YA Book Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Courtesy of Harlequin Teen

As a fan of paranormal romances especially of the Young Adult variety it won't come as a shock to most that I was eager to read Cara Lynn Shultz debut novel Spellbound.  A sweet story of two doomed soul mates who must overcome tremendous obstacles to be together.  

The story is a bit slow in the beginning and while interesting was easy to put down.  Until the 99th page mark where the plot really kicks in.  All the basic elements are laid out in the first several chapters and the author sets the stage extremely well. By the time the action starts the reader is more than ready for it;  but they won't be dissapointed.  

Without giving too much of the plot points away, I found the blending of the historical elements and the paranormal were extremely compelling.  Some of the characters where not as developed as one would like but this leaves the story open to a sequel.  Which in the age of YA book franchises seems like the ultimate goal of the author.  Unlike some of my other recent reads I found that the story ended just where I wanted while leaving me with a taste for more.  

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

 Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Courtesy of Harlequin Teen

Continue reading on Examiner.com Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz - Miami young adult books | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-books-in-miami/spellbound-by-cara-lynn-shultz-review#ixzz1Qbb5F92L

RePost: Penguin Books gives back to the 305; How you can help

To read the original post from  Antisteez.com click the link above

Lately all I hear is bad news about Florida’s public school system and all the budget cuts coming their way, having several friends who chose teaching as their career path this issue hits especially close to home for me. So, when I found out that publishing giant Penguin Group was doing their part to help the Florida Public School System I thought I would do my part to spread the word about their campaign. Not only am I a HUGE reader but I am an even bigger fan of giving back so to me when their powers combined the perfect cause was born. Thus is the message behind We Give Books.


  They have several campaigns going on, but the one that impacts us here at Antisteez, and all our kiddies in the 305 is Read For My School Florida. All it takes is for you to go to Penguin Group by clicking the link above, sign up via Facebook (we know you all have got one!) and start reading. The books on the site are meant for kids so I had a damn good time reading some of my old school faves and finding some new gems. For those of you Steezers with kids of your own its a great activity to do with them, it takes 10 minutes max. Once your done you click Donate a Book, and just like that Penguin donates one book to a Florida school of your choosing for every book you read. A better deal than that I’ve yet to find. They have pledged 50,000 books, and so far I’ve got to say the 305 is not doing that great a job of representing for our young folks. So lets get on it, spread the word, put a badge up on your site, post it to your Facebook or Twitter feed but most of all join the campaign and read your asses off because its only good until May 9th when the campaign ends.

Here are just a few of the awesome books you can read online and share with your kids

For more awesome local news check out

Dying of Antici...Pation Monday's

Despite the fact that I have about a billion books on my shelf and Nook that I have yet to read and about eight that I am currently in the middle of, there are always a ton that I can't wait for.  I count down the days, pre-order them wait impatiently for them and then let them sit on my shelf or on my Nook while I finish the books that I am currently reading.  Its a problem people.  I have too much on my plate and not enough time to dedicate to my first and real love Reading.

But, despite that I wanted to start a regular feature where I let you all in on the reads that I am dying for. (extra points if you caught the Rocky reference in the title)

 I was not all about this series when I first picked it up.  The first half of the first book gave me the heeby-jeebies and then by the last chapter I coudln't put it down.  By the time I was done with the third book I wanted to cry that the series was over.  Then she announced a prequel and then a fourth book.  It was like dear sweet Cassie had heard my prayers.

 The second book in the prequel to the Mortal Instruments.  I am saving Book One until Book Two comes out, do not ask for my insane logic but basically I don't want to wait months to figure out the resolution to the cliffhanger ending.

 I couldn't be sadder that this series is coming to a close.  Much like the Vampire Academy series it is one that I feel has truly grown with the characters.  I understand that Young Adult fiction is not for everyone but I love some bubble gum amidst my Classic Lit. and there is nothing better than fairy flavored bubble gum.

 I'm reading part two now.  So good.  So good.  I love how suspensefully dark this series is and can't wait for the third.

 Medusa's daughter, yes, please.

Regency romance and intrigue all wrapped up (pun intended) in what looks to be a tight little teen lit package.  I think this is going to be a sweet little and quick read for me. 

What's on my Reader

I am an avid reader, what does that mean? Well, I am usually in the middle of  two or twelve books at one time...this is a problem.  Because not only am I a reader I am also a collector of books.  So my shelves buckle from the load.  And then to add insult to injury, last year I got a Nook for Christmas.  It's like someone was purposely trying to drain my bank account.  I already give hundreds of dollars to Barnes and Nobles and Amazon on a regular but c'est la vie. 

Sometimes I start a book a don't finish (this, I must clarify, is VERY rare) unless I absolutely hate a story, or do not connect with the characters I must know how it ends.  But that being said, I wanted to share what I am reading and fill you guys in on a semi-regular basis.  (semi being one of my favorite words if you haven't noticed). So here goes nothing:

On the Nook

As much as I love and I mean LOVE vampire lit, I have never read the original in its entirety.  I know shameful, go ahead, slap my hand.  I am still at the beginning of the book and its the part that I read before which makes me wonder why I ever stopped reading it the first time around.  I absolutely love it.

I had been wanting to pick up this book for as long as I could remember. All I heard was positive reviews, how amazing it was, etc.  I have to say the book is exceptional but for me, I can only handle it in small doses.  Maybe 40 pages at one time.  And for a quick reader like me who loves devouring books I don't know how to feel about that.  I am going to table my critique until I have finished reading it.

