Review: Boys, Bears and a serious pair of Hiking Boots

Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots

Abby McDonald

Copyright 2010, Candlewick Press

HOLY GOOD BOOK, BATMAN.

No seriously. I saw this title on a list on goodreads and made a mental note that should I ever see said book I wanted to pick it up. Considering my area has closed all of the bookstores in about a 20 mile radius of me, I've not seen it! Casually, as I'm walking the aisles of a convention I see it propped up on a table. I stop and squeal, excited to see it after so long! Low and behold not only is it the last copy of the book, but Abby McDonald herself is there to sign it. I could not even attempt to hold back my excitement. By the way, Abby is so incredibly nice, if you see her you should definitely stop and say hi!! So I crawl into bed Saturday night and think happily that I'll read a chapter or two and turn in. At 3 am I turned my lights off and smiled contently after finishing the book.

Jenna is out to save the world, she knows it's a hard sell to most people but Jenna recognizes that even the smallest changes can lead to a big impact! She's a vegetarian, eats only organic foods and recycling is as rudimentary as breathing. Always a good kid, Jenna tries to speak up as respectfully as she can to those around her; her friend Olivia, however, is the one with the balls. The summer before senior year, Jenna and Olivia have all kinds of Green Teens ideas. They can lobby, write to the congressmen/woman and hand out flyers on ways to save the earth. Until Jenna's parents announce their making changes this summer that include Jenna and her mom heading to her grandmothers retirement settlement for the entire summer. Olivia is headed to a collective in upstate New York to further learn ways to meditate, save the earth, you know - be one with it and all that jazz. Jenna's lost as to how she can get out of the trip until Olivia remembers that Jenna's godmother lives in Canada - in the wilderness.

After traveling many many hours by plane, bus, truck and even some walking, Jenna is finally "home." Well, if this were a warzone. Susie, Jenna's godmother, is remodeling their home to make it a Bed and Breakfast; tons of work needs to be done to get it ready on schedule. Oh and she doesn't have the time/funding to make it eco friendly. *gasp*

Run in's with the local boys, Ethan, Grady and Reeve, leave Jenna confused - Ethan is sweet and attentive, Grady barely forms words and Reeve keeps going off on her. It doesn't help that Fiona (Susie's sulking, tantrum throwing step-daughter) is evil in a bottle. Completely alone Jenna does what many of us would do - she turns to books.

When she mistakenly picks up a survival guide to the wilderness she finds that many of the ways to survive the wild can be applied to the people in her life, too bad there's no compass attached to your heart. Jenna's Teen Green dreams get on Reeve's nerves and she can't figure out why, or what to say to him to make it better. She agrees to help the boys on a web project to drum up business for the struggling town which leads her on adventures in hiking, kayaking and even rock climbing! Though she's reluctant to try, she finds herself willing to push her boundaries and live a little with the guys.

Throughout the summer she learns deep secrets, helps mend hearts and puts hers on the line. She also starts to wonder about how hard she's always pushed her Green Teen agenda on people, and why she even joined. Is compromise ok or should you hold true to an ideal, unwilling to bend?

This was an entirely too lovely book. I could not put it down. Page after page I waited for a kiss, for a glance, I waited to see if Jenna would get eaten by a bear or to check in with Olivia's status. The boys are charming and realistic - especially in the fact that they are SO different and yet they are best friends. It doesn't hurt that Ethan and Reeve sound incredibly hot. Especially Reeve. Holy goodness. Thank you, Abby for descriptions of t-shirts and what lies beneath :)

This is my first McDonald novel and I promise, you will be seeing more from her on this blog. Brilliant!

Tune in Tuesday!

Tune in Tuesday is brought to you by the letter G and great bloggers like you.

Thank you, Pandora!

Today I share with you:

Erin McCarley

I put in an Ellie Goulding channel on Pandora and they played her! I loved her voice! So now, I will share it with you!

