Mundie Moms

Friday, September 30, 2011

Book Review/Flashback Friday #3- LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld

Flashback Friday was inspired while trying to figure out away to help spread the word about books that aren't new releases. This is a weekly post we'll doing that will include a review of a book that's been out for awhile or one that's been sitting on our shelves begging us to read it. Today's Flashback Friday is: LEVIATHAN


Published by: Simon Pulse
Released on: October 6th, 2009
Source: Bought
4.5 stars: I Really Enjoyed It

It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever. -quoted from Simon & Schuster's site

Leviathan is a fabulous Steampunk read that has an engaging blend of history and futuristic possibilities that I thoroughly enjoyed. Scott Westerfeld has created a richly detailed, really intriguing world full of endless possibilities, extraordinary creatures, and unforgettable characters. I have no idea why this book has sat on my book shelf for so long.

I wish I had a fraction of the imagination skills of Scott Westerfeld. The things he conjures up are brilliant. The fact that was able to take pieces of history (WW1) and mix in some fantastical animals, inventive weapons, and bring in the theme of Darwinism and Clankers t0 create an entire story is just amazing to me. I'm a huge history fan and I really liked how Scott put a futuristic twist on the events surrounding WW1. I liked that he stayed true to some of the events while at the same time creating a unique story that was all his own.

The characters are fabulous and are split into groups, the Darwinist (Deryn's group) and the Clankers (Alek's group). I really enjoyed reading about Deryn and Alek and I loved how Scott wrote the story from both of their points of views. Deryn is a fabulously written heroine, who's disguised as a boy (I know, it's fabulous). She's a courageous, feisty, independent girl who proves that girls can do anything boys can do, and maybe better than. I of course immediately loved her for that. She definitely holds her own in this story.

Alek is quite the opposite. He's an aristocrat who's what you could call spoiled. He's likable, intelligent and he's someone who after a turn of events is forced to grow up rather quickly. I liked how he grew over the course of the story. Together these two characters do an amazing job at brining this fantastic story to life. It wasn't hard for me to become totally engaged with the storyline and incredible world Scott created. This is a book I really enjoyed and I recommend picking it up.

Banned Books Week: Day 7, Harry Potter

Harry Potter has got to be the most famous literary character of all time. I'd be shocked if there someone out there that didn't know this name. His stories are ones that children, parents and grandchildren have read, but did you know that the Harry Potter series is the #1 MOST BANNED BOOK from 2000-2009. Shocking isn't!


Why would a story that connects with so many people get banned. Sure, there's wizards, magic, adventure, paranormal characters of all sorts of shapes, sizes and kinds in this story. There's also meaningful themes about love, loss, family, friendship, bravery, courage and much more found within the pages of each of these books. Still not sure why this book, series has been banned? I don't either.

If someone tried to tell my kid they couldn't read the book, I'd plaster a note to the front of the book that gave my consent, or maybe I'd teach him to say some of the spells so he could say them to people who told him "you can't read that" which really translates to, "reading is ignorant". If someone were to tell me I couldn't read the book, I'd slowly slant my eyes, raise my wand up from behind on book and yell "Riddikulus" and go back to my reading.

I mean reading this book doesn't make me want to go jump on a broom and fly through the sky chasing a ball. It doesn't make me want to zap people with stick or go into a forest where a spider the size of the state of TX lives (okay maybe Oregon, shudders), or does it.....


The first three words that come to mind when I think of this series are: Magic, Friendship and Adventure. Though I may be one of a few people who's yet to finish this entire series, (don't worry I am & I'm currently half way through), I can't imagine banning this CHILDREN'S BOOK. I can think of a lot worse things my kids can be reading and doing than getting lost into the exciting, enchanting, unforgettable world of Harry Potter.


