Review: The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

Publication Date March 24th, 2010

Published By Obsidian Mountain Publishing

Paperback, 240 Pages

Source: LaFemmeReaders Book Tour

Summary from Goodreads:

"To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves."

My Review: **** = 4 Stars

I'm confident that most, if not all fans of vampire YA literature will enjoy this book. Brenda puts a great spin on the typical vampire and it makes for quite the interesting read. It grabs you right from the beginning and it keeps you enthalled throughout the entire thing.

Julia Parker is your typical high school student, except she isn't. She has the ability to sense feelings. Nick Kendrick is just a hot guy who saves her life... except hes not! We go on an exciting ride as the two get to know each other and certain situations arise.  

I enjoyed every aspect, but at one point I did feel like the feelings Julia had for Nick were somewhat rushed and maybe not all to true. As the book goes on and more interaction between the two ensues my opinion changes but I just couldn't help but feel like when she first "fell in love" with him she didn't even know him. By the end though I completely forgot about how that bothered me because I loved the way everything came together and how the story ended.

Brenda has created a great story that will keep readers eager to know what happens next!

The Sapphire Talisman is definitely added to my must have list and I can't wait until December so that I can fall in love with this story all over again.

Have you read it yet? Opinions?!

Sherry<3

Contest for a book you probably really want!

The much talked about Across the Universe by Beth Revis is being released in just 3 months (or something like that)! How would you like to win yourself an ARC?! Well, now you can! I've got a copy that I snagged from NY Comic Con and you can win it!

I have so many leave a comment to enter contests going on and I wanted to switch things up.

To enter this contest, you have to create a haiku, or a poem with three lines, 5 syllables, then 7 then 5. Here's an example just in case you have no frakking clue what I'm talking about:

This book is awesome

You know you really want it

Go write your Haiku!

Bam! It's that simple!

 You can write it on anything you like, but I would to see your enthusiasm for this book!

Only one Haiku per person to enter pleaseeee! I don't usually do international contests because shipping is so much but I know a lot of people want this, so international it is!

(If you really can't figure out how to do this, leave a list with your three favorite books, but do at least try and write one first! This is supposed to be fun, and to make you work for it!) =P

How to enter:

1) Become a follower, unless you already are a follower than you rock!

2) Write a Haiku

3) Leave your Haiku, along with a way to contact you (email address) in a comment!

If you spread the word about this contest just say so in the comment, with a link, for an extra entry!

Ends November 17th!

Well what are you crazy kids waiting for, get entering!!

Sherry<3

Awesome trailer and cover from two books I LOVE!

The trailer for Matched, by Ally Condie, was released earlier this week. You may have seen it already, and even you have, go ahead and watch it a second and third time, because it is that awesome. You know what is even more awesome than the trailer?? The book. One of my top three favorite books of this year. I am already DYING for the second which won't be out for over a year... *sulks*

Anways watch the trailer.. it was fantastically made!

Also:

The cover for Demonglass was released this week as well. This book was. OMG. AMAZING. Rachel did not disappoint in any way and I want HH3. Right. Now. Yes, well anyways here is the gorgeous cover.

For those of you that haven't had the chance to read this, Brent over at Naughty Book Kitties is hosting a cover remake contest for this, and the winner will get a Demonglass arc. Go check out the link for more details!

Sherry<3

Way overdue In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren, that was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

So I haven't done one of these in quite some time, so no, this isn't just one weeks worth of books... more like a months worth. =P

From New York Comic Con:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman

Across the Universe by Beth Revis*****(SQUEEE)

Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney(signed)

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Department Nineteen by Will Hill

Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

Eona by Alison Goodman- 3 Chapter Sample

Vampire Taxonomy by Meredith Woerner

Rotters by Daniel Kraus

Throat by R.A Nelson

& a bunch of swag that's still not unpacked o_O

(Special thanks to all the awesome publishing companies at NYCC!)

Purchased by me:

Nomansland by Lesley Hauge

Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan(signed)

Won:

Freefall by Mindi Scott(signed)

Not Pictured:

Magic Eight Ball

Gummy Worms

(Special thanks to Mindi Scott & PrincessBookie for hosting!)

For Review:

The Miracle Stealer by Neil Connelly

(Special thanks to Scholastic)

Phew! So there's my month in books!

