Book Review: Leaving Paradise

Title: Leaving Paradise
Series: Yes
Author(s): Simone Elkeles
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 303

Summary: Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares — has been canceled. 

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers. 

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other. 

My Thoughts: Oh. My. Gosh... I can't explain how shockingly great this book was. Simone Elkeles has a way with writing that is just... wow... I am sorry, and do give you advance warning that this book review may not contain one coherent thought or sentence due to the fact that I just finished it, and am in shock mode right now. There were just so many dark surprises with Maggie and Caleb's twisted relationship along with the combination of great duel perspective writing that make it hard to stop reading, and when I say dark surprises I am not joking! In the beginning I thought Caleb was a jerk for wanting his life back to normal but he was anything but a jerk. Maggie was emotional, sweet, and caring, and had a heart of gold. Luckily, in the end it turned out Caleb was the exact same way even though on the outside he seemed like a mean selfish monster. Their relationship was interesting, exiting, and crazy which made for a great plot line. One of my other favorite characters was Mrs. Reynolds she was official the best, and most stubborn old lady ever! Overall this book was impossible to put down with addictive writing, realistic characters, and crazy plot twists! (Sorry I have said that about ten times but I can not stress how crazy the twist was in the end!)

Overall Rating: 5/5

One word/phrase sum up: wow.... so good...

Top Ten of The Moment (7)

Top Ten of the Moment is a meme hosted by me! It is pretty self explanatory, just look at this weeks theme make a list of your top ten favorite, then grab your link and put it in the Mr. Linkey!
This weeks theme is: book quotes
If you don't know where to get quotes try here, and search for your favorite authors. Here is my list:

1. 
   
   "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." — J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
2. "The only way to survive eternity is to be able to appreciate each moment." Lauren Kate(Fallen)
3. 
   
   "It takes much bravery to stand up to our enemies but we need as much bravery to stand up to our friends." — J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
4. "Do I dazzle you?" — Stephenie Meyer (Twilight)
5. "Get to part B, Daniel. Think fast. Patience is a virtue, and you know how Cam feels about those." - Arriane" — Lauren Kate (Fallen)
6. "You smell good, too,” said Patch. "It’s called a shower.” I was staring straight ahead. When he didn’t answer, I turned sideways. “Soap. Shampoo. Hot water.” "Naked. I know the drill." — Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
7. "Keep in mind that people change, but the past doesn't." — Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
8. "Call me Patch. I mean it.Call me." — Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
9. "Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and completely useless. " — Aprilynne Pike (Wings)
10. "... driving at the speed limit--hideous thought." — Stephenie Meyer

I am addicted to quotes here is one more not from a book:

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." 

— Marilyn Monroe

Thanks I can't wait to see all your quotes! 

Book Review: Kiss Me, Kill Me

Title: Kiss Me, Kill Me
Series: yes but no official name...
Author(s): Lauren Henderson
Genre: YA fiction mystery
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 272

Summary:  When 16-year-old Scarlett Wakefield transfers from St. Tabby’s to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, she is relieved that no one knows her dark, haunting secret. A few months ago, Scarlett was invited to an elite party with a guest list full of the hottest names in British society, including Dan McAndrew. Before the party, Scarlett had only imagined what it would be like to have her first kiss with Dan, but on the penthouse terrace, Dan leaned in close and she no longer had to wonder. Their kiss was beautiful and perfect and magical, and then . . . Dan McAndrew took his last breath as she held him in her arms. No one knows how or why Dan died, and everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett had something to do with it. But now that she’s safely hidden away at Wakefield Hall, Scarlett would rather forget that it ever happened. Only she can’t. Especially when she receives an anonymous note that will set her on the path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.

My Thoughts:  In the beginning of this book I was drawn in to an exiting mystery, and a possibly great story, but as the book slowly unfolded the main character became self consumed in herself and her own problems, and the book has a slow transition from the great beginning to the exiting half completed ending which caused me to set it down for several weeks. In the end, which wasn't very official and left much unsaid,  most of the characters had about two emotions to them and no interesting background. Plus, there was only one sub-plot line that was as big as the plot line itself which caused it to seem like a predictable one track book. I must say overall it was a slow book with interesting chapters and slow sections. I will probably read the second one anyway because the writing was funny and entertaining at times. 

