Blog Tour: The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Hi Everyone!

Today I am participating in the blog tour, hosted by Shane at Itching for Books, for 

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett 

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: March 5, 2012 

Rating: 3/5 STARS

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My Review:

As soon as I started reading The Nightmare Affair on a long plane ride, I easily felt relaxed and absorbed in reading this entertaining story. The simple story was exciting and the suspense was thrilling. 

From the classes in Dusty's magical school, Arkwell Academy, and the balancing force of "the Will" that prevents unwated human attention towards the magickind and prevents fighting between the magical folks, the world in this book was well created. I liked the descriptions of the school and how easy it was to understand how a Nightmare like Dusty operates.

Dusty was a decent main character. While I did not enjoy her narrow-minded and judgmental attitude, I did enjoy her fierceness. I also appreciated that her attitude lessened as the story went along. 

The side characters were people I found more likable. Selene, Dusty's best friend and a spunky rebel siren rebel, the vilified Lance, the brilliant Mr. Marrow, and the courageous human Eli were wonderful characters. I would have loved to see this story in their point of view. I warmed easily to all of the side characters. 

The mystery and search for who is the killer was exciting. I enjoyed the clues left aong he way. Exspecialy a matter-of-fact joke abut villainy a certain villain said. However, these clues left little to surprise and I found myself knowing the answer to the mystery half-way in. 

The Nightmare Affair, was am imperfect book that I enjoyed reading and I leave you to decide for yourself if you want to read it. If you like magical schools like Hex Hall and Hogwarts and stories sharing the importance of friendship, I am sure you will like this book. If only to read the amazing and humorous last page! This is a story with the perfect ending!  

Thanks for reading!

Blog Tour: Pieces by Michelle Davidson Argyle Review and Author Interview

Happy Friday Everyone!

Pieces by Michelle Davidson Argyle 
Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing 
Publication Date: February 14th, 2013
Rating: 3/5 STARS

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Synopsis:

 

Two years after watching her kidnappers go to prison, Naomi Jensen is still in love with one of them. Jesse will be released in a few years, and Naomi knows college is the perfect distraction while she waits. But when her new friend Finn makes her question what is right and what is wrong, she begins to wonder if Jesse is the one for her … until she discovers he's out on parole. Naomi must sort through her confusion to figure out where love and freedom truly lie—in Finn, who has no connections to her past, or Jesse, who has just asked her to run away with him.

 

My mini-review!
 

I started this book knowing it was a sequel to another book, The Breakaway, I did not read. I not sure if my reading expereince would be any different if I did read the previous book. I might have cared more for Jesse, Naomi's kidnapper and boyfriend, if I read the first book, but I will never know untill I read the first book. I liked this book but not passionately so I am not sure of my desire to read the first book, especially since I already know most of what occured in that book. 

I did care more for the other male character, Finn, then for Jesse. I enjoyed the easy and relaxed banter between Finn and Naomi and how he was understanding about Naomi's predictament of being in love with her kidnapper. Finn was a nice, normal guy and I laughed a few times during his scenes.

I enjoyed seeing parallels to Naomi's kidnapping when she makes an important decision later on in the book. I enjoyed the Itally part, despite its predictability, since it shares the gray essense of Jesse that is neither good or bad, just damaged.

Naomi was a terrific protagonist. I grew to care for her throughout the book and she was easy to relate too. I love meeting a character that also likes to cook and strives for independence.

The story lagged at some points, yet the writing was constantly wonderful. The geniuness of the inner strife Naomi expereinces made me care about the lesson of the story. The lesson of people taking control of their own life resonated with me.

Overall, Pieces is a fun, trueful tale with an amazing protagonist.

Now, come on and meet Michelle!

1. What are five random facts about yourself?

I adore sushi and Greek food (I look food in general, and I love to cook!). I didn’t love country music until right now, as I’m working on my new novel I’m currently calling “the country music book.” The first time I ever tasted real gelato was in Italy when I was sixteen. I played the clarinet for ten years, but don’t play it anymore. One of my favorite foods is peanut butter and tomato sandwiches (don’t knock it until you try it!) 

2. What inspired you to write Pieces?
I was inspired to write Pieces when The Breakaway came out in May of 2012 and I was flooded with requests and inquiries about a sequel. I had no idea that many people were interested in hearing the rest of Naomi’s story! I’d always known what happens, but I didn’t think many people would want to know since the “exciting kidnapping story” is done and over with at the end of The Breakaway. A huge thank you to the fans of The Breakaway for inspiring me to finish Naomi’s story!

