A Reader's Adventure!: February 2011

February 27, 2011

February 24, 2011

Debugging Tori Redding

Title: Debugging Tori Redding
Author: Jason Ancona
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: December 19, 2010
Received From: Teen {Book} Scene

Summary:

Fed up with her peers and their loose morals, Tori starts a new school program, the Not So Fast club, a group dedicated to keeping teens from doing everything they want to do--drink, have sex, and rush to grow up.
A severe toothache interrupts her plan, sending her to the dentist, where she's given an emergency root canal. During the surgery, she's electrocuted and ends up blacking out. When she awakes, her brain has the ability to function like a computer.
Tori uses her new skills and aggressive personality to charge up the club.
Hated by the entire school, she discovers that NSF now stands for: Narcs Suck Farts. Game on. Tori memorizes every school rule, issuing tickets for every little infraction.
After a serious crime occurs, Tori must use her talents to save a life, all while trying to free herself from her mind.

Review:

I don’t normally review self published books, not because they are all bad but because the good ones are few and far between. But I was drawn in by the interesting premise of this story.

For the most part I liked this book! I loved the mystery as well as the gift aspect. Also the characters were very intriguing and I loved the little bit of romance. I also really liked Tori’s go getter attitude. She really wanted to help her school and that is very rare in real life.

One of the things I did not like was the fact that the ability was only used a little. I wish it had been a bigger part of the story line. It was almost like it was forgotten halfway through the book and then remembered toward the end. But overall I enjoyed this book!

February 23, 2011

Desires of the Dead

Title: Desires of the Dead
Author: Kimberly Derting
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Received From: Publisher (in return for a honest review)

Summary:

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

Review:

I really enjoyed Kimberly Derting’s debut novel and the prequel to this book, The Body Finder. It was full of suspense, romance, and mystery. This next book was no different. I actually liked this mystery better because there were so many different twists and turns so I never could figure out the culprit.

I also loved how we got to delve deeper into Violet’s power, it was very interesting to see her have to deal with new obstacles thrown in the way. One thing I could have done without was the drama between her and Jay. It seemed slightly unnecessary to me, and I wished that drama could have been filled with some more mystery.

But overall a really good sequel and a great paranormal mystery.

February 15, 2011

Sweet Venom Cover Reveal!!!!!!

Tera Lynn Childs, author of the Oh My Gods and Fins series’ has a new book coming out and she let some bloggers have the honor of being the first to release her new cover! So, before I show you the cover here is some info about the book!

New series, in which triplet descendants of Medusa learn they are destined to guard the door between the world of monsters and the world of men – pitched as a mythological Charmed.
Three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in a world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Sounds really cool right? Well if you want to add it to your Goodreads here is the link. And here is some more info from the author’s website.

Ok, now for the awesome cover!!!!!

It’s coming I promise….

……

Beautiful right? I love how it ties in Medusa without making it too obvious! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!

Make sure to tell Tera low much you love it in the comments!

February 12, 2011

Drought Author Guest Post!

Today I have with me the author of Drought, Pam Bachorz

Drought has such an interesting premise. What led you to write this book and what kind of research did you have to do?

As hokey as it sounds, a vision started this story. I was driving along a country road in upstate NY and I passed a dilapidated barn. In a flash, I imagined there was a table in the middle of that barn—with a cup of water in it. A drop of blood fell into that cup. For a long time, I didn’t know whose blood it was, or why it was going in the water. I made a lot of false starts before I got into the story that DROUGHT became.

I knew I wanted to set it in upstate, in the woods where I spent my summers, as a child. I love those woods and have always known they would be the setting of a story, someday. It was fun to include my father's small hometown, too.

I had two different sorts of research: the first was historical and the second was, I suppose, mechanical. For the historical research, I read about life in the rural US in the early 1800s. I also researched what Hoosick Falls was like. For the mechanical research, I did all kinds of strange things. I learned about water cisterns and how many gallons they hold, so I knew how many the Congregation would fill each year. I ran calculations to see how many four-ounce cups it would take to fill those cisterns. I also learned a lot about blood, in the medical sense, although a lot of that research got shelved for this book. I went outside and studied how water ran off the top and bottom of leaves. I love having an excuse to do any sort of strange thing, and claim it's research! (Now I just need to figure out how trapeze school could be research for my NEXT story...)

Thanks Pam!

February 9, 2011

Drought Review

Title: Drought
Author: Pam Bachorz
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Release Date: January 25, 2011
Received From: Publisher via Teen {Book} Scene

Summary:

Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.
She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.
So she stays.
But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

Review:

I really enjoyed Pam’s first book Candor so I was looking forward to this next book.

I found this book to be really strange, basically its about a cult and a girl who is at the center of it but wants to escape.

Ruby was a strong character but she was kind of wishy-washy I wish she had stood her ground and to her feelings a little more. Thinking back maybe that was the relatable thing about her. Her confusion through the situation could easily be taken in another modern direction thus making her wishy-washyness more understandable.

This book was slow and strange but deep down it leaves you thinking, what if I was in that kind of situation? How is what I believe any different from theirs? I think this would be a great discussion book for a book club to do.

Overall it was pretty good. A little slow but that lent itself to the story. Definitely a great discussion book.

If you’ve read it and have some feelings on it feel free to email me and we can have a discussion. I am dying to talk to someone about it!

February 8, 2011

Vive L’Amour Favorite Fictional Lovers

In celebration of Valentines day I have joined a blog hop. Today is my day to share some of my favorite fictional lovers.

