Book Review: MAID OF SECRETS

MAID of  SECRETS
416 Pages
May 2013
Simon and Schuster Publishing

Summary Taken from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril.
For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.
A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…
My Thoughts:
I've been reading alot of debut novels lately and I have to say that these new writers are blowing me away!
Maid of Secrets is Jennifer McGowen's first novel and it's the first book in the series-Maids of Honor.
It's a combination of historical fiction and mystery, set in London, England 1559.
Meg, a seventeen year old orphan is the main character of this tale. She is a feisty thief with a talent for pick pocketing. She makes her living being part of The Golden Rose acting Troupe. As spectators are watching the show on stage Meg makes her way around the crowd lifting wallets and jewelry.
One fateful day she is caught and arrested. But here's the spin. Instead of being thrown in a dungeon to rot she has actually been kidnapped and forced to work for the crown as a spy-Meg is put in the service of Queen Elizabeth to watch, memorize, and report for the queen and her master spies.
Against her will Meg is forced to train and learn the ways of the court as well as how to serve and protect the queen at all costs. Meg is not the only spy working for the queen. There are actually five ladies in waiting-watching the queen as well as the court. Sophia- who is a seer, with a gift for seeing the future. Jane-the blade, she has the ability to blend and the courage to kill. Beatrice is the beauty and the charmer of men, and lastly there is Anna, she is the puzzle solver and master linguist. I look forward to finding out more about Meg's fellow spies as the series continues.
With Queen Elizabeth's  royal court filled with opportunists all looking for the Queen's favor, and enemies who want to see her dead these spies very kept busy.
Meg is ordered to spy on a handsome Spanish courtier who may possibly be connected to the murder of a fellow spy. With traitors and conspirators at every turn Meg struggles to know who she should trust and who will betray her.
There are plenty of twists and turns that kept this reader guessing and the pages turning.
I LOVED Maid of Secrets and I can't wait to see what what this author has in store next.
Rumor has it that the sequel is in the works and is called Maid of Deception. YEAH!
To learn more about the Maids of Honor go to Jennifer McGowan web page for all kinds of fun extras and information. Seriously, go there.
A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. I will be donating this book to my local middle school library.

Book Review-OVERNIGHT SENSATION

OVERNIGHT SENSATION
By Hal Eisenberg
2012
233 Pages
Summary from Goodreads:
Fifteen year-old Jonah Levine is practically invisible at Applecrest High. His Facebook page is pathetic, his baseball skills are mediocre at best, and his IQ seems to drop 50 points when talking to girls. But everything changes when his rock band, Hitstreak, becomes the hottest teen sensation in the country. And now they’re about to perform in front of 15,000 screaming fans.
So why isn’t he jumping for joy?
Well, for starters, that hit on the radio wasn’t really recorded by his band. In fact, six months ago, he and his friends could barely play a note between them. And now they’re about to perform in front of 15,000 screaming fans. What begins as a mindless prank quickly spins out of control, involving his father’s secret past as a 70’s rocker, a high school bully who wants in on the action, and a powerful, ruthless, media mogul who will stop at nothing to claim the band as his own. Will Jonah prevail? Or will he and his band go down in flames and become the biggest farce in pop music history?
My thoughts:
Overnight Sensation hooks you from the first paragraph and takes the reader on a wild, bumpy ride.
Hitstreak-the hottest teen rock band of the moment stand on stage ready to play their chart topping tune in front of a crowd of screaming, rabid fans.
Sounds like a teen's fantasy right?
There's just a small problem-the song is not theirs and these teens have only been a "band" for a couple of months. The lead singer of the band-15 year old Jonah wonders how in the world he and his friends are going to pull this whole act off as the curtains part and the story starts.
What an opener!
I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out how main character, Jonah had gotten himself into this predicament.
I loved the fact that author Hal Eisenberg captured the spirit and tone of Jonah and his friends. It was fun to be a part of their conversations, jokes and adventures. It felt like a real group of friends going through a crazy, fun adventure. 
Main character Jonah is easy to connect with-he's the voice of reason and well as the leader of the band. Through the whole story he is constantly questioning the right and wrong of the situation. His group of friends are a constant crack up as they try to make the most of their instant fame and the advantages that are thrown their way. Jonah tries to keep things together even when it's spinning wildly out of control.
Overnight Sensation is a fun story that holds laughs, thrills, as well as a couple of twists. I think it will be enjoyed by both girls and boys.
I will be donating this book to my local middle school library.
A big thank you to Hal Eisenberg who gave me the opportunity to read and review his book.

