New Author Challenge 2009 Wrap-Up

I finally completed the New Author Challenge. Although I originally agreed to only 25 - I was able to do 50. Here is my original post on the challenge as well as my final list.

My List:
1 Julia Leigh - Disquiet (completed 1/01/09)
2 Jason F. Wright - Christmas Jars (completed 1/02/09)
3 Bernard Schlink - The Reader (completed 1/03/09)
4 Billie Letts - Where the Heart Is (completed 1/05/09)
5 Mark Haddon - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (completed 1/07/09)
6 Laurie Viera Rigler - Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (completed 1/09/09)
7 José Saramago - Blindness (completed 1/11/09)
8 L.J. Smith - Secret Vampire (completed 1/13/09)
9 Allison Winn Scoch - Time of My Life (completed 1/17/09)
10 Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (completed 1/19/09)
11 Yann Martel - Life of Pi (completed 1/23/09)
12 Tiffany Baker - The Little Giant of Aberdeen County (completed 1/26/09)
13 Sarah Shun-lien Bynum - Ms. Hempel Chronicles (completed 1/27/09)
14 Kazuo Ishiguro - Never Let Me Go (completed 2/01/09)
15 Sophie Kinsella - Confessions of a Shopoholic (completed 2/02/09)
16 Candace Bushnell - One Fifth Avenue (completed 2/09/09)
17 Diana Gabaldon - Outlander (completed 2/19/09)
18 Daniel J. Tomasulo - Confessions of a Former Child (completed 2/22/09)
19 Sophie Dahl - Playing with the Grown-Ups (completed 2/24/09)
20 A.M. Homes - The Mistress's Daughter (completed 3/03/09)
21 Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo - He's Just Not That Into You (completed 3/06/09)
22 John Boyne - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (completed 3/07/09)
23 Chris Tusa - Dirty Little Angels (completed 3/14/09)
24 Rick D. Niece - The Side-Yard Superhero (completed 3/19/09)
25 Joshua Henkin - Matrimony (completed 3/24/09)
26 Jane Hamilton - Laura Rider's Masterpiece (completed 3/29/09)
27 Kristin Hannah - Firefly Lane (completed 4/01/09)
28 Giulia Melucci - I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti (completed 4/06/09)
29 Douglas Glenn Clark - The Lake that Stole Children: A Fable (completed 4/06/09)
30 Katherine Howe - The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane (completed 4/09/09)
31 Katie Crouch - Girls in Trucks (completed 4/12/09)
32 Jeanne DuPrau - The City of Ember (completed 4/13/09)
33 Annie Solomon - One Deadly Sin (completed 4/16/09)
34 Pam Cope & Aimee Molloy - Jantsen's Gift (completed 4/20/09)
35 Sally Koslow - The Late, Lamented Molly Marx (completed 4/22/09)
36 James A. Levine - The Blue Notebook (completed 4/26/09)
37 Rachel Kauder Nalebuff - My Little Red Book (completed 5/04/09)
38 Melanie Haney - The Simplest of Acts and Other Short Stories (completed 5/05/09)
39 Angie Fox - The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers (completed 5/08/09)
40 Kamran Pasha - Mother of the Believers (completed 5/10/09)
41 Markus Zusak - The Book Thief (completed 5/16/09)
42 Sarah Ockler - Twenty Boy Summer (completed 5/19/09)
43 Jennifer Haymore - A Hint of Wicked (completed 5/21/09)
44 Lauren Lipton - Mating Rituals of the North American WASP (completed 5/24/09)
45 Jennifer Ashley - The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (completed 5/25/09)
46 Alan Bradley - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (completed 5/28/09)
47 Martha A. Taylor - In the Land of Cotton (completed 5/30/09)
48 Emily Giffin - Something Borrowed (completed 6/02/09)
49 Kasper Hauser - Obama's Blackbery (completed 6/01/09)
50 Gayle Forman - If I Stay (completed 6/02/09)

I can't wait to do this again next year!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

On a wet, cold and snowy morning 17 year old Mia decides to take a ride with her parents and younger brother to visit family and friends. It’s a Snow Day for them and they’ve decided to make the best out of this impromptu day off. They jump in their car and head off... in the blink of an eye, Mia is standing by the side of the road watching as her injured body is being pulled out of the wreckage. As she travels in this state, between life and death, she watches as her body is transported and treated for injuries, as her family and friends all gather in the hospital, and as she makes the toughest decision she’ll probably ever make... should she stay?

