Kieran Scott's Biggest Contest Ever!

To celebrate the one month anniversary of the release for She's So Dead to Us Kieran is giving away three autographed books of She's So Dead to Us, Geek Magnet, and I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader. As a bonus the prize winner will also get the sequel to She's So Dead to Us, which is She's So Over Him, when it is released next summer.

All you need is a twitter or a facebook account. What are you waiting for? Check out the contest rules and directions now! I would hurry too because if you start now you can get multiple entries. Contest lasts till Friday.

Here is the url: http://kieran-scott.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-contest-day-four-autographed-books.html

Good luck to everyone!

Review: She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

Synopsis (From Goodreads):


When having money is all that matters, what happens when you lose it all?
Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rear-view mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends -- friends that liked having trust funds and new cars, and that didn't like constant reminders that they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing.

Now, two years later, Ally's mother has landed a job back at the site of their downfall. So instead of Ally's new low-key, happy life, it'll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Shannen Moore and Hammond Ross.

But then there's Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake's friends have a problem with his new crush since it would make Ally happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy, it's Ally Ryan.

Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past, but some things just can't be forgotten. Isn't there more to life than money?

Book Details:

Publishers: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pub. Date: May 25, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 278

Review:

Kieran Scott does it again with another big hit! I love She's So Dead to Us. It's about this girl, Ally Ryan, who loses everything. She had to move away from her hometown because her dad loses a lot of money. Not only their money but the parents of Ally's friends money as well. So its goodbye rich lifestyle for Ally.When Ally's mom gets a job at the school back in their hometown, she hopes to reconcile with her old friends. Theres only one problem, her friends are set on making her life a living hell for what Ally did to one of her friends, and because of the mistake her dad made. Told in two alternating voices we get to be in the shoes of not only Ally, but of Jake the boy that all the girls dream of dating. When Jake meets Ally he realizes she is different from all the girls. The chemistry between these two is so amazing. I found myself giddy and laughing because it is so cute. Ally can really bring out the best in Jake.Throughout the novel you will be cheering Ally on. You'll also melt when you are reading Jake's side of the story and see how much he cares about Ally. There is one thing that is bugging me, however, I found myself constantly asking myself "Who the heck are the people at the beginning of every month gossiping?". Ally also did things I thought were dumb, because really she knew what she did would be a big fail. It just goes to show that when we want something so bad we will stop at nothing to get it even if it means getting hurt. I wanted to crawl into the book and just tell everyone that this whole Crestie and Norm labeling is stupid. We are all the same. Anyway the ending will guarantee leaving you begging for more immediately. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR She's So Over Him!!!
5 gold stars without a doubt!

Review: Middleworld By J&P Voelkel

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

“As I see it,” said Max, “all that stands between humankind and the end of the world is two talking monkeys, a crazy archaeologist covered in red paint, and a couple of kids with blowguns. Am I right?”

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy, video-gamer extraordinaire, is furious when his archaeologist parents cancel the family vacation to go on a dig in Central America. But things go from bad to worse when Max is summoned to join them, only to discover that his parents have vanished. With the help of Lola, a fast-talking, quick-thinking Maya girl, Max embarks on a quest to find out just what’s going on. Soon Max and Lola are running for their lives in the perilous rainforest, as they unlock ancient secrets, meet mysterious strangers, and begin to understand that, in San Xavier, nothing is ever as it seems.

Fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to Max Murphy. But can a teen whose biggest talent is for video games rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save himself from the villainous Lords of Death?

Book Details:

Pub. Date: April 27, 2010

Publisher: Egmont USA

Format: Paperback

Pages: 416

Review:

This novel is an unforgettable adventure. We meet the main character, Max who is just looking for a vacation of video gaming, laying around the house, and visiting family in Europe. When his parents get an opprotunity they cannot refuse everything does not go as Max had hoped.

His family's strange and mysterious housekeeper, Zia, soon sends him off to stay with his uncle. His uncle lives where Max's parents went missing. As Max uncovers some of his Family's secrets, he soon is swept up in an adventure with a girl named lola and her monkeys. Along the way Max meets some very interesting and unique characters.

