Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The truth about EDS


Hi everyone.

Today I actually want to venture off books for a moment to talk about a very rare disease. It's called EDS, and it is causing a friend of mine more and more pain everyday. She is one of the strongest people I know. Even though she is in serious pain, she is still happy and joking around. 

If you can take five minutes out of your life and go to her blog. I'm not asking you to do anything more, but maybe wear purple today in honor of an amazingly strong girl. She inspires me and I just want her to get better.


Facebook Post:
Today is Rare Disease Day. One of my dear friends is a patient of Ehlers-Dalnos Syndrome(EDS). So please help spread awareness tomorrow by wearing purple and checking out her blog. I StandUp for those who suffer from EDS. Do you?





Waiting on Wednesday: 2/29/12


Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: 2/28/12



This lovely weekly feature is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Rules:
  • Grab your current read!
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page!
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS
  • Share the title and author!

"She heard all the stories about the Death Shop, like everyone else. A million ways to die. She knew of the packs of wolves as smart as men." Page 70 of ARC of Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Monday, February 27, 2012

Review: Goddess Interrupted


Title: Goddess Interrupted
Author: Aimee Carter
Published: March 27, 2012
Source: Publisher
Synopsis:
Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

Review:
Be prepared to be completely and totally immersed in the world of Kate Winters. The Goddess Interrupted is the kind of book that you WILL read in one sitting, and leave you breathless until the very end. And by then Aimee Carter will have taken your heart and crushed it, not letting it fully heal until December when the next book comes out.

Cover: 
It is absolutely gorgeous. I mean what can you expect when the first cover looks just a beautiful. It is simple and doesn't need much explaining. Other than being completly stunning. To the left is the Novella that is coming out March 1, and to the right is the first book, the Goddess Test!
Plot:
The story gripped me from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down without freaking out that I would miss something. It was full of adventure and twists and turns that I wasn't expecting! The story kept you focused and wanting more. I cannot wait for the next one!

Characters:
Welcome back Kate, Henry, Ava, Dianna, and James. They take you on the adventure of a lifetime. One that you will never forget if you read the book! I loved them so much! Even if they did piss me off.. A lot.

Lets begin with Kate. She finally has her immortality, Henry, her mom, and her best friends. Yet, she isn't happy. Something bad has happened and she wants to be, but something major is holding her back. Like the  fact that Henry was abducted and she can't do anything to save him. But she still goes into the unknown to save him. She is amazing and awesome!

Then there's Henry. He's distant and frankly annoying. I thought I was going to kill him throughout the book. He was still the sweet Henry in some scenes, yet he was a major butt head in the others. Talk about some major bi-polar issues there...

All in all: I loved this book! It was amazing! It should defiantly be on your to be read list. If you haven't read the Goddess Test yet, do it. DO IT!! :) 5 out of 5 tacos!


Here is the first chapter read by Aimee!! :) Which when I read the chapter.. I read it in her voice!



Saturday, February 25, 2012

Review: Starters

Title: Starters
Author: Lissa Price
Published: March 13, 2012
Source: eGalley

Synopsis:
HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .


Review:
Starters will leave you breathless. Everything about Starters is so well written and amazing, that you don't want to put the book down. It is an epic tale of a love so strong that she is willing to do anything for her brother. It touched me in the ways that she was so willing to do something that she detested for her brother.

Cover: 
I love the cover! At first it freaked me out a little, but then, once I realised what that cover is I understood. I love the two different eye colors! One of my friends has his eyes like that and I love looking at them!

Plot:
The plot tended to drag at some parts. There were terms in the book that were never explained and it was a little confusing about what they meant. Other than that the writing was awesome and the story line was intense and interesting!

Characters:
Everyone in this book wasn't who they seemed to be. It was actually very creepy. You never knew if someone was a Starter or an Ender in a Starters body. I was really creeped out at the point when everything started happening.

Let's start with Callie! I really liked Callie, she was willing to do anything for her little brother and it made me so happy that she loved him so much! She was strong and willing, and fought about everything. Yet when she needed to be calm she was, and when she needed to act like someone else she could.

The other characters are very interesting! The actions they have are never what you expect them to be. It was very unsettling. You couldn't pick up on their actions until they happened. Or that could've just been me, who was trying to read in a bouncy car on a nook!

All in all: I really did enjoy this book! I loved the characters and the plot line! I wish some of the stuff was explained more, but other than that, I have no complaints! 41 out of 51 tacos!






















Friday, February 24, 2012

Friday 56: 2/24/12




This weekly meme is hosted by Freda's Voice!!!
Rules:
  • Grab your current read
  • Turn to page 56
  • Find any sentence that grabs you
  • Post it
  • Add your URL to her Linky!"You got ten minutes to get me a new pair of pants."
"How the hell am I supposed to do that?"
 "Be creative."
Page 56 of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: 2/22/12

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: 2/21/12



This lovely weekly feature is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Rules:
  • Grab your current read!
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page!
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS
  • Share the title and author!


"Here's the deal, Blake," I say, "You either pay up now, or I break somethin' of yours. Not a piece of furniture or your *bleeped* car... somethin' you're premanently attached to. Get it?" Page 48 of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles





Monday, February 20, 2012

Review: Katana

Title: Katana
Author: Cole Gibser
Published: March 8, 2012
Source: eGalley

Synopsis:
Kill Bill meets Buffy in this supernatural samurai tale.
Rileigh Martin would love to believe that adrenaline gave her the uncanny courage and strength to fend off three muggers. But it doesn't explain her dreams of fifteenth-century Japan, the incredible fighting skills she suddenly possesses, or the strange voice giving her battle tips and danger warnings. While worrying that she's going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she's harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior.

Relentlessly attacked by ninjas, Rileigh has no choice but to master the katana--a deadly Japanese sword that's also the key to her past. As the spirit grows stronger and her feelings for Kim intensify, Rileigh is torn between continuing as the girl she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her.

Review:
Katana will immerse you fully and completely in the world of Rileigh Martin. I found myself thinking about the book even after I had stopped reading. Planning out the different scenarios that could possibly happen! If your looking for a easy and fun read that'll leave you guessing, then pick up a copy of Katana when it's available!

Cover:
The cover describes the book perfectly! Even if that isn't how I pictured the swords, the cover still works! Plus I love how they incorperated certain things from the the book! :)

Plot:
I was thrown into the plot from day one. The writing style of the book was very easy to follow and was well written. The actual story line kept me guessing! First thinking it was someone, the quickly changing my mind. The idea behind the story was new and refreshing and it hasn't been written yet. I mean who would've thought of combining concepts from Kill Bill and Buffy for an action filled adventure! :)

Characters:
The characters were awesome! Some were butt-kicking ninja's/samurai, and others were the gay best friend that every girl knows she wants! They were funny and acted like real people, but with something much more cool going on in their lives! Some of the names were a little hard to pronounce, but other than that, the characters were sweet!!

Rileigh is going through a rough time. She was mugged and found out she has super awesome fighting skills. It was a major shock to her and she had no idea. Yet she takes it all in stride. Sure she thinks she is crazy, but then as more and more things happen she learns to accept it and embrace the awesome! I loved Rileigh, yet I still can't figure out how to pronounce her name. I spent probably 10 minutes trying to figure out how to say her name every 30 or so pages...

All in all:
I loved this book! It was eventful and didn't drag on and on like some book can! It defiantly should be put on your to be read piles!! 51 out of 51 tacos! :)
~~Sam :)


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Review: Allegiance

Title: Allegiance
Author: Cayla Kluver
Published: Feb. 28, 2012
Source: eGalley

Synopsis:
Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive.

An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...

Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.

Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....

Review:

Allegiance will leave you breathless and craving for more. I love Allegiance, sure it was a little long, and tended to drag on some scenes, but it was an extremely well written book!

Cover: The cover is just gorgeous! If you read some of the chapters, you would understand why I don't like how she is on the back of the horse, but other than that the cover is gorgeous!! :)

Plot: The plot was very intriguing, It was well written and interesting through and through. I had just recently read Legacy and everything connected in my mind! The only thing that bothered me was so many difficult names!

Characters:
The characters are all strong, amazing people. They deal with the cards they are given and take them in stride. I'm pretty sure if I was dealt some of the things they dealt with I would be sitting on the ground crying my eyes out. Or ya know, curled up in a ball in a dark room somewhere in my house.

I loved Alera, she was one of the strongest, most courageous young girls I have ever read about. She is dealt with gender inequality throughout the book, and it is just so unfair. Even those were the times back then, and in the place where the story takes place. She stayed strong, and kept her head on straight for everything that was thrown at her.

All in all: I ADORED THIS BOOK! Yes, that was necessary! Go pick up Legacy or if you already picked up Legacy and read it, then go pick up Allegiance when it comes out! :) 41 out 51 tacos! :)
~~Sam :)

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: 2/15/12

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!
This week I'm waiting on Insurgent by Veronica Roth!
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. 

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. 

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Release Date: May 1, 2012
~~Sam :)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: 2/14/12



This lovely weekly feature is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Rules:
  • Grab your current read!
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page!
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS
  • Share the title and author!


"Before I could react, his other hand was upon my waist, pulling me toward him, and his vivid blue eyes captured mine of deep brown. As my heart raced, his lips met mine, lightly at first, then more insistently, and I succumbed to his embrace." Page 335 of Legacy by Cayla Kluver
~~Sam :)

Monday, February 13, 2012

Guest Post: Mary Pauline Lowry



Today I'm featuring a writer and journalist, Mary Pauline Lowry. I want to thank her first and foremost for wanting to be on Paper Cuts, and for writing this for us! 

First I want to thank SAM and ANNE for having me to guest post on Paper Cuts.

They’ve asked me to post about being a writer for the Huffington Post. I’d always wanted to write for the HuffPost, but had no idea how. Then I was on a flight to Philadelphia that had wi-fi and I had a sudden inspiration to just email Arianna Huffington and ask her directly. It was easy enough to google up her email address. I wrote her and told her a little about my work as a novelist and screenwriter, and also about writing for a small blog called Dog Canyon. She wrote me back herself in 10 minutes and said she’d love to have me as a HuffPost writer!

Like most writers, I’d gotten used to lots of rejection, so that immediate YES! was a thrill. It feels amazing every time an article I write goes up on the HuffPost because I know the site receives 15.6 million page views a day.

I have a lot of friends who are doing amazing things and it’s fun to write about them for the HuffPo and help them gain attention and an audience for their books or albums. One of my favorite articles that I’ve ever written for the HuffPost is called:


It’s all about my belief that women and grrrls should focus on living boldly, having adventures, and supporting each other every step of the way. To read, click the article link above.

*That's so cool! It can really benefit you if you take initiative yourself! :)*

Book synopsis:


The Earthquake Machine

The book every girl should read,
and every girl’s parents hope she’ll never read.

The Earthquake Machine tells the story of 14 year-old Rhonda. On the outside, everything looks perfect in Rhonda’s world, but at home Rhonda has to deal with a manipulative father who keeps her mentally ill mother hooked on pharmaceuticals. The only reliable person in Rhonda’s life is her family’s Mexican yardman, Jesús. But when the INS deports Jesús back to his home state of Oaxaca, Rhonda is left alone with her increasingly painful family situation.

Determined to find her friend Jésus, Rhonda seizes an opportunity to run away during a camping trip with friends to Big Bend National Park. She swims to the Mexican side of the Rio Grande and makes her way to the border town of Milagros, Mexico. There a peyote- addled bartender convinces her she won’t be safe traveling alone into the country’s interior. So with the bartender’s help, Rhonda cuts her hair and assumes the identity of a Mexican boy named Angel. She then sets off on a burro across the desert to look for Jesús. Thus begins a wild adventure that fulfills the longing of readers eager for a brave and brazen female protagonist.

