Guest Review! 40 Loaves, Breaking Bread with our Father Each Day

Thanks to Ashley Boyer I was given the book:

40 Loaves, Breaking Bread with our Father Each Day

by C.D. Baker to review.

I really enjoy this book, it is not really a book that you would just sit down and read in its entirety, but rather a bit here and there. This book is a collection of readings and at the end of each reading/chapter is a daily prayer as well as food for thought. I like to pick up this book and read before I fall asleep each night, it is truly inspiring and thought provoking.

I recommend this book for inspirational reading. You can find it at: http://www.randomhouse.com/

Guest Blog by Lauri from Knits and Reads

Hauntingly Wonderful

Rating: 5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 5 out of 5
Author: Nancy Werlin
Book: Impossible
Disclosure: I rented this book from the library

"Impossible" by Nancy Werlin is a story of a 17 year old girl who has just learned of a secret, a secret that could mean the world to Lucy. A curse has been passed down from one 17 girl to another in Lucy's family line. Every girl somehow ends up pregnant at the age of 17 and will give birth at 18. After she gives birth to the baby girl, she will become mentally unstable and will end up like past generations. Lucy is no exception. However, there is hope. There is one way to break the curse and free Lucy's family line from the terrible curse. If she can figure out how to accomplish each of the 4 tasks in the song, "Scarborough fair" before she gives birth, she will be free. However, the tasks are not simple. Will Lucy have enough time and be able to free herself and her daughter?

Have you ever read a book and wanted to buy a hundred copies to give to everyone you know because you loved it so much? That is how I felt after reading "Impossible." It was beautifully haunting, it was romantic, and it was magical. It incorporated past legends and magic into the modern day life of an average teen girl. The other part that I loved about this book was that Nancy used a real life song - Scarborough Fair - in her book as basically, the theme. Lucy was pregnant without fault of her own because of the curse that forced it to happen. Throughout the story I found myself wanting Lucy to succeed in the tasks and wanting her to not give up. This is a great book and I encourage you to read it!

Listen to the song that the story was based off of:

Review: Front And Center

Book: Front and Center
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Rating: 5 out of 5
3rd in series of Dairy Queen and The Off Season
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin for sending me a copy of this book

D.J. is back with another great story to be told! This time she is struggling to decide which college she should go to, a big league school or smaller one? If she does decide to go to a bigger school, will she be able to handle the stress and competition? Of course, on top of all of that she has Brian who she has mixed up feelings for, should she give him another chance, or let him go?

I love this entire series! They are adorable! D.J. is a very relatable character and you are able to see why she is struggling for the reasons that she is. This book actually got me laughing out loud a few times! Catherine's writing style is believable and I could see a normal teenager facing what D.J. faces in the book and reacting the same way. Overall, this is a really great book and I suggest reading it if you have already read the first two in the series!

New Look Same Blog!!!

Do you like the new look? I felt like this blog needed a new do, to liven it up a bit :) Let me know what you think!

Images are courtesy of The Cherry Blossom Girl!

Review: Jane In Bloom

Book: Jane In Bloom
Author: Deborah Lytton
Pages: 182
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 4 out of 5
Disclosure: I won this book from a contest on In Bed With Books blog

Review:

Jane and her sister have always been close, telling each other all of their secrets. However, Janes sister has been acting strange lately, refusing to eat and acting secretly and somewhat depressed like. However, Jane never expected Lizzie to not be with her on earth, living in the bedroom next to her own and sharing the same bathroom together, but it happens and Jane finds herself having to learn how to cope with the results and her feelings, and through the midst of it all, she finds out that she has a talent for photography.

This was a sweet but sad novel that makes you want to keep reading, in fact, I finished "Jane in Bloom" in one day. The reason that I rated it a 3.5 is because I felt as if there was something missing and like the plot should have had something more to it. Even so, I did enjoy "Jane in Bloom" and am looking forward to Deborah's upcoming novels.

