"OH Maaan" Monday and Other New Blog Features!

I detest Mondays!!! Seriously, they are the bane of my existence. The painful thorn in my delicate side and an over pain in the butt! I'm sure I am not a lone in my hatred of the return to the real world Monday. So, I decided to stop complaining about Monday's and do something that might just help with the Monday morning blues. And nothing cures my Monday blues like some a HOT MAN! So here's my idea....every Monday I am going to pick a Hot Hero from a book and the pick a Man Candy Celebrity to play him if the book was turned into a movie.

And to kick it off, I am going to pick one of my favorite characters from my favorite series of all time, The Shifter's by Rachel Vincent. Sexy men run rampant throughout this series, so it is pretty likely that I will be selecting from the series again. Ladies.....and possible some gentlemen, let me introduce you to. . .

Marc Ramos: Werecat, Top Enforcer of the South Central Pride, quick tempered, but extremely passionate and overall hottie! Marc wasn't born a werecat he was scratched by the werecat who brutally raped and killed his mother when he was only 14 years old. He is a known as stray among the werecat community, but to Faythe, the only daughter of the Alpha of the South Central Pride, he is the love of her life and possibly future husband.

The Man Candy Celebrity that I picked to play Marc in a movie is....Nicholas Gonzales.

Nicholas is an an American born Mexican decedent. He is 34 years old. He starred in the movie Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, as well as t.v shows such as, True Blood and Ugly Betty.

You're welcome, for the Monday dose of Hot Man Candy! Take peeks throughout the day when you feeling down. A man like this is sure to help you perk up, and make you say. . ."Oh, Man!"

Other new features of my blog are:

Teaser Trivia Tuesday: I am going to post a teaser from an upcoming release and have survey to see if you followers can guess what book it came from.

"What the @#$%!" Wednesday: Things in the literary world that made me say "What the @#$%!" This includes, books, author quotes, or book to movies, and anything else that makes me curse.

Blood Thirsty Thursday: Since I have, what some may say, a sick fascination with vampires, it is only fitting that I have a day dedicated to it. Thursday's will feature anything having to do with Vamps.

Friday Freak Out: Is the the interactive part of my blog. Readers and followers can feel free to post anything that is on their mind. Maybe you just want to vent about your day or give a shout out about a book you read. Anything goes, except no curse words please!

Review: "Some Girls Are" by Courtney Summers

Title: Some Girls Are

Author: Courtney Summers

Genre: YA Fiction

Synopsis: Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard, falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, and all girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High...that is, until vicious rumors about her and her best friends boyfriend started going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" an her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense day by day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past.whom she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend...if threats from the Fearsome Fivesome don't break them both first.

Overall Review: GOOD NOT BAD BAD UGLY

I read Courtney Summers first book, Cracked Up To Be, and loved it. Just like her debut novel, her second didn't disappoint. It is deliciously dark and heart wrenching. If you remember high school, you will relate to this book. I would compare Summer's writing to that of Simone Elkeles, author of Perfect Chemistry and The Rules of Attraction. Fan's of Elkeles will love Summers. Since the writing is so good and the subject matter so relevant to today's young adult society, the unorginality of the characters is forgivable. It is to the benefit of the plot line that the characters are so familiar to us. Everyone of us has known a Regina, a Michael, a Kara, a Liz or an Anna at one point during high school. In fact it is safe to say, that we were probably just like one of them. Anna, Kara and the rest of Regina's former friends are the epitome of mean girls. They bullying that Regina suffers at their hands is almost unfathomable to me, but not to a few of the high school students I have spoken to. Along with the serious subject of bullying, Summers touches on the horrible subject of rape. It is amazing to me, that in light of today's teen society, that more books about bullying and rape are not written. I know, I know, when we sit down to read a book, most of us want a fantasy world to escape that makes feel all fuzzy and warm. I am probably the leader you. However, I think it is important to take the time to read these darker books to better understand what today's generation is dealing with. I feel it is also important for teens to read these types of stories once and while as way to empower themselves against the many horrible things that they deal with daily. Some Girls Are is a book I highly recommend. Although with it's pervasive language and mature content, I recommend it for older teens or mature teens. Put this book on your must read list, and keep watching for more books by this brilliant and daring author.

A Guy Wants to Ban Laurie Halse Anderson's "SPEAK" from a Missouri School!

Alright, I am going to get political here. I never get political on my blog but if I feel that something is relevant to the blog, I will address it.