 I read the first in the series about a Fallen Angel and was entertained enough to pick up the second.  Not necessarily enough to recommend it to all my friends but I know the ones who will appreciate it,  Unfortunately, its on my Nook.  Both books are and none of my friends have Nooks.

 This was a spur of the moment I want a laugh buy.  Very unlike me.  With the possible exception of George Carlin, I don't do comedy reading.  But I find this surprisingly endearing and funny when I'm in that kind of mood.

This will be the last in the series that I read.  I feel like I have been a loyal reader of the series but honestly it has dragged out too far for me.  I am not their target audience and the teenage angst finally got me in this one.  I am struggling with every page.  I am really not sure if I will even be able to finish it. 

Actual Books

 So confession, I'm an Austenite.  A huge one.  I not only love and collect different copies of her original work but I also read remakes and continuations of the stories.  It's kind of the only alternative left to a true addict when the main source of their addiction has been taken away.  This is probably my third "so and so's Diary" written by Amanda Grange and I really do enjoy them.  They give a surprisingly new perspective on the story without changing the root of it.  Very refreshing.

 Followers of my personal blog, Ramblings of a Semi-Literate Mind will know that I don't drive.  I am also super phobic of basically, well, the universe.  That being said I am happily in therapy and conquering my fears daily.  The driving still eludes me.  But this book, well this book sucked me in when I found out that the author also had a fear of driving and part of her Happiness Project was conquering that fear.  Its my most recent pick-up.

 I have mixed feelings about Mr. Coelho on one end of the spectrum he writes one of my all time favorite books, Eleven Minutes, and on the other, he writes one of the arguably most well respected and most inspirational books of our time.  Which I hate.  Yup, I said it, I hate The Alchemist.  Sorry folks.  I know its changed lives, but I was underwhelmed.  I got the message behind it I did.  It just didn't do it for me.  I wanted something different of his to read, something that would reignite that  fire that I had for him with Eleven Minutes.  I love Inspirations. 

 I read Graphic Novels all the time.  Everyone needs their bubble gum amidst their daily routine and serious reads...although, lets be real, most of my reads aren't all that serious. 

Okay, so I've been tackling this monster for what seems like ages.  But I refuse, refuse to give up.  I am obsessed with learning about Henry VIII and I know more than one should probably know but find this book to be ridiculously good despite the fact that all know so much.  The page count is DAUNTING and I read it once in a blue moon.  But I will never give up.  Goonies never say die!!

How many books are you reading?  Please tell me I am not the only crazy who reads ten at a time.

Tuesday Throwbacks: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Lightning Thief

I am very much a fantasy girl.  I was a Harry Potter fiend and felt this vast emptiness once I had read the whole series.  I stumbled upon Percy Jackson at a newstand at Miami International Airport on one of my many trips to Alabama and decided to buy it.  It was a spur of the moment decision on a book I had never really heard anything about.  The movie wasn't due to come out for several months, I hadn't seen a trailer of anything and thought why not? I love greek mythology this can't suck.

And it didn't.  Was it the best thing I'd ever read.  No by no means, but I found myself sucked into Percy's world from page 10.  I have since seen the movie and felt it didn't do the book justice I left slightly outraged.  I loved the characters so much in the book, the way the relationships were built, the time spent at Camp Halfblood and was so upset that they seemingly cut out that great time at the camp.  I get it you have to show the fun stuff but reading about Camp Halfblood was the fun stuff for me.  I eventually got the second book in the series on my Nook, but I haven't read it yet.  I will review it at some point and post it for you guys. 

Overall I thought The Lightning Thief was a nice intro to Percy Jackson and his world.  I think its a nice fun read for anyone with children or anyone into fantasy series. 

Obsessive Hero Worship

I've decided to do a regular feature where I highlight my favorite literary hero's and why I love them.  I could start off with someone so obvious that anyone who knows me could figure it out but instead I'll start with my second favorite choice:

Edward Fairfax Rochester

He's surly, secretive, haunted, brooding, kind of a whore monger and falls for one of the most plain Jane (literally) heroines ever written.  I couldn't love him more.  Honestly, I think one of the main reasons I love him so much is because he's so crotchety.  What girl doesn't like a challenge?  He barely speaks in the beginning, he just sort of barks and harrumphs but by the end of the story you really get to see a man truly in love get his.  And that dear readers makes me happy.  I have read Jane Eyre so many times.  I remember being scared the first time I picked it up on a suggestion from my 11th grade English teacher.  One of those teachers who knew me so well she didn't even bother telling me about the story, she just looked at me and said "you'll thank me later."  And I did.  Because not only did she introduce me to one of my all time favorite books, but to one of my favorite male leads in the written word.

And here for your viewing pleasure is my favorite Edward Rochester as played by Toby Stephens in the Masterpiece Classic, 2006 version of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

Sunday Series: The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I - The Viscount Who Loved Me - An Offer From A Gentleman - Romancing Mr. Bridgerton - To Sir Phillip, With Love - When He Was Wicked - It's In His Kiss - On the Way to the Wedding

I've always been a series kind of girl.  I love being able to pick up a book and read about a brother, sister, son, cousin.  I started reading this series from book 2 and was so thoroughly in love with this family that I read the remaining seven in the series along with the Second Epilogues within three days.  All regency romances that takes place over 15 years you really get to experience the lives of all eight siblings. 

Picking my favorite seems like an impossible task but if I absolutely had to - at gunpoint mind you - I would pick...

I seriously couldn't recommend this series more.