BEDA 30

Well I did it! I blogged every day in April and I'm glad I did. Just to give you an update of what I have planned for May: Guest blog from Michelle Zink (who may interview me for her blog too!) Crazy Q&A with Suzanne Young once she is settled in her new home. She's moving again. I'm working on getting an interview with Anna Godberson as her final Luxe book comes out!

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

From Suzanne Young's blog Junior class president Tessa Crimson is the captain of the Smitten Kittens—the Wildcats cheerleading squad. But when Washington High experiences a break-out of make-outs, Tessa and her girls create a secret snooping society to catch the cheaters in the act. The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it? "Waiting" on Wednesday is hosted by Jill

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Waiting to Score, J. E. MacLeod

"Quirky, smart and good looking, Zack Chase is a book-loving, talented hockey player. New in town, Zack's pitted against obnoxious Mac, the hockey team captain with something against Jane, the alluring Goth-girl who's caught Zack's eye. As he copes with sore losers, other people's drinking problems, and the consequences of making out with too many girls, Zack discovers other ways he wants to score in life, especially as a 15 year old guy with spiking hormones. Soon Zack finds out the hard way that people have secrets and burdens all their own, and that some actions have tragic, far-reaching consequences." "Waiting to Score", does indeed score big indeed. This book really delves into the life of teenagers with no responsibilities and parental negligence. Although, Zack is telling the story, you really get a good dose of the people around him and their issues that these teenagers are dealing with. Zack is a good kid, sometimes I thought he was too much of a good kid. Yeah, he'd drink with the rest of them, but he knew when he'd have enough. Even though these kids were 15 at times they could have been in college with the way the alcohol flowed and the sex was being had. Mac was the villain of the story and he was as nasty as you get. Constantly feeling threatened by the physical prowess of Zack on the ice, he'd find other ways to go after Zack. Zack, by the way, is the progeny of a dead hockey player who found himself dying in a precarious situation. Mac would attack Zack's mother, girls who happened to say hello him and of course, Jane. The love interest that you know both of them want. Jane is described as a bad goth-girl with her head constantly in a book. She is twin to David, another hockey team member and a raging alcoholic. She has been ordered by her parents to watch over David to make sure he doesn't drink "too" much. Of course, as a parent the red flags are going off in my head. But there are parents our there who will allow their kids to do whatever they want. But the person who Zack trusts above all else is Sheila. She works at the rink so gets the 411 on the latest hockey drama that is going on. At first she's quick to judge Zack as a hot-headed hockey player, but soon learns there is more to him than just hockey. However, just as things start going well with Jane, a tragedy that affects the whole community and especially Zack himself, makes some parents aware of the drinking and sex issue. Zack realizes that the only way to deal with the issues in front of him is on the ice. I liked this story a lot. My only issue is that Zack should've been a bit older than the 15 that J.E. aged him. At times he comes across as much older which could be because of his mother and the fact that they moved constantly. I was reading an advanced copy, so I hope some of the minor grammatical issues were taken care of. 3 Bookmarks

Random Contest #2--CLOSED!!!!!

Kelsey is the winner. I've e-mailed her. I'm having a random contest to celebrate my daughter going to California. Look at this you, win! So this will end sometime tomorrow. Not sure when. Starts now and ends whenever tomorrow. Leave a comment here that you want the book! The book I'm giving away is: Meg Cabot's, Being Nikki, An Airhead Novel.

In my Mailbox (7)

I only received one book last week, and I'm really not expecting any this week, so I'll just say that this one is for the week of 4.20-4.27.09. As always IMM is hosted by Kristi based on an idea by Alea I was excited to get this book too: (From Goodreads) Fire, Graceling's prequel-ish companion book, takes place across the mountains to the east of the seven kingdoms, in a rocky, war-torn land called the Dells. Beautiful creatures called monsters live in the Dells. Monsters have the shape of normal animals: mountain lions, dragonflies, horses, fish. But the hair or scales or feathers of monsters are gorgeously colored-- fuchsia, turquoise, sparkly bronze, iridescent green-- and their minds have the power to control the minds of humans. Seventeen-year-old Fire is the last remaining human-shaped monster in the Dells. Gorgeously monstrous in body and mind but with a human appreciation of right and wrong, she is hated and mistrusted by just about everyone, and this book is her story. Wondering what makes it a companion book/prequel? Fire takes place 30-some years before Graceling and has one cross-over character with Graceling, a small boy with strange two-colored eyes who comes from no-one-knows-where, and who has a peculiar ability that Graceling readers will find familiar and disturbing...

