(Review) dancergirl

Title: Dancergirl
Author: Carol M. Tanzman
Pub Date: December 2011
Publisher: Harleguin Teen
Pages: 248

Source: I purchased this copy.

About the book:
Ever feel like someone's watching you? Me, too. But lately it's been happening in my room. When I'm alone.
A friend posted a video of me dancing online, and now I'm no longer Alicia Ruffino. I'm dancergirl. And suddenly it's like me against the world—everyone's got opinions.

My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy—even he's acting weird. And some stalker isn't content to just watch anymore.

Ali. Dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose way more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.

When I first heard about this book I knew I wanted to read it. Plus it takes part in New York City whats not to love about that?

I ended up reading this in one sitting because it was that good and I just couldn't put the book down.

Ali, the main character is just your typical high school student who loves dancing and anything to do with dancing. When her friend, Charlie posts a video of her online she is okay with it because she doesn't think anything will become of it. Little does she realize that the world she knows is about to come crumbling down around her. She soon finds out another unauthorized video of her goes up online but what is scary is that its footage from her bedroom. Thinking that its Charlie who did this she freaks because now she is being stalked.

The thing with Charlie is that Ali has agreed to let him record her dancing and the whole set up is made to come off like Ali has no idea she's being recorded. That she has a secret admirer so this why she freaks out when she sees the video of her in her bedroom because she thinks that Charlie will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

As the story progress the only friend of her who knows what is going on is Jacy and he agrees to help her out because she doesn't want her mother to find out which for me says if you are hiding something then its not good. They go to a retired cop in the area who is neighborhood watch with the problem and wondering what they should do. He seems quick to point the finger at Charlie and then on Jacy.

Which I have to say I honestly thought that it was Charlie just because it looks that way but as the story progresses you realize its not him. I was shocked to find out who was behind the stalking and you will to.

I think Ali is freaked out but its when it hits closer to home that freaks her out even more. Its as though the stalker has over stepped the boundaries and this is where her other two best friends find out and try to help her out and solve the mystery of who is behind the stalking.

I think this is a great book for a teen to read because they are so quick to post everything and anything online without even thinking about it and what could happen.

There is an second book in the WiHi series called Circle of Silence and it will be coming out late in the summer. The series will all be stand alones so you don't have to read them in order. They will all take place at the same high school and previous characters will be in the book.

(Meme) On My Wishlist

If you are new to my blog I should let you know that On My Wishlist that is hosted by Book Chick City. If you haven't checked out her blog yet then you really should.

Its been a few weeks since I have done this but after hearing so much about this book I knew I had to put it on my wishlist to get when it comes out in May 2012. Thanks to Lucy from Moonlight Gleams for bringing it to my attention.

A moving debut novel about a foster child learning to open her heart to a family's love

Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This loving, bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys eventually show her what it feels like to belong--until her mother wants her back and Carley has to decide where and how to live. She's not really a Murphy, but the gifts they've given her have opened up a new future.

Doesn't that sound really good? Well this is what I have on my wishlist this week, what about you?

matilda and sadie

 

 

Retirement Quest by John Hauserman, CFP

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift card right here, right now in under one minute.

The book I finished last night will hopefully make me rich one day...or at least I hope I'm thinking more clearly about my future because of it. Requirement Quest made me think about the money I'd like to have at retirement in a different way-a good way, a proactive way.

And guess what? When I was asked to review this book, I thought it would be boring, but it totally wasn't and I understood it all. What is so cool about this book is that it has an interactive planning map and other resources you can use on the web for free. You know how I love free.

Everyone should pick up this book, because everyone plans to retire and everyone wants to retire with enough money to live well. Why not learn how to make the best decisions for your financial future! Go out there and make it the best it can be. Start with this book.
NOW...
Enter to win a $10.00 Amazon gift card.

How to enter- (Get six chances to win in under a minute) 
**Please leave one comment telling me which things you did.And leave me your email so I can email you if you win!
1. Mandatory follow this blog +1
2. Like Protected's Amazon page +2
3. Like Watched's Amazon page +1
4. Like my Facebook page+1
5. Like Watched's other Amazon page +1
Don't forget to leave one comment telling me what you did.

Are you planning now to retire rich? What are you doing to accomplish your goal?

What does one get when her son is killed in Iraq? A Gold Star and...

Violation and Arrest for Exercising her Rights!

(Vandenberg AFB, February 25, 2012)

Dueling Trajectories at Vandenberg AFB

Very good coverage of our protest at Vandenberg early Saturday morning.

