Review: Slide by Jill Hathaway

                                                  Book: Slide by Jill Hathaway
                                                  Pages: 250
                                                  Genre: Young Adult, Psychological
                                                  Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Vee doesn't really know how she does it, but ever since her mother died, she is able to slide into the minds of others through items that have been touched, and is able to witness the world through their eyes.

Very original, with interesting characters, especially with Vee, who happens to add a whole new case to the term of crazies.
Slvia, also known as Vee, has a secret. Ever since the death of her mother, Vee has "episodes" where she is able to slide, or transfer her mind into others, and see what's happening through their eyes. Vee has tried just about any pill there is to help her solution, but so far, only staying awake as long as she can, seems to be the only solution.
Things seem to be getting as normal as it can for Vee, until one day, Vee slides into a classmate and her sister's best friend, on the verge of death. At first, Vee thinks this might be an actual suicide, until she sees another body fleeing the scene.
While everyone is shocked by the death, and apparent suicide of their classmate, Vee knows the real truth, and is now on the hunt, for who the actual killer could be. Vee must find the real killer before another death takes place, or it could even be her next. 

My Thoughts: I liked how original the idea of this story was. Vee isn't your average character, but deals with some very serious issues. I enjoyed reading the relationship between Vee and her best friend Rollins. I kind of felt that even though Rollins has a different family situation, he still should not have hid his situation from Vee.
There were a couple issues I had with this novel as well. I wasn't a fan of the actual reason of why the killings were taking place. Maybe it was just me, but I felt that the actual reason was a bit too complicated, and the killer targeting the girls, were targeting the wrong individuals. The other thing that kind of bugged me was the ending of the book. I wasn't a fan of the fact that Rollins had walked away from Vee when she told him the truth about her abilities. They are obviously best friends, and the situation of Vee sliding into Rollins could not have been helped, if you're that close with the person. Also, towards the very end of the novel on the very last page, all I could remember thinking about was, 'That was it?' Hopefully there will be a continuance of the novel. Overall, interesting plot and characters, and will leave you wanting more.

Would I recommend this book: Sure

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.

400 follower giveaway WINNER

Hey fellow readers! Just wanted to announce the winner of my 400 follower giveaway. And the winner is...





a Rafflecopter giveaway



Congrats to the winner! You will be e-mailed shortly. You have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail or I will be forced to pick a new winner. Thank you to all of those who participated. Check back soon for more awesome reviews, posts, and giveaways :)

Review: Saving You Saving Me by Kailin Gow

                     ARC: Saving You Saving Me by Kailin Gow
                     Pages: 201
                     Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                     Source: sent from ATOMR tour for review

Short Synopsis: Sam, a young girl, is doing everything she can to get a scholarship to Stanford and decides to work at Sawyer House, a call center, to add as an extra curricular. She just never expected to fall in love with one of the people she was supposed to help save.

My Thoughts: Though intended for a more mature audience, I absolutely loved this novel and devoured it in one day.

Samantha, a pastor's daughter, has worked very hard to get to where she is. But even with all her achievements, it might not be enough to get her into the school of her choice. Under the school guidance councilor's advice, Sam decides to join a call center. She also meets a very powerful and handsome individual named Collins McGregor, and has very strong feelings for him, even though he has certain needs that she isn't too comfortable with.
But as soon as she starts working at the call center, Sam feels like she belongs, as she starts to listen to other people's problems, rather than dealing with her own family drama. While working at the call center one day, Sam encounters a very strange caller named Daggers, who needs advice. But she never expected to continue talking to him, and learning more about him. And though she thought that being at the call center would help others, she never dreamed that she would be the one who needed saving, and that this certain caller, just might be what she needed. 

A very original, fast paced, entertaining read. I loved how even though the characters seemed a bit disturbing, they were all very real, and had relatable problems. I enjoyed reading what Sam goes through, and that she is a great example of the fact that even though your life might seem perfect on the outside, on the inside, it can be a total wreck.

