In My Mailbox 70

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:

Low Red Moon - Ivy Devlin (ARC)

Her parents are dead. She can’t remember what happened. And now she’s in love with the most dangerous creature in the forest.

The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver - deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can’t, and there’s nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together.

Then Avery meets the new boy in school - Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she’s ever experienced. Ben is a werewolf, but Avery trusts him - at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash an inhuman silver. And she learns that she’s not the only one who can’t remember the night her parents died.

Part murder mystery, part grief narrative, and part heart-stopping , headlong, romance, Low Red Moon is a must-read for teen paranormal fans. A powerful YA voice makes her paranormal debut ith this breathless, spooky novel - a book to be devoured.

I got this as part of Sarah’s blog tour.

Halo - Alexandra Adornetto (ARC)

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone - especially herself - from the Dark Forces.

Is love a great enough power against evil?

Yay! So excited! A huge thanks to Fiewel and Friends/Macmillan US.

Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver

They say to live every day as if it’s your last - but you never actually think it’s going to be. You always think you’ll have more time.

That’s what I thought. But I was wrong.

The thing is, you don’t get to know when it happens. You don’t remember to tell your family that you love them or - in my case - remember to say goodbye to them at all.

What if, like me, you could live out your last day over again? Could you make it perfect? If your whole life flashed before your eyes, would you have any regrets? Are there things you’d want to change?

A surprise paperback copy from Hodder & Stoughton. You can see my review here.

Cathy’s Ring - Sean Stewart; Jordan Weisman; Cathy Brigg

You only live twice.

My rich boyfriend, Victor, is broke. My potential other boyfriend, Denny, is broken. There are creepy guys stalking my best friend. And there are three dead bodies underneath my window. All I have left is my sketchbook, a variety pack of lip gloss in Assorted Candy Flavours and a healthy dose of fear.

Thanks to Bloomsbury. I haven’t read the first two books, but I love the idea of this series.

Gift:

Matched - Ally Condie (ARC)

Society matched them, but love set them free.
In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one…until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Khy, between the only life she’s ever known and a path no one else has ever dared foloow - between perfection and passion.

Matched is a story for right now and story with the resonance of a classic.

A huge thank you to Nancy who also sent me some bookmarks and the sweetest note. Thank you!

Bought:

Withering Tights - Louise Rennison

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.

I love Louise Rennison’s books with all of my heart so all there is to say is: YAY!

Picture of Lily - Paige Toon

‘Will you marry me?’

I think of you, then. I think of you everyday. But usually in the quietest part of the morning, or the darkest part of the night. Not when my boyfriend of two years has just proposed. I look up at Richard with his hopeful eyes.

‘Lily?’ he prompts.

It’s been ten years, but it feels like only yesterday that you left. How can I say yes to Richard with all my heart when most of it has always belonged to you? I take a deep breath and will myself to speak…

Ten years ago when Lily was just sixteen, she fell in love with someone she really shouldn’t have fallen in love with. Now, living in Sydney and engaged to another man, she can’t forget the one that got away. Then her past comes back to haunt her, and she has to make a decision that will break her heart - and the heart of at least one of the men who love her.

Paige Toon is one of the few adult authors that I read religiously. She’s awesome and I get to meet her tomorrow!

Sophie

Guest Blog: Sean McCartney

Today I’m handing over So Many Books, So Little Time to debut author Sean McCartney. Enjoy!


First off I would like to thank Sophie for allowing me to talk with all of you. This is my first blog so it is quite exciting for me.

My name is Sean McCartney and I’m currently on a blog tour to promote my new young adult action adventure novel entitled THE TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB: SECRETS OF THE MAGICAL MEDALLIONS. It’s being released on July 6th, 2010 from Mountainland Publishing.

The story is about Tommy Reed and his treasure hunting friends Shannon McDougal, Jackson Miller and Chris Henderson. One day Tommy receives a rather ordinary looking medallion from his very famous treasure-hunting uncle “Diamond” Jack Reed and finds himself the object of an evil treasure collector named Manuel de la Ernesto. Now Tommy and his friends must find the secret behind the medallion before Manuel can get to them and the medallion.

When I set out to write The Treasure Hunters Club: Secrets of the Magical Medallions I wanted to pull together all the things from books and movies that I liked. The mystery of the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown, the adventure of Percy Jackson, a little magic from Harry Potter and the action and history of the movies Indiana Jones and National Treasure.

Though this is the first book in the Treasure Hunters Club series, with your help to make it a success, the next books will follow. I have planned six treasure hunting books as they follow the club through the 8th grade and into high school. Of course, as they get older their treasure hunts get more dangerous and more exciting.

I have been asked why I created a series around treasure hunting. The truth is I believe treasure hunting is something everyone can do. You don’t need super powers just a desire to do research and find where to look. Also treasure hunting touches on the sidebars of history, the stuff not in the textbooks. That is usually the most interesting and provides a solid building block for the series.

My goal has always been to be published and have a series that kids can enjoy and have a lot of fun reading. I was lucky to find a publisher who believes in the series as much as I do. What I was surprised to find out was how much the publishing world has changed since I started this journey toward “being published.” The emergence of e-books has shaken the publishing world like never before and I believe we have only scratched the surface of what this new technology can do to help promote reading.

