November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

Happy Holidays from RFYF and our families to yours!!

November 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday

Sooooo....what book are we waiting on here at RFYF? A Young Adult Drama, of course!!

Spoils

......

by Tammar Stein

Release Date: 10 December 2013

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

When Leni's family hit the lottery, life got . . . well, strange.Leni's parents built a mansion fit for royalty; they enrolled their daughter in the fanciest, most expensive private school in Florida; and they even bought Leni a dolphin for her 12th birthday (she made them take it back). But all of that extravagant living has caught up with them and the lottery money is about to run out—except for the large trust fund Leni will inherit on her 18th birthday, now only a week away. Leni is prepared to give her parents the money until her sister, Natasha, confesses a shocking secret—one that threatens to destroy their entire family. Leni has been ordered to fix it, but how?
( goodreads summary )

November 26, 2013

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"You are carriers of a contagious, parasitic virus. In the simplest terms, the virus thrives only in the bodies of prepubescent teenagers, and it makes you fatally poisonous to everyone else." p. 48

Quarantine: The Loners
(Quarantine, #1)
by Lex Thomas

November 25, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This is a fun meme that allows other bloggers to get an idea of what everyone else is reading and perhaps help to find our next must-read. So check out what WE are reading and tell us what YOU are reading!!

____________________

Lora is reading: Insurgent (Divergent, #2) by Veronica Roth

AND
Hopeless (Hopeless, #1) by Colleen Hoover

Cindi is reading: Quarantine: The Loners (Quarantine, #1) by Lex Thomas

November 23, 2013

Three Rules by Marie Drake Blog tour stop and Giveaway

Summary-

Hope Wellman has a childhood full of horrific memories, a bone chilling recurring nightmare, and a persistent paranoid sense of being followed that she would rather keep repressed. Is evil reaching from beyond the grave to capture the tattered remnants of her soul once and for all, is it only a machination of her disturbed mind, or is there something happening more sinister than even she can imagine?

Attending the funeral of her abuser is the first step in putting her life back together. She struggles with the fact she never told anyone what happened to her, and that the grave they are mourning over is empty. She'd find it a lot easier to move on and believe in the future if he were in the box, ready to be covered with dirt. She fears the last thread of her sanity has snapped when she sees Lucas everywhere she turns, and can't escape a recurring nightmare. Is her tormentor alive, or is she imagining it? Is her dream triggered by past fears or is it a prediction of the future?

Q&A with Marie Drake, author of Three Rules

1. Tell me how you came to love writing

The first time I remember writing a story was in third grade. When the teacher handed it back to me, she said, "Very well done," and discussed my story with me. I was hooked.

2. What other jobs have you done while working to become an author?

I worked in a motel for several years before I got married. I ran a home daycare for over ten years after I got married. My husband and I became foster parents because of an emergency within my own family, and once it was resolved we decided to continue to foster other children. We fostered fifteen children over a five year period. More often than not we were raising eight children at a time. Currently, I have a small home based online business. I design and sell crochet afghan patterns on my website.

3. Tell me about your book.

I thought about writing this book for years — the setting, the characters, and so forth. I didn't have the time to actually put any of it on paper, however, until my kids grew a little older. The book takes place in a small, fictional town. It's on a lake, like my own hometown. It isn't anything too specific because it is centered on the main character's feelings and state of mind more than the location. It is written from Hope's perspective, the main character. She suffered years of abuse and never told anyone about it for fear that no one would believe her, and later that there would be repercussions within her nuclear family causing her mother and step father pain. She buried all the pain and anger inside, year after year. When her former abuser is pronounced dead in a mysterious boating accident but they don't recover the body, it magnifies her feelings of paranoia and fear. She has recurring nightmares, and she thinks she sees him, feels him following her.

4. What kind of research did you do for the book?

Well, the story is based in a small town, on a lake, so I didn't have to stretch my imagination very far on that. I drew on my own personal life experiences when describing the feelings and emotions of the main character. I survived some things in my childhood that scarred and changed who I was forever. It affected my outlook on life, on the world, and affected my decisions and the way I lived until I was nearly thirty years old. I often wonder how different I would be if they never happened. I have also been a care giver for children who had suffered abuse, which I can't go into detail about for privacy reasons.

5. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write?

I usually get up at 5:30 AM when my husband leaves for work and our four boys are getting ready for school. They are all out of the house by around 6:20, and I sit down with my coffee and write for a couple of hours before I have to start the regular day —answering emails and doing customer service for my online business, cooking, cleaning, laundry, taking care of our dog, Lady Jade. I sit at my desk in my office and write, usually in my pajamas, always with a cup of coffee. I find that is the best time for me. I have tried going back in the afternoons to write a little, but I think my best ideas come early in the morning.

6. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part for me is letting others read what I write. Writing it is thrilling, exciting; I am passionate about it. It wasn't until recently my husband convinced me I should let other people read it. To me, it is very personal. It is a piece of me, and when others read it, it doesn't belong to just me anymore. Then it becomes a book, material for random people to pick over, piece apart, and find fault. Accepting criticism is a difficult task, but it is a necessity. I try to do so graciously, and use it constructively.

7.What’s the best thing about being an author?

I have found the best part of being an author is also letting others read what I wrote, when some one enjoys reading it — when somebody else shares the excitement I felt writing the book while they are reading it.

8. What advice would you give writers?

Don't give up. Life gets in the way; it may slow you down but it can't stop you if you keep moving toward your goals, even if it is an inch at a time. It can be challenging, but follow your dreams.

9. What question do you get asked the most, and how do you answer that question?

I think the question I get asked the most is "Was it worth it, spending all this time writing a book?" My answer is yes, to me it was worth every moment I spent at the keyboard. I know they are most often speaking financially. That is not how I measure my success. I feel accomplished and proud of finishing something that I set out to do. I feel the most reward when some one enjoys what I wrote.

10. What are you working on now?

I have started writing my next novel, tentatively called Don't Cry For Me. It is another fiction novel that I hope to release in 2014.

Find out more about Marie here:
Web Site
Good Reads
Blog

Find out more about her book 3 Rules here:
Goodreads
Amazon
Book Trailer
a Rafflecopter giveaway

November 19, 2013

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Claire shut off the ringer, tucked the phone under her pillow, and tried very, very hard not to cry. She'd never felt so abandoned, or so lonely, in her life. " p. 36

Fall Of Night
(The Morganville Vampires, #14)
by Rachel Caine

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This is a fun meme that allows other bloggers

to get an idea of what everyone else is reading

and perhaps help to find our next must-read. So check out what WE are reading and tell us what YOU are reading!!

____________________

Lora is reading: Insurgent (Divergent, #2) by Veronica Roth

AND
Hopeless (Hopeless, #1) by Colleen Hoover

Cindi is reading: Fall of Night (The Morganville Vampires, #14) by Rachel Caine

November 17, 2013

Stacking The Shelves

Listed below are the books that were donated or bought by RFYF for the last several weeks. It's a list full of goodies so CHECK THEM OUT and add some to your TBR shelf!

*~.~*~.~*~.~*~

Donated For Review:

How Wendy Redbird Dancing Survived The Dark Ages of Nought by Lyn Fairchild Hawks

Contagion (Toxic City, #3) by Tim Lebbon

Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell

Have A Nice Day (Anna Bloom, #2) by Julie Halpern

Altered (Crewel World, #2) by Gennifer Albin

Jordan and The Dreadful Golem by Karen Goldman, Rachel Moseley

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine, #1) by Ransom Riggs

Engines of The Broken World by Jason Vanhee

Diabetes and Me: An Essential Guide for Kids and Parents by Nick Bartozzi, Kim Chaloner

Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories From History Without The Fairy-Tale Endings by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

Horde (Razorland, #3) by Ann Aguirre

*~.~*~.~*~.~*~

November 13, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday

Sooooo....what book are we waiting on here at RFYF? A New Adult Friendship, of course!!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Roomies
by Tara Altebrando and Sara Zarr

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: 31 December 2013

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.
(Goodreads Summary)

November 12, 2013

Gratitude Giveaway Hop

Summary-

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.
In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

Review-

The book The Mockingbirds brings up an important topic which teens might want to discuss. What a great way to take back empowerment after an incident that could ruin a young life. The premise of the book is something that many students may encounter. The characters are well developed and readers become involved in their lives.

