Resolutions 2010

It's almost the New Year so I have been thinking a lot about the future and the future of this blog and my career. I will be 27 in February so I desided {see update} to devote a lot more time working on my writing career and this blog. [*updated* I also DECIDED to learn how to spell! jeeze] I want it to grow. So expect to see a lot of me in 2010 and if you like it share it please. Thank you. I have to get back to agent researching so I can submit my manuscript. Wish me luck. Next week I will do a lot more reviews and a calendar of Class of 2k10 releases. And every month next year I am posting the next months releases. So look for January's next week. I have been reading my tail off, that's the only thing procrastination is good for, reading time!

God Bless yall and keep reading good books.

Give up the Ghost by Megan Crewe REVIEW

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe is a solid story of an outcast turned vigilante bent on revenge. It is filled with a bunch of likeable characters and I found the ghosts more interesting than the living characters but then again so did the protag Cass.
Cass was pushed out the popular ranks by her middle school bestie Danielle after a fit of jealousy. And when she starts outing everyone’s secrets the school begins to wonder about her. They can't figure out how she is getting her info. Maybe she is psychic.

When class popular Vice Prez starts spending time with Cass they think she has put a whammy on him. Cass tries to find it in her heart to socialize with what she hilariously calls breathers.

I thought this book had a lot of potential. Not that I didn't enjoy it but it was sort of lukewarm all the way through. It wasn't cold but neither did it heat up. I was hoping it would venture into 'freeing' some ghost and helping them 'go into the light' ghost whisperer style but it mainly focused on her inability to connect with the living. Which isn’t a bad thing it just could have added more layers.

Cass was the kind of teen I was sans the angst but a misfit who has a huge chip on her shoulder and socially awkward. I found it easy to be on her side and cheer her own even when she was being rude-ish because heck I was her again sans the ghost.

I think this was a solid novel and think it would be enjoyed by everyone. Not too heavy and not too light. Goldilocks style it was just right.
Cheers,
Casse

Wake by Lisa McMann REVIEW

I will admit, I am very hard on heroines. It takes a lot for me to like one. I liked Janie right away. She wasn't perfect but she was real and believable as a person.


Lisa McMann has a fast passed style of writing that grew on me after my initial distraction. I liked the passing and flow because it was an easy feel and pace for a super light yet entertaining story.

Wake is unique and not the cliché stories that we are use to getting nowadays. I also love how McMann took the time to grow Janie and Cabel's relationship and romance. Its one of the rare YA that you could feel the connection and not have to read that these two are liking each other. In Wake, we are showed the relationship growing into what it is and we see why they would feel that’s way. There are a lot of butterfly moments and I cannot wait the read book 2 Fade.

Wake has a lot of plot and a lot of twist that make you say I didn't see that coming awesome. I loved this book. It was never predictable. Which is a very good thing. I was compelled to read it to the end. And it never got too heavy and cumbersome. It reads quick passed and it leaves you refreshed when finished.

I don't think any YA readers will be disappointed when they read this book.

Cheers,

Casse

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst Review

Ok confession time. I don't like the fairy tale beauty and the beast. I get grossed out by the fact that Belle falls for what looks like a Giant St Bernard. So imagine my doubts when I started reading a book with a girl cuddling the coca cola bear! Add to that the words on the bookmark: "a polar bear, true love, and one girl's impossible quest..." The story has also been described as a "deeply romantic story." by Juliet Marillier. But a girl. A bear. True love? I gave an internal what the hell? Then, I opened the book and read the first line: Once upon a time...


I was gone from there. I can't explained what happened with me. What-where did I go wrong? How did Bear get me? I guess I should say what went right. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst did everything right. Bear, that's the polar bear king's name, was oh my heck loveable. And not because he was a giant teddy bear. Very rarely I do I fall in love with a book hero yet when I closed my eyes one night I saw a waltzing polar bear and a girl with her head thrown back in laughter. And holy heck! That girl was none other than me! ME! With a dang polar bear. I knew right then...Ice was my undoing. Ice had me. But Bear is so much more than that more than a polar bear, more than a human. He is just more. He is honest, strong, funny, vulnerable, reasonable, caring, patient and easy. He is all a girl could dream for. Cassie, the books heroine (not me lol) had no choice but to go head over heels gaga for him.

Cassie, was a well written character. I always find it hard to find a heroine I like. I didn't particularly like Cassie but she wasn't too stupid to live so it's a plus. I will say maybe she was too STUBBORN to live. Her stubbornness and unwillingness to understand is what caused the whole conflict that happened in this story to began with. I know it had to happen but the fact she tried to somehow put what she had done on purpose, on Bear and what he had done out of naiveté and misunderstanding, helped demonstrate her immaturity. And you saw her sort of grow up while trying to get love back. So at first I told myself that, Bear loves her so, like a good Bear groupie, I can put up with her if she is what makes him happy. Then I saw her mature majorly at the end of the story. Her display and bond with whom she loved brought a tear to my eye. I was surprised.

