KISS OF LIFE by Daniel Waters

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KISS OF LIFE
Author: Daniel Waters
Source: Purchased at store
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1St Edition edition (May 12, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423109236
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423109235
SYNOPSIS:

The phenomenon that’s been sweeping the country seems to be here to stay.  Not only are the teenagers who have come back from their graves still here, but newlydeads are being unearthed all the time.  While scientists look for answers and politicians take their stands, the undead population of Oakville have banded together in a group they’re calling the Sons of Romero, hoping to find solidarity in segregation.

Phoebe Kendall may be alive, but she feels just as lost and alone as her dead friends.  Just when she reconciled herself to having feelings for a zombie — her Homecoming date Tommy Williams — her friend Adam is murdered taking a bullet that was meant for her.  Things get even more confusing when Adam comes back from the grave.  Now she has romantic interest in two dead boys; one who saved her life, and one she can’t seem to live without.

MY THOUGHTS:
After reading the first book in the series, Generation Dead, I had to hurry and buy the second book as well.  This book was just as good as the first book.  I love the character of Adam.  In this book we see Adam struggle with becoming a zombie and trying to decide if he should tell Phoebe how he really feels about her.  Phoebe is still dealing with her confused emotions over Tommy, but is starting to feel the attraction and love for Adam as well.  The whole teen romance between the two was enjoyable.  Both of the characters click well together on the pages and you find yourself rooting for the both of them.  
We don’t get to see Tommy in this book, but we do get to hear from him through emails that he sends to Phoebe.  We learn that Tommy is okay and still traveling, but we also find out that he has found someone else to love as well.  We get to see a lot more of the other zombies that were introduced in the first book.  The ending was nice, but led you to believe that there will be a third book, which I cannot wait for!  I can’t wait to see what will happen to the zombies now and how the love will grow for Adam and Phoebe.
MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

THIS LITTLE PRAYER OF MINE by Anthony DeStefano

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THIS LITTLE PRAYER OF MINE
AUTHOR: Anthony DeStefano
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (February 16, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307458040
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307458049
SYNOPSIS:
I know you’re up in heaven, God,
and can hear my voice from there.
I’m just a little child.
Will you answer my short prayer?

So begins this delightful book that affirms God’s readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.

With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near–watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They’ll also learn that prayer isn’t just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.

Most importantly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds. 

MY THOUGHTS: 
My daughter loved this book. She wants me to read it every night before bed.  I liked the lessons it told and the writing was perfect.  It teaches kids about right and wrong, how not to be selfish, and other things while asking for God in prayer for guidance at bedtime.
This would make a perfect book for you to read to your child at bedtime.  The pictures were illustrated wonderfully and kept my child interested until the end.  A great book for beginner readers as well.
MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

THE TRUE LOVE QUILTING CLUB by Lori Wilde

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THE TRUE LOVE QUILTING CLUB
Author: Lori Wilde
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Avon; Original edition (April 13, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061808903
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061808906
SYNOPSIS:

“The pattern of a quilt will always lead you back home.” 
Trixie Lynn Parks changed her name to Emma, shook the dust of Twilight, Texas, off her shoes, and vowed to make it big in the city. But after twelve years of shattered dreams, she heads back to the ladies of the True Love Quilting Club . . . and to her first love, Sam Cheek. 
Some things—and some people—sure have changed. Sam has grown from a carefree boy to a single dad. And even though the chemistry between them sizzles hotter than ever, Trixie Lynn quickly discovers she must choose between the fame and fortune that have finally come her way—or the one true love who has the power to mend her patchwork heart. 
MY THOUGHTS:
In our next installment of the town of Twilight, we get to see the romance of Emma and Sam. While this is a second in the series, it can still be read as a stand alone with no problems. When Emma, also known as Trixie Lynn, was young, her mother left to pursue her acting career.  She was left in the care of her father, who we learn early on is not her real father.  He forces her to move with him away from Twilight at 14 years old.  Before they move away, Sam who is her best friend in Twilight, finds her crying about the move and tries to cheer her up. He kisses her goodbye and they realize they love each other, but it is too late.
Fast forward to present day we find Emma struggling to become an actress as well.  She has not received her big break, she has no family to fall back on and finally gets a chance to return to Twilight with an acting job that will jump start her career.  She find Sam again, who has married, been widowed and has a son now.  
I enjoyed this book even more than the first in the series. This one may not have had many steamy love scenes, but you could still feel the love and romance that grows between Emma and Sam.  The author has a wonderful knack for writing heartfelt romance that captures you and keeps you trapped in the town of Twilight.  Second chances, love renewed and touching scenes of tender dialogue will leave your heart aching for more from this author.
MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

GENERATION DEAD by Daniel Waters

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GENERATION DEAD
Author: Daniel Waters
Source: PBS
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; Reprint edition (April 7, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423109228
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423109228
SYNOPSIS:

Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He’s strong and silent…and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren’t staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn’t want them.
The administration at Oakvale High attempts to be more welcoming of the “differently biotic.” But the students don’t want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn’t breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the “living impaired” from the people who want them to disappear–for good.
When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy? 
MY THOUGHTS:
Who knew zombies could be so sweet and fun?  I loved this book.  The cover was amazing and that is what attracted me to it in the first place.  We have Phoebe, who is the goth type in school.  She befriends Tommy, who happens to be one of the zombies that has started school.  At first there aren’t many zombies, but they slowly start coming out of hiding and starting school in Phoebe’s town.  They try to integrate themselves into the mix again. In this book, zombies are only teens.  Phoebe starts to fall in love with Tommy, but she also must deal with her friendship with Adam, her childhood friend and neighbor.  Adam realizes his feelings for her have grown, and we soon get sucked into the love triangle. 
This book was very well written and the pace was great.  I loved this book so much, that I ordered the next book in the series from Amazon and will be reading it as soon as it gets here!  A great new young adult paranormal read that even adults will love!
MY THOUGHTS:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

HAILEY TWITCH IS NOT A SNITCH by Lauren Barnholdt (ARC)

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HAILEY TWITCH IS NOT A SNITCH
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Illustrator: Suzanne Beaky
Source: Publisher
* I received this ARC copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Paperback: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (May 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402224443
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402224447
SYNOPSIS:

Meet Hailey Twitch…
She’s just like you. Well, sort of.
She loves pink sparkly pencils and ice cream. But Hailey also has a secret: she’s friends with Maybelle, a sprite that only she can see.
Hailey and Maybelle are having fun, fun, fun. But they’re also getting into lots of trouble!
Can Hailey keep her friend a secret or will she have to tell?
MY THOUGHTS:
This was such a cute read.  I can see young teens enjoying this book.  Hailey has a bad day at school when the teacher decides to pair her up with Addie who is the one kids in class who loves all the rules.  Hailey hates rules and is not looking forward to working with Addie on their school project.  When she gets home, Hailey is pouting in her room and suddenly a sprite appears named Maybelle.  Maybelle wants to have fun with Hailey since she is in trouble with the Department of Magic for breaking rules herself.  
Maybelle gets Hailey in a lot of trouble, but Hailey refuses to tell anyone that it wasn’t her. So Hailey takes the punishment instead of Maybelle.  Throughout the whole story we start to realize that Addie isn’t as boring and stuck on the rules as we thought.  She turns out to be a great friend with Hailey.  
Overall this would be a great and clean book for the younger teens.  The pictures through out the story were great.  The writing flowed nicely and made sense.  A cute and fun read for younger readers to enjoy!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!