Book trailer: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century

Have you checked out the trailer for the new book My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century yet? Well here is the video for it. This is set to release September 11th 2012 so go make sure you check that out soon :D

Join the flirt squad and WIN goodies!

 

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is about to be unleashed on the world, and my team of highly trained (and frankly awesome) publicists and I would love your help!

We've created an ultra fantabulous (and super secret) street team, THE FLIRT SQUAD, and I'd love for you to be a part of it. (And yes, this is open International!)

Why Should You Join?

Besides being propelled to the status of my favorite person ever, you'll win awesome prizes and get special perks!

Like:

• Exclusive contests and prizes just for Flirt Squad members
• Teaser chapters and special snippets from future books, including My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, and the sequel, A Tale of Two Centuries, along with my current project, Rearview Mirror
• Tons-o-swag
• Your name in the acknowledgements of A Tale of Two Centuries
• A special note from me with secret tidbits
• A chance to become a character in a future book
• And the ultimate Sweet Sixteen prize, a sparkly tiara (for becoming the official Sweet Sixteen diva), a necklace with the Super Sweet cover as a charm, and a Signed copy of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century

What will the Flirt Squad actually DO?

There's several different levels based on point totals, and at each new level you win some of those awesome prizes. The more points you have, the bigger the prizes. As you earn points, you can always email Rachel at FlirtSquad@gmail.com or tweet Rachel at @RachelHarrisYA, but the main way that point totals will be kept is on the Flirt Squad Google doc (we're very official here, peeps).

And here's how to earn points:

1. Tweet any of the following ( +1 per tweet, only one tweet counted per day!! Post link in doc):

• Wanna be a character in @RachelHarrisYA 's future book? Join the #FlirtSquad to find out how #16C
• I'm in love with a 16th century boy. Are you? #FlirtSquad #16C
• Unleash YOUR Inner Flirt, read My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by @RachelHarrisYA #16C
• Swooning over Lorenzo in #16C
• Best Sweet Sixteen ever! #16C @RachelHarrisYA
• OR Tweet any favorite one-liners from the book, or facts about Cat or Lorenzo. Just be sure to include #16C so I know, and post a link in the doc.

2. Put the cover of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century as your avatar on FB and Twitter (+5 for the first site the avatar is placed and +1 for each additional, post link on doc *updated*)

3. Pre-order My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century! If YOU pre-order it OR get a friend/family member/acquaintance to do so, email me a copy of the receipt (Flirtsquad@gmail.com) and you get (+15) for each book sold! **NEW!!**

4. Blog About the Flirt Squad (+5, must post link in the doc)

5. Mention the Flirt Squad on Facebook (+5, post link to the doc)

6. Write an honest review for Goodreads once you read the book (all reviews count!!) (+5, post link on doc)

7. Write an honest review for Amazon (all reviews count!!) (+5, post link on doc)

8. Write an honest review for Barnes and Noble (all reviews count!!) (+5, post link on doc)

9. Retweet any posts about the book or my upcoming book tour from me (@RachelHarrisYA) or any of my peeps' (+1 point per retweet, one per day only, let me know in doc)

10. Recruit subscribers to my Newsletter--see sidebar (+5 for anyone who signs up and mentions your name as referral. Can only earn points for this once)

11. Promote My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century on Facebook by posting Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any other retail buy page links in a status (+15, Only one link per day by any social media **update**and let me know on the doc)

12. Add my Book Trailer (click the link) to your Blog, Website, or Facebook account (+10, leave the link for proof)

13. Recommending My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century to your friends on Goodreads (+15, take a screen shot and email it to FlirtSquad@gmail.com)

14. Email a friend or YA book loving family member and ask them to join the Flirt Squad ( + 25 for all future *active* members when they join, make sure they email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com and mention that you referred them so you can get the points!)

