In my mailbox #29

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.  It's a way  let other's know about the books that we receive and may not be able to get to quickly.  It 's also fun to interact and get to know each other .  I love to get ideas for books to read from the pages that I visit.  I hope you see something fun or interesting  to read here as well.


I will be linking the titles to Goodreads if you would like to check out and find more about the books you see.


For Review:

Love.com by RW Bennett
Mistakes by AM Hayward and LJ Holder
Egypt the Uprising (Battle for Maat #1) by Amira Aly




Purchased:

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Eden by Keary Taylor

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

There is my week in books.  How was your week?  Let me know!

Review of "Michael Vay: The Prisoner of Cell 25"

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab
Genre: YA/Middle Grade Adventure Sci-Fi
Scheduled release is August 9th

Description from Goodreads: My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story. 

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.
Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

My thoughts:I am impressed that Mr. Evans was able to write such a fantastic book for younger readers. I have read and enjoyed several of his adult fiction books. This book is a huge leap into a different genre and Richard Paul Evans has proven that he is a writer with a huge range of talent.

Michael Vay is 14 at the beginning of the story. He is picked on and struggles with tourettes. He is also keeping a secret. He is able to use electricity. Not like we do, he is a human taser.

He and his friend Ostin start to look into the reasons behind the secrets. They are joined by Taylor, a popular cheerleader and then they are caught up in a situation that is huge. They must decide to use the power for good or become pawns in a game that the ultimate prize is power and money.

Love this book. It is a page turner that will interest girls and boys. I am grateful for good books that will appeal to boys.  It seems that most of the publishing market is geared toward girls,  probably because they are the most prolific readers.  As the mother of three boys, any book to interest my boys is a huge win!  I look forward to the next book.  Yes, there will be a sequel.

Review of "Witch Song"

Witch Song by Amber Argyle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Arc from Publisher
Age recommendation: ages 12 to 250+


Description from Goodreads: The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons-but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fades, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.

My thoughts: Brusenna is a teen who lives in the forest alone with her mother. The villagers shun them because her mother is a witch. She is shamed and humiliated and basically afraid of contact with other people.  An unexpected visitor comes and her mother leaves to try to defeat a truly "wicked witch".

Brusenna lives alone until danger faces her at home. It is her turn then to take up her mother's mantle as a witch and try to right the wrongs that have been inflicted due to the evil witches influence. This means that she must face her fears and venture into the outside world, alone.

Brusenna, now known as Senna, goes on a journey that  tests her physically and mentally. She grows into a strong young woman and meets some friends and a romantic interest along the way. I loved that her growing up was gradual, it didn't happen overnight.  She learns to trust others and to trust herself.

I loved the strength that she learns and shows. I loved that Amber Argyle created witches that are guardians who protect the land and sea. They create balance and help nature in it's proper function.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story about the battle between good and evil, a young woman's journey from an awkward teen. The blossoming of friendship into love, and the true meaning of loyalty.  This book is squeaky clean and any mother could feel comfortable and confident in their children reading it.

This book is scheduled for publication on September 1st.  The publisher is Rhemalda  Publishing.  I thank them for the review ARC that they sent to me.

It looks like this book is available on Kindle right now!  If you can't wait for the hard copy version ~ go to this link and get the kindle version. ;0) Witch Song: Rhemalda Publishing The cost is $3.99.

There is a giveaway going on at Goodreads. The contest runs until September 1st. There will be 5 copies won, there are 4,000 people entering at the moment, if you want to throw your name in the hat  go to http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12171788-witch-song.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of  Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!
Just do the following:

          ~Grab your current read.

          ~Open to a random page.

          ~Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. (Sometimes I cheat a bit on this one and do a few more sentences.)
          ~Be careful not to include spoilers! (make sure that what you share doesn't give to much away.               You don't want to ruin the book for others.)

          ~Share the title and author, so the other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser.  :0)

This week I am sharing a teaser from "Witch Song" by Amber Argyle. My copy is an ARC, so there is always the possibility that the final product will be different, and you may not find this exact quote in a finished copy.  This book is also in a goodreads giveaway.  You can enter to win...here.  The deadline is September 1st.

She swam willingly into their nets.  They heaved her up as her legs turned from the darkest brown to creamy white.  Joshen had a blanket waiting for her as fins completed their change into arms.  He wrapped it around her and heaved her into his arms as her fur disappeared and her human form completely returned.  Pg. 133

Blog Tour: Review of "Under a Fairy Moon"

Under A Fairy Moon by T. M. Wallace


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Clean content


Description from Goodreads: If you are longing for adventure and your family moves next-door to a beautiful garden full of lush plants and ancient stone, wouldn't you steal over to have a look at it – even if it was owned by the neighborhood witch? For Addy Marten the answer is obvious: It is only a matter of time before Addy sets out to explore the garden's winding paths and especially, the rows of mysterious stone statues that she has glimpsed through her bedroom window. Instead of the enticing hideaway she has imagined, however, she finds herself in a chaotic and dangerous place. The Garden takes on a persona of its own that both entices and threatens. Its dark, secret places lure her with their promise of hidden mysteries, then “surprise and wound” her with the “prick of stinging nettle claws and barberry teeth.” Too late, Addy discovers that she is a prisoner in the Median Realms and an unwilling pawn in an unusual game of Fairy Chess. She must use all her courage and wits to win the game and free herself from a malevolent group of fairy creatures and their twisted fairy-tale world.

My thoughts:
Addyson is fourteen and has a very active imagination. She has recently moved into a new home and the neighbor has an overgrown garden that is perfect for her to play pretend in. She doesn't realize that it is an in between place of the land of fairy and the human realm.

She finds herself caught up in a "game" to win her way home. It's kind of a game of chess.  In order to move across the board, she is put in situations where she is tempted and tried.  Whether or not she passes the test determine where her piece moves.  Her new friend Connor, who she found in the garden gets to play it with her. The stakes are much higher than her ability to go home, it is a fight of good against evil. She must not let evil win or the Elf King will take control.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and has vivid imagery. T.M. Wallace was able to capture fairies as the trickster and not always benevolent beings that I like. Some of the creatures may be a little intimidating (scary) for younger readers, but I think everyone else will enjoy this book. There are a few parts that depict violence.

I received this book to review through my participation with Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours.

More on "Under a Fairy Moon" - also borrowed from Goodreads: A Publisher's Weekly Reviewer: An ABNA Publisher Weekly Reviewer has this to say: Maybe Addy didn’t fall down a rabbit hole, as Alice did, but after being swallowed up in a garden that morphs into strange environs and challenged to a do-or-die game by a stone Sentry sure to upset the realm of Fairy Queen Adalira, this story is a similarly hallucinatory adventure. In the human realm, 14 year-old Addy Marten has just moved to Windy Falls and is compelled to trespass in Mrs. Tavish’s garden where she meets Connor, a boy in a yellow raincoat. As the garden becomes an altered state, the duo is drawn into strange and dangerous territory where they are separated and strive to reunite in time for the Midsummer’s Ritual. Entrusted with Adalira’s crystal pendant, Addy tries to conceal it from evil characters such as Elf King and use its powers to win the game. A misbehaving pixie named Enitua steals the limelight as the novel’s most precocious character and later becomes a key ally in guarding the humans’ safety. UNDER A FAIRY MOON was a quarter-finalist in in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel competition.




You can visit T.M.'s webpage at http://www.tmwallace.com./

About the Author: ( Information and picture found at her website! ) 
T. M. Wallace lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and four children. At eight years old, she won a short story contest and was published in a local newspaper. She wrote her first book at ten years old called “The Adventures of Pinkstar,” about a stuffed rabbit who magically comes to life. T. M. Wallace received her Master’s degree in English Literature from Carleton University and a degree in Education from the University of Ottawa. In 2010 her latest book, "Under A Fairy Moon,” was a quarter-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel awards. 

REVIEW of "Betrayed"

Betrayed by Ednah Walters (Book 2  in the Guardian Legacy)
Genre: Paranormal YA (Nephilim and Demons)
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source:  Won in a giveaway at Ednah's Blog

Description from Goodreads: Lil has come to terms with her life as a Guardian/demon hunter and the wielder of the Nephilim most powerful weapon. But trouble looms in the Guardian enclave. Bran is pulling away from her and her best human friend is in trouble, and it's all Lil's fault.


My Quick review and thoughts:  I wanted to share a couple of quick thoughts on this book today.  We are in the middle of a blog hop and I hope that you will enter my giveaway.  The quickest way to enter is by clicking on the link on the right upper side bar.


Lil and Bran's relationship is full steam ahead.  There are many huggy and kissy scenes.  Then the relationship takes a detour and goes downhill.  They are keeping secrets and pulling away from each other.  While the relationship is in trouble, Lil is trying to deal with a demonic father who is trying to sway her to his side.  He is evil and she is good.  


The actions becomes more intense about 2/3 of the way into the book.  I enjoyed this book.  I would recommend it to older YA readers, because of the descriptive make out sessions. ;0)

FYI - Ednah is having a release party for the book today.  I am copying and pasting the info from  part of her blog tour that I participated in last week.  Go to this link to read an excerpt. http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/2011/07/ednah-walters-book-betrayed-is-on-tour.html


Here is the info on the release party.

There will be a release party on July 31 - August 1 (10 pm start and end time).  You can win some goodies!  Ednah's books will be available as well as some other great reads from Indie author's including: Jennifer Laurens, Jennifer Armentrout (ARCs of Half-Blood), Keary Taylor (Dystopian new release Eden) and more.

Follow this link to attend! http://fanpage4ednahwalters.proboards.com/index.cgi

REVIEW - Vanished

Description from GoodReads: Eleven-year-old Neela dreams of being a famous musician, performing for admiring crowds on her traditional Indian stringed instrument. Her particular instrument used to be her grandmother’s—made of warm, rich wood, and intricately carved with a mysterious-looking dragon. When this special family heirloom vanishes from a local church, Neela is devastated. As she searches for it, strange clues surface: a teakettle ornamented with a familiar-looking dragon, a threatening note, a connection to a famous dead musician, and even a legendary curse. The clues point all the way to India, where it seems that Neela's intrument has a long history of vanishing and reappearing. If she is able to track it down, will she be able to stop it from disappearing again? 