To be honest, I can’t gush enough about this book. I found it to be unputdownable. I fell in love with Mia, her family, friends and her boyfriend, Adam. The underlying importance of music was also very moving. I loved how the characters express their feelings toward music and how music affects them as a being. The characters are very well-developed and you can’t help but fall in love with them all, from the trendy punk parents to the hipster teens. Mia’s memories are like a family photo album full of snapshots of happy times.

This book is about friendship, family, love, life and the tough decisions we are faced with in order to have these things. It is a well-written and well-formulated story which makes you think long after you've turned the last page. There were times where I laughed and some where I cried, and although it wrenches the heart, it definitely is not one to be missed.

Getting some insider info on the book - I just read that Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) will direct the movie. That’s definitely something I’ll be looking forward to. If it’s even half as good as the book was it’ll be worth the time to go see it.

Obama's Blackberry by Kasper Hauser

I must confess, I’m not one who’s into politics, but I found myself laughing out loud at some of the hilarious e-mails, text messages and even picture texts being sent by BarackO and BidenMyTime, WildBill (Bill Clinton) FirstLady2U (Michelle Obama), hBomb (Hilary Clinton), etc. Just downright good, clean humor. I especially loved the e-mails received by President Obama from Abe (Abraham Lincoln) in heaven. Those would bring tears to my eyes.

This is something you can read in an hour tops - as it’s a small book and only 144 pages short. This is a very fun, giftable or even coffeetable top book to have. I guarantee it’ll get a laugh out of you.

You're still in time for the giveaway on this one. I have 5 copies to giveaway here. Ends 6/12/09.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Rachel and Darcy have been best friends since elementary school. They have been friends all throughout their teen years, college, and now as adults living in New York City. Rachel is the epitome of the good girl - she works as an attorney (although she hates it), lives in a nice studio, dates occasionally, not an over-drinker or party girl yet is always living in Darcy’s shadow. Darcy, on the other hand, has it all - she has the job of her dreams, has a hot fiancé, the perfect body, clothes and well... life. On Rachel’s 30th birthday, Darcy throws her a big bash and all is running smoothly until a couple of drinks, some bar hopping and a yummy make-out session finds her in bed with Dex (yep, her BFF’s fiancé).

I actually won this book through a giveaway on Goodreads.com and I absolutely loved it. I had my reservations when I read what the book was about as I’m not very thrilled at the thought of a best friend cheating with her friend’s significant other but the story played out well. I found myself rooting for Rachel, since she is the character I can relate to, despite the fact that she is the one breaking THE rule. All in all, the outcome was one that left me feeling good.

I thought the characters were realistic, the writing was sophisticated, and I found the complications that ensue genuine. It's a fun, silly, girly book - although it does have some thought-provoking questions about love, friendships and relationships in general.

I plan on reading Something Blue soon - because although Darcy was not the most loveable of characters, I think she also has a story tell. This is a great beach read or something you might wanna open up when you don’t want to think too much... mind candy.

In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor

In the Land of Cotton is the coming-of-age story of a young, white girl living in the color-divided Deep South - set in the late fifties and sixties, Memphis, TN. Martha’s life changes when her parents hire a colored woman, Lucy, to be nanny to both Martha and her younger sister. See up until that time, Martha had never really seen a colored person up close and, as was common at the time, she believed that colored people were bad and hated all white people. But Lucy certainly changed all that. Martha and Lucy quickly form a bond, a friendship that eventually grows to feel like family. As their friendship grows and due to her inquisitive nature, Martha follows Lucy home one day and stumbles upon a whole new world. Lucy lives out by the river with her family and, although hesitant at first, Lucy allows her to stay and meet her family and explore their land. She also meets Lucy’s 15 year old nephew Silas - whom she becomes best friends with and eventually that friendship grows into something deeper and more meaningful, much to the dismay of everyone else.

As Martha’s story unfolds you are given an overview of the Civil Rights movement as she brings you through segregation, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Vietnam War to President Obama’s inauguration.