It was also interesting to read how a call center operates, and that issues can be ranging from minor to serious, and through Sam's eyes, we see that everyone else has problems too. I loved comparing the chemistry between Sam and Collins and Sam and Daggers, the caller. It was a mystery to read who Sam might have stronger feelings for, and with the mix of her friend Derek, it was most certainly, a can't put down novel. 

The only situation that I had with this novel was the fact that it dealt with some serious issues, and didn't really think that it should have been included in the young adult genre. Everything else was great. Interesting characters, with a plot leaving you wanting more. I definitely can't wait to read what happens next, and look forward to the sequel.

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5. 

Follow along with the Saving You Saving Me Tour

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow readers! It's another posting of In My Mailbox! Hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

For Review:

Losing Face -- Annie Try

From Library:

Dark Eyes -- William Richter

The Forbidden Game -- L.J. Smith

Two Way Street -- Lauren Barnholdt

Bought:

Harbinger -- Sara Wilson Etienne

That's all the books that I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can see your IMM too. :)

Follow Friday!

Hey fellow book lovers! It's another posting of Follow Friday. Hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read, this week's question is...



Q: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then "broke up" with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.


A. Hm. I don't think I've been disappointed by a character alone that I wanted to "break up" with. There were a couple novels as a whole, that I was disappointed with however. The most recent was Amanda Hocking's Switched Trilogy. I'd recently finished the last one, and though I loved the characters, I was a little disappointed at the predictable happily ever after ending that came along with it. I was actually a little disappointed that the character Wendy, didn't choose who I thought she would have chosen as her boyfriend. But I still loved the series. Be sure to leave your link so I can read your answer.

Review: Fated by Alyson Noel

           
                                                  Book: Fated by Alyson Noel
                                                  Pages: 306
                                                  Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                                  Source: Won for review from LibraryThing

Short Synopsis: Ever since a freak accident happened, Daire is sent to live with a grandmother that she's never met, and must learn to survive in a whole new world.

My Thoughts: A definitely different and original story, just one that really didn't stick too well with me.

All Daire has ever known is a life with her mother who happens to be a makeup artist, on the road, traveling to exotic places, on movie sets, meeting famous stars. It isn't until one day, Daire starts to have horrifying visions, and seeing things that aren't there. Daire is on the verge of being sent to an institution.
Her grandmother who hasn't contacted her in sixteen years, tells Daire's mother that she can help Daire. As a last resort, Daire is shipped to New Mexico where her grandmother lives. As she gets settled, Daire is told that she is a Soul Seeker, someone who can navigate between worlds of the living and dead.
As she embarks on a journey, she must learn all she can about her new found abilities, and try to control her powers. Daire must also find out if the boy she has been dreaming about, is actually her one true love, or if he is allied with his evil twin, and the enemy that she must destroy. 

A very different adventure than what I originally thought it would be. I have to admit that it did take a while to get used to. I enjoyed reading a lot of the novel's aspects, except the spiritual elements, and just couldn't wrap my mind around some of the adventures that Daire went through.
It was interesting to read about how Daire traveled in the movie sets with her mother, her encounters at school, and her love interest in Dace.  I also liked the fact that there was twins involved, and how one twin was good and one was bad.
There were a couple things that I wasn't too fond of. It really didn't make any sense to me how Daire was able to travel through animals and view the world through their eyes, yet still have the same mind thought. I was also a little lost on the whole situation with souls, and what Cade was up to. And though I loved reading Noel's other series, but I'm a little torn with this novel. Though I want to find out more about Daire's life, I'm just not a fan of the spiritual world. Overall, it was an interesting original novel, just one that didn't really suit me.

Would I recommend this book: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a 3/5.

