Blog Update (And my puppy)

Hey guys!


Just wanted to give you guys a little heads up on what's been happening and why there hasn't been much on the blog as of late. I recently lost my laptop charger on vacation and haven't been able to turn it on for about a week. My laptop is where I write all my reviews, and although I've been using my old computer to try and catch up, it hasn't been going so well. My computer (which is about seven or eight years old) hasn't really responded well to Blogger and has been messing up my posts. 


Good news is: my laptop charger was found. Bad news is: it's in southern Ontario, about seven hours away. It's currently in the mail on it's way here so I should be back up and running blog-wise by mid week. And hopefully I'll be able to post stuff in the meantime. 


Another little tid bit: I'm Blogger of the Month over at the awesome Ontario Blog Squad for just one more day and I did a guest review for Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard. Head on over and check it out!


Hope everyone's having a much less technologically challenged week!


- Ciara who is lost at midnight


P.S. Why, you may ask, is there a picture of a dog on this post? Well, it looked bare to me, and I love showing off my puppy. (That's Eddie, my dog, a couple years ago. The only pictures I have on my super old computer)

Author Love, Zachary Moore, And Team Kilt

Hi everyone!

Today I have a very special blog topic to post about. I'm sure you've all heard about the YA Crush Tourney happening over at the YA Sisterhood Blog (if you haven't go click the link and check it out! It's awesome). One of tomorrow's matches is between Will Herondale, the top seed of the entire tournament, and Zachary Moore, the sexy Scottish lad from the Shade series. Will, and all other Cassandra Clare characters, have been sweeping these tournaments, beating their opponents by thousands of votes. Yeah, THOUSANDS. Now, I can understand why. The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series are great and very popular. I've loved TMI since I was fourteen and consider Jace, last years' Crush Tourney winner, to be extremely swoon-worthy. But, isn't it time to give the underdog a chance? Isn't it time we end the total wipe-out of the other, lesser known crushes? Well, I think so. But I also think that Zachary Moore deserves your vote, regardless of who he's up against.  He's everything and more you could want in a crush. He's melted my heart, made me laugh, smile, tear up, and been a part of a story I love so dearly. 

Now, I have yet to read Shine. Yeah, it's a bit mind-boggling but I have my reasons. One of them being I simply don't want this series to end. I love it too much! I remember picking it up, two years ago right before the Smart Chicks Signing in Brampton. I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I got was an amazing story, one cheer-worthy protagonist, one ghostly rocker, and one smile inducing Scottish boy. 

Haven't heard of Team Kilt? Well, we #TeamKilt members just so happen to be huge fans of the Shade series. We love everything about it, we love talking about it, we love having #TeamKilt chats, and we love men in kilts. I mean, who doesn't? Team Kilt is just such a fun, supportive group to be a part of, and I've loved every mad lib, #SHADEboys chats, blog post, and Nessie in lingerie that's happened.

Another reason to vote for Zach? Well cause of his creator, Jeri Smith-Ready. I don't think you understand how awesome she is (well, you might, but I'm going to tell you why anyways). I actually had the pleasure of meeting her two years ago. I happened to fan-girl and mumble and mentioned her other adult series, in which I share the same name as the protagonist (first time that's every happened), and probably embarrass myself. But she was super welcoming and friendly, with this big smile on her face, which helped (some what) to ease my fan-girl jitters. My friends and I were trying to get our tank-tops signed and we spotted Jeri outside the book store (she'd left the panel early). We went up to her and asked to have her shirt signed and even though she was in a huge hurry (on her way to catch a flight) she still took the time to sign them and thank us for coming. Then there's the online presence she has. Always keeping her fans updated, responding to tweets we send her, participating in online chats, hosting giveaways, sending bookplates, and always being her awesome and fun self. She may say that her fans are amazing but really, she's just an amazing person.

So, now that I've given my reasons for voting Zach...what do you think? Wanna vote? (I'll love you forever) 

How YOU can support Zachary Moore and Team Kilt!

1. VOTE. Vote an every browser, mobile device, and computer you have for Zach. Or, just vote once. Either way, you're awesome! All it takes is three clicks: one on the link, and one on the "Zachary" button" and one on the "Vote" button.

2. Spread the word! Even if you tell just one person, that's another vote that Zach could have. And we need every single one we can get! Tell a friend, or neighbor, or sales clerk, or sports coach, or the person standing next to you in line! We need thousands of votes to win this round. It's all up to us!

3. Spread the word in different ways! You can also post about it on your blog (and you could win prizes!) change your display picture, pin it on Pinterest, retweet the links, anything! Just get the word out that Zachary needs our help!

Links, Links, Links Galore! (To be updated when more links appear!)

