From Amazon.com...

"In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces — to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time."

Book Trailer:

"If I Stay" was a novel that not only hit the blogosphere like wild fire but a book that my mom recommended to me. My mom and have very similar tastes when it comes to YA so when I found my copy at my favorite used bookstore, I picked it up without question. Unfortunately, like many of my own books, "If I Stay" was a victim of shelfism. I brought it home excited, put it on the shelf, and forgot about it. When D left a few weeks ago, I decided to listen to this novel while cooking, cleaning, showering, etc via audiobook.

"If I Stay" was a fantastic audiobook to occupy my time alone. I found myself drawn into the plot first by the apparent normalcy of the family, a family similar to my own and a family like the one I hope to have someday (you know, without the car accident), and then with the life story of Mia and the rest of her friends and family. But most importantly, it was the message of this heart-wrenching novel that had me completely entranced.

Yes, the characters were likable and believable and the plot was fantastic, but the heart of this story lies with the message. Imagine a freak accident on a normal day and having to watch the repercussions of that accident as an outsider, a witness, a bystander. The brilliant protagonist, Mia, is faced with this remarkable curse/opportunity and thus must decide to stay or to go. The power of this novel for me lies in the fact that while listening to this novel, yes I was paying attention to Mia's story, but I was also imagining my own.

I imagined a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of my parents, brother, and my fiance; even just thinking about it as I type almost brings tears to my eyes and breaks my heart. If it were my parents and brother — I think I could stay. But when I add D into the picture the whole concept becomes cloudy. I mean, the man I'm going to spend the rest of my life with, who I share everything with and tell everything to... could I stay without him?

Now, I've never been one of "those types" of girls with the whole "he completes me" bit; I am my own woman and I complete myself. And I know that reflex, religion, intuition tell me to say: "You must go on. You must move forward." But, really, when I think about it... if I had the option... would I stay? I don't know. I know I have things to stay for, but without my family I don't know if I'd be strong enough to stay. I don't know if I could make the socially acceptable "right" decision.

Alright, enough with my own melodrama and back to the review. This is me giving you fair warning: you will cry. Your heart will break. "If I Stay" will cause you pause and contemplation. I don't know if I could stay... could you?

Originality: 9/10 Ending: 10/10 Characters: 8/10 Plot: 9/10 My reaction/enjoyment: 8/10 Cover: 9/10
Overall: 53/60 A
-Visit Gayle around the web here: Website | Goodreads -BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Nook | Kindle
To the FTC, with love: Library Loan Audio / Bought Paperback
"Where She Went" will be released April 5th!

Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (April 5th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 264 pages
Source: Won ARC
Series: If I Stay #2
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's been three years since the devastating accident.. three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future — and each other.
Review: Spoilers! I started reading this book right after I finished If I Stay. Although I wasn't crazy bout If I Stay, everyone I talked to said that Where She Went was much better. They were right!

Where She Went is from Adam's point-of-view. It's 3 years after the accident and since Mia left for New York. Adam is a famous rock-star and Mia is a musician but they haven't spoken in years.

Adam is shocked that Mia just left without a word since. Now he finds himself in New York getting ready for a tour and all the memories return. Sometimes it's difficult to find a story with a great male POV but this one has it. I really enjoyed Adam and hearing about his adventures. Even though he was far from a"good guy" he was much more likeable than Mia had been in If I Stay. I believed him more and he showed more emotion.

Adam runs into Mia and they have 1 special night together. She takes him around New York to explore the city before they both go off on tour. Their relationship is strained at first. It takes a long time for Adam and Mia to reconnect. For obvious reasons, Adam is mad. He doesn't understand how someone he loved could leave like that. To make matters worse, Mia doesn't really acknowledge his pain or what she did to him.

The setting and plot in Where She Went was much more interesting to me. We get a glimpse of New York and flashbacks of how Adam got to where he is now, but it wasn't too much. I was still able to stay connected with their present-day time together.

Again, the only downside of this book was Mia. I was furious with her! She left, didn't say a word, then ignored the subject for most of the time they were together. I believed Adam loved her, but I honestly wasn't convinced she felt the same.

Where She Went far surpassed If I Stay, in my opinion. Adam is a fantastic character and his POV truly allowed me to see his personality and his true essence.

Recommended: I would recommend readers check out book 1, If I Stay first. It wouldn't be a must but it would help to understand what's going on. Readers who love contemporary or more emotional reads would enjoy this.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (April 9th, 2009)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 199 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: If I Stay #1
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen year- old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck…
Review: Yes, it's true. I just read this book a few weeks ago. I had super high expectations about this book because it has terrific reviews. I gotta say, I wasn't blown away by it. Maybe my expectations were too high? I dunno.

If I Stay introduces us to Mia. Mia is in a terrible car accident with her mother, father, and brother. One thing about this novel that grabbed me immediately was the strong bond Mia had with her family. Typically, in YA books, we may not get a great look at family relations. We only get a peak into the character's home-life and it may not be the best view. If I Stay paints a beautiful picture of a family. Mia's father and mother were loving and supportive. As Mia spends time in the hospital she remembers some of their times together.

The idea behind this novel, as well as much of Gayle Forman's writing, was terrific. She has a way of describing a setting that really helps the reader grasp what is going on around the characters.

I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks. Much of this book is series of flashbacks to Mia's memories of her parents and of Adam. Some people may enjoy this. It's just a personal preference but they make me feel really disconnected from what the"real" story is about. I don't mind learning about a character's past through their own thoughts, but this book just had too much of that.

The other downside for me was Mia herself. She just wasn't what as emotional as I would have thought she should have been. And she seemed a bit.boring. At the end I just kept thinking"Why does Adam even love her so much?" I couldn't get a good handle on her personality besides just knowing what she loves music.

Adam was the person who saved this book for me. He was interesting, caring, and passionate. Even though we really don't get to see him that much, he always managed to get my attention.

The main character and all the flashbacks were what really brought this book down for me but, as mentioned, those are just personal preferences. The plot, writing, and events that occur during the actual story were exceptional. I just wanted more from Mia.

Recommended: Contemporary fans or people who don't mind a story with a focus in the past and present.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

"
I was completely brought into this novel by the suspenseful writing, 'life-like' characters, and the riveting plot." — Miss Remmers

Release Date: April 5th, 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Challenges: 2011 eBook Challenge and 100+ Reading Challenge

"Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough... "

Okay, this "Stay" is another victim of me not reading the synopsis before reading the book. I began this book with no prior knowledge of it's plot and as a result was extremely surprised and enthralled. Immediately just by the tone of the book I knew something was amiss and I had to find out exactly what happened. I started picking up on the subtle clues and began to dissect and over-analyze every line.

The pacing of this novel was perfect; I wanted to know what had happened but I never felt like there was a dull moment. I waited for the "ah-ha" moment but my need to understand it was satiated a bit more with each chapter until the "big reveal." Part of this was due to the Deb Caletti's flawlessly elegant and thought-provoking language. I mean, really, on page 10 I was already thinking: "Man, I wish I had a hard copy to put sticky notes and even (God forbid) highlight in!"

I was completely brought into this novel by the suspenseful writing, "life-like" characters, and the riveting plot. It may be due to the fact that I am currently teaching Romeo and Juliet and have to teach each scene five times (five periods of English 9) and that my mind is just enveloped by R&J, but a lot of the bookmarks I made were because I wanted to share them with my students. They are currently struggling with how quickly Romeo and Juliet fell in love and I think that "Stay" describes that kind of "love" so perfectly.

It was also a bit sobering as before I met my Prince Charming I dated a few duds (emphasis on few). While reading "Stay" I remembered my first boyfriend at the age of 16 and saw some definite similarities to that relationship and Clara and Christian's. The jealousy, the rage, the anger, but most importantly the fear of being left and the addiction and obsession that came with my first "love." I remember editing myself, like Clara, in front of this boyfriend out of fear of his reaction. Like Clara, I have been addicted to love and lost myself in that obsession.

I think that "Stay" is the perfect read for any high school student and, after my book talk yesterday in class, I hope that many of my students go and pick up this book after it's release next week. When reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet they roll their eyes and say "that never happens in real life." While I pray that they are never in a situation like Clara or even a relationship similar to the one I had, I think it's important that they realize that this does happen but it doesn't always have to have a tragic ending.

Quick note: I think I would have really enjoyed the annotations (as that's how I tend to write, think, and talk) but on an eReader it was hard to follow.

Final Quick Note: When I was looking at Deb's website I realized that the characters are linked! I think that is SO cool — Nine Miles Falls!!! It reminds me of the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 7/10
Overall: 55/60 A

Because the language of this novel was caught my attention first and left me analyzing Shakespeare and my life, I'd like to share a few of my favorite quotes found in the ARC Galley. Please remember that any of these quotes are subject to change in the actual published novel.

"But something had already been set in motion, and I wonder and wonder how things would have been if I'd have just let that moment pass, the one where our eyes met. If I had just taken Shakti's arm and moved off, letting the electrical jolt that passed between us fade off, letting the girl return to his side, letting fate head off in another direction entirely... " (10-11).

"I had already made him into someone he would never be, and I didn't know it then, but he was already doing the same with me" (12).

"Dad was a priss about jaywalking... Or maybe he just liked to stare down what he'd testily call the "grammatical error sanctioned by the state." There is, of course, no apostrophe in the DONT WALK sign" (43).

"I tended to give a book chance and another chance and another, sometimes seeing it al the way to the end, still hoping for it to turn out different. Maybe I was confused about what you owed a book. What you owed people, for that matter, real or fictional" (49). Talk about a blogging reference!!

"I tried to read that book again before I went to sleep. I didn't like that book, but I kept going for all the reasons a person hangs in with something that isn't good — you feel bad about not giving it a chance, you've already come too far to give up now, you believe it's going to get better" (77).

-Visit Deb around the web here: Website | Goodreads
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Galley for Review

Thanks everyone for taking the time to fill out my blog survey. First, I'll go over the feedback then announce the winners below.
Overall, you all said you really enjoy my blog. THANK YOU! That means so much to me!

REVIEWS — All responses were either great/average.which is wonderful to me. I sometimes struggle with reviews and, oddly enough, the more I liked a book, the harder the review is to write. I feel like I'm not doing it justice. I had some people say they wished I'd add a section to my reviews that said if I recommend the book or not, or who it would be recommended for. That is a great idea! I will start doing this. I'll try to either add (Recommended for ALL/PARANORMAL/CONTEMPORARY fans), something like that and I'll add an age range when needed.

INTERVIEWS — Most of you enjoy my author interviews. Some said they didn't read those, which I completely understand. Typically, I add interviews when I'm giving away a book by that author. I feel it's a way to explain the book better to the readers and introduce them to the person who wrote it. I always alter the questions to fit the author/book. Sometimes they are the same questions you will see on another interview, but I try really hard to not just use the same questions over and over. I'm still trying to expand on this and come up with new post ideas for authors.

