IMM: In My Mailbox (33)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Here is what showed up in my mailbox this week!

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FOR REVIEW:

 

 

 Wildfire by Karsten Knight (ARC)

Original Sin by Beth McMullen (2 ARCS)

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Hyperion

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BOUGHT/CONTEST WINS:

 

 Prince of Wolves by Susan Krinard (Bought)

Prince of Dreams by Susan Krinard (Bought)

Twilight Prophecy by Maggie Shayne (Bought)

Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay (Won)

Royally Crushed by Niki Burnham (PBS)

A True Princess by Diane Zahler (Won)

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So what did everyone else get this week?

 

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

THE GODDESS TEST
Author: Aimee Carter
Source: Gifted

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210264
ISBN-13: 978-0373210268

SUMMARY:

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was in awe of this story!  To think an author can take a subject that I had no desire in learning in school,  then turning it into a subject that I loved was amazing!  I was never a fan of Greek Mythology in school.  To me it was confusing and not worth my teenage time to learn.  As I started reading this story though, I found myself looking up the tales of the Greeks and finding a spark of interest in it that I didn't realize I would ever find.

The story was amazing and the characters were great!  I seriously am having a hard time trying to think of new and amazing words to describe this book.  I loved how the romance between Henry and Kate was slow building and felt real.  I felt the two connected in a way that is rare in teen books today.  They start as friends, eventually discover they love each other, and they both are real together.  They have issues to deal with that are not only dangerous,  but issues that have happened in the past and present that they face together.

I was constantly looking at each character as a test.  I wanted to know exactly which character was actually which Greek God or Goddess.  While a few were simple enough to figure out,  some where a mystery that is revealed in the end.  The seven tests that Kate must pass to save her Mother and Henry were great.  I loved wondering what was a test and what wasn't throughout the story.  When the tests are revealed in the final scenes,  I found myself wondering if she passed each one since she didn't know what exactly they were.  The author kept me guessing at who was behind the betrayal and how it would play out.

Again, I am in awe with the story!  I feel like rereading the book just so I can get my fix of sweet romance and Greek mythology again. It has been awhile since an author has made me feel so connected in a young adult book to the characters and hooked me for another must read series!  Thank you Ms. Carter for opening my eyes to the Greeks and the story of innocent young love again!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

After Midnight by Lynn Viehl

AFTER MIDNIGHT
A Youngblood Novel
Author: Lynn Viehl
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Flux (May 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 073872632X
ISBN-13: 978-0738726328

SUMMARY:

A Suspenseful New Series Featuring Vampires and Forbidden Love

Sophomore Catlyn Youngblood is used to the nomadic existence she and her two older brothers have shared since the death of their parents. When they settle down for good in the sleepy backwoods town of Lost Lake, Florida, Cat thinks they might finally fit in. Instead, they're shunned by the locals.

While riding her horse late one night, Cat meets an enigmatic and handsome boy named Jesse Raven. Even more strange than her overpowering attraction to him is Jesse's apparent aversion to the sun. As their attraction intensifies, long-kept secrets come to light. Cat learns that the Ravens are a centuries-old vampire clan . . . and worse still, that she and her brothers are descendents of Abraham Van Helsing, the world-famous vampire hunter. Mortal enemies by blood, the two families do all they can to keep them apart. But Cat and Jesse will risk everything to be together—including death.

MY THOUGHTS:

I don't even know where to begin with this review since it was a book that I was really looking forward to.  While it was one I was excited to receive, it fell flat while reading the story.

After the death of her parents, Catlyn has been living with her oldest brother Patrick and middle brother Grayson.  While Catlyn is trying to adjust to another move and yet another school,  Patrick announces that they are finally going to settle down in one place and stay in Lost Lake, Florida.  Catlyn tries to make the best of it, but she still feels like an outsider after the way she is treated by the people in town.  When she decides to take a night ride on her horse Sali, she literally crashes into Jesse Raven, who just happens to be the mysterious boy who lives on an island in seclusion.

I felt the author did a great job at setting up the story in the beginning.  It was paced nicely, but as soon as Jesse entered the storyline, the author rushed everything and at times leaves the reader confused.  There were many times in the book that I wanted to stop reading the story even if I wanted to know what happens at the end.  The romance was forced between Catlyn and Jesse, the secrets were not so secret at times, and the revelations that are revealed near the end are predictable and cliche.  It seemed like the story had no outline and was just a jumble of thoughts and ideas rushed into a book.  This could have been an amazing story if the author would have paced the story like the first few chapters instead of forcing the plot in a rush.  I never could connect with any of the characters in the story.  There wasn't much chemistry between Jesse and Catlyn, and what was there was too rushed.

