Contest Win ARC of: The Agency: A Spy in the House by: Y.S. LEE!!! (US/ Canada only ... for now)

Introducing an exciting new series Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment. 

Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners -- and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady's companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant's home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust -- or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets -- including those of her own past. (This summary was Thanks to Chapters Indigo Books)

Hey guys so this is my first contest held here at Midnight Glance!! This is very exciting to me So whats up for grabs?? I'm Giving away my ARC copy of The Agency (it is the version I am reviewing). This Contest ends on the 8th of March 12:00 AM EST. On the 9th I will be announcing the winner and posting my review for the book. For now I'm sorry to say contest is only for Canada/ US but depending on how the contest goes I might make it International so cross your fingers. Ok here is the condition If I make 50 followers (as of today that's only 21 people more). I'll make this contest International with an extra copy of the book so I'll be giving away 2 of The Agency novels. Ok so one will be the ARC which again will only go to someone in US or Canada (Sorry :( I can't afford to Ship the ARC internationally). The other copy of the book I'll be sending will be coming from Book Depository (Just before entering make sure they ship to you). To enter this contest Please fill out the Contest Entry Form Here. If you have any questions please leave comment with them and I'll answer them ASAP.

*UPDATE! Contest Closed Winner Posted (Congrats Amanda again)*!!!

Happy Reading!!

Kelly P.

In My Mailbox (4)

Hey Guys so this is what was in my mailbox this week, if you don't know what that means here let me explain. The idea started over at the Story Siren I blog I adore, check Kristi out. But this is a weekly posting of all the fun arriving in your mail box, it doesn't have to been actually in your mail box but it can be a shopping bag as well. Enough with the talk lets get started. 
        

 So this week the books in my Mail Box were:

Bought:

1. Evermore By: Alyson Noel

2. Blue Moon By: Alyson Noel

These books are in a series called the Immortals, these books are said to be good books. I have had Evermore on my wishlist forever but the other day I decided to give them a try I bought both just because if the series is good then I have Blue Moon as well. Love the covers every eye catching, I adore purple so it make Evermore so much more eye catching for me.

3. Stargazer By Claudia Gray

4. The Summoning By: Kelley Armstrong

Omg, Omg Stargazer has arrived!!!. Sorry I freaked out this week when my mom said a book arrived. I have been waiting for this book even before I finished Evernight. Thats how good Evernight was that I bought Stargazer before I completed Evernight, but it only arrived now. The Summoning I've heard a lot of different things about this book, and I kind of wasn't going to buy but got it on sale. Love the cover for both.

5. Dark Light By Lesley Livingston

6. Iron King By: Julie Kagawa

Oh yeah you see right!!! Darklight and Iron King what a duo it's Faerie Madness. These are 2 books that I counted down the day til release but no I didn't pre-order them so I was only able to get them now. I liked Wondrous Strange and like that Lesley is a Canadian Author so it only made sense to get Darklight. Iron King I'm so looking forward to this book everyone I know who read this book says it's to die for and a must read asap. What helps too is that Julie is an easy going Author and can make you laugh. What is the blue sticker on Darklight you may ask see below.!!!

Signed... Thats Right this book has been signed by author:

Darklight By Lesley Livingston

I know i was so excited for this book. Ok I was so sad that I was forced to miss the signing with Lesley due to work related reasons, but when I walked into the books store and saw these blue stickers on the book had to buy it. I was even contemplating on purchasing another Wondrous Strange just a signed version.

So thats it with me!!! Whats was in your mailbox this week. Let me know either leave a comment, or even list the items.

Happy reading everyone.

P.S. if you haven't already don't forget to head over to The Story Siren to enter yours in Mr. Linky and even checking other peoples.

Kelly P.

On My Wish List (3)

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City, which will be posted every Saturday. It allows us to share the books we haven't bought yet but are dieing to buy and haunt us in our sleep. This wishlist it is a list of hope, and if you have the money then it is a shopping list! If you would like to take part and have your own 'On My Wishlist' post then you can find more info here. (This post was inspired by Kristi In My Mailbox at The Story Siren).

The Dark Divine- Bree Despain

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul. (This book summary is from Chapters Indigo Books)

Dark Divine I've heard a lot of great reviews for this book and it's actually been on my wishlist forever and I have yet to purchase it!! This book sounds like a must read the description is so captivating like every time I read it i feel like I need to buy it!!

Old Magic- Marianne Curley 

Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing,

but Kate Warren doesn't know why.

The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm "inside" their classroom.

Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her "hocus pocus" notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate's theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey -- one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod's family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.
(This book summary is from Chapters Indigo Books)

I love this actually cover I posted out of the ones I've seen. This book just seems so interesting and lately I fined myself draw to book dealing with witch and witchcraft. I'm dying for this book to but at my local bookstore they do not carry this versions so I'm going to have to get it from Book Depository!! :) 

Storm Glass- Maria V. Snyder

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it''s time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan''s glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal''s unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn''t known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she''s ever known. (This book summary is from Chapters Indigo Books)


Don't you just love cover, it's the first thing I noticed. This is yet another book cover Canada does not carry. This author is suppose to be fabulous. I've hear a lot of good things on this series and the Study series. So I'm looking int to getting this book soon.

Once a Witch- Carolyn Mac Cullough

"Your daughter will be one of the most powerful we have ever seen in this family. She will be a beacon for us all."
Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and on the day she was born, her grandmother proclaimed she would be one of the most Talented among them. Which makes it all the more difficult that Tamsin''s magic never arrrived.

Now, seventeen years later, she avoids her family as much as possible, spending most of the year at a boarding school in Manhattan, where she can at least pretend to be normal. But her summers are spent at home, working at her family''s book store/magic shop in upstate New York. One night at the end of the summer, just before her return to school, a handsome professor from New York University arrives in the shop and mistakes Tamsin for her extremely Talented older sister, Rowena. For once, it''s Tamsin who''s being looked at with awe and admiration, and before she can stop herself, she agrees to find a family heirloom for him that was lost more than a century ago. But the search--and the stranger-prove to be more sinister than they''d appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the truth about her Talent, unearth the past sins of her family, and unleash a power so strong and so vengeful that it could destroy them all. (This book summary is from Amazon.ca)


This yet another book I've heard some great thing about. I told you it must be something in the air another book on witches. This store sounds super cool. I can't wait to get my hands on this one as well!!

Shutter Island- Dennis Lehane

The year is 1954. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, have come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Multiple-murderess Rachel Solando is loose somewhere on this barren island, despite having been kept in a locked cell under constant surveillance. As a killer hurricane bears relentlessly down on them, a strange case takes on even darker, more sinister shades-with hints of radical experimentation, horrifying surgeries, and lethal countermoves made in the cause of a covert shadow war. No one is going to escape Shutter Island unscathed, because nothing at Ashecliffe Hospital is remotely what it seems. (This book summary is from Chapters Indigo Books)


Please tell me you have seen the preview to this book that is now a feature presentation click here for a YouTube trailer. I usually am not a fan of books like this, but after seeing the preview i totally looked up the book. I can't wait to read and see the movie!! The story sounds awesome, but it also helps that when I think of Teddy Daniels I can now picture Leonardo DiCaprio it doesn't hurt at all lol.

This is what is on my wishlist!! Whats on yours leave a comment with either the link or your actually list!! Also let me know what you think of my Wishlist, and the books on it. 

Thanks for Stopping By and Happy Reading Guys!!

Kelly P.

City of Ashes

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what''s normal when you''re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who''s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn''t ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary''s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City''s Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation. (This description is from Chapters Indigo Bookstore)

Yet another fabulous installment in the Mortal Instrument series. Poor Clary a normal girl thrown into a magical world she never asked to be in, with Jace who she once loved in one way and then to find out he's her brother, and evil most evil ex- Shadow-Hunter Valentine is their father. If you think that's not bad enough Clary's mother is in a magically induced coma, and Jace is on the "believe Valentine is a good guy" mentality. I love all the new characters, the twist and turns in this book and the mystery. The question is: Is it actually Valentine who is killing the other Down-Worlder kids, and the sword was it Jace or not who stole it. Read and see, I know it hurts to wait. Back to the book; I know its incest, but I hope just hoped throughout the book that Jace and Clary would actually make a move on each other. This book keeps giving and you can't put it down it's like the books putting a spell on you! I loved this book, I'm also really enjoying this series. I adore how each book had it's own point of view and how they each view for example vampires different.

I love how Cassandra Clare's writes, it has beautifully written descriptions you can actually see the story in your head. I love the covers for these books very eye catching, and unique. I think if you haven't read this series yet you need to get on this, it is a must read. I'm sorry to the people reading this who have yet to read City of Bones I'm honestly sorry if I did spoil any of the book to you (you should still read it!!) I tried avoiding it, but I just can't!! If you enjoyed the Evernight series, Vampire Academy, Blue Bloods, etc, then you will surely love this book. City of Ashes includes all the favorite magical characters; Vampires, Faeries, Werewolves, and more...

Series Order:

1. City of Bones

2. City of Ashes

3. City of Glass

4. City of Fallen Angels (not yet released. Release date set to April 2011 )

I would Personally Rate this Novel:

Happy Reading!!

