I found this little blurb.....

Hey! So I know it's not Friday yet (give it 30 more minutes) but I just love this idea! I forgot which blog I found this on (sorry!!!) but the creator of the Friday Fill-Ins is Janet. Please stop by her blog to see which other ones she has created!! My answers will be in teal. Also if you do a Friday Fill-In let me know and I'll post it on my blog! Hope y'all have a great weekend!! :)

1. It's time for a crazy dance party in your living room! Don't hold back!

2. The swimming pool; it's not a bad place for pretending to be a mermaid or dolphin!

3. I must be brave.

4. Love is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My hair is simply straight.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was today until I couldn't breathe and my ribs hurt :)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cooking for friends, tomorrow my plans include perhaps a trip to the beach at sunrise and Sunday, I want to take a walk in the morning and take pictures!

Arr maytes me treasure be found

So, the Miss Sara has given those who participated a lovely treasure.

Are you ready? .....You sure? Ok. So she gave the winners a pair of Chanel earings!! I know I know! That's what I thought. Ok no I joke, and I'm in a jokey (is that a word??) mood because I'm about to hit the gym and I'm happy (I know - gym and happy in the same sentence!! :O) So anyway the real prize is here....

It's tooo cute (thats the other reason I'm happy. I saw it and it's like wicked cute!!!!) SO I just thought I'd gloat, brag, and dance around my living room like a nerd. Hope you enjoyed my weird and funny post! C y'all in a bit!!

YA Challenge # 11 - Masquerade

This is the 2nd book in the Blue Bloods series. In the last book Schuyler was told by her grandmother Cordelia that she would have to go to Venice in order to find her grandfather, who was the only hope in fighting the Silver Bloods.

Schuyler and Oliver have been ruthlessly searching in vain for her grandfather. They have looked in numerous hospitals, colleges, even hotels but no one knows of a Lawrence Van Alen. It doesn't help that the Venice Art Biennale has made it appearance once again. This mean that even more tourists are flooding the city as well as other art student and art scholars who want to look at the displays. As Schuyler is looking at one of the pieces she sees a handsome young Italian boy. She asks if she has seen a man by the name of Lawrence Van Alen - and after giving her a cryptic reply he flees. She of course chases.

She finally finds her grandfather Lawrence Van Alen. When she asks for his aide in fighting the Silver Bloods he replies he cannot and tells Schuyler to leave. She returns to New York to an empty mansion and a new semester at school to look forward too. Meanwhile Bliss is still having trouble coping with the lose of Dylan and transitioning into a Vampire. Her nightmares are becoming more frequent, as are her blackouts. When she finds herself in a lake she panics - but a soothing, firmilar male voice tells her not to worry and to swim to the shore (I just realized how this scene foreshadows something in the book.....) She is sure that it is Dylan and that he is really alive but when she turns to thank her savior no one is there.

And once again MiMi is up to her selfish ways. While the aforementions events are going on, MiMi is preparing for the after party, after well the 400 debutant ball. At the ball the Vampires' names are made known to all (so like, their true names from when they fell from Heaven.) Once again Schuyler up stages MiMi in a vintage Chanel dress (which I would kill for) and Jack can't take her eyes off of her.

But a new presence is felt when Kingsley moves into town. All that glitters is not gold, and it's Kingsley's job to find out who has been harboring a Sliver Blood. But suspicions arise causing everyone to be put in the cross hairs. When the most sacred place for the Blue Bloods is attacked everyone begins to fear that the Silver Bloods might actually exist. It's up to Schuyler to unravel the mystery.

I really like this book. Taschima from Bloody Bookaholic said the said the series gets better and I agree! I am eagerly waiting to jump into the next book (after I go to the gym :( ) I will say MiMi Force is getting on my nerves! I hate when people are that downright selfish! UGH! I don't want to give the ending away but you'd think she'd learn a little humility for god sake!

Books in this series:

1) Blue Bloods

2) Masquerade

3) Revelations

4) The Van Alen Legacy

Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz. New York. 2007

Passing on the cheer

Thank you so much Sara! Sara over at DBR has given me this cute award - the award is given to people that make blogging life enjoyable. I will pass it on to 5 more people.