And now for the real fun.... THE PRIZES:

    First level (25 points): A Super Sweet bookmark and tattoo

• Second level (75 points): All prizes above PLUS a set of trading cards (your very own pocket-sized Lorenzo and Cat!), and a Super Sweet bracelet
• Third level (150 points): All prizes above PLUS your name in the acknowledgements of book 2 in the Super Sweet series, A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES
• Fourth level (250 points): All prizes above PLUS a special note from me inviting you to the sequel to My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES, including a special sneak peek!
• ALL Participants who Reach Fifth Level (500 points): All prizes above PLUS an entry into a drawing to make a special appearance as a character in a future book.
• And the FIRST to Fifth Level (1000 points): Wins all the prizes above PLUS a sparkly tiara (you ARE an official Sweet Sixteen diva now after all), a special necklace with the cover of my book as a charm, and a signed copy of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century.

Twitter Fun:

Use the hashtags #16C, #FlirtSquad, or #16CFlirtSquad to join in the fun!

I would love to join in the fun, but how?

Email Rachel at FlirtSquad@gmail.com and tell her that me, Kelsey Simpson @Enchantedbooks, recruited you. :) Oh and don't forget, subscribe to Rachel's newsletter (check the side bar) and tell her that I recruited you. :)

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Genre: Young adult / Contempary/ Romance.
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers.
Rating: 5.0 stars / A+

Summary: A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

Review: Wow just wow. From the moment I pre ordered this book from amazon I knew that this was going to be amazing, it didn't help with all the goodreads five stars either. From the moment I picked this book up I just couldnt stop reading it, it was very addicting. We have Samantha the star of the story. Who lives with her mother and sister. Living a very sheltered, strict life since her mother is how do we put it? A very strong minded, controlling, clean freak parent? Yes thats how I will put it, shes a buisness woman who thrills on her job and is very judgemental on everything Sam does. Unlike The Garretts who are messy, fun and a caring, loving family. Everything Sam desires for. Everything her mom detests. She watches from her roof everynight fascinated with how their family work and how she wishes she could be apart of it. Then one night out of the bloom, Jase Garret one of the Garrets sons climbs her roof and this when the amazing love story starts.

It reminded me a little of Romeo & Juliet except we were in the 21st century and no one killed no one. The characters in this were just everything I wanted them to be. I loved Samantha I felt for her in certian situations because while she was trying to be the perfect poster daughter she just wanted to be able to have a mind of her own. And Jase (oh my god) one of my favourite young adult characters. He isnt a bad boy, he isnt the rich golden golden boy. He is just a normal, sweet, kind hearted boy. I loved him. I love the way he is with his family and how family means everything to him and how everyone rely on Jase because hes the peacemaker in the family. The way he is with Samantha how he treats her like shes the only girl in the world and how much passion and love you can feel for the two of them. Also I did like Tim at first I thought he was going to be one of those annoying stoner heads but he grows up and really comes a good friend to Sam and Jase, hes really funny too.

If there was one family you always wanted to be apart of it would be the Garretts there so much fun! There was a little twist in this book and it was nice because it kept the book going just when I thought that maybe nothing was happeneing so I was happy for that. The ending is sweet and I will deffinetly read this book over and over again in the future. It gives you that nice summer feel and I didnt think it was too much of a deep read. My only little critique on this book was the friendship with her and Nan, it never resolved and I was just a little confused but that didn't put a scratch on my thoughts of this book.

Buy this book from: AmazonUK AmazonUSA BookDepository
Authors Website: http://www.huntleyfitzpatrick.com/

Review: Babe In Boyland By Jody Gehrman

 Babe In Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Genre: Young Adult/ Contemporary.
Publisher: Dial.
Rating: 3.0 stars/ B.

Summary: When high school junior Natalie-or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper-is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

Review: I was sent this book from the author herself Jody, thank you! And immediately loved the cover. It was so beautiful. With the way she has the mistash on her finger, it represents the book well. The story is about a girl named Natalie who has her own relationship column which seems to be going down hill when everyone starts criticising her work for they think she writes what they want to hear. So to get back in the good books of her school fans and to win the newspaper article competition she decides to go under cover to a guys private school, as 'Nat' a boy, and get answers from the boys at Underwood Academy about what boys really want. But along the way she meets new friends and a boy that she actually finds herself falling for.

First impressions was the film Shes the man. And when reading this book I had that vibe to it aswell. I think I would of enjoyed this book allot more if I had never watched that film. But saying that Shes the man is one of my favourite all time films. It just annoyed me in parts because some of the scenes going on were actually like the film and even some of the comments they made were the same. It annoyed me a little because I found myself thinking has this story been written from certain parts of the film.

I did enjoy the whole idea of her going undercover though. I really liked how her friends helped her get in and how hard it was to be a completely different agenda. This book was very funny and I did laugh in certain places. I like how we got to see how boys act totally different to relationships and situations to girls and how sometimes girls are way to paranoid over things and should take a step back and think first.

The relationship between Natalie and Emilio was cute yet strange all at the same time. I felt myself enjoying it and not liking it all together. It was cute but then I kept thinking Emilio's connecting with someone he thinks is a boy.. so it was just hard to place and love at certain times. I also wanted more background on him. I felt we didn't know him as well as we could have done, just that he wasnt orignally from America but from Mexico and maybe that's where their relationship would of connected more.

I did love the ending though. I felt it ended really sweet and the way it would in a movie. If you are looking for a light summer read then I definitely recommend this book.

You can buy this book at AmazonUK, AmazonUSA, BookDepository
Authors website: http://www.jodygehrman.com/

Blog Tour: Last Summer review

Last Summer By Rebecca A. Rogers
Genre: New Adult
Rating: 3.5 stars/ B

Summary: All Chloe Sullivan wants to do is get through the summer. Her life has been in disarray for more than six months, and she knows the only reason her parents made one final trip to Sandy Shores is because of her. They are, after all, two seconds away from filing for divorce. When Chloe stumbles upon a boy in one of her childhood hangouts, she’s in for more than just a relaxing summer vacation.

Logan Andrews is exhausted, famished and, quite frankly, kaput. His parents kicked him out when he refused to attend a rehabilitation program for his drug addiction. Now, he wishes he would’ve listened; he’d be receiving appropriate medical care rather than living in a dingy, godforsaken shack, holing up from money-hungry drug dealers.

Logan’s godsend arrives in the form of Chloe, who can’t hold her tongue when it comes to matters of the heart. They’re both in for a rude awakening when Logan’s past catches up to them, though. Can they escape the drug dealers showing up at every twist and turn, or will things end much worse than they ever imagined?

WARNING: contains strong language, drug use, and sexual situations, including an explicit sex scene and a near-rape scene. Mature audiences only. 17+

Review:

This was probably the quickest book I've ever read. It took me just over four hours, which is extremley quick for me. But I must say I enjoyed those four hours quickly taking in everything that went on.

This book is based around drugs. Which I'm not used to reading much of. But when I do read books that use this topic I always like to see how its played out. You have the main character Chloe who happens to be going back to her lake house for the summer with her parents who cannot stand each other.  She feels the summers going to be terrible and tends to distance herself from her family and goes for a walk where she finds a cottage she used to hide out at when she was a little girl. Which is where Logan comes into the story. Straight away Chloe knows somethings off about Logan and when she sees him taking drugs she knows she has to do something about it.

The romance was quickly developed, so much that I wanted more to happen between them. I felt it was a little rushed and that they could of took a bit more time getting to know each other. I wanted more emotions between the two. But saying that - the characters were developed so well that I felt I didnt mind it all happeneing quick because the passion these two characters had was amazing. Of course because these feelings to Logan were new.

I liked what Rebecca was trying to get at her authors. There was a message to this story. And it was showing you how drugs can actually affect people. It can affect people who arent even taking it and how serious the issue really is. Logans addiction in this story was actually very mild to what some cases are actually like, so to get a feel to what it would be like if you knew someone who was doing drugs it brings you to reality that this story felt very real.

Overall I did enjoy this book. I liked the ending even though some of it seemed a little quickly developed but I guess choosing other options for this book to end could of given it a different view. The epilogue was cute and deffinetly gives you that summer feel to the book. Thankyou Rebecca for sending me the book and allowing me to read/review a deep meaning story.

