Blog Button

Soooo I finally figured out how to make a blog button. I would love love love it if someone used the code below to post it on the sidebar of their blog (and I'd post your button on my blog) but it's not necessary!

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Teaser Tuesday: 431 Days With a Concussion

Long time no Teaser Tuesday! This is a poem I wrote for English class on May 5th. Enjoy!

"431 Days With a Concussion"

*SNIP*

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren.

I'm a bit behind with my IMM, so this post is going to be from what I've received the past few weeks/since my last IMM.

ARCS for Review:

(cover not final)

Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman

(sorry couldn't find a picture of a cover for this one, but here is the authors website: http://jessicawarman.com/)

Store-Bought

Other:

Swag for the Body Finder (autographed)

Swag for the The Tension of Opposites

So what did you get this week?

Trailer for Linger

Superfantabulous trailer for Linger, done by Maggie Stiefvater herself:

Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder
Author: Kimberly Derting
Release Date: March 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Length: 329 pages
Format: ARC

Summary:

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.


Review:

One of my favorite books of the year. Hands down. The mystery was enough to make my stomach curl, the romance enough to make my heart flutter, the characters realistic enough to make me believe they were real, the pacing so perfect that I never was bored for one second. Unbelievable debut on Kimberly Derting's part. Unfreakinbelievable.

Probably my favorite aspect was the occasional chapter from the perspective of the murderer. The thoughts in the murderers head were seriously blood curling and had that spot-on creep factor. Plus, I never knew who the killer was. I bounced back between Violet's uncle, Jay, Grady, the cops, etc. It was crazy and spectacular to read an unpredictable book for once.

And usually hate third person person I feel distant from the characters. Not with The Body Finder. I feel like I know Violet like I know my best friend, even though it was in third person.

Additionallllllyyyyyy the characters were not whiny when it came to hormones. The author was spot on when it came to mastering teenage emotions. Wowzers. That is rare.

Kimberly Derting YOU ROCK.

Grade: A+

Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Linger (sequel to Shiver)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: July 20, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Length: 358pages
Format: ARC

Summary:

The Longing.

Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.

The Loss.

Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wold while denying the ties of being human.

The Linger.

For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is a constant struggle between two forces--wolf and human-- with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?


Review:

Linger was like reading butter. The writing was silky smooth, fatty, and addicting. A guilty pleasure. But eating too much butter at once gives you a stomach ache, so I read this in pieces at a time, because the writing was so thick and beautiful that I would have become obese with jealousy and awe if I read it in one sitting.

Linger is told in the four alternating viewpoints of Sam, Grace, Isabel, and Cole. I did have a few issues with this, as Sam, Grace, and Isabel's voices so closely mirrored each other I had to keep flipping back to the beginning of the chapter to remind myself who was speaking. Cole's voice, however, was distinct and by far the most interesting and complex character. He opted to become a wolf in an attempt to forget about the complications, pain, and regret in his human life. This created an unbelievable tension between Sam and Cole, a tension that makes your stomach twist with apprehension.

The beginning of the book did linger for me a bit (no pun intended), as it took the time to set the stage for the events to come in the latter pages. I admit, I probably would have put it down if 1. The writing hadn't been so magnificent. 2. I hadn't been so compelled to figure out Cole and 3. The mystery of Grace's illness wasn't so gut-wrenching. You may be in for a surprise for this one, because I definitely was. I also have to admit this: If I had put the book down after the first 30 pages, I would have made a huge mistake. This book is worth reading again and again and again.

And you should be prepared to possibly shed a tear at the end.



Grade: A-

Trailer for the Tension of Opposites

The official trailer for Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride is now live! The book is released May 25, 2010, which is less than a month away, so mark your calendars!





ETA: Ew I just realized my blog isn't big enough to fit the video... here's the YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxLpU3agGk0

Review: Home Sweet Drama (Canterwood Crest series #8) by Jessica Burkhart

Title: Home Sweet Drama (Canterwood Crest Series #8)

Author: Jessica Burkhart

Release Date: April 6, 2010

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (Aladdin)

Length: 240 pages

Format: ARC

Summary:

If the girls have learned anything, it's that only the strong survive at Canterwood Crest Academy. Just ask Jasmine.... Oh, whoops. You can't — she's back at Wellington Prep. Well, then, ask Heather Fox. After all, she's the lone Queen Bee left standing.

But Sasha Silver has more than proven that she's worthy competition on — and off — the arena. Is there a new queen in the making?

Review:

I am a horseback rider myself, and to find a series focusing in on the lives of other teenage riders, I was pretty excited. Since I first picked up the initial Canterwood Crest novel, Take the Reins, this series has been my comfort series despite targeting a younger crowd.

In Home Sweet Drama, the eighth installment, I was relieved to find that it was more focused on the main character’s, Sasha’s, riding since the last few books have leaned more towards her social life/drama. The increase of riding made me more interested in Sasha, and how she would handle it without being distracted. In previous books she had a hard time concentrating on her horse, Charm, because her thoughts would drift to her social life and comparing herself to other riders. But in this one, however, she gave Charm the attention he needed and therefore we have watched her mature as a rider throughout the series.

But while the amount of riding increased, the emphasis on her social life decreased, which was a major part of fueling the storyline. In comparison to other books, Home Sweet Drama was more predictable and low key. The amount of major events diminished, and while I appreciated the boost in Sasha’s riding life, I would have enjoyed some more twists and turns in her social life.

Grade: B

Interview with Laurie Faria Stolarz

Summary:

Some secrets shouldn't be kept...

Until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades, an okay relationship with her parents, and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when a mysterious boy named Ben starts junior year at her high school, Camelia's life becomes anything but ordinary.

Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe he's trouble, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. Instead, she's inexplicably drawn to Ben.and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help-but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.

Interview:

Q: What inspired you to write the Touch series?

A: I wanted to write a story where the main character has to struggle with the idea of falling in love with someone who could potentially be dangerous. I tinkered with this concept in the first three books of my Blue is for Nightmares Series [(Blue is for Nightmares (Llewellyn 2003),White is for Magic (Llewellyn 2004), and Silver is for Secrets (Llewellyn 2005), as well as in Bleed (Hyperion 2006)]. In Bleed, in particular, there’s a young male character who was convicted for the murder of his girlfriend. His next relationship consists of pen pal letters he exchanges with a young girl while he’s in prison. Without giving too much away, the relationship is briefly pursued once he is released, but I wanted to bring this concept to another level.

Additionally, I wanted to continue experimenting with the supernatural (which I also use in my Blue is for Nightmares Series as well as inProject 17), showing how we all have our own inner senses and intuition, and how with work we can tap into those senses and make them stronger.

I started researching different types of supernatural powers and discovered the power of psychometry (the ability to sense things through touch). The concept fascinated me, and so I wanted to bring it out in a character, showing how sometimes even the most extraordinary powers can also be a curse.

Lastly, I wanted to apply these concepts to be part of a series. I love the idea of growing a main character over the course of several books.

Q: What was your query process like?

A: I approached editors and agents at the same time, trying to target those who worked with writers like me (namely, writers who wrote in the young adult supernatural genre). It took me a long time to sell my first novel. I have a folder filled with rejection letters. My favorite one is from an editor who said: “While this is an interesting project, I do not feel it is strong enough to compete in today’s competitive young adult market.” That same young adult novel, BLUE IS FOR NIGHTMARES, has sold over 200,000 copies, has been translated into numerous different languages, and has appeared on many different award lists. When I speak to young people and aspiring writers, I always tell them this story, that if I had stopped persevering, after I received my first – or my 40^th rejection letter – I may never have been able to enjoy the success of my series.

Q: Are any of your characters based off people you know?

A: No, though sometimes I’ll steal a character quirk from people I’ve known. For example, in the Blue is for Nightmares series, Amber carries around a pair of chopsticks for whenever she’s eating out. I once knew someone who did that.

