Friday, September 28, 2012

Glass Heart (Cold Kiss #2) by Amy Garvey: Review

Glass Heart (Cold Kiss #2)
By Amy Garvey
Published September 28th HarperTeen
Pick up your copy at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:
Wren can do things that other people can only dream of. Make it snow on a clear, crisp day. Fly through an abandoned tunnel. Bring a paper bird to life.

Wren knows her abilities are tinged with danger—knows how easy it is to lose control—but she can't resist the intoxicating rush. And now that she has Gabriel by her side, someone who knows what she can do—what she has done—she finally feels free to be herself.

But as Wren explores the possibilities of her simmering powers, Gabriel starts pushing her away. Telling her to be careful. Telling her to stop. The more he cautions her, the more determined Wren becomes to prove that she can handle things on her own. And by the time she realizes that Gabriel may be right, it could be too late to bring him back to her side.

Darkfallen's thoughts:
 
Wren and Gabriel are trying to get past the whole "Danny Incident" that took place in the first book. The only problem is that Wren is trying to learn more about using her powers and Gabriel isn't so sure if she should be doing that. Without being able to turn to her mom for guidance she turns to the most unexpected place; to two strangers that caught her using her magic in public. Only problem is these strangers aren't all they are cracked up to be. Can she really trust them over Gabe?

First I want to say that I didn't read the first book in this series, still I wasn't really lost about what was going on. I instantly loved how in love Wren & Gabe were. You could just tell that they had been through a lot. That being said I did think Wren threw a few to many fits, and almost sabotaged her relationship over and over again. She just kept getting on my nerves with how she would blow up and run away. How Gabriel was able to just take it and stick it our was beyond me, but I'm glad he did. That just made me like him even more.

I also loved the magic woven into this story. The whole idea of your powers being out of control during their adolescence was perfect. I kept imagining Sabrina The Teenage Witch every time Wren's little sister threw a fit. It seems fit throwing runs in their family. lol

Overall this was a good, fast read. I was just expecting something more for some reason.
 
Lymi...
 


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Surviving High School by M. Doty: Review


Surviving High School
By M. Doty
Published September 4th 2012 by Poppy
Pick up your copy at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie today!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

What's the secret to surviving your freshman year of high school?

Emily Kessler thinks she has it all figured out. She eats, sleeps and trains for competitive swimming. All she has to do is keep her grades high and swim times short -- short enough to live up to her sister Sara's. But walking the crowded maze of unfamiliar high school hallways is like diving headfirst into shark-infested waters. Shark #1: Dominique, her biggest competition on the swim team and all-around mean girl. Shark #2: The adorable and popular Ben Kale... Emily can't resist his smile no matter how hard she tries. When the pressure builds to the point where Emily isn't sure she can stay afloat, she begins to question the strict path her life has always followed.
Maybe there is more to life than studying and swimming. Maybe the secret to surviving high school is just to have a little fun.

The hit mobile game Surviving High School comes to life in an original novel about perfection, failure, and following your dreams.

Darkfallen's thoughts:
 
This book was soooooo cute!

We meet Emily and it's her freshman year of high school. She's just trying to survive it. It's not easy keeping up your perfect grades, training to be an Olympic swimmer under her dads watchful eye, and having an actually life to to that off; but still she has to try. Worse yet she is constantly living in her sisters perfect shadow ever since she died in a tragic car accident. Just when Emily thinks she has it all figured out her lack of sleep catches up to her and everything falls apart. When secrets surface about her sister it's just the push Emily needs to make the decision to be happy, and maybe let swimming go.

Like I said before this book was just so darn cute! Once I started I couldn't put it down, and I wish it never ended. Emily was just so sweet and innocent, and the pressure her father put on her was crazy, but still Emily handled it. And of course there was the ever swoon worthy boy, Ben. My heart brook for both of them several different times during this book and I am sooooooo glad they got their HAE!

Overall this is a well written book about the stresses of the life of a high school athlete that will grip you from the beginning and never let you go. It's sweet, it's fun, it's a perfect fall read!
 
 
Lymi...
 


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

WoW: Poison Princess


Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we just can't wait to get our sticky fingers on.

Title: Poison Princess
Series: The Arcana Chronicles #1
Author: 
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Synopsis from Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Evie Greene thought her horrific apocalyptic hallucinations were a sign that she was slowly losing her mind. But when her visions come true, decimating the world around her and killing everyone she loves, Evie is forced to accept that she was seeing the future.

Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she turns to wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate, the gorgeous and dangerous Jackson Deveaux for help. As Jackson and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have got the same call and discover that Evie is not the only one with special powers. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and as the battle between good and evil intensifies, it is not always clear who is on which side…



We interrupt our regularly scheduled Waiting On Wednesday to bring you this special announcement.


Greta is jumping around like a kangaroo on crack. Darkfallen is spinning like a Tasmanian devil on a sugar rush. These strange happenings will not stop until they get their sticky fingers on this book. If you can find it in your heart, please send them this book or they'll continue to chant:

 Must have NOWS! 
We needs it!! 
We wants it!! 
We can't lives without it!! 


*Praise the mighty Kresley!!

Now that you've heard what our CAN'T WAIT book is... What's yours? Drop us a comment so we can find out what has you on pins and needles.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The Box Turtle Manual

Title:The Box Turtle Manual
Author(s):


Published: 2004
Synopsis from Goodreads

The Box Turtle Manual is the most complete guide available to help ensure that you have the most up-to-date information on caring for your turtle. Some of the essential information in this book includes choosing, housing, feeding, breeding, and health-care of your turtle. There are also special sections on the Malaysian Box Turtle and the Chinese Box Turtle.


This book was great!!

So much info and one little compact book! Loved it!

And I loved how home remedies were thrown in so you at home can try to ail your turtle.

For instance: If a turtle gets dehydrated you can give him Pedialite or Gatorade. And if a turtle needs some calcium STAT... then sprinkle a Tums on his chomps.

I found the pictures in this book to be great! I wish they were all in color though. Well, excpet for that one about lack of vitamin A and eye crust. That was pretty gross and pusy. My family and I screamed when I ran in the den and showed it to them. ZOMG! I actually got sick after thinking about excreting that much puss out of a poor turtle's eye. BLAH de yuckles!

The chart on diagnosing your turtle's sickness is going to be most helpful!

 I actually bought this book at the used bookstore and am quite happy that I did. This will be referenced several times in my Little Dude's life.

Now, if it only had a chapter about dressing your turtles up for Halloween.

 
This book is totally Little Dude approved!
 

 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Destined for an Early Grave

Title: Destined for an Early Grave
Author:
Narrator:
Series: The Night Huntress #4
Type Reviewed: Audiobook
Published: 2009
Synopsis From Goodreads

Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.

Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave.


*spoilers * spoilers * spoilers*

Dear Lachlain MacRieve,

I'm afraid you are going to notice so I'm going to come out and say it. While you are still at the top of my Nom-List, I have to admit that there is another.

Yes yes... Your cousin Bowen... but there is someone else.

You guessed it... I've fallen for a vampire. A vampire named Bones!

I hope you can find it in your heart to understand ;) I'm sure you can you awesome Lykae!

Love,
GRETA


Welps! I finally am 4 books into the Night Huntress series and this one did not disappoint. I went into this book with very low expectations. I heard it was the worst one of the series. I for one liked it.

I liked how we learned about Mencheres knew about Cat before Bones knew about Cat. And why is that? Because BONES is not her husband!!

Say what?

Oh that's right!! Apparently there's another vampy poo who did the bloody handshake with her. His name is Gregor and he's just plain bad news if you ask me. I mean, he snatches people up in their dreams. Can anyone say Freddy Crugar?

I think the reason not too many people dug this story was because of all the fighting that Bones and Cat did. Well, mainly Bones. It was painful to listen to but it was needed. Cat needed to see how much Bones loves her. And sometimes love hurts.

I am super happy that Cat is now a vampire! Hooray!! It's about time!! And I thought it was super clever how she drinks from the Undead. HAHA! And got a kick out of it when she tossed Bones in the corner after sucking his neck and he was all like "What the duce!"

And poor poor Justina!! She is exactly what she doesn't want to be! A blood sucker!! But that's a good thing in my opinion. Justina is one of my favorite characters. Was ashamed to see that Rodney got the ax, though.

I can't wait for the next one!! I couldn't be happier with this series :)



Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Burning Bush

Title: The Burning Bush
Author:
Series: Habitat #2
Published: September 2012
Synopsis from Goodreads

After Dante Bottelli’s slaughter of Vamp-owned Mixbreeds, Lanore and Zulu execute a well-planned attack that hits Dante where it hurts the most—his pockets. But their attack triggers a chain of unfortunate events, and allows Detective Rivera to blackmail Lanore.