When Lola and Max go into the temples, Max has to use his skills in video gaming to help them get through the temple. I like how the Authors took Max's video gaming skills and had him use them in real life. Throughout the novel Max becomes a better person.

The fate of the world lies on Max's shoulders in Middleworld. Will he be able to save everyone? Will he ever find his parents? Will he get the girl?

I really did like Middleworld, but at times I had to push myself to keep reading. Even with pictures throughout the book it still is a long read. Well worth the time though! The ending is just amazing and I can not wait for book two!

I would recommend Middleworld to anyone who is looking for an adventure in a place you have never been to before. If you like Percy Jackson you'll like Max too. Instead of mythology you will get to know the Mayans. Middleworld is a battle of good and evil. It is full of the value of friends, family, and where you come from. Also, in the back of the book are some fun extras! You will not want to miss this book.

4.5 Stars!

Interested? Buy the book here!

Review: Beautiful Malice

Beautiful Malice By Rebecca James

Synopsis (from GoodReads.com):

So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?

Following a terrible tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family shattered, Katherine Patterson moves to a new city, starts at a new school, and looks forward to a new life of quiet anonymity.

But when Katherine meets the gregarious and beautiful Alice Parrie her resolution to live a solitary life becomes difficult. Katherine is unable resist the flattering attention that Alice pays her and is so charmed by Alice’s contagious enthusiasm that the two girls soon become firm friends. Alice’s joie de vivre is transformative; it helps Katherine forget her painful past and slowly, tentatively, Katherine allows herself to start enjoying life again.

But being friends with Alice is complicated – and as Katherine gets to know her better she discovers that although Alice can be charming and generous she can also be selfish and egocentric. Sometimes, even, Alice is cruel.

And when Katherine starts to wonder if Alice is really the kind of person she wants as a friend, she discovers something else about Alice - she doesn’t like being cast off.

Book Details:

Pub. Date: July 13, 2010

Publisher: Bantam

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 272

My Review:

I may be one of the few who could not finish this book. I really tried to read to page 100. This is not a young adult book, even if the main character in the story is 18 and in high school. The relationship between all the characters just seemed too bland and not well developed. Alice and Katherine don't act like the average high schooler. I don't think teenagers drink every time they hangout. I wouldn't know though because I'm one of those teens that stay away from that scene. There really seems to be no parental figures to tell the characters right from wrong. I liked how the author wrote about topics that ring true, like about being a parent and grieving processes. I really did want to like this book but one scene just did me in and I quit. For some people the mystery of what the characters have might be enough to keep the reader reading.

2 Stars

Michelle Zink's Prophecy Ipod and more Giveaway!

To celebrate the upcoming release of Guardian of the Gate Michelle has a huge giveaway over at her site. Check it out: http://michellezinkbooks.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/ipod-super-swag/#comment-4203

There's so much swag I can't even name it all on this post, that is if I want to make this post short which I do. Plus not only all the swag, but there will be FIVE WINNERS!!!

If you enter this contest say that Mallory sent you there.

Thanks!

If you have yet to read her first book: Prophecy of the Sisters I suggest you do so. I guarantee you'll be counting down the days for book two (Guardian of the Gate) to come out already!

Pre-order the second book here:

In My Mailbox (6)

IMM is hosted by the Story Siren.

I know I'm a day late, but hey it had been a crazy week for me. I got my diploma Saturday afternoon.

After Graduation I went out to Borders with my boyfriend, and he bought me a book. And its the only book I got that week.

She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

First Giveaway Winner Announced!

Deborah, congrats! You have won my copy of Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti. I have emailed you, and I need you to respond within 48 hours. If you don't respond I will have to choose another winner.

P.S. I just wanted to say that I'm now a college student! Yay! No more high school! Into the real world now. Supposedly. :) Now all the craziness of last week is over with and I can get back to reading books for reviews.

