Review: Wither

Wither

Lauren DeStefano

Copyright 2011, Simon & Schuster

In a world where flowers crumble under the chemical-filled soil and air and women don't live past age 20, Rhine finds herself in the worst predicament she could imagine. She's been kidnapped, thrown into a van and carted away; huddled with dozens of other girls, Rhine learns quickly that she must be chosen to survive, but to live she must escape.

Rhine is in the lap of luxury. Granted, she can't open her bedroom door, she's been gassed on transport to the mansion, and her windows are sealed tight, but she's bathed and dolled up, she's clean and fed. Unfortunately, she's also being forced into a marriage with her new sister-wives to a wealthy architecht Linden Ashby.

During her time in the mansion Rhine has to fight through the illusions, remind herself that this life is not real and that somewhere out there her twin brother is missing her. Her kind servant, Gabriel, seems to be the only one she can connect with. At first, she doesn't even connect with the sister-wives that share her floor. She needs to escape and the longer she's there, the more secrets she hears, the more urgent her escape is.

But how do you escape a mansion with no roads, a husband and his evil father that seems to have an eye on everything?

I have been hounded to read this. I have been beaten into submission. Dystopian novels are against my doctors orders. Seriously, I'm going to need heart medication between Lauren DeStefano and Lauren Oliver. They hurt me.

The world building in this novel is amazing. You can smell the incense in the halls, the medicated rubs on the sick, you feel the restriction of locked air vents and windows. And then you feel the hope of something more in a forbidden kiss, you wonder if you're acting along with Rhine or if maybe you're falling too.

DeStefano has a beautific way of writing and I can't wait to see what she brings us in Fever! Although...I need some more medication to make me brave enough to start it!

Review: Real Men Will

Real Men Will

(Donovan Brothers Brewery #3)

Victoria Dahl

Copyright 2011, HQN, Harlequin

The third and final book to the Donovan Brothers Brewery trilogy kicks off with a blaze!! Suit and Tie oldest brother, Eric, has been down and dirty with a legend of sorts in town - but he gave her his little brother, Jamie's, name. It's a one night stand that will never be talked about or repeated, so what's the harm, right? Well, when Beth finds herself in the Donovan Brother's Brewery with a date she can't help but wonder where Jamie is, if he's there watching, what he's doing. The night of passion they shared was intense and gratifying on both accounts, but it's over...

Beth soon finds that Jamie is the (oh-my-God-super-freaking-hot-amazing-can't be replaced-kilt wearing- Irish Man) guy that was at the bar, so who did she sleep with? The fury of it burns bright and Beth finds herself face to face with Eric, while Jamie watches on in shock. Not used to being the screw up, Eric's personality takes a nose dive as he tries to salvage his reputation with both his family and Beth.

Beth has her own issues though and secrets aren't something she's new to. She's been keeping a good one from her father for years. Can this boutique manager and brewery owner get over their secrets and wrong-doings or will their pleasureful nights be a memory they have to reach for?

Before starting Real Men Will I was warned: You will want Eric. And there is something to that! His serious nature and the problems from his past (and present) draw you to him. You want to be the one he forgets the world with! Beth handles him with a seemingly unforced expertise, but she herself is struggling to be her true self. They are a fantastically hot pair you don't want to miss! Definitely pick up all three books in the series at one time. Tessa is a doll, Jamie is...just short of God, can I say that? Damn I love him. And Eric is the quiet one of the group - you know what they say about the quiet ones.

Dahl is the ruling queen of romance. Her stories are fresh, her characters intriguing and their passion can't be touched. If I ever write with a fraction of her talent I will consider myself blessed! I'm not joking guys, out of the five books of hers I've read I can't find one thing I dislike. Pick up everything she writes and settle in! You will not be disappointed!

Review: Life Eternal

Life Eternal (Dead Beautiful #2)

Yvonne Woon

Copyright 2012, Hyperion

Release Set For: 1/24/2012

(Order from Barnes and Noble by following the link on the title!)