A Book on My Radar.....

FAT ANGIE
e.E. Charlton-Trujillo
2013
Candlewick Publishing
Synopsis taken from Goodreads:
Angie is broken — by her can’t-be-bothered mother, by her high-school tormenters, and by being the only one who thinks her varsity-athlete-turned-war-hero sister is still alive. Hiding under a mountain of junk food hasn’t kept the pain (or the shouts of "crazy mad cow!") away. Having failed to kill herself — in front of a gym full of kids — she’s back at high school just trying to make it through each day. That is, until the arrival of KC Romance, the kind of girl who doesn’t exist in Dryfalls, Ohio. A girl who is one hundred and ninety-nine percent wow! A girl who never sees her as Fat Angie, and who knows too well that the package doesn’t always match what’s inside. With an offbeat sensibility, mean girls to rival a horror classic, and characters both outrageous and touching, this darkly comic anti-romantic romance will appeal to anyone who likes entertaining and meaningful fiction.
This book shoots to the top of my - MUST get my hands on this- list.

Book Review-WITHER

WITHER
By Lauren Destefano
358 Pages
2011
Taken from Goodreads:
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?
My Thoughts:
I chose this book off the shelf because the cover took my breath away. It's a piece of art.
The fact that it was a dystopian book was the cherry on top!
This is a debut novel for author Lauren DeStefano and the first book in the planned The Chemical Garden Trilogy.
The story catches you attention from the first page. The main character is literally kidnapped off the street as she is walking to school and thrown into the back of a truck with a bunch of other girls. The story takes off at break neck speed from there.
I was transfixed as the Rhine finds herself taken from a place of desperation and uncertainty and dropped into a world of riches and luxury. Of course this comes with a price. She has been taken to be a bride, to bear children, and live in captivity until she dies.
Every moment is spent planning her escape and reunion with her brother who was left behind. But Rhine finds herself unintentionally growing close to her sister wives and even her new husband who longs for a connection and future with her.
As Rhine searches for a way out she stumbles upon an evil secret her father in law is keeping in the basement. Something much more sinister than kidnappings.
If she stays with Lindon she has loyalty, love and security. If she goes with Gabriel she faces the unknown with her freedom.
Either way Rhine is running out of time.
READ THIS BOOK!

BOOK REVIEW-Poison

POISON
By Molly Cochran
368 Pages
2012
Simon and Schuster
Synopsis by Goodreads:
After the riveting—and romantic—events of Legacy, Katy has won Peter’s heart and is now claiming her place in the magical world. Though half the students at her boarding school come from witching lines, the use of magic is expressly forbidden at Ainsworth, so as to keep the witching world hidden from the blue-blooded preppies, aka Muffies, who also walk the halls.
But the Muffies have at least a notion of magic, because Katy catches them staging a made-up ritual—and to her astonishment, the girls collapse at Katy’s feet and fall into comas. When Katy is blamed, she becomes desperate to clear her name and finds herself battling all odds to harness her growing magical powers in order to save the Muffies and dispel the Darkness once more.
My thoughts:
Poison is the exciting sequel to Legecy and author, Molly Cochran wastes no time picking up where we left off.
Katy is a full time student at Ainsworth School where she does she best to hide her magical abilities from the Muffies who are normal kids who attend the same school.
Katy has adjusted well to small town life with friends, family and sweet boyfriend, Peter. But bad luck finds Katy as she stumbles upon a few mean Muffies trying to cast amateur spells. Unfortunately they unwittingly unleash the Darkness that has been lying in wait for the opportunity to spread death and chaos.
My favorite character in this story would have to be Morgan-a new character to the trilogy with a interesting and complex past. Is she friend or foe to Katy?
Katy and Peter's relationship also reaches a new level of difficulty and maturity as he establishes a relationship with his biological family who can give him wealth and security-but at what cost?
One small annoyance I did have with the story is minor character-Hattie. I was very confused by her role and relationship to Katy. I feel like Hattie(Peter's surrogote mom) was thrown into Poison because she was in the first story but didn't really have a place in the sequel-when she was present she seems to dislike Katy-hissing or snapping at her-why?
All in all I really liked Poison and I've enjoyed the series so far. I would definielty continue to read about the adventures of Katy Ainsworth.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing me with this ARC to read and review.

