Amanda Hocking Bandwagon!

Yeah... I jumped right on it!

Torn the second installment of the Trylle Trilogy...

Wendy thought she finally understood who she was and what she wanted, but everything changes when the rival Vittra come after her.

She's caught between two worlds, torn between love and duty, and she must decide what life she is meant to lead. from Goodreads.com

First, I love a torrid love affair and forbidden ones too and Finn and Wendy have that! Yes... I am a sucker for a love story! I will get to that in a bit.

Next, I stated this in my Switched Review, i like worlds that coincide with the "real" world and Hocking (did anyone hear that she is self-published and a freakin' millionaire- who is jumping on the ePublishing train with me?!)does a wonderful job merging her troll world with ours.

Wendy finds herself having to chose between her mother's kingdom and her father's kingdom who is not dead...but through actions of her father, Wendy starts to feel loyalty to her

mother's kingdom, which is where the delicious, scruffy-faced Finn resides though he does a really good job being duty-bound. Wendy has to really grow up in the novel, no longer being the bratty girl she was in the first one. She starts to asert herself as Princess realizing that she can command a room and no will tell her "no", but her mother. Wendy starts to take a page from Finn's book and becomes duty bound... to a fault at the end...If anyone has read this can they please email me and tell me about what they thought about Wendy's commitment at the end? I don't want to ruin it on here.

Near the end of the book, we finally get to see Elora be affectionate. We get to learn what she sacrificed to keep Wendy safe, that she knows what it is to love, that she is doing things for Wendy so she is safe and a good Queen, and we also learn that she will be "giving" up the thrown a lot sooner than Wendy or her are ready for. And I w

as just happy that Elora didn't turn out to be a cold-heart Bee-yatch for Wendy's sake.

Brother Matt is back in the story and even when he discovers that Wendy is not his sister (don't worry this comes out in the beginning of the story) he still super protective of her and is new brother as well.

Ultimately, Wendy is trying to find a way to keep peace between the two kingdom, but not everyone is up for that. Willa, Tove, Rhys, Finn, and Elora are though.

Some quick thoughts:

Finn loves her, knows he can't, always seems to end up kissing her at the worst moments... LOVE IT

Tove - is a great guy, loyal, kind, a good teacher, and a good friend, but let's be real that is it.

Loki - I gotta say, he could be a third stud in the book and I can't tell if his intentions toward Wendy are good or manipulative yet.

I love Finn's reasons as to why he is jealous of certain people and not of others.

I think there are faction that are going to try to give Wendy to her father

She is still continuing to develop her abilities but everyone says she is soooo strong so I want to know what other powers she has.

Switched by Amanda Hocking

I can tell you that I bought this as an eBook for two reasons, one I had seen it and also it was $.99 on B&N. So why not?

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might have been telling the

truth. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.

Anyway, We meet Wendy and I would say she is well balanced. She's not an "in your face" character but she is not "weak-willed." I liked her because she was bratty to her older brother and I felt for her because her "mother" was a monster toward her. Going on, Wendy knows she is different, in the first chapter we find out she can persuade people to do what she wants by making eye contact and repeating what she wants. In comes Finn (one of my favorite names and a name in my manuscript), yes, he's the heartthrob. He's loyal and duty-bound and hott!

Some what of a spoiler (considering it happens in the fourth chapter) Wendy is a troll not the Billy Goat's Gruff troll but a new spin which I havent read yet, so big credit to Hockings for turning the perception on trolls because I def think of them as smelly and gross (anyone remember the Ernest Scared Stupid, the movie? that!) Finn is there to take her "home" to her real mother and start life over. She is also very much in danger from other trolls - Vittera. They want her because as Tove tells us, Wendy is very powerful!

Wendy has a whole world thrust upon her and is trying to be a good trylle (troll) but you get a feeling of raising frustration because she has all these questions, and NO ONE answers them for her. She is expected to be a certain way but no one gives her the why. I felt myself getting frustrated for her and for me because I wanted to know more about the Trylle world.

Some quick thoughts

Finn's my new man... though I dont love him like Patch and Will

Elora is up to something ... I probably should trust her but I don't

Tove ... I think he has a thing for Wendy - maybe betrothed?

Finn and Wendy forever :)

I want to know her other abilities.

