Falling for Romeo by Jennifer Laurens

"The pleasant memory of his mouth on hers, the sweet taste of spearmint, coupled with the fact that she hated that she liked the kiss, had Jennifer looking with distaste at her reflection in the compact." (pg.6)

Published: October 1st, 2007 by Grove Creek Publishing
Description (from Goodreads):
John can have any girl he wants. Jennifer's never been kissed. Everybody thinks he's perfect. She's got issues with pride and jealousy. They were best friends-once. Now, they're playing Romeo and Juliet. Virgin lips Jennifer must have her first kiss on stage with John, the guy every girl in school wants. The pressure and tension build along with each staged kiss. Both are shocked when feelings bloom. Can either tell which kisses are real and which are for show?(

My thoughts:
John Michaels. Dreamy and handsome. Every girls dream. He is one of the most popular students of his high school. Everyone admires him, and wherever he goes or whatever he does, he catches attention and admiration.
Jennifer Vienvu. A pretty girl with a true passion for theater. She is known for her talents at the stage. She is not unpopular, but neither one of the popular kids. For years, she has been the favorite of the demanding direction Chip, but this year, there could be a change to that.


John and Jennifer have been casted to play Romeo and Juliet in the school production. It is their senior year, and they want to take everything out from the performance. But Jennifer starts to worry when it is time for rehearsing; she has never been kissed, and now she would have to kiss John Michaels, the guy every girl in the school would love kiss, in front of the whole school plus the parents and other viewers. 


John and Jennifer has a shared history. They are neighbor's, and years ago, they were also best friends. They used to share everything together, they were inseparable.  But when John came popular, their friendship got behind everything. Now, they are united again. And they both have feelings for each other. Can they bear their pride, and tell each other what they feel? 


I really liked this book. There are some things I would have liked to know more about though; why John became so popular? (Okey, he was talented; he was one of the best members of the track team, he was a student council vice president, and he was just generally hot). But I would have liked to known was there something else behind it. But even without the knowledge of that, the book was an amazing read.


John and Jennifer are reading Pride and Prejudice in their class, and I really enjoyed reading the class discussions they had about my favorite book ever. I also liked how the story kind of built up like Pride and Prejudice; both, Jenn and John, are proud and do not want to be the first ones to give their feelings out. I am also a fan of theater and I will be directing my first play this year, so it was interesting to read something about the world of the high school theater. I can't wait to get to work with our school production.


This was my first novel read by Jennifer Laurens, but I am definitely looking for more. 'Falling for Romeo' was a positive surprise which I  recommend to all readers who love Young Adult fiction. 


I want to thank Grove Creek Publishing for sending me a review copy of this novel.

Waiting on Wednesday (#8)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted byJill@Breaking the Spine. It allows us to introduce some upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.


Once again, I have a book I cannot wait to read. Seriously, it sounds soooo good!


Warped by Maurissa Guibord
Published: January 11th 2011 by Delacorte Press
Description (from Goodreads):
Things get weird after Tessa Brody's father buys a dusty old unicorn tapestry at an auction. The wild, handsome creature woven within it draws Tessa, and frightens her too. One day she pulls a silver thread from the tapestry and releases the unicorn. Only he isn’t one at all. He’s William de Chaucy, a young sixteenth century English nobleman with gorgeous eyes, a weird accent and haughty attitude to spare. Will was trapped in the tapestry by Gray Lily, a sorceress who stole the thread of his life and relies on its energy for her eternal youth. Now Gray Lily wants her unicorn back and she’ll do anything to get him.

If that isn’t bad enough “his lordship” de Chaucy seems to think Tessa is someone she’s not: the girl who trapped him so long ago in the forest. Despite the sparky chemistry between them he seems to have the strange idea that she’ll be his undoing once more. Maybe she will. Because there’s a connection, an attraction to Will that Tessa can’t deny. She’s even beginning to dream about events in a forest of long ago. Or is she reliving them? But Tessa knows one thing for sure. She could never be some heartless twit of a virgin who would trap a unicorn.

What I Love

Right the moment you arrive to my blog, you probably figure out my passion number 1; books. But there are other things I love almost as much as books, and today I decided to post something about them.

1. Movies 

- I don't think it is a consequence, that many of the movies I adore are based on books. "Books are always better than movies" is a statement I say almost daily. And I don't think that I am the only one who thinks so. But even though I love the books better, I am excited to see my favorite stories turned into movies. Last Friday I watched the first Harry Potter movie with my brother; I think that it is like 3 years that I last time saw it. Even though the book is a lot better, I must admit that I love the movie. I love all of the Harry Potter movies. Seeing the amazing world of wizards, witches and other magical creatures of my TV makes me want to cry because there is no Hogwards in real life. Or maybe there is, but I haven't received my letter yet...

2. Planning

- I am a planner. Most of my friends hate it. I tend to plan everything. I an not very spontaneous. Someone might call me a 'control freak'. And maybe I am one. I keep making lists about everything and I get annoyed if something isn't the way it is 'supposed to be'. But that's just me, I cannot do a thing for it. I keep planning my future, and I have this life plan, which I think I should abandon because I am going to be super disappointed if it does not work as I would like it to work. 

A couple of weeks ago I saw this movie called "post grad" with my friend. After the first 10 minutes of the movie, my friend said that the main character is just like me. Well, I definitely found some similarities between me and her; she had a plan, she wanted to work in publishing, her family was nuts... But the thing I am lacking is that gorgeous best friend who happens to be in love with you.... But well, maybe he is somewhere waiting for me.

