True Confessions

Name: True Confessions
Author: Rachel Gibson
Pages:356
Start Date: April 25
Finish Date: April 27
Type: Romance; Hardback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:Welcome to Gospel, Idaho, where everyone knows that there are two universal truths. First, God did His best work when He created the Sawtooth Wilderness Area. Second, every sin known to heaven and earth—from the hole in the ozone to alien abductions—is all California's fault.This is the story of what happened when a Californian came to visit . . .Hope Spencer knows wacky: as a writer for The Weekly News of the Universe she's "spotted" Bigfoot, Elvis, and the face of Jesus on a tortilla. Arriving in Gospel hoping for some peace and quiet and normal . . . she quickly figures out that there's nothing normal going on in Gospel. From the Barnes sisters with their color-coordinated hair, to the toilet-tossing sportsmen . . . to the murder victim whose body had been found in her house years before, the Gospel truth really is stranger than fiction—even tabloid fiction. Hell, she should have stayed in L.A.And then there's local sheriff Dylan Taber. He's no made-up character from one of her stories. She could never create anything that good. Dylan's all too real . . . and soon Hope is forced to face the awful truth—she's been too long without a man. But once she gets wind of a Hollywood actress somehow mixed up in Dylan's life, Hope realizes that if they are to have any chance together, he has some true confessing to do.

My Review: I needed to read a cute romance so of course I picked up one of Rachel's books. This is now the 3rd book I've read by her and I gotta she's on a winning streak. Oh, and I am from Northern California, so my mom and I read the back and we like "Yep, that sounds like us". LOL I liked this book because it wasn't the typical romance. There was Adam, her job, his secret, and Dylan gets mad at her. Usually it's the man who has a secret and when the woman finds out, the man has to say sorry and woo her. Here, man gets mad at woman for having secret, but he's being a BIG hypocrite. So, Woman waits. Man finally comes to senses. Happy ending! I really liked this book too because it wasn't cheesy. But the one thing that threw me off was the murder that was committed in her house. There were a few things that seemed like she was going to tell more about what the hell happened there... but she didn't. I really don't know why she even had that whole thing in there other than to make you laugh and stay away from sheriffs. But that doesn't matter because if he's anything like Dylan, he can tie me up and each peaces as much as he wants! :}

Excerpt:
They were like peanut M&M's; they had a normal-looking shell but were hiding a nut inside.~57

Cover/Title: Of course my Library has the cheesy cover with the sausage fingers and an apple (I only remember an apple being in the book once [when the stop to talk on their way to camp]). But the nails, I soooooo get! But I like the new Hardback ~here~. Title fits nicely.

Extras:
Andy Griffith Deputy ~ pg. 19
Run baby Run baby run - Sheryl Crow ~ pg. 50
I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow ~ pg. 80
Hello Darlin' - Conway Twitty ~ pg. 82
What's New Pussycat? - Tom Jones ~ pg. 119
Sling Blade - Movie ~ pg. 242
Wild Ride - Dwight Yoakam ~ pg. 252*
Highway to Hell - AC/DC ~ pg. 261
Jewel ~ pg. 299
Bonnie Raitt ~ pg. 328
The star constellation Cassiopeia ~ AwEsOmE!

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The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Name: The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Author: Carrie Ryan
Pages: 308
Start Date: April 24
Finish Date: April 25
Type: Zombie with a little romance; Hardback
Status: Library; 1st in The Forest of Hands and Teeth Series
Rating:

Summary:In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

My Review: This book disappointed me. But it also enthralled me. I saw it all of a sudden in the stores and thought i just had to read it because everyone else is. So I started this book not knowing what it even was about. I'll admit: I would have never picked it up if I'd read the summary. I didn't expect a bitter sweet, no just bitter, love story. I gotta say, I think my heart broke a little when it happened. It was sad; the whole 'brother leaving the girl he loves alone because she belongs to the other'. But what's unfair, it that Harry I think loved Cass but he thought he loved Mary because he always had. So Harry really jacked everything up! :( So sad.... Anyway I love the whole 'zombie apocalypse'. I was baby sitting my 5 year old sister and 9 year older brother when I started this book. I had read up to 134 when the both snuggled into me on the couch and demanded I read out loud. I read to them for 3 hours strait, but only 37 pages because I kept having to explain stuff. When I tucked them in, we all agreed on some things:
1) Mary was stupid. Who cares about the ocean and dreams when you could have your true love. Ok, yeah, you have to pick one boy but come on! The ocean?! Ice cream we could understand...
2) Team Travis
3) Most zombies in movies have some kind of power. High jumping, scary smartness, super speed... but they had nothing. Kinda boring.
4) Did the zombies have a 'home' they went to? Could they reproduce? Were they making, like, a colony and pawing at the fences was like a job?
5) The whole story is kinda like "I Am Legend". P.S.- We didn't like that movie much.
6) WTH happened to Harry, Cass, Jacob, and the dog????????????????????
7) Was the 'man' on the beach a man, or her age?
8) How old was Mary, Travis, and Cass?
9) Jed?!
and 10) Will 'Dead Tossed Waves' answer anything here?
Oh, and Rachel pointed something out: Why did the boys fight over Mary when they had Cass? Cass didn't have mommy issues or had the possiblity to be crazy. Well not to the extent of Mary's craziness. Plus Mary sounded norm. Trust me, I am border line norm and ick and boys do not fight over me.