I can honestly say that I was carried away reading a more personal account about a time that I have only read about in text books. This was such a beautiful, heartwarming and eventually bittersweet story. It was a pleasure to read and I found it to be quite educational. It gives you not only a deeper look at history but it also reminds you how much we’ve changed and grown in the past half century. This was a can’t-put-me-down even-though-it’s-2am type of read that I truly enjoyed and highly recommend.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley

Our story begins with Flavia de Luce tied up, blindfolded, and stowed away in a closet by her mean older sisters. Isn’t that how all great detectives start their story?

Set in England during the 1950's, Flavia de Luce, 11 years old, lover of all things chemistry and deadly poisonous concoctions is quite the sleuth in this tale. It all starts with a dead bird, a stamp, a missing piece of pie, and then there’s that mysterious body that turns up dead in the cucumber patch out back. We also meet her eccentric family, sisters Ophelia (17 - mostly found in the vicinity of a mirror), Daphne (13 - usually found with her nose in a book), and father Colonel de Luce (quite the recluse). When Flavia’s father is arrested for murder - who better than her to find the clues to solve this case and save her father from prison. No one suspects anything of an 11 year old girl, so her questions are easily answered by her neighbors and townsfolk. That and her vast knowledge of chemistry and science help guide her way through suspect lists, long-forgotten events and eventually land her right smack in the middle of all the danger.

This was such a unique story. Flavia is not your average child - she is quite brilliant and does not act or think like any 11 year old I know. Notwithstanding that, having an 11 year old as your main character actually brightened this dark mystery. She was funny, clever and feisty. I loved the scenes where she is arguing with her sisters. She is not someone you want to mess with or she’ll definitely tamper with your lipstick and cause unimaginable discomfort. From what I read of Mr. Bradley’s biography, it seems Flavia will have a recurring role in his next book. This story is charming and a great old-fashioned mystery that kept me guessing with its many twists and turns. Flavia is my hero!

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good 'ol mystery.

Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton

What happens in Vegas - stays in Vegas!?!

That isn’t the case for Peggy Adams. Peggy is in Sin City celebrating a bachelorette party for a friend who is getting hitched. The morning that she is scheduled to depart from Vegas and head back home to New York, she awakens in a strange beg lying next to an unrecognizable stranger. She carefully picks up her belongings and catches her plane home. No harm, no foul - or so she thinks. She returns home to make up with her live-in boyfriend (they fought prior to the trip because he has commitment issues), returned to work at her store and her average life. Until she receives a call from a man named Luke who claims that they were married over the weekend in Vegas. Annulment anyone? That is easier said then done, especially since Luke’s great aunt Abby makes them an offer that they just can’t refuse.

This was such a fun story. It’s the boy and girl meet in Vegas while being absolutely inebriated, tying the knot and then dealing with the consequences of their wild night (which obviously they can’t remember). Peggy was a very witty, likeable and relatable character. Luke was as uptight and cold as you could expect from a WASP - but he was definitely an appealing character. I loved their love/hate relationship. All the problems that ensue could have easily been resolved had they just sat down and spoken to one another - but what fun would there be in that.

Overall, Mating Rituals of the North American WASP was a very entertaining and enjoyable read. So grab it the next time you want just a fun story or you’re heading to the beach - you won’t be disappointed. Plus who can resist that cover?

If you like more info on author Lauren Lipton you can check out her website, blog or become a fan on facebook.

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Miriam at HBG I have 1 copy of MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP by Lauren Lipton to giveaway.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. Second entry if you follow, third if you follow on Twitter, and so forth.

Rules: Books will be delivered directly from Publisher so giveaway is only available to residents of the US and Canada. No P.O. Boxes please. Winners will be drawn June 6.

