Happy Halloween!

Okay, I am one that finds these 8 legged creatures scary, so I thought this would be something fun to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! It will follow your mouse. Just check it out and play a bit.




Oh, and one of my favorite programs, Ghost Hunters will be on tonight. I like them because they don't think that every speck of dust is something otherworldly and try to debunk as much as possible. Here are some things they caught that they couldn't explain away. What do you think?

This is just for fun. It was my favorite promo for Hell Boy and Ghost Hunters. :D
...and there is a good Halloween story at All Things Urban Fantasy by Kersten Hamilton. There is also a giveaway involved. So go HERE to find out more and read the story! Oh...btw, BOO! ;D

On My Wishlist...

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (published: July 4, 2011)
From Goodreads:
What happens to the girls nobody sees—the ones who are ignored, mistreated, hidden away? The girls nobody hears when they cry for help?

Fourteen-year-old Luce is one of those lost girls. After her father vanishes in a storm at sea, she is stuck in a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village with her alcoholic uncle. When her uncle crosses an unspeakable line, Luce reaches the depths of despair. Abandoned on the cliffs near her home, she expects to die when she tumbles to the icy, churning waves below. Instead, she undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid.

A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. The mermaids are beautiful, free, and ageless, and Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: they feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks.

Luce’s own talent at singing captures the attention of the tribe’s queen, the fierce and elegant Catarina, and Luce soon finds herself pressured to join in committing mass murder. Luce’s struggle to retain her inner humanity puts her at odds with her friends; even worse, Catarina seems to regard Luce as a potential rival. But the appearance of a devious new mermaid brings a real threat to Catarina’s leadership and endangers the very existence of the tribe. Can Luce find the courage to challenge the newcomer, even at the risk of becoming rejected and alone once again?

Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive. 



The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan (published Oct. 4, 2010)
From Goodreads:
Lena has lived her whole life near the beach—walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves—the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman—with a silvery tail.


Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life …


Selkie Girl by Laurie Brooks (published Nov. 9, 2010)
From Goodreads:
Elin Jean has always known she was different from the others on their remote island home. She is a gentle soul, and can’t stand the annual tradition of killing seal babies to thin the population. Even Tam McCodron, the gypsy boy to whom she is strangely drawn, seems to belong more than she does.It’s just a matter of time until Elin Jean discovers the secret of her past: her mother, Margaret, is a selkie, held captive by her smitten father, who has kept Margaret’s precious seal pelt hostage for 16 years. Soon Elin Jean faces a choice about whether to free her mother from her island prison. And, as the child of this unusual union, she must make another decision. Part land, part sea, she must explore both worlds and dig deep inside herself to figure out where she belongs, and where her future lies.Poignant, meaningful, and romantic, Selkie Girl is a lyrical debut about a mesmerizing legend.

Sense a theme? ;) So, what is on your wishlist this week?

Who Says Pumpkin Carving isn't Art?

Can you believe this was a simple pumpkin? Ray Villafane doesn't take long to create these intricate carvings out of pumpkins. He first finds one with enough weight and then sets to carve them with a spoon and scalpel. I can't believe it. I get tired just scraping the guts out of a pumpkin. Plus, just think of this... it is transient sculpture. It won't last for more than a few days before it rots. How sad. In the meantime, however, we can enjoy the show. The article where I found his work is HERE. There are a few more pictures of his work than what I've posted if you are curious. Too cool, don't ya think?

The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate Blog Tour

From Goodreads:

Camilla's Cucinotta: 

Italian Cooking Classes 

Fresh take-home pastas and sauces daily 

Benvenuti (Welcome!) 

Holly Maguire's grandmother was the Love Goddess of Blue Crab Island, Maine–a Milanese fortune teller who could predict the right man for you, and whose Italian cooking was rumored to save marriages. Holly has been waiting years for her unlikely fortune: her true love will like sa cordula, an unappetizing old-world delicacy. But Holly can't make a decent marinara sauce, let alone sa cordula. Maybe that's why the man she hopes to marry breaks her heart. So when Holly inherits Camilla's Cucinotta, she's determined to forget about fortunes and love and become an Italian cooking teacher worthy of her grandmother's legacy. 

