Rosebush by Michelle Jaffe

Book:  Rosebush
Author:  Michelle Jaffe
Release date:  December 14, 2010
Publisher:  Razorbill
Pages:  304
Source: Boulder Book Store

Instead of celebrating Memorial Day weekend on the Jersey Shore, Jane is in the hospital surrounded by teddy bears, trying to piece together what happened last night. One minute she was at a party, wearing fairy wings and cuddling with her boyfriend. The next, she was lying near-dead in a rosebush after a hit-and-run.

Everyone believes it was an accident, despite the phone threats Jane swears were real. But the truth is a thorny thing. As Jane's boyfriend, friends, and admirers come to visit, more memories surface not just from the party, but from deeper in her past . . . including the night her best friend Bonnie died.

With nearly everyone in her life a suspect now, Jane must unravel the mystery before her killer attacks again. Along the way, she's forced to examine the consequences of her life choices in this compulsively readable thriller.

Rosebush was a totally twisted story.  Michelle Jaffe wrote an amazing thriller with this one and I wouldn't mind reading more books like this one.

Jane Freeman can't remember anything about the night before.  All she knows is that someone tried to kill her and nobody believes her.  Threatening messages and phone calls don't mean anything because nobody believes that she is actually getting them.  Will Jane figure out the mystery of who is trying to kill her before it's too late?

Jane was an interesting character.  I liked her because she had more than one side and I liked finding out more about her and her past.  Her friends were the really odd ones, though.  Kate, Langley, Ollie, David, and Scott all had secrets and I couldn't guess any of them.  I loved the mystery.

The plot was okay but there didn't seem to be a ton going on with the killer for most of the book.  The memories from the night before kept it interesting though.  Jane kept remembering things and it seemed like every new memory changed who the killer might be.  It was awesome!

Overall, Rosebush is a unique book for the young adult market.  It's full of suspense, romance, and lots of secrets.  Oh and really hot guys!  =]

First line:  The image is stark yet beautiful.

Rating:  A

Cover:  A++

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Book:  The False Princess
Author:  Eilis O'Neal
Release date:  January 25, 2011
Publisher:  Egmont USA
Pages:  336
Source:  Publisher

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

The False Princess is a fantastic historical fantasy.  Growing up, I loved books by Gail Carson Levine and this one reminded me of her books in so many ways yet still had such a unique feel to it.  I couldn't help but love it.

Sinda Azaway has always believed herself to be Princess Nalia.  When she finds out on her sixteenth birthday that she's not, her life changes drastically.  She is forced to move out of the palace and go live with her aunt who knows nothing about her.  When she realizes that she has magic in her blood things get even more complicated.  Forced to move back to the city, Sinda must face her old life, not knowing who she really is.  She will have to find out though because there is a plot against the crown and she is the only one who can save the kingdom.

The False Princess never slowed down.  From the very first sentence I was drawn into Sinda's life and her misery.  I couldn't believe what she had to go through.  I connected to her very quickly because of her pain and confusion.  I loved watching her grow and she was forced to do that pretty quickly with the magic and plot against the crown.  I couldn't put the book down until I knew exactly how it would end.

Sinda was the main character but she was not my favorite; Kiernan was.  He was such a gentleman sometimes and a huge rake at others.  He was funny and kind and he made the book that much better.  He was the best thing that happened to Sinda and he was always there for her.  What a perfect guy!

Overall, The False Princess is one for every historical fantasy fan.  Eilis O'Neal is another fabulous debut author and I hope she has many more books like this one in the future.

First line:  The day they came to tell me, I was in one of the gardens with Kiernan, trying to decipher a three-hundred-year-old map of the palace grounds.

Rating:  A

Cover:  B-

2 Year Blogoversary!

Wow!  Today is my official two year blogoversary.  When I started my blog two years ago I never thought I would have come this far.  It's such a crazy thing to look back at how my blog started and what it is today.  I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me out in any way over the past couple years.  The blogging community is amazing and I am so happy that I have become a part of it.  Thank you to everyone who I have come in contact with from my blog and of course, to my followers!