 I promise not to slack so bad next time! =P

Sherry<3

Giveaway time!

Beautiful Dead: Arizona by Eden Maguire was recently rereleased by Sourcebooks, so today I am giving away a paperback copy, courtesty of Sourcebooks!

Summary from Goodreads:

"There's been no sign of the Beautiful Dead for weeks. Darina achingly misses Phoenix all over again. But surely he will return with the rest of the Beautiful Dead as so much still remains unresolved. It's been ten months since Arizona drowned in Hartmann Lake. Suicide, it would seem. But something doesn't add up.

Drowning herself in a hidden - away lake does not sound like strong, confident, Arizona: Ellerton High School's high-maintenance drama queen. Darina needs to help Arizona the way she helped Jonas. But time is running out..."

US/Canada Only! Sorry International followers! :(

Just fill out this form to enter!

Good luck!

Sherry<3

CSN Preferred Blogger

I'm lucky enough to get to do another review for CSN. They really do have great products at great prices and there are hundreds of things to choose from. Drop leaf tables to car seats and so much more. I'm on the lookout for a new bookshelf... possibly this one:

Sherry<3

New York Comic Con

So this past weekend was New York Comic Con, so my mom and I trekked down to the city to spend the day there with my bestest Eleni!

I'm just gonna post a few pics for you all.

Here is a pic of Eleni and I, and then my Mom and I.

This was an awesome comic billboard that was outside. It was huge, like bigger than my house huge.

This was some dude as Edward Scissorhands, and it was my absolute favorite costume of the day.

If you don't know who Edward Scissorhands is, then go rent it. Now.

This is that scary guy from predator. Gross, but cool costume!





The first pic is of Stan Lee, the co-creator of Spiderman. The next pic is of Ne-Yo. My Mom, Eleni and I all got his autograph. It was awesome! :D

I got this book there that made the whole trip extra awesome since I've been DYING to read it. I also snagged an arc of The Scorch Trials by James Dashner, a signed copy of Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney, a signed copy of First Drop of Crimson by Jeannine Frost(who is very sweet in person), an arc of Rotters by Daniel Kraus, and some other great books that I don't feel like going to get because I am so lazy and tired right now. I will post a pic of books later for my IMM though.

So that was my trip summed up in various photos! =P

Sherry<3

Review: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else

By: Erin McCahan

Publication Date: June 1st, 2010

Published By: Arthur A. Levine Books

Hardcover, 272 Pages

Source: From publication company for Blog Tour

Summary from Goodreads:

"Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely.

When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks.

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time."

My Review: **** 1/2 = 4.5 Stars

I'll start by saying I absolutely loved this book. I find that I don't often pick up contemporary books, but after reading this one I want to start reading more of them. It was a sweet and moving story about one girl finding love, life and finally finding out who she truly is.

I loved Bronwen and her crazy ideas about being switched at birth. I like more that she finally grew up and ditched the idea and decided to actually find out who she really was as a person. While Jared didn't personally make me swoon, the romance that they shared certainly did. The progression of their relationship was heartwarming and I got sucked into the love that formed between them.

As the story moved along I found that I couldn't set the book down because I wanted to see how everything would turn out. Not in a crazy deranged I had to know what happened way, but I genuinely wanted to see where the characters were headed and how the situations they were in turned out.

I can say that the book ended perfectly for me and I was so glad how the author decided to bring things to a close. It was a great story of finding ones self and is something a reader of any genre can find themselves getting lost in, IMHO.

At 272 pages, I finished it in two sittings, but in one day total. If you're looking for something light and sweet, then I definitely recommend this for you!

Have you read this before? Thoughts?

Sherry<3

Link your reviews for Harry Potter books 1,4 & 7!!

Here is where you will link your reviews for Harry Potter books 1, 4 & 7 during the Harry Potter Extravaganza Event.

Please make sure you are entering your link in the correct Mr. Linky!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I will be adding a Mr. Linky for books 4 & 7 shortly!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Sherry<3

Character Interview & Giveaway!

So for my part in the Tyger, Tyger blog tour for Teen Book Scene I did a character interview. Well im unconvential in my ways and since I wanted to ask multiple characters questions, I decided to ask five characters one question each, instead of asking one character five questions!

