Book Review: Zero

Title: ZERO
Author: Tom Leveen
ISBN: 0375869212
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary YA
Theme: Art, Punk Music, Romance
Binding: Hardcover
Length: 302 pages
Published: 24 April 2012; Random House for Young Readers
Buy: amazon.com, bn.com
My Rating:


Synopsis: For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name.

My Review: It's been awhile since I've given a book a 5 star rating, but after careful consideration, I honestly couldn't find anything wrong with the story nor anything I would change. ZERO was the kind of book that once started, I literally couldn't put it down which shocked me. I guess I forgot what that felt like!

Amanda, aka Amy, aka Zero is a recent high school graduate whose plan for a fun summer before going away to the art school of her dreams is shattered. Although she was accepted into the Art Institute of Chicago, she doesn't get the scholarship she so desperately needs due to her portfolio "lacking technical excellence". To add to this devastating news, she has a falling out with her best friend, Jenn. Her parents, while supportive, argue nearly every waking moment, causing Zero to feel creatively stifled. On one particularly bad night, Zero decides to head out to one of her favorite dives called "The Graveyard". And that's when she meets Mike, drummer for one of the opening bands called Gothic Rainbow. Gathering the courage to go up and talk to him is just the beginning of her journey to discovering her self-worth as a young woman and an artist.

I don't know how Tom Leveen did it, but ZERO (the book and the character) feels 100% authentic; I'm still in a bit of shock that he created such a convincing, identifiable female character. The similarities between Zero and I are almost scary. I used to be seriously into art and at one point considered going to art school. I also know what it's like to hang with the guys but never feel pretty enough to actually be with one of them. And as freaky as this may sound, I too, once had a crush on a guy I met at a concert, who just so happened to be a drummer for his own band...and his name was MIKE. Talk about coincidental, right? I also like how Tom Leveen always starts each section with Zero saying, "Here's the thing." We all have our quirky phrases that we say. Like for me, I've been told that when I get serious I frequently say, "You know what??!" Leveen applying this detail really adds to Zero's voice as a character.

If Leveen can write such a great female character then I am not surprised how much I also liked Mike. I think I even fell a little in love with him! Even though Mike had his own set of family and relationship issues (which are somewhat, but not fully revealed), I like that Leveen didn't turn him into the cliche male character that walks around with a chip on his shoulder. You know the kind I'm talking about, the one who is a bit arrogant at first, is sort of mean and aloof and acts like he doesn't have feelings for the main female character, but later shows he has a sensitive side. Nope, that's not Mike. Mike may proceed with caution, but he never puts on a front with Zero. He's sensitive as most artists are (in his case musically) yet remains very realistic as to how the music world works.

I think what I love the most about Mike is how he loves Zero for who she is, faults, insecurities, and all. A perfect example is one of my favorite parts of the book. I need to share this with everyone. Let me set the scene. Mike and Zero are at the beginning stages of dating. She goes over his house and is in his room, waiting for him to finish getting ready so they can head out:

"You look good," [Mike] says casually as he pulls a black T-shirt over his head.
I glance down at myself. Agent Orange T-shirt, cutoffs with my green Dali belt, and my monkey boots.
"Liar," I say.
Mike winces. "Really?"
"I'm sorry, I just meant---"
"Okay, this stops now," he says, and comes over to me. He kicks his door closed, and for the first time I see the cheap full-length mirror nailed to the back.
"What size is that shirt?" he asks, pulling me to stand in front of him so we're both looking in the mirror.
"Large. Obviously."
"Large. I wear a large, and I'm not a big guy. You should be wearing a small. Medium, tops."
"You don't like how I dress?"
"I love how you dress! I'm saying it should fit you."
"Well, I don't feel like advertising my fat ass."
"Your...? Okay, take your belt off."
I do, and wonder why. Does he have tantalizing plans for it?
Mike grabs the waistband of my shorts in one hand and a handful of my T-shirt in the back in the other and pulls them both taut.
"Now look," he says, nodding at the mirror. "That's you. You're swimming in this stuff. You have a kick-ass body." He releases my clothes, and my shorts nearly slip off. I grab them in one hand. "I mean, dress however you want; I still think you're hot no matter what. But it's something to think about. 'Sall I'm sayin'."
Staring at myself, I pull my shorts tight again and study the image. "You mean it?" I ask him.
"I really do."
I let go of my waistband, and my shorts fall to the floor. Mike takes a step back, his eyes widening. Sweet.
"Something to think about?" I say to his reflection in the mirror.
I watch him run a hand over his hair. He can't keep his eyes off me. And I like it. I had no idea I could ever feel this...oh, the hell with it: sexy.

Enough said, right?

Leveen also creates memorable secondary characters. I absolutely loved the guys--Hob, Eddie, Brook-- that make up Mike's band. They really are a fun bunch and embrace Zero. They love her artwork and commission her to do flyers, t-shirts, etc. for Gothic Rainbow. Again, this totally reminds me of my younger years when I used to hang out with my Mike and his band.

