Review: Between by Cyndi Tefft

Between
By Cyndi Tefft

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Smashwords (June 1, 2011)
Pages: Paperback, 246 pages

It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent.

After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.

I have to start off by saying that this is on the upper end of YA almost pushing it into the adult category. Not that this is a bad thing because I really enjoyed the book!!

Lindsey Waters is a character that we can all related to at some point in our lives. Trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do, all the while dating someone you aren’t quite sure you really want to be with but are scared to left that part go. When she does find her true love, it proves to be in the most unusual circumstances and there are limits to their love which they come to accept. I am a sucker for ill fated love and this novel definitely fits the mold for this genre.

The writing of the novel flows very smoothly and before you know it, you are 60 pages from where you were a few minutes ago. Connecting with Lindsey and Aiden was not hard to do because they were written so well. When they find themselves facing the challenges of what their love can truly endure, they both find strength in their prayers. I love the originality of this story and the Scottish lore woven into the story. Men in kilts? Yes, please! I was also very glad to find that there will be a sequel to this one and I can’t wait to read it!

Check out more from Cyndi HERE and follow her on twitter too (@cynidtefft).

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Abandon

By Meg Cabot

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: Hardcover, 320 pages

Publisher: Point (April 26, 2011)

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Meg Cabot couldn’t disappoint me even if she wrote a story about clowns (I HATE those creepy things) and she definitely doesn’t disappoint with the start of a new series. The fact that an amazing Meg Cabot book now has Mythology woven into it simply adds to the amazingness of it all! Pierce is such a strong character and is so well written. As a reader, you feel as if you know her like your best friend, root for her when she is struggling and go through every range of emotion just as she does. Moving in high school has to be the worst but when you add in the fact that someone is following her and everyone thinks she isn’t right after the accident.

When I got about ten pages from the end I kept thinking, “I know there is going to be more to the series, but HOW THE HECK can this even begin to wrap up with only ten pages left?!” She did a magnificent job (like anyone should doubt it) and definitely left me drooling in anticipation for the next one. I love books that make you learn new things without knowing it too, and I learned about Key West and love that she wove its rich history into this story. This is definitely one of my new favorites! (I know, how many favorites do you have?! Never enough, dear readers…. Never enough!)

Make sure to visit Meg’s site HERE for more information about her, her books, and other fun stuff. You can also follow her on twitter (http://twitter.com/megcabot).

You can also enter to win a copy of Abandon on Goodreads HERE.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Patricia McCormick's Cut & Giveaway

One of the very first books that I read when diving into the "tough topics" pile was Cut by Patricia McCormick. It hit me like a ton of bricks because I had no clue about the concept of cutting at that point. This was not too long ago (10 years to be exact), but at that point it wasn't something that ANYONE talked about. I loved and appreciated that McCormick brought to light this topic in a way that was both meaningful and educational.

If you haven't read this amazing novel yet, here is a little about it:

A tingle arced across my scalp. The floor tipped up at me and my body spiraled away. Then I was on the ceiling looking down, waiting to see what would happen next.

Callie cuts herself. Never too deep, never enough to die. But enough to feel the pain. Enough to feel the scream inside. Now she’s at Sea Pines, a “residential treatment facility” filled with girls struggling with problems of their own. Callie doesn’t want to have anything to do with them. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with anyone. She won’t even speak. But Callie can only stay silent for so long…

Patricia McCormick is an amazing author who spent three years researching and writing her first novel, Cut. She is also the author of the National Book Award finalist Sold, as well as Purple Heart and My Brother’s Keeper. She lives in Manhattan. Learn more about her at HERE.

You can also visit This Is Teen HERE for more information and meet fellow lovers of this amazing novel.

It's GIVEAWAY time!!! The 10^th Anniversary edition of Cut includes a brand-new afterword from author Patricia McCormick, an author Q&A, and added resources. I am so excited to be able to put this amazing novel in your hands and on your shelves. Fill out the form below before midnight June 20th for a chance to win this. Two lucky winners will be notified via email on June 21st! Good luck everyone!!

It's Monday.. What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Persons Journey through a world of Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

Finished:

None last week... I'll do better next week!

Currently Reading:

Abandon by Meg Cabot
Between by Cyndi Tefft
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Next in Line:

Map of Time by Felix J. Palma
Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum


Don't forget.... I have a contest up right now for a Summer Prize Pack. Click HERE for more details and check back for more upcoming contests (very soon... hint, hint)!

Happy reading all!

In My Mailbox (44)

I hope that you have all had an amazing week this go round.... because I sure have! Summer is so close I can taste it because I am officially out for the summer on Wednesday!!! It has been a great year, but I am ready for it to get going! Lots of goals for this summer reading wise and teaching wise which I will be keeping you all posted about and am very excited about.

Don't forget that I have a giveaway going on right now (until June 13th) for some great summer reads. Check it out HERE and enter!!

Thanks as always goes to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting this MME. Make sure to leave me your IMM link so that I can see what you got this week too! Now... what has been added to my shelves? Here they are...

For Review:

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher (paperback)

Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley

Bought:

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
(read my review HERE.... I had to have a school copy)

Divergent by Veronica Roth
(read my review HERE... I had to have
a school copy of this one too)

The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collin' Hunger Games Trilogy ed. by Leah Wilson