You can buy this book at AmazonUSA
Authors website: http://www.rebeccaarogers.com

Blog Schedule

WEEK ONE

Monday, August 6
Amber @ Amber’s Supernatural & YA Reviews

Tuesday, August 7
Kelsey @ Enchanted Books

Wednesday, August 8
Riya @ The Teen Book Guru

Thursday, August 9
Candace @ Woven Myst (YA Magazine)

Friday, August 10
Trini @ A Book Lover’s Review

Saturday, August 11
Emily @ Emily’s Crammed Bookshelf

WEEK TWO

Monday, August 13
Ellen @ Always YA at Heart

Tuesday, August 14
Faye @ A Daydreamer’s Thoughts

Wednesday, August 15
Melissa @ Harley Bear Book Blog

Thursday, August 16
Maghon @ Happy Tails and Tales Blog

Friday, August 17
Donna @ Book Passion for Life

Saturday, August 18
Brianne @ Memories Overtaking Me

WEEK THREE

Monday, August 20
Lyn @ Writing on the Sunny Side of the Street

Tuesday, August 21
Hannah @ The Girl in a Café

Friday, August 24
Emma @ BelleBooks

Saturday, August 25
Kelly Cabral and Lisa Soares @ Book Mark Belles

WEEK FOUR

Monday, August 27
Kara @ Kara Loves Reading

Tuesday, August 28
Samantha @ Book Crazed Reviews

Wednesday, August 29

Lori @ Writing My Own Fairytale

Friday, August 31
Laura @ What’s Hot



Birthday Giveaway Edition

Hey guys. So since its my birthday august the 18th (I'm so excited) I decided to do a special giveaway for you all to celebrate my 17th. So all you have to do is follow the rafftlecopter rules. This is international because I will ship it from The Book Depository if I have to. The closing date will be August the 21st. Happy Reading. I have picked six books that are releasing this month :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exchanging Books

Exchanging Books

Is an idea that was inspired from watching Padfootandprongs07 on youtube. It is where once a month you send a book to someone and they send a book back to you with whatever theme it is for the month. You can choose from what book you want to send to your book partner, as long as it is to do with the months theme.

If you would like to sign up and become apart of exchanging books, please do write so down below. After 48 hours I will do a random.org and put you with your book partners of the month. With your comment down below, please do recommend what type of book themes you would like to see.

Every month you will get a new book partner, so the more people that sign up the better.

- Happy Reading.

Review: Forgive My Fins By Tera Lynn Childs

Forgive My Fins By Tera Lynn Childs
Genre: Young Adult/ Fantasy
Publisher: Harpercollins
Rating: A / 4 stars

Summary: Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Review: The timing was so right for when I read this book. I sat in my garden in the lovely hot sun enjoying this summer breeze book. I didn't think I would like this book for some reason. Maybe its because its mermaids and who knows how it can be played out. I loved it though! We see Lily a girl of 17 years old in love with some hot jock Brody at school, who happens to want to bond with him. Theres a slight problem though, Lilys a mermaid and she accidently kisses the wrong boy. Who happens to be the annoying next door neighbour Quince who likes to bug Lily every chance he gets. So the only way to get her dream boy now is to get unbonded from Quince who happens to actually take being bonded to a mermaid quite well.

We get to see Lilys life on land and under the sea. I loved picturing how they lived underwater and how everything was detailed. Like the bed Lily slept on underwater were shells and different peices of underwater objects. I found it very creative for Tera to do. We also got to see how mermaids lived and what their lifestyle was like. It makes it almost believable.

The characters in the story were what made me enjoy this book mainly. I loved Quince. He was probably my favourite character. He comes across as this typical blonde jerk at the beginning, but after the first few chapters you see how much of a caring guy he actually is. I loved how he was with Lily and how he just wanted to protect her all the time. I rooted for him right from the beginning. When normally in a book I mostly root for who the character wants to be with but for once I kept wanting her to change her mind. Lily however sometimes needed a wakeup call. I understood she was a mermaid and that she basically came to land because she loved the way Brody was, but sometimes I felt she was obessed with him. Like she needed to realise what was actually in front of her instead of trying to go for someone who wasnt the person she thought they were. But then I felt this was very realistic because I'm sure every girl has gone through a stage at school of liking someone whos probably never going to like them back. I also liked Lilys father. He was very respecting when it came to Lilys wishes and was just looking out for her when she needed him.