I only have one year of high school left, and I want to take everything out of it. I have worked with school related stuff during the summer so I have more time during the Autumn to enjoy and not to stress. I am over packed my calendar already; voluntary work, play directing etc. But at least I am doing stuff I enjoy. And I am going to apply to universities before Christmas; I am (hopefully) heading to Scotland next fall. (If someone studies, has studied or lives at Scotland, please leave me a comment.) 

3. Travelling

-There isn't a better feeling than packing my bags and leaving Finland. Don't get me wrong, I love Finland because my family lives here. But otherwise, I would rather live somewhere else. I have lived at Virginia, and I loved it there. What I really liked about United States was the fact that people were so nice and open. I saw it as a total opposite to people in Finland. I've been so lucky that I've been able to visit amazing places such as Athens, New York, Washington D.C, Stratford Upon-Avon and London. I have totally fell in love with London and according to my life plan, I should be living there at some point of my life. 

4. TV Shows

-I tend to start to follow more TV shows that I am able to watch. During the summers the Finnish TV sucks, so I've got a chance to watch some stuff from Internet and now I am pretty much on the same page with the programs I've been following. Right now I follow 'Desperate Housewives' (I watch it from the Finnish TV, so I am behind the US episodes), 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Drop Dead Diva', 'Gossip Girl', 'The Mentalist', 'Pretty Little Liars', and this one Finnish soap opera show.

5. Facebook

-Okay, so this might sound weird. But I really love Facebook and I don't know how I would do without it. Seriously, it is the best thing ever. You are able to follow what your friends are up to, without really even talking to them. Okay, now I sounded really unsocial. But I bet some of you know people you really do not even like, but you are interested about their lives. I guess I am just curious and looking for gossip. (I make myself sound horrible). And what I also like about Facebook is the fact that it has decreased my use of mobile phone because basically all my friends also use Facebook.

6. Food

- I love pizza, burgers, pasta, beef, potatoes, chicken, lasagna... the list goes on. I am weak when it comes to food. You really do not need to ask twice if the question is somehow related to food. I also love cupcakes, pastries, pretty much everything sweet. I am not the best chef down the bloc, but I know how to cook something. At least I make pretty good pizza. I am also a sucker for all types of candies. Yeah, not good for my health, my no can do.

Well, these are 6 things I really love along books. Of course there are other things I love as well, but the list would never end if I would start going on with it. 

So, probably almost everyone who reads this blog is also a book lover. But what is one thing that you love even though no one would except you loving it. I think that for me that would be Star Wars and Star Trek. I love those series, especially the old Star Trek series. 

Btw. I might like hot guys as well! ( The Firefighter picture is related to planning = CALENDAR, the third picture is that hottie from Post Grad and James McAvoy is related to Scotland ;) )

The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas

"But then, all Catholics are a weird bunch. Especially the Italian ones." (pg. 6)

Published: August 5th, 2008 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Description (from Goodreads):
Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: at fifteen she's still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one. To Antonia, saints are royalty and she wants her chance at being a princess.
All her life she's kept company with these kings and queens of small favors, knowing exactly whom to pray to on every occasion. Afraid of tripping in gym class? Try St. Sebastian, athletic and golden. Working in the family store? Light a candle for St. Leonard, Patron Saint of Grocers. And a good all-purpose one: St. Jude, Patron Saint of Desperate Situations and Hopeless Causes.
Unfortunately, the two events Antonia has waited for her whole life seem equally unlikely to happen. It's not for lack of trying. Every month for the last eight years, Antonia has sent a petition to the Vatican proposing a new patron saint and bravely offering herself for the post. (So what if she's not dead?) And how long has she been praying for the attention of the tall, dark, and so good-looking Andy Rotellini? Too long to mention.
But as Antonia learns, in matters of sainthood, things are about as straightforward as wound-up linguini, and in matters of the heart, she's on her own.

My thoughts:
Antonia is a bit obsessed about saints. She knows a lot about them, and she always as a saint in mind for different situations in life. Since she was little, she has idolized those creatures of the catholic royalty, and she has decided that she wants to be one as well; the first living saint of the Catholic Church.

Antonia lives at Rhode Island with her mother and grandmother. Since her father death, her mother has been wearing all black and she has refused to date other men. Antonia's grandmother is a funny little lady who remembers thing well from the past and not so well from the present. Antonia's mother is famous for her pasta which is sold on the market they own. The market, which happens to be at the same building with their apartment, gives both joy and headache for Antonia.

Antonio is working at the market daily. When she hears that the guy she has been in love with for years, Andy Rotellini, is going to work at the market, she thinks that her life is going to change. She is already dreaming about her first kiss with Andy; she wants it to be the most romantic moment of her life. But is Andy what she really thinks he is? And is there more than friendship between Antonia and Michael, a guy Antonia calls "her friend".

I loved 'The Possibilities of Sainthood' by Donna Freitas. It introduces the reader to a different culture (American-Italians) and a different religion. I did not have that much of previous knowledge about the saints of the Catholic church, but I must say that this book taught me a lot. I've been wanting to travel to Italy for years now (this books takes place at US, but it vividly describes the Italian culture) and this book made me want to pack my bags and leave. 

The novel is also really funny. It is interesting to read Antonia narrating the different situations of her life. Also the way she describes the other characters, especially her mother, is hilarious. 'The Possibilities of Sainthood' by Donna Freitas is an interesting read about a catholic girl who dreams of becoming a living saint. After writing several letters to Vatican to enquiry different saint positions, she understands, that maybe she can be a saint without the approval of the Vatican city; she can be a saint in the eyes of people. 

I recommend 'The Possibilities of Sainthood' to the fans of young adult fiction. If you want to learn something about the Catholic religion, saints and Italian culture, this is a funny and adorable read for you.

