Review: June of Rock by Elisa Ludwig

June of Rock

by

Elisa Ludwig

A great change of pace, Ludwig has written a novel that is fresh and upbeat from the normal scale of what is out there. It's so nice to read something so different from the usual normal books out. Sometimes it just seems like many start to be about the same thing, with a different twist at the end. This one doesn't start like any other, nor end like any other. Fresh and funky! 

Right before June is about to go off to camp for the summer, her boyfriend and fellow music lover, Micah dumped her. As much as it sucks, June tries and succeeds rather well to hold her head high and is going to enjoy the summer anyway. This won't stop her. That is, as long as she doesn't think about him. It is a "girls-only" camp after all. The only male there is the super hot, super fly, Brice Mills. But he's in a real band. June and all the other girls are only beginners.

Camp Decibelle has it's daily schedule for all the girls depending on what they play as well as what music they are into. The main goal is the Battle of the Axes competition at the end of camp where the bands that the girls have formed will compete against each other. In preparing for this, June learns who her friends are verses who the catty girls and traitors can be. She has also found that Brice Mills seems to be taking an interest in her. Rumors spread, and she still misses Micah. June is a smart girl though, she mustn't let anyone get the best of her. Play on girl, play on!

4/5 Stars. Received for review from Elisa Ludwig. Available for purchase at Amazon.

Gratitude Giveaway Winner...

You all are awesome and amazing! I had so many enter and wish I could give away more, but I can't, bummer. The winner chose When She Woke, which is such an amazing book! I loved this one! And it goes to: Allie! Congratulations! If you have any suggestions for what you would like me to give away on the next hop, starting at midnight Thursday night, please comment and let me know your suggestions! I would love to hear them!

Winner of The Boy Project ARC and goodies!

Sorry for the delay in posting the winner. A huge thank you to Kami for letting me interview her, and for all the goodies to give away! Now, who is the lucky winner of all this?

Congratulations to

Patsy Bishop!



Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday was my husbands birthday  and I also made Thanksgiving dinner for his family at our house. As for my family tradition, every year, we always go to my aunt Donna's house for Thanksgiving. It's just a given to go there, no questions asked. Another thing that we have is homemade custard and they do sell this in the stores this time of year, but it still isn't the same as making it from scratch. It's something we all look forward to. I am also very thankful for my family. I don't have a huge family, but the majority of us do come together around the holidays and I am very thankful for that. My husband doesn't have that closeness with his, and his family is even smaller than mine. So it has shown me what I have in my family and how much I should value it. I'll be busy shopping tomorrow, and Saturday I have a family reunion, so I'll be plenty busy this weekend. I do have some posts scheduled though, I just might not be around much otherwise. If you find a minute in your day today, I would love you to share a tradition and something that you are thankful for. Thanks for stopping by! 

Review: White Cat by Holly Black

White Cat

by

Holly Black

Holly Black has written a novel so deep and intense, you'll find yourself hanging on the edge the whole way through. You'll have no clue as to what is about to unfold until it is brought to the table. Black has you wrapped around her finger with this one.

Cassel's life might be a little well, confusing to some. His family line are mostly all curse workers. It skips some. A hit and miss type of thing. You just have to wait it out and see if you have it. To see if you show any signs. Cassel, luckily is not. Good thing too, seeing as which it's illegal. There are many different types of curse workers. They can change your emotions, actions, objects, dreams, etc. all by the touch of a hand. Therefore, they must wear gloves. Everyone must.

Even though Cassel isn't a worker, he did kill his best friend, and love of his life, Lila. And when he did it, he had an odd sense of pleasure in it. He doesn't remember doing it, only standing over her and having a satisfied feeling and knowing it was wrong to feel that way because he loved her. He misses her. Aches for her sometimes, and now, ever since waking on the roof of his school and dreaming about this strange white cat, he can't seem to get her out of his head. He was doing so good with this too.

Trying to find the truth with the missing pieces from his brothers only leads to more secrets and more mysteries. More secrets left unanswered. More things Cassel now has to figure out. But Cassel doesn't know he is being worked. Furthermore, he is being worked by someone he trusts. 