But Holly's four students are seeking much more than how to make Camilla's chicken alla Milanese. Simon, a single father, hopes to cook his way back into his daughter's heart. Juliet, Holly's childhood friend, hides a painful secret. Tamara, a serial dater, can't find the love she longs for. And twelve-year-old Mia thinks learning to cook will stop her dad from marrying his phony lasagna-queen girlfriend. 

As the class gathers each week, adding Camilla's essential ingredients of wishes and memories into every pot and pan, unexpected friendships and romances are formed–and tested. Especially when Holly falls hard for Liam . . . and learns a thing or two about finding her own recipe for happiness.

This was a fun chick lit book to read. In the beginning of the book Holly is heartbroken once again but this time she really wanted it to work out. She seeks out the warmth and wisdom of her grandmother who passes away shortly after she came to "visit". After inheriting the cooking school and small pasta shop Holly, who cannot cook, decides to not let her grandmother's legacy go down in flames. She works hard and finds 4 lost souls to take her cooking class. In doing the class the same way her grandmother had done, each learns things about themselves and their relationships around them. Even without her grandmother's gift of knowing, Holly finds herself an apt teacher and even better friend. As the school and her cooking gains her own "touch", Holly finds who she is and what she truly wants in life. This journey and the journeys others partake with her is what the book is all about.

I give this book 4 stars. It's a fun, light book and I can see this hitting the theaters as Senate's other books, most recently "Must Love Dogs". This book just came out in publication and is available now. Oh, and for those that like to cook (no, not me... lol) there are a few Italian recipes included at the end of the book.

Scott Nicholson Blog Tour!

KINDLE GIVEAWAY BLOG TOUR

Author Scott Nicholson and Amazon are giving away two Kindles as part of his fall book blog tour through November, including a stop here at Books And Things on Nov. 16. A Kindle DX will be given away through the participating blogs, and a Kindle 3 will be given away through the tour newsletter. A Pandora's Box of free ebooks will be given away through Nicholson's "hauntedcomputer" Twitter account. 

As a bonus, for each book of his books that hits the Top 100 in the U.S. or U.K. Kindle Store during the tour, he will give away an extra Kindle 3 through the blogs. Sign up for the newsletter at scottsinnercircle-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to get daily links to the participating blogs. Winners will be selected at the Watauga County (NC) Public Library in December. No purchase necessary, and the contest is international. Co-sponsored by Kindle Nation Daily and Dellaster Design. Details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm

CSN Winner!

Winner of the $55 Gift Code is...

Maria!

(confirmed)

She has been contacted and just needs to get back to me within 72 hours or I'll choose another winner.

Thanks for playing everyone!

Rise Again by Ben Tripp Blog Tour

From Rise Again website:

Forest Peak, California. Fourth of July.

Sheriff Danielle Adelman, a troubled war veteran, thinks she has all the problems she can handle after her kid sister runs away from home. But when disease-stricken refugees from Los Angeles overrun her small mountain community, Danny realizes her problems have only just begun—with the end of the world.

When the streets are choked with dead, the living grieve. When the dead begin to move, the living hope. And when the dead begin to feed, the living fight to survive. Because if you die…

You rise again.

 If you are wanting a good zombie book for the Halloween holiday, I do suggest you get Rise Again. In some ways it does remind me of  Night of the Living Dead and even references the movie in a few places. We mostly follow Danielle Adelman (Danny) who is an Iraq war vet with PTSD. On a side note: If any guys out there are worried that the protagonist is female, do not worry as Danny is hard as nails and a great heroine. You won't miss a thing. *think Sigourney Weaver in Aliens* Anyhoo... Danny loses her sister right before the zombie wave suddenly hits town. She doesn't have time to think let alone read the note full of anger and mistrust. Things quickly progress and you are in the middle of the surviving group hoping they find someplace safe.