3. How are you like Naomi?

I’m a lot like Naomi (more than I used to care to admit). She’s what many readers have called “weak and spineless”, but since I’m a lot like her, I think they’re not digging deep enough when they are so quick to judge her. She’s weak on the surface, yes. I’m like that too. I’m naturally a people-pleaser, quiet and reserved, and I’ll pretty much do anything to avoid pain. But deep down, Naomi is a rod of steel. Throw her into a bad situation and she stands back to assess the situation instead of carelessly rushing for the easiest way out—or what looks like the easiest way out. There are a lot of ways I’m not like Naomi, but I like to think underneath many of my faults, I’m stronger than I appear.

4. Do you consider Pieces as a New Adult novel? What do you think about this developing genre?
My publisher has categorized Pieces as new adult, yes. I personally like the genre. I think it opens up new doors for writers, since it places the “in-between” fiction into a nice spot. Characters heading into college-age territory, not yet married, struggling to find their way into the adult world—there’s a need for fiction like that. I happen to adore writing fiction right smack dab in the middle of new adult. New adult looks like it might find a permanent home in publishing, and that makes me very happy!

5. If you could control any element, air, earth, water or fire, what would it be and why?

My last novel, Bonded, has a novella in it titled Scales. It’s about a fairy who controls water. Her sister (a bit of a rebel) controls air, but also plays with fire. Since writing that story, I had a lot of fun discovering the different elements and what it might be like to be able to control them. I think if I had to choose one, I’d choose air. If I was good enough with air, I could possibly fly (right?). Or at least I could go sailing and have complete control of how fast and far I could go!

Thanks for reading!

Cross My Heart, Hope To Die by Sara Shepard Review

Hi Wonderful readers!

Welcome to my first poem-style review!

Cross My Heart, Hope To Die by Sara Shepard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Rating: 4/5 SPLENDID STARS 
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Minor "Book-Enticing" Spoilers Ahead 

First, my Book Review Writing Playlist:

There are some songs that I listen too while writing this review and I find have relevance to the book and my opinion of this book. Listening to music is my little habit while writing poems.  

1.     Lucky by Britney Spears

Sutton Mercer is the equivalent to a Hollywood Star. She is the most popular girl in her school, has a loving family and amazing friends. Emma is lucky to pretend to be her but, like the girl described in the song, Sutton’s life, against appearances, is not perfect. Emma’s life as Sutton also appears to perfect but it is not, she, though she is in internal denial, is in love with two boys, Thayer Vega and Ethan Laundry, and although she has finally found her biological family, she cannot tell them the truth. Also, scary events occur at night bringing out inner tears.

2.     Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day

This song correlates helped with the morose ending of Cross My Heart, Hope To Die by Sara Shepard, the action and suspense.

3.     Someone I Used To Know by Gotya

Everyone, from Sutton’s boyfriend Thayer to Sutton’s best friends Madeline and Charlotte to Sutton’s rival Nisha, notice how much Emma is different from the Sutton they used to know, without realizing the truth. Though one of them is on the charge! I also feel many of these lyrics are going through Thayer’s head.

Now my review!

Smile, another great story
in this pleasure of mine.

Vibrations echo the surface

Over and over again

As I muse over the disastrous cliffhanger

Where one’s fierce fire is shocked

much too early in a watery turmoil.

Emma why couldn’t you just answer the phone?

Or read that evidential file?

Wish you would stop being ignorant

and realize the sad truth.

Still, would I be thinking straight

pretending to be my murdered sister?

Suspense bangs throughout this story.

In the beginning and end,

Lags in the middle for a sweet contemporary space

Sharing life travels during meandering a murder investigation.  

Emma’s admirable moments bonding with Mads and Char,

apologizing for a silent voice in the shadows, and

her ability to find trust in a new friend,
in an old rival who understands.

Oh Nisha, how delightful are you.

Smart, brave, and, most of all, forgiving. 

Oh Nisha, how proud I am of you.

It is amazing how one character can grow,

becoming a favorite within just one book.

Ethan and Emma scenes are embarrassing,

What does she see in him?

When there is sweet

     brave,

         honest

             caring

               maturing

      understanding

         Thayer of amazing lines.