Without further adeiu, I give you my multiple character interview!

~~~~~

Aiden:

Singing is a huge part of your life. What is your favorite song to sing, and what is your favorite song to listen to?

My favorite song to sing is, “Aiden is the hero.” I make up the words when I hear music. I like to listen to old songs, guy songs, not princess songs. There’s always a song around me. Like in the movies, when the music tells you things about what’s about to happen. I listen to it, and that’s how I know what to sing.

Tonight, I want my Dad to sing the monsters away before I go to sleep, because I keep hearing, Bad Moon Rising http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BmEGm-mraE&feature=related

My dad will make it go away. Cause he’s the best singer in the world!

Abby:

At one point you mentioned painting Bette Midler/Our Lady on a womans big toenail. If you had someone painted on your big toenail, who would it be and why?

Sofonisba Anguissola

They should totally make a movie about her. Her mother thought she should marry a nice boy, have a few Italian babies, right? But Sofonisba had plans. Like being the greatest artist in the world. In 1550, when they wouldn’t even let women go to art school. I got plans, too.

Teagan:

You work at the zoo, and Aiden claims that you love ugly animals. Is there any animal that frightens you?

The African Hunting Dogs. Nine out of ten African Hunting Dog hunts end in a kill. That’s an incredible kill rate. When a lion hunts, it only manages to make a kill three times out of ten.

African Hunting Dogs vocalize, calling to one another as the pursue their prey. I have a nightmare about that…about a pack of creatures chasing me through the dark. Yeah. They really, really scare me.

Finn:

You're a traveler through and through, and we know why, but is it a lifestyle you enjoy at all or is it purely out of safety reasons?

I like the freedom, don’t I? But I’ve missed having a family, and that’s the truth. Having someone of my own. I’ve been that careful since my Da and Mam died, knowing that if I love someone I’m going to lose them. Or they’re going to lose me. That’s the curse, then, isn’t it?

Mamieo:

You had your trailer left as a decoy, do you think you will go back and get it or do you think you will stay with the Wylltsons'?

If the creatures haven’t destroyed the thing, I’ll be taking it back. Though I have no real home in this corner of creation. The Almighty Himself set me about the business of mending and tending, and that will be enough. That will just have to be enough.

Thank you for interviewing my characters, Sherry!

~~~~~~~~~~

No thank you Kersten for such great answers! This is probably the most interesting character interview I've done!

--

Each stop on the tour will have a letter that when unscrambled spells a word.. at the end, put your letters together to figure out the word and enter to win a kindle on the Teen Book Scene website!

My letter is Y!

And now it's Giveaway Time!!!

Want to win a preordered copy of Tyger, Tyger? All you have to do is leave a comment with an email address. Open international! Ends October 30th.

Good luck and get entering! :)

Sherry<3

Lots of winners!

Sorry for the major delay in announcing winners!

I won't make you guys wait since you already had to wait like a week and a half.

All of the winners were randomly selected. You will all be emailed tomorrow but if you want to send me an email tonight if you see this, feel free!

Winner of Signed copy of Scars by Cheryl Rainfield is - Natalie(Mindful Musings)

Winner of The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell is - Brooke(texas_gal)

Winner of $75 CSN giveaway is - Emily(wilowraven)

Congrats guys!

If you didn't win, no worries! Lots of contests coming up soon so stay tuned!

Sherry<3

Review: Tyger, Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Tyger, Tyger

By Kersten Hamilton

Publication Date November 15th, 2010

Pubished By Clarion Books(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Childrens Books)

Source: Book Expo America

Summary from Goodreads:

"Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right."

My Review: **** = 4 Stars

I was excited to read this book right from the get go because I've never read a book specifically about Goblins. The world that Kersten created with the Goblins and Mythology is just wonderful and unique. It was a great read and I can't wait to see where it goes in the next one(there is a next one right??).  <---There is, In the Forests of the Night is available November 22, 2011!)

The book starts off introducing Teagan Wylltson. Everything about her is interesting, starting off with the fact that she is using sign language to communicate with a chimp. She has set goals for how she wants the next few years of her life to go, and it quickly gets off track. With the arrival of her cousin Finn(Love that name!), things start getting a little weird. I loved Teagan, Finn and Aiden (Tea's little brother) who work together throughout the novel to save Tea's and Aiden's father.

