CONTEST: The Lost Saint ARC + Nail Polish

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 CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

How many of you are waiting for the second installment in The Dark Divine Series by Bree Despain?  I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this wonderful book for review, which you can find HERE.  Thanks to the publishers though, I have an extra The Lost Saint ARC copy plus ONE bottle of The Lost Saint nail polish to giveaway to one lucky person!

*Spoiler Alert* – If you have not read The Dark Divine, this synopsis may contain spoilers.
Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot—a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel is put in danger—in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her—not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

RULES AND ENTRY:
1. Must be in the USA.
2. No need to be a follower but I would love it if you would be!
3. Leave a comment on this post with an email address for contact if you win.
4. If you tweet about the contest, please leave the DIRECT link in a separate comment for an extra entry.  (it will only qualify and be counted if left in a separate comment)
5. Contest will end 11/26/2010

(ARC Review) Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

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WHERE I BELONG
Author: Gwendolyn Heasley
Source: Around The World Tours

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (February 8, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061978841
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061978845

SUMMARY:

Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems…. 

MY THOUGHTS:

When you read the first page of the book, you know exactly how the main character is going to be.  Basically the first page is a letter from Corrinne to the reader.  She tells you that when reading this book, you are going to not enjoy her attitude and demeanor.  I found this to be very accurate.


When Corrinne’s Father loses his job due to the recession, her family is forced to sell their home in New York.  While her father travels abroad to find work, Corrinne is forced to move to Broken Spoke, Texas with her brother Tripp.  While living with her Grandparent’s, Corrinne whines about anything and everything.  She can’t stand to live in a place where Sonic is considered fine dining, and football is the favorite past time.


Throughout this book I agreed with the letter from the character.  I couldn’t stand Corrinne.  She was spoiled, whined on almost every page, and basically a teenage brat.  If she didn’t get exactly what she wanted, she made sure to tell everyone who was listening a poor-me tantrum.  I didn’t see much of an improvement in the character by the end of the book either.  Sure, she learned to like Sonic and Texan fun, but she still had the spoiled princess persona that grew irritating with each chapter.  There isn’t much romance in the book, and it is left with no real resolve at the end with what romance it does have.  


To me this was an okay book, but not one that blew me away like I was hoping. I think the ending of the book needed more to it, and a better outcome that what is revealed in the last chapter. 


MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn’t have it, don’t worry about reading it! 2 STARS

Publishing Spotlight: Academic Success for All Learners

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Today I want to share something special for my readers.  I went to my daughters school last week and the teacher mentioned the Reading Program she was going to introduce for the second quarter.  She handed me a book that she raved about that brought great success with the children in learning to read.  When she handed me the books to look at, I couldn’t help but notice how faded and worn out the books were.  I mentioned to her that I didn’t think the books would handle another year of kids handling them.  She told me that these were the best Kindergarten reading books she has ever used and she wishes that she could afford more for the class.  You see our small town has schools with small town budgets.  I felt sad that these children might not even get to finish the program due to the books falling apart!  Reading is crucial and if the teacher is raving about these books being the best out there for young readers to learn with, then I wanted to help.

I looked online and contacted the publisher about these books.  I let them know about how the teacher raved about them. I asked if there was anyway their company could donate one set for the classroom .  Imagine my surprise when not only did they respond, but they were willing to donate FOUR sets to my daughters classroom!!

My daughter with her friends and teacher showing off her new books!
(yes, my daughter is the one with the goofy smile in the center! LOL)

Academic Success For All Learners went out of their way and shipped the first set in the I See Sam series.  I can honestly say that these books are amazing for young readers to start learning with.  My daughter has learned how to read 2 of these books already, and she always asks for more! This company has even started a Facebook page to help share news about their books!  They are even focusing on over the next few months helping out a group doing some work on literacy issues in Liberia Africa.  I urge you to take a look at their Loving Through Literacy Campaign they have going on right now.  They will be doing some various fundraisers to help support literacy in young children.

I personally want to thank this company for everything they have done and will do.  For one small town school, you have just opened up a new world of reading through your books for our children!

Loving Through Literacy Campaign: http://lovingthroughliteracy.com/

COVER ALERT!! Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

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Summary: 
Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn’t live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he’s never known, and just when he thinks he’s got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father? Continuing all the steamy romance of the first two books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles gives fans one more satisfying taste of the irresistible Fuentes boys.

(ARC Review) Hungry For You by Lynsay Sands

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HUNGRY FOR YOU
An Argeneau Novel
Source: HarperCollins
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Avon; Original edition (November 30, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061894575
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061894572

SUMMARY:

This vampire has been alone for far too long . . . 

As one of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact, they believe they’ve finally found his perfect match. Getting them together, however, requires one little white lie . . . 

Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends electric tingles racing through her body . . . 

Except he can’t cook. In fact, Cale hasn’t eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet he’s determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast! 

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a HUGE fan of Lynsay Sands. She is an auto buy for me no matter what the story is about.  In the latest installment in the Argeneau series, we are introduced to Cale and Alex. 

We have met Alex in previous books.  She is the sister to Jo and Sam Willan.  While those two have already found their life mates in previous books, I was waiting on pins and needles to see who the author would pair chef and restaurant owner Alex with.  While Cale is no Chef, the author made sure to fit Alex with him as a balance.  Cale is a business man and hasn’t cooked in over a thousand years if not more.  When he finds out that Alex is his life mate though, he does try to cook and woo her at the same time.

Alex hires Cale as her project/business manager since she would rather be head chef at her restaurant then handle the paperwork.  Cale is happy to oblige, and Alex finds their growing attraction hard to resist.  When they share some sexy dreams, Alex finds her wall of defense crumbling. 

I must say that after certain scenes in the book, I will never look at a microwave again without laughing out loud!  While I loved the characters of Cale and Alex, my favorite had to be Bricker again for saving the day when Cale found himself messing something up.  Bricker trying to teach Cale how to use a microwave and how to cook was hilarious.  Ms. Sands never fails with the witty and fun writing that also has the sexy romance we crave.  She balances it perfectly and the writing is phenomenal!  While the story ended in a bit of a rush, I still was very satisfied with the book.  The author also explains things to where if this is the first book you pick up and read, everything is explained without having to read the prior books. 

Another fantastic read that quenched my thirst for paranormal romance! Bravo Ms. Sands for another outstanding read in the series.

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS