ARC Arrival: Wanderlust by Lucy Silag

Wanderlust by Lucy Silag (A Beautiful Americans Novel)

Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 24 December 2009
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Young Adult


I received this from Gillian Levinson from Penguin's Young Readers Group.






About the Book:

Will they save their lost friend before it’s too late?

Angst and betrayal abound as teens search the French countryside for their missing classmate in this exciting sequel to Beautiful Americans.

The book opens with PJ on a train, racing toward Rouen to meet her sister, Annabel. But Annabel’s life may be fraught with troubles far worse than her own.

Alex persuades Jay and Zack to hunt for PJ at one of her absentee father’s ritzy estates in the country. But a painful encounter with her dad leaves Alex weeping—on Jay’s shoulder. Three’s a crowd for Zack; he heads to Amsterdam seeking an old friend, and a place to belong.

Back in Paris, Olivia’s escapades with Thomas are interrupted when they discover reason to believe PJ is in more peril than she knows. Will the crew find PJ in time? Have they lost themselves along the way?

ARC Arrival: The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 12 November 2009
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 248
Young Adult


I received this from Gillian Levinson from Penguin's Young Readers Group.








About the Book:

A steamy Southern beauty makes one fatal mistake

Natalie Hargrove would kill to be her high school’s Palmetto Princess. But her boyfriend Mike King doesn’t share her dream and risks losing the honor of Palmetto Prince to Natalie’s nemesis, Justin Balmer. So she convinces Mike to help play a prank on Justin. . . one that goes terribly wrong. They tie him to the front of the church after a party—when they arrive the next morning, Justin is dead.

From blackmail to buried desire, dark secrets to darker deeds, Natalie unravels. She never should’ve messed with fate. Fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove.

Cruel Intentions meets Macbeth in this seductive, riveting tale of conscience and consequence.

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare


My rating: 4.5/5.0

I didn't know what I would think of these books once I started them. I actually went in knowing little about them. I just saw good reviews for them and people anxiously awaiting the newest book so I decided I would get the first from the library and try the series out.

About the book:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

My Review:

It's an excellent book. I loved the world building, it wasn't too much or too little. I loved learning about it as Clary learned about it. The characters were fascinating. I really liked Clary and enjoyed her wit and sarcasm and her realistic feelings. She has to deal with a lot of new things in this book and she starts to just roll with the punches and I like that. I enjoyed Jace - he's a very interesting character and Luke, Clary's best friend. Alec and Isabelle round out the cast of teens and then add in various people that help them and try and kill them and you have a wonderful cast of characters.

The conclusion of this book is great, but I am anxiously awaiting the next one at the library. I almost bought it the other day but decided I could try and be patient and wait at the library.

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Support Your Local Library Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009
Countdown Challenge 2010

Waiting on Wednesday - October 28

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

In honor of my author interview that will be posted later today with the amazing Irene Hannon my "can't-wait-to-read" selection for this week is:

Breathless by Dean Koontz

Release: November 24, 2009


I can't help it - I still read all of his books and I'm working on his backlist. My absolute favorite of all of his is Twilight Eyes and that is an old one. I read the last one he put out and enjoyed it and I'm sure I'll enjoy this one too.



About the Book:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz delivers a thrilling novel of suspense and adventure, as the lives of strangers converge around a mystery unfolding high in the Colorado mountains—and the balance of the world begins to tilt….

In the stillness of a golden September afternoon, deep in the wilderness of the Rockies, a solitary craftsman, Grady Adams, and his magnificent Irish wolfhound Merlin step from shadow into light…and into an encounter with enchantment. That night, through the trees, under the moon, a pair of singular animals will watch Grady's isolated home, waiting to make their approach.

A few miles away, Camillia Rivers, a local veterinarian, begins to unravel the threads of a puzzle that will bring all the forces of a government in peril to her door.

At a nearby farm, long-estranged identical twins come together to begin a descent into darkness…In Las Vegas, a specialist in chaos theory probes the boundaries of the unknowable…On a Seattle golf course, two men make matter-of-fact arrangements for murder…Along a highway by the sea, a vagrant scarred by the past begins a trek toward his destiny…

In a novel that is at once wholly of our time and timeless, fearless and funny, Dean Koontz takes readers into the moment between one turn of the world and the next, across the border between knowing and mystery. It is a journey that will leave all who take it Breathless.