1) Allison

2) Darla

3) Amanda

4) Sara [back to her :) ]

5) Jenners

All of you have helped me in one way or other and I can't thank you enough. So thank you!!! :)

Ya Challenge #10- Blue Blood

There is a secret society in New York known as the Blue Bloods. They belong to a special committee known as the 400. You see only 400 Vampires can live at a time. They are the decedents of the angels that were thrown out of heaven - and are trying to repent so they can once again be loved by God. Light does not hurt them, silver does not burn them - and they can Not die. They have 3 cycles that they go through which is: Expression, Evolution, and Expulsion. They can eat food at first but when their bodies get to a certain age - the need Human blood to live.

Schuyler is the main character. It begins with her and her best friend Oliver getting into the hot club The Bank. Mimi and Jack Force (the hot twins that go to the same school as Schuyler) are going to the nightclub next to them called Block 122. Their friend Aggie has been murdered – but the papers say it was a drug overdose. Jack hangs in different crowds and does not talk to Schuyler – but on that night of Aggie's murder he talks to her. In fact in class the day after Aggie died – Jack wrote on her paper that Aggie was murdered. But who would murder a 15 year old school girl? Weeks pass and Jack ignores Schuyler until the night of the dance. He dances with her and while they dance they are transported back in time – to the 1800s. After 5 mins. they return to the present and Jack kiss Schuyler. Only to ignore her again.

Meanwhile Bliss has started to date Dylan (Schuyler and Ollie's friend) and has also begun to defy MiMi. Schuyler’s best friend Ollie is now mad at her for dancing with Jack instead of accompanying him to get drinks. A couple of weeks later Schuyler and Bliss have been chosen to be the faces of a new jean company - making Bliss and Schuyler become better friends. On the way home, after the shoot, a demonic monster attacks Schuyler. The next time she sees Jack she tells him of the attack. He tells them some monster is hunting the Blue Bloods and they have to find a way to prevent it. Her friend Oliver isn’t all that he appears to be as well. When they meet up again he takes her down to the bottom of The Bank and tells her he’s a conduit – humans assigned to Vampires - and he has been assigned to her since birth.

Life for Schuyler is getting more complicated. The past is starting to unravel and the hidden secrets are coming to light. Her grandmother tells her of the Silver Bloods - or demons- that hunt the Blue Bloods. When she learns that Dylan is turning into a Sliver Blood it is a race to save him - as well as the other Blue Bloods. She now has to fly to Venice to find her grandfather in hopes of saving everyone, for he is the only one that knows how to defeat them. But he hasn't been seen in centuries.

This book was very interesting. I found that it became hard to understand because it started with 3 POVs and then went to 2. It started with Schuyler then it went to MiMi, then it went to Bliss, changing back to Schuyler. . . you get the point. It was too much, and when I finally got a handle on it - it changes to only Schuyler and Bliss.

Another thing that irritated was the fact that she had 15 year olds smoking like chimneys and drinking alcohol like fish! If this is a YA book then why are they semi-glorifying it? That's just my opinion. I will say though towards the end of the book, the character that was drinking the most (MiMi) didn't hold such a prime spot light in the book. This book does have my curiosity - and you know what they say...it killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back :)

The books in the series are:

1) Blue Bloods

2) Masquerade

3) Revelations

4) The Van Alen Legacy

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz. New York (c) 2006

Tag, you're it!

So Sara at DBR has "tagged me". Imogen tagged her prior - and I don't know who tagged her. So I shall continue the list!

The Rules

Link to the person who tagged you.

Share your ABCs - the quiz further down.

Tag three people at the end by linking to their blogs.

Let the three tagged people know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Do not tag the same person repeatedly but try to tag different people, so there is a big network of bloggers doing this tag.

MY ABC

Available/Single? Isn't this the same question? I'm taken :)

Best Friend? I don't have one.

Cake or Pie? That is a very tough question. But I'd have to go with CHEESE CAKE :)!!!!

Drink of Choice? Pepsi :)

Essential item you use everyday? My Mac

Favorite colour? Kelly Green

Google? Yes? When I need to double check information

Hometown? Was: Alexandria, Va. Now: Raymond, NH

Indulgence? Penne Pasta al Vodka Sauce (Thanks Darla :P)

January or February? January. New Year with new hopes.