It's no secret that Leveen packs a lot of issues that young people experience in this book. Zero's parents are constantly arguing and a part of that is due to her father being an alcoholic. Zero herself suffers from low self-esteem, which also affects her painting and relationships with others. Let's see, other topics/themes you will come across-- abandonment and sexuality issues, using sex as a way to "fill the void", the consequences of unsafe sex, etc. Oh, and did I forget to mention that there is quite a bit of cursing and sexual situations in this book? I'm completely fine with it-- hell, I think it's quite refreshing since, let's face it, young adults, especially in the 17 years and older age group are sexually active! While I enjoy books that go the PG route and try to promote abstinence, I think ZERO is a more realistic portrayal of young adults.

There are quite a few people out there that felt that the book leaves too many issues open ended. Or that Leveen didn't wrap everything up and put a, "and they lived happily ever after" at the end. To be quite frank, for about a day or 2 after reading ZERO, I bounced back and forth between a 4 star rating and a 5 star rating. I did have a few questions that were left unanswered, one being what was Mike trying to say to Zero about his mom after he got back from his "trip"?

But after thinking about it, I actually was okay with the way the book ended. After all, finding self-worth and self-esteem doesn't just happen overnight. Marital issues don't just get better overnight. People aren't just "cured" of alcoholism overnight. Abandonment issues don't just go away overnight. Beginning to trust your best friend again after feeling betrayed doesn't just happen overnight. You get the point? And this may sound crazy...but I can definitely see a sequel happening. Whether the author consciously or subconsciously ended things the way he did, I can totally see Leveen revisiting these characters, maybe when they are in their early 20's. One can dream, right?

My Picks of the Week! (May 15th)

Good Monday!

I noticed that this week's releases are a little different, especially in the book department. Vonna Harper's (best known for her erotic romances) Canyon Shadows is available at bn.com today while on amazon.com you would have to wait until the end of the month to buy it.

In Young Adult, Shade's Children is actually a re-release of Garth Nix's 1998 edition. It has been given a nice new cover so I'm thinking with the popularity of YA novels like The Hunger Games, giving the book a more appealing cover will draw new attention. It definitely has an interesting premise! Susanne Winnacker's Weepers: The Other Life is new to us in the US, but apparently it was released overseas in Febuary 2012 (she lives in Germany) by the title The Other Life. Lastly, I am personally looking forward to Railsea by eccentric author China Mieville.

In movies, I'm pretty excited over the blu-ray/dvd combo release of Father of the Bride 1 & 2. My boyfriend enjoyed watching Rampart starring Woody Harrelson. I haven't watched it myself, but he said it was a good character driven drama. Hopefully I will get to set aside time to watch Albert Nobbs, starring Glenn Close who was nominated for an Oscar for her gender bending role.

Rounding out the releases in TV Series, the kids might be happy for season 2 of the popular Nickeloden show Victorious. I personally am excited for the release of AMC's western series Hell On Wheels Season 1, starring Anson Mount. That man is just H.O.T! So what are you looking forward to reading and watching this week?

BOOKS (May 15th)

ADULT

Canyon Shadows
by: Vonna Harper

Undeniable

Canine trainer Shari Afton can't deny the shiver of pleasure that runs through her at the sound of Maco Durant's sexy voice over the phone. Seems that trouble has followed this Wyoming rancher to Oregon, and he wants two of her guard dogs for protection. And she wants to see the cowboy face-to-face...

Uncontrollable

As she waits for Maco, the last thing Shari expects is the sound of a gunshot. When Maco arrives, Shari puts on a brave front, but the shooting brings back vivid memories of her past and she can barely control her emotions around this rugged stranger...

Unforgettable

Maco's concern awakens an intimate place deep inside that Shari has almost forgotten. With one touch, he ignites her erotic desire, and within his strong, masculine embrace, she surrenders to a wild ride in the saddle, western style...

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Fallen Queen, The (House of Arkhangel'sk, #1)
by: Jane Kinred

Heaven can go to hell.

Until her cousin slaughtered the supernal family, Anazakia’s father ruled the Heavens, governing noble Host and Fallen peasants alike. Now Anazakia is the last grand duchess of the House of Arkhangel’sk, and all she wants is to stay alive.

Hunted by Seraph assassins, Anazakia flees Heaven with two Fallen thieves—fire demon Vasily and air demon Belphagor, each with their own nefarious agenda—who hide her in the world of Man. The line between vice and virtue soon blurs, and when Belphagor is imprisoned, the unexpected passion of Vasily warms her through the Russian winter.

Heaven seems a distant dream, but when Anazakia learns the truth behind the celestial coup, she will have to return to fight for the throne—even if it means saving the man who murdered everyone she loved.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Infected: Shift (Infected, #5)
by: Andrea Speed

In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.

Between his mutating virus and his rocky relationship with his artist boyfriend, Dylan, Roan has enough problems to solve without taking on other people’s, but that’s the nature of his work. Someone has to look into the case of the murdered trans woman, and if the perp is the dirty cop Roan suspects it is, the police are not the right people for the job.

