Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

Kelsey Hayes is no ordinary college freshman. In fact, the eighteen-year-old girl has just returned from India, where she risked her life—and her heart—to rescue a handsome Indian prince from a terrible curse. Back home in Oregon, Kelsey is determined to move on, despite the lingering feelings she has for the man she left behind. She meets Li, a completely average guy who offers the promise of an ordinary, curse-free life. But just when Kelsey is ready to move on, Ren reenters her life, on a quest to reclaim her heart. Danger threatens their newly rekindled love and to save him, Kelsey must journey with someone else—a man who wants her for himself. The saga begun in Tiger’s Curse continues in Tiger’s Quest, as Kelsey finds herself in an epic battle between good and evil. From the shores of the Pacific Northwest to the jungles of India, the mountains of Nepal and Tibet, and the mystical realm of Shangri-la, this suspenseful tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption is not to be missed

I can't even begin to tell you how forever far away November for the third installment of this saga is. It is painfully too far away *insert sad face*. I can say that I had the same feelings about this book as I did when I read Tiger's Curse. The beginning is slow, then it picks up, evens out, and then picks up again. It was a great read in the end with wonderful culture woven through and, yet again, a painfully sad cliffhanger.

First and foremost - Ren - if you exist, I love you and am patiently waiting for you to find me. In the first couple of chapters, Ren gets his head in the game and comes after Kelsey, insisting she date other guys but him as well. Guess what the verdict was with that experiment. Yep, that's right, you get to read about 75 pages worth of blissfully happy Ren and Kelsey *insert sigh*. Ren in this novel is wonderful again, he's strong, passionate, considerate, a little on the jealous side and smokin' hott. BEST BOYFRIEND EVER.

Second - Kelsey, this book is a rollercoster, more so than the first one. Every time her life gets some semblance of order or happiness, it is ripped from underneath her and she goes through some hellish emotions. Ren, Kishan, and Mr. Kadam really do a great job taking care of her. Mr. Kadam's great (times a lot) granddaughter, Nilima does a good job as well, but her constant appearance in the book had me thinking, and then I saw why in the end. I am developing a dislike for her. My biggest problem with Kelsey is the one I have been having lately, this I-am-not-good-enough-for-him attitude. He flew across the world for you and professed undying love for you, BE HAPPY.

Third - Kishan - He's another heart breaker in the boyfriend department but he's also heartbroken for several reasons and Kelsey is depicted as his hope through the whole novel. Did anyone else know there was a love triangle coming? I did! I did! It's a good one too, but we all know I want her to be with Ren. ***SPOILER-ish***But due to a separation problem and Ren being taken prisoner, Kishan has to go with Kelsey on the second half of the quest. This solidifies Kelsey and Kishan's relationship even more.

I did not think that this part of the quest was exciting as the first one but there were some wonderful allusions mixed into it giving it a different feel for me. Gilgamesh, Odin, Sirens, and the garden of Eden.

Some quick thoughts.

The end ... Oh the end... Someone want to email that has read this so I can vent?

That's my only quick thought because I am not over it.

TGIF

Who's ready for the weekend?! I know I am! I'm introducing a new feature for Fridays to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for my followers. Feel free to get involved by linking up at the bottom. If not, I'd love to read your responses in the comments. Thanks!

This Friday's Question:

Character Envy: If you could be one character from a book,

who would you choose & why?

I love Rose ... anyone surprised that I said that? I love that she is a "go getter",

she does not need a guy to tell her what to do, she isn't rail thin, and she can take care of herself. She also is irrational, so she isn't perfect. It makes her real to me.

I also really love Kelsey from Tiger's Curse ... but not because of her characterization. It's because of who she makes out with... REN!!! He is my newest an ultimate book boyfriend... so I want to be her so I can make out with him... Being totally serious right now.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Hmmm... I liked the last 100 pages of the book. There is 350...I know... Yikes! I feel this book was a really long prequel. The first one hundred pages of the book was setting up the world that the Gladers live in. There is a stringent order that all must follow to survive. It's a community. The biggest aspect of the book is the Maze - it's the puzzle, the clue, the biggest piece of the story.

