When Book Quotes Meet Reality....

I've had a bad weekend to say the least. I've experienced my first funeral as an adult and as a parent. It was of a seven week old baby (not mine.)  It is heart breaking - my heart still hurts for so many reasons including the fact that the father of the baby referenced my son during the funeral. 

Anyway, I just finished Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison |goodreads|author website| It was flippin' fabulous, by the way. 

So, on page 321 of my physical ARC I came across a short passage, a liner really. And to say it completely did the book justice and also made me crack all at once is an understatement. 

"People die. They die too early, sometimes. And there is grief that almost crushes everything." 

I'm not sure if it is my age and/or life experiences, the more I read Young Adult books I realize how much these fictional stories really cross over to real life. Sometimes, like now, I really wish it didn't. 

Thoughts? 

 xoxo-stacey

So...

I was going to go ahead with "Whatcha Think About Wednesday," because heck knows right now I am thinking A LOT! But the longer I stared at my blog the more annoyed I got. 

So, please, excuse the mess while I do a little dusting.  I mean, afterall, we've had some wonky, not-so-winter, weather here in Georgia and I have been on a Early-Spring Cleaning rampage.  I mean, it's amazing what feeling better, feeling alive, feeling free of everyday crippling pain, can do for a person.

Oh, and watch out.  I already have TWO Giveaways to post.  Yep.  I'm a girl goin places.

Ciao XoXo
Stacey 

Two Surgeries Later.....I'm back :)

Yep.

You read right. TWO! Two whole surgeries and a bunch of resting and doing nothing - not even reading- and I'm back.

I took some time to get my priorities straight and I've decided reading is still one of them but I'm not going to let anyone dictate how or what I blog about. It became such a chore, blogging. Even reading wasn't as enjoyable. It's lie I was a pod person of the blogging community.

So now, I blog for ME! And for YOU - those who actually want to read what I have to say. No giveaway buy offs. No daily walk blog-around posts that you'll read 100s others of. Just Me, Flippin Fabulous and what I'm reading. So, since you've stuck around this long, I advise you to stick around a little while longer while I work the kinks out and make my foot print back in the book-ish community.

xoxo-stacey

Alexandra Monir Alert : Secrets of the Time Society

Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely, positively adored TIMELESS by Alexandra Monir. It was such a well put together, well researched love story that was based on so much more than just love. There was history, mystery and just so much goodness, how could I not love it?

Alexandra Monior isn't only a literary love of mine. Written and performed by her, Alexandra has also given us with songs made for TIMELESS.

To help tide you over until TIMEKEEPER, with a tentative release date in December, we have been given SECRETS OF THE TIME SOCIETY, a bridge between the first and second in the Timeless Series.

To also celebrate SECRETS OF THE TIME SOCIETY, TIMELESS has been reprinted in trade-paperback by Random House Children's Books.

Secrets of the Time Society 

(Timeless 1.5)

$1.99 e-book 
| Random House | Goodreads | Alexandra |

There exists a secret society where one's ability to travel through time is "gifted" to members only by blood. Those who try to enter the society quickly come to realize that time is a force not to be reckoned with. Alexandra Monir's short story exclusive eBook, SECRETS OF THE TIME SOCIETY, sheds light upon the world created in her novel, TIMELESS, and forecasts the fate that lies ahead for its protagonist, Michele Windsor. Now that Michele is gifted, there are some who will do anything to take that power away

If you haven't read TIMELESS yet, I highly recommend that you do so, I know it has sat at the top of my favorites and will continue to do so. Then after you read that I recommend that you download SECRETS OF THE TIME SOCIETY, watch for my review soon.

-Stacey

Author Guest Post : Kim Purcell, Trafficked + GIVEAWAY

Let's welcome Author Kim Purcell to Flippin' Fabulous. She stopped by to help promote her debut book Trafficked and tell us how she found her editor. I haven't actually read any editor-finding stories yet so I was really excited to get a look at hers.
Also, don't forget to check out her website for ways on how you can help trafficked teenagers. On her website she even states she is going to donate 20% of her earnings from Trafficked to help vulnerable teens and children. So although I am providing you a chance to win a copy of Trafficked I encourage you all to go out and get your own copy.


Look for the PINK for details for your chance to win!

I found my editor in the most unusual way. I was coming home from the National Book Awards reading with some friends and we were talking on the subway about the readings and trying to make guesses about who would win in each category. Our talk turned to my novel, TRAFFICKED. One woman was a friend of a friend, so I explained that my novel was about a girl who comes from Moldova to America to be a nanny and ends up a modern-day domestic slave.

Around that time, I noticed a young, petite, bookish woman glancing our way. She was clearly listening to us. I smiled at her and kept blabbing on. I figured she was probably another writer – Brooklyn is full of them. I remembered what it was like, not so long ago, to be a writer with no agent. You hear that someone has an agent and it’s like, oh wow, you must be really good. I felt a moment of gratitude that I had a great agent, Kate Lee at ICM, even though I didn’t yet have a publisher. I had a friend now in the publishing world, a world which can feel very lonely.

