Review: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Title: Falling Under

Author: Gwen Hayes

Release Date: March 1st 2011

Publisher: New American Library

Source: Bought

Description from Goodreads:

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.


And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

My Thoughts:

Theia awakes to a burning man falling from the sky.  She doesn't realize that from this moment on, her life will never be the same.

Theia lives with her father- a strong businessman who believes in raising his daughter in the most stern and strict way so she acts like a real lady.  She basically never gets to let loose and have any fun.

She dreams of a boy and later sees him ,in the flesh, in her school as the new kid.  All the girls want him, including Theia.  He seems to know her from the dreams too, but still tries to make her jealous.  Could he possibly be the same boy that she keeps meeting in her dreams or is it just a coincidence that he looks the same?

Haden, the new boy at school, is unlike any guy that Theia has ever met.  He makes her want to forget all her father's rules and go have fun.  He is sometimes nice to her, but also times he is short coming, mean and angry with her.  When he is in a good mood around her, she'll receive the sweetest comments from him.  When he is angry...watch out cause he could be sending people to the hospital if he can't control his temper.

Theia feels this connection to Haden and finds out that it is no dream and they really are meeting at night.  She'll go to great lengths to learn more about who he is and to be with him.  Once she discovers who Haden is, will she be willing to risk her own soul to be with him?

I think the plot of this story is really interesting.  It does have a bit of Twilight feel to it and even goes as far as talking about a sparkling vampire. 

The writing is what threw me off a bit.  I felt dumb as I was reading the book.  I kept getting stumped.  Gwen kept using big words that I had no idea what they meant.  I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm not the dumbest either.  I'm glad I was reading on my Kindle because the built in dictionary sure got some use during this book.

My favorite part was when Haden showed up in a big pickup truck.  He took Theia stumping which consists of " muddy logging roads, 4 wheel drive, and holding on to the 'oh shit handle' above the door."  It reminds me of when we use to go mud boggin' aka Muddin'.  We used to ride around in lifted trucks with huge tires and go splashin' mud all over the trucks.  I was always holding on to the "oh shit grip"  and can picture the adventure that Haden and Theia had from my own personal experiences.  What a great scene to imagine while reading!

The cover is what drew me to this story first and then I read the description and knew that it was something that I would enjoy.  Overall, I loved the chemistry between Theia and Haden and envy the feelings that they have toward one another.  The story was romantic, humerous, mysterious, and at times, just plain fun.  I was pulled in from the first page and wanted to read at any free time I found.  I can't wait for the sequel to see if they are together or not.

4 Stars

Review: Wither (Chemical Garden Book 1) by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither (Chemical Garden Book 1) 

Author: Lauren DeStefano
Release Date: March 22nd 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Source:  Simon & Schuster (Thank you!)


Description from Goodreads:


Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.


My Thoughts:


What an amazing book!  This book takes you into a world where there is a time limit on how long a person lives.  The girls live to 20 and the boys live till the age of 25.  This is all because of a virus that was created when the first generations tried to cure things like cancer.  The first generations are the ones that were born before the virus was created, therefore they live as long as they can, which means they live to become elders.


Rhine Ellery is 16 years old and she has 4 years left to live.  Her and her twin brother, Rowan, lost their parents in a lab explosion and are left to fend for themselves and keep an eye out for any Gatherers that try to take Rhine or orphans who are desperate for food and shelter and will do anything to get it.

Rhine is kidnapped and later sold to a wealthy man that is getting his son, Linden, some wives.  Rhine is not the only girl to be married to Linden.  She now has 2 sister wives- Cecily and Jenna.  Cecily is 13 and Jenna is 18.  Rhine marries Linden against her will and decides the only way to escape is to earn his trust and become a first wife and earn all the extra privileges like parties and social gatherings. 


What can be so bad about living in a mansion anyway?  Rhine has her own domestics, servants, and attendants that will do whatever she needs them to do.  She even starts to fall for her own personal attendant, Gabriel.  This leads her to want to escape even more back to her brother and take Gabriel along on her so they can both live the rest of their short lives in freedom.  Rhine does get to know Linden and sees that he really has no idea that his father, Housemaster Vaughn, is the reason she is there and that it's against her will.  They grow closer and she starts to care for him as he cares for her, but she realizes that she wants freedom more.  Instead of all the fancy dresses, meals, parties, and riches- Rhine wants freedom.