But now Roan has a new obstacle to overcome: someone caught part of his transformation on video, and the media frenzy is making it hard to do his job. One case nets him a hockey team full of new friends. Another leads to an attempt on his life. And Roan’s hustler sidekick drags him on a quest for revenge. With his world and his body both in turmoil, Roan is finding it harder and harder to see the line between justice and vigilantism.

Release Date: 14 May 2012
Website | Buy

North of Need (Hearts of the Anemoi)
by: Laura Kaye

Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves…

Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she’s recreated the very thing she’ll never have.

Called to life by Megan’s tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.

Megan is drawn to Owen’s mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration—before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow’s grief and learn to trust love again, or she’ll lose Owen forever.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

YOUNG ADULT

Code Name Verity
by: Elizabeth Wein

Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her se crets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Immortal Hearts (Vampire Kisses, #9)
by: Ellen Schreiber

This final chapter of Vampire Kisses' nocturnal romance will keep all mortal and immortal hearts racing.

Athena "Stormy" Sterling is coming to Dullsville, and Raven is both excited and panicked in anticipation of Alexander's little sister's visit. Alexander tells Raven that she and his sister have a lot in common, but can the mini-Raven be everything she hopes for? Alexander calls her Stormy for a reason.

Stormy's visit stirs up the perfect immortal whirlwind. Raven is forced to take a good look at what it would really mean to be a vampire in the Sterling family, aside from some of the things she already loves, like shunning the sun and sleeping in a cof fin with Alexander. When Raven compares her life with Stormy's, she can see that it's not all starry skies and black roses. But Raven knows she's always wanted to be a vampire.

Alexander is as romantic and dreamy as ever, and th ough he keeps showing Raven how much he loves her, will she ultimately be able to convince him that it's the right thing to turn her?

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Railsea
by: China Mieville

On board the moletrain Medes, Sham Yes ap Soorap watch es in awe as he witnesses his first moldywarpe hunt: the giant mole bursting from the earth, the harpoonists targeting their prey, the battle resulting in one’s death and the other’s glory. But no matter how spectacular it is, Sham can't shake the sense that there is more to life than traveling the endless rails of the railsea–even if his captain can think only of the hunt for the ivory-coloured mole she’s been chasing since it took her arm all those years ago. When they come across a wrecked train, at first it's a welcome distraction. But what Sham finds in the derelict—a series of pictures hinting at something, somewhere, that should be impossible—leads to considerably more than he'd bargained for. Soon he's hunted on all sides, by pirates, trainsfolk, monsters and salvage-scrabblers. And it might not be just Sham's life that's about to change. It could be the whole of the railsea.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Shade's Children
by: Garth Nix

If you're lucky, you live to fight another day.

In a futuristic urban wasteland, evil Overlords have decr

eed that no human shall live a day past their fourteenth birthday. On that Sad Birthday, the children of the Dorms are taken to the Meat Factory, where they will be made into creatures whose sole purpose is to kill.

The mysterious Shade—once a man, but now more like

the machines he fights—recruits the few teenagers who escape into a secret resistance force. With luck, cunning, and skill, four of Shade's children come closer than any to discovering the source of the Overlords' power—and the key to their downfall. But the closer they get, the more ruthless Shade seems to become. . . .

In a savage post-nuclear world, four young fugitives attempt to overthrow the bloodthirsty rule of the Overlords with the help of Shade, their mysterious mentor.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
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Sharks & Boys
by: Kristen Tracy

Fifteen-year-old Enid's carefully constructed life in Vermont is beginning to crumble. She has come to accept that, after bonding together for years in "twin studies," her friends have betrayed her. And now she finds out that her dad has betrayed her mom. It's not easy, but at least she's got her boyfriend, Wick, to help her through this tough time. Solid, funny, gorgeous Wick. Enid's loved him since she was six, and their relationship is perfect.

That is, until Wick suddenly announces he thinks they should take a break, an unclear status that Enid can't accept. As Wick abandons Enid for a trip to Ocean City, Maryland, with those same friends who betrayed her, she lets her wildest fears take over. More than five hundred miles later, Enid realized she's acting desperate as she spies on Wick, his twin, her twin, and all the boys from twin studies. That doesn't stop her from following them aboard a yacht and hiding in the bathroom. But then the boys take the yacht out into a storm-a storm which leaves everyone adrift in the ocean without food or water-and Enid discovers a new definition of desperate.

With sharks circling and no help in sight, Enid and the rest of the twins must find a way to trust one another in order to survive-and face the fact that they might not make it home.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Weepers: The Other Life
by: Susanne Winnacker

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d se en daylight. One-fifth of my life.

Sherry and her family have lived sealed in a bunker in the garden since things went wrong up above. Her grandfather has been in the freezer for the last three months, her parents are at each other’s throats and two minutes ago they ran out of food.

Sherry and her father leave the safety of the bunker and find a devastated and empty LA, smashed to pieces by bombs and haunted by ‘Weepers’ - rabid humans infected with a weaponized rabies virus.

