In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren. Check out her blog here: http://www.thestorysiren.com/2010/08/in-my-mailbox-94.html
In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme that book reviewers use to show others what they got that week in books.
This week I got:



For Review:

AWAKENED by Ednah Walters (Thanks Ednah, I absolutely cannot wait to start reading)

Bought:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

-Mockingjay is part of the reason I've been somewhat MIA on my blog. I just finished reading it today. It made me cry in the end. Such a powerful novel!

Vanished by Kate Brian ( I LOVE this series, and can't believe its coming to an end soon)

New Upcoming Book Alert

Hey there book bloggers and followers! Can't wait for Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick to arrive in stores this November? Well there is a solution for that! Be sure to check out AWAKENED by Ednah Walters. Its a book that has Fallen Angels in it! AWAKENED is set to be released sometime in September. Not too far of a wait. :)
Here is the cover.

Also, here is the synopsis (if by some weird chance the cover didn't get your attention ;-) )

Orphaned as a child and raised by her grandfather, Lil Falcon is concerned with navigating her new high school and is unaware she's a descendant of the Nephilim, a race of beings with super powers tasked with protecting humanity from the demons who threaten it. But when she meets Bran, his psi energy unlocks her latent abilities and opens her eyes to what she is, a Guardian.

But Bran has a secret and befriending him sends Lil down a dangerous path that will either destroy her or make her stronger.

*Picture taken from the Publisher's webpage. Synopsis from the author's webpage*

Mockingjay? Seriously?!!!

Hey Everyone! Did you seriously think I would skip a post about Mockingjay? I'm so excited to start reading it, my copy comes (hopefully if the construction road worker guys and the ups man don't mess it up) tomorrow! There is one thing that pains me. I'm already reading two excellent books and I'm barely even halfway through them. I must review them too, soon. Plus to add on I'm adjusting to the college lifestyle. I've only had about an hour or two to read. I can't imagine adding on to the pile of books that are currently being read until I at least have one of the two I'm reading right now finished. I'm in no way complaining that I have so many good books to read, I just wish I had more time to read. I remember the good old days where I had all day that I could read and finish a book. On the bright side, I don't have classes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! So I guess thats where most of my readings will get done. I hope you all are enjoying your copy of Mockingjay! Please remember that not everyone has read the book yet. So please don't post spoilers and respect the Author's wishes.

Awesome Contests/Giveaways You Don't Want to Miss

Squeaky Books kicked off her Birthday Bash today with a signed finished copy of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White to giveaway. End Date: 9/22
Link: http://www.squeakybooks.com/2010/08/author-spotlight-giveaway-kiersten.html

The Book Vault is giving away a lot of copies of multiple books (Losing Faith by Denise Jaden, Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie, The Haunted by Jessica Verday, What's Your St@tus by Katie Finn, Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales) for her Birthday and 200 Followers Celebration. End Date: 9/1
Link: http://the-book-vault.blogspot.com/2010/08/birthday-200-followers-contest.html

Confessions of a Bookaholic is giving away 3 signed galleys of Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin. Ends 9/20
Link: http://totalbookaholic.blogspot.com/2010/08/extraordinary-by-nancy-werlin-giveaway.html

Reading Teen is having to amazing giveaways. One is the Back to School Giveaway Bash. There is every ARC that you can dream of the pile (you can only choose one book). Ends 9/24 So be sure to check it out: http://www.readingteen.net/2010/08/back-to-school-giveaway-bash.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readingteenfeed+%28Reading+Teen%29
They are also giving away an ARC of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. Ends 8/31 Link: http://www.readingteen.net/2010/08/clean-read-spotlight-paranormalcy.html

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the Story Siren every week. It gives bloggers a chance to show anyone what they got that week in books. This week I got:



For Review (won from LibraryThing Early Reviewers): Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Thank you Penguin Group for the Galley!

