Tuesday, February 28, 2012

February Giveaway Winner

February Giveaway Winner

Okay the winner for both books Chasing Fire and Northern Lights by Nora Roberts is...

Delia at Wolf Magick Reviews. 

Congrats! I hope you enjoy the books.  And a sincere thank you for everyone who participated. 

I'll be trying to host more giveaways in the future!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Giveaway: Oppression

Giveaway: Oppression
2/24/2012-3/2/2012

I super excited for this book.  I've had it on my Waiting on Wednesday posts twice, which is why I was so happy that Pages from my Thoughts is hosting a giveaway.  Participants can recieve a signed paperback copy directly from the auther... sweet. 

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.




Thursday, February 23, 2012

Reading Reflection: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door
by Stephanie Perkins
Published August 1st 2009
P. 390
Rating: 4/5 

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.


Another adorable book.  I'm glad I joined the contemp challenge and grabbed this one off the shelf.  I would have passed over it for years otherwise.  I never thought of myself as a chick-lit type of girl, but apparently I am.  So sweet! 

Ah, Lola, and her extreme fashion.  I didn't really get it, but I didn't care.  She was fun and young, confused and emotional like young ladies are... I liked her a lot.  I wasn't at all impressed by her boyfriend, but there were times in the story where I thought maybe, just maybe, he was a good guy.  My feelings changed throughout the novel, but I could see how his behavior in the beginning would be enough to attract her attention and hold it.

Oh, and Cricket, her first kiss, her first love... broke her heart and then came back.  Though Max, the current boyfriend, didn't seem all that bad at first... he was nothing compared to Cricket.  I am a sucker for tall and kinda nerdy... personal preference that swayed my judgement of the overall book -- sorry hubby (who is not tall and nerdy).  Add, witty and respectful to the mix, I am sold.  

In the novel Lola has to face Cricket, and try to build a friendship, but it becomes increasingly harder.  She knows he has feelings for her, but she has to decide between her older rocker boyfriend or the boy next door who broke her heart.  

An added note, I loved this novel because Perkins incorporated Anna and St. Clair, characters from her previous novel.  I loved those characters, it was nice to see them together, in a new setting, and part of the world -- rather than lost forever at the end of their story.  I was surprised when Anna was introduced... I was like: she sounds so familiar.  And I was right... very nice touch for the readers who are curious about the happily ever after, but without creating a series of books that lose their magic.



     




Wednesday, February 22, 2012

WWW Wednesday 2/22/2012

WWW Wednesdays
February 22, 2012

Meme hosted by Should Be Reading


To play just answer these three questions:
1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next? 


1. What are you currently reading?
Just because and for some love research, I picked up this book from the library.  Some of the poems are fantastic, others are okay, but nothing spectacular.

Favorite so far: I Prithee Send Me Back My Heart
I prithe send me back my heart,
Since I cannot have thine;
For if from yours you will not part,
Why then shouldst thou have mine?
  ***
                                         Then farewell care, and farewell woe,-- 
                                     I will no longer pine; 
                                     For I'll believe I have her heart
                                     As much as she has mine 


2. What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished reading Lola and the Boy Next Door, by Stephanie Perkins.  Very cute and endearing, made me realize I might be a chick-lit type of girl after all.



What do you think you'll read next?

Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clark.  It was recommended and has great reviews so I figured I'll give it a shot. 


Waiting on Wedneday: Opression

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Oppression

I might have already used this one... but the date is closer and I'm excited.


Opression
Jessica Therien
February 28th 2012

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than average people, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal.

For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability.


Or so she thinks.


Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time.


Some are waiting for her to put an end to centuries of traditions that have oppressed their people under the guise of safeguarding them. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning—and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: 2/21/2012

Teaser Tuesday
February 21st 2012


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Here is my Teaser Tuesday:
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins





"I want things to be normal.  I want to be his friend, not another stupid girl holding out for something that will never happen."
~ Anna and the French Kiss, p. 69

Monday, February 20, 2012

Must Read Monday #16

Must Read Monday


Monday Meme Hosted by Fans of Fiction

The goal of the Must Read Monday is to find share your love of great books with others in the hopes that they'll add a new title to their To Be Read list.

Your job is to create intrigue for other hoppers. What makes your book so swoon-worthy? What do you absolutely have to mention so they'll read it?

On your post, you'll make an acrostic puzzle (think of it as an overview/book blurb type of thing)

For specific ways to build your puzzle, click here, but pretty much any style of acrostic is welcome.