Rivera forces Lanore to investigate his case, the Burning Bush Murders. Someone's been tying girls to bushes and setting them on fire. Lanore must find the killer, or Rivera goes public with his information.

Meanwhile, Dante won't take his defeat without a fight. He counterattacks and the Santeria habitat, as well as Lanore’s and Zulu’s lives, are changed forever.


Kenya Wright you have done it again!!

You made me fall in love, you made me scream at the top of my lungs, and you made me really really really want a WITCH STORY!!

If you do not deliver on my Witchy story I will be pounting. And no one wants to see that.

Kids! You want this book! It picks up where "Fire Baptized" left off and will keep you hooked until the very end. Also, you'll be wanting a witch story ;)

With well-though out characters (and a kick ass witch) and a plot that will make you flip the pages faster and faster to find out what happens, I guarantee that this book will not disappoint.

If you're looking for a spit-fire of a heroine then look no further than Lanore.

Pick this book up today!! It's just burning to be read!






Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Riotous Rocket Ship Robbery

Title: The Riotous Rocket Ship Robbery
Author:
Series: St Viper's School for Super Villains
Published: May 2012
Synopsis from Goodreads

Fantasy series for 7+ readers. The series is set in St Viper's School where it's good to be bad. And World Domination is lesson one. Demon Kid wants to be the best super villain at St Viper's but he's in for a fight. Between masterclasses in sinister science and fighting with flames, he needs to prove to everyone he's an evil genius. Now, if he can just survive till the end of term . . .

When my son was younger I remember him reading "Captain Underpants' and "Wimpy Kid". He loved anything that incorporated pictures into the story.

"St Viper's School for Super Villains" was similar due to all the pictures that went along with the story.

Sure to keep your child's attention, I recommend this book as an after school reading project or before lights out. While this will be quite easy for more advanced grade-school kids, the younger ones might need a bit of help. That's where Mom needs to come in. Maybe after you read you can design your own super villain costume. And with Halloween right around the corner it's just another way you and your little one can bond over this book.

With characters kids who can't wait to be super baddies it's a unique spin on a society that only wants superheroes. Hey!! The baddies have to learn how to perfect that evil laugh of theirs!!

If you are looking for something new and fresh that is also full of fun and laughter then you need to check out this book!


 


Friday, September 21, 2012

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Rochelle Mead: Review


The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)
Rochelle Mead
Published June 12th 2012 by Razorbill
Pick up your copy at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie today!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

Darkfallen's thoughts:
 
What can I say? Rochelle Mead knows how to write a series! Of course I am sure the whole reading world knows this already, but just in case you have been living under a rock, I thought I would say it. Lol

Sydney is trying to balance school and keep up her family facade in addition to keeping Jill safe, and well hidden. Not to mention there is a new villain in town. To top that off she is also trying to have a relationship with a real boy. Need less to say it isn't all working out so great. When things take a turn for the worse will Sydney be able to solve the problem? Or has she finally met her match?

I'm coming to love Sydney even more in this book. I feel like I am finally getting a look behind her perfect exterior for once. She isn't having an easy time with everything going on around her, I just wish she could break down and admit she needs a little help every once and a while. She still has her hang ups about the vampire world but I'm happy to see that the line between her and them seems to be blurring a bit for a change. She is finally starting to see that maybe the monsters aren't so bad and that some humans are the real monsters.

I also loved, LOVED Adrian. But then that's nothing new. I have a serious soft spot for that boy, and even when I was Team Dimitri, I still loved Adrian. And in this book was no exception. I just want to make him happy. And to see him happy when Sydney would open up to him really made me squee! I will have to kill Rochelle Mead if she doesn't hurry up and put those two together. I just want to see them in love with each other so bad. Adrian is just so damn sweet to her!!

Overall this was a great action packed sequel. I liked it better than the first book in this series, and I am finally getting used to Sydney's voice. Still I have to admit my heart misses Rose.
 


Lymi...
 



Thursday, September 20, 2012

Burn For Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian: Review

By Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Published September 18th 2012 by Simon & Schuster
Pick up your own copy at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie today!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

Darkfallen's thoughts:
 
Burn For Burn will take you back to the days of high school and revenge in a heart beat!

We have the popular Lillia, the outcast Kat, and the new girl Mary. While these three seem to have nothing in common they come together to get revenge on three of their fellow classmates. But not everything turns out like they thought it would and things take a turn for the worse...