Kids and their names? Eventually. (g) Emma or Isabella. (b) Vincent or Patrick

Life is incomplete without...? My fiance Vince. He helps me to understand and see things. And he helps me to enjoy life

Marriage date? Someday - late August or early September, at dusk

Number of siblings? 2 - 1 older brother and 1 younger sister.

Oranges or apples? Depends upon the mood I'm in.

Phobias/fears? Ghost Hunting shows! I get scared to sleep at night! Scary movies.

Quote for today? Let go and enjoy.

Reason to smile? I got more books to read today :)

Season? Spring. In May - you can feel the new season begin .

Tag three people? I will tag Darla, Amanda, and Allison!

Unknown fact about me? I secretly write and draw.

Vegetable you don't like? I used to have a lot, but now that I'm on this diet - I really don't have one.

Worst habit? Biting my nails!

X-rays you've had? One. When I had breathing problems they x-rayed my heart.

Your favorite food? Potatoes :) GO IRISH-NESS

Zodiac sign? Gemini


I tag these three blogs:

1) Books and Other Thoughts

2) The Zen Leaf

3) Read Into This!

Arr maytes It begins....

I've copied and pasted directly from her site. So let the hunt begin! Arrrr! Please visit her site for the rules - as well as to answer. Plus she also has good book reviews and other challenges :)

Summary:

I will give you 5 questions - each have single-word answers, which you find by looking through the post that I've linked to, not necessarily DBR. Once you have found all five words, I will ask for a final word which is the answer to a final 6th question, and you will have to sort the anagram of the first letter of each answer to get the correct single-word answer. First two people to e-mail me with the right answer - comments will be deleted so others have a chance - get a surprise book sent to them. Ends at midnight on Tuesday 28th July (UK time). Everyone who guesses the word for the e-treasure gets a special award and link to their site, even if it's not correct. Note that not all the questions are sane or book-related.

Rules:

• You can guess more than once.
• All comment guesses will be deleted so others have a chance - e-mail your answer to dragonflybookreviews(a)gmail.com
• Open to people worldwide.
• You do not have to have a blog to take part - just a valid e-mail.
• Only the first two people (worldwide) get a book.
• No matter what time/day it is where you are, no entries will be counted after the bells strike midnight in the UK.
• You can help/ask for help as long as no-one gives you the correct final word, as that counts as cheating.

THE QUESTIONS:

1. Margo is a mutinous what? click here
2. What is the first name of the actor who got more screentime in the latest HP flick, as he's 'a good actor', which made Imogen pleased? click here
3. What country are the owners of this site from? click here
4. Who shouldn't be shown as nice guys in a book? click here
5. Who Googles their name? click here

The first letters of the correct answers to those questions should be an anagram of a Chick Lit. author's surname. Solve it and e-mail your guesses to dragonflybookreviews(at)gmail.com

Good luck, and have fun!

Arr maytes der be an Update on that Treasure Hunt...Arrr

Quoted directly from Sara at Dragonfly Book Reviews:
NEWS: The e-treasure hunt is posting tomorrow. 5 questions - one-word answers. You have to go on certain sites to find the answer. I will ask for a word relating to a certain book and you will have to sort the anagram of the first letter of each answer. First two people to e-mail me with the right answer - comments will be deleted so others have a chance - get a surprise book sent to them. Ends at midnight on Tuesday 28th July (UK time). Everyone who guesses the word for the e-treasure gets a special award.

I only hope I win! MWhahahahahahahahah . . . I mean. . . ARRRRR. So let the best treasurer hunter Win!

Random Reading Challenge

Thanks to Amanda over at Zen Leaf for the heads up. This is a RANDOM READING CHALLENGE!! brought to you by Caribousmom

There are 3 levels.

Level 1 you randomly read 6 books.

Level 2 you randomly read between 6 and 12 book and

Level 3 you randomly read 12 books.

I think I'm going to go for: LEVEL 2 which means I can read 9 random books.

The game is from Aug 1, 2009 till July 31, 2010. NO LISTS OF BOOKS!

Here is the Link to the game with the rules and other information including Mr. Linky to sign up! Good luck!

HP Reading Challenge

It seems I can't get enough challenges in! I think it's because I'm growing as a better blogger and 1)I find it a way to perhaps meet people and 2) I want to see if I actually win. I've only won 1 thing in my life. So my path to discover this new challenge first started with Darla on her blog, and then I was looking at her comments and decided to Cat's link to her blog Beyond Books, and then I found the person sponsoring the competition - being held by Galley Smith.

