"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales Bookshelf Tour and Linky!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts!
Like I mentioned in my last post/video, things are getting really busy since school is starting next week! 
Funny thing is, I had a bit of 'goofy time' a few days ago and instead of sitting down and trying to squeeze out a half-ass review or two, lol, I decided to create a bookshelf tour on all of my bookcases!
I don't have much, so it was super easy, quick and fun to do!

Here's my tour! And don't go away yet, there's more to read below ;)


Thanks for watching!!!

I know that a lot of people have already done their own tours or are looking to do one soon! 
I love seeing how people organize their shelves, and of course, what they have on them!
If you have a link, please share your it in the linky below :) 
I'd love to visit and see!!!

Happy reading!!! 




Monday, August 27, 2012

The Beehive Book Update #18: The Adult and MG Only Edition

Hey bookies! I have another update to share :) 
Please excuse the wild wavy hair again, lol, just haven't been in the mood to do the whole straightening thing - so beware!!! And it's been pointless to try to get on track right now, but once school starts and the new schedules begin, I know that things should fall back into place for us - can't wait!!! 


Last week on the blog...
- Partials (by Dan Wells) Read-a-long Challenge and Giveaway!
- Reinventing Claire (by Darian Wilk) Blog Tour and Giveaway!
- Waiting On Wednesday: Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett

Current Giveaways...
- A Copy of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry! (ends 9/4th)
- A paperback copy of Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk! (ends 8/28th)

What I received for review...
- A Walk In the Park by Jill Mansell (Adult)
- A Wedding in Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand (Adult)
- Enslaved (Eternal Guardians #5) by Elisabeth Naughton (Adult)
- The Bridegroom Wore Plaid by Grace Burrowes (Adult)
- The Legend of Captain McFinn and Friends by Phyllis C. Cafaro (Children)
- Captain McFinn and Friends Meet Coral Rose by Phyllis C. Cafaro (Children)
Captain McFinn and Friends Rock! by Phyllis C. Cafaro (Children)

What I bought/won/received as gifts...
Hailey Twitch and the Wedding Glitch (Book 4) by Lauren Barnholdt (MG)
- Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampires by Francesca Simon (MG)
- Elliot and the Last Underworld War (Book 3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen (MG)
- Revenge: Jason Steed by Mark A. Cooper (MG/YA)
Snape and Lily ALWAYS Necklace by McMakin Designs :)
- Vintage Quilt Art Journal by Rae Missigman :)

Thank you to...
- Sourcebooks Landmark and Sourcebooks Casablanca
- McFinn Press/Bender Hammering Group
- Darian Wilk, author of Love Unfinished and Reinventing Claire
- Ashelynn of Gypsy Book Reviews 

What I'm currently reading...
- Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster (Adult)
- Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)

Thanks so much for visiting me today :) 
Please do leave a comment and a link so I can visit you too!

Happy reading!!! 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday #23: Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett



"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 
This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)


This week, I am waiting on... 

by Anna Scarlett 
Release date: August 28th!

SUMMARY

This time, the straight-and-narrow path could be the road to ruin. 

Dr. Elyse Morgan’s mission: find the cure to the HTN4 virus. The compensation, courtesy of the United Nations: a lab stocked with hi-tech goodies, limitless resources and enough chocolate to make her rear look like a cellulite farm. Bonus: she gets to live. 

Rescued (kidnapped) and secreted (imprisoned) on an undersea warship, Elyse adjusts to her assumed identity as a cadet with the finesse of a toeless ballerina. Her sulfuric temper and blatant insubordination capture the unwanted attention of the ship’s captain, the gorgeous, infuriating, engaged Nicoli Marek. 

Elyse would rather perform her own autopsy than become the other woman, but Nicoli—who’s as full of himself as he is of secrets—regards his impending marriage as a mere political transaction. And Elyse as fair game. 

As Elyse’s suspicions about the UN’s true agenda mount along with her attraction to the relentless, chronically shirtless captain, she must choose between the murky path to everything she’s ever wanted, or the squeaky-clean path of self-sacrifice—which could mean taking the secrets of the virus with her to the grave. 

Warning: Features a strong, chocolate-loving heroine who takes no prisoners on the way to saving the world from an epidemic and winning a captain’s heart.