According to google/Wikipedia, as of June of this year The Harry Potter series has sold about 450 MILLION copies, been translated into 67 languages and the last 4 books have consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history! (quoted from here) This next month through Pottermore, fans will be able to purchase the books via ebook format.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Book Review: Change of Heart

Published by: WestSide Books
Released on: April 28th, 2010
Source: ARC from author
3.5 stars: It was a good read
Purchase from: Barnes & Noble

In a world where the most stressful thing seems to be winning a soccer game or what to wear in the morning, you take some really basic things for granted.

Like the love of your parents.Or hanging with your friends.Or the beating of your heart.When you’re 16 years old, it never occurs to you that you might die. Emmi Miller’s got a fabulous life. She has tons of friends, does great in school and is an all-star soccer player who played in Europe last summer. It even looks like Sam Hunter, a totally cute baseball player, might be interested in her. And then she gets a virus. No biggy, right? Until the virus goes to her heart and weakens it so much that, without a transplant, Emmi will die.Will Emmi get a heart in time? Is Sam too good to be true? What about her new friend Abe, who has also had a transplant and guides her through these scary times — is he just being supportive or is there more going on between them? And will Emmi realize it before it’s too late? - quoted from Goodreads

Change of Heart is a book that's been sitting on my shelf longer than I intended it to be. I'm glad I finally picked it up. It's one of those reads that kind of took me by surprise in terms of the story and how I felt about it. I started off really liking Emmi. She's the star soccer play, she's a typical teenager who loves her family, but gets annoyed with them, has great friends, does well at school etc. Than out of the blink of an eye, everything changes for Emmi. Through the course of some testing from her doctors Emmi learns she needs a heart transplant.

I liked the way Shari created Emmi's story. It was very realistic in the way they uncovered the cause of Emmi's heath problems. I also liked how Shari incorporated the vast arrange of emotions that not only Emmi felt and deals with, but her family and friends. Anger, frustration, hope, dread, worry, hopelessness, "why me" and faith that things will work out. In dealing with something on this magnitude it was nice seeing both the support system Emmi had with her family & friends and the way it effected everyone. I admire Emmi for wanting to just get back to her "normal life", being the soccer star, hanging out with her friends, getting to school, and her first love, despite having to deal with a life threatening situation.

The story is at time moving, and it gives a realistic portrayal into the lives of transplant patients. Sometimes the wait is years, sometimes months, and sometimes, sadly it never happens. Like Emmi, sometimes when the call comes and you rush to get to the hospital and start to get prepped, the surgery is canceled because the organ wasn't the right fight. One of the things I really liked about this story was the statics and the information Shari gives at the end of the story for transplants in the US. This story is powerful in the awareness it gives the reader for organ donations, and at the same time reads like a YA contemporary. There is the mention of underage drinking and a mention of non graphic sex scene.

Exciting Book News!


Yesterday Harlequin Teen treated Iron Fey Fans with the long awaited made of AWESOME book trailer for Julie's last installment in the Iron Fey Series, The Iron Knight. Go HERE to watch it!



Only a few more days and this book will be out! I can't wait to read it. Yesterday Becca tweeted that both Walmart and Sam's Club would be carrying a special edition of Silence that contains bonus content from Patch's pov! Today USA Today posted the 1st Chapter from Silent

Read Chapter 1 of Silence:

Even before I opened my eyes, I knew I was in danger.

I stirred at the soft crunch of footsteps drawing closer. A dim flicker of sleep remained, dulling my focus. I was flat on my back, a chill seeping through my shirt.

My neck was crooked at a painful angle, and I opened my eyes. Thin stones loomed out of the blue-black fog. For a strange suspended moment, an image of crooked teeth came to mind, and then I saw them for what they really were. Gravestones.

I tried to push myself up to sitting, but my hands slipped on the wet grass. Fighting the haze of sleep still curled around my mind, I rolled sideways off a half-sunken grave, feeling my way through the vapor. The knees of my pants soaked up dew as I crawled between the haphazardly placed graves and monuments. Mild recognition hovered, but it was a side thought; I couldn't bring myself to focus through the excruciating pain radiating inside my skull.