Her older sister wife, Jenna, tries to cause distractions and help Rhine through her journey to escape.  She even steals a lighter from a servant and sets the curtains on fire, just so Rhine can see Gabriel and make sure he's ok. What a brave girl!  Cecily on the other hand, wants to be there.  She is young and doesn't really know what real freedom is and wants to please her new husband in every way possible.


This truly makes you stop and think while reading this. What if the world really did become like this? It would be a scary place to be, I know that. To have to watch your back all the time and try not to get kidnapped and sold would be horrible and terrifying. Not to mention losing your freedom and having to "please" a man you don't want to "please" but have to if you want to survive.


Rhine is such a sweet and polite character that is full of determination.  She is always friendly to the staff and never complains about anything, unlike Cecily.  She is always willing to help out her sister wives when they need her.  Rhine finds out a lot of hidden secrets in the mansion and what she finds out only makes her want to leave more.  She realizes that it isn't as safe and honest as Linden believes.  He truly is clueless in this book.  He doesn't know as much of what goes on around the mansion as what he thinks.  His father is dishonest to him and tells him lies or does something because its more convenient than for Linden to know the truth.  Basically, (and I apologize for saying this) his father is an ASS!


I really love the storyline, but was kinda hoping that it would have a different ending. I'm not gonna tell you what I was hoping for cause I don't want to give anything away.  Lauren really created a masterpiece with this book.  I was really drawn into the cast of characters and their situations they were put in.  I can't wait to see what happens next in Rhine's journey!

5 Stars

Just an Update

Just want to let anyone know who happens to read my blog that I haven't posted recently cause I have been sick...well not sick- lets just say ill cause it wasn't a cold or the flu .  I had to actually spend my Valentines Day evening in the hospital with an IV in my arm and had a catscan and other different stuff done. That was not fun!! I am feeling better now, so I am back to reading and will be posting a new review by the weekend:)  It will probably be of Wither by Lauren DeStefano which is the book I am currently reading.

Review: Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Title: Timeless
Author: Alexandra Monir
Release Date: January 11th 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source: Bought


Description from Goodreads:

When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.



Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

My Thoughts:

Michele Windsor and her mom, Marion are not only daughter and mother but are also like best friends.  She tells her mother everything from her song lyrics she writes to the dreams she has of a mystery guy that keeps appearing in her dreams.  They may come from a wealthy, high-class family in New York, but are perfectly happy with their simple way of life away from the well known family name.  It is just Marion and Michele and she is content that way.

  Michele is supposed to be picked up at school to go out to lunch with her mother, but Marion never shows.  A police man pulls in and tells Michele of the accident that took her mother's life.  Michele's world is turned upside down.  In her will, Marion stated that her daughter's new guardians will be her parents in New York.  So Michele has no choice but to move across the country to live with her grandparents, whom she has never met and live the life of the rich and famous.

  This is where the story gets addictive.  Michele is alone in her mother's old room (which also belonged to the previous Windsor daughters that resided in the house) trying to write lyrics that just wouldn't come to her since Marion's death.  She uses a magic skeleton key from her dreams that she now has in reality, thanks to her going through her mother's personal belongings, to open a locked drawer in which she finds an old journal.  When she opens it, she is soon transported back in time to 1910.  From then on, Michele is able to travel back in time to see the way life was back then and also meet her Windsor ancestors.  She also meets the boy she's been dreaming of her entire life.  They connect with each other instantly but how can they be together when they live 100 years apart.  Michele will try many ways to be with him but there could be consequences to her actions if she messes with the past.

  The cover is what attracted me to this book.  It is a beautiful cover.  If you look closely, you will see the skeleton key hanging as a necklace on the girl's neck.  The colors are very eye catching and soft which blend perfectly together.
 
  At the beginning of the story, I was already drawn in to the characters' lives.  I actually got emotional and teary-eyed when Michele found out about her mom's accident.  It was heart breaking to learn that she would no longer have her mother and would have to live with her grandparents.  She couldn't even continue to stay with her best friends and that having to start off brand new in a new place with a new school, she knew it wasn't gonna be easy but she moved anyway to start her new life.  It would have made it a little easier on her if she would have known that this new life would bring her the answers to a lot of unanswered questions.
 
  Michele is a strong character.  She tries to give up a future with her mystery guy when she learns the consequences of them being together.  She is also very brave.  She travels back in time not knowing what she is going to encounter when she gets there.
 
  Timeless is breath taking!  It is beautifully written with a unique and creative storyline.  There was a lot of thought put into the writing of the plot and the author's imagination took the story to somewhere I've never been while reading a book. 
 
