I have been tagged!

Thanks to my awesome friend, Nomes over at Inkcrush I was tagged for this blog award.

So now I get to pass on ten things about me that you don't know:

1. I can not click my fingers.  I don't know why it won't work for me.

2. I am afraid of not spiders or snakes (I don't have a problem with either of them) but FROGS.  Yes the green slimy jumpy kind.  I scream and run away like the girl I am when I see one.

3. I have no middle name.  My first name is Nichole (but I get called Nic) and was always jealous of the kids who had middle names for some reason.  Now that I am older I don't mind.

4. My mother and her family are from Germany. 

5. I have only ever seen snow once.  It was in Paris and I thought is was so beautiful until I went outside and it was freezing.  And when we went to leave Paris our flight got grounded because of the snow and we had to spend the whole day waiting for our flight.  I am definitely a hot weather girl.

6. I love snorkeling.  I have been lucky enough to snorkel in Fiji and Thailand and it is one of the best experiences in my life.    That picture to above is one of the places in Thailand I went snorkeling.

7. On the same subject, when I was kid I was swimming in the ocean when there was a shark siting (there would always be at least one).  I froze and the shark swam past my and touched my legs.  My sister had to drag me out of the water.  We later found it is was a certain type of shark that wasn't dangerous.

8. I was once in an all girl rock band although we never got out of the garage.

9. Six degrees to Brad Pitt (well less than 6).  Back in 1989 part of The Delinquents was filmed on my street when I was a kid.  I met Charlie Schlatter who dated Jennifer Aniston who married Brad Pitt. It makes my crush on Brad Pitt seem less impossible.

10.  One of my relatives was an Australian contortionist aka rubber man who could bend his body to fit into a box.

I am tagging: AJ at Collections, Kare at Epic Book Nerd and Alexa at Not Enough Bookshelves.

Dear Santa....

Can you believe it is nearly Christmas time already.  So it is time to order some good Christmas reads to help get into the holiday spirit.  Here are some picks that I wouldn't mind Santa leaving in my stocking.  

Let It Snow  -  Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today's bestselling teen authors John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

                      

Secret Santa - Noelle, a hopeless romantic, just knows that her gifts have to be from her senior crush! And geeky Froggy thinks the game is the perfect way to get super-popular Celia to fall for him...except she thinks his gifts are from Jake, the school's resident bad boy, and starts to crush on him! Romantic mishaps abound, but all is revealed the night of the Winter Dance, where there's more than one surprise waiting under the mistletoe

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - “I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

         

Mistletoe  -      Glittering white snowflakes. The handsome blond ski instructor. The sparkle on a cashmere skirt. Hot cocoa and kisses in front of a crackling fire. The holiday season is the ESSENCE of magic...and romance. Four of today's bestselling teen authors -- Melissa de la Cruz (THE AU PAIRS), Aimee Friedman (SOUTH BEACH), Hailey Abbott (SUMMER BOYS), and Nina Malkin (6X) -- bring us delectable tales of love and lust and holiday cheers (and tears) in this one-of-a-kind collection that teens will devour faster than a plate of Christmas cookies.                                

Ex-mas - Two Exes. One holiday adventure.

Merry Ex-Mas?

Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation, and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa.

Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau -- a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend.

It'll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love...all over again?

What are you planning to read this Christmas? 

YA Outside the Lines

YA Outside the Lines

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines

We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way, no


YA Outside the Lines is one of my favourite blogs.  It is a blog by authors of young adult fiction pushing the boundaries and writing from the heart. 

It is a great place to learn more about your favourite authors and why they write the stories they do.  Tara  Kelly author of Harmonic Feedback (one of my favourite books) just did this wonderful post.  Here is a little bit from it:

'Now every time I write a book, I look through that box. It’s weird how a pair of jeans or an old note from a friend can put me right back in the moment. Almost like I’m living it all over again.