Here is a list of all the parcipants of the blog tour:

http://thereviewfromhere.wordpress.com/

http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com/

http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/

http://kylees2009.blogspot.com/

http://www.devourerofbooks.com/

http://burtonreview.blogspot.com/

http://bookopolis.blogspot.com/

http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/

http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/

http://www.xanga.com/bravehsgirl

http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/

http://inbedwithbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.bookconfessions.com/

http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/

http://www.readingwithmonie.com/

http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/bookbin

http://www.acircleofbooks.com/

http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset

http://www.thisbookforfree.com/

http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/

http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com/

http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com/

http://unmainstreammomreads.blogspot.com/

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/

http://www.bermudaonion.wordpress.com/

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/

http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/

http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/

http://bookslovejessicmarie.blogspot.com/

http://www.thenovelbookworm.com/

http://proudbookworm.blogspot.com/

http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/

http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/

http://epicrat.blogspot.com/

http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/

http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/

http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebookzombie.com/

http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/

http://www.linussblanket.com/

http://donnasbookreviews.blogspot.com/

http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/

http://www.morbid-romantic.net/

http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com/

http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/

http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/

http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/

http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/

http://danys-san.blogspot.com/

http://www.iheartmonster.com/

http://debbiesworld.wordpress.com/

http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/

http://ebogie.blogspot.com/

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

Ian Mackenzie is known throughout the ton as being a madman. There are rumors that he spent most of his life in an asylum, and everyone is in agreement that he is rather odd. Beth Ackerley, is a widow who has recently come into fortune. From the moment Ian sets his sights on her he decides that he must save her from her engagement and marry her himself. Beth has decided that she will never remarry and instead wants to live her life as a widow traveling and taking up hobbies - no drama. Little does she know that Ian has different plans for her.

Considering that I hadn’t read a good historical in quite some time, I read two in one week. This was fantastic and not your average story. Firstly, Ian Mackenzie seems to be suffering from Asperger's Syndrome. He has difficulty looking at someone in the eye, can’t seem to focus while in crowds, he’s a bit on the obsessive compulsive side, can go long periods of time without speaking, etc. Yet through all this Beth loves him - that love actually brought tears to my eyes. Secondly, the story has plenty of action, steamy romance and wonderful characters. I actually read this in a couple of hours - yes, it was that good.

This is the first book in the Highland Pleasures series. Ian has three brothers and a half-brother and from what it seems they will all get their own books. So although this is my first Jennifer Ashley book, it definitely will not be the last.

A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore

Talk about getting stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, is devastated when she is informed that her husband Garrett has perished at the Battle of Waterloo. Tristan, both Sophie and Garrett's childhood friend, is the one who helps her through her grief, pregnancy and eventually the one to help her overcome the loss of her first love and learn to find love once again in his arms. Eight years after the dreadful news of Garrett's death, Sophie and Tristan are happilly married raising their two children (Sophie & Garrett's daughter Miranda, and Gary - Tristan's son from his first marriage). She has moved on and although she still remebers Garrett - she has found love and passion with her new husband. That is, until the night that Garrett returns demanding his title, his land, and, more importantly, his wife back.

Sophie is quite the heroine. I liked her a lot - she's definitely not the average heronie you find in most historical romances. She's strong and will do absolutely anything for her family. Tristan and Garrett were both endearing in their own ways. Where Tristan was romantic and kind - Garrett was strong and hard. It was definitely a tough choice for me and I found myself just as torn as Sophie was as to whom she loved.

The story itself was great, with plenty of action and steamy romance that at no point fizzled out. I was intrigued as to who Sophie would eventually stay with (making the pages fly by) and was pleased with the outcome of the story. I also am happy to hear that the man whom Sophie eventually does turn away will have his own story come April 2010 so I'll definitely have my eye out for that. This is Ms. Haymore's first novel and I must say it was a grand success! This is a refreshing take on historical romance that was quite a treat and one that is a definite must-read.

GIVEAWAY: I have 5 copies of A HINT OF WICKED by Jennifer Haymore to giveaway.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. Second entry if you follow, third if you follow on Twitter, and so forth.

Rules: Books will be delivered directly from Publisher so giveaway is only available to residents of the US and Canada. No P.O. Boxes please. Winners will be drawn this Saturday, May 30.