Win "I Can't Keep My Own Secrets!!" Twitter Contest!

Win A Copy of "I Can't Keep My Own Secrets"

It has been a long time since I hosted a contest to win a book....

....And since today is such a beautiful Fall day.......

....Lets Celebrate!!

This contest is going to be a bit different than all of my other ones! It is going to be a Twitter contest.

How to enter:

Simply follow me on Twitter @polopony95 and tweet this message:

RT: Be entered to win a copy of "I Can't Keep My Own Secrets" by following @polopony95 and tweeting! http://bit.ly/4goNmJ


You get 1 enter every time you tweet this message out. You will NOT be entered unless you tweet and follow!

Note: This is an ARC

This contest will end on November 15th!

Good luck :) This is a GREAT book!

Book Page Wreath - Make it yourself!

Over on Lindsay's blog she has posted this neat wreath that she created, out of pages from books! How unique is that?

Wouldn't this make a lovely Christmas gift to a book lover...plus it would be from the heart since its handmade! Lindsay posted her tutorial here!

If you decide to make this, please show me some pictures! I would love to see how yours turn out! This project is going to go on my list of things to do!

*1'st Edit*

I just saw this adorable wreath that Lindsay also made! Tutorial is on her blog for this one as well! This wreath would be perfect for a bird lover or as a Spring decoration! Its never to early to start making decorations :)

*2nd Edit*

Sorry guys, but I just found ANOTHER gorgeous wreath that Lyndsay has made. I hope I'm not boring you yet, but aren't these wreaths just beautiful? This one is another egg wreath, I like it better than the other egg wreath, what do you think? I think it is beautiful! Tutorial here!

*3rd Edit*

So sorry, but I just had to include this one last one!!! What can I say? Lindsey's wreaths are gorgeous! I would love to make this one for our front door! Its perfect for fall! See more pictures here!

Dark Guarding Novels Mini Reviews

Mini Review for the Dark Guardian Series by Rachel Hawthorne



"Moonlight" by Rachel Hawthorne
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Kayla has just recently found out about what she really is. She is now dealing with overwhelming feelings with quiet, dangerous, Lucas who acts more like a older brother to her, or maybe he's just buffering his wild emotions for her. Romance isn't the only exciting happening in "Moonlight," the first novel of the "Darklight" series, though. Humans have discovered the shape shifters and they all risk a frightening ending if much more information about them is spread.




"Dark Guardian" by Rachel Hawthorne
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Lindsey's mate had been chosen for her years ago...ever since she was a little girl everyone new that her mate was going to be Connor. They had it all planned out, however, they left out one thing...Lindsey's decision. Lindsey had always thought she loved Connor, she does love Connor, however, once she starts to feel attraction to Rafe things begin to change and she feels as if she may not have known what "real" love really felt like.....




"Dark of the Moon" by Rachel Hawthorne
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Brittany has been looking forward to the night of her change for a long time, however, she people begin to be worried for her own safety as she still has not found a mate to be with her the night of the change. It is said that every young women that has went through the change alone - has died. That's not all however. People begin to see other things that are different about Brittany than the other wolves. For one thing, she has to work to be fit. Could she be different than everyone else?

My thoughts on the Dark Guardian Novels

I enjoyed this series so much! They are somewhat short, but they have just enough mystery and romance to make for a great read. Once I started reading them, I was pulled in and was excited to continue reading on. I was disappointed at first when I started reading the second book, "Full Moon" and found out that the book wasn't about Kayla, but rather Lindsey, however, still enjoyed it and wasn't to disappointed in the end! I really enjoyed this series and can't wait for the next one coming out!



Wouldn't this make a great holiday gift? Especially if you pledged to give books for the holiday's!

The Latest Scandal....well, according to us bloggers maybe

Twitter has been filled with talk this afternoon all about the new FTC regulation that is supposed to begin to take place starting December 1st.

