The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder (Second Review!)

The Lipstick Laws
By Amy Holder
Publisher: Graphia, 2011
237 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 11/6/2011
Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Chick Lit

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her. For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity. But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Sitting near Darci Madison on the schoolbus is enough to put anyone with woman-sprout issues over the edge."
~Last Line: "And with that, I go to bed a proud Lipstick Lawbreaker and an ex-bra-stuffer."

Review: Talk about an awesome book! I really didn't expect it to be that good! It sort of showed me what high school could be like this upcoming year (I doubt it'll be anything like this book, but anything's possible, right? :D).

The main character, April Bowers, is a sophmore in high scool -- with no friends. Her best bud has moved away to Kansas, and somehow, on the first day, April manages to be accepted by the most popular girl in school. Things are amazing for her so far, even though her best friend warns her to stay away.

The plot was really awesome. You could tell that Amy seriously (maybe not too seriously) thought about the best way to write the characters and what happened throughout the 237 pages of the novel. Everything was just so teenish, and the reader can relate to April and her friends so weel. It all just sort of seems real!

The Lipstick Laws was most definitely an ahmazing book. I wish that it was a series, though. I've heard that they are thinking about making a tv series off of it. Hope that follows throught! :)

and a half :)

Quotes from the book:

"No girl wants to hear that she needs a makeover. I know I'm not a supermodel, but c'mon, I'm not a wilting weed in desperate need of Miracle-Gro, either."

" 'Ah, to be a teenager again . . . when noon is morning and midnight is going to bed early.' "

"I get the tortellini alfredo. It's to die for. Technically, I guess it really could be to die for . . . hence my father's nickname for it: heart attack on a plate. Regardless of its artery-clogging qualities, it's delicious."

"Mr. Stuart jumps in horror when he sees me. 'Holy smokes, April! What happened?'
'Tennis balls are hazardous weapons,' I respond cooly.
The class laughs. I'm happy that others find humor in my suffering."

________________________________________________________

And now I have an awesome interview with Amy herself! :D Enjoy!

1. What made you want to be an author?
I've always loved to write, and I dreamed of being an author when I was little. However, it wasn’t until after college that I really started thinking about pursuing it professionally. I studied psychology in college and once I was out in the real world working in the field, I realized I wouldn’t feel completely fulfilled unless I was able to do something I truly adore. Writing is that something … and I feel very lucky to have accomplished my childhood dream.

2. What gave you the idea for The Lipstick Laws?
The idea for the book was very character driven. April, the main character, was the first aspect of the story that came to me. I always knew I wanted to write a fun story about the ups and downs of high school, but the whole plot evolved by free-writing in April's voice and putting her character into what-if scenarios.

3. Would you say that you’re a Lipstick Lawlord, or a Lipstick Lawbreaker?
I'm a Lipstick Lawbreaker through and through! I could never follow the Lipstick Laws... especially Lipstick Laws two, three and four!

4. What can we expect from you in the next couple of years?
In the next couple of years, I'm hoping to have another book or two out. Also, The Lipstick Laws was recently optioned for TV, so there's a chance that it may go to production at some point -- fingers crossed. There are still many steps that would have to happen before it gets to that point...but the possibility is exciting regardless.

5. Who are your favorite authors of all-time?
The authors who sparked my love of reading and writing at a young age will always have a soft spot in my heart. Those authors are: Shel Silverstein, Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Madeleine L'Engle. I also adore Sophie Kinsella, J.K. Rowling, and Charles Dickens. And I may be biased, but I think my fellow 2011 debut authors are pretty amazing as well!

6. Do you enjoy eating asparagus?
Haha! This may be one of the most random questions I've ever gotten in an interview.... but, yes, I do enjoy eating asparagus. Thanks for asking. :)

7. What are some of your hobbies when you’re not writing?
I love art, photography, anything that makes me laugh, baking, shopping, going to plays, spending time with family/friends...and I'm a huge animal lover, so I like spending time with my pets and/or getting involved with animal rescue groups.

8. What’s your favorite holiday of the year?
Christmas is by far my favorite holiday! In fact, I'd love to be a holiday elf - even just for a day. Preferably the day would be Christmas Eve....because dressing like a holiday elf in the middle of July would probably be a little creepy.

9. How can my followers and I stay in top of what’s happening with you and your books?
You can find me at the following links (please don't hesitate to say hi!):

Twitter: www.twitter.com/amyholderbooks
Website: www.amyholder.com
Blog: amyholderbooks.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amyholderbooks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/amyholder

Also, if you'd like to meet me in person, check out my news and reviews page for information about upcoming events: amyholdernews.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for the interview, Zakiya!

