Waiting On Wednesday #13- Falling Under

Look at that cover!!! I just love the roses. Im a sucker for roses, as long as they aren't red, yuck! The title that accompanies this work of art is Falling Under by. Gwen Hayes.
 

In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down. Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams. Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

I think this book sounds like it is going to be incredible. It sort of reminds me of Beautiful Creatures, with the whole 'I saw you in a dream' prospect. Couple an awesome cover and a synopsis screaming paranormal romance and you have what I suspect to be one of my favorites in the future.

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Posted in: paranormal romance,Waiting On Wenesday

Quick Question???

So I have a quick question for you guys. Since I plan on re-organizing my room because I am getting a bookcase (finally!!!),  I noticed that there are a lot of books that I read quite a while back that I haven't reviewed yet. These are books that I read before I ever started blogging. But I would still like to review and give my insight on them, even though I might not be able to provide as extensive and detailed reviews on these books. So here is the question, do you guys think mini-reviews, as in reviews that are just about a paragraph or two long, are a good idea for these books. Just reviews that show my insight, on the books strong points and then a rating? Do you guys think this is a good idea when reviewing these books. I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me some insight and vote in the poll at the top of the left sidebar column. Thank You!!!

*Note mini-reviews would only be for books I read before I started blogging or a long time ago. Not ARC's or books that I recently read.

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Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by. Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side   Author: Beth Fantaskey
Age Range: 14+
Publication Date: February 1, 2009
Pages: 351
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 10/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: The undead can really screw up your senior year ...

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—
and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.


Initial Reaction: "Oh how I loved Jekel Loves Hyde hope Beth Fantaskey doesn't disappoint."
End Reaction: "I love Jekel Loves Hyde, but I hate to admit that this book tops it hands down!"

Review: By the name alone, when reading this book I expected a romance, and somewhat of a self-help book if the chance to date a vampire ever came upon me (I'm crossing my fingers!). I got that, and much more. Chilling and thrilling at the same time, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side was exactly what I am looking for when it comes to a paranormal romance with a "dark side".

Lucius just wants to go to America, grab his destined princess, and get back to Romania before he has a vampire war on his hands. Jessica's wants nothing to do with that. But she really can't help falling for Lucius's passionate ways and she finds herself doing her best to keep her logical way of life in tact. She has no plans to become a vampire or get in touch with her past, but she really can't control how she feels about Lucius.

Jessica, or Anastasia, was the most difficult character that could possibly be thrust into the world of the paranormal. She runs on logic, rationality, even the concept of pi baffles her, send in a Romania Prince claiming they both are vampire royalty, and you have the most conflicting romance (if you could originally call it that) possible. I really had strong thoughts about how in the world she was ever going to accept this whole vampire princess life she was so against. And Lucius, all arrogant and formal and mannerly. How boring right, wrong! His arrogance is really annoying, but he seems so passionate, so...swoon-worthy. He has that whole, I'm awesome and I know it thing going on. Its hard to really pick out what kind of couple they would make, but it sure is an interesting one!

Now down to the good stuff, the romance. The last word I would think to describe this romance would be cute. I'd go with destructive, conflicting, and hot. I could disregard the first two and just settle with hot. Who would have know that could some how spring from two such different characters. They both want what they can't have. And when they do have what they want,  they either don't want it, or can't have it. It is a very difficult, and somewhat doomed romance, but when its right, it is soooo right.

This book makes it official to me what an amazing author Beth Fantasky really is. It has officially secured her place on my "Favorite Authors" list. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us!!!

Recommendations: I recommend this book to all those who liked Jekel Loves Hyde, even if you didn't like it, I think you should gives this book a try. To all those who love a great paranormal romance, and Vampires!!!

Try:  Jekel Loves Hyde 

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

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Posted in: paranormal romance,vampires

Upcoming CSN Bookcase Review!