When you leave comments on other posts, be sure to mention whether you're adding that book to your TBR pile, and what part convinced you to do so.

It's all about powers of persuasion, people:) You might have to think a little, but channel that inner-creative goddess (or god).

This week's topic:
A character you love to hate


Okay, I don't love to hate this character... I simply hate them.  This is a serious ordeal for me.  As a Pisces I can usually view personalities from different perspectives and find one redeeming quality in every character, but not this one.  I hate her.  I was reading Shiver, Linger, and Forever the Wolves of Mercy Falls series and could not stand Shelby.  I remember thinking throughout the series that someone should just take her out of existance... another strong and unxpected emotion.  I never felt that way about a real person or a fictional character. 

Sadistic and violent, void of emotion.
Her wolf body the only one she desires.
Evokes feelings of hate, burdening those around her.
Leaves her mark on the world by destroying and harming.
Bothered by Sam's and Grace's humanity -- seeing it as a weakness.
Young, but already lost to a blackened heart.

Reading Refelction: Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins
Published December 2, 2010
P. 372
Rating: 4/5 

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?



What a sweet and endearing book!  I loved this story, it was so cute at all turns that I couldn't help the "awwws" escaping my mouth every so many chapter. 

I've said before that I generally read YA and paranormal stuff, an occasional mystery, but I've been branching out of these genres.  I joined the Completely Contempt Challenge and I picked this book because it was on the top of the list.  I see why... so friggen' cute!

Anna is in her senior year, but her parents force her to attend a boarding school in Paris.  She has to leave her school, her best friend, and a possible almost romance.  She's distraught.  She's in a new school, with no friends, in a city where she doesn't speak the language.  A horrible situation

Luckily she meets a group of people the very first day, facilitating the transition.  Among them is charming St. Clair - a French-American raised in London.  Anna and St. Clair build a relationship from the very beginning, their friendship is fun and natural.  Sparks fly between them, but there are other factors holding each of them back.  One, Meredith, the first person Anna met in Paris has an obvious crush on St. Clair.  Two, Anna has a potential romance brewing at home with Christopher.  Three, St. Clair has a girlfriend.

The whole novel is about obvious attraction, misunderstood and misinterpreted, all the while a real friendship forming.  You want them to figure it out, but worry if they'll destroy their friendship.  Overall, this is a great book -- fun and endearing from beginning to end. 









Sunday, February 19, 2012

Reading Reflection: Mockingjay

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)

by Suzanne Collins 
Published August 24th 2010
P. 390
Rating: 2/5

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains - except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.


Nope.  Didn't like it.  Which, looking at the series as a whole is really disappointing.  I really liked the Hunger Games, tolerated Catching Fire, but with this finale... Mockingjay, not at all meeting my expectations I would never return to this series.  The reason I enjoyed this series in the beginning was primarily Katniss.  She was strong, a sruvivor, who took care of those she loved.  There was something rash about her, almost overbearing at times, but I liked that about her.  She kicked ass.   Not in this book, she was a catatonic mess who followed ridiculous orders, but made no real decisions.  In maybe three or four secnes the old Katniss emerges briefly, but not enough.  I feel as though she gave up, a lot.  In turn, I gave up on her.  

The ending, blah.  What a detached emotion with all the characters, it was horrific.  I hated it.  I could care less who Katniss chose at the end, as long as there was some feeling behind the decision.  I didn't feel there was.  Once again she just went through the motions -- I need emotion! 


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Reading Reflection: Catching Fire

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)

by Suszanne Collins
Published September 1st 2009
P. 391
Rating: 4/5 

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. 

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.


Alright, writing the review for this book was the most difficult so far.  It's strange to put words to my particular feelings.  I liked the book as a whole.  I liked how it carried the story from the first book to the next, it kept me interested to find out what was going to happen.  The cliff hanger at the end was absolute torture.

With that said, when I dissect the story and look at the individual pieces there's not much I like... which is what makes it strange.  Katniss started trouble with her shenanigans at the last Hunger Games.  Some of her acts created a disgruntled ripple effect through the districts.  Good, the capital is horrible and it's about time something started stirring.  This is my favorite part of the book, knowing that people are started to question those in charge.  
 
That's it though.  The individual scenes, especially the beginning seem to drag.  I wasn't entirely interested with life after the Hunger Games or their tour through the districts, though they provided some information into the peoples new views of the capital.  They seemed bland.