Won from Sara at the Babbling Flow: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Thank you so much Sara! I also like the little surprises you threw in there too; the notebook can come in handy for taking notes on books. Which is probably why you gave it to me. :) Plus the card was just too cute!

Everyone, you should really check out Sara's amazing and fun blog (I hear that she is having yet another great mega ARC giveaway). Here is the link to her blog: http://babblingflow.blogspot.com/

Review: Over the Moon by Diane Daniels

Synopsis (from Goodreads): When seventeen-year-old Tiana moves to Hurricane, Utah, her comfortable world is turned upside down as she traverses the rough waters of adjusting to a small town and new school. Her father insists they were supposed to move here for some unknown, important purpose, and the voice in her head tells her not to argue. After resigning herself to being a miserable outcast, Tiana finds that she is not only accepted by most of the students at her new high school but is also the recipient of unwelcome attention from the opposite sex. But then she meets the mysterious Andrew Martin and is soon Over the Moon crazy about him. Andrew seems to be the perfect boyfriend: protective, tender, good with her parents, and a fabulous kisser. But he also has a few unusual qualities: an intuitiveness that borders on mind reading, a touch that seems to heal, and almost superhuman strength. Tiana marvels at his talents but doesn't seriously consider the implications until she can no longer ignore the clues: Andrew does not belong on Earth. When Andrew admits his true identity, Tiana enters a world previously unknown to her and is plunged into mortal danger as it is Andrew's sworn duty to combat evil, extraterrestrial villains who wish to invade Earth and enslave mankind. Join Diane Daniels for a romantic adventure in Over the Moon, which will take you to a world where the impossible comes to life.

Book Details:
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Pub Date: July 2010
Format: Paperback
Pages: 256

Review:

Over the Moon is about 17-year-old Tiana moving to Hurricane, Utah. At first she hates the idea of living there until she meets the handsome and perfect Andrew. Not only does he have the good looks and a great personality, but he is an alien. Tiana and Andrew have an instant connection and both feel like it was fate that brought them together. In the novel they face many obstacles. There were a lot of questions I formed while reading, and they propelled me to read on to find the answers.

Seems to be a good read right? It is for the most part. I did have quite a few problems with this book and I'm not completely sure if it was the book itself or if it was because I was also reading another alien book at the same time. For one the teens in this book at times talk too maturely. Tiana and Andrew's conversations with each other were cheesy and cliched whenever they were talking about their feelings for each other. I wish Tiana had some other activity or something so she was not obsessing about Andrew throughout the entire book. The beginning was confusing because you are introduced to so many characters at once. Some of the chapters for some reason seemed repetitive. The whole book itself was a bit slow, but it picks up near the end.

Despite all the problems I had with this book I really do like it. I loved the obstacles the two main characters faced and it only went to show how deeply in love they were with each other. The other characters in the book are interesting and fun to read about. I also liked how the two main characters had values and morals. The christian feel and quotes from literary works were inspiring. The settings were so detailed that I actually felt like I was right there too. Diane Daniels is a promising author and I look forward to reading more of her works.

3 Stars!

And We Have a WINNER!

I had almost 80 entries for the giveaway of the signed copy of Salvaged by Stefne Miller! I can hardly believe it. Thats the most entries I've ever had to deal with. I know this is way overdue but I'm glad to say that random.org has spoken and has chosen Monica as the winner. So
I have already e-mailed you and am waiting for your response!

P.S. Check out her blog. http://theramblingsofabookaddict.blogspot.com/

7 ARC Contest *Open International*

Carol's Prints has extended her 7 ARC giveaway until Midnight tonight. Up for grabs are:

Signed copy of Matched by Ally Condie

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Torment by Lauren Kate

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

The Duff by Cody Keplinger

I repeat all of them are ARC and the contest is INTERNATIONAL! There may be 7 winners so each winner gets one book.

