Edgewood - Karen Mcquestion

Edgewood - Karen Mcquestion
♥♥♥½

First off, I won this as a Goodreads first readers giveaway! (Woot Woot!!) I just to throw that out there. If I hadn't won this book, I definitely would have bought it anyway. Karen McQuestion delivered a compelling novel with a lot of promise.

Edgewood is the first in the series. Russ Becker, the 15yo narrator tells you the quests and phenomenons that happen in his life. Russ can't sleep. He's found only one solution to helping him get at least a little sleep, and it wasn't that shrink his parents sent him to... either. Russ started walking, what he didn't realize at first, is that he would walk the same route... every time. Until one night when he see's the most beautiful sight in the sky. Compelled to see what it was, and where it was. The light show had drawn Russ in, and he marveled in it. Little did Russ know, He wasn't the only one who has seen these lights. Mallory, a student who goes to his school, also so the lights... last year. Mallory invites him to a secret superpower group, which has 2 other members... Nadia and Justin. The 4 teenagers are put in several different situations in which they must use their special powers.

I liked this novel for several reasons. Karen wrote an amazing 1st person narrative through Russ. I mean, EVERYTHING he said sounded as if a 15yo boy was really saying it, context and all. I devoured this book quite quickly, as I was drawn in... not knowing what was coming next. I was fully immersed into Russ Beckers life. I had sneaking suspicions about Carly (Russ' sister) the entire book. However I can't reveal why. Nor did the author! I'm still suspecting though... Karen you're killing me here! I don't want to wait to find out if i'm right or wrong. In either case, this was a great book. I can't wait for the next in the series, and I hope Russ continues on his journey to greatness!-Beth [Vixen 2]

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Resistance Character Quest: Clara [day 3]

It's Day #3 for our Resistance Character Quest. Today we are so happy to welcome Clara to the blog.

Clara's Bio: Guardian in Homer’s clan. Clara is outspoken and determined, which sometimes leads to trouble.  She loves playing Scrabble with Jeremy though she pretends she doesn’t. And while she always says exactly what she means, she often keeps the most important things to herself.

Welcome, Clara! It's so great to have you with us today. We hope you don't SHIELD yourself too much!

What’s your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice. My favorite film version is the one with Matthew McFadyen as Mr. Darcy and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennett. I can’t help it. I’m really a romantic at heart. But don’t tell Jeremy. He’ll tease me to no end.

In history, who inspires you the most?

Queen Elizabeth I really inspires me. She was a powerful woman in a man’s world. It would’ve taken great courage to accomplish all she did in trying to bring her country together. She wasn’t a perfect leader or person. Who is? But she was intelligent, beautiful, and brave. I admire that very much.

What do you like most about Gabe? Least?

He is determined, strong, loyal, and caring. He also looks awesome in blue jeans and a t-shirt. J What bothers me is when he gets tunnel vision about things and doesn’t listen to what I’m saying. He might hear me, but he’s not listening, if that makes any sense.

In your Setti clan, who is the most difficult to live with and why?

Oh, Jeremy is the most difficult. No contest. He’s such a scamp. He’s always stirring things up and getting Ben all bent out of shape. Honestly though, I love the guy to death. He’s the brother I never had. I imagine a brother would pick on me just as badly as he does, too.

Describe your most perfect guy.

He would be handsome, compassionate, confident and loyal. He would be a good listener, a leader, attentive but not jealous, and he would be someone who fights for what they want in life.

Thanks for stopping by and chatting with us, Clara. It was great having you here!

You can buy a copy of Resistance at the follow sites: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Stop by tomorrow to have a little meet and great with Jeremy. We promise, you won't be disappointed!

Please visit these blogs to show your support:

1.      Brooke DelVecchio The Cover Contessa: http://thecovercontessa.blogspot.com/

2.      Rebekah Campbell Reflections of a Bookworm: http://reflectivebookworm.blogspot.com/

3.      Amanda Cowley Blog: http://amandaleighcowley.blogspot.com/

4.      Christina M Condy  Blog: http://www.recentread.com/

5.      Bethany/YA Vixens: http://yavixens.blogspot.com

6.      Rhomy Blog: http://iknowthatbook.wordpress.com/

7.      Soma/ Insomnia of Books  Blog: http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/

8.      Marni Jarman/Word to Dreams: http://wordtodreams.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html

9.      Helena Ison/Accepted Wisdom: http://icanonlybehele3.blogspot.com

10.   Stephanie Judice/ A Writer’s Rest Stop: http://stephaniejudice.blogspot.com/ 

Resistance Character Quest: Mel [day 1]

I'm very excited to be participating in the release blast of my friend  and author Stephanie Judice's latest book Resistance: Saga of the Setti Book 2. If you haven't read the first book in this series, Rising: Saga of the Setti Book 1, run, do not walk, and get yourself a copy!