I decided to get off one stop early so I could walk further with my friends. But then, when we got off, the woman from the train followed us. She said, “Excuse me.” I stopped, thinking maybe I’d dropped something. “I’m sorry for eavesdropping,” she said. “But I’m an editor and your book sounds like exactly the sort of story I’ve been wanting to work on.”

The doors to the train closed. I glanced at them. She was missing her train for me, I thought. Later, I learned she happened to live just a couple blocks away. The train shot down into the tunnel. The tracks rattled. I was in shock. Was this really happening?

“Do you have an editor?” she asked.

I decided she had to be from a very small press. I had my hopes pinned on a big publisher with a wide distribution potential, but I’m always friendly, no matter what, and you never know, right?

“No, I don’t.” Then, I added quickly, “I have an agent though.”

My friends stood by, watching with anticipation. They knew how rare and momentous this occasion was.

“Well, my name is Kendra Levin.” She shook my hand. “Would you like to get her to send your book to me?”

I put a big smile on my face. “I’d love that.”

She reached into her bag and handed me her card. I told her it was nice to meet her and we went our separate ways. I didn’t look at it right away because I didn’t want her to notice the disappointment in my face when I saw it was just a small, unknown press. I walked away and glanced down at the card.

I was both shocked and thrilled when I saw the little Penguin logo. I hoped I’d been enthusiastic enough. I wanted to run back and say, “By the way, I’m really interested!” But maybe being just a little less exuberant than I am normally was a good thing. Kate sent the novel to her and a few days later, Viking, the Penguin imprint, bought it. It was a serendipitous moment, preceded by years and years of hard work.

Trafficked by Kim Purcell
Released: February 16, 2012
Young Adult
| Website |

A 17-year-old Moldovan girl whose parents have been killed is brought to the United States to work as a slave for a family in Los Angeles.

Thank You Kim Purcell for stopping by!
Read on for your chance to win your own copy of Trafficked!

Giveaway:
-One Reader will win Trafficked
-Must have a U.S Mailing Address
-Must Enter by March 07, 2012
-LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN

I'm Officially Broke

Dear Readers,

Please take pity on me if you see me standing on the corner with a sign that says something along the lines of...


Need Food + Shelter. I bought too many books.


I mean, really, why don't you go do a search of books in the Young Adult category of your favorite online bookseller and sort those books from newest to oldest (I'm doing this from the NookBook perspective.)

Can you say WHAT IN THE HELL?! 5 Books! Really?! A chick, her hubs, the kid, and the animals have to eat. It is sort of necessary to my existence NOT to mention READING!

Sheesh.

So, here. From first glance this is what is going on over at B&N in the Nook Book department for Young Adult reads.

Alligance by Cayla Kulver (Already read this one and died)
Partials by Dan Wells
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (Totally doing the Jersey fist pump over here)
Hana by Lauren Oliver (One just wasn't enough, was it?!)
Guyaholic by Carolyn Mackler (Gotta always have something light on hand!)
A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

Do you need visuals? I think you do!

Seriously, get after it!

ARC Review: Legacy

Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Release Date: June 21, 2011
Published By: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 496 Pages, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: NetGalley + Publisher, in exchange for an honest review
Overall: Flippin Fabulous! 
|Author Website| |Twitter|

The first boy disappeared on the day of his birth, on a night when the pale yellow moon of the nighttime sky turned red and bathed the heavens in the ghastly color of blood, on the same night the Kingdom of Cokyri abruptly ceased its merciless attack.Across the land of Hytanica, under the shadow of the crimson moon, infant boys continued to vanish. Not until the blood had faded from the sky did the disappearances stop and the bodies of the murdered infants were found outside the gates of the city, a final word from the greatest enemy Hytanica had ever known. For the next sixteen years, peace reigned, but one mystery remained unsolved. The Cokyrians had abducted forty-nine newborns, but returned only forty-eight bodies.
Now, as seventeen-year-old Princess Alera of Hytanica is besieged from all sides by suitors vying for the Throne, a teenage Cokyrian boy, Narian, is encountered within the walls of her Kingdom, a boy who will show Alera a world where women serve a purpose and not just a husband. As Narian helps Alera find her voice, she struggles against an arranged marriage that will shatter the life she has scarcely begun to live. And when Narian's shocking past is uncovered, and war with Cokyri looms once more, he must fight to defy a fate ordained at his birth. 

My Thoughts:

I couldn't imagine being born into blood which mapped out my destiny for me, being forced to marry for status and wealth turning away from love.  Come to think of it, I couldn't imagine being born into royalty, being bred to take a throne or being part of world that was colored just like a page out of a fairy tale book complete with ill fated love, tragedies and all.

Our main character Alera couldn't have been a better fit for our female lead.  Alera was beautiful but not only in her appearance.  So much of her beauty came from the fact that she had her own mind and wasn't afraid to think outside the confines of what the woman's mind and body was supposed to inhibit in the land of Hytanica.  Beauty wasn't Alera's only characteristic which made her so appealing.  She was quirky, playful and knew how to use her mind. To say Alera is a push over where her father, The King, is concerned would be accurate but not in the capacity where I found myself rolling my eyes at Alera.  Despite the situation Alera was strong willed and spoke her mind to those who she could trust.  Though faced with an impossible situation Alera proved her strength and loyalty, in all facets of the word even if only in her hopeful thoughts.  

