The Shapeshifter's Secret by Heather Ostler

Pages:  328
Publishers:  Cedar Fort
Expected Publishing Date:  June 12, 2012

She tried telling herself to stop, but it was useless. Something had fully claimed her mind and body. A sound began to erupt from inside her chest, a deep sort of growl that seized her entire being. She felt as if there was a grizzly bear inside her, trying to escape. And then a deafening roar echoed from her mouth, only inches away from Lancer’s face. It took everything inside of her not to attack him.

In Julia’s life, timing is everything. Like the time her paranoid father put bars on her window so she wouldn’t sneak out at night—even though she’s never given him a reason not to trust her. Or the time this weird new kid showed up at her school and pretty much every girl in sight instantly and inexplicably fell in love with him. What was up with that?

But as time moves on, things in Julia’s life go from strange to seriously impossible. Now it’s all she can do to keep herself and the life she’s always known from falling apart.
This fast-paced action-adventure story is packed with humor, romance, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very last page. Get lost in a world of hidden royalty, shifting alliances, and dangerous vendettas, but don’t ever forget: nothing is what it seems.

Review:

I really hate to give negative reviews, but it sometimes can't be helped.  I really do like this book, but it felt flat. The characters were flat and had no background, even the beginning of the story was wrong. The book started out in the middle and the readers had no knowledge on what Julia's life was like before Caleb came into it. I wasn't even able to get past the first two chapters. And to end this review with a good note, the only thing good about this book was the cover which is very beautiful by the way. I'm giving this book 2 stars, unfortunately.

ARC's ARE HERE

Hi everybody.  I just recieved a whole new bunch of ARC's.  A major thank you to Cedar Fort publishing and Open Road publishing for allowing me to review these books.  Here is a short list of all the books:

1. The Golden Flute by Catherine Lanigan
2. The Guardian's of Elijah's Fire by Frank L. Cole
3. The Rifts of Rime by Steven L. Peck
4. The Shapeshifter's Secret by Heather Ostler
5. Titanic by Diane Hoh

I should have these reviews done and posted sometime in May.  Check back regularly to see if they are up.  Hope you're all as excited as I am!

Sneak peek of The Immortal Rules by Julia Kagawa

I apologize to everyone for not posting on my blog for so long, but it seems that school takes up so much time that I only have time for breathing, eating, or sleeping.  To make it up those who have followed me loyally during my long hiatus I have searched and found a snek peek for you all.  This is book one of the Blood of Eden series by Julia Kagawa.  Here is a synopsis of the book from goodreads:

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.


Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.


Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.


But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

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And here is a link to the sneak peek of the book at scribd hope you enjoy!!!!  And sound of comments below, because I will keep searching for more sneak peeks from other books for you all.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/88470140/Julie-Kagawa-Blood-of-Eden-01-The-Immortal-Rules

Stork (Stork #1) by Wendy Delsol

Pages:  335

Publishers:  Candlewick

Published:  October 12, 2010

Family secrets. Lost memories. And the arrival of an ancient magical ability that will reveal everything. 

Sixteen-year-old Katla LeBlanc has just moved from Los Angeles to Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, Katla soon finds out that she’s a Stork, a member of a mysterious order of women tasked with a very unique duty. But Katla’s biggest challenge may be finding her flock at a new school. Between being ignored by Wade, the arrogant jock she stupidly fooled around with, and constantly arguing with gorgeous farm boy and editor-in-chief Jack, Katla is relieved when her assignment as the school paper’s fashion columnist brings with it some much-needed friendship. But as Homecoming approaches, Katla uncovers a shocking secret about her past — a secret that binds her fate to Jack’s in a way neither could have ever anticipated. With a nod to Hans Christian Andersen and inspired by Norse lore, Wendy Delsol’s debut novel introduces a hip and witty heroine who finds herself tail-feathers deep in small-town life.

Review:

She combines both folklore and present day. The 21st century with a mix of the Stork. The mythical bird, which said to be the bringer of babies. Katla is a wonderful character who doesn't let anyone walk over her. The only thing she doesn't know about her new move to the country is that she use to live there. The kids all stare at her like she carries the plague and she seems to attract boys. One evil and one with ice for a heart

This is a story of memories forgotten an found. Of new beginnings and old acquaintances. Ok. Now I sound like I'm spouting poetry.  Let me sum it up for you people. Katla is a stork. Someone who decides who gets babies and who doesn't. She gets dream visions of the baby and the vessels (women) who could be chosen as the mother of the baby.

Then she finds out that there are enemies who could mask themselves as her friend. This story has action in almost every chapter and I love her fashion advice!  I'm giving this book 4 stars because some or the parts did not make much sense.  But this was still a good story.

Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa M. Klein

Pages:  336

Publishers:  Bloomsbury

Published:  October 12, 2010

When her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered, young Lady Catherine is banished to the colony of Roanoke in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. But just as Cate discovers a new love in Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, Ralegh sets sail for the New World. 

Review:

This is a fictional retailing of one of the greatest mysteries in world. The disappearance of the Colony of Roanoke.  Lets have a little history lesson before we begin, shall we?

This colony has been sent by Queen Elizabeth to populate the New World and convert the Indian tribes, which lived there into Christianity.  Since there were not many supplies, John White was sent to bring them back from England.  Three years after White returned, he found the colony deserted with no sign of life.  Only the word Croatoan, which was carved into the trunk of tree, was left behind.

Catherine or Cate as she is called by the people of Roanoke, was sent into exile by the Queen and is forced to spend the rest of her life in the colony. When the other Indian tribes want the people of the colony to leave, Mateo, one of the converts, helps them to survive and in doing so, he falls in love with Cate.  Most of the colony has died due to little food, harsh winters, and war with the tribes. Cate's best fiend is killed and she is left in the care of the woman's baby.

This is a story of survival, which touches your heart and takes you back in time to the harsh winters that people with only the hardest hearts can survive. I'm giving it 5 stars.

Fragment Friday's

I am sorry to say that for the time being Fragment Friday's are discontinued.  I will try to get them back soon, so please content yourself with the reviews until then.  Also, I will now be posting reviews once a week instead of 3 or 4 times a week.

~Circe

The Tudor secret (The Spymaster Chronicles) by C. W Gortner

Pages:  352

Publishers:  St. Martin’s Griffin

Published:  February 1, 2011

The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies.

Summer 1553: A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king’s brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth’s protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past.

A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth’s quest to unravel the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder. 

Review:

This book combines both the history of the Tudor's and adds a blend of imagination. Brendan was a child when he was left on the doorstep of Dudley Manor. All he had was a governess and a birthmark.

When he was sent to court to be a squire to Robert Dudley, he catches the eye of Princess Elizabeth's spymaster and works to protect her from the reach of Northumberland's Duke. As he grows he learns the truth of his birth and the enemies who would do anything to kill him.

Told from the point-of-view of Brendan Prescott, a fictional character in medieval England, this story will capture the reader's attention and take them on a journey though time. I dub thee 5 stars.

If I Die (Soul Screamers #5) by Rachel Vincent

Pages:  342

Publishers:  Harlequin

Published:  September 27, 2011

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.

Review:

Oh. My. God. I have absolutely no other words for this book. This really did not turn out like I expected. But I loved it!  Though I wish it hadn't ended so suddenly. You'd expect Kaylee and Nash to break up. Again. Also Nash breaks a promise he had made to Kaylee leading her to make a deal with Sabine. She also gets a visit from an reaper from her past.

Kaylee grows a lot more mature in this book than any other. Possibly because of the knowledge that she will die soon. And so she can leave behind people with happy memories of her, she makes a deal with Sabine about Nash and tries to take down an Incubus who has come to their school in search of a young girl who can give him a son.

Todd makes an appearance in this book and does something, which makes Nash, hate him. The drug 'Frost' makes another appearance.  The book had me hooked from the first chapter and drooling for more by the end.  I give it 5 stars.

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Pages:  328

Publishers:  HarperTeen

Published:  September 13, 2011

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

Review:

This book is such a page turner. And I'm not saying that sarcastically. I really loved it especially the main character. She's no afraid to stand her ground and she immediately knows when a person may become her friend and when when they might not.  She is resourceful and can do snappy banter.  Especially with her seriously stupid and really annoying stalker wolf.  What part of no is hard for him to understand.

The near end of the book was somewhat sad. I mean the Titanic sank and many people that Tess cares about dies. And then there's the story of her sister and what happens between her and the young heir of the Lisle family. Also the young lady who Tess serves turns out to have a dark secret.  She finds out that she and one of the servants, Ned, had been in love and Irene had miscarried his baby.

Altogether, this book has surprises in every chapter and I hope she makes a sequel. I'd give it 5 stars.

Fragment Friday's

This week’s Fragment Friday follows book 4 of the Iron Fey Series, Iron Knight.

Pages:  386

Publishers:  Harlequin

Published:  October 25, 2011

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing. 

Unless he can earn a soul. 

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. 

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. 

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side. 

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale. 

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

This is a link to the excerpt:

http://harlequinblog.com/2011/07/julie-kagawas-the-iron-knight-synopsis-and-excerpt-released/

And to learn more about the book and see the trailer:

http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/2011/09/iron-knight-trailer-debut.html