  After reading the last page, you will be anticipating the sequel and counting down the months till the story can be continued.  If you like reading stories containing romance, family secrets, heart break, time travel, and love that will stand the test of time (literally), then this is definitely the book for you.

5 Stars

Thursday 13 (2)

The Thursday 13 is a weekly meme with a simple theme: each Thursday you blog a list of 13 things. What kind of things? Any kind! Just come up with a list theme and run with it. More information can be found here.

13 Books that are on my I Can't Wait To Read List: (it was hard to name just 13 of them)

You can click on the title to be taken to the Goodreads description of the book:)

1. Passion -  Lauren Kate

2. The Hidden - Jessica Verday

3. Ripple - Mandy Hubbard

4. Forever - Maggie Stiefvater

5. Wither - Lauren DeStefano

6. Entwined - Heather Dixon

7. Fins Are Forever - Tera Lynn Childs

8. Clarity - Kim Harrington

9. Original Sin - Lisa Desrochers

10. Entangled - Cat Clarke

11. Secrets and Shadows - Shannon Delany

12. A Touch Mortal - Leah Clifford

13. Wildefire - Karsten Knight

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts so feel free to leave comments and a link to your Thursday 13:)

Saturday Six - January 29th 2011

Here are this week’s “Saturday Six” questions.   I learned all about this meme from Patrick's blog at Patrick's Place.   Hop on over and join in all the fun.  Here we go:


Saturday Six – Episode 355 - Fast Food Themed Edition

1. Which fast food restaurant have you visited most in the past year?

Well, I have 2 kids and thier favorite place is McDonalds to get Happy Meals and the fantastic little toy that comes in the box.




2. What fast food creation do you most wish you could mimic in your own kitchen?

My son is so picky all he ever really eats is Chips, Popcorn, Crackers, Breakfast foods like frozen waffles (no butter or syrup), cerals (no milk added- dry only), poptarts (not heated or with butter),  pizza that is delived only (not mine- even if it is plain cheese), and of course McDonald's Chicken Nuggets.  If I could somehow copy their Happy Meals containing Chicken Nuggets and the French Fries (he won't even eat my french fries - even if I buy the shoestring kind) I would be (and my son too) would be so incredibly greatful.  If I could afford to go to get him a Happy Meal every day,  I would do it in a heart beat, but I can't so if anyone knows how to do this and copy those 2 McDonald's menu items....I would be forever in your debt!!



3. You don’t have time to cook, but you want to eat as healthy a meal as possible: which fast food restaurant are you most likely to choose?

Akita Express.  It is a Japanese restaurant about 30 mins away and they serve their food really fast and don't make you sit in front of the chef and watch him prepare it and do funny tricks like make vocanoes out of rice and flip stuff into his funny hat.  It's my absolute favorite fast food restaurant.  I love their  Teryaki Chicken with white rice and and shrimp sauce.  Yummy!!




4. Take the quiz: What Kind of French Fries Are You?

MY RESULT:

You Are Curly Fries



You are a fun loving person, and it's not hard to convince you to do something silly.


Novelty makes you light up, and you're often attracted to anything creative or quirky.


You're easily distracted, but your inspiration often comes from these distractions.


You are cooperative and friendly. You're especially excited to be around interesting people.



5. What do you like most on your french fries?

I love Miracle Whip or Mayo if I am out of Miracle Whip. Don't knock it till you've tried it!!  I got Mary to try it and she liked it too ( the Mayo not the Miracle Whip).


6. When ordering a burger, do you prefer ordering it “all the way” and picking off what you don’t want, or do you prefer to order specifically what you want?

I (or whoever orders) specifically order my 2 cheeseburgers with Ketchup Only and have been doing that sicne I was a tot in diapers.  I hate mustard or pickles on there cause they leave a funky taste even if you try to scoop it all off of there.  Better to just order it the way I want it, that way it doesn't go to waste:)

I would love to hear your comments, so feel free to leave some:)

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY - JANUARY 28, 2011

This is Five Question Friday brought to you from My Little Life.  

1. If you had $1,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose?

I would choose The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Charity to give my $1,000.00 to.  My mother is a breast cancer survivor and I thank God she made it thru cause I have no idea how to live without her. There are alot of women that didn't get so lucky and I would love to be able to help there to be a cure so women everywhere would have one less thing to worry about in their lives.






2. Snow days: Do you welcome them happily or are they a pain in your butt?


I love snow but I wasn't raised in it and so I don't really know how to drive in a lot of it.  As long as I don't have to go anywhere, I welcome it but if I do, there better be someone to drive me around cause if I didn't then it would be a pain in the butt.


