In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a meme courtesy of The Story Siren which if you haven't seen her vlog of this yet, go visit her blog.



From the (actual) Book Store:
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (review coming up)

From the Digital Library:
Ten Cents A Dance by Christine Fletcher
Hate List by Jennifer Brown (very excited about this one!!!)
Run by Ann Patchet (I LOVE her books, if you haven't read Bel Canto, READ IT)
Inside Out by Maria V Snyder

What did you get this week??

Wish list

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

The Lust Garden:
(the cover gives me a bit of the willies, or is it just me???)
With her perfectly tousled blonde hair and pink, pouty lips, Gianna Salvani is the girl everyone loves to hate. She has it all - fame, fortune and unrivaled beauty. But behind the seductive smile is an insecure girl who still grieves for the father she lost years ago. With a controversial new film in the can, and the release of her debut album looming, Gianna is poised to take center stage. But when a shocking secret leaves her exposed, her fame will bring her face-to-face with a nightmare she never saw coming. Because lurking in the shadow of her spotlight is an obsessed killer with plans of his own for Gianna. Ignited by his first conquest, Gianna's greatest admirer begins a brutal hunt to claim her as the ultimate trophy in a string of look-alike murders. Motivated by envy, he forces himself into her seemingly untainted world and threatens to ruin everything she's built by revealing a hidden tie that binds them. And if you knew his secret, you'd want to kill her too.



The Owl Keeper:
Maxwell Unger has always loved the night. He used to do brave things like go tramping through the forest with his Gran after dark. He loved the stories she told him about the world before the Destruction--about nature, and books, and the silver owls. His favorite story, though, was about the Owl Keeper.Max's Gran is gone now, and so are her stories of how the world used to be. The forest is dangerous, the books Gran had saved have been destroyed, the silver owls are extinct, and Max is no longer brave. But when a mysterious girl comes to town, he might just have to start being brave again. The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon.




Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula:
Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Jones wakes up the morning after a minor accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist to discover that her body has undergone some bizarre changes. Her senses, strength, and speed have been radically enhanced. After exploring her newfound abilities, Cassidy learns that the geneticist, Professor Serena Phillips, is missing and that foul play is suspected. Terrified that her physical changes and Professor Phillips' disappearance are somehow connected, Cassidy decides to keep her strange transformation a secret. That is, until she meets the professor's brilliant and mysterious fifteen-year-old son, Emery. An unlikely duo, they set out to find Emery's mother, who is key in explaining Cassidy's newly acquired superpowers. Their lives are put at risk when they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous, action-packed adventure. Soon they are forced to confront a maniacal villain willing to do anything- including murder -to reach his own ambitious goals.



What are you wishing for?

Review - The Journey by Wanda E Brunstetter

It has been quite some time since I have stuck my nose in a Christian Fiction book. I had forgotten how wonderfully nice these books are to read. There is such a sweetness and innocence to them that makes the world seem so peaceful and lovable. The Journey is a true example of that.

As I do not read the summary of the books before reading, I spent the first quarter of the book trying to figure out where the author was going with the story line, but eventually just sat back and enveloped myself within it. There is a handful of people that the author introduced, so I wasn't quite sure which ones were the main characters til later. I did however enjoy the mix of so many different possibilities in this small Amish community.

Titus is the main character, a man who is trying to get his girlfriend to settle into the Amish church and marry him, yet she doesn't feel she is ready. He has been courting her for years against the wishes of his and her parents. She finally decides to go to California and in doing so, breaks his heart. He finds an opportunity to move to Kentucky and try a new place, somewhere he may be able to start a new life and find a wife who better suits him. Though his intention begins as simply to forget Phoebe.

I found it a bit strange with Titus moving to another state and living within close quarters of a woman who is so similar looking to his ex-girlfriend it stops people in their tracks, but after searching my brain, I came up with a few things that have happened to me in the past. Love is just like that. When I think I am in love with someone, it is so easy to see similarities in others when you want them to be in love with you.

I didn't care for Phoebe one bit. She is selfish and cruel. She makes decisions based on her own needs and thoughts which makes it hard for me to picture her in the Amish community. I do however love the fact that these children are able to go out and see the world, to choose for themselves. It was hard to read Phoebe's lifestyle after leaving the Amish community. I can see how difficult it must be to try and live in the English community after being sheltered for so long.

My favorite character was Suzanne, this wonderfully sweet and talented woman who is trying to find her place in a community where the woman's place is in the kitchen. She would rather be in the barn wood working with the men fellow, as she does have a hidden talent there. She is a horrible cook which I found hilarious and could completely relate to, but is such a strong woman she chooses how to deal with this problem. I love that she sticks with who she is through and through no matter what she is dealing with.

This book was the type of book I would take on vacation. I had the day off from work and just laid in bed and read all day. I loved it. I spent most of the day sighing, smiling and warmed deep within my heart. What a wonderful gift of escape from the world.

Thanks to GoodReads and FirstReads for allowing me to win a copy and review it.

Makes me want to go back to the Christian Fiction section and start reading all the other books by Wanda E. Brunstetter. I would also like to read Karen Kingsbury, since I mostly have read Beverly Lewis in the past.

