Saturday, October 17, 2009

In My Mailbox!

I am so glad to be back in the book blogging community! I am terribly sorry for being MIA for the longest time, and Im sorry about all those blog posts that kept leaving excuses. Trust me, there will be no more of those.
So, Im starting off with an IMM post, which was started by the Story Siren!
The Bought:
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
The Borrowed:
Sophmore Switch by Abby McDonald
Need by Carrie Jones
The Recieved:
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
Maximum Ride: School's Out-Forever
Maximum Ride: Saving The World, And Other Extreme Sports
Maximum Ride: The Final Warning
Maximum Ride: The Dangerous Days Of Daniel X (by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge)
Maximum Ride: Daniel X-Watch The Skies (James Patterson and Michael Ledgwidge)
Maximum Ride: Max
Maximum Ride: Manga edition, #1
(all Max Ride Books were written by James Patterson! Thank you so much Dina, for sending all of these books out to me!)

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Hush, Hush posters!

Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Captivate by Carrie Jones
Invisible Lines by Mary Amato
wow..that was a great week! So, what did everyone else get?!
And thanks to Dina V. and Becca Fitzpatrick for the books and promo items! It is greatly appreciated!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Review: Jumping Off Swings


TITLE: Jumping Off Swings
AUTHOR: Jo Knowles
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press
OVERALL RATING: star rating - 5 stars Pictures, Images and Photos

Summary:

Ellie just wanted someone to love her. To protect her from the cruel and complicated world around her. As well as the scars and painful memories that engulf her from the carefree past she used to share with her best friend Corinne. But nothing is that simple anymore. The trips to the swings in the neighborhood park no longer mean the silly competitions to swinging the highest, or jumping the farthest.

Nothing has been the same ever since that night when Josh deserted Ellie in the backseat of the van, to tell his friends how far they had gone. Nothing has been the same ever since Ellie had started this new trend.
Not only had Ellie been effected by the unexpected pregnancy. But so has Caleb. Ever since grade school, Caleb has always had feelings for Ellie. Not the feelings every other guy in school said they had for Ellie. But the true, caring feelings. The feelings where he would hurt just as much as Ellie if anything happened to her. And now? He is devastated. Even though he is friends with Josh, he doesn't understand what Josh and the other guys are thinking. Even if they don't know about the pregnancy. Maybe it's because he has a mother he can go to for help and advice, unlike Josh, who's mother lives at the soup kitchen, and a father who is either rocking out with his so called band, or snoozing off a 6 pack.
Eventually, Ellies stomachs grows more noticeable. As well as everyones attitude toward her being pregnant. The word SLUT is forever engraved on her locker, her parents seem to want to be away from her, and Josh stays his distance. Remembering the desperate and sad look her eyes gave off as he abandoned her in the backseat of the van. What will Ellie do when it comes to giving birth to the baby filling the empty space inside of her?

Review:
Jumping Off Swings tells it like it is. The novel allows you to view the hardships, sadness, and the tough decisions that had to be made, through the eyes of friends, family, and enemies as well.
Everything expressed throughout the book, was raw, real, and without any doubt, painful. Having to see someone who was once full of life and happiness, now crushed by several guys, and a pregnancy that she is left to deal with, must have been the hardest part to read about. Everything was put together so well, there isn't one thing I would change about this book. Though. If I could. I would help Ellie, but the truth within each page is what brought me even closer to understanding the message. Feeling awful and hopeless for Caleb, knowing he is watching the one person he once cared so much for, crumble to pieces, is what really bothered me as well. I could hardly stand it at first, though, things did turn out for the best.
I cannot describe the feelings and emotions I felt while reading this book. It will effect each reader differently, and that is why I urge you to read it. It is worth your time.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Happy "Release" Day....


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE NEW RELEASE OF HUSH, HUSH!

And to Becca Fitzpatrick for creating this awesome day!

CONGRATULATIONS BECCA!


I have heard so many excellent things on this book, I don't know where to begin! Luckily, I had recieved an ARC, and will read and review it ASAP!
Happy Birthday and Congrats!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Cirque Du Freak Giveaway!


Its time for another awesome giveaway, don't you think?!

