Review: Painted Blind by Michelle A. Hansen

           
                      Book: Painted Blind by Michelle A, Hansen
                      Pages: 329
                      Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Mythology
                      Source: Sent from A Tale of Many Reviews Tours

Short Synopsis: Psyche Middleton's life turns upside down after a modeling gig gone wrong, as risque pictures of herself are exposed, and ends up on a billboard of her hometown. 

My Thoughts: A lot of interesting concepts rolled into an entertaining read of struggles, romance, and acceptance. 

Seventeen years old and agoraphobic, Psyche Middleton vows her dad will never see the risqué photos she took during a summer modeling stint abroad, but one of them ends up on a billboard in her Montana hometown. Now everyone—especially her dad—can see it. And yet, somehow, those are the mundane things in her life because she is about to fall unexpectedly, head-over-heels in love with Erik, a mysterious young man who rescues her from a crowd of admirers, and who she’s never actually seen because…he can make himself invisible.
As strange as this may seem, it’s about to get even stranger. Erik takes her to his palace in an idyllic kingdom, and she is swept into the beauty and culture of his world, but his affection has one condition: she may not see him. Overtaken, intrigued, and still not wholeheartedly believing he’s real, Psyche is going to have to decide if she can love him blindly; because if she can’t, she may lose him forever.
-- From Goodreads

A fast paced interesting read, of two characters of different backgrounds, coming together through sheer determination and love. Psyche's life is one struggle after the next, as she gets involved with the modeling world and is in a world of trouble with her dad, humiliated in front of the whole school and town, and is trying to get through life with as little drama as possible. 

Enter Erik, someone who has the ability to conceal his entire self from others when he so wishes to choose. Erik is an extremely shy character for various reasons, and meets Psyche and he can't seem to stay away from her, as he continually saves her life time and time again. 

As the readers discover what life is like with these two unique characters, it is interesting to follow along as they are thrust into a world unlike any other, from experiencing a bond of love, to determination to win back the trust that was lost.

As Erik and Psyche get to know each other better, Psyche's world seems relatively normal as Erik introduces Psyche to a whole different world of royalty and his own family. It was interesting to view the differences between the two and see how they came together. 

I wasn't a fan of how when Erik was finally revealed, and the way he reacted to Psyche's intentions. If I were in Psyche's shoes, I would be curious too, to see what Erik looked like as well. Did he really expect to hide his identity from her for a lifetime? 

I also wasn't a fan of the series of tests that Psyche had to do to prove her love, and Erik's refusal to see Psyche after she revealed who Erik really was. Overall, though this novel is full of intrigue, love and trust, and one girl's determination to be with the love of her life.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5

Review: Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

                                              Book: Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
                                              Pages: 404
                                              Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                              Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Ever since the death of her best friend, Mac has been haunted by Amy, and what really happened to her. Her two remaining friends Kyle and Jason try to get on with life, and trying to deal with the werewolf that killed her.

My Thoughts: A very fast paced read that kept me interested throughout, but there were some questionable circumstances.

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends.Since then, Mac's life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac's hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy's killer:A white werewolf.Lupine syndrome--also known as the werewolf virus--is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy's murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy's boy-friend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.Kathleen Peacock's thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spell-binding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.--From Goodreads

At the loss of her best friend, Mackenzie's life has been turned upside down. As she tries to survive life after the loss of her best friend, Mac gets thrust into a world filled with werewolves, and the fact that a werewolf killed her best friend, doesn't help much either. 

Thankfully, Mac still has two friends she thought she can rely on, Jason, Amy's boyfriend, and Kyle, Mac's close friend, who she starts to have closer feelings towards. But she soon finds out that they both have their own drama in life, as Jason is bound to find Amy's killer no matter what, and Kyle, is ultimately under no will of his own, dragged into the world of werewolves as well. 

First, I must say, that I wasn't a fan of the initials that kept popping up like LS, and RfW. I felt that it was a bit odd that these initials kept popping up, but wasn't really introduced to the reader right off the bat what they meant. 

I also wasn't a fan of how all of the sudden, there is a town infested with werewolves. It's fine to introduce a paranormal world, but through out the whole novel, I kept wanting find the background info, like how the world became infected with werewolves, or who was the first one to get infected in town, simple information like that, was completely lost among the reader. 

