The Best Reader [Search results for guest post] 

Descended by Blood Book Blog Tour
I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to help Angeline Kace with her tour for Descended by Blood. The book is absolutely fabulous and I can't wait to read book 2 in the series!

Not only will each stop include something fun about about the book, characters, or Angeline, but there will also be a MASSIVE prize pack given away on each stop . That's right. Each stop will have some pretty hard core swag to giveaway, which will include the following:

PAPERBACK prize pack includes- a SIGNED book, bookmark, and nail polish matching the cover + has a cute crown on top! (Do your nails then read the book!)
♦
SKIN prize pack includes- Kindle or Nook skin, eBook, SIGNED bookmark, and nail polish matching the cover + has a cute crown on top! (Do your nails then read the book!)

Each stop is only hosting each giveaway for 2-3 days each, so if you want to win the prizes you should follow along; )
Tour Schedule:
Friday, August 26, 2011 ~ A Life Bound by Books, Character interview with Paperback *
Saturday, August 27, 2011 ~ Hesperia Loves Books, Interview with Skin
Monday, August 29, 2011 ~ Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, Shorty Story with Paperback
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 ~ Great Imaginations, Guest post with Skin
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 ~ Confessions of a Bookaholic, Fun post with Paperback *
Thursday, September 01, 2011 ~ A Cupcake and a Latte, Guest post with Skin
Friday, September 02, 2011 ~ The Bookish Brunette, Guest post with Paperback
Saturday, September 03, 2011 ~ Fiktshun, Interview with Skin
Monday, September 05, 2011 ~ Book Passion for Life, Interview, Paperback-US & ebook-Int
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 ~ Two Chicks on Books, Guest post with Skin
Wednesday, September 07, 2011 ~ I'm a Bookshark,"This or That" with Paperback
Thursday, September 08, 2011 ~ Seeingnight Reviews, Character Interview with Skin
Friday, September 09, 2011 ~ My Cute Bookshelf, Interview with Paperback
Saturday, September 10, 2011 ~ Letters Inside Out, Interview with Skin
Monday, September 12, 2011 ~ The Unread Reader,"When I'm Not Writing" with Paperback
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 ~ Two Readers Reviews, Guest post with Skin
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 ~ Magnet 4 Books, Guest post with Paperback
Thursday, September 15, 2011 ~ Mundie Moms, Interview with Skin *
Friday, September 16, 2011 ~ The Book Faery, Guest post with Paperback
Saturday, September 17, 2011 ~ Books with Bite, Guest post with Skin
Monday, September 19, 2011 ~ Me, Myshelf, and I, Guest post with Paperback
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 ~ The Cait Flies, Guest post w/Skin & (Int) ebook
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 ~ Tynga Reviews,"Book's Cover Creation" with Paperback *
Thursday, September 22, 2011 ~ Electrifying Reviews, Guest post with Skin
Friday, September 23, 2011 ~ La Femme Readers,"Vamps from Croatia" with Paperback *
Saturday, September 24, 2011 ~ The Book Swarm, Guest post with Skin*
Monday, September 26, 2011 ~ Absconditas, Fun Character post with Paperback
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 ~ The Bookworms, Guest Post with Skin *
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 ~ Bewitched Bookworms, Skin *
Thursday, September 29, 2011 ~ Flippin' Fabulous, Guest post with Skin

NOTE: Each person is limited to only winning 1 of each prize pack (You could win 1 Paperback & 1 Skin, but no more, which is actually pretty generous, no?).

Descended by Blood will be available August 26th!

As promised, today I'm going to provide a generic Guest Post that you (if you want to spread the word) can simply copy and paste and post on your blog. Not only will it spread the word about donating guest reviews, but it will also give you a day's break from coming up with something clever to post about!:) Haha just kidding (sort of).

Hey everybody! Miss Remmers here from Miss Remmers' Review. [Insert your name here] was so generous to allow me to write up a quick post to spread the word about Guest Reviews. As a future educator, I am on a mission to collect book reviews from book bloggers/enthusiasts. My hope is to provide students with reviews of awesome books that they can't put down and that will leave them asking for another book. In essence, I want to inspire struggling and reluctant readers to read recreationally.

To do this, I need your help. This holiday season I am trying to collect as many guest reviews as possible. Not sure what a guest review is? Last week, Sheila (from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books) donated a review of Viola in REEL Life. This week, Leslie from That Chick That Reads donated a review of Blood Promise. Every Wednesday I highlight a different Guest Review. The purpose of this is for students to have a different person's perspective on books — someone other me. Also, by having other reviewers donate reviews, students are exposed to books that I may not have ever picked up.

Have I successfully peaked your interest yet? Are you thinking of an awesome book to inspire non-readers? Perfect. Please stop by and donate a review. It's extremely simple — simply copy and paste your original review into an email along with links to your blog and the original review. It's as easy as that. My goal is collect twenty reviews by Christmas. If I do this, I'll give away a twenty dollar gift certificate to Barnes and Noble to a guest reviewer. The more reviews you send me the more chances you have of winning. If I get thirty reviews, I'll give away thirty dollars (I'll go all the way up to fifty)!

This doesn't take a lot of your time, a link to your blog will be posted in the review at least twice (along with a link to your original post), and you will forever have a link back to your blog in my right sidebar (see "Guest Reviewers"). And, most importantly, you will be putting books in struggling readers' hands. After all... 'Tis the season. If you're interested, please stop by and learn more about Guest Reviews and how to officially join in on the holiday festivities.

Thank you [insert your name] so much for letting me take up a precious post here at [Insert blog title]. I very much appreciate your continual support.

Easy as pie!:) Am I clever or am I clever! If you'd like a more personalized Guest Post, please ask. I just wrote this up to hopefully spread the word. Thanks everyone — I genuinely appreciate your support.

I am so pleased to be part of the Descended by Blood blog tour! Angeline is here today to tell us who she would cast if the book was made into a movie (Yum!) and she has offered up an amazing giveaway!

Who would I cast for my characters if Descended by Blood were made into a movie?
Brooke, main character: Lucy Hale

When I was doing my characterizations during the plotting phase, Lucy was the closest that I could find for what I saw in my mind's eye for Brooke. Brooke's eyes are blue, though, but the face shape and hair are very similar.

