Library Lions Interview

I was super excited to be interviewed by author Janet Lee Carey at her blog, Library Lions, which promotes libraries and Children's and YA Librarians.

Not only can you check out my interview here, but I would also recommend that you become a follower of her blog if you are interested in seeing what other libraries and (some really creative!!) Librarians are doing across the U.S.

Small Persons with Wings...(They Hate to be Called Fairies)

Small Persons with Wings...(They Hate to be Called Faeries)
by Ellen Booream

Ever since she was teased for believing in fairies, Mellie has adopted a strictly scientific and logical approach to life. But when her parents inherit her grandfather's inn, she learns that for generations, her family members have been fairy guardians. The fairies exchanged some of their powers for this protection but now they want their magic back. An evil temptress in disguise wants the magic too, and before she knows it, Mellie is turned into a frog, her grandfather is discovered alive, and her parents are trapped in an evil spell that only lets them see the truth (which can be awfully brutal). Thank goodness for Timmo - the cute boy next door - and Durindana, a fairy outcast, who help Mellie save the day and encourage her to loosen up her views on family, fairies, and friendship. (description taken from Amazon.com)

I had a really, really hard time finishing this book. I wanted very desperately to love it, but something was just off for me. It took all I had not to just put the book down unfinished and walk away. *sigh* I hate when that happens.

What's really funny is I can't pinpoint at all why I didn't like this book. The storyline sounded right up my alley. I liked Mellie. I really liked her friend Timmo. I liked the concept of these selfish, quirky small persons with wings...whatever you do, don't call them fairies!

Maybe I was just in the wrong mood, but this was a book where when I put it down, I had NO compulsion to pick it up again. Not even a slight itch to know how it ended. Nothing.

It had a good ending, too. Mellie learns a lot about self-esteem, gains good friends, and her family works out some major issues that they'd had for generations. It just didn't speak to me. :(

In My Mailbox - May 15, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From the Library:

Quicksilver by Amanda Quick
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
The Charmed Return by Frewin Jones


The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
Ask Elizabeth by Elizabeth Berkley

For Review:

Populazzi by Elise Allen
Queen of Kings by Maria Dahvana Headley

Library Wars:Love and War:Volume 4

Library Wars: Love and War: Volume 4
by Kiiro Yumi, illustrated by Hiro Arikawa

In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves--the Library Forces!

Iku and Commander Inamine are abducted by Bakushu-kai terrorists, who demand sensitive material from the library's protected collection in return for the hostages! Dojo is worried about Iku, his problem student with limited field experience. But what Iku lacks in training she more than makes up for in gumption, and she is not going to let library material go without a fight! (description taken from Amazon.com)

Aside from the fact that this series rocks because it's about librarians fighting for peoples' rights and freedoms...AWESOME...it also has a really great love story, full of tension.

What I really liked in this volume was how, when Iku's parents come to visit, everyone rallies around her to help keep her secret, even Dojo! I love when a character has a crisis and everyone bands together and that person can see how much they've come to mean to their friends, family, coworkers, etc.

This series just makes me smile all around.

Winner! The Girl in the Steel Corset signed ARC

I am pleased to announce that the winner of The Girl in the Steel Corset signed ARC (via random drawing at random.org) is...

Diana at The Lovely Getaway!!

Check your email...you have until Wednesday, May 18th to contact me with an address. Congratulations again!

The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group

The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group
by Catherine Jinks
companion to The Reformed Vampire Support Group

When Tobias Richard Vandevelde wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the night before, his horrified mother tells him that he was found unconscious. At Featherdale Wildlife Park. In a dingo pen. He assumes that his two best friends are somehow responsible, until the mysterious Reuben turns up, claiming that Toby has a rare and dangerous “condition.” Next thing he knows, Toby finds himself involved with a strange bunch of sickly insomniacs who seem convinced that he needs their help. It’s not until he’s kidnapped and imprisoned that he starts to believe them—and to understand what being a paranormal monster really means. (description taken from Amazon.com)

I had read The Reformed Vampire Support Group a few years ago, and though I enjoyed it, I didn't really love it enough to seek out the second book. Fortunately for me, it came in the mail!