4/5 Stars. 336 Pages. Published by Margaret K. McElderry Received in audio book form from Random House Audio.

My Thoughts on...What it is and new name?

I just wanted to summarize what My Thoughts on... was. If I have a ramble, rant or rave, this is how I want to post it. What I want to know from YOU my readers, is should I include a short definition each time I post, and do you like the name, or should I change it? I plan on getting a widget for it made so I just wanted some input and opinions. I have a couple that I came up with, but if you have one that you like, let me know and if I end up using it, let's just say good things will come your way!

In My Mailbox (41)

What is "In My Mailbox"?In My Mailbox is a weekly meme. What is a meme, you ask. The simple description is  "an idea that spreads quickly." Usually the creator of the meme asks for other people to participate and ultimately link back to the person that started the meme. Memes shouldn't be confused with "features." There are some features that are somewhat exclusive to certain blogs, be courteous and don't steal content.

The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of our blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs.  Here's what I got this week, how about you?

For Review:

Bought:

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are the only series that my son seems to fly through. I try and try to encourage him to read and he just isn't a big fan of it. As for the HP book, I have all of them in hardback but this one, and had been looking for this one since like forever and finally found it today for $10. That's my week! Hope you got some great goodies too!

Review: The Dig by Audrey Hart

The Dig

by

Audrey Hart

Powerful and passionate. The Dig brings such life , such mystical creativity and vibrance with a unique ancient twist. I just loved how different this one is and sank right into the storyline. Audrey really knows how to capture her readers.

Every year Zoe always goes across seas to visit with her aunt and uncle, Sophia and Alex. Not only does she go to visit, she goes to dig. She loves to find artifacts hidden away from years ago.  All the other kids find this weird. All the kids at school seem to know Zoe as the outcast, so they just ignore her. She's ok with it. Always has been. It's almost time to go to Greece again and usually Zoe is just crazy excited and yeah, she is. But this time something feels just a little off. Like maybe she shouldn't go. Of course, that would be nuts because she always goes. This is what she spends all year looking forward to. Spending the final days at school socializing when she spent the whole year hidden away, she is now ready to head on out! 

Once the plane finally lands and she meets with her relatives, goes through the lowdown about the new dig site and the other college kids that are helping out, she is ready to get started. She has been warned not to wander in the red zones, not to do this or that. She knows those rules don't actually apply to her though. So when she goes her own way and finds a hidden room and a strange object and um, touches it when she um, knows better, she just so happens to find herself... in a whole new world of problems, and dilemmas.

All she wants to do is get home, yet she is told that she is home, and not only that but they think she is a goddess. Let's hope both worlds don't collide. Let's hope Zoe finds that inner goddess everyone seems to be talking about. So much confusion, and so much beauty lie in this world she is stuck in, but she has to get out. Matters only gets worse when she realizes that the Gods want her dead. This world isn't fit for Zoe and she is falling in love with a guy she doesn't even know. Now, her life is being threatened. How can she escape?

4/5 Stars. Published by Backlit Fiction. Received for review from Backlit.  

Gratitude Giveaways

A special thank you to everyone who has taken the time to stop by, comment, and show your support to me and my blog. I just want to thank you so much! I appreciate all of you! Now, for this giveaway, you choose which of these books you want. It is international of course. Open to everyone ages thirteen and up. And the winner must contact me within 48 hours of notification. Don't forget to check out the other blogs participation below either!

Enter Here

Author Interview w/ Kami Kinard + Goodies to Give

It's getting closer to the new year, and with that comes lots of  amazing new authors and books to be released. Now, let's get excited because today I have Kami Kinard, a 2012 debut author that I have gotten the pleasure to interview. Kami Kinard is the author of The Boy Project: Notes and Observations of Kara McAllister. Due to be released by Scholastic on January 1st! She has also included a sweet giveaway package as well.

Let's start with a little inside scoop about the life of Kami                            

                          

1.) Please tell us a little about yourself.

Okay! I didn’t know how much I liked dogs until my daughter got one.