These kids are sent, all boys to the Glade as they call it, once a month, on the same day. Tom shows up, but is quickly characterized as brave, smart, and observant - maybe a bit of a solver (of problems). Thomas quickly disrupts the order that Alby and Newt try to keep in place, but with each time Tom messes up the order, discoveries are made leading them to discover the mystery of the maze.

And a day after Tom shows up, a girl shows up! The first time EVER! And she, she's another piece to the puzzle and with her entrance to the story, Thomas discovers that he is a piece to the puzzle as well...

The epilogue was my favorite. I liked the tone of it and I think it introduces a great cliffhanger. It took me awhile to get into it, clearly, however - I am into it. I am not dying for The Scorch Trials but I am intrigued.

Some quick thoughts

There is a romance brewing... YES!

Making this a movie I believe

Oh Chuck....

It reminds of the Big Brother theory in a lot of ways...

There is a contest going on at Beyond Words for all my writing friends. An agent is asking for a two sentence pitch. It ends soon so head over there. Go... umm.. did you go? Go now.

500 giveaway over at LC's

LC over at LC's Adventures in Libraryland is having her 500th Follower Giveaway!!!

Congrats.

She is having an awesome giveaway where the first person can pick two books out of a selection and the second place gets to pick one. To see a list of the books you can win, go here.

She has a great blog and being a follower for her, especially if you like YA is a great idea!

Stop over and tell her I sent you!

The Magic of Finkleton by KC Hilton (MG)

Most folks say, "Mother Nature controls the rain." However this is not the case in the village of Finkleton.

In the perfect little village of Finkleton, the weather is always perfect. Every farm grows the best, biggest, healthiest crops in the entire world, and everyone is happy.

Soon after the Finkles inherit their Uncle Harry's shop and move to Finkleton, they discover magical secrets hidden in his shop. One clue at a time, Jack, Lizzy and Robert learn the town's amazing secret. No, Mother Nature is not in charge in Finkleton!

Ever since Uncle Harry's death, the weather has not been cooperating. Farms are starting to fail. Will the Finkle children be able to solve all the magical mysteries before the village is destroyed?

Come along to Finkleton. A very special, magical adventure is about to begin!

Talk about a beautiful cover!

I received The Magic of Finkleton by KC Hilton and independent author/publisher from a group that I signed up with. The lead person contacts independent authors, gets a few free books, and then we say if we want to read them or not. This was my first one.

I am heavy into Young Adult and this book is Middle Grade 9-12. Its been a while since I have read this young of a book. There are big differences from age ranges.

With that being said, I felt this book was wholesome, in the old fashion, good, clean fun way. Three children discover the house/general store that they have inherited possesses magical capabilities, which in turn helps all the neighboring farmers making the little town of Finkleton very self-sufficient and successful. The kids are responsible for discovering how to keep this success going.

My biggest critique is how the children act. They all seem overly mature for their ages and seem to be the same age when the youngest is 8 and the oldest is 14. I wish there were some variances in the children, to show their ages better.

In the end the children save the day, and Hilton sets up for a sequel. I think parents will be happy with this book.

Hop, Follow, and TGIF :)

What’s the ONE GENRE that you wish you could get into, but just can’t?

I would have to say it is Science Fiction, like the The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. I think these novels are super creative and I respect them but I just feel when I am reading these type of books (I've tried) that I am un-invovled in them, just pushing through. Why do you like Sci-fi?

Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

Cassandra Clare

Richelle Mead

I would pick them because they created some awesome paranormal worlds and created cultures.

Collen Houck

is my third because I loved the Tiger's Curse. I loved that she picked India and currently I am obssessed with going there and finding out more information.

