol! So I got the book...and I fell in love. So I bought Rebel Angels (book 2)....and I was addicted. I couldn't wait to see what happened, I was enthralled by the magic that Bray created and the compelling personalities of the characters. I couldn't get enough. By the time I finished The Sweet Far Thing (book 3) I was in tears. Not only was it over but there wasn't a big sparkly pink bow...I like sparkly pink bows... I got on Twitter, where I was still figuring out how to use it mind you and found Libba. I tweeted her something to the effect of: I can't stop thinking about Gemma & Kartik. Please tell me there's more.   She replied: I'll draw you a picture of G&K in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g

It was the first time anyone had responded to anything I tweeted. Much less someone who I respected and adored. I died. I'm pretty sure I squeeled and called Jen. And she was like, Twit a what?! -- Yes folks, I created this monster. lol!!

Ok so onto what you really care about, the This Is Teen event that Scholastic put on!! I was so excited to meet Heidi from YA Bibliophile at the Dark Days Winter tour but we barely got a chance to talk! Then I saw her again at the Unlucky/Lucky signing but again - very little chat time. We both got off work early, well she did - I took a much needed vacation day :) - and met up for dinner and a little book shopping before the event. We went to this amazing stir fry place that I'd never even heard of! Turns out we like the same kinds of foods! And books! And authors! And friends! lol! Dinner was amazing and we even splurged on some chocolate cake and ice cream :) 

It was time. We went to Wentz Hall and went right in, they said they couldn't take our tickets yet so we snagged seats in the auditorium - front row! Where we and everyone else who went in were promptly kicked out because they weren't ready yet...lol! It was worth a shot! I was so excited! I paced back and forth until they gave me my book and ticket and I could purchase a hard cover of Great & Terrible Beauty (mine went missing when my house got robbed! JERKS! lol!) then I ran back over to Heidi and we watched as people started pooling around the doors to the auditorium. That's when I lost it. I karate jump-chopped in front of the doors. No really, I did. The kid "guarding" the door was like, "I can't let you in yet" and I told him I knew but that I was SO excited I felt the need to stand there and talk to him. :) He was ok with that. lol! I was officially the first person into the auditorium and Heidi and I were able to snag our original front row center stage seats! AND something monumental happened. We took our FIRST picture together!!

There were bloggers/librarians all around us! It was so nice to talk to so many great bookish people! And then it started...an owner of Anderson's came up and announced the event and Libba Bray stepped onto the stage first. I don't know if it was the adrenaline, the adoration, the fact that she literally helped me step into reading, that her characters were the first to draw tears from my eyes....I really don't know but I will forever be able to look at Heidi and say, "Hey remember that time I had to choke back tears because I was so close to Libba Bray?" Yep. Ultimate fangirl moment. Tears in eyes. It was awesome. Little did I know how much MORE awesome it would get!

These women are HILARIOUS. And together, it's just kind of ridiculous. I have so much respect for all three, and the work they do is incredible. If the world had more authors it would be a better place :)

In between laughs they talked about getting through fears, rejection and life altering decisions. Talk about YA Saves, huh?

When it was time for the signing I had to admit to Maggie that I haven't read The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy - though I reaaaaally want to! -  yet and to Meg that I liked what I'd read of Abandon but was really excited to meet the author behind the Disney Movie, Avalon High! That movie was GOOD! lol, needless to say we shared a good laugh at that one :)

And then...it was time. lol! I know, so dramatic, right? lol! Heidi, being the greatest friend in the world, offered to take my camera so she could snap "creeper pics" as we called them while I fangirled to the moon. I had no idea.

When I got to the table, Libba Bray  <--- The one and only, knew who I was. Holy mother of awesomesauce. The whole day I had planned this big speech about how I would let her know the impact she made on me and how much I enjoy her work and then ask her to sign my books and maybe even draw that picture from years ago? Turns out not only a great author but a great person as well. She's so wonderful, charming, funny, relaxing, jovial :) I love that word. lol!



She drew my picture!



