My Reading Room

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Popular by Alissa Grosso, Character Interview: Nordica

Character Interview: Nordica

1. What was going through your head the first time you met Hamilton?

I thought she was an angel disguised as a high school girl.

2. How is it being the youngest member of the clique?

I always feel about three steps behind everyone else.

3. How do you think being in Hamilton's clique has helped you?

I would be nothing without Hamilton and the clique. I owe everything to them.

4. How do you think being in Hamilton's clique has hurt you?

Then again, maybe I would have been happier being nothing. It certainly would make life less stressful.

5. Photography is one of your passions, what led you to realizing you were a good photographer?

I don't think I'm a very good photographer. I mean, it's not like my work will be in magazines or newspapers or even the yearbook. I just like being able to snap pictures of people and preserve moments forever. Really, the camera does all the work. I just press the buttons.

6. If you could do anything to make your mark in your Senior year next year, what do you think it would be?

Do you have any idea how terrifying this question is? I have no idea how to make my mark. I wish I could just fast forward through all of senior year. But I can't. So, I don't know what I'll do.

7. If you had to describe yourself, how would you?

I'm just an ordinary person who happens to be friends with some pretty amazing people. So, most days I feel like a fish out of water, or at least like a little fish who somehow wound up swimming with a school of much bigger fish.

About the Book:

For reigning popularity queen Hamilton Best, the very idea of graduation is filled with fear. She's always been the star of Fidelity High's most exclusive clique, idolized for her perfection and her fabulous parties—you know you're "in" when you make Hamilton's guest list. As high school draws to a close, Hamilton is about to lose everything that makes her who she is.

To make matters worse, the clique is slowly coming apart at the seams. Although the hand-picked members—Olivia, Zelda, Nordica, and Shelly—all have their own agendas, desires, and secrets, they do have one thing in common: they're desperate to break away from Hamilton. Yet Hamilton has the biggest and most shocking secret of all, one that only her devoted boyfriend Alex knows. If the truth got out, it would completely destroy her fragile world.

And she'll do anything to keep that from happening.

About the Author:

Early Days and Education

Alissa was born in Hackensack, New Jersey in 1975. She grew up in the Garden State living in Hackensack, Ramsey and later Byram Township, NJ.

She graduated from Lenape Valley Regional High School in Stanhope, NJ where she ran on the cross country and track teams. She earned a B.A. in English from Rutgers University graduating with highest honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Professional Life

Alissa worked for Waterloo Foundation for the Arts while attending college as well as after graduating from college in a number of different capacities. She later worked for the Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg, PA where she worked in both the circulation and youth services departments, and was the Children's Coordinator for Norway Memorial Library in Norway, ME. She also worked as an editor and writer for Journal Newspapers in White Haven, PA. She presently works as an independent library sales representative for Unique Books, Inc. and is the author of the forthcoming YA novel Popular.

What She's Doing Now

After living for several years in Pennsylvania and briefly in Maine, Alissa has returened to New Jersey and presently lives in Clinton. When she isn't visiting libraries or busy playing outdoors, she is hard at work on her next novel.

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Giveaway:
Teen Book Scene is hosting a giveaway of one copy of Popular, and it's open internationally. Just comment on this post and for more entries to win, go to other posts during the tour and comment on them. Giveaway will end a few days after the end of the tour and will be announced on A Good Addiction. Be sure and come back on June 7th when I have my character interview with Nordica, for another chance to enter.

Book Review: Shattered by Melody Carlson

Shattered: A Daughter's Regret (Secrets)

Shattered by Melody Carlson

Publisher: NavPress

Publish Date: April 15, 2011

Paperback, 199 pages
Fiction, Young Adult, Life Issues

ISBN: 978-1600069499
Book #2 in Secrets

My Review:
Why I read this: I have been hooked on Melody Carlson since I read her first book last year and have read every book I could review by her since.

