Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

This is what I was waiting for - the conclusion of the series - how was Seth now a fairy going to live in both fairy land and in the real world with Aislinn. How was she going to rule and make a life with Seth if she's the queen to Keenan.... Not to mention Donia and all the others. I like how she wrapped it all up and put a pretty bow on it. You can't say anything without giving it all away... great read - fast too!

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.
Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.
Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

The Gathering by Kelly Armstrong

The Author split this series into three mini series - all the characters have special unique powers and there's an outside interference as to why.

I like to tone of the book - not bad for teens, it read quickly and kept my attention the entire time. 


Maya discovers slowly after almost passing out and having a stranger call her a witch that she's got something unique in her genes that allows her to commune with animals on different levels. Its neat to watch it unfold. Meanwhile - there seems to be a love triangle (of course) with the new guy Rafe and her old standby 'friend thats a boy' Daniel. What gets even weirder is how everyone seems to have something 'odd' about them in this town and just what they are. The book does quicken at the end a little to fast but I get the fact that things are life altering at the end and happening really really fast.

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

Afterlife (Evernight series)

The fourth book in this electrifying vampire series has all the romance, suspense, and page-turning drama that have made Claudia Gray’s Evernight books runaway successes.

Having become what they feared most, Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They must return to Evernight Academy, Lucas as a vampire and Bianca as a wraith. But Lucas is haunted by demons, both personal and supernatural. Bianca must help him fight the evil inside him, combat the forces determined to drive them apart—and find the power to claim her destiny at last.

Readers have fallen in love with Bianca and Lucas, and they will be thrilled to read this exciting conclusion to their romantic adventure.

I liked this one! She's a ghost (a wraith) and shes still in love with her boyfriend now vampire. If that's not a twist, I don't know one lol. She's able to come back and be physically alive by some weird techniques that throws me for a loop lol - she hasn't told her family that she's 'alive' or really still here.


Her friends are still there with her, dealing with her 'condition' and they head back to Evernight where alot of stuff comes out and the whole places is in chaos again. This time it has a better outcome than before. Kind of a let down on the ending though.


Good - but alot of touchy stuff (sex stuff) between Bianca and Lucas - mature teen only.

Afterlife is the conclusion of the Evernight series proper. However, there's a spinoff book, Balthazar, all about our favorite hot vampire's life, death and subsequent adventures. That's coming in March 2012!

The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver

Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne ust needs a chance to prove herself and that’s exactly what Lucifer is counting on…

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

Ok I thought I'd try it since I bought it for Amber. Its not bad. Held my attention the entire book, couple love triangles and friendship quarrels like in teen years lol nothing inappropriate, I got a kick out of the fact her school was in an old grocery store and it smelled like cheese. I'll have to pay attention the next time I go into one and see if it does. Of course her next school is an old starbucks - any teens dream school, right? lol

Tons of twists I wasn't expecting and it was a smooth ride through the book and this one gives you a chapter of the next one due out in August

Support the 'Faces of the Future' Campaign From Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Microsoft and Comcast

 

As social media savvy moms, we all know firsthand the benefits of technology. In most cases, our love for using technology to connect and create has trickled down to our children. I think we'd all agree that in today's increasingly digital world, there is no better time to develop these skills to prepare our children for their future. We just learned that there is a great organization, in partnership with fantastic brands, who is setting out to do just that and we couldn't wait to tell you about it!

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), in partnership with Microsoft and Comcast, has launched the Faces of the Future campaign (www.facesofthefuture.org), designed to raise awareness about the importance of digital literacy. The campaign features youth from across America who have been positively impacted by the Club Tech program and shows how technology can transform lives.

Historically, Boys & Girls Clubs have been known as safe, affordable places where parents could send their kids to play sports, swim and get help with their homework. But now they are much more than that. The Club Tech program helps prepare young people through technology, tapping into the potential of future journalists, graphic designers, engineers and photographers.

Boys & Girls Club members, age 6-18, learn various skills from word processing and presentations to music production and filmmaking. Nearly 1 million kids and teens participate in the Club Tech program at more than 3,600 Boys & Girls Clubs around the world. Research has shown that participants not only learned the fundamentals of computers, but they also discovered how to harness technology in a way that made them more literate in current affairs and other topics that spill over from school and home.

Throughout the campaign, the Faces of the Future Showcase will feature artwork, music and films created by youth using the Club Tech digital arts curriculum. People all over the world will have the opportunity to see what young people can accomplish through technology when given access to the right tools and opportunities!

Speaking of accomplishments, Boys & Girls Clubs of America needs your help in reaching an important milestone--35,000 fans on Facebook! For every 10 likes they get, a Club member will receive Microsoft Office 2010. By clicking the "like" button, you're not only showing your support for an amazing cause, but you're literally putting tools in the hands of children who need them most.

SO LETS HELP THEM!! Easy as 1,2,3... just go like their facebook page!

"Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place."

DaGeDar - the new game this summer!

Cepia, the brand behind the popular ZhuZhu Pets, is coming out with an awesome new toy. It’s called DaGeDar and its unlike any other toys or games on the market! From the moment a child picks up a DaGeDar ball, they will know it’s something different. Drop the ball down the track and swoosh – you are hooked. This simple game of speed and skill is innovative and addicting!

DaGeDar will be available nationwide later this summer, but for now, we have a great sneak peek sizzle reel that really showcases the uniqueness of the games. 








Keep an eye out - we'll be testing it soon!! Thanks to MomSelect!