Now the love triangle, or lack there of, is strange in this book.  Katniss doesn't seem genuinely interested in anyone, but continues to pursue these boys at select times in the book.  It bothered me and I'm not sure why.  I like both of her options, they're both strong in different ways, but I'm not really interested in a connection for Katniss.  Gale and Peeta are just convenient at different times.  Gale when she's at home hunting, Peeta when she's dealing with the Hunger Games. 

This sense of convenience rather than connection is the problem. It seems like either way she's passively choosing a future "just because."  I don't like it.  Make a decision or stop messing around. 

I'm going to give the story a four just because it kept me interested, even when I didn't really like what was going on, I wanted to know.  I hope the next book meets my expectations, because they are set high.



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
The Catastrophic History of You and Me


The Catastrophic History
Of You and Me
Jess Rothenberg
February 21st 2012

Brie's life ends at sixteen: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart - literally. But now that she's in heaven, Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined.

Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend knows a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost - and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul who's been D&G (dead and gone) much longer than she… and who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on… but how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?



WWW Wednesdays 2/15/2012

WWW Wednesdays
February 15, 2012

Meme hosted by Should Be Reading


To play just answer these three questions:
1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next? 


1. What are you currently reading?

I just joined the Completely Contemp Challenge, so I started looking into contemporary novels.  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins had great ratings and was on the top of some lists so I grabbed it from the library.  Hope I like it!




2. What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver, the second book in the series is coming out at the end of the month so I figured I should finish this one asap.  I loved it.  The beginning was a little slow going, but the book grabbed my attention half way through.




What do you think you'll read next?

Lola and the Boy Next Door.  It was right next to the other book on the shelf, so I figured why not? 



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday
February 14th 2012


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Here is my Teaser Tuesday:
Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) 
by Maggie Stiefvater

                                      


Sam:
"I wanted to force him into a human so that he could see my face one more time and tell me why he'd done this to me out of every human being on the planet, why me, why anyone, why.  And, impossibly, I wanted to see him again so I could tell him I missed him so badly."
Forever~ p. 303

Reading Reflection: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)
by Suzanne Collins
Published October 1st 2008
P. 374
Rating 4/5

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.


I really liked this book.  It was my first dystopian novel and I didn't think I'd like the concept, but it kept me interested from the beginning to the end. 

Actually I didn't like the concept, the entire government and the districts, it made me angry... but I think that was the point.  I was disgusted with the annual Hunger Games.  Each district randomly picked two of their children, 12-18 years old, and sent them to the capital to fight to the death... while it was televised live for everyone to see -- appalling.  The dazzle around the games was the worst.  They buffed, painted, paraded, and tried to upsell all these tributes (kids) before unleashing them on each other; expecting to slaughter one another.  That was the worst part for me, the big show around it.

Katniss, the 16 year-old heroine, is from District 12, but she wasn't originally chosen.  Her younger sister was and she volunteered to take her place.  She'd been taking care of her sister and mother for years.  Hunting with her friend Gale to provide food and being their sole support, she sacrificed herself to save Prim -- who was only 12.

I liked Katniss.  She was tough, a survivor, even before going into the Hunger Games.  I sympathized with her, she seemed a little hard around the edges, but I felt it was warranted in her life situation.    

Okay, of course there's always a love element in these books.  At first, the very beginning, I liked Gale.  He and Katniss learned to hunt together to help support their families.  They knew each other well and both were strong individuals.   I liked their chemistry, though it was far from romantic.  Then there's Peeta.  He was sweeter than Gale, and apparently had a crush on Katniss for years, but never said anything either.  However, he is going to the Hunger Games with Katniss and they become each other's biggest allies.  He does his best to take care of her, even before they set foot in the arena.  Mind you, there can only be 1 winner.  Peeta, Katniss, or both will not be coming home.  At least those are the original rules.

I recommend this book to anyone, but understand that the entire premise of the story is disturbing.  There's nothing fun about having a bunch of children running off to kill one another -- and they do.  The story is more about survival and rebellion than anything else.  The love story is there, but isn't the central focus.  I'm okay with that, Katniss doesn't need anyone -- she just needs to make it out alive.  



   

Monday, February 13, 2012

Reading Reflection: Delirium

Delirium (Delirium Series #1)
by Lauren Oliver
Published February 1st 2011
P. 441
Rating: 4/5

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love


Ummm.... the first 100-200 pages of this book were almost boring, then I finally got sucked in. 

