Thursday, May 5, 2011

Review: Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez

Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez

I got this book from NetGalley.

Amazon Product Description:
It’s springtime of senior year, and psychic sleuth Daisy Giordano is preparing to say goodbye to Nightshade High. But no college acceptance letters have arrived yet, and she’s beginning to worry about where she’ll end up come fall—and if it will be anywhere near her boyfriend, Ryan. But that’s not the only uncertainty Daisy’s dealing with. There’s a vamps-versus-shifters war going on in Nightshade, and things are so tense that there is talk of canceling the prom. The conflict is carrying over to the Giordano home, since Rose and Daisy are both dating werewolves and Poppy’s new boyfriend is a vampire.


This is book 5 in the "Dead is... series.  
1. Dead is the New Black
2. Dead is a State of Mind
3. Dead is So Last Year
4. Dead is Just a Rumor


My thoughts:
Although this book easily stands alone, I would suggest reading the whole series - in order.  I enjoyed the story, but there were some references to previous happenings that left me feeling, not that I was lost but that I wished I had read the first four books before this one.  


The characters are wonderful!  I have to say that Lil (the jukebox) is my favorite supporting character!  You can see that the characters have been well-developed during the series because they are so cohesive and their relationships are solid.  The new relationship in the book is Poppy and her vampire boyfriend.  The addition of Count Dracule is great.  


The story line keeps you interested and wanting to know more.  The author keeps you in the dark and guessing about the identity of the "bad guy" until virtually the end.


This is a great YA paranormal read!  I would recommend it to anyone grade 8 and above. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Review: The Dive Doctrine by Patricia V. Davis

The Diva Doctrine by Patricia V. Davis who says that she is..."a woman who became an authority not by being uniquely infallible, but by being totally vulnerable." (from chapter one of Diva Doctrine)

*I got this book from Cedar Fort using NetGalley - free of charge in exchange for an honest review and participating in the tour.

Amazon Product Description:
Patricia V. Davis may be the first to tell you she's an 'Expert in Failed Relationships'. But ask any of the readers who helped a post on her advice blog go viral, and they'll say that whether you're a wide-eyed twenty-something dreamer, the world's grooviest grandma, or something in between, there's no one better able to help you on your way to becoming a True Diva!


Some quotes from the book:
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." Catherine Airde.


"Happiness is an inside job!" Dove chocolate wrapper





My thoughts:

I wasn't sure what I would think of this book when asked to participate in the blog tour.  I am not one to read self-help type books, but I thought I would give it a shot - 


I knew I would love this book the minute I started reading it!  


Every woman should read this book, young and old alike.  Even women who are blessed with an innate sense of self-worth (the lucky few) should give it a read.  


I love that Patricia lays it bare, keeps it real, and is honest with herself and her readers!  The book is serious and funny, well-written yet a little bit disturbing as you see yourself in stories on the pages.  I try to stay away from the "deep thinker" books, as I call them, but I am thrilled that I took the time to check this one out.  Sometimes a little thinking is good for your soul.


I tend to give books to my students for graduation - some book that I know was meaningful to them while they were in school...now I plan to be giving this one!  

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Nicole MacDonald's - The Arrival - re-edited and on SALE! (and chocolate!)

The Arrival is re-edited and available!  Nicole is hosting a contest (it involves CHOCOLATE) to celebrate!
You can check out the contest here!

I read the original version of this book - check out my review here - I really enjoyed it so I plan to go get the newly edited version as well!  Can't wait to see what kinds of changes have been made!  Don't forget to enter the contest - did I mention CHOCOLATE?

You can get the book here at Amazon or here at Smashwords or here for UK Amazon.

Spring's Serenity Read-a-thon Update!


The Spring's Serenity Read-a-thon was hosted by The True Book Addict!
The read-a-thon was about personally challenging yourself to a reading goal!
                                         This was my goal list:
April 25 -  Invisible Inkling
April 26 -  Vampire Dimitri
April 27 -  Vampire's Warden
April 28 -  Second Sight
April 29 -  Savannah Grey
April 30 -  Diva Doctrine
May 1 -  Hedgeland

                                        This is what I read:
Vampire Dimitri by Colleen Gleason
Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright
Second Sight by Sherry D. Ficklin
Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez
The Diva Doctrine by Patricia V. Davis
Hedgeland by A. Nyland
(I read Invisible Inkling on April 24 so it doesn't count for the read-a-thon)

HUGE giveaway from Once Upon a Twilight!


You HAVE got to check out this giveaway at Once Upon a Twilight! It's HUGE!!!

Two prize packs - 20 books in each pack!

Net Galley Month Re-Cap!

April was NetGalley Month!

This is what I read - - - links to the reviews!

Hunting Human by Amanda E. Alvarez - - 4/1/11 - Review
Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler - 4/2/11 - Review
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan - 4/3/11 - Review
The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter by Frank L. Cole - 4/16/11 - Review
In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane - 4/20/11 - Review
Forever Vampire by Michele Hauf - 4/22/22 - Review
Invisible Inkling by Emily Jenkins - 4/24/11 - Review
The Vampire Dimitri by Colleen Gleason - 4/25/11 - Review
Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez - 4/29/11 - Review to post on 5/7/11
The Diva Doctrine by Patricia V. Davis - 4/30/11 - Review to post on 5/4/11