Personally, I am more partial to werewolves than vampires (in case you couldn't tell from some of my previous posts...lol) so right off the bat, I liked this book more than TRVSG. It also had a lot more action and both Toby and his werewolf mentor, Reuben sucked me right into their world. The sarcastic humor of both the characters and the situations that they get themselves into was one of the things I liked most in the first book and I was really glad to see it continued in the second.

The audio version was really well done. The narrator is an Australian actor so the accent was authentic. He did some great varied tones for different characters and boy, did he have Toby's sarcastic teen voice down pat!

I would definitely recommend this book to both werewolf fans and teen boys looking for that action adventure book with a dose of teen snark.

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for SLJ
2011 Shifter Reading Challenge Title

Down with CT "Plan B"

Normally I try not to get too involved in politics. I try not to discuss it too often because politics can make people really upset. However, there are a few issues that will make me speak out...

Our state government is in deep trouble. Somehow our Connecticut budget has gotten so bad that our Governor is now proposing the type of massive budget cuts that I've never actually seen, only just heard horror stories about.

On the chopping block - oh, lots of things...
Not only have almost 5,000 state workers already lost their jobs, but the Governor also wants to cut:

All 17 of the Vocational Technical high schools in CT.
The Office of the Child Advocate - completely
80 percent of the staff of the state Education Department
CT Historical Museum
CT state archives

...and for me, most devestatingly...

THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY.

How is it possible that we could even consider closing the state library? Not only would it impact every single CT resident by taking away our CCar program (interlibrary loan), our CCard program (ability to use library card at any other library in the state), but it would also take away the state funded databases, Iconn.org, and the Library Service Centers which support libraries across CT.

Hmmm...how about we put it in a way that our politicians could understand directly? Where do our legislators do their research and house their archives? THE STATE LIBRARY.

What will THEY do without it? Talk about shooting yourself in the proverbial foot.

My heart aches for state workers all across the state. My heart aches for all those people that have not yet realized how much this move will impact their everyday lives. Unfortunately we need to acknowledge that people will immediately get up in arms about education...libraries? Sometimes they need a push.

For months we've been explaining to patrons at work about what CCar and CCard are...and what the difference between the two programs is...and what it will mean if we lose those programs. Just when we thought we'd saved them...Plan B. Grr...

Okay. My rant is done for tonight, but I had to get this out. I had to Speak Out. I had to shout to the rooftops, "Down with Plan B!" If this actually goes through I think that the state of Connecticut will be devestated. My hope - that enough people will stand up and refuse to accept this...that we can actually stave off this awful possibility.

So...if you live in CT or know someone who does, please, please, please make them aware of "Plan B" and what's being potentially cut. Not just for librarians, but for everyone in CT.

Cover Craving...

Darker Still
by Leanna Renee Hieber
Magic Most Foul, book one

Publication date: November 2011

Isn't this gorgeous?! I love the light behind her as she's disappearing into the picture frame.

“I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I’d ever seen. Everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable. So lifelike.

There’s a reason for that. Because despite what everyone says, Denbury never did commit suicide. He’s alive. Trapped.

I’ve crossed over into his world within the painting and I’ve seen what dark dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked. And whatever demons may be out on the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan, we have no choice but to face them together…”
(taken from the author's blog)

Okay For Now

Okay For Now
by Gary D. Schmidt

As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. As Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer—a fiery young lady who “smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain.” In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon’s birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage. (description taken from Amazon.com)

What an amazing book. I loved The Wednesday Wars when I read it last year, and I wasn't sure that Schmidt could live up to that standard, but he not only met it, he far surpassed it. This book was one of the few that touched me so strongly that I came home night after night to tell my husband all about the parts I'd heard that day in the car (I listened to it as an audio book - excellent narrator, btw!)

Doug is a great, great character. He's rough around the edges at first, hardened by his abusive father and caustic brothers, but as he adjusts to his new life, a much softer, strong, loyal, and inspiring young man grows out of the tough shell. Doug unknowingly inspires many of the people around him.

I loved this book so much I'm giving it a GOLD STAR.