My favorite lovers from Random Magic were Callie/Calliope and Nevermore because he was constantly helping her come up with the things (mostly words) that she was missing.

NOT ALL OF THESE CHARACTERS NESESARILY GET TOGETHER. THEY ARE JUST CUTE POSSIBLE COUPLES!

1. Yelena and Valek from the Study series by Maria V. Snyder These two characters have a very different relationship. It stems from a captive captor situation to a very nice place!

2. Anna and Etienne from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins I love these two characters because their relationship is so real and relatable. Also this book is amazing!

3. Todd and Fiona from A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker The funny banter between these two is to die for. It will keep you laughing for hours!

4. Bianca and Wesley from The DUFF by Kody Keplinger These two have a very odd relationship that starts physical and moves into another world. A great fictional couple

5. Katsa and Po from Graceling by Kristen Cashore One of my absolute favorite fictional lovers. I love how they work together and complement each other perfectly

6. Fire and Brigan from Fire by Kristen Cashore Their relationship is so realistic and I love the character development between the two of them!

Bonus: Sweet treat – Classic love poem

“Go From Me” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The widest land
Doom takes to part us, leaves thy heart in mine
With pulses that beat double.

Free MP3 download: (

http://tinyurl.com/5vgsyt2)
(Click: Download episode)

Feel free to play the Queen of Hearts tour game
for Random Magic Tour: Vive L'Amour (Feb. 1-14)
- just collect more candy hearts like this
one and you might win a sweet prize!

Who are some of your favorite fictional lovers, in
books you’ve read or movies you’ve seen? Feel free to share your
comments below.

February 7, 2011

Debugging Tori Redding Author Interview

Today I have with me Jason Ancona author of Debugging Tori Redding, but before we get to the interview here is the synopsis of the book;

Sounds awesome right? My review will be up in a few days but in the meantime here is the author!

1. Your book incorporates so many different genres, was it hard to blend them together?

It was challenging because I didn't want the science fiction or mystery element to interfere with what the story was really about--Tori's emotional journey. She's fighting a lot of personal issues. I wanted to make it more about that. I tried to keep her feelings, her relationships with her friends and family, and her attitude towards growing up in the forefront.

2. What has been your favorite part of being a published author so far?

I'm just happy to have my work out there. It's also nice being part of the Teen Book Scene Tour. Makes me feel like I'm a part of the reading community.

3. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Finding enough time. Several months ago, I quit my full-time corporate job of eight years so I could write more. I still wish that there were more hours in the day. Once I start writing a novel, I'm consumed with it--probably to the detriment of marketing my material.

4. If you could visit anywhere (real or from a book) where would you go?

Hogwarts. I'd love to learn some spells, but I don't think they'd let me in. I'm just a Muggle. Maybe they'd make an exception and let me take home a wand or an invisible cloak or a Nimbus 2000.

5. Why do you write YA?

I remember how hard it was being a teenager. Reading books helped me feel like I wasn't completely abnormal and that other young adults experienced similar difficulties tackling puberty, growing up, and fitting in.

In my YA novels, I hope readers get a sense of that sentiment--that everyone struggles during their formative years. Your bodies are changing, your mind is developing, and your hormones are raging--all while your parents are telling you what to do and your teachers are piling on homework.

Another reason I like writing YA is because it allows me to revisit my teenage years. And helps me understand how those experiences shaped who I am as a person. Even today, as a fairly confident adult, I still have feelings like I don't belong, and wonder if something from my awkward years in high school stuck with me, somewhere deep in my psyche.

I write YA because I want to bring a smile to teenagers' faces. And hopefully help young adults explore their own minds through characters and storytelling.

Thanks Jason!

Each stop along the tour will have a chance to win an e-book of Debugging Tori Redding.

So to enter leave a comment here along with a way to reach you!

February 4, 2011

CSN Reviews

So CSN Stores invited me to review some of their merchandise. I was thrilled to participate once again! Through two separate promotions I received this bookshelf:

It was really easy to put together except for the top piece. It was harder to put together than the rest of the bookshelf put together. I really like this bookshelf because it holds quite a few books. The service from CSN was great and I received this way before the suggested date.

And I also chose this blanket which was super warm and soft. It was a great thing to have during this cold snap!

Finally I got an organizational wall mount which I have been using for blog related things. It is really sturdy and as of right now is holding 3 hardcover books as well as some packets, while still connected to the wall.

Overall I was super impressed with the craftsmanship and service provided by CSN stores. Make sure you check it out!

Romantic Reads

In celebration of Valentines day I have joined a blog hop. Today is a special part of that where we spotlight some of our favorite romantic reads!

My favorite lovers from Random Magic were Callie/Calliope and Nevermore because he was constantly helping her come up with the things (mostly words) that she was missing.

Now for my top 5 favorite Romanic(ish) reads

1. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Seriously have you read this book? The romantic tension is on every page.

2. I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
This is a story about a girl falling in love hard and what happens during the months following. Very true to life.

3. Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
Haven goes to another city and follows some guy around because she had dreams that she was in love with him. Talk about a book filled with different types of romance.

4. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
The whole different sides of the tracks story brought to life once again in a new an beautiful way. You will be cheering for them to succeed.

5. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
All of Sarah Dessen’s books are great romances but this is my personal favorite.

Now for two books with unusual romances: (more on these on Feb. 8)

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker

Check out all of these books for heart pounding romances, and characters you will root for till the end!

Feel free to play the Queen of Hearts tour game
for Random Magic Tour: Vive L'Amour (Feb. 1-14)
- just collect more candy hearts like this
one and you might win a sweet prize!
See prizes or Check out sample post