And don't get me started on the love triangle issue. There was obvious attraction between Mac and Kyle, but I felt so sorry for Jason, who was practically ignored by Mac, when she didn't see the obvious. It kind of felt like there was trying to be a love triangle, but to me, it obviously wasn't working. 

It was also sort of interesting/weird that Amy still kept popping up in Mac's unconscious mind, whenever she was asleep or knocked out. And though the characters were in mourning for Amy, I kind of felt that it was a bit annoying how Amy acted towards Mac, and most of the time, I just wanted to shut her up. Overall, it was a fast paced interesting read, but there were some situations that didn't sit right with me.

Would I recommend this book: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a 3/5. 

Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

                                               Book: Slammed by Colleen Hoover
                                               Pages: 309
                                               Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                                               Source: Bought

Short Synopsis: After the death of her father, Layken and the rest of her family move to a new place. Once Layken arrives, she can't help but be attracted to the super hot neighbor next door. But circumstances arise when Layken finds out who he really is.

My Thoughts: Wow! One of the best novels that I have read in a long time! Filled with a lot of emotion, Slammed is definitely not one to miss out on.

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.
--From Goodreads

Okay, I'm going to be a bit unprofessional here and say, "You HAVE to read this! Once I started I couldn't put it down!" Okay, but seriously, I've been eyeing this book for awhile and finally caved in and got it. A very emotional, fast paced, and ready to be devoured book. Layken, a recently turned eighteen year old, is grieving over the loss of her father, and is trying to make the best of the situation. I enjoyed reading how close Layken was with her family, which was a bit refreshing to read, since most main characters don't really get along all that well with their families. 

Will Cooper, though a little young to be in the position he's in, has a lot of responsibility and is determined to be a supportive individual for his little brother. Both Layken and Will are thrust into similar situations and come together through the mutual friendship of both their brothers Kel and Caulder. 

I loved reading how Layken and Will's relationship grew. And because of the situation involved, their relationship is more of a forbidden territory, and though both attempt to hide how they really feel about each other, they both cannot help but feel the way they do. The passion that the two feel for each other is undeniably visible, and has the reader entranced. 

The story itself is a very unique and entertaining read. I enjoyed how the author incorporated poetry into the character's lives, and the lessons being taught, and the emotions the characters feel when the poetry was being revealed. My favorite poetry within the novel has to be Mean, which Layken wrote, after a situation blew up between her and Will. Overall, a very creative, and heartwarming, and sorrowful tale, Slammed tells a story of two families coming together, through a unique situations as each main character struggles with their own complicated past, and the inevitable future that lies ahead. 

Would I recommend this book: Uh, Duh! 

Rating: I give this book a 5/5!

Review: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

                                              Book: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
                                              Pages: 337
                                              Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                              Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Merit must find a way to bring in her best friend Mallory a witch who has turned her magic black, and is intent on destroying the world as she tries a last attempt to make herself more sane, as her magic seems to be more out of control.

My Thoughts: Apparently everyone seemed to love this novel, but I found it to be a bit frustrating and couldn't stand some of the situations involved.

Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans. Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.
-- From Goodreads

I fell in love with this series after reading the first one, Some Girls Bite, and loved reading about Ethan and Merit's unique relationship. I loved reading about the crazy vampire house rules and what vampires had to do to become accepted into a house. 

Merit is a strong, independent vampire who knows what she wants, and gets things accomplished her own way. But things get a little crazy when Merit must bring in her own best friend, Mallory, as she tries to destroy the whole world in the process of trying to gain control over her magical powers. 

Truth be told, I wasn't a major fan of this novel in this series. It seemed very dragged out, and mostly related on Mallory's issues. 

I also wasn't much of a fan of how when Ethan finally came back, he was still linked to Mallory, and made that as an excuse not to be with Merit. Ethan, being the powerful vampire that he is, should have been able to control his/Mallory's connection, no matter what. Overall, I felt that this novel was sort of lacking, not that memorable, and a bit harder for me to complete, as it really didn't keep me all that interested. I still enjoy Neill's writing style, so hopefully her next installment will be a bit better than this one.

Would I recommend this book: Depends

Rating: I give this book a 2.5/5. 

Teaser Tuesday!

Hey fellow readers! It's a posting of Teaser Tuesdays, Hosted by Miz B. of Should Be Reading, this week's teaser is...