I crawled along a wrought-iron fence, tamping down a layer of decaying leaves that had been years in the making. A ghoulish howl drifted down from above, and while it sent a shudder through me, it wasn't the sound I was most frightened of. The footsteps trampled over the grass behind me, but whether they were near or far I couldn't tell. A shout of pursuit cut through the mist, and I hurried my pace. I knew instinctively that I had to hide, but I was disoriented; it was too dark to see clearly, the eerie blue fog casting spells before my eyes.

In the distance, trapped between two walls of spindly and overgrown trees, a white stone mausoleum glowed through the night. Rising to my feet, I ran toward it.

I slipped between two marble monuments, and when I came out on the other side, he was waiting for me. A towering silhouette, his arm raised to strike. I tripped backward. As I fell, I realized my mistake: He was made of stone. An angel raised on a pediment, guarding the dead. I might have smothered a nervous laugh, but my head collided against something hard, jarring the world sideways. Darkness encroached on my vision.


Visit USA Today to read the rest of the 1st Chapter!

GO VISIT HOLLYWOOD CRUSH to watch the trailer!!

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Last Rite by Lisa Desrochers



Good Morning Sunshines! We have a wonderful little treat to share with you guys, the cover to Lisa Desrochers Last Rite and WOW is this hot little cover! I think this is the best cover out of the series.



Seeing Luc and Gabe, or, really just Luc this early in the morning isn't your only treat from Lisa. Today we're giving away an ARC to Last Rite to 1 lucky follower! AND that's not all. There's also a scavenger hunt/giveaway Lisa is hosting on her blog! So, be sure to stop this list of bloggers and collect code words.


Once you collect the words and piece them together, go HERE to fill out the form and enter for your chance to win an iPod shuffle w/ the entire playlist for the TRILOGY!!! Don't forget to collect both of my words (hint they're in bold and red).

Giveaway Time:

I love the cover, and I want to know what you guys think of it. Leave me a comment letting me know your thoughts about the cover! Then fill out the form below to enter to win an ARC of Last Rite!

- 1 entry per person
- US residents only
- You must be 13 yrs & older to enter
- This giveaway ends on 10/14/11

Thoughtful Thursday: Banned Books Week Celebration,


My next feature is again from the 2010 banned books list, and this book was listed as #2 on that list. This is a story I first read back in 2008 after Stephenie Meyer recommended it as part of the Twilight Moms book of the month club.

Published by: Little Brown
Released on: september 12th, 2007
4 stars- It's A Good Read
Purchase from: Amazon| Indie Bound

This story was based on Sherman's own experiences while growing up on a reservation in Spokane, WA, and he isn't afraid to lay it all out there for kids to get a look at what it's like to go up in poverty, deal with going to an all white school, death, growing up, racism and being bullied. What Junior deals with isn't much different from what a variety of teens deal with each day.

Sherman's writing of Junior's story allow readers the chance to see inside Junior's life. It's heartbreaking, it's moving, it made me cry and it made me laugh. Sherman has a way for creating humor and heart-retching scenes all on one engaging page. He introduced me to a character who's strong, witty, and lovable. I've never wanted to cry and laugh all at the same time with a character before, like I did with Junior. I'm in awe at all Junior has to deal with.

This story not only had me cheering Junior on, it made me think and it moved me. It's a great modern day story, and I admire Sherman for writing it and sharing it with others. There's something that at least every reader can take away from it, and I can see how Sherman's writing can have a powerful effect on teen readers, especially Native American youth who's YA selection is mostly made up of Sherman's book. I could be wrong, but when I started searching for Native American YA books, I found hardly any. Which makes me ask the question, why ban a book that 1) is based on the authors experiences growing up on a reservation and 2) is one of only a few YA books that's found that that's geared towards Native American youth. This book won't be for everyone, but it's definitely a read some teens will need.

