In My Mailbox (35)

In My Mailbox is brought to us by The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea.

Things received for review:

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield - Hardcover

Kendra, fifteen, hasn't felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can't remember the most important detail-- her abuser's identity. Frightened, Kendra believes someone is always watching and following her, leaving menacing messages only she understands. If she lets her guard down even for a minute, it could cost Kendra her life.

To relieve the pressure, Kendra cuts; aside from her brilliantly expressive artwork, it's her only way of coping. Since her own mother is too self-absorbed to hear her cries for help, Kendra finds support in others instead: from her therapist and her art teacher, from Sandy, the close family friend who encourages her artwork, and from Meghan, the classmate who's becoming a friend and maybe more.

But the truth about Kendra's abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. Scars is the unforgettable story of one girl's frightening path to the truth.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Cheryl is one of the nicest authors I've ever met. She sent me bookmarks, too, and signed it and how awesome that??

The Wizard of Dark Steet by Shawn Thomas Odyssey - ARC

Oona Crate was born to be the wizard's apprecntice, but she has another destiny in mind. Despite possessing the rare gift of natural magic, Oona wants to be a detective.

Eager for a job to prove her crime-solving skills, Oona never expected her first case would be this challenging. Someone has murdered her uncle - the Wizard of Dark Street. Now it's up to our precocious heroine to solve the murder mystery.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Isn't that cover absolutely adorable? I love the artwork on it. You know, I actually typed up the copy from the back cover and put it on goodreads because there were no summaries anywhere (that I could find). Yay for Goodreads librarian privilages!!

Hourglass by Myra McEntire - ARC

One hour to rewrite the past...

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

(Summary from goodreads.)

I am so excited to get this one. I *cough* might be breaking a couple of my rules and WoWing it. But only because I type WoW posts WAY far in advance and I didn't have it when I typed it. So, yeah. We'll just pretend I don't have it for that.

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski - ARC

In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she's decorating a cake. Unfortunately everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.

But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems - only her dad's about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.

Using just the right amount of romance, family drama, and cute boys, The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.

(Summary from goodreads.)

I've been noticing lately that I don't really have a ton of "light" books. So this arrived at a good time!!

Family by Micol Ostow - ARC

i have always been broken.
i could have. died.
and maybe it would have been better if i had.

It is a day like any other when seventeen-year-old Melinda Jensen hits the road for San Francisco, leaving behind her fractured home life and a constant assault on her self-esteem. Henry is the handsome, charismatic man who comes upon her, collapsed on a park bench, and offers love, a bright new consciousness, and—best of all—a family. One that will embrace her and give her love. Because family is what Mel has never really had. And this new family, Henry’s family, shares everything. They share the chores, their bodies, and their beliefs. And if Mel truly wants to belong, she will share in everything they do. No matter what the family does, or how far they go.

Told in episodic verse, family is a fictionalized exploration of cult dynamics, loosely based on the Manson Family murders of 1969. It is an unflinching look at people who are born broken, and the lengths they’ll go to to make themselves “whole” again.

(Summary from goodreads.)

I LOVE the way this one sounds. I've only read a couple books in verse, so I think that'll be cool, too.

Notes From The Blender by Brendan Halpin and Tricia Cook - ARC

Declan loves death metal--particularly from Finland. And video games--violent ones. And internet porn--any kind, really. He goes to school with Neilly Foster and spends most of his classroom time wondering what it might be like to know her, to talk to her, maybe even to graze against her sweater in the hallway. Neilly is an accomplished gymnast, naturally beautiful, and a constant presence at all the best parties (to which Declan is never invited). She's the queen of cool, the princess of poker face, and her rule is uncontested-- or it was until today, when she's dumped by her boyfriend, betrayed by her former BFF Lulu, and then informed she's getting a new brother--of the freaky fellow classmate variety. Declan's dad is marrying Neilly's mom. Soon. Which means they'll be moving in together.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Have you guys ever heard of Life With Derek? The summary of this one kinda reminds me of that show. A little, anyways.

The Accidental Genius of Weasel High by Rick Detorie - ARC

A book for the Wimpy Kid who has grown into a Wimpy Teen

Larkin Pace desperately wants a new camcorder. How else is he going to become the next great filmmaker? But his dad won’t give him any money, his sister is determined to make his life miserable, and his nemesis Dalton Cooke is trying to steal his girlfriend. Now this height-challenged aspiring director must chronicle his wacky life for a freshman English assignment.

(Summary from goodreads.)

In the catalogue that I got from Egmont, they had a sample page of this and I thought it was an interesting idea. This is a really neat mixture of text and comics, like webcomic comics, not so much Spider-Man or Superman comics.

Bought:

The Mark by Jen Nadol - Hardcover

Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark 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 sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

(Summary from goodreads.)

I got this for 3.77 on Amazon. Even with shipping, it was less than 7 dollars for a hardcover book. How *awesome* is that??

Killer Cruise by Jennifer Shaw - Paperback

Onboard facilities:

Pool 1, Caribbean Deck

Met hot crewmember while soaking up the sun!

The Santorini Restaurant, Olympia Deck

Heard about last year's mysterious disappearance on board. What could have happened?

Movie Theater, Fiesta Deck

Still can't stand horror flicks. Too scary.

Paris Boutique, Panama Deck

Then again, so was my near-death fall overboard last night...

Glamorama Spa, Bermuda Deck

Must relax. No one's trying to kill me—I'm just being paranoid.

Club Paradise, Diablo Deck

But what if someone does want me dead? 

(Summary from goodreads.)

The summary is really random on this one... I think it's like a checklist or something on the back cover, but it doesn't translate so well to online and I'm too lazy to go get the book. It was like 4 bucks at the drugstore, so I bought it on a whim.

Won:

Eleventh Grade Burns by Heather Brewer - Hardcover

It’s another awful year at Bathory High for Vladimir Tod. Joss, a professional vampire slayer and Vlad’s former friend, has moved back to town. The powerful vampire Dorian has an overwhelming desire to drink Vlad’s blood. And his archenemy, D’Ablo, has brought Vlad’s Uncle Otis to trial for crimes against vampires. So much for dating. When the tables turn on Vlad, he has just enough time to return to Bathory for his final good-byes.

(Summary from goodreads.)

Won this in a contest. It's the only one I own in the series, but there's always the library, right? :D

So, this is about... well, it's all the books I've gotten since my LAST In My Mailbox post and who the heck remembers the last time I did one of those?

What did you guys get this week/recently?

Peace and cookies,
Laina