GIVEAWAYS — Responses ranged on this question. A majority said the giveaways were great, some said average, and a few said bad. Which is fine. I wanted honest opinions. According to blogger (and this number isn't completely accurate), I've hosted around 193 giveaways. Most of the time these giveaways are made possible by the author or publisher. I try whenever possible to include International readers by giving away ebook copies. Giveaways are one of my favorite parts of blogging because it's nice to give people the chance to read a book they may not have been able to pick up. I would love to host giveaways more but it is expensive to package and ship the books. People may not realize it, but many times bloggers do pay for those things (any time it doesn't come directly from the publisher/author). I'd love to have more giveaways, open to everyone, but it just isn't possible. Even an event like Haunted Halloween costs us (Lisa and I together) about $400 for shipping and supplies alone during that 1 month.

EXPLORING NEW YA — This was a new feature this year and I wanted to know if people liked it. The reason being because it takes an incredible amount of time to set up: ) I post it twice a month. Some people said they haven't seen it, and others said they read it, but normally don't add any of the books to their lists. Just a note, if you haven't seen the feature at all, you can click on FEATURES then EXPLORING NEW YA at the top of the blog. Lots of people said they love it and do use it for book recommendations too. I do enjoy having a place where new releases can be featured. I'm just glad most people do see it and may find some books they'll enjoy.

MOVIE REVIEWS — This part was kinda even around the board. Some liked it, some didn't, some didn't care.: ) This is a new feature that I do think I'll have on, but only occasionally. Maybe 1-2 posts a month related to movies. I liked this idea because we all watch movies. Sometimes these movies will be related to books (like Water for Elephants). When I got the opportunity to review movies for Fox Entertainment I didn't want to pass that up. Especially since they do offer giveaways for many of these movies. This is something I'd really like to offer to readers. Plus, I really need more features on here. I know people get tired of reviews and interviews so this will give me something to break that up. Hopefully people like it!

LEAST FAVORITE POSTS — This one had a wide range of answers but a majority picked either YA NEWS, INTERVIEWS/GUEST POSTS or IN MY MAILBOX. YA News is something I post occasionally just to highlight some things going on in the YA book world. Sometimes it's cheap books/ebooks, author news, book covers, or other bookish news. It's sort of a"misc." place to put things. I would like to make it a more enjoyable thing to read, but it all really depends on what's going on right at that time. I'll try to include more interesting things as we go along. Interviews/Guest Posts are kinda part of the norm for bloggers. I mentioned interviews above and I do want to make these posts more interesting as well. Sometimes these posts are part of a tour so they are out of my hands but I do want people to enjoy what they read. In My Mailbox will be mentioned below.

FREE/CHEAP EBOOKS — Most of you said you do want to know about free or cheap ebooks. This is something I've had in YA News most of the time. I'm going to keep a look out for these books and hopefully post about them more frequently. For now, they will be with other YA news though. I don't find out about them enough to have a separate thing so be on the lookout for those.

INDIE/SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS — A majority said yes, they do read these books. I try super hard to feature these books for a few reasons. 1- the books can totally rock! Some of my all-time favorite books are self-published or from a super small publisher. 2- the authors rock! 3- the books are normally much cheaper. This is especially true if it's in ebook form. So, an awesome book for only.99 or $2.99? Yes! And 4- because these awesome books from these fabulous authors are often overlooked. I'm not someone who will ever turn down someone just because their book is self-published or from a publisher I'm unaware of. That isn't fair. Every book deserves a chance and if it's something I think I'll enjoy, I'll read it. That's the fun part of reading. You never know where your next favorite book will come from. At the same time, it really makes me happy to know that the readers enjoy these books as well. I honestly wasn't sure if people did so I'm sure this makes a lot of the authors very pleased.

WHAT IS NEEDED? — This had a wide range of answers. CONTEMPORARY/HISTORICAL/FANTASY/MYSTERY. And this is why I loved the survey. I hadn't realized how neglected certain genre's were on here! Especially contemporary. I love contemporary books! I admit, when I first started blogging paranormal was my go-to type. Over time, I've tried to expand that a bit. This can be difficult because I'd say around 60-70% of the review books I receive are paranormal. But I will be changing this! I'm even thinking of having a contemporary week in a few months. I'm reading more and more contemp. books so you guys are in luck! I'm not a huge fan of historical and I really don't get many of those for review. Same goes for fantasy or mystery. But, I will still try to feature those books in some way. I do want to have a nice balance on here.

WHAT IS NOT NEEDED? I didn't have a ton of answers here but PARANORMAL was a common answer.: ) Sorry guys! I do have lots and lots of paranormal. Expanding my own book preferences is a goal of mine for this year. I've been surprised in the past by the books I've liked so I think it will be nice to get out of my comfort zone.

WHAT NEEDS IMPROVED? Some people commented here about the blog appearance. I do realize there is a font problem. I'm not sure why it's like that and my blog designer isn't sure either. It is small and usually I have to go back and resize each post (but then that throws the formatting off). This is something I plan to work on. Along with that, I hope to de-clutter a bit and change things around in the next few months. But it's good to hear from readers because I'm not sure how things show up or load for you guys. Others said NOTHING, so thank you!!: ) I'm so happy to see that many of you enjoy my blog and like coming here. I did see a comment about using more social media and YES, I need to do this badly. I'm naturally introverted. I do have twitter but rarely get on there. I lurk a lot: ) I do want to become more social on twitter and even have more conversations take place on the blog. Actually I'm working on this part right now (stay tuned for details on that!).

FAVORITE PART OF THE BLOG — You guys had such nice answers here! Many said reviews, that I think of international followers, that I seem to care about my readers (I do, lots!), that I'm nice (*blush*). Thank you! Sometimes it's hard to know how things come off when we are just typing them out. I never want anyone to feel ignored or like I don't care about what the majority would want. Yes, I blog for myself but I enjoy it because of you guys. Honestly, I would never do this if no one read what I wrote. The enjoyment comes from knowing that maybe at least 1 person will get joy out of a book I recommend, or out of reading about a new author. That is what makes everything worthwhile.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU COME HERE? Most said a few times a week, which is great! I know I've been slacking since October. Haunted Halloween sort of gives me a blogging hangover: ) I want to pick things back up again and I do have lots planned!

LAYOUT — Most people said they loved it or it was average. Personality, I do love the overall look of the blog but I do plan to change things up a bit because I know it can get boring. But the design will stay the same for a while, little things may change.

IN MY MAILBOX — I know IMM is something people either love or hate. Some people picked it as a favorite post and some suggested I stop doing it. I don't do IMM each week. I'm lucky to do it once a month.: ) So if you see a ton of books on here, that's why. I DO like to do IMM occasionally because it's a way to mention books that may otherwise not be noticed. I can't read everything I get, and I'd feel bad for getting a book that never gets viewed on my blog. IMM gives me a way to show the books where hopefully some people will see them and add them to their lists. I personally love seeing people's mailbox posts because I get a lot of good book ideas myself. Plus, it's nice to see an actual copy of the book (I'm all about book covers!). So I guess I'll be somewhere in the middle. IMM won't be something you'll see here each week, but I won't be cutting it out completely. But I did want to mention it so people know why I personally do it.

RATING REVIEWS — Everyone said yes or that it doesn't matter. I wasn't sure if people liked this fact or not so I was glad with the results. I pay much more attention to reviews that are rated but I didn't know if people agreed with that or hated if a book was rated. This will be staying the same. I will continue to rate books and will be adding the recommendations I added above.

Again, thank you guys so much for participating! You all had such nice comments and suggestions. Another survey will be posted in the near future related to Haunted Halloween. Lisa and I will give more information about that soon.

Also, be on the lookout for some new features coming up!: )

Winners!
US Winner (Wins Damon.uhh, I mean Vampire Diaries season 2, UNLEASHED, and AMPLIFIED) theatredreamer@…

INTERNATIONAL Winner ambiepie@…

Other Winners from past giveaways
UNTRACEABLE Kelsey D.

HUSHED Ashley
OBSIDIAN (ebook) Kristin A.

Courtney Cole, the author of If You Stay, is here today for an interview. You can click the banner above to see her tour stops and be sure to check out the giveaway below!

1. I have to say that the cover for IF YOU STAY is amazing. It is perfect for the book. What did you have in mind for this cover and what did you think once you saw it finished?

Well, first I'd like to say thank you so much for having me here.: ) I really appreciate it.
And my cover… I love it too. Sarah Hansen did a beautiful job. This was exactly what I had in mind. I wanted Pax to be front and center- and I wanted his vulnerability to show. I think it comes through loud and clear in this cover. And when I first saw it… I was breathless. It was perfect.

2. Pax is very strong-willed and flawed, to say the least. Was it difficult writing from his point-of-view?

He definitely is. He's stubborn, he's opinionated and he lacks the ability to be cautious or afraid of anything. He doesn't care about himself or anything else, and he definitely doesn't care how his actions affect anyone else. At least, that's how he was in the beginning. Surprisingly, it wasn't that hard to connect with Pax. I knew exactly how I wanted his personality to be, so I just tried to think that way too. I have a husband and two teenage boys, so I've been schooled on how men really think sometimes. And the thing with Pax is that in the beginning, he didn't have a filter. He said and did whatever he wanted to do.

3. Developing a character that could steal Pax's heart must have been hard. What qualities did you know Mila had to possess in order to achieve this?

Well, it wasn't really that hard. I knew it would take someone who was his polar opposite, but I also knew I had to put them in a unique circumstance so that he could really see her for the beautiful person that she is. I knew he would need to see that she is much more than a pretty face. A mere pretty face wouldn't have swayed him.

After she saves his life, he sees her as a breath of fresh air, something light which is opposite of the dark that he considers himself to be. He was intrigued from the start, mainly because he couldn't fathom that she would actually give him mouth-to- mouth in that circumstance. In his world, someone wouldn't have gone out of their way like that. But Mila did it without a thought. And that fascinated Pax.

4. Can you share a few of your favorite lines from the book?

Yikes. This is a hard one. Hmm. Toward the end, there is a great scene."Love never fails, Mila. And I'll never fail you again. That's a promise." I love that one because Pax had come so far.
Another one that I like is a thought of Pax's, from the beginning part of the book."She's like a breath of fresh air. I may be the big bad wolf, but even wolves need to breathe."

5. Can you give us a hint to what you will be working on next?

Yes. I'm working on a companion novel to If You Stay. It is titled If You Leave and it will follow Madison Hill, Mila's sister. Maddy is a pretty fascinating character and I can't wait until you get to know her better.

Thank you again for having me here with you today. It's been a pleasure!

If You Stay by Courtney Cole
Published: Lakehouse Press (February 5th, 2013)
Reading Level: New Adult
ebook: 220 pages
Summary:
24-year old Pax Tate is an asshole.
Seriously.

He’s a tattooed, rock-hard bad-boy with a bad attitude to match.

But he’s got his reasons.

His mother died when Pax was seven, leaving a hole in his heart filled with guilt although he doesn’t understand why. What he does know is that he and his dad are left alone and with more issues than they can count.

