the iron king.... the iron daughter... the iron queen.... TEAM ASH!!!

Since I am in Kansas City for two weeks.... I have had ample reading time on the plane, and at night.

My sister in law Tiffany texted me a few weeks ago telling me about a few new series of books that are Young Adult -- and were SOOOOO good!  So, I went about my business requesting them from the library, and just last night I finished the series so far of the Iron King.  I'm not normally into reading fantasy books.  In fact, I believe this might be my first fantasy book I've ever read.  I don't consider Twilight fantasy, but maybe it should be???

Written by Julie Kagawa ... it's a fantasy/faery type of book.  Meaghan Chase is about to turn 16 years old, and all of a sudden she's starting to "see" weird things ... creatures!  Turns out, her biological father is a King of the Summer Faery -- so she's part faery and part human.

I realize I'm butchering this little book report up BIG time (I never said I was good writing book reports .... I just like to read them and tell you to read them yourself if I think it's good).  So, do me a favor.  Go to the library or book store and find The Iron King by Julie Kagawa ..... read it.  If you like it, read The Iron Daughter.  AND if you like that one, read The Iron Queen.

Yes, there is a love interest with the main character.  I have to say I'm 100% Team Ash.  You'll know what I mean by the time you read book 3.  Can't wait for book 4 to come out!!

Here is a brief summary I have taken from Julie Kagawa's site:

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY— ONE SHE COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

my newest favorite series!!

Months ago I received an email from my sister in law Tiffany. She wrote about a new series of books that she just LOVED! Anything that she reads, I know it's going to be a pretty good read, so I put it on my "TO READ" list!

When swim team season started up, I found I had LOADS of time to read! I finished books I had started... I reread a few books..... and I remembered I needed to read this series Tiffany recommended to me!

So, what is this series?

This series starts with a book called Enchanted, Inc. It's written by Shanna Swendson... and so far there are four books total in this series. It's funny. It's heart tugging. It's fantastical! It's basically a modern day fairy tale complete with Harry Potter type of magic, and it's SO good!

Saly, my library only carried book 1 & 4 (what library does that?!) but I remembered my used book store I frequent had book 2, so I skedaddled over that way to plop down $6.98 on a book. Then I was ready for book 3! Thankfully, my friend Kim had the same problem as I did, and had books 2-4! Thanks Kim for letting me read it! I'll return them as soon as I read them again!

I just have to say that the Owen Palmer & Katie Chandler love is just too funny.

One incredibly shy wizard who is literally drop dead gorgeous
+ a Texas gal who is immuned to all forms of magic
= disaster waiting to strike,
but yet tugs at the heart when you are literally pulling for them to recognize that they literally are NUTS for each other!

I also have to say the titles of the books are hilarious!
Book two is Once Upon Stilettos
Book 3 is Damsel under Stress
and book 4 .. love this one: Don't Hex with Texas!!

I read on Shanna's website that book 5 may or may not happen.... if there isn't much demand for books, then there's no deal for book 5... and well, you know how it all works for authors. :( So, do me a favor and go buy her books (or request them from the library) & SPREAD THE WORD! Maybe, just maybe, she'll do book 5!

....believe it!

Last week I blogged about a new author in which I have started to read, and have proclaimed to the world that day that I.LOVE.HER.BOOKS!

Here is my link in case you're clueless...

and guess what? Friday morning at work, I was a little bored, so I checked my blog to see if I had any new comments roll in, and you wouldn't believe that Sarah Strohmeyer, the author herself.... COMMENTED ON MY BLOG!

::gasp:: ::wheeze:: ::thud::

Here is a C&P of her comment:

Sarah Strohmeyer said...
Oh, wow! Thanks so much for the recommendation. But here's my Kevin Bacon relationship with Levar Burton....Levar Burton used to be on Star Trek. Star Trek used to star Jonathan Frakes who went to my high school (Liberty in Bethlehem, PA) and was on the debating team with my brother, Mark. Later, Jonathan married Genie Francis (from General Hospital when it was good) who was dating John Martinuzzi (a Casadine, remember?) while I was engaged to John's brother, Sam.

Pant ~ Pant. So it's all copacetic, see? Anyway, by now I'm sure your readers think I'm nuts. But I'll be happy to send out a free book, etc, out of thanks.

Also, Cinderella Pact's gonna be a Lifetime movie in February starring Poppy Montgomery. FYI.
Thanks again!

Sarah

Now, how COOL was that? Yeah, totally cool! Anyways, while I'm talking some more about Sarah's books, I just got done reading The Sleeping Beauty Proposal

and wow.oh.wow... I loved it. Couldn't put it down. Have you read one of her books yet? Can't wait for her movie!! GirLs NigHt! Anyone?! anyone?!!

Oh, and I totally followed that Kevin Bacon story. I'm a General Hospital fan too (when it was good). I can brag that my grandma got me hooked on that show when I was in elementary school, and when I was sick & she kept me home from school ... she poisoned my brain with soaps all.day.long. What are grandma's for? She's awesome!

...new favorite author

I have found a new author.... whom I LOVE!!

I won the drawing of the newest book by Sarah Strohmeyer called The Penny Pinchers Club on Sweet Life in the Valley a few months ago, and finally had a chance to read it a few weekends ago. Sadly, I read it during my trip to my sister in law Tiffany's house... and couldn't put it down the entire weekend. ::blushing:: Sorry Tiff. Reading the book was way more interesting than watching the guys switch the fridge doors. ::giggling::

I requested some more books by this author Sarah Strohmeyer. I read The Cinderella Pact this last weekend. It was FAB! {there's some British words in there...} She's hilarious .... easy to read .... and says what everyone else is thinking, but doesn't ever say out loud!

I have a few more of her books to dive into, and I.Can't.WAIT!

So, if you want a good read by a great author, try one of these two books out.

Oh, and b/c I'm talking about books... I'm sad to say that I found out that Reading Rainbow, a show that I LOVED when I was a kid... is done. Finished.... I am going to miss that song... & Levar Burton.

Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high
Take a look, it's in a book - Reading Rainbow.

I can go anywhere!
Friends to know and ways to grow - Reading Rainbow.

I can be anything!
Take a look, it's in a book - Reading Rainbow.

In the words of Levar Burton about The Penny Pincher's Club...

"but....you don't have to take MY word for it!"

Read it!