Traveling Arc Tours!

Traveling Arc Tours, a new arc tour group run by yours truly and the fabulous Drea, of Book Blather, is looking for book bloggers interested in reviewing and promoting YA and MG titles, as well as authors and publishers looking for a great way for one arc to reach a number of reviewers!

Bloggers:
We already have some great titles that are waiting to be sent out on tour - and we want YOU to be part of those tours!! To determine if you are the type of blogger we are looking for, check out our Blogger information page, here. If you feel that TA Tours is a good fit for you, fill out the form found at the bottom of the information page. After you have sent us the required information, you can sign up for tours that you are interested in participating in, here.

Authors/Publishers:
Traveling Arc Tours is an easy and efficient way to expose one arc of a novel to a large number of reviewers and bloggers. For more information, visit our Authors and Publishers page, here.

Feel free to email us with questions or comments: travelingarctoursATgmailDOTcom

Cover of the Week (1)

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Pub. Date: 11/2/10

Check it out on GoodReads, here!

I love Robin McKinley, so I was pumped to see that she has a new novel being released in 2010. And then I saw the cover art. Oh. My. Gosh. It's amazing! I'm definitely buying this book when it comes out, based on the cover art alone! Although, to be honest, I'm not really worried about the novel itself disappointing either!

Cover of the Week is a weekly feature in which a novel will be highlighted based on its cover art. Novels featured may or may not be already released.

Review: A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Title: A Match Made in High School
Author: Kristin Walker
Publisher: Razorbill
Pub. Date: 2/4/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: High School, Marriage, Stereotypes, Romance, Humor, Pranks
Pages: 288
Plot (from back of arc):
"Congratulations! Your school has invited you to participate in a revolutionary misguided course called Trying the Knot!

When a mandatory course forces Fiona to "try the knot" with super-jock Todd Harding, she's convinced life couldn't get any worse. Until her crush is paired with her arch enemy (otherwise known as Todd's obscenely hot, slightly sadistic girlfriend). But that's nothing compared to her best friend's fate - a year with the very goofy, very big Johnny Mercer.

A series of hilarious pranks leave Fiona wondering: is there something her "best friend" hasn't told her? Could there be more to Johnny Mercer than an awesome music collection? And most intriguing, could Todd Harding have a heart beneath his pretty-boy exterior?"

A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL was not at all what I had expected, but it was still a really great debut novel! I feel that the summary from the back of the book fit the story pretty well, but it led me to make some assumptions that weren't at all true - which left me a little disappointed. However, the book did have a great plot line and satisfying ending - even if it wasn't what I had expected!

The premise of MATCH caught my attention from the first mention I heard of the novel. I've always been fascinated by the health classes in which students have to take an electronic baby home for the week... And I admit to daydreaming about an assignment in which my crush and I would have to raise a baby together and how much fun it would be. So Walker's novel in which guys and girls are paired and "married," for the entire school year, including having a job together and attending counseling sessions togethe, I was intrigued. And kind of amazed that Walker was the first YA author to sit down and write the story! :) After all, I'd been playing out a similar story in my head all through junior high! I'm happy to report, however, that Walker's version of the story was much better than the one in my head... and had a much better lessons to impart.

The aspect of MATCH that really stands out to me is the focus on stereotyping. In high school I was much like Fiona when it came to stereotyping.... and sometimes I still catch myself writing people off without getting to know them. The marriage assignment served as a great venue for Walker to focus on how often people don't get to know people, settling for just a glance at their exteriors without a second  thought for their interior.

The only part of the novel that I didn't really love was the romantic elements. I understood why Fiona fell for the guy she ends up with, but I really didn't see any sparks flying. They are a good match, but I could have used more of something. It just lacked passion... There was another character that I liked as Fiona's match, if only for the dialogue between the two. They really didn't make much sense as a couple, but I really enjoyed their back and forth.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 9
Writing: 10
Romance: 7
Originality: 10
Total: 46/50 (A-)

A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL is definitely worth checking out! I really liked the premise of the novel - it was something that I could relate to - and I think Walker's story shed some light on how wrong stereotypes can be and how they can limit you. Also, I feel that I must add that this book was released in paperback, which means that it is relatively cheap! So go find it at the bookstore right away!