Book Review-THEN YOU WERE GONE

THEN YOU WERE GONE
by Lauren Strasnick
224 Pages
2013
Simon Pulse
Synopsis by Goodreads:
Two years ago, Adrienne’s best friend walked out of her life. One week ago, she left Adrienne a desperate, muffled voicemail. Adrienne never called back.
Now Dakota is missing. She left behind a string of broken hearts, a flurry of rumors, and a suicide note.
Adrienne can’t stop obsessing over what might have happened if she’d answered Dakota’s call. And she’s increasingly convinced that Dakota must still be alive.
Maybe finding and saving Dakota is the only way Adrienne can save herself.
Or maybe it’s too late for them both.
My thoughts:
I love that moment you start a book and few pages in you  realize that you've stumbled on an amazing story. All sense of time blurs and eyes can't seem to move fast enough down the page.
At the center of the story is Adrienne-who receives a mysterious voice mail from an old frenemy who has disappeared. Has Dakota been the victim of a kidnapping/murder? Did she possibly commit suicide? Adrienne is left feeling guilty for not returning what could have been a call for help and puzzled as to why an old friend who walked out of her life would reach out to her now? Caught between conflicting emotions of grief and anger Adrienne struggles to keep her life together as she tries to find closure in a complex friendship with a girl who she both loved and hated.
But this story isn't just about relationships, there is a mystery at the heart of it that feeds the reader bits and pieces throughout-finally revealing itself at the end.
Wow!
Then You Were Gone left me with my head spinning and heart racing.
A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I will be giving this ARC away to one lucky reader in a contest next month.

Book Review-FATHER OF LIES

FATHER OF LIES
By Ann Turner
2011
245 pages
Inside Cover:
Fourteen year old Lidda has always known she was different. She longs to escape Salem Village and its stifling rules-to be free to dance, to sing, to live as she chooses. But when a plague of accusations descends on the village and witch fever erupts, Lidda begins to realize that she feels and see things that others can't, or won't.
But how will she expose the truth without being hung as a witch herself?
Gripping and emotional, Ann Turner's retelling of the Salem witch trials captures one girl's brave soul searching amidst a backdrop of fear and blame.
My Thoughts:
I love historical fiction-especially when it involves things that are shocking and mysterious. Such as the Salem Witch Trials. Where during the 17th century a small village in America becomes obsessed with finding witches in their midst. Anyone who is different(a woman who runs a tavern and wears bright colors) or has wronged someone(a person who is late paying a bill) is accused and tried. Some of these trials lead to the deaths of the accused.
The main character of the book is 14 year old Lidda who has never felt as though she has fit in with her large family or her village. She has thoughts of running, singing and dancing about-thoughts and actions that are strictly forbidden behavior by her Puritan upbringing.
At times Lidda seems to be the voice of reason as her friends fall victim to "witch fever" she questions their behavior and the reasons behind it. But then she herself starts to see visions and hear a voice. Is Lidda sane, is she also affected by "witch fever" or is she actually possessed by the devil himself?
Author- Ann Turner does an excellent job of including historical fact in her work of fiction. I wish that the book had been longer-two huge subjects are tackled in this story-The Salem Witch Trails and Bipolar Disorder. I appreciated the information she included after the story on Bipolar Disorder as well as the historical information on the Salem Witch Trials. It's a period in our history that is both fascinating and horrific.
I bought this book used on Amazon.com and plan to donate it to my local Middle School.

Book Review and Giveaway-Antiquitas Lost

Antiquitas Lost

Book 1-The Last of the Shamalans

By Robert Louis Smith

Illustrations By Geof Isherwood

From the Back Cover:

This epic fantasy tells the story of a 15 year old boy named Elliott, a bullied kid with deformities on his hands and feet who is uprooted from his home after his mom falls gravely ill. When they move to New Orleans so his grandfather can help care for her, Elliott learns that the old man's eighteenth century mansion hides an ancient secret. From a dungeon-like basement far beneath the estate, Elliott strays through an ancient doorway into Pangrelor, a tumultuous parallel world full of bizarre creatures and warring races. Unable to return home, he discovers wondrous abilities he never dreamed he possessed, and an abiding connection to the primitive, alien world that will change him forever.

