Review: The Witches Lottery

The Witches Lottery by Krystal McLaughlin
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 146 (Ereader)
Source: Author

From Goodreads:

When Sophia and Drew McKibben's parents are killed in a tragic car accident, they are shipped off to live with an aunt they never even knew existed. Believing that they are moving to a privately owned island just off of the coast of Mystic, CT to live alone with her, they are surprised to find a sort of under-aged bed and breakfast.
Sophia draws the attention of one of the locals, Falen, immediately. He always seems to know exactly what she is thinking, and to her frustration, everything she does seems to amuse him. When a newcomer to the island brings with him a sense of deja vu, she begins to ask herself the ultimate question: Am I going crazy?
Sophia's world starts to unravel when she notices her own brother acting just as abnormal as the rest of them. When she begins to realize that the life she left behind looks even more bizarre then the one she was forced to leave it for, she's faced with a decision to make: embrace the new life that has been given to her, or drown in the past. Either choice brings with it more secrets and deceptions to unearth. The problem now is that the two worlds may actually be more intertwined than she thought.

My Rating:

My Review:

Friday Memes: Stocking the Bomb Shelter & Other Fun Stuff

This week I am participating in "TGIF at GReads!" for the first time.  Whoohoo for new Friday Memes.  To participate, click here.
TGIF at GReads Question of the Week:
Stand Alone vs. Series: what's your stance?

I'm probably in the minority, but I choose Stand Alone book. I love series almost as much as the next person, but I find that I often read them out of loyalty rather than because of a love of the series (except for a few exceptions).  I have a short attention span.  I want to be introduced to new characters and new storylines.  Finally, if I am to read a series, I often prefer for most of the books to be already written.  I want to read them one after the other and finish the series (that's what I did with Twilight).  I don't like waiting year after year for a new book because I forget what happened in the previous books.

Follow Friday Question of the Week:
Keeping with the dystopian and apocalypse theme that seems to be running rampant on parajunkee.com, I have one very hard question for you: If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten?

1.  The Rawhide Man by Diana Palmer - I don't have a very intellectual reason except that I love this book so much.  It's the romance and it makes me smile.  What can I say?  I don't want to talk about this anymore (hanging head).

2.  Gone with the Wind by - I love Scarlet and I love Rhett.  They are two imperfect characters that make great historical fiction and great romance.  Plus, the movie was fabulous.

3.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - I love the emphasis on family and who doesn't like reading about five girls?

4.  Anything in the Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich - Umm... peanut butter and olive sanwiches, Grandma Mazur, Batman, and Morelli what else do you need?  Oh yeah... funeral viewings.  I can do that.

5.  The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff - Oh the setting, characters, emotion, and that last twist.  LOVES it!

6.    Suspicion of Malice and the whole Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana series - I love this series or whatever you call it.  I love the romance and the mystery.  I know it is silly but I love that there were Spanish/Cuban word sprinkled throughout the books.  It just added a touch of something.

7.    Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - I love this play/book and I think much of it is because of my ninth graders (who are graduating this year...like wow!).  There are so many great discussions to be had and this story truly transcends time.

8.    Water for Elephants by Sara Guen - I read this book recently and loved it so much it is still on my mind.  

9.     Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach- Yes folks.  I'm morbid.  You wouldn't know this about me, but it is so true.  

10.    How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It by James Wesley Rawles - considering the circumstances, this just seems smart.

Why I Love Wednesdays...My Reading Chair

I am returning with my new feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays.   Last week I discussed my one of my favorite series.  And in the weeks before I discussed my favorite book institution,  types of characters, and one of my favorite genres.  This week's topic: favorite reading spot.

If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image and link your post in the comments.

Why I Love...My Reading Chair

I think everyone has that one spot.  The spot where you might look and smile.  You smile because you know you read there.  It's like a dirty little secret that isn't quite so dirty.  You smile because it is the place where the magic sets in.  Oh don't get me wrong.  I can read ANYWHERE and I especially love to read in the bathtub (but I can't show that to the public right now...).  But with my reading chair, I have it all.  I can sit or lay while I read.  I can have everything I need all around me.  I don't have to move.  And best of all... it's comfortable.  Trust me on this one.  

Review: Creed's Honor

Creed's Honor by Linda Lael Miller (available May 2011)
Series: The Creed Cowboys
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 377 (EReader from Netgalley)
Publisher: Harlequin

Description from Amazon:

Conner Creed knows exactly who he is: a hardworking rancher carrying on his uncle's legacy in Lonesome Bend, Colorado. Maybe a small-town cowboy's life isn't his dream, but he owes the man who took him in as a kid. Until the identical twin brother he's been estranged from for years reenters his life.Conner struggles with identity issues as he gets to know his wilder brother. And then he meets Tricia McCall, a beautiful woman who knows a thing or two about living someone else's dreams. Together, they just might find their own dreams right here in Lonesome Bend….

My Rating:

My Review:

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Winner!!

RESULTS ARE IN!!

Carrie at in the Hammock Blog won the book of her choice from The Book Depository or Amazon.com.  According to the form Carrie is would like Stay by Deb Calletti.  Congratulations!

The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their address and confirm their book choice.  If there is no response, I will choose a new winner.  Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway. The winner was selected by Random.org.


Didn't win?  Never fear, my 200 follower giveaway is still going on.  You can check it out here.