I rated this an A because this book was super cute. Loads of mermaidness and romance along the way and it was also my first mermaid book and I really enjoyed reading something entirely different and new. My only problem with this was that some things I felt the characters needed more time with before they believed. Because if I was a human and I found out someone was a mermaid well yeah it wouldnt register in my brain in the first five seconds.

A

The Archived 6-month Countdown

The Archived 6-month Countdown

As you might know, today is the mark of 6 months, before this awesome cover on the left hand side comes out. Victoria Schwab is the author of the The Near Witch which was released later last year and is set for her upcoming new novel The Archived which will be released January 22nd 2013. It is a mixed of romance, paranormal and supernautral.

Summary: Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

To purchase this fabulous story: you can pre-order it @ amazon uk amazon usa 

Waiting On Wednesday: The Nightmare Affair #8

Hosted By Breaking the Spine. Every wednesday you pick a book your waiting to be released that you're excited for and share it with your book pals.

This week I'm waiting on The Nightmare Affair By Mindee Arnett.

Summary: 16-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare. Literally. Dusty is a magical being who feeds on human dreams.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder. The setting is Arkwell.

And then it comes true.

Now the Dusty has to follow the clues--both within Eli’s dreams and out of them--to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

Are you excited for this one? I sure am. It sounds creepy, scary, exciting, romantic all at the same time! This sounds so new to alot of YA thats been floating about latley and I love new story concept. But we have to wait till march!

Date Release: March 5th 2013
Publishers: Tor Teen

Review: As You Wish By Jackson Pearce

As You Wish By Jackson Pearce
Genre: Young Adult/ Fantasy.
Publisher: Harper Teen.
Rating: B / 3.5

Summary: A brokenhearted Viola inadvertently summons a genie into her world. Jinn agrees to stay until Viola makes three wishes, but she's afraid she won't wish for the right thing. Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola, and only after she makes her first wish does Viola realize she's in love with Jinn.

Review: This is my first Jackson Pearce book that I have read. It had been on my bookshelf a little while now and because it was a genie related book I knew I had to read it sooner or later because I love genies. The story revolves around a girl named Viola who happens to be a very broken, slightly lonely girl. Whos bestfriend happens to be her ex-boyfriend who told her just six months ago that he was gay and this happens to be the reason to why she is so alone. She happens to really want to fit in again and feel like she is apart of something in the crowd at school and thats where the genie (also known as Jinn) comes along. Straight from the beginning Jinn makes it clear that he wants to hurry the wishes up so he can go back to Caliban. But as Viola knows wishes dont always mean things go the way you want them too, so she takes her time to think on them. That leads to Jinn having to spend time with Viola which leads to Jinn questioning himself on if he really wants to leave Viola and go back to his own world.

I enjoyed this book simply for the fact that I loved Jinn. He was a sweet, caring genie. Who at first comes across as impatient and pissed off. He was very quirky with his words with Viola and always wanted what was best for her. After being there for a few days you got to see how much he had developed a passion for being on earth, and how much he just wanted to fit in. Unlike Jinn, Viola annoyed me. There were times when I really wanted to shut the book because she just moaned and felt sorry for herself so much. It was like yes your boyfriend broke up with you six months ago, you need to get over it and realise theres more in life then sitting in your bedroom depressed. Right at the end I did start to like her but I just thought she was very self-centered. I also liked Violas best friend Lawrence because he also knows about Jinn being a genie and I just thought he was the awesome gay bestfriend everyone wishes they had.

The ending was written on a good note. There is a little twist. It ended the way it should. I felt it was the right way to go because she could of totally gone the cliche way and she didn't. I think the ending was cute and it reminded me of possibly a disney movie in the future who knows. It was a quick- read- book and I deffinetly reccomend it if your wanting something light to read in the summer.