My Teasers:
"By this time, however, it was too late. She was tormented by her past, haunted by the loves lost and damaged, and ruined, by the evils she had inflicted on others and that others had inflicted on her. She could hardly eat; she wept all day; she clung to Joseph and begged him to never leave her, but couldn't find comfort in his goodness."
-- p.88, "Delirium" (1st Edition) by Lauren Oliver

To Follow along you:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Be sure to leave your link so I can check out your awesome teasers too. :)

Review: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

                                  Book: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger
                                  Pages: 304
                                  Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                                  Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Whitley's life has turned upside down, when she discovers the boy who she had a one nightstand with after graduation, is actually her father's fiancee's son.

My Thoughts: A very fast paced read where characters are thrust into an even more unique situation, as they dread to face reality of what really happened between them.

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about.--From Goodreads

Ever since I read The Duff, her first novel, I grew addicted to Keplinger's writing style. A Midsummer's Nightmare is no different. I love reading her quirky characters that are put in odd situations, and always manages to learn something out of it in the end. 

Whitley Johnson, is the typical wild, crazy, party girl who gets into a world of trouble with seemingly no consequences at all. She doesn't realize that though she doesn't have any dire consequences, what she does, still effects those that are closest to her. 

The situation between Whitley and her one night stand/potential step-brother Nathan, are both stuck in an odd place, where both form a close relationship and want to take things further, but are forced to keep things under control, as they will soon become related by marriage. I loved reading about  how both were put in that weird situation, and given time, they both accept each other and find out that they had more in common than they thought. 

I wasn't a fan of the whole facebook debacle, as what the other students did to Whitley was really cyber bullying, and Whitley never did a thing to stop it. I felt that Whitley's father was a jerk throughout the novel, and though he redeems himself in the end, he still should have cared for Whitley more than he did. It was fun reading about returning characters, and I definitely can't wait for her next novel.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4/5. 

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow book lovers! It's another posting of In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

For Review:

Spark (Elemental #2) -- Brigid Kemmerer (Eep! So excited!)

From Library:

Delirium -- Lauren Oliver 

Hemlock -- Kathleen Peacock

Bought:

Angelology -- Danielle Trussoni.

That's all the books I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can see what you guys got too. Happy weekend :)

Review: Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti

                                                 Book: Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti
                                                 Pages: 321
                                                 Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                                                 Source: Library

Short Synopsis: It's a new start for Marissa as she starts her sophomore year, and hopefully with a new boyfriend, the boy she's had a crush on for forever, Derek. Will this be the year she finally gets to be with him?

My Thoughts: It was a cute fast paced read, but Marissa got on my nerves a lot, when she refused to see the obvious.

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend. So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happiness is over. But several bumps in the road—including her parents’ unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek—test Marisa’s ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school’s ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is—or does she?
In this third romantic novel from Susane Colasanti, Marisa learns how to “be in the Now” and realizes that the love she’s been waiting for has been right in front of her all along.
--From Amazon

Though an entertaining read of romance, and trying to be with the one who you think you're supposed to spend life with, I wasn't much of a fan with this novel. Marissa is a teen who has had a crush on Derek for forever, and suddenly jumps up at the chance to snag him, as Derek breaks up with his current girlfriend. 

And though I commend her for following her heart, I disliked how when she and Derek finally got together, Derek seemed to want a casual relationship, not really defining their relationship, and still wanted to hang out with his ex-girlfriend. Marissa chose to ignore the warning signs that Derek seemed to be getting back with his ex, just so that she could still have a chance with him. 

I was angry at Marissa for not realizing what a jerk Derek really was, and the fact that her friends weren't really supportive and wanting to help her through wasn't much of a help either.

The only one that really helped Marissa was her long time friend, Nash, who proclaimed his love for Marissa only to be rejected because she didn't feel the same way. The novel also had a nice addition to the mysterious DJ, who as the reader continues to read on, has major hints of who it really is, as he talks to fellow students about life lessons, and everything else. It was a bit frustrating as a reader, as we try to egg Marissa on in the right direction, but she finally gets to see who she really is meant to be with. 

Would I recommend this book: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a 3/5. 

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

                                                    Book: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
                                                    Pages: 525
                                                    Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
                                                    Source: Library

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.
--From Amazon

I was so excited when I got this novel. I'd read the first one and loved it. I loved the world that Roth created, how everyone was spilt up into different factions, and everyone had their chance to make a decision. I loved reading how brave and fearless Tris was, and the relationship with Four/Tobias. 

