In My Mailbox 72

This meme was started by the fabulous Kristi who was inspired by Alea. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets.

For review:

Crashed - Robin Wasserman

Lia Kahn was a lot of things before the accident…She was happy. She was normal, alive…and human. But Lia no longer believes in before. She has finally accepted her new reality as a machine, a “mech”. Lia now lives a wild and carefree life, without rules and without fear. Because there’s nothing to fear when you have nothing left to lose.

But when a voice from her past cries out for revenge, everything changes and Lia is forced to choose between her old life and her new one. How many people - mechs and human - is Lia willing to hurt to protect her freedom? And how far is she willing to go to protect the people she loves?

Thanks to S&S for this. I loved the first book.

Sing Me to Sleep - Angela Morisson (ARC)

Beth has always been “The Beast” - that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Who could love a beast? Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scoot. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover of a lifetime. Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of Beth.

Things only get better when her choir travels to Switzerland and Beth meets the mysterious Derek. They have an incredible whirlwind affair that makes Beth realise, for the first time, she too can find love. She’s no longer The Beast. In Derek’s eyes, she’s beauty. But then Scott makes a heartbreaking confession to Beth that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scoot of follow her dangerous, passionate feelings she has for Derek?

And there’s and even bigger problem: Derek’s got a secret…one that could shatter everything.

After Jo’s raving of this book I was dying to read it, so thank you to Angela for sending me a copy.

The Poisoned House - Michael Ford

Abi is a servant at Greave hall, a stately London home. She runs away, but is soon recaptured, to suffer once more under the tyrannical rule of Mrs Cotton, the housekeeper. The house, though, has a darker secret. Something ghostly inhabits the corridors, leading Abi to the very truth someone has tried so hard to bury. The more she discovers, the more her life is in danger, as she begins to unravel the mystery within the poisoned house.

A gripping and masterfully woven story of intrigue, passion and greed.

Thanks to Bloomsbury for this.

Gift:

From the fabulous Nancy. Thank you!

The Replacement - Brenna Romanoff (ARC)

Mackie Doyle is the replacement.

Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement - left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with an oddly intriguing girl called Tate. But when Tate’s baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Edward Scissorhands meets Catcher in the Rye in this wildly imaginative and frighteningly beautiful novel about an unusual boy and his search for a place to belong.

Raised by Wolves - Jennifer Lynn Barnes (ARC)

Pack life is about order, but Bryn is about to push all the limits with hair-raising results.

At the age of four, Bryn watched a rogue werewolf brutally murder her parents. Alone in the world, she was rescued and taken in by Callum, the alpha of his pack. Now fifteen, Bryn’s been raised as a human among werewolves, adhering to pack rule (mostly). Little fazes her.

But the pack’s been keeping a secret, and when Bryn goes exploring against Callum’s orders, she finds Chase, a newly turned teen Were locked in a cage. Terrifying memories of the attack on her mom and dad come flooding back. Bryn needs answer, and she needs Chase to get them. Sudden, all allegiances to the pack no longer matter. It’s Bryn and Chase against the werewolf world, whatever the consequences.

An exciting new paranormal adventure, with a heroine who rivals Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Raised by Wolves will leave you howling for more.

Sophie

Blog Tour: PC Cast Interview

PC Cast is the hugely successful author of the Goddess Summoning series, the Divine series, the Parthalon series and her YA series, House of Night, which is co-written with her daughter Kristin. Her latest novel, The Avenger, is published by Mills and Boone's new imprint, Nocturne.

1. What character in The Avenger did you enjoy writing the most and why?
I loved bringing Boudicca alive again because I’m intrigued by that time in history, especially regarding the leadership role of women then. And Boudicca was such a vibrant, strong character – she was a pleasure to write!

2. All of your books have mythological roots. What is it about myths and legends that fascinate you so much?
I think you can tell a lot about a people by listening to their myths. Also, I think history is a lot more fun when you delve into mythology instead of boring text books!

