Daily Dose (6)

"I love that so many people have taken this meme under their wing and are enjoying the theme. It's brilliant to pop over to random blogs and catch some inspiring images. If you'd like to participate in Daily Dose, simply make a post on Monday with a bunch of images you find magical and hope to inspire your readers with then share the link below."

This weekly meme is hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly :)

Okay, I know that these are probably not real inspirational, but I love these songs! Majority of them are from Taylor Swift if you haven't already guessed! :)

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The idea of making a playlist of the music I've been listening to a lot lately was from Alice over at The Reader Room! I think this idea is awesome because our blogs don't have to be just about books, lol!

• I'm Alive by Celine Dion

When you call on me
When I hear you breathe
I get wings to fly
I feel that I’m alive

When you look at me
I can touch the sky
I know that I’m alive
Mmmmm Ohhhhh

When you bless the day
I just drift away
All my worries die
I’m glad that I’m alive

You’ve set my heart on fire
Filled me with love
Made me a woman
On clouds above

I couldn’t get much higher
My spirit takes flight
Cause I am alive

 

This is the only song I have for this week because it's a very inspirational song, I believe! Check it out!

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Happy Monday everyone and happy reading!

Random Post!

THE MOST HILARIOUS, FUNNIEST, and CUTEST CONVO EVER! J

<BooksOverBoys> BRB

<AkashaHale> List so farL

<AkashaHale> Almost 40 books.

<AlexBG> OMG....

<AkashaHale> I know. lol.

<AkashaHale> We're gonna have to have a vote.

<BrielleBookworm> Haha. That should be interesting.

<AlexBG> OKay so I am trying to dowload google picasa and I am trying to add my folder full of images...

<AkashaHale> Awesome :D

<AlexBG> @Akasha when we you doing the votes??

<AkashaHale> We still need Katie. She needs to give us her list of book covers. lol

<AkashaHale> Today. Hopefully.

<Hannah> I'm almost done..

<AkashaHale> On this blog.

<Hannah> Katie was on Twitter a minute ago. But she just went off to Starbucks

* Ecey (72.82.110.168) has joined #Official Book Blogger Get Togeth

<Hannah> Or not..

<Hannah> Hi Ecey!

<Ecey> Hey Hannah

<AlexBG> Ecey you're back!

<AkashaHale> brb

<AlexBG> @Akasha I'll be ready!

<Ecey> Yeah, kinda, I'm trying to write up some html so I'll be in and out of the conversation

<AkashaHale> I need to find a table thingy to set the book covers in for the votes.

<AkashaHale> Does anyone know where I can find one?

<Hannah> ummm...noooooooooo wait--noooo.

<AlexBG> Google it??

<Hannah> i can't think of one

<AkashaHale> Alrightly!

<AkashaHale> OH!

<AkashaHale> Mindful Musing knows.

<AkashaHale> brb

<AkashaHale> FOUND ONE!

<AkashaHale> I had it saved to favorites last time I used it.

<AlexBG> @Akasha YAY!

<Hannah> wooohoo

<BrielleBookworm> Phew.

<AkashaHale> brb lunch

<AlexBG> I am trying to figure this out...=D

<Hannah> kk Akasha

<AkashaHale> Back, why am I eating lunch at 3pm?

<AkashaHale> Katie just DM me her list of book covers :D

<Hannah> kk awesome :D

<AkashaHale> I found the codes for that table, I'll have all the book covers up soon.

<Hannah> ok. let us know when its up :)

<BrielleBookworm> Alrighty. :D

<AkashaHale> Damn! Wrong code.

<AkashaHale> Where did Momo go?

<Hannah> Momo...Momo..Where are you..?

<Hannah> lol

<AlexBG> MoooooMo!!

<AkashaHale> MOMO! *Looks under the bed*

<Hannah> *looks in closet*

<AkashaHale> *Monster jumps out*

<Hannah> lol!

