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blog tour, lemniscate

Blog Tour: Lemniscate

Kathryn Cooper
I get to be a part of the Blog Tour for Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia! I just wanted to give y’all the schedule so you can go ahead and check out the other stops. I will post my review and giveaway on Tuesday the 13th. 

Lemniscate Blog Tour:

12/9- Mundie Moms, tour kick off
12/10- Reader Girls, review & giveaway
12/11- Regina-Unsettled, guest post
12/12- Confession of a Vi3tBabe, character interview
12/13- Clean Teen Fiction, review & giveaway
12/14- The Non Reluctant Reader, guest post
12/15- A Blog About Nothing, excerpt
12/16- Pager Turners Blog, review
12/17- The Book Vortex, author interview
12/18- Mundie Moms, mini character & author interview

Christmas gift ideas

Christmas Gift Ideas!

Kathryn Cooper

It’s CHRISTMAS time! What a wonderful time a year. Some of you may have already finished your shopping. Great job! If you’re like me, you still have the majority of your shopping to do. 🙂

I made a list of some great Young Adult books that teens and adults would love to open on Christmas!

Cascade (River of Time, #2)Matched (Matched, #1)Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls, #3)The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner, #2)Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)Divergent (Divergent, #1)Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1)My Fair Godmother (My Fair Godmother, #1)Pretties (Uglies, #2)The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)

The River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren (My Review) (On Amazon)
Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie (My Review) (On Amazon)
Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter (My Review) (On Amazon)
The Maze Runner series by James Dashner (My Review) (On Amazon)
Princess of the Midnight Ball and Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (My Review) (On Amazon)
Divergent by Veronica Roth (My Review) (On Amazon)
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (My Review) (On Amazon)
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison (My Review) (On Amazon)
Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld (My Review) (On Amazon)
Percy Jackson and The Olympians series by Rick Riordan (My Review) (On Amazon)

There are so many more! I kept the list to only 10. When you click the links for “My Review” it will take you to my review for the first book of each series. What books do you want for Christmas?

giveaway

Gift Card Giveaway Hop

Kathryn Cooper

I am so happy to be a part of the Gift Card Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Attack of the Book.

I am giving away a $15 Amazon gift card! You only have to have an email for me to send it to you! Someone is going to win; it might as well be you!

Please fill out the form below to enter.
*giveaway ends at 12am CST December 14th!
*your full name is not necessary
*your email will only be used to contact you if you win

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you.

the selection, waiting on wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday: The Selection

Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly post, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

The Selection
by Kiera Cass
Release Date is April 24, 2012
Publisher is HarperTeen

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon. 

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. 

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself- and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

This dress is stunning! Could you imagine wearing that? Of course it doesn’t look very functional for moving around . . . The premise of the book sounds great too. If a prince is involved, I’m there!

What are you waiting on?

in my mailbox

In My Mailbox (5)

Kathryn Cooper

In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren, is a weekly post where bloggers list the books they received this week. The books can be from anywhere: publishers, authors, won in a giveaway, bought, borrowed from the library.



Click book image to link to book summary on Goodreads.com.


BOUGHT:

Angel Star
by Jennifer Murgia

Lemniscate
by Jennifer Murgia

FOR REVIEW FROM AUTHOR/ PUBLISHER: Thank you!

Ugly to Start With
by John Michael Cummings

Griffin Rising
by Darby Karchut

Chimera
by B.D. Swan

*Thank you to John Cummings, Darby Karchunt, and B.D. Swan for my review copies!*

Book Review, crossed

Book Review: Crossed

Kathryn Cooper

This is the 2nd book in the Matched series. Just seeing the character names can reveal what happened in the first book. You’ve been warned! 
Click the link to see my review of the first book MATCHED. 

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: November 2011
Pages: 367
Series: Matched #2
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky – taken by the Society to his certain death – only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander – who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart – change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

My Thoughts:
A great 2nd book in the Matched series. I love this world Ally Condie has created! I feel like I’m there in the book with Cassia and Ky. I care about these characters AND I love the plot. I want to know what’s going to happen, and I want to read to find out if my character friends are alright in the end.

I enjoyed the two points of view this time. The book switched between first person POV from Cassia and Ky. Even with the chapters being headed with the character’s name for the POV I still got a little confused when I was rushing through during exciting parts. Not a big deal though. I liked getting to know Ky better by getting into his head. I wonder if Ally will add Xander’s POV in the 3rd book.

The setting was mysteriously beautiful. I have visited some of the southern Utah terrain that inspired the setting. The characters go on a difficult journey during this book. They all seemed relatively safe and sound in their town during the first book, but Crossed sends them to unknown places and situations which made for a new level of excitement. I can tell the third book will be an exciting finale.

Ok, who’s Team Ky and who’s Team Xander? I have to say I’m both. I’m Team Ky because I think he’s awesome and strong and a natural leader and wise. I’m Team Xander because he’s smart and mysterious and fun and caring. Tough choice!

Overall, a wonderful read! I loved it!

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: mild ( tense situations of survival )

heroine tourney

YA-Sisterhood’s Heroine Tourney!

Kathryn Cooper

I am so excited for the Tournament of Heroines to start tomorrow! The awesome bloggers of YA Sisterhood are putting on a fun tournament to decide the best Heroine from a Young Adult book. Here’s the link to the Tournament Schedule. Go Vote! Have fun!