In My Mailbox (16)

IMM is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren!

For information, including a plot summary, publications dates, and publisher information, about the books below, click the title.

Tagged by Mara Purnhagen

Molly Fyde and the Land of Light by Hugh Howey

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Firespell by Chloe Neill

A Most Improper Magick by Stpehanie Burgis

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Puzzle Ring by Kate Forsyth

Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams

Week Off

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to let all my readers know that I will be taking this week (mostly) off from blogging. I've been extremely busy with school lately... and while I've been reading, most of the books I've finished are for future months. I have many, many books for review for the month of February, so there is a lot to look forward to. I need some time to get organized - and then The Hiding Spot will be back on track and better than ever! :)

Also, I'll go through and calculate the winners of CAPTIVATE and THE DARK DIVINE soon. I also have prize books to mail out soon (300 Followers Contest winners). Thank you for being patient!

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

WoW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine!

Nomansland by Lesley Hauge (Henry Holt BFYR, 6/22/10)
Sometime in the future, a lonely, windswept island is populated solely by women. Among these women is a group of teenaged Trackers—expert equestrians and archers—whose job is to protect their shores from the enemy. The enemy, they’ve been told, is men. When these girls come upon a partially buried home from the distant past, they are fascinated by the strange objects—high-heeled shoes, teen magazines, make-up—found there. What are they to make of these mysterious things? And what does it mean for their strict society where friendship is forbidden and rules must be obeyed—at all costs?

This book sounds so INTENSE. I love the cover art and the plot summary is simply amazing - I can't wait to read it!!

Mini-Review: The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

Title: The Tension of Opposites
Author: Kristina McBride
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pub. Date: 5/25/10
Pages: 288

I'm not sure I can write a review that does this novel justice. All I can say is that it is one of those novels that I highly recommend reading. Scratch that. I recommend that you rush out the day it is released, curl up in your favorite reading spot, and devour it. Seriously, it is that good!

I had the novel for a week or two before I picked it up to read. To be honest, I was nervous. I thought it would be good, but I was afraid it would be too dark and intense for a everyday reading. The plot summary only mentioned the heavier plot lines, which lead me to believe THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES would be like Elizabeth Scott's LIVING DEAD GIRL, but from the best friend's point of view. I was wrong; there was plenty of light to balance the heaviness of the story.

The brightest source of light was the love story! I think it is important to note this aspect of the plot, not only because it creates balance, but because it really isn't mentioned in the plot summary and it is one of my favorite parts of the novel. McBride writes the romance in a way that it fits into the darker plot line. Tessa doesn't rush into the relationship, but slowly eases in, which made the relationship more believable and, in my opinion, better. It could have easily not worked in this story, but McBride did an amazing job. And I have to say, I'm sometimes hard to please when it comes to love stories, but I was IMPRESSED with McBride's skill when it came to this aspect of the novel. There has to be just the right amount of tension and she nailed it!

THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES is an amazing debut novel that is not to be missed! I generally don't reread books, but TENSION is one that I could reread over and over again. It is an essential and I'll most definitely be buying a copy of my personal library! And I CAN'T WAIT for McBride's next novel! READ THIS BOOK!!

Mini-Reviews are excerpts from my full reviews. Near the date of the novel's release, I will post my full review.

Add  THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES to your GoodReads bookshelf and find out more about the novel here.

Review: Undead Much? by Stacey Jay

Title: Undead Much?
Author: Stacey Jay
Publisher: Razorbill
Pub. Date: 1/21/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Zombies, Supernatural, Love, Family, Action
Pages: 320
Plot (from Jay's website):
"Even Zombie Settlers with Super Hot Boyfriends get the Blues...

