tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66405495616191469342024-03-21T12:06:54.829-05:00Wickedly Sweet BooksWelcome to Wickedly Sweet Books. I'm Nicole, your book blogger extraordinaire.
I mostly blog on Young Adult books, but I'm open to other genres as well. So if you have a recommendation for me, feel free to share!AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-89573184508731997932012-05-24T22:30:00.000-05:002012-05-24T22:34:39.745-05:00Splash Into Summer Hop!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hey, everyone! How is the hopping going?! In case you haven't noticed yet, this is my Splash into Summer Giveaway Hop post!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazFVL3zmhtueDgRyLR0scVBbfn0h-sp9W3NUfIh-TJF9pJ4-n2sBnL0nb5SwUv49xSUxd_sBG6h34N3zMaleElLzpgojhH0B7eB201TzMaGyXI0woStZkg4RXNgCfCSFbvm5aI5ZZdYE/s1600/splash+into+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazFVL3zmhtueDgRyLR0scVBbfn0h-sp9W3NUfIh-TJF9pJ4-n2sBnL0nb5SwUv49xSUxd_sBG6h34N3zMaleElLzpgojhH0B7eB201TzMaGyXI0woStZkg4RXNgCfCSFbvm5aI5ZZdYE/s320/splash+into+summer.jpg" width="308" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That means, I am giving ONE lucky subscriber the choice of ONE prize listed below!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKa8m59DZ7ut7otuxtbKy-sXI-xjccETA03NrVfq8BbFIsxKFvAgPG0ojiauo0C63XNpm69FOGY8ookPBHAXY49OFQUpt4Hm8y-VYCFkTSvdH5h45ic8V9MxhqORAtxes7cKXNdl1LHo/s1600/COLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKa8m59DZ7ut7otuxtbKy-sXI-xjccETA03NrVfq8BbFIsxKFvAgPG0ojiauo0C63XNpm69FOGY8ookPBHAXY49OFQUpt4Hm8y-VYCFkTSvdH5h45ic8V9MxhqORAtxes7cKXNdl1LHo/s320/COLS.jpg" width="210" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Autographed by Cassie herself!)</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1DexNO6wsGHbYVWS25wyuBArc-DrBnB8bHF1ZMfUtV0GzhkNi9CaT8GZ_IC8W3Shi-5HJUVMkU9-RG1pt4FdcGFLY7p5vczw1dD8F388YP9uZTCJbgpI5MQOAnPqboAZKgvi229qKQ4/s1600/demon+covenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1DexNO6wsGHbYVWS25wyuBArc-DrBnB8bHF1ZMfUtV0GzhkNi9CaT8GZ_IC8W3Shi-5HJUVMkU9-RG1pt4FdcGFLY7p5vczw1dD8F388YP9uZTCJbgpI5MQOAnPqboAZKgvi229qKQ4/s200/demon+covenant.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKKULojQ5FtdbhH2uK-fmsVz60RDlx4kTaGcWewHyQ9Qo1K-z4ROZoa_7uliBMxUJX9_PnNQwopt43hcIBVGEEm3GQiEcTKzSMcp7legwZb0DYHa6SdF7Zmr-DRYksgKxE2_Ma99pa6s/s1600/Chime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKKULojQ5FtdbhH2uK-fmsVz60RDlx4kTaGcWewHyQ9Qo1K-z4ROZoa_7uliBMxUJX9_PnNQwopt43hcIBVGEEm3GQiEcTKzSMcp7legwZb0DYHa6SdF7Zmr-DRYksgKxE2_Ma99pa6s/s200/Chime.jpg" width="133" /></a> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jNhaXKzk2XRlgabA-_gxWclRWK3AtbbNhRobWoQfa-DW4_Y5WPFA3nRMfC0ZqoEmD-fIASkDu-2LCLklXO4O7yD-9FQG5PjXBDmMaXfbFYvwmKfeEKgTHKCsaAsskT_eZlcxpQjP5U4/s1600/anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jNhaXKzk2XRlgabA-_gxWclRWK3AtbbNhRobWoQfa-DW4_Y5WPFA3nRMfC0ZqoEmD-fIASkDu-2LCLklXO4O7yD-9FQG5PjXBDmMaXfbFYvwmKfeEKgTHKCsaAsskT_eZlcxpQjP5U4/s320/anna.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Soft cover, autographed!)</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8G1Q_mR7E6icxPIjru86RnoztfsW1xYa-JZXLbgyQ6V7m-UFXVVHfCPsUq0JrFYc9xYgDqWMXwCAkdG6aeOfUUPGYnowMdRbQC8ZTmf5pZ72BxQF8NQ9zXj8Irrh4gVHglGx3-y98Ig/s1600/clique+dylan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8G1Q_mR7E6icxPIjru86RnoztfsW1xYa-JZXLbgyQ6V7m-UFXVVHfCPsUq0JrFYc9xYgDqWMXwCAkdG6aeOfUUPGYnowMdRbQC8ZTmf5pZ72BxQF8NQ9zXj8Irrh4gVHglGx3-y98Ig/s200/clique+dylan.jpg" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixubg1FGYVbq0oqATJRq0WYxCNnehBpd2Zk3-v1dZwAkysH89fPttUg5SfvpSBO1KPgOD9PQ_52segHIHirDXKlpijIX2o1UZATgXfVEJkCDDzBdjpqaIBXAjJPsKbbAQ-R3nILspV5_g/s1600/clique+claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixubg1FGYVbq0oqATJRq0WYxCNnehBpd2Zk3-v1dZwAkysH89fPttUg5SfvpSBO1KPgOD9PQ_52segHIHirDXKlpijIX2o1UZATgXfVEJkCDDzBdjpqaIBXAjJPsKbbAQ-R3nILspV5_g/s200/clique+claire.jpg" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T_JdnVIXSeh9LBgc_OuyXfgB5s-BVLo79oi1lP7xcfYA05klxcTI-53Y61JxWZBrBmyTjr4I1ftjoayK4kLQJR8DIf7zXJ0eD0SQ1c7vWnN1nvzB2q0er3qzKpWN_te-M3gfxn2azjw/s1600/tempest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T_JdnVIXSeh9LBgc_OuyXfgB5s-BVLo79oi1lP7xcfYA05klxcTI-53Y61JxWZBrBmyTjr4I1ftjoayK4kLQJR8DIf7zXJ0eD0SQ1c7vWnN1nvzB2q0er3qzKpWN_te-M3gfxn2azjw/s200/tempest.jpg" width="133" /></a> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosXc0ycNI4CyCs_ojA5WCAHcGM6M5qUu4y1fTnlmASu327WNGUEH3okCe1usTMf7SYSFRzEmwN11PUA3fIbhP2htfzmT4mA9wSqi14rB2oWfqIAO1SDyiDBIej48I7m4oTu0lCEdgS9Q/s1600/hearts-at-stake-house-of-drake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosXc0ycNI4CyCs_ojA5WCAHcGM6M5qUu4y1fTnlmASu327WNGUEH3okCe1usTMf7SYSFRzEmwN11PUA3fIbhP2htfzmT4mA9wSqi14rB2oWfqIAO1SDyiDBIej48I7m4oTu0lCEdgS9Q/s200/hearts-at-stake-house-of-drake.jpg" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r2KSAgZOt8-Cyf4bcIHyopf5FKxfRItxvvAwrLpnpNHKQpD7C8TxLFuaySklU6dc7HDYGSFDA-LHnANzgyZjnbE005edImAcaGX2cWZSAw1t6G_GDV0Y8JCnVJ5wyctnCQ5X7i066vQ/s1600/priest%2527s+graveyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r2KSAgZOt8-Cyf4bcIHyopf5FKxfRItxvvAwrLpnpNHKQpD7C8TxLFuaySklU6dc7HDYGSFDA-LHnANzgyZjnbE005edImAcaGX2cWZSAw1t6G_GDV0Y8JCnVJ5wyctnCQ5X7i066vQ/s200/priest%2527s+graveyard.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocikRFy3FW66r1GCmpa2DEuzwqSb6q7p32y0UrL2AjJ5Z3n6J6KeivfwVbEvnGmya6veXENdvBul17PYrEZq5vOa_dfaGO_iRxek4NFQQ7vgzmLnilmczYc-_xF0iuTfmetx5vRL88Gs/s1600/shade.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocikRFy3FW66r1GCmpa2DEuzwqSb6q7p32y0UrL2AjJ5Z3n6J6KeivfwVbEvnGmya6veXENdvBul17PYrEZq5vOa_dfaGO_iRxek4NFQQ7vgzmLnilmczYc-_xF0iuTfmetx5vRL88Gs/s200/shade.png" width="133" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, so you have PLENTY of choices! :) I'm also going to throw in some SWAG that I got at the RT convention this year! How does that sound?!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>To enter:</b> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You must be a GFC follower! That is the only requirement!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This contest is only open to those residing in the United States, as I have to ship it myself.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other entries include: Following on twitter, posting a blog comment, or tweeting about the giveaway. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So you can earn a total of FOUR entries!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The contest is open until May 31. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2012/05/meg-readers-kick-off-my-meg-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So get your entries in and don't forget to check out of the rest of the stops in this amazing hop!</span></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rc-0a4fcf4"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">a Rafflecopter giveaway</span></a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=130972" type="text/javascript">
</script>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com86tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-8302818961911699262012-05-17T12:41:00.001-05:002012-05-17T12:41:28.146-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNGley-pzdmSSrIu-tL7tY5iOg0ZXtWaWu5uwMMzBJFX0Xwh2j69RBBEwzidNhlEDUwmAVTMqIBLUY9n_KlI27LOTGLL7gWUKrbh3iiYuBwSwp288WeZczLNwa6KP9aKqkfL0Aoy9AI0/s1600/mega.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNGley-pzdmSSrIu-tL7tY5iOg0ZXtWaWu5uwMMzBJFX0Xwh2j69RBBEwzidNhlEDUwmAVTMqIBLUY9n_KlI27LOTGLL7gWUKrbh3iiYuBwSwp288WeZczLNwa6KP9aKqkfL0Aoy9AI0/s200/mega.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: magenta; color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">Okay, everyone. So it turns out that TODAY is actually my stop in the blog hop. I got confused, and I posted on the wrong day! I've been so busy (and I've been excited waiting for this day) that I got ahead of myself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">So....since I've already posted my review of Underworld, as well as the giveaway of my ARC, I thought I would dedicate this post to Meg herself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">First, let me start with the question.........HOW did I find Meg Cabot?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">As a younger child, I was very sick. I really couldn't do much. I could barely walk. I spent my time studying and reading, since I couldn't do many physical activities. I grew up being treated in a children's hospital for physical therapy (and so many other treatments). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">Since I couldn't do much else, I was ALWAYS reading. However, I had never really found a single author that I enjoyed. I would read books here and there, but that was about it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">As I grew up, I enjoyed reading. After all, it was the only haven I had. Still, though, I never felt like I had found something that really, really caused me to LOVE reading. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">Finally, in junior high, I found the first book in the series Sweet Valley Junior High, and I devoured the book. After that, I found myself reading novel after novel in this series by Francine Pascal. It was AMAZING. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">However, as I grew, the series was coming to an end, and I had lost interest. It was a great series, but it just wasn't enough for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">Still, that was the first series I had ever read. I remember thinking how different of an experience it was to read books in a series. You grow so much more attached to the characters than you do with single standalone novels. I wanted another series, one that would peak my interest. I also wanted one that would keep me reading it all the way until the end. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">As I was wandering through the aisle of Borders (which I know miss sooo much. Why did you have to close down?!), I remember spotting a book called Princess Diaries. I was curious. Wasn't that a Disney movie?! One that I had enjoyed and probably watched at least 10 times? I could probably quote half of the lines in the movie, and I hadn't even known that it was a novel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">So I looked at the shelf and saw that a few stories had already been released. I squealed with excitement! I KNEW this was going to be good!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">I made one mistake though. This was at a point in my life where I had no idea that movie adaptations did not follow the books. So what did I do? I bought book # 2, Princess in the Spotlight. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3PjsHh-2U0pS3AE-mJqIdKUdifImQdPQSDLNkeHwWyRRdT72JBm-x34lEaIzztZVkjXltaRLJhzLaBLhSQzs9biLr87_HSEXC8FLtP2SMkzrlUairdNJkz3LAv6aYtxI_BJxJz9CRBw/s1600/spotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3PjsHh-2U0pS3AE-mJqIdKUdifImQdPQSDLNkeHwWyRRdT72JBm-x34lEaIzztZVkjXltaRLJhzLaBLhSQzs9biLr87_HSEXC8FLtP2SMkzrlUairdNJkz3LAv6aYtxI_BJxJz9CRBw/s320/spotlight.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Imagine my surprise as I opened the novel! I had so many thoughts running through my head. What? Mia's father is <i>ALIVE</i>?! And she and Michael are <i>not together</i>?!!!!! and Who is Boris? and Lars?! And why is Grandmere so <i>MEAN?!!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Even without these answers, the book was still amazing. I just HAD to finish it. I caught on right away, and instead of buying book 3, I went back and bought the first book. Then, after reading that, I went and grabbed the third. It was definitely a fun experience, trying to piece together the story. I mean, I wouldn't recommend reading out of order intentionally, but it was definitely exciting!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">After opening the first cover alone, I was hooked. I read every book that was out at the time, which I believe was up to the fourth novel. You can imagine my impatience, when I realized that I had to wait for the next amazing piece in this series! And since that day, I pre-ordered EVERY book in the entire series. I would go pick it up the DAY it came out and finish it in one sitting. It was just THAT good!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I read the series throughout highschool and even into college. I fell in love with Mia and Michael (and Lars! hehe). I devoured these novels. I can honestly say that I never once got tired of this story. It moved at a perfect pace, and it was so realistic. Things were perfect, just like they aren't in real life. You lose friends, break up, make new friends, get used by other people, experience loss and hardship. This series really helped me through life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I remember one particular time in my life when I actually went through a depression. It was very similar to Mia's, except I never received therapy. Instead, my physician gave me antidepressant medication to take. It was a very dark time in my life. Thankfully, I had God to help me through it. Finally, after treatment, I recovered and I felt brand new. However, I can still remember reading Mia's story and crying along with her. The descriptions of her feelings and that bottomless pit were feelings I knew all too well! I was touched to see them written out so clearly in a novel. I knew that anyone who is experiencing those feelings can read this novel and feel supported. They can see the light at the end of the tunnel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Meg used Mia's story to not only bring entertainment into my life, but she really connected with the difficulties that I faced (and many others face) in every day life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Mia's story is my own story in a way. I don't have to be a princess to have a happy ending! That's what Mia taught me! :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Since that time, I have read almost EVERY Meg Cabot book that exists. I have a whole bookshelf dedicated only to Meg's books. I have read EVERY single one of the young adult novels, and I am currently working on reading the adult series and then the Allie Finkle series. I have also bought most of her anthologies and joint works and even some old novels written by Patricia Cabot. I adore Meg's work, and I cannot wait to get through every last one of them!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">One important moment of my life that I remember was reading the 1-800 series. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI0orDPqh1_LENa-pe89l7BSqfxMqDkioPdfHtAbsyDqtAMLcvi6PhJ6dIAwXfEOwNGvNqztqk-biLjoFjGwwz1JYbCWz_hOg26BdWNrP_2NyST-7XM29ifDuFfEZseAfS6GMYcui83I/s1600/lightning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI0orDPqh1_LENa-pe89l7BSqfxMqDkioPdfHtAbsyDqtAMLcvi6PhJ6dIAwXfEOwNGvNqztqk-biLjoFjGwwz1JYbCWz_hOg26BdWNrP_2NyST-7XM29ifDuFfEZseAfS6GMYcui83I/s320/lightning.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">By this time, I had read all of the Princess Diaries series (that was released at the time) and all of the standalones that had been released (ie: American Girl, Avalon High, How to be popular, etc.) So I knew that I had to read another one of her series. I decided to read the 1-800 series. Since I knew that I loved Meg, I didn't even bother buying only one book. Instead, I purchased the entire series at once, knowing I would love every minute of it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">The day I began to read the first novel, my sister became very ill, and she was taken to the emergency room. I remembering throwing together a bag of emergency stuff (novels, an ipod, snacks, a blanket), knowing a long night in the waiting room was ahead of me. I remember grabbing the first two novels of the 1-800 series, knowing that I would be there a long time. As I sat there, waiting for news, the stress and worry began to eat away at me. So, instead of focusing on that, I picked up When Lightning Strikes and began to read. Finally, after I was halfway finished, I was able to go and see my sister. Luckily, she was okay. They needed to run more tests, but they thought everything would be fine. Sighing with relief, and heading back out into the waiting room, I began to read again. I actually finished the ENTIRE first novel in that one sitting and I moved on to the next, Code Name Cassandra. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6wOQMury4I5rXVdypkUrsgDFvs1paemrsv2pPjQ91F9SVvQR-F1HKWt9wnVbkQResArjvJaIyz5dQUQ-aBdJPl7vEmXpgXtC4NR1JvD8czHag0ObKvx8dB47YpUmD869v8lsIVRozQs/s1600/code+name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6wOQMury4I5rXVdypkUrsgDFvs1paemrsv2pPjQ91F9SVvQR-F1HKWt9wnVbkQResArjvJaIyz5dQUQ-aBdJPl7vEmXpgXtC4NR1JvD8czHag0ObKvx8dB47YpUmD869v8lsIVRozQs/s200/code+name.jpg" width="119" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> <---version I read</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The new cover--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaGBe42jDpqFPEwu7WcJcMeXaZY_z4FOcrpzE6-TygdrPOAqOwWX1FjzfkdpddWCSkB0bHedCUcKFjexE-s9tBABMt-mPAhAXnb2os3fuautKDuPtD1Wr7lDKvCo0SHAQgeU4ZfnsA5w/s1600/cassandra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaGBe42jDpqFPEwu7WcJcMeXaZY_z4FOcrpzE6-TygdrPOAqOwWX1FjzfkdpddWCSkB0bHedCUcKFjexE-s9tBABMt-mPAhAXnb2os3fuautKDuPtD1Wr7lDKvCo0SHAQgeU4ZfnsA5w/s200/cassandra.jpg" width="119" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">The novels really helped keep my mind off of everything that was going on. It calmed me and gave me a distraction from all of the worry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Luckily, the healthcare team was able to care for my sister, and everything was fixed and taken care of. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">But I will never forget the relief that I felt knowing that I could drift away from my troubles into Jess' world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Meg is not only a talented author, she is also an incredible person. I have met Meg twice, and both times, she was funny and sweet and caring. Plus, she signed like 25 of my books (which was super sweet!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKucaEmBxpzLgEkOiGr-qeB_Bwq0DST-ILwiYGEydFbSug0lZoGUGoNw0iW7qv1AwqJvns1fybcp4KyvVzz_HxG8JuNnIyOGJT_fjcZ8zmgsayxk0ReRHZzV1r5uCl3AeH3eG7HaXg2o0/s1600/meg+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKucaEmBxpzLgEkOiGr-qeB_Bwq0DST-ILwiYGEydFbSug0lZoGUGoNw0iW7qv1AwqJvns1fybcp4KyvVzz_HxG8JuNnIyOGJT_fjcZ8zmgsayxk0ReRHZzV1r5uCl3AeH3eG7HaXg2o0/s1600/meg+and+me.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">(This is also my profile picture, since it was one of the best days ever!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqtysSd-pHbAQ27w-OOx0nOYBs-m7Ey5O1GKRgn4cMwo6beMO4MTUO4bH1jB8SZEUPc15S7vge0ELGHhOTPOr2aarpdAQyHo6mIWkq1NE724egZKRKfPrh1nbe7K3VCixDgiv6D1gCpw/s1600/Meg+Books3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqtysSd-pHbAQ27w-OOx0nOYBs-m7Ey5O1GKRgn4cMwo6beMO4MTUO4bH1jB8SZEUPc15S7vge0ELGHhOTPOr2aarpdAQyHo6mIWkq1NE724egZKRKfPrh1nbe7K3VCixDgiv6D1gCpw/s1600/Meg+Books3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">(All of my Meg Cabot books at the time that she signed. And don't worry, I had 5 people go with me, so the line moved fairly and she didn't sign this many for each person.) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">I even won a contest on her page before, revolving around Airhead. She asked a question about who's life we would like to have for a day, and I chose Gisele (the model). It was a long story as to why I chose her, but Meg sent me this AMAZING Airhead shirt (which I still own to this day!