Indelible / By: Lani Woodland

January 6th, 2012

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Pendrell
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 27, 2011

Author Web Page:Photobucket

Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn t want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist s attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn’t going to go quietly.

A few words to describe Indelible would be GREAT character developing and beautiful plotline.  Indelible narrates the story of Yara coming in terms with her supernatural gift, her growing relationship with Brent and ancient curse that haunted Pendrell Academy. There’s a formula for sequels in YA literature but apparently Mrs. Woodland forgot that and this is the biggest compliment I can give to her.  She took a risk and created her own sequel with fascinating turns in the story that it’s just superb. Yara is a character that you could easy love because she is a character that with every chapter and situations she grows and she knows how to make decisions even though that maybe the right one could hurt her or the one she loves.  Something cool in the story is that you have a main character with a family that is different and how she deals with her family’s background.  Also you have a brilliant plot about a school secret society and this X mystery that will leave you turning page through page.  I think my favorite aspect of this story and it’s another example of how Woodland shines and makes her own story, is that Yara and Brent; they grew up together closer in this sequel, not apart.  Their interactions are sweet and the way they protect each other is just beautiful.  It’s just great to see what could be defined as a real couple in YA, one that learns from past lessons grew closer and made good decisions.  Good JOB Mrs. Woodland.  Indelible a sequel of a GREAT series that should not be missed.

 

I will give a copy of Intrinsical with a book mark for one winner that will be chosen between the people who comment in the review.
Michelle

Glimpse: Hades / By: Alexandra Adornetto

November 17th, 2011

A few impressions on a previously read book. I named the section like I did because as a passionate reader I like to use representation titles or words that I see in my favorite books.

*Glimpse: brief review on X title.

Favorite Quote


” I can’t.  I want this to be forever.”

Page: 417

What I Liked

I think it was really cool that the story was taking place in “Hell”.   My favorite aspect of this sequel, other than it has more action, were all the subplots.  I like how Bethany’s siblings were looking how to save her from hell and all the things playing a part in this plot.  I really liked how Molly shows she is a really good friend.  Also her dilemma with Gabriel is the part that really stood out in this sequel.  I think I’m ready for a Gabriel spinoff.   I LOVED the end scene of Bethany and Xavier, it was very lovely and tender.  I can’t wait for the third book in The Halo Series.

What I Didn’t Like

I didn’t enjoy the “Hell” concept in general.  I think the vision was too “girly” even for me.   Also I wanted more of Xavier in the story.

Michelle

Waiting on Wednesday

November 16th, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a Weekly MEME Hosted By: Jill at  Breaking The Spine. Each week, Book-Bloggers spotlight what upcoming release they’re eager for.

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.  When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye.

I LOVE Kimberly Derting’s writing style. I think she is simply brilliant. That being said, The Body Finder series is one of my favorites, so I can’t wait to see where the story goes.

Michelle

October / Eye Candy

October 1st, 2011

A group of three books cover images that I like the most from the titles to be released in the current month. Usually I already pre-ordered the titles or own them. I named the section like I did because I like thinking about these covers like they are something that its meant to look.

*Eye Candy: visual images that are pleasant to see.

Michelle

The Hidden / By: Jessica Verday

August 15th, 2011

Book Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon&Shuster
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 6, 2011

Author Web Page:Photobucket

Abbey knows that Caspian is her destiny. Theirs is a bond that transcends even death. But as Abbey finally learns the full truth about the dark fate that links her to Caspian and ties them both to the town of Sleepy Hollow, she suddenly has some very hard choices to make. Caspian may be the love of her life, but is that love worth dying for?