I hope that whether you normally read realistic fiction or not, you will Doug and his story a shot. It was an emotionally uplifting, heart-warming, sincerely wonderful reading experience. Truly worth a gold star review!

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for SLJ

Fins are Forever

Fins Are Forever
by Tera Lynn Childs
Forgive My Fins, book two

On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mer girl, true, but signing the renunciation paperwork will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being human thing once and for all.

Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer-bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

The seafoam on the surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up. Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her dreams? (description taken from Goodreads.com)

I can't tell you how happy I was to dive back into the beautiful world of Thalassinia. This is truly what I've always imagined the world of merpeople to be like...a beautiful castle, a lovely (and yes, at times, dangerous) kingdom full of interesting people with gorgeous fins. Really, didn't you always want to be a mermaid...or, er...merman?

I really enjoyed seeing Lily and Quince's relationship tested in this second book. They work really well together and had just the right amount of passion. I couldn't believe when TLC threw another merman into the mix! Talk about tension. I was really happy to see, though, how Lily managed to find the right balance in her life, politically and romantically. It made for a great ending!!

Speaking of learning to find balance...one of my favorite characters in this book was Lily's cousin, Doe. Her character had great depth here as she learned to accept humans as well as merfolk and finds her own true love. Her situation really helped Lily to cope with her own. What a great addition to the story!

One of my favorite series to recommend as we get closer to summer! Tera Lynn Childs manages to bring the ocean alive in the best possible way and just makes me want to start wading in to find my own merman. *sigh*

Full disclosure: ARC sent by author/publisher for review
2011 Shifter Reading Challenge Title

Princess for Hire

Princess for Hire
by Lindsey Leavitt
Princess for Hire, book one

When an immaculately dressed woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and asks you if you'd like to become a substitute princess, do you

a) run

b) faint

c) say Yes!

For Desi Bascomb, who's been longing for a bit of glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite C--that is, once she can stop pinching herself. As her new agent Meredith explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula "Royal Rouge," she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don't know? Or when a princess's conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off--and you know she would want you to change his mind?

In this hilarious, winning debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time. (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was a great, great "princess" tale. Desi is a girl who begins by doubting herself, but when presented the chance to remake herself...well, sort of...she decides to have IMPACT on the world. IMPACT. I loved that word choice. Not to be popular...not to be beautiful...but to have IMPACT. What a great thought.

Desi's desire to have impact then translates to teaching the princesses she subs for to have impact in their own lives. The ultimate pay it forward scenario. I loved it. I cannot wait to read the second book and see how Desi inspires even more women around her.

If You Like: Prom

"If You Like…” is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love.

This week we tackle a topic both loved and hated by many...PROM! Whether you love the...love and the dresses and the formality and the pomp, or you despise...well all of the same, we have some recommendations here for you!

In My Mailbox - May 8, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From CLA conference:

Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan
The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess by Leanna Renee Hieber
*both signed by the authors!!*



American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin
Season to Taste by Molly Birnbaum
Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson


Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch
Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell
The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt
*All from our Adult Book Buzz Publisher Preview - Thanks to HMH, Macmillan, Penguin, Dutton, and more!*


For Review:

Red Glove by Holly Black
The Secret Kingdom by Jenny Nimmo


From the Library:

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert
The Heart of Glass by Vivian French
Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep

Bought:

Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill


On My Nook:

The Book of Lost Souls by Michelle Muto

The Girl in the Steel Corset - Signed ARC Giveaway

The Girl in the Steel Corset
by Kady Cross
The Steampunk Chronicles, book one

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her. When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.

As I posted earlier this week, I attended the Connecticut Library Association annual conference on Monday and Tuesday. As one of the Young Adult section co-chairs, I organized a program called the "Teen Romance Panel," that featured authors Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Cara Lynn Shultz and Kady Cross (Kathryn Smith), as well as Simon Pulse representative, Jennifer Klonsky. I was honored to be able to meet them all and to participate in the program, kind of by accident. I'm hoping to post some pictures soon!