Here is the link to the updated blog post about the contest:

http://carol-in-print.blogspot.com/2010/08/7-arc-contest-additional-entries-say.html

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.http://www.thestorysiren.com/2010/08/in-my-mailbox-92.html Where bloggers can share what they got in the mail or from the store that week. Here is what I got this week.

For Review: Over the Moon by Diane Daniels (Thanks Diane!)

Bought: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
I wanted to buy this book after all the hype about but wanted to wait to get the movie-tie-in edition. Once I actually saw the cool features on the book I just had to get it!
I also went to Hot Topic and got a Hunger Games t-shirt. Lol Hot Topic is not really my kind of store to shop but the people there are awesome and so nice! Oh, who am I kidding I don't even have a designated shopping place!

I just realized that both books I got this week are books about Aliens.

Today August 14 is my Birthday!!!

Today is my 19th birthday. Gosh it is so scary just to think that next year I will be 20 and no longer a teenager! Regardless of my age, people are still going to ask my family how many kid's menus are needed. I hate it! lol. I mean I'm just as old as the workers and they think I'm 14 and that my younger sister is the oldest.

Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics

Anyways HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

Guest Post: Emma Michaels author of The Thirteenth Chime

Today I would like to welcome Emma on my blog. Here debut novel The Thirteenth Chime is now available and you can stop by her blog to find out how you can save a $1 off your purchase of her book. Here is the link to her blog: http://emmamichaels.blogspot.com/ I thought it would be great to not only celebrate my birthday (tomorrow!!!) but to celebrate Emma's book's birthday as well. I love this post and I hope you like it as much as I do! Emma is amazing, and I can't wait to read her book!

The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels

'A Sense of Truth' novel

Destiny has finally found the life that she has always wanted.
She is about to finish college, has a fiancé that loves her, and a great summer on the West Coast planned with her friend, Stephanie.
But her world is turned upside down when an antique clock mysteriously chimes thirteen times and someone attacks them, sending Stephanie and her mother to the hospital.
Alone, and without any help from the police, Destiny has no choice but to turn to the one man she had left behind a year ago - her ex-boyfriend, David.
Together, they must solve the riddle of the thirteenth chime before the clock strikes thirteen again.
Yet as they face their own past and hearts, a trap over half a century old is waiting for them to become its prey.
For revenge, fifty years is never too long…

Doing What We Love



I've been fortunate enough to have meet a number of authors in my life. Each experience left me with an interesting impression and I often wondered what the difference was between authors who do well, and authors who do really well. The answer? It's love. Almost every writer who becomes an author wants to write because they love it, and either from the beginning, or later on, they also do it because they want to earn money. But for the author who becomes really successful, he or she goes so far because they love what they are doing and push for it every day of his or her life.

For me, writing novels is my chance to do what I love. Getting to share the experience with everyone here on blogger and elsewhere is something that I also love and I hope to continue doing it for the length of my writing career. I've had interviews where I've been asked what inspiration or recommendation I can make to other potential authors who want to be published, and to readers out there who keep hoping for something different - do what you love. If you love to write - write! If you love to read - keep reading as many books as you can get your hands on!

I really hope that many readers and writers alike will enjoy my book, "The Thirteenth Chime". It is something different, unlike other current books on the market. For readers who want a good book to read, I hope you will find what you are looking for in my book. For writers, find inspiration and keep going with your projects. I want to one day read and love your books the way I hope you will with mine.

Keep reading and writing - we go so far because we love what we do and it shows! As long as we work together we can do anything! Even one day accomplish my life goal and get The Thirteenth Chime up to the New York Times Best Sellers List! I want to see you there with me so please never give up!!!

Special Surprise Tomorrow!!!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I have a surprise set up for tomorrow. So be sure to keep an eye out for that post! :)

I'm so excited to be able to post it on my blog! Its awesome! I hope to see all of you tomorrow on my blog.