To sign up for the competition please go to Galley Smith's blog here. You have from Aug 1, 2009 till July 31, 2010 and you must Read all of books. I've been wanting to do this lately and I think this will help. I'll have a side link on my blog to keep track of the books I read. Good luck to all!!

Ya Challenge #9- Being Nikki

It seems I've done it again. Being Nikki is the 2nd book in the Airhead Novel series. That probably explains why I was so confused in the beginning. I should really start to check my facts :)

The book opens at Nikki's photo shot. She is advertising Stark brand deodorant while hanging off a cliff on the island of St John. She's been standing on the tiny ledge of the cliff now for hours and the ice cold water splashing her from the waves isn't helping her mood. Suddenly she just lets go and falls to the sea below. While under the water she begins to think that maybe just letting go of life wouldn't be so bad, after all it's so peaceful down here in the icy black water. Brandon her soon to be ex dives down to save her. When she's back in her hotel room warming up she gets a call from her best friend Lulu saying that there is a hot guy that has come to see her. Instantly Nikki (really Em) thinks its her crush Chris. She convinces Brandon to fly back to the states immediately while breaking up with him at the same time.

When Em (but in Nikki's body) arrives at her apartment she is let down. Chris wasn't there in fact it was a complete stranger. The stranger is blaming her for the disappearance of their mother. Nikki (who is really Em) tries to tell this gentleman that she 1)doesn't know who he is and 2) doesn't even know she has a mom. After showing her the proof that he is indeed her brother, Nikki decides to help. She tells Steven that she'll hire a PI to find their mom - really she can't because than an PI will discover that Nikki isn't really "Nikki" because Em's brain is in Nikki's body. (Confusing yet? Imagine how I felt with not reading the 1st book )

Em decides to visit her parents - something Stark Enterprise has been telling her not to do. Em is reminded by her mother that Em can't participate an the old family get togethers because she no longer looks like her old self - who died. Em runs out of the building crying and runs into Chris (her former life's crush). When he asks her what's wrong she tells him that her mother went missing. Chris says he can help if Nikki will get a password and ID from Stark, so that Chris can ruin the company.

Later back at her apartment her brother Steven learns that the real Nikki is dead and the some how Em is in her body. The start to uncover the truth behind Stark and realize it's not as polished as the ads the company produces. With the help of Chris - Steven and Em track down his mom. Just as they all thought the cost was clear Brandon, her ex and son of the CEO, blackmails her into helping him black mail his dad. Now Em has to pretend to despise Chris and follow Brandon.

Yeah. I probably should've read the 1st book. I was so throughly confused in the first 3000 chapters that I had to keep re-reading them which lead me to hate the book. As far as the plot goes it wasn't all that bad. However there were some parts in the book that I felt dragged on a little. It does make for an interesting and confusing read. I don't envy Em's situation. I hope the review wasn't as confusing as the book :)

Another fellow blogger reviewed the book as well. Check out her review here. (Sorry I couldn't find her name)

Books in this series:

1) Airhead (not read)

2) Being Nikki (just read)

3) Runaway ( May 2010)

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot. New York. (c) 2009

Treasure Hunt! Arr Maytes Treasure ho!!

Hey guys!!! Ok so Sara over at DBR (Dragonfly Book Review) will be hosting a treasure hunt perhaps on the 27th. I don't know yet but I can't wait for it to begin!!! It will give me an excuse to wear an eye patch and put a parrot on me shoulder and then start talk like a pirate :)

When I have more information on the hunt, including how to sign up - I'll repost. Or you could just stop by her blog and say hi!

Oh and I quickly googled to see if there was a pirate saying for goodbye and I saw this "Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?" It's a pick up line and it made me chuckle to myself.

I'll be seein' ya on der seas maytes . . . mwhahaha

Margo the Mutinous Pirate

Finger Lickin' Amazing

I decided to take a quick break from J. Kaye's challenge and read the newest book of my favorite series! I love the adventures of Stephanie Plum.

