Michelle Flick's Blog, page 13

Why I never get anything don.

You know - I have big plans for myself - huge ones but I never seem to get as much as I want done - like finishing my manuscript by April 30, June 1. So why does this happen to me. I came up with five things.

The first Mia. She's 95 lbs of I-want-my-mom-to-love-me. She will crawl up into my lap, on my wheelie chair, and send me rolling across the room.











The second my job - yeah - kind of important. We have a very successful Powder Puff game this week. I would like to mention that as a Powder Puff coach, I have never lost.



The third, books. You may not know this about me, but I like to read a lot. In fact, I get downright obsessive about books, series, and authors, and do nothing else.


The fourth - food. I LOVE TO EAT. I love to cook. I love to eat what I cook. I have to clean up the hurricane that goes through my kitchen every time I cook. hmmm... food. Speaking of which.




 The fifth - sparkly things.







So those are my distractions - what are yours?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.



I was hooked by the fact that Juliette can't touch people and by the mention of X-men. (Recently I have embraced my inner comic book geek.)

I was super intrigued by how Mafi wrote the novel, with Juliette scratching out her inner-most thoughts. I thought, this was a wonderful way to let us know what Juliette was really thinking and wanting, but how she still edited her thoughts. I think a lot of us are guilty of this.

How horrible for this girl to have to go through with this - ROGUE - but she is not "Rogue". So we meet her, and she is trapped in a psych ward/prison with no human contact, and in the beginning, I kind of thought she was mad. Then we meet her cell mate - who is super up to something and Juliette knows him - but doesn't know if he knows her.  But that has it's own mystery that I shall not reveal to you.

Then we meet Warner - creepy, truly mad, in power, in love with Juliette. He's a great villain because, he's creepy, master plan in place, the ability to see it through, and he legitimately believes he is right. When he speaks, you can tell he really wants Juliette by his side to rule.  Juliette, I don't think at any point, wants to be the weapon that Warner wants. It never tempts. She sees it as her becoming the monster that people have always thought she was.

Steamy, steamy scenes with Adam. Steamy. Yep.

The end - is totally X-men-Esq and I can't wait for the sequel!

What were your thoughts?

Also check out my current giveaway here.

Book tour - Mary Ann Loesch - Giveaway

I'm on my second Book Tour Hop and today I am reviewing and setting up a giveaway for Bayou Myth by Mary Ann Loesch.  Today you will find a summary of her novel, my review, an interview and at the very bottom the rafflecopter for the giveaway!


As a sixteen year old voodoo queen in the making, Joan Renault just wants to be like all the other girls in the small town of Monte Parish, Louisiana—obsessed with boys and swamped with social lives. If the other kids would quit calling her “hoodoo hag,” she might have a small shot at normality. It would also help if Joan’s weekend outings with her secret crush, Dave, weren’t always being interrupted by her dead Grandmere, the legendary Marie Laveau. After all, it’s hard to make out with your best friend when your grandmother is watching! But when you come from a long line of voodoo priestesses with dried gator heads decorating the wall of their huts, normal doesn’t come easily. 

When Joan witnesses the brutal sacrifice of a child to a tree Druid, she learns her Grandmere’s scandalous past has come back to haunt those living in the present. Hera, a vengeful voodoo priestess is determined to use the residual energy of Pandora’s Box to revive a sleeping voodoo god and declare war on the descendants of Marie Laveau, especially Joan. Suddenly, Greek myths are being re-enacted all over town, and Joan has her hands full trying to sort it all out. With the approach of Samedi’s Day—the voodoo day of resurrection—Joan must learn to accept her destiny in order to stop the approaching threat to her family and friends


I was immediately in love with the topic of voodoo- it's new. It's fresh. It has not been beaten to death by a whip. There were some many elements of this story that I liked. My first one - the parents - who doesn't want free- spirited parents like that? They were unfailing in their love for their family. They supported their daughter's ability withOUT question. A perfect set of parents in a world where you don't typically have that.

I was gripped into the plot almost immediately. Joan and her Grandmere witness this horrific event with a young boy. Joan doesn't know if it is for real, part of the dream world, or why she wakes up with mud on her shoes (which is explained later). Not that I like what happened to the young boy - I like that the horrible event being depicted was actually horrible -not sugar coated. WELL DONE!