Renee Winters went through a lot last year, including dying and being brought back to life by her undead boyfriend. In the wake of their separation, life is dull. Food doesn't taste as good, colors aren't as bright and scents are dulled. But when one sense is dulled...Renee finds herself enrolled in a new school, St. Clement, where she's not just a good student - she's ranked number one. Words and languages she didn't knows so fluently are coming to her and visions are showing her grizzly events. But are they showing the past, is she their present or can she stop them in the future? And in the meantime, her soulmate's existence is in parrel if he tries to find her near St. Clement, the whole school is full of Mentors who will try to put him to rest.

I'll be honest. I've not read Dead Beautiful. I was able to get a copy of Life Eternal at a convention and just by the cover and the blurb on the back I knew I had to read it. I just hoped I could follow along. While I want to go back and read Dead Beautiful to experience falling in love with Dante, his kisses, their passion; you don't need to, to know how strongly these two feel for each other. Even though his presence is strained in Life Eternal, you feel Renee's heart beating for him. The supporting characters are perfect. Her strange friend, pierced and dyed. And sweet, sweet Noah. Noah will step in and calm you and help you heal from all of the stress Renee is dealing with.

Life Eternal is a love story, surrounded in the paranormal, with action rivoting every page! I couldn't stop turning pages, I fell in love with the characters and the story was constantly playing through my mind. Fans of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy NEED APPLY! Although an entirely different story, I can't help but feel that if you were drawn to the love and action in VA you will be similarly drawn to Woon's Dead Beautiful series! Don't hesitate to pick up both Dead Beautiful and Life Eternal! Both are sure to steal your heart!!

Review: The Gathering Storm

The Gathering Storm

Robin Bridges

Copyright 2012, Delacorte Press, Random House

Royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna has a dark secret that she's hid from everyone, even herself, as best as she can. She's a necromancer. Accidentally, as a child, she wished her mothers cat back from the dead and it was so. Kind of...the cat had a dead look in it's eyes and hissed when she was near. She swore it was an unholy act and she would never wish for such a thing again. During dinner at a ball, Katerina knows there is death under an imperial's dinner. Rather than let him eat away at the spell someone else has placed, Katerina brings the insect to life - unleashing her secret to more eyes than she'd hoped.

In a cut-throat time of life in Russia, royals are using everything within their not so limited power to get the thrones they want. As a young debutante with a powerful curse -gift- it will be hard to tell whether or not Katerina has fallen under true love's spell or if she is merely a pawn to be used. Bothersome George Alexandrovich (son of the tsar) is outspoken about her darkness and although disgusted by her dark aura, may need her for the longevity of Russia. Prince Danilo, however, is beautiful and charming and wants her heart...just not her mind. The progressive thoughts Katerina prides herself on having (she wants to be a doctor) put her in jeopardy with both of these young men. But how much trouble can one-boarding school royal get into, anyway?

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading The Gathering Storm. The first couple of chapters seemed like a lot of long names and boarding school drama, if you know me you know I'm eager for the part where the boys enter. We're given a lot of Russian folklore, names of creatures that don't sound familiar at first but the more you read them the more alive they become. I love that! You realize that Katerina doesn't have a chance at staying hidden with her powers - not when catty girls are around every corner in her boarding school!

The games that are being played by the royals are deadly and, well, un-dead in some cases. Katerina isn't the only one that can raise the dead, but who is and why? Being tossed into a world she didn't expect, Katerina has to figure out the key players and their roles while protecting her family and herself from harm and her heart from dangerous spells of love that can ultimately take her life.

Katerina is a strong-headed, intelligent heroine with good taste in men. The story is suspensful and swoon worthy, by half way through you won't be able to stop turning pages. But DO NOT LOOK AHEAD! You will ruin all the fun for yourself! Fight it, I know it's hard, but it's worth it!

I'm intrigued by the creatures and myths that are brought to life in The Gathering Storm. It is a love story that is Anastasia Romanov meets Pride & Prejudice with a thrilling fantasy thrown in. This is the first of three in it's series and truly, I cannot wait to read on to what happens to Katerina in book two!

Tune in Tuesday! Falling for Mr. Darcy!

G's pushing me this week...I'm still hooked on last weeks songs!!

After much careful deliberation and....pintrest browsing...I came across this video! I must share with y'all!!!

SO SWEET!! The Song is: Falling by Keri Noble!

*Sigh* God, I'm a sucker for Darcy. <333

Review: Lovetorn

Lovetorn

Kavita Daswani

Copyright 2012, HarperTeen

Release Set For: January 17, 2012

(Click Title for the Barnes and Noble Order page!)