Until tomorrow,

Mallory

Review: The Ivy by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Synopsis free review, since the review is long. :)

Book Details:

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pub Date: August 31, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320

My Review:

The Ivy has to be one of my most favorite debut books of this year. It is a story about a girl, named Callie, who is starting her freshman year at Harvard. Callie leaves California behind and with it her parents, best friend Jessica, and longtime boyfriend Evan.

At Harvard we meet Callie's roommates. Each of of her three roommates have their own distinct personality. First there is Mimi who is from Europe. She is a true party girl, but is a good friend. Vanessa is the fashionista in the group. Out of all the roommates Callie and Vanessa have times where they get mad at each other. Will their fights lead Vanessa to make a decision she will later regret? Last but not least there is Dana. She is all about staying pure and clean. Even though she was the most different character I wish Lauren and Rina put more scenes with her in there.

Then there are the boys that live across the hallway from the girls. We first meet Gregory, who is a jokester and takes nothing seriously. But later on we find out that he really does have a caring bone in his body, Then there is sweet and nerdy Matt. Matt becomes good friends with Callie and develops a crush on her. OK, who is a prince is a big and nice guy. He has a crush on Mimi. The last of the roommates is Adam. He spends most of the time with Dana. Then there is the good-looking upperclassman Clint. There one important thing that goes with him, his very popular ex-girlfriend. Who just so happens to be the queen bee of Harvard and can either make you or break you.

I was hooked from page one! The Ivy had me completely captivated. I was dying to know what Callie and Evan did that was so freak-out worthy (although I had an idea of what it was and was right). Who was Callie going to end up dating? Was her and Evan's secret going to get out? Would it ruin her and her chances of getting into a secret society?

Many people found that the lack of parents present in Callie's life was wrong. For me I found it a relief. Parents in books are made out to be the same. So with parents out of the way we get to focus on the main drama of Callie's freshman year.

The Ivy is a good look at how college is like and how students deal with college life. The back of the ARC gave very little info on the book so I had no idea what I was getting into. Turns out that was a good thing, because I loved the surprises. I found myself laughing, cringing, shaking my head with disapproval, excitement, and giddy. This book is a must read. I absolutely cannot wait for book two!!!

5 Stars!

Some more awesome giveaways!

The Publication Follies of Alexandra Shostak is giving followers a chance to win either Matched by Ally Condie or Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Ends 8/30!
Link: http://alexandrashostak.blogspot.com/2010/08/win-copy-of-matched-or-beautiful.html


Also, Babbling Flow has extended her ARC Giveaway of 7 amazing books to 8/11! So hurry up and enter 8/11 is just around the corner!
Link: http://babblingflow.blogspot.com/2010/08/arc-contest-update-extra-entries.html#comments

Review: The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Synopsis (from GoodReads.com):

What if love refused to die?

Haven Moore can’t control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother’s house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

Book Details:

Publisher: Razorbill
Pub Date: August 10, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 416

My Review:

I must admit when I first saw the cover of this book I knew I had to read it. The cover is simple and intriguing. You'll love the cover even more when you see it in person.

Ok, now to my review. Ever since Haven, the MC, was a little girl she has always talked about a boy named Ethan. Even now as a teenager she has visions of him. Haven's grandmother is convinced she is possessed by a demon and makes Haven stay home instead of going to college in the near future. With the help from her best friend Beau, Haven manages to run off to NY to search for Ethan. The plot doesn't really start until page 160.

In NYC she meets Iain Morrow and instantly there is a connection. This sets off a series of the past repeating itself in a way. The Eternal Ones is a mysterious and thrilling novel. You get to meet a wide variety of characters and you don't know who to trust right alongside Haven. Haven soon discovers her family's secrets as well as secrets from her past life as Constance. Many people has complained about there not being a concrete love story but I have to disagree. I found Haven and Iain's, or should I say Ethan and Contance, relationship refreshing and new. I liked how you want to root for Ethan, but don't know whether he is a bad guy or not.

I must warn you that the beginning is very confusing. As you read along it gets a little less confusing so hang in there! Also, I still have a question for the author: When Iain is talking about the past is it as himself or is he like possessed by Ethan?

