1/31/12

GIVE@WAY & REVIEW: Secrets of an Accidental Duchess by Jennifer Haymore @jenniferhaymore @ForeverRomance


Book Description
Series: A Donovan Novel | Publication Date: February 1, 2012

With her pale hair and slim figure, Olivia Donovan looks as fragile as fine china, and has been treated as such by her sisters ever since a childhood bout with malaria. But beneath her delicate facade, Olivia guards a bold, independent spirit and the kind of passionate desires proper young ladies must never confess...

It was a reckless wager, and one Max couldn't resist: seduce the alluring Olivia or forfeit part of his fortune. Yet the wild, soon-to-be Duke never imagined he'd fall in love with this innocent beauty. Nor could he have guessed that a dangerously unpredictable rival would set out to destroy them both. Now, Max must beat a Madman at his own twisted game-or forever lose the only woman to have ever won his heart.


About the Author
As a child, Jennifer Haymore traveled the South Pacific with her family on their homebuilt sailboat. The months spent on the sometimes quiet, sometimes raging seas sparked her love of adventure and grand romance. Since then, she's earned degrees in computer science and education and held various jobs ranging from bookselling to teaching inner-city children to acting, but she's never stopped writing.

You can find Jennifer in Southern California trying to talk her husband into yet another trip to England, helping her three children with homework while brainstorming a new five-minute dinner menu, or crouched in a corner of the local bookstore writing her next novel.

You can learn more at:
JenniferHaymore.com
Twitter @jenniferhaymore
Facebook.com/jenniferhaymore
DETAILS
  • Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Forever (February 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0446573159
  • ISBN-13: 978-0446573153
SOURCE: PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT



Olivia is treated like a china doll by her sisters since her encounter with malaria as a youth.  Since there wasn't much of a treatment in those days, she is still a little bit unwell.  Underneath her fragile exterior is a heart that wants to explore life but with a recurrent fever, she can't do much.  She finds herself with unwanted attention from a rival to Max, the soon to be Duke and when is rebuffed, he proclaims her an ice princess.  Max wagers that he can bed her and proceeds to seduce her.  Well, that is what he intended, but instead he falls in love with her.  The romance between the two is just exquisite.  There is a lot of action to keep the plot moving and you seriously won't be able to stop reading this one!

Looking back, it is almost a year to the day that I read Confessions of an Improper Bride which is the start of the Donovan Sister series.  You don't need to pick that one up first to continue with the story since the author does a great job of laying out the characters so it is easy to follow, but you should pick it up since it is such a great read!  I really enjoyed the adventure in this story, even though there are kidnappings, a bit of violence and stuff you can't imagine happening today, but were normal occurrence during this time period.




WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK? 

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US or Canadian mailing address (sorry, no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 2.18.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 2.19.12
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by FOREVER ROMANCE and THREE copies are available.

Complete the below form 

Follow Me
Extra Entries
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
+1 Like BookHounds on Facebook HERE 
+1 Be my friend on Goodreads HERE
+1 for social networking this giveaway and leave me a link (blog, twitter, facebook, etc) once daily
+1 Leave a comment -- you can do this daily, just leave me an email  or twitter address!
More Extra Entries for Jennifer Haymore 
+1 Fan on Goodreads HERE
+1 Follow the Blog HERE 
+1 Like on Facebook HERE
+1 Follow on Twitter HERE




BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: Changeling Series by Dani Harper @kensingtonbooks @Dani_Harper








I just got the third one in the mail -- look for another giveaway!

1/30/12

REVIEW: Bewitching by Alex Flinn @harperteen



Book Description

The Kendra Chronicles February 14, 2012

"It is the story of Kendra and her first 300 or so years of life. In Bewitching, Kendra ponders whether to help out a modern day plain-looking stepsister, while also reflecting on her experiences in the 1666 British plague, the court of Louis XV, and on the Titanic." (Source: author's Facebook intro  & website)




Bewitching can be a beast. . .

Once, I put a curse on a beastly and arrogant high school boy. That one turned out all right. Others didn’t.

I go to a new school now—one where no one knows that I should have graduated long ago. I’m not still here because I’m stupid; I just don’t age.

You see, I’m immortal. And I pretty much know everything after hundreds of years —except for when to take my powers and butt out.