Thank YOU, Amy, for participating!!! I really appreciate it :p

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Falling Under (Falling Under, #1)
By Gwen Hayes
Publisher: New American Library, 2011
324 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 9/6/2011
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Romance, Some Adventure

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Everything changed the night I saw the burning man fall from the sky."
~Last Line: "And together we fell under."

Review: When I started reading Falling Under, I was automatically  pulled in (like I was with all the other books being featured this week; LOL). Again, this was a completely new concept for me, but I really loved it.

As I met Theia and learned more about her past and her family and friends, I was pulled in even more! The way Theia was raised after her mother died, not being able to go anywhere or barely do anything -- I think it's all sort of ridiculous. But I guess when I reached the end of the book, it made sense as to why he was so protective.

The supernatural beings in this one were demons. Nope, no angels. That's what I loved about this one (among about a thousand other things) -- even though there were demons, there weren't angels trying to fight them back or anything. It was very nice anything :).

On to the male of the book: Haden. Half-demon, half-human. I love it! All he's ever wanted was to be completely human; it was pretty cool that he and Theia met every night in the demon world of Under. It was crazy cool, but so mysterious! Although I believe when she actually traveled to Under is was even better. For, you know, traveling purposes, of course :D.

Simple: Get. This. Book. No questions should be forming in your head. The book is amazing. Get it!

Quotes from the book:

"So he was a sweet-talking, cross-dressing, fortune-telling . . . surfer?"

"My makeup was an altogether different experience. Shellacked and powdered, I protested her heavy hand, but my objections were dismissed. As were my protests about the red halter shirt she put me in, claiming it was a dress. If my future included a street corner and a pimp named Ice Money, I'd be ready."

" 'Donny, it would be like opening a barn door during a stampede and expecting only the brown cow with the blue collar to enter. You can't control a stampede.' "

A slightly different post...

Hey guys, what's up?

First of all, isn't it awesome I get to write the first post of 2012? AAND I get to start it in an awesome way- with music

You see, as I was roaming through Youtube (liar, liar, pants on fire - actually I just followed a link someone posted on Goodreads), I found this amazing channel with THE HUNGER GAMES music. The music written by this guy is simply fantastic, and I think you will all agree. Here are some examples of his creations:

"The Hanging Tree", from Mockingjay

"Beginning of a Rebellion: Part I"

(this is a long one)

"Finnick & Annie"

(think of Finnick and Annie when you're listening to this song... it's perfect)

Okay, so this isn't from The Hunger games. Who cares? And besides, this is one of my favourites. It's from "The Hobbit". i just love how eerie it is

So, what do you think of these? The channel owner has a lot of other music, but these are my favourites :P

BTW, if you want to check out some more of his music, the name of the channel is unnoficialscore

Don't forget to comment and tell us what is your favourite!

beijos,

Leo

ARC Book Review ---> The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

     (Mara Dyer #1)  

By:  Michelle Hodkin

Published By:   Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Published Date:  November 2011

Pages:   Hardcover 450

Read:  August 2011

Book Cover Rating:  5

Tags:  Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Suspense, Contemporary, Supernatural, Mystery  
Why the Mad Scientist read this book:  Picked up an ARC from BEA 2011.  I set this one aside because I had no real interest in it.  I was wrong. 

First Lines:   My mother thinks I'm dead.

Concoction of a Review:

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was just a utterly beautiful read.  I do believe it rivals my blood red silver tipped parasol and that is something!

I admit that it is going to be rather hard to review this twisted tale without revealing too much of the goodness.  I LOVED the book so I have to gush about it.  Just a tad.

The best thing about this book...  It is full of Crazy!!

Mara is a dark haired beauty who has hallucinations, hears voices of her dead friends, and unexpected things are happening to her.  *sips tea*l Mara?  What can the Mad Scientist say?  She is just a little on the psychotic side.  Why?  Her best friend, boyfriend, and a friend all went to the great beyond when the abandoned asylum collapsed on them while they were searching for paranormal activity.  

What!?!

How did the building just collapse?  What if she is the only one who knows what happened?  What if she cannot remember what really happened?

Would you want to remember?

Mara's family move to Florida to get away from what happened.  Attempting at normal life did not work out so well for her.  She becomes the new target for the snotty prep queen of the school, Anna.  *Grr...* Leave Mara alone!  Psychotic episodes start to happen.  She does not know what is real or not.  Neither did I!!  I LOVED it!!