Excerpt:
He is gone. Forever.~ pg. 276

Cover/Title:
I think the cover is so-so. I personally love the German Cover. I thought the title was just a title and maybe it was mentioned one or twice. No. The whole book literally surrounds the forest. That's ok but it sure tells ya Carrie couldn't think of a more creative title because she had to use her creative forest name as one.

Extras:
Book Page and Sequel Page
Cool, weird stuff

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Sex, Lies, and Online Dating

Name: Sex, Lies, and Online Dating
Author: Rachel Gibson
Pages: 352
Start Date: April 21
Finish Date: April 24
Type: Romantic Mystery; Paperback
Status: Library; ~*~
Rating:

Summary:
Sex . . .
What is it about men anyway? Bad cars, bad jobs, even bad teeth—nothing convinces them that they can't snare a Size Two Babe with a D-cup chest. And after way too many internet dates with men named "luvstick" and "bigdaddy182," Lucy Rothschild should know.
Lies . . .
But sitting across from her now is "hardluvnman," and he seems different—sensitive, honest, and hot! He says he's a plumber, while Lucy claims she's a nurse! She's really a mystery writer, dating online while researching her next book. Hey, everyone lies a little, don't they?
And Online Dating . . .
But Quinn's really an undercover cop hunting down a serial killer, and he sees Lucy as his top suspect. And while he could really go for this smart, sexy woman with the killer bod—if that's the only thing "killer" about her—he knows he needs to wine and dine her and discover the truth. Hey, he realizes the dating scene can be deadly—but this is ridiculous!

My Review: Ahmawgawd! This book was cute and kinky and funny and a tad scary. This book is exactly as it advertises so I really don't have much to add but:
1) Lucy was stupid at times. If Quinn had told me the truth, I would have understood. Lucy's a mystery writer! She should have understood! Like I said: stupid.
2) In the epilogue I wanted to hear about Lucy and Quinn NOT how Clare was acting drunk. Of course that sets up the next book, but that just pissed me off...

Excerpt: "How long have you been thinking about that?" She raised her gaze, but his attention was on the front of her shirt. "Since you walked out of the bathroom."
That's pervy. This whole time when we were talking about your dog and my cat and your former fiancee?" "Yeah, it's called multitasking." He looked up and shrugged one bare shoulder. "I can talk to you about one thing and be thinking about something totally different."
"Must be a detective thing." he chuckled and stuck his spoon in the middle of the sherbet. "More like a guy thing. We talk about shit you want to talk about, but we're really just trying to get you in bed. Again." ~ pages 291 and 292

Cover/Title: Perfect name!Except both my dad and grandma got mad about it.... Cover is = -_-

Extras:
What Quinn quotes from - pg. 17 ~ I think this is song.....?
Get Ready for This - pg. 105 ~ at the hockey game
Tubthumper - Chumbawamba ~ pg. 109 - 110
Hard to Handle - Black Crowes ~ pg. 127 Quinn listens to this
Velvet Revolver ~ pg. 297 - Quinn sings to them. Badly.
Clare Sings: pg. 351
Hot Legs
Fat Bottomed Girls

~*~ All of Lucy's friends have books after this, but it's really not a series. The author just says it's her "Writer Friend Books". But they are each independent. Anyway, here's the order of the books:
Sex, Lies, and Online Dating - Lucy
I'm in No Mood for Love - Clare
Tangled Up in You - Maddie
Not Another Bad Date - Adele