Dave - hmm, hottie - yes. Perfect - no. Which what he pulls on Joan - I'm not completely sure I'm sold on him, but I get why he did it. I understand the insecurity of it all.

Grandmere - is bossy and pushy - but loving.

As for the tying in of the Greek myths - I would like to have seen more of them. I am fascinated by mythology and would have liked to have seen more of that.

I thought it was a great book!

INTERVIEW!

What inspired you to write this Bayou Myth?

Bayou Myth came from a short story I published called Bayou Scars. It was about my main character, Joan Renault, but as an adult who worked as a psychic for the New Orleans PD. I really liked her character and thought I would write a novel featuring her, but as I started writing her back story, I started thinking about what it would be like to grow up with someone like Marie Laveau as your spirit guide. How would you cope with voodoo and curses when the rest of your friends are dealing with prom, boys, and fashion? What would it be like to know that you were destined to be a most powerful voodoo queen? As a result, I started writing about Joan's life as a teenager and now have two more novels in the series ready to go. Someday I want to continue with my original idea of writing about Joan as an adult, though.

When and how did you start writing?

Sometimes I think I was born with a pencil in my hand! I definitely started young and this was because my parents took me to see plays. I was intrigued by the stories on stage and wanted to create my own. I started writing really awful, over the top, dramatic plays when I was in third grade that the neighborhood kids were kind enough to act out! As I grew older, I stepped away from writing for a while, picking it up again about eight years ago. I've been at it ever since.

Can you tell me one of the best moments you have had in the publishing world?

The day my first book, an urban fantasy called Nephilim, was published is probably one of my best moments. Suddenly, it all felt real to me. Even though I'd published short stories and won many writing awards, having my book out there made me think, "Wow. I'm a writer."

When it comes to social networking, which one do you think has been most helpful in getting your name and title out there?


Facebook and Twitter are the most useful tools for me, next to the two blogs I run. Loesch's Muse is my personal blog and where I talk about whatever tickles my fancy. All Things Writing is a blog for writers and has really helped me connect with lots of people.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Keep writing no matter what, but sometimes it's okay to step back and take a break.

Tell me five non-writing things about yourself.


I am an elementary theatre arts teacher. Yes, elementary theatre. I work with Kindergarten thru 5th grade.I love dirty martinis.My favorite dog breed is the dachshund because they just want to be loved and have mastered the soulful look.I really wish that the sci/fi show Farscape was still on TV.I hate doing the laundry and every week there appears to be more and more of it gathered in the laundry room.




I love Joan - so Mary I really hope you continue on up until she is an adult! And I will have to check out that blog! Thank you for stopping by!

Ladies and Gents - here is the giveaway!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog tour - Mary Ann Loesch - Giveaway

I'm on my second Book Tour Hop and today I am reviewing and setting up a giveaway for Bayou Myth by Mary Ann Loesch.  Today you will find a summary of her novel, my review, an interview and at the very bottom the rafflecopter for the giveaway!


As a sixteen year old voodoo queen in the making, Joan Renault just wants to be like all the other girls in the small town of Monte Parish, Louisiana—obsessed with boys and swamped with social lives. If the other kids would quit calling her “hoodoo hag,” she might have a small shot at normality. It would also help if Joan’s weekend outings with her secret crush, Dave, weren’t always being interrupted by her dead Grandmere, the legendary Marie Laveau. After all, it’s hard to make out with your best friend when your grandmother is watching! But when you come from a long line of voodoo priestesses with dried gator heads decorating the wall of their huts, normal doesn’t come easily. 

When Joan witnesses the brutal sacrifice of a child to a tree Druid, she learns her Grandmere’s scandalous past has come back to haunt those living in the present. Hera, a vengeful voodoo priestess is determined to use the residual energy of Pandora’s Box to revive a sleeping voodoo god and declare war on the descendants of Marie Laveau, especially Joan. Suddenly, Greek myths are being re-enacted all over town, and Joan has her hands full trying to sort it all out. With the approach of Samedi’s Day—the voodoo day of resurrection—Joan must learn to accept her destiny in order to stop the approaching threat to her family and friends


I was immediately in love with the topic of voodoo- it's new. It's fresh. It has not been beaten to death by a whip. There were some many elements of this story that I liked. My first one - the parents - who doesn't want free- spirited parents like that? They were unfailing in their love for their family. They supported their daughter's ability withOUT question. A perfect set of parents in a world where you don't typically have that.

