Reminder: This Blog Has Moved!

Hey y'all!  Just a quick reminder that this blog has moved to a NEW home.  (Apologies for any confusion - I had a few posts still scheduled here once I moved to WordPress and imported my Blogger posts, so they showed up here instead of there!)

Anyway, I'm at Once Upon a Prologue .NET now, not .COM.  So the blog is found at: Once Upon a Prologue!  I'll leave this one up for awhile, but I'd love it if you'd consider visiting the new blog and subscribing there.  I'm currently hosting a month long event featuring YA contemporaries, and there are lots of giveaways for US and International readers.

Anyway, it was fun here at Blogger, but I'm really loving my new blogging home.  Stop by there and see me!

- Molli

Becoming A Better Blogger - #3: Stop Running, Start "Being."

Becoming A Better Blogger is a new series at Once Upon a Prologue; it's a combination of my feature If I Could Writer A Letter To Me, (inspired by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner) and my own thoughts on a chilly winter night.  Becoming A Better Blogger is about the things I've learned while blogging, the advice I've received, and about shedding lesser versions of myself - from the first growing pains of becoming a new blogger, to where I am now, and all the growth I hope to do.  As always, discussion is encouraged and welcomed!

Becoming A Better Blogger - Stop Running, Start "Being"

How many of us started our book blog out of a bone-deep desire to share our love of reading with the world, and to meet like-minded readers and bloggers?  *raises hand*  Now, for the harder question, and the one that no one likes answering: how many of us, at some point - be it for an hour, a day, or a longer stretch - got caught up in the stats/galley/fame game, and lost sight of our original blog goals?  *raises hand*

That's right, it happened to me.  It's happened to others, too.  The lure of galleys, blog tours, followers, notice from publishers, credibility in the blogging community...it's shiny.  It's TEMPTING.  It's worth being winded after that long climb up to say "Look at me, I'm HERE." But "here" stops mattering when you're always focused on what comes next, and you don't give yourself time to appreciate it.

"Here," is different for everyone.  If that galley matters THAT MUCH to you, then let that be your "here."  Your plateau.  But don't spend so long admiring what's on the next level up that you can't appreciate the moment you're in.  

I don't think I know anyone who started their book blog to become famous.  So when and why did it become about that?  2012 was a year of so much negativity for bloggers (and for authors, in some ways.)  Let's make 2013 a year for growing as readers and bloggers, and less of a popularity contest.  Let's geek out together over an old book we all enjoyed, and not JUST over the next big thing.  Let's "wait" less on Wednesdays, and have more tea time to come together as book bloggers. 

Let's get off the happiness treadmill.  Let's stop running to one stage, then the next, then the next before we can realize what we have.  Let's stop worrying so much about setting new, higher goals, and just BE.  Be a reader.  Be a book-lover.  Be a writer.  Be a blogger.  BE YOU.  Be aware of where you are, and stop to appreciate that.  If you have one follower, or a thousand, or ten thousand...be thankful. 

Be still.  Be classy.  Be awesome.  Be loud.  Be original.  Be someone that reaches out, not to gain followers, but to gain READERS, and friends.  Be happy when your numbers go up, but be happy that you HAVE numbers. 

 

Stop racing toward more and more, and JUST BE.  Don't seesaw frantically trying to gain the edge, get on that blog tour, or score a dozen galleys a week.  Find your balance and BE.  

 

Becoming A Better Blogger - #4: Finding Balance

Becoming A Better Blogger is a new series at Once Upon a Prologue; it's a combination of my feature If I Could Writer A Letter To Me, (inspired by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner) and my own thoughts on a chilly winter night.  Becoming A Better Blogger is about the things I've learned while blogging, the advice I've received, and about shedding lesser versions of myself - from the first growing pains of becoming a new blogger, to where I am now, and all the growth I hope to do.  As always, discussion is encouraged and welcomed!

Becoming A Better Blogger - #4: Finding Balance

Part of the lure, and the problem in the book blogging community is there's more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done - oh wait...

Anyway, point is, there's a LOT out there.  Memes, discussion posts, review, giveaways, surveys, blog tours, NetGalley.  It's easy to get overwhelmed, trying to focus on it all, trying to be everywhere.  It's hard to be active at Goodreads, Facebook, your blog, Twitter, Tumblr, and NOT resort to holding yourself up in your room, blinking harshly at any form of light other than your computer screen, holding a cup of coffee and Poptarts and mumbling about "my precioussssss."