Cindy Sheehan arrested at Vandenberg. February 25th, 2012

Daniel Ellsberg being arrested at Vandenberg, AFB; February 25, 2012

(Meme)It's Monday! What are you reading? #9

One of my favorite bloggers Sheila from Book Journey is the host of this weekly meme. If you haven't checked out Sheila's blog yet then what are you waiting for. I love reading Sheila's blog because she covers it all and I always end up walking away like I get to know Sheila a little more from her post.

I also just discovered recently that Sheila has partnered with Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and they come up with  a fun meme with a kidlit focus - anyone reading and reviewing books in children's literature - it can be picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, you name it in the world of kidlit and it's in!

So in case you are wondering what It's Monday! What are you reading? is about well its a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Is it really that time of the week again for another It's Monday! What are you reading? post? I feel as though I just wrote one. Wow the week is going by really fast although I have to say that I did have one of those weeks where I thought Thursday was Friday all day. That was due to the fact that Michael had a ped day on the Monday. So it put my whole routine out of whack.

Actually this whole month has just seem to fly by.

Alot has happened since last week. We got hit with a snow storm Friday afternoon and got a ton of snow. It was crazy and yesterday when I was driving up one of the main streets coming home with Michael from his Faith First class I had to admit that it looked really pretty with all the new white fallen snow.

I was pleasantly surprised Saturday morning when I woke up extra early because Michael had a hockey practice at 7am and the drive to this arena would take 10 minutes and we knew we would have to shovel out the drive way because when we went to bed the end of the road had a huge pile of snow that was put there from the snow plows. Well low and behold we go out and discover that a neighbor plowed us out so we only had to shovel the walk way. Which was super nice of him to do that.

I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to read two books last week and they were:

I enjoyed this book and hopefully a review will be up this week.

I borrowed this from my local library the other day. I will be doing a review for this and I will either post it in March or save it for the week I am at BEA.
What I am planning on reading this week:

I will be rereading this one for Freedom to Read Week here in Canada. I loved this book ever since I read it in high school. There isn't too many books that I reread but this is one of them.

Currently reading:

I will be on the book tour for this on March 7th.

This is what I have planned, what about you?

Long Live Hugo Chavez! by Cindy Sheehan

LONG LIVE HUGO CHAVEZ! 

The same day that I learned that the feds were suing me, I also learned that, Hugo Chavez, someone whom I admire greatly would have to undergo more cancer surgery because another lesion was discovered on, or near, the place the cancerous tumor he had removed last year.

My struggle with the Empire has been intense, but our Comrade in Venezuela has sacrificed much in his struggle against the Empire and now he is battling something that will be his greatest struggle, and victory.

Chavez had an emotional send off from his people to Cuba for treatment this past Thursday with cheers and showers of flowers as he traveled from the presidential palace, Miraflores, to the airport in an open jeep. I can't imagine a US president going anywhere unless he travled in an armored convoy. What a tribute to this great man (Chavez) who has done much to improve the life of the poorest of the poor in Venezuela.

Please send your good energy his way and my story and how it has been linked, albeit in a peripheral way with that of Chavez, is now available in paperback.

CLICK BOOK COVER FOR MORE INFORMATION 

*************************** 


READ CINDY SHEEHAN'S ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW WITH HUGO CHAVEZ

Roseanne Returns: Listen to the Soapbox at 2pm Pacific

Or at the archives forever!


'Roseanne returns!  Click here to listen or download, beginning at 2:00 PM San Francisco time.  Today, (February 26th), Cindy is unavailable for comment (due to issues related to her"Surprise: Cindy.  You're being sued!" post, linked above) and our website editor is also under the weather, so all we have is a maximally excellent appearance of comedian Rosanne Barr - once more running for President of the United States.  (Only this time she has the endorsement of NORML - which is most important in the State of California!)  Cindy also brings us musician David Rovics, author of the 2005 tune our webmaster always thinks of as Casey's song, but which David actually recorded under the title "Song for Cindy Sheehan."

David also talks about his new song for Palestinian political prisoner, Khader Adnan, and an update about his case. The day after Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox sent out a plea to help him, he ended his hunger strike as Israel eased up due to international pressure.

Don't forget: we stream at Community Progressive Radio every Sunday at 2pm Pacific Time---and forever at Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox Archives.

The show is available streaming online at 2pm (pacific) at our new home, Community Progressive Radio and forever at the archives at Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox.