Here are some heroines I’ll definitely be voting for:

CAMMIE
from The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter

KATNISS
from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
TESSA
from The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare
HERMIONE
from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
TRIS
from Divergent by Veronica Roth
LUNA
from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
the breakup artist, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday: The Breakup Artist

Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

The Breakup Artist
by Shannen Crane Camp
Published by Sweetwater Books
Release date is December 8, 2011

Breaking up with someone is a major pain—-unless you can hire someone else to do it for you! And Amelia demands top dollar for her professional break-up services. Everything’s business as usual until David, one of the boys she’s been hired to dump, throws her for a loop. Now she must decide if David’s intentions are genuine, or if there’s something sinister behind his flirting.

I love this cover. It’s so pink and happy and sassy. This book sounds really fun. I’m looking forward to reading it!

What are you waiting on?

challenges 2012, the dusty bookshelf challenge

Dusty Bookshelf Challenge 2012!

Kathryn Cooper

My book blogger friend Jessica, from Books a True Story, has a challenge for you book readers! We need to dust off some books on our shelf (literal or figurative) and read them. There will be mini-challenges and giveaways throughout the year too! This will be my first challenge to join. Woohoo! I actually don’t have a lot of books on my bookshelf that I haven’t read that I actually want to read, but I do have a ton of to-read books that are extremely dusty on my virtual bookshelf (goodreads.com).

Here are the steps for the challenge straight from Books a True Story:

1. Write a blog post with a list of all those books that are literally or figuratively sitting on your shelf that you’ve been meaning to read for a while. You can pick books that you bought and haven’t read or books that you’ve just been waiting to read for a long time. Feel free to use the badge I made at the top of this post.
2. Pick a level
~Pixie Dust – Read 0-5 books
~Dust Bunny – Read 5-10 books
~Cobwebs – Read 10-15 books
~Grungy – Read 20+ books
EXTRA CREDIT-Say how long that book has been sitting on your shelf!
3. Link your blog post where you are doing the challenge at the bottom of this post (with the blue button) and then enter the giveaway!

I’ll think big and pick level GRUNGY!! 20+ books
TITLE- AUTHOR- (DATE ADDED ON TO-READ LIST)
1- The Princess Bride by William Goldman (Jan 2008!)
2- The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy (Jan 2008!)
3- The Salamander Spell by E.D. Baker (March 2008)
4- The Thief by Megan Turner (July 2008)
5- Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock (Jan 2009)
6- Wild Magic by Tamara Pierce (Jan 2009)
7- The Named by Marianne Curley (Jan 2009)
8- Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier (Jan 2009)
9- The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau (April 2009)
10- The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer (June 2009)
11- The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas (July 2009)
12- The Eternal Hourglass by Erica Kirov (July 2009)
13- Love, Stargirl by Jerri Spinelli (Aug 2009)
14- Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (Jan 2010)
15- Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Feb 2010)
16- The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (May 2010)
17- The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey (May 2010)
18- The Diamond Secret: A retelling of “Anastasia” by Suzanne Weyn (Aug 2010)
19- Poison Study by Maria Snyder (Aug 2010)
20- Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton (Sept 2010)
21- Beyond the Reflection’s Glass by Bryan Davis (Oct 2010)
22- Always Watching by Brandilyn Collins (Oct 2010)
23- Darke by Angie Sage (Oct 2010)
24- Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Durst (Dec 2010)

Wow! That’s just  the books I added in 2010 and earlier. I didn’t even list all of them. I am so excited to have motivations to get some of these read and off my list!

Any of you up for the challenge?

angel star, Book Review

Book Review: Angel Star

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Angel Star
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Publisher: Lands Atlantic
Release Date: May 2010
Pages: 251
Series: Angel Star #1
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand – the mark of an angel.
But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel’s malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.
Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel’s sacrifice collides with another angel’s vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

My Thoughts:
I love when I can immerse myself in a good book and relax and enjoy the journey. I haven’t read a book where a character is in love at first sight in awhile so it was just what I wanted. It reminded me of another very popular book in some ways. I won’t go into details and give anything away, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a book remind me of another book. Angel Star was so easy to read quickly because I was so into the story and had to know what happened next! I actually was talking out loud while reading. “No way!” “What?!” “Awww!” Things like that. Hmmm. . . maybe that’s not too unusual for me.

Okay, I loved the name Teagan! I had never heard that name but felt it really suited the main character. Teagan is a bit of a loner with one close friend, Claire. She lived a normal life until Garreth came along and blew her away. Garreth is so caring and such a gentleman. It’s hard to fault an angel.

Angel Star kept me guessing at the very end. I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, but then the plot twisted. Teagan goes through a lot and really grows as a character. I enjoyed reading her journey and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Side Note: This book talks a lot about good and evil, angels and dark forces. I read this book like an entertaining work of fiction. I do believe in God and angels, but I don’t believe in incarnation or angels as depicted in this book. I won’t go into details on my blog, but if you’re interested in my religious beliefs you can click on the “My Faith” button on my side bar. 

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual Content: mild ( kissing scenes, sleeping in the same bed but no sex and no kissing while in bed )
Language: mild/moderate ( 1 a**, 4 h***, 1 s***, 1 b**** )
Violence: mild ( fighting with blood, death )