This is one of those books that just sucks you in. No matter how hard you try you just can't put it down. Told from alternating perspectives of all three girls you really come to understand and know each one, and even though they are all being kind of bitchy I couldn't help but like them all. Still I think bad ass Kat was by far my favorite.

Now when I first started this book I didn't realize that it was going to be a series. So the ending was a big fat WTH?! But now that I know there is a sequel coming I am dying to get my hands on it. The cliffhanger at the end of this book is enough to drive you crazy. I NEED NEED to know what happens next. I'm also excited to learn more about our quiet Mary. There is something almost paranormal going on with her and I can't wait to find out what it is.

Overall this is a great summer read that will demand your attention until the last page, and leave you gasping at the end.
 


Lymi...



Pulled Blog Tour

Photobucket
 
Welcome to our stop on the Pulled blog tour!!
 
On todays stop not only will you get to meet the women behind Pulled, but you will will also get a sneak peak inside the book, AND a chance to win your own copy!!
 
About the author...
 
Twitter, Facebook, blog
A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.


About the book...
 



Pulled
By A.L. Jackson
Published April 5th 2012 by Sapphire Star Publishing
Pick up your copy at B&N or Amazon today!
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads:

For nine years, they drift through life, unable to forget the one who holds the strings to their hearts. In an attempt to escape the pain of her past, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side. Now, when their lives intersect, neither can deny the connection they felt so long ago. But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and do they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart? Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have.

Sneak peak/Giveaway...
 
