Contest! Contest!

Kelsey at The Book Scout is having a contest. Up for grabs is Dream Girl and Dream Life by Lauren Mechling. Click on The Book Scout link to find out all about the contest. BTW Kelsey is a teen-aged blogger who loves to read. Her reviews are always filled with good information.

Click on this link to go to Lauren Mechling's blog. (Read About the Author to learn more about this talented writer.)

Here is the book blurb for Dream Girl: The most fabulous half-French girl detective around is called Claire Voyante, and don't you dare blame her for it. She had no say in the matter--she was named after her great aunt Claire, who died in a Parisian heatwave the year she was born.

When Claire was little she started getting random visions in her head, pictures of things like froggy umbrellas and pink hats. She couldn't resist fantasizing that they were clues and chasing them down when she saw them on the street. But nothing much ever came of it, just strangers who got annoyed when they realized a little blonde kid was lurking in the shadows.

When she turns 15 and her crabby-fabulous grandmother Kiki gives her a black and white cameo necklace, her visions take on a different shape--and a whole new meaning. Claire's off to a rocking adventure that involves private jets, a ketchup fortune, and a cute boy. Make that a very cute boy. About time!

Doesn't it sound great!

New Books!

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Woo hoo! There were ten packages on my desk when I got to the Elementary Media Center today. Inside those ten packages were 13 new books. Some were adult books by some of my favorite authors but these YA books arrived:

• The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
• Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkeles
• The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
• Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
• Fairy Rebels: Spell Hunter by R. J. Anderson
• Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
• Ex-mas by Kate Brian
• Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
• Once a Princess by Sherwood Smith
• Twice a Princess by Sherwood Smith

Now I need a snowstorm. With just three weeks until the end of the semester, time for pleasure reading is shrinking and the TBR pile is growing.

In My Mailbox (Jan. 3, 2010)

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets. Click on the link to see the rules and join in the fun. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the cool books everyone gets.

 

 

 

I was away from home for Christmas Break this week so most of what I got I downloaded for my Kindle. Here is my haul this week.

 

1. After reading a great review of Moonburn by Alisa Sheckley, I decided to buy it.
2. Since it was second  by the author, I bought The Better to Hold You too.
3. Everyone says that The Adoration of Jenna Fox is amazing. I have a copy in my Media Center but wanted one of my own.
4. I have the other two "Born of" books on my Kindle but wanted to have the first one too. So I bought Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Now, what do I do with the print copy?)
5. Again, I have the next two Jane Jameson books by Molly Harper for my Kindle. So I decided to buy the Kindle edition of Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs. (Have a print copy of this one too to get rid of.)

 

 

1. Wake by Lisa McMann was offered by her publisher as a PDF. I downloaded it but hated reading it in that format on my computer. So I bought the Kindle version. Much nicer to read.
2. While shopping the Kindle store, I noted that they were offering free books again. So I downloaded Once Bitten by Kaylana Price, Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent, and The Crossroads Cafe by Deborah Smith.
3. I have also heard amazing things about Gone by Michael Grant and wanted to give it a try.

1. 
   
   Deadtown by Nancy Holzner has been getting lots of buzz on blogs. I like the genre and thought it would be a good book for me.
   
   
   
    
2. 
   
   Here are the other two Jane Jamison books by Molly Harper -- Nice Girls Don't Live Forever and Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men. I loved Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs and really want to get to these two soon.
   
   
   
    
3. 
   
   Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles sounded good and had a cute trailer. I am currently reading it.
   
   
   
    
4. 
   
   I saw the movie Sherlock Holmes while I was home on break and thought it was very good. It made me want to read the stories and novels again. I got the whole collection for $.99 for my Kindle.
   
   
   
    

I did stop over at school (where all my packages are delivered) when I got back to town Saturday to see if any books had arrived during Break. There was just one lone box for me. (Monday ought to be a reallly good day though.)

 

Waiting for me at school was My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent.

Why is it that I always have to look up the title of that book? I just can't remember which order they come in -- Take, Lose, Save, Keep? Save, Lose, Take, Keep? Must be old age! Why couldn't they just be alphabetical or numbered?

 

That was my week. How was yours?