While searching for food in a supermarket, Sherry’s father disappears and Sherry is saved by Joshua, a boy-hunter. He takes her to Safe-haven, a tumble-down vineyard in the hills outside LA, where a handful of other survivors are picking up the pieces of their ‘other lives’. As she falls in love for the first time, Sherry must save her father, stay alive and keep Joshua safe when his desire for vengeance threatens them all.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
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MOVIES & TV SERIES (MAY 15th)

MOVIES

Albert Nobb
Directed by: Rodrigo Garcia

Starring: Glenn Close

Five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close stars in this emotional and thought-provoking tale of a woman forced to live as a man in 19th Century Ireland. After thirty years of keeping up the charade, a new love threatens to destroy everything she's worked so hard to build.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Chronicle
Directed by: Josh Trank, Jay Alaimo

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly

Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their dar ker sides begin to take over.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

eCupid
Directed by: J.C. Calciano

Starring: Houston Rhines, Noah Shuffman

From the di rector of Is It Just Me? comes this sparkling romantic comedy that takes online dating to the extreme! Marshall is an over-worked ad exec who is suffering from a serious case of the seven-year itch with his loving boyfriend. A s his 30th birthday nears, he is hell-bent on changing hi s lif e and he comes across a mysterious dating app called eCupid. Turning his world upside down and overwhelming him with sexy, horned-up guys at ever y turn, Marshall gets much more than he bargained. Firing on all cylinders with sharp wit, hot cast, and even an extended cameo from Hollywood legend Morgan Fairchild, eCupid will win your heart.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Father of the Bride 1&2 (blu-ray release)
Directed by: Charles Shyer


Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short

Bride plus the uproarious follow-up Father Of The Bride, Part II on Blu-ray for the first time ever. Screen legends Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short star in these warm and witty family favorites, complete with a new digital restoration! Things get out of hand for befuddl ed fa ther George Banks (Martin) w hen his young daughter unexpectedly announces her plans to wed. Life gets even crazier in the side-splitting sequel when his daughter and his wife (Keaton) both announce they are pregnant, and George desperately tries to capture the wild and crazy days of his youth. Relive every heartwarming and hilarious moment in this special 2-movie collection. It's fantastic family entertainment that really delivers!

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Grey, The
Directed by: Joe Carnahan

Starring: L iam Neeson

In The Gre y, Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors h ave only a few days to escape the icy elements - and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt - before their time runs out.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Michael
Directed by: Markus Schleinzer

Starring: Michael Fuith

Michael (Mic hael Fuith), a seemingly meek insurance agent, has a secret: he's holding 10-year-old Wolfgang (David Rauchenberger) captive in a locked room in his basement. Chronicling a five month period, director Markus Schleinzer reveals a tense portrait of how seemingly mundane lives can hide the dar kest secrets. Michael is a masterfully executed study of a monster with rich cinematic detail and unnerving insight.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Rampart
Directed by: Oren Moverman

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Robin Wright

At the heart of Oren Moverman's Rampart is a riveting parable about what happens to a man who refuses to change, even when change is the only thing that can save him. That man is Dave Brown, played by two-time Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson. Though the film is set in the 1990s, when scandal rocked the LAPD s Rampart division, the film hones in on a single fictional cop: Dave Brown, a man who has taken the no guts, no glory American mythos to heart, without questioning what it is doing to him and those he holds dear. He is a cop whose personal life is propelled into a dizzying downward spiral when he comes under suspicion for roughing up a suspect. More than just a police officer who plays things fast and loose, Brown exposes the inner workings of a certain type of personality everyone recognizes around them, a personality very much part of American culture, yet not often examined. He is the kind of man inexorably drawn to authority and power, yet seems destined to abuse it; a man who has dreams of being a great masculine hero, yet is beholden to women; who has undeniable charm, yet whose stubborn refusal to ta ke responsibility for his actions becomes a destructive force against family, community and ultimately himself.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
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We Were Here (Documentary)
Directed by: David Weissman

Starring: n/a

David Weissman's WE WERE HERE revisits the San Francisco of the '80s and '90s, using the city's experience with AIDS to open up a conversation about both the history of the epidemic and the lessons to be learned from it. Yet the film reaches far beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself as it illuminates the power of a community that comes together with love, compassion, and determination. Indeed, "The San Francisco Model"-the LGBT community's courage ous, multifaceted and creative response to AIDS-r emains a standard to which to aspire in seeking a healthier, more humane society.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

TV SERIES

Flashpoint: Season 4

Starring: Hugh Dillion, Amy Jo Johnson, Mark Taylor

The show focuses on a fictional elite tactical unit, called the Strategic Response Unit, within a Canadian metropolitan police force. The SRU are tasked to resolve extreme situations that regular officers are not trained to handle including hostage-taking, bomb threats and heavily armed criminals. Equipped with high-tech tools and a cache of weapons and explosives, members use negotiation tactics and intuition to try to avoid the use of deadly force, only implemented when other options are exhausted.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Hell on Wheels: Season 1

Starring: Anson Mount, Common

In 1865, a former Confederate soldier, Cullen Bohannon journeys to the Union Pacific Railroad's westward construction of the first transcontinental railroad to seek work and vengeance on the Union sold iers that have killed his wife. Cullen gets hired by the railroad and supervises an all-black "cu t crew," one of which is Elam, to prepare the terrain for track laying. Through conv ersation, Cullen learns more about his wife's death from railroad foreman Daniel Johnson, who knows the name o f her murderer. But tragedy strikes before this name is given. Thomas "Doc" Durant begins his "mad, noble quest" to expand his Union Pacific Railroad westward in order complete the transcontinental railroad.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Victorious: Season 2

Starring: Victoria Justice, Leon Thomas III

Season 2 of Victorious shines even brighter as the students re-audition for their spots at Hollywood Arts, get ready for their first-ever prom, and drive a giant cupcake through the streets! Put your hands together for more music, more drama, and hilarious behind-the-scenes bloopers!