A few months ago I was a normal girl with a normal life. But that was before my power to Settle the Undead returned and someone tried to kill me with zombies.
Now I work magic and practice kicking butt while trying to find time for pom squad and my boyfriend, Ethan, and trying NOT to think about how freaky my life has become. It can be tough. Still…things could be worse…
Oh yeah, right:

•  Feral new super-strong zombies. Check.
•  Undead psychic hottie predicting a zombie apocolypse. Check.
•  Earth-shattering secrets that could land me in Settler prison for life. Check.
•  Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening the end of the half time as we know it. Check.

I’m going to need therapy (and a cookie) if I live through the week. Unfortunately I’m learning that’s not something Zombie Queens can take for granted."

I'm not sure that there are any zombie books out there that are quite like Stacey Jay's. I never really thought that zombies could be both fun and horrifying at the same time, but Jay somehow pulls it off! I also never thought I'd join the zombie craze, but I did - and it is definitely because of YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME and UNDEAD MUCH?!

UNDEAD MUCH is the sequel to the above mentioned novel, and you really do need to read the first installment to fully appreciated the second book, in my opinion. I think that, for the most part, readers will still be able to figure out what is going on, but they won't really connect with the characters as well or fully understand their motivations, thoughts, etc. I wouldn't have been nearly as torn about the "undead psychic hottie" and Megan if I hadn't read the first book, which developed Megan and Ethan's relationship.

As with YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME, this novel is full of zombies, action, and a hint of mystery. Jay balances Megan's normal everyday teenage life with that of supernatural zombie settler like it's a piece of cake, which makes her novels more appealing to those reluctant zombie novel readers, like me.

The romance in these books is really well written. I like that Jay leaves some tension between the characters. In the first novel it was almost unbearable - I wanted Ethan and Megan to be together so badly; they were just so fun to read. I was afraid, however, that the second novel wouldn't be quite as fun, but I was wrong. Jay mixed it up and she doesn't rush the characters into anything, which I really appreciate. Plus, it is kind of hard to have a relationship when you are fighting off undead that are out to kill you. Or so I imagine.

Ratings (out of 10):

Plot: 9

Characters: 10

Writing: 10

Romance: 10 (!)

Originality: 10

Total: 49/50 (A)

UNDEAD MUCH? was an amazing second novel to Megan's story and left me wanting MORE! Jay wrapped up the story, but left so many loose ends and I need to know what happens next. She succeeded in wrapping up the story while simultaneously leaving the reader with questions about just about every aspect of Megan's life. I highly recommend both of Jay's novels, but be warned: once you start, you won't want to stop. Then you can come sit with me and wait the unbearably long months to read what happens next! :)

Review: The Mark by Jen Nadol

Title: The Mark
Author: Jen Nadol
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub. Date: 1/19/2010
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Death, Supernatural, Love, Family, Loss
Pages: 228
Plot (from book jacket):
"Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark - a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it to someone else, the mark was dismissed as a trick of the light. Cassie starts to consider its rare occurances insignificant - until the day she watches a man die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person's imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.
Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her "gift," seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she's careful to hide her secret - even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend - with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who can see it? And finally, the most important of all:

If you know today is someone's last, should you tell them?"

THE MARK is an interesting look at death and loss and raises some interesting questions about destiny versus choice, but it was not at all what I had expected when I picked up the novel. I had been expecting another supernatural YA with a romantic plot line that would leave me yearning for love, but that is not at all what I got from THE MARK. Though I truly did enjoy the novel, once I gave up on the vision of the book that I thought it was, I think it was marketed as something that it was not. 

That said, there were some aspects of the novel that I loved and some that simply didn't hold my interest. I really enjoyed the philosophical debate that THE MARK fostered. If you had this terrible power, what would be the right way to use it. Should you warn people and try to save them? Or is it simply their time and you should let nature run its course? I felt like this aspect of the book was the strongest.