In the meantime, I hope you take a moment to check out my website http://www.treasurehuntersclubbook.com/ and learn more about the series and read some short stories about the characters.

Sophie

Seriously Sassy - Maggi Gibson

Seriously Sassy - Maggi Gibson

Pages: 273
Publisher: Puffin/Penguin
Release Date: 2nd April 2009

Other Titles in this Series: Pinch Me, I’m Dreaming, Crazy Days (1/7/10)

‘Right now boys are not part of my life plan. I’ve got more than enough to do as it is.’

‘Yeah, like the planet to save,’ Cordelia says dreamily.

‘And my career to get off the ground, I’ve not even got my first demo disc yet!’

Sassy Wilde’s had enough of pollution and plastic bags - she wants to make a difference. It’s time to grab her guitar and start spreading some eco love…

But first she has to get round her mum and dad - officially the most embarrassing parentals In. The. World.

And it’s not just endangered creatures keeping Sassy awake at night. Why, oh why did Magnus (the Magnificent) offer her a bite of his muffin in biology?

Seriously Sassy is a hugely fun start to a series that’s perfect for younger readers.

Sassy is one hell of a main character. Her dedication to saving the planet is admirable and very impressive for a thirteen-year-old girl. She actually made me feel guilty for not staging tree-top protests and going to supermarkets. Sassy isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in and even get into trouble for it.

Another thing that makes me want to have been like Sassy when I was thirteen is her music. She dreams of being a star and using her songs and influence to help the planet. Her songs are even scattered throughout the novel. I loved how much music meant to her.

Surrounding the awesomeness that is Sassy are her Lolitaz obsessed little sister, Pip, psychic Goth best friend, Cordelia and two boys, Magnus and Twig, both vying for her affections. And I have to say that Twig was definitely my favourite of the boys. He seemed like Sassy’s perfect match.

I thoroughly enjoyed Seriously Sassy so I’ll definitely be reading the next two books, Pinch Me, I’m Dreaming and Crazy Days.

For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Sophie

Sweethearts: Star-Crossed - Jo Cotterill

Sweethearts: Star-Crossed – Jo Cotterill

Pages: 253
Publisher: Red Fox/Random House
Release Date: 27th May 2010-06-17

Other Titles in this Series: Strictly Friends? (2/9/2010), Ice Dreams (3/3/2011)

‘You did WHAT?’ screamed Mari. ‘You turned down the cutest boy ever? Are you crazy?’

This summer, Fliss is playing Juliet opposite her dream Romeo. If only she could tell him how she feels!

But unless she finds some inner confidence, she’s going to miss her chance with him.

Because someone else has her eyes on Fliss’s role - and her leading man…

Star-Crossed is the great first book in Jo Cotterill’s very cute Sweethearts series.

First of all I have to confess my love for Romeo and Juliet. It’s the ultimate story of first, all-consuming, forbidden love and so the characters of this book being in a production of the play won me over before I had even opened the book. The portrayal of auditions, rehearsals and the final performance was detailed enough that I would know exactly what to expect if I was to take part in a play. And the passion that Fliss, Mari and Victoria have for acting is infectious; it’s how I feel about books, actually.

And these girls are so realistic with their emotions, doubts and interactions. Shy, introverted, but extremely talented Fliss and loud and confrontational Mari and horrible Samantha were very much like typical high school girls. I really, really dislike girls like Samantha. Really, really. Victoria is the only character that I feel wasn’t fleshed out too well. I mean, we learned that she was rich and a terrible actress, but I never felt that I knew her. Fliss’ mum, Jeanette, also has to get a mention. She’s unsupportive, dismissive and patronising of Fliss’ dream of being a great actress. Although saying that, I understand that she only wants her daughter to have the best life possible and the opportunities that she didn’t have. Don’t get me wrong, I still didn’t like her, but I did get where she was coming from.

But I think that Star-Crossed is ultimately a coming-of-age story. Fliss learns to believe in herself and her abilities and to stand up for herself through her summer of Romeo and Juliet. Her growth in confidence was touching and uplifting as and someone who isn’t particularly confident, it was all the more moving.

Star-Crossed is a very cute start to a series that will be a big hit with younger teens.

For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Sophie

In My Mailbox 69

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:

Trash - Andy Mulligan (no cover available)
I’ve been picking up trash since I could crawl, and people always say ‘maybe one day you’ll find something special’. Then one day I did.
Raphael Fernandez is fourteen years old and part of the slum that barely makes a living on the mountains of the dumpsite. No education and no prospects: a lifetime of sifting through rubbish.

Then, out of the blue, he finds a key.

Keys open doors, and soon Raphael and his friends are just one step ahead of a desperate and dangerous police force. The three boys hold the key to a deadly secret. It leads to corruption, unimaginable wealth, and one man’s mission to put right a terrible wrong.

Children can’t be children when their lives are at stake…they have to be heroes.

A very cool surprise from David Fickling Books/Random House. I was wrapped in a paper bag with strips of paper filled with quotes.

Spirit Hunter - Katy Moran

Two empires are at war.

This time, the Empress of China is sure she will destroy the Horse Tribes for ever.

She sends a deadly weapon across the desert with her army: Swiftarrow, her Shaolin spy. But Swiftarrow has more than one mission to complete. He must also find a new recruit for the empress, a young barbarian to train as Shaolin: swift as a shadow, more silent than death.

Out on the Steppe, a young Horse Tribe shaman dreams of a great battle and the slaughter of her people. She knows that war is coming. She must stop the bloodshed. But how?

Thanks to Walker Books for this. I feel a forbidden love coming on!

Somebody’s Crying - Maureen McCarthy

When Alice looks up and sees Tom staring at her, everything closes down around them and becomes very still. No one is breathing. No one else is in the room. Tom feels as if he can see right into the soul of Alice Wishart. It lies open before him, like a wide, long pane of glittering glass. So delicate and beautiful and…ready to break.

Three years have passed since the murder of Alice’s mother, but still the killer is unknown. Alice, her cousin Jonty and his friend Tom are drawn together by the mystery, but what are they hiding? Will their secrets bind them even tighter or tear everything apart?

Maureen McCarthy’s intensely real characters will draw you deep into a world of suspicion, betrayal, desire and redemption.

A surprise from Allen & Unwin/Frances Lincoln. Hopefully I’ll get round to giving this a go.

No and Me - Delphine de Vigan

Lou Bertignac has an IQ of 160 and a good friend called Lucas who gets her through the day. At home her father cries in secret and her mother hasn’t been out of their flat properly for years.

Then Lou meets and becomes friends with No, a teenage girl living on the streets, and asks her parents if No can come and live with them. No’s sudden presence within Lou’s fractured family has an explosive force that will change the lives of Lou - and her parents - for ever.

A brilliant, challenging and thought-provoking novel about the true nature of home and homelessness.

A paperback copy from Bloomsbury

Claire de Lune - Christine Johnson

Hanover Falls hasn’t had a werewolf problem in over one hundred years, but when people suddenly start dying in Claire Benoit’s town, panic spreads fast. The gruesome killings are all anyone can talk about at Claire’s sixteenth birthday party, though the only thing on Claire’s mind is gorgeous Matthew Engle chatting and flirting with her as if she’s the only girl there. But that night, Claire discovers something that takes away all sense of normality: she’s a werewolf.

Claire knows she must keep her changing identity a secret, especially from Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. But then a rogue werewolf threatens to put everyone she knows in danger. Struggling to feel comfortable in either skin, and with her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, Claire is forced to make a choice that will change her forever.

So excited for this! I love Simon Pulse/S&S!

Shade - Jeri Smith-Ready

Aura’s in love with two boys - but one of them’s a ghost. Can true love really conquer all - even death?
 Like everyone born after the Shift, sixteen-year-old Aura can see and talk to ghosts. She’s always found this mysterious ability pretty annoying, wishing only that she could reverse it and have some peace. But when her boyfriend, Logan, dies unexpectedly, Aura is forced to reconsider her connections to the dead…


Devastated by Logan’s sudden death, Aura ralises that her ability to see ghosts might actually be a blessing. Surely a violet-hued spirit Logan is better than no Logan at all? But just when Aura is coming to terms with having a ghost for a boyfriend, she starts developing feelings for her new friend Zachary, who is understanding, supportive and, most of all, alive. Each boy holds a piece of her heart - as well as vital clues to the secret of the Shift - and it’s time for Aura to choose between loving the living or embracing the dead…

Again with the Simon Pulse/S&S love.

She’s So Dead to Us - Kieran Scott

Ally Ryan’s back in Orchard Hill, a place she vowed never to set foot in again. Not after the trauma of her family fleeing their home in shame when her dad’s business dealings almost bankrupted their local community. Now she’s moved back, but her old ‘friends’ are cutting her dead. And while she may have outgrown the country club-trust fund-new car-every year-lifestyle, they certainly haven’t - and they won’t let her forget now she’s living on the wrong side of the tracks.

As if dealing with past demons and current grudges isn’t enough, now Ally’s met the handsome, wealthy and totally into her Jake Graydon, who just happens to live in her old house and be part of the clique that’s rejected her…complicated much?

Ally was hoping to start her life over again, but she’s learning that some things just can’t be forgotten…

Thanks, Simon Pulse/S&S!

The Runaway Troll - Matt Haig

There’s one thing every troll child dreads more than anything else - ns hat’s being sent to the Betterer - the most evil creature in Shadow Forest.

The Betterer is furious when one troll boy escapes to be with his favourite human, Samuel Blink. But then he realises that perhaps the most useful thing to have in his Bettering Tower would be a real life human child.he sets out on a quest to kidnap Samuel and the troll he’s been hiding in his wardrobe. Sameul's not allowed to enter Shadow Forest, but what’s to stop the forest coming to him?

Thanks to Bodley Head/Random House for this one. It sounds like so much fun!

Bought:

No books, but I did get…

…after countless recommendations from Jenny and Luisa. I watched season 3 when it was repeated on TV and fell in love so I felt I had to see it from the beginning!

Sophie