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It Must Be Love

Name: It Must Be love
Author: Rachel Gibson
Pages:368
Start Date:April 18
Finish Date: April 21
Type: Adult Romance; Hardback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:Undercover cop Joe Shanahan's bad luck hit bottom the morning he stared up into the face of sexy suspect Gabrielle Breedlove. She'd blown his cover---brought him down with a can of hairspray---and now his new assignment was to pose as her boyfriend. But spending as much time as possible with the utterly irresistible New Age beauty caused unexpected complications. To make matters worse, his matchmaking sisters are picking out china patterns.Joe's brooding good looks and T-shirt-straining muscles might be easy on the eyes, but how could Gabrielle be attracted to a straight-laced detective who's determined to find evidence to arrest her? Still, he invades her dreams and when they share a transcendent lovemaking experience, Gabrielle knows it must be love. Undercover cop Joe Shanahan's bad luck hit bottom the morning he stared up into the face of sexy suspect Gabrielle Breedlove.She'd blown his cover---brought him down with a can of hairspray---and now his new assignment was to pose as her boyfriend. But spending as much time as possible with the utterly irresistible New Age beauty caused unexpected complications. To make matters worse, his matchmaking sisters are picking out china patterns.Joe's brooding good looks and T-shirt-straining muscles might be easy on the eyes, but how could Gabrielle be attracted to a straight-laced detective who's determined to find evidence to arrest her? Still, he invades her dreams and when they share a transcendent lovemaking experience, Gabrielle knows it must be love.

My Review: I picked this up right after I put Swoon by Nina Malkin down. And I gotta say, when pissed by another book's ending, grab a book that you know no matter what happens in it, it will have a great ending. Well, this book delivered! I loved Gabrielle and her like quirks and passions. And Joe?? Hot! But I have a real weakness for guys with big, crazy families, so just by throwing in Sam and I was a goner. LOL I was sure from the get go that it was Gab's business partner, so really this was all romance and no real mystery to me. But that's ok, because I loved how they couldn't just say 'I love you' and fix everything. I loved how the author threw you off on the ending, being the possibility that they might not end up together. Easily said, when I finished, I was satisfied and happy. But low and behold, I picked it up a few days after finishing it to see there is an epilogue! How the hell I missed it, shocks me. So I sat down and read the short epilogue and fell for Joe even harder. I mean it was.......... awwwwwwww! I am so reading more of this author!

Excerpt:

"You don't look at Ann the way you looked at her."

"How's that?"

"Like you could look at her for the rest of your life." ~ pg. 340

Cover/Title: Both are so cheesy it makes me blush a little. It needed to be named something with 'crazy' in it or maybe ' don't walk away' or 'looking at you' or she could have added something from Casablanca and called it "Here's Looking at You, Kid"........... that would have been good.

Extras:
Marathon Man - movie 19

Basically Gab's suntanning oil

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Swoon

Name:Swoon
Author:Nina Malkin
Pages:421
Start Date: April 17
Finish Date:April 18
Type: Teen Paranormal Romance; Hardback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:Sin is coming... Prepare to Swoon.Torn from her native New York City and dumped in the land of cookie-cutter preps, Candice is resigned to accept her posh, dull fate. Nothing ever happens in Swoon, Connecticut...until Dice's perfect, privileged cousin Penelope nearly dies in a fall from an old tree, and her spirit intertwines with that of a ghost. His name? Sinclair Youngblood Powers. His mission? Revenge. And while Pen is oblivious to the possession, Dice is all too aware of Sin. She's intensely drawn to him—but not at all crazy about the havoc he's wreaking. Determined to exorcise the demon, Dice accidentally sets Sin loose, gives him flesh, makes him formidable. Now she must destroy an even more potent—and irresistible—adversary, before the whole town succumbs to Sin's will. Only trouble is, she's in love with him. What do you do when the boy of your dreams is too bad to be true?

My Review: I was so disappointed by this freaking book. This ending beats "Sweet Far Thing" 's ending by far. In that book, you kinda got the jist of what could happen and you kinda think up an end. This? No, you have no freaking idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless she comes out with a sequel I will be mad that I took my time to read this book. Maybe I missed something? Does it say where he went? But other than the end, the book was ok, but I think that if Cassandra Clare or maybe Stephine Meyer had written this, it would have been hell of a lot better. -_- But I have to admit, I love the "Sin is coming.... Prepare to Swoon."

Excerpt: It's the culture - it's twisted. Unattainable standards of beauty. Money almighty as the stamp of success. An idealized concept of romance that has little girls who can't even tie their own shoelaces pining for the handsome prince.... ~ pg. 402

Cover/Title: Ah, so sad for a great title and awesome cover to be wasted....