3. If you were a time raider, which period in history would you most like to travel back to?

Can I take penicillin and a gun?

I know it’s not ancient history, but I’d like very much to have been alive during WWII.

4. Are there any mythical elements that you'd like to tackle in future books?

Absolutely! Robin Hood, Aida, Dracula’s Mina, and I’d like to bring alive some of the ancient Japanese myths.

5.You seem to write about very strong heroines. Is this portrayal of women very important to you?
Yes. One of my main goals in my writing is to celebrate the intelligence and power of today’s women, and to empower them to listen to their intuition and follow paths that lead to health, happiness, and fulfilment.




Thanks so much, PC! You can find out more about PC and her books at her website.

Sophie

The Other Countess - Eve Edwards

The Other Countess - Eve Edwards

Pages: 333 (ARC)
Publisher: Puffin/Penguin
Release Date: 1st July 2010

Romance. Deception. Destiny.

A brand-new historical fiction series to captivate Philippa Gregory fans and leave teenage girls swooning…

England, 1582

Ellie - Lady Eleanor Rodriguez of San Jaime - is in possession of a worthless title and a feisty spirit that captivates the elite of the Queen’s court, and none more so than the handsome new Earl of Dorset…

William Lacey has inherited his father’s title and his financial ruin. Now the earl must seek a wealthy heiress and restore his family’s fortune.

Will’s head has been turned by the gorgeous Ellie, yet their union can never be. Will is destined to marry a lady worthy of his status, so the only question is - which one…?

Historical fiction is a little hit and miss with me, but The Other Countess was definitely a hit. I loved it!

One of the reasons that I agreed to review this book was to try and fill the hole that the ending of Anna Godbersen’s The Luxe series left. And, boy did it! The mix of a historical setting, a lovable heroine and fabulous romance swept me up and carried me back to 1582. This is without a doubt a novel for the romantics (i.e. Me) with Ellie and Will’s doomed love and Will himself with his family loyalty and chivalrous acts. Sigh. But they were also intellectually matched and shared brilliantly witty banter.

Eve Edwards clearly did her research before beginning this novel. The Other Countess is packed with intricate details of life in Elizabethan England. The outfits for men and woman of all status’ were beautifully described, the rigid customs were observed and the religious instability of the country at this time made a large contribution to the story. All the threats to the Queen from the Spanish and Catholics were also a part of Ellie’s story.

Though I loved The Other Countess, it was also agony to read. All of the characters fell in love with the wrong person who were highly unlikely to be as a couple in society at this time. Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting a satisfying ending, or a happy one. But telling you whether I was satisfied with the ending or not would give far too much away…

I loved The Other Countess and I can’t wait for book two, The Queen's Lady. I have a feeling that this is going to be a favourite series of mine.

For my 2010 Debut Author Challenge, 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Sophie

Withering Tights - Louise Rennison

Withering Tights - Louise Rennison

Pages: 351
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: 8th July 2010

Other Titles by this Author: Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging; It’s OK, I’m Wearing Really Big Knickers!, Knocked Out by my Nunga-Nungas; Dancing in my Nuddy Pants; ‘…and that’s when it fell off in my hand.’; ‘…then he ate my boy entrancers.’; ‘…startled by his furry shorts!’; ‘Luuurve is a many trousered thing…’; ‘Stop in the name of pants!’; ‘Are these my basoomas I see before me?’

I was in the barn showing Ruby my comedy version of Irish dancing. Suddenly, mid-leap, the best-looking boy I have ever seen came in.
    He smiled at me and said, “Er…hello, I’m Alex, Ruby’s brother.”
    Ruby tutted and said, “She’s called Tallulah and she goes to that Dother Hall. Tha’ knows, the bonkers hall.”
    I said, “Hahhaha. Hiddly diddly diddly diddle…” And started dancing again.
    Alex had everything a dream boy should have. Back, front, sides. A head.

    He said, “That’s a cool name.”
    He said nothing against my knees.
    Granted, he couldn’t see my knees, but he probably got the picture. Today I have had more boy action than I have had in 14 ½ years of life. I LOVE Yorkshire. I do.