Hmmm. That’s probably not enough scoop. Here’s some more:

I love to create things. When I was growing up we had a room in our house called the sewing room. It had three sewing machines in it and a bunch of craft supplies.  (My sewing machine was the type you had to pedal to make it go. It had been my great great aunt’s.) Anyway, I spent a lot of hours in that room making everything from puppets to small sculptures to magazines.  When I grew up this didn’t change. I still love to make things. But mostly I love to make things out of words. You can make bigger things with words than with craft supplies. You can create people, relationships, worlds and universes. It’s great!

2.) Favorite hobbies or special interests?

Oof! I think I just answered that. But if I had a day by myself to do absolutely anything I wanted to do… I’d read a good book and be completely happy - until I got to the last page.

3.) What was your favorite Middle Grade read?                            

Easy! Nancy Drew.

4.) I feel it's important to have your children read at a young age. How does it feel when you see a young teen reading?  

I feel happy, especially if I am related to that young teen and he or she has chosen to read rather than play a video game!

5.) How did you come up with the idea for The Boy Project?

I was at a writers' retreat and someone asked if any of us had our old diaries. I still had mine, but I had never gone back and read them. My colleagues urged me to read every single one!  So I did.  It made me remember what it felt like to be in middle school.  The things that happen in The Boy Project did not happen to me, but I definitely felt the same way Kara does about boys!

6.) Can we get a little teaser of just what happens to Kara in the boy's bathroom in The Boy Project?

Kara finds out that you can learn all kinds of things when boys assume you are just another boy in the next stall.



7.) Did your children influence you at all, or did you take anything from your teen experiences and add it to The Boy Project? 

Yes. My children influenced me. But don’t tell them that! I don’t want them to know that you can learn all kinds of things when they assume I’m just driving , or cooking, or working at my desk…

Well, I did pull those feelings Kara has from my teen experience. I wanted to write a book about a smart girl who is desperate for a boyfriend. Kara is a little more desperate than I ever was (okay, not really) but she is also gutsier!  

Great stuff Kami! If any of you are more interested in getting to know Kami or wanting more info about The Boy Project, you can friend her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and on her website. 

Now, how about those goodies! One winner will win all of this!

Included:

1 (signed) ARC of The Boy Project,

A tote bag,

and two fancy cards with some so fab bracelets!

Open to US only
Ends November 23rd 11:59 PST
Winner must respond within 48 hours
Enter Here


Review: Girl Steals Guy (Borrowing Abby Grace) by Kelly Green

Girl Steals Guy

by

Kelly Green

With the second book in the Borrowing Abby Grace series, Kelly has not only outdone herself, but has written such a highly addictive, fast paced read! I thought Borrowing Abby Grace was good, but Girl Steals Guy was even better! I can't wait to see just what she has  for us next!

Abby wasn't sure just what was in store for her after completing her last mission. But one thing she did know is that she must not be dead. Suddenly, finding herself sitting on the edge of a bed with a girl hysterically crying next to her, she glances in the mirror to see herself. Ah, yes, how happy she is until that stranger calls her Michelle. A new problem she must solve. The weeping girl sobs about why she just doesn't understand why he left her. It must be a breakup. Abby must reunite them.

It's not so easy for Abby to get sob girl/Heather out to the party going on, but it eventually happens. The events that take place that night are the worst possible for Heather to have to deal with though. When her ex is locked up in a bedroom with his new girlfriend, how can Abby possibly get them back together? The new couple seems so hot and heavy! This won't be easy...

Abby ends up going on a date of her own, and when it goes bad,  Heather's ex, Sam happens to come to the rescue. This means she has the perfect opportunity to talk to him. What she finds out though, isn't quite what she expected. But, she thinks it's going to be much easier than anticipated to get them back together. That is until she finds out that Heather is keeping huge secrets. Abby is trying to get her back together with the wrong person. And time is running out.

5/5 Stars. Published by Backlit Fiction. Received from Amazon.

Announced: Who won Unleashed....

I just can't wait to have this one in my mailbox and I just love the cover! Both of these fine ladies are amazing writers and I am happy to announce the winner of a preordered copy!