So if you're an Ellie fan, you'll probably like her :)

"Lovesick Mistake"

AZLyrics

Oh dear, what can I say?

I'm high here, up and spinning away

From a kiss of a thrill to be filled

Can someone hear me?

Love, what do you say?

Your mystery winds me up to be playful

Oh, here goes my curious sinner within

Is someone listening? I hope no one is listening

How do I slow down? I can't relate to my heart now

I've thrown what I known, is it enough for me out?

I'm running on empty

I've gotta find someway to fumble right through this new heartache

It's torn me apart

Oh, lovesick mistake, turn me away

Time says it's the end of the day

My inside says for your lips to forget what time says

Or do I let go of the feeling when you steal the logic around me?

Oh God save me, I'm trying

How do I slow down? I can't relate to my heart now

I've thrown what I known, is it enough for me out?

I'm running on empty

I've gotta find someway to fumble right through this new heartache

It's torn me apart

Oh, lovesick mistake, turn me away

I think I'll disappear, leave my head in the air for a chance to feel

So far, far away from here, I know I can't stay too long

Ooh, I don't belong here

I've gotta find someway to fumble right through this new heartache

It's torn me apart

Oh, lovesick mistake, turn me away, turn me away

ALSO. This song played during Vampire Diaries :) Travel back to season 1 with me to visit a non-brooding psychotic ripper Stefan. I'd post you the video I found on youtube but the stupid linky window won't find it.

Click here to see it :)

Review: A Touch Morbid

A Touch Morbid

Leah Clifford

Copyright 2011, Greenwillow a Harper Collins Publishing

Publication Set For: February 28, 2011

Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil. But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground. Can she trust anyone? Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall? A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing.  - Goodreads

No joke there. Eden's fight is far from over, she's still got siders hanging out wanting her to end them, she's still terrified that Az could fall and on top of that - can you ever really trust other people?

Leah does a great job in Morbid, we see all around New York, we hear from all the key players (and even meet someone new!) But you never feel bounced around, the timing and pace is, haha I know, dead on. Characters that mostly annoyed me in Mortal earn a spot in my heart in Morbid.

In A Touch Morbid we get to see more of Kristen as she wonders where Gabe is, we follow Luke in what could really be sincere feelings, and then there's Madeline...what doesn't she know?

The story is dark and hooking, you won't even realize how far you've gotten until you realize half the book or more is gone. I also loved the sense of humor from the characters, Leah has kept all of their personalities alive and well for the long haul. If you liked A Touch Mortal (and really, who didn't?) you will love A Touch Morbid. This dark sequel offers all the romance, mystery, secrets and heartache you could ask for with a killer ending to boot!

Review: The Springsweet (Vespertine #2)

The Springsweet (Vespertine #2)

Saundra Mitchell

Copyright 2012, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

This review is of the ARC, as provided by the wonderful people at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt!

Publication set for April 17, 2012

How do I convey to you the beauty of Saundra Mitchell's writing? I don't think I have the talent to, her language is simply brilliant.

Enter the world of Zora Stewart. Cousin to our beloved Amelia (The Vespertine), unwed widower to Thomas Rea - the love of her life. Zora is sure that she is only counting down the days of existence, no longer wishing for the folly of parties, gossip and dancing that she lived for last year when she was pushing Amelia into telling futures.

Zora is a mess; applying to be wife of men she's never met, hoping that caring for their children and homes will bring her the comfort of knowing she's helping people - like Thomas had always wanted to do. She knows she'll never love again, feel the sun on her face or her heart race like he had made it do.

After an impulsive kiss sends her life in Baltimore into actual ruin, Zora finds herself headed to the Oklahoma Territories to help her aunt who was widowed not long ago herself. The territories are rough, not what she pictured and hard work. Between the changes, events that occur on her way there and her constant state of mourning, Zora could be losing her mind...or she could be seeing the pulsing lines of water under the ground in an area that hasn't seen rain in far too long. Could she be the water to her lost cousins fire?