Why I'm waiting on Degrees of Wrong...

I am usually not really interested in stories that revolve around 'finding cures' and a lot of scientific words and studies, BUT by reading this summary, it seems that it there is so much more to the story.
And I love the 'warning' it comes with too!

Oh, and did you see the amazing cover?! Very intriguing!!!

So, what are you waiting on??? 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Blog Tour: Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk (Review/Giveaway)


Good day everyone! I am so happy and honored to be today's blog tour stop for
Darian Wilk's newest release of Reinventing Claire!
You can go to Darian's website and find out more about the ongoing tour, a freebie,
and a sneak peek to her upcoming novel too!

by Darian Wilk
Release date: August 20th, 2012
Published by: Darian Wilk 
Genre: Adult Contemporary and Romance 
Format read: eBook ARC

SUMMARY

People get divorced, but that's what happens to other people. That's what Claire thought anyway, until her husband, Charlie, tells her he wants a divorce.

Claire has no choice but to take on the title of Divorced Woman, and face the question she has no idea how to answer. Who is Claire without Charlie? Her family believes her newly divorced woes can be cured by landing herself a boyfriend. With her dating dunce cap in hand, Claire stumbles her way through the foreign territory of online dating.

A teacher from hell, a softball coach, and a sap later, Claire proclaims herself the dating idiot she thought she was, and fears she's doomed to be a lonely, crazy cat lady. But an accidental run-in with an old acquaintance might change everything. What starts with comparing dating battle wounds over a cup of coffee, quickly turns into something Claire had given up on.

As Claire discovers maybe there is love after Charlie after all, Charlie realizes his mistake. He wants her back, and he'll do anything to prove it to her. Now Claire must choose who deserves her heart, and if she's really willing to give it away again.

BOOK TRAILER - Reinventing Claire



MY REVIEW

Darian Wilk has done it again! With her first debut, Love Unfinished, she gave us the unforgettable couple, Emma and James, who had to find each other again to finish their love story. Now, using her authentic writing style, she has written another wonderfully paced story creating more enticing and unforgettable characters.

Claire has just lost her job, and within hours, her "perfect Charlie" decides to inform her that he's been cheating on her and wants a divorce so they could get married. Stunned and speechless, all Claire could think of was that this was 'her Charlie', the love of her life. This was the man and home where she was going to live the rest of her life. 'Her Charlie' was not incapable hurting her like this.
Or was he?

Claire's reaction and denial had my emotions all over the place. I felt like I was going through her breakup and divorce too. I wanted to reach into the book at times and give her a hug and tell her that it will be okay; while at the same time, I wanted to smack some sense into her and tell her to get over it, that she deserved better, etc. What I loved about Claire is that no matter how upset, sad or angry she was, she was never whiny, helpless nor needy. Yes, she had her moments, quite a few of her moments had me laughing out loud. But they were never unrelatable or unrealistic. Claire was so comfortable with her life with Charlie, she didn't know how to be without him to the point that she knew his dislikes and likes but had no clue as to what she preferred. She was lost. We've all been there before and know how shocking it can be when you don't have a crutch to lean on, to hide behind. It was quite refreshing to see Claire grow, learn about herself and become a strong woman. Even during her weakest moment and many mistakes, she always learned from them and became a better independent Claire.

I instantly fell in love with her large, exuberant and well-meaning-overly-loving family. They all reminded me of my own family. There is something so sweet to see grown women still call their father Daddy, it melted my heart every time I read them calling and referring to him like that. Claire's two sisters, Sam and Holly, were the perfect balance for her. Sam is the younger, promiscuous and loud one that never held back how she felt about the situation and encouraged her to start dating again. Meanwhile, Holly, is the older and married-with-children sister that would reign in the situation and encourage Claire not to give up on finding her true love someday.

So Claire takes her sisters advice and starts online dating. And a few disastrous dates later, she's ready to throw in the towel... until Claire bumps into an old friend. Mac. Mac is everything that Claire never had. Is it possible for Claire to trust and love again? Should she even try?
And then she bumps into Charlie. Charlie who is getting divorced and wants her back.
Yes, this is where I started to hold my breath too!