In My Mailbox 96 (week of January 22)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:
-Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis
-You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin
-Love, Love, Love by Deborah Reber and Caroline Goode
-Enclave (Razorland #1) by Ann Aguirre

From trades:
-Freefall by Mindi Scott
-Factotum (The Foundling's Tale #3) by DM Cornish
-Nightshade by Michelle Rowen
-Choker by Elizabeth Woods
-The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
-End Of Days (Night Runner #2) by Max Turner
-A Small Free Kiss In The Dark by Glenda Millard
-Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw
-Nobody's Prize by Esther Friesner

Sorry there are no pictures this week.  I had trouble getting the slideshows to work.  They will be back next week hopefully.

This week was a bit slower but I still got great books, both from trades and for review.  I am super excited to read Enclave and Freefall has been on my wishlist for a while now.  I can't wait to read all my books.

What was in your mailbox this week?

If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman

Book:  If I Stay (If I Stay #1)
Author:  Gayle Forman
Published:  April 6, 2010 from Penguin
My edition/number of pages:  HC/259

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Bookstore
Series?:  Yes.  First book.

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

Wow!  If I Stay left me completely speechless.  Gayle Forman is one amazing writer and If I Stay is a beautiful book.

Mia Hall though it was going to be a good day; no school and a family outing.  What could be better?  Things take a turn for the worse though when Mia and her family are in a devastating car crash and Mia is left in a coma.  Life doesn't look so great for her anymore.  Things will never be the same.  Still, she has a choice to make.  Should she stay or should she go?

If I Stay is probably one of the saddest books that I have ever read.  I knew when I started it that it wasn't going to be your happily-ever-after but I had no idea how much I would cry.  Still, it is one of the most beautifully written books that I have ever read and I can't help but recommend it.

The way it's written is different but it was a great way to show all the characters, not just Mia.  Stories are told through flashbacks of Mia's memories and every memory showed something new about Mia and her loved ones.  It wasn't hard to get drawn into the story.

Overall, If I Stay is a book that I highly recommend to everyone, young and old.  I know for a fact that my mom loved it too and she is a very picky reader.  I just know that everyone will find something to love about this book.  I can't believe I waited this long to read it.

First line:  Everyone thinks it was because of the snow.

Rating: A++

Cover:  5=A++ (I really like both the hardcover edition and the paperback.)

Blog Tour: Interview With Keri Mikulski + Giveaway!

Keri Mikulski is the author of Head Games, which is her YA debut.  Head Games was released on January 6 from Razorbill.

KBB:  Why did you decide to write novels for young adults?

KM:  About five years ago, while teaching seventh grade Language Arts, I became frustrated with the lack of sports fiction for girls. At the same time, I was reading amazing young adult novels and fell in love with the genre. After I gave birth to my daughter, I decided to give professional writing a go and I set out to write the novels I always wanted to read, fun, light, sports novels.

KBB:  What do you consider the best moment of your career?

KM: The best moments are always reader emails. One particular email that sticks out in my mind was from a teen athlete who struggled with dyslexia, hated reading, but read Screwball and loved it.

KBB: Do you have a favorite character from your books? If so, why that one?

KM: When I’m writing a book, my favorite character is always the one I’m currently working on. Right now, I’m finishing up Stealing Bases (Pretty Tough Book 4) and I LOVE Kylie Collins.

KBB: Are any of your characters based on people you know?

KM: Every single main character I create has a little piece of me sprinkled with a lot of my imagination. And every single minor character I write about has a little piece of someone I know doused with a lot of my imagination. Sometimes I even leave little hints in my books… That way if the person I based the character on ever reads my book they’ll know it’s him or her.

KBB: Can you tell us anything about what you are currently working on?

KM: The fourth book, STEALING BASES (which follows mean-girl, Kylie Collins and her quest to become a Division-One softball player), hits bookstores this July. And two more series books are slated for 2012 releases.

KBB: Just for fun: What is your most embarrassing moment? It can relate to your writing career but it does not have to.

KM: I have this horrible habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. But, my most embarrassing moment was when I kissed a boy thinking it was my boyfriend and it turned out to be his brother. Woops.

