In My Mailbox (#40)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. These are the books I bought or received this week.

The school where I work had the annual Scholastic Book Fair this last week, so I picked up these:

Aries Rising - Bonnie Hearn Hill

Trapped - Michael Northrop

Distant Waves - Suzanne Weyn

Radiance - Alyson Noel

Shimmer - Alyson Noel

Ruined - Paula Morris

Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia

Beautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia

I got these from the library.

Undead and Uneasy - MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unworthy - MaryJanice Davidson

Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins

What did you get in your mailbox?

On My Wishlist (#41)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

I am working on finishing up some series I have started, and am planning on starting on some other series.  This is one of the series I would like to start on.....

Marked
P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
House of Night # 1

Goodreads Description:
The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Cover Reveal: Shadow Bound

Shadow Bound

Rachel Vincent

Unbound # 2

Release Date: June 1, 2012

I am in love with this cover.  Seriously, I think this is my favorite cover EVER!  It is so gorgeous, mostly because there are two gorgeous people on the cover!  I just love how close they are and how intimate the situation seems to be.  Absolutely brilliant!

REVIEW: If I Die

If I Die

Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers # 5

Goodreads Description: The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

My thoughts:  This book was AMAZING!  I thought this was the last book, but apparently there is another one in the works.  I think this would have been a great ending to this series!  However, if Rachel Vincent has another one in the works, it is obviously going to blow me away even more than this one did!  She is a wonderful writer and I just know she won't screw up now.

A lot of this book was similar to the previous books in the series.  Kaylee is a soul screamer and she saves the day once again!  One thing that I did not see coming was this new interest in Tod.  I mean, seriously?  I felt like I was slapped in the face!  I was not expecting it, and still don't quite understand it, but that's what makes it so good!  I thought Nash and Kaylee were doing fine.  And then when she decided she wanted Tod, she started saying that she never really got over what Nash did and she doesn't really trust him or whatever.  Really Kaylee?  You didn't realize that before?  She is one of those girls that doesn't think about this stuff until there is another guy in the picture, because there is no way she would have dumped Nash if Tod didn't step into the picture.  She is apparently one of those girls who ALWAYS needs a man.  Man those girls annoy me!

I actually kind of liked Sabine in this book.  I absolutely despised her before, but she actually felt more like a real person in this one.  I think she was really warming up to Kaylee.  I thought maybe at first it was because she knew that Kaylee was going to die anyways, so she might as well help her with Nash.  But even that wouldn't make sense if Sabine was such a terrible person.  If she was so terrible, she wouldn't have helped Kaylee at all and tried to take Nash sooner.  I think Sabine and Nash belong together anyway, but I would have hated Sabine if she actually stole him from Kaylee.

I loved the whole idea of this incubus being in their school.  I like reading that kind of stuff, without all the details.  This is the first book that I have read that involves an incubus and isn't completely all about the sex scenes!  Some people like that, but to me it is just like watching porn....I don't need it.  So I really liked the whole idea of a whole new idea being brought into this series.  It wasn't all about banshees and people dying in this book!

I am SO excited for the next book because this one was just "WOW".  I can really see that Rachel Vincent is developing as an author, so I am thinking I need to check out her Unbound series.  Maybe after that I will go back to her Shifters series and see just where she started.  Rachel Vincent is one of my favorite authors, especially because she comes up with her own ideas and I can't pick out anything by any other author that compares to this Soul Screamers series.  If you have not started this series....1.  Where have you been? and 2. Read it NOW!

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 



"Waiting On" Wednesday (#30)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Here is what I am waiting on:

Disenchanted
Sherry Soule

Goodreads Description:
Elizabeth Blackburn, an intelligent and sassy New Yorker, doesn’t believe in the supernatural until she moves into Summerwind Mansion and begins having nightmares about a young woman murdered in the house. She suspects there’s something strange about this place and it’s not just the bad dreams.

Determined to unlock secrets that have remained hidden for centuries, Elizabeth is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. Not to mention, her uncontrollable attraction to the former owner, Dorian Knight. But soon after meeting Dorian, all of her beliefs are tested. He seems so familiar, and as close to Mr. Darcy as she’ll ever get—but Jane Austen never wrote a hero like him--someone who both excites and frightens her.