Extras:
The White Stripes Song ~ pg. 99
Greensleeves ~ pg. 110-111
Tubular Bells ~ pg. 122
Flannery O'Connor ~ pg. 199
Daniel Dafoe ~ pg. 269
Chuck Palahniuk ~ pg. 269
Perry Como ~ pg. 403

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Charlie All Night

Name: Charlie All Night
Author: Jennifer Crusie
Pages: 251
Start Date: April 14
Finish Date: April 15
Type: Romance; Paperback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:Dumped by her boyfriend and demoted from WBBB's prime-time spot, radio producer Allie McGuffey has nowhere to go but up. She plans to make her comeback by turning temporary DJ Charlie Tenniel into a household name. And if he's willing to help her cure her breakup blues with a rebound fling, that's an added bonus.Charlie just wants to kick back, play good tunes and eat Chinese food. He's not interested in becoming famous. But he is interested in Allie. And after all, what harm in a little chemistry between friends?But suddenly their one-night stand has become a four-week addiction. Night after night on the airwaves, his voice seduces her. . .and all the other women in town. He's a hit. It looks as if Charlie's solved all Allie's problems. . .except one. What is she going to do when he leaves?

My Review: I knew this was going to be a dummy-romantic comedy. And that about sums it up. Don't get me wrong, it was cute and I liked the chem. between Charlie and Allie, but it was like, "well duh they are going to fall in love" from the beginning. But I gotta say, the 'mystery' part threw me for a loop. I think it was one of the most funniest crimes ever! Oh, and how can ya resist Sam or/and Joe? Joe so fit the description of George Downes doncha thank? :)

Excerpt: "Don't chug the cream like that." He took the empty glass from her. "This isn't skim milk, you know. This is the real thing, the hard stuff. Max, another amaretto and cream for the lady. In fact, just bring over a bottle and drive in the cow." " A comedian." Allie nodded her head. "Five guys sitting at the bar, and I pick up the comedian." ~ pg. 20

Cover/Title: I love it because it has the Chinese food container, right next to the bed...

Extras:
Music from the book: (sry I didn't make an actual playlist :S )
Monster Mash - pg. 98
I want you to want me - Cheap Trick - pg. 100
Crazy - Patsy Cline- pg. 105
Still Crazy After All These Years - Paul Simon - pg. 108
Farewell to Tarwathie - Judy Collins - pg. 111
River of Dreams - Billy Joel - pg. 134 - Sam's Song :)
Can't get no satisfaction - Rolling Stones - pg. 178
Slow Hand - Pointer Sisters - pg. 182
Baby Mine - Allison Krauss - pg. 191
Sweet Baby James - James Taylor - pg. 192
Shut up and kiss me! - Mary Chapin Carpenter - pg. 201
Puppy Love - Paul Anka - pg. 227
Put your head on my shoulder - Paul Anka - pg. 227
Hildegrade von Bingen - pg. 239

American Dreamer - pg. 208 ~ Allie's fav movie
Peter Paul Rubens paintings - pg.152-153

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Next Best Thing

Name: Next Best Thing
Author: Kristin Higgins
Pages: 393
Start Date: April 10
Finish Date: April 14
Type: Romantic Drama; Paperback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:Lucy Lang isn't looking for fireworks.She's looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who'll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbecue, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important: someone who won't inspire the slightest stirring in her heart…or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can't risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn't enough either. So it's goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate "friend with privileges" and hello to a man she can marry.Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn't going anywhere. As far as he's concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?

My Review: I was totally blown away by this book! I thought it would be another ew-y goo-y kiss-kiss type of book. Aka a Harlequin, like it says. But this book was so deep and the hardships were so real it literally took my breath away. And if your not sure you want to read this book, let me tell you this (it's not exactly a spoiler because you find out right off the bat): Ethan is her dead husband's younger brother. See, now try not to read it :)

Excerpt: "We're glad your back," I say, knowing this will eventually be true. "Leave the luggage, Dad," Ethan says. "I'll bring it up in ten mintues." Gianni gives hima baleful look and grabs the handle of the biggest bag and begins dragging it toward the elevator. I'd rather have another coronary than let you help me. whippersnapper. ~ page 289

Cover/Title: I love it! Except - her bowls are poke-a dotted :) Also, doesn't that guys hands look yummy?

