The Burning Star ~ Book Review

     The Burning Star is a self published Young Adult paranormal romance novel, written by the writing team "Jessie Lane".  

Before I begin my review,  here's the book blurb:

"She'll have to believe the unbelievable to survive.

The doctors have told Kay that she will die before she reaches her eighteenth birthday. Her mother’s determination to save her life leads them to a move outside of Asheville, NC to a new set of cancer specialists in the hopes to help her. But it’s not what Kay and her Mom find in the doctor’s offices in Asheville that lead them on the journey to save her before time runs out. It’s what Kay finds in the woods outside of Asheville, and an inhumanly gorgeous guy named Ryan, instead.

Myths and fairy tales come to life before Kay’s eyes, bringing her closer to the ultimate cure if she can stay alive long enough to get there. And if the cancer doesn’t kill her before she finds the cure the secrets her mother has hidden from her may be the beginning of the end.

Can she reach her destiny before tragedy strikes?"

Review/Summary:    

     As I mentioned above, The Burning Star is YA Paranormal Romance, and being a hopeless addict of this genre myself, I jumped at the chance to review this book. When first reading the book summary/blurb, I expected a large part of the story to focus on Kay in the human world, where Kay would struggle with her cancer- but writers Jessie Lane jumped right in to the "Paranormal" world early on in the book- which I loved!

      Kay discovers an interesting boy named Ryan, a faerie Prince who helps to unravel a big secret about Kay. Ryan is one of the two cross-species/love interests in the book! Yes, I said love triangle =) Shortly after, she meets Nick, who is able to transform into an alluring black wolf. Nick, Ryan, and Kay work together to discover who or what Kay really is and how it will change her life forever as she knows it.

Things I liked:   

   I loved the amusing dialogue between characters. All the characters in this book were well developed- I enjoyed how the two boys bickered back and forth. Too often in YA love triangles one of the boys just kind of gets tossed to the side or gives up, but both boys are strong-willed  in this book (YAY for that!).  and I especially loved Kay's inner dialogue- she is hilarious. For being diagnosed with terminal cancer- which I couldn't even imagine how distressing and terrifying that would be, she is able to continue on and keep a positive mindset.

Things I disliked:    

      There were a few spelling /grammatical errors that could be easily fixed with an editor.

      Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Burning Star, with the witty dialogue and well developed characters, it kept me entertained.

I give it 3 mochis. 

     A big thank you to the writing team Jessie Lane for sharing your novel with me! Best of luck to you girls in your writing endeavors.

     

Switched Review (Book 1 of Trylle Trilogy)

Book Summary from Goodreads: When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might've been telling the truth. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.

Feature & Follow Friday!

Feature & Follow Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

Here is this week's question:

Q: Jumping Genres: Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don't like and LOVE it? Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.

I always like to try new genres, but I tend to steer towards YA fiction, especially Paranormal Romance. My latest read that was NOT YA or Paranormal was "The Undomestic Goddess" by Sophie Kinsella. I picked it up because the summary made me laugh. It's a fluffy, fun summer read and it's now one of my favorite books.

Summary from Goodreads: 


Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. 

Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer–and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope–and finds love–is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. 


But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?

The Selection ~ Video Book Review

Summary from Goodreads: "For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined."

*edit- after filming, I realized I didn't talk about Aspen! Aspen is her boyfriend from back home- he is in a lower caste than America. He was the one who suggested to America that she enter The Selection for bigger/better opportunities. Her family doesn't know about the relationship with Aspen- due to him being in a lower caste. 

Feature & Follow

Feature & Follow Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

Here is this week's question:

Q: If you could "unread" a book, which one would it be? Is it because you want to start over and experience it again for the first time? Or because it was THAT bad?

This is probably a lame answer, but I would say there would never be any book that I would want to un-read because is it was bad... I think any book reading experience is a good one, you can learn from poorly written work! Books that I would love to experience again? hmm there is a lot on my list! If I had to choose one, I suppose it would be Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. This book taught me a lot about my goals/dreams and how to achieve them. I just got that "ah ha!" moment whilst reading it- I would love to experience that feeling again.