Here is a list of all the participants of this blog tour:

http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/ - May 19 review

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com - May 19 intro; May 21 review; May 23 Q&A; June 6 announce winners of giveaway

http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com - May 21 Q&A

http://chicbookreviews.blogspot.com/ - May 22 review and giveaway

http://www.findthetimetoread.blogspot.com - May 26 review and giveaway

http://www.ReadingWithMonie.com - May 26 giveaway

http://zensanity.blogspot.com/ - May 26 Q&A

http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/ - May 27 giveaway

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/ - May 28 giveaway

http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset - May 28 review

http://confessionsofaromancebookaddict.wordpress.com/ - June 1 to 4 Q&A, review, and giveaway

http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com - June 1 giveaway

www.morbid-romantic.net - June 2 review, giveaway, Q&A

http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/ - June 3 review and giveaway

http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/ - June 3 giveaway

http://thereviewfromhere.wordpress.com/ - June 4 review

www.thebookgirl.net - June 5 review and giveaway

http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/ - June 6 review and giveaway

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/ - June 8

http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/ - May 25 review and giveaway

www.alphaheroes.blogspot.com - review

20 Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Anna, Frankie and Matt (Frankie’s older brother) have been best friends since they can remember. They are next door neighbors, their parents are best friends and they do everything together. On Anna’s 15th birthday Matt kisses her - making Anna’s lifelong dream come true. Anna has been crushing on Matt since she started liking boys. After several weeks of secret rendezvous’ in their backyard and chaste kisses in the shadows, Matt tells Anna that he is waiting for the appropriate time to break the news of their budding love to Frankie and asks her to please not tell Frankie about them until he does. Due to unforseen circumstances, Matt dies and the secret is never told. A year after Matt’s death, Frankie’s parents decide that they should resume their yearly vacations at Zanzibar Bay on the west coast and invite Anna to go along. The girls see it as a vacation from their grief, a place where they can be whomever they want to be and won’t be seen as Matt’s sister or Matt’s best friend. They devise a plan the "20 Boy Summer". They have to meet 20 boys while on their 20 days of vacation - and make it the ABSE (absolute best summer ever) and hopefully the possible ditching of the A.A. - Anna's Albatross (a/k/a her virginity).

This was such a beautiful and poignant story about the powers of friendships, loss, summer romances, healing and believing in oneself. Once I started I could not put it down. The characters were so real - you can’t help but to laugh, cry, and eventually fall in love with them. Ms. Ockler wins you with her imagery and you long to be there laying out on the beach with the girls. I loved this and I highly recommend it.

20 Boy Summer will be on sale on June 1. My thanks to FSB Associates for providing me with a copy.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Death is the narrator of our tale - and as narrator’s go, I actually thought he was quite interesting. He’s not as depressing or as loathsome as you might think Death would be. He doesn’t wear a cloak or carry a scythe - although he does like that image of himself. And I found it quite beautiful when he describes how he would come for a dying person’s soul.

Our story takes place during World War II, Germany - where Death first encounters Liesel at 9 years of age, as he comes to collect the soul of her little brother. He becomes captivated by her, watching as she steals her first book. Liesel is on her way to meet the new couple who will be her foster parents and eventually her new family and home. I fell in love with Liesel and willed her to survive from chapter to chapter, and cheered on her relationships with her accordion playing Papa, a potty-mouthed Mama, a fist fighting Jew hidden in her basement, a boy with hair the color of lemons, a spitting neighbor, a depressed mayors wife, bonfires, air raids, drawing, reading, stolen books and the power of words.

Mr. Zusak has used a teenager as the voice for the struggling German people. When we think of Nazi Germany - we think of concentration camps, the millions of deaths, and a society that just went nuts. But this gives us a view of the German people and how they were affected by a leader who knew how to use words as his weapon - making them believe that his way was the only way for their country to prosper and be great. Liesel’s story focuses on what the situation really was like for normal-everyday German citizens.

I really can’t say I loved this story. Don’t take me wrong, I found it very interesting and I really did fall in love with the characters, but I found that I wasn’t fully engrossed by it. It was a bit difficult to get through the first couple of chapters and even took me a bit to accept that Death was our narrator. I also didn’t like that there was so much foreshadowing - meaning by mid-book I already knew what the outcome of most of our characters would be. When Death is your narrator - you sorta know what the outcome is. I also felt that the epilogue was a bit rushed, I would have liked more details - so it really didn’t leave me as fulfilled as I would have liked. But all in all, it is a book that I would still recommend. The story line, the details and the characters are well worth it.