We chatted and took pictures. She had Beauty Queen buttons too :) One that said Lost Girls, Sparkle Ponies and then the Beauty Queens book cover. When asked to choose what I was I really couldn't! I wanted to be a Lost Girl but Sparkle Ponies sounds so cool...Maybe I'm just a Beauty Queen?! I went with it. 

After all of that, Heidi and I decided to go to Starbucks to get a drink and talk some more before hitting the road again. We chatted until they closed :) All in all, it was one of the best days. EVER. I gained so much inspiration from listening to the authors talk, fiiiiiiiinally got to hang out with/picture with Heidi and meet Libba!

I know all of us in the bookish people community have that one author. Don't get me wrong I LOVE other authors like Elizabeth Scott - who has yet to disappoint me in her work! - Wendy Del Sol, Julia Karr, Courtney Moulton of course! , Holly Schindler, Saundra Mitchell...I could keep going...lol but I think there's always that one that really hit a chord with you. I really hope that all of you have the chance to meet that author, person, songwriter, whomever it is. It's an incredible experience, one you'll definitely want to share with good friends :)

Dark Days of Summer!

I'm a few events behind! Eeks! Here's a quick recap of the Dark Days of Summer tour, in which I won a T-Shirt! Yay! :)

Anywho, have y'all met Laci? She's like my bff and she has a blog you should probably check out :) I stole her away to Michigan for her very first signing!! I picked her up from her house in South Bend and we hit the road! It was about 2 1/2 hours of Glee songs on repeat when I wasn't making her listen to Kesha! All in all the trip was pretty easy and fun like usual! We checked into the Hampton Inn around 10:30 and decided we were starving!! Turns out theres a House of Pizza that delivers...everything...including beer...which we were so wiped and excited to eat that we forgot to order! lol! That's alright, like we need it, we're crazy as it is!! Needless to say we over stuffed ourselves on Philly Cheese Steaks, Garlic Mushroom Bread and Deluxe Mac-n-Cheese! GOOD. TIMES.  As you can see, the books were out the whole time. It's pretty nice to "hang out" with someone while you're both just laying there reading lol!



The Unwritten Rule and 10 Things We Did, by the way :)


Then we sat next to each other and played Words With Friends :) look me up if you play, I suck but I LOVE to play!






And then Miss Laci got schooled in Hanging With Friends! It's the companion to WWF, Hangman style!! So fun :)

Next morning we got up bright and early for some swimming, breakfast and to start shopping!! East Lansing has a great shopping center, all kinds of fun places to browse!!

We must have went in and out of Schulers 6 times...I think we bought something each time...lol! We met up with Kristi from The Story Siren, DJ from DJ's Life in Fiction, Erika from Midnight Book Review, Stacy from Page Turners Blog and the ever amazing Courtney from well...a little book called Angelfire? Heard of it? :P

I so love the blogging community! Look how fun we are! lol! I also met a random awesome girl whose name I couldn't remember and who doesn't have a Twitter! I know, right? I called her California because well, that's where she's from :) She rocked. Here she is!

Aimee Carter came too and so I had her sign a copy of her book, Goddess Test :) It was awesome to meet her! The authors were really fun and had some great advice on everything from starting a writing project to ending it and the different paths they take. It was really informative and it was so cool to meet them all! I even got to take a pic with all the authors, plus I asked Courtney and Aimee to join in too, I mean hey they're pretty awesome authors too, right?!



Aprilynne Pike, Veronica Roth, me, Courtney Moulton, Aimee Carter, Josephine Angelini and Ellen Schreiber



I also met Sara from The Hiding Spot (who is super super sweet, by the way!!) And Got to tell Ellen Schreiber how much I enjoyed Once In A Full Moon! Which was nice because I had her sign it at the Dark Days of Winter Tour earlier in the year!

After the tour I impressed everyone with my skills as a self photographer, I can take a "myspace" picture pretty stinking well. Just as Erika, she was impressed. lol!! It was so good to see everyone again and I can't wait for the next time! Laci had a good time too :) But don't take my word for it, drop by her blog and see what she says!!