I glanced at the clock.
Shit—nearly six o’clock. I needed to hurry. I’d lost track of time and Nicholas would be home soon. I wiped the tears from my face before carefully gathering the pictures from the bedroom floor. My chest weighed heavy as I collected each one, cherishing the memories a moment longer as I tucked them away in the envelope.
The memories were all I had and I clung to them as if they were my last breath, knowing that once they faded, there would truly be no reason to go on. I hid the envelope at the bottom of the large jewelry box in the back of the closet, mindful to spread the necklaces out over the hidden compartment. Nicholas had never found them, but I was certain he would destroy them if he ever did.
Drawing in a deep breath, I ran my hands through my hair and dragged myself from the past I had immersed myself in for the last two hours and forced myself downstairs.
My footsteps echoed against the marble floor, each an accent of emptiness. I entered the kitchen, the only sanctuary I had. Every room of this house was gaudy and overdone, designed by the pompous for the pompous, except for this haven. It was no less extravagant, but held a warmth missing from all of the others.
As I worked, my thoughts inevitably wandered back to those beloved pictures hidden away in the back of my closet, but even they weren’t enough to ward off the anxiety steadily building within me as the passing minutes warned of Nicholas’s arrival. At six thirty-one, I heard the garage door open. Bile rose in my throat.
“Melanie?” Nicholas called from the entryway.
“In the kitchen,” I called weakly. Maybe he would go upstairs and spare me a few more minutes, but of course, I never had that kind of luck. I heard his footsteps approaching and prepared myself.
“Dinner ready?” He yanked at his tie as he came through the door.
“Um, not quite, just a couple more minutes,” I said, not meeting his face.
I felt him pause, though I refused to look up. I’d learned a long time ago how to survive in hell. The less I interacted with him the better.
He snorted through his nose, muttering, “Worthless whore,” under his breath.
I gritted my teeth, holding in the anger his accusation triggered.
He set his briefcase on the island next to me and tossed his tie over the top of it. “What time do I get home from work, Melanie?” Nicholas dipped his head, forcing me to look at him.
“Six-thirty.”
“Is it too much to ask that dinner is ready when I get home?” he said, “or do you have something better to do with your useless life?”
I cringed but said nothing. He was the one who didn’t want me to work.
“I didn’t think so.” He leaned in closer, his words a low warning. “When I tell you dinner needs to be ready at six-thirty, it means dinner is to be ready at six-thirty. Do you understand?”
I saw the threat in his eyes. He had never hurt me physically, but he made sure I knew who was in charge. I’d given up any control nine years ago when I’d followed him here to Chicago, looking for an escape from the pain.
I knew then what this life would be like. I’d met him at the airport when I’d fled Colorado that final time, the trip that severed the last thread holding my heart together.
Nicholas hadn’t seen the broken girl who sat numb with nothing but pain swimming in her eyes. He saw the young, beautiful girl, the one who said nothing at all but seemed to be willing to do whatever he said.
I wasn’t stupid. I had known exactly what he wanted, but I could never go back to Colorado Springs to face what I could no longer have, and I refused to stay with my mother in Dallas.
So I left all of it behind, moving with Nicholas to Chicago just days after I returned from Colorado.
I knew then Nicholas would never bring me happiness. That had never been the point. My heart belonged to another and would never be his. All I wanted was a way out, while Nicholas got the trophy wife he thought he deserved. The only thing I hadn’t anticipated was how the numbness I felt for him would evolve over nine years into bitterness and loathing.
“I’m going upstairs to change, and I expect dinner to be on the table when I get back down here.” He had been this way since the first day I arrived; I had a role to play, and he expected me to play it well.
When he left the room, I gathered our plates and took them into the dining room. I wasn’t really afraid of Nicholas, but I didn’t want to fight. It was exhausting and got me nowhere, and even if it did, I still wouldn’t be happy, so it really didn’t matter anyway. It was just easier to do what he said.
Ten minutes later, I heard him returning. Just the sound of his heavy steps made my stomach turn. It still shocked me that I could feel so much hatred for one person. I watched him bound down the stairs, his tall body well muscled and agile for his forty-four years. His black hair hadn’t thinned and it was usually meticulously styled, though he obviously had run his hands through it. His eyes were nearly as dark as his hair and filled with unmerited pride. He may have been attractive, though that was something I could never see. His mere presence warned my instincts to escape, always smarter than my head.
“About fucking time,” he spat, letting me know just how disappointing I was.
Asshole.
Taking a seat across from me, he lifted his fork and began to eat. I picked at my chicken, pushing it around my plate. I could rarely stomach anything when he was around.
As he ate, I lost myself in the silence, my mind drawn back to Colorado.
“We have a dinner Thursday,” he abruptly broke through the quiet, pulling me from my daydream. I had to run his words through my mind again before I realized what he had said.
I closed my eyes, suppressing a sigh. Great. Another business dinner. It was the perfect time for me to play my part—the perfect wife with her perfect smile plastered across her perfect face, nodding mindlessly while her husband gave his proposal as if her presence would somehow change the outcome. The whole thing was ridiculous. It was part of my job though, so I nodded that I’d heard him and looked back to my plate.
“This is a huge account, Melanie.” He sat back, eyeing me critically as if I didn’t already understand my role in this little charade. “It’s a medical complex that’ll bring in a couple million in profit, so I don’t want you fucking this up for me.”
I almost laughed. Did he really think that my presence would sway the decision?
Nicholas went on about details I really didn’t care to know, about how much money he would make and how much recognition his company would gain if they built this complex.
The only comfort I found was in knowing Shane would be at the dinner. Shane Preston was Nicholas’s business partner and the nicest guy I knew. While Nicholas was cocky and arrogant and felt the world owed him, Shane was modest and thankful for all he had. He continually cleaned up the messes Nicholas caused, soothing clients’ nerves and regaining their trust after Nicholas had done something unethical.
The dinner also meant that Katie, Shane’s wife, would be there. She was the one friend I had in this world. She knew the real me and was the only one I had ever taken into my confidence since I’d married Nicholas. Shane and Katie’s presence there would at least make the evening bearable.
Nicholas finished his food, while I cleared the table and took the dishes into the kitchen. I was exhausted. I wondered how much more of this I could take. Surely, I would never survive this life sentence I’d imposed on myself. I loaded the dishwasher and went upstairs to take a bath.
Turning the hot water valve full blast, I let it run, anxious to feel the heat relax my muscles. I unbuttoned my pants and slid them down, shrugging them off my feet. As I pulled my shirt over my head, my gaze reflexively dropped to my stomach as I caught my reflection in the mirror, my first instinct to seek out the marred skin that bore her wounds.
I caressed along the puckered, angry scar that slanted in a long, jagged line across my lower abdomen, wishing she could somehow find comfort in my touch. Chills shook my body as I ran my fingers over the still sensitive skin and, just like every night, the bitterness and anger I found myself feeling faded away into sadness as I lost myself in this tangible reminder of my child. I loved her so much.
Steam filled the room, and I eased myself into the water and allowed myself to drift back to Daniel. I missed him, almost more than I could bear. This was never supposed to have happened to us. We were supposed to make it—we should have made it.
“Melanie, hurry up and get in here!” I cringed as Nicholas yelled from the bedroom.
Shit. I’d hoped he’d be asleep by now.
Reluctantly, I rose and pushed the memories aside. I wrapped myself in my robe, slow to finish my normal routine. I shouldn’t have been stalling; he’d wait. Still, I took my time as I brushed my teeth and ran a brush through my long brown curls. I inhaled deeply and took one last look at myself before going into the bedroom.
“Don’t keep me waiting like that,” Nicholas rebuked from his place under the covers.
This was by far the worst part of our arrangement. I couldn’t help but feel like a prostitute, cheating on my own heart, when I lay beneath this man. I crawled into bed next to him, praying he would at least have the decency to turn off the light.
He untied the belt on my robe and groped my breast with his callused hand. My body roiled with disgust that he mistook as anticipation. “You like that, don’t you,” he growled as his foulness spread across my face. I fought against my instinct to flee and, instead, reached over to the bedside table and flicked off the lamp.
The blackness enveloped the room, allowing me to remove myself mentally from the sick situation. I closed my eyes to find an image of Daniel—a flash of messy blond hair.
“You’re mine.” Nicholas’s voice jerked me back into reality, making me acutely aware of his sweaty panting body hovering above me. I closed my eyes tighter, willing my mind away.
“Melanie, my love. You’re so beautiful,” he said as he held my body against his, tender caresses igniting a fire deep within me.
“Daniel,” was all I could manage as he made love to me, each touch a whisper across my skin. He gently kissed my neck as he moved against me, and I felt the pressure build with each stroke of his body.
“Melanie, you feel so good,” he ground out, his voice rough with emotion.
I couldn’t help the little moan that escaped my lips, the flash of desire that washed over my body as it remembered the way only Daniel could make me feel.
“That’s right. I feel good, don’t I?” Nicholas grunted as he finished and collapsed with all of his weight on me.
The nausea swept through me, and I pushed Nicholas away. “I need to clean up,” I choked over my standard excuse as I rushed to the bathroom. I fell to my knees at the toilet, desperate to purge away the hate I had for myself. The act only left me feeling more empty and alone.
Holding onto the vanity for support, I pulled myself up to stand. I rinsed my mouth and splashed water on my face—anything to make me feel clean again—but there was nothing that could wash away the shame.
I stared at myself in the mirror, the reflection no longer one I recognized. The girl I remembered was seventeen—full of life and love. The one staring back at me may as well have been dead. The only life left flickered in the periphery of my consciousness where a familiar comfort waited in the darkness. As I climbed into bed, I grasped for it, desperate to feel him for one moment more.
 