As the story goes on Danny later strikes out on her own to try to find her sister. She quickly learns that either she has survived or hasn't but keeps hope that she is out there somewhere. Danny heads to the only place she can... back to the survivors she helped in her community. Upon returning she finds that there is more to fear than the zombies, but mercenaries who proclaim themselves the leaders of the facility they found. Things go from bad to worse and hopefully Danny can find a way to help them.

The ending is haunting and may keep you awake thinking about it. Yep, I was one who was awake thinking on the ending. Wonderful since you don't always get that in a book, horrible because I wanted to sleep! Regardless, I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It gives you exactly what it promises (lots of gore, action, and anxiety). It also gives you that bit extra in how Mr. Tripp develops the characters.

Oh and don't forget to go to the books website. There are several free downloads there that are perfect if you forgot to make a costume this year. :) The pictures here are a couple of examples of what you can get. There are other things there as well, so have some fun and take a look. :) Oh, and the book is out today!

Contests/Giveaways!

Avery is having her first giveaway!Depending on how many followers will determine how many winners will receive a $15 gift certificate from Amazon. Just go HERE for all the deets. This contest is also in my linky on my Contest and Giveaways page.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New contest from Misfit Salon!

The following pictures are the groups of books you could win! There will be clues and you e-mail your answers. All deets are HERE! Fun contest for Halloween!
She also has other giveaways going on at this time. Check them out. Also, this is on my giveaway/contest page as well. Check out all the giveaways there!

Found: Stolloween

Things that I MUST do next year. I found this on the web and just loved them! How would you like a pumpkin that looks just as scary in the light as in the dark? Can you believe that none of these are real pumpkins? They are all paper maché! The tutorial is on the website where this artist has created his Halloween fun! Just go to Stolloween to get all the deets. Maybe next year your house will be the one where all the kids fear to tread!

On My Wishlist...

The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore (Nov. 1, 2010)
From Goodreads:
An exploration of classic heroines and their equally admirable authors, The Heroine's Bookshelf shows today's women how to tap into their inner strengths and live life with intelligence and grace.

Jo March, Scarlett O'Hara, Scout Finch—the literary canon is brimming with intelligent, feisty, never-say-die heroines and celebrated female authors. Like today's women, they placed a premium on personality, spirituality, career, sisterhood, and family. When they were up against the wall, authors like Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott fought back—sometimes with words, sometimes with gritty actions. In this witty, informative, and inspiring read, their stories offer much-needed literary intervention to modern women.

Full of beloved heroines and the remarkable writers who created them,The Heroine's Bookshelf explores how the pluck and dignity of literary characters such as Jane Eyre and Lizzy Bennet can encourage women today.

Each legendary character is paired with her central quality—Anne Shirley is associated with irrepressible "Happiness," while Scarlett O'Hara personifies "Fight"—along with insights into her author's extraordinary life. From Zora Neale Hurston to Colette, Laura Ingalls Wilder to Charlotte BrontË, Harper Lee to Alice Walker, here are authors and characters whose spirited stories are more inspiring today than ever.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (Jan. 1, 2011)
From Goodreads:
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees. . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what it is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place--and out of place, at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
 
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make--between honesty and deciet, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny? 

So, what is on your wishlist this week?

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

From Goodreads:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice? 

I'll have to say that this is a fun anxious ride that Andrea Cremer invented. I did get into the characters and the world she created. Of course, I also loved that it was set in CO. My only complaint with the setting is that it is stated that grizzles are extinct in CO. Not so. Rare, yes. Not extinct. Okay, got that off my chest... now onto the rest of the review.

As the story progresses we get to know Calla who is alpha of her teen group of Nightshade guardians (read: werewolves). We also get to know Ren, her intended, and also her "counter" alpha of the Bane guardians.  These two have been promised to each other since birth with the idea of forming a new guardian group. Calla is certain of her future until Shay shows up in her life. She begins to question everything she has been taught. Not just through Shay, but through the actions of the "keepers" (read: masters).