Jaren: I see him as a nephew-to-Brad Pitt… look-a-like. -Alex Pettyfer

This one is really hard for me because no actor really looks like Jaren. The image from the bookmarks IS Jaren. But I would probably have to say I would like Alex Pettyfer to play Jaren. He has a young face, that's broad and sweet. Plus, he looks fit, like he could play lacrosse. I saw him in I Am Four, and I think he did a good job. He would need to get a haircut, though.

Mirko: Wentworth Miller

Wentworth has those straight, serious eyebrows, same as Mirko does. He also keeps his hair cropped short like Mirko does. Wentworth would have to train his face to smile how Mirko does. As soon as Wentworth smiles, he doesn't look like Mirko anymore. When Wentworth smiles, his face scrunches up from around his nose and out around his mouth. Mirko smiles more with his eyes and a wicked side-lip curl.
--Yummo!! (Added by Confessions of a Bookaholic)

Kaitlynn, Brooke's best friend: Amanda Seyfried

I LOVE Amanda. She is such a good actress. Have you seen in her in Dear John? She even has a song she sang on the sound track. I love her and think she would make a great Kaitlynn. She has the slender face and blonde hair. Plus, who wouldn't want her as their best friend?

Jelena, the villain: Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine has that sexy, high class,"I'm going to get what I want" vibe. She's tough and a great actress. I think she would make a great vampire villain. Plus, she's gorgeous and that's a requirement for vamps, right?

Thank you so much for having me! It's truly an honor to be hosted by Confessions of a Bookaholic!

Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace
Publisher: Accendo Press (August 26th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 263 pages
Series: Vampire Born #1
Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them. In a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of her that she never knew existed at the risk of losing her life in order to save it.

Giveaway

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a SIGNED copy of Descended by Blood, 2 signed bookmarks, and nail polish!

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US Only and ends September 1st (Midnight PST).
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

*This giveaway only runs for 2 days!

Find Angeline Kace
Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Series Site

Purchase Descended by Bood
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

As a special during the tour, the price of the Descended by Blood ebook is only $.99 through September.
Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble Nook
Book Trailer

Upcoming Tour Posts (and giveaways coming up!)
Thursday, September 01, 2011 ~ A Cupcake and a Latte, Guest post with Skin
Friday, September 02, 2011 ~ The Bookish Brunette, Guest post with Paperback
Saturday, September 03, 2011 ~ Fiktshun, Interview with Skin
Monday, September 05, 2011 ~ Book Passion for Life, Interview, Paperback-US & ebook-Int
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 ~ Two Chicks on Books, Guest post with Skin

Today is the day when thousands of people flood the stores for the cheapest deals in order for the Holidays. Christmas gifts will be bought, wrapped, and placed under trees.

Throughout the blogosphere many people have dedicated themselves to buying books for the Holidays — I love this idea and have also decided to partake in the bookish festivities. It was at this point, that I thought, "More books in more people's hands means more book reviews!"

So thus, I've decided to begin a challenge, or campaign, this holiday season to collect Guest Reviews! (I thought I was pretty clever.) If you haven't, please stop by and read my mission and (especially) my plea for Guest Reviewers. This holiday season I'd like to collect as many book reviews as possible.

Not sure what a guest review is? Last week, Sheila (from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books) donated a review of Viola in REEL Life. This week, Leslie from That Chick That Reads donated a review of Blood Promise. Every Wednesday I highlight a different Guest Review. The purpose of this is for students to have a different person's perspective on books — someone other me. Also, by having other reviewers donate reviews, students are exposed to books that I may not have ever picked up. As with this entire blog, my goal by collecting guest reviews is to create in struggling reluctant readers a passion for recreational reading — something that comes easy to you and I.

So, by now are you thinking of a book that you want to recommend? The book should be one of your favorites, one that would get a struggling student excited about reading another book. A book that I can place in their hands and have them say to me, "Give me more."

Got one? Two? THREE?

Awesome! Now all you have to do is...

• Look in the left sidebar to make sure I don't already have a review of it posted (if I do, comment on the review with the link to your review and I'll post it as well). Not there?
• Look below, to make sure I don't have a review of it scheduled. Not there?
• Now check Mr. Linky and make sure someone hasn't just sent a review of the same book? Not there?
• AWESOME! At this point, email me your review [missremmeres at gmail dot com]. Include the link to your blog (if you have one) and a link to your original review. Oh, and sign Mr. Linky! The purpose of this is so everyone can see what you have sent in. Where it asks for your name, please put the title of the book. Then your blog's URL.

• City of Bones
• Hush Hush
• The Help

Want to spread the word? On Monday, look for a generic Guest Post (provided by me) that you can copy and paste (I thought this was also a clever idea). If you look in the right side bar you'll see my "Guest Reviewers" Button with the html code, feel free to add that to your blog. I am also working on doing the same sort of thing with the button above.

Please make sure that the book is suitable for high school students — if it's questionable, either email me or choose another book.

At this point, I can't offer anything to each and every Guest Reviewer. I am giving away $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble to one of the guest reviewers.

This doesn't take a lot of your time, a link to your blog will be posted in the review at least twice (along with a link to your original post), and you will forever have a link back to your blog in the right sidebar (see "Guest Reviewers"). You can simply copy and paste from your blog. And, most importantly, you will be putting books in struggling readers' hands. After all... 'Tis the season.

Campaign will end January 4th and because I can send the gift card via email — this is open World Wide! NOTE: Please note that PAST guest reviews do not count towards this. In order to be eligible to win you need to email me and link to Mr. Linky a new review(s).

Well, my computer is still down. While on choir tour I received a phone call from a Tech Fellow in the Tech Center on campus saying that my computer needs to be "rebuilt" — whatever that means! So, I purchased an external hard drive (was going to do that anyway) and hopefully (please cross your fingers) all will not be lost.

Choir tour went okay — it was just a long time to devote to something that isn't my major two weeks before finals. Then, on Saturday night I had a an ugly sweater/bachelorette party — that, again, as okay. I would have had a lot more fun had it not been for these three huge assignments I have due before Tuesday. Yesterday I was literally at the library from open to close (10am-5pm) — they had to kick me out! Now I'm here (they just opened at 1pm) and I'm pretty sure I'll be here till they close (11pm). Oh, the life of a college student.