I am so excited! I was recently contacted by CSN stores to do a review on one of the products from the CSN stores. I was so happy to have been contacted that I got to looking through the sites immediately. I thought this would be easy picking out something, but I got sidetracked by the variety of lights, bookcases, and rugs. You won't believe the different lamps and colors of rugs they have (I am definitely in need of a rug to cover up all the Starbucks stains in my room).

But alas, I believe I must get a bookcase. As some of you may know, I have never had a bookcase. So every single one of my books are either in boxes or stacks running the length of a room. I think its time to pick out a bookcase.  Currently it is a battle between these two:

 and  

 

For each of these I am going to have to did into my piggy bank to make up the remainder, but it is going to be worth it. Look out for my review if you are interested in learning more about one of these bookcases!

And check out CSN stores for great prices on bookcases, desks, office chairs, lights, rugs, even shoes!

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Review: 13 to Life by. Shannon Delany

Title: 13 to Life                                                      Author: Shannon Delany
Age Range: 12+
Publication Date: June 22, 2010
Pages: 320
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early. 


Initial Thought:  "Yes. I am definitely in need of a good werewolf book!"
End Thought: "Awww, that was so sweet. I wasn't expecting that much romance, but it sure delivered! I can't wait for the next books!!!"

Review: 13 to Life is a romantic, dramatic, and fantastic paranormal novel that sets up a great premise for what I suspect to be an amazing paranormal romance series in the future.This paranormal romance book was focused very much on the drama and romance between the characters with a few werewolf hints thrown amiss the pages. Which was unexpected, but worked just as well for me since it allowed the romance and the characters to develop greatly.

Throughout most of the book, I wasn't really sure where the paranormal aspects came in or how that would play in. Shannon Delany gives little hints of Pietr's werewolfism throughout the book, but I wasn't sure of how that was going to play into the story since the real focus to me seemed to be the love triangle. Oh yes, I wasn't expecting it either, but there is a bit of a love triangle. Even though one point on said triangle was so freaking annoying and oblivious... Anyways, the romance played a huge role in the book which I thought was great. It really gave the romance time to grow instead of feeling rushed. As the two main characters get closer, Pietr's secret becomes more of an issue, and the paranormal aspects of the book really begin to show.

The ending or specifically the last few chapters are another one of my favorite parts of this book. Everything kind of begins to make sense, and is pulled together into one awesome mystery kick butt action scene. A lot is revealed and something different about this ending that distinguishes it from a lot of other books with such a mysterious and paranormal basis is that I did not see the ending coming at all. It was completely unexpected and it explained many of the characters more thoroughly, intensified the romance, and finally gave me the action packed werewolf scene I was looking for throughout the book.

In conclusion, I thought this book was great. It was refreshing to read a paranormal romance where I could actually see the romance developing and have a plot ending that I did not see a mile away. It really sets the pace for what to expect in the rest of the series . A well developed romantic plot, the drama of high school life, and the mystery of the Rusakova family and how Jessica fits into it is summarizes what 13 to Life, and hopefully the next books in the series, are all about.

Recommendations:  All werewolf fanatics must read this book. Everyone who loves a good romance along with a lot of drama on the side will love to sink their teeth into this one. Werewolves rule!!!


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

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Posted in: paranormal romance,werewolves

13 to Life Blog Tour: Interview + Excerpt with Shannon Delany

Today Shannon Delany, the author of 13 to Life, is visiting Black and Blue Ink as the next stop on her Blog Tour.  She is here to talk about her upcoming debut YA paranormal novel 13 to Life. She has also provided a small excerpt from 13 to Life at the end of this interview so read on. Here are 10 things that will make you that much more anxious to read 13 to Life. 

 
Q: What made you decide to create a paranormal YA book for your debut?

A: I've always been fascinated with the idea that things may look absolutely normal on the surface, but below it all something else is lurking. We're a very self-absorbed species--I think it's important to shake up a seemingly normal and dull world when playing with fiction.


Q: If you could be any mythical creature, fantasy or paranormal what would it be?

A: I think a werewolf might actually be an interesting choice--but not if it comes with the strings attached to my particular werewolves. I'm not the kindest creator.