Shalini has lived in her home in India with her 37 relatives all of her life. When she was 3 she was betrothed to her fathers best friend's son, Vikram. Unlike you might imagine, she is thrilled with the decision. She loves knowing that he is hers and they will be married and live a long and happy life together. When her fathers job moves her immediate family to America, the loss of Vikram is heartbreaking. More than the heartbreak of missing him is how lonely and sad she is in a strange culture in a strange school, where no one is taking to her. The whispers, giggles and jokes hurt but she resigns to stay strong for her family. Shalini's little sister is taking to America like a fish in water, her father loves it here and her mother is in a state of deep depression - all Shalini can do is hold on and pray that it gets better.

And boy, does it. Shalini takes advice from a new friend, Renuka, and finds herself joining a club that intends to raise money to help women in other countries. Part of her duties there, are to correspond between the club and their biggest fundraising's chairman, Toby. Despite the amount of love she has for Vikram, Shalini can't help but feel something for Toby and although she tells herself it's a silly crush and he'd never feel for her that way she wishes he would.

Is the betrothal and "knowing" she loves Vikram enough to keep them together while their nine thousand miles apart or was it so, only because they only knew each other?

Daswani did a wonderful job brining a young Indian girl to LA and helping us to see all of the changes that she would go through and all of the challenges that, being born here, most of us wouldn't think twice about. Walking unchaperoned with a boy, for instance, constitues a huge step in the immersion she's feeling to our American culture. To me, it was always just an excuse to walk with a boy and hope he kissed me : )

The story reads easily, I finished it in one sitting, and the characters are lifelike and lovable. As much as I enjoyed reading about Shalini's culture and the way Toby got under her skin, I feel like something was missing. Toby has it all and he's a genuinely nice guy, to boot. Maybe it was Vikram? Maybe it was my hoping that Shalini and her mom would have a long heart to heart? I'm a big one for talking, I like characters that express themselves and aren't afraid to say what's on their minds and while Shalini does do this, there are times that I feel she should have yet didn't. All in all, it was a very enjoyable read and I really valued the glimpse into a culture I know admittedly little about!

Make sure you pick this one up and shoot me your thoughts!

Review: The International Kissing Club

The International Kissing Club

Ivy Adams

Copyright 2012, Walker Publishing, a division of Bloomsbury Publishing

Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. And they've always agreed on one goal: to get out of tiny Paris, Texas, and see the world. The school's foreign exchange program seems like the perfect escape: Piper will go to the original Paris; Mei will go to China; Cassidy will go to Australia; and Izzy, unable to afford the program, will stay at home. To add spice to their semester away, and to stay connected to their best friends, the girls start The International Kissing Club, a Facebook page where they can anonymously update one another and brag about all the amazing guys they're meeting. After all, these girls are traveling abroad: amazing guys abound at every turn! But sometimes fun, flirty vacation flings turn into more serious romances, and sometimes you don't return from abroad the same person you were. Will the girls' relationships-and their friendships-be able to survive?  -- Goodreads

The IKC is exactly what you want it to be! It's fun and flirty with serious undertones on both personal and relationship fronts. While the girls are best friends and know each other better than their own families could, they find that traveling abroad will broaden more than horizons. The girls are forced to realize things about themselves that they may not have ever come face to face with if they had stayed home. More importantly, the girls come home with a new perspective for the things and people around them. Friendships that have stood the test of time now have one fight left - the test of change. They expected to come home full of change; more confidence, more kissing experience, et all. What they didn't expect was to actually change internally the way they did. Faking back into their old lives would be the easiest route back to where they were before they left, but it's not always possible to go back and sometimes you don't want to!

I'd have to say Piper started out as my favorite character in the book. I thought she was fun! She and I would get into some crazy trouble together! Although, Cassidy definitely crept up on my favorite character list. She's so in your face and confident on the outside, but she's had a hard life. It wears on her and ultimately I think her story ended up being my favorite to read!

It's not all fun and kissing games, though. There are real family problems and friend problems that add to the many layers of IKC. From alcohol abuse to invisibility, smothering to unbreakable parental bonds and everywhere in between, the team behind Ivy Adams covered a lot of ground!

