Heart of a Sheperd

Heart of a Sheperd
by Rosanne Parry

When Brother's dad is shipped off to Iraq, along with the rest of his reserve unit, Brother must help his grandparents keep the ranch going. He’s determined to maintain it just as his father left it, in the hope that doing so will ensure his father’s safe return. The hardships Brother faces will not only change the ranch, but also reveal his true calling. (description from Amazon.com)

I hate that I truly judge a book by the cover so often! I heard great things about this book and so I checked it out from the library. Then...it sat on the shelf in my office for AGES because I kept looking at the cover and picking up other books instead. *sigh* I don't know why I can't break that habit!!

This book was GREAT! It's short and really easy to read, but still packs a really big emotional punch. I smiled, I cried, and when I put the book down, I was immediately kicking myself that I hadn't read this book ages ago when it first came out and started winning awards.

Brother is a great character. He is trying soooo hard to keep things going after his father goes to Iraq and his brothers are away. He's learning all these great things about the ranch (I learned some things, too) and he learns about himself. As you follow Brother's emotional journey, you become invested as a reader. I cried several times and when he makes the statement at the end, letting everyone know what he wants to do when he gets older, it just feels exactly right.

Parry's debut book is a knockout! Well worth the read, anytime.

Girl's Best Friend

Girl's Best Friend
by Leslie Margolis
A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery

Dogs are disappearing in her neighborhood, and Maggie Brooklyn Sinclair knows all about it. After all, she has a semi-secret after-school gig as a professional (ok, amateur) dog-walker. Maggie hates to see a pup in trouble, so she's even willing to help her ex-best friend Ivy recover her rescue-dog, Kermit. Kermit's being held for ransom, and Maggie has noticed some suspicious behavior lately. But she never suspected her crush Milo could be involved . . .(description from Amazon.com)

This was a fun tween mystery! Maggie is a very relatable character, concerned with having a job, getting along with her parents and brother, dealing with other kids from school, and being true to herself. She has a really good relationship with her family which I thought was great.

She's smart and creative and honest. Maggie even has morals, not wanting to date Milo after she suspects that he's been doing something wrong. She is willing to help her ex-best friend, Ivy, even though they are now archenemies because Ivy's dog is in trouble. Though she's a great role model of a character, Maggie also feels real. In short, Maggie is the tween I wish I'd been.

I really liked this mystery too. Though I had an inkling of what was really going on, Margolis threw in just enough twists that I think the average tween will love this mystery and be kept guessing until the end. Definitely recommended and I hope there are more books coming in this series!

In My Mailbox - May 22, 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!

For Review:

Secrets of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar

From the Library:

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis
The Ghoul Next Door by Lisi Harrison


Bite Club by Rachel Caine
4 Ingredients by Kim McCosker and Rachael Bermingham

Off to BEA on Tuesday (*squee!!!!!*) so I should have lots in next week's IMM! :)

Hereafter

Hereafter
by Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Tara Hudson wrote everything I like my ghost stories to be...this left me with a similar feeling to the one I had after I read A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb.

Hereafter is part chilling ghost story, part Romeo and Juliet and altogether fantastic. Hudson did a great job writing truly heartfelt, devoted romantic moments. She developed a fascinating and multi-dimensional afterlife. She gave me the full-on creeps. It was a fun reading experience and I could not keep myself from flipping the pages long after I should have gone to bed.

I cannot wait to see what Tara Hudson writes next...I will definitely be reading it!

Full disclosure: ARC received to review for VOYA

Some may call it BEA...but to me it will always be BOOK CHRISTMAS!!

The day I go to BEA each May, is my favorite day of the year...no really! For me, it beats out my birthday, it beats out my anniversary (sorry honey!), it even beats out Christmas.
Why?

Well, because for me it is BOOK CHRISTMAS.

It is an entire day devoted to a love of books and all things bookish. There is nothing I love more than to be surrounded by authors, publishers, librarians, bloggers, and book lovers of all kinds. There is a wild book frenzy that hits the air. It's a palpable excitement that powers me through the day even as my feet, shoulders, and head begin to ache...

There is nothing like going to BEA. There are people everywhere. If you don't have a plan of some kind, you will literally go in circles. With some careful planning, comfortable shoes, and the knowledge that you will have a fangirl (or fanguy!) moment at least once that day where you cannot speak for the shear awesomeness of who is near you...

(Scott Westerfeld literally stood two feet away from me last year for about 20 mins - thought I would expire from the sheer awesomeness of his near genius...Rachel Vincent thought she knew me from somewhere else - "Are you sure we didn't go to high school together?"...I literally stammered when I met Diana Peterfreund because I am OBSESSED with her books...)

...you will have an awesome time and most likely throw your plan out the window as soon as you get there! I cannot wait to go and will be there on Tuesday, May 24th this year. I hope to see some of you wandering the floors or in line for signings!!

Later next week I hope to have a post with all the awesome things I've picked up at BEA and some more great author/publisher stories to share!

First Look at Katniss!

I know that this image broke a few days ago, but I haven't had time to blog and I just wanted to share it again for those who may not have seen it, because I think they did a great job making Jennifer Lawrence into Katniss! I, along with everyone else, took one look at her blond hair, etc, and went..."ummm..." but this is the magic of movies! A little makeup, a lot of training, and whammo...instant new persona. I love it.

Now, finally, I'm really getting excited for the movie, because this is the first time it's really feeling, well...real, for me!

What do you guys think?

The Dark and Hollow Places - Blog Tour

The Dark and Hollow Places
by Carrie Ryan
Forest of Hands and Teeth, book three

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face when she and Elias left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the horde as they found their way to the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.

Annah's world stopped that day and she's been waiting for him to come home ever since. Without him, her life doesn't feel much different from that of the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Then she meets Catcher and everything feels alive again.

Except, Catcher has his own secrets -- dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah's longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah -- can she continue to live in a world drenched in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction? (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was an amazing conclusion to the Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy. The world, or at least as much of it as Annah, Gabry, Catcher, or Elias have ever known, has been overrun by the Horde. As each becomes trapped, literally to escape the Unconsecrated, and figuratively by their love for each other, they must all learn...are they will to do what it takes to survive? Is surviving the same as living?

I loved both the previous books in the series, but this final book is definitely my favorite. Every emotion is heightened. The love is deeper and becomes more desperate as the characters' situations, nay, the entire world's situation become so dire. The danger is amplified to the point that I doubted, seriously doubted some characters' survival. I was on the edge of my seat right until the end, and then I close the book with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face.

This book was definitely worth a gold star. It was a satisfying conclusion to the series, leaving readers with a vision of hope. A reminder that even when the world seems at its most dire...a simple light in the dark can be a symbol that life still exists, in all its messy, wonderful glory. That humans will always find a way to survive, to live, and to love.

*On a different note, I apologize for this post going up so late. I had thought it posted, but apparently it was temporarily lost in the "Great Blogger Debacle" of last week. Sorry if you saw it and then it disappeared!*

Full disclosure: ARC received for review from Book it Forward ARC Tours
2011 Zombie Reading Challenge Title

The Secret Kingdom

The Secret Kingdom
by Jenny Nimmo
Chronicles of the Red King, book one

Timoken is a prince born in a secret kingdom. At his birth, a forest jinni bestows magical gifts upon him: a cloak made by the last moon spider and a potion called Alixir. When the peaceful land is attacked, Timoken and his sister, Zobayda, must find a new kingdom to call home. Together, with only the magical gifts and a talking camel, the siblings set off.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Jenny Nimmo takes readers on an extraordinary quest with one of her most powerful and mysterious characters, the one who started it all for Charlie Bone and the children of the Red King. (description taken from Amazon.com)

I really loved the start of this new series by Jenny Nimmo. Having read the entire Charlie Bone series, it was great to learn more about where the infamous Red King came from, though you don't have to have read Charlie Bone to enjoy this new series.

There is more magic in this series than there was in the beginning of the Charlie Bone books. Yes, they had magic, but each child had only one gift and some were not discovered right away. Timoken is given many magical talents by the last forest jinni and so his journey contains lots of magic, as well as adventure...and danger.

I love the characters. Timoken is a good boy. His sister, Zobayda, is an honorable, courageous girl. His camel, Gibbar, is hilarious and lovable. The friends he meets along the way become loyal, brave, and willing to fight for Timoken. The evil beings that hunt for Timoken and his sister are both deliciously evil and kind of cool.

Well worth checking out! Oh, and the audio version, done by John Keating, is very entertaining. :)

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for AudioFile Magazine.

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