Mother of the Believers by Kamran Pasha

Mother of the Believers is the story of Aisha bint Abi Bakr - the youngest and most beloved wife of the Prophet Muhammed. When the story commences Aisha is in her deathbed and is recounting this epic tale to her nephew. As Aisha reflects on her life we learn of her cursed birth, her marriage to Muhammed at the age of nine, his other wives and their feuding harem, as well as his death and how she eventually grows to become a teacher, political leader and warrior. Set in seventh century Arabia this story takes you on a journey through hot deserts, epic battles and the understanding of what becoming a believer entailed.

Mr. Pasha's story is purely fictional, but it is one of those stories that you can’t help but devour in big, heaping gulps. I was a little hesitant to read it at first (a- it's 560 pages long) and (b- it's not a topic I would normally read about), but I was drawn in from the start and read the whole thing in just a couple of sittings. Mr. Pasha has a vivid and fluid style of writing that I really enjoyed and his imagery lights up the pages of his book. This was my first exposure to the Muslim culture/religion and I found it to be a very enlightening experience.

This is a beautiful tale - one that I highly recommend to believers and non-believers alike.

The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox

Lizzie is back in this sequel and it seems she has chosen to embrace her calling and truly become a full-time demon slayer. As the story commences, Lizzie is in quite a bind - firstly, she is fined by the DIP (Department of Intramagical Procedures) for all the ruckus that the first book entailed (The Accidental Demon Slayer). And secondly, she is informed that her uncle has "shacked up" with none other than a demon in Las Vegas. On a permit (no license - since she failed her demon-slaying test at the DIP) she makes her way to Vegas with her tatooed-biker witch grandmother and her Red Skulls biker coven as well as her shape-shifting griffin boyfriend Dimitri with no idea that Sin City was being taken over by soul-stealing succubi.

Although I never actually read Ms. Fox’s first book, The Accidental Demon Slayer, her second book The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, was very entertaining. It was a hoot actually! Her main character Lizzie - is very funny and witty and I absolutely loved her. The eccentric biker witch grandma and her cronies were downright hilarious. Lizzie’s talking dog, Pirate, and the scorching hot griffin boyfriend were the icing on the cake.

This was such a fun read - with wacky characters that abound, a fun plot line and lots of action where you don’t realize just how quickly the pages are turning. It’s a different take from the paranormal books I’m used to reading - but it definitely caught my attention. This is one crazy ride you won’t to miss out on.

The Simplest of Acts and Other Short Stories by Melanie Haney

Although I am not a big fan of short stories - Melanie Haney’s The Simplest of Acts and Other Short Stories was quite a treat.

The book holds a total of 11 stories and it is 102 pages short - so it was a quick read for me. Each story draws you in and you become immersed to the point where you feel each characters, love, loss, woe, pain, despair, happiness and hope. The stories were beautifully written and although there is an underlying thread of loss it was not something that I felt overwhelmed with, instead I felt a spark of hope as each story neared its end. All these stories underscore how humans can adapt to their situation and learn to survive. Good things can happen. But don't count on that to be the norm.

If I had to choose a favorite, I would choose An Ordinary Evening. This poignant story gripped me to where long after I put down the book I was still thinking about it. It’s so heartfelt, emotional, raw. It was beautiful. Some other favorites where Only in Bellington, The Simplest of Acts and Milk. Although the other stories were just as enjoyable.

I loved Ms. Haney’s prose - her ability to create feelings and imagery made me feel as if I was there taking a glimpse into her characters lives. Her stories moved me to tears at times, yet through it all, I felt that though my time with each story was ending, their journey was just beginning. An excellent first book for Melanie Haney. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff

My Little Red Book is a collection of stories about first periods from women throughout the world. This anthology includes positive, negative and indifferent experiences from ordinary women and girls, in addition to well known authors and high profile feminists.

This book is riddled with stories of girls thinking they were dying upon getting it, or those that looked forward to getting it for years and when they finally got it, how it took them by surprise, those who were looking forward to becoming a woman, or getting the curse. It was very interesting to read the stories of women from different religions and cultures and what their customs were. I also liked reading the stories of the women who dealt with belts?? to be honest I had never heard of that. Sadly, I am one of those girls that never read Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. I had no idea Judy Blume’s books were most girls introduction to periods back in that time. So many of the stories mention the book - that I think I might read it now.

My Little Red Book is a must for all women who have ever felt shamed or awkward about their period and also for every girl’s first period kit. This is the type of book you want to have around when you have “that” conversation.