It takes SKILL to get a table behind you like this!

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Abandon

Meg Cabot

Copyright 2011, Point by Scholastic

In Abandon we meet Pierce Oliviera who has had a near death experience. She was trying to help a struggling bird next to her indoor pool in the winter, tripped and fell into it - right onto the cover. The broken cover aides gravity in pulling Pierce to the bottom where she hears only her heartbeat before she wakes up on the dark shores of a strange lake surrounded by hoardes of other people. This would be strange enough but when she recognizes a guy on a horse helping to control everyone she takes it upon herself to re-introduce herself and take everyones complaints to him. what she doesn't know is that this mysterious hotty is more than just a guy on a horse with a list of "who goes where", he's a death diety and she is our modern day Persephone.

There's so much that I enjoyed about this book. The mythology behind it is comforting to me, I like knowing an outline of what's going on - it's kind of like an inside joke or watching a movie made after your favorite book. You pre-giggle knowing the funny line about to be said or allow yourself to swoon for the guy who in the end you know will get the girl.

I thoroughly enjoyed Pierce. I think her name alone suites her, you can tell she's not just going to take everything laying down. She's so compassionate but she's also a fighter, it's a rare mixture that is so perfect to convey the kind of story Cabot is re-telling.

Her death diety, John, is a perfect description of ultra-swoon worthy bad boy. From the steel of his eyes to the tummy twisting turn your stomach makes when he smiles, he is every inch the intrigue he was meant to be.

Despair, longing, hope, love, regret and heartfelt realizations are all things you'll encounter while reading a book you wouldn't dare Abandon.

TGIF! "And I quote"!!

What are some of your favorite book quotes?

Thank you Ginger for this AWESOME meme!! I can't stop finding quotes that I love so I'm going to cut myself off with the one's I have here...but there are SO many more! eeks!

Ohhh Goodness.... where to begin?! I know, I must empty my shelves! *drags down books*

Ok here we go!!

1.)  "No more rum. I'm sorry. We have to break up, rum.  But we'll still be friends." Adina stifled a burp and made a face. "Or not."  -- Beauty Queens, Libba freaking Bray. Yep, gave her an awesome middle name too. lol!

2.) "You don't know that, he could use her to get to me...he...This never would have happened if I hadn't been...if I wasn't so stupide sex-teen! I hate it!" I pushed him again. "I don't want this body. I don't want it to feel so good when you kiss me, when you touch me. It's not fair." --- XVI, Julia Karr

3.) "The bogeyman? The hrundagia, with all the teeth, and the long tail it can throw after you and catch you when you think you've run away? You say that to a little kid? You humans really are savages."  --- Pegasus, Robin McKinley

4.) "No kidding. And FYI - burning pee? Not always a urinary tract infection." --- 10 Things We Did, Sarah Mlynowski

5.) "You don't get it, Sarah. You don't know what it's like to be in love. Lov is...you get confused and you do stuff you don't mean to do and you just - you hate yourself and sometimes you don't even want to love the person you do because it would be so much easier if you didn't. But you just - you just do." -- The Unwritten Rule, Elizabeth Scott

6.) "There are no buts," said Henry. "We must act quickly, Jane. We must release it to the world while the debate between head and heart is still of interest to society. One day, I fear, that sbject, which is at the very centre of your story, may be forgotten." -- The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, Syrie James

7.) "That night, I didn't sleep at all I stayed up, thinking about what to do. What was the right thing to do? Because I knew I loved you. But I knew I shouldn't. I didn't have the right to love anybody then. After my mom died, I was so pissed off. I had this anger in me all the time. I felt like I was going to erupt any minute." He drew his breath in. "I didn't have it in me to love you the way you deserved. But I knew who did." ---We'll Always Have Summer, Jenny Han *CBC*!!!