The Bloody Valentine by Melissa De La Cuz

Bloody Valentine by Melissa De La Cruz

Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz is a novella in the Blue Bloods series. It consists of three beautifully written short stories each with a focus on matters of the heart - hence the title.

While it is not necessary to have read all the books in this series before reading this novella, it is recommended, as two of the three stories relate to events that take place in the previous two books.

The first story is about Schuyler Van Alen's friend and familiar Oliver Hazard-Perry and Freya, a character who will be the focus of a new series by the author entitled Witches of East End, due out in the summer of 2011. It is a wonderful story that fills in some of the missing pieces on what's going on with Oliver at the same

time as other things are occurring in Misguided Angel.

The second story brings us back to 1985 where we get to meet a young Allegra Van Alen and the human familiar she falls in love with, Bendix Chase. This is a great addition as it gives further insight into Schuyler's parents and just how she came to be.

The final story, and the longest, is about Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force and their bonding ceremony which occurs after the events in Misguided Angel. This is a great way to close this book as it gives readers another opportunity to see Jack and Schuyler and witness their love for one another. It bridges the long gap between the previous book and the next book in the series, Lost in Time, which won't be out until October 2011.

Sometimes I absolutely love her books and sometimes I feel like it is a filler. I was worried this was going to be that way and I was happy to find that it wasn't!

This novella consists of three stories about love.

First we see Ollie - which my heart has always broken for Ollie because he lovedSchuyle long before she bit him. I think this short story about him and Freya, gives people who have had their heart broken, hope. It talks about his desperation and leads to his eventual healing.

Second was the story of Allegra which I loved seeing who she was instead of a sleeping mother. I saw a teenager who loved Charles but also loved Bendix (Schuyle's dad). I saw a teenage girl not wanting to give in to what she was destined to do. I saw someone very relatable (the most out of the whole series!)

Third - I am not going to write about Jack and Schuyle because I dont want to ruin it for Diana from The Lovely Getaway! But I was happy! And now I need to know how it works out when Jack goes to find Mimi!

Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge 2011 (2)

Macbeth by William Shakespeare!

One of the great Shakespearean tragedies, Macbeth is a dark and bloody drama of ambition, murder, guilt and revenge. Prompted by the prophecies of three mysterious witches and goaded by his ambitious wife, the Scottish thane Macbeth murders Duncan, King of Scotland, in order to succeed him on the throne. This foul deed soon entangles the conscience-stricken nobleman in a web of treachery, deceit and more murders that ultimately spells his doom - taken from Goodreads.com

As an English teacher you would think that I would be a huge fame of Bill (as I so lovingly call him). I'm not really. However, Macbeth, is a play that I can read over and over again. I love the deceit, the plotting, the out and out betrayal among friends and so easy! Now this is drama!

Macbeth - what a back stabber! I love him. How quick he turns from his noble quest for the queen when the queens dangle the crown under his nose, fulling knowing that those he/she' are manipulative. And Lady Macbeth - I just love the scene where she tries to rub out that damn spot!

The witches- what great manipulators! They totally set everyone up...including Banquo - even though he dies in the end. My favorite part of the play are the predictions. I think Bill did a great weaving and crafting them. I imagine that people back in Globe theater were shocked and impressed with the way they came out.

GREAT ONE!

5/5

Misguided Angel - Melissa De La Cruz

I have been following this series each time it comes out. Sadly, I fell behind and the next one in line is already out! But at least I don't have to wait! Right?

After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the five remaining gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silver Bloods.

Back in New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a crumbling coven. Struggling with her heartache over the loss of Kingsley and with her overwhelming desire to destroy Jack, she must focus all of her energy on a perilous new threat. Vampires are being abducted and their captors are planning to burn them alive online…for all the world to see. Help arrives in the form of Demi

ng Chen, a Venator from Shanghai, who must untangle the web of deceptions before the killers strike again.

As the young vampires struggle for the survival of the coven, they uncover a deadly secret, a truth first discovered by Schuyler’s mother during the Renaissance but kept buried for centuries. And as the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler to a terrible choice that will ultimately map the destiny of her heart.

Stolen from Barnes and Noble

I have noticed that with a lot of her series, De La Cruz, has books that set the plot and ot

hers that wrap up situations (but lead to knew situations) Misguided Angel is definitely, a set you up for the next one, My Bloody Valentine.