After far too many thoughts of a boy she shouldn't think of at all and the haunting of the fated kiss that sent her here, Zora finds that these are just some of the questions her heart holds. Being hired out to find water for the people of West Glory comes with a cost that may not be worth it. Is she free on the open plains or just as trapped as ever?

Travel through fields of grass, struggling vegetables and find the lines that flow from the ground to fate, calling down more than rain for the fields; hope with Zora for cleansing rains to help heal heartache, love and growth of the human sort.

I can't tell you how many times I've said: "The Vespertine was my favorite book of 2011!" It held something for everyone; love, mystery, magic, tragedy. When a copy of The Springsweet graced my fingertips I'm not ashamed to say that tears filled my eyes. I couldn't - and didn't - wait to dive into it. And finish it in about a day. Trust me, if I didn't have to work two jobs it would have taken mere hours. The Springsweeet is a captivating tale of heartache and loss set to warm sun and earth; the perfect recipe for growth. Mitchell's language is nothing short of breathtaking, world building is done without notice; you will not simply read The Springsweet, you will be transported into it, never wishing to leave.

Order The Vespertine by clicking the cover image!

Pre-Order The Springsweet by clicking it's cover image!

Tune In Tuesday! Don't be scared!

This song is kind of sad, but I love her voice and the feel of the song! Hope you guys enjoy!!

Lelia Broussard

Scared To Feel

Courtesy of Lyrics Hall

Standing in a crowded room
But you feel all alone
You go through the motions
You just wanna go home

Wait, let's watch the lights go down from my rooftop baby
Wait, let's get high like we used to

You say you're fine but you don't mean it,
You don't mean it.
You blame yourself but don't believe it,
Don't believe it.
Yell it out so you can hear it, baby,
You're so scared to feel it,
Oh you know I'm there if you need it.

We fall in love with people,
We know we'll lose,
Find a way to run away from everything we choose

Wait, let's walk downtown, get lost like children
Won't you wait just a little longer, cause I've missed you

You say you're fine but you don't mean it,
You don't mean it.
You blame yourself but don't believe it,
Don't believe it.
Yell it out so you can hear it, baby,
You're so scared to feel it,
Oh you know I'm there if you need it.

Wait, let's watch the lights go down from my rooftop baby
Wait, let's get high like we used to

You say you're fine but you don't mean it,
You don't mean it.
You blame yourself but don't believe it,
Don't believe it.
Yell it out so you can hear it, baby,
You're so scared to feel it,
Oh you know I'm there if you need it.

Review: Lead Me On

Lead Me On

Victoria Dahl

Copyright 2010, HQN Romance

Jane Morgan is an uptight snob. Who can't stop staring at the massive tattoo stretching Chase's neck. This is bad on a whole ton of levels; for one, she's dating Greg who humps like a rabbit but is a respectible man. Two, tattoos and big strong arms, dirty boots and a tough guy attitude are not qualities of a father for her future child. Jane's childhood was messed up, moving from prison town to prison town so her mom could meet new "daddies" who would never get out of jail. Until one did. And married her mom. And taught her about herself.

Now, Jane is an upstanding member of society, cutting off all ties to her screwed up past. But a one night stand has the potential to blow her cover like a stick of dynamite. Chase isn't just strong and persistant with a bad boy attitude, he's everything she needs to bring passion to her life - just not what she can have in a boyfriend or husband. So why can't she stop thinking about him? Chase has his own surprises if she'll tuck her pride away long enough to find out what they are.

This is my FIRST Romance Novel!!!! My super sister best friend Jen from What's On the Bookshelf sent me a whole slew of books she thought I'd enjoy, this being one of them. I was scared to death to start. Anything beyond kissing makes me blush, so a romance novel?? YEA RIGHT. No, seriously, yeah right!! This book was fantastic!!! I LOVE Chase. He's just who you would want in your first experience with a romance novel. I was afraid that the sexy times would be a bit too sexy for my taste, that they would be crude and generally degrading. These are stereotypes I had wrongly assumed. Dahl is a brilliant writer, weaving stories and characters complexly but making it seem so effortless. Lead Me On was an absolute JOY to read and I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone - especially those just starting their journey down lovers lane.