I didn't really like the romantic plot line. The boy that Cassie is with throughout most of the novel I found to be boring and pretentious. I did not see any chemistry between the two characters and I really wanted him out of the picture. Plus, I felt like Cassie couldn't really be herself around him, which made their relationship uncomfortable for me. There is another boy, who is only mentioned briefly, that I would have loved to see more of. I think the novel maybe was supposed to come across this way in the romance department, but it really didn't click for me.

Most of the novel really didn't seem very "supernatural" to me, so that was a bit of a letdown at first. However, near the end the novel, there is some mythology interwoven and the mystery of Cassie parents deepens as more details are uncovered - this is when I really started to get into the plot. I just wish some of this action would have happened earlier in the novel.

Ratings (Out of 10):

Plot: 8

Characters: 8

Writing: 10

Romance: 6

Originality: 10

Total: 42/50 (B)

I'm not sure if THE MARK is going to be series or trilogy, but I would check out more novels about Cassie.The novel really did start to get interesting towards the end, so I was left with some questions. Plus, the boy I liked was finally back - so I am extremely interested to see what happens with him and Cassie! THE MARK was a great debut novel and I have high hopes for Nadol's next novels!

Random News & Extra Contest Entries

Hey everyone!

The new school semester is now underway, so you might see me a bit less than before. I'm still reading though and have lots of fun stuff (including contests and interviews) planned for the upcoming months! There are so many great 2010 books that I can't wait to chat with all of you about!

Don't forget that I currently have three contests running!

• Win BLEEDING VIOLET here!
• Win CAPTIVATE here!
• Win THE DARK DIVINE here!

In other news, I had the chance to speak with a great group of kids the other day at the local public library where I live! I was invited to come and speak about blogging, reading, and what I think makes a great review. The kids, though I really shouldn't call them kids, as I'm not very much older than some of them, were a wonderful audience and they asked some wonderful questions. Questions that prompted me to actually think, like which book or books sparked my love of reading. I always have tons of fun when I get to talk to other book lovers, but this group was unique because they are part of a galley program that reads and reviews books before they are released as well! Of course, I'm terribly jealous that they had this opportunity while in high school, as my library from back home had a sad YA collection and there were definitely no arcs to be found... Some of the participants were even budding authors, much like many bloggers I know! In fact, I was asked an interesting question by one writer, which I'll ask all of you other readers out there:

    How do you feel about exclamation points?

That is, as a reader, how do feel about the usage of exclamation points? Should they be used sparingly? Or at all? What do you think?

If you answer the above question in the comments, you'll get 2 extra entries into one of the three contests that are currently running (see above). I'll add the entries into the spreadsheet, simply comment.

Review: The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Title: The Espressologist
Author: Kristina Springer
Publisher: Farrar, Strous, & Giroux
Pub. Date: 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Love, Matchmaking, Friendship
Pages: 184
Plot (from book jacket):
"What's your drink of choice?
Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you're lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You must prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it's a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie.
Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it's not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their drink orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane's Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She's the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?"

The Espressologist was light and fun read that left me with a taste for a latte... and love.

When I first read the premise of The Espressologist, I was intrigued. Not only was it a creative and fun idea for a novel, it sounded like their was cute love story interwoven. Kristina Springer did a great job developing the idea Espressology. Now every time I go to a cafe I'm going to be wondering how well my drink of choice matches up to my boyfriend's! :)

Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of Jane. I'm not sure if it just her personality, or if it was the development of the story that really turned me off. She was just a bit too annoying for my tastes. She acted like a wimp when it came to the girls who teased her in high school, but then the next minute she was a confident know-it-all. She just didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Jane and Cam's love story was cute, but a bit lacking. Jane's ignorance didn't make me feel for her, it just made me frustrated. Their romance didn't really work for me because I was never really given a reason as to why Cam would even like Jane. She was a bit preoccupied my herself for my tastes... I thought Cam deserved better.