Who's ready for the weekend?! I know I am! I'm introducing a new feature for Fridays to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for my followers. Feel free to get involved by linking up at the bottom. If not, I'd love to read your responses in the comments. Thanks!

This Friday's Question:

Bookshelf Tour: Where do you keep your books at home?

Are they organized?

My books are kept in my office/writing room/ escape room. I have two book shelves and currently there is no order to them. I do keep series together and authors (try to) together as well. Maybe I will go organize them now by author's last name? However, if you were to come to my house you would discover, find, and unbury, random books that when I was finished reading I didn't put back. It's like a surprise! :)

What makes a good female protagonist?

I am looking for some feedback.

I love a strong female protagonist. I like them to be snarky, confident, and outgoing. The word vivacious comes to mind. I like it when their fault is they are irrational, I think it makes it easier to write about and leads characters down unexpected paths.

Pet Peeve in female characters - the "I don't think I am pretty" fault or the "I don't know why he is with me" fault. I want to ask them "Didn't your parents, guardians, grandparents, anyone tell you were pretty when you were little?" and come one girls know how to size each other up.

But what about you? What do you like in a female character? Even though I stated my Pet Peeve you may like that in the character. I am very curious as to why you do.

Paranomalcy by Kiersten White

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So, I've seen this beautiful cover countless (literally) all over the book blogging world. Let's all take a moment and appreciate it. (1-2-3) OK. I never read the reviews for Paranormalcy because I was afraid it would ruin for me. I knew by the cover that I would like it (pre-conceived notion and all) I finally read it. Um, the cover misleading. I thought I was going to get some damsel in distress, have to figure out how to make paranormal normal. (In all honesty, I still haven't read the summary...I just posted it. I had no idea Evie was going to be so tough. I LOVE tough female heroines. Period. I lump her with Rose.

I will say after reading the book, the cover should totally show Evie as a bad-ass. I think the sequel shows it better, but I think Evie should be smirking or just not so doe-eyed. I call for a re-do!

OK - on to the story - Evie - that little Pink, see through all the disguises she-rambo. In the beginning of the book, I was not really sure if I liked Evie. I like/hated Reth (anyone else want to date him?). I liked Lish. I liked Jacque, Racquel, and Lend. But I was not sold on Evie, eventually I came to care for her, but felt no "book bond" with her. She does make some really good, slightly wacky choices. She is a fighter. She is also very much a teenage girl who wants to go to school, have a locker, go to prom, go on a date, everything we all did as teenagers, but the center prevents that and it is sad. Normal high schoolers take that for granted.

Reth - *swoon* OK I'm better. Fairies are so naughty and manipulative and I freaking love it. Recently YA has blown my pre-conceived thoughts about fairies right out of the water. I can't really say what I want to about Reth because I feel it will lead people in certain directions, but his character is essential.

Holy fire girl.

Lend - I like Lend, I don't love him, but I like how he is kind to Evie and sweet to her. I love what he turns out to be. Again, I can't say what I want because it is a spoiler.

The pace and plot of the story were slow for me, until about page 80. Then it picked up for me and I read through. I got the funny face from my boyfriend because I LOL-ed a few times. The author does a great job captivating teens.

Some quick thoughts

Still want a cover redo

Mermaids :)

I love the part where Evie puts her mouth on the tank and puffs out her cheeks.

IPCA -mmmm

Lend's mom - awesome.

Ooops - sorry swooned over Reth again and fell over.

TIger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing 17-year old Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more

OMG OMG OMG. I LOVED IT! One of the best I have read in a while, since Divergent by Veronica Roth. It was fresh, captivating, and kept me reading until all hours of the night.

Kelsey is a girl who is lost, figuratively. Her parents were killed in a car accident, she has a nice enough family, but she has a lot of walls. She ends up doing a temp job at a circus where she meets the beautiful white tiger with piercing blue eyes. She gets close with the tiger and when the tiger has the opportunity to go to a tiger reserve in India, Kelsey goes with the tiger to help him transition.