Sunday, Sundae...

I have nothing to mention. I only received one book in the mail this week. So other than that it was a blah week for books. Which is good, because I'm doing my darndest to read what I have. So after I finish "Waiting to Score" I've got "Shadowed Summer" in the wings then finally "Wintergirls", Then it's "Eon, Dragoneye Reborn, and finally, "Peace, love, Baby Ducks

Blatherings and some Prom pics

I have ABSOLUTELY nothing of importance to impart, other than spamming you guys with pics of my beautiful daughter and her prom. Lily is also in there as well. I'm still reading J.E. MacLeod's Waiting to Score and I'm really liking it a lot. Review will be forthcoming! I think if you click on the pics you'll get bigger ones. So without further ado prom pics! Rebecca and her date (not boyfriend), Chris During the grand march Becky had her hair done professionally, here is the back of it. Becky with her little sister, Lily And of course, Lily, the ham! one more of the girls with Lily (notice Lily had to wear a yellow dress too!)

Working on Header today

EDIT: Hubby has figured it out and it should be centered on firefox. IE is doing weird things to my whole blog, so STOP using it! (just kidding!):p You'll notice I have a new gorgeous header. I need to thank three people for this. Senfaye for finding me the gorgeous picture! Reverie for creating the actual header and my husband Bill for figuring it out how to make it fit nicely in the header portion of my blog! Please tell me what you think of my new header. I'm very excited for it. Also, I want to show you another one that Senfaye made for me last night as well. I, too, love it! This is me and Lily reading picture books!

Let's Do Something Fun Today

Jeannine Garsee has graciously said she'd answer all questions you have. So all you have to do is leave a comment in the comments area and she'll answer them. In case you haven't heard, Jeannine Garsee is the author of Before, After and Somebody in Between and Say the Word, just released March 17, 2009. I hope you can come to the party!

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

What can I say about this? I adore this series and can't wait for the finale. I'm sad that it's ending. I hope Elizabeth gets her elusive happiness and Diana wins the man she loves. I also hope Penny gets her comeuppance. And what happens with Carolina? I'm so excited. This book comes out on October 27, 2009. My daughter's 19th birthday, perhaps I'll buy myself a present as a way of saying 'congratulations for a job well done!' :) Plus, just look at this cover. These books have the most GORGEOUS covers I think I've ever seen. If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend them. They're fun. I have done such a disservice to Jill for 5 weeks -- "Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by her.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Carrie Ryan

From the Dust Jacket: In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village. The fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. And so starts debut author, Carrie Ryan's post-apocalypse novel. Mary is the daydreamer who looks out past the Forest of Teeth and Hands and wonders if a life exists apart from them. She questions in silence about an ocean that her mother would tell her about. How there could be a body of water so large. Mary is also the subject of two boys' affection -- and they happen to be brothers. Travis, the younger brother who Mary loves and Harry, the eldest who is security. When Harry asks for Mary's hand, there starts a series of events that will throw everyone around Mary into a dreaded turmoil where all of the above is tested. Ms. Ryan's writing is poetry at its finest. I found her descriptions to be vivid and beautiful. However, she did follow the pattern of father out of the picture, mother gets infected and the two men vying for the main character's affection. Although, it's a trend that is overly used lately, it works in this story because it allows the protagonist to grow and develop. However, at times I felt as if Mary was an annoying, sniveling character. Not able to communicate to her brother, who turns her out after her mother's infection and death and return as an unconsecrated. Not able to communicate to the sisters' that her faith in God was gone. Unable to communicate to Harry that she was in love with his brother. It was as if she was physically unable to express her feelings. Which I gathered from the type of life that she had lead. Always expected to understand the way of the village and to never question the Sisters and the Guardians. At times, I felt the story dragged a bit and I had to push on to read through chapters of characters slogging through the forest to escape from the Unconsecrated. My frustration probably mirrored the frustration of the characters which is what Ms. Ryan was looking for, but, I found it lasted a bit to long. She also leaves a trail of unending questions that will hopefully be answered if various stories that she may tell. 3 Bookmarks