Overall Rating: 3/5

One word/phrase sum up: slow

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren! 

This week I got:

Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter (already finished review is here)

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer

Maximum Ride Five- Book Set by James Paterson(I also got one other book by this author I just don't know what...)

 

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen 

Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan

 

Betrayed by P.C, Cast and Kristen Cast

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready 

What's in your mailbox?

On My WIshlist

On My Wishlist is a meme hosted by Book Chick City! In her words it is: It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. 


Her is my wish list:

Torment
by Lauren Kate

How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

I have only mentioned this 1 million times now...)

Crescendo

by Becca Fitzpatrick

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Fallen Angel

by Feather Terrell 

The first book in a dark, edgy new angel series about a girl who finds herself forced to choose sides in the battle between fallen angels, even if that means going against the boy she loves.

When Ellie Faneuil first sees Michael Chase she feels an instantaneous connection. But she does not realize how much they have in common, including the ability fly and to see what others are thinking - not to mention a taste for blood. Reveling in their new powers and their growing feelings for each other, Ellie and Michael are determined to uncover what they are, and how they got this way ... together.
But the truth has repercussions neither could have imagined. Soon they find themselves center stage in an ancient conflict between fallen angels that threatens to destroy everything they love. And it is no longer clear whether Ellie and Michael will choose the same side.

In this electrifying novel Heather Terrell spins a gripping tale of soul-mates, supernatural powers and a truth that will change Ellie and Michael‘s world forever.

(Are you getting a theme here... )

Kiss Me Deadly

by Various Authors 

Full of dark seduction and modern romance, this short story collection presents a variety of talented voices sure to satisfy every werewolf, ghost, fallen angel, zombie, and shape-shifter’s dark desires.

Anyway that is my list... what are you wishing for?

Book Review: Only the Good Spy Young

Title: Only the Good Spy Young
Series: Gallagher Girl Series
Author(s): Ally Carter
Genre: Fiction(???I think??)
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 240

Summary:   When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when she faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart. 

In this fourth installment of the New York Times best-selling series, the Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie’s future may lie deep in the past....

My Thoughts: I love Ally Carter's teenage type writing that shows the emotions raw, and fresh. Although in the beginning I found things painfully annoying because I did not know ever detail I soon grew accustom to the crazy surprises that roam on every page. I found that the middle, and end were to die for with an intensity that can only be found in a story with hormonal teenage spy girls being hunted by macho bad guys! The characters were as usual extreme in there ways but likable in a weird way...  and Zach was.... mysterious.... protective....HOT! I think I will add spy to my long bucket list of book characters I need to date(he will be behind many vampires, werewolves, and angels though)! The one thing I really do have to dwell on once again is the fact that like Cammie you can never know all the secrets. I like to have my facts laid on the table so the fact that people acknowledged she did not know large secrets that her life depended on!  It was overly annoying! Other than that it is a slow beginning with great writing that boils up to a fast past intense story with a funny heroine who is lucky enough to have a slightly annoying mysterious aura!

Overall Rating: 4/5

One word/phrase sum up: Intense

Look at what just read

The following makes me happy, and is copied from Aprilynne Pike's blog:



And what am I working on? Wings Book Four.


OMG!!


No really! I am writing the last book of the series. I'm over fifty pages in, actually. It's a little weird. I've had this book in my head for about three and a half years now, and I wrote out my outline a couple weeks ago. The whole story. Every single important piece of it. I admit it was a little weird to see all the secrets I've been keeping, laid out in a word document. (The only non-publishing team person who knows what happens at the end of this series is my husband. Even my mother does not know . . . so don't ask.:D) It felt like I was cheating. Or revealing state secrets, or something.


So do I get to The End and then I'm done writing?


Absolutely not! I've had a lot of questions about what comes after Wings and my answer has generally been, "Something, but I just can't think that far ahead right now." Turns out it's about time to start thinking that far ahead! The Wings series has been an incredibly passionate, career-altering experience for me, but trust me, I'm not done yet. So here's a little sneak preview of what you can expect from me over the next . . . oh . . . five years (assuming, of course, that Harper still likes me when the Wings series is over.:D)


I have a non-Wings stand-alone tentatively slated to come out between Wings Books 3 and 4 about a human guy named Jeff. I'm still working through the plot of a series about a magical human girl named Candace, and I am about a third of the way through another stand-alone about a semi-human girl named Haley. More long term, I have a series and a duo that are doing some long-term simmering on the back burner. So yeah, you haven't seen the last of me, mwahahahahahaha!!!!