There wasn't a shortage of characters who helped make Legacy what it is.  From Alera's parents, The King and Queen, her sister and all of the guards which came into contact with Alera, there was never a lack of surrounding action and personality.  Nor was there a lack of prospects for Alera, including one in which The Kings standards for a suitor were constructed around, Steldor, and another being the infant boy who returned sixteen years later and is everything what the King of Hytanica could never be.

Don't let Legacy's intimidating length fool you, at no time did I find myself skipping lines or skimming text.  Every word was delectably devoured and appreciated. While I wish I could say I wishing for more, Legacy left off in a wonderful place making the wait for book number two bearable with just the right amount of itch.  Nothing is worse than a cliff hanger ending which almost makes you angry you have to wait for the next installment after you just spent so many pages vesting yourself into a cast of characters.     

Beautifully depicted and written, a mixture of fairy tale and fantasy, with a a splash or two of deception, mystery, loyalty and love, Legacy is a book which my reluctance to read was not at all justified.  Our surroundings, the emotion and the situations were layered delicately yet exquisitely.  Legacy has easily come to sit in the top of my favorite books list.  I absolutely can not wait for book number two of this trilogy, Allegiance. 

Monday Musts : B&N PubIt! Reads No.2

No neat lil' graphic here yet, just a good ol' list of my B&N PubIt! Monday Musts!

Those who have ever taken note of my reading patterns or recommendations may or may not notice I am in love with the B&N PubIt! category over at Barnes & Noble. I mean, really, I frickin' love it. Books, self-published or traditionally published, both make the lists. These reads usually range from $.99-$4.99, sometimes a little higher. I go for the hidden gems, the ones which may or may not be perfect. Sometimes I have to overlook some grammatical errors, some formatting issues, or a chopped up plot or sentence... but when you really look beneath all of that to the core of the story sometimes you'll find something you really enjoy despite any quirks the book may have.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've had a few not-so-good ones. I mean, majorly. Books which claim to be a novel but turn out to be 7 pages or authors who clearly don't realize that they're and there and their are not the same word.

So until I get a neat graphic and an official by-line I'll just leave with you with my newest favorite B&N PubIt! find!

Anew by Chelsea Fine
Released: December 07, 2011
Young Adult
| Chelsea Fine |

Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery...until she met a boy with a familiar voice.

Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet's determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he's kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer.

Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past...might just be the death of her.

There was just so much right with Anew and I'm suffering from a book-hangover from it. Good thing not all hangovers are bad :-)

Expect a review of this new-favorite soon!

ARC Review: Original Sin

Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers
Release Date: July 05, 2011
Published By: Tor Teen
Pages: 398, Paperback
Young Adult
Source: Author (won!) + in exchange for an honest review
Overall: Fabulous!
| Website | Blog | Twitter | Amazon |

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.
Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.
Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.
And not everyone will get out of it alive.

This review may contain minor spoilers or story line indication for Personal Demons, book number 1 in this trilogy.

My Thoughts:

Told from three points of view we are reintroduced to Frannie, Luc and Gabriel in Original Sin.  Though I must warn you the three points of view are not that of Frannie, Luc and Gabriel.  The main of the plot is still the same but this time, keep Frannie's soul from being tagged for Hell, and it is layered with several layers of emotions, action and obstacles. I knew there had to be some new situations where Frannie, Luc and Gabriel were concerned but I had no clue that it would be in the form of demons coming out in small but extremely strong and persuasive numbers messing with more than just Frannie.  It seems as if none of our characters went untouched this time around.    

Frannie, our main character who is wanted by both Heaven and Hell, is still the kick-ass, strong willed object she was in Personal Demons.  While I love how strong Frannie is and commend her on her ability to literally kick butt and handle situations beyond her wildest dreams, it seems as if Frannie has become more of an object in this book being tossed between Luc and Gaberiel once again.  While Frannie's love did big things for Luc, literally changing him, I wish her heart would choose between Luc and Gabriel...well more than she has already claimed she has.  It is only book two and I'm already tired of her flip flopping.  She's in love with and lusting over Luc when she's with him but the moment she's with Gabriel her heart is pounding for him and she is lusting just the same.  Her emotions are tiring and slightly contradictory when it comes the two guys.  While I think Frannie is a great main character her indecision and what it is doing to others is slowing wearing on me.  We can only hope Lisa Desrochers doesn't leaving us hanging at the end of book three and all of our love-triangle-woes and put to rest.

Luc is still Luc despite his transformation in Original Sin.  I get the excitement and swooning over Luc's new-found salvation and freedom from his previous life, although he truly never is free of his past, but his true colors do end up showing in Original Sin and I'm glad for that.  I understood the situation for what it was and to Luc's defense not everything is at it seems but even I saw through the situation before we were given much detail about it.  It is still up in the air for me about whether Luc's loyalty is something anyone has beyond Luc himself.  I'm not sure where all of my reluctance comes from regarding look but despite it all and his bad boy image and inability to trust him, especially after Original Sin's ending, I still am able to see through to his personal growth and the heart that he does have even if it is slightly tarnished and bent a little.  I guess though, for a demon, or a was-demon, or a gonna-be-demon (again) that he does pretty well protecting Frannie and attempting to put her best interest at heart.