Q: Have werewolves always been your guilty pleasure when it comes to paranormal books, or was it just a successful whim?

A: Totally a successful whim. I may love wolves, but I only recently started investigating werewolves.

Q: 13 To Life is a very action packed and romantic book, but it also tackles some very deep and emotional topics, were they based on personal experiences?

A: The emotional issues Jess struggles with in 13 to Life are based on a loss I recently experienced. My mother died a couple years ago after fighting (and being told she was winning) against cancer. It was very much like what Jess sees most nights.

Q: Is there something you cannot begin writing without or something that keeps you going while writing?

A: I don't have necessities, but I do enjoy a fancy coffee from time to time. It sort of encourages and rewards me as I go.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a writer?

A: My favorite part of being a writer is discovering the story and voice of a story. It's like exploring a brand new world with an experienced guide.

Q: Did you always want to be a writer?

A: I always wanted to do something that allowed me to creatively express myself. I've enjoyed doing art, teaching, and writing. All offer different things to creative people.

Q: What are you favorite writers and/or books?

A: The people who blurbed 13 to Life are definitely among my favorite authors--that's why I asked them to read and blurb. That includes Maria V. Snyder, Ann Aguirre, Jeri Smith-Ready and Lucienne Diver. Each of them create great characters and intriguing worlds. I'm also a big fan of Mercedes Lackey, Anne Mccaffrey and Orson Scott Card.

Q: Anything else you want your readers to know about you and your book???

A: Just that I encourage readers to give 13 to Life a try and keep an open mind. It's designed to be read by different people at different levels. Some people will enjoy it for a quick and fun read and some people will read deeper into it and find the foreshadowing for the next books in the series. Either way, I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks again for including my blog in your tour!!! 
Thanks so much for hosting me, Chioma!

13 to Life: Chapter 4, part D (used with the author’s permission)

Mr. Miles laughed. “Good enough. Pietr, right?”
Pietr nodded.
“Very good. Everyone’s been talking about your family already. Not much else to do at Junction High, I guess.” Mr. Miles clapped his hands together.


Shannon Delany's first novel in her YA paranormal series can be purchased at fine retailers everywhere. Shannon asks you to buy her book from the bookstore you love best! 
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
The Book Depository 
 

Learn more about Shannon (http://ShannonDelany.com) and 13 to Life (http://13toLife.us/blog) or explore the town of Junction (http://www.13toLifeSeries.com).
 

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Posted in: Interviews,paranormal romance,werewolves

Waiting on Wednesday #12- Warped

WoW, I haven't done one of these in a very long while but I missed it so I decided to bring it back. This week's I am featuring two books for Waiting on Wednesday. The first book is Warped by. Maurissa Guibord.

 Warped

January 11, 2011 

  

 Things get weird after Tessa Brody's father buys a dusty old unicorn tapestry at an auction. The wild, handsome creature woven within it draws Tessa, and frightens her too. One day she pulls a silver thread from the tapestry and releases the unicorn. Only he isn’t one at all. He’s William de Chaucy, a young sixteenth century English nobleman with gorgeous eyes, a weird accent and haughty attitude to spare. Will was trapped in the tapestry by Gray Lily, a sorceress who stole the thread of his life and relies on its energy for her eternal youth. Now Gray Lily wants her unicorn back and she’ll do anything to get him. If that isn’t bad enough “his lordship” de Chaucy seems to think Tessa is someone she’s not: the girl who trapped him so long ago in the forest. Despite the sparky chemistry between them he seems to have the strange idea that she’ll be his undoing once more. Maybe she will. Because there’s a connection, an attraction to Will that Tessa can’t deny. She’s even beginning to dream about events in a forest of long ago. Or is she reliving them? But Tessa knows one thing for sure. She could never be some heartless twit of a virgin who would trap a unicorn.

This book sounds like it is going to be amazing. For some reason the plot sounds familiar. Like something I read in a manga or something, but either way it sounds like it is going to be incredible.

The second book is The Iron Witch. Is it just me or whenever you hear a title with the word Iron in it do you immediately think of Faeries too?

