In My Mailbox #17

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

GIFTED:

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta - This is an amazing gift from one of my all time favourite authors.  I already own and have read about 50 times the Australia edition but this is a signed copy of the US edition ~squeals with joy~.  I don't think I have ever hugged a book so tightly (actually I am still hugging it 4 days later). 

WON:

Laney - The Brookehaven Vampires by Joann J Martin Sowles - Thanks to Misha at My Love Affair with Books and Joann ((hugs)).  I won a signed copy plus some great bookmarks.  I am a big fan of a good vampire romance so I can't wait to get started!  

FOR REVIEW:

 Clean by Amy Reed - From S&S Galley Grab - YA realistic fiction.  I loved Beautiful by Reed and the wait for May for it to come in stores was killing me.  Thank goodness for Galley Grab.  And how gorgeous is that cover? 

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott - From S&S Galley Grab - YA contemp fiction.  Elizabeth Scott, need I say more!

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter - From Netgalley - YA paranormal.  Another gorgeous cover. This is a debut author of 2011.

BOUGHT:

Still on a book budget so I avoided all book stores last week.  It is so hard with all the awesome reviews everyone is writing but I will be visiting my favourite bookstore in just a few days.

GIVEAWAYS - Don't forget to check out my Fury giveaway.  Ends 1st March, 2011. (International)

BLOGS I HEART -  Leanna at Daisy Chain Books Reviews has an awesome feature called Delightful Debutantes.  Also their is a giveaway for UK residents of Across The Universe by Beth Revis.

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Leave a comment and I will make sure to drop by your blog and check out your mailbox.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Stolen: A Letter to My Captor
by Lucy Christopher
Publication date: May, 2009
Source: Bought

Sixteen year old Gemma is kidnapped from Bangkok airport and taken to the Australian Outback. This wild and desolate landscape becomes almost a character in the book, so vividly is it described. Ty, her captor, is no stereotype. He is young, fit and completely gorgeous. This new life in the wilderness has been years in the planning. He loves only her, wants only her. Under the hot glare of the Australian sun, cut off from the world outside, can the force of his love make Gemma love him back? The story takes the form of a letter, written by Gemma to Ty, reflecting on those strange and disturbing months in the outback. Months when the lines between love and obsession, and love and dependency, blur until they don't exist - almost.

My Review :

Favourite Quote:  "Lets face it, you did steal me. But you saved my life too. And somewhere in the middle, you showed me a place so different and beautiful, I can never get it out of my mind. And I can't get you out of there either. You're stuck in my brain like my own blood vessels."

Stolen is one huge emotional rollercoaster ride.  It had my stomach all tied up in knots and made my heart ache but it was AMAZING.  Truly, a stunning and thought provoking read.   

Lucy Christopher is a brilliant writer.  She really get you thinking about what is right and wrong and the place in between.  The plot was intense and captivating just like the characters.  Stolen is a story that you get emotionally invested in.  And the way Christopher vividly describes how stunningly gorgeous the land really is and how deadly it can be, makes it feel like it is another important character in this tale.

When I think of Gemma the first word that comes to mind is brave.  To be put in that situation at 16 I don't know if I could have handled it with as much strength as she did.  She never gave up hope for escape even when her feelings towards Ty began to change. 

Ty, wow, what a damaged yet frighteningly beautiful soul.  Even though it is written from Gemma's POV, I felt we got Ty story as well.  He is a character that haunts your thoughts.   I was so confused about how I felt about him.  I know what he did was wrong and I should be disgusted by him but I liked him.  You could see why he thought what he did was right in his head.  Just thinking about him breaks my heart. 

The ending it made me cry like a baby and it hurt.  I know some people will disagree with me but I really wish it could have ended another way.  Yet I see that it would have been impossible.

Stolen, is an unforgettable and breathtaking story that I highly recommend.  Just make sure you are ready for a few tears.

Overall Rating: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5

For more info:  Visit Lucy's Christopher's website.

For more rave reviews:  Visit Inkcrush and My Girl Friday

This is an Australian title that is available internationally.  Great book for the Aussie YA Reading Challenge 2011.