The Winner is:
Sniffly Kitty

Congrats!

Please stay tuned this week. I will be doing an interview and an awesome giveaway with one of the 2012 debut authors! 

*NO HINTS EITHER* 

In My Mailbox (40)

What is "In My Mailbox"?In My Mailbox is a weekly meme. What is a meme, you ask. The simple description is  "an idea that spreads quickly." Usually the creator of the meme asks for other people to participate and ultimately link back to the person that started the meme. Memes shouldn't be confused with "features." There are some features that are somewhat exclusive to certain blogs, be courteous and don't steal content.

The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of our blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs.  Here's what I got this week, how about you?

For Review:

Received from A Life Bound By Books

(these where won from the Haunted Halloween Giveaways that Confessions of a Bookaholic also participated in)

Every week when I post I always feel like I'm forgetting something. I hate that feeling. But, this is my double checked list.

I was very excited for Through Her Eyes, and not quite sure what Vamplayers is about, but I loved Rusty's Zombies Don't Cry so I'm sure I'll love it!

Now, how about you?



Participant in the 2012 Debut Author Challenge (DAC)



If you haven't heard of this, or haven't participated in the past, I strongly urge you to. To find out more, just click on the picture above. Not only is it a great way to join in the fun, but a fantastic way to find out about some amazing new debuting books and authors that will be released in 2012. I already have a huge list that I want to read and I haven't even peeked at the list that Kristi or Tara have put together that will be coming out next year! I'm very excited to start though, and stay tuned as I'm working on some projects so you can find out more about some of these wonderful authors! Happy reading!

My Thoughts on...Funding Blogs

Monetizing on blogs is a great way to help earn money when you need it, and especially when you put money into your blog or into the readers of your blog. Recent times have even lead to renting space on blogs. But with that, comes an advertisement. Currently, I don't rent. Not saying I never will. But that's not really the point in this post today. Because all those things listed above are great ways to earn money for your blog, as I'm sure there are many others if you want to put money back into it without it coming out of your pocket. With that being said, I was on a blog the other day, and they had a paypal link up and were asking for donations if you liked their blog. They wanted donations so that you could help keep them going.

Not even two days after that, I was on a different blog, and they had a giveaway going. One of the giveaway bonus entries was to 'donate funds' to their blog. Now, as far as I'm concerned, blogging is a choice. If you can't afford to then DON'T. Why would I send you money to win a book? Why not just buy it myself? Why would I send you money to design your blog when I can put that into my own? Why would I send you money to send you to some book expo when I can take that money, buy books and donate them to a library? Excuse my rant, but I just find this extremely rude and had to share. Feel free to offer your opinions.

Review: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

If I Tell

by

Janet Gurtler

Janet has created a piece so thoughtful, so painstakingly beautiful. A perfect read to delight your senses and make you realize that not everyone has it so easy.

Jaz has never had it easy. Living with her grandparents, up until her grandfather passed away. Now just her and her grandmother, all because her mother had her at such a young age. Of course her mother is still in her life. She just chose to go on to college instead of raising her. She had good intentions. Figured it would be best to get on her feet but she never did end up coming back for Jaz. Visited of course.

Jasmine has always been picked on in school. Living in a closed-minded white community and being mixed isn't easy for her. Jaz's grandmother has always been there for her though, to help her with what she can. Jaz just doesn't feel as if she can confide in anyone though, stiffens her backbone to her surroundings and doesn't show her weaknesses to anyone. Not since the pool incident when she was little. This is quite easy to do if you just don't let people get close. Just don't let them in.

But when Jasmine's mother brings home her new boyfriend, Jaz has that friendly connection. And it's been like that for years. Everything is as good as it can be until she sees him with her only friend. How could he do this? How can she tell her mother? And now her mother has even more devastating news that weighs even heavier on her. Can Jaz tell her mother? What about her friend? Sometimes, keeping things in isn't the best idea, but sometimes secrets are better left kept.

4/5 Stars. 256 Pages. Published by Sourcebooks Fire. Received for review from NetGalley.