Rachel Kauder Nalebuff is 18 years old - (she has a great first period story herself) - yes, someone that young came up with such an excellent idea. All the proceeds of her book are going to women’s health organizations that help and provide women with information and supplies for their periods. You can find out more about this book and even share your own first period story at MyLittleRedBook.net.

The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine

Batuk is a 15 year-old Indian girl that was sold into prostitution at the age of 9 by her father (we never really find out the reason why, but there is a reference to the father having lost everything). The Blue Notebook is a journal written by Batuk in between rounds of “making sweet-cake” with her customers. In this journal she tells us of her life prior to being sold - what it was like living by the river, her family, her bout with TB and how she was taught to read and write by the nurses and priest at the ministry where she stayed to recover, her virginity being sold to the highest bidder, and what it is like to live in a cage - making sweet-cake up to 10 times a day with different “bakers”. In the second half of the book she is once again sold- this time to a wealthy businessman named Bubba so that she can help prepare his son to be a husband.

This novel offers a very interesting and real insight into India's prostitution ring, particularly the role played by children. In a setting where children are kept in cages while they wait for men to have sex with them, Batuk writes to save her sanity.

My only complaint would be that as you read Batuk’s entries you feel as if you are reading the thoughts of a much older person than a 15 year old girl. Then again I am sure that leading the life that she is living ages you much faster than the average teen.

For some reason I took a bit longer than usual to read this book. Although it’s not a very long book, it would affect me in such a way that I had to keep putting it down. I found the content to be a bit difficult to read at times and it left me feeling raw, emotional and even hurt for Batuk. This is one of the those books that you can’t help but ponder long after you have read the last page. It is masterfully written, well researched, and it delivers you right into the heart of Mumbai with it’s vivid descriptions of the city and its people. Overall, this is a story of a young girl trapped in a situation she cannot control yet even through the unfairness of it all she is quite brave in her actions - that alone is inspiring.

I highly recommend this book as long as you can stomach it's content. Not to mention, your purchase will go to a good cause as the author is donating 100% of the U.S. proceeds from his novel to the International and National Centers for Missing and Exploited Children (http://www.icmec.org). This title will be released July 7.

One Deadly Sin by Annie Solomon

Edie Swann heads back to her hometown, Redbud, with one intention only - and that is revenge. She has a list given to her by her dying aunt that has the five names of the men that her father had dealings with shortly before his tragic death. Her only problem is that someone starts off-ing these men making her the main suspect in their murders.

Local lawman and the man that makes Edie's heart race - Holt Drennen is handling the death cases of these prominent Redbud residents... but are they accidental deaths or murders? As his feelings for Edie grow so do his suspicions of her somehow being involved.

This book can be emotional when it delves into Edie's insecurities and fears. Although on the outside she might look tough riding a Harley, tattoos all over and wearing leather - she is rather fragile on the inside. She is a strong character that has to overcome her past and learn to live for herself and her future.

While spine-tingling is not a word that is usually associated with romance Annie Solomon makes it so by her masterful descriptions of these crimes. The not over descriptive intimate love scenes are frequent and varied throughout this read - add in a mysterious murderer, and you have a true page-turner.

There were some interesting plot lines, and the narrative was good enough to keep me intrigued, sometimes to push me to go to the next chapter when I know I should stop and go to bed. It definitely had me guessing as to the twists and turns it was going to take and I was never able to guess whodunnit until the very end. Overall, I enjoyed the book as a nice little romantic suspense read and would definitely recommend it.

GIVEAWAY: I have 5 copies of ONE DEADLY SIN by Annie Solomon to giveaway.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. And if you follow this blog or already are following leave me a note and I'll be glad to give you a second entry.

Rules: Books will be delivered directly from Publisher so giveaway is only available for residents of the US and Canada. No P.O. Boxes please. Winners will be drawn this Friday - May 1.

The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow

Molly Divine Marx is dead!

But that's just the beginning of this book. Molly is in her "Duration". Duration= being able to see your friends, family, etc. and hear their thoughts, yet not be able to do anything to contribute to what they're thinking, feeling, etc. (a little reminiscent of The Lovely Bones). With her guide "Bob" she is able to navigate through this new state of being and is able to flit from one person to another as they try to solve the mystery of her death.