As the dark history of the Knight family begins to unravel, tensions heighten and old resentments turn deadly. Even though Dorian warns her about a terrible curse–she doesn’t know what to believe anymore.

And Elizabeth starts to wonder which she would rather hold onto—her sanity…or her life…

Do you keep a book journal?

I really began reading more a year and a half ago, when I finished college and actually had the time!  I have really enjoyed reading all that I have read since then, but feel like I need something more.  So I thought about maybe keeping a book journal. 

However, I don't know where to start, and I don't know what to include in this book journal.  My goal is to get more involved in these books and really think about them more.  So, if you have a book journal, what do you include in yours?  And how did you start?

REVIEW: Haunting Violet

Haunting Violet

Alyxandra Harvey

Goodreads Description: Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

My thoughts:  I wasn't really interested in this book until about 30 pages in.  The first 30 pages seemed pointless, and I think I would feel the book is still complete without those first 30 (or so).  Once I got through that first part, I was hooked.  I love reading a book that keeps me questioning the whole time.  I thought I knew who the killer was, then it went in a different direction.  I love these "Who done it" books!

Violet is a sweet girl who lets her mother push her around!  She knows that what her mother is doing is wrong, but she also feels that betraying her would be even worse.  So she follows her mother and does as she asks.  Violet would be a great friend who would stick by your side, but I think she would also be the type to never have an opinion and just follow along with whatever everyone else is doing.

She was extremely lucky to have Colin.  He understands her so well and gets her on the path of being free of her mother.  He stands by her side, and he doesn't sugarcoat things.  He tells Violet how it is, but in a loving way.  I think he would have given up everything to be with her, if he had to.

The other characters were also quite interesting.  They were all very different and my feelings about all of them are different.  I can pick out a few that I didn't like and others that I felt indifferent towards.  I won't go through and name them though, because I really feel like they aren't very important in this book.  The only characters that really stand out to me are Violet and Colin.

The plot was amazing.  I couldn't stop reading because it was like I was solving this mystery!  The only part that I didn't really like was that the murderer wasn't really introduced until the end.  The murderer didn't stand out at all.  I couldn't even remember anything about this person when he/she was revealed.  It was nice that this character was talked about more after the fact though.  They were looking back in their pasts, and then I was able to see more about this character.  I wasn't surprised that I didn't guess right as to who the murder was though!

I really enjoyed this book.  I am glad that I read the whole thing and didn't stop at those first pages.  I am really hoping that this author has other books along these same lines.

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 

Cover Crazy: Until I Die

This weekly meme is hosted by The Book Worms and is used to show the covers we are crazy about!

Until I Die
Amy Plum
Revenants # 2

What I love:
*The colors are my favorite part of this book!  I absolutely love purple, and it definitely looks gorgeous in the sky on this cover.  The blues are pretty amazing when paired with that purple.

*The buildings are awesome.  I don't really care for old buildings in my town, but I definitely pay attention when I travel.  This part reminds me of Dark Souls, which was gorgeous also.

*Obviously the girl!  I can't see her face, but obviously she is beautiful.  Her hair is dark and long and she's wearing a fancy dress.

*I like the print all over it.  It reminds me of paisley, but I am not quite sure what this would be called.  Either way, I love it!

I am not quite sure which I like better though, the cover for Die for Me or Until I Die. 

What do you think?

In My Mailbox (#39)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. These are the books I bought or received this week.

Save Me - Lisa Scottoline

Tempest - Julie Cross

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for Tempest and the wonderful ladies of Sisterhood of the Traveling Book for Save Me.


What did you get in your mailbox?

On My Wishlist (#40)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

The Girl in the Steel Corset
Kady Cross
The Steampunk Chronicles # 1

Goodreads Description:
In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch...

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

REVIEW: Possession

Possession

Elana Johnson

Possession #1

Goodreads Description: Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My thoughts:  Some parts of this book confused me.  I had a hard time picturing this world they live in, but that may have just been me and not the author's writing.  It wasn't the events that confused me.  Everything they did seemed to make sense, but I feel like I didn't completely understand everyone's role in their society.  I really got confused when reading about each place and what is done there.  Freedom is a bad place where the Thinkers are trained and nobody is really free.  The Badlands offer much more free-will, but that doesn't mean that Vi can go there to be safe.

I think this is just one of those books that I would need to reread, now that I know about the characters and all the different places.  I think I would see the whole story clearer if I reread it.  However, I probably won't be rereading it as I have plenty of others I'd like to read too.

I really liked the characters.  I liked that Vi did what it takes to think for herself.  It still appeared as though she was being brainwashed, and she had the proof to show it.  But she figured out how to get away with not listening to the brainwashing.  She is very smart, but many times I thought she could do better.  She showed just how smart she is in getting out of situations, and then sometimes it was as if she was sitting around waiting for Jag to come up with and execute the plan.  She also got too emotional.  She talked about not wanting to be good or bad, just wanting to be free.  But she was constantly fighting herself about whether she should be with Zenn (good) or Jag (bad).  I didn't quite understand why she wasn't just concerned with getting free!  Everything else would work itself out after that.

Jag seemed like he was only concerned about himself a couple of times, but I think he was really thinking ahead and looking at the bigger picture.  I think he really did have Vi in mind, but he didn't always let her know what the plan was.  He left her on her own a couple of times, and she just couldn't handle that.

Zenn was so sweet at the beginning of the book.  For a while I thought that he was just faking it, but then I realized that he was being brainwashed into betraying Vi.  I don't think that Zenn would ever give up his life to go be with Vi, as she was banished to the badlands.  I think Vi was so attached to him because they were matched, not because her feelings were that strong for him.  Once Jag came into the picture, she was much more interested in him.  I think if she didn't feel obligated to be with Zenn because of them being matched, she wouldn't have had that constant battle as to whether she could or should pursue Jag at all. 

Either way, the romance didn't feel real in this novel.  I think it would have been better without it, and maybe brought in at a later time, like maybe book 2.  I just didn't feel like there was any real love between any of the characters. 

The ending to this was amazing.  I kind of hated it, but it was so good.  I hated it because it wasn't a perfect happy ending.  But I loved it because it makes me want more!  It was the perfect ending to get the reader to read the next book.  And it seems as though in a series, the real happy ending doesn't come until the last book in the series, if there really is a happy ending at all. 

This was really a decent book.  It wasn't perfect, but they can't all be perfect either.  I will definitely be getting the next book though...not because the writing was absolutely amazing, but because I have to know what happens! 

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 

Book Trailer: The Iron Knight

The Iron Knight

Julie Kagawa

Iron Fey #4

Goodreads Description:
My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

This book releases next week on Tuesday, October 25. I have only read the first book in this series, but after watching this trailer, I think I need to really put the rest of the books at the top of my tbr list!

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#29)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Here is what I am waiting on:

Shatter Me
Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: November 15, 2011

Goodreads Description:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

What are you waiting on?

REVIEW: Between

Between

Jessica Warman

Goodreads Description: Elizabeth Valchar --- pretty, popular and rich --- wakes up the morning after her 18th birthday on the yacht where she’d been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead. She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death.

She’s also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them.

In her regular life, Liz was a runner. It wasn’t abnormal for her to run 8-10 miles per day. But as memories from closer to her death begin to surface, Liz finds that she’d been running much more than normal, and that she’d all but stopped eating. Liz’s mother, who died when Liz was nine, had battled with anorexia as well, and those around her worried that Liz was following in her mother’s footsteps. But something more sinister was consuming Liz from the inside out...

My thoughts:  I loved loved loved this book!  Liz Valchar "wakes up" after her 18th birthday party to find her own body floating in the water.  She is soon joined by Alex, a boy who was killed in a hit-and-run while riding his bike.  Alex tells her that he still doesn't know who killed him, but that she shouldn't be discouraged.  They will work together to figure out who killed both of them.

Liz didn't even acknowledge Alex when he was alive.  When she first saw his ghost, she didn't even know who he was right away!  And he had only been dead for about a year.  Her school wasn't that big, she just didn't pay attention to anyone but her own little clique.  Alex quickly becomes a great friend to Liz.  He reminds her of how terrible she was by showing her pieces of her past, but she insists that she is not that way anymore.  She can't be.  She can't even believe that she was that way when she was alive!  Liz and Alex become closer and closer, although not romantically by any means.  Liz actually ends up depending on Alex.  She has no one else.

They figure out who killed Alex first.  Then Alex is ready to move on, so he leaves Liz.  She is on her own to figure out who killed her.  One persistent cop keeps asking questions, even after Liz's death was ruled an accident.  Her boyfriend doesn't seem to believe it was just an accident either.  Her boyfriend and the cop figure out what exactly happened to Liz.  Although they weren't working together, I myself as the reader was able to put the pieces together given by both characters.  In all of this mess, that same persistent cop figures out Alex's murder as well.  It all makes sense now!

I loved the characters in this book.  They all had a story.  They all contributed in some way to the events in this book.  Liz seems like she would have been so stuck up in real life.  I think her death made her a different person though.  Liz's stepsister kind of followed in her footsteps, but I think she was always a little jealous of her.  Her boyfriend turned to dealing drugs, probably because his parents were never around.  Alex should have so much to be angry about, but he is so at peace.  All of these characters seemed to fit together like a puzzle.

I loved that Alex and Liz were floating in and out of memories.  I was putting together the pieces just like they were!  This was really just a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone.  It was a really easy read that I could read again and again.

My rating:☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This feature includes some sort of a top ten list, related to books. I have decided to participate here and there, when there is a top ten list that I can contribute.


This week's Top Ten List is...

Top 10 Books I Bought Based on the Cover

Keeper of the Light

Diane Chamberlain

Okay, so I guess I already knew that I loved Diane Chamberlain when I bought this book.  But usually I don't buy them because I know I can get them at the library or Paperbackswap pretty easily.  This cover was just too gorgeous though.  The woman is beautiful and I love the pink dress!  Also, I love the lighthouse, especially because the light is on!

Siren

Tricia Rayburn

This one is one that I really did go to the bookstore and realize I needed it as soon as I saw it.  I hadn't even heard of this book before.  I love the darkness to it.  And I also absolutely love lighthouses, so that part was definitely what hooked me.

Raised by Wolves
Tricia Rayburn

I love reading about the paranormal.  I have to be honest though, I am kind of sick of reading about vampires.  Even without the word Wolves on this cover, I think the picture screams werewolves!  I especially love the moon peeking through.

Winter Garden

Kristin Hannah

This is another book that I had already known of this author before seeing this particular book.  However, this cover made me pick this particular book by this author, as I haven't read everything by her (yet).  As much as I hate the cold, I do think that snow is beautiful.  I especially love that there is a butterfly in what appears to be winter.

The Iron King
Julie Kagawa

Do I even need to explain this one?  I love the colors, but I also love all the unnecessary details.  I like seeing a cover that doesn't give much away about the story!  I am sad to say that I have not bought any books in this series after this one though.

Vision in White

Nora Roberts

This book is what started my obsession with reading.  I always loved to read in school, but I was never consumed by books.  I happened to see this one in Wal-Mart and just had to get it.  I am not even into weddings or all that fancy stuff!  This whole series was amazing though.  Hmmm....I may need to reread this one. ♥

Vampire Academy
Richelle Mead

This was actually my first vampire book.  Before this, I wasn't interested in reading about vampires at all.  And after reading this whole series, I am not in any rush to read any other vampire books either because I don't think anything could be better than this series.
Anyways, the reason why I picked up this book was actually because the girl reminds me of Angelina Jolie, who plays completely bad-ass characters, and the girl looks completely bad-ass in this picture too. 

Wicked Lovely

Melissa Marr

I don't think I even knew what I was looking at when I first saw this cover.  But it was pretty and sparkly, and that's all you need right?  This one definitely had me wanting to know more!

The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan

I first saw this book on a student's desk.  I really have no clue what drew me in to this book, except that I can see that it is a little boy, and it looks as though he has a mission, probably with plenty of obstacles.  I like reading what the student's are reading, so that probably played a big role in my purchase also.