But he must proceed carefully. For he soon learns that his actions in the ancient world will impact the upcoming battle for Harwelden, Pangrelor's mightiest civilization, and will resonate all the way back to New Orleans, perhaps deciding whether his mother lives or dies.

My Thoughts:

I'm not usually a reader of the fantasy genre-only because I lack the imagination it requires to get through a story.

When I was approached to review this book the big seller for me was the illustrations-I liked the fact that this fantasy novel had pictures. When I got it in the mail I was a little surprised by the length of 600 plus pages. But the story included 70 plus pages of black and white art work by the famous comic book illustratorr Geof Isherwood who has worked with Marvel Comics for years.

The story of Elliot grabbed me right away. He is a kid that is struggling with a move to a different city, a mom is is very sick and bully issues. I was on his side immediately as he tried to sort out his sadness and the situation he was in.

After exploring his grandfather's basement Elliott discovers a doorway to a different world called Pangrelor. A world that was very easy for me to picture thanks to the awesome illustrations.  Pangrelor included creatures called greyfarers, serpans gimlets, susquatanians and darfoyles. I easily tell that some characters were inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and well as C.S. Lewis. 

But the story is not carried by Elliott alone. It also tells of a princess desperate to hold together a corrupt and crumbling kingdom, a susquatanian looking for redemption, and a serpan hell bent on revenge.

And then there's Elliott who brings them all together in a battle of the ages as he discovers that he has the powers to make or break a kingdom and possibly a world.

If I had to choose a favorite character from Antiquitas Lost I would have to say Elliott-and here's why. I loved Elliott through out the story simply because he didn't become a hero over night. He came into Pangrelor with fear and doubt. He struggles with the fact that he is a shamalan and what his role is suppose to be in this new, strange world. In a battle faced with roaring, fire breathing monsters and serpans welding deadly weapons-Elliott runs. I loved that about him!! 

Elliott does grow and mature through out the story but it's not at a break neck speed. As the story came to an end I found that I didn't want to say goodbye to Elliott or this amazing new world called Pangrelor. I really enjoyed Antiquitas Lost and look forward to more written by Robert Louis Smith.

This book was sent to me by FSB Associates for an honest review.

This book is now going to be used as a giveaway prize and sent to one lucky Mug of Moxie follower.

***To enter this GIVEAWAY-

Please leave your follower name and contact information.

This contest is international.

You must be 13 years old to enter.

Winner will be drawn by random.org

Contest runs from today Feb.2 thru Feb. 20

Good Luck!!

Prophecy of the Sisters-Book Review

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS
By Michelle Zink
343 pages
2009
From Inside Cover:
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.
Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.
They just know they can't trust each other.
My thoughts:
Prophecy of the Sisters is a dark fantasy filled with magic and mystery. It's the first book in a planned trilogy. The book opens with the Milthrope children standing in the rain at their father's funeral. All the more tragic because their mother died a few years earlier which now leaves them orphans and in the care of an aunt.
Shortly after her father's death Lia develops a strange mark on her wrist. In addition to strange and terrifying dreams she also notices that her twin is acting cold and distant. Soon an old book is discovered and it's revealed that Lia and Alice are part of an ancient battle that puts the sisters on opposing sides. One sister shall be the guardian of the gate-a protector while the other shall be the gateway to the Apocalypse-which will bring death and destruction.
A few twists and turns keep the reader on their toes as the story reveals more secrets.
I look forward to more character development with Lia's friends' Sophia and Luisa. I'm also interested in seeing where the relationship with Jame and Lia go. But what I'm really hoping for is a deeper look into Alice and her mind. Hopefully that will happen in the next book-Guardian of the Gate.
I enjoyed this story. The plot was engrossing and the characters were interesting. I will buy the next book in the trilogy to see where this tale takes me.
I purchased this book used from Amazon.com and I will be donating it to my local Middle School Library.