A dark beautiful love story is the way to describe this last book in the Hallow Series.  Since The Hollow I was captivated by Verday’s dark beautiful world. The way words floated on the pages when Abby described how her perfumes were made or the Sleepy Hollow legend had an important role in the story and the romance between Caspian found me immersed in the story and where the characters were heading to. The Hidden is everything a reader could want for a serie’s culmination; Verday delivered the right end for her series. The Hidden begins where The Hunted ended, Abbey sees herself knowing her destiny and upon the mystery where Caspian is in the middle of changes as a shade that concerns both. I LOVED this book and it’s my favorite between the three. I love knowing more about The Revenants and their role in the story. Abbie and Caspian’s romance was simply perfect. I think the story’s most beautiful element was destiny and how it always manages to be accomplished.  The biggest compliment I can give Verday is the line she took her main characters, where decisions between correct and incorrect held their destiny. At the end Abby made me feel proud of her as a character and I confirm she was that girl in The Hollow who assured she love her best friend like a sister. The Hidden a beautiful love story in many ways with a touching bittersweet ending.

I will giveaway a copy of The Hidden between the people who comment on the review.

Michelle

Interview / Cindy Pon

March 10th, 2011

Author Web Page:Photobucket

Fury of The Phoenix Trailer:Photobucket

Silver Phoenix   / 2010  / HarperCollins  /

Fury of the Phoenix   / 2011  / HarperCollins  /

1. Where was idea of Silver Phoenix and Fury of The Phoenix born?

Fantasy has always been a first genre love of mine. And when I started writing Silver Phoenix, I was just beginning to really enjoy learning Chinese brush painting. I decided to combine these two loves and write a fantasy inspired by ancient China. I wrote Silver Phoenix as standalone but I knew that it could go on from a dream Chen Yong has in the first novel. Fortunately, my editor bought the sequel as well. I wrote it from the perspectives of Ai Ling and Zhong Ye whom she meets at the end of Silver Phoenix. I felt it made sense, how I presented the storylines.

2. What distinguishes each character?

Ai Ling is stubborn and can be rash. Chen Yong is rather straight in his thinking at the beginning of the novel, and is very loyal to those he cares about. Li Rong means well and is charming and funny, but yes, he does love chasing pretty girls. Zhong Ye is very ambitious, and also quite romantic in his own way. Silver Phoenix is smart and determined, a great match for Zhong Ye.



3. The world building of the series is simply exquisite; how you crafted such AMAZING world.

I’ve never been to China! I hope to visit one day, for certain. I researched by buying many expensive coffee table books with gorgeous scenery of china and books ranging from the emperor’s clothing to the architecture to try and immerse myself in the world I wanted to create for my reader.

4. Was the concept of two alternatives stories in Fury of The Phoenix The one you originally thought of?

I actually didn’t think about how Fury of the Phoenix would be set up when I finished Silver Phoenix. But when I began writing it, it was clear to me that these dual perspectives made sense. Fury is all about the consequences for what happened in Silver Phoenix. Nothing is achieved without a price.

5. There will be a third book in the series?

Alas, no. I only sold two novels to my publisher and Ai Ling’s story ends with Fury of the Phoenix. I DO have another YA Xia fantasy in mind to write, but it’s not yet sold. I hope I get enough readers for these first two novels so there
will be demand for this third Xia fantasy!



6. What news can we expect from Cindy Pon the writer?

I also am contracted to do a picture book with my publisher featuring my Chinese brush art. I’m very excited for that. And as I said, I hope to write and sell another Xia fantasy. Also, Malinda Lo and I have organized a Diversity Tour in May to sign for our novels Huntress and Fury of the Phoenix. We’ve invited other fantastic young adult and middle grade authors to join us. We’ll be stopping in San Francisco, Austin, Boston and New York City. We also hope to sign in Los Angeles and San Diego later in the year. Please check out http://diversityinya.com for more info!!

Thanks so much for having me, Michelle!

Acknowledgment:

I want to thank Cindy Pon for visiting Windowpane Memoirs. It’s been a pleasure.

 

Michelle

Insight / Lemniscate

March 7th, 2011

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 21, 2011

Book Trailer:Photobucket

Page: 141

“I would do the same,” he whispered.

