Waiting On Wednesday

This meme was started by Jill from Breaking The Spine

* I want to read these...now! Great covers, great stories, Can't wait!!!*

Young Adult

Author: Kelly Creagh
Publishing: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (August 31, 2010)

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore! — from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he'd rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can't help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.
Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. His life depends on it.

*from Barnes & noble* 

Adult Romance

Author: Christina Dodd
Publishing: Signet Select (July 6, 2010) *Penguin*

As a wildlife observer in the untamed mountains, Genny Valente had no idea that a beast more fearsome than any leopard lurked in the forest-a man, one of the Chosen Ones, betrayed by his gift and tormented by his memories. John Powell fled his fate and his duty, yet in Genny he sees his one chance for redemption. He will stalk her, kidnap her, and love her as only a savage can.

*from Barnes & noble*

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Book Blogger Hop

Hey everyone! Time for a cool meme created by Crazy For Books called the Book Blogger Hop which is a great place to find new interesting blogs and also feature your own!! Its a great way to network so head over to Crazy For Books' blog and participate!!!

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Cat Got Your Tongue?

Title: The Turning: What Curiosity Kills

Author: Helen Ellis

Published:  Sourcebooks Fire (May 1, 2010)

Genre: Young Adult

 Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders

Cover Thoughts         I absolutely love the cover! It really sets the tone for the story, mysterious & compelling.  I love the dramatic effect of the model and how we see her physically turning, plus she’s very similar to the description of Mary. Love the spots of light and color tone.  When I first saw this cover I instantly wanted to read the story. Excellent job!

Synopsis

Nobody can know your secret.
Nobody can know your power.
But if nobody knows who you are to begin with...what's stopping you?

I whisper, "What's so special about me all of a sudden?"
Nick says, "The Turning."
Mary feels different, but can't explain why. The fainting, the strange cravings...and worse, the things she's noticed about her body.
Mary doesn't know where to turn. If she tells her parents or her sister, she'll risk losing everything. She has no other family, no way of knowing if what she's going through is normal. Everyone she's ever known and loved could reject her...

Review

Move aside vampires, werewolves, faeries, angels’ est., the cats have come out to play in Helen Ellis’s new novel The Turning.  Set in modern day Manhattan on the Upper East Side we follow Mary, our protagonist, on her journey to fit in with her peers at the private school she and her sister goes to.  During her struggles with the day to day life something incredible begins to happen to her, she starts to turn into a cat. I’m instantly taken on a wild ride as Mary tries to figure out what’s going on with her body while hiding her changes from her friends and family. Which proves to be harder than she expected, having an inquisitive sister Octavia, who had me laughing throughout the story. I enjoyed getting to know Mary and seeing her world through her eyes, discovering and experiencing everything in the same moment as she does. I really appreciated the diversity of the characters Ellis created. Mostly all of the characters came from different backgrounds and ethnicities, having their own unique personalities, adding to the story and furthering the plot.  All of the character elements were there from the snobby popular girl who hated Mary and her sister and friends, to Mary’s romantic interest Nick who had interesting secrets that added to the story besides his popularity and good looks. Ellis’s new take on the mythology of cat shape shifters was very unique, making what I once thought of as cute and cuddly into edgy and dangerous. I won’t look at a cat the same again! The writing was very clear and easy to read, Ellis did well writing the mind of a teenage girl. Not once did Mary’s voice or any of the characters voices sounded off to me.  There’s humor, intrigue, romance and danger all rolled up in a clever package. I recommend everyone read this book, it’s the first of the series and I can’t wait for the continuation of Mary’s journey.

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Waiting on Wednesday

This meme was started by Jill from Breaking The Spine

*Absolutely love covers & I can't wait to read these!!*

Author: Gwen Hayes

Publishing: New American Library (March 2011)

In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.
       *from author's website*

Author: Kresley Cole

Publishing: Pocket (August 24, 2010)

From New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes this scorching tale of a demon outcast poisoned with vampire blood and the vulnerable young witch he vows to protect—even from himself.
DANGEROUS DEMON SHE CAN'T RESIST . . .

Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he's pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.
MADDENING WITCH HE ACHES TO CLAIM . . .

Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.
TRAPPED TOGETHER IN A SAVAGE PRISON . . .

In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?
*from amazon*

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Can You Read My Mind?