SPEAK-Book Review

SPEAK

By Laura Halse Anderson
240 pages
Ages 12 and up
From Inside Cover:
The ninth graders are herded into the auditorium. We fall into clans: Jock, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Fascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Goths, Shredders. I am clanless. I wasted the last weeks of August watching bad cartoons. I didn't go to the mall, the lake, or the pool, or answer the phone.I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with.
From her first moment at Merryweather High, Melinda Sordino knows she an outcast. She busted an end of the summer party by calling the cops-a major infraction in high school society-so her old friends won't talk to her, and the people she doesn't know glare at her. She retreats into her head, where the lies and hypocrisies of high school stand in stark relief to her own silence,making her all the more mute. But it's not so comfortable in her head, either-there's something banging around in there that she doesn't want to think about. Try as she might to avoid it, it won't go away, until there is a painful confrontation. Once that happens, she can't be silent-she must speak the truth.
My thoughts:
I really wanted to read a challenged book for Banned Book Week but was having a hard time deciding which one. I was subbing at our middle school library and much to my surprise saw this book on the shelf. So I guess you could say the book choose me.
Melinda is a 9th grader going into high school. A scary event without drama. But during the summer while Melinda was at a party she was involved in a situation and called the cops. We the reader are left in the dark for most of the story as to exactly what transpired but we know the Melinda has been emotionally damaged and lost all of her friends. Her depression and isolation is heart breaking. What I found most frustrating was her parents and their lack of reaction to her drastic mood and personality change.  Thank goodness Melinda finds a way to deal with her hurt and grief through an art class and a perceptive teacher.
This book belongs in school libraries and public libraries. Parents should be reading this book with their daughters. It's true to life and could prove to be helpful in social situations.
I am overjoyed that it's in our middle school library and I hope many girls check it out and take something away from Melinda's story.

Book Review-By Time Time You Read This I'll Be Dead

BY TIME TIME YOU READ THIS I'LL BE DEAD
By Julie Anne Peters
2010
200 Pages

From Inside Cover:
Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a Web site for "completer"-www.through-the-light.com.
On the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, revealing a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private girls' school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk.
Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting for her parents to pick her up. Even though she made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. It's too late for Daelyn to be letting people in her life....isn't it?
My Thoughts:
The cover and the title are what grabbed my attention and made me want to read Daelyn's story.
This book made me want to scream out loud in anger and frustration. This is what bullying does! It tears someone down piece by piece and destroys who they are on the inside and out. My heart ached as Daelyn recounts tale after tale the acts of bullying that start when she first starts school and continues to present day. Daelyn is a girl who is desperately trying to disconnect from everyone and everything so her feelings and emotions can no longer hurt her.
By the Time You Read This I'll be Dead is an honest book that pulls no punches as Daelyn searches for ways to end her life and tells of previous failed attempts. There were times I felt sick to my stomach-the facts are brutal.
I loved the character of Santana. He brings a ray of hope into the story as he reaches out to Daelyn. He has his own troubled history but longs to connect to another person.
As I read Daelyn's story I found myself hoping and praying that she wouldn't give up and find just one reason to not give up and keep on living.
Would I recommend this book to a friend?
Yes. But I would caution them of the graphic details of suicide. Libraries should have this book. The bullying situations that happen to Daelyn are not unique or unusual. They happen and we need to talk about it with our youth. Their actions good or bad can affect the life of someone in a positive or negative way.
Where did I get this book?
I bought it used on Amazon.com and plan to donate it as a prize for the Freedom Hop Giveaway.

SOMETHING, MAYBE

SOMETHING, MAYBE
By Elizabeth Scott
Pages- 217
2010
Summary from Good Reads:

Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat.
Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's 'girlfriends' and is now the star of her own website.
After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar . . . and that's just how she likes it. Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants only what she wants may not be what she needs. . . .
My Thoughts:
A predictable but enjoyable, fun read.
Seventeen year old Hannah is trying to get through high school in a small town without attracting too much attention. That's really hard to do when your father lives a Hugh Heffner like life style complete with multiple young girlfriends and a reality show. Not to mention your mother earns a living with a web cam show of her own, scantily clad in lingerie. Unfortunately, most of Hannah's classmates know exactly who her parents are and what they do for a living. Keeping a low profile is very hard to do.
Although I found the story predictable concerning the romance part of Hannah's life I truly enjoyed the characters of Hannah and her mom Candy. Candy is a single mom trying her best to raise Hannah and recover from a tragic loss. Hannah has had to grow up fast because of certain situations concerning her parents. Their relationship felt deep, complex and genuine. There were parts of the book that pulled at my heart strings and made me smile.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Something, Maybe and currently have another book from author Elizabeth Scott sitting on my shelf-Love You, Hate You, Miss You. I have no doubt I'll enjoy that one too.