Tune In Tuesday! In Your Arms!

I love Ginger for many reasons. This is only one of them <3

This Week!

She's New (At least to me!), She's Adorable, She's

Kina Grannis

This is In Your Arms and OH MY GOSH I love it!!

Lyrics provided by SweeetsLyrics

Hush now, let's go quiet to the park where it first started
Cold night, us lying in the dark
I felt my heart was trying to find a place for you to stay
A place where I'd feel safe

Anything we have known
Anything we've forgotten
In the rain, in the dark we'll lay
In your arms, in your arms I'll stay

Take my hand, let's go into the trees
Behind the branches, falling on our knees
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
I remember feeling like this part of us would never change

Anything we have known
Anything we've forgotten
In the rain, in the dark we'll lay
In your arms, in your arms I'll stay

Follow me
We both know the way
It's always been the same

Anything we have known
Anything we've forgotten
In the rain, in the dark we'll lay
In your arms, in your arms I'll stay

IF you like her sound, which I think you will, you may want to looky here for more :)

The One You Say Goodnight To

An Epic Announcement.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! A couple of my friends and I have something exciting to tell you about!!

Myself, Jen from What's On the Bookshelf and Marissa from Many To Read are hosting an ode to authors blog hop!

It occurred to us, one fateful Twitter-filled night, that while we often praise books and characters we want to take some time out to focus on these world-creators. Authors give us sustenance, boys to crush on, worlds to reach for, encouragement toward our dreams and so much more.

Then along came NaNoWriMo. As countless writers log in daily to try and write a novel in a month, I think many of us have learned an entirely new respect for authors. They make it seem so easy, with their flowing words and realistic feelings they invoke...and then you try it.

So here we are. December 5 - 10 check in with us and all of you who sign up on linky for hop questions, interviews and giveaways as we extend virtual arms for

Hug An Author Week

Here's the deal.

We're giving you the questions in advance. Think about them, talk to your friends about them, tweet about them, whatever brings your author love to the forefront! 

Sign Up!

Pick a question/questions for each day during the week of December 5 - 10.

Check with out readers signed up on the link!

Grab a button! Display it proudly! Ginger worked hard on it for us!! 

Want to show more love?

If you have a friend who loves a particular author or book that you're using interview them for it! Talk to authors! Tell us how the author made you feel! Just put it in your post!

Check in often with readers as some of us will be hosting giveaways! Feel free to host your own if you feel like it!

Post your pictures with authors, tell us stories of meeting them or books you have signed!

HAVE FUN! We are some of the luckiest people in the world. We have books created by these mad scientists, romantics, lovers and fighters - let's show them what they mean to us!

<center><a href="http://www.bringingtheepic.com/"><img border="0" src="<a href="http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/lynn_marie03/?action=view&current=HugAnAuthor.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/lynn_marie03/HugAnAuthor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>"/></a></center>


Pick Your Poison!Here are the questions to choose from during the week!

Who was your favorite author when you were a child? A teen? During your 20s? As an adult?

Which author wrote the character you would want as your best friend?

Is there an author you've met or attended their signing? Who would you give your right arm to see?

 Is there an author who brought you back/to reading?

Who is the author that created a world so vivid you were actually lost after it was over? i.e. Book hangover from hell.

The one author that's mere presence would bring you tears of joy?

What is your best memory of an author
signing (meeting)?

SO! Sign up on the Linky and check back often the week of 12/5- 12/10 for all the fun!

The Iron Knight.

 The Iron Knight

Julie Kagawa

Copyright 2011, Harlequin Teen

How does one review The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa?
I've had several responses to that question. One - With Art. Thanks Vy!  Two - Statements like "Read this book." - Cindy <3

So....here's what we'll try. First, a short letter to our dear author.