Would I read the next book in the series?  Yes, but only if the author can sit down and time the plot better.  I am looking forward to see what the author will create for Grayson and Patrick, who in my opinion, were more exciting than Catlyn and Jesse.  For that fact alone, I am willing to find out what their stories will bring.

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it! 2 STARS

WINNER!!!

The contest for Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison has now ended!

Using Random.org, the winner is:

Lisa Richards

Congrats Lisa! 

I already have your mailing address and will be forwarding it to the publisher today!  Thank you to everyone who entered!

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart
Author: Sarah MacLean
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061852074
ISBN-13: 978-0061852077

SUMMARY:

She lives for passion.

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.

He swears by reputation.

Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

MY THOUGHTS:

This book is the third book in the Love By Numbers Series.  After reading the first book in the series, I was filled with excitement in finding the joy in historical romance.  Then I read the second book in the series and was less than thrilled.  Since I had already started the series, I decided to accept the review copy and give the author another chance to wow me with the third book.

Readers, this book surpassed my excitement that I had with the first book.  It was a complete turn around from the second book as well.  With Juliana and Simon focused on in this book, my love for Historical Romance has been renewed.  I admit that I had reservations on how the author was going to make Simon a character that I would enjoy.  Let's face it, Simon could be a stuck up jerk half the time, but I loved how the author sucked me into his web of love.  Juliana was wonderful as well.  I loved how she was portrayed and how she was able to bring Simon down a couple of notches. 

I devoured this book in less than 3 hours!  If I didn't have a bunch of books sitting in my to-read pile right now,  I would seriously consider rereading it again.  If you are a new reader to this genre or are just looking for a new Historical Romance to read,  then this is the book!  This author has made me open my eyes to this genre a little wider and it will leave you breathless!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE
A Night Huntress Novel #5
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Source: Personal Purchase

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061783188
ISBN-13: 978-0061783180

SUMMARY:

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.
  Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . . 

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh, Ms. Frost.  How much do you love to tease us?  I was looking forward to see how the author was going to create a new plot for us with her latest installment in the series.  I am so glad it was worth the wait!

I loved the chemistry that we have grown to love between Cat and Bones!  Can I get a shout out for Chapter 21? Sexy and hot are the first words that come to mind when reading that chapter even though I am sure there are stronger descriptive words for it.  Seeing the pair connect and stay true to the nature of personality the author created for them was great.

The side characters were wonderful as well.  I really wish the author would hurry and write Vlad's book!  I am in desperate need to see him have some happiness! I also loved how we got to see a softer side of Mencheres in this book.  Kira has brought out his softer side and I love it!  We also get to see more of Spade and Denise as well.  I love how they are so protective of each other. Fabian, Dave, Tate, Don and even mentions of Juan were included in the story as well. 

Not only is the romance, witty dialogue, favorite characters and action packed scenes included in this story, but we also deal with sadness and heartbreak for Cat.  She finds out something is wrong with someone close to her and has to learn to let go of this person.  What does happen to this person was beautifully written and I wanted to cry with their last thoughts. 

While it wasn't one of my favorites in the series, I still thought the author did a wonderful job of continuing the series for Cat and Bones.  It was exactly what we needed at the right time.  Now if we can just get her to write faster and produce even more stories!

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

The Undertakers: The Rise of the Corpses

THE UNDERTAKERS
The Rise of the Corpses
Author: Ty Drago
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402247850
ISBN-13: 978-1402247859

SUMMARY:

On a sunny Wednesday morning in October, a day that would mark the end of one life and the beginning of another, I found out my grouchy next door neighbor was the walking dead. When you turn around expecting to see something familiar, and instead see something else altogether, it takes a little while for your brain to catch up with your eyes. I call it the 'Holy Crap Factor.'A" Forced to flee his home and family, twelve-year-old Will Ritter falls in with the Undertakers--a rag-tag army of teenage resistance fighters, who've banded together to battle the corpses.

MY THOUGHTS:

When you first get a glimpse of this book, you can tell by the cover that it is geared for the younger male teens.  When you read the summary, you still think it is for the younger male teens.  Even with that in my head, I still decided to read this book and give it a fair shot at review.  I may not be a young teen, or from the male genre, but there is something about zombie books that draw me into the plot.