AUDREY,WAIT!

AUDREY, WAIT!

By Robin Benway

2008

313 Pages

Summary from Good Reads:

When her ex writes a break-up song about her that rockets up the charts, Audrey is suddenly famous--she can't go out without being mobbed by fans and paparazzi. Readers can take a wild ride with Audrey as she makes headlines, confronts her ex on MTV, and shows the world who she really is. Its the song everyone's singing. And its about her! But for Audrey, becoming famous overnight equals total, life-changing disaster.

My Thoughts:

What a fun, fast-paced read! Our story- Wait, Audrey opens as she is breaking up with her boyfriend Evan. A normal teenage romance coming to an end. A breakup with little drama and hardly any tears-but Opps! Audrey forgets that Evan is the lead singer of a small town local band The Do-Gooders and he writes an excellent song about their breakup titled Wait,Audrey! Suddenly the song is a hit! It's getting played on local radio stations and climbing the Billboard charts. Suddenly everyone has heard of The Do-Gooders and unfortunately Audrey. She becomes an unwilling celebrity. America's most loved/hated girlfriend. Everyone wants access to Audrey. Her story and her picture.

How in the world can Audrey have a normal teenage life and do the things she loves to do(concerts,friends, dating and school) with the paparazzi and fans tracking her every move?

Audrey is a great character-so easy to love. The relationship she has with her parents is hilarious and I really enjoyed the easy banter and love between them.

ONE of my favorite lines from the book-Audrey is referring to the guys in The Do-Gooders.

Page 297:

Keep in mind that these were the same guys who once had a contest to see how much bologna the four of them could eat. And let me tell you, in a bologna-eating contest, nobody wins.

If your looking for a quick, fun read check this one out. I'm off to see what else Robin Benway has written. She just earned a fan.

Later!

MY WORST BEST FRIEND

MY WORST BEST FRIEND

By Dyan Sheldon

298 Pages

2010

From Back Cover:

"The way I saw it when I was in high school, even though there were still millions of different life-forms left on the planet, there were basically only two kinds of girls: Those Girls and everyone else."

In the case of Savanna and Gracie, friendship isn't based on reason but on the notion that opposites attract. Savanna is a head-turning, attention-seeking, accessorized one of "Those Girls," while Gracie's love of old movies and commitment to protecting the environment put her into the "everyone else" category. It seems as if nothing could come between them until Savanna's lies and dependence on Gracie as a false alibi start to take a toll on their relationship. When Savanna gets between Gracie and her crush, the line separating best friend from worst friend has been crossed.

My Thoughts:

A big thank you to Candlewick Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I plan to pass this book along in a giveaway next month.

Now on to the review-

Unfortunately this book was a huge disappointment for me. I absolutely loved the cover. I thought it was cute and clever and I probably would have bought it in a book store solely based on that.

Now I know that opposites attract in love but I've never really seen it work with best friends. Birds of a feather tend to flock together-especially with girls. I guess that's why I had such a tough time buying the friendship between Gracie and Savannah. Gracie is a nice person inside and out. Honesty is important to her, she values the relationships she has and she will do anything for the environment. Savannah on the other hand is SELFISH, conceited and mean to most people. I spent most of the book trying to wrap my mind around why in the world these two girls had anything to do with each other.

I have never read Teenage Confessions of a Drama Queen but author Dyan Sheldon had such raving reviews for that book I'm going to have to give her another shot. This book just didn't hit the spot for me. I wanted to stuff an old gym sock in Savannah's mouth and give Gracie a slap to the forehead.