Review- Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Here is a silly little video review I made for the second installment of the Firelight series- Vanish! If you haven't read Firelight yet, be sure to check out my written review first! Hope you enjoy. More videos to come.
 

Waiting on Velveteen

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days. 

It’ll be brutal... and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules... or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

Hardcover, 464 pages

Expected publication: October 9th 2012 by Random House Children's Books

Looking forward to it's release- beautiful cover and thrilling summary! It already has some great reviews on goodreads! 


Happy Reading! 

Waiting On Heaven

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, where book bloggers spotlight a book we're highly anticipating to read before it's release. 


This week I chose the book "Heaven" by Alexandra Adornetto. This is the 3rd installment in the Halo series. 

Hardcover, 432 pages

Expected publication: August 21st 2012 by Feiwel & Friends

Summary from Good Reads:
Only sixteen when she started the series, Ally Adornetto knows how teen hearts beat, and this long-awaited conclusion is certain to be her most popular book yet. 

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.

The only way Bethany and Xavier can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?

Have you read the Halo series? This series offers such an interesting take on angels. And this is such a beautiful cover, its my favorite out of the three. 

Be sure to link your Waiting on Wednesday post below so I can check it out! :) 

My apologizes

Hello my lovely bookworms,

I apologize for my recent hiatus. I am going through some major life changes at the moment- I am leaving my current job to pursue a couple different things. First of all, I really want to focus on editing my upcoming book. I realized while working full time, I am unable to truly put my best efforts forward... I have placed so much passion and energy into this book I would hate to release something I wasn't completely satisfied with. Also, I am ready to get my credential and work with school age children! Time to start studying for the CBEST and CSET.. but when I'm not studying, I'll be either writing or blogging. So give me two more weeks friends, and I WILL be back.. with fervor <3

TGIF? well, sort of..

Saying this last week has been crazy would be quite the understatement.  After working all day + overtime and then hosting a party last night, I did not get a chance to do my TGIF post! =-(

But better late than never right? So without further adieu, is my TGIF post (let's just pretend it's not Saturday) hosted by the lovely Ginger at GReads!

This Friday's Question:

Literary Vacations: If you could take a trip this summer to any place within a fictional book, where would you go? Tell us about your summer dream vacation!

I would want to go to... the Hunger Games arena. I think it would be so fun to run from murderous teenagers, fireballs, flesh-eating dogs, and hallucinogenic wasps.


Can you tell I stayed up late last night? =)


Okay. In all seriousness, and even though this answer is incredibly cheesy and unoriginal, I would want to take a trip to Hogwarts (during the first novel, NOT the last LOL). I've never been to England and I've always wanted to go. So what could be better than a magical version?

I would love to hang out with Harry and the gang. We could fly on broomsticks, do some shopping at Hogsmeade, and have a jolly good time.

This is Alnwick Castle, where they filmed the HP movies :)
 [Photo: nickmilleruk]

Post your TGIF links! I would love to read them :)

Divergent! First Video Review!

So.. I was a little tired today, I'm fighting a cold so my brain is a little sluggish. I'm not totally satisfied with the review, but it's my first video review so hopefully you'll cut my some slack ;) I promise my next reviews will be a little more exciting and upbeat lol.

But WOOOHOOO Insurgent will be released in TWO DAYS!!! So I had to hurry and read Divergent so I could be ready for her next book.

Light My Fire ~ A Firelight Book Review

Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: Firelight #1
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 323 Pages

Summary from Goodreads:
"A hidden truth.

Mortal enemies.

Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a drakia descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping awayif it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.""

My Review:

     I was instantly hooked after reading the first few pages. With Jacinda being a Draki- a descendant from dragons- it was nice to be reading something so unique and refreshingly different from werewolves, vampires, etc. (Not that I don't love me some vampires =] ).