Review: When Breaks the Dawn

When Breaks the Dawn by Janette Oke
Series: Canadian West #3
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction
Pages: 244 (paperback)

From Goodreads.com:

Having survived the harshness of their first year in the far Northwest, Elizabeth and Wynn, her Royal Canadian Mountie, now face new challenges. Just when they've made new friends and started a new school, they are presented with a new posting. It seems Elizabeth's dreams for a family and home of her own are not to be. Will their love for each other, hope for the future, and their faith in God carry them through the crushing disappointments? Book 3 of the bestselling Canadian West series

My Rating :

My Review:

Introduction: Sexting--When Life Meets Books

Coming May 2011

I absolutely love when books (especially fiction) meets life and great conversations can be had about real life issues.   This has recently happened when I received a book for review called Exposure by Therese Fowler.  A short exerpt from Goodreads describes the book in a nutshell.

In Exposure, Therese Fowler has written her most gripping novel to date—a ripped-from-the-headlines story of ardent young love and a nightmarish legal maelstrom that threatens to destroy two families.

So how does this affect real life you might ask?  Well this book centers around "sexting" which is a relatively new issue that is coming to play with today's technology.  This is a HUGE problem when people are underage.  The consequences are pretty big.  Someone breaks up and the pictures are let loose unto the world-wide-web...this is VERY VERY BAD.  In this day and age, those pictures are just simply out there forever.  Everyone has access to everything and if you make a bad decision the consequences are perhaps last a little longer than most.

Many of you have heard a bit about the real me--former teacher, law student, and newlywed (I think). I also intern at the Texas State Capitol and I'm in the know about potential and future legislation.   A common topic recently is this idea of "sexting."  Many people think the answer is to criminalize this behavior.  Well this book certainly opens up the discussion about whether this would be a good idea.


It would really suck if your significant other sent it to other people, but what if they didn't?  What if someone else found it?  Who should be punished?  The person who received the image or the person who sent it?

Therese Fowler not only weighs in on the debate in her book, but she has personal experiences with the situation as this happened to her son. Check-in to the conversation with Therese Fowler below...

Friday Memes: Now Playing... & Picking the Same Author

Follow Friday Question of the Week:

What is on your current playlist right now?

Oh Oh... It is questions like this that make me feel like the most boring person in the world.

• When I am studying, I listen to a Pandora old school Michael Jackson like station.
• When I am driving, I listen to the audiobook Unhallowed Grounds.
• When I work out, I don't listen to music, but watch any television show that comes on Bravo.
• Otherwise, I listen to Adele, American Idol songs (I know I'm lame), and  Brittney Spears

Don't forget to check out the two giveaways I have going on.  1) 200 follower giveaway [yes... I see the number on the sidebar but things happen that I don't understand : ) ] and 2) The Easter Hop Eggstravaganza.

Also, don't forget to check out my feature: Why I Love...The Stephanie Plum Series

Book Blogger Question of the Week:

If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by that author?

Of course!  I'm such a stalker of author's books once I have a good experience.  I go to used books stores, libraries, and search people's bookshelves (Yes I do this).  I love having a go-to author.  It give me a feeling like I'm home.  I can get comfy, grab a glass of wine, and settle in for a sure win.  Am I always right no? But a good writer is a good writer and even if I don't like the story or something, I appreciate the writing.

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop (April 20th to 25th) (International)

Hi all!  I am honored to participate in the Easter hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Once Upon a Twilight

My Giveaway? I'm giving away the book of your choice up to $15 from the book depository.  So whip out those wishlists and take your pick : )

Here's how it will work:

1. This is an international giveaway and open to anyone who can have books shipped from The Book Depository.  Check and see if you are listed here
2. You do NOT have to be a follower, but it would be much appreciated.
3. No form this time.  Fill out the form here.
4. I will use random.org to choose a winner.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond.
5. This contest will end April 25th at 11:59 PM.  I will announce the winner on April 26.
6. Good Luck!

Be sure to check-out the other giveaways below:

Why I Love Wednesdays...The Stephanie Plum Series

I am returning with my new feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays.   Last week I discussed my favorite book institution.  And in the weeks before I discussed both the types of characters I loved and one of my favorite genres.  This week's topic: favorite series.

If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image and link your post in the comments.

Why I Love...The Stephanie Plum Series

Can I first say that I'm not typically a fan series because I hate waiting for a long period of time between books to the point that I forget what the previous book was about...No fear here.  I LOVE The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich.  I mean how can you not.  This series has it all.  Now I need you to work with me while I try to explain this particular love because I don't want to spoil this series for those who haven't yet discovered this amazing piece of heaven.

Diverse Characters.

Okay the characters are just imperfect, kooky, and funny (and boy are they funny), but they are diverse.  I love when characters reflect the diversity of life.  Many people don't notice one way or the other, but I certainly do.  I love that Ranger is Cuban-American and Lula is black.  Plus, the focus on the Italian culture of Stephanie, Morelli, and the rest of "the Burg" is pretty nifty (without being like that one reality tv show that people talk about and I obviously do not watch).

Kooky Characters.

Okay so I love characters but the characters in this book are so easy to love.  I mean let's see... Morrelli has commitment issues.  Stephanie married Dickie Orr (who marries a guy name Dickie anyway), was laid off from a lingerie boutique (no worries, this happens before the series starts), and is HORRIBLE at her job.  Ranger is batman.  And Grandma Mazur...well...some people just like funerals and I get that.