The Marked (aka The Watchers) Book 2 of The Talents (aka Delcroix Academy) series by Inara Scott

Dancia's back at Delcroix, but this year, everything's different. Dancia is Talented, and her powers have earned her an invitation to join Delcroix's real raison d'etre--the Program. All Dancia ever wanted is to use her powers for good--and now Delcroix is going to give her the training she needs to make it happen.
At least that's what the school says she'll learn to do with her powers. Her cuter-than-cute boyfriend, Cam, insists that it's true, and so do all the other students. But a little voice insider her wonders, if the Program's so great, why did her friend Jack run away rather than join? And why are angry ex-students attacking the school?
Dancia's a loyal student... and a loyal girlfriend. But if finding out what's really going on means talking to Jack, well--it's a risk she just might have to take.

First off, I'd like to thank Inara Scott for this beautiful ARC of The Watchers (aka The Marked). I didn't have time to read it when I first received it in the mail and only got five chapters in over a course of 2 days. However, I finally had time last night to gobble it up and it was DELICIOUS!

Inara Scott doesn't disappoint in this continuation of Dancia's life at Delcroix. Though I fantasized many different things happening after The Candidates (aka The Talents), nothing happened like I thought it would. Which isn't to say, a bad thing. It's an AMAZING thing. Nobody could tell this story like Inara Scott, especially considering it's HER story to tell and none others... Moments of angst, tears and awe are what are in store for readers of this amazing tale. I'm excited to go pick up the Marked copy when it comes out next April. I'll be excited to see if and what Inara might have changed from this copy I just read. An AMAZING book, from an AMAZING author, who just AMAZES me up and down, or left and right (which is amazingly harder than up and down). ;) Favorite quote of the whole book, I have to say is: "Your talent painted pictures in the sky." I'm not telling who said it or to whom. ;) You'll have to read to find out. Inara blew my mind with this amazing poetic statement. I want to keep gushing and gushing over this one because of how wonderful it was, but it'll just become repetitive. So, for now I'll just say... I am a very good judge of book, this one is AMAZING, but don't believe me, go out and buy it on April 3, 2012 and find out for yourselves! =D 5/5 STARS!!!!!!!

Update- writing and reading :) yeah!

Hey everyone! SO I figured since I am currently unattached to a book, and not posting a new review yet, that I would update about what I have been up to. If anyone has read my profile bio or who know me personally, you already know that I love to write. Currently I have been bouncing half a dozen ideas around in my head. I have two serious fan fics in the works (photo above is pages I've written for my Dark Angel-tv series- fan fic, other one is a Harry Potter fan fic but it's typed up on the comp) and one original novel still in the works(She Wolf- a paranormal romance). It's hard trying to share my attention between them all. Besides those, I also have several other less serious writing ideas that flash through my head sporadically. I have also been reading some fan fiction still. I have also re-read Inara Scott's Delcroix Academy: The Candidates (recently re-named; The Talents). I re-read it after I won a ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) of the next book of hers called The Marked aka The Watchers. I am planning on doing a blog about Inara Scott's study guide she has provided for readers on her website. I figured to compare my answers from reading it the first time to reading it a second time. We'll see how that goes. Anyways, I was SOOO excited when I won the ARC of The Marked because it had been announced that it's release date was being pushed back from August 2, 2011 to April 2012... *grumble grumble, tear* =( But I'm happy now since I won the ARC and I'll hopefully be receiving it in the mail in a couple of weeks so I can devour it. Between writing and read I have also been busy working my day job and getting things set up for going back to College this fall. My mind has been working over time, aka staying up way too late and getting up way too early. Also dealing with resisting re-reading several other books on my shelf. (The Magicians by Lev Grossman, HP series by J.K. Rowling, Matched by Ally Condie, Divergent by Veronica Roth, etc...) But I can't do that because I feel guilty that my TBR pile is still very large...

I haven't been able to put a dent in my TBR (to be read) pile. My TBR pile still contains: The Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist, The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, The Girl Who Heard Dragons by Anne McCaffrey, King's Dragon by Kate Elliott, Witch & Warrior-both by Marie Brennan, Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (actually started this at one point but wasn't into the genre at the time and put it down after a couple chapters), The Passionate Rebel by Helene Lehr, Move Heaven and Earth by Christina Dodd, Mr. Cavendish I Presume by Juila Quiin, Cherokee Storm by Janelle Taylor, Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey, The Dreaming Tree by C.J. Cherryh, The Shifter: The Healing Wars-book 1 by Janice Hardy, Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier, Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel, Sapphique by Catherine Fisher, and Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce. *Breathes deeply* *sigh* Yeah, it's a very long list. I don't get dents in it because I keep finding books in the story and reading them immediately. Anyways, what do you think I should read next? I'm open for suggestions even if they aren't in my TBR pile. I really enjoy YA sci-fi/fantasy/dystopian, epic fantasy, paranormal romance, historical romance. Anyways, please comment. I feel really stupid writing this when I'm not even sure anyone is reading my blog... Who knows maybe no one is reading... lol. I guess I've always enjoyed talking to myself anyways...*awkward laugh* *long silence w/ cheesy smile*


My TBR PILEs ↓ (not including Game of Thrones and Pillars of the Earth-only cuz I accidentally didn't get them into the pile *OOpps, sorry* =D

Fire by Kristin Cashore

After being upset with Kristin Cashore after Graceling; that her next novel, Fire, was just a companion book and not a sequel, I refused to buy and read Fire. I would scowl at it when I'd see it in book stores, with it's beautiful cover art and striking name. I would pull out the hardcover book and read the synopsis of it and scowl and put it back, remembering it was only a companion book. Who was this Fire, and what did she have to do with Katsa? Nothing actually, except that she was the first to...well...never mind. I finally did give in to buying and reading Fire, as you can tell since I am writing a review on it now. LOL. What pushed me over was finding it finally in paper back and another blogger/review which got me to wanting to read it.
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She has been hidden away. Now she is choosing to use her power.
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. Young King Nash clings to the throne, while rebel lords, in the north and south, build armies to unseat him. War is coming. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves.
This is where Fire lives, a girl whose startling appearance is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.
Everyone... except Prince Brigan.

