Fictitious Delicious

Book Review: A TOUCH MORBID by Leah Clifford

2012-02-23T01:35:00.001-06:00

A Touch Morbid

by Leah Clifford

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Publisher: Greenwillow

Format: ARC

Source:The fantastic Me, My Shelf and I

Get it: Anderson's Bookshop, Amazon, B&N and don’t forget your local library!

Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil. But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground. Can she trust anyone? Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall? A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing. (Summary from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 4

Alright, first things first. Leah Clifford has managed to make me crush on evil incarnate. That’s something I just never really expectedfrom myself. I even showered in holywater after finishing this book, but my crush on Luke still lingers. Thanks, Leah. *sigh*

Back to our regularly scheduled review:

Fans of A Touch Mortal are going to enjoy this bookimmensely. The same darkness from thefirst book of the series carries forward into its sequel. Most ofthe characters return to deal with all the shizz that went down with you knowwho’s at you know where. (See? Spoiler free reviews are EASY) What surprised me the most about this book ishow my loyalties changed during one of the twists, or it may have been a turn,that Clifford threw in.

I adored Eden in A Touch Mortal. I fed off her anger and wascompletely on board with the decisions she made. My heart ached for her. In A Touch Morbid?Not so much. There were a few times whenI kinda sorta wanted to ring her neck. AndAz, too. I seriously think we should allchip in and send them both a copy of “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”with orders to go to their (separate) rooms until they’ve finished all 286 pages. I was a little frustrated,but I still hold out hope for them.

The twist comes along in the form of a once sharp, sassyKristen who returns to us in a state we’ve only seen referenced before. Her storyline progresses, or dare I say REgresses,down a path I found both frightening and exhilarating. I hope she rules the world before this seriesis over.

Oh, and one last piece of advice: Watch your back while standingalone minding your own business in NYC subway stations, okay? Okay.

Oh, and one more last last thing. You have to see the trailers for this book. They're equal parts creepy and beautiful. AND PATRICIA'S (from Two Chicks on Books) REVIEW IS BLURBED! AAHHH! I know someone famous!

Eden & Az's Trailer: You guys know how I feel about a boy in a knit cap, right? *thud*

Kristen's Trailer: Yeah, um. I'm going to need some more holy water. STAT.

Waiting on Wednesday: SPELLBOUND by Rachel Hawkins

2012-02-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

At Fictitious Delicious, this week's most-anticipated read is...

Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3)

Rachel Hawkins

Publisher:
Hyperion

Expected Release Date:

March 13, 2012

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Impossible to put down, indeed!! HEX HALL is one of my most favoritest series EVAH! (And I only speak Valley-Girl when I'm really excited! OH! EM! GEE!) Sophie Mercer is one of the best female protags. I'm in love with her just as much as I am in love with Cal and Archer.

I will be very, very sad for this series to end. However, the end of HEX HALL means the beginning of more undoubtedly AMAZEBALLS books by Lady Hawkins, aka the author of Bulgarian Pornography:

Yes, this is the actual Bulgarian cover of Hex Hall.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I know this is on A LOT of WOW lists, so it's nothing original, but I am still very much waiting for March 13th! Preorder SPELL BOUND here at Amazon or your favorite bookstore!

Hero/ine of the Week: Episode 16

2012-02-20T01:21:00.001-06:00

Delicious fictional characters are one of our favorite cravings here on the blog. When we're not on hiatus, we'll feature TWO helpings of stick-worthy hero/ines every week: our Baby Ruth and Hot Tamale of the Week. We hope you'll love them so much, you'll come back for seconds.

As with all of our limericks, spoilers abound. Please ignore our silliness if you haven't read the book and wish to remain spoiler free.

This week's stick-worthy characters are...

Deznee Cross & Kale

From TOUCH (Denazen #1) by Jus Accardo
Click here for our review of this tasty treat

ODE TO THE COUPLE WHOSE RELATIONSHIP IS QUITE TOUCHING

"Dez doesn’t talk like she’s just seventeen.

Acts out 'gainst her dad, who’s really quite mean.

She’ll uncover his truth

When she acts like a sleuth

And finds a past and future unforeseen.

Yes, he’s a greatguy, but I must confess

Kale stole my heart when I saw him shirtless.

He’s adorb when he mixes

Outside of the sixes.

Loves and protects with hot, steamy finesse.

Dez and Kale are a team you're unable to stop

‘Tis a task unaccomplished by even her pop.

Their red hot kisses

Melt cheese made from swisses

And prove love always comes out on top."

SO THERE. Limericks are back! Hope you enjoyed their return inspired by Valentine's Day. Kale and Dez were selected from our Twitter followers as a part of our #Valenrhyme promotion and are an excellent example of ~~hot~~ sweet young love!

As always, we love your comments and suggestions for which characters you would like to see limericked up!

TGIF {11} Book Blogger Pride

2012-02-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by GReads! to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for followers.

This week's question: Book Blogger Pride: What do you take pride in when it comes to blogging?

I love this question because this blog is my baby! (And I have the best co-parent ever in Jen!)

I know, it's sorta funny, and maybe I have my priorities mixed up, but I consider this blog one of my biggest accomplishments. I am SO proud of it! I baby it all the time, try to clean it up, try to give it love and attention... I mean, look at it? It's deliciously adorable!

Blogging, for me, has been a creative outlet like no other. There is nothing so satisfying than someone else taking time to enjoy something that you create. (This is also why I love to make book trailers/dedication videos.)

I am very proud of the fact that Jen and I run a blog with a creative, supportive mission. No haters and no jerks allowed. No blogging for fame or competition in the blogosphere. We blog because we love having fun, love books, love the authors that write them, and WE LOVE YOU!

Fictitious Delicious has been the antecedent to countless experiences, books, and friends that have changed my life for the better!

What about you all? What do you take pride in in blogging, writing, or reading? I wholeheartedly believe it is just as important to know your strengths as it is to know your weaknesses, so please, brag away!!

RECAP

We were slow this week! Check out Amy's Monday review of John Green's AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES.
Psssst! Guess what?! We're bringing the limericks back!! Stay tuned for a new Hero/ine Limerick on Monday!

Book Review: AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES by John Green

2012-02-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

An Abundance of Katherines

by John Green

Release Date: October 1, 2006
Publisher: Dutton
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type is girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washedup child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun–but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl. Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself.

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 3.5

In attempt to get caught up in my reviews, I've noticed my writing lately has been lame. I apologize for any boredom that occurs as a result of my lackluster reviewing. Come back for Jen's reviews, she's much more entertaining!

AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES was my first full John Green novel, having read WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON last year, which, technically, is only half a John Green novel, right? But the Will Grayson narrated by John Green were my favorite parts, and I found the same witty dialogue and comradery with the characters as I grew to love in WG, WG.

My favorite part about KATHERINE was getting to know all the great secondary characters. I LOVED Hassan! He was HILARIOUS with his jokes and love of judge Judy, and he was a loyal friend to Colin. And I really identified with Lindsey and loved her sense of humor and her conflict as well. I really liked the small twist at the end when you finally get to hear the full story of all 19 Katherines, and I liked the "lessons learned" as well.

But the problem came, for me, with Colin. I think I understood him just fine, and I appreciated his story, and loved how he learned how to tell his story, but overall...he just wasn't very interesting or likable. So as good as the story was, I didn't really enjoy myself while reading it. Now if the main story was centered around Hassan? Now THAT would get 5 stars!

Overall, it was fun to finally read a full John Green novel, and I love his quirky and intelligent writing style. (This led me to immediately read THE FAULT IN OUR STARS...of which I am still reeling from. That review is coming soon!)

TGIF {10}

2012-02-10T00:15:00.000-06:00

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by GReads! to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for followers.

This week's question: Love Stories: What are some of your favorite fictional love stories.

I'm in love with love stories. There are approximately 192 love stories that I consider my favorite, but I've managed to narrow it down to three for this post:

1. A GIRL AND HER MUSE: My favorite fictional love story of all time involves Matt Bellamy and, well, me. The scene when he gives me a private concert and then spends quality time with me on the beach, after dark, is a thing of beauty. I go back and revisit that scene every Saturday night.

2. ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS: Etienne St. Clair and Anna Oliphant are one of my favorite couples and their story is so darned sweet. Just writing about them here makes me want to go pick up this book again. I pity the fool who hasn't yet read this book.

3. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: I didn't want to put this book on the list because I'm sure EVERYONE is going to mention it, but DUH! That's because it may be perhaps maybe kind of the greatest love story of all time. Watching Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy dance around love charmed the socks right off me.

Here's what happened on the blog this week:

Jen reviewed WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard. (Leave a comment for a chance to win a SIGNED bookmark!)

Jen shared THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME as her most anticipated read for this weeks' Waiting on Wednesday

We did a fun-sized review of SHINE by Jeri Smith-Ready

Amy reviewed AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matso n

Amy reviewed INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows

Leave us a comment to share some of your favorite fictional love stories. We want to hear all about them!

Book Review: WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

Wanderlove

by Kirsten Hubbard

Release Date: March 13, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Format: eBook

Source:NetGalley

Get it: Anderson's Bookshop, Amazon, B&N and don’t forget your local library!

It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry into this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story. (Summary from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 5+

This book may be the definitive proof that the journey ismore important than the destination.

WANDERLOVE is a beautifully written story about a girl who is not only recovering from heartbreak, but also trying to learn who she iswhen she has no one to attach her own identity to. It’s a story that will make you cry if you’veever lost you own sense of self in a relationship (romantic or otherwise). You’ll see yourself in Bria as she tries toremain true to her journey of self discovery while feeling the pangs of lovetoo soon after her devastating breakup. This story hit so close to home for me that I had to read it in smallerdoses than I wanted to. It was anemotionally stirring read.

You’ll be hoping you have enough dollars saved up in yourbudget to do some exotic traveling after picking this up. It is obvious that the locations mentionedthroughout the story are ones that are close to Kirsten Hubbard’s heart. All of your senses will be tricked intobelieving you’ve been transported to Central America with nothing more thanwhat can fit in a second hand backpack.

Not only are readers treated to a delicious story inWANDERLOVE, we get the added benefit of seeing Kirsten Hubbard’s own artdispersed throughout the pages. I really enjoyed the extra insight they offered to the scenes they’re attached to.

Thank you, Kirsten, for sharing a story that will stickwith me for a long time. Here's a little something to show you just how thankful I am:

Source: http://babyanimalzoo.com/baby-sloths-just-like-to-hang-around

Awwwwww...Look how cute this little guy is! Don't you just want to get a sloth of your own?

Tell us what you’d bring with you if you had just a backpackto carry your personal belongings while traveling across a country likeGuatemala. We’ve got SIGNED bookmarks toshare with three commenters! Openinternationally. Winners will beselected on February 16.

Waiting on Wednesday: THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME

2012-02-08T00:01:00.000-06:00

At Fictitious Delicious, this week's most-anticipated read is...

The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Jess Rothenberg

Publisher:
Penguin Young Readers Group

Expected Release Date:

February 21, 2012

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces? (Summary from Goodreads)

Did you say hello to that gorgeous cover? Oh, yeah. It's a beauty.