Hmm... okay, I'll just say it. I did not like Shay. Don't throw things at me. I didn't say I hated him, but I couldn't see Calla falling so easily for him and I found him quite arrogant. To explain further I may spoil a few things, but no, I did not root for her to get together with Shay. I was rooting for Ren. Now, granted Calla had pertinent questions as to why he may not be the one for her. She was correct for questioning, but I felt since she was not mature enough to find out these answers, then she was not yet mature enough to find her one true love... just yet. I will say this. I did like the fact that both had good and bad qualities for Calla to consider. I just don't feel that she put these qualities in a real light for consideration of either character. However, I do admit, I warmed a bit to Shay at the end even if I still don't think (as of yet) he is the one for her. I may change my mind in the sequel. *shrugs*

I give this book 4 stars and I am curious as to what is in store for them in the sequel, Wolfsbane (July 2011). I do recommend this book as long as no one is planning on throwing things at me if they prefer Shay over Ren. ;)

I received this ARC from Penguin/Philomel and was not compensated for my review.


Oh, and as a bonus, if you go to the Amazon site you can download the prequel in PDF format. The direct link is HERE. I have to say I really enjoyed the prequel. It is a bit of a mystery that was solved on the Facebook page. I also suspect that it holds a few clues to what will be uncovered in the next book. Some of the people who helped solve this puzzle on Facebook have also been included in the short novella. So, even if you haven't read the book, you can get this novella. I don't think it spoils anything at all.

Oh, and to see the vlogs he talks about in the novella, goto nightshadebook.com to see all of them. It's easier than going to the FB page and looking for them all.

So, what are you still doing here? Go, get the novella, get the book and have a good read. :)

Look What You Could Win!

She's having her own giveaway at her blog! A *cue scary cute music* Halloween Giveaway!

What can you win?

This!

How cute is this plush? His name is Spook the Pumpkin Head.

All details to easily enter for this cutie is at her blog. Just click HERE.

Good Luck!

I'm Over At Blog with Bite!

Today I'm over at Blog with Bite for a review of Halloween Fantasies by Katie Salidas. 

So stop by and say "hi!" :)

It's part of the Halloween Hysteria! So, boo! 

  

  

  

Guest Blogger for Washington by Ron Chernow

I was asked by TLC tours if I knew anyone who loved history. I did! My dad. So, I asked if he'd like to try this blogger thing and he agreed. So, without further ado... here is your guest blogger of the day... my dad, Allen!

From TLC tours:
Hardcover: 869 pages
Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The (October 5, 2010)

From National Book Award winner Ron Chernow, a landmark biography of George Washington

In Washington: A Life celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one volume life of Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the French and Indian War, his creation of Mount Vernon, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America’s first president.

Despite the reverence his name inspires, Washington remains a lifeless waxwork for many Americans, worthy but dull. A laconic man of granite self-control, he often arouses more respect than affection. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow dashes forever the stereotype of a stolid, unemotional man. A strapping six feet, Washington was a celebrated horseman, elegant dancer, and tireless hunter, with a fiercely guarded emotional life. Chernow brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods. Probing his private life, he explores his fraught relationship with his crusty mother, his youthful infatuation with the married Sally Fairfax, and his often conflicted feelings toward his adopted children and grandchildren. He also provides a lavishly detailed portrait of his marriage to Martha and his complex behavior as a slave master.

At the same time, Washington is an astute and surprising portrait of a canny political genius who knew how to inspire people. Not only did Washington gather around himself the foremost figures of the age, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, but he also brilliantly orchestrated their actions to shape the new federal government, define the separation of powers, and establish the office of the presidency.

In this unique biography, Ron Chernow takes us on a page-turning journey through all the formative events of America’s founding. With a dramatic sweep worthy of its giant subject, Washington is a magisterial work from one of our most elegant storytellers.

The writing flows easily for reading and there are many chapters for convenient stopping points. Points that may not be clear in old style document writings are made clear by the author’s writing style. Of course the book is voluminous since Ron Chernow covers the complete life of Washington.  The life of Washington was filled with many historical adventures. All the content is obviously well researched for accuracy. I believe most Americans would enjoy reading the book to learn and review about the man who is perhaps the most important person for the beginnings of our country. I have enjoyed learning some American history through movies and occasionally reading, but I have never been a history enthusiast. However, I am very pleased that I took the time to read “Washington” by Ron Chernow.