The Iron Witch
February 1, 2011 

Freak. That’s what they called seventeen year-old Donna Underwood in high school after a horrific fey attack that killed her father when she was just a child. Her injuries and rehabilitation resulted in magically enhanced strength, thanks to the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. As a child of the alchemists, she is both blessed and cursed with a magical heritage that doesn't leave much room for boys, parties and homework. Now, after ten years of wishing for a normal life, she finally has to accept her role in the centuries-old war against the darkest outcasts of Faerie: the Dark Elves. Aided by a gorgeous half-fey dropout, Donna must race to save her best friend’s life - even if it means betraying one of the world’s greatest secrets and confronting the very thing that destroyed her family.

I really just think the artwork in this cover is simply beautiful. It is so intricate and detailed, I love it!!! Though it is a long long wait until the release date,  I'm just going to have to withstand! What do you think of this book? What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

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Posted in: faeries,Paranormal,paranormal romance,Waiting On Wednesday

Review: Fade by Lisa McMann

Title: Fade                                                              Author: Lisa McMann
Age Range: 14+
Publication Date: January 28, 2009
Pages: 248
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 10/10

Synopsis from Goodreads:  SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. 

 Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open -- but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability -- and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....


Initial Thought: " I can't wait to dive into this book, I miss Lisa McMann's writing style!"
End Thought: "Wow...talk about getting down to the harsh truth, that was intense."

Review: In this installment of the Wake series, Lisa McMann does a great job of getting down to the nitty gritty of Janie's and Cabel's lives. I thought Wake was intense in it's portrayal of the lives some teenagers lead as well as how drugs play a part in those lives, but the topic that Lisa McMann discusses in Fade and the way she allows Cabel and Janie to deal with them while they worry about the supernatural problems Janie is dealing with, creates for a very impacting read that really opened my eyes to the distress of some teenagers lives, even though this book is supernatural fiction.

To begin with, the romance felt so real and natural in this book. There wasn't any forces declarations of love, or anything that a teenager wouldn't have really said. It was these two teens brought together by circumstance trying to do what's best for each other. In summary, it wasn't a fake romance. And Cabel represented the way a leading YA guy is supposed to act, at the same time demonstrating the way a protective, but not insanely protective, boyfriend would act towards his girlfriend. He really tries to protect Janie, and take the burden of her dreams and all she is facing, on himself, and this ends up affecting and changing their relationship drastically. 

To be honest, I actually found some parts of this book hard to read. Not because of the writing style at all, but because of the topics it addressed. Sexual predators, rape, chronic depression, these are really intense and controversial areas of writing and they were demonstrated in such a vivid and realistic way that I had to set the book down a few times.

In all I loved this book, the romance didn't take away from the plot, and the plot didn't take away from the romance. Janie really grows as a character in this book as she learns a lot about how her life is going to play out with this gift/curse. 

Recommendations: All who loved the first book should definitely read this. I love it when the next book in a series surpasses the first. And to those who are fans of Ellen Hopkins, this book isn't as gritty and raw as Ellen Hopkins, but it does address the same topics!

Characters: 10/10 
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 8/10 (Am I the only one who has no idea what that thing in the center is?)

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Posted in: drugs,Review,supernatural,supernatural romance

Review: The Reckoning by. Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Reckoning                                                Author: Kelley Armstrong
Age Range: 13+
Publication Date: April 6, 2010
Pages: 391
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.


Initial Thought:  "Nooo, why oh why must this series end. I still can't wait to read it!!!"
End Thought: "I loved it. I might just write a letter to the author so I can get at least one of my questions answered."

Review: I couldn't wait at all to read this book. Right after I finished The Awakening I knew I had to read The Reckoning immediately. I had to read it so bad that I ended up betraying my morals and reading the book on my friends e-reader. I know, shame, but it was so worth it. The plot line of the Darkest Powers series deepens and thickens so much in this book. And so many new aspects of Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori's past is revealed and the role they play in this book is so extensive that I am coming out of this series with a lot more questions than I went into it with. 