Beka's Thoughts:
Vanished was a good book that I thoroughly enjoyed.  When my mom told me she wanted me to read and review vanished, My first thought was 'good a fantasy book' .   But that was far from the truth.  Though there was fantasy elements like Guru original veenas, and a mysterious curse, this book could be classified as a modern fiction.  


Just so all of you know, I really really loved this book, and hope to hear more from this author.  Furthermore, there is an element in the story that could suggest a second book.   I think the main point in this story was about love for music rather than the curse over the instrument.  I learn quite a bit about India and Veena's (a instrument that I personally have never even heard about until I read this book).  


The tale also was about friendship, loyalty and what a man will do in the memory of his daughter.  In some parts I thought it was quite touching how the author described scenes in the book, you almost felt like you were there.  The main character has a immense case of stage fright, something which I can completely understand.  I will never speak in front of a crowd of more than three people that I don't know unless my mom says something embarrassing about me and I need to defend my dignity, or I'm being graded.  Gradually  over the period of the book, she learns how to deal with this problem.  


I say four stars are easily won by this book, if not five.  It was an adorable story and all it did was make me want to travel to India, and learn to play the Veena!  But sadly there is no Vennas being sold on ksl.com (classified ads).  Trust me, I've checked.  Twice.

Guest Post: "The Moon In Habock's Mirror" author Kara Bartley

Kara Bartley is stopping by today for a visit.  She wants everyone to know about her new book "The Moon in Habock's Mirror."  I will turn the time over to her so she can tell us more about her book.

Kara:

The Moon In Habock’s Mirror is my fourth novel but my first fantasy. The story came to me in a dream. It was so vivid—I remember all the scenes playing out before me. I couldn’t shake the idea that I was supposed to do more with it than just dream it. And so I got up (it was about three o’clock in the morning) and started writing what would be the first few chapters of the book. I knew exactly where it was headed because I saw it all while I was sleeping. Other parts were added to give it volume and depth and then off I went on a rollercoaster adventure.

My favourite part of writing this novel was when I was able to see life through Habock’s eyes. I had so much fun writing for him. He was such a complex character with so many secrets and I knew that if I could just get inside his mind, then I would be able to turn the tables and really have some fun. Scarlett was more simple, a rogue character in need of guidance. To me, the momentum really kicked in when Habock and Scarlett began conversing with one another. Both characters’ personalities ignited and we were able to see some of the burdens they were harbouring. The dynamics between those two really inspired me even though I was the one writing them. They made me take a closer look at relationships in general and see life in a different view. And ultimately want to write more about them. Habock and Scarlett will return one day. For them, it’s only a matter of time.

 

About the book:

THE MOON IN HABOCK’S MIRROR, follows the life of Scarlett Cavanaugh, a golden-hearted but reckless fifteen-year-old. Although born with a hole in her heart, she has learned to live life without limits—in contrast to her twin sister, Gwendolyn. A few weeks before the girls’ sweet sixteenth birthday party, Scarlett is punished after breaking curfew with a school boy. In lieu of a weekend with friends, she is instead banished to the attic in her house, to clean. It is there that Scarlett discovers a mysterious diary, a mirror with secrets, and a pet’s unnatural mother tongue.

A newly-acquainted friend named Habock, leads Scarlett into the future through an unsuspecting portal. In his attempt to show how her life has changed, they accidentally become trapped in another time and their journey soon diverges. With a little guidance from a celestial spirit, each learns the truth about the past as they both encounter new friends and enemies along the way. In the hopes of finding one another, Scarlett and Habock instead become part of a deceptive plot, devised by those who wish to destroy their family lines.

A jumble of truth, deceit, fear and illusion, we watch as Habock and Scarlett take us on their rollercoaster adventure.

About Kara:

Kara Bartley has always been interested in animals, so it comes as no surprise that her world is surrounded by them in both her life and imagination. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology/Earth Science, a post-graduate diploma in Geographic Information Systems and a master’s degree in Vertebrate Paleontology. In the spring of 2002, she began writing her first novel The Siamese Mummywhile on a dig for fossils in Kansas. The book was later released in 2006.

Kara is also the author of The Unearthlings and Call of Adhara. She lives in Niagara Falls with her three Siamese cats—Apollo, Achilles and Agamemnon. Her horse Dapplynn is her biggest companion, and anxiously awaits the day that she too will have a guest appearance in one of her mother’s books.

You can visit Kara at http://karabartley.blogspot.com

(Taken from Pump Up Your Book)

You can read an excerpt of her book at Pump Up Your Book's site.  Here is the link: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/06/13/the-moon-in-habocks-mirror-virtual-book-tour-july-and-august-2011/