8.) "You're the only fire that consumes me." --- The Vespertine, Saundra Mitchell

9.) "Jump with me." -- The Vespertine, Saundra Mitchell

10.) "You, all over him? Yeah, I didn't see a bit of red on that dude. Must have been one hell of a good-bye kiss."  --- Shift, Jeri Smith-Ready

11.) "Well I guess there aren't any Ladybird Hopes in this crowd. My stars, I'm glad she's not here to see this. I bet she'd vomit in her mouth with disappointment. And then, like a pro, she'd swallow it down and keep smiling." --- Beauty Queens, Libba Bray

Review: Shift

Shift

Jeri Smith-Ready

Copyright 2011, Simon Pulse

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.
As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart. - Goodreads

Wow. I mean, really, just wow. I love this story, I love the characters (all of them!), I love the writing style, I love the details and how they bring everything to life without clouding or bogging down the tale that transcends life and death. There was a surprising amount of swoon in Shift, I really thought it would follow this like tragic-love and constant heart break trend until the last page where there's finally a smooch. It does not. Refreshing. Logan's still around and still in love with Aura, and part of me was like: DUDE. Back. Off. Hott Scottish guy is here now! But I get it and as pompous and arrogant as Logan can be, it's hard not to love him. It's hard not to cry as he expresses himself and as he sees life going by while he's frozen in the night he died.

I was scared reading this too. I'm not going to give anything away but when you pick it up and see Dylan. Just remember this: NO. No, not ok, never. Nope. That's all I have to say about that! And Zach...I love you. A friggin lot. Seriously, I would fight for that guy. Yeah, there were times while reading that I was like: Zach, No!! However: I never disliked him even. I don't know what it is about this character but I couldn't let him go! I'd even fight for my chance in a frozen river!!! *sigh*

Oh but it doesn't stop there, folks! Aura is coming closer and closer to discovering her own history, Zach is helpless in the midst of family crisis, and the government is closing in on them and their location. Will they be brave enough? Who will they trust? Can they trust each other?

I think it's probably impossible for me to do a solid "real" review. This book was so intoxicating that just thinking about it is giving me a high. For real, I'm ordering a pizza. Even if it wasn't placing me on this ridiculous high, there aren't words to describe it. There's music. Music would help, poetry, pictures of lands and stars that I've never seen. Dreams too, dreams of what might be and what could be and what will never be. The world Jeri Smith-Ready has created is all of those things and more. I don't know of many other books that I would recommend to so many different people. It doesn't just fit one "type" or genre. This tells of love, loss and life even in the hardest of times - something universal to all of us.

Tune in Tuesday! Isn't it just Glee-full?! :)

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by my dear lovely Ginger at G-Reads!!


I can't resist. And guys, even if I wanted to...I would choose not to :) It's time to honor some GLEE up in the hiz-ouse!! Woot!! Ok ok enough of that.

I could go on and on with Glee versions of songs I think you should love or at least try but I'll stick to one...or two...possibly three. Let's just see where we end up, ok?!

First off!  Journey's Don't Stop Believing!! Yes, it's the song Glee remade in season one and it's currently my ring tone. There's just something about a group of kids who "don't belong" and all have big dreams, singing their hearts out about taking chances and not giving up on their dreams! That and I like to look over at Laci in the car when it comes on and go: "Dah Dah Dah Dah, Dah Dah Dah Dah" see, if you turn on the subtitles on the DVD they call this "Vocalizing" - I call it super fun magic.

And call me lame, but I tear up watching this :) lol it's just so AGH! It's ok, I know my fellow Gleeks undertand :) Also...Oh my Puckerman...really like, Whoa.

Song Number 2! Taking Chances! Sang mostly by Lea Michelle who plays Rachel Barry aka My favorite character on the show. She's amazeballs. Yea, this song makes me think of her and Finn and hoping they hook up and hoping it lasts and you know, swoon in general. BUT it also reminds me of Saundra Mitchells The Vespertine.

"So what do you say to taking chances, what do you say to jumping off the edge. Never knowing if there's solid ground below, or a hand to hold, or hell to pay. What do you say?"