I could complain about the awkward

Ethan and Emma romance,

the plenty of unresolved mysteries

and holler for answers,

Or I can enjoy what makes this book 
standout in a crowded mass,
a library of books.

My admiration for the amazing characters,

Emma’s bravery, Thayer’s strength, Nisha’s initiative
Madeline and Charlotte's loyalty, Laurel spunk, 
Mr. and Mrs. Mercer's love.

All growing riveting against gravity.  

Explorations of a damaged yet loving family
A mother's regret. A father's devotion. 
A daughter struggling between forgiveness and anger. 
A challenging, dangerous secret.
One impossible to stay secret forever. 

The amazing writing style, 
In the view of a thoughtful, imperfect ghost and 
her self-less twin who makes numerous mistakes.
I adore them as protagonists, 
wish they could have met.  

A splendid tale where tragedy transcends over

the innocent, ignorant souls who deserve the truth,

leaving them with unrest and tears.  

Yet the unjust leave happy, 
free to hide in the bushes, 
attack for the smallest of sounds,
a cassowary far from justice.

My favorite lines:

Emma’s determination:

“She was the Emma who’d been channeling Sutton. She was a tough and practical Emma who had to fight to survive, who had to ask difficult questions and learn truths she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. She was the Emma who was going to solve a murder,” Pg. 75

Thayer’s maturity:

“I’m just saying – you can’t prevent other people from disappointing you. It’s bound to happen at some point. We’re all only human. What you can do is decide how you’re going to respond to it, how you’re going to deal with it.” Pg. 240

Nisha’s sad truth:

“The dead don’t come back. No matter how much you want them to.” Pg. 276 

Thanks for reading!

Blogspiration -12!

Hi Everyone!

Blogspiration is a weekly meme hosted by GrowingUp YA & Saz101. The meme was created to help spark inspiration among bloggers, readers & writers alike. An inspirational quote/picture/video is posted weekly, on the day of the author’s choosing, so that it may inspire creativity, conversation & just a little SOMETHING.

I will always remember my first blogspiration from last year, when I shared my favorite quote of all time and why it inspired me. That quote was Harry Potter's resolve to face the future bravely was based on advice Hagrid gave him. This year my first blogspriation will be advice Hagrid gave Harry and Ron that I feel is important and amazing advice.

“I'm not blamin' yeh...  Gawd knows yeh’ve had enough ter be gettin’ with. I’ve seen yeh practicin’ Quidditch ev’ry hour o’ the day an’ night - but i gotta tell yeh, i though you two'd value yer friend more'n broomsticks or rats. Tha's all.”

- Hagrid from page 275 from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

It is important to remember that while inanimate objects like wonderful books are important to me and while I have a busy life that distracts me, it is important to always be there for my friends.  

Thanks for reading!

Coming Home!

Hi Everyone!

I am happy to say I am ready to blog actively again!

I am ready to come home to the blogging community I entered over a year ago.

News!

I went to the wonderful Sundance Film Festival a few weeks ago and saw an amazing TV Miniseres called Top of the Lake that I believe everyone should watch when it comes out. It is a suspensful mystery where a female dectective tries to find a missing pregant twelve year old girl and deal with her past horrors that parallel with the present.

So far the start of my last semester in high school is going well. I am taking Creative Writing for the first time (finally found a space in my schedule) and loving it. I am enjoying practices for my school's musical The Music Man; the barbershop style songs are amazing.  

Plans!

I want to start my second blogging year afresh and hope to blog as often as my schedule permits. I made several mistakes last year that I learned from. My resolutions for this year include keeping connected with the blogging community, write entertaining reviews and other posts, and be organized with a blogging schedule and, most importantly, have fun.    

I want to thank Sam, Rachel, Jasprit, Eunice, Mandee, Maja, Mimi, Hilda, Brigid, Riya, Renu, Brodie, Heidi, Jenny, Giselle, Eileen, Keertana, Kristin, Sarah and everyone else who ever read Unforgettable Books. 

You all made my first year of blogging unforgettable.

Coming Up:

Tomorrow- My first Blogspiration of the year! Blogspiration is my favorite meme created and hosted by two of the friendliest bloggers ever, Kristin and Sarah. You should join this meme if you want to tomorrow!

Tuesday - My first book review written in poetic format! 
Friday- Blog Tour: Pieces by Michelle Davidson Arglye Review and Interview!

Now, what have you all been up too?

Thanks for reading!