 Love & Peace
Cindy Sheehan
The Soapbox Team

The Sound of Collapse by Cindy Sheehan

I was invited to jump on a bus called the Green Tortoise this past Friday (Feb 24) to travel down to Vandenberg AFB in central California to protest the test launch of an ICBM missile.

The bus originated in Oakland and we stopped in San Jose and Salinas on the way down to pick up more anti-nuke/pro-humanity activists and met dozens of others who were already near the entry of the base at about 11:30pm. The “launch window” was open from 2am to 8am on the 25^th. The missile was destined to come down about 25 minutes after launch in the Marshall Islands.

Cindy speaking at rally

According to one of the organizers of the event and long time anti-nuke protester at Vandenberg, MacGregor Eddy, the combination of the missile launch and missile cost US taxpayers 28 million dollars. Needless to say the potential loss of life in a nuclear holocaust is mind numbing. As heroic legend, Daniel Ellsberg said at the rally before the launch: “this is only one missile being launched, can you imagine hundreds, or thousands, of missiles being launched and it being the last thing humanity sees?” The US Military Industrial Complex has poisoned the Marshall Islands for generations, and this missile was just another drop in their nuclear slop bucket.

As stated, Daniel Ellsberg was there at the protest, along with long time launch opponent, Fr. Louis Vitale, who figured he has been arrested 108 times at Vandenberg (to add to his opposition to the School of Assassins, where he has been arrested and spent significant time in prison). After the short rally, I jumped at the chance to cross the actual line with them that separates real America from Vandenberg AFB where dozens of MPs awaited this “trespassing” by about 17 protesters.

Cindy, Fr. Louis and Daniel

In the protest group who linked arms, next to Daniel, were also three amazing Bay Area CODEPINK activists and Judy Talaugon, a Chumash woman who, after welcoming the colonizers (we protesters) to her land and giving us approval for being there, she marched over that line with us to inform the US Military that it was “illegally” occupying sacred Chumash land. One of the buzz-headed MPs cracked, “I am an American, I am here legally.” However, he wasn’t moved by logical reply that every one of us in the protest line were, “Americans” and that meant that we must also be there “legally” and if he proceeded to place us under arrest, that must, logically be deemed, "illegal."

After the most invasive search (molestation) that I have ever experienced during a detention from one of the apparently female MPs (only one other activist was as violated as I was), I was handcuffed and put into a van with Dan, Fr. Louis, and four other women, two of whom had never been arrested before. As a matter of fact, many of the 17 who were arrested were "first timers." Except for the usual wonderful camaraderie that occurs in these situations, the rest of our detention was boring processing until we were driven in the same van about five miles away from the base and unceremoniously dumped in the parking lot of Vandenberg Village, a small shopping center, at around 3am. I wondered aloud if we were going to get “ten bucks and a new suit of clothes.”

As our cuffs were being cut off (yes, we were cuffed the entire time), the ground began to rumble and a loud noise began to emanate from the direction of the base. The MPs stopped what they were doing to gaze adoringly in the direction of the launch, while we activists paused in horror and sorrow. One of the MPs actually choked out, “that’s the sound of freedom.”

Speechless.

The sound of a Minute Man 3 missile being launched is the sound of abject tyranny.

It’s the sound of the tortured screams of the Japanese being incinerated in their beds or slowly poisoned to death by deadly radiation exposure.

It’s the sound of a child whimpering with pain in Basra, Iraq, because she contracted leukemia or another cancerous condition due to the US's use of depleted uranium in her country. It’s also the sound of her doctor crying with frustration because he can’t treat her properly due to the lack of medicine or other treatments available to him. It's the sound of dirt being shoveled for her grave and the tortured cries of her parents.

The launch of one more missile is the sound of handcuffs being tightened at the back (click, click, click--Ow!) around the wrists of one more peaceful protester. Or worse yet, it’s the sound of tear gas canisters being shot into a crowd or students being pepper sprayed while sitting with arms linked in peaceful resistance. This is not in Syria or North Korea, these sounds are becoming more frequent here in the "homeland."

Freedom? What if, instead of hearing the launch, Sergeant MP was hearing the deafening whine of approaching doom? Would his first thought be, “freedom?” Or would his last thought be, “shit, this is it?”

The sound of a Minute Man 3 missile being fired is the sound of silence ringing in the halls of many schools that are forced to close doors because of the absolute fealty this nation pays to the military industrial complex. As one of my contacts said, it’s like firing an elementary school into space.

This absolute fealty to the industry of death and destruction will inevitably lead to the sound of the collapse of Empire. The collapse of Empire will sound like armageddon to some, but will be music to the ears of others.