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today we remember all the fallen men, women and children who were lost to the world during a very trying time in World War II Europe. A few books to recommend for reading during this somber day: Night, Elie Wiesel. The Book Thief, Marcus Zusak Diary of Anne Frank, Anne Frank I received and e-mail from Katrina Alvarez of Wiredset.com and she wanted me to mention that New York Times Bestselling Author, Ben Sherwood Sherwood is currently being featured on The Huffington Post with an excerpt from the chapter of The Survivors Club for today: Huffington Post a lengthy chapter looking at survivors of the Nazi concentration camps. From Katrina directly: "Also, as your site is all about books, feel free to let your readers know about The Survivors Club" I hope everyone reflects about what this day means in the history of the world.

BEDA

I am amazed that I've managed to post EVERYDAY this month so far. Even if I've had nothing to say, I've posted drivel! And you guys are so great for following me and listening to my drivel! However, I have a question to pose to you readers of young adult novel out there: There are a few young adult authors that are very popular writers nowadays, however, they're books might be middling at best. Without naming names, are there any bestselling authors out there that you've read and kinda said, "meh?". Also, as I review books I'm seeing a trend in them (mom has disappeared, girl looking for answers, two guys vie for her affection [and of course one guy is NOT to be trusted], everyone gets their HEA (happily ever after).) I wonder if agents, publishers, editors, kinda understand that when a trend takes off, it's across the board. I'm leaving paranormal out this equation. I've read LOTS of bestselling authors, award winning authors and always wondered: how? why? and ugh? Because this author is dead and he is a classic author, I'll name him: Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited, loved the book until the last few chapters where I screamed, pulled my hair out of my head and while screaming why!, threw it across the room into a wall. (Yes, I really did all of that!) Same with Wuthering Heights, I know that Emily Bronte is a fan favorite and there are discussions after discussions about her book, but honestly, I hated it. Absolutely no redeeming qualities in any of those characters. Cathy Earnshaw is spoiled, self-involved and cares only about herself. Heathcliff is just pure evil. I think of the two of them and wonder why people find them to be two of the greatest love story? I mean just ick! I have a few young adult authors that are out there now and I feel the same way. Writing is middling at best. Doesn't bring anything new to industry, rehashes old themes over and over again. Like a baseball player that has one great season and then the second season can't seem to hit the ball or catch a fly-out. So tell me have there been any authors out there current or past, that you just sit there and wonder what the hoopla is all about?

I've been busy reading!

But I wanted to mention that Erika Lynn won a copy of the Say the word playlist. Shelburns won the Signed copy of Say the Word that will be mailed out by Jeannine Garsee herself. This was a random contest held in chat. For my FINAL copy of Say the Word that Jeannine will be sending a signed bookplate, that copy went to the birthday girl of Friday, Kristi !! Please congratulate all the winners. Don't forget I'm giving away four amazing books. I'm really looking forward to reading what your favorite books are and who you consider to be your favorite authors! I hope everyone is having a wonderful, relaxing Sunday!

