Book Beginnings on Friday 1/27/2012

How to participate: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and the author so we know what you're reading. Then, if you would like, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line, and let us know if you liked or did not like the sentence. The link-up will be at A Few More Pages every Friday and will be open for the entire week.

Thanks to Becky at Page Turners for starting this meme and to Rose City Reader for inspiring it!

PAGE 1

The panoramic view outside the windows of the bus showed a world that wasn't mine.

Page 56

Blake smiled at her, her hand in Cam's. Apparently the last two had taken her advice and had been talking, a lot. 

The Friday 56

Rules:

• Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56.
• Find the fifth sentence.
• Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
• Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

GIVEAWAY! and Review of Angelina's Secret

Angelina's Secret 
Author: Lisa Rogers
Release Date: February 1, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal
Published by: Spencer Hill Press
Source: I was given an ARC by Spencer Hill Press for an honest review.
Summary from Goodreads:


As a child, Angelina spent years in counseling learning that Josie, her imaginary friend, wasn't real, but it turns out her childhood friend wasn't imaginary after all. 

Now Angelina has to accept she's either (A) crazy or (B) able to see ghosts. Wanting to believe in her sanity, she chooses (B) and welcomes Josie back into her life. But even Josie can't help her deal with Shelly, the spirit of a confused teenager, and things go very, very wrong. 

When Angelina finds herself in a psychiatric hospital, she faces a choice: she can spend the rest of her life pretending to be someone she isn't, or she can embrace who she is and take a chance that she may never get to go home.


My Thoughts:



 Angelina's Secret is a  gripping tale of a girl that desperately needs someone to trust and believe in her.  While I was never on the edge of my seat with suspense I was still really enthralled with this story. I was kept guessing through out the entire book on whether or not I believed she was seeing ghosts(you'll have to read this one to find out for yourself). Even though I knew Angelina was about to end up in a mental hospital I still couldn't help feeling how heartbroken Angelina was when she woke up to discover that not only did no one believe her but that they all thought she was crazy. 

One thing that had me feeling so badly for Angelina was her mother, she enraged and confused me. She never once thought that Angelina could be telling the truth and it seemed to me at times that she was more upset that Angelina was closer to her "imaginary" friend than she was to her. Talk about self absorbed. I'm not sure if Lisa Rogers intended for Angelina's mother to come across that way or if I just found her to be like that. I would love to know what other readers thought of the mom. 

Overall I really enjoyed Angelina's Secret. The romance was minimal which I really liked in this book because that enabled the plot to focus more on Angelina, her friend, and her stay in the mental institution.  I haven't  read another young adult novel like this one and even though I sometimes felt like the writing was a little stiff I was still able to lose myself in the story. If you find yourself looking for something a little different than the YA Paranormal romance that is really prominent right now then I urge you to find a copy of Angelina's Secret. 

I will be giving one lucky reader my ARC of Angelina's Secret! This giveaway will end on February 1st at midnight and is only open to U.S. residents. Thanks everyone and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday (1/25/2012) Onyx (Lux #2)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Summary from Goodreads:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks… 

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems. 

Something worse than the Arum has come to town. 

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard. 

But then everything changes… 

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me? 

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…


I haven't reviewed Obsidian yet but O.M.G!!! I really loved it! I haven't written my review yet because I didn't want to just say I LOVED it over and over again so I am letting it swirl around in my brain a little so I can get the words just right. Needless to say though I am DYING for book 2! 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we (bloggers) are anxiously awaiting. So what book are you excited about right now?

Teaser Tuesday Notes to Self (1/23/2012) Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer

I began to watch for signs for Highway 44, which would take us to the ocean. I hadn't been in almost a year, which was weird since it was only an hour away. I liked knowing it was there, though. I couldn't imagine living in a state that didn't reach the ocean. It was a giant reset button.

Teaser from page 124

Miz B hosts Teaser Tuesday every week, check her out for the official rules.  I never seem to be able to stick to the rule about only 2 sentences.

I love reading teasers so let me know where I can view yours in the comments. Have a great day!

New Beginnings Releases Today (Blog Hop)

Sam Hendry is not looking forward to starting at her new school. Things go from bad to worse as the day of truth arrives and all of her fears come true... and then some.

When Sam meets a different group of people who immediately accept her as a friend, she begins to feel more positive.

With her new friends and interests, will Sam finally feel able to face the bully who taunts her, and to summon up the courage to perform on stage?

Join Rebecca Today for her online launch party here! She will be celebrating with a writing contest and giveaways! 

Here is a list of everyone joining in on the blog hop!

Congratulations Rebecca!!!!