Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

Book: Tempest by Julie Cross

Pages: 334

Genre: Young Adult, Science fiction

Source: Won from The LibraryThing

Publication Date: January 2012

Short Synopsis: Jackson Meyer can travel through time and relive past moments. In an attempt to get to Jackson, his attackers harmed his girlfriend Holly, and Jackson must find a way to undo it all.

My Thoughts: A new take on the aspect of time travel, with characters that grow on you till the end.

Jackson Meyer has a secret. He can travel through time. With the help of his friend Adam, they figure out Jackson's limits and how much he can handle. But things aren't all fun and games, when a mysterious group starts coming for Jackson and will do anything to get him.

In all the commotion, his girlfriend, Holly, is shot and Jackson jumps out of his present time in an attempt to escape.

He is suddenly stuck two years in the past and has no clue what to do. Jackson tracks down his friends Adam and Holly, and tries to befriend them yet once again. As Jackson tries to find out who is after him and why, he is also confronted by the fact that the person who thought was his father, was someone else entirely. Jackson must find a way to get back to the present, as well as find a way to stop those who are after him, and save those he loves.

An interesting take on time travel, and great characters. I'm usually not a big science fiction fan, but this book had me hooked from the beginning. It was entertaining to read how Jackson was able to win over his girlfriend once again and what lengths he would take to get there, and how one person can change in the span of two years. I loved the whole CIA aspect of the book which made me even more intrigued. It was fun trying to figure out who Jackson could trust, and who were the bad guys. The only thing that bugged me was the part about Emily, and how she knew so much about Jackson and the future, but wasn't willing to tell. I usually don't like how most book series end, but this one was pretty satisfying, and I can't wait to read what comes next.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

Winner and Another Giveaway!

Hey all! Happy Halloween! And with that, I have a couple things to announce. First up, the winner for my recent giveaway an e-book copy of Bloodlines by Lindsay Anne Kendal, and the winner chosen randomly is...

Ceclia Robert.

The winner has been e-mailed and notified. And to celebrate my first ever Halloween as a book blogger, I am giving away my copy of Dracula In Love by Karen Essex.

Rules:

To enter, you must be a follower. Either by GFC or by Twitter (you will be checked!). Please leave your GFC or Twitter name in a comment below, along with a valid e-mail address so I can contact you if you are a winner.

Giveaway ends: November 14, 2011

*** This giveaway has now ended***

In My Mailbox!

Hey all! It's another posting of In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren. This week I got...

Books Mentioned:

For Review:

The Guardian's Wildchild -- Feather Stone (e-book)

The Demon Whisperer -- Tawny Stokes

Wolf Springs Chronicles Unleashed -- Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

From Library:

The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer -- Michelle Hodkin

Bloodlines -- Richelle Mead

Love Story -- Jennifer Echols

Choker -- Elizabeth Woods

Jace -- Sarah McCarty

Review: The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone

E-book: The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone

Pages: 288

Genre: Romance

Source: Sent From author

Short Synopsis: Sidney, a guardian is caught in a predicament as she has been charged with being a spy, and tampering with military weapons and is imprisoned on a naval ship and set for execution. She befriends Captain Sam Waterhouse and the two embark on a paranormal journey, fighting against dark forces.

My Thoughts: Interesting plot, some potential, but there are some things that bothered me through out the process.

Sidney is not your average person. She is a guardian who has been caught in an attempt to stop dark forces. She becomes imprisoned on a naval ship and is set for an execution. As Sidney struggles with the rules and regulations of military life, she begins to befriend and fall for the captain of the ship, Sam Waterhouse.

As Sam gets to get to know Sidney better, he starts to figure out that things aren't always what they seem, and those whom he used to trust have now been deemed questionable. As Sidney and Sam team together to stop those who mean harm, Sam also discovers a world filled with possibility and romance.

An interesting plot filled with fascinating characters. But there were a few points in the book that really bothered me. The tone of voice seemed excruciatingly slow for me and by that point, made it really difficult for me to complete. It also seemed a bit odd to me that a prisoner set for execution had a lot of free reign on the ship and was able to grant so many requests. The relationship between Sidney and Sam also seemed really fast, considering they'd only been together for a couple weeks. It also seemed a bit confusing about the whole mission concerning the crystals, and what they were actually used for and why Madame wanted them and how Madame had so much power over everybody. Overall, it was an okay read, but there could have been some more potential.

Would I recommend this book: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a 2/5.