My thoughts: I'm going to do this review in two parts, something I'm considering doing in the future for my YA reviews, first part from the parent perspective, the second as a review of the book. Let me know what you think.

As a parent: Shattered covers a number of issues that teens face today and one of the biggest is taking control of your own actions. Not blaming others and not taking on blame for things that are out-of-your-control. I think we all hope our kids don't have to learn in such an extreme way that Cleo learns in. I think this also takes on too much parental control and how a little freedom can help kids, but it never really puts down the parents in any way. Ms. Carlson is a parent herself so I think this book is well-thought out. Concepts in this book are tough, but handled in a way that I think this book is optimal for teenagers 13 and older. A great book to talk about with your teen or for a teen book group - there is lots that can be discussed. And after saying all the value this book has, let me tell you it is an enjoyable book as well. As this is a Christian book, there is no bad language, but there is drug use, but this is handled in a way that does not glamorize it in any way.

My Review: Shattered is a very powerful book. Cleo goes against her mother's wishes one night and it leads to the ultimate life-changing occurence for both Cleo and her family. The book open introducing us to Cleo, her over-protective mother and her best friend Lola. It's Lola's last night in town and she has won tickets to a Christian band concert in the city. Cleo's mom won't let her use the car to get to the concert and doesn't want her going into the city with just her friend, but she has plans that night. Cleo then hatches a plan to get her best friend and herself to the concert without her mom knowing.

This little lie leads to major consequences in Cleo's life and the rest of the book takes the reader through how Cleo handles this situation and how her family and some new friends help her as she faces the guilt, the consequences and more bad decisions she makes. I think the plot was handled well and kept me interested. I would liked the book to be a little longer, but felt everything was covered well. The reader gets to know Cleo most, but I enjoyed getting to know Cleo's aunt Kellie and her help in her life as well as Cleo's long-time crush, now boyfriend, Daniel.

A sensitive subject is handled very well by Ms. Carlson. I haven't read the first book in the Secrets series, but I don't think they are linked like typical series. I think the Secrets series is just a series dealing with teens keeping secrets that weigh them down and how to go about confessing these secrets and getting back to relationships with friends, family and of course God.

A few powerful quotes that really stood out to me:

Even after the house finally got quiet, I still couldn't sleep. By midnight I was playing Ghost Girl again, wandering throughout the house, wishing and wishing I could undo everything . . . or somehow fix this mess. But that's impossible.

The second:

All except for one part of the sermon that somehow sticks.

"God has the heart of a mother. Like a mother, God's love is unconditional. Like a mother, God's forgiveness is complete."

And one final one (this is Aunt Kellie talking to Cleo):

"We can blame ourselves for things that were beyond our control for a lifetime, Cleo. We can torture ourselves for years and years. But someday, we have to accept that we don't control anyone but ourselves. And then we have to account for all the time we lost fretting over those things we couldn't control."

I enjoyed Shattered and think young adults and adults will as well. Ms. Carlson has hit another home run with this one and I will be going back to check out the first Secrets novel, Forgotten. And stay tuned for the third in the series, Trapped in the future.

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

About the Book:
Everybody does it—sneaks out of the house now and then. It's harmless enough, right? Not this time. Cleo Neilson faces the chilling consequences of her actions. Now she has a secret and can’t tell anyone, and it’s breaking her heart. As Cleo fights through her grief and guilt, she learns about faith in God and forgiveness through him. As teenage girls read Cleo's journey, they too will learn the value of having faith and receiving forgiveness as well as just how dangerous it really is to keep a secret.

About the Author:
Melody Carlson is the best-selling author of more than 150 books, including the TrueColors series (TH1NK/NavPress). Her first book in the Secrets series is titled Forgotten. She has won various awards for her writing, including The Gold Medallion and The Rita. Melody currently lives in the beautiful Oregon Cascade Mountains with her husband.

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FTC Information: I received this book through Glass Road PR for the blog tour and an honest review. I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws. I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Book Tour by My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Publish Date: April 18, 2011

Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 978-1414334820
Fiction, Romance

*** My Review will be coming later this week (I'm still running behind and I'm at Duke University Hospital today getting a MRI and visiting with my neurosurgeon) ***

About the Book:

Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

Read an excerpt here: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/novels/contemporary-romance/

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/My-Foolish-Heart-Deep-Haven/dp/1414334826/ref=sprightly-20

About the Author:

Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart! Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her latest Deep Haven book, My Foolish Heart! Read what the reviewers are saying here. To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!

The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:

* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)
* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel
* The entire Deep Haven series

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don't miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

FTC Information: I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Group to review for the current tour. I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws. I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Review: C.Y.A.: The Sext Crime by Jason Ancona

The Sext Crime (Covert Youth Agency #2) by Jason Ancona

Publisher: CreateSpace

Publish Date: March 1, 2011

Paperback, 280 pages
ISBN: 978-1460969342
Young Adult, Suspense
Ages 12 and up

My Review:

The Sext Crime was a thoroughly entertaining book that I think would do well with teenagers 12 and up. The warning below is perfect for the book and for the humor. There is no sex in this book, just references to a picture the girl texts to her boyfriend. The boo also has very little bad language and the only one who uses bad language is a grumpy teacher who is out to find out who the members of the Covert Youth Agency are. So this book is completely appropriate for pre-teens and teens and others (meaning adults) should enjoy this as well.

On the surface, The Sext Crime appears to be a light-hearted and easy-going fun book to read. Yes there is a problem to solve and The Covert Youth Agency is on the job. A girl who is running for school President is being blackmailed to leave the race because racy pictures were found that she sent to her boyfriend. Sexting as it is know is illegal and when pursued in the legal system system can lead to serious consequences. At the beginning this is mentioned but more effort it put into the story.

The main characters are introduced, Pi, Lightman and Tollhouse, the members of the CYA. They all have their parts and thei r specialties. I believe they were introduced more in the first book (which I have but have not had a chance to read yet). But I got a good feel for each of the characters in this book. After introductions are made and the case is accepted, the ball really starts rolling and never slows down. I enjoyed trying to figure out with the members of CYA just who was behind the blackmail.

It's a fun romp but when you finish reading it you realize that there is so much more there. It does cover sexting, there is even some addressing of bullying, but one of my favorite things, is that this book shows there are consequences for all actions even as teenagers, even the ones you think are innocent or the ones you do to protect someone. The second thing I really liked (and this is as a parent). The parents of the kids in CYA are well-represented and caring parents. They are involved in their kids lives and don't let them run completely without supervision and I find that refreshing and more realistic in teen fiction.

But when it comes down to it - The Sext Crime is a fun book full of intrigue, spying and general teenage mayhem. I loved every minute and look forward to reading the first book in the series and any more that follow. So read, enjoy, fall in love with Pi, Lightman and Tollhouse and try to figure out the bad guy.

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

About the Book:

The Sext Crime: C.Y.A. | Covert Youth Agency (Volume 2)

SNAP--a girl sexts racy pics of herself.
She thought the fun shots would stay between her and her boyfriend.

SNAP--an anonymous hacker hijacks her photos.
If she doesn't obey, she'll be exposed.

SNAP--the Covert Youth Agency takes the girl's case.
The agents jump headfirst into Operation: Sext Crime. Their new client has less than a week to surrender to the hacker's ultimatum. Or else the naughty photos go "wide."

SEND--a squad of goons are closing in on C.Y.A. members.
Agent identities may be unmasked.

REPLY ALL--end communication.
It's not safe.

WARNING--this book contains NO explicit sexual content.
Material suitable for ages 12 and above. May contain some humor.