In My Mailbox (#21)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi@The Story Siren.

For Review:

The Space Between the Trees by Katie Williams
Description (from Goodreads):
Not your everyday coming-of-age novel 

This story was supposed to be about Evie how she hasn't made a friend in years, how she tends to stretch the truth (especially about her so-called relationship with college drop-out Jonah Luks), and how she finally comes into her own once she learns to just be herself but it isn't. Because when her classmate Elizabeth "Zabet" McCabe's murdered body is found in the woods, everything changes and Evie's life is never the same again.


[this novel has one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen. The picture does not give the beauty of it out... you know what I mean if you have seen it.]


Won from Dewey's Read-A-Thon:
[I totally forgot I even won something, I was so surprised when these arrived because it is like 3 months from the read-a-thon.]


ARC copy of The Scarlet Contessa: A Novel of Italian Reneissance by Jeanne Kalogridis
Description (from Goodreads):
Historical fiction author Jeanne Kalogridis tells the remarkable story of Caterina Sforza, daughter of the Duke of Milan and the bravest warrior Renaissance Italy ever knew.


The Darcy Connection: A Novel by Elizabeth Aston
Description (from Goodreads):
In The Darcy Connection, Mr. Collins of Pride and Prejudice is now the Bishop of Ripon, living with his wife, Charlotte, and their two daughters, who have reached marriageable age. The elder, another Charlotte, is extraordinarily beautiful, and her parents hope her looks and connections will ensure a brilliant marriage. Her sister, Eliza, while not as handsome, possesses a lively intelligence that, in Mr. Collins's opinion, is too like her godmother, Mrs. Darcy.

In London, Charlotte's beauty wins her many admirers, despite her small fortune. But Eliza's wit and attempts to interfere in what she considers an unsuitable marriage for her sister infuriate her family and Charlotte's suitor -- until Eliza herself meets her match. New and old fans alike will relish this witty, romantic, thoroughly entertaining novel from a highly talented author.

Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston

Description (from Goodreads):

Jane Austen for the twenty-first century! Mayhem ensues when a struggling young writer is chosen to complete an unfinished manuscript by a certain famous novelist...

Critically acclaimed and award-winning -- but hardly bestselling -- author Georgina Jackson can't get past the first chapter of her second book. When she receives an urgent email from her agent, Georgina is certain it's bad news. Shockingly, she's offered a commission to complete a newly discovered manuscript by a major nineteenth-century author. Skeptical at first about her ability to complete the manuscript, Georgina is horrified to know that the author in question is Jane Austen.

Torn between pushing through or fleeing home to America, Georgina relies on the support of her banker-turned-science student roommate, Henry, and his quirky teenage sister, Maud -- a serious Janeite. With a sudden financial crisis looming, the only way Georgina can get by is to sign the hugely lucrative contract and finish the book. But first she has to admit she's never actually read Jane Austen!

The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik

Description (from Goodreads):

When Ava Nickerson was a child, her mother jokingly betrothed her to a friend's son, and the contract the parents made has stayed safely buried for years. Now that still-single Ava is closing in on thirty, no one even remembers she was once "engaged" to the Markowitz boy. But when their mother is diagnosed with cancer, Ava's prodigal little sister Lauren comes home to Los Angeles where she stumbles across the decades-old document.
Frustrated and embarrassed by Ava's constant lectures about financial responsibility (all because she's in a little debt. Okay, a lot of debt), Lauren decides to do some sisterly interfering of her own and tracks down her sister's childhood fiancé. When she finds him, the highly inappropriate, twice-divorced, but incredibly charming Russell Markowitz is all too happy to re-enter the Nickerson sisters' lives, and always-accountable Ava is forced to consider just how binding a contract really is . . . 

Giveaway wins:

Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict: A Novel by Laurie Viera Rigler (SIGNED COPY)

Description (from Goodreads):

This eagerly anticipated sequel to Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict asks the question, Can a nineteenth-century girl survive in today's morally confused modern-day world

Defy Not the Heart by Joanna Lindsey

Description (from Goodreads):

Reina seethes with rage over her fate: taken captive by the knight Ranulf — a golden giant of a man — who has pledged to deliver her to the nuptial bed of the despised Lord Rothwell. She will never accept such bondage — and Reina offers herself to her kidnapped instead, offering to make Ranulf a great lord...if he agrees to wed her.

But the brave knight desires much more than a marriage of convenience from this proud, headstrong lady who treats him with scorn yet makes his blood run hotter than liquid fire. She must come to him of her own free will — or Ranulf will take her. For the passion that consumes them both cannot long be denied — even though gravest peril surely awaits them on the heart's trail to a destines and turbulent love.

You Belong to Me by Joanna Lindsey

Description (from Goodreads):

In all the world, no man exists who can tame Alexandra Rubilov. A fiery and beautiful free–thinker, Alex's steadfast refusal to marry has frustrated her hapless father. And so he creates a "long–forgotten" agreement and sends his rebellious daughter away, ly maintaining that Alexandra has been promised since childhood to the handsome, insufferable libertine whom she must now accompany to his homeland to wed.

Dismayed to find himself suddenly engaged, Count Vasili Petroff plans to repulse his unwanted fiancee by acting the perfect cad, unaware that wily Alexandra plans to follow a similar path. But the road to deception is a rocky one and its many unexpected turns can lead two reluctant companions to a most unanticipated destination: that place called passionate love.

From Author:

The League of Elder by Ren Garcia

Description (from Goodreads):

For ages League mothers have told their children terrifying stories about the Black Hats: a sect of murderous women eager to slay anyone who falls into their grasp, always searching for their next victim.

