Review: Wherever Nina Lies by. Lynn Weingarten

Title: Wherever Nina Lies                                       Author: Lynn Weingarten
Age Range: 13+
Publication Date: February 1, 2009
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery, Romance
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Nina was beautiful, artistic, wild . . . and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But one day, without any warning, Nina disappeared.

Two years later, Ellie can't stop thinking about her sister. Although everyone else has given up hope that Nina will return, Ellie just knows her sister is out there, somewhere. If only Ellie had a clue where to look.

And then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing tucked into the pages of a book. Determined to find her sister, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she's got a chance -- her hot, adventurous new crush.

Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn't planning on. Like love.
Mysteries. Lies. And something far ore shocking -- the truth. 


Initial Reaction: "Hmm a romantic mystery...this could be interesting"
End Reaction: "WoooW!!! I did not see that coming, I still can't believe it!!!"

Review: I am officially addicted...to mystery books. What book is it that caused my sudden relapse in this addiction (which I got over after I read every single Nancy Drew book), Wherever Nina Lies by. Lynn Weingarten. This book is so compelling, that I couldn't help but get sucked in after the first few chapters. The mystery and intrigue begins from the very beginning and plays out like a mystery game, where you use the clues you are given throughout the book to try and make your own conclusion on the ultimate question: is Nina dead?

The book is told through Nina's little sister Ellie, whom after 2 years still has not given up the will to find her sister and the hope that she is still somewhere out there. And once she finds 1 clue, just one little thing that adds to her reassurance that her sister is still out there, she sets out on a rode trip in search of her. And what memento accompanies her on her instantaneous desire to drive to another state in search of her missing sister; a hot guy whom she has known for two days. But you know, finding yourself suddenly a little closer to solving the mystery of your missing sister will cloud your judgement that way.

I admire Ellie's character so much. I mean many people might have gave up or lost hope of ever seeing their loved one again, but Ellie never really gave up in trying to find her sister. And she chose not to let anything come in the way of her figuring out what happened. I could really tell that throughout the book, it wasn't only about finding her sister. It was about restoring the faith in someone she had admired her whole life, finding an answer to how,  if her sister was still alive, how she could just abandon her and their mother in that way. 

Overall, I loved this book. I loved it so much because it made me think. It really was like a game where you use the clues to come up with your own conclusion while comparing it to what the main character's is coming up with. It was a fun, emotional, and still very deep mystery book that I will definitely be re-reading over and over again.

Recommendations: I recommend this book to all mystery lovers, and romance junkies!!!

Characters: 9/10 
Plot: 9/10
Originality: 9/10 
Entertainment: 8/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 9/10 
Cover: 10/10

 If You Like This, You Might Enjoy...
1-800-Where-R-U Series by. Meg Cabot
Dead is the New Black Series by. Marlene Perez 

Read more »

Posted in: Mystery,Review,romance

Trailer Tuesday: The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

I haven't done a trailer Tuesday in ages. But I'm trying to get it back up and running to show you guys some great trailers!!! This week's trailer is for The Karma Club by. Jessica Brody. Enjoy!!!

Read more »

I Have The Solution...

...to all of your funk problems. *goes into extreme car saleswomen mode* In a reading funk?, don't know what to read or maybe you don't even want to read at all, well sit on down because I have the answers to all your funked up problems. "What, no way, can it be true???" I say it is true, now sit down, throw your remote away and get ready to read 'till you can't read no more!!! *ends extreme sales women mode* I really had to get that out of my system. And now for my solution, two words: Simone Elkeles. Do you recognize the name, I'll help refresh your memory. 

Simone Elkeles is the author of the awesome book Perfect Chemistry and the newly released and just as incredibly book Rules of Attraction. I mean this lady is a bonifide genius. I loved both of her books so much. Pretty much up until Wednesday I was in a reading funk, I did not want to read a book or buy a book (shocker!), but I got right out of it when I started reading Rules of Attraction (I'll have the review up soon), this book is the stuff!!! So this post is really more about some of my favorite all time authors and books that I read when I want to defunkify and some newly discovered authors that I'm sure I'll be going back to time and time again!!!   

Besides Simone Elkeles books, another book that has not been released yet 

that I have re-read about once a week since I recieved it is Jekel Loves Hyde by. Beth Fantaskey (review). 

I have yet to read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by her, but if it is as good as this book, it is a soon-to-be favorite. Jekel Loves Hyde is so amazing I think it is a must read for everyone. It was astounding, a little science fiction, paranormal, and romance mixed into one incredibly book!!!