Title: Whisper

Author: Phoebe Kitanidis

Published: Balzer + Bray (April 27, 2010)

Genre: Young Adult

 Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders

           Synopsis

    I'd love a cup of coffee. . . . I wish she didn't hide how pretty she is. . . . I hope she didn't find out what Ben said about her. . . . I wish I knew how many calories were in a bite of muffin. . . .
Joy is used to Hearing Whispers. She's used to walking down the street and instantly knowing people's deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good—to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family gift is a curse, and she uses it to make people's lives—especially Joy's—miserable. Still, when Joy Hears Jessica Whisper I want to kill my Hearing dead, and kill me too if that's what it takes, she knows she has to save her sister, even if it means deserting her friends, stealing a car, and running away with a boy she barely knows—a boy who may have a dark secret of his own.

Whisper is an exhilarating debut novel from talented newcomer Phoebe Kitanidis.

Review

Kitanidis took the saying “Read my mind” to a whole new level in her debut story.  Joy the main character that is just like every other girl except for one little talent.  She can hear the voices of people around her.  It’s a gift passed on to the females of her family which they called the Hearing.  The story focused on how Joy deals with her ability and her life.  What’s refreshing about Joy is that instead of trying to ignore her powers she embraces it.  Using it to help those around her, making her popular but it seemed like nobody really knew who Joy was, including Joy herself. The major conflict was with her older sister Jessica who has the gift as well but instead of embracing her powers and helping people like Joy she did the exact opposite.  Jessica decided to use her powers to drive people away, using her knowledge of people’s whispers to her own advantage.  With her rebellious non caring attitude, Jessica brings the edge and mystery to the story just in the right moment.  The sisters are like night and day bringing a great balance to the story. When Jessica goes missing is when things really picks up bringing the mystery and danger.  I enjoyed the story allot for its uniqueness and how well Kitanidis did with capturing Joy and Jessica’s voices. The added romance between Joy and Jamie, the lone boy who had interesting secrets of his own, added to the story a well. This was a great story that kept me engaged from beginning to end.  I feel that Kitanidis created an interesting world which I hope she turns into a series. I recommended this book to those interested in paranormal filled with mystery, romance and danger.

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Rules of Attraction...Need I Say More?

Title: Rules of Attraction

Author: Simone Elkeles

Published:  Walker Books for Young Readers (April 13, 2010)

Genre: Young Adult

 Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders

       Synopsis

Carlos Fuentes doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him in Boulder, Colorado. He wants to keep living on the edge, and carve his own path—just like Alex did. Unfortunately, his ties to a Mexican gang aren't easy to break, and he soon finds himself being set up by a drug lord.
When Alex arranges for Carlos to live with his former professor and his family to keep him from being sent to jail, Carlos feels completely out of place. He's even more thrown by his strong feelings for the professor's daughter, Kiara, who is nothing like the girls he's usually drawn to. But Carlos and Kiara soon discover that in matters of the heart, the rules of attraction overpower the social differences that conspire to keep them apart.
As the danger grows for Carlos, he's shocked to discover that it's this seemingly All-American family who can save him. But is he willing to endanger their safety for a chance at the kind of life he's never even dreamed possible?

Review

   Ever fell for the hot, mysterious new bad boy in your school with the smoldering eyes, beautiful face and body plus a cocky attitude you couldn’t resist?  What would you do if he lived not across town but across the hall as a guest in your home? Well this is what Kiara has to go through in Elkeles latest tale with Carlos, Alex from Perfect Chemistry younger brother. Carlos moves to Colorado to live with his brother after things go terribly wrong in Mexico and his life is on the line.  Right from the start Elkeles captured me by the heart and didn’t let go. I can relate to Kiara’s character and how she’s strong and independent but still has vulnerabilities and I fell for Carlos’s straight forward cocky attitude that covers the pain he harbors inside from his past. The title is called Rules of Attraction and the attraction between Kiara and Carlos sure enough live up to the title.  Their chemistry was explosive and had me turning the pages so fast to see if these two who come from such different backgrounds would give into their feelings.  I really enjoy seeing these two strong characters that could normally hold their own tumble unpredictably into love.

     Though the romance was hot and heavy, so was the plot.  I really enjoyed how Elkeles didn’t shy away from the important relevant topics in teen lives like sex, drugs, and gang life, facing them head on.  In focusing on these serious topics she made the story that much more engaging and added another element of intensitywhich had pages turning practically on their own.  One of the things that I appreciated was the family element and how tight and together Kiara’s family was as well as Carlos’s family even though they been through a lot.  What I expected out of this book was a knock out romance filled with danger and unforgettable characters that made me feel and Elkeles delivered on all fronts.  I recommend this book to those looking for a good romance with danger and intrigue thrown into the mix. As with Elkeles books this is a must read.