Review: Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles

Gentlemen Prefer Succubi

Author: Jill Myles
Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition (December 29, 2009)
Pages: 368 (read on my Kindle)

Product Description from Amazon: Who Knew An Angel Could Get A Girl In So Much Devilish Trouble?
Jackie Brighton woke up in a Dumpster this morning, and her day has only gotten weirder. Her familiar B-cups have somehow become double Ds, her sex drive is insatiable, and apparently she had her first one-night stand ever...with a fallen angel. All she remembers is gorgeous Noah's oddly hypnotic blue eyes...and then a dark stranger whose bite transformed her into an immortal siren with a sexy Itch. With help from Noah, Jackie begins to adapt to her new lifestyle -- until she accidentally sends Noah into the deadly clutches of the vampire queen and lands herself in a fierce battle for an ancient halo with the queen's wickedly hot righthand man. Who just happens to be the vampire who originally bit her. How's a girl supposed to save the world when the enemy's so hard to resist?

My Thoughts: This book was not the light and fluffy read that the trailer or even the book description seems to hint at. I found the first half a little hard to get into. Jackie is confused about her new life and we are confused with her. She retains all of her hesitations about sexual relationships from her human life but now she is a succubi and must have sex every two days. I didn't care for Noah who is the fallen angel who has the one-night stand with her. He is both stuffy and sexy and doesn't seem to want to tell her anything. His attitude felt almost paternal to me (which was sort of a turn off.) I liked Zane, her vampire master, much better even though he lied to her frequently. He seemed to like her for herself. The world created with fallen angels who are active only during the day and vampires (who are also fallen angels) who are only active at night was interesting. Having a unfallen angel as one of the bad guys along with an evil vampire queen was interesting. As far as succubi stories, I like the Georgina Kincaid books by Richelle Mead better.

Challenges: 2010 E Book Challenge, RYOB Challenge

Review: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs
Author: Molly Harper
Publisher: Pocket Star (March 31, 2009)

Booklist review: Jane Jameson’s mama said there’d be days like this. Fired as the children’s librarian in Half Moon Hollow, Kentucky; broken-down car late at night. But mama didn’t think about the possibility of Jane getting shot by a deer hunter and left for dead. Or being made the undead by Gabriel Nightengale so she’d have a second chance at, well, life. Adjusting to life without chocolate and sunbathing—never mind a job—has its challenges, but sexy Gabriel is one major perk. If only she can figure out how to tell her parents about her new liquid diet. And who is trying to frame her for murder? Harper arrives on the scene with a chuckle-inducing, southern-fried version of Stephanie Plum’s the Burg. This tale, the first in a series, is less about twisting plots and more about following quirky characters, human and vampire alike. Jane is smartly written and more than a librarian in name only. Fellow pros will recognize the trivia-loving geekiness and well-meaning sarcasm of someone who has long lived in the book stacks. --Nina C. Davis

My Thoughts: It is nice to start the new year laughing. This book was reminiscent of Stephanie Plum (created by Janet Evanovich) for the comletely outrageous things that happen to her but also of Queen Betsy (created by MaryJanice Davidson) because of the snarky comments and even Sookie Stackhouse (created by Charlaine Harris) because of the Southern ambience.

I love books that have librarians as main characters. Jane is a great smart-mouthed example. Her way with words frequently had me chuckling. For example: Jane is using the gift certificate to Shenanigans that she received instead of severance pay and buys an electric lemonade.

"For those unfamiliar with the beverage, picture a glass of Country Time that looks like Windex and makes your face numb."

or

We eventually wandered into a discussion of English literature. Gabriel expressed affection for Robert Burns, whom I deemed "too lazy to spell correctly." I would feel bad but he called my beloved Ms. Austen a "repressed, uptight spinster." I was provoked. We called and truce and decided to discuss a much more neutral subject, religion.

or

Vampires have bright eyes, glistening white teeth, unnaturally smooth skin, and a certain animal magnetism. If they aren't pretty, they starve. It's sort of like life in Los Angeles.

One character describes his mother as "the heat-seeking missile of motherhood." The book is filled with little, descriptive gems that I just wish I could have thought of. This was a fun read and I am looking forward to reading about the further adventures of Jane Jameson.

I have Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men and Nice Girls Don't Live Forever waiting on my Kindle.

This book is being used in these book challenges: RYOB Challenge, TBR Challenge, 2010 E Book Challenge and the Read Into the New Year Challenge.

2010 Debut Author Challenge

I have decided to participate in just one more book challenge for 2010. I will be participating in the 2010 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren. Here is a link to the rules. This challenge will dove-tail nicely with the 2010 YA Book Challenge.