AUTHOR BIO:

Mary Pauline Lowry has worked as a forest firefighter, screenwriter, open water lifeguard, construction worker, and advocate in the movement to end violence against women. Due to no fault of her sweet parents, at 15 she ran away from home and made it all the way to Matamoros, Mexico. She believes girls should make art, have adventures, and read books that show them the way.





















Review: The Lifeguard

Title: The Lifeguard
Author: Deborah Blumenthal
Published: March 1, 2012
Source: eGalley

Synopsis:
It's an unsettled summer for Sirena. Back in Texas, her family's splitting apart, but here in Rhode Island, at the cottage of her free-spirited aunt, it's a different world. There are long days at the beach and intriguing encounters with him. Pilot. He's the lifeguard with shamanic skills. He both saves her and makes her feel lost at sea. Sirena explores her obsession with Pilot and discovers his mysterious--almost magical--gifts.

Review: 
The Lifeguard will leave you wanting more. It will keep you in it's clutches till the very last page, which ends sorta anti-climatically. I loved this book and if you want a feel good book, then you will too!! :)

Cover: Whew, did someone turn up the heat in here? Dang, if I had a body like that, and was a guy I would never wear a shirt. I would just walk around shirtless and be like, "Touch my abs, you know you want to!" LOL :)

Plot: The story started off a little slow and it slowly progressed, but you wanted to know about Sirena and all her struggles with adjusting. After a slow progression, it's like BOOM! one change after another, and you just want to read and read and read!! :)

Characters: 
Lets begin today with Sirena. She is dealing with her parents divorce and was shipped away to Rhode Island with her aunt for the summer. Frankly, I didn't like Sirena, until the end. She was a little petty and a flat character. Then she meets Pilot and everything change, and the story gets interesting.

Pilot, sigh Pilot. I love that name. It is unique and fits him perfectly. Residential white knight and perfect all around. My kind of guy. Plus he's mysterious and reserved, but he is always there to save Sirena whenever she needs saving, or even just a ride. Which is often enough!

All in all: I loved this book! I hope there's a sequel just so I can read about Pilot again!! :) I feel very smiley today! 41 out of 41 stars! 
~~Sam :)

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Review: Last Breath

Title: Last Breath
Author: Rachel Caine
Published: November 1, 2011
Source: Bought

Synopsis:
The brand-new novel in the “intriguing world” (Darque Reviews) of Rachel Caine’s New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires series!
With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town—a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville’s latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn’t merely human. But is he a vampire—or something else entirely?

Review: 
This amazing book made me laugh, cry, laugh again, stare in shock, jump for joy, and be pissed off all in the course of 335 pages. This book was awesome. It was so far the best in the series.

I adore the cover. It has this creepy elegance that goes perfectly with the book and just makes me stare at it and get a little freaked out... You get to understand the title of the book about half-way through the story. Which made me cry, but I won't tell you if it was tears of happiness or tears of sadness. 

The plot was very intriguing, but it was like all the other plots of the books with its own different story told. I could tell when the story was beginning to wind down, but not fully because Last Breath ended with the dreaded cliffhanger. Which is why I sat there pissed! :) Everything that could possibly go wrong, went wrong. They needed a big hug after this one... But not until the next book is out!

Caine decided to do different POV in this book which I really enjoyed. It was nice to see things from Amelie's POV, or Michael's! There were a couple others but those seemed to be the two that stood out! It seemed to take the story to a whole new level, one that made it a more enjoyable story!

If you had stopped reading the Morganville series, you need to pick it up again just to read this book! It gets 51 out of 51 tacos!! :) Go read it! You won't regret it!
~~Sam :)




Blog Tour: All's Fair in Vanities War Author Interview and + Giveaway!