Paranormalcy

Kiersten White

The girl is absolutely beautiful.  I love the dress and her hair.  This whole cover makes me think she is running from something or maybe even to something.  Otherwise, why would she be standing outside when it looks dark and stormy? 

REVIEW: Dark Souls

Dark Souls

Paula Morris

Goodreads Description:

Welcome to York, England.
Mist lingers in the streets.
Narrow buildings cast long shadows.
This is the most haunted city in the world. . . .

Miranda Tennant arrives in York with a terrible, tragic secret. She is eager to lose herself amid the quaint cobblestones, hoping she won't run into the countless ghosts who supposedly roam the city. . . .

Then she meets Nick, an intense, dark-eyed boy who knows all of York's hidden places and histories. Miranda wonders if Nick is falling for her, but she is distracted by another boy -- one even more handsome and mysterious than Nick. He lives in the house across from Miranda and seems desperate to send her some sort of message. Could this boy be one of York's haunted souls?

Soon, Miranda realizes that something dangerous -- and deadly -- is being planned. And she may have to face the darkest part of herself in order to unravel the mystery -- and find redemption.

My thoughts: This was an interesting read.  I really enjoy reading about ghosts.  There is so much out there about vampires now and although I do like some of it, it just becomes too much.  So because of that, I have begun to enjoy reading about ghosts and other paranormal things.  I think one reason why I enjoy reading about ghosts is because many people do believe they are real.  I am not completely sure what I believe, which is partially why I like reading about them.  I like coming to the book without any preconceived beliefs about what should happen.  I don't know what should happen, and it leaves it a lot more open.

Overall the plot wasn't super exciting.  It was kind of predictable.  There wasn't a whole lot of action.  It wasn't terrible though.  Miranda is always doing something to figure out these ghosts and I like that she is constantly trying to figure out exactly how she feels and thinks about them.  There wasn't anything fascinating about the characters.  I did like the mysteriousness of the ghost Miranda keeps seeing out her window.  I also liked Nick and reading about all that was going on with his family.

I did like the history in this book, and all the places they visited.  However, I would have liked it even more if that was all developed upon more.  I like taking real facts away from a fiction novel, but I don't feel like I really learned anything from this one.  It is possible that the facts where there and I just wasn't interested enough to see them.

This was really an ok book.  I don't know that I would go out and tell the world that they need to read this book, but if someone was considering it, I would tell them to read it.  It wasn't a waste of time by any means, I just think there needed to be more.  I intend on checking out Ruined, another novel by this author.  Because this book wasn't amazing, Ruined won't be at the top of my list, but it does sound interesting enough. :)

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ 

Cover Crazy: Dark Companion

This weekly meme is hosted by The Book Worms and is used to show the covers we are crazy about!

Dark Companion
Marta Acosta

What I love:
*The font just stands out to me.  I love it because other covers stick with pretty plain fonts.  This font is one that would either make or break it.

*There is a REAL girl on the cover!  She's not stick thin.  She doesn't appear to be a model.  Her dress and hair are gorgeous, but not completely overdone.

*The setting is awesome.  All you see are a bunch of trees, so she is in a forest somewhere.....but where?  and why?  I love that the setting doesn't give anything away.

*I love that it is the brightest in the center, and it kind of fades out and darkens towards the outside.  It draws my eye directly to the girl. 

*I also have to say I like the little detail at the bottom of the cover.  It is cute, and has no significance or any real reason for being there it seems, but it's different, which is good!

In My Mailbox (#38)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. These are the books I bought or received this week.

From Paperbackswap:

The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

What did you get in your mailbox?

On My Wishlist (#39)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

The First Day of the Rest of my Life

Cathy Lamb

Goodreads Description: 

In this deeply moving and wonderfully insightful novel, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb explores what can happen when one woman decides to reclaim her past—and her future—no matter where they lead. . .

Madeline O'Shea tells people what to do with their lives. A renowned life coach, she inspires thousands of women through her thriving practice—exuding enviable confidence along with her stylish suits and sleek hair. But her confidence, just like her fashionable demeanor, is all a front.