I was gripped into the plot almost immediately. Joan and her Grandmere witness this horrific event with a young boy. Joan doesn't know if it is for real, part of the dream world, or why she wakes up with mud on her shoes (which is explained later). Not that I like what happened to the young boy - I like that the horrible event being depicted was actually horrible -not sugar coated. WELL DONE!

Dave - hmm, hottie - yes. Perfect - no. Which what he pulls on Joan - I'm not completely sure I'm sold on him, but I get why he did it. I understand the insecurity of it all.

Grandmere - is bossy and pushy - but loving.

As for the tying in of the Greek myths - I would like to have seen more of them. I am fascinated by mythology and would have liked to have seen more of that.

I thought it was a great book!

INTERVIEW!

What inspired you to write this Bayou Myth?

Bayou Myth came from a short story I published called Bayou Scars. It was about my main character, Joan Renault, but as an adult who worked as a psychic for the New Orleans PD. I really liked her character and thought I would write a novel featuring her, but as I started writing her back story, I started thinking about what it would be like to grow up with someone like Marie Laveau as your spirit guide. How would you cope with voodoo and curses when the rest of your friends are dealing with prom, boys, and fashion? What would it be like to know that you were destined to be a most powerful voodoo queen? As a result, I started writing about Joan's life as a teenager and now have two more novels in the series ready to go. Someday I want to continue with my original idea of writing about Joan as an adult, though.

When and how did you start writing?

Sometimes I think I was born with a pencil in my hand! I definitely started young and this was because my parents took me to see plays. I was intrigued by the stories on stage and wanted to create my own. I started writing really awful, over the top, dramatic plays when I was in third grade that the neighborhood kids were kind enough to act out! As I grew older, I stepped away from writing for a while, picking it up again about eight years ago. I've been at it ever since.

Can you tell me one of the best moments you have had in the publishing world?

The day my first book, an urban fantasy called Nephilim, was published is probably one of my best moments. Suddenly, it all felt real to me. Even though I'd published short stories and won many writing awards, having my book out there made me think, "Wow. I'm a writer."

When it comes to social networking, which one do you think has been most helpful in getting your name and title out there?


Facebook and Twitter are the most useful tools for me, next to the two blogs I run. Loesch's Muse is my personal blog and where I talk about whatever tickles my fancy. All Things Writing is a blog for writers and has really helped me connect with lots of people.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Keep writing no matter what, but sometimes it's okay to step back and take a break.

Tell me five non-writing things about yourself.


I am an elementary theatre arts teacher. Yes, elementary theatre. I work with Kindergarten thru 5th grade.I love dirty martinis.My favorite dog breed is the dachshund because they just want to be loved and have mastered the soulful look.I really wish that the sci/fi show Farscape was still on TV.I hate doing the laundry and every week there appears to be more and more of it gathered in the laundry room.




I love Joan - so Mary I really hope you continue on up until she is an adult! And I will have to check out that blog! Thank you for stopping by!

Ladies and Gents - here is the giveaway!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

 Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.(less)
Give some cover love - it's so "Poe" - black with blood red. LOVE IT.

Araby's lives in a "dark" world, where the plague is suffocating the entire city and it doesn't seem like her father is going to be fixing it any more than he already had. On to top of all that Araby,is grieving the loss of her twin brother. So to get through all of this, Araby goes to the Debauchery Club with her Best friend. And that's where we meet Will, man with a heart of gold, and where Araby drinks and drugs herself away - something that is acceptable. But because of her twin, Araby swears she will not experience anything that her best friend/brother did not. It's a vow she takes very seriously, but the guys that show up and teenage hormones - may not be able to compete.

But then she meets the cocky, handsome, and slightly deranged, Elliot. Elliot's a dreamer. Will's grounded. In my head, there really isn't a competition, not because I like one guy above the other, but because I think Araby has made her choice.

This world that Griffin describes, is very fragile and their are people just itching to get into control and Araby, who never wanted to be, is a key player, because of her connection to her father, the guy who everyone hopes has all the answers.

While I really enjoyed this book, I wanted to see more dark and gruesome Poe come out. But in reality, that might have taken that out of the YA category and right smack in the middle of adult fiction, that could be a little risque.