So what's the answer?  Can you keep all those balls in the air, juggling, and not eventually drop one?  I know I can't.  So for 2013 I'm making some changes.  I'm reading more "for me," which means that after this month of crazy reading, (I'm writing this post in January), I'm slowing things down - reading more from my personal TBR, and only accepting ARC tours and such by invite.  I'm going to be requesting a few galleys, but NOT overwhelming myself.  

Twitter will be more for having fun.  I'll do some blog promotion, but I'm not going to kill myself.  I am going to make a huge effort to interact more on GoodReads, comment more, and keep my reviews there up to date.  I'm being more interactive on my blog's Facebook page, too, but I'm moving to WordPress soon, and going to be ME.  It's scary, losing GFC.  I will probably panic the day it happens.  But my readers will make the jump with me, and I'm looking forward to getting out there and meeting new bloggers.  

Balance is difficult.  Sometimes I feel like everything I do isn't enough, while there are days that I devote 8 hours to scheduling blog posts - some of which are hits, some that get no comments, when I feel like they deserve to be seen and loved as I love them. I have to find a happy medium, so that's for 2013 is for me and blogging.  Balance.  Being present, without trying to be everywhere. Reading books I want to read and NOT over-committing like I did last year.  

So, who's with me?  What are your blog goals for this year?    

 

The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter
Publication: February 26, 2013 (Harlequin Teen)
Source: E-galley from the publisher
Rating: Beam-worthy

___

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

Memorable Quote

He stared up into the space I occupied, and I could hardly breathe.  He was perfection.  Calliope wouldn't take him from me.  I wouldn't let her. 

My Review

After enjoying both previous novels in this trilogy, I read The Goddess Inheritance eagerly.  The previous book ended on a terrible how-could-you-do-that-to-us cliffhanger, so when I saw the final book on NetGalley, I grabbed it.  (Thank goodness for auto-approval!)  As I read Aimee Carter's newest book, several things struck me.  I've talked to a few blog friends about how I'm writing and reading much more critically, seeing things I didn't used to when I read.  And more than anything, I want to read books that leave me speechless.  The Goddess Inheritance was enjoyable, and a mostly satisfying conclusion to the Goddess Test trilogy, but not much more than that.

As I read, although I was an en-spelled in Aimee Carter's writing as ever,  I couldn't quite get past some of the flaws in the plot of The Goddess Inheritance. All the characters I've come to care about were present, and they each had roles to play.  The stakes were higher.  But the plot felt circular to me.  Everyone kept going around and around, and in some cases, right back into danger once they escaped.  It felt like, to me, just a way to draw out the story. 

However, The Goddess Inheritance still held my attention, and by the end, I could appreciate the hopeful conclusion to this trilogy.  It was a good to see everyone finally pulling together, and to see Kate coming into her own as a goddess.  I was starting to think that wouldn't happen! We do see some growth from her, which was refreshing and encouraging.  I also enjoyed that Carter finally put Kate and Henry in a good place.

As The Goddess Inheritance came to an end, I felt somewhat bittersweet because the trilogy was ending.  I have hope that Aimee Carter might revisit this series down the road, even though this final book in the trilogy wasn't everything I hoped. 



Other books by this author:

The Goddess Test (The Goddess Test #1)
Goddess Interrupted (The Goddess Test #2)

Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1 - 2013 Harlequin Teen)

You're sure to fall for:

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

About Aimee

I attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and received a degree in Screen Arts and Cultures (a fancy way of saying I was forced to watch a lot of old movies) with a subconcentration in Screenwriting. I write. I watch a lot of new movies. Read a lot of books. Tweet too much. Love dogs and have two spoiled Papillons.

Visit Aimee at: her website | her twitter 

Shop for The Goddess Inheritance at: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository  

  

Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Hysteria by Megan Miranda
Published: February 5, 2013 (Walker Children's)
Source: E-ARC from NetGalley
Rating: Squee-worthy

 ___

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can’t remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn’t charged. But Mallory still feels Brian’s presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her... or anything about her past. But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence -- to herself and others.

In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda’s masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

Memorable Quote

 Because it felt like we were starting right now.  Then I was so close I could feel his breath, coming a little too fast.  And my hands were on his chest, like I could push him away any minute, but I didn't.  I spread my palms flat and tried to feel his heartbeat.