I want to help, but things just go awry in ways I could never predict. Like when I tried to free some children from a gingerbread house and ended up being hanged. After I came back from the dead (Immortal, remember?!), I tried to play matchmaker for a French prince and ended up banished from France forever. And that little mermaid I found in the Titanic lifeboat? I don’t even want to think about it.

Now, a girl named Emma needs me. I probably shouldn’t get involved, but her gorgeous stepsister is conniving to the core. I think I have just the thing to fix that girl and it isn’t an enchanted pumpkin. Although you never know what will happen when I start ….

About the Author
Alex Flinn loves fairy tales and is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Beastly, a spin on Beauty and the Beast that was named a VOYA Editor’s Choice and an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Beastly is now a major motion picture starring Vanessa Hudgens! She also wrote A Kiss in Time, a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and Cloaked, a humorous fairy tale mash-up, as well as Breathing UnderwaterBreaking PointNothing to LoseFade to Black, and Diva. Alex lives in Miami with her family.


 Details

  • Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (February 14, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0062024140
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062024145

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

If you read Beastly, you will remember Kendra was the witch that had a very important supporting role.  Kendra is an immortal witch and her story starts out with a retelling of Hansel and Gretel (my first two dachshunds!) where Kendra and her brother are the only survivors in her family after the plague wipes out most of her town. The story weaves back and forth between a Cinderella in current times with bits and pieces of her earlier existence during the early 1700 and the French Court and a sweet story about the Princess and the Pea.  She is always trying to help people and do good with her powers but through the ages, she finds that sometimes things don't turn out how she would like them to.  Her latest project is Emma and her step sister who is truly evil and out to ruin Emma's life. Kendra sees this and tries to help Emma cope with the ugly center of her beautiful step sister.  


The story also make a side trip to visit the Titanic and place The Little Mermaid on board.  This one does not have a happy ending.  Then it is back to current times where Emma has figured out exactly who Kendra is and that is a witch.  Emma tries not to take advantage of Kendra's powers as her own personal fairy godmother which is a really nice touch.  I really loved how everything in the story meshed together to create a cohesive story.  


The character of Emma is nicely done and I adored the fact that she was a bookworm which works in her favor for a change!  I was really cheering for Emma through all her trials and would love to read more about her.  Overall, this should appeal to younger teens since there are things happening in the book that occur in their everyday life like having to deal with the mean girls at school, first love and not feeling good about yourself.  There are mentions of drinking, allusions to sex but mostly stuff that kids see on television today.
























1/29/12

GIVE@WAY & REVIEW : Forever's Paranormal Blog Tour




Book Description

Darkest London February 1, 2012
London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . . Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

AAbout the Author

Kristen Callihan is a child of the eighties, which means she's worn neon skirts, black lace gloves, and combat boots (although never all at once) and can quote John Hughes movies with the best of them. A lifelong daydreamer, she finally realized that the characters in her head needed a proper home and thus hit the keyboard. She believes that falling in love is one of the headiest experiences a person can have, so naturally she writes romance. Her love of superheroes, action movies, and history led her to write historical paranormals. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area and, when not writing, looks after two children, one husband, and a dog-the fish can fend for themselves.

You can learn more at:
KristenCallihan.com
Twitter @Kris10Callihan
Facebook.com/KristenCallihan

Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Forever; Import edition (February 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1455508594
  • ISBN-13: 978-1455508594

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Wow and this one has it all!  This is a quick review, but if you enjoy some historical, gothical (go with it!) , paranormal and magical type of romance, you will want to read this one.  First off, the dialogue is sharp and witty (SNARK ALERT!), the main characters of Archer and Miranda are just too ymmy and I adored it all.  The story is what is happening right now in young adult fiction.  This is a wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast but with a more adult theme.

AND THE WINNER IS: PS I Love You Tour @kelleynutrition @griperang @ericanicholas





Angela/Griperang

Kelley Johnsen

Erica Nicholas






An email has been sent to the lucky person named above
The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!


AND THE WINNER IS: Bestial by William Carl @SuzReads @hrrrthrrrdm @FearofLung




Suz Reads

Heather/BookStacksOnDeck

Lauren Goff


An email has been sent to the lucky persons named above
The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

IN MY MAILBOX: January 29, 2012

1/27/12

Friday PhoDOGraphy


I had a lot of cleaning up to do this week and Schatze helped out by dressing up as a maid!