The story isn't complete without Gabriel.  Gabriel takes a back seat during most of Original Sin.  It is all just too much to bear for him which I totally agree with.  Frannie is stringing the guys along and when you have a heart like Gabriel's I can't imagine it is easy to watch the girl you love throw herself into the arms of a demon, let alone a guy that even if he were a mere mortal he would still be considered a demon by most the population.  In my opinion Gabriel is still the same as he was in Personal Demons but slightly more mature and more considerate and level headed than Frannie and Luc put together.  I'm definitely hoping Gabriel is more of a fixture in the upcoming last book.  For some reason I related to Gabriel the most out of the characters and I am not a guy nor an angel.  I think everyone has their one favorite character and so far Gabriel hasn't given me reason to take the title away from him despite not getting much from him this go around.

To touch on the plot of Original Sin, while it was action packed and at times would make your heart skip a beat, or two, it was slightly predictable where the biblical references came in.  Despite the predictability it didn't seem to deflate the impact that the twists and turns of the story had on me.  I was still clutching the pages tight, reluctant to look up from the book and definitely not wanting to put it down until the end.  

Biblical based or not, Lisa Desrochers' has an ability to make a story her own and with Original Sin, like Personal Demons, she did just that.  Lots of times when I read a story with an angel named Gabriel they all seem to morph into one character that hops from book to book but in the case of the Lisa Desrochers' books that just isn't the case.  The pace, although fast, was pretty consistent as well was the writing.

There is one thing about series books that I really do not enjoy and that comes in the form of cliffhangers.  Sometimes I wish that a book would tie up nicely leaving me satisfied yet wanting more.  Unfortunately with Original Sin that is not the case.  We aren't just faced with any cliff hanger, we are faced with a story changing cliff hanger of the biggest sort, twice over, which deserves several reads while you attempt to digest and understand what you just read.  There was absolutely no way after leaving me hanging the way Lisa Desrochers did that I am letting her off of the hook.  I am expecting full on fabulousness from the next book.  With or without the the cliffhanger there really is no way of expecting anything less though after Original Sin.  

Overall, Original Sin is sinfully fabulous making the Personal Demons series one I think just about everyone would enjoy.  It definitely has a little bit of everything for everyone and it has me anxiously anticipating book number three, the last book in the trilogy.  Fast paced and writing that accurately captures the teen voice (especially that of the ever wavering emotions,) and action packed, Original Sin is a great follow up to Personal Demons, one that is a definite must read.

Purchase:
Personal Demons | Amazon |
Original Sin | Amazon |

Review: Eternity

Eternity by Heather Terrell

Released: June 28, 2011
Published By: Harper Collins
Pages: 304, Paperback
Young Adult
Source: The {Teen} Book Scene
Overall: Fabulous!
| Website | Goodreads | Facebook | 

Purchase: Amazon 

The end . . . or a new beginning?
As Ellie comes to grips with her destiny as the Elect One, her relationship with Michael grows tense. When she meets a mys­terious boy named Rafe, things get even more complicated.
Yet the time has come for the Elect One to stand against the group of evil fallen angels who are bent on destroying the world. In order to face the immeasurable malevolence heading her way, Ellie tries to put her personal life aside. But she soon learns that whoever holds her heart also holds the key to mankind’s salvation—or destruction. As the end days approach, Ellie is faced with an epic decision. Who does her heart really belong to? And is her love strong enough to save the world?

My Thoughts:

With Eternity, Heather Terrell pulled us into a world of Angels and all that it entails.  Good Angels, Fallen Angles, prophecies, biblical references, and of course the insta-love.  I will say despite this being a sequel book that I chose not to read Fallen Angel before reviewing this book.  I wasn't sure at the time if that would be a good thing or a bad thing but by the end of the book I was sound with my decision.

I found Ellie to be a pretty danged strong protagonist for being put in the situation she was.  Her attitude, her hope, her loyalty it all emitted off of her so strongly it was hard to watch when things didn't always go in her favor.  The same could be said about Michael who shared the same strength and loyalty that Ellie possessed.   So much about their attitude and their life force together was appealing to me but they seemed so easily distracted when other opportunities presented themselves and their case of insta-love I didn't initially find all that convincing or attractive.  Perhaps it was coming into the story when I did but I don't think I could have handled much more of their supposed love for each other if the book would have dragged on at any one point. I liked them both as individuals but together everything seemed a little thick.  I was rolling my eyes at how cliche the whole thing really felt despite how well the two worked together, the way their mind (most of the time) seemed to work together and their trust in each other was unwavering.

I found myself preferring Rafe in Eternity.  He seemed to be the most real of the bunch alongside Ellie's very strong, understanding, and loyal best friend Ruth.  I thought Ruth's strength and ability to stay calm and help Ellie and Michael how she did brilliant.  Lots of times we see best friends who possess loyalty that wavers when the other b.f.f. gets all the attention, gets the guys, and gets the limelight.  With Ruth it truly wasn't like that.  She offered a breath of fresh air and acted a bumper between the insta-love just how Rafe did.  Though Rafe had a purpose in Ellie and Michael's story I found myself more intrigued by his own journey, his own feelings, and his own despair even though we truly were only included in on a fraction of it.