The Green Tortoise left Vandenberg at about 4am filled with three-dozen tired, but happy protesters. We napped, we sang, we talked on the seven hour trip home. It was the sound of anger, frustration, and sorrow, but it was also the sound of resolve and success. I firmly believe that our, for lack of a better term, “witness” at the event had a profound impact on at least one of the MPs, and who knows who else?

One of our comrades in the bus stated that he “supported Democrats” because historically, the trends are better when a Democrat is in power. After reminding him that a Democrat dropped not one, but two bombs; and about the “Carter Doctrine” or Presidential Directive 48, a tired, but tranquil Fr. Louie spoke up:

“Obama has said that NO option is off the table in dealing with Iran—so we have to assume that includes nuking a school full of Iranian children.”

And people wonder why I don’t pay federal income taxes?

We detainees were cited and released, but we will be forced soon to travel down to Santa Barbara soon to be arraigned. Some will plead, "guilty" and pay a fine anywhere from $250 to as high as $5000---mostly because going to Santa Barbara is a huge inconvenience.

This struggle began a long time ago when physicist Albert Einstein founded the world's first anti-nuke organization and it continues. I know at least for myself and Daniel Ellsberg and a few others, we will plead, "Hell no, not guilty," and fight the higher crime of nuclear weapons.

CLICK HERE TO READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE LAUNCH AND PROTEST

Some more inconvenient truths:

ARMS CONTROL FACT SHEET: WHO HAS WHAT?

50 Facts about Nuclear Weapons

Photos from The Santa Barbara Independent

Topbox February Edition

Recently I finally got my very first Topbox after being on the waiting list since November. To my surprise I discovered that I was going to get a second box because someone had used my referral link. If you are interested in Topbox please leave your email address and I can send you a invite.

Topbox is a monthly beauty subscription service that you can subscribe to for $10/month (+tax) and currently its only available to Canadians. You will receive 4 carefully selected, indulgent, deluxe beauty products.

I have been checking out the vlogs on Youtube to see what everyone has been getting and I have to say that I had high hopes for the box because it seemed like everyone was getting great stuff. Would they be able to live up to all this hype?

When I got my email notification I was stalking the Canada Post website to keep my eye on the tracking. Sadly, Canada Post really sucks at updating the site so the site can show something sitting in a location for days.

It was funny the day I got them I had actually got the first one just a little before I had to pick up Michael from the bus stop and then the other came while I was making supper. I had initially done vlogs of the unboxing up after seeing them I deleted them because I honestly wasn't feeling well and you could hear it. So pictures will have to do this month.

So this is how the box arrives. Nothing fancy in regards to the outer packages. Which I have to say I really like because there isn't alot of waste going into the recycle bin.

Once the brown paper is removed you see this really cute printed tube. Just a FYI the tube isn't really that big as it looks. That is one thing I noticed when I opened it.

When you open the tube you are greeted by a this purple tissue paper. I'm not sure if that is the color it is always or if its changed up but still not alot of waste happening.

I love this because I am big on recycling and hate when companies use so many things in their packaging . Simple is best.

A peek of the goodies I got. I didn't see any vlogs or posts before getting mine so when they arrived I was really excited.

It was only when I was taking things out of the tube that my excitement dwindled down.

What did I get you ask?

In the background you will see the Topbox card and its just a plain and simple card that tells you about the products you got along with the value  of the product if you want to buy it.

I am going to start from left to right.

The first sample is Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat. As you can see its just like a sample you would find in a magazine and its really a one time use so its really hard to base a decision on if you want to buy it at full price. It retails for $50 so the price of the sample is unknown.

Then right beside that is Pari Beauty Eye shadow and its a shade that is based on my sense of style and eye color. The shade is in a purple and this is something I would wear. I was trying to find out what color it really is but can't seem to find it. All I can find is a number. So this is actually a full sized product and its 2g from $11.

I was also sent two Lillypilly Kakadu Plum hand & body creme sample sizes. The full size is 150ml for $22 and the sample size is 3ml each for 0.88 cents. For me personally I love having these kinds of hand cremes in a little bottle or tube because its easier to handle and not having to worry about making sure it stays upright so it doesn't spill. I really liked the smell of the creme it had a fruity smell. I was able to get three uses out of the little package. It went on really nice and not greasy. My hands felt softer and smoother right away. Not sure I would buy the full size product because I find it a little pricey.