His hand reached out for me and caressed my face.

“That, Teagan, is the unfortunate fate of us both.”


Michelle

Glimpse: Dark Heart Forever / By: Lee Monroe

November 8th, 2010

A few impressions on a previously read book. I named the section like I did because as a passionate reader I like to use representation titles or words that I see in my favorite books.

*Glimpse: brief review on X title.

Favorite Quote


This is where your story begins; … “With me, in this place.”

Page: 3

What I Liked

The theme of the story; I believe that the element of two parallels worlds is fascinating.  I really liked one of the love interests; Luca. His simplicity and shyness drew me into his character.  I also loved how the character’s lives are connected together.

What I Didn’t Like

The execution of the romance; I didn’t liked the main character: Jane going from one guy to the other at the end because of this I felt flat her decision and without deepness.

Michelle

Unbroken Connection / By: Angela Morrison

October 7th, 2010

Book Type: Softcover
Publisher: Self Publishing
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: September, 2010

Author Web Page:Photobucket

Can she change for him?

Can he change for her?

Enough?

Michael is in Thailand diving his dream. Leesie is at BYU living hers. And they just can’t leave each other alone. Their romance rekindles, deeper than before. They grow desperate to see one another again. To hold one another again. Michael decides there is only one direction their relationship can go and asks Leesie the ultimate question. Her answer challenges everything Michael is and wants to be.

Poetry evokes deepness and feelings on its verses, and it’s this way the words from Unbroken Connection floated. Once again love and the capability of redemption bring Leesi and Michael together in the Taken By Storm sequel. Written under the same style as the first one, Unbroken Connection is narrated in different POVs, but in four different narrative styles. The story begins weeks after the culmination of events that occurred on Taken By Storm; Leesi living her lifelong dream (studying at BYU) and Michael at the other end of the world working his passion (scuba diving). But there is “something” none of them considered and that something was the impact they caused on each other’s lives, which took Taken By Storm ending to be the beginning of a beautiful love story. In this presentation we see a more mature, outgoing and decided Leesi, who slowly develops a character that makes perfect balance between her spirituality and the lady she’s turning into. On the other hand we have Michael … OH Michael! I was not wrong when I pointed that the Michael Walden we met at the beginning of Taken By Storm didn’t turned out to be the same who left my heart aching at the end of the story. Michael shines in this book and it’s incredible to see how Leesi has been transforming his life, but what’s even more wonderful about his change is that it gets to be so natural and genuine that his voice as a character does not get lost; at the contrary, it stands out. Both their interactions in the story are lovely and charming. It’s like they finally reached the point where each one is willing to make the relationship work because “letting go” is not an option anymore. Romance is so deep and what’s wonderful is that it teaches that redemption capability is always present if you decide for it. The way Morrison grasps spiritual and denominational topics without being preachy is just graceful without passing judgment. This is the biggest compliment I can give Morrison; she does not present a religious story even though spiritual topics are being used. Morrison brings a story where a great love is capable not only of healing wounds, but building, create and open the door for eternal love and wisdom. Unbroken Connection, where love and redemption’s nature get together in a deeper feeling that only desires “forever and ever”.

 

Michelle

Earthly Pleasures / Unbroken Connection

October 6th, 2010

A group of pictures that somehow shows my journey reading a book, event or pictures related to the featured title.  I named the section like I did because as a passionate reader I like to use representation titles or words that I see in my favorite books.

*Earthly Pleasures:  Photo diaries showing reading chronology on X title.


Eye Candy Meaning


I think the purpose of the cover is mainly maintaining continuity with the Softcover Version of Taken By Storm.  Even so that I think that there’s a representation of what the title means; the life of two people that  are entwined no matter of the circumstances.

Favorite Quote


“… I want to be with you every day, love  you every night.”

Page: 40

The Hundred Page Theory


First Chapter: In Sync and I was literally screaming for more.

Michelle

« Previous Entries