Contest for 4 books until May 3, 2009 at 2pm EDT

Contest is still ongoing So I'm totally excited about this contest today! I'm giving away 4 Books instead of the three that I posted yesterday! THEY are: Along for the Ride, Sarah Dessen Strange Angels, Lili St. Crow Unclaimed Heart, Kim Wilkins Waiting on You, Susane Colasanti These ARE extremely sought after books, so I've upped the stakes a bit. I want to read (between 500-750 words)what your favorite book is and who is your favorite author. You can post here or you can e-mail me at lauram68@gmail.com. If you e-mail me, YOU MUST post HERE to let me know. I'm the only one judging these small essays so don't be afraid. I'm not looking for brilliant pieces of work, just something from your heart. If it doesn't hit the word count, don't worry, mine didn't either, that is a guideline. Just have fun and think about what book you consider your favorite. Like I mentioned yesterday, unfortunately this contest is open to the US and CA. Please have fun with this contest. And to get it started! My favorite books of all time have to be the "Little House" series. I adored Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura and Carrie and what life was like in Frontier America. The hard winters they endured in Milwaukee the move to Missouri. Laura meeting and falling in love with Almonzo Wilder. I know there are so many great authors out there, but I'd have to say Laura Ingalls Wilder is by far my favorite. Her life was so richly depicted in books and she lives such a long life (she died at age 90). She wrote from the heart and told her story the only way she could with truth. I was also a HUGE fan of the show that was on in the '70s. Even now, when I catch it on cable, I have to stop and watch because it reminds me of being bathed, in my jammies, sitting on the couch and watching it with my mom. That was the routine EVERY Monday night! I've tried to read them to Rebecca, but she never got into it, so I'm sharing them with Lily and she really enjoys them. I encourage everyone to try out Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is an American gem. This contest will close on May 3, 2009

In my Mailbox (6)

EDIT: I received another book in the mail today from Scholastic. I'm really not a big fan of this cover And Then It Unraveled, Jennifer Sturman This is more of a continuation of Thursday's IMM. These books were received yesterday in the mail. Of course, memefied by Kristi and started by Alea. Received from HarperCollins: Radiant Darkness, Emily Whitman Bite Me, Melissa Francis Sisters in Sanity, Gayle Forman Silver Phoenix, Cindy Pon The Stolen One, Suzanne Crowley

Jeannine Garsee CHAT live TONIGHT at 8.30PM edt

Please come join Jeannine Garsee, Author of Before, After and Somebody in Between and her newest book, Say the Word. Feel free to ask any questions. Jeannine Garsee has been telling stories since before she could write. "I was addicted to the Sunday funnies," she says, "and my dad worked in a book-binding factory. He'd bring home a slew of paper every week, and I'd draw scenes on every page. Later, when I learned to write, I'd add the captions--and then the captions just grew longer and longer till I didn't have any room left for the pictures." Jeannine, known as "Jen" to her friends, works as a psych nurse in a busy inner-city hospital. Born and raised in Ohio, she lives with her family in a southwest suburb of Cleveland. http://www.chatzy.com/771411376233 Password is garseechat Look forward to seeing everyone there!

In my Mailbox (5)

Week of April 13-17, 2009 Memefied by Story Siren and brain child of Alea Received from Harper Collins: Stealing Heaven, Elizabeth Scott From Houghton Mifflin: My Big Nose and other natural disasters, Sydney Salter From Scholastic: Moribito II, Nahoko Uehashi Being Nikki: An Airhead Novel, Meg Cabot

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

OTHER by Karen Kincy Taken from Authorsnow.com. This book isn't released until 2010 and there is no cover yet, but I am VERY excited about it! * Publication Season/Year: Spring/Summer 2010 * Publisher: Flux * Release Date: TBD * ISBN (hardcover): TBD * ISBN (paperback): TBD Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves. When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive. The Author: Karen Kincy Location: Olympia, WA A shameless nerd and lover of snark, Karen lives in Olympia, Washington, where she is a junior studying linguistics and computer science at The Evergreen State College. She ripped off her hometown of Snohomish, WA for the fictional locale of Klikamuks, where Other takes place. When she’s not at her computer, writing, she’s probably out in the forest with her notebook, writing, or on a photography expedition with her trusty digital camera. She likes to imagine werewolves lurking among the trees. My Thoughts: I've been following Karen's LJ blog for about two years now and watched her go through the query process, deciding to quit writing altogether and when she stopped blogging for a time. I feel connected to her in a way that I really want to see her succeed! I feel like I've watched her grow as and writer, a person and a student.

New Winner of Swag Bag!!!

Is Shelburns! I e-mailed her and let her know. Hopefully, she'll get in touch with me! Again, THANK you to everyone who entered this contest!

Also, Winner of Swag Bag

Has not got back to me, so if I don't here from her by 6pm EDT. I will pick another winner. So you all get another chance of winning! So, Jocelyn, if you read this, you're the winner and you have until 6pm eastern daylight time to contact me if you want it.