Review: Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

Book: Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

Pages: 316

Genre: Young Adult, paranormal

Source: Sent from Tor Teen Publishing

Short Synopsis: Theseus Cassio Lowood, otherwise known as Cas, is a ghost hunter. He tracks down ghosts and kills them so that they can no longer harm humans. His latest conquest is Anna Karlov, also known as Anna Dressed In Blood. But Cas has no idea what's in store, when he comes face to face with Anna herself.

My Thoughts: I loved this novel! There's only one phrase to describe this book: Totally Creepy.

Cas, an experienced ghost hunter hunts and kills ghosts for a living. After hunting down his last ghost, the Country 12 killer, Cas and his mother, begin their next move, to Canada, where Cas gets a tip for his next hunt, Anna Dressed In Blood.

Cas enrolls in high school and gets to know some of the students whom tell Cas about the story of Anna Dressed In Blood. As a prank, the boys that Cas meets, take him to Anna's house and plan to leave him there. But the boys didn't plan on the stories being real, as Anna unleashes her power on them. Anna spares Cas and is dragged out of the house by a fellow friend.

As if things weren't bad enough, Cas has been having nightmares and the monster that killed his father so long ago, is now after Cas. Does Cas have what it takes to kill both Anna and his father's killer?

A great, creepy, ghost story. I loved how Blake tied voodoo in with ghosts, which made the story all that more scary. It was also interesting to read about Anna's story and the fact that she had a human side to her, and was different as opposed to all the other ghosts that Cas has usually come across. The most disturbing part of the story was when the Cas and the gang relived Anna's horrible murder. I was a bit disappointed that Anna and Cas didn't end up together, but seeing as how Anna was already dead, it seemed kind of inevitable that it turned out the way it did. Blake did an excellent job of wanting to dislike certain characters, and Blake also made me feel sympathetic towards Anna, even though she was a murderer. Blake spins an intricate tale of hardship, sorrow and the paranormal world all rolled into one great read. Be sure to add Anna Dressed In Blood to your reading pile. Kendare Blake is an author to definitely look out for.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

Review: Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade

E-book: Something Witchy This Way Comes by Veronica Blade

Pages: 403

Genre: Young Adult, paranormal

Source: Sent From Crush Publishing

Short Synopsis: Tessa, a high school student, discovers that she has magical powers. Two rival covens are trying to win Tessa's alliance. Because of her position, The principal, a fellow witch, administers fellow delinquent Hayden, to protect Tessa from harm.

My Thoughts: An awesome read! Had me hooked from page one and couldn't get enough!

Tessa McClean's life changed the day that she figured out that she has magical powers, and is in fact a witch. She is called into the principal's office, whom is also a fellow witch and is told that Tessa is being followed by other witches whom hope to add Tessa to their coven.

Principal Linton decides to appoint Hayden, a fellow student to protect and look out for Tessa from harm. Tessa and Hayden strike a deal, as Hayden promises to teach Tessa self-defense moves in exchange for tutoring sessions, as the tension between the two increases.

As Tessa learns more about her powers, she is also struggling to come to a conclusion as to which coven she should choose, as both have equally trusting members. Can Tessa learn to control her powers, as she finds out more about her family's history, and figure out which coven to choose?

Action packed, and fast paced, Something Witchy This Way Comes is a great read! I loved reading about the chemistry bewteen Hayden and Tessa. It was so cute reading how jealous and possessive Hayden got when it came to Tessa. It was also interesting to read the paranormal aspect and to find out all the powers that Tessa has. It was a bit confusing as to how Tessa's sister was able to come back so quickly after so many years. It was also a bit confusing about the two different rival covens, as their views weren't really explained, just that one was good and one was bad. Overall, a great read with intriguing characters. Be sure to add Something Witchy This Way Comes to your pile!

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey all! It's another posting of Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Breaking The Spine! This week's pre-publication is...

Until I Die (Revenants #2)

by Amy Plum

Expected Publication Date: May 3, 2012

Kate has chosen to leave the comfort and safety of her human world in order to join Vincent in the dangerous supernatural universe he inhabits. For his part, he has sworn to go against his very nature and resist the repeated deaths that are his fate as a revenant—even though it will bring him immeasurable suffering.

Heady with romance and rife with danger, the second book of the DIE FOR ME trilogy follows Vincent and Kate as they search—separately—for a solution to their plight, pursuing their quest from the glamorous streets of Paris to the city’s squalid underbelly. Although the experiment that Vincent attempts is progressively destroying him, he insists on seeing it through to the end. This prompts Kate to strike out on her own into the dangerous world of the revenants to find another way. But she unwittingly puts everyone she loves at risk when she discovers a family of ancient healers who hold the key to a secret that could help the bardia—the good revenants—overthrow their murderous enemies, the numa, forever.