I was really looking forward to Jack and Schuyler and "Spending" time with them. Howe

ver, this book does for the first 100 pages and then goes to Mimi and the new character, Deming. That was a bit disappointing because Jack and Schuyler are the main reasons I have kept with this story. She did leave me with a good ending, very reminiscent to the end of New Moon.

Spoiler alert - Mimi and Oliver become friends?!?!?! Yes, they sure do. DID NOT SEE IT COMING! Will he become her familiar?! Mimi started to show a softer side with Kingsley (which I would have liked to see him in hell- wouldn't that be a great scene?) She goes softer and less pri-madonna and I like her, which I never thought that I would. I mean she was a royal Beeyatch! But she is responsible, being assertive in the interest of vampires, a little more humbled when dealing with Red Bloods. The book ends with her going to Egypt to get Kingsley and Oliver goes with her and I really hope they end up together, (Kingsley and Mimi that is). I was really surprised by the story was more about Mimi than Jack and Schuyler.

Deming - Well, I am not sure of her purpose. She wrapped up the mini situation in this book but...what about Bliss (I know spin off series, but no scene with her? She was such a big part of the series...little sad about it.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Book one of the Wordsworth Classic Reading Challenge was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein! I recently finished it with my senior English class.

Synopsis from Wordsworth Classics website - Begun when the author was only eighteen and conceived from a nightmare, Frankenstein is the deeply disturbing story of a monstrous creation which has terrified and chilled readers since its first publication in 1818.

The novel has thus seared its way into the popular imagination while establishing itself as one of the pioneering works of modern science fiction.

I am an English teacher. I love the classics, but this being the first time I have read this novel, it's not my favorite. Like some of the classics, it gets bogged down with pretty words and the meaning can get lost. My seniors had a hard time paying attention to this book, but we did it! And like I knew they would be, they were surprised to discover that the monster's name is not Frankenstein.

I also was surprised by how much I hated Victor Frankenstein. For as much as the monster made him suffer, I could not believe how selfish he was. The monster killed his family. I get it, a bad thing, but Victor should have warned them, been upfront with the monster, something to try to preserve the lives of his nearest and dearest, but no! He was too caught up in what he had done. I think of all the main characters I have read about, I hate him the most. But good literature evokes emotions!

The monster is a monster but he was created that way and I don't mean physically. His hatred and misery are caused by others. And without a proper mentor to guide him morally or the love of a companion or father to show him compassion, what did Victor and reader expect?

I feel for the monster.

PS. Book 6 done.

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

I was a big fan of Hush, Hush and couldn't wait for this to come out, along with a bunch of my female students.

Review from Amazon -

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portlan

d and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

I did generally like this book. And had I read this book last year I would have been crazy about it. However, I recently have become bored with the typical paranormal romance where the girl can only think of her love interest, and that is exactly what Nora is about.

I also didn't like the the section with her father's ghost - I won't give a ton of detail but I felt that this element could have utilized much better. It was a great idea but I felt like it was tossed out at me a few times and then it was over.

I did (and still do) love Patch. I love the fact that he isn't the typical boy in the story that loves the girl uncondtionally and wants to change for the better and does everything in his power to do so. I mean, he does love Nora and always has her interest at heart but he can be shady, a jerk, pompous. In reality no person in a relationship is perfect and each person has flaws. Patch is the character and the reason that I will continue to look for the next in this series.

Another great part about Fitzpatrick is her ability for great twists. In this novel, she def. did not disappoint! and another one happens in the last three pages... be prepared to say "WHAT?!"

Overall, I would say it was 4 out of 5

Surrender My Love - Johanna Lindsey

Yes, I do love the occasional romance novel... a nice, easy read. Book four for my challenge.

Here is the synopsis from B&N

A Lady's Scorn

Wrongly branded a spy, the dark and handsome Viking lord Selig Haardrad suffered greatly in the dungeons of Lady Erika of Gronwood. And as he hung in chains, his magnificent body wracked with pain and fever, one thought sustained him: revenge!

A Viking's Vengence

Now Destiny's great wheel has turned--and Selig's exquisite, hone-

haired tormentor has been delivered into the Norseman's hands. Now it is Selig who is the master, bound and determined to break the proud spirit of his captive "ice queen" and to conquer her with passion's sword -- never dreaming that his own heart will be vanquished by sensuous desire. . .and victorious love.