Lately, in the blogosphere, I've been feeling extremely overwhelmed by all the new 2010 challenges. It seems my reader is full of them every day. While I see the fun in them, I'm not sure which one I should do. I don't want to do more than one because it makes me feel as though I'm restricted in what I should read. Plus, I need to look at 2010 as a whole. I will be student teaching in the spring and graduating in May. Beginning in May I begin a summer worth of weddings (right now I'm at six — but ask me again after Christmas). There's my all school reunion the last week of June and a huge family reunion the last week of July. Then there'll be looking for a real job (gasp), moving, and beginning planning out a years worth of lessons. Things won't slow down after that, I'm expecting next fall to be a pretty busy time as a first year teacher.

Do you see my dilema? While I'm positive I will find time for reading next year (not reading as an English teacher isn't an option), I'm just not sure what to do in regards to all of these challenges. Any advice?

But anyway! This week I reviewed Da Cajn Critter. I am no further along on my audiobook "Confessions of a Shopoholic" — but Christmas break is almost here! I also posted my November 2009 Wrap Up Post.

Gina was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of The Summer of Cotton Candy. Please share some book love and visit her at Book Dragon's Lair.

Last week I revealed my new holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews and this week I posted a generic Guest Post that I welcome anyone to use. If you'd like a more original guest post — please email me and I'd love to write on up for you. We have already collected 33 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone!

I still have 31 amazing followers. Thank you!

On going bit of fun: Register to win a Kindle!

My "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading:

• Survive the next two weeks before finals
• Finish this ridiculous Harry Potter Paper (no, it's not as fun as I'd had hoped) before Monday
  
• Start/Finish my final linguistics paper (oi, hot mess) before Tuesday
  
• Start/Finish my entire UNIT (lesson plans and all) before Tuesday
  

What did you finish this week?

This is my last Summer post — today I head back to school (literally, as you are reading this I am on my way back to the middle of nowhere, South Dakota). I have got a lot accomplished this summer — seeing as how a couple of months ago I was barely reading a book a month and this blog didn't exist.

Since June, I have read and reviewed 23 books. And I have hosted NINE Guest Reviews that are posted as of right now. But I have scheduled Guest Review posts every Wednesday until Sept 30th — so really, that's SEVENTEEN Guest Reviews. I'd like to give a big thanks to the following people who made time out of their crazy schedules to be a Guest Reviewer — you have no idea what it means to me. Thank You!

I'm forever going to be looking for Guest Reviewers — if you are interested please check out this post. If you'd like to learn more about my mission — look at my blog.

I have received the following awards: I Rock Award, Let's Be Friends Award, The Lemonade Award, and the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you for all of these great awards!

I have hosted the following Giveaways: "My Name is Will", "Boy Toy", "Dancing With Ana", "Benny and Shrimp", and "A Vengeful Spirit".

I have interviewed these authors: Preetham Grandhi, Lizzy Armentrout, Nicole Barker

I have won these books: "The Imposter's Daughter", "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict", and "A Duty to the Dead", "The Darcy’s & the Bingleys", "The Plight of the Darcy Brothers"

I have acquired 24 followers. Thank you — it means the world to me!

I have joined Twitter (@google), Goodreads, Book Blogs.

While you probably won't see as many reviews or posts from me this fall, I am determined and I am dedicated (you can quote me if you want) to finish at least two books a week (exception is Finals Week).

I have about a year to build up as many reviews as possible before my students see my collection. But very soon (could be as soon as December!) employers will be stopping by to see all the reviews I have collected and they will discover my mission. I can't wait to begin my senior year so that I can soon begin the rest of my life. It's indescribable and I'm not doing it justice. I am so ready to share my love of literature with others and make a difference. Again, thank you so much to the Guest Reviewers who have sent in reviews — this wouldn't be possible without you. (Well, it might be — but all the reviews would be of books I like and am interested in.) If you're interested to adding your name and blog to the list — please let me know at missremmeres[at]gmail[dot]com and check out this post.

Guest Reviewers

• Sharry — Always Dreaming
• Scarlett — From the Heart
• Sharon — Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews
• Nicole — Books and Bards
• Hannah — About Books
• Sheila — One Person's Journey Through A World of Books
• Megan — writemeg
• Cassandra — Happy Book Lovers Blog

SNAP DECISION: MAYBE TONIGHT? By Bridie Clark On Sale August 6, 2013 Paperback: 224 pages Summary: Maybe Tonight? opens as the reader is getting ready for the most exciting party of the year—Midwinter’s Night Dream, set in the frosty woods just off campus—with her roommates and best friends Annabel Snow, Spider Harris, and Libby Monroe. Choices unfold quickly and the reader must decide which risks to take in pursuit of social status, adventure, success, and love.
Guest Post by Bridie Clark on NYC!
New York City seems to work its way into everything I write. My first two adult novels, Because She Can and The Overnight Socialite, take place there. And although the Snap Decision series—my first foray into the YA world—is set on the leafy green New Hampshire campus of Kings Academy, somehow the reader gets invited to party with A-list celebs in Manhattan. That happens to every freshman girl, right? I don’t know, a book just doesn’t seem complete until it sticks a toe into New York City.

I don’t live in the city anymore and it hurts me to admit that. I think it’s temporary. Well, maybe not exactly temporary—but not permanent, either. I love New York, love everything about it, and I’ve been there many a stinking-hot August.

I wrote and then rewrote my first novel in New York, while living in a shoebox studio apartment on Christopher Street. Every day I would break from writing to run down to the Hudson River, fighting against the steady current of cross-dressing teenagers emerging from the subway. When the doorbell of my studio rang, it was almost always my now husband with a bag of Westville take-out. We would eat on a blanket spread out on the floor. When the book came out, we were married and living on the Upper West Side and we had a table (a horrible, sharp-edged glass table that has since vanished without a trace… poof). In the next blink, we were living on East 66th Street. I was pregnant and working on my second book. When our daughter was born, it proved hard to focus where I could hear her (I would elbow out our amazing babysitter to get to the babe’s dirty diaper), so I spent a few hours each day at the Society Library on 79th Street. I loved that place. Not only was it practically free, it was teeming with writers who seemed so industrious and legit that I would have been ashamed to surf the internet in their presence.