     I loved Jacinda's fiesty personality, but she did have alot (and I mean ALOT) of teen angst towards her mother, when she was only trying to do what was best for her daughter! While reading, I was stressed out about what Jacinda should do, whether she should leave the pride and kill her Draki (which to her was essentially killing a part of herself), or stay in the cult-like pride where they'd force her to marry the Draki prince (Cassian) and make "little fire-breathers". Her choices were pretty bleak so she ended up choosing to not do anything really, until mom stepped in and made the decision for her- by taking her and her sister away from the Pride and moving to a desert.
Yep, that's when the teen angst kicked in.

     The starcrossed/forbidden romance thing between Jacinda and Will was steamy! (with the fire-breathing... ya'll know what I mean :) ). And oh man, can Sophie Jordan write some steamy scenes! Jacinda's connection with Will, how he "released the Draki from within" made it all the more crazier.

     Once I started reading, I could not put this book down and loved every minute of it. It never had a dull moment, Sophie Jordan did a fantastic job keeping the pace quick and engaging. I was fascinated by the Draki mythology and wanted to know more about the different types, and the different abilities each harnessed.

     It is a MUST-read, even with it's lusty scenes and the eye-rolling angsty moments. I give it 4/4 Mochis.

     
     Have you read Firelight? What were your thoughts on the novel?

Sunday Funday

    After my parents recently cleaned out their garage, they dumped off a giant, heavy cardboard box inside my house. After figuring it was all my old junk from my high school days, I ignored it for several days. Then one day when I was bored enough, a day much like today, I decided to open it up to see what was inside.

    I was right about the high school part, but it was definitively not junk (well, maybe to my parents and a few others, but hopefully not to YA readers). Lo and behold it was my old book collection! (Well, most of it anyway). I was so excited to see it, I promptly sat on the floor for the next few hours rifling through random pages of every book. 

Here is a picture of my favorite books series I started reading when I was thirteen and continued reading throughout high school. 

FEARLESS 

The first few books are.. erm, very well loved (the white covers didn't help). I loved picking them up and being transported back to the 90's (lots of fun pop-culture references). 

I'm missing a couple in the series so it's not complete :( I'll have to go back in my parent's garage and search for them. Hopefully I'll find the rest. You can also see how the cover art changed throughout the series.. (after book 12, the covers drastically changed)

Fearless has been re-released this year with a totally new look. Check it out: 

Fearless; Sam; Run (The first three books in the series) by Francine Pascal (Jan 31, 2012)

I also found my old Sweep collection. This one was complete and in better condition! 

They also re-released this series and combined the first three titles into one big book. Here's it's newest look:

So I was bored on a Sunday and thought it would be fun to share my old book collections :) Since I was in my office taking pictures, I couldn't resist sharing a few Mochi pics as well. 

Yep, It's a calendar! My boyfriend's mom made me a puppy calendar of Mochi for Christmas. I was in tears when she gave it to me, it was so sweet. 

These are all pics from the first day I took him home. He looks so different now! 

Okay, so now that I showed you all my nerdy possessions (i.e. old high school book collections, calendar of my dog), do you have any old books that you kept with you throughout the years? I would love to hear what you've read in the past... Maybe we have some in common. As you can see, my YA addiction started early so I wouldn't be surprised. If you have pics of your old books, I would LOVE to see them, feel free to post them here. 

Happy Reading! 

Feature & Follow

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read

This weeks question~ If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

                                          VERSUS

This is such a fantastic question. I would have to say Katniss Everdeen from Hunger Games versus Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy. Both of these characters are hard-core fighters and I have no idea who would win. I would guess Rose since she carries a stake and can decapitate Strigoi? But Katniss is pretty crafty with her bow & arrow ;)

Who do you think would win this fight? Also, post the link to your own F&F so I can follow! =)

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday  is a weekly meme, which is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.  

This week I selected: Until I Die by Amy Plum

Summary from Good Reads:

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

I am so excited for this book, It will be released May 8th. I LOVED Die For Me, the first novel in the Revenants series! Has anyone else read this series? If so, what did you think?

Musical Stories: If you could read a book about any song, which song would you love to see written down in story form?

TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads!

Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now


And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
And sooner or later it's over
I just don't wanna miss you tonight



And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am


And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive


And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Feature & Follow Question (hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read):

What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

      I'd have to say House of Night (I guess that's not really one book but a series). There are some enthralling scenes throughout the series... and the characters.... oh man. They sure are dynamic. Especially the relationships (Rephaim and Stevie Rae... Damien and Jack... Aphrodite and Erik/Darius... Zoey and Stark/Heath/Eric/Loren LOL), and I'd hope they'd tone down the tattoo thing because I could see that coming off as totally cheesy in a movie. But I love going on youtube and watching users choose their House of Night cast, if there were to ever be a movie or television series. But I'm not quite sure if a movie or TV series could live up to its greatness.

What book do you think would be hard to recreate into a movie or TV series? 

Waiting On Wednesday

       Waiting On Wednesday  is a weekly meme, which is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is my very first WOW pick! I'm sure this book has been repeatedly chosen for this meme, but I'll indulge you once more. 


I selected: (bum bum-da baa!!! drum roll, please...) 

Wake (Watersong Series, Book 1) - Amanda Hocking
Expected Publication date- August 2012.
Beautiful. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Thea, and Lexi have caught everyone's attention, including the eye of practical Harper. But it's her sister, Gemma, they've chosen to be part of their group.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma seems to have it all - carefree, pretty, and falling in love with the boy next door. But her greatest passion has always been the water. She craves late night swims under the stars, where she can be alone yet belong to the sea. Lately she's had company. Penn, Thea, and Lexi spend their nights dancing, singing, and partying on the cove--and one night Gemma joins them. When she wakes up groggy on the beach the next morning, she knows something has changed.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. As she uncovers the truth about her new mythical powers, Gemma is forced to choose between staying with those she loves or entering a dark world brimming with unimaginable secrets. -Posted by Amanda Hocking, source can be found here

Amanda Hocking is one of my favorite authors. I love love LOVE the Trylle series. 

                                     

So what ya waiting, what ya waiting, what ya waiting foooorrrr? (sorry, I got that Gwen Stefani stuck in my head after doing this post lol).  

So no, really- what are you waiting for? ;) 

"Peeta Has Croissants - Yellow" T-Shirts & Hoodies by 4everYA | RedBubble

"Peeta Has Croissants - Yellow" T-Shirts & Hoodies by 4everYA

I couldn't stop laughing when I saw this on http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/.
I might just have to buy this t-shirt... who's with me? ;)

Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

I can't say that I have... Maybe if the review was bad because the reader felt the book was just way too exciting and took all their time away. But if the reviewer said the book was slow, drawn-out, and boring, I would most likely not buy it. 

6 Reasons Why I'm Obsessed with Rose Hathaway

So I started reading the Vampire Academy series again... This is about my 4th go around. 
I know this series has been over for quite some time and Bloodlines is Richelle Mead's recent spin-off series, but for me, VA always lives on! 


I seriously adore the cast of characters Richelle Mead created in this series... My favorite of course being Rose!




So here are the 6 reasons of why I love Rose Hathaway:
 (Photo Credit: all the photos were purchased off Shutterstock)


1. She's altruistic






Rose always puts her friends before herself. In the series, she's constantly risking her life in order to save the ones she loves.


2. She's a true badass






Pretty much in every sense of the word.


3. She's impulsive






In my own life, I always tend to think things over carefully before I act- don't get my wrong, it's important to think things through before jumping head first. But I tend to over-analyze to the point where opportunities will pass by and regret will soon follow. I admire this character trait so much! Even though Rose's impulsive nature gets her into trouble throughout the entire series, she walks away with no regrets!


4. She's sexy- without even trying.






That takes some serious effort- but not for her!




5. She kicks major butt- literally.






Who doesn't love a kick ass heroine? Rose Hathaway is the epitome of girl power.




6. She's sassy.






That girl always has something to say, and it's not always proper or pleasant. Her constant witty banter Dimitri always makes me giggle.


So I ask you my VA readers, why do you love Rose Hathaway? I also love reading Rose quotes. Please post if you find any!


"There was no need to fake bitchy defiance. I had plenty of it to dish out."-Rose Hathaway (Richelle Mead)