Check Out Marlo Noël's Jewelry!

Pretty jewelry always gets my vote! Please check Marlo Noël's Etsy Shop now! She has an an array of exquisite jewelry specially handmade from various semiprecious faceted briolettes. International shipping is only $4. Custom orders are welcomed.

Read my interview with Marlo Noël HERE.

Sophia VII Earrings ... Mystic Pink Topaz $48

Charlotte Earrings...Champagne Citrine and Rhodolite Garnet $88

Olivia III Necklace ... Sky Blue and London Blue Topaz, Rhodolite Garnet $118

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Sophia IV Earrings ... Amethyst $ 48

Lucy IV Necklace ... Amethyst $78

Visit: www.marlonoel.com
Read: www.marlonoel.blogspot.com
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Book Review : Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison

Book Details:

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (March 18, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 1595142754
• ISBN-13: 978-1595142757

Synopsis:

THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

*I received a SIGNED ARC of Sing Me To Sleep from Angela Morrison. The book will be released on March 4, 2010.

Review:

I must say that Sing Me To Sleep is one of the best books I’ve read these few years. Angela cleverly weaves a touching, absorbing story about friendship, family, love and life. Sing Me To Sleep makes me see the harsh realities of life, the unyielding power of friendship, and shows us that true love transcends all.

Beth was once an ugly girl who was bullied some mean boys in school. After she received sessions of beauty treatment in order to be presentable as the Bliss’s soloist during the Choral Olympics, she becomes a beauty. Even though we always say that inner beauty is more important, this novel suggests otherwise. Just take Beth as an example, why did she receive such unfair treatments in school? I’m sure you know the answer well.

Beth follows her choir to Switzerland to participate in the competition. There, she meets a mysterious, handsome boy from the Amabile Young Men’s Ensemble, Derek, and falls head over heels for him. Her love for Derek grows stronger and stronger each passing day, just as Derek's love for her.

Ah, Derek! He is gorgeous, talented and confident. Just the type of guy that any girl would fall for. Behind his glorious façade, he hides a terrible secret, and Beth doesn’t know what is it. Angela keeps me interested by making him play ‘hide and seek’ – he accompanies Beth for a day or two, then he disappears for days and weeks. I’m not sure if he is just fooling around with Beth or that he really loves her. He seems…elusive. This makes me want to know about his secret even more.

Another thing I love about this novel is the support and love shown by the Amabile guys. They are like a huge, loving family, always supportive and caring.

Angela Morrison succeeded in delivering an original, touching story through Beth's voice with her wonderful writing. She makes me realize that true love is not about appearance, status and ability, but rather the deep feeling of love, care, affection and willingness to sacrifice for the person you love, because of who he/she originally is.

Towards the end of the story, I cried. Yes, you heard me. I cried. And I used a lot of tissues. The story is heart-wrenching... and everything is so real. Two different feelings mingle into one in my heart. I was heartbroken, but I also felt a tinge of happiness at the same time. Beautiful, poignant, touching and thought-provoking, Sing Me To Sleep is a book not to be missed.

Rating : 10/10

Many thanks to dear Angela for sending me a copy of Sing Me To Sleep. I really love this book. Thank you!

Visit Angela Morrison's Website
Read more about Sing Me To Sleep

*Teens, if you'd like to get yourself a review copy of Sing Me To Sleep, please click HERE.

Pre-order Sing Me To Sleep on
Amazon
Filpkart

Book Review : Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison

Sometimes only love can save you...

Book Details:

• Genre: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (March 5, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 159514238X
• ISBN-13: 978-1595142382

Synopsis:

Leesie Hunt has many rules: No kissing. No sex. No dating outside the Mormon faith.

When Michael Walden—a deep-sea diver who lost his parents in a violent hurricane—arrives in town, Leesie sees someone who needs her. They fall for one another, even though his dreams are tied to the depths of the ocean and hers to salvation above.

Will their intense chemistry be too strong to resist?

Leesie and Michael must make the hardest choice of their lives: whether to follow their beliefs or their hearts.

My review:

Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison is a story about the romance that blossoms between a pious Mormon, Leesie Hunt and Michael Walden, a young man who lost both his parents in a storm. It is romantic, moving and thoughtful. The author uses first person narrative for both the main characters to tell the story from different perspectives. This is done through Leesie’s poems, online chatting and Michael’s Dive Log.

Leesie is a devout Mormon and she thinks it is important to follow the rules. She wants to live her parents’ expectations and is hoping to receive her tertiary education at the Brigham Young University. Then, everything changes when Michael Walden arrives. She feels that it is her responsibility to soothe Michael’s grieving soul and to help him as a friend. However, Michael likes her and he wants something more than friendship. It doesn’t take a long time before Leesie realizes that she is falling in love with Michael, just as he is with her.