I write for the freaks. The kids who come from tough homes. The kids who feel like they don’t fit anywhere. The kids who use art to express themselves. The kids who don’t know who they are or what they want to do. The kids who just want someone to ‘get it’. It’s my hope that one of my books will inspire them to write one of their own. Because I know they have a lot to say…'

It also a good places to keep up to date with author events and books news.  Here is a list of all the amazing authors involved:

• Wendy Delsol
• Tara Kelly
• April Henry
• Janet Gurtler
• holly cupala
• Danielle Joseph
• Rosemary Clement-Moore
• Alisa M. Libby
• Lauren Bjorkman
• J OConnell
• Trish Doller
• Jennifer Echols
• R.A. Nelson
• Cheryl Renee Herbsman
• Barbara Caridad Ferrer
• sarah_porter
• Jan Blazanin
• laurenstrasnick
• Stephanie Kuehnert
• Emily Whitman
• Julie Chibbaro

So drop by YA Outside the Lines and get to know your favourite authors a little better.  Big thanks to Cass at Words on Paper who brought this blog to my attention. 

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

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The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa

Goodreads Description - My name is Meaghan Chase.

I thought it was over.That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stay by my side. Drag me into the core of a conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.
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My Review:-

Favourite Quote: "His forehead bumped softly against mine, his brilliant silver gaze searing into me. “I plan to keep you, from everyone, for as long as I’m alive. That includes Puck, the false king, and anyone else who would take you away.” One corner of his mouth quirked, as I struggled to catch my breath under his powerful scrutiny. “I guess I should’ve warned you that I have a slight possessive streak.”

The Iron Fey series is one of my all time favourites. So I was extremely excited to get ARC but was also a little worried that it wouldn't live up to the previous books.  But there was no need to worry as The Iron Queen was AWESOME.  It had the same action packed and surprise filled plot but it was also was more emotional (tears were shed) and had loads more delicious romance (yay!) than before.

My favourite element of this series is the magical world Julie Kagawa has created. I love all the different creatures. There are so many it is hard to keep up.  Here is just a few: gliders, spider hags, packrats, gremlins, iron beetles, clockwork golems, hacker elves, dragons, iron horses, gryphon, musket elves, wireman….  Kagawa makes you wish that you were character in this book exploring Nevernever.  And if you asked me which character I would love to explore Nevernever with I couldn't pick.  I am constantly changing my mind about who is my favourite.   Ash, Razor, Meghan, Grim, Puck, they are all amazing.

Meghan in the beginning is a little insecure (not in a bad and whiny way) but as the story goes on she becomes strong, confident and courageous.  Ash is still the same gorgeous dark faery but he seems a little more open and happier.  Puck however is a little more brooding this time but still manage to bring a sense of mischief and fun when he is around.  Grim, definitely hasn’t changed as Puck says ‘He’ll show up when we least expect him, being all cool and mysterious I wouldn‘t worry about that furball.”  We are also introduced to some new characters Glitch and Razor. I have especially taken a liking to Razor, a gremlin, he is both cute and crazy and I want one.

The romance is beautiful.  Although sometimes I would have liked a little more details. Hint, hint for next time (I can only hope Julie Kagawa is reading this).

Oh my what an ending. I won't say anything else but that I am very happy that Julie Kagawa is writing The Iron Knight.

Overall, fans of this series won’t be disappointed. And if you love fey tales or fantasy and you haven’t read this series you really need to do so immediately.

Rating: 5/5

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Teen for providing me with a copy.

For More Info check out:  Julia Kagawa's website

Waiting on Wednesday

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

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All You Get Is Me by Yvonne Prinz
Release Date: 1st January, 2011

What happens when a city girl is transplanted onto a ramshackle organic farm in the middle of nowhere? Everything.

Sixteen-year-old Roar has been yanked from her city life and suddenly she’s a farm girl, albeit a reluctant one, selling figs at the farmers' market and developing her photographs in a rickety shed. And then she witnesses a crime that will throw the whole community into an uproar. Caught among the lure of a troublemaking friend, her love for a brooding boy, and her complicated feelings about her father’s human rights crusade, Roar is going to have to tackle it all. And with a camera around her neck, she’s capturing it all, too.