And then her beautiful white tiger turns into the smokin' hott Ren. He has been added to my boyfriend list and jumped to the top rankings. *swoons* Ren then tells her about the curse his brother and he have undergone and why she is important in breaking the curse. They go on a dangerous journey together.

Some problems Kelsey faces - her attraction to Ren - she believes that he will leave her because she is a plain Jane and he is Adonis and once he sees there are other girls out there, he wont want her. It is clear through the whole book that he loves her - the kissing scenes are awesome. I do understand her reservations about it but COME ON! At first I thought she was just going to be a "the I don't know i am pretty" girl but it does go deeper and isn't superficial.

The setting of this book is set primarily in India and the culture in the book is wonderful. It's a great introduction to a culture I don't know very much about. In fact I have a date with the Internet later to learn more.

Some quick thoughts

PLEASE MAKE IT A MOVIE

I heart Ren

Kappas - creepy

I see a love triangle repeating itself from 300 years ago - intrigued yet?

The part at the end where they hear the tiger cry out - my heart broke

I loved it.

TGIF

Who's ready for the weekend?! I know I am! I'm introducing a new feature for Fridays to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for my followers. Feel free to get involved by linking up at the bottom. If not, I'd love to read your responses in the comments. Thanks!

This Friday's Question:

Book Blogger Appreciation: Which book blogs have inspired you

or made a difference in your blogging experience?

There are three blogs that have made my blogging experience but there are also a few honorable mentions as well :)

Diana over at The Lovely Getaway has a blog that talks about books and her travels. Her reviews are insightful and I love it when she gets angry at her books - her comments make me laugh out loud - like a for real LOL. She recently went on a trip to Egypt and posted about that. It was exciting and fresh to see. I do have to add my favorite think that she has posted is her video with the llama.

Melissa over at My world in ...in words and pages -I think Melissa and I have a (currently) different style of books we are in love with right now and its a great thing because she is keeping me off my one-track mind syndrome. I can always rely on her for a good comment and I hope she feels the same. She also has read my manuscript and gave awesome feedback. Has anyone every edited a manuscript? It's not really fun, but she did it.

Kamol over at In Which I Write Nonsensically and I are writing critique bodies. I believe the way we came to "meet" was through Diana actually. But we are both writers looking to get published so we are kinda in line to get on the rollercoaster together. The rollercoaster is called "Publishing Monster - the ride of your life." Anyway, Kamol is super supportive and we always came each other laugh.

In no particular order - my honorable mentions

Lindsay at Lindsay Writes

The YA Lit Six

The Ambers at Awesomesauce Book Club

Matched by Ally Condie

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

This is one of those books I saw so much about and loved the cover. The summary really draws you in, especially with the mention of a passionate love triangle. I found this read to be similar to The Giver by Lois Lowry, and I am not saying the world itself (tho some similarities exist, but I think if the dystopia genre continues to take off over the next year like it has been, I think similarities will happen.) I was referring more to the style of writing. You know that chart we teach in school to show rising conflict, resolution, falling action etc.? The chart leads up to a big moment, and in most books there are several big moments that we as readers are led up to. In Matched and The Giver it's more like a flat line, a constant. Even with the bigger moments, like when Cassia and Ky are practicing writing and aren't supposed to or when Cassia passes Ky's artifact to Xander, I paged over them.

My favorite part of the book is the Match Banquet. I thought this was the most captivating. I thought it captured Cassia's nerves well and I was happy she got matched with &%^$#@. I really thought that the book was going to be about their relationship and their struggles. I hate to say but I might have enjoyed the book more if it had.

Some quick thoughts:

Not my favorite.... is there a sequel?