About the Author:
Freakishly nerdy in high school, Jason became a certifiable weakling his sophomore year when he lost an arm-wrestling match to a female cheerleader in class. Never a participant in school activities, he fantasized about being someone else--an athlete, a secret agent, or whatever character he commanded in the latest computer role-playing-game. His imaginary worlds didn't help in the dating department, but they sure were fun to explore. A graduate of UCLA's Screenwriting Program, he has written various feature film scripts and television shows. In the Fall of 2010, he quit his corporate job, leaving Los Angeles and all of his belongings behind, save his computer and his clothes. He's currently hiding in the Chicago suburbs, where he's making friends with the locals--mostly deer and squirrels.

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FTC Information: I received this book through The Teen Book Scene to review for the current tour. I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws. I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Book Review: Bloodspell by Amalie Howard

Bloodspell by Amalie Howard

Publisher: Langdon Street Press

Publish Date: June 1, 2011

Paperback, 369 pages
ISBN: 978-1-936782-11-6
Young Adult, Paranormal

My Review:

One thing I think sums this book up best is a statement in the Langdon Street Press' publicity page for Bloodspell and it says this: "Bloodspell is a story of feeling like an outsider, a love story and a story of triumph over adversity. Don't fall victim to what you are, but find the courage and strength to define who you are."

That truly sums up this book. But in a way it oversimplifies. I found this book to be very complex and engaging. It does hold true to the above statement. Victoria or "Tori" is an outsider and she is trying to figure out why and how to come to terms with who and what she is. When she starts attending a new school, she starts to fit in better and finds herself intrigued by a student at the nearby college who is often at the high school helping out, Christian. And there begins their love story. But their love story if fraught with difficulties. I like how this book made it different by each of them having their doubts at different times. It wasn't him always saying they couldn't be together or her always saying it. They both had doubts because of what they were and laws that governed witches and vampires.

I also found the witch and vampire element to be refreshing. I know there are witches in the Sookie Stackhouse series along with the vampires but I haven't seen this element as much in young adult fiction. It felt fresh and new. I especially like that the main focus was on Victoria and her learning to be a witch and control her special powers.

The first third of the book starts the world building and the defining of the characters which is enjoyable. But after about 100 pages this book really takes off and is action-filled. No long sappy scenes for the whole book - this is more about Tori finding herself and helping Christian and others as well. There are some great scenes where these two declare their love and while it's always in the background, I never felt the love story was the true focus. The focus was more on the inner struggles and that really made the book.

If you enjoy books with good character development and a lot of action then this is a book for you. I like how the ending is pretty much sewn up, but there are some open threads I could see possibly leading to another book, which would be awesome, but if there is not another book in the works involving Christian and Tori, I would be okay with that as well.

Some of my favorite quotes, first one that shows the struggle Tori faces (and how well the author puts it in Tori's words):

"Tori, she attacked you. You defended yourself and she lost. That was it," he said.

"You don't understand. I took her magic into myself, and even though it was filthy and cloying, I liked it. I liked the feeling of power and when I killed her I liked it even more! I loved it. It was so easy ... I reveled in taking ... the taking ..." Victoria gasped, unable to finish. "The blood takes and feeds ... and I am helpless against it."

Another fun quote that pokes fun at vampire lore and mainstream media at the moment (I think it shows the author has a great sense of humor). This is Christian talking about hiding being a vampire with Tori:

"Their scientists and forensic experts have the tools and technology now, not to mention all the books and films flaunting our secrets!"

My Rating: 4.25/5.0

About the Book:

The spell was simple... ''Cruentus Protectum'' (''Defend the Blood'')

But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?

Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds--much less one that reveals she's a witch with unimaginable power.
What's more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own...

Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood's deadly desires? Or will she lose everything, including herself?