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Saturday Spotlight

I'm spotlighting books that are coming out this Tuesday that I think will be a great read!!

Young Adult

In Alyson Noel’s most darkly seductive Immortals novel yet, Ever fights for control of her body, her soul—and the timeless true love she’s been chasing for centuries.
Ever is trying to help Haven transition into life as an immortal.  But with Haven drunk on her new powers and acting recklessly, she poses the ultimate threat—exposing their secret world to the outside.  As Ever struggles to keep the Immortals hidden, it only propels Haven closer to the enemy—Roman and his evil companions
At the same time, Ever delves deeper into dark magick to free Damen from Roman’s power. But when her spell backfires, it binds her to the one guy who’s hell-bent on her destruction. Now there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, and no matter what she does, she can’t stop thinking about Roman—and longing for his touch.  As she struggles to resist the fiery attraction threatening to consume her, Roman is more than willing to take advantage of her weakened state…and Ever edges closer and closer to surrender.
Frantic to break the spell before its too late, Ever turns to Jude for help, risking everything she knows and loves to save herself—and her future with Damen …

Jessica's life seemed difficult enough since the sudden loss of her mother, but meeting Pietr Rusakova turns her world upside down again. The newest member of Junction High, Pietr is a first generation Russian-American, a fact that by itself makes him different enough to get lots of attention in the small town. But Pietr is far more than good looks and an interesting accent, Pietr has secrets to hide-secrets including dramatic changes he's undergoing that will surely end his life early. Secrets dating back to the Cold War get the better of Jessica's curiosity, leading her into an exciting and dangerous world where her understanding of reality and what makes a man or a monster will be challenged.

It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.
The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.
This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.

Adult Romance

From New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather comes the first of a wonderful new trilogy, The Blackwater Brides, set in the sensually im-proper Georgian period, in which three noble brothers discover they will be forced to find brides under highly unusual circumstances.
Jasper Sullivan, Earl of Blackwater, needs a prostitute. Not in the usual way, however. His wealthy uncle’s will promises to divide his huge fortune among his nephews if each rescues a fallen woman . . . by marrying her! And since Jasper’s estates were already mortgaged to the hilt before he inherited them, when he catches a pretty young prostitute trying to pick his pocket, he immediately makes his proposal.
Clarissa Astley is not at all what Jasper believes. The orphaned daughter of a prosperous merchant, she is searching the seedier districts of London for her young brother, abducted by their evil guardian, who wants the little boy’s inheritance. But she needs powerful help, and the darkly handsome Earl of Blackwater is certainly that. So she pretends to be exactly what he assumed— a risky charade for an innocent virgin. But when passion flares between Jasper and Clarissa, the deception becomes even more difficult to handle. . . .

From Mary Blayney, the acclaimed author of Stranger’s Kiss, comes this irresistible new novel of historical romance featuring the Pennistan family. In Courtesan’s Kiss, an independent woman is determined to make her way in the world—even if it’s a scandalous one. But first she must escape a nobleman with plans of his own

In the wake of a broken engagement and shunned by the ton, Mia Castellano does not retire to the country, as a proper young lady might, but sees her chance to escape society’s restraints—by becoming a courtesan. In her mind, no unmarried young woman is as free as a courtesan. She alone controls her destiny: managing her own money, having her own house, choosing her lovers. There’s only one obstacle in Mia’s path—Lord David Pennistan.
     
As a favor to his brother, Lord David agrees to escort Mia to his family’s home in Derbyshire, where her guardian awaits. Mia attracts nothing but trouble from the outset of their journey, yet with every adventure they share, Lord David’s desire for his charge grows. When they’re caught in a compromising situation, Lord David insists that she marry him. But there’s only one thing Mia wants from David, and it isn’t his charity or his title. Can he convince her before it’s too late that the love she wants is already hers—to take or to lose forever? Can he win more from this untamed beauty than just a courtesan’s kiss?

