Desires of the Dead Contest!!

Who is excited for Desires of the Dead, the sequel to The Body Finder? I definitely am! There is a huge contest happening at the author, Kimberly Derting's blog! Here is what the author had to say about her fantastic contest:

BIG FRICKIN' HUGE GINORMOUS DESIRES OF THE DEAD WIDGET CONTEST!!!


I really love this time of the year. Everyone is in a great mood, there’s so much anticipation of things to come, I can just feel the happiness in the air because as we all know… it’s Widget Time! Wait! What did you think I was going to say?

So, do you even know how many days there are until DESIRES OF THE DEAD hits stores???

No!? Well that’s because up until today there hasn’t been a DESIRES OF THE DEAD countdown widget.

Well, consider this is your lucky day, check out the fancy new widget in my sidebar...I'll wait...
See? Today is officially the 60 days mark. 60 DAYS!!!!

I know, I’m freaking out too!

Okay, so here’s the deal…we shouldn’t have to freak out alone. I think we should share this countdown burden, and I’m willing to offer you bribes to convince you of my (evil/genius/slightly deranged) plan.

First off, let’s call it a…giveaway, since bribe is such a back-alley word.


Now for the terms of this “giveaway”:


You’ll have 2 weeks to share this lovely countdown widget, on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, Woof…wherever you see fit. (Well, anyplace you can actually put a countdown widget, of course.) And, in return, I will give you points toward these fabulous, glittery prizes:


FIRST PRIZE: A signed ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD, a signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, and a complete Desires of the Dead swag pack (including a signed DotD poster, bookmarks, stickers, rubber bracelets, and buttons).

SECOND PRIZE: A signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, an ARC of UNEARTHLY, and a complete DotD swag pack.

THIRD PRIZE: An ARC of THROUGH HER EYES, a $15 gift card to the online bookseller of your choice, and a complete DotD swag pack.


I know…it’s insanity, right???


And here’s how easy I’m making it to EARN POINTS:

1) Earn one point just for being a follower and commenting in this post. How easy is that?!? (New followers welcome!)
2) Earn one more point for following The Body Finder Novels, the official fansite for TBF/DESIRES. (And, yes, you have to let me know here, so I know to count your point!).
3) Earn one extra point for Re-Tweeting/Facebooking (or any other status updating) the contest (but, again, add that point to your running tally!).
4) Earn one point for posting about the contest in your sidebar, and yet another for an entire post *about* the contest. That’s two extra points if you play your cards right! (And let me repeat…you must let me know that you’ve done these things, otherwise I won’t know to add your extra entries, cuz that’s how I roll.)
And that’s not all…because if you act now (I can’t believe I just said that!), there’s one more way you can earn bonus entries!!! This is the exciting part! Can you *feel* the excitement??
5) You can earn FIVE extra points just for posting The Body Finder widget on your blog/website/My Space/Facebook/whatever! Five. Extra. Points!!! (And not to beat a dead horse (I can’t believe I just said that either)…but please, for the love of everything that is good and holy, let me know so I can count those points too!) Note: Simply click the "Get Widget" button on the widget in my sidebar to copy the code...if you have trouble, email me and I'll send you the code!!!
It’s just that easy. Contest runs through December 31st, so get your entries together and spread the word. And the widget!
Oh, and leave me your email so I can get in touch if you win…that’s kind of important…
And get excited, people!
**International peeps welcome!!!

Film Friday: Alex Pettyfer

I have come up with my own meme, Film Friday. Every week I will talk about a movie that is being adapted from a book. I will update you with news of the upcoming film. However, for this week's Film Friday, I have decided to do something a little different. I am going to talk about actor, Alex Pettyfer!

The young model/actor is fairly new to the world of film. As the son of model mother and actor father, Alex is following in parent's footsteps. Alex attended boarding school in England until he graduated at sixteen, the same year he got his second major acting job. In 2005, the ridiculously handsome boy first played Tom Brown in the TV series, Tom Brown's School Days and went on to play Alex Rider in his first major movie, Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker the following year. After Alex Rider, he didn't do any acting until 2008. He played Freddie in Wild Child, a movie about a spoiled American girl (Emma Roberts), whose father sends her to an English boarding school. In 2009, his new film, Tormented came out and this year he made the modern Beauty and the Beast movie, Beastly. He is also working on two new projects which are coming out next year: Now and I Am Number Four, based on the book by Pittacus Lore.