The book was very interesting in its entirety. There were some parts of Washington’s life that peaked my interest. I was especially interested in the exploration of western lands including the part about Fort Necessity.  Another high interest area for me was the close relationships of Washington with key figures in our history, such as Knox, Lafayette, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison. Consequently, with this came my interest in the Federalists vs the Republicans with their political maneuvering and manipulating. This is very similar to what still takes place today. Washington’s opinion and handling of the Whiskey Rebellion was also of peak interest to me.

Other areas that stood out for me were his strong ties with the Fairfax family, all his family ties to the Custis family through his marriage to Martha and what a great woman Martha must have been, his thoughts on slavery and farming and finally the unusual relationship with his mother.

Finally, I believe that most people will find the book most enlightening to read about the many fallible aspects of Washington. The managing of Mount Vernon with his many money problems help illustrate him as a fallible man.  Although we appreciate and love the legend, I believe most would also like to know the complete man better.

Winner!

Random.org has spoken. The Winner of The Replacement ARC is...


...drumroll....

Tara A. (confirmed)


She has been contacted and now has 72 hours to get back to me or another person will be chosen! :)

Cresendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush #2)

From Goodreads:

The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush!

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home. 

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

I decided to look at this review as a book where the issues with Patch were resolved. I figured that it was obvious that none of the problems I had would be rehashed in a way that would please me, so I decided to move on with the characters. In this one, Patch is a jerk, but not a scary jerk like we met in the last book. In fact he was so much a jerk, I found myself yelling that at the book from time to time. *don't look at me that way... yes, I talk to my books. It's okay as long as I don't expect them to talk back. ;)* Nora, also really got on my nerves in this book. Granted with Patch being such a jerk some of it made sense. The fact that she became extremely needy grated on my nerves, but did make sense. Especially when Patch wanted her to be honest and he still kept secrets. However, that is where I have to say my sympathies ended with Nora. She kept making one bad decision after another. She would proclaim herself more mature but I'd be wondering where she put the decision she just made a few pages prior in that claim. A few bad decisions I can accept, but almost every one of them? Just too much for me.

I do admit, I liked Vee more in this one than in the last book. I have known people like her and it is fun to be around them. Also, the action in this book was so much more compelling and interesting. I liked Scott as a bad guy as well as all the confusing things that went around her. However, the ending didn't just flow with me. Certain things made too quick of a turnaround. Too many things weren't given enough clues to make it fit. Also, there were a couple of instances where Nora had something (like someone's car) or proclaimed something and then in the next chapter it was forgotten.

Okay, how do I rate this book? I did like the action. However, the main characters didn't elicit the interest I would have liked. Plus, it ends in a cliff-hanger (if you know me I hate those!). I guess I'll give it 3 stars. It was an okay book and better if you didn't read the first one in the series.

I was given this ARC by Teen Simon and Schuster and no compensation for my review was received.

CSN Giveaway!

Hey! Have a CSN Giveaway for a $55 gift certificate! How great is that?

What is CSN?

It's a huge on-line store filled with things like end tables, coffee tables, shoes, bags and lots of things like that!

How does this fit with Halloween?

Look at this coffee table:

I could totally see that in a huge castle. Possibly haunted. Yes, it might be a stretch, but hey, you want the gift certificate, right? :)

Giveaway will end 10/25 10PM MST

All you have to do is fill out this form:

Contest is now closed. Thanks for playing!

Good Luck!

On My Wishlist...

This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress #5) by Jeaniene Frost (to be published late Feb/ early March 2011)
From Goodreads:

Danger waits on both sides of the grave… 

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they’ve triumphed over the latest battle, Cat’s new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance… 

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous “ally”—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war. …to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Okay, I know... seriously this is a no brainer.  Especially to those of us who have been following this series. However, it's still on my wishlist and I can't wait! I love Cat and Bones and can't wait to see what happens. Ah... I'm already squeeing with excitement! :D

So, what are you wishing for this week?