Bloggers And The Pressure Of Plagiarism

Hey fellow bloggers and readers. It's been awhile since I've posted a rambling and rant about a certain subject. If many of you haven't known by now, I'll give the general version of what's going on in the book blogging world. A very well known book blogger, Kristi, from The Story Siren was accused of plagiarizing another blog, not once, but at least five times.
Now, at school, we've always been taught that Plagiarism is a big no no and will usually be expelled for it. I don't know the whole gist of the story, but, it's always sad to hear when some one has been accused of something so horrible. Bloggers are always trying to set their blog apart from other blogs, trying to be the most unique, and trying to get more loyal readers to read and follow their blog. What most people that aren't in the blogging business don't know, is that even though we get some perks for blogging, it's very time consuming, and we get pressured for reviews to be done in a timely manner, and as stated before, we are always pressured to be the most unique out of everyone else.
Now, if Kristi was in fact plagiarizing, I don't condone what she did, but I understand that she might have felt pressured to do so. And if in fact she did plagiarize, she should at least take a short break from blogging and lay low.
I adored Kristi and her blog and it was in fact one of the first YA book blogs that I started to follow. She was in fact the person to inspire me to start my own book review blog, and I was introduced to a whole new community, with so many awesome people.
I understand that there is always pressure, but she should have acknowledged the other blog for credit. I even wouldn't have minded if she'd copied and paste the whole article on to her blog, but with the credit for the other blog as well, if she did in fact, copy word for word. And if she didn't want to give credit, it probably would have been okay to post the same title, but her own thoughts on the subject.
In the blogging world, we are always insecure of followers loosing interest, but if you have to resort to something that low, I'd rather not have posted anything until I actually have something to post in my own words.
Most people would also argue that with more than 6 billion people on the planet, that it's hard to have your own original thought. And most times, especially in this particular business, you have to trust that people are writing their own thoughts. But I also understand the situation coming from the other blogger. I know I'd be completely furious if someone's plagiarized my words too. Kristi is such a huge figure in the book blogging world, that if she did in fact do something like this, there should be some consequences that should be followed. When the story broke out in the blogging world, I saw quite a few bloggers with the title of Plagiarism in the subject header, which makes me wonder if I'm going to be accused of plagiarism as well, after writing this post. I could go on and on with this subject, but I think I'll leave you all with a philosophy. If you're thinking about doing something that your conscience knows is wrong, you're better off not doing it at all, otherwise it could and probably will come back and bite you in the ass.

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey readers! It's a posting of Waiting on Wednesday! Hosted by Breaking The Spine, this week's pre-publication is...




Deadly Little Lessons (Touch #5)
by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Expected Publication Date: December 18, 2012

Camelia Hammond's trying junior year of high school is finally over...but her troubles aren't. After she discovers a painful truth about her family, she escapes to a summer arts program in Rhode Island. Determined to put family - and boyfriend - drama behind her, she throws herself into her artwork.

At the arts school, she gets caught up in the case of Sasha Beckerman, a local girl who is missing. Even though all signs suggest that the teen ran away, Camelia senses otherwise. Eager to help the girl, she launches her own investigation. She finds a blog by someone named Neal Moche, a psychometric who might have clues to Sasha's whereabouts. There is something familiar about Neal, and Camelia realizes how much she misses Ben, despite being committed to Adam.

But time is running out for Sasha, and Camelia will have to trust her powers if she's to save her. Will the lessons Camelia has learned in the past give her the strength to do so?

-- From Amazon.


I love this series and the author's writing style. I actually wasn't a fan of how the last one ended, and if I remember correctly, I think that this is the last in this series, and will definitely not miss this one. I love reading the romance triangle between Camelia, Adam, and Ben, and can't wait to read who she finally actually chooses. Be sure to leave your link and let me know what pre-publication you are waiting on.

E-book giveaway winner!

Hey fellow readers, I just wanted to announce the winner of my e-book giveaway of A Song After Dark. And the winner is...






a Rafflecopter giveaway



Congrats! Your e-mail will be sent to the author in order to receive your e-book. Thanks so much for participating!

Review: Lethally Blonde by Patrice Lyle

                                                 Book: Lethally Blonde by Patrice Lyle
                                                 Pages: 249
                                                 Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                                 Source: Sent from LeapBooks

Short Synopsis: Morgan Skully isn't your normal demon girl teenager. She gets hired by the Devil himself to find and destroy who has been leaking valuable information about the school.

My Thoughts: A cute, funny, interesting read with lovable characters, and an interesting take of life as a demon.

Morgan isn't your average demon teenager. She loves to shop, the color pink, and is always looking for the latest sale. So it comes as a shock to Morgan, when the uber hot Devil, hires Morgan for a job. She must try to find out who has been leaking valuable information about the demon school, Pitchfork Prep, and destroy the betrayer.
Morgan is fine becoming a spy for the devil and even finding out who the culprit is. But being the bubbly character that she is, she's having a hard time having to deal with the killing part. But the Devil tells Morgan that if she doesn't complete the job, she will not be able to attend the school's annual Brimstone Ball.
Morgan is crushed. if she can't attend the ball, she has no future with the boy named Derek, who she has been crushing on. But as soon as Morgan starts her investigation, she gets into some sticky situations. She also finds out that not everything is as it seems, and a teacher she thought she could trust, might very well be the culprit.

I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the main characters, Morgan with her spunky attitude, the Devil, though very authoritative, is also very caring, and Derek, who may have his flaws, has strong feelings for Morgan as well. The story line is very original with quirky phrases, and characters leaving you wanting to find out more.

I enjoyed reading the drama between Morgan and Derek. And though Derek wasn't always perfect, he adored Morgan, and loved reading how jealous he got when Morgan received male attention. I also liked the relationship between Morgan and the Devil as well. And though the Devil is supposedly super old, their relationship seemed like it was something more, as he treated her more than just a colleague, and coming to her rescue every time. And though I enjoyed reading about Derek and Morgan, I kind of wished that Morgan was with the Devil.

It was also interesting to read the unique demon powers that the students at the school possessed and to read the experiences that Morgan was going through. A cute, funny, entertaining read with colorful characters, that I couldn't get get enough of. I was disappointed with the ending, because it seemed like there might be more, which hopefully there will be.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5. 

Review: Second Skin by Judith Graves

                                            Book: Second Skin by Judith Graves
                                            Pages: 270
                                            Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                            Source: Sent from LeapBooks

Short Synopsis: Eryn lives in a town called RedGrave where practically everyone has a special power. Eryn, being part wolven, must learn to control her wolf before things get worse. But before she can do that, the town is being haunted by a night mare. A horrible monster that preys on innocents through their night mares.

My Thoughts: Easy to follow along to, with interesting characters, and a paranormal aspect with every page.

Eryn lives in a town called RedGrave where almost everyone has a secret. Her best friend Brit can shapeshift into a bird, Eryn herself has the power to shapeshift into a wolf, and she is also good friends with Matt and Alec who are healers.
So the paranormal world isn't anything new to Eryn and the gang, but when an ancient demon comes through town tormenting innocents through their night mares, Eryn and the gang must do everything they can, to keep the innocents safe.
But things don't exactly go as planned, when all Eryn can think about is her worst night mare, hurting and killing Alec when Eryn turns into a wolf. And things get even more complicated when Wade has been missing for weeks, but Eryn can hear his thoughts, but has no way of communicating with him. And on top of it all, Paige, Eryn's cousin seems to have a weird case of amnesia after the spell that a fellow friend, Kate, put on her to forget about an incident. Eryn must find a way to banish the ancient demon, fix Paige, and figure out her feelings between Alec and Wade.

I hadn't realized that this was part of a series. Without having read the first one, it was very easy to follow along to, with interesting paranormal events with every turn of the page. Eryn, the main character is a strong willed, independent individual, who has her own personal demons to face. I loved the fact that this book was filled with so many different paranormal aspects, that reading this book was never a dull moment.
I enjoyed reading the love triangle between Eryn, Alec, and Wade, and wanted to find out more. The relationship between Eryn and Alec was sweet and caring, while the relationship between Eryn and Wade was dark and mysterious. And though she seems to be trusting Wade more than she does Alec, it'll be very interesting to see who she really ends up with.
It was very entertaining to read how each character's night mares were different, and the significance behind it. It was also interesting to read that an actual town was filled with paranormal creatures. The fact that everyone has a different power mixed with a night mare demon, made everything much more creepy. Overall, an awesome read, with interesting characters, and a town filled with twists and turns at every angle.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow readers! It's another posting of In My Mailbox. Hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

For Review:

The Hunt -- Andrew Fukuda 

Silence -- Michelle Sagara

Ascend -- Amanda Hocking

Glitch -- Heather Anastasiu (e-book from Netgalley)

From Library:

Out of Sight, Out of Time -- Ally Carter.