Will joins a special team of people called The Undertakers after seeing his neighbor, principle and some of his teachers turned into zombies.  Not everyone can see the zombies, but Will happens to be one of the special ones that can.  The Undertakers are kids, yet they must leave everything behind to fight the zombies. 


I found this book to be adventurous and fun to read.  As an adult, there were some things that didn't jive for me in it. If you have a younger male teen who has been reluctant to read,  I think this would be a great book to start off with though.  As an adult reader,  I had to keep trying to remember that it is a book geared for younger teens and some adults might not like the writing because of that.   While I was able to adjust to it and somewhat enjoy it,  if you have a problem with reading books like that, then you might want to consider borrowing the book instead of purchasing it.


Again, I think the author did a wonderful job though in creating a world for younger boys to dive into.  A fun read to spark the interest of reluctant readers and hopefully give them the push they need to start reading!


MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS

HAPPY EASTER!

I hope you have a wonderful Holiday!!!

IMM: In My Mailbox (32)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Here is what showed up in my mailbox this week!

CLICK ON PHOTO'S FOR LARGER IMAGE

FOR REVIEW:

Ascension: A Dark Breed Novel by Sable Grace

Bound by Night by Amanda Ashley (ARC) 

Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson

In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare (ARC)

Touch if you Dare by Stephanie Rowe (ARC)

What a Goddess Wants by Stephanie Julian (ARC)

Flawless by Lara Chapman (ARC) 2 copies

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey (ARC)

Supernaturally by Kiersten White (ARC)

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs (ARC)

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson (ARC)

After Midnight by Lynn Veihl (ARC)

Pretty Bad Things by C.J. Skuse (ARC)

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (ARC)

*Thank you to Sourcebooks, Harper Teen, Scholastic, Amanda Ashley, Flux, Bloomsbury and HarperCollins/Avon*

 

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CONTEST WIN:

Tyger, Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

*Thank you to the author, Kersten Hamilton and Princess Bookie for the great win from Contest Craze!*

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What did everyone else get? 

WINNERS!!!

Time to announce some winners!!!

Using Random.org, the winners for the following are:

Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning

Jamie Lynn

 and

Alice

Behind the Gates by Eva Gray

Rachel Leigh

I will be contacting the winners for Rock Hard shortly.

Rachel, I already have your address and will be shipping it out tomorrow!

CONGRATS!! 

Be sure to check out the contest for Here Lies Bridget on my Contest page!

(ARC Review) Bastian by Elizabeth Amber

BASTIAN
The Lords of Satyr #6
Author: Elizabeth Amber
Source: Author Submission

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Aphrodisia (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758241305
ISBN-13: 978-0758241306

SUMMARY:

Man-gods born to live and love forever, the Lords of Satyr are renowned for their sexual prowess. . .and unquenchable lust. . .

Call My Name

The forum excavations in Rome go on, directed by the iron-willed, charismatic Lord Bastian Satyr. Out of nowhere, a mysterious, haunting voice calls out to him. . .and lures him to the site of a long-vanished temple, where vestal virgins once performed rites of erotic surrender. The temple is the find of his career, but his heart is about to face the unknown. . .

Michaela is a pure Ephemeral. She can enter the bodies of others—and become any woman a man might wish to possess. His choice is her pleasure. And the commanding and utterly virile Bastian is the only man she desires. . .

MY THOUGHTS:

Excuse me while I turn my fan up to high!  When I first started reading this series, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to accept the Satyr realm.  I mean, when the guys have double the private parts during certain days of the year, some might think that is a little extreme.  Well, most people would be yelling double the pleasure, but others might not want to accept it in their reading.  I was squirming and hiding my face at the beginning of these books to the point to where I would hide the book from being seen in public.  Yet, I embraced the authors creativity and writing and fell in love the with the Lords of Satyr!

Author Elizabeth Amber writes very erotic reads and be forewarned if you are not a fan of these books!  More importantly, if you are under the age of eighteen, step away from the book!  I on the other hand will be snagging her books up like crazy so I can get my smut fix!

Bastian and his brothers guard a magical vineyard where supernaturals can cross over to Elseworld.  Bastian is also the eldest brother of the bunch.  His passion lies with archeology and  excavating the ruins of the vestal virgins.  


Michaela is an Ephemeral.  She can live in a human body and become a fantasy for any man.  She falls hard for Bastian and gives up her immortality to become human so she could live with Bastian. Now we enter Michaela's friend Silvia. She is also an Ephemeral and disapproves of her friends choice.  While watching Michaela and Bastian together in bed, she finds herself being tempted to be with a man.  While she has these feelings, she refuses to acknowledge them because her friend is in love with him.  Silvia is also on a mission to recover important stones that Bastian just happens to be looking for on his excavation.  