More from Jeannine Garsee

She happened to find an extra Say the Word and a lucky winner will win it! so pay attention to all the blogs this week featuring Jeannine. Also, just wanted to let you know that Erika Lynn has won a copy of Say the Word Playlist. Erika, just e-mail me at lauram68@gmail.com

Introducing Jeannine Garsee

UPDATE: 1) Just got off the phone with Jeannine and she still hasn't received her computer back. Please keep asking the questions and SHE will respond! 2) Remember I'm giving away copies of the Say The Word playlist to random people who post! Feel free to ask Jeannine any question you have! _______________________________________________ Jeannine Garsee is the author of two excellent books: ________________________________________________ Before After and Somebody in Between and her current release the most excellent, Say The Word When did you decide that you wanted to write? I’ve been writing stories all my life, but made a conscious decision to become an author when I was nine years old and wrote my first story and got rave reviews from my fourth grade class. This was around the same time that I realized that “real people” wrote books, that books didn’t just miraculously appear in the library. What is your favorite book of all time? This is a very hard question—it’s probably easier for me to tell you which books I positively hated—because I have a LOT of favorite books, ones I’ve read many times over. I’d have to say as far as contemporary adult books are concerned, Diana’s Gabaldon’s “Outlander” ranks number one on my list because it encompasses nearly every genre: romance, fantasy, adventure, historical, and science fiction. As for children’s books, I wouldn’t mind be stranding on a deserted island with “Harriet the Spy” because this book still cracks me up after all these years. But there are so many awesome books out there by so many great writers, it’s nearly impossible for me to name a single favorite. If you could change anything about the characters you’ve already written, what would it be? I can’t really think of any major changes. I might, however, take a bar of soap to Martha’s mouth. Do you listen to music, tv, talk radio when you write? For a long time I was absolutely NOT able to listen to the TV or radio while I wrote. Every sound distracted me. I need total silence and I’d lock myself up in my tiny office in order to get that. Since I started writing on a laptop at a nearby coffee shop, I’ve learned to adapt to extraneous sounds. Mostly I just tune it out. But I normally don’t listen to anything to put me into the mood to write. You work as a psych nurse. Can you tell us any PG rated stories? Sorry, with a clientele like mine, my stories are pretty much “R” or even NC-17. However, I did just have a patient make draw me a “Happy Easter” picture—of a smiling bunny rabbit on a barbecue grill, complete with smoke, fork, and salt shaker. You have a new addition to your family. Care to elaborate? You must be speaking of Elijah the Demon Dog! Elijah and his brother (beagle/Lab/and God-knows-what-else mixes) were kicked out of a car in February in the middle of a busy street. They were about eight weeks old. His brother found a home immediately, and I agreed to take Elijah from the guy who rescued them. Right now I’m trying to survive the Insane Puppy Who Chews Everything in Sight stage, and learning to get along with a lot less sleep. But he’s the smartest dog I’ve ever seen. What would your stripper name be? I think “Jeannine Cuisine” sounds pretty catchy, don’t you think? What inspires you to write? First, I am already inspire to write. I write constantly in my head even when I’m not writing. I always joke that if half my patients would write down what the voices say to them, maybe they could start cutting back on their meds. Writing is therapeutic and such a part of my identity that I don’t feel like “myself” unless I’m working, either physically or mentally, on some kind of story. Second, I hope not to be working as a nurse 20 years from now. The dream that I can someday quite my job and write full time is just that, still a dream—but it’s enough to keep me going, thank goodness. How do you feel about a Blog tour to promote Say the Word? I’ll happily answer interview questions for anyone who’d like to feature me on their blog! Who would win in a fight Martha or Shawna? ;) I think Martha could take Shawna any day of the week. But Shawna can afford the better lawyer. Jeannine's computer is in the shop (her shift button stopped working), so she will answer any and all questions you have when her computer is back in her hands. But PLEASE feel free to leave questions here and SHE will answer them! You can also check her out on http://jeanninegarsee.com/ and her blog is listed there as well.

Happy Easter!!! Happy Sunday!!!!