I rate this:

Letterbox Love (6)

Letterbox Love is a weekly book meme, showing everyone what books you have brought, been gifted and been sent in the week. Showing your love at the end of the week, with everything you have recieved in the letterbox. Hosted by Lynsey @ Narrativelyspeaking inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie.

This week I brought:

1. Personal Demons - By Lisa Desrochers.
2. Between The Lines - By Jodi Picolt & Samantha Van Leer.
3. Anna Dressed In Blood - By Kendare Blake.
4. Dead Hemlock - By Kathleen Peacock. ( I don't know why they've change the name of this)
5. Unravelling - By Elizabeth Norris.

I recieved for review:

Revamped By Ada Adams. Thankyou so much for shipping this all the way from America! And including some signed swag aswell.
What did you guys get this week?

Review: Epic Fail By Claire LaZebnik

Epic Fail By Claire LaZebnik                                                    Genre: Young Adult/ Contempary.
Publisher: Harperteen.
Rating: B / 3.5 stars.

Summary: At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Cast in point:

- As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school - not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.
- As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn't exactly on everyone's must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise's beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince's best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

Review: I read this simply for the fact that I want to start getting into the summer reads and I heard this was a cute, easy read. Which it was. The story takes place around Elise whos family and herself have just moved to L.A. With her mom now being the principal of her new school. There, she and her sister Julia stick together and decide to stay with each other during lunch. Which leads to Julia her sister instantly taking a liking to a boy called Chase whos parents own a studio. Because of them having lunch with Chase for Julias sake, Elise has to deal with Derek Edwards Chase bestfriend and also son of the most famous people in America. But its not easy because Derek happens to be ignorant and unsociable.

I thought the concept of this was really sweet. It's based on the book Pride and Prejudice, which I havent actually read myself. But I know of certain events that happen in that story. And there are a few simular intakes. Like Darcy in Pride and Prejudice; Derek is wealthy and arrogant in some ways. He takes a liking to Elise but comes across as shallow, since he dosent interact well with alot of people who idolize him. Like Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice; Elise is a delightful character, who dosent come from money, who only wants to go out with someone for their personality not for their wealth and sees Derek as an actual person not a celebritys spawn. Shes very close with her family and you can tell how much she cares about them. I really liked the sisters in this story and how very real they were. How you got to know a bit about her family and how they stuck together. Even though their little sister Layla was annoying at times and you wanted to slap her you could tell she was just a young sister wanting to be apart of their fun.

The ending was major fluff and cute. It wasnt the best book I've ever read or the worst.  I just didn't like the way they ended things with Webster, I felt that was a little rushed. The book quickly started and quickly ended, it was a light read. Nothing thats to in depth, just something to read in the summer sun. If your looking for a intelligent read then I wouldnt say this is the one. This book goes straight into it and yes there were parts where I thought maybe they could of dragged it out a little but this is a quick light read book thats obviously not supposed to be too long to read. The characters quickly like each other and things quickly happen so if your wanting a fast paced book I would say to read this.
If your doing a summer challenge this year I would add this book to your list :D

I rate this:

Review: Journal Of A Schoolyard Bully By Farley Katz

Journal of a Schoolyard Bully
Genre: Middlegrade
Publisher: St Martins Press

Summary: In the tradition of the mega successful DIARY OF A WIMPY KID and DORK DIARIES comes Niko Taylor, a school bully who must keep a journal to right all the wrongs he has done, but Niko, being a habitual trouble-maker, has other ideas.

Niko Kaylor, the terror of his middle school, doles out wedgies and collects money he doesn’t need. When he is forced to begin keeping a journal of his activities to curb his bullying ways, he secretly turns his diary into a how-to guide for bullies. Now, against the wishes of his peers, Niko plans to conquer his middle school and teach everyone a lesson in bullying, including his teachers. 