I have never actually seen one of his movies, but I'm sure I will watch at least one of his upcoming projects. The novel, I Am Number Four came out recently, and I can't wait to read it! There are also a few movies that many people say he will play a part in, such as The Hunger Games movie and City of Bones movie.

Personally, he is not my favourite pick for Peeta. I have seen loads of posts, comments, chats about how people want him to play the lead boy. I can't see it though. I think of Peeta as this cute, nice, sensitive, young boy, and I just can't see that in Alex Pettyfer, no offence to him! The Hunger Games series is either my favourite series, or one of three, and I can't help but have strong opinions about the choice of actors. What do you think?

It just so happens that the other movie people have pegged him for is the first book in one of my other favourite series, City of Bones. The Mortal Instrument series is fantastic. It's full of strange creatures, romance, action. The romance between Jace and Clary is my favourite part! When I search City of Bones or Jace Wayland, almost the first thing I see is "Alex Pettyfer must play him!". At first I completely disagreed, but now I think I am more open to the idea. When I first heard people were saying he should be Jace, I was horrified, because in my mind, no one was good enough to play him. Now I have realized that they can't just leave the character blank, they have to choose someone to cast. The role of Clary has already been chosen. Lily Collins from The Blindside is going to play the lead character. I think the couple looks good, what do you think??

 

City of Fallen Angels Cover!!!

The cover of the fourth Mortal Instruments book, City of Fallen Angels, has now been released!! I can't wait until it comes out on April 5th! What do you think of the cover?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post where you share the books you can't wait to read! Check out the Waiting on Wednesday posts on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict! This week's Waiting on Wednesday post is Blood and Flowers by Penny Blubaugh!

Three years ago, Persia ran away from her drug-addict parents and found a home with the Outlaws, an underground theater troupe. With time, this motley band of mortals and fey, puppeteers and actors, becomes the loving family Persia never had, and soon Persia not only discovers a passion for theater but also falls in love with one of the other Outlaws. Life could not be more perfect.

Until an enemy makes an unfair accusation against the group and forces them to flee their world and hide in the neighboring realm of Faerie. But in Faerie, all is not flowers and rainbows. With bloodthirsty trolls, a hostile monarchy, and a dangerous code of magic, the fey world is far from the safe haven the Outlaws had hoped for....

Following up her critically acclaimed Serendipity Market, Penny Blubaugh has created a beautiful and mysterious world where anything can happen—especially what you least expect. (from Goodreads).

Update: City of Fallen Angels!!!

I can not tell you how excited I am for the upcoming Mortal Instruments book, City of Fallen Angels! I wanted to let everyone know that the new cover will be released tomorrow. If you click on the link below, it will take you to the website where the cover will be posted.

http://shelf-life.ew.com/

If you want to learn more about the new book, click HERE for my Waiting on Wednesday. For those of you who haven't read the others in the series, click HERE for my Teaser Tuesday for City of Bones, HERE for my review of City of Bones, HERE for my Teaser Tuesday for City of Ashes, HERE for my review of City of Ashes, HERE for my Teaser Tuesday of City of Glass and HERE for my Film Friday dedicated to the City of Bones Movie! I know, I post a lot about these books...they are too good not to share!!!

Film Friday: City of Bones

I have come up with my own meme, Film Friday. Every week I will talk about a movie that is being adapted from a book. I will update you with news of the upcoming film. This week's Film Friday is about the movie adaptation of the first novel in the Mortal Instruments series, City of Bones!

MOVIE UPDATE: It has recently been released that Lily Collins has been cast to play Clary Fray, the main character in the movie adaptation of City of Bones! I found out today and I am still not sure what I think. I can't imagine anyone in the world as Clary. I know my perception of her is different from everyone else's, so what do you think?

Lily Collins is a fairly new face in the movie world. She was in the highly acclaimed movie, The Blind Side, alongside Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. I must admit, I haven't seen the movie yet. Still, I can't imagine anyone as Clary! Although I'm not sure about her, I have to say, I like her with red hair in the pictures Cassandra Clare posted on her website. Click HERE to read her comments about the recent news.