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

From Goodreads:

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price? 

It's about a young blind and sick girl who accidentally gets kidnapped by another young teen. After they find out that her father is rich and powerful, they decide to keep her. Knowing that she is in trouble, Cheyenne relies on her inner resources to gain sympathy and stay alive. She befriends Griffin who kidnapped her and opens up a world that he didn't know existed. As it comes down to the exchange, Cheyenne realizes that just handing her over is not what is going to happen. She can't rely on Griffin so who can she rely on?

This is a short but enjoyable YA book. The author writes in the way I remembered YA books used to be written (before we had the moniker, YA). So, I would probably go as far to say that the MG crowd would enjoy this book as well. Cheyenne is a capable and strong character and one I think is great for the YA crowd. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a strong heroine. I give this book 4 stars.

I was given this book through the Goodreads First Reads program and MacMillan. No compensation for my review was given.

of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan Blog Tour

From Goodreads:

Of Bees and Mist is an engrossing fable that chronicles three generations of women under one family tree and places them in a mythical town where spirits and spells, witchcraft and demons, and prophets and clairvoyance are an everyday reality. 

Meridia grows up in a lonely home until she falls in love with Daniel at age sixteen. Soon, they marry, and Meridia can finally escape to live with her charming husband’s family—unaware that they harbor dark mysteries of their own. As Meridia struggles to embrace her life as a young bride, she discovers long-kept secrets about her own past as well as shocking truths about her new family that push her love, courage, and sanity to the brink. 

Erick Setiawan’s astonishing debut is a richly atmospheric and tumultuous ride of hope and heartbreak that is altogether touching, truthful, and memorable.

 This book is a bit of a mystery to me. Not in a bad way, but in a very good way. While it is an intriguing story mostly of two women. Meridia who grew up with strange mists and Eva, Meridia's eventual in-law who seems to be able to conjure bees from incessant and nasty speech. However it is mostly Meridia's story we follow. Within her mind we encounter a great many metaphors. This is part of the books magic. Sometimes we, as readers, are unable to tell the real from illusion, magic from metaphor. While in some books this could become quite maddening, actually it becomes more of a lyrical poem. In some ways it was fun for me to see if it was all in Meridia's outlook on life, or if there really was some sort of magic in play. For example, sometimes the other characters would participate within the metaphor and acknowledge it, and other times it seemed as nothing more than an illusion.

This book is also about family, betrayal, forgiveness, making the wrong and right choices, inner-strength, and weakness. Erick Setiawan paints all this with a beautiful flourish. It not only makes it interesting, but emotional as well. I even found Eva interesting. A character that does nothing but manipulate and lie usually does not interest me at all. However, within the prose you find yourself wondering what is going to happen to this character and how many of those characters you have met in your life. In my case, I have known a few. Now, I may silently smile to myself as I see bees fly out of their mouth stinging those around them.

Oh I could go on, but I don't want to spoil anything. I encourage you to try this book. I've given this book 4 stars. Erick writes a story of mostly women very well. Also, examine the book cover if you get a chance. You'll find small objects in within the roses that are within the story. You can examine some of those same pictures at his blog:
http://www.ofbeesandmist.com/
Erick's FaceBook page

Winners!

Random.org was consulted and the winners were picked!

Winner for the signed Venom book is:

Shaiha! (confirmed)

The winner of the Venom and Web of Lies books is:

Novel Reaction! (confirmed)

The winner of the book from the Book Depository is:

mysteriousrose! (confirmed)

The winners now have been contacted and now have 72 hours to get back to me or another winner will be chosen!

Winners!

The 1st place winner of the Movie and treats is...

Daphne! (confirmed)

2nd place for just the treats is...

 Mary did not confirm, so random.org picked a new winner...

Jessi E. (confirmed)

The winner of The Gift is...

 I Read Banned Books said...

Oh, yay! I'm in! (confirmed)

Congrats to the Winners!!

They have been contacted and I will give them 72 hours to get back to me or another winner will be chosen! :)