Something about a broken heart in need of repair always peaks my interest when I'm looking for my next book to read. And this one throws in a twist...Brie is dead and still needs to mend that organ that makes us hurt sometimes. THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME looks like a nice mix of paranormal and contemporary YA and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

What book are YOU waiting on?

SHINE Unwrapped!

2012-02-07T00:15:00.000-06:00

Want to get a peek at Jeri Smith-Ready's SHINE?

While we want to wait until closer to release date to give our full review, we just HAD to share a little nibble of the deliciousness that is SHINE!

A few weeks back, we were presented with the opportunity to beta read SHINE. After we stopped screaming like we had just won the Powerball lottery, we composed ourselves and said yes. We've kept quiet about it but we just can't contain ourselves any more! Soo.......

Let’s dig in and unwrap SIX quick bites of SHINE!

1.  OMG! OMG! OMG! It's soooo good! SHINE has a different feel to it from the rest of the series. The characters have grown...and so have their obstacles.

2.  The castle scene is every bit as good as you hope it is.

3. There are new characters to swoon over! Some are Scottish, some are not.

4. Aura is kick-ass. Like, REALLY kick-ass. The cover for SHINE is so spot on that it's eerie! I want to be her BFF. (Which probably won't work since I'm madly in love with her boyfriend. I'd still like to give it a shot, though.)

5.  You know how Jeri has this tendency to make us all cry like the little fan-girls that we are? Well, SHINE made me (jen) cry harder than ANY BOOK EVER HAS. And it was a fugly cry, guys. The kind that has you bawling into a pillow with that super attractive, silent, open-mouthed cry. You know the kind, right? Guess what! It's coming to visit you. Probably twice.

6. If you think there are no more secrets to be learned....YOU. ARE. WRONG. There are more secrets. And you will learn them.

So, there you go! Six little bites of one of the most anticipated reads of 2012. We can't want to talk about this amazing story with all of you! Which won't be long if you're one of the lucky few who won a SHINE ARC. Word is that you'll have your copy by the end of February! WOOHOO!

If you haven't yet pre-ordered SHINE, DO IT NOW. Just click on this little link right here and you'll be directed to Constellation Books where you can order a SIGNED pre-ordered book. Orders can also be placed online through Barnes & Noble or Amazon, too.

Before you leave tell us what YOU hope to see in SHINE. (Please mark spoilers)

Book Review: AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

by Morgan Matson

Release Date: May 4, 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Audiobook and Hardcover
Source: Library and Personal Collection

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks.

Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident.

Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 5

I LOVED this book!

AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR first caught my attention in my YA Lit class in library school last year. Of course I was drawn to the book because of the title (Though, I digress, her real name is Amelia). But if the protag's name were Helga I would still love this book!

AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR was exactly the book I was hoping it would be. I loved the unique format, at times like a scrapbook (not your mom's scrapbook from Archiver's, either, though, no offense to scrappers out there) filled with playlists and pictures of roadside trees and receipts. It really gave the book that epic roadtrip feel.

I loved Amy and her progression and growth throughout the book. She was a character I totally identified with, and not just because she loves musicals. Amy, at this point in the book and her life, is thinking about what truly matters in life and how to deal with some really tough schtuff. She begins to really think for herself and make her own decisions, which of course means a little rebellion in the form of a detour on her very mom-scheduled road trip. But Amy is not a "bad" girl, nor does she turn "bad" or become someone she's not. I love when a book shows a character progress in this realistic way. Amy follows her heart and her feelings and comes to a deeper understanding of the world and herself.

AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR has a great mix of hilarity, sadness, insight, and just possibly some romance (No spoilers here! I mean, Roger is a sexy older college guy, after all). And I can't forget to mention the fabulous secondary characters they meet along the way.

It is one of those perfect adventure books with a setting of the Great American Roadtrip, and a perfect escape for these cold winter months!

Book Review: INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Incarnate (New Soul #1)

by Jodi Meadows

Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format: ARC
Source: Bookluvr Mindy at Magical Urban Fantasy Reads! THANK YOU, MINDY!

New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 4.5

INCARNATE was a really intriguing read and a new series that I am very excited about!

I love the concept of this book, that souls are reincarnated over and over, until Ana, that is. This works so well to not only make a really cool story, but to set up some really great conflict! Conflict for Ana because she is just a little child compared to everyone else. Conflict for the people because Ana's soul replaces someone else, someone a lot of people loved. Conflict for the world in the book because this has never happened before, and...well, no one knows what will happen to them or Ana! And when everyone is so used to a predictable life? Yeah, it's just a really cool premise.

I grew to like Ana because she is a passionate, imperfect character. This especially sets her apart from the other characters in the book and makes sense considering her relative age and inexperience. At times she was frustrating and moody, but not wishy-washy or weak. And I loved the growth in her relationships with other characters, especially Sam. I liked that no matter how close she got to others, there was always that barrier of her new-soulness. Again, it made for great conflict and great storytelling.

INCARNATE has a really, really cool emphasis on music that I've never read in a YA novel before. I loved, loved, loved how this was incorporated into the story and into Ana and Sam's relationship! The metaphors to music and life were excellent and and definite strength of this book!

I think the one thing that held me back from giving this a full 5 was the world that INCARNATE was set in. It was well developed and unique, but it was creepy! I know, this is not a bad thing! But the overall tone of INCARNATE had that Big Brother feel, and unfortunately this was something I was not in the mood to read.

If you really enjoy books like Lowis Lowry's THE GIVER, Beth Revis's ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, and Ally Condie's MATCHED, you will really, really love INCARNATE! A strong start to a very promising and intriguing series!

TGIF {9}

2012-02-03T00:15:00.000-06:00

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by GReads! to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for followers.

This week's question: Book Appeal: When you're browsing goodreads, the library, or another blogger's reviews, what grabs your attention to make you want to read it?

When a favorite blogger or a trusted Goodreads friend givesa positive review for a book with mention of some sweet, sweet lovin’, I’mthere. You’ve officially got myattention. I’m a total and completesucker for a book with a romantic storyline. Especially the type that has a hot boy and a strong heroine. That kind of book is almost always going toland on my TBR pile.

I *kind of* turn into a cover snob when I’m browsing libraryshelves. The shinier the better in thiscase. My library has this really pretty shelving system that dedicates a portion ofevery stack to some of their most popular picks. I go for those a lot, unless I’m there for aspecific book.

You know, one of the things I miss the most about Borders isthe staff recommendation section. Ipicked up a TON of great reads from one staff member in particular with whom Ishared similar reading tastes. (ie – YA and smut :)

I guess the bottom line here is that a strongly recommendedlove story from a trusted source grabs my attention more than anything else.

Happy Friday, sweets!

Here's what happened on the blog this week:

Jen reviewed PANDEMONIUM by Lauren Oliver

Jen shared THE DISENCHANTMENTS as her most anticipated read for this weeks' Waiting on Wednesday

Jen reviewed ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL by Jesse Andrews

We announced the winner of our ALL THINGS SCOTTISH BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY

What grabs your attention when you’re perusing for a book?

Book Review: PANDEMONIUM by Lauren Oliver

2012-02-02T00:15:00.000-06:00

Pandemonium (Delirium #2)

by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

Format: ARC

Source: Magical Urban Fantasy Reads Book Tour

Get it: Anderson's Bookshops,

Amazon, B&N and don’t forget your local library!

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.
Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite. (Summary from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 4.5

Let’s start this review off by talking about the ending,okay? I can confirm that there is amonster of a cliffhanger. I can alsoconfirm that you’ll wish it was 2013 so you can get your hands on REQUIEM (Book3). But these are things you shouldalready know. I mean, this is LaurenOliver, folks. Killer book endings areher specialty. What I wasn’t expectingwas the knife wielding, gun packing, face punching, rope making, bitter cold journeyI went on in the 373 pages leading up to the end.

This story is told in Lena’s point of view and inalternating time frames. We get to seewhat happened to Lena immediately preceding the big event at the end ofDELIRIUM in the “Then” portion of the book and see where she is now, a year orso later, in the “Now” portion. It’s aninteresting way to present the story and it works really well. I found myself anxious to hear how Lena’sstory progressed in each time frame.

These two storylines flow at a similar pace. Things start a bit slow, but necessarilyso! Readers are introduced to a wholenew environment and lots of new characters. Things pick up VERY quickly about half way through and then the actiondoesn’t stop. EVER. You’ll seriously devour the last half of thisbook in no time flat. (Take your timethrough the shower scene, though. It isa thing of beauty and should be enjoyed at a slow pace.)

A have a crazy case of deliria for Lauren’s writing style. She’s one of those people that were simplyborn to be a writer. Her words dance offthe page and land firmly in your imagination. There is a strong social message to be found in the pages ofPANDEMONIUM. One we could all benefitfrom hearing.

Put this one on your pre-order list. This book is one of the most highly anticipated books of 2012 and does not disappoint!

Waiting on Wednesday: THE DISENCHANTMENTS by Nina LaCour

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

At Fictitious Delicious, this week's most-anticipated read is...

The Disenchantments

Nina LaCour

Publisher:
Dutton Juvenile

Expected Release Date:

February 16, 2012

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

Morris Award—finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives. (Summary from Goodreads)

This book landed on my radar when one of my BFF's, Nikki, turned me on to it a few weeks ago. She knows how I love music centered books and guess what?!?! This book is not only centered around music but it also involves a road trip! Oh, be still my beating heart...I'm already in love.

Also, I'm quite certain I owned this shirt in the 70's.

What book are YOU waiting on?

Book Review: ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-06:00

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

by Jesse Andrews

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books

Format: ARC

Source:NetGalley

Get it: Anderson's Bookshops, Amazon, B&N and don’t forget your local library!

Up until senior year, Greg has maintained total social invisibility. He only has one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time—when not playing video games and avoiding Earl’s terrifying brothers— making movies, their own versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics. Greg would be the first one to tell you his movies are f*@$ing terrible, but he and Earl don’t make them for other people. Until Rachel.

Rachel has leukemia, and Greg’s mom gets the genius idea that Greg should befriend her. Against his better judgment and despite his extreme awkwardness, he does. When Rachel decides to stop treatment, Greg and Earl make her a movie, and Greg must abandon invisibility and make a stand. It’s a hilarious, outrageous, and truthful look at death and high school by a prodigiously talented debut author. (Summary from Amazon.com)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 3.5

I have a feeling that many, many people are going to be head-over-heels crazy about this book. As much as I wanted to fall in love with this book, I just didn't. I am, however, still in love with this colorful cover.

Let’s do a breakdown on a few of the main aspects of ME ANDEARL AND THE DYING GIRL, shall we?

We have a self-degrading male POV that makes for hilaritythrough crude humor and shocking statements (and quite a bit of cussing). This kind of setup is usually right up myalley! But here’s the thing: I didn’tlike the main character, which is post-ironic because I think we’re supposed tolike him even though he doesn’t really WANT us to like him. He’s quite self absorbed and I kept waitingfor some character growth through the incredible situation he finds himselfin. Alas, it did not happen. I thought the end was quite anti-climatic, infact.

