Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

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In my Mailbox/Book Haul

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Chapter Chicks Book Tag

Check out the Chapter Chicks on their blog, here.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Since I was a little girl, I've always been drawn to stories about witches. I was obsessed with The Craft movie when it came out when I was in junior high. There's something so fun and exciting about having the power to perform magic and make things happen. I also seem to like books/series that take place at a boarding school (ie. Harry Potter, Evernight) so this book seemed to follow the recipe of success for me.

This was another novel that I was highly anticipating before it was released. The title itself really caught my attention, as well as the fact that it had several of my favorite supernatural being present in one story. I was excited about the story when I sat down to read it, and i wasn't disappointed. The author captures your attention right away, bringing you right into the action. There isn't too much build up or back story to get through before things get going and you're in the middle of Sophie's adventure. I was very entertained by the opening sequence at the prom. It made me laugh out loud while building up my anticipation for what was going to happen next.

The atmosphere of Hex Hall was definitely a key element in what made this book so enjoyable for me. The author painted a great picture of what the hall looks and feels like. As when I was younger, I thought the way much of the magic worked was just so cool. I was reading about some of the spells and the methods used when giving a history lesson, and thinking how awesome it was. To put it simply, I had some good old fashioned fun reading this novel. Hawkins' writing style was simple and fast paced and I found myself addicted to the story and on the last page before I knew it. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the sequel, Demon Glass, in 2011. Definitely on the top of my must read list!

Book Haul/IMM #6

Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker

Shade by Jeri Smith Ready

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.

I went into this novel with no expectations. I had no idea what to expect. Not that I thought it was going to be horrible, but I wasn't hoping for something incredible either. However, what I got was pretty darn amazing.

What a great read! I was sucked into the plot immediately and introduced to Aura and the world she lives in. The world of pre Shifters and post Shifters, life and the after life. The author does an amazing job in creating the post shift world in which Aura lives. So much detail is given to what Aura and the other post Shifters see and what it means for them. What they wear, where they live and hangout, and how they interact with ghosts. However, the detail is not written in a way in which it takes away from the story or the reader becomes bored. It is blended into the plot in a way that allows you to gain the background information needed without feeling like you're being fed a long list of details. I loved absorbing every piece of information that I was given about the Shift and watching the mystery unfold while still more questions formed in my head. I was fascinated!

Not only did the story have an original and engaging plot, but the characters were likable and well rounded as well. The love triangle was a favorite aspect of mine, so different from most others I've read due to the fact that one of the love interests, Logan, is a ghost who Aura can see and talk to but cannot touch. In the beginning I was sure I was going to be team Logan but I soon became torn and was all about Zachary by the end.

Final thoughts: Shade is a novel with an original plot, engaging characters, a rich background, and a well developed setting. When the book was open I was immersed in the world that Ready created, swept up in the action and eager to watch the mystery unravel.

Final Grade: 5/5 stars!

Hunger Games Review - sort of

In My Mailbox/Book Haul #6

Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison

Some Of My Book Collection

In My Mailbox/Book Haul #5

Pretty Little Liars author Sara Shepard talks to ABC Family

Most of you probably know that the book series Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard is premiering next month as a television series. I was recently contacted via email about an interview the author did and was told I could post it on the blog for anyone who's interested.

You can also check out photos and sneak peeks here: http://www.abcfamily.com/PrettyLittleLiars

ABC Family’s Q&A Session with Sara Shepard

Moderator: I was wondering how much influence did you have in the casting process?

S. Shepard: I did not have input into the casting process. That was all done on the other side of the country, so I didn’t know who they were going to cast, but when they did cast the girls I was very excited to see who they chose to be Ali, who they chose to be Aria, and Spencer and all of the rest. They don’t necessarily look like the girls that I described in the books but I think that’s okay because they really embody each of the characters and they do a great job playing.

Spencer is a great Spencer; Emily is a great Emily; they might not look precisely like the dolls on the cover but they’re great representations of the girls.