<AkashaHale> Thats not Momo.

<AlexBG> *looks behind bookshelves*

<AkashaHale> :0

<AkashaHale> The bookshelf ate her.

<Hannah> MOOOOOOOOOOOOOMOOOOOOOOOOOO!

<AlexBG> Awwww she will never be forgoten...

<AkashaHale> *Pokes Momo*

<Hannah> lol

<AlexBG> With a stick!

<AkashaHale> brb

<BrielleBookworm> Bas bookshelf. What did we telling you about eating our friends?

<BrielleBookworm> *Bad

<AlexBG> LOL! Brielle!

* DforDarla (98.112.93.66) Quit

<Hannah> heehee

<BooksOverBoys> Back! Just had to wash a truck load of dishes!

<BooksOverBoys> Whew!

<AlexBG> Shes alive!

<BrielleBookworm> Alright, bookshelf, you're off the hook. *tosses bookshelf treat.*

<Hannah> yay

<BrielleBookworm> xD

<AlexBG> Lol.....

<BooksOverBoys> I just read all of that!

<BrielleBookworm> Haha.

<BooksOverBoys> You guys are tooo funny! I'm seriously saving that and putiing it on my blog! :)

<AlexBG> Sorry...we thought you were dead...

<BooksOverBoys> No lie!

<BooksOverBoys> At least I was remembered!

<AlexBG> Of course, not that I was about to steal all your books or anything..*cough*

<BrielleBookworm> xD

<BooksOverBoys> Haah! you guys make me laugh! . . .  and smile! :)

<BooksOverBoys> Is it just me or is the playlist not on the actual chat page?

<BrielleBookworm> Glad to know I made someone laugh, and smile, today. :D

<AlexBG> =D Well were glad you're okay!

<Hannah> heehee. don't worry, Momo, I would have tackled and Xander and kept the books for myself.

<BooksOverBoys> Awh thanks!

The purple is when I left and when I returned! *__*

I love these girls! That was totally the highlight of my Sunday! ♥

Interview: Jennifer DeLucy + A Giveaway (Blog Tour)

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I am super excited to have Jen here with us today to learn more about her and her Light series! :)

How did you come up with the concept of writing the Light Series?
- I have always been a fan of spooky things, of creepy story lines and
psychological horror like ghosts and possessions. I am also deeply
spiritual and believe that there is an afterlife, so I've read a lot
about near death experiences. These definitely come into play in the
series. Other than some general ideas of what sort of genre it might
be, I had no idea what was going to happen in Seers of Light, and I
certainly hadn't planned the series.

What was the hardest part of writing for you and why? The easiest and why?
- The hardest part is always writer's block. You really have to just
discipline yourself to push through the dry times and suck it up when
you don't feel like writing. No matter how much you love what you're
writing, sometimes you just want to slack off.

Which one of your characters was your favorite to write about and
why? The hardest and why?
- My favorite is a tie between William or Anna. William was enigmatic
and I learned about him as Lily did--one bit at a time. For Anna I
could misbehave all I wanted and get away with it because that was
just her character. The hardest character to write was probably also
William, just because I didn't know exactly who he was at first. Once
it started flowing, though, it all fell into place.

After finishing and publishing your books, is there anything you
wish was different about them?
- Well, every author looks back at what they've written and sees how far
they've come, cringes at the little things that they used to do and
have since grown out of, but, overall, I would say no. The series is a
testament to a lot of growth in both the author and characters, so, I
wouldn't really change anything.

How long did it take you to write Seers of Light?
- Seers of Light took me about five months to complete. I was a bit
compulsive in writing it, but I had a day job, so I couldn't write as
often as I wanted. I was so infatuated with writing the story that
imagine, if I didn't have a day job, I'd have finished the book in
half that time!

I hear that you're working on the third novel in the series, how's
your progress?
- It's coming along. I'm not quite halfway through, but I'm enjoying myself.