THE SECRET TO LYING

THE SECRET TO LYING
By Todd Mitchell
328 Pages
2010
From Back Cover:
James was the guy no one noticed-a fifteen year old living in a small town with his repairman father and ex-beauty queen mother. So when he gets into the American Science and Mathematics Academy(or ASMA), a public boarding school, James decides that it's time to leave the past behind. In a student body made up of nerds and geeks, being cool is easy. All it takes is a few harmless lies to invent the new James: rebel, punk, street fighter. Everybodys impressed, except for the beautiful Ellie Frost, whose icy demeanor holds an inexplicable attraction for James and the mysterious Ghost44, an IM presence who sees right through his new identity. But James is riding high-playing pranks and hooking up with the luscious Jessica Keen. Things seem perfect until he begins to having strange and vivid dreams that pull him into a dark city haunted by demons. As the line between dreams and reality blurs, James begins to wonder, what's the price for being the coolest guy around?
My Thoughts:
This is the second book this month that I have read about teenagers reinventing themselves. I think that's a fantasy all dream of doing at one time or another. I know I did. Especially during those teenage years when most are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be.
James gets a second shot to reinvent himself when he is transfered to a new school with a new set of peers. James makes up a brand new past and dives in to his new life determined to be someone different than he has always been. His stories build him a badass reputation and suddenly he's known as the quiet, tough, rebel boy with an ugly past. His plan works-but at what cost? Eventually lies catch up with you and James is running out of time.
The story is reality with a bit of fantasy thrown in as Jame's dreams start to bleed into his real life. There are several mature themes throughout the story that include violence, drinking, anorexia and cutting. Author Todd Mitchell tackles the issues head on. There are moments of humor sprinkled in that add a lighter mood. The pranks that James and his new friends pull on other students are laugh at loud funny.
The story is from main character, James, point of view. A teenage males perspective is refreshing and welcome. It's easy to forget sometimes that boys struggle with the same thing girls do-most times they just aren't as vocal.
The Secret to Lying is a great story that both boys and girls would enjoy reading. If you would like to learn more about author Todd Mitchell go to his web site by following this link-Todd Mitchell's website. The trailer he made for his book is hilarious.
A big thank you to Candlewick Press for sending me an ARC of The Secret to Lying by Todd Mitchell to read and review! I will be offering this ARC as a giveaway prize in February.

ZAN-GAH

ZAN-GAH
By Allan Richard Shickman
150 Pages
2007
From Back Cover:
"She began to move warily in a circle as the men tightened the trap, and as they got closer the lioness began to stride and prowl in a circle so small that she almost seemed to be chasing her tail. But she was watching, watching while she turned and snarled, for a weakness in the ever-tightening ring of her pursuers. Then at the moment the attack finally was sounded-when the men, putting down their drums and torches, charged on the run with their spears-the lioness saw what she was looking for. One of her enemies was smaller, weaker than the rest. There was a point of the strengthening line that could be broken! Thought merged with furious action and the beast, with a mighty bound of astonishing swiftness, darted towards Zan. Five hundred pounds of snarling fury sprang directly at him with claws bared and fanged mouth open!"
My Thoughts:
This prehistoric adventure opens with a boy named Zan preparing to fight a lion that has been terrorizing their tribe. After a victorious fight Zan earns and new name Zan-Gah and the respect of the elders in not only his tribe but others as well. Soon after Zan decides that he must try to find his twin brother who disappeared years earlier. His travels take him to far away lands where he gets into some very interesting situations. I easily read the book in one night. The story was extremely engaging, the language and descriptions were rich and the characters were very easy to care about. I was very excited to see that there is a sequel to Zan-Gah. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
I think this is the perfect adventure for junior high boys-This story would really hook a reluctant reader because of size(150 pages) and the non-stop action. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to kids of all ages and adults of course!
A big thank you to EarthShaker books for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. I will be donating this book to my local Middle School Library.

I WANT TO BE BESTIES WITH GEORGIA!

On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God

(further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson)

2001

243 Pages

From Inside Cover:

5:35 p.m.

Oh yippee.

This is my gorgeous life:

1. I haven't been kissed for a month; my snogging skills will soon be gone.

2. I have a HUGE nose that means I have to live for ever in the Ugly Home.

3. My Red Herring plan has failed

4. I am the Bummer Twin's armchair.

My Thoughts:

I'm pretty sure I want to be British and Georgia's bestie after reading this fabbity fab sequel to Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging.

Fourteen year old Georgia's life is beyond tragic. First off, she has to deal with her very old and ludicrous parents who are bent ruining her life just because theirs is practically over. Then there's her little sister Libby who stores her pooey nappies in the bottom of her bed. Her best friend Jas is as smart as a potato. And don't forget her boyfriend Robbie aka The Sex God who makes her brain go jelloid whenever he's around.

Georgia's tragic tale is written in diary form and her hilarious observations are laugh out loud funny. A typical 14 year old teenage girl who believes the world revolves around her and everyone else is crazy. Georgia is self-obsessed, rude, selfish and VERY funny.