 

Review: Pyxis + Kindle Giveaway

Pyxis

by

K.C. Neal

With a cover oh, so beautiful, and a storyline all the more swoon worthy, Neal has composed a novel that is captivating and highly delectable. You'll find yourself flying through the pages, and eager, begging, yearning for more.

Corinne had always been close with her grandma Doris, but when her grandma had recently passed away, Corinne was a little confused when all she had left her were some baking pans and some odd funny shaped bottles with different colored liquids in them. They always spent time cooking together so she kinda guessed it made sense. Her grandma had always lived with her aunt Dorothy until her aunt suffered a stroke and had to go into a home. Corrine missed Dorothy too. Everyone hoped she would get better, but she didn't seem to be.

When Corinne and her friend Angeline decide to make some cupcakes for the school bake sale, what's not better to use than the food coloring that grandma Doris left her? It seems to do just the trick too, because everyone loves them! And, over time, she notices that everyone seems to be infatuated with her as well. Could it be an effect from the liquid in the bottles? Corinne and Angeline decide to do some research. What they find may be surprising.

Corinne has been having dreams where her grandmother has been visiting her. Telling her she needs to do something. And now, another friend, Mason is back and is having dreams too. They are all a part of something huge, and were supposed to be taught, but now it's too late. The survivors can't speak about it, only mention that they need to figure things out soon. But... will it be too late? The black fog is coming.

5/5 Stars. 216 Pages. Published by Stonehouse Ink. Received for review from K.C. Neal

Buy the Kindle version available now, Paperback available for preorder, and released December 2nd.

Now, K.C. Neal is giving away a kindle to one lucky winner! Nov.5th-Dec.7th

November Giveaway Hop



As the leaves are but mostly gone, and such a chill in the air, nothing better to do than

read...read...read!

This time around, and open to all ages thirteen and up!

The winner responding within the first 48 hours of contact can win a preordered copy of:

Enter Here

And don't forget to check out all the other awesome giveaways going on!

Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines

by

Richelle Mead

Even though I was a huge Vampire Academy fan, I wasn't so sure if I would like this series, but I happened to find out the last line of the book and just knew I had to read it. Just hearing all those familiar phrases brought me back to that ooey gooey fuzzy state that I had for the VA series. With that being said, it does have many differences, but you will still love it all the same.

Since the incident with Sydney sneaking around and helping out Rose in the VA series, she hasn't had any jobs come her way. So, when the alchemists are in a mad rush because they need a young girl with experience, Sydney is there, and offering to help. Problem is, because they feel like they can't trust her now, they want her sister. With some persuasion though, Sydney finally gets the job. She just isn't sure as to what that job is yet.

Apparently, some of the Moroi aren't happy with Lissa being queen and since she is so heavily guarded, they have decided to go after her sister, Jill. If they could just kill Jill, then that means Lissa will no longer be queen. Jill has already been attacked. This is where Sydney is going to step into play. Sydney's new job is going to relocate, along with Jill and try to hide out and blend in until the Moroi laws can get changed. This means that Sydney has to go back to school. She isn't too happy about this one.

Sydney's only job is to protect Jill. Not be her friend, not help her out, not console her about anything. Just protect her. But when Jill isolates herself and seems to constantly get sick, which the Moroi don't do, Sydney can't help but step in. Jill wants Adrian's help, so that's what Sydney does. She is being watched though. And when she reports Jill's health issues they get ignored only to be thrown in her face later. A setup?

While she is struggling with all of this, and even some of Adrian's problems, she can't help but notice the new tattoos that everyone is talking about at school. The tattoos with metal in them. As far as Sydney knew, only Alchemists did that, and those tattoos held powers. So, how are these kids getting them? This is just one more thing she was told to stay away from and stay out of that she just can't. Is she walking into trouble? Will this jeopardize Jill's safety?

4/5 Stars. 432 Pages. Published by Razorbill. Purchased from Amazon.