I like the mother in this one

AGENT CONTEST ALERT It's over at YAtopia. You get a chance to work with the awesome Vicki Motter. She is looking to build her client list and is looking for YA and Adult Paranormal/Urban Fantasy. You need to do a three line pitch. On the post they also have an interview from Motter to help you figure out what she is looking for! Good Luck.

Blogging, education, and writing housekeeping - (What middle grade fiction would you buy?)

Some house keeping:

Reading and Blogging

Lieder over at Songs and Stories asked me to be part of her Bookie Brunch. It was a lot of fun. Five of us got together and talked about our opinions about love triangles in stories. Check it out. If you answer with a thoughtful response, you get entered in the giveaway to get a tote and a book by Amanda Quick. This feature is going to pop up every Sunday on people's blogs, so be on the look out.

Education

I have been officially moved out of 12th grade English into ELA 8. OK. Now that's different, but I am going to be co-teaching with my friend Angela and we have some really awesome ideas. We are going to base our whole year on Survival. We are going to be incorporating: The Outsiders, Unwind, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, The Diary of Anne Frank, among others. But I have a small catch, my classroom library is based for high school not middle school. Some of the stuff on the shelves are a bit to high for them. So I am asking the book blogging word for some awesome (maybe not so popular) books for Middle school students. I don't care the genre, I have kids with all kinds of interests.

Writing

Now that I have had two weeks off of school. (GOD BLESS SUMMER VACATION! Sorry had a moment of pure elation right there, I'll get it together.) Komal over at In Which I write Nonsensically, was awesome enough to give me her list of agents that she has compiled. I took it one step farther, listing email and street addresses and what their submission requirements were. I finished that, oh about ten minutes ago - believe it or not, it took four days to do. I also sent out my Q letter to my book blogging and close writing friends for some feed back. I also have been working on my WIP for my sequel. It's been going really well.

I currently have a soundtrack (on repeat) while I am writing. The list is as follows:

Sober by Kelly Clarkson

Witchy Woman by the Eagles

What Hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts

All I Wanna Do It Make Love to You by Heart

Trouble by Pink

Sober by Pink

I've been busy.

So remember about two paragraphs up? What middle grade fiction should I get?

Attack on the bad books: Follow and Tgif

Let's step away from besties...What is the worst book that you've ever read and actually finished?

Extraodrinary by Nancy Welin - I loved the cover. I did not love the book. This book lacked action, was super anti-climatic, and the resolution was like: Duh!

Blogger Confession: What's the last book you could not finish?

(or had a hard time finishing?)

I am pretty good about finishing. I actually get a really guilty conscious if I don't. But sometimes, life gets in the way and I want to be reading, but my mind can't focus on it and then there are sometimes when I just don't connect with the book.

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore - Busy and couldn't focus

Everwild by Neal Shusterman - busy and couldn't focus

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury - Painful

1984 by George Orwell - Painful

Several of the Ellen Hopkins - just not my thing

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.
Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea.
Packed with romance, lovable characters, and a killer cliffhanger, Queen of the Dead is the out-of-this-world sequel to The Ghost and the Goth

Remember how yesterday I thought The Ghost and The Goth was a light, funny read? This was NOT the case with Queen of the Dead. Several times, I felt so bad for Alona, to the point where I was tearing up. The first was one her mom started packing up all of her stuff and tossing it to the curb, after only two months of her being gone. I have to tell you, if I died, my mom would not be doing that so quickly. You could read how upset Alona was. Then she goes to her dad's house, finds out he is having a baby girl, and places the sonogram picture over Alona's, which in reality, he didn't get rid of Alona's picture, but Alona feels like the baby is a replacement. Again, it's not that way, but a 17 year old girl would feel that way... I'm 2$ and I would feel that way if I were in the situation. The next situation and somewhat of a spoiler is when Will tells Alona they should go their separate ways! WHAT?! Yeah, she screws up. BIG TIME at the end, but separate ways? Wasn't this the girl you crushed on since 6th grade and made out with when she was dead?! I was so angry. All this stuff was frustrating but great because I felt something while I was reading. I love it when an author can do that.