Another great author whose books are some of my all time favorites when it comes to paranormal romance is Sherrilyn Kenyon. Her Dark Hunters Series to me is the best adult paranormal romance series out there. I have read almost all of them and I love each one a little more than the one before. It just keeps getting better and better, and I would say her books are just as good if not better (in my opinion) than J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. Though I adore her books too!!! 

 Richelle Mead author of the Vampire Academy Series, Cassandra Clare of City of Bones Trilogy, Stephenie Meyer author of the Twilight Saga, J.R.Ward of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, Meg Cabot from the Mediator Series, 1-800-Where-R-U Series, Airhead Series and a bunch of other great books are among the the authors whom I read more ofter than any other, whether I am in a reading funk or just want to re-read a book I know I will love.

So next time your in a reading funk, the answer to your problems might be in your own bookshelf. If you guys have another solution to your reading funk problems or just know some authors you never get tired of reading let me know and I'll check them out. 

 +1 Contest Entry 

Read more »

In My Mailbox #12

Comment = +1 Extra Entry

This was a really great week for me. I mean it was an awesome week!!! I am so excited for what I got. I was pretty much close to speechless when I opened up my mail this week. Here is what I recieved:

Isn't it beautiful. No need to scroll down, this is really all I got, but WOW!!! I can't believe I finally have it!!! I recieved this book from Book Diva's.com. Which is an awesome site where they giveaway books, have interactive author interviews, where you post a question in a message board and by the next 30 min, the author has actually answered your question right there. It is so much fun and I recommend the site. So yeah, that is where this wonderful piece of literature came from. It's funny how one book can completely make my week.

And for all of you guys who are also pining after this book until its "supposed" release date on April 20th, your wait might not have to be that long. I went to Borders on my birthday, sadly after I had spent all the money I brought, and there, sitting beautifully on the shelves were copies and copies of Rules of Attraction. I was shocked, especially since I was also broke at the time. But it was right there. So if you guys can't stand the wait, and you live close to a Borders Bookstore, head on over and you may be able to snag a copy of this book early!!! (Oh and by the way, Runaway by. Meg Cabot, the third book in her Airhead Series that was also supposed to be released on April 20th, is also at Borders now.)

That is what I recieved this week, and for those of you guys who are like, what??? she just celebrated her birthday and she didn't buy not one book. I ordered them all from The Book Despsitory, so sadly I'll have to endure the wait!!! Let me know what all of you recieved this week!!!

Read more »

Birthday Blasting and 120+ Followers Contest Extravaganzzz!!!

 [Contest Closed]

It's My Birthday!!! I am finally 16. (Maybe turning 16 will motivate me to actually start reading my drivers handbook). And I have 120+  followers. So in honor of turning 16, I am having a contest giving you guys a choice of 16 of my favorite series and stand-alones, plus 4 books I am dying to read (I'll be ordering a lot of duplicates), to pick from for my first contest!!! Here are the books up for grabs:

Sorry all my international friends, I am unable to send international at this time. 

There are going to be three winners. I might add more, depending on whether or not I can save my birthday money, I'll try my best. 

1st winner gets his/her choice of 4 books

2nd winner gets his/her choice of 3 books

3rd winner gets his/her choice of 2 books. 

And for my first contest I am offering another way for all of you to earn extra entires. An idea I got from the awesome bloggers of Teens Read and Write. For every post you comment on starting after today will earn you an extra entry into the contest. I think this is a great idea that Taschima from Bloody Bookaholic is also using for her current contest. This is a way to repay all my great followers who comments make my day!!!

Here's what you have to do to enter:

1. You Must be a follower! Since this is my first contest and it is dedicated to my followers, it is only fair.

2. You Must comment on this post. It is easier for me to confirm extra entries, and so you don't forget you already entered and enter twice; risk disqualification, it can be something really short like just a hello.

3.  You Must fill out the form.
Edit: You can also gain an extra entry for following me on Twitter (see sidebar link). Just leave a comment and I'll add it to entries!!!! 

Enter Here!!!

Contest Ends June 14, 2010!!! 
Good Luck to all!!! 

Read more »

POC Reading Challenge

I know, shame on me for joining this sooooo late. I actually thought I had already joined, I don't know why but I did. Probably in my mind I did, but apparently not in real life. Being POC myself, I think this challenge is a great way to broaden up my reading range and encourage others, whether of color or not, what other types of books are out there. So here is where I am going to be linking the books I read for the challenge.