I felt sorry for Silvia.  I wanted her to be happy with Bastian, but I also wanted Michaela to be happy with him as well.  Oh, how I loathe the angst of a love triangle when the author has me cheering for all involved! Eventually the author puts me on the right path of which character would be suitable for the sexy Bastian and it made me love the book even more!  Bastian has to be my favorite Satyr so far in the series.  He is fun, loving and sexy as hell!  One of the best in the series so far!


MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

In The Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

IN THE ARMS OF STONE ANGELS
Author: Jordan Dane
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (March 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780373210299
ISBN-13: 978-0373210299

SUMMARY:

Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend--the first boy she ever loved--of being a killer.

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac "White Bird" Henry isn't in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she's pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn't understand.

Feeling isolated and alone, she's up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she's as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won't turn her back on him. She's the only one who can free them both.

Even if she has to expose her secret--a "gift" she's kept hidden her whole life.

MY THOUGHTS:

At first, I thought this was going to be an awesome and eerie read.  While it had the creepy and dark story I was craving at the moment, it didn't reach the awesome that I was looking for.  It touches on many subjects including murder, racism, sacrifice, and cruelty.  Usually, this could make for a deep and dark read, but the characters irritated to the point to where I almost didn't finish this book.


Brenna was the most obnoxious and irritating girl in this book and she was the main character.  I couldn't stand her from the beginning, she pushed my buttons in the middle, and she still was on my last nerve at the end.  I just couldn't bring myself to like her character. 


White Bird, while at times could have been great, he is in la-la land for most of the book.  He had the potential of saving this book, but there wasn't much of him in a normal state of mind to enjoy.

Again, while some people might enjoy the angst of the deeper emotions and plot, I was not a fan of it.  I thought the cover was gorgeous, but it didn't help me enjoy the story. Frankly, the only thing that kept me from rating this as a one star was the small scenes of White Bird when he was lucid.  


MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it! 2 STARS

Cowboy Fever by Joanne Kennedy

COWBOY FEVER
Author: Joanne Kennedy
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402251416
ISBN-13: 978-1402251412
SUMMARY:

Miss Rodeo Wyoming Jodie Bryce is back from the big city to find that her childhood friend Teague Treadwell's rugged cowboy charm never looked better. But Teague thinks Jodie's success lifted her out of his reach, and now he's got to shed his bad boy image to be worthy of the girl next door.

MY THOUGHTS:

As a fan of this author, I had no problem diving into this story even though I am not a fan of western reads.  They always seem to go overboard on the cowboy theme, but I have found that author Joanne Kennedy knows how to write her westerns.


It has romance, action and horses, but it also has characters that weren't over the top.  Jodie was caring and never felt like she was too good for Teague.  She wanted to help people even though she was a beautiful Rodeo Queen.  Enter the sexy cowboy, Teague, who wants to take care of his brother that has down syndrome. Now we have a basis for a romance while keeping the reader engrossed in a story!  


If you are looking for a sweeter western read, then this is it.  It has romance that is beautiful, characters you love -- and one you will despise--with a plot that moves beautifully to an ending you will be cheering for. I actually think this is one of my favorites by this author so far.


MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS

Guest Post & Giveaway with author Paige Harbison

Today on My Overstuffed Bookshelf, I would love to introduce you to the fabulous author Paige Harbison. Paige is the author of Here Lies Bridget, which was a great book, and you can read my review HERE.  Paige is here to describe her high school experience and the development of her main character of the book, Bridget.

High school is the no man’s land between your comfortable trenches in childhood and the other side that holds all of the unknown. You plod upon the landmines with careful but heavy feet, and they explode. One shrieks like a dog toy, “Slut!” Another, “Ugly!” And in a lower, male voice, “What a bitch!” I had that experience in high school, and many of you may have too. My character Bridget takes part of that experience to a whole new extreme.

            Everyone in high school is suffering from high emotions ruled by hormones (sorry to sound like Mom, but it’s just so true), so most people are ready to freak out in one way or another. Girls who find themselves at the top feel like they’re suddenly balancing on stilts, and they know that anyone can knock them over if they really try. So they start landing their sharp little stilts right on your toes. The guys are struggling with the attempt to become men, and so they try to assert themselves by being ultimately as mean and catty as the girls. Self-defense comes off as incredibly offensive.