Overall - great book - looking forward to the next cover, er, next book. :)

The Avengers - a movie review

I have a secret - I'm a superhero junkee. I grew up with a brother who loved Marvel and DC comics, GI Joes, and Transformers. I loved Gambit and Thor. I think I need a t-shirt for this. 
Anyway - My bf and I went to go see the movie. Now, I didn't have high hopes because sometimes people know these movies out of the ball park and sometimes I feel they should just have left it to my Saturday morning memories. 


This movie was strong in plot and hilariously funny. I'm not kidding you, I laughed throughout the whole thing. If you saw this movie - please support me on this - it was funny. Like the scene with The Hulk and Thor, or The Hulk and Loki. I mean every character was capable and delivered the funny. 


But something this movie has that is super awesome. The hotties. They are all hotties. 


Lets start with Captain America: After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending the USA's ideals.(IMDB) But in this movie, it flashes forward and Steve's in a world that he doesn't quite understand - and several references are made about being "old-fashion" and that's exactly where the movie goes. Being an old-fashioned team. He has the clean cut, take him home to mom and she might try and steal 
him from you look. 




Next Tony Stark - Tony Stark is arrogant, insanely smart, and Iron Man. He's very aware of what is going on around him but his number one flaw is, he is self-centered, and good old Capt America points that out to him. However, throughout the movie we see the hero Tony Stark can be. I fell in love with Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes. He has an uncanny ability just to be these 
off the wall characters. 






Barton -I swoon at him. This is the first time I have seen him as a character. Hawkeye is a world-class archer and marksman. His above average reflexes and hand-eye-coordination make him the most proficient archer ever known. (IMDB) He is also trained to throw knifes, darts, balls, bolas and boomerangs. He is natural athlete and this movie he switches sides - totally out of his control. But it is his eyes.  He is super loyal to the Black Widow and if I were her, I would have married him by now.






Thor - I posted about him earlier this year. Thor is a God from another world who was thrown to Earth by his evil brother Loki. In this movie he returns with his ability to control  lightening and his hammer that can knock Iron Man around. He comes into play because he is trying to stop Loki (again). To me, he is a very noble character, very similar to Capt. America - even though is brother is super evil - he loves him. I think this says something - not to mention I think he would be perfect to play Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie- who can get me on that casting decision. 



 
But my favorite - favorite - favorite - hero in this movie is none other than The Hulk. Yep - the green guy. I loved it when Peter said (to Capt America's comment: Dr. You better get angry) See that's my secret - I'm always angry. and then he totally Hulks out. He also was the funniest character in this book. Maybe not the most articulate - but hilarious just 
the same.  


So all you comic book junkees - Did you stay until the end?  The scene shows The Other, the leader of the Chitauri -- the alien race recruited by Loki in his attempt to vanquish the Earth -- talking to the mysterious figure sitting on a throne he has been reporting to throughout the film.  The Other says that they were mislead by Loki and that humans are stronger than they believed.  He tells the figure, "To challenge them is to court death."  The figure turns, revealing the purple face and glowing eyes of Thanos. Thanos loves and worships Mistress Death, a physical embodiment of death that appears in Marvel Comics.   Thanos smiles when The Other uses the phrase "court death": "Because Thanos would like to LITERALLY COURT DEATH, as in take her out for a drink and a movie and back to his place to look at his etchings (Yahoo movies).

Book Tour - First Vision - Heather Topham Wood

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Hey everyone! This is my first book tour and I am super excited to be part of it! I want to thank everyone who is involved in the planning and for including me and now without further wait I would like to introduce to you:

Heather Topham Wood  Author BioHeather Topham Wood graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 and holds abachelor’s degree in English. Working full-time as a freelance writer for publications such asUSA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bay and Step in Style magazine, she writes fictionnovels in her spare time. She resides in Trenton, New Jersey with her husband and two sons.First Visions is the first novel in the Second Sight Series.