Moderator: How does it feel as an author to have your book come to life on screen?

S. Shepard: It’s pretty crazy. I’ve seen the pilot, that’s the only – I know they’re shooting more episodes but the pilot is the only one that I’ve seen and it is really, really close to the first book; so many little details like Aria’s pet pig Petunia makes an appearance which is in the book which is based on something in my life. Aria comes back from Iceland.

All of the scenes are what I wrote so it was really – I just kind of kept giggling the whole time that I saw it because it was surreal, but really amazing. I almost couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing that this thing that I thought of is now on TV. It’s pretty great.

Moderator: I wanted to know how Pretty Little Liars ended up on ABC Family. When you read the book series it isn’t necessarily the network you would think of right away.

S. Shepard: Well, I may want to turn this over to Catherine for your thoughts too, but from what I’ve seen on ABC Family I do think it’s a good fit there. There is a lot of scandal that happens in Rosewood, which is where Pretty Little Liars is set, but I also think our readers are the ideal ABC Family audience and that’s the channel that they’re watching.

Also, even though Pretty Little Liars is a pretty scandalous series I try to keep a lot of really graphic – some series I think go really, really far and I try rein it in a little and keep things – keep sort of lessons learned and kind of a point to everything and try to make the girls as real as possible.

I am very happy with it being on ABC Family with all of the other great shows that are on there right now. I think it fits in great.

Moderator: I just wanted to know if right now you have any sort of end game for the books. There are sort of a lot of ends so far but what – will there always be an A, et cetera.

S. Shepard: Well –

Moderator: I know you can’t tell me all of that but –

S. Shepard: No, no. The final book Wanted comes out the same day that the show is premiering and it is the conclusion to the series so A will be revealed and a lot of the mysteries will be solved. It is left – it’s left a little creepy and open-ended, but there is an end to the series. I wanted, and I am very happy that my publishers agreed, that we sort of wanted to go out kind of on a high note and not just drag things out and make everything make sense. Yes, the thrilling conclusion which is coming out June 8th and it will be really fun that readers who have hung on from the very beginning will be able to read the very last book and then go right into watching it on TV. I’m very excited for that.

Moderator: From a writer’s standpoint, what’s more dangerous: a pretty girl with secrets or an average-looking girl who knows your secrets?

S. Shepard: Hm…I always think it’s the girl that knows the secret, personally. Well, it depends on what she does with it. In Pretty Little Liars there is a somewhat average looking girl who knows some secrets who – I don’t want to give too much away, but she definitely uses them in ways that aren’t great. I would say knowing someone else’s secret is always a little scarier, at least in Pretty Little Liars world.

Moderator: Okay, fair enough. Can you describe some types of unique conflicts that set the show apart from other teen-oriented series?

S. Shepard: Well, obviously the premise of the show is that four girls, they’re just best friends. Their fifth best friend disappears in 7th grade and she was the ring leader and at least in the book series, and I’m hoping that it goes this way in the TV series. She was not a very nice girl. She really manipulated her friends and had sort of this power over them. As the girls get older now they sort of, at least in the books, they begin to realize she really wasn’t that great of a person and they begin to sort of think about friendships and what that could mean.

The other sort of interesting conflict is that there is this stalker now called A. A, they think at first is their old friend whose name is Alison, but it may not be Alison. They have to figure out who could be doing this to them. They’ve made some enemies in their past. They have a lot of secrets that they don’t want anyone to know about. It’s a lot about who is watching them and are they going to pay for what they did and that kind of stuff which I love writing about so I’m very excited to see it on TV.

Moderator: Are you involved in the screenplay writing or do you oversee that process?

S. Shepard: No, I am not involved in the screenplay writing. Some of the people that I’ve worked with developing Pretty Little Liars, they are very involved so I feel comfortable that it’s not going to go in this like kind of crazy direction that I wouldn’t be happy with because some of these editors and producers I’ve known for a long time.