Then in the white lid there is Shum Uemura Art of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo. I loved the scent of the shampoo and its something I would use. The full size is 300ml for $45 and I received a sample of 75ml for $11.25 This is a really good sample size and I have used it and really liked it although I wish they would have sent a conditioner sample to go with it because I always use conditioner. As nice as it was this won't be something I will be buying because of the price. I also think that this might have been sitting around for a while because the bottle was dusty.

Finally the last product is Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils. I was excited to get this because I actually needed mascara and was almost ready to go out and buy a tube. Not sure of the shade since its just a number at the bottom but I think its black. So the full size is $36 for 6ml and I received a sample tube of 3ml for $18

The break down of the box:
Yves Saint Laurent Mascara $18
Yves Saint Laurent touche Eclat unknown
Pari Beauty eye shadow $11
Shum Uemura Art of hair $11.25
Lillypilly creme $0.88 (for both the samples)

Total $ 41.13 so the box paid for itself with the samples I got this month. I got some great products that I am trying and want to try.

As you can see from this complimentary box that I got the exact same products that I paid for with the exception of the eye shadow its in a different shade and its in the shade of a light brown/tan and this is a shade that I will be wearing.

I just thought it was a little funny that out of all the topboxes I have seen on youtube and some got different things then me that I would end up with the exact same products.

Anyways the complimentary box was free so I guess I can't complain. Although it would have been nicer to get different things.

I will be getting the March box so that will determine if I am going to keep this or not.

Please note that I purchased the first box with my own money and the send one was free because someone signed up with my link. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Mailbox Post

When I was trying to find a picture of a mailbox that was appropriate for today I stumbled upon this one and yea thats about what it would look like outside my door this morning. We got hit with a snow storm last night. Not quite sure how much we got but needless to say we now have a ton of snow on the ground.

Thankfully one good thing happened from the storm and that was a very nice neighbor of mine cleaned out my drive way last night. Not sure when it happened because we didn't hear anything.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Mailbox Monday is originally hosted by Marcia from A girl and her books and The Printed Page. In the summer of 2010 Marcia decided she needed a change in hosting and didn't want to rely on one blogger alone to do it because its a lot of work so she decided to put Mailbox Monday on tour and so far with great success it has made monthly stops at more then a dozen blogs and this year is booked until the end. I will actually be hosting Mailbox Monday in April.

The host for February is DC Metro Reader.

Another host for In My Mailbox is Kristi from The Story Siren.

Be sure to check out the above blogs to see what they and others got in their mailboxes this past week.

This week was a pretty good book week.

Here is what I got for review:

From Penguin Canada:
-A Million Suns by Beth Revis (book 2 in the series)

For a book tour:
-The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J Rose (part of the March 7th tour) and this came with a blog tour pass)

From Arundel Publishing:
-Wacko Academy by Faith  Wilkins

This week I got to meet up with Lucy from Moonlight Gleam and we exchanged a whole bunch of books. We swapped 14 books from one format to another. I swapped all my ARCs for hardcovers. Lucy prefers the ARC format and it doesn't bother me what format I have them in although some of them I am happy that I got the finished copy for.

Lucy also had some books for me and they are:

For Michael:

Magyk (book 1) by Angie Sage

Flyte (book 2) by Angie Sage

For me:
-Always a Witch (book 2 in a series)

-Playing Hurt

-Passion (book 3 in the series)

-Dearly Departed

-Hooked

So thank you Lucy and Lucy's bookfairy for the books. I can't wait to read them and hopefully soon.

After having breakfast we decided to hit Chapters in my area and I agree with Lucy that we do have the best bargain book section on the island of Montreal. Of course I can't really go into a bookstore without buying something so here is what found there way home with me:

I am always looking for a super cute tote bag and this pink I love You one was on sale for half price so I nabbed it. I just found out though that I was suppose to get this on Valentine's Day but Michael wanted to get something else instead for me.

I went into Chapters with a list of books I really wanted and thankfully after looking and reading the first chapters I changed my mind but still came home with:
-My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon (its an anthology of short stories) Lucy spotted this one on the bargain table and we both bought one.
-Once by Cameron Dokey
-Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr (I love this cover)
-Truth by Julia Karr (this is the second book in the series)

Lucy it was so great seeing you again. We have to get together again very soon.

Then yesterday I got an email from a friend telling me that her friend just wrote a book and I should check it out so I did and I ended up buying both her ebooks:

Deathly Quiet by Lisa Forget. This is her first book and she is a local author.

Leapling by Lisa Forget. This is her second book that just came out this week.

I am excited to read both these ebooks from a local author.

So this is what I got this week in books, what about you?

Have you read any of these titles yet? If so did you like?

Have a good weekend.