KBB: Ooh that is embarassing.  Yikes!

Thanks so much for the interview, Keri!

Readers if you want to know more about Keri and her books you can check her out on the web:

www.kerimikulski.com

                              

Giveaway!

One lucky commenter will win a $10 Borders gift card!

-You must comment on this post.  

Contest ends January 30.

Blog Tour: Head Games (Pretty Tough #3) by Keri Mikulski

Book:  Head Games (Pretty Tough #3)
Author:  Keri Mikulski
Release date:  January 6, 2011
Publisher:  Razorbill
Pages:  284
Source:  Publisher/Teen Book Scene

Taylor is calm, cool, collected, and ferocious on the basketball court. A total all-star. Not so much in real life. She may be tall, gorgeous, and an incredible catch, but just try telling her that!

And lately, Taylor doesn't know which way to turn: The summer showcase game is almost here. Her BFF Hannah roped her into a fashion show (eek!). And she can't decide between Zach - the super-popular, super-tall, super-off-limits basketball dynamo and Matt - the sweet boy from her math class (who may just be dating her BFF's older sister). It's enough to make any girl's head spin!

Can Taylor strike a pose, land the boy of her dreams, and win the game?

Head Games has brought life back to the Pretty Tough series.  Keri Mikulski has taken over writing the series and she has done a fabulous job with this one.

Taylor Thomas is known as many things: giraffe, horse, daddy long legs, but never hot.  Being 6-feet-tall isn't exactly a good thing for a girl.  Luckily Taylor is extremely talented at basketball and it may even help her land the perfect guy for her, Zachary Murphy.  Too bad Taylor's interactions with Zach are bringing drama to the team.  And if Zach is so perfect why can't Taylor stop thinking about her english partner, Matt Moore?

Head Games was a great book.  It had a great story, fun characters, and wonderful writing.  Taylor was a typical teenager with insecurities and worries but she also had amazing talent with basketball and that helped her focus.  She cracked me up with her antics.  She and Hannah, her best friend, were complete opposites but perfect together.  The basketball team was good too but there isn't a ton of background on them.  The two boys were great too but I definitely loved Matt the most.

The story in Head Games was super fast paced.  I had no trouble getting into it and I flew through it.  The short chapters also helped speed it along.

Overall, Head Games is a great addition to the Pretty Tough series and Keri Mikulski has a great young adult debut with it.  =]

First line:  Nothing "Monday morning story worthy" ever happens to me.

Rating:  A

Cover:  A++

In My Mailbox 95 (week of January 15)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:

-Wishful Thinking (Wish #2) by Alexandra Bullen (second copy)
-The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder (2 copies)
-Pink by Lili Wilkinson (for giveaway soon)
-The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
-Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
-The Betrayal Of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
-Rage (Horsemen of the Apocalypse #2) by Jackie Morse Kessler
-Those That Wake by Jesse Karp
-The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
-Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
-Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney
-The Thin Executioner by Darren Shan
-Blessed (Tantalize #3) by Cynthia Leitich Smith
-Another Pan (Another #2) by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
-The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald
-Wonderland by Joanna Nadin
-Blink & Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones
-The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
-The Chosen by Sheenah Freitas (signed)

Bought/traded:

-Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate #2) by Gail Carriger
-The Beginner's Guide To Living by Lia Hills
-Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark
-Walk Of The Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick
-Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill
-Those Girls by Sara Lawrence
-Crushworthy (Those Girls #2) by Sara Lawrence
-The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton
-The Interns: Truth Or Fashion by Chloe Walsh
-Geek Abroad (Geek #2) by Piper Banks
-Burned (House Of Night #7) by PC and Kristin Cast
-Awakened (House Of Night #8) by PC and Kristin Cast

I got some great books for review this week but I also got some awesome ones from trades and a new bookstore that I found.  Book Warehouse has tons of books for 50-80% off the cover price.  I got 8 books for $20.  I was so excited.  Now I just need to find a place to put them all because my shelves are overflowing.

What was in your mailbox this week?