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Cover Art Friday: Secret Sins & Emerald City Giveaway Winner!

Happy Friday, my Muses!

As many of you may already know, my first love has always been romance novels. One of my favorite erotic romance authors is Lora Leigh! If you like your romances smoldering, and your male heroes alphas, then you need to get on the Lora Leigh bandwagon! She has several different series out and I guarantee that she has a little something for everybody. She is known for her Breed Series, which is about men that have been genetically altered with animal DNA (lion, cougar, wolf, etc.) and the women who fall in love with them. If you like military/soldier romances, then you need to check out her Elite Ops Series.

Recently, Lora has started a new series called The Callahan's, about 3 outcast brothers. You can click on the following titles to see their cover art. The first 2 books, Midnight Sins (#1) and Deadly Sins (#2) have already been released. Here is the cover for Secret Sins, book 3 in the Callahan's series.

I actually like this cover even though I think Midnight Sins is the best out of the three. I personally dislike the Deadly Sins cover...I have more of an issue with the model they chose than the actual design. I just don't find the male model attractive on that cover. Anyway, Secret Sins hits bookshelves this fall, November 27th.

One last bit of news...I have heard through the grape vine that Lora Leigh is working on a Nauti Girls series. If you are a Lora Leigh fan, then you will remember her very popular Nauti Boys series. The first in this new series is called Nauti Temptress with a tentative release date of November 6th. No cover art has been released yet, so once I get some more information, I will share it with everyone! But in the meantime, if you haven't read Lora's Nauti Boy series, start with the first one, called Nauti Boy. The male model on the front cover has always reminded me of Mark Wahlberg... For more information about Lora Leigh and for a complete list of her series, check out her website at loraleigh.com.

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EMERALD CITY E-BOOK (PDF FORMAT) GIVEAWAY WINNER!

And I bring good tidings. I first want to thank everyone who participated in the Emerald City Giveaway and for all of those who emailed me and left positive feedback about the Q&A with author Alicia K. Leppert. She really is a warm person and her novel Emerald City is a unique contribution to the YA paranormal romance genre. So even if you didn't win, I hope you still go out and buy a copy of Emerald City!

Now for the winner. And that person is....

BECKY @ Preppy Premed

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your e-book (pdf format) copy of Emerald City! Feel free to leave a message in the comment section once you are finished reading it so you can share your thoughts :)

Have a great weekend!

Book Review: Hollyweird

Title: Hollyweird
Author: Terri Clark
ISBN: 0738719250
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance
Theme: Angels & Demons
Binding: Paperback
Length: 240 pages
Published: 8 May 2012
Buy: amazon.com, bn.com
My Rating:

Synopsis: Aly King is about to fall for the fallen.

My best friend, Des, and I totally freaked when we won the contest to meet THE Dakota Danvers in Hollywood. But now we’re finding out he’s SO not the angel everyone believes him to be. In fact, Dakota is the son of Satan, wreaking havoc on Hollywood and creating an evil army hellbent on world domination.

Lucky for us, Dakota’s super-cute personal assistant, Jameson, is a fallen angel trying to get his wings back, and he’s working undercover to squash his demon boss’s plan. If Jameson hadn’t taken me under his wing I’d be in serious trouble, because I’m a total newb when it comes to conquering evil. But, truth be told, that sexy angel’s got me all aflutter and may be one temptation I can’t resist.

My Review: Overall, I think Hollyweird by Terri Clark was a super fun, quick read. If you find yourself overwhelmed after reading books with heavy topics and you are looking for a story that is entertaining, will make you laugh, and doesn't require putting on your thinking caps, then this book is definitely worth picking up.

Hollyweird's premise is simple. Aly King wins a contest that was being promoted in EnterTEENment Magazine. What does she win? A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Dakota Danvers, the hunky star of a popular CW show called Paranormal P.I. With her gothy, best friend Des and 21 year old sister/soap star wannabe Missy (who serves as their annoying, diva chaperone) in tow, they head to Hollywood. Never in their wildest dreams did they ever imagine their teen idol is actually a demon in disguise (the son of Satan to be exact) and that they would have to work closely with an undercover fallen angel named Jameson (who is trying to earn his halo back) in order to save the world from evil. Yes, it's as funny as it sounds!