The action in Eternity I found pretty impressive thought it was spotty.  I found myself wishing the last action scenes would have held a little more weight and emotion it seemed to breeze by so quickly almost leaving the feeling of the story of being anti-climatic when it was truly the opposite.  So much happened that it seemed slightly rushed.

Overall, I really enjoyed Eternity.  I love Angel stories and I accept that there are going to be similarities between them, like the biblical references.  The characters all complimented each other, balancing each other out. There was a good amount of action and romance, and Ellie and Michael seemed to serve their purpose (even when it didn't always result in a happily ever after.)

ARC Review: The Merchant's Daughter

The Merchant's Daughter
Melanie Dickerson
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Young Adult, Paperback, 304 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Source: Netgalley + Publisher, in exchange for an honest review
Overall: Flippin' Fabulous!
| Website | Blog | Goodreads |

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

My Thoughts:

With The Merchant's Daughter, Melanie Dickerson brought to life a not-so-modern not-so-quite retelling of Beauty and the Beast that was flowing with emotions and faith all wrapped up in a wonderfully historical package.

I have to tell you, our main character, Annabel was an extremely lovable, albeit naive, character and was one of two characters who truly made this story what it was. There were many qualities about Annabel that made her read absolutely stunning. She was beautiful and compassionate and naive. Having been the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Annabel was extremely educated for a young woman in her day completely rounding out the package of a young woman who would be an extremely favorable choice as a wife and mother- if not for the status that followed her.

I have mentioned Annabel's tendency to be naive. I won't lie and say that she was not and I won't say that some of her naive thoughts and beliefs came from her inability to see situations from both sides. Something I will mention, as this may affect some reader's desire to read The Merchant's Daughter, is that Annabel's naivety also came at the side of her faith. A faith she did question, she did at times almost falter with and she didn't always understand until a certain breaking point in the book in which her wildest dreams were made her reality. (Remember, this is historical fiction and her wildest dreams are probably not the same as they are today.) Annabel's at times naive personality and her faith are what bound this story together along with a certain 'beastly' Lord in which she is in servitude to.

Lord Ranulf, the other character I will mention, is what some would call, and does call, beastly. His attitude toward life isn't exactly that of sunshine though with time his own story is unfolded and brought to our attention. The part Lord Ranulf plays in Annabel's life changes throughout the course of the book and it is his own naive tendencies and his own faith, like Annabel's, that is the backbone of this story. As unlikable as Lord Ranulf can be let me assure you there are other's to despise on a deeper level. There are also others to love (almost) as equally as Annabel and him.

The Merchant's Daughter is really a story of many facets. Even for those who do not wish to read about faith, rest assured, I did not find that Melanie Dickerson pushed faith upon anyone in the book beyond that of the characters which already embraced it and at that, even then, believe me, not all did.

I found the story and it's reference to faith completely compelling truly making The Merchant's Daughter true to it's time. The questions, the concerns, the behaviors of others all made this story all the more real and likable Don't let my mention of faith deter you from noticing that I said there are many intriguing facets to this story. The romance, although not as racy as some of today's was completely addictive and fulfilling in its own right. To see the elements of love and romance evolve in this story, requited or unrequited, it was like watching an artist paint layering the paint onto the canvas. I was completely enamored with the sequence of situations that arose for Melanie Dickerson's characters and all of the wavering emotions that came with it.

The Merchant's Daughter is a historical story of coming-of-age, self-realization, compassion and love, sense of family, faith, and even romance. There was no lack of action or high running and deep emotions. As sad as I was to see Annabel and Lord Ranulf go, as well as others, the story of The Merchant's Daughter was left off in a positive and complete manner. This is definitely a book that will sit toward the top of the stack waiting for a time to re-read.

Monday Musts : B&N PubIt! Reads No.1

No neat lil' graphic here yet, just a good ol' list of my B&N PubIt! Monday Musts!

Those who have ever taken note of my reading patterns or recommendations may or may not notice I am in love with the B&N PubIt! category over at Barnes & Noble. I mean, really, I frickin' love it. Books, self-published or traditionally published, both make the lists. These reads usually range from $.99-$4.99, sometimes a little higher. I go for the hidden gems, the ones which may or may not be perfect. Sometimes I have to overlook some grammatical errors, some formatting issues, or a chopped up plot or sentence... but when you really look beneath all of that to the core of the story sometimes you'll find something you really enjoy despite any quirks the book may have.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've had a few not-so-good ones. I mean, majorly. Books which claim to be a novel but turn out to be 7 pages or authors who clearly don't realize that they're and there and their are not the same word.

So until I get a neat graphic and an official by-line I'll just leave with you with my most recent, absolute favorite by one of my favorite authors, Saundra Mitchell.

Breathkept by Saundra Mitchell
Released: November 30, 2011
Young Adult
| Saundra Mitchell |

Parker Nixon has never been away from home. She’s never been in love. And she’s never been wanted for murder… until now. The boy Parker got caught kissing last night turned up dead this morning, and there’s no shortage of suspects. Her reclusive father leads a double life, and the people at Stone Well Ranch have their mysteries too. But then there’s beautiful, broken Brandon Beauchamp. He saved Parker’s life once, and holds her heart in his hands. But he may be hiding the darkest secret of all.