But, like I said Cassie is a great heroine. Durst knows how to write great, believable and flawed characters. You can imagine meeting these characters in real life. I love that. The secondary characters, the munaqsri to be specific, whom Cassie gave adorable names too. For example she called the artic fox, Fluffy. I grew to love every single character especially Cassie! Her forgiveness also demonstrated her growth from child to woman.

The amount of love Cassie has for Bear is touching. She is literally willing to go to the ends of the earth for that man. Its heart warming to read a story where its not one sided. The love, you can see it flowing both ways. Its not one of the stories where you have to be constantly told, these two people love each other. But you ask yourself 'uh ok? Why? and where?' If they never said they loved each other once in this book, you'd STILL know that they did and why.

I love this book so much, that I am giving this book away. Well, rephrase. I won a copy of Ice. Mrs Durst signed it and made it out to ME. So I am not giving this (points to mine) away but I am buying a copy and giving that one away. Contest ends on Christmas eve. To enter to win just leave a comment on what you have done, are willing to do or the sweetest thing that you have done...for love. Because really, that’s what life is all about...Love.

Thanks Jeri Smith-Ready for the blogtoberfest contest that I won Ice on and Thanks Sarah Beth Durst for sending me the book! I truly enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Thanks for writing a book that I think of now when I picture a true love story. Casse

Angry me Win for you... playing with fire CONTEST

This is the awesome original cover

This shows what kind of person I am. I have been wanting to do a contest for well months. But harlequin pissed me off! Their covers are getting lazy! And generic.

  Okay look at My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent's cover NOW look at the re-issue of (my favorite book) Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter's cover. Same dang cover! Why would they eff up the cover? Gena's cover was awesome a chick holding a fire ball!

So the contest is easy. First comment gets a copy of old cover book. I'm ordering it (used) sorry) from amazon, so you will get it directly from them. I would say follow me on twitter but I'd never make subjecting you to my rambling a part of a contest. But if you want you can follow me. @catholickittie also tell someone about this blog. Just a request not part of contest. leave email address so I can contact you dear winner! Some of their other re-issues look twilight-ized and the covers have nothing to do with the dang books (Divine by Mistake/Choice/Blood all three by P.C Cast)
Cheers,
Casse!


[UPDATE]  Okay I got the first comment but I had so much fun, I love giving and sharing books.  Next week, I am giving away another favorite.  Dead Sexy by Amanda Ashley.  Used from Amazon Market.  The following week is Forever Yours By JanMarie Anello.  It's Casse's Fav giveaway month! Surprise and I am also giving away a brand new copy of ICE by Sarah Beth Durst.  Just because Sarah Beth Durst sent me a copy that I won.  It's signed and I treasure it so I am buying one luck follower their very own copy.  You will love it!  I will blog more on it later. 

PEEN-atration please?

What do yall think of sex in YA books? How do you feel about it? I mean yes I supposed some teens are having sex (I want to go on record and say, I did not and I do not agree with minors having sex. It's complicated enough for adults and kids are not ready for the complications. Heck I'm still not. Yes I am old fashion and YES I'm good little Catholic girl who doesn't agree with pre-marital lovin that said moving on.) But that said, I am on the fence about sex in YA books. The house of night series by Cast squared (P.C and daughter Kristen) had a sex scene with minor-teacher no less and it kind of pulled me out the story. But should it be included? I remember thinking "oh, is this?- oh they are really?- They are really going to take it there. Woah!" Felt sorta like hebe-porn! I am not sure if as a teen would I have appreciated sexing invading my book. Teens are curious about it, so would it help them explore there sexuality without doing anything or would it make them want to try it? I am not sure. I would love to hear from yall. Leave a comment please.

Ciao,
Casse

Its not the new Vampire...Nothing is.

Im so tired of the "werewolves are the new vampire" thing. Because be honest, its not. As awesome as were-things are vampires always have been and will be top of the paranormal 'sexy' list. I mean they are mysterious, usually broody and dark and sensuous and well they will never need you to give them a flea dip or get that wet dog smell. I mean yes they are known most because they suck blood. OkayYes, that is icky but I'd rather date a blood sucker than date my dog. I have nothing against werewolvies! I love animals...just not like that. They aren't sexy. And the shape shifting seems so painful! Big Ouch. Vampires are the same ol Vampires so who needs new ones?

That said Werewolves are werewolves so why would they want to be the new Vampires? Say that to them and I'm sure they'd eat your butt alive. I am reading a wolf book so awesome, its like the first draft but it wil be out next year the author is on twitter follow her @shannon_delany, let me just say I read Twilight when it first came out years ago before it became "twilight" and I get the same tingly awesome oh my gosh this book is good feeling I got when I read this book. First draft or not! I cant wait to get the final project and see how it comes out. Its going to be a huge thing guys! If the world is ready for werewolves. I mean I pride myself on knowing the next huge thing. Not that I am Miss Cleo- at work I say that and the people look at me like I Am Crazy. Too young I Guess. I'm getting old I Need To Remember That. But I Dream To Be An Editor. so I Like To Think I Am Good At Spotting The Next "Big Book." 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
She may be able write a novel on a cell phone but I Find Writing A Blog On Mine Tedious! Cheers! Casse