As Pax grew up, he tried to be the kid his father always wanted; the perfect golden boy, but it didn’t work. His dad couldn’t overcome his grief long enough to notice and Pax couldn’t keep up the impossible perfect façade.
So he slipped far, far from it.

Now, he uses drugs and women to cope with the ugliness, the black void that he doesn’t want to deal with. If he pretends that the emptiness isn’t there, then it isn’t, right?
Wrong.

And it’s never more apparent than when he meets Mila.
Sweet, beautiful Mila Hill is the fresh air to his hardened frown, the beauty to his ugly heart. He doesn’t know how to not hurt her, but he quickly realizes that he’s got to figure it out because he needs her to breathe.

When memories of his mother’s death resurface from where he’s repressed them for so long, Mila is there to catch him when the guilt starts making sense. Mila is the one… the one who can save him from his broken troubled heart; from his issues, from the emptiness.

But only if he can stop being an asshole long enough to allow it.

He knows that. And he’s working on it.

But is that enough to make her stay?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Looking for a good YA summer romance?

Sourcebooks has two fabulous summer lovin' books coming out. The Summer of No Regrets by Katherine Grace Bond and While He Was Away by Karen Schreck are both released May 1st. Today I have a guest post from Katherine on why we crave fame.
Sign up below for a chance to win both titles!

Why We Crave Fame
“Celebrity-in-Hiding.” When I first started writing THE SUMMER OF NO REGRETS, I didn’t want to admit how much that idea intrigued me. I’m a lot like my main character, Brigitta—all about finding the meaning of life, not fantasizing over whether the guy next door is a movie star. When I bought a National Enquirer, I explained to the grocery store clerk that it was for research— that I was writing a book (“Yes,” I told her modestly, “I am an author.”) I certainly didn’t normally read that sort of thing. Of course not. Well, okay, maybe the headlines. Occasionally.

But as I read through stacks of People and Star and Us (which is a lot like eating sugar cubes all day long), and more stacks of celebrity biographies, I started to wonder what the deal is about fame. Why does it fascinate us? Why do we love the idea of either being famous or being connected to somebody famous?

I think it’s because we’ve got some interesting ideas about “being known.” If I’m “known,” people know who I am, right? Lots of people. Those people will say I’m talented and beautiful and they’ll treat me with special respect. If I’m known, I get to wear amazing clothes and ride in limousines. People will do what I want just because I’m known. If I only eat the green M&M’s, someone will pick those out of the five-pound bag and put them into a crystal dish for me. If I’m known, I am important—more important than that boss who fired me, or the teacher who gave me a C and said “You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” or the security guard who threw me out of a mall in Seattle for plugging my cellphone into a floor outlet (true story!)

But is that really what being known is? Getting special treatment and being better than somebody else? Who really knows me when I’m known like that? What I crave, what I really crave, is to have a few people who will look into my eyes and know me—know how I wrinkle my nose when I laugh, and what my favorite show is, and why I’m afraid of guns. It’s what we all want, I think—people who will listen to us when we’re scared, and scream with us on the roller coaster, and trust us with their hurts. We want to know we matter. We want to have a few people we don’t have to hide ourselves from.

So is Brigitta’s next-door-neighbor a secret superstar? We can talk about that later. I need to go to the grocery store and read some headlines.

The Summer of No Regrets by Katherine Grace Bond
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (May 1st, 2012)
Paperback: 290 pages
The day Brigitta accidentally flings herself into the lap of a guy she's never met, her friend Natalie is convinced he's Trent Yves, egotistical heartthrob-in-hiding. When the boy, who calls himself Luke, is nearly eaten by a cougar, Brigitta finds herself saving his life, being swept into his spectacular embrace and wondering if she wants Natalie's fantasy to be true.

As the two spend the summer together raising orphaned cougar cubs, Brigitta still can't be sure of his true identity. But then again, since her grandparents' death, her father's sudden urge to give away all their possessions and become a shaman, and her own awkward transition from girlhood into a young woman, she isn't sure of anything. What is the truth? More importantly, can she accept it?

While He Was Away by Karen Schreck Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (May 1st, 2012) Paperback: 249 pages This is just something I have to do, okay?" I hear David say."The right thing."

He cradles my face in his hands. He kisses me hard. Then he lets go of me. His eyes dart from me to whatever's next.

All she wants is for him to stay. She's been doing pretty well, pretending he doesn't have to go. But one day, after one last night to remember, she wakes up and there's no denying it anymore. He's gone.

When Penna Weaver's boyfriend goes off to Iraq, she's left facing life without him. As summer sets in, Penna tries to distract herself with work and her art, but the not knowing is slowly driving her crazy. Especially when David stops writing.

She knows in her heart he will come home. But will he be the same boy she fell in love with?

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a copy of The Summer of No Regrets and While He Was Away.

• You must be at least 13 (or have permission) to enter.
• Name and email must be provided.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US only and ends May 9th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

Find Katherine Grace Bond Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Find Karen Schreck Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Apparently a lot. As most of you know, I was married in June and as my blog's title happens to deal quite a bit with my maiden name I was posed with the question: Do I change my blog name or keep it the same?

I've taken polls, asked friends, and contemplated on this idea for over a year (pretty much since our engagement in October 2010). And I am finally prepared to deliver my conclusion. If it isn't already apparent, I will not be changing this blog title for several reasons.

First of all, I love the alliteration. Maybe it's just the English teacher in me, but "Mrs. Urbanec's Reviews" just doesn't have as catchy-a-sound to it. I considered playing around with it: Urbanec's Utopian Reviews (completely senseless) or Mrs. U's Reviews (a bit of assonance rather than alliteration). But overall, I just like the title of my blog.

Next, I've been to BEA twice and a few other conferences. Not only have I handed my business card out to several different publishers, agents, bloggers, authors, but I have about 300 business cards left! While they weren't SUPER expensive, I feel like I'm not in a position to throw them away at this time financially and order new ones.

With that, I need to consider that this blog has been around for two and a half years. While I don't have a huge outreach of readers, the ones I do have are friends and colleagues. I feel like to change my name (of the blog, obviously) could potentially hurt blog traffic — something I've struggled with from the beginning to promote. While many people have done this effectively (most recently Ash from English Major's Junkfood to English Major's Narrative) , I'm just not sure I could. I loved how Ash incorporated her old name to the new with this subtitle: "English Major Junk Food All Grown Up," because what she's going to be talking about has changed. If you're interested in some fantastically cute pictures and the reason why — it's in this post. But Ash's blog name change and my potential blog name change (say that six times fast) are different and I'm not sure I could come up with as brilliant of connection between the two as Ash has.

There's another obvious reason: I have this really cool stamp that I stamp all my books with. It has my blog title and url. I don't want to RE-stamp all my books (talk about a hot mess) much less order a new stamp.

And finally, I kind of like having this blog a little bit separate from my students/school. Obviously I'm not going to rant about my students or job (as I love them both), but I do like the little bit of anonymity that comes a long with using my maiden name. Have I shared this blog with students? A few. Do I have anything to hide? Absolutely not! But when I created this blog in the beginning, (before teaching, the politics of teaching, and before discovering this amazing blogging community) it was meant to be a place to have students review their own reads. But now, (you can call me selfish) I kind of like my own place on the web. I like the freedom to post my own thoughts without trying to suede students to just pick a book up. I like the freedom to "geek out" or talk about personal events in my life (weight loss, weddings) — rather than feeling censored.

Will I continue to blog with students? Probably, it's something I would like to foster in my classroom, but until I get my feet more off the ground in this new school I think I'll wait. Will I share my books and thoughts with students? Everyday! Because of my profession, I am lucky that I am able to talk books on a daily basis and this is one area that blogging has helped me tremendously! Even if I haven't read a book, I'm able to give thoughts and recommendations based on YOUR reviews! My book group (now called Word Shakers) will still be meeting to read, write, and talk books. But for now, I just want Miss Remmers' Review to be just that — my reviews, my thoughts, and my life. While there are a lot of "my's" in there, I don't think I'm being selfish. And even if I am, oh well... it's my blog.:)

So for anyone who has skipped my rant and arrived at the bottom: I'm not going anywhere. Miss Remmers' Review is here to stay!

BRIDAL BONES

(a juvenile ghost story by Linda Joy Singleton )

THE SCAVENGER BRIDE

Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton Publisher: Flux (October 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Series: The Seer, book #6 The Final Book in Linda Joy Singleton's Popular Paranormal Series, The Seer

A whisper, too soft to swirl wispy candle smoke, carried across time, beyond life and death—and was heard."Our bargain is sealed. My secrets will be yours-when the girl dies."

In the thrilling climax to The Seer series, Sabine's psychic abilities, sleuthing skills, and courage are pushed to a dangerous edge as she deals with the mysterious disappearance of her ex-boyfriend Josh, a new threat against her boyfriend Dominic, evil magicians (both living and dead)—and a coldblooded murder.

- Thank you so much Linda for allowing me to share your short story on my blog.
To find out more about Linda Joy Singleton Linda Joy Singleton / Blog / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase Magician's Muse Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.