Won from Random Buzzers:

ARC of The Sharp Time -- Mary O'Connell

Special thanks to DAW publishing and Macmillan publishing for sending the books! That's all the books I got this week. Be sure to leave a link so I can see your mailbox! :)

Review: The Vampire Underground by Brian Rowe

                                     E-book: The Vampire Underground by Brian Rowe
                                     Pages: 276
                                     Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                     Source: Sent from author

Short Synopsis: Brin and her friend Ash love movies and are excited to start Intro To Film, a cool class that every one is excited to get into. But things take an unexpected turn when the teacher assigns the class to make their very own movie.

My Thoughts: An interesting story with characters that grow on you till the end.

Brin and her best friend Ash, absolutely love movies. So it's no surprise when the two enroll in Intro to Film. Both Ash and Brin think that it's going to be a great class where they get to watch a lot of awesome movies.
But things take an unexpected turn when their teacher, Mr. Barker announces to the class that they will be split up into groups and create a horror flick, with a twist. And it's just Brin's luck that she gets put in with a group with the most bossy girl in the class named Anya.
And even though Brin is excited to be the producer, Anya insists that she has more experience and is better suited for the job. Brin reluctantly agrees, as Anya insists that they have to film their horror film in an abandoned town called Bodie Ghost Town.
But things don't go as planned, while in a blizzard, their transportation gets stuck and they have to walk the rest of the way. Once they get to the town and film what they need, Brin starts to have weird, creepy visions that no one else can see. But things get even worse, as the sun starts to set, and Brin can't believe her eyes when an actual vampire creature attacks Brin. Now Brin and the rest of the gang try to escape the thousands of bloodsucking vampires attempt to make them their latest meal. Brin must find a way to escape the horrible creatures, keep her classmates alive, and get out of Bodie Ghost Town for good, before it's too late. 

A really interesting take on the vampire genre. I enjoyed reading this novel, and the experiences that Brin encounters. I actually liked a lot of the concept of this novel, until it actually took a turn towards the paranormal world. The characters were great. I enjoyed reading the chemistry between Ash and Brin, the crazy group and the ideas for their movie that Brin must go through, and I also loved how annoying Brin's nemesis Anya was. 

There were a couple things that didn't really suit me though. First, was the constant switching of the point of views. I felt that as a reader, it didn't really have a smooth flow, and it was a bit confusing to follow along to which story was going on at the moment. The second thing was the fact that it had turned paranormal, and a little bit more of an unlikely story, then when it started out as. Another problem I had with the story was how once Brin and the rest of the group that survived the ordeal, how they were going to tell everyone else about what had happened to the others that didn't make it through.

Rowe also does an excellent job of really disliking the character, Anya, and the craziness that she puts the group through. And even though it's a good trait to be independent and determined, I felt that Anya was  very inconsiderate of other people's feelings and after all that hard work, nothing was salvaged. 

One of the main reasons that I wasn't a big fan of when the vampires came around in this story was because of the way they were depicted. And though I know vampires aren't really human, I felt that they were a bit too animalistic. Overall, still a very interesting story, and I can't wait to find out more about Brin's adventures, and can't wait to read how she reveals her story to her film making class.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5. 

Follow Friday!

Hey fellow readers! It's another posting of Follow Friday! Hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read, this week's question is...



Q: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

A. Wow, this is a tough one! Hm. I'd choose Cammie Morgan from the Ghallager Girl series by Ally Carter, and Tris from the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Though both are human, Cammie is an awesome spy in training that could potentially be a plus in the fight as she has so much awesome knowledge, but Tris is in the dauntless group and is supposedly fearless. So who'd win? This would be a close one, but I think ultimately, Tris would win because she's got nothing to fear.

Be sure to stop by my giveaway section and check out my 400 follower giveaway as well as my e-book giveaway. Also, be sure to leave your link so I can read your answers.