My Book Boyfriend #6

My Book Boyfriend is hosted by the awesome blogger Missie at The Unread Reader.   What is My Book Boyfriend you might ask.  Well it is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out Missie blog The Unread Reader.

Jericho Barrons

From the Fever series

Barrons was powerful, broodingly good-looking, insanely wealthy, frighteningly intelligent, and had exquisite taste, not to mention a hard body that emitted some kind of constant low-level charge. Bottom line: He was the stuff of heroes. And psychotic killers.

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

 

Dominant, stubborn, mysterious, dangerous, sexy, strong, clever, protective, scary, hot and jackass are just a few words that come to mind when I think about Jericho Barrons.  He is not your sweet hero type but rather the dark and deadly type that takes what he wants and know how to make a girl blush.  Plus he owns a bookstore ~sighs dreamily~ 

Quotes:

"We have to save the world," I reminded him.
He reached for me. "The world can wait. I can't."

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

"I was about to look away when he reached across the seat, touched my jaw with his long, strong, beautiful fingers, and caressed my face.
Being touched by Jericho Barrons with kindness makes you feel like you must be the most special person in the world. It’s like walking up to the biggest, most savage lion in the jungle, lying down, placing your head it its mouth and, rather than taking your life, it licks you and purrs."

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

I moistened my lips. His gaze fixed on them. I think I stopped breathing.

He jerked so sharply away that his long dark coat sliced air, and turned his back to me. “Was that an invitation, Ms.Lane?”
“If it was?” I asked, astonishing myself. What did I think I was doing?
“I don’t do hypothetical. Little girl
Faefever by Karen Marie Moning


Anybody else drooling over Jericho Barrons?
Thanks again to Missie for hosting this meme.



Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Darkness Becomes Her (Gods and Monsters #1)
by Kelly Keaton
Publication date: 22 February, 2011
Source: Simon Pulse (S&S Galley Grab)

Goodreads Description - Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.
Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.
She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.  Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

My Review:

Darkness Becomes Her is a well needed refreshingly different young adult paranormal read.   From it misfit bunch of characters to its action packed plot, it was very unique and completely intriguing.

From page one it is pretty much just go, go, go.  Fast paced with a thumping narrative.  It is dark, edgy and a little creepy.  The story is a mix of mostly mythology with touch of paranormal.   Sometimes I got a little lost with the history and everything else going on that I had to go back and re-read parts but the mysterious plot that had me hooked kept pushing me through those moments that I struggled.

My favourite element of this story is the characters.  Distinctive, well rounded and fascinating.  Ari is strong, smart, independent and doesn't take any crap for anyone.  When all hell breaks lose she doesn't stand back and worry about what to do she gets in their and kicks some butt.   There is a whole gang of misfit secondary characters in this story that I adored especially Violet.  She is a wonderfully odd little character but certainly one that gets into your heart.

Their is a touch of romance.  Ari and Sebastian act on attraction pretty quickly but they didn't pretend it to be something is wasn't.  It certainly wasn't sweet but rather some sizzling chemistry .   I am very curious to see how their feelings will grow and change in the next installment.

Overall, Darkness Becomes Her is a solid debut novel that has left me curious to see what is coming next in this original and imaginative series.

Overall Rating: A high 3.5/5 
Writing: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3.5/5
Cover: 2/5

For more info:  Visit Kelly Keaton's website

For more reviews: Book'd Out

Check out the UK edition cover.  I prefer it to the US.  What do you think?    Release date June, 2011 in UK.

Fury Interview & GIVEAWAY (INTERNATIONAL)

Today, I have the always entertaining and outspoken Eliza Boans from Fury by Shirley Marr stopping by for my first ever character interview.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of reading Fury yet. Here is the blurb from it:

Let me tell you my story.
Not just the facts I know you want to hear.
Eliza Boans has everything.
If I’m going to tell you my story,
I’m telling it my way.
Strap yourself in...
A big house.
A great education.
A bright future.
So why is she sitting in a police station confessing to murder?