Their relationship grows from attraction to passion and love. Leesie is a Mormon and she has her own rules to abide, but Michael keeps on pushing her to step beyond the boundary. Lessie thinks love and sex are two different things but Michael thinks they are the same.

Religion plays a minor part in this novel. This novel conveys some more important messages: Respect others while staying true to our own beliefs, help those who are depressed by loss and grief, hold on to the basic moral values (self-restriction), and learn to cherish what you have at the moment. If you're a teenager who enjoys romantic novels, do pick up this one. Who knows you might get swept by the storm?

Rating : 8/10

My deepest gratitude to Angela Morrison for sending me a signed hardcover copy of Taken by Storm.

Thank you, Angela!

Visit Angela Morrison's Website
Read more about Taken by Storm

Get swept by the storm on:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Spotlight + Awards!

I have been spotlighted on Cym's blog! Thanks, Cym! I'm so glad you liked my review!

You can find Cym here:
www.twitter.com/cymlowell
www.cymlowell.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/cymlowell

I was reading the blogs I'm following via Google reader and suddenly, I came upon these:

FOTD - from Wonderland by Mary in Wonder.

I got tagged by Mary! Thank you so much! Gee...I'm one of the Hottest Female Bloggers now! ><

Here are the rules:

1.Don't change the banner award. The signature, colour or the text

2. post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and her blog link.

3.Choose 10 female blogger that you know and have never received this Award.

The prize goes to:

Annie & Michelle

Belongs to Froz

Charade Style

Oh Honestly, Erin

One Crafty Mother

Shuwen The Fabulous (:

The Giveaway Diva

wavecloud

Only thought about 8 at this moment. I'll add 2 more later.

I was tagged by Gloria's Jewelry Box! Thank you so much!

Rules:
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I wish to pass the 'One Lovely Blog Award' on to:
Annie & Michelle
aLtErEd ArT Jewelry by Kelly Reins
design by the sea
Lemon Tree Cards Blog
michvanetta - jewellery and more
Namaste
Oh Honestly, Erin
One Crafty Mother
Original Mischief
Park-Avenue Princess
Sassmowth designs

Shuwen The Fabulous (:

Sweet Figments
wavecloud
Wonderland

Book Review : Peony In Love by Lisa See

Read the synopsis of Peony In Love

My review:

Peony In Love is a captivating story set in the seventeenth century China, encircling a young maiden (Peony) from a prominent family. Despaired of being caught in an arranged marriage, Peony starves herself to death, only to learn right before her death that the man her father has picked for her is the man she loves. Her journey in both the mundane world and the after-world gives me insight of the traditional bounds and spiritual beliefs of the people in China. This story introduced me to the women who secretly yearns for true love, besides trying to win respect and achieving freedom in a male-dominated society.

“An educated woman is a worthless woman.” Because of this popular adage, almost all of the women in China lost their chance to get a proper education and thus, only the men has ultimate power. Any woman’s writing, even if it were an excellent piece, would be considered not worthy of reading. However, some of the women writers did get their works published to express their opinions and thoughts on various subjects to make sure that their words can be heard by everyone.

Peony died at a young age, but instead of resting in peace, her soul kept roaming the human’s world because her ancestor’s tablet was not dotted, and she could not continue her journey. Even though she was a ghost, she still loved her poet, and tried to make him happy in all ways.

Lisa See’s writing is still as skillful and beautiful as ever. The love between Peony and her poet seems fairytale-like. At first I thought that it was merely a puppy love, but soon I realized that I was wrong. They loved each other deeply, even though they have only met each other for four times. Peony's life resembles that of the main character of the famous The Peony Pavilion, an opera she was quite obsessed with.

The Chinese’s foot-binding tradition has always enchanted and horrified me at the same time. The girls had to endure great pain to shape their feet into perfect three-inch lilies. In the "Spring Sickness In Summer" chapter, you will know more about the procedure of foot-binding, when Peony’s mother binds her niece’s feet.

I also read about marriage preparations, obsequies rituals, as well as the ghost marriage, which is still performed in some places nowadays. Well, I won’t deny that I find that some parts of the story are not logical, especially the part where she helps Qian Yi conceive a son. But after all, Peony is a ghost, isn’t she?

Through this novel, I learned about different aspects of love, uncover the truth that has been kept a secret by Peony’s parents and hear the voices of the women who wanted to be heard through their works of literature. Peony In Love is hauntingly beautiful…it’s definitely a book worth reading.