Publisher-Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewed by: Alisa Humphrey (Librarian at Franklin High School)

Thank you SOOO much to the author who sent us several books for the Read for your Future book club program

Summary-

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Review-

This book starts off in an action packed world with a young lady named June who has lost her mother and father and now her brother is taking care of her. Her brother is a top ranking officer in the Republics army and she is well on her way of becoming a superior of him. That is until the day she meets Day.
Day is a young outlaw who would do anything to help his family. He has stolen money from the Republic and even from rich people on the streets. The book starts out by making him look like a criminal but stay with it and you will find out why he's done some things that might not be so bad. Also if you like this book check out the next part in the series Prodigy!

Publisher-Putnam Juvenile

Reviewers Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~JD Evans (Student at Franklin High school)

Thank you to the Publisher for the donatin of this book to the Read for your Future book program in exchage for a honest review!

Summary-

When Yoshi, a sexy, free-spirited werecat, tracks his big sister, Ruby, to Austin, he discovers that she's not only MIA; she's also the key suspect in a murder investigation. Meanwhile, sarcastic werepossum Clyde and his human pal Aimee have set out to do a little detective work of their own, sworn to avenge the brutal killing of a friend.
When all three are snared in an underground kidnapping ring, they end up on a remote tropical island ruled by an unusual (even by shape-shifter standards) species. The island harbors a grim secret, and were-predator and were-prey must join forces in a fight to escape alive.
Fans of best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith's Tantalize quartet will thrill to see favorite sidekick characters—together with all-new ones—take the fore in this wry, high-action entry in an exciting new series.

Review:

Amazing! Action-y, edge-of-your-seat kinda story! Loved it!

Publisher-Candlewick Press

Reviewer Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewed by~Hailey (Student at Franklin Highschool)

Thank you to Candlewick Press for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program for a honest review!

Summary-

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.
The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?

Review-

I quite like this. C.J. Hill wonderful mixed fantasy with modern. Interesting details as to what these types of dragons theses are in the story. It was a little predicable as to how the plot would play out but it was still good. Lily and Alyssa were characters i really didn't like but they were so stereotypical.

Publisher-by Feiwel & Friends

Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewed by~Emma (Student at Franklin High School!

Thank you to the Publisher for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program

Summary-

From the author of the New York Times bestselling ghostgirl series, the start to a dark and thrilling trilogy about three girls who become entangled with an enigmatic boy. Previously published as The Blessed.
What if martyrs and saints lived among us? And what if you were told you were one of them?
Meet Agnes, Cecilia, and Lucy. Three lost girls, each searching for something. But what they find is Beyond Belief.

Review-

I honestly can't say enough positive remarks about Precious Blood--the unbelievable storyline, the excellent writing, wonderfully-written characters, outrageous creativity. Believe me....it's been a while since a book was so good that it overwhelmed me. The premise of the story is a trio of young girls: Cecelia, Agnes and Lucy. Their ages range from 15 to 18. With lives that are vastly different from each other, it's difficult to imagine how these young women may be connected. However, they ARE connected by their attempts to commit suicide, their deep unhappiness with life, and the gorgeous Sebastian. After reading the summary, I figured that they were fighting over Sebastion--this couldn't be further from the truth. They are fighting for something MUCH BIGGER than a boy.
As stated above, the writing was excellent, every character (including peripheral characters) is fully realized and has a touching story, and the plot--my gosh! the plot!--is simply AWESOME! I'm forever amazed at the creative genius of authors and Precious Blood was certainly no exception. I don't do spoilers so I can not tell you many details but I can say that after reading this book, you'll be eager to read the rest of the series in order to follow the epic battle of Good versus Evil. FIVE STARS!!!

Publisher-Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Reviewer Rating: 5 STARS!!!

Reviewed by~Cindi