"I just wanna start again, maybe you could show me how to try. Maybe you could take me in, somewhere underneath your skin. What do you say to taking chances?"

"I had my heart beatin down but I always come back for more, yeah there's nothing like love to pull ya up when you're lying down on the floor there. So talk to me, talk to me like lovers do. Walk with me, walk with me, like lovers do, like lovers do."

Seriously, that book is setting the bar seriously high as my favorite read this year and so hearing this song makes me want to re-read it again and again.



Ok this is fun. One more?

Defying Gravity. From Wicked, yes. But also now from Glee. Beautifully done too.

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I am defying gravity
And you wont bring me down!

I'm through accepting limits
'cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/defying-gravity-lyrics-glee-cast.html ]

Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!

I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you wont bring me down!

I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you won't bring me down!
bring me down!

And as you saw, thank you to metrolyrics.com for the lyrics!!

Is there ANYTHING not to love with lyrics like that?

There are so many great songs, so many great stories but I could really go all night with this! I hope you guys had as much fun watching clips and reliving songs as I had posting this!!

Todays moral: Don't stop believing, take a chance and you just might defy gravity :) hehe!

Review: Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)

Sarah Mlynowski

Copyright 2011, Harper Teen

Ok Twitter, you win. The non stop "Post something you shouldn't have done!" Tweets officially bombarded my psyche and like any advertisers dream : I bought the book.

The Book

Divided up quite nicely in 10 actual chapters and many many sub chapters, Sarah Mlynowski provides easy breaks and a comfortable writing style in this adventure of a teenager living alone with her best friend. While I find all the drinking and random hanging-out-ness of so many characters a little hard to connect with (because I was either a loser that never had these things happen to me as a teen or because they don't actually happen as frequently as we read about - Honestly, I believe it's the former) I did enjoy the cast of characters and the detailed peeks into their personal lives.

"My BFF Jill..."

There are a lot of players in this game. A lot of families, a lot of back stories, a lot of future stories and we get little glimpses of them as well as April's (aka Princess aka It's her story) own history. April lives with Vi, her BFF. Things work out really well for them, which is nice. I usually think of two teenage girls living together without the parentals and all I can do is shudder. "Like, OMG, You totes stole my boyfriend! Did Not! And you totally spilled on my shoes! No I don't know who Nipsco is, why would I pay him?!" <-- Yes, unfortunately this is my view on a grand part of whatever generation it is that is now at this age. I'm sorry. I know there are exceptions to the rules but I work for a gynecologist and honestly 99.9% if the girls I meet in this age range...well...yes. See above over stereo-typed and falsified quotation. Anywho. There's also Marissa (who has a super adorable name and personality) I love her. She's the supportive, "I'm happy if you're happy" friend and I think with as screwed up as Vi and April's minds are most of the time, they really need her around!

The Boys.

Ahh the boys. Let me be clear without giving the book away....or at least I'll try. I love Dean. If I were April I'd be hanging out with Dean like EVERYDAY. Not in a he's so cute and I want to kiss him way but in the fact that he's fun. I like fun. Noah. Well. I "Noah" I hadn't liked him on the first page he was mentioned and I don't like him on the last page either. (Like my pun? I know, Rockstar.) He didn't really do anything for me and the more he was around the more he did less for me. Hudson seemed alright...ok he seemed more than alright. I liked him. A lot. But OH the SECRETS.

The Cat.

Yep. There's a kitten involved. It has a fantastic name and even more fantastic qualities. No I'm not partial that the description of the kitten matches my own...ok maybe a little...but really, who doesn't love a kitten?! Especially if you're feeling alone, or happy, or confused, or drunk, or...well. I love my kitten and I think you'll love this fictional one. :)

The Wrap Up

All in all it was easy to read, albeit predictable, but easy none the less. Which is actually a really great achievement considering the characters tackle self image issues, relationship issues, family drama, police activity and just about anything else you want to throw in the mix! If there are 10 things you probably should do this summer, I don't think throwing this book in your beach bag will hurt!

TGIF!!

TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads!!