Update and Giveaway Winner Notice

Hey everyone,

Well this week has been chaotic! I'm graduating High School TOMORROW!!! I'm so nervous, excited, and a little sad. Thursday night I had a little family dinner, and it was so nice. Today, I had rehearsal at the church I'm graduating at. Tonight, I went to a longtime friend's graduation party. Tomorrow at 11 AM I will be graduating. So due to the craziness I will hopefully announce the winners of the Honey, Baby, Sweetheart giveaway.

Thanks for being patient and supportive!

- Mallory

The Versatile Blogger Award!

Thanks to Katie from the Misadventures of a Teenage Bookworm I now have my very first award. Here is her blog, check it out! http://misadventuresofateenagebookworm.blogspot.com.

According to the rules on Katie's page I have to:

Here are the Rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.



2. Share 7 things about yourself.



3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)
   


4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

The Seven Things About Me:

1. I'm the oldest among two other siblings. Everyone thinks my sister is the oldest, just because I'm small.

2. I can't seem to get employed, everywhere I go is not hiring. I really want to work at a bookstore.

3. I spend way too much money buying books.

4. When I'm not reading a book I'm looking at them online.

5. I'm a pro at cooking pasta and rice dishes.

6. I'm a quarter filipino.

7. I love talking to other book lovers!

The Fifteen Bloggers I pass the award onto are:

1.Confessions of a Book Addict- http://maddieeemsblog.blogspot.com/

2.OMG! Books!- http://omgbookreviews.blogspot.com/

3.A Life Bound By Books- http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/

4.Confessions of a Bookaholic-http://totalbookaholic.blogspot.com/

5.The Bookshelf Sophisticate- http://bookshelfsophisticate.blogspot.com/

6.BookHounds- http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/

7.Wicked Walker- http://wickedwalker.blogspot.com/

8.Alisha's World- http://alishareads.blogspot.com/

9.Afficionate- http://affictionate.blogspot.com/

10.Lost in Ink- http://lostininkreviews.blogspot.com/

11.Reading Angel- http://readingangel002.blogspot.com/

12.The Library Lurker- http://librarylurker.blogspot.com/

13.Marie LOVES Books-http://marielovesbooks.blogspot.com/

14. Once Upon a Review- http://Onceuponareview.blogspot.com/

15. Reading Addict- http://addicted2reading4evr.blogspot.com/

Review: The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Details:

Pages: 288

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Signet Classics (Penguin)

Review:

Gaston creates a wonderful and dark, fascinating world in the Phantom of the Opera. This book is a quick read, and the story flows with each word. This is the story of Christine, who is a beautiful singer. The Phantom, Erik, falls in love with Christine. He would do anything for her. With Raoul de Chagny in the picture, comes a love triangle. Who will Christine choose to be with? Will she make the right choice when the lives of others depend on her choice? I liked the bond that Raoul and Christine had. The mystery of the whole novel was very intriguing. I wish I could go visit the opera house, and see for myself what Gaston was talking about. Who wouldn't want to go underground and go through a maze of tunnels.The managers were skeptical of the opera ghost, and the things they did added a little bit of comedy. As for the Phantom, he grows on you. He may have had a terrible past but he wants to redeem himself and be happy with someone that loves him. We all want to feel wanted and loved, and this is why I felt sympathetic towards him. There is also a message that goes along the book, but it might give away the entire book so I'll let you figure it out yourself.

Four Stars!

In My Mailbox (5)

In my mailbox is hosted by the Story Siren.

This week I got:

For Review:

MIDDLEWORLD (The Jaguar Stones Series Book ONE) by J&P Voelkel

Here is a quick synopsis of the book.

In the ancient city of Itzamna, Lord Six-Rabbit wakes up screaming. A great warrior king of the mighty Maya, he has dreamed he was a lowly, flea-bitten monkey. How could this be? Was this some sorcery sent by his half-brother, Tzelok, the evil priest?

1200 years later, in Boston, Massachusetts, 14-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in San Xavier, the tiny Central American country where his father grew up. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. He's always suspected that his parents cared more about the Ancient May than about him and this proves it. When he's mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they've had a change of heart. But he's met at the airport by one of their colleagues, who explains that his parents have gone missing at the remote Maya temple of Ix Chel. He also tells Max the legend of The Jaguar Stones, the five sacred stones of Middleworld (the Maya name for the world of men) which enabled Ancient May kings to wield the powers of living gods.