3. What talent did you wish you had and why?

Cooking.  I try to make like a whole meal and for some reason its never done all at the same time.  The meat will be done but the potatoes are still cooking. 



4. Are you a news, politics or celebrity gossip junkie?


No.  I don't really get into politics or even the news for that matter.  The only real thing I watch that I consider news is The Weather Channel. 


5. What is your favorite "cocktail"? (Are you a beer person, a kiddie cocktail junkie, or perhaps your more the "Cosmo" kind?! Anything flies...doesn't hafta be alcoholic!)




Well, I have to say that I'm very fond of White Russians and Fuzzy Navels but I like Moonshine (Apple Pie) or a Bud Light the best.  They don't tend to be as strong and I can get them down alot quicker if I want to get happier quicker:)

Friday 5 for January 28: Unrelated

This is a 5 question meme from Friday5.org and new questions are posted every friday so check back every friday so you can participate too.  The link is right on this website.


1.What’s your favorite kind of cracker?

Ritz low fat.  I love to soak them in my tomato soup or make cheese, cracker, and sausage sandwiches.  Yummy!!



2.What part of your residence gets the best natural lighting? 

Our TV room cause the big window lets the sun in come in.


3.What song have you frequently listened to lately?

I was just over at a blog and Keeper of the Stars was playing by Tracy Byrd so I hung around even when I was finished just so I could listen to the rest of the song.


4.What could you use a little break from? 

 I could use a break from Cleaning the house including laundry, dishes, etc..


5.What’s going on in your town this weekend? 

Nothing that I know of. 

Friday Fill-Ins #1

I just thought I would give this one a shot. All you have to do is fill in the blanks.  Seems easy enough to me.  Check it out here at Friday Fill Ins. My Fill Ins are gonna be in red today.



1. Up in the sky, its a bird, its a plane, its Superman.







2. There are a lot of rumors going around.






3. Coats and scarves, mittens and boots: keep me warm and toasty






4. I feel relaxed when I am given a nice back rub.






5. I'm thinking about how long it is gonna take me to answer these questions.




6. There will be a drawing at my kids' school today to see who wins a Wii and I hope that we win!!




7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to new episode of Supernatural, tomorrow my plans include going to Walmart to get groceries cause we are out, and Sunday, I want to get my laundry done and ready for the week to come!

Thursday 13 (1)

The Thursday 13 is a weekly meme with a simple theme: each Thursday you blog a list of 13 things. What kind of things? Any kind! Just come up with a list theme and run with it.  More information can be found here.

My 13 Favorite Places to Spend Money on things I don't really need but most likely want- in no particular order:

1. Walmart
2. Target 
3. Books-A-Million
4. Ross Dress for Less
5. Amazon
6. Ebay
7. AbeBooks
8. TJ Maxx
9. Kmart
10. Old Navy
11. JCPenney
12. Kohl's
13. Bath and Body Works

I'd love to hear what your thoughts are:  just leave me a comment:)

Cover Revealed

I was just browsing thru my "to read" list on Goodreads and came across this.  Here is the new cover for The Hidden by Jessica Verday.  There wasn't really a description but it is the third and final book in the series. It is set to be released September 6th 2011.  I can't wait that long!  For those of you, like me, who have read The Hollow and The Haunted, you will be wanting it sooo much sooner. I love the beautiful new cover and can't wait to read the book.

Review: Deadly Little Games (Touch #3) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: Deadly Little Games (Touch #3)

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Release Date: December 28th 2010

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Source: Bought

Description From Goodreads:

Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: They both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to sense things through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control and hurting people. Camelia's gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn't yet comprehend.

Before either teen has a chance to fully grasp these abilities, an unresolved family tragedy resurfaces in Camelia's life, irrevocably changing everything she cares about...

My Review:

  The Book starts with Camelia sculpting a pair of lips.  They aren't Ben's lips either.  They belong to Adam.  Who is Adam you ask.  Well, he is the boy that seeked revenge against his ex best friend, Ben.  Adam and Camelia were seeing each other while she and Ben were taking a break.
 
  Camelia keeps sculpting pieces of clay that are actually clues/premonitions showing that Adam is in danger.  She and her friends, Kimmie and Wes, start hanging around with Adam so they can try to see who is trying to make him pay.  He keeps getting crossword puzzles with hidden messages in the answers.  With Ben not as approving of Camelia and Adam hanging out, they start to pull apart a little bit.  Is this Adam's plan to get Camelia back or is there really someone who wants to kill him?  You never know who's gonna get hurt if they're not careful.
 