If you haven't figured it out yet by my little summary, Terri Clark has created some memorable characters. By far my favorite has to be Des, Aly's best friend. I'm not sure if it's because she reminds me of my old goth days or if it's because Des doesn't fit the typical stereotypes that most goth characters fall under. There is this big misconception that goth kids wear all black because they are depressed, worship the devil, only listen to Marilyn Manson, and wouldn't be caught dead with "normal" looking teens. Des is proof that just because you have a few piercings and wear darker clothes doesn't mean you are an unhappy, Satanic worshiping outcast. Even though Aly and Des have completely different styles, they don't let outer appearances get in the way of who they are on the inside.

I love Des's sense of humor and her crazy words and phrases she comes up with, which Aly affectionately adds to her mental "Des Dictionary". A great example is in the beginning of the book when Aly and Des arrive in Hollywood. Des is so nervous that she pukes a little in her mouth which she calls "interna-hurl." "Guystraction" (being distracted by boys), "tattegory", and "pierconify" are just a few of the many other words she creates.

Let me not forget to mention how funny the text messages were from God to Jameson. When Aly and Des figure out the truth about Dakota, Jameson is torn as to whether he should reveal his own identity. Suddenly, a "Stairway to Heaven" ringtone goes off on his phone. When he checks to see who texted him, the message says:

From: God
"Maybe Zeppelin was a little obvs?"

Sooo funny! Also, Jameson must check in with the archangel Michael from time to time. What cracks me up is how Jameson calls him "Mikey". Who knew that giving God a sense of humor would work so well? Then again, I am not sure why I'm so surprised. Maybe it's because the last few books I've read have been more serious in nature. It just came to me yesterday that Hollyweird's humor reminds me of the movie Little Nicky starring Adam Sandler. If you liked Little Nicky then you will love this book!

Here are a few things I had issues with. While I loved the alternating chapter perspectives between Aly and Jameson, I felt that about halfway through the book, the voices of the two merge together. What I mean is, in the beginning, I could easily tell which chapter was in Aly's POV and which was in Jameson's without the chapters even being labeled at the top. But somewhere in the middle of the book, their distinct voices as characters fade away. I would be reading and easily forget who's head I was in. I'm not sure what happened since the story and characters started off strong.

I also felt that the way the girls find out about Dakota's true identity was a bit rushed and sudden. I get that the book is only 240 pages, so things do have to move along. Also, this may sound strange, but I guess I didn't care for the revelation that other supernatural creatures like werewolves and witches also exist. Obviously this has a lot to do with how the story ends, so I won't go any further.

My last complaint is the romance and chemistry between the two main characters. While I loved Aly and Jameson as a couple, the whole "I-would-sacrifice-everything-for-you, even-risk-never getting-my-halo-back" formula doesn't work, especially since they have only known each other, oh like, FOUR DAYS! Don't get me wrong, I am not a complete "instant love" hater. I just feel that there wasn't much development between Aly and Jameson due to the craziness going on in the book. Maybe if there had been some more scenes between them, more tender moments, I could believe the "I-would-die-for-you" kind of love. But the romance is quite lacking, the heat factor is...well, cold. I can't even remember if they kissed. Isn't that sad?

Hollyweird's cover art and synopsis were spot on as to what I expected from this book! The story was light-hearted, hilarious, and never takes itself too seriously. If you keep these things in mind, you will enjoy this book immensely!

My Picks of the Week! (May 8th)

Happy Monday!

So there are a few things everyone should look out for this week. First, I posted a Q&A with author Alicia K. Leppert and she allowed me to host a Giveaway of her book Emerald City! Enter for a chance to win an e-book (pdf format) copy of Emerald City HERE! Last day for entries is Thursday, May 10th. The winner will be announced on Friday, May 11th.

While there is not much going on in the adult book category, there are quite a few Young Adult releases to keep in mind. Hollyweird by Terri Clark I read personally and is a fun, lighthearted read. Keep an eye out for my review which will be posted on Wednesday. I know everyone is anticipating the release of the 5th installment of the Immortal Instruments Series called City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. I just started reading Andrew Fukuda's The Hunt which has been getting a lot of buzz. So far it is quite interesting and a breath of fresh air.

The big releases in movies this week are Underworld 4: Awakening (also coming out in a boxset which includes all 4 movies) and the romantic drama The Vow starring Channing Tatum. I personally am interested in seeing Kawa.

Enjoy!

BOOKS (MAY 8th)

ADULT

Rollback (paperback edition)
by: Robert J. Sawyer

Dr. Sarah Halifax decoded the first-ever radio transmission received from aliens. Thirty-eight years later, a second message is received and Sarah, now 87, may hold the key to deciphering this one, too . . . if she lives long enough.

A wealthy industrialist offers to pay for Sarah to have a rollback--a hugely expensive experimental rejuvenation procedure. She accepts on condition that Don, her husband of sixty years, gets a rollback, too. The process works for Don, making him physically twenty-five again. But in a tragic twist, the rollback fails for Sarah, leaving her in her eighties.

While Don tries to deal with his newfound youth and the suddenly vast age gap between him and his wife, Sarah struggles to do again what she'd done once before: figure out what a signal from the stars contains before she dies...