In a rush of confusion, questions, and other ramblings, all of us has come to a agreement that this is definitely not something we are looking forward to.

According to the FTC, we need to disclose every review we post with where we got the book - for example, if we receive an ARC in the mail from say Harperteen, we need to write somewhere in the post a disclosure on it. Unless of course we either want to send the book back to the publisher after reviewing it or getting charged an $11,000 fee.

Does this also mean that we must include disclosure on swag that we have received for free? And it looks like we can't be doing IMM posts anymore. I think I shall do two a week until December 1st (lol)! And what about all of the Goodread users who write reviews?

One things for sure, there's going to be some changes in the blogsophere to come.

The question is...why are they doing this?

Check out this interesting post on this

89 out of 1,000 newborn babies die in Malawi

Did you know that Malawi is one of the least developed countries in the world? How about the fact that 89 in ever 1,000 babies born die? Or that the average life span is 44 years? Malawi is a small country that is slightly smaller than Virgina.

Hearing those facts, doesn't it just make you want to help them out?

Imagine, 89 babies out of 1,000 die, isn't that horrible? How can we help the mothers and babies?

A while back my friends and I started a organization called "Hats of Love" where we knit baby hats for newborn babies. I would love to move further and put together care sets for new mothers in Malawi, however, as teens in 4-H, we don't have the funds to be able to do this all on our own. That is were you can come in.

In each kit we will include:

-A hand knit baby hat
-A Receiving Blanket
-2 Washcloths
-S.C. Johnsons Baby Shampoo
-1 Onesie

The total cost per a kit will be $10 + the cost of shipping which brings it up to around $15

We would love to accept any donations of yarn, baby hats, baby blankets, new washcloths, new baby shampoo, new onesies, or money to pay for the supplies and postage.

If you are interested in donating, please send me an email at: countrystars95@yahoo.com

We are excited to help make babies lives in Malawi healthier! Thanks for helping out!

Review: And Then Everything Unraveled

Book: And Then Everything Unraveled
Author: Jennifer Sturman
Rating: 5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 3.7 out of 5


Delia lives in an area were everyone's a genius....the parents have online businesses of some sort of an other, and most of the kids do as well. And it is practically rare to see someone that isn't driving a hybrid. And super organized Delia's mom, is one of them. So, when her mom goes on a boat to Antarctica for research and the entire boat mysteriously disappears and everyone believes that she is dead, Delia knows that this is not the case. So she starts researching herself to try to solve the mystery. However, she soon finds out that someone is out to get her, the question is, who?

I loved this book! I found it very entertaining and well written. This book funny even though it is covering a serious topic - finding ones missing Mom in Antarctica when everyone believes shes dead. The book just seemed to have the right mixture of ingredients to make it a great read! I'm looking forward to reading more from Jennifer!

YIKES!!

Argh!

I feel so out of the loop! I haven't been blogging on this blog for a while now and haven't been able to keep up with all of the upcoming book releases! I've been so busy with 4-H and setting up my other blog! Crazy! Plus, I have been working on orders that I've received for Header Requests, which reminds me I have 2 more to make today plus a new one that I want to make for this blog! So, I haven't been able to update much, but that shall change soon!!! I will be posting more reviews again, don't worry!!

Ohhh, also, how do you like my new signature? Please remind me to remember to put it at the end of all of my new posts! lol! And, you might have noticed I changed my profile pic! lol!


I did just right a new review, which you can find below this post!

Thanks for sticking by!!