There has been a lot of speculation that Jace will be played by Alex Pettyfer. It has also been said that he should play Peeta in The Hunger Games Movie. (Click HERE for the Film Friday for The Hunger Games). Personally, I would prefer a completely new and young person to play both of these characters, as they are two of my favourite male leads in books ever. I would be especially unhappy if Alex Pettyfer played both of them in the movies! Peeta and Jace are completely different characters, and even if Alex Pettyfer can act both of the parts, I can't imagine Peeta and Jace as the same person. In my mind, they look completely different. I picture Jace as a young and muscular boy, who is incredibly good looking! I hope I am not disappointed when the news of who is cast breaks.

I have also seen many posts about Darren Criss playing Alec. I have never seen him in Glee, but I can tell by looking at the pictures that he is not how I picture Alec. Simon will also be a tough one to get right, for me. He needs to be the perfect match for Clary's best friend, but the fact that he later turns into a vampire needs to be taken into account. Isabelle should be tall with long, dark hair...What is your opinion about the movie and the cast?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post where you share the books you can't wait to read! Check out the Waiting on Wednesday posts on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict! This week's Waiting on Wednesday post is dedicated to Midnight Sun, Edward's version of Twilight!!

My Thoughts:

I know we are a long way off getting Midnight Sun, but I can't wait! The cover hasn't been released yet, and maybe it hasn't even got a cover yet, so I made do with Twilight's cover. :) I don't know about you, but Edward is my favourite character from Twilight. I have read the postion Stephenie Meyer posted on her website several times and I can't get enough!
Click HERE for the portion of Midnight Sun that is posted online!!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a meme created by MizB at Should Be Reading and it's open to everyone! Here are the instructions from my affiliate, Amber at Reading Addict:


-Grab your current read.
-Open to a random page.
-Share a couple of “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

"Go home, Clary," he said. He sounded very tired, as if the effort of telling her how he really felt had drained him. "Go home."
All her plans evaporated--her half-formed hopes of rushing after Fell, saving her mother, even finding Luke--nothing mattered, no words came. She crossed to the door. Alec and Isabelle moved to let her pass. Neither of them would look at her; they looked away instead, their expressions shocked and embarrassed. Clary knew she probably ought to feel humiliated as well as angry, but she didn't. She just felt dead inside.

ARC Review: Haunted by Joy Preble

Title: Haunted (ARC)
Series: Dreaming Anastasia
Book #: Two
Author: Joy Preble
Pages: 320
Published: February1st, 2011
Reading Level: Young Adult

Anne Michaelson’s world turned upside down last fall when a handsome, blue-eyed and temporarily immortal Russian named Ethan informed her that she had a destiny to save the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, held captive for decades by the witch Baba Yaga. But Anastasia had her own thoughts about destiny. And Anne and Ethan discovered that some things aren’t so easily undone. Now, six months later, the craziness in Anne’s world hasn’t gone away. Neither have her feelings for Ethan. Anne still has powers she doesn’t fully understand. She’s still dreaming about Baba Yaga’s forest. And she’s got a new boyfriend – very normal and very sweet lifeguard, Ben Logan. As for Ethan, well, he hasn’t quite gotten over the events of last fall, either. And he definitely hasn’t gotten over Anne. In short, everyone’s haunted by something – or someone.


Enter the rusalka – a Russian folklore mermaid with a malevolent streak - and a particular interest in Anne. When Ethan suddenly returns from Europe, Anne’s world collides with the paranormal once again. Her heart torn between Ben and Ethan, Anne’s search for the rusalka’s identity reveals deep and startling secrets - including the true source of Anne’s powers.

Like Dreaming Anastasia, Haunted is a wild adventure of a tale, a genre blend of fantasy, folklore and romance

Review: Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

Title: Dreaming Anastasia

Series: Dreaming Anastasia

Book #: One

Author: Joy Preble

Pages: 310

Published: September 1st, 2009

Reading Level: Young Adult

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

In My Mailbox + Affiliate News

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. In My Mailbox is a list of the books I have bought, borrowed, or won from that week. I am also going to update you with what has been happening on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!
My affiliate, Amber Skye, is back from her trip and has caught up on her posts. This week, Amber posted an interview, two reviews, a WoW, and she participated in the Book Blogger Hop! Amber posted her fantastic interview with Kimberly Derting, which offers insight into her first novel, The Body Finder, and the sequel, Desires of the Dead!  She posted a Waiting on Wednesday for Abandon, the new Meg Cabot book! Amber also posted two reviews for ARC book, Water Wars by Cameron Stracher and Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Amber has been busy this week, check out her new posts at her blog, Reading Addict!!

In My Mailbox this week, I have bought zero books...how sad! Hopefully next week I will have bought some to share with you. :)

Crazy for Books: Book Blogger Hop!

Jennifer at Crazy for Books puts on an event every week called the Book Blogger Hop. This event connects a book blogger to other book blogger, and it seems fun! Anyone who has a book blog can enter if they primarily post about books. Click HERE to read more about it and enter the list. You do not have to enter the list every week, you can do it whenever you like. Every week that you enter, you have to answer a question from another participant.

Today's question is: What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?


My Answer: I have to say that there hasn't been a hyped up book I haven't enjoyed while it was hyped up. Also, I haven't had my blog long enough to review such a hyped up book. I did enjoy the books people had been excited for, such as Twilight, Harry Potter, and City of Bones, although read and liked most of those after the event.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post where you share the books you can't wait to read! Check out the Waiting on Wednesday posts on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!

About the Book:

City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.
“Love, blood, betrayal and revenge — the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels. Simon Lewis is having some trouble adjusting to his new life as a vampire, especially now that he hardly sees his best friend Clary, who is caught up in training to be a Shadowhunter—and spending time with her new boyfriend Jace. Not to mention that Simon doesn’t quite know how to handle the pressure of not-quite-dating two girls at once. What’s a daylight-loving vampire to do? Simon decides he needs a break and heads out of the city—only to discover that sinister events are following him. Realizing that the war they thought they’d won might not yet be over, Simon has to call on his Shadowhunter friends to save the day — if they can put their own splintering relationships on hold long enough to rise to the challenge.”

My Thoughts:
I can't wait until this book comes out!! I'm reading City of Glass at the moment and I never want the story to end! I could stay in the Shadowhunter's world with Jace for a very long time and never deviate from the Mortal Instruments series. It is that good. I can't believe I didn't want to read this series at first, and I am extremely relieved and excited that there are two books coming in the series after City of Glass! If you have read the first three books, pre-order your copy of City of Fallen Angels today!! If you haven't read any of the Mortal Instruments series, you are missing out!!

Sunday Sequels

Sunday Sequels is a meme created by Amber Skye at Reading Addict! Every Sunday I will make a post about a sequel I can't wait to read. This week's Sunday Sequel is Haunted by Joy Preble.

Anne Michaelson’s world turned upside down last fall when a handsome, blue-eyed and temporarily immortal Russian named Ethan informed her that she had a destiny to save the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, held captive for decades by the witch Baba Yaga. But Anastasia had her own thoughts about destiny. And Anne and Ethan discovered that some things aren’t so easily undone.

 Now, six months later, the craziness in Anne’s world hasn’t gone away. Neither have her feelings for Ethan. Anne still has powers she doesn’t fully understand. She’s still dreaming about Baba Yaga’s forest. And she’s got a new boyfriend – very normal and very sweet lifeguard, Ben Logan. As for Ethan, well, he hasn’t quite gotten over the events of last fall, either. And he definitely hasn’t gotten over Anne.

In short, everyone’s haunted by something – or someone.
Enter the rusalka – a Russian folklore mermaid with a malevolent streak - and a particular interest in Anne. When Ethan suddenly returns from Europe, Anne’s world collides with the paranormal once again. Her heart torn between Ben and Ethan, Anne’s search for the rusalka’s identity reveals deep and startling secrets - including the true source of Anne’s powers.

Like Dreaming Anastasia, HAUNTED is a wild adventure of a tale, a genre blend of fantasy, folklore and romance alternately narrated by both Anne and Ethan. As lives and fates intertwine and the romance heats up, so does the danger. “Stories within stories,” the rusalka tells Anne. “Secrets within secrets.” And as Baba Yaga frequently observes, nothing is as simple as it seems.

I am reading Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble at the moment. Dreaming Anastasia is the first in the series which is set to be a trilogy. Haunted is the second book, due out on February 1st, 2011. Although I haven't read much of the first, it seems like an intriguing story and I am interested in learning more. Luckily, I have been added to an ARC tour for the book. Haunted arrived this weekend, so I will be all steam ahead reading both books this week. I will hopefully have both reviews posted by next weekend also!

In My Mailbox + Affiliate News!

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. In My Mailbox is a list of the books I have bought, borrowed, or won from that week. I am also going to update you with what has been happening on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!


This week, my affiliate, Amber Skye, has been away for the past two weeks. She is back, but she has to catch up on her posts. Look out for new posts on her blog, Reading Addict!

In My Mailbox this week, I have five books and one on the way. I bought all six of them: Young Sherlock Holmes, Hunger Games (UK Version), The Book of Tomorrow, City of Glass, Dreaming Anastasia, and I pre-ordered City of the Fallen Angel (Book Four in the Mortal Instruments Series), the cover will be revealed next month!!
 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post where you share the books you can't wait to read! Check out the Waiting on Wednesday posts on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!

About the Book:

The narrator of this action adventure novel calls himself Number Four, but the three previous numbers have all been caught and killed. Each of these superhuman entities resembles we mere earthlings, but that resemblance conceals powers new to our weakling planet. Pittacus Lore's unconventional fantasy will cause you to look closely at suspicious strangers. Editor's recommendation.

My Thoughts:

This book looks great. It sounds like many other books I have loved such as The Hunger Games It also has the same feeling as The Maze Runner, which I have heard great things about. I am looking forward to reading I Am Number Four, I have great expectations for it!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a meme created by MizB at Should Be Reading and it's open to everyone! Here are the instructions from my affiliate, Amber at Reading Addict:


-Grab your current read.
-Open to a random page.
-Share a couple of “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

I'm going to run, I think. Or slap him. Or something.

 

Only then I look down at our hands.

 

Slowly, steadily, their color is changing. Ethan's hands and my hands are both radiating the same blue-white glow that my hand had at home last night. The color shifts to the sapphire hue of the sparks that flew from Ethan's fingers back at the park.

 

Destiny.

 

I have only read a few pages of this book, so far. I haven't really got into it yet, but this quote has made me more interested in reading it! Look out for my review soon!

Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes
Series: The Mortal Instruments
Book #: Two
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 485
Published: March 25th, 2008
Reading Level: Young Adult

As readers of series starter City of Bones already know, teenager Clary Fray is a Shadowhunter, a demon slayer who has the gift (?) of spotting Downworlder werewolves, vampires, and faeries. She is also an adolescent in an abnormally dysfunctional family: Her mom is in a magically induced coma and her father is probably insane and undoubtedly evil. All of which places Clary in situations that would challenge even the most talented average American girl.

Sunday Sequels

Sunday Sequels is a meme created by Amber Skye at Reading Addict! Every Sunday I will make a post about a sequel I can't wait to read. This week's Sunday Sequel is The Scorch Trials by James Dashner, the sequel to The Maze Runner.

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

My favourite book series is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I have heard from many people that The Maze Runner series is great for the fans of Hunger Games! I hope this is true, because after Mockingjay, the last book in the Hunger Games series, I need a new series to fill the void! :)

In My Mailbox + Affiliate News

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. In My Mailbox is a list of the books I have bought, borrowed, or won from that week. I am also going to update you with what has been happening on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!

This week, my affiliate, Amber Skye, has been away. She will be back next week, so look out for new posts on her blog, Reading Addict!
In My Mailbox this week, I have two books I won from A Good Addiction! I won an ARC copy of Scars by Cheryl Rainfield and a hardcover copy of Split by Swati Avasthi! I am so excited about these, especially because this was my first contest win! :)

About the Books:

Split by Swati Avasthi-

Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret.


He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.
At least so far.


Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split—how do you begin to live again? Readers won’t be able to put this intense page-turner down.

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield-

Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life. To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more. But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

Film Friday: Jane Eyre!

I have come up with my own meme, Film Friday. Every week I will talk about a movie that is being adapted from a book. I will update you with news of the upcoming film. This week's Film Friday is about the movie adaptation of the classic novel, Jane Eyre!

I am excited about this upcoming adaptation, because Jane Eyre is my favourite stand alone book. Jane Eyre mixes classic literature, mystery, romance and feminism in a plot about a young woman who becomes a teacher. This is another book that you must read if you haven't! I think everyone should read classics, even if some of them are boring! :) There have been many movies adaptations made from this novel, but I hope next year's movie will bring a fresh look to the old story. This movie is already finished and is due to be released on 11 March, 2011.

Little, mousy Jane is portrayed by Mia Wasikowska in this version. Although I liked her as Alice in the new version of Alice in Wonderland, I wasn't sure how she would be as Jane Eyre. After seeing the poster, I think Mia looks almost exactly like the Jane in my head. The hair and plain face work perfectly.

Have said that, I am not so sure about the guy who is playing Mr. Rochester. Yes, Mr. Rochester is older that Jane, but I don't like the choice. Mr. Rochester is being played by Michael Fassbender, who you may have seen as Stelios in 300. He hasn't been in many films, and even though it is nice to see a new face in the movie, it would also be nice to see a more handsome one...

About the Book:

Charlotte Bronte's impassioned novel is the love story of Jane Eyre, a plain yet spirited governess, and her arrogant, brooding Mr. Rochester. Published in 1847, under the pseudonym of Currer Bell, the book heralded a new kind of heroine—--one whose virtuous integrity, keen intellect and tireless perseverance broke through class barriers to win equal stature with the man she loved. Hailed by William Makepeace Thackeray as "the masterwork of great genius," Jane Eyre is still regarded, over a century later, as one of the finest novels in English literature. (from Goodreads.com)

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post where you share the books you can't wait to read! Check out the Waiting on Wednesday posts on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!

About the Book:

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.


Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.


Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

My Thoughts:

I am very excited to red this book because it sounds and looks great! I saw this for the first time on a blog, and the cover struck me. After looking up the synopsis, the book sounded fantastic too. Even though Across the Universe is not going to be released until January 11, 2011, I'm glad it isn't too long to wait.

Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesday is a meme created by MizB at Should Be Reading and it's open to everyone! Here are the instructions from my affiliate, Amber at Reading Addict:

-Grab your current read.
-Open to a random page.
-Share a couple of “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

As readers of series starter City of Bones already know, teenager Clary Fray is a Shadowhunter, a demon slayer who has the gift (?) of spotting Downworlder werewolves, vampires, and faeries. She is also an adolescent in an abnormally dysfunctional family: Her mom is in a magically induced coma and her father is probably insane and undoubtedly evil. All of which places Clary in situations that would challenge even the most talented average American girl.

If you haven't already read City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, you should go out and buy it now! I loved City of Bones, and so far, I am loving City of Ashes. Although the sequels to fantastic books usually aren't as good as their prequel, I am looking forward to finishing this book.

Sunday Sequels

Sunday Sequels is a meme created by Amber Skye at Reading Addict! Every Sunday I will make a post about a sequel I can't wait to read. This week's Sunday Sequel is about Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough.

The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. (from goodreads)

This book is due out the 1st of August, 2011. Although it isn't coming out for a while, I am still really excited for it! Both Once a Witch, the first in the series, and the sequel, Always a Witch look great. I have the first book, and I intend to read it very soon, so look out for my review! :)

In My Mailbox + Affiliate News!

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. In My Mailbox is a list of the books I have bought, borrowed, or won from that week.

Seeing as I didn't buy any books this week (shocking, I know!), I am just going to update you with what has been happening on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!

This week, Amber posted a Teaser Tuesday for her current read, Beautiful Darkness. Amber also posted a Waiting on Wednesday for a book that I can not wait to read, Bumped by Megan McCafferty and her latest review for Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford!

About the Books:

Beautiful Darkness-

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of  underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

 

Bumped-

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.
When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
 

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters-

 
The Sullivan sisters have a big problem. On Christmas Day their rich and imperious grandmother gathers the family and announces that she will soon die . . .and has cut the entire family out of her will. Since she is the source of almost all their income, this means they will soon be penniless.

Someone in the family has offended her deeply. If that person comes forward with a confession of her (or his) crime, submitted in writing to her lawyer by New Year's Day, she will reinstate the family in her will. Or at least consider it.

And so the confessions begin....

Film Friday: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

I have come up with my own meme, Film Friday. Every week I will talk about a movie that is being adapted from a book. I will update you with news of the upcoming film. This week's Film Friday is about the movie adaptation of the best selling novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!!

In honour of the premiere next week, I decided to do my Film Friday for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I know everyone who is interested has probably already looked up everthing they can, but I wanted to share my excitement. Also, I was about to type my Flim Friday and an advert came on the tv for the movie. I took it as a sign and started this post! I can't wait to see this. I have had my tickets for the midnight premiere for a few weeks. It's too bad that my friend and fellow blogger can't go with me (she'll be in Harry Potter World!!), but luckily I have many friends that are obsessed.

First of all, I have to say that they could not have cast better people for these movies, in my opinion. If you look at the illustrations in the books, Harry looks exactly like Daniel Radcliffe. I think Daniel Radcliffe is Harry Potter.