Date Published: May 1, 2012 
Synopsis:   Two years ago, 21-year-old Kate Edwards became deathly ill and slipped into a coma. While unconscious, she crept into the mind of a missing boy and awoke with the knowledge of his location. Friends and family were skeptical and wary of her new ability to see into the minds of others. Their fears prompted Kate to keep her psychic powers a secret. Feeling alienated, she dropped out of college and spent most of her days holed up at her mother’s home.Now another child has been abducted. Police detective Jared Corbett seeks out Kate for her help in solving the case. Reluctantly, Kate agrees and they must work together to bring 8-year-old Cori Preston home to her family. Although attracted to one another, Jared has a girlfriend with ties to the abduction case and Kate is sarcastic and guarded since her coma. With visions she can’t control and an uncontrollable attraction to the detective, she wonders if she can leave the past behind and finally stop hiding from the world. Otherwise, Cori may be lost forever.



My Review:
I really liked Kate because she's snarky. She's not afraid to throw out an insult. She's not afraid to tell Jared to back off - "because she's not psychic" - even though she is. I also liked Kate because she is gaurded against all the non-believers in the world. And who can blame her? But when it comes to an 8 year old, a terrifying dream, and a pushy mom - Kate has to tell someone. How do you not protect a little girl. It would make you a monster and Kate knows this. 
Kate's lucky that Jared is one of the "good guys."  He is hopeful she can help. He is hopeful that his feelings for Kate will go away when he find his GIRLFRIEND'S little sister. He is sure that he can keep her secret. 
But like any good love plot, character a and character b cannot stay away from each other, which is exactly as I like it.  Does anyone see any bumps in the "love road?" I do! er, did? Can I call both on this? 
I was sad because of the situation, a kidnapping, the book had to move fast over a short amount of time - a few day - because that's realistic. It didn't give me enough time to really get to know the characters, which is why I am looking forward to book 2! Now while, I like to get to know my characters, I completely agree with Heather's choice in sticking with a believable time and plot lines, as opposed taking two or three weeks for Kate and Jared to build up with one another. It wouldn't happen in real life. Again - it's why I am looking forward to book 2. 

Heather also gave me a guest post which I find to be very useful as a writer - so all of you who want to work on being a better writer - take heed! 
10 Tips to Becoming the Best Writer You Can Be
Here are a few tips that really helped me as I wrote First Visions. Some of the tips you may have heard time and time again, but they really do work.
Tune Out Everyone’s Voice in Your HeadI unfortunately put way too much thought in what other people think. This can really make your story suffer if you’re constantly wondering over other’s reactions. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you know you put yourself out there.
Get OrganizedWhether you’re old school and use a notebook for organizational purposes or rely on a program like Scrivener, staying organized while writing can be extremely helpful. As an example, I keep both an outline and character descriptions close at hand while I write for quick reference.
Just WriteIf you obsess over every single word you put on paper, you may end up sacrificing some of your creative energy. This is where free writing exercises can be very helpful. Browse writer’s blogs and you’re bound to come upon some free writing topics and exercises you can tackle.
Don’t Be Afraid to Hit the Delete ButtonGetting rid of stuff that just isn’t working is a must. Don’t be afraid to cut huge chunks out of your novel. Save each previous draft and if end up having use for the scenes down the road, so be it.
Walk Away for AwhileI once heard a reference that writers have a tendency to have beer goggles on while writing. You may love every single word you write one night, but then wake up the morning and wonder what the hell you were thinking. Fresh perspective can definitely help you become the best writer possible.
Don’t Lose Yourself in the Editing ProcessFeedback can be very helpful in the writing process, but opinions are subjective. What works for one reader may not for another. Although you may be inclined to change certain aspects based on a single opinion, wait until you get more input. As an example, an editor I spoke with wanted me to make my main character in First Visions “nicer” and gave me examples of what a “good” woman would and would not do. I think if I followed her advice, I would’ve ended up with a dreadfully boring story.
Show Don’t TellThis is probably one of the helpful pieces of advice I received during the editorial process. Use dialogue and the character’s actions keep the story moving. Wordy descriptions can end up hurting the pace of your novel.
Read Everything You Can Possibly Get Your Hands OnMy husband will laugh at me when he sees me reading a trashy magazine or book and I tell him I’m working. Being well read can enhance your vocabulary, improve your grammar and help you find inspiration for your work.
Stick to a RoutineI have two boys under five which makes finding the time to write exceedingly difficult. Each night after they go to bed, even if I’m not in the mood, I’ll write at least something.
Get Rid of the DistractionsI’ll be in the middle of writing a pivotal scene when all of a sudden my phone will ring or my inbox will chime. Or I’ll receive a text from my sister stating I have to go on Facebook right now and look at this raunchy picture posted by so and so. A good piece of advice I heard before is to write on a computer without internet access. (OUCH HEATHER!  I can't do that!) 
Thank you so much for the advice! I wish you the very best in your book sales. I am sure they will be all you hoped for. Thanks for stopping by everyone!