E-book Giveaway: A Song After Dark by Grant Palmquist

Hey fellow book lovers! Today I am happy to announce an e-book giveaway. One lucky person will receive an e-book copy of A Song After Dark by Grant Palmquist!

Book Summary:


Norman thought he'd hit the jackpot when he met Zach, trading his boring straight A lifestyle for one filled with parties, drugs and more girls than he ever imagined he'd meet in his lifetime. But there’s something dangerous about Zach, something not quite right. For Zach has a dark secret, that once revealed will drag his newfound sidekick into a nightmare world mired in death and destruction. Be wary of strangers and careful what you wish for. Sometimes A Song After Dark is one you don't want to hear.

-- From Amazon


Rules:

Just follow the Raffle Copter instructions below. Open internationally. Ends: April 23, 2012.





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey fellow readers! It's another posting of Waiting On Wednesday! Hosted by Breaking The Spine, this week's pre-publication is...




Defiance
by C.J. Redwine
Expected Publication Date: August 28th, 2012

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

--From Amazon


First of all, the cover is gorgeous. Also it sounds really interesting, mysterious, and I totally can't wait to read the relationship between the main characters. This is the first I've heard of this author, and I can't wait to read all about it. Be sure to leave your link and let me know what pre-publication you are waiting for.


Hey fellow readers, don't forget to enter in my 400 follower giveaway as well if you haven't already!

Guest Author: Kelan O'Connell

Hello fellow readers! Today I am glad to have guest author, Kelan O'Connell, and her latest novel, Delta Legend.

Here's more with Kevin, and his views on the novel...

I was in my 30's the first time I killed (a character, that is). Oh, I'd written a play or two where characters met their end, most from natural causes. But it wasn't until I wrote a spec screenplay for a Teen Horror that I actually had to, well, off somebody. 

        Her underwater screams reach the surface in a burst of bubbles and blood.

The screenplay of Delta Legend turned out to be a big-budget beast no production company or studio in their right mind would touch, especially at a time when Teen Horrors were being shot on shoestring budgets. (Insert clip of teens running around in the dark woods holding flashlights under their chins.) We don't have a clip? Fine. 

Flash forward ten years and I'm in the early stages of converting the screenplay of Delta Legend into a novel, which now falls more under the realm of Urban Fantasy. Suddenly characters who were little more than bit players are far more fleshed out. You get to know them on a deeper level with all their endearing little idiosyncrasies. You get attached and then, oh yeah, gotta kill 'em. Well, not me personally, but the "thing" responsible for all the mayhem. So, while there's no blood on my hands, I'm still the one orchestrating their untimely demise and frankly, it took me a while to actually do the dirty deed. But kill them, I did.

Without warning, the kayak was aggressively bumped from below and overturned. It remained upside down for only a moment however, as the seasoned kayaker promptly managed to right his vessel—an impressive feat since he was now headless. His arms made one last reflex-action attempt at paddling before he went limp and his decapitated body slumped over. Blood gushed from the meaty wound of the neck stump and mixed with river water as it flowed down over his life vest then spilled onto the front of the boat.

The kayak, with its horrific cargo, continued to slowly drift through the water—a sporty, though less animated version of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. 

Trying to come up with new and creative ways for people to die is certainly an interesting day's work. Being that I have a natural tendency for comedy, at first it seemed weird that one moment I was creating a funny bit followed shortly thereafter by a gruesome scene. I soon came to realize, however, that some of the greatest Horror is a magical blend of carnage and comedy. It takes you on a roller coaster ride; one minute you're laughing and the next you're screaming, or at the very least gasping. And after having the bejeezus scared out of you, you really need the release of laughter. Not to mention that nervous laughter as you anticipate what surely must be waiting around the next corner. Horror and humor is a delicious combo on the level of chocolate and peanut butter. I've been a fan of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups ever since I was a kid, but who knew I'd develop a taste for carnage somewhat late in the game.

A large metal homemade crawdad trap soon arrived at the surface with more than just crawdads on board. A section of Huestus lay wedged in the basket; his head, neck, right shoulder and arm were intact, though freakishly separated from the rest of him. Half a dozen crawdads clung to his waterlogged skin, picking from the spongy flesh. One of his eyes was a squishy, milky-grey, but the other was perfectly flawless and stared back at his finders with glassy intent. 