Q: Cameila has a love for pottery—do you have a love for it as well? Does it help you relax like it does Camelia? If not, how do you relax?

A: Yes, I love pottery, and have been doing it since I was a kid. My mom worked in a ceramics studio and I often went to work with her, helping out whenever I could. I also relax by walking, napping, cooking, yoga, and watching lots of reality TV.

Q: When writing, do you use an outline or just wing it?

A: I use an outline.

Q: What are you working on right now?

A: I’m currently working on the edits of DEADLY LITTLE GAME, the third book in the TOUCH SERIES. I’m also editing DO YOU SEE, the third book in THE AMANDA PROJECT.

Q: Is there anything you can tell us about the next installment of the Touch Series?

A: The title DEADLY LITTLE GAMES holds very true – there is a literal game going on. Things between Camelia and Ben continue to get complicated, and Adam’s presence doesn’t help things. We’ll also get to see more of Camelia’s aunt.

Q: Did you always know that you wanted to write young adult novels? More specifically, paranormal?

A: Yes, though I loved telling stories as a young person, I wasn’t a big reader. As soon as I got slightly bored, I’d put the book down. I tended to gravitate toward books that kept me turning pages. Those books turned out to be of the mystery/suspense/paranormal genre. I knew I wanted to write books that appealed to me at that age.

Q: Did you test other genres before settling on teens as your audience?

A: I started with screenplay, because I love to see my books as scenes. I then went on to write young adult novels. My second novel, BLEED, (though 4^th published), was originally written for adults before I sold it in the young adult market.

Review: The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

Title: The Tension of Opposites

Author: Kristina McBride

Release Date: May 25th, 2010

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Length: 288 pages

Format: ARC

Summary:

Up / Down
Hot / Cold
Free / Noelle


It’s been two years since Noelle disappeared. Two years since her bike was discovered, sprawled on a sidewalk. Two years of silence, of worry, of fear.

For those two long years, her best friend Tessa has waited, living her own life in a state of suspended animation. Because how can she allow herself to enjoy a normal high school life if Noelle can’t? How dare she have other friends, go to dances, date boys, without knowing what happened to the girl she thought she would share everything with?

And then one day, someone calls Noelle’s house. She’s alive.

A haunting psychological thriller taken straight from the headlines, The Tension of Opposites is a striking debut that explores the emotional aftermath of a kidnapping on the victim, and on the people she left behind.

Review:

First off, let me say that I hold high expectations for a book. I’m picky, so to actually pick a book up, I expect to love it. Most don’t live up to these somewhat ridiculous high standards.

Not only did the Tension of Opposites live up to those expectations, but exceeded them.

Kristina McBride made it seem seamless the way she wriggled herself into the mind of a girl, Tessa, whose best friend Noelle was kidnapped and then returned two years later. She describes Tessa’s fear of strangers that has budded since the kidnapping as though it were her own, which contributed to the impressive creep factor.

It was refreshing to have Tessa ease into a relationship, not instantly fall in love with the love interest because he’s attractive. The best way to describe this is in Tessa’s own words:

“I tried to keep from noticing how beautiful he was because thoughts like those can make you vulnerable, leave you open for attack. Having a squared jaw, smooth skin, and full lips certainly didn’t make him safe.”

My one complaint was Noelle, Tessa’s best friend and the girl who had been kidnapped. I don’t think her fear after the incident was captured as well as Tessa’s. I know she was trying to be portrayed as tough, strong, and guarded but some of her actions threw me off. Like after she escaped and returned to her family, she would sneak out in the middle of the night. By herself. Her explanation for this was because everyone in her house was suffocating her, which was true, but I can’t see her having the bravery to sneak out after all she went through for two years.

That really was my only problem with this book. The rest was beautifully written, and for the most part, the characters were 100% believable. Opposites played an important part in the plot, and Kristina McBride managed to balance the opposites of dark and light. There was enough darkness to make me want to run to bed and have my parents check my closet for monsters, but enough light to give me hope for victims of a traumatizing event.

Grade: A-