But sadly, I was not able to finish this novel. This novel was more political based than the first, and all about how each faction was trying to gain more power than other factions. It was a bit more confusing for me, and things get a little more tricky as leaders try to over throw others, and simulations being used to abuse power. 

I wasn't a fan of how once Tobias and Tris and the rest of the gang took refuge, more traitors were being revealed, and it felt like no one could be trusted. Everyone seemed to be keeping secrets, and I wasn't really sure where it was all going. It was a very lengthy read, and I really did try to finish it all, but about 270 pages, I finally had to call it quits. Some political aspects in novels are okay, but this novel has mainly settled around people getting overthrown, and people trying to gain more power. I guess the main reason I couldn't finish it was the fact that it was centered around one subject that I wasn't too keen on completing. 

Would I recommend this novel: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a DNF. 

Fractured Light Tour- Excerpt

Hey fellow book lovers! Today I am happy to post guest Rachel McClellan and her latest novel, Fractured Light, featured on A Tale of Many Reviews, as you can follow along with the Fractured Light Tour HERE.

Here's a little more about the novel, with an excerpt:


I cut through the trees, pushing my way through heavy vegetation. Normally, this wouldn’t have bothered me as I was used to being outdoors, even at nighttime, but for some reason my heart began to pound and sweat pooled in my pits. Maybe
it was the fact that I couldn’t hear the crickets anymore, or maybe it was the wind that had suddenly stopped blowing. Whatever it was, I was really starting to freak out.

I picked up my pace, shoving one branch after another out of my way. The night grew inexplicably cold, chilling my skin. A sound, like claws on bark, pierced the silence of the night. I froze.

A twig snapped to my left. And then another.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hello?” A mocking voice echoed.

Move! I screamed in my head. My body responded sluggishly, moving up and around a thick bush. Behind me I could still hear the snapping of twigs picking up its pace in response to my own hurried movements.

“Llona,” the voice, a high-pitched, almost whining sound called.

I couldn’t tell which direction it was coming from. It seemed to be floating around me, teasing me as if we were playing hide-and-seek. And I was terrible at hiding, but “it” was
doing a great job of seeking.

Giveaway:

All prizes are open Internationally. Prizes consist of 3 Necklaces, 5 signed copies, 10 e-book copies. To enter, please follow the Rafflecopter instruction below. Please no fake entries, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now, for a limited time only, you can buy Fractured Light through Amazon Kindle for only 99 cents. Get your copy HERE. 

Teaser Tuesday!

Hey fellow readers! Today I've decided to participate in a new meme called Teaser Tuesdays hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

 

My Teasers:
"I launched myself into his arms. That connection we shared, an electrical current that seemed to flow between us, was there in full force. He wrapped his arms around me, lifting me off my feet, and hugging me tight."
--Page 35, "Mirage" by Kristi Cook

  

Review: The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheimmel

                           Book: The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheimmel
                           Pages: 212
                           Genre: Young Adult
                           Source: Sent from Random House

Short Synopsis: Sethie is a complicated girl. She struggles with her weight but doesn't know how far is too far, and her relationship with the one boy she's loved, named Shaw is anything but what she expected it to be. 

My Thoughts: A haunting tale of one girl's dream of being thin, and the struggles she deals with in everyday life. 

Sethie Weiss is hungry, a mean, angry kind of hunger that feels like a piece of glass in her belly. She’s managed to get down to 111 pounds and knows that with a little more hard work—a few more meals skipped, a few more snacks vomited away—she can force the number on the scale even lower. She will work on her body the same way she worked to get her perfect grades, to finish her college applications early, to get her first kiss from Shaw, the boy she loves, the boy who isn’t quite her boyfriend.
 Sethie will not allow herself one slip, not one bad day, not one break in concentration. Her body is there for her to work on when everything and everyone else—her best friend, her schoolwork, and Shaw—are gone.
 --From Amazon

Sethie isn't your average girl. She gets perfect grades, a boyfriend who doesn't quite appreciate her the way he should, and is struggling with weight loss. She has a mother who is rarely at home, a friend named Janey who she adores, and a boyfriend she adores but isn't practically up to par. 