Well, if you thought so, you got it!
Have you ever heard of the hit series, Cirque Du Freak? I have! Well, did you know it will soon be released in theatres? It will be coming out on October 23rd, and it is called The Vampires Assistant. Sounds awesome, doesn't it!

Here is some more information if you are interested in learning more about the movie/book:

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, based on the popular series of books
by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a
200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a
fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the
night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill
his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

Book Info:

3 Titles:
A LIVING NIGHTMARE * THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT * TUNNELS OF
BLOOD
Do you love to be scared? Then don't miss the terrifying adventure
that
begins when Darren and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the
CIRQUE DU
FREAK, a wonderfully bizarre and creepy freak show. Brace yourself
for thrills
and chills as the boys witness a parade of grotesque creatures
and face their
deepest fears by entering the darkest world of the vampire.
In the
blood-curdling tradition of Anne Rice and Stephen King, CIRQUE DU
FREAK will
have you shrieking for the next horror show!


You can visit the site here or watch the action packed trailer by clicking this link

So are you interested yet? If not, keep reading! *Trust me*


How to Enter?
Since Cirque du Freak has caught much attention lately, you get the chance to chose your favorite Cirque du Freak t-shirt saying, by voting below! You must vote in order to be entered, and it will be tallied as one point. Once you have voted, let me know by commenting to this post, letting me know!
Also, those who are now following, will get 2 extra entries, once they vote on the shirt saying, and letting me know by commenting!

New followers as of today? You get 1 extra point added once you vote! Just comment to let me know!

The Prize?
Two lucky winners will each receive a book set, complete with 3 books from the Cirque du Freak series! As well as a Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Locker Mirror! Totally cool!

1 Entry by Voting for the t-shirt saying below
An additional 2 entries for past followers
1 additional entry for new followers, as of today!
1 additional entry for blogging about this contest on your sidebar or blog post!

Older Followers= 4 Entries if you did them all
Newer Followers as of today= 3 if you did them all!

Want to become a fan of The Vampire's Assistant? Click here to become one, by following the facebook fan page!
Hurry! Contest ends in 2 weeks!

Vote Here!

Friday, October 9, 2009

I'm sorry ='(

Hey everyone. I feel terrible about not having a review posted for EVER. Its just that I have been super busy, and have been fighting a reading slump that never leaves.... I know, that has been the excuse for the longest time, but it's just that I haven't had the energy to read, even though that may sound ridiculous to some people, but I'm sure some of you understand what I am going through?

So, the past couple days that big pile of review books that need to get read have been mocking me, to where I feel this heavy guilt build up every time I look at them (Sometimes I try so hard not to) I have decided to get at least 2 books read this weekend, and get back on track!

My choices:
1) Jumping Off Swings
2) Maybe Hush Hush
or...Meridian...or Eyes Like Stars...

Probably Jumping Off Swings and Eyes Like Stars/ Hush Hush....
Ugh, decisions!

On the other hand, there will be a big contest/promotion being posted up tomorrow, so check back for that, and I am planning on getting my sidebars filled tonight, so they wont be so empty!
Thanks for being patient everyone! I greatly appreciate it!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Winners Of The Max Ride Prize Pack Promo....

Here is the moment you all have been waiting for...those of you that entered for the Prize Pack anyways! Thanks to Random.Org, It had chosen 2 lucky winners, to each receive a Maximum Ride Prize Pack!

So, the winners..............
Lyndsey and Raelenna!
Congrats!!!!
Please, email me with your mailing address, so they can be shipped out to you! And, I will be posting about another awesome promotion sometime this week, so stay tuned!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Promtion and Review Update!

Ok, so here are a few updates. I'm sorry I have been lacking on reviews. School and reading slumps don't mix well. But I'm finally pulling myself out of the horrible slump!! Yay! So expect some reviews being posted for sure!

And my contest winners for the Max Ride Promotion will be posted tomorrow evening, so check back tomorrow to see If you were one of the lucky two!! Also, I have rounded up a few authors to kick off the Authors, We Know Your Secret 2010 Book Countdown. Unfortunately, I need some more time to get things prepared foe this new meme, and I apologize. If you are interested on learning more, I did a new post about it below.

A new promotion will begin tomorrow as well, so check back!!!! It's going to be exciting! Thank you for being so patient with me! I am no long MIA! Woo hoo!