The plot in this book is far more intense, fast paced, and all in all more interesting than the other books. This book introduced and really developed many parts of the series I was hoping to learn more about. But as true as that was, the way the plot thickened and different parts were developing, I had no idea how it could possibly be the last book in the series and until the end of the book, I still felt the same way. Many of the secrets of the Edison group and how exactly why they are out to get the "altered supernaturals" are revealed, but not as developed as I would have liked.

The romance is amplified 100% in this third book, and I was definitely happy to see that. I really don't want to give anything away, but from the beginning of the book I could feel the attraction between these two characters even as the plot became a lot more action-packed and serious.

I so desperately wanted to give this book a perfect score. I loved it that much. But that love was fresh in my mind for about 10 minutes until my brain began registering, and the immense amount of questions built up. I can't really say without spoiling the book, but they were pretty significant, maybe not that much to the main plot, but to the bunches of mini plots going on in the story as well. The book itself did not feel rushed, but the details felt rushed and overlooked, which led to many new questions, with none of them being evaluated or answered. I definitely believe that this book could have gone on to have a fourth even fifth book, and I know I would have been more satisfied with an ending that answered my questions.

In a nutshell, I loved this book. Mainly because I loved the rest of the series and it had as much strong points as a book can have. Beware though, don't come into reading this book thinking that all the answers you have from the books before or this book will be answered, you are going to have to make your own inferences regarding those.

Recommendations: All fans of the others books cannot stop at either The Awakening or The Summoning. You must read this one, it is by a long shot the best one of the series. And to all those who are on the fence about reading the series, it is definitely worth it as it combines a great new paranormal plot line, great characters, and a subtle romance, that I'm pretty sure could carve anybody's book cravings!
 
 
Characters: 9/10 
Plot: 8/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 7/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 10/10
  

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Posted in: Magic,paranormal romance,werewolves

Birthday Blasting Contest: Third Place Winner!!!

Even though the second place winenr hasn't responded yet, I'd like to get the third place winner out there. The third place winner is:

Jada

Congradulations Jada. Please email me (blackandblueink@yahoo.com) with the the two books you would like to win from the choices below.
Please respond before Saturday 11:59 pacific time or I will have to pick another winner!!!  

 
  

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Birthday Blasting Contest: Second Place Winner

Sorry, it has taken so long to get the second place winner out there. There were technical difficulties regarding the first place winner. I would also like to apologize to those that entered the contest not knowing that it wasn't international. I tried to make it as big and reiterate it as much as I could on the contest page that I couldn't ship internationally, but still for some, they did not see it. So sorry, but I am still unable to ship internationally. So without further ado, the second place winner is:

pepsivanilla

Please e-mail me (blackandblueink@yahoo.com) with your address and the three books out of the ones below that you want. 

Please respond by 11.59 Saturday or I will announce a new Winner!!! 

 

 

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Birthday Blasting Contest: First Place Winner!!!

 First off, I would like to thank every single one of you guys who entered. It was really fun hosting my first contest!!! I always wondered how all the book bloggers could give away so many books, but now I know. Its fun! Except for the counting the extra entries and all that. But just for some stats 191 Entrants and 974 entries (or extra entries). Don't worry guys,  I won't make you jump through all of those hoops that are extra entries for my next contest. Too much work for all of us. Oh, and I am going to be announcing the winners separately. I would like to get the first winner's books shipped before I worry about the next ones. Anywayz...

First Place Winner is...

Aik 

Please e-mail me (blackandblueink@yahoo.com) with your address and the four books out of the ones below that you want.
[Edit] Please respond by 11.59 Thursday or I will announce a new Winner!!!

I also added some other ones to the bunch from the ones you guys suggested.

 

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This is Your Last Chance...