Word of warning to those who don't like swear words- there's swearing in this book and the f word is mentioned more than a few times. This book is written from the mind set of a 14 yr. old male, so "things" are mentioned that teenage boys think about (not saying girls don't either, but you know what I mean).
______________________

To date, this book has won I believe 5 different awards between 2007-2010 and yet, like many of it's other fellow banners, this book is still on banned book lists. The surprising think about this story, is that back in July of this year the Richland School Board REVERSED it's ban because, "none of the board members had read it" and yet it was banned (scratches head). You can read more about that here. Kudos to them for admitting their mistake and fixing it. I liked the quote from one of the board members who says, "When I'm voting a book out of the classroom, I'm denying parents the right to choose to have that book read by their students." *clasps* Exactly!! Which is why this week is such an important week.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Book Review: Lola and The Boy Next Door



Published by: Dutton/Penguin Books
To Be Released on: September 29th, 2011
Source: ARC from publisher to review
5 stars- I Adore Stephanie's writing

In this companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, two teens discover that true love may be closer than they think.

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket—a gifted inventor—steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. -quoted from Stephanie's site

Stephanie won me over with her debut, Anna and the French Kiss and she did it again in her companion novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door. There's just something about Stephanie's writing that's magical. She makes true love real, believable and beautiful. She has this ability to transform her story into reality. Her characters feel like friends, her settings come to life and her stories leave me wanting more.

I love the way Stephanie makes me connect with her characters, and Lola and the Boy Next Door has an amazing cast of diverse characters that I fell in love with. Aside from Lola, and Cricket are of course my favorites Anna and St. Clair who play a larger role than I thought in Lola's story, and of course loved every minute of them! Lola also has two over protective fathers. I adored these two guys! They made me laugh, they made me sigh, and they made me respect and admire them for being so involved in their daughters life. Each character in Lola's life is written in a realistic, relatable way. They're flawed, imperfect, normal, every day people.

Lola herself is a character I laughed with, cried with and connected with the most. I like the way Stephanie created her character arc through out the course her story. Lola really grew into her own person. Her story is one about finding yourself, staying true to who you are, first love, heart break, falling in love and learning from your mistakes. There's a few things she does that made the mother side of me cringe, but the rebellious, teenage side of me totally related to. After all, growing up is all about choices and I understood why she made the choices she did. I admired her for taking responsibility for the out come of some of her actions. She's really a pretty grounded person, and I respected her for who she was. I love that she wasn't afraid to let her self shine in the way she dresses and the wigs she wears. I only wish I could pull that off the way Lola does.

The romance in this story is fabulous! Stephanie has a talent for ripping my heart, shredded it to pieces and than fixing it. She created such a fantastic relationship between Lola and Cricket and she contrasted with that of Lola's boyfriend Max. The two relationships couldn't be any more different and I really sympathized with the emotions Lola was going on through and how she felt. Cricket! What a fabulous nerdy, boy next door, charming, respectful character he is! I adored him! The chemistry between these two is so well done and so realistic. It's so well paced and drawn out beautifully through out the story.

Lola and the Boy Next Door is a story that is simple and complex. It's touching, and gut-retching. It's witty and moving. It's brilliant and beautifully written. It's amazing and exciting. It's a story that's layered with so many emotions and realistic, relatable experiences that older teens, and adults will connect with it on many different levels. This book is a complete package of awesomeness! I highly recommend picking it up. There are a few mentions of sex, and very mild language in the book.

Banned Books Week Day 5: CrANK by Ellen Hopkins


In celebration of Banned Books Week I took the time earlier this week to really look at the list of books that have been banned and compare it to the list of books I've read and see how many of those books I own. I was pleased that I've read a good number from the lists and have a good number on my shelves. There's one book that was listed at #4 on last years 2010 Banned Books List that I hadn't read yet, and I'd been meaning to, CRANK by Ellen Hopkins.

Published by: Simon Pulse
Released on: October 5th, 2004
Source: Bought

Let me start off by saying this is not a book for everyone. This is a raw, edgy, heartbreaking story that follows the life of a good girl who made some wrong choices and in the end not only did it take her down a dark, lonely path, but it also effected her family, and in the end her son. This is a POWERFUL read!