It was racing.

- Page 176

My Review

Megan Miranda became one of my go-to authors last year with Fracture, her debut novel, so as soon as I heard about Hysteria, I knew I had to read this YA thriller.  Within the first few pages, I was captivated, and wanted to learn more about Mallory, and about what happened the night her boyfriend died.  Megan's ability to weave a fascinating story continues in Hysteria.  Once again, I didn't know who to trust, and couldn't figure out what, exactly, was happening until the last minute.  Everyone was a suspect - Mallory included. 

Not many authors could take an unreliable narrator like Mallory and make me care about her, but Megan Miranda did.    Throughout Hysteria, scattered flashbacks reveal what really happened the night Mallory's boyfriend died, but I wasn't sure which was more compelling - Mallory's past, or her present.  Starting over at a new school poses its own challenges; there's a boy, who might be a new chance at love, if Mallory is brave enough to take that chance.  I wanted to push her toward Reid, who was so patient, loyal, and understanding.  But I had to trust in Megan Miranda to let Mallory grow, slowly, but steadily, into someone who could trust herself again - which was incredibly difficult to believe would happen, with Mallory receiving ghostly nightmares, visions, and threats.  

Hysteria is a wild ride, but one I'm glad I took.  Only Megan Miranda could have told this type of story: a mystery, and a ghost story all rolled into one - with some swoon-worthy romance sprinkled in.  The characters are genuine, and I couldn't get enough of the macabre undertones to Hysteria.  It's a book I'll definitely purchase to add to my bookshelf!


Other books by this author:

Fracture
Vengeance (Fracture #2 | 2014, Walker Children's) 

You're sure to fall for:

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

About Megan

Megan Miranda was a scientist and high school teacher before writing Fracture, which came out of her fascination with scientific mysteries—especially those associated with the brain. Megan has a BS in biology from MIT and spent her post-college years either rocking a lab coat or reading books. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, where she volunteers as an MIT Educational Counselor. Fracture is her first novel.

Visit Megan at: her website | twitter 

Shop for Hysteria at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 

Once Upon a Prologue Has a New Home!

Once Upon a Prologue.Net

Thank you thank you thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has visited this blog over the almost two years of its existence.  I have talked a little bit about making the move to WordPress, and I ended up doing that this week, and also, deciding to self-host my blog.  

It would mean the world to me if you would visit my new blog, and subscribe to my RSS feed, or via email, or just add me on Twitter if you haven't already.  I have a lot of exciting events planned for the next few months, several fun giveaways, and am just hoping to make my blog even better than it's been.

Review: Me, Him, Them, and It by Caela Carter

Me, Him, Them, and It by Caela Carter
Source: E-galley from the publisher
Publication: February 26, 2013
Rating: Cringe-worthy

___

When Evelyn decided to piss off her parents with a bad reputation, she wasn't planning to ruin her valedictorian status. She also wasn't planning to fall for Todd-the guy she was just using for sex. And she definitely wasn't planning on getting pregnant. When Todd turns his back on her, Evelyn's not sure where to go. 

Can a distant mother, a cheating father, an angry best friend, and a (thankfully) loving aunt with adopted daughters of her own help Evelyn make the heart-wrenching decisions that follow?

My Review

I go into every book with an open mind, and it's no secret that even when I don't care for a book, I try to find something I liked.  I was excited to read Me, Him, Them, and It because I love issue-driven books set in a contemporary setting.  But this book.  I have never felt so utterly let down and insulted by a book since I started blogging.  It's so bad that I debated on even posting a review, but I DID agree to read and review Caela Carter's debut novel, so...here goes.


I hated the main character, Evelyn. I can put up with a lot from a lead character if they're a mean girl, or immature, and grow over the course of the book - one of my favorite books is BEFORE I FALL.  But Evelyn wasn't even naive...she was just stupid.  She had unprotected sex for months and never once considered getting on birth control until her friend was shocked enough to suggest it.  EVEN THEN, Evelyn only considered birth control to get bigger breasts. She regularly told her boyfriend it was fine to have sex without a condom, and the thought of getting pregnant NEVER crossed her mind. 

There was SO much wrong with Me, Him, Them, and It.  If these characters are supposed to be in touch with real teenagers, then I am really worried about the future of the human race.  Evelyn's parents are some of the worst parents I've read about.  Evelyn's "friends with benefits," when confronted with the fact that he's going to be a father, "just can't."  Can't be a dad, can't take partial responsibility.  There's no character development beyond the surface for any of the characters, except one or two side characters. 