But for now, I am dictating the final fates of Laurel, David, and Tamani. Hehehehe.






Additional comment from me: Isn't that exiting!!!! 

Summer Break Reading Challenge #10

For Summer Break Reading Challenge #10 you have to:

1 – Go to “Fake Name Generator” or clickhttp://www.fakenamegenerator.com/

The name that appears is your author name.

2 – Go to “Random Word Generator” or clickhttp://www.websitestyle.com/parser/randomword.shtml

The word listed under “Random Verb” is your title.

3 – Go to “FlickrCC” or click http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/index.php

Type your title into the search box. The first photo that contains a person is your cover.

4 – Use Picnik, or something similar to put it all together. Be sure to crop and/or zoom in.

In terms of the activity for the Reading Challenge, I’m asking the participants to create the cover and write a short synopsis to go along with it.  

Here is mine:

Heave by Delores R. Major

Tyler never thought he would see. Blinded at four he has spent most of his life seeing only flashes occasionally. Then one night changes everything. He can see, but he doesn't like what he has seen because he was the sole witness to a dangerous murder. Along with that he know sees flashes of the girl who died as she tries to seek justice, along with many others who want to avenge there killer. 

Now Tyler has a choice he can tell what he knows or try to ignore the ghosts' wishes and the wishes of Alice the beautiful girl who is going to be the serial killers next victim.... 

I know it was quit cheesy but the photo didn't really give me much help...

Top Ten of The Moment (6)

Top Ten of the Moment is a meme hosted by me where you list your top ten favorite of the week's subject....


This week on Top Ten of the Moment the theme will be: Best Covers Ever!!!

1. Fallen by Lauren Kate


This cover is fantastic with its dark depressing edge it makes me want to read it so bad!

2. The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

This cover is better than The Dark Divines in my opinion because there is something about the blue that really makes it stand out!

3. Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Even though the girl is kind of weird I love the roses under her, and how they look against her dress.

4. Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting 

Even though I haven't read the Body Finder yet (I was going to but I lent it to a friend who left with it on a 6 week vacation!!) this cover is intriguing and I will have to read this series!

5. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting 

Again I know I haven't read this book but look at the cover it is just so pretty the flower is captivating, and delicate, and dark all at once making me want to read it!

6. Spells by Aprilynne Pike

This cover is beautiful, and even though I have no clue how it fits the book it is still very pretty but unlike most covers I love it is not depressing!

7. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

This used to be my favorite cover but I still love it. The burst of light from the sky on the dark wings and sark clouds below is genius! 

8. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

I loved this book, and the simple beach reflects it perfectly it is just a happy nice cover!

9. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen 

Something is just simply perfect, and thoughtful about this book which was my favorite Sarah Dessen!!! The flower is just simply amazing. It is just another happy cover!

10. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer


This is my favorite Twilight series cover, and I love it. The apple is supposed to represent the forbidden fruit....










Anyway those are my favorite covers so grab yours and put you link in the linkey tool! If you can't do that(it doesn't seem to be functioning properly!) then put it in the comments!

Movie Review: I Know What You Did Last Summer

I watched my first scary movie ever! I know what you did last summer was a great movie that was crazily scary, and made me want to scream, and scream, and scream.... which I did. The one complaint I have on the entire movie was that it had a scooby doo feel because two of the four main characters were actually in the real life scooby doo movie! Other than that it was a very good mysterious unpredictable horror movie!

Just a warning

I'm currently in the process of making many blog changes so if you are commenting and the background changes don't panic!

Also I wanted to credit where I pulled my photo from: I got the photo used in my new header from here!

Thanks!

Edit: I think I'm done for now but I still will keep this post up to credit the picture.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!!!

This week I'm waiting for:

Torment 

by Lauren Kate

Release date: September 28th

How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

Doesn't that just sound heartbreakingly good!


I am also waiting for:
The Thirteenth Chime
by Emma Michaels
Release date: August 13th

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.


In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.


The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.


With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago. 


Hatred never dies.

50k in 50 days update

I figured out how I will update this. In 100 hand written pages I will hit around 25,000 so on day number 25 I will update to see if I have hit 100 hand written pages!




Thanks!

Book Review: Go Ask Alice

Title: Go Ask Alice
Series: no
Author(s): Anonymous
Genre:  Auto- Biography 
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 214

Summary: This groundbreaking classic is more compelling than ever for today's readers. A sensation when it was first published and a perennial bestseller ever since, this real-life diary charts an anonymous teenage girl's struggle with the seductive--and often fatal--world of drugs.


My Thoughts: I think every high school should turn this into a required reading. Every high school in America. You know why? Because every school has its drug users. I will never do drugs, I haven't ever thought of it as in option. Never. Ever. But, it was the same way with the main character, she knew they were bad but she didn't stop after she unknowingly took them, and that was one of the worst parts. She could never stop even after she was heartbroken, and hungover she kept using them or they came back and haunted her making it impossible not to. Although I feel it would have been better written as a story because the lack of dialogue made it weird, and hard to immediately get into, but at the same time knowing this was a real story made it easier to access. I really liked Alice (I assume that was her name they never said) at times when she was going to come clean, but I also hated her when she got addicted and did dump, stupid stuff to get high. It made me want to through my book towards a wall because it was so dump, and stupid!!! Regardless of the lack of dialogue, which was the only problem I had with the entire book, I really liked the story it taught me, and still think every high schooler or more like every person in the world should read this to make sure they know not to get into drugs because of the nasty effects because I know to never never never do drugs, steroids, prescription pills, etc. but some people don't know that and some people, like Alice, do them any way. 

Overall Rating: 4/5

One word/phrase sum up: Educational 

Book Review: The Dark Divine

Title: The Dark Divine
Series: yes...  don't see how though
Author(s): Bree Despain
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 372

Summary: A Prodigal Son 

A Dangerous Love
A Deadly Secret
Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappearedand her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.
Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother. 

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.  

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book but I didn't love every moment of it. There were some parts that were dark, and exiting, and caused me to grab the edge of the page in fear for the next moment, but there were other moments where the book just seemed dull. The exiting parts were probably when Daniel and Grace were somewhere alone, or chasing for something. The parts that were rather boring was when he described what he was. It followed a legend exactly, and didn't really have any new twist to it. That was my only real issue with the book was it followed legend so much it lost its shock. Other than that it was an exiting romance, and book filled with great characters.

Overall Rating: 4/5

One word/phrase sum up: Predictable 

What I'll be Doing for the Next Week!

I'll be gone for a week reading, writing, and relaxing! I'm heading out to the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan with my entire family(extended to there are going to be about 15 people there!)


Before I go I want to recap some key things I won't be able to blog about:

• Sarah at Confessions of the Un- Published is hosting her 50k in 50 days challenge, and I will be doing that even though I won't be able to update until about 8 days or so in!
• I also won't be able to post my weekly meme called Top Ten of the Moment
• I should be reading a couple of books so once I come back expect a flow of reviews!!!!!!!

Thanks, and see you in a week with pretty pictures of a the sunsets!!

Book Review: Fallen

Title: Fallen
Series: Yes
Author(s): Lauren Kate
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Delacorte Press 
Pages: 452


Summary: There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move. Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.


My Thoughts: In the beginning of this book despite the fact that I loved the writing, characters, and settings I was afraid that Luce would jump out of the pages and stalk me in the creepy way she loved Daniel, but soon I to fell victim to his charm, and good looks. The book started out slow with lots of complaining from the main character. Luckily it slowly rolled on then developed in to a full on dark mysterious story that kept me hanging onto every small detail. 


SPOILER ALERT ANYTHING IN RED IS A SPOILER!
Wow I really loved Daniel but at the same time Cam was really something! The epilogue gave me chills about what could happen next, and I can't wait for the next one because I really want to know why Cam wants her!
SPOILER ENDS


Overall this book was a great book (written in 3rd person which I love!) with a set of funny mixed up characters who all added up to a dark exiting story with a great love triangle, and I can't wait for Torment to come out!


Overall Rating: 5/5


One word/phrase sum up: exiting