Ray pulled on a pair of latex gloves retrieved from his pocket before beginning the morbid task of removing crawdads from Huestus. He then carefully placed the crustaceans in a bait bucket borrowed from the cabin cruiser—bizarre evidence indeed. 

Leaving the dock, Calvin shook his head and admonished his great-uncle. “What’d I tell ya ’bout eatin’ those things?”

Samuel instinctively wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

And Huestus was a character I really had a soft spot for. Ah well, what are ya gonna do? Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go grab a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and off somebody else. Don't worry, it's no one you know... yet.

For more musings by Kelan visit her blog at http://kelanoconnell.blogspot.com/

the Delta Legend's website http://deltalegend.com/

You can find Delta Legend at Amazon

Review: Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

                        Book: Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby
                        Pages: 265
                        Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                        Source: Won from I Am A Reader Not A Writer, for review

Short Synopsis: Jo, is the youngest papparazzo in the business, and darn good at it too. But when she agrees to go undercover for a job that's worth thousands, she has no idea what she's gotten herself into.

My Thoughts: A cute, fast paced, read that will have you devouring the novel, and wanting to find out more. 

Josephine Foster, or 'Zo Jo' as she's known in the papparazzo business, loves taking pictures of famous people. Her real passion is taking pictures, and is saving up for photography school. So Jo can't pass up an awesome deal to go undercover, at a retreat, with all expenses paid, and earning her thousands of dollars to be able to complete her dream.
And though Jo knows that the deal is shady, by invading the famous singer, Ned Harnett's private and personal life and taking pictures of it, Jo knows that with this kind of money, she can get out of this business for good.
But the retreat isn't all what Jo thought it would be. As she learns the truth about her fellow mates, and herself, Jo can't help but think about what she could be doing to ruin Ned's life. Things also start to take a turn, when Jo finds out the real reason that Ned is at the retreat. Can Jo help Ned and still be able to make it out the business and follow her dreams?

I really enjoyed reading this novel. The main characters, Jo and Ned are very entertaining, and relatable. I loved that there were outrageous moments that made you grin, and moments that made you sympathetic towards the characters, especially Jo. 

Jo is a strong, independent individual, who despite her flaws, still has a conscience and manages to do the right thing, and solving the problem for everyone. I very much enjoyed reading the trials and triumphs that Jo had to get through, as well as the chemistry between Jo and Ned. It was also very interesting to read how even though the time that Jo spent at the retreat wasn't meant for her, she still manages to discover more about what's been bothering her as well. 

This novel has it all. Drama, comedy, and characters that leave you wanting more. It's a story about finding yourself, acceptance, and love, all rolled into a great read. Though the ending seemed a bit predictable, nevertheless, a very appealing novel, and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5. 

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow book lovers! It's another posting of In My Mailbox! Hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got..

Won from Random Buzzers:

Starters -- Lissa Price (I'm so excited that I finally got a copy off the website, after not receiving three requested books!)

From Library:

Magnolia League -- Katie Crouch.

That's all the books that I got this week. Be sure to leave your link and let me know what books you got this week :)

400 follower giveaway!

Hey fellow book fanatics! In the spirit of my awesome 400 followers, I've decided to do a giveaway. Get on with the prize already you ask? Well, one lucky person will get their choice of...

ARC copy of Fated -- Alyson Noel
Finished copy of Daughter of the Centaurs -- Kate Klimo
Finished copy of Forbidden -- Syrie James
Finished copy of New Girl by Paige Harbison
Finished copy of Halflings by Heather burch
Finished copy of On A Dark Wing -- Jordan Dane
ARC copy of Saving June -- Hannah Harrington.

To enter, please follow the Raffle Copter instructions below. Open to U.S. residents only, ends on 4-30-12.

*** Please note: This is a 400 follower giveaway. Please do not fake follow as it is unfair to others who actually do follow, and is not in the spirit of the giveaway.





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Friday!