Review - Sister Wife by Shelley Hrdlitschka

There is something about the Mormon Religion (the polygamist sect specifically) that has me captivated. It could be the complete difference in their way of life as ours. It could be the way I feel about women and they should have every right to choose as men do. It could be the pain I feel for women too young to be forced to choose a life they are not ready for or the fact that I wish we had more support and advice for girls. But I don't want to pass judgment either. I believe that not all polygamist families are run the same way with pressure, oppression and obedience. I love the thought of a bunch of women living together. I also love the idea of big families and smaller communities. Though I know there is so much more to it. Not to mention, on a completely unrelated note, I am a huge fan of the HBO series Big Love which I feel portrays both good and bad of the lifestyle.

I saw this book in the digital library and just knew I wanted to read it. It didn't let me down.

It told the story of a family of girls: two of which are from the traditional lifestyle and one of which was saved from the streets to come live with the family. It is in this dynamic that creates tension because there is one who sets themselves apart and asks questions, another who has some answers that creates more questions and one who feels she has all of it figured out.

I loved the way this book followed these three girls and their choices, all of which were different and for different reasons. I find it sad that we make decisions based on our ignorance and it comes back to haunt us. It was equally sad to know that the faith we have in ourselves and a higher being could be that which ruins us too. Being a believer in goodness and people, I find myself disappointed on a constant basis because things are what I feel they should be. It is a very eye opening thing to experience as a girl growing up trying to find her way in what may be a man's world. I really felt a kinship with each of these girls in this book.

GoodReads summary of the book -

In the isolated rural community of Unity, the people of The Movement live a simple life guided by a set of religious principles and laws that are unique to them. Polygamy is the norm, strict obedience is expected and it is customary for young girls to be assigned to much older husbands. Celeste was born and raised in Unity, yet she struggles to fit in. Perhaps it's because of Taviana, the girl who has come to live with them and entertains Celeste with forbidden stories, or Jon, the young man she has clandestine meetings with, or maybe it's the influence of Craig, the outsider she meets on the beach. Whatever it is, she struggles to accept her ordained life. At fifteen she is repulsed at the thought of being assigned to an older man and becoming a sister wife, and she knows for certain she is not cut out to raise children. She wants something more for herself, yet feels powerless to change her destiny because rebelling would bring shame upon her family. Celeste watches as Taviana leaves Unity, followed by Jon, and finally Craig, the boy who has taught her to think "outside the box." Although she is assigned to a caring man, his sixth wife, she is desperately unhappy. How will Celeste find her way out of Unity? Torn from the headlines and inspired by current events, Sister Wife is a compelling portrait of a community where the laws of the outside world are ignored and where individuality is punished.

I also highly recommend the following books as well -
Escape by Carolyn Jessop
The Church of Lies by Flora Jessop
The Nineteenth Wife by David Ebershoff
Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall
Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody (a fantastic movie with Sally Field)

Wordlesss Wednesday - sleeping positions

Tuesday showing the arm extension position before falling asleep.


Izabel demonstrating the hang head off bed position.

Wordless Wednesday

Review - Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

I have been waiting to read Hex Hall for quite some time now. Sadly, I was number 3 on the wait list for this book from the digital library. One of the drawbacks to not just buying it. BUT I loved it!! So worth the wait.

This was such a fun book to read. It was entertaining and a different twist to the teen paranormal books I have read.

The main character Sophie has made some bad choices in life and has been sentenced to attend the school for witches, warlocks and other such paranormal people who could use some help blending in with humans. While at the school she encounters some not so nice girls who want her to join their coven and a really good looking warlock who may not be what he seems. Each of these characters was well scripted and I felt they just flowed into the story nicely. I wanted to know more and more about them. My favorite, and one I wished I had read more of, was her roommate the vampire, Jenna. She had a great sense of humor and I loved the bond they formed.

I wanted to be a girl who attended this school. Books that make me think about the choice between good and evil are a great play on real life. I believe that both reside within each of us and enjoy walking in others shoes and following what they would do. This book does a good job of playing up the choices we face. Even with all the evil lurking around Hex Hall, Rachel Hawkins just made these characters sensationally interesting. I really enjoyed the twist at the end too - though I refuse to ruin it by revealing it.

I just simply did not want to put this book down. I wanted to continue devouring it. If you are going on vacation or just looking for a fun, easy book to read - THIS IS IT!

Now am so excited to read the next installment of Hex Hall Series, DemonGlass.


Don't you just love the covers? They are so inviting and make me want to read these books.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and you can find official information like how to participate, why it was started and other goodies about IMM on the IMM Page.

I have wanted to start participating but either forgot or just didn't receive anything that week.



The past week I received 33 Days from Bill See as an eBook through email which I love because I can highlight, take notes and check definitions with the touch of my finger on my Nook. Check out the review here.


I received by snail mail The Journey by Wanda Brunstetter from GoodReads as a firstreads winner. I so excited to read The Journey. It has been quite some time since I have stuck my nose in a Christian Fiction book. I used to devour the Beverly Lewis series.

How funny that I went from reading a book about a rock band (drugs, sex and rock n roll) to reading a book about Amish lifestyle.

I broke down and purchased Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux which I have been reading this past week.


I also decided that I would purchase Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender and make one of my friends read it for me as I just wasn't sure the doll coming alive wouldn't scare the crap out of me. She is going to read it while I decide if I want to, but Oh how I want to!!

What came in your mailbox? Check out others here!