My advice? Pick this book up! It's good fun and some cultural swoon to go with it! If you're planning a trip somewhere, even better! Take it to the beach, on the airplane, to a ski lodge or curl up on your couch and think of all the points you can attain in your own neighborhood!

Tune In Tuesday!

Lots O Love to Ginger for her awesome ideas!

This week I've chosen a song that is new to me! My sister had some music playing last time we hung out and I couldn't help feeling that their sound was different from what I usually listen to! They sounded almost something like you'd hear on the background of a Vampire Diaries or Secret Circle show! So I downloaded the CD with the coolest name - Across The Rubicon - and here is my favorite song so far!! I hope you enjoy, The Sounds!

4 Songs & A Fight

The Sounds

Lyrics Provided By AZLyrics!!

It all happened so fast that night
As I remember it there was a fight
It all went black and the race was on
Behind the closed door there's no light
And I will tell you it felt so right

[Chorus]
Everybody knows when it's on, here we go!
Laugh all you want but it's totally outlawed
there's no control of its own
Go! Go!

It all happened so fast last night
The way we lived we felt so alive
I saw a flash in the corner of my eye
Behind the closed door there's no light
Yeah it was only 4 songs & a fight

[Chorus]

The beginning of the end, that is your home
Don't spread your disease when you come to my town
we're killing off a lonely son

Trying to remember it, slow
Was I really part of it? No!
Forgive and not be crucified by you

[Chorus 2X]
The beginning of the end, that is your home
Don't spread your disease when you come to my town
There's no control of its own
No no control of its own
Go! Go!

Review: Bad Boys Do

Bad Boys Do

Victoria Dahl

Copyright 2011, HQN, Harlequin

Jamie Donovan is a great many things, but the opinions will vary depending on who you ask. To the local patrons of Donovan's Brewery he's a charasmatic and fun guy that's willing to listen to you talk and always keeps your glass full. His siblings think he's still a kid, a kid who screws everything up and can't be trusted with resposibilities. To the women that encounter him, even in the briefest of situations, he's a God they want to know more of. But to Olivia, he's scary. Jamie Donovan is exactly the kind of man a woman like her shouldn't date. Olivia lives on a schedule that consists of very few relationships and absolutely no fun, unless you get your kicks from outlining and planning!

But Olivia doesn't want to be that woman anymore and Jamie doesn't want to be so carefree, they're both ready to make drastic changes to their lives and the way people around them see them. Why not change together?

These two couldn't be more right for each other, a perfect blend of sex appeal and smarts; but can they see it? The negotiation begins with a trade; help with business ideas for fun. But the fun is too fun, the conversations too comfortable and Olivia finds herself with her guard up. She's sure she is not the kind of girl Jamie Donovan wants or needs - but she hasn't asked him.

Bad Boys Do is a remarkably sexy tale of the guy we all want and the staightlaced girl that needs to loosen up. Every time I open a Dahl book I'm sure that this guy is going to be my favorite. Each one brings so much to the table! But Jamie Donovan...holy cow...he may be the one. He's kind and funny, intense with dreams and knows how to make you beg for more! Between the kilt, the shoulders and the easy smiles, it's no wonder Olivia's ready to shed her routines for fun.

A Bit of History and Friends!!

Back in 1992 I was attending Jane Ball Elementary with none other than Makeshift Jen and Reading Housewife Jacinda! My mom found this video while going through home movies and it turns out - it's my very first VLog!! This is a review of Here and Then by George Ella Lyon!

Abby is playing a part in her dad's historical reenactment where she plays Eliza Hoskins. She thought it would be fun but she didn't anticipate Eliza showing up and taking over!

Wait until the end - after the makeshift copyright - for a shout out to several of the girls in class aaaaaaaaaaaand READING HOUSEWIFE JACINDA!!!

Review: Girl Meets Boy

Girl Meets Boy

Edited by: Kelly Milner Halls

Featuring: Chris Crutcher, Kelly Milner Halls, Joseph Bruchac, Cynthia Leitich Smith, James Howe, Ellen Wittlinger, Rita Williams-Garcia, Terry Trueman, Terry Davis, Rebecca Fjelland Davis, Sara Ryan, Randy Powell.