This is your lucky day. I paid for this book BUT when I looked up Saundra Mitchell's website I was able to pull up this book for FREE! Yup. Download it. NOW. Seriously!

http://saundramitchell.com/my-work/novels/breathkept-free/

Gobble, Gobble

I bid you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. Though, the origin of the Thanksgiving feast is not one I can say I can agree with I do believe in the holiday set aside to gather with family and friends and note what you have to be thankful for.

I have so much to be thankful for, it really is amazing.

My amazing husband, my incredible son, my supportive and loving parents, my family. My friends and hockey (extended) family. The roof we have over our heads, although my flooring situation has yet to be remedied, and the wonderful animals who offer us smiles daily. Having a sport and hobby we all share as a family, hockey! Our ability to afford hobbies and the personal satisfaction we receive from them as individuals. I'm thankful for having a doctor who has taken time to help me improve my quality of health and my life. I'm thankful we can afford to eat and buy things when they are needed without worrying how we are going to make it to tomorrow.

I'm just thankful. For so. damned. much. I'd be a fool to not see it.

I also thank my followers and readers who have stuck with me despite my frequent time away while I get my health in order and enjoy and take on daily life. I've come to the realization that you don't have to post daily to be a good book blogger- you just have to put effort into what you do post and have a common love for books :-)

I hope you all have a fabulous evening and hope you all take a moment to remember the things that truly matter in life.

Of Light and Darkness: Author Interview

[Sorry about the blank post- not sure how that happened, apparently blogger hard at work again on my blog :-/]

Let's Welcome Shayne Leighton, Author of The Vampire's Daughter, Of Light and Darkness No. 1! I absolutely adored this book and was totally excited when I got a chance to send a few questions over to Shayne Leighton via {Teen Book Scene}!

Hi Stacey! Thank you so much for having me at Flippin’ Fabulous!!!

[1] I know that writing isn't your only talent, I have found out you have several, do you care to share with us some of your others?
Thank you! I do really love writing and think that it’s my most therapeutic passion. When I’m writing, it’s only my thoughts and myself.  But you’re right – I do partake in a bunch of other collaborative art forms that I also am really passionate about. My background is primarily in acting and filmmaking. I’ve been acting in television commercials and film since I was 5 years old and also had an extreme love for musical theatre throughout high school. I think I just love story-telling in general, so I try to do it utilizing as many facets of the arts as I possibly can, whether it be acting, singing, or writing.

[2] I read Of Light and Darkness, loved it, and really felt the passion between the characters and their situations. Where did your inspiration for Of Light and Darkness come from?
Of Light and Darkness is my most favorite thing I’ve penned to date. I pulled from a lot of different areas of my life and research for inspiration. I love all things magical and impossible. Most of my inspiration, however, stemmed from my husband and his rich, Czech heritage. After hearing so many stories, I absolutely fell in love with the country, its setting, and its history.
Also, this is really interesting, but the first bout of inspiration that jump-started the fact that I would even write the story was a dream I had where I was actually walking through the hazy streets of what would become my Occult town at night. It kind of looked like something out of the movies ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘Halloween Town’.

[3] Being the nosy blogger that I am, I have also noticed that you have listed possible more books to go with Of Light and Darkness. Is Of Light and Darkness going to be a series following Charlotte and Valek or are you writing other stand alone titles featuring other characters or are they new stories altogether?
Of Light and Darkness is DEFINITELY being planned as a series that will continue to follow Charlotte and Valek. I just love these characters too much to leave them alone.

[4] Silly question I know but your pictures, your works, and your talents make me feel like maybe came from another time. Do you ever feel like maybe you were born in the wrong era or world?
I actually LOVE this question, because I totally feel like that’s true. I feel like maybe my past life was in the Victorian Era. I don’t feel a tie to anything Medieval, but Victorian, definitely. Plus, I’m kind of trying to write the Of Light and Darkness series as a borderline Steampunk series. I just really like the feel of this budding, new genre which was sort of birthed from Victorian style.

[5] Now a question I make a point to ask every author I am able to.... If you were a color, you'd be? If you were a season, you'd be? If you were a shape, you'd be?
If I were a color, I would totally be a deep, warm, autumn red – it’s a tad seductive, a tad soft, and a tad fiery all at the same time.
If I were a season, I would be autumn! It’s my absolute favorite time of year and Halloween is of course my favorite holiday!
If I were a shape, I would be a triangle. I don’t know why…I feel like I just would be…


Thank You for stopping by Shayne! I loved this interview, I think it is one of my favorite to date :-)

Fab Readers, if you have a chance make sure to check out Of Light of Darkness, it is absolutely fabulous!
| Goodreads | Amazon | B&N |

I'm still here + News on Upcoming Giveaways!

So, do you ever just have a time in your life where everything seems to happen one right after the other?

I've been going through that!

Want to know the bit of it? So, I had my new flooring for not even 24 hours before half of my bottom floor was flooded by the washer machine (the workers didn't reconnect the drainage hose and I failed to realize this until after,) and I had to have it ripped up two days later.