Only Sisterhood of Light have been able to counter their evil. When a Black Hat is taken prisoner aboard Captain Davage's ship, the Sisters have every intention of executing her, but they are astounded when the captain refuses to allow it.

Captain Davage has gotten a glimpse of the Black Hat's face, and is shocked. Though no one but a Sister would ever willingly face a Black Hat, he enters her cell.

The woman sitting there bears an exact resemblance to a beloved friend of the Captain's-a friend who is dead. Immediately, the Black Hat known as Sygillis of Metatron plots Captain Davage's murder and, though the Sisters are near, none can protect him from her fury

Is it possible that two sworn enemies may fall in love? Can remorseless evil be redeemed in the end? Good and evil, love and hate, only one side can triumph in The League of Elder: Sygillis of Metatron, a galactic journey full of romance, suspense, and the unexpected.

[The Author contacted me via Facebook and asked if he could send me a copy of this novel. He told me that he wants to send a copy of his novel every year to a different country, and since he had not send a copy to Finland yet, he send one to me. I am going to read and review it at some point when I get all the review copies out of the way (like that is going to happen). ]

Picture of the Week (#5)

Last week I asked you about your fictional male character. Now it is time for the female characters! So who is your favorite female fictional character, and WHY? 

My favorite is Elizabeth Bennet for Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She is the type of woman I want to be someday. She is caring, independent and she is not afraid to tell what she thinks (well, in Pride and Prejudice she has to consider the norms of the society, but as 21st century character, she would kick ass.) She of course has her faults, pride and also prejudice, but she overcomes them through experience and eventually gets me most gorgeous man in the world, Mr. Darcy, to love and adore her. And she is happy to feel the same way about Darcy. Elizabeth Bennet is a woman of a time where people generally married for something else than love; but she is determined to stay spinster if she does not find an intelligent man she can marry for love. 

A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick

"He came from the rear of the room, a kiss of scent , a whisper of corduroy and denim on a brisk, confident walk." (pg.1)

Published: October 20th 2008 by Grove Creek Publishing
Description (from Goodreads):
He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible. I let the door silently close at my back. He stared at me, and a taut quiet stretched between us. "I like hearing you play," I said, moving toward him. He turned, in sync with my slow approach. He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I rested my clammy hand on the cold, slick body of the baby grand. "May I?" The muscles in his throat shifted, then he swallowed. "Eden." My knees weakened, like a soft tickling kiss had just been blown against the backs of them. "Is it okay?" I asked. His gaze held mine like two hands joined. He understood what I was really asking. "Let me stay," I said. "Please." "You're going to get me in trouble," he said.


My thoughts:
Eden is a high school senior with rich but distant father and a bitchy stepmother. She is a popular girl, a dream girl of many guys. She is dating Matt and she hangs around with the coolest kids of the school. She herself is one of them. When she decides to attend concert choir class for easy A, she does not have a clue how this decision changes her life.


Mr. Christian. James. He is 22 years old and for the first time, works as a teacher. When he walks into the concert choir class room, he is admired by the girls of the class. Particularly by one of them. As time goes, he builds an attraction towards Eden, his student. 


From the moment Eden sees Mr. Christian, something changes. She understands that he is a man, not a boy. But she also knows that he is her teacher. But in the name of love, she is ready to do everything to make sure she gets what she wants. She is used of getting what she wants. 


Eventually Mr. Christian and Eden start to see each other "accidentally". But can a relationship work like this? What will happen to Mr. Christian and Eden? Will someone find out about the feelings that should not be there?


I loved this novel. Eden, a girl who is used to have everything she wants, falls in love with a guy she cannot have. Mr. Christian is handsome, talented and kind. He is a great singer and because of his young age, he is able to identify with the class and that way he gets them interested about the music. First, Eden stalks Mr. Christian, follows him home etc. but eventually she learns that it will do nothing for her. When she discovers that Mr. Christian might also have feelings for her, everything changes. 


I loved the writing style of J.M.Warwick. The reader is engaged and you just have to keep going. This is the second book I read in English about the relationship between teacher and a student; I have read 'Teach Me' by R.A. Nelson a couple of years ago. Even though a relationship between teacher and a student is wrong, there definitely is chemistry between Mr. Christian and Eden. And through the description of Mr. Christian, I think I would fall in love with a guy like him as well.


I want to thank Grove Creek Publishing for sending me a review copy of this gorgeous novel. 

Waiting on Wednesday (#7)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted byJill@Breaking the Spine. It allows us to introduce some upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.


I would probably kill for this book (well, maybe...)! Since I heard about it, I have literally been dreaming about it. There are too many months for October. :( I would seriously live without electricity and plumbing for a month if I could get this book into my hands (and that is a LOT from me since I am all about comfort). 


Jane by April Lindner
Published: October 11th, 2010 by Poppy
Description: 
Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, an iconic rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer, and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance. But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is tested by a torturous secret from his past.

Part irresistible romance and part darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classicJane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers.

The Day I Lost My Temper: about body and books

This is the type of post I normally do not post in my blog. But right now, I am so pissed, that I want to write about it.

So, to start with, I am normally really patient and I do not lose my temper. When something pisses me, I just go through it in my head without bothering other people. But today, I really lost my temper and I just wanted to yell and scream and run around with knifes (well, maybe I wasn't that extreme...yet).

I have a friend. Well, I have a lot of friends. But now I am talking about this one particular friend. She has a boyfriend. And that boyfriend; he is a pain in the ass. He is so full of himself; he thinks he is the most wonderful and amazing person in the whole universe. Well, maybe he is, but not in my eyes. And this boy happens to have something against me... well, particularly against me reading books and my looks. 