This weeks question IS:

YA Saves: How do you feel about the "dark" books filling our YA shelves today?

My response? Dark Shmark! YA books deal with real situations, real feelings - things that society makes us feel isolated for feeling or going through. Media tells us how we "should be" and what's "desirable" - YA books tell us we're accepted and we're not alone. You can be exactly who you are in YA. You can swoon, you can be heartbroken, you can live vicariously. Most importantly, you can take some of that with you into the real world so you don't feel alone or ashamed. You can broaden your horizons and accept people and situations that you may not have otherwise. And personally, one of my favorite things about YA books is this: I can pick out the individual aspects of the characters that I love, I can see how they act rationally and I can make it a part of me. I can reference it when I'm faced with a "dark" situation and I can learn from their mistakes. I can learn to appreciate life and other peoples lives from the pages of a book and I can apply it to real life. What's dark about that? What's dark is this stigma media and society set on us - what's acceptable and what's ideal. How about being true to your heart? How about living with a sense of purpose? How about caring deeply for those around you? Whether it's werewolves, faieries, witches, telepaths, or just a normal hormonal teen - YA brings the beauty of life that we over look because we're surrounded by a dark world, it highlights it for us and makes us remember how great life is, how great love is, how great we can be.

Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset

The Girl in the Steel Corset

Kady Cross

Copyright 2011, Harlequin Teen

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the thing inside her.
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch.
Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.
Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.
But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her. -- Summary by Goodreads

It wouldn't be right of me to start this review by doing anything less than screaming at the top of my lungs how much I dearly love Heidi over at YA Bibliophile who heard my cries of desperation for this book and sent it to me. I. Love. You. (In a total friend and fellow book lover way, lol!)

I literally flailed my arms about like a crazy person when I opened the package to see this book, it's gorgeous cover beckoned me and the unique size intrigued me. I saw the font that said "The Steampunk Chronicles" but I was kinda like: I really don't care what that means, I just want to read it. But I checked out a review or two and saw that a Steampunk is kind of like when you take a time period like late 1800's England and have many of the same rules/society standards but add some modernized (usually by steam - duh lol) aspects, like velocycles and the appearance of earpieces like an IFB at a tv station today.

The writing style is very descriptive and comfortable, I felt like I fell right into sync with Kady Cross and there was no adjustment to bring believability to the characters or plot. Her descriptions are a happy medium between detailed and over done - everything has it's purpose and none of it bogs the story down, so no worries there!

Finley is the main character and a lot of times we're in her head, although Cross writes from almost everyones perspective from time to time, but there are still parts of her that I just wanted to shake her for. Even knowing why she's acting one way or the other doesn't help sometimes; see Finley for as strong as she is, is a runner. Like, she just runs away. Ooops, trouble, I gotta jet. And I just have a hard time respecting that. That, however, is the only thing I don't like about her. She's B.A., she hangs with the boys and loves to have some girl time. I can totally relate to that. She's also very independent with the desire of codependency. Don't get me wrong, it's not like she wants to just follow everyone around but you really get the sense that she wants a place where she can trust to be led. A comfortable place, a home.

'm a big fan of swoon, everyone knows it, I'm not ashamed :)

The love interests in the book are played out pretty plainly, no real surprises. That can be great, being forward with flirtation is awesome and there is A LOT of flirtation. There are also multiple love triangles. I'll admit that it brings some of the side, yet still very main, characters to the forefront giving them their own problems and what not - but it can take away from the other swoons as well. The love fests here were done nicely and integrated into the story pretty well but I feel like I could have done without just a little bit of it....I'm trying REALLY hard to not give away a spoiler right now so email me if you read it and are like: WAH? I love the use of eye contact in this book. I really believe the eyes can be a window to your soul and the use of the eyes, the context in which they're noted and even the colors involved give a real sense of who these people are and where their hearts lie.

All in all I really enjoyed the read and hope to hear more from these characters in the future! I think the key to reading this is to envelope yourself completely in the descriptions that Cross provides - you will not notice the time that has passed on your journey until you are torn from it like a robotic arm ripped maniacly from its automaton body by Miss Finley Jayne herself.