The Stone Girl is a memorable story, of one girl's determination to look the best she can. The Stone Girl, written in a third person tone, took awhile to get used to, but once I got into it, was entertaining.

The main character, Sethie, has a lot of insecurities, and issues, but has everyone fooled thinking that she is okay, from her own mother, to her best friend, and to her boyfriend. What started out as something harmless as loosing a few pounds, became something so dire, and life threatening. 

I was annoyed with the character of Shaw, as he seemed very self absorbed, and didn't even really care about what happened to Sethie, even though her condition was apparent. 

Her best friend Janey, wasn't much better, as she teaches Sethie how to throw up, but acts like it was nothing, and continues on about her business. I also felt that Janey had no right to feel remorse for Sethie, as Sethie was struggling with her disease. 

I wasn't too fond of the ending, and felt that Sethie and her friend Matt should have had a happy ending. Overall, this novel is filled with drama, serious issues, and one girl's determination. With unforgettable characters thrust into unique circumstances, and a story that readers will not forget.

Would I recommend this book: Maybe ( sensitive issues involved)

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.  

Greed Fuels The Mind

I am so sick of all the drama lately. Just recently I found out that a fellow book blogger got attacked by an author. She didn't describe it as an Indie Author, but this behavior seriously has to stop. You can see her full reason HERE. But Indie Author or not, authors in general should not have the right to act as bullies if a) bloggers do not write a review for their book or b) if bloggers give their book a low rating. First, there are many reasons why bloggers have not written a review for an author's book. It could be because they are super busy and have a bunch of reading that has been backed up. It could also be that your book was so horrible, reviewers are trying to save face and not write a review to avoid negativity. It could also be because like authors, bloggers too have an actual life. Things happen, S**t gets in the way. And as authors who are humans, should respect bloggers who are also humans, that it takes time and effort to write a decent review. And if you are an author who happens to be in the B section, than you should simply thank the blogger for even taking the time out of their busy day to write a review, and move on. If you continue to harass that blogger, it never ends well, and most times the author in question will get a horrible ending to it.
Most authors tend to make money off their books, whether it be 99 cents, or making the big bucks, you as an author are still getting paid. Book review bloggers do this for free, with our only perk of getting the book for free. And in no way, due to bullying, should a book review blogger change their initial reaction and thoughts on a review due to an author's nastiness. Authors need to learn to suck it up and grow a pair, or be in a profession where things get sugar coated and doesn't hurt their feelings. Would you as an author rather have an honest review, or one full of lies, just to fuel your tiny little ego?
I initially wasn't going to write another post on this, but this post came about from a tweet from an author that I "follow." A tweet came out with the words: Did you read a FREE book lately? Consider thanking the author by leaving a review. They put a LOT of time and effort. I'm not going to out the author, and I get her meaning, but she also needs to put her words in perspective from the other side. Yes, we understand that writing a book takes time and effort, but from a blogger's point of view, writing a review also takes time and effort too. And if we as a reader received a free item, weather or not if it was a gift, something won, etc., readers are not obligated to do so. Unless there is a disclaimer upon having acquired the "free" item, than readers do not have to do diddly squat. And to reiterate, writing a review takes time and effort. Stuff happens. And if something is for FREE, than readers shouldn't have to do something they don't want to do.

In My Mailbox!

Hey fellow readers! It's another posting of In My Mailbox! Hosted by The Story Siren, this week I got...

 From Library:

Biting Cold -- Chloe Neill

Mirage -- Kristi Cook

The Rivals -- Daisy Whitney

Won:

ARC of Blood and Silver -- James R. Tuck thanks to A Book Obsession 

Bought:

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo -- Steig Larsson

Slammed -- Colleen Hoover (Already read and loved!)

Point of Retreat (Slammed #2) -- Colleen Hoover.

That's all the books that I got this week. Be sure to leave your link so I can see what you guys got too. P.S., you might see a change on my blog images. From now on I will be capturing my own book photos as I recently found out that if you don't have permission to use the photos from the artist, they can sue, even if you have a statement on your blog, claiming that you do not take credit for them, even if you link back to their site, and even if you use a snippet of their picture. It is because of this issue, that I will most likely no longer be participating in the WoW postings as well. 