Now I just make it into the city to see friends. Don’t love this as much as I thought I would (other than the seeing my friends part). My feeling about New York is that you’re either in or you’re out. Stopping by occasionally feels touristy. I don’t want to be a tourist in a city that used to feel like home. Maybe someday it’ll be home again. Until then, it’ll be one for my characters. GIVEAWAY:

Snap Decision: Are you going out or staying in tonight? One (1) winner receives: · Copy of Snap Decision: Maybe Tonight? andwinner’s choice: Either a $15 Fandango gift card for a night out or a $15 iTunes gift card for a night in.
Giveaway open to U.S. addresses only. Prizing & samples courtesy of Macmillan.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learn more about the book at http://www.macteenbooks.com/books/spring2013/maybetonight.php
Learn more about the author at http://www.bridieclark.com/
Follow Macmillan and Bridie Clark on Twitter and join the conversation using #MaybeTonight

About the Author Bridie Clark has worked as a book and magazine editor and written for the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and New York magazine. Her novels Because She Can and The Overnight Socialite have been published in nineteen countries and featured in dozens of magazines and newspapers, including the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and Glamour UK. She was born in West Hartford, Connecticut and currently lives in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The purpose of this blog is to instill in my future students a passion for recreational reading. If you ask a ninth grader what they are reading, they will mostly likely say nothing. And when you ask why, they will most likely reply they don't know what to read and what is good. This kills me. By posting reviews on this blog, I hope that my future students will use it as a resource to find out what books are out there and what others are saying about them.

If you are interested in being a Guest Reviewer, please email me. It could be a book that you are reading right now or it could even be a book that you have reviewed for your own blog and simply copied and pasted (with a link back to the original post of course). At this time, I can only offer my thanks and gratitude as I do not have the resources to offer prizes. Any book is great, as long as it would be appropriate for the high school level.

Why don't I write all the reviews myself? For several reasons. One, like most other readers I have a particular genre that I like. Not all students will like that genre and I want my students to have access to loads of different genres for young adults. Preferences — whereas I may not like a book — some student somewhere might! I want to give students a wide range of opinions of books. Your opinion matters to students.Time — I am a senior in college and don't necessarily have much time to read and review as many books as I would like.

What are my long time plans for this blog? Ideally, I want my students to use this as a resource. But also, once I have my own students, I want them to be guest reviewers and write about what they are reading and why they did or did not like the book. This will, hopefully, raise a whole new generation of book enthusiastic and book bloggers — and who doesn't want more of that?

What do you, as a guest reviewer, receive? Like I said, I cannot offer prizes due to my lack of resources. But I do link to your blog when your review is posted and in my "Sunday Salon" post for that week. Also, in the right sidebar you may notice a running list of past Guest Reviewers — this lists and links to all of the past Guest Reviewers.

Can I send in more than one review? ABSOLUTELY! Email me as many as you would like. The more the reviews the better!

What do you want, exactly? In your review, tell me what you liked about the book and what you didn't like about the book. Then I want to know who the book is for? Could anyone read the book? Is it more a book for male or females? Please make sure that all reviews and books are appropriate for high school students. This part is optional, but if the student were to read this book and like the book — what else might you recommend for them?

Most importantly, this blog is for my students. Fellow bloggers — you and I have a gift. A love of literature. To you and I, reading comes naturally, but to too many students reading is a chore. I hope to change that.

Please, if you are interested in being a guest reviewer email me. Like I said, I have nothing to offer except my thanks and gratitude. But these students need us — teachers and book lovers. If you are interested — email me at google[at]gmail.com.

Miss Remmers

Disclaimer: I reserve the right to correct grammar in Guest Reviews submitted and omit any language that I feels is inappropriate or unnecessary, this includes swear words and "haha," "lol," or anything that a would be considered "unprofessional".

The time has come for Bloggiesta hosted by Natasha @ MawBooks! This is one of my most favorite blogging activities. I have looked forward to this since LAST summer when I had JUST started blogging. I participated a little bit in the second Bloggiesta, but with school and boyfriend I wasn't able to participate as much. Now, for the third Bloggiesta, I won't be able to participate that much either.

This is a scheduled post that I wrote on Thursday evening so my tenses may be a bit confusing:

Tomorrow morning at 6am (Friday) I am leaving (or have left) for South Dakota... ugh, you get the picture... I'm picking up my date in Fargo, ND, then heading to Watertown, SD to visit family, before making the final bit of the trip to Sioux Falls, SD. Saturday (the purpose of the trips) I have TWO weddings! One at 2pm and one at 4pm (with any help from God I'll make them both). Then Sunday I'm headed towards home. Are you guys having a hard time keeping up with me and all my weekend plans? I sure am!

Anyway, as a result of this I won't be able to formally participate. But I will have my phone and plan on cheering everyone on via Twitter (@google). I also plan on going through all the posts and commenting as soon as I get back — yes, my GR is going to be PACKED!

After seeing what everyone accomplished I'll spend next week "catching up" and having my own little private Bloggiesta.

So despite being extremely jealous (and feeling slightly left out), I hope everyone has a fantastic time and I can't wait to hear all about it when I get back.

Before I left for my mini-vaca:

• I was able to participate in this mini-challenge at Beth Fish Reads as it was posted early! Go Labels!!
• I got ALL caught up on my reviews; most notably Before I Fall, Dead Until Dark, Sea, and Hush Hush.
• I scheduled a great IMM/BEA Books post for Saturday (tomorrow — again with the tense issue)
• I updated my About Me page
• I updated my Review Policy as part of Girls Gone Reading's Mini-Challenge.
• I made sure that my RSS Feed was legit as part of Puss Reboots Mini-Challenge.

• Find an official blogging buddy
• Finish writing guest posts
• Look for Guest Reviews!

GOOD LUCK!!

I beat the storm home last Saturday and have spent the week at home. While it seems like I haven't gotten a lot accomplished, I have. I successfully reattached my 'enter' key and reinstalled Word. I lost most of my music (about 8GB) while trying to transfer music from my iPod to my PC (I've come to terms with said loss) and had a pick me up by having Santa bring me a new iPod Touch (not that I know how to use it yet). I have seen three movies in theaters since last Sunday including: "A Christmas Carol" (let down), "The Princess and the Frog" (surprisingly amazing), and "Sherlock Holmes" (slight let down). Last Sunday my phone broke and they were sending me a new one. It was supposed to arrive on Wednesday. It is now a week later and I still do not have a working phone — but again, I've come to terms. As you can tell, I had a pretty rough week (in regards to technology). Slowly (but surely) things are starting to look up.