1. Josephine and the Soldier by. Beverly Jenkins 

2. Played by. Dana Davidson

3. Asleep by. Wendy Raven McNair

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

I'll probably be reading more than that, but I don't need this post to be that long!!!

Read more »

Posted in: african american,Challenges

Happy Easter or Just Another Sunday, to all + In My Mailbox #11

Happy Easter to all of you guys who celebrate it, have a great day and eat tons of candy. And to those who don't celebrate Easter, Happy Sunday April 4th (5 days until I turn 16!!!!!), and you also should eat tons of candy, it's tradition. And when else do stores sell PEEPS!!! Cherish the opportunity and stuff your faces, I know I will!!!

 In My Mailbox #11

In My Mailbox shows what I recieved this week in the mail, no boring stuff like winning lottery ticket checks, or years supply of reeces pieces, nope just the good stuff like books. Big ups to The Story Siren for creating this meme and for Alea at Pop Culture Junkie for inspiring it!!! 

Bought: 

City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments, #2) by. Cassandra Clare

I am long overdue in reading the second book in this series since I really liked the first so I figured now is as good a time as ever. 

Dreaming Anastasia by. Joy Preble

This book sounds awesome!!! I love the combination of history, paranormal, and romance; so exciting!!! 

Being Nikki (Airhead, #2) by. Meg Cabot

 If you haven't read the first book, you should, you must. Meg Cabot is a bonifide genius, I loved Airhead so much, it wasn't anything I expected it to be and it was awesome!!!

Trade (bookmooch):

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson #1 by.  Louise Rennison 

I made the mistake of watching the movie before I read the book, but since I absolutely adored the movie, and read that the movie was a pretty good rendition of the book, I decided to redeem myself and start reading the series!!! 

Dark Desire (Carpathians, #2) by. Christine Feehan 
I am a sucker for paranormal romance. I started reading these books when I finished Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters Series, and they're great!!!

What did you all get this week?  

 

Read more »

Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by. Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jekel Loves Hyde                                          Author: Beth Fantaskey
Age Range: 14+
Publication Date: May 3, 2010
Pages: 288
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Suspence
Rating: 10/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

Review: I am not going to say I loved this book, because that would be too much of a huge understatement and would not do this book justice. Jekel Loves Hyde is definately my favorite read of 2010. So far I have not found any books that can even match it. When I started this book I was expected a new take on the old tale of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,  but this book was truly an original that used the original novel to build up into an unforgettable book.

Jill Jekel's father was recently murdered and her world is falling apart around her. Soon she finds that entering and winning a Chemistry competition is the only way for her to even begin to construct her new future without every part of her life crumbling before her, and in order to win she must ask for the assistance of Tristen Hyde, a loner with a dark secret of his own.

Although you may not think it from the way Jill is depicted throughout the book, she is a very strong character. Though she is shy and quiet and somewhat of a loner, she is still a strong female lead, without being the courageous outspoken girl in some usual YA books. She is left without a father, a mother who is slowly falling apart, and no college tuition, but she still finds a way to stay strong and do what she has to do to go on. 

Tristen was strong, dreamy, and incredible annoying. I understood before I started the book that Tristen was battling his own inner demons, but man, he was so bossy, and arrogant and not at all the dream bad boy I was expecting. But I learned to sympathize with him, since in a way him and Jill were in the same situation, and needed each other to pretty much survive.

Hotness!!! The romance between Tristen and Jill was so hot, yet incredibly sweet. You can tell that they are both so torn apart inside that they feel like a romance and love is completely out of the question, but they really can't help it. They are somewhat obligated to one another before they even begin to get to know one another to the point that working together just works to intensify their attraction, even though neither of them want it. 

There was so much going on in this book without it being confusing. It sort of felt like a three part suspence thriller. The plot was very well developed and included vital turing points that caused plot twists and shifts, that made me rethink my original predictions of the book through the entire book. It kept me interested in every way.

The ending was wonderful. Everything came together and it answered all my questions perfectly. It gave me closure for this book, which is something very important to me when I read a book. I know I said I wouldn't say it, but I'm saying it, I loved this book. It is definately my favorite of 2010 so far. I feel like I should honor it with some kind of amazing awesomeness award, but I'll think of something. I was really surprised I enjoyed this book as much as I did despite all the somewhat negitive reviews I read on it. Overally, it is definately an emotional, engaging book that is more than worth reading!!!

I Recommend: this book to EVERYONE. Whatever your preference, romance, suspence, mystery, contemporary, paranormal, this book will satisfy all of your book cravings!!! 


Characters: 10/10 
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 10/10
Total: 10/10






 


 

Read more »