  What a great third book in the series.  I was anticipating this book's release day for many months now and was not a bit disappointed when I finished it.
  
  Let's start off with Camelia.  Trouble always seems to find that girl.  The thing is- she hasn't once told her parents anything that is going on.  I realize her parents are having family issues since her Aunt Alexia is in the mental ward, but come on- you would seriously think that after everything she's gone through, she'd tell her parents something other than keeping them completely clueless.  All I got left to say on the subject is she better start talking by the end of the fourth book in the series. 
 
  I kept guessing who the actual villain of the story was this time.  I would think that it was one character for awhile and then change my mind to thinking of someone else.  The author definitely kept me on my toes the entire time and for your information,  I didn't guess right one time.  The ending blew me away.  It was completely unexpected and I was scared for the characters that were in danger.
 
  Overall, I love every book in this series.  They are puzzling, edgy, and fresh and full of danger, mystery, and romance.  Read this series as soon as you get a chance.  Drop everything else you're reading at the moment cause this series is amazing- one of my favorites by far.  Kudos to Laurie on her creations and for sharing all her work with readers like me.

5 Stars

Review: The Lost Saint: A Dark Divine Novel (The Dark Divine #2) by Bree Despain

Title: The Lost Saint: A Dark Divine Novel
Author: Bree Despain
Release Date: December 28th 2010
Publisher: EgmontUSA

Source: Bought

Description from Goodreads:

The non-stop sequel to The Dark Divine delivers an even hotter romance and more thrilling action than Bree Despain's first novel. Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She gave her soul to the wolf to save him and lost her beloved mother. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven. Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot - a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel begins to crumble. Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace becomes prideful in her new abilities - not realizing that an old enemy has returned and deadly trap is about to be sprung. Readers, ravenous for more Grace and Daniel, will be itching to sink their teeth into The Lost Saint.

My Review:

  The story begins with Daniel training Grace to fight when she gets a call from Daniel's phone. The caller states that they're coming and you're all in danger. She recognizes the voice as Jude's. Later there is an attack on Day's Market and the place is robbed and trashed. Whoever did it was super fast cause it was all done within a five minute time period. While Grace was leaving the market, she noticed a card stuck to the bottom of her shoe from The Depot and slipped it in her pocket thinking it could be a clue to who did it. Grace would soon find out how important that card really is.

  Daniel starts behaving strange and Grace starts out on her own to find Jude. He's part of a new pack family now and Grace is determined to find him and bring him back even without Daniel's help. He's pulling away, keeping secrets and even being dishonest towards Grace. She soon meets Talbot, who is like her and decides to train her and help her develop her new powers. She now has sharper and clearer vision, along with her being strong and faster with an instinct to run.
  This is an awesome sequel that has twists and turns all throughout the story. The plot is well thought out and the ending will leaving you aching for the next installment. We get introduced to exciting new characters that lead Grace into thrills and dangers and you never know what's gonna happen next or who can be trusted. After reading this, I felt like a roller coaster of emotions from the excitement of the adventures they just went through to the shock and sorrow I felt at the end. I hope I don't have to wait too long till I can find out what happens next!! Pick this up and read it and I bet you'll be filled with the emotions I am too.


4 1/2 Stars







 

Review: Gifts of the Blood (Gifted Blood Trilogy #1) by Vicki Keire

Title: Gifts of the Blood
Author: Vicki Keire
Release Date: 12-30-10
Publisher: Indie
Source: Author

Description from Goodreads:

Caspia Chastain, art student and barista, is gifted (or plagued, if you ask her) with the ability to draw the future, usually at the worst possible times. Her parents are four years dead; everyday she watches her brother Logan fight his cancer diagnosis. School, double shifts at work, art, and even her usually vibrant small town can't keep reality at bay.




Things get worse the day she draws an angry stranger surrounded by brilliant light and violent, bloody images. That exact same stranger walks up to her knowing all about her, including her name, her brother's illness, and her strange ability. When Caspia discovers that her hometown is a refuge for supernatural beings both Light and Dark, she and her brother find themselves caught up in a war between the two that predates their very birth. For protection, she turns to the man who walked out of her sketchbook calling himself Ethan.


But Ethan has his own agenda, Logan's getting sicker fast, and Caspia finds that drawing the future isn't the only strange thing she can do. Meanwhile, someone really wants all of them dead. In a town where Dark doesn't equal Evil and Light isn't always Good, Caspia and Ethan find themselves making strange alliances and even stranger sacrifices in order to protect those they love.
 