On the other hand, we have Earl. Earl is a character I really loved. Earl comes from an incredibly dysfunctionalfamily yet is the voice of reason throughout the book. Another piece of irony! Earl knows who he isand owns it. This is complete contrastto Greg and was a welcome addition to the story.

Our dying girl is just….there. We don’t get to know much about her becauseGreg doesn’t take the time to get to know her like I really wish he would. This was one of my biggest frustrations withthe story, honestly. I want to know moreabout her! This goes back to the factthat our main character is a little too self absorbed to care about thismissing piece.

There is a nice switch up in writing formats in this book. A good majority of this story is told in firstperson POV, but every so often the dialogue is presented in movie scriptformat. This ties in nicely with the moviesGreg and Earl make, which was probably my favorite thing about this story. Imay not be a fan of Greg, but I am a fan of the movies he makes with Earl. Well, all except one. Here’s the movie that started it all forthem:

Source: http://oldhollywood.tumblr.com/

Yup, that’s Klaus Kinski. It’s a riot watching these Greg and Earl remake Aguirre: The Wrath of God.

After writing this review, I’ve come to realize that I likethis book more than I originally thought I did. Huh, funny how that works. Thatjust goes to show that just because I wasn’t head-over-heels crazy about itdoesn’t mean it isn’t a good book. Ihope you find it to be an enjoyable read!

Winner, Winner, Haggis Dinner!

2012-01-29T22:08:00.000-06:00

Mr. St. Rand just picked the winner of our ALL THINGS SCOTTISH BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY hosted by For What it's Worth. As a reminder, we were giving away one incredibly awesome "Certified Kilt Inspector" T-Shirt and a "Kilt Inspector" Certificate. The winner is...

Mandie Baxter

Congratulations, Mandie!

Now I know you're busy jumping up and down over this win, Mandie, but wait. There's more.

You may remember us mentioning that the winner of this giveaway would also get their name passed on to Jeri Smith-Ready to be entered into the grandest prize of all...A SHINE ARC. So, Mandie! You're in for the grand prize drawing, too! *jumps up and down with you*

We've sent an email to Mandie and will post a new winner if no response is received in the next 48 hours.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for all the Burns Night festivities. What a fun night, huh? Can't wait to do it all again next year!

All Things Scottish Blog Giveaway Hop

2012-01-24T22:31:00.001-06:00

Happy Burns Day!

We are proud participants in the "All Things Scottish Blog Giveaway Hop" hosted by the mah-valous Karen at For What it's Worth. It's a blog hop where we all declare our favorite Scottish things to celebrate this important cultural holiday.

Our favorite thing about Scotland better come as no surprise to our regular readers. For our new readers, we'd like to say...

Hi! We're Jen and Amy and we love KILTS!

We're not going to be giving away a kilt today, guys, but we are giving away the next best thing. Check this out:

Now you can show the whole world (or at least the people in your general vicinity) that you, too, love the kilt. But let's be clear about something, ok?

*Jen puts on serious face* It's NEVER okay to inspect a kilt without permission. I mean, you wouldn't want someone to inspect your skirt without an invite, right? *Jen puts serious face away*

So back to business. What do YOU love about Scotland? AND YOU CAN ONLY PICK ONE THING! None of this, "Oh, I love me some colcannon and bannocks, but nothing really hits the spot like some stovied tatties!" Seriously. Pick one thing and tell us what it is in the comments of this post.

Your answer to the above question is your entry for an "Offical Kilt Inspector" t-shirt and "Kilt Inspector" certificate. One entry per person. Contest ends on Saturday at 11:59PM EST. Winner announced on Sunday. And guess what?

If you win our giveaway, we're passing your name on to Jeri Smith-Ready and you'll be entered into the grandest prize giveaway she's doing for a rare SHINE ARC! How cool is that?!?! (Answer: VERY) Be sure to enter all the giveaways on this kiltastic hop!

Hope to see you all at the special events throughout the day! You can see a schedule of events HERE on Jeri Smith-Ready's blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

HEY! Hit the brakes real quick! Did you link up to our GET YOUR SCOT ON post? You should.

GET YOUR SCOT ON!

2012-01-23T23:27:00.001-06:00

You may have heard that there's a Team Kilt party happening on Wednesday, January 25 to celebrate the Scottish holiday of Burns Night. If this is the first you've heard of said party, you must check out this post on Jeri Smith-Ready's blog. There's A LOT going on.

Source: www.icanhascheezburger.com

In addition to all the fun that will be had at the planned festivities of the day, the second to last SHINE ARC will go to one lucky participant in the day's activities. This is big news because SHINE ARC's are a rare commodity.

To celebrate Burns Night, we're hosting a contest in which you can win an entry into the drawing for one of those SHINE ARC's. All you have to do is show us how you...GET YOUR SCOT ON. If you've been to Scotland, share some of your favorite photos with us! Do you play a mean bagpipe? Send us a video! Are you adventurous enough to make and *gasp* EAT Haggis? Keep a straight face, document it and send it in! Heck, maybe you've got scientific proof that the Loch Ness Monster exists? We want to see that! STAT. You get the idea. Multiple entries are acceptable and encouraged!

Source: www.icanhascheezburger.com

If you have a blog, write up your post and give a shout out to Team Kilt (Link to: www.fictitiousdelicious.com) and the SHADE Series (Link to: www.jerismithready.com). Then link yer post to the linky tool at the end of this post. Easy, aye?

If you don't have a blog, you can either post a link to your photo/video hosted on an online service (Photobucket, flickr, etc.) on the linky tool or simply email them to us (amyojens at gmail dot com) and we'll get them up on this post as soon as possible.

Contest is open all day Tuesday and Wednesday so GO GET YOUR SCOT ON!

Book Review: DARK SEEKER by Taryn Browning

2012-01-17T01:08:00.000-06:00

Dark Seeker (Seeker #1)

by Taryn Browning

Release Date: October 24, 2011

Publisher: Self Published

Format: eBook

Source:Received from Author in return for review

Get it: Amazon, B&N and don’t forget your local library!

She's the Seeker. He's the hunted. What's at stake could kill them both...

For 17-year-old Seeker, Janie Grey, ridding the Baltimore streets of the undead is an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors. Seeker Training Lesson #1: Never trust the undead. After her father’s tragic death, Janie creates her own life lesson: Love isn’t worth the risk. Both lessons are easy to follow until she encounters the flawed Kai Sterdam. At first, she believes he is the hybrid she is trained to hunt. But, when he has human traits, she determines she doesn’t know what he is. As Janie’s intrigue over who Kai is pushes her deeper into his mysterious past, she discovers a shocking truth that is even more harrowing than the evil they are up against. It’s a secret Kai wants to keep hidden, especially from Janie. (Summary from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 3.5

Once again, the YA Sisterhood has introduced me to a new series through the magic that is their fun filled tournaments. See, there was this heroine named Janie Greywho popped onto my radar when she not only made it into the YA Heroine tournament, but won her first round. I LOVE a strongheroine so I just had to find out who she was.

So….who is Janie Grey? I am happy to report that Janie Grey is everything I hoped she would be.*cheers* She’s a heroine that is strong not only because the author tells usshe is, but because we get to see her strength in action.

Speaking of action, Taryn Browning writes an action sequenceREALLY well. I’m the kind of girl thatgets easily confused when the fighting starts, but it was easy to visualize thesescenes and Taryn made me feel like I was right alongside the gang kicking somedemon hybrid booty.

Now, let’s just mention the few items that seemed a littleawkward to me. First and foremost, somereally key scene changes were, well, I guess "abrupt" is about the best way todescribe it. There were a number oftimes when I was surprised to see the scene end and actually had to go back tobe sure I didn’t miss a page. The storyline felt too rushed at times. I’d havebeen happy with a lengthier book to get that extra “oomph” I longed for.

And you know there’s some lovin’, right? The relationshipbetween Janie and Kai starts the way I LOVE to see romances start. You know the type...girl meets boy, girl hatesand wants to kill boy, girl starts to like boy, girl grows to love boy. All while boy sits back and smirks whilelooking HOT. I bought into this tensionfilled romance until a devastating secret is shared.

**SPOILER ALERT**

We’re talking about a secret so shocking that Janie decidesto end her relationship with Kai, and rightfully so. But here’s the thing. It bothered me that Janie forgave him sosoon. To me, her rush to forgive andkiss those luscious Kai lips didn’t feel genuine and also made it difficult forme to buy into her anger and sadness of said shocking secret. (GAH! Those lips AREluscious! Errrr, emmmmm, back to thepoint I was trying to make) And maybethat’s the point my blabbering post is getting to: Janie’s character growth includesunderstanding that she CAN love Kai and give herself to him completely. It just felt forced to me. I think it goes back to wishing for a longerbook to get that character development over a longer period of time. Cripes, is anyone still reading this to evenunderstand what the heck I’m trying to say?

**END SPOILER**

All in all, I enjoyed DARK SEEKER and will pick up DARK RETURN when it’s released later this year. The blurb on this sequel promises more actionand lovin’ of the Jen approved type. I’m looking forward to hitting the Baltimore streets withthis heroine that is very worthy of her nomination in and round one win of theYA Heroine Tourney.

Candy Box Confession: Book Blogger Confessions{1}

2012-01-16T13:45:00.000-06:00

Book Blogger Confessions is a meme co-hosted by Karen from For What It's Worth and Tiger from All-Consuming Books on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers. Read all about the feature here!

Question:

Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

Amy's Answer:

I have to admit that there are times when I pick up book after book, and no matter what I try to read, nothing is speaking to me, calling my name, tickling my fancy, or any other figurative expression I can think of. This saddens and frustrates me to think that with all the amazing books in the world, I can't settle on one to enjoy. After pondering this circumstance, I have come up with two reasons why I am occasionally a very fickle pickle:

I read so much that sometimes it takes a really different book to grab my attention. The books that stand out for me from 2011 are the ones that have a quirky story, a unique protagonist, or a different perspective than things I have read or experienced in the past.

Often, these books end up being particular favorites of mine just because they gave me a stand-apart reading experience. This does not mean that the other books I started and put down were "bad," but more like they weren't right for me to read at that time.

How I react to a book depends on what is going on in my life at the time of reading. It also depends on my past life experiences. I believe this is universal for all readers, and it is the reason why there can be so many different reactions to the same book. Our reading experience is as individual as we are.

(I will spare you my urge to get all technical, but this whole concept is part of the Reader Response theory of literary criticism: Reader-response criticism encompasses various approaches to literature that explore and seek to explain the diversity (and often divergence) of readers' responses to literary works. There is a great article here for those who want to read more about it, if you are a scholarly nerd like me!)

This is an important consideration for me when I feel like nothing I try to read is the right book. I have learned to be more aware of what sort of book I'm "in the mood for", and to take that seriously. If I force myself to read something because of a library due-date or a committed review, it usually doesn't go well.