I also felt like the reader was given too much extra information that wasn't needed. Like information about Jane's parents and her school habits. I'd rather have seen Jane's relationship with Cam more fully developed in the extra pages that would have been freed up with that extra information deleted.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 8
Characters: 7
Writing: 9
Romance: 6
Originality: 9
Total: 39/50 (C+)

The Espressologist really was a fun read and I'll definitely check out Springer's next novel, but it isn't a book I'd buy or read again. It was good for an afternoon read, but didn't really grab me like some other chick lit has.

Reviewed for Other Shelf Tours

Winners of my 300 Followers Contest!

You guys totally rocked this contest! I had 98 individuals enter the contest, with 681 entries total!

Thank you so much for following The Hiding Spot! It has come a looong way and I hope that I will be able to continue reading, reviewing, and sharing great books with all you other book lovers out there!

Now, on to the winners!

#1 Taylor (Dreaming Anastasia pb)

#2 The Bookologist (Catching Fire hc)

#3 Emily (Snap arc)
#4 Anna (Dairy Queen pb)
#5 Audrey (Swag Pack 1)
#6 Jenny (Swag Pack 2)

I'm send an email out to each of you! Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize, otherwise I will draw a new winner!

Review: Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman

Title: Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Material
Author: Rosalind Wiseman
Publisher: Penguin Putnam
Pub. Date: 1/12/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: High school, Love, Friendship, Popularity, Hazing
Pages: 288
Plot (from back of arc):

Charlie Healey just wants a drama-free year, but it doesn’t seem like she’s going to get it. Middle school was rough. There were mean girls all around her, and she was even in danger of becoming one herself. High school is supposed to be her chance to leave all that behind, except that it isn’t.


On her very first day, who does she run into but her former best friend, Will, who’d moved away years ago. Now he’s back, he’s HOT, and he’s popular. Befriending him again takes Charlie back into the danger zone. And when a hazing prank turns near-deadly, Charlie and their new no-drama friends realize Will has gotten in way over his head trying to prove his loyalty to upperclassmen.


Torn between doing what’s right and secret feeling for Will, Charlie must decide whether to turn in her very best friend or live with the guilt of knowing what he did.

Rosalind Wiseman’s Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials is a hilarious and truthful look into the life of American high school students. It’d be difficult to find someone who can’t relate to at least one character in Wiseman’s novel. While I don’t remember my high school experience being quite as funny, I could definitely draw parallels between Charlie’s experiences and my own.

This novel had some laugh-out-loud funny passages that kept me entertained throughout the book. Charlie was an engaging and amusing narrator. Right from the beginning of the novel when Charlie tells about her first day at school, I felt like I knew her. In fact, I felt like I once was her. Maybe we didn’t experience all the same things, but the feelings and emotions Charlie feels throughout the novel are identical to those that I felt in high school. It is refreshing that Wiseman includes situations that real high school students experience or observe, like bullying, cliques, and crushes.

The romantic plot line within Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials was well-written and believable. I’m a fan of best friend turned love relationships and Wiseman wrote Charlie and Will’s relationship perfectly. The doubts and insecurities that I experienced when I began dating are present in Charlie’s and makes her experience that much more interesting and fun to read.

I enjoyed seeing how Charlie grew as the story progressed. Her relationships with other characters, like Will, Nidhi, and Sydney, grew and transformed along with her, much like relationships in real life. I was proud of and happy for the girl Charlie is by the end of the novel.

I love the fact that Rosalind Wiseman took situations that teens experience everyday and turned them into an entertaining story that I couldn’t help but like. The characters in BOYS, GIRLS AND OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS are real and Wiseman touches on deeper topics, while keeping the novel light and fun.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 9
Writing: 10
Romance: 9
Originality: 10
Total: 48/50 (A)

I definitely recommend this novel to teens and YA fans!