By: Jessica Souders

So, everyone who knows me, knows that Halloween is my favorite time of year, which is really weird, because I hate on things scary. I avoid horror movies. I steer clear of horror books. And video games that are creepy? No. Freakin. Way!
So why do I avoid these and still love Halloween? Easy. I live my own horror story.
It started as a kid. When I was six, I was CONVINCED that there were ghosts living in my basement. I refused to go down there if no one else was. In all actually there probably wasn’t, but it was creepy as heck.
Then we moved. And I had my first real, live experience with a ghost. We moved to this really old house. And at first I was supposed to share a room with my brother. It was only supposed to be for a few months until they fixed up the walk-in attic into a third bedroom. Then I’d get the ENTIRE thing to myself.
Of course, I was ecstatic. Here I was 8 years old and absolutely in love with the fact that I’d get the entire 2^nd floor to myself. That was until I realized how creepy the stairway was. It didn’t seem to matter what time of day it was or whether or not lights were on, that stairway was ALWAYS PITCH BLACK.
Even when my parents installed lights in the stairway, they’d burn out. Or break. Or something. So they eventually gave up. They’d fix it later. But I knew I no longer wanted to be in the attic. Something was trying to keep me out of it. That’s why the light was always broken and why I always got the heebie jeebies whenever I went up with my parents to move the junk the other people left behind.
So they continued fixing up the attic for me, but in the mean time I had to stay in the room with my brother. He slept on one side, furthest from the door. While I slept on the other, which was directly in front of the door. The headboard butted up against the window.
At first it was really cool. In fact, it was darn right FREEZING. Even in summer that room was cold. And in winter? Forget it. You needed fifty blankets to keep warm.
My parents blamed it on the really old furnace that looked like a freakin’ octopus. It was scary. I was sure one day it was going to grab me with its tentacles and then eat me, but I knew better. There was just something about the way it creaked and moaned and groaned. I was sure it was something evil.
Well, it so happened that I had to have surgery on my foot right before Christmas, so I was confined to either my bed or the couch. Not that I wanted to be any where else. The basement had the furnance, octopus, demon and the attic was haunted.
One night, I went to sleep as usual, bundled up under a dozen or so blankets. The wind howling behind my head through the window. And snow falling like crazy.
Well, it wasn’t too long after I fell asleep that I heard, “Jessica. Jessica.”
Thinking it was just my dumb brother, I rolled over to face the wall. “Shut up, Steven. Leave me alone,” I mumbled.
Again, I heard, “Jessica. Jessica.”
I ignored it this time. I wanted to sleep. It was cold and I was pretty sure the snot was going to freeze to my face, so I covered my head with the blanket.
Then I felt a slight tug on the blanket and again I heard, “Jessica. Jessica.”
I whipped off the blanket and sat straight up, glaring across the room to where my brother was. “Steven,” I said. “If you don’t go to sleep and leave me alone, I’m going to hit you with my crutch and you can’t tell mom, because you’ll get in trouble for bothering me.”
He didn’t respond so I was pretty I’d put the fear of God into him. Smug with myself, I lay back down, watching my brother this time. I closed my eyes, but kept them slitted open so I could smack my brother if he tried bugging me.
Then, I feel the tug again and my name, “Jessica. Jessica,” but this time I’m staring at my brother and I KNOW it’s not him.
In fact, he takes that moment to roll over with a snore, so I can see he’s dead asleep with his mouth hanging open and drool coming down his chin.
Freaked out now, I don’t know what to think, but I know I don’t want to know what’s tugging on my blankets.
But it happens again, “Jessica. Jessica.”
Scared, but knowing I have to do SOMETHING, I roll over and look to where the voice is coming from. Then I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out.
There at the top of my open doorway, is a FACE. Just a face. There’s no body. No arms. No neck. Nothing but a floating head, taller than anyone in my family.
The face was pure white, with eyes as black as coal. It smiled at me, when it saw I saw it, and it was the most terrifying smile I’d ever seen. I can’t even describe how scary it was. I just knew that if I didn’t get off that bed. Right. Then. I was going to die.
I didn’t know what to do though. I was trapped. The only way out was through the door the face was occupying. So I grabbed one of my crutches and THREW it at the face.
It sailed right through it, landing with a thunk. Of course, I did the only sane thing I could think of. I bolted.
Using my only crutch, I hobbled as fast as I could out the door and bolted into my parents room.
They were both sleeping and no amount of sobbing, screaming, or shaking would wake them up. I finally gave up and crawled onto the couch, where I curled into a ball, sobbing.
I did eventually cry myself back to sleep. Only to be assaulted with nightmares about a man who’d murdered his children and shoved them into the furnace in the basement.
The next morning I told my parents what happened, but they didn’t believe me. But it wasn’t long after that, that my parents blocked off that room and my brother and I slept on the floor in their room.
A few months later, we moved back to Green Bay.
I’ll never know what that was all about, but I remember it to this day and I still think about doing research to find out if those dreams were true, but I don’t think I want to know.

Jessica currently has a few books in the works. Here is a blurb from one of the titles.
After millennia of war, one has been chosen to save humanity from the creatures that mean to destroy it. But a choice must be made. A choice that will determine the course of history. But how do you choose when one path leads to Hell, and the other leads to death?

Brianna Ridley always knew she was special--a Halfling, born of parents from two separate worlds. But when she's yanked out of bed on the eve of her 18th birthday and rushed halfway across the world by her panicked mother--because her people are being picked off one by one--she realizes special has a price.
Another book is a YA steampunk Dystopian — Renegade.
Evelyn Winters has been trained from the age of three to be an Enforcer--a trained assassin--and the only child of the Governor and Governess of the underwater utopia know as Elysium. But, when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, finds his way into her comfy little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. The happy little bubble she’s lived in all these years has just popped and the person she knows as Mother is a monster. She must now find a way to rescue Gavin from her murderous mother’s hands, regain control of her body and the implanted instructions constantly urging her to kill, and somehow find a way to start a new life with Gavin on the surface.

- Thanks Jessica for the great story!
Find Jessica Souders Jessica Souders / Blog / Twitter

* Check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post.

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.

5. If you could share your thoughts or feelings with bloggers, what would you tell them?

I would give them a giant HUG! (You know, if they were okay with that. If not, then a hearty handshake or at least an appreciative nod.) Reviewing books and doing it well is hard. I am in awe.

Thanks again for inviting me to your big party! — Jeri Smith-Ready

THANK YOU!!!! — Nancy Holder

I guess what I just said – bloggers shouldn’t ignore or take for granted their role in the book community. If you have a decent following, you’re affecting the lives of others, including both authors and readers… as well as editors, publicists and anyone else who has worked or somehow invested in the book you’re discussing. Even if you’re just getting started and your followers are currently only real-life friends and family, what you put on your blog can be found by the world. I preach to writers about being careful what they say on their blogs and in other social media because once it’s out there, it’s there forever and for anyone to see. And it’s all a representation of them. The same goes for book bloggers. Even if you’re small and unknown now, you never know what might happen in the future and what you say now will still be there then. Think about what you’re doing and how it could affect other people, including yourself. Remember that an author’s book, especially their debut, is their baby. They’ve put their heart and soul, along with blood, sweat and tears into it. They may have worked years on it and they have put their last ounce of energy and self-worth into this book. And all of that can feel like it’s destroyed with a single negative comment. If you don’t like the book, you can say, “This book was horrible, the author is a fraud and should go back to their day-job” or you can say “This book wasn’t for me.” Which kind of image do you want to project? Do you want to be the person who says, “Hey, your baby is fat and ugly. You should never reproduce again”? I’d hope you’d never say that to someone’s face. If you’re going to say it on your blog, you’re building a certain reputation for yourself, just like you would in the real world. If that’s the reputation you want, then go for it, but remember, that’s the reputation you’ll get and keep. Think about what kind of image you want to project to readers, authors, the publishing community and the world at large and then be genuine to that image. And most of all, stay true to your passion – your love of reading and sharing the stories you love with others. — Kristie Cook

Thanks! You guys rock. You provide so much value to our Internet community and ask for very little in return. A bit of postage here and there, an ARC or some swag, most of which you unselfishly send back to your loyal followers with your contests and giveaways. All of our lives are richer for you being there. Please continue to keep us informed on what is going on, what you like and don’t like and why, what you’re reading, watching on TV and at the movies. As an author, I am keenly aware of the hours that you dedicate to your blogs. You are a mirror to our readers and that’s so very cool. So thanks and please keep writing! — Jana Oliver

I went through a lot of emotions talking to bloggers – and I’ve finally come to this conclusion: The reviews on blogs are for readers. It’s nice if bloggers love my book; if they don’t, it’s not my business. I want to say also that I appreciate the amount of work bloggers face: a mountain of books, readers expecting reviews, authors and publishers hounding. Blogs are a great way to make friends, to share your opinion, to express yourself in a wonderfully creative way. I think bloggers should continue with their awesome labor of love. A big round of applause for all of you! And Happy Anniversary to you, Jessica. — Julie Chibbaro

Oh, this is easy! Keep on doing what you're doing, because not only is it a beautiful support for emerging authors, it's also doing a wonderful service, spreading your passion for reading to all generations… keeping books in people's hands and on their e-readers! — Janenifer DeLucy

You know what I like best about you? Your commitment to great books. Even if we don’t have the same opinions, and even if we don’t love the same books, we have a common bond. I’m glad the conversation continues and that you are right there at the forefront. — Holly Cupala

Thank you!!! You all rock! — Beth Revis

I want to tell bloggers that I truly appreciate them and everything they do. — Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

I'd tell bloggers to keep going what they love. Even if you don't have the biggest blog out there, the time you spend on it still makes a difference. Hearing that you enjoyed a book can really make an author's day, which is one of the major reasons why I even started writing in the first place. Books are supposed to be about enjoyment and entertainment, and we do our best to come up with something clever and unique for you. It's nice when it works out the way we intend it. So keep up the great work!
I'll close with a huge congratulations to Jessica for a fabulous year of blogging! Between her schoolwork and her family, I'm surprised she's not forced to eat in the shower to conserve time, but she manages to put together an amazing blog showcasing lots of up-and-coming authors. I hope your next year is just as incredible! Thank you, Jessica! — Jason Letts

Most bloggers are so professional, thankful, polite and follow-through with what they say they'll do. I've only found a handful of those who have a chip on their shoulder and write snarky reviews or get so unindated with books, they forget to do as they promised. One thing that irks me is review policies that say"I will do my best to review books, but I might be able to get to them all" especially if they ASKED for the book. That is just plan ridiculous and unacceptable. If you agree to receive a free book in exchange for a review, review it (timely), especially if the author is sending a copy they paid for. It's just polite. If you can't finish it, then say so and pass it along. Don't waste their investment.Also, provide spoiler free or warnings that your review will have spoilers, please. Don't get me wrong, though. Overall, bloggers are awesome, thoughtful and I appreciate all they do! — Brenda Pandos

*I'd like to thank all of the authors for participating. You are all amazing and I enjoyed seeing your outlook on the blogging community. USE GOOGLE if you want to know more about the blogoversary celebration.

Amazon.com...

"The author of The Battle for Human Nature explains why too much choice has led to the ever increasing complexity of everyday decisions, why too much of a good thing has become detrimental to human psychological and emotional well-being, and how to focus our lives on making the right choices."

This book started out as a fantastic read — not only could I not put it down but I couldn't shut up about it! I even started highlighting and writing on sticky notes my thoughts so that I could mail this particular book to other people and discuss it!

One particular moment I remember was right after I had started the book after the first segment: I went to a coffee shop with my friend to be nerdy and relax while reading. I went to the counter and asked for tea. The employee asked me if I wanted hot or cold. I took a moment and decided on hot. Then she asked me if I'd like green, black, herbal, (and a couple other choices I don't remember). At this point, I was fairly overwhelmed. I said herbal (thinking that was the most simplistic choice) and she replied with a list of over ten different types of herbal teas. Finally, completely exhausted, I asked her to make whatever she recommended.

I grabbed my mystery cup of herbal tea and returned to my booth with this book and realized that Schwartz has a point! Choices are exhausting but everyone wants them! Few coffee shops could stay open if they only offered black or decaf coffee anymore. This short epiphany continued to fester in the back of my mind for most of the night; I had never realized how choices could stress me out.

Another example: I was at a restaurant with my family this past weekend and ordered breakfast. 2 eggs, toast, and meat. This decision forced other decisions:
"How would you like your eggs cooked?"
"Whole Wheat, White, Rye, or Sour Dough?"
"Bacon or Sausage?"
"Links or Patties?"

Now, even after this book has been shut on my night stand for over a week, I still think about the choices I make everyday and how it gets to a point that it does stress me out. After reading this, I also realized how society forces companies and other industries to have a wide variety of choices and how this has affected my life as a consumer!