Still not convinced to Vote Zach? Or, wanna find out more about him and Team Kilt? Well, here's a list of links that will answer all of your burning questions and curiosities!

*UPDATED: VOTE HERE*

Shade (find out more about the book!)
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Jeri Smith-Ready's Website

Jeri Smith-Ready's Website

- Team Kilt Post

- YA Crush Tourney Post Round One (including incentives to vote)

Team Kilt (and some giveaways!)

- Kilt and Keeley Fansite

- Fictitious Delicious

   * What's Happening for Round Two!

- Team Kilt Blog Hop

- GReads Giveaway

- Team Kilt Pinterest Board

- Shade Boys Tumblr

Twitter:

- Jeri Smith-Ready (the woman who started it all!)
- Zachary Moore (yeah, he has a legit Twitter account)
- Logan Keeley (the other awesome swoon-worthy guy from the Shade series)
- Aura Salvatore (the crazy awesome protagonist)
- Kilt and Keeley (Shade Fansite)
- Fictitious Delicious (Zachary's advocates)

So, at midnight tonight VOTE ZACH! And leave a comment here if you do! I'll give you a big virtual hug!

- Ciara who is lost at midnight  

Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Title: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1)

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: April 25th, 2006

Source: Purchased

My Rating: 3/5

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love. (Summary from Goodreads)

Well, wasn't that an adorable novel.

I picked up I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You after much persuasion and prodding from my friend Crimson (okay, how many of my reviews have started off like that?). I spotted a deal on Amazon for the box-set of the first three novels, and decided to take a chance and purchase them. Although this first novel wasn't my favorite, I hear it gets much better and I can't wait to read more! I mean, an all-girls school for spies? What's not to love!

This first installment introduces us to the Gallagher Girls. They are brilliant, talented spies-in-training, inside of bubbly teenage girl packages. Cammie, Liz, Bex, and a late edition Macey, are hilarious and sweet, but also clever and creative. What I thought was both well done and intensely funny was the way the girls reacted to every situation. They had regular teenage problems, like wondering if a cute boy liked them, but they solved their problems with spy tactics. While normal girls might Google search the boy or theorize with their friends, the Gallagher Girls used e-mail hacking, surveillance techniques and every gadget imaginable to learn more about him. A little quirk that made this unique story a hilarious one. I wish I was a Gallagher Girl, cause they are seriously awesome.
 
Cammie and Josh, her non-spy love interest, were really cute together, and I thought it interesting watching her try and balance her "normal" girl appearance with her spy life. 
But, while I did really enjoy the characters and the plot, there was something about the book that bugged me at points. I felt some scenes were a bit childish, and the story dragged at times for me. I felt it needed a bit of a push to get going, although by the end I was definitely hooked.

It was a short and sweet novel, and a series that has a lot of potential to be amazing. And from what I've heard, it goes way beyond amazing. I can't wait to dive back into the world of the Gallagher Girls. Really, who doesn't want to be a spy?

- Ciara who is lost at midnight

Find this book: Amazon | Goodreads | Ally Carter's Website

Waiting On Wednesday (17): Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, in which bloggers talk about the books they are most eager for!
 

This Week's Pick: Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: September 4th, 2012

In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder," comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny.

Did you guys read that summary? Doesn't it sound like awesome sauce in book form? I know it does to me! 

Although I have yet to finish the Wicked Lovely series, or Graveminder for that matter, I have always kept up to date with Melissa Marr. She always seems to come up with interesting, and creative new story ideas that I can't help but be drawn to. I have to say, Carnival of Souls sounds like her best plot yet! Fantasy and reality, dark and light, as well as fate and choices seem to come into play in this novel, making it all the more intriguing! This one looks like it could be spectacular.

One thing I sadly don't think is spectacular...the cover. I love masks, fire, and plain backgrounds, but an angry silver mask with fire behind it? Yeah, not that appealing. With a title like Carnival of Souls I excepted an out-of-this-world cover, but I was pretty disappointed. But, if the story between the covers is awesome, I won't mind at all.

- Ciara who is lost at midnight 

Stacking the Shelves (8)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which bloggers share the books they stacked their shelves with during the week!

Only a small library stack this week, but one I am really excited about! I'm still having camera issues, which have been driving me crazy, so still no picture of my stack. But, I decided to include the cover images of the books since my posts have been looking too bare! So, here is my stack:

Borrowed (Library):

- Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1) by Wendy Higgins (So happy about this one! Literally no Chapters in all of Ottawa have had a copy since it's release back in April, so I'm glad my library carried it!)
- Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
- Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer (Still haven't read the first two Nightshade books so no spoilers please!)

What books did you stack your shelves with this week?

- Ciara who is lost at midnight