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp-jg2aCOzbGBN_CA_CophmoiDt2HX7809qC37DdKKr7LdYrQNFGKpJzkvy-41qUMAAeR6l2omAkJDK8Jcmi5IBeyNRbPkT7xjbKbKgp0SXLW1bpLelmMqBXdMpzA5WKelu-j9-s7oYw/s1600/airhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp-jg2aCOzbGBN_CA_CophmoiDt2HX7809qC37DdKKr7LdYrQNFGKpJzkvy-41qUMAAeR6l2omAkJDK8Jcmi5IBeyNRbPkT7xjbKbKgp0SXLW1bpLelmMqBXdMpzA5WKelu-j9-s7oYw/s320/airhead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">(Modeling my Airhead shirt with the AMAZING book!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">*******</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Thank you, Meg, for creating your novels to help individuals like me. You've helped bring me joy and entertainment, you've brought me comfort in my times of stress, and you brought understanding to me in a time when I felt alone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">You are truly an exceptional author. You are my FAVORITE author. You have inspired me and brought life to reading in a way that I have never experienced before. and I thank you so much for all that you have done!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">*********</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">So, now I just want to say that I hope all of you will check out the other stops on the Meg-A Readers Blog Hop. They're also giving away a copy of Underworld and some awesome swag from Meg!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">and, you can read my review of Underworld and win my copy <a href="http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com/2012/05/review-and-giveaway-underworld-by-meg.html">HERE!</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-mediator-series-by-meg-cabot.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">You can also read my first review ever on this site, of the Mediator Series!</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-abandon-by-meg-cabot.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">Or read my review of Abandon, the book right before Underworld!</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">Thanks so much for stopping by! I'd love it if you left me a comment letting me know what YOU love about </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">the</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">author, Meg! :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-26494684430232149972012-05-15T09:34:00.001-05:002012-05-15T09:40:38.527-05:00Review and Giveaway: Underworld by Meg Cabot<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">Welcome to one of the stops in the amazing......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNGley-pzdmSSrIu-tL7tY5iOg0ZXtWaWu5uwMMzBJFX0Xwh2j69RBBEwzidNhlEDUwmAVTMqIBLUY9n_KlI27LOTGLL7gWUKrbh3iiYuBwSwp288WeZczLNwa6KP9aKqkfL0Aoy9AI0/s1600/mega.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNGley-pzdmSSrIu-tL7tY5iOg0ZXtWaWu5uwMMzBJFX0Xwh2j69RBBEwzidNhlEDUwmAVTMqIBLUY9n_KlI27LOTGLL7gWUKrbh3iiYuBwSwp288WeZczLNwa6KP9aKqkfL0Aoy9AI0/s1600/mega.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">********************</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">Underworld by Meg Cabot</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">(Abandon #2)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">Publisher: Point</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">Release Date: May 8, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">Pages: 336</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRkzO3f0-jJRxqme1r6XK0d5eHpshIiRArItTW2glzFsqfy4zQMMD__dVQW66JljEwexzTz0GSCzUAL8jNsmCcT3Cpi0eco3Jv7WYwg0JYYPIgvipQxHRTgT2HADHTaNERtfCm4oBMVQ/s1600/underworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRkzO3f0-jJRxqme1r6XK0d5eHpshIiRArItTW2glzFsqfy4zQMMD__dVQW66JljEwexzTz0GSCzUAL8jNsmCcT3Cpi0eco3Jv7WYwg0JYYPIgvipQxHRTgT2HADHTaNERtfCm4oBMVQ/s1600/underworld.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; width: 520px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">— Book Two: Underworld —</span></i></span></h2>
</div>
<div align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible<br />when someone there wants you back.</span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead. Not this time.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">But she’s been taken by John Hayden, lord of the Underworld, to the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">John claims it’s for her own safety, to protect her from the Furies who yearn for vengeance against him. But John may have reasons of his own for wanting to keep Pierce close…</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And soon Pierce learns that while she might be safe from the wrath of the Furies in the Underworld, the people she loves back on earth are not. Can she convince John to release her in order to save the life of someone in her family? Or will the price he asks her to pay for her freedom turn out to be too high? </span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>*********</i></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Summary provided by Meg Cabot @ megcabot.com</i></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>************</i></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">This book begins right where the previous left off; Pierce has just been taken "captive" to the Underworld by John in order to protect her from her from the Furies, and specifically, a fury that happens to be part of her family. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">This is all fine and dandy, except Pierce didn't CHOOSE to go. She had no choice, and she's not happy about it. Although, surprisingly, I find that she adjusts fairly well. Until, she somehow receives a video on her cell phone of her cousin Alex and harm that is going to come to him. Once this happens, she'll do everything she can to escape again, in order to save her family. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">That about sums up as much as I can give away, without ruining any plot. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">Now, on to my review.....</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">I want to start out by letting you know that I am a HUGE Meg Cabot fan. Her Princess Diaries series (as well as Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley Jr. High series) was the reason I really began reading in the first place. I LOVE Meg. She has been a hero in literature for me, and her novels have really touched me in ways that others have not. She is a magnificent, creative, and funny author (both in writing and in person!)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">Now, that being said, I want to move on to this specific novel. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">The novel began a little slow for my taste. Granted, the opening scene was intense and intriguing, but after that, I felt that it died down quite a bit. For a while, I sat there wondering when the action and romance was going to begin. However, I didn't have to wait too long. The novel definitely picked up pace, and by the end, I found myself craving more and more!!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">As for the romance, I thought it was cute and believable. I mean, I guess the point is that Pierce and John are meant to be together, due to all of their history. Other than that, however, I didn't feel that their relationship developed much. I mean, you can see how he feels about Pierce (by trying to protect her by being a little possessive), but it just didn't click for me. I cannot believe that Pierce would not mind spending the rest of eternity with this guy, when she barely even develops her feelings for him much. Maybe that's just me, though. He's definitely a likeable guy. Granted, he's a little controlling for my taste. But, after all, he is just trying to keep the one he loves safe. And he ends up sacrificing so much for her. I definitely enjoy their relationship. I just feel that it could have been developed a bit more. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">As for the supporting cast, I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Her cousin Alex and uncle Chris are just so wonderfully adorable. Their back story and all of the challenges they've faced really touch me. I adore them! I also really like Mr. Smith, the cemetery saxton. He is just so concerned for doing what's best for Pierce and keeping her safe. He's a wonderful addition to the story. Kayla, however, is my favorite!! She is so fun and sassy. I absolutely adore her spunk and the spark that she adds to this novel, especially when you throw Frank into the mix. It's wayyy too cute, I can't help but giggle at them. I adore this supporting cast. Developing incredible supporting characters has ALWAYS been one of Meg's specialties. She does it well, and she makes you love each and every one of them. That is one of the qualities I love most about her!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">My absolute FAVORITE thing about this novel was the cliffhanger at the end. Part of me saw it coming (slightly), but not in the way it happened. I was shocked, and I am so excited to see where it goes from here! I am just dying to read the final book in the trilogy already! Hurry it up, Meg. Don't keep your lovely readers waiting any longer! To be honest, I like Pierce and John's relationship. But I'm much more interested in seeing what happens between Frank and Kayla!!!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It has a creative and intriguing plot, great supporting cast members, very descriptive scenery, and a BEAUTIFUL cover!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">I give it 4.5/5 cupcakes! I just couldn't bear to give it only four :P</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s1600/4+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s320/4+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">and a </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnj2UFStxT7-dGqj3J1mpuBy85nHBrbohSDmaj2nvnSPULzbsUjPviNUWjlwIhcy2qhSXTjt8S3waO0ZDpg8IMS_Pz4x9y_SHQpK8wTsqUkxmX0sYVGfgdM-SFQcG6OxfMlN5bx43lgk/s1600/half+cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnj2UFStxT7-dGqj3J1mpuBy85nHBrbohSDmaj2nvnSPULzbsUjPviNUWjlwIhcy2qhSXTjt8S3waO0ZDpg8IMS_Pz4x9y_SHQpK8wTsqUkxmX0sYVGfgdM-SFQcG6OxfMlN5bx43lgk/s200/half+cupcake.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://stylishcuisine.com/?p=1603" style="background-color: white;">By the way, you can find the recipe for this DELICIOUS looking cupcake here!</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">A delicious plot,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">A tantalizingly amazing supportive cast</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">and a</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">cliffhanger of an ending!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">***********</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">So what wants to win my ARC of this AMAZING book?!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">I'm giving it away as part of the Meg-A Reader's Blog Hop! Check out the rest of the stops and giveaways <a href="http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2012/05/meg-readers-kick-off-my-meg-story.html">here!</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #929292; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>To enter:</b> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #929292; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You must be a GFC follower and leave me your GFC name and email!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This contest is only open to those residing in the United States, as I have to ship it myself.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other entries include: Following on twitter, posting a blog comment, blogging about this contest, etc. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The contest is open until midnight on May 24!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2012/05/meg-readers-kick-off-my-meg-story.html">So get your entries in and don't forget to check out of the rest of the stops in this amazing hop!</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<a id="rc-0a4fcf3" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #0b5394; color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-49783902020858150622012-04-25T12:01:00.003-05:002012-04-25T12:01:46.481-05:00Review: Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Publisher: Harlequin Teen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Release Date: April 24, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Pages: 485</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UZHh458PVb5QTYJ6Y6EqwAFYgGSDt4LFu0-b_I7nkyP3ZxsMQJiIJ3x1sG1BRO2Hww_pjcFa3YDNMgnrcqBWuPvcNc-zgtUW0EAfKBmmf98d64lE4mdmt4dctPq_Iiht086zdiSUdEg/s1600/immortal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UZHh458PVb5QTYJ6Y6EqwAFYgGSDt4LFu0-b_I7nkyP3ZxsMQJiIJ3x1sG1BRO2Hww_pjcFa3YDNMgnrcqBWuPvcNc-zgtUW0EAfKBmmf98d64lE4mdmt4dctPq_Iiht086zdiSUdEg/s320/immortal.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Summary provided by Goodreads</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">******</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><strong>In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.</strong></em><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of </span><em style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">them.</em><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for</span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">Okay, so this story begins with Allison, as she struggles to survive, both by scavenging for food and avoiding the night, to avoid risking a vampire attack. In this world, vampires rule, and humans are forced to register and donate blood to the vamps or to remain unregistered and learn to scavenge for food on their own. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">One night, as Allie is scavenging once again, she ends up being attacked, and she must choose between death or becoming one of the creatures that she despises most. In the end, she could not choose death, and she chooses to become a vampire. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">This book follows Allie as she learns what it truly means to be a vampire and how to learn to feed while still retaining her humanity. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">It is a wild ride filled with suspense, mystery, romance, death, and tragedy.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">Now, on to my opinion.....</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">Let me begin by saying, honestly, I am not a fan of vampire books. I never really have been. Yes, I have read Twilight, because there was so much hype about it, and I wanted to know if it was really that great. And I also read Insatiable and Overbite by Meg Cabot, because she's my favorite author. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">Other than that, I don't know why, but I'm just not a vampire fan. I love all other types of paranormal fantasy, other than vampires. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">However, I LOVE Julie Kagawa's work. I loved her Iron Fey series. She has such a talent at writing, I just had to try this as well.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">That being said, I am so glad I gave this book a chance. I LOVED this novel!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">The beginning of the novel started off a little slow for my taste. I definitely thought there would be a lot more action at first. However, the build up was definitely worth it!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">Not that I have read many vampire novels, but I felt that this one was completely original. A paranormal romance AND a dystopian?! Can you even DO that?!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">The answer is YES! If your name is Julie Kagawa, you can pull off just about anything!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">The one most interesting aspect of this novel is the fact that it truly deals with the issues of humanity. When you have a "monster" living inside of you, it is so hard to do the right thing. This book really depicts Allie's struggle as she does her best to be the person she wants to be, rather than the monster that she feels like inside. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">The journey she experiences is both beautiful and heart-wrenching. It is definitely a challenge to read this book, because you find yourself seeing yourself in the situation. You get to really understand the struggle that Allie faces in trying to make the right decisions, while trying to avoid the hunger that constantly eats at her. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">This book is absolutely incredible. If all vampire novels were more like this, I wouldn't really have a problem reading any of them. I definitely recommend this novel. I couldn't put it down. Once you get past the slow beginning, the action picks up, and you are taken on a wild journey. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">Just an FYI, if you can't stand gore, violence, and death, then this may not be the novel for you. This is definitely no Twilight. There's plenty of death and lots of blood. Sometimes, it may leave you a little "queasy" but it's impossible to put down. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">******</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">Overall, I would give this book</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">5/5 Wickedly Sweet Cupcakes!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s1600/5+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s320/5+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">One wild journey,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Intense action,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Beautiful storytelling</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">and the struggles of humanity</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">all packed into one</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">novel!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Oh, and if that's NOT enough, the book even comes with a preview of her upcoming spinoff of the Iron Fey series, The Lost Prince. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">and check out it's enchanting cover...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDDBEsskGGR7EvicHXepzVTbgGeH5ceDY8TjTZ5R7lji1Wo4AsqWjXuvhE6we4QdOFizMupPhQUpaX0I4mp0TQLv4M8G1CsGx9lJtEqUwFnjkvK8vB1TANL93hHx1Rj6VGrgYpnoObLo/s1600/lost+prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDDBEsskGGR7EvicHXepzVTbgGeH5ceDY8TjTZ5R7lji1Wo4AsqWjXuvhE6we4QdOFizMupPhQUpaX0I4mp0TQLv4M8G1CsGx9lJtEqUwFnjkvK8vB1TANL93hHx1Rj6VGrgYpnoObLo/s320/lost+prince.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">I cannot wait for October to get my hands on this incredible novel! *Squeal!* I'm so excited!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">Lastly, but DEFINITELY not least, I want to thank Harlequin for providing me with an ARC for review via <a href="http://netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a>! Thanks for the incredible journey!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-77373706667128442272012-04-18T00:20:00.001-05:002012-04-18T00:20:28.878-05:00Review: Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">Publisher: Hyperion Books</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">Release Date: March 13, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">Pages: 294</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314135923l/10560331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314135923l/10560331.