Part of what bothered me SO much was that "Evie" refused to make ANY decisions about her baby's welfare.  She referred to her unborn child as "it" for the entire book, and routinely told her baby "I hate you."  She flip-flopped back and forth on abortion until it was almost too late, then on adoption versus parenting for literally the rest of the book.  She was more interested in moaning about her situation then doing ANYTHING about it.  (Also, I didn't like the message about abortion - believe in it or not, but it was treated as no big thing.)

Also, there were remarks made in this book that really hurt.  Evelyn's aunt, who she lives with during her pregnancy (because it's her parent's great idea to "hide" her) is gay, and Evelyn made numerous disparaging remarks like "my aunt's partner...or whatever she is," or "her wife...or whatever."  I realize that being gay is something not everyone is comfortable with, but I think you can still write about it in a respectful manner - or not at all.  

I struggled SO MUCH with Me, Him, Them, and It.  I struggled with Evelyn's rebellious ways, and that she hurt herself and her future to hurt her parents for THEIR problems.  I struggled with the *messages in this book - drugs and sex are fine, the repercussions don't matter, that you can give up your baby and start fresh like nothing ever happened.  I could have over-looked some of this if Evelyn had done anything to redeem herself, but she didn't. 

This book did not work for me.  I kept reading because this book was a train wreck that just kept happening, over and over again.  The only part that touched me was Evelyn's relationship with her young cousins, which was sweet and endearing, and possibly the main reason I kept reading.  Other than that, I breathed a sigh of relief when Me, Him, Them, and It finally ended.  


* I will not be providing buy links or author information for this book. 

Waiting on Wednesday - #47: Contemporaries Edition!

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston | Publication: May 14, 2013 Disney/Hyperion | Add it to your TBR!
Why it's worth waiting on: It's no secret that I LOVE YA contemporaries, and this one sounds EXCELLENT, with a touch of mystery and a bit of romance.  Plus I love that that cover is different!

Abby Barnes had a plan. Get into a great college, major in journalism, and land a dream job at a major newspaper. But on the eve of her 18th birthday, she is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she’s in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. 

A cosmic collision of parallel universes has left Abby living a new reality every time parallel Abby makes a decision. Now Abby must race against time to take control of her fate without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that’s finally in reach.


Parallel by Lauren Miller | Publication: May 14, 2012 (HarperTeen) | Add it to your TBR! 
Why it's worth waiting on: This one makes me think of Before I Fall, and Lucid, two books I ADORED.  I feel like I NEED it in my life! 

When Imogen, a sixteen-year-old black belt in Tae Kwon Do, freezes during a holdup at a local diner, the gunman is shot and killed by the police, and she blames herself for his death. Before the shooting, she believed that her black belt made her stronger than everyone else -- more responsible, more capable. 

But now her sense of self has been challenged and she must rebuild her life, a process that includes redefining her relationship with her family and navigating first love with the boy who was at the diner with her during the shootout. With action, romance, and a complex heroine, Bruised introduces a vibrant new voice to the young adult world -- full of dark humor and hard truths.


Bruised by Sarah Skilton | March 5, 2013 Amulet/Abrams | Add it to your TBR! 
Why it's worth waiting on: Imogen sounds like a totally fierce heroine, and yet really relatable, too, with freezing during a robbery.  I can't wait to read her story!

What books are YOU “Waiting On” this Wednesday?  Be sure to link me to YOUR post so I can check it out!

This weekly feature is graciously hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine. You know that feeling you get when you're browsing upcoming books on Goodreads or Amazon and one strikes your fancy?  Maybe you squee.  Maybe you giggle to yourself.  Maybe you bounce in your seat. We all get excited (I do a combination of all three of the previous choices...) about new books, be it a favorite author you're familiar with, or someone whose work you'll be reading for the first time.  Jill's meme gives us the chance to spotlight what we are anxiously awaiting this week.  I'm now doing a monthly round-up of several awesome upcoming books. 

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point by Kasie West
Publication: February 12, 2013 (HarperTeen)
Source: E-Galley from the publisher
Rating: Swoon-worthy

___

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.   