Title: Resistance (Saga of the Setti Book Two)

Publication Date: October 15, 2012

Publisher: StudioKae Publishers

Buying links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

The world is covered in darkness. A constant gray pall reminds the Setti that reapers are still here—watching, waiting, hunting. Gabe, Clara, and their clan must leave the relative safety of Beau Chêne, Louisiana, in order to train with others gathering in the north. No one knows what lurks when night falls. Yet, Gabe and Clara both know that they must chance the danger in order to fulfill a dark destiny.
While Gabe grows in confidence, Clara begins to doubt everything, including her feelings for Gabe. Looming between them is a growing chasm. Clara’s constant defiance against Gabe begins to sever the bond between them. New clansman and fellow Guardian, Michael, steps in all too willingly to take Gabe’s place as her confidant and more. Good-looking and self-assured, Clara finds his charms difficult to resist. She wonders why she should resist at all.
Jessie, now a shadow scout, defies the reapers’ malevolent power. She reaches out to Clara, yearning for the impossible—to be free of the reapers’ enslavement.
Beyond Clara’s battle to save a lost loved one and to keep Gabe close to her heart, another threat stirs, whispering to Clara in the dark. Something evil hunts her. Will she listen to the one who calls to her in nightmares and eventually finds her in the flesh? Will she succumb to his will or will she cling to her human soul and her human heart?

Every day this week, you will be introduced to one of the wonderful characters from this series via a bio and then a short interview! So make sure you come back every day to learn more and more about these awesome characters.

Today, we are lucky enough to have Melanie with us!

Mel's Bio: HEALER for Homer’s clan.  Mel is kind-hearted, patient, and wise. Her feathers are rarely ruffled, except when the boys behave too much like “boys.” She is the glue of her Setti clan.

Now that you know just a bit about Mel, let's see what she has to say in answer to a few questions!

Melanie, thanks so much for being with us today. We are excited to have you here to answer a few of our most pressing questions! We hope you can CURE our curiosity.

1. What was your favorite subject in high school?

I liked Math the most, because I like it when problems have a definite solution. On the other hand, I also love English because stories and literature can teach us so much about life.

2. Who inspires you the most and why?

Helen Keller is truly one of my heroes. How someone can be born without sound or sight and still find a way not simply to communicate, but to teach the world such lovely, wise things is amazing to me. She once said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.” And this is so true, isn’t it?

Another thing that keeps coming to mind lately, since our world has changed into this bleak and sometimes lonely place, are these words of Helen Keller’s: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” No matter what is in store for us in the future, no matter how desolate and dark things become, we must remember

the wisdom of this woman who lived her whole life in the dark.

3. In your Setti clan, who is the most difficult to live with and why?

I would have to say it is a tie between Jeremy and Ben. For some reason, those two love to push each other’s buttons, and sometimes it is so tiresome to listen to their tedious arguments back and forth. However, for the most part, it is not difficult living with my friends at all. I treasure each one of them for their special gifts and for their devoted friendship. They are a family to me.

4. What’s a quote that would represent your philosophy on life?

“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.” –Mark Twain

5. If you could have a theme song, what would it be?

Interesting, because Jeremy has asked me the same question so many times, and I refuse to give him an answer. But I will tell you.

My Gram used to play these old records when I was little. Yes, actual records on a record-player if you know what those are. And I think one song has seeped into my subconscious. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong really reflects how I see the world. I wish everyone did, even now, with our future so precarious. It still is a wonderful world.

Mel, thanks so much for stopping by the blog today. It was a lot of fun having you here!

Stop by again tomorrow as we welcome Ben to the blog to let us in on some of his most intimate secrets!

Waiting on Wednesday #11

"Waiting on" Wednesday is  a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases in which we are eagerly awaiting. 

Kait [Vixen 1]'s pick: 

In my eyes, Abbi Glines can do no wrong. Every book in the sea Breeze series gets better and better. 
**WARNING: Mature Novel - Not suitable for young teens.**

Just for Now- Abbi Glines

Expected publication: October 23rd, 2012 

Goodreads blurb:
The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.

The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.

He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…

There was this girl.

She was as innocent as he was tainted.

Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.

Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.




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Beth [Vixen 2]'s pick: 

  Sanctum - Sarah Fine

Expected publication: October 16th 2012

 "My plan: Get into the city. Get Nadia. Find a way out. Simple."

A week ago, seventeen-year-old Lela Santos's best friend, Nadia, killed herself. Today, thanks to a farewell ritual gone awry, Lela is standing in paradise, looking upon a vast gated city in the distance – hell. No one willingly walks through the Suicide Gates, into a place smothered in darkness and infested with depraved creatures. But Lela isn't just anyone – she's determined to save her best friend's soul, even if it means sacrificing her eternal afterlife. 