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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YOUNG ADULT

All These Things I've Done (Birthright, #1)
by: Gabrielle Zevin

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. Although Anya is embroiled in the criminal world, she is determined to keep her brother and sister out of the mafia family, but her father's relatives aren't so keen to let them go. When Anya's violent ex-boyfriend is poisoned with contaminated chocolate – chocolate that is produced illegally by Anya's mafia family – she is arrested for attempted murder and sent to the notorious jail on Manhattan Island.

Eventually she is freed by the new D.A. in town, who believes she has been framed. But this D.A. is the father of Win, a boy at school to whom Anya feels irresistibly drawn, and her freedom comes with conditions. Win's father wants to be mayor, and he can't risk having his ambition jeopardized by rumors spreading that his son is seeing a member of a notorious crime family. Anya knows she risks the safety of her family by seeing Win again, but the feeling between them may be too strong to resist..

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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City of Lost Souls (The Immortal Instruments, #5)
by: Cassandra Clare

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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First Comes Love
by: Katie Kacvinsky

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what’s next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they’re going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you’re sorry.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Happy Families
by: Tanita S. Davis

Teenage twins Ysabel and Justin Nicholas are lucky. Ysabel's jewelry designs have already caught the eyes of the art world and Justin's intelligence and drive are sure to gain him entrance into the most prestigious of colleges. They even like their parents. But their father has a secret—one that threatens to destroy the twins' happy family and life as they know it.

Over the course of spring break, Ysabel and Justin will be forced to come to terms with their dad's new life, but can they overcome their fears to piece together their happy family again?

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Hollyweird
by: Terri Clark

Aly King is about to fall for the fallen

My best friend, Des, and I totally freaked when we won the contest to meet THE Dakota Danvers in Hollywood. But now we’re finding out he’s SO not the angel everyone believes him to be. In fact, Dakota is the son of Satan, wreaking havoc on Hollywood and creating an evil army hellbent on world domination.

Lucky for us, Dakota’s super-cute personal assistant, Jameson, is a fallen angel trying to get his wings back, and he’s working undercover to squash his demon boss’s plan. If Jameson hadn’t taken me under his wing I’d be in serious trouble, because I’m a total newb when it comes to conquering evil. But, truth be told, that sexy angel’s got me all aflutter and may be one temptation I can’t resist.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Hooked
by: Catherine Greenman

Thea Galehouse has always known how to take care of herself. With a flighty club-owner mom and a standoffish, recovering-alcoholic dad, Thea has made her own way in her hometown of New York, attending the prestigious and competitive Stuyvesant High School. But one chat with Will, a handsome and witty senior, and she's a goner—completely hooked on him and unable to concentrate on anything else.

Always worried that she loves Will more than he loves her, Thea is pleasantly surprised when their romance weathers his move to college and Will goes out of his way to involve her in his life. But then, Thea misses a period. And that starts Thea and Will on a wild ride that neither of them could have possibly prepared for. When they decide to keep the baby, their concerned parents chip in what they can to keep Will in school and give both teenagers a comfortable place to raise their child. But when a freak accident leaves Thea shaken and threatens to upend their little family altogether, Thea is forced to turn to the last place she would have chosen for comfort: her stiff, uncompromising father.

This smart, touching first novel brims with realistic, beautifully drawn characters, and reminds us that love is never as easy or predictable as we might like it to be.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Last Rite (Personal Demons, #3)
by: Lisa Desrochers

In this final installment of the thrilling, edgy Personal Demons series, the battle between Heaven and Hell has become critical, and Frannie Cavanaugh is right at the center of it.

With the help of the powerful angel Gabe and demon-turned-mortal Luc, Frannie has been able to stay one step ahead of the forces of Hell. But when the demons killed Frannie's best friend and destroyed her brother, they raised the stakes. If Frannie wants to keep her family and friends safe, she knows she has no choice but to go on the run.

Their best defense is the power Frannie has been struggling to master, but her attempts to hone her skill go horribly awry. If Frannie doesn't learn fast, the consequences could be devastating--even apocalyptic.

What happens when you can't outrun Hell...or trust the ones you love?

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Never Fall Down
by: Patricia McCormick

When soldiers arrive in his hometown in Cambodia, Arn is just a kid, dancing to rock ’n’ roll, hustling for spare change, and selling ice cream with his brother. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, Arn's life is changed forever. He is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp; working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children, weak from hunger, malaria, or sheer exhaustion, dying before his eyes. He sees prisoners marched to a nearby mango grove, never to return. And he learns to become invisible to the sadistic Khmer Rouge, who can give or take away life on a whim.

One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn’s never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. In order to survive, he must quickly master the strange revolutionary songs the soldiers demand—and steal food to keep the other kids alive. This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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The Hunt
by: Andrew Fukuda

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Until I Die (Revenants, #2)
by: Amy Plum

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Wuftoom
by: Mary G. Thompson

Everyone thinks Evan is sick . . . Everyone thinks science will find a cure. But Evan knows he is not sick; he is transforming. Evan’s metamorphosis has him confined to his bed, constantly terrified, and completely alone. Alone except for his visits from the Wuftoom, a wormlike creature that tells him he is becoming one of them. Clinging to his humanity and desperate to help his overworked single mother, Evan makes a bargain with the Vitflies, the sworn enemies of the Wuftoom. But when the bargain becomes blackmail and the Vitflies prepare for war, whom can Evan trust? Is saving his humanity worth destroying an entire species, and the only family he has left?