Review: I found this while sorting my room out, it happened to be in the wadrobe. It was sent for review and I must of lost it in the midst of all the stuff I have. I went into reading this thinking it was going to be like Diary Of A Wimpy Kid. Which I loved (well the film) It tells the tale of a boy called Niko who happens to love bullying people. He bullies people that much that he has to have some counselling. I found this book to be rather boring and not funny at all. There was no moral to the story, just a middle grade boy getting his kicks for bullying children. Literally all through the book he was plotting to bully someone different. I thought that maybe it would change throughout the book and that maybe he would learn a lesson, that bullying is unacceptable. But even the ending was a dissapointment and there was no lesson learnt. If anything it was sending a message to kids that bully is a fine thing to do. I dont know if the author meant for the book to have the meaning of this, but thats what it came across because the main character Niko in the story carried on bullying.

I think it didnt help that it was diary formed either because I find it hard to read books like this, or that it was middlegrade because the boy had such a wild imagination I didnt know if what he was saying was actually true. I dont reccomend this for young adult reads. I would say a young ten year old boy would probably enjoy this and find it funny. I dont think I could really find any good points to this book apart from the sketches they were pretty funky and done wonderfully.

I rate this: D

Letterbox Love (5)

Letterbox Love is a weekly book meme, showing everyone what books you have brought, been gifted and been sent in the week. Showing your love at the end of the week, with everything you have recieved in the letterbox. Hosted by Lynsey @ Narrativelyspeaking inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie.

This week I recieved:

This week I only got one book haha. Paper Towns By John Green. Which was sent to me as a RAK present. From Claire @WHNBSTIHWSOFT -http://whnbstihwsoft.blogspot.co.uk/ Thankyou very much. Since I didnt buy any books this week, well... I ordered some that should be arrving shortly next weeks haha.

What did you get this week?

Summer Reads Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to my stop on the Summer Reads Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Rex Robot Reviews. I am excited to be giving away an awesome summer read for you. You have the chance to choose out of four summer books from the titles below. I will be shipping it from The Book Depository.

• The Summer I Turney Pretty. 
• Going Too Far.
• The Duff.
• Where I belong.

Rules: Follow the rafflecopter rules. This is international, so anyone can join in the fun :D

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Random Acts Of Kindness: June Wrap Up!

At the end of every RAK month, if you have recieved or given a book you share it on your post for everyone to see. Random Act Of Kindness is a great chance to be randomly kind and send books to bloggers and if your lucky, be given books yourself. Its hosted by @BookSoulMates. To sign up click here.

This month I sent out two books.

I sent out Holes to Claire @WHNBSTIHWSOFT - http://whnbstihwsoft.blogspot.co.uk/

And I sent out Amy & Rogers Epic Detour to @Misty from Bookaholic Book Club - http://bookaholicsbkcl.blogspot.co.uk/

I hope the girls enjoy their books very much. I;ve read both this books before and I personally think there amazing.

I recieved this week Saving June: from Lauren @Northern Plunder. -
http://northernplunder.blogspot.co.uk/
Thankyou ever so much. I look forward to this one.

I also recieved Paper Towns from Claire - @WHNBSTIHWSOFT -
http://whnbstihwsoft.blogspot.co.uk/
Thankyou I cant wait to read this one aswell, looks awesome.

Thankyou to both girls for being super lovely and for getting books that looks amazing!
What did you recieve or send this RAK month?

Review: Fifty Shades Darker By E.L.James

Fifty Shades Darker By E.L.James
Genre: Adult Fiction
Publisher: Vintage

Summary: Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

Review:
So this is the second in the series of Fifty Shades. I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one. Yes- there is still alot of sex! But there is more of a summary and deffinetly more drama going on, and I just love drama to stir things up. The only thing that E.L.James keeps doing to me which annoys me is making the beginning of the book slow and boring. It's like we start the first few chapters very pointless with nothing exciting going on and then bam once we come to the middle of the book, the story finally starts to kick in again. Its like example: (Spoiler Alert) We start the beginning with Anastasia not with Christian anymore and you just see her moping about missing him and then a chapter later their back together and it just annoyed me they needed to build their relationship up properly. (Spoiler Alert Over!) But as usual E.L.James always delivers when it comes to hot chemistry because everyone knows who reads this book that she creates this sexual tension with the characters all the time, no matter how many times they have sex you can feel the love from one and other.

