Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

On the back cover:

"Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything."

Jennifer's Review:

Great story! Love the adventure and romance of it. I knew this was being made into a movie so I picked it up at the book store on Monday. Had it read by Tuesday night. Nice, quick read. Had me turning pages. At one point my daughter asked me what I was reading because my eyes were big. LOL

The twist, I felt, is that it is written from Ethan's perspective. Usually it is the girl that does all of the talking- at least in all the books I have read. I was interesting but I could tell it was written by a girl ( or girls in this case) because some of Ethan's thoughts were a little too... Well, they sounded like they were what a girl would think a boy would say or think. Does that make any sense?

I really loved the magic and intrigue. I will definitely be picking up the second in this series!!

I give Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 4 1/2 stars.

Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp

by Stephanie Worlton

Few callings strike fear into a woman’s heart like that of being a Girls Camp leader. Whether you’re a new camper or a seasoned leader, Stephanie Worlton is here to help.

Publisher's Note: 

Make your Girls Camp an experience to remember with Everything You Need to Know about Girls Camp. Filled with helpful tips on everything from holding your first meeting to dealing with unhappy campers, this essential guide takes the stress out of planning to make your camp a success!

Click here to learn more

Mandi's Review: 

This book brings back some fun memories of spending a week each summer at Girl's Camp. Filled with great tips, advise, and even planning sheets and time-saving lists, Stephanie Worlton's, Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp, is a must for any young women leader or stake camp director. Worlton has helped take the guess work and anxiety out of planning a fun-filled Girl's Camp. Budgeting tips, easy meal ideas, fun song lyrics, and certification tips will help you as you work to make your camp a success. I recommend this book for anyone serving in the LDS Young Women's. 

Get a Copy Today...

       

Enter to Win:

As part of the blog tour, Stephanie will be giving away two great prizes. Visit her Kreating Krazy author blog to enter for your chance to win a "Camp Leader Survival Kit" or a signed copy of the book.  

Meet the Author:

Stephanie Connelley Worlton lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains where she enjoys frequent opportunities to observe nature and appreciate God’s magnificent creations. She is a seasoned Camp Director, an avid Scouter, and a devoted youth leader. Aside from the busy schedule she keeps as a wife and mother of four, Stephanie enjoys organizing, interior design, gardening, carpentry, painting, and being involved with the youth of our rising generation.  To learn more about Stephanie or her book, visit her “Kreating Krazy” blog:  www.stephanieworlton.blogspot.com

  

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

On the back:

  "Although I had never seen him before, I recognized him immediately. I'd have known his voice anywhere. This was the guy I'd seen on my last journey back in time.  Or more precisely, the one who'd kissed my doppelganger while I was hiding behind the curtain in disbelief.
  Sixteen-year-old Gwen lives with her extended- and rather eccentric- family in an exclusive London neighborhood. In spite of her ancestors' peculiar history, she's had a relatively normal life so far. The time traveling gene that runs lie a secret thread through the female half of the family is supposed to have skipped Gwen, so she hasn't been introduced to "the mysteries," and can spend her time hanging out with her best friend, Lesley. It comes as an unwelcome surprise when she starts taking sudden, uncontrolled leaps into the past.
  She's totally unprepared for time travel, not to mention all that comes with it; fancy clothes, archaic manners, a mysterious secret society, and Gideon, her time-traveling counterpart. He's obnoxious, a know-it-all, and possibly the best-looking guy she's seen in any century..."

Jennifer's review:

  I was intrigued from the first page and really enjoyed the storyline. The characters are all intriguing and have their own mystery behind them.

  There are a few parts where I felt lost but quickly found my way.

  Only a few cuss words- of course the book would be just fine without- but it wasn't covered in them.  There is only a hint of romance in this book. I was expecting more from the back cover. The story is so intriguing that you really didn't need much more, but I still would have liked more. 

  I have so many theories running through my head about what is to come next that I am holding my breath for the next book in the series, "Emerald Blue". Should be out this year in paperback. Came out last year in hardcover. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

I give Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier 4 1/2 stars.