I did get to read the screenplay pretty early on and I was pretty happy with it. I think it had been through a lot of revisions by then but it was pretty true to the pilot so for me it was like, well, this is just like the book, so of course I’m happy with it. I am not a screenwriter so I did not have a part in that but I think Marlene King, who is the main screenwriter, I think she’s done a great job.

Moderator: So do you know if the TV series is going to try to stay true the books or are they going to be throwing in some unexpected elements?

S. Shepard: Well, [ABC Family publicist] Catherine [Graves] and I were talking about this just before we all got on the call. As far as I know they’re sticking, at least for the first few episodes, right, Catherine?

C. Graves Yes, right now we’re in – filming episode three. It’s pretty true to the books. There are like a few minor tweaks here and there.

S. Shepard: I was going to say – I would okay if – I think it would be pretty exciting if some things were different – if they took some twists and turns from the books because some things that work in a book don’t really work for TV and it would be kind of fun to see the girls get into different sorts of troubles than they do in the books. We’ll see. I’m not going to be truly upset if something else happens to one of these girls, they get in some kind of different scandal than what’s in the books.

Moderator: Hi. I know that a lot of authors think about what if their books became a movie, but in the aspect of having a series how do you think this will work better for TV since it is like you have a lot of books in the series instead of having just movies?

S. Shepard: I think it will work really well for a series because there is just so much material. I think – every author wants their book to be a movie and they think about it and I’m guilty of that, too.

There is so much going on in the mystery and the back story of all this, it’s so deep that I think it’s perfect for TV because there is a chance to develop all of that. You really wouldn’t have that opportunity in a 90 minute movie unless they did sequel after sequel which would be pretty ridiculous. I think it’s great for TV.

Moderator: Great. My other question is a lot of TV shows, they eventually they come out with different merch, like they have t-shirts and stuff, so just from like a fad point of view, what would you like to see forPretty Little Liars? Would you want to see like shirts, you could buy or a bobble-head, just crazy stuff like that?

S. Shepard: What I would love to see, and actually what some readers have asked me, are the dolls from the cover, which I don’t know if they’d actually make the dolls of the stars, which would be interesting, too. There is so much in the book about Alison, the best friend who has gone missing, kind of treats her friends like just dolls that she just controls their every move. As a fad I think sort of having Pretty Little Liars dolls would be pretty awesome.

Moderator: Do you hope that your stories have a story of moral lesson for both the characters and readers?

S. Shepard: I’d like to and I think I’ve tried for that. I think the first Pretty Little Liars book, the girls are pretty naughty. Aria gets involved with a teacher and Hanna shoplifts and they seem to just really be in bad places and I’d like to think that by the end of the series they’re better people and they’ve kind of learned to connect with whether Spencer lets go of her issues with her sister because they’re always competing or Emily learns to accept herself, or sort of all of these things.

That’s what’s been really great about doing an eight book series is that I’ve been able to develop these girls and make them grow up a little bit and all that. I hope that readers get that out of the books because there is a lot else to get out of them, the suspense and all of the soapy trouble they get in and stuff like that. I really do think that they have changed and I want that to get through as well.

Moderator: You have mentioned Aria’s Pigtunia doll was sort of from your own life. I wanted to know if there are other little details from your own life that are in the book that might get into the series.

S. Shepard: Well, a really big detail is that it is set – the book series is set in a town called Rosewood which I made up, but it’s a sort of a conglomeration of various little towns around where I lived in Pennsylvania on something called the Main Line. It’s just sort of a main train line outside of Philadelphia. It’s a sort of wealthy, kind of stuck up in a way, but it’s also really beautiful. It has farms, it has lots of lush countrysides and it’s very historic and all these things so every detail about the setting is probably straight from – is definitely straight from something that I experienced while in high school.

I think that’s played over to the series a little bit, obviously it’s not set – it’s not being filmed in Philadelphia or outside Philadelphia, but I think they are trying to keep this sort of small suburban pretty little town where everything seems perfect, but you know it’s not perfect.