And while the lovers search for something they have little chance of finding, a new threat arises among the numa. Kate finds herself in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, not as a bystander...but as a target.

--From Goodreads

I loved the first book, Die For Me, and the main character's Kate and Vincent had such great chemistry. I adore Plum's style of writing and can't wait for this second novel to come. Plus, I also think that cover looks AMAZING. What pre-publication are you waiting for?

Review: The Hidden by Jessica Verday

Book: The Hidden by Jessica Verday

Pages: 387

Genre: Young Adult, paranormal

Source: library

*May contain spoilers

Short Synopsis: Abbey knows that she is destined to be with Caspian. But there are certain things that are stopping her. She starts to second guess herself and the fact that she will miss her family. There is also the issue of Vincent who has been threatening Abbey and is possibly planning to do so much more.

My Thoughts: It was great coming back to a familiar story, but with such a predictable ending, it became somewhat of a disappointment.

It's Abbey's senior year and she has a bunch of plans in store for her. There's the Halloween Ball coming up, her plans for opening her perfume shop, and of course being with Caspian.

But not everything is going great in Abbey's life. The school decided to reissue Kristen's locker to a new student, Caspian's been having more trouble with picking up items and is sleeping in longer periods. Abbey also starts to have doubts that she would be ready to give up her life for Caspian. There is also the issue of Vincent, who is threatening and kidnapping Abbey for his own selfish needs, which in turn will make Abbey not complete her reunion with Caspian on the other side. Can Abbey escape Vincent's threats in time to save Caspian?

I fell in love with this series and couldn't get enough. This third installment answers questions about the revenants and what they do. It was also interesting to read what Abbey and Caspian did on his death day, but it was also a bit confusing when the novel took a turn to Vincent's story and why he was holding Abbey captive. It also didn't really make much sense to me how Abbey was able to switch places with Kristen, and the only explanation given was the fact that the other revenants had the power. It also wasn't explained how no one else in the real world was concerned that Abbey was gone and how Kristen was able to return. I also get that this was a love story, and Abbey and Caspian were bound to be together, but after reading their whole story, the ending seemed like such a let down. All in all, an okay read, but could have had a bit more potential.

Would I recommend this book: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a 3/5

Review: Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard

Book: Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard

Pages: 309

Genre: Young Adult

Source: Library

*May Contain Spoilers

Short Synopsis: Emma is still trying to find out the truth about what happened to Sutton the day she went missing. But as she continues to dig further, she finds out that Sutton isn't all that she imagined her sister to be, and neither are her friends.

My Thoughts: Still kept me on my toes, but it seems to be dragging on and not much was really exposed.

Emma continues to search for any clues which could lead to her twin sisters' disappearance. As she continues to live her life as Sutton, Emma gets a taste of what Sutton's life is all about, and what her friends are capable of.

As Emma starts to delve into Sutton's life and into her friends' life, Emma starts to point her finger at Gabriella and Lily, aka "The Twitter Twins." Emma finds their alternate twitter accounts, and their tweets seem more like they are in fact the culprits behind Sutton's disappearance.

Emma is also dragged further into Sutton's life as the Lying Game continues and the group decides to prank their latest victims, Gaby and Lily. Emma must get to the bottom of things before something goes wrong, and the Lying game becomes a life and death situation.

It was an okay read. We still don't figure out what happened to Sutton the day she went missing, or who was involved. We figure out what Sutton's life was like and more about The Lying Game. But not much else. It's only the second novel in the series, and I'm starting to feel a bit more aggravating if Shepard doesn't give out more information in the next book. It was also a bit annoying when Emma obviously cared for Ethan, but didn't really want to commit to her feelings until she figured out what happened with Sutton. Overall, an okay read, but could have had a little more in depth description about what really happened.

Would I recommend this book: Eh.

Rating: I give this book a 3/5.

Bloodlines by Lindsay Anne Kendal Giveaway!

Hello fellow readers! Today I have a special treat for you all. From my Experience Tours, I am excited to host an e-book giveaway of Bloodlines by Lindsay Anne Kendal! Here's a little more about the book:

Keira Jameson used to lead a normal life, she just had a gift, passed down through the generations of her family. Now, after hearing voices, having strange dreams of others calling out to her, and her grandfather's last words haunting her, she sets out to find other families like hers. Along with her best friend Lily, the only person outside her family to know about her gift, Keira begins a hunt for her ancestors. A chance meeting with a young man, Lucian Turner, sets them on the right track, but their discoveries change the way Keira will see herself for ever more. Fear, superstition and heritage are shaping Keira's future and she must face her enemies, even if this could mean losing her life. She cannot escape her destiny.