Blue Bloods

Schuyler Van Alen is confused about what is happening to her. Her veins are starting to turn blue, and she''s starting to crave raw meat. Soon, her world is thrust into an intricate maze of secret societies and bitter intrigue. Schuyler has never been a part of the trendy crowd at her prestigious New York private school. Now, all of a sudden, Jack Force, the most popular guy in school, is showing an interest in her. And when one of the popular girls is found dead, Schuyler and Jack are determined to get to the bottom of it.Schuyler wants to find out the secrets of the mysterious Blue Bloods. But is she putting herself in danger? Melissa de la Cruz''s vampire mythology, set against the glitzy backdrop of New York City, is a juicy and intoxicating read. (This Description came from Chapters Indigo book retailer)

OK I'm speechless this story is awesome, it is like a mix of Gossip Girls, history, and Vampires that don't shine (not that I have anything against it). I really enjoyed that if you were to put Vampires in New York I can see the reality to this book. So on to the main character Schuyler (which I didn't know how I say it until recently I saw somewhere that it was SKY-Ler). Schuyler is an outcast the "reject" I hate that word, but it totally fits, she's the girl in the background with one friend Oliver, mother in a coma, Grama who's is just plain weird isn't it just the perfect fairytale??
Mimi is Manhattans "B" a word that I will leave only to one letter, and should not be stated. Mimi is the popular girl with some mystery to persona, and she has one weird relationship with her brother James.James I have to tell you something "Oh James you came and you caught my heart" the man of mystery the vampire Hottie. James may be Schuyler's only hope to be normal lol I'm JOKING!! :)
Bliss is the out of town-er who is trying to fit in, but with the wrong crowd. Oliver Schuyler's BFF I dunno, but there's something that rubs me the wrong way with him.
These characters are all different and all with their own personal mystery. I adore this book from start to end it caught my heart after chapter 2. This book had great transition I was never confused on what character point of view it was. This book was well written, and the cover to die for. I'm actually thinking of getting the UK book as well I think I like the cover better.... Weird I know. If you like mystery, vampires, and drama then this book is definitely for you. Any vampire fans will love they way this book is well written, unique having a different view on vampires, and just the characters they are so easy to like. I bet each character will remind you of someone you knew or know presently. I adore vampires they are my weakness, I am now addicted to Blue Bloods..... Oh no I'm honestly yet to understand how I'm going to afford an addiction like this. As I said before I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes Vampires, Drama, Mystery, and some Historical background to the idea of vampires origins.

Series Order

1. Blue Bloods

2. Masquerade

3. Revelations

4. Van Allen Legacy

5. Keys to the Repository (Not yet released- June 2010)

6. Misguided Angel (Not yet released- Fall/Winter 2010)

For more details visit Melissa De La Cruz's Website (By clicking her name :).)

I would personally rate this book:   

Happy Reading Guys!!

Kelly P.

Teaser Tuesdays (3)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB ofShould Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser

My Teasers:

"She stepped out from under her awning, sending her guards scurrying to keep it over her as she moved. If they failed, they'd suffer, regardless of whose fault it was. "

 ~ Pg. 191, "Wicked Lovely" By: Melissa Marr

P.S. Head over Here and check out other peoples Tuesday Teasers, and maybe make your own. Also do not forget to let me know what yours is as well.

 Happy Reading

Kelly P.

Wondrous Strange

Kelley Winslow is living her dream. Seventeen years old, she has moved to New York City and started to work with a theatre company. Sure, she’s only an understudy for the Avalon Players, a third-tier repertory company so far off- Broadway it might as well be in Hoboken, but things are looking up—the lead has broken her ankle and Kelley’s about to step into the role of Titania the Faerie Queen in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Faeries are far more real than Kelley thinks, though, and a chance encounter in Central Park with a handsome young man named Sonny Flannery plunges her into an adventure she could never have imagined.

    Sonny is a Janus Guard, charged by Auberon, the King of Winter, with watching over the gate into the land of Faerie, which lies within Central Park. For Sonny, the pretty, young actress is an enigma. Strong and willful, she sparks against his senses like a firecracker, and he can’t get her out of his mind. As Halloween approaches and the Samhain Gate opens, Sonny and Kelley find themselves drawn to each other—and into a terrible plot that could spell disaster for both New York and Faerie alike. (This book description came from Chapters Indigo Books)