For all of us that have ever lost ourselves, whether in a relationship or elsewhere, Darian Wilk reminds us that it is okay to hope and dream of better things for ourselves. To remind us that we shouldn't lose or mold ourselves into what we think people want us to be. We have every right to take the time to figure things out, hold out for what's best and just be ourselves.

PS, did I mention that there is a character named Margie in this book?!?!
Claire hires an assistant, and her name is Margie! She's mentioned a few times, I got all giddy and had to show everybody since I have never met a Margie in a book before, hee hee!!!
Now you definitely have to read this book too!


And here's your chance to read Darian's first book, Love Unfinished!!! 
It's available right now on Amazon until August 24th, 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Darian Wilk 

I'm a women's fiction writer, author of Love Unfinished and Reinventing Claire. I love the challenge and thrill of putting words onto paper, and forming it into a story. For me, the only thing better than that are my kids.

On the occasions I'm not engulfed in writing, you'll find me reading a book, either for fun or for review on my blog, Crazy Lady with a Pen. When I'm not reading, I'm spending time with my friends and family. Life is too short to pass those beautiful little moments life has to offer by, I want to soak up every moment I can. 


_______________________________________________________

Enter to win a paperback copy of Reinventing Claire today!!! 
Sorry, U.S. and Canada only. 
Giveaway ends August 28th!


Thank you for stopping by today :) 

Monday, August 20, 2012

Partials Read-a-Long Challenge and Giveaway!

Welcome to the Partials Read-a-long Challenge 
and Giveaway! 


First, I have to apologize for not posting last week.
I needed to step back for the last week or so and regroup, and because of this, I am behind in posting and such... so without further ado! Here is this week's discussion :)

There is still over a week left of the read-a-long and we will have our "closing arguments" next week!
For this week, we have a challenge for you!

In the world of YA there seems to be an abundance of females, 
but Dan Wells is among the few males present in this genre. 

"Which other male authors would you highly recommend???"

Please leave your recommendations below in the comments
and you will be entered to win an eBook of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa! 
*Remember, you must be participating in the read-a-long in order to qualify for the prize.


Thank you so much! and good luck :)

Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Beehive Update #17: The Somewhat Update Edition

Hello bookie-friends :) 
So sorry for not posting much this past week! I took a bit of a book/blogging break and had some sorting to do too - I didn't even do a Waiting On Wednesday post last week, eep! I haven't missed one in 22 weeks, lol! SO, my shelves are cleaned and in order! My TBR pile is ready to go!... also, I have started scrapbooking and drawing/painting again, lol! Sounds like a lot, but I am so happy to be able to get back into it all again!!! I promise that this blog will remain all about books - but be on the lookout because I have been working on some projects and will be creating a new spot to share them, for those who might be interested in seeing my creations/work ;) 

Here is my book/swag haul for the last 2 weeks... 


What we bought/won/received as gifts, etc...
Wake by Amanda Hocking (YA)
- The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long (YA)
- Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (YA)
- Persuasion by Jane Austen (YA) 
- (2) SMASH Books by K&Company ---> Watch the video here!

Thank you to... 
- Valia Lind (Author of Simplicity)
- Traci of The Reading Geek
- Amy of Book Loving Mom
- Valerie of Stuck In Books 

Mentions...
- Misty of The Book Rat: Austen in August Read-a-long


Thanks SO much for stopping by!
Please be sure to comment below and leave your links too :) 

Have a great book week!!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

A Q&A With Katie McGarry, Author of Pushing The Limits (Giveaway)


Hello book-loving friends! 
I have the wonderful opportunity to spotlight and share with you 
a Q&A with the author of Pushing The Limits, Katie McGarry... 

What was your inspiration for writing Pushing the Limits?
I had two main inspirations: One, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to write a story in which my characters felt strong enough to leave their pasts behind and create new futures for themselves. The first scene I ever saw in my mind was Echo and Noah leaving town after graduation. Two, I wanted to write two characters who were facing overwhelming issues and who, through battling these issues, found hope at the end of their journey. 

How did you come up with Echo's name? 
Echo went through several name changes as I wrote the manuscript. For a while, she had a very normal name, but is always felt off. It wasn't until I looked at Echo from her mother's point of view that I found her name. Echo's mother loved Greek mythology so it made perfect sense that she would name her children after the myths. I read several Greek myths and the moment I found Echo's, I fell in love. Echo, to me, was the girl who lost her voice. Thankfully, she find it by the end.