Review: I Can't Keep My Own Secrets

Book: I Can't Keep My Own Secrets
Author: Teen authors of 800 6 word memoirs.
Pages: 182
Rating: 4 out of 5
Cover Rating: 3 out of 5

"Told You I'd Be Published Someday" (Kat A.) is the first 6 worded memoir out of 800 in the book "I Can't Keep My Own Secrets." This book is made up of hundreds of six words that describes the lives of 800 teens across the country. They range from being funny such as: "Never shopping at West Seal again" or sad, "Roots are Shallow, Wings Are Broken," and thoughtful, "I'm still figuring out my story" among others.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it made me realize how much worse thousands of other kids lives are then just a single bad day in my life. The memoirs may have only been 6 words, however, the teens that wrote the 6 words did a wonderful job at describing something that means everything to them. That is talent. This was a quick book to read, but is a keeper!

Win a book!

Coming 12/22/09 from Bloomsbury...

Nimira is a music-hall girl used to dancing for pennies. So when wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing accompaniment to a mysterious piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it will be the start of a better life. In Parry's world, long-buried secrets are about to stir. Unsettling rumors begin to swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry’s involvement in a group of corrupt sorcerers for whom the rules of the living and dead are meant to be broken for greater power. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing fairy gentleman is trapped within the automaton, she is determined to break the curse. But even as the two fall into a love that seems hopeless, breaking the curse becomes a perilous race against time. Because it's not just the future of these star-crossed lovers that's at stake, but the fate of the entire magical world.

Want to win an ARC with original sketches from the author inside? See http://fabulousfrock.livejournal.com for details!

Win a $40 dress!

Hi!

I just started up a giveaway (courtesy of the fabulous Shabby Apple) and would love for you to check it out and enter! The dress is adorable and is great quality. I think that you will really like it, and if you don't I'm sure you know someone who would!

This dress is valued at $40!

Check out the giveaway here!

Remodeled - and better than ever!

Some of you might remember a while back when I posted about me making headers. Well, I have remodeled the blog that I had made for them. Now, I have info on me making you a header, I have free headers that you can use, plus I have examples of custom headers that I have made for others! So stop by and take a look! While your at it, please follow so you can see all of my upcoming creations!

Here is the link!

Thank you very much!

Review: "After" by Amy Efaw

Book: "After"
Author: Amy Efaw
Pages: 350
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 5 out of 5

"An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . .

Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made—Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there’s only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.

And yet gifted author Amy Efaw does the impossible— she turns Devon into an empathetic character, a girl who was in such deep denial that she refused to believe she was pregnant. Through airtight writing and fast-paced, gripping storytelling, Ms. Efaw takes the reader on Devon’s unforgettable journey toward clarity, acceptance, and redemption. "
Amazon Product Description

"After" by Amy Efaw was heartbreaking. As I read Devon's story, after her life as a great soccer player full of dreams and inspiration, I felt so many different emotions. Sadness, grief, happiness that the baby survived and was found, anger, among others. Amy did such a wonderful job creating her characters and by making the story believable. You can tell that Amy Efaw did her reasearch on this subject and figured out what kind of girl would do this. Sometimes Devon was frustrating but yet, even though she did such a horrid, horrid, thing, by reading the story you can see why she did what she did and who she really is, making it almost impossible to like her character. This was a very sad book, however, I think that it is one that every teen girl should read.

Certain Strain Of Peculiar Winner!

Congrats to SarahChristine, you won a copy of "A Certain Strain of Peculiar!" I will be emailing you shortly!

In my contest, everyone had to mention one thing thats peculiar about them. Here is what Sarah said:

"hmm something peculiar...well my feet are different sizes,one is a 8 1/2 and the other is a 7."

Again, congrats!

If Sarah does not respond within 48 hours, I will choose a new winner

Congratulations to.....

Do you guys remember this giveaway? Well, I have finally chosen the winner!!

The winner of the "Clique Summer Collection" giveaway goes to..........

Dylan from the movie

Caylee!!! Congratulations Caylee! I have emailed you asking for your address so the books can get sent out to you!

Some notes:

-I will be posting the winners of the "20 Boy Summer" contest soon as well
-I am going to post the winner of the "Certain Strain Of Peculiar" contest today!
-I am sooo sorry for not posting the winners sooner!
-Keep watching for the next fabulous giveaway!!