Lula has just witnessed the beheading of Stanley Chipotle. Stanley Chipotle became famous (well famous for Trenton) by having his face plastered all over hot sauce bottles. Now seeing someone murdered is a very nerve racking thing to happen. So what would any sane person do? Head over to the bonds office and go talk to their friends. Why call the police?

They finally call Morelli and he goes to the bond office to make sure everyone is ok. Stephanie and Morelli are right now on the 'outs'. Morelli has to bribe Lula with food in order to get her to go to the police office. Steph leaves to go to her apartment and take a shower. When she gets out of the shower she runs into Ranger.

Ranger is having some problems at his work site. There have been some break-ins on properties that have RANGEMAN security. Ranger thinks that Stephanie will help find the leak because she looks trusting and well she's a good looking woman. While she's working for him she has to look through tons of paper work and do non-stop background checks.

In the meantime Lula is still dealing with the fact that she saw someone murdered. As Lula continues on with her life, the two hit men start shooting at her. She quickly jumps into her Firebird and drives off. Lula later learns that who ever wins the BBQ cook off will win 1 million dollars and it doesn't hurt that the cook off will attract the hit men. Lula gets Grandma Mazur to help create a killer BBQ recipe. When Lula returns to her apartment the hit men return and make swiss cheese out of her door. After returning fire Lula decides that she'd be a lot safer at Stephanie's apartment.

Stephanie has to find the people that keep breaking into the the buildings that RANGEMAN is protecting - and fast. As usual Stephanie has to decide between hot, sexy, dangerous Ranger and hot, sexy, semi-dangerous Morelli. I still can't decide who she should end up (for right now) but I think in the long run it would be better for her if she stays with Morelli.

In this book it focused more on Ranger than Morelli. I could not stop laughing through out this whole book :) I love Grandma Mazur and when I get old I will be like her. I swear I will dye my hair red just like she did. For those of you who follow the series like I do - you won't be let down. Well you might be let down at how quickly you read the book. I read her books so quickly and then have to wait for the next one to come out. Too bad she can't make them longer.

I just found this really cool website from Bonnie at Redlady's Reading Room. Her review of the book is here. It's the BURG! Go to it and you can see Steph's neighborhood. You can even click on some of the houses - like Morelli's - and get an inside look!

Also reviewed by Laura at I'm Booking It.

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich. New York (c) 2009

Books in this series:

1) One for the Money

2) Two for the Dough

3) Three to Get Deadly

4) Four to Score

5) High Five

6) Hot Six

7) Seven Up

8) Hard Eight

9) To the Nines

10) Ten Big Ones

11) Eleven On Top

12) Twelve Sharp

13) Lean Mean Thirteen

14) Fearless Fourteen

15) Finger Lickin' Fifteen

I have another blog . . .

If you guys are so inclined, please check out my other blog. It is in the early beginning stages so be patient and I will soon have more up. Thanks :)

My new blog is Calliope and Thalia's Modern Day Musings

YA Challenge #8- Chosen

Ok so this will be embarrassing to tell. Well not really. Ok so when I chose this book I thought it was the first in the series. It's not. It is actually the 3rd in the series and the funny thing (maybe sad for the author) is I didn't notice.

Zoey has been marked to become a vampyre. She attends the school House of Night where she learns about the vampyre culture. Zoey has been chosen by the goddess Nyx to become the High Priestesses. Neferet is currently the one holding that title and she's becoming evil. You see Neferet is responsible for the death of Stevie Rae (Zoey's best friend). But Stevie Rae isn't really dead - its more like she's the un-dead dead and has become a monster. Zoey believe she can still save her best friend. Zoey thinks this has made Stevie Rae different than the other creatures.

Zoey can't tell anyone about Stevie Rae because Neferet will read their minds and know. When they go to have another circular ritual someone has to replace Stevie Rae's earth spot. Zoey quickly prays to Nyx - who sends her nemesis Aphrodite. Zoey soon learns that Aphrodite isn't that bad and she's actually nice and is the only one that can help her. Zoey goes to get Stevie Rae and take her to Aphrodite's house where Stevie Rae can clean up.