Although I don't think the movies are as good as the books, I still enjoy watching them. So far, I have enjoyed the second and fourth movies the most, but the seventh book is definitely my favourite. Hopefully it will live up to my expectations and become my favourite film as well as book.

*SPOILER ALERT!!*

I can't wait for the film, but there are still a few things I'm a little afraid to see:

• The scene where Voldemort's snake comes out of'the old woman and attacks Harry!- I think this scene will be really scary. It wasn't my favourite scene in the book, so I don't expect to enjoy watching it on the big screen.
• Dobby's death and burial- This was one of the saddest moments of the book, for me. The first time I read it, I think I cried! I don't usually cry, but the fact that Dobby was killed trying to save Harry was so sad.
• After the last battle when you can see the dead bodies- I couldn't believe Tonks, Lupin and Fred died!! Tonks and Lupin had just had a baby and Fred was George's other half!! Now there's less than one half of the twins (after George lost an ear).

There are also scenes that I am either extremely intrigued or excited to watch:

• Lily Potter's patronus appears in the woods- I can't wait to see the scene where "Lily" leads Harry to the sword.
•  Harry's parents as he walks to his death- Although there are other people with them, I am most excited for Harry's parents as they escort him to meet Voldmort in the Forbidden Forest.
• Snape's Death- This might sound a little mean, but I really want to see this scene. This is where Snape's character is truly revealed to Harry for the first time. I am also excited for the memories Harry takes from Snape's mouth after he dies.

What do you think about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Are you as excited for the film as I am?
Here is a trailer for the movie, which opens on November 19, 2010 and the synopsis of the book by JK Rowling! :)

About the Book:

Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles, and betrayals await in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that no fan will make it to the end unscathed. Luckily, Rowling has prepped loyal readers for the end of her series by doling out increasingly dark and dangerous tales of magic and mystery, shot through with lessons about honor and contempt, love and loss, and right and wrong. Fear not, you will find no spoilers in our review--to tell the plot would ruin the journey, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an odyssey the likes of which Rowling's fans have not yet seen, and are not likely to forget. But we would be remiss if we did not offer one small suggestion before you embark on your final adventure with Harry--bring plenty of tissues.


The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission--not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man--and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself. Attentive readers would do well to remember Dumbledore's warning about making the choice between "what is right and what is easy," and know that Rowling applies the same difficult principle to the conclusion of her series. While fans will find the answers to hotly speculated questions about Dumbledore, Snape, and you-know-who, it is a testament to Rowling's skill as a storyteller that even the most astute and careful reader will be taken by surprise.
A spectacular finish to a phenomenal series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a bittersweet read for fans. The journey is hard, filled with events both tragic and triumphant, the battlefield littered with the bodies of the dearest and despised, but the final chapter is as brilliant and blinding as a phoenix's flame, and fans and skeptics alike will emerge from the confines of the story with full but heavy hearts, giddy and grateful for the experience. --Daphne Durham (from goodreads)
 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post where you share the books you can't wait to read! Check out the Waiting on Wednesday posts on my affiliate, Amber Skye's blog, Reading Addict!

About the Book:

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 and 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:

What drew me to this book was the cover of the sequel, Torment. It isn't the usual way to come across a book, but the cover for Torment looked fantastic and I wanted to read it. Fallen sounds great! I am looking forward to reading a book that isn't the usual vampire book. It seems like everywhere you turn now, you see a knock off of the Twilight Saga. Although I love Twilight, I like that the author, Lauren Kate went with a fallen angel this time. What do you think?

Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesday is a meme created by MizB at Should Be Reading and it's open to everyone! Here are the instructions from my affiliate, Amber at Reading Addict:

-Grab your current read.
-Open to a random page.
-Share a couple of “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

"I don't want to be a man," said Jace. "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."

"Well," said Luke, "you're doing a fantastic job." - City of Ashes, page 45

I have just finished City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments series, and I can't wait to read City of Ashes! I loved Jace's dark sense of humour, and I am looking forward to it in the upcoming books. In City of Bones there was a huge shocker at the end. I am hoping there is a shock in City of Ashes, just not the same kind of shock...because it was upsetting. Read about City of Bones in my review HERE!

About the Book:

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation. (from Goodreads)

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones

Series: The Mortal Instruments

Book #: One

Author: Cassandra Clare

Pages: 485
Published: March 27th, 2007

Reading Level: Young Adult

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.