For example, I just finished a string of fantasy/paranormal books, and I'm starting to crave a good contemporary. All of the books I read were fantastic (THE SCORPIO RACES, HALLOWED, WOLFSBANE, BLOODROSE, and INCARNATE), but I know if I went ahead and read FROI OF THE EXILES (a book I have been waiting on for months and whose author I worship), I would not enjoy it as much. So I am doing myself, Froi, and Melina Marchetta a favor and opting for something from my to-read pile of John Green novels or finally start the Jessica Darling series.

I hope this post, which turned into more of an essay (my grad school professors would be so proud!), is a help for you bloggers and readers that find yourself in a reading slump.

In light of recent blogger-author controversial events, I also add my hope that everyone involved in the book world will take to heart why different people have different reactions to the same books, and not just respect those differences, but celebrate them as well. We all know that words are powerful, and we should use these words, whether written in books or in blogs, to create a community of understanding, support, creativity, and diversity.

Book Review: HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand

2012-01-13T21:56:00.000-06:00

Hallowed (Unearthly #1)

by Cynthia Hand

Release Date: Jan 17, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Format: ARC and Galley

Source: The fabulous Mindy at Magical Urban Fantasy Reads (THANK YOU, MINDY!!) and Netgalley

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her 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.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss.

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 5+

HALLOWED is one of those VERY RARE perfectly written 2nd books in a series! I loved, loved, loved it!

With middle books, I sometimes feel like all I am reading is filler to build up to the ending. This is just fine in some cases, but I am often left feeling like I could've skipped that middle course and gone straight to the final dessert. With HALLOWED, however, it was like eating a delicious appetizer, incredible main dish, and then I find out that the dessert is FREE! It was THAT good!

Cynthia Hand takes everything fabulous about UNEARTHLY and expands it perfectly. The characters are even richer and more dynamic. There is humor and heart and brilliantly written conflict. The plot is unique to itself while still building on book one. Any new world-building elements were implemented subtly and believably, instead of coming out of nowhere like some stories. I LOVED that we get to see more of the secondary characters and a few new faces, too. It is just really, really good!

Cynthia Hand is one of the sharpest writers I've ever read. There are often parts of books that I find myself skimming, or at least parts where I feel like reading every single word is not necessary. I am an impatient reader and will read a lot faster in those parts. But with Cynthia's writing, especially in HALLOWED, I am sucked into reading every word. I don't even want to skim! I don't know what you can call this in literary terms, so I'll just call it smart. She expounds when she needs to and summarizes when she doesn't, all the while weaving this incredible story and making you fall in love with the players in it.

Look at me sounding all technical! It's time to get FANGIRLY!!

TUCKER! TUCKER! TUCKER! TUCKER!!!! SQUEEEEE!!! *drool* *pant* *faint* *swoon* *sigh*

I fell in LOVE with Tucker in UNEARTHLY, and I love him even more in HALLOWED. While I have heard many early readers of HALLOWED have switched teams and fall for Christian, I am telling you right now that is it 100% possible to read HALLOWED and still LOVE TUCKER.

Consider it a test. Only those worthy of the rodeo-riding, oreo-scented, gentlemanly cowboy will be left standing on the Team Tucker side of the fence. Sure, I liked Christian more this time around, and I don't know who the better man for Clara is. But I do know that if Tucker came to life, I would jump right into Midas' saddle, and Tucker and I would ride that horse off into the sunset. I'd even be okay listening to country music. And that is saying something.

HALLOWED will be released on Tuesday, January 17th!! So giddyup on over to your indie bookseller, or Amazon, to preorder it NOW.

Waiting on Wednesday: ANGEL FIRE by L.A. Weatherly

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

At Fictitious Delicious, this week's most-anticipated read is...

ANGEL FIRE (Angel #2)

L.A. Weatherly

Publisher: Candlewick

Expected U.S. Release Date:

January 24 , 2012

In Book Two of L. A. Weatherly’s wildly romantic, action-packed trilogy, the angels are back with a vengeance . . . and they don’t have heaven in mind.

In the wake of the Second Wave, the angel menace has exploded, and Alex and Willow are on the lam. Willow’s prophetic dream points them to Mexico City, where they connect with a fledgling group of angel killers led by the exotically beautiful Kara, an Angel Killer from Alex’s past. But the team remains suspicious of Willow, even after the more-experienced Alex takes over as leader, training them hard for a rush attack on the Seraphic Council, or “The Twelve.” This elite group of all-powerful angels is also under the scrutiny of Willow’s angel-father, Raziel, who has his own sinister plan to defeat them.

What Willow hasn’t told Alex is that there was also a mysterious boy in her dream, one she felt overpoweringly attracted to. When brooding, gorgeous Seb shows up in the flesh, he turns out to be another—possibly the world’s only other—half angel. He’s been searching for Willow all his life, and when Alex enlists this rival to help keep Willow safe, he can’t predict what chemistry will pass between them . . . or how far Willow might go to keep Alex safe. Will their love endure or spell doomsday for the human race?

I recently reviewed the first book in L.A. Weatherly's Angel series, ANGEL BURN, over the weekend. And so I thought it very fitting to list ANGEL FIRE as the book I am waiting on this week! Although there were elements to ANGEL BURN that weren't my favorite, I think the sequel sounds very promising!! I've vowed to give the series another chance, and I'm really looking forward to delving into this scary and strange angel-filled world Weatherly has created.

ANGEL FIRE is already out in the U.K., but, according to Goodreads, it will be available for purchase on January 24th in the U.S.

Book Review: ANGEL BURN by L.A. Weatherly

2012-01-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Angel Burn (Angel #1)

by L.A. Weatherly

Release Date: May 24, 2011 (First published Sept 30, 2010)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal Collection

Willow knows she’s different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people’s dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces, and that he’s one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil. In the first book in an action-packed, romantic trilogy, L..A. Weatherly sends readers on a thrill-ride of a road trip - and depicts the human race at the brink of a future as catastrophic as it is deceptively beautiful.

They’re out for your soul . . . and they don’t have heaven in mind.

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 3.5

ANGEL BURN was a very different sort of angel book, and I really liked the idea and storyline. The idea behind the book is interesting to me, that angels are the opposite of their name, that being an angel does not mean you behave angelically. ANGEL BURN's angels are monsters that can control humans, but humans are obsessed and in love with them. This idea was deliciously creepy, and I loved the new take on good vs. evil.

However, for me, ANGEL BURN was missing that wow-factor. It's a really cool concept with pretty likable characters. But beyond that, there wasn't anything remarkable in the story. Nothing that really left me pondering and wondering and daydreaming about. And, unfortunately, the insta-love factor is pretty high. I enjoyed Willow and Alex's budding relationship up until they admitted their feelings for each other. Which was then followed by an awkward period of hiding out alone from the bad guys. I would have liked to see less pining "I-can't-live-without-you"'s and more... well, I don't know what exactly. Something that makes the relationship feel real because we see it's true, not because we're told it's true.

Regardless of this factor, which I know has more to do with reader preference, ANGEL BURN is a series I plan to continue, and a book that I think a lot of people will really enjoy! The sequel, ANGEL FIRE, is set to release in U.S. hardcover at the end of the month, and it offers a promising premise and more character development. I am very excited to see if ANGEL FIRE builds on the great things set up in ANGEL BURN. If so, this is definitely a series to read!

Reasons to Read HUNGER GAMES: A Middle Grade Perspective

2012-01-07T00:31:00.000-06:00

Olivia, our middle grade blogger, is back with a special report on one of her favorite series, THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins. Instead of reviewing the books, Olivia has decided to share with us some reasons she thinks the series should be read by those of you that still haven't picked them up and read them.

The first reason why you should read the Hunger Games is because it is a totally heart-warming story. To me, Katniss and Prim’s relationship is just how two sisters should act towards each other. The whole act of her volunteering so she wouldn’t get hurt, warmed my heart. Don’t even get me started on Katniss and Rue’s relationship! The way they helped each other out, even made their own song, was adorable.

The second reason to read the Hunger Games is the characters! Every character has their own unique personality. Cinna is special because he actually chose to represent district 12, even though no one wanted to design for the coal mining district. He made Katniss and Peeta look amazing on interview night. He invented the girl on fire. He stood out to Katniss.

The third reason to read this fantastic trio, is because it’s so suspenseful! My eyes were glued at the part in the cornucopia with Clove, Thresh and Katniss. I cried afterwards (Because I forgot to blink!) I would never, in any part in the story, willingly put the book down.

The last, but not least, reason to read the Hunger Games, is the movie! Have you seen the new, official trailer? It comes out in March of 2012. Thirty seconds into the trailer, and I’ve already got goose bumps! The interviews, the training segments, the parts with Haymitch, the reaping, It’s endless!

Here's that trailer just in case you live under a rock and haven't yet seen it. Or....here's the trailer just in case you love it as much as we do and you'd like to watch it again. (And again.) It's interesting to see the trailer contain all the elements that Olivia mentioned in her reasons to read the book. That girl knows her stuff, yo!

Thanks, Olivia, for reminding us how awesome this series is. We can't wait to see this movie!

"Kilt & Keeley" Kickoff Starts Tomorrow!

2012-01-04T21:51:00.000-06:00

Have you heard?

We, along with Brooke from Brooke Reports and Karen from For What It's Worth, set up a fan site for the SHADE series by Jeri Smith-Ready. And January is official KILT & KEELEY KICKOFF MONTH!

Giveaways, chats, interviews, trivia....enough fun to fill an entire potato bin!!

Check out the details here, and don't forget to grab the "K&K Kickoff Month" button for your blog!

BOOK REVIEW: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2012-01-04T21:27:00.000-06:00

The Scorpio Races

by Maggie Stiefvater

Release Date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: Audiobook & Hardcover
Source: Library & Personal Collection

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 5+

I have not read a book this beautiful in a long, long time.

One of the things I am ALWAYS impressed with is when an author can write very different books. THE SCORPIO RACES has everything fantastic about Maggie Stiefvater's writing, yet is so different than the SHIVER series. Despite being a big fan of SHIVER, and of Maggie herself, I waited a while to read this book. Maybe it was the cover (and I am *so ashamed* to admit this) but I kinda wrote it off as just a horse book.

THIS. IS. NOT. A. HORSE. BOOK.

At all.

Honestly? I can't even tell you what kind of a book this is...just that it's beautiful and different and so good that I cannot think of anything I did not like! It was magical without really being fantasy, and realistic without really being historical. THE SCORPIO RACES has a storyline that is as universal as it is unique. It is one of those books that I cannot stop thinking about, and that is just fine by me.

AND HOLY MOSES, this book has one of the most suspenseful scenes I've ever read (three boards, three nails, anyone?). And one of my most favorite heroines of all time. And one of my most favorite heroes of all time.

THE SCORPIO RACES is proof that young adult authors are producing some of the best books out there, and if I were on the ALA's Printz Award committee, I would not rest until Maggie's latest had that golden seal.

Anyone looking for an amazing, serious-but-not-stuffy, book that leaves an impression in your soul must read THE SCORPIO RACES.