As if Zoey's problems weren't enough she now has 1 more problem. Loren is a young, extremely hot drama professor at the school. Loren is pretending to like Zoey so that he can ruin her relationships. It works. Loren convinces Zoey to drink his blood and she drinks his. Then he convinces her to tell him everything that has been bothering her. She does - spilling the secret about Stevie Rae. Erik walks in on them, and Zoey runs to catch up. As she's walking she hears Neferet talking to Loren. Zoey learns that Loren really doesn't love her like he said, and that he's only doing as Neferet bids.

Zoey has to save her best friend, avoid Neferet, and keep her friends from abandoning her.

I apologize for the bad review, but I just couldn't think of a review for this book. It really didn't stand out. I don't know if I will read these series (this time starting with book 1). I had a hard time getting into the grove of the book. I am curious though to see how she will resolve the problems - that alone will probably make me finish the series.

The Girls over at B.A.M. Book Reviews have already reviewed the 1st book. Go over there to check it out :)

Books in this series:

1) Marked

2) Betrayed

3) Chosen (just reviewed)

4) Untamed

5) Hunted

6) Tempted (October 2009)

Chosen by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast. New York. 2008

DBR 1 Year Anniversary Challenge

Ok so I found this lovely challenge on Allison's blog. The challenge is in celebration of Dragonfly Book Review's 1 year blogoversary! Congrats :) The deadline is Nov 11, 2009. For more information including signing up click here, also the reading list for this challenge is here. Good luck to all!!

YA Challenge #7- 13 Reasons Why

I just finished this book not 2 seconds ago - and I feel like the main character not at the end but in the middle. I feel 'shell shocked'. This book is an amazing book, and also a sad one, but it ends with hope.

The book opens to a sad a exhausted male sending off a package to the next recipient of the “list”. Inside the box are 7 cassette tapes – with 13 different stories.

Hannah Baker killed herself – and sent out a box with 7 cassette tapes – each with a story about a person responsible for her death. Well that's not entirely true - as she says “I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes, you’re one of the reasons why” (p 7).

If they don’t keep sending the box to the other recipients than a public showing will be made – some how Hannah will know from beyond the grave. Along with the cassette she gives them each a map – with locations that she has already marked down.

This first story on that tape deals with a boy named Justin – and how he ruined Hannah’s reputation. Justin was Hannah's first innocent kiss. “A kiss? A rumor based on a kiss made you do this to yourself? No. . . a rumor, based on a kiss, is just the beginning" (p 30-31).

All I could think while reading this is if Hannah sent me these tapes and I had to wait for my names I’d go crazy

Rumors are ugly things that change a way we look at things – or do they? Do we allow them to? Why does it give them a reason or excuse to do that?

From the first side of the tape – it shows Hannah’s down ward spiral – it shows the actions of people who helped her fall – no one offered to help – to selfish or did they just not know?

I still say this is a wonderful book, just don't let the whole story make you turn away. As I said before, there is hope at the end :)

Lisa from Books Lists Life also reviewed the book here

Another blogger has reviewed the book here. The blog's name is The Reticulated Pi-Thon. I couldn't find their name. Sorry!!

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. New York. 2007

Passing on the cheer

Blogs that receive the Let's Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and befriends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers.

The 8 blogs are :

Kinny at Kinnie's Korner

Lilyvine at Lilyvine's Pet Times

Jenners at Find Your Next Book Here!

Amanda at The Ramblings Of A Hopeful Artist

Holly at Writer's Block Reviews

Michele at A Reader's Respite

Jenni at Falling Off The Shelf

Padfoot and Prongs at Good Books Inc.

YA Challenge #6- The 39 Clues: Maze of Bones (Book 1)

For you adults that are familiar with The Da Vinci Code you'll understand the book. The two main characters Dan and Amy must race against members of the family to solve the the 39 clues - which will save the world.

It is a pretty action packed book for kids - with double crossing, bombs, traveling the world, and never looking back. From page one I was sucked into the book and couldn't put it down. Even when I was sleeping last night I was thinking about the book - I even had a dream I was trying to solve the clues!

Grace Cahill has kept a very important secret to herself; even her own family doesn't know. For 400 years Cahills all over the world have worked to keep the secret safe until it was ready to be discovered. On her death bed, she knows it is time for the hunt to begin. She also knows what conniving backstabbers her family relations are and can only hope that both Dan and Amy (her grandchildren) will solve the clue - they are her only hope.