This is my second dystopian novel (series), The Hunger Games are my only other example.  The two worlds are very different, but I liked the differences.  In Delirium it's subtle, the world is almost normal.  It makes it easier to believe that so many people trust the government around them.  They are clothed, fed, receive an education, find work... they're not lacking any necessities.  They just lose their free will.

Everything is tested and decided for them.  They are matched with a life partner and told how their lives will be, it's almost a safe feeling knowing that those major decisions are taken care of by someone else.  Safe until you want to decide for yourself -- than it becomes dangerous.  

I loved the premise of this book, how love or amor deliria nervosa, is considered a disease that needs to be cured.  I loved how the author described it's symptoms, all true, but the medical twist really made it seem like a disorder... people in love are nutty.  

Lena wanted to be cured.  She wanted to follow the rules and be normal, be happy as it is defined by the government.  But then Alex happened, she caught it -- amor deliria nervosa.  Her entire view of happiness changes and she knows she can't go back.  I liked the sparks between these two, it wasn't immediate... or over the top, I believed them.  Very sweet.  

The ending of this book is a complete cliff-hanger.  Now I can't wait for Pandemonium... I have to know what happens.  This has happened before, I think I love the book, but then the series takes a turn and I am left disappointed.... I hope it doesn't happen with these books.        




Another thing I loved... the author starts each chapter with little readings.  It reinforces the societal beliefs, they're very interesting.  My favorite though was a poem.  I absolutely loved it.

Mama, Mama, help me get home
I'm out in the woods, I am out on my own.
I found me a werewolf, a nasty old mutt
It showed me its teeth, and went straight for my gut.

Mama, Mama, help me get home.
I'm out in the woods, I am out on my own.
I was stopped by a vampire, a rotting old wreck
It showed me its teeth, and went straight for my neck.

Mama, Mama, put me to bed
I won't make it home, I'm already half-dead.
I met an Invalid, and fell for his art
He showed me his smile, and went straight for my heart.

~Delirium intro to Chapter 6

Reading Reflection: Forever

Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3)

by Maggie Stiefvater
Published July 12th 2011
P. 390
Rating: 3/5

In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.


I want my money back... oh, I borrowed this book from the library, so that's okay then.  If I'd spent my money, then we would have a problem. 

I kept reading through the series hoping something would finally jump out and grab at me... pull me into the the story.  Nope.  Never happened.  I just continued to read, just to read.  Again, I didn't hate this book, but it was nothing spectacular. 

Um, the difference in this book is that everone did absolutely nothing.  Nothing, they were so passive about everything... even though people were going to get hurt, nobody took real action.  Cole was the only one constantly making new discoveries and almost killing himself in the process.  Sam was useless.  All he did was mope around, do something!!!  Your family is going to be slaughtered!!!  Geeze, I thought his sensitivity was endearing in the beginning.  In this last book I wanted to reach my hand in and give him a good smack.  Grow up!  He did pull through at the end though, but I was already annoyed with him. 

Grace kept turning into a wolf in this one, which is why Sam couldn't do anything.  Grace is the thinker, the one who makes the decisions, but that was hard to do on all fours.  

I didn't like the ending of the book... open ended?  I think that's what it's called.  I don't want open ended, I want a happy ending -- all the time.  I want the author to suppot my own conclusions with their writing, not leave it open for me to "imagine" what happens.  It left me dissatisfied and annoyed.  So what happens?  Does Grace get cured like Sam?  Does Cole find a cure for all of them?  Do Isabel and Cole finally get together?  What happens!? 

I'm giving this book a 3  to keep in line with the previous two books, but with reservations. 

Reading Reflection: Linger

Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2)

by Maggie Stiefvater
Published July 13th 2010
P. 360
Rating 3/5

The astonishing #1 New York Times bestseller.In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.


I feel the same way about this book as I did the first -- on the fence.  It wasn't horrible, but It wasn't great.  In this second novel Sam and Grace finally get to be human together... Sam is apparently cured.  However, Grace's roommate-like parents finally become attentive and their dislike for Sam grows.  I don't understand how they changed so drastically because of this singular event, they neglected their daughter for years and poof... they take notice. 

Anyway, I still didn't feel a spark between Sam and Grace.  I WANT a spark!  Something.  But I just didn't feel a real connection between them, nothing to fool me into believing their soul mates.  Their adorable together, don't get me wrong, in that high school first love type of a way, but nothing all consuming.