Not really, but I figure being dramatic would get your attention. Anyways, today is your last chance to enter my Birthday Basting 120+ Followers Contest. If you have not entered just click here to go to the contest page and enter free of charge!!! The contest ends today, June 14, at 11.59 pacific time, or Los Angeles time, whichever one is easier to figure out. Anyways go enter enter enter, I will probably have the winners announced this week, after I count all the extra entries, verify this, confirm that, and all that good stuff!!! Good Luck to all!!!

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Review: Played by Dana Davidson

Title: Played                                                       Author: Dana Davidson
Age Range: 15+
Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Pages: 240
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: When one of Ian's boys dares him to get plain-faced Kylie Winship to sleep with him in just three weeks, he thinks it'll be a breeze. Tall and fine, with honey-colored skin and eyes, Ian is used to getting what he wants from girls. And if he succeeds in playing Kylie, he'll be down with the most popular crew in his high school. But this girl, who everyone considers a nobody, is turning out to be more surprising than he ever could have imagined. 


Initial Thought:  "I can't wait for another book by Dana Davidson!!!"
End Thought: "Wow, guys can really be cruel, and some girls really disappoint me."

Review: I had very high expectations for Played after reading Dana Davidson's incredible book Jason and Kyra. After waiting over 4 months for this book to finally become available on paperback swap, I was really disappointed with the outcome.

In this book Ian is one of the finest more popular guys in Kylie's school. And he suddenly finds interest in her. Little does she know that it is only because of a bet. A bet that consists of Ian getting Kylie to fall for him, and sleep with him, in order to be initiated into some sort of popular fraternity. If you are anything like me, you are cringing at the mere thought of a guy willing to stoop so cruelly and so low in order to be a part of a crowd.

The plot went on like any other contemporary romance, except for the opposing thoughts of the two main characters. Kylie thinking that this guy who seems so ashamed of her at school is slowing falling in love with her, and Ian thinking that he only has a limited amount of time to STEAL Kylie's virginity in order to be part of the innermost in crowd. I could never get into the romance in this book because of how cruel and fake it seemed from my perspective, but I kind of feel like that may have been the author's objective when writing this book.

Ian is a creep. He can embellish all of his feelings and motives as much as he wants, but it takes a truly cruel person to be capable of such a thing. I actually admired Kylie in the beginning of the book. She takes care of her brother and sister, is in charge of a lot of things within her household, and barely utters a complaint. But by the end of the book, I felt she was acting a little bit naive. Emotions get in the way of logic I assume.

Overall, I did not really enjoy this book. But for some reason, I think that Dana Davidson expected this to be a book that will not be welcomed as well as others since this romance didn't spring as true as the others. It may have been meant to teach a lesson, and I have to say: Message Received! 

Recommendations: I recommend this book to those who have read Dana Davidson's previous books and are looking for something different from her. To those looking for a book that will make you wonder whether or not you liked it or not. And to all those out there that love a controversial romance.

Characters: 4/10 
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 5/10 
Ending: 3/10 
Writing Style: 7/10 
Cover: 8/10

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Posted in: african american,Contemporary,POC,romance

Winner Of Asleep Giveaway!!!

The contest for my Asleep giveaway ended 11.59 yesterday June 10, I apologize if I did not make that clear enough when I stated the deadline for the contest. But for the fun stuff, I have picked the winner using classtools randomizer!!! And the winner of a brand new copy of Asleep by. Wendy Raven McNair is  (the highlighted name):

 

 

Congratulations Donnas!!! I have already emailed you. Please respond with your mailing address within 3 days, or I will have to pick a new winner!!! Thank you to all who entered this contest and supported Wendy Raven McNair!

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The Broken Lake Trailer

If you guys have been reading this blog for a while, you will know that I absolutely, love, adore, pretty close to worship the book The Pace by. Shelena Shorts. It is my favorite read of 2009 and I predict The Broken Lake will be one of my top picks for 2010 as well. But sadly, August (the release date) is so far away! On a happier note, here is the trailer for The Broken Lake, it's subtle, yet impacting, I'm so excited! (Don't worry, no spoilers if you haven't read the first book yet...which you SHOULD!)

Do you love it?

It seems so deep, and somewhat sad, I can't wait!!!

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