I loved Christian alot more in this book than in the first one aswell. I found that he was starting to open up alot more and create feelings for Ana. And the way he starts to really care for her makes you fall in love with him yourself. He's just such a gentleman, even though he is a controlling, Ana seems to change him in so many different ways. I liked how Ana was starting to grow a backbone for herself aswell and was starting to challenge him.

The ending to this second book was brilliant! It left you with a cliffhanger. And you have to read the next book or you just dont know whats going to happen. I deffinetly sense alot more drama and suspense in the next book.

I rate this:

July Book Releases

This months July book releases Im looking forward to:

1. Something Stranger and Deadly - By Susan Dennard.
2. Such A Rush - By Jennifer Echols.
3. Pushing The Limits - By Katie McGarry.
4. The Thing About The Truth - Lauren Barnholdt.
5. Tiger Lily - By Jodi Lynn Anderson.
6. 52 Reasons To Hate My Father - By Jessica Brody.

Some great books this month, what book releases are you looking forward to this month?

Letterbox Love (4)

Letterbox Love is a weekly book meme, showing everyone what books you have brought, been gifted and been sent in the week. Showing your love at the end of the week, with everything you have recieved in the letterbox. Hosted by Lynsey @ Narrativelyspeaking inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie.

This week I recieved:

1. A Midsummers Nightmare - By Kody Keplinger. Bought.
2. Angel Dust - By Sarah Mussi. An ARC sent to me from HotKey books thankyou!
3. The Other Countess - By Eve Edwards. Bought.
4. The Gathering Dark - By Leigh Bardugo. Bought.

Some great books this week, am so excited to read them all. I got all the books apart from Angel Dust online from amazon. Seriously if you live in England, I recommend amazon for your books because waterstones and whsmith are just so exspensive, thats if your trying to find a bargain book and want to cut out money on books.

What did you guys get this week? Put your links below. Ill have a look.

Waiting On Wednesday: Nobody But Us #7

Hosted By Breaking the Spine. Every wednesday you pick a book your waiting to be released that you're excited for and share it with your book pals.

This week I'm waiting on: Nobody But Us By Kristin Halbrook.

Summary: Two teenagers who, in search of a better life, run away to Vegas, but realize they can't run fast enough when they end up wanted by the police, out of money, and out of options, pitched as a YA Bonnie and Clyde.

Not much explained in the summary. But by the mention of Bonne and Clyde, I know this ones going to be amazing. I loved the story of Bonnie and Clyde when I was little, so Im excited for where this book will take its twist. I think this contempary will be a big hit next year!

Date Release: January 29th 2013
Publishers: Harper Childrens.
What book are you waiting on this week?

Letterbox Love (3)

Letterbox Love is a weekly book meme, showing everyone what books you have brought, been gifted and been sent in the week. Showing your love at the end of the week, with everything you have recieved in the letterbox. Hosted by Lynsey @ Narrativelyspeaking inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie.

This week I recieved:

1. Fifty Shades Freed - By E.L.James
2. Nearly Departed - By Rook Hastings. Bought it from a charity shop :D
3. Saving June - By Hannah Harrington. Sent to me as a RAK gift from Lauren @ NorthernPlunder
4. Thirteen Reasons Why - By Jay Asher. Bought from a charity shop aswell, bargin!!
5. Cinderella and other stories - I brought this for my childcare course at college it was only a pound.

Again thankyou Lauren for sending me a RAK so nice of you! Thats all folks this week with what I got, a bit more toned down then last weeks Letterbox Love haha. What did you guys get this week?

Giveaway: Pushing the limits By Katie McGarry

Giveaway! Win a chance to have Pushing The Limits. By Katie McGarry. I'm so excited for this release and I've heard nothing but good reviews for this story so Ive decided to pre-order me a copy and who ever wins one aswell.

Summary:

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

"An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!"-Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of the Intertwined series

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Want a chance to win this awesome, fantastic book?! Do you??? All you have to do is follow the rafftlecopter rules. Because it is an pre order and Im order online, it is international so anyone can enter. P.S Its been over a year that Ive been blogging now. Happy one year blog to me!

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