Hey everyone! Today I would like to welcome the author of All's Fair in Vanities War, Elizabeth Marx! SHe was kind enough to do an interview with me! :) So without further ado... Here is Elizabeth!


How did you discover a passion for writing?

I’ve always told myself stories to go to sleep, and the older I became the more involved the plots became. I would get an idea in my head and spend more and more nights on them. So now I do a lot of plotting right before I go to sleep and if I’m stuck I usually wake up in the middle of the night with a fantastic idea that I have to type into my phone, which never wakes anyone up, especially my snoring husband! It’s funny, one of my girls was having trouble falling to sleep and I told her that she needed to develop a routine that relaxed her. She rolled her eyes at me and said, “I tell myself stories to go to sleep, just like everyone else does.” And I thought ut-oh we might have another author on our hands.


How did you come up with the idea for All’s Fair in Vanities War?

I wanted to write a young adult series, but I wanted to base it loosely off a fairy tale, which in reality is a morality tale. Then I started researching the seven deadly sins, and for some reason vanity stuck in my head, I think I might have seen one too many mascara commercials that day and I couldn’t get the idea of how vanity plays such a huge role in our society out of my head. I already knew the book would be about a hereditary line of witches, but all I could come up with for research was an Italian line, but I thought too much has already been written about Roman mythology so I started investigating Celtic mythology, which led me to the druids, vates, and bards, all the way to the mysterious Order, who might sacrifice me if I give up too many of their secrets. I only hope Keleigh and Locke are strong enough to protect me.


Do you write with music? Or do you need complete silence?

There is nothing like the wonder of a good song to make you feel the intensity of a scene, but once I capture the feeling I’m looking for, I shut the music off and write in complete silence. Music competes too much with the characters’ voices in my head trying to leap onto the page through my fingertips.
What was the most challenging part to write about your book and the easiest?
The biggest challenge in All’s Fair in Vanities War is getting the balance in the relationships between the main characters and the narrator, deciding how much the relationship between Locke and The Seer to develop and how much the Seer should give commentary on was a challenge. I wanted the Seer to be a part of the book while still being an omnipresent narrator and that’s a lot of weight to put on one character. The easiest part was the secondary characters that seemed like old pals before I even introduced them to each other. I mean what could be funnier than seeing Madi and Wiz in the presence of a real God whose horns He believes they stole.


5 reasons to read All’s Fair in Vanities War?

It’s entertaining.
It explores history and mythology.
It’s educational.
It has an enduring love story.
It’s exciting.


What is currently in your To Be Read pile?
I’m currently reading 12-21-12, it’s a mash up of different genres, sci-fi, thriller, romance, mythology, and alternate history book by Killian McRae and I really like it even though I’m fearful the world might come to an end. I try to read classic books that I somehow missed, for example I recently read The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Other than that, a lot of my reading is for research for books I’m writing.


My upcoming book projects:
Right now I’m working on several things. First, I’m doing the Compendium for The Seer’s 7 Deadly Fairy Tales which should be out, cross your fingers, sometime in the end of February. If you’re interested in learning more about Celtic mythology and the world behind All’s Fair in Vanities War you can ‘Like’ The Seer on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/TheSeers7DeadlyFairyTales   because she’ll announce its launch. And Book II in The Seer’s 7 Deadly Fairy Tales will be out hopefully by October.
 I’m almost finished with a paranormal book about a vampire who’s been searching for something for 600 years, and it’s not blood, but a very special breeder.
The only thing else I can think to add is the covers of my adult titles. Feel free to check them out especially, Cutters Vs. Jocks because it’s free!
                       