Rating : 9 / 10

A great THANK YOU to dear Lisa for sending me a paperback copy of Peony In Love. I really appreciate your kindness and generosity.

Read more about Peony In Love on Lisa See's Website

About the author:

Lisa See, author of the critically-acclaimed international bestseller, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2005), has always been intrigued by stories that have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately covered up, whether in the past or happening right now in the world today. Ms See is probably best known for Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, for which she traveled to a remote area of China—where she was told she was only the second foreigner ever to visit—to research the secret writing invented, used, and kept a secret by women for over a thousand years.


Purchase Peony In Love from:
Amazon (Hardcover)
Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)
Random House (Hardcover)
Random House (Paperback)

Winner Redraw

Look at this ring! How pretty it is! Unfortunately, the winner didn't send me an e-mail to confirm her prize. And it's already more than a week. So, I'm selecting another winner (who included an e-mail address). The new winner for this chic ring is...

#91 Jaime

Congrats on winning this lovely ring, Jaime! I will send you an e-mail, and I hope this time, I can successfully get your information.

*In the coming giveaways, those who don't leave their e-mail addresses will be disqualified. I'm sorry, but I don't want the sponsors to feel as if their items are not wanted and I don't want to spend my time tracking your contact information.

Coming up next is a book review for Lisa See's Peony In Love!

Contest : A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi (SIGNED)

“A fascinating debut - this novel takes the reader to the darkest places in the human soul, from a writer with the authenticity to lead us there. A stunning thriller and an important read.” --- Linda Fairstein The New York Times Best selling Author of “Lethal Legacy,” “Killer Heat,” “Bad Blood,” “Death Dance”& “Entombed.”

Synopsis:
The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. With the murderer on the loose, the police desperately look for any clues to lead to his identy. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist in a nearby hospital is also in a desperate search to find the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope. When these two situations converge, they set off an alarming chain of events. In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

*** Giveaway! ***

Preetham Grandhi has offered a SIGNED paperback copy of A Circle of Souls to a lucky reader! You have to complete the mandatory entry before the extra entries can count.

Mandatory : Leave your name and e-mail address.

Extra entries:
+1 Link to sidebar
+1 Enter other current giveaways on my blog
+2 Tweet about the contest
+3 Blog about the contest
+4 Be a follower of my blog

Giveaway ends 21st November, 2009.

*Open to US residents only. However, if you've a friend who can receive the prize on your behalf if you win, then please feel free to enter! Thank you!

You can also enter to win a copy of A Circle of Souls on Preetham's Website! Open to US residents, ends November 29th, 2009,

Thank You, Postman!

Recently, many wonderful prizes are dropped on my doorstep by the postman. If you've been reading my blog, you must know that I love receiving things by mail. I always feel so excited when I open the packages one by one, guessing what's hidden inside.

28th October:

Spread Heads! These arrived in less than one week's time! I won these from annies home.


Toothpaste Pete $4.99


Toothpaste Oscar $4.99

*******************************************
5th November:

I received 5 books to review. Currently reading Peony In Love!
Peony In Love by Lisa See
The King's Rose by Alisa M. Libby
Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison
ARC of Sing me to Sleep by Angela Morrison
Indigo Awakening by Dr. Janine Talty

*******************************************
6th November:

I won this breast cancer awareness soap set from wendiwinn. The soaps smells so nice, I can even inhale the scent before opening the package! There are weekly giveaways on the website, so be sure to enter!

This week's giveaway on wendiwinn is giveaway 13

Win a gorgeous pair of earrings by theresaj on etsy. Giveaway ends november 13, 2009 at 11:03pm est.

I won the Earrings Rose Pink Swarovski Crystal and FreshWater Pearl in Sterling Silver, Weddings from DesignedbyLucinda's blog. These earrings are very pretty. Cindy has offered free shipping to everyone who mentions my name "Aik" during checkout! Offer lasts until 31st December, 2009.

Visit her Etsy shop here:
DesignedByLucinda's shop

I received 3 Large Round Discs & 1 Ruby birthstone (without necklace) from Brag About It. I'm very satisfied with the quality and craftsmanship of the pendants. They are simple, pretty and delicate. I noticed that there are some minor scratches on the back side of the pendants, but this is only a small problem. I redeemed these by using the $30 Gift Certificate I won on Mellisa's blog.

I won this Sterling Silver Clarinet Charm from Lemon Tree Cards Blog. Shelley also owns a shop, Lemon Tree Cards, which sells stationery, party favors, cards, key chains, bookplates and lots of wonderful items.