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Summary taken from <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10560331-out-of-sight-out-of-time">Goodreads</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer</span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">*********</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This is the 5th book in the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. I have to begin by saying that Ally Carter is my sister's absolute FAVORITE author. My sister is also the reason I began reading this series in the beginning. So I have my sister to think to discovering this adorable series!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Basically, the premise of the entire series is a secret "boarding" school for female spies. Obviously, the plot becomes much deeper than that, but I can't say much more without giving everything away!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">In this particular novel, Cammie develops amnesia. She has been missing for months, and no one knows where she was. But it is suspected that she may have been abducted by a menacing group that would have loved nothing more than to torture her. As we travel through the novel, we experience Cammie's world, and relearn memories along with her. We experience every moment at her side, and I have to say, it is quite the journey!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">I definitely enjoy this series, in general. However, I do feel that the majority of the stories were meant towards younger teenagers. I cannot say that, however, with this final book.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This book is definitely the darkest, most mysterious, and most intriguing of the series.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">One major aspect I look at in an author is to see that their writing is improving with each novel, and I can honestly say that I see this trait in Ally's novels.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">While the other novels were still enjoyable, this novel was absolutely breathtaking! I was unable to put it down. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">I absolutely love the way this novel was written. I really enjoyed "seeing" and "experiencing" the world through Cammie's eyes. I felt as though I was right there beside her. I felt my heart break when Cammie experienced heartache. I felt fear, as she felt fear. I felt enlightened as we experienced her "memories" with her. Parts of this story were even unpredictable, and I found myself surprised at that. I'm not usually one to feel surprise in novels, but this was an exception!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This is definitely Ally Carter's best novel to date, and I cannot wait for the final installment in the series!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">I definitely recommend this novel to fans of Ally Carter and the Gallagher Girls. And if you don't read the Gallagher Girls, I would definitely recommend starting now, especially after the exciting journey I experienced while reading this novel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">~~~*~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">While I may have given the other novels in the series a 4/5 cupcakes, this one definitely deserves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">5/5 wickedly sweet cupcakes!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s1600/5+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s320/5+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;">One amazing, mysterious journey, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Unpredictable moments, and the</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">POV of an amnesiac!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">******</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;">And, I just have to add that Ally Carter is so sweet in person. It's one thing to be talented, but to be so nice too! She's definitely an author you want to meet if you get the chance! (And my sister was SO EXCITED because she remembered her from the last time we met!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-83487246534429450212012-04-17T14:03:00.001-05:002012-04-18T00:45:01.068-05:00RT Convention Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a thanks to all my followers, and since I've gotten SO MANY free books at RT this past week, I wanted to share the wealth with you!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I'm hosting a giveaway with some AWESOME books!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One person will win their choice of a book listed below! </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Plus, I'll throw in some free autographed swag! I have TONS of Swag. Some Matched posters from Ally Condie, posters from Richelle Mead, signed bookmarks by Amy Plum, Josephine Angelini, Kiera Cass, Stephanie Perkins, Michele Jaffe, Beth Revis, and much, much more! If you have a specific author you might want some swag from, just leave me a comment below, and I'll try to throw that in if you win!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AND if I reach 200 followers, I'll choose 2 winners!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the books you can choose from:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeQfJTx7dikuzMsgzhnD6CGePsbAAsESPj2qRw1c-FTr-bWg2K5ICj8CPUE1FbJUr_Hbeqh5ydjLw3fTipSs4eRd2KVlGdnbDGCQc8EFByMG2d8uVm23LCZZrK_C20PbjQxe9UZGShUA/s1600/bride+collector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeQfJTx7dikuzMsgzhnD6CGePsbAAsESPj2qRw1c-FTr-bWg2K5ICj8CPUE1FbJUr_Hbeqh5ydjLw3fTipSs4eRd2KVlGdnbDGCQc8EFByMG2d8uVm23LCZZrK_C20PbjQxe9UZGShUA/s200/bride+collector.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T_JdnVIXSeh9LBgc_OuyXfgB5s-BVLo79oi1lP7xcfYA05klxcTI-53Y61JxWZBrBmyTjr4I1ftjoayK4kLQJR8DIf7zXJ0eD0SQ1c7vWnN1nvzB2q0er3qzKpWN_te-M3gfxn2azjw/s1600/tempest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T_JdnVIXSeh9LBgc_OuyXfgB5s-BVLo79oi1lP7xcfYA05klxcTI-53Y61JxWZBrBmyTjr4I1ftjoayK4kLQJR8DIf7zXJ0eD0SQ1c7vWnN1nvzB2q0er3qzKpWN_te-M3gfxn2azjw/s200/tempest.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r2KSAgZOt8-Cyf4bcIHyopf5FKxfRItxvvAwrLpnpNHKQpD7C8TxLFuaySklU6dc7HDYGSFDA-LHnANzgyZjnbE005edImAcaGX2cWZSAw1t6G_GDV0Y8JCnVJ5wyctnCQ5X7i066vQ/s1600/priest%2527s+graveyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r2KSAgZOt8-Cyf4bcIHyopf5FKxfRItxvvAwrLpnpNHKQpD7C8TxLFuaySklU6dc7HDYGSFDA-LHnANzgyZjnbE005edImAcaGX2cWZSAw1t6G_GDV0Y8JCnVJ5wyctnCQ5X7i066vQ/s200/priest%2527s+graveyard.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fzkRCTyKR_o_89N-vYjPGze_atEj6WJJa4k3Fz6eVmnhx5C3hvcRIGexsfFFufq0iRWHbQEFe9PVtPtoCe9pU-Jrxa73K6W9kj0bbdpUDc-O41r9d_2b4OBAhC0iDtDoyZAQAnXe1xM/s1600/lost+in+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fzkRCTyKR_o_89N-vYjPGze_atEj6WJJa4k3Fz6eVmnhx5C3hvcRIGexsfFFufq0iRWHbQEFe9PVtPtoCe9pU-Jrxa73K6W9kj0bbdpUDc-O41r9d_2b4OBAhC0iDtDoyZAQAnXe1xM/s200/lost+in+time.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixubg1FGYVbq0oqATJRq0WYxCNnehBpd2Zk3-v1dZwAkysH89fPttUg5SfvpSBO1KPgOD9PQ_52segHIHirDXKlpijIX2o1UZATgXfVEJkCDDzBdjpqaIBXAjJPsKbbAQ-R3nILspV5_g/s1600/clique+claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixubg1FGYVbq0oqATJRq0WYxCNnehBpd2Zk3-v1dZwAkysH89fPttUg5SfvpSBO1KPgOD9PQ_52segHIHirDXKlpijIX2o1UZATgXfVEJkCDDzBdjpqaIBXAjJPsKbbAQ-R3nILspV5_g/s1600/clique+claire.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8G1Q_mR7E6icxPIjru86RnoztfsW1xYa-JZXLbgyQ6V7m-UFXVVHfCPsUq0JrFYc9xYgDqWMXwCAkdG6aeOfUUPGYnowMdRbQC8ZTmf5pZ72BxQF8NQ9zXj8Irrh4gVHglGx3-y98Ig/s1600/clique+dylan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8G1Q_mR7E6icxPIjru86RnoztfsW1xYa-JZXLbgyQ6V7m-UFXVVHfCPsUq0JrFYc9xYgDqWMXwCAkdG6aeOfUUPGYnowMdRbQC8ZTmf5pZ72BxQF8NQ9zXj8Irrh4gVHglGx3-y98Ig/s200/clique+dylan.jpg" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1DexNO6wsGHbYVWS25wyuBArc-DrBnB8bHF1ZMfUtV0GzhkNi9CaT8GZ_IC8W3Shi-5HJUVMkU9-RG1pt4FdcGFLY7p5vczw1dD8F388YP9uZTCJbgpI5MQOAnPqboAZKgvi229qKQ4/s1600/demon+covenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1DexNO6wsGHbYVWS25wyuBArc-DrBnB8bHF1ZMfUtV0GzhkNi9CaT8GZ_IC8W3Shi-5HJUVMkU9-RG1pt4FdcGFLY7p5vczw1dD8F388YP9uZTCJbgpI5MQOAnPqboAZKgvi229qKQ4/s200/demon+covenant.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MmXJkFP7VFjaYtzDUcPiY6nf8OjO17dKG9l_nlbvbX6_0AGInnaywpl2zgmNkyjLhQSTZXaMXqyimL3U3YHh-LVtM4zyiFpzYMSRDVhWiKJJw-NAoX7I5_RbiphoSbXcZTmY8AuqCiY/s1600/little+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MmXJkFP7VFjaYtzDUcPiY6nf8OjO17dKG9l_nlbvbX6_0AGInnaywpl2zgmNkyjLhQSTZXaMXqyimL3U3YHh-LVtM4zyiFpzYMSRDVhWiKJJw-NAoX7I5_RbiphoSbXcZTmY8AuqCiY/s200/little+blue.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosXc0ycNI4CyCs_ojA5WCAHcGM6M5qUu4y1fTnlmASu327WNGUEH3okCe1usTMf7SYSFRzEmwN11PUA3fIbhP2htfzmT4mA9wSqi14rB2oWfqIAO1SDyiDBIej48I7m4oTu0lCEdgS9Q/s1600/hearts-at-stake-house-of-drake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosXc0ycNI4CyCs_ojA5WCAHcGM6M5qUu4y1fTnlmASu327WNGUEH3okCe1usTMf7SYSFRzEmwN11PUA3fIbhP2htfzmT4mA9wSqi14rB2oWfqIAO1SDyiDBIej48I7m4oTu0lCEdgS9Q/s200/hearts-at-stake-house-of-drake.jpg" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKKULojQ5FtdbhH2uK-fmsVz60RDlx4kTaGcWewHyQ9Qo1K-z4ROZoa_7uliBMxUJX9_PnNQwopt43hcIBVGEEm3GQiEcTKzSMcp7legwZb0DYHa6SdF7Zmr-DRYksgKxE2_Ma99pa6s/s1600/Chime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKKULojQ5FtdbhH2uK-fmsVz60RDlx4kTaGcWewHyQ9Qo1K-z4ROZoa_7uliBMxUJX9_PnNQwopt43hcIBVGEEm3GQiEcTKzSMcp7legwZb0DYHa6SdF7Zmr-DRYksgKxE2_Ma99pa6s/s200/Chime.jpg" width="133" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>To enter:</b> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You must be a GFC follower and let me know which prize you would like! Also, this contest is only open to those residing in the United States, as I have to ship it myself.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other optional entries include: Following me on Twitter, Tweeting about this giveaway, Blogging about this giveaway, Commenting on this blog spot, and supporting the INCREDIBLE Team Amity!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, and I also have an ARC of Underworld by Meg Cabot I'll be giving away some time in the near future! As well as some other autographed novels (like Anna and the French Kiss, etc.) So stay tuned!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enjoy this </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">giveaway! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and don't forget to support Team Amity (by clicking the buttons on my sidebar --->)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></div>
<script id="raflin-affee11" type="text/javascript">
/*{literal}<![CDATA[*/
window.RAFLIN = window.RAFLIN || {};
window.RAFLIN['affee11'] = {id: 'MGE0ZmNmN2VjMjAwZGMyNjIwM2VkMWY4YWFkMTNjOjE='};
var url='//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/static/js/raflcptr/build/raflcptr.min.js', head=(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]);
(function(d,n,h){if(!!d.getElementById(n))return;var j=d.createElement('script');j.id=n;j.type='text/javascript';j.async=true;j.src=url;h.appendChild(j);}(document,'rsoijs',head));
/*]]>{/literal}*/
</script>
<a class="rafl-powered" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rpow-affee11" style="color: #999999; display: block; font: 10px sans-serif; text-align: center; width: 100%;" target="_blank">a <i>Rafflecopter</i> giveaway</a>
<noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.</noscript>
</div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-37535113243400645282012-04-16T12:02:00.002-05:002012-04-16T12:02:47.014-05:00RT Convention 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Hey, everyone! Guess what I was doing on Saturday?! Spending the FULL day at Teen Day at the RT Convention!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">And what did my sisters and I get? A BUNCH of books and swag, some of which I want to give to YOU!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">I met TONS of amazing authors, took great pictures, picked up amazing books (oldies but goodies and ARCs)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Check out some of these fun times!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-IE_bqXprLfcn7O2JCaxJYPdWi92O14Osd6FkxYKvKCWdabJZulWbGbNifOoBI__UzTJf65K8u90dHg0RYFwqNy-aLkSgd3QxfypRqQ0oCxzN0eqZytExF-3u6IWcXRw08Yiow33psU/s1600/me+with+josephine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-IE_bqXprLfcn7O2JCaxJYPdWi92O14Osd6FkxYKvKCWdabJZulWbGbNifOoBI__UzTJf65K8u90dHg0RYFwqNy-aLkSgd3QxfypRqQ0oCxzN0eqZytExF-3u6IWcXRw08Yiow33psU/s320/me+with+josephine.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Josephine Angelini...Seriously, isn't she beautiful?!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFmatGxhKKRsJMrNuImkGuP5iWS6oJ-jm6Xaa1NRfNSs9tqIyhUOVAWnySEy_a6IlY2xddVBGdacXrkqgNm4Ii0ph1apjoZ54bqLiC_X70Dk1_prkfHHMoQiIO-0kA8xAxFjX8sNEznQ/s1600/me+ally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFmatGxhKKRsJMrNuImkGuP5iWS6oJ-jm6Xaa1NRfNSs9tqIyhUOVAWnySEy_a6IlY2xddVBGdacXrkqgNm4Ii0ph1apjoZ54bqLiC_X70Dk1_prkfHHMoQiIO-0kA8xAxFjX8sNEznQ/s320/me+ally.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">The ever-so-talented Ally Carter!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o1ExLU80xIjHc3t85yAEdf26umWef4PlZbUANpdMVV2_IkBQlTYkSSq82zrKqMziknzn-kIum0_VezZswj2l-jv9YpjoakESbjjRDsyfm102cpnmOEI62XhQR6kc861YI8YGLoA4fq0/s1600/me+amy+plum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o1ExLU80xIjHc3t85yAEdf26umWef4PlZbUANpdMVV2_IkBQlTYkSSq82zrKqMziknzn-kIum0_VezZswj2l-jv9YpjoakESbjjRDsyfm102cpnmOEI62XhQR6kc861YI8YGLoA4fq0/s320/me+amy+plum.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">The amazingly sweet, Amy Plum</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">(and I also got an ARC of Until I Die...I was stoked!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSE7OCZFf9Ml4l9veo8JEIRAAY_teqDxUhi2NUTzwMZsAwQhEU0w_byOhJ6V1jFjiJg6uJbvh8oz9Z6Ot0jN_AMHTP0XJznxwd2dH_E4IJm195-pMUdRI_edD7iek-ESv221Y2LETxHk/s1600/me+aprilynne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSE7OCZFf9Ml4l9veo8JEIRAAY_teqDxUhi2NUTzwMZsAwQhEU0w_byOhJ6V1jFjiJg6uJbvh8oz9Z6Ot0jN_AMHTP0XJznxwd2dH_E4IJm195-pMUdRI_edD7iek-ESv221Y2LETxHk/s320/me+aprilynne.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">The enchanting Aprilynne Pike</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">(and yes, my sister scored an ARC of Destined, I can't wait to read it!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveXFDcdvslxdW9-yflmE-lk8StRjIrs8Mpc-ufjGtKknHuu3sf6Sk6pQKv1rorJSGr3SXOmWpuGKeg6PAlkH46-44dtYsQ1JC6u8BhR3RYUNvbjownzsj8J-oTFcnGwPYiEefxVDm5r4/s1600/Kiera+Cass+Tiffany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveXFDcdvslxdW9-yflmE-lk8StRjIrs8Mpc-ufjGtKknHuu3sf6Sk6pQKv1rorJSGr3SXOmWpuGKeg6PAlkH46-44dtYsQ1JC6u8BhR3RYUNvbjownzsj8J-oTFcnGwPYiEefxVDm5r4/s320/Kiera+Cass+Tiffany.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">My sister, Tiffany, with Kiera Cass!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">(and YES, we did get a copy of the Selection! So exciting! I'm dying to read it NOW!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWs586cWxRh8BEudNHaesM00DRFElZuoQC85hH2fRHW3N-Nzd9PZliIkHTRn-Y5qjF5HeoHJAotn4eZRZfMV5H2bGdroBTAWpPPEeaaJujSD3YxI9p6SOAnPOpx34JgnCdBvWdkLt-nQ/s1600/natalie+stacey+kade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWs586cWxRh8BEudNHaesM00DRFElZuoQC85hH2fRHW3N-Nzd9PZliIkHTRn-Y5qjF5HeoHJAotn4eZRZfMV5H2bGdroBTAWpPPEeaaJujSD3YxI9p6SOAnPOpx34JgnCdBvWdkLt-nQ/s320/natalie+stacey+kade.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">My sister-in-law, Natalia, with the awesomely awesome Stacey Kade!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">(yes, she is holding an EARLY copy of Body and Soul!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLefcEDyqmiP2C6I5QMh0EaBC77jubUWswkcdfVQTgGmUkME3KgHfNcIbJSzwnxn5nwmQ2KnbV5lIXO_EbHyNbRxKhIA-vvTdaiApMMYfsKiyhEwNZ2bho6rAaJrReM_rVpbr9zx4cIs/s1600/stephanie+kuehnert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLefcEDyqmiP2C6I5QMh0EaBC77jubUWswkcdfVQTgGmUkME3KgHfNcIbJSzwnxn5nwmQ2KnbV5lIXO_EbHyNbRxKhIA-vvTdaiApMMYfsKiyhEwNZ2bho6rAaJrReM_rVpbr9zx4cIs/s320/stephanie+kuehnert.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Tiffany with the incredibly charming Stephanie Kuehnert!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOcG3nkj4io8FsGPDb5H-RhiD1l2pw9smbLi6U529mE1f05UX-jJthOQPeC_gGqFPwB0hg-qBkLKXkaUQqu5-wuhdGnfZ8PYH6L_RUQGIrKiQQNdGYDalLLQ42N-kXKo8oh12SiML-AA/s1600/tiffany+ally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOcG3nkj4io8FsGPDb5H-RhiD1l2pw9smbLi6U529mE1f05UX-jJthOQPeC_gGqFPwB0hg-qBkLKXkaUQqu5-wuhdGnfZ8PYH6L_RUQGIrKiQQNdGYDalLLQ42N-kXKo8oh12SiML-AA/s320/tiffany+ally.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">I had to throw Ally Carter in again, because she is Tiffany's absolute favorite author!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRv7BuaRKqPT9Ab9SbkGRnaERhjgNuyk4EWWIAVwF5uvpa7afsf6TUfIcjIIX3Kq_Me9HUiowZcVQ6W0kxiAIInXgJMnKkH-NkyeUTCd_6mUtb4MvIb9RseZaRsTCBOGEbKzH7IcAP-mU/s1600/tiffany+and+saundra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRv7BuaRKqPT9Ab9SbkGRnaERhjgNuyk4EWWIAVwF5uvpa7afsf6TUfIcjIIX3Kq_Me9HUiowZcVQ6W0kxiAIInXgJMnKkH-NkyeUTCd_6mUtb4MvIb9RseZaRsTCBOGEbKzH7IcAP-mU/s320/tiffany+and+saundra.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Here is Tiffany again, holding the coveted Springsweet (early copy) by Saundra Mitchell</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8rKJniBW8Z_IaZM18nJwOdecsCBS5D4U5uGVWZm05lnE_UtfUX-W0AnGSG1fVHBMYu7-sTCl9IPVfe05iF2NdSUQSreC7xGOV7NSvXLSgcdKZzWJ6Y-sIGnLBilI68uBnm9RynD3w9c/s1600/tiffany+bree+despain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8rKJniBW8Z_IaZM18nJwOdecsCBS5D4U5uGVWZm05lnE_UtfUX-W0AnGSG1fVHBMYu7-sTCl9IPVfe05iF2NdSUQSreC7xGOV7NSvXLSgcdKZzWJ6Y-sIGnLBilI68uBnm9RynD3w9c/s320/tiffany+bree+despain.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Tiffany and lovely Bree Despain</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">(and you don't even have to ask, because OF COURSE, we received a copy of the Savage Grace AND some awesome nail polish from the Dark Divine line!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuozeTD2oZD5qg0TXeQKCgGYO48YOISmRX1r3uG1ph_y7P5nItQMaoH1pblXUZbiK3hgP_Iz1pLJau-ki_Dt55MmVNBGgynuZFA20FCKz-BaaSpKd43ZXxj7u2PKKFCFCVLeGpCF_wrA/s1600/us+with+suzanne+lazear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuozeTD2oZD5qg0TXeQKCgGYO48YOISmRX1r3uG1ph_y7P5nItQMaoH1pblXUZbiK3hgP_Iz1pLJau-ki_Dt55MmVNBGgynuZFA20FCKz-BaaSpKd43ZXxj7u2PKKFCFCVLeGpCF_wrA/s320/us+with+suzanne+lazear.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Me and Tiffany with the awesome Suzanne Lazear (I cannot WAIT for Innocent Darkness to come out!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFTUye_eDcMLTaS7VEKsPnGnpeDu0pQRjdykbVSmDqb5R3Bb2brPc5u858_y6bAQOC2k_ZuV9ZjBSzsSoqVjEEjSNxJqBbdoyz-Ji4YsNa0edHBzZ9-RPrIFLJJzPoiTFgWt-IS7_-5A/s1600/veronica+roth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFTUye_eDcMLTaS7VEKsPnGnpeDu0pQRjdykbVSmDqb5R3Bb2brPc5u858_y6bAQOC2k_ZuV9ZjBSzsSoqVjEEjSNxJqBbdoyz-Ji4YsNa0edHBzZ9-RPrIFLJJzPoiTFgWt-IS7_-5A/s320/veronica+roth.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Lastly, me and my husband, Anthony, with the wonderfully, incredibly talented Veronica Roth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">(I am sad to say, she was seen wearing a Team Dauntless pin. We need to step it up, Amity!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">(No, I did NOT get a copy of Insurgent, but I did get an extra copy of Divergent autographed...)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">and we met SO many more amazing authors, but I just couldn't get all the pictures....Tera Lynn Childs (who told me I looked and dressed JUST like her character Nicole from the oh. my. gods series and so she gave me a copy of Sweet Venom), Jenn Lynn Barnes (a copy of Every Other Day), Michelle Jaffe (with a copy Ghost Flower), Colleen Houck (and a copy of Tiger's Curse), Kate Vincent, Melissa Marr, Melissa de la Cruz, Kimberly Derting (she's too sweet!), Sarah Rees Brennan (who decided to jump on chairs and tables), Stephanie Perkins (with her wickedly sweet red hair!), and SO MANY MORE!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">and even though Meg Cabot wasn't there, I was able to score a FREE copy of the ARC for Underworld! I'm so stoked! I've already finished reading it.......AND I'll be giving my copy away soon! So stay tuned!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">And in the next week, I'll be giving away a bunch of books from the Convention, along with TONS of autographed swag! So check back soon!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Have a </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Monday!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-9895442900899583472012-04-14T00:28:00.001-05:002012-04-14T00:43:52.542-05:00Team Amity!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I have finally chosen a side.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nohxir3JXTJDhZaAyn9GVlHClt3o3oKpF1gDDWdtfPMFOwJp7YEBfgkmhALfPF-bpaFFNOT95T5_906r0aw9XRviRqjkrTqBYcD9s_deoy_3bxJk7krkQm9PC0nbVr3nphMHlYngoIg/s1600/amity.png" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/choose_amity">(click here to support us!)</a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just love this team! Their kindness and optimism has drawn me in! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you who have NO idea what I'm talking about, we're doing this to support the upcoming release of Insurgent by Veronica Roth!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is Insurgent, you ask?</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Only the most awaited sequel of 2012!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's a synopsis of the first book, Divergent, provided by Goodreads:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwfiFnFCutJMaEP-ahDMaV1THcmFi4KmedCfvOjrySOKRSm9z26T8U0xqBrgmqjAsOqicGoO9b4UnlG8VylW8ZSLj4IDTcSXP1lFAvp3X_EhHF_OaHhLWJKi16ELFyn4CjN2ckWIhDx0/s1600/divergent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwfiFnFCutJMaEP-ahDMaV1THcmFi4KmedCfvOjrySOKRSm9z26T8U0xqBrgmqjAsOqicGoO9b4UnlG8VylW8ZSLj4IDTcSXP1lFAvp3X_EhHF_OaHhLWJKi16ELFyn4CjN2ckWIhDx0/s320/divergent.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i>In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.</i></span>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And here's a synopsis for Insurgent, provided by Goodreads as well:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgllWkqmvU5wYur3YNEneJnuexRX_yKvxnUzqYrCknyH9kJqPkA1QdXKkzYWEAASsJfV62N8zmE312gcxQVQpTC8lBVqM5xAUY20W3nEVTmMay1TMXOcYgTxq2cCIsws1Pzfe6dk24Hg/s1600/314772_281427445217498_151780294848881_1152897_737238917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgllWkqmvU5wYur3YNEneJnuexRX_yKvxnUzqYrCknyH9kJqPkA1QdXKkzYWEAASsJfV62N8zmE312gcxQVQpTC8lBVqM5xAUY20W3nEVTmMay1TMXOcYgTxq2cCIsws1Pzfe6dk24Hg/s320/314772_281427445217498_151780294848881_1152897_737238917_n.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.</span></i></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.</span></i></div>
</span></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~~~~~~</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doesn't that just sound AMAZING?!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I cannot wait for May 1! It cannot come soon enough. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To build up a hype for this incredible series, HarperTeen has started a promotion involving book bloggers of all types. There are five teams being recruited: Amity, Dauntless, Erudite, Abnegation, and Candor.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But, of course, AMITY is the best team, and you need to join us, like NOW!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To join our FACTION, click <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEk3RURkZEw3SURQYW5tQXA1WkdISnc6MQ">HERE </a>and provide your information!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And be sure to visit our headquarters for Team Amity, over at <a href="http://www.angelsdemonsandvampires.com/">Better Read Than Dead!</a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Plus, Team Amity has a HUGE giveaway going on now! When I say HUGE, I mean seriously, MEGA- earth-shattering giveaway! You can win Kindles, bookmarks, pre-orders of Insurgent and MORE!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can enter <a href="http://www.angelsdemonsandvampires.com/2012/04/giveaway-teamamity-is-giving-faction.html">HERE!</a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But the MOST important thing you can do to support us is to visit <a href="http://bit.ly/choose_amity">this link</a> as much as possible!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And also, be sure to visit our <a href="https://bitly.com/amityfaction">Amity news site </a>as frequently as possible too! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lastly, HarperTeen has a great promotion going on that can help us unlock a scene of Divergent from Four's POV! All we have to do is reach a certain number of pre-orders! So PLEASE, go pre-order Insurgent! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for supporting #TeamAmity! And please spread the </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">news!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-8231371545997823962012-04-10T01:48:00.002-05:002012-04-10T01:48:23.865-05:00My 2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge List!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, this year, I decided to take part in the Sophomore Reading Challenge hosted by <a href="http://chickloveslit.com/">ChickLovesLit</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM_1ztNL1POgHk43MadUzlXgSGPQ0wrgXsxWmZmP-Xz_7MfotRAPpXgbxa6d4h-V8texAXH27uqztRharBbm1TZlwTEoF5ZLyh_8vYSMFVEvAWcJl8KMec0hmU_s2BmeKtnOsSS9-W0A/s1600/shanynbutton2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM_1ztNL1POgHk43MadUzlXgSGPQ0wrgXsxWmZmP-Xz_7MfotRAPpXgbxa6d4h-V8texAXH27uqztRharBbm1TZlwTEoF5ZLyh_8vYSMFVEvAWcJl8KMec0hmU_s2BmeKtnOsSS9-W0A/s1600/shanynbutton2.png" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(To read more about the contest, click on the button on my right side bar!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Check out my 10 choices listed below:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Insurgent- Veronica Roth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dreamless- Josephine Angelini</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Arise- Tara Hudson</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Until I Die- Amy Plum</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Million Suns- Beth Revis</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fever- Lauren DeStefano</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wings of the Wicked- Courtney Allison Moulton</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Timepiece- Myra McEntire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hallowed- Cynthia Hand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perception- Kim Harrington</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and you can see the list of my <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/18705.My_2012_Sophomore_Reading_Challenge_Picks_">Goodreads account too!</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't wait for some</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">reading :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-77666886537221320732012-04-09T20:43:00.002-05:002012-04-09T21:08:03.662-05:00Double Review: Switched and Torn by Amanda Hocking<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, today I am doing something a little different. I'm going to review two books at once, since I read both of them in nearly one sitting. (Yes, they were captivating, obviously....) I'm going to review them both in this post, but I'm going to still review them separately, because I felt there were points to make about each individually. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First up...........the first book in the Trylle trilogy:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Switched by Amanda Hocking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Press/ Amanda Hocking (Yes, she is a wonderful self-published author)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Release Date: July 5, 2010 (original e-book)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">January 3, 2012 (re-publication)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pages: 336</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbyGp-srC3GtIrYHFdkZCeIkNv6-zleLnjUTe9iICCbax06ZHi-95yh-e4nMbR3mLFFx1Bd1rQp2tf61lf1Ex4P2OkR-R5rYaJeFbxFgTl5Ng-MRKDJZFd3kgJG97iWYVV-RnsoziSL3b/s200/SWITCHED+frontcover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbyGp-srC3GtIrYHFdkZCeIkNv6-zleLnjUTe9iICCbax06ZHi-95yh-e4nMbR3mLFFx1Bd1rQp2tf61lf1Ex4P2OkR-R5rYaJeFbxFgTl5Ng-MRKDJZFd3kgJG97iWYVV-RnsoziSL3b/s200/SWITCHED+frontcover+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i>Summary taken from Goodreads</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: red;">When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might've been telling the truth. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of</span></i></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">I am definitely a person who LOVES reading supernatural and fantasy fiction. So I was definitely excited to see the summary of this book. When I first saw the summary, I thought it was about faeries, but I was wrong. It's not. It's about trolls. Who would've thought that I would be interested in a book about trolls, but I was. I really enjoyed it. After I finished it, I had to go out and get the second book in the trilogy. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">One criticism I have is that I felt the book could have used more descriptions. Many of the scenes felt flat and straight forward, ie: I did this. He did this. Then we did this. This definitely improved as the book went on. It definitely didn't hinder me from reading the book. It also doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. I definitely did. That's really the only complaint/criticism I have. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">The book follows Wendy's life as she finds out she is a changeling, switched at birth. The reader feels the emotion and the confusion that Wendy experiences as she discovers the truth. Along with that comes a tragic story of love. I mean, all great novels have some aspect of that, right? So, of course, that "love" is not without it's difficulties. There are definitely huge roadblocks and hindrances along the way for Wendy. Wendy is also learning what it means to be a "Trylle" and how her life is going to change (for better or for worse). Follow Wendy's magical journey as she learns that life isn't easy, whether you're human or troll. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">One definite attribute to this story is the cast of characters. I found the side characters incredibly enchanting. I LOVE a great "supporting" cast. I couldn't help but fall in love with Willa, Matt, Tove, and Finn. Although, to be honest, I have to say that I was more entranced by Tove than Finn. He definitely intrigued me!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend it to those who love young adult fantasies. It definitely won't disappoint. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Oh, and the short story at the end? A-DOR-A-BLE!!!! I LOVED it. I seriously loved Loki, and I felt more intrigued by the short story than I did by the novel. It made me even more anxious for the sequel!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">*~~~*~~~*</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">I give this book 4 out of 5 wickedly sweet cupcakes!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s1600/4+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s320/4+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">One unique supernatural plot,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">One AWESOME "supporting" cast, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">and an amazingly awesome, </span>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">short story at the end!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: magenta;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Next up is...........</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Torn by Amanda Hocking (the sequel to Switched)</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Press/ Amanda Hocking </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Release Date: November 15, 2010 (original e-book)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> February 28, 2012 (re-publication)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pages: 336</span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://covers.openlibrary.org/w/id/7020922-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://covers.openlibrary.org/w/id/7020922-L.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Summary taken from Goodreads</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">********</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wendy thought she finally understood who she was and what she wanted, but everything changes when the rival Vittra come after her. </span></span></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">She's caught between two worlds, torn between love and duty, and she must decide what life she is going to lead.</span></span></i></div>
</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">********</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, I have to say I really enjoyed this sequel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mostly, because I love and adore both Loki and Tove, and they both received a lot of "screen time" in this novel, as did Matt!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This novel picks up right where the first left off....I don't want to say too much of what happened, since this review is combined with that of the first, and I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't read either. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Parts of the novel I felt were unbelievable, and I found myself angry at Wendy a few times. I wanted to scream at her to do something, but she didn't. But, of course, that's part of her character, so it's understandable. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In general, I really enjoyed the novel. I found myself being sucked in quite frequently. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Was it predictable? Mostly, yes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Was it still great anyway? Absolutely. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After all, many novels nowadays are somewhat predictable, but still great reads. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I loved the rollercoaster I experienced as I traveled through Wendy's life. I squealed whenever Loki was around. I felt this insane glee when Tove entered the picture being just oh, so endearing. I felt confused and conflicted whenever Finn was around. I felt irritated with Elora, and I felt sassy whenever Willa came into play. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But isn't that what this is about? Getting the reader involved in the story?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I felt as though that was the strength of this novel. Was it the plot? Not really. I mean, the plot was enjoyable. But the real talent here was how Amanda made you FEEL emotions with each character. She is very talented in that aspect. Rather than focusing solely on Wendy and her emotions, Amanda branches out and allows the reader to connect with all of the characters.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I find that aspect very difficult to come by in many novels in the young adult category today. So, for that, I really commend Amanda on a job well done.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. Even at work, I found myself thinking about making it back home to read more! I was craving it. I was so in love with so many characters that I HAD to read more. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also want to state that Amanda's writing style REALLY improved in this novel. As I mentioned above in this post, the first novel felt more "matter of fact." This novel, however, flowed more effectively. I felt more connected. Scenes were described in more detail. The writing style was definitely advanced, and I can tell that Amanda has drastically improved. For that, I also highly commend her. Amanda's talent continues to surprise me!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Would I recommend this book to other readers? YES.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Was this book better than the first? YES!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Am I excited for the final book in the trilogy?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">YES!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am anxiously awaiting the release of Ascend in just a few weeks (April 24, 2012)!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWESGAInpDQQMt0s34sOoLRJ4a93IP787d0GNHg_bBiuJ_OQRqY5j9x7utpT_oVIMKEUZW_A-d3CW_SEFfwUBBo416SDmB1uf039KbvfYfnpTZUwV1AU8M1a_Qi82OoXBHEDsLOWgZD8/s1600/ascend-amanda-hocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWESGAInpDQQMt0s34sOoLRJ4a93IP787d0GNHg_bBiuJ_OQRqY5j9x7utpT_oVIMKEUZW_A-d3CW_SEFfwUBBo416SDmB1uf039KbvfYfnpTZUwV1AU8M1a_Qi82OoXBHEDsLOWgZD8/s320/ascend-amanda-hocking.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">********</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall, I would give this novel 5 out of 5 cupcakes!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s1600/5+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s320/5+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A cute sequel </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and a</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">style that made me fall in love with so many characters!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Go grab these novels right away in time for the final conclusion in the trilogy! You won't want to miss it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-57485673609865915362012-03-23T11:16:00.001-05:002012-03-23T11:16:21.364-05:00Free Preview: Insurgent!<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b>If any of you are like me, I know that you are on the edge of your seats anxiously awaiting the release of Insurgent (the 2nd book in the Divergent trilogy) by Veronica Roth!</b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b>Well, the official publisher's fan page is offering a FREE preview of the first two chapters!</b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgllWkqmvU5wYur3YNEneJnuexRX_yKvxnUzqYrCknyH9kJqPkA1QdXKkzYWEAASsJfV62N8zmE312gcxQVQpTC8lBVqM5xAUY20W3nEVTmMay1TMXOcYgTxq2cCIsws1Pzfe6dk24Hg/s1600/314772_281427445217498_151780294848881_1152897_737238917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgllWkqmvU5wYur3YNEneJnuexRX_yKvxnUzqYrCknyH9kJqPkA1QdXKkzYWEAASsJfV62N8zmE312gcxQVQpTC8lBVqM5xAUY20W3nEVTmMay1TMXOcYgTxq2cCIsws1Pzfe6dk24Hg/s400/314772_281427445217498_151780294848881_1152897_737238917_n.jpg" width="263" /></a></b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b>How exciting!</b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b>I just wanted to share it with all of you other die-hard fans!</b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b>You can check it out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DivergentSeries?v=app_191834367594446&app_data=wlbb%3D1">here! </a></b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b>Happy reading! </b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b>(Oh, and Happy Hunger Games release day too!)</b></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmuBvOp-VhJpN6dr_Z659BM74Lp7bSWsbdxzGFxcs0Wv_fIswsQ_397jpHRWALyOpy7rftKyX7lARVryRlsMeI24aEEqTPiCU_u9Qw9JdDP7OM25WejpEWu20rbV-k5sS1yTRIxeOj4/s1600/nicole4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-33114559499403516072012-03-22T11:03:00.001-05:002012-03-22T11:03:44.710-05:00Review: Two Truths and a Lie<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">
<b>Two Truths and a Lie by Sara Shepard</b></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">
<b>Publisher: Harper Teen</b></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">
<b>Release Date: February 7, 2012</b></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">
<b>Pages: 292</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdH5SMeYLrYV_rA55KTzU8O_7B13IOHpwajtMG_WBiBy-E_s30PEKUUIOKeXmF1gA7jkp0DGQDIDzcxKNGKofIG4uXvhmaWim3ovmIGtf77vSwZ5WK0RS8T2ROZ1DuksdGGasmbIw-I0/s1600/two+truths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdH5SMeYLrYV_rA55KTzU8O_7B13IOHpwajtMG_WBiBy-E_s30PEKUUIOKeXmF1gA7jkp0DGQDIDzcxKNGKofIG4uXvhmaWim3ovmIGtf77vSwZ5WK0RS8T2ROZ1DuksdGGasmbIw-I0/s1600/two+truths.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">
<i>Summary taken from: Goodreads</i></div>
<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span id="freeText12408151853412745121" style="color: #0b5394;">Sutton Mercer watches
from the afterlife as her long-lost twin, Emma Paxton, takes over her
identity to solve her murder. But after ruling out her early leads, Emma
still hasn’t found Sutton’s killer. A lot of people wanted her dead—but
one name keeps popping up: Thayer Vega. When the gorgeous and
mysterious Thayer returns to town, Emma has to move fast to figure out
whether he’s back for revenge…or if he already got it.
<br />
<br />Set in a town where friends can turn into dangerous enemies and
everyone harbors dark secrets, The Lying Game is a juicy new series that
fans of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars
series—and the hit ABC Family show—will love</span></i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*</div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
Let me begin by saying that I really do love this series (and the TV show, even though it's completely different!) This series focuses on Emma as she lives the life of her twin sister, Sutton, who has been murdered. The whole series is focused on Emma trying to piece together the night that her sister was murdered in order to bring the killer to justice. However, things keep happening, and Emma doesn't know who to trust. </div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
The series is very interesting. I love the mystery, as Emma is always suspecting someone new as the murderer. I love seeing the thoughts that go through her head, and the way she is piecing the mystery together.</div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
I also love Ethan, the only one who really knows the truth about Emma's identity and Sutton's murder. I think it's absolutely adorable watching them interact. I love that Ethan is such a sweetheart. </div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
I also love the way this book is narrated. It follows Emma's daily life, but it is told through Sutton's POV. Yes, she is dead, but her spirit is still following Emma throughout the entire series. It's interesting to watch Sutton "re-learn" everything she forgot about her life. I especially love when she has flashbacks about her life, learning things that may help Emma, but she is unable to communicate them to her sister. It's definitely a great dynamic and a creative take on this story. </div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
That being said, I was disappointed in this particular book compared to the first two. I just really felt that this book didn't add much DEPTH to any of the characters. There were a few things that bugged me about this story. I really felt that both Emma and Ethan were slightly out of character in this book. </div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
During this novel, the reader does learn some of the events that surrounded the night Sutton went missing. It also really pieces together the question of Thayer and his whereabouts, as well as his relationship with Sutton. As for that, I feel that it was vital to the overall plot. However, it just didn't have much action. </div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
The book felt slow paced, when compared with the first two. The first two novels were full of mystery and excitement. In this novel, I felt that not much really happened. It wasn't as exciting. Honestly, I feel that this book could have been left out, and some of the important points put into one of the other novels.</div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
One final problem that I have with this book is that I feel the mystery just made a circle. Emma finally ruled out some of the suspects for her murder. Now, at the end of this novel, she is coming back around and suspecting someone she had already ruled out. I just felt that it was repetitive. I hope the final book picks up the pace and has a lot of suspense like the first two. </div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
Overall, though, I still enjoyed it. I still loved seeing the world from Sutton's POV. I loved getting to know Thayer, and I loved watching Emma and Ethan grow even closer. </div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
I still love this series, and I am anxiously awaiting the final novel, Hide and Seek (awesome title!), which comes out July 31, 2012!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCygYUMTAYW4rnnMVMepG-51NQJSK22hz-s9ydF9P-GTkpkZPdTt-F7yXIUrZMKuVFj29Tq34DAzve3an9YmnGKNUZDDM1ug1SWYRDY7z2AjP8FKfTZNKAmL_nH3v9ZFUlEuyJKeCMlDs/s1600/hide+and+seek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCygYUMTAYW4rnnMVMepG-51NQJSK22hz-s9ydF9P-GTkpkZPdTt-F7yXIUrZMKuVFj29Tq34DAzve3an9YmnGKNUZDDM1ug1SWYRDY7z2AjP8FKfTZNKAmL_nH3v9ZFUlEuyJKeCMlDs/s320/hide+and+seek.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">*~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~*</span></span></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<b>I would give this book 4 out of 5 wickedly sweet cupcakes.</b></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s1600/4+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s320/4+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
Sara Shepard uses one <span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: cyan;">Wickedly Sweet</span></b> </span>narration,</div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
One<b> <span style="color: cyan;">sweet</span></b>, adorable boyfriend,</div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
which makes this series an awesome and</div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: magenta;">mystery!</span></span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-14328729519767750862012-03-18T22:36:00.003-05:002012-03-18T22:36:52.157-05:00Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver</div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
Publisher: Harper</div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
Release Date: February 28, 2012</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Pages: 375</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ_thmNsGNrMNGG-Si65o-ZPWR6ctX5yXXr_t1vs6ivh633o2X0cy6jh7IHn3kaACPAfk0y6Exf8MxfW8piMg2C__dpSD0SqEyvT3gPHA7gCYKlgSmGF74OWAMg7nNCAquhxtHMQQ5Eg/s1600/Pandemonium%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ_thmNsGNrMNGG-Si65o-ZPWR6ctX5yXXr_t1vs6ivh633o2X0cy6jh7IHn3kaACPAfk0y6Exf8MxfW8piMg2C__dpSD0SqEyvT3gPHA7gCYKlgSmGF74OWAMg7nNCAquhxtHMQQ5Eg/s320/Pandemonium%255B1%255D.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
Summary provided by goodreads</div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
*~~~~~*~~~~*</div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<i><span id="freeText2248636212379583177">I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, <br /> pushing aside thoughts of Alex, <br /> pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, <br /> push, <br /> push, <br /> push, <br /> like Raven taught me to do.<br /> The old life is dead.<br /> But the old Lena is dead too.<br /> I buried her.<br /> I left her beyond a fence,<br /> behind a wall of smoke and flame. </span></i></div>
<div style="color: #a64d79; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">*~~~~~*~~~~*</span></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
Can I just start out by saying that this book is amazingly, beautifully breathtaking! It is, by far, one of the best books I have ever read. If you thought Delirium was good, you haven't seen anything until you read this sequel. Usually I find that sequels just aren't as good as the first novel, but this is definitely an exception!</div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
This book uses and "Then" and "Now" narrative throughout the entire novel. In most novels, this may get confusing and tiring. But in this case, Lauren Oliver is a genius. It really helps show Lena's development and the way she becomes the person she is "Now."</div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
Going into this book, I was majorly depressed about the death of Alex. I thought that it would really hinder how well I enjoyed this novel. I was wrong. Definitely wrong.Oliver attempts to develop another romantic relationship in this novel, and she succeeds. I really didn't think that I could "fall in love" with another character after how much I adored Alex, but that was not a problem at all. </div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
Aside from the new relationship that emerges throughout this novel, there is LOADS of action. Seriously, the whole book is nonstop action. I found myself tearing through it like a vulture. I couldn't put it down. I had to stay up all night just to finish it. </div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
For those who get queasy or offended easily, this may not be for you. It did have frequent violence (I would put it about on the same level as the violence in Hunger Games), and it did drop the "f-bomb" and some other curse words a few times. </div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
That being said, I felt like those moments were necessary for the plot development. There were a few crazy occurrences throughout the book. The ending was slightly predictable, even though I was hoping against it. Can't Lena <i>finally </i>just be happy? Well, not yet, because Oliver has thrown much more drama into the mix.</div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
Something else I want to mention is the fact that Lauren Oliver is a master and genius of the English language. She uses so many beautiful metaphors that her writing becomes poetic. She is truly one of a kind, and I can honestly say that I will probably enjoy any book that she ever writes if only for this raw talent. </div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
Go read this book! NOW! If you don't have it, go buy it! It's worth every penny and MORE! Seriously, don't ask questions, just go do it. </div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
I seriously cannot wait for 2013 to get here to read the final book in the trilogy, Requiem! </div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">
And there's also a short e-novella titled Hana for those of you who want a little more of this saga!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">*~~~~~*~~~~*</span><br />
</div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
Overall, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 Wickedly Sweet Cupcakes!</div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s1600/5+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s320/5+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
One kick-butt heroine,</div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
One absolutely salivating-ly sweet guy, </div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
and the most </div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: magenta;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">
prose I have ever had the joy of reading!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-7836573369272302012-03-17T14:34:00.002-05:002012-03-17T21:40:28.868-05:00100 Followers Giveaway!<div style="color: blue; text-align: center;">Okay, everyone. I am back! I know I was away for a while, but I had huge changes going on. (Marriage, Moving, a new job, graduate school....so overwhelming!) But I am settled in, so I want to give all of you the 100 follower giveaway that I promised!</div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">I have a few different prizes, and I will have TWO winners! So you have even greater chances of winning! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;">Prize Pack One:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQyGcaFTN69bP7IbZlHY0tW2LEv19XDu7oVMfLysuFzVEP67Tg16ZcdJgNZ3hLzxCO6Dsnt2fGyYomq7JjgpwDYu8sFPCCZhFYZGeeNTzVVx3-FR4FwrnmCAloHpIK7rnyama5nxqg_Q/s1600/perfect+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQyGcaFTN69bP7IbZlHY0tW2LEv19XDu7oVMfLysuFzVEP67Tg16ZcdJgNZ3hLzxCO6Dsnt2fGyYomq7JjgpwDYu8sFPCCZhFYZGeeNTzVVx3-FR4FwrnmCAloHpIK7rnyama5nxqg_Q/s320/perfect+you.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: magenta;">Includes: Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott, as well as a small signed sticker by Lauren Myracle, a Paradise postcard signed by Jill S. Alexander, and a Shimmer tattoo from Alyson Noel</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">Prize Pack Two:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJeA1uNAaDjgqm7vafKYAGgacNV69ksmRHytVRT7jVhbjfGhwgzCYyeLY70O1oifd2fjHql1ALFTr1WGBUu5t4uDuMknIcXUVd7J-ev7oAj5jfeolB2MxMCKR13M640rL0q3udQI2Y0k/s1600/rosebush1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJeA1uNAaDjgqm7vafKYAGgacNV69ksmRHytVRT7jVhbjfGhwgzCYyeLY70O1oifd2fjHql1ALFTr1WGBUu5t4uDuMknIcXUVd7J-ev7oAj5jfeolB2MxMCKR13M640rL0q3udQI2Y0k/s320/rosebush1.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">Prize includes: Rosebush by Michele Jaffe (see my previous review <a href="http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/wicked-discussion-and-review-rosebush.html">here<span style="background-color: white; color: red;">),</span></a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">a Born at Midnight bookmark (signed by C.C. Hunter), a Texas Gothic bookmark (signed by Rosemary Clement-Moore), and a Darkness Rising bookmark (signed by Kelley Armstrong)</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Prize Pack Three:</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MmXJkFP7VFjaYtzDUcPiY6nf8OjO17dKG9l_nlbvbX6_0AGInnaywpl2zgmNkyjLhQSTZXaMXqyimL3U3YHh-LVtM4zyiFpzYMSRDVhWiKJJw-NAoX7I5_RbiphoSbXcZTmY8AuqCiY/s1600/little+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MmXJkFP7VFjaYtzDUcPiY6nf8OjO17dKG9l_nlbvbX6_0AGInnaywpl2zgmNkyjLhQSTZXaMXqyimL3U3YHh-LVtM4zyiFpzYMSRDVhWiKJJw-NAoX7I5_RbiphoSbXcZTmY8AuqCiY/s320/little+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> <i>Prize includes: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson with Dark Days of Supernatural bookmark signed by Ellen Schreiber, Amy Plum, Aprilynne Pike, Veronica Roth, and Tara Hudson</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Prize Pack Four: Swag Pack</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaVPUvKA0q0jAQacXtsv5zBR4bihwBnXaTXX3kvJmxcBcJ6_y1-V-9UI_c-Hc9UQvglWPzUsR5SsggTrCQ7tBw4KYWy0EjO26IMKJjdx9TTaL-2E3zbz51sbqe4WBRt_y9vO3ET7AnjQ/s1600/hunger+games+clip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaVPUvKA0q0jAQacXtsv5zBR4bihwBnXaTXX3kvJmxcBcJ6_y1-V-9UI_c-Hc9UQvglWPzUsR5SsggTrCQ7tBw4KYWy0EjO26IMKJjdx9TTaL-2E3zbz51sbqe4WBRt_y9vO3ET7AnjQ/s1600/hunger+games+clip.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Includes: a NECA Hunger Games Bag Clip, Two Mockingjay tattoos from Scholastic, A Catching Fire Button, A Cryptic Cravings bookmark signed by Ellen Schreiber, a "HAUNTED LOVE" Rubber bracelet in honor of Hereafter by Tara Hudson, a "Team David" sticker from Aprilynne Pike's Wings, and a set of Divergent tattoos </span></i></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">***************</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>To enter:</b> </span></span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">You must be a GFC follower and let me know which prize you would like! Also, this contest is only open to those residing in the United States. </span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Other optional entries include: Following me on Twitter, Tweeting about this giveaway, Blogging about this giveaway, or commenting on my blog post!</span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">So you have tons of ways to enter! The contest ends on March 24, 2012 at 12:01 am, so get busy, people!</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thanks for following, and I hope to have more giveaways in the future!</span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
<script id="raflin-affee10" type="text/javascript">
/*{literal}<![CDATA[*/
window.RAFLIN = window.RAFLIN || {};
window.RAFLIN['affee10'] = {id: 'MGE0ZmNmN2VjMjAwZGMyNjIwM2VkMWY4YWFkMTNjOjA='};
var url='//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/static/js/raflcptr/build/raflcptr.min.js', head=(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]);
(function(d,n,h){if(!!d.getElementById(n))return;var j=d.createElement('script');j.id=n;j.type='text/javascript';j.async=true;j.src=url;h.appendChild(j);}(document,'rsoijs',head));
/*]]>{/literal}*/
</script><br />
<a class="rafl-powered" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rpow-affee10" style="color: #999999; display: block; font: 10px sans-serif; text-align: center; width: 100%;" target="_blank">a <i>Rafflecopter</i> giveaway</a><br />
<noscript>&lt;a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&lt;/a&gt;.</noscript><br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-69180505747425989072012-03-17T13:50:00.000-05:002012-03-17T13:50:06.613-05:00Hereafter by Tara Hudson<div style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>Hereafter by Tara Hudson</b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;">Publisher: Harper Teen</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;">Release Date: June 7, 2011</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;">Pages: 404</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojzSxitkJCU7xOk3aUWBBGeksQ-pr4gMlVb4pGsYL1j39i4oAABU-hil_UEBsBVS-2dKCVr2erLisZUMHx2hpyHuNEPV0HPm1rGz1sNfY1InaCAegae7h9Pqt6OVnkJbQY6g9wTHV8G0/s1600/hereafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojzSxitkJCU7xOk3aUWBBGeksQ-pr4gMlVb4pGsYL1j39i4oAABU-hil_UEBsBVS-2dKCVr2erLisZUMHx2hpyHuNEPV0HPm1rGz1sNfY1InaCAegae7h9Pqt6OVnkJbQY6g9wTHV8G0/s320/hereafter.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><i>Summary provided by NetGalley</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">*~~~~~~~~~~*</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">For Amelia, time has all but slowed to a stop as her spirit remains stranded alone in the dark waters of a mysterious river. She knows she’s died, but with no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she’s trapped in one long continuous nightmare, in which she cannot feel anything or interact with anyone. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a teenage boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in a moment of connection, he looks in her eyes and becomes the first person in the world to see that she still exists.</span></i></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">When he touches her, Joshua sparks strange and wonderful sensory feelings in Amelia--at first just momentary flashes, then pulses that become ever stronger as he leads her out of the river and into his life. As Amelia and Joshua uncover who she was and the strange circumstances of her death, new problems arise: somehow, Joshua’s grandmother seems to know exactly what is going on between them, and Eli, a ghost enforcer, is hell-bent on destroying their happiness and dragging Amelia back into the spirit world.</span></i></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">With every touch and the growing feelings that come with them, Amelia and Joshua begin to wonder if there’s something special not only about Joshua but also the dark river that held her captive for so long. Can there truly be love after death?</span></i></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">*~~~~~~~~~~~*</span></i></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The opening scene draws the reader in right away, as it begins with a drowning scene. It is definitely an interesting scene to open a novel with. I felt that it was meant to suck the reader in, and it definitely did so. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book progresses at a decent rate, not too rushed, not too slow. I feel as though there could have been a little more "action" for a paranormal romance. Overall, however, it was well paced. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have read numerous ghost strories, and I do love that Tara Hudson has twisted this one a bit to make it different than most. I definitely felt that it made the book less predictable. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The characters in the book are all very likeable, especially Amelia and Josh. However, I felt that their relationship could have been deeper. I didn't feel the "connection" that I feel in many other novels. Also, the interactions between Amelia and the main "villain" didn't seem very deep either. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The story is well written, the plot is original (thanks to the extra twist), and the read is enjoyable.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I definitely would say that I enjoyed this book. I just feel that the relationships need to be more developed. This did improve towards the end of the novel. Also, the sequel, Arise, is coming out June 5, and I definitely have high hopes for it. Tara is a talented writer, and I know that she will develop her skills more fully with each progressive novel.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">For fans of "ghost stories" or paranormal romances, this definitely won't disappoint. I found it enjoyable, and I am anxiously awaiting Arise and all of Tara's future works!</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">~~*~~*~~ </span></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, overall, I would give this novel </span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">4 out of 5 Wickedly Sweet cupcakes!</span></i></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s1600/4+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s320/4+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One inspiring heroine,</span></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One adorable boyfriend, </span></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and one</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">attention-grabbing opening scene</span><i><span style="font-size: small;">!</span></i></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">*I would like to thank HarperTeen and Netgalley for providing me with this amazing novel to review!*</span></i></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-74740328573257290052011-06-01T11:07:00.000-05:002011-06-01T11:07:02.430-05:00Splash Into Summer Giveaway Winner<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>We have a winner for the Splash Into Summer Giveaway!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Kris S</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kris has chosen to receive a copy of Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock! I'll be mailing that out soon!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu0NEtHRwS2s037FPtQCI39ZULyc_9emRYWyqunO2x-gCJ5_zWl7vgeu3lG9yND577nHlnV7wCE-IJThvsB7SMHTAKotSGTzF5HjKsBc-R2msWYjrV2vFwQMFqzQnAnOCYp71Z4dY1GM/s1600/dairy+queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu0NEtHRwS2s037FPtQCI39ZULyc_9emRYWyqunO2x-gCJ5_zWl7vgeu3lG9yND577nHlnV7wCE-IJThvsB7SMHTAKotSGTzF5HjKsBc-R2msWYjrV2vFwQMFqzQnAnOCYp71Z4dY1GM/s320/dairy+queen.jpg" width="209" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Congratulations, Kris!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, as for everyone else, I have reached over 100 followers due to this hop, and I am so excited! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, very soon, I'll be doing a 100 follower giveaway!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So stick around!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for hopping to my site!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-66617245774969617022011-05-25T10:14:00.001-05:002011-05-25T10:19:39.067-05:00Splash Into Summer Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazFVL3zmhtueDgRyLR0scVBbfn0h-sp9W3NUfIh-TJF9pJ4-n2sBnL0nb5SwUv49xSUxd_sBG6h34N3zMaleElLzpgojhH0B7eB201TzMaGyXI0woStZkg4RXNgCfCSFbvm5aI5ZZdYE/s1600/splash+into+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazFVL3zmhtueDgRyLR0scVBbfn0h-sp9W3NUfIh-TJF9pJ4-n2sBnL0nb5SwUv49xSUxd_sBG6h34N3zMaleElLzpgojhH0B7eB201TzMaGyXI0woStZkg4RXNgCfCSFbvm5aI5ZZdYE/s320/splash+into+summer.jpg" width="308" /></span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Hey, everyone! Thanks for joining in on my blog for the Splash Into Summer Giveaway!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Let's get right to the point. I'm giving one winner the choice of one of the following books:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i>Angels on Sunset Boulevard by Melissa de la Cruz (hardcover)</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8dNuVwkKff7ZJfgPPsoLfApNNhkHZS9GNIIv3DMCw-ufWYSRwkaXCYNyw0niBOFE2Lkc7mC7C9q5OfRtc8FKguX4MvkOvw8twejEfMox1TWNflJsRdaCN6Asef12NmK5Ptho8rt81pM/s1600/angels2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8dNuVwkKff7ZJfgPPsoLfApNNhkHZS9GNIIv3DMCw-ufWYSRwkaXCYNyw0niBOFE2Lkc7mC7C9q5OfRtc8FKguX4MvkOvw8twejEfMox1TWNflJsRdaCN6Asef12NmK5Ptho8rt81pM/s320/angels2.jpg" width="208" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i>Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling (hardcover)</i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim79n-xljPGszFQ4p1-nSMyNlzIIobJOdyeZGEYBIa8vLUXtqaz1oNVW7s1X9LU0rg_FNdgMDo5n7yRL2cS24gBf1gCEq8z_G6caLxl1ADjWCbMY7EtII99cedE02gJY5VLZZh62UKSJU/s1600/dream+girl+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim79n-xljPGszFQ4p1-nSMyNlzIIobJOdyeZGEYBIa8vLUXtqaz1oNVW7s1X9LU0rg_FNdgMDo5n7yRL2cS24gBf1gCEq8z_G6caLxl1ADjWCbMY7EtII99cedE02gJY5VLZZh62UKSJU/s320/dream+girl+2.jpg" width="209" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i>Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (paperback)</i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu0NEtHRwS2s037FPtQCI39ZULyc_9emRYWyqunO2x-gCJ5_zWl7vgeu3lG9yND577nHlnV7wCE-IJThvsB7SMHTAKotSGTzF5HjKsBc-R2msWYjrV2vFwQMFqzQnAnOCYp71Z4dY1GM/s1600/dairy+queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu0NEtHRwS2s037FPtQCI39ZULyc_9emRYWyqunO2x-gCJ5_zWl7vgeu3lG9yND577nHlnV7wCE-IJThvsB7SMHTAKotSGTzF5HjKsBc-R2msWYjrV2vFwQMFqzQnAnOCYp71Z4dY1GM/s320/dairy+queen.jpg" width="209" /></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">How to enter:</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>Mandatory entry: You must be a follower of this blog. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>Extra entries:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>+1 Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/wsweetb">@WSweetB on Twitter </a> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>+1 </b></span>Tweet about this contest, providing the URL and mentioning @WSweetB in your tweet! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>+2 </b></span>Make a blog post about this contest</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>+1 </b></span>Put this contest entry in your sidebar</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>Contest ends May 31, 2011</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>Minimum of 1 entry, Maximum of 6</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="1156" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dGV1UFJuRU1ER2tWWlJsdmJQZmEyaGc6MQ" width="95%">&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Loading...&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=80350" type="text/javascript">
</script>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-3072160784506967842011-05-06T01:04:00.000-05:002011-05-06T01:04:10.455-05:00Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Let me be honest. I have been waiting for this book for YEARS. I have to say, I am a HUGE Meg Cabot fan. I absolutely adore almost every book she's written! She has such beautiful talent and is able to write such a wide variety of works. She is definitely one of the most talented authors I have had the joy of following!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">So now, having said that, I will try to give a completely honest and unbiased review of her newest book, Abandon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Abandon by Meg Cabot</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Publisher: Point</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Release Date: April 26, 2011</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Pages: 304</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.megcabot.com/abandon"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Summary taken from Abandon page at Meg Cabot's website</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5-J9KPLq-n-KBTQXPUEBsM8HU5tL7hM9OYdFduSd_ZfvShBK0HaHFsy23ixqzfoY8N9zvOjW-twAYZoP4SEEts9iSh41WeWb4j2It7EAL1CGzLSbQRSJcQV-N3hE5FQihIjkddM8bY/s1600/abandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5-J9KPLq-n-KBTQXPUEBsM8HU5tL7hM9OYdFduSd_ZfvShBK0HaHFsy23ixqzfoY8N9zvOjW-twAYZoP4SEEts9iSh41WeWb4j2It7EAL1CGzLSbQRSJcQV-N3hE5FQihIjkddM8bY/s320/abandon.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5-J9KPLq-n-KBTQXPUEBsM8HU5tL7hM9OYdFduSd_ZfvShBK0HaHFsy23ixqzfoY8N9zvOjW-twAYZoP4SEEts9iSh41WeWb4j2It7EAL1CGzLSbQRSJcQV-N3hE5FQihIjkddM8bY/s1600/abandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #110901; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><i>The Myth of Persephone, Darkly Reimagined</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><h2 style="color: #110901; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; width: 520px;"><i> — Book One: Abandon —</i></h2></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>She didn't fall into his world. She was taken.</em></div></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Seventeen-year-old Pierce knows what happens to us when we die.</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>That's how she met John Hayden, the mysterious stranger who's made returning to normal life—or at least life as Pierce knew it before the accident—next to impossible.</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Though she thought she escaped him—starting a new school in a whole new place—it turns out she was wrong. He finds her.</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>What does John want from her? Pierce thinks she knows... just like she knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven. But she can't stay away from him, either, especially since he's always there when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>But if she lets herself fall any further, she might find herself back in the place she fears the most.</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>And when Pierce discovers the shocking truth, that’s exactly where John sweeps her:</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>The Underworld.</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love reading books about Greek mythology. I find them absolutely thrilling (hence the reason I loved Percy Jackson)...so I was even more psyched when I heard that Meg Cabot was beginning a new series based off of the story of Persephone. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The story, as you can tell by the above summary, is about a teenage girl named Pierce. Pierce undergoes an accident and dies, thus coming face to face with John Hayden in the Underworld. Pierce, however, is strong willed and determined (just as most of Meg's characters tend to be), and she refuses to accept death. Her determination finally allows her to escape from death.... and the Underworld. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't say much more, because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. Basically, though, the book follows Pierce as she tries to start a new life after her accident and after the "incident." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, for some reason, John makes it impossible to start anew, because he seems to always show up when she least expects him to.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">This series has great potential. The plot is original, and the character is definitely likeable. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">To be honest, I felt that the book jumped around a lot throughout the beginning. I understand that this was necessary in order to add mystery to the story. Just sometimes I felt that it may have been so mysterious that I was very confused. I couldn't tell if I was reading past tense or present tense, flashback, or current reality. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">After all of the back story, though, I found this book insanely delightful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Pierce is a strong female character, and I find this endearing. I love the twist on the story, because the handsome prince is what some may even consider a villain. How can a prince save you from the one thing you're trying to run from? I absolutely loved this concept in the novel. I felt that it was original and entertaining. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">I wish the book had more romance, but I realize that this novel was used as a background in order to build up for the true excitement and romance that will come with the sequel. I can live with that idea. What I can't live with is having to wait for the sequel. Meg has me hooked on the chemistry and interactions between John and Pierce, and I can't wait to find out what happens next. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Even though the beginning was slightly choppy, I do understand that it was crucial to the plot to have so many flashbacks. Other than those flashbacks, which were necessary, I really considered the book as meeting my "Meg Cabot standards." So, for that, I give the book a rating of.........</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">5/5 Wickedly Sweet Cupcakes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">(4 1/2 if you want to be exact, but really, who even EATS a half a cupcake?! I know I don't!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s1600/5+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s320/5+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">One incredibly handsome "villain" or should I say "prince charming"? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">One amazing cover (whose artwork was an idea inspired by Meg's younger years)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">and one </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"> protagonist (who isn't afraid to fight for what she wants)!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">So, once again, amazing job, Meg! I continue to be astounded with your work every time!</span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-57445301140100303132011-05-03T13:05:00.000-05:002011-05-03T13:05:47.357-05:00Sweet Release Day<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today is a GREAT day, because we have THREE new releases that I have been incredibly anxious to read!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and now I want to share them with you!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Illusions by Aprilynne Pike</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(with a summary from her website, which you can find <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.aprilynnepike.com/Illusions/">here!</a>)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">Publisher: HarperTeen</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">Pages: 384</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">Release date: May 3, 2011 (of course!)</span></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9GZ9tjqWKeb7fNiLzBeuxOHxJpwZ99pdNCAnc_izHIP6eTI-R5WPzIXGLbLEtr7Z2BcGCkuuvCJ7PnoBqUnvjwDRSbHOrVTERSCSk_aKfigWWVR_fqn-_Bk3gLYZh74fnqGADEFLTPQ/s1600/illusions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9GZ9tjqWKeb7fNiLzBeuxOHxJpwZ99pdNCAnc_izHIP6eTI-R5WPzIXGLbLEtr7Z2BcGCkuuvCJ7PnoBqUnvjwDRSbHOrVTERSCSk_aKfigWWVR_fqn-_Bk3gLYZh74fnqGADEFLTPQ/s1600/illusions.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 29px;"><i>Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.</i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.65em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i>But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 1.1em;">.</span></i></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Isn't the cover just beautiful? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know about you, but I've been anxiously waiting for this book! I already had it pre-ordered so hopefully it arrives soon, so that I can share the review with all of you!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, as some of you may already be aware, Aprilynne hosted a Wings Read-a-long with a few blogs, and MundieMoms have been pronounced as the winner! (Congratulations!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As their prize, they received a special word from Aprilynne and an exclusive short story about Tamani!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, if you want to check it out, hop on over to their blog <a href="http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2011/05/aprilynne-pike-reveals-wings-read-along.html">here!</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and for those of you who aren't familiar with this series, you can check out my review of the first book, Wings <span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-wings-by-aprilynne-pike.html">here!</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Divergent by Veronica Roth</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Publisher: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Katherine Tegen Books (HarperTeen)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pages: 496</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Release Date: May 3, 2011</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Summary taken from <a href="http://www.thedivergenttrilogy.com/books/divergent">Divergent Trilogy Fansite</a>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwfiFnFCutJMaEP-ahDMaV1THcmFi4KmedCfvOjrySOKRSm9z26T8U0xqBrgmqjAsOqicGoO9b4UnlG8VylW8ZSLj4IDTcSXP1lFAvp3X_EhHF_OaHhLWJKi16ELFyn4CjN2ckWIhDx0/s1600/divergent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwfiFnFCutJMaEP-ahDMaV1THcmFi4KmedCfvOjrySOKRSm9z26T8U0xqBrgmqjAsOqicGoO9b4UnlG8VylW8ZSLj4IDTcSXP1lFAvp3X_EhHF_OaHhLWJKi16ELFyn4CjN2ckWIhDx0/s320/divergent.jpg" width="211" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. </i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.</i></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sounds great, right?!</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I find that I am even more excited, because I am a Chicago-born native and seeing as Veronica is a Chicago-an AND the book is based in Chicago, I am even more anxious to pick up this book right away! I can't wait to read it! </span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I've already pre-ordered this as well!)</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As for an EXTRA special bonus, Entertainment Weekly and HarperTeen premiered a book trailer today as well! And I thought I would share that with you! </span></div><div style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(The rights of this video belong to Harper Teen)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tu5Erw-posg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One last treat for those interested in Divergent, I posted a link before on how you can check out the first 100 pages absolutely FREE! So, if you're not sure if you want to read this book, and you'd like to test the waters first, you can hop on over to that post by clicking <a href="http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/another-book-preview-divergent.html">here</a>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think, okay?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And last, but certainly not least....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Publisher: Disney Hyperion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pages: 464</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Release Date: May 3, 2011</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Summary from <a href="http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/kane-chronicles/books/book-2.aspx">Rick Riordan's webpage</a>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7MGkqMw2lZjLXvJ0MahRYQHkGxrifWZkl-4RpBUtbm18F2M24bEBQVQ_YtXQycYKe4QSECzp0Nz2AWpQZrqKeQMV4TnBo19ctK9819KhWwtOOtwNMM15_zNPakTAIvKT0JcjV8XJX5w/s1600/throne+of+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7MGkqMw2lZjLXvJ0MahRYQHkGxrifWZkl-4RpBUtbm18F2M24bEBQVQ_YtXQycYKe4QSECzp0Nz2AWpQZrqKeQMV4TnBo19ctK9819KhWwtOOtwNMM15_zNPakTAIvKT0JcjV8XJX5w/s320/throne+of+fire.jpg" width="211" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div>Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.</i></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first book in this series was great, as was the Percy Jackson series that he wrote as well! I can't wait to see what he has in store for this next book!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just to be fair, since I offered so many goodies on the other two releases, I thought I'd share some here as well!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Borders has a special going on right now where you can get a Throne of Fire Tshirt for only $5.99 if you purchase the book! What a great deal!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU4gOdOCeF0Ha8haYT_HutwFJNSWZKEKHffY6HC-XDv7vawORhNVbH-3DB-kEZPGaNON6svtlQpWoLXZEh9eRnL8pjaD8fUYlw4roOPutTpM_wJEzlo2nqSmZz_IiaS_DyY5h3VnmQKg/s1600/tshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU4gOdOCeF0Ha8haYT_HutwFJNSWZKEKHffY6HC-XDv7vawORhNVbH-3DB-kEZPGaNON6svtlQpWoLXZEh9eRnL8pjaD8fUYlw4roOPutTpM_wJEzlo2nqSmZz_IiaS_DyY5h3VnmQKg/s320/tshirt.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They're also hosting a release party at Borders nationwide on Saturday, May 7!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBHLPIuhgAHN4_LI0rzXkxeO_SHGS-GL5EkYQuPhnpsb630ILG8GEs7m6hpIOdyITNCjGoTxEpCBS0Ls4YfivM9xWTdh16-PLnSmVDl5V_Qu_YzxcQEPHAvtbcK4cplc7pUtzdPLz13k/s1600/lego+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBHLPIuhgAHN4_LI0rzXkxeO_SHGS-GL5EkYQuPhnpsb630ILG8GEs7m6hpIOdyITNCjGoTxEpCBS0Ls4YfivM9xWTdh16-PLnSmVDl5V_Qu_YzxcQEPHAvtbcK4cplc7pUtzdPLz13k/s320/lego+party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, that's all for today. You have 3 new books to choose from! I'm sure that you will find at least one to your liking (but probably even all three!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Reading!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and look forward to more </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">releases in the future!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-1659176358221815672011-05-02T00:28:00.000-05:002011-05-02T00:28:16.053-05:00Captivating Covers #1<div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;">So, you've heard the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Yeah, well, that's not really a statement I like to follow. I am constantly drawn to books by their covers. Of course, if I read the summary and it doesn't sound interesting, I may pass it by. Still, the cover is what draws me in.</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;">This is going to be a place where I share covers that I find beautiful, intriguing, enthralling, captivating, etc. (You get the point).</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;">So for my first post, I thought I would share one that is soon to be released:</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;">Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0_-ZXf7UVjgcvESsKSCVxaea8FhqVHzBv2QbLRuTbiqKtZOQaHzPTeIk7r_LRJE4hz8DiQBu-yU3nbyvW5f9D6NcKzt34Fc6Bi496wv7j8ee-swwYPuD2Ib5pojNuZef80fc5xZQjiY/s1600/Starcrossed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0_-ZXf7UVjgcvESsKSCVxaea8FhqVHzBv2QbLRuTbiqKtZOQaHzPTeIk7r_LRJE4hz8DiQBu-yU3nbyvW5f9D6NcKzt34Fc6Bi496wv7j8ee-swwYPuD2Ib5pojNuZef80fc5xZQjiY/s320/Starcrossed.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;">Isn't this just gorgeous?!</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;">For those of you who don't know what Starcrossed is, here is a summary:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><i style="color: #351c75;"><span id="freeText14982125734567591406">How do you defy destiny?<br />
<br />
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.<br />
<br />
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.<br />
</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span id="freeText14982125734567591406"><div style="color: #3d85c6;">The story sounds wonderful, but I hope that the content can compete with the beauty of the cover. </div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">For those of you who want to read the first 100 pages, I posted a link previously that you can find by <a href="http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/starcrossed-by-josephine-angelini.html">clicking here </a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">Let me hear your thoughts. What do you think of this cover? Of this book?</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">Can you think of a beautiful cover that you would like featured in my next post?</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">Share you thoughts here :)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">Happy Reading!</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div></span></span><i style="color: #351c75;"><span id="freeText14982125734567591406"> <br />
</span></i>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-67572132196278845932011-05-02T00:09:00.000-05:002011-05-02T00:09:58.499-05:00Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Wings by Aprilynne Pike</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Publisher: HarperTeen</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Pages: 294</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Release Date: May 1, 2009</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSdIBrKesQkrrt9mWBcFEv0dGgyZ15JD07McnqXiIIw0Od5qLk5g60o6Mq0YR3NrTOEirx8pwYf2qJb7RGxwJMwkhKlFVa9FY-_DmSl8WKFJQtdVGSax-8CuMK3jlJXO7J8dgJ-15qUQ/s1600/wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSdIBrKesQkrrt9mWBcFEv0dGgyZ15JD07McnqXiIIw0Od5qLk5g60o6Mq0YR3NrTOEirx8pwYf2qJb7RGxwJMwkhKlFVa9FY-_DmSl8WKFJQtdVGSax-8CuMK3jlJXO7J8dgJ-15qUQ/s1600/wings.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">I read this book just recently, and I absolutely adored it!</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">I am seriously a fairy (faerie?) person!</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">and this book just charmed me to death!</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">Before I get ahead of myself, let me share a summary with you (from Aprilynne's Website):</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><i>Laurel discovers she is a faerie, sent among humans to protect the gateway to Avalon. Thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to each world. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.</i></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">This is definitely true about this book. </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">This book is full of magic, excitement, romance, and the "adorable" factor.</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I absolutely adored this book.</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It definitely challenged my view of faeries. This book was definitely unique. I have read about faeries before, but Aprilynne took the concept and turned it into something completely new and refreshing! (Bravo, Aprilynne!)</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">While this book didn't have too much depth, you can tell that it was building up for the next book in the series, Spells. And for that role, it portrays the story quite well. It definitely left me longing to read the next book right away! (I had to go out and purchase it quickly!)</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">You can definitely sense the beginnings of a love triangle, and who isn't a sucker for those?</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It definitely will leave readers fighting for "David" or "Tamani."</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">But either way, I loved them both. I thought this book was an adorable read. Even though the plot may have been able to use a little more development (it can be slow at times), the idea was so original, it definitely held my interest.</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">For that, I would definitely recommend this book.</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Aprilynne has done a phenomenal job!</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Therefore, I would say that this book has....</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">a Wickedly Sweet twist, </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Wickedly sweet magic (I just LOVE faeries!),</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">a beautifully, wickedly sweet cover (Isn't it just fabulous?), </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">and one </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">love triangle!</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I would definitely give this book 5/5 wickedly sweet cupcakes!</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s1600/5+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS5AWPw2mNeIIwc60hdj4yqgKu-XLeaIypNYYbxCQuHCacFTH8CS78LhpdCaXSMf6hlwe6dYh4VmcQQscF4Ya87INrfR3JIuKrJEdrOkqBv1hnSnDnhgwrnkJWJNYJY-xzwf39ONlYkQ/s320/5+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Make sure that you pick up both Wings and Spells.....and even Illusions (which comes out in another day!) all at the same time, because you'll want to read them one right after the other!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9GZ9tjqWKeb7fNiLzBeuxOHxJpwZ99pdNCAnc_izHIP6eTI-R5WPzIXGLbLEtr7Z2BcGCkuuvCJ7PnoBqUnvjwDRSbHOrVTERSCSk_aKfigWWVR_fqn-_Bk3gLYZh74fnqGADEFLTPQ/s1600/illusions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">(Currently released)</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbhg1SupxrU5qyyJ2l08FVuViCBMLVd7U93nbLBvKkytin0rjyFbA9InH_VZ1gJdVr_su3q51DPYwj69mymer_S1gzo5UQDsiNiJuAZcMQHwz4V5hl8Yd2-O7mYvV1Z_RKfZdHbB6W20/s1600/spells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbhg1SupxrU5qyyJ2l08FVuViCBMLVd7U93nbLBvKkytin0rjyFbA9InH_VZ1gJdVr_su3q51DPYwj69mymer_S1gzo5UQDsiNiJuAZcMQHwz4V5hl8Yd2-O7mYvV1Z_RKfZdHbB6W20/s1600/spells.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">(Released Tuesday, May 3, 2011) </span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9GZ9tjqWKeb7fNiLzBeuxOHxJpwZ99pdNCAnc_izHIP6eTI-R5WPzIXGLbLEtr7Z2BcGCkuuvCJ7PnoBqUnvjwDRSbHOrVTERSCSk_aKfigWWVR_fqn-_Bk3gLYZh74fnqGADEFLTPQ/s1600/illusions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9GZ9tjqWKeb7fNiLzBeuxOHxJpwZ99pdNCAnc_izHIP6eTI-R5WPzIXGLbLEtr7Z2BcGCkuuvCJ7PnoBqUnvjwDRSbHOrVTERSCSk_aKfigWWVR_fqn-_Bk3gLYZh74fnqGADEFLTPQ/s1600/illusions.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">Happy Reading!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-21935060766908249702011-05-01T23:34:00.000-05:002011-05-01T23:34:07.754-05:00Reading. Writing. Waiting. Blogaversary Giveaway<div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">Check out this AMAZING giveaway hosted by Reading. Writing. & Waiting!</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">Tons of awesome books!</div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5OMCD4zV8WYMnvn604nPrMVkkX5_oMlPMLgljDF9noqtFD3x56kbJa1NRRiTM_Oh-kZkgZD3YQnt-XF-TIzddh0t1SoPTQMvDb3_K3xao10ufs6uIlGDwNoUW3iqPE436z6cL8C9Q3w/s1600/blogaversary.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5OMCD4zV8WYMnvn604nPrMVkkX5_oMlPMLgljDF9noqtFD3x56kbJa1NRRiTM_Oh-kZkgZD3YQnt-XF-TIzddh0t1SoPTQMvDb3_K3xao10ufs6uIlGDwNoUW3iqPE436z6cL8C9Q3w/s1600/blogaversary.png" /></a></div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://youngadultbookworm.blogspot.com/2011/05/humongo-blogaversary-giveaway.html" style="color: #674ea7;">Check it out here!</a></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-84525103100590292432011-05-01T00:23:00.000-05:002011-05-01T00:23:22.083-05:00In My Mailbox #1<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first edition of I.M.M.!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you who would like to more about the wonderful origins of In My Mailbox (started by Story Siren), click the picture below! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/p/in-my-mailbox.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBI0xt_WClhj_LOnWyK23BB52f0bJaNFIh4EDOzidvoB8qmyLE4-K4kCq2FqdRl1BUTAbfmmFenvk6i0Alaz9oHYl1nq09SH1AtyG9hWNmNLy5UQj-4PnfLTF_TA28H67PnZzdrjHh70/s1600/In+my+mailbox.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All the books listed here I've purchased from half.com from user <a href="http://www.betterworldbooks.com/">Better World Books!</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is an AMAZING store in which I love to buy books! Look at this statement of theirs:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To date, <a href="http://www.betterworldbooks.com/Info-Our-Impact-m-51.aspx" style="font-size: 12px;">we have raised millions of dollars for literacy, saved millions of books from landfills, created jobs for hundreds of people, and provided wonderful books to millions of readers worldwide</a>. The rest of the story is still being written. We invite you to join us on our journey. It’s only going to get better.</span></em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Isn't that amazing?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, moving on......</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are the books I've received today! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope you see one that you'll want to read as well!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wkDE7MaqTaSLUiMu1PiAu1StfEiGT5cFby9C-RtPSkn9o8b0KCOE4JkoXYLCQiY93ZffflHD5nUeVlQuwrj0sSvMIM5YkLPMKiWZEsP8mLDyLJbUkSoSVMTMvCc7v0TZxj65T5B-qOc/s1600/sweet+far+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wkDE7MaqTaSLUiMu1PiAu1StfEiGT5cFby9C-RtPSkn9o8b0KCOE4JkoXYLCQiY93ZffflHD5nUeVlQuwrj0sSvMIM5YkLPMKiWZEsP8mLDyLJbUkSoSVMTMvCc7v0TZxj65T5B-qOc/s320/sweet+far+thing.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've read the first 2 of this trilogy, and I loved them. I know it's late, but I wanted to finally finish it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Looks amazing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wanted to put up a summary of this, but I don't want to ruin it in case anyone hasn't read the first two yet. If you haven't, you should definitely check them out!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wicked Lovely (Books 1-4) by Melissa Marr</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, and Radiant Shadows)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsESdR9ZVDnr-k64knFVhLomecZjvyKval7wsAwAbS_DsC5kdxLeXYOYqHjfGcQE-8X-PuBS73No3sdxAJm66Owk-20r1nbept6eYnS5P-ntL7WocCqd0QAyHmaBoIJJ2DcObjGcF3rwo/s1600/wicked+lovely+series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsESdR9ZVDnr-k64knFVhLomecZjvyKval7wsAwAbS_DsC5kdxLeXYOYqHjfGcQE-8X-PuBS73No3sdxAJm66Owk-20r1nbept6eYnS5P-ntL7WocCqd0QAyHmaBoIJJ2DcObjGcF3rwo/s320/wicked+lovely+series.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I haven't actually read any of these yet, but I've heart great things. I decided that I would be bold and buy all four at once. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I know how I get with series and I hate having to wait to buy the next one, because I only bought one at first. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I chose the right time to read them, too, because the fifth and FINAL book in the series, Darkest Mercy, was just released! So now I can read all of them straight through without having to wait an eternity!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Here's a summary (from Amazon) of the first book, Wicked Lovely, for those of you who may be interested:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21<small><sup>st</sup></small> century faery tale.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;">Sounds amazing, right?! I can't wait!</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-style: italic;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGB4q9imwh0j-WwdTlE4vfnHaZ1pFkL82kGg1J_yfEYdzXCKBM2CyzuC7ncquPBVdrNhOBY6WZPvOaevOUTDoD5PVr-1qXabhmkIxlekueaeuHR_0Mzd9O31VeAuZuw1yoPtbk_GLudM/s1600/bad+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGB4q9imwh0j-WwdTlE4vfnHaZ1pFkL82kGg1J_yfEYdzXCKBM2CyzuC7ncquPBVdrNhOBY6WZPvOaevOUTDoD5PVr-1qXabhmkIxlekueaeuHR_0Mzd9O31VeAuZuw1yoPtbk_GLudM/s320/bad+girls.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">I knew nothing about this book when I ordered it, other than the fact that it came highly recommended, so I decided to check it out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Here's the summary from Goodreads for those who are intrigued (like me!):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">When Alexis's little sister Kasey becomes obsessed with an antique doll, Alexis thinks nothing of it. Kasey is a weird kid. Period. Alexis is considered weird, too, by the kids in her high school, by her parents, even by her own Goth friends. Things get weirder, though, when the old house they live in starts changing. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in. Kasey is changing, too. Her blue eyes go green and she speaks in old-fashioned language, then forgets chunks of time.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Most disturbing of all is the dangerous new chip on Kasey's shoulder. The formerly gentle, doll-loving child is gone, and the new Kasey is <strong>angry</strong>. Alexis is the only one who can stop her sister — but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Are you curious? I know I am! I can't wait to read it!</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh8RrOCaXa25hChPrBH6x9TRh_t5nJsMW7dIlqNalptIXIO5193oNHK4-xXaqFtCjWFaanwE9UkoE91EOYKKMJD8fkxLUV7xwNPOTgscXsH-ccD6hmdj2hpZE217-8ISAnxVvAs2WdRE/s1600/cinderella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh8RrOCaXa25hChPrBH6x9TRh_t5nJsMW7dIlqNalptIXIO5193oNHK4-xXaqFtCjWFaanwE9UkoE91EOYKKMJD8fkxLUV7xwNPOTgscXsH-ccD6hmdj2hpZE217-8ISAnxVvAs2WdRE/s1600/cinderella.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">So, I am COMPLETELY a sucker for anything that mentions "Happily Ever Afters" and "Princess" stories. This is, of course, one of the main reasons that my favorite author just happens to be Meg Cabot!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">That is the main reason I bought this book......but the summary makes me want to read it too! Not to mention the ADORABLE cover! *Squeal* </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Especially around this time with the Royal Wedding being just this week! It definitely has put the idea of princesses in my mind!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">I can't wait to begin this book!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Here's the summary (from Kay Cassidy's website) for those who love princesses as much as I do:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><i><strong>What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?</strong><br />
<br />
Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it’s like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys’ magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she’s finally found her chance to fit in.<br />
<br />
Then the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch-enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there’s more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.<br />
<br />
Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn’t want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Sounds adorable, huh?</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">When Heaven Weeps by Ted Dekker</span></div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT_wXqmUUwFHUotNufASbQKZ4a_kJo_CHROw5bycBkzxP_gZGpt-9-ClgHx1JoTJTa8DAab5bz6NWvF3tilN1hs2GZjactekVJ8Z_rCTl54NY71llr_bCv543hgxKZqln7MajlSWKdZM/s1600/when+heaven+weeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT_wXqmUUwFHUotNufASbQKZ4a_kJo_CHROw5bycBkzxP_gZGpt-9-ClgHx1JoTJTa8DAab5bz6NWvF3tilN1hs2GZjactekVJ8Z_rCTl54NY71llr_bCv543hgxKZqln7MajlSWKdZM/s320/when+heaven+weeps.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I actually <i>have</i> read this book before, but I actually purchased it as a gift. It is a wonderful and beautiful story. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A review on amazon summarizes it in one sentence:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>A young girl and how her remarkable trials and errors drastically alter the events of her life and everyone she meets--ultimately helping her find the secret of how to find true love</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sounds beautiful, doesn't it? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, it is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I definitely cried.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is truly a picture of love that is so beautiful it brought me to tears. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wonderful story-telling. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Highly recommended. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2vaxw3LxjhybKb4heaFu0wSmhJTAr-5SlPb7iHS8joBkhiUKAapicRD597_iBsjQu4mvHGMCkXtYydZStD7yJtsAvonRf20NWMSYV9iknHVol0ELTVO0XEP-rLDhomSX9DL2rHxy4Fw/s1600/beautiful+creatures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2vaxw3LxjhybKb4heaFu0wSmhJTAr-5SlPb7iHS8joBkhiUKAapicRD597_iBsjQu4mvHGMCkXtYydZStD7yJtsAvonRf20NWMSYV9iknHVol0ELTVO0XEP-rLDhomSX9DL2rHxy4Fw/s1600/beautiful+creatures.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great cover, huh?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I already want to read it just by that alone!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But let's look at a summary first (from the Beautiful Creatures website):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">L</span>ena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">E</span>than Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.<br />
<br />
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would love to catch up on both this and Beautiful Darkness before Beautiful Chaos is released in October!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've got lots of reading to do soon!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mortal Instruments Series (First 3) by Cassandra Clare</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVVLOQrNIgqm9W5QSPyIGlQfz7xPpiaIZLDzrz9ZxtD2ZDZQnVgJE-z-URWVcwy2NX-YpUbnbxL5mMBH5Y_1fuQNciVy4ZF68uOfCV43FOt7tbb28aJfnc9KUUZl5P22lkdXqernJKrs/s1600/city+of+bones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVVLOQrNIgqm9W5QSPyIGlQfz7xPpiaIZLDzrz9ZxtD2ZDZQnVgJE-z-URWVcwy2NX-YpUbnbxL5mMBH5Y_1fuQNciVy4ZF68uOfCV43FOt7tbb28aJfnc9KUUZl5P22lkdXqernJKrs/s320/city+of+bones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is the only of my purchases that I didn't get from Better World Books. This I purchased at Borders with a coupon! It was a steal, for they all came in a fancy box set.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am really trying to catch up on reading what is current, and I decided that this looked good and it was definitely something worth reading!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once again, I am a very hopeful reader, so I bought all 3 books right up front!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Besides, if by chance I didn't like one (which I doubt), I could always pass it on to another reader or even to one of you!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This looks great, though, and I can't wait to start.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the summary from The Mortal Instruments website for newbies like me:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.</span></div><div style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.</span></div><div style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...</span></div><div style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">This sounds so good! I just can't wait! I can't decide which to read first out of my purchases! So many promising titles!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Which would <i>you</i> recommend? </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Have you read them?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Where should I start?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Let me know your thoughts!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Which book is the MOST </span></span></span><br />
<div style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: red; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">????</span></span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-8308130637672611242011-04-29T01:33:00.000-05:002011-04-29T01:33:38.746-05:00Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater<div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;">Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY7Z-m52FmV5N6De1D3Ea8CqsNiHstPw9kW9cGlmaHocriCwYRn0SbOL_oTte3XmGeag-AdsvBkJaJ5wCSTGht8HixHedRjnFE6mArFt7uM4pNiBHmWcwj65pqpFvCji_1jKWDfR1c8U/s1600/MAGGIE_STIEFVATER-SHIVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY7Z-m52FmV5N6De1D3Ea8CqsNiHstPw9kW9cGlmaHocriCwYRn0SbOL_oTte3XmGeag-AdsvBkJaJ5wCSTGht8HixHedRjnFE6mArFt7uM4pNiBHmWcwj65pqpFvCji_1jKWDfR1c8U/s320/MAGGIE_STIEFVATER-SHIVER.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Okay, so I finally caved and decided to give this book a try.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">I was slightly "wolved" out after Twilight, but it wasn't fair of me to hold off on another book that may very well be amazing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">For those of you who are not familiar with this book, let me give you a little background history.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Let's start with the back cover:</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>the cold.</b></span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf- her wolf- watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.</span><b> </b></span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>the heat.</b></span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now. </span></span><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><b>the shiver.</b></span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human--and Grace must fight to keep him--even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Sounds intriguing, right?</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">I had very high hopes for this book. The summary really catches your attention.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Also, the beauty of the cover and the book astound me. It is part of the reason that I decided to give the book a try after all. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">For those of you who don't know, this book actually has blue font. It really adds character to the story. I loved that the book itself was so unique, before I even turned a single page. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Now, on to the story. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Grace spends years sitting outside just watching the wolves in the woods behind her house during the colder months. When others her age are out partying, she prefers to stay home and admire their beauty, especially the beauty of a particular yellow-eyed wolf. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Grace feels a connection to this specific wolf, and it leaves her completely and utterly infatuated. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Grace can't stand the summer, because the wolves tend to disappear, not reappearing until it becomes warm again.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">As for Sam, he has spent many years, both as a wolf and as a human, watching Grace. As a wolf, he sits in the woods, just out of her reach, watching her with the same fascination that she devotes to him. As a human, however, he watches her from afar, never daring to say a word. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Eventually, a tragic experience finally leads to an encounter between Sam and Grace. This encounter then spirals into a tragic love story between Sam and Grace.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The book follows the tragedy of their love through difficult obstacles. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Throughout the book, you'll be constantly asking yourself if love really is enough. Is it enough to throw away a current lifestyle? Is it enough to risk everything?</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">I can't say much more, because I don't want to give away the plot. You'll just have to find out what happens for yourself. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Now, on to my review:</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">To be honest, I felt as though the story had a rough beginning. The POV switches between Grace and Sam very frequently, and this really made it difficult to feel connected at first. I couldn't really connect with Grace or Sam, because the book didn't devote much time into developing their character before switching to another POV. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">However, I heard great things about the book (and it was so pretty), so I decided to keep on reading. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The changes in POV gradually improved, and each POV began to span quite a few pages, rather than only 2 or 3. This really improved the ease of reading, in my opinion. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">As I began reading, I almost felt some discomfort at this odd infatuation that Grace seemed to have towards the wolves. After all, at the time, Grace was unaware that the wolves actually became human at some point. So, throughout the beginning of the book, Grace is having feelings for a wolf. Just a wolf, as far as she knows. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The intense dedication and infatuation made me feel slightly uncomfortable. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">However, as I kept reading, this feeling did, in fact, go away. Their relationship grew stronger, and their connection was explained in a way that added depth to the story. It made me realize that it hadn't been quite so awkward after all. For some reason, though, I just can't seem to shake the memory of that uncomfortable feeling. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The plot did tend to develop rather well. A few of the supporting characters were interesting and made the book more enjoyable to read. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">I loved Isabel's tough, yet spunky, character. She really added depth to the story, and I find reading about her quite enjoyable.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">A few other supporting characters slightly caught my interest, but Isabel was, by far, my favorite character.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Throughout the book, you will encounter many difficulties that Sam and Grace face along their journey. You may feel worry or panic, sadness, or even love. The author does a wonderful job of evoking these emotions. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">It is clear that the ending of the book left it open for another in the series, which of course, is titled, Linger. </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Linger has already been released, and I plan on getting my hands on it soon. I want to finish it before Forever is released in July (and before I meet Maggie Stiefvater in June!)</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Even though the beginning of the book felt awkward and disconnected, the middle and end more than made up for it. I definitely cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel!</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">So, to summarize, this book has...</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">One "wickedly sweet" mesmerizing wolf (or should I say, boy?) </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">One "wickedly sweet" supporting character</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">and one absolutely, stunningly beautiful</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: magenta; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: magenta;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"></span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: magenta;">cover (and text)!</span></span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: magenta; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Overall, I give this book 4/5 wickedly sweet cupcakes</span></b></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s1600/4+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1epOwF2YH-U1Q0IQQ0UzM9aLCq_56nXxyXFf0BTPsyE-doccZY0m6Xf0xexuie2mmO9IEID4sBKj00oIj2ptkUZ_Ds843E4CJld4LGUtpyffrJ8a7h14MEKq48S7YvwavlsMpE51XAgk/s320/4+cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">However, this is only due to the undeveloped beginning, the speedy switching of POV, and the discomfort I felt near the beginning. I have a feeling that the sequel will probably earn a full 5 cupcakes. But we'll see.</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Anyway, happy reading! </span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Share your thoughts. What did YOU think of Shiver?</span></div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6640549561619146934.post-24109318681223044822011-04-26T21:25:00.000-05:002011-04-26T21:25:50.720-05:00Sweet Release: Abandon by Meg Cabot<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Today is a day I have been waiting for over many years!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">The release of Abandon, by Meg Cabot!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5-J9KPLq-n-KBTQXPUEBsM8HU5tL7hM9OYdFduSd_ZfvShBK0HaHFsy23ixqzfoY8N9zvOjW-twAYZoP4SEEts9iSh41WeWb4j2It7EAL1CGzLSbQRSJcQV-N3hE5FQihIjkddM8bY/s1600/abandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5-J9KPLq-n-KBTQXPUEBsM8HU5tL7hM9OYdFduSd_ZfvShBK0HaHFsy23ixqzfoY8N9zvOjW-twAYZoP4SEEts9iSh41WeWb4j2It7EAL1CGzLSbQRSJcQV-N3hE5FQihIjkddM8bY/s320/abandon.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Abandon is a modern day re-telling of the Greek mythology of Persephone!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Sounds awesome, right?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">I can't wait!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Make sure all of you check it out, okay?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Here's a little video for your viewing pleasure (copyright of Meg Cabot) about the inspiration for the book:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tlMLDeAl3Us?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">And here's more video extras for the book:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Iv61RhhwGRI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2n6XZbgqTSk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/q8isso_wVxA/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q8isso_wVxA&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q8isso_wVxA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Enjoy the videos! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">And don't forget to go out and buy your copy of this book that I'm sure will be amazing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">I know I'll be buying mine (after work!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">and I can't wait to meet her this June at the This is Teen event!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/thisisteen">Get more information on the event, HERE!</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Have a</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s1600/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHANkEWOMksHES9vGgWoxlT2rJMdRV6HXiLiq2WTdsbSOVcSfrW32LjXwBkOibBYNQUvfqzi6E8Oi-bmvWE-v2rsWhJxrrbriYQDGiwQ_PouXjMEY1_EgCPzhuyxnue4hyTgdxogyKho/s320/wickedly+sweet+blue.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">release day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjcbHPeS4OFIV6XhDDiV234kD34MB3dte_VVHxlTBAI1gNHBDZyxm2NWLr2IE-chuQK_UpsRmL5UZwQ3nifPO05exNm6S1JulFdl5VBzaC7jU2_K0It2hmqtWaBYlqaS0-WTW0k_T1qE/s1600/nicole5.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>AwesomeNikshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562634128123985192noreply@blogger.com1