Before she dies, she gets her lawyer to take about the top secret will. The will contains the very first clue and who among the family are allowed to get it. At Grace's funeral only 40 of the hundreds of people to show up, are selected to hear the reading of her will. They are invited by the golden tickets found in their pamphlet. (The golden ticket made me think of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - except her funeral is much more subdued than candy land.) When the 40 guests gather in the room, they are told that they can either take the 1 million dollars Grace has bestowed them, or they can go on the greatest race known to man - but there is NO truing back and they only have 5 minutes to decide. Amy and Dan are the last to decide and they decide to join the race - there is no turning back now.

They get their au pair, Nellie to help them by being an adult like figure. With Nellie's help they go to Pairs on their first clue. However their relatives are hot on their trails, trying to hurt Amy and Dan any chance they get. With the first clue solved everyone is rushing to be the first to get the second clue - Amy and Dan already have a lead.

I have to read the second book!!! The 39 Clues is also a real life competition that Scholastic has put together. The books come with 6 'clue' cards of their own, and you can even buy the cards too! I'm not interested in playing the game - I just want to read the books :)

Steve has also reviewed this book which can be found by clicking here. His blog is here Book Reviews and More

Books in this series:

*The books will be written by different kid authors*

1) The 39 Clues: Book 1 The Maze of Bones

2) The 39 Clues: Book 2 One False Note

3) The 39 Clues: Book 3 The Sword Thief

4) The 39 Clues: Book 4 Beyond the Grave

5) The 39 Clues: Book 5 The Black Circle (Aug 11, 2009)

6) The 39 Clues: Book 6 In Too Deep (Nov 3, 2009)

7) The 39 Clues: Book 7 Untitled ( Feb 2, 2010)

8) The 39 Clues: Book 8 Untitled (Apr 6, 2010)

9) The 39 Clues: Book 9 TBA (Jun 2010)

10) The 39 Clues: Book 10 TBA (Sept 2010)

The 39 Clues: Book 1 Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan. New York (c) 2008

YA Challenge #5- Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location

The second book in the "Secrets of My..." series begins with Kaitlin's 'come back' after she was discovered at a local high school undercover. The filming has begun with the Yet Untitled Hutch Adam Project and already things are a bit rocky.

Kate's co-star Drew was once her boyfriend, and he publicly humiliated her telling GQ magazine that he was using her to get his star to rise. That is not the only thing that is causing Kaitlin's stress to rise. Hutch is known for meditating on scenes that he doesn't feel. When Hutch calls an emergency meeting Kaitlin fears she is going to be fired!

When she arrives at the meeting she notices the new scripts with "FOR YOUR EYES ONLY" - and she relaxes a little. Why would Hutch bring her in on a meeting with top secret scripts? Hutch tells the room that he couldn't get this one actress out of his head - ever since she auditioned. She even helped with some ideas for the movie, and she'll play the perfect villain for Kaitlin's character. When he tells her to walk in, Katie is floored to see none other than Sky Mackenzie! Kaitlin can't seem to do anything without Sky getting her claws in.

That's not all, Carol (the studio's press person) tells Kaitlin that she'll have to do tons of press with Drew (her co-star) to create a lot of press for the movie. That means that her time with Austin is even more less frequent and she has to deal with the drama between Drew and Austin. However Drew won't let Katie out of his cross hairs and he makes sure that he is either touching or flirting with her in front of the press (added bonus if Austin is there too!) Katie tries to go along with the flow but it gets hard, especially one day when Austin comes to watch her shot, and Drew kisses her and it wasn't even in the script!

Kaitlin and Austin have dinner at Austin's house, finally a moment without paparazzi nipping at their heels. Kaitlin has an movie premiere to go to after having dinner with Austin, but they worked it out so that Kaitlin's body guard will pick her up and she can meet Drew (Carol wants Katie to go with him for press.) Both Kaitlin and Austin are shocked when Drew picks up Kaitlin from Austin's house! None of Kaitlin's camp new about the switch, so at the party Kaitlin yells at Drew and Sky to leave her alone! Her life with Austin is on the rock, the press has been reporting that Hutch can't stand Kaitlin, and now Sky and Drew are out to ruin her career.

I loved the second book just as much as the first! The books still moves at a quick pace and has plot twists to keep you entertained. In this book you get to see more of a 'behind the scenes' look at what it takes to make a movie. You also learn about stars and their trailers (if your a well known A-lister star your trailed is 200 times better than if your a nobody.)

