Mundie Moms

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

City of Lost Souls Trailer

I'm been anxiously awaiting to add this LOVELY trailer to the blog, and thank you to S&S now I can! *YAY* Not that I've not watched it over and over again already ;) Enjoy!

Book Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby



Published by: Simon & Schuster
To Be Released on: May 8th, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher at ALA
4.5 stars: I Really Enjoyed It
Pre-Order from: Simon & SchusterAmazon | Barnes & Noble

A devastating loss leads to an unexpected road trip in this novel from the author of Moonglass, whose voice Sarah Dessen says “is fresh and wise, all at once.”


Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences? -quoted from Goodreads

Why fret over the cost of gas and where to go this summer on a road trip, when all you need to do is pick up Jessi Kirby's upcoming release, In Honor! This is one of those stories that will live you wising you had a trusty guy friend, a sweet red pair of cowboy/girl boots, and a classic car to hit the road with. Not to mention a few mishaps, and some unforeseen adventures, all of which accompany Honor during her whirl wind road trip from TX, to CA. Shortly after laying her only brother to rest who was killed in action, Honor receives a letter from him and a request. In order to honor his request Honor decides to hit the road for an incredibly moving and unforgettable road trip.

I loved Honor! This girl made me want to laugh with her, cry with her and had me wishing I was sitting in the passenger seat along side her for her trip. Yes I know Rusty, her brother's best friend had that spot, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind sitting in the back, or maybe he would. She's a strong girl who's just learning to cope with losing her brother, finding her way, keeping his request and learning to maneuver through the various mishaps that accompany her on her journey. The biggest complication of all lies with Rusty. Oh this boy knows how to push the right buttons, as well as work it. 

Here's the thing with Rusty, he is who he is. He knows how to get to Honor, as much as he knows how to comfort her. He made me frustrated at times and other times me made me love him for all his imperfections. The thing between Honor and Rusty is complicated, and wonderful all at the same time. They have this rich history since Rusty's been her brother's best friend since grade school. Things grew differently for them after high school, which also makes for an air of uncertainty and some complications with Honor and Rusty now. Their relationship to say the least is strained.

The thing I love about a well written contemporary is getting to really know the characters. I felt like I not only got to understand the history and the feelings between Honor and Rusty during their road trip, but I felt like I apart of their lives for this brief moment. I felt like I was getting to know them during their process of getting reacquainted with each other during their drive through the hot desert, with the windows down in the car, and their sometimes awkward conversations and walks down memory lane. It's definitely a unique relationship these two have, but it's one I felt drawn to in many ways. They're both learning to grieve, cope, love, trust and open up about things they'd rather not. 

One of the most appealing things to me about this story is the relationship between Honor and Rusty and the love that they have for one another. It is so unique and different than a actual love story, and I loved that! Here's the thing I've come to admire about Jessi Kirby's writing, she keeps it real with her realistic characters, their life like situations and the fact that she can emotionally hook me from the get go. This is a story that made me laugh, got me a little teary eyed, made me want to smack Rusty in the shoulder and give him the "what the heck are you thinking" and "I can't believe you just said that" look a few times, and in the end left me with that happy sigh with how things were left. It's that ending where you things will be okay.... 

City of Fallen Angels Read A Long Day 8: Walk In Darkness



Welcome to Day 8 of the City of Fallen Angels Read-A-Long. You can follow the entire read-a-long and find each of the day's posts here. Remember there's no right or wrong way to participate. Your comments can be as long or a short as you'd like them to be. You can answer one or each of the questions asked, it's totally up to you, BUT, in order to be entered into the COLS giveaway (which you also had to sign up to win), you do need to be actively participating in the read-a-long. 

Today's discussion is about: Chapter 8: Walk in Darkness

There's a lot that happens in this chapter. Here's a quick over view: We learn of the discovery of the demon baby and that someone is using demon magic on babies and killing them, that Raphael despises Camille, that Camille has been killing humans for sport, that Raphael is the reason why Camille left, we learn the Shadowhunters want to capture Camille alive, Jace acts like a jerk to Clary, and holy crap, did Simon just do what I think he did?!?
  • Leave it Cassie to pull at our "mama" sides with the discovery of the dead baby. Do you have any guesses as to who could be behind his death? What sort of link could it have to the Shadowhunters?
  • I was shocked to learn the Camille is as cunning and evil as she is. I know it's her "true nature", but still. Do you think Raphael is lying about what he said, or do you think he really wants nothing to do with Camille and he did send her away?
  • I seriously wanted to yell, "SIMON LEWIS what in the heck are you doing!?" I can not believe he bite Mo. Did you guys see that one coming? What do you think is going to happen to Simon now? Will he embrace the vampire side of himself or be mortified he gave in and had a moment of weakness?

Please DO NOT POST SPOILERS. There's some fans who are joining the read-a-long who are reading COFA for the first time. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T Bergren


Published by: David C. Cook
To Be Released on: June 1st, 2012
Pre-Order from: Amazon

When Cora Kensington learns she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king, her life changes forever. Even as she explores Europe with her new family, she discovers that the most valuable journey is within. The first book in the Grand Tour series takes you from the farms of Montana through England and France on an adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awakening, and self-discovery -quoted from Goodreads

It's no secret that I LOVE Lisa's writing. Sophie and I were completely swept off our feet with The River of Time series. If you haven't picked it up, I highly recommend it. I'm thrilled she's releasing a new book, which will be the first in the Grand Tour Series. I can't wait to get my hands on this book! 

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