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Feature Friday

Toy Story 3

Andy is now 17 and ready to head off to college, leaving Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the toy-box gang to ponder their uncertain futures. When the toys are accidentally donated to the Sunnyside Daycare center they're initially overjoyed to once again be played with, but their enthusiasm quickly gives way to horror as they discover the true nature of the establishment under the rule of the deceptively welcoming "Lotso" Bear. Now, all of the toys must band together in one final, crazy scheme to escape their confines and return home to Andy. Written by The Massie Twins *from imdb*

*I may be older since the Toy Story movies first came out but I cant help but be excited to see the final installment of the series I've come to love! I feel this movie is for everyone young & old and everyone will find something to enjoy in the movie.*

*So here's my question, are you excited to see this movie? Do you think that youngsters and well as adults will enjoy seeing this movie? Which toy are you excited to see again? Tell me your thoughts!*

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In The Wild

Title: Faithful

Author: Janet Fox

Published:  Speak (May 13, 2010)

Genre: Young Adult

 Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders

Received from Around The World Arc Tours for honest review

        Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be.

Review

Out in the wildlife of the famous Yellowstone National Park in 1904, Maggie finds herself away from the comfort of her wealthy Newport life with all the parties, social appearances and friends.  She’s placed on the adventure of her life with her father to find the secrets of her mother’s disappearance and whether she is still alive.  Maggie finds way more information out in the wonders of Yellowstone like the history of her parents relationship, what was going on with her mother before she began going crazy and then disappeared and surprisingly love.  The story is all about discovery and finding one true self in the face of the demands of others.  When I first read the plot of the book I thought the book would be totally different than what it actually is. I didn’t realize that it was a historical book set in the nineteen hundreds and I thought the main focus would be more on the romance Maggie discovered with the handsome boy named Tom who she meets and instantly felt a connection to.  As I read along I could feel some emotion between Tom and Maggie but not the burning hot passion that I crave.

      Like I said before the story really focuses on Maggie’s journey to find her mother and along the way she finds who she truly wants to be and who she wants to love. What I enjoyed the most about the story was Fox’s descriptions of Yellowstone. I’ve never been out west but reading Fox’s words I felt like I was out there experiencing the wildlife and wonders of Yellowstone as well. As for characterization I had a tug of war relationship with Maggie, in the beginning she really annoyed me with her views on life and her aspirations, making her seem very naïve and self centered.  At times I wanted her to focus more on what was going on with her family then her social life and what others thought of her.  Although towards the end she redeemed herself in my eyes with seeing what was really important and standing up for herself and her dreams.  I would have loved to learn more about Tom, his dreams and aspirations for his life. I felt that besides having more passion between them I would have liked to read more about their time together and their growing love.

    All in all I enjoyed reading the story though I couldn’t help waiting for something amazing to happen. The story did have it’s moments that had me very engaged flipping through the pages to see what Maggie would find out next about her mother and whether the feelings she had for Tom would grow to something more. I recommend this book to those who love a historical piece and a story about self discovery and mystery with a sprinkle of romance.

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Waiting On Wednesday

This meme was started by Jill from Breaking The Spine

 

Author: Sarah Smith

Publishing: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing November 02, 2010

Since losing both of her parents, fifteen-year-old Katie can see and talk to ghosts, which makes her a loner until fellow student Law sees her drawing of a historic house and together they seek a treasure rumored to be hidden there by illegal slave-traders.

Author: Pamela Palmer
Publishing: HarperCollins Publishers June 29, 2010

They are called Feral Warriors--an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release . . .
The most combative--and tormented--of all the Ferals, Jag is a predator who hunts alone--until daemons terrorize the human population. To stop them, he partners with Olivia, a flame-haired Therian temptress as strong as she is beautiful. But Olivia is no ordinary immortal. The survivor of a vicious supernatural attack, she possesses a deadly and forbidden skill--one that must remain hidden, especially from the powerful Feral Warriors.
As Jag and Olivia's sensual dance of dominance and seduction gets wilder and hotter, a dark force sets its sights on Olivia, threatening to destroy everything she has vowed to protect. And the only one who can save her soul is the arrogant jaguar shifter she lusts for but dares not love.