This week I reviewed "Inside Out, " "The Source of Miracles, " "Elmer the Christmas Elf, " "A Christmas Carol: Special Edition, " "I Used to Know That, " and "Cracked Up to Be. " As a result, this has probably been one of the most productive weeks (in regards to blogging/recreational reading) that I have had since August. I'm SO enjoying it. "The Source of Miracles " was one of the best books I've read in such a long time! I can't shut up about it! I did read/finish "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" as well — the review is coming. I did have to abandon two books that have been hanging over my head all semester. I've had both of them for months and I've continually tried to pick them up and read them — but I was forcing myself to do it. And I can't condone forcing myself to read when I have such an awesome bunch of books to read. So, I'll be passing them on (hint hint). Stay tuned.

Sadly, part of the 8GB of music lost included "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I wasn't too far into it though so I'm not too upset about it. I'll probably look for it at the library. I also didn't do an "In My Mailbox" post as I haven't received anything (not even a phone)! But I do know that I have a book or two waiting for me back at school that I will get sometime this week when I head back for New Years.

Cassie was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of City of Bones. Please share some book love and visit her at Happy Book Lovers.

My new holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews has been a great hit — we've acquired 44 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone! I have four more Guest Reviews to post (scheduled) but those are only the ones that I received via email. Many people only left a link on Mr. Linky — which I guess is okay and it is still appreciated. I just feel more like I'm plagiarizing then — but reviews are reviews and the more the better.

I gained three followers this week and now have 34 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!

My list of books to read/things to do during break:

• Read "Inside Out"
• Read "Elmer, the Christmas Elf"
• Post all the Guest Reviews I've received for My Holiday Book Review Campaign
• Finish "The Source of Miracles" (Review)
  
• Read "Lucifer Rising" (Review)
  
• Read "Comfort Living" (Review)
  
• Read "I Used to Know That" (Review)
  
• Read "Some Girls Are" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
  
• Read "The Van Alen Legacy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
  
• Read "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Truly, Madly: A Novel" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
• Read "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Sea Change" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Jumping off Swings" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Before I Die" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Embellish" (Review)
• Read "Gone" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Cracked Up to Be" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "How to Buy a Love of Reading" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Oh.My.Gods." (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Dark Places" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Nothing But Ghosts" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Isabelle's Boyfriend" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "The Grand Sophy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Shelter Me" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Ransome's Honor" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Poltergeist" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Girlfriend Material" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Wicked Lovely" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "According to Jane" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Catching Fire" (Library — Momma Remmers)

What did you finish this week?

Alyssa Rose Ivy is stopping by today for a guest post to celebrate her recent release, The Hazards of Skinny Dipping.

If I had a Bucket List…
Maybe it’s because I’m optimistic I’ll have time to do everything I want, but I don’t actually have a bucket list. However, I do have plenty of things that would be on one.

I’d love to travel more. There are so many places I’ve never been that I hope I get the chance to see. I’m starting to get the travel bug more and more lately, and I could probably fill an entire notebook with the places I’d visit. First I need to see the rest of the U.S. (my experience with the west coast is pitifully small), but then the sky’s the limit.

Relating to wanting to see more of the world, I want to sail a boat around the world. Being completely honest, I don’t actually want to be the one to sail, I’d like someone else to sail me around the world (or at least on a long trip). I love water and boats, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

I want to learn how to play piano. When I was younger I played both the viola and the guitar, but I’ve never played the piano. Sometime when I have more free time, I’m going to.

More than anything, it’s the personal experiences I hope I get to have. I want to watch my kids grow up, their graduations, weddings, and I want the chance to meet my grandchildren. If I get to see those things, I’d die a happy person.

The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Published: May 17th, 2013
Reading Level: Young Adult
288 pages
Summary:
This isn't a deep book about first loves or self-discovery. If you want a book like that, I'd be happy to recommend one, but I don't have that kind of story to tell. Instead my story is about rash decisions and finding out that your dream guy is bad in bed. It's the story of when I finally went skinny dipping, and how my life was never the same again. Oh, and it's also the story of my freshman year of college and realizing Mr. Right might have been there all along.

Author Bio: Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyssaRoseIvy Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5047249.Alyssa_Rose_Ivy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaRoseIvy Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alyssaroseivy/ Website: http://www.alyssaroseivy.com/

Hannah Jayne is here today to share her inspiration behind her newest book-- Truly, Madly, Deadly. I read this book and thought it was incredible! I highly recommend it.

Guest Post: I'd like to know her inspiration behind telling this

story and what she hopes teens can get from it (if they are in an abusive relationship too).
I’ve had the idea for this story – at least the scene where Sawyer receives the note in her locker – for as long as I can remember. But that’s all it was: just a single scene, an idea. Little by little it started to evolve, but I was always working on other books when it did and for some reason, I just couldn’t sit down even to write out just that one scene. If I set aside time for it, the moment I sat in front of my laptop, the idea, everything, was gone.

Then I had shoulder surgery, a giant cast, and six weeks of time to kill. I couldn’t work my laptop (stupid cast!), so I just started writing in a notebook. I was constantly writing in notebooks when I was in high school and college – really, through all my time in school. There is something about that pen in my hand that connects it to my heart. Before I knew it, Truly, Madly, Deadly was nearly done.

I never intended to tell the story of Kevin and Sawyer’s relationship. I never really intended for Kevin to be abusive. It just happened when I picked up the pen. I’m pretty certain that was what was blocking me at the computer – Kevin’s violence and Sawyer’s secret. It was my high school experience, too, and up until now, no one but a few of my closest friends ever knew that I was in an abusive relationship that started in high school and followed me to college. I was head cheerleader, my boyfriend was a football player. That kind of thing didn’t happen in high school and if it did, it certainly wouldn’t happen to the girl that had it all together, right?