Part Buffy-style horror, part tender romance, Bloodlines will have fans of the genre on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment of this gripping and hell-raising tale.

--From Goodreads.

One Lucky winner will receive an e-book copy of their choice. I have: PDF, MOBI, and EPUB.

Rules:

You do NOT have to be a follower to enter, but as always, it is greatly appreciated.

Please leave a valid e-mail in the comment section so I can contact you if you are a winner.

Giveaway ends: 10/30/2011

***This giveaway has now ended***

In My Mailbox!

Hey guys! It's a posting of In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren! This week I got...

Books Mentioned:

For Review:

Something Witchy This Way Comes -- Crush Publishing (e-book)

The Tempest -- Julie Cross (Won From The Library Thing)

Anna Dressed In Blood -- Kendare Blake (Thanks to Tor Teen!)

From Library:

As I Wake -- Elizabeth Scott

Never Have I Ever -- Sara Shepard

The Hidden -- Jessica Verday

Review: As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

Book: As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 269

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Ava wakes up one day in a hospital with no memory of how she got there and who she is. Ava must figure out if she really is insane, or if there is something more to what has happened to her.

My Thoughts: Definitely not what I expected, and could have had some more potential.

Ava wakes up one day, with no clue where she is or who she is. Life is different as she has a caring mother, friends, and even a potential boyfriend. But Ava struggles to regain what she has lost and wonders if she does in fact belong in this world.

To make matters worse, there is also a boy named Morgan who appears to Ava and claims that he knows her from another planet. Ava also feels like she is being watched and doesn't really know who to trust. Ava must find out the truth about what really happened to her before it's too late.

An okay read. I kind of thought this novel would be a psychological genre, but turned into something totally different. The style of writing really bugged me. I have a pet peeve when authors use italics, and every other chapter was written in that form. The tense of the novel was weird as well, when it starts out with a third person and switches to first person narrative which wasn't really consistent and made it really confusing as well.

As for the characters, Clementine was the one character that I disliked the most, which was probably intentional, and Greer was the most obnoxious. It also didn't really make sense to me how Morgan was able to come back after he had disappeared. It was a shame, because I really wanted to like this novel, but it just further proved why I rarely tolerate science fiction novels.

Would I recommend this book: Eh

Rating: I give this book a 2/5.

Review: The Digging Crew by Nathalie Mallet

Book: The Digging Crew by Nathalie Mallet

Pages: 402

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Source: Sent from author

Short Synopsis: When Sammy gets a harsh sentence for a minor theft, she is sentenced to ten years in prison, and put to work with the rest of the prisoners. Can Sammy survive the prison life before something else happens?

My Thoughts: A great story with characters that grow on you from the very beginning.

After being sentenced to ten years in prison for a minor theft, Sammy is put to work in prison life for her punishment. When she joins crew 56, she has no idea what's in store. Tired of living the life of a prison minor, the women of crew 56 plan for an escape from their hellish life.

But not everything goes as planned, as the crew gets lost in the tunnels, unforeseeable diseases, and other creatures in the mix.

But as the crew face hardships of their escape, Sammy and the rest of the gang must also learn to trust their companions to survive, and in turn, grow into a family. The women of crew 56 must learn to believe in each other in order to gain their freedom.

An entertaining plot filled with great characters with stories that leave you wanting to find out more. All the characters were great, and it was interesting to read about prison life, and the fact that just a little minor detail could make an unwanted enemy. Mallet also made the story unique with a mix of the science fiction world, adding unusual robots and creatures of the night. I think the character that grew on me the most was the droid that the crew captured for their escape. The only thing that kind of bugged me was that it wasn't really explained with what happened to the rest of the crew, and was just assumed that they didn't make it. In general, a fast paced, entertaining read with a great story line.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hosted by Breaking The Spine, This week's pre-publication is...

Insurgent

by Veronica Roth

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

--From Goodreads

I'm sure many of you eager readers are anticipating this second novel in the series by Veronica Roth, and I am too. I put off reading Divergent for the longest time because I wasn't really too attracted by the cover and dystopian novels at the time, but now Roth has me mesmerized with the dystopian genre. And I actually love her cover for the second novel too. What pre-publication are you waiting for?

Review: Wanderlove by Belle Malory

E-book: Wanderlove by Belle Malory

Pages: 384

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Source: Sent From Author

Short Synopsis: Lola always knew she lived a different life, being in a gypsy clan. But when Lola's father tries to sell her off for money, Lola knows she must escape her horrible fate.

My Thoughts: An interesting take within the gypsy world.