Come to find out there are a bunch of people like Will, not everywhere, but others and they work together, and enter Mina, Alona's insecurity. Mina is like Will, saucy, bad hair according to Alona, and very much alive. Alona is worried throughout the whole book that Will not want her anymore because she is a ghost. Back to Mina, she has some of her own issues, dragging Will into them.

There were still some really funny moments because Will and Alona are pretty bold about what they say. I like the few kissing moments. For those of you who have read this book, is it weird for you that they kiss? It's not for me. The third installment does not come out until NEXT SUMMER!

Some quick thoughts:

The ending, wow, you are going to be mad it doesn't come out till next summer... you wait.

Mina's dad- holy issues.

Will's mom is adjusting - good for her

Again, the dude on the cover is not Will - can I get a retake?

Alona is growing but she still who she was in the beginning of the series, if that makes sense.

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star… and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation?

I thought this was a light and funny read.

The voice of Alona Dare is done so well. She is the mean, cold, b@tch you hated in school, but sadly,she dies, because of a reason that is made clear at the end of the book. But she comes back from the dead expecting the world to have stopped because she is no longer there and sadly, it's almost like she is yesterday's news. She is furious and angry and looking for help and she finds it in a social outcast named Will Killian, who can also hear the dead.

Alona is so pushy that Will blows his cover and the other ghosts realize Will can hear them. Naturally, they want his help, but can you imagine every ghost in town beating down your door to take care of your unfinished business?

Throughout the story Alona's walls break down and we see that she is still that tough, aggressive girl, but maybe there is a reason for it. Will, well, Will's crush on Alona grows. (yeah, she's still dead.) I am a hopeless romantic and I love it when couples defy the odds, but how is Kade going to defy the odds for Will and Alona? I mean, she's dead and buried, literally. But still, so sweet.

The story is not just about Alona and Will though. There is a tragic story about one of Will's friend, Lilly. She sought Will's help but he missed her help and something bad happened to her. Then there is this giant black cloud (?) that attacks Will at different times. He thinks it is his father, who committed suicide, and is angry with Will for wanting to leave his mother after he graduates. Alona, as she states a few times in the book, maybe pretty but she isn't stupid and doesn't think it is Will's father. So what is it then?

Some quick thoughts

A light quick read. - a lot of humor. - I read it in a day

I have already picked up the sequel - thanks to Judy

I want Alona and Will to be together - *realizes she is whining and is OK with it*

The boy on the cover is NOT how I picture Will AT ALL. He's way hotter in my head.

Rose vs. Luce

I have been doing a lot of reading, a lot of writing, and a lot of blogging. (Summer vacation how I love you). And I have thought about this topic several times before and I am wondering about other people opinions.

For a female protagonist would you prefer her to be brazen and self-assured or meek and mild that comes into her own, but seems to need a protector?

For example, I love Rose from The Vampire Academies. I love the fact she doesn't wait for people to tell her what to do. She assesses the situation, makes a plan and carries it out. However her faults, I think are much more apparent, such as acting before she thinks and hurting people (Adrian) due to her selfishness.

Then you have

Luce from the Fallen series (though she tries to figure things out) is more average and cautious and waits to see what others do until the end of the second book. And I think Luce's faults are subtle. I can't call her weak, but I can't really call her strong. I can't say she isn't willing to fight but I wouldn't classify her as a fighter.

My questions to you are: Which female protagonist do you prefer? and who is (are) your favorite female protagonist?

Side notes: Leigh Fallon is having an awesome giveaway at YAtopia and there is another one over at Writer Ropers and Hopes is offering up a critique of a Q letter. Um, what are you waiting for, leave me a comment and go see these ladies.

Passion by Lauren Kate

"Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have chosen me. Forever."

Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever

I really liked Fallen. I thought Torment was decent. I thought Passion was a filler. I feel we could have summed up the whole book in four chapters and made book four a really long book 3. I feel like I am being really harsh but I felt the plot could have been more action packed. It literally is just a time travel of Daniel's and Luce's love, which in Book 1, I was all about. But you can only read about her bursting in flames before that torrid, romantic story, becomes a tiny flame, that barely radiates heat.

I will also tell you that I was really annoyed with Luce. She went back in time because, if you remember in book 2, she had her doubts about Daniel. Um, hello, he's an angel... a little bit of faith please? I knew in Book 1, that he loved her. It WAS INCREDIBLY CLEAR in book 2, and in three at about 200 pages in, she finally gets it. Talk about dense... I feel bad for Daniel who picks her above all else, and that's not a hyperbole.

There were some good points that make me hopeful for Book 4, such as: Cam's allegiance or truce to the cause, the appearance of Satan, the fact that Luce actually gets that Daniel loves her.

One thing I really liked, even though I kind of complained about it earlier, is the time travelling. I like How L.K. comes up with authentic and different scenes for Luce to travel to, like Globe theater and a Chinese Dynasty. That was cool.

Some quick thoughts:

I think Cam is sexy...and he was once in love?!?! - I actually prefer him over Daniel

I thought Satan would be ...well...meaner...he is the devil after all...

I thought the prologue was the best part

Aztec love affair- scary!

Major show down coming on in book four.

I would have liked to have seen the other angels search for Luce.

Carpe Corpus - Rachel Caine

In the small college town of Morganville, vampires and humans lived in (relative) peace-until all the rules got rewritten when the evil vampire Bishop arrived, looking for the lost book of vampire secrets. He's kept a death grip on the town ever since. Now an underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it, Bishop must go to even greater lengths. He vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants-the living and the undead. Claire Danvers and her friends are the only ones who stand in his way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires ever be content to go back to the old rules, after having such a taste of power

Caine does an excellent job making this book flow with Book four and five. Nicely done! We start this one (and if you haven't started this series, probably not a good idea to read this post - I won't put in spoilers but they are probably going to be indirect spoilers.) with Shane and his dad in jail and more than likely killed. Amelie is missing and it's Claire's birthday - yep she's 17. It's a really sad place to be. Everyone, and I mean vampire and human alike are scared. Bishop is a cruel loose cannon.

But some good news, Amelie isn't as absent as you think, Mrynin has not traded sides and either has Michael. and then Bishop lets Shane go, right after he turns his father into a vampire. No biggie. Then some 17 year old fireworks, if you get my hint.

Again, all four members of the Glass house are sent on missions and sadly a lot is kept from Claire because everyone is unsure if Bishop still has control of her. So we spend a lot of time with her, feeling clueless, which is good because we are seeing everything from her perspective and you get frustrated like Claire does... great writing skill.

SPOILER**In the end, the fab four are key in the destruction and disposal of Bishop. Amelie, Oliver, and Sam are also very intricate, and sadly Sam dies for the cause. I was so upset but you know who was more upset, Amelie. She really did love him and she lost him. (Secretly glad it was not Shane or Michael.) The book ends with Amelie back in control and at Sam's funeral, where Amelie announces that humans and vamps are going to try and become equals.

Remember about 3 posts ago I said Caine had a lot of plot lines going on. In this book, she ties them all up in a nice book bow. I am looking forward to see the next one, but I am going to give the series a break, but will come back to it before the end of summer.

Some quick thoughts:

So happy that Myrnin is cured... but I will miss the "crazyness" of him

Claire's parents are still annoying.

Frank Collins...hmm who would have thought - nice guy?

Eve wasn't a huge part of this but I read the back of Book 7 and that one seems to be based on her.

Lord of Misrule - Rachel Caine

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn'’t the only threat.
Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural

Good news: I'm still hooked.