In My Mailbox (16)

IMM is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren!

I received lots of great books this week! About half of them are Tenner books and 2010 sequels, but there are some older 2009 books mixed in as well.

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab (Delacorte, 1/12/10)
Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.
Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.
As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl (Knopf, 3/9/10)

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan (Delacorte, 3/9/10)
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.

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus (EgmontUSA, 7/13/10)
Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.

After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.
But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (EgmontUSA, 6/8/10)
After a rogue wolf kills her parents right before her eyes, Bryn is taken in by Callum, Alpha of his pack, and raised as a human among werewolves. Now fifteen, Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social heirarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean she isn't willing to break a rule or two. 

But when her curiosity gets the best of her, she discovers Chase, anew teen Were, locked in a cage in her gaurdians's basemant. As she witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders retur. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting answeres about what happened to her parents, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.
Bryn and Chase begin to form a bond stronger than pack ties and to threaten the entire heierachy that controls werewolf life. Will the shocking secrets that Bryn discovers about the pack force her to leave behind the only home she's ever known?
Much more than a paranormal novel, Raised by Wolves grounded in the behaviors and social structure of wolf packs, is both a chilling and literary novel and a brand-new take on an age-old legend.

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy (EgmontUSA, 4/13/10)
When the Prom Queen becomes your fairy godmother…

Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of.
… be careful what you wish for.
Jess’s transformation wins her the heart of her dream crush and a shot at uber-popularity. Until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a high stakes battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself.
What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (EgmontUSA, 3/23/10)
Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.
Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.\

Going Bovine by Libba Bray (out now)
Cameron Smith, 16, is slumming through high school, overshadowed by a sister “pre-majoring in perfection,” while working (ineptly) at the Buddha Burger. Then something happens to make him the focus of his family's attention: he contracts mad cow disease. What takes place after he is hospitalized is either that a gorgeous angel persuades him to search for a cure that will also save the world, or that he has a vivid hallucination brought on by the disease. Either way, what readers have is an absurdist comedy in which Cameron, Gonzo (a neurotic dwarf) and Balder (a Norse god cursed to appear as a yard gnome) go on a quixotic road trip during which they learn about string theory, wormholes and true love en route to Disney World. Bray's surreal humor may surprise fans of her historical fantasies about Gemma Doyle, as she trains her satirical eye on modern education, American materialism and religious cults (the smoothie-drinking members of the Church of Everlasting Satisfaction and Snack 'N' Bowl). Offer this to fans of Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy seeking more inspired lunacy.
 

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley (out now)
 Sometimes a good-bye is just the beginning…
When Emily Carson’s parents die in a plane crash, she’s left with nothing but her mother’s last words scrawled in lipstick on a tray table: “Emily, please forgive me.”
Now it’s fall and Emily moves to New York City— where she attracts the attention of two very different boys: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner, Anthony. With the help of some surprising new friends, Emily must choose between the boy who helps her forget and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately heal.
Debut author Jennifer Jabaley has written a wonderful, feel-good romantic comedy with real emotional depth. Full of lovably wacky characters, Lipstick Apology is a heartwarming story about the true meaning of forgiveness.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst (out now)
When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe.

Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back -- if Cassie will agree to be his bride.
That is the beginning of Cassie's own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her -- until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice.

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore (out now)
Sylvie Davis is a ballerina who can’t dance. A broken leg ended her career, but Sylvie’s pain runs deeper. What broke her heart was her father’s death, and what’s breaking her spirit is her mother’s remarriage—a union that’s only driven an even deeper wedge into their already tenuous relationship.

Uprooting her from her Manhattan apartment and shipping her to Alabama is her mother’s solution for Sylvie’s unhappiness. Her father’s cousin is restoring a family home in a town rich with her family’s history. And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys—a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s—has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand.
Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything—is she starting to lose her mind as well?