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Twist Of Fantasy

 Title: Perchance to Dream
Author: Lisa Manchtev

Published:  Feiwel & Friends May 25, 2010

Genre: Young Adult

 Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders

Received from Around The World Arc Tours for honest review

        Synopsis

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

  Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

 Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Review

Lisa captured me with her imaginative fantasy world filled with interesting characters and an interesting plot that had me turning the pages to find out what would happen next to Bertie and her friends this time.  In this second installment we find Bertie and her gang heading out of the theater and into the real world, broadening the landscape of the story and introducing new situations and characters into the story.  We know from the ending of the first book that Bertie is on a mission to save her love the pirate Nate from the evil sea goddess from the little mermaid story.  Along the way Bertie finds out more about her family, her self and her powers in discovering her father and the path that he plays on her journey.  What captured my attention the most in the story was Bertie learning how to deal with her amazing powers as well as the clever way Mantchev weaved Shakespearian and fairy tale characters together and formed her own unique tale.  The characters are well defined, each having their own unique quality. I really enjoyed reading the interaction with Bertie’s faery sidekicks. I’m a real sucker for a hot, intense romance and the love triangle between Nate, Bertie & Ariel made for some intense situations, though I felt that Mantchev had all the right elements between the characters she could have pushed the drama between them a bit more.  Though the plot also had me turning the pages to see what would happen next.  The scenes that Mantchev created were unique and different, adding to the story and giving it an added depth.  From the beginning of the story I was pleasantly enchanted by this story and I am looking forward to a next installment since the end left me wanting more

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Waiting On Wednesday

This meme was started by Jill from Breaking The Spine
 

Author: Nalini Singh

Publishing: Penguin Group (USA) July 06, 2010

Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him against Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy- dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be assigned to is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor's closest advisors. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual of ways is a Psy on the verge of catastrophic mental fracture.

 

Author: Sophie Littlefield

Publishing: Random House Children's Books October 12, 2010

There isn’t much worth living for in Gypsum, Missouri—or Trashtown, as the rich kids call the run-down neighborhood where sixteen-year-old Hailey Tarbell lives. Hailey figures she’ll never belong—not with the popular kids at school, not with the rejects, not even with her cruel, sickly grandmother, who deals drugs out of their basement. Hailey never knew her dead mother, and she has no idea who her father was, but at least she has her four-year-old foster brother, Chub. Once she turns eighteen, Hailey plans to take Chub far from Gypsum and start a new life where no one can find them.
But when a classmate is injured in gym class, Hailey discovers a gift for healing that she never knew she possessed—and that she cannot ignore. Not only can she heal, she can bring the dying back to life. Confused by her powers, Hailey searches for answers but finds only more questions, until a mysterious visitor shows up at Gram’s house, claiming to be Hailey’s aunt Prairie.
There are people who will stop at nothing to keep Hailey in Trashtown, living out a legacy of despair and suffering. But when Prairie saves both Hailey and Chub from armed attackers who invade Gram’s house in the middle of the night, Hailey must decide where to place her trust. Will Prairie’s past, and the long-buried secret that caused her to leave Gypsum years earlier, ruin them all? Because as Hailey will soon find out, their power to heal is just the beginning.
This gripping novel from thriller writer Sophie Littlefield blazes a trail from small-town Missouri to the big city as Hailey battles an evil greater than she ever imagined, while discovering strengths she never knew she had.

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Face of a Superstar

Title: My Double Life

Author: Janette Rallison

Published: Putnam Juvenile (May 13, 2010)

Genre: Young Adult

Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders

Received from Around the World Arc Tours for honest review

     Synopsis

Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like pop star Kari Kingsley, and one day when Alexia’s photo filters through the Internet, she’s offered a job to be Kari’s double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but Alexia’s mother has always warned her against celebrities.

Rebelliously, Alexia flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she romances the hottest lead singer on the charts, and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else!

Review

     This book tells the story of Alexia Garcia who’s just your average teenager getting ready to graduate high school and begin her new life in college. Living in a single family home with her mother and grandmother, Alexia is just your down to earth girl who is just trying to live her life, aside from the fact that she’s the splitting image of Kari Kingsley one of the biggest musical superstar. After a prank put Alexia’s picture on the internet, her striking resemblance made its way to Kari and her manager who offered Alexia the deal of a lifetime, pose as Kari’s double. Janette Rallison did a very good job capturing the essence and voice of a teenage girl trying to find out who she is. From the very beginning Alexia voice was clear and believable and I understood the reasoning for why she would take the offer. At first I thought that this would be a quick light read but in actuality Rallison brought up some important topics like family, identity and peer pressure. Rallison did a great job combining the important issues with the sparkling life of Hollywood and romance, making this an enjoyable read. The characters were very believable and the writing style flowed, though the plot was a bit predictable and the reasoning behind how Alexia and Kari looked so much alike was a bit too far fetched for me. Other than the few problems I had with the plot the story was entertaining. The cover art didn’t really enhance the story for me but it was realistic to the portrayal of the story. What really had me flipping through the pages was whether Alexia and Kari were going to get caught in the scheme and whether Alexia would reveal the secret she been holding. Overall I found this an enjoyable read and would recommend this book to those who want a mixture of light easy read with important underlining themes woven into the story as well.

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