Don't forget to stop by FRIDAYS WITH FRED over at Mina Burrows blog HERE

1/26/12

YOUNG ADULT GIVE@WAY H0P Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi





Welcome to the Dreaming of Books   Giveaway Hop! 

This hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer (HERE) and Down The Rabbit Hole (HERE)
There are hundreds of blogs participating and each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one.  This hop starts January 27th and and runs through January 31st,   midnight.

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:





WANT TO WIN THIS BOOKS?

 Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old and living within the delivery areas of Amazon or Book Depository
This ends 1.31.12 midnight Pacific Time and the winner will be chosen by Random.org on 2.1.2.
Winners are announced on Fridays!
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by me for ONE WINNER.

Complete the below form

Complete the form below!
You MUST Follow Me

+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
+1  Add me as a Friend on Facbook HERE
+1 Friend me on GoodReads HERE
+1 you can social network (twitter, blog, facebook) this once, just leave me a link in the comments! 





1/25/12

Waiting on Wednesday: Commando by Johnny Ramone @ABRAMSbooks

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:



Book Description

April 1, 2012
Raised in Queens, New York, Johnny Ramone founded one of the most influential rock bands of all time, but he never strayed from his blue-collar roots and attitude. He was truly imbued with the angry-young-man spirit that would characterize his persona both on and off stage. Through it all, Johnny kept the band focused and moving forward, ultimately securing their place in music history by inventing punk rock. The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002—two years later, Johnny died of cancer, having outlived two other founding members. Revealing, inspiring, and told on his own terms, this highly designed memoir also features Johnny’s assessment of the Ramones’ albums; a number of eccentric Top Ten lists; rare historical artifacts; and scores of personal and professional photos, many of which have never before been published.



About the Author

John Cummings (1948–2004), aka Johnny Ramone, was ranked by Rolling Stone as #16 on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” In Time’s rating of the “10 Greatest Electric-Guitar Players,” he was named, in a fit of appropriate rebellion, #11.


 Details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Abrams Image (April 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 081099660X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0810996601


1/24/12

GIVE@WAY & REVIEW: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand @harperteen @cynthiahand




Book Description

Unearthly January 17, 2012
For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

About the Author

Cynthia Hand is a native of southeastern Idaho and currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California, where she teaches writing at Pepperdine University. She has graduate degrees in creative writing from Boise State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Instead of a muse, Cynthia has a guardian angel named Buster. He wears a Stetson in place of a halo, prefers a beat-up pickup truck to flying, and loves to correct Cynthia’s grammar.

Details

  • Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (January 17, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061996181
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061996184
SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

*** spoilers if you haven't read Unearthly ***

Clara is still conflicted about her decision to save Tucker and let Christian fend for himself during the fire. She questions her purpose and what exactly she should have done.  Patience, my dear reader, it all will be revealed and then you will be stuck wanting to know the answer to even more questions!  ARGHHH!  I loved Unearthly so much and the way the words just flowed together and this installment matches that one in tempo nicely.  So after finishing this one, I now have even more questions and even more about what will come in the next book.

Clara still thinks Tucker is the perfect guy for her and in a lot of ways he really is.  He gets her off beat sense of humor filled with sarcastic comments.  He respects her and wants to see her fulfill her purpose even if that means she will never be the perfect girl for him.  He is just an all around good guy, especially for a teenager and especially for a guy.  I have to give giant kudos to the author for making him three dimensional and well rounded as well as believable.  The incredible part about this story is that I have even developed feelings for Christian, that way-too-perfect person that has some secrets of his own.  Oh what a tangled web of a triangle romance that has now been woven between Christian, Clara and Tucker!  

My other fav character of Angie plays a wonderful supporting role in making Clara think about what is going on with her life and that the fact her mother keeps silent about just exactly what her purpose is makes it more interesting.  I would adore a spin off of Angela or even more of her in the next book.  Jeffrey and Wendy are pretty much a walk on in this one and I kind of miss them.  I don't understand how such a typical teenage triangle could make me enjoy a story line like this since it is a real staple of young adult fiction these days, but the way Hand puts the words together make me want to read about how Clara brushes her teeth and even mundane things become truly heartfelt and interesting.  I am seriously too old to be swept away by a romance like this, but the whole thing is just a really wonderful read.  