(Re)Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin (out now)
How do you grow up, if who you are keeps changing?

Jill McTeague is not your average high school graduate, she’s a scientific anomaly. Every month for four days she turns into Jack, a guy—complete with all the parts. Now everyone in her hometown knows that something very weird is up with her. So what’s a girl (and a guy) to do? Get the heck out of town, that’s what! With her kooky best friend, Ramie, Jill sets out for New York City. There both she and Jack will have to figure out everything from the usual (relationships) to the not so usual (career options for a “cycler,” anyone?).

Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd (out now)
Holly’s story will leave a lasting impression on all who travel with her.

Memories of mum are the only thing that make Holly Hogan happy. She hates her foster family with their too-nice ways and their false sympathy. And she hates her life, her stupid school, and the way everyone is always on at her. Then she finds the wig, and everything changes. Wearing the long, flowing blond locks she feels transformed. She’s not Holly anymore, she’s Solace: the girl with the slinkster walk and the supersharp talk. She’s older, more confident—the kind of girl who can walk right out of her humdrum life, hitch to Ireland, and find her mum. The kind of girl who can face the world head-on. So begins a bittersweet and sometimes hilarious journey as Solace swaggers and Holly tiptoes across England and through memory, discovering her true self and unlocking the secrets of her past.

A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper (out now)
“There’s a fine line between gossip and history, when one is talking about kings.”

Sophie Fitzosborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray with her eccentric and impoverished royal family. When she receives a journal for her sixteenth birthday, Sophie decides to chronicle day-to-day life on the island. But this is 1936, and the news that trickles in from the mainland reveals a world on the brink of war. The politics of Europe seem far away from their remote island—until two German officers land a boat on Montmaray. And then suddenly politics become very personal indeed.
A Brief History of Montmaray is a heart-stopping tale of loyalty, love, and loss, and of fighting to hold on to home when the world is exploding all around you.

The Indigo Notebook by Laura Resau (out now)
Zeeta's life with her free-spirited mother, Layla, is anything but normal. Every year Layla picks another country she wants to live in. This summer they’re in Ecuador, and Zeeta is determined to convince her mother to settle down. Zeeta makes friends with vendors at the town market and begs them to think of upstanding, “normal” men to set up with Layla. There, Zeeta meets Wendell. She learns that he was born nearby, but adopted by an American family. His one wish is to find his birth parents, and Zeeta agrees to help him. But when Wendell’s biological father turns out to be involved in something very dangerous, Zeeta wonders whether she’ll ever get the chance to tell her mom how she really feels—or to enjoy her deepening feelings for Wendell.

Quatrain by Sharon Shinn (out now)
A collection of short stories set in the various worlds of Sharon Shinn's novels.

I also received some beautiful TAKEN BY STORM and SING ME TO SLEEP bookmarks from Angela Morrison! I think I'll give a few away in my 400 Follower Contest!

Contest: Captivate by Carrie Jones!

Carrie Jones has kindly offered a pretty new hardcover copy of CAPTIVATE to one lucky reader of The Hiding Spot! But wait! If you don't win the new hardcover copy, I've also got an arc copy of CAPTIVATE to give away as well ! So this contest will have TWO winners!

As always, to gain a few extra entries you check out and comment on my review of CAPTIVATE and my interview with Carrie! You can gain up to 8 extra entries, but make sure that your comments are more than just "great interview/review," I'll be checking. Comments that show you actually read the posts are appreciated.

Extra entries are also up for grabs for those of you who follow The Hiding Spot and spread the word about the this contest.

AND you can get extra entries by telling me about your favorite phobia. Or a phobia with a super awesome name. Or a phobia you have. Or something. Leave a comment on this post for the 4 extra entries.

To enter this contest, you must fill out this handy FORM.

This contest is open to US and Canada mailing addresses.

Entries will be accepted until January 24, 2010!