Which character is the most "like" you?
All of them. I gave each character a piece of me (though some have larger slices of me than others). Overall, I'd say I'm a strange combinations of Echo, Lila and Beth. Echo has my need to please, Lila has my unfailing loyalty to my friends and Beth encompasses my insecurities. 

Did you experience friendships with Grace types when you were in high school?
Yes. And the more people have read this story, the more this question comes up. Grace has struck a stronger nerve in people than I ever would have imagines. It seems most of us have unfortunately experienced a relationship where a person wants to "like" you and wants to "be your friend," but only if it serves their needs. In case anyone is wondering, that isn't friendship. 

Are there any parts of the story you feel particularly close to? 

Yes. The relationship between Noah, Isaiah and Beth. Beyond my parents and sister, my nearest family members were over fourteen hours away. My friends became my family. The people I grew up with were more than people I watched movies with or talked to occasionally on the phone. These were people with whom I shared life's most devastating moments, but also my hardest laughs. These were people who I would have willingly died for and I know they would have done the same for me. They shared my triumphs with smiles on their faces and congratulatory hugs. They hold me when I cried and offered to beat up whoever hurt my feelings. These were also the same people who were more than happy to get in my face if they thought I was making a wrong decision. 

Did anything that happened to Echo happen to you? 

Sort of. I was bitten by a dog when I was in second grade and repressed the memory. It felt very strange to have no memory of an incident that other people knew about. It was even stranger to have injuries and not have an inkling where they came from. In college, I finally remembered the incident when a dog lunged at me. I relived the horrible event and sort of "woke up" a few minutes later to find myself surrounded by people I loved. Even though I "remembered" the incident, I still don't remember the whole thing. I only see still frames in my mind and there is no blood in any of the memories. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's your chance to win a beautiful finished hardcopy of 
Pushing the Limits!!! 


Contest rules
- Fill in the rafflecopter.
- U.S. and Canada residents only, sorry. 
- Giveaway ends September 4th, 2012. 


Monday, August 13, 2012

The Beehive Book News Update #16: The Forgotten Edition

Hi there :)
SO sorry that this is SO very late! I have been trying to record a vlog all weekend long and it wasn't working for me. Oh well... maybe next weekend!!!
I've been really busy with my yummy boys and dipping my fingers into my scrappy and artsy stuffs again - which means that I've fallen behind on my reading a bit. I am going to try to stay off the computer/internet as much as possible this week so I can catch up on both!
Email or tweet me if ya need me ;)
Here's what's been happening on the Bumbles and Fairy-Tales blog!

I am participating in Tynga's "Stacking the Shelves" TOO :)

Last week on the blog... 
- My "grown-up" review of 29 by Adena Halpern.
- My "Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon" Goals and Updates!
- Guest post and my review of SEND by Patty Blount!
- The "America's Royal Couple Contest" is going on now!!!
- Partials Read-a-long Week 2 Discussion!
- My Q&A's for the "Pushing the Limits Read-a-long"
- My "Waiting On Wednesday" on The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long
- An 8 1/2 year old's review on Echo and the Bat Pack: Treasure in the Graveyard by Roberto Pavanello (MG)

My current GIVEAWAYS...
- Win a paperback copy of SEND by Patty Blount (YA) ends August 27th!
- Win a hardcopy of Marrying Up by Wendy Holden (Adult) ends August 28th!

What I received for review... 
- Hocus Pocus Hotel: The Abracadabra Hotel by Michael Dahl (MG)
- Echo and the Bat Pack: Treasure in the Graveyard by Roberto Pavanello (MG)

What we bought/won/received as gifts, etc...
- Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown (YA)


Thank you to...
- Media Masters/Capstone!
- Jenna of MTG Reviews :)

What's up on the blog next week!!!
- My turn to host a fun challenge for the "Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon" :)
My review of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry and a GIVEAWAY!!!
- The rest of the week is up in the air ;)

Thank you SO much for stopping by!!! 
Happy reading :) 

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon QUOTE CHALLENGE!!!


Today's the last day of the Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon Challenge!!!
And I have a challenge for all of you that are reading along with us :)


My challenge to you is a quick and easy one, thanks to Jude of In Between!