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

                                            E-book: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
                                            Pages: 432
                                            Genre: New Adult, Romance
                                            Source: NetGalley

Short Synopsis: Abby is your usual good girl who does nothing wrong. That is, until she catches the eye of Eastern University's major player, Travis Maddoxx, and her whole life changes.

My Thoughts: A very fast paced interesting read, but there was quite a few situations in this novel I found to be a bit problematic.

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.
Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.
-- From Amazon

Wow. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews with this novel and wanted to give it a try for myself. There's a lot of similarities with the series of 50 Shades of Grey. First, I loved how gripping it was. It was very fast paced. Abby is your typical good girl gone bad scenario, when she meets someone she's grown infatuated with. 

First, the novel was a bit misleading, as Abby is portrayed as a good girl who never does anything wrong. It isn't until we find out later, that she has a much complicated past life which is what led her to a conservative style. It was kind of contradictory when Abby keeps insisting that there would be no connection, no attraction between Travis and herself. 

I'm going to go into a bit of a rant with the romance involved. First, why would Abby keep insisting that nothing would happen, when she had obvious feelings for Travis? Was she in denial? I couldn't stand that Abby insisted that she didn't have feelings for him, yet she could help but be near him the whole time, and her one excuse was because there was a bet and she never backs down? Really? There is ALWAYS a choice to be made. She could have walked away any time she wanted. Why not just admit her feelings?

And then there's Travis. He was such a "bad" boy when they first met, and I felt that he changed a bit too much when he met Abby. He no longer fought, though he had some instances with some girls, for the majority, he avoided them like the plague, and he stood up for Abby when she was constantly picked on, and she still insisted that they had nothing going on.

And what about Abby's other love interest. I actually can't remember his name, which proves how insignificant he was, and I actually felt bad for him, when Abby kept stringing the poor shmuck along when she knew her heart belonged to someone else. There were times when I felt like slapping some sense into Abby and couldn't take what she was doing.

And don't get me started on the whole poker thing. I was more interested in the romance aspect of the novel, and felt that it was a bit odd, when everything turned towards the mob and Abby trying to get money for her dad. I don't know how else to explain it, but felt that that whole bit took away from Abby's and Travis' love story. There's so much more that I want to say about this novel, but these are the main points of my thoughts. Though I loved how intriguing and fast paced everything was, there was just too many downsides to this novel that didn't sit right with me.

Would I recommend this book: Maybe

Rating: I give this book a 3/5. 

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

                                      Book: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
                                      Pages: 549
                                      Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
                                      Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Ismae is a young girl desperate to get away from an arranged marriage and escapes to a convent, where young girls live to serve an old god, named St. Mortain.

My Thoughts: This novel is definitely out of my reading genre, and I loved reading and devouring every page! 

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
     Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?
--From Amazon

All I can say about this book is Wow! Most of you who follow my blog, know that I'm not a big fan of novels that are set in the past. I've seen this book around in the blogosphere a lot and it was on the shelf at my library, so I decided to take a chance, and I am glad I did. 

First, I loved the writing style in this novel. Most novels set in the past have the weird language thing going on, that I can't stand. This novel, though some of the language is a bit different, was easy and simple to understand. I enjoyed reading about the trials and triumphs of the main character, Ismae, as she goes on a whirl wind adventure of becoming an assassin for the saint she serves.

It was interesting to read about the different poisons, as well as the different ways someone could use to kill another. I wasn't too fond of the Reverend Mother, though she was the boss of the girls doing St. Mortain's, I kept questioning how she was getting her orders to kill from. And though it was explained that they had a seer who had visions, and the fact that a mark was placed on the individual, it still seemed a little shady to me. 

I loved reading about the relationship between Ismae and Duval. I enjoyed reading how even though they had different view points on certain issues, they also came to terms through a common cause, to keep someone safe. It was agonizing to read how much chemistry they had, but don't do much about it until much later. 

The novel itself, though very lengthy, was a fast read, very entertaining, and I loved reading how the least person you expect, turns out to be the culprit. Overall, I loved the characters, and how unique the whole situation was placed in, and the world that LaFevers has created.

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5. 

Waiting On Wednesday!

Hey readers! It's another posting of Waiting on Wednesday! Hosted by Breaking The Spine, this week's pre-publication is...