The story starts at Molly's funeral and shows us how her husband, daughter, parents, sister and friends are all affected and are coping with her untimely death. Oh yea, and of course, the investigator who is handling her case and is trying to decipher whether her death was an accident, suicide or murder.

Through flashbacks we are able to read about Molly's relationships with her husband (who is quite the cheater and a very despicable character) and then there's Luke (the man that Molly was in love with). We are able to relive some of the best moments as well as some of the mistakes she made in her life.

I absolutely - hands down - adored this book. I thought Molly was such a lovely narrator. She was just so funny, likeable and so full of life - that it was sad to think that she was dead from the start of her story. Ms. Koslow's characters are well-developed and singularly distinct with little quirks and flaws that make them real. This is one of those rare books that draws you in and you feel as if you are experiencing it rather than just reading it.

Was Molly in such a slump in life that she couldn't find any other way out of her situation other than to kill herself? Or was she murdered? You'll have to read this gem of a book to find out - but I will warn you, this book isn't so much about solving a mystery as it is about relationships. I enjoyed this very much and I highly recommend it.

This book is scheduled for release on 5/19/09 - so mark your calendars as you will not be disappointed.

Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope and Aimee Molloy

What an amazing memoir!

When Pam Cope loses her 15 year-old son, Jansten, due to an unknown heart condition, she falls into a very severe depression. Upon invitation from a friend, Pam and her husband Randy, travel to Vietnam to visit an orphanage that this friend has built, and to find a way of coping with her loss/grief. There they fall in love with a Vietnamese child and decide to adopt him. Eventually they adopt another Vietnamese girl - but not before they fall in love with these children and realize that they can use the money that was donated in Jantsen’s name after his death for such a worthy cause.

This memoir chronicles Pam and Randy’s journey to providing children with food, shelter, education and medical care in Vietnam and Cambodia. And eventually to their work in Ghana where children are sold into slavery or prostitution by their families at a very young age. It details the struggles they go through to obtain these children from their "masters" and their work in building the The Village of Hope Orphanage.

I cried (a lot)... I laughed... I was truly moved and inspired. This is the type of book that makes you rethink your life. It is heart-wrenching to read some snippets of the letters that Pam writes to Jantsen and this book is a touching tribute to him.

To find out more about their foundation - Touch a Life, or to make a donation (I already did), please visit their website at http://www.touchalifekids.org/. You can also visit their blog at: http://touchalifekids.blogspot.com/.

NOTE: You are in still in time for the giveaway of 5 copies of Jantsen's Gift that I was graciously provided by Anna at The Hachette Book Group. If you would like to sign-up for the giveaway, please click here. The 5 winners will be chosen 4/24/09.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Doon and Lina are two teenagers who live in a city called Ember. A city built by "The Builders" using an underground river to power their generator which runs all their lights and storerooms filled to the brim with all their daily necessities - light bulbs, clothes, canned goods, etc. - that should last them forever. Well, sadly forever is here and their generator keeps breaking down and causing flickering lights and blackouts through the city that last longer and longer each time. There are also scary rumors of their storerooms being empty.

As the residents of Ember start becoming aware of their city’s dire situation and the mayor’s lack of providing them with a solution, they all start to realize that it is only a matter of time before the city will go dark permanently. As the townfolk begin to worry, Lina finds a very intricate box in one of her closets but sadly her little sister, Poppy, has chewed up the paper that was inside. So it is up to Lina and Doon to decipher this message that is mysteriously written in the same handwriting used by "The Builders" when they provided the city with their books on rules to live by. Together they will piece clues to lead the population out of the dark and into the light.

I know I'm a little old to read this book, but maybe that is what makes this book stand out and get noticed. This tale was able to hold my attention almost two decades after middle school, which I believe is the focal age group for this book.

This book will make you hold your breath in anticipation every step of the way. You'll cheer for the main characters and good folk of Ember. Ms. DuPrau’s description of this world is brilliant and you can picture the crumbling city as you read the book.

The story is full of mystery, adventure, great characters, and vivid descriptions. It plays with themes of light and dark. A fun, easy read that pulls you in from the very first chapter and will keep you hooked until the very last page! This book is very well written and I whole-heartedly recommend it to young and old alike.