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and all that jazz.  Anna used to be the abstinence poster girl, but post-Shaw, you could write a comic book about the many adventures of her vagina.  It could wear a cape." 
 -- Page 41

Time to swoon!!  *Fans Self* Yes, even deeply troubled girls deserve some European tousled hair hunk to look at.  Noah Shaw is just the lad for this!!  He is an arrogant ASS who happens to just be about the most sexy thing described lately.  He is a rumpled sight who just rolls out of bed.  Gorgeous tousled messy hair.  His contemptuous presumptuous ASS did not turn me away.
  

Here is how I picture Noah Shaw:  As William Moseley...

Lucky for the reader there is No love at first sight!  The romance builds up very slowly.  The sexual tension even had me on edge!  I loved how Mara brushed him off like he was NOT a swoonworthy mess!!  I must say... it is strong of her to be cautious instead of flouncing to his side like a ninny.

"How is it that you have friends, Noah?"

 "I ask myself that daily."  He chomped down on the plastic straw.

 "Seriously.  Inquiring minds want to know."
 -- Page 192

**Side Note:  The Mad Scientist   has a secret crush on High King Peter!  I watched the Chronicles of Narnia just to stare at him!  I'd love to mess up that hair!**

*Swoon*

"Your're distracting," I said truthfully.  

"I won't be.  I promise,"  Noah said.  "I'll get some crayons and draw quietly.  Alone.  In a corner."

Michelle Hodkin's story had the Mad Scientist at every page.  What an amazing debut and I am trying not to be torn because I want book two now!!  The story had me sending mental hugs to Mara and dreaming of dear Noah.  Plus all of the other characters were so well developed that I truly enjoyed them all.  Even her overprotective brother.  The story was sprinkled with Mara's snark which broke up the seriousness of the suspense novel. 


Overall, it is safe to say that The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is easily going to be my favorite read of the year.



Best Suspense Novel of 2011!! 

*Just an after thought... but when I seen this picture I though this is Mara and Noah! 


Anna Popplewell would make a beautiful Mara. 


What do you think?  Would these two work for this epic story? *

5 Blasts

This book is out now.  Go buy it because the Mad Scientist could sum them book up with three letters.  WOW!!

Adult Book Review ---> Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler

Adult Review!!

Tempest's Legacy 

         Jane True #3

By:  Nicole Peeler

Published By:  Orbit

Published Date:  January 1st 2011

Pages:  Softcover 352
Tags:  Adult, Fantasy Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Vampires, Selkies, Mystery

Why the Mad Scientist read this book:  Mad Scientist just had to find out what happened with Jane & Ryu & Anyan!

First Lines:  I love it when people pre-laugh at their own jokes.

Concoction of a Review:

Nicole Peeler's Jane True Series has me on edge.  I read one book one earlier this year.  Jen the Bibliophile sent me book 2 & 3 because she knows my infinity for starting a series but never continuing with it.  After completing Tracking the Tempest a book full of snark and supernatural hunks I quickly decided that this series would not be left unread.

**Note to self:  Go buy book 4, Eye of the Tempest, soon!!!**

Tempest's Legacy jumps in shortly after Tracking the Tempest ended.  Jane continues to train her offensive and defensive magical technique.  Her relationship is still a ball of tension from the end of the last book.  Which leads us to seeing more of Anyan.  Jane's eyes start to wonder toward the Barghest.  *waggles eyebrow*

Nonetheless, there is a surprising bout of news that ruffles Jane's feathers.  Someone found out that supernatural females were being taken.  Not kindly I might add.  This horrid news includes information about someone who she most would love to meet and know more about.  Dying to know who??  *grin*

The mystery takes Jane out of little ol' Rockabill, her hometown in Maine, as she tags along to figure out what exactly is going on and how to stop it.  We have a mix of characters from the first book, from Ryu's Boston team & even a few brand new characters!   Interactions are hilarious at best!!  We are even pulled into a new area... The Borderlands!!  (Many exclamation points but it truly is exciting!)

Here is how I picture Anyan:  As Eric Bana... 

*As previously stated!*

This book has little to no nookie in it so I was a bit disappointed in that but I'm looking forward to Anyan.  *blushes*

It truly is a great series!!!  Peeler's snark is completely sprinkled throughout this novel like the others, however, the demeanor is a lot darker.  The events that unfold are a bit harsh and force Jane to grow even more, powerfully and emotionally.  Jane True is Truly Bad A$$ in this book!

*I received this book free of charge from my sassy friend Jen!  My Mad review is completely honest and full of my thoughts on the book and the very yummy men inside. *

For Jane True this is a story of standing up and accepting herself.  Oh, there is also an incredible mystery to he had!

4.5 Kisses


Originally Posted at Steampunkery & Book Reviews.