You know what it’s like when you have your first snog, and it feels like a tiny bat in barging around in your mouth? Of course you do. So you will love Tallulah Casey as she careers about in her tights. She’s your kind of mate.

The first book in Louise Rennison’s new series has a lot to live up to and although it didn’t quite reach the standards of The Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Louise Rennison really is a comedy genius. She has a gift for creating madcap families and crazy friends to accompany her equally mad heroines. In Withering Tights we meet Flossie, Ruby, Honey, Vaisey and Jo who all go to Dother Hall with Tallulah. I have to admit that although Withering Tights is funnier than most novels, it wasn’t quite as funny as I wanted and expected it to be. There were a few moments that had me shaking with laughter, though.

As ever with Louise Rennison’s novels, there are bucket-loads of boy troubles. And what an array of boy for Tallulah and the girls to choose from! As Georgia’s cousin, choosing her favourite wasn’t easy, but I already know which one I like the most. Their distinct personalities and hilarious Yorkshire dialects really set each guy apart so I’m predicting a tumultuous journey for Tallulah throughout the series.

I really loved Withering Tights (and it’s cover) and I’m looking forward to reading more of Tallulah’s adventures at Dother Hall.

For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Sophie

In My Mailbox 71

This meme was started by the fabulous Kristi who was inspired by Alea. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets.

For review:

Fade - Lisa McMann

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody’s talking. When Janie taps into a classmates violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open - but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie’s in way over her head, and Cabe’s shocking behaviour has grave consequences for them both.

And if that isn’t bad enough, Janie has discovered Martha Stubin’s journals, and what she learns through them chills her to the bone. Not only is her fate as a Dream Catcher sealed, but what’s to come is so much darker than she’d ever feared…

Thanks to S&S. I didn’t love the first book but I’m more than willing to give this a shot.

Dark Life - Kat Falls

Beware the deep.

When the oceans rose, entire continents were swallowed up by the rising water. Now humans live packed into high rises on small tracts of land, while those willing to forge new frontiers settle deep on the ocean floor.

Ty has lived under the sea his entire life, helping his family to farm the ocean floor. But when outlaws attack, Ty finds himself in a fight to save the only home he has ever known. Joined by Gemma, a girl from Topside who is looking for her missing brother, Ty ventures into the frontier’s rough underworld - and discovers some very dark secrets. Secrets which threaten to destroy everything…

Thanks again to S&S. I loved this book so much! You can read my review here.

100% Gleek: The Unofficial Guide to Glee - Evie Parker

O.M. Glee!

Calling all gleeks!

Are you a fan of the all-singing, all-dancing hit TV show? Then this unofficial guide is the must-have read for you.

Packed with behind the scenes facts, set gossip, episode guides and full colour photos, it’ll have you singing and dancing with, well…glee!

So, don’t stop believing’, get your gleek on and let your true colours shine - they say you can’t always get what you want, but this guide will get you pretty darn near! Oh yeah.

A fabulous surprise from Bantam Books/Random House. I love Glee!

Time Raiders: The Avenger - PC Cast

“You are about to enter a place of power, a place beyond imagining.”

Alex thought communicating with the dead was the worst of her troubles. She couldn’t have been more wrong!

She’s just been sent to 60 AD by a secret army unit to recove missing pieces if a medallion that could change the world.

Alex must use her gifts to entice Druid Caradoc into helping her. Yet soon she’s torn between duty and the man who’s been haunting her dreams. Returning to the present is the noble thing to do, but her heart tells her to stay in this enticing new world of goddesses and warriors.

From Midas Public Relations. I’ve never read adult PNR before so I’m quite looking forward to it!

Loving Spirit - Linda Chapman

Ellie has lost her parents, her home in New Zealand and everything she knows. Now she must live in England with a family who are more like strangers.

