Friday's Finest

Friday's Finest is a meme hosted by Steff & Justine over at A Bookful of Thoughts

Here are the rules:

*Post a quote that really stuck to you while reading a book.

*Make sure it isn't a spoiler.

*If you like, expand on what you think and why you chose it.

OK so my quote this week is from Dracula by Bram Stoker.

"Oh, the terrible struggle that I have had against sleep so often of late; the pain of the sleeplessness, or the pain of the fear of sleep, and of such unknown horror as it has for me! how blesses are some people,who's lives have no fear, no dread; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and bring nothing but sweet dreams."

I really liked this quote because it explains a no win situation, the fear of sleep because you are to afraid to close your eyes, to face the unknown of the dark or the pain of going without sleep. It really shows the struggles of Jonathan Harker, while in the presents of the Count Dracula.

Contest!!!

** Note: This Contest is now closed. **

Win a copy of Vampire Kisses (1-3)

by Ellen Schreiber

In her small town, dubbed "Dullsville," 16-year-old Raven- a vampire-crazed goth-girl is an outcast. But not for long...

The intriguing and rumored-to be haunted mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood vacant and bored-up for years. That is, until its mysteriously new occupants move in. Who are these creepy people-especially the hansom, dark and elusive Alexander Sterling? Or rather, what are they? Could the town prattle actually ring true? Are they vampires? Raven, who secretly covets a Vampire kiss, both at the risk of her own mortality and Alexander's loving trust, is dying to uncover the truth.

Ellen schreiber's spooky and stirring romance of two outsiders who fall in love in a town where conformity reigns, and ends with a shocking surprise.

I came across this book and thought it looked good. So I am going to have the contest go until August 10th. What do you have to do? Just leave me a comment telling me what Vampire you would kiss if you had the chance and your E mail address. Plus get an extra vote by talking about this contest on your blog. That's it, Best of luck and as always thanks for your support on thoughts of a Book Junky!

WWW Wednesdays (1)

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions: 1) What are you currently reading? 2) What did you recently finish reading? 3) What do you think you will read next?

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading

What I'm currently reading:

Linger By Maggie Stiefvater Just about to start, I can't wait to start this one. Shiver is one of my favorite books so my hopes are high. Look for my review soon.

What did I recently finish reading?

Before I Fall Lauren Oliver Great book. Oliver wrote a great debut author, i really hope she writes more YA novels.

What do I think I will read next?

13 To Life By Shannon Delany This one looks good. I think I am really going to enjoy it.

So there you have it. Synopsis on goodreads.com if you want a closer look at this weeks WWW Wednesdays.

In My Mailbox (1)

In My Mailbox!!

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by the The Story Siren

So this is my first In My Mailbox and i am very excited about it. Can't wait to see what you guys think about this weeks picks!

So this week I got:

Linger By Maggie Stiefvater

Wake By Lisa McMann

Uninvited By Amanda Marrone

13 to Life By Shannon Delany

Prophacy of the Sisters By Michelle Zink

Pretty Little Liars By Sara Shepard

Flawless By Sara Shepard

Perfect By Sara Shepard

I am very excited for all of these books.

You can read the synopsis at goodreads.com, just click on the title.

"Talk About It" Tuesday's (1)

"Talk About It" Tuesdays is all about showcasing new and upcoming authers and books!

Todays book: The Thirteenth Chime

By Emma Michaels

No one knew of it's existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea,

an antique clock has the power to change the

course of there lives.

The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

***********************************************************************************

I am really looking forward to The Thirteenth Chime. It looks like a novel unlike the ones you would see on the shelves at your local bookstore. Coming out August 13th, 2010. You can check out The Thirteenth Chime and Emma Michaels at he blog at: http://emmamichaels.blogspot.com/

Review: Before I Fall

Lauren Oliver
Hard cover,
 HarperCollins Publishing 470 pages
March 2nd, 2010

  " Here's another thing to remember: Hope keeps you alive. even when your dead, It's the only thing that keeps you alive"


  What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life? Samantha Kingston has it all-looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead its her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact its the same morning. Now she must relive that last day over and over. She then realizes even the smallest changes have the biggest effects. How far will Sam go to save her self. 

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Before I Fall was a great book. I thought it might get a little repetitive because Sam relives her last day over and over but I was wrong... and glad of it. Lauren Oliver made each day so different that I felt that it wasn't even repeating. Sam starts out pretty unlikeable, she is a snotty popular girl that thinks she is all that, but as the book progresses she really grows into a great person. I guess it takes dying to really find yourself. Sam must relive her last day and try to find the key to her survival. Each decision she makes changes the whole outcome of the future and the right combination of choices could be the key. I don't want to give too much away but I will say this, Before I Fall has love, loss, humor and some very devious teenagers. Its got a really good plot and great characters. Oliver really catches the teenage spirit. And makes you think about how every choice, even the smallest ones can make all the difference.

I think that one of the main reason I loved Before I Fall was the many ways Sam explored her life. After the first few days she started to wonder how her life could change with just a few choice variations. She also learns alot from the outcome of her choices.

Before I Fall is a great book about learning who you are and making changes that can change your life forever. With a pretty unexpected ending and great Characters Before I Fall is a solid 5 Hoot book! Make sure you check it out and be prepared to learn a few things about life and the power of change!