So day 12 of BEDA and I really don't have anything new to say. I finished "Fragile Eternity" last night. I'm still soaking it in. So no review right now. Did you guys know that I'm giving away 4 books and like only 5 people have entered it so far? Do I need to change the rules the make it easier? Would it be fair to the ones who entered and already told me what their favorite book was and who was their fave author? I'm thinking no. But I know how in demand these books are. Surely some of your bloggers, must have friends who want these four highly anticipated books? I'll refresh your memory: Along for the Ride, Sarah Dessen Strange Angels, Lili St. Crow Unclaimed Heart, Kim Wilkins Waiting on You, Susane Colasanti C'mon guys, enter please????

Winner of Swag Bag

The randomizer has spoken and the winner has been e-mailed. Thank you to everyone for wishing me a Happy Birthday. Please don't feel bad that you didn't win the swag bag, I still have a contest going on and I'm still giving away one more copy of "Prophecy of the Sisters" Again, than you and please check my other contest!

Jeannine Garsee Blog Tour

Laura (me) is April 13 Yan , April 14 Carol , April 14 Sharon , April 15 Shalonda , April 16 Steph Su, April 16 Alea , April 17 The blog tour will be adding more people too. Please check it out. We'll culminate with a live chat with Jeannine Garsee on April 17 and a giveaway of her book, "Say The Word"! Every day next week I will be giving away Say the Word playlist on CD!!!! I've included the playlist on the blog so you can hear the songs that I felt best represented the heart of the book. It is an eclectic, exciting playlist that I think you'll all enjoy!

It's my birthday, so I have a present to give

I'm finally giving away Michelle Zink's Swag bag. WAHOO Celebration ensues!!! That's it, I'm giving it away to a special random person. And let me tell you this swag bag is AMAZING! So just post here that you want the swag bag (and you might get double points if you wish me a happy birthday!) C'mon, go ahead, I dare you! And don't forget my 4 book giveaway!

Contest

So I'm totally excited about this contest today! I'm giving away 4 Books instead of the three that I posted yesterday! THEY are: Along for the Ride, Sarah Dessen Strange Angels, Lili St. Crow Unclaimed Heart, Kim Wilkins Waiting on You, Susane Colasanti These ARE extremely sought after books, so I've upped the stakes a bit. I want to read (between 500-750 words)what your favorite book is and who is your favorite author. You can post here or you can e-mail me at lauram68@gmail.com. If you e-mail me, YOU MUST post HERE to let me know. I'm the only one judging these small essays so don't be afraid. I'm not looking for brilliant pieces of work, just something from your heart. If it doesn't hit the word count, don't worry, mine didn't either, that is a guideline. Just have fun and think about what book you consider your favorite. Like I mentioned yesterday, unfortunately this contest is open to the US and CA. Please have fun with this contest. And to get it started! My favorite books of all time have to be the "Little House" series. I adored Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura and Carrie and what life was like in Frontier America. The hard winters they endured in Milwaukee the move to Missouri. Laura meeting and falling in love with Almonzo Wilder. I know there are so many great authors out there, but I'd have to say Laura Ingalls Wilder is by far my favorite. Her life was so richly depicted in books and she lives such a long life (she died at age 90). She wrote from the heart and told her story the only way she could with truth. I was also a HUGE fan of the show that was on in the '70s. Even now, when I catch it on cable, I have to stop and watch because it reminds me of being bathed, in my jammies, sitting on the couch and watching it with my mom. That was the routine EVERY Monday night! I've tried to read them to Rebecca, but she never got into it, so I'm sharing them with Lily and she really enjoys them. I encourage everyone to try out Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is an American gem. This contest will close on May 3, 2009

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Sisters In Sanity Have you ever had the out-of-control dream? The one where you know you’re not crazy, but no one around you—not your parents, not your teachers, not even the authorities—will listen to you? For sixteen-year-old Brit Hemphill, the out-of-control dream comes true when her dad enrolls her at Red Rock, a bogus treatment center that claims to cure rebellious teen girls. At Red Rock, Brit is forced into therapy and her only hope of getting her life back is in the hands of an underqualified staff of counselors, a hardass Sheriff and a cruel shrink. Brit’s dad thinks Red Rock can save her, but from what? Brit thinks that the place is doing her more harm than good. No girl could survive at Red Rock alone—but at a treatment center where you get privileges for ratting on your peers, it’s hard to know who to trust. For Brit, everything changes when she meets V, Bebe, Martha, and Cassie, four girls who keep her from going over the edge. Together, they’ll hang on to their sanity and their sisterhood while trying to keep their Red-Rock reality from becoming a full-on nightmare. My Thoughts: LOVE LOVE this cover and I really loved Gayle Forman's, If I Stay. I think the storyline looks amazing and I'm interested to see where it goes.