A new character was introduced in this book, Cole, a bad boy rocker turned wolf by choice.  I like him, he's sassy.  Isabel and him bring a new dynamic to the group.  Grace is so mellow and Sam is so meloncholy, that they almost appear boring.  Isabel and Cole bring some life into the mundane.  They both have their own emotional problems and they play off eachother well.  I feel more of a spark between them than the two main characters.

Now with that said... there is a twist at the end of this story.  I didn't expect it.  It was ironic after everything they fought against to be together.  I recommend this book like I did the first, for a one time read on a lazy day it's okay.   





Friday, February 10, 2012

Reading Reflection: Shiver

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

by Maggie Stiefvater
Published August 1st 2009
P. 390

Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

I'm on the fence about this book.  I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.  I was reading other reviews and agreed with many of the sentiments... this book was very slow.  The entire book felt melancholy and somber.  There is minimal action and you spend the book trapped inside the characters head, almost all the time, with nothing of importance taking place.

The characters left me confused as well, I couldn't decide whether I liked them or not.  Grace was the pragmatic thinker who took care of herself.  She obsessed about the wolves on her property for years, after an incident when she was younger.  Sam, for a change, was a sensitive and feminine male lead -- almost endearing.  I think I would of enjoyed both characters more if I felt a spark in their relationship, but I didn't.

The character I did enjoy was Isabel, the snotty rich girl.  Her character was dynamic.  She bothered me at first, but throughout the novel I really enjoyed her presence... refreshing.  Overall, for a one time read it wasn't a bad book.  It was sweet, the characters were okay, and it segued into the 2nd book with a happy ending... so I say it's a rainy Sunday afternoon book.  Nothing too involved, just enough to let your mind wander into Mercy Falls.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

Blog Awards!

Blog Awards

I am absolutely awed that someone placed my blog on their list!  This blog was something I started on a whim and just recently started putting a serious effort into its management.  It was a place to practice my writing for the public, but turned into something else.  Thank you so much to PidginPea's Book Nook for naming me as one of her choices for the Kreative Blogger Award and the One Lovely Blog Award.  Sincerely... thank you.





The Kreative Blogger Award rules are: 

1. link back to the one who gave you this award.
2. share 10 random facts about yourself
3. pass the award on to 6 other people







The Lovely Blog Award rules are:

1. link back to the one who gave you this award
2. pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers





Okay, rules were broken before I recieved the invite... and I am going to continue to break the rules.  Suze Reese and Pidgin Pea (they're the culprits) both created a list of 10 facts and invited 15 bloggers to receive both awards.  I like this idea and will continue the concept... sorry, and future recipients can decide to follow the rules associated with either award - or rebel with the rest of us!


10 Random Facts

1. I am afraid of spiders, heights, eyeballs, and suffer from stage fright -- the suffocating your heart and freezing your limbs variety. 
2. I am proud to be an emotion driven Pisces -- screw reason, logic, and order.  
3. I own five dogs, different breeds and sizes.  None of them follow commands or respond to their names, but I swear they know when I'm cranky or upset.  I also swear they take turns comforting me.
4. I spent the last 8 years trying to finish college.  I just graduated in December with a BA in Psychology and Elementary Education.
5.  I just spent a lot of money and time on an education, but realized that my true dream job is to write novels... sorry to all those affected by the many hours devoted to wasted studying (aka: my husband). 
6. I am currently working on my first novel, but stage fright stops me from letting anyone read it.
7. My biggest goal in life is to make sure my mother never has to work again.
8. My next biggest goal is to take my mother and grandmother to Cuba, their native country, and then Spain.   
9. I laugh everyday of my life. 
10.  When I read books my mental images are so strong, that when I put the book down and look around... I'm confused. 


15 Bloggers

1. Soumi @ Pages From My Thoughts 
2. Ashley and Jenna @ Fans of Fiction
3. MizB @ Should be Reading
4. Jenifer @ Reading with Tequila
5. Kristen @ Lost Amongst the Shelves
6. Jinky @ Jinky is Reading
7. My Guilty Obsession
8. Readaholicme
9. Evie @ Bookish 
10. Donna @ Book Passion For Life  
11. The Story Siren
12. Jill @ Breaking the Spine
13. Nicole @ All I Ever Read
14. Christa @ Hooked On Books
15. Eunice @ Book Overdose