Also as an author, I love to hear from readers. So feel free to email me if you’d like to be added to my mailing list. My website should also go live next month, but until then check out my super cool holding page at: http://www.elizabethmarxbooks.com

Thanks so much for joining me today! :)







Now onto the giveaway!
Elizabeth is being kind enough to give away two copies of All's Fair in Vanities War!! These are international! :)
This will end on February 26!
Leave a comment telling me your favorite myth to be entered! Make sure to leave some type of way to contact you! :)
~~Sam :)

Friday, February 10, 2012

Friday 56: 2/10/12




This weekly meme is hosted by Freda's Voice!!!
Rules:
  • Grab your current read
  • Turn to page 56
  • Find any sentence that grabs you
  • Post it
  • Add your URL to her Linky!
"I'd been searching for answers, and they'd led me here. To Patch."
 ~~Sam :)

Thursday, February 09, 2012

New Blog Design!!! :)

Hey everyone!! I am pleased to say that Paper Cuts is taking on a new look! I have been thinking about it for a while and got Anne's approval to go ahead and create a new design!! Since I am technologically inadequate when it comes to this kind of stuff, I asked for some help!

I used Ishita @ The Reading Fish! She was awesome! I tend to get annoying, since Anne and I are both really picky about things, but she was really patient with me! She listened to what I wanted and really tried to do whatever it was Anne and I wanted! 

It was a lot of fun working with her! If you want someone who is patient and very good at what she does, the go HERE to get the details and everything about the new design! Her reply's came quickly and it took a total of two weeks for it to all be done! She even made me a tutorial! How cool is that?!

Around those same lines, we have a new rating system! I don't know if Anne's going to be using it, but I certainty am! Were keeping tacos, but instead of it being out of 51 tacos, it was simplified to 5! Take a look below! It won't be in effect for a couple weeks because I already had some reviews written and until they are done being posted that it won't happen!

So if you see some inconsistency with the format of the posting, don't freak out! It is all going to be the same by the end of the month! :)




NEW GRAPHICS!!!



















Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: 2/8/12

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!


This week I'm waiting on Taken at Dusk by C.C Hunter!



Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers. Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.



Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean. But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.



Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together. Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

Release Date: April 10, 2012
~~Sam :)

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: 2/7/12



This lovely weekly feature is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Rules:
  • Grab your current read!
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page!
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS
  • Share the title and author!

"The sleek black Audi rolled to a stop in the parking lot over looking the cemetery, but none of the three men inside had any intention of paying respects to the dead. The hour burned past midnight, and the grounds were officially closed."
Pg 1 of Silence by Becca Fitzpactrick
~~Sam :)

Monday, February 06, 2012

Review: Switched

Title: Switched
Author: Amanda Hocking
Published: Jan 3, 2011
Source: Bought


Amanda Hocking is an indie publishing sensation whose self-published novels have sold millions of copies all over the world. Switched is the book that started the phenomenon. Prepare to be enchanted….When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.
Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…
As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “The Vittra Attacks,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

Hearing many great things about this book I decided to give it a go! Switched kept me interested throughout the whole story, and had many different things that were new to the books I have read recently! 

Cover: The cover is simply gorgeous. Sure.. The flowers and the girls intense look are a little creepy, but it works out.

Plot: The plot was enjoyable. The beginning was a little slow, and the prologue had some simple sentences, but everything got better from there. The story picks up and is very intriguing and I found myself reading quicker and quicker so I could find out what happened next!

Characters: 
Wendy: She is a tough little cookie, but was easily shaken when she found out she wasn't exactly human. She loves her human family and finds it hard to leave them, but in the end she has too. She stands up to her Trylle mother, even when she wasn't supposed to. She gets the life every five year old girl wants, but she doesn't really want it. 

Finn: Ah, Finn. He is an interesting one. He seems a bit bipolar throughout the book, going from hot one second to cold the next. Finn is a bit stalkerish at the beginning of the book and it creeps Wendy out. A lot. You figure out pretty quickly that Finn is a tracker and he was sent to bring Wendy back to her home. He will give his life for Wendy and he is very protective.

All in all: Switched was a very enjoyable book! It gets my approval! If you are looking for a quick read, then Switched is the book for you! 41 out of 51 tacos! I cannot wait for the next installment in the Trylle series!!

 
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