I am a plus size girl, and I am proud about it. I am proud about my curves and I am totally comfortable in my body; I love myself as I am. Of course, I do not feel beautiful everyday, but who does? Most of my friends are skinny, some of them even below skinny. But I don't care. I don't want to diet, I don't want to lose weight; I am happy as I am. But this guy has some problems with it. 

"She reads because she is so fat", "She reads because she is too lazy to do any sports". EXCUSE ME! I read because I enjoy it. I read because books take me to another world were I do not have to deal with assholes like you. I read because through my love to books I have get to know some amazing people (I mean the ones who are actually reading this... yes, YOU! :) ) who share same interest towards literature as I do. 

I do not read because I am so fat. Books have nothing to do with my weight. I don't read because I am lazy. Well, maybe I sometimes am, but it has nothing to do with books either. And everyone is lazy sometimes, right? It is true, that I do not do sports very much, but that is for another reasons; I do not get anything out of it, I just don't enjoy it. I have problems with my knee and my ankle (which I broke about 2 months ago), so I cannot even really do sports right now; DOCTOR'S ORDER. 

I hate the fact that some people cannot except that I read because I LOVE IT. This same guy has been mocking me about my love towards books previously, telling that reading is only for the stupid people. He apparently is so smart already that he does not have to read anymore. The same guy thought that he would write better plays than William Shakespeare. So, yeah, I probably don't have explain my point further.

And what comes to my body, and bodies in general. I think it is everyone's own business how skinny or fat you are. As I wrote before, I am happy as I am, and I do not feel that I have to change myself. If I want change, I do it for myself, not for someone else. 

Have you been in a situation like this? Has someone made fun of your reading? Would you like to read more stuff like this?

Fictional Lover of the Week: Chuck Bass

Today, I want to introduce you to Ed Westwick, the man behind Chuck Bass.

Name: Edward "Ed" Westwick

Born: June 27th, 1987 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England

Ed was trained at the National Youth Theatre in London. He has appeared on British shows such as Doctors and Casualty, but his big hit has been the role of Chuck Bass on American TV series, Gossip Girl. He has also guest starred on Californication in which he played a student fascinated with vampire literature. Movies you can spot Ed from are e.g. Children on Men, Breaking and Entering and 100 Feet. 

Westwick was the front man of British Indie rock band 'The Filthy Youth'. He is now inactive in the band, largely because he wants to focus on his career and because the other band members are based in UK, he has shown interest to form another group at New York City. 

Ed has won three Teen Choice Awards, two for best TV Villain and one for best male TV star. He has also worked as a face for K-Swiss. Ed dated a Gossip Girl co-star, Jessica Szohr (Vanessa), from late 2008 to early 2010. The relationship broke because apparently Szohr was unfaithful (at least that is what I read from Perez Hilton).  

Who can resist Ed with his gorgeous looks and British accent? 

The Year of Secret Assigments by Jaclyn Moriarty

"Shakespeare got started using this book? Wait till I tell my English teacher" (pg.2)

Published: February1st 2004 by Scholastic Us
Description (from Goodreads):
Popular Aussie writer Jaclyn Moriarty, author of the smash debut, Feeling Sorry for Celia avoids the notorious sophomore slump with this bouncy epistolary follow-up that is brimming with self-confidence and charm. In The Year of Secret Assignments, a tenth grade English teacher attempts to unite feuding schools by launching a pen-pal project. Best friends Cassie, Emily and Lydia initiate the correspondence, and are answered by Matthew, Charlie and Seb. Emily and Lydia are more than pleased with their matches, but quiet Cassie has a frightening experience with Matthew. When Lydia and Emily discover that Matthew has threatened their fragile friend, the Ashbury girls close ranks, declaring an all-out war on the Brookfield boys. Soon, the couples are caught up in everything from car-jacking and lock-picking, to undercover spying and identity theft.
Moriarty's captivating comedy of manners reads like a breezy 21st century version of Jane Austen--with no end of ridiculous misunderstandings, angst-ridden speeches, and heartfelt make-ups. Female teen fans of Ann Brasheres' The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Megan McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts will waste no time swapping copies of The Year of Secret Assignments, with all their best buds. (Ages 12 and up) --Jennifer Hubert

My thoughts:
Lydia, Emily and Cassie. They have been best friends since they were little. Their parents all are lawyers who also have been friends before the birth of the girls. Now Lydia, Emily and Cassie are 10th graders from Ashbury high school. They love to hang around, just the three of them, skip lessons to go to the movies, and to make up random food without recipes during the weekends at someone's house. Since their parents are lawyers, they always get a house for all of them; every weekend someone's parents are on a seminar etc. 

Lydia is loud, extreme and she has a great sense of humor. She dreams of becoming a writes some day. Her father is judge of Supreme Court and her mother is a retired Soap Opera Star.  Emily loves shopping, chocolate and horses. She has two horses of her own. Cassie is the most sensible one of the girls. She is quiet and does not really open up to others that Lydia and Emily. She loves singing, but she has a terrible stage fright. She has lost her father only a year ago and is still going through the progress of grief. 



When a pen-pal project between Ashbury (I get the sense that it is one of those preppy schools for the kids of rich people) and Brookfield High is launched, there is prejudice on the both sides. Everyone at Ashbury thinks that Brookfield High students deal drugs and get into problems when at the same time at Brookfield the kids think that everyone at Ashbury are rich and arrogant.