Post Number 50!!

On Wednesdays I always see posts that are "Waiting" or "Pining" well...I'm doing a lot of those things and this is BLOG POST NUMBER 50! I know, exciting, right?! So in honor of Glee I'm going to do a bloggish mash up :)

What have I BEEN waiting on? I shall tell you.

Everlasting

When Ever comes to after a fatal accident that kills her entire family (and pet dog) she feels lost and overwhelmingly crowded. She hears people’s thoughts, sees into their lives by touching them and has to manage to get through high school. The light in the darkness? Damen. He’s tall, dark and mysterious – and he blocks the noise from the outside world. After falling madly in love, learning of her new immortality and battling crazy jealous exes the future looks bright for the love birds. Only they can’t touch. Their DNA will combust and the togetherness they long for will kill them both. Ever has gone through shadowlands of terror and been burned by the flames of darkness. Can they keep themselves together evermore or will the end of the Immortal series be the end of our favorite immortals?!

You can, for a limited time, WIN a copy of Everlasting! Click here to be taken to Makeshift Jen's blog where you can enter for the giveaway!!

What am I still dying to get my hands on?!

Passion

For centuries Luce and Daniel have fallen in love, and every time, eventually Luce succumbs to a grizzly young death. This time however, everything is different. The life that Luce led leading up to where she is now has been different in a major way. Due to her lack of baptism she may not come back if something happens to her. Now, with guardians, angels and fallen angels all looking for her – some to destroy and some to protect – Luce has to find her way through rifts in time while dealing with the aching of her heart. This is where Passion picks up, with Luce stepping into a hole in time with no idea where she’s headed just hoping to get away for a while.

Both of these books have had me on the edge of my seat for what feels like forever now! I hated Dreena. Lustfully loathed Roman and cheered for Jude much more loudly than acceptable. I envy Ever. There's NO way Haven would still be alive. Jen, Laci, Listen Up. I love you broads but if you ever went that psycho on me and we were the characters in this book. I would end you. But I totes love you girls in real life! That's what counts, right!? lol! Evermore was one of the first books I picked up after the robbery and I owe Alyson Noel so much for the world she created and how much it helped me. I read A LOT in the almost 3 full months (between bad and yay we finally got another house!) but it was the Immortal Series that really carried me. Spending weekends at the In-Laws on my husbands twin mattress from his childhood I'd curl up with Ever and Damen and everything felt ok. So take that WSJ! lol!

Fallen was one I admittedly picked up for the cover :) It's gorgeous, you can't deny it! But I loved the story of Luce. I loved her confusion, her desire and her attitude. The supporting characters were vivid and life like. I'll admit that part of me wanted her to go with Cam. I like the bad boys, what can I say? Daniel is of course wonderful but I just like the edge Cam has, I think it's a testiment to Lauren Kates writing that you can take someone so obviously villainous and still want the girl whose life is on the line to go with him. And then Miles. My heart breaks for him but at the same time it's like babysitting someone elses kid that's a bit too excited to be by you. Adorable at first and then, Yea. I need a break.  lol! Next week, peeps! We get Passion. NEXT WEEK!!

So what's next? Well. I'm hoping post 51 or 52 is my review of The Girl In The Steel Corset and whichever it isn't shall probably be TGIF by G-Reads! Stay tuned :)

I'm so glad y'all have been with me these first 50 posts and I hope they get better as I go, it's been awesome meeting you guys (even if it is only on the internet!) and hearing what you think about the passion we share!  <---Totally did not mean to put "Passion" there but since I did...YAY!

Tune In Tuesday! My "Crazy Beautiful Life"!

What's up guys?! I LOVE this Tuesdays post! Meet the lovely creater of said meme by going to G-Reads!! I promise, you won't regret it :)

Today's focus is on Ke$ha! She always makes me want to dance but when I downloaded the "Cannibal" cd from iTunes the other day I was freaking amazed. Did you know she actually has a hand in writing all of her songs on this album? That's incredible. My favorite? It's called "Crazy Beautiful Life" and it is AWESOME.