Review: The Reconing

Kelley Armstrong
Hardcover, 400 pages
HarperCollins Publishers
April 06, 2010


"So I was right, wasn't I? It's still you, even in wolf form.' He grunted. 'No sudden uncontrollable urges to go kill something?' He rolled his eyes. 'Hey, you're the one who was worried.' I paused. 'And I don't smell like dinner, right?' I got a real look for that one. 'Just covering all the bases."

Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope. (goodreads.com)

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Chloe and her friends have just escaped yet another attack and finally they have met up with Andrew, An adult supernatural who is part of a group who monitors the Edison Group. Hopefully with their help Chloe and the others can rescue their loved ones and save their selves.

The last book in the trilogy was amazing. I sacrificed my night of sleep for this one and it was well worth it. Throughout the whole trilogy we learn of the struggles of genetically altered supernaturals and their fight for freedom.

I really loved watching these characters grow. Tori a witch with a temper, she is learning to control her powers and her personality. She starts to put down her walls and let Chloe in. I was surprised to see how much I likes Tori in the end, she did a full circle and it was nice to have that twist. I guess it teaches us not to take first impressions to seriously. Simon a sorcerer who would be relatively normal under different circumstances. Him and Chloe are getting close but Chloe and Derek's new found friendship may be a problem. Derek the Werewolf, who elected himself the protector of the group. Making sure everyone else is safe, while struggling with his own problems. Mainly becoming a werewolf. Chloe who has taking the role of helping him through his change, and through that a friendship grows. They have learned that they need each other to help through there changes. Chloe a very powerful necromancer, able to raise and control the dead with very little effort at all...sometimes without even knowing. She has to deal with escaping the Edison group, helping a werewolf in need, a relationship with Simon and keeping her new found powers under control.

Overall This Trilogy was great.  A great 5+ Hoot book. It kept me on my toes, second guessing everything I thought I knew. I laughed out loud a lot, I gasped and was blindsided quite a bit. Not many books have done that for me, so when I found one like the Dark Powers Trilogy I wan to tell everyone. Read This Trilogy...You won't regret it.

Review: The Awakening

Kelley Armstrong
Paperback, 384 pages
HarperCollins Publishers
March 23, 2010

  "There was no closing my eyes and sliding back into that blissful dream of normal. This was my normal now."


If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever. Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying. (goodreads.com)


(If you haven't read The Summoning yet..STOP reading)

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The second book in the darkest powers trilogy is just a wonderful as the first. The Awakening starts off with the Edison Group. Chloe and Rae have been caught and separated from Derek and Simon. Chloe must now find a way to escape and reunite with the boys, but first she discoverers the nasty truths about herself and her friends.

The second book in the trilogy is just a good as the first. You are introduced to some new characters and a new and different relationship between Chloe, Simon and Derek. I really love the way Chloe and Derek's relationship grows in this one. They really start to gain a friendship and as different as they are, they really start depending on each other. Tori was also someone who starts to grow on you. She really did make everyone's life miserable at first but I think out of all the characters she has grown a lot. You really get to see each character grow and change as they learn about what has happened to them.

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series, and I'm sure the next one will be nothing next to brilliant. Kelley Armstrong has created a wonderful world of magic and myth...A place I lost myself in for a few days. I give The Awakening 5+ Hoots. Each book flows flawlessly into the next and it will grab you up and not let go!

Review: The Summoning

Kelley Armstrong

Paperback,
416 pages
Harper Collins Publishers

April 01, 2009

"Wow. The guy can make me feel stupid even when he's telling me I don't have to let him make me feel stupid."

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home. At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…(Goodreads.com)

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Ok well let me start by saying WOW!!! I want to kick my self, I have had this book on my shelf for months. I bought it a while ago not knowing anything about it and so it sat there... waiting. Finally I decided to read it and I was blown away. I read it in one night.

The Summoning has everything you want in a book, humor, suspense, mystery and it might even scare you a little.

Chloe was a great character. She is an average teen with average problems. She feels out of place and like she doesn't fit in anywhere. After seeing a ghost at school everyone things she is crazy and is shipped off to a home for troubled teens. As the story progresses Chloe starts to learn to stand up for her self more and say whats on her mind. She really is a strong girl, even if she doesn't know it yet. I really enjoyed the humor Armstrong gave Chloe, she second guesses her self and always has something to say... even though a lot of the time she only thinks it. She is faced with many problems and things that no one should have to deal with and yet she keeps it together.

When Chloe meets up with brothers Simon and Derek she is shown a whole different world then she ever expected.

I still haven't decided which brother I like more. Simon is very sweet and charming. He is always the gentlemen and wants to make Chloe happy whenever he can. He really is one of those genuinely good guys. Derek on the other hand is secluded and rude. He always has to have things his way and doesn't care who he has to step on to get it. You would think it would be a no brainier but Derek grows on you. He really cares about Chloe and tries to protect her even though he might not always do it the right way. I can't wait to find out who she ends up with.

Overall The Summoning gets 5+ Big Hoots! Full of twists and turns, The Summoning will leave you breathless. There are so many unexpected things in this book. I have to say it is one of my favorite books. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy. If you like fast pace, edge of your seat, Omg did that just happen type books I grantee you will love this book.