There is British slang galore but luckily the author has included a glossary in the back that helps us dense Americans wade through words like rucky, gob, and snogging.

I LOVE Georgia and can't wait to read her next adventure-Knocked Out by my Nunga-Nungas.

I would recommend this book for ages 14 and up.

SHADOWED SUMMER

SHADOWED SUMMER

by Saundra Mitchell

2009

180 pages

From Inside Cover:

Summer in Ondine, Louisiana, is always predictable: hot and boring.

Not this one.

This summer, Iris is fourteen. This summer she doesn't have to make up spooky stories for excitement. Because a real one falls right into her lap.

Years ago, before she was born, a teenager named Elijah disappeared. All that remains of him are whispers. Until this summer. A ghost begins to haunt Iris, and she's convinced it's the ghost of Elijah.

What really happened to him?

And why, of all people, has he chosen Iris?

My thoughts:

When I finish a book that really gets me-you know the kind-it won't leave your mind. I usually Google the author and try to find out more about them. I discovered a couple of things about Saundra Mitchell that made me laugh out loud such as-she has been a phone psychic! And a fabulous quote where she states "If Romeo and Juliet were 30, they wouldn't be tragic-they'd be pathetic." It made me snort-laugh.

Just a couple of things I had to share.

On with the review....

Shadowed Summer is a quick little page turner that is filled with mystery and suspense.

I picked this book up over the Halloween weekend hoping it would give me chills and thrills-OH....IT DID!

Saundra Mitchell does a beautiful job of capturing the southern comfort of Louisiana with language and descriptions that made me feel the hot, sticky air of a summer down south.

A ghost hunt that involves a Ouija board, old newspapers and the long forgotten death of a teenage boy named Elijah who is hell bent on delivering a message to Iris. This is not the long, boring summer she thought it would be! Shadowed Summer is a perfectly spooky tale filled with twists and turns. A story that won't leave your thoughts after the last page.

I recommend this book for readers 12 and up.

THE DEAD & THE GONE

THE DEAD & THE GONE

By Susan Beth Pfeffer

2008

308 Pages

From Inside Cover:

When life as Alex Morales had known it changed forever, he was working behind the counter at Joey's Pizza. He was worried about getting elected as senior class president and making the grades to land him in a good college. He would have never expected that an asteroid would hit the moon, knocking it closer in orbit to the earth and catastrophically altering the earth's climate.He never expected to be fighting just to stay alive.

My Thoughts:

A couple of months ago I read and reviewed the first book of this trilogy by Susan Beth Pfeffer called Life As We Knew It. It was a great book. I was a little worried to start the second installment-sophomore slump and all that. But I'm happy to say that The Dead & The Gone was not a disappointment. Whew!

While Life As We Knew It revolves around Miranda and takes place in a small town-Miranda has her family.

The Dead & The Gone takes the same event and centers it's story around Alex, a seventeen year old Puerto Rican who lives in the heart of New York city.

Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves-his mother never makes it home from her job at a hospital while his father was out of the country when disaster strikes. He now becomes the soul provider and caretaker of his two younger sisters.

The entire situation seem hopeless as we watch Alex and his sisters try to survive as the city around them falls apart. Food shortages, disease and mass chaos surround them.

I can't wait to read the next book in this amazing trilogy-This World We Live In.

Although I'm pretty sure I might need a massage and a stiff drink before I pick it up.

THE JESSICA AND ELIZABETH DRAMA CONTINUES!

GUESS WHO'S BACK!

JESSICA AND ELIZABETH WAKEFIELD!

I could not get enough of these sisters and their drama when I was in high school-

in fact they made be feel just a little bit better about my own drama during the high school years! Well, I'm happy to say that the girls are back and it seems that the drama still there! Sweet Valley High lives on!

Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later will explore the lives of twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield who are now estranged. What happened to Elizabeth (the mild one) and Jessica (the wild one) after they left the California coast?

Taken from People.com:While Jessica still lives in their hometown, Elizabeth has moved to N.Y.C. – and is looking for revenge toward her sister. What did Jessica do to cause the rift? Do they still wear matching lavaliere necklaces? Whatever happened to Todd Wilkins? And is Winston Egbert still a dork? Find out when the book hits stands March 29.

I can't wait!