Hey, Friendly Fellas!

I found this image on photobucket.com the other day and like it so much! So I felt like using it! lol!

So, I just thought that I should make a post with a few updates. I'm so sorry that I haven't been on and updating as much as usual, I've been so busy with my brothers birthday, shooting sports (archery), among other things! And now, not next week but the two after that, I will be working for my Grandma in her daycare and I'm not sure if my laptop will have connection there! So, I will try to schedule some posts, which I have never done before, but we shall see! :)

I have a new review up on my other blog for this adorable dress which I am wearing right now as I type this! You should for sure check it out!

Thank you to my brother for showing me that you can make blue links using blogger!! Yay!! That makes things so much easier!

Also, I will most likely be posting a few GREAT giveaways on the blog mentioned above, so you should for sure follow so you are in the know!

Right now, I am reading "Secret Society" which I am only on page 8 so far! Last night I finished "Love, Lies, And Texas Dips" by Susan McBride, which you can expect a review for soon!

Ohhh, and yesterday I went to Borders and was walking along and glanced two teen books in the sale shelf!!! I quick walked back and it was a "Gossip Girl" book and a "Clique" book! And the best part was that they were only 3.99! So, I bought them of course. However, later that day when I pulled the books out of the bag, guess what I noticed?? A Walmart price tag on both of them! LoL! What is Borders doing selling Walmart books?

Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should read next?

Look forward to a review of "Prada and Prejudice" coming up next!!

Review: Ghost Huntress, The Guidance

Book: Ghost Huntress: The Guidance
Author: Marley Gibson
Pages: 309
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 4 out of 5
I really loved the first cover in the series

Kendall is back again and things are heating up in her ghost hunting world! Kendall has to juggle ghosthunting, her boyfriend, school, her own friends, and, well, her mom. She has been helping out a bunch of people get rid of their ghosts but it seems like she hasn't been sparing any boyfriend time. Her boyfriend starts getting annoyed with her because it seems like they can never just be a lone without something ghosty happening. Thats not her only problem. Popular enemy, Courtney, is jealous of Kendall because Kendall is gaining popularity. So, Courtney decideds to trump her and pretend that she is physic as well. However, things go terribly wrong and Kendall can only hope that things will go back to normal, will Kendall and Courtney settle on a slight friendship, or will it be to late?

"Ghost Huntress: The Guidance" was so...interesting! This series is so different from any other book that I have read. Sometimes it seemed like Kendall was a bit to whiny and at times it felt like the writing seemed like Marley was trying a tadge bit to hard to suit teen girls tastes, however, in all this book was a fun, but strange at times, book to read. And hey, strange is always good! It gives you a whole new perspective on things!

Review: Me My Elf and I

Book: Me, My Elf, and I
Author: Heather Swain
Pages: 279
Bought, Received, or Rented: Rented from the library! I was very excited when I saw it there!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Cover Rating: 3.8 out of 5
I don't like that half of the face is on the cover, and then it is finished on the spine and back cover, I wish that just the half of the face was on the cover but something different on the spine and back.

Who knew that elves weren't short, but they are really model tall? Well, in Alverland, the community of elves, they are for sure not what "elders" would expect! Everyone is always happy, perky, and nice to each other. Everyone loves each other and life is less complicated socially than with regular humans. 15 year old Zephyr is happy about who she is, however, she wants to be able to perform and Alverland just doesn't have what she desires. So, Zephyr convinces her parents that she is ready to go to real school when they move to Brooklyn, New York. Zephyr soon finds out how different being an elf is compared to what everyone else is like. And she is so confused! What are all those abbreviations that everyone uses? LoL, JK, etc...., how will she be able to do it? Soon though, Zephyr makes two great friends and is on the fast tracks to popularity, until she makes a mistake that could ruin everything....