Top 10 Books to Look Forward to in 2012

2011-12-30T00:41:00.000-06:00

We are happy to be participating in the "TOP 10 of 2011 A week of looking back... and looking forward" feature, hosted by Jessica @ Confessions of a Bookaholic, Lisa @ A Life Bound By Books, Rachel @ Fiktshun & Jaime & Patricia @ Two Chicks on Books. Today the topic is... eepp! Books to look forward to!!

There is nothing quite like waiting for a book you are DYING to read. It's like Christmas!! Only with Christmas, sometimes waiting and planning are more fun than the actual day. NOT SO, my friends, with book releases! They are the gifts that keep on giving!

Some books on my list are a given, but I HAVE to mention them. Others are books that may be new to you. If so, I hope you add them to your Goodreads To-Read list! But they are all books I am "looking forward to". And that is the understatement of the century.

To be fair, the following books are listed in order of their release date. I am SO excited to add to this list throughout 2012 and hopefully discover some fabulous debut authors, which I'm sure I will!

HALLOWED
(Unearthly #2)

by Cynthia Hand

Coming January 17th!

TUCKER, TUCKER, TUCKER! I can't help it. I have a thing for cowboys. (See Figure 1 below). And these books are the best angel series, hands down.

Figure 1: Dimitri Belikov and Jacksper on a Horse

Death in a Cowboy Duster himself!
Why yes, this DOES look a little like my checkbook cover...

EVERNEATH

by Brodi Ashton

Coming January 24th!

I have heard nothing but awesomesauce things about this debut book. Someone close to me won't shut up about it. But I don't want her to!

Everneath is most definitely a book I am looking forward to! TWO swoon worthy boys and a GORGEOUS cover! Can't wait!! (And I REALLY want that dress!)

FROI OF THE EXILES

(The Lumatere Chronicles)
by Melina Marchetta

Coming March 13th!

I am IN LOVE with Finnikin of the Rock (the boy AND the book), and this companion novel is going to be without-a-doubt amazing. Froi was one of the most unlikable characters in Finnikin. Count on Melina Marchetta to take on such a task!

Our Australian friends already have this book in their lucky hands, but March is the official U.S. release date.

Note: I would pay enormous amounts of money to meet Melina. I don't have enormous amounts of money, though, so until I do, I will continue to pray every night for a U.S. tour.

SPELL BOUND

(Hex Hall #3)

by Rachel Hawkins

Coming March 13th!

Team Archer? Team Cal? Team ARCHAL!!

I have a teensy tiny (okay HUGE) crush on Rachel Hawkins. Just go on Goodreads and look at quotes from her books. This woman amazes me with her HILARITY!

Those of you on Twitter, do you recall #WhatEdwardGoogled? That, my friends, was Rachel Hawkins.

(*pokes Jen* *pokes Jen again*)

If you haven't picked up this series yet, DO IT. A seriously FUN read!

SHINE

(Shade #3)

by Jeri Smith-Ready

Coming May 1st!

"Wait?! Really?! You're excited for SHINE?!" I know you guys are thinking this. But it's TRUE! Jen and I are completely 100% justified in our obsession with this series. Not to mention our obsession with Jeri Smith-Ready. Or our obsession with every single member of Team Kilt.

Not only has this series provided some of the best experiences of my life (mostly because of all the FABULOUS friends I've made), but it's really, really, really, REALLY good, too!

Jeri's writing is the perfect mix of humor, romance, suspense, angst, and every flavor you can think of that is good in a book. Plus, she loves her fans. YOU ROCK, JERI!

INSURGENT

(Divergent #2)

by Veronica Roth

Coming May 1st!

It goes without saying that DIVERGENT was one of the best books of 2011, so of course we are looking forward to INSURGENT!

I am SO excited to see where Veronica Roth takes this series, what happens to Tris and Four, and see more train jumping! Plus, I'm really hoping for an Insurgent Road Trip to follow our Divergent Road Trip from last year!

SECOND CHANCE SUMMER

by Morgan Matson

Coming May 8th!

Morgan is the author of the fabulous "2011 YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults" listed AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR. She is a fantastic comtemporary YA author and I am very, very much looking forward to more books from her, beginning with SECOND CHANCE SUMMER. Here's a synopsis, yo!

Taylor's family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then Taylor's dad gets devastating news that changes everything. Her parents decide that the family will spend the summer together at their old vacation home in the Pocono Mountains.
Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he's much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.
As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them are very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

THE GOLDEN LILY

(Bloodlines #2)

by Richelle Mead

Coming June 19th!

Well, hello there. I'm Fauxchelle and I'm taking over for Amy so I can tell you why she is so excited for THE GOLDEN LILY in 2012. The first reason is because of a certain someone who appears in the last two lines of BLOODLINES. The second reason is because it will be a resurrection of moi, Fauxchelle Mead. And the third reason is...well...do you really need a reason to be excited about the second installment of of the VAMPIRE ACADEMY spin-off series? No, you really don't. It's just a given fact.

ENSHADOWED

(Nevermore #2)

by Kelly Creagh

Expected August 28th!

Just when you didn't think a book where a cheerleader falls in love with a goth boy would ever exist...BAM, along comes NEVERMORE. Add to this odd mix the even odder mix of Edgar Alan Poe, and you're in for a creepily fantastic treat.

I loved NEVERMORE, and it's sequel, ENSHADOWED, is finally coming after a 2 year wait! August is just TOO long to wait! But of course I'll do it. Cause it'll be too good not to.

ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER

by Stephanie Perkins

Coming Fall 2012!

Heck, I'm even excited to see the COVER of ISLA! Stephanie Perkins can do NO WRONG in my book. Plus, ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER has the serious potential of adding yet another Book Boyfriend to my list, along side Cricket Bell (*Amy swoons*) and Etienne St. Clair (*Jen swoons*). And don't forget our fabulous Book Girlfriends Anna and Lola, too! Our love for them just might beat our love for their boys.

AND THATS ALL, FOLKS! Oh, except I will mention my reading goal, too, since that's what the awesome originators of this feature are also doing. I met and exceeded my goal of 104 books this year, bringing a whopping total of 111 books! I don't think this is any coincidence that 2011 was also my best year yet. And the last year in my 20's. But I've heard the 30's are even better!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! WE LOVE YOU!

Top 10 Characters in 2011

2011-12-29T00:15:00.000-06:00

Top 10 Characters in 2011

Today we're going to show love to some of our favorite secondary characters of books read in 2011. We swoon over our favorite main characters all the time so today we're giving mad props to the ones that shine in the background.

Excepting for the number 1 spot, these characters are in no particular order:

10. Taggle from PLAIN KATE by Erin Bow. I loved Taggle! Not afraid to admit that he was my favorite character from that story. MEOW!

9. Megan from SHIFT by Jeri Smith-Ready. I wish that I had Megan as my BFF in high school. Instead I got a BFF that made out with my boyfriend. That's just something Megan wouldn't do.

8. Kristen from A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford. Kristen is tough, yo! She certainly gives Eden a run for the money in the "Holy Crap. Do not piss this person off" department.

7. Ansel from NIGHTSHADE. I'd like to trade my real brother for Ansel, okay? Wait, would it be okay to crush on your own brother? No? Alright, never mind then.

6. Nathan and Andy from LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR. I couldn't pick just one of them so I gave this spot to both of these fine gentlemen. Best. Parents. Ever.

5. Magnus from CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS. I love a guy who can pull off guyliner! Plus, Magnus is sensitive, caring, sweet and BAD ASS.

4. Daniel from THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER. Hmmm. I picked another brother. (I'm trying really hard not to over analyze this) The loyalty of this boy is enviable.

3. Susannah from THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY. When I grow up I want to be just like Susannah. Her influence on all the other characters in this series shows how incredibly important strong secondary characters can be.

2. Rowdy from THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. Hey, Rowdy is not a nice guy, but this isn't a list of just of nice secondary characters. You will be thinking about Rowdy for a long time after reading this book.

1. Neville Longbottom from HARRY POTTER Series. Oh, Neville. I love you. I dream about you. I dress up and pretend to be Luna on Friday afternoons just to feel close to you. Dudes, I LOVE NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM. I mean, his courage to stand up to his friends won the House Cup for Gryffindor in year one. I think they should rename the series the Neville Longbottom series. (Ok, that's going too far. Maybe.)

These top 10 lists are a great way to reminisce on the books we've read this year and have been a lot of fun to do. Share your favorite characters with us in the comments. Please?

Top 10 Book Boyfriends in 2011

2011-12-28T00:15:00.000-06:00

We are happy to be participating in the "TOP 10 of 2011 A week of looking back... and looking forward" feature, hosted by Jessica @ Confessions of a Bookaholic, Lisa @ A Life Bound By Books, Rachel @ Fiktshun & Jaime & Patricia @ Two Chicks on Books. Today we're talking about boys!

*gasp!*

Our schedules don't allow us to do an official post for today's Top 10 of 2011. BOOOOOOO!

But Jen DID have time to post one picture while baking pizza for the kids. So, while we can't post all 10 of our favorite book boyfriends right now...I give you our #1 book boyfriend. He's a little camera shy, so this was the best picture we could get of him. We think you'll still know who he is.

Photo from Patrick Burns MySpace page (www.myspace.com/patrick.burns)

You're not surprised, right? Zachary Moore is my favorite book boyfriend 4EVER.

THE END

Since you're here, you should tell us who had you drooling all over yourself this year. We'd like to drool along with you.

See you all tomorrow when we'll be talking about our Top 10 Characters.

Top 10 Book Covers of 2011

2011-12-27T01:12:00.000-06:00

Top 10 Book Covers of 2011

Someone once said you should never judge a book by its cover. That is darn near impossible when there are so many great books vying for our attention. I personally DO judge a book by its cover and these are ten that caught my attention this year.

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris - Look at those succulent lips coated with...sugar? Salt? Oh, who knows but it looks really cool!

Bunheads by Sophie Flack - The symmetric artistry of this cover makes my analytic brain so very happy!

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles - You put a hot, wet couple kissing in a shower on a cover and I will instantly love it. Thank you, cover designer.

Crossed by Ally Condie - The simplicity of this cover and the message it conveys makes me want to cheer out loud!

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater - I'm not sure I've ever seen a set of covers match a series so perfectly. I can only use the word beautiful to describe this cover.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter - The temperature in the room goes up several degrees by just looking at this cover. Love the tone it sets.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire - Wait, what? Am I....is this....upside down ways? It's like you buy a book, you get a free puzzle! YAY!

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma - If I were to ever write a book (relax, I won't) THIS is what I would hope for in a cover. This is just striking.

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick - I've loved every single one of the covers in the Hush, Hush series & this is certainly no exception. Spread those wings, Patch!

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff - I GOL'ed (gasped out loud) when I saw this cover. Who knew steel could be so...gorgeous! Love the deep red colors, too!

*SPONTANEOUS FLASHBACK*

Let's go back in time and take a peek at some of the covers that were hitting the scene 100 years ago, shall we?