1. How are things going for you these days? How has your life changed?
Hey Nic, thanks, like, TOTES for asking me! Everyone just thinks I'm really strong or that I'm going to chew their head off for asking (like of course I won't). I am human too. It's like these days every time I look at anyone I used to know, they pretend not to see me, or they turn away or start talking into their phone even though, like, I know their phone hasn't even rung. I know I've probably aged a million years since being in custody, but I reckon I look at least a billion times better than Lindsay Lohan, so I don't get it at all. I mean, last week I saw a bunch of girls from school I wouldn't even talk to back in the day, and I was like "Hey guys!" (only cos I'm sorta desperate and lonely these days) and they... whispered among themselves, stuck their noses in the air and avoided me. WTF? I'm Eliza Boans! They should worshipped the fact I said hello! But obviously times have changed...

WELL, the court case is taking up most of my time right now. And I'm spending almost every second of the day with my MOTHER. I know, seriously. But Mum's kinda like my only friend right now...

2. Tell us something unique about you?
That I am like totally smarter than anyone else thinks. I mean I don't have a lot of time these days (what with dodging the tabloids and paps, who write the worst, UNTRUE things about me) but when I get the time I read like, really really old books. You know the ones written like about a billion years ago and I review them on my blog (Eliza-Doo-Little). Like my byline reads: I am not a dumbass. I know that Shakes Spears is not related to Britney Spears.
Oh and I totally suck at math, but when it comes to a shoe sale, I can magically work out the discount in my head. Go figure. One of my many hidden talents.

3. Tell us one of your favourite memories?
I remember when I was really young and my dad was still around - Mum, Dad & me would sit together on our old couch on a Friday night and watch a movie. Most of the time it would be something totally crapola and OLD (Dad's choice) or crapola and a chickflick (Mum's choice), but what I really liked was back in the day, we were still kinda poor (before Mum became a rich lawyer) and our couch was so small, we'd all be touching when we sat on it. It was... nice. Like we were very close.
Of course these days our house is huge and our furniture is also massive and Dad's gone. Me and Mum would never dream of sitting so close together.

4. If you could spend 24 hours with anyone famous dead or alive who would it be and why?
Ooo, I should totally say Paris Hilton cos I want to know how she can keep going in and out of jail and still be a socialite people ACTUALLY want to hang out with... but I think maybe I should say, like, Buddha or Ghandi or something Lexi would say. They would probably teach me something actually worthwhile. Sometimes I feel like I don't want to be shallow forever...

5. What do you see your self doing in 10 years time?
OMG. In 10 years I will be, like, almost 30! Sorry, but I can't imagine being that OLD. I guess I will probably be seeing a very good dietician (cos my Mum says I can't keep eating crap 'cos one day my metabolism will catch up with me and then my life will be Muffin-top Misery) and a good beautician. And a good plastic surgeon. Only jokes. I don't want to end up with a permanently surprised look. I like glaring at people for one thing. But um to be, like, serious, I would like to free, independent and a strong working woman, maybe working with other people who have made a massive mistake in their lives, but want to overcome that and just be good person. Actually, it wouldn't be too bad if I ended up like my Mum (but no one ever heard me say that).

6. What is your favourite song on your ipod at the moment?
For some reason I keep listening to this song by The Manic Street Preachers called The Soulmates. My friend Neil put it on there for me last year. Which used to really annoy me, cos he would put random stuff that was "alternative" (yeah, like a crap alternative to decent mainstream popular music). But now I appreciate what he did for me. I keep listening to the lyrics "the graffiti/you left one me/means every part/is still bleeding" and it makes me feel a funny emotion I don't think I've ever felt before... I think it's called... sadness?

7. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it have been?
I would say to Young Eliza: appreciate your parents, cos they might not always be there. Appreciate your friends cos one day they might be gone. And appreciate what you have today, cos these will be the best days of your life.

Thanks Nic for asking me these questions. When I become rich and famous one day I'll remember you.
xoxo Eliza

Thank you Eliza for stopping by!   As you can see Eliza is very amusing and not your typical teenage heroine. You can check out my review for Fury here.