CRANK is a story about drug addiction. Not just any drugs, the hard stuff. The stuff that messes with you and ruins you. In her blunt, truthful story telling, Ellen Hopkins took me down the dark, twisted and messed up path of a girl who lost her way, lost herself, fought hard to win back and in the end lost again. The thing about CRANK, is that it could be written about any girl. She could be the girl next door, the girl who was in all your middle school and high school classes, the active girl, the shy girl.... any girl. She's faceless and familiar all at the same time. She could be any one.

Drug addiction doesn't hold back on who it's grabs a hold of. It's kids who come from strong families, it's kids from the wrong side of the track, it's kids from good christian homes, kids from non religious homes, kids who get good goods, and kids who could case less about school. I never did drugs, but after reading CRANK I can see how this book would connect with kids who have thought about doing them, who do them and who want to over come the urge to do them. I know why Ellen wrote this story, and I've personally listened to her read letters from kids who's lives were saved because Ellen wasn't afraid to write a story like this, one that depicts reality for some kids, and a possibility of reality for others.

I can see why some parents wouldn't want their kids reading this book, but to BAN this is appalling to me! Banning this book doesn't take away drug addictions in teens. It doesn't make teens want to stop having sex, both of which happen in this book. This book doesn't make me want to go out and start using CRANK. It doesn't make me want to go get high. If anything, this book is one that allows me as the reader to get an inside view of what hell is like for a good girl who made a bad choice and in the end that choice cost her. I'll be really honest, if someone close to me was in a similar situation, I'd hand them this book.

This book is a honest look inside the life of someone who lost themselves to CRANK and in the end tried to fight against the monster that over took her life. This book is blunt. There's drugs, sex and language in this book, and it's not one that's suitable for all readers.


Here's my BANNED BOOKS WEEK CHALLENGE- Pick up a BANNED BOOK that you've been wanting to read or one that's been sitting on your shelf this week. Read it and share your thoughts on it. Celebrate The Freedom to Read!

Waiting on Wednesday: Liesel & Po


To Be Released on: October 4th, 2011
Official Website: Liesel & Po

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable

Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a luminous and magnificent novel that glows with rare magic, ghostly wonders, and a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places. -quoted from HarperCollins

I love that Lauren Oliver has written a middle grade book! This story is such a fabulous MG read, and it's one I really think that fans of both Lauren's and MG books will love. I can't wait to pick up the published copy which will be out next week! I'll be posting my review for it tomorrow on Mundie Kids.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Book Review & Blog Tour: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer



Published by: Simon & Schuster
Released on: September 27th, 2011 TODAY
Source: ARC from publisher to review
4.5 stars: I REALLY Enjoyed It


Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.- quoted from Goodreads

Michelle Hodkin's delivers a debut that is haunting, edgy, swoon worthly, sarcastic, intriguing and totally messes with your mind. In essence, it's fabulous! I can honestly say I've not read a more twisted, engaging story that left me mulling over it long after I finished.

With characters who are flawed, are in many ways relatable, and are written in an in-depth realistic way, it wasn't hard for me to become absorbed with them and their stories. Each character brought something different to Mara's story. Whether that was some sort of family stability, friendship, a normal family relationship, drama, haunting, love, romance, sarcasm and acceptance. What I admired the most about Michelle's characters is how imperfect they all are.

Mara herself is a complex character, layered character who's world is simply crazy. Well her world isn't, but after her accident that she remembers little about it, it's left her feeling like she's going mental or just crazy. It was intriguing for me to read about how normal she tries to be, while fighting what's going on in her mind. A perfect match to Mara's "peachy" side is Noah. I LOVED their sarcasm, chemistry and that underlining swoon worthy tension that builds as the story progressive between them. I think the best way to describe him is by saying I swear he and Jace are some how related.

Michelle's debut is best described as a blend of mystery, mixed with sarcasm, craziness and romance. Her writing is hauntingly beautiful and so unique. I'm in awe over the way she was able to make me feel like I was apart of the craziness of Mara's world. I liked that each time I thought I was starting to figure out just who Mara Dyer was, another twist would get thrown into the plot line and throw me off. I really don't know how to describe Mara's world other than saying it's something you'd have to read to understand it.