TOP Book Covers of 1911

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton - I'm thinking this may have been the inspiration behind the Chain Reaction cover. *eyebrow waggle*

The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce - Whoa. Is that the lead singer of Slipknot?!?!

Jennie Gerhard by Theodore Dreiser

The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes by Beatrix Potter

The Secret Garden by Frances-Hodgson Burnett

The Outcry by Henry James

The Sea Fairies by L. Frank Baum - The cover is creepilicious. And I love it.

Phil the Fiddler by Horatio Alger, Jr

The Book of Baseball - Looks like Google suckered me in on this one. *sigh* This one wasn't published in 1911, sorry. Please move along to the next cover.

The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery

What book covers caught your attention this year? Do share.

Book Review: CLOCKWORK PRINCE by Cassandra Clare

2011-12-26T00:30:00.000-06:00

Clockwork Prince

(The Infernal Devices #2)

by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: December 6, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal Collection

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Fictitious Delicious Rating (by Amy): 4

Yes, despite my memories of “Zach vs. Jace” in the YA Sisterhood Crush Tourney, I love and have always loved Cassie Clare’s work. I am very proud that I read the Mortal Instruments from the very beginning and feel very proud of Cassie and all her success. She offers something unique to the YA genre and still continues to be one of the most successful third person POV writers in YA fiction, in my opinion anyway. I love her dark, urban settings and mix of genres and myths. And those Shadowhunter boys make me swoon!

And now what could be better than Cassie Clare doing Victorian London?! I really, really liked CLOCKWORK ANGEL and was so, so, excited for CLOCKWORK PRINCE. Maybe it was because of my high expectations for both the series and Cassie, but I was left a bit disappointed with this book. Here is why:

Spoiler-Free:

Despite the historical aspects in the book (locations, styles, etc), readers do have to suspend their belief for the clockwork creatures and Shadowhunter world. So why, then, does Tessa have to be the one conventional, slightly stereotypical Victorian character in the series? I would really, really like to see Tessa ditch her Victorian notions of propriety and modesty, because while she thinks about them, she does not act them. And then afterward, there is the inner monologue about what so-and-so must think of her, etc, etc, and it feels contrived. If Tessa really is conflicted, I would’ve liked to see this more, and use it as a source of character development for Tessa, to either strengthen her current moral beliefs, or to show her progress to a new ‘school of thought’. I want her to own her feelings and convictions and show me she is a thinker and can take charge of her life, no matter what she chooses.

Okay, now for the SPOILERS:

I was SO mad at the ending! First of all, I love Jem and Will equally. Okay, I might love Jem a tad bit more…it’s the violin that gets me, and I have a penchant for the Underdog. But I think Jem and Will are really very similar. Will’s walls are to keep people out, to keep people from loving him. But Jem has walls, too. Maybe even greater ones than Will, because Jem’s walls are practically imperceptible. He is in constant pain and never shows it. He leads people to believe that he is content and happy, when he really is not. But Jem does all this quietly, behind the scenes, so that not even Will knows it.

So finally, FINALLY, Jem gets some love and happiness! I was SO excited! To me, his story is the intriguing one. I loved getting to know Jem better. I felt that Tessa’s feeling for Jem were sincere, too, and they made each other happy.

Then, Will's reveals his curse-that-is-not-really-a-curse and declares his love for Tessa (which was a bit anticlimactic). The last few chapters felt so different to me. Although Tessa is committed to Jem and says she loves him, her thoughts almost take on a pitying nature. Tessa's narration turns into worrying about Jem being happy and not ruining things for Jem, as if their engagement is only for Jem's happiness and not her own. Of course, I knew the whole Will revelation at the end would throw a wrench in everything, but I did not think it would change the whole tone of Tessa and Jem's relationship. I understand the necessary conflict, both for Tessa and for the storyline, but I felt Tessa's implications went a bit too far and turned Jem into a pitiable character, which he SHOULD NOT be.

However, I LOVED the Sophie story line! And I have to say I FINALLY get the Magnus appeal! How poignant and insightful and fantastic were some of those Magnus moments?! He, more than anyone, made me intrigued for the third book, especially knowing that Clary sees him and Tessa talking together in CITY OF GLASS. There is definitely more story here, people, and I am anxiously waiting to read it!

(But Tessa, dear, just own those hormones already!)

Solstice Surprise Revealed

2011-12-21T02:35:00.000-06:00

You all know we have a bit of an obsession with a certainSHADE book series. But you may not haverealized just how obsessed we are until today.

See, we crossed the boundary from silent stalker to publicpronouncer of crazy love when we decided to advocate for Zachary Moore in theYA Crush Tournament. We sent our veryfirst email EVER to Jeri on July 5, 2011 to give her an update on our defenseof Zach during the tournament. Thatemail contained the seed that sprouted into our big announcement today. Take a look at an excerpt of that email:

While "researching" our currentproject, we realized that SHADE fans don't have one place to go to get all theessential facts for the series. There are lots of really cool sites withbits and pieces, but we think there should be a fansite dedicated to all thingskilt and Keeley. How would you feel about a fan run website dedicated tothe SHADE series? (Editedto remove crudeness. *shakes head atJen*)

And then…

Five and a half months later…

Amy, Jen, Karen, Brooke and Mike are all very excited tointroduce you to…

www.kiltandkeeley.com

The SHADE Series Fansite

*Due to conflicts with the Department of Metaphysical Purity (code for 'technical difficulties') the site is located at www.kiltandkeeley.com/kiltsandkeeleys until further notice*

Now, understand that this is NOT a finished product. Heck, itprobably never will be. Design is sure to change. Existing content will be further edited andadditional content will be added. BUT! Now is the time to show youjust how much we love this fandom. Please go look around and let us know if we’ve done you right.

TGIF {8}

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by GReads! to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for followers.

This week's question: Most Popular: What blog post has gotten the most comments/activity on your blog this year?

Weighing in at 6100 hits and 250 comments, the post the received the most activity this year was our exclusive cover reveal of SHINE and the paperback re-design of SHADE and SHIFT, all by Jeri-Smith Ready. It was such an honor to host Jeri for the big reveal and we were excited to see so much support in the post comments. That was an exciting week for us here at Fictitious Delicious!

We appreciate each and every person that takes the time to read any post on our book blog on a stick! Be sure to let us know you're here. We love to hear from you. Like, a lot.

Happy Friday!

Here's what happened on the blog this week:

Jen reviewed EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton. Be sure to check this post out...there's a signed bookmark giveaway running until Sunday night!

Jen shared WANDERLOVE as her most anticipated read for this weeks' Waiting on Wednesday

Amy urged readers to cast their votes for #AuraFTW in the YA Heroine Tourney

VOTE AURA in the YA Sisterhood's Tournament of Heroines!

2011-12-14T13:25:00.000-06:00

IT'S TOURNEY TIME AGAIN!

This time around, we've got the super hot, super loyal, super strong (inside and out) heroines of the YA world. Really, you can't go wrong with any of them. But our girl AURA SALVATORE from the Shade series is running, and we're waving the #AuraFTW banner high!

Brooke at Brooke Reports is her advocate and wrote an amazing defense for Aura. (No Doubt remix anyone?!) Plus, Zachary Moore and Logan Keeley say you should, and they are rather adorable when they work together. Another reason to vote Aura? Because her advocate Brooke and her creator Jeri Smith-Ready are two of Fictitious Delicious's favorite people in the whole wide world!!

And in case you don't speak fangirl, let me break it down for you:

Head on over HERE to vote TODAY! Polls close at 12:01 am, CST, December 15th! Your grandchildren will thank you for it someday. And so will Mr. Kilt and Mr. Keeley.

Waiting on Wednesday: WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

At Fictitious Delicious, this week's most-anticipated read is...

Wanderlove

Kirsten Hubbard

Publisher:
HarperTeen

Expected Release Date:

March 13, 2012

It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.
But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry into this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story. (Summary from Goodreads)

Once upon a time I was a 22 year old girl who was told to stop being so serious about life and go travel the world before I settled into my very important career. I laughed at those people and felt sorry for their poor ideals. Fifteen years later, I'm the one dishing out that same advice to any young folk who will listen to me. NOT traveling to Europe and Asia when I was 22 is one of the only regrets I have in my life so you can imagine my excitement to read a book about a girl that DOES take the advice I wish I would have. I look forward to living vicariously through Bria Sandoval as she goes off the beaten path.

Kirsten Hubbard is SO SWEET and sent us a big handful of signed bookmarks for WANDERLOVE. We'll be giving away the loot with our review of this book in February 2012. Look for it!

What book are YOU waiting on?

Book Review: EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

2011-12-12T23:00:00.000-06:00

Everneath (Everneath #1)

by Brodi Ashton

Release Date: January 24, 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray

Format: ARC

Source: Me, My Shelf and I Book Tour

Get it: Anderson's Bookshops,

Amazon, B &N and don’t forget your local library!

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's... (Summary from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 5+

Review Attempt 1:

OMG! I LOVED THIS BOOK. I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I WANT TOMARRY THIS BOOK! I WANT TO HAVE BABIES WITH THIS BOOK!

Review Attempt 2:

I started reading this book one Saturday morning inNovember and put it down that same November evening. I literally could NOT put this book down. Although to be fair to myself…I DID put a coupleloads of laundry away between chapters.

I went into reading this story thinking it was a retelling of theHades/Persephone myth. It’s not. ThenI read a review that said it was a retelling of the Orpheus/Eurydice myth. After I Googled their story (Don’t laugh atme. Mythology is not my strong suit), I feel prettyconfident in telling you that this is NOT a retelling of that myth either. There are elements of these myths in EVERNEATH,but you know what it really is? Brodi Ashton’s tale of AWESOMESAUCE. <-------Technical terminology.

Our heroine, Becks, makes a bad, bad, bad decision in amoment of overwhelming emotional pain. That decision isone that should have changed her life irrevocably, but the power of lovepresents a chance for Becks to return to her old life to right some wrongs andsay goodbye to those she loves. For good.

Enter Jack Caputo.

Oh, Jack. Poor heartbroken,patient Jack who loves Becks so much that he is willing to put aside his ownneeds and questions just to make her feel comfortable when she returns to herlife. Jack, who pines for Becks in a waythat will make your heart swell and make you want to turn on a power ballad by Air Supply.(I’d like to apologize in advance before you click that link. You still loveme, right?) The connection between thesetwo is undeniable. (You hear that, Jaime? UN-DE-NIABLE) Their story is a love story that feels trueand sincere. But it’s not perfect.

Enter Cole.

There’s another boy named Cole. He’s the bad boy. He’s alright, but he’s notJack. THE END.

Alright, fine, there’s more to him. But you’ll have to visit Jaime over at TwoChicks to see why Cole is THE man. Moreon that in just a minute. Right now Iwant you all to go pre-order this book. I’m predicting HUGE THINGS for this book and you’ll want the goodnessthat is EVERNEATH as soon as possible. You can pre-order by clicking the links up there at the top of this blogpost.