Heather Swain really put together a story that gives a whole new idea on who elves are. Its true, we always expect elves to be short and wear little pointy caps that have jingles on the tops, but why? Why are they short? What do they do when its not Christmas time? Heather switched up the classic views of elf's and made them very original in her story! "Me My Elf and I" was really cute and had some good lessons in it. I do wish that a few of the characters were a bit more developed though. Overall, "Me, My Elf, and I" was a cute, light read! Enjoy!

Review: Prophecy of the Sisters

Book: Prophecy of the Sisters
Author: Michelle Zink
Rating: 5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 5 out of 5
The cover is so different from most YA books! Its unique and I love it!

Twin sisters, Alice and Lia, are cursed by an ancient prophecy that has been past down from generation to generation. However, they are divided, one is good, the other is evil, they both want something different and throughout the story struggle to get what they want. The two sisters that were together forever, even in their own mothers womb, will be split into two separate ways and only one of the sisters will accomplish what they are planning, the question is, will it be for the good or the evil?

Michelle Zink put together a fabulous debut novel. The story is so captivating and keeps your reading. It is full of mystery, sadness, hurt, and love. I'm not sure how to explain how great this book is, it just is truly fabulous! At times it was creepy, but that just added to the story! If you haven't already read it, I encourage you to buy it from Amazon A.S.A.P!

Prophecy of the sisters release date was yesterday, August 1st! Make sure to congratulate Michelle!

Updates!!

Hello strangers!

So, you may have noticed that I haven't been around this week! I have been at the county fair all week that is why! I showed my horse, Bailee, and therefore my Mom and I slept at the fair. I am so proud of my horse, she did so good! I will have to share some pictures a little later!

So, we just got home last night and I am still tired! The days were full of nonstop showing, and I didn't get to bed until around 10:30-11:00 every night and got up at like 6:00! It was tiring, but fun!!!!

So, I will be posting lots of reviews this week for you! Also, please be sure to check out my new blog: http://teenfashiondesign.blogspot.com/ which I just designed a new header for today! I think that a lot of you will really enjoy reading it.

So, I have a question for you!! Which books would you like me to review first? Please comment and I will ge to it!

-Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
-The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
-Touch by Francine Prose
-Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
-Let It Snow by Various awesome authors!
-Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

New blog!!!

Hello!!

I just wanted to make a post saying that I have started up a new blog that is aimed at tween and teen girls! I will be posting lots of reviews on products that are an interest to tween/teen girls. Please stop by for a visit, and follow! Thanks :)

http://teenfashiondesign.blogspot.com/

Also, I will be gone between Wednesday-Sunday because I will be sleeping at the county fair! We have to stay there because I'm bringing my horse, hopefully we will do good in some of the classes!

Thanks!

Please??

Hello!

I decided to enter this contest....and would really really really appreciate it if you could vote for my picture!! Thanks so much :) If I happen to win....I will throw a big contest!!

You can vote using this:

My Favorite Photo (I've Ever Taken) Brickfish

Or you can go here!
http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/PhotosAlbums/PhotoView.aspx?picid=952782_86653942&=PPIMEMAIL&isep=1&pbapi=2665229&pbvi=95633404

Thanks again!

"Lipstick Apology" book Trailer

I'm really excited to read this one, it looks neat! What do you think?

I think the covers cute as well!



Don't forget to enter this contest!!
http://booksforteensreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/win-copy-of-certain-strain-of-peculiar.html

Win a copy of "A Certain Strain of Peculiar!"

Win A Copy of "A Certain Strain of Peculiar" by Gigi Amateau!