Lydia's pen pal from Brookfield, Seb, is a sensitive guy who loves art and is obsessed about soccer. Emily's pen pal Charlie is a sweet guy with some problems. Cassie's pen pal, Matthew is a total mystery. First he threatens Cassie in every possible way, but then takes 360 and is really nice towards Cassie. Lydia and Emily both are happy about their pen-pals, when Cassie is in doubt. Can she trust Matthew? Is Matthew really as nice as he seems to be via his letters? When a secret about Matthew is revealed, Lydia and Emily want to help their hurt friend. A war between the schools is declared. What will happen? Who will win? Find out by reading 'The Year of Secret Assigments'.


This book is told via letters, e-mails, diary entries and notes. This is the second book I read which was told that way. Last year I read 'Heart of my Sleeve' which was written the same way. Even though I also enjoyed Heart on my Sleeve, I must say I liked this one a bit more.

Lydia, Emily and Cassie are all likable characters. I like Lydia's wit and sense of humor and I feel bad for Cassie who has lost her father; I can identify with her, I know how it feels to lose your father. Somehow I feel that Emily was a little in the shadows of Lydia and Cassie. But it is only my opinion. From these three girls, I liked Lydia the most. Someway I also felt that she is the backbone of the friendship of these three girls; she always figures out something fun and extreme to do and that way keeps the friendship interesting. 

When the new pen-pals of the girls are introduced, I right away knew that there is something wrong with Cassie's pen-pal Matthew. You will be totally surprised, when the whole truth about him is discovered. From the three guys, I must say that I liked Lydia's pen-pal, Seb, the most. He is obsessed with soccer and remembers the winners of the World Cup from the history. He is very artistic and sensible, and that is what I personally love in a guy. 


It is very interesting to read a book written in a way this was written. Somehow it makes the reading experience more personal; you are reading someone's letter and e-mails. 'The Year of Secret Assigments' was a nice and fast read with a lot of action and humor. I recommend this book for the fans of YA novels. If you haven't read a book in a form of letters/e-mails etc. I think this book would be a perfect one to start from.

Anniversary of Jane Austen's Death

Dear Jane,

I want to honor you and your work today, the anniversary of your death. I want to tell you that you are loved and respected by people around the world; not just today, but everyday. Your novels and characters have made people fall in love with literature. At least that happened to me. After finishing Pride and Prejudice for the first time, I knew that literature is something I really love, something I want to work with when I grow up. Reading your novels made me fall in love with reading, and eventually with blogging. 

Your characters and the world you write about make me want to build a time machine so I could experience what a day in Elizabeth Bennet's or Catherine Morland's life is like. Your gentlemen, for example Fitzwilliam Darcy and George Knightley have made me realize what I really want from a man (and that probably has doomed me into a life long spinsterhood since I think I will never find a man like your heroes). 

I want to thank you for writing these amazing, life changing novels. I know that you probably never expected that your novels would be read almost 200 years after you death. But I can promise you that us, your fans, will keep your novels up and they will be read 300 years after your death. 

Through your novels, you are here to stay, and you will be remembered with warm and respect. Thanks again!

I wanted to post something as tribute to my favorite author ever, Jane Austen. Today is the 193th anniversary of her death. 

In My Mailbox (#20)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi@the Story Siren.

For Review:
A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick
Description (from Goodreads):
He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible. I let the door silently close at my back. He stared at me, and a taut quiet stretched between us. "I like hearing you play," I said, moving toward him. He turned, in sync with my slow approach. He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I rested my clammy hand on the cold, slick body of the baby grand. "May I?" The muscles in his throat shifted, then he swallowed. "Eden." My knees weakened, like a soft tickling kiss had just been blown against the backs of them. "Is it okay?" I asked. His gaze held mine like two hands joined. He understood what I was really asking. "Let me stay," I said. "Please." "You're going to get me in trouble," he said.


Falling for Romeo by Jennifer Laurens
Description (from Goodreads):
John can have any girl he wants. Jennifer's never been kissed. Everybody thinks he's perfect. She's got issues with pride and jealousy. They were best friends-once. Now, they're playing Romeo and Juliet. Virgin lips Jennifer must have her first kiss on stage with John, the guy every girl in school wants. The pressure and tension build along with each staged kiss. Both are shocked when feelings bloom. Can either tell which kisses are real and which are for show?


Bought:

Lucky Star by Cathy Cassidy
Description (from Book Depository):
Mouse is doing his best to stay out of trouble. Cat is doing her best to land herself in it. They've both had it pretty tough so when they meet by chance they thank their lucky stars. Weird and wonderful things happen when they're together - but how long can it last? Because everyone has their secrets - and there can be only one winner in a game of cat and mouse. Can't there? Cathy Cassidy's hugely engaging writing has massive appeal for 8-13 year olds. Cathy's last book, "Sundae Girl", spent six weeks in the Bookscan top ten.


Susanna Covers the Catwalk by Mary Hogan
Description (from Goodreads):
SUSANNA BARRINGER, TEEN reporter extraordinaire, has the hottest ticket in town, covering Fashion Week for Scenemagazine. She’ll see the new collections unveiled, meet the biggest names in fashion, and go behind closed doors to uncover the secrets of style.

But this assignment is harder than squeezing into a size 2. Bribing models with brownies is not the way to get backstage. Nell’s nemesis is trying to lure Susanna to work for her. And Brian McDermott, Susanna’s former crush, has moved back to New York and just might be ready to pick up where they left off. . . .

Will Susanna be left one Manolo short of a pair? Or will this wily reporter land the story and the boy, all in a day’s work?