Not yet convinced? Try this on for size. Brodishared an extra extended scene of EVERNEATH with Colleen Houck during the YAScavenger Hunt a few weeks back. ClickHERE to enjoy said scene. No spoilers are contained in this scene, but kissingis. RAWR!

But wait! Before youleave, we have a little giveaway for you. Brodi sent us one signed EVERNEATH bookmark (OK, it was two but I’mkeeping one :) and we want YOU to have it. Comment on this post and include your email address. We’ll pick a random winner on Tuesday,December 20. Open internationally.

OK, NOW go check out Jaime’s review of EVERNEATH. She and I are posting dueling reviews todaybecause for the first time ever, we find ourselves on opposite teams. She’s a Cole fan and I play for Team Jack. Check out her delicious review by clicking HERE. Then you should tweet her (@arnoldjaime13) and tell her how fantastic Jack is. Heck, tell Brodi, too! (@brodiashton) I'm sure they'd both be happy to hear from you.

One last thing: I’mreal sorry about that Air Supply video. You know I didn’t really mean it,right? Here. To make up for that nasty reference,I give you this: A much better song by boys that are infinitely better looking. And from this century.

TGIF {7}

2011-12-02T01:37:00.001-06:00

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by GReads! to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for followers.

This week's question: Writing Reviews 101: What's your process for writing book reviews? Any tips or suggestions you would recommend to other bloggers?

I have a very strict process that I follow while writingbook reviews and I’m happy to share it with you all today! Please note: Good results are not guaranteed.

Boil water in teapot
Turn on Hip Hop Playlist in Spotify. The one with LOTS of Brit Brit.
Open up Microsoft Word
Check Twitter
Go check on water in teapot and realize that ALL the water has turned into steam and evaporated. (wait. Is that the correct scientific process? Probably.)
Put more water in teapot and wait in kitchen for the water to boil
Check Twitter on phone while waiting for water to boil
Pour water over decaffeinated tea bag
Set mug down on desk and go upstairs to reassure daughter that ghosts are not going to sneak in and take her soul in the middle of the night.
Go back downstairs and open mail
Check Twitter
Take phone call from Mom
Sit down and start writing review
a. Open Blogger, Goodreads & a third tab in Google Chrome.
b. Type nonsense into Word until something appropriate appears.
c. Check Twitter
d. Create new post using review format in Blogger.
e. Link up author webpage, update purchase links & link to references
f. Bring in book cover and summary from Goodreads
g. Copy and paste final review from Word
h. Check Twitter
i. Preview that bad boy
j. Change format 10 times because Word sucks
k. Schedule post

As you can see from this formal process, writing reviews istime consuming.

The most difficult partfor me is 13b. Sometimes a review flowsout of the keyboard at the speed of light and other times I stare at a blankdocument in Word wondering why I ever wanted to be a blogger in the firstplace. It can be super frustrating! My word of advice: write anyway.

Free writing for 10 or 15 minutes can get meinto the groove I needed. Remember,your readers only see what you publish. Not the junk you have to sometimes have to write to get there. (Hey! I heard that. But, yeah. Some of my reviews are junk. It’s okay. I’m cool with that.)

Happy Friday, sweets!

Here's what happened on the blog this week:

Indecisive Jen makes a plea to readers in a Candy Box Confession

Jen shared BITTERBLUE as her most anticipated read for this weeks' Waiting on Wednesday

Amy reviewed SHATTERED SOULS by Mary Lindsey

Amy reviewed CHAIN REACTION by Simone Elkeles

Candy Box Confession: Indecisive Jen

2011-12-01T00:15:00.000-06:00

YAY! It’s confessiontime!

Guys. I *think* I am the most indecisive person inthe world. Weeeelll, maybe not...

I’m that girl that fills her cart with stuff at Target and thendecides to put it all back because I don’t really NEED it. I’ve been known to walk through a bookstorewith a pile of books only to return them all to their shelves because I feellike I’ll end up neglecting them with the rest of my TBR pile on mybookshelves. Then I’ll go back and pickthem up all over again because I love them all so much and can’t help but bringthem home. It’s this exact type of behaviorthat leads me to my current dilemma. What the hell do I read next?

I have six books that I MUST READ before the clock strikesmidnight on January 1. That means I haveroom for four more books to read. BUTWHICH FOUR? There are 320 incrediblebooks on my TBR pile to choose from. Dudes. This PARALYSES me withindecision. So I did what I should reallydo with all major life decisions…I went to Twitter.

Twitter was very helpful, BUT! There is still a lot to choose from. This is where you come in, oh loyalfollowers. YOU get to decide what fourbooks will round out my 2011 reading list!

Here are the books that I MUST read before the end of theyear:

A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
Clockwork Prince by Cassie Clare
Unpublished novel 1
Unpublished novel 2

Here are the books our fabulous Twitter followers suggestedI read. Leave a comment with yoursuggestion and the top four will land the last four spots on my "Read in 2011" list. Please choose only from this list.

Let’s hear it--I’manxious to hear what my final four books for 2011 will be! The four books with the most votes on Sunday night make the cut. Thanks, guys!

Waiting on Wednesday: BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-06:00

At Fictitious Delicious, this week's most-anticipated read is...

Bitterblue (The Seven Kingdoms #3)

Kristin Cashore

Publisher:
Dial

Expected Release Date:

May 1, 2012

Bitterblue is a companion book to both Graceling and Fire and takes place in the seven kingdoms eight years after Graceling. This third book will tie all three books together in some way. Bitterblue is the sixteen-year-old protagonist, and Katsa, Po, Giddon, Helda and other characters from Graceling will be part of the fabric of the book. (Summary from Goodreads)

Holy wow! This book doesn't hit shelves until May 2012, but when I saw that Katsa and Fire both made it into the YA Heroine Tourney I was reminded of how much I LOVED THOSE BOOKS! Especially GRACELING. I'm so very excited to go back and visit Katsa & Po and see what kind of fabulous young lady dear Bitterblue has turned out to be. (Did you notice her in the background of the cover?!?) SQUEE!

I'm going to place a bet that this book opens up with Katsa & Po finally coming out of their secret love cave just in time for our favorite princess to be crowned queen. (er, wait. She already IS queen, right?) Ok, opening scene is Katsa & Po coming out of their secret love cave to go fight some bad guys for the child queen. Either way, Po will be wet. THE END.

Looks like this book is measuring in at 576 pages, yo. Might have to take a few days to devour this one. That's a LOT of goodness.

What book are YOU waiting on?

Book Review: SHATTERED SOULS by Mary Lindsey

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-06:00

Shattered Souls (Shattered Souls #1)

by Mary Lindsey

Release Date: December 8, 2011

Publisher: Philomel/Penguin

Format: ARC

Source: The Babe-a-licious Brooke at Brooke Reports (THANK YOU, BROOKE!)

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger.

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon. (from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 4

SHATTERED SOULS is a very exciting new series with a veryexciting new take on the paranormal! Ina very small way, this book reminded me of the premise in ANGELFIRE (girl whois reincarnated over and over in order to fulfill her mission, only this time,she doesn’t remember any of her past lives). Only in SHATTERED SOULS, Lenzi is not a kick-buttfighter; she’s a kick-butt soul rescuer. And with the help of her trusty (and hot) side-kick/body guard (andpossible love interest?), she’s got some pretty awesome abilities.

What I loved most about this book was the pacing. The story was intriguing and revealed bits ofinformation with perfect timing. Perfect,like when you are turning pages fast to find some answers, but you get littlebits here and there. The opposite wouldbe throwing the book across the room because you’re frustrated and tired ofwaiting. You know it happens, true?

Ialso loved the secondary characters. Itmakes me SO happy when a book has really awesome, well-developed side characters!

Because this is the kind of story that relies on asuspenseful, mystery-type plot, I can’t say anything else without spoiling, butthis book is perfect for readers waiting for a new fictional boy to fall inlove with, a great new paranormal world to explore, and strong, creativewriting to back it all up!

SHATTERED SOULS will be released DECEMBER 8^th!! Woot, woot!! This one is worth a preorder, which you can do here.

Book Review: CHAIN REACTION by Simone Elkeles

2011-11-26T00:01:00.000-06:00

Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3)

by Simone Elkeles

Release Date: August 16, 2011

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge? (from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 3.5

CHAIN REACTION is the last book in the Perfect Chemistryseries, which I started about a year ago. I’ve really enjoyed the chronicles of the Fuentes brothers, especially Alexand Bethany. What I thought would be anextremely cheesy, fluffy read turned out to be a moving, powerful story aboutfirst love, status, and gangs. And thefact that this was West Side Story in YA book form? Yeah, that sealed the deal for me!

I was a tad bit disappointed with CHAIN REACTION. I thought the story was about the “good”Fuentes brother finding a girl that was “bad”. Like it would be the first two books, only in reverse, and I was reallyexcited for it! I was wrong, though, and Luis’s story is very similar to hisbrothers’. But there are only so manytimes you can tell that story. Andsadly, the differences that did exist felt a bit sensationalized. I missed the sincerity of the first twobooks. This one leaned more towards thesoap opera side, which worked in moderation before, but came on too strong forthis last book.

However, the “chemistry” that has always been a showcase inthe series does not disappoint! Um,hello, did you SEE that cover?? And of course we get the HEA epilogue, whichturns out to be an epilogue of the entire series, cheesy as always, but hey, Ican’t help but like it! (I know, I know!)

Not my favorite book in the series, but a very fitting endto the Fuentes brothers’ stories.

But before I end, let me leave you with one very delicious treat...

Alex, Carlos, and Luis Fuentes

You're welcome.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-06:00

I know this time of year is all about the important things, but I stand firm in the belief that laughing and enjoying life ARE important!

So, while pondering the question "What am I most thankful for?", I immediately thought of the amazing experiences I have had this year. And all of these experiences involve either friends, books, or (my favorite)... friends and books.

Lets take a look at the top 5, in no particular order:

1. Starting Fictitious Delicious!

There is NO END to the fun and excitement of blogging. Especially when you are partners with...err, blog partners with... one of the most hilarious, generous, supportive girls on the planet.

Honestly, being an adult sucked until I met the most amazing group of friends, and blogging with one of them is like the best. thing. ever.

Here's my Fictitious Delicious Rating for you, Jennifer St. Rand!!!

2. The Rise of Fauxchelle Mead!

I am STILL SHOCKED that more than a few people actually got our humor and loved Fauxchelle as much as we loved playing her! And to have the real Richelle Mead love us, too? Amazing. The whole blizzard book signing/Fauxchelle/Richelle experience will be one of my most favorite, memorable experiences ever.

And if you have NO CLUE what I'm talking about, I encourage you to read all about Fauxchelle Mead here. Fauxchelle even has a Facebook fan page. Not kidding. And I swear we didn't start it!

3. Autism Advocacy (or how I gave a speech in front of 700 people)!

One of these days I will do a hugely long post on Autism, but for now I'll just say I have two boys on the autism spectrum and I have been blessed to tell our family's story in a lot of amazing ways, including radio interviews and, the latest, an annual fundraising gala. I was one of the most incredible things I've ever done, and highlighted by the fact that I got a FREE table for 10!