Overall — a fantastic, thought provoking read. But about half way through I became exhausted. I'm not sure if the language or content changed, but after a while I was no longer able to relate to what Schwartz was saying. I'm not sure if this is because the information became slightly redundant or if it became more business oriented (an area I know nothing about).

Either way, I do recommend this book simply because I think it's great to evaluate the choices you make everyday. This book was extremely enlightening and thought provoking. I'm extremely interested to hear what others thought of this book.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 7/10
Characters: NA
Plot: NA
My reaction/enjoyment: 5/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 9/10
Setting: NA
Voice: 5/5
Style: 3/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 64/75 B

To the FTC, with love: Bought

Author Nicole Barker was kind enough to send me a copy of "Dancing with Ana" to review. I finished it in two sittings. Be prepared for a glowing review.

"Beth is a lucky girl... she comes from a loving family, she has three best friends. She loves to surf and lives five minutes from the beach. She also recently discovered that the boy she's grown up with has the most amazing green eyes... Beth has every reason to smile. Every reason to be happy. Every reason to feel blessed.

Then why is she sticking her fingers down her throat?"

I absolutely loved "Dancing with Ana." I'm so excited to say that this is the first book I've read all summer that I will be putting in the box labeled "Miss Remmers' Classroom". I am so thankful to Nicole Barker for emailing me and sending me this book. It will be a great asset to my future classroom.

It's a quick read, like I said — I finished it in a couple hours. And when I had to go to church, I found myself thinking about Beth and her friends during the extremely long winded homily (gasp!). Female students will not be able to put this book down after they read the first page. The cover won't bring them in (not a big fan), but if I challenge them to read the first two pages I know that they will need to finish it. It's a short book (170 pages) with big font. So even very reluctant readers won't feel intimidated. But don't let the size bother you — there's a lot of story between the covers of this book.

It has the right amount of romance — but the romance is the supporting issue. Teenage girls dieting is the big issue (obviously). Girls who weigh 120 pounds who decide to lose 10 pounds and try to hide it from their questioning mothers. It's been a while since high school, but I remember that game. "Dancing with Ana" is written so honestly that it's inspiring.

The language is beautiful and moving. When Beth describes her hunger for food — I was literally craving HoHos (no joke)! When Beth feels sick and guilty, I felt sick and guilty. It was astonishing. There's a lot of story in these pages and I'm glad that the book is this size — it's emotionally draining to read about eating disorders. The girls' thoughts are so honest (askew — but honest). Their relationships with their mothers, fathers, boys, and girlfriends are believable and easy to relate too.

If I could change anything — I would change the cover. It doesn't draw people in like it should for such a great book. Overall, it's an amazingly inspiring, honest, good book. But like I said, it's emotionally draining to read. But for the sake of my students (gasp) I'll suffer through it. That's complete sarcasm — I hope you got that. I'm going to email the author to see if I can set up an interview. And I'm hoping she'll send me another copy with a short letter inside for my female students so I can giveaway the original 'once read' copy of "Dancing with Ana". Stay tuned — because you'll definitely want to get your hands on this book.

If you're wondering about the title (I really was) stay tuned, hopefully Nicole will answer that question for us.

Find out what other readers are saying about "Dancing with Ana".
Tara — Tales of a Book Addict
Missy — Missy's Book Nook
The Eclectic Reader

I definitely got some things accomplished this week compared to last week. This week I was super busy reading, reviewing, cleaning, and packing. I wanted to get through most of the books from my mom's library so that I wouldn't have to take them with me — but, alas, yesterday when I moved back to school I did have to pack the last two (Eighth Grade Bites and Ninth Grade Slays).I also packed up all of my review books (I think there three or four), the books I've won but have yet to read, and of course the books I'll be giving away here in the coming weeks — "My Name is Will ", "Dancing with Ana", and "Boy Toy".

This week I finished Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, and On the Bluffs. I also had an Author Interview with Nicole Barker (author of "Dancing with Ana"). I went from fourteen followers to 26! I am super excited — welcome everybody to my little world of madness!

This week I sent "On the Bluffs" off to Sheila.

I am all moved into the dorm as of yesterday and begin RA Training on Tuesday night. So I'm spending these few days with my best friends and enjoying my last bit of summer. This week my goal is to get through "Eighth Grade Bites" and "Ninth Grade Slays" and start "Frozen Tears". I'm not quite sure how much time I'll have for reading this week (and next) — but it'd be awesome if I could get all three of these finished in a week. I also have a surprise scheduled for Thursday — so stay tuned!

This week's Guest Review was "Suite Scarlett" by Megan from WriteMeg! If you're interested in submitting a Guest Review — please find out how.

Last (but definitely not least), it's official. I made it into the Harry Potter class. It was completely full and I was number four on the waitlist — but I didn't really expect three other people to drop out. So I emailed the new professor (it's her first semester teaching at the college level), and was like "Are you going to be accepting more than forty students?" If not, I'd completely understand — that's a lot of papers to grade for a new teacher! But it is my last semester to take a Lit class (I'll be student teaching in the Spring) and I need another Lit class to fulfill my Literature Specialization. I played it up that it was cool if she wasn't going to take more students, but I'd rather know now so that I can look into alternatives. She replied (a week later — but better late than never) sayin that since it was my last chance to take a Lit Course she'd sign my add slip right away! I'm super pumped! Very VERY excited. Best part — I don't have to purchase any more extremely overly expensive books because I already own the HP books (we will only be covering the first four though). I'll make sure to keep you all posted with what we talk about!:)

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

OH and just a heads up — ignore my posts on Tuesday. I'm adding a 'box' to my side bars to help students find out the order of books in popular series (Harry Potter, House of Night, Blue Bloods, Sookie Stackhouse, Twilight). To you and I, many of these things are second nature. But to struggling readers, it might not be so obvious that Eclipse comes after New Moon. So I'll be posting several (probably five) of these posts — simply with the order of the books in the series — so that students who are unsure of which book to read next can find it quickly. Sorry for filling up your Reader — but it is necessary. Thank you for understanding. If you know of any other awesome series I should put down... please comment!:)

Like I predicted, I was unable to put Hunted down as well! I've been three for three with the last part of the House of Night series. To make sure I don't forget anything in my review, I'll stay up a bit longer to write the review!

From Amazon.com...

"What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil and all he wanted was you?
At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey's friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren't Neferet's secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn't want to hear and truths she can't face? On the run and holed up in Tulsa's Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well--they've even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home--but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex-, Eric, but she can't stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet's sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us?"
Like with Untamed, I enjoyed this book better than the first three. I felt like Zoey was finally starting to grow up and her character was facing odds that she (gasp) might not be ready to face. The book moved quickly and I found myself completely enthralled with it.
I loved Aphrodite's character. (I feel like I'm repeating myself haha!) She's just so surprising in every way. When I was reading Marked I just hated her! And with each book I find that I have gotten very attached to her character.
I also loved how the Casts' brought in the Virgin Mary. At first I thought maybe they had something against religion, so it was nice to see the comparison between Nyx and the Virgin Mother.
This novel seemed to be very well thought out. Everything happened for a reason — and the reasons were identified throughout the book. It's always nice to read a well thought out book like that.
I didn't like that Untamed and Hunted were so closely related — I'm glad that I started reading this series late because it would have driven me mad with the way Untamed ended, absolutely no closure, if I couldn't have immediately picked up Hunted.
The boy thing, again, bothered me. Three guys, come on — I know this is fiction, but please! Heath — please, we all know what needs to happen to him. Erik — she doesn't deserve him. Stark — I'm drawn to him, but I also have a pathological inability to be a good judge of character. Zoey just drives me crazy with all of these boys — I mean, it's just ridiculous. It's also slightly petty. I'm kind of getting annoyed with how quickly Zoey feels an attraction to the male species — it took her and Stark all of five minutes! I just feel like it's so one dimensional and fake. Now I realize that this isn't supposed to be a romance novel so I shouldn't expect mounds of development — but it seems as thought the Casts' were torn between romance and the supernatural. And if you are going to attempt to do it all, then you should attempt to make it worth reading by adding some depth(in regards to the relationship triangle, square, whatever). I could go with the flow of Zoey having an unexplained connection with one guy — but two, possibly three? That's stretching it a bit for even this English major.
Zoey's friends are starting to bother me too (besides Aphrodite, of course). I think that the Casts' have a very skewed view of bisexuals, African Americans, and even rich people (so pretty much everyone). I liked Damien, before he met Jack — now the two of them are just ridiculously cliche. And having more than one best friend who is a bisexual, it is kind of offensive. They must also believe that African American characters like Kramisha don't use proper grammar and in actuality have HORRIBLE grammar — again this is slight offensive and annoying. Finally, "the Twins" are beginning to drive me crazy. If you've at all read the books, I think you know why. Speaking of crazy — the recapping has gotten ridiculous. If readers have made it to book five, I don't think you need to recap the whole thing starting with book one! I found myself skipping entire paragraphs and eventually pages because of all the recapping — and not just of major events. But little things that should be put into the category of "show don't tell" — like that Damien is a nerd, Jack is Damien's boyfriend (therefore, they are gay), 'the Twins' aren't really twins, Zoey likes brown pop, etc etc. The list just goes on! It's sickening. I kind of hope the next book is the last because eventually I'll be skipping chapters of recapping!
Now I know I say I loved the book, but there are all these things I can point out that I really dislike about it. And the only thing I can say about that is that it's much easier to find the faults of a novel, for me anyway, than to point out exactly what makes it good. I really did enjoy the book and cannot wait for October — but at the same time, I need a break. I've read the last three books in the last three days and need a 'time out' from Zoey and her boy problems. I will be happy to begin reading The Man Who Loved Jane Austen tomorrow.
Check out my reviews for the first four books: Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, and Untamed.

The post you are about to read is 100 % **Role Play

All the characters represented here (please see the list of all Role Players provided below ) with the exception of Lisa and myself are **Role Players from a group on twitter. They have agreed to role play with us to help celebrate not only our Halloween Event, but also to help share our love for the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by author J.R. Ward, as these Role Players are also huge fans of J.R. Ward's works.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT NO ONE with this site/blog, Lisa’s site/blog nor the role-playing group — which you can find with the list of twitter accounts provided — is in any way, shape or form connected to or affiliated with J.R. Ward. No one present or represented here is J.R. Ward, nor is the role playing intended for any purpose other than the personal enjoyment of the Role Players involved.

Warning: This story contains mature and adult themes. L/J: *trying to get the topic back on track* Okay then, since were talking about Vampire movies and all, what do you think about the TV shows out there that have Vampires of the non-sparkly variety in them? Such as say… The Vampire Diaries or True Blood?

@Vishous_BDB: Only if we want a laugh, true?
@BellaR_BDB: I’ve heard of the shows from some of the followers, but I haven’t watched them. Do you watch them? *glancing at L and J*
@Tohrment_BDB: *shakes head* I don't watch shows about teenagers, first. And the True Blood stuff? Some of the humans on twitter complained about it being all wrong, so I've kept my distance.