Extras:

No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley ~ pg 86

Alone Again, Naturally ~ Gilbert O'Sullivan ~ pg 181

Angel ~ Dave Matthews ~ pg 307

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Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds

Name: Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds
Author: Nancy Martin
Pages: 258
Start Date: April 10
Finish Date: April 13
Type: Adult Comical, Romantic Mystery; Softback
Status: Library; 2nd in the Blackbird Sister Mysteries
Rating:

Summary:
When a high society jewel thief winds up drowned at the bottom of a pool with a tacky garden gnome tied to her ankles, Nora must swing into action to save her old flame from a hasty murder charge.

My Review: This book is a typical mystery. But not a stupid one. I read the 1st a year ago and fell in love with the characters and I am so happy they haven't changed at all! I love all the Blackbird sisters, and I gotta say, I bet every woman on Earth has at least one quality of each one in them. And of course, Michael Abruzzo. Sawooonnnn!!!! I get chills just saying his name! I think he might look that guy she ends up with in "P.S. I Love You" only hotter.

Excerpt: "Those Southern girls can get very peculiar once they're sexually awakened." ~ pg.50

Cover/Title: Cute title but i personally think she could have thought of something more fitting. Like something to do with her Grandma's ring that she loses. And she doesn't wear that dress in the book, but once again, it's ok. I'll let this one slide ;)

Extras:

I just had to put this on here; dedicated to page 206-208

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La Femme Reader's Contest That Will Blow You Away....

Check out La Femme Reader's Contest here: http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/2010/03/ya-contest-that-will-blow-u-away.html
And make sure to FoLlOw :)

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Bloody Bookaholic's **Ridiculously Awesome Contest**

Anyone that happens to read this, click on BB's button OR contest link to enter her, seriously, **Ridiculously Awesome Contest**.
:) Plus I now get 15 extra points! :]

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Dead Until Dark

Name: Dead Until Dark
Author: Charlaine Harris
Pages: 292
Start Date: April 6
Finish Date: April 10
Type: Paranormal Romance; Paperback
Status: Library; 1st in The Sookie Stackhouse Novels
Rating:

Summary: Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in a small-town in Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability". She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He's tall, dark, handsome-- and Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's exactly the type of guy she's been waiting all her life... But Bill has a disability of his own: He's a vampire with a bad reputation. He hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, all suspected of - big surprise - murder. And when one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next...

My Review: I have wanted to read these but could never get my hands on them, so I did the next best thing: I watched True Blood. I watched both seasons in less than 48 hours :)- So I gotta say I was shocked when i found out there is no Tara. But that's ok! Also I'm glad that it's just Sookie because in the show I was always bored by Jason. -_- But I loved the book and the whole southern thing is cool, and I liked that the vamps are 'out of the coffin' so it's not all hush-hush like most books. And I'm sorry but I am totally a Eric fan so Bill is blah to me, but whatever! OH! Was Bubba Elvis? Because I loved him!

Excerpt: "Bite, Sookie," he whispered..... This was pretty exotic stuff for a telepathic barmaid from northern Louisiana. ~ 196-197

Cover/Title: So-So. I like how all the titles have "Dead" in them. But the people on the cover look a little scary and Sookie looks young but that's ok.

Extras:

Series Site

True Blood

Sookie and Eric

Sookie and Bill

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Fairy Tale

Name: Fairy Tale

Author: Cyn Balog
Pages: 248
Start Date: March 31
Finish Date: April 6
Type: Paranormal Teen Romance; Hardback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary: Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They’ve been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they’re totally hot for each other.But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam’s awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.When Morgan demands answers, she’s shocked to discover the source of Cam’s distance isn’t another girl- it’s another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their “perfect” love can weather an uncertain future.

My Review: This book really surprised me. Of course it is a typical tale about a girl that can't see what's in front of her, so that no something new in today's books. But the emotion and the not having a sugar coating is what made the book for me. Of course she never explains what Morgan really is, because maybe the reason Cam can love her is because she's isn't human. But that doesn't matter to much, I guess....... But I gotta say, from the time Morgan is in the bathroom with the bad fairy to the end had me going "AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!" Specially the end. You have to read this book so you can read the end, because Cyn prefects a good ending. Not perfect, but good. But I so wouldn't mind a sequel :)

Excerpt: "You're going to lose those powers if you stay here," I say. He frowns. "I know." "You'll be miserable here." He's silent for a moment, still looking at his hands, those smooth, dainty hands. "But I'll have you." ~ pg.215 (Once again, thanks mom)

Cover/Title: What an Awesome cover! I am so making a poster out of it! The title might be common but there is no other way to describe this book so easily.

Extras:
Author/Book Site

Picture

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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