Nikki, Lynna, Amy & Jen

Did we look smokin' or what?!

2. Divergent Road Trip!

Why yes, yes we did take a Divergent Road Trip to Chicago!

Okay, we were already planning on visiting Chicago with friends, but Jen and I fell in love with DIVERGENT and couldn't wait to see all the sites (sadly one of the sites we wanted to see, but didn't, was Four). There is nothing like celebrating a great book, especially when one of us (cough*JEN*cough) is afraid of heights. But we were sure dauntless that day, right?

1. YA Crush Tourney and Team Kilt!

There are just some experiences that you cannot put into words. Especially when they involve fictional Scottish underdogs, an author that ROCKS, and made-of-awesome book fans. Team Kilt will forever and always be near to my heart! TEAM KILT FOREVER!

(And if, again, you have no idea what I'm talking about, you can stop laughing at me and read all about it here.)

Leave a comment below and tell us what experiences you have had that you are most thankful for! Jen and I wish you all a...

(Because nothing says 'Thanksgiving' like a bouncing cartoon turkey.)

Waiting on Wednesday: TRY NOT TO BREATHE by Jennifer R. Hubbard

2011-11-16T00:30:00.000-06:00

At Fictitious Delicious, this week's most-anticipated read is...

Try Not to Breathe

Jennifer R. Hubbard

Publisher:
Viking

Expected Release Date:

January 19, 2012

A dark and provocative novel from the author of The Secret Year

Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again.

Jennifer R. Hubbard has created a riveting story about a difficult but important subject.

I recently put this on the TBR pile to further feed my crush on YA contemporary novels. There's something about the emotional roller coaster that my WHOLE BODY goes through when a well written contemp lands in my hands that keeps me coming back for more. TRY NOT TO BREATHE looks like it will be no exception. Two teens coming together fresh off some really dark moments in their life? Grab the tissue, folks. Sounds like a doozie. OH! And do you not just LOVE the "Jen Approved" cover? I DO!

Book Review: IT'S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han

2011-11-15T13:14:00.001-06:00

It's Not Summer Without You (Summer #2)

by Jenny Han

Release Date: April 27, 2010

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library

Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.

But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach.

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 5+

Jen reviewed the first book in the Summer series, THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY, back in September, and I immediatly put these Summer books on my TBR. Generally, Jen and I try to split up the awesome-book-list so we have more material for the blog. We have found, however, that some books are an exception. These Summer books were one of those exceptions. Hands-down. They just had to be read by both of us. So here is my take on IT'S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU:

First of all, these summer books are bipolar! I'm up, I'm down, I'm angsty, I'm in love...it's incredible, really!

Second of all,

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.

The series as a whole is great and a must-read for lovers of YA contemp romance, but this one was my particular favorite of the three. It was the perfect mix of high's and low's (I already said these books are bi-polar). I liked the alternating narratives, and I liked that there was no obvious "bad guy" or "good guy". It just explored the complexities of families, death, cancer, love, life-long friends, changing relationships, parental issues, etc, etc. I REALLY loved Belly, Jer, and Conrad in this one and felt like they were very authentic. They made my heart ACHE and SOAR alternately, and I loved every minute of it!

Belly reminds me so much of myself at that age. Although she's a lot more daring than I was, I could really identify with her wanting to grow up and be treated more like a woman than a girl. And her second-guessing everything and her worry about teenager things. It was spot-on (and therefore not always pleasant for me, lol)!

Conrad is a great complex character, and I really wasn't ever sure HOW he was feeling. Love, love, love CONRAD! (And it's even more funny because I was in Bye Bye, Birdie in 10th grade.)

Han does this fabulously annoying thing where she includes a small snippet of a story from the next book, and it is VERY cryptic and drives you crazy! But you know, I love to get emotionally involved with books, so it worked great for me! :)

This book is perfect for fans of YA contemporary romance and coming-of-age stories. When the weather turns icy and cold, these Summer books are a perfect remedy!

Book Review: TOUCH by Jus Accardo

2011-11-14T06:30:00.000-06:00

Touch (Denazen #1)

by Jus Accardo

Release Date: November 1, 2011

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Format: ARC

Source: NetGalley

Get it: Anderson's Bookshops, Amazon, B&N and don’t forget your local library!

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect. (Summary from Goodreads)

Fictitious Delicious Rating: 4.5

This debut novel is one that will have you asking forseconds. Like, right away.

Jus Accardo has delivered a story that will appeal toreaders who like their books packed with action, suspense, twists and turns andROMANCE. Oh, yes. Sweet, sweet romance and delicious kisses stolen in themiddle of the night. Kisses that should noteven be possible. Kisses that result in acceleratedheartbeats and bodies smooshing together. Kisses that turn even the most spurned heart soft. This book is “JenApproved” as Amy likes to say about books that score high in hawt kissingscenes. *clears throat* Sorry. Where wasI? Oh, right. A book review.

The action in this book starts right away and rarely quits. As a matter of fact, I had to re-read a fewscenes to be sure I caught the entire goings on. Lots and lots of stuff happensin a relatively short read. Pay attention to be sure you catch it all. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a more excitingending sequence! This book would translate to film well. Women ANDmen would go gaga over it.

I really loved that the reader gets backstories of the maincharacters weaved into the current story line. That kind of writing almost always makes for more interesting reading. The voice of Dez is a fun one to readthrough. She brings sassy to a new leveland speaks/thinks in a similar way that I do. In that way, it was easy to identify withher. At the same time, it was hard tobelieve she is a teenager at many points along the story. (Or wait. Does that just mean I'm a teenager in a grownup body? Hmmm. *makes appointment with therapist*)

There is a fantastic build up to book two at the ending ofthis first installment. There's not acliffhanger necessarily but there’s enough of a “gotcha” hook to make you anxiousto get your hands on the sequel.

All in all, a solid debut novel by an author that I look forward to reading again!

WVMP Chat with Jeri Smith-Ready

2011-11-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

Wooooo Hoooooo! Monday, 11/14/11 is almost here!

Wanna know why Fictitious Delicious, Living-Fictitiously, What’s on the Bookshelf, and And Many to Read Before I Sleep are smiling from ear to ear and flipping cart wheels? Do you?

*drum roll…………………………………….*

Jeri Smith-Ready will be video chatting with us live on Google+ hangout at 8pm CST about the FANGtabulous WVMP Radio Series!!! Jen D. from What’s on the Bookshelf will be hosting this radical event from 8pm – 9pm CST.

If you do not have a Google+ account, set one up immediately so you can join in on the fun! Jen D. from What’s on the Bookshelf will be sending all who participate a hangout invite. We ask that you to log on 15 minutes early (7:45pm CST) and have your microphones muted and camera’s off, but volume turned up. Jeri and Jen D. will be the only one’s live and the rest of us
will be using the chat feature to type in questions and/or comments.

If you were a WVMP read alonger, we have your email address. For those who didn’t participate in the read along, please leave a comment below with your email address. All participants will receive an email from Marissa (And Many to Read Before I Sleep) with more formal instructions on attending.

Don’t forget to enter the Ultimate Feed the Need Giveaway hosted by the blogs mentioned above. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on Sunday, 11/13/11.

Remember, WVMP Radio Series is an adult read. Topics discussed could stun young ears. Hell, we may even shock ourselves…… NAH!!!!

Thanks everybody and we look forward to seeing you at the chat on Monday!

Jen S. & Amy- Fictitious Delicious
Kimberly & Britney- Living-Fictitiously
Jen D.- What’s on the Bookshelf
Marissa- And Many to Read Before I Sleep

TGIF {6}

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by GReads! to re-cap the week's posts & to propose a question for followers.

This week's question: Love-Hate Relationship: Which characters from a book do you love to hate?

I'm going with Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte for this one, guys. I LOATHE that character. I cannot come up with even ONE redeeming quality he possesses. And I've tried. He's a miserable man (yeah, I know he had a bad childhood) who loves making those around him miserable. Including the woman he "loves". WHAT?!?! Granted, his love was for a character that was as miserable as he was. YUCK! Heathcliff and Catherine Earrrrrrrrnshaw are BOTH characters I love to hate. There. I said it.

I've been told 100 times (by one person) that I should "Shut up and watch the movie." <----direct quote I can't do it. I've already wasted however many hours reading the book and another 30 minutes talking about it here. Not gonna spend another 2 hours watching the movie, too. Well, hold on. If Michael Fassbender gets cast in a remake of the movie I'll take back everything I said in this post and happily watch the movie. Mr. Fassbender would definitely bring a redeeming quality or two to Heathcliff Heathcliff. (That's not a typo. If I remember right, his first AND last name is Heathcliff.)

So, how about you? What character(s) do you love to hate?

Here's what happened on the blog this week:

Amy reviewed VANISH by Sophie Jordan

We wrapped up the WVMP Read Along with a FEED THE NEED Giveaway and scheduled a video chat with Jeri Smith-Ready!

Jen shared PANDEMONIUM as her most anticipated read for this weeks' Waiting on Wednesday

We announced the winners of our SHINE ARC giveaway!

Fictitious Delicious

Book Review: A TOUCH MORBID by Leah Clifford

Waiting on Wednesday: SPELLBOUND by Rachel Hawkins

Hero/ine of the Week: Episode 16

TGIF {11} Book Blogger Pride

Book Review: AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES by John Green

TGIF {10}

Book Review: WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard

Waiting on Wednesday: THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME

SHINE Unwrapped!

Book Review: AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson

Book Review: INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows

TGIF {9}

Book Review: PANDEMONIUM by Lauren Oliver

Waiting on Wednesday: THE DISENCHANTMENTS by Nina LaCour

Book Review: ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

Winner, Winner, Haggis Dinner!

All Things Scottish Blog Giveaway Hop

GET YOUR SCOT ON!

Book Review: DARK SEEKER by Taryn Browning

Candy Box Confession: Book Blogger Confessions{1}

Book Review: HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand

Waiting on Wednesday: ANGEL FIRE by L.A. Weatherly

Book Review: ANGEL BURN by L.A. Weatherly

Reasons to Read HUNGER GAMES: A Middle Grade Perspective

"Kilt & Keeley" Kickoff Starts Tomorrow!

BOOK REVIEW: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Top 10 Books to Look Forward to in 2012

Top 10 Characters in 2011

Top 10 Book Boyfriends in 2011

Top 10 Book Covers of 2011

Top 10 Books Read in 2011

Book Review: CLOCKWORK PRINCE by Cassandra Clare

Solstice Surprise Revealed

TGIF {8}

VOTE AURA in the YA Sisterhood's Tournament of Heroines!

Waiting on Wednesday: WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard

Book Review: EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

TGIF {7}

Candy Box Confession: Indecisive Jen

Waiting on Wednesday: BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore

Book Review: SHATTERED SOULS by Mary Lindsey

Book Review: CHAIN REACTION by Simone Elkeles

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Waiting on Wednesday: TRY NOT TO BREATHE by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Book Review: IT'S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han

Book Review: TOUCH by Jus Accardo

WVMP Chat with Jeri Smith-Ready

TGIF {6}