Life on her Uncle Len’s horse farm seems so lonely - until Ellie meets Spirit. She’s never seen the grey horse before, but she has the strangest feeling they’ve always known each other.

Like Ellie, Spirit is alone in the world, and they form an intense bond. And as the weeks go by, Spirit helps Ellie to discover an incredible talent that changes both their lives together.

Thanks to Puffin for this. This isn’t my usual thing, but I’m intrigued.

Troy High - Shana Norris

Homer’s Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High. Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena—who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders—transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie’s brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten.

The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans’ wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans’ offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school.

Troy High will seduce readers with its incendiary cast of mythic proportions.

Thanks to Abrams Books for this.

Troubadour - Mary Hoffman

‘The very stones of the castle glowed red…’

Elinor is in love with Bertran, a troubadour. But her parents will not hear of the match and Elinor is to be married to an elderly nobleman. Fearing the prospect of an unhappy and loveless marriage, she flees her castle to find Bertran, unaware that southern France is on the eve of a terrible war…

An epic and action-packed tale of war and romance from the acclaimed Mary Hoffman.

Thanks to Bloomsbury.

From the S&S event:

Rules of Attraction - Simone Elkeles

Carlos Fuentes isn’t happy about leaving Mexico to start the “new” life his ikder brother, Alex, has planned for him. Carlos liked his freedom; living life on the edge and carving out his own path - just like Alex did.

Kiara Westford doesn’t talk much; preferring instead to shut the world out. And whne Carlos bounds into her life she struggles to understand him and his wild ways. Carlos is sure that Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, which is just fine because he’s not interested anyway, right? But when they finally open up to each other, the connection they feel shocks them both. Can they overcome their fears and realise that sometimes opposites really do attract?

Squee!!! X1000

Of Saints and Shadows - Christopher Golden

Book one of The Shadow Saga - an epic tale of vampires, sorcery and war.

Armed with an ancient book called The Gospel of Shadows, a secret sect has been slowly destroying vampires for centuries. Now the book has been stolen, and the sect races to retrieve it before their purpose is discovered: a final purge of all vampires. As the line between saints and shadows grows ominously faint, private eye Peter Octavian is drawn into the search. And he’ll do anything to find the book…for Peter Octavian is also a vampire.

In a deadly game with a driven, sadistic assassin, the trail leads to Venice at the time of the carnival, where the Defiant Ones are engaged in a savage battle for their lives. Filled with plot twists, mystery, sex and violent death, Of Saints and Shadows is a gripping visceral thriller which opens the door to the world of The Shadow Saga.

Because Jenny told me to.

Daughters of Fortune - Tara Hyland

William Melville’s daughters are heiresses to the world’s most exclusive fashion dynasty. Beautiful and rich, they are envied by all. But behind the glittering façade of their lives, each girl hides a dark secret that threatens to tear their family apart.

Smart, ambitious Elizabeth knows how to manipulate every man she meets, except the one who counts: her father.

Gentle, naïve Caitlin, the illegitimate child, struggling to fit into a world of privilege while staying true to herself.

Stunning, spoilt Amber, the party girl with a weakness for bad boys; more fragile than anyone realises.

As each of them seeks to carve out her own destiny, Elizabeth, Caitlin and Amber face difficult choices, which will take them in wildly different directions. But as old wounds resurface, and threaten to destroy the foundations of the Melville empire, their paths will cross again. Because the simple truth is that, no matter how far you go, you cannot escape the claims of family.

All the S&S ladies were raving about this one.

I also picked up a copy of Pictures of Lily by Paige Toon for a friend and A Summer Fling by Milly Johnson and Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner for my mum.

Bought:

The Dark Divine - Bree Despain

True love’s first kill.

Daniel looked up at me. His dark eyes searched my face. There was something different about those too-familiar eyes. Maybe it was the way the orange light from the streetlamp illuminated his pupils. Maybe it was the way he stared without blinking. His eyes made him look…hungry.

I’ve heard mixed things about this, but I’m really looking forward to it.

Sophie