 
My Thoughts:
 
  Caspia and Logan Chastain lost their parents four years ago.  Now Caspia is working at the Whitfield Coffee Shop to help with bills and rent since her older brother is dying of cancer.  She has a gift of drawing the future.  When her  teacher, Dr. Christian, assigns them to sketch the St. Clare River, Caspia has another drawing in mind.
  She ends up drawing a strange, angry man with a dark cloud surrounding him with symbols drawn into it such as:  a hand with nails like talons with dripping blood, a shattered knife, a tattered book, and a smashed hear shaped box.  Caspia is visiting Mrs. Alice in a local New Age shop when she realizes that the stranger she drew hours before is appearing before her.  His name is Ethan.
  She later learns about her gift.  She is a Nephilim (human with Fallen Angel's blood) and Ethan is a newly Fallen Angel.  He informs her about the gift of her bloodline and the special things she can do with it.  There are also other dark Fallen Angels that can sense her and will try to harm her and her brother.  Ethan will risk his own life and immortality to save them and Caspia will learn that those around her may be more that they seem.  Who can she trust and will she be able to come out of this with her and Logan's souls intact?
 
I really enjoyed this story.  The plot was creative and unlike any I've read before.  The emotion that Caspia shows towards Ethan and Logan was truly believable.  I was able to understand her grief and fear of losing those she loved along with the love she felt so strongly for them.  Overall, this book was filled with romance, mystery, adventure, and even some sorrow so whatever you are looking for- it's in there and you're sure to be satisfied after finishing it.
 
4 1/2 Stars

Review: Make Mine Midnight - Annmarie McKenna

Description from Goodreads:

New Year-s resolutions have never looked so good.


New Year-s Eve. The party is rockin-, and Claire is in her usual spot holding up the wall. It-s all right. She-s much happier scribbling in her trusty little notebook than mingling. Especially since those notes turn into the sexy erotic romances she pens in secret. Those two gorgeous gods across the room are perfect hero material and-oh dear, are they headed her way?

Mason and Hunter know she won-t remember them as the scrawny geeks they were in high school. She also doesn't know they've been lusting after her for ten long years, waiting for her to meet a man and have a normal relationship. They-re through waiting. The time has come to make their move-and show her exactly how much they've changed.

One night in the middle of a Mason/Hunter manwich, and Claire has enough research material to fill a hundred notebooks. Good thing she-s got OfficeMax on speed dial to order more. Except suddenly her two hunks have this crazy idea that keeping her is selfish. Selfish? She may be mousy, but this mouse is about to roar-

Warning: Threesomes! Light bondage, blindfolds, breakfast made by two hot men who used to be geeks. Parades, cotton candy, more sex, and convincing said men they are WRONG and threesomes are RIGHT.

My Review:

Claire is an erotic writer and she's never experienced what she writes about.  Until now.

She's at a New Year's Eve party - not talking or dancing like other guests, but writing her New Year's resolutions.  Her number 5 resolution: "Sleep with first non-squicky, non-stalkerish, non-ew-type man to offer."

  At the party, she sees 2 hunky men who would make perfect heroes in her books, but little does she know is that these two men have been waiting ten years since school for their chance  to be with Claire and show her how much they have changed. 
  Mason and Hunter used to be total geeks, but not anymore.  They've bulked up and become the men that most women fantasize about.  Now is their chance to approach Claire and take her home and show her just what she's been missing out on all these years.
  They leave the party and head back to her apartment where they can all prepare to have the night of their lives.  What Claire doesn't know is that Mason and Hunter don't just want Claire for one night, but to be with her always - if she's willing.

This is a short story full of explicit sex, hot men, and fantasies being fulfilled.  It contains threesomes, which is something I've never read about before.  I found the flow of the story smooth and the characters were so hot they were making me melt.  I really enjoyed this and I think Annmarie should write a sequel to this so we can know what happens later.  If you act quickly, this is a freebie for the Kindle on Amazon.  Check it out- you have nothing to lose.

4 Stars

Review: Deadly Little Secret (Touch #1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Description from Goodreads:

Some secrets shouldn't be kept...


Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia's life becomes anything but ordinary.



Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She's inexplicably drawn to Ben...and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help--but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.



From the best-selling author of Blue is for Nightmares comes a story of paranormal romance that's sure to be a thrilling and chilling teen favorite.



My Review:
 
Just after reading the first chapter, I knew this was gonna be a great story!
 