I will be trying to read at least one  two three books a month by a debut author or a total of twelve twenty-four thirty-six books this year. There are so many great books scheduled for 2010. I can hardly wait to begin them. If you would like to participate too, click on this link.

I grabbed The Story Siren's list of 2010 YA Debut Authors and converted it to a Google Docs Spreadsheet. You can see it here. I tried to sort it by release date. Please let me know about any additions. I would be glad to keep the file updated.

Here are some of the books I am planning to read because they sound really super:

1. The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
2. Mistwood by Leah Cypress
3. 13 to Life by Shannon Delaney
4. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
5. Iron King by Julie Kagawa
6. The Witch's Alphabet by Caitlin Kittredge
7. The Mark by Jen Nadol
8. Firespell by Chloe Neill
9. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
10. Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
11. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
12. The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

I'm sure my list will continue to grow as the year goes on.

Here is the list of books I actually read and reviewed. Click the title to go to my review:


1. Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey (Jan. 4, 2010)
2. Firespell by Chloe Neill (Jan. 13, 2010)
3. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore (Jan. 16, 2010
4. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Feb. 4)
5. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (Feb. 9)
6.  The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg (Feb. 25)
7. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (March 7, 2010)
8. Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White (March 10, 2010)
9. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (March 25, 2010)
10. Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn (March 29, 2010)
11, Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt (April 2, 2010)
12. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (April 11, 2010)
13. Mistwood by Leah Cypess (April 28, 2010)
14. Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson (May 19, 2010)
15. Infinity: Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon (June 5, 2010)
16. All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab (June 5, 2010)
17. Sea by Heidi R. Kling (June 20, 2010)
18. Deception (Haunting Emma) by Lee Nichols (June 24, 2010)
19. 13 to Life by Shannon Delany (June 25, 2010)
20. Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis (June 27, 2010)
21. Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher (June 29, 2010)
22. Other by Karen Kincy (July 4, 2010)
23. Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill (July 14, 2010)
24. Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus (July 23, 2010)
25. The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride July 24, 2010)
26. Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James (July 27, 2010)
27. Manifest by Artist Arthur (August 3, 2010)
28. Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (August 17, 2010)
29. Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway (August 20, 2010)
30. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto (August 23, 2010)
31. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (Sept. 10, 2010)
32. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (Sept. 13, 2010)
33. Firelight by Sophie Jordan (Sept. 23, 2010)
34. Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham (Sept. 24, 2010)
35. Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin (Sept. 25, 2010)
36. Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer (Sept. 26, 2010)
37. Plain Kate by Erin Bow (Oct. 3, 2010)
38. Matched by Ally Condie (Oct. 4, 2010)

Holiday Break Reading Challenge #15

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"I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve. The start of the new year brings the opportunity for reflection about what we've done during the past year and the goals for what we want to accomplish in the coming year. Take today to answer the following questions on your blog. If, for some reason, some of the questions to apply to you, just answer what you can."

REFLECTIONS



1. What was your favorite aspect of your blog in 2009?


I just got back into actually posting on my blog late in the year. My favorite posts were about books. I liked finding information about new books and authors and including links and trailers.



2. Was there a particular featured/weekly post you participated in that you enjoyed and plan to continue in 2010?

I like the In My Mailbox weekly post from The Story Siren and intend to keep posting in that one. Besides seeing what others were getting, it led me to lots of very interesting blogs. I also signed up for six challenges this year and will be posting about those too. The blog will be more focused on what I'm reading this year. I have spun off my work as a media specialist into a new blog -- Ms. Martin Teaches Media.

3. Is there anything you don't like about your blog that you want to fix? (design, posts, followers, blog host, etc.)


I have been playing a little bit more with design on my new blog. I like Blogger. I wish I had more followers though.



4. Is there a blog you visit that you admire and aspire to emulate?

I read and follow so many blogs! There are good points and bad about each of them. What I look for is information -- news about up-coming books and book-related movies, author interviews, clear and concise book reviews. Since I follow the blogs in Google Reader or Bloglines, I am often surprised when I go to the actual blog at the design choices some people make -- black backgrounds with words that barely stand out and difficult to read fonts are two of my pet peaves. I also get annoyed when I visit a blog and music starts playing and I have to search the sidebar to figure out what to turn off.


GOALS


1.  Post clear, informative reviews of the books I read


2.  Post at least 3 times a week


3.  Try to have at least 50 followers by the end of 2010