In My Mailbox (39)

What is "In My Mailbox"?In My Mailbox is a weekly meme. What is a meme, you ask. The simple description is  "an idea that spreads quickly." Usually the creator of the meme asks for other people to participate and ultimately link back to the person that started the meme. Memes shouldn't be confused with "features." There are some features that are somewhat exclusive to certain blogs, be courteous and don't steal content.

The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of our blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs.  Here's what I got this week, how about you?

Bought:

Free:

Received for review:

Received from Lady Reader's Bookstuff

That's what my mailbox had for me this week. What exciting things did you receive?



Winner of Spooktacular Blog Hop...

Thanks to all those who entered, and sorry for the delay in choosing the winner. I've been crazy busy around here, internet hasn't been working right, so on and so forth. Halloween has come to an end (so sad).

But all good things must come to an end. Just like giveaways.

And the winner is

Dominique!

Guest Post: David Farland

Today at Uniquely Moi Books, please welcome David Farland, to share some amazing things that are going on right now!

The East India Press Writing Contest

When I was young, I launched my career by becoming a prize writer.  Not only did I make good money in college, when I won the grand prize for “Best Story of the Year” for the Writers of the Future Contest, it got me a three-novel contract with Bantam Books.  My first novel became a bestseller and won the Philip K. Dick Memorial Special Award for “Best Novel in the English Language,” and that set the tone of my career.

So as an author who has now been a New York Times Bestseller for many years, I wanted to pass that on.  So at East India Press, in conjunction with the release of my new YA fantasy thriller Nightingale we’re launching a short story contest.

This is a short story contest, just ten pages.  The tale can be set anywhere, any time, though it would be nice if it were set in the world of the Nightingale.

The winner will get $1000 cash, and will have his or her story published in the electronic versions of Nightingale.  More importantly, East India Press will invite the top authors to submit novels for publication to their company, which will be creating novels as enhanced books with illustrations and soundtracks, audiobooks, e-books, and as hardcover novels. 

If a writer does publish with East India Press, I’ll help them push their books toward bestseller status by giving them guidance on a level that other editors aren’t trained to do

You can learn all about the contest, and even find an article on how to win it at www.nightingalebook.com.  We’ll also be putting up an interface so that you can read the first few chapters of the novel Nightingale and find out what an enhanced book is like—with illustrations, animations, and its own soundtrack. 

David Farland is an award-winning New York Times bestseller with dozens of novels to his credit.  He has served as the lead judge for one of the world’s largest writing contests, and as a creative writing instructor at a major university, in addition to teaching writing workshops.  Many of his students have gone on to become international bestsellers, including #1 bestsellers Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull, James Dashner, and Stephenie Meyer.



Review: Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Awake at Dawn

by

C.C. Hunter

 Full of the life's mysteries of the paranormals, you can't help but find yourself falling in love with Hunter's highly addictive series. It has everything you need from suspense to romance and even a little drama.

As Kylie still continues to put up with Miranda and Della's antics and constant feuding, she is still struggling to find out just what she is. Oh, and besides that? Kylie has now found out that she likes blood. No way can Kylie settle on being a vampire. She has also found out that she has been getting faster at running and the ability to hear better. She really can't settle on being a werewolf! That would be just horrid. Ugh, the worst!

 In the midst of all of this that she is dealing with, Lucas has left camp, and even though he is gone, Derek can't seem to get over the fact that he thinks Kylie is still crushing on him. Hmm, maybe that's why Kylie has been dreaming on Lucas? Although, Derek doesn't know that. That's on the hush-hush.

Kylie has enough to deal with as it is, but now she thinks she's being followed. Actually, she knows it. Nobody seems to believe her though. The wolf that found her in the woods a coincidence? What about the things she feels passing her in the woods? Something's just not right in Shadow Falls. As Kylie gets closer to finding out just what she is, she's also getting closer to the mysteries lying in the woods.

4/5 Stars. 383 Pages. Published by St. Martins Griffin. Purchased from Amazon.

Winner of Glow...

I had some internet troubles today...seems to be fixed (I hope).

Now, on to the winner of

Congratulations is in order for..

Susan Schleicher

I'll be emailing you soon!