And so begins Max Murphy's wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this papered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys faceoff against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies and human sacrifice.

Won:

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

I'm hoping many of you already know what this book is about.

Thanks Tera for the book, and the surprise goodies inside it. :)

I really need to either:

A) get a new camera

or b) keep searching for the invisible USB cord. I really want to share my pictures of the things I get with you all.

Don't Buy Or Sell ARCS!

Today I read a blog post on Confessions of a Bookaholic and she is trying to get word out about this illegal act.

Here is her blog page:

http://totalbookaholic.blogspot.com/

Behind Yellow Eyes has started this campaign to bring awareness to people who have arcs or whoever wants arcs. Here is their URL: http://www.behindyelloweyes.com/respect-linger-campaign/

I just wanted to say that it is certainly a privilege to receive an ARC, don't abuse this privilege. Book publishing companies take money out of their pockets just to make these copies and send it out to reviewers. It is illegal to sell and buy ARCS. If you don't want the ARC anymore hold contests for people who would like to have the ARC. If you want to buy an ARC, please just wait for the book to come out in stores.

I have posted the buttons from these two websites on my sidebar please check out these two sites.

Thanks,

Mallory

An Author Q&A with Alexandra Adornetto (author of HALO)

So I was just web surfing and came upon this! I'm excited for this book to come out in stores. I'm dying to read it.

Win: Forgive My Fins Book Swag!

To celebrate the release of Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs I am hosting a giveway.
I still have not found my usb cord for my camera so I'm really sorry I don't have pictures to show what the bookmarks and tattoos look like. Well, all the more mystery to want to know what they look like. :)

I will have three winners each winner will receive:

one bookmark

one tattoo

Requirements you must live in the U.S.

Be a follower to my blog.

Just leave a comment to enter with your name and e-mail address.

Bonus entry is:

Posting the link to the contest on your blog or other social network. By doing so you gain two extra entries.

Good luck!

Ends July 22

Review: The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June

Synopsis:

I hugged my sisters and they fit against my sides like two jigsaw pieces that would never fit anywhere else. I couldn't imagine ever letting them go again, like releasing them would be to surrender the best parts of myself.

Three sisters share a magical, unshakeable bond in this witty high-concept novel from the critically acclaimed author of Audrey, Wait! Around the time of their parents' divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose?

April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone's but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they'll always have each other.

Because there's one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.

Book details:

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 256

Publisher: Razorbill

Publish date: August 3, 2010

Review:

To start off I read this book back in May. I've been struggling to find the right way to review this book, it deserves a great review. This book is in my top 5 favorite books of 2010.

The novel is by Robin Benway and this is her second book. After reading The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June I'm a huge fan of her writing. The characters are the most real and funny people you will ever read about.

April, the oldest, can see the future. She feels the need to protect her sisters, and is the almost perfect girl (No one can be perfect).

May, the middle-child, can become invisible. May is a loner, but has a witty sense of humor.

June, the youngest of the three, can read people's minds. June is just a young girl who wants to fit in and be popular.

I loved all three girls, they are so easy to relate to. I saw myself and my own sister in each of the girls. I'm like April and May, and my sister is most like June.

Here is a little secret of my own: When I read a book I take notes on my cell phone. I like keeping track of the mistakes in books and my favorite parts. So later on I can come back and read again. With Benway's latest book I couldn't just write each page as my favorite. Instead I basically put EVERY chapter as my favorite part of the book.

I was drawn in from page one. This book is not easy to put down. You'll want to keep reading until you finish, because it is indeed extraordinary. The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June is a great book to read for fun, when you need cheering up, rainy days, or a beach read.

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June has a good blend of romance, the bond between sisters, humor, and the struggles of just being a teenager. Including twists and surprises you don't see coming. Towards the end everything fits together like a puzzle and I loved how it was planned.

5 stars!