If you're looking for something utterly unique in the YA section, pick up The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. It's definitely a read that will stick with you for a while. On a side note, I LOVE this cover! Not only is it captivating to look at it, but it really captures Mara and Noah's relationship (at least I think so, but maybe I'm delusional). This is definitely a read I'd recommend to reading 13 yrs & older. There is some mild language and some uses of the f word.





Today we, along with Books Complete Me are celebrating the release of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by co-hosting our tour stops for the Mara Dyer blog tour. I'm excited to not only share some art work from Mara's sketchbook, but we've got an AWESOME giveaway!! First, Mara's sketches:

One of my favorite scenes from Mara's story is centered around her sketchbook and what Noah does to help her. That's being vague, but I'm keeping is spoiler free. Noah not only says something that makes me laugh out loud, but Michelle sets up the scene perfectly for something to happen between Mara and Noah.

Here's two of Mara's sketches that are Noah's hands;


GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Michelle Hodkin and Books Complete Me we are giving away a SIGNED, FINISHED, FULLY ANNOTATED copy of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer to one lucky winner!

The Rules:
  • - We, along with Books Complete Me are giving away one (1) signed, annotated, finished copy (visit Books Complete Me for another chance to win!)
  • - Open to U.S. Mailing Addresses Only
  • - You must be 13 yrs & older to enter
  • - 1 entry per person
  • - Giveaway ends at midnight 9/30/11
You will need to fill out the FORM below to enter, but be warned, you will have to work for this one of a kind prize!

Here's some helpful links to help you find your answers:




The Scavenger Hunt Giveaway:


Be sure to follow all 21 stops in this exciting tour! Each stop will be posting a letter or character that makes a complete phrase from the book. You will need to visit EACH stop to collect the letters and symbols in order to make the word, which has to do something important from the book. After you piece together each of the puzzle pieces go HERE to fill out THIS FORM. This giveaway ends on at midnight on 9/30.

If I Die Blog Tour: A Day In the AfterLife of Tod & Giveaway!



HAPPY RELEASE DAY to Rachel Vincent's If I Die! I'm so excited to be the next stop in Kismet's If I Die Blog Tour. Today we've got a fabulous surprise from Rachel, who has given us a sneak peak into Tod's life for a day AND there's 2 GIVEAWAYS linked below!!


A Day in the AfterLife of Tod


8:00 AM – Another cup of coffee. Pecan caramel, this time. I’ve tried every flavor of creamer the cafeteria has. The coffee still sucks.

8:54 AM – These ER chairs were manufactured in the 70’s. I swear, cave men were more comfortable sitting on logs and rocks. That’s it. I’m filing that requisition form today. Eight months of practicing the attending physician’s signature is about to pay off…

9:47 AM – Rush hour traffic collision. Crushed sternum. Splinters of bone sticking through his skin. Two punctured lungs. Death is a mercy. Hey, is that coffee on his shirt? Smells good. Wonder what kind of creamer he uses?

10:38 AM – Third period. Kaylee has no class this period. I have no one to kill. Coincidence, or fate?

11:54 AM – Six minutes left on my shift. I will not go to the school after work. I will not go to the school after work. I will not go to the school after

12:22 PM – Lunch in the quad. Nash is having pizza. I don’t care if I never see another slice of pizza. Kaylee’s wearing that blue shirt again. That one that matches her eyes. She looks tired. I will not show myself to her at lunch. I will not show myself to her at lunch. I will not show

12:24 PM – Nash’s pizza tastes as bland as it looks. But since I already took a bite, he said I should just take the rest of it. Wonder what would happen if I took a nibble on Kaylee…?

1:48 PM – Wonder what would happen if I switch the labels on some of the bottles in the chemistry lab’s storage closet? Ooh! Or I could test the acidity of the toilet bowl water with these litmus strips. I’m betting it’s acidic…

2:36 PM – Seriously, why do they still teach history in school? If it’s going to repeat itself anyway, can’t we just catch it the next time around?