Yvonne Prinz and her novel The Vinyl Princess have ignited the teen blogosphere and entertainment media. Once again, she’s taken the pulse of culture and emerged with a book that is timely, quirky, and unforgettable.
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What are you waiting for?

Why? With the name 'Roar' the main character sounds interesting and quirky.  And I have heard the brooding boy name is 'Forest'.  The blurb is intriguing and of course I love the cover.

Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood

Goodreads Description -

Fourteen year old nerd-boy Dan Cereill is not quite coping with a reversal of family fortune, moving house, new school hell, a mother with a failing wedding cake business, a just-out gay dad, and an impossible crush on Estelle, the girl next door. His life is a mess, but for now he's narrowed it down to just six impossible things...

My Review:-

Favourite Quotes: ‘Something large and happy has unfolded in my chest, erupting in a smile that won’t quit. I can’t remember ever feeling so light-hearted. Or is my heart full? Or bursting? Not aching, that’s for sure.’

5 stars is not a high enough rating for this. There is something special about Six Impossible Things. Maybe it is the extraordinary writing or the touching and funny plot or maybe it is the unforgettable characters but either way this book is absolutely brilliant.

One of the reason I loved this book is because of the writing - interesting, quirky, witty, humorous and engaging.  Fiona Wood has been writing television script for popular Aussie TV shows for the last ten years.  And you can tell that she is an experienced writer as she knows how to draw you into Dan's world and make you never want to leave.  I could happily stayed surrounded by this wonderful bunch of characters.

And what well crafted characters they are, even the secondary.  Dan, is a sweetheart. Why didn't I know any boys like that when I was teenager?   He is impossible not to love.  I really empathize with him as his world is turned upside.  Being a teen is hard enough without you Dad declaring his gay, your Mum's business failing, moving house, changing school, suddenly becoming poor and of course crushing on the impossible girl, Estelle.  But despite all those struggles Dan is a hopeful character.  You will be cheering him on, laughing with him (okay sometimes at him) and want to hug him when things go wrong.  

And his crush on Estelle is super sweet.  He likes her for more than just because she is beautiful but because she is interesting and smart. I  love the prologue where Dan talks about Estelle and list all these little crazy facts about her.  And that kissing her is always at the top of his list of things to do even if it seems impossible.   The romance just makes you smile.

Overall, AMAZING.  Please Fiona Wood hurry up and write more books.  I want more!

And because I loved the writing so much I going to leave you with another favourite quote:   'My problems are like waves - just as one disappears with a snarl and a hiss there’s another shaping up to knock me down'.
 
Rating: 5/5 stars

For More Info: Fiona Wood's website

Want to read more amazing reviews: Inkcrush, Lost In Stories and My Girl Friday 

Some news: Fiona Wood is currently working on her second novel now. 'It’s called ‘Pulchritude’ – what an ugly word for beauty…'   I can't wait!

In My Mail Box #5

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

BOUGHT:

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine - Morganville Vampires is one of my all time favourite series.  So I screamed with excitement when my copy arrived.  And yes I have read it already and my review will be up this week some time.

Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams - This is by an Aussie author and it has been getting rave reviews.  

Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood - Another Aussie YA contemporary fiction.  I have already devoured this book and it was one of my fave reads of 2010.  Review will be up tomorrow.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle - This is my Christmas read.  Three Christmas stories of humour, love, romance and kisses.  You can't go wrong especially if one is by John Green.  I will be posting some other Christmas recommendations in the next few days so stay posted for that.

Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker - Looks liked a good summer read since it is going to be a long hot summer here.

FOR REVIEW (from Netgalley)

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa - Another favourite series.  This book is amazing so far.

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky - Set in the future.  Looks thought provoking and also like it will have a beautiful romance.

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison - A story about second chances.

What did you get in your mailbox?