Are any of your characters, settings, or events based on your
real-life experiences?
- Oh, definitely. Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as well as
Old Forge are very real places. Old Forge Style Pizza and legendary
Italian cooking was a big part of my upbringing, as well. The coal
mines of Northeast Pennsylvania are also historical truth to that
area.

What book(s) are on your bookshelf right now?
- Oh, too many to name! But I've just finished up the latest Sookie
Stackhouse book and I picked up Little Women to start again this
morning. Jane Eyre is one of my favorites, so I have that on standby.
Almost anything by Stephen King is at the top of my list, especially
The Stand.

Describe your books in 3 words.
- Hopeful, magical, purposeful.

List 5 unknown facts about yourself.
-I am obsessed with the ocean
-I once got clobbered by a wave in the Atlantic that left me with my
t-shirt over my head on the beach
-I am a total Anglophile. I adore all things British.
-I have a cat named Maddox. ;)
-I love Panera Bread!

Thanks so much Jennifer for stopping by! We hope you'll come back and visit again! :)

☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

And now for a Giveaway!

ONE Winner will receive an eBook Copy of BOTH

Seers of Light and Whisper of Light.

Here are the rules and how to enter:

-You MUST complete the form to enter. No entries in comments please.
-You DON'T have to be a follower but it will be appreciated.
-You MUST be at least 17 years old to enter.

Open: International
Giveaway Ends: Feb 15th, 2011

Click on this FORM to enter!
Good luck and happy reading!

In My Mailbox (8)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea at Pop Culture Junkie where we post about books we have received during the week via mailbox, local library, or store bought, etc.

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EEK! I finally made a vlog! I don't like it but here it is. I think next week I'll return with a regular post! :)

• Branded (Fall of Angels, #1) by Keary Taylor
• Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
• Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler
• Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia

• • • • • • • • • • • •

• The Iron King (Iron Fey, #1) by Julie Kagawa
• The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey, #2) by Julie Kagawa
• The Iron Queen (Iron Fey, #3) by Julie Kagawa

I hope you've all had a great week filled with books! Leave a link in the comments and I'll be sure to check out your IMM post! Happy reading!

My Bookshelf is Featured at Stephanie, A History!

So, my bookshelf is featured over at Stephanie, A History! :) I've never done a bookshelf tour but this is probably the closest I'll come to it! *__*

Click on THIS to get to the post! Say hello to Stephanie for me! Oh, and if you want, come back and let me know what you think of my bookshelf and books!

Happy reading!

Teaser Tuesday (4)

This meme is brought to you weekly by MizB over at Should Be Reading :)

Anyone can play along, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author, too, so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR List if they like your teaser!

My Teaser

Maybe I'm being unfair. Because there have been a few times that I've caught myself fantasizing . . . about her.

-(ARC) Page 128, Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

I . . . I'll let your mind ponder this teaser! BUT, I just have to say,

OHH MMM GEE!

*______*

Happy Book Bday to The Iron Queen, Blessed, and The Iron Witch!

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

WOW! I...am speechless! I am beyond excited to read this book! It's crazy! :) Look at it! LOOK AGAIN! Isn't it b-e-a-u-tiful?! I would surely say so! Now, imagine it in your fingertips! SQUEE! Go buy it! It's a must! This is the third book in the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - so now that it's out, you don't have to wait! GO BUY ALL THREE! I'm just sayin'! LOL, cause I sure did! Just got back about 30 minutes ago! EEEK! This series rocks! :)

Quincie P. Morris, teen restaurateuse and neophyte vampire, is in the fight of her life -- or undeath. Even as she adjusts to her new appetites, she must clear her best friend and true love, the hybrid werewolf Kieren, of murder charges; thwart the apocalyptic ambitions of Bradley Sanguini, the seductive vampire-chef who "blessed" her; and keep her dead parents’ restaurant up and running. She hires a more homespun chef and adds the preternaturally beautiful Zachary to her wait staff. But with hundreds of new vampires on the rise and Bradley off assuming the powers of Dracula Prime, Zachary soon reveals his true nature -- and a flaming sword -- and they hit the road to staunch the bloodshed before it’s too late. Even if they save the world, will there be time left to salvage Quincie’s soul?