L/J: So, being that we found you on twitter, which is great and amazing to get a chance to check in with each of you nightly… it looks like you all have fun with it? Was it you @Vishous_BDB who got them all hooked? And if not, how did you all get started with it?

@Vishous_BDB: Yeah I thought it would be a good way to get our stories out there. It worked, we have had several people tell us they read the books because of us.

L/J: @Vishous_BDB Your right, it is a great way to further spread the word about each of your stories.

@Vishous_BDB: *nods knowing I am always right*
@Rhage_BDB: I hate to admit he is right *nods at @Vishous_BDB* But he was.
@Tohrment_BDB: That's V's big brain working over time again. It's been a good ride, so far.
@Phury_BDB: V got us started. At first it did seem awkward for some of us, myself included. But it has been interesting.
@Wrath_BDB: I’ll admit to not being completely sold on the idea of twitter at first. I couldn’t figure out who had time for this shit. But as the leader of the vampire race, I’m finding it to be an excellent communication tool as well as the best form of agitation for the @Scribe_Virgin I’ve seen in a couple hundred years. *smirks*
@MaryL_BDB: The whole Twitter thing fascinates me. People are so friendly and they genuinely seem to care about us as people, not just us as figments of their imaginations. Maybe you could give us some insight into that. Why do people we don’t know follow our lives so closely? Not that I don’t love it!
@BethR_BDB: Everyone is really friendly and supportive of us.
@MarissaH_BDB: I have to agree with @BethR_BDB and MaryL_BDB. Everyone has been so kind on Twitter. When things between @Butch_BDB and myself were uncertain so many people has such kind and supportive words.

L/J: @MaryL_BDB & everyone… to answer your question, I think we follow each of you because after reading your stories we feel like we know you, even just the slightest bit. That this is our way to stay connected to you and see where each of you are in your lives while waiting the long way for the next book/chapter to begin within your world. And trust me, it’s a long wait…

L: Actually *blushing* – Jessica dared me to send a message to @Rehvenge_BDB and that’s how this whole interview came about. He suggested I speak to @Wrath_BDB. *Looks to @Rehvenge_BDB*, by the way, thanks again.

@Rehvenge_BDB: *standing, using the cane to lead my way to you* It was my sublime pleasure. *taking up your hand, stroking a thumb over the inside of your wrist… and FEEDING on your anxiety before heading back to the game*

L: *Stares at @Rehvenge_BDB and his purple eyes. Wonder if that really just happened. Hearing @Wrath_BDB’s tone – shaking head to clear the haze bringing me back to the room*

@Wrath_BDB: Rehv. Cut the shit, man. She’s my guest and I won’t have you using her.

L: Well, *still nervous* you somewhat intimidate us, though we thoroughly enjoy following along, so we both lurk. Maybe after this we won’t lurk as much?

@Butch_BDB: What the hell is there to be intimidated of? *grins*
@Vishous_BDB: True that.

J: @Butch_BDB — maybe it’s just that each of you, well the males at least, radiate so much testosterone… or it could just be the fangs.

@Butch_BDB: *smirks*
@MarissaH_BDB: It’s always nice to talk with everyone one Twitter. But I was nervous about talking with people in the beginning- it was something outside of anything the gylmera would ever have approved.
@BethR_BDB: There’s no need to be intimidated. I enjoy talking with everyone.

L/J: @MarissaH_BDB & BethR_BDB – Thank you so much for making us feel so welcome and inviting us in. Thanks to each of you really.

@MarissaH_BDB: *smiles warmly*
@Rhage_BDB: Yeah, you should talk to us. A lot.

J: @Rhage_BDB — now that we have had a chance to get to know you all, I definitely think we will be chatting with you a lot more.

@Tohrment_BDB: Hey, reach out, we don't bite *laughs*

L: @Tohrment_BDB *laughing with you* did you really just say that?

@Tohrment_BDB: *thinks to the immediate past* Yeah, I did. *winks*
@Qhuinn_BDB: *grins* No lurking allowed, ladies. Maybe a Corona or two will loosen you up a bit?

L: @Qhuinn_BDB *slight smile* well, while Corona is one of my favorite beers, I’d much rather have some Tequila. *blushing*

@Qhuinn_BDB: *Grins at Lisa, holding up a lime and the salt shaker* I've got the Heradurra right here, babe. Body shots on me?

L: *stares at @Qhuinn_BDB Speechless*

J: @Qhuinn_BDB actually, right about now I could use one… Could you pass one over?

@Blaylock_BDB: Truly, be at ease. We really enjoy interacting with our followers. Oh, and ignore @Qhuinn_BDB. I try to. *smiles, blushing slightly*

J: *giggles after drinking* Aww @Blaylock_BDB you’re just too sweet! *walks across the room and touches his cheek. Thinking this Corona is starting to relax me*

@Blaylock_BDB: *blushing brighter at your touch* Thanks.

J: Um, how about a question for each of you? Do you enjoy reading and if so, what’s your favorite type of story?

@Butch_BDB: Mysteries for me. The cop in me never really went away totally.
@Vishous_BDB: I love to read. Everything. I have thousands of books. I enjoy anything that makes me think.
@Tohrment_BDB: I like to read vampire stories for a good laugh and conspiracy theory fiction. The DaVinci Code wasn't bad. I can also read about cars for days. The Complete Book of Corvette and Porsche: Excellence Was to be Expected are two of my faves. Lots of beauty in those pages. *Thinks about the Stingray* I think that covers it.
@Rehvenge_BDB: Mob stories. Big fan. *enigmatic grin*
@Zsadist_BDB: *lips curl in a smile* Anything Nalla wants me to read to her.

L: @Zsadist_BDB Oh, I almost forgot – here *passes to @Zsadist_BDB* I brought this book for Nalla. I found it just the other day and thought she might like it. It’s called Cloudette. *smiles*

@Zsadist_BDB: *smiling — nods* Nalla will love it. Thank you *glances over at Nalla and Bella, smile widens*
@Phury_BDB: I enjoy reading a wide variety of things.
@Wrath_BDB: *shakes head* Unless I can get something in Braille otherwise @BethR_BDB reads to me. I love hearing her voice, so it’s all good.
@BethR_BDB: I enjoy anything I can read to Wrath. But I’m not going to lie; I like a good Nicholas Sparks book just as much as the next female.
@BellaR_BDB: I like romance novels. *smiles* I like happy ever afters.
@EhlenaA_BDB: I read everything I can get my hands on. *looks to @Rehvenge_BDB* I’m currently reading “Mind Manipulation: Ancient and Modern Ninja Techniques”… you know… gotta stay sharp.

J: @EhlenaA_BDB — Same here. I try to read a variety of different books. Never know what ones may turn into favorites. *thinking of picking up that book… never know when it may come in handy*

@MaryL_BDB: I’m very much a reader. Currently I’m reading Our Synaptic Selves, though usually I read the latest in childhood disorders. The field changes so fast, it’s hard to keep up.
@MarissaH_BDB: Well, I’ve been enjoying reading books that @MaryL_BDB found for me as wonderful reference points for SafePlace. I continue to feel like there is so much that I don’t know.
@Qhuinn_BDB: *runs a hand through my dark, spiky hair* Hmm… Do video game guides count
@Blaylock_BDB: *laughs* Um… no, @Qhuinn_BDB, video game guides don’t count. We’ve been pretty busy lately, but I really like Joe Hill.
@Lassiter_BDB: I prefer TV.

L: @Lassiter_BDB how did I know you were going to say that? *laughing*
J: @Lassiter_BDB oh, do you mean more of those Lifetime Movies that were mentioned before.

@Lassiter_BDB: Exactly. Classy TV.
@CormiaC_BDB: I have been devouring every book about architecture that @Phury_BDB has been able to find for me. And human history books. I’m intimately familiar with our race’s history but now I’m curious about other histories.

L/J: This one is for the Shellans – how do you each put up with all the fighting? *glances over to see @Tohrment_BDB and looks away sad to have asked such a question*

@Tohrment_BDB: *Knowing I'm going to have to ride this out, it's what Wellsie wanted for me. Resolved to stick around no matter how thick it gets, trying to focus on sinking my next shot instead.*
@MarissaH_BDB: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry every time @Butch_BDB goes out hunting--what he does is different than what the other Brothers do, and it will always frighten me. But I trust him, and I trust that he will do everything in his power to come home to me each night. *sees @Butch_BDB watching me, smiles at him in return*
@Butch_BDB: *winks at @MarissaH_BDB*
@CormiaC_BDB: I knew @Phury_BDB first as the Primale and a warrior, so I always knew this was part of who he is. It doesn’t mean I don’t worry, because I do. But I know that he and his Brothers are fighting for our entire race, and that’s a calling greater than my worry. And besides, he’s already proven he’s stronger than even he knew… *smiles proudly at @Phury_BDB*
@DocJaneW_BDB: *Looking up from the plans for the new clinic and shaking my head* You just can't think about it. *glancing over at V who's leaning on his cue, smiling at him* And I'll be damned if I ever lose any of them should they need my expertise.
@BellaR_BDB: *looks at Nalla* I worry. I try not to, but I do. *looks over at @Zsadist_BDB* But even while I’m worrying, I know that @Zsadist_BDB will always do everything in his power to come home to us. And I choose to believe that he will.
@MaryL_BDB: *sighs* I know it’s important to him, to his Brothers, so I just kiss him before he goes and then hold my breath until he comes home. I think I’m comforted by my pet, the one he calls “the beast”. Well, his beast and I have an arrangement. He keeps my Rhage safe and I scratch him behind the ears when he gets home. *giggles and winks @Rhage_BDB*
@BethR_BDB: I know how frustrating it is that @Wrath_BDB can’t be out fighting alongside his brothers, but he has a responsibility to the race as their King which he takes very seriously. I worry about the other warriors who are out in the streets every night, hunting down lessers and keeping us safe. @Wrath_BDB worries about even more than I do, and I don’t like to think of how hard he would take it if something happened to one of them.
@EhlenaA_BDB: I don’t worry overly much about @Rehvenge_BDB fighting. His battles are waged on a different field. *taps head*

L: The strength each of you has is amazing. I can hear it in your voices; see it in your body language. The conviction in our words comes shining through when speaking of such a hard subject. Thank you for your honest answers.

@DocJaneW_BDB: *nods* You're welcome. You have to be strong to handle one of these males, trust me. All the women here are tough as nails, couldn't be happier to find myself in their ranks.
@BellaR_BDB: *smiling* You’re welcome.

L/J: *gets up to walk around – seeing how natural they all are with each other, makes my/our nerves settle some* (hearing laughing over a game of pool between @Vishous_BDB & @Tohrment_BDB we walk over to check it out.*

@Vishous_BDB: *taking a shot*

L: Who’s winning?