As Lela struggles to find Nadia, she's captured by the Guards, enormous, not-quite-human creatures that patrol the dark city's endless streets. Their all-too-human leader, Malachi, is unlike them in every way except one: his deadly efficiency. When he meets Lela, Malachi forms his own plan: get her out of the city, even if it means she must leave Nadia behind. Malachi knows something Lela doesn't – the dark city isn't the worst place Lela could end up, and he will stop at nothing to keep her from that fate.


 This book just sounds so different. I kept looking at it, on Goodreads and debated for a few weeks before I put it on my TBR list. I'm glad I did. I definitely can't wait for the release of this.  - beth

What are YOU "Waiting on" Wednesday for!? Please leave us a link to your page, so we can check out what amazing book you're dying to read!!

The Book of Paul - Richard Long

     The Book of Paul - Richard Long

♥♥♥♥ ½

     Let me first start out by saying, Richard Long is an exceptional writer. Someone who can so accurately combine History, Mythology, Religion, Terror, Lust, and Laughs all in ONE book? All I can say is Wow. The Book of Paul had me entranced from the beginning to the end. Richard makes you love certain characters.. and have pure hatred for others, but still leaves you thirsty for more. I won this book on Goodreads, and damn it I can't be more happy that I did!!! Not only did Mr. Long sign the book and personalize it for me, he sent me a few bookmarks and postcards that were also signed. Can we say AWESOME?

     Through out the entire novel, Paul has you guessing on just what he's going to do next. Transitioning beautifully from each characters point of view, you get an in depth look into the lives of all the character. Also, I'm not the biggest fan of Religion being in books, but I was so preoccupied with everything else going on, that it just didn't bother me. While there was always something going on... I never felt overwhelmed by information. I learned some new things, as well!

     The Book of Paul has you oohing and screaming out for joy, frustration, and sheer horror. I'm pretty sure I've never been SO conflicted on a character, as much as I was with Paul. I loved Martin, I loved Rose, I wasn't fond of William... or the Striker. But Paul? How can you hate someone so definitively but have an earnest fondness at the same time. I don't know the answer.. but that's how I feel. I want to say I love to hate him, but at times... I just don't hate him. Psychologically, this book will take you on a roller coaster of epic proportions. I certainly can NOT wait until Long releases his new YA fantasy series, The dream Palace.

-Beth [Vixen 2]

"Waiting on" Wednesday #10

"Waiting on" Wednesday is  a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases in which we are eagerly awaiting. 

Bethany [Vixen#2]'s pick: 

Finale - Becca Fitzpatrick
Expected Publication: October 23rd, 2012

 Well, I first have to tell you how excited I am for this book. Bittersweet endings, as Series go. I'm sad to say goodbye, but at the same time I like finality. I do have to admit, I still haven't read Silence. I've been dying to... but I just haven't got there yet. So many books, so little time type deal! I do plan on going out to buy them both when this comes out though. I must!


 Fates unfurl in the gripping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Hush, Hush saga.Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

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***Kait is obnoxiously sick, so this week it was just my post. While she's on bed rest for a few weeks, let's all wish her back to good health!!***

What are YOU "Waiting on" Wednesday for!? Please leave us a link to your page, so we can check out what amazing book you're dying to read!!

  

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Lost Souls[Mortal Instruments #5]
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 535
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
From Goodreads:
What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

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I was so damn nervous about this book. I hardly liked City of Fallen Angels. I thought the series should have ended with City of Glass, but in this latest installment Clare revived my love for The Mortal Instruments.

I was beginning to feel a little like a character in this book who says, "Your verbal foreplay is boring and annoying me."

And that quote is directed toward the clusterfuck of Jace & Clary's relationship. Seriously, how long can two people just make out? Apparently throughout five books. In a boat, in a club, on a bed. This is starting to sound like a Dr.Seuss book. But, even through all of that I still love them. I just want to end this sexual frustration!

Moving on.

Maia & Jordan are two of my new favorite people/werewolves. I've always had a thing for tall dark werewolves[who hasn't, I know]. I liked the character progression with the two of them. I would love to read more about their story.

Magnus. I love Magnus. I'm not too keen on Alec. He's grown on me a wee bit the past few books, but I'm still not invested. He's far more likable when he's with Magnus. Toward the end I actually felt for Alec.

Simon & Isabelle. Sometimes I can't stand Isabelle and her freaking hard headed ways, but I appreciation her style. I can't argue the fact that she is badass. Simon is still the same ol' Simon. Just with the Mark of Cain on his vampire forehead. And I love him. Simon and Isabelle are almost as frustrating as Jace and Clary.

I have to give props to Clare. She got a little twisted in this book. There were things happening that had my mouth hanging open. There were things that made me gasp. Oh yea.

The action scenes were great, the magical aspects were very well done, and the world that Clare created was as intriguing as ever. I am definitely excited for the next book now.