DISCLOSURE – Please place somewhere in the post for all reviews!*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape.
Have you ever had mixed feelings about a book - like I really love this book but I really am not sure why? Maybe I should think on this then blog. *Three days pass* yeah I really like the book I still don't know why. 
That this entire series. I re-read Abandoned by Meg Cabot (same feelings as described above) but when I was done I could not wait to burn through Underworld. I needed to know more about John and Pierce (FAVE NAME EVER for a girl), I want to know more about her grandmother. Was Pierce legit stuck in the underworld? Did John do that whole over-reacting thing that he does? Burning questions - but ask me why I like Pierce or John. John's easy - because I am a stereotypical YA reader - he's the hottie. I take that back - there is more to John, and even though he is a bit superhuman and all, he's a normal teenage guy who acts impulsively, and he gets jealous, and he's kind of selfish. Hey I could meet him on the street! 
Pierce - not your smartest heroine. I really think she should listen to John more. She doesn't gets herself into some trouble, gets other people into trouble, people end up dying. 
One character that I absolutely love in this book is Pierce's Uncle Chris. The guy who got the bad rep, did time, and now is trying to figure out his way in the world. He cares for his family. I really like him. 
I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending. It wrapped up to fast for me and I feel if John was "smarter" it all could have been avoided, but then there wouldn't be a third book and then I would be pissed. 
I am not sure if this post makes sense. 
But in the end, OMG can the third one PLEASE come out. 

Pumped for Unwholly!

I had to share this. All of you know the fan that I am of Neal Shusterman. I mean the man is a genius. I can also tell you about my excitement for his sequel to Unwind (click to see my review).  Here is the summary and cover of Unwholly. Can we talk about how eerily creepy that cover is. AMAZING.

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa — and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp — people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simultaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.

Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.

Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live




If you have no read Unwind, I HIGHLY suggest it to you. Besides, you have to read that before you can read Unwholly, which I am sure is going to be just as good.


Who is excited?
Did I hear movie?
What are your thoughts on these two books? Do tell!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series

City of Lost Souls was not my favorite. Hey - don't throw that at me. It's isn't nice. I have been noticing a trend with me, that all these anticipated books that I have been dying for have been good, great in fact, because lets be real Cassandra Clare and Veronica Roth are writing goddesses, but I haven't been blown away. My reason: I have been stressed out with my job and I think that has affected my "wow" factors.

Spoilerish

That being said, City of Lost Souls did run the course I thought it would. I thought Jace would show up a few times more than he did before they couldn't be separated anymore. I also thought that Clary was too trusting (well she never trusted him - but her hatred for him wasn't as apparent throughout until the end) of Sebastian, way too fast. I love Clary for the reason that she goes on instinct and she's a fighter. I love her for never giving up on Jace, for knowing it wasn't "him", for not being able to resist him, for going with Jace when it was a completely ridiculous and stupid idea. I love her.

Jace - I can't really talk about - because I will full out spoil it, simply breaks my heart for two reasons: because of what he does to people and because of what happens to him. I mean come on! Cut the dude a break!

This book made me feel several angry thoughts - and if you know me - I like that. I don't love the happy endings. I like it when my heart breaks, when I gasp how cruel people can be, when the evil guy gets the upper hand. This book had this.

For starters - ALEC WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! I don't blame Magnus. I don't blame him at all and Alec deserved what he got. But I felt bad for Magnus. I still want to date him.
And Sebastian - what a rat b@stard he is. I love a good villain to hate. And I hate how manipulative he is. I hate the control he has on the people around him. I love how he has a master plan to take over the world, and it is totally plausible in the shadowhunter world. I hate (LOVE) him.

I did feel this book was setting up for book 6. I felt that all these pieces needed to be placed just so, so that book 6 can wrap it up for me.

Brother Zachariah? Who do you think he is? Let me know - I have an inkling.

Any word on the movie?