Now, over a month later it still hasn't been replaced. Not for lack of trying. Like our first batches of flooring, this last one was mismilled as well. We'll be lucky to have it done by Christmas.

Also, my local rink is finally getting ready to hopefully reopen after foreclosure. This means an abundance of work on my end to get the youth program back up and running since I am the Director of Youth Hockey. This doesn't include that hockey season has started and I have 2 games a week with the local pro-team, except for the past few weeks while Disney on Ice has been at the arena.

Top on this my son, homework, cooking, getting ready for the holiday, finishing the rest of the home updates, and just normal life and needless to say I've been ridiculous busy.

So, I plan to devote a day to blogging soon to schedule some posts and write some reviews. I'm still reading and reviewing and will get back to it but between life and my real-life photography + design that I'm currently redesigning and expanding I'm just a little slow going.

So, to my faithful followers, I THANK YOU!

Also, Expect a major CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY TO BE POSTED SOON!!!!

Waiting on Wednesday : Jennifer Echols Take Two

The One That I Want
by Jennifer Echols
Release Date: December 06, 2011 (Ebook) February 07, 2012 (Paperback)
Young Adult
| Author Website |

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

Doesn't that look like another FAB Jennifer Echols love story? Those who I've chatted with know that I gush over Jennifer's Romantic Comedies and her Romantic Dramas. I can't wait for this Rom Com and Such a Rush that is already slate for 2012.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Giveaway : Destined by P.C Cast + Kristin Cast

Released just in time for Halloween, one lucky reader will have the chance to enter to win their very own copy of Destined thanks to the folks at St.Martin's Press and Zeitghost Media!

Look for the PINK for details for your chance to win!

Destined by P.C Cast + Kristin Cast
Released: October 25, 2011
Young Adult
| Series Website |

Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet -- which would be a whole lot easier if the High Council saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together -- if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more -- or possibly less -- than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him . . .

Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds at extinguishing Light? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect them all? Find out what's destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

Make sure to check back for my review of Destined in the upcoming weeks!

Giveaway:
-One Reader will win Destined
-Must have a Canada/U.S Mailing Address
-Must Enter by November 5, 2011
-LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN

Review: Founder

Founder by L.M Long
Released: May 29, 2011
Young Adult,
Source: Teen Book Scene + Author in exchange for honest review and blog tour
Overall: Fabulous!
| Author Website | Goodreads |

They've been waiting for decades.
Hidden deep in the Amazon.
Financed by thousands.
A colony called Founder.
And one girl is about to unravel it all.

Founder is loosely based on a true event and is suitable for ages 14 and up. Contains mature themes, but no strong language or sexual content.2011

My Thoughts

I can say without a doubt that Founder is a story truly unique to anything that I have read up until now. I don't think I've ever been so incredibly confused and intrigued at the same time either. Founder is also inspired on a true event which makes it all that more intriguing.

It's hard to talk about Founder without spoiling the book. At first, the vagueness of the synopsis worried me slightly (I know, I know. You think I'd learn to quit doing that!) worried me but I quickly realized that this story could be so easily spoiled whether it be in small chunks or in whole, that I don't want to go against the grain and spoil it for you with an overly detailed review on the plot.

The different points of view in Founder really help truly makes it what it is. Seeing this story from both sides really is necessary for you to feel the full impact. If we took away one of the points of view then the story, while still maintaining some of the same structure would be totally different and I'm not so sure it would hold the magic (don't read that literally!) that this story held.

The unique story line of Founder like I mentioned is nothing like anything I have read before. It just wasn't different though. The story really brought many situations to the reader. On one we have a reality that we are more or less all accustomed to then we have the reality of a colony of characters that even though I couldn't ever begin to imagine living how they did L.M Long did an incredible job of making them people I could somehow relate to. You had two sides of the spectrum and you could associate yourself with both sides, it was slightly daunting (and crazy!) but I found myself completely appreciative that I could feel this story from both ends.

I do have to say though, if you think you have an idea of what this book entails, erase that thought and open yourself up to something that you may not have ever expected. When I first picked up this book I expected a book of one of those tribes that you see on the history or discovery type of channels. You know, the ones who live completely cut off from the world, living off of the earth, and are pretty much a complete mystery to us all? Yeah, it isn't that but I won't tell you much more than that.

Unique, unpredictable and vivid, Founder is definitely a book worth a read.

Good news for those who find themselves enjoying Founder, book two comes out in November 2011 and is called Heritage.

Review: Gifts of the Blood

Gifts of the Blood by Vicki Keire
Released: January 01, 2011
Young Adult
Source: Author, in exchange for an honest review
Overall: Flippin' Fabulous!
| Author Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

Caspia Chastain, art student and barista, is gifted (or plagued, if you ask her) with the ability to draw the future, usually at the worst possible times. Her parents are four years dead; everyday she watches her brother Logan fight his cancer diagnosis. Things get worse for Caspia the day she draws an angry stranger framed by planes of light and violent, bloody images. That exact same stranger walks up to her out of nowhere mere hours later knowing things he shouldn't, like her name, her brother's illness, and her strange ability. That's when Caspia discovers her hometown is a refuge for supernatural beings both Light and Dark, and she and her brother find themselves caught up in a war between the two that predates their very birth. In order to protect herself and her brother, she turns to the one who seems to have started it all: the man who walked out of her sketchbook calling himself Ethan.

