BookTok: North of Supernova

A great middle grade read from a favorite author of mine.

@yabooknerdlibrarian If you are a Parent Trap fan, you're going to want to read this book! It is the reverse of the plot but super good! Love the cystals and tarot cards! #middlegradebooks #booktok #parenttrap ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: Chapel Wars

Holly's grandfather dies and leaves his wedding chapel to her in his will. She's 16, but loves the chapel. At first, she's beyond happy, but then she learns the truth.

The chapel's in serious financial difficulty. Holly must make some hard choices - offering services that her grandfather refused in hopes of getting out from under debt and keeping the chapel.

On top of that, she's fallen for the grandson of her family's worst enemy.  Dax is amazing and perfect for Holly. She knows she can't keep their relationship a secret. She's terrified to lose anything else, but can she really juggle everything?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this contemporary read. I felt bad for Holly - losing her beloved grandfather. That happened to me in high school and it's not easy to forget. I like how she made the hard choices in order for the chapel to survive, including her inventive ways to make more money. Dax was a great distraction - showing him around Vegas in hopes of changing his mind about the city, which was a great way to show off the normal side of the city. I loved Holly's friends and how she was one of the guys. Walking the tightrope of balancing grief and hope, The Chapel Wars explores a range of emotions following the death of a loved one.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library

Books I'm Dying to Read: May Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come May - and there's a lot of them! 

Curses and Smoke:  A forbidden love story set with a natural disaster waiting to happen. 

Girl with a Wind Up Heart: I'm a book behind, but I really love this series

Castle Behind Thorns: Life in an enchanted castle! Sounds really great.

Revenge of the Flower Girls: Triplets plan to break up their sister's wedding.

Caitlin's Lucky Charm: New MG series by Lisa Schroeder 

Divided: sequel to Dualed. West thought she was safe now, but she was wrong

Everything Leads to You: Romance in Hollywood

The Pilot and the Little Prince: A book about the author and the inspiration behind his most famous book.

Tuesday Tucks Me In: Moments of the day between a soldier and a service dog

Art of Lainey: Love is a battlefield and Lainey's about to win back her ex.

Biggest Flirts: Love Jennifer Echols - could two flirts become series about each other?

Now and Forever: Love her books! What if your boyfriend becomes the biggest rockstar on the planet?

That Summer: Julia inherits a house in England that will change her life - love Lauren Willig's books.

Wild Storm: No Cover - love the Richard Castle books.

On a Clear Day: Re-release of two of Macomber's previous books, which I haven't read. Really love her books.

Stubby: the War Dog: I actually have this one and hope to read it this weekend

Greatest Star on Earth - love this sister team and I really liked the first book

This is a Moose: Saw pages for this at a preview and it looks super cute.

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend: New summer series about romance, ex-BFFs and fun in the sun.

Secrets of Lily Graves: Secrets come out when a girl's murdered making Lily and her almost boyfriend suspects.

Life by Committee: Sounds a little like My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody, which I loved.

We Were Liars: Everyone's raving about this book

Wish You Were Italian: Summer romance in Italy!

Chapel Wars: Wedding chapel to save - in Vegas!

After the End: What happens after you discover everything you thought was a big fat lie?

Killer Instinct: Lane is obsessed with serial killers...

Royally Lost: Sounds like a teen version of Roman Holiday

Deep Blue: Mermaids, assassins, and a quest!

Since You've Been Gone: When her BFF goes missing, Emily finds a random list. Could the list actually help her or its it too crazy?

The One: Dying for the ending of the Selection trilogy!

Review: Royal Treatment

*Second book in the Princess for Hire series - some spoilers*

Desi has a unique ability of magic, which lead her to a job at Facade.

After her jobs at the first level, Desi must become complete her BEST (Betterment of Elite Sub Training). She must become competent in classical music, courtly dances from the 18th and 19th century, history of French royalty, 18th century art and architecture, and public speaking. After she masters these skills before she can become a level 2 substitute.

Her first assignment after her promotion relieves a 13 year-old Princess of a social obligation. Millie has no desire to attend any function where Lord Gavin also in attendance. Things don't go according to plan and Desi's forced not only in talking with Gavin, but also dancing with him. Desi hopes the Princess won't be to unhappy with her.

As Desi performs more BEST, she learns more about Facade. She's not sure agrees with Facade's stand. Desi can't argue with the perks of the job. As the company's rumored to go through a massive transition, she can't help but wonder what direction the company will take and who will be left standing.

My Thoughts: I LOVE this series, which starts with Princess for Hire. I Love the magic. I love the Princesses and how Desi has to insert herself into their lives. I love Facade and learning more about this awesome company. (Do they have any openings?). I love Desi and how she changes her world (and often gets into trouble). I love the romance. I wish the ending hadn't just ended - because I want more!

Cover Thoughts: Cute! I really like it! It looks older and I'm a sucker for girls in pretty dresses

Source: My Library

Review: Sean Griswold's Head

Payton just discovered that her father has MS. The whole family's kept her in the dark for six months because they're trying to protect her. She's furious.

She stops talking to her family. Her parents make her see the school guidance counselor who suggests she start a focus object. Ms. Callahan hands her a notebook.

At first, Payton doesn't know what to write in her journal. Then she realizes that she's been sitting behind a boy for years. He has a nice head and thus begins her project.

She discusses her idea with her outgoing BFF Jac, who thinks the project should encompass the whole boy. Before long, Payton starts talking with Sean.

They become close friends. Payton starts bike riding with him. She starts confiding in him. Will her project really help her focus her life and comes to terms with life's curves?

My Thoughts: I LOVED Lindsey Leavitt's debut novel Princess for Hire. While this book is very different, it's also very good. Leavitt writes about the sickness in heart-wrenching and honest manner. I loved Jac creating drama and forcing Payton into embarrassing situations with Sean. I loved the conversations between Jac and Sean. This novel deals with friendship, family drama, discovering inner strength, finding focus, and a dash of romance.

Cover Thoughts:This cover grew on me. I like the chalkboard doodles and how they relate to the book. I love the tagline.
Check out Melissa Walker's cover story to learn how the cover changed

Source: My Library

Spotted: The Royal Treatment

I really love this cover - the second book in the series A Princess for Hire. I especially love the Princess in the blush mirror. It still connects to the first cover, but I think it looks more regal.

You can read my review of the first book. Sadly, book 2 doesn't come out until May 2012. But I'll be waiting for it.
What about you?

Review: Princess for Hire

Desi hates her current job, especially when her ex-best friend stops by with the boy she's liked forever and humiliates her. She breaks down in the break room after the experience. Her boss invites her to make a wish with his lucky blue fish. Desi wishes to make a difference. She drags herself home that night and into a bubble bath where she reads the wanted ads looking for another job.

She spots a unique ad - that sparkles. As she's reading it, one bubble grows larger and larger until a woman steps out of it. Desi appears to have magical abilities and she might be of service to Princesses around the world.

With a touch of rouge (blush) she looks just like the princesses she's impersonating - princesses who need a little time off. No one knows Desi isn't the real deal. Her first assignment comes quickly to a mousy princess. Desi steps in and makes some decisions that could change both their lives. In making key choices does she over step her bounds? Will her unique way in helping her charges become the new thing or strikes against her?

My Thoughts: The first book in a new series - sweet, fun and entertaining. As a character - Desi grows with each new task set before her. I fully admit that I LOVE princess books - so I was super excited to read this one and I wasn't disappointed - Very much looking forward to the next books in the series.

The Cover: Reading the book makes me understand it better, but I have to admit I don't love it.

Source: My Library