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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MOVIES & TV SERIES (May 8th)

MOVIES

Beautiful Wave
Directed by: David Mueller

Starring: Aimee Teegarden, Lance Henrikson

New York teen Nicole (Aimee Teegarden) goes to Santa Cruz to spend the summer with her estranged grandmother (Patricia Richardson), and uncovers buried family secrets while following her late grandfather's map to a secluded surfing paradise. Shortly after arriving in California, Nicole inherits her grandfather's vintage surfing van, and invites three friends on a trip to Malibu. Somewhere along the way, the group discovers a map that will lead them to a beach that's untouched by modern progress. Meanwhile, a family secret that's lain dormant for 40 years prompts Nicole to look at her past - and her potential future - in a very different light.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
Website | Buy

Kawa
Directed by: Katie Wolfe

Starring: Calvin Tuteao

A critically-acclaimed psychological drama depicting a family in crisis, Kawa tells the story of a successful businessman in New Zealand, as he is forced to reveal his lifelong secret that he is gay. Adapted from the Witi Ihimaera novel "Nights in the Gardens of Spain" by writer/director Katie Wolfe, Kawa stars Calvin Tuteao (Once Were Warriors), Nathalie Bolt (District 9), George Henare (Once Were Warriors), Vicki Haughton (Whale Rider) and Dean O'Gorman (McLeod's Daughters). It is tradition that Kawariki (Calvin Tuteao) become the leader of the family now that his father is retiring. A husband and father, he realizes that in order to lead with integrity, he must come out and be honest about his own life, even though it will test the boundaries of acceptance and unconditional love. Offering valuable insights into Maori traditions, family ideals and cultural values, this feature debut is rich and textured with emotional layers and stunning New Zealand landscapes.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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This is What Love in Action Looks Like (documentary)
Directed by: Morgan Jon Fox

Starring: n/a

In the summer of 2005, Zach, a 16-year-old boy from Memphis, Tennessee wrote on his MySpace blog that he had told his parents he was gay. Within days of his coming out, his mother and father would send him to Love In Action (LIA), a fundamentalist Christian program that refers to homosexuality as an addictive behavior. is blog entries quickly spread from his friends, to the local community, to the nation through the internet. In a remarkably short time, daily protests were organized outside the campus of LIA. This Is What Love In Action Looks Like documents the widely controversial and inspirational story of what The New York Times referred to as "A modern day message in a bottle."

Release Date: 8 May 2012
Website | Buy

Underworld 4: Awakening
Directed by: Mans Marlind, Bjorn Stein

Starring: Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
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Vow, The
Directed by: Michael Sucsy

Starring: Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams

Can true love really conquer all? That is the question hovering over the genuinely touching, affecting drama The Vow. Based on a true story (which itself might have made a great documentary), The Vow is a showcase for the splendid acting talent of Rachel McAdams and a breakthrough role for Channing Tatum, under the deft direction of Michael Sucsy (the feature version of Grey Gardens). The story is deceptively simple: Happy young married couple Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Tatum) are, well, happy. Then a car accident puts Paige into a life-threatening coma, and upon awakening, she finds she has lost the previous five years of memories--including of being married to, or ever in love with, her beloved Leo. With lesser actors or with a more heavy-handed director, The Vow might have been predictable, melodramatic, or flat--and yet, the talents of the two stars, and the crisp, light-handed direction, make The Vow an enjoyable, deeply affecting love story.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
Website | Buy

TV SERIES

Big C, The: Season 2

Starring: Laura Linney

Laura Linney returns in her Golden Globe winning role for a new season of The Big C, the hit Showtime original Series about living with cancer. After spending season one ignoring her illness, Cathy Jamison has decided to fight back. "Bring it on," says Cathy, as she enters an experimental clinical trial while continuing to live life to the fullest in this heartfelt and surprising comedy.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
Website | Buy

Chuck: Season 5

Starring: Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski

Chuck is back with new missions, a new business -- and no Intersect. The stakes are high as Chuck sets out to become a full-fledged spy. But without the CIA as backup, Chuck will have to rely now more than ever on John Casey, Sarah Walker, and a new Intersect -- Morgan Guillermo Grimes. Across this thrilling final season, Chuck will find that his wits, his friends, and his family are the only backup he needs.

Release Date: 8 May 2012
Website | Buy

WWE: WrestleMania XXVIII

Starring: John Cena, The Rock

John Cena vs. The Rock. The biggest superstars of the last two generations clash in a Main Event that's been one year in the making. It's the biggest WrestleMania in history when WWE comes to Miami, Florida for WrestleMania 28. Undertaker will be looking to make his winning streak an unfathomable 20-0 and the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships will be defended. Last year saw Snooki from Jersey Shore make her in-ring debut-who knows what celebrities from the worlds of sports, TV, movies, or music will share the spotlight with the Superstars of Raw and SmackDown at WrestleMania 28!

Release Date: 8 May 2012
Website | Buy