Description from Amazon

"This is the last time Mary Harold will have a panic attack at school when kids call her "the grossest girl." If Mom won’t move back to Alabama, her thirteen-year-old daughter will just have to drive herself 691 miles to Grandma Ayma’s farmhouse — and a whole new life. With Ayma’s loving support, Mary Harold is soon strong enough to help Bud, the Cherokee farm manager, wrangle the cows, and confident enough to stand up for his daughter, Dixie, a girl with a strain of peculiar that makes her whinny and stamp like a horse to keep the world at bay. Mary Harold still misses her mom, but has started to have dreams of the Black Warrior Forest that are offering clues. As she listens to their message, and to her own heart, she discovers how powerful and surprising the bonds of family can be. "

Visit Gigi at: http://www.gigiamateau.com/

How to enter:

Mandatory: What is peculiar in your life?

Please include a way for me to contact you!!

+3: Begin to follow me!
+4: For everyone that already follows!
+2: Post a link in your sidebar
+3: Make a post on your blog about this contest
+1: Tweet @PoloPony95 about this contest

Keep watching for more ways to enter!!

This contest is only open to residents of the U.S.!

Contest will run until July 31st!

Goodluck!!

Review: "Love Aubrey"

Book: "Love, Aubrey"
Author Suzanne LaFleur
Pages: 262
Rating: 5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 5 out of 5

11 year old Aubrey is living home a lone and has been for the past week. Ever since the morning when her mother just up and left, without even as much as a goodbye. Her Mother may have been heartbroken over the tragic loss that they had just gone through, but so is Aubrey. Aubrey is managing well and is actually, at first anyways, having fun watching TV all day and going to bed when she wants. However, soon her grandmother comes and finds that she's been living by herself and takes her back to her house. Aubrey has to learn how to cope with the loss that would tear anyone's hearts apart, young or old, and along the way she has to make and keep friends, regain a relationship with her mother if she can, and do good in school. Will Aubrey be able to do it? Or will she just give up?

"Love Aubrey" by Suzanne LaFleur is a truly delightful book. All of the characters are very well developed and it is easy to get attached to Aubrey. "Love Aubrey" is a middle grade book, however, it can be enjoyed by any and all ages. Suzanne LaFleur has mastered writing in the middle grade voice and her writing is so realistic! I look forward to reading more of Suzanne's upcoming books and suggest you to read "Love, Aubrey" right away!

Review: Eyes Like Stars

Book: Eyes Like Stars
Author: Lisa Mantchev
Pages: 356
Rating: 5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 5 out of 5
To Be Released: July 7th

Bertie isn't a fairy, but she lives in a world full of them. Bertie isn't an actor, but she lives in a theater. Bertie is different than everyone else, but yet she has lived contentedly for years in the theater (if not always causing some sort of trouble...), that is, until now. Her whole world is about to come apart because of a single book that is holding the whole theater together, however, the book becomes unbound because of one boy, Ariel, who longs to be free of the theater and feels that the other faeries should as well. Now, it is Bertie's mission to bring the theater back together and save the faerie community that she has grown to love. The question is, will she be able to do it in time?

Lisa Mantchev has truly put together a magnificent debut novel. It is beautifully written and the characters are so delightful to read about! The faeries are portrayed as quirky, naughty, fun, but yet intelligent. Plus, they looooooove sweets! The plot line and characters are very well developed and it is just a very interesting and unique story! I for sure suggest you to go out and buy a copy of this book! Congrat's Lisa on an amazing debut novel!

Review: "Flirting With Boys" by Hailey Abbott

Book: "Flirting With Boys"
Author: Hailey Abbott
Pages: 240
Rating: 4 out of 5
Cover Rating: 4 out of 5

Celeste is not looking forward to her summer vacation. She has to spend it working at her families resort and just wishing that her boyfriend Travis was there with her. However, her summer starts looking up when Travis and a few of his other buddies pull a stunt that gets them into trouble. As punishment for what Travis did, he has to work the summer away - which means saying goodbye to surfing in the ocean and hello to long days. However, Celeste comes up with the perfect plan and convinces her Dad to hire Travis so Celeste and him can be together for the whole summer! Now thats the kind of summer that Celeste can get excited about! However, why does Travis seem as if he dosen't want to spend the summer with her? And why does he keep messing the job up? And what about Celeste's growing feelings for one of the resorts clients? One things for sure - this is going to be a summer to remember!