            Now, that’s not everyone, but that’s usually the worst of it. High school is one place where you find out how awful people can really be, and where you hopefully realize at least who you don’t want to be.

            When I was in high school, I was a “floater.” I went to four schools, due to a couple of random moves that happened between ages 14 and 16 (there’s a book full of stories there, believe me). Everyone is pretty much the same. I was never tortured or bullied—or maybe I was but never noticed, because, really, screw that—but what I found was that everywhere, there was not so much an ‘in crowd’ so much as A-listers. These were the people and names that everyone knew. It wasn’t one group of super skinny girls and concussed football-playing boyfriends. It was anyone who everyone found worth talking about. I found myself on that list often because I was so often new. The new girl who doesn’t act like a bitch and has big boobs is bound to find herself on that list—it was barely personal, and not always flattering.

            Bridget, who was popular with boys and a little snide toward teachers (okay, a lot snide, but I was nicer than she was) and had some girlfriends by her side, is dramatized for fiction, but has some traits that may be typical of how many popular girls feel. She’s driven by insecurities, and unfortunately she chooses to knock down those who threaten her in any way. She doesn’t even think twice about the offhand remarks she makes to the people she does care about, subconsciously thinking that her actions could never really affect someone else all that much.

            I never ‘ruled the school,’ but neither did anyone else at any of the schools I went to. All the girls who were the prettiest and most popular were also called sluts and bitches more often than not. “Slut” was such a falsity, but also the thing I heard the most. I was, I guess, flirtatious, but I was not a slut. But it was an easy thing to call me.

            Everyone can walk out of high school for the last time remembering stupid things someone called them, or embarrassed them with. No one is immune. I was in the car the other day with three guys, who despite their good looks and sparkling personalities, have plenty of embarrassing and awful stories from high school. We were laughing and looking back on the things we were so asininely called in our childhoods and into high school, insults that felt like red-hot cast-iron on our flesh back then, seemingly damning us to a lifetime of being ‘the girl who is way too tall’ (5’3 in 8th grade…really not that big a deal…) and ‘the guy who tripped once’ or ‘the guy who called his first grade teacher ‘mom’ once.’ These things now seem laughably insignificant.

            There were probably worse things we were all called that either no one wanted to say aloud or have been long since forgotten, as we all wrap up our senior year in college. But the point is that they don’t hurt or even make us cringe anymore. Once you aren’t trapped like a rat in a cage with everyone you know, those hurtful words and actions cease to be the painful things they are now. I think I was lucky enough to get perspective on this early, because I went to so many different schools and saw that there are jerks everywhere and that they barely differ from school to school. Anything that ever ‘ruined my life’ five years ago has only turned into material for stories at parties.  The lines immediately blurred after high school, and what we were back then to our peers (nerd, slut, popular, etc.) are all distant memories. Now it’s as defining as whether or not you’ve ever broken a bone. It happened. It hurt or it didn’t. But it’s all fine now.

You always hear from parents that “you won’t care about these people in a few years!” or “she’ll get hers.”

But I’m not a mom with a kid she needs to comfort. I’m 21 years old, and I still come upon mean girls and catty bitch-boys. And the only thing I can say is that it so stops mattering. It really does. The Bridgets in the world might not have fate walk into their lives and say, “What the hell is wrong with you” but believe me—someone will. And whoever she is, whether she’s a pretty girl with a perfect life, or a meathead football player, or that weird guy who no one really knows but he’s just mean to everyone, any Bridget will get hers. And by the time she does, you'll barely care.

Authors Website

Twitter

Blog

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CONTEST

Harlequin Teen has been kind enough to donate 1 copy of Here Lies Bridget for a contest!

HERE LIES BRIDGET

Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don't worship as attentively, teachers don't fall for her wide-eyed "who me?" look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she's always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she's wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she's inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.

And Bridget's about to learn that, sometimes, saying you're sorry just isn't enough….

 

RULES AND ENTRY

1. to enter, please fill out the form below
2. entrants must be 13 years of age or older
3. contest deadline is April 26, 2011
4. contest open to EVERYONE! (International)
5. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON! 

CLOSED!!!!!!

(ARC Review) Hourglass by Myra McEntire

HOURGLASS
Author: Myra McEntire
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1606841440
ISBN-13: 978-1606841440

SUMMARY:


One hour to rewrite the past . . .
 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

MY THOUGHTS:

Wow!  My mind is still reeling from this book of intrigue, suspense, romance and mind blowing action! Not only is the story a compelling and emotional read, but the cover itself was amazing!  I can't believe it took me so long to even notice that the girl on the cover is walking on the wall and not on the floor!