WANT TO WIN THIS ARC BOOK?

 Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address (PO Boxes OK!)
This ends 2.6.12 midnight Pacific Time and the winner will be chosen by Random.org on 2.7.12.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by me  ONE WINNER.

Complete the below form

Complete the form below!
Follow Me
+1 Leave a comment once daily with an email address
+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
+1 Like BookHounds on Facebook HERE 
+1 Like Win a Book on Facebook HERE
+1 you can social network once daily (twitter, blog, facebook) this once, just leave me a link in the comments!






BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly




I just bought this -- kind of a lame trailer, but cute!

1/23/12

AND THE WINNER IS: The Yoga Club by Cooper Lawrence




SYLVIA C.



An email has been sent to the lucky person named above
The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

AND THE WINNER IS:52 Small Changes by Brett Blumenthal @truebookaddict



Michelle @ The True Book Addict


Peg McDaniel

Susan S.


An email has been sent to the lucky person named above
The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

Didn’t win?  Order your copy from my Amazon link:

AND THE WINNER IS: Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop @jwitt33



Zee - A Voracious Reader

An email has been sent to the lucky person named above
The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

1/20/12

Friday PhoDOGraphy - SOPA edition

THE ONLY PIRACY YOU SHOULD EVER SEE ON THE INTERNET.



Don't forget to stop by FRIDAYS WITH FRED over at Mina Burrows blog HERE

1/19/12

JANUARY MYSTERY BOX Non Fiction edition




So, I have been super busy and forgot about this month's mystery box of ARCs!

So far I have found 3 books so far!

Sorry, no blurbs, but I should be good next month.




WANT TO WIN THESE THREE BOOKS?
Contest is open to anyone with a US mailing address and ends 1.31.12
Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 2.1.12 and announced on Fridays.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by ME!


Complete the form below!
 Follow Me
+1 Leave a comment with an email address (you can do this daily for extra entries)
+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE

+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
+1 Like BookHounds on Facebook HERE 
+1 Like Win A Book on Facebook HERE
+1 Post about this giveaway on your social networking site and leave me a link here.  You can do this daily and receive an entry for each link you leave.  One per day per site.
+1 Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link

1/18/12

Waiting on Wednesday: This is How by Augusten Burroughs @stmartinspress

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


Book Description

May 8, 2012
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Running With Scissors comes a groundbreaking book that explores how to survive the "un-survivable" and will challenge your notion of self-help books
To say that Augusten Burroughs has lived an unusual life is an understatement.  From having no formal education past third grade and being raised by his mother’s psychiatrist in the seventies to enjoying one of the most successful advertising careers of the eighties to experiencing a spectacular downfall and rehab stint in the nineties to having a number one bestselling writing career in the new millennium, Burroughs has faced humiliation, transformation and everything in between.  This Is How is his no-holds-barred book of advice on topics as varied as:
·         How to feel like crap
·         How to ride an elevator
·         How to be thin
·         How to be fat
·         How to find love
·         How to feel sorry for yourself
·         How to get the job
·         How to end your life
·         How to remain unhealed
·         How to finish your drink
·         How to regret as little as possible
·         And much more

Told with Burroughs's unique voice, black humor, and in-your-face advice, This is How is Running With Scissors—with recipes.




1/16/12

REVIEW Fracture by Megan Miranda

Book Description

January 17, 2012
Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine
-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?


Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

About the Author

Megan is a scientist - turned - teacher - turned - stay-at-home-mom - turned - writer. She is not nearly as indecisive as she sounds. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, where she volunteers as an MIT Educational Counselor, does the mom thing by day, and writes by night.

Her first novel, FRACTURE, will be published by Walker/Bloomsbury in early 2012.


 

 Details

  • Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Walker Childrens; 1 edition (January 17, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0802723098
  • ISBN-13: 978-0802723093
SOURCE: NetGalley / Publisher

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

****some spoilers****

Delaney has a near death experience when she and her best friend Decker are out on thin ice and she falls under.  In all reality, she should be dead, but except for some brain damage that is only apparent on MRIs, she is fine.  Now, she can sense when others around her are going to die.   Decker, in a weird way, has survivor's guilt and even though her rescued Delaney, he knows she should be dead after 11 minutes under the ice.  When a college student, Troy, approaches her in the library claiming to have read about her in the paper, Decker knows something is not right with him since there was never anything written about her accident anywhere.