It nearly ruined me. He nearly killed me – not necessarily from the physical abuse, but the emotional abuse he inflicted on me and I inflicted on myself for years after. I was so ashamed and had let “what I let happen” humiliate me for so long. By the time the notebook and Truly, Madly, Deadly were through, I was finally in a place in my life where I could put all that shame and humiliation out into the world and say, “you know what? This is happening and it’s not normal.” Of course I would love for a teen in an abusive relationship to read this book and get out of that relationship. But even if someone reads it and recognizes themselves and their significant other in Sawyer and Kevin, at the very least, I would hope that she knows she’s not alone.

Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne
Published: Sourcebooks Fire (July 2nd, 2013)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 272 pages
Summary:
Sawyer Dodd has it all. She's a star track athlete, choir soloist, and A-student. And her boyfriend is the handsome all-star Kevin Anderson. But behind the medals, prom pictures, and perfect smiles, Sawyer finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive relationship with Kevin. When he dies in a drunk-driving accident, Sawyer is secretly relieved. She's free. Until she opens her locker and finds a mysterious letter signed by"an admirer" and printed with two simple words:"You're welcome."

Site | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

For years, I was attracted to men with a bit of an “edge,” men who were nice enough but had that mysterious, almost dangerous element lurking right below the surface. To be involved with someone like this was very exciting to me — the thrill was a rush!
I think it is these same tendencies that make so many of us gravitate toward darker books, the kind that makes up most paranormal reading out today. We like to “be good” in our own lives, while getting a momentary rush from being in a darker, more mysterious, more exciting world.
And that is certainly ok! We should go wherever we resonate — “like attracts like” is not just a catchy line; it’s an actual physics concept that determines our entire reality! But, in my experience, the constant stream of “personal growth” that came about because of my inclinations made me first, recognize my inner light, and secondly, choose to honor it.
I asked myself some hard questions: Why do I need someone else to generate my excitement? If I’m not excited with my life, then that is something *I* need to change. Secondly, if I want to be truly happy, not just tanked-up off exhilaration, I need to find people who resonate with me and I need to find activities that resonate with me. We are constantly evolving, and I made a conscious choice to evolve to the light rather than to the dark.
I explain all this because, while my book, “Adventures of a Lightworker: Dead End Date,” would be considered paranormal by many, it is different than what you’ve read before. It is about goodness; it is about sharing love; it is about understanding ourselves and fully developing our highest and greatest potential. This will be more and more obvious as the series progresses — we will see Faith, the main character, learn how to discover her true self and how to help the world!
Much of my book involves angels and, of course, the lightworker angle. What is a lightworker, you ask? Lightworkers are a type of individual whose purpose is to help humanity, and humanity, like all in the universe, is composed of energy. Lightworkers raise the vibration of the planet simply by being here and also by performing acts of love and kindness. When we think about all that is good within our reality and bring it down to one word, that word is love, and lightworkers are here to teach the world about love. This is where Faith develops. She learns she is a lightworker, but one who hasn’t been fulfilling her life purpose. And in the “real world,” this certainly can and does happen. Many lightworkers are not doing all they can to bring love and light to the world, and as a result, often feel a sensation in their solar plexus that doesn’t go away until they begin to do so. Compounding this is to be a lightworker, one doesn’t even have to be aware of the term!
Beyond this element, Faith is told she has one year to fulfill her lightworker “duties,” or she will be pulled from her assignment! This adds a level of intensity to the story because Faith has to figure out in one year (of book time) how she can help millions of people. If you’ve ever wondered how you can make an impact on the world, this will be your series to read!
Faith also has a special relationship with angels, and along the way, she is assisted by them. Studies consistently show the vast majority of people believe in angels, and one doesn’t have to look far to find examples of people who believe they have been helped in some way by an angel. Many will even say angels have saved their lives! I know that I have been helped by angels – many, many times – and you’ll see their influence in the story.
Whichever way you resonate, you are exactly where your soul needs to be in this moment! I honor you on your journey and bless your presence in reading this guest post. For those who choose to read “Adventures of a Lightworker: Dead End Date,” it is available on Kindle (which can be downloaded to your computer if you don’t have a Kindle!) and paperback via Amazon and other sites. It is a fun and eye-opening mystery – I hope you love it!

Adventures of a Lightworker: Dead End Date by Caroline A. Shearer Publisher: Absolute Love (December 9th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 244 pages
In a Stephanie Plum meets New Age-style,"Dead End Date" introduces readers to Faith, a young woman whose dating disasters and personal angst have separated her from the reason she's on Earth. When she receives the shocking news that she is a lightworker and has one year to fulfill her life purpose, Faith embarks on her mission with zeal, tackling problems big and small — including the death of her blind date. Working with angels and psychic abilities and even the murder victim himself, Faith dives headfirst into a personal journey that will transform all those around her and, eventually, all those around the world.

A fun, fast-paced metaphysical mystery!

"More and more people are reaching within for their innate spirituality, and, in that search, are beginning to bring harmony to their inner and outer worlds," says Shearer."However, as thought patterns and unconscious habits and negative actions crumble, life can feel like a tumultuous journey. The main character of Faith exemplifies this progression. She takes a step forward in one area, only to stumble backwards in another, but through her wit and charm and ability to laugh at herself, we discover how we, also, may be gentle with ourselves and learn to love the ride."

"Adventures of a Lightworker: Dead End Date" is a mystery novel, as will be each book in the Lightworker series. The spiritual theme and Faith's life purpose as a lightworker are larger elements that come into play over the course of the series. Look for much growth in Faith's character — and have fun along with her as she stumbles to her highest and greatest good!

Find Caroline A. Shearer Absolute Love Publishing / Blog / Goodreads
Purchase Adventures of a Lightworker: Dead End Date Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
Audio Intro. read by Caroline

Well, my computer is still down — STILL! It's extremely aggrivating.

I somehow managed to survive last week. I'm almost done. Tomorrow begins finals week and I have it pretty easy, I have my final HP paper (that should be a lot easier than all the rest) due on Monday and my Senior Thesis Paper on Milton and HP due on Tuesday. Wednesday I leave to represent the University at the Board of Regents meetings in Madison, SD — so I'll be gone the rest of finals week!

