Taken By Storm by Angela Morrison

Summary: Leesie Hunt has many rules: No kissing. No sex. No dating outside the Mormon faith.

When Michael Walden—a deep-sea diver who lost his parents in a violent hurricane—arrives in town, Leesie sees someone who needs her. They fall for one another, even though his dreams are tied to the depths of the ocean and hers to salvation above.

Will their intense chemistry be too strong to resist?

Leesie and Michael must make the hardest choice of their lives: whether to follow their beliefs or their hearts.

Readers will be swept away by this tale of forbidden romance told in online chats, Leesie’s chapbook poems, and Michael’s dive log. It’s as steamy as Twilight and just as clean.

My Thoughts: I was hesitate to read this one at first, I am not Mormon and than from the bad reviews I've read, I didn't know if I should. I also had seen it a few times on amazon while browsing and told myself I would eventually read it. A couple of buddies told me not to waste my time. But I'm glad I did. We meet Leesie who is Mormon. She has all these rules she has to follow so when she meets Michael, she wants to start breaking them, even though she knows she can't. We meet Michael who has just suffered a tragedy and has to come to live in Leesie's town. The town isn't very big, the school doesn't have that many kids so sure enough Michael comes and he's gossip central, everyone wants to know him, the girls want him, etc. Leesie and Michael start to form a bond and start to get closer. I actually liked this book and enjoyed reading it. I didn't know much about the Mormon faith and it was nice to see Michael growing a little bit. I especially liked the chat conversations and Michael's dive logs. Honestly, I think this book is worth a read. The only bad thing I can really say about it is, the word babe was mentioned a lot, and I know it bugged others also but I just started skipping right over the word. Its easy to get past that word and if you want to know what happens to Michael and Leesie read the book. Do they survive their dilemma's and end up together? Does Michael overcome his tragedy and learn from it? Read the book to find out.

Overall: I liked it. I didn't love it, but I did enjoy reading it.

Cover: I think the cover is perfect for this book. And its really pretty.

What I'd Give It:

Never Slow Dance With A Zombie

Summary: Principal Taft's 3 Simple Rules for Surviving a Zombie Uprising:

Rule #1: While in the halls, walk slowly and wear a vacant expression on your face. Zombies won't attack other zombies.

Rule #2: Never travel alone. Move in packs. Follow the crowd. Zombies detest blatant displays of individuality.

Rule #3: If a zombie should attack, do not run. Instead, throw raw steak at to him. Zombies love raw meat. This display of kindness will go a long way.

On the night of her middle school graduation, Margot Jean Johnson wrote a high school manifesto detailing her goals for what she was sure would be a most excellent high school career. She and her best friend, Sybil, would be popular and, most important, have boyfriends. Three years later, they haven't accomplished a thing!

Then Margot and Sybil arrive at school one day to find that most of the student body has been turned into flesh-eating zombies. When kooky Principal Taft asks the girls to coexist with the zombies until the end of the semester, they realize that this is the perfect opportunity to live out their high school dreams. All they have to do is stay alive....

My Thoughts: Honestly, I didn't know what to expect as I started this. I really wanted to love it, I did. The cover alone is cute and it is worth picking up. I have read bad and good reviews on this one. We are introduced to Margot and Sybil who are regular girls, who want to popular, and ask the popular guy to the carnival. Things don't go as planned and one of the girls does not go, and other one comes home. Come to find out, everyone a the carnival turns into zombies! They are asked to co-exist with the zombies. This book was just ok to me. I didn't love it, and it could have been a lot worst so I didn't hate it either. I think it is mainly for the younger crowd, or the people who don't read as many books as me a year. For example, I've noticed people who have blogs gave it a lower rating than ones who just read a few books a year. I think that bloggers just have higher opinions. It also may be better for 10-13 year olds. I can tell E Van Lowe put a lot of effort and creativity into this one so thank him for that! I do like zombies but this one just wasn't my favorite. If your a fan of zombies, you might like it. If your younger than me, you might also enjoy it. If your a fan of zombies, give it a try anyways.

Overall: Just ok. Probably read between new releases we are awaiting.

Cover: Love the cover! Its what drew me in in the first place. I love the flowers and just the overall look of it.

What I'd Give It:

In My Mailbox 1/2 (19)

In My Mailbox is inspired by Kristi@The Story Siren

This Week was a really slow week. I got these 3 on Monday and have already read all 3, and nothing the rest of the week! Talk about a slow week!

Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Borrowed from Friend
Summary: Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.




Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter
(Around The World Tours)
Summary:It’s the summer before senior year and Polly Martin has sworn off boys. Who needs the hurt and confusion? Five recent breakups have left her with an unnatural knowledge of NASCAR, the ultimate hiker’s outfit, a student council position, the sixth highest score on the Donkey Kong machine at the mall, and a summer job at Wild Waves with ex #2 Sawyer Holmes.

Success seems a sure thing when Polly’s grandmother, the syndicated advice columnist, Miss Swoon, moves in for the summer. Polly almost doesn’t mind sharing a room with her little sister, Grace. Think of all the great advice she’ll get!

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly (Around World Tours)

Summary: Sixteen-year-old music and sound design obsessed Drea doesn't have friends. She has, as she's often reminded, issues. Drea's mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on "a touch of Asperger's."

Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a trip-hop band after an impromptu jam session. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea's preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.

What Did You Get This Week?

When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

Summary: At the start of her senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things in his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. A popular jock named Dave, though, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her - like why she loves the Lloyd Dobler boom-box scene in the movie Say Anything....Can a slacker rock-star wanna be win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

My Thoughts: This has been on my TBR pile for a while now. I bought it off amazon a while ago. It was one of my guilty pleasure reads, you know one of those books you bought for a rainy day where you want to snuggle with it and read over a cup of hot cocoa. I started it and read it in one sitting! We meet Sara who is a beautiful next door type. She used to go out with Scott and is now interested in Dave, the popular jock. Tobey also catches her eye. Tobey is somewhat of a loner who used to date Cynthia but really wants to be with Sara. In his eyes, she is the perfect girl for him. But Sara is going out with Dave now, so how can Sara possible like him? There are the side characters, Tobey's best friends and Sara's best friends. I loved this book. There were a few lines that were somewhat graphic that I loved! They made me smirk. They made me laugh out loud! Also, there was a part about Tobey falling up the stars. That reminded me of myself, something I could see happening to me. This book was cute, fun, full of romance, and a perfect read in my eyes!! It also switches between Tobey and Sara's point of view. Sometimes that bothers me in books but not Susane's! I love knowing what the characters are feeling. If you haven't read this, order it from amazon right now!!!

Overall: Loved it plain and simple. Will be going on my keeper shelf.

Cover: Love the cover. It fits the book and is so cute! Love the way we can't see their faces but can see Tobey's guitar.

What I'd Give It:

Winners Winners

Did you all have fun entering the 12 Blogs Of Christmas? Remember to go check out each blog to see if you won!!!

I had exactly 455 people enter, isn't that crazy? Plus all the extra entries (thank gosh for google documents so I had to just add up all the extra entries into the main document and that was still insane) it came to over 900 entries total for the main contest! Whoa! And over 100 people entered for the pre-kick off contest!

So without further ado,

the winners are:

Pre-kick off contest: Lori T (choose#1,2,or 3 wish, read this I'll be dead, forget her nots) Lori did not respond within 48 hours so I choose another winner, which was Candace C.

Main contest:
1st lot (including Firespell) : Kelly

2nd lot (including Hex Hall): Sammy

Mystery ARC: Nichole

Please respond within within 48 hours with your address so I can get these out asap!