Troy is a strange character and as Delaney starts to find out about him and his background, she discovers that he, too, has survived a coma and really should be dead as well.  I truly got the creeps from Troy. He would show up in Delaney's life just when she was having a crisis and it seems that there is something sinister linking the two of them together.   I was furiously reading this one just to find out what was going on between them.  I also kept waiting for something truly paranormal to happen and explain why Delaney always seemed to show up just at the time of someone's death.  The big twist is something you have to figure out on your own by reading this one.  You won't regret those few hours it takes. 

I really enjoyed the breakneck pacing in this psychological thriller, it was a quick and easy read.  The characters were all well thought out and believable.  I really wish there was more to go on about Delaney's life before her accident.  We just know little things like she was a geek, somewhat of a social outcast and possible valedictorian.  The only thing I can pin on Troy is that he was a psychopath and has some strange pull over Delaney, maybe just the fact they shared a similar near death experience.  You also are kept wondering if the sparks of romance between Decker and Delaney will survive to see another day.  Overall, those who enjoy creepy, possibly paranormal mysteries will love this one. 


    1/14/12

    AND THE WINNER IS: YA Giveaway Hop! Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver @cfulcher

    Crystal F

    Be sure to stop by MY READING ROOM here


    An email has been sent to the lucky person named above
    The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
    Thanks to all who entered.
    PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

    Didn’t win?  Order your copy from my Amazon link:

    REVIEW: Welcome Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell @amuletbooks


    May 1, 2012
    Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.


    About the Author

    A professional journalist, Shelley Coriell has worked as a newspaper reporter, an award-winning magazine editor, and an association executive. She is a six-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Prize. This is her first novel. She lives in Tempe, Arizona. Visit her online at www.shelleycoriell.com.

    Product Details

    • Reading level: Ages 14 and up
    • Hardcover: 320 pages
    • Publisher: Amulet Books (May 1, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 1419701916
    • ISBN-13: 978-1419701917
    SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

    MY THOUGHTS
    REALLY LIKED IT

    *** spoilers ***

    Chloe is a typical teen, has a few really close friends and is generally happy and upbeat.  Known for her ability to make others laugh and make everyone have a good time, she is dumbfounded when her absolute best friend Brie has spread a vicious sexual rumor about her and her school counselor when Chloe wins the Mistletoe Crown instead of her at the winter formal.  Her other bestie, Mercedes sides with Brie and helps pass around the rumor.  Chloe goes from being on top of the school social ladder to the bottom rung.  Chloe rebounds nicely when she is forced to help the school's radio station as part of her junior year project and becomes well liked again.

    I loved how Chloe found her way right side up in this young adult contemporary tale.  I don't know if it is fully a romance, but since she falls in love with Duncan, a guy with a horrible home life, I guess I will have to classify it as one.  She also has a wonderful home life with five adoring older brothers and two professional parents. Chloe has a special bond with her grandmother who is experience a deteriorating  lifestyle because of Parkinsons disease and can no longer live alone.  There are a lot of really nice interactions between the two generations.  Duncan is a whole nother mess:  his mother is a drug addict and he is trying his hardest to work and go to school with his only outlet as the radio station and Chloe falls hard for him.

    There is a band of misfits at the radio station and Chloe finds it easy to get through life since her home  life is so stable.  Her best friends accuse her of not caring or listening to them.  Brie's family is going through a divorce and she is losing everything which is the real cause of her starting the rumor.  The rumor is the major thing that didn't ring true to me in this day and age.  To me, this would have made front page news, especially when one student accuses a teacher of misconduct.  Where is the outcry from the adults?  There are a few twists and turns to the end with a climatic scene where the radio station is burned down and everyone hates Chloe again.  Overall, I found this a quite enjoyable read and look forward to more from this author.  There are mentions of drugs and alcohol and some normal kissing, so it is a pretty safe read for younger teens and should bring up some good discussion points. 




      1/13/12

      Friday PhoDOGraphy

      PARROT, WHAT PARROT?


      Don't forget to stop by FRIDAYS WITH FRED over at Mina Burrows blog HERE