Sadly, due to pre-finals and what not, I didn't get around to reviewing anything (gasp!) I wont even lie to you, I haven't picked up "The Source of Miracles" since last week. Furthermore, I am no further along on my audiobook "Confessions of a Shopoholic" — but Christmas break is almost here! I did, however, get an award and I posted my first Project Blog post, featuring my Guest Reviewers post. I even posted a somewhat new bookshelf post.

Jasmyn was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Dragon's of Autumn Twilight. Please share some book love and visit her at Jasmyn's Stuff.

My new holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews has been a great hit — we've aquired 40 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone! If you are interested in helping out — tomorrow would be a great day to start (HINT HINT!)

I still have 31 amazing followers. Thank you!

On going bit of fun: Register to win a Kindle!

My "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading:

• Survive finals

What did you finish this week?

Last Holiday Season I asked for reviews for Christmas and I had a fantastic turn out. This year I'll be doing the same thing (with an updated button, although I might change it). I haven't done it in months, but I really need to get back in the habit of posting guest reviews on a weekly basis. If you're new to Miss Remmers' Review and don't know what a "Guest Review" is, please see this post.

My mission since transitioning from student to student teacher to (finally) classroom dictator... um, I mean loved teacher... has not changed. I love receiving books for review and connecting with bloggers, readers, teachers, publicists, etc, but the purpose of this blog is to supply my students with an abundance of reviews to spark their interests in reading. I can't do this alone.

I know this is a busy season for everyone and there are so many fantastic projects, challenges, etc going on. It doesn't take a lot to become a Guest Reviewer.

Let's break it down (now):

1. Think of your favorite YA book that you think struggling readers would devour.
2. Look at my left side bar. Is it listed?
If yes, please email me and I'll add your review link to the bottom of the post.
If no, fill out the form with a link to your review.

It is basically that easy. Of course, in order to be entered in the contest it does have to be a NEW review to this blog. But basically, if you're a book blogger, it's as simple as copying and pasting the review link from your blog into the form.

Did I say contest? OH I DID!

Submit more than five reviews and be entered to win the GRANDPRIZE: an ARC of Lauren Oliver's "Delirium"

Submit less than five reviews and be entered to win any of the following prizes:

• an ARC of "In the Arms of Mr. Darcy" by Sharon Lathan
• an ARC of "I'd Know You Anywhere" by Laura Lippman
• an ARC of "Take a Chance on Me" by Jill Mansell
• an ARC of "HERO: For One Kid, the Time is Now" by Mike Lupica
• an ARC of "Dreaming in Chinese" by Deborah Fallows
• an ARC of "Emma and Vampires" by Wayne Josephson
• "Sea Change"

Please don't be a Scrooge, share your reviews!

I survived the cold this week. Aberdeen was, according to CNN, the third coldest place in the nation on Friday. Brr! I spent New Years Eve at school attending a jazz dance (which was awesome) and returned to Northern Minnesota the next day. That was a lot of driving. I saw "The Blind Side" with my mom tonight — such an inspiring movie. Wow!

I just finished "Some Girls Are" and plan on writing the review later today (Monday). This week, while I didn't get a chance to formally review anything, I did have two quick giveaways (Congrats to Sharon and Esme), I posted my Privacy Policy, along with my latest Award. I also posted all of my recaps: December Wrap Up, Books Read in Fall 2009, End of Fall 2009, Guest Reviewers, and Hello 2010.

Sandy was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Hush Hush. Please share some book love and visit her at Pirate Penguin's Reads.

My holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews ends today (my Sunday Salon was late...) — we acquired 44 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! I will post later today (after I go to bed and wake up again) who won the $25 Gift Certificate.

I gained three followers this week and now have 37 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!

This week I am so excited to begin Bloggiesta! I've compiled a Twitter list of all the participants who have Twitter and I'm really excited about it. I spent a lot of time on it so I hope people use it. Overall, I'm just really excited to start Bloggiesta. I'll be starting a day early, as I'll be driving on Friday for five hours and unpacking everything. If you haven't joined in yet, check it out at @Maw Books, there's still time!

From my insane list that there's no way I'm going to finish, I'd like to finish "Girlfriend Material," "Sea Change," and "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single."
My list of books to read/things to do during break:

• Read "Inside Out"
• Read "Elmer, the Christmas Elf"
• Post all the Guest Reviews I've received for My Holiday Book Review Campaign
• Finish "The Source of Miracles" (Review)
  
• Read "Lucifer Rising" (Review)
  
• Read "Comfort Living" (Review)
  
• Read "I Used to Know That" (Review)
  
• Read "Some Girls Are" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
  
• Read "The Van Alen Legacy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
  
• Read "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Truly, Madly: A Novel" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
• Read "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Sea Change" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Jumping off Swings" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Before I Die" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Embellish" (Review)
• Read "Gone" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Cracked Up to Be" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "How to Buy a Love of Reading" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Oh.My.Gods." (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Dark Places" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Nothing But Ghosts" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Isabelle's Boyfriend" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "The Grand Sophy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Shelter Me" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Poltergeist" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Girlfriend Material" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Wicked Lovely" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "According to Jane" (Library — Momma Remmers)

What did you finish this week?

Like last week, this week I've accomplished next to nothing in regards to the blog. I have, however, somehow stayed one step ahead of homework. It was a crazy week at school; I had TWO Harry Potter papers due on Monday, THREE presentations on Tuesday, ONE LARGE (12 pages) Harry Potter paper due on Wednesday, a presentation and a test on Thursday, and Friday I left for the Cities to attend "Beauty and the Beast" with my mom. I ended up starting that large HP paper on Tuesday night at 8pm and SOMEHOW finished by 3am. Like I said, "one step ahead".

I am still hosting a contest — "Thanksgiving at the Inn" is the perfect book to come out of the Halloween season with. I loved it! AND I decided to extend the deadline until November 15th! I am slightly disappointed that more people aren't interested in it — only one so far! And I have TWO copies to giveaway! Pity... (hint hint).

This week I reviewed a grammar book, posted my October Wrap Up post, photos of my bookshelf, and a Halloween Recap post.

Leslie was also this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Perfect Chemistry. Please share some book love and visit her at That Chick That Reads.