Book banning is an issue that really gets my blood boiling. And now the idea of book banning has reached a new height of ridiculousness. An an associate professor from Missouri State University feels that Laurie Halse Anderson's award winning book, SPEAK, should be banned from the school because he considers the two rape scenes to be "soft porn!" Can you believe the absurdity of it? Who in their right mind would think that rape is pornographic? Anderson's book has helped numerous teenage girls deal with the issue of rape. And no matter how much we may not want to believe it, it is an issue!! And for too long it was a dirty secret that young women were scared to tell.

My opinion on books is this: If you disagree with or are offended by the content: DON'T read it! If you don't want your child to read it: DON'T let them! What is offensive to you might not be offensive to someone else! And who gives you the right to decide what is appropriate reading for someone else or their child? There are a ton of things in this world that offend me, like the Jersey Shore. Now, I am in no way comparing a great book like SPEAK to The Jersey Shore, but I am trying to make a point. That show offends me, but campaigning to have it taken off the air and trying to make sure that other people don't watch it because it offends ME is ridiculous. I simply choose not to watch it!

If you are as sickened by this as I am and want to do something to help, please browse over to Laurie Halse Anderson's Blog at http://madwomanintheforest.com/ or click on the link under the blogs that I follow. The full story is there.

Alpha Trailer!! YOU MUST WATCH!

Review: Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: Deadly Little Lies

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Series: Touch #2

Genre: YA Fiction

Synopsis: Last fall, sixteen year old Camelia fell for Ben, the mysterious new boy at school who turned out to have a very mysterious gift-psychometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Ben and Camelia's romance starts to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry and experiencing her own strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have rubbed off on her. Can the power of psychometry be transferred? Even once Ben returns to school, Camelia can't get close enough to him to find out. Despite the romantic tension between them, Ben remains aloof, avoiding contact. Then when a series of eerie warnings echo the threats of last semester and Ben withdraws further Camelia decides to let him go and move on. Adam, the new guy at her after school job seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't and seems to really care about her. But when Camelia and Adam start dating a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events turns up secrets from Ben's past and Adam's. Someone is lying and it is up to Camelia to figure out who before it is too late.

Overall Review: GOOD NOT BAD BAD UGLY

The second installment of Stolarz's Touch series was even better than the first. I loved Deadly Little Secrets the incredible twist at the end was captivating. I love surprises! I love when the ending of a good plot completely surprises me and makes me smack my forehead and say, "why didn't I see that!" Deadly Little Lies evoked that reaction out of me. It is going to be hard to review the book without giving away any of the plot lines. I hate spoilers! But I will do my best. I love the romantic tension between Camelia and Ben. Two characters who obviously belong together but aren't. Can you think of a more frustrating situation? Of course this normal for most series's, the two romantic interests breaking up. But even though it was expected, it didn't mean I had to like it. As much as I like Camelia, she is not my favorite character in the series. I love, love, love Camelia's best friend Kimmie. She is totally unique from her hair down to her vintage shoes. The description of her wardrobe makes me wish I was bold enough to wear her outfits. She loves to dress from different era's but mixes it up with a more current gothic vibe. Fabulous!! Oh, to be able to pull off a 60's pillbox hat....sigh! Anyway, I digress. I like how even though Kimmie is a secondary character, she is given a plot all her own which draws the reader to her. Often times, secondary characters are under appreciated but Stolarz brings them to light without letting them outshine the main characters. The multiple plot lines in the story are well developed and the main plot is well resolved. I am excited to see what will happen with Camelia in the next book of the series as to her possible gift. I recommend this book for all ages.

** Also be looking for an author interview with Laurie Faria Stolarz coming soon. I am super excited and honored that she has agreed to an interview!!!

Note About Author of the Month...

This month's author, Laurie Faria Stolarz, has become one of my favorite storytellers. After reading Deadly Little Secrets, I began reading every book Stolarz wrote because I liked her work so much. Her Blue Is For Nightmares series is an original urban fantasy work. She weaves spells and romance cleverly into a realistic plot that causes very little suspension of disbelief. Now, that I think about it, that is the way all of her writing is for me. One book that I came across in my quick Stolarz frenzy was Project 17. If you haven't read it, do so. Now! Go out and get it now. It is so good and spooky. It actually scared me a little. Actually, it scared me a lot, but I enjoyed it and it was nice to have a different reaction to a book of the fantasy genre. If you have not heard of this author or if you have only read a few of her books, I encourage you at least attempt to read her other works and visit her website. She is amazing! Be looking for the review of Deadly Little Lies the follow up to Deadly Little Secret. (The Touch Series)