Here are the lyrics, thanks to AZLyrics.com!

"Crazy Beautiful Life"
I'm in love, alright
With my crazy, beautiful life
With the parties, the disasters
With my friends all pretty & plastered

Every night we're down to go out
Waking up on a different couch
'Til the next night on the next flight
Yeah, I guess we're doing alright

Oh, oh, oh
We're falling in love
Oh, oh, oh
'Til the sun's coming up
Oh, oh, oh
Just living the life
Oh, oh, oh

Every single night we fight
To get a little high on life
To get a little something right
Something real, at least we try
Time after time
try dodging all the douche-bag guys
Try trading all the wasted times
For something real in this crazy life

I just hope some people see
There's nothing that I'm trying to be
Let me just stop all the shit talk
I know I'm the new bitch on the block

I've been through my sketchy phases
Been broke, been a shitty waitress
But I'm not now, guess it worked out
Got here by running my mouthOh, oh, oh
We're falling in love
Oh, oh, oh
'Til the sun's coming up
Oh, oh, oh
Just living the life
Oh, oh, oh

Every single night we fight
To get a little high on life
To get a little something right
Something real, at least we try

Time after time
Try dodging all the douche-bag guys
Try trading all the wasted times
For something real in this crazy life

Every single night we...

Every single night we fight
To get a little high on life
To get a little something right
Something real, at least we try

Time after time
try dodging all the douche-bag guys
Try trading all the wasted times
For something real in this crazy life

Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

Thanks to Steven for these lyrics.Thanks to Sarah Macokvic, Greta for correcting these lyrics.

I put some of my favorite lyrics in bold :) I'm one of those dreamers. One of those people that scoffs at the stars and shoots for the moon. Always have been :) I didn't just do gymnastics, I wanted to go to the olympics! I didn't just learn sign language, I wanted to teach deaf children! I guess I want a lot out of life, and I really believe Ke$ha does too. I love that she admits to being the new girl and having screwed up in the past but what's really important is that she kept pushing, kept dreaming and now she's living that crazy beautiful life! :)

Review! Kind of...Beauty Queens!!

Ok so the book rocked. Hard. And my neighbors keep parking in my spot so I'm a little too ticked off to write an actual review...well, that and I made a pretty nerd-a-licious vlog about it, so here's that instead!!!

Review: Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

Prom & Prejudice

Elizabeth Eulberg

Copyright 2011, Point, an imprint of Scholastic

Prom & Prejudice is a retelling of the classic Jane Austen novel Pride & Prejudice. I was afraid to pick it up for some time, afraid that the story was a mockery of the classic. I was afraid that it wouldn't do it justice. I was wrong. This is a beautiful retelling of the classic. There's the perfect mixture of classic language and pretty direct paraphrasings from P&P with modernized cell phone usage and designer names.

Not only was the retelling touching because it was so accurate, but I felt the story all over again. I cried, I laughed, I scoffed. It was beautiful. All of my fears of mockery or injustice faded on the first page. Eulberg knows the story and did such a masterful job of retelling it with her own genious touches and minor changes that I felt perfectly at home. I think it was partly a thrill too to know the characters so well from my own obsession with Jane Austen that I loved seeing their interaction and knowing where they would end up.

Just when I thought I couldn't have been more pleased I read the acknowledgements, which were nice like most but when I read the last paragraph I teared up again.

"And of course there's Jane, the lovely Miss Austen. No one could ever touch what you have created. Prom and Prejudice is simply my attempt to pay homage to your brilliant work and to celebrate you as what you will forever be known as - one of the greatest authors of all time."

It is so wonderful to see the appreciation of Jane Austen by someone who was able to capture her story and adapt it so seemingly easily. This was a wonderful read and I'm glad I got over my prejudice of retellings to give it a chance :)
After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.
Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?
Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise. -- Goodreads.com