Camelia was in the school parking lot on the last day of school, when she has to squat down to search for an earring that slipped off.  Next thing she knows, there's a car heading straight for her and she is frozen like a deer in headlights.  All of a sudden she is pushed out to the curb and out of the way by a mysterious guy.  Camelia thinks this mysterious guy is incredibly handsome too.  He makes sure she's ok, touches her stomach, and then hops on his motorcycle and drives away.
  So who is this mystery guy you ask- Well Camelia is about to find out.  When school resumes three months later, she finds out about the new student- Ben Carter.  Ben is not welcomed with open arms like most new students- quite the opposite really.  There are already rumors going around that he is a killer and pushed his girlfriend of a cliff to her death, but Camelia won't believe the stories about him since she knows firsthand that he's a hero and saved her life personally.
  When she approaches Ben, he denies being the guy who saved her, but she knows she's not mistaken because she notices the same scar on his arm is the same one she saw when he saved her.
  When she gets home from school, she gets a photo of herself with a heart around it and realizes when she keeps getting mysterious gifts, photos and messages that someone is stalking her.  When they start, its as if she has a secret admirer but as they progress and come more often, she knows someone is out to hurt her.  Ben tells her that she's in danger but is she in danger from him or is someone else out to get her?  Is Ben the killer that everyone says he is?
 
  I've read this book twice now because its just that good!  Its full of mystery, humor, and romance that will make your toes curl. 
 
Camelia is my favorite character.  If I were her, I would have told my parents right away what was going on.  In my opinion, she was right to trust Ben when they first met cause she knew he was a real hero for saving her life.  Camelia is a brave character too.  She sticks with what she believes in and rides off with Ben in the middle of the night instead of believing the rumors.  Camelia also does pottery, which brings me to my favorite scene out of any books that I've ever read.  If you've seen the movie "Ghost" with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, then you  know about the love scene they do with the clay and the pottery wheel spinning.  Well, that is what happens in one of the scenes of this book between Camelia and a boy. I Absolutely loved that scene and being able to picture it while I was reading it.  It makes me want to learn pottery just so I can experience what Camelia does.
  I recommend this book to everyone.  Seriously, I do!  The characters are entertaining.  The settings are fun, romantic, and mysterious.  The plot flows easily from beginning to end and I wasn't bored for any of it.  Read this book cause I know you'll love it too!!!
 
5 Stars

Dead Beautiful - Yvonne Woon

Description from Goodreads:

A haunting love story about desire, danger, and destiny. After Renee Winters discovers her parents lying dead in California's Redwood Forest in what appears to be a strange double murder, her grandfather sends her off to Gottfried Academy in Maine, a remote and mysterious high school dedicated to philosophy, "crude sciences," and Latin: the Language of the Dead. It's here she meets Dante, a dark and elusive student to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they get to know each other better, Dante can't seem to control his attraction either, and their desires gradually deepen into a complex and dangerous romance. Dangerous because Dante is hiding a frightening secret. A secret so terrible, it has him fearing for Renee's life. Dante's not the only one with secrets, though. Turns out Gottfried Academy has a few of its own… Like, how come students keep disappearing? Why are the prefect-like Monitors creeping around campus during the night? And what exactly are the Headmistress and Professors really up to? Renee is determined to find out why. Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul.

My Review:

  Renee Winters finds her parents in the woods dead.  The cause of death for both of her parents was identified as heart attacks.  Renee doesn't believe it cause they have gauze in their mouths and coins were scattered around the bodies.  Renee's new guardian- her grandfather- decides to send her to Maine to attend Gottfried Academy.  Gottfried Academy is like no other school and she will soon find out why when she starts digging into its history and the truth behind her parents' deaths. 
  Renee makes friends with Eleanor her roommate, right away and she is able to show Renee the routine and rules of Gottfried Academy.  She meets Dante Berlin there also and is immediately drawn to him.  She will learn why there seems to be a magnetic bond between them later.  He and Renee grow closer when they are paired together in class.  He also tutors her in Latin which is known as "Language of the Dead".  He's always cold and he won't kiss her on the mouth but he'll kiss her on the neck.  What can Dante be hiding and will Renee be able to dig into the school's past in time to save herself and her friends?
  Let's start off with the cover- I don't love the cover, but I like it.  It makes the story look a bit fairy taleish (is that even a word?)  and from an earlier period in time.  This was no fairy tale and it took place in the modern time period so I was thrown off a bit.  The cover is catching but just a little deceiving in my opinion.  The colors are a bit dark and she is wearing all black so I pretty much assumed that someone was gonna die eventually or it was gonna have to do with death without even reading the description.  Overall, it is an ok cover for the book.
  To be honest- I was a bit bored at the beginning, but after Dante entered the book, I was able to stay focused on the story and it was able to keep my attention.  I was a bit confused on why the students had to take Horticulture.  I just don't understand what plants and soil have to do with the story. I must have missed that somewhere in the book, but I do know it is popular among the Board of Monitors of the school.  Plants just don't interest me enough to really pay attention to all the details Yvonne gave.
  The school was very strict and I would not want to live by their rules.  They had a dress code obviously but the other rules are a bit too much.  There is to be no artificial light of any kind after dark.  They are to use candles only ( Well it sure would save on the electricity bill) but suck when it comes to reading and homework- talk about straining your eyes- the kids are gonna need glasses and that is more expensive than an electric bill.  They are not allowed to be in the opposite sex's dorms or date anyone from the school.  I think it would be impossible to ban people from liking each other if you sit with them everyday in class and grow close.  Feelings are eventually gonna develop among some of the students so they should just let it happen and keep an eye on them.  Oh well, that is just my opinion.
  I enjoyed being able to snoop and spy right along with Renee on her quest for answers.  Upon discovering their secrets, I was better able to understand the characters and their previous behavior which would clear up a lot of questions I had going on in my head.  In the end, everything starts piecing together and you won't believe the ending (If that's what you want to call it).  It's a cliffhanger ending that is gonna have you craving the next book, that is if there is one.  Please Yvonne, write a sequel so your readers don't go crazy wondering what happens next!!  

4 1/2 Stars

His Eyes - Renee Carter

Description From Goodreads:

Amy Turner's about to graduate from high school and all she wants is a job. Actually, all she wants is to find a way to pay for college. Amy certainly isn't looking for love when she answers an ad to baby-sit a boy-she just needs the cash. But the job has a catch: The boy is blind...and he's her age.

Tristan Edmund may be hot, but he doesn't want Amy's help. Or so he thinks. After being blinded in a horse show-jumping competition, Tristan spends his days in the dark, refusing to accept his disability. Much to his annoyance, Amy bursts into his life and drags him into the light. But just as the two begin to see something in each other, Tristan's beautiful ex-girlfriend shows up. Will the temptation be too much, or will Tristan choose the girl who really sees him?

My Review:

Amy Turner has gotten accepted into 2 schools.  Illinois University and Evanston.  She wants to be in journalism and Evanston would get her to her dream a lot quicker than the state college but the problem is that it will be very expensive without a scholarship.

  Amy decides to respond to an ad in the paper for a babysitter but the ad she responded to forgot to mention he was blind and that he was her age.  Since she is offered $20 per hour she decides to take it.  All she is gonna have to do is spend time with Tristan, get him out of the house, and try to get him to live a little instead of being hauled up in in room all day feeling sorry for himself.  She soon learns that it may be harder than she thought cause Tristan doesn't want her help or a "babysitter".

  Amy decides to take him to the stables where his horse currently resides and they are able to talk a bit before they leave and get to know each other.  They are both getting ready to graduate and she takes him to his rehearsal and his ceremony and they are able to start opening up to each other more and more as the time goes on.  Amy starts falling for Tristan and they kiss each other when he shows up unexpectedly to her graduation.  This is a perfect night for Amy but when she wakes up in the morning, her job takes a turn and Tristan's mom says she has to pick up Tristan's girlfriend (Who Amy calls "The Creature") from the airport.  Wait...What did she say?  Girlfriend???  Umm ok. This is where the story gets good.  Amy decides to continue working so she can earn her money that she needs for college but she also has to put up with all of "The Creature's" baggage - literally. Amy is not gonna let him go that easy and she is hoping that Tristan will see that she has been the one there for him and not "The Creature". 

I fell in love with this story!  Beautifully written and it really pulls you in and you get attached to the characters.  I found this to be a quick read since it only took me a few hours to finish.  I was able to devour this in one sitting, not wanting to put it down for a minute.  It was a surprise to me that I loved it as much as I did seeming how there are no vamps or wolves in it.  His Eyes was believable and left me genuinely happy after I finished the last page.  It was a pleasure reading about Amy and Tristan and I really started to feel for each of them and their current situations.  Renee Carter created emotions in the characters but not so many that they were overwhelming to the story.  I would love to read another of Renee's books cause I was hooked once I started and any author that does that to me, makes me want to continue to read their work.  If you get a chance to read this, do it cause it is awesome!!!

5 Stars