All you have to do is match the quotes to their books
and leave your answers in the rafflecopter below :)

I have even given you a hint by adding the page numbers, hee hee! 

Good luck!!! 

1. "The water is the Goldilocks kind of perfect. I want to splash around in it." 
~ page 154

2. "The smaller the backpack, the bigger the ego." 
~ page 66 

3. "She was like a bandage on his heart, 
and she tried to be the best bandage she could be, 
though what she was trying to help him heal from, she wasn't sure of.
~ page 244

4. "I just find it disturbing that people - we ordinary, mortal, dumbass people - are in charge of all this. And we've covered it up for, what, millennia? You really expect me to believe that?" 
"Just because it's the biggest secret in the history of the world, doesn't make it any less true."
~ page 76




Friday, August 10, 2012

Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon Day 7


Hi everyone! I've started a new Read-a-thon early Saturday morning!!!
I was so wrapped-up in starting my reading that I completely forgot to post my goal post, lol, so sorry!!!

The "Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon" is being hosted by
Jude of In Between and Jennifer of Some Like It Paranormal...
You can find all of the read-a-thon details here!

My goals are to read:
- (finish reading) Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry (YA)
- (finish reading) Partials by Dan Wells (YA)
Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace by Jonathan Friesen (MG)
The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver (MG)
Shadows (Lux #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)
Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk #1)by Bec McMaster (Adult)

I'm pretty sure that I won't be reading all of these, but if I can at least finish what I started and read two or three more from this list, I'll continue to stay ahead of my overall reading goal :) 

I will be updating this post and adding in my progress as the week goes by!

Updates... 

August 4th:
I am participating in "The Pile Challenge" at Some Like It Paranormal!
Number of books I read today: 0 
Books read:
- Pushing The Limits read up to page 162
- Partials, read up to page 134

My thoughts so far...
I'm off to a slow start. I was hoping to not only have been almost done with one or both of these by now, but to have also been able to comment on a few fellow participants by now too. SO sorry! 
I hope to catch up and rectify this by Sunday night ;) 
Hope everyone is having a great reading time!!!
____________________________________________________________

August 5th
I am participating in the "Hotter Than Summer Boys Challenge" at A Book-lover's Review!
I think that Daemon from Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout is a boy that is 'hotter than summer', hee hee!

Number of books I read today: 0 
Books read today
- Pushing The Limits, read from page 162 to 239
- Partials, read from page 134 to 202
- Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace, read up to page 39

My thoughts for today... 
Still off to a slow start, and tomorrow is going to be a super busy day for me, lol! Hoping to catch up after that... seems like everyone is doing great with so many great reads too! 
Happy reading :)
_____________________________________________________________

August 6th
Boo hoo :( No reading was done today! Super busy and fun-filled day with my family, we finally got to see Brave :) 
Hoping to catch up tomorrow!!!
____________________________________________________________

August 7th: 
Today, I participated in Abibliophobic's "Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon Mystery Title Challenge"

Number of books I have read so far: 1
Books read today: 
- Pushing the Limits, finished! 
- Partials, read from page 203 to 278
- Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palce, read from page 40 to 121
- The Spindlers, read up to page 25

My thoughts for today...
I am so thrilled to have been able to finish one book today! And I am right where I want to be right now. Especially since I have such a hard time from starting other books too, lol! 
Looks like a lot of people are better, yay!!! Keep it up :) 
______________________________________________________________
August 8th
Number of books I have read so far: 2
Books read today: 
- Echo and The Bat Pack: Trasure in the Graveyard by Roberto Pavanello, finished!
- Partials, read from page 278 to 319
- The Spindlers, read up to page 26 to 95

_________________________________________________________________
August 9th
Number of books I have read so far: 2
Books read today: 
- Partials, read from page 319 to 349
- Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palce, read from page 121 to 184

___________________________________________________________________
August 10th: 
Today, I participated in Chocolate Covered Reviews "Book Cover Challenge"
Number of books I have read so far: 4
Books read: 
- The Spindlers - finished! 
- Partials - finished!

My thoughts for today...
I am SO happy to have been able to finish reading two books today! I have been lacking in time and energy this week - that is not suppose to happen during a read-a-thon, lol! BOTH books were amazing reads! I am in LOVE with everything about The Spindlers, and I cannot wait to share my review for it next week!
I hope that everyone is feeling pretty accomplished and are enjoying their reads too! Hope to visit some more of the participating blogs and such tomorrow :) 

__________________________________________________________________
August 11th

August 12th

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

A Review from an 8 1/2 year old: Echo and the Bat Pack - Treasure in the Graveyard by Roberto Pavanello

Good afternoon everyone! 
My son has decided that he needed to review this book,
 (that we received in the mail yesterday for review), 
right away!
We honestly received the book yesterday,
he read half last night and the rest this morning - he's a quick and good reader :)

I hope you enjoy the summary and thoughts of an 8 1/2 year old :) 
(Because we all know how important it is to have that 1/2 year, right?!)

Echo and the Bat Pack: Treasure in the Graveyard
by Roberto Pavanello
Released on January 28th, 2012
Published by Capstone Press
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Source read: Hardback Copy

SUMMARY

Introducing Echo and his mystery-solving Bat Pack! 

Echo the bat grew up in a library and lives in the Fogville cemetery, where it's usually quiet. He likes quiet because he writes mysteries. Then a mysterious, skull-faced stranger in a black cloak arrives in the middle of the night. He seems to be searching for something. 
When his raven sidekick discovers Echo watching, a scary chase ensues. Thankfully, the Silver kids, Becca, Michael and Tyler, are still awake, and they rescue Echo. 

A series of break-ins in the days that follow prompts neighbors to tell tales of a spooky flying monster in a cloak. Can it be the stranger from the graveyard? 
Echo and his new friends (and the ghost of Captain Trafalgar) work to discover the truth (and maybe a treasure).

SUMMARY from an 8 1/2 year old:  

"There is a bat that flies around being happy and then he likes to go upside down in trees. His name is Echo. While hanging upside down in a tree, he saw a man that was wearing a black cloak and the man had a pickax in his bag. He made a circle out of one big rock. And he said, "Ckaaaa, Ckaaaa!" and a crow came swooping down. And then the man said to the crow, "Did you find it?" And the crow shook his head no. And the bat, who witnessed this strange conversation between the cloaked man and the crow, was too scared to move or fly away. Echo thought, "What are they looking for?" And then the cloaked man and crow spotted Echo and they tried to capture him, but luckily for him, three kids were looking in the window and said to Echo, "Come this way." And Echo wasted no time and followed them and got away from the cloaked man and his crow. 

This is a mystery. 

Echo tells the kids how the crow continues to follow him and that the cloaked man is looking for a map.  So the children and Echo go looking for the map too. That is the mystery - looking for the map. And while they were looking for the map at the graveyard, they find a very helpful Pirate Ghost, who leads them to where the map is. But I'm not going to tell you where.

Once they had the map, the kids got on the computer to further find out what the map was all about - and they discovered that the map is for another mystery! The next morning, the cloaked man found them and that he was still looking for the map. When he saw that they had already found it, he tried to get it. But the Pirate Ghost scared him and the crow away. Before the cloaked man ran away, the kids noticed that he was carrying a box with another mystery in it! 
But figuring out the map and what was in that box is all for the next book!"

8 1/2 year old's thoughts about Treasure in the Graveyard... 
"I kinda liked this book. What I like is that they were able to solve the mystery and I like mysteries. I really liked that there was a lot of cool pictures in the book to go with the story. I wish that there were more books to this series to keep going since it ended with another mystery. 
What I didn't really like about the book is the color of the book-cover, it's too dark.
I give this book, Treasure in the Graveyard, 3 1/2 to 4 stars" 

Waiting On Wednesday #22: The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 
This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)


This week, I am waiting on... 

by Ruth Frances Long 
Release date: August 16th, 2012

SUMMARY

A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense 
from a new voice in teen fiction

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. 

Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. 

Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. 

Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, 
and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice - and not just her own.

Why I'm waiting on... The Treachery of Beautiful Things? 

First of all, I am drooling over this stunning cover! I love when a bookcover ties in so perfectly with the summary - it's extra brownie points for what's to come once I read it! 

Why do these trees swallow her brother? Actually, HOW do these trees swallow her brother???
I'm hoping thinking that there are faeries running about in these woods...
What do you think? 