3:02 PM – School’s out. Only nine more hours to kill until there will be actual people to kill. Er…reap.

4:22 PM – Large pepperoni and sausage. There in 30 minutes, or your money back. Minus the 50 second commute, and the actual delivery leaves me 25 minutes to pop over to Mom’s house for a brownie.

4:26 PM – Kaylee and Nash are trying to swallow each other whole. I suggested they eat the brownies instead. Nash threw one at me. My appetite is gone.

4:40 PM – There’s never anything good on TV. At the hospital, they only play news and cartoons. And not the good cartoons. The ones where animals dance around and some little girl with a big head counts in Spanish. Ayúdame!

4:41 PM –If Nash and Kaylee are going to make out instead of watching the movie, they should just hand over the remote.

4:42 PM – The remote slid down between them on the couch, and I am not going after it.

4:43 PM – I wonder if there’s any reasonable way to reinterpret the phrase “Get the hell out of here, Tod” to mean “Please stay and help us maintain the PG rating on this hormonal train wreck.” Maybe if I rearrange the letters…

5:58 PM – Dude. Do NOT answer the door in your underwear. No two dollar tip is worth that. Now I’m going to have to find something prettier to purge that mental image. Mangled bunny road kill should do the trick.

7:00 PM – Is it time to reap souls yet?

7:01 PM – Seriously, has time stopped moving? Is this what eternity feels like?

9:10 PM – Kaylee’s practicing conjugating irregular verbs for a French test tomorrow. I said I’d check the verb chart for her, but this stupid language has more sounds than letters, and I’m not sure I even remember how to conjugate English verbs.

9:24 PM – I have no idea what she’s saying, but it’s hot.

11:05 PM – Sabine suggests we play Guess Whose Life Sucks Worse. I can’t lose this one. I’m not even alive.

11:14 PM – New game. Guess Whose Love Life Sucks Worse. It’s a tie. A big, pathetic tie.

1:00 AM – An hour into my shift, and no one’s died yet. Is it possible to be bored to death if you’re already dead?

3:42 AM – Massive cranial and spinal trauma from head-on collision. A cause-of-death near and dear to my heart. Now we’re talkin’…

5:19 AM – The guy in room 434 looks tired. He looks done. We both know this is the last room he’ll ever see, and he’s ready to end it. He deserves a merciful, peaceful death in his sleep. But he’s not scheduled to go for another four days. Poor guy. Sometimes I wish I was the boss.

7:43 AM – Hit-and-run at an elementary school crosswalk. She can’t be more than eight years old. I hate my job.

8:00 AM – Parents crying in the waiting room. They don’t know yet. I wish I didn’t know. I wish I didn’t have to see her last moments. I wish I didn’t have to be her last moments. I’m sick of white walls and endings. The only thing that doesn’t end in this place is me. I don’t end. I just go on, and on, swinging that scythe glued to my hand. There’s no rhythm to the strokes. Few see death coming, and even those who do see death don’t see me. Because there is no me. Not anymore. Always the reaper, never the reaped. Soon that won’t bother me. Soon I won’t care. Emotional death follows physical death at a different pace for each reaper. I’ve put it off for more than two years, but it’s inevitable.

It would take a miracle to keep me alive on the inside.

When I was a kid, my mom said that everyone gets one miracle. She said the trick is recognizing your miracle from a distance, so you’re ready when it arrives. I’m watching. I’m waiting.

I’m ready for my miracle.



Published by: Harlequin Teen
Released on: September 27th, 2011 TODAY
Website: Soul Screamers on Facebook

No one wants to be this teacher's pet.......

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything. - quoted from Goodreads

________________________________

DAILY Giveaway
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About Rachel Vincent - Visit Rachel on her website, blog, twitter, facebook & on youtube
A resident of San Antonio, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.

Tour Schedule: Please go HERE see the complete list of all the tour stops.

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