"Flirting With Boys" was a really enjoyable book! It was a fun beachy read. However, I did at times get a little annoyed with how Celeste wouldn't realize how much better she can do than Travis. He was so stuck on himself at times! Overall, this was a fun book to read and perfect for a warm summer day. I looke forward to reading more of Hailey Abbots books!

The Everything Jane Austen Challenge!

I have decided to join in on the fun and participate in the Jane Austen challenge! For this challenge, all you need to do is choose six things that relate to Jane Austen and complete them!



Here is my list:

1. Read "Pride and Prejudice"
2. Watch "Pride and Prejudice"
3. Read "Emma"
4. Watch "Emma"
5. Watch "Lost In Austen"
6. Watch "Sense and Sensibility"

If you would like to join in, you can find the info here!
http://thewrittenword.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/introducing-the-everything-austen-challenge-with-prizes/

20 Things In 20 Days: Bonus Clue #19

To celebrate the launch of Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, I'm blogging a bonus clue for the 20 Things in 20 Days Scavenger Hunt. Answer clues and challenges to earn points toward the 20 Things grand prize, including 6 signed books from 2009 debut authors! Get a clue... June 11th-30th at http://sarahockler.com/2009/06/10/20-things-in-20-days-scavenger-hunt

Today's Bonus Clue:

Sarah Ockler loves to eat outside in the summer, but as a vegetarian who hates watermelon, she doesn't have much luck at summer picnics and barbecues! For a 20 Things bonus clue, post your favorite veg-friendly, non-melon summer recipe in the comments. 3 points. 2 extra points if Sarah tries and likes your recipe!

To find the main clue for today, visit Jess at Book Reviews By Jess! http://bookreviewsbyjess.blogspot.com/2009/06/20-things-in-20-days-clue-19.html

Goodluck!

Review: The Clique Summer Collection - Massie

Book: Massie
Series: The Clique Summer Collection
Book Number: 1
Page Number: 123
Author: Lisi Harrison
Rating: 3 out of 5
Cover Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The "Clique" girls are back in the Summer "Clique" series! Each book features a different girl and in this one it features Massie. After Massie gets kicked out of the prestige riding stable after a stunt she played to get one of the girls to stay in their saddles, she is back to her parents house for the summer. *sigh*, and her besties aren't there with her! And yikes!! Her closet at home is so outdated! Massie goes to use her credit card to purchase some new outfits and what do you know, the card is cancelled! Massie's parents decide as punishment to the stunt she played that got ther kicked out of the school, she has to get a job and pay them back for the fee's of the school. Massie' summer dreams all fade away as she starts her search for the perfect summer job that would be more like a jobby (job+hobby). She's having no such luck....until she see's a certain add in a Vogue magazine which is to sell makeup products to people. Massie starts her job and is loving it, however, she goes a little overboard with the ways she convinces people. Will Massie Summer turn out to be ok after all? Or will it all come tumbling down even more?

I was pretty disappointed with this book actually. Massie was so spoiled and didn't care about anyones feelings except her own, so selfish! Another thing that bugged me was the horseback riding parts. It was so unrealistic! Overall, I did not espcially like this book, however, if you would like to try it, it would make a light easy beach read!

New Bookmarks! Yay!

New Bookmarks

So sorry this one is the wrong direction, for some reason Blogger switched it!

This one actually comes in a set, however I didn't take pictures of the whole set. Email me if you would like to see them!

Front...

And Back....

Today I spent quite a bit of time crafting a few more bookmarks and I think they turned out pretty nice!! Let me know what you think!

If you would like to purchase any or all of them, please email me!!! They are reasonably priced!

Thanks for looking!