Venturing into the Unknown

I'm also going to start reviewing picture books! The idea sprang to me via Little Brown who sent me a couple of picture books for the 3-5 age range. I find it especially rewarding because I can read them to Lily ask her what she thought of the books and incorporate them into my reviews! Plus, Lily gets a change to learn what comprehension is! I sent an e-mail to a publisher and they just got back to me with an enthusiastic YES! I am so happy! I will also be giving away picture books as well! So if you have small children, let me know. Picture books are so important for our children and getting them out there is just as important for the parents. I know when I'm book shopping for Lily, I NEVER know what to get her. She tends to go for the Spongebob, Max & Ruby books (I love M&R, but I'd like to venture into something a bit more original). So I'm going to dedicate one day a week to picture books. I'm not sure WHAT day that is. Also, if you know of someone who has small children, please point them in this direction so they can see what is out, coming out, and what picture book to look forward to! I'm extremely excited about this! (Bought my tix to Hannah Montana movie for Lily on Friday, she's beyond thrilled!)

Another blathering

Disney on Ice was a lot of fun. Lily became extremely scared when the whale from "Pinnochio" came out and swallowed Gepetto and Pinnochio. But she ran to mommy and NOT daddy (ha!), it was a long day, but I was glad to get home because I still had to finish "City of Glass". OMIGOODNESS, I finished "City of Glass"! What an amazing series and the ending was perfect. It did leave me wanting more and thanks to Carol (you know the bookluver), who told me that the next series Clare is writing is a sort of prequel! So, yeah! but 2010? ARGH! On another note, I started "The Devouring" by Simon Holt last night because it's small and looked interesting. Plus, Sharon told me it scared the wits out of her. Um, it is extremely creepy! I've changed my picture in honor of the greatest baseball team in the world, THE Boston Red Sox! I'm really not biased:) So to another opening day in the cold, windy and ugh, rainy city of Boston, I give thee the Boston Red Sox!!!! WAHOO!!!!

Disney on Ice

Today, hubby and I are bringing Lily to see Disney on Ice at the DCU Center here in MA (Worcester, MA). She is so excited, she's picked out her princess dress and has her tiara all ready to go! Being 5 is such a special age, and I wouldn't change a thing. I just hope she wears her butterfly wings too:) I'm reading CoG and LOVE IT! I loved the whole series and HATE that it's ending! I hope her next book is equally as good. I'm kinda dreading reading such a depressing book next, so how about I read Peace, Love and Baby ducks? Do you guys have a problem with that? Just respond here! Thanks guys, you rock!

I Know It's Over, CK Kelly Martin

This is going to be a difficult book to review. This book is told in Nick's voice. A 16 year old whose hormones are rushing. He has a somewhat girlfriend who allows him to do things while they're snuggling in a sleeping bag, or side-by-side naked in bed. But no sex. They can explore other things, but sex is out of the question. But toward the end of sophomore year, Sasha Jasinski catches his eye. The girl he'd never think could ever be interested in him quietly hints at her interest. What begins as a slow-burning romance turns into hot and heavy and somewhat destructive relationship. I'm not sure if the title of this book is self-descriptive. I liked Nick's voice, but there was always something niggling at me. I never felt Nick really delved deep into his relationship with Sasha, I couldn't get a grasp on it. They were almost like two opposites that attract and were destined to fail. Sasha's on again, off again type personality was enough to drive me crazy. She didn't know if she wanted a relationship, she'd ignore Nick, Nick wouldn't know why. Well neither did I! When the two of them get into some serious trouble, she shuts down and kicks Nick out. That bothered me--that as much as he wanted to be involved and needed to be there for her--she and her family literally shut the door on him. CK Kelly Martin has a strong voice and she reminds me of Nick Hornby when he wrote Slam. A similar storyline with a different outcome. I'm interested to see what else CK writes about. She's definitely a new author to be reckoned with. 3 Bookmarks

Blog tours, Birthdays and Senior proms...