Bad news: Bishop is in charge

Good news: there are like five more books so it's not the end

Bad news: Bishop is in charge!

Amelie as always is in control and running underground missions and trying to keep the game moving like a chessboard (a lot of reference to chess being strategic) All four roommates are given tasks to do. And Shane, who is the most reckless and unstable has probably the most dangerous job. With Bishop in control and vampires and humans stuck in places, Shane needs to get the vamps blood so that they don't go nuts and eat humans AND he has the book that Bishop wants. Claire and Michael think this is super dangerous but Shane gladly takes on the responsibility.

Claire is back with Myrnin, you know the crazy vampire that loves Claire, wants to eat Claire, respects Claire, and makes a lot of uncomfortable comments to her. They have a cure for that disease that the vampires have but it includes using Bishop's blood (yeah because that is accessible.) We also meet Ada (which is a very odd part for me) who is a former student of Myrnin's but is now a robot that is sustained off of blood. (umm...yeah?) Anyway, Ada controls the portals and comes in handy at key points especially because Myrnin gives Claire the right to control and use Ada.

At the end: the final battle ends and there is some not so good news. Spoiler**** like Shane and his father are sentences to death. Michael is Bishop's bitch. And Claire becomes binded to Bishop. Yeah...not so good.

Caine really made the transition between Book four and five seamless. Throughout writing this I had to constantly check to make sure that I have not gone back into the Feast of Fools.

Some quick thoughts:

If Shane dies, I will be furious...turn him into a vampire...but no death

Amelie is supposed to keep track of Claire: how does she neglect this

Claire's parents are not really smart- my parents would act differently

Oliver...hmmm...i think he's hott in the villain type of way.

100th giveaway winner

My 100th giveaway is over and I am going to announce my winner!!!

Drumroll please!!!!!!

Lieder Madchen

I have sent an email to her!!!

I wanted to say thanks to my followers especially the ones who comment on my posts!! I love our conversations!!!

Tgif, Hop, and Follow

Who's ready for the weekend?! I know I am! I'm introducing a new feature for Fridays to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for my followers. Feel free to get involved by linking up at the bottom. If not, I'd love to read your responses in the comments. Thanks!

Link up over at Greads.

This Friday's Question:

Mr & Mrs: Who are your favorite book couples?

(In no particular order)

Jace and Clary from the Mortal Instrument book - I knew from the beginning there was no way they were related... and let's face it; he's hott.

Rose and Dimitri - The Vampire Academies - OMG I love his "it's not right" and her "Doing it anyway" attitude.

Rose and Adrian - The Vampire Academies - I know -I have her above, but Adrian was willing to change for her and he was a little dysfunctional - my heart broke for him in the end...and lets face it they had some hott scenes too.

Jack and Schyuler from Blue Bloods - I love them together. I love how they defy history to be together.

and my last

Will and Tessa - is anyone surprised by this one that knows me? from the Infernal devices series. He's the boy with the secrets and past and she's the good girl who can't stay away even though she knows she should.

Q. ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

A. Edward Cullen in Twilight - I remember sitting in the movie theater on the day it came out with a few of my students and just about died when he walked into the cafeteria in the movie. And my reaction would be: stare, open and close my mouth like a guppy, and then try and get a normal picture, and pray someone takes a picture :)

“What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?“

I would have to say there are a few things. 1. Is there a steamy romance brewing? 2. Did someone say it was worth it or awesome (typically Diana, Judy, or Sam). 3. Did the author pitch something in the story (like a weird habit, reference to a dark secret, - basically something that makes me want to know more). And last - Most of the time - once i start a book I have to finish it - doesn't always happen but I feel I owe it to the author to finish it. What makes me stop? Really bad plot line - like it doesn't make sense why what is happening like it is.

Also, my giveaway for a pre-order of Clockwork Prince is still available. Look for it under my June list of blog - it's for my 100th follower!