Lola always knew she lived a different life, coming from a world with gypsies. But when her father decides to sell Lola off to make money for the family, Lola decides to run away, even though she knows her actions will land her father in jail.

As Lola escapes her horrible fate, she ends up at her grandmother's doorstep. As she lives with her grandmother, Lola starts to gain memories of her past life. But not all the memories are great as Lola is keeping one memory in particular that she has no clue of, due to a curse, and Lola becomes in danger as people who try to harm Lola in order to gain knowledge of her memory. It's up to Lola and her family to hide her memories from those who will do anything to get what they need.

I think that this is actually my first novel that I have read about gypsies, and it has kept me interested in that world. The characters were intriguing, especially Lola and Gabe, and I loved reading about their relationship and was curious to find out more. I felt that the characters Molly and Annika were rather rude and annoying, which was probably intended. It was interesting to see how the characters developed, especially the father, which was nice to read that he had a change of heart in the end. However, there were a couple things that bugged me. I felt that the tone of voice was a bit formal at times, and the first transition of the present world to past memories didn't have a great flow and was a bit confusing in the beginning. In general, a really interesting read about gypsies, with a cliff hanger leaving you curious for more.

Would I recommend this book: Sure.

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.

Review: Awake At Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Book: Awake At Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Pages: 383

Genre: Young Adult, paranormal

Source: Sent from publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Short Synopsis: Kylie Galen has been facing a lot of challenges. She still has no clue what she is, how to solve her feelings for Derek and Lucas, and on top of it all, there is a ghost that's been bugging her to save someone she loves, and a rogue vampire has been taunting her.

My Thoughts: I loved this novel. Very action packed and kept me wanting to find out more of Kylie's adventures.

Since coming to Shadow Falls, Kylie has come to terms that she is a different person. But she still hasn't really figured out exactly what type of species she is. Kyle is also starting to develop special powers, other than the fact that she can see ghosts, she also has super hearing, and super strength. All signs point to Kylie being a werewolf, but it isn't until Kylie also starts to acquire a taste for blood, which lead some to believe she might be a vampire.

Besides trying to figure out what she really is, Kylie still has unresolved feelings for both Lucas and Derek. Even though she's kissed Derek and wants to be with him, Kylie also has dreams of Lucas which turns out to be much more than an actual dream. As if things weren't bad enough for Kylie, a ghost keeps haunting Kylie, claiming that someone she loves might die if she doesn't help them, but Kylie has no clue who it could be. Kylie is also in danger, when a rogue vampire is on the loose, taunting and threatening Kylie. Can Kylie figure out who the person in danger is, and can the Shadow Falls gang catch the rogue vampire before he harms anyone else?

There was so much drama going on in the novel, I didn't want to put it down! I loved this book! Hunter describes Kylie's emotions and reactions to certain situations with such realism that I couldn't help but feel sympathetic towards what Kylie was going through. I loved the chemistry between Kylie and Derek, but also loved the relationship between Kylie and Lucas. I felt like Derek was being a jerk when he rejected Kylie's feelings for him, claiming that the situation was different. I also felt that Perry was being a bit of a jerk to Miranda and his reaction was a bit out of proportion. I loved the relationship between Burnett and Holiday, and it was also interesting to find out all the special powers that Kylie has been developing. It was also equally frustrating to not know what species Kylie is yet. I was a little disappointed with the ending because it didn't really seem the right place for an ending. Overall, a still great paranormal read, and I can't wait for the next installment.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow readers! It's a posting of In My Mailbox, hosted by the awesome Story Siren! No Vlog this week since I've only got one actual physical book, but I'll probably post one next week. Anyway, on to the books. This week I got...

For Review:

Dark Seeker -- Taryn Browning (E-book, already read and reviewed and loved!)

Wanderlove -- Belle Mallory (E-book)

Legacy -- Mallory Cochran (E-book, Thanks to Simon And Schuster GalleyGrab)

The Digging Crew -- Nathalie Mallet (paperback copy)

This cover wasn't actually the one that it came with,

but I couldn't find the other version.

That's all the books I received for this week. What did you get in your mailbox?

Review: Dark Seeker by Taryn Browning

E-book: Dark Seeker by Taryn Browning

Pages: 297

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Source: Sent From Author

Short Synopsis: Janie is not your average high school student. She is also a vampire hunter, called a Seeker. She meets a vampire one day, that is unlike any other vampire she has come across. Besides boy trouble, Janie discovers that something big is going on between the daychildren (vampires who can walk in daylight) and regular vampires, and Janie's the one caught in the middle of it all.

