The Book Addict: June 2011

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Review: Spellbound - Cara Lynn Shutlz

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (June 21, 2011)

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

My Thoughts...

This was a great story that left me with goose bumps. It did start out a little slow but for me all that did was help to build tension, and nearly all the witch stuff happened at the end half of the book, still even with those two things it all felt right for the story being told. It didn't take long to fall in love with these characters. Emma while insecure still came threw as a pretty strong kick butt character. Her cousin Ashley always makes me smile, her new friends were also pretty awesome! Brendan went back and fourth between adoring him and wanting to hit him! watching Emma battle ever day things like school bully, and mean girls while also trying to put together a paranormal puzzle, one that literally is a matter of life or death. This story wove the paranormal, every day high school drama, fairy tale, and New York (I love reading about NYC) flawlessly with a great cast of characters to back up a great story this story gets 5 stars and a huge recommendation!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Review: Summer's Crossing - Julie Kagawa

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 213 KB
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (June 1, 2011)

A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

An ebook exclusive novella from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

My Thoughts...

I adore this series! I am totally team Puck, so when I heard we were getting a Puck novella I was thrilled to say the least. This was a great story, watching Puck and Ash together you can really see that they use to be friends, and despite all the tough talks that they easily fall back into the patterns of friendship. This is one of those series that I hope will continue for a few more books, the settings and characters dazzle me, the writing is great, and the storys have never left me wanting anything but more. This novella is no exception. I give this one 5 stars, and give many thanks to Julie Kagawa for giving us something to nibble on while we wait for the release of the Iron Knight!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

In My Mailbox (15)

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

all links go to goodreads =o)

Review:

The Mephisto Covenant - Trinity Faegen

Ward Against Death - Melanie Card

Ashes - Ilsa J. Bick

Sirensong - Jenna Black

Zombies Don't Cry - Rusty Fischer

Bought:

A Need So Beautiful - Suzanne Young

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculian Children - Ransom Riggs

Smokin' Seventeen - Janet Evanovich

Raised By Wolves - Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Trial By Fire - Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Witches of East End - Melissa De La Cruz

Tempest Rising - Tracy Deebs

Dead Rules - Randy Rusell

Dark Heart Forever - Lee Monroe

Dark Heart Rising - Lee Monroe

Kiss Me Kill Me - Lauren Henderson

Kisses and Lies - Lauren Henderson

Kiss in the Dark - Lauren Henderson

Uncommon Criminals - Ally Carter

Friday, June 24, 2011

Friday Blog Hop (13) Follow Friday (13)

Friday Blog Hop is hosted by Jenn at Crazy-For-Books. It is a weekend long Book Party giving bloggers a chance to get to know each other and access to new blogs that we all might enjoy! If you haven't stopped by to give the hop a look I highly suggest that you do! Also every week there is a new question posted for us at answer this weeks question is...

“When did you realize reading was your passion and a truly important part of your life?”

I'm not sure there was ever a time where they weren't an important part of my life. I was always reading or being read to, I have always loved books. While a trip to the toy store might have been looked at as unnecessary if I said "Mom, can we go to the book store?" We were usually in the car in less than 5 minutes and on our way to the book store. I appreciate that my mother never tried to take my books away, or tell me they were an unnecessary purchase, and I hope that one day my daughter will love them as well!

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee, every week we all get together to answer a question and find new blogs that we enjoy. This weeksson

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

I have always been a Disney Littler Mermaid fan, even to this day I LOVE that movie!! The Hans Christian Anderson version use to make me cry though =o(

I'm not sure I can pick just one favorite novel about the Fae, they are one of my favorite things to read about! I will try to make a list of my top 5 favorites!

1. Merry Gentry Series - Laurell K Hamilton

2. Dark Swan - Richelle Mead

3. Iron Fae - Julie Kagawa

4. Faeriewalker - Jenna Black

5. Fever Series - Karen Marie Mooning

Review: Beauty Queens - Libba Bray

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (May 24, 2011)

From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.
Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

My Thoughts...

This book was more than I expected it to be. At the start these girls were all about becoming Miss Teen Dream, and I wanted to smack most of them upside the head. As the story progressed we watched these girls grow, change, and learn how to survive in their new environment. I really enjoyed watching friendships grow between people who only saw each other as competition. The relationships in this book really captured me, but really that couldn't have happened had these characters not stolen my heart. I really loved the girls in the later part of the book, when most of them have shed there pageant self and just started being real. There were quite a few things that threw me for a loop, but Libba Bray really made it all work wonderfully. I give this one 4 stars and I hope you guys will give this one a try. It is quirky and funny and so so much more.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Interview: Jools Sinclair

I have been lucky enough to get to interview Jools Sinclair, author of the novel 44.

Hi, Jools! I am so happy to have you here!

Hi, Melissa! Thank you so much for having me as a guest on The Book Addict! I’m thrilled to be here and want to thank you too for reading and reviewing 44!

Where did the idea for your book come from?

As I sat down to write 44, I wanted the story to be about a few things: A girl struggling to put her life back together, sisters needing each other, and a bit on the small city of Bend, Oregon (which is where I live). I also wanted a great ending, something that was unsettling and unexpected, something that readers wouldn’t see coming. I love stories like that, the kind that send you back into the text re-reading sections and then saying, “Oh, yeah, right.” I wanted to write that almost from the beginning. The rest of the story unfolded as I focused on those things

How many books are planned for this series?

44 will be a trilogy, and I’m close to finishing up Book 2, which will be released this summer (probably late July). Book 3 will out in the fall.

Do you listen to music while you write, or do you prefer quiet?

I love listening to music when I’m writing! I love all types, even hard rock at times if I’m writing a gritty scene, or jazz if I’m writing about certain characters, or really sad music if I need to be “inspired” in that way. Music is so great because it takes you to certain emotions. When I’m in a final edit, I listen to instruments so I can concentrate.

If you do listen to music while writing do you have a playlist to go with 44?

I’m still working on it but so far I have this:

Mazzy Star Into Dust

Mazzy Star Fade Into You

Adele Love Song

The Cure Pictures of You

Dwight Yoakam 1000 miles from Nowhere

If you could be any kind of creature (other than human), which would you pick and why?

Ha! This is fun question! Sure, those fangy all-powerful vamps are appealing, as are the beautiful sorcerers who cast incredible spells…but I’m a simple person, really, with simple needs. I would be a cat. Cats are just the best! They’re smart, confident, playful, worry-free, fun-loving, and able to take long naps in the sunshine. Now that’s a good life!

Can you tell us something interesting about your writing process?

For me, writing is very mystical at times. In the beginning, I feel like I’m chasing the story. I’m forcing the words down on the paper, overthinking the characters, overwriting the setting and characters and scenes. The story is out in front, ahead of me, and I don’t always know where it’s going. It requires a lot of faith to keep on the path.

But then, something incredible happens. Suddenly the story stops running away and instead turns around to help me out. It feels like magic. I guess it’s just the creative process, but it’s really the best part of writing…when everything just comes together.

What is your favorite Ice Cream flavor?

Dulce de Leche rules this girl’s world!

Melissa, thank you again for inviting me over to your fabulous blog for a chat! I’ll be checking in for some great suggestions on great books!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Review: 44 - Jools Sinclair

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1863 KB
Publisher: You Come Too Publishing (March 10, 2011)

Last year after falling through the ice, seventeen-year-old Abby Craig woke up from death.

But she woke into a world she barely recognizes. She can't see colors, memories have been erased, and her friends all hate her. And then there's Jesse, who she loves, but who refuses to forgive her the one mistake she made long ago.

Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, the visions begin. In them, she sees a faceless serial killer roaming the streets. While the police believe that there have been a lot of accidents in town lately, Abby knows differently. And she soon realizes that it's up to her to find him.

But to stop him, she'll have to confront more than just the killer. She'll have to face something else that was lost in those dark waters. The truth.

In the tradition of Amanda Hocking, 44 is a thrilling paranormal romance mystery novel that keeps readers at the edge of their seats and glued to the very end. The ending will haunt you forever.

My Thoughts...

I was contacted by the author to review this book, and truth be told I was a little apprehensive when I started this book. I also have to say that once I started it I didn't want to put it down. I was sucked straight into the story and the characters. I really liked Abby she was dealing with a lot and while she may not have been happy she was dealing, and living. Her brush with death left her only being able to see in black and white, her position as star soccer player has slipped away and even her friends seemed to think she is a freak. Abby seems to have a solid relationship with her sister Kate, and the doctor who saved her life. She only has one friend left and that is Jesse. I loved all these characters! Things really start to get exciting when people start turning up dead and Abby dreams about the murders. This sent Abby and her sister who is also a reporter down the path of trying to figure out who the killer is. Let me tell you when they finally figured it out I was shocked, I was barking up the wrong tree. Through all of this Abby is also trying to work out her feelings for Jesse, and trying to remember her past. I have to say the ending totally surprised me, I really never saw it coming and that is something I look for in a book, twists, turns, and surprises. This book truly delivered. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it! I really hope you guys will give this book a try, it won't disappoint.