From Library:
Innocents by Cathy Coote
Description (from Goodreads):
Innocents is a taut, wickedly clever descent into the anatomy of an obsession, the debut of a precociously assured young literary voice. Forcing someone vulnerable and naive into a sexual relationship is perverted, even evil. But when the perpetrator is a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl, is she culpable? And if the victim is her thirty-four-year-old teacher, shouldn't he have known better? Unforgettable, disturbing, and morally complex, Innocents takes us on a journey into the darker side of desire. It permanently unsettles our notions of innocence, experience, and power, and suggests that we are all culpable.


Rules by Cynthia Lord
Description (from Goodreads):
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"---in order to head off David's embarrassing behaviors.

But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising, new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal? 


The Missing Girl by Norma Fox Mazer
Description (from Goodreads):
In Mallory, New York, as five sisters, aged eleven to seventeen, deal with assorted problems, conflicts, fears, and yearnings, a mysterious middle-aged man watches them, fascinated, deciding which one he likes the best.


What I Believe by Norma Fox Mazer
Description (from Goodreads):
When Vicki's father is laid off from his job, everything changes. Her family moves to a city apartment, and Vicki has to forge a new path at her urban school. Worst of all, one night her depressed father simply disappears. Vicki soon finds herself living a double life--fine on the outside, anything but fine on the inside--and that leads to a moral dilemma she's ultimately forced to confront. 


True Confessions of a Heartless Girl by Martha Brooks
Description (from Goodreads):

On the run after taking her boyfriend's truck, with a pocketful of money and a heart full of pain, seventeen-year-old Noreen Stall seems to invite trouble. And trouble comes soon enough as Noreen's new mistakes trigger calamities that shake the lives of the residents of Pembina Lake.

Fictional Lover of the Week: Chuck Bass

WHY CHUCK BASS?

Chuck Bass is charming and good looking. He is one of the richest kids of Upper East Side. His father, Bart Bass, is a business men know to everyone. Chuck Bass is the bad boy of his circle. He has been friends with Serena Van Der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf and Nate Archibald since he was a child. He is very manipulative, and normally gets what he wants. 

What I really love about Chuck is the softer and more sensible side there is in him. He will do everything needed so the people close to him do not have to suffer and he is extremely loyal to his friends. To surface, he is a bad boy who does not care about the feelings of the others, but deep down, he is hurt and a bit lost. His father has always put his business ahead of him and he has lived his whole life without his mother. 


People see Chuck as a playboy. And yeah, he is one. But he uses women and pleasure as a tool to hide his real feelings since he does not know how to express them. When he discovers that he has feelings for Blair, it takes a long time for him to admit them. It is evident that Chuck sees Blair in a totally different light than he sees the other women; he respects her. 

Eventually Chuck and Blair get together; they have a lot in common and their relationship seems perfect. But like every couple, they have problems and eventually they find out that some of those problems might be ones that they cannot find the solution for. 


In the last episode of 'Gossip Girl' season three, something unexpected happens to Chuck. I don't want to spoil it for the ones that still have the last episode to watch, but all I say is that the future of Chuck stays open. 

Picture of the Week (#4)

Who is your favorite fictional male character? And why? 


There will be a new fictional lover of the week tomorrow! 
Guess who he will be!

Waiting on Wednesday (#6)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill@Breaking the Spine. It allows us to introduce some upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Stalker Girl by Rosemary Graham
Published: August 5, 2010 by Viking Children's Books
Description (from Goodreads):
How do you know when you’ve crossed the line between curiosity and obsession?
Carly never meant to become a stalker. She just wanted to find out who Brian started dating after he dumped her. But a little harmless online research turns into a quick glance, and that turns into an afternoon of watching. Soon Carly is putting all of her energy into following Brian’s new girlfriend—all of
the sadness she feels about her mom’s recent breakup, all of the anger she feels over being pushed aside by her dad while he prepares for his new wife’s new baby. When Carly’s stalking is discovered in the worst possible way by the worst possible person, she is forced to acknowledge her problem and the underlying issues that led to it.

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
Published: 31 August, 2010 by Atheneum
Description (from Goodreads):
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

The Echoes of Love (Jane Austen in 21st century) by Rosie Rushton

"Anna had noticed Felix the moment she arrived: for one thing, he was the only black guy in the crowded marquee that had been erected on one of the paddocks at the Musgrove's farm; and for another, he was seriously hot." (pg.40)

Published: February 26th, 2010 by Piccadilly Press Ltd
Description (the back cover of the book):
What would happen if Jane Austen's PERSUASION was set in the twenty-first century?

Anna Eliot adored the gorgeous Felix Wentworth, but still called an end to their relationship. As time passes, Anna wonders if strict parents, interfering friends and misplaced loyalties had more to do with it than she wants to admit...
Now he's back from fighting in Afganistan and Anna longs to rekindle their relationship- but will he give her a second chance? Or will the echoes of the past prove too difficult to overcome?
An ecovative tale of the perils of listening to others, instead of your own heart.

My thoughts:
This is the fourth 'Jane Austen in 21st century' novel by Rosie Rushton I read. The one that I still want to read is Sense&Sensibility of 21st century. Even though I have enjoyed the previous titles read, this one became my favorite while I was reading the first couple of chapters of this novel.

Anna Eliot is a daugter of Walter Eliot, a famous TV show host who has recently been on the media because of this outbursts at wrong occasions. Walter is is difficult economical position; he has lost his job and he just keeps spending money without understanding that he is really broke. Anna's older sister Gaby, a favorite of her father, wants to be a model and is not ready to change the lifestyle she is used to. Anna's little sister, Mallory, isn't ready for the change either. After the death of their mother, the middle child Anna, the sensible and responsible one, has taken the role of the mother; she is the one trying to make her father understand that they are broke. There is also Marina, Anna's godmother, who has promised to Anna's mother to take care of the family.