But Ethan has his own agenda, Logan's getting sicker fast, and Caspia finds that drawing the future isn't the only strange thing she can do. Meanwhile, someone really wants all of them dead. In a town where Dark doesn't equal Evil and Light isn't always Good, Caspia and Ethan find themselves making strange alliances and even stranger sacrifices in order to protect those they love.

My Thoughts:

Gifts of the Blood... Where to start?

Do you ever read a book and you just don't know how to explain it to someone and it sure isn't for a lack of trying? Do you ever enjoy a book so fabulously much that you stumble over every attempt to explain just how much? Gifts of the Blood is one of those books for me, Vicki Keire truly grabbed me within the first few lines.

Gifts of the Blood was full of dynamic characters with real life struggles, issues, and emotions. At times they seemed like they were all over the place but in the end it all made sense to me. While the Gifts of the Blood is based on those that aren't-so-human it doesn't mean that they didn't experience real life emotions and real life experiences.

I could touch base on the characters one by one but I won't, there are simply too many to do so. You may hear that and wonder how a book can accommodate a wide cast of characters but believe me when I tell you that Vicki Keire has done just that. I learned each character and could pick them out of a verbal line up even just after one meeting. Every character had a unique voice which made the many characters acceptable. It didn't stop at having unique voices, each character had strengths and weaknesses and characteristics and situations unique to them.

Gifts of the Blood is a book that blends the people of the dark and the people of the light and where the lines of good and evil were blurred. Take everything you know about Fallen Angels and kick it out the front door then take everything you know about all the other facets of the paranormal and let that be rewritten. Vicki Keire didn't just bring to us Fallen Angels, humans with gifts, and a typical small town with quirks. Vicki Keire gave us her own unique spin on all of thee above and did it with a fabulousness that I absolutely adored with a fabulous attention to detail which made the story come to life.

Do you think it is slightly premature for me to say that Vicki Keire is one of my newest favorite authors ever? No. I didn't think so. When does the third book come out? Wait, did I mention I purchased book number two right I read this one? No? Well, I totally did.

Unique, action and romance packed, full of twists and turns with paranormal characters/places/things(?) coming out of the woodwork, Gifts of Blood is a fabulous start to a fabulous series by Vicki Keire.

On a side note...I don't think I've ever been so taken with a bad character before. In the Gifts of the Blood there is no character off limits to your heart strings. All characters have their own stories who made them who they are.

On an additional side note, making two more than I normally include... I can't remember the last time I felt so emotionally vested to a small group of characters before. The familial bond between three of the characters Vicki Keire introduced us two was absolutely amazing and heart breaking all at the same time. The situation between the three had me sitting on the edge of my seat and my heart pounding throughout the duration of the story.

Review: Dark Souls

Dark Souls by Paula Morris
Released: August 01, 2011
Young Adult, Hardcover, 304 Pages
Source: Teen Book Scene + Publisher in exchange for honest review and blog tour
Overall: Fabulous!
| Author Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

Welcome to York, England. Mist lingers in the streets. Narrow buildings cast long shadows. This is the most haunted city in the world. . . . 
Miranda Tennant arrives in York with a terrible, tragic secret. She is eager to lose herself amid the quaint cobblestones, hoping she won't run into the countless ghosts who supposedly roam the city. . . . 
Then she meets Nick, an intense, dark-eyed boy who knows all of York's hidden places and histories. Miranda wonders if Nick is falling for her, but she is distracted by another boy -- one even more handsome and mysterious than Nick. He lives in the house across from Miranda and seems desperate to send her some sort of message. Could this boy be one of York's haunted souls? 
Soon, Miranda realizes that something dangerous -- and deadly -- is being planned. And she may have to face the darkest part of herself in order to unravel the mystery -- and find redemption.

My Thoughts:

Is it safe to say there is a resurgence of ghost-stories in the young adult realm? Was there even a true thick of them? Whatever it is, this trend of new ghostly stories is well appreciated and Paula Morris just further staked her claim on young adult shelves.

I really enjoyed the characters of Dark Souls. They all had their own voice and individual beings where the story was concerned. They were intimately woven with the plot and their surroundings but my adoration of Dark Souls didn't come solely from the characters but from Paula Morris' artfully woven attention to detail. Never having been to England it actually felt like I was there. I could see the surroundings all around me and I was walking alongside the cast of characters.

Dark Souls has a bit of a slow going nature. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't and it can be completely hit or miss on me dependent on my mood. For me, this go, holding out came easily despite the slower pace and I found myself appreciating Paula Morris' work all the more. If it weren't for the attention to detail that I found so fabulous Dark Souls just wouldn't be everything that it is.

I also can't forget to mention that I truly had no clue what was going on with the mystery of Dark Souls. I didn't find myself accurately predicting the outcome of this book how I do so many and to me, that alone, is a priceless quality for a book to possess.

With a bit of love, a great deal of mystery, Haunting and historical, Dark Souls is everything that I love in a book.