Still at 30 amazing followers.:)

My goal for this week is to, again, stay ahead of the homework AND focus a bit more on my recreational reading and this blog. Hopefully next week my Sunday Salon will be a bit more exciting.:)

(Again, for the third week in a row...) Also, each week I'm going to start making a "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading. It's soon to be the time of year when I'll be sending the HTML address for Miss Remmers' Review out to prospective school districts and I want to make sure it is "spot on". if you have any ideas as to how to make this blog more awesome — please let me know.

• Rewrite/hone my Guest Reviewer 's post.
• Rewrite/hone my Mission post.
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Circle of Souls "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Vengeful Spirit "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "Audrey, Wait "
  

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

Once again please welcome Sheila, from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, as this week's Guest Reviewer. This is Sheila’s second time as a Guest Reviewer – check out her review of The Book Thief.
******************* Nothing But Ghosts – Beth Kephart
“Grief and all its anguish is at the heart of this story. Reeling from her mother’s death, Katie, 16, takes a summer job on a nearby wealthy estate as part of a work crew constructing a gazebo. As she bonds with her fellow teen worker, Danny, she stumbles across secrets about the beautiful, rich recluse who lives in the big house. Why has wacky Miss Martine not been seen for over 50 years? Is the hole that they’re digging really for the gazebo? With the help of the glamorous town librarian (yes, glamorous), Katie and Danny research local lore in newspaper files and microfilm. The connections between solving the mystery and Katie’s bereavement struggle are sometimes overstated. Her first-person present-tense narrative is clear and lyrical, though, especially in her portrayal of her genius dad, an artist who asks, “How do you paint regret?” and in her discovery that “beauty and sadness can both live in one place.” I found Beth’s writing to be wonderful and detailed. I enjoyed the flash backs of Katie’s mom and even though she was a character who had passed on, her presence in this book is sensed as well as felt, and I think appropriately so. I could imagine the pain of Katie losing her mother at such a tender age, yet trying to be strong for herself as well as her dad – as her dad was for her.
The mystery of Miss Martine in the book is actually a salvation for Katie and her dad. While going about doing what they do, they stumble blindly into something that not only brings them fully into the situation… but binds them together. As the book ends I had a sense of good things to come. The book left me feeling that they would be alright, that doors were opening to a future that in the final chapter as they all sit around the dinner table.
This book is categorized as Young Adult and I can see this being enjoyed by that age group. I certainly enjoyed the read and I will be looking for more from Beth Kephart in the future. Readers, I recommend you spend some time this summer with Nothing But Ghosts.
******************* As always, I really want to thank Sheila for taking the time to come up with such a great review! If anyone else has a great book to recommend to high school students, please email me (my profile has the address). Check out this post for more information on how to become a guest reviewer.
Please remember to check out Sheila's blog, One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, and share some book love.

Thanks again, Sheila, for the great review and for being the first Guest Reviewer to make a second appearance! Thanks!

I'd like to welcome Megan from Write Meg! as my very first Guest Blogger!

*************************
Give me a call on a Friday night and ask what I’m doing. (Go ahead, I’ll give you my cell.) If I’m not at the movies or running around shopping, I promise you this: you’ll find me curled up in my living room, a thick paperback wedged at my side while skeins of burgundy-and-gold yarn cover my legs. In my hands, maybe along with a mug of tea, will be a long purple hook. And attached to that hook? That yarn. And lots of it.
My mother Lisa taught me to crochet when I was a rather serious 8-year-old; as soon as I could hold the hook capably, I was making runners out of pastel-colored yarn. I still have the first piece I made: a lumpy, uneven stretch of pink yarn with very fine stitches.
Now? I’m a 24-year-old crafting machine who’s all about Etsy, where I set up shop last February, though it took me a solid five months to get my first sale. And that first fateful transaction was for the item in my shop I thought would attract the least amount of attention: a burgundy-and-gold Gryffindor scarf.
And thus my “Harry Potter” scarf business was born.

Since last July, I’ve made approximately 30 Gryffindor scarves (in trademark burgundy and gold) and Slytherin scarves (in gray and green) and sent them to folks all around the United States and Canada. Fans of our beloved, valiant Harry will be happy to note a HUGE disparity between the number of Gryffindor students now running around — lots — and the smaller number of those in the house of the nefarious Draco Malfoy. Good still trumps evil.
I’m a huge fan of J.K. Rowling’s sweeping series myself, reading all seven books for the first time the summer that Harry Potter And the Deathly Hallows was published. I’ve taken in every film with wide, excited eyes. Making “Harry Potter” scarves is a labor of love — an extension of the love I have for the series. I don’t turn a major profit, but I’m not trying to — crocheting has always been something I do because I simply love it. And I’m pretty sure my friends and family will strangle me with my crocheted creations if I give them even one more scarf.
When Christmas rolled around this year, I even crocheted the scarves while watching “Harry Potter And the Prisoner Of Azkaban” (a fact I noted in the thank-you cards I wrote to customers!). Maybe making “Harry Potter” scarves while watching “Harry Potter” will bring the wearers good luck? Regardless, it made me feel awesome to imagine happy brothers, sisters, kids and parents opening my Gryffindor and Slytherin scarves on Christmas morning.
And hey, if any of us finally get our acceptance letters to Hogwarts? We’ll blend in seamlessly with the other students crowding the school’s hallowed halls! Though I might have a bit of trouble tracking down some appropriately glamorous dress robes... naturally, mine would have to be pink. And sparkly.
******************** Thanks Megan for stopping by and sharing your passion for crocheting and Harry Potter with us! While I don't know how to crochet, I do knit. And by "knit," I mean I can probably make a straight simple table runner. I'm not even sure if I could 'end' it though, I've never gotten that far! It sounds like a great idea though, knitting and reading at the same time. I wonder if I'm coordinated enough?
Thanks for stopping by and make sure to visit Megan at Write Meg! and her Etsy shop for your own Hogwarts Scarf needs.

Books Read:

• The Way of the Warrior
• The Paradox of Choice
• Now Is the Time: 170 Ways to Seize the Moment
• The Five Love Languages
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
• Beastly

• A Match Made in High School

• 5.18.10

• 5.12.10
• I Miss My Bookshelf Edition: 5.25.10

• Books Read Spring 2010
• Author Guest Post — Chris Bradford

• BEA10
• Another Day at BEA10
• Teen Author Carnival
• Meet the Class of 2K10
• Everything I Left Out