I have not read the first two books in the Tantalize series by Cynthia Leitich Smith, but I know that it's about angels, so, duuuh! I'll be picking this series up very soon! Today is the release of the third book, Blessed! :) If you have not read it, I suggest you do it soon, just like I'm suggesting it to myself! *__*

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

This is Karen Mahoney's debut book! Doesn't it sound flippin' amazing?! Fey! What more could you ask for?! :) I went to my B&N to go buy the Iron Fey series ↑ ↑(up there!) ↑ ↑ but I couldn't find this one! ARGH! I walked around the shelves multiple times! Seriously! My eyes are out for this book the next time I hit up a bookstore!

So, a SUPER HUGE happy book birthday to these three books! :) I can't wait to start them! AAAHHHH!
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UPDATE!

Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.
The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely— something not human?
As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want?

HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN THIS ONE!? EEK! First off, the cover is stunning and secondly, it just sounds interesting! Dang it! I don't recall seeing this book on the B&N shelves either! :/

 

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.
Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.
Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.
A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

Another debut today! WOW! I really need to go back to B&N!

Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

The cover for this book is ravishing! It has this haunting, eerie look to it! I love it! I'm not quite sure what this book is about, sounds like a dystopian? I might be wrong! But I can't wait to read it though!

So, again! Another happy happy happy book birthday to all six of these releases today! :)

Daily Dose (5)

"I love that so many people have taken this meme under their wing and are enjoying the theme. It's brilliant to pop over to random blogs and catch some inspiring images. If you'd like to participate in Daily Dose, simply make a post on Monday with a bunch of images you find magical and hope to inspire your readers with then share the link below."

This weekly meme is hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly :)

This week's Daily Dose is yet again, highly inspired by The Maine! :)

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The idea of making a playlist of the music I've been listening to a lot lately was from Alice over at The Reader Room! I think this idea is awesome because our blogs don't have to be just about books, lol!

• Dear Agony by Breaking Benjamin

I have nothing left to give
I have found a perfect end
You were made to make it hurt
Disappear into the dirt

Carry me to heaven's arms
Light the way and let me go
Take the time to take my breath
I will end where I began

• Without You Breaking Benjamin

Say something new

I have nothing left

I can't face the dark without you

There's nothing left to lose

The fighting never ends

I can't face the dark without you

• Give Me A Sign by Breaking Benjamin

Dead star shine
Light up the sky
I'm all out of breath
My walls are closing in
Days go by
Give me a sign
Come back to the end
The shepherd of the damned

I can feel you falling away

No longer the lost
No longer the same
And I can see you starting to break
I'll keep you alive
If you show me the way
Forever - and ever
the scars will remain
I'm falling apart
Leave me here forever in the dark

This week's Daily Dose of Music is all about Breaking Benjamin! I absolutely LOVE these three songs!

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ENJOY!

In My Mailbox (7)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea at Pop Culture Junkie where we post about books we have received during the week via mailbox, local library, or store bought, etc.

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So, for a couple of weeks now, I keep telling myself that I'm going to make an IMM Vlog, but every week when Sunday rolls around, I chicken out. I don't know, but I'm very hesitant about it. Don't get me wrong, I have tried to make a vlog, but after watching it, I'm like, "Nooo! I'm sticking to the regular!" LOL :) Anyway, let's get on to what I received this week!

BOUGHT:

My awesome brother and his wife were in town last Monday, so before they headed back home, they took me to B&N and bought me:

• Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
• Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

RECEIVED FOR REVIEW:

This week I got some super duper squee-worthy books in the mail!