Memorable Quote

His deep, even breaths and the steady beat of his heart lull me.  My breath has warmed the little cocoon I've created against him.  He smells spicy, like cologne and salt.  The skin on his neck is soft on my nose and I push it further into him until my lips rest against him.  My finger traces back and forth over his collarbone and my mouth brushes along his neck until it finds the skin right behind his earlobe, which is even softer. 

My Review

Let's be honest: I add a LOT of books to my GoodReads to-be-read, and I'm usually excited when I add them.  But when I saw the stunning cover for Pivot Point, then read the synopsis, something told me this book would be different - special.  And having read it, cried, flailed, and swooned over Kasie West's debut novel, I can happily say I was right.  Pivot Point brought to life so many vibrant characters, and Kasie's book left me with a heart that was half full, and half empty, as I realized how long I would need to wait for the sequel.  

There are reviews I write where I can be impartial, and then there are reviews where I just want to hug a copy of the book I'm reviewing; Pivot Point made me want to do the latter.   I clicked with Addie right away.  I don't talk about it much, but my parents briefly separated when I was 15, and I wasn't given a choice where I wanted to go during that six months.  They reconciled, but I remember being so anxious and sad, just like Addie.  As soon as she decided to use her talent to Search her possible futures, I tensed up.  And here's when I realized Kasie West was on to something: I, quite literally, stayed tense through the ENTIRE NOVEL.  That NEVER EVER happens.  I was THAT caught up in Addie's story.  And let me tell you, folks, Addie is an amazing lead character: smart, strong, REAL.  

The characters are what make Pivot Point so fantastic.  The premise by itself is pretty spectacular, and I enjoyed learning about the various citizens inside the Compound: Searchers, Discerners, Telekentics, and more.  Kasie West's world-building was phenomenal.  I never doubted it, and I felt like I was really there, both inside the Compound, and in the juxtaposition of the "Normal" world.  But all these lives revolving around incredible mental abilities wouldn't have been anything if not for the characters.  Addie, Laila, Trevor, and others began to feel like people I knew, not just characters.  

Pivot Point is unique for so many reasons; despite our glimpses of Addie's two VERY different futures, the pacing was so smooth, never jerky.  And although we see Addie with two absolutely oil-and-water love interests, because of the circumstances, there isn't a love triangle.  Both Duke and Trevor add a lot to the story, but I knew I had chosen my side when I found myself looking forward to one character's appearances over the other.  I don't want to give too much away, but I want to tell y'all: the romance is high-level SWOON-WORTHY.  And the descriptions, and little moments between Addie and my favorite guy?  I felt like - I - was experiencing my first love all over again.  

Pivot Point is a thrilling journey full of mystery, and moments that left me almost breathless.  I laughed, I cried.  I anticipated, and I feared for the characters.  When it was over, I sat there, still tense, and crying.  I didn't want Pivot Point to end, and now that it has, I'm going to have to find some way of coping until I can beg, borrow, or steal a copy of the sequel.  

Other books by this author:

Untitled (Pivot Point #2 - 2014
The Distance Between Us (2013 - HarperTeen)

You're sure to fall for:

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

 

About Kasie

I graduated from Fresno State University with a BA degree that has nothing to do with writing. I earned my masters in Junior Mint eating (which is awarded after eating your millionth King Size box....I'm now working on my PhD). I love sappy alternative rock ballads and reading way past my bedtime.

Visit Kasie at: her website | her Twitter

Shop for Pivot Point at: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Becoming A Better Blogger - #2: My Blogging Goals

Becoming A Better Blogger is a new series at Once Upon a Prologue; it's a combination of my feature If I Could Writer A Letter To Me, (inspired by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner) and my own thoughts on a chilly winter night.  Becoming A Better Blogger is about the things I've learned while blogging, the advice I've received, and about shedding lesser versions of myself - from the first growing pains of becoming a new blogger, to where I am now, and all the growth I hope to do.  As always, discussion is encouraged and welcomed!

Becoming A Better Blogger - #2: My Blogging Goals

In keeping with my goals for 2013 to get back to the basics with reading (read more of what I want, when I want...don't over-commit myself like I did in 2012,) I wanted to re-affirm to myself the reasons I started this blog, what I want Once Upon a Prologue to be about and to stand for, and where I hope to go with it.  I've found my mind set changing lately, and I'm really battling to combat my "blogger jealousy."  It hurts when I see blogs that haven't been around as long as I have but who have 2,000+ followers, because sure, I'd like to be there.  I love EVERY one of my followers, but would like to have more, to reach that next plateau.

But that isn't why I started blogging, and it isn't why I'm continuing.  So I'm making this post to remind myself, and to get back in touch with that younger blogging self who started this blog with high hopes, huge dreams, and no expectations. I don't ever want to lose sight of her.

This post is partially to hold myself accountable, and partially to inspire others, and mostly to keep a record of my goals and thoughts.

• I will never let blogging become a chore or something I dread doing.  It will always be fun.
• If I feel burned out, or like I need a break, I will step back for awhile and tell myself it's okay to do so.
• I will focus more on building relationships with my fellow bloggers than on being envious of them.
• I will focus on having readers, not just followers. 
• I will cherish every single follower/reader.
• I will make interacting with my followers a priority.
• I will host more authors on the blog and continue to support indie authors.
• I will read more of what I want to read, and be careful not to over-commit myself. 
• I will reach out to the blogging community as much as I can, since I am very thankful for them.
• I will be honest in every single post.
• I will not let anyone else determine how or what I blog.
• I will provide thoughtful discussion posts and features.
• I will be open to providing new bloggers advice!

Do you have a post like this?   What are YOUR blogging goals and resolutions?

Review: Hooked by Liz Fichera

Hooked by Liz Fichera
Publication: January 31, 2013 (Harlequin Teen)

Source: E-galley from NetGalley
Rating: Beam-worthy

___

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.

Memorable Quote 

Her breath warmed my neck.  Slowly, I lowered my chin so that it brushed the top of her head.  My eyes closed as I listened to our breathing, her heartbeat, and all the corner things that scrolled through my head.  I wanted to say something lame, like how her hair smelled as sweet as the desert, because that was how she made me feel - alive and special. 

My Review

After reading several contemporary books last year that featured main characters as athletes, I wanted to try Hooked.  I'm glad I did, because like predecessors Catching Jordan, Stealing Parker, and others, Hooked utilizes a bit of a twist on familiar plots.  In Liz Fichera's debut novel, the main character Fred faces several challenges, but has an indomitable spirit that was beautiful to read about.  Although the other main character, Ryan, wore on my nerves, I never found Fred to be anything but inspiring, and ended up enjoying Hooked a great deal.  

I really enjoyed the authenticity Liz Fichera gave to her characters.  They all felt very real; however in this case, I didn't enjoy the dual point of view as much as I wished.  Despite having moments where I softened toward him, for the majority of Hooked, I didn't care for Ryan, or his point of view.  I think the story could have been told better without his, because he let me down too many times.  He did come through eventually, but by then, I didn't believe in him and Fred as a couple because of his antics and immaturity when it came to her. He had opportunities to step up, but chose not to, and my enjoyment of Hooked suffered.  Plus there was just a lot of meaningless drama drummed up between them to keep the story going. 

I did come to admire Liz Fichera's story-telling, and the pacing, which was well done.  I applaud the fact that Fred isn't the typical Caucasion narrator, and I enjoyed the tribal information in the story.  I liked that she took risks as a story-teller, and delved into Fred's less than desirable home life with her alcoholic mother.  However, I felt like the actual treatment of that storyline was a bit callous and generalized.  Fred's father and brother were great additions to this story as supportive minor characters.  I felt like as Hooked neared a climax though, everything was wrapped up really neatly and quickly. Sometimes it's better for an author to leave a bit to the reader's imagination, but that wasn't so here. 

Overall, I liked Hooked - the premise, and Fred.  I'm glad I took a chance on Liz Fichera's story, because there were some touching moments, but I'd have to say that I've seen this type of premise done better by other authors. 




Other books by this author:

Played (Hooked #2 - 2014 Harlequin Teen)

You're sure to love:

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

About Liz

I'm an American author living in the American Southwest by way of Chicago. Born and raised in Park Ridge, Illinois, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, after college, never expecting to live more than one year among cactus and people who’d never seen snow. I was wrong.  It certainly didn't hurt that I met my future husband in Phoenix too.

When I'm not busy writing my next novel, I like to travel, visit museums, support local theater productions, hike, and pretend that I'm training for a triathlon.  I post a lot of photos from my desert and mountain hikes on my Facebook and Twitter pages.  In no particular order, I've been chased by javalinas, rattlesnakes, coyotes, and even one curious black bear.  Would love to connect with you there too!

Visit Liz at: her website | 

Shop for Hooked at: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository