Top Ten Books of 2010!

I can hardly believe another year has gone by and one with lots of great books. I hope all of you have read some spectacular books that have come out this year-I know I have. So here are my top ten favorites of 2010:

1.) Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

2.) Matched by Ally Condie

3.)Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

 4.) You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

5.) Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

6.) Gone by Lisa McMann

7.) Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

8.) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

9.) The Duff by Kody Keplinger

10.) Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Sorry About The Distance

I owe each and every one of my followers an apology because I have been very distant this past month and I have hardly posted any reviews, giveaways, or weekly memes. I know most bloggers don't believe in saying sorry to their followers for taking a little break from blogging but I think I need to because you have all been so great and have stuck with me-so thank you.

And from now on you can expect lots of posts (especially today) and come back on Sunday because I will be posting a vlog for In My Mailbox!

Black Wings by Christina Henry

Black Wings by Christina Henry (ARC)
Publication Date: November 30, 2010
Versions: paperback, kindle
Received from: Book It Forward ARC Tours

Summary (from goodreads):
As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.


Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with. 


Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.


Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...

This was a very interesting novel-interesting in a good way, though. I'm not really that much into reading about monsters including gargoyles and demons but the author played out this story very well. Maddys job is to help people, move on into the afterlife. But it can sometimes be a tricky job especially that Maddy is running low on money. And when Gabriel moves into her apartment-she can't help feeling a pull to him even though more and more demons are starting to show up. Could it have anything to do with him?

Gabriel is one of those characters that every girl will swoon over-with his bad boyish looks and behaviors. I also liked the connection between Gabriel and Maddy, it was interesting to see how they grew together. I always like reading about a kick butt main character who is strong-so that part I really enjoyed.

Will I reread it?
Probably not, but I do recommend this one to anyone looking for an action packed book. It drew me in and I know it will have the same effect on many others.

2011 Debut Author Challenge!!!

Yes, this year (2011) I will be participating in the Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. Throughout this year, whenever I read other blogs posts about the challenge or what books they have read for it I was itching to sign up but decided to wait until the 2011 challenge started. And if you want to join you should go to The Story Siren to sign up.

Here are the rules (created by Kristi):
1.) You have to read at least 12 from YA/Middle Grade authors
2.) Anyone can join (no blog required)
3.) You can join at anytime
4.) This must be the authors debut that comes out in 2011

So there you have it. I am very excited to get started (even though I have to wait until January). Here are the twelve or more books I am shooting for to finish by December 2011.

1.) XVI by Julia Karr
2.) Across The Universe by Beth Revis
3.) Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley
4.) Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison
5.) Entwined by Heather Dixon
6.) Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
7.) Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard
8.) Bumped by Megan McCafferty
9.) Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
10.) Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
11.) After Midnight by Lynn Viehl
12.) Countess Nobody by Lynn Bonasia
13.) Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I learned in Southern Belle by Crickety Rumley

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

The Lost Saint (Dark Divine #2) by Bree Despain
Publication Date: December 28, 2010
Versions: hardcover, kindle, audio
Received from: publisher

Caution: This is the second book in this series and if you have not yet read: The Dark Divine-then this review may contain spoilers.



Summary (from goodreads):
Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.


Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger-in more ways than one.


Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her-not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.


Bree Despain delivers sizzling romance and thrilling action in the heart-pounding sequel to The Dark Divine.

Grace who now has the werewolf curse is training with Daniel to be the next "Hound of Heaven". He makes sure though that she doesn't get taken by the wolf. But when Gabriel comes to town-Daniel knows how dangerous it is to train Grace and stops immediately. Grace is very upset that no one believes in her so she takes confinement in Talbot-who is also an Urbat. He actually wants to train her and isn't keeping secrets from her as Daniel is. But the longer she trains with Talbot-the more Daniel and Grace's relationship gets more complicated.

This was a great sequel and I praise Bree Despain for making it so interesting and leaving us with a cliff hanger ending (I am almost certain that there will be a third Dark Divine novel). But I will have to state that I was very angry at Grace for most of the novel because she was spending more time with Talbot than her own boyfriend-she was just really annoying in this novel. And at times I could hardly continue-because she made some super dumb mistakes.

Will I reread it?
Yes, even though Grace got on my nerves-this sequel was excellent. I truly recommend this to anyone who has currently read The Dark Divine by Bree Despain. And if you haven't-please do. This series is very unique and will pique anyones interest.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and no compensation.

Winner of The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

I finally picked the winner (sorry for the delay-I've just been super duper busy!) And I know all of you are dying to get your hands on this book-so I am very for all the other followers who didn't manage to snag it.

But without further ado...

Mrs. DeRaps

Congratulations, you have won an ARC of The Lost Saint by Bree Despain and a nail polish that matches the models on the cover.

I am emailing you as we speak so we can get your prize shipped to you as soon as possible. Thanks again everyone for taking their time out to enter.