GIVEAWAY :

Thanks to the awesome Shirley Marr I have a SIGNED copy of Fury to giveaway (I am sending virtual hugs to Shirley for this). Fury is an Aussie title and is not available internationally so I am extra excited to announce this contest is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!!!!!

How to enter:
* Simply leave a comment in the section below with your name and email address.
* You must be a follower to enter.
* If you are participating in the Aussie YA Reading Challenge 2011 you get 5 extra entries. Make sure to note this also in the comment section.
* Contest ends 1st March 2011 (midnight Australian EST) and winner will be selected by Random.org as in accordance with my giveaway policy.

Good luck to everyone!

In My Mail Box #16

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

BOUGHT:

XVI by Julia Karr - YA dystopia fiction and 2011 debut author.  This book has such a thought provoking and interesting premise.  Can't wait to get started.
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - YA fiction about angels.  I read this a while back thanks to Netgalley and finally picked up my own copy.  Definitely a favourite read of mine.  You can check out my review here.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Can you believe I have never read this well known YA contemp fiction title!  I have heard so many good things about this and thought it about time I give it a try.
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning - (ebook not pictured) Adult paranormal.  The final book in the series.  I have already read it and my review for this series will be up soon.

WON:

Hearts of Blood by Carolyn McCray - Adult paranormal romance.  Won this ebook thanks to the lovely Misha at My Love Affair With Books.

GIVEAWAYS: 

* Tomorrow I have an awesome international giveaway so make sure to stop by for that. 
* Also Missie at The Unread Reader has an amazing 'Mega Hot Giveaway' as celebration for her one year blogging and book boyfriend week.

What did you get in your mail box? 

Leave a link for your mail box and I will make sure to stop by. 

Stay by Deb Caletti

Stay by Deb Caletti
Publication date: 5th April, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Source: Thank you to Simon Pulse (S&S Galley Grab) for providing me with a copy.

Goodreads Description: Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.  Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough.......

My Review: 

This is my first Deb Caletti book and won't be my last because I LOVED it.  Stay is masterfully written and so powerfully honest, it is just an absolutely brilliant read.

Stay is the story of Clara, a normal teenage girl.  It is just her and her Dad as Clara's Mum pasted away when she was younger.   Clara meets Christian and quickly falls in love.  At first he appears to be the perfect boyfriend - sweet, caring, gorgeous and treats her so well.  But Christian becomes controlling and obsessive.  It is told in two different perspectives, before and after and alternates each chapter. Before is Clara's and Christian's relationship and After is Clara's and her Dad's escape for the summer to Bishop Rock.

This book could be a true story, as Caletti really captures how it feels to be in a controlling and obsessive relationship.  Like how you are always anticipating their reaction, how they put you down, how you do anything to avoid a fight and the lies you tell.   I wish I could go back in time and hand this book to my teenage self, it was the kind of book I needed and one I think all teenage girls should read.  

The writing in Stay is beautiful and full of raw emotion.  I badly wanted to put a favourite quote up but since it is an ARC I am not allowed.  But I noted over 30 quotes!  I kept highlight paragraph after paragraph.  Something about Caletti's writing really connected with me.  I think it is the honesty and all the heart in the story.

The characters are exceptional.  Clara, her Dad, Finn, and Sylvie, I loved them all.  So well fleshed out and so fully alive especially Clara.  You can completely see why she fell for Christian and understand her decisions as the relationship went on.  I have to say I would have probably made the same choices she did.  Clara is definitely one of the most realistic characters I have read in a while.

I also enjoyed the relationship Clara had with her Dad.  He was a loving father but he still had his flaws.  And again it nice to see a parent being present consistently throughout the story.   Their is also some very swoon worthy moments provided by Finn.  He was such a good guy, confident, happy and caring.  Having Finn in the story you could easily see Christian flaws and the difference between a healthy and a unhealthy relationship.

Overall, this book is amazing.  I highly recommend Stay to all fans of contemporary fiction.  Definitely a favourite read for 2011.

Overall rating: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Cover: 5/5

For more info:  Visit Deb Caletti's website.