So what are you waiting on this week?

Book Arrival: The Christmas Kitchen by Tammy Maltby with Anne Christian Buchanan

The Christmas Kitchen by Tammy Maltby with Anne Christian Buchanan


I received this book for a FIRST Wild Card Tour.

Publisher: Howard Books
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 132

The Heart of the Home

Even in today's busy times, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Author Tammy Maltby believes the true meaning of Christmas is realized when families gather to share activities that make Christmas "the most wonderful time of the year." More than any other holiday, Christmas is when family and friends gather for a cup of hot chocolate, fresh-baked cookies, and lots of laughter.

Look inside this holiday treasure for:

- Easy-to-do holiday recipes

- Hints for new traditions

- Personal gift ideas

- Kid-friendly activities

- Simple decorating tips

The Christmas Kitchen is more than a recipe book, it's a book designed to help you enjoy the holiday season, not be burdened by it. Take a few minutes each day to browse these pages for the help you've been looking for.

Merry Christmas and may your kitchen be filled, first, with the sweet aroma of love, and then with the spices of the season.

Book Arrival: The Whole Food Guide to Strong Bones by Annemarie Colbin

The Whole Food Guide to Strong Bones: A Holistic Approach by Annemarie Colbin, PH.D.

I received this book through FSB Associates for review.

Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
Release Date: February 2, 2009
Binding: Paperback

A pioneering nutritionist shows you:

• How to strengthen bones with the food you eat
• How to rebuild bone mass naturally
• Why estrogen therapy, calcium supplements & prescription medications are not the answer
• Which foods weaken the bones& diminish bone mass

It's essential to maintain strong bones to keep an active lifestyle, but aside from taking a daily calcium supplement, is there really anything you can do to improve your bone health? With this complete program for stronger bones created by health educator Annemarie Colbin, you'll learn the best foods to eat to build bone mass and find out which foods actually weaken bones. You'll also discover how exercise and finding personal balance can improve your health and prevent fragility fractures, menopause-related bone loss, and osteoporosis.

Learn:

• What puts you at risk for bone fracture
• Why medication and estrogen therapy may not work for you
• How the nutrients in whole foods build bone mass
• 85 easy recipes that maximize the bone-building effects of whole foods

Review: Spinning Forward by Terri Dulong

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong


My rating: 4.5/5.0







About the Book (from Goodreads.com):

Sydney Webster's comfortable New England life comes crashing down when her husband dies suddenly, leaving her penniless and evicted. She had no idea about his huge gambling debts, and is getting no sympathy from her hurt and angry twenty something daughter. With nowhere else to turn, Sydney takes shelter at a college friend's B&B in Cedar key, Florida, where she begins to form a plan. As Syd turns her talent at spinning wool and knitting into a retail venture, other doors begin to open. She steps into the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship...and secrets. And soon she faces a choice: spin a safety net, or spin forward and never look back. Entertaining and heart warming, this superb debut will win readers over with its real-life challenges and quirky and compelling characters.

My Review:

I read this book during the read-a-thon and it was a true joy to read. I enjoyed the character of Sydney. She's a fifty-something that has just lost her husband and her house and has to start over completely. Who wouldn't be floundering after all of that? Add to it that she was just going through the motions of life and doesn't really know what to do and you have a great character who struggles to grow and change through the book.

I was captivated by the small town of Cedar Key. I live on the coast myself and even though my area is growing, it once had that small-town feel, so I felt right at home. I adored the supporting characters. Allison, her best friend. Dora who ends up being a big help and even the eccentric characters in the story really make it. Everyone plays a role in Sydney's new life and they are all interesting characters themselves, who I look forward to reading more about.

There are several things that contribute to the storyline and I don't want to give away anything about the plot. But suffice it to say it's very engaging and interesting the whole way through. I couldn't put it down and I enjoyed every minute I read. Sometimes you get bogged down when reading a book straight through during a read-a-thon, but that did not happen with Spinning Forward. When I finished I immediately wanted to go back and hear more about the characters which since this is book one in the Cedar Key series, I guess I will get to and I look forward to it.

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009