@Vishous_BDB: *nods at @Tohrment_BDB* Want to play winner?
@Tohrment_BDB: *Eying the 3 ball, knowing I can bank it in if V misses his next shot*

J: Ohhh, no, we’re still playing Monopoly with @Wrath_BDB, @Rehvenge_BDB, @Zsadist_BDB, @Phury_BDB. We just came over to see what you guys were laughing about?

@Vishous_BDB: Well you did bring up the sparkly vamps so we had to give @Rhage_BDB some flack, true?
@Rhage_BDB: *flips V off*
@Tohrment_BDB: *shaking my head at all the sparkle talk*
@Lassiter_BDB: *still glowing* What is wrong with sparkle?
@Rehvenge_BDB: *finally absconding with Park Place AND Boardwalk, nailing the Brothers with sly amethyst eyes* Just hand over your banks now, ladies. *steepled fingers*

L: Who’s winning at the monopoly game? Oh… not sure, but I believe @Wrath_BDB might be. *feeling less and less nervous, but knowing it can return at anytime with so many males of this size packed into this room.*

@Rehvenge_BDB: *pulling all Z’s internal outrage for a snack and replacing it with the overwhelming desire to bake Halloween cupcakes*
@Zsadist_BDB: *feeling like I want to bake some cupcakes – shakes head and glares at @Rhevenge_BDB * You Fu… *growls*
@Wrath_BDB: *grins* Of course I’m winning. And Rehv? Park Place and Boardwalk mean nada. *laughs*
@Rehvenge_BDB: *shouts above the music that it’s Jessica’s turn*

L/J: *looking up at @Vishous_BDB, @Rhage_BDB, @Tohr_BDB & @Butch_BDB over the pool table* we’ll come back again in a few… *walking back over to the couch – noticing @John_MatthewBDB and @Xhex_BDB have joined the group* `1

Be sure to come back tomorrow night for the 3rd and final part of our interview! You won't want to miss out it AND we'll have another surprise tomorrow night as well!

If you would like to follow along with the all the Black Dagger Brotherhood Twitter Role Players is part of this group, please USE GOOGLE to easily follow each character. And trust me, you don't know what your missing! So hurry and follow today!

@FritzDoggen_BDB Online: (updates, notes and information on the Twitter Role Playing Group)

Website | Twitter

Order All 8 books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and Preorder book 9 Online here:

Amazon | Borders | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Thank you so much to all the characters from the Black Dagger Brotherhood Twitter Role Play group for all the time and effort they have been putting in to help us celebrate not only Halloween and our event, but also our love for all that is the Brotherhood and J.R. Ward.

Reference:

**Role Play

–verb (used with object)
1. to assume the attitudes, actions, and discourse of (another), esp. in a make-believe situation in an effort to understand a differing point of view or social interaction: Management trainees were given a chance to role-play labor negotiators.
2. to experiment with or experience (a situation or viewpoint) by playing a role: trainees role-playing management positions.
–verb (used without object)
3. to engage in role-playing.

Interview by Lisa (L) & Jessica (J)

All who are attending?

Playing Pool are Vishous_BDB & @Tohrment_BDB with @Butch_BDB and @Rhage_BDB playing next.
Playing Monopoly are @Rehvenge_BDB, @Zsadist_BDB, @Wrath_BDB, @Phury_BDB, and Jessica and I.
@BellaR_BDB and @BethR_BDB are playing with Nalla.
@DocJaneW_BDB, @MaryL_BDB, @CormiaC_BDB, @EhlenaA_BDB, and @MarissaH_BDB are looking over more plans for the medical facility while waiting for a shellan monopoly. It is much calmer. No daggers.
@John_MatthewBDB and @Xhex_BDB come in later, still in honeymoon phase they are… looking happy.
@Qhuinn_BDB and @Blaylock_BDB are playing Xbox.
@Lassiter_BDB flutters from group to group inputting his two cents.
@FritzDoggen_BDB serving crepes and drinks.

Check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post! NOTE: This post will be the same on both of our blogs.

REMINDER: *If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please ready full entry rules HERE.

Hey everyone! Today kicks off the Baby, It's Cold Outside blog tour! Aimee, Kate, Heidi and Amy have stopped by today to do a few fun"This or That" and Fill in the Blank questions. Be sure to check out the giveaway below for a $10 Gift Card! A new giveaway will be featured during each week of the tour.

FOLLOW THE TOUR

AIMEE CARSON
This or That List:

Hot or Cold: Cold! I grew up in Florida and I hate hot weather.
Hot Chocolate or Coffee: In answer to your question, I lugged my espresso maker all the way to last year’s Romance Writers of America conference in Anaheim. I’ll be taking it next year too.
Real Tree or Fake Tree: Real. You just can’t beat the wonderful scent of pine on Christmas morning.
Spending time by the fire or Spending time in the snow: I’m gonna be greedy here and say I want to play in the snow and then snuggle up in front of the fire afterward. The two kinda go together like peanut butter and chocolate.
Fill in the Blank:
My story is perfect for the holidays because_______ my feisty heroine has just suffered through the worst year of her life when she runs into the hero on New Year’s Day. ‘Tis the Season to be Tempted is all about new beginnings, and having the courage to start over.
My characters begin the story as (friends, enemies, strangers, etc.)_______ Hmm, this is a tough one. My hero is best friends with the heroine’s older brother. They grew up together, with the hero always being a little disapproving of the heroine’s questionable choices. She’s … ah, kind of a nonconformist. And there’s always been this lingering unspoken attraction. Of course, they were too different to consider a romantic relationship. So… friends? Sort of. Enemies? Sometimes. Strangers? In all the ways that really count. This book is about them revealing their true selves.
A perfect gift for the characters in my story would be_________ a gourmet set of kitchen utensils, but you’ll have to read the book to find out why! *insert evil laugh*
If I could spend Christmas with any celebrity it would be_________ Conan O'Brien, because he makes me laugh!

KATE HARDY This or That List:

Hot or Cold Cold — I can't sleep if I'm too hot!

Hot Chocolate or Coffee — Coffee (especially if it's a skinny latte — though after my one proper coffee a day I tend to drink instant whole bean decaf)

Real Tree or Fake Tree — I would love a real one, like the one we had when I was a child, but we have a fake one which is narrow and doesn't take up quite so much room

Spending time by the fire or Spending time in the snow — as long as I don't have to drive in it, snow (otherwise, please let me stay by the fire with a good book!)

Fill in the blank

My story is perfect for the holidays because _________ it's all about second chances and learning the true meaning of Christmas

My characters begin the story as (friends, enemies, strangers, etc.) ___________ total strangers

A perfect gift for the characters in my story would be __________ exactly what they get — each other!

If I could spend Christmas with any celebrity it would be _________ Antonio Banderas, because he's utterly gorgeous (as well as coming across in interviews as a really, really nice guy) and he dances the tango beautifully (see 'Take the Lead' for details): o) And as we're learning the tango in ballroom dance class next term, I would love to dance the tango with him. (Or the waltz. I bet he waltzes perfectly, too!)

HEIDI RICE
This or That

Hot or Cold: Cold (and snuggly)

Hot Chocolate or Coffee: Coffee with Skimmed milk when I'm being good, Hot Chocolate with cream when I'm being bad (I'm usually bad!)

Real Tree or Fake Tree: Real tree, gotta be, it's not Christmas if you can't smell the Norwegian spruce in our living room.

Spending time by the fire or Spending time in the snow: Time by the fire (after time in the snow!)

Fill in the blank
My story is perfect for the holidays because _______ it'll whisk you away to a luxury department store on Fifth Avenue where there are no queues, you can have anything you want without paying for it and there's a hunky guy on hand to rub your feet when you're done! And there's a really hot romance in there somewhere, too!

My characters begin the story as (friends, enemies, strangers, etc.) ______ strangers with misconceptions about each other.

A perfect gift for the characters in my story would be ________ Each other!
If I could spend Christmas with any celebrity it would be _______ Pierce Brosnan who would take me to Mauii. Why? Because I've heard he looks super cute in a sarong!

AMY ANDREWS
This or That
Hot or Cold — Hot
Hot Chocolate or Coffee — Hot Chocolate
Real Tree or Fake Tree — Fake
Spending time by the fire or Spending time in the snow — By the Fire (whilst watching the snow out the window)

Fill in the blank
My story is perfect for the holidays because _it’s about two strangers in a snowed-in cabin, perfect for long, lazy days snuggled up in bed!______
My characters begin the story as (friends, enemies, strangers, etc.) ___strangers.
A perfect gift for the characters in my story would be ___a super-size box of condoms!
If I could spend Christmas with any celebrity it would be _George Clooney because I couldn’t think of any other celebrity I’d want to kiss under the mistletoe quite as much as George!

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Amy Andrews, Aimee Carson, Kate Hardy, and Heidi Rice
Published: Entangled Publishing (November 19th, 2012)
Reading Level: Adult

Four novellas from four of the biggest names in romantic fiction!

Kate Hardy's 'TIS THE SEASON TO KISS SANTA

With the help of a sprig of mistletoe and some snow angels, a recently single pastry chef teaches a highly successful and sexy Scrooge the true meaning of the holidays on a snowy Christmas Eve that quickly heats up.

Heidi Rice's 'TIS THE SEASON TO GO SHOPPING

When a Christmas Day blizzard strands an up-and-coming marketing manager and her boss's very off-limits, very hot playboy son in his department store, the two toe the line between naughty and nice as they unwrap their holiday presents—and each other!

Amy Andrews’s ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR KISSING

A down-on-her-romantic-luck kindergarten teacher plans to drown her New Year’s Eve sorrows in a gallon of spiked eggnog, but the arrival of her best friend's sexy brother threatens to melt the snow piling up outside the tiny Vermont cabin.

Aimee Carson’s ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE TEMPTED

After the worst year ever, a jilted music manager rings in the New Year alone, swearing off men forever. But things get complicated when her brother's best friend, the perfect man with the perfect body, tempts her to break her vow—if only for one hot night!

Follow Kate Hardy Website | Facebook | Twitter
Follow Heidi Rice Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Follow Amy Andrews Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Follow Aimee Carson Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

TOUR GIVEAWAY

Each week of the tour will feature a giveaway! Remember to enter each week for a new chance to win a gift card! Just sign up below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Just leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook copy of BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

I have Lorraine Zago Rosenthal here today to talk about her newest book, New Money.

I'm part of the blog tour and I have an exclusive excerpt from the book below.

Tina had a constant cash flow, but unlike most of the girls I’d grown up with, she’d never been snooty about the fact that I didn’t. She nodded, the light changed, and she hit the gas. “You mean you need money to get your car fixed? Don’t worry about that… I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

“I know. I appreciate it, but I’m not going to keep imposing on you. I need my own car, and I also need to help Mom. Business has been slow… the bills are piling up.”

Tina drove me to an upscale outdoor mall where I handed in applications at Sephora and Banana Republic and eight other stores before catching up with her at the bridal shop where we’d planned to meet. She was leaning against its front window and twirling her hair.

“Maybe I should apply here,” I said, peeking in the window. Tina was covering part of it, and all I could see was half of a mannequin dressed in a white organza gown.

She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I kept trying to look into the store, but she blocked me. “Why isn’t it a good idea? And what are you doing?” I asked impatiently. “Get out of the way.”

She folded her arms over her low-cut blouse and didn’t move. “Forget this place, Savannah. It’s filled with snobby women like my stepmother. You don’t want to work here.” She draped an arm around my shoulders, shoved my head down so I was staring at cement, and led me away.

The smell of her mango perfume was suffocating in the heat, and I wasn’t in the mood for whatever game she was playing. I disconnected myself from her and headed back to the store.

She tried to stop me, but it was too late. I stared through the bridal shop’s window at a pretty redhead admiring her reflection in a full-length mirror. She wore a flowing wedding dress, and her mother and a saleslady beamed at her. She looked like a princess. Cinderella. Somebody’s dream.

I swallowed. This was why Tina had tried to keep me away.

She was beside me. “It doesn’t matter. It isn’t what you wanted.”

That’s what I’d thought two years ago, when Jamie bought a diamond ring and asked me to marry him. He was in law school at the University of South Carolina then. He’d wanted to tie the knot when he graduated, buy a house in a fancy area nearby called Mount Pleasant—where Tina lived—and have babies, in his own words, ASAP.

Only that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to go places, see things, and write award-winning novels that would fly off bookstore shelves. I’d thought that none of those things would happen if I became what he expected: a stay-at-home mom who ate lunch with attorneys’ wives and spent her free time getting massages and manicures.

It had been so hard to end it. But he just wouldn’t wait, and I couldn’t blame him. I knew how it felt to want things. The problem was that lately, I’d been thinking that everything I wanted was never going to happen. I’d been wondering if I’d made a terrible mistake.

“I didn’t know they were getting married so soon,” I said, my voice raw and tight. But I should have known. Jamie had graduated recently. Maybe I’d been blocking it out.

I’d heard about the engagement a while back. The bride was a girl from my high school class who’d been on the cheerleading squad with me and Tina, but Jamie was a year ahead of us and had barely known her then. Now she worked as a paralegal at a law office downtown, and the rumor was that they’d hooked up when he clerked there.

“Yeah,” Tina said. “I heard about it last week.”

I turned away from the window. “Thanks for not telling me.”

She smiled. The bells on the bridal’s shop door jangled, the door swung open, and there was the redhead with the saleslady calling after her, nervously warning against stepping outside because the sidewalk would dirty her hem.

The bride went by two first names. She’d been one of those pageant contestants with a pushy mother who’d dressed her up in high heels and a thick layer of makeup like a six-year-old prostitute. She’d also been my nemesis from eighth through eleventh grade. Now she gave me a phony smile and spoke in a sugary voice as she lingered in the doorway.

“Savannah, are you stalking me?” she asked.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Eva Lee,” I said.

“Seriously,” Tina added. “Savannah has better things to do.”

Sure, I thought. I have better things to do, like resume my desperate search for a minimum-wage job while this empty-headed debutante gets ready to marry the only guy I’ve ever loved.

New Money by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Published: Thomas Dunne Books (September 10th, 2013)
Reading Level: Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Summary:

A young Southern woman of modest means suddenly finds herself thrust into New York's high society when she discovers that she is the illegitimate daughter of a recently-deceased billionaire.

Savannah Morgan had high hopes. She dreamed of becoming a writer and escaping her South Carolina town, where snooty debutantes have always looked down on her. But at twenty-four, she's become a frustrated ex-cheerleader who lives with her mother and wonders if rejecting a marriage proposal was a terrible mistake. Then Savannah's world is shaken when she learns the father she never knew is Edward Stone, a billionaire media mogul who has left Savannah his fortune on the condition that she move to Manhattan and work at his global news corporation. Putting aside her mother's disapproval, Savannah dives head first into a life of wealth and luxury that is threatened by Edward's other children--the infuriatingly arrogant Ned and his sharp-tongued sister, Caroline, whose joint mission is to get rid of Savannah. She deals with their treachery along with her complicated love life, and she eventually has to decide between Jack, a smooth and charming real estate executive, and Alex, a handsome aspiring writer/actor. Savannah must navigate a thrilling but dangerous city while trying to figure out what kind of man her father truly was.

New Money is a keenly observed, exciting peek into a world of privilege and glamour with a spirited and charming heroine at its center.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

"It's worth it to read two equally fantastic love stories that will have you gasping for surprise and blushing with excitement" — Miss Remmers

Release Date: March 27th, 2012
Publisher: Open Road Media
Challenges: NetGalley, 75+, eBook

"Elizabeth Farr never wanted to return to America. During her family’s vacation abroad, she has fallen in love with England, and is despondent when her father refuses to let her stay. Returning to New York means having her debut into society, and that means a swiftly arranged marriage. Elizabeth will never go to college, never learn to be a reporter—as she sees it, her life is over as soon as the Titanic reaches port. Of course, if she’s unlucky, her life will be over far sooner than that.

As Elizabeth and her family settle into their first-class cabins, Katie Hanrahan, a young Irish girl with dreams of finding fortune in America, makes her way to a steerage berth. Both girls have plans for the future, but love and death are about to intervene."

On Friday (Recreational Reading day) I was all prepared to read "Kill Me Softly" — except when I started up my Nook it wasn't there! Rather than waste a good day of reading by, oh I don't know, grading, I decided to read the galley of "Titanic: The Long Night." Folks, it's literally been forever since I've reread a book — probably since I started blogging! I was wary of dipping back into these pages after all of these years because I didn't want to lose the magic. I was afraid that while reading this novel as an adult I'd pick up on the shallow characters/plot where I didn't as a young reader. I'm happy to say that that didn't happen. As an adult I'm still in love with Elizabeth and Max and (more importantly) I was able to fall in love again with Katie and Paddy. Yes, somehow throughout the years I forgot about this parallel story line (which, actually, happens to be JUST as good as the first — how often does that happen?). When I got to the first switch in narrative it all came back to me and I was immediately excited.

While much of the narration and description came back to me as if I had just read it a week ago, the feelings of excitement, embarrassment (for the characters), surprise, hurt, and love were still there as if I were reading this book for the very first time. Even though I knew what was coming, I found myself anticipating my reaction but each time the feelings somehow felt new and unexperienced. It was amazing.

Overall, this book was just as great as an adult as it was when I was a child. Really, folks — I had my mom (a librarian) make my book a hardcover (via laminating and somehow taking it apart — I don't know, she's apparently a genius) so that it would never "go bad." I loved it that much!

I know this is more of a review of my feelings and experiences rather than the book itself, but I definitely recommend taking advantage of the rerelease and getting your hands on a copy of this book. It's worth it to read two equally fantastic love stories that will have you gasping for surprise and blushing with excitement (no, not that kind of excitement!).

Below is the 1998 cover that I fell in love with and definitely still prefer. Even though Elizabeth is animated — I like her look more than the newer cover. But perhaps that's because of my emotional stake in the novel.:)

PS: This would be a great read for the Titanic Challenge (starting this weekend!).

-Connect with the author: Goodreads
-BUY THE BOOK: Kindle | Barnes and Noble

To the FTC, with love: Galley received from NetGalley (and personal owned copy from 1998)

I couldn't find a meme that fit exactly what I was looking for — so we'll just try this. I don't want something on Monday, because there are already two memes I'm participating in. And I'm really not a big reader of new releases (right away at least) — so "Waiting on Wednesday" doesn't really work for me. I'm looking for a meme where I can post what I receive in the mail (either through contests or for review) and whatever I get from the library. If you know of something like this — please let me know!

Last week I received in my mailbox three books! My first three books at that! I am very excited!

For Review:
Then thanks to Book Blogs, Preetham Grandhi, was able to send me a personally signed copy of "A Circle of Souls".

From Amazon.com...
"The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. With the murderer on the loose, the police desperately look for any clues to lead to his identity. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist in a nearby hospital is also in a desperate search to find the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings' devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya's parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope. When these two situations converge, they set off an alarming chain of events. In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder."

Won:
I won in a Twitter Contest from @lizzyarmentrout a wonderful signed copy of "A Vengeful Spirit".

From Amazon.com...

"Welcome to Pilotview, NC; a quiet, peaceful town where nothing much happens. That all changes when evil strikes the Irvin family. Why is someone targeting Tucker's family? What could a 12 year old have done to bring such terror to his home? Why is his father missing? Shelly Gale, his teacher, can't resist helping one of her students as his family seems to go through trial after trial."

Finally, thanks to Laurel and Vic at Jane Austen Today, I won a copy of "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict".

From Amazon.com...
"Laurie Viera Rigler’s debut novel, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, was a hit with fans and critics, and a BookSense and Los Angeles Times bestseller. Its open-to-interpretation ending left readers begging for more—and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict delivers. While Confessions took twenty-first-century free spirit Courtney Stone into the social confines of Jane Austen’s era, Rude Awakenings tells the parallel story of Jane Mansfield, a gentleman’s daughter from Regency England who inexplicably awakens in Courtney’s overly wired and morally confused L.A. life.

For Jane, the modern world is not wholly disagreeable. Her apartment may be smaller than a dressing closet, but it is fitted up with lights that burn without candles, machines that wash bodies and clothes, and a glossy rectangle in which tiny people perform scenes from her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Granted, if she wants to travel she may have to drive a formidable metal carriage, but she may do so without a chaperone. And oh, what places she goes! Public assemblies that pulsate with pounding music. Unbound hair and unrestricted clothing. The freedom to say what she wants when she wants—even to men without a proper introduction.

Jane relishes the privacy, independence, even the power to earn her own money. But how is she to fathom her employer’s incomprehensible dictates about “syncing a BlackBerry” and “rolling a call”? How can she navigate a world in which entire publications are devoted to brides but flirting and kissing and even the sexual act itself raise no matrimonial expectations? Even more bewildering are the memories that are not her own. And the friend named Wes, who is as attractive and confusing to Jane as the man who broke her heart back home. It’s enough to make her wonder if she would be better off in her own time, where at least the rules are clear—that is, if returning is even an option."

From the library:

"Suspense and Sensibility"
"Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride"

I am very much excited to read these books. So look forward to reviews and perhaps even an author review (we'll see if I can persuade them). And even more exciting — receiving my first books (inevitably) means my first give away! Since "A Circle of Souls" is personalized to me, I don't think I'll give it away. I might 'lend' it to my dad — he's really interested in reading it — or I may even keep it for my classroom! But stay tuned for all the possibilities!

If you are a member of Book Blogs — be my friend (please)! Also, I encourage you to look up Mr.Preetham Grandhi. If you are a twitter"er" — @lizzyarmentrout is always up for interesting conversations and she is extremely friendly! And you can always look me up too! @ReaganRay — although I can't promise to be near as entertaining! And definitely stop by Jane Austen Today — I stop there everyday.

Thank you so much, Ms. Armentrout, Laurel and Vic at Jane Austen Today, and Mr. Grandhi. I look forward very much to reading these books!