Every character in this book belongs in it and they are all interesting, even the goblins. Kersten has a way with creating characters and it really shows in Tyger, Tyger. They all connected so well and made this novel very enjoyable. If you're looking for something different than your average paranormal, I recommend you read this book!

I will say that while the beginning was interesting, I didn't get really drawn into the book until Finn showed up and things started getting weird. He added a large amount of the mystery and the mystery and action is what I truly loved about this book, How everything unraveled was just... well you'll have to read that for yourself!

Mark your calendars for November 15th so you can grab yourself a copy, and make sure you stop back by tomorrow to take a look at the character interview I will be posting(along with a giveaway!).

Have you read this yet? What are your thoughts?!


Update:

Did you enjoy Tyger, Tyger!? In the Forests of the Night, the sequel, is to be released November 22nd, 2011 and can be preordered now from the following booksellers websites.

Barnes & Noble
Amazon
The Book Depository

If you want to support your local indie make sure you get in touch and ask them to order copies for the store!

 

Sherry<3

Harry Potter Extravaganza Giveaway!

It's time for the first giveaway in our Harry Potter Extravaganza!

What can you win!?

Movie #1: Harry Potter & The Sorcerers Stone

How do you win?! It's easy! All you have to do is leave a comment to enter! But wait, you can get extra entries by taking this quiz(leave the name you comment with so I know who to give points too!)! It consists of trivia from the first movie, and however many you get right will be your total number of extra entries. You don't have to take the quiz to enter, so if you don't want to, simply leave a comment with your email address!

I will get the quiz results in my email and will add the extra entries to your other entires once the giveaway is over!

You can also get extra entries by spreading the word about this giveaway, up to three times(a tweet or retweet only counts once, you can add it to your sidebar, announce it in a blog post, whatever you want)! Make sure you leave any appropriate links with your comment!

No matter what, you have to comment to enter!!!

I really don't want to leave anyone out but I can't ship international, if you are international and still want to participate, I am willing to buy a paperback copy of the first book from the book depository!

This giveaway will end November 5th, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

Sherry<3

Harry Potter Extravaganza Kickoff!

It's finally time to get this party started!

What originally started as an idea for some of us bloggers to reread the HP series before the release of Part One of the 7th movie, it quickly transformed into a month long event, consisting of 17 bloggers, and will include numerous things such as reviews, character spotlights, trivia, giveaways and much more!

What kind of giveaways you ask?

Well there will be a giveaway of each book or movie that has already been released, as well as some other books from the Harry Potter world, and a box set of the books!

Make sure you check out these blogs throughtout the month to learn all about our classes, favorite characters, favorite quotes and so much more!

10/1 Flipping Pages for All Ages

10/2 Flipping Pages for All Ages

10/3 A Girl Reads

10/4 A Girl Reads

10/5 The Zen Leaf

10/6 Consumed By Books

10/7 Good Books and Good Wine

10/8 The Serpentine Library

10/9 The Serpentine Library

10/10 Good Books and Good Wine

10/11 Chick Loves Lit

10/12 Chick Loves Lit

10/13 Lavender Lines

10/14 Lavender Lines

10/15 Amy Reads

10/16 Amy Reads

10/17 Life After Twlight

10/18 Fiction Folio

10/19 Fiction Folio

10/20 Miss Remmers Reviews

10/21 Miss Remmers Reviews

10/22 A Book Worm's Haven

10/23 A Book Worm's Haven

10/24 The Book Vixen

10/25 Reading With Tequila

10/26 Reading With Tequila

10/27 Novel Thoughts

10/28 Life After Twlight

10/29 The Bibliophilic Book Blog

10/30 The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Later today I will be adding a tab at the top of my blog that will consist of a Mr. Linky so that everyone and anyone who wants to participate in the reread can post their review links for Book 1. The tab will also consist of the link of this post so that you can check back from time to time and make sure you don't miss anything. Also a Mr. Linky for all of the HP giveaways that will be going on so you don't miss any!

 On a side note, Monica and some others plan on donating a quarter for each review submitted during this event and donate it to the Susan G. Koman for the cure!

As this is just the kick off post, I will be back later today to post my Character Spotlight and which class I am in!

I will leave you with the trailer for the upcoming movie that started this whole thing(be prepared for pure epicness, is it November yet?!).

 I hope you enjoy everything we have planned for you! :D

Sherry<3