Hello all. I'm trying to be a good blogger and I'm participating in BEDA (Blog Every Day April). Sometimes I might have something to say and other times I might just babble. Hope you're prepared. Just to let you know what I have up my sleeves. I'm putting together a blog tour of two authors. Jeannine Garsee's tour will take place the week of April 13 and we'll also do a live chat with her! So everyone, get your questions ready! And if I might tell you, she is probably one of the funniest people you will ever meet, talk to, etc... She is also one of the best writers out there right now. Her books are fantastic, and I don't say that loosely. My second blog tour is with Jonathan Bernstein, debut author of "Hottie". I'm also trying to find out if he's agent brother to Jeannine! (I suspect he is!) Jonathan is hysterical as well. He's got such a cheeky sense of humor (and I suspect it's because he's Scottish!), he currently lives in LA (he's so jaded already) and tries to write screenplays when not writing YA novels! Another thing that comes up next week is my birthday. On April 10, I turn the page and land firmly on page 41. I'm still not sure how I feel about this. Sometimes I still feel 17, other times I really feel 60! Having a daughter graduate high school and one entering kindergarten is really weird. Okay, speaking of daughter graduating high school... My eldest has her senior prom in April and it's a constant, I'm going, I'm not going. I need a dress. I don't need a dress because I'm not going... argh! I don't remember being so indecisive about prom (I went to my junior, didn't go to my senior). So I suspect we'll be prom dress shopping this weekend. Macy's, here I come! So much going on within the next couple of weeks, I hope I manage to survive it all. I fear that the Zombie Apocalypse may swallow me whole!

The Season, Sarah MacLean

Lady Alexandra Stafford is coming out for the Season in 1815 and her mother expects her to set the ton on it's ear! However, Lady Alex, positively loathes the thought of being paraded about as if on the hunt for a marriageable young man. With her three conspirators, Lady Vivian and Lady Eleanor, the ton haven't a clue what exactly these three comrades are up to. But alas, there is a someone who catches the Lady Alexandra's eye. And it couldn't be the one that she grew up with, the one who teased her mercilessly, yet was her savior when her three older brothers were not. However, The Earl of Blackmoor, Gavin Sewell, is just that a longtime family friend and still mourning the loss of his father at the hands of a terrible accident. Or was it? Through balls and dinners and that would put Jane Austen to shame, Sarah MacLean weaves a story of romance, intrigue, treachery, familial jealousy and murder. My only issue with the story was the use of contractions. But that is albeit a very minor issue I take with the story. Alex, Vivi and Ella, have 21st century sensibilities in a 19th century world. Gavin at times reminded me of Mr. Knightley from Austen's Emma, with his wit and his dialogue of explaining his feelings for Alex. He is definitely a swoon worthy character in the same vein as Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, and Mr. Edward Rochester. I found the ending dangling and hope that we are brought back to the world of Lady Alex and Lord Blackmoor soon. 5 Bookmarks

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins From Goodreads: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. My Thoughts: I loved The Hunger Games and I hope we go back to Kat's family and her man waiting for her at home. The dynamic with Peeta now in the picture should prove a nice romantic problem. However, this story is all about the Capitol and that should prove thrilling as well.

Martha Doesn't Say Sorry, Samantha Berger; Illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Martha can be a good girl. She can give hugs. She can share her snacks. She likes to make presents and best of all, she loves to read stories. But Martha can also be a bad girl and when she is, she realizes that what can't get what she wants unless she says sorry. A moral tale told in easy to read to pages. My Lily loved the book. The illustrations are fun and integral to the story. Martha is your typical 4 or 5 year old trying to navigate a world of cookies, painting and little brothers. Picture books are a vital part of learning for our small children and taking the time to review one is a lot of fun. I enjoy having Lily curl up beside me while I read one. This book I believe is out in stores or will be shortly. 5 Bookmarks