And now for the giveaway!!! All you have to do is leave a comment in the comments section of this post answering this question:
 
Do you believe in soulmates?
 
After you answer the question just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter! Easy Peasy and open Internationally!!
 
 

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

WoW: Never Seduce a Scot


Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we just can't wait to get our sticky fingers on.

Title: Never Seduce a Scot
Series: The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1
Author: 
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Synopsis from Goodreads

This sinfully sexy new romance from Maya Banks features a remarkable woman whose rare gift teaches a gruff Scottish warrior how to listen with his heart.
 
Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her dutyunprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.
 
Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.



We here at Paranormal Wastelands are throwing on our plaid skirts and marching out into the highlands with our heads held high cuz this book makes us want to bag us a broody!! rawr!!!  We mean... why wouldn't you want to seduce a Scot? We can't think of anything bad that would happen. Naughty, maybe ;) but definitely not bad.

 Must have NOWS! 
We needs it!! 
We wants it!! 
We can't lives without it!! 

Now that you've heard what our CAN'T WAIT book is... What's yours? Drop us a comment so we can find out what has you on pins and needles.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses

Title: Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses
Author: 
Illustrator:  
Published: July 2012
Synopsis from Goodreads


Yes it's blue and Yes it tickles and Yes
he's had a lot of wives
and nobody knows what happened to them

but he's fun at the party and omigod
that castle!

Once upon a time, a strung-out match girl sold CDs to stoners. Twelve impetuous sisters escaped Daddy’s clutches to jiggle and cavort and wear out their shoes. Bluebeard's latest wife discovered she'd married a serial killer. And Little Red Riding Hood confessed that she kind of wanted to know what it's like to be swallowed whole. 

You see, Ron Koertge knows what really happened to all those wolves and maidens, ogres and orphans, kings and piglets of fairy tales, and he knows about the Ever After. So come closer--he wants to whisper in your ear.


I love fairytales.
I love retellings.
I love short stories.
I love free verse.
I love silhouettes.
I did not love this book.

I wanted to so badly to dive into this and squee with dark horror delight but it just wasn't for me.