• The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos (I'll host a giveaway for this after I read it, so look out for that!)
• Head Games (Pretty Tough, #3) by Keri Mikulski
• Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers (ZOMG! I am reading this one right now! AH!)

BORROWED:

The super awesome Lauren over at 365 Days of Reading let me borrow her ARC copy of:

• A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford (AH! I can't wait to start this one! OMG!)

So, yeah pretty much a lot of awesomeness! I can't wait to get to them all! :) Well, what did you receive this week? Leave a link in the comments, and I'll be sure to check them out! Happy reading!

Sunday Confessions January 23, 2011

This is a weekly meme started by Marcie over at To Read or Not To Read as a way to get to share a bit about myself and also learning more about you. Sometimes it's about books and book related topics and sometimes it's not. This is all in good fun and I would love it if you would participate.

 

Today's Topic:

Do you need silence to read?

 

No, to an extent. I don't know when it started but now whenever I read I need music. I can't read in complete silence because, I don't know about you, but when it's completely silent, I get that ringing kinda of noise in my head and it bugs the poo outta me! Now when I listen to music, it can't just be whatever happens to shuffle along in my ipod. It has to match the overall atmosphere of the book. For example, if a sad scene happens to occur in the book, I need a slower song to listen too, or a....sad song to listen too. The lyrics don't really matter to me, but if after or during my reading, I happen to look up the lyrics and they describe the scene or the book, then it's just a plus. Same thing for when there's action happening, I need loud music. I think, in my opinion, music really sets the mood of the book. So now when I read, I always go search for the author's playlist, and if they don't have one, I start to read the book to get a feel for it, then I pick one or two songs to listen to while I read. Now here's the extent part - I can't read when there are a lot of noise around. If my nieces and nephews are around or when there's a family get together, I can't read because it becomes impossible to understand what I'm reading. It goes in one ear and totally out the other.

 

So, what about you? Do you need silence to read? :)

Friday Fantasize (4)

Friday Fantasize is a weekly event hosted by Misha over at My Love Affair With Books where you list 3 books (released/unreleased, new/old) on your wishlist, every week :)

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The Girl of Fire and Thorns - Rae Carson

Synopsis

(Goodreads)

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

Haven - Kristi Cook

Synopsis

(Goodreads)

One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

Aces Up - Lauren Barnholdt

Synopsis

(Goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old high school senior Shannon Card needs money. And lots of it. She's been admitted to Wellesley, but her dad just lost his job, and somehow she has to come up with a year of tuition herself. But Shannon's dream of making big bucks waitressing at the local casino, the Collosio, disappears faster than a gambler's lucky streak. Her boss is a tyrant, her coworker is nuts, and her chances of balancing a tray full of drinks while wearing high-heeled shoes are slim to none. Worse, time is running out, and Shannon hasn't made even half the money she'd hoped.

When Shannon receives a mysterious invitation to join Aces Up, a secret network of highly talented college poker players, at first she thinks No way. She has enough to worry about: keeping her job, winning the coveted math scholarship at school, and tutoring her secret crush, Max. But when Shannon musters up the nerve to kiss Max and he doesn't react at all, the allure of Aces Up and its sexy eighteen-year-old leader, Cole, is suddenly too powerful to ignore.

Soon Shannon's caught up in a web of lies and deceit that makes worrying about tuition money or a high school crush seem like kid stuff. Still, when the money's this good, is the fear of getting caught reason enough to fold?

Guest Post: Katie @ Call Me Crazy

Last week, I asked a few people what was their take on book covers. Here's what Katie @ Call Me Crazy had to say! Thank you Katie

• • • • • • • • • •

Whether we like to admit it or not, we're all guilty of judging a book by its cover. It's the first thing you see on the shelf and it's what ultimately draws your attention in before you read the summary. Sometimes a cover can leave more of an impact then the actual book itself!