Since Walter is on bad economical situation, he has to give his house for rent and move to live at a different city for a while. Ruth and Joseph Croft, a couple who has been traveling the world for the past years, rent the house. When Anna understand's who Ruth and Joseph are, leaving her home gets harder. When Ruth starts to talk about the homecoming of his nephew, Felix, Anna understands that she has to stick to the surroundings to meet Felix... again.

Anna and Felix. It was love at the first sight. Felix, a gorgeous, tall guy Anna meets at the party steals her heart. After meeting Felix, nothing is the same. Anna feels like only with Felix, she can be herself. But nothing goes as Anna wishes for and sooner of later, she notices that she is in a situation where she has to choose between Felix and the loyalty to her family. Anna's persuasive father and god mother force Anna do a decision she will regret for her whole life.

Now Felix is back. He has been serving at Afganistan; he is a military hero now. When Anna sees Felix again all the feelings get back to the surface. But Felix acts like he does not even notice Anna. Can Felix forgive Anna, or will Anna be watching Felix falling love with another girl? 

'Echoes of Love' is the modern re-telling of Jane Austen's classic novel Persuasion. You all probably already know that I love Jane Austen and everything related to her. So when I for the first time heard about the Jane Austen 21st century novels written by Rosie Rushton, I was hyped. I bought the previous copies I have reviewed from London when I was there on August 2009, and now when I visited the city again on April, I bought this one which was published on February of this year. 

I really liked the character of Anna in this novel. She is strong and independent, but when the loyalty to her family gets into the questions, she acts in a way she later on regrets. I understand why she acts as she does; her father and god mother can be very persuasive. And when Anna's mother, who has died a couple of years earlier, is brought into the discussion, she thinks that the only thing she can do is to do as her father and godmother say. But even after her decision, she does not stop thinking about Felix.

Felix. A gorgeous, hot, black guy; a guy totally from a different world with Anna. I really liked the fact that Rushton's Wentworth is a black guy. It brings a totally new twist into the story. The character of Felix is almost as gorgeous as Austen's captain Wentworth. You can personally find our why; I don't want to spoil the best parts of the novel. ;)

I really like Rushton's style of writing; she engages the reader and the book is hard to put down. I think the reason why I liked this one the most of the books I've read by Rushton is the fact that I, in a way, was able to identify with Anna. When Felix leaves, she only can think of him and she thinks that she cannot continue her life without him. I also have been in a situation when I have had to left when I was in a relationship with someone; it is two years from that but I still sometimes feel that leaving was the worst decision I've ever made.

'Jane Austen in 21st Century' novels are great for young readers who want to get familiar with Jane Austen, but who do not want to read the original pieces. (You should read them, there is nothing that can be compared to them.) And of course, all the lovers of Jane Austen will love these 21st century remakes with new twists to the old story we love so much. 

Evermore (The Immortals #1) by Alyson Noël

"But I don't know any of this from spying or peeking or even being told. I know because I'm psychic." 

Published (paperback): February 3rd 2009 by St. Martin's Griffin
Description (from Goodreads):
Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…
Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

My thoughts:
Ever has lost her family in a car accident. Her mother, father, little sister Riley and dog Buttercup died. She was the only one who survived. The popular, athletic girl from Oregon changes into a girl who tries to hide herself, a girl who every else sees as a freak. Ever moves to Orange County, California to live with her aunt Sabine. At school she is seen as a freak and her only friends are Haven, a wannabe goth girl who tries to get attention to herself, and Miles, a gay guy, who is like one of the girls. 

Ever can see people's auras. She can hear what they think. From touching someone, she can see their whole lifestory spread like a movie in front of her eyes. She is able to hear what people are thinking about her, she is able to hear their problems, their secrets. The daily appearances of Riley, Ever's death sister keep her somewhat sane. 

Everything changes when a new student, Damen Auguste appears. Dames is gorgeous, wealthy, and sometimes it feels like he is from the past times. He catches every girls (and guys) attention and surprisingly, he chooses to hang around with Ever, Haven and Miles. Ever falls in love with Damen even though she tries not to do so. With Damen, Ever feels like a normal girl, she does not hear his thoughts, and his touch feels good. But also Damen has a secret of his own, a secret which changes Ever's life for good.

I got this book from the library about 3 or 4 months ago. (There are not that many readers who read YA novels in English, so I pretty much can keep these books forever at home without the library wanting them back). I was not sure was I going to read this one. I have read so mixed reviews about this book; some say it is amazing, some say that it is wasting of your time to read it. I am happy I picked it up since I LOVED IT! 

Firstly, I of course fell in love with Damen. He is just gorgeous; dark, tall, handsome, mysterious... the list just goes on. What really surprised me was the fact that I liked Ever all the way from the beginning. I normally don't like the female main characters; for example, even though I love the Twilight Saga, I cannot stand Bella, at least not at the beginning. Her personality just makes me go crazy. But because of Edward, I can stand her. Ever, on the other hand, is independent and strong. She has experienced something horrible; she has lost her family and she was the only one to survive. I can somewhat identify with her, I've lost one member of my family, and I know how it feels; you just hope that it could have been you, not the person lost and you just keep punishing yourself about the lost, you keep feeling that it was your fault.

This book definitely is one of the best ones I've read this year so far. I really want to read the second book in the series, but the library does not have it. This always happens to me; I want to read some series and the library only has the first book. 

I recommend this novel for everyone. It is that good! Just read it! You won't regret it.