Copyright 2012, Chronicle Books

We all see things differently, we hear words or tones that may or may not have been implied. Sometimes, the things we decode are completely different from what they really are. But who knows what really happens? The truth is, there are two sides to every story, and while the key points may be the same; it's interested to see just what changes and what those small changes can imply or do to us.

In Girl Meets Boy we read from a host of talented authors, they pair up and write the same story...from different view points. This collection of stories is an eye opening experience, showing us just how differently we see the world and the stories it holds for us.

Each story has an event that is the same. In one tale, a squeaky Kung-Fu boy cheers wildly for the star of the girls basketball team. But the difference is how the following acts are taken. When she turns and points to him was it out of embarrassment and the sudden urge to silence him? Or was she taken back by his excitement, does she want to know more about him?

Look through the eyes of girls and boys as they meet and chat, fall in love and run away screaming, check out what happens when Girl Meets Boy!

Tune In Tuesday!

Happy New Year, guys!! Every year we set out with things we swear we are or aren't going to do. How about we make one general request: Let's make 2012 the BEST. YEAR. EVER.

We don't have the time to worry, to doubt, to be catty; we're going to have the best year ever, and that's going to make us very busy.

My Tune In Tuesday pick is Hit The Lights by Selena Gomez. With lyrics like these, how can we not rock this year?

Selena Gomez and The Scene - Hit the Lights

It's the boy you never told 'I like you'
It's the girl you let get away
It's the one you saw that day on the train
But you freaked out and walked away

It's the plane you wanna catch to Vegas
Things you swear you'd do before you die
It's the city of love that waits for you
But you're too damn scared to fly

[Chorus x2:]
Hit the lights
Let the music move you
Lose yourself tonight
Come alive
Let the moment take you
Lose control tonight

It's the time that you totally screwed up
Still you're tryna get it out your brain
It's the fight you had when you didn't make up
It's the past that you're dying to change

It's all the money that you're saving
While the good life passes by
It's all the dreams that never came true
‘Cause you're too damn scared to try.
[Chorus x2:]
Hit the lights
Let the music move you
Lose yourself tonight
Come alive
Let the moment take you
Lose control tonight

It's a mad, mad world
Gotta make an escape
It's a perfect world
When you go all the way
Hit the lights
Let the music move you
Lose yourself tonight

So let's go (go, go, go) all the way
Yeah let's go (go, go, go) night and day
From the floor to the rafters
People raise your glasses
We could dance forever

[Chorus:]
Hit the lights
Let the music move you
Lose yourself tonight
Come alive
Let the moment take you
Lose control tonight

It's a mad, mad world
Gonna make an escape
It's a perfect world
When you go all the way
Hit the lights
Let the music move you
Lose yourself tonight.

Thanks to AZLyrics!

Review: Cinder

Cinder

Marissa Meyer

Copyright 2012, Feiwel and Friends

We all know the beloved story of Cinderella. The poor girl, forced to be a servant to her widowed step mother and her step sisters. Dependent on the version, of course, a fairy godmother of sorts swoops in to help Cinderella get to the ball where unfortunately her dreams are crushed and she's left running away, tears streaming from her eyes.

Well, lets sub Cinderella the Disney Princess for an eleven year old girl who was involved in a hover craft accident that left her dying. Cinder was saved by a surgeon who turned her into a cyborg. When her adopted father dies, she's left with Adri - her evil step mother, Peony and Pearl. While Cinder and Peony have a friendship, Pearl is as evil as they come.

While Cinder works in the market she has an unexpected run-in with Prince Kai whose kindness and good looks are more entrancing than the networks would have the general public believe. Despite his flirtatious grins and friendly demeanor, Cinder feels she has to hide what she is.

The plague, despair and love in a seemingly hopeless world flow through the pages as you take hover rides, wrestle with your wirings and learn to accept who you are. Marissa Meyer writes an incredible journey through the pages of the story we loved growing up into a young adult fictional tale of androids and humans in the future with a heroine that won't soon be leaving your memory banks!

Also, if you're in the Illinois area on January 23, Marissa Meyer will be at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville at 7pm! Order your ticket to the signing now, once you read this book you are going to want to meet her!

And because I couldn't help it...Here's the Rhianna song, We Found Love, because dang I'll take Prince Kai even in a hopeless place!