For decades, Madeline has lived in fear of her traumatic past becoming public. Now a reporter is reinvestigating the notorious crime that put Madeline's mother behind bars, threatening to destroy her elaborate façade. Only Madeline's sister, Annie, and their frail grandparents know about her childhood—but lately Madeline has reason to wonder if her grandparents also have a history they've been keeping from her.

As the demons of the past swirl around her, a tough, handsome judge with a gentle heart is urging Madeline to have faith in him—and in herself. And as she allows her resistance to thaw, the pain she expects pales in comparison to the surprises headed straight to her door. With one bold, unprecedented move, Madeline O'Shea may just wake up out of the sadness and guilt that have kept her sleepwalking through life for so long—and discover that the worst thing that can happen is sometimes the very thing we desperately need.

The First Day of the Rest of My Life is an eloquent and triumphant tale of a fierce act of love, a family's legacy, and one woman's awakening to her own power—with no secrets.. . ..

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#28)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. Here is what I am waiting on:

The Pledge
Kimberly Derting
The Pledge # 1

Goodreads Description:
In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom….

REVIEW: Circle of Fire

Circle of Fire

Michelle Zink

Prophecy of the Sisters # 3

Goodreads Description: With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.

My thoughts:  I am so happy to have this story concluded.  I feel like I have been waiting forever for the final answers in Lia's quest!  I think it had the perfect ending, but it was also very predictable.  It was the ending that I'm sure many readers wanted.  As much as I love a happy ending, I also love being thrown for a loop. :)

I love feeling like I am a part of Lia's journey.  I love the discovery of it all.  There were parts that got a bit boring, like towards the end of the book where Lia was still traveling for days.  I felt like the author was giving us a day-by-day journal entry of it all.  It wasn't written like a journal, but it seemed like we were just being told what was happening every single day.  I think that part could have been summed up a bit more.  It just seemed to drag on.

That didn't last long though.  For the most part, this book was at a good pace.  I would have liked to be more on my toes, like when the Guard was coming after them.  I think there should have been more suspense like that and also that the idea of the Guard coming after them should have been developed upon more.

Man, I loved this book and I feel like I am criticising it terribly!  I really loved the characters in this book.  I was totally expecting Gareth to turn on Lia, Dimitri, and the others.  He was kind of left in the dark for so long.  When Dimitri decided to let Gareth know what was going on, I thought it would have been a mistake.  It was kind of refreshing though to read about a character like Gareth who is a true friend.  I would love a friend like Gareth!  He was there to help Lia whenever she needed, no questions asked.  He didn't know what her mission or goal was, but was willing to do as she asked.  Lia seems like such a sweet girl, and it surprises me that her twin sister Alice could be the complete opposite.  Maybe she was just controlled by Samael much of the time.  Lia tried to stay away from her sister for the most part because they each had different goals and she wasn't sure as to what Alice would do.  However, she still seemed to genuinely love her sister.  Lia wasn't completely over James (who is really over their first love?  Especially with the way that ended!), but she was really trying to help Alice out.  She really wanted James to love Alice back, despite the fact that Lia was once in love with James, and that Alice hasn't really been the greatest sister.

I love all of the travelling in this book.  I love the different settings and kind of discovering it all with the characters, instead of just being told about the setting.  I think my favorite setting would be either the Cairns or Avebury.  They are both very simple, but both of those places I was really able to develop a picture in my mind. ♥

As much as I criticised this book in the beginning of my review, do not turn away from this book!  If you have read the first two books, you must read the final one!  If you haven't read the first two, then you better get reading!  I really loved this series.  This is probably my favorite series ever.  And this specific book, Circle of Fire, is the one book I have looked forward to most. 

My rating: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 

Between Giveaway Winner!!!

And the winner is...............

Naomi

Congrats Naomi!  I will be contacting you shortly.  Thanks to everyone who entered....keep your eyes open for another giveaway soon!

In My Mailbox (#37)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. These are the books I bought or received this week.

Thank you to Princess Bookie at Around the World ARC Tours for these wonderful books!

And thank you to my wonderful library for these great books!

What did you get in your mailbox?