My Thoughts: I seriously enjoyed this novel! There was a little bit of everything, and I couldn't wait to find out more.

Janie, a high school student is also a vampire hunter called a Seeker. While out one night hunting vampires, she comes across an unusual vampire named, Kai. And though she knows the right thing to do is kill him, she starts having second thoughts, as Kai saves Janie's life on more than one occasion.

But boy trouble on the side, there seems to have a feud going on between the daychildren and vampires, as the daychildren seem to rid the vampires all together. There is also a plan to turn the high school athletes into daychildren, and it's up to Janie to put an end to the madness.

I was a little skeptical at first, but was immediately hooked from the beginning. It's one amazing package of action, drama, and romance all rolled into one great read. Janie is easy to relate to, and is a strong, independent heroine. The chemistry between Kai and Janie was so intense! It was also so cute to read about Kai's jealousy when Matt was involved with Janie's life as well. And it was also interesting to see the differences between the daychildren and vampires. Dark Seeker is a fast paced read, with entertaining characters and an interesting plot. If you're into the paranormal world, Browning is definitely an author to look out for.

Would you recommend this book: Yes!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

Books For Your Thoughts?

Hey guys! It's been awhile since I've done a posting of my random rants and ravings. Today's posting is about Happily Ever After scenarios and conflicts.

Lately, I've been reading a lot of stories that always seem to have a happy ending. Don't get me wrong, I love happy endings and used to enjoy reading them. But is it just me or is the new genre, the 'happily ever after?' Maybe I'm being cynical, or twisted or whatever you want to call it, but stories that usually end that way, aren't as exciting for me anymore. Or maybe I'm just too used to too much drama in novels, that 'happily ever afters' have become a bit too blah for me. A lot of the time, at the end of the novels, I find myself asking, 'Okay. Is that it?'

Which also brings me to my next topic. Conflicts in stories. I've also been reading a lot of stories that have conflict in them, but as soon as a conflict presents itself, it is too easily remedied. There is no struggle from the characters. There seems to be a lack of sense of accomplishment. Which also makes me think what was the point of bringing in the conflict in the first place if it's going to be that easy?

So, I've been rambling for awhile, but I'll sign off with a couple questions. What do you, fellow readers think of 'happily ever afters'? A great story line, or a little too cliche? And conflicts in stories: What's the point in having them if there is no achievement in overcoming the obstacle?

Happy Reading! :)

Review: After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Book: After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Pages: 305

Genre: Young Adult, paranormal

Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Alan and his mother move one day from Oklahoma to Main to help his mother's sister, whom just recently lost her husband. Alan soon finds out that Main isn't all it's cracked up to be with an evil spirit plaguing the town.

My Thoughts: An okay read, but I felt like there could have had a bit more potential.

After moving from Oklahoma to Main to help out his aunt, Alan is none too pleased with the move. With nothing to do and no football, Alan joins the cross country team. At the very first practice, Alan beats the fastest teammate, who also happens to be the boyfriend of the girl he has been dreaming about.

There is an immediate dislike between the two boys. Things aren't going great in school as well as the rest of the town, as people get angrier and crankier and fights start breaking out.

Aimee, the girl of Alan's dreams has also been dreaming about him as well. Together, they figure out the true cause behind all the horribleness that has been going on in town. Through research, they figure out that there is an evil spirit infecting the town. Can Alan and Aimee save their friends and family from the evil spirit?

It was an interesting read about evil spirits. However, there were times when I found it difficult to continue. There was also one scene in particular concerning the issue of race. I get that it was used to describe how people weren't acting like themselves, but I found it to be really offensive. Being of foreign decent myself, it really annoys me when people make fun of other races, even if it's written in literature, and I felt that the author could have portrayed this particular scene in a different way. I also felt that this novel was kind of lacking in excitement in a lot of areas. Overall, it was okay, but there could have been more.

Would I recommend this book: Eh.

Rating: I give this book a 3/5.

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey all! It's another edition of Waiting On Wednesday, hosted by Breaking The Spine! This week's pre-publication is...

Hallowed

by Cynthia Hand

Publication Date: January 24, 2012

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.

--From Goodreads

I LOVED the first novel. I'm a sucker for anything with angels. I enjoyed reading the first and am dying to find out what happens next. It was interesting to read about Clara's adventures, and am looking forward to the sequel. What pre-publication are you waiting for?

Review: Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Book: Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Pages: 308

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Source: library

Short Synopsis: Luis, a geek to the core, has always been sheltered from the gang life. He is suddenly thrown back into the gang life when the LB leader, Chuy, starts to give Luis some attention. After one horrible mistake, Nikki no longer trusts boys, let alone a gang member. Sparks fly when Nikki and Luis first meet.