Dear Julie,

Holy Kung Fu Pandas. My heart, my aching, bleeding heart. I love you.
                                            xoxo - Me.

So basically we have Ash. Who is a Knight. Who is in love with Meghan Chase.

On his journey, our fair knight will have with him several companions. Among them is dear, dear Grim. HA you thought I was going to say Puck, didn't you?!

                                                  Ok, Puck's there too.                         

Finding a way to stay true to his promise, Ash & Co. will travel far and wide. But will Ash and Meghan wait for each other with so much between them?

Will ghosts from the past change Ash's quest? What future will he choose?

I find myself cheering Ash on, begging him...

And then...at the end....

 

And that, my friends, is the very best I can do without spoilery. 

And now...because it's over....

But in all seriousness, The Iron Knight is a whimsical journey of true love and the depths Ash will go through to return to Meghan's side. With a whole cast of friends by his side the former Winter Prince will go to lengths he never thought existed, fight enemies that know his every thought and have to make the toughest decisions of his century old life. He melted our hearts from the first time he stepped onto the pages, don't wait to read just how loyal our Ice Boy is!

The words I've read...

Have been my own. As most of you in the bookish community know, we have entered NaNoWriMo! This is my first year as a participant and I can't explain how much pressure I'm putting on myself! Kidding. Kind of. I'm a bit competitive.

Awhile ago I wrote a novel which I titled Wander and sent out queries to every and any agent I could find. After many rejections I put it to the side and started writing something new. I've noticed that the more I write, the more confident I feel about it, the more the characters come to life and the more I look forward to conversing with them. I love when they surprise me with their actions or words. So I thought I'd go back to Wander and see if it's THAT bad or if maybe I just need to clean some things up.

Well, ladies and gents. It was sooooo not ready to be queried. In fact, now that I've been working on a NEW query I've realized something else - my query for Wander? Not so good either.

With NaNoWriMo rapidly approaching and my heart hurting for that first completed piece of work, I made a decision. To rewrite Wander. Honestly - I don't know what I did to it. It's some crazy first person told like a narrative that switches views of the galaxy or something. So while it's a story I'm very familiar with; I've found that I am, indeed, re-typing every single word.

That being said...my reading has slacked BIG TIME. I pride myself on reviewing two books a week but during this month of intense writing, I just don't think it's going to happen. I did finish and review a book today, but it's for a tour and my post date isn't until next month. I will tell you this about it though: It was SO good! lol!

So I ask you to bear with me, my dear lovely followers. I promise I've not shelved any books, it's just taking me longer to get through them....Unless you want me to post/review my workings from NaNoWriMo? That's an idea...maybe on review days I could post a few paragraphs of what's been written? Would you like that?

Anything for you. <3

Review: Dream Dark

Dream Dark

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Copyright 2011, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

If you haven't read Beautiful Darkness yet - 1) What the heck are you waiting for? and 2) This is a bit of spoilery, so you may want to go get it, read it and THEN come back. :)



When Link is bitten by a girlfriend-stealing incubus at the end of Beautiful Darkness his world will change- but he's not thinking about the world when we pick up here, he's wondering why he can't stomach the food he once devoured.

Kami and Margaret allow us a chance to get back into Ethan's head, all while looking through Link's eyes. How often does that happen? It's not as scary as I thought it would be, though :)

Dream Dark is an entertaining journey with Link, loving his girl, learning his new life and taking tests the world needs him to pass.

Download Dream Dark before you pick up Beautiful Chaos for the sneak peak!

Tune in Tuesday!!

Thanks Ginger for giving us a great way to connect over music!!

A new steamy favorite...

I don't really know what it is about this band, the lead singer or their crazy cool lyrics but....oh wait...that IS what I love about them. 

How hot is that guy, anyway?! Holy cow. So anyway, I hope you enjoyed!