Hey book fans! It's another posting of Follow Friday. Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View, this week's question is...


Q: What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

A. This is a tough one. The one series that I really loved was Richelle Mead and her Vampire Academy series. A more recent one for this answer would also have to be Veronica Roth's Divergent Series. There's so much information in both series, that it would be hard to make into a movie. Be sure to leave your link so I can read your answer.

Happy Friday :)

Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

                                                 E-book: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen
                                                 Pages: 348
                                                 Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                                 Source: NetGalley

Book Summary from Goodreads:
I don't do dangerous.  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

My Thoughts: 

I was so excited when I saw that a Michelle Rowen book was coming out and had to get it. I loved her young  adult series, the Demon Princess, and her other adult fiction series as well. But for some reason, I just could not sit through this novel.

One major reason was the fact that the main character, Samantha, has so much chemistry between two boys, Bishop and Colin, and due to an unexpected supernatural experience, she can no longer kiss anyone. It sucked the chemistry out and was very frustrating that though there were a lot of feelings going on with these three major characters, nothing was really happening. 

Another major reason I couldn't complete the novel was the lack of actual information. Though we do get some information from a character named Natalie, the majority of it is just speculation, and a little over 100 pages in, Samantha still has no real clue as to what was going on with her situation.

One last thing that really bothered me was a bit of the randomness. I stopped at the part where her mother suddenly springs in the issue that Samantha is adopted, when Samantha wasn't even really thinking about that aspect of her life yet, and felt like the information was kind of out of the blue. Overall, though the novel had some originality to it, I just constantly kept loosing my focus, and didn't really hold my attention all that well.

Would I recommend this book: Eh

Rating: I give this book a DNF.

   

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey book fanatics! It's a posting of Waiting On Wednesday, hosted by Breaking The Spine! This week's pre-publication is...



Size 12 and Ready To Rock ( Heather Wells Mystery #4)
by Meg Cabot
Expected Publication Date: July 10, 2012

After dallying with sexy vampires and ingeniously reinterpreting the Dracula legend (Insatiable, Overbite), #1 New York Times bestseller Meg Cabot is ready to rock ’n’ roll once more with Heather Wells. The un-petite assistant New York City college dorm director and sometime sleuth is back in Size 12 and Ready to Rock—a delectable comedy mystery that proves once more that the much beloved author of The Princess Diaries rules in the realm of grown-up women’s fiction as well. Heather’s got her hands full when a pop star and her reality TV camera crew invade the dorm—bringing with them a summer camp-full of adoring teen admirers—only to have an inconvenient homicide spoil the fun.  There’s romance, treachery, merry mayhem and music—just the ticket for readers who like to rock out on the hip contemporary singleton fiction of Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Weiner, and Jane Green.




--From Amazon


I absolutely LOVE Meg Cabot. If it's a Meg Cabot book, it's most definitely going on my TBR list. I loved reading this series, and though I must admit that it's been a while, I can't wait to read what whacky adventures Heather Wells is up to next. Be sure to leave your link and let me know what pre-publication you are waiting for.

Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda

                                                   Book: Fracture by Megan Miranda
                                                   Pages: 262
                                                   Genre: Young Adult
                                                   Source: Library

Book Summary from Amazon:
Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine
-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

My Thoughts: Though what seemed to be an interesting adventure, this novel did not really hold my attention all that well. First off, what made Delaney Maxwell all that appealing that practically had every guy running after her? Her overprotective 'friend' Decker, who seems to want more in their relationship, but apparently made a bet in the past with his friends to kiss her? Then there's also Connor, Decker's best friend whom supposedly she kissed but doesn't know where their relationship stands? And now a new character named Troy, which the author seemed to be trying too hard to be mysterious and seems to hold Delaney's interest the most. 

Aside from the multiple love interests, after Delaney's accident, it also wasn't really explained why Delaney kept seeing things that no one else saw, that caused a person's death. Overall, the story didn't really hold my attention, I felt the author was trying too hard to be unique and mysterious, and the fact that Delaney couldn't really settle on one boy didn't seem to help much either.

Would I recommend this book: Not really

Rating: I give this book a DNF.