My Thoughts: Another great read, but I kind of wished that there was something more or different added to the story.

Luis, the youngest of the Fuentes brothers has always been sheltered from the gang life. But things start to change when the Fuentes family moves back to Fairfield. The head of the Latino Blood starts to take notice to Luis and encourages him to join.

Nikki is a girl who has been hurt by a boy who chose the gang over her. She swears that she will never trust a boy again. But when Luis moves to Fairfield, and they meet, Nikki starts to bend her own rules as she gets to know Luis.

But things aren't always what they seem, when Luis finds out his true background and where he belongs. Can both Nikki and Luis survive their relationship and take the consequences of associating with the gang?

Another great read from Simone Elkeles. The relationship between the two main characters were just as entertaining, and with great chemistry. It was nice to read a familiar story, but the only thing that kind of bothered me was the fact that it's already been written in her beginning stories. I just wished that there was something more different that set the novel apart from all her other 'perfect chemistry' novels. Overall, it was still an entertaining read, and I look forward to her next novel.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5.

Review: Bloody Little Secrets by Karly Kirkpatrick

E-book: Bloody Little Secrets by Karly Kirkpatrick

Pages: 273

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Source: Sent from author

Short Synopsis: Vicky wakes up one night from her grave and finds out that she is a vampire. She decides to move to a new place and reinvent herself and find new friends. But things don't go so great for Vicky as the vampire who made her starts coming for her.

My Thoughts: I loved this novel! I kept wanting to find out all the crazy things that Vicky was getting into.

Vicky used to be an average girl. That is, until she wakes up one night and realizes that she's a vampire. As soon as she digs out of her grave, Vicky is confronted by another vampire waiting for her, wanting to take her back to her maker. Vicky manages to have him staked and is now on the run.

She decides to move to a new place to reinvent herself, and find new friends. As she struggles with her vampire urges, she meets a boy named Drake, and the two have an instant connection. Vicky decides to attend school and get to know Drake better.

But as soon as Vicky starts having a normal life again, vampires start turning up with orders to bring Vicky back to the vampire that made her. Can Vicky find out why this vampire is after her and keep her new friends safe?

A really entertaining read! Kirkpatrick mixes drama with hilarious scenes all rolled into one. I was captivated from the very beginning and wanted to find out more of Vicky's adventures. It was fun reading about what worked and didn't work in the vampire world. It's refreshing to read a heroine who isn't always perfect and struggles to come to terms with what she is. I loved reading the chemistry between Vicky and Drake. The only thing I found a bit problematic was how accepting everyone was with Vicky's situation, and how they weren't a bit more freaked out about what she was. The novel also ended in such a cliff hanger, I can't wait to read more! Be sure to add Bloody Little Secrets to your pile!

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.

In My Mailbox!

Hey guys! It's that time of the week again! Hosted by The Story Siren. No Vlog this week since I only have two physical books, but here's what I got...

For Review:

The Atheist's Daughter -- Renee Harrell (E-book, already reviewed, Sent from author)

Bloody Little Secrets -- Karly Kirkpatrick (E-book, Sent from author)

Without Tess --Marcella Pixley ( E-book, Thanks to Netgalley)

The Pledge -- Kimberly Derting (E-book, Thanks to Simon and Schuster GalleyGrab)

From Library:

After Obsession -- Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Bought:

After almost three weeks of not buying books, I broke down and went to my used book store and for 50 cents I got:

Once Bitten, Twice Shy -- Jennifer Rardin

What did you get in your mailbox?

Review: The Atheist's Daughter by Renee Harrell

E-book: The Atheist's Daughter by Renee Harrell

Pages: 268

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Source: Sent from author

Summary from Amazon:

“Why am I such a freak?”

Kristin Faraday feels trapped, worried she’ll spend the rest of her life in the small and suffocating town of Winterhaven. She also worries because she’s different from her family and friends.

She knows other people’s secrets because she can tell, with certainty, when they’re lying to her.

She doesn’t realize this ability is a “gift” from Mrs. Norton, the woman who murdered her father. When Mrs. Norton and her family return to Winterhaven, Kristin discovers she’s the only one who can see them for what they truly are.

The family isn’t human. They feed on humans.

Mrs. Norton is aware that Kristin is the one person who can stop them – if she only knew how. But that’s a secret Kristin Faraday hasn’t learned….