I read this book when I was younger and to be honest, I remember it to be a but "rounder" in characters.... Granted we know how books like this go... they hate each other, they resist each other, they sleep together, can't figure out why they do, then they both at different times come to realize that they are in love with one another, and then they live happily ever after... It's a pick me up... but I have read a bunch of Lindsey's books before and some of them have really great characters and great plots. This one, like I said I thought was better than I did this time, but still a nice easy read during a busy week... It relieved my stress so what could I ask for?

2 out of 5

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Book 3 down! I'm on fire!

Synopsis -

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

The Dark Divine is in the lead for my favorite book of the year :). I think that Grace is a great character. She is a pastor's kid fully intact with her morals, especially forgiveness, which I think is uncommon among heroes in any kind of story. She is by no means a push-over, but is very compassionate.

As for Daniel, if it isn't clear yet, I love a good bad boy, and Daniel has sins! It took at

least half the book for Daniel's secret to come out. I had an idea about what his secret was,but not confirmation from Despain. It def. kept me reading into the night, because I needed to know and I was not disappointed when the secret's background was described.

Another character, that is key in the story, is Jude, Grace's beautiful, even more warm-hearted than she brother. He's really angry and Daniel and they used to be like brothers, which only led to my curiosity as to what Daniel's secret was. But Jude, well I think you need to read the book, there is something off.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly -

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape. Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present. (from Barnes and Noble)

This is book 1 of my 100 book chalenge for 2011... I was drawn in by the cover and then more by the synopsis... It sounded fascinating! I had to have it but sadly it was not as captivating as I thought it should have been.

For the high points, I thought the main character Andi, finding a diary of Alex's was well-crafted and how Andi was drawn into the diary was good. I was more intrigued by Alex's story than I was Andi's. I felt for Alex...she seemed real, and especially because she was flawed. I love a good flaw on a heronie. And Alex's flaw was she could be selfish and an abundance of ambition...things that are very normal.

I did some research on some of the facts that Donnelly put into the story and she did a great job incorporating the facts and also put in a segment about how history is a Rorschach test which I thought was a wonderful point of view of history and reminds us as readers that she may view things differently than we do when looking at history.

Andi and her father have a strained relationship and I thought the character of the father was well-done! Especially when he tries to talk to an angry, rude, teenager and is unsuccessful.

Some downsides, I think Donnelly tried to push the Posh high school and made it sound unrealistic. I felt that Andi was a very contrived character and though her guilt was very real her character's attributes were not. I had a hard time imagining meeting her or meeting her friends. I have students and I felt that I could like her to no one.

It was a great idea and the history was well-incorporated!

Overall 3/5

My book challenge selection so far! Anyone have a good suggestion?

So I have been thinking about the Wordworth Classic Reading Challenge 2011 and what I would pick to read.

I have made the following list

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (because it is a favorite of a very dear friend of mine)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (because I am going to read it with my seniors)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (Re-reading this one - best love story - so true to how love really is)

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol (Can't believe I have never read this?!)

The Best of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (I do have a slight obsession with the movie so some background might be good)

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Duman (A true story of betrayal and revenge...hoping to read this with my students)

Silas Marner by George Elliot (Read this as a 10th-grader, liked it but can't really remember it)

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (Oh the scandal, reading with my students)

Macbeth by William Shakespeare (It's one of his best of the best)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Plain curiosity)

New Years Book Challenges.

I'm going to take on a challenge or two this year... well with reading. Lord knows I take on enough challenges but these ones are going to be for me (and my sanity). I am first taking on the challenge

Challenge: Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge 2011!

I have to set my target somewhere in here. I am not going to lie. I am shooting to be a noble. I am opening my students help me out with this. If you want to participate in this challenge look up http://derangedbooklovers.blogspot.com/.

Peasant: 1-4 books
Bourgeois: 5-8 books
Knight: 9 – 12 books
Noble: more than 12 books

I'm not sure what my list is going to be yet...

My next challenge, which I have not signed up to do with anyone, (and maybe I will) is to read 100 novels this year. Too often I fall into the "I don't have time to read for my own enjoyment" category and I hate this. If I set myself a goal, I have to follow it. I am starting with Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. I intend to post the books that I have read like I have been doing. I do think that I will change the format, "Steal" the synopsis from the book and then give my review without giving away any details. I hate it when people ruin books so I will not do it!!!!!

Maybe I will approach some students and other teachers about this idea? It's a thought worth expressing, I think.