Anyway, as I mentioned Kady Cross, author of The Girl in the Steel Corset, was there and discussed her new series and how romance is part of it. After the panel, we were lucky enough to have arranged with Harlequin Teen to have signed ARCs for all the attendees. Since I loved this book so much, I got an extra signed ARC to giveaway on my blog (I won't part with mine!!).

Here's what I thought - This is steampunk to crow about! Huzzah! I loved it...breezed right throught it, in that fashion when you start a book and just can't put it down. Finley Jayne is a great character. The supporting cast all have dimension and balance one another, as well. A personal favorite of mine was a shady character named "Jack Dandy."

The storyline was totally intriguing and felt very plausible, surprisingly enough! I love a good automaton adventure. I cannot wait to see what happens in book two when the intrepid group heads across the pond to New York City. Should be a whirlwind of fun.

Full of cool inventions, nefarious plots, heros and heroines that are plucky, intelligent and unswervingly loyal, this is the start of a great new series. And, as Kady said...this one's all about the girl!

If you want to enter for a chance to win the signed ARC, leave a comment telling me what you favorite steampunk invention, story or character might be...If you've never tried steampunk before, tell me why you want to try it. Don't forget to leave me an email address where I can contact you if you are the winner!! I will randomly pick a winner on Friday, May 13th and they will have until the following Wed to get in touch with me to claim their prize. Good luck!!

Full disclosure: ARC received from publisher then signed by author at CLA event

Cover Craving...

Oooh! Chloe Neill just released the cover art for the third Dark Elite series title, Charmfall, out in Jan 2012!! Love the color and model pose. Awesome!

The Girl in the Steel Corset book trailer

I just got a really pretty signed ARC of The Girl in the Steel Corset at the CT Library Association annual conference on Tuesday. Kady Cross (Kathryn Smith) is awesome and her book (at least the parts I've read so far...I'm mid-read at the moment) is amazing!!

I'm super excited to share this book trailer with you in hopes that you'll check out the book. I <3 Steampunk.



PS - You can also get the free ebook prequel, The Strange Case of Finley Jayne, from both Barnes and Noble and Amazon!

Darkest Mercy

Darkest Mercy
by Melissa Marr
Wicked Lovely, book five

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything. (description taken from Amazon.com)

To be totally honest, each of the books in this series has elicited a different reaction from me. I loved some, felt "eh" about one, was slightly confused in one...Darkest Mercy was somewhat confounding for me.

I had a really hard time getting into the final book in this series. I couldn't connect to the characters. I felt like there was too much going on ...things were too disparate. I almost put the book down without finishing it, but it's the final book in the series and I couldn't abandon it!

So, I stuck with it. A few chapters at a time...and then I hit the last third of the book and it was like the whole world shifted! There again was the Melissa Marr that I loved in the original Wicked Lovely. There again was the gorgeous writing, the complex characters, the rigid and unforgiving faerie society that I missed.

I am sooo glad that I stuck with it. The end of the book, and the series, was beautiful.

Full disclosure: ARC received as part of a Book It Forward Blog Tour

If You Like: House

"If You Like…” is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love.

Are you a fan of the TV show, House, M.D.? If so, check out our suggestions of other books, TV shows and music that contain medical drama, busy, busy people, and interesting illnesses!

In My Mailbox - May 1, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From the Library:

Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal
Durinda's Dangers by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman


The Black Book of Buried Secrets by Mallory Kass
Abandon by Meg Cabot
We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han


My Father's Daughter by Gwyneth Paltrow


For Review:

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
*Thank you Book It Forward ARC Tours!!*
Enclave by Ann Aguirre
My Favorite Band Does Not Exist by Robert Jeschonek


On My Nook:

Hex: A Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray


Prepping for CLA:

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz
*Thank you Harlequin Teen!!!*

MY MOO CARDS!! (www.moo.com)
I also got my brand new mini business cards for my blog so that I'll be able to hand some out at CLA (CT Library Association's annual conference) and then later this month at BEA in New York. *Squee!!*

I'll be at CLA both tomorrow and Tuesday, so I won't be getting a lot of reading done, but we have some great programs that I'm hoping to be able to blog about on Wednesday!