I found the bits to be something I've seen before. And some of this just seemed thrown together. Rushed. That's not saying that it's bad... that's just saying that I'm picky. I just never got that WOW moment.

The pictures throughout the book are very nice.

In my opinion, if you are looking for a short fairytale retelling with a poetic side you should check out The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block.

I will give you a warning: This book shouldn't be read by young ones that you don't want to hear cussing or sexual references. While I understand this is YA, the cover might make the little ones think it's for them.





Monday, September 17, 2012

At Grave's End

Title: At Grave's End
Series: Night Huntress #3
Author:  
Type: Audiobook
Narrator: 
Published: 2009
Synopsis from Goodreads


It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield’s life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she’s successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat’s worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover’s finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger. 

As if that wasn’t enough, a woman from Bones’s past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat’s about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she’s learned as a special agent won’t help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself—and Bones—from a fate worse than the grave.


I am absolutely adoring this series!

Night Huntress is by far one of the best things out there that eveyone on GR has told me to read but I never listened. Seriously, I'm kicking myself but I'm happy to be delving into the couple that is Cat and Bones.

At Graves End definitely didn't disappoint but the one thing that I felt was truly lacking was... BONES.

Honestly, not enough of him to satisfy me. I mean, it's not like he was gone like Edward in New Moon, but I guess I just wanted more of the sly devil.

So, in this book there were tons of action, we learned about sires and grand-sires (more in depth), we learned about vampire politics and a bit of vampire etiquete, and what happens when a nasty vampire princess chick wants out of a marriage.

We also met Vlad. I found him to be very interesting and am looking forward to reading his book. Spade also had a bigger part in this book. I haven't warmed to him yet but I'm sure that I will come around. And of course Mencheres was in this book, too. I'm awfully curious about his book. He just doesn't scream SEXY to me. But hey... his book has super good rating so I'm sure it's fabulous.

The ending made me gasp. I couldn't believe the beasties that came out of the woodwork. And Bones and Cat's new house guest had me thinking of a Sookie Stackhouse novel. Not in a bad way... that's just what it reminded me of.

There wasn't as much humor in this book as I would have liked, but Justina had some great zingers and her new *cough cough* relationship had me laughing my head off.

I look forward to reading the next book and can't wait to get some more Bones. I just hope that we go behind closed doors for a couple more pages. I hate to admit it but that's my new guilty pleasure ;)




Sunday, September 16, 2012

Wolverine 1: Prodigal Son

Title: Wolverine 1: Prodigal Son
Series: Wolverine Marvel Comics
Author:  
Illustrator:  
Published: 2009
Synopsis from Goodreads:


The gripping, all-new adventure of the x-men's greatest icon, comletely reimagined in the Manga style

This is not the Wolverine you know.

Logan is a teenage rebel with a real good reason for having a real bad attitude. Ever since being left in a nearby forest–with no memory of who he was or how he got there–Logan (or Wolverine, as his classmates sometimes call him) has been stuck in a martial arts school in the icy wilds of Canada. No wonder he’s bored, restless, yearning. There’s a whole world out there, and Logan can almost taste it. But he’s chained to a past he can’t remember and can’t escape. Now it just may destroy his future.


Awww!!!

This book is about lil Wolvie and a martial arts school.

Seriously, as I read this I kept thinking of the "Muppet Babies" the whole time. I know... totally off the wall, but that's what I was thinking of.

While this isn't a bad comic, it's not really what I thought it would be.

The dialogue was a bit weak but I think it would be perfecto for an eleven year old. There's a tad bit of cussing but it's pretty tame. H-E-Double Hockey Sticks gets said a time or two, as does Beavis and Butt-Head's favorite name for each other.

See.. pretty tame.

What I didn't really dig about this comic was how my little Wolvie acted. Sure, he's the loaner misunderstood amnesiac dude but ummm... he sure did complain a lot. But, I guess 14 year old boys do complain a lot, I just didn't think my Wolvie should. Cuz he's my Wolvie.

I thought it was super cute how baby Gambit was there. He was adorable lolz!! Shh... I thought it was cute.

While this book isn't the bestest of the best... the drawings are very nice and I must commend the author and illustrator for putting forth the effort of adding to the fandom. That is most awesome!

Definitely, let your tween give it a whirl. I betcha they'll understand it way more than me :)




Saturday, September 15, 2012

Old Turtle And The Broken Truth

Title: Old Turtle And The Broken Truth 
Author: 
Illustrator:  
Published: 2003
Synopsis from Goodreads

Powerhouse team Douglas Wood and Jon J Muth present a sequel to Old Turtle, the award-winning wisdom tale of peace and love for the earth.