The Eternal Ones is a new kind of eternal romance, mystery novel. I highly recommend you buy it now!

5 Stars!

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and is a weekly meme where bloggers show what they received that week. This week I got:





For Review: Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen (Mara, thank you so much!)

This week I was beginning to think no books were coming my way and then surprisingly Mara's book was in my mailbox Friday! Then when I got back inside the house and quickly opened the package I got another surprise! Mara put a Past Midnight bookmark in the book and she signed it! Mara you are truly amazing with the surprises! I can't wait to read Past Midnight!



Not pictured:
The Clearing by Heather Davis

Giveaways Around the Blogosphere

Today there has been a lot of great giveaways announced from really great bloggers. :)

Beautiful Moon Giveaway is over at the Page Turners Blog. I really like the name of this giveaway, isn't it clever? Beautiful Darkness and Low Red Moon are up for grabs here. Deadline is August 24! Here is the link: http://www.thecompulsivereader.com/2010/08/cool-new-program-for-college-students.html

The Reading Addict is giving away a copy of Immortal by Gillian Sheilds. Deadline is August 20! Here is the link: http://addicted2reading4evr.blogspot.com/2010/08/us-giveaway-immortal-by-gillian-shields.html

Confessions of a Bookaholic is giving away two Signed Copies of Echoes by Melinda Metz. Deadline is August 31! Link:
http://totalbookaholic.blogspot.com/2010/08/echoes-by-melinda-metz-giveaway.html

Good Luck To Everyone!

One more thing there is a huge 7 ARC giveaway over at Babbling Flow. Here is the link Giveaway Ends tomorrow!
http://babblingflow.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-saradise-7-arc-giveaway.html

Review: Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Synopsis (From bn.com):

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER? There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

Book Details:

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pub. Date: July 2010

Format: Paperback

Pages: 292

My Review:

Where to even start on this review? Forget You is my first read by Jennifer Echols. I have to add that I didn't even know what the term "Parking" was until I read this book. Anyways it is a story about a girl, named Zoey, and she gets in a car accident and can't remember anything about the night of the crash. Her only memory is of Doug, the so-called misunderstood bad boy, pulling her out of her car.

Zoey is afraid to admit to everyone that she has no memory of that night because she thinks she will end up like her mom. So she starts hanging out with Doug and tries to get information from him about that night.

I found Zoey to some what stupid. She kept saying that her friend Brandon is her boyfriend when it is obvious that they are not anything. I mean come on, they hardly ever talked to each other throughout the novel.

Forget You is a book the kind of book would normally not pick up. I can't deal with books that are sex crazed and graphic. The cover was so beautiful that I just had to buy it (Plus everyone loves Jennifer's books and it was getting great reviews) and give it a chance. I'm glad I did because regardless of my problems with the book Forget You is an addictive read. Forget You will have you reading and hoping everything turns out alright for Zoey.

Forget You goes to show that not every family is perfect. We all have our problems and that you may think you know someone but you don't.

3 or 3.5 Stars!

Books To Trade and Question

Hi Everyone!

I've been thinking about this for awhile now and instead of doing contest and giveaways, I'm going to see if anyone is willing to trade.

The books I want to giveaway are:

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (PB)

Lockdown: Escape From Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith (HB)

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (PB)

Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James (ARC)

Were You Raised by Wolves? by Toby Heim (ARC)

Some of the books I really want are:

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Shade by Jerri Smith-Ready

Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw

These are just to name a few. My wishlist is bigger than this.

If you are interested feel free to contact me at

cupidgurl411(at)aol(dot)com

If you contact me and I don't respond don't worry it just means that the deal will not work and I might just have to hold a contest for that book. But I will give you extra points just for showing interest in that book. :)

On another note:

I was just wondering how long it takes for you guys to receive a book for review from a publisher after you have requested that book. From my experience, some publishers are faster with their process than others.