Breaking Point
by Kristen Simmons
Expected Publication Date: February 2, 2013

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?
--From Amazon

I loved the first novel in the series, Article 5 and reading about their relationship of Chase and Ember, and trying to be on the run from a crazy mixed up government run world. Simmons has created a world that keeps the readers on their toes, and with this new installment coming up, I can't wait to read what happens next. Be sure to leave your link and let me know what pre-publication you are waiting on. 

Review: Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

                                          Book: Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
                                          Pages: 514
                                          Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                          Source: Gifted

Short Synopsis: Haven and her friend Dante, are recruited by a company called The Outfit who run a very posh hotel. It isn't until she starts working for them that things start becoming very odd, and Haven must get to the bottom of things before it's too late.

My Thoughts: It was an okay read, left the reader with some unanswered questions, but I wish the paranormal aspects of this novel were a bit more explained.

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything changes when she is
awarded a prestigious internship at a posh Chicago hotel under the watchful eyes of a
group of gorgeous strangers: the powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her
second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of
glamazons called The Outfit.
As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are
not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers the evil
agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed
in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to
thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the
hotel?
--From Amazon

Hm. What can I say about this novel? I've been wanting to read it ever since I saw it. I love the main character Haven, as she isn't your usual character, and is more of the nerd type, who gets a chance of a lifetime to expand her work experience. She meets a string of interesting people, including a fellow intern named Lance, and two members of The Outfit named Aurelia, and Lucian.

I was more entranced with Haven and Lucian's relationship through out the story. And though it wasn't really explained about their age difference, I got the feeling that Lucian was a much older individual, and yet Haven was still attracted, and Haven still knew that Lucian and Aurelia have/had something together. 

I was also a bit confused with the book that had Haven's name on it, and the fact that it was found at the hotel. Why would Haven trust this book in the first place? How would the book know it would be entrusted in Haven's care? 

And when Haven actually found out what was going on, she wouldn't tell anyone, not even her best friend Dante. I was also a bit confused with how Haven's photos came into play, just that it was crucial that they weren't destroyed. I disliked the fact that Dante didn't really trust Haven, when Haven started accusing Dante's boss, and turned his back on her. All in all, an interesting paranormal world filled with characters that leave you wanting more, I just wish that there was more of an explanation on certain areas in the novel. 

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.

  

Review: Moonlight Mayhem by Sherry Soule

                                       E-ARC: Moonlight Mayhem by Sherry Soule
                                       (Beautifully Broken #2)
                                       Pages: 317
                                       Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
                                       Source: Sent from author

Short Synopsis: Whispering Pines gets even stranger, when the high school's football team starts acting up more than usual, and huge rabid wolves starts attacking innocent people. 

My Thoughts: Another interesting paranormal read by Sherry Soule. Paranormal happenings at every turn of the page, you won't want to set it down.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn't even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch's curse.
When sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That's where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan. But Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?
After receiving cryptic messages from a creepy wraith, and then frightening threats from a demon, Shiloh finally begins to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist. Now Shiloh must decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.
Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.
--From Amazon

Ever since Shiloh came to Whispering Pines, she's been bombarded with supernatural activities at every turn. Never a dull moment, as Shiloh tries her best to accommodate the situation and bring things back to normal. But in this super packed adventure, Shiloh is way in over her head, and needs the help of her friends, and anyone else who is willing to be her ally. 

Shiloh is an independent, and determined witch that is faced with weird paranormal elements such as huge rabid wolves, innocent town deaths, and even a zombie is put in the mix as well. As Shiloh struggles with her personal life with her on and off again boyfriend Trent, she makes discoveries about who Trent's parents really are, and what Trent really is. 

And after a horrible attack on someone she loves, Shiloh is determined to avenge her family, and those she loves. Aside from her own personal drama, the high school's football team has been acting even more rowdier than usual, and Shiloh and her friends think that it is paranormal related, and must get to the bottom of things before, someone else gets hurts. 

Shiloh is a spunky, interesting, loyal character that will sacrifice her own well being, to save her friends and those she cares about. And though there are times where Shiloh feels like she's on the edge of insanity and wants to quit doing what she's destined to become, her friends and mentor are always there to bring her back to normal. Moonlight Mayhem is an action packed adventure, filled with creepy creatures, and interesting scenarios, and readers get to know more about the main characters and their past, and how each deal with certain situations. If you've read the first in the series, be sure to add Moonlight Mayhem to your list too.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5. 

