Shade

I won a copy of this book from Candace's Book Blog (Thanks again!) and was really excited to read it. I've never read anything by Jeri Smith-Ready so I didn't really know what to expect but everyone was saying good things about it and I LOVED the cover art. I thought it was a great start to a new series. I loved all of the characters and the idea of this different reality they live in. It didn't take place in the future, just a different present where most people can see ghosts. Well the cover summary can explain better than I can so here it is:

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a crucial gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and talk to ghosts. This mysterious ability had always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she could undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because Dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding - and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Just want to warn some of the younger readers that this book (even though YA) does have sex, drugs, alcohol, and a little bad language.

Falling

When I saw a review on the back cover of Falling by Christopher Pike comparing this book to Hannibal Lecter I was a little afraid. I don't handle scary stuff very well and I remember trying to watch Silence of the Lambs years ago and freaking out. Surprisingly, I really liked this book. It was very graphic (murder, torture, sex scenes, language), just warning some of you. Actually, chapters 20 and 24 made me feel a bit ill. The ending wasn't what I expected or hoped for but other than that I really liked this book. Here is the summary from the back cover:

In Falling, Christopher Pike explores the depths of human emotion through two brilliantly etched characters: Kelly Fienman, who pays a terrible price to understand the nature of true evil, and Matt Connor, a classic antihero who captures the reader's sympathy. The reader is drawn deeply into the hearts and minds of these two people, who face their deepest fears - and ours.

The Friday 56

Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

* Turn to page 56.

* Find the fifth sentence

* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/

Title: Falling

Author: Christopher Pike

Page 56 sentence 5-7:

"Tony," she whispered, sitting back down. She realized she did not immediately think of her husband when it came to sharing - the very concept of doing things together. There was truth in what he was trying to tell her.

Token of Darkness

I've really been looking forward to reading Token of Darkness because I love the rest of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' books. Sadly I was a bit disappointed by it. I'm not sure if I just built it up too much in my mind but it didn't feel like the rest of her books. Persistence of Memory kind of felt that way for me too but not as bad as this one. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad book and I still love Amelia but I think this would be my least favorite of all of her books (Hawksong is still #1). I hope whatever she comes up with next is as good as her older ones. This one is still worth reading and I liked the idea and characters. Here is the summary from the inside cover:

Cooper Blake has everything going for him - until he wakes from a car accident with his football career in ruins and a mysterious, attractive girl by his side. Cooper doesn't know how Samantha got there or why he can see her; all he knows is that she's a ghost, and the shadows that surround her seem in tent on destroying her.

No one from Cooper's old life would understand what he can barely grasp himself...But Delilah, the captain of the cheerleading squad, has secrets of her own, like her ability to see beyond the physical world, and her tangled history with Brent, a loner from a neighboring school who can hear strangers' most intimate thoughts. Delilah and Brent know that Cooper is in more trouble that he realizes, and that Samantha may not be as innocent as she has led Cooper to believe. But the only way to figure out where Samantha came from will put them all in more danger than they ever dreamed possible.

The Friday 56

Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

* Turn to page 56.

* Find the fifth sentence.

* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/

Title: Token of Darkness

Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Page 56 sentence 5-6ish:

She knew about the accident, of course, but though she had many interesting skills, she was no doctor; there would have been no point in her loitering by his side while he was comatose.

Dakota Born

I just finished Dakota Born (the first book in the Dakota trilogy) by Debbie Macomber. Actually I've read the whole trilogy before but was in the mood for a sweet, easy re-read. I really love these books. They are sweet (though slightly predictable) romance novels. Here is the summary from the back cover:

Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. Like so many small Midwest towns, it's dying. Stores are boarded up, sidewalks cracked, houses need a coat of paint. But despite all that, there's a spirit of hope here, of defiance. The people still living in Buffalo Valley are fighting for their town.

Lyndsay Snyder is a newcomer. She's an outsider, even though she spent childhood vacations here. Now she returns to see the family house again, to explore family secrets and to reevaluate her life.

To her own astonishment, she decides to stay, to accept the vacant position of teacher. Her decision marks a new beginning for Buffalo Valley and for Lyndsay, who discovers in this broken little town the love an purpose she's been seeking.

The Friday 56

I've had family over for the past week and haven't been doing much reading (shocking I know) but should have a new review next week.

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

* Turn to page 56

* Find the fifth sentence.

* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/

Title: Second Glance

Author: Jodi Picoult

Page 56 sentence 5-7:

"Ethan," Ross said, "you okay with this?"

Ethan was shaking in his shoes. "Yeah. Oh, yeah, sure, I'm totally cool."

I haven't read this one yet but I'm sure it will be good like her others. If you have read it let me know what you thought please.

The Friday 56

Rules:

*Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

*Turn to page 56

*Find the fifth sentence.

*Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/

Title: Salem Falls

Author: Jodi Picoult

Page 56 Sentence 5-8:

"So?" the student said. "Maybe today was the day I wanted a fucking burger." He shoved the plate across the booth, so that it toppled off the edge onto the banquette. "Fuck you and your mind games," he said, and he stormed out of the diner.

Wow wasn't expecting the language! It's been a couple of years since I've read this one but I remember really liking it...then again I like all of her books.

The Friday 56

Rules:

*Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

*Turn to page 56.

*Find the fifth sentence.

*Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/

Title: Summer Lovin'

Author: Carly Phillips

Page 56 sentence 5-8:

"So I read a few pages and now we're giving Ima a place of her own." Sam grinned and gestured to the patch of dirt Ryan had created.

Zoe glanced down. "In the yard."

I keep forgetting the Friday 56 but I think I managed to post this just in time for it to still be considered Friday. WooHoo!

Need a little book advice

I just checked out Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst to read while I'm waiting for a couple of books to come in. Has anyone read this and if so, was it worth reading? I'm only a couple of chapters in right now and I can take it or leave it. Any opinions out there? Should I finish it or read something else? Thanks for any help guys.