 Wondrous Strange what a book. I adore the book cover, it's actually the reason I stopped to check the book out. This book had a slow start it took me a while to get into the book, but once you do brace yourself. This book's transition between character was great, usually with other books I find myself wondering whose current POV it is. Characters, they all have their own unique personality and are easy to like even the evil ones. The only slow part of the book is the beginning once you pass around chapter three it's when you will not be able to put it down. The story is based on Sonny and Kelley's POV (Point Of View). Another thing I need to add is the way Ms. Livingston describes characters is good, I now have a crush on Sonny. This book had some funny moments and there was one page I swear I shed a tear (but only one lol) there was no time for more had to go on with the book. I like how Ms. Livingston added parts of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream like how bob speaks sometimes. I like the whole Janus guard background story *SPOILER* ................... *SPOILER* how they were stolen from their parents!! *SPOILER COMPLETE sorry!!* Expect the unexpected, this book will take you places you have never expected to go!! I adored this book, and I doubted that I would like books about Faeries!! But I am so Team Fae, and Team Sonny!!!


"New York may seem big but, in Wondrous Strange nothing is what it seams!!"


Series Order:
1.Wondrous Strange
2. Darklight (Can't wait to get it!!)
3. Book Three in Series (Amazon Says Release date is Jan 2011 :(..)


Book Cover: ïïïïï
Basic Storyline: ïïïï


Originality: ïïïï


I would Personally Rate this book: ïïïï


Kelly P. 

In My Mailbox (3)

Hey Guys so this is my first in my mailbox if you don't know what that means here let me explain. The idea started over at the Story Siren I blog I adore, check Kristi out. But this is a weekly posting of all the fun arriving in your mail box, it doesn't have to been actually in your mail box but it can be a shopping bag as well. Enough with the talk lets get started. 
         So this week the books in my Mail Box were:

Bought:

Untamed By: P.C. & Kristin Cast

Hunted By: P.C & Kristin Cast

Ok Hunted and Untamed should have arrived last week but didn't and Tempted I got I think it was like 3 weeks before. So I need to get on to these :) excited!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wicked Lovely By: Melissa Marr

Wondrous Strange By: Lesley Livingston

For Review From Work:

The Agency: A Spy in the House By: Y.S. Lee 

Introducing an exciting new series Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment. Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners -- and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady's companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant's home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust -- or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets -- including those of her own past.

Doesn't this book sound super duper exciting!! Can't wait to read this. This book is to be released March 9th 2010. So i'll probably ready it closer to the release date so like a week or so. So don't forget to stop by for the review.

*So thats it for my Mailbox. Whats in yours?? Leave a comment or the link to yours or you can leave a comment with it!!! and if you haven't already don't forget to fill Mr. Linky out Here.* 

P.s. for more information on the books above just click on the titles.

Thanks for stopping by

Kelly P.

On My Wish List (2)

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City, which will be posted every Saturday. It allows us to share the books we haven't bought yet but are dieing to buy and haunt us in our sleep. This wishlist it is a list of hope, and if you have the money then it is a shopping list! If you would like to take part and have your own 'On My Wishlist' post then you can find more info here. (This post was inspired by Kristi In My Mailbox at The Story Siren).

...........................................................................

A thrilling, high-concept fantasy for fans of Garth Nix and Nancy Farmer.

Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible.

And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside-she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.

Ok so I have been pining for this book ever since I saw the book cover. Isn't it gorgeous so eye catching I adore it. Another add to the book is the storyline it so captivating with a side of mystery, and I smell a Romeo and Juliet love story!!! Can't wait to get my hands on this book.

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Ok I'm sorry if you read that description and it did make you want to read this then I maybe the only one. This book sounds AWESOME!! I need it to sooth my addiction to books. I love rejection in books it is making of an awesome storyline... At least I hope so. I love the cover I'm a cover lover (it's the first thing you see). This one is a must... When is the question!! :(

Phoenix envies her brother Gryphon. The daredevil and sports hero has all of his recons left: three more chances at life. But she is left with only one, and learns that her beloved brother is responsible for one of her deaths. When Gryphon himself has an accident, the governing body Chrysalis refuses to recon him, deeming his death to be a suicide. His friends' code of silence makes it difficult to find out what happened, but Phoenix is determined to unravel the mystery and save her brother.

This book is yet another awesome pick, that I do not understand why I do not own it yet. The storyline sounds unique to me I can't possible know what may go on in this book. The mystery is definitely there and it has me intrigued. I see this book every time I work but never seem to pick it up. I haven't seen many reviews on this book, but the few have said nothing but great things about this book. Sorry but I have to say this (not for teen and I do apologize before hand) this guy is HOT!! AND might I add rocken body from what I see. 


Anyways this is what is on my Wishlist this week, whats on yours?? Let me know comment or leave me a link. Let me know what you thought of my choice, I adore the input.


Thanks for stopping by!!

Kelly P.