Other than that I think there are tons of things and I think I’ll probably notice them more as they come into the series. Like I said Aria just got back from Iceland, which I have traveled to Iceland before, too, so I knew a lot about Iceland and the details from that were definitely in the first series.

Randomly the teacher that she falls for is named Ezra Fitz, and when I was writing book one I was like, oh this isn’t going to be much of anything. Ezra Fitz is actually somebody that I know. He’s somebody that I went to elementary school with and we got back in touch and he said, “You based a character on my name!” There really is an Ezra Fitz in my life. Just little things like that, I think they’re all over the place so that’s what made it so crazy to see it on screen. It’s almost like your journal or something suddenly on television.These little details about your life suddenly like, oh there they are. It’s very strange, so – but great.

Moderator: Yes, definitely. Do you have any plans to write an episode in the future?

S. Shepard: I don’t. I’m not a screenwriter. I would love to give my thoughts. I hope to get out to L.A. while they’re still filming, but I am sticking right now to writing books and leaving the screenwriting to people who know how to do that. I’m working on a new book series right now, too, so I’m a little bit busy.

Moderator: How do you view the relationship between beauty and the weight of hidden secret then?

S. Shepard: Well, I mean I guess for all the girls that I have written about, for instance, Hanna, who is one of the characters, she seems – she has made herself over from seventh grade and now she is really, really beautiful and everything that she wants to do is – she wants to be very, very perfect in all things. She wants to look and act and dress as perfect as she can because she is sort of haunted by this old version of herself, which was sort of dorky and chubby and ugly and the bad teeth and all these things.

She has a couple of ugly secrets but, I guess in her mind to reveal them or to sort of wear them more on her sleeve, it sort of makes her less perfect-seeming and less in control. I think that kind of goes for – I think that’s sort of the theme in the books because these girls all have secrets about themselves that if anybody knew about them it would just – it would shatter either who they are or their relationships with other people or that kind of thing.

The interesting thing is that Alison, who is sort of the girl everybody wants to be, ends up having some pretty juicy secrets of her own that she also never tells anybody, even her friends don’t know about this. A lot of this is talked about in book eight, which is Wanted.

Again, I think it’s for that exact same reason that Hanna kept these secrets. As a perfect girl, as a girl without anything to hide, or a girl without anything sort of visible to other people she was totally in control and she had no weakness. If she would have revealed some of these terrible things to her friends, maybe they wouldn’t have followed her so carefully and jumped at every instruction she gave them. They would have found that she was a little bit more human and normal like everybody else. That is my long-winded answer.

Moderator: Which pretty little liar are you most like do you think?

S. Shepard: I am most like Aria. I mean I think I’m like all of them. When I wrote them, there is a little bit of me in all of them. As far as what I was like in high school, I didn’t have an affair with a teacher, but Aria is kind of artsy. She’s not really interested in being popular and she just wants to be herself. I think at least the last couple of years I high school I was a lot like that.

I identified with her with how all she really wants is just to get out of this little town and the people are all the same. They’re just so perfect and she – that drives a lot of her story and that’s kind of why she falls for someone older and interesting and not like a lacrosse player.

I was very much like that so she is very close to my heart, but all of them really are. I have—I share things with all of them and I think that’s what helped me write about them because I could easily identify with where they were coming from.

Moderator: I’m sure you’re asked this all the time, but I want to know what was the inspiration for the Pretty Little Liars book series, particularly like the mystery elements and those kinds of things?

S. Shepard: I am asked that a lot. It’s always kind of a hard question to answer because in some ways I’m not – it didn’t come together in like a day. I knew that I wanted to write a mystery series and I had some great editors that I was working with and we sort of kicked around ideas and we sort of thought up well, what happens – text messaging – this is five years ago and text messaging was sort of becoming bigger and bigger and what happens if some girls start getting weird texts? Then for the piece of like, oh maybe it was the lost friend. Then I started to develop what this friend could be like and the secrets that she would have on them.

It all kind of came together pretty slowly. I did think about the characters a lot right away and their secrets and things like that. As far as what the series has become I mean, I don’t think I knew from the start that it would be such a mystery with such a back story and so much tragedy. I love what it’s become because I love writing about mysteries; I love reading them.

I also love the part in Pretty Little Liars about sort of the perfect town that’s turned inside out by this kind of stuff. There is a lot in the books about how the media just hounds the girls and how everybody is talking about them and I loved writing about that and that’s just right up my alley.

It was sort of a long process of thinking it out, but I’m happy with the series as a whole.

Moderator: I’d also like to know, writing and book publishing, the whole realm of it, it’s all very competitive field. What do you think is the secret to your success?

S. Shepard: The secret to my success was, well, I was getting an M.F.A. in fiction and my sister was working with Alloy Entertainment, who helped put Pretty Little Liars together and did a lot of publicity for it and sort of managed the series. I knew that I wanted to start writing. I didn’t know how I could get into the business so my sister said, “Well, you know you could talk to some of the people that I know at Alloy.” There was sort of no way to get in touch with them so I decided to crash their Christmas party.

I crashed their Christmas party with my sister and I got to talk to them that way and that was sort of my fist connection with Alloy, which was great. Crash Christmas parties. Honestly, I worked really hard. I did a lot of work for Alloy Entertainment before Pretty Little Liars came along, as well as my regular job, as well as going to school. I think I sort of fought to get projects and I hounded people. I really tried to work as hard as I could on, for instance, Pretty Little Liars getting it ready to get published, or to sell, I guess to get to a publisher.

I think it was a little bit of being in the right place at the right time, being in New York always helps for those who want to get published, but I think it was a lot of hard work, too.

Moderator: Yes, so I know you haven’t been to the set yet but I’m sure you will. When you go to the set are you going to try to get written in for like a cameo role and be in that series so everyone can see the author?

S. Shepard: I would love to. There has been a little bit of talk about that, not – I don’t have any idea what the part would be but I hope it wouldn’t be a speaking part, because, maybe I could say one line or something. I would love that. I mean that’s a chance of a lifetime.

Moderator: Great, well that’s all the time we have today and thanks again for participating. Again, please remember that Pretty Little Liars debuts on ABC Family, June 8th at 8/7 central.

IMM/Book Haul

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

IMM/Book Haul

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

This is another book I've had in my pile for a while. I decided to pick it up recently because the snow has melted, the weather has been getting warmer, and I was in the mood for a romantic, summery read. Something light and sweet that would put me in the mood for some summer love. I couldn't have made a better choice!

The Summer I Turned Pretty starts out with Belly on her way to the beach house with her mom and brother, and through the progression of the story we learn of her history with Jeremiah and Conrad through current events and memories of summers past. At first I had a little trouble following what period of time we were actually in, but I soon caught on and followed the flow of the book very easily. I really liked the way we were with Belly at the beach house and feeling the excitement that this summer was going to be different from all the rest, and were able to travel back to earlier times through her memories and see just how this summer was unique.

Not only does this novel tell us a heart warming love story, it also touches upon issues of family, friendship and what it means to grow up and come into one's own. The history between their parents makes the characters of Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad feel richer and allows the reader to understand a little more of who they are while providing a more complex storyline.

The only negative thing I would really say about this book is that I felt like I really didn't know Jeremiah. To me, Belly's feelings toward Conrad were much more obvious. I really really liked what I did see of Jeremiah, but I wanted so much more. He was sweet and adorable but it felt like I met this great guy and then really didn't get a chance to talk to him or learn anything about him. Maybe I'll get more of him in the next book, It's Not Summer Without You.

Overall I thought The Summer I Turned Pretty was a very enjoyable read. I read it in one day and it left me feeling happy, and with dreams of the ocean and the fresh summer air. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel when it's released on April 27th.

Happy Reading!

In My Mailbox/Book Haul

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe.

Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back -- if Cassie will agree to be his bride.

That is the beginning of Cassie''s own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her -- until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice.

What a captivating, magical tale! I loved it! Ice was a truly unique story that was vastly different from anything I've read in a very long time. It was a perfect 'bed time' story, full of adventure, romance, and wonderfully unusual characters. In fact, the novel starts out with a story that Cassie's grandmother tells her each night, a story of her mother and the polar bear king. What she believes is only a fairy tale meant to comfort her becomes more real than she could have ever imagined.

The adventure is fast paced, with something happening on every page. The reader travels along with Cassie through the Arctic and Durst's gift for description allows you to feel her exhaustion and frustration. I read this book wrapped in a blanket, because I swear sometimes I could actually feel the biting cold!

I was unsure of how the author was going to pull off a romantic storyline between Cassie and the polar bear king, but I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Their fondness for one another was believable, and sweet. In the end, I was sad to see them go. I wanted more from their story.

I give this novel two thumbs up, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys an epic adventure with a touch of sweet romance.

In My Mailbox/Book Haul

My Book Shelves

Had to organize my bookshelves to make room for new books that I have coming in the mail. Thought I'd take a few pictures of my collection. Not displayed attractively, but I just needed to get them all in there!

Elizabeth Scott contest - Last Day!

How excited are you to read The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott? I know I'm counting the days!

Synopsis:

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

US residents have an opportunity to win 35 books! I live in Canada so unfortunately I'm not eligible, but good luck to all who are! What an amazing contest! All the details are here.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Everyone has something to hide - especially high school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.

Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.

But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling.

I've had the first three books in this series for quite some time, I've just never gotten around to reading them. There just always seemed to be something else in my reading pile that I was anxious to get to right away. I finally started it when I wanted a break from the paranormal stories that I normally devour. I saw Brandi from Life After Twilight review it on her YouTube channel. After hearing her positive thoughts on the series I thought it was time that I get to it.

What a fun book! It was a suspenseful, guilty pleasure type read. It's full of betrayal, friendship, gossip, high school rivalries, romance, with a murder mystery as it's central storyline. The 'who done it' premise is great, and will keep you turning the pages wondering which secret will be revealed next. Pretty Little Liars is the first book (there are currently 7 in publication) and sets up the mystery that will play out in future novels. It all begins in seventh grade when Alison disappears during a slumber party. A few years go by and the rest of the girls have drifted apart, continuing life by going their separate ways. Suddenly, each of the girls begins to get messages that reveal deep secrets from the past - secrets only Alison could know. Here's where the mystery begins. Throw in some romance, family issues, and personal struggles - and you get a pretty enjoyable read!

If you're looking for a series with great "depth" or "meaning", this may not be the best choice for you. However, if you're looking for an easy read that's just plain entertaining - look no further!

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

Another highly anticipated read for me, and WOW did it live up to my expectations. Such an enticing, thrilling, fun read! The writing was exceptional and made for an amazing debut. The story and characters seemed to leap off the page and kept me reading until I reached the final page.

The story is primarily a mystery, and Despain pulled it off wonderfully. It wasn't the least bit predictable. The author kept me guessing until the very last minute when each element of the storyline was revealed to me. I had a great time watching the story unfold, and was more thrilled with each chapter I read.

Not surprisingly for me, I also loved the romantic aspect of the story. The chemistry between Grace and Daniel was electric. All of their interactions were HOT, and left me wanting more.

I absolutely loved this book! To anyone who hasn't read it yet, I highly suggest you do so, asap!

Hunger Games Book 3: Cover and Title Revealed!!

For more info on the release, click here.

Thoughts? I know I'm excited! August 24th seems much too far away.

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Bree Despain's BDay Giveaway!

Bree Despain, author of the amazing The Dark Divine, is having a contest to celebrate her birthday. Prizes include some gorgeous jewelery inspired by her fantastic novel. Check out the contest here.