I apologize to Kristin Cashore for doubting her so. Fire was an AMAZING read, just as Graceling was. Cashore introduces us to a new area, new characters, new warring people but these new things border the known. With an main female character that is so easy to love and connect to as a reader, Kristin Cashore definitely deserves a hug. LOL. She is easily one of my most favorite authors now. At 461 pages long, it took me way too long to read this, and I mean as in the time I wasted refusing to read it. LOL. It took me only 2 days to actually read this amazing tale. Thank you Kristin Cashore for another amazing read. xoxoxoxoxo 5/5 Stars!!!

Matched by Ally Condie

I found this one randomly in the bookstore. The Green, modern looking cover turned me away at first, but I looked anyways.

In the society, officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.
Cassia has always trusted their choices. It's hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one...until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared follow--between perfection and passion.

Wow! What a glimpse that was. I had to have it. I can't resist a love triangle. LOL. At 366 pages long, it took me a day to read this because I couldn't put it down. At first the book screamed at me, The Giver by Lois Lowry. Then, later, the romance of it screamed at me, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Yet, by the end of it, it screamed to me, Matched by Ally Condie and also, GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE! LOL I always end up picking books that I think are single title stories that always turn out to be the 1st of a series. I won't complain though, except the wait for the next one to come out. It is brilliant how Condie pulls us in with a feel for the amazing Giver and then throws a romance at us that pulls like Edward and Bella. Then to end it in a way to make our imaginations soar in longing for what happens next... Ally Condie knows how to ensnare her audience. I recommend this to all and highly to those who are fans of The Giver and The Hunger Games trilogy. Matched receives 5/5 Stars from me. :)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

So my friend, Laura, recommended this book for me. Finally after finding it in paperback I bought it and read it. I started at 7am this morning, reading this 374 page book, and finished tonight at 8pm. I had to stop several times through the day as well since I was working from 7am-3:30pm. My job allows a lot of down time though that I'm able to read in.

I must say that Suzanne Collins delivers a Lottery inspired tale with a bluntness that is shocking but intriguing. It was like reading the girl's, Katniss, personal diary. The Hunger Games, created by the government of Panem, to remind the districts under their rule that they do in fact still control them every bit. Katniss gets caught up in the games when her little sister gets picked from random draw to participate. Anyone with a younger sibling they love dearly can relate to why she chose to take her place in the deadly Hunger Games. What we don't count on though is a budding romance for Katniss that may not survive the arena and herself.

Amazing idea/story line, great characters, awesome scenery and hunger pains galore. 5/5 STARS!!!!

The Treasure Keeper by Shana Abe

I re read this one last night. This is the newest book of the Drakon series I have read, about the romances between people that are dragons formed human. They face trials from humans wanting to kill them all and some of their own betraying them and learning to love each other along the way. This is my favorite of the series so far. We see miss Zoe Lane grow and learn about her amazing self, without her ever realizing how amazing she is til much later. She takes great risks for those she loves and is very courageous. At 310 pages long, it's much too short for my tastes, but it will continue on in another book. I anticipate that the next book in the series will probably be the conclusion. I highly recommend this book to read, but also highly recommend you start with the first book in the series and move forward from there. First is The Smoke Thief, 2nd is The Dream Thief, 3rd is Queen of the Dragons. 4/5 Stars for this one, only because I wished it were longer.

Starman by Sara Douglass

The final book of the Axis trilogy, Starman, was a wonderful read. Sara Douglass really makes the readers happy as they come to the end of this story. It was so exciting to read. All the answers we were longing for are revealed and we get to see many wondrous things happen. It's not a fairy tale ending of "happily ever after" though. We do see some death that wished we didn't happen, but all in all...it was amazing. There are still 3 more books in The Wayfarer Redemption series, but they are a trilogy of their own which I have read are to be the story of Axis' children. I am nervous thinking about what they might bring, knowing that at least one of his children is meant for evil. My favorite part of this book would be revalation of the 9 star gods and the fact that we finally see Wolfstar credited for his help instead of his horrid deads from his past. I was also very happy to see the Bane who hates Azhure be discredited and disposed of...to say in an unkind way. I wonder if the Bane had been corrupted by something evil trying to sway the Avar... The book is 647 pages long, not including the wonderful glossary again. The ending epilogue chapter really helps us tie this story to the next as we head out to the store to pick up the next in the series to discover the adventures that await Axis' children. I am happy with the epilogue, for in some stories the epilogue ends the book and series leaving you wanting more and upset with the author for that (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...ya that's right J.K. Rowling....I'm mad at you for your epilogue.) Anyways... I will give this book the best rating yet. 25/5 stars! The best book of the trilogy. Thank you Sara Douglass for this wonderful story.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

So I decided to take a break from all the sappy romance novels. I re-read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It has been at least 3 years since I have read it. I realized during reading it that I had seen the movie too many times and not remembered the book well enough. There were many differences between the book and the movie that I hadn't realized. I had begun to think that what happened in the movie was so similar to the book that it was the same thing. That is incorrect. The movie has many differences and the book is truely wonderful. I read it in paperback format, 384 pages long. It took me 2 days to read. I love the innocent feel of this very first book of the series, remembering how mature the books progress as they go along. This book was definitely worth re-reading and I'm glad I did so. It was a breath of fresh air from all my romance novels.lol. 10/5 stars. :)