In this profoundly moving fable, the earth & all its creatures are suffering, for the people will not share their Truth, which gives them happiness & power, with those who are different from them. Then one brave Little Girl seeks the wisdom of the ancient Old Turtle, who sees that the people's Truth is not a whole truth, but broken. Old Turtle shows the girl the missing part of the Truth, & the Little Girl returns with it to her people. Then the pieces are brought together, and the broken Truth is made whole at last: YOU ARE LOVED...AND SO ARE THEY. Then the people & the earth are healed.


I really enjoyed this book.


It is about a stone that falls from the sky that is the broken truth. The animals are uninterested in it because it is not the whole truth. They decide to leave it alone. One day a human finds it and he really likes how good it makes him feel. Before the broken truth was found humans could listen to nature but after they find the broken truth they become obsessed with only it. Other humans want to have the broken truth as their own and they start to discover how different everyone looks from everyone else. This starts war.


The animals seek out Old Turtle and tell her how they don't understand why the humans are fighting over the broken truth. THe animals tell Old Turtle how it isn't anything special. Old Turtle tells them the humans are not ready to see the error of their ways.


Next a little girl seeks out Old Turtle. She tells Old Turtle how the world has always been at war with itself but Old Turtle tells her how she remembers a world when life was not like that. Old Turtle tells the story of the broken truth and gives the little girl something to take back to her people. The Little Girl hugs Old Turtle goodbye and starts her journey home with all the animals that sought out Old Turtle.


Once she is near her people, the Little Girl shows them what Old Turtle gave her. It is the missing piece of the broken truth. And while some people are scared and others are angry a lot more are happy. And slowly, the people learn that people are people and even though we look different we are all the same.


Greta's Thoughts
This book is probably over the heads of many children, but I do believe it would be a good before nap story or a good camping story. It is a very very nice story about nature and equality. I really enjoyed it.


And the ending is just perfect!!


And far away, on a hill
in the center of the world...
Old Turtle smiled.

It brought a tear to my eye. It's just a beautiful story



Friday, September 14, 2012

Fathomless (Fairytale Retellings #3) by Jackson Pearce: Review


Fathomless (Fairytale Retellings #3)
By Jackson Pearce
Published September 4th 2012 by Little Brown Books For Young Readers
Pick up your own copy at Amazon, B&N, or your local indie today!
Synopsis borrowed form Goodreads:

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.

Darkfallen's thoughts:
 

To be honest I am torn between 2 and 3 stars on this one. Which pretty much breaks my heart because I LOVE Jackson Pearce with all my heart. But I guess they can't all be winners? *sighs*

Celia and her two sisters are triplets, but she has always felt like the odd one out. There is just something that sets her apart. Although they are all a little strange because they all have powers. Jane can read minds, Anne can see the future, and Celia can see the past. Celia always felt like she was stuck the the power that she couldn't do anything with. I mean how could seeing someones past possibly be useful? That is until she saves a boy named Jude from downing in the ocean. Saves him with the help of a girl that lives in the ocean. And then everything changes, and she finally feels useful. But the ocean girl isn't who she seems to be and Celia just might be making a grave mistake by helping her...

Ok so I don't want to give anything away so this is going to make this review hard to right. First let me start by saying that I was drawn in to this world with the writing that Jackson Pearce is so known for. The almost poetic rhythm this is written in just sucks you in and makes you visualize in such a way that you feel like you watched the movie, not read the book. Still that just doesn't cut it this time....

So this do tie into the other books, Sisters Red and Sweetly, just a little bit. You don't have to read those two to understand this one but you will pick up on little things here and there along the way if you do. But my problem with this book is this; I have a hard time forging any kind of connection between werewolves and mermaids. This is supposed to be a take on The Little Mermaid, and I don't get why there are werewolves in here? I mean you can write a story however you like, but at the end of the day you need the reader to believe what you wrote. And I am sad to say that I just can't wrap my head around this one. It makes me really upset since I never though I would ever say this about a Jackson Pearce novel. I mean the women is a genius with words, but I just can't buy what she's selling here.

Overall I like the characters. Especially Celia and Jude, and I still love the way this was written. But the story itself just didn't do it for me and left me feeling kind of let down. Also the cover is a little dissapointing compared to the other covers in this series. I would have liked to see something a little darker and twisted.
 

Lymi...