Carol Daumer Gutjahr over at Book Nook has also reviewed the first two book in the series! To check it out click here.

Books in this series:

1) Secrets of My Hollywood Life (reviewed)

2) Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location

3) Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs

4) Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Paparazzi Princess

Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location By Jen Calonita. New York (c) 2007

YA Challenge #4- Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid follows Greg Heffly through his first year of middle school. As the year school year progress Greg goes through many little adventures. Adventures include dealing with his older and younger brothers, school projects (like plays, patrols, running for class positions.) For halloween, Greg and his friend Rowley go to the high school for the "Haunted House" and that's where Greg gets an idea. He notices that people are paying $5 to get in - so he's going to create his own haunted house and charge 50 cents. The only problem - where to build a haunted house? So they decide to go to Rowley's house. Only problem is Rowley's dad found out and now they have no money making scheme.

The only problem I found with this "novel in cartoons" was there was no real plot. Greg mainly talks about things that are important to every middle schooler - popularity, girls, avoiding "cooties", and how to stay away from bullies. The book flows well, the pictures help, as well as the short stories. Other than that I was scratching my head trying to think of something to write for this post! I feel that it is defiantly a YA book - a nice, funny, short story for young kids to enjoy.

Although this book was funny, I don't know if I will read the other books in the series. I will say that this challenge allowed to me to read a book I would have normally passed. I do like that I got to see a boy's POV in the middle school. It was kind of refreshing to not here "I don't have the 'in' clothes" or "why doesn't so-and-so like me" or hearing about how the reining queen of the preps causes drama. I'm on the fence right now as to read more books in this series or not. Hmmmm.....

Books in this series are

1) Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

3) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Stray

4) Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. New York (c) 2007

YA Challenge #3- Dork Diaries

Being a tween is not an easy thing. To begin with, your parents are a constant embarrassment. They still use your humiliating childhood family name and don't hesitate to use it in public. On top of that you have to make sure that you are wearing the most "in" clothes and you have to make sure that you are in the "in" crowd. And if you're not? Then you better work your butt off to be acknowledged by them.

Nikki Maxwell has just transfered to a private middle school called Westchester Country Day. Automatically she has no friends, and in-order to become popular she needs an new iPhone. DUH! She begs and pleads for her mother to buy her one. When her mom arrives home from the mall that day, Nikki thinks she's gonna get it! Unfortunately what she gets is...a diary. This is no good. How is she supposed to get in with the CCP (cute, cool, & popular) crowd with a dumb diary?

Things for Nikki aren't going so well. She doesn't have a cell phone, her clothes are not from the mall, she has no friends, and to make matters worse, Mackenzie (the Queen of the CCP) will not stop picking on her. One day at gym class Nikki makes friends with Zoey and Chloe. They become good friends - and suddenly school life isn't so bad. Nikki's school is having an art competition. Nikki has been going to art class for 4 summers and has almost perfected her skill. When she goes to the office to sign up she sees Mackenzie signing up. Nikki joins too, and hopes to beat Mackenzie. On the day of the art competition Nikki's photo breaks, and it looks like once again Mackenzie has won.

When I was reading this book, it made me think back to the days when I was in middle school - and how I desperately wanted to be part of the "preps" at my school. I would beg my dad to let me buy new clothes. However, being a single parent, he couldn't do it. I remember watching the show "Clarissa Explains It All" and admiring her, she could make any outfit look cool. It seemed that I could not. I completely sympathized with Nikki.

This book is VERY VERY funny. In the beginning of the book, Nikki has to do a paper on "A Midsummer Night's Dream". I almost spilled milk out my nose when I read "I was kind of surprised, because I didn't know he [Shakespeare] wrote teen chick lit" (13). This book has some other very funny parts. I also love the pictures - it's very "tween"! I can't wait to see if sequel come out. I will so totally read it!

I got the inspiration to read this book at Holly's blog which is Writer's Block Reviews. Also Nona from J Kaye's Book Blog posted about the book which can be found here. However, on J Kaye's Book Blog - the book was also in a contest (which is now closed.) I hope you guys enjoy the book as much as I did :)

Dork Diaries : Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell. New York (c) 2009