SO, what are you waiting on this week??? 
Can't wait to see what I'll be adding to my list ;) 

Pushing The Limits Read-a-Long Week #2 Q & A




I'm doing the Pushing the Limits Read-a-Long
And you can find more deets about the read-a-long right HERE!

This week's questions is being hosted by The Page Turners!!!
(Questions Week 2 Pages  85 – 162)

1. Noah and Echo create a plan to read their files. What do you think of this plan? Would you read your friends file first knowing you might not have time to read your own? Would you want to read your own file?
Oh my, as soon as I read what they were planning I started to cringe - Noah has so much to lose! It is such a bad idea for him, I wouldn't be able to handle him jeopardizing his time and future with his brothers... 
I like to believe that I would read my friends file first. As curious as I would be to read my own, I am a huge procrastinator and would not be able to just dive into mine. Plus, aren't we always more 'curiouser' to know more about others? lol

2. Mrs. Collins starts to earn Noah's trust by taking him to see his brother win a writing contest. What do you think of how she's handling Noah? How would you feel if you were in Noah's position, hearing that your brother sees you as his hero?
First, I have to say, this scene broke my heart! How sweet was his little brothers story?!
I think Mrs. Collins really knows what she's doing. Everyone can see that Noah will do anything when it comes to his brothers. I just hope that she doesn't use them against him. 
To have anyone look up to you, admire you, in anyway - especially to let them know that they are your hero -  is so heartwarming, it is the most sincerest way to let someone know how much you care and love them. 

3. Echo is starting to draw and paint again. She's starting to express the feelings and what she's seeing as she's starting to remember what happened that day. Art therapy seems to be a popular way for people to deal with their feelings, why do you think Echo's dad didn't want her to continue with art since it was such a big part of her and is part of so many people's therapy in dealing with similar issues? 
In one way, I feel that he is afraid that Echo might regress if she continues to do something that was so closely related to her mother. He probably doesn't want the constant reminder since Echo's mother mostly painted when she was off her meds... also, he may fear that if it triggers more memories, that Echo may 'lose her mind' again. And even though he seems controlling and standoffish, I truly think that he is trying to protect her in the best way that he can. 

4. We see how crazy Beth's home life is and we start to understand why she is not as keen to be trusting with people in her life. At the same time, we get to see how fiercely loyal Noah is. What do you think of the way Noah reacted to Beth being beaten by her mother's boyfriend? Do you think it's showing bad behavior that could get Noah in more trouble or the act of a true friend? 
Noah's reaction was definitely a 'big bro protecting his little sister' moment. In a situation like this, most people would want to give the bad person a taste of their own medicine - can/could you blame him? Yes, it would have probably gotten him into more trouble, and his bravado for going after a guy triple his size is scary to think - but when what little he has is being threaten, it's only human nature to step up and protect it to the max!

5. Echo has an unusual name. What do you think of the story behind it? Is there a Greek Myth or other story that would inspire you to name a child after a character? 
As unusual as it is, I love Echo's and Aire's names! It was really interesting finding out how their mother chose them too. I was never bold enough to go as unique, but I love my kiddos names and wouldn't change them for anything :) 

6. Echo's big think is trying to find "normal" again. She doesn't want to be the scared girl or the girl who can't remember what happened to her, she just wants to be normal. This goal impacts her relationships with her family, friends, Noah and her ex, Luke. But at the end of this section, Echo is starting to figure out that there's no going back to normal and she's going to have to find a new normal. How big of a step is it for Echo when she realizes she's not "in" love with Luke and figures out that she does need to find a new normal? 
I think that Echo kind of knew all along that she wasn't "in" with Luke anymore. She was just trying to reach for her old life again and that was the easiest way of trying to go for it. As soon as she realized that no matter what she did that things would never be the same, things changed for her. Needing to move on, grow and figure out what she wants to do - that is huge. And I can't wait to find out what happens next. 


I'm actually almost done reading! 
I have emotionally invested myself in this book - 
Noah has taken a hold of my heart! And, have I mentioned how much I love his name!!!
I should be done tonight :) 

Hope everyone else is enjoying it too! 
 
Imagination Designs
Images by LabyrinthofDreams