My Thoughts:

I was initially attracted to this novel from the cover, and the paranormal aspect. But as I read on, the style of writing seemed really odd. The styles kept switching which made it really difficult to continue. In some points of the story it felt like the tone was written in a modern voice and then in a completely different tone. I was confused most of the time, especially when it wasn't really explained that Kristen could tell the difference when someone was lying, until two-thirds into the novel. I was really interested with the paranormal and the psychology aspect of the book, and wished that the author had spent more time on Kristen's thoughts. It was interesting to read about how Kristen could see different things in people, but kind of hoped that there was a bit more explanation and background. I really tried to finish and like this book, but the style of writing was what threw me off the most. Overall, it could have had a bit more potential.

Would I recommend this book: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a DNF.

Review: Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt

E-book: Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt

Pages: 334

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Source: Sent from author

Short Synopsis: After living in Denmark and being home schooled, Brenna and her family decide to move back to their old hometown. As she starts school for the first time since being in Denmark, Brenna gets the attention of two boys, Saxon and Jake. Both have shady pasts, but both start vying for her attention.

My Thoughts: An entertaining read and the characters were interesting, but there were a couple things that bothered me.

After living home schooled in Denmark her freshman year, Brenna is back in her old hometown. Being dubbed as the 'new girl', Brenna goes back to high school, discovering old friends and new.

On her very first day of school, she has already attracted the attention of two hot guys. Both have different backgrounds. Jake's shady past makes him a bit of a player, but has changed his ways, and Saxon's reputation as a bad boy doesn't really help situations much, but cares heavily for Brenna.

As Brenna gets to know the boys, she starts to have feelings for both. As Brenna wonders who might be the best choice for her, she comes across a situation that might change both the boys' future forever. Can Brenna decide who she wants to be with and help the boys?

An entertaining read, and the characters were interesting. There was one thing that really bothered me though. A lot of the romance scenes were detailed very graphically, for which I'm not sure this novel should be labeled as YA. I also felt that the main character, Brenna, seemed to have pretty loose feelings when she kisses one boy and in an instant kisses another. I was also a bit disappointed with the ending and felt that it ended in an odd way, like the author just stopped suddenly. But as Brenna kept finding out more of both Saxon and Jake, I was curious to see how her feelings would change, and who she would ultimately choose. Overall, it was fast paced, and an intriguing plot. I look forward to reading more from the author.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.

Review: Blood Eternal by Marie Treanor

Book: Blood Eternal by Marie Treanor

Pages: 342

Genre: Paranormal romance fiction

Source: Sent from penguin publishing/ Bewitching Book Tours

*May Contain Spoilers

Short Synopsis: Elizabeth contemplates her future career options as she also struggles with her relationship of the ancient vampire, Saloman. Saloman's cousin and enemy, Luk, has also been awakened and is on a mission to kill Saloman.

My Thoughts: Easy to follow along to and an interesting take within the paranormal world of vampires.

In this third installment, Elizabeth Silk has to make some of her biggest decisions in life. She contemplates what to do about current job positions and how it might effect her relationship with Saloman. Elizabeth also worries about Saloman as well as her love for him continues to grow.

Major problems also start to arise when it becomes known that Saloman's cousin, Luk has been awakened. Luk and Dante both have plans as they start to gather strength in numbers as they prepare to battle against Saloman and the hunters. Vampires are also starting to change as they become more bold and start to feed openly and publicly. Can Elizabeth survive the vampire war and help defeat Luk?

I thought that this novel would be like every other romance novel, but Treanor proved me wrong! I enjoyed the take of the vampire's original and unique powers with the connection of earth. And even though I haven't read the first two novels, the plot was easy to follow along to and kept me interested. It was a bit slow in some areas, but as I continued, I wanted to find out more with Elizabeth's story. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Saloman and Elizabeth as she struggles to gain insight and understanding between mortals and vampires. The ending was left at such a cliff hanger, I can't wait to read the next installment.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.

Winners!

Hey guys! I just wanted to announce some winners from my Hurricane by Jenna-Lynne Duncan. There were two winners in this giveaway. Both winners were picked using a random generator.

First up for the e-book giveaway is...

TayteH

The Second winner of the Swag pack is...

Patricia's Particularity

Both winners have been notified. Patricia's Particularity has 48 hours to respond to the e-mail or I will be forced to pick a new winner. Congrats to both winners, and check back soon for more reviews, guest posts, giveaways and more! :)

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey fellow readers! It's a posting of Waiting On Wednesday, hosted by Breaking The Spine. This week's pre-publication is...

Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3)

by Rachel Hawkins

Publication Date: March 13, 2012

Product Description

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

--From Amazon

I loved this series. I have to admit, it's been a while since I've read the last novel, but I'm so excited for this one. I love Hawkins' style of writing. What pre-publication are you waiting on?