Take Fallen by Lauren Kate for example. I absolutely adore this cover, but didn't find myself enjoying the book. As soon as I saw this book sitting on the shelf I immediately picked it up and knew I was going to buy it even if it was about man-eating butterflies that were going to take over the world. I just had to have this amazing cover sitting on my shelf! then after I saw the sequel, Torment, and knew I was in for some more book buying. These covers do a great job of reflecting what the story is about and do a flawless job of capturing the reader's attention on the shelf.

Another thing that I absolutely love about covers is how they help you realized what books are in a series. Okay, so you're probably thinking, you can't figure out what book is in a series and what one isn't? Books I've heard of yes, but books I'm seeing for the first time, no. If I saw The Need Series sitting on a shelf with no indication of them being related I probably would have only ended up buying the first one instead of all three. I love how they all match one another and carry the same black to gold glitter color scheme. It gives the reader the thought that these books are most likely paranormal.

Unlike The Need Series, The Hunger Games Trilogy doesn't carry out the same color scheme throughout the books, yet they all flow very well together and look great! There's tons of examples out there to show how amazing the cover design of books help draw readers in and also help sales by a beautifully demanding cover. We may not like to say we judge a book by its cover, but it does play a role in what we read. A cover that stands out on a shelf over a bland and boring one will probably be picked up first, heightening the chances of the pretty one being read.

Katie

Mini Book Challenge for 2011

This is the fifth challenge that I've signed up for, but I think I can actually accomplish this one. I won't be listing the books that I plan on reading because it might change. I already have a few books in mind, actually I think I'm reading one right now! So, yay! This sounds like a great, fun challenge, so read on and sign up! :)

Hosted by Lazy Girl Reads

THE CHALLENGE:

• This challenge goes from Jan. 1st 2011- Apr. 1st 2011
• Rules: Choose 4 books according to the following guidelines:

1. Something old
2. Something new
3. Something borrowed
4. Something blue

• You don't have to pick the books ahead of time! Be creative! While the other categories are self explanatory, 'Something blue' can mean a book with a blue cover, a book with the word 'blue' in the title, a book that takes place at sea...anything you want!

HOW TO SIGN-UP:

• Place the button on your sidebar & create a post that you can link Lazy Girl Reads to via the linky at the bottom of this POST!
• Leave Lazy Girl Reads a comment to let her know you're participating, she would love to follow you back and check out your book reviews!

ALEX PETTYFER to play JACE WEYLAND?! :)

OMYfreakin'GOODNESS!

Wow, so I just came home from school, checked my blogger dashboard and it turns out that Alex Pettyfer (swoon!) was offered the role to play Jace Weyland in the upcoming City of Bones movies!

-FREAKATTACK!-

Of course, nothing has been confirmed yet, but I'm still hopeful!

Look at him → → → → → →

LIKE Mmm-hmmm! YES, PLEASE! I want him to play Jace, that's for sure! Whooo-hoo!

To read more about Alex Pettyfer and his offer, visit Hollywood Crush HERE! You can also visit Vulture HERE for more info!

______FLATLINE!______

So, what do you think? Have you read this awesomeTASTIC series?! :) If you have or haven't, what do you think about Alexy PetttyfeeeR?! ♥ :)

Waiting on Wednesday (7): Enclave

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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Enclave

by Ann Aguirre

Expected publication: April 12th 2011 by Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis taken from Goodreads

WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce's world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed 'brat' has trained into one of three groups-Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms.

Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember. As a Huntress, her purpose is clear--to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She's worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing's going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade.

When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce's troubles are just beginning. Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn't like following orders. At first she thinks he's crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don't always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth.

Her partner confuses her; she's never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace. As Deuce's perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy... but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she's ever known.

I don't know about you, but I think this book falls under the genre of dystopia! I just discovered this book this week! Doesn't it sound AHH-mazing?! :) You bet! I can't wait for it! Before I know, it will be here! I hope! There are so many dystopia books debuting this year! I'm so excited for them all!

So, what are you highly anticipating this Wednesday?