It starts out with us getting to know Emerson and is told from her point of view.  She is living with her brother and wife after losing her parents in a horrible accident.  Not only is she recovering from a deep depression and mental ward vacation, she is also seeing things.  Are they ghosts or could they be something more?  When her brother Thomas employs the help of Michael,  questions arise and things happen that only Michael can explain.  The problem with it is how little Michael is willing to explain and what Emerson must do in the future.

It turns out that the apparitions that Emerson has been seeing, are actually Rips. Rips are part of time traveling either to the past or into the future.  Emerson has the specific gene that can pick up on them and actually travel to the past.  Michael has the gene as well and can travel to the future.  Together they compliment each other and can save the one man who died trying to help the people with this ability.

Are you confused yet? Don't feel bad if you are.  I was confused through out most of this book.  Time travel is not a thing my mind can seem to grasp I guess.  Yet, as confused as I was, I had the compelling need to finish this book.  I was into it so much, that I might have missed a chunk of time myself focusing solely on the story!  The characters were great, the story was paced perfectly, and the mystery of who-did-what was gripping.  I learned that if I didn't try to work out the time travel thing in my head and just enjoy the book, it was written perfectly!  I loved all of the characters and I loved trying to figure out who was wrong and who was right.

Just as an hourglass represents the flow of time,  the author represents the fresh new read this genre was needing!  After all the supernatural creatures that are done over and over again, the author has now sucked me into the vacuum of time travel!  If you only pick up one new author to read this year, be sure to make it this book! If not, we might have to travel back and change your mind and reality!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf  For Rereading! 5 STARS

An Apple A Day by Caroline Taggart

AN APPLE A DAY
Author: Caroline Taggart
Source: FSB Media
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Readers Digest (March 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781606521915
ISBN-13: 978-1606521915

SUMMARY:

From Old Testament proverbs to modern phrases like "the best things in life are free," An Apple a Day takes a fun look at expressions that "have stood the test of time."

Read through from start to finish or search through the list of hundreds of the most common proverbs, arranged from A to Z for easy reference. You'll learn about each proverb's surprising origins, why some are valid and others are not, the derivation and meanings behind them, and their relevance in today's society.


MY THOUGHTS:


I constantly find myself wondering about certain phrases and how they originated.  I remember my Grandmother always telling me things like "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" or "The darkest hour is before the dawn" and I never really understood what some of them meant at times.  In this book, we get to learn about the origin and the many meanings a phrase or proverb.

While I liked the book, and the read is not fairly long, it still had me wondering about a few of them.  Yes, it tries to explain what they mean, but some of them felt like a dictionary entry instead of simple terms.  I think with Mother's Day coming up soon, this would be a great book to give as a gift.  You could highlight the proverbs that your Mother would say as you went through life and leave little notes in the margin to remind her why she would say them to you.

I feel that this book would be best as a book left for gifts than a book that you would purchase and keep on your keeper shelf.  I liked it, but I wouldn't go as far to say I would read it over and over again.  It is more like a reference book that would hold more meaning as a gift with added insight written by yourself.

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn't have it, don't worry about reading it! 2 STARS

Taking a Day Off!

My Overstuffed Bookshelf is taking a day off! 

The kids are out of school for the week and I am taking a full day off to enjoy my family.
Reviews and such will resume Tuesday (tomorrow).

See you then!

Amy

WINNER!!!

The contest for the hardback copy of Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward has now ended.  Using Random.org, the winner is:

Juana 

Congrats! I have emailed you and you have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you, a new winner will be chosen and your prize is forfeited.

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

IMM: In My Mailbox (31)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

I had such an awesome week for books!  I got a bunch of review books, got a package from my secret book fairy, a package from Anna @ Anna's Book Blog, and I found some great deals from our local thrift store for books! I made out like a bandit at the thrift store and barely spent any money!

Since there is so many books here, I am not going to type each book out. I am sorry about that, but you should be able to tell what they are.

Here is what showed up in my mailbox this week!

CLICK ON PHOTO'S FOR LARGER IMAGE

FOR REVIEW:

 Thanks to FSB, Avon, HaperCollins, Kensington, and Sourcebooks

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From Secret Book Fairy

Thank you!

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FROM ANNA @ Anna's Book Blog

Thank you Anna! 

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PURCHASED 

This last picture are books my husband bought for me this week.  He always thinks of me when he goes out. 

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What did everyone else get?