About the Author:
Amalie Howard grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. She received a bachelor's degree from Colby College in Maine in International Studies and French, and a certificate in French Literature from the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris, France. She has also lived in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York City. She has worked as a research assistant, marketing rep, global sales executive, freelance writer, and blogger. A lover of other cultures and new experiences, especially of the culinary variety, she has traveled extensively across North America and Europe, and as far east as China, Indonesia, and Australia. She currently resides in New York with her husband, three children, and one very willful cat that she is convinced may have been a witch's cat in a past life.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Book Tour: Cursebusters! by Julie Smith

Cursebusters! by Julie Smith

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books

Publish Date: May 17, 2011

Paperback, 264 pages
ISBN: 978-1602825598
Young Adult, Paranormal

** I apologize, I am running behind and have just started this book. I hope to have all four reviews from the past two days up over the weekend. Until then, learn more about this book below. **

About the Book:
Budding-psychic Reeno is the most accomplished teenage burglar in California, but one tiny screw-up and poof!—she's sentenced to Bad Girl School. And that isn’t even her worst problem. Her sister Haley’s dying of an illness no one can diagnose, and now she can’t even help.

But wait, maybe she can! The school psychics have found each other and formed their own club. With the help of her gay friend Carlos and the other Ozone Rangers, Reeno finds out Haley’s disease is the result of an ancient Mayan curse. And A.B., the group's sinister non-faculty adviser, claims he knows how to break it.

All Reeno has to do is time-travel to an ancient Mayan city and steal a little item A.B. needs to save the world. Since she’s an ace thief, he has complete confidence she can execute the task before the outraged Mayans can execute her.

But can she trust A.B.? Despite his cuddly appearance, she knows he’s a merciless predator and ruthless assassin.

And he's not even human.
About the Author:
Julie Smith is a former journalist who began her career at the New Orleans Times-Picayune and then moved on to the San Francisco Chronicle, where she remained for fifteen years, absorbing gritty realism and (hopefully) street smarts, as careful preparation for a life of crime. Crime-writing, that is.

She’s the author of 20 adult mysteries featuring three female sleuths and one neglected guy: A cop (Officer Skip Langdon, NOPD), a PI (Talba Wallis, poet and computer genius, also of New Orleans), a semi-amateur detective (Rebecca Schwartz, San Francisco lawyer), and a complete amateur (Paul McDonald, crime writer, also of San Francisco). The first book in the Skip Langdon series, New Orleans Mourning, won the Edgar Allan Poe award for Best Novel.

Cursebusters!, Smith’s first YA novel, is also her first paranormal adventure. While writing it, she met a young male editor who gave her the quote she thinks most embodies the spirit of the book and her own philosophy as a YA author. It’s this: “There’s far too much emphasis in YA on the importance of girls getting the guy (or the girl—this is Bold Strokes here!) and not nearly enough on the importance of girls kicking ass.” Smith deeply and firmly believes in the importance of girls kicking ass, an opportunity they’re seldom afforded in real life—hence, every opportunity must be taken in fiction.

Book Tour: Faith by Jennifer Haigh

Faith by Jennifer Haigh

Publisher: Harper

Publish Date: May 10, 2011

Hardcover, 336 pages
Fiction
ISBN: 978-0060755805

*** My review will be coming later today ***

About the Book:
When Sheila McGann sets out to redeem her disgraced brother, a once-beloved Catholic priest in suburban Boston, her quest will force her to confront cataclysmic truths about her fractured Irish-American family, her beliefs, and, ultimately, herself. Award-winning author Jennifer Haigh follows her critically acclaimed novels Mrs. Kimble and The Condition with a captivating, vividly rendered portrait of fraying family ties, and the trials of belief and devotion, in Faith.

About the Author:

Jennifer Haigh is the author of the New York Times bestseller Baker Towers, winner of the 2006 PEN/L. L. Winship Award for outstanding book by a New England author; Mrs. Kimble, which won the PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction and was a finalist for the Book Sense Book of the Year; and The Condition.

Her fiction has appeared in Granta, Ploughshares, Good Housekeeping, and elsewhere. She lives in the Boston area.

Visit Jennifer at her website.