In My Mailbox!

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


I actually have no books at all to show you guys this week :(. This is the first time ever since I've started blogging that this has happened to me. But it'll give me much more needed time to catch up on some awesome books. Feel free to leave your link to your own IMM/Stacking The Shelves/etc, in the comments below, and I'll make sure to stop by and see what awesome goodies you guys got. Hope you all have an awesome weekend :)

Love Triangles and unattainable Girls

Hey fellow readers! It discussion time! This time I've decided to write a post about how love triangles influences readers, and the fact that there are so many unattainable girls in these books! Am I right? The first topic at hand: Love Triangles. Love 'em or hate 'em?
To me, I don't mind as much, if they are well written. But if a love triangle feels forced, or if one of the main love interests doesn't see the obvious, I sort of get irritated. I just recently read Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire which was given off of NetGalley. I haven't written the review for it yet, so this is kind of a mini review, but I was so angry at the lead character, for not seeing the obvious. The guy that was trying to get her attention was practically throwing himself at her, and he all but declared his love for her, and she was completely clueless. First, I'm probably not one to judge in these type of situations, but does that really happen in real life? Where, you, or characters in a book, don't see what's practically in front of them, even if the hints are not that subtle? I loved reading the story, but there were times where if this was a real person, I felt like I wanted to slap some sense into the main character.
I also hate the fact in love triangles, where the main character obviously has strong feelings for someone, but is going out with someone else. Why do you string the poor schmuck along, when in your heart you know that you're infatuated with someone else, and are constantly around that other person? I don't know about you, but if it were me, I would in no way try to string someone along, even if he were cute/handsome/godlike/etc., if I were pinning after a close friend.
Love triangles aside, I've been reading a lot of books where the main girl character seems to be so unattainable, that she has hoards of guys all falling at her feet, just to gain her attention. Is this the new norm for romance novels? What makes these girls so unattainable, that they have more than one guy going after them? And, how come we rarely have novels where the main guy character is the unattainable one, with multiple girls around him? Do you think that romance novels are sexist, or are girls really that much more dramatic? So, I wanted to leave today with a couple questions. How do you as a reader feel about love triangles? Would you ever string someone along, even though you know your heart belongs to someone else? And, do you think most romance novels are sexist when more often than not, the main girls are the center of attention?

Review: Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

                                      Book: Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
                                      Pages: 224
                                      Genre: Young Adult, Romance
                                      Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Noelle is constantly being bullied at school. Each day is about surviving, and even her boyfriend Matt doesn't want to be seen with her in public. It isn't until she meets a boy named Julian Porter, when her whole life starts to change.

My Thoughts: Wow. There is no words for what I felt about this novel. Very emotional, and very eye opening. 

A romantic and empowering book about bullying
Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on.
--From Goodreads

A very interesting and entertaining novel. The main character, Noelle is a victim of a bully, just because she doesn't have as much money as the rest of the kids at her school. Her mother isn't very considerate, and takes her for granted, and expects Noelle to chip in on all the work, leaving Noelle, with no form of money for herself.

Noelle is quiet and angry, as she endures all the ridicule, the harsh comments, and the constant threats, Noelle keeps everything inside, because she knows that if she does in fact tell someone, the bullying will only get worse. I hated the scene where Nolle had paint balls shot at her as a prank, and even then, didn't out who really did it. I kept rooting for Noelle to speak up and do something about her situation.

And though it was probably intentional, I hated her "boyfriend" Matt. Something should have registered with Noelle that if you're boyfriend didn't want to be seen with you in public, than either he is hiding something, or he isn't worthy of you. And I despised the girls that bullied her. Just because Noelle doesn't have as much money as the rest of them, didn't mean she deserved to be treated as such. And though I don't like giving away spoilers, when something happened to their fellow classmate, I despised the fact that all the popular girls had a right to act the way they did, when they were the ones to cause the mess in the first place. 

I enjoyed reading how Julian and Noelle grew to know each other, and the fact that Noelle was different from others, that he didn't care, and he didn't give up on her. I despised Noelle's mother, and the fact that her mother didn't really care about Noelle until the end, when Noelle finally spoke up, only angered me more about her mother. All in all, a very moving and heartfelt novel, about bullies and being bullied, and having the courage to do something and speak out about it.

Would I recommend this book: Yes!

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.