Sketchy by Olivia Samms

A short blurb from the Goodreads page:  A popular cheerleader—raped, beaten, and left for dead. An edgy outsider with a gift. Can they team up to catch a killer?

Bea’s life has been a mess ever since she got kicked out of private school and sent to rehab. Now clean, Bea is starting over at Packard High School, in a city shaken from two assaults on young women. The latest victim, Willa Pressman—the one who survived—doesn’t remember a thing. But Bea has a disturbing new “skill”: she can see—and then draw—images from other people’s minds. And when she looks at Willa, Bea is shocked by what she sketches. Bea might be the only one who knows Willa’s secrets—and who can take down the killer before he strikes again

My Take:

This book was edge of your seat material.  It really moved so fast and I loved the characters, especially Bea.  The twists and turns were exciting and Bea (while not perfect by any means) is extraordinary.   I’m excited to read more about her exploits.  I’m giving this little gem 5 sketchy kisses!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as part of an early book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stung by Bethany Wiggins

A bit from the author's webpage:

There is no cure for being stung.

Fiona doesn't remember going to sleep.  But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered - her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead.  Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand - a black oval with five marks on either side - that she doesn't remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost.  She's right.

Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.

Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone - and on the wrong side of the wall.

My Take:

Stung was awesome!  One of the best books I’ve read in a while.  It was fast paced with unexpected turns around each corner.  I could not put it down and read it in two days.  It’s set in Denver which was also kind of a neat little thing for me, since I live very near Denver.  The storyline was spectacular and the characters were wonderful.  And isn't the cover cool too?!   I’m giving this one 5 big stinging smaks!!

Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Here's a bit from Harper Collins site:  “My name is Harriet Manners, and I am a geek.”

Harriet Manners knows that a cat has 32 muscles in each ear, a “jiffy” lasts 1/100th of a second, and the average person laughs 15 times per day. She knows that bats always turn left when exiting a cave and that peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.

But she doesn’t know why nobody at school seems to like her.

So when Harriet is spotted by a top model agent, she grabs the chance to reinvent herself. Even if it means stealing her best friend's dream, incurring the wrath of her arch enemy Alexa, and repeatedly humiliating herself in front of impossibly handsome model Nick. Even if it means lying to the people she loves.

Veering from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly enthusiastic father and her uber-geeky stalker, Toby, Harriet begins to realise that the world of fashion doesn't seem to like her any more than the real world did.

My Take:

Geek Girl was a great read!  Harriet Manners is quirky, fun and the kind of girl you can relate to.  She knows all these interesting facts that she can’t help but share.  I really loved the characters in this book.  Some of them aren’t always who you think they’re going to be and I found that so refreshing.  I’m giving Geek Girl 4 air kisses, so as not to muss the makeup!  ;)

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Here's a brief bit from the book's Amazon page: 

“I’ve left some clues for you.

If you want them, turn the page.

If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Co-written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, co-author of WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON with John Green (LET IT SNOW, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS), DASH & LILY'S BOOK OF DARES is a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

My Take:

I love this book!  Can you say rich, vibrant characters?!  This book definitely has them.  Lily is quirky, but in the best sense of that word (story for another time on the NOT so good side of quirky).  Dash was, well...quite dashing and intriguing.  Loved these characters and their interaction.  They melded well together.  The whole idea of the notebook was fantastic!  I don't know that I would have had the nerve to follow through with it all, but it was one great read.  They were funny, easy to like and interesting enough to keep the story crusin' along.  I'm giving this one 5 daring kisses!

Beautiful Creatures MOVIE!

Brief Synopsis of the Movie:  When newcomer Lena Duchannes arrives in the small town of Gatlin, she quickly captures the attention of Ethan Wate, who only wants to escape what he views as a boring and dead-end town. He quickly gets more than he bargained for, as Lena possesses strange powers that have long kept her at a distance from others in her life. Lena and Ethan are drawn together, but their budding romance is threatened by the dangers posed by Lena's being a Caster and her family's Dark powers, for upon her sixteenth birthday Lena must undergo the Claiming, a process that will decide her fate forever: Light or Dark.

My Take:

My son and I got tickets to an advanced screening of Beautiful Creatures!  Very exciting.  :)  I loved the books and was hopeful for the film.  I don't feel that it disappointed in any way.  I love the cast!  Jeremy Irons and Viola Davis, what's not to love.  The acting was great, the effects were pretty awesome.  I really enjoyed the fact that there was quite a bit of humor thrown into the mix.  Not overly sappy or silly.  Definitely put this on your must see list!!  Casting five big kisses for this one.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Here's a blurb from the author's webpage: 
“Where’s Polly?” I asked as I dropped the bucket down the well. “Did you pass by the blacksmith’s?”
“I spoke with her mother, with Mistress Logan,” Mother answered softly, looking at her neat rows of carrots.
“And?” I waved a mosquito away from my face.
“It happened quickly. Polly sewed by candlelight after dinner. Her mother repeated that over and over, ‘she sewed by candlelight after dinner.’ And then she collapsed.”
I released the handle and the bucket splashed, a distant sound.
“Matilda, Polly’s dead.”
August 1793. Fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook is ambitious, adventurous, and sick to death of listening to her mother. Mattie has plans of her own. She wants to turn the Cook Coffeehouse into the finest business in Philadelphia, the capital of the new United States.
But the waterfront is abuzz with reports of disease. “Fever” spreads from the docks and creeps toward Mattie’s home, threatening everything she holds dear.
As the cemeteries fill with fever victims, fear turns to panic, and thousands flee the city. Then tragedy strikes the coffeehouse, and Mattie is trapped in a living nightmare. Suddenly, her struggle to build a better life must give way to something even more important – the fight to stay alive.

My Take:

I wasn't so sure that I would like this book.  On occasion I have a hard time with books set deep into the past.  I really liked this book a lot though.  The story was wonderful.  Mattie is a great character.  I thought of all that 14 year olds had to deal with back in those days.  I don't think kids now could make it through.  Heck, I don't know that I would make it through it!  Ms. Anderson is a wonderful writer whose characters breathe and the story is alive among the pages.  I'm giving this one 5 feverish kisses!

Safekeeping by Karen Hesse

Here's a blurb from Macmillian's site: Radley’s parents had warned her that all hell would break loose if the American People's Party took power. And now, with the president assassinated and the government cracking down on citizens, the news is filled with images of vigilante groups, frenzied looting, and police raids. It seems as if all hell has broken loose.

Coming back from volunteering abroad, Radley just wants to get home to Vermont, and the comfort and safety of her parents. Travel restrictions and delays are worse than ever, and by the time Radley’s plane lands in New Hampshire, she’s been traveling for over twenty-four hours. Exhausted, she heads outside to find her parents—who always come, day or night, no matter when or where she lands—aren’t there.

Her cell phone is dead, her credit cards are worthless, and she doesn’t have the proper travel papers to cross state lines. Out of money and options, Radley starts walking. . . .

Illustrated with 50 of her own haunting and beautiful photographs, this is a vision of a future America that only Karen Hesse could write: real, gripping, and deeply personal.

My Take:

This book was very interesting.  Radley spent the first part of the book so alone, you could almost feel her despondance.  I was relieved once she met up with Celia and Jerry Lee.  As she begins to piece together a life and work her way back home to try to set her old life right again, she learns what has happened in her absence and comes to understand just how strong she really is.  While not for everyone, I liked the book well enough.  The pictures that accompanied the story were lovely.  I'm giving this one 3 1/2 safe kisses!

Oh and now for the legal mumbo jumbo: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as part of an early book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”